Chapter 2: One last night together

At Meltokio, Zelos' mansion.

Everyone settled and made themselves comfortable in Zelos' home after they had entered Meltokio with a heroes' welcome.

Zelos called for everyone's attention, "Well, time to go see my hunnies!" He announced gleefully, as he left his mansion.

Everyone sighed.

Everyone settled down and unpacked everything into their own rooms, while Lloyd was resting in the living room too lazy to move. After Sheena had done her unpacking, she went downstairs for a drink and noticed Lloyd.

"H-hey big guy." Sheena said blushing.

ZzZzZzZzZzZ

Sheena sighed, sat down beside Lloyd and poked him until he woke up.

Four minutes later Lloyd finally woke up.

"H-hey! OUCH! Hey stop! Quit it!" Lloyd shouted.

Sheena laughed. "Morning Lloyd."

"Huh what? Oh, good morning Sheena." Lloyd said.

"It's actually 5:00pm in the afternoon." She replied.

"Oh." Lloyd said dumbly.

They sat there for a little while, just looking at each other.

"So what's up with Mizuho?" Lloyd asked, "Any news?"

"Mizuho…? Well… I don't know what's really going on yet, but I want to go back there soon. After all, I am the new chief of the village, but I think we're going to move to Sylvarant." Sheena replied.

"Really! Well that's cool!" It can make travel between my place and yours easier after our journey!" Lloyd exclaimed.

"Yeah… it would huh…" Sheena said softly… "We'll be living separately…?"

"You'll be a great chief Sheena. I'm sure of it." Lloyd said softly, smiling.

"Thanks Lloyd…" Sheena smiled.

"By the way, do you know where the people of Mizuho are going to live in Sylvarant, if they move there?" Lloyd inquired.

"The area around Luin is nice… and I know the people there… or maybe we could move to an area near Iselia." Sheena replied cheerfully.

"Yeah… I was really proud of you when I learned of what you did for the people of Luin. Dad and Raine had doubts about you at first, but I never did. I knew you were a good person from the start, just by looking at you." Lloyd said.

"Yeah…?" Sheena asked embarrassed, "H-how could you tell...?"

"OH! Ummm… well just by the looks of you! Haha…" Lloyd replied, giving a half answer.

Sheena smiled shyly, "Wh-wh-what about my lo-looks?"

Lloyd was a bit stunned and embarrassed. Yawn "Well, I think I'm going to go back to sleep Sheena, I'm a bit tired after all those events. I'll see you at dinner." He smiled, hoping end the conversation.

"Heh… yeah… I'll see you at dinner Lloyd." Sheena smiled weakly.

As Sheena went upstairs, Lloyd checked to see if she had gone. "Phew… that was a bit of a close one… I certainly wouldn't want Sheena to think I'm like Zelos…"

After a moment, Lloyd looked at his exsphere. "Mom… I promise I'll release you after this journey." He murmured as he drifted back to sleep.

Meanwhile…Genis decides to go to Presea's room.

Knock Knock

"Come in!" Presea shouted.

Genis entered the room, "h-hey Presea." He blushed.

"Hi Genis." Presea greeted as she finished unpacking her things and sat on her bead, "come sit next to me."

Genis blushed cheerfully, "Ok!"

"So what did you want to talk about?"

"Oh, uh… not much. I just wanted to know what you would be planning on doing after go our own ways."

"Well, I'll probably be joining Regal's company, Lezareno. Regal invited me to come work there, and start a new life."

"Oh…" Genis sighed.

There was an awkward silence for a while.

Presea was thinking.

"Hey, Presea... before we go our own separate ways, when Raine and I go on our journey to rid the world of discrimination, I want you to have this, as a sign of our friendship. I want you to always remember me." Genis smiled as he gave her a ribbon.

"Genis… thanks… " Presea said quietly.

"No Problem!" Genis exclaimed happily.

"Genis… I'm sorry…" Presea moped, "I need to think… I need some time alone."

"Oh… well, I'll be in my room." Genis said quietly.

