Hi everyone! Here's your holiday present - an update! And a Sheena chapter at that! :) This is that last Sheena chapter for a bit though; after this we'll switch back to Lloyd.
Recap: Sheena snuck away for the day to report to the Vice Chief in Mizuho while Zelos trains with Sebastian in Meltokio. Right now, Orochi, a ninja friend of Sheena's, is walking with her through the village to the Vice Chief's house.
I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
((Sheena POV))
I nodded and we headed through the navy double archway and into Mizuho. I looked around at the familiar buildings, most of them homes to the villagers here and built in traditional Mizuhoian style: thatched screens and roofs, blending perfectly into their natural surroundings; in a village of ninjas, even the houses possess stealth.
Orochi paused to murmur something to his guard counterpart, who glanced briefly at me before nodding and resuming his post, scanning the meadow beyond the village gate.
We encountered few people on the path to the Vice Chief's house, but those that we did nodded at Orochi and ignored me. My smile tightened on my face, and I felt the small hope that I always harbored whenever I returned here fade; the people had yet to forget, or forgive. Corrine rubbed his face on my neck in a show of comfort and support, and I gratefully patted his head, sending him a slightly warmer smile, though it still didn't reach my eyes. Suddenly, I was very glad Orochi had been on guard duty when I arrived – at least with him by my side, I wouldn't be openly despised. Like how Zelos was my only friend in Meltokio, Orochi was my only friend in Mizuho, a fact I was both self-conscious of and grateful for. I knew he was constantly questioned for remaining by me through the nightmare that occurred nine years ago, much like how Zelos was looked down upon for easily accepting me into his life. I guess that's why they get along so well – they both have dubbed themselves my protectors. I smiled wryly at the thought – Sheena Fujibayashi, Chosen One of Tethe'alla, needed no protector.
While I was lost in thought, Orochi had led me to the Vice chief's house, and I stopped, abruptly yanked from my thoughts, as I realized Orochi was staring at me, calmly waiting for me to enter.
I took a deep breath and Corrine wrapped his tails around my neck once more, presenting a united front, as I knocked swiftly on the door panel of the house.
A tense moment passed, and a ninja I didn't recognize opened the door.
"Yes?" He asked, glaring at me and gazing at Orochi.
"Inform the Vice Chief – Sheena brings important news from the capital." Orochi said with authority.
The ninja nodded and disappeared, closing the panel swiftly behind him. A few seconds later, he returned, opening it once more and bowing slightly at us.
"The Vice Chief will see you." He said stiffly.
I nodded and sailed passed him, stepping out of my shoes, Orochi right behind me. I led to the way down the hall and into the conference room of the house, where the Vice Chief was already sitting on the floor, sipping tea.
"Chosen One Sheena, Orochi." The Vice Chief said, nodding at me, then Orochi. We took seats on the floor opposite him. I looked him over – he hadn't changed in the months I'd been gone. He was a middle-aged man, but considered very wise in our village, second only to my Grandpa. His brown hair and beard were beginning to become streaked with gray, though his brown eyes still held their fierce spark that made him a good leader. He was wearing the traditional clothes of leaders of our people – a gold and white robe, belted with a sash of blood red. He was barefoot, as were we, since it was a Mizuhoian custom to wear no shoes indoors.
"Vice Chief Tiga." I started. "I have urgent news from Meltokio."
"Is this news the reason you disobeyed a royal decree and are sitting before me?" the Vice Chief asked calmly.
I nodded. "Yes. I would not have risked coming here if I didn't think it urgent."
The Vice Chief nodded, contemplating that for a moment before turning to Orochi. "And you, Orochi? Why have you left your post at the gate?"
"I wish to hear the news Sheena possesses. From what little I've been able to gather, it involves Zelos Wilder, our friend." Orochi said.
The Vice Chief frowned slightly. "Is this true, Chosen One Sheena?"
I nodded again. "Yes." I said shortly.
The Vice Chief nodded slowly. "I will permit you to stay, then, Orochi. But whatever news Chosen One Sheena brings us will remain confidential among us, unless I warrant otherwise."
"Yes, Vice Chief." Orochi said, bowing his head.
The Vice Chief nodded. "Before you begin your report, would either of you like some tea? You as well, Corrine."
Orochi and I politely declined, while Corrine shook his head slightly, his bell jingling softly in my ear.
