((A/N: well, aren't i just the little busy beaver, i keep spitting out new fanfics. anyway. this is a sheenaxzelos fanfic. in fact this is my first fanfic with a straight pairing. yay, go me! anyway, it's called Losing Grip, after the song Losing Grip by Avril Lavigne. see, i was listening to it on the bus and this fanfic matterializd in my head. amazing huh?

anyway, this story starts abouttwo or so years before the game, when Sheena's studing at the reasearch place and the renegades are telling them about the chosen of slyarant and what not. i'm sorry, i'm bad with spelling places. sorry.

lets see, warnings: there may end up being implied lemons further on, but no yaoi or anything. and swearing, there will most likely be swearing. and bad spelling,.

and lastly diclaimer: i do not own tales of symphonia, or any of it's charatures, or the song this fic is named after.

enjoy!))

How is it that I, so close to falling to my doom, could spend my last thoughts on him? Life is strange that way.

She had never liked Meltokio or the royals who lived there, but still she stood as a represent of Mizho; hair casually in a bun and dark purple dress hugging her curves. Parties like this were stupid in her opinion. Just away for royals to try and out due each other with their outfits and their status.

She wasn't sure why she had let Tiga convince her to go to this thing. Her people had been driven out of these lands long ago. An invite to a party did not change that, even if it was the only way for them to win over the King's trust.

"This is stupid," She muttered, wishing the Renegades hadn't asked to share information with them. It was so dumb that the Royal family had to be involved. They didn't need their permission to do anything in Salvarant. Sheena shouldn't have to take her orders from the King.

Then why was she here?

Oh yes, to please her village. Like they'd ever forgive her anyway, but she couldn't sit around. She had to redeem herself. She had to, and if going here to study was the only way, so be it. If sucking up to the King would help her village she would do it.

"Sheena?"

She spun around to face the King, "Yes your majesty?" She asked, doing a tiny bow of respect.

The King smiled, "I would like you meet someone very important," He gestured to the man beside him, "This is Zelos Wilder, Chosen of Mana."

She was taken back for a second. The man, boy really, beside him had long flowing red hair, pulled back into a lose braid. His clothing was dressy, but proper for the current occasion, and he had a sloppy over confident grin on his face, as he looked her up and down. It wasn't nice to think, but she had a feeling she'd end up really hating this guy.

She smiled politely and held out her hand, "A pleasure to meet you Mr. Wilder."

The Chosen took her hand and kissed it. And not just kissed it, Sheena could feel the tiniest bit of tongue slide lustfully over her skin. It drove her crazy.

"It is a pleasure to meet such a wonderfully rounded hunny as yourself," He said, still holding her hand, "I can't but wonder what secrets you holds beneath that dress."

Sheena knew two things. One, that she could have taken that comment two ways. And two, that she hated Zelos more than she feared Volt.

"It's to bad you'll never find out know isn't it?" She replied coldly, pulling her hand back and lifting her chin a bit higher.

The Chosen laughed, "Come on. Take a joke will you." He took a step closer to her, a sparkle in his eyes that drove her hormones into overdrive, "I'm only trying to be nice."

Any other man Sheena would have slapped right then and there. But with the King listening in on their conversation it wouldn't have been such a good idea.

"Would you like to dance with me?" Zelos asked extending his hand.

Not wanted to seem rude in front of the King, "Why of course," She took his hand and he lead her on to the dance floor. His arm wrapped around her waist, sending shivers down the back of her spine as they danced. The room spun around her and all she could see was the red head that held her. Yup she really, really hated this man.

He kept silent the entire dance, his eyes never leaving hers. As if he was trying to unravel the deep secrets of her past. Suddenly spinning her into a dip he frowned, eyes glancing down her body then back to her face.

"Beautiful Sheena, just what will I do with you?" He whispered softly in her ear as he pulled her back up.

Take me! Her body screamed. Take me right here and now. She wanted him, wanted him badly after feeling what his touch, his lips, and his voice did to her. He was driving her mad. And she'd only just meet him. Damn him. Damn him for confusing her so fast. Damn him.

She pulled back out of his arms, betraying her body, "Thank you for the dance Mr. Wilder," She bowed slightly, "It was a pleasure to meet you."

She turned and started walking, hoping to get as far away from him as she could before he'd figured out what happened. A group of girls hissed at her as she walked by, jealous of the dance she'd had with the Chosen no doubt. She ignored them, making a run for the door and out into the fresh air. She leaned against a pillar, closing her eyes and taking in deep breaths. Damn him. Damn his good looks and his charm. Sheena was a ninja, she would not, she could not fall for that.

"Too crowded inside my dear?"

Her eyes flew open and looked up at the red head standing in front of her. His goofy grin had disappeared, replaced with one of concern.

"I like the out doors actually." She said quickly.

"Me too, "He pulled out a smoke, and lit it, "You smoke?"

She shook her head, "Filthy habit."

He took a long drag, "Is it ever. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone."

Sheena gave him a confused look, "They why do you?"

Laughing, Zelos took another drag and flicked the rest of it onto the ground, "I started long ago, and haven't figured out how to quit. I'd like to say they calm me down but they really don't."

Sheena stood silent, looking up at the night sky. Wondering why the hell she'd even come here, "You don't seem like the type how needs to calm down a lot."

Zelos popped a breath mint, "You don't seem like the type who'd run away from a dance. But here we are."

"Here we are." She looked back at him, and he took her hand once more.

"It was a pleasure talking to you Ms. Sheena," He kissed her hand again, tracing a little heart with his tongue, "I do hope we meet again."

She looked at him as he walked back inside, lost for words.

Damn you Zelos Wilder. Damn you.

((i know, short chapter, but this is me peoples. my hands hurt so bad at the moment you're lucky i wrote this much. i'm not surewhy i turned zelos into a smoker, obvoiusly he doesn't in the game, but this is a couple years before. so anyway, thanks for reading. please review and tell me what you think!)0