Again, I have to apologize for how long it's taking me to update this fic. But y'know what? Now that it's summer, I should actually have time to work on this fic to my full extent! I will do my best to keep this story going, and I swear that I shall complete it! (Maybe not by the end of summer, but that doesn't mean that I'll stop writing.) For now, anyway, here is chapter six!

Disclaimer: I still have ownage lacking in the Tales of Symphonia department. (Hint hint: It's not mine!)

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/Just Tell Me/

Chapter VI: Home

Things carried on like that for quite a while—Careless and peaceful. It came to the point where there was no longer a hotel room in my name, for Zelos' guest room had become my new lodging. In fact, as time went on I found myself waking up on the couch of Zelos' living room more often. The two of us became accustomed to going there once we were both in the home; we would sit on the couch together and pass our time without much event. One night after an exhausting series of experiments at the Elemental Lab I fell asleep with my head on Zelos' shoulder while the two of us were together in his living room. He didn't want to wake me, so he settled into the situation and drifted off into sleep himself. When we woke up the following morning, there was no sense of awkwardness. I trusted him and he respected me. From then on, we would usually end up spending the night on Zelos' sofa. After all, in a mansion there are many stairs to climb up to get to the second floor, and it hardly seemed worth the effort when we could simply sleep on the comfortable and luxurious couch. I also welcomed Zelos' company; somehow sharing the sofa with him didn't shout out the word 'inappropriate' like other situations would.

Everything about life in Meltokio had become so routine, which was something that I would never have expected to find in the capital of Tethe'alla. It was also something that I would never have expected to be desired. To me, routine always seemed to go hand-in-hand with boredom. This is one of the reasons that although I love Mizuho with all of my heart, I sometimes seek a small outing to do something out of the ordinary. I was never one to want to find myself with an automated mind, only doing things because that was what I did every other day.

But even a solid routine can be broken at some point.

I didn't even acknowledge how the days passed; and I don't think that Zelos did either. I didn't see the fact that Corrine's experiments were progressing so quickly. I didn't process that that meant that I wouldn't be living in that lifestyle forever. That was why it came as so much of a shock when a half-elf scientist made the simple statement, "We won't be needing you here for much longer."

That night at Zelos' mansion I was very reserved—even more so than usual. I was detached enough that Zelos felt compelled to ask me in a serious tone what was wrong. I didn't tell him, and even as he insisted that I say something I remained stubborn and kept my dismay of the situation inside of me. Zelos was not at all satisfied with the way that I was acting, but he didn't force me to say anything that I wouldn't let out willingly. Even years after that moment, he keeps that trait: he is patient in waiting for people to spill their emotions. He waits until they are ready. Maybe... that is because he understands the need to feel entirely comfortable with someone before sharing your deepest concerns.

It took about a week for the thought of leaving to fade from my mind. But as my destiny would have it, it was about a week later when the scientists brought the subject up again. This time, there were no variables in what they told me.

When I first walked into the laboratory, the female scientist was chatting with the receptionist. They hushed the instant that I stepped inside, and the scientist gave me an ecstatic smile, "We have some good news for you, Sheena," she told me. Whether news is good or bad, I thought, depends on the person receiving it. "We want you to spend time with Corrine as you would in your normal, everyday life," she continued to inform. My normal, everyday life had become far different than what it used to be... "You can finally go back to Mizuho!"

Mizuho. They had said its name, and many other words came along with it: customs, tradition, rules, outsiders, culture. All of these words added together to equal no Zelos; no relationships. I had done things that would never be tolerated by my people, and a good majority of my people did not even tolerate me as it was. Not only was I adopted into their village—unwanted in the first place—but I was also the cause of the deaths of half of their population ten years prior. I didn't feel that I deserved to be a part of their world; even though their world was my world, my home.

"B-back to Mizuho...?" I stammered, forcing out the words that followed, "Oh... good..."

The scientist must have been daft to have not noticed how clearly distraught I was; how fake my remark of 'good' was. She just gave me a big smile, "An escort from your village will be coming tomorrow morning and then you can head on home with them." I nervously bit my lower lip, staring down at the floor with an empty mind. I guess silence was not the response that the scientist was expecting because she found herself awkwardly answering a question that was never asked, "Umm... Your escort will be coming to the lab to meet you at around ten, so..."

