Hi everyone! Here's the next chapter of BFAC - I hope you like it! :)

I'd like to dedicate this chapter to Darkness-Chill : Essays are more important than ninjas :D Now, back to the ninjas!

Ahem. Anyways... In case anyone forgot, the last chapter left Sheena and Zelos trying to exit the Lab after Zelos got his Exsphere, when they were suddenly stopped by a lab-worker, Shiri.

I don't own Tales of Symphonia.

((Sheena POV))

"Oh! Wait! Master Zelos, I almost forgot!" Shiri said, hurrying up behind us. We stopped and turned to face the flustered half-elf.

"The King sent a message to us that once you had equipped the Exsphere, we were to give you magic injections." Shiri said.

"What?" I asked.

Shiri turned to me. "Just as Master Yuan told you earlier, the Exsphere enhances dormant abilities. We've done some background research and Master Zelos has elves in his ancestry several generations back, allowing for the possibility for him to use magic. The King wanted us to speed up the process by giving him magic injections so that he could learn some basic healing spells before leaving for Sylvarant."

My jaw dropped. "You know about all that? Wait – Tethe'alla has a technology like that?"

Shiri merely nodded. "Yes, Chosen One. It has been unsuccessful previously, but with the traces of magic in Master Zelos' blood and the aid of the Exsphere…"

"So I'll be able to cast spells?" Zelos asked.

"Yes." Shiri answered simply.

"What are the risks of injecting him like that?" I asked, not sure I liked the idea.

"Well, for someone like Master Zelos, there is about a twenty percent risk that the magic with be rejected by his body, causing pain and possibly a coma." Shiri said.

"No way is he doing that!" I said.

"Sheena…" Zelos said, placing his hand on my shoulder.

I turned to him, shaking my head emphatically. "No. Absolutely not. Zelos, this is a really bad idea."

"But Sheena, think about it. I'd be able to use magic. Not only would that increase my attacks, but I'd be able to heal myself! I wouldn't have to rely on gels or figure out how to get them if I run out while in Sylvarant. If the researchers here think it'll work, then it's worth a shot…" Zelos said.

My eyes narrowed, realizing that Zelos wanted to go through with this. I sighed, then turned to Shiri once again.

"Just how exactly would this work?" I asked. Zelos smiled at me, knowing I was giving in. I weakly smiled back at him before concentrating on Shiri's explanation.

"We already have an extract of magic from some pure elven blood we obtained. We would mix this with some pure mana and then inject it into Master Zelos via needle. The effects should be immediate. His Exsphere will register the new abilities and provide him with the basic level spells. After training, he'd be able to use moderate and even difficult spells, just like any magic user." Shiri explained.

Zelos nodded and I thought it over, nodding slowly. "Wait, where would you get this pure mana?"

For the first time, Shiri looked almost embarrassed. "Well, mana in its purest form can only be found in Summon Spirits…"

"Oh hell no!" I said.

Zelos grimaced, and I scowled at Shiri. "There's no way I'm letting you further torture Corrine! Haven't you put him through enough?" I asked.

"It's not torture, it's research! And it wouldn't be painful, I swear!" Shiri said.

"How do you know?" I asked.

"We've done the process on magical beings, and it was harmless to them, so it should be harmless to Corrine." Shiri said.

"If you've already collected it from other beings, why do you need Corrine?" Zelos asked.

"The mana we collected isn't strong enough. It wouldn't work." Shiri said.

I sighed. I turned to Zelos and asked: "You really want this, right? It'll give you a good advantage…"

"Yeah, but not at Corrine's expense. I'll be okay without it." Zelos said.

I smiled at Zelos. This was why he was my best friend.

"I'll summon him and ask him." I said.

"Sheena… you sure? He might get mad at you." Zelos said, knowing how close I was to Corrine.

I nodded. "I'm sure. If I explain, he might agree. He likes you, too, Zelos."

Zelos nodded.

"Right, give me some room. It'll take some convincing for him to even appear in here." I said.

Zelos and Shiri both nodded and backed up several paces, leaving me standing alone in my own little bubble in the Lab. I took a deep breath and lightly touched my palms together, closing my eyes and reaching out with my mana and will to Corrine like I had been taught.

