Okay, time for disclaimer. I think I was supposed to do these every chapter but I didn't know...DON'T SUE ME! *puppy eyes* Anyways...oh wait, I don't have to do a disclaimer because I own Tales of Symphonia now! Muhahaha! ...No. Dudes, I'm just a twelve year old girl who thinks Presea's is a boss, Genis is talented (kendama skills), and cookies are the best inspiration out there. All rights of ToS go to Namco.

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Presea leaned on Genis as they sat, the hot sun beating down on them. However, Presea liked Mizuho. It was very calm, very contained. It put her mind at ease to smell the herbs and hear the tranquil chirping of birds. The faint noise of a waterfall could be heard in the background as well. The pink-haired girl closed her eyes and cuddled up next to the half elf, never expecting what she heard next.

"Everyone! Get over here! Sheena's hurt!"

Presea's eyes flew open as both she and Genis sprang from their seats, dashing over to the river. Lloyd was carrying Sheena bridal style on the shore, the boat slightly pulled out of the water but threatening to go back in. Sheena had blood smeared all over her clothes and face, her arm hanging limp at her side. The ninja's head drooped backwards as her neck was left unsupported.

"What happened?" Raine demanded, hand on her hip. Lloyd shook his head.

"I don't know. Kuchinawa was about to kill her but she used some seal I'd never seen before and defeated him first, but she was affected by the blast and passed out. She's pretty badly hurt," the swordsman finished. Presea glanced around, and for the first time, Zelos looked angry. Zelos and angry didn't go together. They were polar opposites. However, when it came to Sheena's health, Zelos was a bit more...serious. Perhaps like Lloyd was around Colette, but only in certain times. The Chosen of Tethe'alla walked forward and took Sheena from Lloyd's arms.

"I got her, Lloyd. Raine, where do you want me to set her so she can heal?" Zelos questioned, cradling Sheena's head with great care. Presea was shocked. She had never seen Zelos act this way. Raine led Zelos away so she could start healing the ninja, and Presea sat down next to the stream. Her eyes fell on a quite an irregular flower. It was small, perhaps only five inches tall. A bright green stalk held the flower tall, and small red bells hung off of it. Reaching out a hand, Presea caressed the soft buds, stopping to look at the contrast of her hand to this flower. Her hand was covered by a gray fingerless glove, with plates of armor covering her knuckles and the back of her hand. Seeing the war-ready accessory next to this delicate little flower made her think. How can such pretty things co-exist with things such as war? Drawing her hand back, she turned her head to follow the sound of footsteps coming near. Genis was standing over her, a childish smile on his face.

"What are you looking at?" he prodded, sitting beside her.

"Nothing." The half elf sighed, intertwining his fingers with hers. Presea felt the warmth and softness of his hand through her thick glove, and she squeezed it.

"Do you think...Sheena will be alright?" Presea questioned hesitantly. She thought of all the times Sheena had been kind to her...like the mother she never had. Genis nodded.

"Yeah. If Sheena is anything that's stubborn, and I can promise you some small duels not gonna bring her down. She'd probably trample Death itself and walk back out the door," he joked, and Presea could not keep the small grin off her lips.

"Yes, that does sound like Sheena."

The two sat for a while, pointing out different things in the pond.

"Look Genis, it's a fish!" Presea giggled. Back when her father was alive, she remembered how once he took her with him fishing. Presea smiled as she remembered falling in and how her sister had teased her about her hair pointing down for once. As if reading her thoughts, Genis grinned at her evilly.

"What is it, Genis?" she asked, tilting her head to one side. Using his other hand, the malicious half elf grabbed her arm and pushed her into the river. Presea squeaked as the water closed in around her, and when she came back up she was dripping wet. The silver-haired boy laughed outright at her shocked expression, her pigtails askew and drooping.

"Genis Sage, you will wish you hadn't done that," Presea warned in a eerily calm tone, her face absolutely blank. With that, the ax-girl grabbed his arms lightning-quick, and threw him into the river. Since she was a bit stronger, he landed with a huge splash, getting Lloyd wet.

"Hey!" the red-clad teenager shouted. Genis wasn't even paying attention as he smiled back at Presea, who was giggling.

"You look ridiculous," she laughed, for the first time in a while.

