The Making of a Family

Disclaimer: I do not own Slayers or the characters therein, nor do I claim to. Slayers is copyrighted by its creators and the companies that produced it. Author's Notes: Thanks go to Elf From Space for suggestions and to Ed for the title! ^_^

Chapter 1

Xelloss sighed as he sat perched on the roof of one of the buildings in a busy marketplace, watching a tall blonde make her purchases. He had been watching Filia like this for three days now. After he had made his report to his Master, she had given him some vacation time. He needed it, too. He needed time to think about what had happened during the battle to save the world from "purification." He needed time to think about what Valgaav had said about the reason behind the fighting between the Demons and the Dragons. He needed time to think about... Filia.

Xelloss didn't know how he felt toward the Golden Dragon Maiden. At first, he had hated her as bitterly as she hated him. She was the only one who could annoy him, get him riled up. She called him "raw garbage." No one had ever called him "raw garbage" before! No one dared. He hated being called "Namagomi," especially when she was the one who called him that.

He admitted to himself that she had good reasons for despising him as she did. He did kill off most of her race, after all. But, that was a thousand years ago, before she was even born. He had been a young Mazoku at that time, testing his newly-given powers, his loyalty to his Master. It had never crossed his mind that, someday in the future, he would... not hate all of the Golden Dragons.

How did he feel toward Filia? He knew, for a fact, he didn't hate her anymore. Far from that. In fact, he almost lo....

Xelloss shook his head violently to clear that thought from his mind. Love, hah! Love was lost on him. He was a Mazoku. Mazoku couldn't love.

Could they?

It was then he remembered his former infatuation with the beautiful Lina Inverse. He had been fascinated by the power she could wield.

Mazoku are drawn to power as moths are to light. No matter how much the power burns, they crave it.

He had once craved Lina's power. He wanted to have her power all to himself. That, unfortunately, was contrary to L-sama's will. Her will ordered that that swordsman, Gourry, get Lina. Xelloss had no intention of going against L-sama's will. That would be suicide. Besides, Lina's power had been the real object of his infatuation, he realized. Not Lina herself.

Had his infatuation of Lina's power been love? Real love?

He highly doubted it.

But, all of his pondering had gotten him nowhere. He still didn't know how he felt about Filia.

He recalled saving her life during his battle against Valgaav. How she had helped him after he was injured. How she had... smiled... at him during the final Darkstar battle, after he had gently teased her. How... good... he felt remembering that smile. That had been one of the only times she had ever smiled at him. He found himself wishing she would smile at him, only him, more often.

What did that wishing mean? Did he want her to be kind to him?

He surprised himself by answering, "yes." He wanted Filia to be kind to him as she was to others. A kind word, a friendly act, a smile, anything! As long as it was directed at him, only him, from her.

The Trickster Priest quietly moaned. He was lonely. For the thousand or so years of his Mazoku existence, he had been utterly alone, save for his Master. But, his Master could hardly be counted as a companion. As a friend.

He wished for someone he could share some of his secrets with. Someone to talk to. Someone who cared, really cared, whether he lived or died. Someone he could drop his stupidly smiling facade around. Someone he could care for, maybe even -- dare he say it? -- love.

Someone who would truly love him in return.

And he wanted that someone to be... Filia.

But, she would never understand how he felt. He never dared tell her. She would really hate him then, reject him. No, better he keep his feelings buried deep inside, a secret from everyone.

Except himself.

He thought, maybe, watching Filia from afar would help ease the ferocity of these feelings he was experiencing for the first time in over a thousand years. On the contrary, seeing her every day just made him ache worse inside....

He longed to hold her, tell her everything he felt inside for her, never let her go. But, he couldn't. He was actually afraid. Afraid of... rejection on the part of his Golden Dragon.

His Golden Dragon.

Absently, he wondered if she was as lonely as he was.

He glanced at the street again. The sky was growing toward evening. Shops were starting to close up for the day. He watched as Filia made her way back to her mace and pottery shop that doubled as a home for herself, baby Val, the fox Jiras, and the creature Grabos. He bit his lip, almost painfully, as the ache inside his chest, where his heart used to be, increased in intensity. He couldn't stand not being near, really near, to her anymore. He had to find the courage to talk to her, that night.


Chapter 2

Filia hummed quietly as she worked in the back room of her shop. She smiled as she thought about how pleasant it felt to be settled down. Taking care of Val was pure joy. She loved the feeling of being a mother. Yet, a lonely feeling nagged at the back of her mind. Sure, she had Val, Jiras, and Grabos; but, she took care of all of them like a mother. Subconsciously, she wanted someone to take care of her.

Anyway, she thoroughly enjoyed being in business for herself. Pottery and maces were her two areas of expertise, besides tea.

"Maybe, I could set up a tea shop, as well," Filia absently thought as she dusted some vases she had made.

Suddenly, the bell on the door jangled and signaled the entrance of a new customer. Filia looked up, startled out of her thoughts. Jiras, busy polishing maces on the other side of the room, smiled and said, "Don't worry about it, big sis! I'll go help them!"

