THE SUCCUBUS' CURSE
Chapter 9: The Shortest Night Followed By A Secret In The Morning
Lina had a hard time going back to sleep in her rented cot...

'It's all 'cuz I already have enough sleep from Zel's spell. Ah damn it! I didn't even get my revenge on him! That stupid Zombie-Brain ruined the whole thing!'

She turned to her left side to face the window and sees the overcastted shadows. The full moon hung all the way up and stood there in it's faraway distance. She could also see the dark forest through the large windows, casted in grays, blacks, and many heavy tones from its original colors during light. The unslumbered girl let out a sigh as she thought over the secretive plan she had before it turned into shambles.....

'And it's all thanks to Gourry for getting my cursed side take over....Grrr....that Kurage! Oh well.....*grin* but the looks on everyone's faces were a riot! Hahaha.....I never seen them go that berserk.....and above all, that Fruitcake....I could've swore he was ready to melt like butter when my bad side...*blush* I better stop there....don't want to get too attached at those kind of memories."

She gave a long sigh as her eyes gaze at the silver gray moon.

"To actually think....I finally have the type of chest I have always dreamed of but of course, with my kind of luck, I can't have them without paying a price. And to make matters worse, my demon persona wants to have a big buffet with the guys.*shudders* I definitely don't want that to happen....I don't want my beautiful self to be used in that kind of manner at all.'

She turned to her right side now, facing the screen door. Her red garnets scans over any objects that are in the room. She hopes that that will help fall asleep. But to no avail....she mentally chuckled as she remembers the reactions on their faces.....but for some reason, whenever she tries to remember her best bud's pebbled, structured face, she felt slightly ashamed....and either a small twinge or a hurtful pang. The sorceress decided to count sheep instead. Apparently, it didn't work, she again ruthlessly tossed in her cot.

Her memories drifted back to the short sequence earlier that night, when she saw Zel's angelic-like transformation before she converted into the succubus. Her lips formed a sentimental smile as an unknown loving sigh escaped from her mouth. Lina had never seen him in such.....a non-mopey, soft, and peaceful somatic, heavenly form...

'What am I thinking?! '

She shakes her furiously as to get rid of any thoughts on him before they might possibly quite become more personal that only her Mr. Hyde self could only speculate. Our heroine kept her mind distracted by the quick memory of the same man's amorous sighs. It worked, her face scowled. Wow....other problematic ruminations crept into her brain as well to squash the one about Zelgadiss, which it's a good thing too....

'Stupid cot....stupid pillow.....stupid curse....stupidstupidstupidstupid......why do I usually have to be the one who gets stuck with these kind of things? I swear....I must have a hidden trouble magnet or an invisible sign that reads: Come one, come all...and come ensue destruction and chaos on Lina Inverse, beautiful sorcery genius. Grrrrr....why me?'

Incredibly enough, the more she thought about her dilemma, the heavier her eyelids get, and at last...she fell asleep.
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The rays from the morning sun came in thru out every room in the home, spreading its warmth and sunny cheers.

"Augh....morning already, I felt like I just went to sleep."

One sleepy head pulled the covers over her head to shut out not only the light, but something else......

"Yay! What a beautiful day this will turn out to be!" one overdeveloped girl sung out.

"Just a few clouds in the sky....how wonderful. That means that it won't be raining today." Filia cheerfully pointed out.

"I do hope so for Miss Lina's sake."

Three girls unintentionally looked directly at the blanket shrouded bundle.

"Can someone ~please~ pull the blinds?" the bundle muffled.

"But Miss Lina, there are no blinds."

"Well just cover the windows with the blankets then!" the bundle miffed only to be replaced by grumbling.

"Can't a gorgeous girl get her beauty sleep?"

The girls ignored her and decided to do some of their daily stretches and exercise. After that chore is done, they got themselves dressed and begin to try to converse with the sleepyhead again.

"Can't you feel the glorious warmth and sunshine on your skin? This kind of weather does wonders for your health and your spirit you know."

"Pft....whatever Filia. I'm in excellent health and I have a strong spirit, thank you very much."

Hmm...she didn't even bother to check it out herself.

"Aw come on Miss Lina! Wake up! It's a beautiful morning to get Justice prepared and spread towards any unexpected Unjust doings from evil villains!" must you know who said that?

"How 'bout you do it for me, k Amelia?" she mumbled.

With a shrug of their shoulders, the trio washed up, did their hygienic chores, and brushed their hair since Lina still refuse to budge from her spot. They walked up closer to her cot, carefully as not to infuriate the wildcat. Each little lady looked at each other, hoping one of them would try to persuade the Chaos incarnate to wake up. Filia was first to try.....

