Tales of Symphonia Story, Tethe'alla Chronicles (3)

Quiz Start:
"What's the matter Mary Jane?
Had a hard day...
As you place the don't disturb sign on the door
You lost your place in line again?
What a pity...
You never seem to want to dance anymore

It's a long way down
On this roller coaster
The last chance streetcar
Went off the track...
And you're on it

I hear you're counting sheep again, Mary Jane
What's the point of trying to dream anymore?
I hear you're losing weight again, Mary Jane
Do you ever wonder who you're losing it for?

Well it's full speed baby...
In the wrong direction
There's a few more bruises,
If that's the way
You insist on heading...

Please be honest Mary Jane
Are you happy?
Please...don't censor your tears...

You're the sweet crusader
And you're on your way
You're the last great innocent
And that's why...I love you

So take this moment Mary Jane, and be selfish.
Worry not about the cars that go by...
All that matters, Mary Jane, is your freedom
Keep warm my dear, keep dry.

Tell me...!
Tell me...
What's the matter Mary Jane?
Tell me,
Tell me...
Please be honest Mary Jane...
Oooooo-oohhh....."

You walked slowly away from the bar. You and Sheena had arrived late in the afternoon; and once everyone had gotten over being glad you were okay you all decided to stay in the city for the night. You'd been zoning out so much all day that you even forgot why you'd gone walking; you just stopped to hear the song...

You walked to the quiet pier and sat down on the edge. You pulled the small disc-shaped music box from the little pouch and looked at it; the benevolent moonlight sparkling lightly on the dull surface. You opened it, and listened to the quiet tune. A few parts were so soft you could barely hear them over the gentle lap of waves.

"Aura," Sheena's voice said. You turned back to see Sheena and Raine walking towards you,
"Oh, hey. What's wrong?" you ask,
"You shouldn't be out alone," Raine said, "With the fall of Rodyle's ranch, Cruxis may have sent more of its minions to investigate."
"Right, of course." you not, "Sorry, I shouldn't have gone out alone." you look down at your music box as the song began again. Just as you looked back up at them, you noticed someone in the background... Kratos. He was standing at the other end of the dock, watching you silently.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Just take it, please. It's a gift."
"Why? Aura...these belonged to your parents."
"I know...But...I want you to have it, Kratos."
"Why...?"
"You gave me my locket... I'll give you this. Then you'll always know how much I care about you..."
"Aura... Thank you."
The world swirled slowly with black.
"Aura!" Sheena's voice called. You felt your side hit the dock, "Aura--what happened?!"
"Pick her up! Hurry!"

"Wake up," Yuan's voice ordered gently from above you, *Yuan...?* you opened your eyes slowly, reaching up a hand and rubbing the back of your head. You were lying on the ground, a light blue sky playing overhead,
"What happened?" you asked, sitting up.
"You collapsed, Aura-chan." a sweetly-soft voice said. You looked over to see a mint haired girl smiling kindly at you.
"I-I did?" you asked, trying your best to sound calm,
"You've been overworking yourself again." Yuan sighed, rubbing his forehead, "Just like Kratos told you you were doing." your heart skipped a beat when a calm voice said,
"Is she alright?"
"Yes, Kratos-san." Martel said, standing straight, "She's fine." Yuan took your hand, and helped you back to your feet.
"Take it easy today alright?" Yuan asked, "I don't want you passing out again, understand?"
"Right." you agree with a nod. A hand rested gently on your shoulder, and it was all you could do not to yelp; you glance back to see Kratos standing behind you. He gave you a slight smile before pulling his hand from your shoulder,
"We should keep moving." Kratos voiced. With that, everyone nodded.

The day passed by in a flash. You found yourself sitting in the shade of a tree; one of the few which the camp was made near. You sighed, deciding to lie down; just as you did, you found a pillow.
"Oh?" you glanced up to see that Kratos had sat next to you; leaning back, you had rested your head on his chest. You would have jumped up had his arm not draped around your waist.
"You shouldn't stay up to late," he voiced calmly, "That's the second time you've collapsed. Please, you need to take it easy..."
"I understand." you murmur. Your hand went to the small pouch on your belt without your conscious thought. "Kratos, here." you say, offering the music box.
"Huh?" he looked at the small disk with confusion. You noted that the tree engraving wasn't faded at all now. "...Why are you giving me this?" he asked gently, not moving to take the music box from you,
"Just take it, please." you ask, "It's a gift."
"..." Kratos took it, somewhat reluctantly, and studied it. His eyes widened slightly, "Aura...these belonged to your parents."
"I know...But...I want you to have it, Kratos."
"Why...?" he asked softly,
"You gave me my locket... I'll give you this. Then you'll always know how much I care about you..."
"Aura...Thank you." he mumbled. He flicked the small disk opened, and you two listened to one playthrough of the song. The man closed the locket, then slipped it into his pocket, "Thank you..." he thanked again. You couldn't help smiling a little.

One of Kratos' hands reached up, and gently turned your head back to face him.
"?" you hadn't been paying enough attention to notice he was leaning closer to you. "Mm...!" he pressed his lips against yours in a gentle kiss. Your eyes slipped closed before you realized what you were doing; and you returned his kiss. After a few seconds you felt tears welling in your closed eyes; you pulled away from him with a start,
"...!" Kratos was confused by your abrupt action, "Aura?" you wouldn't respond, and began whipping your eyes with the back of your hand, "...." he wrapped his other arm around you and hugged you gently, "...I'm sorry." he mumbled,
"No...no..." you insist weakly, "Don't apologize...I just...ahh..."
"Hm?" Suddenly voices began to speak in your head; you couldn't make them out because so many were speaking at once. It grew louder and louder...soon it was deafening,
"Aaahhhhhh...." you groan; pushing your face into his chest, "So...loud...!"
"What is?" Kratos asked, even lowering his own voice, "Aura, what's going on?" he asked worriedly. You pressed your hands over your ears to try and stop the noise,
"My head is going to explode..." you groan, clenching your eyes shut. Despite your efforts to keep it quiet the voices only grew.
"Yuan!" Kratos called towards the fire. You whimpered into his chest as he held you tighter. The voices were so loud you soon couldn't hear anything. Then a voice screamed, louder than anything else,
"MARTEL!!! NO!!"