Miss: Hello, hello. I'm really sorry this took about… 3 months to update… u.u'….
Mais: I sure do hope you're sorry. If you hadn't-
Miss: Be quiet! You weren't even here when I started, so why are you here now?
Mais: Because… I'm everywhere you are…
Miss: STALKER! O.O
Sammie: Would you two stop arguing.
Mais: YEAH! STOP ARGUING!
Miss: -rolls eyes-
Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
NOTICE! READ THIS PLEASE!
I've changed my mind about the different endings; instead it's just going to be like a normal story. AND there is OoCness in this story so don't flame me if people are acting strangely. X.x
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She could feel the regret tugging at her heart, and it was painful, both mentally and physically. It felt as if her heart was being ripped out… "What have I done…?"
And as Kratos flew through the night, the rain soaking him, and the lightning causing his silhouette to appear in the midnight sky, his thoughts wondered… if he had not said anything, what could have happened?
It was foolish of him, to believe that he could open his heart once more. That he could fill the empty spaces in his life, in his mind. That he would ever truly be in love again…
0o0o0o0o0
The next morning Raine awoke by the sound of murmurs, hardly audible, coming from downstairs. Her eyes flickered open slowly, stuck together by the dried tears. She felt a sudden pain in her arm and gazed down, to find the previously white bandages she had put on to turn a light red.
As she looked down at the bandage, wrapped tightly and carefully around her self inflicted wounds, the memories of the night before came rushing back. Immediately her heart dropped, and her eyes brimmed with silent tears. "What have I done…?" She muttered silently to herself again as her eyes wondered from her wrist to her bedside table where a folded paper sat.
She shook her head, casting out the thoughts as she unwrapped the bandage. Good… It's stopped bleeding. She thought to herself, she didn't have the will to heal the cuts. She'd leave them there; let them fade into scars to remind herself of the foolish mistake she had made.
Kratos blinked a few times as he opened his eyes. He looked around… "Where am I…?" He asked to no one in particular. Not long after he had said that it all came back to him. He had left Zelos' Mansion, in the storm. He had flown to the Gorrochia (A/N: Is that the name of the forest by Sybak, Ozette and Mizuho? I'm not sure.) Forest and taken refugee under the many towering trees. The leaves had subdued most of the rain, although he was still slightly damp.
"Hm." He said, standing up and checking to be sure he had his sword with him. His eyes grew as he fumbled around for his sword. Great… His face took on only the smallest look of anger, but more so of anxiety. Not having his sword with him now meant that it was at Zelos', and Raine was at the mansion. But she had said she didn't want to see him, that she didn't care…
Kratos sighed and squatted, using one hand on the ground for support while the other rested on his lap as he thought. I suppose… I'll just go back, grab my sword and leave. Yes… that's what I'll do. He stood once again, and unfolded his shimmering wings. He pushed up, off the ground, and flew towards Meltokio.
Genis sat quietly at the breakfast table, fiddling with his fork in the eggs that Colette had prepared for them that morning. He was staring straight down at his plate, his eyes low and filled with confusion and worry. He didn't understand… Why would his sister, his strong, independent sister… be trying to end her life? And what did Kratos have to do with it?
Zelos looked up, watching the young half-elf as he gazed off into his eggs. "Hey, Genis, something bothering you?" The half elf looked up quickly and forced a smile. "No, of course not. I'm fine." He put some egg on his fork then put it in his mouth, swallowing it. Zelos shrugged.
"Did you guys hear the professor last night?" Lloyd asked quietly, bending over the table. Genis' eyes flickered away from his meal once more to look at the swordsman. "Yeah. She didn't sound very happy." Colette commented.
"No really Colette?" Sheena commented sarcastically, staring at the blond. Colette smiled innocently, "Yeah, really. She w-" The words became muffled as a hand crossed the Chosen's mouth. "Sh…" Lloyd whispered quietly as the rest of the group ate quietly, starting random conversations as the footsteps grew louder. The only person who did not speak was Genis, he remained silent, eating slowly.
"Good morning professor!" Colette greeted cheerfully as the silver-haired maiden entered the dinning room. "Hello." Raine said quietly, forcing a smile as she looked down to be sure her shirt's sleeve was pulled past her wrist. As she made her way to the table a few other stray hellos made their way.
Not once did Genis look up at his sister, his eyes remained low, and only a small, quiet greeting emitted from the young lips. He could feel the beginning of tears, tears of frustration and fear, arising behind his eyes. He blinked once or twice, pulling his mind away from any thoughts of the previous night, and what he had seen. It seemed impossible to the young mage to erase, or even hide, the sights and sounds he had witnessed, but he managed it long enough to make it through breakfast.
