Sage: Sorry if this seems a bit off at the end. Just got back into writing this.

Kratos: ... Professor Sage doesn't own Tales of Symphonia, etc. Etc.

Sage: Apparently, my computer dis-likes me. Sooo.. hafta use the...

xxXXxx

The next morning, Raine awoke, feeling dizzy and light headed. She yawned, stretching her arms above her head before letting them drop back to her sides. What time was it she wondered, looking around, seeing Colette sound asleep, strands of blond hair strewn across her face as she was sleeping on her sides. Sighing, the Professor look to the other bed to find it empty..

“ Where did.. Kratos go..?” Raine thought, scooting to the edge of the small bed and getting off it, staggering slightly. She quickly grabbed her staff leaning against a nearby wall before falling on the soft lush carpet, wincing slightly. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath before using her staff to help her get up, and leaned on it partially to help her walk, and managed to get to the docks, seeing Kratos. She groaned and went to him, standing beside the mercenary, her slightly moved his head, then focused back onto the sea. The sunrise was already halfway risen almost white more then yellow, painting the sky in it’s wake light blue and white, everything else stayed dark.

“ Raine.. Why is it you’re afraid of water..?” Kratos finally asked, Raine opened her mouth, hurt, her eyes watering. She narrowed her eyes, closing her mouth again before pushing Kratos into the water, then turned away, slightly crossing her arms. Kratos surfaced, grasping hold of the dock, glaring at Raine under his matted auburn wet hair.

“ When I was a child... and I was with my mother and father..” Raine whispered, her voice breaking as tears slipped from her eyes as the male of the group climbed up, spitting out the salty water, it also dripping from his drenched armor. “ We were being chased by... there angry people.. so.. we fled onto a ship.. but.. they followed us even into the water, soon catching up to us..”. Raine turned to Kratos, her tears glimmering in the light. He got up slowly, feeling something telling him he shouldn’t of asked the question. “ I fell off the boat and into the ocean.. it was winter, too.. and the water.. it was so painfully cold, I was so scared, too.. as I was swept away by the currents.. I thought I was going to die..”. The elf wiped her tears, her voice shaky as her lips trembled. “ Overhead, I could clearly see the stars in the jet black sky, and rain started pouring down... I screamed, and finally someone pulled me out of the water and held me close.. my mother..”.

“ ... ”.

“ She abandoned me and Genis..” Raine whispered, and in a daze, she hugged Kratos, sobbing quietly. On the other hand, Kratos was so shocked by her story, he didn’t really know what to do other then hug her back..

Later on..

Colette smiled, finally watching the last pieces of Izlood. She smiled to her teacher, her eyes sparkling, while Raine’s face was pale once again.

“ Ugh.. Colette dear.. how can you be so happy..” She mumbled, holding her head, taking deep breathes. The Chosen smiled at her, clapping her hands.

“ Because it’s the first time at sea!” She cheered, throwing her hands up in the air, just as the boat swerved to the left sharply, as water swept onto the boat. Colette fearfully grabbed the pole, crying out and closing her eyes tightly, Kratos kept his balance, kneeling down using one hand to support his balance, Max grabbing hold of the wheel, and Raine..

Raine lost her seating position and slid off the boat, crying out as she hit the water, paralyzed in fear.

“ Professor!” Colette cried, about to dive in, but Kratos had already beat her too it, as water splashed lightly onto the deck, sweeping off.

“ Damn it!” Max cursed, as Colette’s heart raced with fear and worry; if something happened to Genis’ sister.. what was she going to tell him? That it was her fault..?

Underwater, Raine closed her eyes, her tears unseen. She slowly drifted to the bottom, remembering when she was a child, when suddenly something held onto her. She opened her eyes slightly, surprised to see Kratos, forgetting she was under water, she opened her mouth, swallowing a good mouthful of water. Her eyes widened as she felt herself grow weaker, coughing out water as she was helped onto the boat, her ‘ hero ’ lifted himself onto the boat, spitting out water before coughing.

“ Professor! Are you okay!” Colette cried as she shook her already shaken up and trembling drenched teacher. She slowly nodded, hit with a stupidity wordless to describe.

“ Raine..” Kratos mumbled quietly, on his hands and knees, head bowed, eyes closed. The elf-women looked down, hugging herself.

“ I’m sorry to trouble you like that, Kratos.. but, thank you..” She whispered, Colette wiped her eyes, smiling...

Palmacoasta..

“ Thanks Max. We appreciated the ride.” Colette said, smiling. She waved as Max smiled back at her when they walked away.

“ Palmacoasta..” Raine whispered, shivering with her sticking-to-skin wet clothes, Kratos just pretended to not act like he was cold, but Raine could see he was.

“ Did you say something Professor?” Colette asked, brushing her blond hair out of her face, then looking around, taking a deep breath of the salty ocean like smell. Raine grimaced, her stomach going queasy again, she could feel it coming.. “ I wonder how many ships come in and out of here!”.

