A/N: I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
"Grandpa!" Sheena burst into the Chief's hut, monster's head in hand. She grinned, holding it up in the air. "The monster that attacked Haruhi two weeks ago is dead. I brought back its head as proof."
The Chief seemed to be too proud for words, his narrow chest puffing out despite all efforts to remain serene and distanced. Of course, he couldn't help but smile proudly through his white whiskers at his adopted granddaughter. "As usual, Sheena, you prove your mettle." He beckoned for her to come closer and she did, kneeling and bowing before him respectfully. "None of that!" he said, suddenly breaking out into a larger smile. "Today is a special day. A day for my granddaughter."
"Um, OK Grandpa," Sheena said, giving Raine a curious look. "All I did was kill a monster."
Raine waited, impatiently. The whole village of Mizuho was like looking into the past, it kept its traditions so well. Normally Raine would have been morbidly curious as to why they honored killing monsters so much, but now all she could think of Genis, and of apologizing to him. She coughed, politely, to get their attention, but was ignored.
"Not for the monster, though that is a deed to be proud of-"
Sheena grinned.
"-But for the wonderful news I have received." He looked at her with adoration apparent in his eyes. "News that concerns you."
Sheena's grin dropped a few molars. "Oh, um. Yaay? Listen, Grandfather, I'm sorry to interrupt but my friend desperately needs our information network. I'm sure you remember Professor Raine Sage?" She motioned to Raine, who nodded, glad to finally get to the matter of things.
"Hmm?" The Chief narrowed his eyes, peering behind Sheena. He blinked in surprise. "Oh! It is the foreigner who helped me get back into my body! A thousand apologies, Professor. My eyesight is failing me in my old age."
"Not a problem," Raine said, sighing. "But I really do need information your ninjas can get for me. My brother has run away, and I don't know where to begin looking for him."
The Chief nodded, stroking his long white moustache. "That is a dire situation indeed. Normally, I would do all in my power to help the one who regenerated the world and restored me to my body, but..."
"Grandpa..?" Sheena asked, looking as surprised as Raine did.
"Today is a special day. Sheena," he turned to her and held her hands, smiling. "I have received wonderful news, and have all of the shinobi working on preparations for this event."
"Grandpa?" she repeated, louder this time with a look of growing worry.
"You see," he continued, "You, my most brave and beautiful granddaughter, have received two proposals of marriage."
Sheena let out a woosh of air as if she had been punched in the gut. "Y-you don't say," she managed to stammer out.
"I do!" he said, obviously pleased. "...Are you all right?"
"Oh... oh yeah!" Sheena said, too loudly. "That's g-great! I'm so happy I don't know what to... what to say!" The grin on her face was scary, because it was so fake. Sheena was glad that her grandfather was blind and couldn't mistake her grimace for a look of horror instead of delight. "Who?" she asked, her voice rising in pitch. Turning red, she repeated, "Um, wh-who has asked for my hand?"
"The first is that fool you were traveling with," The Chief said, waving his hand dismissively. "Obviously we can't have you marrying Mr. Wilder, no matter how prestigious he may be in the world outside. He is a foreigner. But..." he trailed off. "If what he says in this letter is true, we may have no choice. Sheena?" He looked her square in the eye. "How do you feel for this Zelos Wilder?"
"May I see this letter?" Sheena asked, grimly preparing herself for a whole mess of lies.
"Of course," he said, sounding very amused. Sheena snatched the letter and began to read it silently, her eyes scanning over the page. Raine shifted closer so that she could read it as well, and see the growing tinge of pink that was spreading across Sheena's face.
This is what the letter said:
A/N: TO BE CONTINUED! What did Zelos's letter say? Who is the other man who wants to marry Sheena? Is it even a man? ...Yeah it is. But who is he? Will we ever get to see Zelos in a bikini? Is that the only reason you're reading this fic? Will Raine ever find Genis? Will she be able to apologize? Why did he run away? STAY TUNED!