Ok this was supposed to be two chapters but I'm just too lazy to split them
up. I mean, um they just seemed a little short split up like they were
going to be. yeah! That's it! ::grins innocently:: Ok yes I haven't update
in a long time, for anything but I can't keep apologizing forever (Ok well
maybe I can) I'm SORRY! I'M SORRY! (Picture nutcase woman from fruits
basket, well if you've seen if of course.)
Disclaimer: It's over, the humor has been drained out of me, I don't believe I could make up one more funny comment for this stupid disclaimer thingy-ma-jug. But I guess if you really want it I'll give it a try. Um, what does a Lawyer for the slayers animation and a banana have in common.. I HATE THEM BOTH! ::laughs hysterically while everyone else stares at each other in silence:: Err. Ok so that one didn't work. Then how about this ::Thinks for a very, very ling time before-:: What do you get when you cross an fanfic writer and a peach or brown colored Sapien? Don't know? The SAME THING! HAHAHAHA! Ok that wasn't funny but if you put a cannibal into the mix. then it's funny! (well unless the cannibal is after me that is!) Err. sorry I give up the amusing thing. just know that I don't own Slayers because GOD if I did it would be SOOOOOOOOOOO boring.
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Although they hadn't found a town yet the group had decided to camp out for the night and with a river nearby it didn't seem like they were going to starve or anything. After a huge meal of fish and wild potato's everyone had settled in for sleep. The cat during this time had taken quite a liking to Zelgadis (much to his dismay) and was cuddled up on his chest in spite of much protesting. So in all everyone was happily dreaming away. Well, everyone except Lina of course who had volunteered for first watch.
"Booooooorrrrrrring!" she says yawning widely and poking the fire with a stick. "I wish I had something to do."
Sticking the end of the limb into the fire again she sighs once and lifts it out. Holding it up in front of her she stares at the burning ember at the tip of it. She seems entranced as the bright red pulses slightly. Suddenly with an angry gesture she shoves the brand into the dirt forcefully breaking the stick in half.
"Lina?" A voice comes from behind her and she spins around quickly.
"Oh, Gourry," she grins slightly. "What do you want?"
"I want to know what's wrong." He says slowly.
"What makes you think anything's wrong?" she asks appearing as innocent as the day she was born. (Hey whose to say she looked innocent as a baby?)
"Well, normally you don't beat up sticks, first off." Gourry gestures to the broken stick and walks over to the fire, sitting cross-legged next to her. "I know it has something to do with that Ellis Tents. So what's up?"
"Gourry, it's Delis Cense, and you really don't want to know." Lina says softly staring off into the fire.
"Lina, as your protector if you're in trouble I have a right to know." Gourry say obviously unmoving.
"Well, I'm not in trouble so don't worry about it." Lina says turning slightly away dismissing him.
"Just tell me already." Gourry says not willing to be put off that easily. "I won't laugh or anything."
"I really doubt if that's a possibility but..." Lina pauses attempting to figure a way out of it, after a couple of seconds she just shrugs and gives up. "Fine, I'll tell you already but don't say I didn't warn you."
"Sure, Lina," He waits patiently staring at her. After a moment she starts.
"Well you know when I'd said I'd seen the forming of the Delis Cense before." She waits for his nod. "that's not exactly the whole truth."
"What is the truth than, Lina?" Gourry asks slowly thinking it all through.
"I was a part of the ceremony to create the curse." her face turns from the firelight until all is shadow.
"So you were like the ring bearer or something?" Gourry ask his eyes echoing the confusion of his mind.
"NO, Gourry. It's not like a wedding, do you remember what I told you the Delis Cense required to complete?" Lina's face turns back to him and with the light of the fire once again reflecting off them they become impossible to read.
"Um," He thinks for a second. "Something about torturing chickens... but I don't see what that has to do with anything."
With a pained expression she corrects him. "NOT chickens, Gourry. CHILDREN!"
He gasps slightly. "You don't mean..."
"Yes?" Lina waits calmly.
"I can't believe you would torture children like that!" Gourry looks shocked.
"GOURRY, I DID NOT TORTURE CHILDREN!!!" She jumps to her feet and shouts, her face turning red.
"But what other part in the ceremony could you have?" he asks.
"Gourry," she sighs exasperated and sits back down. "think about it for a second. This was years ago, years before I knew you, or even Naga for that matter."
"Naga? Who's she?" Gourry's tone becomes quizzical.
"It doesn't matter. Just think about it. And when you figure it out come and find me, ok? I won't be far." She turns and walks away not waiting for an answer.
