I don't own Slayers.

Chapter V

Lina was silent for the moment. Why did the she feel like throwing up and rejoicing at the same time. Why would the name of a town, she was sure she never visited before, make her feel like this. "Excuse me, but can you repeat that?"

"Sure. I said that you'd be traveling to Zelphilia."

Lina stared at Zelgadis for a good few moments as her eyes glazed over in wonder. 'Why does it sound so freakin' familiar?' The more she yearned to remember, the less she could recall.

Zephilia.

It seemed important somehow.

Zephilia.

'Why can't I remember?'

"Ms. Lina?"

Lina looked up, a smile plastered on her face. To her, it had seemed as if she was thinking for hours, however, in reality only one full minute had past. She was staring into Phil's happy eyes as they crinkled at her acceptance.

Phil grabbed her arm and shoved it around his own. He dragged her out of the room, saying, "You must be tired. I'll lead you to your room." He probably didn't notice the strange expression that marred her face, but a pair of sapphire eyes did.

He stood as Phil exited the room with Lina in tow. His hands gripped the table hard while his mind raced on. Memories of back then…Damn it.

Xelloss, who had been sitting silently for the time being decided to put in a few words of wisdom. "Interesting, Mr. Zelgadis. It doesn't look like you have a hard on for her…" Xelloss vanished and reappeared behind Zelgadis. His hand skimmed over the chimera's neck as the trickster grinned. "But, you always have a hard--"

Zelgadis whirled around, capturing Xelloss' wrist in his hand. "Don't touch me," Zelgadis whispered before he exited the room, leaving a stunned Xelloss behind.

Xelloss smirked. "Very interesting."

===

Lina laid down in her bed, feeling a bit out of balance. She had been trying to remember why Zelphilia had sounded so damn familiar until the point that she had a huge headache.

She rubber her eyes with her hands and let out a soft sigh. 'Maybe a bit of rest will calm me down,' she thought to herself.

=Flashback=

"BAAAAAAAAA!"

Lina stared at the sheep and licked her lips. Boy, did that thing look tempting. The sheep seemed to understand that it's life was somehow in peril and decided to jump into the large hay stack in the center of the wagon. Lina was about to follow suit, but a hand clamped down on her shoulder and pulled her back down.

"What?" she asked annoyed. She turned to look at a boy, about her age, who was sweating heavily. It looked as if he'd been running for a long time…or training. She tried to recall this boy, but she couldn't bring to mind the name or place the face.

"You're sister is calling you," he said, breathing a little hard. He was staring at her rather hard, as if he hated being in her presence.

Suddenly, Lina froze. Her sister? "What did I do this time?" Lina whined. She didn't remember doing anything too bad…

The boy's eyes grew wide at first, but then his face became calm. He cupped her cheek, trying his best to calm her and said, "I'm sure she isn't going to hurt you."

Lina still wasn't going to buy that. Luna was Luna. She was painfully strict, especially with Lina. Lina bit her lip and turned away from the boy, balling up her fists and getting ready for the confrontation.

"You shouldn't be afraid of your own sister."

"What makes you think I'm afraid?" Lina asked shrilly. She mentally cursed at her betraying voice.

"You're shaking all over. Here." The boy fished something out of his pocket and pressed it into the palm of Lina's hand. It was an oval crimson jewel. "This is a jewel of protection. No matter what happens, you'll be fine."

Lina stared at the jewel and grinned. "Thanks," she said. She held the jewel tightly in her fist, straightened her back, and walked straight toward the lion's den.

=End Flashback=

Lina awoke, her eyes adjusting to the dim light. Something had woken her…Someone was in her room. She stayed practically still as she tried to make out the outline of the person who was there.

Suddenly, a hand clamped down on her mouth. "Don't say a word," the stranger hissed.

Lina tried to squirm, but the intruder's weight forced her to stay still.

"You're coming with me."

=End Chapter=