When Genis left her room, she started to think.

I'm twenty-eight years old… yet I live in a twelve year old body… What should I do… these feelings… do I really feel them? He's only twelve… but I'm twenty-eight, I'm sixteen years older than him… sixteen… sixteen… What do I do….

She lay in her bed, thinking of Genis, thinking of what her next move should be.

Meanwhile, as Lloyd is sleeping…

Lloyd…

zZzZz

Lloyd…

"Wha'?" Lloyd mumbled.

Lloyd.

"Who is it?" Lloyd asked more alertly.

"Lloyd… it's your mom." The voice said.

"MOM!" Lloyd exclaimed. "How…?"

"My son… I've finally been able to make some contact with you." The voice said happily. "I've watched you all these years, I've seen your life through your eyes… you've been a great son, and a great person."

"Mom…you've been suffering all this time…" Lloyd mumbled.

"No I haven't, I've been able to watch my very own son grow up like no other mother, granted I haven't been able there in your time of need, nor have I been able to speak to you before this… but either than that… I've been all right." Anna replied.

"That's good… I think…" Lloyd said questioningly.

"Lloyd, you need not worry about me… I will be fine, just take care of Sheena… and yourself… and everyone." Anna said.

"Wait… what's with everyone talking to me about Sheena?" Lloyd asked confused.

"Never mind dear, it's not my place to talk to you about that. That aside, I wanted to tell you not to destroy this exsphere, nor remove it. I know you've thought about it a few times my son, but I don't feel empty, I just feel as if I'm a part of your soul, except with my own mind of course, heheh." Anna replied.

"Really… it's really okay to have you as that exsphere as long as I live?" Lloyd asked.

"Yeah it's fine son. You know… your father is leaving for Derris-Kharlan soon…" Anna said.

"Yeah… I'll miss him… you know… I never knew much about you two…" Lloyd uttered.

"Heh… you mean he's never told you anything beyond when he had to kill me?" Lloyd's mom inquired.

"Uh… yeah… he's pretty sensitive about it I think." Lloyd respond.

"He really is a great man… well… let me tell you all about us…" Anna continued.

"Lloyd!" Colette shouted.

"Wha'?" Lloyd mumbled, waking up from his dream, "MOM!"

"Lloyd, is everything alright?" Colette asked.

"Mom...? Was I… just dreaming…?" Lloyd murmured.

"Your mom…?" Colette asked.

"Colette… my mom… this exsphere… I think she spoke to me in my dreams…" Lloyd replied.

"Oh that's great Lloyd! I'm so happy for you!" Colette exclaimed happily.

"Yeah…." Lloyd said softly, "Mom… are you real?"

Lloyd… remember what I said…

"MOM! MOM?" Lloyd exclaimed.

After a brief moment, Lloyd calmed down, "Colette… I'm going to speak with Kratos, I'll see you later." Lloyd said quietly.

"Uh… okay." Colette replied perplexed.

Kratos' Room

Knock Knock

"Come in." Kratos said calmly, like his usual self.

Raine stepped in.

"…" Kratos said. (Somehow)

"Sigh You're always so quiet Kratos…" Raine said.

"…"

Raine slapped him,

"HEY WHAT WAS THAT FOR!" Kratos shouted.

Raine laughed, "hah, I got you talking."

Kratos blushed, "hahahaha… congratulations… uhhh…" Kratos looked away.

"What is it with you, always so quiet and all?" Rained inquired.

"…"

"So what are you plans after today?" Raine asked.

"Well… I plan to go back to Derris-Kharlan. As a surviving member of Cruxis, it is my duty to help and lead the half-elves of Derris-Kharlan. Besides, the presence of a half-elf like myself would not help the lives of other half-elves become easier.

"I see…" Raine said softly.

"Is there something on your mind?" Kratos asked.

"No… it's what I expected of a man such as yourself, Kratos." Raine replied.

"Is that a bad thing…?" Kratos inquired weakly.

"No no… your sense of responsibility is one of the many aspects which I admire about you… but… I… I just wish that you could stay a bit longer…" Raine said softly.