He sits by the fire pondering just as she asked. For the longest time he just stared into space using that single-mindedness he usually reserved for battle to concentrate on that all important question. ____________________________________________________________________________ __________
Sighing she moves into the night, towards the sound of the rushing water. 'I'll just sit by the river and relax" she thinks. 'maybe I'll even take a swim.'
So she makes her way to the river. When she finally makes it to the edge all she can do is stand and stare. So that is exactly what she does. Watching over the sparkling water she doesn't make a sound. Eventually her eyes shut and she just breath's reveling the cool night air blowing gently across her face. ____________________________________________________________________________ __________
She'd been standing there for several minutes just like a statue. He knew he'd been watching her. A few minutes after she'd left he'd figured it out. And done exactly like she'd asked come and found her. But she wasn't doing anything just standing there.
"What should I do?" he speaks quietly not wanting to disturb her.
Then his answer came as Lina shivered slightly wrapping her arms around herself and hugging tightly, Lina must be cold so, he had to remedy that.
"Lina?" he walks up behind her and lays a hand on her shoulder. "I think I know what part you had in that ceremony thing now."
"Yeah and what is that?" she shrugs him off and moves farther away moving toward a tree at the bank. Situating herself between the roots she looks up. "well?"
"You," he begins gulping slightly. "were one of the children, weren't you."
"Wow, bravo," Lina claps lightly grinning up at him in the dark. "and I thought you were brainless. Brilliant deduction, Watson."
(This time Lina cuts in, "Listen you can't use things in the fic that none of us would know in real life."
"Why not," I pout slightly.
"Because it just doesn't work like that, OKAY!?" Lina shouts. "and stop making this so sad it's getting even me down."
"Um, sorry but I was in a sad mood." I apologize grinning winningly at her.
"Yeah, well, you better get happy fast or..." Lina waves a fist at her.
"Fine, fine after this sad part I promise it will be bandits, treasure, and food again, k?" / 'Well and being attacked by the random monster' I think evilly.
"Good now enough chit chat," Lina says impatiently. "LET'S GET ON WITH THE FIC! So I can get my money!"
*sigh*)
"It really wasn't that hard, I just had to concentrate," He grins sheepishly before realizing she'd turned back to the water.
"Uh, well, you wanna talk about it?" He sits beside her close but not touching.
'Jellyfish? Sensitive? Who woulda thunk it?' she thinks for a minute. "No, not particularly."
"Ok then," he scoots over a little. "but if you don't mind, I'll just sit out here for a while."
So he does, they do. After a while, sitting in the cool night air both leaning against the tree trunk, Gourry of course falls asleep.
"Gourry?" Lina asks timidly and when she's finally sure he's not going to wake up she scoots over the last couple of inches to lay her head gently against his shoulder.
Eventually still in that position she falls into a rest-full slumber. ____________________________________________________________________________ _________
"Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet..." the sound comes over and over again breaking into her nice dreams of princes and white horses. (Not to mention gold and food.)
"shu' up." she mutters. "I don't wanna get up."
"Tweet, Tweet, TWEET!" the bird sings once again.
"I said, shut up!" and lifting one hand sleepily she utters two syllables certain to shut the impromptu alarm clock up. "Fire-yawn-ball!"
Behind them can be heard a loud thump and landing unceremoniously on the ground is a certain Mazoku priest. And he seems rather charbroiled.
Lina unable to see this settles back in to sleep quickly.
"Um, excuse me." Xellos begins hoping back up from he ground. "Miss Inverse?"
"Why have you come around again, Xellos?" She props one eye open. "Oh, never mind just go away, I'm tired."
"That and preoccupied from the sight of things. But the fact is Lina, I can't leave, orders you know." Xellos says smiling bemusedly still.
She glances down at herself. It seemed that somehow during the night both of them had sifted positions until his arms were around her waist and her head was resting half on Gourry's shoulder, half on his chest.
Blushing profusely she slams a fist into the sleeping Gourry's head sending him back about fifteen feet and into the river. (rather rude awakening wouldn't you say?)
"AFFF, ugh." Gourry splashes around choking on the water. "Lina what did you do that.... umphssss.... for?"
"You deserve it. Compromising an innocent maiden like that!" She shouts at him.
"Innocent maiden?" he looks around finally finding his footing in the shallow river bed. "Where!?"
Lina's eyes twitch slightly. "RIGHT HERE YOU DOPE!" she growls and glares at him.
"WHERE?" he glances around again appearing hopeful. "Who is it?"
"ME, YOU IDIOT!" Lina look about ready to commit heinous acts on the dense swordsman.
After a few more minutes of bickering and Gourry amazingly NOT drowning everything falls quiet for a second.
