This chapter ought to wrap things up for this story. Sorry I've had writers block for so long. I've been busy with friends, and plans to get the guy I'm crushing on to like me. Anyways, this Chapter is dedicated to you alan, I like you so much, andthanks for the movie trip! Love ya

And for my readers who haven't lost faith in me, I love you all. Happy Reading.

Warnings: Yaoi, Spoilers, The Usual Stuff

Eternal Souls
Chapter Twenty: Far Away

"It's dawn, time to depart."

Cracking open an eyelid, the usual greeting of intense beams of suns greeted me. Although it was first thing in the morning, the beams were as strong as ever. Daring to lift my head from it's resting place, I opened my other eye and glanced over at Kratos who was a distance away looking up at the sky as if calculating something. Groaning, I pushed the soft fleece of my tangled cape and just laid there, staring up at the sky. This was a rare event, well for me. Usually whenever I gazed up at the sky, it was a sea blue. Yet at this time of day, it was a scotching fiery red with waves of orange. Sighing, I ran a hand through my some-what matted hair, and rose to my feet.

You could say the lack of sleep I had the night before effected my performance today, but that wouldn't be the whole truth. As quickly as I had arose, I stumbled back onto one knee in an abundant amount of pain. Squinting, I looked over at Kratos weakly. Almost as if he had a sixth sense, the mercenary turned sharply and looked at me. Raising in eyebrow under his thick auburn bangs, he walked over to me and kneeled over.

"I see you're still in a world of pain. That's not the best thing for us right now," He mumbled, extending a hand to heal the pain that was traveling rapidly over my limp body. Glancing up at him and I muttered.

"This kind of pain is never good..." Stiffly, I stood up and brushed off the gathering dirt on my cape. Whatever kind of healing arts Kratos possed, they really were affective. Daring a look back up at my savior, I managed the weakest smile. "But anyways, you said we were leaving. Where to? And shouldn't Martel be alerted of this also?" I began, becoming increasingly worried.

At first, Kratos seemed stunned by my sudden interest, but the usual stern look overcame his face and he placed a hand on my shoulder, reassuringly.

"Relax Yuan. You yourself should be aware that she's remaining in these forests as a guardian to all creatures," Kratos began, at frst strongly, but then changing to a curious tone. I glared at Kratos, and shook off his hand.

"She- never told me that! And that's just insane. Living in these woods!" Becoming flustered, I began to pace around the camp, gathering the objects that lay on the ground in a frantic rant. It took a few moments for Kratos to say anything. Instead, he just gave me a peculiar look and began stepping closer.

"Yuan," He began as he approached me, and I darted to the left and picked up a lamp. Uneasily, Kratos followed me and continued to attempt to talk to me. I wanted none of the sort. Sure I had chosen Kratos, but to leave Martel, defenseless in a forest was insane!

"Would you stop for two seconds and enlighten me on what you are planning to do?" Kratos asked, now sitting down on the same log I had slept on earlier. Pausing, I turned around and looked over at the mercenary. His eyes were filled with worry and concern, unlike what they lately had been.

"There's no time to wait, god damnit! Whatever that has been pursuing me and gave me this incurable curse is probably plotting it's next move! And you tell me to wait!" Glaring angrily at Kratos, I went back to collecting all the items on the ground and shoving them in the pack that had been laid open earlier.

Kratos stood up, and walked over to me once more. His sturdy hand once again reached for my shoulder. This time, however, I turned around sharply and stared him straight in the eye.

"No, I know what you're going to say," Hissing, I remained still, watching for a return reaction from Kratos.

"Yuan, It's not healthy for you to be so overworked. I haven't seen you this flustered since, well since ever. Now please, take a breath. You'll be fine," Kratos spoke softly. It was unusual to hear Kratos speak in such a relaxed tone, but I couldn't take advantage of this seeing my mind was on other things.

"I won't be fine Kratos.. you don't understand what's happening," I whispered, trying to avoid eye contact.

"What?" Kratos took his hand back, stunned. Tilting his head, he gently reached out and lifted my chin up so I was staring into his eyes. "Tell me what's going on with you."

