Chapter 16!

I hope you'll like it!

I do not own the characters or the locations of Tales of Symphonia.

"I…don't believe…it" she whispered and starred at the person in front of her. Noishe next to her still couldn't stop moving and was walking back and forth between the two. She could almost feel his excitement. "N-Noishe?" the young woman asked with a trembling voice "I forgive you for dragging me here. No, actually I owe you something. Remind me later of it." Carefully she took a deep breath then she made hesitating a step forward. Then she stopped again.

"Are you al…" but before Kratos could even finish his sentence Anna had kissed him. And because of his surprise both fell on the ground. But not even for a second she let go of him. Not for a single moment she dared to move her lips from his. Well, Anna didn't actually let the Seraph a choice. She had practically nailed him to the ground.

"I'm more than alright! I'm more than fine! I'm…I'm…I'm" the young woman said and her bright smile made it hard for her to speak at all. Instead of wasting time stammering she kissed him again. Deeply and passionate. With her hands she pulled his face closer. A burning feeling spread from her head to her entire body and it felt incredibly good.

Eventually she let go of him. She had to catch her breath. "You have no idea how much I've missed you!" the young woman whispered and looked at the face she loved so much. The face she had thought to have lost forever.

"I think I do know" he answered calm. "Why…why are you here? I thought you were back in Derris Kharlan. What happened with Yuan? How is it possible that…." suddenly Anna's tone changed from excited to guilty. "I'm so sorry!" she said and wrapped her arms around him "I'm so, so sorry! I should have listened to you! Please forgive me!"

She could hear his heartbeat. Such a soothing noise! "Anna, you don't have to be sorry" he answered. The woman looked at him. "But I walked off. Alone!" "You are not responsible for…" she narrowed her eyes and interrupted him. "Wait a second! Is this your lame attempt to say that it was your fault?" she asked. He opened his mouth, but she cut him off. "Oh hell no! I won't let you even try that! It was my fault! My alone! Okay, Yuan played a part in it too, but to 99 percent my fault!"

Anna kissed him again. "And if you should try it again I can shut you up quite easily." She smiled brightly. "What happened? What did you do?" she sat surprised up and looked at him "And what are you wearing?" The Seraph wasn't wearing his white Cruxis-outfit anymore. In the weak light she couldn't see it that well, but it looked like a normal shirt and pants.

"Something less…conspicuous" he answered. She raised her eyebrows. "You look so normal" she smiled "You look quite human. Still I doubt that you fall into the category of not conspicuous. You are a Seraph after all. Which brings us back to the subject of what exactly happened after I passed out."

Even in the dark she could see him frown. "Or is that something you don't want to tell me?" she asked carefully. "It is more something I would like you not to know" he replied and tried to sit up.

"That bad?" He didn't answer.

"But Yuan's plan didn't work?"

"His plans usually fail if they involve forcing me to do something."

"Good" she sighed "I seriously thought you were back in Derris Kharlan."

"Returning there did not cross my mind for a second."

"You really don't like this place, do you?"

"Staying here on Sylvarant is simply far more appealing." The way he said that made her slightly blush. She was hoping he didn't see that in the dark.

"So…" she brushed some hair out of her face "You are not mad at me at all?"

"No."

"You know it would be only fair if you were mad at me now. I really screwed up."

"You didn't."

"I did! I mean I should have liste…" but before she could finish the sentence he kissed her.

"Did…Did you just shut me up with a kiss?" she asked amazed.

"No, I did not."

"Are you sure? It pretty much felt like that." He didn't answer. Anna looked at him. The Seraph looked slightly different.

"Are you sick or something?" she asked him eventually.

"Why do you ask?" he replied.

"You are strangely…not gloomy at all" she replied honestly "That is a bit weird. However, a nice difference."

Now she simply hugged him and whispered "You can't imagine how happy I am that you are still here!"

"I believe I can" he answered. She could only smile.

"Would you let me sit up now?" the Seraph asked.

The young woman leaned forward kissed him again, but she got off him. She stood up and looked at him. And the brightest of smiles spread across her face.

"And what are you going to do now?" Anna asked curiously.

