Anna woke up to find Lloyd next to her fast asleep. She looked adoringly at her son for a little while, gently brushing his stubborn spikes down, but to no use. Anna sighed and smiled. Why he had to get Kratos's hair and my color, I'll never know. She looked over at Kratos and had to smile again. Kratos was fast asleep, one arm over his wife and son. Noise was next him, his head resting on his paws as he watched the trees intently. Anna sighed and looked at the exsphere in her hand and glared furiously at it. It because of this that my family is out here in the woods! It's because of this that I'm to weak to move right now! It's because of this that I'll have to leave the Jalisa! Her heart turned over and tears sprang into her eyes. I can't!!! How could I leave the Jalisa!

Lloyd stirred and opened his eyes. Anna shook her head and picked the boy up and fed him, afterward holding him close as he yawned and squirmed. "I'll protect you Lloyd…even if I have to protect you from myself. I'll protect you and Daddy. I promise." Lloyd grinned and reached for Noishe. "All right! I'm putting you down." Lloyd crawled toward Noishe and tugged on his ears. Noishe licked the boy, making him laugh and clap his hands. Anna looked at Kratos, sleeping peacefully next to her and ran a hand through his hair, causing him to smile, even though he was still sound asleep.

He looks so happy when he's asleep…and when he's awake now too. The shadows that were in his eyes when we met have almost disappeared. He laughs now…he smiles. It's hard to believe he's done what he has and been through four thousand years of damnation…so he calls it. Anna laid down touched her forehead to Kratos's gripping one of his hands in hers. Please Goddess…please…don't take me from here. I don't want to leave my family. Please Martel…don't let Kratos suffer anymore. Don't let Lloyd go through the pain of losing a parent like I did. Please…

She opened her eyes to stare straight into Kratos's brown ones. She could see the pity and apologies in his eyes. She could see the sadness, the regret, the rage, the desperation…the fear. A tear raced down her cheek and Kratos brushed it away before pulling her as close to him as he could and holding her tightly. "I love you with all of my soul, Anna. I swear…we will beat this…and Mithos and return to Asilaj soon. I will protect you and Lloyd no matter what happens."

Anna began to cry and clutched at her husband. "I know Kratos. I know. I won't leave you. I swear it." Kratos kissed her, long and hard.

There was a tug on his sword belt. He looked over to find Lloyd trying to pull out Kratos's sword, his small face scrunched up in effort. Kratos and Anna both laughed out loud. Anna shook her head. "No son of mine will wield a double edged blade!"

Kratos mock glared at her. "Oh, do you intend him to swing around those two sticks you calls twin blades?" Kratos rolled over with a roar and picked Lloyd up, holding him up above his head and making faces. Lloyd laughed and reached for Kratos. Kratos sat up and put him in his lap, rubbing his back. "All right, Lloyd. What do you think? A double edge like Dad-"

"Or a twin blade like mom?" Anna added, sitting up. Lloyd looked at both his parents for a minute and burped before reaching for his mom. Anna laughed and picked him up. "I so win!" She grinned at Kratos, who drew himself up in mock indignation.

"You actually believe the sentiments of so young of a person count? I am the oldest and wisest and cleverest and I say-" At that point Noishe bounded over and leaped on Kratos, knocking him on his back and licking his face relentlessly, ruining his dignity. Anna laughed as Kratos tried to fight the huge beast off. When he finally sat up, he grinned devilishly at Anna and Lloyd, who were both laughing. "You think it's funny, huh?" he said in a low voice.

"Oh no!" Anna squealed, "We gotta run Lloyd!" She jumped to her feet with Lloyd in her arms, and dashed off into the woods, pursued by a laughing Kratos and a barking Noishe.

As they walked back into Asilaj, Denise and Ahmond met them at the gate, looking relieved.

"Thank goodness," Ahmond said. "Are you all ok?" Anna nodded. "Good," he replied before turning around and poking Kratos in the chest. "You've got some explaining to do, angel."

Kratos raised his eyebrows and crossed his arms. "Aren't you going to call me a traitor and try to kill me?"

Ahmond crossed his arms and glared as well. "I heard what happened. You may still be my enemy, but you did not betray Jalisa. For that, I spare your life…but do not and never will trust you." Ahmond turned around and glared at the villagers, who were mumbling and eyeing Kratos warily. Anna was standing next to him and they shouted at the same time, "If you've got something to say, say it out loud?"