"So, Xellos, what are you doing here?" Lina asks her voice dangerously low. 'If he says it's a secret I'm going to Dragon slave him straight back to Lord Beast Master.'
"That is -" Xellos is cut off (luckily) by the sound of shouting in the distance.
"MISS LINA, MISTER GOURRY!" Amelia's high pitched voice echoes over the area obviously worried followed by Zel's low pitched shouts.
"GOURRY DEAR!?" Sylphiel follows in with her tone as gentle as ever.
"OVER HERE YOU GUYS, BY THE RIVER!" Lina shouts back then turns to Gourry. "You forgot to wake up Zel for his shift, didn't you?"
"Um, yeah but it was still you're watch when I left to-" Gourry's voice is muffled by Lina's hand over his mouth.
"Do me a favor and don't mention any of that aloud again. K?" Lina smiles ferally her eyes promising retribution if her wishes weren't fulfilled. After a nod from him she removes her hand and turns to find Xellos staring at them intently.
Xellos grins, "Well this certainly is an interesting development." he almost whispers to himself. However it is still a little too loud as it reaches our sensitive sorceress' ears.
"You stay out of this you nosey Mazoku," she blushes slightly. "It's not what you think."
"Why Lina you think that "I" would ever try to impose myself into others private matters?" Xellos attempts to pout. "You really think that little of me?"
"Oh, save it." she growls and turns towards the sounds of underbrush shaking.
"There you are Miss Lina!" Amelia runs forward enthusiastically. "We woke up and saw you gone..."
"Yes we were very worried about you and Gourry dear." Sylphiel smiled slightly.
Zel eyes Lina's disheveled appearance and Gourry's very wet figure before shaking his head slightly. 'I really don't want to know'.
"So where to next?" He asks arching an eyebrow. Looking around slightly Zelgadis' eyebrows furrow slightly as he watches the tiny black kitten walk through the underbrush and towards his legs.
"Well first we need to discover who created that dagger and sent the curse after me." She turns to Amelia. "Amelia, do you remember which city the merchant was from?"
"N-no I don't really..." she trails off as the tiny kitten turns it's golden orbs toward Xellos.
"HISS!" kit swipes a paw toward the Mazoku. "Hiss, hiss, GROWL."
"I don't think Miss Kitty likes you very much, Xellos." Gourry says and blows a still dripping lock of hair from his forehead.
"Well that's interesting." he gazes at the kitten for a second a questioning air about him. Finally, he shrugs and turns back to the group.
"I personally say it has good taste." Zelgadis grins slightly and walks over to pick the still hissing ball of fur from where it stands. He was getting to like this little thing more and more by the minute.
"Maybe she senses that he's a Mazoku." Sylphiel suggests quietly.
Amelia with her face set into a sympathetic smile walks up to Xellos and lays a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry, Mister Xellos." Amelia pats him softly. "She didn't like me either. That kitten is a very unjust and prejudice feline."
"That's ok," Xellos waves a hand. "I don't particularly mind." Hoping to stave off a justice speech or anymore sweetness (well that and the fact that the sight of the cute purring kitten was making him sick to his stomach) Xellos continued. "But since you are wondering where that dagger with the mind control spell came from I'm here to tell you."
"What do you know about all this?" Lina growls.
"Well first of all I know that the person who created that dagger is extremely powerful." Xellos grins and holds up one finger.
"How powerful, Xellos?" Lina asks her voice taking on a hard edge.
"Now as embarrassing as this may be I feel I must tell the truth." Xellos' grins fades slightly. "even though she's human I don't believe I could defeat her. In fact my master sent me just for that reason. Even Lord Beast master would have a time of it.
"B-but how would she get that much power?" Lina asks dazed.
"It seems that she is a descendent of the ancient dragons chosen one." Xellos tilts his head and ponders for a second completely silent. "With the mixture of Elfin, Dragon, and Human blood she may just possibly have gotten all of the strengths of the three races. And none of the downfalls."
"What? But how could those races intermingle. I thought it was impossible." Zel asks incredulously not quite ready to believe the violet haired trouble maker.
"Well that," Xellos waits for a second until he has everyone's attention. "is a secret!"
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!" Zelgadis flies across the space separating him and the Mazoku priest. Gripping the priest shirt front he pulls him unceremoniously into the air. The kitten hisses fiercely and with a screech takes off into the forest. However the absence is barely noted as Zelgadis' jerks Xellos once more.
"NO, NO" Xellos says calmly. "It truly is a secret. Even we the Mazoku race do not know how the ancient dragons picked and performed their rituals for the chosen ones."
"You're lying." Zel's eyes narrow slightly.