"I should ask you this question" he answered. The young woman sighed, but her smile didn't vanish.

"Well, since you are not in Derris Kharlan" she said while patting Noishe's forehead "I think I'm going to tell the people, who are taking care of me, that I found a chance to get back home and that I'm going to leave."

"Who is taking care of you?" he asked and there was mild concern in his voice.

"A very kind couple, that found me in the woods and…" suddenly Anna's eyes widened "Oh no! I promised to be back before it gets dark. Oh dear! They must be really worried by now. I gotta go!"

She looked at him and sighed. "It's unfair! I finally see you again and then I have to go." She sighed again.

"Are you going to stay here?" the young woman asked.

"I intend to do that" Kratos answered.

"Good. Because if you're not here when I come back, I'll be more than mad at you" Anna said and kissed him. Then she said smiling "Know what? My neck is already aching again."

She made a step then she turned around and asked "And you promise that you will be here tomorrow?"

"I promise" he answered.

"Well then. Good Night!" She made a step, but after a second she turned around and hugged him. Feeling the warmth of his body made her feel so safe and so happy.

"I seriously thought I'd lost you forever" the young woman said and smiled softly "You have no idea how much I've missed you. You have absolutely no idea…"

…

"Anna, where have you been?" Phaidra asked after the young woman had opened the door "We were so worried about you!"

"I'm sorry! I guess…Well, I was…Before I knew it, it was already dark" she answered. The elderly woman sighed.

"Thanks to Martel, nothing happened. You should be more careful! There are monsters out there."

"I know. It won't happen again!" Anna promised. She was smiling brightly.

"You seem to be in quite a good mood" Jonathan said and looked at the young woman.

"Really?" Anna brushed some strands out of her face.

"He's right. I have never seen you smiling like that" Phaidra replied. She took a closer look at her.

"Well, it was…a very nice day" the young woman answered.

The man raised his eyebrows. "It was nice, but not wonderful enough to justify your bright smile."

"May I help you with the dishes, Phaidra?" Anna asked trying to change the subject. She couldn't explain them, what caused this happiness, but she didn't want to lie to them either.

"Sure. If you want to" the elderly woman answered.

Anna made a step then Phaidra suddenly said "Oh no! Your back is bleeding!" She tried to look at her back. She had completely forgotten about that. The woman took her by the hand. "Okay, that's it. We go immediately upstairs to treat that and then you'll have to eat something!" Phaidra ordered. Without resisting Anna followed her.

"Seriously!" the blond woman said while putting the gel on the young woman's back "How did that happen?" Anna answered "I don't know. I wouldn't have realized it if you hadn't pointed it out." The woman sighed. "You should be more careful. You might be young, but not immortal." "I promise I'll be more careful in the future" she replied.

"Good. But at least regarding that cut you don't have to worry anymore" the elderly woman said "After this treatment it won't open again."

Anna raised her eyebrows surprised. "Why are you so sure of that?"

"Because I used lemon gel."

"You did what?" Anna asked shocked "Phaidra, you shouldn't spend so much money just to treat my injury. It would have healed on its own."

"Don't worry, my dear. It didn't cost as much as you think. I have good relationships with the storekeeper, besides you needed it."

"But…"

"No but! I did it gladly. End of story."

Anna sighed. This woman was too kind for her own good. After some moments Phaidra asked hesitating "May I ask…ask you how…you got all those…those scars?" For a second Anna's eyes widened. She really hadn't expected that kind of question. Phaidra blushed slightly and went to the door. "I'm sorry I asked. It's clearly something I don't have to know."

Just when she was about to leave the room the elderly woman heard Anna saying "I got them from the Desians." Phaidra turned around. She looked at the young woman. She was still smiling, but her eyes had a sad expression. Anna continued. "I was…in a Human ranch. I was…I was a prisoner there. It took me a year to escape and that was enough time for them to…well, to give me those scars."

"You escaped from a ranch?" Phaidra asked shocked.

"Yes, I did. But don't ask me how I did it. I don't know it myself."

"Why did you tell me?"

