Hi hi
Well sorry Please read I don't own slayers and sadly I don't own Zel so one with the story Oh and please please review
Echoe Shayne
Lina felt her heart freeze when he said that but why should it why should she care? but she did.
"Leave me now." Zel said hanging his head as Amelia got up. Tears still in her eyes she walked out of the room. Once she was out of the door she started running not caring where feet where taking her with one thought in her mind she had to get away.
'A monster that's what he was a monster he. How much was true to what he said what did he feel? did he feel anything other than anger? bowing his head he looked down at his fingertips that showed out of his gloves. 'I am a monster.' Lina walked toward him plopping on her knees painfully next to him. Reaching out her hand she let it rest on his shoulder.
"Zel."
"Leave me alone Lina." But in reality what he meant was stay and tell me she's wrong tell me I'm wrong. She was starving she could smell food and even now she could see it out of the corner of her eye it was sitting there just waiting on the table by the door. 'Food can wait.' a little voice in the back of her mind said and that startled her since when did since ever think that?
"Your such a hypocrite you know that? you tell me not to go on a guilt trip but what are you doing?" he frowns standing up. She is right of course only there is one big difference she was wrong but he only has to look in the mirror to know that he's a monster.
"There's one difference in that thought they are right."
"She didn't mean it Zel she was just mad your not a monster and I know that somewhere deep in your heart you know it too."
"My heart, Lina my heart is made of stone." He said his tone cold and aloof. Gasping at what he said she watched as he turned toward the door.
"I'm leaving." the thought sent her into panic ' he's leaving.'
"Where are you going?"
"Where else to look for a cure." He couldn't stay here he had let himself get soft and look where it got him. people couldn't be trusted. with that he started walking.
"I'm going too."
"You are not." Why was she asking to go?
"I'm not letting you go alone."
"I've been alone before I prefer to travel by myself."
"That's to bad because I am going weather you want me too or not." Zel hadn't turned to face her but he knew what expression she would be wearing if he did. her mouth would be set in a strait line her eyes would be narrowed in determination.
"I don't need anybody I can handle it." she stared at his back a few seconds before averting her eyes to the floor. She hadn't meant to say what she had next. She had wanted to yell at him to go ahead but when she opened her mouth that isn't what came out. "Yeah but I can't." It was barely above a whisper and for that she was glade but she was hoping right now that he hadn't heard. His eyes widened slightly had he heard her right? If he had been Human he wouldn't have heard what she said. Turning slowly toward her he wasn't met with that determined glare that he had been picturing in fact she wasn't looking at him at all. Her head was down cast her fiery hair obscuring her face from his view. 'Yeah but I can't' her voice said again to his mind. She looked helpless she was never helpless. Not even when she was laying in that bed had she looked this lost this alone. In that moment he realized something that he had never noticed about her. This was the real her hiding behind a smiley face. In seeing this he had come to a decision. Lina hadn't noticed when he had gotten closer but she did feel the arms go around her and she leaned against them for support. 'Imagine this me Lina inverse needing a shoulder to lean on.' But the truth was that she did and she was glade that someone was there for her.
"Well then I suggest that you get some rest we leave tomorrow."
Gourry blinked a few times before heading to the stairs. Three sets of eyes watching him trying to figure out what he was doing.
"Gourry dear where are you going?" Gourry paused turning his head to look at them a brief second.
"I'm going to tell them to start cooking because once Lina comes out of that room she's going to be starving."
"Can I eat something I'm starving."
If there was any doubt in his mind that it this was Lina she just managed to clear it.
"Yeah that would be a good idea."
Zel sat dinking a cup of tea as Lina ate the surprising thing was half way thought the meal she stopped eating.
"I'm full?" she said in a questioning voice. The entire table turned to look at her. Every one looking surprised.
Val looked around at the startled faces. "Why does everyone look so surprised?"
"Because she's full" they all answered in unison. Val's face creased into a frown. "you mean she can eat more?"
"It appears that your stomach shrank while you where laid up." Zel said being the voice of reason at the table.
"Why didn't you tell them that you where coming with me in the morning?"
"The way that they where fussing they would have probably tried to stop me from going. Geeze I don't see what they where worried about I mean just because I was down a few days. I mean I'm Lina Inverse." He was startled at her word she has no idea does she.
"Lina you where here for a little over three weeks."
"Three weeks?" 'Three weeks no wonder they where worried.' No wonder Sylphiel had clung to her like she hadn't seen her in years the same with Filia although there was something that she couldn't put her finger on. Filia had looked at her different then all the others. Sure she had been happy but there was something else there.
Amelia sat there staring at the trees darkness had come and she didn't want to go back. The thought of going back hurt to much. she felt raw and hurt and if she went back she was going to say something that she was going to regret not that she hadn't already but she didn't need any more weighing down on her conscience. With a sigh she pulled her leg up letting her chin rest on her knees.
