Disclaimer: The Rodeo Ride Tour name, CD license and storyline, along with the characters of Zelos Wilder, Sheena Fujibayashi, Orochi, Lloyd Irving, Colette Brunel, and all others who appear in this work, are not of my belonging nor do I claim otherwise. This is an unofficial novelization of the official NAMCO CD Dramas, written by a fan for the fans and no profit has been made nor will be made in the future.

Tales of Symphonia; Drama CD Anthology

Rodeo Ride Tour

A fanfiction adaptation by Winged Dancer

Final Track –

Someday

Birds were chirping outside.

"Mmh… aah…"

I open my eyes and see the roof I'm used to seeing… Mizuho's everyday morning… I do that and I know that that trip is over.

"Eeh… for this commissioned job... aaah… that we received an over-abundant reward – no, the just portion… eeh… we are really thankful – no, no, we are truly appreciative for the kindness shown. Hah! Finished!"

Orochi sighed. "As always, you keep using vertical writing."

"Whaaaa?"

He smiled at her as a teacher would do to a particularly problematic student. "Rewrite it."

"Yeah, yeah…"

With a sigh the ninja plopped once again in front of her table. ""Eeh… for this commissioned job…"

Why is it…?

I hold onto my heart that hurts just a little and I think… that travel… what was it for me…?

And I think.

Of the calm by that glittering lake. What were we thinking at that time? Of the words that were left unsaid… and of the future that we didn't choose.

An outbreak of high-pitched screams interrupted her work.

"To think that you'd stoop at visiting the countryside! We are so honored!"

"This is such a very boring place but please, allow me to guide you in your stay!

"No, I shall be your guide!"

"What are you saying? I called first!"

"I did!"

"It was me!"

"No, me!"

And then the voiced blurred into one as all the girls screamed, "It is I, right, Chosen!"

"Good, good, good! Aaaaand, this is over ladies!" the sound of hands clapping and their leader's strong voice stopped the girl's enthusiasm.

"Eh – er – ah, well, well…!" once more almost hidden behind the girls, Zelos whined a little.

Sheena shook her head and then took a hand to her temples. "Once and again and again and again, this is normal now, isn't it! Will you give me a break already? Don't make me lock you all!" the young ninja glared at the girls before shooing them away with her hands. "What're you looking at, break up, you are all dismissed!"

With much much whining and quite a few 'what's with her!' and 'no fair, keeping him to herself' muttered around, the girls left, leaving the Chosen and their leader standing one in front of other at the entrance of the town.

Sheena waited for a few seconds for the redheaded to say something, but Zelos was only staring at her and smiling all too bashfully.

"So?"

"Eh?" he asked, as if he had been snapped out of a trance and hadn't realized what was going on.

"So? What brings you?" she crossed her arms, smiling a sarcastic little smile. "You wouldn't be here to invite me traveling again, would you now?"

And in the silence that surrounded them, broken only by the sounds of Mizuho's river flowing close and the bamboo fountain hitting rhythmically against a stone, Sheena gazed upon something she had never expected to see in all of her life.

He looked away and smiled ruefully, raised his eyes to meet hers and once more looked away, played with his hair and then, as if his mind was set, looked straight into her eyes; a noticeable blush tinted his cheeks red.

"I just came… to look at your face."

And for a few instants she stared in shock before letting one of her arms fall down to her side and taking another to hide her blushing face.

"…you idiot!"

He laughed, and she did too, and together they walked alongside the river while the sun rose over the village.

And so, as the wind blows,with nothing on my back… Along with a good-for-nothing,wild horse… I was dragged into a rodeo-ride tour.

Finis