There are some things that few humans realize, seeing as their lives are so short. Yet, the others, the ones that live much much longer, and can even be considered immortal, have known for some time. In our world these beings are angels and demons. In the world of Slayers… These things are known as the Mazoku and the Dragons… And even then few are completely aware.

For this reason there are things in this story that cannot be explained completely. Actually the writer's just making it up, so if it doesn't make sense, chalk it up to **Cough** higher wisdom^_^; Man, it sounded so cool there for a while, too!!!!

A few things, thanks Spare for pointing out the Suiter/Suitor thing, and Amanda for pointing out that Lord Beastmaster can also be referred to as Greater Beast. Sorry, too much eighties education in my background. If I haven't mentioned it before, consider yourselves my Alpha readers, k? I don't know as many Slayers fans as I would like^_^

Now on to chapter 4

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"Why is she still alive?? We ordered you to kill her weeks ago!!" The room was once more located in the dark recesses of some very dark building and the cloaked figure that we all know well was the center of attention.

"Maa Maa!" Damme, but I'm even starting to sound like that fruity bastard! "I have had some… complications getting close to the target. She is well armed and the mazoku known as Xelloss finds it amusing to protect her." Silence. He smirked, knowing that this would be their reaction. Even these uptight fools knew a shiver of fear when that name was spoken. "She is quite powerful in her own right, as well."

"Bah! She is a mere priestess of an obsolete following! She should be no trouble for such as yourself! Or need we remind you of all that you owe us?" The threat was soft, but still there.

"Hai. Forgive me for causing you delays. She shall be exterminated by the end of the fortnight. On midsummer's night eve." The cloaked one bowed jerkily, turning on his heel and stalking from the room like one possessed.

"Call in the exterminator. He grows too powerful for his own good."

"Hai, sir. He shall be exterminated by the end of the fortnight."

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The problem with keeping a vicious pet is that there was always the chance of it turning on its provider. No one knew this as well as Xelloss, seeing that in his own way he was the most vicious of pets ever created. But for some reason the thought of Filia being stuck with such a thing unknowingly was a little bit… unsettling.

Ah, but it made no matter what Filia knew and what she didn't. In fact, this situation could easily be conductive towards his own entertainment. Perhaps that is why he chose not to tell her his new information considering her precious Vincent, or perhaps the fact she wouldn't believe him even if he tried. Just call him "Namagomi." And tell him to get lost. **His eye was twitching with that last thought**

He dropped down on the limb beside her bedroom window, watching silently as she talked to the egg that had once been a great prospective, but would end up… a miniature Filia. He really would have to interfere with that, the idea of Valgaav turning into that was quite terrifying to even Xelloss.

Yet, alas, that was the future and he had more then enough to deal with at the moment, thank you very much. Now… What did changelings do for fun, anyways? The trickster started to smile, one eye slowly cracking open. Perhaps he should see for himself.

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The trickster priest was in an even odder garb then usual, he was wearing a strange white apron like thing over his immaculate garb and in his hand was a flat wooden piece with paint spots. His other hand, rather then holding his usual staff, was clenched lightly around a paintbrush. In front of the mazoku was a large half finished portrait of what appeared to be…

The young blonde man choked as his nose spurted blood over his white shirt. There was Filia, her skirts flying up as she reached for her beloved mace-sama. The picture blatantly outlined the perfect lines of her calf, and the rage in her eyes. For once, the fruitcake has done something interesting! Vincent thought as he pinched his nose with his handkerchief.

"No, no! This is not right! There should be more… how do you say… Burning passion!" Xelloss said with a silly little accent, all the while watching the young dragon out of the corner of his eye. He snapped, and all of a sudden the picture changed to an image of Filia changing form. Her golden skin gleamed as though in real life, her hair floating around her in a wild wave. Xelloss could barely stifle his snort of contempt at the sound of the young upstart hitting the floor with a THUD.

Vincent woke up to see white. And a lot of white, in fact, ALL he could see was white. But that wasn't what horrified him. "Yare, yare! So that's what's connected to that thumping thing! These non astral bodies are soo much more complicated then I thought!"

"AAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!"

He sat up, his eyes wide with fright as he glanced down to see what was happening to his body. "Now now, Vinny! No fair peeking!!!"

