Meeehhh…

Disclaimer: I own nothing

I is a tired bunny

Enjoy

"Are you sure about this?"

"Of course I'm sure, if people are after you I can't just leave you guys alone without someone to help out. What if she's with the Desians? I can't just leave you guys. Besides, we've already set off so it's a little late now."

Lloyd frowned, looking out over the deck of the ship back towards the small fishing town of Izoold. It had been difficult to find a ship that would take them to Palmacosta, but the trip had to be worth it. Not only did they have the largest collection of scholarly resources in Sylvarant, but he knew that it was also home to the Book of Regeneration. If they could get their hands on that, they were sure to find something that could help. His Angelic was still not exactly fluent, but Colette would read it just fine once they had it.

"I'm sorry," Genis' voice drew him from his thoughts. "About..earlier."

Lloyd sighed, looking back out at the water.

"It wasn't your fault, I should've been on my guard," he said flatly.

"I should've too, she took me out before I could even react." Genis frowned, visibly ashamed. "I- …I was stupid, falling for a pretty face like that. I didn't even consider she could be a threat."

"She did seem nice," Lloyd muttered, rubbing his face. "Arie liked her. I just-…why did she let us go? If she really was planning on killing us, why did she just…"

His hands curled tightly, glaring out at the horizon.

"If she had really wanted too she would've killed Arie," he growled. "She would've kill her, maybe Colette too, all of us…I couldn't even slow her down."

"…Lloyd-"

"Go check on Colette and Arie for me," he said, pulling away from the railing.

"Huh? What are you going to do?"

"Train," he responded flatly.

"…Lloyd you do know you're strong right? You are, just because one person-"

"It doesn't matter," Lloyd snapped, looking over his shoulder. "One is all it takes, if just one can get past me and get them, it doesn't matter how strong I am."

The swordsman walked away without another word, his half-elven friend letting out a small sigh as he watched him leave. He hated it when his friend got like this, he didn't seem like himself. When it came to Arie and Colette he just became totally…harsh, serious, curt. Genis really didn't like it, he was just glad that it came and went; he could hardly even try to imagine what it would be like if Lloyd always acted like that.

"You wanted to see me, Lord Yggdrasill?"

The spiky-haired Seraph stood before the Cruxian Leader, his expression attentive but his eyes misted, as they had been for the last couple decades. Yggdrasill seemed to care little, if he noticed at all, and simply replied.

"Our sensors show that recently, there was activity in the world-transfer system. We have evidence that someone moved from Tethe'Alla into Sylvarant without authorization."

"…And what would you require me to do, Lord Yggdrasill?"

"Investigate of course," the half-elf scowled. "It's likely that this is the work of the Renegades again, those rats keep using the transfer system without our knowledge, but this time we have proof, we know someone went to the declining world. Find them."

"With all due respect, Lord Yggdrasill," Kratos responded with a completely lack of interest. "Is Sylvarant not Yuan's responsibility?"

"Usually, yes, but he's been suspicious as of late…I don't trust him. Therefore, I want you to go to Sylvarant, find the Tethe'Allan and bring them to me."

"As you wish, Lord Yggdrasill."

"There is something else, there's word that the Chosen's family has taken her out of Iselia. That is unacceptable. Investigate their whereabouts while you are down there. I will send a 'messenger' to the church on that world and let them know the Chosen leaving safety before she is of age will not be tolerated."

That was of interest, certainly, Kratos thought. It was rare that Yggdrasill has 'decrees' from one of his lesser angels given directly to the worlds, aside from the oracle. Why would the Chosen's family leave, though? Were they attempting to run? Within a few hours Yggdrasill would have all the clergy searching for them. He almost pitied them…there was no running. He knew that more than anyone…

"Well? Kratos?"

"As you wish, my lord."

That was that, the Seraph turning and walking away. He didn't care about the task, about Yggdrasill's concerns or what sort of trouble Yuan was into now. None of it really mattered after all, not anymore. Nothing had mattered since he had lost his family.

He refused to lose his family.

