Chapter 2: Chapter 2

Slayers fanfic

Zelgadis Uncloaked

by: DragonRose

Chapter 2

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

"Well, what is it Zel?" asked Lina.

Zel started to sweat, " Ah well... that is...uhh," *This is going to be harder than I thought*. He swallowed and tried to think of an easier way to put his thoughts.

Lina was starting to get worried, she had never seen Zelgadis agitated like this. Her voice softened,"Zel, whats wrong?" she asked.

Zel turned suddenly at the soft tone of her voice and studied her face. She was looking at him with strong concern. *She is worried about me, maybe I do have a chance to win her love* Zel smirked at this thought.

Now Lina was confused. First Zel was toungue-tied and now he was smirking at her like he knew something she didn't. He was starting to act like Xellos. Lina didn't like that idea at all and opened her mouth to comment when Zel suddenly put his finger to her lips. Her eyes widened in surprise and her breath caught at the contact of his warm, stone skin against her slightly parted lips.

"Shh, there is something I want to tell you and it will be difficult if you are yelling at me. This is hard for me Lina, so let me speak and don't interrupt, okay?" Zel gave a small smile when she nodded and removed his finger from her soft lips. Quietly, he spoke, " I wanted to talk to you about this for a long time now, Lina. I have kept this secret to myself for a while. " he stopped suddenly. *Am I sure I want to do this?* He asked himself. *Yes* came the answer.

Lina quickly grew impatient," Cm'on Zel, spit it out!" she said.

Zel took a deep breath, looked her straight in the eye and said it. " Lina Inverse, I have been in love with you since the first moment I met you. I would do anything for you. But I need to know something. I have to know how you feel about me. Please be honest and don't try to be kind." he finished and held his breath waiting for her answer.

Lina sat with her mouth gapping open in surprise. She certainly wasn't expecting that speech to come from him. Yet, she had wanted to hear the words for so long that she sat still just savoring the moment. After a few minutes she realised she had been silent for too long, Zel was still waiting for her answer.

Zel's eyes darted back and forth looking into hers for any kind of hint of her answer. When she remained mute, he lowered his head thinking the worst, while she was still overcome by his confession. She smiled and hooked a finger under his chin to tilt his face towards hers. Hope and fear both showed in his eyes, his intention to hide behind his indifferent mask failing.

"Zel, that night that you rescued me from the fish-man, you stole my heart. It has been yours and always will be, for as long as you want it. I love you Zelgadis Greywords," then she leaned over to seal her promise with a sweet kiss.

Zelgadis couldn't believe it. He had finally found the courage to confess his love and she felt the same way! He sat bug-eyed for a few moments when her sweet lips touched his and then he closed his eyes in bliss and shyly began kissing her back. He was suprised to feel her tounge press into his mouth and intertwine with his in velvetly carresses. They were kissing for about a minute when they both heard a soft chuckle.

Zelgadis got up, pulled Lina behind him and had drawn his sword before Lina had even acknowledged the soft sound. He searched the area around them for the source. Suddenly, he felt a presence above them and looked in the tree above his and Lina's heads. There, siting in the shadows was none other than the purple-haired trickster himself. He chuckled again when Zel spotted him.

"What the hell do you want Mazoku?" he spoke, annoyance clear in his voice.

The figure moved into the light of the moon. Xellos stood wagging his finger at Zelgadis, "Now now Zelly, there is no need to use such language in front of a lady." He phased out and re-appeared in front of them.

"What do you want Xellos?" asked Zel more calmly. He sheathed his sword and relaxed his stance slightly. Lina had moved to stand beside him. "Yeah, what is it Xellos? We were kinda in a conversation."

"Oh, were you tounges not finished talking? Then by all means continue 'talking'," Xellos smirked, "don't let me interrupt."

Zelgadis and Lina both blushed at this comment and Lina quickly grabbed Xellos in a headlock.

^_^U "Lina-chan, there is no need to get so physical," Xellos smirked, "at least not with me, save it for rock-boy over there."

Lina blushed harder and held Xellos in a tighter grip. "Tell me what you want and I will let you go." she demanded.

" Ummm Lina," started Zelgadis. ^_^U

"Yes, Zel?"

" I don't think he can speak, his face is more purple than his hair."

"Really? I didn't think I was holding him that tightly." She let go and Xellos dropped to the ground.

"Sorry Xellos, got a little carried away," she said.

"Sure, I believe you Lina-chan, as for the answer to your question... Sore wa himistu desu!" and with that, he phased out, leaving them alone by the pond.

Zel looked at Lina who had her back to him, staring at where the mazoku had been standing, "How much do you think he knows, Lina-chan?"

" I don't know, he could have been in that tree the whole time and I never would have noticed. Personally, I don't care how much he heard. That makes one-less person to tell when the time comes," Lina stated. " Do you mind if it turns out he knows about us?" she asked slightly turning her head.

" Not really, actually I am surprised you aren't chasing after him with a fireball," Zel smiled," but I am glad you aren't."

"Oh, and why is thammph..." Zel took this moment to turn Lina towards him and plant his firm lips against her soft ones." Lina was surprised, but pleased as she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him back. When they finally came up for air, the sky around them had started to turn pink.

As they sat on the log and watched the sun rise, Zel had a question,"Lina...? Umm... when are we planning on telling the others about, er... us?

"Well, I hadn't really thought about it. Maybe we should just let them figure it out like we did. It could be fun sneaking around and keeping it to ourselves for a while. Or we could get it over with if you like. 'Course, Xellos might tell them first anyways, but probably not, considering how much he loves secrets.

Zelgadis shrugged," I can deal with sneaking around a bit," he smirked devilshly.

"Okay then it's settled, which means we might wanna get back to camp. The others will be awake soon," she said, sounding sad that their night was over so soon. Zelgadis captured her lips and kissed her soundly.

"We can be together soon, my love. I know you will have too much fun hiding this to reveal it too soon. You leave first and I will go around and head into camp from the other direction, Okay?" he asked.

Lina nodded, gave him one last lingering kiss and swiftly ran back to camp. Zel stood there a moment longer, marking this spot in his mind before he sprinted away to the other side of the clearing.

Xellos phased in after Zelgadis left, sitting cross-legged in midair. "What an interesting game this will be!" he said as he floated towards the camp. "Interesting indeed!"

Well that is the end for this story. I have been trying to add on but I think it completed itself.

Thanks for reading!

Ja ne!

Oh, and thanks to Sunny Cris and Chaos for the praise. This would have been at least a week longer in the making if it wasn't for you. Thanks guys, love ya!

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

9/21/11- Reviewed and edited.