Corrine? I thought, concentrating.

Sheena! Are you okay? Corrine asked. I saw him in my mind, sitting in some field, staring right at me.

Yes, but Zelos needs your help. I thought.

Oh, no! Is it his father again? Corrine asked, standing up.

No. It's to help him when he goes to Sylvarant. I said.

Oh? Corrine said, cocking his head at me in my mind. I could tell he was confused.

Well, of course I'll help him! Where are you? Are you out of that awful place yet? Corrine asked.

Not exactly… I said,

Corrine scowled and sat back down.

Wait, Corrine! Let me explain first! I said.

Corrine looked at me for a minute, then nodded slowly. I let out a breath, then attempted to explain.

The half-elves here think they can make it so Zelos can use magic, and cast spells when fighting. They can give him the ability to heal himself without gels! They need to inject him with magic though, and they need two parts: elven blood, which they have, and pure mana, which they would need from you… I said.

Corrine's eyes widened and his tails swished angrily behind his back. Oh, no! No more experiments! Sheena, you promised! He said.

I know. Shiri says it'll be painless, I promise. This is for Zelos, Corrine. To keep him safe. Please. I said.

Sheena… Corrine said, and I could tell he was scared.

It's okay. I said. I'll be with you the whole time. So will Zelos. Please, Corrine.

…He'd be able to use healing magic? Corrine asked.

Yes. I said, holding my breath.

Slowly, Corrine stood up. Alright, but you both owe me, okay? I'm not staying any more then I have to in that place.

Thank you, Corrine! I said.

Quickly, I moved my hands in the ancient summoning rite I had been taught, and sent my mana out to Corrine, pulling him to me. I opened my eyes when I felt a familiar weight appear on my shoulder, and looked at Corrine as the cloud of smoke disappeared. He had his tails wrapped around my neck and was glaring at Shiri, but I could tell he was nervous and still a little scared.

"Corrine… Thank you." Zelos said, walking up to us and petting him softly on his head.

He looked at Zelos and nodded, but did not relax.

"Now, Corrine, if you would please come over here to my work table." Shiri said, having retreated to her table while I was communicating with Corrine.

Corrine clung to me, and I walked over to the table. Shiri had a fairly large needle in her hand, and Corrine instantly shied away from it. I petted him comfortingly, while glaring at Shiri.

"All you have to do, Corrine, is summon your mana and hold it in the forefront of your mind. Gathering the mana without releasing it in an attack with cause your blood to be infused with it, and I will withdraw a small amount in this needle, then run it through some tests to separate the blood from the pure mana." Shiri explained.

"So you're going to stick that needle in me?" Corrine asked in a small voice.

Shiri nodded and Corrine whimpered.

"It's okay, Corrine. You don't have to, really. I don't know what Sheena told you, but it's not that important that you do this. I don't want you to get hurt because of it." Zelos said reassuringly.

Corrine scowled at him. "Of course it's important! It's to help you get healing magic! You could heal Sheena if she got hurting fighting!"

"Well, yeah, but…" Zelos said.

Corrine shook his head, his bell jiggling. "I'll do it." I felt him take a small breath before leaping onto the table and standing before Shiri.

He faced Zelos and me, completely ignoring the half-elf. Zelos smiled and I nodded encouragingly. Corrine closed his eyes and concentrated. Being connected as we were, I felt him pull on his mana. It kept building and building within him, and his body tensed. His aura began to glow so brightly it became completely visible, a soft gold enveloping him. He nodded shortly and I said to Shiri: "He's ready."

Corrine tensed as Shiri placed the needle against his flank, quickly pushing it in and withdrawing a vial of his blood. She removed the needle and Corrine relaxed slightly, before poofing away.

I need to release this mana. Call me when you leave that place… I heard him say in my mind before our contact broke as he went to the in-between realm of Summon Spirits.

"Is he okay?" Zelos asked.

I nodded. "He's fine. He's gone to release the built up mana."

Zelos exhaled. "I'm glad he's okay."

I smiled. "Me too."