That thought drove him forward every time he felt tired, every time he considered stopping for the day, every time he grew weary. Colette worried about him, he knew, she always said he worked too hard and maybe he did. Still, there wasn't anything else he could do at the moment, for the moment there was nothing to do but enjoy the ride. There were no texts he could read, no people he could ask, no foes to slay, no food to cook or maps to read. He had to do something then, he had to make good of his time. He felt restless if he was doing nothing, felt…wrong, antsy. More so as of late, as of late he found it hard to sleep, his entire body felt…twitchy, like his body was having many, tiny spasms. Like his muscles were trying to move on their own. They had been miserable nights; after he laid awake for a couple hours everything seemed so much louder than usual, like every little sound was booming in his head. His eyes would adjust to the dark as he stared up at the ceiling and he felt as if he could see every little crevasse and mark in the wood. That was impossible of course, likely just the result of his exhaustion on his mind. Still..something seemed…wrong, lately.

Even that night when he laid with Colette, their daughter snuggled between them, the feeling still had not ceased. He could not sleep, he didn't even feel tired. His body ached and he knew he should, and he felt exhausted from his constant thoughts, but sleep wouldn't come. Was Presea's betrayal really such a jarring event that he was still running on adrenaline? It was possible, he supposed, Genis had suggested something like that. He had felt restless ever since then, after all…it was likely stress; the best cure for it was to rest and he knew it to be so. Still, he could not.

It was a tiring night, but he pretended nothing out of the ordinary occurred when his family woke up, acted as if everything was normal when they ate breakfast. He even cracked a smile when Genis shot milk out his nose at a joke Colette had just told and Arie laughed, clapping her hands. Still, he apparently wasn't as good at hiding his anxiety as he thought. They had just gotten in sight of Palmacosta, Genis was playing 'tag' with Arie, running mockingly slow as the girl giggled and pursued him. Colette and Lloyd exchanged a smile at the sight before the woman's smile fell, looking at Lloyd.

"Lloyd," she said firmly.

Lloyd tensed even more so. That tone of voice and that look from his wife never suggested good tidings of any sort.

"Yes?"

"I told Arie that when we get to the city, we're going to go sightsee and have some fun."

Lloyd frowned a bit.

"I…well, that's good, she'll like that. Just be careful, I'll meet you at the chapel-"

"No, Lloyd, we. All of us. I told her that you were going to come with us."

"What? But I can't, Colette, there's no time for that. I need to go check the manuscripts and then ask about the book of Spiritua, then ask where the seal around here is and-"

"That's exactly why we are all going, together," Colette said, taking his hand. "You're worried and stressed, I am too, but you're going to make yourself sick, Lloyd. You didn't sleep at all last night and I know you're tired, you need to relax."

Lloyd's frown deepened.

"I can't, Colette, I'm not going to help Arie at all by-"

"By working yourself to death. Arie needs her daddy, Lloyd, she's scared too and you aren't going to make her feel better by worry yourself so much."

Colette smiled weakly, kissing his cheek and wrapping her arms around him.

"We have enough time for you to take a day to be with your family, Lloyd…"

The man hesitated a bit before returning the hug, sighing a bit in submission. He knew she was right, he wasn't going to be any help at all if he was so stressed out he couldn't think or fight. Besides…she was right, it wouldn't kill them to take one day off. Arie would be happy to spend the time with them, and there had to be a lot of fun things to do in the city.

"I hear there's a petting zoo," Colette said with a smile. "Arie will like that."

"Yeah…"

Indeed she did. Lloyd almost felt normal again, watching his daughter run around chasing a baby goat, laughing as she went. Colette had picked up a bunny and was bringing it to the little girl. Arie's eyes widened in awe and Lloyd couldn't help but chuckle as the girl took the baby bunny in her arms, giggling.

"Daddy, Daddy!" she ran to him, holding the bunny out to him. "Look, Daddy! It's a baby bunny! It's cute! It hops!"

Lloyd tilted is head in amusement, returning Arie's smile.

"Yes, Arie, he's cute isn't he?"

"Can I have one, Daddy? Can I have the bunny?"

Lloyd laughed, patting her head.

"No, pumpkin, the bunny lives here, we can't take it."

The little girl pouted, her lower lip stuck out a bit as she hugged the rabbit.

"Can I have a bunny when we go home?"

Lloyd's smile faltered just a second.

"I-…maybe, when we go home we'll ask Mommy if we can get a bunny, okay? Besides, Noishe might get jealous of a new pet."

"No he won't," Arie pouted, petting the bunny's ears. "Noishe is a big boy, Noishe won't get jel…jel…"

"Jealous."

"Yeah, that," Arie said with a nod, her pigtails bobbing. "…Though Noishe might get scared of the bunny."