"No, really I'm not, the ancient dragons never made us privy to that knowledge." Xellos looks irritated at the thought. "And if you'll put me down I can tell you how to beat her. It may even prove beneficial to you, Zelgadis."
Slowly Zelgadis drops his arms and steps away folding his arms across his chest and tapping a foot impatiently. "This better be good."
"It is, I assure you." Xellos winks and turns toward Lina. "Since we don't know how to undo whatever the dragons did and we have no way to otherwise kill her that is why we need you, Lina Inverse, to find out how for us."
"Figure out how she became a dragon, human, elfin cross. How would I possibly do that?" Lina arches an eyebrow in question.
"Why by going to the Mountain of Tears where she keeps the incantation." Xellos speaks as though this were obvious. "that way you can sort through all of those ancient spells, trinkets, and books of knowledge to find the right one. Not only that but it tells how one in her condition can be made or unmade." He glances significantly towards Zelgadis who's eyes light up slightly.
Lina's eyes get wide at this. 'to have all those spells and incantations not to mention the power boosters I'm sure to find there at the tip of my finger tips' she squeals slightly at the thought before becoming serious again. "What's in it for you?"
"Well, that I'm afraid is a secret." Xellos beams and waggles a finger at them before disappearing. "Just remember her chambers are located inside the mountain of tears. Halfway up the mountains there should be a set of caverns the information is located inside. Good luck!" the disembodied voice finally fades off.
"Irritating Mazoku." Lina shakes her head slightly. "Well, lets go." she turns from the river back towards camp.
"But surely you don't trust him." Zel says.
"Yes, is that wise Miss Lina?" Sylphiel spoke quietly her eyes downcast.
"Hey, yeah," Gourry starts forward. "He could be lying you know."
"Of course he could be lying but I'm not willing to take the chance. So as far as I'm concerned we're headed for the Mountain of Tears!" Lina's arm swings up to point into the distance.
"Miss Lina." Amelia speaks quietly.
"What is it now, Amelia?" Lina sighs as the group as one starts back toward camp.
"Where's the kitty?" Amelia looks worried.
Lina glances back to Zelgadis who shakes his head slightly. Turning to each of the group members in turn she gets the same answer. "Well, she must have ran off somewhere. If she wants to find us she can. So don't worry about it."
"but-"
"Kit'll be fine. Now lets get a good breakfast and set off for Tear." Lina plows on ahead the grass and weeds being crushed beneath her feet.
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About two weeks later the group is still traveling to the mountains. Unfortunately the going isn't exactly wonderful. Bandits in the area have been as thick as mosquitoes and the path area was becoming more and more dense causing the progress to slow down to a crawl. Finally fed up with the way things were going the group decided to stop for the night and get a fresh start in the morning.
"Um, Miss Lina?" Sylphiel speaks cautiously not wanting to anger the fiery sorceress.
"Yes, Sylphiel." Lina spoke slightly cranky. She'd been trying to sleep for the last hour and it wasn't exactly working. It seemed the closer they got to those blasted mountains the less sleep she was able to get. Which of course made for one hellish trip. One cranky Lina plus one idiot, one justice freak, one overly sweet priestess, and one disgruntled chimera obsessed with curing himself, you do the math. (yes, 1+1+1+1+1= pain).
Even though she knew Lina was not in the best of moods Sylphiel had decided to risk her ire. This was just too important. "Miss Lina, I've been hearing rumors that a town twenty or so miles from the Mountain of Tears was having a problem. The people there seem to have come down with an unknown illness."
"So," Lina opens her eyes. "You want to try and help out I take it?"
"Yes, I do." Sylphiel closes her eyes tightly waiting for the refusal to follow.
"Ok then, go. I guess Zelgadis and Amelia can take you and we can meet back up later." Lina sighs and turns over her head resting on her hands.
Sylphiel's eyes pop open in surprise. "Oh, really thank you very much, Miss Lina!"
"Whatever, but remember to send Zelgadis and Amelia back in two days time I may need them... we can meet up at the entrance to the caverns." Lina dismisses her and closes her eyes.
"Oh I will, goodnight." Sylphiel also lays down and settles in for a long night of rest.
"Goodnight to you too, Sylphiel." Lina sighs. After a few moments of silence Sylphiel begins to breath peacefully obviously having to succumb to sleep.
Lina on the other hand slowly opened her eyes and staring into the night. Throwing back her covers she moved into the night and towards the fire. "Amelia, I'll take this shift."
"Um, Miss Lina?" Amelia looks at her questioningly.
"Just go to bed, Amelia." she growls.
With a yip Amelia races off to the tents and Lina settles in for a long watch.
