Gah! I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm so sorry it's been so long since I've updated this! Between family problems and end-of-semester papers and finals this got put on hold and I'm really really sorry!
Super bundles of thanks to Cami for writing me that guest chapter! (I'm thinking of making that a tradition, by the way; a guest chapter every 15 chapters or so? Anyone with ideas, message me! More on that in the ending note.) Also, more thanks to Cami for editing and helping with this chapter - if you haven't checked her out yet, you need to! (penname: DarknessChill)
This chapter switches back to Sheena. We left her last at Zelos' mansion where Zelos was training with Sebastian for his trip to Sylvarant. I hope you all like it!
Again, I'm so so sorry for the massive delay! *still apologizing profusely*
I don't own Tales of Symphonia.
((Sheena POV))
I poked my head into the downstairs training room, and winced as Zelos was thrown across the room and landed on his back. As Sebastian walked over to offer the redhead a hand up, I waved my hand to get their attention.
"Hey, guys. I'm running up to the castle to see Presea. I'll be back later." I said.
"Tell her I say hi!" Zelos said, grinning at me and wiping his sweat-matted hair out of his face.
"Be careful. You may want to stop in to Princess Hilda, as well, Sheena." Sebastian added.
I nodded. "Will do."
As I exited Zelos' mansion and headed up to the castle, I sent my mana out to Corrine.
Corrine? I'm going to visit Presea and Hilda. Wanna come? I thought.
Corrine grinned and I felt him tug on my mana link before poofing onto my shoulder.
I laughed. "I'll take that as a yes?"
Corrine's bell jingled as he vigorously shook his head.
I jogged up the last set of stairs to the Castle. The guards saw me coming and immediately stood at attention. I waved at them and pointed to the Chapel. They nodded and relaxed as I walked past the Castle entrance and into the Chapel's alcove. I took a deep breath and sent a quick prayer to the Goddess asking that the Pope not be here, then pushed open one of the double oak doors.
I blinked rapidly, stepping in and letting the door close behind me. I stood just in the entryway, waiting for my eyes to adjust to the dimmer lighting.
"Good morning! Welcome to the Church of Martel!" one of the priests said, walking over to me.
I forced a smile. "Good morning. I'm looking for Presea – is she back yet?"
"Who…? Oh! Chosen One! My apologies!" the priest said, bowing respectfully.
I waved my hand while resisting the urge to roll my eyes. "That's okay. Presea…?"
"Oh, yes! She is in the back unloading the last of the sacred wood." The priest said. "Shall I escort you, Chosen One?"
"No, thanks. I know the way." I said, smiling at him and slipping past, ignoring his sputtering, heading for the back room.
I quickly pushed open the door and slipped inside.
"Presea?" I called, looking around. The room was fairly large and stocked with towering piles of sacred wood, chopped into various sizes for Church rituals.
"Corrine, can you go see if you can find her? I'll make my way to the loading door." I said.
"Sure, Sheena!" Corrine said, hopping down from my shoulder and disappearing among the stacks, the jingle of his bell fading away.
I made my way between the stacks, looking for a glimpse of pink to let me know I had found Presea, but no such luck. I shrugged to myself and kept going, sure now that she was outside behind the Chapel unloading the last of the wood.
I turned a corner and walked smack into someone, stumbling backwards with a startled gasp.
"Kuchinawa?" I exclaimed, recovering my balance and peering suspiciously at the ninja. "What the hell are you doing here?"
"Sheena! That's none of your business – top secret mission." Kuchinawa said, puffing out his chest.
I rolled my eyes. "Whatever. Have you seen Presea?"
"Presea?" He echoed.
"Yes, the axe-woman who delivers all this sacred wood? I was told she was back today." I said.
"No, I haven't seen her. Is that what you're doing here? Visiting commoners?" He sneered.
I stiffened but didn't reply. Instead, I started to push past him, reminding myself that this was one of the many reasons we were no longer together.
He put his hand on my shoulder, gripping tight enough that I winced slightly. "Wait, don't be like that. I know you love playing with your commoners, but don't you think you're better than that? You're the Chosen One! You should only be associating with the elite! And even if you weren't the Chosen One, you're a ninja of the hidden village of Mizuho! We are above the common filth of this world, like this peasant Presea and that wretched bastard Zelos!"