"I can't," I murmured, closing my eyes.

"Open your eyes, Yuan." He demanded, cracking open my right eye, I tried to act like I was listening. "When have I ever not been here for you when you needed me?" Kratos asked, with a gentle smile.

"Far too many to count," I whispered to myself.

"Stop with the attitude. I'm worried about you, and this dancing around the subject is really starting to get me pissed, so would you please start talking!" Kratos yelled, grabbing both my shoulders and shaking me. Stunned, I was lost for words. Just to make Kratos enraged.. it wasn't what I was looking to accomplish.

"I can't tell you, I've kept my plans and actions secret for all these thousands of years, even when you were sick, even when you left me. And I'm not about to tell you now," Remaining firm, I starred back at him.

"How can you say that?" Kratos asked meekly.

"Listen to me Kratos, I don't want you to suffer from knowing these things," I replied disdainfully.

"Well, whatever it is, it hasn't been bothering you for the past years. Why now? What in the name of Martel has gotten you so upset?" Kratos interrogated.

"Please, don't do this to me. I want you to forget I even said anything," I whispered uneasily. At first I didn't know what to expect after saying that. Slowly, Kratos wrapped his arms warmly around me, in attempts to comfort. But the thing was, at a time like this, I couldn't be comforted. I just wanted to be alone. But Kratos was persistent, and he would probably drag himself into my problems whether I liked it or not.

Oddly, I broke away from his warm embrace. How could or love be a good thing when he had no clue what I was going through. Get a grip.. I keep telling myself. The thing is, I'm not the same person I was when this journey began. This... curse is weakening me, and fogging my judgment. Somehow I'll have to push through this.

"Am I just imagining things, or did you just push me away?.." Kratos paused, and his eyes seemed shocked and hurt beyond on belief.

"Kratos.. You don't know me," I began.

"Well, that's absurd. We've been together for four thousand years, and you claim I don't know you?" Kratos bit down on his bottom lip. From my observations, he was piercing the skin, and a drop of blood fell from what I used to call 'my heaven'.

"Just please, I don't want to hurt you anymore. You don't want to know who I am and what I have done. So please, let's go back to things before all this hell. Damn, I just want us to be together," I stuttered along. Slightly nodding his head, Kratos smiled.

"I think your delusional from your curse, but that's alright. I don't care, you're still you," Kratos beamed at me. I just starred at him, maybe I could save that smile, just possibly.

"You said you'd do anything for me, correct?" I continued.

"You know the answer to that," A flicker of amusement crossed his eyes. Perhaps he thought I was leading on to something better, but I wasn't.

"Then do this for me. If it ever comes down to it, don't save me," Sighing, I sat down on the log and looked at the dieing fire.

"What the hell are you going on about, Yuan! If you don't shut up about this random shit, I'll be forced to persuade you otherwise," He yelled at first, then grinned mischievously.

"If only it was that simple."

"Stop it. Dammit. Just stop, you're not going to die, and you're not going to leave my side, so stop," He grabbed my firmly and buried his head into my chest. His body was shaking. I bothered him about this issue, something I didn't want to. He didn't believe me, my true lover didn't trust me anymore.

"Do you wish to know the truth?" It was the least I could do. He seemed so keen on my 'curse', and this whole 'other identity' ordeal.

"More then ever," He glanced back up into my gaze, almost shaking.

"I'm not who you think I am, Kratos. Yes, I am Yuan. But... I've been lieing to you since the beginning. Kratos, I was the assassin who killed your son, Lloyd."

Author's Note:

DUN... DUN DUN! CLIFFHANGER! THE WORST KIND

nall: You do relieze this is going to change all the good kratos/yuan fluff.

me: yes but.. it's a cliffhanger. That will lead up the last few chapters. If you want more details about how Lloyd's death is still affecting Yuan, and why he is sick, you'll find out in the next chapter. And yes, if you're still kratos/yuan fluff-obessed, you'll see flashbacks of good ole kratos/yuan goodness. And about Martel situation? That will also be explainied and why Yuan seemed so anxious at the beginning of the chapter.

Until then, happy viewing ;)