Oh dearest of diaries! What a joyous moment I can bring to you! I am so enthralled! This lowly golden dragon has... A SUITER! I must admit, I have not met this wonderful man in the flesh, yet I feel our hearts are already one! There truly shall be a happy ending for this poor dragon after all! His words grace my heart with the radiance of sunlight, his sentiment leaves me weak in its depths. And best of all... He too is a dragon!

I feel the only place I may keep this letter is within your heart, my diary. May you keep his words safe for me.

The diary slammed shut on the small table beside the bed. A piece of paper came fluttering out of it as though on it's own will, making the reader chuckle lightly as the gloved hand pulled it out of mid air.

"So... Filia has a boyfriend. How... interesting." A single amethyst eye glinted in the otherwise empty room then it, and the scrap of paper, disappeared, leaving behind a mere trace of laughter in it's wake.

******

Filia was elated, she had just sold off her last piece of pottery made by Jillias, claiming that it was the newest fad in all the richest of families. The fact that it was butt-ugly made little difference to the awed customer, and he had shelled out a good thousand bucks for the horrendous piece. She almost felt sorry for him, for his wife would surely kill him... but that was no fault of hers.

Jillas was truly sweet, and she didn't mind indulging his creative urges now and then, it helped to keep his other, more destructive, urges under check. Thankfully Grabos was much happier to just be handed a broom and pointed in a direction. The large croc man was a nice change of pace from exploding gunpowder.

She was so happy that she almost didn't notice the small white envelope placed on her small coffee table, but when she did, she was a sight to behold. Her eyes grew larger at the site of this, and her hands clasped together in front of her chest. "He wrote! He wrote me just as he promised! Oh Ceifeed be blessed!" The young golden dragon grabbed the small piece of paper off the table, clasping it to her heart joyfully.

This truly is a blessed day!" She sighed, running up the stairs to her room happily, her tail peeking out from the bottom of her skirt. Grabos and Jillias had followed her into the house, merely looking at each other with a shrug before heading towards the kitchen.

My dearest Filia,

Forgive me for my presumptuousness, I know full well that we have not been properly introduced and that my actions could easily sully your perfect reputation. I can only ask that you understand how greatly enthralled I am to have...

"Rather arrogant bastard, isn't he?" The voice interrupted her reading, making her look up in shock, then pull out her mace.

"HOW DARE YOU INVADE MY ROOM, NAMAGOMI? FOR THAT YOU SHALL DIE!" He dodged her blows easily, managing to grab the letter from her hand before she noticed. Floating just out of reach he began to read out loud, his voice mocking the words she held so dear.

"'My dearest Filia, I cannot help but find you to be perfection made flesh.' Truly, he hasn't met you, has he?" He smirked, dodging an especially well aimed blow. "'I hopelessly find myself counting the days until we...'" He stopped, looking down at the red-faced dragon with something akin to shock on his face. "Don't tell me you actually plan to MEET this impudent young upstart?!"

"What matter of is it yours, mazoku? If you recall I have more to my life then providing entertainment to garbage like you!" Her voice was coming in little pants, her face still red from her rage and futile exertion. He laughed, tossing the letter down to her with his trademark smirk. If it seemed a little forced she was too mad to notice.

"Oh, it's nothing to me if you wish to waste your time with a snot nosed little brat. I just thought you had a business to run." He cocked one eye open, his look patently innocent. "Or are you going to leave Grabos and Jillias in control?"

"For your information, namagomi, He is coming to Me, not the other way around. And I would appreciate it if you would kindly refrain from showing your face while he's here!" That last sentence was stated with a look of pure killing intent, but it didn't faze the mazoku one bit.

"Oh, but that's too bad, my dear Filia, for you see... He's coming at the exact time I have a vacation scheduled! And who else would I wish to spend the time with if not my favorite dragon?" His voice was mocking, even as she winced at the word 'Favorite.' Before she could find her rapier sharp tongue he had teleported away.

"But... how do you know when he's coming?" Filia asked the empty room, a confused look on her face.

*********

The seemingly ever-genki monster lost his cheerful facade the moment he was secure in his little library. His eyes cracked open slowly as he glared off into space. With a snap he pulled up the diary he had kept track of since the moment he had returned it, flipping through the pages in need of... something. In truth, he had checked in on an average basis, stealing the pink book when Filia was least likely to notice. It carried both his and her chi traces though she rarely noticed. For some reason that thought made the mysterious priest smile.