"That's enough, Kuchinawa! I won't stand here and let you berate my friends! I heard enough of your poison when we were together, but that's over now and I don't have to deal with your crap anymore!" I shouted, wrenching myself out of his grasp and whirling away.
He spun me back around to face him, his eyes sparking dangerously. I opened my mouth to say some scathing remark but before I got the chance to utter a sound, my head snapped to the side and my breath was sharply exhaled as tears stung my eyes and a stinging pain made itself known on my cheek. I turned to stare wide-eyed at Kuchinawa, raising my hand to my injured face, as I realized that he had just slapped me.
"What the hell – " I started, but gasped as he shoved me hard into the wood stack behind us, slamming my back into it. I let out a pained exhalation and stared at him in disbelief. Yes, Kuchinawa was an arrogant ass with the inability to remain faithful in a relationship, but he had never been violent like this.
"Why don't you ever listen? You were supposed to be with me! We could have risen to the top and dominated this pathetic world! Why do you insist on associating with these low-lives, no good, filthy sub-humans? What next, are you going to tell me you've made a pet out of a half-elf? This filth is beneath you – beneath us! Why don't you see it? We were perfect together!" Kuchinawa ranted, standing right in front of me, keeping me pinned.
"If we were so perfect, then why did you sleep around?" I asked, my voice dangerously low as I glared at him and put my hands on my hips, fingers touching the edges of the few cards I always kept tucked into my ribbon for emergencies.
"A man like me has needs that no one woman could fulfill." He sneered, placing one hand next to my head on the stack and leaning in so that our noses were almost touching and his legs had trapped mine between his. "You should have accepted that fact instead of overreacting – hell, it's something you should have been proud of! I'm much too much of a man to be satisfied with one measly woman, even if she is the Chosen One."
"So one minute I'm the almighty, superior Chosen One and the next I'm the worthless woman who couldn't please you?" I asked, my voice dripping with venom.
Kuchinawa's eyes glinted dangerously and his hands gripped my shoulders, slamming them back into the wood, making me gasp. "How dare you, you little slut? Don't you know that you are the scorn of our village? No one wants you there!" His hands slid down my arms and forcefully gripped my wrists, pulling them away from my hidden cards.
"As if we don't all know of your superior attitude and willingness to sleep around? Don't you know that we can all see through your façade of 'friendship' with that louse Zelos? If you weren't the Chosen One, you'd have been kicked out long ago! I was willing to overlook your glaring faults, but no! I was too good for the precocious Chosen One, wasn't I? Well, the joke's on you because soon, very soon, I will be more powerful than even you!" Kuchinawa yelled.
I winced, forcing myself to bury the hurt until later, then smirked. "Not even in your dreams, Kuchy." I said sweetly.
When he growled and dragged my hands above my head, pinning them in one of his own, I reflected that taunting him more was probably not such a good idea. I squirmed against his grip, but couldn't break free.
Uh, Corrine? A little help! I desperately thought, sending out my mana to the Summon Spirit, hoping he'd get here before things escalated further.
"Bitch! Someone needs to take you down a few pegs, and I'm just the man to do it!" He growled, dragging his free hand down the front of my body, reaching into my bust and yanking out my cards, letting them drop to the floor.
Corrine! I mentally shouted.
Hiding my inner panic, I managed a sneer. "You were never man enough when we were together – what makes you think you're anything but a speck of dirt under my shoe now?"
Sheena! We're coming! Corrine's frantic voice sounded in my head.
Kuchinawa slapped my face again, hard. My head slammed into the wood stack from the force, but I managed to lift my head up enough to glare at him through unshed tears.
His eyes hardened and he growled. "Bitch." He punched me in the gut. I would have doubled-over if he wasn't holding me up by his grip on my wrists. As it was, I lost my breath for a few moments and coughed violently. "Whore." Another punch. "Cunt." He pulled back his fist and I closed my eyes against the upcoming pain, willing myself not to give the satisfaction of crying out in pain or letting him see me cry.
Suddenly, the grip on my wrists and the press of his body was gone. I opened my eyes and let my arms drop, just as Corrine jumped onto my shoulder and frantically nuzzled my neck before wrapping his tails around it and growling at Kuchinawa, who Presea had pulled off of me and now had pinned to another stack by her large axe.
