This chapter is basically a flashback. I decided to do this chapter a flashback after several emails asking about that 'night in meltokio' I reffered to multiple times in this story. The night were supposedely Yuan and Kratos reliezed they were more then friends, but decided to ignore the feeling between them and contiune with the Kharlan War. I hope this chapter will enlighten you all. And as an additonal bonus, you'll have some light kratos/yuan and some fluff. Anyways, I hope you like this chapter (and I'm sorry I am not shedding light on Kratos' reaction to learning Yuan killed his son. I know, I'm evil!)

Warnings; Spoilers, Language, Some Violence, Suggestive Themes

Eternal Soouls
Chapter Twenty-One: Emotionless
Flashback chapter O.o

"If you thought that was good, check this out."

It was a late night in the region of Meltokio. We had camped outside the imperial city in hoeps of rebellion. Knowing how dangerous this mission really was, we all pledged to stay up all night in shifts. But the unexpected wave of snow penetrating the usual tropic region caused even more difficulties. The temperature had shot down dangerously and the only way to keep our minds off the blazing cold was to talk and engage in other things then just sitting there hopelessly.

Currently, myself, Kratos, and Martel were up. Mithos had dozed lightly into slumber, with all the blankets wrapped tightly around himself. I myself was showing Martel the newest moves I was trying out to vanquish enemies quicker. Sure, I was a little 'sure of myself' but she was the best thing to had ever come into my life. And our secret engagement was another thing to by joyous about. Of course, Mithos would never learn of this, hopefully. I knew how much he resented us being together.

A smile flickered across her delicate frost-bitten face. Bright emerald eyes filled with such joy at such a perilous time. Grinning, I swished the blade through the air and mistakably hit a log on my side splitting it in half. This must have caught Kratos' attention because the next thing I remember is a growl escaping his throat as he stood up from his resting spot with his protozoan. Lowly, I prepared myself for the speech I would soon be getting from him about proper weaponry.

"How many times do I have to tell you-!" Kratos began but his sharp garnet eyes caught the sarcasm in my eyes. Another mumble escaped his throat as he sheathed his dangerously sharp sword and watched me then looked to the side to see Martel watching us with a light smile. I glanced up at Kratos who had the unamused look upon his face. What was with this guy? Nothing seemed to brighten his spirits. Nothing. Zip. Nada.

"I know. Martel, you look tired, you should get some sleep," I spoke caringly, ignoring Kratos who was just standing there. Extending my hand, I took hers in mine and smiled lightly. "Sweet dreams, everything will be fine." I spoke. Her emerald eyes sleepily hung open as she nodded and crossed her arms.

"I-.. I'm not tired!" She retorted, as she yawned in between her protest. I was about to grin and laugh at her persistence but of course, Kratos jumped in and added in his comments. Such an annoyance at times.

"Yuan is right. Who knows what perils we will be faced with in the upcoming dreams. A warrior such as yourself needs her sleep," He watched as she nodded once more and turned to me with the faintest look of care upon her dreams.

"Fine.. but if you two pull anything stupid I'll have your heads," She smiled jokingly as she stood up and walked over to where her brother slept. Slowly, she sat down and cuddled up beside him. The flickers of the fire seemed duller once Martel had fallen asleep. Whirling around, I looked at Kratos who was grinning proudly to himself.

"What's with you..." I mumbled. Kratos tilted his head and ran a hair through his tangled auburn hair innocently.

"I'm not quite sure what you mean, Yuan." Kratos spoke, trying not to snicker from amusement. A sigh escaped my lips as I glared at the flame. She did tell me not to do anything stupid, but come on! Spending my last waking hours with someone you couldn't converse with would be stupid. So the non 'stupid' thing to do would to be get out and have some air. Right?

"I'm going out," I declared, pushing aside Kratos and taking a few steps out of camp. I was expecting a return speech from the mercenary but all I heard was a satisfactory 'mhm' come from him. Squinting my eyes, I mumbled to myself. "Fine, don't care." And with that I made my way out of the camp into the snowy tundra that lay before me.

Honestly, I was a real nature lover, but I'd never admit to it. Martel had shown me the wonders of the world through this journey, and it really opened up my eyes. Just to know that beauty lived everywhere, other than with Martel, was quite amazing.

Maybe it had been a few hours since I left Kratos, but who was counting. The tundra seemed endless, and the temperature seemed to be dropping every second. I wasn't expecting such harsh climates. Both my hands were becoming frost bit, and the tender skin upon my face was bright red. Weakly, I turned around and starred at where I came from. Endless plains for miles. Then I reliezed. I wasn't going to make it back, was I?

