A. R. Russ: Thanks a bunch Russ :)
Abombidal boo: yup, the topic will come up, but not yet.
Hazumi Yoi: Well then just another one with a leather jacket this time.
CopyCatShinobi: And she's a special friend indeed. It's hard to get a character like Sheena to open up around Zelos. But I agree, it's better when she does.
Yami: I'll continue with this for sure and the other ones at a slower pace.
Genismithos: Heehee…advent children.
Bluenight: Congrats! It may be a little but baby steps are what's important right?
Blissful Twilight: Carmel is good…((munch munch))
Bballstar42: Thank you.
Eliannora: Well, thanks!
Anima Sage Kurai: Good job! She does like Zelos more I think. Maybe over the course of this fic I'll be able to convert you completely into a sheelos lover? Just a hope…and yeah high school's the death of us all. My English teacher expects page long answers for one measly question. ONE question!
Black Winged Huntress: I can just feel your excitement at getting homework :P it sucks, takes up too much time.
Dutchygirl : I have a confession…in the game I prefer Sheena as Lloyd's 'soul mate' but as Zelos' 'soul mate' in writings. Colette also annoyed me. That's why I loved it when she got kidnapped. A jealous Zelos is great! Wow, Jealous Zelos…that's hard to say fast…eh, dizzy.
windwhisprer: hee, I'll update but Domo King?
lugiamania: Indeed!
AA-Tenks: you are a very interesting person…Lloyd's going to stay alive for the remainder of this story.
StrawberryEggs: Down the road to love! No, I don't know, all will be revealed in good time.
My friend, I place my trust in you
Twilight soon descended upon the sleepy town of Flanoir the next day. It was almost picturesque with sparkling dots of stars patterning the dark sky and the half risen moon peeking out from behind the dark grey clouds. Outside, hardly anyone was seen wandering the snow covered streets; the cause of this was the wise weather mans prediction of heavy rain followed by a negative twenty-one drop in the already frigid temperature. Which could only mean one thing, the pathways in the morning would be covered in a hefty layer of slippery ice and mush.
Zelos groaned from his spot beside the window seat, things most definitely looked glum out there. He was currently confined to the doctor's house until his ankle showed signs of improvement. Him and his dearly beloved Sheena who was occupying the shower room.
Normally, being a man of such temperament, Zelos would have already thought up many ideas on how to get the closest peek at his voluptuous hunny. Though for two reasons he refused to leave the cushion he was sitting on. One: Sheena would knock him out cold with a bar of soap, and two: his ankle was throbbing with so much pain that he could feel it vibrating all the way up to his poor, cold ears.
"Sooooo…….." Genis drawled, perching himself opposite Zelos on the window, "How much does it hurt?"
Right, Zelos reminded himself trying not to dose off, they were all here. They as in the whole caffeine-hyped symphonia group.
"Watch it brat," he threatened darkly, "If you even think of touching my ankle with those pudgy little fingers of yours, I'll kick you off the window seat with my one good foot."
Genis puffed out his cheeks as if to say; I'd like to see you try you ugly old bear.
Colette, who was standing near Zelos threw a sympathetic towards his swollen, bandaged joint, "Oh, Zelos, it looks so painful! I hope you get better really soon."
The man sent her a wide smile, "No need to worry about me my little angel…the great Zelos is immune to pain." obviously; he was lying through his teeth.
Sylvarent's Chosen still looked skeptical, "Um, okay, but you should really put something on it…like medicine. I twisted my ankle once and it really hurt, you should get it treated."
Zelos chuckled at her worry, somehow he always received it from those who mattered least…not to say he didn't care at all for Colette, "Don't you worry, the doctor already put some cream on it yesterday, and I think he said something about applying more today."
She nodded in understanding, "Alright then……where's Sheena?"
"Shower." Zelos answered then just for the sake of it put in, "And I wish she'd hurry up, I'm next I don't like the thought of having no hot water left."
"No need to fret Zelos." the doctor emerged from the door that led to the kitchen, carrying two bowls of steaming soup, "I've boiled a whole other pot of hot water."
The one being spoken to shifted his injured foot, "Uh…pot of water?"
"What'd you expect Chosen? No royalties here I'm afraid." The man laughed at his patient's bemused expression, "Storms here in Flanoir often cut off the hot water supply so we need to boil water and mix it with the cold water that comes out of the shower head."
"So I have to have a bath with…" Zelos started but couldn't finish.
Almost knowing what he was going to say the doctor replied, "You got it; until you get better you'll be bathing with a jug and a bucket. I suggest you get used to it, I'm positive on your travels you must be accustomed to this by now."
"Actually…" Lloyd cut in, "He made us stop every night at a House of Guidance and a couple of times he forced us to fly all the way to the hot springs."
The doctor showed genuine surprise, "Oh really now…?"
"Yeah." Genis replied getting over the swordsman's rude comment to him earlier, "He's truly what you'd refer to as a 'spoiled brat.'"
