Chapter Seven: More broken hearts: Chapter Fourteen

Sheena

It's hard to sleep knowing that we're heading to Mizuho, it's barely an hour's walk there. Looking around I notice the steep hills and low valleys, maybe it's just my imagination, but the forest of death seems much less foreboding then it used to be. One could see the terrain a bit more clearly then in the past.

I began to notice the gleams of light protruding from the horizon, we were approaching the end of the forest. My mind began to race as I tried to think about what I'd say and how I'd go about doing it. From my father who wanted so badly for me and Orochi to be married, from Orochi himself who said himself he wouldn't mind being married to me. The closest thing to a 'no' I got was from Tiga, who simply said he had to go along with grandfather's wishes.

As we walked through the forest, we began to notice the light at the exit growing ever more brighter and larger, that was our exit into Mizuho territory. Mizuho lay on the tributary of a small river that flowered into a small lake. Steams wove in and out of buildings creating plenty of fresh fish when we felt like fishing. The streams also provided arable land for us to grow crops. The gates began to come into view, Colette, Celsius, and Chocolat looked around and spoke to one another as I lay in my own little world.

As we walked into Mizuho, we received a few friendly looks while others didn't pay attention. I looked at the largest part of the stream that our fishermen liked to frequent, my heart skipped a beat.

Was that who I thought it was? No, it can't be. But the facial features looked so much like Lloyd's. But no, his hair was a dark black and his eyes were blue. But something reminded me of Lloyd. "…Colette…" I tapped her on the shoulder.

"Hm? What is it Sheena?" she asked as I pointed at the boy who sat fishing at the end of the stream.

"Doesn't that look like Lloyd? Or is it just me?" I asked her.

She shook her head, "No, I don't think it is. His eye's don't have the same kindness that Lloyd's does." I guess it was only my imagination.

We passed the boy quickly, making our way to Grandfather's house…where Orochi was as well. I decided not to give a boy a second look. In front of the house was a large caravan, it reminded me of a Meltokio type of architecture. Around it, there were several royal guards.

I looked at them with some curiosity, "What is going on here?" I asked the apparent leader of the four soldiers.

He nodded, "Duke Iruion and his son Lloyd Iruion are here on a mission of goodwill to Mizuho. At the moment discussions…oh." A large man walked out of the door, he looked kind and elderly, grey hair invading his black hair and a sense of age broke into his blue eyes. The guard turned to the Duke, "How is everything? I assume the negotiations went well?"

The Duke shook his head, "Yes, yes. Everything is fine. We are to return to Meltokio as of now." He assured the soldiers.

"All so soon? It's only been one day." He rebuked.

"Ah yes, but we have to report to the king about this."

The guard smiled, "Not so fast. Your son Lloyd has yet to catch anything." He gestured to the boy who sat fishing at the river. "Lloyd! Have you caught anything yet?" he yelled over.

He turned around, he looks so much like Lloyd, "Nope. Nothing yet."

The duke just sighed, "I'm beginning to wonder if there are any fish in that stream." he suddenly glanced over at us four, looking me in the eyes. "You! The attractive one in purple. What is your name?"

I looked a bit shocked and thought for a second, "Um, my name's Sheena. Sheena Fujibayashi of Mizuho sir." I sounded a bit too formal then normal.

"Ah, you would look great with my son Lloyd! Lloyd! Come here! Introduce yourself!" he yelled over. The boy stood up, he looked about my age and wore bright regal purple and white clothing. Before I could reject his preposition, the boy, Lloyd, ran over.

"Ah, what is it father?" He asked innocently.

"Introduce yourself to this fine young maiden." He smiled, he took Lloyd's and my hand and brought them together. He was so much like Lloyd, yet so different.

"Ah, good day to you. My name is Lloyd. Lloyd Iruion from the noble Iruion family of Mizuho." He smiled, it was a true smile, but nothing like my Lloyd's.

"My son here is at the top of his class in Sybak. Probably likely to graduate at the top of his class!" He bragged loudly.

I shook my head, letting go of Lloyd's hand. "Sorry sir, but I'm married. My husband is…" all of a sudden, Orochi walked out of the hut, and eyed all of us.

"Ah, my wife Sheena. Glad for you to be back." he smiled. Orochi is not Lloyd. Lloyd would run up to me and hug me tightly, keeping me safe within his warm grasp.

The duke looked back and then at me, slightly embarrassed, "Oh, my apologies Mrs. Fujibayashi. I am sorry for assuming that you were single."

"Nah, it's okay." Orochi walked up to me and held me, it was a warm grasp but it wasn't his.

Lloyd looked at all of us, "Oh, I'm dearly sorry, I must get back to fishing. Pleased to make your acquaintance." he commented as he ran back to his rod and sat back down. He's not Lloyd. Neither is Orochi. No one can be my Lloyd. I mused as I followed my husband quietly back into the hut, with my friends close in toe.

Lloyd

That girl, she looked so wonderfully familiar. Her face, I've seen it before, her kind eyes reminded me of a person I used to know. Dammit, why can't I remember anything of my past? I picked up my rod and began to think of the past. It seems my life just started several weeks ago.

When father and I came back to Meltokio, some man by the name of Zelos insisted that I looked exactly like a friend of his. But father said that I had no relation to him. Afterwards, father enrolled me into the Sybak university into advanced mathematical science, law, political science, and other things that would interest me. Without a hitch, I bested many of the professors and graduated easily within a few weeks. But none of this still reminds me of my lost memory.