Shiri, meanwhile, had been quickly separating his mana from his blood, and soon had two separate vials. One was the deep red of Corrine's blood, but the other was a pale liquid that glew gold – pure mana.

She took this vial and combined it with another one of deep red, marked 'elven blood'. A small puff of smoke and a small hissing sound later, the two were combined and the vial glowed brighter.

She nodded and turned to the Zelos. "Now Master Zelos, if you're ready, I'll give you your magic injection."

Zelos nodded and walked around to the other side of the table, with me right behind him. I stood on his right side and grabbed his hand. He smiled at me, then tensed slightly as Shiri pushed the needle into his left arm, releasing the glowing liquid into his body. The reaction was immediate. His Exsphere glew bright blue, the Key Crest's spell flashing as his body tensed. He squeezed my hand and took a deep breath, and I squeezed back to let him know I was there for him. His jaw clenched and he squeezed his eyes shut tight. Suddenly, the hand I was holding shocked me, and I dropped it, rubbing my stinging hand. I looked up at Zelos and gasped. His body was glowing like Corrine's had been two minutes ago.

"Fascinating…" Shiri said, scribbling notes.

"What's happening to him?" I asked.

"His Exsphere and body are adjusting to the influx of mana needed to use magic." Shiri explained.

"Will he be okay?" I asked.

"He should be…" Shiri murmured.

"Should be?" I exclaimed.

Before Shiri could say anything, we both turned to Zelos as his body relaxed and he sighed, his jaw unclenching and his eyes opening. He blinked a few times before grinning at me.

"That was awesome!" He said.

"Zelos!" I said, hugging him tightly. He instantly wrapped his arms around me and we stood there for a moment, just holding each other. I pulled back and studied his face.

"You okay?" I asked.

"Never been better!" He replied.

"Hmm…" I said.

"Master Zelos, if you could, please try casting a healing spell." Shiri said.

Zelos nodded and stepped back from me, closing his eyes. After a few minutes, nothing happened. Zelos opened his eyes and frowned.

"I don't think I can." He said, frustrated.

"Maybe you have to be hurt or trying to heal someone for it to work?" I asked.

"Oh!" Shiri exclaimed, picking up a small knife from her table and swiftly slicing a thin line across my arm.

"Hey!" I yelled, hissing in pain, clutching my cut. Blood dripped down my arm, wetting my torn sleeve. I glowered at Shiri, who backed up with her palms out in a surrender position.

"I'm sorry, Chosen One. I wasn't thinking. Please, forgive me!" She said hurriedly, her voice shaking in fear.

I sighed, realizing that she had been so caught up in the experiment she really hadn't realized what she was doing, and that she could be executed for attacking a human, let alone me, the Chosen One.

"It's okay." I mumbled, pulling my hand away to examine the wound.

Zelos was glaring at Shiri. He stepped over to me, looking at the cut himself.

"Hmm, doesn't seem too bad. You okay?" He asked me.

I nodded. "Yeah. Well, you might as well try casting."

Zelos nodded. He closed his eyes and concentrated. Suddenly, his Exsphere flashed. He opened his eyes and grinned at me.

"Ready for this? First Aid!" He said.

I was suddenly engulfed in a soothing blue light and I felt his mana press into my wound, rapidly healing it. I gasped, and I felt my Cruxis Crystal glow on my thigh. Just as suddenly as it appeared, it vanished and I looked down at my arm in awe. What had been a jagged cut was now smooth skin, with no scar or hint of irritation, as if the cut was never there.

I smiled and looked up at Zelos, who was smiling triumphantly.

"You okay? Jeez, I seem to be asking you that a lot." I said.

"Heh. Yeah. You?" Zelos said.

"Yeah." I answered.

We heard a thud and turned to see that Shiri had fainted. We looked down at her, then at each other, and burst out laughing.

After calming ourselves down, we managed to work our way out of the Lab, letting Darien know in the main lobby that his wife had passed out upon seeing Zelos perform healing magic. He stared bug-eyed at Zelos before hurrying down into the Lab to help his wife.

We both grinned and exited the Lab.

"So… you're leaving now?" Zelos asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. If I leave now, I'll make it back by nightfall."

