Here in the Morning Pt 1.
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Amazon Bunny- ::sniffles:: I do say, the last chapter was a bit sad...
Zelos- Sad? ::snuggles with Sheena by the fireplace::
Sheena- XD
Amazon Bunny- Of course, if you were actually paying attention, instead of getting together with all your hunnies.
Genis- ...I hardly have a role. Can I leave?
Amazon Bunny- You certainly may not!
Genis- Oh?
Amazon Bunny- ::holds up electric collar and leash:: MUWAHAHAHA!
Genis- ::girly scream::
Zelos- ::snogs Sheena::
Sheena- ::contented sigh::
Amazon Bunny- I...don't...own...ToS...
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Raine paced along the snowy passageway. As she passed by a brightly lit building, she caught sight of Genis and the others, having a good time, unaware of the pain both she and Kratos bore. Shaking her head, she pulled the fur cape tighter around her shoulders. God it was cold! Freezing. What the bloody hell did Celcius think she was doing? Damn it all!
The half elf found the Charms store and popped inside.
"Hello, can I help you?" The clerk asked politely. "Are you looking for a particular charm, miss?" She waved her hands at the glass cases of ornaments. "We have lots. Take your time."
Raine nodded. "I was looking for a Lucky Rabbit's Foot." She swallowed hard. "I was having some trouble with..." She broke off and looked anxiously at the clerk. "Do you have any?"
The clerk opened a couple of cases, tutted, and replied, "I'm sorry. We don't have any in stock. Would you like us to order some for you? They might take a while to come in, though, they're pretty hard to come by."
Raine shook her head. "Oh, no. It's ok, really. Thanks anyway." She opened the door and walked back outside into the cold. She left the small town, hoping to find something of assistance in the Ice Temple. The wind howled harder, and snow swirled around the small figure. It was very hard to see, now, considering it was dark and snowing hard. She staggered along the icy field, vision-deprived, and cold. The snow stung at her skin like needles. She had to find it. Not the Lucky Rabbits Foot, but something else. Something...else.
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Kratos finally stood up and stretched out. His eyes darted toward the door, and his hand reached out to open it. As he turned the knob, he could hear the happy voices of his companions. Colette was bubbling on with Lloyd about how happy she was now that Raine was going to be ok, and Genis was hooting happily with Presea over how now that that ordeal was over, they could finally be able to go romp around like the carefree little kids they were. Regal was in deep discussion with Zelos and Sheena about who knew what. None of them knew what had happened. He frowned.
Opening the door, he strode outside, where he met the others.
"Hey, dad. Uhm...where's Raine?" Lloyd greeted his father, while peering over his shoulder and into the room. "She's not in there?"
"No." Kratos said curtly.
"Where is she?" Genis interrogated, alarmed. His sister was missing again, like the one time at Altessa's.
"I don't know. She left earlier," said Kratos stubbornly. "But yes, she's in good condition, if you're asking me how she's doing." He scowled. "Now if you excuse me..." He strode out of the inn and into the night life of Flanoir.
He walked down the square, but found it to be deserted, except for some stray dog. What caught his attention after that was footprints. Footprints he knew all too well, leading out into the endless, snow-filled fields.
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Miraculously, Raine stumbled upon the ruins of an old temple without running into any monsters.
She wandered into the depths of the temple, desperately searching for the item.
The Destiny Sword.
She had read once that it was once a sword belonging to one of the Spirits, and that it was said to be able to take its wielder to the future, or to the past, so that they could change it. And she wanted it so badly, so that she could change her life. So that she would never have let Kratos leave.
She knew full well that the sword wasn't with Maxwell, Origin, Efreet, Volt, Shadow, or Gnome, because only a pure maiden could wield it.
It felt like eons passed. She searched every crook and cranny and yet, no Destiny Sword. She forced herself not to swear. But just damn it! How many temples did she have to search?
