Disclaimer: I do not own the characters of Tales of Symphonia, however much I wish to do so. My compliments to the designers; they've created a magical, life-lesson-learning, immersive game which I'm about to destroy with a badly-placed plot twist. Actually, it's not so much a disclaimer as it is an apology. Sorry for ruining your characters, Namco.

Warning: Especially for this chapter, "M." Mentions of sexual situations and slightly offensive language abound. Did I mention this was the first M-rated Sheelos ever? It's also the longest. Just so you know.

Welcome to my masterpiece Sheelos fic. It's been over a year in the making, still being perfected, recently edited, widely accepted. If you don't like this chapter, don't click away just yet. This chronicles the inner struggle of Sheena to find herself as well as her purpose, and how love and choices tie into it. It goes from slightly before all of the Summon Spirits are linked until the end of the game; spoilers, but some of them have been manipulated. Thank you for choosing to read my fanfic!

--Trickssi

Chapter One: Business?

It was quiet; all too quiet, though clichéd it was. Of course, the next day everyone would face the separation of the two worlds and choose their own paths. But every last one of them slept soundly except for Sheena, appointed watchman for the middle of the night. She discarded her boots figuring there wouldn't be any monsters between now and when she decided to wake up the next lucky night owl. It would be Zelos's shift; a thought which both nauseated her, and...

She suddenly felt something else. It was the pain, physical and subconscious, that she had recently felt in Shadow's lair. She was sure it wasn't just thinking about all the times Zelos had tried to grope her in that place, or the fact that she was quite queasy at the moment. This was different. The darkness there had caused her to stumble, bruise, fall. But the impending darkness of the world as seen through the temple... that's what caused her to ache. She'd never tangibly felt darkness like this before.

… What if she failed to make the pact the next day? What if she couldn't control Luna in the first place because Aska broke his promise? She would reenact Volt, surely. The last thing she needed was more death on her account. Years of silent damnation had done her far more ill than good.

Martel, she needed consolation. None of this ordinary consolation for her. That hadn't worked with Volt the first time, and it wouldn't work for Luna this time, and it wouldn't end up solving anything anyway. What was that ancient Mizuho method; one she'd read about, attempted, but never truly practiced...? It was strange to think about it being her only option. She was a respectable woman, after all. There had to be another way to do this, simply had to.

Zelos stirred. Sheena had the insuppressible urge to wake him up early for his shift. Normally she would have woken Raine or Regal, the intelligent ones, to discuss this dark disease invading her mind; but perhaps, just perhaps, if he consented to this "outdated" method...

No, don't do it. Don't you do it, Sheena. Can't you write a poem or something, or take a walk to get your mind off of this? … He's going to wake up anyway. It wouldn't really hurt if he declined, would it?

"Zelos," she called softly. "Zelos, wake up."

A large intake of breath and the Chosen opened his eyes and stared up at her. He blinked, then squinted, then sat up. "Time for my shift already, my future hunny?" he yawned. "I was just dreaming about you."

"Ah, uh... no," Sheena said bashfully. She looked him over, casting her eyes on the ground finally. Was she really going to do this? And how, when just two days ago had mockingly called him a walking libido; she could never live it down. But he was the only eligible male in the group for the Mizuho treatment. Genis; she's not a pedophile. Lloyd; why, he wasn't of age, and he'd never stoop to that level. Regal; too old for her, and wouldn't those handcuffs be awkward. Zelos was the obvious choice; the last choice, but the obvious one nevertheless. There were many times—okay, most times—where he'd make lewd passes at her (or every other girl on the planet), but that only supported her suspicions of his experience. She figured she'd just have to trust him. Because, damn, she needed a gigantic favor that was right up his alley.

"Well, why'd you wake me up? I need my beauty sleep, you know," he commented, passing his hand through his sleep-ridden hair.

"Zelos, I... I need to ask a favor of you. A really big one," she said. She realized she had to be more assertive; if she seemed submissive in any way, everyone would suspect she had feelings for him. Bleaugh. Tact, Sheena, tact. "You need to go behind that rock there," she added resolutely.

