Miss: Chapter 3! Or actually chapter 2, because the first one is a prologue.

Mais: -opens mouth-

Miss: GET OUT!

Mais: -rolls eyes and leaves-

Miss: Why won't she stay away…. Either way…

Disclaimer: I DON'T own ToS. I only own the game… That's all… and a gamecube…

OoCness for reasons mentioned in previous chapter at the beginning at about this exact same spot… It's because the characters are changing to fit in better with this world.

Broken: A Tale Of Shattered Love

Chapter 2: A Battle Of Kindness

(Raine's POV)

It was breaking me… The feeling of stupidity as I watched someone I had put my trust in turn their backs on me and attack me, threatening my life. I don't know why I even trusted him to begin with. But on with my story, because I need you to understand a fake love, and what it can do.

My eyes darted, from person to person, then rested on Jessica as I noticed her emerald eyes lower, looking at the ground. I don't know what she was saying to him, but I could tell that she was speaking to him using the bond. She took a small breath, then her head rose again, and she tried to meet the chosen's gaze. Her eyes seemed pleading, something I had never seen from my friend.

My eyes found their way back to the seraphim standing before me. I watched, realizing that his eyes were avoiding both Zelos and myself. He spoke nothing out loud right away, but spoke to me softly in his mind, his thoughts seemed angered, but sad at the same time. 'I won't… I can't… Not you and Anna.'

As I heard his thoughts my heart felt suddenly light, if only for a moment, before it fell back into my stomach. "But, you cannot tell me to do something, if you have no control over me." A tear fell down my own cheek, a sudden feeling of safety coming over. Kratos… He was on my side, he was going to protect me. And he'd destroy his own ties with Cruxis to do it.

I could see Zelos' blue eyes turn into a raging fire as he regarded his former 'employee'. "I knew it. You fucking traitor!" Zelos threw the words out of his mouth like a fireball, the flames erupting with extreme force. I could feel the warm tears run down my cheeks. My heart was hurting, a pain I had never felt before... Except when Kratos had betrayed the group at the Tower Of Salvation.

Kratos' retort came quickly, "Words will get you no where." His voice was cold, and emotionless. Jessica's eyes darted to the ground, and never left. I figure that Zelos must have said something to her. What a pain it was to feel like I was missing half of the conversation!

"Fine." Zelos' swords tip rose, pointing towards Kratos. With a sigh Kratos unsheathed his own sword and held it up to Zelos'. 'While I'm fighting him… I need you to get out of this house. Find Lloyd, or Genis, or someone else. And try to get everyone you can together.' His beautiful chocolate eyes flashed back into mine as he took his shield off his back, fitting it onto his left arm as he grip his sword with his right.

'Alright…' I thought, watching him, feeling the pain of anxiety and concern in my knotted stomach and confused heart. 'Promise me… you won't get hurt.' The words just seemed to let themselves out, a small show of care from myself towards the mercenary. I should have seen it there. I knew I liked him, I knew that I nearly loved him, no matter how annoying his hmphs and one word answers became.

'I can't promise it… but I can try.' He thought, his eyes locked on Zelos' sword. I was too busy looking around the room, trying to figure out how I would get out with Jessica standing near the door to realize that our opposition had remained fairly quiet, and unactive. 'Good enough.'

Jessica's eyes seemed to flash for a moment at the red-head, then she calmed. They must have been trying to figure something out… but I'm still not sure.

Kratos, being who he was, would not be the first to attack. 'Actually… Go find Lloyd, then start trying to get everyone together. I'll come find you after. And perhaps I should tell you… no, not now… later.' I pondered over the angel's thoughts for a moment.

'I'm holding that to you. You had better come back.' I risked a glance towards Jessica. To meet her eyes, to know… if we were still friends as Zelos reasoned with Kratos. "Kratos. Perhaps we shouldn't fight in the house… There's not much room, and it wouldn't be all that fair. Besides, anyone could walk in. A news reporter could walk in for all we know. And what about the neighbors? If they hear a struggle they might call the police."