Raine ate as normally as possible, an occasional smile forced when spoken to. There where many moments when she was positive her eyes had glazed over from the tears she wouldn't cry, not now.
Kratos landed gently at the gates of the Imperial City. He'd take his time, not in a hurry to arrive at the mansion. His shimmering wings folded behind his back, the cascading sparkles slowly disappearing as he began his stride towards the main stairs. Of course, I could always just buy a new sword… The thought had just occurred as he reached the turning point towards the Coliseum.
He thought for a moment, debating what he would do. He continued walking, up the next set of stairs, the castle before him getting closer. The sword he had left at Zelos' was very valuable and rare, something he decided could not be bought in this particular city.
He turned gently towards the left, his strides becoming uneven, alternating between quick and slow as he argued in his mind whether to go fast. Eventually he was in front of the mansion, looking up at the great front doors. They were large, oak doors, beautifully detailed and polished. Only the best for the Chosen. Kratos thought, his eyes rolling as he stepped up to the doors, putting his hand on the handle. He hesitated for a moment, then removed it, knocking on the door rather then just walking in.
The group indoors had finished eating and where now spread out through-out the house, doing this and that. Genis had gone back up to his and Lloyd's sleeping chambers and shut the door behind him. Presea and Regal had volunteered to do the dishes, and where chatting casually about whatever came to mind. Lloyd, Colette, Raine, Zelos and Sheena all sat in the main room. Conversation continued normally between the individuals.
A sudden knocking sound didn't seem to really surprise anyone, except for Raine, who was drifted off into her thoughts. The grand doors opened slowly, Zelos' butler opening them for the visitor.
Raine had to shield her eyes as the light poured into the room. "Good day Mr. Aurion. I was in belief that you had spent the night here, no?" The Butler (A/N: Forgot his name… . ) said in his usual voice. "Hmph." Raine's eyes grew adjust to the lighting and her gaze turned to the seraphim. Quickly they turned away as her blue eyes met his dark brown ones. She couldn't bear to look at him any more.
Kratos stepped into the building, his eyes resting on Raine for a long moment, then looked around at the others in the room. They greeted him cheerfully, although they all, or more so Zelos and Sheena, knew that there was some type of tension in the room. Colette didn't really seem to understand what was going on, and just continued on normally, cheerfully, completely oblivious. And Lloyd was just Lloyd, figuring that, whatever was going on would be resolved and the problem would disappear.
"I left my sword here, I've just come to retrieve it, then I will be taking my leave." Kratos said simply as he turned to the stairs, answering the unasked question of what he was doing.
As the angel ascended the stairs, Raine stood up. "I'm going to go out for a walk." She began towards the door.
"Alright, see you later Raine."
"Bye Professor."
"See ya."
"Be careful my Ultra Cool Gorgeous B- Ow… What was that for Sheena?"
Sheena snorted and crossed her arms. A small smile swept across the healer's face as she headed out the door. She made her way to the center of the city and sat down on one of the benches, glancing around her at the occasional passer-by.
Kratos let a small sigh of slight relief leave him. He wasn't really happy that Raine had left, but it was a slight burden relieved of him, the burden of having to be around her. He walked into his room he had been intended to sleep in and grabbed his sword, quickly sheathing it.
He had began down the hall, back towards the stair case when he heard a muffled sob coming from behind a closed door. He slowed his pace and stopped beside the door. Slowly, he cracked it open, a slow creaking noise emitting for the hinges. He watched calmly as the young silver haired boy turned towards the door, red tear stains streaming down his cheeks.
The wide blue eyes looked at the man, the one who had seen his sister last night, the one who was somehow tied into what his sister had done. Sudden anger erupted in Genis' soul and his fists clenched at his sides. "What did you do to my sister?" He demanded angrily from the angel. Kratos kept his calm composure as he entered the room, shutting the door gently behind him.
"I opened my mouth when it was better left shut, and then I failed to realize the consequences of my words, until it was too late." He explained, with a gentle, soft, sorrowful voice.
The half-elf watched Kratos carefully, angry tears streaming down his cheeks. "What do you mean? What did you say to her?" Genis' voice rose quickly, his hand gripping his kendamma (sp?) tightly.
The angel kept his composure as impassive and calm as possible; the feeling of guilt knotting his stomach. "What I said no longer matters." The angel retorted, calmly as he stood to take his leave.
Genis growled with frustration, his teeth gritted, his knuckles turning white from his grip. "Obviously it meant something to her!" He yelled after the retreating figure.
"Hmph." Kratos continued his walk towards the grand oak doors.