The Vice Chief nodded, having expected this answer, and set his tea cup down carefully, folding his hands in his lap and saying calmly: "Very well. Proceed, Chosen One Sheena."
"Yes, Vice Chief." I said. I took a deep breath, and briefly organized my thoughts before saying: "At a ball last evening, Zelos and I were summoned to His Majesty's personal council chambers. When we arrived, we were greeted by His Majesty the King, Her Highness the Princess, His Eminence the Pope, the Head Pastor of Meltokio, and a strange man who neither Zelos nor I knew. Once seated, the King ordered this man to explain something to his gathered council. Yuan, as the man is named, told us a fantastical tale of another world linked to ours, named Sylvarant. This world lies parallel to Tethe'alla, vying for the limited supply of mana flowing between them. While connected, the worlds cannot see or touch one another. Yuan, from Sylvarant, discovered the existence of Tethe'alla and the nature of the two worlds – the vying for mana. While one world wanes, the other waxes. Right now, Tethe'alla is flourishing because it is absorbing Sylvarant's mana. However, in the very near future the roles will be reversed. This is the true nature of the Chosen One – the reversal of the world roles. The way Yuan, and later Zelos, for he understands the technicalities better than me, explained it was when the Chosen releases the Seals on the Journey, not only do they gain angelic powers, they also switch the flow of mana. Sylvarant's Chosen has just departed on his journey. Yuan and his group, the Renegades, built Rheairds – flying devices capable of transfer between the worlds – in order to warn us and propose a solution: the assassination Sylvarant's Chosen One.
Yuan wants to live in Tethe'alla since it is so much more advanced, and is willing to doom Sylvarant to save Tethe'alla. As proof of this tale, he produced the one thing that Sylvarant has managed to develop that we haven't – Exspheres. They are, essentially, lesser forms of Cruxis Crystals, which allow users greater strength and mana capabilities during battle. The catch is that since they are an inferior form of Cruxis Crystals, they have devastating side effects, which make them life-threatening to use. However, the people in Sylvarant also developed things called Key Crests which restrain the negative effects of Exspheres while giving the user all the positives. The King has sent these Exspheres to the technicians in the Elemental Research Laboratory in Meltokio and the Imperial Research Academy in Sybak so that we might discover how to produce them ourselves."
I stopped, taking a breath and wishing I had accepted that offer of tea earlier.
Both Orochi and the Vice Chief were staring at me, and I fought the urge to squirm.
"Syl…varant?" Orochi murmured.
"Another world… another Chosen…" the Vice Chief said.
I nodded.
"While that is a little hard to believe, I cannot deny the truth I hear in your words. You have seen this proof – these Exspheres – for yourself?" The Vice Chief asked.
"Yes. As a matter of fact, Zelos has equipped one." I said.
"Zelos? But why was he given one?" Orochi asked, obviously shocked.
I opened my mouth to answer, but the Vice Chief spoke before I could.
"Because Zelos has been chosen as the assassin to be sent to Sylvarant, correct?" The Vice Chief asked.
"Yes." I said simply.
"What?" Orochi exclaimed.
"I wanted to go myself, but the King wouldn't hear of it. Zelos offered to go in my stead, and the King accepted. Yuan left for him a Rheaird and communicator with which he can contact him once in Sylvarant. This morning, we went to the Lab and he equipped a Key Crest and Exsphere. He leaves in one week." I said.
Orochi was still in shock, but the vice Chief was staring at me contemplatively as he took everything in stride. "I see…" The Vice Chief murmured.
"That's not all." I said.
"There's more?" Orochi said.
I nodded. "Just a little bit. At the Lab this morning, Zelos was also given magic injections. He can now cast spells, including healing ones." I said.
Even the Vice Chief looked taken aback at my statement.
"Impossible… only those with elven blood can handle that type of magic…" Orochi murmured.
I nodded. "Apparently, Zelos has elves in his ancestry. They injected him with elven blood and pure mana, awakening him much dormant abilities, which were immediately heightened by his Exsphere. In fact, I was cut in the Lab, and he healed me in seconds. All that remains that I was ever wounded is this tear in my sleeve." I said, presenting my still-torn sleeve for them to see.
"Interesting…" The Vice Chief said.
"Unbelievable." Orochi said.
I nodded. "I know it's a lot to take in, which is why I delivered this information in person, rather than using the network."