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Ok I know a little tow angsty there but don't worry it'll get better (I promised Lina remember?) Oh well I'll see you if I ever write the next chapter. or if anyone reads this.
Disclaimer: It's over, the humor has been drained out of me, I don't believe I could make up one more funny comment for this stupid disclaimer thingy-ma-jug. But I guess if you really want it I'll give it a try. Um, what does a Lawyer for the slayers animation and a banana have in common.. I HATE THEM BOTH! ::laughs hysterically while everyone else stares at each other in silence:: Err. Ok so that one didn't work. Then how about this ::Thinks for a very, very ling time before-:: What do you get when you cross an fanfic writer and a peach or brown colored Sapien? Don't know? The SAME THING! HAHAHAHA! Ok that wasn't funny but if you put a cannibal into the mix. then it's funny! (well unless the cannibal is after me that is!) Err. sorry I give up the amusing thing. just know that I don't own Slayers because GOD if I did it would be SOOOOOOOOOOO boring.
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Although they hadn't found a town yet the group had decided to camp out for the night and with a river nearby it didn't seem like they were going to starve or anything. After a huge meal of fish and wild potato's everyone had settled in for sleep. The cat during this time had taken quite a liking to Zelgadis (much to his dismay) and was cuddled up on his chest in spite of much protesting. So in all everyone was happily dreaming away. Well, everyone except Lina of course who had volunteered for first watch.
"Booooooorrrrrrring!" she says yawning widely and poking the fire with a stick. "I wish I had something to do."
Sticking the end of the limb into the fire again she sighs once and lifts it out. Holding it up in front of her she stares at the burning ember at the tip of it. She seems entranced as the bright red pulses slightly. Suddenly with an angry gesture she shoves the brand into the dirt forcefully breaking the stick in half.
"Lina?" A voice comes from behind her and she spins around quickly.
"Oh, Gourry," she grins slightly. "What do you want?"
"I want to know what's wrong." He says slowly.
"What makes you think anything's wrong?" she asks appearing as innocent as the day she was born. (Hey whose to say she looked innocent as a baby?)
"Well, normally you don't beat up sticks, first off." Gourry gestures to the broken stick and walks over to the fire, sitting cross-legged next to her. "I know it has something to do with that Ellis Tents. So what's up?"
"Gourry, it's Delis Cense, and you really don't want to know." Lina says softly staring off into the fire.
"Lina, as your protector if you're in trouble I have a right to know." Gourry say obviously unmoving.
"Well, I'm not in trouble so don't worry about it." Lina says turning slightly away dismissing him.
"Just tell me already." Gourry says not willing to be put off that easily. "I won't laugh or anything."
"I really doubt if that's a possibility but..." Lina pauses attempting to figure a way out of it, after a couple of seconds she just shrugs and gives up. "Fine, I'll tell you already but don't say I didn't warn you."
"Sure, Lina," He waits patiently staring at her. After a moment she starts.
"Well you know when I'd said I'd seen the forming of the Delis Cense before." She waits for his nod. "that's not exactly the whole truth."
"What is the truth than, Lina?" Gourry asks slowly thinking it all through.
"I was a part of the ceremony to create the curse." her face turns from the firelight until all is shadow.
"So you were like the ring bearer or something?" Gourry ask his eyes echoing the confusion of his mind.
"NO, Gourry. It's not like a wedding, do you remember what I told you the Delis Cense required to complete?" Lina's face turns back to him and with the light of the fire once again reflecting off them they become impossible to read.
"Um," He thinks for a second. "Something about torturing chickens... but I don't see what that has to do with anything."
With a pained expression she corrects him. "NOT chickens, Gourry. CHILDREN!"
He gasps slightly. "You don't mean..."
"Yes?" Lina waits calmly.
"I can't believe you would torture children like that!" Gourry looks shocked.
"GOURRY, I DID NOT TORTURE CHILDREN!!!" She jumps to her feet and shouts, her face turning red.
"But what other part in the ceremony could you have?" he asks.
"Gourry," she sighs exasperated and sits back down. "think about it for a second. This was years ago, years before I knew you, or even Naga for that matter."
"Naga? Who's she?" Gourry's tone becomes quizzical.
"It doesn't matter. Just think about it. And when you figure it out come and find me, ok? I won't be far." She turns and walks away not waiting for an answer.
He sits by the fire pondering just as she asked. For the longest time he just stared into space using that single-mindedness he usually reserved for battle to concentrate on that all important question. ____________________________________________________________________________ __________
Sighing she moves into the night, towards the sound of the rushing water. 'I'll just sit by the river and relax" she thinks. 'maybe I'll even take a swim.'