"Er...Lina?"

"What?"

"Shouldn't you want to get up and get dressed?"

"Erra....NO! I just want to sleep....now leave me alone!" her words muffled from underneath the sheets.

"But we thought you would probably want food into your stomach since you really haven't eaten much yesterday?"

Within five seconds, Lina sat up and listen attentively to Sylphiel's sane explanation.

"Ah....food.....I completely forgot 'bout that....." her mouth watered.

"So does that mean you want to get ready for breakfast?"

The redhead arched her fine eyebrow at the questioning ex-apprentice....

"What do you think Amelia?"

The trio smiled,

"While you get ready, I'm going to prepare it." the cook of the group spoke as she walked out of the sliding door.

"I think I'm gonna go and help her, we are, after all, a big crowd."

"Fine...whatever Filia. See ya later." she got up, watch her leave, and stretched her body from all those bothersome kinks and cramps.

"Do you want some fresh water to freshen up, Miss Lina?"

Amelia grabbed the pitcher and started to pour the liquid into a fourth porcelain courtesy wash basin.

"Yeah, sure...that sounds great...um Amelia?" but knowing the absent minded princess.....

"Yes Miss Lina?" she found a clean guest towel for her friend.

"Is that warm water you just poured?"

She starts to put on her boots before she turned her head to the bouncy brunette.
The Bandit Killer already knew what she's gonna say, but just in case....

"Why no..wh..*remembering* Oh...I'm sorry Miss Lina...I'll hurry down to the kitchen and fetch you some."

She definitely do not want that demoness to reappear and cause havoc again, she thought as she exists out of the room.

The Chaos poster child is now left alone in their guest quarters. She decided to just sit back down and wait....and while she waits, she began brushing her tousled red hair. Ideas for revenge starts to formulate in her mind.

'This time...I won't use any kind of water or anything remotely cold and liquidly. I really don't want to go thru that again. The only problem is what can I do to Zel.....Magic is out.'

Gloomy thoughts wondered in her mind, she sighs,

'I'm already a handful to the gang, I don't wish anything to happen to any of them.'

The Dra-matta picked up the bowl and carefully dumped out through the large window, making sure not a single drop would touch her skin.

'Now is not the time to get depressed! I'm Lina Inverse! Beautiful, Intelligent, and all Powerful Sorceress! I can't let this thing stop me from doing what I usually do!' she mentally crowed at her quick raised self esteem, destroying anymore negative emotions.

She placed the basin back to its original spot before her head turned around when she heard sliding sounds.

"I got the water Miss Lina. You can clean up now."

The growing brunette walked back to where the washing area is at and poured the warm contents into the porcelain.

"Thanks Amelia." she yawned.

She walked up to her and accepted the bar of soap and handtowel that was handed from the paladin of Justice. Lina tied her hair back and commenced her hygienic chore as Amelia kept checking to make sure the water remain warm.

---------------------Two hours later at Mr. Gaido's main room------------------------------

"Well Miss Sylphiel, you cooked marvelously. Are you sure you're not a master chef?"

The lass blushed. "Thank you Mr. Gaido but I'm very certain that I'm not."

"That's our Syl."

"I'm glad that you still like my cooking sir."

"It may have been over an hour ago, but I never had a such a wonderful meal like that." he pats his stomach to prove his point.

Aez and Amelia walks in the room from the kitchen....

"It's about time! What took you guys?"

The two just stared at the speaker, wearily.

"Miss Lina....in case you have forgotten, you and Mister Gourry had dirtied twenty-five dishes alone."

"Yeah....and that's not including the cups and glasses."

"Look at my poor royal, baby-soft, delicate hands.....they're all pruney and rough."

"Stop being a royal pain in the neck."

"Lina....that's not at all very nice."

"Well it's true..."

"True that you're not a nice person? Everybody knows thaAAACK!"

"Shut up you Featherbrain!"

"Miss Lina, would you like to have another piece of raisin loaf?"

She stopped immediately and accepted the gracious offer from the humble maiden, which in turn, had only done so that her Gourry-dear is released.

"Now that everything is....normal, shouldn't we get ready to leave to find more facts on that lead?"

"Zelgadiss is right. It's best if we leave while it's still early." Val raised himself from his comfortable seat.

Once everybody prepared the many items that may be necessary for their journey, the old man's eyes began to water...only slightly.

"It was so nice to meet all of you. Please do come back and visit me for any reason. Don't hesitate to send me a letter or something to see how things go for you all."

"Thank you so very much for your hospitality Mister Gaido, we couldn't thank you enough." Zelgadiss extended his hand.

The host looked up and shook his guest's half-fingered gloved hand. Soon the rest of the crew did the same. The girls gave him a warm granddaughter-like hug, even Lina gave him one.

