Chapter 1 The Reunion

The bus came to a sudden halt in front of the immense mahogany-colored brick school. Lina quickly tossed her backpack over her shoulder. Just as she got to the front of the bus the driver tugged on her sleeve. Lina turned around reluctantly and plastered on a fake smile. In between his thumb and his finger the man held up a candy. She accepted and thanked the driver.

He winked as she climbed off the bus, she just shuddered. As soon as the bus turned the corner and was out of sight she tossed the hard candy into a trashcan. Lina didn't really want to risk getting food poisoning on her first day back.

Lina walked to the front steps of the school and sat down, dropping her bag at her feet. By now the wind had picked up blowing about crinkled leaves, empty trash, and the flag, hanging resiliently from the top of the school, thrashing back and forth was the only sound in the barren courtyard.

The flag was a large dark navy tint, and had been replaced for the seventh time since last year. A group of seniors had scaled the school wall and took it down, using it as a cape to parade around the halls with. Lina stared absent-mindedly at the flag's design; a magical star was the backdrop, while the mazoku symbol was on the right, the dragon symbol on the left and the human symbol in the middle.

She zipped up her jacket and tried to keep her hair from flying all over her face. Now there were other people loitering the school grounds, they looked like flocks of birds huddled together. Most of them were waiting for their friends or the dreaded school bell. She heard her name. Looking up from underneath her bangs, she saw a tall blonde striding casually in her direction.

"Hi Gourry" she called to him. When he arrived at the bottom step Gourry adjusted his backpack and beamed at Lina.

"I'm early today Lina" he said proudly.

"Yes, I see Gourry." She said as she rolled her eyes. He squatted down next to her on the steps.

"So Lina, what did you do over the summer?" He asked, as he peered around the bustling crowds. Lina raised her eyebrows in exasperation.

"Gourry, we spent the summer together. Remember?" She annunciated all her words slowly as if she were talking to a little child.

"We did"

"Yes"

"Oh yeah, now I remember!" he exclaimed "Thanks for reminding me." Gourry reached over and patter her head in appreciation.

A vein pulsed on her forehead. She absolutely loathed being treated like a kid. Many people mistook her for one because of her stature and to be frank her underdevelopment. She clenched her fists and she continued to boil over her thoughts and Gourry raised his eyebrows.

"Lina are you alright"

"Damn it, just because I'm short doesn't mean I'm a little kid!" Lina yelled out furiously. She stopped as the majority of heads had turned to glare at her.

"Well you haven't changed at all."

Lina turned around and Gourry looked up. There stood a quite disgruntled looking teenager, half his face covered in bangs. He had his hands stuffed into his sweater's front pocket.

"Hey Zel, what have you been up too?" Lina asked, jokingly smacking Zel lightly on the shoulder, which tended to hurt more than normal, considering he's skin was made of stone. As Zel started to talk Lina tuned him out and looked over his shoulder. Zelgadis stopped, and turned his head.

A police car slowly pulled up in front of the school. Some people crawled into the crowd of kids, closer to the school. A slow buzz went throughout the throng.

"Someone couldn't have gotten in trouble this earlier. School has even started."

"Maybe they're doing a drug search, the city must've finally given them a permit," Zel suggested, apathetically, as he turned back to Lina and Gourry.

As the door opened, a tiny girl emerged. It was as if the school took a breath, and everyone started to converse again. She turned around and gave her father a kiss on the cheek and shut the car door. The police car took off down the street, leaving the girl standing. She gazed around the groups of people, while adjusting her skirt.

"Hey, Amelia" shouted Gourry waving her over. Amelia looked around then spotted the trio.

"Hi guys," she walked up and gave Lina a hug. "How's it going?"

Zelgadis gave a small sigh and ran his hand through his hair, while Lina proceeded to reenact their whole summer in 10 minuets. Gourry, uninterested, looked up at the sky.

Zel looked down at Amelia who was absorbed in Lina's story. She was a little ecstatic at sometimes, but he really enjoyed her company. Zelgadis stopped his train of thought. That had been random. He looked away from her and sighed again.

"Mr. Zelgadis how was you're morning" Amelia asked looking up at his face smiling. Zelgadis blushed a bit, Lina smirked.

"Let's say I've had better. I found out Eris and Rezo got engaged," he said bitterly, glaring at the ground. He clenched his fists. Lina looked disbelieving at him

"E-eris, you mean the witch with the dark hair! The same one who was over at your house for supper" Lina looked appalled, somewhat disgusted at the thought. She and Eris never got off on the right foot, when Eris made comments about her family.

"Yeah."

"I feel sorry for you."

"Miss Lina" interjected Amelia"That's a very rude thing to say! After all she's going to be Zelgadis Mom"

"Rezo is not my dad," Zelgadis said coldly, looking directly at Amelia. Amelia muttered an apology and looked away. Zel averted his eyes from her.

"Calm down Zel," Lina said stepping in. "Look, Amelia, if you met this lady you'd probably hate her too. She's very pompous," She said putting her hand on Amelia's shoulder. Amelia glanced at Zel then nodded. "That's better!" Lina said aloud, elbowing Zel in the gut. He glared at her for a second, and then smiled.

"Only a couple of minuets left before school starts," Gourry stated looking at his watch. Lina rolled her eyes; he hadn't been paying attention to anything that had just happened. She sighed and looked at the school's doors, which had groups of bustling and anxious kids around them. None of them were anxious to get into school for the learning experience, but to escape the cold.

"Good, I'm freezing," said Amelia pulling her jacket sleeves over her hands.

"Well why'd you wear a skirt then?" inquired Zelgadis looking down at her short skirt.

"I didn't think it'd be this cold." She said hotly, turning her nose up. Zelgadis face drooped.

"Oh, look, I didn't mean it like that," he said in an exasperated voice, "Your still mad at me aren't you?"

"No why would I be mad at you, Zelgadis. How could you ever do something to offend me?" She still had her back to his face.

"What is that supposed to mean?" Zel looked at her unbelievingly then shrugged and put his hands behind his head.

Lina looked at the two and shook her head. They acted weird sometimes.

"Anyways, speaking of the which, where are our good friends Filia and Xellos" Lina said, asking no one in particular, as she sat up from the steps and stood on her balls of her feet, gazing over the heads of people.

"I wouldn't call Xellos a friend." Zelgadis said cynically

"Oh and why would that be" questioned a voice. Lina jumped, and almost lost her balance. "You should be more careful near ledges."

"Damit Xellos, don't do that" Lina growled as she spun around, coming face to face with a cat like smile.

"Hello Xellos, when did you get here?" Asked Amelia, who was now in a jollier mood.

"Well now that would be a secret." He replied.

"Why do you waste your breath on that trash, Amelia." said a voice, bitterly, behind Zelgadis.

Boo: Edited the hell out of this chapter. If you notice anything do tell.