"…"

There was a moment of silence. Raine looked at Kratos, and Kratos looked back at her, with a somewhat fond look in his eyes. Raine stepped back.

"What are you thinking about Kratos?" Rained asked.

"It's… nothing." Kratos looked away.

Raine could tell he was not telling her the truth, "Kratos…" She said softly with a worried look on her face.

"It's… you… it's you remind me of Anna…" Kratos said, losing himself in the moment, then suddenly regretting it. When he met her, Raine, she was nothing else but another person. Days started going by, and his eyes started to wander to Raine sometimes. He did not know why, but he found her interesting, She was sweet, sensitive, smart, mature, responsible, loving... beautiful… this is what intrigued Kratos the most, aside from her hair colour, Raine looked almost exactly like Anna.

Raine blushed. Her face was all red. What Kratos just said was really sudden. When she first me Kratos, she was taken aback by him. He was so handsome, built, mature and smart. She had never seen one like him before. She started to grow fond of him ever since they stepped foot in the Triet Ruins and Kratos taught Colette, Genis and Lloyd how to reduce damage done to them. When he betrayed them, she, although furious, knew that somehow he would come back to them, no longer a traitor. When Lloyd had told the group that Kratos had given him a locket containing a picture him, his father and mother, Raine knew that he was going to come back. He had saved her back in Tethe'alla's Tower of Salvation, and ever since then what started as a crush grew into something more intimate.

"Kratos…" Raine said softly, feeling somewhat uneasy at the mention of Anna's name.

Knock knock

Kratos and Raine got startled from the knocking.

Knock knock

"Coming!" Kratos shouted.

Kratos opened the door to see Lloyd.

"Hey Kratos, can I have a word with you?" Lloyd asked.

"Sure, what is it?" Kratos answered.

"Well- hey why's Raine here?" Lloyd inquired as he spotted Raine.

"Ummm… we were just talking about how you should do a report on this journey. You know, what you learned, what you thought of it, a reflection." Raine said quickly.

Kratos laughed; Lloyd was taken aback.

"WHAT? I SAVE THE WORLD AND THIS IS WHAT I GET!" Lloyd shouted.

"Relax relax, I'm just kidding Lloyd." Raine said.

Lloyd looked annoyed, "bad joke… so why are you here Raine?"

"I just wanted to talk to an adult, about the journey and all, you know." Raine replied as she started to leave the room, "Bye Kratos."

Kratos nodded to Raine, then turned to Lloyd, "Didn't you want to ask me something?"

"Well… I…" Lloyd started.

"…"

"Mom… I think… I think she spoke to me… I was dreaming… I think, and then she spoke to me, but then I woke up, and I heard her voice again…" Lloyd said softly.

"Anna… Lloyd, are you sure your mom really spoke to you?" Kratos asked.

"I don't know dad… that's what I came to ask you about." Lloyd replied.

"…"

"…"

A slew of thoughts entered Kratos mind. The first woman he loved may be somewhat alive. What would he do about Raine? Would he stay on Earth because of Anna? Then what about Derris-Kharlan…?

"Lloyd… what did she say?" Kratos asked.

"Well… she told me that she's not suffering… and that she's felt as if she's another part of my soul… and that she's been seeing my whole life through my eyes for all these years. Then she told me that she's happy with being in the state she's in right now… and then she started talking about you… then I woke up." Lloyd replied.

"…I see…" Kratos mumbled, "Is that it?"

"Yeah…"

"…Dammit… what do I do…?" Kratos thought aloud.

"Dad… what's wrong?" Lloyd asked.

"Lloyd… let's talk about this later… and please, if you somehow get into contact with your mother again, please come right to me." Kratos uttered.

"Uh… Alright…" Lloyd mumbled," Oh… Dad… are you really going back to Derris-Kharlan?"

"You were listening in on the conversation Raine and I were having?" Kratos inquired innocently.

"No… I just figured as much… and mom told me about it too, when I was dreaming, or something like that." Lloyd replied.