"Well, I see everybody is prepared to go to that kingdom. Terrific! I want to come too."

The whole Slayers troupe and Mister Gaido noticed the appearing mazuko, yet they didn't seem to be annoyed this morning. He mentally raised an eyebrow at them.

"And why would you want to join us Fruitcake?" the black magic user sighed, already knowing what he's gonna say.....

"Sore wa himitsu desu!"

To his surprise, no one reacted to his usual comment, not even the golden dragon lady. They just gave him a 'whatever' look and return back to their farewell greetings.

'*mental sweatdrop* What's the matter with them? Are they finally use to my shenanigans? Oh no we mustn't have that!'

He tries to think up some pranks but decided to surprise them later.

"Fine *sniff, sniff* I see I'm not wanted....*snif* I think I'll take my leave now."

"Good...disappear and just leave us alone from now on Namagomi."

Filia was getting tired of his lame tricks and seeing his face coming and going whenever he feels like. Sensing her emotions, he teleports himself out of the room, in a melancholy way.

"Good-bye!"

"Good-bye Mister Gaido."

"Thanks again!"

Each one of the travelers bid farewell as he or she walked out the door. However, when Zel was the last to leave....

"Farewell sir, thank you for kindness."

"Hold on youngin' "

The pond keeper reached for his wrists,

"I want to talk to you before you leave. It's very brief."

This alarmed the chimera. "Yes sir, what is it?"

He wagged his index finger for Greywers to lower his head.

"I want to ask you something....do you love Miss Inverse?" he whispered into his ears.

Needless to say, both his ears and his face are flushed.

"I...I....I....what do you mean?" he stuttered.

"Ah....so you do....that's good."

"Wait a minute....I didn't say such thing."

"You don't hafta say anything....it's your eyes and your reactions that did the talkin' for ya."

The blushing chimera stood there, speechless.

"I saw your movements kiddo....I may be old, but I know what love is...and boy, what your experiencing is love....quite possible true love."

Mr. Gaido watched the young man nervously looking around and saw the main topic of their discussion, beating up Gourry, probably for making the same mistakes as always. He sadly sighed as his head bowed down.

"It's alright....I think she feels the same way 'bout you, young man. But she's one of them types who are to frightened to express them. You'll see...in due time, everythin's will be right."

He gave a fraternal smile at him once he lifted his head back up, his eyes seem to have a welcoming, hopeful sparkle to them.

"COME ON ZEL!!! LET'S GO NOW!!!!" guess who?

"Wait...there's another thing I wanna let you know....you see, I didn't want to get your friends to worry, but....." he hesitated, but he has to tell him the very downside secret.

"Yes?"

"*sigh* It's about the curse. If her demon side finally manage to get her first meal, your lady friend's soul will most likely be condemned and...."

"The succubus will take over....becoming whole."

"Correct...but to make matters worse, from what your buddy Xellos described Miss Inverse, if she ever feeds herself upon a very strong and powerful male being, she will get even stronger and....will reproduce more demons like her, converting this world into dark and primordial times."

This information was too much for him. He leaned against the posts of the main entrance, his hand pressed against the frame across from him, maintaining his consciousness and his balance.

"I'm sorry lad....but I had to tell you. I really don't trust that priest guy and well, I can't very well tell Miss Inverse for fear that her cursed being will do so. You're the only one who I know who can prevent this from happening." he sadly looked at Zelgadiss.

"I see." he straighten himself up. "Thank you and I will protect her from her other self."

"Protect her well Mr. Greywers, and remember....love will come between the two of you at the right moment, trust me on that. Good-bye."

With a nod of his head, he leaves the old man behind him. His mind now weighing heavily with the new responsibility.

"Welcome back to our crew Zel...now can we leave?"

He looks at the fists-on-hips, tapping-foot redhead sorceress glaring at him. He stood still, in the same stoic fashion, looking and listening to Lina.

"I take that as a yes....alright...FORWARD: MARCH!" she pushes him to encourage him to walk.

"Destination: The kingdom Macille!"

With a last glance to the caretaker from the heroic force, they commenced their travels to where the rumors were last heard.

"May our Golden Lord guide and protect over you all. Oh...and L'Sama....please make them finally allow and accept love to enter in their lives." he continue to observe until they descended into the horizon.

Mr. Gaido made a silent prayer for their safe journey and for finding of the cure very soon. He walked towards the back, where his shed stood, and came back out wearing handyman gloves, a leather apron, and a tool belt with a hammer, nails, and a pair of pliers. His arms carrying a bundle of chicken wire.

"It's now or never."

And marched over to where the new root of the Slayers problem is at.