Slowly Vincent looked up, finding himself staring into the most eerie eyes that he had ever seen. They were purple, a hauntingly soulless cat like pair of eyes. They spoke of millions of lives just like his stolen with a slight smile. And then all he saw was black.

Xelloss pocketed his small hammer, and smirked. This little episode would haunt the young bastard for as many nights as he had left. Something told the trickster there wouldn't be many.

He didn't know exactly what had made him do this, but something… What the HFIL?? Was that little bastard… CHANGING??? He was! How fascinating! The small blonde bishonen was turning slightly blue, his ears changing from the sharp pointed dragon ears to a wider version, and his fangs were growing more pronounced. Xelloss glanced around, wondering what had provoked the change, but nothing was in sight.

"I wonder… Perhaps the little upstart isn't asleep after all!" He said to the air, quite amused. Xelloss supposed he shouldn't have used Filia's beloved kitchen for this experiment because if he wasn't mistaken…

"ROAR!!!!" Yes, he was quite correct. Truly! This would be the best fight since Valgaav! He turned, swinging his staff out in a graceful arch to hit his adversary. The small changeling moved, and was about to pounce again when the lights turned on.

"NAMAGOMI!!!!! I'M TRYING TO SLEEP!!!"

An enraged Filia came trudging down the stairs, her hands wrapped tightly around her mace and looking absurdly adorable in chibi golden dragon pajamas with feeties. Her hair was pulled high on her head and some strange green substance appeared to be growing in her face. The sight distracted Xelloss just enough to make him surprised to see an innocent looking Vincent knocked out on the floor.

"Nani? I didn't do that!"

"NAMAGOMI!!! Not only must you wake me from a very pleasant sleep, you knock out a GUEST????" She stomped up to him, not even noticing the fact she stepped directly on the aforementioned guest's face. The beloved mace was directly in Xelloss's face, making his eye twitch slightly.

"He's faking it! I swear! Or are you so judgmental that you believe a stranger over me??!" The last thing he saw before being hit out of neighborhood was Vincent, smirking at him from behind Filia's back.

Xelloss crossed his arms over his chest, a thoughtful look on his face. "Really… Must get that Onna a new, softer mallet. Maybe Iron…" He landed head-first on an exceptionally hard rooftop, merely to top off the masochistic moment, of course. He hopped up, none the worse for wear, his eyes cracking slightly.

"Someone shall pay for this, oh yes, and they will pay hard." And we all know he wasn't talking about Filia, now don't we?

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Draco Strognoff was bored. He didn't like to be bored, because being bored equaled thinking, and thinking made his head hurt. He shoved back from the tavern table, pounding down his large flagon of ale. "Boys? We gotta get a job!"

The inebriated group of bandits that surrounded him screamed in reply. They were too far gone to have understood his last sentence, but Draco didn't care. He was the strongest of the group, so his word was law. He shoved his hand through his spiky black hair and glared at the smaller men.

"That means you gottsta SOBER UP!" He shouted, smirking as the fifteen men fell off their stools onto their butts all at once. "Cuz we's goin Dragon huntin!"

"WHOO HOO!!! DRAGON! DRAGON! DRAGON!!"

"Ano… Boss? What's a dragon?"

**Sweatdrop**

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A bleary eyed Higher beast looked up at the annoying group interrupting her party. Dragon hunting?? Could he possibly mean Xelloss's little pet gold? My! This might get entertaining, after all!

Xelas shoved back from the bar, suddenly completely sober. Smirking down at the drunken piggy next to her she dropped a few bills and walked off. She had more entertaining prey for now, not that she would forget her darling little P-Chan. Oh no, he would serve for much entertainment later. With that thought she disappeared, as though she were never there.

Luna glanced up, having been the only one to notice, grabbed and counted the bills, then went back to serving. One learned quickly that being the best friend of a dark lord and the knight of Ceipheed meant that keeping ones mouth shut was vital. Not to mention profitable.

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Hiya mina-san! Ice here again^_^ I think this is bout to wrap itself up in the next couple of chapters, at least I hope so. I apologize for the lack of Filia-goodness that we all enjoy, but that will be taken care of next chapter… I think. As always, Ideas, criticisms, or encouragement is greatly appreciated, so please review!