Genis: You have no life.

Me: Heh Heh.

Genis: You just updated 3 times in 1 day.

Me: I don't own ToS or Genis.

Chapter 8: in which Suspicions are made Known

Sheena frowned deeper. "Well?"

Chris squirmed a bit. "I have lived near here all my life…"

"Yeah, because everyone knows about secret ninja villages," Genis put in.

Lloyd came to Chris's rescue. "C'mon guys, people must know it's near here. Be reasonable."

Genis raised an eyebrow. "Secret being the key word in that sentence…"

Chris wasn't expecting such hostility. "Look," he spat out. "I know it exists. I know it's near here. So do a lot of people. My father, for one."

Sheena relaxed her frown a bit. "Okay, I'll admit it's not a complete secret…"

"Good," Chris said. "So anyway, your group seems covered in secrets. Don't you go telling me this is just a regular excursion for you guys."

Silence.

Chris looked around to discover everyone looking at him. "What?" he said slowly.

"Not exactly," Lloyd relented, cavalierly ignoring a severe look from Raine. "We're on a bit of a journey…"

Chris smiled. "That's cool. What's it all about?"

More silence.

Chris was sweating, but he covered it up by raising an eyebrow. Not easy to do. "Look," he said "For some reason you don't want to tell me what you're up to. I can't think of any reason for that, other than it being illegal," Chris said, narrowing his eyes. "And if that's the case…"

"No way man!" Zelos cut in. "I'm the Chosen. Is me doing illegal things likely?"

Chris rolled his eyes. "You do realize that in Meltokio, you're a wanted traitor? What's going on? I want answers!" Chris grimly continued.

Regal stepped forward. "We are not criminals," he said, each word measured. "We are only attempting to heal a flawed system…"

For the next half hour, Regal did nothing but explain. Raine looked as though she may interject, and Genis was livid, but other than that everyone was paying close attention.

"No kidding," Chris said slowly, once Regal finished talking. "Well, that settles it, I'm coming."

"What?" Raine said. "And why would you do that?"

"Because I want to help you guys! If this Regal guy's telling the truth, which I'm positive he is, I want to help!"

"How about your parents?" Raine shot back. "They must want you back."

Chris smiled mentally, but sighed outwardly. Time for the routine… "My mother died when I was born…"

Raine looked shocked, but stayed on track. "Your father then. He must be worried…"

Chris sighed deeper. Another half-truth spilled out of his mouth. "He sent me out… I'm living by myself now…"

Raine cut him off. "Is it because you were a half-elf?" she said, sympathizing slightly.

Chris's brow furrowed. Would this get him support, or not…. He could see how Raine got confused, as he was half human… He went out on a limb. "Yes…"

The group instantly seemed more open. Chris sighed again. "So, are you going to trust me?" he said, spreading his hands out.

"I do," Lloyd interjected.

"As do I," Presea added.

"It's cool with me!" Zelos stuck in, smiling.

Regal frowned. "But… this journey is dangerous…"

Chris grinned, showing his teeth. "I can fight," he said loudly.

"Prove it," came Genis's voice.

"Alright," Chris said, grinning. "Where?"

Bridge to Ozette.

1 and a half hours later.

"Okay," Raine said, calling the group to a halt. "This is it. Just around the corner is the bridge. There is always some type of scoundrels demanding fees, and they're usually armed."

Chris nodded. "I'm armed too," he said, showing his gauntlets.

"And legged," Lloyd observed in typical Lloyd fashion.

Chris laughed. "I suppose," he added, putting on his helmet...

"Ooh, macho now. Who you trying to impress? Scrawny pink-haired chick? Don't know what you're thinking, myself. Wait, nix that, I do know what you're thinking."

A ringing laugh sounded and Chris groaned.

"Worried?" Genis put in, slightly menacingly.

"Nah, just a headache," Chris replied lightly. He walked towards the bridge, immersed in another argument with… well… himself.

"Now, if I were you, I'd go for that well endowed dangerous chick. She's got it."

"Was that you during breakfast? You nearly blew my cover!"

"It wasn't the Jolly Green Giant, kiddo."

"God, enough corny jokes! Why don't you just shut up for once!?"

Little did Chris know, a wise-cracking, axe wielding, armored, 400 lb, easily agitated man was guarding the bridge today. Chris was so preoccupied, however, that he didn't even notice.

"Out loud again. Geez, you have no control.

The axe man opened his mouth, face turning red.

"Just shut up!" Chris literally yelled.

The man grumbled out in a dark undertone, "You wanna fight?" Chris didn't notice.

"For future reference," Wolf-Chris said quietly at the same time, "Do you value your limbs?"

"Of course I do!" Chris said, aloud again. "What kind of stupid question is that?"

This served as an answer to both parties. The axe man's response was to reach for said axe, hefting it menacingly. The wolf's response was to make a wise-guy comment.

"Then stop talking aloud, because this big fellow is about to rend your head from your shoulders."

Chris came back to the present with a pop, or more like a swish, with the swish being an axe aimed at his neck. He rapidly ducked, blade whistling over his head.

"Ooh, so close. Looks like I'm stuck with you for a bit longer."

Chris moved forward, parrying the next blow, and then delivered two slashes to the face. He was going for the uppercut, when…

"Mind the bloke's foot."

Chris took a heavy blow in a certain section of the male anatomy. This couldn't stop the uppercut, though, and it drove home underneath the man's chin, knocking him out, and basically slicing off his chin.

"That must have been painful. Go ahead and pass out, I know you're dying to."

Chris took this advice, and, clutching his…

"Way to ruin the end of the chapter, moron."

Chris sank into unconsciousness.

"Better. This kid has no common sense, I like him more asleep."

Hey wait, you can talk to me?

"Well, I am a supernatural being. We have some strange powers."

Yeah but, conversing with the author? Ok whatever. I'm ending this chapter NOW!

"Okie dokey."

Me: Geez that wolf-Chris is a pain.

I resent that.

Genis: HAHAHAHAHAAAAA

Me: AAARGH!!! Review this NOW!!! Please???