Filia nodded and watched him scamper out to the salesroom. She sighed and resisted the urge to roll her eyes. 'How many times have I told him, I'm not his "big sis"?' she wondered.

She was just moving on to dust the next vase when Jiras ran back in and announced, "Big sis! Some guy is here and wants to talk to you!" Filia twitched as she fought the urge to snap at Jiras that she was not his "big sis." She finally settled for taking a deep, calming breath.

"I wonder who that could be," she murmured. Shrugging, she walked out onto the main floor of her shop. She was met with the sight of a purple-haired, rather tall man with a ruby-tipped staff examining some of her vases. His back was to her, but she had seen him before and instantly recognized him for who he was.

"Namagomi!" she shrieked, pulling out her trusty mace and holding it over her head. The man -- or rather, Mazoku -- fought off a sweatdrop as he whirled around to smile at the enraged Filia.

"Ah, Filia dear, how have you been?" Xelloss cheerfully asked. His thoughts, however, were along the lines of, Shit. Off to a bad start already.

"Don't you dare 'Filia dear' me, Namagomi," Filia snarled in response. She didn't lower her fighting stance at all.

Xelloss nervously rubbed the back of his head. "Filia? I'm not here to fight you or threaten you. You don't have to prepare an attack or anything."

Filia lowered her mace a little, curiosity piqued. "Then, why are you here? Don't tell me you're here just for a friendly chat. I know how you Namagomi Mazoku are. You never do anything that doesn't further your evil schemes."

"Actually...," Xelloss started.

"Wait!" Filia screeched. "You're here to kidnap Val for your Master, aren't you, Namagomi?!" She hefted her mace back up, above her head, ready to kill (or, at least, maim). "Well, you'll never take him while I'm around! I'll kill you if you make the slightest move toward him! Namagomi!"

'Filia...,' Xelloss inwardly sighed. This wasn't going well, at all. His throat tightened. How was he ever going to explain to Filia that he just wanted to see how she was, ask her how she was? He felt like screaming his frustration, but quickly composed himself as best he could. His smiling facade remained in place, albeit a bit shakily. "Filia, could I get a word in?"

"What. Is. It. Namagomi." stated Filia through clenched teeth.

Xelloss smile twitched somewhat at Filia's constant use of "Namagomi." Giving the Dragon Maiden his classic closed-eye grin, he said, "My, my, Filia. Can't old friends even visit each other without the threat of violence (literally) hanging over their heads?"

"Who are 'old friends'?" Filia questioned suspiciously. She did, however, lower her mace to her side.

Xelloss perkily replied, "We are, of course!" He, then, thought darkly, Yeah, right. If we're 'old friends,' then that idiot swordsman friend of Lina's is really a genius. Unbeknownst to the Trickster Priest, Gourry really was a genius. He just didn't show it.

Xelloss' thoughts continued, Well, at the very least, Filia and I are old acquaintances. It would be nice, though, if we were more than that. Filia, if you could read my thoughts, you would learn the true reason for my sudden appearance. I'm here because... because I... I... I want to be with you. Damn, that's hard to admit, even to myself. How could I ever admit my feelings to her? Heh. Like she'd believe me anyway....

His thoughts were abruptly shattered as something extremely heavy connected with his head. He collapsed, face-first, to the floor.

"Ow!! What in L-sama's name was that?!" He looked up, only to see Filia and her mace above him. "Filia! What the hell was that for!?!"

"Hmph," Filia snootily replied. "You weren't answering me, so I thought I'd bring you back to reality."

"Geez, Filia, can't a guy think without being attacked? Owie." Xelloss rubbed the rapidly-disappearing bump on his head as he stood back up.

"And just what were you thinking about that was so damned important?" Filia asked/demanded.

"You wouldn't believe me, even if I told you," Xelloss muttered under his breath.

"What was that?!"

"Nothing. Well, well, I guess I'll just leave, then. I can see where I'm not welcome."

"You're damned right you're not welcome! If I ever see your face around here again, Namagomi...," Filia threatened.

"I understand," Xelloss said tightly, carefully keeping his emotions in check. "Well, good-bye, Filia." He gave Filia a small, tight smile and quickly phased out.

"Namagomi," muttered Filia. She stalked back to the storeroom, her good mood ruined.

***

Xelloss sat in a tree on the edge of town, sipping coffee. He was considerably calmer, now. He had just decided that a normal confrontation with Filia didn't work, as proved by their little "chat." Well, than, he would just try a slightly different approach. He finished his coffee and leaned back against the trunk of the tree. When morning came, he would start his plan.


Chapter 3

Filia awoke the next morning to the smell of roses. She stretched with a smile in the soft ray of sunshine that shone through her window. Another beautiful day. She sighed in contentment and rolled over, only to see...

