Disclaimer: I get tired of putting up these things, but I don't own Tales of Symphonia.

In here you'll hear me mention that Regal is a healer, I didn't know that until I browsed his spell/attack list and there was one that said something along the lines of 'healer' It's not as obvious as Kratos or Zelos' first aid spells but it has the same effect.

Bballstar42: Thanks, thanks!

mercy-angel-09: No there isn't enough these days. And if you spot any errors, go ahead and let me know……kindly…please -.-;;

Merle: yes! Zelos lovers unite!

cutie1004: updated!

StrawberryEggs: The game never mentioned that she had a crush on him or the time they met but in a z-skit Lloyd asks Zelos if he's known Sheena from before. Zelos said she was his lover and then changed it to future hunny. :D

lugiamania: It's not shown in the game but they offer hints. (read the above review)

CopyCatShinobi: I would have gotten Zelos' scene on my first play through but I was concentrating on Sheena more. You don't have to be mean to everyone but I was mean to Raine and Genis especially. Presea and Regal not so much. I was nice to Sheena and a mix for Colette.

A simple test of friendship

Sheena woke up and rubbed her eyes, still groggy from the lack of sleep she had gotten. Who knew talking to Zelos would have taken up so many hours of precious siesta time? Looking over to the rug near the fireplace where they had sat, she knew she didn't regret it. Zelos could be a real pain sometimes but there always was that awkward moment where he finally let his guard down, only to bring it back up several minutes later.

Zelos pretended to sleep in spite of the loud creaking noise Sheena's bed made when she got up. He had no clear reason behind it but he feared having a conversation so early in the morning. So early that he dreaded he may give her answers he worked so hard to conceal all this while.

Sheena stretched and cast a fleeting look at Zelos' sleeping figure. Smiling she made her way down the stairs, careful not to trip on the melted snow at the sides.

"Lloyd we have no choice but to go now, before we're hit by yet another phase of bad weather."

Recognizing the tinning patience of Raine's voice Sheena rushed downstairs, almost sliding down the last one.

"But Professor!" it was Lloyd this time, "It's so early, we haven't even had breakfast yet."

"Awooo." Noishe lifted his head, greeting Sheena who nearly stepped on his flapping tail.

She smiled and patted his nose idly, ignoring the strange smell of sweet fruit and medicine on him, "Good morning boy…I guess the inn master let you in after all."

"Yeah! I'm really hungry Raine," Genis whined, "We can kill penguins anytime we want--"

"No!" Colette suddenly yelped, "You can't kill them!...they're just so cute!"

The room fell silent, even passerby's started looking on to see what all the fuss was about. It remained that way until Presea spoke, "Colette, it is vital we defeat our enemies. No matter how…cute they look."

Genis immediately backed her up, "Presea's right. It's either destroy, or be destroyed."

Colette stared at the floor beneath her, "I know…but can't we just try asking them for the quills?"

Regal cleared his throat, "Somehow I don't see them just elatedly giving up their possessions."

Zelos took this moment to come prancing down the stairs, landing between Sheena and Raine, "Good morning my hunnies!...eh, what are you all talking about?"

No one answered him so Colette, being the pleasant girl she was decided to fill him in, "We were discussing how to get penguinist quills but my method isn't going to work so we'll have to do it the normal way…"

Raine nodded at that, speaking directly to Colette, "I've decided we're going to split into pairs and three groups will go in search of the quills and two others will need to stay back in case the groups going out get hurt beyond healing."

Genis was the first to protest, "But Raine! We never split up; it's much easier to fight as a group."

"We've split up many times at Human Ranch's and it safe to say that it gets the job done faster and much more effectively. Especially taking into account that not all the Penguinists on this continent carry the quills."

Genis still found another aspect of his sister's plan worth arguing about, "But none of us want to stay back. We all promised Sheena we'd help her get Corrine's bell back."

Sheena was touched by the sentiment but it also could be the result of Genis not wanting to be shot down by the professor, "Genis, it's okay. Raine has a point. We need someone here to act as a lookout,"

The little mage pouted but stayed quiet, no one else seemed to want to bicker about Raine's idea.

She still had to confirm her plan, "I trust there are no objections?"

Everyone shook their heads and Presea figured it was one of those times in which something needed to be said, "Your means of thinking appears to be the most logical way to approach this situation."

"Good." The elder half-elf continued, "Then I suggest we decide who stays and who goes right away."

Sheena was first to make her decision, "I have to go, I can't leave you guys to do all the work when it's my fault the bell was dropped."

