Note: Still haven't convinced Namco to give me Tales, so the characters aren't mine, nor the environments. But, I do own the story, just to let you know.

Chapter 4:

Genis yelled out to Colette, "Watch out! There are some enemies behind you!"

Colette turned quickly and was not surprised to see three rather large snakes and a thief looking menacingly at her and Genis. "Well, let's get this done with," she said, raising her chakrum. Suddenly she paused and began to whisper to herself.

Genis took no time and immediately shot a fire spell at one of the snakes. It coiled up, but did not die. "Get him!" he urged himself, shooting a wind spell at the same snake. The gushes of air took the snake carcass away from the field, and Genis set his sights on the second snake.

Raine ran up to the children, and she quickly cast one of her most powerful offensive spells. The power it shot through her body made her cry out, and she morphed the pain into the words, "Holy lance!"

The rainbow circles and squares appeared below the thief, and sharp circles of light began to surround the man, eventually killing him. Raine gave a slight smirk to the spell, glad that she had learned it. Behind her, Colette shouted her spell name, "Angel feathers!"

From out of her chakrum and cradled arms sprout feathers as soft as rain, but still deadly to touch. They ran toward the snakes, causing one to disappear in a puff of smoke, and the other to spiral out of control, convulsing on the sand. Genis took the moment to give the snake a stone blast, annihilating it.

Raine looked at Colette and Genis and smiled. "You have really gotten to be great fighters, you two," he said. "I'm almost envious."

Colette giggled and claimed, "I learned it al from you, Grand Healer."

"I think that we just expand our confidence in fighting over time," said Genis, adding his bit of intelligence to everything. "In time, we'll be the greatest team of fighters in all over!"

Raine laughed at her brothers perky attitude and motioned for them to continue on with the trek. "There is still a lot of land to surpass before we reach the Rheards.

The other two nodded, and advanced towards the direction Raine was pointing. Colette, suddenly looking wretchedly unwell, told the others she was going to go out and find a bathroom spot. Raine looked worried, but allowed her to go alone.

"What do you think is wrong with her, Raine?" Genis asked, genuinely wondering.

Raine shrugged. "I'm not sure. She was doing so well, maybe it was just the sudden rush of excitement. I'm certain she'll get better soon. Don't worry about her right now."

"Okay." The young boy sat down, waiting patiently for the arrival of Colette. He began to play with his kentana. His eyes darted up and down with the motions of the little ball on the string. It was captivating to watch, and Raine never even noticed Colette walk up behind her.

"I'm ready," she said, coughing a little. She looked paled, and even thinner than she did before. Raine was even more worried now.

"Come along, Genis," she said, still staring at Colette.

"What? Is there something on my face?" Colette asked, reaching for her taut skin hanging to her skull.

Raine realized what she was doing and quickly shook her head. "No, no, of course not. Let me touch your hair."

"Are you okay, Professor?" Colette tried to shrink away from Raine's searching hands, but she could not. Raine ran her fingers through the long, golden mane, and came out with a handful of limp hair.

"What is wrong, Colette?" Raine looked at the girl with sorrow filled eyes.

Colette put her head down, her eyes darting away from Raine. "Nothing," she said with no emotion, hiding her face with her hand. "I'm fine."

"I don't believe you."

"Please, Professor. Not with Genis." Colette looked like she would cry at any moment, and Raine softened her exterior and nodded.

"Tonight. At camp. Be prepared to talk." Raine put her arm around the young girl, leading her toward Genis and continuing the journey.

While they walked on over the sand, Raine couldn't stop herself from watching Colette closely. It was apparent to her that Colette appeared to wobble a bit, not able to keep straight. She tried to remember the battle that happened a while back, and did recall how uneasy she seemed, even though she tried to appear energetic. Colette had been like that for a long time now, and Raine was beginning to worry.

Soon, the sands turned into green grass, showing the progress made in that day. "We're out of the desert. We may as well camp here for tonight," Raine said, breaking the long silence.

Genis looked back at her. "Can't we go a bit farther? Then the trip will be over sooner."

Raine glanced at Colette before answering Genis. "No, I think it would be best to stop here. We'll travel farther tomorrow."

"How much longer, do you think?"

"Maybe two days."

Colette collapsed on the ground, folding over herself in a heap. Raine ran to her side, now very worried for her child-like Colette.

"What should I do?" Genis cried, also worried for his friend.

"Stay back and watch out for this spell," Raine said, raising her staff and chanting some healing words. A bright light emitted from the peak of the staff, shining over the crumpled body of unconscious Colette.

"What?" Colette fluttered her eyes, feeling cold, and very tired. Her gaunt body couldn't hold itself up, so Raine helped, heaving her onto her lap.

"Oh, Colette. What have you done to yourself?" Raine allowed a tear to slip down her face, landing on the paled cheek of the child.

Colette stared blankly at the motherly form above her, not understanding what was happening. She closed her eyes for a deep sleep.

Raine wiped her eyes, and instructed Genis to help with the tent-pitching. "Thank you Genis." She gently placed the head down on the ground and stood to help her brother.

After moments of silence and shuffling to fix the tent, Genis inquired about Colette. "What do you think is wrong with her?"

Raine contemplated telling him. He was so young. She decided to let him in, since Colette is his closest friend, now. "I believe she hasn't been eating. Her body can't take it any longer."

"That's crazy! I saw her eating this morning!"

"Yes, but she won't keep it down."

"You mean she...."

"Yes. She forces herself to vomit, but I do not know why."

"How could she be so careless?"

"It isn't carelessness, Genis. She probably can't stop by herself. We have to help her as much as we can."

"I know." Genis sat on a nearby log, trying to take in what was happening to his dear friend. "How can we do that?"

Raine perched on the same log, next to Genis. "Just support her, encourage her."

Genis looked at his sister. "Okay. If she'll get better."

"She will, but it will take time. We'll have to take it slow right now."

"That's fine. Are these done here?"

Raine looked at the tent, and it appeared to be sturdy. "Yes. They look fine."

Genis nodded, stretched, and went inside of the tent.

"Good night, Genis." Raine walked over to Colette's sleeping form. She petted the soft hair, careful not to pull any out, letting Colette know that she had company. And that company would be her strength, if she needed it.

Raine let herself fall asleep, holding Colette close, giving her protection.