The Ebony Flowing

The Ebony Flowing

" Heart, Heart! Listen Carefully!"

By: Tamoko Sanjii

The echo of thunder rumbled softly in the distance as Gourry's eyes opened in the night. He awoke, clutching the sheets on his bed tightly. There was a sensation of sleep stuck that with his body for 5 seconds, making him feel paralyzed in his bed. After the feeling left, he had realized what he hoped wasn't true. It had all been a dream. Every single second, the tenderness, the joy, the love, the feelings…it was all…

" DAMMIT!" Gourry suddenly growled loudly, pounding his fist into the wall fiercely. He closed his eyes tightly and took a deep breath.

It's not fair...

A lightning bolt traveled through the dark clouds, with a loud crash of thunder following immediately after. Slowly, he turned his head to the open window, feeling the cool rain hitting his bare shoulder.

…It's...not fair…

The young man sat in his soft bed, angry at the world for a moment until he collected his thoughts. Heaving a deep sigh, Gourry swung his legs around the side of his bed, placing his bare feet on the wooden floor. When you place against your tired head against a soft pillow, thinking of the one you love, it is only normal that you should fall deep into a sweet slumber, with many dreams of a sweet face in a sweet place. But the minute you begin to fall asleep, you should be prepared to remember that you must wake up again.

The best dream I've ever had…

Gourry got up with pictures of Lina still flying through his mind. Lina wouldn't react like that, he thought.

" Yeah…" he muttered to himself, " She'd probably say I'm crazy…"

A familiar gurgling sound came from his stomach.

That's right…I slept the entire evening, didn't I?

" Well…what are you going to do…?" He peered over to the mirror, and saw himself. A very handsome, tall, young man, who cared about nothing more other than protecting Lina Inverse. The swordsman took on a very serious face and looked his reflection in the eye. " Sit here and let this feeling rot…?" He looked away, trying to avoid those truthful eyes. "…"

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Lightning flashed again throughout the hall, exposing Lina as she quietly stepped along side the windows. She put her fist to her left eye and rubbed lightly, still half asleep.

The floor seemed to vibrate slightly beneath her feet just as there was another loud crash of thunder. " GOD DAMN! OF ALL THE-" Lina jumped up, automatically holding a hand to her chest. This had to be one of the worst times to be awake, she thought to herself, after her heart had settled back to a normal rhythm.

Okay…so maybe I'm not that tired anymore…

She stood there for a moment, and realized the place seemed so lonely…no one was out…

I wonder if anyone else is up?

Lina closed her eyes just before walking again. Gourry had smiled at her so warmly earlier…or so it seemed at the very least. She wondered before falling asleep what was so different about him earlier that night that made her feel so odd. Of course, the ending argument went something along the lines of, " The two of us haven't slept in a while…"

" Maybe he was just a little tips-" Her words were interrupted by an opening door up ahead in the hall, of which Gourry stepped out of slowly, head hung lower than usual. He didn't see her at first, being lost in his thought about what to do next. She studied his face for a second, with glazed eyes, rouge colored cheeks, and a pounding heart. It felt like her soul had just taken a gulp of fresh air, swallowing it with butterflies. Her lips parted suddenly, and before Lina knew what she said, let alone if she had said anything, Gourry had his eyes set on her with the emotion of a melancholy moon.

" …Hai, Lina…?" The swordsman blunk at her, awaiting her request. Lina didn't respond. Her small feet glued to the floor, her crimson eyes glued on Gourry, her confused lips open, her mind gone…paralyzed. What seemed to be an awkward moment stuck going on forever ended when Gourry quirked her a confused look while striding over.

" Lina, are you okay?" He tried smiling, but it really bothered him.

" …" She focused her innocent gaze down upon the floor the second her lifted his hand to her. The color red swept across her face, and slightly nodded her head "yes." Gourry's nervous hand now rested on her shoulder. He couldn't see much of the nod, being hidden by the red mane of hair, and assumed she said yes, remembering that "this is Lina, after all."

" The storm is pretty bad tonight, did it wake you?" And if Lina thought she was the ONLY one feeling a tad bit nauseous…

" Yeah…I guess…"

Breathe, Lina, BREATHE! It's a simple process, and it's supPOSED to be natural! This is Gourry! It's only….

Lina lifted her head, seeing the concern on her faithful companion's face. Her breath was stolen away once more.

Just Gourry…

"…Lina…" he coaxed, " are you sure you're okay…?" He would make sure not to trust her answer this time if she answered the same. She says the opposite of what she means, most times.

Hesitating a while longer, Lina hoped that Gourry would just walk away. Even while she did want him to go, something wanted him to stay with her…

Chapter Three Coming Soon