AUTHOR'S NOTE: This is the first story that I have written in this collection. The stories are in no particular order. Please read and review and tell me what I can do better. Please be kind when criticizing, and tell me what is wrong. Thank you. I hope you all enjoy. Also, as a last thought sort of, it may be a little confusing, and I am sorry. It was actually pretty hard to write this the way I wanted to.

SUMMARY: He thinks back on the occasion when he finally told her. The pairing is pretty obvious at some points.

RATING: This is definitely PG-13 if not higher. It does not go into detail but it deals with rape. This is a delicate subject; there is nothing funny about it. There are no details about the act, only about the result. This is a sad fic, but it gets happier in the end.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters of Tales of Symphonia. All I own is the little box with the two discs so I can play it. So don't sue me, 'cuz I've got nothing to give you. ;) !!!

We were off exploring the village when we all sensed something was wrong. You were not with us; you had stayed behind to continue your research on the stone tablet. We were worried so we all rushed back to the house to check on you. What we found was unimaginable.

The door, which you had locked after us, 'just in case', was apparently ripped off of its hinges. The windows were nearly all smashed, and the few that weren't broken were too high to reach anyway. The furniture was all shredded and broken, and your wand lay in the corner, in pieces. But you were nowhere to be seen in the room. So we continued to look everywhere for you; the bathrooms, the kitchen, and the office. Then we went down the hall to check the bedrooms.

First was the one you stayed in, then Colette and Sheena's, then Genis and Lloyd's, but you weren't there. That left only one more room, mine. But before I could check, Sheena got in my way.

"Don't go in yet. Let me go. If she's indecent I doubt she wants any of you to see her. But Colette, you can come."

As much as I hated to admit it, Sheena was right, but I was so worried for you. What I head next made me push my way into the room, as well as Lloyd and Genis. Colette had started crying, and sheens had said "Oh, no." Nothing could prepare me for the sight ahead.

The room was the only room in the house undamaged, but it was horrific. The sheets were all on the floor covered in something, we couldn't figure out what, not that we truly tried either. There were bloody handprints all over the walls, and they seemed to belong to you. And the mirror was smeared with blood, but the most horrific sight of all was you. You were on the bed, with only a small robe covering you; it was obvious there was nothing else there either. You had tape over your mouth, and were covered in blood from what we could tell. Your eyes kept opening and closing as you drifted in and out of consciousness.

I was having trouble keeping myself composed, and it was obvious the others were too. I told Lloyd to get Genis and Colette out of there, and then Sheena and I worked together to heal you, the room could wait. When we took the robe off of you, it took all my self-control to keep myself in check; you were a goddess, even covered in blood. Sheena must have sensed my thoughts because she said,

"If you're uncomfortable or something, you can go with the others."

"No. Healing takes priority. It's just…"

"I know. It's okay."

Once we were done cleaning you up, and got you bandaged, I moved you to your room. Sheena followed expectantly.

"Yes? Is there something you want?"

She poked her head out the door to insure that no one was listening and then asked,

"Are you in love with her? Tell me Kratos, do you love Raine?"

Do I love you? Looking at your face I know the answer, but I'm not quite ready to admit.

"I'll just check the kids and I into an inn, and the two of you can stay here-"

"There's no need, the bedrooms can still be used."

"But there aren't enough rooms unless Genis stays with Raine and you bunk with Lloyd."

"I'll stay with Raine. The rest of you can stay just as you are."

"But there isn't another bed!"

"I'm staying with Raine, and that's final."

Sheena left and got the rest to bed. Once I had checked up on you again, I went to sleep in the chair by your bed with my sword in my hand. No one would hurt you Raine. My Raine.

It was about a week later I suppose and we were still staying in the house. You had woken up and were mostly healed, and I had gone back to sleeping in 'my' room after we cleaned it up. I was going up to bed that night when I heard noises coming from your room. I paused; hand on my sword, just listening. But then I heard you talk, with that sweet voice of yours, but you sounded sad.

"Who are you Raine Sage? You're not me anymore. I used to be so strong, I didn't need any help. Now, I only get in the way. I used to think myself pretty, but now I realize how undesirable I really am. I used to think myself intelligent, but no one wants to hear what I have to say. Who are you Raine Sage? What have you done with the old me? All I ever wanted was a little comforting, some love. Why can everyone else have everything they want, but I can't? Why is it that the man I love, is in love with another woman. Oh how I envy you, being the object of Kratos' affections. How I envy you, wish I could be you."

"You are-"

I said it before I could stop my self. I remember seeing that look on your face when you spun around. Tears were still rolling down your cheeks, your face was red, your eyes were wide, and your lips were slightly open. You were the most beautiful woman I had ever seen, and now it was time to tell you.

"I love you Raine, I always have!"

"Why?"

"You're strong, brave, smart, understanding, caring, respectable, and beautiful. I love you because you're you… you're Raine."

"Oh Kratos..I…I…"

I remember going over to you, holding your body to mine and kissing you. You kissed me back and put your arms around my neck.

I promised I would never leave you, and I would protect you always. Now I hold the same promise to our daughter.

So how was it? I haven't gotten very far in the game, so please don't spoil anything for me, but if there is something you want to see more of, or a pairing you would like to see, I may post it up. I will be putting out another collection, which I currently don't have a title for, that is going to be general one-shots. Friendship fics, memories, that sort of thing. If it's not out yet, it shouldn't be too long, and if it is, please check it out.

Raine and Kratos is a pairing that I love. There might and might not be more of this pairing in this collection. Let me know what you like. Some I will not create stories for simply because if I don't like something, I cannot write about it. My head gets all jumbled and I can't concentrate. If I like it, I might write something.

Also, I just got past the Tower of Salvation, if someone knows where I can find out how to get out of the base, or if someone knows how to, please e-mail me that. I'm stuck. I've tried everything I can think of, but it's just not working. Thank you a lot, I really appreciate it!!!