Zelos growled called at being called that, he had heard it one too many times in the past, "I am not spoiled you fool, I just prefer certain things over others. That's all."
"Genis." Raine said in her warning tone, looking up from her thick book, "That was uncalled for. Zelos was brought up in a different way, respect that."
"Well, he can at least stop acting so stuck up 'cause he's going to have to get used to it sometime." the young mage was once again fuming over what Zelos and his sister just said, "Back in Iselia we didn't have running water all the time, most of the time we had to draw water from the well…it's not like it's sometime completely alien or anything."
"It's not my fault you're from the boondocks…" Zelos mumbled but it was loud enough to hear.
Sheena choose this moment to enter with a towel wrapped around her head and wearing the same pink dress she'd woken up in, "Boondocks?" she repeated, "Zelos, just because some places have different ways of cleansing themselves doesn't mean we're from the boondocks. Besides…Mizuho is just like that…"
The first thought that entered his mind was the dress Sheena was wearing…the dress he had a professional shape to fit her like perfection. He let a small smile escape but quickly covered it up because Sheena was glaring at him, waiting for an answer, "I didn't mean it like that. All you people are just waiting to jump on me aren't you? Now, if Lloyd said something like that I bet you all wouldn't care."
Raine answered this one, "Zelos, the only reason we allow certain things to go unnoticed when it comes to Lloyd is because he always lets daft things like that slip unintentionally."
"Why than--" Lloyd beamed proudly but then it faltered, "Hey wait a minute!"
"Always the last to know…" Genis shook his head.
"Indeed." Presea, who was quiet as usual chorused along with the boy.
"What are you all talking about?" the twin blade wielder demanded, "I'll have you know that some of the most intelligent things come out of my mouth from time to time."
Regal smirked and fingered his chin, "Yes, Lloyd but more than half the time the things you speak of don't make a lot of sense."
"Regal! Not you too!" Lloyd wailed but was silenced by the doctor.
"Now, now." the man placed the bowls on a near by table and grabbed a skinny looking bottle, "Sheena, take this before you go to sleep. It'll help with your fever."
"Thanks." she smiled and accepted the bottle, "What is it?"
"Mostly a mixture of herbs…they all have magnificent healing properties." he explained putting two old silver spoons near the soup, "The chicken soup is yours by the way…that medicine let me warn you ahead of time…it's quite bitter."
"That's okay. Nothing I'm not used to. Grandpa--" she stopped suddenly remembering the chief who was still in a coma, "he used to give me bitter tasting medicine when I was sick…it tasted horrible but it worked."
The doctor was going to say something but Zelos picked the perfect time to interrupt; his companion's voice was scarcely audible, "So I get this cream and carrot soup? Great."
The doc nodded, "I suggest you finish with your bath so I can properly bandage your ankle."
"Alright, alright." he stretched and hobbled his way over to the showering area.
Things grew almost too quiet when Zelos left, only Colette and Lloyd were gently chatting but it gave Sheena some time to think of the many matters buzzing around in her aching head. Like the salmon colored dress she had on…what was she to make of this? The doctor had said it was for a 'special friend' but did he really mean it in the way she feared he would? Sheena had warned herself never to grow soft for another…who was this other person? Her mind shifted to the image of dazzling blue eyes and abundant red hair but she quickly pushed it out of her thoughts, she was only being paranoid. How can she have possibly grown warm to the possessor of these attributes? The heart truly did work in mysterious ways.
She dried her tangled ebony hair and tossed the towel aside, slowly spooning her soup cold. Has she really changed so much over the years? Or has he simply changed her? Life is one great enigma…one that's nearly impossible to work out.
"Sheena?"
She heard her name being called…only fragments of it and looked up to see Presea looming over her, "Sheena…is something the matter?"
The ninja smiled fondly at the small girl, "No it's nothing. My fever's what's bugging me."
Presea seemed only partly satisfied with her answer but left it at that, "That dress is beautifully crafted."
Sheena felt a slight blush creep up on her but forced it down, "Thanks…"
"I did not know you possessed a material like this." the axe user went on.
She pondered on what to say. Risking a hasty glance to make sure no one was eavesdropping she mumbled, "I'm not sure but I think Zelos had it done for me."
Presea sat down on the couch beside her, looking straight ahead "That would not surprise me."
But it had surprised Sheena, "W-what do you mean?"
"It's obvious Zelos cares a great deal for you. Perhaps even more than you're willing to accept."
If he cared so much about me, she thought bitterly, then you'd think he'd show it a little more…
Presea hadn't expected an answer so she remained unfazed when Sheena lifted her spoon up to her lips and placed it back down into her bowl.
After a while of slurping her way through the bottom of the bowl Sheena put aside the utensils and got up, "Maybe…just maybe" she murmured walking away.
Presea's thin lips curved upwards in the most discreet way possible and moved to where Regal and Genis were standing.
