Disclaimer: I don't own Slayers
or its characters. Please don't sue the helpless fishmonger.
"Oh, isn't this a perfect
day?"
Gentle, white clouds drifted slowly across the
light blue sky above the gang as they rested in the field. Amelia was sprawled
out in front of Lina and Gourry who were sitting side by side underneath
the shade of a tall tree.
"I could stay here forever,"
Amelia sighed.
Zelgadis heard Amelia's voice in the back of
his head, but he wasn't really listening. He sat a bit away from the group
on the rough surface of a large rock. His cape was ruffled by the light
breeze that blew through him, but he paid it no mind. It was just one of
those days. One of those days where everyone was happy and content but
him. Zelgadis hated days like this. It seemed like he was always gloomy
and depressed, and on these days it was like he was ruining it for everyone
else. As self-centered an individual as Zelgadis was read, he wasn't insensitive.
He could remember days when he wasn't so
serious and miserable. Days before he was turned into the…monster he was.
Damn you, Rezo…
His life had been made a living nightmare. But
it was ironic really. He had asked for more power…and Rezo had given it
to him. Just not how he wanted it. But it was what he had asked for.
Gods, I should've been more specific. Is this
your way of punishing me for asking for power? Are you truly that cruel?
Even so…haven't I learned? Don't I deserve to be turned back now? If not…then
what else can I do?
He sighed and closed his eyes. The sight of all
the happiness of life around him was making him sick. Everyone and everything
around him was so full of satisfaction and joy…he felt so out of place.
Maybe…if I went far from this place…
It wasn't very often that Zelgadis thought of
suicide. No matter how bad things got, it wasn't so awful that he wanted
to end his life. But recently, it had been a definite consideration.
Something keeps holding me back… What is it
that is so important, that it stops me from ending a life that has only
lead to emptiness?
"Hey Zel, something
wrong?"
Zelgadis' eyes opened as the light sound of Gourry's
voice. He turned his head a little to look at Gourry as he seated himself
next to him on the edge of the rock.
"Don't worry about it,
Gourry… It's nothing you would understand."
Gourry stared at him for a minute before he gave
him a small smile.
"Thinking about finding
your cure again?"
"It's all I do think
about, Gourry. You would too…if you were in my place."
Gourry shrugged.
"I don't know. Sure
it must be pretty bad to be made of stone and have wire for hair…"
Pretty blunt, aren't we?
Zelgadis sighed.
"But…you still enjoy
your life, don't you?"
"What?"
Zelgadis stared at him.
Enjoy my life? My life? Enjoy a life full
of failure? Enjoy a life where every time I come close to finding a cure,
it leaves me with nothing? Enjoy my life?
Gourry nodded.
"Yeah. You know, traveling
with us. Don't you enjoy it?"
Zelgadis looked away from him. He hadn't really
thought about it…
"I…don't know…"
"Besides, I'm sure you'll
find your cure someday. It's gotta be out there somewhere, right? So if
we all keep looking for it, we'll find it eventually!"
Zelgadis turned to look at him slowly.
" 'If we all'…?"
Gourry blinked and nodded.
"Yeah…you know, me,
Lina, Amelia… Your friends!"
My friends…
Zelgadis looked into Gourry's eyes…his deep blue
eyes full of sincerity.
When I'm feeling at my worst…like I can't
go on…all I have to do is think of you, Gourry. You're always so…carefree
and airy. It's your innocence that reminds of all the things I loved about
life before. All the things…I do love about life. All the things…I love
about you.
Gourry, noting Zelgadis' silence, became a little
concerned. He reached over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You okay, Zel?"
Zelgadis felt his touch and slowly nodded.
"Yes. Yes, Gourry, I'm
fine."
Gourry smiled brightly.
"That's good!"
Zelgadis watched him get up and walk back over
to Lina. He felt a little twinge of sadness and looked away. He didn't
know why he let himself get all happy when Gourry was around him. He knew
how he felt about Lina. He saw the way he looked at her.
But it doesn't really matter to me. Because
in the end…when it all boils down to it…it's Gourry that keeps me alive.
Even after we've all parted ways…Gourry's innocence will always be there,
reminding me…as Amelia says…that life is wonderful. It always will be.
As long as you stay…always Gourry.
End.