No one moved.

"If you do not trust my judgment," Anna continued, ignoring Kratos covering his eyes in exasperation, "then ask yourselves: has Kratos ever lead us to believe that he is an enemy?" She strode to the center of the town square, holding Lloyd and launched her voice out over the village as she raised her exsphere hand. Some of the villagers gasped, for few knew of the exsphere since Anna wore gloves with her assassin uniform. "I have the mark of Cruxis upon me!" she announced. "Even now, a Cruxis crystal is growing inside my body and will ultimately kill me if no crest is found." People came out of their houses to watch Anna face down the village. It made Kratos proud to see her take charge with a baby on her hip. Anna pointed at Kratos. "Yet he, a former angel of Cruxis, did not put this upon me. It was Kvar…lead to us by none other than Felicity Jamison." There was an outraged cry at this, the Jalisa enraged at betrayal from one of their own. "So I ask you…who is really our enemy?"

Silence.

Denise stepped forward. "Our enemy is Cruxis, the Desians…and Felicity. No one else." There was outcry of agreement that actually made Kratos smile. After living so long, thinking he was worthless and damned, to have Anna face her entire clan just for him…

"Ahmond Senshi!" Anna yelled. "Come forth!" Ahmond strode forward, radiating confidence and power equal to that of Anna's born leadership. Anna clasped his hand and whispered, "You know what I must do."

Ahmond shook his head furiously. "No! Anna you can't! We need you!"

Anna smiled. "That is exactly why I must go and find a way to rid myself of this cursed object. When that time comes…your leader will return…I swear." Ahmond bit his lip and nodded. Anna turned back to the crowd, her voice carrying, but weighted with sadness. Before she could speak, Kratos was by her side, a hand on her shoulder in comfort.

"My people…" she said. "My friends. My family. Our clan has been torn by tragedy as of late. Our leaders, my parents, were killed with my brothers and my sister has become a traitor. We've lost many of our loved ones and comrades. It grieves me to say...that I too…" Kratos gripped her shoulder. "I must go." The villagers shouted protests, several starting forward, but Anna shook her head. "If I remain here…they'll find us all. It is me they want…not you. Not only that…but I will die if I stay from this devilish plight Kvar has bestowed upon me. And I refuse to leave my son, my husband, and my clan. Your leader will return someday…I swear it. But I must leave." She turned to Ahmond. "As leader of the Jalisa assassins, a right bestowed on me by my ancestry, I hereby pass leadership to the Senshi family, Ahmond and Denise Senshi."

Anna looked around her office at headquarters, lightly caressing the polished wooden desktop. Lightning flashed out the window, reflecting off the polished surface. How many times did my dad sit here and plan how to save lives? How many times did mom? How many times did I sit here and plan for my people… She proceeded up the stairs to her room. Lloyd was gurgling and playing in his crib while Kratos closed his travel pack, his back to her. Every time I see him…my heart pounds and flutters…Electricity shoots through my blood and I want to just hold him forever…I love him so much…I can't leave him and Lloyd…I must go…but it is so hard…

Kratos turned a smiled at her. She loved his smile. It almost was like there was no tragedy and they weren't running for their lives with their baby boy. "Well…we're packed. Not that it gives you any joy." Kratos walked over and kissed her softly, rubbing her shoulders. "We'll be back."

"I hope so," Anna whispered. Kratos brushed a tear from her cheek and retrieved his old armor. Since they weren't going to be in Asilaj, he would wear his normal armor, which let him feel much more comfortable. Anna sighed and grabbed the only remaining assassin outfit in the room. She shrugged into the leather suit and attached her blue armor plates. She had bequeathed the leader's silver ones to Ahmond, since Felicity had stolen the male green ones of her father. She laced up her black boots and pulled on her gloves and her cape, her sword belt and swords in her hand. She stared at herself with disbelief. The blue armor…was so unnatural after so long in the silver. It made it more final than anything that she was leaving.

"Anna," Kratos said from behind her. She turned to find Ahmond and Denise in the door way, holding a wrapped bundle.

"We talked it over with the rest of the village," Ahmond said. "We decided that while tradition is nice, sentiment often gets in the way." He unwrapped the bundle and pulled out the silver plates her mother had worn, the one that had passed on to Ahmond. Anna tried to protest, but Ahmond shook his head.