"Threat detained." Presea said in her monotonous voice. I took a second to appreciate the sight of a stunned Kuchinawa pressed against one of the wood stacks with an axe blade pressed lightly to his throat by a small, pink-haired axe-woman who was almost a foot shorter than me. Presea had on her usual work clothes – a deep purple sleeve-less dress that ended around her knees, lilac elbow-length finger-less gloves, matching boots, a brown belt with a small dagger hanging at her waist and a pouch at her back, pink hair restrained into messy side ponytails – but it made her no less deadly with her weapon of choice, a long wooden-handled axe that was almost as tall as she was with a deadly sharp metal blade.
"Thank you Presea." I said, ignoring Kuchinawa's glare and rubbing my sore wrists, trying to ignore the pain in my gut.
"Are you all right, Sheena?" Corrine asked, worried.
I petted him. "Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks, Corrine."
Corrine smiled in relief before hopping down onto the ground and gathering all my cards into a pile with his paws and tails.
Presea turned her wide, blank stare on me for a moment.
"No life threatening injuries detected." She said, before turning her gaze back onto the trapped ninja.
I nodded and bent down to pick up my cards, gasping and clutching my ribs and stomach. I managed to grab the pile before straightening, breathing heavily.
As I was tucking the cards back into my bust, I heard the door connecting to the Chapel open and hurried footsteps.
The Pope turned the corner and stopped short, blinking as he took in the scene before him.
"Chosen One? What is going on here?" He exclaimed.
"He attacked me." I said, pointing to Kuchinawa.
The Pope squinted at him. "Isn't he a member of your village? What reason would he have to attack you?"
I shrugged, clutching my wounded body. "Ask him."
"You, there. Girl. Release him." The Pope commanded, stepping over to Presea.
Presea lowered her axe and stepped to the side, keeping her eyes trained on Kuchinawa.
"Well then. What do you have to say for yourself?" The Pope questioned.
Kuchinawa just glared at me.
"Staying silent? We'll fix that. Don't worry, Chosen One, he will be properly punished for attacking someone with your status." The Pope said, striding forward and gripping Kuchinawa's arm. "I will see to it personally that he is punished. You, there. Escort the Chosen One into the Castle at once."
Presea stepped over to me and the Pope nodded.
"Should I inform Mizuho you are punishing one of their own?" I asked the Pope, torn between wanting to see Kuchinawa suffer and protecting a member of the village.
"No need – I will handle it. You should really be more careful, Chosen One. What would Tethe'alla do without you?" The Pope asked, malice dripping from his voice.
"Of course." I forced myself to mutter.
The Pope nodded again and led the now docile Kuchinawa from the room.
"Do you think he'll really be punished?" Corrine asked, back on his perch on my shoulder.
I shrugged. "Who knows what the Pope's true intentions are?"
"Castle." Presea stated.
I nodded to her. "You're right, Presea. Let's go."
We left the back room and quickly walked out of the Chapel. Strange, the Pope and Kuchinawa only left a few moments before us… where did they go?
We walked to the Castle doors and the guards did a double take.
"Chosen One! And Presea!" one said, both saluting.
"We're going to visit Princess Hilda." I stated firmly.
"Yes, Chosen One! Would you like an escort?"
"No, thank you." I said, stepping into the stunning entryway with Presea following right behind.
"Chosen One! Sheena!" A light woman's voice rang out through the hall.
We turned to the side to see Princess Hilda coming down the large, imposing staircase as fast as she could in her regal gown.
She rushed over and gripped me in a tight embrace, making me gasp and my eyes water.
"Oh, forgive me!" She said, jumping back. "The Pope contacted us – you were attacked? Come quickly to my chambers; I have a doctor waiting to see you." Hilda said, worry on her face.
"Princess Hilda, while I appreciate the gesture, it's not needed. I'm fine." I said.
Hilda waved a hand. "Nonsense. We will talk more in my chambers. You, too… Presea, is it? You will join us as thanks for saving the Chosen One."
I sighed. There really was no telling Hilda no. Plus, we could talk more openly in her private chambers. I glanced at Presea, who didn't seem off put by the offer.
"All right. Is that okay with you Presea?" I asked.
"Yes." Presea said.
