W00t! Here I am…AGAIN! Thank you so much for the reviews! I'm also adding more descriptive parts, and I want it to be clear that I'm writing this, pretending that Sheena was Lloyd's "best-friend" by the time whoever played it, finished the game. (Sorry if that last sentence didn't make sense; I worded it best I could.)

Disclaimer: Namco owns Tales of Symphonia.

"Sorry I knocked you down!" Colette said, helping Presea up.

"It's…all right…" Presea swung her axe over her shoulder. As she began to walk off from the shop, Colette stopped her.

"Uh, wait!" Colette put her hand Presea's shoulder. Presea turned around with a confused look.

"What?"

Colette stumbled over what to ask her. How the heck was she supposed to ask Presea about something like this? Presea wasn't exactly the best with romantic advice. Ever since she found out the truth of Alicia's death, she had held somewhat of a grudge towards romantic love. 'Well, she DID forgive Regal, but still…'

"Colette?"

Colette looked back up into the eyes of an anxious Presea. "Um, um…there's something I wanted to ask you!" Colette replied with a smile.

"…?"

"Ehehe…uh…" 'What do I ask? What do I say?"

"…"

"Um…uh…what…do you think about the wedding?"

"? Well…it is…going to be big, is it not?"

"Not…that…exactly…haha…um…"

Presea had a feeling about what was going on. 'Should I tell her? Or let Sheena…or Lloyd…what to do…'

This was a completely awkward moment for the both of them. Colette was obviously worried about the engagement to Lloyd, Presea was worried about how to respond, and they were both just standing there saying things like "Uh," and "Um…" and "…". Yyyyyeah. Pretty uncomfortable situation. And to top it all off they were standing in the entrance of the armory, where everyone could see and/or hear what they were talking about. The cashier guy broke the silence. "Hey! Blondie, and Short stack! You're blocking the way!"

Presea turned around to face the cashier. When he saw that she was gripping her hammer unusually tight, he decided to shut up.

"Ehehehe…sorry…" Colette replied to the cashier. She then turned back to Presea. "Um, is it, um, okay if we go…somewhere to talk?"

"…" Presea quietly nodded. Colette and Presea walked out in the direction of the fountain.

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Lloyd paced back and forth.

"Lloyd, stop pacin' lad, you're gonna give me a migraine," Dirk said as he rubbed his temples.

Lloyd chuckled a little. "Heh, sorry dad…I just wonder…do think Sheena really went to go tell Mizuho? I mean, it didn't seem right when you think about it…"

"You're just now figuring that out?"

Lloyd turned to face Kratos, who had leaned up against a wall.

"Was it supposed to be obvious?" Lloyd asked, annoyed.

"Heh." Kratos didn't smile or try to make a comeback.

"…" Lloyd was confused about the whole situation. People had been acting strange. His friends didn't seem genuinely happy about this engagement. When he tried to find out why they were acting "semi-interested", they just replied by saying that he was silly, and of course they were interested. Well, except Zelos. He said, "Yeah, yeah whatever. Hey, Lloyd, is my hair sticking up? 'Cause there's this ba-" And by that time Lloyd had already walked away. Even, Sheena. SHEENA. His best friend! She hadn't been there.

"Lloyd." Lloyd turned to face his Dwarven father. "Why not go talk to Sheena? You two have been the best friends ever since the combining of the two worlds."

"Yeah, I know…" Lloyd looked down thoughtfully. "But, she hasn't been…telling me everything."

"Aye," Dirk nodded. "That's why you should go talk with her."

"Yeah..." Lloyd turned to Kratos and stared at him for a minute.

"…What?" Kratos asked.

"…I just thought you were going to stop me, or say something," Lloyd shrugged. He walked out of the house. Kratos and Dirk could hear running footsteps and Lloyd ran to the shed to retrieve his Rheaird.

As Lloyd rummaged through the shed, Dirk turned to Kratos. "…I thought you were gonna say somethin' as well, Mr. Kratos."

"…Truthfully, maybe I should have…" he replied standing up.

As Lloyd and his Rheaird took off, Dirk asked, "Why, did ya hesitate, Kratos?"

"…" Kratos was silent for a minute, thinking of how to reply. "Well…maybe, he should find the truth on his own…If I told him, he wouldn't believe me."

Dirk gave him a half nod. "I suppose that maybe true…But, how would he react? He would always be friends with Sheena, but he loves Colette."

"I'm not…so sure…" Kratos trailed off. He closed his eyes and leaned against the wall once more.

"…? I don't really understand…" Dirk said to himself. He shrugged and went to go cook supper.

'I see where Lloyd gets his density from…' Kratos thought silently.

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"Sooo…there's my problem," Colette said as she folded her hands her lap smiling.

"…Why are you smiling?" Presea asked as she sat on the edge of the fountain.

Colette looked surprised. "Oh! Well, um…it's better than frowning right!" she replied as she smiled again.

"…I guess."

"…But Presea, what's wrong with it?"

"…Depends…"

"?"

"I'm afraid…you won't understand…"

Well, at least Colette was getting somewhere. "Presea," she asked gently, "Could you please tell me who's in love with Lloyd?"

"…Sheena." 'Should I have…said that?'

Colette sat there in complete shock. Was it true? No! It couldn't be! They were only friends! Well, best friends. 'Right?' Colette shook her head. "Presea…that…can't be right! I would never intentionally hurt Sheena, and we're best friends! She doesn't love Lloyd! Remember? She went to Mizuho, to tell everyone about the good news!" She was on her feet now.

