Insaneiac: For the record…I want you all to tell me if I make a mistake. Nothing helps me more than you finding flaws in my writing. I swear I won't burn your houses down or anything. Anyways, enjoy the chapter.

Disclaimer: I do not own Tales of Symphonia or Namco.


Chapter 4: Lloyd, You Belong Here


Although there were no words spent, no sounds muttered, there was a war going on. A battle between a pair of sky blue globes and a pair of chocolate orbs waged ruthlessly. One gaze filled with steadfast determination and vindication, the other with defensiveness and tenacity. Neither willing to back down even an inch to the other. Raine held Lloyd's gaze in a vice like grip, just like Lloyd held Raine's. 'Lloyd, you don't belong with her.' The swordsman heard repeated, over and over again in his head. For anyone near-by, the idea of labelling this an awkward silence would have escaped them completely. There was nothing awkward or strange or out of place about it. This was a battle, no mistaking it. Just because there were no weapons drawn, or blood split, didn't make this any less a battle than it already was.

"Lloyd. Think about it like this. Her village has countless traditions, rituals, and rules that need to be followed. Are you willing to learn all of those just for a friend?" Raine muttered, finally breaking the silence. Once more, her voice returned to a steady, calm pace.

"She's my friend. My best friend. If anyone, you should know how far I would go to help my friends." Lloyd replied.

"Aren't we your friends too?" Raine asked, trapping Lloyd within his own statements. Lloyd was many things, but he was completely unable to let a friend, any friend, down. She knew this, and she would use it to her advantage. Anything to make Lloyd see the error of his ways.

"Of course you are." Lloyd replied defensively.

"We want you to stay. Isn't that enough of a reason to, that your friends want your company?"

That was when Lloyd realized just how trapped he was. Raine had taken his words and turned them against him. "But…Sheena is my friend too." Lloyd repeated, lowering his eyes. "And…she makes me feel…special." Lloyd forced, looking away from Raine. 'Why are you doing this to me Raine?' "I won't abandon her."

"Lloyd, you don't have to. You can always go and visit her at Mizuho. But she's going to be the chief soon, she needs to prepare." Raine fought back, pushing Lloyd deeper into the mental corner. She had him right where she wanted him.

At least, that's what she had thought. "But I can visit you guys too. We both win. Sheena would have me around if she needed help, or someone to comfort her, or just a friend to talk to. I can always come visit Iselia when it's too busy in Mizuho." Lloyd replied with a smile, thinking he had reached a compromise. His hopes would soon be dashed by a scowl rolling onto Raine's face.

"So, you're putting her before us then?" Raine retorted, almost growling. Now Lloyd was seriously confused. Her voice, her body language, her eyes, they all came off as someone who was rejected would. Her presence seethed the very essence of dismissal and jealousy. "Lloyd, you don't belong with her. You belong here with us. Iselia is your home, not Mizuho. And we are your real friends, not her."

For a brief period of time, although a period of time moving at a snail's pace, Lloyd stared at Raine. "Professor…you're wrong." Lloyd muttered, before turning his back on her and making his way towards the door. 'I never thought I would ever say that to her…' Lloyd mentally critiqued, as he pushed the door open. Before leaving, and without looking back, he spoke again. "Sheena would never make me choose between you guys or her." And with that final statement, Lloyd exited into the village, and began to head off towards the house Sheena was staying at. To say he was confused by Raine's sudden change in her emotions would be an understatement to be sure. He couldn't understand why Raine would be so angry about Lloyd wanting to be around Sheena. And like one thing to another, Lloyd's thoughts changed to Sheena. He remembered what he had said about her to Raine, and how weird it felt to say it.

"She makes me feel special…why can't I just say it…" Lloyd grunted, slouching over. "Why do three words have to cause so much trouble." Lloyd moaned. If he had trouble even saying something as easy as 'feel special', how was he every going actually say what he felt? 'This would be so much easier if she would just say, or do something first.'