Hilda nodded. "Good. If you would follow me?" She turned and led us up the staircase she had come down moments before. When we reached the top, I was panting softly but Hilda was as calm as ever, and of course Presea was unaffected. Mentally I blamed my recent beating, but I was really admiring Hilda. She must work out.
We followed Hilda silently through the sparkling halls of the Castle, and in no time I was completely lost. I will never get the hang of this place.
"Here we are." Hilda murmured, opening a door and ushering us inside.
We stepped into her sitting area, which of course was as elegant as Hilda herself, and an older gentleman who had been sitting sipping tea stood up.
"Ah, Princess Hilda." He said bowing respectfully.
"Now, now. None of that Dr. Chilton." Hilda said, taking his hands and kissing his cheek. She turned to us.
"Dr. Chilton, may I present Chosen One Sheena, her Summon Spirit Corrine, and her friend Presea? Everyone, this is Dr. Chilton. He has been the family doctor since before my birth." Hilda said.
Corrine nodded and I grinned. "It's a pleasure."
"Is it? How marvelous. Now, Hilda was telling me you were recently attacked? Are you in any pain?" Dr. Chilton asked.
I winced. "Unfortunately. I was hit several times in the ribs and stomach. But I'm fine, really."
"She's in pain! Her chest really hurts!" Corrine chirped.
"Corrine!" I scolded, glaring at the fox-like figure on my shoulder.
"Sorry, Sheena! But it's true!" Corrine said.
The doctor smiled at Corrine.
"Well, then. I should definitely take a look. Would you be more comfortable if we went into another room?" Dr. Chilton asked.
I shook my head and sighed. "No, let's just get this over with."
Hilda laughed. "Oh, Sheena. Dr. Chilton has a perfect bedside manner, I promise. Come, Presea, Corrine – let's sit to give Dr. Chilton some room."
Presea sat on the couch next to Hilda, and Corrine hopped off my shoulder and settled on Presea's lap. The pink-haired blinked, but that was her only sign surprise.
"I'm going to need to take a look at the area, so if you don't mind…?" Dr. Chilton said.
I nodded and reached behind me, untying my pink ribbon and quickly but carefully removing my lilac shirt cover, white bodice, and black undershirt. Once the last piece of clothing dropped, Hilda gasped and Corrine squeaked. Bracing myself, I looked down at my body and couldn't help but wince. My torso was already covered in deep purple blooming bruises, and seeing them made my chest throb in pain. I clenched my fists at my sides as Dr. Chilton leaned forward and delicately fingered the bruising. He tutted and removed his hands.
"From the amount of bruising, it is possible that you have multiple fractured ribs. I'm going to need to apply pressure in order to tell, however. It may be painful, but please try not to move.
I nodded and clenched my jaw bracing myself as best as I could. Dr. Chilton nodded as well and placed his palm under my bust and began applying pressure and feeling my ribs. I inhaled sharply and took a small step back but then grimaced and forced myself to remain still. By the time Dr. Chilton was done, I was panting slightly.
"It doesn't feel like any are broken, but they are almost certainly severely bruised. I recommend no extraneous work for at least a few days in order to give them time to heal." Dr. Chilton said, taking out some bandages and wrapping my ribs.
I nodded, quickly reassembling my outfit. "Thank you, Doctor."
He smiled gently at me and resumed his seat, sipping his tea. "It is no trouble at all. Just be sure to change the wrappings twice a day."
"Oh, Sheena! How did this even happen?" Hilda asked.
I frowned. "I thought the Pope told you…?"
Hilda shook her head. "No, he just informed us that he would be busy interrogating the Chosen One's attacker and not to disturb him."
"Figures." I muttered. "I was taken by surprise, that's all, by an old acquaintance. Presea and Corrine saved me." I explained.
Hilda turned to Presea, looking a little uneasy. She hesitatingly reached out and took the pink-haired girl's hand. Presea looked at her with her blank stare.
"Thank you for helping Sheena. If there is anything you want or need, please don't hesitate to ask." Hilda said.
"Hey! I helped too!" Corrine chirped.
"Of course, Corrine! Thank you!" Hilda said, dropping Presea's hand in favor of petting Corrine.
"Home." Presea said, startling us.
"Presea?" I asked.