'I will come back. Stop worrying and go.' He thought, kind of roughly, as if he wanted me to leave as soon as possible. He nodded to Zelos' preposition. "So long as you hold back until we arrive to the area which you wish for us to fight." His voice was still as cold as ice, even if his thoughts held a slight hint of anger, he managed to keep an impassive expression.

I noticed Jessica's head turn towards me and our eyes met for a second. A small, sorry smile appeared on her face. I felt slightly relieved knowing that I still had my best friend. I looked over the room one last time, then noticed Zelos' head drop slightly, watching as he sheathed his sword slowly, "Yeah yeah, I won't." He said casually.

As he was doing this I had slowly crept out from behind Kratos, 'Okay, I'm going.' I thought to him as I made my way past Jessica and quietly sprinted up the stairs. I quietly opened the door and ran outside. I headed up the street, towards the Pinecrest Old Folk's Home where there was a trail, leading to the main street in our area.

'Try to get to my house as quickly as you can. We'll be leaving soon.' Kratos' voice rang in my head, and I nodded, to myself mostly as I picked up my pace. 'Okay…' My breathing was heavy as I continued to run towards Kratos' house… Jessica's house.

I was half way towards the 3 way intersection which I had to turn at when I heard Kratos' voice again, except with slight amusement held in it. 'He wasn't expecting you to slip out like that… You got him pretty frustrated.' But the amusement died slightly. 'Try running faster. Don't give up. I would've flown you there, but I can't.'

'Heh… that idiot. He should probably learn to keep a closer eye on the people he's trying to kill.' As I turned the corner sharply, praying no vehicles would be coming, I was very thankful for all those days I had woken up late. I would always be in a rush on school days, running down this exact same path to reach Jessica's house. I always made it right on time, and was able to walk the rest of the way to school with Jessica.

'Yes, and Jessica watched you leave, but by his reaction, she didn't tell him. She does care for you… otherwise she probably would've stopped you.' I turned the next corner, running by the corner store, and could feel a small smile appear on my face. 'I don't know what I'd do without her…'

I sighed, reaching the top of the hill. I finished the run to the house and bolted into the door. "Lloyd!" I called out into the house, hoping the eternal swordsman was there. I watched as Lloyd sprinted down the stairs, jumping off the end. "What's wrong professor?" His voice sounded as he watched me. I thought for a moment… How was I supposed to tell him this?

"Lloyd, Kratos is going to need your help. Get your swords and do you know where Genis is?" I asked quickly, and the swordsman bolted back upstairs. While up there he yelled something I couldn't understand then reappeared at the foot. "I'm ready."

I stared in amazement for a moment as Genis appeared behind him. "Alright, let's go." I turned towards the door. 'Where are you going?' I asked to the seraphim.

'We're going to the meadow, up behind the school. Wait a while before you come there… no, just stay up in the trails, I'll tell you when to come.' "Yeah! Let's go." Lloyd was grinning for some reason, and Genis was just shaking his head. I grew angered, they didn't understand that this was serious.

"Lloyd, if at any time in your life you are going to listen to me, listen to me now! You guys need to be quiet. Now come on." I lead them outside the house, and swiftly to the trails. I turned up, following the beaten dirt path and its twists and turns, keeping hidden behind the trees. Hopefully the boys were keeping up.

I stopped when I reached the top of the hill. I stayed hidden beside a tree as I looked down into the meadow. The other's had arrived, but hadn't started to fight. I turned back to look at the boys, "And now…. We wait." They both nodded, and Lloyd squatted down.

I turned my gaze back towards the meadow, watching Kratos intently, with fear deep in my mind and heart. They began to battle. They attacked each other, slashing their swords. Zelos continued relentlessly, Kratos fought back equally.

