Me: And there it is! Yet another chapter/Part to TU!
April: Yes...it was nice that you ended the last chapter on such a happy note. Everything's been so…well…serious lately.
Me: And the best thing to cure seriousness is laughter!
To Understand: Part Thirty-six
Awkward Situation II
By Harmony283
Reviews: 6
Hiranieas-Yes Raine did interrupt their kiss—or almost kiss. But of course she still has yet to get an answer why. And, knowing her, she'd probably continue to ask him about it until he answered. And yet again, that'd be awkward. And yes, Mithos laughing. I wanted to put that in TU, well, because it'd be cute…and it is! And here's the next chapter—so enjoy!
Viaroura Fox-Yeah, I liked the ending too! Everything just seemed so tense, so why not lighten it up a bit before going back to serious-ness? Anyways, here's the next chapter—enjoy!
Alaia Skyhawk-Yes 'ouch' would be a good way to describe what happened—or how Lloyd feels at the moment. But no, he didn't run into everyone. It's more like he tripped and everyone fell on him (it goes into detail in the beginning of this chapter about how it happened). And here's the next chapter—enjoy!
Mizuki hikari-Mmhmm Mithos did get caught in the act, and one can imagine how, well, confused Raine feels at the moment. The one person who had been considered their enemy almost kissed her younger brother…hmm, well anyways, I'm glad you liked the chapter and here's the next one!
Takokinoko-Yes the fluff is back. I didn't really think I'd put any in until Exire—but then this little awkward scene just popped in my head. And yes, it's always good if you can laugh about things even though you're going through some hard times. It just shows that you have a better chance of getting through them. And yes, Raine and Kratos went to heal everyone else—but they're right outside the door and so Mithos doesn't/isn't going to try anything again. And no the reason they go to Exire doesn't have to do with Pronyma or Rachel, but I can't really say here for risk of spoiling it to people who want to find out. So if you really wanna know, you can contact me via PM or on dA. And thanks again for the good luck! I just finished presenting my project yesterday (Wednesday) and it went better than I thought it would. As always, I hope you enjoy this chapter:D
DraNKa-Yes the update, I was actually planning on getting it out today, but then I finished it last night and I had some computer time, so yeah, I got it up earlier than expected. But hopefully I won't have any huge projects for while—we're going to start reading Julius Caesar (sp?) in English so…that could take a while. And yes, Mithos did have quite a close call there. Luckily Kratos already knew about him and Genis and came to the rescue (in a way). And don't worry, Raine will have some time to get used to them being together—and besides, she's going to have to since, at the end, they're going to be traveling together. So don't worry, she won't turn into the overprotective Martel—who seemed to really hate Genis—like in 'Idiot Seraphim'. And, yeah, I definitely needed to thank you for drawing that cute pic of Mithos laughing—I think—when I commented on it—I actually said you gave me an idea…and now I'm using it! Also during all of this, Mithos' Cruxis Crystal isn't with him—it's with Genis. But, if you had been paying attention, the red stone Mithos found when he was talking with Feral was the Cruxis Crystal—cuz Genis doesn't have it when he wakes up. And yes, I definitely agree—all we can do is hope, cuz it'd be sooo cute if we could hear that. And now here's the next chapter—enjoy:D
Me: Well here it is, the chapter that Pronyma was supposed to die in.
April: Yes, well, she almost died, right?
Me: Yeah, but then that makes me wonder when she will die, because I said she was going to, so she's going to.
April: Yes…as sad as that sounds…you're right. Now I'll do the disclaimer: Harmony283 doesn't own ToS or any of its characters. But she does, however, own me, Feral, any OC's and the plot. So don't steal us!
Authors Note: I'm sure they won't, April. So don't worry. Now then, in the last chapter we left off where Mithos just burst out laughing. How will everyone react to this sudden bout of, well, normal-ness? And Lloyd is still as confused as ever on the aspect of Mithos' and Genis' relationship. Also the tension in the air just keeps getting thicker, and Lloyd wonders why (most of this chapter is told in Lloyds POV)
April: So basically this is a continuation of last chapter?
Me: Yeah, basically it is. After this chapter--which was kinda filler-ish in a way--they should be getting back to the main plot line again.