------ Iselia (Real) ------

Night time was descending upon Iselia, the sky becoming like fire. A pale orange wrapping around them from the sky as the mighty sun descended into the horizon. There was not a cloud lingering in the sky, leaving a perfect and flawless sunset, as beautiful as could be. So much so that it threatened to distract the blonde little chosen from a task she herself had set out on. Giving her head a good shake, she continued on towards the temporary house of Sheena. As far as Colette could tell, Sheena had not come out since arriving in the morning. To her, that was just not right. When she was no more than an arms length from the doorway, Colette felt herself lose her balance, and with a quick "eep", the former chosen of Slyvarant collided with the door.

Sheena, who had still been resting against the door by herself, stretched her arms out just as it was hit. Of course, the sudden impact, plus the fact that Sheena was spending all her attention on dreaming about the levels of pain she would subject Yuan to once she got the chance, had caught the ninja completely off guard. With a frenzied shriek of fear, Sheena bolted up, whipping around to the door and bringing out her Asura card.

"Who is it?" Sheena demanded, though her voice still a little shaky from the sudden shock.

"…Ow…" The voice replied, lightening Sheena's senses. Slipping away the card, she opened the door to see Colette sitting down, rubbing her head. Taking a quick look at the door, Sheena noticed a rather complete impression of Colette's forehead on the door.

"Jeez Colette, are you okay?" Sheena asked, looking briefly at the door and then back at the blonde.

"Yes…Sorry Sheena." Colette replied with a smile, still rubbing her head. Extending her hand, Sheena helped her back onto her feet. With a few brisk brushes of her hands, Colette brushed the dirt off her clothes, and then smiled at Sheena. "Oh no…look what I did to your door."

"It's no problem. It's just got a little…character now." Sheena said with a gentle grin. "So…what's up?"

"I wanted to know if you wanted to go for a walk. You've been stuck inside all day; I thought the exercise might help." Colette stated cheerfully, smiling. Sheena gave a quiet sigh, bowing her head down. "Also, I kind of wanted…to talk about…things."

Sheena's head shot up, and instantly she began alerting herself to things Colette may or may not want to talk about. Specifically, her biggest worry was Lloyd. She never thought about what kind of effect this was having on anyone but herself. 'Colette and Lloyd are so close… she probably misses him way more than I do.' "Sure Colette. I'd love to." Sheena replied.

Clapping her hands together, Colette spoke. "Great. I'm just going to let Zelos know I'll be out." The words nearly levelled Sheena.

"THAT PERVERT LIVES WITH YOU?" Sheena blurted out, scaring Colette and alerting a good few villagers walking by. Colette, shrugging off the brief stint of fear, smiled warmly at Sheena, and nodded once, before running off towards the schoolhouse. Sheena, mouth still wide open, could only stare in awe. "He had better not rub off on her. The last thing this world needs is a female Zelos…" Sheena quipped, running a hand through her hair. She had always known that, while Zelos stayed as part of the village, Colette had been humbling him in his ways. She just never thought that Zelos might begin to grown on Colette.

------ Renegades Base ------

Yuan growled as he read the results for a third time, on the third rendition of the same test. It was the kind of answer that gives even the most steadfast and determined mines a good dose of rage. On his screen in big black letters were the words "Test inconclusive." Despite Kratos' advice of getting someone to tell him what may or may not have happened after the battle with Mithos, Yuan was still determined on trying to find out just what Lloyd had without any outside help.

"Let's see. It's dormant…it's powerful…and it's a bloody mystery." Yuan growled agitated. He began a new variation of the test, before glancing to his clock. It was beginning to get late, and if he was ever going to try and solve out everything that was going on, he'd have to go soon. More often than not, the livid dream would only last four days, which he manage to extend to five to seven days through the hibernation chamber. Still, there was every possibility he could wake up much sooner. That was one of the few non-absolutes about the drug. It showed the person what they need to see, and that could take, in extreme cases, a day's length to a month's. More often than not though, it lasted around a half week.

And then there was the one thing he had discovered, though only by sheer fluke. Lloyd's exspheres where responding, though only minimally, to his emotions. Every shift or change in his emotions caused a very minor spike in the readings. Though it had seemed like the negative emotions and more potent positive ones seem to have higher spikes than others. At the moment, it meant very little, other than the fact that the exsphere had bonded itself with Lloyd to an extent.

