Second Chances
By Chomper318

Author's Note: Tales of Symphonia belongs to Namco. I'll String Along With You belongs to Diana Krall. This ficcy belongs to me. I hope readers will like it, it's my first TOS fic.

I'll String Along With You

You may not be an angel
Cause angels are so few
But until the day that one comes along
I'll string along with you

I'm looking for an angel
To sing my love song to
And until the day that one comes along
I'll sing my song to you

For every little fault that you have
See I've got three or four
The human little faults you do have
Just make me love you more

You may not be an angel
But still I'm sure you'll do
So until the day that one comes along
I'll string along with you

--Diana Krall

Chapter One

Kat ran along side Tabby and Stray begging and pleading to them to the best of her abilities. "Come on you guys! Please please please let me go along with you two," said the pink Katz with a tuff of dark hair sticking out and above her forehead. "I'm ready to be in an expedition, really I am! Even Elder Katz said...."

Tabby, a pink Katz with a safari hat and matching vest, eyed the eager young Katz and let out a sigh. It had been almost a year since the day she and her companion and fellow Katz, Stray, found the young woman along the shores of Katz Island. When they brought her back to the village, everyone was curious about the nature of the young woman. What was she doing sleeping on the sandy beach? How did she get there? Why is she there? The only way to reach Katz Island was the use of a rheaird since the waters surrounding the island were too treacherous sail across. Since the day the band of humans and half-elves reunited the world of Sylvarant and Tethe'alla, mana had been flowing freely and in abundance in the new world. Magi-technology such as the rheairds was used but only for special occasions. Because mana was not infinite, only certain equipments were used on a daily basis—like the bridge that connected Meltokio to Sybak. Though there were still problems amongst the humans, half-elves, and elves, things were getting better. But the Katz weren't too interested in what the new world's name should be or why the human boy named the Great Mana Tree Yggdrasil. No, the Katz only cared about their fishing and expeditions. While life had changed for many, the Katz way of life continued, the same as always—until Tabby and Stray brought a young woman with them back to Katz Village.

At first, many were suspicious of the young woman. Why would a human sleep on a warm sandy beach in the middle of the day? Only Katz do that. Also, when the young woman finally woken up from her nap, and it must had been a very nice nap because the girl refused to wake up at all until the Elder Katz started to sing, which would awaken even the dead, she couldn't remember who she was and where she was at all. All this made the Katz Village very curious about her. But after much questioning, the village realized that the girl simply didn't remember anything at all! She had no memory—at least, none what-so-ever since she awoken in Katz Village.

Well, the puzzle remained a puzzle and the Katz were willing to house her for a night or two before they send her along her ways but, the young woman was kind and friendly and with Tabby advocating for her (along with the reluctant help of Stray), the village accepted her as sort-a one of their own. Though she was born human, she had woken up as a Katz. The Elder Katz was quite fond of her too and that helped. She was the only one who truly laughed at his jokes and when the girl sang, well, Elder Katz fell into a gentle nap. So the village took in the girl and named her Kat. Because she was not born a Katz, she had to wear a costume that made her look like a Katz. The girl didn't mind. She liked the Katz and was happy there. She shuddered to think what would happen to her if she wasn't allowed to stay at Katz Village.

During the months since Kat joined the Katz, the village taught the young woman all there was to know about being a Katz. From treasure hunting to monster locating, Kat learned the ways of the Katz. Though Katz were not fighters by nature, they learned to mix certain potions and bottles to protect themselves in case an expedition went wrong. Kat was very skilled at mixing bottles to produce an effect that went Boom! In fact, Elder Katz said that Kat was the best mixer he had seen in a long time. There was just something quite elegant about the way Kat mixed a Holy Bottle with a Dark Bottle to produce a nice sinister looking grey cloud that not only poison anything in its path but also blinds and causes itching. Pity the poor soul who would come to path with Kat. Everyone in the village agreed, Kat was the best mixer.

A year later and Tabby knew that Kat was more than ready to go out on an expedition, but she was hesitant. Tabby felt like an older sister to Kat, even though Kat might be older. But since Kat couldn't remember her age there was no way of telling for sure. Tabby felt responsible of Kat. After all, it was Tabby who brought Kat into the village. Tabby directed her mind back to young woman, who was pointing out how she could take out a dragon, and let out a sigh. She turned to Stray who simply shrugged. Tabby placed her paw over Kat's hands, which were covered by a pair of mittens in shaped of Katz paw. Kat looked at Tabby with bright expectant brown eyes.

"Okay. You can come to our next expedition. If it goes well, you can stay and be a part of our team. If not...."

Kat let out a celebratory shout and hugged both Tabby and Stray. "Oh, you won't regret this! I know you won't! I'll be the best Katz expedition member ever!" She grinned from ear to ear. Neither Tabby nor Stray could resist. They smiled back.

"You should go over to the Expedition Headquarters and get your outfit," said Stray who was still blushing from the hug. "You'll want your maps, books, and stuff."

Kat nodded, "I'll go now," She looked up at the sky and noted the dying sun, "I'll meet you guys back at the Elder's house. He'll want to see me in my expedition outfit!" Before Stray could stop her, Kat gave both him and Tabby another hug before running off to the Expedition HQ.

Tabby looked after Kat as she ran down the dirt road that looped around the small village. As Kat passed by any Katz who were willing to listen, she told them with much enthusiasm that she was now a member of an expedition team.

"Tabby," Stray said quietly breaking Tabby's focus on Kat, "Don't worry. She'll be okay. We'll be there too."

Tabby nodded but didn't say anything. She knew that Stray was right. After all, what could go wrong? And they were going to be with her. But Tabby couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to happen once Kat left the safe confines of Katz Village. But there was nothing she could do if fate was determined. All she could do was be happy for her friend. Turning to Stray, Tabby smiled brightly.

"Come on Stray. Let's go over to the Elder's. We don't want to keep Kat waiting."

And together, they walked pass the scratching tree that was around the bend and headed for the Elder's house.