April: Oh I see. So they'll be getting out of Venhiem either in the next chapter or the one after that?
Me: Well, I can't really say but I'm hoping that's the way it goes...though usually things don't turn out that way...-shrug-
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Lloyds POV
Yeesh, out of all the people I had ever thought would go running off like that, Raine wasn't one of them.
And yet she had.
And she didn't come back.
She hadn't even listened to us.
Now that definitely was not like the Professor.
Normally she's the one telling us not to go running of.
Not to go somewhere or do something.
Not to battle against certain monsters.
Because she's smart and knows what's best for the team.
But this…she must be really worried about Genis.
Why wouldn't she be? I mean, Genis is her only--to our knowledge--living relative. I know I'd be worried if Kratos--wait, no…that…Kratos.
Oh…
Wait a sec. That applied to me as well, didn't it? I mean, Kratos is my father and my only living relative.
So I should worry about his well being.
But I don't.
Well that was weird.
I side glanced at Kratos, who seemed annoyed--and worried--still.
"Kratos?"
He looked up when I said his name.
"Yes, Lloyd?"
"You've been uptight since we got here. And you've been worried."
"Hmm, I'm worried only about the usual."
"Which would be…?"
"Why Pronyma turned on us, and this 'other way' Genis mentioned to Mithos."
"So you're also worried about them, aren't you?"
"Yes, in a way, I am. It seems that Pronyma has done…significant damage to things as it is." Kratos sighed, "And I…"
he shook his head, cutting himself off.
"You what?"
"It's nothing." He turned his gaze back to look the direction Raine had gone.
"I think I'll join Raine in this search. Who knows what monsters may be lurking about still."
"Huh? Ah--wait!"
it was too late.
Kratos had already teleported away.
And because of that, everyone--who had either been too caught up in their own thoughts to notice our conversation, or they had been bickering, like Sheena and Zelos--turned to face me.
"Where's Kratos going?"
"After Raine. He's, well, worried. He said that there might be other monsters around."
"That's…not good. You said Raine had to heal didn't you?" Rachel asked, turning to face her daughter.
April nodded her head, "Yes, she does. I'm worried too. But I can't…fight very well so--"
"Don't worry! I'll go with you." I said, smiling at her.
After all, I was worried too.
"And I'll go…to make sure Genis is okay." Colette piped up from her position next to Sheena, who immediately nodded her head in agreement.
"well if Lloyd's goin' then I'm definitely goin'." Zelos stated, a grin spreading on his lips.
"I believe I might as well go too." Presea murmured, eyeing the sleeping black dragon with a look of uncertainty.
"And I will go as well." Regal quickly offered, also giving the dragon a wary glance.
I smiled, "See? Now you won't have to worry about monsters! We'll protect you from them!"
"Yes…thank you."
"Now let's go!"
And with that said, I ran off through the remainder of the lobby, and through the door.
I don't know how many flights of stairs I had to run up but all I knew was that…I was really loosing my patience.
"Raine, Kratos where are you--AHH!"
And then I fell.
Crap.
"Oww!" both Colette and Sheena cried out at the same time, crashing--and falling--on me at the same time.
"Gah! Lloyd!" Zelos followed soon after.
"My head." April whimpered and I felt, yet again, more pressure added to my back.
"My arm still hurts." That was Rachel, but she didn't fall. She just floated off to the side like a hologram.
" Um…is everyone okay?" Colette asked, also floating above everyone else, with the help of her angel wings.
"Please get off me…you are squishing me." That was Presea.
"This is…strange." And then Regal right on top of her.
Suddenly Sheena cried out, obviously realizing Zelos had fallen on her.
"Eww, Zelos get offa me!"
Then she slapped him.
"Is everyone okay?" I blinked and looked up, well, as much as I could.
It was Raine.
"Professor Raine!"
"No we aren't!" Sheena cried out, still trying to get Zelos off of her while he tended to his wounded cheek.
"Did you find Genis?" Colette asked, floating over to the Professor with a concerned look on her face.
"Is he okay?" April asked, staggering to get up.
Of course, she succeeded--mostly because she had Rachels help and because she was one of the last people to fall.
Kratos then came out of the room as well, a slightly amused look on his face.
Then I heard laughing.
