Tales of a Journey

By: Rogue White Dragon (aka Dragoness)

Disclaimer: I don't own TOS

Chapter 14 – Where's Lloyd?

(Siena's POV)

The next morning, everyone was rather quiet. Lan didn't even come out of his room till noon. He looked like he hadn't slept a wink. Zelos, the annoying red head, grinned at Lloyd's son when he entered the Regal's room, where the Renegades had brought us lunch. I glanced around, wondering briefly why we always ended up in this room. Hmm, that's kind of weird, isn't it?

"Hey Lan, how'd you sleep?"

Lan gave his future step-father a withering look, and sat down at the table beside me. He turned his head slightly to look at me, and opened his mouth to speak. I didn't feel like talking to him right now. Standing up, I turned to Sheena

"Uh, Sheena, do you know where I could take a bath?"

She gave a small nod

"Come on, I'll show you."

I stood up, completely ignoring Lan. If he could be childish, I could be too.

(Zelos's POV)

I grinned weakly at Lan. He cringed when Siena stopped long enough at the door to glare at him. Poor guy, Siena seemed pretty angry with him. Well, if anyone knew how deal with these kind of problems, it was me. I'm a pro. Well, kind of.

"So, Lan, what exactly happened between the two of you?"

Stupid question. Don't know why I bother sometimes. The kid obviously hates me.

"Nothing."

He snapped. I sighed, and looked around. Was it me, or was the room suddenly barren of all females?

"Doesn't look like nothing."

It was probing a fire with a straw of hay. Pointless, and quite useless. Oh, and burning fingers. I wouldn't be surprised if he stabbed me to death one of these days.

"It's none of your business."

He said coldly, grabbing some food from table. I glanced around. Why did Regal have a dinning room table in his room? Life just wasn't fair.

"Well, then I'm making it my business. You're making everyone nervous, you're in some sort of fight with Siena, and your father hasn't come down to eat yet."

Lan flinched at the mention of Lloyd. He'd have to get used to the idea eventually. The two had seemed like they were becoming friends. I thought that Lan would be happy to find out Lloyd was his father.

"Shut up, idiot."

He growled, shoving food into his mouth. Maybe I shouldn't try talking to him when he had a fork and knife in his hands. Hmm, I didn't exactly want to end my life anytime soon. I sighed. Somebody had to talk to him, and it looked like Sheena didn't do to good of a job.

"First, I think we should come to terms with why you're angry."

I said, putting on a grin. Sometimes, this group was just so depressing. What would they do without me?

"Has anyone ever told you how incredibly annoying you are? Leave me the hell alone."

Lan pointed his fork at me. I was rather glad that I had my shield beside me. He'd probably use the fork to kill me any minute now.

"Ok, then we won't talk about Siena, or Lloyd. But I want to let you know that you've hurt your mother."

He blinked up at me, looking a little confused. I sighed, shaking my head. Teens now a days could be ignorant.

"Lan, you know me, I'll pester you till you talk. Why don't we just cut to the chase? Start talking kid."

I made my tone serious. He was starring at his lap now, hands resting on the table.

"Well?"

I asked, staring at him. He didn't look up, be replied

"Did he abandon my mom?"

I blinked at him.

"That's really not for me to tell. Why don't you talk to your parents? Is that why you're angry?"

He stood, and grabbed his plate, leaving the room. I sighed again. Sheena raised a difficult son. This would all just go a lot easier if he just talked to someone.

"Zelos? Have you seen Lloyd?"

Genis entered the room, looking a little worried. I frowned at him, and shook my head. Now that I thought about it, Lloyd was supposed to be sharing a room with Lan, wasn't he?

"Is something wrong?"

Genis shifted a little, and Presea came up beside him

"No one's seen Lloyd since last night."

Uh oh, this wasn't good. Where would he have gone? He wouldn't just leave without telling us, would he? Something felt very wrong.

"Then I guess we should go and search for him."

I replied, standing up

"Raine's asking the Renegades if any of them have seen Lloyd. So far, nothing."