She slapped herself. Stop it Raine, she thought. You're just making this harder for yourself! You only have how many temples left to search? Three! Luna's, Undine's, and the Sylph's! Get a grip!
She wandered out of the temple and unpacked her Rheiard. It was metallic blue, which reminded her so much of his outfit. His Judgement outfit...It was the break of dawn, and the sun had just begun to rise, a bloody red, orange, and yellow color. The maiden tilted her head to watch the spectacular view. The snow storm stopped raging, and the new sunlight made the white snow glitter beautifully.
She didn't know how long she watched the sun rise. It reminded her of that one time, back when she was still on her quest to help Colette regenerate the world...They were outside the ruins of Ozette, too far away from Altessa's to stay...
FLASHBACK
"Raine..." Kratos stroked her head as they watched the sunset. It was beautiful too. "I'll be out scouting for the rest of the night. Are you ok with that?"
Raine nodded. "Just be careful, ok?" she begged. "I don't want you to be hurt."
"I'll be ok. And when you wake up, I'll be here in the morning. How's that?" He put his fingers underneath her chin and tilted it to face him.
They were unable to tear away from their gaze, and they locked their lips together in a kiss.
END OF FLASHBACK
It was the most beautiful thing. Beautiful...something she would never again in the eyes of Kratos.
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There was something that told him to go and look for her, and there was something that told him she'd be alright, and that he didn't really love her anymore anyway. Worry?..Yes. Truth to be told, he was really worried about Raine Sage's well-being. He really wanted her to be alright. The fierce storm last night, however, lingered in his mind, and told him she wasn't ok, she was cold, scared, and sick. So he followed the trail of footsteps, finding that they had been covered up from the blizzard the previous night.
Cursing under his breath, he persued her most likely destination- Ice Temple. Using his angel wings, he flew swiftly and quickly to the frosted over ruin. There it was...the Rheiard, a beautiful woman standing beside it, gazing at a glorious picture.
As he landed, her blue eyes darted to the angelic being and then back again, as if she had never noticed it. Her behavior showed it all, however, as her breathing became quick and huffy, and she seemed disappointed at something. She folded her arms across her chest.
"Greetings," she said tonelessly, never taking her eyes off the scene in front of her.
"Hello," Kratos greeted in his usual tone. "Is it nesassary to adress me that way?" Raine flashed him a look of deep disgust.
"What brings you here?" She inquired. "Weren't you with Lloyd and the others?"
"I was merely worried about your well-being, but now that I see that you are alive and well, I think I'll be on my merry way back, don't you think?" He replied, brushing a stray bang out from his brown eyes. He turned to go. "Make sure you take care of yourself out here."
Just as he spread his angel wings to fly off, he was stopped by the dulcet voice-
"Wait, Kratos..." She grabbed his hand and lowered her gaze to the snow. She wrung her hands. "Please forgive me for my actions yesterday. I wasn't thinking. I just spew out words and...I love you."
He didn't turn around. "I...can't love anyone else anymore. I swore to myself, the day you swallowed those painkillers. Love just seems to wither and die with me. I was able to prevent yours, for that moment, but..." he shook his auburn head. "I can't love anymore."
Silence.
"That's the stupidest...the most ridiculous...what gave you that notion?" Raine gaped. "You can't love? That's completely crazy!" She laughed bitterly. "Maybe I'm just seeing things again!" An idea crossed her mind. Crazy, yes, but it just might work...
She leaned over and kissed him. He didn't kiss back.
Hurt cracking open her heart, she broke away. She felt tears come to her eyes.
"Goodbye," the angel said emotionlessly. He spread his wings again and attempted to fly off. Raine held tight to his hand. There was something different in her eyes. It was metallic blue, and there was like a firey, steely glint in them. Scary.
Reluctantly, she released her deathgrip and let him go. Silver bangs covered her eyes, shielding them from letting the angel see her tears. Kratos let out his usual "heh" and departed.
"You'll be here in the morning someday, won't you?" Raine whispered.