The Vice Chief nodded. "Yes, it was a wise decision not to trust our network with information of this caliber."
I nodded, acknowledging his praise. My neck was starting to hurt from all my nodding, but I ignored it.
"So Zelos will kill this other Chosen… can he really handle such a mission?" Orochi asked.
I nodded. "He is a good fighter, especially with these new abilities giving him an edge. While I'm sure I'd be stealthier, Zelos is capable of handling this. I have confidence in him."
The Vice Chief nodded. "Yes, I would have liked you to have been chosen as the assassin, but His Majesty's word is final."
"If there is a way for me to switch places with Zelos, I intend to take it." I said.
"Sheena?" Orochi gasped.
The Vice Chief, however, nodded in approval. "Send us word if that happens. If the opportunity arises, seize it. Make Mizuho proud."
"Yes, Vice Chief." I said, smiling slightly.
"In the meantime, it is best you return to the city and help Zelos train for this important mission. For now, this information will remain with us. If the assassination is a success, the people need not know. If it fails… Well, we shall deal with that if it occurs." The Vice Chief said.
"It won't." I said.
"We'll see." The Vice Chief said calmly, his voice not betraying any emotion.
"Now, it is time you said your goodbyes and left for the city. Keep us informed, Chosen One Sheena." He said, standing.
Orochi and I rose as well. I bowed. "Yes, Vice Chief. I would like to see Grandpa before I leave. Also, I am running low on transportation cards."
The Vice Chief nodded. "Very well. I will have some sent to Chief Igaguri's room."
"Thank you." I said. Orochi bowed as well, and the Vice Chief nodded before leaving the room.
I turned to Orochi. "Well, what do you think?"
"It's a little overwhelming… A whole other world, and we didn't even know about!" Orochi said.
"I know! I had the same reaction." I said.
"Wish Zelos luck for me. I wish I could see this world before it's destroyed…" Orochi said.
My smile tightened on my face at the mention of the destruction of Sylvarant, and the countless lives that would be lost. "I will." I promised.
"Thank you. I should return to my post. Until we meet again, Sheena." Orochi said, offering me his arm, which I clasped in farewell. He nodded once at me and left. I took a deep breath and let it out, relaxing some. I exited the room, but instead of turning toward the exit, I turned the opposite way and continued down the hallway. Ever since Grandpa fell ill, he was cared for in the guest room here in the Vice Chief's house.
I approached his room and knocked softly, entering and bowing to the prone figure on the sleeping mat in the corner.
"Grandpa, it's me, Sheena. I'm home." I said.
I approached my Grandpa slowly and knelt down beside him, studying his face. He almost looked like he was sleeping, but I knew better. He was in a coma, and it was unsure if he'd ever wake. And it was my fault.
((FLASHBACK))
"I-I don't understand!" I screamed. My small body shook as the ball of lightning floated before me, huge red eyes staring right through me and into my soul, as the Summon Sprit, Volt, continued to make weird noises, in a language I didn't understand.
I felt Grandpa and the other ninjas from the village behind me stiffen, and heard them murmur.
Suddenly, Volt's eyes narrowed and he whirled around in front of me before looming above me and charging up to attack.
"Sheena! Look out!" Grandpa screamed, shoving me down just as a bolt of lightning zapped the place where I had been standing, scorching the ground. I was crying by now, my entire body shaking, as Volt raged on.
"We need to get out!" Grandpa yelled, standing up and taking my hand, dragging me as he ran, signaling the other ninjas to retreat.
Volt made more strange noises, and suddenly hundreds of lightning bolts struck. Ninjas screamed in pain all around me, their bodies dropping to the floor motionless. I stared in horror, screaming, screaming, screaming.
Suddenly, the hand that was holding mine jolted and dragged me down. I screeched, falling to my knees. Grandpa lay motionless on the floor. I took my hand from his and crawled over to him, gently touching his face, crying.
"Grandpa?" I whispered.
Grandpa weakly opened his eyes. "Sheena… run…" He whispered, before closing his eyes again.
"Grandpa? Grandpa! Grandpa, no!" I screamed. I looked up when I heard a humming and looked up into the huge eyes of Volt. He said something more, then disappeared.
Shaking uncontrollably now, my eyesight blurry by my tears and my throat hurting from yelling, I looked around at all the bodies.
