A/N: Ok, now begins the story of what happened after the events of ToS. Concerning the tree, as Lloyd (Irving) Aurion pointed out, I didn't know what the name of the tree was. All I heard at the end of the game was "The name of this tree is…" and then it stopped… I think. Oh well. On with the show, er, story! Thanks again to everyone for the reviews!

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Chapter 3: A New Beginning

No one wanted this day to come, but they knew it was inevitable. It was time for everyone to say goodbye. While it was true that, now that the worlds were one once again and they could visit each other any time they wanted to, it just wouldn't be the same as it was before.

Everyone went their separate ways. Raine and Genis began their quest to stop racism world-wide. Regal and Presea went back to Altamira to aid the company in rebuilding the world, especially Ozette and Palmacosta. Colette returned to Iselia to live a simple life, just like she always wanted. Zelos turned over his entire fortune and title of "Chosen" to Seles and went to live with in with Colette in Iselia as a sort of retirement. Sheena and Lloyd were to travel together to destroy any exspheres remaining in the world. That left only Kratos…

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2 Rheiards landed about 100 yards away from the ruins of the Tower of Salvation. Lloyd and Sheena dismounted off of one and Kratos, the other. They walked up to the steps that led to the portal to Derris Kharlan and stopped. Kratos took a few more steps and looked back towards them.

"I suppose this is where we say goodbye," Kratos said sadly.

Sheena brought her hands to her face and sobbed in them. Lloyd wanted to cry as well but did his best to hold back.

"I still don't understand why you have to go dad," he told Kratos.

Kratos folded his arms. "The remaining angels of Cruxis are disoriented now that Mithos is gone. If I go to lead them, perhaps my influence will sway them back to the way they were so many thousands of years ago. I can't risk leaving them alone."

Lloyd looked down at the ground. "But still…"

Kratos held out his hand as if to say "stop". "Now now Lloyd, you'll be fine without me. Besides…" He pointed to Sheena. "You have more important things to think about now besides me."

Sheena wrapped her arms around Lloyd's stomach and rested her head on his shoulder. She looked at Kratos with a heart-felt smile on her lips, despite the tears that were still in her eyes.

"We'll miss you Kratos. Thank you for coming to our rescue in the end." She hugged Lloyd a little tighter.

Lloyd wrapped his right arm around Sheena. "Dad… thank you. For everything."

Kratos smiled despite the sad look in his eyes. "I'm sorry I could not have done more for you Lloyd… my son."

He walked over to the young couple and hugged both of them lightly at once. Once done, he walked back towards the steps.

"Farewell, Lloyd and Sheena," he said without looking back. "You two are proof that even an immortal can learn new things."

The young swordsman and summoner held each other tightly as they watched Kratos begin to ascend the steps. As he did so, a figure came sliding down the cliff side next to the tower ruins.

"Kratos! Wait!" the man said. Once the young couple caught a glimpse of his hair, they knew immediately who it was: Yuan.

Kratos quickly turned in Yuan's direction. "Yuan? What are you doing here?"

Yuan, breathing heavily, folded his arms and said, "I'm here to tell you that you can't go back to Derris Kharlan. There is no need to."

Kratos tilted his head. "And why is that, Yuan?"

Yuan finally caught his breath. "Because I'm going to go in your place."

Kratos gave Yuan a cold stare. "No you're not. The renegades…"

"Don't need me anymore," Yuan finished. "Mithos has been defeated. The worlds are one. All that's left to do is to help in the process of rebuilding the new world. They won't need me for that."

Kratos wore a blank expression. "That may be true, but…"

"But nothing," Yuan interrupted. "You have a son here who you haven't known for not very long at all and yet you so eagerly want to leave him?"

Kratos was dumbfounded. "I…"

Yuan waved his hand. "Stay here Kratos. Your son still needs you. I'm sure Anna would agree."

Kratos looked down. He was right… again.

"Besides…" Yuan started, "…it'll bring me closer to Martel. Not in the same way that Mithos thought, mind you." He rubbed the ring with the letters Y and M on it. "It's my true home Kratos. It was Martel's as well."

He put his hand on Kratos' shoulder. "Let me go home, Kratos… old friend."

Kratos didn't know what to say. Behind him, a perplexed Lloyd and Sheena looked on as the two angels talked.

Kratos put his hand on Yuan's shoulder. "Alright Yuan… go then… and thank you."

Yuan and smiled as he backed up. "Farewell Kratos. I'm sure we'll meet again someday. Until then…" He bowed slightly as he made his way up the stairs and through the portal.

Kratos only stood there for a moment, trying to take in everything that just happened. Lloyd and Sheena ran up to him and took either side of him.

"Dad? Are you ok? What happened?" Lloyd asked.

Kratos turned to Lloyd, then Sheena, and then the portal once more. He smiled. "Thank you Yuan," he whispered to himself.

"Did you say something Kratos?" asked Sheena.

Kratos turned back around and walked down the stairs. "Looks like I won't be going after all. I hope you don't mind my company."

Lloyd and Sheena looked at each other with excited expressions on their faces and ran down to hug Kratos. He hugged them back, a tear of joy falling from him as he did so.

"Heh," Kratos started. "If it's ok with you, I would like to accompany the two of you on your journey."

Sheena looked up at him. "Are you serious Kratos?!"