"Oh yeah?" he replied, a glint in his eyes. "Spread!" Presea squealed as she was sent rocketing into the air, landing and sending water everywhere. She was full-on laughing now. Man, that laugh of hers was beautiful. Genis wished he could hear it more. Presea pounced on him, tackling him into the water. It wasn't long before Lloyd and Colette joined in, and Regal stood on the side, smiling at the scene. Lloyd had the advantage of speed, being able to avoid most sprays. Colette could fly around, also giving her an evasive boost. Presea was slow, which Genis most certainly used against her, but she was so strong that she sent tidal waves at people. Genis clearly had the easiest time with his water magic. By the time the battle had ended everyone was dripping wet. Both ties had fallen out of Presea's hair, her damp pink locks falling around her face. By some miracle, Lloyd's hair remained standing straight up.

"What is in that hair of yours, Lloyd?" Genis asked, pretending to be appalled. Presea and Colette looked funny with their bangs plastered to their foreheads, but Presea was laughing at how strange Genis appeared when his hair was all the same length from the water pressing the locks together. Presea tackled him with a flying hug for good measure, both standing up. They dragged themselves to the shore and the half elf placed his arm around her, the water dripping off their bodies. He pushed some hair out of Presea's face, which looked even longer wet. It surpassed her hips. Colette's was insanely long, reaching her mid thighs and Presea noted that Genis' now reached past his shoulders. The river water was pretty cold, and despite the warm sun they were all shivering.

"Okay, everyone gather around me," Genis instructed. He pulled out his kendama, shaking some water out of it before positioning it. A warm wind whipped around the four, blowing their clothes and hair dry. Presea was beginning to pull some rubber bands from her pocket, but Genis stopped her, smiling.

"We aren't going to be fighting any battles," he reasoned, earning a warm grin from Presea. Slipping the ties back into her dress pocket, Genis ran his hand over her pretty pink hair. Presea leaned on him, breathing deeply.

"I still have to punish you for dragging me into the water, Genis," the ax-girl told him, still not moving from under his arm.

"And what might that punishment be?" the half elf questioned, humor coloring his voice. Now Presea pulled away, turning to face him at eye-level. Her face was serious, as if she was concocting an evil plan in her mind. In one swift movement, she grabbed his shirt collar and pulled him forward, causing their lips to meet. It wasn't a long kiss, but it was still sweet.

"I believe that was a fitting response for you giving me the most fun I've had in ages," Presea smiled, wrapping Genis in her embrace. He pulled his arms around her as well, liking the fact that her pigtail was no longer in his face when he leaned into the hug.

"I think I like your punishments," Genis muttered. Presea giggled slightly, pulling him tighter. "Presea...watch it...can't...breathe..." With a gasp the pink-haired girl jumped back, looking at him with an expression of concern.

"I'm sorry!" she apologized quickly, then frowned at him when Genis began to laugh. "Not funny!" Presea protested, crossing her arms.

"It was...haha...just a little bit," the silver-haired boy managed between laughs, tossing his head back. The ax-girl couldn't help but smile at his childishness, it was infectious.

"Do not scare me like that," Presea told him, knowing that he wouldn't listen. Turning her head to follow the sound of a loud shout, she saw Raine and Zelos coming towards them.

"How's Sheena?" Colette asked, the ever present worry in her voice. Zelos smirked.

"Oh, she's fine. Before you know it she'll be up and punching me like she used to," the Chosen of Tethe'alla joked. Zelos was definitely back to himself again. His gaze turned to Presea. "Oh, little rosebud, you look so cute with your hair down!"

"If Sheena were here, she would have hit you," Lloyd remarked. Zelos flashed his perfect white teeth.

"Why yes, she would have, but since she's not here-" The redhead was cut off promptly as Raine smacked the back of his head.

"Don't forget I'm here too, and I've had plenty of experience hitting Genis," the professor warned. Genis sighed.

"It's true..."

"So, what did you all do while we were gone?" Raine said, quickly changing the subjects.

"We splashed in the water, Professor Sage," Lloyd replied with a smirk, earning a shudder from the healer.

"Ugh..I hate water..." she muttered. Regal, who had stayed silent this whole time, finally spoke up.

"What should we do now?" he asked, always planning ahead.

"I suppose we should stay here until Sheena is fully recovered. We can spend the night at Tiga's place, he always let's us rest there," Raine suggested, and that was exactly what they did.

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Before going to sleep, Presea turned to talk to Genis. She had to be extremely quiet since they were not the only ones in the room.

"Genis?" she whispered, and his eyes opened to reveal deep blue orbs.

