All right! So sorry about updating this so late! I've been on the "grounded" side of life for a while, but IM BACK! Not to sure about this one, but I don't hate it either; ill try and keep my updates to once a week or sooner. Enjoy!

Also, I do not own ToS….but I wish I did.

Izoold, Mid-day

"Lloyd Irving: Wanted dead or alive for the attack of Iselia Desian Human Ranch. If spotted, please contact the nearest Desian." Genis read outloud. Lloyd rolled his eyes. Who would want to help the Desians? As if answering his thoughts, Genis' face perked up in a devilish way as he continued to read the wanted poster, which were scattered practically everywhere in sight in the small town of Izoold.

"Hey guys, check it out!" Genis said, smiling. "The reward for turning Lloyd and his Exsphere in is 1,000,000 gald and Desian impunity!"

"What!?" Lloyd said, clearly stunned. Colette giggled, but the adults' faces turned grim upon hearing the news.

"This will be a problem." Kratos stated. "Lloyd's popularity has reached Chosen-high standards. Posters like these must be scattered all across Sylvarant. It is likely many bandits and other scoundrels will be trying to take his life."

"Yes." Raine agreed. "However, these posters may give us an advantage. With the Desian's attention focused on Lloyd, the Chosen will be a side thought to them."

Genis laughed outloud. "Good job Lloyd! You're protecting Colette with your reputation!"

"Thank you Lloyd!" Colette said, clearly clueless as to the results these posters would have. Lloyd's face was stoic and in thought. A thought had rose into his head that he had tried to reject as completely illogical, but he knew it was a possibility. Could this have been the reason why...

"Hey!" Genis exclaimed. "Maybe this is why that lady tried to kill Lloyd!" Lloyd's eyes darkened at this statement. Raine walked up to her brother and slapped him on the back of the head, hard. "Hey what was that for!" Genis yelled, before taking a look at Lloyd and immediately being filled with regret. Ever since the event at the Ossa Trail, Lloyd refused to talk about what took place inside the mine shaft the swordsman had fallen in, though they did notice his body was covered in bruises and burns. As far as the rest of the group knew, Lloyd fought her off and she escaped and that was the end of it. Yet, even Colette could see that the relationship was deeper than that, but nobody had the tenacity to ask him, not even Kratos. They could see it was a touchy subject for Lloyd. "I-I'm sorry Lloyd." Genis said sadly.

"No, its okay Genis. You're...probably right. That's most likely why what happened happened." Lloyd said. "If you guys don't mind, I'm gonna take a walk." Nobody stopped the swordsman as he walked away towards the docks, hoping the ocean would calm his nerves.

The Izoold port was relatively barren. With the ocean being a hazardous sea monster area recently, no sailor had the guts to cross the vast plain of ocean. Lloyd didn't blame them; who wants to die by in a watery grave? Despite the lack of people, many had gathered around what appeared to be a bulletin board at the center of the docks. The crowd was a rustled-looking band of warriors, yelling wily things and spewing rude remarks as they excitedly stared at something obscured from Lloyd's view.

"Wow! Can you believe it!" one of the younger looking men dreamily. "We could be the richest men in Slyvarant!"

"Aye aye!" replied a tall, burly man. "Rumor has it he comes from that Desian cooperating abomination of Iselia, but he was banished for backstabbing a Desian general!" Lloyd's curiosity was peaked now. The swordsman lived in Iselia, but he had never known any grisly figures like that. 'Perhaps I could catch a glimpse of this Desian killer..' Lloyd approached the rowdy men.

"Gotta' admire the guy." the young man said. "To attack a Desian general! Wow! He must be really powerful."

The burly man chuckled. "Who cares!? One man against a group of soldiers doesn't stand a chance, no matter who the bloke is!?" He turned to the rest of the men and yelled, "Who's with me!?" Everybody cheered, save Lloyd. 'Why would they want to attack somebody fighting against the Desians?'

Suddenly, a cloaked figure grabbed Lloyd rather brusquely from the back of his shirt and dragged him from the crowd, one arm clutched on his shirt. Lloyd was shocked and tried to shake out of this person's hold. "Wha-what are you doing!?"

"Shut up idiot!" the figure proclaimed, voice ruffled under the rags of clothes. Lloyd couldn't see who the person was, but could tell he or she was rather strong. Or at least strong enough to pull him away with the strength of an egg bear. Yet, the voice seemed eerily familiar...

