Finally after a whole day of preparing it was evening and time for the party. Even Dirk was there from the country. A band made up of a few people in the village was providing the music and were set up on the front porch of Colette's house. Different colored lights and streamers were strung up everywhere and there was a full moon and billions of stars in the night sky. After dinner the gang talked about their journey and all that happened, from the day Lloyd and the others left Iselia, never expecting what was going to happen next. A group of kids wanted to hear about all the creatures they encountered in the Gaoracchia Forest. All the kids were amazed and looked up in wide- eyed wonder at their heroes.
"Well, we would've all died if I wasn't there, of course," Zelos explained to them, "It was my amazing swordsmanship and bravery that saved us from the monsters."
"Yeah, you just keep dreaming," Sheena said, shaking her head.
The band struck up a slow song and the lights dimmed suddenly. Sheena saw Lloyd asking Colette to dance with him. Genis got up the nerve to ask Presea, red- faced and stammering, and she said yes. Genis looked intensely relieved and Presea smiled. Sheena thought it was cute watching them dance. It was obvious Colette and Lloyd liked each other a lot- she was happy for them.
Sheena's PoV
If only………..ah never mind. I feel like a little girl again at one of our village parties, nervous and excited about dancing with someone. Maybe I should just ask him. Wait, what the heck am I thinking? He's probably already dancing with one of his "hunnies". I'm a violent demonic banshee to him. And he's such a pervert! I do NOT like him like that. Do I? I don't know! I just like him as a friend, that's all really. I wish I could dance with someone though- this is one of my favorite songs. I guess I'll just sit here and listen. Aaaaaaargh, what should I do? Where is Zelos anyway? I don't see him anywhere.
After Sheena thought this she was tapped on the shoulder from behind by a certain red- haired swordsman.
"Care to dance, my violent demonic hunny?" Zelos asked, smiling at her with a mischievous glint in his eye.
"Um, sure……" she stammered, "but I am NOT your hunny!"
Zelos took her hand and lead them to where everyone was dancing. He put his hands on her waist and she put hers around his shoulders and they rocked back and forth to the music. Lloyd and Colette were still dancing close by and so were Genis and Presea.
"Zelos," Sheena looked up at him.
"Hmmm?" Zelos said, turning his aqua eyes onto her brown ones.
"What's going to happen now after we return home? What do we do? What are you going to do? What is………" she rambled on.
"Whoa- hold on for a second," Zelos interrupted, "just don't worry about what's going to happen tomorrow. Take things slow and what I always say, whatever will be, will be. We just got done saving Sylvarant and Tethe'alla from some blond haired whack job and his crew of evil angel robots- I think you should take a rest for once," the former chosen said, looking at her.
"You're right for once, Zelos," Sheena sighed, "but I still don't know what I'm going to do. I guess I'll just go to Mizuho and live with my grandfather for a while. It's like everyone's counting on me to be chief and I'm expected to."
The song ended and Sheena and Zelos walked to a grassy area behind Colette's house. They sat down on the cool, slightly damp grass and looked up at the starry sky.
"Hold out your hand," Zelos said, as Sheena raised her eyebrow at him and stuck out her hand, "the amazing Zelos will now predict your future." Zelos took her hand in his and turned her palm facing up. He lightly traced the lines of her palm with his finger and Sheena could feel goose bumps rising on her arms.
"Ahh…………….this line says you will be happily married with three children to Orochi and will be the chief of Mizuho……………or hmmmm……it could go another way- or you could have a like full of adventure with someone else……" Zelos said, trying to sound mysterious.
"Orochi? Yeah right. We've been friends forever- I couldn't marry him. I just don't love him that way. It would be weird," Sheena said, thoughtfully. She turned and looked at Zelos. "Who's the 'someone else with the life full of adventure'?" she asked, already knowing the answer.
"We'll leave that one for you to find out," he smiled slightly.
"I see," Sheena said, laying on the cool grass and looking up at the stars. Zelos sat down next to her, stretching out his long legs.
"I never would've imagined a year ago that I'd be here with you," she looked at him, "not that it's bad! You know………………..Tomorrow's the last day we'll all be together. We'll just have to have reunions like this once in a while," she played with the grass.
