I do not own Slayers!

Just friends. The words had echoed inside Zel's head. I knew it from the very beginning but, hearing Amelia saying so right from her mouth, it just didn't seem right.

Zel had made sure he was the only one in the male baths, he hated people staring at him for his odd physical appearance. He had been soaking , in what seemed to be a hot spring, though indoors. The heat gave an amazing feeling, on his stone hard skin.

He needed to check the library out, but after what just happened, a bath is what was running around his thoughts.

Laying his head against the side of the pool, looking up towards the ceiling. There was something there, he had to admit. He hated having Amelia not being there beside him, but also the thought of her leaving any time soon.

Wait? Didn't I ask Amelia just to accompany me to this town, then afterwards who knows what's going to happen? She wouldn't leave would she? Well she was a Princess, she would have to be going sooner or later.

Sigh, it was to true, reality. Well I cant keep her with me forever, she'll need to leave eventually. What is going on with me? I've never thought of Amelia like this, while we were with Lina and Gourry. What's different?

Crossing his hands, within the bath , he started to do some thinking. It was obvious Gourry and Lina had been the perfect pair within the group. Sure one was an idiot while the other a crazed maniac at times, but it suited them.

Now Amelia, she would go on with her justice speeches, giving anyone who heard them a sort of, repent from what ever she thought was evil in this world. Zel had gotten use to her justice speeches, so they didn't necessarily harm him to much. At times she seemed cute, high above screaming her lungs out following her hearts desire.

Zel hadn't realized it, but he had been blushing. Amelia always had fire in her eyes, it was hard to find someone who kept that kind of routine up. Never wanting to give up, always trying to lend a helping hand. He was now starting to smile, noticing this he stood up, a hand holding at his towel.

Just what am I thinking about! I've lost track on what my main trail of thought was. Now that I think about it, Ah forget it! I'm done here anyways, might as well head around town for a bit.

Zel walking out towards the changing room, placing his original cloths back on. Feeling more relaxed, leaving to do some searching around town.

Amelia had been unpacking her cloths, placing them in the red drawer. It was still to early to start heading to bed, so it wouldn't hurt to venture around a bit!

She had been feeling somewhat sad, for having said that to Zelgadiss. Maybe that was going to far, I hope I didn't hurt his feelings. She looked down to the small mirror the room had came with.

But, he does only see me as a friend, I mean he does blush a few times, but that's not a big deal. Oooh, this isn't helping me at all.

She stretched her arms out, behind her head. "Well I should get going." Amelia, having the key in her pocket, locked the door and headed outside, to start exploring what little clues she may find.

Zel had first went to the library, the most obvious place to start looking. Picking out books with any bit of magic in the matter. Most appeared to be useless, though. There was one which took him an interest, but of course reading on it had been a book about cooking the most appealing dish, even a chimera would die for.

Useless, another dead end, just what Zelgadiss needed in his life right now. He tossed a few books out of his way, causing the Liberian to shush him.

Every town had lead to the same exact ending, Zel was starting to just about lose all hope in ever finding a cure. Having to deal with this body for the rest of his life. He hated it, having to wear a mask in towns, just so people wouldn't get suspicious about him. The life of a heartless swordsmen, what else could make him feel even worse?

Zel had just walked out from the library, when he spotted Amelia which seemed to be asking around for something. He quickly hid behind a building, using his ears to pinpoint what exactly she had been asking.

"Excuse me sir, would you happen to know, on how to set a reversal spell? Or happen to know where I can find more on the subject?" Zel found it odd, Amelia asking random strangers on magic, in which they probably never heard of, but still she was trying.

He smiled underneath his mask, allowing his eyes to linger on. Stop, just what am I doing? Turning around not paying attention to Amelia's actions.

Yes its generous enough she's helping me out, still I don't need to view her in such a way. He placed a hand covering his face. Perhaps I really am a monster.

With that Zel ran off, giving Amelia an indication of where he had been hiding.

Watching him as he ran off, she wondered if he was alright. They still hadn't spoken to each other about the whole thing, he was worrying her.

She ran after him, hoping to find out was going on.

Zelgadiss jumped over a poorly made wooden fence, heading inside the forest, not noticing Amelia hot on his trail.

What is going on with him? Without giving another thought, she continued to chase after him, then paused behind a tree, as he did the same in plain view.

He placed his arm across his forehead, leaning against the trunk of the tree. Keep it together Zel, he slammed his fist beside his head, causing a slight crack.

