DISCALIMER: I do not own the Slayers...


Hallo! Happy Sunday, all! Today I get to invent a new sport! Hope you like it!

- Nicci Rockdad


Special Thanks To:

Story Weaver1: Hee! Thankies! Yeah, Xelloss is going to have hear about that when heads back, but it was worth it! (nn) I'm glad you liked it!

WildfireDreams: For you? Always! (n-)

You two complete me, have a dolphin plushy, each of you! And this chapter... (nn)

- Nicci


Chapter Twelve

Day Three… Toss Ball?


"Toss Ball!" Xelloss stated matter-o-factly, standing up and pulling out a book. "A game played mostly by the natives on the outer reaches of the Desert of Destruction.

Toss Ball is played by two teams, on two sides, with a waist high net between them.

The object is to score points by hitting the ground, or the players.

The ball is kept live by being served by one side, caught by the other, then thrown again.

If the ball hits the ground, or the player and the player doesn't catch it, this is a point, and the ball is now dead.

You have three tosses to get it over the net, or the other team scores and the ball is now dead.

Whichever side the ball dies on, becomes the side that serves.

After the ball has been served ten times, the score is tallied and a winner declared."

Xelloss grinned at the table, enjoying their reactions. "Any questions!"

Filia grinned and shook her head. "You're going down, namagomi."

Xelloss twitched. "Really, Filia. You had the upper hand yesterday, but today I'm the one who has the experience."

Lina smirked as Xelloss let out a titter and Filia a growl of outrage. "So that's what this is about, eh Xelloss? Okay, we'll play, sounds like fun."

"Yep." Gourry agreed narrowing his eyes. "I'm also good at professional sports… actually all forms of sports to be honest."

Lina shook her head, a small smile on her face as she shrugged. "Why am I not surprised?"

Zelgadiss glared, cutting in suspiciously. "How will we decide teams?"

Xelloss broke away from his exchange of immature faces with Filia and raised a finger, cheerful smile back in place. "An excellent question, Zelgadiss! I'm glad you asked!"

"Shirts and skins?" Gourry offered quickly, causing the gang save Xelloss, to facefault.

"Obviously you'd be skins, right Gourry!" Lina replied, recovering first and kicking him across the room. Standing to her feet, she yelled after him in outrage. "And unless you're suggesting boys versus girls, there's no way in hell, you jelly fish!"

Xelloss beamed widely. "As always, I admire your enthusiasm Gourry. Maybe in another game at another time, eh?"

He sweatdropped at the look the remaining four were giving hm, as Gourry lay twitching in the background and gave a wary shrug. "Oh well! Well, to answer you're question, Zelgadiss. I intend to make you and Lina, team captains."

He grinned turning to still enraged sorceress. "With Lina having first pick, of course!"

Lina smirked, and quickly downed the rest of her juice, slamming the table and standing to her feet. "Alright! Line up! You too Gourry!"

Lina looked down the ranks while Zelgadiss rolled his eyes, it was obvious who she was going to pick. Sure enough the sorceress stopped and pointed officially at the swordsman.

"I choose Gourry." Lina declared and he replied with a confident smirk, joining her side.

"Well I can already see how this going to pan out…" Zelgadiss stated warily, running a hand through his hair and giving Amelia an reassuring look. "But I have no intention of ending up with Xelloss on my team, so I'll start off by picking you, Filia."

Filia beamed, joining his side and sticking her tongue out at Xelloss, who pulled his cheek back in response, causing her to shudder and turn away. Zelgadiss rolled his eyes at the display and gave Amelia a promising look, which she returned with a pleased giggle.

Lina watched the exchange as well, both of them and grinned, happy with this turn of events. "Filia eh, Zel? Well then I guess I'll take Amelia!"

"What?!" Zelgadiss and Amelia both yelped. Amelia distraught at having to fight her true love, Zelgadiss the same, although he was even more so as this meant… he'd have to team up with Xelloss!

Lina smirked, loving the advantage and gave a shrug. "What? It's just good strategy! Xelloss and Filia never get along, and how will any of you feel if you pick on poor Amelia!"

Xelloss and Filia looked warily at each other, as Zelgadiss rolled his eyes before looking at the undeniably saddened Amelia. "I see… good choice Lina. As much as I hate to admit it."

Lina grinned. "Thanks Zel! So Amelia, does this castle have an arena?"

Amelia put herself together, resigned to the fact that this was just the way it would have to be. "Yes, follow me. I'll show you the prep rooms that lead to outside arena."

Xelloss smirked following the others, this was certainly going to prove entertaining, and with Lina's aid… well this was going to be fun!


Next chapter... the game is a foot... however if you used feet you'd be disquailified... hmm... (nn) See ya then!