Well, would you look at this! I still know how to update quickly. Go me. Though, I was a little disappointed that my longest and one of my favorite chapters only received two reviews. Oh well, it still got plenty of hits, and I understand that everyone can't review, so I'm not mad. I just hope that I receive more. Don't worry loyal readers, I'll never hold this story hostage until I get a certain number of reviews.

On another note, a giant thanks to everyone that has reviewed, alerted, added this (or me) to favorites, or just bothered to read. You have no idea how much it's helped me. So, onto the chapter.

Disclaimer: I don't own Tales of Symphonia.

Chapter 8- Forgiveness

Sheena walked slowly around a few gravestones, eyes never leaving Zelos's back. It had taken a lot to drag him here. She had to watch him carefully to make sure that he would not slip away. The ninja considered the fact that she had actually convinced Zelos to stay nothing less than a miracle.

Now, she just had to hope that he would give this a chance, that he would give moving on a chance, because he could not just dwell on this for the rest of his life. Sure, Sheena could wait for him, and she would wait however long she needed to, but she was afraid that Zelos would not be able to live with the guilt that he was under.

Taking her eyes of off him for a second, she glanced down at the grave she was currently in front of. Sighing, she sat down, eyes returning to her lover. Resting her back against the cold granite, she waited patiently. Although, she was also trying to figure out why she had come to a stop at this particular grave. More so, she was wondering why she remained at it. However, it did not take her long to draw up a conclusion.

"I hope that you're watching this. I really hope that you're seeing your son moving on, again," She whispered to herself, smiling slightly, mentally praying that Zelos would gain some closure.

Crossing his arms, Zelos sighed, thinking about how to start this. "How does she expect me to have a one-sided conversation?" He mused out loud, hoping it might inspire him. Truthfully, it was not working.

"I don't know what to say," He complained, his voice almost sounding whiny, "It's not you'll respond anyway, since you're not…" He scanned the gravestone sadly, "here."

Sighing once again, this time in frustration, he turned around ready to walk back to Sheena. However, once his eyes landed on her body, the way she was sitting on the ground, fingers tapping the dirt patiently, his mind changed for a reason that he was not even aware of.

"Fine. I'll try this." Nervously licking his lips, he said, though he did not know why, "You know what Seles? There was a point in my life where I wanted you to be the Chosen, more than anything, even if it meant you dying for this world. But, now that you're actually dead… I can't believe that I wanted that. I would give anything for you to be here, probably even my own life…" He trailed off, despising the lump he felt forming in his throat.

"I don't get why you had to die. I mean, you were a good person. Life was always pretty unfair to you. I… I know that better than anyone how messed up your life was. You shouldn't have died like that, Seles. Not when you wanted me and I didn't come.

"But, I guess that I'm here now, even if you're not. And I've just gotta say that I'm sorry. I know it's not my fault, but I can't help but think that it is. I am so sorry, Seles." Cursing the few tears that slipped out of his eyes, he brushed them away roughly.

Swallowing, he continued, "I wish that you were here. Even if we argued a bit, you were still the best little sister I could ever hope to have. Why did you have to die?" That last sentence had come out like a sob, which caused him to close his mouth so he could try to compose himself. Now he really could not understand why Sheena had wanted him to do this. Well, in the back of his mind, he did understand, but the logical part of himself was being replaced by the part of himself that was mourning the death of his sister; that was afraid of losing the person closest to him. It was the part of him that ached with sadness and pain.

"I so wish you were here to forgive me, even though you would probably say that I haven't done anything. That is what you would say, right?" He stared at the stone, like he was expecting an answer. It was after a minute of heavy silence that he started to chuckle. "Look at me, thinking I'm going to get a response. I must be losing it."

Inhaling deeply, he muttered, "I'm scared, Seles. What if Sheena doesn't want to put up with me anymore? If I was her, I would've given up on me a long time ago. It's a miracle she can put up with all my emotional baggage." It was a lame attempt at a joke, but he was still trying to eliminate the lump in his throat. He did not want to breakdown. He was not sure he could survive breaking down.

"Is it selfish that I want her to stay with me? I don't know what I would do if I lost her. I just… I just love her so much, Seles, even if you didn't exactly like her. I know that she loves me, but is it wrong that I put her through so much?" A small smile on his face, he answered his own question, "You would want me to tell Sheena this, not you. And I plan to. It's just harder, I think, to tell her than you, but maybe that's because you're not really here."

Fidgeting nervously, Zelos whispered, "Even though you can't answer me, or talk to me anymore, I'm getting this feeling. You don't blame me, do you? No one besides myself blamed me. You would forgive, so now I just have to forgive myself, right?" He nodded to himself, agreeing with his last statement. "I think that… I'm gonna try. I have to try, for myself… and for Sheena." Allowing a few more tears to escape his eyes, he managed to rid himself of the pestering lump.

Beginning to turn away, he said one more thing to the grave, "Maybe this isn't so weird after all. I'll come visit you, okay, Seles? Wouldn't want you getting lonely."

Wiping the tears away with more care, Zelos walked over to Sheena, surprising the ninja when he called her name. As soon as Sheena was on her feet, the ex-Chosen quickly the distance between them. Just as he was about to do something, his attention was captured by the gravestone his lover had been resting in front of.

"Why did you choose to stop here?"

Scratching the back of her head nervously, Sheena said, "I didn't plan on it. I could watch you from here, and it just happened to be the grave of…"

"My mother," He finished, feeling oddly calm. He had never visited his mother's grave, excluding her funeral. It gave him an odd feeling, but he decided not to dwell on it.

Tearing his gaze away from the stone, he returned it to the woman in front of him. With no hesitation, and little reason, he placed his lips onto hers. The kiss was relatively short, but to Zelos, it said almost everything that he wanted to convey to her. That he loved her, that he always would, and that he wanted her to stay by him for the remainder of their lives.

Reluctantly pulling away, Sheena asked, "Are you… feeling better?"

With a small smile, he answered, "A little." Grabbing her hand, he pulled her close to his body, and they began exiting the cemetery.

"We'll… be okay, won't we?" Sheena asked quietly as they were nearing the exit.

That was a question that Zelos had considered asking. While they needed a well deserved talk before he felt completely confident about it, he answered with a gentle smile, "Yeah, we'll be all right."

Don't worry, this isn't the end. However, I do warn you that we are getting closer. In fact, probably another few chapters. That is why it is important to review!! I'd like to know how I'm writing this, if you have any suggestions, or just want to compliment me, even though it probably doesn't deserve that much praise.

Hopefully, I'll update again soon. But I won't make any promises that I might not be able to keep.