Zelos frowned. "You sure?"

"Yeah, I have my transportation card. I'll grab some more when I get to the village." I said.

"Well, if you're sure…" Zelos said, walking with me as I headed into a deserted alley in the slums, not wanting anyone to witness my departure.

I smiled. "I am. Grandpa made these cards for me himself – they'll safely transport me where I want to go."

"I know, Sheena, but you've never used one for this great a distance – don't you usually travel halfway before using a card?" Zelos said.

"Yeah, but I don't have the time to do that now. Don't worry so much, Zelos! I'll be fine!" I said, rolling my eyes.

"Now, gimme a second to summon Corrine." I said, cutting off whatever reply he was about to make. Zelos snapped his mouth shut and nodded. I placed my hands together lightly and reached out to Corrine.

Corrine? I thought. We're out of the Lab.

I'll be right there! Corrine chirped happily in my mind. I smiled and sent out my mana to him for him to follow, and opened my eyes just as he poofed onto my shoulder.

"Corrine! Please answer me honestly – can one of Sheena's transportation cards take her straight to Mizuho from here?" Zelos asked.

I rolled my eyes at Zelos as Corrine turned to face him and answered: "Sure!"

"You're sure? Even though it's a three days' journey just to the other side of the Tethe'alla Bridge?" Zelos asked.

I sighed, remembering that Zelos only knew the ninja village was located somewhere on the other continent.

"Well, the card is designed to take her where she wants, as long as she's been there before and has established a connection there. Sheena grew up in Mizuho, so it should be fine." Corrine said.

Zelos still looked worried but nodded.

"Now, go train with Sebastian." I said.

Zelos grinned. "I'm gonna kick his ass with this new strength!" He gestured at his Exsphere.

I grinned back at him. "I don't know. It'll take a lot to beat Sebastian."

"Just you wait and see." Zelos said.

My grin widened. "Well, don't exhaust yourself beating him – I'm gonna wanna fight you myself when I get back."

"You got it! I'll be waiting! I'll beat you, too!" Zelos said, his eyes twinkling.

I laughed, shaking my head. "Not even in your dreams, Zelos."

Zelos rolled his eyes and pulled me into a quick hug. "Be safe." He said.

"Idiot." I said, punching his arm lightly.

We both shared a smile, then I pulled out the transportation card from my breast. It's just a small card that fit comfortably in my hand; it was all white, with a deep purple borderline, and one side had some Mizuhoian characters written on it, which Grandpa had drawn and infused with his mana, creating the transportation spell. When I pushed my mana into the card, the spell would activate, teleporting me to the destination I had in mind. True, like Zelos had said, I'd never used it for this great a distance before, but Grandpa has never failed me before.

"Ready, Corrine?" I murmured.

Corrine nodded, his bell jingling lightly in my ear. His tails wrapped around my neck, and I felt him channeling some of his mana into me, solidifying our connection so that when I activated the card, he would be pulled along with me.

"See you tonight." I said, smiling at Zelos.

Zelos smiled back and nodded. "You better not be late."

"Don't worry; I'll send you a sign when I get there safely, okay?" I said.

Zelos let out his breath in a small sigh of relief and nodded, grateful. I saw some of the tension leave his shoulders, and smiled, thankful that I had Zelos as my best friend in this otherwise cold city.

"Say hi to Orochi for me!" Zelos said.

"I will. See you, Zelos." I said, closing my eyes and positioning my hands into the formation I'd been taught, clutching the card tightly.

"Later, Sheena." Zelos murmured. I smiled and sent my mana into the card. The writing glew for a moment, and my Cruxis Crystal pulsed, then suddenly a large cloud of smoke enveloped me and I felt my body being twisted and pulled. I focused the image of Mizuho firmly in my mind, and my stomach did back flips as I was pulled through space to my destination. I kept my eyes clenched tight, and tried to focus on my breathing, but the twisting feeling was nearly overwhelming. Even after all my training and practice with this card, I would never get used to this sickly feeling.