"We've got something."

Raine said coming up behind her brother. I had joined Genis and Presea, and we walking down the hall, when the other half elf had joined us. We were all looking at her a little curiously

"One of the Renegades said that he say Lloyd leave on his reihard. Judging from the direction the Renegade said he left in, I believe he's gone back to Iselia."

Raine said matter-of-factly.

"Why would he just leave us like that?"

Genis demanded, sounding a little angry.

"Well, we'll have to got ask him to find out. I'll tell Regal where we're going. He can tell the others, and meet us there."

Lan had walked off to who-knows-where, Siena was taking a bath, no idea where Sheena would be now, and Regal was sleeping in his room. I was beginning to think the guy could sleep through anything. After informing Regal of the situation, the four of us left.

(Siena's POV)

I stepped out of the gigantic bathroom, fully refreshed, and not feeling quite so angry at a certain stupid human. Making my way back to where I figured the others would be, I ran into a very pale looking Lan. What was wrong with him now? Stupid emotional human.

"What's your problem now?"

I demanded, glaring at him. He flinched, and replied

"Lloyd's gone back to Iselia. Well, that's what Regal says, at least. If he's not there, then, well, he's disappeared."

And that would have been all your fault, eh, Lan? I frowned at him, and he continued

"Raine, Genis, Presea and Zelos all went a head. Regal says we're supposed to follow as soon as we're all ready."

Well, it had seemed strangely quiet, should have known something was up.

"Then let's get going."

He gave a small nod, and grabbing his wrist, I dragged him back to Regal's room. Sheena was waiting in there with the other human, and when I arrived pulling Lan behind me, they stood up. We left quietly. This group really seemed to care about each other. Strange, elves were so different. Everything was always about your duty. No one really cared how you felt about anything. I smiled slightly, shaking my head. Humans had it so easy.

(Lloyd's POV)

I winced, holding my side tightly, trying to stop the blood. Who'd have thought, that a quick visit to my dad's house, could result in something like this? I had only wanted to talk to Colette, and see Mattrim. Colette always knew how to make me feel better, and it would have been nice to see a son who didn't hate me. I tried sitting up, but that really didn't help the gapping wound in my side. I should have known Arkus would find out where my family was. Lucky me, I just happened to arrive when they were being attacked. Instead of killing us all, they took Colette and Mattrim, knocked out Dirk, and left me bleeding quite profusely. Did I mention I already lost a lot of blood? I began to wonder if I'd even make it out of this. Why didn't they just kill me, and get it over with? Why take my family? Not that I was going to argue with them about keeping them alive, but killing me would kind of defy the purpose of kidnapping my family. Maybe they didn't realize just how badly I'd been wounded.

Dirk limped over to me, having just regained consciousness. Maybe I wouldn't die after all. My dad ripped off one of his sleeves, moved my hand, and pressed the torn cloth firmly against my side. I winced, and looked at him weakly.

"You're going to be alright, son."

I certainly hoped so. Arkus just declared war. If he thought I'd let him get away with this alive, he was sorely mistaken. Now, I just had to live, and I could go save my family.

"Lloyd!"

I heard someone gasp from the door way. Wow, was it me, or was the world suddenly spinning? No Lloyd, you had to stay awake. If you fall asleep, you might not wake up! I scolded myself. Besides, I didn't want to die without setting things right with Lan. He was my son, after all. But shit, I just couldn't keep my eyes open.

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I'll update pretty soon. I've already got half the next chapter done. Hope you enjoyed the update, and please review!

Thanks to…

Hemi-Rose: . glad u liked it. I tried for a tense chapter, so I'm happy it seemed to work. Thanks for the review!

Yukashi Tenshi: nope, no beta . hope u like the update, thanks for reviewing

Fan Fan Girl: glad u enjoyed, and thanks for all the long reviews you've given me! .

I'll probably update tomorrow morning, or afternoon, hope you enjoyed it, even if it is a little shorter than usual…ciao