Seeing that women reminded me of someone. "Dammit!" I yelled out-loud as I searched my brain for those memories. Then something hit me, something familiar. Her touch, her eyes, even her facial expressions reminded me of someone...Sheena Fujibayashi... my mind raced, thoughts and hidden memories that I don't recall flooded me.

"Hey ------" a random women's voice rang in my mind and ears.

"Hey yourself ------. How's Mizuho?" the person asked, he sounded like me, but more carefree.

"Why would you ask me that -----? You know I love…" my mind began to ache, as if I remembered something I shouldn't of. My vision blurred as the area around me went back, I stumbled back and fourth, my hearing went. Then all went blank.

"…oyd? Lloyd? Are you awake?" asked a rather stern voice, I sat up, rather cold and wet.

I looked around, I was in the caravan, we were moving slowly. As I looked out the side, I noticed trees surrounding us. We were in the 'forest of death'. "huh? What happened?" I asked silently.

Father shook his head, "You passed out. Rather then have Mizuho worry about you, we're heading back home one day early." he commented.

"Ah, okay. I need some rest."

"Then sleep my boy."

Sheena…Fujibayashi. She had such kind eyes.

Celsius

I sat next to Sheena in a corner of the house on the ground, a lot of people were glad she showed up when she did. She was the one who saved Lloyd from drowning. Sheena was deep in thought, maybe about the 'Lloyd' we saw. It was Lloyd. I know it was, but what in the hell is he doing here? Maybe he wants to forget everything and start a new life. "What's wrong? Still thinking about Lloyd?" I asked.

She nodded, "Yeah. It's just that boy looks so much like him. But it can't be Lloyd. Lloyd isn't that smart nor formal. It seems like he's under a leash." she looked down and drew with her fingers on the floor.

I sighed, "I know, but it just seems so much like him." I remembered, she's married now. We'll be here for a while, so I'll ask Orochi about what happened later. I looked outside, it's beginning to get dark, "Shouldn't we turn in? It's getting late."

She shook her head, "I want to, but I can't. Waking up and looking at Orochi almost makes me sick. I like him and all, but…this feels wrong."

"Why's that?" it shook my interest.

She just sighed, "Here in Mizuho, married couples don't sleep in the same room. I'll head to bed now. I'll prepare breakfast." women were seemingly so respected here in Mizuho, but it still clung to it's patriarchal society sometimes. I went to the Inn, only to find Chocolat and Colette already asleep. So I followed their example and slept.

The next morning came quickly enough, I woke up early and walked to the dining hall and ate breakfast. Soon enough, it was past noon already. After I stocked up on food supplies and whatnot, I looked around for Orochi.

I found him looking down the well, his short black hair and black eyes gazed down it.

I stood sternly next to him, "Orochi. Drop something down the well?" I asked, getting his attention.

He jumped up, a bit surprised to see me, "Oh, it's you. Celsius. Whatever is the matter?"

I gave him a stern look, "Your married to Sheena? What the hell?"

He sighed, "Is there a problem with that?" he asked, as if I didn't know what the hell I was talking about.

"You know damn well. How could you marry Sheena? You've seen her with Lloyd! You should know about them by now!" I scolded him.

He just nodded, "There wasn't anything I could do about it. Sheena' grandfather had already decided to marry us when he deemed it was fit." he sounded so cold and unremorseful.

"Doesn't it mean anything to you? Sheena is suffering!"

He stood there, "You think I'm blind? I couldn't do anything about it. Marriages here are set. Lloyd may be a hero, but he's not from Mizuho. Anyways, there is no Lloyd that you once knew."

"What the hell do you mean?"

"Don't you know? Lloyd suffered amnesia several weeks ago. Since then, they brought him to Meltokio. How I know this? I was the one who was in charge of information from Iselia."

"…That's crazy. Sheena loves Lloyd and you know it."

"Tell that to her grandfather. If I could, I wouldn't of married her. But there wasn't anything that I could." he walked off, leaving me angry as hell. Damn him. Damn Mizuho. Damn it all. Instead of picking a fight with Sheena's grandfather, I went back into the forest to vent my anger on trees.

Sheena

After some goodbyes, we left Mizuho one week after we arrived, nothing much happened and no fight broke out between Celsius and the clan as I expected. It was quiet though, I didn't hear much from my husband, nor my grandfather about going-ons. So I just followed my friends.

"Oh, Sheena. I forgot." Colette dug into her pockets, searching for something. Suddenly she pulled out a letter. "It's from Orochi. He wanted me to hand it to you after we left." she handed me the letter, it was just a normal letter. But it revealed so much.

Sheena,

The one that you seek was right before your eyes. Lloyd was his name, but Iruion isn't his last. It is the Lloyd you seek. Amnesia struck him soon after you left Iselia. After one week, Raine gave Lloyd to Duke Iruion and changed everything about him, his hair, his eyes. Everything. As your husband I'm worried. As your friend, I'm telling you to go find him. Celsius spoke to me already, if you manage to break Lloyd from his spell, I shall talk to your grandfather. You're a friend, a sister to me. That is why I worry. Go find Lloyd, I give you my consent.

Your friend, Orochi.

Then I guess our next stop is Meltokio. And I made sure they all knew it.

A/n-Well, theres another chapter, maybe three more+Credits to go. Enjoy! R&R like always!