"Hm?"

"I...just wanted to say...thank you. It's been a while since I've been able to have fun," she admitted, staring at him with those entrancing ice-blue eyes. Genis smiled, kissing her forehead.

"You're welcome." His smile slid off his face slowly, as did the happy glint in Presea's eyes.

"G-Genis? What is it?" she whispered, suddenly nervous.

"You said it was a while since you had fun...how long were you trapped in that emotionless crystal state?" the silver-haired boy asked quietly, indirectly asking the question Presea knew she would be answering by responding: How old are you, really? The ax-girl lowered her eyelids, allowing her dark lashes to obscure her bright blue orbs. Much to Genis' dismay, she began to cry. The warm tears slid slowly down her cheeks and off her nose as she lay on her side. Her small body shook as Presea sucked in quick breaths.

"Presea...I'm sorry, you don't have to answer if you don't want to. I'm really sorry," the half elf apologized quickly. Rrg, I forgot it was such a sensitive topic for her, he chastised himself. Presea sniffled a little, raising her gaze to look at him with misty eyes. It nearly broke his heart. "I'm sorry." Like he had many times before, Genis reached out a hand to wipe away her tears, the inviting softness and warmth of her cheek too much for him. The half elf scooted a little closer and kissed her on the cheek.

"Genis...I should apologize. I overreacted over a small request. However, I...would prefer....not to reveal my real age...yet," Presea finished, choosing each word with great care.

"That's okay. Just remember though, that I care about you. If anything's bothering you, please tell me. I want to help you through it. Don't carry burdens alone," Genis told his girlfriend sincerely. Presea nodded.

"Alright. I promise." With that, she snuggled closer to him and dozed off to a not so pleasant dream.

***************

Presea wandered around the dark space, unable to see anything but blackness. 

"Hello? Is anyone here?" she called, slightly frightened. 

"Presea..." a voice called, causing the ax-girl to jump. 

"Who's there?" Presea called again. 

"Presea..." The voice was familiar, yet she couldn't even place whether it was male or female. Then, the one, single call turned into three, which turned into ten, which turned into twenty, all calling in different volumes, from different places. One would whisper in here ear while another screamed far off. The wispy, caring tones turned into angry yells, spitting her name out. Hundreds of voices swarmed her, engulfing the girl in their angry shouts. Presea held her hands over her ears, but the voices stayed just as loud.

"Stop! Stop it!" Presea screamed, squeezing her eyes shut. She could feel hands grab her wrists and pull them away from her ears, but still she could only see blackness. The unknown person slapped her, the force causing her head to whip to the side. Her cheek stung, the hot tears causing it to burn even worse.

"Genis! Genis! Where are you?" she called desperately, wanting him to be here and hold her until it went away. 

"Right here!" Indeed, she heard his voice. It was hateful, disgusted. 

"G-Genis?" Presea stammered, unable to believe he would ever talk to her that way. 

"You hypocrite! How can you have me pour my heart out and leave it on the table for you, only to keep all your secrets to yourself! You liar! You don't love me!" 

Before the ax-girl could even respond, she fell through the floor. She still couldn't see anything, but Presea could feel the wind rushing past her, the feeling of her stomach rising to her throat. A bright light pierced the darkness, like a star in the midst of the night. Inside the light, she saw a monster, its jaws open wide to catch her in its tooth-filled mouth. Hundreds of the sharp things punctuated its mouth, each on ready to tear her apart. Presea kept falling, the small monster growing larger and larger as she got closer. They were only a few seconds apart now. Three....two....one...!

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Instead of landing in a monster's pointy canal, her eyes flew open with a gasp to reveal a simple room. Presea was drenched in cold sweat and her chest was rising and falling rapidly, trying to catch her breath after such a terrible nightmare. Laying on her back, she stared at the ceiling, contemplating its whiteness. It was so different, so much more inviting than the black space she was in inside the dream. Without warning, a gasp erupted from somewhere to her left, and she rolled her head to the side to see Genis, also trying desperately to pull in air. His eyes shone with fear, and sweat covered his face. 

"Genis?" she whispered quietly, tears prickly the corners of her eyes as he brought back details of her nightmare. With obvious shock, he turned his head to face her. 

"Presea?" he called, the half elf's voice breathy and scared. Clumps of his silver hair stuck to his damp forehead. 

