Mais: Well… This is probably the fastest you've ever updated.

Miss: Oh shut it. I'm only updating because my friend was threatening me. Haha.

Mais: Well if that's what it takes…

Miss: No, it won't work for you. So drop it.

Mais: rolls eyes and drops her sword Fine.

Miss: Thank you.

Mais: leaves

Miss: sigh Alright, well I have to say now that I don't own the character Jessica Faile. My friend does, and I guess I never really said that so…. Whatever. There, happy now?

Well, I don't own Tales of Symphonia either, or the characters… Now that I think about it, I don't really fully own any of this because it's not my story alone; it's my best friends also… And you should already know that because I'm pretty sure I mentioned it in every other chapter… Anyways, moving on!

Broken: A Tale of Shattered Love

Chapter 3: The Least Of My Worries

(Raine's POV)

The battle was hard; something I swear will never leave my heart or mind. The pain, not physical, but merely the emotional pain that I felt, pulling and tugging at my heart with the thoughts of Jessica fighting against us… against me was killing me. But I knew it was inevitable, I'd known this for a long time… Our friendship would have to end eventually.

Blood stained the grass, flowing in small puddles and streams with the freshly falling rain. The darkened clouds swirled in a black haze above us as I got to my feet, listening once again to what the seraphim had to tell me. 'Perhaps we should go to your house… to dry off.'

I stood up slowly, feeling my soaked clothing cling to my cold body, my hair sticking to the side of my face and neck. It was considerably longer then I could last remember, but I'm straying off topic now. Allow me to continue.

'Yes… We should.' I took a quick look around myself, feeling the softening rain fall on my face, mixing with my salty tears and washing them off my cheeks. The tears had stopped flowing, as the reality began to set in… instead my stomach felt sick and knotted, my heart heavy.

'Alright, I suppose I'll meet you there.' He unfolded his brilliant wings, sparkles falling all around him. They were like the sunshine in the rain, lighting the darkness. They even seemed to light the darkness that I felt inside, making me feel more warm and safe. 'I'll go home quickly to get some clothes, but Lloyd will go with you. I'll just grab him something.'

And with that the angel took off as the two young boys came up by me. "Where's he going?" I remember Lloyd asking me as he watched his father's disappearing figure.

"Don't worry about it." I said, not really in the mood to explain. "Let's go." I instructed them as I began my way back onto the trail, slipping and sliding a bit on the muddy terrain. Finally we stumbled out onto the wet sidewalk. Soaked, I led them towards our house. But it was hard, to go by that area, right in front of Jessica's house… Pushing aside my feeling of hurt I noticed Kratos coming towards us.

'Changed my mind. If I get changed there, I'll just get wet again on my way to your house.' I continued to walk as he landed beside me, keeping with my pace.

'Okay.' I thought sadly as we crossed a street. "I'm sorry you had to fight… It's my fault. I guess… I just never expected Zelos to turn so quickly." My voice felt weak as I spoke. Just seeing him shake his head seemed to reassure me. That, and the sound of his voice as he spoke to me.

"He would've fought us eventually. Even if they are our friends, we have to remember they are on the opposing side." I nodded, agreeing with his words. They were true, and always would be no matter how much I hated to admit it.

My gaze wandered freely in the surrounding area as we walked. Everything seemed to remind me of Jessica, and all the good times we had shared. But we would have more I kept telling myself. We were still friends… she had let me escape. And that must have counted for something right?

I was slightly surprised when we arrived at the house. I hadn't been paying much attention to where we were going; I was lost in my thoughts. Upon entering the house my brother immediately went upstairs, most likely to get changed.

I looked at Kratos and Lloyd, both soaked. The water dripped off of their clothing and hair, along with my own, onto the tiles just inside the door. "I guess… you two could go see what Zelos has to wear. His room's upstairs. I'm going to change." I said, making my way down the stairs and into my room.

'I'm fine.' Kratos thought to me, before he sat down on one of my couches. Apparently Lloyd also followed suit, seeing his father not change he didn't either.

'Are you sure? It's not like he's got that bad of taste…' I thought as I walked back up the stairs in blue jeans and a t-shirt. A sigh escaped me as I saw the pair, their soaked clothing getting the couch's fabric wet.

"You're both going to get sick if you stay in those wet clothes. Go change, now!" I said sternly, pointing towards Zelos' room. I wasn't about to just let them get sick, not if I could prevent it. Muttering a few words under his breath I watched as the seraphim got up and went into Zelos' room.

I sighed, sitting down on the couch… of course not where Kratos had been sitting because that was all wet. 'When you're done give me your wet clothes so I can throw them in the wash.' I leaned back into the couch.

'Sure whatever.' He left the room, and literally dropped his wet clothing on me. I gasped and stood, letting it fall to the floor as I felt the cold wetness starting to soak through my jeans. "That's cold!"

A small laugh was weaved into his sentence, "Isn't that what happens to things when they are soaked?" I looked at him, a small grin was playing on his face.

I sighed, feeling rather unimpressed at that moment. All the thoughts of Jess and the battle seemed to have slid form my mind at that point… I was falling for him faster then I thought… then I wanted… then I should have.

"Ugh… yeah…" I muttered quietly to answer him as I bent over to pick them back up before they got the rug wet too. I suppose Lloyd must have gone to get changed, because he didn't say a word about what was going on, not even a chuckle.

"Now I feel like a maid…" I said, rolling my eyes as I stood back up. Once again a smooth laugh rolled off his tongue. It was a simple sound, but something not heard often. It was beautiful, like chimes to my ears. It was something I would soon not be able to live without.

A smile spread across my lips, I just couldn't help myself. Hearing his voice, his laughter, it made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. A small laugh escaped from my own mouth, something I hadn't expected. 'By the way… you said you had something you wanted to tell me later… is it later enough?'

He nodded, once again his face going impassive. 'Yes it is… There's something about Cruxis I think you should know. Mithos' isn't the leader.'

My eyes widened slightly, "What?" I said aloud, slightly surprised. I jerked slightly, grabbing onto the clothes which I almost dropped back onto the floor. He obviously wasn't very impressed with my reaction because he simply sighed, watching me.

'Mithos isn't the Leader of Cruxis. Zelos is. He has been for awhile now. That's why he seemed like he had control of me, and slightly shocked when I said I wasn't going to move or something along those lines.' Suddenly realization had dawned on me. It was beginning to make sense to me then. Or at least… I thought it was.

Zelos being the leader of Cruxis had to have been one of the least of my worries, even if I didn't realize it at that time… I would eventually. 'Well… that answer's a few things…' I thought after a moment's silence, allowing the newly gained information to sink in.

0o0o0

Miss: Yikes… . I'm in pain from the shortness of this chappie… Ack… Dun't kill me! I tried. But really… it's all boring stuff and it's hard to try and rant on about nothing… Stupid battle had to go and be soo long…

Mais: This chapter is even shorter then the prologue! How dare you put it up?

Miss: -.-' Shut it. Now it's up, and done… I swear the next chapter will be much longer! But this will do for now. So, review please. Thankies!