“ Many.” A sales women said, as she passed by, stopping to look at Raine, who was now pale faced and holding her stomach, and mouth. “ Dear, is something bothering you?”. The women looked down at the bin she was carrying, full of dead silvery glinting fish. And oh did they stink. A wooden boat hit the dock hard, making it vibrate violently, people holding onto things making sure they didn’t fall into the clear seawater. Raine fell forward, hanging her head on her knees, still using one had to hold her stomach, the other for support, Colette waved her hands around before falling backwards, making the teetering women step back, and Kratos... he just stood there, arms crossed, maintaining balance. Water splashed onto the docks a bit, soaking the wood as it absorbed the liquid, and then finally the shaking stopped. Colette got up, giggling nervously, blushing a little.

“ Um, Miss, we were wondering.” Colette started as Kratos slowly helped the Professor to her feet. “ Is there a way to cure se–”. The Chosen was cut off in a most un-mannerly way; the sound of the elf puking on the poor mercenary, and it dripping on herself too.

“ Oh.. my...” The women said, as Raine groaned, holding her stomach again.

“ S..sorry..” Raine mumbled, closing her eyes as Kratos grimaced, looking a bit sick as well. The women shifted.

“ I’m the owner of the inn, would you like to stay there for a bit for free?” She looked over the two adults. “ And maybe.. wash up.”.

“ Yes, thank you!” Colette said, smiling as her eyes sparkled. The inn keeper smiled, curtseying slightly.

“ My name’s Hazel.” She said, her hair was straight, and long, except for the bottom, which curled. Her name went well, because both her eyes and hair, were hazel. “ I’ll meet you after I drop these fish off. By the way, what’s you’re names?”.

“ I’m Colette, this is Raine, and Kratos.” As she spoke, the blond pointed to each person when saying their name Hazel nodded and scurried off. Colette turned to her companions, slightly grimacing.

“ I.. don’t mean to cause so much trouble..” Raine mumbled, her voice faint and weak as she felt dizzy and sick.

“ It’s all right Professor, we’ll get you better in no time!” Colette said cheerfully, Kratos sighed, feeling disgusted at the moment, but helped the sick women to the inn, and in moments Hazel returned, showing them their rooms they would be staying in, Colette having her own while Kratos and Raine shared one. The maid at the inn, showed the two adults to the shower room and then took their dirty clothes away replacing them with different clothing.

Raine extended her hand, grasping the lever and switching it up, hot water spewing from the shower head. She took a deep breath as steam rose from the heat...

Later..

“ I’m feeling a little better.. shall we look around?” Raine asked, now in a emerald sleeveless shirt with a gold line just above the bottom, and a long white skirt.

“ Heh, heh.. Professor, you look really nice!” Colette giggled, Kratos glanced at Raine before closing his eyes again, wearing a white t-shirt and navy pants. The Chosen’s teacher blushed lightly, shifting, making the skirt sway lightly. “ I heard someone talking about a Governor-General Dorr?”.

“ Hmm.. The current leader of Palmacoasta..” Raine mumbled, Colette tilted her head a little bit.

“ Do you know him?” Colette asked, curiously.

“ Ah.. No dear..” Raine mumbled, shifting her eyes to Kratos, who was leaning against the wall by the window, half in light, half in darkness. She blushed slightly her heart beating a little faster, before she shook off her gaze and switched to the neat, tidy room. Oak floors that shone nicely in the sunlight, and the light blue painted walls with white at the tops and bottoms. The beds had a deep peacock blue blanket, and the rest was white.

“ Okay! Let’s go outside then! We’re right by the...sea..” Colette said cheerfully, her voice lowering at the sea part. Raine frowned slightly, feeling her stomach turn over again, but, she followed the other two down the stairs and onto the cobblestone path. She held her stomach, taking deep breaths as they crossed over a wooden bridge with water flowing under it calmly, reflecting anything it could. Colette gasped, her breath taken away by it’s beauty, and Kratos, had already been here many times before. And now, the group wandered to the center of the plaza, facing three buildings, and another path leading to Palmacoasta’s famous steam boat.

“ I’ve only read about Palmacoasta in books..” Raine mumbled, closing her eyes letting a warm breeze ruffle her skirt and toy with her hair. “ I imagine you’ve been here before, Kratos.”.

“ Yes..” Came his quiet reply. The Chosen smiled, pointing to the building with a cross on the top.

“ That’s the Martel Cathedral!” She cried, Raine nodded, watching Kratos without him noticing. Was it her or was he rather distant?

“ Correct. They have pilgrimages to the Hanakosia A/n: Spelling.. sorry.. peak.” Raine added, Colette smiled happily, cheerful as usual. She looked around, before spotting a puppy and was soon running to it and petting him.

“ ...The Governor-General’s office is there.” Kratos stated, pointing the building which was guarded. Raine nodded as Kratos continued. “ The other building, is Palmacoasta’s academy.”.