"Of course. So are you heading out for Tethe'alla tomorrow?" Zelos asked.
"Yes, I am. Are you?" she wondered.
"Yep. I'll stop by Meltokio and then head out from there," Zelos said.
"Where will you go?" Sheena questioned, turning her head to look at him.
"No idea, anywhere but Meltokio right now. I guess I'll just travel around for a while, looking for the place with the most hunnies," Zelos responded, grinning.
"Zelos, is that all you ever think about? You are such a pervert," she glared.
"No- that's not all I think about. Almost all my thoughts are consumed by you, my voluptuous hunny," he said.
"Ah, right. You are such a stupid chosen," Sheena said, her face red.
"Stupid, yet so damn sexy!" Zelos exclaimed.
"You wish," Sheena said, exasperated.
"You have to admit it, Sheena, you love me," he said.
"Hmm………whatever," she started pulling out grass and threw it in his grinning face.
They both lay there, looking for constellations in the vast sky. The moon shone brightly, illuminating everything in a pale glow. Zelos was humming something to himself and Sheena recognized the song. It was the one they danced to. She couldn't help it, she hummed along with him. Zelos looked over at her and grinned. He suddenly grabbed her hand and pulled her to her feet.
"Come over here, I want to show you something," he said.
"All right…….." Sheena was led further away from the party behind a cluster of trees. The music became fainter as they walked further.
"Zelos, where exactly are we going?" Sheena asked, curious.
"Shhh- you'll see," Zelos said mysteriously.
They arrived in a mossy area with many different types of flowers in it. There were red ones with humongous petals, small yellow ones with purple feather- like things coming out of it, pink rose bushes surrounding the garden, bluebells, purple lilacs hanging down in front of them, and many others.
"Wow, how beautiful!" Sheena exclaimed, smelling a flower.
"I noticed this place when I was walking around and thought you might like to see it," Zelos said, shifting from foot to foot.
"I wonder if these flowers were planted or if they just grew here," Sheena wondered. Zelos picked a bleeding heart and put it in the back of her ponytail.
"I have a feeling there's another reason why you brought me here," Sheena said, raising her eyebrow and smiling.
"Just this-" Zelos said, stepping close to Sheena and taking her in his strong arms. She looked into his bright, dancing eyes and wanted to shout for joy.
"I've wanted to do this for a long, long time, my violent demonic banshee," Zelos said. He stroked her soft, violet colored hair and grinned. Then he moved so close she could feel his warm breath playing on her cheek. They both closed their eyes and he kissed her, softly at first. Sheena was momentarily stunned, her heart racing and face flushed. It was wonderful, beyond any kiss she had ever experienced. Suddenly he grabbed her arms and started kissing her passionately, exploring her mouth. She responded back with equal passion, as though waiting for this moment her whole life. Was this even real- was she dreaming? But no- no dream could ever come close to this. He held her in his arms, running his hands through her hair and still kissing her like there was no tomorrow. She broke off finally, breathless and looked up into his blue pools of eyes. His eyes pleaded for more and started to come towards her again but she just kissed the corner of his mouth and raced back towards the party, stumbling over a root and almost falling along the way. Zelos stared after her for a moment, then broke into a huge grin and jumped down the hill, punching his fist into the air and letting out a huge yell.
Meanwhile Sheena tried to keep her face under control as she walked towards the party. She saw Raine sitting at a table, motioning her to come and sit down by her. Then Presea came over and started up a conversation about something. Sheena tried to concentrate on what she was saying but her mind kept drifting to a certain redhead.
"Sheena, it seems something is on your mind," Raine observed.
"Sorry- I'm just…really tired and zoning out for a little bit," Sheena smiled sheepishly.
"That's alright. Well, it's so good we had this last get together before we all part ways," Raine said.
"It has been a lot of fun," Presea smiled and glanced over at Genis a few feet away who was getting her a drink. Just then Lloyd, Colette, and Genis joined their table. Lloyd and Colette were tired and hot from dancing so much but smiling. Regal joined them a few minutes later, drinking a strawberry margarita. Sheena sniggered at the huge, muscular man sipping from the tiny straw.