Lina awoke in the morning to someone shaking her. opening her eyes she saw Zel standing next to the bed and smiled. "It's time to go Lina." With that he left the room. Looking around she saw that her cloths where laid a chair. The chair where Zel had spent the night after Lina insisting that paying for another room just for the night would be pointless. It was early she noticed the sun was just coming up no doubt that the rest of them would still be asleep. That was just as well. Standing up she reached for her cloths . After taking off the oversized blue shit something caught her eye. A scar reaching down she let her fingers run over the large jagged scar on her side. with a blank stare she looked at the wall a few seconds before getting dressed. Pulling her shirt up it was still there she had been hoping it was just a shadow that had been cast there that it had been part of her imagination but no it was there as plain as day. With a worried frown she let her hand reach for it again. the nock on the door startled her and she jumped pulling down her shirt and plastering a smile on her face.
:"Come in"
Filia had waited till she saw Zelgadiss come down the stairs and then she had walked up here if anyone knew Lina would.
"Lina there's something I have to ask you." That look was still on her face and what ever she was about to say was going to be important she knew it.
"What does that scar on your side mean? I mean it should be gone shouldn't it. Zelgadiss cast recovery."
Her eyes widened so she knew.
"Have you told anyone else?"
"No." Filia was startled by her reaction there had to be a logical explanation to it.
"Good then don't tell anyone." "But.." she was even more confused now then she had been when she came up here now but she didn't have time to say anything about it for Lina was ushering her out of the room. Standing in the hallway she frowned 'I never found out anything.' But in fact she had if she hadn't known that it was important before she did now.
They had left early that morning the only one that knew they where gone was Filia. Sure they had snuck out but it was better then listening to them trying to stop her as she was sure they would try to do. Frowning she looked at the well worn road in front of her. It was comforting the sound of footsteps other then her own. The fake smile on her face faltered a little as the hours wore on it was getting harder to maintain that smile. She didn't want to worry anyone least of all Zel, He had his own problems to worry about without her heaping hers on top of them.
'does she think I don't notice?" Zelgadiss wasn't that simple just because he didn't say anything didn't mean he didn't know. She may have been able to foul Gourry or maybe even Amelia with that fake smile but not him.
It was getting dark and they had been walking all day and Lina let her head droop forward it felt like they had been walking months not just a day but she could see that Zel wanted to go further so she just kept willing her legs on. He could tell that she was tired what was he thinking in bring her out here? she wasn't fully recovered yet. And here he was dragging her out in the middle of nowhere. It would be getting cold soon already the nights where a little chilly.
"We stop here for the night."
She was startled by the sound of his voice though he said that they where stopping she knew that he would keep on going long into the night if she wasn't here after all the moon was casting pretty good light. Light enough to see the road.
"Would you be stopping if I wasn't here." He didn't have to answer the look on his face told her what he was going to say. With that she continued walking.
He had to admire her she had been holding up pretty well at least for the last two hours she had but now her shoulders were sagging and she looked like she would tip over any second. Why was it so hard to keep her eyes open they kept closing.
Zel looked down Lina was resting her head against his shoulder but she was still walking thought he could see that he eyes where closed.
"Are you ready to stop now?"
"No just point me in the right direction and I'm ready to go. She mumbled straitening up.
Sighing he let her continue on never underestimate how stubborn she could be. though he didn't see the point of it wasn't she usually the one asking if they could rest just for a little while?
The next time she was leaning against his shoulder he asked if she wanted to stop he didn't get a reply . When he started walking again oddly she didn't join him instead she started to fall. Catching her he found that she had already fallen asleep. That brought him back to the thought of why hadn't she wanted to stop?
When she woke up she was floating. It felt good she had always like the feel of it. The weightless feel that there where no limits. But then reality set in she wasn't floating someone was carrying her. Looking up she could see that Zel was walking not even looking down at her. 'That means that I fell asleep' her mind told her trying to be rational in her muddled state.
Lina bent down washing her face with cool water Zel had finally fallen asleep and she wasn't about to wake him but she knew she should be sleeping too or else when he was ready to travel she would want to sleep and that wasn't going to work out. Standing up she started to walk back to the tree where he was laying just out of sight. When there was a pain in her side. everything was white blinded with pain. her knees giving out she sunk to the ground her hands clutching to her side. Curling into a ball she started to rock back and forth.
"You look like your in a allot of pain Lina chan." A too cheerful voice said from somewhere above but she was too wrapped up in pain to.
"Go away."
"Hum he doesn't know does he?" If Lina would have been looking up she would have seen him nodding to his right.
"You know Filia's not as dumb as I thought she was. I mean she did know that the scar was important she just didn't know what it meant."