Presea looked at Colette and looked back down. "Um…I…lied…" 'Why am I telling her all this? I was supposed to NOT tell her! I shouldn't have said that…'

Colette stood there in shock. 'Presea never LIES to anyone! Well…that I knew of…'

Presea stood up. "I'm…very sorry Colette…" She turned around and ran. 'How could I tell all that to Colette? I wasn't supposed to say anything!'

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Sheena poked soberly at her ramen. 'What am I to do? I can't lie to myself! Heh, lie to myself…what a joke! Of course it wasn't really lying…more like positive thinking. And what was so positive about it? Oh…I'm a freak…' Sheena sat there just stirring her ramen around. It was raining again. 'Maybe I'll go walk in the rain so I can get even more depressed,' Sheena sulked. It was just no use. She had given up all hope, and had stopped trying to make herself feel better. Why pretend? It was stupid to think she could fool herself.

She stood up and walked outside, ignoring the calls of Orochi. What was the point? She didn't care what anyone had to say at the moment. She walked forward, not stopping, staring only at the ground. 'I have to say something! I'm such a coward…I have the courage to risk my very life, for the two worlds, and yet…I don't even have the courage to say three simple words!'

Sheena walked on, out of Mizuho, as rain soaked through her clothes, and dampened her heart.

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Sheena sat in a ball, hugging her legs close to her body. All she could think about was what to say. She knew she had to return to her friends, but how could she do it? Was she overreacting? Or was she being as rational as one could be? She didn't know anymore…It was impossible for her to keep thinking like this…Luckily, Presea's house always seemed, somewhat peaceful. She could be sure no one would bother her here.

"SHEENA! Hey! Is that you?"

Sheena froze. She knew that voice better than anyone.

"Sheena!" Lloyd ran down the pathway to Presea's house. He met his friend with a smile. Unfortunately, she didn't return his smile. Her head drooped and she had a sober look on her face. "…Sheena?"

Sheena slowly looked up, trying to find the words to say. All she could utter was a weak, "Hello, Lloyd…"

"Sheena…" Lloyd looked worried.

"I'm sorry, Lloyd…a lot of things have been on my mind lately…"

"…What kind of things?"

"…Eh…I…Ah, Ah-ah…" She couldn't muster the right words to say. What was there to say? He was her friend…he would understand. 'Right…?'

"Sheena…please." Lloyd had a look of hurt in his eyes. "I want to help you…you're my best friend…"

Sheena couldn't bear the look of hurt in his eyes. She turned away. The rain was pouring through her body. She felt…so empty, and sad…and afraid. 'I shouldn't be feeling this…'

"…Fine. It's okay. You don't have to say." Sheena looked up at Lloyd, who, despite his sad eyes had a smile. "I…just can't stand it when you're sad…" Lloyd turned to walk away. "If you need me, I'll be in touch."

Sheena took a deep breath. "Lloyd…wait."

Lloyd turned around. "Yes?" IT was about time Sheena came clean. He did hate to see his best friend so sad.

"I…love you."

That was it. She had said it. Lloyd stood there in shock, as Sheena stood staring at the ground. Her hair covered her eyes as the rain poured through her soul. Tears began to well up in her eyes. She looked up at Lloyd, and continued to talk before Lloyd had a chance to react.

"You've been my best friend for the longest time…but what you never understood, was that I cared deeply for you. I haven't stopped thinking about you…ever. Not even for an instant!" Sheena was beginning to raise her voice. "I was always so afraid when I wasn't with you to make sure you were okay! And when Mithos abducted me…I was scared what was going to happen to you…"

Lloyd stared at his friend as tears streamed down her cheeks. For once, he understood everything. She had cared so much about him…and he had decided to settle for Colette. 'Settle? What do you mean settle? I love Colette! Or maybe…No! So I'm just going to question my feelings for Colette, right when another woman tells me she loves me?' Lloyd actually stood thinking for once, about his decisions. 'But, Sheena isn't just anyone…she's my best friend…But…I thought she only wanted to be friends! Whenever I tried to flirt with her before…she got mad. Why?'

Lloyd had been thinking for a moment, and then realized Sheena was very close to him.

Sheena squeezed her eyes shut. "Forgive me," she said, and she brought her lips to Lloyd's.

Lloyd's eyes popped as Sheena held him close. He suddenly felt her hands cupping his face, as his dry lips pressed against her soft, moist ones. Both their faces were bright red, but neither of them withdrew from the kiss. Lloyd closed his eyes and felt her lips press harder. He brought his arms around her waist, and held her tight as their noses rubbed against each other. It wasn't a passionate kiss, but nevertheless, it was one Sheena would remember.

Sheena pulled away slowly and dropped her head, as her bangs once again, covered her face. "I am… so sorry…"

Lloyd didn't know what to say. 'This wasn't supposed to happen! But I did like it…Well, because it was a kiss! You're supposed to like those…But, am I sure, it wasn't because it was from Sheena?'

"I'm sorry, I won't bother you anymore." Sheena turned to run up the path, and Lloyd turned to stop her. But, what they both saw made them freeze in their tracks.

Colette stood there in the rain, with sad, unbelieving eyes. She had seen it all.

Um, sorry if I didn't describe the kiss real well…I've never written about something like that before. Heh, um I hope you liked this chapter, because in my opinion, it was the best so far…I hope you enjoyed this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it.

As a heads up for the reviewers, the next chapter is PROBABLY going to be mainly focused on Raine and Genis' POV. PLEASE REVIEW!