"Because…I owe you that. You have treated me so kindly that I thought that I at least owe you the truth."

Both women were silent for a moment. Then Anna said "Please, don't tell anyone! If it would get out that…someone like me is here, the Desians would surely…. I don't want to endanger you and this town." The elderly woman sat down next to her and said softly "I promise I won't tell anyone. And I thank you for telling me. I really appreciate it." She touched Anna's cheek. "Like I said earlier. You are full of surprises."

The young woman smiled. "Thanks for the compliment!" she hesitated for a moment "Ähm…Phaidra? I intend to leave very soon."

"Why?" The elderly woman looked quite surprised and even a bit sad.

"I was away from home for quite a long time and well, someday I'll have to go home."

"But how are you going to get home?"

"I'll join a group of pilgrims. That's the safest way. Besides I was long enough a burden for you."

"You aren't a burden, Anna" Phaidra said smiling "You are a blessing. I would like you to stay longer, but I'm very sure you won't change your mind."

"Thanks for understanding that" Anna answered.

"But you can't leave before the day after tomorrow" the elderly woman replied.

"Why can't I…"

"Have you already forgotten? Two men are desperately waiting for you at the Temple" the woman winked at her "You can't disappoint them."

Anna sighed but giggled after a second. "Alright. Alright. I won't disappoint them."

…

The young woman had barely slept during the night and because of that she was more hyper active than usually. However, her awful good mood was still there so the whole morning she was smiling. Anna couldn't suppress it and honestly she didn't really try. Why should she hide her happiness?

"Are you okay, Anna?" Phaidra asked.

"Why do you ask?"

"I'm only worried about you. Smiling for so long must be painful."

The young woman laughed. "Don't worry! I assure you everything is okay. No, that's not true. Everything perfect!"

Phaidra looked at her a bit skeptical. "Why is everything perfect?"

"Another day in a beautiful world! What can't be perfect?" Anna meant that. Everything was absolutely wonderful!

The elderly woman smiled and answered "Well, I can't disagree with you on that. It is a beautiful day."

"I'm going to the Temple now" Anna said and was already halfway through the door.

"I want to now everything when you come back" Phaidra answered.

Today the way to the Temple seemed to be longer than normal. It felt like eternity till she finally reached the building. At the foot of the stairs she stopped. It was silly, but Anna was a bit…nervous. "Seriously! You managed to escape from a Human ranch, but you are afraid to go up some stairs" she said to herself. Eventually she went up the stairs.

Like always some tourists and pilgrims had gathered. Actually a bit more than usual. While trying to find Jonathan Anna had to admit angry that she was a bit small. She had a hard time looking for Jonathan, because most of the people were blocking her view. After a while she came to the conclusion that he had to be in the Temple.

The young woman entered the building. She was wondering if she should turn left or right when a familiar silhouette caught her attention. She walked to it.

"Hey, stranger!" Anna said smiling and looked at the Seraph. He was standing in front of the entrance to the altar room. "I thought you would come later" he answered and looked at her.

"Well, I couldn't wait any longer. To be honest I barely slept" the young woman replied smiling "I was too exited."

"Exited?" Kratos asked a bit surprised.

"Who wouldn't be exited about meeting your love again? Especially after believing that he returned to Derris Kharlan" she answered honestly.

"It was only a single night."

"Oh. So I was the only one who was exited…" For a second she looked slightly disappointed.

"I didn't mean it like that" the Seraph said. Anna rolled her eyes. She looked at the door in front of them.

"Mind telling me why you are waiting here and not outside?" the young woman asked.

He closed his eyes for a moment and then he answered "This place is directly connected to Cruxis. I was…simply drawn to it." He didn't seem to be very happy about this fact.

"Hm…" she gave him a soft smile "Old habits die hard I guess. But I wanted to ask you something. Is tomorrow…" The woman couldn't finish her sentence.

"Anna! There you are! I've been looking for you" Jonathan said. He looked quite surprised to see her in the company of a man. Alone with no one else around.

"Oh…right. I'm…I'm coming" she looked at Kratos "Sorry, I have to go." Anna walked quickly to Jonathan, not without looking at the Seraph one more time. Outside the Temple the elderly man said "Did I interrupt something in there?"