Her anger helped a little and she lifted her head up to look at Xelloss 'I'm going to kill her.'
"You taste so good really I hate to be going but I have things to do."
She needed to get up her mind was telling her that she had to but her body wasn't listening. everything had settled into ach. Taking a deep breath she drew herself up to her knees. She knew it wasn't that far maybe ten feet but by the time Zel was in her sights again she felt like it was a hundred miles. Collapsing next to him she let her eye close slipping into oblivion.
Zel looked at Lina out of the corner of his eye the feeling that something was wrong still hadn't went away. She was walking but the smile on her face looked strained and her pace had slowed but he didn't comment on it. She was getting worse he knew. She tried to hide the dull ach by grinding her teeth and putting on a smile it had been getting worse now there was always a dull ach there reminding her but she tried to hide it. Zel suspected something he wasn't dumb. he would ask her if she was ok every now and then. As the days wore on it was getting harder to answer when he asked her that. When he stopped she didn't notice and ran smack into him.
"Geeze warn me when your going to stop like that." Bumping into him she took a step back the jarring impact not making her feel any better.
"Your going to tell me what's wrong."
Her eyes widened for a brief second before she covered her surprise.
"What do you mean what's wrong."
It wasn't wise to push Lina and he knew it so he shrugged turning away from her once more. Her heart sank as she watching him turn away from her she didn't want him to shrug it off she didn't realize that to just now. Sure she had been trying to hide it from him but what she really wanted was for him to tell her that everything was going to be alright That he cared. Because she was scared and she didn't know how to be. She was never scared. He felt guilty for walking away from her but if she didn't want to tell him it was none of his business and he wasn't about to press her about it. But he didn't here her fallowing him and that made him stop and turn around to look at her. She was looking at him with big doe eyes. The eyes of somebody lost somebody scared yes it was almost frightening in it's self to see her look like this and it made him worry all the more.
"So the great Lina Inverse is Human after all."
Both of them looked up at the annoying voice.
"What are you doing here." they said almost in unison.
"Whoa don't get me wrong just checking up on you. Plus I was a little hungry."
"Well you can leave now."
"Ah So she still hasn't told you." Xelloss said looking down at Zelgadiss. Zel quickly looked from Xelloss to Lina.
"Told me?"
"It's nothing" she said trying to sound casual
"I wouldn't actully say that it's nothing I can feel the pain radiating out of you even now. Hum I take that back you must be special a mere human would have gone mad by now."
"What ever leave me alone you don't know anything"
"Hum maybe a demonstration."
Zel watched as he cast a wind spell at Lina he hadn't been expecting and neither had she by the looks of it. Lina she had sunk to her knees and was screaming her head off. Rushing to her he took her in his arms prepared to cast a shield but found that there was no need the spell was weak. She knew that it shouldn't be effecting her so she knew how weak the spell was it was right up there with lighting in the effectiveness against a enemy but it felt like needles hitting her skin. The wind died down. Lina the screaming stopped and Lina went limp in his arms. Looking down at her she appeared to be struggling for breath. Turning he glared at Xeloss.
"What the hell did you do that for?" He yelled
"It was a weak spell but it is amazing the will that she has."
"Mazuku bastard." Lina mutter throw ragged breaths
"Truly amazing."
Zel wanted to spring at him but he was the only thing that was supporting Lina at the moment so he couldn't. It wouldn't have mattered any way Xelloss had already taken the opportunity to leave. Looking form where Xelloss had been back to Lina only to see that she was looking up at him. Oddly she felt better now that Zel was holding her. The hurt was still there but it was dulled by the sensation of his arms around her.
"Don't let me go she whispered before resting her head on his shoulder and going to sleep. That was it just like that she was asleep. ' don't let me go' he heard it again in his mind . She didn't seam at all disturbed to the fact that she had fallen asleep in the arms of a monster maybe, 'Maybe' There was a small smile one her face and that made him happy but as he looked down to his hand that was resting in her fiery locks it soon faded. There was no maybe. But still she had asked him not to let go so he wouldn't at least not till she woke up and realized who she had told that to.
Opening her eyes the first thing she saw was a up close view of Zel's beige shirt. She didn't feel bad the ach was almost completely gone. There was a feeling that told her Zel had something to do with it but she couldn't really say why she thought that. Smiling she looked up at him. He must have been bored out of his mind. His eyes where closed and just when she started to think that maybe he was asleep they opened to look at her.
"Good morning?" she said seeing that it was rather dark.
he smiled at the confused sound in her voice. Though he was a little suprised that she hadn't pulled away from him as soon as she looked up at him. Do something before he can ask any questions.