Now that he thought of it, it had been a while since he last checked. He had been busy for the last month, he supposed. It shouldn't have surprised him that she too had gone on with her life after their parting, even though it seemed just like yesterday for him. Odd, that. Rarely did Xelloss dwell in the past, much preferring the emotional conflict of the now. He shook it off, ignoring the now familiar stutter in his heartbeat. It was not for cold-blooded killers such as he to wonder such matters.

If Xelloss were to think of it, he was rather arrogant in the knowledge that no one else knew the golden dragon as well as himself. The trickster had read her every thought, right here in this pink book. The idea of someone actually being allowed to see these thoughts, without even having to steal the book that encased them made his very being rage. It was... UNNATURAL! No one would be able to see his dragon's inner turmoil! Not as he had! She was his meal ticket, and anyone trying to come between him and her delicious rage would suffer a million times over what he had done to her kind.

The pink book was tossed carelessly onto his table before he snapped the room away and headed towards his mistress's quarters. In his irritation he forgot that he was supposed to return the book. Oh well, it wasn't like he hadn't had it for longer before.

The beautiful blonde woman looked up, somewhat surprised to see her priest entering her domain without being summoned. She masked the surprise quickly, for who else do you suppose Xelloss learned his unreadable expressions from? Xelas lightly tapped her cigarette against the ashtray and smirked at her favorite amusement thing. "My my, what seems to be the problem Xelloss?"

"I wish to ask a favor, Mistress Beastmaster." Xelas's eyes widened slightly, he had dispensed with his usual games and trivial barbs he was so fond of. She was, for the first time in centuries, rather curious. "I desire some time to myself, a vacation if you might. There is a... personal problem that I must take care of. And since I have been at loose ends since the Darkstar incident I assume you won't even miss me!" He bowed, a slight smile glancing his face as usual. "Perhaps I might even find a new… toy… for you whilst I'm gone." She smiled, slightly intrigued at the thought of fresh blood.

"Of course you may take some time, darling! Simply remember to check in every day."

"Thank you mistress, I shall return before you know it."

The door closed, leaving the beautiful blonde woman who began to smirk as she teleported to a well-known diner. Perhaps Luna would know what was wrong with her darling trickster, but meanwhile she decided to take a little down time for herself, as well.

**********

The room was dark, a tint of blue light casting the shadows into even starker relief. A large table with shadowed creatures was barely discernable, whereas the creature they spoke to so softly was but a mere wisp, his form so concealed that one only had the impression of a long, black robe.

"As you wish, my elders. The one you have decreed a nuisance shall be disposed of at once." They nodded, dismissing the cloaked figure who than disappeared in a small puff of blue light.

"He grows too bold. Perhaps this golden is not the only one we shall have to dispose of." A general murmur of consensus was heard from the others. The camera pulls back, back, than sends the audience crashing through a window down twenty floors and thuds hard on the ground.

"Blast it Gourry! I told you to keep that thing on its track!" Loud screams of 'FIREBALL' and 'Lina!! I'm sorry!' were heard as the author gives up on serious for the moment and cuts the scene short.

**********

He was sitting at her breakfast table the next morning, his ever genki smile firmly in place, his feet propped up on her table, but that wasn't the real reason she pulled out her mace. It was the sight of her beloved diary firmly in his grasp. He was so immersed in his reading that he didn't even see the first blow coming.

"NAMAGOMI!!! Just what do you think you're doing in MY house, at MY table, with MY diary???" Filia asked whilst she knocked him over the head with the spiked end of her beloved mace yet again. Xelloss looked up with his slightly pained, yet thoroughly enjoying it, smile.

"Why, my dear Fi-chan! You're especially violent in the morning, aren't you? I should expect no less from a dragon!" Her tail went up instantly as she glared down at him with blood red eyes. "I thought it only fitting that I prepare the early morning meal, since I shall be living here for a while." He motioned towards a pile of indescribable black toast set in the middle of the table. A small purple flower in a vase set the table off nicely, if he did say so himself… And he did.

It was truly a shame that the table he had worked so hard to prepare was the large mace-sama's next victim. But alas, such was the case with a violent dragon like his. He gave her a puppy dog look, his eyes slightly open. "Why Fi-chan! And here I went to all the trouble to make your morning a comfortable one!"

His look almost made the irate golden dragon falter, but something registered in her mind at that exact moment. "What do you mean… living here?"

"What? Did I forget to tell you?" Xelloss smiled as she looked at him intently. "Sore Wa Himitsu Desu!" Filia face faulted, hard.