The type of laughing that sounded so, well, good to hear.
Almost like whoever had been laughing hadn't laughed in a long while.
The most disturbing thing about the laugh, though, was that it was coming from Mithos.
Woah…wait, back up.
That laugh was coming from MITHOS?!
That seemed a bit…hard to swallow.
But why would he be laughing?
Or was he…laughing at us?
And where was Genis?
Or was Genis with Mithos?
Was he laughing too?
Almost too soon I feel weight being lifted off of me, and soon I too am sitting up and being healed.
And after that, just out of curiosity—and annoyance since the said laughter was not ceasing and desisting—I walked towards the room where both Raine and Kratos had been in.
And lo and behold, there was Mithos, now shaking with silent laughter—the kind that tickles your inside and, from experience, is seemingly impossible to stop—with Genis in his lap.
"Well don't they look cute together?"
I froze as the gentle whisper entered my ear.
Thank goodness that both Mithos, and everyone behind us, were busy.
"Zelos…?"
the red head nodded his head, a gentle smirk gracing his features.
Though how a smirk could be gentle was beyond me.
"Well, don't you think those two are cute together?" He asked again, though this time he was standing next to me.
I nodded my head dumbly, the words not really processing in my mind.
How could they look cute together?
Then I remembered what Zelos had said back in Iselia—when we had been alone in my room talking about Kratos', well, comfortableness with our new relationship.
Mithos was obviously gay.
But Genis--?
"Uh…"
"well it looks like you two are okay. What happened."
I blinked and snapped my attention back to Mithos, who had a smile—well it was more of a combination of a smile and a smirk—on his face.
He was still hold Genis protectively against him, as if he were afraid the young half-elf would get taken away.
And I couldn't blame him.
Though why Genis was the target of Pronyma was beyond me.
I think Pronyma may have said something about her reasons why—and Mithos had said Genis found another way to revive Martel—but…I couldn't remember…hmm…
"You know, you can stop staring now."
I blinked, snapping away from my thoughts at Mithos' icy tone, "Uh…eh-heh-heh…sorry. But, um, is Genis okay? I mean, is he going to be okay?"
Mithos looked down at the apparently sleeping boy in his lap, a strange emotion on his face.
"I don't know."
"Well if you don't know then we have to get him somewhere where he can get help…because here, as you can see, is not the place to do that."
Raine stated, appearing on the other side of me.
"Ah…well, yeah, I know that." Mithos said, his face flushing lightly.
Raine scowled, "But first we have to move him. And I want to make sure he really is sleeping."
Mithos mirrored the scowl perfectly, "I can check for you y'know. Besides he's breathing."
"Really now."
And suddenly, there was tension in the air.
"Everyone's okay now Raine!" April called out, walking up behind us.
She too noticed the tension and looked from Raine, to Mithos and the limp form of Genis.
"Is he okay?" She asked, her voice kind as she made her way past us, placing a hand on Raines shoulder to, obviously, keep her from going anywhere.
Then I remembered.
Raine was hurt too.
"I think he'll be fine, but his wounds—like the one on his back—have opened up again."
"Then we need to heal those right away." After saying this, Raine walked quickly over to where the two half-elf boys were sitting, and moved to take Genis out of Mithos' arms.
"Raine! You've already used up most of your energy getting us out of that trap and then healing everyone! I'll do it."
Raine backed up slightly, looking back at April with an annoyed look on her face.
She obviously didn't want Mithos anywhere near Genis.
Or rather, Genis anywhere near Mithos.
But that was the same thing…wasn't it?
I watched silently, Zelos squeezing my hand lightly, as Raine backed away and let April move forward to heal the two boys.
And the tension just kept getting thicker.
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Raines POV
I watched silently as April healed Genis and Mithos.
It pained me that I couldn't help my brother.
Especially after this…mounting guilt that had suddenly, well, decided to show up and become a permanent visitor.
I didn't want it, but it didn't care.
I sighed softly to myself, now I could hear Genis breathing.
That was good.
So Mithos hadn't lied.
But that still didn't ease my, well, wariness of him.
After what almost transpired…well, now I'm wondering why Mithos tried to kiss Genis.
My mind kept screaming that he had at least a crush on him.
But the 'at least' part is what scared me the most.