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He didn't want to let her go. He never wanted to let her go. But it was for the best. Wasn't it? Wasnt' it?!
He didn't care..or at least he thought he didn't care. But that would all change sooner or later. When a desperate situation would bring them back together again. We rejoin them back in Mizuho, with all their friends- Lloyd, Colette, Genis, Presea, Zelos, Sheena, and Regal, during the Moon Festival several weeks later.
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The girls crossed over the green yard to the bathhouse. Amongst them was Raine.
"Where're they all going?" Lloyd grumbled. "The bathhouse?"
"It seems so," Regal replied, looking up from a pot of simmering beef stew. "Let's leave them alone, anyway."
"Wanna go sneak a peek?" Zelos smirked mischeviously. "I know some people can't resist..." He glared at Lloyd. "Colette!" He coughed.
A bright red blush line appeared across the young teen's face. Obviously, now he was lost in his own little la-la land with little chibi Colette's scantily clad.
"I'd rather be cooking," Regal said calmly. "I don't mind if the rest of you go." He returned to the pot of stew. "Would any of you want something else made for dinner? We have plenty of ingredients for ramen, shortcake, and miso stew."
"Yeah, I'd like some shortcake," Genis bubbled, zooming out the door and on his way to the bathhouse, followed closely by Lloyd and Zelos.
"Hmph...children..." Kratos huffed.
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"Aah, yeah, now this is what I call a good bath," Sheena sighed as she slid into the tub, a towel wrapped around her. "Especially after a long day of traveling."
"I agree, this water is most excellent." said Presea. She had her long pink hair wrapped up in two small buns at the top of her head. Colette cheerfully agreed as well. Only Raine was " Sheena sat stiffer. She leaned over and whispered something in the blond girl's ear. The girl formerly known as the Chosen stifled a laugh and swam over and told Presea, who told Raine.
The cunning Professor quickly devised a plot. "Haven't you noticed some of the boys aren't really noticing us anymore?" she shot a stealthy glance at the wall. They all knew they were eavesdropping.
"Yeah, especially Zelos," Sheena caught on first. "He seems to pay more attention to that lady in the casino than me." The ninja made sure her voice cracked with emotion. "I mean, he never really pays attention to me, just the other ladies walking around on the streets. The next time I walk into Altamira and that man comes up to me again, I'll accept his proposal!"
Outside, Zelos' jaw dropped. "What the hell is she rambling about?" He whispered.
"Yes, I bet he was handsome, rich, and wasn't nearly as flirtatious as Zelos," Raine commented.
"Yeah..." Sheena said in a fake, dreamy voice. "And what about you, Presea?" She turned to the pink haired girl.
"Well...I'd been having a lot of people in the Altamira Amusement Park asking me if I wanted anything, and they said they'd buy it for me." Presea lied.
"Really?" Colette giggled. "I'd have to go there sooner, then!"
This time, Lloyd's jaw hit the floor. "No way!" He argued. "Colette's not that kind of girl...or is she?" Genis, meanwhile, was sitting in the corner, making little circles on the wooden paneling with his fingers, murmurring "she doesn't like me, she doesn't like me".
Zelos stood up and ran back to the kitchen, and came back, dragging Kratos along. The angel was struggling, yes, but then Lloyd ran to help his pink-clad friend.
"Why'd you take me here?" Kratos growled when they set him down.
"There's no point in taking Regal, he's cooking, so we'd thought we'd take you along for the fun," Zelos said calmly, oblivious to the fact that Kratos, too, had someone who he once loved still in there.
"Hey, they're talking again," Genis pressed his ear against the wall. "Shh...Raine's talking now." The men fell silent as they listened to the conversation-
"Kratos..." The professor sighed. "He doesn't know how much I love him. I mean, he's nice and all to me. It's not that I don't like that, but I want him to show me more...you know...affection... and he doesn't seem to know that..." She broke off, making sure that her voice quavered.
"Aw, that's awful!" Colette whimpered. "How dense can he get?"