"I… want to go home." Presea said.
"Oh. Oh!" Hilda exclaimed. "Yes, of course. I will talk with Father, His Majesty, and the Pope at once. Although, you being the only one who can retrieve the scared wood needed for the rituals of the Martel Church complicates things a bit. But don't worry, I'll think of something. It may take me a few months but I will get you home."
Presea nodded.
"Thank you, Hilda." I said.
Hilda waved her hand. "Don't thank me yet – thank me when I manage to pull it off."
I grinned. "I knew you were my favorite Princess."
Hilda laughed. "Silly, that's because I'm the only Princess you know."
"Princess Hilda, Chosen One Sheena, Presea, and Corrine – I believing I shall take my leave now. I'll be in my rooms if you need me." Dr. Chilton said.
"Won't you stay for lunch, Doctor?" Hilda asked.
"No thank you, my dear." Dr. Chilton said, rising.
"Very well. Enjoy your day." Hilda said, rising and kissing his cheek.
"Thanks again." I said smiling.
"Yes, thank you." Corrine said.
Dr. Chilton smiled and left Hilda's rooms.
"Well, what shall I order up for lunch?" Hilda asked.
"Thank you so much Hilda. For everything." I said, carefully hugging the Princess. The sun was beginning to set and Presea, Corrine, and I were leaving the Castle.
"Any time, Sheena. You know that." Hilda said, stepping back and petting Corrine briefly, who was once again on my shoulder.
"Goodbye, Corrine. Take care of Sheena." She said.
Corrine purred and nodded.
"Presea, I will start first thing tomorrow trying to find a way for you to go home." Hilda said.
"Thank you." Presea said.
If the plan I had worked, I wouldn't be seeing Hilda for a while…
"Oh! I almost forgot!" I exclaimed.
"What is it?" Hilda asked, confused.
"My friend in the Elemental Research Lab wants to be transferred to the Imperial Research Academy in Sybak and I promised her I'd put in a good word for her to speed up the process." I explained.
Hilda frowned slightly. "Sheena, I really wish you wouldn't get so close to those in the Lab."
I frowned back. "Hilda, how many times do we have to have this argument? Half-elves deserve the same treatment as humans – just because they are a different race does not deny them their right to life."
Hilda shook her head. "I know you truly believe that. But…"
"Will you help her or not?" I interrupted, not wanting to get into the argument.
Hilda sighed. "I'll see what I can do. What is the name?"
"Thank you, Hilda. Her name is Annabel." I said.
Hilda waved her hand. "I'm sure it won't be too hard to convince father to allow the transfer."
I hugged her, thanking her again, knowing she was only doing this for me and that if Annabel had appealed for the transfer without my influence she would have been ignored for months, possibly years.
"Be well." I murmured, stepping back and towards the door. Hilda returned the sentiment and I smiled at her and waved, then led our little group out of her chamber.
Once the door closed behind us, I looked around.
"Um… Presea? Do you remember the way out?" I asked.
Presea blinked then stepped in front of me. "Yes." She said, heading down the hallway. I followed her and in no time we were outside the Castle and standing in front of the Chapel.
"Well, I guess this is where we part. Thank you for today, Presea. I'm really glad you're back. If I'm not around for a bit, contact Hilda or Zelos if you need anything, okay?" I said.
"Yes." Presea said.
"Good." I replied. I pulled the girl into a hug and tried to ignore how unresponsive she was.
"Well… goodbye." I said pulling back.
"Goodbye." Presea said, turning and entering the chapel.
I took a deep breath and walked back towards the Castle and the stairs that would lead me to Zelos' mansion.
"Sheena, are you okay?" Corrine asked.
"Yeah. Thanks, Corrine." I said, smiling at him. As we neared the Castle, some guards called out to us.
"Chosen One Sheena!"
I stopped. "Yes?"
"Princess Hilda has ordered us to escort you to your destination." One guard said.
Damn that Hilda! She knew I'd never agree to escorts, so she had them ambush me.
I forced a smile. "I'm only going to Master Zelos' mansion, so that…"
"We were ordered to, Chosen One." Another guard cut me off.
I sighed. "All right. Let's go." I said in defeat.
Zelos is going to freak. I thought to Corrine as a total of four soldiers walked us through the streets of Meltokio towards Zelos' mansion.