So she makes her way to the river. When she finally makes it to the edge all she can do is stand and stare. So that is exactly what she does. Watching over the sparkling water she doesn't make a sound. Eventually her eyes shut and she just breath's reveling the cool night air blowing gently across her face. ____________________________________________________________________________ __________
She'd been standing there for several minutes just like a statue. He knew he'd been watching her. A few minutes after she'd left he'd figured it out. And done exactly like she'd asked come and found her. But she wasn't doing anything just standing there.
"What should I do?" he speaks quietly not wanting to disturb her.
Then his answer came as Lina shivered slightly wrapping her arms around herself and hugging tightly, Lina must be cold so, he had to remedy that.
"Lina?" he walks up behind her and lays a hand on her shoulder. "I think I know what part you had in that ceremony thing now."
"Yeah and what is that?" she shrugs him off and moves farther away moving toward a tree at the bank. Situating herself between the roots she looks up. "well?"
"You," he begins gulping slightly. "were one of the children, weren't you."
"Wow, bravo," Lina claps lightly grinning up at him in the dark. "and I thought you were brainless. Brilliant deduction, Watson."
(This time Lina cuts in, "Listen you can't use things in the fic that none of us would know in real life."
"Why not," I pout slightly.
"Because it just doesn't work like that, OKAY!?" Lina shouts. "and stop making this so sad it's getting even me down."
"Um, sorry but I was in a sad mood." I apologize grinning winningly at her.
"Yeah, well, you better get happy fast or..." Lina waves a fist at her.
"Fine, fine after this sad part I promise it will be bandits, treasure, and food again, k?" / 'Well and being attacked by the random monster' I think evilly.
"Good now enough chit chat," Lina says impatiently. "LET'S GET ON WITH THE FIC! So I can get my money!"
*sigh*)
"It really wasn't that hard, I just had to concentrate," He grins sheepishly before realizing she'd turned back to the water.
"Uh, well, you wanna talk about it?" He sits beside her close but not touching.
'Jellyfish? Sensitive? Who woulda thunk it?' she thinks for a minute. "No, not particularly."
"Ok then," he scoots over a little. "but if you don't mind, I'll just sit out here for a while."
So he does, they do. After a while, sitting in the cool night air both leaning against the tree trunk, Gourry of course falls asleep.
"Gourry?" Lina asks timidly and when she's finally sure he's not going to wake up she scoots over the last couple of inches to lay her head gently against his shoulder.
Eventually still in that position she falls into a rest-full slumber. ____________________________________________________________________________ _________
"Tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet, tweet..." the sound comes over and over again breaking into her nice dreams of princes and white horses. (Not to mention gold and food.)
"shu' up." she mutters. "I don't wanna get up."
"Tweet, Tweet, TWEET!" the bird sings once again.
"I said, shut up!" and lifting one hand sleepily she utters two syllables certain to shut the impromptu alarm clock up. "Fire-yawn-ball!"
Behind them can be heard a loud thump and landing unceremoniously on the ground is a certain Mazoku priest. And he seems rather charbroiled.
Lina unable to see this settles back in to sleep quickly.
"Um, excuse me." Xellos begins hoping back up from he ground. "Miss Inverse?"
"Why have you come around again, Xellos?" She props one eye open. "Oh, never mind just go away, I'm tired."
"That and preoccupied from the sight of things. But the fact is Lina, I can't leave, orders you know." Xellos says smiling bemusedly still.
She glances down at herself. It seemed that somehow during the night both of them had sifted positions until his arms were around her waist and her head was resting half on Gourry's shoulder, half on his chest.
Blushing profusely she slams a fist into the sleeping Gourry's head sending him back about fifteen feet and into the river. (rather rude awakening wouldn't you say?)
"AFFF, ugh." Gourry splashes around choking on the water. "Lina what did you do that.... umphssss.... for?"
"You deserve it. Compromising an innocent maiden like that!" She shouts at him.
"Innocent maiden?" he looks around finally finding his footing in the shallow river bed. "Where!?"
Lina's eyes twitch slightly. "RIGHT HERE YOU DOPE!" she growls and glares at him.
"WHERE?" he glances around again appearing hopeful. "Who is it?"
"ME, YOU IDIOT!" Lina look about ready to commit heinous acts on the dense swordsman.
After a few more minutes of bickering and Gourry amazingly NOT drowning everything falls quiet for a second.
"So, Xellos, what are you doing here?" Lina asks her voice dangerously low. 'If he says it's a secret I'm going to Dragon slave him straight back to Lord Beast Master.'
"That is -" Xellos is cut off (luckily) by the sound of shouting in the distance.