Kratos growled as Zelos nudged him in the ribs. "Raine likes you, man!" He teased. "You've gotta be the luckiest guy in the world."
The angel showed no sign of anger or emotion of any sort, but inside, he felt bad. Really bad now that he'd hurt Raine.
Genis stood, wide-eyed in shock, and Lloyd was doubling up in silent laughter.
The girls all heard what came next. They heard Kratos sock Zelos across the face, and then his outburst of "I love Raine, ok?".
Kratos' face was lined with blush. His inner self had taken control- somehow- and released his real feelings out. Because he remembered the kiss.
Now everyone knew about it. Everyone but Regal.
Zelos cracked up in silent laughter, rolling around on the ground, while Genis fainted, and Lloyd made no attempt to catch his friend as he fell to the ground with a "thump".
Raine felt like she was going to cry from happiness. And laugh. And jump and skip around like a little girl. Knowing that she was going to laugh, she ducked under the water. Presea pursed her lips together, in her attempt not to laugh, and Colette inhaled deeply several times. Sheena, however, also chose to duck underneath the water. As they resurfaced, Raine said, "I think we should get out soon, after all..." She took a deep breath and called loudly, "The boys might want a bath!"
Outside, the eyes of four unsuspecting men widened in fear. In a desperate attempt to get away, they tripped over one another, and fell in a big heap of kendama, twin blades, and swords.
The door slid open and Sheena stepped outside first, a light, blue yukata around her. "Well, well, looks like you were right, Raine, they DO want a bath." The ninja girl stepped aside and the rest of the women walked out.
Kratos blushed as Raine walked out in her pale pink yukata. "Uh...hi." He managed out from the bottom of the pile. "We were..."
"Waiting!" Genis finished quickly. "Yeah, we were just waiting for you guys to hurry up and finish with your bath and we got in a fight and..." He yelped. "Lloyd, you're poking me with your swords! Stop!" He managed to pull himself out from underneath Zelos and Lloyd. Presea chuckled to herself as she gleefully watched the young mage rub his back ruefully.
"Well, w'ere going to go get some tea before dinner," Colette chirped. "You guys can have the bath house. The water's a little cooler than I think it should be, you should reheat it first."
"We'll remember that..." Lloyd grumbled. He watched halfheartedly until the ricepaper doors slid shut and the girls were gone.
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"I hope we didn't hurt their feelings," Colette said worriedly, sitting down on her cushion. "I mean, we were a little harsh."
"Well, we might have broke their pride, but other than that, they're fine. Zelos has thicker skin than that," came Sheena's response. She shrugged, and poured the frothy green tea.
Raine pointed in the general direction of the bathhouse. "They aren't entirely stupid, just denser than we want them to be. They'll get over it." She picked up her cup and brought it to her lips. She frowned. "I just wonder if Kratos really meant what he said."
Presea cocked her head to one side. "Why's that? He sounded sincere enough then."
Raine concentrated on the tea. "That's not what he said a couple weeks ago." She sipped it again.
Sheena sighed. "Raine, don't worry about it. If he doesn't love you in the way you love him, then time will pass, and eventually he might figure it out..."
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Warm water lapped against Kratos' chest, but he hardly seemed to notice it. He just glared at the wall, and then turned to glare at Zelos. If looks could kill, the Tethe'alla Chosen would have been a dead man long ago.
Lloyd just sat on one side of the water, glowering at Genis. "You knew the Dwarven Vow, Genis, about lying!" He said haughtily, breaking the silence.
"Shut up, at least I got us out of trouble!" The silver haired mage retorted.
Everyone but him snorted in disgust. "I don't think they're that dense," Zelos replied.
There was a knocking on the door.
"Who is it?" Lloyd called.
"It's me, Regal." The blue-haired man's voice floated through the door. "I just finished cooking, so you can come and eat anytime."
"You sound happy. Did something happen?" Genis said observantly.
Zelos yawned. "Who, me?"