The mysterious figure dragged Lloyd to a gazebo outside of the soldier's view. "Stay down." The stranger said strictly. Lloyd, strangely enough, did as he was told, though gave the person a dark glare. He would have assumed it was Kratos, but the figure's outline was much to short and thin to be the mercenary. He watched as the cloaked figure took a look around to see if anybody had followed them. Realizing they were safe, the cloaked figure mumbled something and turned around to glare at Lloyd with strict brown eyes. The stranger's face was obscured by a scarf, but Lloyd could see the figure was furious.

"Are you stupid or something!?" the stranger yelled, a voice Lloyd assumed was female. He was taken off guard by the statement and the sex behind it. 'Who does this girl think she is!?'

"Wha-what!?" Lloyd replied, equally angry and confused. "What are you talking about!?"

"Isn't it obvious?" the cloaked figure asked. Seeing Lloyd's face remain unchanged, the figure seemed to sigh before saying, "They were talking about you."

The swordsman just stared up at the stranger with a blank expression. It took Lloyd several seconds before realization kicked in.

"They were talking about a guy from Iselia." the figure continued. "YOURE from Iselia, in case you forgot. They were looking at your wanted poster Irving. Isn't it obvious. You were just looking at it a second ago with your friends!" Lloyd blushed, realizing his mistake and sensing his foolishness and stupidity. It had been pretty obvious. The figure rolled her brown eyes, the only unobscured part of her clothing, before exclaiming, "Idiot!"

"Hey!" Lloyd yelled, his honor already hurting from his own incompetance. Yet, he couldn't say anything bad to the figure. She saved him, after all. Lloyd probably would've been killed right then and there. "Th-thanks, I guess." the swordsman mumbled. Lloyd's mysterious savior didn't say anything, and they stood in an awkward silence, staring at each other with questioning looks. Lloyd then realized that he had no idea who this person was or what her intentions in saving him was. He also was curious as to how the stranger even knew that he came from Iselia. Unless…

For all Lloyd knew, this figure could have just dragged him out of the soldier's sight to kill him and plunder the award all for herself.

"So…um, who are you?" Lloyd questioned, already fearing the answer. The stranger's eyes instantly turned fearful, making Lloyd feel guilty and sad, for whatever reason. "Err, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"Give me your name, and I shall give you mine." The stranger exclaimed. Lloyd was hit with another realization, this one even bigger than the last. A smirk planted itself on his face. 'Could it be…?'

"Sheena?" Lloyd asked questioningly. The now identified stranger nodded. Lloyd rolled his eyes and gave a large grin. "You stole my catchphrase!" he teased.

Sheena removed her hood to reveal her face, which also had a smirk planted on it, and said, "Oh, but its such a good one, I had to use it!"

Lloyd frowned childishly. "I don't say that EVERY time."

"You've said it every time we've met so far, except I did it this time!"

Lloyd thought back; he had, hadn't he? 'I really should stop with that arrogant comment.'

With astonishment, he exclaimed, "Wow, I guess I have!"

His assassin rolled her eyes and chuckled slightly. "Idiot." For a second, Lloyd and Sheena stood there, taking in this moment and ignoring everything else. A slight breeze took them out of this phase and brought thoughts of torment into the duo's minds.

"So…are you here to finish the job?" Lloyd asked, one hand on his sword in a failed attempt to frighten his killer. The swordsman and perhaps the assassin knew he would never raise his blade against Sheena, not if he could help it. Besides, Lloyd knew he was quite outskilled compared to the ninja. By far.

"Would you prefer if I was?" Sheena questioned, a bit of tease and menace in her voice.

"Of course not!" Lloyd said with a flush. All playful banter aside, Lloyd got to business. He had to learn more about Sheena. "Why do you have to kill me?"

Sheena appeared stunned at such a strange but reasonably direct question and turned her head away from him; she could not be entranced by those eyes again. Sheena could not reveal the reason, although she assumed it was fairly obvious. "That's none of your concern." She said flatly.

"Why? Don't you think the prey should know why his predator wants to kill him?"

Sheena looked at Lloyd with disbelief. "That was a horribly tacky statement." Lloyd's face remained unchanged. Sheena sighed. "Look, I can't tell you, at least right now. Heck, I shouldn't even be talking to you right now."

"Is it for the reward money?" Lloyd asked, looking deeply into Sheena's eyes in question.

"You think I'm that petty?" Sheena said, clearly offended by Lloyd's question. The assassin had seen many of those wanted posters apon entering Izoold. She was surprised at how much the Renegades and the Desians would offer to whoever turned in Lloyd, but it was to be expected; he was the Chosen after all.

