A/N: Woo! Chapter 21 is upon us! Time for a little father and… "daughter" bonding. Thanks for the massive flow of reviews I've received lately!
I would like to take this opportunity to thank one reader in particular: Lloyd Irving Aurion. I've looked through all of my pages of reviews and he is the only one who has been with me from the beginning and has left a review for every single chapter thus far. Also, he has helped me out and supported me on numerous occasions. Thanks for all the time you've given me man, and I especially hope you enjoy the rest of the story.
Anyway, on with the show! This chapter as well as the two after this one all take place on the same day: the last day before our heroes set out to destroy Nebilim. Enjoy!
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Chapter 21: Heart-to-Heart
…I wish that I didn't have to convey my support for both of you like this, and I'm sorry that it had to come to this. I hope that you can both forgive me for-
Kratos' eyes shot open as he heard the knock at his door. Without looking away from what he was writing, he said, "Come in."
The door opened and he immediately recognized the sound of Sheena's footfalls. Obviously not expecting her, he scrambled to put what he was writing in one of the drawers of the desk he was sitting at. Afterward, he stood up and turned to greet her. "Sheena?"
She smiled sweetly at him. "Hello Kratos. What'cha writin'?"
He turned back to the desk slowly and eyed the drawer that he stuffed whatever he was writing into it. "Eh? O-oh. It's n-nothing."
Sheena titled her head, curious. "Did he just stutter?" she asked herself. "He never stutters. Maybe something's wrong." Dropping the subject of his writing, she asked him, "Are you okay, Kratos? You sound as if something's wrong."
Relieved that she dropped the subject of his writing, he shook his head and chuckled. "Ah, haha, I apologize. I suppose that I'm just nervous about tomorrow."
Sheena's smile lessened a bit. "That's right… we leave to fight Nebilim tomorrow, don't we?"
He nodded. "Indeed."
"Scared?" she asked. "I know I am." She walked over to and sat on the bed in Kratos' temporary room. "Scared doesn't even begin to describe it. I'm terrified, quite honestly. Even with Verius and the Angel Arms, I don't think we… don't think that we…"
Kratos walked over and sat next to Sheena, placing his strong left hand on her slender shoulder. "Don't talk like that. We're going to win tomorrow and we're all going to come home safe and sound with everyone intact. You got that?"
Sheena smiled weakly and looked down at her boots. "It's funny."
"What is?" asked Kratos.
Sheena first pointed to herself, then to Kratos. "Look at us. We're sitting here talking like we've known each other for years."
Kratos cocked an eyebrow. "Is there a problem with that?"
She shook her head. "Of course not. Like I said, it's funny. It was only a few months ago when I was on my mission to assassinate Colette. When I first met you and Lloyd, I was trying to kill both of you."
"Keyword: trying," said Kratos with a grin.
Sheena put her hands on her hips as soon as she heard this. "Is that a challenge?"
"Heh. Maybe," said Kratos confidently.
Sheena chuckled. "Hmph. Just because you have four-thousand years of experience on me doesn't mean that I can't beat you."
Kratos nodded, a serious look on his face. "You may be more right than you know."
She stared at the powerful seraphim, puzzled. "What do you mean?"
Kratos looked down, a look of disappointment crossing his face. "I believe I can no longer be considered your superior or even your equal. With Lloyd's Eternal Sword and your completion of the circle of Summon Spirits, I don't believe I can match either of you in sheer power now. With just a couple more years of worldly experience, both you and Lloyd will be, in a word, unstoppable. No foe, not even Nebilim, would stand a chance against your combined powers. You both have become very powerful. I'm very proud of you Sheena."
Sheena smiled warmly and hugged Kratos. "Thanks dad."
Kratos' eyes shot open once he heard this. "Dad?"
Sheena pulled away from Kratos as shades of crimson began to flood her soft cheeks. "I-I'm sorry!" said Sheena apologetically. "I-I just…" She took a deep breath and slowly exhaled. "Kratos, for as long as we've all been together, you've been like the parent-figure of the group, even more so than Professor Raine or Regal. When we had to fight you in the Tower of Salvation, we were heart-broken."
Kratos said nothing as he let all of the words sink in. She continued. "Of course, even after everything we all went through, you still came and save us from Mithos and his traps in the Great Seed Chamber. Ever since then, I honestly feel that we have done nothing but get closer and closer as we continue on with our lives. I-… I feel that I'm at the point where I want to look at you like the father I never had."
"Sheena…" said Kratos.
