A.N: A reviewer asked would I be getting to the big kiss of Lina and Gourry at the end of NEXT. I'm not sure yet. I don't even know what's going to happen yet ^.^ So you'll have to hang around and see. Lina and Gourry aren't really my favorite couple though. Who knows... There may be a big Xellos/Filia kiss at the end *giggles*

Also… I'm doing over this chapter. I want to make some adjustments. Lina and the gang aren't going  to know that Xellos is a mazoku.

"Ok... I know he seems sorta friendly at first glance... But what do you all make of him?" Lina whispered.

"Anyone who calls himself 'The Mysterious Priest' gets a great big 'suspicious' in my book." Amelia whispered back.

"Yeah, exactly." Lina said, a fire cackling in the background.

"Still he told us about the existence of the manuscript so he may not be a bad guy." Gourry argued. "Hey Lina... hand me some more ice ok?"

"It's your fault for even looking up the girl's dress!!" Lina exclaimed.

Xellos tossed a log in the fire. "There is no reason to worry about me!" He said, leaning over in their conversation.

Everyone jumped back in surprise. "The manuscript I am after was stolen from a temple where the Claire Bible has been looked after for many generations." Xellos told them.

"Ok even saying that... why are you after a stolen copy?" Lina asked.

"Because I am a priest at that temple. The honor of our temple has been stained. I want to try and get it back if I can." Xellos frowned and looked down. "That's why I'm willing to join forces with you to find it."

"Hmm... That does make sense." Lina said, her hand on her chin, thoughtfully.

Xellos clapped his hands together. "SO telling you a story like that will get you to believe me?"

"Did you just make all that up?!" Gourry asked.

"Look Xellos! We are serious here! Quit fooling around!!" Lina exclaimed, fangs bared.

"I didn't mean to fool anyone!" Xellos answered, raising his hands. "That is the truth basically. And I really do need you all to help me with this."

"Well then what is the reason?" Lina asked, glaring at him.

"Hmmm...." Xellos paused. "That's a secret!" He winked.

"What?! What?! What is wrong with him?!" Lina whispered as they huddled in a corner again. "Oh this guy would cheat everyone!!"

"Eat everyone?" Gourry's eyes widened. "He doesn't seem that bad!"

"Cheat you idiot!!" Lina exclaimed, hitting Gourry on the head.

"Ridiculous... Considering we now know you're after what we are after." Zelgadis frowned, closing his eyes then reopening them. "What idiot would be stupid enough to help you out?"

Xellos stood up and clasped his hands, looking very innocent. "What if I said I'd let you have the information you needed inside the book, Mr. Zelgadis?"

"I don't trust you..."Zelgadis replied.

"My, my..." Xellos said before being grabbed by Zelgadis.

"You... what are you up to? How do we know you aren't in cahoots with that weird girl with the tail?" Zelgadis sneered.

"What weird girl with a tail?" Xellos genuinely blinked. "Oh you mean the girl that hit Gourry-san."

"How dare you suggest that I'd be in cahoots with that Namagomi?!" Filia exclaimed, appearing in the doorway with her hands on her hips.

"N-N-Namagomi?!" Xellos twitched a few times.

"Oh hey it's the girl with the tail!" Gourry pointed.

"Ahem..." Filia fluffed her hair, looking a little down. "Um... When I ran off earlier... did I leave... um..." She looked down at her feet.

"You mean this?" Zelgadis held up her mace. Filia's eyes widened as she went to grab it. "Oh thank you! I was afraid I lost it!!" She said, rubbing her face against it.

Xellos was meanwhile watching the whole ordeal. How in the world did this lady barge in here and change his plans so easily. And who was she to call him 'Namagomi'? Did she know who he was?

"Anyway, on more further note, Ms. Lina. Don't listen to Xellos. He's only out to lead you off track!" Filia said.

"Woah, Woah, Woah... How would you know and who are you?" Lina asked curiously.

Filia, earlier getting over the fact that no one knew who she was, fluffed her hair and spoke up. "I am Filia Ul Copt." She replied, leaving out the golden dragon part.

"Filia?" They all asked, minus Xellos.

"Yes... um.. earlier, I heard you were talking about looking for the Claire Bible. Um, didn't you find it yet?" Filia asked, looking sheepish.

Lina frowned, Zelgadis's eyes widened and Amelia and Gourry blinked. "You know where it is?" Lina asked, rushing over to Filia's side.

"Hmmm.... I remember you telling me that you visited the place. Was it the Keetati Mountains? No... Hmm I can't remember!" Filia rubbed her forehead.

"Just our luck!" Lina exclaimed.

Xellos was behind then, twitching from this mysterious girl stealing his mystery act and leading them away from his plans. "Ahem... I believe Ms. Filia is talking the Quartet Mountains."

(A.N. Yes I purposely messed both of them up.)

"That sounds about right..." Filia said thoughtfully. "Though why are you helping us, Namagomi?"

"Namagomi?!" Xellos asked, balling his fists and trying to keep his grin on his face.

"Yes. Namagomi." Filia replied calmly, taking out some tea. "You are just a filthy namagomi demon who likes to turn peoples lives upside down!" She started twitching. "And you have bad taste and you say that annoying little line over and over..." More twitching.

"You think what you are wearing is good taste? This is my own design so there!" Xellos threw back.

"Eh? You made that? No wonder it's so sloppy." Filia fluffed her hair over her shoulder. "Unlike my own design of course."

"Well two more people to our group isn't that much more." Lina said, Gourry watching them fight over who's clothes are better.

"People? Xellos isn't a person! He's a demon!" Filia frowned.

"Well its not you could talk!" Xellos exclaimed, pointing to her tail.

"Leave me alone, Namagomi!" Filia shouted. Lina, Zelgadis and Amelia decided to ignore them.

"Come on Gourry! Stop eating all of Filia's cookies!" Lina exclaimed, grabbing him by the ear. "Let's go find some food!!"

"Yeah!" Amelia and Gourry agreed. "What about my cure?" Zelgadis asked, following them out of the door.

"Hey! Ms. Lina! Don't leave me here with this mazoku!" Filia called, running to follow them. Xellos dropped a frog down the back of her dress and ran ahead to catch up with Lina.

A.N. Ok… reason why Lina-tachi didn't catch on about Xellos being a demon (as I call it .) and the Mazoku part at the end is because they figured Filia just hated Xellos so much so she called him mazoku… Aaaaand… They figure Filia is a chimera of some sort, hence the tail *shrugs* I'm not so creative right now *snifflies*