Note and Disclaimer: Since this is my first fic, I'm not sure how well the uploading process will work. If there are any errors bear with me, I'll do my best to fix it. Anyways, I don't own Tales of Symponia, Namco, or any of these characters. Oh yeah, and if you haven't beaten the game, DO NOT READ THIS, for it contains spoilers.

This will be rated PG-13 for Language, Violence, and Sexual Situations

The Journey After - Chapter 1

"Lloyd...C-Could I come along with you? I...I want to be with you..."

"S-Sure, Sheena! I want to be with you, too..."

Tethe'alla's moon glowed a light shade of blue high above them. The village of the elves was silent around the two friends. Sheena smiled happily as she fiddled with her pink ribbon wrapped around her waist, while Lloyd straightened his collar of his red, button-down shirt.

They were silent for quite a while. Being together with Lloyd, alone, was what Sheena desired since she first asked him to help her at Asgard Ranch. Before Sheena would release each summon spirit, Lloyd would comfort her. She doubted he actually knew what he was talking about. But, his words still soothed her. They meant something to her...Not like Zelos's comments about her body.

Lloyd was different. He didn't ever say anything about her body, ever. That's the only reason she had friends before...No one ever liked her since that accident with Volt. Lloyd did. He complimented her with his gentle, earnest words. He didn't scold her because she messed up and killed so many people. Lloyd understood her more than everyone. He would be kind to her and would let her cry on his shoulder.

Sheena loved Lloyd. He probably didn't know she did. He was a great guy, but very...slow. Sheena felt that if she was going to be with him for a whole new journey, she would have to keep herself a secret. She'd have to wait until deep into their private adventure for Exspheres to confess herself.

"Sheena...why did you not want me to save you in the Tower?" Lloyd asked, turning towards her.

Sheena looked up and stared into his dark, brown, forgiving eyes. She loved those eyes, the ones that comforted her all the time, the ones that were confused for more of that time. "Because...you needed to get to Colette..."

"Sheena, you, and all the others for that matter, are all important to me. Just as important as Colette is. None of you are any lesser than her. I could have gotten to her even if I had rescued you."

Sheena shook her head, her light black, almost purple bangs waving across her face. "Because, you're important to me. I wouldn't have made a difference in that fight against Pronyma and Yggdrasill. Lloyd, you are the only one that can defeat Yggdrasill. Look what happened! If you had taken 10 minutes to save me, Yggdrasill could've done something with Colette. He could have forced Martel to do something!"

"Sheena," Lloyd said, smiling, "I...I think your hair would look really good if you let it down."

Sheena buried her face in her right hand chuckling. "Lloyd..."

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"Never mind..."

Lloyd stood up, which sent a jolt of disappointment through Sheena. "Well, I'm tired. I'm going to head to bed, Sheena...Tomorrow...."

Sheena stood up as well. "I know, it's okay, you need your rest...Good night, Lloyd."

Lloyd nodded. "I'll need my full strength to take on da-Kratos...Sleep tight."

They both walked back toward the Heimdall Inn, staying silent. The night was cold, and Sheena's lower neck and upper chest started to get chilly. She pulled one side of her robe over the bare skin. They stopped at the front.

"Well...Lloyd...Good luck tomorrow."

"Thanks, Sheena."

Lloyd headed in first, and Sheena stood watching. Her light brown, purple tinted eyes continued to look at the door as he closed it behind him.

So many things had happened after that night. Lloyd defeated his father, Kratos, where Origin was located. Then, she saved him from being possessed by Mithos. She knew that he would find her where Mithos took her...and he did. Lloyd rescued her at Derris-Kharlan. Later that night, they approached the Half-Elf Mithos's castle, and Lloyd struck him down violently, with pity, yet with hatred.

Now, standing on the bridge over the river at Dirk's house, she watched the violence dissipate from him and mold into gentleness as he placed flowers on his mother's grave.

When he had finished saying something to the grave of his departed mother, he walked over to Sheena. "Ready to leave?"

She nodded, her eyes tearing up. "I'll always be ready," she said.

Lloyd shook his head. "Sheena, you're weird."

Sheena wiped her eyes. "Sh-shut up!"

Lloyd chuckled. "I was just kidding!"

"So, we're going on another adventure. We're going to destroy all the Exspheres. Where should we start?"

Lloyd took her hand. Sheena blushed, but she realized he was just being his usual, unknowing self again. "Come on! We'll start at the Iselia Human Ranch first! I'm not as smart as the Professor, but if I hit the control panels enough, I should be able to destroy it just like she did!"

"Lloyd..."

"Huh? What did you just say?"

Sheena blushed more. "No, it was nothing! Come on, let's go!"

Lloyd tugged her arm gently, urging her to continue forward. "Come oooon!"

Sheena gave in a grinned. "Okay, Lloyd! Just give me a sec!"

They ran across the two logs, straight into the forest. Sheena only remembered the outskirts of this place. This is where they fought the third Sword Dancer.

"Hey Lloyd, this is where we took out that skeleton thing, isn't it?"

"Yeah, you're right. Man, that was a tough fight," he said. Remembering that fight, he said, "Sheena, you need to know that what we are doing won't be a walk in the park. We're going to constantly be in danger..."

"Lloyd, don't be stupid! We were constantly in danger when we were chasing after that idiot Yggdrasill! And besides, as long as I'm with you, I'll be fine."

A gust of wind swept through the forest, blowing Sheena's bangs across her face. "That's good, you realize that. Then, don't die," he said as he brought her bangs back behind her ear.

"Lloyd! You're starting to sound like your father...!"

"Haha...It's not like I can help it," he said half-heartedly.

"I know, it's okay. But I won't die. I promise that. If I do, I'll never forgive myself. And if you're not protecting me non-stop, I won't forgive YOU if something happens to me." Sheena giggled.

"O-Okay! You'll always be fine! As long as you're with me, than you won't be touched!"

"Good. Then from here on out, you're my guardian. My life is in your hands."

Lloyd gulped nervously. "W-Wait, are you sure about that? It's kind of hard managing my own life...Let alone yours!"

Sheena smiled happily. "Well, looks like you'll have to figure it out then! Now, let's go to the ranch. You were so excited earlier!"

Lloyd ran up ahead and laughed. "Last one there has to study for an hour with Professor Sage!"

Sheena ran up after him giggling. Her blue and purple robes fluttered around her as the wind swept through the forest. Their journey had finally begun, and Sheena believed it was more important than the end or the start.

So, tell me if you like it! I personally love the Sheena Lloyd pairing. Sheena has such a better personality than Colette. The fact that she is hot doesn't factor in...Much...Okay, it does, but her personality still rules! Heh...Review!