Kratos nodded. "Of course. Besides…" He looked down at Lloyd. "I think Lloyd could use another pointer or two concerning his swordplay."

Lloyd frowned. "Hey! Grr…"

Kratos and Sheena both laughed. Shortly later, Lloyd joined them.

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The Rheiards landed not too far from Dirk's house. The 3 heroes dismounted and put the Rheiards back in the wing-pack. Once packed, they walked down the path that led to Dirk's house.

There came a knock at the door that startled the dwarf. "Aye? Who is it? Come in."

In walked Lloyd, Sheena and Kratos. They smiled as they saw the dwarf walk up to them with an excited expression on his face.

"Lloyd! Sheena! …Kratos?!" He looked a bit puzzled when he said Kratos' name. "I thought ye were goin' back to Derris Kharlan. What happened?"

Kratos was ready to speak but Lloyd rudely interrupted him. "Hi dad! Let's talk about it over dinner! What's cookin' tonight?"

Dirk looked a little worried. "Ah… ah'm sorry Lloyd, but I didn't think you were going to be home today so…"

Sheena waved her hand. "That's ok Dirk. I can cook us some dinner. Does pineapple curry sound good to everyone?"

"Heck yea! That stuff's great!" Lloyd exclaimed.

Kratos grinned. "Heh… a treat, to be sure."

Dirk smiled. "Pineapple curry, eh? Never had it before but judgin' from these men's expressions, it must really be something, huh? Mind teachin' an old dwarf how to make it, lass?"

Sheena smiled with closed-eyes as her cheeks turned red. "Hehe! Of course Dirk! C'mon!"

The summoner and dwarf walked into the kitchen as Lloyd and Kratos sat down at the table and talked.

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"Aye, lassie! You were right! That was the most delicious curry I've ever had!" Dirk happily rubbed his stomach. "Haven't had that good of a meal in a while."

Sheena blushed, once again. "Why thank you Dirk. It's a recipe my grandpa taught me when I was little.

His stomach full, Kratos stood up and said, "That was a lovely meal Sheena. If you will all excuse me, I have some business to take care of before we set out tomorrow."

Lloyd looked up, face covered with curry. "Huh? Like what?"

Sheena rolled her eyes. "Piggy."

Lloyd glared at her. "I can't help it! It's good!"

Ignoring their argument, Kratos answered, "It doesn't matter. I'll be back in the morning. It is then that we will discuss our coming journey."

Lloyd mumbled, "I thought this was supposed to be mine and Sheena's journey. He's already taking charge."

Kratos smiled. "I heard that Lloyd. No offense, but you and plans don't seem to get along.

Sheena giggled as Lloyd stared at Kratos coldly, a piece of pineapple sticking out of his mouth as he did so.

Kratos turned to Dirk, who had just lit a pipe. "A moment of your time, Dirk?"

Dirk took a puff and looked over at Kratos. "Ah? Alright." He got up and walked outside with Kratos.

Sheena then yawned. "Whew… I'm getting a little tired."

Lloyd did the same. "Yeah, me too. Ready for bed?"

Sheena nodded. "Yeah, I guess so. But wait… don't you only have 2 beds? One for you and one for Dirk?"

Lloyd scratched his head. "Huh… you're right. Well, we can share if you want to, or you can have it to yourself."

Sheena's face turned blood red. "S-share a bed?"

Lloyd shrugged. "Yeah, what's wrong with that? Remember back in Heimdall?"

Sheena looked partially away. "Y-yea but…" She thought for a moment. She was getting worked up over nothing. Lloyd was as innocent as could be, like Colette. "Haha… probably wouldn't know what to do anyway," she thought to herself.

Sheena turned fully to him and nodded. "Alright, I don't mind sharing if you don't."

Lloyd grinned happily. "Great! I'm gonna throw on some other clothes. Did you bring anything to sleep in?"

Sheena nodded and walked over to her pack. From it, she produced a beautiful white and purple kimono.

Lloyd nodded. "Ok then, let me go grab my pajamas and I'll come back down so you can change upstairs."

Sheena agreed. "Alright. Sounds good to me."

Lloyd walked upstairs. "Be back in a sec!"

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Sheena turned when she heard Lloyd walking upstairs in a well-made pair of black and blue pajamas. Lloyd whistled when he saw Sheena, who immediately blushed.

"Lookin' good Sheena!" He closed his eyes and smiled.

Sheena giggled, knowing he wasn't being perverted or anything like that. "Thank you Lloyd. You're not lookin' too bad yourself."

Lloyd rubbed his head. "Heh, thanks. My dad made me these before I left on my first journey."

The stopped to look at each other for a moment. Sheena still felt a little awkward but Lloyd, as oblivious as ever, thought nothing of it.

"I'll hop in first. That'll give you more room on the bed," said Lloyd.

Sheena nodded. "Thank you Lloyd. You're a real gentlemen."

Lloyd smiled once more and turned off the lights and climbed into bed.

Sheena followed his lead and climbed into bed and turned to hold him.

"Good night Llo-" She stopped. She heard Lloyd snoring. She smiled and kissed his cheek.

"Totally innocent. Heh…" She closed her eyes, thoughts of herself and Lloyd together forever drifting through her mind as she slowly drifted off to sleep.

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So Kratos is the one that will be joining them on their journey! But what did he want to talk to Dirk about? And what "business" did he have to take care of? Hmm… R&R, please!