"No…" I whispered over and over again, shaking my head to try to deny the scene of death before me. I collapsed onto Grandpa, and my head fell onto his chest. Faintly I could hear his heartbeat. He wasn't dead!
"Grandpa!" I yelled hoarsely.
I struggled, but managed to drag Grandpa to the entrance of the Temple, where some more ninjas were guarding the door.
"Help!" I screamed, though my voice was almost gone by then. I kept repeating the word until someone finally heard me and turned to see me struggling to drag Grandpa's body.
The ninja sent out the alarm, and I passed out just as he was lifting me into his arms.
((END FLASHBACK))
"Grandpa…" I whispered, gently stroking his cheek. His body had aged in the nine years he was in the coma, and his hair had turned gray, along with his beard. Someone was keeping it trimmed, though, and his body was cleanly dressed in his white robe, though little of it was visible under his blanket. I reached under and took his hand, squeezing it gently, searching his face for some sign. Corrine had jumped off my shoulder when I had entered the room and now approached me, nudging my leg with his head.
"Someone's coming, Sheena." He said quietly.
I sighed and wiped at my face, hurriedly erasing all evidence of the tears that had been leaking out of my eyes. I stood and faced the door just as the ninja who had let me in appeared.
"Vice Chief Tiga asked me to give you these, Chosen One Sheena." The ninja said stiffly, offering me a small stack of transportation cards. I accepted them and bowed, murmuring my thanks. The ninja left just as quickly as he arrived, and I tucked the cards into my breast, turning to look down at my Grandpa one more time.
"I have to go now, but I'll be back soon. Get well soon, Grandpa. I have so much I want to tell you, show you. I hope I'm making you proud." I said. I knelt down and kissed his cheek, then stood and exited the room.
Quickly, Corrine hopped back up onto my shoulder and we left the Vice Chief's house. As I was shutting the door panel behind me, I turned and bumped into a ninja who had been approaching the house to enter it. I gasped as I realized who it was.
"Sheena?" He said.
I nodded. "It's been a while, Kuchinawa." I said evenly.
He stared at me for a moment, and I him. He was wearing the same ninja uniform as Orochi had been, expect his was a deep red. His face was also half covered by a black mask, making his piercing dark blue eyes the only thing visible on him.
He nodded slowly, and I made to leave, but he put his hand on my shoulder, stopping me. He dropped his hand as I turned to face him, my face blank.
"How… how are you?" Kuchinawa asked.
I raised my eyebrow. "I'm fine."
"That's good… Wait, what are you doing here?" He asked.
"I had something to report to the Vice Chief; in fact, I was just leaving." I said coldly.
Kuchinawa's eyes hardened. "Seems you haven't changed a bit." He muttered.
My eyes narrowed, but before I could say anything, Kuchinawa snapped out: "Goodbye, then, Chosen One Sheena." He turned and quickly entered the Vice Chief's house, leaving me glaring at the door panel a moment before I collected myself and headed for the village entrance, intending on using a transportation card once I was free of this village. I had been happy to be coming back, if only for a short visit, but suddenly, the village was stifling and I longed to be back in Meltokio with Zelos.
As I passed through the archway, Orochi gave me nod and I returned a small smile. We had already said our goodbyes; besides, he couldn't abandon his post any longer. I walked through the meadow and to the clearing's edge where I had appeared earlier. I looked up at the sky, surprised that it was well past noon and the sun was making it's descent to the horizon once more.
Reaching into my breast, I took one of the transportation cards out.
"You ready, Corrine?" I asked.
Corrine nodded, his bell jingling comfortingly, as he wrapped his tails around my neck and sent me some of his mana, connecting us.
I positioned my hands and closed my eyes, imagining not only Meltokio but that same alley in the slums, concentrating on the imprint I had made there when I left this morning. Sending some mana into the card, the writing glew and my Cruxis Crystal pulsed familiarly, as I was engulfed in a cloud of smoke and I clenched my eyes together tightly as my stomach flipped nervously. My body was taken rapidly through space, and I didn't react any better than last time. After an indeterminable amount of time, solid ground was once again underneath my feet. I opened my eyes and looked through the clearing smoke. I was definitely in the Meltokio slums, but not in the same alley as before. Oh well, close enough.
"You okay, Corrine?" I asked, reorienting myself with solid ground.
"Yes, Sheena." Corrine answered, unwrapping his tails from my neck. He yawned suddenly, and I smiled down at him.