Don't you think he'll be even more upset when he finds out what Kuchinawa did? Corrine's voice responded in my head.
I mentally groaned. Oh, Goddess, you're right! Maybe I won't tell him…
Sheena! You have to! Corrine said.
Says who? It'll only hurt him to know. I responded.
But! But! Who'll change your bandages? Corrine asked.
Damn. I forgot about that. I said.
See? You need to tell him. Plus, you need someone to talk to. You didn't really tell Hilda, and you didn't tell me either. Corrine said.
Oh, Corrine. I'm sorry. Here. I said, concentrating and sending him my memories of what happened.
Corrine's tails tightened on my neck and he whimpered softly.
Sheena… he whispered in my head, his voice full of pain and despair.
It's okay. I said back, voice hard, trying not to think about it.
Before Corrine could say anything more, the guards walking in front of us stopped. I blinked and looked around, realizing that we had reached Zelos' mansion. The guards were giving me uneasy looks and I tried not to wince. How many times had Zelos and Hilda warned me not to talk telepathically to Corrine in front of people?
One of the guards knocked swiftly on the door and Sebastian opened it quickly, hiding his shock.
"Hey, Sebastian." I said sheepishly.
"Chosen One Sheena. What a surprise. Let me call for Master Zelos." Sebastian said, quickly retreating inside the mansion.
"Thank you for the escort but I can take it from here." I said.
One guard shook his head. "We must remain with you until you are admitted somewhere for the night."
I sighed, but nodded.
The door reopened and I saw Zelos' smiling face. "Sheena, what…" He trailed off as he took in the sight of the soldiers and my strained face, his smile slipping.
"Master Zelos." One guard said, saluting. "We have been instructed to escort Chosen One Sheena to her destination of choice. The Chosen One seeks lodging here for the night. Will you house her?"
"Of course. The Chosen One is always welcome here." Zelos replied seriously.
The guard nodded. "Then, if you would dismiss us, we will leave you to your evening."
"Thank you for escorting her. You are dismissed. Send my regards and thanks to Princess Hilda." Zelos said.
"Yes, sir." The guard responded. All four soldiers saluted before turning to head back to the Castle.
I tried to smile. "Hey, Zelos." I said.
"Sheena. What trouble did you get into now?" Zelos asked, chuckling and stepping aside to let me in. I grinned and shrugged as he closed the door behind us.
"None, of course." I responded. He shook his head.
"How was your visit? Presea and Hilda doing well?" Zelos asked, leading me to the living room where Sebastian was setting out a platter of cookies.
"It was good; they're both fine." I said.
"Chosen One Sheena, what did you do to earn an armed escort?" Sebastian asked.
I waved my hand. "You know Hilda. Overprotective and stubborn."
Zelos studied my face for a moment before looking at Corrine. "Corrine? Why are you being so quiet?"
Corrine buried his face into my neck and shook his head. "Tell them, Sheena." He whispered.
"Corrine? Sheena? Tell us what?" Zelos asked, confused.
I sighed. "When I was visiting Presea, there was a small… incident. Don't worry, I'm fine." I reassured.
"What happened?" Zelos asked, carefully studying my face.
"Kuchinawa showed up." I said.
"What? What did that bastard do?" Zelos demanded.
"Zelos, stop interrupting me so I can tell you!" I exclaimed.
"Sorry." The redhead muttered.
I took a deep breath. "When I went into the storage room of the Chapel to find Presea, I literally bumped into him. I had sent Corrine ahead to find Presea. He wouldn't tell me why he was there, but questioned me and my choice of friends. After he set it on Presea and you – "
Zelos growled, and Sebastian put his hand on his Master's shoulder.
" – I tried to storm away but he backed me into one of the stacks of sacred wood and smacked me."
"He hit you? Oh my Goddess, Sheena! Are you okay?" Zelos exclaimed, taking my chin in his hand.
I jerked out of his hold, nodding and trying to smile. "I'm fine."
"Is there more?" Sebastian carefully asked.
I shrugged. "He started cursing me and hit me a few times. Before I could reach for my cards, he threw them onto the ground, holding my wrists and knocking me around. I called for Corrine and he came running with Presea, who had Kuchinawa pinned by her axe in one second flat."