"Anything for you, sweetheart, as long as you never wake me up again," Zelos agreed. "'Cept, you know, it is a little suspicious considering what time of night it is… What, are you gonna assassinate me or something?"

Sheena said nothing and led the way up the hill and away from the camp with all its sleeping heroes. The rock proved to be big enough to hide the both of them, but as for sound... She hoped he wasn't... noisy. She tried not to think of it like that for fear of vomiting. She'd call it cacophonous, perhaps. It was a much nicer flowing word and it would dilute the lewdness. As Zelos caught up, she backed him up against the rock; and though their faces were close enough to whisper, she still glanced from side to side to scout intruders.

"Feisty, aren't we," he observed, eyebrows raised. "You'd better be careful or I'll have to molest you!"

Sheena glared at him. "Can it, Chosen. This is serious." He sighed and tilted his head slightly to signify he was listening. "Look at me. Look at what's happened because of me. There are twenty-some headstones at the cemetery that are my doing. My grandfather the Chief, knocked into a coma. I endangered Mizuho and all of Tethe'alla when I chose to follow Sylvarant's Chosen. And Corrine; he's one of the only reasons I'm still doing Summon Spirits."

"I'm... sorry?" he said at length, breaking her gaze. "There's nothing anyone can do about your past. I suppose you've had all night to think about it, huh? Is there a reason you're suddenly becoming Little Miss Drama Queen?"

"The Summon Spirits aren't helping, genius," she steamrolled on. It seemed she had not absorbed what Zelos had just said. "Surely you remember Shadow's lair. Ever since I obtained Shadow's power I haven't been feeling right. Something like falling into emptiness is what it feels like, and if I don't stay in the light everybody's in trouble. I'm the only one here who can obtain the power of Luna. If I mess up with this one, it's lights out for more than just half of a measly little town. We're talking global. Bi-global. "

"Hunny, don't worry about all of it. Like I say, the future doesn't always imitate the past," he consoled her. She felt herself pulled into a superficial embrace but it didn't eradicate her fear. "Now, what's this favor you were talking about? A reassuring kiss or two? Heh..."

Sheena blocked his last comment out of her mind, shoved him away from her. She had to concentrate on the task at hand, though she was distracted by his sudden kindness. "You'll live for the moment, then," she said darkly.

"Yeah, I live for—Wait a second. What exactly are you scheming?" Zelos questioned nervously. He had never seen Sheena act in a way that frightened him. Actually, he decided it was turning him on.

Sheena closed her eyes and affirmed her decision silently. With a slow inhale, she said, "I want you to... copulate with me." Zelos let slack his jaw.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa; WHAT?" he stammered. "Sheena, are you feeling all right?" He sidestepped to escape whatever power she thought she had.

"What's the matter, Chosen? Suddenly I'm not as good as one of your hunnies?" Sheena maintained her aggressive stare.

"No need to get all offensive about it. I was just wondering why the sudden change of heart," Zelos said coolly.

"This has nothing to do with my heart," Sheena spat; and in her left brain it didn't. She was merely using him in the healing technique for the good of the group; wasn't she? She crossed her arms. "I have my own reasons for this. Let's just say you have something I need to help me... the group."

"I guess I don't have to ask what I get out of this, but I still think you have something to share with the class…"

"Strictly business, leave it at that," she said curtly.

"Revenge, or trying to get someone to be jealous of you? Is this about Lloyd or something?"

'You are so incredibly off-target that it doesn't even deserve an answer!' "NO. Zelos, the one time I need you to do something for me—can't you just shut up and help me out here!"

Zelos smiled wickedly. "Ohoho, you need me, now?" He advanced on her; and to her own surprise Sheena didn't fight it. She allowed his arms to steal their way around her waist, his breath to fall upon her ear. Strictly business. Take one for the team. He was not a filthy, lying pervert, if only for a fraction of time.

"You keep thinking that," she encouraged flatly. Gingerly she curled her fingers about his hair: the one thing she truly loved about him. Her dark hair was greasy, ratty from adventuring; not his soft crimson locks. Why, he kept them better than any girl she knew! Perhaps his meticulous attention proved to be a part of his personality and not just personal hygiene. Perhaps...