The tiny angel looked nervous, "Actually Sheena…it's my fault. If I hadn't fallen on you, you never would have dropped Corrine's bell…I'm so sorry."

The Mizuho native distinctively remembered Colette yell out, 'Opps!' and then Raine's voice mouth out, 'watch out Sheena!', "Don't worry about it. If you hadn't…err…fallen on my back Fenrir wouldn't have been defeated when he was."

Colette opened her mouth but was silenced by Raine who was checking their supplies for the journey ahead, "It seems we have a thief on our hands."

Genis rushed beside her, "Oh look! All our stuff's been taken. All that's left is a batch of rosemary and a magic lens. Where are our gels…and energy tablets and potions and--?"

"What?" Zelos seethed suddenly annoyed, "After the thousands of gald I spent on those miserable pineapple gels! When I get my hands on that little bugger I'm going to ring 'em dry!"

Lloyd made a sound like he was choking, "Noi-Noooii--"

Zelos took his mumbling as a sign he found the crook, "Where is he Lloyd?" he balled his fists, completely forgetting he owned a sword, "Where is he? Bring. It. On."

The one in red absentmindedly pointed to a corner. There sat his faithful pooch that he somehow managed to smuggle in last night. Noishe was happily chewing on a box of energy tablets with empty wrappers hidden behind his colorfully stained paws.

So that's why he smelt funny…Sheena mused glancing over towards the giant dog.

Zelos dropped his defensive stance, feeling slightly foolish, "Noishe is our little pickpocket?" he moved in to inspect the damage, "Eww…creature slobber!"

"How many times do I have to tell you that Noishe is a dog?" Lloyd snapped from beside the shifty animal.

Zelos backed away, "Open your eyes bud, it does not look like a dog!"

Noishe whined softly and Lloyd stroked his rough fur, "You okay boy? You don't sound so good…"

Raine sighed deeply; things were not getting any easier, "Alright, due to our current shortage of healing items there will have to be a slight change of plans."

"I see what you mean." Regal said bowing his head, "But what do you suggest we do?"

The professor brought it up as if she had been meaning to say it all along, "It's in our best interest to pair up with a healer. So…Regal, Zelos and I will have to partake in the fight."

Presea wanted to make her decision before anyone could place bets on their partners, "If it is alright I would like to accompany Regal. There are…still matters regarding my sister that I would like to discuss.

Genis had no choice but to remain silent. No matter how hard he tried, healing was just not his forte; meaning his idea of a tag team with Presea wouldn't work as he had initially hoped.

Raine gave her a brief nod, "Alright. That leaves Genis, Sheena, Colette and Lloyd--"

Hearing his name the swordsman spoke, "I'm sorry Professor…and Sheena. I think it'd be best if I stayed back to take care of Noishe…he isn't feeling too good."

"That's quite alright--"

"I'm going to stay back with Lloyd too. You need another one to stay back right?" Colette bounced over to the said person, "I'm really sorry Sheena!"

Sheena gave the blonde girl an affectionate smile, "This is only to gather penguinist quills, you don't need to apologize."

Zelos presently had his arms wrapped around the summoner, "Okay then, I choose you Sheena!"

She snarled out of habit and pushed him away, "Who's saying I want to go with you?" despite their small heart-to-heart talk last night, she was in no mood to spread her joy now, "Besides, I already thought I'd go with Raine. If this partner thing is for healing only, she does ten times a better job."

"What? No way!" Zelos jumped in disappointment, "You just can't stick me with the brat!"

Since Genis was within audible range he quickly grew angry, "Hey! This 'so-called-brat' is right here!...where I can hear you clearly!"

Zelos crossed his arms, "And your point is?"

Genis fumed, "What do you mean by that? Isn't it obvious what I was trying to say?"

The older one in this squabble clicked his tongue, "…hmm…no."

Raine now had to restrain the short tempered boy from whacking Zelos with his kendama or worse, "Genis, will you get a hold of yourself?"

He squirmed trying to escape her strong grip, "Let me go! I'm gonna get him! It'll be off with his head by the time I'm done!"

Zelos loomed over the kid, "Oh really? Now that's something I'd pay to see."

"Zelos! You're the adult in this situation! Take some responsibility!" Raine's patience was wearing away, "Sheena, at this rate all they will ever accomplish is the death of one another. And that's not going to help us one bit."

Sheena wanted to argue on that but at the risk of keeping her own head she decided to take the hint, "Alright…fine. Let's go…Zelos."