My eyes were caught on the seraphim, praying deep within myself that nothing would happen, that no serious harm would befall him. "What is it Lloyd?"

My vision broke from Kratos to fall upon my younger brother, his voice snapping me back to reality. "She looked at us… I think she knows we're here… or at least suspects something…" His voice was quiet as he sat still.

My muscles tensed as I looked down at the squatting swordsman. "Just be quiet… and try not to move." The last thing I needed was for the two children to get hurt.

Confusion was coming over me, as my gaze flickered between Jessica and the pair that were fighting. This was my fault… It was my fault that Kratos was down there, risking his own life for mine. It was my fault he had betrayed his ties with Cruxis… It was me that Zelos wanted dead, not Kratos. Yet I ran away, leaving the mercenary to take care of my problem.

Jessica unfolded her bird-like wings, landing at the foot of a tree near the battle. She looked about ready to step in if Zelos became tired.

Thoughts were burning through me, worry weaving it's way between each line. It wasn't fair… Kratos was out there, facing them on his own, while they had a type of tag-team going on. They would have taken him out easily, and quickly…

'If I get too badly injured… Do you think you can heal from there?' I heard the strong, half-minded voice go through my head. His words only seemed to bring more worry to me, he wasn't sure if he would be able to take it… I should have known though that he would be able to take anything. He was a cold hearted mercenary.

'Yeah… I'd think so…' I thought, trying to sounds reassuring as I measured the distance between us mentally. I wasn't going to say I couldn't do it, I didn't want to seem like a weakling. 'Yes. I should be able to.' I thought once again, a bit more confidently this time.

I noticed as I watched the battle below that each of them were fairly battered, and Jessica's hand was whitening around the hilt of her sword. My eyes immediately flashed back to the seraphim as I heard him, 'Start healing whenever you want… But try to move around back there, or he might be able to trace where it's coming from.'

I nodded to myself, feeling the two younger boys gaze upon me. I looked around the surroundings quickly, looking through the brush and trees for more places I could hide. Kratos took a pause in the battle, his arm was bleeding badly.

Holding out my staff, I focused my energy into a spell. Aiming it, a circular light appeared around Kratos as I muttered my spell, Healing Circle. I watched as the spell washed over him, before turning and moving away from the area, "Be careful…" I whispered to Lloyd and Genis as I carefully made my way, trying not to slip in the muddy grass as rain fell from the sky.

I watched the battle carefully… I couldn't let him die… I liked him, I really did. And I was only starting to really realize it, now that his life was in danger. I knew all along, that there was something about the mercenary that intrigued me, that caught me off guard so to say… And now I understood what it was as I watched him fight... for my life.

As a strong circle of lightning fell from the sky, my eyes darted back to my younger brother, kendamma in hand. A smile weakly came across my mouth. He was a really good kid, always helping no matter what. And he was really getting pretty strong. I was proud of him.

Once again I sent a small healing spell towards the fighter, allowing him to recover some. Confusion came over me, as I realized that Kratos was no longer fighting Zelos, but Jessica. She had been the one who had been struck by lightning… Panicking slightly I searched the valley for Zelos.

I took a small step back, seeing the brownish colored circle around Zelos' feet. Spike's of rock flew out of the muddy earth before me, and I stumbled back. The attack grave raged before me, missing me by mere centimeters. I did not scream though, I wouldn't give away where I was and just ruin all of Kratos' efforts.

The shock of the attack left me, and once again all my efforts were turned to keeping Kratos alive. Now I'm almost regretting some of the choices I made at this time as I retell my story to you… But I suppose everything happens for a reason.

He fell back, her attack breaking his guard. Her sword hit him multiple times, weakening him gradually. "Revitalize!" I nearly yelled. I was finding it hard to keep quiet, only being able to watch as the one I had just learned I loved fought, his life on the edge. Yet another part of me wanted him to lose, for the main fact that he was fighting my best friend.