"No, no!" I objected on reflex, "When they come here, tell them that we'll meet at the city's front gates come ten. I don't really have any intentions of spending all of tomorrow morning waiting around the lab." Out of politeness I should have added a 'no offence meant' comment, however it was not a priority at that time. The scientist nodded in understanding. "Thank you," I said, and then took my leave from the building. On the way out, Flora attempted to bid me a goodbye, but I rather self-centredly ignored her. At that moment it was all about me; what was going on in my life.

After I left, it was sheer instinct that brought me to where I went: Zelos' doorstep. It was earlier than when I usually went to his house. When it came down to it, he had become my attachment to Meltokio. It was he who had formed the chain that kept me linked to that city; and that chain grew tighter every time I saw him—but it didn't feel restraining. It was a comforting tie.

When I got to his mansion, Zelos wasn't there. I was very distressed from that fact; although I was always anxious to see him, that must have been the one moment when I sincerely needed him to be there. And he wasn't there. Sebastian seemed rather concerned about my gloomy mannerisms, but I just kept on insisting that nothing was wrong. The butler held back any objections that he had, but I could still sense that he wanted to force me to spill it; still, I chose to keep to myself. I sat down on the couch in the living room and did not budge until Zelos returned home. The sun set, dinner came, I was offered food, I refused, Sebastian left, and I remained sitting and waiting as the hearth's fire faded to ashes. I watched the dying flames; by the end, there were only one small spark lingering on the small bit of wood that remained. It held on for a surprisingly long while, but eventually it fell apart like all the rest.

I not once felt tired, even though I must have seemed vacant enough to make someone question whether or not I was sleeping with my eyes open. I sat there awake until finally the front door opened with its standard creak. Almost immediately afterwards, I heard Zelos heave a sigh of relief—Relief of being home? Of finding himself alone? I had no idea, but he was finally back. I took my gaze away from the fireplace and turned around to face Zelos. He was leaning against the now-closed door, a hand on his forehead, holding back his bangs, bothered. I never asked him what had happened to him that day.

"Zelos," I called softly, dropping my chin onto the back of the sofa.

He turned his head towards me, clearly surprised to have heard a voice greet him. He must have expected everyone—and by 'everyone' I mean Sebastian and I—to be sleeping. "Sheena. You stayed up for me?" With that way that he spoke, Zelos seemed amazed by the prospect of someone staying awake for him. Just for him.

"I..." I brought a hand up to the back of the couch and gripped it firmly, averting my eyes from Zelos, "...I wanted to say goodbye."

All that Zelos managed to splutter out was a, "Wha...?" I can only imagine that he had incredulous eyes and a gaping mouth at that instant. I continued to avoid looking at him as he approached me, his footsteps both cautious and frantic at the same time. "Say goodbye why?" he asked bluntly. He must have been right next to me, judging by the volume of his voice.

I leaned my back into the sofa, sinking into its fabric as I closed my eyes. Zelos moved around to the front of the sofa and sat down next to me, probably staring at me intently while awaiting a response. It took me some time to give my answer despite its simplicity. "The experimentation process is easing up... The scientists want me to go back home," my voice wavered as I added three more words to my explanation, "My Mizuho home." I opened my eyes and lifted my index finger to my mouth and nervously began chewing the nail. Almost immediately, I recognized the development of a bad habit and returned my hand to my lap. "That's why I have to say goodbye."

Zelos rested his forearms on his knees, tilting his torso forward with his head looking down. "I guess that during the course of your visit I kinda forgot that you don't actually live here."

"...Me too," I admitted sullenly, my lips curving into an almost hopeless smile.

I can't speak for Zelos, but I at least felt mute at that time. I didn't feel as though I had the power or right to say anything else; nothing would change. Words seemed pointless. I was past the point of seeking comfort through words, and if I myself had spoken anything more my eyes would have flooded with tears. As I sat there with a void mind I felt one of Zelos' arms encircle my abdomen. At first he just stayed like that, but it didn't take long before he threw both arms around me, tightly holding onto me in a way that was almost constricting. It didn't matter that I was practically being crushed in his grasp, because he was holding me without letting go. And that felt reassuring; the chain wasn't broken, we were still attached. I lowered my head, nestling into his chest. He loosened his hold. "You'll be back," Zelos remarked confidently, "The scientists aren't done with you and Corrine yet."

"That's true," I agreed, "I have to come back."

"Then there's no need to say goodbye, is there?" he asked me, and through his voice I could picture the smile that must have been on his face. He just sounded like he was smiling.

