A/N- Sorry for the long wait. The fics eligible for the buddy lists just keep growing in quantity. Anyhow, now you can see what the gift is!


Chapter 8- Something Good

Lilah got out from in front of D's horse and began walking back in the direction of the dead man who had tried to save her. D watched as she walked further from him. Finally, she turned and said, "Are you coming or not?"

Silently, D dismounted and followed. Lilah was not standing before the head of the body. Bending, she turned the deceased man over onto his back. He had been handsome, with light red hair and blue eyes that were forever frozen open. Lilah stood again and gestured to the fallen soul.

"You remember the night I met you? I told you that I had also dabbled in some other tricks. A type of Necromancy was one of those tricks," she said.

D said nothing at first. He simply stood there, staring from the man to the girl. Finally, he said, "Go on."

Bringing herself up some, she said, "I propose…that I give Left Hand his own separate body."

"What!" came the parasite's voice.

Lilah smiled.

"Are you interested?"

"How is it possible?" D asked calmly.

The young woman clasped her hands behind her back in a move D would have previously classified as "uncharacteristic" for her. The pose was just too…mischievous. Clearing her throat, she began to explain.

"I know that you weren't born with Left Hand…the parasite, I mean. However, I know that you are very powerful. If you had wanted Left Hand gone, you would've done it already. And I know he annoys you enough to want him gone. I suspect there is some sort of spell holding the two of you together, right?"

D nodded once. Lilah smiled, pleased with herself. She continued.

"I can break that spell and transport Left Hand's essence into this body. He would fully control it. Also, it would give us yet another couple of hands in a fight. He would still retain all the abilities that he has now."

"Wait! Is anyone going to ask me how I feel about this?" Left Hand's voice sounded.

Lilah and D exchanged a quick glance. Then, sighing, she asked, "What is it that you want to do, Left Hand?"

The parasite went silent. This was new for him. As he was mulling things over, D seemed to be intently staring at the body. Finally, he came to his decision.

"I'll do it. Besides, it'll be fun to be able to interact with you guys all the time!" Left Hand laughed.

"D?" Lilah asked, inclining her head a bit to the side.

"Do it."

…………………

They had moved the body back to their camp. Lilah had immediately began setting up candles and other such magical affiliates around the man. Then, she began to murmur in a low voice as she sprinkled several dried herbs around. Finally, she gestured for D to stand on the man's right as she stood on the left.

"Hold out Left Hand directly over the heart area," Lilah instructed.

"Uh, sweetheart, my kind usually enter a body through other means," Left Hand said as D put him, face down, over the heart.

"Well…do you want this to somewhat permanent? I mean, the spell I intend to do will make this body yours. You do want that, don't you?" Lilah asked.

"You can do that, toots?" the parasite inquired.

"Yes."

"Then let's get on with it!" he said, excited.

Lilah smiled. Reaching out, she rested both of her hands on D's.

"What am I required to do?" he asked.

"Just to stand here and wait for it to be finished."

Lilah began chanting, first in a low voice, then higher. She chanted and chanted until her speed in saying the words was incredibly fast and her volume was almost yelling. Then, she broke off, speaking the words of a spell.

"Great Spirits, I implore you! Remove this being who does do not inhabit a native form! Allow this fallen warrior to become his home! Hear me! Do my will!" she spoke.

Then, she repeated those words. Again and again, she repeated them as they too grew in speed and volume. Suddenly, a dark mist began to leak out from D's palm. Seeing it, Lilah's eyes widened in anticipation, and her words grew even faster. The mist fell downward, encompassing the man. Then, when the body was covered, the mist sank into it. Lilah stopped, her breath coming in gasps.

"Are you all right?" D asked as the young woman swayed.

Lilah lifted a hand, waving off D's concern. "I'm fine. Did it work?"

D lifted his left hand and looked at it as if he had never truly seen it before. Then, looking back at her, he said, "He is no longer in me."

A groan from around their feet caused them both to look down. Then, as the body of the man--blinking and rubbing its head--sat up, they both stepped back.

"Left Hand, is it…is it you?" Lilah asked.

The body looked up at her. Smiling, it said, in a voice playful and not too deep, "Yup. Although, Left Hand may not work as a name anymore."

Lilah let out a tiny, joyful scream of triumph. In fact, she even jumped up and down once or twice.

"I did it! I did it!" she said.

"Congratulations, kiddo," the former-Left Hand said.

D smiled. "Let's get some sleep. We'll ride into town tomorrow for more supplies."

Turning, he entered his tent. Left Hand stood. Smiling, he hugged Lilah.

"Thanks. I never thought I would get a body of my own. This'll be fun," he said, pulling back. "Now, what about a name?"

"Well, why don't you pick one?" Lilah asked.

"Nah. You gave me a body. That kind of like makes you my mother, in some twisted way. Mothers get to name their children. Children don't get to name themselves," he replied.

"I'm honored. Um…let me see…how about…L.H.?"

He lifted an eyebrow. "L.H.? I suppose that stands for Left Hand?"

Lilah nodded. "Yeah, cause that's all I'll ever know you as. Besides, we don't have to tell anyone that that is what it actually stands for."

He smiled. "I like it. L.H. Thanks."

"Anytime."

Turning away, Lilah entered her own tent, and for the first time since being turned, she felt strong.


End Notes: What do you think? Left Hand (L.H. from here on out) now has a body. I hope everyone liked this. Please review!