Forever Strong

A/N: Yet again, I am going out on a perilous journey for the last time in a long time. This time I venture in the name of...CHRISTMAS! Until August!

They had both agreed that it was in their best interests to head away from the former bandit camp reduced to ash, for reasons of possibly being persecuted and the smell of charred land and bones was not in anyway appealing. However, Zelos, overcome by both emotion and the odd wearing of the mana spiked bandages, collapsed helplessly into Sheena's arms.

Though quick to react, she was never taught the proper thing to do if someone collapsed into your arms. So trusting her gut feeling, she laid him down in a soft patch of underbrush, laying down next to him and slept lightly, in case of stalkers or monsters, next to him.

Only at that moment, did she find it funny that he was the angel, but her his guardian.

The sun was high in the sky before either of them awoke. It'd been a rough past couple days for the both of them, and despite the ever present alert of other creatures around them, they weren't going to look a gift horse in the mouth with this wonderful bliss.

Stealthily, Sheena rose from her spot and went off to find some flint to start a fire. Upon returning with flint in hand, Zelos had seemed to vanish. Somewhat startled, she called him.

"What?" He hobbled into sight using a large walking stick in lieu of his shot leg to move around. "I was just answering nature."

Reluctant to admit she was scared over losing sight of him for just that small time, she retaliated, "I-I was just wondering how you're holding up?"

He laughed, "Sheena, I'll be fine. In fact, don't even ask me things like that. I've had too many people hovering over me like I'm a toddler with a splinter or something." He then imitated 'Drowned One's accent, "It's jus' a few lit'l nicks. Nuttin that won' heal up good."

Sheena chuckled in spite of herself at his crummy impersonation. "I understand, but I, uh—" Tell him the truth? Honestly, how weak are you? "—duh."

He blinked, "I duh?"

"Yeah, I duh," She turned around and crossed her arms in attempt to hide her shame taking form as a blush.

Unknown to her, Zelos had shuffled over behind her and reached his hand around her, "Now you're sure I'm the one with the temperature?" he slyly slid his hand from her forehead down to her shoulder in a sensual motion, then, rather opposite, he was forced to use her shoulder as his support for his walking broke with a loud snap.

Unaware of that, she pulled from him (and accordingly, he fell face forward into the undergrowth). "I-I need to find some, uh, water... to put out the fire... excuse me..."

He looked up, ignoring two leaves that stuck to his face. "Yeah... just... take your time... I'll just lay here for a while... ...Oh yuck, is that what I think it is!"

Once she was sure she had distanced herself far enough she muttered, "Damn right I need water... but it isn't for any normal flame..." shaking, she now spoke in a whisper, afraid anyone might hear. "Ugh, I can't believe how stupid I'm being..."

"You're being stupid for acting upon innate, mortal behavior?"

She turned on her heel, no one was there, looked up, nothing, and in all directions she was alone. "Or-Origin? What're—where are...?"

"Once you make a pact with a Summon Spirit, it means we have access to your thoughts and memories as well as you our power. An eye for an eye, as I've heard."

Not quite calmed by the fact, she sputtered, "What'd you mean by 'innate, mortal behavior'?"

"Is it not natural, in a certain time of life, to harbor feelings for one of the opposite sex? Known to the mortals as—"

"Love." She spat, "Yeah, I know, I know. But when I was beat by Kuchinawa, it's not like he gained anything in battle from lost love or—"

"That is not entirely true," he interrupted, "Kuchinawa was acting upon vengeance; vengeance spawned from losing the ones who were close to him, his parents and friends."

"That was—!"

"And what of Lloyd? When all hope seemed to be lost and he was to face Yggdrasil after seeing all of you supposedly plunge to your death, he continued on because of his love for his friends, who, he thought, had died to make sure he defeated Yggdrasil."

"But—"

"And Zelos even... He wouldn't be alive today if not for his love for you. After you fell into the ocean, he plummeted and crash landed in a forest, where he lay dead for several hours. However, when a band of local warriors came to aid him, he revived in hopes of finding you. His love for you made him strong enough to thwart death itself, once, twice and even three times."

Sheena was silent; she knew she couldn't retaliate after hearing something like that. "Thanks." She mumbled. There came no answer, but she didn't need one to tell her what she had to do.

Solemnly, she returned to camp. Not so solemn was Zelos, as he lay in pure disgust.

"Hey, Sheena. I think I'm lying in a pile of crap of some sort. Could you help me out... please?"

Dear Corrine,

It's great to be back traveling with Zelos, it really is. I can't believe how much I took his perverted, and sometimes heartwarming, antics for granted, that's not like me, I don't think.

Or is it like me? I'm not so sure about anything about myself anymore, besides the fact that I know my name, but that should go without saying. After listening to Origin, I have to admit there is a sure point to love in this world besides reproduction. Though I still can't quite get my head around it now, I know I'll understand it someday...

...and when that day comes, per se, where oh where will I be then?