Genis groaned, cursing Kratos, as he sat back down on his bed.
"Hey dad, where you going?" Lloyd asked, joining Kratos at the bottom of the stairs. The mercenary stopped for a moment, and looked his son in the eyes. "I'm leaving, where does not matter. Stay strong Lloyd." He placed one hand on the young swordsman's shoulder. "…" He remained rigid for a moment, as his son pulled him into a hug, then slowly he relaxed. A hug… it was something the angel had never gotten from his only son.
Raine sat quietly on the bench, staring off into space. The words, written neatly in his own handwriting, burned in her mind, repeating themselves quickly. 'I loved you Raine, and I still do with all my heart. Goodbye.' She could hear them repeating themselves, over and over in his voice, although she had never heard him say it. Slowly her vision began to blur as her eyes filled with un-cried tears.
I'm sorry… She thought to herself, to Kratos even though he couldn't hear her. "Raine…"
Her eyes blinked quickly, and she jerked slightly at the sudden sound that had broken through the silent barrier she had placed around herself, allowing her mind to completely ignore all her surroundings. But it all came back in a rush as she turned her head slowly, to face the voice's owner. She didn't have to look back to know who it was.
"What do you want?" She asked angrily, though inside she was surprised at the voice coming from herself. She got to her feet, and turned to face him. She could see small tints of pink just above his cheeks.
What do I say to someone whom I've hurt so much, yet confessed everything? "I'm sorry. I did not mean to startle you, I just wanted to say goodbye in person." His voice came smoothly without a fault, even though inside his heart was being ripped into shreds.
She watched him silently, her anger ebbing away rapidly as her tears returned, fogging her vision. She forced her breathing to be even, forced herself from crying. But still one silent tear fell from her eyes as she listened to his final word. "Goodbye."
As he looked into her eyes, for the last time he felt his eyes begin to fog up, filling with tears. Tears he hadn't cried for nearly fifteen years. Tearing his eyes away from her bright blue ones he turned away from the healer and began to walk away.
As she watched him turn away, and slowly begin to walk away her mind became frantic. Her heart raced faster, beating stronger. And her tears began to fall quickly. But what was she supposed to do? She had done no better then he had. She had treated him no better then he had treated her.
But what she had said the previous night… It wasn't true. She hadn't meant it, much like he hadn't meant what he had said. What Kratos was putting himself through, for her… It was unfair.
"K-… Kratos… Wait…" She called out quietly, as she began towards him, her pace quick and light. But the angel continued to walk, not hearing her quiet words. "Wait." Raine said once more, grabbing his arm to stop him.
Kratos stopped and slowly turned to face her, only to see tears running down her cheeks. "I'm sorry…" Her words were strained as her breathing became rough, the tears falling slowly onto the ground.
Kratos blinked once or twice, looking down at Raine. "I never meant what I said last night. I didn't realize…" Kratos raised a finger to her lips, silencing her.
Raine stopped mid-sentence her eyes turning upwards to look into his face as his finger pressed gently against her lips. "Sh… Don't worry about it." He consoled gently, pulling her gently into a hug. He could feel her warm tears as they fell onto his shoulder, and her warm breath against his neck.
"I'm sorry…" She whispered quietly as she rested in his warm embrace.
Kratos exhaled slowly, still holding the maiden in his arms. Maybe there was hope for him… Maybe he could fill the emptiness in his heart, his mind… Maybe he could love again… Maybe…
0o0o0o0o0
Miss: -sob- I dedicate this to Scarlet. Thanks for keeping me working on this, I almost completely forgot about it. Xx
Mais: A dedication? What are you, some kind of lovey dovey freaky person?
Miss: -growl- Rg… -glares at Mais-
Mais: -rolls eyes-
Sammie: There is no need to fight.
Genis: What about me? Whatever happened to me? I just… disappeared!
Miss: I don't know! Use your imagination.
Lloyd: He doesn't have one any more, there's nothing left in his little head except for all that school stuff.
Genis: At least there is something in my head!
Lloyd: What's that supposed to mean!
Miss: Alright enough! Sheesh… .
Mais: Oh let them fight!
Sammie: No, fighting will solve nothing.
Genis: You know what it means!
Mais: Fight, fight, fight!
Miss: Shut up! . -draws sword again-
Everyone: OO -cricket chirps-
Miss: Thank you. Anyways, this is the LAST chapter… I think… If 5 people review and say they want me to continue, then I will write another chapter. Otherwise this is the end.
And a carrot to all reviewers! All those cookies can't possibly be good for everyone… Of course, I'm not complaining! Cookies are gooood… But a change is good. :P