Genis rolled his eyes. "No, the wall! I meant Regal!"
"Cooking is the joy of my life. It always gets me happy." Regal commented before walking away. After his footsteps died away, Zelos howled with laughter.
"Cooking? That's what gets him happy? Man, for Christmas, remind me to get him a nice old cooking pot then!" He laughed. Kratos rolled his eyes.
"Shut up!" He said, shoving the Chosen underwater.
As Zelos resurfaced, he whined, "That wasn't nice!" Everyone groaned and clambered out and dried off.
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"Finally here?" Raine asked as the males trooped in. "Took you all awhile. Were you fighting again?" She teased, eyeing Genis especially. The boy shook his head and sat down in his respected seat. Once they had all sat down, Regal dished out his culinary masterpieces.
They all sat around, enjoying the delicious beef stew, shortcake, rice balls, miso stew, and fruit cocktail. Once the food was gone, the group all decided on watching the fireworks until midnight.
By the time they had reached the Mizuho Bridge, it was crowded with the people of its village. Luckily, there was an open spot by the river. The night was clear and crisp, and the river clearly reflected the many stars and the moon. Genis was jumping around, complaining about how he couldn't see over the many heads. Presea looked at him expectantly.
Zelos, Sheena, Lloyd, and Colette all chose to sit up on the railing of the bridge to watch the fireworks. Regal decided to keep a close eye on Genis and Presea, so that they didn't get lost. Genis, especially, tended to wander off by himself. Raine and Kratos sat underneath the bridge on the soft carpet of grass, away from the noise and the excitement.
In the midst of the talking, an explosion of color took place in midair. The fireworks had begun. Jaws agape, the four on the bridge railing watched in awe. Colette's eyes sparkled as Lloyd made a grab for her hand. Sheena leaned against Zelos as the colors exploded above. Regal, Genis, and Presea had stopped by the river to watch the fireworks. The burst of gold fireworks made the two youngsters shout out in excitement.
Meanwhile, Kratos had shifted slightly away from Raine, who decided to attempt to snuggle up with him. He fumbled with his hands. He knew he was blushing slightly, but then he focused on the fireworks. A blue firework exploded in the air.
"They're beautiful, aren't they?" Raine breathed.
Kratos struggled to find the right words. "Very," he said quickly. But not as beautiful as you. He thought. Nothing is as beautiful as you...
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VampireHunterSerphiroth200- You liked it? Thanks! yes, Kratos IS a fool half the game, Lloyd has more common sense, which makes the whole situation pretty sad. I hoped you like this chapter, I put forth a lot of effort!
Kazaana the Furyou Houshi- yes, I loath cliffies too. ::glares at every story with a cliffhanger:: How I hate them! ::bashes cliffhangers:: lol I hope you enjoyed this long chapta!
Hamano Ayumi- ::reads your review:: o.o ::falls over laughing:: SIT! ::oof::
Green Magi- Um, I wasn't sure what happens when someone falls into shock and depression at the same time, so I guess you could call it crazy O.o And then the part where they're lost in thoughts when the other's trying to communicate, well...I do that all the time, so that's why my mom's always yelling at me...::ducks when mom starts to yell:: lol And yeah, I feel sorry for Genis, torn between the soaps and the angst. I didn't think this chapter had a lot of angst in it, it was actually a lot lighter than the other chapters. Nevertheless...Kratos overused his mana a little because he wanted to save Raine, right? If you truly love someone, you'd do anything to have them back, according to this book I read...
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Amazon Bunny- O.O ::stares at computer screen:: Did I write that long thing?
Zelos- I'm afraid you did, Bunny. ::snogs Sheena again::
Sheena- XD
Genis- e.e ::pulls at new electric collar and leash:: Get this damn thing off me...
Amazon Bunny- NEVER!!! ::pushes red button::
Genis- ::gets electrocuted:: Nevermind...::sizzle::
Amazon Bunny- Please review, flames welcome, just don't overdo it and make me feel really bad, ok?