1Okay, I have definitely stumped the band, so to speak. Everyone has completely different opinions on what's happening. The truth about Storm's condition will be revealed in a few chapters, but as far as Zelos and Storm's relationship, that issue will not be settled till later. Anyway, thanks for all the reviews and I hope that this story is good. Thanks!

Chapter 16: Feeling Weak Inside

It had been about two days since Storm escaped from Forcystus. The poison's effect had become weak enough that she was able to get out of bed, but she was in no way able to fight. She had, on several attempts, tried to sneak out of the house in the middle of the night, with no success. Kratos was guarding Storm very closely. She didn't know why, but she couldn't help herself. She knew she was weak and would never be able to fight Pronyma without being killed, but some uncontrollable force was causing her to want to try anyway. She couldn't fight that desire no matter how hard she tried, so she had stopped trying and let her father catch her.

Storm had grown accustomed to new and strange eating habits. She really had no desire to eat anything and when she did feel hungry, she was only able to eat a few bites at every meal. She really tried to eat more to please everyone at the table. All of her friends, and especially her father, were constantly concerned about her sudden loss of appetite. Her appearance had taken a turn for the worst in just a few days. She was pale as a ghost, and had become so thin from her appetite loss that Kratos was afraid that he would crush her by hugging her. But the worst change in her appearance was the lack of life and spirit in her eyes. She looked vacant and rarely expressed any emotion in her speech.

Storm had been staying in her room alone most of the day. She was sitting on her bed and was feeling very depressed. She wanted to cry so badly, but instead she swallowed back the tears, which caused her headache to return. She finally decided to head downstairs and stare out of the window for awhile to try and get the image of Zelos and Sheena out of her head for about the hundredth time that day. When she went downstairs, she sat on the chair facing the window and placed her head in hands to try and think over her options once again. Was Forcystus really one to be trusted? Was Zelos?

Suddenly, she had the feeling that someone was behind her and when she turned around, she saw Sheena standing directly behind her chair. Sheena had an expression of concern for her friend.

"What do you want?" Storm asked coldly.

"I was just wondering how you were feeling," Sheena replied.

"I'm fine, but I don't need your sympathy," Storm replied while staring back out the window.

"What's wrong?" Sheena asked.

"Nothing. How was your day with Zelos the other day?" Storm asked.

"Is that what your problem? Are you jealous that we were together?" Sheena asked.

"No, you can hang out with him all you want," Storm replied. She really didn't care if Sheena and Zelos hung out together, but the thought of him getting close to her made her upset.

"You know, you don't look very well, maybe you should head upstairs. I'll help you," Sheena offered as she grabbed onto Storm's arm.

Storm jerked her arm away from Sheena and glared at her. "I don't need your help or your concern. Just let me be, I'm perfectly fine," she said as she stormed out of the room.

"What did I do?" Sheena asked herself once Storm had left.

That night at dinner, Storm was unable to eat anything at all. Her father looked over at her and waited for her to begin eating before he would begin. Storm stared down at her food, disgusted with the thought of having to eat it at all. She slowly picked up the fork and placed a bite of food in her mouth. On the way down, it felt as if it was going to get caught in her throat and suffocate her to death. She finally managed to get the first bite down. Once she had managed to eat at least half of her plate, satisfying her father. Afterwards, she excused herself, rushing to the bathroom. The feeling that the food was not going to stay down returned to her again. She was getting used to the feeling of not being able to eat, when she was in Cruxis she never ate, but she thought that all of that was behind her. She couldn't tell her father what was happening, she couldn't even accept it herself.

She returned to bed for the night, but was unable to fall asleep for about five hours. When she did finally fall asleep, it only a half-sleep. She was aware of everything that was going on around her and was sleeping at the same time. She did not fall into a deep enough sleep to dream at all that night, and she feared she would never dream again. She felt like she was dying inside, she had no life, no hope and she felt as if she was slipping away. Zelos was truly the core of her being, without him she was dead. She wanted to fall asleep and to never wake up. She knew in her heart, she was not strong enough to rule Derris Kharlan if she couldn't even take care of herself.

Kratos walked outside and opened up his communicator, revealing Yuan. It had been quite awhile since he had last seen his good friend.

"What's the matter Kratos, it sounds as if you're bringing bad news," Yuan asked.

"It's Storm, you should come over here and help me try and figure out what's wrong with her," Kratos replied.

"What makes you think that there is something wrong with her?" Yuan asked.

"Well, she isn't acting normal. Something's bothering her, and she won't tell me what. She won't eat, she has no emotions, and she's sick all of the time. I don't know how to help her and I want to," he replied.

"I'll come over and see if there is anything that I can do," Yuan agreed, apparently concerned for Storm.

Well, that's it for this chapter. Short, I know but I'm need an idea for a side quest, anyone have any ideas. I don't want to resolve this predicament right away. So, please tell me what you think. You can give me a message from my profile page. Also, please review.