It took the man a while to get at what she was saying, "Uh?…oh!" when he did he spontaneously linked arms with her, "…then it's a date!"

She sighed irritably but made no attempt to remove his arm, "You do realize we'll be killing monsters? Right?"

Before he had the chance to answer Raine called out for everyone's attention, "Okay, listen up. Lloyd and Colette, if we're not back with in an hour's time you two need to come for us because I've been informed early this morning that another storm is on its way. It'll probably touch down by early afternoon. Now for the rest of you. Stick together and go after enemies that hold items only."

Regal interrupted, "I'm assuming there is some way to figure that out before entering battle?"

The professor's eyes glittered with fascination, "While researching the homes and habits of penguinists, I came across an article that said these specific breed of monsters tuck away their possessions under their left arm…so you would be able to see the quills sticking out."

Lloyd who was still by his 'dog' yawned, "Do you ever stop studying professor?"

She ignored him, "We should leave right away, remember two hours and you're back here." she then disappeared out the front door with Genis and Presea.

Before Regal had a chance to leave Sheena caught up to him, "Hey Regal!"

"What is it Sheena?"

"I was just wondering…what were you doing out last night?"

He fingered his chin smiling, "I was tending to a half thawed Bigfoot statue." then he left her to ponder on that thought.

She shook her head and made her way out the door, Bigfoot? What's that supposed to mean?

Thinking about the mystery of Regal's words she failed to notice the bitter cold that greeted her in an unwelcome fashion, the snowflakes dancing before her and Zelos who was toying around with something beside her.

"Sheena! Check this out…it even freezes land out here." Zelos remarked holding his hand to the side, "Wh-whoa, ah!...not going to try that one again…"

She looked over out of curiosity, spotting a shiny ring on his index finger, "That's…the sorcerer's ring. I thought Lloyd always has that thing."

Zelos shook his head rubbing the tiny object, "Nah, Raine confiscated it after he melted one of the statues in Flanoir. So naturally I had to take it, it's not like I'm going to go dissolving monuments."

She smiled in recognition, "The Bigfoot. So that's where Regal was…after all it was his company's idea to make the statues. But Lloyd doesn't strike me much as a vandal."

He stopped polishing the ring for a while, "Oh no, it was nothing like that. Some crazed penguinist escaped into the city and he was trying to target it with the ring but he and his bad aim missed and hit the statue…five times."

Sheena blinked at his last statement, "Five times…wow, did they do anything to Lloyd after that?"

Zelos turned to face her, "Nope, he ran like a scared rat. And speaking of which, there's an oversized rodent right there!"

Sheena shifted so she watching a lone Penguinist waddle through the thick snow, "Umm…penguins aren't considered part of the rodent family."

Zelos crouched down ready to attack, "Hush now hunny, don't get all smart on me."

She was about to comment but with one swift move Zelos brought her down with him, "So here's the plan Sheena. I'll strike with my sword and you give the critter a body slam from that voluptuous body of yours."

She growled, "If you didn't need all the strength you have I'd smack you right now!"

Zelos stayed focused on his moving target, "Alright, we attack on three--"

"No!" Sheena quickly covered his mouth, "I have a better idea…one that will actually work. Penguinists are rarely ever seen alone so he must have the quills we need. And since his attack power would be pretty low for a loner all we have to do is pounce on him and a couple of punches later he'll be toast."

"Man…and I was actually looking forward to seeing that body slam…" still he got up and poised himself for when the little guy was close enough to jump on.

She ignored him and stayed hidden behind a snow bank watching him hobble his way through the snow; sure enough he had a long white feather known as the penguinist quill sticking out from under his left wing along with a glossy coin bandits call gald.

As the penguin inched closer, oblivious to anyone who could be watching him Sheena bent her knees and clutched the card of ice tightly in both arms. Zelos followed suit, his hand set on his sword's sheath, thumb placed upwards ready to click it open in an instant.

Sheena's breath dropped to a whisper, "Here he comes…get him!"

They launched forward tackling the surprised monster to the ground. In an instant it started shrieking for mercy as the feather flew onto the snow along with the coin. Sheena attacked furiously with her cards, engraving deep cuts with every swing. Zelos aimed his sword and performed various skills which involved spinning while in midair, many of them had taken years of harsh training to perfect.

They rolled around for a while trying to overpower the poor being, just as it was on it's last hope for survival Zelos pulled on his sword, bring it back to his side ready to plunge it straight through the penguins little heart.

Sheena grabbed his arms preventing him from lowering the weapon, "Zelos no!"