"…I suppose… Lloyd… I'm not sure yet… there is a lot to think about." Kratos said, replying to his son's previous question.

"Dad… I'll miss you… you know… you've been really great to me all this time." Lloyd said lovingly.

Kratos smiled back, "I'm not gone yet son, don't get all soapy on me now."

Lloyd gleamed, "So you're not going away!"

"Lloyd… I don't know yet…" Kratos replied.

"I see…" Lloyd mumbled, "well, I'll give you time to think dad…"

"Thanks Lloyd." Kratos uttered.

They smiled at each other and Lloyd took his leave.

Everyone did their own thing for the next hour or so, having a lot on their mind.

Lloyd could only think about his mother, while Sheena crossed his mind occasionally. Sheena was thinking about what she would do with Mizuho, mapping out a plan for the ninja clan and the Igaguri style. Of course, Lloyd crossed her mind frequently as well.

Kratos thought about Anna, Raine and Derris-Kharlan and it's people. Raine and Genis were together, talking about their new adventure that awaited them in the form of helping the reputation of half-elves, but both were a bit incoherent in those thoughts. Raine was thinking about Kratos and everything that would follow with being with him… or alone; and Genis was thinking about Presea, their future, their age difference, and their life span.

Regal was thinking about what he could do to help rid the world of exspheres, what he would do with the Lezareno company, where he would live, and of course Alicia. Presea was wondering where she would live, what she should do with her life, and what to do with Genis. She had to admit to herself that she did have a bit of a liking for the kid, but the fact that remained that she was twenty-eight years old. There was so much to think about.

Meanwhile, Colette was thinking about… bunnies, all sorts of bunnies, and dogs too. She could almost remember the name she gave the dog in this city. That aside, she was happy that there was going to be no more trouble in the world, at least, for now, and she was thinking about Phaidra and Frank. She couldn't wait to see them and Iselia again.

6:30pm

Ding Dong

Zelos entered his mansion. "Hmmm… where is everyone..." He thought.

After a good few hours of flirting with his hunnies, he told Sebastian to prepare dinner. It was 6:30pm. He went up to his room telling his butler to call him and everyone else down when dinner was prepared.

When the dinner call was made, everyone emerged out of their own rooms after a good rest.

Zelos and Lloyd were the first ones down, eager to fill their stomach with food.

Within 5 minutes, everyone was downstairs.

"So what's for dinner?" Lloyd asked eagerly.

"Steak and Miso Stew for the main course sir." Sebastian answered as he brought in the plates, "and for dessert, Shortcake will be served."

"Mmm, sounds good!" Lloyd exclaimed.

"Yes! Food is IN the house!" Zelos yelled.

Everyone dug in.

"Lloyd! Watch your table manners." Raine scolded when Lloyd started using his hands to eat instead of his cutleries.

"Mmmagh, sorry." Lloyd winced.

Everyone laughed softly, except for Zelos.

"Hahahahahahaha, choke, hahahahaha." Zelos laughed.

"Don't make me come over there Zelos!." Raine shouted.

"…well sOOOOrry!" Zelos said sarcastically.

Raine rolled her eyes and continued eating.

"This is really good Sebastian, what extra ingredients did you use?" Regal asked.

"Thank you, I used cheese, black satay, radish and tomato for the steak, and I used konjac, chicken and potato for the miso stew." Sebastian answered.

"Ah I see…" Regal said as he wrote the extra ingredients down, "Thank you."

"You're welcome, sir." Sebastian replied bowing.

Genis poked Regal, "h-hey, mind if I copy those down?"

"Huh? Oh no problem." Regal responded, handing Genis the paper.

"Thanks!" Genis said.

After Genis copied down the extra ingredients, he handed the paper back to Regal and continued eating.

"So Sheena, you've been named the emissary of peace to Sylvarant by the king!" Zelos exclaimed.

"Haha, have I now? From the emissary of death, to the emissary of peace." Sheena laughed.

"A bit ironic isn't it eh." Zelos said.