Jillias and Grabos walked in, each rubbing at the sleep in their… eye. "Howdy boss, is that the boyfriend you's been talking so much 'bout lately?" Jillias asked, still too out of it to recognize who Xelloss was. Filia gasped, giving Xelloss all the time in the world to ruin her life yet again.

"Why of course Jillias-san! I hadn't thought to let the secret out as of yet, but Filia-san and I will be making the wedding arrangements just as soon as possible!" WHACK! Mace-sama-d right up the head.

"I shall never marry this namagomi! Not even if my very life depended on it!" she shouted, somewhat hurt that someone she considered a friend could even think such a thing. It didn't matter though, the one eyed duo were already greeting the shining egg in the corner, telling the reborn 'Lord Valgaav' about what dreams they had had.

It would be a while yet till the egg would hatch, Filia thought proudly. He would be raised well with such loyal protectors. The sound of a throat being cleared brought her attention back to the matter at hand. Xelloss was back to reading her diary, every once in a while conjuring up a pen to make some sort of comment or draw another doodle. It almost made her smile, having been put in a good mood at the thought of Chibi Val, but then she remembered she hadn't given him permission.

"Give me back my diary!" And thus the normal, or at least normal for them, day began, neither of them knowing that difficulties would soon be on the rising... Well, Xelloss might have known, but his reply when questioned?

... Sore wa himitsu desu! *My, what a fount of information we have in that one.*

********

He tucked his spectacles in his front pocket, making sure that they wouldn't rub against the handy pocket protector by wrapping them in a handkerchief. His slightly too long blonde hair fell in his blue eyes, giving him the same innocent look that Gourry was so good at. His name was Vincent Samuel Kummins, one of the lower followers of the Water Dragon. And he was about to meet the woman of his dreams.

Setting out towards his destination he couldn't help but fear he was no match for the wondrous travels that his darling had been on. He was much too plain, too sedate and set in his ways for such an enthralling creature, yet something in the tone of her letters made him press on. Not to mention something deep within himself as well.

The slight, almost feminine, figure started walking down the street of his town, whistling a happy little tune. Perhaps luck had shone on this poor soul after all.

******

"Filia dear, we really should think of trading this small cabin in on something more befitting of our number." Xelloss asked over dinner that night, his smile as sincere as ever while he watched the golden dragon fume silently for a few seconds.

"What do you mean… OUR NUMBER??? Just because you've forced your way into my home doesn't mean you're staying indefinitely!" She screamed, making the two innocent spectators quickly excused themselves and ran out with their plates firmly in grasp. Grabos even took the time to grab Valgaav's basket before he left.

Soon the reason for their hasty departure was evident as the kitchen area became mere scraps of debris and a loud rampaging dragon swung a mace wildly through the air. A small purple haired creature floated in front of her sipping tea and calling out encouragement to the beleaguered dragon. Several of the neighbors gathered in the streets, taking bets over which would win this time, having already seen this exact same situation four times that day, and many times before, whenever the usually sweet Filia-San had the young man to visit. There was even a poll as to when the wedding would take place.

There was only one person that appeared stunned, not to mention appalled by the riotous violence that was taking place. He stared up at them, pulling his over sized glasses out of his pocket to confirm the identity of the dragon in question. "Filia-san?" He asked, making the large head swing down and glare at him.

"I am, might I ask who wants to know?" She stated, her voice, though loud, was sweet and cultured. The young man pulled nervously at his collar.

"I'm… I'm Vincent Samuel Kummins, your pen pal?" He stated tentatively, only to find himself staring into another set of eyes completely. Vincent stepped back, instantly recognizing that this was one of the mazoku race, and a powerful one at that.

"Well well! Vinny! How lovely to meet the one which has stolen my beloved Filia away from me!" The mocking voice contrasted sharply with the strange amethyst eyes. They closed quickly, though not before sending a shudder of terror through the young dragons soul. "But allow me to introduce myself! I would not wish to seem rude!" The slender man said, making an exaggerated bow. "I am Filia's greatest confidant, Xelloss."

"Xe-Xelloss? Servant to Beast master Metallium? The one that whipped out most of the Golden clan during the war??" Vincent asked, a look of shock on his face, his blue eyes wider then usual. Xelloss smirked, the dragon had shown his naivety with that question. He would be a wonderful new plaything, if he hadn't been after the trickster's personal meal ticket, that is.

"Oh, that? Why, yes! That was me, wasn't it?" He laughed slightly, watching the now pale creature through shut eyes. "It's been so long now that I forgot all about it!" Filia's eye began to twitch, making Xelloss remember her strange problem with that old situation. Truly, dragons never learned to deal with the past, ne?