"Roses? I wonder where those came from." Getting out of bed, she reached over and picked one out of the vase. The vase itself was of excellent quality and was painted in a pattern of purple starbursts. The rose she held smelled fresh and sweet. It was pure white, and the thorns had been thoughtfully removed. Filia smiled dreamily, then prepared for the day and walked downstairs, carrying the vase full of roses and happily humming a nameless tune.

Jiras and Grabos were already opening up shop when Filia arrived. She set down the vase and greeted her assistants cheerfully. "Good morning, Jiras. Hello, Grabos. It's a beautiful morning, don't you agree?"

Grabos grinned and nodded to Filia, then went back to polishing a vase. Jiras, being the curious fox that he is, asked, "Big sis, where did those flowers come from?"

Filia frowned slightly. "Actually, I was hoping you could tell me. Do you know where these came from, Grabos?"

Grabos shook his head. "Never seen that vase before, Miss Filia."

"Where did you find them?" questioned Jiras.

"On the table next to my bed," Filia replied. "If neither of you knew about the roses, then how did they get into my room? I don't remember seeing them last night...."

"Ah, that's because they weren't there last night!" proclaimed that voice we all know and love.

"Filia's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Xelloss. Why are you here, again? I told you never to come back."

"So you did, so you did." Xelloss shrugged nonchalantly, carefully not letting his emotions show. "Didn't you like the flowers I sent you?" he asked abruptly.

Filia froze. Xelloss had sent those flowers?! "Wha-what?" she sputtered.

"The flowers," Xelloss repeated. "You know, those thornless white roses in that purple vase over there. Do you know how hard it is to pick the thorns off a whole bouquet of roses? I don't recommend you trying it. It's quite painful; though, I'll admit, I rather enjoyed the pain." Xelloss smiled darkly, as if remembering the masochistic experience.

Filia shuddered involuntarily, bringing Xelloss back to the present. Xelloss glanced around and saw the shop's customers, along with Jiras and Grabos, watching Filia and him banter. "Let's go somewhere a bit more private, ne, Filia dear? Jiras, Grabos, be good boys and watch the shop for Filia." With that, he gently took hold of Filia's arm and teleported them away.


Chapter 4

In an upstairs room of Filia's shop/home, the air shimmered, and Xelloss and Filia reappeared. Breaking out of her shock, Filia yanked her arm away from Xelloss.

"Why are you doing this, Xelloss?" Filia questioned suspiciously.

"Must there always be a reason behind my actions?" Xelloss replied lightly.

"Yes!" Filia insisted. "Everything you do fits into your schemes and your Master's plans!" Her voice grew even louder. "Answer me! Why did you send those flowers?!"

A sharp wail from across the room broke into Filia's screaming. The Dragon Maiden went instantly from 'force-the-secrets-out-of-Namagomi' mode, to 'oh-no-my-baby's-crying' mode. She scurried across the room to the crib.

"Oh, Val, shh.... Mommy's here, now, don't fret. Shh.... Mommy's sorry Namagomi woke you up. Hush, little one...."

I woke the kid up? She was the one yelling, Xelloss thought bitterly, turning his back to Filia and crossing his arms. She blames me for everything! He decided to ignore the scene behind him, but the intensity of Val's continued wailing soon proved that to be impossible. Xelloss sighed quietly, then whirled around and strode to Filia. "Here, let me try."

Filia frowned as she stroked Val's back. "Try what?" she replied, suspicion evident in her tone.

Resisting the temptation to roll his eyes, Xelloss answered, "I want to try to stop the baby from crying, of course."

"Since when do you want to help me with anything?" Filia snorted.

"Since right now!" Xelloss snapped in a fit of anger. Utilizing his Mazoku speed, he snatched the baby from Filia's arms. Reappearing in another corner of the room, he began an awkward attempt to soothe Val. What am I doing? he wondered to himself. I don't know the first thing about babies!

Filia shrieked and charged at Xelloss, mace held high. "Give me back my baby!! Or, I'll...." Xelloss quickly shushed her.

"Filia! Shh!" he whispered, a finger to his lips. "I just got him to stop crying!"

"You got Val to stop crying," the Dragon Maiden stated, lowering her mace. "How?"

"I just held him and rocked him and talked to him," Xelloss replied softly, gazing at Val and trying not to think about the strange warm feeling in his chest.

Was it just her imagination, or did she detect a hint of... wonder?... in his voice? No, no, it had to be her mind playing tricks on her! This was Namagomi, after all. Nothing could invoke wonder in scum like that!

Right?

Filia quickly shook off that shred of doubt. Now, how could she get rid of Namagomi? Suddenly, an idea dawned on her. A surefire plan to make Namagomi leave her alone, forever! Time to show that Mazoku what caring for a baby was really like....

"Come on, Xelloss," Filia stated in a tone Xelloss didn't like at all. "It's time to give Val his breakfast." With that, Filia started downstairs, not bothering to wait for Xelloss. The Dragon Maiden could barely keep a downright demented grin off her face. Oh, this was going to prove to be fun!