"Hey come on Lina that was my meat!" Gourry whined as I scarfed down the roast beef I had snatched off his plate.

"Your fault for letting your guard down." I scoffed, cleaning my face off with my napkin as I had finished the meal.

"Must you two always fight over your food?" Zelgadis grumbled from across the table, a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Yeah, I mean isn't it better to share?" Amelia brought up.

"Oh please it was just one portion this time." I waved my hand carelessly. Normally Gourry and I fought over the whole meal.

"I was saving that for last!" Gourry protested.

"Then order more." I snapped. "Besides you owe me for that damn sword I bought you, remember?"

"But it's hardly a good magical sword." Zelgadis had to butt in, I scowled at him to shut the hell up. "It's practically useless against Mazoku."

"Well, it's hard to find a replacement for the Sword of Light." Amelia chimed in.

Ever since the incident in Taforashia, Gourry and I had gone back to trying to find a decent sword for him, as the one he had been using he gave back to the over worlders to return to Volfeed's world… I still can't believe that jellyfish brains GAVE it away! He gave me such hell when I tried to at least buy it from him, but at the end of that battle with Valgavv he just… Just… GIVES IT AWAY! I still could tear my hair out just thinking about it!

"My, my, my… Whatever has Miss Lina radiating such the negativity this evening?" a shrill voice chimed from the table behind me, I didn't even need to turn around to guess who it was.

"Shut the hell up Xelloss and enjoy your damn meal." I snapped. Of course that shameless Mazoku was feeding off my emotions, he often was… But why the hell was he still around?! The incident with the Hellmaster's Jar is over, the ghost of Ruby Eye destroyed so why hasn't he gone back to his god damn mistress already?!

"Why are you still here?" Zelgadis voiced my question for me.

"Well, as I've said before, I'm just merely… Confirming something." Xelloss replied, calmly sipping a cup of tea… Seriously why does he drink tea? It's not like he even needs to eat…

"More likely you already reported back and you're already on a new mission." I snapped, turning to face the demon.

He opened one single amethyst eye. "That is a secret." He had a smug smirk on his face that sent a shiver down my spine.

"Whatever." I growled, getting onto my feet. My head turned to the clock, which was near striking midnight. "I'm turning in, meet you up in the room Amelia." I quickly headed for the stairs, glad this inn had decent beds I was getting tired of camping outside. That's when suddenly Xelloss appeared in front of my face near the top of the steps. "What now?" I glared.

The corner of Xelloss's mouth twitched, leaning in close. "Oh, I just merely wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday, Miss Lina, it will be in about a few minutes correct?"

I felt blood rushing to my cheeks. "H-how did you know?!" I cried, trying to keep my voice low. I hadn't let any of them know my birthday was tomorrow – or rather today it would be in about five minutes.

He just merely smiled. "Now that-"

"If you say it's a secret then I will Ragna Blade your ass right now!" I snapped suddenly, damn that bastard and his secrets that drive me crazy!

He pursed his lips in response. "It will all be explained soon, Miss Lina." He said, slowly opening his eyes and closing the distance between us as his lips pressed against mine.

I froze, my brain just totally disconnected from my body for a few moments. Sure, this fruitcake had kissed me before, but on the cheek. This time it was full on the lips, and I totally didn't see it coming. Once my brain did return I immediately pressed my hands firmly on his chest and cast an Elemika Lance to blow him the hell off me!

"WHAT THE HELL WAS WITH THAT YOU JACKASS?!" I snarled, my hands over my lips. How dare that jackass steal my first kiss?! I'm an innocent young maiden and he makes advances on me?! Oh I'm gonna make him WISH Ruby Eye blew his ass to the Sea of Chaos!

Xelloss laughed as he stood up, dusting off his cloak as he did. "I thought humans liked it when they received gifts for their birthday." He said with a smug grin.

"SEXUAL HARASSMENT ISN'T A GIFT!" I shouted, I began chanting another spell when the clock stroke midnight, and that's when it all happened at once.

My whole body convulsed suddenly, I felt as if I had just been struck with a Digger Volt. After a violent choke, I looked at my glove to see I was coughing up… Blood? Suddenly my body was feeling heavy as I was falling backwards down the stairs… And blacked out.