Humm she thinks I'm that simple? She was acting like nothing happened he wanted to shake her but he knew that it wouldn't get him any where. She would only get mad at him. 'damn it Lina I want some answers'
Xelas looked down with a disapproving frown at Xelloss who was kneeling before her.
"You mean to tell me you haven't found anything out?"
For once the ever constant smile on his face was set into a strait line as he kept his eyes on the ground before him.
"No I haven't yet."
"Yet I like that word but you better be finding something out soon. You know what this means don't you."
"Something is keeping her here and I intend to find out what it is."
Gah he didn't time for this he had other things to worry about. He had to find his cure so why did his thought keep drifting back to Lina? Though when he thought of it she was almost as lost as he was she just hid it better then he did because there was one thing really different between them. She still cared. The only thing that he could say that he really cared for was finding his cure.
"IS that really true?' the little voice said in the back of his mind and he urged it to shut up.
It was night now and she layed on her side looking at Zels profile she wasn't sure if he was asleep or not and that was something that she didn't like, it made getting away more difficult. She needed answers and there was only one person she could think of that would give her some.
"Xelloss." she said through gritted teeth once she was far enough away from Zelgadiss.
"My My Lina chan I never would have thought you would have wanted to see me so soon couldn't resist my charms?"
"I want you to tell me what's going on?"
"Why what on earth do you mean?" He stood in front of her his eyes closed and a bright smile on his lips.
"I mean I want some answers and your going to give them to me."
Zel wasn't feeling to great another dead end he would never find a cure at this rate one dead end after another and he was starting to lose hope. Looking over at Lina she appeared to be lost in thought. She couldn't seam to concentrate her mind kept drifting. Things had happened and still she was in this dream like state. Zel needed her now they had hit another dead. Thought he tried to hide it she was sure that behind his walls he wasn't coping with this well. but memories of that night a week ago where still there haunting her.
*~*~*~ flash back *~*~*
" Mean I want answers and your going to give them to me." She steeled her self waiting for what he would say something told her that for once she was going to get an answer.
"Fate Lina Chan Fate."
*~*~*~*
She didn't want to remember more shaking her head she put a smile on her face with a new goal in mind she was going to cheer Zel up.
"Zel?"
Gah couldn't see that he didn't need to hear anything now he knew what she was going to say it was going to be the standard speech that he got from everyone when things fell thought. Everything ok it's all going to work out. "I don't think your a monster Zel." She had just said it because well she didn't that and she knew it was what he told himself over and over in his own mind. When honestly she couldn't see why he thought that. At that he stopped turned to her. He was surprised that she had said it.
"Oh really?" it came out more venomous then he had intended it to.
The frost in his voice startled her a bit but she continued on.
"No I don't and your a fool for even thinking it Zelgadiss Graywars." He might have been able to take it on any other day he might have been glad for somebody telling him this but not today not when he had his hopes up only to have them smashed.
"Oh and let me guess what is it you said that one time and I know it to too right somewhere deep down in my heart."
She looked at him but refused to back down striating up trying to add more height to her small frame she looked him right in the eyes not saying a word.
"Well how about we have a little demonstration of just what's really in my heat?"
Grabbing her hand he took off running. She was running along behind him it was either that or let him drag her because he showed no sign of stopping. After a few minutes though they came to a abrupt halt. Trying to catch her breath she looked at him he was going to have some explaining to do for that one what was the big idea? His hand was still clasped around her wrist holding it up to her chest he let it rest there. She opened her mouth to say something but the look in his eyes kept her silent. Right now was not the time for a temper tantrum.
"What do you feel?"
She was puzzled for a moment before she started to think of it she could feel her heart pounding fiercely from running under her hand. Before she could comment on this he brought her hand to rest on his chest. 'I can't feel it.' it was true even though he had been running too she couldn't feel his heart beating under palm like hers had.
"What do you feel?" He had seen the surprise in her eyes when she had felt nothing and he knew that he was right she felt nothing. He sounded so deflated so dejected. She could do nothing but stare up at him for a few seconds. Not thinking turned her hand to clasp around his taking a step closer. 'what is she doing feeling sorry of me' Taking another quick step she laid her head against his chest where he had been holding her hand listening for a few second she heard his heart beat slow and rhythmic despite their earlier run. She just stood there like that his warm hand still held firmly in hers as she snuggled against his chest. He was shocked as he looked down at the mound of molten flame resting against him. Hesitantly her wrapped his free arm around her not knowing what else to do a slight blush staining his cheeks. Feeling his arm ago around her she sighed softly.
"I feel your hear Zel." It escaped her lips in a whisper but she had no doubt that he had heard.
'I feel your hear.' 'I'm going to find a cure I'm going to find a cure just for Lina' Letting his arm pull her closer to him he smiled, and with that his heart started to beat a little faster.
