Hello again! Sorry about taking so long. I needed a well-deserved break from fanfiction. Plus, I've been hard at work writing my first non-Golden Sun fanfic as well. I hope all of you have been doing well in the meantime. I'm a little surprised by the reviews I've received regarding the scene between Piers and Jenna. It made me seriously reconsider some ideas I've had in my head for several months. Go ahead and read the latest chapter. As usual, I'll be back at the chapter's end.

Chapter 10: Returning to Kibombo

"Where should we go first, Piers?" Jenna asked.

"Maybe we should return to Kibombo." I said.

"Why?" Felix asked, gripping the tiller tightly.

"Because of the deal we made with the Great Gabomba, Felix." Kraden explained.

"Oh, yeah," Sheba said. "I completely forgot about that."

"Well, can't say I blame you," I said, smiling. "Any encounter with a huge monster like the one we encountered in the hull is bound to make one forget things."

Felix stifled a laugh. Sheba gave him a dirty look. "But, I'm being quite serious about heading back to Kibombo." I said. "Whatever quest you guys are on, you might need as much Psynergy as you possibly can."

"I agree, Piers." Kraden said. "I suspect we shall need your power as well, if you don't mind."

"Of course not, Kraden." I said. "Since you guys went out your way to help me retrieve my orb, I've decided that I will aid you guys in any way I possibly can."

"Wow." Jenna said. "You could be quite the philosopher, Piers."

"Do you really think so, Jenna?" I asked.

"I'm sure of it." she said.

"Say, Piers," Felix said, concern in his voice. "There are five of us on board this ship. How are all of us gonna sleep?"

"The same thing had occurred to me too," Kraden agreed.

"Don't worry guys," I said. "There are 10 cabins in this ship. You'll be able to rest."

"Good Sol, that's a lot of cabins for a ship like this!" Kraden exclaimed.

"Well, that's how Lemurian architects design these things, Kraden." I said.

"Fascinating!" Kraden said, jumping enthusiastically. "Positively fascinating!"

"Hey, Jenna," I whispered to her.

"Yes?" Jenna whispered back.

"Er… is Kraden always like this?" I asked.

"Yeah, he is." Jenna whispered. "But, don't worry. You'll get used to it."

Is that supposed to make me feel better? I wondered.

"Yeah, I should think so." Sheba said matter-of-factly.

I jumped in surprise. "Good Sol, Sheba," I said indignantly. "I've told you to stop doing that!"

"You sound like Felix," Sheba retorted. "it always annoyed him when I read his mind while he slept."

"What would be the purpose of that, Sheba?" I asked.

"Just for a little fun," Sheba said innocently.

"Actually, you were just trying to find out what the hell I was dreaming about!" Felix said, flustered. "Plus, once you found out, you'd gossip about it with Jenna!"

"Ahhh, the joys of girl talk…" Jenna said, pretending to swoon with glee.

"Ahhh, the joys of having a gossipy little sister…" Felix said in response.

"Whoa!" I said, taken aback. "You and Jenna are siblings!"

"Yeah." Felix said, annoyed.

"I wondered why I saw a resemblance…" I said.

"Now you know…" Jenna said in a spooky voice.

"Knock it off, Jenna." Felix said.

"Give me a hammer, Felix." Jenna retorted.

Dead silence followed. "Piers, would you mind taking the tiller for a moment?" Felix asked calmly.

"Sure, why?" I asked, grabbing the tiller.

"Never you mind…" he said.

Felix walked towards the cabin door, calmly opened it and then shut it behind him. Next thing I know, I hear a huge, bloodcurdling scream erupt from the cabin. Afterwards, Felix reemerged from the cabin, his hair sticking up in at least 4,000 different directions. "I feel better now…" he said weakly. Then, Felix collapsed, face first, onto the deck.

"Maybe I should use the tiller until we get to Kibombo," I said, looking at Felix with concern.

"Good idea, Piers," Kraden agreed.

Jenna and Sheba picked up Felix's unconscious body and carried him into the cabin. I hope he's okay… I thought.

"Oh, he'll be okay," Sheba said after they got him into the cabin. "Jenna just loves to bug him. It's a brother-and-sister thing"

I winced. "I wouldn't know." I said, gritting my teeth. I decided it was best not to say anything about her reading my mind again, considering what just happened to Felix.

A few minutes later, Jenna emerged from the cabin carrying my sea charts. "That's scary, Jenna," I remarked.

"What is?" she asked, confused.

"You getting my sea charts," I explained. "I was just about to ask Kraden to fetch them."

"Well, I figured we might need 'em if we hope to return to Kibombo." Jenna said. "Plus, I wanted to save you the trouble."

"Thanks." I said with a smile.

"Don't mention it." she said, putting her hand on my arm.

Our faces moved closer. Jenna then reached up and brushed my hair away. "Piers…" she whispered.