“ Genis was en-rolled there. He’s.. quite accomplished for his age.” Raine stated, as they watched Colette pet the dog while speaking to it’s owner. She had to admit; the blonde’s love for dogs was high, as well as her will to regenerate the world. As she closed her eyes, Raine could feel her heart pounding faster then usual. Maybe it was because they were so close to water, or else it was..

“ Professor! Look, look!” Colette cried as she ran to the two, waving a paper in her hands. When she caught up to them, she was out of breath, but she giggled and handed her teacher the paper. Raine took it and read. Confused, she looked at Colette, who giggled and clapped her hands together.

“ It’s a pass so we can get through to Asgard!” Colette beamed, Raine felt a bit of stupidity as she read it over again. Kratos shifted his gaze from Colette to her teacher, before turning it to the Governor-General’s office. He kept hearing these cries of a monster, like he did so many years before...

“ Ah, yes.” Raine was saying, he could feel her gaze shifting on and off of him since they arrived at Palmacoasta, maybe she was catching onto him?

“ –ght?” Colette finished, staring at Kratos, he was un-aware of what she was just saying, but nodded anyways. The blonde giggled, while the half-elf gave him a ‘ let’s talk later ’ face, Kratos half frowned, and then followed the females to Dorr’s office, inside, two men sat in a table, that was rather V shaped and polished so much it made the color appear lighter then it’s usual boring faded hazel. Colette smiled, her teacher assuming the blond one was Dorr, while the other one was Neil. Sorry.. don’t remember what color Neil’s hair is. Sad, eh?

“ Greetings travelers! We welcome you here as per the teachings of the Goddess Martel! May the blessing of Martel be upon those who journey. By the way, may I ask where you have come from? Or are you on a pilgrimage for Martel?” Dorr greeted.

“ We’re from Iselia.” Raine stated firmly, Dorr seemed to think for a minute, then came with his reply.

“ Ah, I heard the Chosen is coming from there.” He stated, Colette stepped forward a bit, bowing quickly, her hair falling forward, when she stood up again, it neatly fell on her shoulders and on her back again.

“ That’d be me! I’m Colette.” The Chosen said merrily, then pointed to the other two. “ This is my teacher Raine, and Mr. Kratos.”. Neil nodded at them both, smiling. Raine blinked while Kratos flinched at being called ‘ Mr. ’.

“ Ah, what a couple.” Neil stated, Dorr nodded. The professor, blushed, hiding it by her pretend choke, cough thing. Colette giggled while the mercenary closed his eyes staying calm.

“ Anyways. We have the Book of Regeneration it-” Neil was suddenly cut off by Raine, who regained her composure and her eyes were now sparkling like mad, her hands together as if to plead.

“ It’s the recording of Spiritua’s Journey!” She finished, Colette nervously smiled, as Kratos shifted, looking somewhat worried to Raine.

“ ...Erm. Yes. It’s the only d-” Again, Neil was cut off.

“ The only document containing detailed records of the world regeneration journey! Such a precious heirloom passed down through the Governor-Generals!” Raine finished, then more demanding. “ It’s vital to our journey. I want. To. See. It.!”.

“ Is.. Raine, really.. like this... all the time..?” Kratos asked nervously, Colette nodded, giggling. Dorr and Neil seemed to exchange odd, scared glances, before quickly handing over the book to the group.

“ Oh! Oh! Let’s return to the inn and read it!” Colette cried, taking it cheerfully.

“ Yes... Just fantastic!” Raine whispered, in her so called ‘ ruin-mode ’. Kratos sighed, before they all trailed back to the inn.

xxXXxx

Neko-Spy-007: n-n WOOT! That makes me feel so fuzzy and warm inside! Kaya: Um. .. Well then. xD YEAH! Curse you Kranna fa.. I mean.. Uh.. ahem. : cough cough : Yipee!

Unknown Enemy: No problem! I guess I forget to give those out... Uh.. heh.. : slight blush : n-n; Ummmmmm.. I'll try working on that next time... And yes, he did come from the hole. I'll try'n be more explanitoryishnessi Um. Uh. Yeah. Detailed. xD; Next time.

YinYangTigeress: Welll...Yeeaaahhhh xD but I screwed that out. As well as the Desians. I'm so evil aren't I. Tee hee.. I'm sorry for my lack of updating!

Illusion Maiden: xD bwahaha! I'm so glad to hear that! It makes me so fuzzy and w- .. I mean... YIPEE! Thank you soooo SO much! I couldn't do it without people like you:: admires you're : They're awesome too! Kaya: .. Made no sense.. ... xD; Okay! Whewt whewt!

Sage:: gives cookies to awesome reviewing people : xD Sorry. Gotz to go, SO .. Hyper!

Kratos: .. I wonder why..

Kaya: ... : holds up empty pop bottle, shakes head in pity : Yeahh...

Sage: Yipeee:: runs this a way :

Raine: Dear the exit is thi.. : Sage runs into wall : ...

KratosxKaya:: sweat drop : .. Until next time...