Jessica and I were very closer, she was the greatest friend I had ever had, and now… I'm sorry, this is hard for me to talk about… how we had to fight each other… But I must…

Jessica faultered slightly, his attacks coming full force at her. 'They can't win this… Should we let them escape, or kill them?' With his thoughts, tears began to sting at my eyes. Kill them… His words echoed through my mind.

'Please don't kill her… Jessica is my friend, and she cares about me… And I care about her…' I knew the reason he was asking me was because he knew how close we were. He was always there when we were together, along with Zelos.

'Okay… So push them to the edge so that they flee…' He continued to lash out at the fighter. 'Tell Genis to use weaker attacks… He'll be the one to kill them at this rate.' I nodded at his words, even though I knew that there was no way he could see me.

I began to make my way back to the other two. I felt my footing slip slightly, and I fell on the wet grass. Ignoring the small pain I could feel I continued more cautiously. I couldn't see the others quite clearly, the sheets of rain that fell obscured my vision greatly.

Finally I was standing next to the pair. They looked a bit anxious, especially Lloyd who was squinting to see the battle more clearly as he worried for his father's life. "Genis… Good work, but try using some weaker attacks now. We don't want to kill them, alright?"

'Raine… Watch out. It seems as if Zelos is going off to look for you guys.' Heeding his warning, I ignored my brother's confused look and simply stated that I'd explain later. And now as I think back… I don't think I ever did explain. "Genis, get going. Lloyd be careful… Zelos is looking for us."

I pushed my brother slightly, knowing that Lloyd would want to fight against the Chosen. I followed my brother for a small while, before he yelled out his lightning attack, then scurried off. I turned, seeing Lloyd fighting off Zelos. I was pretty sure that my brother would be fine, and with that thought I began towards the main battle, sneaking by Zelos and Lloyd.

"Get the hell outta my way!" I heard Jessica's voice break over the rain, as the two fighters came into view. Fire was seeming to blaze upon Jessica's sword as she unleashed stronger attacks against the seraphim.

'Dammit… Raine, they're not going to give up… Not if they're fighting harder.' I remember biting my lip slightly, as I heard Jessica's voice once again rise over the raging storm.

"What's a matter? You aren't losing to a girl are you?" He sword continued to lash out with more strength and fury then before, striking Kratos at every possible moment. "When you die, you'll regret ever having left Cruxis, ever having betrayed us. I'll make you die wishing you'd never been born you son of a bitch."

As worry flooded my heart, I made up my mind. 'Fine… Kill them.' I thought to him as I watched him be attacked. I suppose I should have said that in the first place as I think back. I suppose I had been under estimating Jessica's power… And also how much she valued our friendship. Although from her words, she seemed more angered that he had betrayed Cruxis…

Holding my staff, the Heart Of Chaos, above my head I sent another healing spell towards Kratos. I looked back quickly, to see if Lloyd was doing alright. He seemed fine, easily blocking all of the Chosen's attacks.

I closed my eyes, taking this as a chance, and focused my energy on another spell, but this time an attack. I could hear Kratos' voice, though my attention was fully on the spell. His words are mostly lost to me now.

I unleashed my attack, aiming for Jessica even though it tore at my heart, ripping me apart. "Holy Lance!" I was hoping the attack would hit her, but also hoping it would miss… and maybe just distract her?

The light rays fell around her. She wasn't hit by the main part, but was still injured from it. I could tell then that she was weakening, and I'm sure Kratos could also tell. And with his next attack, her sword flew from her hands, he grip failing her.

She stumbled slightly, before using her wings to flip back slightly. But she didn't land nearly as gracefully as she usually would have. Her footing must have missed, and she tripped, falling onto her back. It seemed as if the unbeatable fighter… had just made a big mistake. And I'm sure she was very much aware of what she had done.

I watched, fear and guilt tugging at me, as Kratos calmly walked towards her, pointing his swords tip to her neck. If she moved, even slightly, she'd most likely be killed instantly. 'Do you want me to kill her, or tell her to leave?'