She waved her hands. "I knew how close to my heart you were when Verius protected not only me and Lloyd but you as well with the Heart Barrier. That being said, even if the feelings aren't mutual, I look upon you as my father, even if it is only in spirit."
"Sheena, I… I don't know what to say," said Kratos with difficulty.
"You don't have to say anything," replied Sheena. "Except for one thing. I, ah… need you to answer a very important question for me."
"What is it?" asked the seraphim.
Sheena swallowed a lump in her throat and began to speak. "W-would it be alright if, ah… if I called you dad from now on?"
"Dad?" Kratos asked himself. "She wants to call me "dad"?" He couldn't believe that she had just asked that. He was overjoyed to hear her ask, but it still felt so strange to him. If nothing else, this was a title reserved for when she and Lloyd-
"Sheena," started Kratos, "I would be honored to be called "dad" by you, even if the title is only in spirit."
Obviously happy with her "father's" response, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him as tightly as she could. "Thank you! Now I really do have a father!"
Kratos closed his eyes and hugged back. "I must admit that Anna and I have always wanted a daughter after we had Lloyd, but I'm glad it wasn't you."
Sheena pulled away, seemingly hurt by what he said. "W-what?"
Kratos grinned. "What? Have you forgotten about Lloyd already?"
Sheena's hurt expression rapidly melted away and was replaced by a very heart-felt smile. "Oh yeah… heh."
Both "father" and "daughter" laughed heartily for almost an entire minute before Sheena started to settle down. "Hehe, whew. Speaking of Lloyd, since this is our last day here, I-…" She blushed. " I think I'm going to spend the rest of the day with him."
Kratos held up his right hand. "Wait."
"What is it?" asked Sheena.
"I need to talk with Lloyd one last time before we head out tomorrow," said Kratos. "Now, since I don't want to interrupt your time together with Lloyd, I would like to be able to see him first, if that is alright with you."
She nodded. "Okay then… dad. Can you please tell me when you're finished with Lloyd?"
"Even better," started Kratos, "I'll send Lloyd to find you. Where will you be during the next hour?"
Sheena brought a hand to her chin as she thought. "Hmm, good question. I might just go hang out with some of the younger kids. Besides, I promised that I'd play with them one last time before we left."
Kratos nodded. "Very well then. I'll be sure that he finds you."
She nodded back. "Alright then. I… guess I'll see you tomorrow then, huh?"
"Indeed," he replied. "Be sure to get plenty of rest tonight. We have a big day ahead of us."
Sheena hugged Kratos on last time before she turned to walk out. "Have a good evening… dad."
He smiled. "You too, Sheena. Have fun tonight. And Sheena?"
"Yes?" she asked.
"Thank you for taking the time to just come and chat with me. It means a lot to me," he said.
She smiled. "Thank you Kratos… for everything." With that, she closed the door behind her, leaving Kratos alone once again.
A moment later, Kratos turned back to his desk, sat down, and began working on what he was writing later. After a few more minutes of writing, Kratos set down his pen and withdrew an envelope from another drawer. Folding the paper that he wrote upon, he placed it neatly within the envelope. He then reached into his pocket, withdrew two small objects, and placed them within the envelope. Finally, he sealed the envelope and wrote something on the front of it.
As the sun set outside, Kratos' gaze kept switching from the envelope to the beautiful view outside of his window. He sighed and placed the envelope in the top-most drawer and stood up once again. "I pray that I will not need this." He reopened the door and, just before stepping out, he looked back at the desk. "I pray… that I am wrong." He closed the door and set off to look for Lloyd.
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Yes, it is a short chapter, but I said it would be a couple chapters back so… anyway, I hope you liked it all the same. Just one more chapter before what I hope is the Sheloyd scene to beat all Sheloyd scenes (I'm sure it won't be that good, but I'll try my damndest anyway). Thanks for any and all reviews!
P.S. Does anyone out there have a complete list of Sheena's summon chants? You know, like, "I call upon the maiden of the mist!" and stuff lie that. I'd really appreciate it if someone could help me with that.
P.S.S. I have plans for yet another ToS story… or rather, stories. However, it's unlike anything you've prolly ever seen before. Anyway, it's called "What if…: Mysteries of Symphonia" All the details for it can be found in my profile page. Anyway, if you would like to see this, let me know. Perhaps even more importantly, you have a "What if…?" to suggest, please let me know via reviews, email (preferred) or AIM. Anyone whose ideas I use will get full credit and a shout-out before each story. Thanks!