I was too stunned to speak. Never in my long life had I been to this close to a girl. Then, I noticed that Sheba was watching us with the utmost interest. "What?" I said to her, causing Jenna to move away in surprise.

"Nothing." Sheba said, adverting her eyes. "It's just…"

"Just what?" Jenna asked.

"Forget it." Sheba said, walking into the cabin.

I cleared my throat. "Do you think…?" I asked Jenna.

"I don't know." she said.

If you were wondering where Kraden was during all this, he was looking at my sea charts and being his usual, excitable self. "Incredible!" he said, almost jumping up and down. "Never have I seen a chart of such detail!"

"That's enough, Kraden!" Jenna said, shoving him away. "We need to use these in order to return to Kibombo."

"Oh, sorry, Jenna." Kraden said.

Using the sea charts, Jenna and I sailed the ship back to Kibombo. Remarkably, Felix was still unconscious when we arrived. "I'll wake him." I said. "Douse."

As soon as Felix felt the water on his face, he started screaming "Help! Help! I'm drowning!" then his eyes snapped open. He looked up at me, upset.

"I was just casting Douse on you so you'd wake up, Felix." I said. "We've arrived in Kibombo."

"Good, I'm glad." Felix said. "Good Sol, I've got such a headache."

"Let me help you." I said, helping Felix to stand up. "Ply."

"Thanks." Felix said, brushing himself off. "That definitely helped."

"Don't mention it, my friend." I said, patting him on the shoulder.

"You know, I happened to notice during our battle with that Aqua Hydra that you're a little more skilled with your Psynergy that the rest of us." Felix remarked as we were heading to the shore. "Plus, you're better with a sword than I am!"

"I used to practice my Psynergy and my swordplay a lot when I was a child in Lemuria." I explained.

"Why so young?" Felix asked.

I looked at him, confused and surprised. "I meant so young to us outsiders." he said. "You see, I didn't pick up my first sword until I was 15."

"Ah." I said. "Well, I had lost my father at that young age. It was my way of channeling my grief into a power I could use."

Felix noticed the sadness in my voice. "I'm sorry." he said. "I didn't mean to…"

"It's okay." I said. "Hey, I could give some pointers if you want."

"No pun intended." Felix said with a wry smile. "But seriously, my skills aren't as polished as yours, so I could use the help."

"Hey!" Jenna said. "Are you guys gonna talk all day?"

"We're coming!" Felix said to her.

"Well, then hurry up!" Jenna said. "The Great Gabomba didn't promise us that power for nothing, you know!"

"Quite right, Jenna!" Kraden said.

"Sorry, Jenna." Felix said. "Piers was offering to help me hone my skills with the sword."

"Why would he do that?" Sheba asked.

"Because Felix told me he noticed while we were fighting that Aqua Hydra on my ship, my skills surpass his." I explained.

"Wow…" Jenna said, her eyes lighting up in amazement.

"We should continue on." Kraden said. "I want to see the catacombs underneath the Great Gabomba."

"Of course you do, Kraden." Sheba said, rolling her eyes. "Any scholar would be excited to see catacombs underneath any statue"

As we were walking towards Kibombo, I found myself walking next to Jenna. "Are you really better with a sword than my brother?" she asked.

"Yes." I said.

"Wow…" Jenna said again.

"What?" I asked.

"Sorry, it's just that I always thought that Felix was one of the best swordsmen I've known." she said. "Other than Isaac, that is."
"You mean your friend who's pursuing you?" I asked.

"Yeah." Jenna said. "We were childhood friends. He must think Kraden and I are hostages. Otherwise, he probably would've given up long ago."

"He must care for you." I said.

"Yeah, he likes me." Jenna said. "But, I not sure if I feel the same."

"Are sure his feelings may be more than just 'liking' you?" I asked.

"Why do you ask?" she asked.

"Well, maybe because you were someone Isaac cared for deeply, then suddenly you were taken away, and that is what's spurring him to press on." I explained.

"That makes sense." Jenna said. "But, like I said, I'm not sure I feel the same."

"Hey, you two!" Sheba said suddenly. "We're almost there! Hurry it up!"

"We'll be right there, Sheba!" I said. "We'd better catch up to them, Jenna."

"Yeah." she said.

Then Jenna did something I didn't expect: she gave me a kiss on the cheek. "You're so sweet, Piers." she said, giggling. Then, she ran up to join the others.

I just stood there, stunned. Then, I put my hand to where Jenna had kissed my cheek. Good Sol, I thought. My first kiss from someone other than my mother…

"Hey, Piers!" Felix called. "Are you gonna just stand there daydreaming? Get a move on!"

I was brought back to Weyard with a sudden bump. "Sorry, Felix," I said, running to him. "It's just that…"

"'It's just that…' what?" Felix asked.

What was I going to say? "Your sister gave me my first kiss, and I think I've fallen in love with her as a result." Oh, gee, like that would work.

"I've just that I've got a lot on my mind right now." I said, which was true.