"We're having another set of silver and green armor plates made," Denise said softly. "The rest of the village thinks you should keep your mothers armor…it is only right."

Anna didn't know what to say. She looked at her two friends and threw herself at them, hugging them close. "Thank you…" she whispered. "Thank you both for everything…everything you've done for me and the clan all these years." She stepped away and wiped her eyes. "I love you. Both of you."

Ahmond smiled. "It's not goodbye, Anna." Denise nodded. "We will meet again, my friend. Anna nodded and smiled back, picking Lloyd up and holding him for comfort.

Denise turned to Kratos and hugged him. "Take care of her and Lloyd, Kratos. We'll miss you."

Kratos smiled. "Thank you, Denise. Coming from you, that means a lot. We will meet again." Denise nodded, kissed Lloyd, petted Noishe and left. Ahmond stood and glared at Kratos.

"Kratos," Ahmond said.

"Ahmond," Kratos replied.

"Well," Ahmond said. "Farewell." He walked out the door pausing by Kratos long enough to whisper, "If you let her die…I will never forgive you!" And he was gone.

Anna turned to stare in the mirror, holding Lloyd close to her heart as tears streamed down her face. These aren't goodbyes…these aren't goodbyes… Suddenly she felt something wrap around her neck. Looking down, she saw a gold locket resting on her chest. "Kratos what-" but he whispered in her ear, "Open it." She opened the locket and gasped. In it was a drawing of her, Kratos and Lloyd.

"Ahmond drew it and Denise made the locket in the forge," Kratos said. "Think of it as a memory of those who love you best." Anna was silent for a very long time. She eventually turned and kissed Kratos.

"Like I could forget," she said.

Anna put Lloyd in a sling on her from, making sure the cloth and her cape shielded him from the rain. She put on her floppy brimmed hat and sheathed her swords, checking to make sure her hidden weapons were all present and that they had everything they needed. She went downstairs and joined Kratos on the porch. He took her hand and followed Noishe outside.

The entire village lined the path out of the gate as Anna and Kratos walked. Atop the gate stood Ahmond. When Anna drew level, she looked up and saluted him. He returned the salute and smiled. The gate closed behind them and Anna stopped looking up at the wooden walls. A cry echoed from the villagers growing louder until it became a screaming chant. "Jamison and Aurion! Jamison and Aurion!"

Kratos put an arm around her shoulder, but said nothing. He didn't have to.

"So if Kratos finds Ainois, he can form the ring of the pact, and a human can wield it?" Botta asked as Yuan paced.

"Yes," Yuan said, "but he has to go to Derris-Kharlan for that. As well as for the mana fragment to create the Rune Crest."

"So does he intend to release the seal?" Botta asked. "If so…then there is no reason we should worry. He seeks the same aim as we do in joining Sylvarant and Tethe'alla."

Yuan shook his head. "The position changed when he got married and had a son. He knows he'll live longer than them, so he will wait to release the seal when they are both gone. We can not wait that long." Yuan growled. "I've been ordered to guard the mana fragments against Kratos. If I do so…Anna will be captured by Kvar and ultimately die, I'm sure of it. The son will probably meet the same fate. Kratos would then be more than willing to release the seal."

"So you're saying we allow Anna to fall into Kvar's hands?" Botta asked. "But what if she is able to act as Martel's vessel"

"Kratos won't let that happen to her." Yuan smiled. "He would do anything to prevent it. And she'll beg for anything to prevent it."

"Ah…" Botta said in understanding. "Understood. What are your orders then?"

"Keep tabs on Asilaj and Kratos and Anna. Plus that wretched Felicity. If she thinks I'll keep my end of the deal and give her Asilaj…she is a fool."

"Then why not kill her?" Botta said.

"She's giving me information that she thinks is being relayed to Kvar," Yuan said. "If she is killed, they'll find a source outside of my control. We can kill her as soon as Anna is dead."

"Understood, my lord." Botta left.

Yuan sighed. "It must be done…yet I can't help feel sorry for Kratos. But Mithos has to be stopped. Kratos helped him for far too long…he must pay for it."

I like Yuan...but that doesn't stop him from being an arrogant jerk. Whew! Now we can get to the good stuff invloving the family's flight and the ultimate fate that befalls them. Review please!