He turned to her in bewilderment, "What? You've got to be kidding me!"

"It's far too wounded to do anything so let's just let him go! We've already got the necessary items!"

"I bet you wouldn't think twice about killing me."

"Zelos! You're a human, that's an entirely different issue!"

"Yet you come pretty close to it every time you raise those hands of yours."

"If you'd like me to kill you just say the word and I'll be there!"

"Kill me!" he raised his hands fully expecting her to just keep on yelling.

"Alright then!" she raised her cards and tackled him down into the snow.

"Hey! Watch those hands! Ah! Sheena…I was just kidding! Yeouch!"

"You know what--! Oh…eh…where'd it go?" Sheena stooped her assault and looked around for signs of the mistreated penguin, "I can't believe it…we've lost the penguin…"

Zelos sat up groggily, "…ugh…a first aid spell would do me some good right now. Sheesh hunny…you really are violent…"

"Shut up you fool!" she frantically dug through the snow on hands and knees, "I think it…no, never mind it's right here." She picked up the penguinist quill and the coin totaling one hundred gald and stuffed them in her robe.

The offended man crawled over to her, "How far are we from the inn?"

She sighed, "Not very, but we should start heading back now. I didn't expect the weather to develop this much."

Zelos nodded and they made their way back all the while checking for Penguinists.

The cold was chilling with every step the pair took, the snow dropping as hardened clusters swayed by the harsh winter winds. Soon they found it hard to walk with ease as the piled up snow slowly reached above their shaking knees. The ninja shivered, her teeth chattering…but Zelos continued to walk on, unfazed by the cold.

After a while of steady walking, at least on Zelos' part, he spoke, "Would you really kill me?"

Sheena stared at him in confusion, "I-I—are you talking about the incident a couple minutes ago?"

"Yeah…that one." he said simply.

She was grave with the solemnity of his tone, "Zelos, I—no…when…when it really happens, I don't-I--I don't think I could go through with it…"

He looked over to her, a slight smile playing at the corner of his lips, "…for a violent banshee you certainly do have your strangely humane side. And thinking about it…I wouldn't let you die either. After all…you are my favorite hunny."

Sheena struggled to maintain her imperturbable composure, she couldn't figure out if she should get angry or be grateful, "Hmph, I suppose when it comes down to it, you can be considered my friend, and it's our duty to help out a fallen companion."

"An eye for an eye, a back for a back and an apple for an orange." He folded his arms proudly.

She gave him a quizzical look but chose not to respond, some things didn't deserve answers.

Zelos shrugged, "You know the old saying; when old man death smiles at ya', you smile back."

Sheena blinked, "Actually…I didn't know that…"

"Of course you didn't, I just made it up…!-Oww! You don't have to hit me for it!"

"What are you--! Ouch! That's cold!" Sheena turned around on impact only to stop dead in her tracks.

A straight formation of about twenty or so angry Penguinists circled the paralyzed two, glaring and rolling snowballs in their fin like arms. In the center a badly beaten penguin squawked impudently wailing around his arms and pointing at the different life forms in the center of the circle. He rolled on the floor, creating deep impressions in the snow while making a sound like he was choking. Seconds later he got up with great difficultly and began to squeak and point once more.

"Oh…good Martel." Sheena gasped, "We're gonna die…"

Zelos scratched his head, "Huh? You speak the language of the penguins?"

Sheena growled at his idiocy, "You constantly amaze me by how stupid you can get! You idiot! That's the Penguinist we attacked earlier on today, now he's come back with a huge army!"

"Well, I won't let some measly bird be the death of me." Zelos dusted his hands together before pulling out his sword, "And this time Sheena, we kill them all fast and easy."

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There we go! I was just really busy lately so I couldn't get up this chapter as soon as I could. Though I'm glad I waited, I got the at least seven reviews I was secretly hoping for.

Anyways, you people got to let me know if you really this. I think it's the only fic I've ever written on paper before I posted it. I want to take the time to make sure it's as near perfect (in terms of plot) as it could possibly be. I didn't include the grammar thingy 'cause I'm as blind as bat. That or I just get bored of proof reading over and over again.

So you gotta do something, review and give me a shout, tell me what you think!...if it's bad you're excused…-.- but let me know if my efforts aren't going to waste. O.o…that took a lot of breath out of me…

On a different note, I just realized that doesn't preserve my exclamation mark (!) and question mark (?) placed together. Now I have to think of other ways to make questions sound angry. Oie, life is hard…-.-;;