I'd almost shocked me, how he had asked what I wanted… It seems now as if he used to care at one point… but maybe it was all just a fake. I suppose I'll never know. But continuing with this…

I didn't know what to tell him. Pulling my soaked hair from my eyes, water dripping down my face, I looked at the pair for a short moment. 'Do whatever you think is right…'

I actually find it hard to believe that I told him that… I'm nearly ashamed of myself at how I put my best friend's life in his hands… but it turned out fine.

'Then for you, I'm not letting her go until she tells Zelos that they need to leave. If he doesn't… then I'm killing her.' His voice sounded very sure, but with a bit or caring in it… or atleast, I found that it sounded caring because he was thinking of me… And what I would want, and my happiness. I thanked him in my mind, tears once again threatening.

There was silence, I found out that she had been speaking with Zelos, telling him the deal. "Wait." She said finally. 'I knew you'd rather it.' He thought to me. It really seems as if he cared didn't it? In his own special way… Or maybe I'm just delusional… maybe I always have been…

Zelos appeared from the bush, walking towards the pair. His eyes strayed far from me, I don't think he even knew I was there.

"That's our half. Now I can't leave until you move your damned sword!" Jessica's voice mixed well with the atmosphere, cold and dark. The black rain clouds swirled above us, the water droplets still falling, only a bit more gently.

After kicking Jessica's sword to his far right, Kratos moved his own sword, allowing her to get up. The red headed chosen held out his hand, his eyes glued to Kratos with an untrusting look. "Come on."

Taking his hand Jessica got back to her feet. She looked between Kratos and Lloyd, who had followed Zelos, before she grabbed her sword and sheathed it. Her wings unfolded and she became airborn, followed closely by Zelos.

Now, I know this maybe seem a bit out of place but I find those two go well together. No matter how they may act towards each other, I'm pretty sure they like them. And I know, or atleast knew, that Jessica did like Zelos… no matter how much I kept telling her that she was crazy she still stuck with it.

I closed my eyes, letting myself fall slightly into a sitting position on the grass. I pulled my knees up against myself and rested my head on my knees as a few tears escaped. 'Don't worry, she's still alive. But my question is where will they go now? Jessica lived with me, and Zelos with you…'

I looked up towards him, wiping a tear from my cheeks. 'I'm not really sure… But thank you for not killing her.'

Well, what they did wasn't really all that drastic… but I suppose how things turned out after this battle had a huge influence on the rest of our lives… Atleast, it did for me. But I'll get to that later.

'Don't worry about it. But I'm sure had she the chance she would've killed me without a second thought.' I frowned slightly as I listened to his thoughts, knowing how very true it was. And how very much I would be in pain if either of them had died… they both meant so much to me. Especially now.

Now, I'm sure this must be getting pretty confusing… with the fact that most of the time Kratos and I speak in our minds with each other. But I can't really change that, for it's a fact, and if I changed the facts you won't learn the lesson I am trying to teach by retelling my story for the first and last time. Please bare with me… for this is important and will teach you of a broken heart, and a undying love… Two things that can kill in an instant.

0o0o0

Miss: Yay! It's done finally. Sorry it took so long. For a long long time I was brain dead, and I had other things going on in my life. So yeah, I updated! And I'm sorry it's so confusing with the 'bond' thing, where they talk in their minds… But I had to put that, because without it the story wouldn't make as much sense. That's how my best friend and I said it went, so that's how it goes. Just remember, anything in these ' ' are thoughts, and in quotations are spoken out loud. Kratos and Raine can hear each other's thoughts, and communicate like that. And so can Zelos and Jessica, it's just you can't tell.

And wow… I just wrote a lot. Well, that's it. Review please! Tell me what you think, and if you find it… boring or inconsistent in some way, and I'll try to fix it. Thanks!