End of part 5 ^.^
Please review Echoe Shayne ^.^
Well sorry Please read I don't own slayers and sadly I don't own Zel so one with the story Oh and please please review
Echoe Shayne
Lina felt her heart freeze when he said that but why should it why should she care? but she did.
"Leave me now." Zel said hanging his head as Amelia got up. Tears still in her eyes she walked out of the room. Once she was out of the door she started running not caring where feet where taking her with one thought in her mind she had to get away.
'A monster that's what he was a monster he. How much was true to what he said what did he feel? did he feel anything other than anger? bowing his head he looked down at his fingertips that showed out of his gloves. 'I am a monster.' Lina walked toward him plopping on her knees painfully next to him. Reaching out her hand she let it rest on his shoulder.
"Zel."
"Leave me alone Lina." But in reality what he meant was stay and tell me she's wrong tell me I'm wrong. She was starving she could smell food and even now she could see it out of the corner of her eye it was sitting there just waiting on the table by the door. 'Food can wait.' a little voice in the back of her mind said and that startled her since when did since ever think that?
"Your such a hypocrite you know that? you tell me not to go on a guilt trip but what are you doing?" he frowns standing up. She is right of course only there is one big difference she was wrong but he only has to look in the mirror to know that he's a monster.
"There's one difference in that thought they are right."
"She didn't mean it Zel she was just mad your not a monster and I know that somewhere deep in your heart you know it too."
"My heart, Lina my heart is made of stone." He said his tone cold and aloof. Gasping at what he said she watched as he turned toward the door.
"I'm leaving." the thought sent her into panic ' he's leaving.'
"Where are you going?"
"Where else to look for a cure." He couldn't stay here he had let himself get soft and look where it got him. people couldn't be trusted. with that he started walking.
"I'm going too."
"You are not." Why was she asking to go?
"I'm not letting you go alone."
"I've been alone before I prefer to travel by myself."
"That's to bad because I am going weather you want me too or not." Zel hadn't turned to face her but he knew what expression she would be wearing if he did. her mouth would be set in a strait line her eyes would be narrowed in determination.
"I don't need anybody I can handle it." she stared at his back a few seconds before averting her eyes to the floor. She hadn't meant to say what she had next. She had wanted to yell at him to go ahead but when she opened her mouth that isn't what came out. "Yeah but I can't." It was barely above a whisper and for that she was glade but she was hoping right now that he hadn't heard. His eyes widened slightly had he heard her right? If he had been Human he wouldn't have heard what she said. Turning slowly toward her he wasn't met with that determined glare that he had been picturing in fact she wasn't looking at him at all. Her head was down cast her fiery hair obscuring her face from his view. 'Yeah but I can't' her voice said again to his mind. She looked helpless she was never helpless. Not even when she was laying in that bed had she looked this lost this alone. In that moment he realized something that he had never noticed about her. This was the real her hiding behind a smiley face. In seeing this he had come to a decision. Lina hadn't noticed when he had gotten closer but she did feel the arms go around her and she leaned against them for support. 'Imagine this me Lina inverse needing a shoulder to lean on.' But the truth was that she did and she was glade that someone was there for her.
"Well then I suggest that you get some rest we leave tomorrow."
Gourry blinked a few times before heading to the stairs. Three sets of eyes watching him trying to figure out what he was doing.
"Gourry dear where are you going?" Gourry paused turning his head to look at them a brief second.
"I'm going to tell them to start cooking because once Lina comes out of that room she's going to be starving."
"Can I eat something I'm starving."
If there was any doubt in his mind that it this was Lina she just managed to clear it.
"Yeah that would be a good idea."
Zel sat dinking a cup of tea as Lina ate the surprising thing was half way thought the meal she stopped eating.
"I'm full?" she said in a questioning voice. The entire table turned to look at her. Every one looking surprised.
Val looked around at the startled faces. "Why does everyone look so surprised?"
"Because she's full" they all answered in unison. Val's face creased into a frown. "you mean she can eat more?"
"It appears that your stomach shrank while you where laid up." Zel said being the voice of reason at the table.
"Why didn't you tell them that you where coming with me in the morning?"
"The way that they where fussing they would have probably tried to stop me from going. Geeze I don't see what they where worried about I mean just because I was down a few days. I mean I'm Lina Inverse." He was startled at her word she has no idea does she.
"Lina you where here for a little over three weeks."
"Three weeks?" 'Three weeks no wonder they where worried.' No wonder Sylphiel had clung to her like she hadn't seen her in years the same with Filia although there was something that she couldn't put her finger on. Filia had looked at her different then all the others. Sure she had been happy but there was something else there.
Amelia sat there staring at the trees darkness had come and she didn't want to go back. The thought of going back hurt to much. she felt raw and hurt and if she went back she was going to say something that she was going to regret not that she hadn't already but she didn't need any more weighing down on her conscience. With a sigh she pulled her leg up letting her chin rest on her knees.