"You should go get some sleep; it's been a long day. I'll call you if anything else happens." I said.
He smiled back at me. "Okay, Sheena." He said sleepily. He closed his eyes and disappeared in a puff of smoke.
I shook my head and stealthily made my way out of the slums and up the stairs of the city, through the middle and upper areas and into the noble section, managing to avoid the few people I encountered. Finally, I was standing outside of Zelos' mansion and I slipped around to the back to the servant's entrance.
I knocked swiftly and the door was opened by a maid. She smiled warmly at me and ushered me inside. All the servants knew that the young Master of the household was close with the Chosen One and had standing orders to let me in day and night, no questions asked.
"Where's Zelos?" I asked.
"Master Zelos and Sebastian are in the training room, Chosen One." The maid answered, bowing her head slightly.
"Thank you." I said, hurrying off to find them.
I quickly exited the servant's quarters and headed down the stairs to the basement area of the mansion, which Zelos had had converted into a training area when he came of age.
Once I was down the stairs, I looked around the wide room at the various weights and training tools. I heard grunts coming from the next room, where the sparring mats were. Following the sound, I crossed to the room and stood in the doorway, watching Zelos and Sebastian fight. They were both sweating and panting lightly, and training weapons lay forgotten at the edges of the mat. It appeared this fight had turned into a fistfight free-for-all. I grinned as Zelos grunted, his red hair swinging behind him in a ponytail as Sebastian landed a roundhouse kick, knocking him back but not down. I nodded, impressed that he could withstand that kick. Immediately, Zelos countered with a flurry of action, punching rapidly at Sebastian, successfully driving him back a few steps as he was forced to block the hits. Suddenly, Zelos swept out his leg, knocking Sebastian's out from under him. The older man fell, and in seconds Zelos had him pinned to the mat.
I clapped and stepped into the room. "I never thought I'd see the day!"
Both looked up at me, Sebastian frowning, and Zelos grinning broadly. He quickly got up and offered Sebastian a hand, which the butler gratefully took. I crossed to the small ice box and retrieved two water jugs for them, crossing to the pair and grinning.
"Told ya I'd beat him!" Zelos said triumphantly, taking the water and chugging it.
"Ah, but that is your first victory of the day, and considering how late it must be if Chosen One Sheena has returned, it merely means you won due to my fatigue and luck." Sebastian said, his eyes sparkling as he took his own drink of water.
I chuckled as Zelos made a face at him, before turning to smile at me.
"So, how was your village? Thanks for the sign, by the way." He said.
I smiled. "It went okay. I'm glad you liked that – I hope you understood it."
"Of course! How could I forget the strange girl who refused to eat anything but red berries and always scowled at me?" Zelos said.
I rolled my eyes and punched his shoulder, muttering: "Idiot."
Zelos just grinned at me, winking. My stomach suddenly growled.
Zelos laughed. "Well, if that isn't timing! I'd say it's time for a break, huh, Sebastian? Let's go eat, Sheena!"
Sebastian nodded. "Yes, Master Zelos. Now that Chosen One Sheena has joined you from her rooms, I will be taking my leave."
I smiled at him. "Thanks, Sebastian."
"But of course." Sebastian said. He nodded to us and headed to the other side of the room and the door that led to the servant's quarters, which connected down here since the basement used to be the servant housing until Zelos remodeled.
"So it really went okay?" Zelos asked as he led me out the door I had entered and up the stairs to the main level.
"Yeah, pretty much. I explained the situation, so Mizuho is aware and watching. I ran into Orochi, too. He sends his best and wishes you luck on the upcoming job." I said.
"Orochi knows?" Zelos asked.
I nodded. "He ran into me as I entered Mizuho and convinced the Vice Chief to allow him to hear my information, although he is the only other person besides the Vice Chief who knows."
Zelos nodded, as if he had expected that, and I guess it was a rather predictable response for Mizuho; we were already gathering information and holding it tightly, watching all and revealing little.
By now we had entered the kitchen and Zelos was rummaging around for food.
"So is that it?" Zelos asked, placing a plate of food in front of me.
An image of Kuchinawa flashed unbidden to my mind but I shook it away. "That's it." I said.
Zelos studied my face, sitting opposite me with his own plate and shaking his head slowly.
"What aren't you telling me?" He asked.
Damn. He knew me too well.