Lloyd laughed, not noticing the confused little huff on her voice that suggested she was in fact, serious.

"Just go play with the bunny, Arie, have fun." Lloyd put a hand to her head, ruffling her hair.

The girl quickly forgot her issue with him and ran back to play with the animals, this time pursuing a fluffy yellow duckling. He relaxed again, sitting back on the bench watching her. Colette came to sit beside him after a few minutes, letting out a tired sigh. It was then that Lloyd noticed the bags under her eyes, her skin looked pale and sunken in as well.

"Colette? Are you all right?" He frowned.

"Oh…yes, I think I just have a bit of a cold," she said with a small smile.

Lloyd removed his glove and pressed it to her forehead, his frown deepening.

"You're sick, aren't you? We should go to the inn so you can rest," he said.

"Oh-no, I'm fine." Colette shook her head. "We just got here, Arie is having fun."

Lloyd sighed.

"You were telling me to take care of myself earlier, you need to do the same. We can come back tomorrow if she really wants to."

"Oh, Lloyd, please no." Colette frowned. "She's happy…I'll go back to the inn and rest, and you can stay here with her. That way she can still have fun."

"What? You can't go by yourself if you're feeling sick."

"Genis was saying he was tired anyway," she said. "We can both go, and you can come when Arie tires herself out. Okay?"

Lloyd sighed, knowing there was no arguing with her. He conceded with a nod and she kissed his cheek, getting to her feet. He watched her go say goodbye to Arie and give her a hug then leave with Genis, the half-elf giving a short wave of farewell. Lloyd felt a moment of concern but told himself to relax; Genis was with her, and they were safe in the city. It would do him some good to play with his daughter.

It was probably an hour or so, but it didn't feel like very long before little Arie was half asleep, clinging to him piggy-back style with her arms around his neck. Lloyd smiled weakly, carrying the little girl back to the inn they had decided to go to. It wasn't very late in the day yet, but it had been a very long day. Colette was probably resting by now, and Genis was probably using the inn's kitchen to make a meal. It would be nice to take the rest of the day off to rest a bit, especially after his sleepless night. Arie could do with a nap anyway, she was practically asleep as it was.

"Lloyd Irving?"

He stopped, turning to face the voice.

What he saw was a couple of clergymen, accompanied by what looked like the city guard. HE frowned a bit, scanning them, unsure what was going on.

"…Do I know you?" he asked.

"I was only a few years ago taught by Phaidra," said the younger of the two priests. "I was present at the Chosen's third birthday. My…she has grown, hasn't she?"

Lloyd frowned, scanning him.

"Yes, she has. We're trying to keep a low profile, if you don't mind…so please don't draw attention to us. Phaidra gave us her permission to travel.'

"Yes…we are aware, but we have gotten orders from Cruxis itself, Mr. Irving."

Lloyd tensed immediately, eying the militiamen as several more showed up.

"Is that so?" he asked, his voice low. "What orders were that, exactly?"

"The Chosen must return to Iselia, Mr. Irving, we are going to escort you back ourselves."

"For what purpose?" Lloyd snapped, moving Arie in front of him into his arm as the sleepy girl stirred. "She's safe, we aren't putting her in any danger."

"Do not make this difficult, Mr. Irving," the other priest said."Cruxis has told us that you are trying to take the Chosen and hide her, so that she will not go on the journey. You do realize this is high treason…if you cooperate and take her back willingly, we will forgive your trespass."

Lloyd scowled, one hand going to the hilt of his sword while his other arm held Arie to him securely. His eyes darted around. They were surrounding him.

"Trespass? I'm not 'kidnapping' her I'm her father! I've done nothing, I am not 'stealing' her, I'm just-"

"You are not her father, Mr. Irving," the older priest said flatly. "She is the child of the pervious Chosen and an angel, you were only involved to care for her and her mother."

Lloyd scowled, his grip tightening on his sword.

"Of course I'm her father, she looks just like me and even if she wasn't my daughter by blood, she is my daughter! I raised her, I care for her, I protect her, and I won't let you self-righteous bigots damn her without trying to find a way to save her-"

"There! He confesses it!" the priest snapped. "You heard him, he plans to keep the Chosen from regenerating our world, he seeks damnation for us all!"

"Don't you twist my words like that!" Lloyd snapped. "That is not what I'm doing-"

"Take the Chosen from him!"