Amelia came from behind her hiding spot, walking towards him. "Mr. Zelgadiss are you alright?" That did it, he turned around giving her a strong glare. "Amelia didn't I tell you it was alright to call me Zelgadiss-san, there isn't a need for you to keep calling me that, after all were more then just acquaintances!" Amelia hadn't thought this little mistake would of effected him so much, she just stood there placing her fist to her mouth, giving what seemed to be cute to Zelgadiss. "I'm sorry Zelgadiss-san", Amelia replied.

Zel sighed, way to go now make Amelia start to hate you as well. He stood up letting his hand go though his hair.

"Amelia I didn't mean that, its just a lots been going though my head." He looked down, his eyes closed, still rubbing his head a little.

"I understand Zelgadiss-san." she had been slightly nervous since his outburst, she didn't know what to talk about now.

Zelgadiss took it upon himself to start a new conversation. "So Amelia.." he started, "Did you find out anything?" His gaze had lifted, wondering if she had figured out his snooping.

Amelia stood in front of him, with the same confused face she had before, then it all started to come to her. How did he know I was asking around! I thought of going to the library first but, people can be helpful to, just in case there was nothing useful there.

But still I didn't tell Zelgadiss what my whereabouts were, perhaps he! "Mr. Zelgadiss! Were you snooping around me!" she noticed she had indeed said Mr. again but it sort of suited the situation.

"Amelia it wasn't on purpose, I just came out of the library and there you were!" she stared him down, crisscrossing her arms , tapping her foot. "So that gave you the right to follow a young pure hearted maiden such as myself!" Zel was now menacingly rubbing both his hands on his head. "Your getting the wrong idea Amelia!" She was making this more embarrassing for him the he intended it to be.

Amelia turned around, starting to walk off. "Well I don't know about you Zelgadiss-san, but I'm heading to the inn to get something to eat! Feel free to follow behind, you seem good at it!" Zelgadiss started to catch up with her, side by side. "Now listen here Amelia don't but such ideas in your head!" he couldn't help but smile at this point, she always made him feel just right back to his old self. He lowered his gaze a bit to view her face, the cute pouting face she always had after one of these discussions.

He enjoyed every moment with Amelia, they always turned out for the better, he couldn't stay mad with her for to long.

Entering the inn, Amelia picks the table they both will be having there meals. "Waiter! Can we both have the double combo!" "And a cup of tea", added Zelgadiss. They later received there plates, Amelia quickly started to eat up, Zel cutting up his dinner first.

"I didn't realize you were so hungry Amelia." he looked over to how she continued to eat, as he finally placed his own food in his mouth.

"Well I was MR. Zelgadiss" , he couldn't help but feel the enthuses on the Mr. He closed his eyes, continuing to eat, sipping his cup of tea. "Amelia, you really are becoming a little bit more of Lina everyday." She ignored the comment, and ate at her hearts desire.

Finally finished with eating, it was no surprise Amelia should end up with a stomachache. "I guess for now on we should leave the food swallowing to the pros?" told Zelgadiss, as he carried Amelia's arm over his neck, wrapping his right arm around her waist, keeping her body up.

Arriving at the room, Zel used his free hand to open the door, locked. "Amelia I don't suppose you have the key with you?" "Hmm" was her only reply as she shuffled though her pockets, pulling out the key, handing them to him.

He grabbed onto them, opening the door to the room. Slowly walking over to left side of the bed, gently placing Amelia there.

Almost instantly as soon as she reached her head on the pillow, she feel asleep. Zel couldn't help but admire her. He smiled, removing the few straps of hair which was blocking him from her view, before he went over on his side to sit.

Even after moving across the room on the same bed, he couldn't help but leave his eyes on her. She looks so peaceful sleeping, its hard to believe her stomachs hurting. Zel closed his eyes, smiling once more as he started to remove his shirt.

Wait hold on, would it be such a good idea to sleep half naked? Sure there are pillows dividing us but, hold on Amelia did state we were friends here. So I guess its alright on her behalf.

Zel thought about wearing his spare clothing, but it was just so hot, he decided to remove his pants as well. Rolling up the sheets to place them half way. There I'll just make sure I wake up earlier then Amelia, before she sees anything in the morning.

And so on that note Zel had fallen asleep, looking towards the opposite direction of where Amelia was sleeping.

Writers Notes~

Okay so I kinda took forever writing this chapter! I have some ideas for the next one, I wonder how Amelia will react to sleeping on the same bed besides a half naked chimera~ Oh ho ho Tune in next time!

Review Review Review~ It makes me happppeh and gives me the will to continue on!