I sighed. "I ran into Kuchinawa." I said softly.
Zelos growled. He literally growled. "What'd that bastard want?"
I shrugged. "Who knows?" I muttered.
"Well, how'd he act? What'd he say?" Zelos asked, scrutinizing my face closely.
"At first he was nice, even… hopeful. But once he realized that I had no intention of ever starting anything with him ever again, he grew cold and spiteful, spitting out a goodbye and storming off quickly." I said.
"Oh, Sheena…" Zelos murmured, reaching across the table and squeezing my hand.
I shrugged and forced a smile. "It's okay. I'm over it. That. Him."
"Good. He's a bastard who didn't realize the great thing he had 'til he lost it. You don't need a jerk like him. If he bugs you again, let me know and I'll take care of him." Zelos said.
I smiled at both the compliment and the threat to my cheating ex-boyfriend. "Thanks, Zelos."
"What're best friends for? Now, c'mon, let's eat. I know you're hungry." He said, smiling my smile and dropping my hand.
I smiled back and nodded my agreement, eating the food in front of me. We ate in companionable silence for a few minutes, and once we were both done, Zelos rose and piled the dishes into the sink to be cleaned later while I stood and simply stretched.
I turned and eyed him. "What'dya say me and you fight a little before turning in for the day?"
Zelos' eyes twinkled. "I thought you'd never ask."
I smiled and made an after-you gesture. Zelos led us back down into the basement and the sparring area.
"How do you want to do this?" Zelos asked, standing across from me on the mat.
"Hmm… let's go all out, as if this were a real fight. You use a wooden sword, I'll use my weaker seals. Other than that, anything goes." I said.
Zelos grinned. "You got it." He retrieved a training wooden blade, and I reached into my breast, pulling out some of my non-lethal fighting cards, steadying myself in a fighting stance.
"You're going down." Zelos said, taking his stance.
I rolled my eyes. "You wish." I said. With that, I darted forward, a blur of motion.
I faked left and slapped a Power Seal on Zelos' right arm, dodging the blow he directed at me by flipping backwards whiling saying "Power Seal!", pushing my mana into the card releasing the magic, temporarily impairing his defense. Zelos grunted but was otherwise unaffected. Smirking, I rushed up close to him, rendering his long training sword useless, punching his chest and arms as he staggered backwards, trying to block but missing about every third hit. He stumbled, but I retreated backwards, not pressing the advantage. We hadn't been fighting long enough for me to end it yet.
"Damn, Sheena. You really aren't holding back, huh?" Zelos panted, regaining his balance and resuming his stance.
I crouched a few feet in front of him and smirked. "Now that you have that Exsphere, I don't have to worry about seriously injuring you. So no, I'm not holding back, and you better not either!"
Zelos grinned. "I'd never dream of it!"
We both charged at the same time, and Zelos managed to get a few whacks in with his wooden sword when I finally got the chance to slap another card on him, yelling "Pyre Seal!" Just as the card exploded on him, Zelos yelled "Super Sonic Thrust!" We were both forced backwards by the others' blows and landed on our backs on the mat.
Zelos sat up with a grin. "Well, well. I, the great Zelos, managed to knock over the Chosen One Sheena. Don't tell me you've fallen for me?"
I rolled my eyes and got up, took one look at his disheveled appearance as he sat on the mat grinning up at me, and burst out laughing.
Chuckling, Zelos stood up and approached me, where I stood doubled over laughing.
"Oh, Zelos…" I managed to choke out in between my laughs.
Zelos rolled his eyes, then suddenly they sparked mischievously. Before I could react, he brought the blunted tip of his wooden training sword to my neck and whispered: "Gotcha."
I rolled my eyes and knocked the blade away, punching his arm and muttering "Idiot."
Zelos just grinned at me.
I took a deep breath. "I guess we'll have to just call this one a draw – we're both too tired from the day to seriously fight, although you did manage some pretty good hits, for once, Zelos."
"For once?" He asked indignantly. I laughed and he sighed, saying: "You're right, though. Let's go to bed."
I nodded and Zelos dropped his wooden sword to the ground as I tucked the rest of my cards into my breast. He slung his arm around my shoulders and we walked out of the room and up the stairs, bypassing the main level and heading to the bedrooms on the second floor.
Zelos and I stopped just outside the door to my rooms.
"Sheena." Zelos said, his tone serious.