"Congratulations Sheena!" Colette exclaimed.

"Cool! I guess that means you're moving to Sylvarant for sure huh Sheena." Lloyd beamed.

Sheena smiled, "Yeah!"

Lloyd smiled back, and it was as if they were sharing a private moment, but it didn't last long.

"Hey! Aren't you going to thank me Sheena, now you get to represent Tethe'alla in peace." Zelos exclaimed.

Everyone just gave an empty look at Zelos.

"Okay okay, that's cool, that's cool." Zelos said, flushed.

"Hey, so what's everyone planning to do after today?" Lloyd asked everyone.

Everyone became quiet.

"I'm going to live in Iselia, with my grandmother and father, find a new life, and be the best person I can be!" Colette exclaimed.

Lloyd smiled, "Heh, good for you Colette!"

"Thanks Lloyd!" Colette said.

"I think I'm going to remain right here with my hunnies in Meltokio!" Zelos laughed arrogantly, "But on a more serious side… I think after all this chosen stuff is over, I'll-I mean… Seles and I will be able to live a normal life… and then I'll be able to play with my hunnies without any worries!"

Everyone looked at Zelos.

"Well you know, I just want to live a normal life, here in Meltokio where I've grown up." Zelos said.

"I don't know what I'm going to do… I have no place to live… and Alicia and my Dad are gone…" Presea uttered.

"Presea… you can live in Altamira, I can provide everything you need, and you can start a new life there." Regal offered.

"Hmmm… maybe I'll take you up on that offer, thanks Regal, but there are some things I want to think about first." Presea replied, giving a swift look at Genis, who was already looking at her.

"Alright, well you can answer me whenever you're ready. Anyway, I'll be going back to Altamira, continue work with my company, and see to it that the Toize Valley Mine is taken care of. Also… I guess I should be taking off these shackles…" Regal said.

"Yeah! Take them off already!" Lloyd and Sheena exclaimed.

With that, Regal used all his might and broke free of the shackles by himself.

Everyone sat in awe.

"…Why didn't you do that before?" Lloyd and Sheena asked.

"I already told you guys, anyway, I said I would take them off after all this." Regal replied.

"Well… Genis and I will be going on a journey to help half-elves wherever we can, fighting for our rights. I guess we'll be starting in Iselia, but everyone except the mayor seems to have accepted us." Raine said.

"Are you still going to Derris-Kharlan dad?" Lloyd asked.

"I think so… that is the choice I am leaning toward…" Kratos replied.

"Mmm… well… Sheena and I will be journeying the world to get rid of all the exspheres, starting from Iselia… then after that… we'll live in… uh…" Lloyd turned to Sheena.

"We'll either live in the new Mizuho or Iselia… or something, we haven't really figured much out…" Sheena said, flushed.

"So you guys will be living together eh? Oooooooh!" Zelos teased.

Lloyd was confused and embarrassed, "Wait! What? Huh!"

"Y-you said that we would be living together just now…" Sheena mumbled, looking at the floor with a flustered face.

"Uh… uh… bu… uh… I guess I did huh... well I guess we'll be living in the same village then Sheena! It's settled!" Lloyd exclaimed, trying to find a way out of the situation.

Sheena smiled, "I guess he doesn't know how to get his feelings across… well I can wait…"

"Hey Lloyd, you're done!" Colette exclaimed, changing the subject.

"Ohhh! I'm so full!" Lloyd said rubbing his stomach.

Everyone was looking at him puzzled, some with their mouths hanging open. Kratos, Zelos and Regal were half-way done, while Sheena, Colette, Genis and Raine were a quarter way done their dinner.

"You're… done already?" Kratos asked.

"Yeah, heh, I guess I am!" Lloyd said with a sweat drop, "Hey Sebastian, could you bring in the shortcake?"

"Coming, sir." Sebastian replied.

"…uhhh… didn't you say you were full?" Sheena asked.

"Did I? Well I'm still hungry." Lloyd responded smiling.