The Mizuho native wiped her mouth on a fuzzy cream towel and swished around the thick medicine. Deciding now was not the time she left it on the table beside her bed.
Lloyd turned his head to glance at the old clock high above him, "It's late, I should probably get going." the time read nine-thirty, "…I think I forgot to give Noishe food…"
"Don't worry Lloyd." Colette chirped bouncing into step with him, "I gave Noishe a big fish from the market before we left."
"Thanks Colette." when she wasn't looking he winced…he wasn't too happy about having Noishe greet him with raw fish breath, "Raine are you staying a while longer?"
The elder woman placed the dusty book on her lap, "Just a little, I want to finish up reading this article."
Sheena sat back on the couch, "So that book isn't yours?"
Raine shook her head, "No, the doctor let me look through it for a bit of light reading when I mentioned I was fond of archeology."
Light reading? Sheena just gave her a funny look. That book probably weighed half her body mass.
"I don't mind if you borrow it." The doctor stated, "I hardly ever use it. I even forgot I owned a copy of that big thing."
The half-elf's silver eyebrows went up, "And it won't cost me anything doctor?"
"I'm not that bad." he laughed, "And please, doctor makes me sound old, just Anthony is fine."
Raine stood up and brushed past Lloyd and stopped at the door, "Well, thank you Anthony, I'll be sure to return it to you in perfect condition."
Then she was gone, along with Genis, Colette and Lloyd.
Before the door shut Colette threw in a hasty, "Tell Zelos we said Goodnight!"
Sheena nodded and Regal spoke, "I should also make a move now. Those ice sculptures still need some work. Goodnight Sheena, Presea and Zelos when he comes out."
"Night Regal." the two chorused.
The doctor left for bandages and Sheena and the tiny axe wielder were the only two left in the room. Suddenly Sheena remembered something from the day they were searching for the penguinist quills.
"Hey, Presea?" she asked, "What happened to the quill I found?"
She looked up, "Professor Sage and Genis took it to the elderly man the make the gloves. He's ill now so they should be completed in three days."
"I see…and Presea?"
"Yes?"
Sheena fumbled with her words, "Did you find out what you wanted…about Alicia?"
She nodded, pink tails bobbing up and down, "Regal did not feel at ease talking about it at first. But I know one thing for certain…my sister…Alicia, was happy."
"Because she was in love?" Sheena wondered quietly.
"Yes…Regal once said that 'love heals all wounds'" her eyes glazed over when she said this, "I have yet to find truth in this…but maybe that is what freed my sister in the end…"
Sheena placed a comforting hand on her friend's shoulder, "I'm sure that was the case…Alicia passed having her last wished fulfilled, she wanted to see the one she loved once more…and she did."
Presea chewed on her bottom lip, "I want to forgive Regal…my heart tells me to…but I'm still not ready."
"I understand…don't force yourself. These things take time." Sheena whispered in what she hoped was a comforting voice, "When the time's right you'll know."
Presea smiled softly, "Thank you Sheena and it is getting very dark outside…I bid you goodnight and Zelos."
"Goodnight."
As soon as the door clicked close Zelos and the doctor came back from the corners of their rooms.
"They all left but said goodnight." Sheena informed Zelos who was looking around the room.
"Thanks hun, what are you still doing up? Don't your need your beauty sleep?" Zelos teased plopping himself down on the couch beside her and his foot propped up on the table.
She thought of saying something rude but decided against it, "It's still early." she watched the doctor expertly bandage Zelos' foot.
He seemed stunned by her answer, "I see, well I'll be more than happy to keep you company."
"I'm sure you will." she muttered lazily, not really paying attention.
Long after the doctor left for bed Sheena spent her night gazing into the crackling flames of the fireplace. She had a lot to think about but only one subject stuck in her sleepy mind. It was all she could do to keep from dosing off.
"Listen…" Zelos said after a terribly long time, "There's something I need to ask you."
Sheena shook her head from sleepiness, "What is it?"
"Back at the cave…" he faltered, "You were hesitant but you still said you…"
"Still said…?" she pushed.
Zelos gave her a floppy grin, "You said you trusted me…do you really?"
Sheena blinked trying to fathom why he would bring up such a topic so late at night, "Zelos…I said I did and I meant it."
He broke out into a full blown grin and playfully nudged her into the arm rest, "Good answer! Just testing you."
She rubbed her arm out of habit, "Dear Martel Zelos you are a strange one."
He dramatically threw his arms around her, "But you love me for it!"
Sheena groaned deeply but made no protest to the arms wrapped tightly around her waist.
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Yes, I know I took so long to update. I was sick one weekend and I just didn't feel in the mood for writing the next but it's up now in time for turkey day! (Thanks giving)
Well I know one thing that bound to get me happy…if you lovely people drop of a nice review before you leave :D
Toodles and happy thanks giving! Turkey and mashed potatoes! Hoorah!