Suddenly, there was a loud pop and my feet were abruptly on solid ground again. I stumbled and opened my eyes, blinking in the cloud of smoke that enveloped me. Corrine coughed lightly and I looked down at him in concern, but he smiled, showing me he was alright. I looked around as the smoke faded, and realized I was just on the outskirts of the village. The card I had used was gone, absorbed by the spell.

"Well, it got us close." I said, taking a few shaking steps forward before I got used to my body again and moved more gracefully.

"You did really well, Sheena!" Corrine said, loosening his hold on my neck.

I smiled. "Thanks Corrine. Now, I need to send Zelos a sign that I'm okay…"

Corrine looked around. "What about some of the red berries?"

I looked at the bush and berries he indicated and smiled.

((FLASHBACK))

"Hmph!" I said, turning my head to the side, stubbornly refusing to accept the food offered me.

The Head Pastor sighed in exasperation.

"Chosen One, you must eat something! I know you're hungry!" He said.

I refused to look at him, glaring at the wall. I didn't want to be here, with these strange people and strange foods and strange ways. Why couldn't I go back to the village and Grandpa? My eyes watered at the thought, pain crashing into me as I remembered that Grandpa was sick. And it was my fault.

The Head Pastor sighed again, and set the spoon down, quietly leaving me alone in the room that was given to me.

I took calming breaths as I had been taught, and glanced around the room, realizing I was alone. I crept over to the window and opened it quietly. I was only on the second floor, and the drop didn't look too bad. I'd fallen from worse. I wiggled out onto the ledge and jumped, without a backward glance. I landed with a soft thud in the bushes and brushed myself off, remarkably unhurt. I crept away from the palace and climbed over the fence surrounding it, knowing the guards at the gate would never let me pass. I grinned, thinking I was home free and headed through the city, intent on getting back to the village. Not watching where I was going, I bumped into a boy about my age. I fell, startled, and glared up at him. He looked familiar…

"Oh! You're the Chosen One, aren't you? Sheena?" He said, offering me a hand up. I ignored it and stood up, still glaring at him angrily. A man dressed in black was hovering behind the boy, watching us anxiously.

"You okay?" the boy asked, offering me a smile.

"I'm fine." I said grumpily.

"Master Zelos, we really should return to the mansion. Are you sure this girl is the Chosen One?" the tall man asked.

Zelos, the boy, nodded. "Yes, Sebastian. She was at the ball yesterday."

I suddenly realized why he looked familiar. He was the only other kid at the stuffy party I was forced to go to yesterday. I had been too busy being as rude and mean as I could to talk to him then, but I remember him watching me from across the room, looking lonely standing all by himself.

I went to brush past him, when he shot out his hand and grabbed my shoulder.

"Whoa! Where you going?" He asked.

"Nowhere. Now lemme go." I said, glaring at him.

He just smiled. "Nu-huh. You're coming with us!"

"Hey! You're just a kid like me! You can't tell me what to do!" I said angrily.

"Ha! What are you, ten? I'm twelve." Zelos said, puffing out his chest. "That makes me the oldest and in charge.

I rolled my eyes, still glaring at him.

He leaned in and whispered in my ear: "There are guards all over – you'd never make it out of the city; trust me, I've tried. I won't make you go back to the castle yet – come to my house."

I eyed him carefully, and he smiled softly at me. I don't know why, but I felt like I could trust him. I slumped my shoulders in defeat and murmured: "Okay."

Zelos grinned. "Sebastian, Sheena is coming over to play for a little bit!" He declared.

I scowled, sullen that my escape plan was ruined, but didn't fight it when Sebastian nodded and led us into the noble section of the city, Zelos holding my hand and pulling me along.

We came to a large white mansion, and I stared at it as Sebastian hurriedly led us inside.

Never dropping my hand, Zelos pulled my inside and we both took off our shoes, with me looking around.

"What do you want to do?" Zelos asked, finally dropping my hand and looking at me in the eyes. I blinked, not used to anyone here actually looking at me and listening to what I had to say.

"Um…" I said, when my stomach suddenly growled loudly. I clutched it, staring at the floor as my face heated up, embarrassed.

Zelos chuckled and said: "C'mon! Let's get a snack in the kitchen!"