As Sebastian lay the shortcake down on the table, Lloyd cut in four pieces and took one. It was quite a big cake too. He lay it down on his plate and started eating it quickly.

Everyone was still staring at Lloyd, shocked.

"What? What is it?" Lloyd questioned puzzled.

He received no answer, he only saw shocked faces.

He shrugged and continued eating.

"How does Lloyd eat so fast…?" Kratos thought, "Must be his dwarven up-bringing…"

After 2 minutes Lloyd had finished the piece of cake, "Okay! NOW I'm full, I think I'm gonna go take a nap." Lloyd yawned.

"Lloyd, it's bad to sleep on a full stomach." Regal said.

"Oh? Well in that case I'll go rest in the living room." Lloyd replied.

Kratos, who was sitting beside him, whispered to him, "Lloyd, it's rude to walk out of a dinner, especially one such as this…"

"Actually, I think I'll just wait here. I'm too tired to move." Lloyd said quickly, smiling at his father.

"Wow." Colette said, "I never knew you ate that fast."

"Heh… well… I guess I was hungry today!" Lloyd answered.

The person closest to finishing, Zelos, was only three quarter ways done his main course.

After dinner, everyone went to the living room to enjoy their final night together. When it reached 10pm, everyone decided to retire to bed, and exchanged good nights.

Lloyd's room

"Mom… can you hear me? Can you talk with me again…?" Lloyd thought as he stared at his exsphere.

Knock knock

"Who is it?" Lloyd asked.

"Open the door and you'll find out." The voice teased.

"Sheena! Come on in!" Lloyd exclaimed happily.

"Hey big guy, how're you doing?" Sheena asked as she came in and closed the door behind her.

"Me…? I'm doing fine… how about you?" Lloyd answered emptily, still staring at his exsphere.

"I'm doing great, actually, I can't wait to start our new journey." Sheena said excitedly, "But ummm… are you sure you're okay? You keep looking at your exsphere…"

"Well… you know how this exsphere is basically my mom's life… anyhow… I thought I heard her voice today… actually, I dreamt of talking to her… She told me how she wasn't suffering as an exsphere… and that she felt like she was a part of my soul, being able to experience and see everything I do." Lloyd said softly.

"Lloyd…" Sheena murmured as she hugged Lloyd, "You know, maybe your mom really talked to you. Remember Alicia?"

"Yeah… I do… hey you're right! Hmmm… well… all I can do is wait Sheena… I want to make sure that I wasn't just hallucinating." Lloyd said half-excitedly.

"Hey… you shouldn't worry about it… I'm sure everything will piece together…" Sheena uttered.

"You're right Sheena… but I talked to my dad about my exsphere earlier today… and I felt that if my mom really did speak to me, and that there was a way that he could speak to Anna one more time… he would stay here on Earth." Lloyd said, "Something like that… I don't know… Do you think I'm being a bit selfish by wanting my dad to stay with me rather than lead the people of Derris-Kharlan?"

"To be honest… yeah… I do think you're being a bit selfish, but I don't blame you. I would want the same thing if I was in your position… I mean… you've only known your real father for a short time, there's a lot to catch up on. But don't worry about it Lloyd, I'm sure that even if Kratos goes back to Derris-Kharlan, he'll be sure to make it back to you someday." Sheena answered softly.

"Mmm… thanks Sheena… I think I'll stop worrying… if mom appears again… then that's great. But right now… I should be enjoying these last moments with my real dad. What happens, happens, and maybe he will find a way back here. Thanks Sheena!" Lloyd said happily as he hugged Sheena.

"L-Lloyd…" Sheena hugged him back lovingly without hesitation.

"HEY LLOYD!" A high voice said as a person who forgot to knock opened the door.

Lloyd and Sheena looked at the person open-eyed and then looked at each other and broke apart. "H-Hey Colette…" Lloyd and Sheena sheepishly welcomed.

Colette stared wide-eyed at them, "Oh! I'm so sorry! Am I interrupting something?"

Lloyd and Sheena looked at each other, and then looked back at Colette.