"Shit.." I groaned and sat down in the heavy blanket of snow underneath me. Now I understood what Martel meant by 'not doing anything stupid'. Snowflakes continued to fall upon my head as my first real 'shiver' ran down my spine. Clenching my teeth tightly, I calculated a plan. But the minute I thought I had devised a good one, feeling in my left leg went out. All that replaced it was a cold and numb feeling of emptiness.

"Yuan?" I rose my head and starred at the blizzard around me. Barely, I found myself able to speak.

"H-e...lp me," I whispered into the roaring wind.

"Where are you, dammit." The voice ran out strongly in the storm, but my conscience was slowly fading by the second.

"Ov...er here," I managed as my body lost all feeling and collapsed. Slowly, my eyelids snapped shit and I was left there helpless.

I awoke to a warm blanket wrapped around my body. The adjective 'fuzzy' flashed through my hand as I ran my stinging hands through the fuzzy texture. This wasn't real. When did we have a fuzzy blanket? Opening my eyes widely, I was starring at the wood panels above my head. Turning my head to the right, I saw a roaring fireplace next to a window showing the increasingly strong storm outside. My stomach sank and I sharply turned my head to the left and saw Kratos a few feet away in a chair reading something. No possible way.

"Where.. am I?" I asked out numbly. Raising his auburn head, Kratos looked over at me caringly. A slight flicker of amusement passed his face as he stood up and walked over to the bed. "You.. don't have to come that close," I muttered as he bent on the side of the bed.

"Next time you'll stay," For once a smile crossed his face as he extended a mug of what looked like tea. Or possibly something else. Steam arose from it, and I quickly grabbed it and took a large drink. My eyes watched the mercenary's gaze.

"Kratos, you saved me?" I spoke in dis-belief as I set down the mug on the table next to me. A nod was given as a response. He extended his hand and helped me sit up straight in the bed.

"Correct. It was very naive of you to leave, but I wasn't going to fight with you," He murmured as I ran a hand through my damp azul hair. Sighing, I could only nod and agree of how stupid I had acted. Guilt filled my stomach and I suddenly became tense and rolled out of the bed, damp clothes clinging to my body.

"Where's Martel! You didn't leave her out there did you!" I demanded, grabbing Kratos by the collar. He didn't seemed alarmed, but he rose his hand gently and removed my hand from his shirt.

"Martel and Mithos are in the next room. They decided it'd be best to check in here for the night and wait for the storm to pass," He watched as I took a deep breath and nod.

"Alright," I looked downward and sat back down on the bed.

"Tell me, Yuan. Why do you act before you think?" Kratos asked curiously. I returned my glance upon him and shrugged lightly.

"When I'm upset, I don't care about many things," I admitted, clenching my teeth.

"Then I suppose you don't care about the well-being of your comrades either," Kratos tilted his head.

"Say what!" I felt myself hissing as I grabbed the blanket tightly in my hands from furry.

"You knew that if you put yourself in danger, I would be the one to risk my life as well to save you," He remained firm. Shaking a bit, I shook my head and pretended I could care less.

"You don't have to save me, Kratos. I can take care of myself." I growled.

"If it wasn't for me, you'd be dead," Kratos spoke with a glare across his garnet eyes. Stunned I looked downward to avert his gaze.

"I'm sorry... but why? Why do you care so much?" It was a question I wanted to ask for awhile. He paused and just stood up and walked towards the door.

"Good night," He spoke as he reached for the doorknob. Stunned, I got up and grabbed him by the shoulder.

"No, wait! Why do you care so much?" I asked. His pulse remained the same as he spoke with his back turned to me.

"That's what friends do. They care for one another's life. That's all. Nothing more nothing less," Kratos spoke, opening the door. Still confused I grabbed his shoulder tighter and bit down on my tongue.

"You really consider a half-elf, like me, a friend," I asked, a little taken back. He turned around and scanned my looks. He seemed as if he wanted to add something, or say something. But to my disappointment he didn't.

"Good night, Yuan," He spoke softly and closed the door and left the room. I stood there and sighed lightly.

"Good night.."

Author's Note:

I hope this didn't disappoint you :( I tried. Anyways, if it did just tackle me with giant apples. The next chapter will be Kratos' reponse to learning Yuan killed Lloyd. I promise. And it will have a flashback of an implied lemon and vile language. I won't tell you the pairing though, cause that'd spoil things. LOL. So I promise two more chapters! Yup yup! And the last chapter won't be a cheesy epilogue, it will be very juicy and detailed, but of course that is two chapters away. Aren't I evil?