Lina awoke in the morning to someone shaking her. opening her eyes she saw Zel standing next to the bed and smiled. "It's time to go Lina." With that he left the room. Looking around she saw that her cloths where laid a chair. The chair where Zel had spent the night after Lina insisting that paying for another room just for the night would be pointless. It was early she noticed the sun was just coming up no doubt that the rest of them would still be asleep. That was just as well. Standing up she reached for her cloths . After taking off the oversized blue shit something caught her eye. A scar reaching down she let her fingers run over the large jagged scar on her side. with a blank stare she looked at the wall a few seconds before getting dressed. Pulling her shirt up it was still there she had been hoping it was just a shadow that had been cast there that it had been part of her imagination but no it was there as plain as day. With a worried frown she let her hand reach for it again. the nock on the door startled her and she jumped pulling down her shirt and plastering a smile on her face.
:"Come in"
Filia had waited till she saw Zelgadiss come down the stairs and then she had walked up here if anyone knew Lina would.
"Lina there's something I have to ask you." That look was still on her face and what ever she was about to say was going to be important she knew it.
"What does that scar on your side mean? I mean it should be gone shouldn't it. Zelgadiss cast recovery."
Her eyes widened so she knew.
"Have you told anyone else?"
"No." Filia was startled by her reaction there had to be a logical explanation to it.
"Good then don't tell anyone." "But.." she was even more confused now then she had been when she came up here now but she didn't have time to say anything about it for Lina was ushering her out of the room. Standing in the hallway she frowned 'I never found out anything.' But in fact she had if she hadn't known that it was important before she did now.
They had left early that morning the only one that knew they where gone was Filia. Sure they had snuck out but it was better then listening to them trying to stop her as she was sure they would try to do. Frowning she looked at the well worn road in front of her. It was comforting the sound of footsteps other then her own. The fake smile on her face faltered a little as the hours wore on it was getting harder to maintain that smile. She didn't want to worry anyone least of all Zel, He had his own problems to worry about without her heaping hers on top of them.
'does she think I don't notice?" Zelgadiss wasn't that simple just because he didn't say anything didn't mean he didn't know. She may have been able to foul Gourry or maybe even Amelia with that fake smile but not him.
It was getting dark and they had been walking all day and Lina let her head droop forward it felt like they had been walking months not just a day but she could see that Zel wanted to go further so she just kept willing her legs on. He could tell that she was tired what was he thinking in bring her out here? she wasn't fully recovered yet. And here he was dragging her out in the middle of nowhere. It would be getting cold soon already the nights where a little chilly.
"We stop here for the night."
She was startled by the sound of his voice though he said that they where stopping she knew that he would keep on going long into the night if she wasn't here after all the moon was casting pretty good light. Light enough to see the road.
"Would you be stopping if I wasn't here." He didn't have to answer the look on his face told her what he was going to say. With that she continued walking.
He had to admire her she had been holding up pretty well at least for the last two hours she had but now her shoulders were sagging and she looked like she would tip over any second. Why was it so hard to keep her eyes open they kept closing.
Zel looked down Lina was resting her head against his shoulder but she was still walking thought he could see that he eyes where closed.
"Are you ready to stop now?"
"No just point me in the right direction and I'm ready to go. She mumbled straitening up.
Sighing he let her continue on never underestimate how stubborn she could be. though he didn't see the point of it wasn't she usually the one asking if they could rest just for a little while?
The next time she was leaning against his shoulder he asked if she wanted to stop he didn't get a reply . When he started walking again oddly she didn't join him instead she started to fall. Catching her he found that she had already fallen asleep. That brought him back to the thought of why hadn't she wanted to stop?
When she woke up she was floating. It felt good she had always like the feel of it. The weightless feel that there where no limits. But then reality set in she wasn't floating someone was carrying her. Looking up she could see that Zel was walking not even looking down at her. 'That means that I fell asleep' her mind told her trying to be rational in her muddled state.
Lina bent down washing her face with cool water Zel had finally fallen asleep and she wasn't about to wake him but she knew she should be sleeping too or else when he was ready to travel she would want to sleep and that wasn't going to work out. Standing up she started to walk back to the tree where he was laying just out of sight. When there was a pain in her side. everything was white blinded with pain. her knees giving out she sunk to the ground her hands clutching to her side. Curling into a ball she started to rock back and forth.
"You look like your in a allot of pain Lina chan." A too cheerful voice said from somewhere above but she was too wrapped up in pain to.
"Go away."
"Hum he doesn't know does he?" If Lina would have been looking up she would have seen him nodding to his right.
"You know Filia's not as dumb as I thought she was. I mean she did know that the scar was important she just didn't know what it meant."