"Ummm… ummm… not really… I… guess…" Lloyd said, "What's on your mind Colette?"

"Oh… never mind… it seems like you're busy right now… so I guess I'll talk to you later 'kay? It's not important anyway, g'night Lloyd, g'night Sheena!" Colette said as she left, putting on a smile.

Outside the door

"…Lloyd and Sheena sure are getting closer…" Colette thought to herself.

Back inside

"Well that was weird…" Sheena said.

"Haha… yeah. Well I guess that's Colette for you." Lloyd replied.

"Haha, yeah…" Sheena muttered.

"So… Sheena… I've been wanting to ask you this for a while now… what's your real first name?" Lloyd asked mischievously.

"HUH? M-my f-first name…? W-why do you want to know?" Sheena asked flustered.

"Hmmm? Why's your face all red Sheena?"

"…uh…"

"I'm just curious that's all. When you brought it up, I just kept wondering what your first name was, I guess I just remembered now, heheh." Lloyd smiled.

Sheena gave Lloyd a weird look, "Right… is that it…? Curiousity…?"

"Ummm…" Lloyd paused.

Both Lloyd and Sheena looked at each other for a while, in an awkward silence.

"Haha… I was just teasing…" Sheena said softly, not wanting to make the situation anymore uncomfortable.

"Ha… aha… hahaha… nice one Sheena!" Lloyd laughed awkwardly.

After a moment of silence.

"The stars are beautiful tonight eh…" Sheena said.

"Yeah..." Lloyd agreed.

"Yeah…"

"…"

"…"

"…"

"Well aren't you going to say anything?" Sheena asked with a boring look on her face.

"Oh? I was supposed to say something?" Lloyd asked empty-headedly.

"…Idiot…" Sheena muttered to herself, "And it was a perfect set up line too!"

"I just wanted to enjoy the silence… for once… with you…" Lloyd added.

"OH… oh… heh… yeah… silence is nice sometimes… I guess not everything has to be said huh…" Sheena smiled.

"Yeah… wait… what doesn't have to be said?" Lloyd asked perplexed.

The boring look returned to Sheena's face, "Idiot…"

"Sheena?"

"Yeah?"

"Nothing, I just wanted your attention." Lloyd smiled.

"You already have it Lloyd." Sheena laughed as she rested her head on Lloyd's shoulder.

At the same time, in Genis' room

Knock knock

Genis opened the door to see it was Presea.

"Presea!" Genis exclaimed.

Presea giggled, "Hey Genis!"

"Well have a seat!" Genis offered excitedly, as they both sat down on the bed.

"Genis…" Presea muttered, "You know this is really weird right?"

"What is?" Genis asked.

"This situation…" Presea responded.

"…"

"Well never mind that… Anyway… I've decided to accept the fact that I am in a twelve year old's body… and I also want you to know that I don't care about our differences, and it's not something to worry about." Presea stated softly.

"Presea…"

"But I've also decided to take Regal up on his offer, and I'm going to start a new life, a life that I can enjoy." Presea added.

"Oh…"

"Haha, don't worry Genis, we'll still see each other. And besides, you have that journey of yours to go on, and who knows where I'll be after your journey." Presea smiled.

"Why don't you come along with us?" Genis asked boldly.

"I'm sorry Genis… but I want to settle down for a while, and live what I've missed for the past sixteen years." Presea stated.

"Awww I should have known better than to ask…" Genis said.

Presea smiled at him, "There's many years ahead of us Genis."

"…Yeah… you're right." Genis agreed, "Hey! You're wearing the ribbon I gave you!"

Suddenly, a wind drifted through the window, and the ribbon spun.

"What…? It spins…?" Presea said surprised.

"Haha, yeah. It makes you look even cuter!" Genis exclaimed.

"After we got Gnome… haha… you remembered…" Presea smiled as she gave Genis a hug, who had become fairly flustered, "Genis… I promise you that this will not be our last night together."

Genis did not know what to say, but he just smiled back. He was happy. In fact, this was probably one of the happiest moments of his life.