"Filia dear, we seemed to have forgotten our manners, have we not? Invite the young gentleman…" And I do use the term lightly, he added silently. "Into our home!" He bowed yet again, flourishing his arm in the direction of Filia's house. Both dragons stared at him blankly, Filia having taken advantage of their conversation to change back into human form.

"Your… home? But… I thought…" Vincent started out, only to have Filia grab him by the arm and drag him inside. She smiled, trying to disguise the rage in her eyes. "Umm… all right, wherever you lead, my dear Filia-san!"

My dear Filia?!! That upstart! He will regret his actions… Very soon. Xelloss followed them slowly, noting the way that they looked like the most ideal couple in the universe, both tall, blonde and… Boring. There was no way this 'Perfect couple' would last long, Filia would surely grown bored within the first hundred years at most.

He had to save her… Or at least, he had to save himself. The two in love would probably be sickening enough to kill him. The usually pale mazoku turned even paler at the thought.

*******

The namagomi was being ridiculously polite for him… It worried Filia more then she had expected, though she tried to will those thoughts away. Perhaps Xelloss would allow this visit to remain pleasant. She looked up slightly at the newcomer, thrilled at his gentle eyes and handsome looks. He was blushing! She smiled slightly to herself, gripping his arm just a little tighter. She had finally found the prince she had dreamed of!

"Fi-Filia-san, I can't help but… Enquire… why do you allow such a vicious killer to reside with you? Truly from what I know, or what I had thought to know, you would not be one to be acquainted with a… Well… A DEMON!" He looked down at her, impotent rage in his every action as she tried to reconcile the fact he was questioning HER judgment.

"Well… Vincent-san… though I know we have had personal relations through our letters, I suggest you be aware that I… I am not accountable to you." She tried to put it gently, but from the muffled laughter behind them she assumed she hadn't succeeded. Vincent paled, stiffening slightly as he withdrew his arm from hers and walked ahead.

"Why Filia-chan! How noble of you to stick up for me!" The annoying voice called from behind her, causing her tail to stick up straight. She blushed brightly at the sound of the wolf whistle. "And I must admire your choice of underwear! Are those miniature gold dragons I see? How adorable!"

Before he could say another word her beloved Mace-sama was planted firmly in his face, sending him flying to the other side of town. She smirked to herself, her excellent hearing picking up on the mazoku's laughter, even as he hit the ground. It didn't hurt that he was a masochist, it allowed her to release her temper without fear of hurting someone seriously.

Not that she didn't try, of course.

She turned back, sighing at the thought of dealing with Vincent after the rough day she had had. It pained her to admit it, but this golden dragon seemed a slight... judgmental. Maybe she was just growing cynical with her age, but black and white had started to blur a long time ago... about the time she met a certain monster to be precise.

"Ano... Filia-san? Was that Xelloss I heard laughing just now?" The dragon asked, his big blue eyes looking willing to help her kill the errant namagomi.

"Oh... He just had to make an unexpected trip across town. He'll be back soon enough." She blushed slightly as the young man got a decidedly lecherous look on his face.

"Does that mean we are... alone?" He asked, moving over on the futon and patting the seat beside him in invitation. She declined silently, sitting herself at the edge of the single chair on the other side of the room. Just then the door opened and the sound of tromping boots made her uneasy heart leap.

"Hiya Boss! Me and Grabos was j'st wond'rin if you had any of that fine stew ya make so well left? We done sold most of the stuff you sent us out with and was gettin kinda hungry if'n ya know what I mean!" Never in her life had the golden dragon been so glad to hear that voice.

And then another came voice came from behind them. "Itee, Dragon lady! When did you learn to hit so hard?" She smiled happily, for once glad of the irritating namagomi and his not so perfect timing. "Isn't it time for dinner? Grabos looks a little on the peckish side, and I'd rather not find out what he likes to eat." He gave a fake shudder, to which Grabos growled.

"Oh, no Xelloss-san, Grabos doesn't eat mazoku, say's they's too fruity." Filia choked, trying not to laugh at Xelloss's shocked expression. Vincent on the other hand, was nodding wisely as though the fox man had made perfect sense.

"I had heard something along those lines before." He stated, giving Xelloss a disgusted look.