Her anger helped a little and she lifted her head up to look at Xelloss 'I'm going to kill her.'
"You taste so good really I hate to be going but I have things to do."
She needed to get up her mind was telling her that she had to but her body wasn't listening. everything had settled into ach. Taking a deep breath she drew herself up to her knees. She knew it wasn't that far maybe ten feet but by the time Zel was in her sights again she felt like it was a hundred miles. Collapsing next to him she let her eye close slipping into oblivion.
Zel looked at Lina out of the corner of his eye the feeling that something was wrong still hadn't went away. She was walking but the smile on her face looked strained and her pace had slowed but he didn't comment on it. She was getting worse he knew. She tried to hide the dull ach by grinding her teeth and putting on a smile it had been getting worse now there was always a dull ach there reminding her but she tried to hide it. Zel suspected something he wasn't dumb. he would ask her if she was ok every now and then. As the days wore on it was getting harder to answer when he asked her that. When he stopped she didn't notice and ran smack into him.
"Geeze warn me when your going to stop like that." Bumping into him she took a step back the jarring impact not making her feel any better.
"Your going to tell me what's wrong."
Her eyes widened for a brief second before she covered her surprise.
"What do you mean what's wrong."
It wasn't wise to push Lina and he knew it so he shrugged turning away from her once more. Her heart sank as she watching him turn away from her she didn't want him to shrug it off she didn't realize that to just now. Sure she had been trying to hide it from him but what she really wanted was for him to tell her that everything was going to be alright That he cared. Because she was scared and she didn't know how to be. She was never scared. He felt guilty for walking away from her but if she didn't want to tell him it was none of his business and he wasn't about to press her about it. But he didn't here her fallowing him and that made him stop and turn around to look at her. She was looking at him with big doe eyes. The eyes of somebody lost somebody scared yes it was almost frightening in it's self to see her look like this and it made him worry all the more.
"So the great Lina Inverse is Human after all."
Both of them looked up at the annoying voice.
"What are you doing here." they said almost in unison.
"Whoa don't get me wrong just checking up on you. Plus I was a little hungry."
"Well you can leave now."
"Ah So she still hasn't told you." Xelloss said looking down at Zelgadiss. Zel quickly looked from Xelloss to Lina.
"Told me?"
"It's nothing" she said trying to sound casual
"I wouldn't actully say that it's nothing I can feel the pain radiating out of you even now. Hum I take that back you must be special a mere human would have gone mad by now."
"What ever leave me alone you don't know anything"
"Hum maybe a demonstration."
Zel watched as he cast a wind spell at Lina he hadn't been expecting and neither had she by the looks of it. Lina she had sunk to her knees and was screaming her head off. Rushing to her he took her in his arms prepared to cast a shield but found that there was no need the spell was weak. She knew that it shouldn't be effecting her so she knew how weak the spell was it was right up there with lighting in the effectiveness against a enemy but it felt like needles hitting her skin. The wind died down. Lina the screaming stopped and Lina went limp in his arms. Looking down at her she appeared to be struggling for breath. Turning he glared at Xeloss.
"What the hell did you do that for?" He yelled
"It was a weak spell but it is amazing the will that she has."
"Mazuku bastard." Lina mutter throw ragged breaths
"Truly amazing."
Zel wanted to spring at him but he was the only thing that was supporting Lina at the moment so he couldn't. It wouldn't have mattered any way Xelloss had already taken the opportunity to leave. Looking form where Xelloss had been back to Lina only to see that she was looking up at him. Oddly she felt better now that Zel was holding her. The hurt was still there but it was dulled by the sensation of his arms around her.
"Don't let me go she whispered before resting her head on his shoulder and going to sleep. That was it just like that she was asleep. ' don't let me go' he heard it again in his mind . She didn't seam at all disturbed to the fact that she had fallen asleep in the arms of a monster maybe, 'Maybe' There was a small smile one her face and that made him happy but as he looked down to his hand that was resting in her fiery locks it soon faded. There was no maybe. But still she had asked him not to let go so he wouldn't at least not till she woke up and realized who she had told that to.
Opening her eyes the first thing she saw was a up close view of Zel's beige shirt. She didn't feel bad the ach was almost completely gone. There was a feeling that told her Zel had something to do with it but she couldn't really say why she thought that. Smiling she looked up at him. He must have been bored out of his mind. His eyes where closed and just when she started to think that maybe he was asleep they opened to look at her.
"Good morning?" she said seeing that it was rather dark.
he smiled at the confused sound in her voice. Though he was a little suprised that she hadn't pulled away from him as soon as she looked up at him. Do something before he can ask any questions.