"Well, I'll see you tomorrow Genis." Presea said affectionately as she let go of Genis, "Sweet dreams."

"Uh… Good night Presea! Sweet dreams!" Genis replied.

With that, both went to bed happier than ever, and dreamed good dreams of each other.

At the same time, in Raine's room.

"Raine? Are you there?" A deep, soothing voice asked.

"Kratos?" Raine replied as she stepped out of the shower, "Hold on, I'll be right there."

Raine opened the door for Kratos, with only a towel on. The towel actually wasn't even that big, and Kratos could see some cleavage.

Kratos' face turned red as he stared at Raine, "Uh…"

"Oh… haha, sorry, come in Kratos, make yourself comfortable, I'll be right out." Raine laughed.

Without a word, Kratos found a chair and sat down, waiting for Raine.

After a few minutes had passed, Raine emerged from the washroom with some proper clothing.

"That's more like it Raine…" Kratos muttered sheepishly.

"Heheh… sorry, I didn't want you to have to wait for me to change." Raine giggled.

"I suppose you're right." Kratos stated, "Anyway… I wanted to tell you that I will be taking my leave for Derris-Kharlan tomorrow…"

Raine's smile had disappeared, "You're… going…?"

"I'm not entirely finished… don't write me off yet… even though it is my duty to help and lead the half-elves of Derris-Kharlan, I am sure that I will be able to find and appoint a council to lead her. I want to be here… on Earth, with my son… and with my friends." Kratos finished.

Raine's smile had come back, "That's great news Kratos! …When could we expect you to be back?"

"However long it takes, but I suspect it shouldn't be too long… or at least, I hope." Kratos responded.

"So does Lloyd know about this yet?" Raine asked.

"Haha, he'll have to wait until tomorrow. He's got company in his room." Kratos laughed.

"Is it Sheena?" Raine giggled.

"Well it's about time don't you think?" Kratos chuckled.

"Yeah..." Raine agreed.

"Yeah…"

"…"

"…"

"Don't make me slap you again." Raine said sternly.

"What did I do!" Kratos asked bewildered.

"Being all quiet and mysterious again." She answered.

Kratos couldn't help but smile, but then his face became expressionless again, "Raine… Lloyd told me that Anna spoke to him for the very first time earlier today… He told me it was in his dream… but neither of us know if it was really Anna or a hallucination…"

"…"

"Raine…? Why the sad face?" Kratos asked.

"Oh, I'm not sad, I'm happy!" Raine said, "I'm happy that you and Lloyd finally have Anna back."

"…I'm sorry for bringing it up…" Kratos said.

"You still love her don't you…?" Raine asked softly.

Kratos nodded, "If Anna is really alive in her current state… I'm going to make it my ultimate goal to find a way to bring her back…"

"And I'll help…" Raine said softly.

Kratos looked at Raine affectionately, "Thank you… Raine…"

She smiled, "That's what friends are for."

Small talk ensued for the next half hour, and soon, they both felt sleepy, and a moment of silence followed.

"Well… I'm getting really tired… I think it's time for bed now…" Kratos said softly with a smile on his face, "Good night Raine."

Raine smiled back, "Good night Kratos, I'll see you tomorrow."

With that, Kratos kissed Raine on the forehead and headed towards his bedroom.

Raine retired to her bed, thinking of Kratos and eventually fell asleep.

When Kratos reached his bedroom, he hoped that there would be something to help guide him through his dilemma, and rested his eyes.

Back in Lloyd's room

zZzZzZz

"Lloyd… it wasn't a dream…" A feint voice said.

Meanwhile, in Zelos' room

"NO! Don't leave me! Nooooo! My hunnies!" Zelos exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, but your rights as Chosen are no longer valid… the world has been saved, and there is no more need for a Chosen." The King said.

"Noooooooooooooooooooooooo!" Zelos cried.

Zelos awoke.

"Oh, it was… just a dream… how weird." Zelos wondered as he fell back to sleep.

Me: ARGH! Go away Colette! I HATE WRITING PARTS FOR YOU :(