"Whether that's a good thing or not…I don't know yet." Yuan muttered to himself, then turned towards the door. As he walked out, he grabbed a pair of renegades, and pulled them aside. "Names. Now."

"Lord Yuan, Crispin reporting." The smaller one stated, coming to attention.

"Lord Yuan, Markus reporting." The taller one proclaimed, snapping to a firm attention pose. Obviously, Markus was the superior of the two.

"At ease." Yuan muttered, the two snapping a salute, before going to relaxed poses. "Watch Lloyd until I return, make notes of anything that might be at all important. I mean anything! Am I clear?"

"Absolutely, Lord Yuan!" The two replied in unison, reporting to the stasis room as Yuan dismissed them.

"Now then, I suppose I should go see if Regal is in." Yuan muttered, making his way to the teleportation room. What better way to get to Altamira than by instantaneous travel.

------ Iselia (Lloyd) ------

Rapping his knuckles on the door a few times, Lloyd took a quick gaze into the sky. It was noon, or at least noon-ish, as far as he could tell. Banks of clouds were rolling in from practically every side of the sky, and none of them looked like clouds of the friendly nature. Yet to it all it held a sombre beauty, like a painting world. A picturesque display of nature's ability to stun the senses. Unbeknownst to himself, he had lost track of his thoughts and surroundings in the rather odd sky, and had failed to notice Sheena had opened the door. She grinned at Lloyd as she watched him stare intently into the sky. Using her ninja like silence, she brought her head as close as she could to his left ear as she could, and just when she thought she had him…

"Boo." Lloyd shot, catching Sheena completely off guard, and causing her to jump. However, her momentary lapse in balance soon caught her, and she tumbled into Lloyd. Like the domino effect, she and Lloyd tumbled down the brief few stairs of the house before landing with a thud. Lloyd was lying on his back, dazed and confused, while Sheena lay on top of him, equally as confused.

"Ow… Lloyd you dork." Sheena muttered, eyes closed as he lifted her head. When her eyes opened she noticed that their faces were no more than a hands length apart from each other. Soon, she found herself blushing as she realized the position she was in, a slow smile slipping onto her face as their eyes made contact and locked together. While anyone else might have jumped instantly to their feet and try and cover it up with some excuse, the two just rested there, staring into each other's eyes.

'Dammit Lloyd…say something…do something.' "…Sheena…" Lloyd barely whispered, as he stared deep into the summoner's beautiful brown eyes. It was about then that he noticed two things. The first was just how incredibly stunning her eyes were, and the second was just amazing she looked when she blushed. Suddenly, from wanting to do or say something, Lloyd began to hope that the moment would never end. Slowly, Lloyd could feel the distance between them flicker, and slowly fade, until their lips where no more than a breath apart from each other. 'Sheena…'

"Lloyd!" A voice called out, it's sudden and from-out-of-nowhere-ness startling and striking both of the brown eyed humans to reality as well as causing both to nearly leap out of their skin. In what had almost been a perfect moment for the two had suddenly reduced itself to an awkward pair of glances, and a pair of equally red blushes. Lloyd turned to face where his name had come from, and saw Colette standing just a small ways from the house. She smiled warmly at the two, before running up to Lloyd and latching herself to his arm. "Lloyd, I missed you!"

With a quick look at Sheena, who gave him a weak smile at best, Lloyd felt his heart sink back into his stomach. "I missed you too." Lloyd replied, as happily as he could. He watched Sheena walk back into the house, feeling depressed with the fact that he had let the moment slip away, before turning back to Colette.

"Comon Lloyd. Now that you're back, I have so much to tell you. You won't believe what Zelos tried to do to the professor, and..." Colette began, walking off towards the school, more likely than not heading to the secret place the two had found way back when they were no more than eight and seven respectively. With one last sigh, Lloyd caught up with Colette, not wanting to let his friend feel unappreciated.