"Why do you ask?" Her cheeks started to burn a little.

"Oh, just because it seemed that you and this man would get along…very well."

"And? I just…showed him around. That's all."

"You know that's one of the men that asked for you yesterday" Jonathan said smiling. Anna's eye widened surprised.

"He did what?" she asked.

"Well, he came here yesterday asking for a young woman. He described you and I told him that you weren't here. Then I said to him that you would come here today" he scratched the back of his head "I must admit I was a bit intimidated by him." Anna giggled. Yes, that had been definitely him.

"What did he say? How did he describe me?" she asked and felt like a teenager again because of that.

"I can't remember exactly, but I think you would have liked it." The man smiled.

"Really? Can't you remember any details, Jonathan?" Anna wanted know. She had to know what he had said. The Seraph would never ever tell her.

"You have to give me some time. My memory isn't what it used to be" he thought for some moments. Finally he answered "I think he said beautiful, but I'm not quite sure." Anna cheeks turned to a dark shade of red.

"Seriously? You didn't make that up?" she asked.

"Why should I?"

"Okay, I believe you this time" she answered. He had said beautiful. He had described as beautiful. She felt how a feeling spread from her heart that felt a bit unfamiliar but not exactly uncomfortable.

"You should see your face right now" Jonathan said while looking at her.

She looked confused at him. "Why? What's wrong with my face?"

Jonathan smiled and answered "You look just like my daughters when they had a crush on someone."

"I…I don't have a crush on him!" she protested blushing "I barely know him!"

"Sometimes you only need a moment" the man answered and started to collect the donations some of the pilgrims had left "Never heard of love at first sight?"

"I'm not the kind of person for that" Anna said and helped him. If he would only know that she had needed a bit more than a month to fall in love with the Seraph.

"So you don't care at all that he's looking at you for now about five minutes?" Jonathan asked smiling.

"What?" Anna said and barely managed to resist the urge to turn around. Don't look! Don't look! Stay calm! Just don't turn around and look! "You're making that up, Jonathan. He's certainly not looking at me."

"Well, turn around and see for yourself" the man said.

"I will definitely not turn around!" Anna answered determined.

But eventually she said hesitating "Jonathan…I think…this man is a bit…lost without me. Do you mind if I…show him the rest of the Temple? I mean only if you're not too busy." Very subtle, Anna. Very subtle. The elderly man laughed.

"Go, Anna. Don't let me hold you back" he said smiling. In the moment where she was about to turn around, he added "But I doubt that he's really interested in the Temple though." Anna rolled her eyes and sighed "Seriously…"

…

"He did WHAT?" the young woman asked the Seraph quite shocked. They weren't in the Temple anymore. The two were outside near the ocean and somehow they had managed to get there without Jonathan noticing.

She started pacing forth and back, looking extremely worried even for her standards. What Kratos had told her, had…concerned her to say the least.

"Anna, please calm down" he said to the woman, who was obviously close to freaking out. She looked at him for some moments.

"I can't calm down, when you tell me something like that" she answered and walked even faster. Oh dear. Oh dear. Oh dear. I'm. So. Doomed! Eventually she stopped and looked at the ocean.

"Dammit! This is bad! This is really, really bad" the young woman said "I can't believe Yuan told Yggdrasill that you left Cruxis…because of me!" Only saying it made her shiver. This report had made her a direct target of Cruxis. Before that it had been more like that she should be killed if she gets in the way. But now…Anna was really in trouble. In very deep trouble.

"What was he thinking? Why did he do that?" she asked.

"Most likely he wanted the permission to take more aggressive measures to handle the escalated situation" the Seraph explained calm.

"Escalated situation?" she asked confused "When did the situation escalate?"

"When even Mithos couldn't deny the fact anymore that I betrayed him. But alone me being here on Sylvarant counts for Cruxis as an escalated situation."

"And do you think that Yuan will get the permission to take more…aggressive measures?"

He hesitated for a moment.

"Yes, I think he will" the Seraph said eventually.