Why had I thought of that anyway? It had been clear when we first met the boy, that he had taken a liking to Genis. But…had that 'liking' turned into love in such a short period of time?
And besides, they were…well, besides the age difference--which would be called pedophilism--it was unnerving that Mithos--someone who used to be our enemy, but now was our ally--had even attempted something like that.
Then I had to wonder, exactly when did those feelings develop?
Genis was still young--he barely understood the concept of love.
'But what if Mithos told Genis how he felt?'
I shook my head. How could he? They had close to no time alone together.
Okay, maybe when we were traveling around together they had shared a hotel room. But even then I had been in to check on them every fifteen or so minutes. And I had a connecting door, so that definitely ruled that out.
And then there was that time when I had gotten sick--though I doubt it was then either because they were most likely too worried--or at least Genis was. (A/N: I don't remember if this came before the pact w/Luna, but I'm pretty sure it did--I can't find where I had it written down)
Finally there was the time when he stayed behind for when we went to go make the pact with Luna. That…well actually, it couldn't be ruled out because they had spent a long time together. And Genis even said so himself that Mithos had saved his life.
So if Mithos did tell Genis about his feelings then it would've had to be then.
But that is saying if he did tell him. If he didn't--or if I'm just jumping to conclusions--which I really don't think I am--then I have nothing to worry about.
Who am I kidding?
Of course I'm worried! I'm worried about Genis' health, my own health, if Pronyma's dead or not, what is this other way Genis apparently mentioned to Mithos, and finally, if Mithos really did tell Genis about his feelings…how did he react?
"There, all done. I think his wound has closed up significantly. Though I can't say it's fully healed." April looked sad, or at least she sounded sad.
"That's good. I guess we'll just have to keep him under strict watch though."
I blinked, "And why would that be? Isn't Pronyma--?"
"No Pronyma's not dead. And neither is her accomplice--my look-alike."
"Your…look alike?" Lloyd asked, walking up to stand next to me with a confused look on his face.
"Yeah, my look-alike. He looks almost exactly like me…but he's, well, dark."
"Dark?"
"Yeah…"
"But how can you feel dark?" Lloyd asked.
And this time I had to wonder with him.
How could someone feel dark? Dark was caused by lack of light…how can a feeling have a lack of light?
"I don't know…but he isn't from Sylvarant, or Tethe'alla."
"Then where is he from?"
Well Lloyd was certainly filled with questions today. I wish he had acted like that during class.
Suddenly, right when Mithos was about to open his mouth once more, Genis moved, unconsciously snuggling closer to Mithos--who then proceeded to blush.
"Uh…"
"I think Genis might be waking up!"
Mithos looked down at the boy, and my eyes fixed on him as well.
"I…don't think here would be the best place for him to wake up. Pronyma's still lurking about and she'll stop at nothing to get what she wants."
It made me wonder what he meant.
And, just as I was about to open my mouth to ask this question.
I heard a cracking sound.
"Or rather, I think we should get out of this room at least."
I nodded my head in agreement, "Yes, you're right. Something…doesn't feel right."
"Then let's leave."
I nodded my head, "Yes, lets."
"Okay then--where to?" Zelos asked from his position leaning against the doorframe.
Well that was a good question.
"Let's try getting out of here first." Mithos stated, trying to maneuver himself so that he could get up without disturbing Genis from his slumber, and keeping him in his arms.
Before anyone could make another noise, Mithos walked through the room, cradling Genis like he was his most precious belonging, and out the door, past the obviously dumbfounded group who had waited outside.
And I knew then that Mithos, as well as Genis--though he was unconcious so he didn't really count--wasn't telling us something.
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Me: -sigh-there it is, I'm finally finished! I meant to update this yesterday, but then my History teacher decided to have us do this 'teach the class' day for two days next week (the only two days we go to school since it's Thanksgiving) and I had to work on that all night.
April: But that does have its rewards doesn't it?
Me: If you mean me getting stuck with someone who I don't think will work and has me doing the Power Point presentation and will suddenly decide to be absent on the day of the presentation, then no I don't expect any rewards.
April: …well, um, I guess you can just get it over with then.
Me: Yeah, I guess so. Now then, putting all that aside, please R&R! Reviews will make me update faster:D