------ Colette's Secret Place (Real) ------

Pushing through the last bit of shrubbery, Colette and Sheena emerged into a beautiful hilltop field. Aside from the small forest of trees that lay behind them, they had a perfect view from the cliff top perch. From it, one could watch the sun set into the decent perfectly, and look down upon the village. It was high enough to give a perfect view of the village below, and how the setting suns glow basked it. Sheena could also clearly see Martel…and Corrine's temple. . In the middle of the large field was one large willow tree, with branches the stretched down to the very ground, forming a natural, full circle curtain. Sheena was stunned at just how serene and natural the place looked, and confused as to why she could never see it from the village. Colette simply smiled from behind her, arms behind her back as she watched her friend stare in awe.

"Colette…this place is beautiful." Sheena spoke, walking slowly towards the willow tree. "How did you…?"

"Lloyd found it actually... We were exploring and he stumbled into this place. He decided it should be my special place in life, so I come here whenever I need to think or be alone." Colette replied, walking up carefully to the ledge. "The view from here is amazing." Sheena could only nod in agreement, as she was stunned by the beauty of it all.

"So…you and Lloyd must be pretty close." Sheena muttered, as happily as she could. 'He must love her…this place is just so…' She sighed as quietly as possible, mentally waving away her hopes.

"Yup. He's like my brother." Colette replied, once more shocking Sheena. "He's always there to protect me, to comfort me, to help me when I fall. He pushes me to go on, and if I ever need a hug… He's my big brother." Colette stated, turning around to face Sheena. "Sheena, are you okay?"

'YES!' Sheena screamed in her head, doing everything she could to keep from dancing. "You bet. So…you come here to think then?" Sheena replied, masking her excitement with curiosity. Her answer came in the form of a nod from the blonde girl. "Like, think about what?"

For a minute, Colette looked away sheepishly. "Recently…about Zelos." Colette replied weakly, looking everywhere but at Sheena, which was probably for the better, considering the look of absolute intrigue on Sheena's face. "I think…I might like him…" Colette continued, blushing. Sheena's face contorted from one of intrigue to one of awe. Still avoiding Sheena's eyes, Colette flashed her a warm smile. "He's cute and nice and funny…"

"Okay, stop for just one minute here." Sheena interrupted, surprising Colette. It was then that the young former chosen had noticed a look of absolute confusion and horror on the ninja's face. "You…the single most innocent person to walk the face of the planet…Like HIM!" Sheena exclaimed. She was shocked even further when Colette nodded her head. "Okay, I thought it was a bit of a stretch when you cared about me, even as I was trying to kill you…but that pervert…" Sheena tried to put together, failing miserably. "Does he know?"

"Nope. In fact, I still think he wants to be with you…" Colette began, before slapping both hands over her mouth. Once more, Sheena shot up in surprise. "Oh no…I'm sorry." Colette spouted worried. She was relieved to see Sheena wave it off.

"Don't be…" Sheena said, sighing in relief. "He just acts like that because it's his way of being caring. I guess in a way, he's like a brother to me too. Though, the kind that I would gladly pound into the dirt most of the time." Sheena finished, grinning almost evilly. The two went back to a subtle silence, both letting the view and the scenery take them. Finally, after the light began to fade away, leaving night, Colette spoke again.

"Sheena. Do you like Lloyd?" Colette blurted out of nowhere. Once more, Sheena shot up in surprise, but was completely unaware that she had developed a nice shade of red on her cheeks to go with her surprise. "OH, I'm sorry. Never mind." Colette fixed, turning around quickly to give Sheena a chance to stop blushing.

"Yes…" Sheena muttered, though Colette didn't hear her. At least, Sheena didn't think Colette heard her. Although Sheena couldn't tell, Colette was smiling as she heard her answer.

'Cause I know Lloyd likes you too Sheena.'

­------ Iselia Village ------

Raine, who was just closing up shop, so to speak, sighed out. Slowly, she put away her various unfinished paperwork and documents, and set a kettle in the kitchen to make a nice cup of relaxing tea before walking over to the fireplace, a feature her old home woefully lacked. Raine started a fire, letting the tinder catch and letting it catch before placing the cover in front of it and sitting down in her chair. Reaching beside her, she pulled up a rather large book she had been reading for the last few days. Yet despite her eyes rolling over each word, her mind drifted to how she found herself in this predicament. How did she go from setting out on a journey with Genis to dispel the hatred surrounding half-elves to running the town she spent most her life in?