Zelos stood up, fists clenched. "Sebastian, get Sheena to a doctor. Now. I'm going to beat the shit out of that bastard. He'll wish he never even looked at her."
Sebastian nodded but I jumped up and grabbed Zelos' arm. "No!"
"Sheena, I'm not letting him get away with hurting you." Zelos said, voice full of anger.
"Zelos, it's fine, I'm fine. Presea stopped him. You should've seen his face when he got up close and personal with her axe. And the Pope led him away for further punishment."
He slowly allowed me to pull him back down onto the couch.
"The Pope?" He asked.
"Yeah, strange, right? Who knows what really happened but either way there's nothing you can do now." I said.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Zelos asked.
"I'm fine." I said, rolling my eyes.
"Thank Goddess." Zelos said, pulling me into a tight hug. I tried really hard not to wince but couldn't hide my small hiss of pain.
Zelos immediately pulled back. "I knew it! Where are you hurt? Sebastian, get a doctor."
"No, Sebastian, wait." I said, causing him to stop in the doorway and look at me expectantly.
"Sheena, you're obviously hurt." Zelos said, clenching his fists.
"It's just a bruise, I promise. Hilda had her doctor look at it." I explained, placing one of my hands over Zelos' fist.
"Dr. Chilton?" Sebastian asked, coming back into the room and taking a seat.
"You know him?" I asked.
Sebastian nodded. "Yes, he has been serving as the doctor of the royal family long before Princess Hilda was born."
"Does he know what he's doing?" Zelos asked.
"He wouldn't hold his current position if he wasn't at the very least competent." Sebastian answered.
Zelos reluctantly nodded.
"Sheena… the bandages." Corrine reminded me.
"Oh, right. He said that I need to change my wrapping at least twice a day, something I'll need help with." I said.
Zelos grimly nodded. "I'll do it now. Let's go into your bathroom. Sebastian, I'm assuming it's well stocked?" He stood and pulled me to my feet.
"Of course. When you are done, dinner will be prepared." Sebastian said, standing as well.
"Go on up, Sheena. I'll be right there." Zelos said.
I rolled my eyes and shared a look with Corrine before leaving the room. As I was ascending the stairs, I heard Zelos asking Sebastian to check in with the Castle servants to find out what happened to Kuchinawa.
Shaking my head, I entered the bath near my room and Corrine hopped onto the sink counter. I took out my cards, carefully placing them next to Corrine, before quickly removing the clothing hiding my bandage wrap.
There was a short knock and the Zelos entered. "Sebastian's gonna make your favorite – "
Zelos stopped when he caught sight of me and yelped, spinning around to face the closed door, turning almost as red as his hair.
"Jeez, Sheena! Warn a guy next time!" Zelos yelled.
I laughed. "Come on, Zelos! We practically grew up together! You're like my brother! It's not like you haven't seen me naked before."
"Yeah, when you were ten! You've filled out since then!" He stammered.
I smacked his arm. "Hey, don't turn into a pervert like your dad now, not when you were doing so well."
Zelos growled and whirled around, glaring at me.
"That's better. Now you gonna help me change these or what?" I asked.
Well, how was it? I really hope you all liked it! Review and let me know you liked it or you hated it or review to berate me for the long wait but either way please review!
As I said in the beginning note, I'm thinking of posting a guest chapter every 15 chapters or so. If anyone is interested in writing one, please message me with your idea! It must be written from the POV of / about a minor character - so nothing about the main 9 please (Lloyd, Sheena, Colette, Zelos, Genis, Raine, Kratos, Regal, Presea). For example: what Dirk's doing now that Lloyd left, how he handled the group of villagers taking refuge at his house, something about Rix and Dee, etc.
If I like your idea, I'll ask you to write it! If it clashes will things I'll be adding in the future, I might ask you to change your idea a bit or provide you with the characters' backstorys - after all, my characters in this are different from their counterparts in the game. And if I get a lot of messages from people wanting to write me a guest chapter, I can't guarantee you'll get a chance. But please, if you think of something or are really interested in providing a guest chapter, message me!
Hopefully the next update won't be so long in the making. Don't forget to review please! Thanks to everyone who is faithfully sticking with this story and reading every update - you are the motivation for my writing! Thank you!