The swordsman smiled, pleased by the answer Sheena had given him. He knew she couldn't be that low, but he had his doubts. Still, she had to be hunting Lloyd for some reason or another. He decided to try reason number 2 in his, 'Possible reasons Sheena's gone evil' list he decidedly wrote in his mind. "Are you doing this to protect somebody the Desians have held hostage."

Sighing, Sheena replied, "No."

"Are you under some kind of mind control."

"No."

"Desian impunity?"

"No."

"Did that blue-haired guy seduce you into killing me?"

"NO!" Sheena yelled furiously, offended yet again but blushing this time. "No more questions! I have my reasons and they are not for you to know!"

"Why not!?" Lloyd yelled with equal rage but compassion. "If you tell me, maybe we can find an alternate solution!"

"Heh," Sheena said. "You just don't want me to kick your butt again, don't you?"

"Hey!" Lloyd said, flushed. "I could have won if you didn't go Iggiguri-style on me!"

"You should have taken out your swords."

"I could never hurt you Sheena. We're friends." Lloyd said, his voice lowered and eyes downward. He didn't catch Sheena blushing and looking away. Inwardly, she was calling herself idiot many times over.

Before Lloyd could question his captor/savior/hunter and more, the arrogant voice of the burly man from before bellowed towards the two. "You there! Lloyd Irving!" Lloyd and Sheena turned around to see that the burly man from before and the group of soldiers were apon them. "We've found you! Prepare to die!"

"Wait!" Lloyd yelled, not wanting to kill a non-Desian in an open village. "Why do you want to kill me? How could you want to help the Desians?"

The men laughed before the apparent leader replied, "For what else? The money of course! We'll all be rich if we turn in your carcass!"

Lloyd still couldn't comprehend. Sheena took a stance now, saying, "You really think the Desians are willing to part with so much gold? The monsters will hold you captive as soon as you deliver Lloyd!" This statement dumbfounded the already confused swordsman; why the hell should she care about him in the first place?!

The men laughed and snorted, obviously not caring about the stranger's comment. The burly man was slightly amused. "Who are you? His girlfriend?" Sheena and Lloyd took a look at each other, both blushing profusely. They looked away and cast their eyes towards their coming opponents. The burly man continued, "We'll take you to the Desians too! A pretty face like yours is sure to double the price!"

"Y-you still didn't answer my question!" Sheena said unsteadily, trying to gain her composure. Lloyd was shifting as well, a new feeling of despair and embarrassment lurking in his being.

"Then we'll just hold on to the bastard! He's important to the Desians. Perhaps they'll give us a bonus!" Lloyd groaned with disgust. He would understand if they were going to fight him for a chance to keep their families safe from Desian harm, but these people only cared about money! Sheena groaned as well, annoyed at the situation they were in.

"Irving." the stranger mumbled. "We must fight. Get ready."

"No." Lloyd replied. "You don't have to. These monsters are after me. Leave while you have the chance. In fact, why don't you join them" he said coldly, yet with sorrow. "You all have the same mission."

The stranger stiffened for a second, but loosened up and said, "I-I won't leave you here to die by their hand. It is my duty to kill you."

"Gee, thanks Sheena."

Deciding he could use the extra help, Lloyd shrugged in submission and took out his twin Knight Sabers. Lloyd looked over and saw that Sheena had taken out her signature card weapons and immediately felt remorse for his opponents; those cards were not to be messed with.

The men laughed menaiclly, taking out their various weapons. Lloyd counted nine of them in total. Five of them were equipped with standard blades. Three, including the young man from before, took out bows. The burly man took out a large warhammer that was almost the entire length of Lloyd's body. The swordsman gulped; this would not be an easy fight. He could see that all of the men had Exspheres equipped.

"Charge!" the burly man screamed, rushing towards the duo with surprising speed for his size. Lloyd and the stranger leaped out of the way just in time; the gazebo was utterly destroyed by the man's grotesque hammer. Landing on his feet, Lloyd immediately rushed towards the nearest swordsman and slashed at his leg, so not to cause death. The attack made its mark and with loud scream he fell to the ground limply. Two of the swordsman went for Lloyd while the other two proceeded to go for the stranger. Lloyd was too busy with his fight that he didn't notice how quickly the stranger disposed of the burly man and the fighters with only her martial arts and went for the archers.

Lloyd realized that his reckless strikes were too predictable to hit his opponents. They seemed to dodge every strike he struck towards them. Deciding that a new tactic would be needed, Lloyd decided to back up and let them come to him. Fortunately, one rushed towards him first and lifted his blade high over his head. Lloyd whacked the blade out of the man's hands and pierced him through the shoulder. The second man attacked Lloyd while the swordman's blade was still in now out-cold man. Lloyd had no time to react. He closed his eyes, brought up his second sword, and waited for death.