"MISS LINA, MISTER GOURRY!" Amelia's high pitched voice echoes over the area obviously worried followed by Zel's low pitched shouts.
"GOURRY DEAR!?" Sylphiel follows in with her tone as gentle as ever.
"OVER HERE YOU GUYS, BY THE RIVER!" Lina shouts back then turns to Gourry. "You forgot to wake up Zel for his shift, didn't you?"
"Um, yeah but it was still you're watch when I left to-" Gourry's voice is muffled by Lina's hand over his mouth.
"Do me a favor and don't mention any of that aloud again. K?" Lina smiles ferally her eyes promising retribution if her wishes weren't fulfilled. After a nod from him she removes her hand and turns to find Xellos staring at them intently.
Xellos grins, "Well this certainly is an interesting development." he almost whispers to himself. However it is still a little too loud as it reaches our sensitive sorceress' ears.
"You stay out of this you nosey Mazoku," she blushes slightly. "It's not what you think."
"Why Lina you think that "I" would ever try to impose myself into others private matters?" Xellos attempts to pout. "You really think that little of me?"
"Oh, save it." she growls and turns towards the sounds of underbrush shaking.
"There you are Miss Lina!" Amelia runs forward enthusiastically. "We woke up and saw you gone..."
"Yes we were very worried about you and Gourry dear." Sylphiel smiled slightly.
Zel eyes Lina's disheveled appearance and Gourry's very wet figure before shaking his head slightly. 'I really don't want to know'.
"So where to next?" He asks arching an eyebrow. Looking around slightly Zelgadis' eyebrows furrow slightly as he watches the tiny black kitten walk through the underbrush and towards his legs.
"Well first we need to discover who created that dagger and sent the curse after me." She turns to Amelia. "Amelia, do you remember which city the merchant was from?"
"N-no I don't really..." she trails off as the tiny kitten turns it's golden orbs toward Xellos.
"HISS!" kit swipes a paw toward the Mazoku. "Hiss, hiss, GROWL."
"I don't think Miss Kitty likes you very much, Xellos." Gourry says and blows a still dripping lock of hair from his forehead.
"Well that's interesting." he gazes at the kitten for a second a questioning air about him. Finally, he shrugs and turns back to the group.
"I personally say it has good taste." Zelgadis grins slightly and walks over to pick the still hissing ball of fur from where it stands. He was getting to like this little thing more and more by the minute.
"Maybe she senses that he's a Mazoku." Sylphiel suggests quietly.
Amelia with her face set into a sympathetic smile walks up to Xellos and lays a hand on his shoulder comfortingly. "Don't worry, Mister Xellos." Amelia pats him softly. "She didn't like me either. That kitten is a very unjust and prejudice feline."
"That's ok," Xellos waves a hand. "I don't particularly mind." Hoping to stave off a justice speech or anymore sweetness (well that and the fact that the sight of the cute purring kitten was making him sick to his stomach) Xellos continued. "But since you are wondering where that dagger with the mind control spell came from I'm here to tell you."
"What do you know about all this?" Lina growls.
"Well first of all I know that the person who created that dagger is extremely powerful." Xellos grins and holds up one finger.
"How powerful, Xellos?" Lina asks her voice taking on a hard edge.
"Now as embarrassing as this may be I feel I must tell the truth." Xellos' grins fades slightly. "even though she's human I don't believe I could defeat her. In fact my master sent me just for that reason. Even Lord Beast master would have a time of it.
"B-but how would she get that much power?" Lina asks dazed.
"It seems that she is a descendent of the ancient dragons chosen one." Xellos tilts his head and ponders for a second completely silent. "With the mixture of Elfin, Dragon, and Human blood she may just possibly have gotten all of the strengths of the three races. And none of the downfalls."
"What? But how could those races intermingle. I thought it was impossible." Zel asks incredulously not quite ready to believe the violet haired trouble maker.
"Well that," Xellos waits for a second until he has everyone's attention. "is a secret!"
"I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!!" Zelgadis flies across the space separating him and the Mazoku priest. Gripping the priest shirt front he pulls him unceremoniously into the air. The kitten hisses fiercely and with a screech takes off into the forest. However the absence is barely noted as Zelgadis' jerks Xellos once more.
"NO, NO" Xellos says calmly. "It truly is a secret. Even we the Mazoku race do not know how the ancient dragons picked and performed their rituals for the chosen ones."
"You're lying." Zel's eyes narrow slightly.
"No, really I'm not, the ancient dragons never made us privy to that knowledge." Xellos looks irritated at the thought. "And if you'll put me down I can tell you how to beat her. It may even prove beneficial to you, Zelgadis."