I closed my eyes, suddenly aware of how late it was and how I had been sitting awake for so long. "No," I answered drearily, quickly finding myself overcome by tiredness. The idea of returning to Mizuho was no longer a weight on my shoulders, and I believe that Zelos was comforted by his own reasoning as well. He let go of me and lied down on the couch, almost instantly falling into sleep. I rested down next to him as I had grown accustomed to doing. "Goodnight," I thought silently, not daring to speak, "I'll see you in the morning."

And when the morning came, we were still together. I would be leaving that day, but it felt acceptable to leave. It felt as though things would work out. I would go to Mizuho, live the life of my past, and then eventually return to Meltokio as if nothing had changed. But time moved on whether you are present or not; people grow, change, mature—or the very opposite. No one can tell you how things will turn out; only time has that power.

The sun's beams pried through my eyelids and caused me to awaken. I moved Zelos' hands off of my torso and got up off of the couch. When I looked out of the window, shock caused me to freeze. It was so bright outside, and the height of the sun... it must have already been late in the morning! Past ten, for certain! "Zelos, I have to go!" I announced hurriedly, shaking the Chosen by his shoulder. He let out a small groan before he opened his eyes and stared at me questioningly. "Whoever is coming from Mizuho is probably already waiting for me. I really have to go," I repeated.

Zelos stretched his arms out above his head and yawned, "Okay," he said as he exhaled. "Want me to walk with you to the city's entrance?"

"No!" I replied quickly, speaking as though it were the most obvious answer in the world. I immediately regretted the way that I responded, however; Zelos looked really hurt by my response. "Sorry," I apologized, "I didn't mean it that way. It's just that Mizuho is a really strict place... If I was seen with you by one of the villagers, I could very well be exiled..."

"...And that would be bad," Zelos completed my statement, and I nodded to approve the ending. "All right, I'll lay low for the rest of the day, just in case you end up staying longer than expected."

I smiled graciously at him, "Thank you, Zelos."

He returned my smile with one of his own, "No problem. It's in both of our best interests." We both walked out of the front door, but Zelos did not go beyond the first step leading to the road. I turned back to face him and instantly found myself longing for a more dramatic farewell. My urge was stronger than my common sense at that moment, and so I hurried back to Zelos' side and embraced him. He had about as little hesitation as me, swiftly wrapping his arms around my body. We were leaning in towards each other—about to kiss—when I heard an all-too familiar voice call in disbelief:

"Sheena!"

Instinctively, I shoved Zelos away from me and tried to act as though nothing had happened, or was about to happen; however I also guiltily refused to turn and see the one who had called me. It was Kuchinawa. No difference would be made whether or not I acted like nothing would have happened because he had already seen too much. An icy chill shot through my back; never have I felt a glare so cold. I did not even have to be facing Kuchinawa to know how he was looking at me... Still I knew that I would have to face him eventually.

"Sheena, look at me," my childhood friend's serious voice ordered. He did not request, he held no empathy... he demanded that I look at him. With disinclination, I let my eyes shift to view Zelos. My almighty hero simply gave me a sympathetic look and retreated into his welcoming home. A silent whimper escaped my throat; just like that, I felt abandoned. "Sheena!" I jolted and turned around at this single-word command. Kuchinawa said nothing after that; getting my attention was his sole goal at that point. He began walking out of the noble quarters, and I was left to follow at his heels like a shamefaced dog that had just been caught misbehaving.

I had no idea what Kuchinawa planned to do with me. I didn't know whether or not he would simply dump me off at the vice-chief's home, or if he would grant me an opportunity to speak. Hell, I wasn't even sure that I would be able to speak if given the chance. What could I say, anyway? No reason for my actions would be considered acceptable; there was no excuse. I had to leave my fate in the hands of Kuchinawa, a man who had proved time and time again to be a true friend to me... but also a man that always held an air of malice towards Mizuho itself.

There was only one certain thing in my mind at that point: I did not, by any means, want to be exiled from Mizuho. I had lived there as far back as I could remember, I grew up and trained there, and I lived there. And as much as I had fantasized about things being different as I spent my days in Meltokio with Zelos, I feared change. Even to an outsider like me, Mizuho would always be home. I wasn't ready to leave.

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So things are looking a little less lovey-dovey now, aren't they? And we all know that Kuchinawa isn't a big Sheena fan, nor is he a big Mizuho fan in general. How, oh how, will the ninja-boy deal with the situation? Next chapter, it's all about Sheena being back in Mizuho.