Humm she thinks I'm that simple? She was acting like nothing happened he wanted to shake her but he knew that it wouldn't get him any where. She would only get mad at him. 'damn it Lina I want some answers'
Xelas looked down with a disapproving frown at Xelloss who was kneeling before her.
"You mean to tell me you haven't found anything out?"
For once the ever constant smile on his face was set into a strait line as he kept his eyes on the ground before him.
"No I haven't yet."
"Yet I like that word but you better be finding something out soon. You know what this means don't you."
"Something is keeping her here and I intend to find out what it is."
Gah he didn't time for this he had other things to worry about. He had to find his cure so why did his thought keep drifting back to Lina? Though when he thought of it she was almost as lost as he was she just hid it better then he did because there was one thing really different between them. She still cared. The only thing that he could say that he really cared for was finding his cure.
"IS that really true?' the little voice said in the back of his mind and he urged it to shut up.
It was night now and she layed on her side looking at Zels profile she wasn't sure if he was asleep or not and that was something that she didn't like, it made getting away more difficult. She needed answers and there was only one person she could think of that would give her some.
"Xelloss." she said through gritted teeth once she was far enough away from Zelgadiss.
"My My Lina chan I never would have thought you would have wanted to see me so soon couldn't resist my charms?"
"I want you to tell me what's going on?"
"Why what on earth do you mean?" He stood in front of her his eyes closed and a bright smile on his lips.
"I mean I want some answers and your going to give them to me."
Zel wasn't feeling to great another dead end he would never find a cure at this rate one dead end after another and he was starting to lose hope. Looking over at Lina she appeared to be lost in thought. She couldn't seam to concentrate her mind kept drifting. Things had happened and still she was in this dream like state. Zel needed her now they had hit another dead. Thought he tried to hide it she was sure that behind his walls he wasn't coping with this well. but memories of that night a week ago where still there haunting her.
*~*~*~ flash back *~*~*
" Mean I want answers and your going to give them to me." She steeled her self waiting for what he would say something told her that for once she was going to get an answer.
"Fate Lina Chan Fate."
*~*~*~*
She didn't want to remember more shaking her head she put a smile on her face with a new goal in mind she was going to cheer Zel up.
"Zel?"
Gah couldn't see that he didn't need to hear anything now he knew what she was going to say it was going to be the standard speech that he got from everyone when things fell thought. Everything ok it's all going to work out. "I don't think your a monster Zel." She had just said it because well she didn't that and she knew it was what he told himself over and over in his own mind. When honestly she couldn't see why he thought that. At that he stopped turned to her. He was surprised that she had said it.
"Oh really?" it came out more venomous then he had intended it to.
The frost in his voice startled her a bit but she continued on.
"No I don't and your a fool for even thinking it Zelgadiss Graywars." He might have been able to take it on any other day he might have been glad for somebody telling him this but not today not when he had his hopes up only to have them smashed.
"Oh and let me guess what is it you said that one time and I know it to too right somewhere deep down in my heart."
She looked at him but refused to back down striating up trying to add more height to her small frame she looked him right in the eyes not saying a word.
"Well how about we have a little demonstration of just what's really in my heat?"
Grabbing her hand he took off running. She was running along behind him it was either that or let him drag her because he showed no sign of stopping. After a few minutes though they came to a abrupt halt. Trying to catch her breath she looked at him he was going to have some explaining to do for that one what was the big idea? His hand was still clasped around her wrist holding it up to her chest he let it rest there. She opened her mouth to say something but the look in his eyes kept her silent. Right now was not the time for a temper tantrum.
"What do you feel?"
She was puzzled for a moment before she started to think of it she could feel her heart pounding fiercely from running under her hand. Before she could comment on this he brought her hand to rest on his chest. 'I can't feel it.' it was true even though he had been running too she couldn't feel his heart beating under palm like hers had.
"What do you feel?" He had seen the surprise in her eyes when she had felt nothing and he knew that he was right she felt nothing. He sounded so deflated so dejected. She could do nothing but stare up at him for a few seconds. Not thinking turned her hand to clasp around his taking a step closer. 'what is she doing feeling sorry of me' Taking another quick step she laid her head against his chest where he had been holding her hand listening for a few second she heard his heart beat slow and rhythmic despite their earlier run. She just stood there like that his warm hand still held firmly in hers as she snuggled against his chest. He was shocked as he looked down at the mound of molten flame resting against him. Hesitantly her wrapped his free arm around her not knowing what else to do a slight blush staining his cheeks. Feeling his arm ago around her she sighed softly.
"I feel your hear Zel." It escaped her lips in a whisper but she had no doubt that he had heard.
'I feel your hear.' 'I'm going to find a cure I'm going to find a cure just for Lina' Letting his arm pull her closer to him he smiled, and with that his heart started to beat a little faster.
End of part 5 ^.^
Please review Echoe Shayne ^.^