"Ah, but not so for the dragon! I know for a fact they taste positively delicious." The mazoku replied, giving Filia a decidedly shameless grin. Before he knew it he had mace-sama imprints on his face once more. They ate, Filia trying to ignore the looks of loathing tossed by Vincent to the mazoku and the looks of smugness that was sent back. Soon she had everyone in their own rooms, and the small basket with Val in it next to her as she napped fitfully in her bed.

Somewhere outside a certain mazoku watched her through her window, the pink diary held closely against his chest. For once, both eyes were open, and he wasn't about to kill someone… Although he had thought of it.

*********

The door creaked open slowly, the light but a mere crack stretching out through the silent room and gently touching the face of the one sleeping there. She twitched, turning slightly as she mumbled under her breath.

The intruder smirked slightly, approaching her with a stealth that few possessed and only the wicked used. He pulled out a shiny golden cord from his pocket, and gently stroked her cheek as he started to wrap the chain around her perfect neck.

She turned once more, her fist shooting out and slamming into his face as she growled "Namagomi, die!" under her breath. He fell back, grasping his bleeding nose with a curse. Just as he was about to try again a person who could only be the namagomi himself appeared right in front of him.

"Now, now, as much of an annoyance the woman is I just can't let you kill her. You see, that privilege will belong to me and only me." He stated, moving forward at a speed too fast to be human.

Just as the fight was about to get interesting the light turned on, and Filia's voice growled into the night. "Just what do you think you're do- nani?? Vincent?" Both Xelloss and Filia stared at the creature bleeding on the floor.

I could've sworn he was someone else…Xelloss thought, quickly masking his confusion while seeing the benefits this could gain him. "Well Filia! Looks like your new beau is a peeping tom! I suppose you are the only decent thing to look at in a small town like this." He smirked, watching as Vincent developed an even worse bloody nose at the sight of Filia in her nightgown.

"I'll just leave you two lovebirds alone now! We can't have me interrupting such a tender scene, now can we?" He teleported away, but only as far as the tree outside her window… just in case that freak showed up again. He would be the only freak in this story thank you very much! He was quite happy to hear the young dragon screaming as he flew through the air. A large mace imprint was visible on his pants bottom, making Xelloss laugh out loud. Filia caught sight of him, gave him her best glare then turned without a word, her tail sticking straight in the air.

*********

"So you 'ave no idea whaz goin on wif X-Xelloss?" The now pleasantly drunk beastmaster asked, squinting up at the knight of Ciefeed. "Y-you don' think ish somethin' to do with tha prisshy lil dragon, ish-it?"

"I didn't say I didn't know, I just said I didn't tell you." Luna said, watching as Xelas tried to take in that entire sentence when three sheets to the wind. The gorgeous blonde hiccupped, than took another drag off her cigarette.

"Oh… Ya gotsh any more of this schtuff? Ish really good!" Luna smirked, slamming down another glass of Dragu Slave without a word. It was the fifteenth that night, and the beastmaster was having the time of her life.

"Hey, you! The pretty boy in-da corner!" She stated, happily making her way over to the boy wearing the bandanna. She dropped down beside him, then poured a cup of cold water over his head. "Ishn't he cute??" She asked, holding up the small black pig to Luna. "I made tha spring… jusht for this!" She fell over, snoring loudly as P-Chan squealed and struggled to get away. Luna just smirked, picking up the pig and walking towards the kitchen. Breakfast would be starting soon.

********

The Golden dragon woke early the next morning, surprisingly refreshed for all the sleep she had missed. Beside her lay the egg and basket, peacefully glowing, and her diary. She frowned, thinking that it hadn't been there the last time she had woken, so the namagomi must have snuck in her room a second time in one night. Filia picked it up, flipping towards the last used page to see what he had written this time.

To Filia Ul Copt's diary

How ironic the position you must find yourself in. To think that your once supposed prince is actually a whiney little whimp! But alas, I see you have not recognized that fact. I suppose it's only to be expected of a selfish dragon like yourself.

Your prince is not all he seems though. And as soon as I figure out exactly what he is, I shall take great delight in tormenting you with this knowledge.

Forever your tormentor,

Xelloss

The enraged Golden Dragon ripped out the page and tossed it into the waiting fire. Xelloss didn't know what he was talking about, he was simply mad at the fact she finally had a chance at happiness! Well… maybe a SLIM chance of happiness, but it was more then he had ever had! She supposed happiness might very well kill the arrogant namagomi.

To be continued…

Ohoyo, Minna-san! I had this started almost a month ago, but I need encouragement to continue! So a word of praise, or any ideas you're willing to pass on would be greatly appreciated!

Ice Queen