ONLY LOVE
DISCLAIMER: Slayers belongs to someone other then me.
AN: Well, this is the final re-write of Only Love. I hope you enjoy this version; the other one was tedious and hard to understand… I hope this is easier.
Please note I do NOT have a beta, so please forgive any mistakes I may have made, I do do spell check and read over my work but there are always things missed.
Reviews are as always appreciated.
PROLOGUEAs the day dawned, bright and crisp, a small town nestled in a valley awoke excited. For today the final preparations for their annual fair were being made. Tonight, travelers from all over the world would arrive to take part in the celebrations, which would span over a week. The famous 'love fair' was renowned for love being realized and requited.
It was understandable that the townsfolk would be excited; after all they were a loving community and delighted in aiding those having troubles with love. This was also not mentioning the exorbitant amount of money that the tourists brought in with them.
This was not all however, for news had reached them of a group headed their way. The news had been in the form of warnings of the destruction this group left in their wake but that was not what had caught the towns attention. This group had, according to witness accounts, been having a lot of problems to do with love.
Much to the townsfolk collective disappointment, their latest reports seemed to tell them that two pairs had already been formed. It was only the fact that it was the remaining two travelers who had truly caught their interest that kept their spirits up.
A Mazoku and a Ryuzoku, the townsfolk whispered to one another in excitement. A demon and dragon both in love… or so they were told. They could hardly believe their ears. Both were clueless to the emotions of the other and unable to take the chance besides and all because of the history between their races.
This was exactly the sort of problem the townsfolk had waited for! They would aid the pair in confessing their love and would be able to boast of their achievement for years to come!
After all, they repeated to themselves, what else was a love fair good for?
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"Gourry that's mine, give it back!"
"You weren't looking at it I thought you were done with it."
"Well in that case I'll take this and this and this! Oh… and the last drumstick!"
"Lina that's not faaaair!"
"Yes Miss Lina, Mister Gourry is right. In the name of justice I believe I should have the last drumstick."
Three people were… arguing… loudly over a large pile of food, Lina, Gourry and Amelia as always completely immersing themselves into the joy that was food. Three other people sat to the side. Zelgadis as always ignored the proceeds and contented himself with staring gloomily into his cup of coffee. Xelloss watched with a mix between disgust and amusement, humans were such strange creatures.
Filia shook her head as she stared at her friends, still unable to believe the spectacle they made of themselves whenever food came into the picture… even polite Amelia turned into a raving animal at the sight of a well-roasted chicken.
"Every day… every meal… why am I not used to it yet?" She muttered to herself. Xelloss shook his head silently agreeing with Filia's statement. They both sighed again and sipped at their tea.
It was too early in the morning for the two to be arguing so they contented themselves with pretending the other didn't exist. But then again, they had been arguing less and less… Filia just wasn't rising to Xelloss' barbs like she used to. This confused everyone, especially Xelloss who had come to enjoy their arguments, not to mention the meal that they always presented him. He had taken to discretely observing her, trying to see what had changed… nobody changed that drastically so quickly unless something big was going on…
Filia sighed again and glanced at Xelloss out of the corner of her eye, discretely watching him. She followed his movements, each one controlled, his entire demeanor calm… yet she knew beneath those cool, handsome features a cruel tempest raged. How could someone so… dangerous… so vicious look so peaceful? She helplessly followed the movement of his lips on the teacup, his throat moving as he swallowed. How could someone make drinking tea such a fascinating sight?
Xelloss tilted his head slightly, shifting and settling himself more comfortably. Then one of his eyes flashed open and Filia found herself helplessly staring into it. There was something so wild in that gaze, something primal. She realized she was staring and made herself sniff in disgust and turn away, inside however she was quivering, why did he arouse such sensations within her? Xelloss watched her turn away with something like curiosity before turning back to his tea, his eyes closed once more, though he still watched.
Filia looked down at her tea with another sigh, fighting the tears that threatened to rise at the helplessness she felt. How could she feel something like that for him? He was a Mazoku, the epitome of all things cruel, he was evil incarnate… her eyes drifted back to him before she wrenched them away.
'He can't feel love. He can't feel love!' She chanted the mantra repeatedly in her head, wishing she could kill the same emotion in herself. Lust, she was sure he knew quite well… though no doubt it was lust for power rather than a fair face that he was most familiar with. But love… that was something that she had been taught was impossible for a Mazoku… not only impossible… but harmful.
Filia bowed her head not wanting anyone to see the anguish she felt swirling through her, not wanting anyone to notice the pain she knew was clearly visible on her face. She breathed in a slow practiced manner, fighting with her emotions as she had done for so very long. A single tear escaped her eye and she felt her control snap.
She stood quickly, forcing up dredges of irritation as she glared at her three eating companions.
"If you're going to be like this then I'm going to…" She paused and took a breath, fighting the pain again as she desperately searched for an excuse to leave. "Then I'm going to see how far the town is… any signs, you know?" With that said she fled, tears already streaming from her eyes. Why did something that was supposed to be so wonderful hurt so much?
The group watched her run down the path until she disappeared around the bend. They exchanged confused looks, Zelgadis' expression slightly disgusted as Lina and Gourry had food falling from their mouths.
"What's wrong with Miss Filia?" Amelia looked concerned, the others shrugged and continued their daily activities. Xelloss opened his eyes and stared after Filia with a slight frown. The emotions that had been surrounding her… they were not like her… his eyes narrowed. Without a sound he vanished as well.