For several seconds, nothing happened. Lloyd looked up to see his attacker twitching, sword still high above his head. With a light groan, his attacker fell to the ground, a pool of blood oozing from his legs. Lloyd saw that a dagger was imbeded in the man's hip! Sheena must have thrown it! Lloyd winced; he was grateful, but saddened by the loss of life on his part.

"All right! Whos next!" Lloyd yelled in triumph before he looked around the battlefield. Everybody had been knocked out cold. The mages lied face down, covered with bruises. Some of them even had magic circles from casting spells still under them before they dissipated. One of them, the young man from before, was still unconscious, holding the area between his legs and groaning in pain. The other two swordsman were lying down apon each other in a spot that Lloyd could have sworn they were standing as the fight began, swift foot marks on their face. Even the cocky man with the warhammer had been felled, a red mark on the back of his neck, probably when he had tried pulling his hammer from the ground he planted it into.

Sheena stood in the middle of all this, panting softly and wearing a face of horror on her at the spot where the now dead adventurer was. When Lloyd saw this, he immediately felt his spirits dropped and an insatiable urge to make the face go away. If was filled with so much horror, Lloyd could have sworn this might have been the first time she had ever seem. 'But she's an assassin right? And she told me she slain many monsters outside of her village. Plus, she killed all those Desians back in Iselia.' Nonetheless, Lloyd walked up to Sheena and asked if she was okay.

Sheena had fought in battle many times before; being a ninja, it was her specialization to be fighting machine. It was the feelings she felt apon throwing the dagger at her opponent that got to her. The feelings of fury and passion behind the throw. The feeling that she couldn't let her target die. 'I'm…getting too attached. This burden…is it too much?'

"Sheena?" Lloyd asked again, a look of concern on his face. "Are you okay?"

At this, Sheena snapped out of her phase and looked at the person she had just protected square in the face. 'What am I doing? Why can't I kill him?' She knew the answer, but she couldn't admit it too herself.

"I'm fine." Sheena said grimly. Lloyd could tell she was lying; like Colette, Sheena's voice was downplayed whenever she was in distress. 'Perhaps all girls like to lie about their feelings…?'

"If you say so." Lloyd said hesitantly. The boy's face now turned from concern into astonishment. "Damn Sheena! You took out everybody by yourself! Being a ninja sure has its benefits, huh?"

Sheena blushed and looked away, wondering why she did this action every single time Lloyd compliemented her. 'Nobody in Mizuho ever appreciated our skills, so I'm just a bit off guard…that's it.'

"Lloyd." Sheena started. "I need to ask you a favor."

"A favor?" Lloyd asked curiously. Lloyd's mind instantly said no to the loudest volume, but his oversized heart overcame logic. "Sure. Whats up?"

"I need you to stop the journey of Regeneration."

Lloyd was stunned, to say the least, apon hearing this. "Wh-what!? I can't do that Sheena! I wouldn't want to!"

"Lloyd," Sheena said with a blank expression. "As long as you continue on your mission, I shall continue hunting you down. Not only me, but more brutes like these and the Desians." Lloyd gulped, but continued to listen. "You also have much more to fear than that. Mizuho, my village of assassins, will continue to hunt you down. Imagine, a horde of ninjas stronger than me coming to kill you! I couldn't guarantee the safety of your friends if you proceed." Sheena paused for dramatic effect, hoping inwardly that this would scare the boy away, before ending with, "Do you still wish to continue?"

To Sheena's surprise, Lloyd had a look of determination on his face rather than the fear she was trying to get from the boy. The swordsman put both of his hands on his swords and smiled. "I'll never give up on my friends. That includes you Sheena. You won't kill me, and the Desians will never stop me. As for the ninjas…well, I won't give up! Sylvarant will be saved!"

Sheena grinned, impressed and astonished yet again by Lloyd's admirable charisma. "Fine. Then good luck. We will meet again soon; you better be ready to fight when the time comes." And with that, Sheena disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

Lloyd looked into the sky and yelled, "I will!"

Ohhhh….the plot grows deeper. Sheena and Lloyd both have their doubts, and Sheena is still completely oblivious about the Chosen. Things are only gonna get more heated from here! Thanks to everybody who's reviewed my story so far; "you are the wind beneath my wings."…oh. XO that was a horribly tacky statement.

REVIEW! plz