------ Iselia, one month prior ------

"Genis, I just want to pick up some small things from our house before we leave." Raine spoke with authority, as the two half-elves walked into Iselia. She was already distressed with the fact that she had missed out on saying goodbye to Lloyd and Sheena as they departed on their journey, and earnestly wanted to get moving rather than waste anymore time lounging around. Genis simply nodded in response, still quiet from his brief but hard goodbye with Presea. As the two walked towards their old house, Raine heard a loud stint of commotion break out from the School. Briefly forgetting what they had come for, Genis and Raine ran towards the commotion, only to see the Mayor getting heckled at by the village.

"GET OUT OF HERE!"

"WE DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE!"

"JUST LEAVE LIKE THE DESIANS!"

"Hey!" Zelos yelled charging in front of the crowd. Colette quickly joined him up front, and soon the attention was on the red-headed newcomer to the village. "Listen, we can't just turn into a mob okay!" Zelos yelled, only to get yelled back at. Raine could see, quite visibly, that this was going very poorly.

"Raine, do something…" Genis muttered, nudging his sister.

"THE HELL DO YOU KNOW?" One man yelled out, throwing a tomato at Zelos. The piece of produce hit it's mark, exploding against the former chosen's face. Soon, the village had turned on him, laughing and pointing as they continued to demand the Mayor's exile.

"EVERYONE SHUT UP!" Raine yelled at the top of her lungs, silencing everyone instantaneously. All eyes were now on the level-headed half elf as she stormed towards the crowd. "You are all behaving like children! First of all, if you don't like that mayor, elect a new one. Exiles only lead to pain! And secondly, don't take out your frustration on people whose only goal is to settle you people down!" Raine yelled, marching up towards Zelos and Colette. Everyone could clearly see the fires of determination and annoyance raging in her eyes now, and nothing in Iselia was more frightening than a determined Raine Sage. "And you two! What do you think you're doing? You call that taking control of a situation! You need to establish a sense of leadership in situations like these! If you can't, then don't bother trying to settle a crowd down, and get the victims out of harms way!" Raine continued. With every step towards Colette and Zelos, the two stepped back.

"I motion for Raine Sage as mayor." An elderly voice rang, as everyone turned towards the source. Standing in it's spot was a smiling Phaidra, who was gazing at Raine.

"Yah, Raine for mayor!" Another yelled. Soon, despite her frantic protests, the entire crowd was chanting for Raine to take the mantle of mayor. Sombrely, she glanced over at Genis, who gave her a confident nod. In his eyes though, Raine could see the sparks of disappointment. With a deep sigh, Raine mouthed the words 'I'm sorry' to Genis, before turning to the cheering and hollering crowd.

"Fine! I'll do it. I'll take over as mayor of Iselia."

Smiling to herself as she recalled the horrified looks on Zelos and Colette faces as she stormed over to the mob, she sank into the chair. 'Two days after that, Regal showed up. He offered congratulations to me, and to take Genis with him. I figured it'd be in his best interest to be near Presea some more…I just didn't expect to be so lonely because of it.' Raine mused, unaware that her kettle had been whistling for a long time. Shooting up out of her chair, she rushed to the kettle and pulled it off the stove, as a loud knocking sounded at her door. Sighing agitatedly, Raine proceeded to the door, grabbing the handle and throwing open the door. "What is…"

It wasn't so much that she noticed how dark it was outside, nor was it how many other buildings were without any light. She didn't even notice the bright moon bathing the village in it's subtle glow. What she noticed was Yuan, standing cloaked, looking into her house.

"Regal was away. May I come in?" He asked, matter-of-factly.


A/N: So, what did we learn today…Lloyd fails under pressure, Colette shows up at the most inopportune times, Colette has a thing for Zelos, Zelos has a thing for Sheena (kind of) and Sheena has a thing for Lloyd. Not to mention Yuan has no clue what he is in for, and Raine's daydreams seem to last for hours. Oh…and the small thing about Lloyd's exsphere reacting to his emotions.