"Regal, did you dance with anyone?" Genis said in his high- pitched voice.
"……………. I prefer not to engage in dancing," he said.
"Aaaaaawwww, come on. It's so fun! I know- you can dance with Raine!" Genis said. Raine blushed at this and Regal had his usual poker face on.
"Genis………….Regal doesn't want to dance with me," she said quietly. Suddenly Regal rose from the table and offered her his arm. They went to the middle of the dance floor and started dancing awkwardly.
"Awwww- they look so cute!" Colette exclaimed, happily.
"So did you and Lloyd out there," Sheena smiled at them. Lloyd blushed and Colette beamed.
"Yeah, it was fun," Lloyd said. "Oy Genis, did you have fun with Presea?" he grinned.
"Shut it, Lloyd," Genis shot back.
Sheena sighed and listened to the music. It was one of her favorites- one that reminded her of Zelos. Well, just about every love song reminded her of Zelos.
Don't run away to a land you'll never find
Just know that I am here when you return
Don't run away and search forever
I am here my love...
She sighed and closed her eyes, thinking of what just between them. Did she…………..love him? No- it couldn't be. She just……..really, really liked him. He was one of her greatest friends, he had saved her life twice, he was kind, hilarious, random, made her shake with anger, was a huge pervert, loved life, was a master swordsman, handsome, smart in his own way, had gorgeous hair and beautiful eyes, was so goddamn sexy, and so much more. "Yeah, if that isn't love, what is?" a voice in her head wondered. She was so confused. She shrugged it off for the moment and talked with Lloyd, Colette, Genis, Presea, and Raine and Regal when they came back.
Then Dirk walked over to them and said he was heading back because it was nearly one in the morning and they'd better head back soon because it was a bit of a hike. They were all staying at his house for the night. Raine's house didn't have any furniture in it yet so they couldn't stay there.
"Hey guys- does anyone know where Zelos is?" Lloyd said curiously, "I've hardly seen him all night!" Sheena started at the mention of his name.
"Hmm- that's a good question," Raine said, frowning. They gave it no other thought as the beginning of the fireworks show started with a huge BOOM! Bright blue, red, green, orange, yellow, white, and every other color imaginable burst into the sky in various shapes and sizes, raining down and glittering. Colette Oooohed and Aaaaaaahed happily and Lloyd held her hand.
"Beautiful, isn't it," a familiar voice said from behind Sheena.
"Zelos! There you…" Sheena said and was silenced by a loud BOOOOM! Crackle Crackle Crackle.
"Where have you been?" Sheena asked, looking up at him.
"Looking for you," he said as he wrapped his arms around her waist. A humongous purple and light blue flower shaped firework burst high above them and let out a series of loud bangs. They gazed at each other and she rested her head against his arm, just watching the show. Raine looked over at them and gave Sheena a knowing smile- she probably had known they'd liked each other for a while now.
After the grand finale came Zelos took her hand in his and they started walking with the others over to Dirk's place. Just the simple thing of him holding her hand sent electricity spreading through her. It felt so right at that moment. They all told stories and joked along the way, savoring the night. No one was tired and Genis was telling the story about when they had Kendama competitions and Raine would always get whacked in the head. They all laughed and Raine glared at Genis but smiled eventually. Then the conversation drifted to that it was too bad Kratos couldn't be there- Lloyd especially wanted to see him someday soon.
They finally came to the house and Noishe was whining in his pen at the approach of the loud group. Lloyd opened the door quietly to not disturb Dirk. They all managed to find their separate rooms in the dark after stumbling around for a while and finally said goodnight. Zelos smiled that sexy smile of his at Sheena and kissed her goodnight. She smiled at him, went into her room and flopped on the bed. She thought to herself- this is officially one of the happiest days of her life. She wondered if she would wake up tomorrow and everything was just a dream and Zelos really didn't look at her that way. She closed her eyes and fell asleep in an instant. Sheena dreamt peaceful dreams for once in a long time that night.