By the time Sheena ceased her musing, she noticed she was falling with Zelos onto the cold ground. It didn't hurt: he had her weight and had descended gently. He took his arms out from under her and, jokingly cracking his knuckles, proceeded to reach for the opening in her robe. She snatched the both of his hands.

"You may... take advantage of me as you wish; however, I have three rules to conform to ancient settings. Otherwise this won't work."

"Sure, whatever," Zelos said hurriedly, ridding himself of his shirt and tunic. His face was already flushed with anticipation. And whenever that Cruxis blood pumped through his veins with a motive nothing could stop it.

"Number one," Sheena blurted. She realized her heart had been racing. "You may not look directly at me." Zelos nodded. The words pretty much escaped his ears, for he struggled to undo his seemingly restrictive pants. She mirrored his action underneath him. "That goes for my chest, too," she added pluckily at feeling his roaming hands. She bunched her robe together at her heart to signal her dissent.

"Two," she continued quickly, "is that this never reaches anyone. Not friends, not enemies, anyone. I'm taking a leap to trust y—oh!" Zelos had grabbed her ass, thus inspiring the yelp. He figured he had to do this when he wouldn't be punished.

"Uh huh," he muttered into her shoulder. "Not the edge of a singleword..." She squirmed under his touch, his hand which traced the outline of her thigh ever-so lightly.

"Three," she gasped with as much control as she could muster. "Quick and utterly meaningless—!" He had separated her knees far enough for his own access. She'd better not lose it, not now. No, she wouldn't give him the pleasure of hearing her cry out.

"Shut up and help me out here!"

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Raine had imagined she'd heard voices for some time now, but it was confirmed that someone was approaching the camp. She weighed whether it was worth it to investigate. She knew it was someone from the group; but who, and for what purpose had he or she wandered? Curiosity killed the archaeologist, no doubt. Raine decided she had put an end to things more lethal than curiosity anyway. She sat up.

"Sheena?" she whispered confusedly. "I thought—"

"Don't you worry over anything, Professor," Sheena cut her off. She sauntered over to her sleeping mat and settled herself in.

"Wh-where's Zelos?" Raine questioned. She thought that if he wasn't here on shift, and Sheena came back all smug, well then—"You didn't kill him, did you! Certainly his inappropriate comments make anyone mad, but he's still the Chosen!"

Sheena laughed, mainly to herself. "Oh, relax. He's fine. I'll explain in the morning. I'm sure we killed the lot of 'em, though. No need to worry about monsters when I'm around," she explained dismissively. She rolled onto her stomach. "Good night."

"Yes, good night," Raine replied. Though she allowed herself to fall asleep, she still couldn't help thinking there was something different, almost cheerful, about Sheena. 'Then again,' she mused, 'I hadn't put it past her to kill Zelos off; perhaps she enjoys slaughtering monsters?" But the matter was far from solved.

Over in her makeshift bed, Sheena still could not slow her mind... or her pulse. That experience was very different from what she had been taught. Compared to Zelos, the followers of the Igaguri were—well, they couldn't even compare. Not that she had been with any of the men herself; she just had vast knowledge compiled from her findings as a youth. She had practiced alone enough to know that that infuriating Chosen did have something special. Perhaps he was a virgin, bringing freshness to the concept. Sheena nearly laughed at the thought. With all those women he flirted with, had he not had intimate company with a single one? No, that was impossible. Though in her heart, Sheena clandestinely wished it the truth.

No, really. What was it that made it different? Zelos, she decided, was an enigma; but herself... Was it something she did? Had she practiced it so incorrectly before and this was how it was supposed to make her feel? Inconceivable. She felt no better now than the previous attempts. If anything, she felt... worse. The void of fear and self-consciousness was replaced, all right, but not with anything genuine. There now was a gaping hole that hungered, or rather, lusted. But why?

If she went from raving lunatic to contented dreamer that quickly…

She fell asleep rather quicker than she intended.

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If you have read this all the way through I ask that you leave a comment in the review box. I would very much appreciate your ideas on my toil. Thank you!