Anna's eyes widened for a second when the fear hit her. She didn't want to think about what "aggressive" meant for Cruxis, but she was absolutely sure that she didn't want to find out. However, if letting her bleed to death wasn't aggressive for them…then things were about to get much worse.

"He got the permission only because he told Yggdrasill that you left Cruxis for a human?" she asked, but her voice was quieter than before.

"Mithos is a half-elf. Opposing him for a human…is for him the ultimate betrayal."

The young woman shook her head slightly. "But…why does he believe Yuan? I mean you came down here on Sylvarant on your own. You came here, because you don't want "An Age of lifeless Beings". I…got involved after that. I'm… I'm not the reason."

She looked at him slightly desperate for an answer. The Seraph remained silent for some moments.

"Anna" Kratos said calm "You are the reason." The woman's eyes widened and she looked at him shocked. What? Did he just…really say…that?

"You…I…Yuan's right?" she asked barely able to speak.

"He is" he simply answered.

"But you…" she said, but wasn't able to finish the sentence.

"I came down here on Sylvarant, because I disagreed with Mithos. You are right about that. I wasn't sure, however, if I could really leave everything from Cruxis behind. After meeting you…I am."

It took Anna more than just some moments to digest that. She looked at him for minutes unable to say anything. She looked at the man who was willing to give up his former life and who was willing to get himself in the worst kind of danger just…for her.

Suddenly she hugged him. She held him as tight as she could. Then the young woman said "Promise me something! Promise me that whatever happens, you don't leave me alone here on this world. I'm scared. I'm really quite scared right now. So you have to promise me that you don't leave. I'm in this mess and even if I wanted to I know I can't get out. I don't WANT to get out! I'll never want that, because I love you too much. But you have to promise me that you don't leave, because this mess is far too big for me to handle it by myself."

"You don't have to be worried. Nothing will happen to you" he assured her.

"Just promise me, Kratos!" she demanded "And don't tell me not to be worried. I'm the one who says that to you!"

"Alright, I promise you."

"Finally…" She sighed heavily. Great! Even more problems are approaching. Just because this stupid Seraph couldn't keep his mouth shut!

"Hate to tell you this, but your friend, Yuan, I really don't like him. He's a jerk."

"I never expected you to like him. Especially not after what he did…to you." The Seraph obviously didn't like to remember that occasion.

She rose on eyebrow. "You think just because of that I'm mad at him? Are you serious? From the beginning he referred to me as "The Angelus Project", "Cruxis Crystal" and even "this". And while he was watching me bleeding to death, despite knowing my name, he called me "woman". I might be a bit touchy about that subject, but that's more than enough for me to really not like him."

"…"

"The only thing good about him is that he's quite talkative" Anna added and thought about her conversation with the half-elf "Come to think of it compared to you he's a chatterbox. Although…compared to you everyone's a chatterbox."

Again silence.

"Still I'm not keen on meeting him again anytime soon. He's a bit…creepy.

"I am sure he will need some time until he has fully recovered."

Anna looked at him confused. "Recovered? What do you mean…?" she asked, but then her eyes widened.

"You…fought him? You guys fought? And you never thought of mentioning that to me?" The young woman looked slightly angry and a bit…worried.

"It was not a very significant battle" he answered, but that didn't really calm her down.

"Are you kidding me? How could it be not significant if two Seraphim are fighting against each other?" she asked and the anger couldn't be overheard.

"He was unprepared. The fight didn't last very long."

"Were you injured? Are you alright?" Anna asked and looked at him. Her anger had turned into concern.

He shook his head. "I am unhurt. Like I said the battle didn't last very long."

"Are you sure? You are not just saying that to calm me down?"

"I'm telling you the truth" the Seraph replied calm.

"Okay…" she kissed his cheek softly "Just next time something like that happens, tell me. I hate it when I don't know that kind of stuff."

"I will."

"Kratos" she said smiling and shook her head slightly "You're the worst liar I've ever met."

Finally they are together again!

If anyone has noticed it, yes, I let them meet at Temple just like Lloyd met Kratos. I just couldn't resist.

Thanks for reading!

Please review!