Okay people, this is my first Slayers fic, I was in a mood and decided to go with my urge to release. I happen to favor Lina/Zel stories so they are the ones I put together... oh, of course I like Lina/Xellos stories too, ooh Xellos...*Drools* heh heh, but thats for a different story. Read and enjoy!

I own this story and I wished I owned these characters (particularly a certain stone boy and purple-haired Mazoku, *drool, drool* heh heh nevermind); but, I don't, so don't be dumb and sue the poor, creative person, ok?

-san attached to a name in formal kinda like Mr. or Ms.

-chan is more for girls names or used for spouses or boyfriend/girlfriend type deal.

U by a face means sweadrop-i.e. embarrassment.

Gomen means sorry.

And just for the record, Zelgadis is a chimera meaning he is 1/3 human, 1/3 mazuko, and 1/3 golem . His body is made of stone, but he is still hot! heeeee =0P

Zelgadis Uncloaked

by: DragonRose

Chapter 1

The wind blew softly through the trees surrounding the clearing. In the center of the clearing was a small fire and three sleeping figures huddled close to it. Another figure was sitting on a fallen log stirring the dying embers with a branch. The moonlight outlined his features, the blue-grey skin offset by small embedded, blue stones. His silvery wire hair reflected the firelight making small lights dance on the ground behind him. A sigh broke the silence of the night.

The figure rose and made no noise at all as he walked over to the pond that was nearby. Zelgadis looked at his reflection in the water and scowled. *When will I be rid of this hideous form* he wondered. He thought back to the events of the day and the possible cure that had failed him, like so many others had in the past. His friends, Lina and Amelia (Gourry was busy being Gourry) had tried to comfort him but he shut them out and stalked off to think by himself. They had left alone, Lina muttering somthing about how she ought to fireball his stoney butt. Later, he had come back and the subject was dropped.

Zel shook his head, stood up and gazed at the full moon shining above him. He started when he heard faint footsteps, but relaxed when he realised who was there. Zel waited until she was right beside him to acknowledge her presence.

"Lovely view, isn't it?" he asked, not looking at HER. His face was set in his expressionless mask . He had to keep Her unaware of his feelings. She was his friend, and a good friend at that. *She could never love me as a chimera*

"Yeah, I couldn't sleep. I am always restless when there is a full moon." she said. The wind started up and blew her long,red hair back, exposing her face and neck. The moonlight shone down on her, highlighting her features.

Zelgadis glanced at her and stared. He couldn't take his eyes off of her. When had he began to notice her beauty, her red eyes that constantly gleamed with mischief. Her zest for life, adventure, and food. When had his friendship for her turned to love? Or, had it always been there and he had just chosen to ignore it? These questions he had pondered since he had realised his change of heart. *This is the reason: she is the reason. I HAVE to find a cure. I can't expect her to love me this way* He turned away to look out over the lake.

Lina turned to find Zelgadis staring into space. *What is he thinking of now?* she wondered, then she waved her arms in front of his face. "Zelgadis! Yoohoo! Zel! " She stopped when she saw his ice-blue eyes focus on her red ones. "What were you thinking about just then?" she asked.

Zel looked away, "Nothing," he muttered.

Lina reached up and placed a hand on his cheek to direct his face towards hers. "If you don't stop that I am gonna Dragu Slave you into the next world. I know you were thinking about how hideous you think you look or whatever it is that you think about your body." she leveled a Dragon-Spooker glare at him that would have frighted Cerifeed himself, "You are NOT hideous Zelgadis Greywords. Got it?"

Zel could only nod, he was having a bit of trouble breathing because his face was a scant two inches from hers. He was transfixed by the ruby eyes that stared so deeply into his. *I wonder what she would do if I kissed her right now* he wondered.

*I wonder what he would do if I kissed him right now?* came the unbidden thought in her head. *Whoa, where did that come from?* She knew where it had come from though. She had been having these feelings whenever HE was concerned. It had started when she first met him, and she had ignored them thinking they would go away...but they had only grown since then. She had never told him. She didn't know how to tell him. *How could he love a little girl like me?*

Suddenly, she realised that she had been holding his face for too long. She let go and backed up, quickly looking down in embarressment. She just missed the slighty dissapointed look on Zel's face. "Gomen nasi," she muttered, then looked up cheerfully, "Well, since I am up, do you want me to take over my watch now?" Lina asked.

"Actually, I am not very tired. Do you mind if I sit watch with you?" he watched her carefully, wondering what she was thinking.

"Sure, I could use the company. Maybe we could talk some more?" she asked fearing he would shut her out again. But he surprised her.

"Well there is something I wanted to talk to you about, Lina-chan." Zel blushed at his slip of tounge and hoped she would not notice.

Lina's cheek grew a little pink at the -chan but she said nothing. She sat down on a fallen log and looked out over the lake. After a minute or two Zel joined her. They sat in silence together, both wanting to say what was on their minds but neither having the courage to start. Then, Lina spoke up, "What did you wanna ask me Zel-chan?"

His heart sped up at the nickname she used. "Well, there was always one thing I had wanted to know about, Lina."

Ahhhhh! Don't kill me please! It's 3:54am and I am sooo tired. Besides what's a good story without a cliffhanger.

*Gets bombed with flames* okay, okay. Sheesh!

^_^U what do I have to do?

Please review! Comments, suggestions, and constructive critisism are welcome to my ears.

9/21/11- Reviewed and edited.