The guards barely managed a step forward before Lloyd had drawn his blade, glaring at them with a notable fire in his eyes.

"I don't want to hurt anyone," he said in a low, deep voice. "But if you try to take my daughter from me, I'll do what I have to."

"See? He is an enemy of the goddess! Take the Chosen from him, kill him if you have to!"

The first two guards fell, Lloyd slicing through the gap between their helmets and armor and slitting their throats. Arie had buried her face into his shirt, crying in fright. Lloyd whirled about, attempting to fight the soldiers off with just his one sword while protecting his daughter. He did well, given the situation, but he knew he was outnumbered. The thought only made him fight harder, slashing more brutally and desperately.

"Daddy!"

It was like a scene from his nightmare, his daughter being ripped from him, her arms stretched out for him. In that one instant, where that horror gripped him he didn't see the spear coming from his other side, plunging into his chest.

He collapsed, his sword clattering on the stone. Lloyd tried to take a breath and choked out blood, his eyes wide, watching it seep from his chest and stain the stone. Arie's cries seemed muffled, distant, far away. She was calling for him, crying. They were going to take her away, they were going to take her and keep her locked up like a cow then lead her to slaughter.

"We respect your devotion to her, Mr. Irving, but you are not her father. The angel that bore her will lead her to her destiny, you are expendable."

"Daddy!"

He had failed to protect her again. Not even days later and he had lost, only this time he was not going to walk away from it. No, no this couldn't be happening- he wouldn't let it.

He pushed himself to his knees, a half-choked scream gurgling in his throat as he spat out more blood, clutching at the hole in his chest. They said something, he didn't care, the pain blocked everything out, like every single nerve he had was being torn and burnt, searing. Somehow he mustered the power to get to his feet, his legs wobbling, trying to step only to fall onto his hands and knees. He choked, trying to breathe and vaguely became aware of a blue glow coming from his exsphere. A strange, soothing, almost comfortable warmth spread through his hand from it, up his arm, filling his entire body. Lloyd gave a gasp as he felt it…he wasn't sure, but he felt it in the wound, felt it…

His mind was clearing a bit, gradually, but his thoughts began to race again. It had missed his heart, he knew, new that he might have a chance if Genis could help him with some of his magic, if he could get to a doctor. He could survive, he could survive and he had something more important to worry about. Later he could rest, later once he had his daughter back-

His breathing stopped.

He stared, thoughtless, numb as he watching the blood slip through his fingers on the tiles. That warmth from his exsphere had turned to heat, on his back, beginning to burn and sear. It was almost as bad as the pain from his chest-

"Daddy!"

Then it erupted, the heat burst from his body, searing out of his back. Lloyd let out a scream of pain, jerking up onto his knees as mana seeped from his back in a shapeless mass, slowly taking form. The priests and guards had frozen, gaping in awe as wings formed on his back. Lloyd panted, looking up and instinctively searching for his daughter. He spotted her, her wide, terrified brown eyes , being held tightly by one of the guards. The warmth surged through him and he stood, grabbing his fallen sword. The guard tried to attack him but Lloyd met it with his sword and knocked it right from his grip with a force not possible by a human. The guard barely had time to exclaim when Lloyd sliced through his neck, armor and all, and grabbed Arie into the crook of his free arm.

The other guards, the clergy, and the amassing crowd of shocked onlookers gaped, stepping back from him. Arie sniffled, curled up in a ball against him. Lloyd panted, looking around. For a moment he didn't understand, he didn't know why they were looking at him like that. The horror, he expected, shock when he struck down the city's guards with a hole in his chest, but there was something else-

"Daddy…?"

He glanced down at her, then felt something on his back give a jerk. He flinched, breathing harder despite the pain it caused to do so; then looked over his shoulder. The wings twitched, jerking a bit, as if they were trying to settle, to stabilize, but there was no mistaking what they were. Bright green and blue wings, spread like an eagle's.

He heard Colette's voice and Genis'- and another familiar one he could not place, coming closer. His grip on his sword finally gave, dropping it back onto the ground. Once more he fell onto his knees, clutching his daughter with both arms as his vision began to blur.

"He really is her father!" he heard the younger priest gasp.

Lloyd's eyes closed against his will and he passed out right there, keeping his grip on his daughter.

Well that took a while I know, but I hope it was worth the wait…

Review please?