"Wh-what?" I asked, taken aback by the sudden change from playful to serious.
"You're sure everything went okay today?" He asked.
I nodded slowly. "Yes… the Vice Chief took the news well, although he did order me to take your place if the chance arises…"
Zelos' face settled into a grim line. "That's not gonna happen. There's no way I'd let you."
"Oh, really? Let me, huh?" I said a bit testily.
"You know what I mean, Sheena. I don't know what I'd do if something happened to you." Zelos said.
"Well, now you know how I feel. I can't bear the thought of you leaving in one week and possibly never coming back." I said.
Zelos pulled me into a hug, and I sighed, closing my eyes. My arms were crushed between our bodies and Zelos' were around my waist, pulling me closer into him. I closed my eyes for a moment more and took a deep breath, inhaling the sweat and hint of jasmine that was distinctly Zelos. I pulled back slightly and looked up into his eyes.
"You're my only real friend, Zelos." I whispered.
"You're my only real friend, too, Sheena." Zelos whispered back.
Zelos smiled my smile at me and I quickly reached around and tickled him, breaking the melancholy moment.
"Sh-Sheena!" Zelos sputtered, laughing.
I gave in, stopping my movement and grinned up at him.
"I was being serious!" Zelos said indignantly.
"I know. I was, too. But we have enough sadness in our lives – why make more?" I said.
"You always were the smarter one of us." Zelos said with a smile.
"Of course." I said cockily.
Zelos punched my shoulder lightly. "Careful, your head might swell so much you won't be able to fit through your door."
"Hey!" I said, returning his punch. He laughed and raised his hands in mock defeat.
"What's the plan for tomorrow?" I asked.
Zelos shrugged. "More training. Presea will be back in the city sometime tomorrow, though."
My eyes lit up. "We should go see her, then."
"Yeah. We should." Zelos said.
"It's a deal, then." I said.
"A date, you might say." Zelos said, his eyes sparkling at me as he tried not to smile, but failed miserably.
I rolled my eyes but smiled back, remembering the disastrous time we had tried dating; Zelos was like my brother, and thinking of him in any other way was just… ack.
"Good night, Zelos. I'd sleep with one eye open, if I was you. You never know when you might receive a sneak attack in the middle of the night." I said, grinning evilly.
"You wouldn't." Zelos growled lowly.
"I might." I answered pleasantly.
Zelos' eyes narrowed then suddenly brightened. "Sure! You just go ahead and plan a sneak attack. But I'll plan my own, too!"
Now my eyes narrowed. I thought it over for a moment, picturing Zelos sneaking into my room in the middle of the night, doing something unthinkable, like hiding all my clothes, or writing on my face…
"No sneak attacks. Truce?" I said.
Zelos smiled triumphantly. "Truce." He agreed.
I nodded and stifled a yawn.
Zelos rolled his eyes at me. "Oh, I see how it is. I'm boring you, huh?"
I laughed. "C'mon, Zelos!"
"I know, I know. My irresistible charms don't work on the stunning Chosen One Sheena. I'll just go cry in my corner, now…" Zelos said.
"Zelos…" I said, rolling my eyes and grabbing his hand when he turned to leave.
Zelos pouted, refusing to look at me. I stood up on my tip-toes and kissed his cheek. His looked down at me and his face lit up with my smile, and my face answered with its own smile.
"Good night, oh great and powerful Zelos." I said.
"Good night, oh wondrous Sheena." Zelos answered.
I turned to my door and opened it, turning back to whisper good night to Zelos once more, hearing his answering good night as I slipped into my bedroom and closed the door behind me. I heard his retreating footsteps a moment later as he headed to his own bedroom to sleep.
I sighed and quickly crossed to my dresser, changing into pajamas and then climbing into the freshly washed and fluffed bed.
I'm going to sleep, now, Corrine. Good night. I thought, sending the thought to Corrine with a small push of my mana.
Corrine's sleepy voice answered in my head and I smiled, falling into a peaceful slumber.
...I didn't realize how long this chapter was until I uploaded it, but since I don't want to split it up, I guess it'll have to stay. For what it's worth, this chapter is only 5,795 words (without A/Ns) in Word.
So, what'd you think? Don't be shy - leave it in a review! :)
I hope everyone has a wonderful and safe holiday! Next update will probably be next year :P So stay tuned!
Review?