"Your mother back in Lemuria, for instance?" Felix asked.

"How did…?" I said, surprised.

"Jenna told me the other night when we were on our way to Madra." Felix explained. "I understand how you feel. The only difference is that your mother isn't being held against her will."

Actually she is: by her weak heart. I thought bitterly. I decided not to say anything. "Did I say something to offend you, Piers?" Felix asked, noticing my silence. "If I did, I'm sorry. I spoke without thinking."

"It's all right, Felix." I said, putting my hand on his shoulder. "I'm okay, it's just a lot to deal with."

The five of us didn't speak again until we arrived at the Kibombo inn. "Let's rest up before we head into the catacombs." Felix had said. "There's no telling what we'll encounter."

"Good idea, Felix," I said listlessly.

"Hey." Jenna said with concern. "You okay, Piers? You don't sound too excited."

"Oh, leave him alone, Jenna." Sheba said. "Piers must be tired. Aren't you?"

"Yeah…" I said, completely drained of energy. "I am…"

We headed to our rooms. I took off my shirt, and was about to just collapse onto the bed, when there was a knock at the door. "Who's there?" I asked, drawing my sword. You could never be too careful.

"It's me, Jenna." Jenna said from behind the door.

"One moment." I said.

I hastily sheathed my sword, put my shirt back on, and quickly opened the door. "Hey." I said.

"Hey." Jenna said back.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"No." Jenna said. "I just wanted say 'Good night'."

"Oh." I said. "Well, good night."

"Good night." Jenna said. Then, she headed to her room.

"I've fallen for you, Jenna…" I found myself whispering as I watched her walk off. Then I shut the door.

I pulled off my shirt again and flopped onto the bed. I smiled in spite of myself. This may be not such a bad journey after all… I thought as I closed my eyes. It seemed like I had just got to sleep when there was a loud knocking at the door. "Hey, Piers," Felix's voice said from behind the door. "you awake?"

My eyes snapped open. "Yeah." I said, slightly groggy. "Just a minute, Felix."

I quickly put my shirt on and opened the door. "Piers, you look terrible." Felix remarked. "Did you even sleep last night?"

"Yeah." I said, still tired.

"C'mon, I'll make you some coffee." Felix said. "It'll wake you up."

"Right, okay." I said, not really listening.

We headed to where we were a few days ago when I had first met Felix and the others. Jenna, Sheba, and Kraden were already there. "Good morning, Piers!" Jenna and Sheba said cheerfully.

"Good morning, Jenna, Sheba." I said, with a big yawn.

"Did you sleep well, Piers?" Kraden asked.

"Fairly well, Kraden." I said.

Breakfast went by without much conversation. Unless you count Jenna and Sheba gossiping to each other, but I guess only I would count that. After breakfas we packed up and headed for the Great Gabomba. We headed straight to the room where the Great Gabomba first spoke to us. There was a staircase leading down. "Let's go." Felix said.

We headed down. We came into a cavern filled with strange patches of grass. "Gee, this is going to easy." Felix said dryly.

Sorry, but I had to end it here. It's been too long since I've worked on this fic. A few more days, and I'll celebrate the 1-year anniversary of putting this up. Yay! And now, ladies and germs, its time for everybody's favorite section: Reviewer Replies!

LovingKitten: As promised, you're first on the list of replies. Yeah, that chapter was exactly how I had it in my head, if you can believe that. By the way, if you think there's PiersJenna in the last chapter, that's nothing compared to what happened in this chapter!

Dinny: Howdy, new reviewer! I'm glad you like the story! Keep it up with your stories, too!

Sakura Irving: No I got the idea from just playing Tales of Symphonia for the umpteenth time. I was gonna change it a little, but since there are all these people liking it the way it is, I thought, "It ain't broke, don't fix it!" and I left it. By the way, don't worry 'bout that "anti-gone" guy. See below…

the anti-gone: Congratulations! You have won the opportunity to go into space for being the first person to flame me! Why? Because they're looking for rats to experiment on…

WildfireDreams: Sorry, I was just expecting a longer review, that's all.

TheAmazingTechnocolorRingWraith: I figured 'cause of the "Ring Wraith" part of your pen name. Duh! Thanks for the review…

waterdragon: Hello, new reviewer! PiersJenna, hmmm? Eh, it could be… ;-)

Master of Reality: Hello, Master. Glad to see another review from you. If didn't spot the Tales of Symphonia reference, look at what Jenna said before she summoned Meteor. There you shall find the answer you seek…

Spacejoe: Arrrgh! I've finally updated for ya, matey! It's also an author's nightmare, arr! Avast! I'd better get to work on chappie number 11, arr!

Lavender Raine: Like I said to Sakura Irving, don't worry 'bout " the anti-gone". If he should flame me again, I'll zing him again just like I did above.

Kd7sov: Glad to see you again! I'm sorry you felt that way about the Jupiter Djinni scene. I'll try not to do it again!