"Did you...have a nightmare as well?" Presea asked, reaching out her clammy hand to brush away the silver hair that stuck to his face. Genis was still so shaken he couldn't even bring himself to respond. He simply nodded, trying to control his breathing. Presea was also drawing in heavy breaths, still feeling the adrenaline course through her. She felt his terror 100%.

"What was it about?" she pried gently, wondering how they woke up at such close times. She watched sadly as tears filled his eyes, and she knew whatever he had dreamed was just as awful as what she experience. The last thing Presea wanted was for him to share that pain. His voice finally came, sounding unstable and frightened. 

"I...I was in a dark room. All I could see...was blackness. Then, I heard my name...being called. When I replied, I only...I only heard the voices multiply. They yelled at me angrily....it was a familiar voice, but I don't know...I don't know who. Then, I called out for...for you, and I heard your voice...but you started to yell at me. About....about how I didn't really....love you, because all I wanted to do was....was get close to you so....I could...steal your secrets. I wanted to tell you...that that wasn't true, but I started falling....falling down in the blackness. And when I looked down, I saw-"

"A bright light, with a monster at the bottom with hundreds of teeth, waiting to tear you apart," Presea finished, her fear taking on a whole new level. Genis stared at her, nodding slowly. 

"How...How did you know?" he asked, still staring unbelievibly. Presea looked deep into his eyes, confusion and fright bouncing around in her mind. 

"I...had the same dream. Except...it was you I called for."

The two sat in silence for a few moments, before Genis spoke. 

"What's going on?"

Presea sighed, her breathing finally back to normal despite how scattered her mind was. 

"I do not know. It must be early...and we need to sleep. Let's just...try to forget about it, alright?" Presea suggested, but her voice shook at the mention of sleep. Genis looked like sleep was the last thing he was going to do.

"But...I don't want to sleep...I'm scared.." Before he could mutter another word, Presea pulled him closer and touched their lips together. She kissed gently, reassuringly. Genis kissed her back, slightly hesitantly. 

"Genis...the dream was a dream. Nothing more. I can reassure you, I am aware you love me, and I'm sure you know I love you. Please, for me, try and rest..." Presea trailed off a little, kissing him once more. His lips were soft, but his jaw seemed to tremble. After breaking away, she reached out a hand and ran it along his jawline, steadying it.

"I'm right here. Please Genis, for me," she pleaded further. Presea knew he did need his sleep, after all he was still only a twelve year old boy. Genis brought out his own hand and ran it over her hair, stopping when he reached the back of Presea's head. The half elf pulled her head to his chest, resting his chin on her pink hair. She embraced Genis, pulling him closer, their still damp bodies pressed together. 

"For you, Presea," he mumbled, almost instantly falling asleep. Presea smiled to herself, knowing she was right. He was still very tired. Goodnight, Genis... she thought before falling back into the hold of sleep.

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Finally done! Sorry for the long wait, but in between holidays and trying to make this chapter long, it took a while. Okay, now for my little author's note. A lot of things to cover here. First, someone told me (not saying who) has informed me that in a romance novel, if your characters fall in love right off the bat, there's no story. Needless to say this person has not read my story. I believe that this is untrue. If they do fall in love in the first chapter, it interests the reader, especially when the characters are that of a game and they don't really know who they are. Not only that, but the story changes to be about the struggles and challenges the couple faces. Also, since the reader can become interested by the instant romance, they will read on and get to know the characters without having to play the game it's based on. Through this, if I make a prequel, which I will, the reader will already be curious and not all uninterested because they don't understand the characters. So there. Okay, another point. I showed a bit of this story to my friend, and she was so shocked at me having two twleve year olds sleep together even after I explained why. People today often think of sleeping with someone in the dirty light, like actually "sleeping with" someone. In my story, it was just an action between friends, albeit close friends, but still. They are even in love, which makes it even more appropriate, I believe, especially for the reasons they do it. This story is pure romance, (and just an itty bitty lust) no lemons are ever going to appear in this story or the next.  Okay, lastly I'm gonna talk about the picture. Kudos if you used context clues and figured out who's who, but just in case I'll tell you. From left to right: Zelos, Sheena, Regal, and Presea. All the Tethe'alla members. Yes, I know Zelos looks like a girl. He's still cool. Okay, I'm finally done with the authors note! Go ahead and kill me for making it so long. NOT LITERALLY! :O Anyways, I hope you liked it, and please vote, comment, and fan! Love and darkness,

BE