Slowly Zelgadis drops his arms and steps away folding his arms across his chest and tapping a foot impatiently. "This better be good."
"It is, I assure you." Xellos winks and turns toward Lina. "Since we don't know how to undo whatever the dragons did and we have no way to otherwise kill her that is why we need you, Lina Inverse, to find out how for us."
"Figure out how she became a dragon, human, elfin cross. How would I possibly do that?" Lina arches an eyebrow in question.
"Why by going to the Mountain of Tears where she keeps the incantation." Xellos speaks as though this were obvious. "that way you can sort through all of those ancient spells, trinkets, and books of knowledge to find the right one. Not only that but it tells how one in her condition can be made or unmade." He glances significantly towards Zelgadis who's eyes light up slightly.
Lina's eyes get wide at this. 'to have all those spells and incantations not to mention the power boosters I'm sure to find there at the tip of my finger tips' she squeals slightly at the thought before becoming serious again. "What's in it for you?"
"Well, that I'm afraid is a secret." Xellos beams and waggles a finger at them before disappearing. "Just remember her chambers are located inside the mountain of tears. Halfway up the mountains there should be a set of caverns the information is located inside. Good luck!" the disembodied voice finally fades off.
"Irritating Mazoku." Lina shakes her head slightly. "Well, lets go." she turns from the river back towards camp.
"But surely you don't trust him." Zel says.
"Yes, is that wise Miss Lina?" Sylphiel spoke quietly her eyes downcast.
"Hey, yeah," Gourry starts forward. "He could be lying you know."
"Of course he could be lying but I'm not willing to take the chance. So as far as I'm concerned we're headed for the Mountain of Tears!" Lina's arm swings up to point into the distance.
"Miss Lina." Amelia speaks quietly.
"What is it now, Amelia?" Lina sighs as the group as one starts back toward camp.
"Where's the kitty?" Amelia looks worried.
Lina glances back to Zelgadis who shakes his head slightly. Turning to each of the group members in turn she gets the same answer. "Well, she must have ran off somewhere. If she wants to find us she can. So don't worry about it."
"but-"
"Kit'll be fine. Now lets get a good breakfast and set off for Tear." Lina plows on ahead the grass and weeds being crushed beneath her feet.
____________________________________________________________________________ __________
About two weeks later the group is still traveling to the mountains. Unfortunately the going isn't exactly wonderful. Bandits in the area have been as thick as mosquitoes and the path area was becoming more and more dense causing the progress to slow down to a crawl. Finally fed up with the way things were going the group decided to stop for the night and get a fresh start in the morning.
"Um, Miss Lina?" Sylphiel speaks cautiously not wanting to anger the fiery sorceress.
"Yes, Sylphiel." Lina spoke slightly cranky. She'd been trying to sleep for the last hour and it wasn't exactly working. It seemed the closer they got to those blasted mountains the less sleep she was able to get. Which of course made for one hellish trip. One cranky Lina plus one idiot, one justice freak, one overly sweet priestess, and one disgruntled chimera obsessed with curing himself, you do the math. (yes, 1+1+1+1+1= pain).
Even though she knew Lina was not in the best of moods Sylphiel had decided to risk her ire. This was just too important. "Miss Lina, I've been hearing rumors that a town twenty or so miles from the Mountain of Tears was having a problem. The people there seem to have come down with an unknown illness."
"So," Lina opens her eyes. "You want to try and help out I take it?"
"Yes, I do." Sylphiel closes her eyes tightly waiting for the refusal to follow.
"Ok then, go. I guess Zelgadis and Amelia can take you and we can meet back up later." Lina sighs and turns over her head resting on her hands.
Sylphiel's eyes pop open in surprise. "Oh, really thank you very much, Miss Lina!"
"Whatever, but remember to send Zelgadis and Amelia back in two days time I may need them... we can meet up at the entrance to the caverns." Lina dismisses her and closes her eyes.
"Oh I will, goodnight." Sylphiel also lays down and settles in for a long night of rest.
"Goodnight to you too, Sylphiel." Lina sighs. After a few moments of silence Sylphiel begins to breath peacefully obviously having to succumb to sleep.
Lina on the other hand slowly opened her eyes and staring into the night. Throwing back her covers she moved into the night and towards the fire. "Amelia, I'll take this shift."
"Um, Miss Lina?" Amelia looks at her questioningly.
"Just go to bed, Amelia." she growls.
With a yip Amelia races off to the tents and Lina settles in for a long watch.
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Ok I know a little tow angsty there but don't worry it'll get better (I promised Lina remember?) Oh well I'll see you if I ever write the next chapter. or if anyone reads this.