I looked up at him and nodded, following him to the right and into the large kitchen. He opened to door to a large white cabinet, and I felt cold air brush against my skin, making me shiver and examine the box. It was some sort of large ice box, I finally thought. Zelos was offering me all sorts of foods, but none resembled what I was used to eating in the village and I stubbornly shook my head.

"Well, what do you want?" Zelos asked, getting exasperated with me.

"I want to go home…" I mumbled.

Zelos cocked his head, looking at me. "Where did you used to live?"

"I can't tell you – it's a secret." I said.

"Well, what was it like?" Zelos asked.

"It's a tiny village on the other side of the big bridge near the forest called Mizuho." I said.

Zelos nodded, then his face brightened and he closed the door to the ice box, heading over to a small cabinet and opening it, pulling out a bowl of red berries.

"I bet they have berries in the forest by your village right? Want some?" He asked, offering me the bowl.

My stomach growled again and I smiled at him, shaking my head. I took a handful of berries and shoved them into my mouth. They were sweeter than those I'd had in the village, but they reminded me of home and I gladly ate them. My eyes teared up some, but Zelos pretended not to notice. Once I'd had my fill, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to the door.

"C'mon, Sheena! Let's play in my room!" He said.

I smiled and nodded, gladly following him. I didn't know it then, but I had just made my only true friend in that city.

((END FLASHBACK))

"They're perfect!" I said. I grabbed a handful of them and set them on the grass. I reached into by breast and pulled out another transportation card. Firmly fixing Zelos in my mind, I laid the card over the berries and pushed some mana into it. The writing glimmered, then a small cloud of smoke enveloped the berries and the card. When it cleared, both were gone.

I grinned, and said to Corrine: "C'mon, let's go see how the village is doing."

I walked out of the small clearing I was in and headed to the entrance of Mizuho, which I could make out in the distance. After a few minutes of walking, I could make out the details of the gated archway that led to my home. I smiled and approached swiftly, eager to be there after months of being away at Court.

I saw a blue blur darting toward me from the gate as I was within a few feet of it and I laughed, calling out: "It's me – Sheena!"

The blur stopped right in front of me.

"Sheena?" Orochi said incredulously.

"Orochi! You're on guard duty today? It's great to see you!" I said, smiling at him.

He smiled back. "And you, Sheena." I took a second to look him over. He was only slightly taller than me, and only his green eyes were visible since he was wearing the traditional ninja fighting outfit: a head to toe blue outfit made of the small breathable fabric as my own, cinched with a black belt symbolizing his high level of skill, complete with a blue hood and black mask that covered his lower face.

"What are you doing here?" Orochi asked, looking me over as well.

"I have important news that couldn't wait for the summer to be delivered." I said.

Orochi nodded slowly. "Still, you could have sent it through our information web instead of sneaking here yourself. You endanger Mizuho by disobeying the King."

I grimly nodded. "I know, but this information is too important to be sent along the network. Besides, Zelos is covering for me in Meltokio. As long as I make it back by nightfall, no one will be the wiser."

Orochi's eyes sparkled at the mention of my favorite red-head. "Zelos? I see… And how is he?"

"Well, all things considered. He says hi, by the way." I said.

"That's good. But 'all things considered'?" Orochi said, eyebrows raised.

I raised my hand to stop any further questioning. "I'd like to only have to explain it once. Let's head to see the Vice Chief."

Orochi stared at me for a moment before nodding. He turned his attention to Corrine, who was still perched on my shoulder. He reached out and petted him with his right hand, asking: "Don't think I've forgotten about you, Corrine. Are you keeping Sheena out of trouble in the city?"

I rolled my eyes, smiling, as Corrine nodded quickly, his bell jingling. "It's hard but I try!"

"Hey!" I said, as Orochi chuckled. Corrine sent me a wide grin and I couldn't help but grin in response.

"Well, let's go then." Orochi said, dropping his hand back to his side.

Gack. This chapter was soo hard to write! :/ I'm not really sure I like it, but staring at it isn't helping so I figured I'd post it and move on. About the only part I like is the flashback, because little Sheena and Zelos are adorable!

Anyways... what'd you think?

Review?