I don't own Slayers.

=Chapter XIV=

Since Zelgadis had performed that ritual on her, more memories were springing forth. It flooded her mind at the worst times: when she was walking, eating, sleeping, when she was taking a bath or when she was in a meeting with Phil, Filia, and everyone else. She had found, as these memories came, that most of what she had believed in, was wrong.

She had once thought that her sister had saved her from a fire, but that had been a lie. She, of course, only remembered the lavender hair and thought it was Luna when in actuality, it was Zelgadis. The jewel that he had given her, the red one for protection, was once again back in her grasp (well, she had stolen a similar one from the shop). It hung loosely around her neck on a silver chain. She fingered it slowly, her mind flashing back to simpler times for a moment.

He had given it to her because she was fearing her sister. He had always done all those small things for her, trying to make her life a little easier. When he had been younger, assigned to guard her for Rezo, he used to follow her all the time. It annoyed the crap out of her, and she had tried to loose him on more than one occasion, but he was always next to her…except for when Rezo called upon her and asked her to sing as he painted.

She no longer paid attention to the lecture that Phil and Filia insisted on giving her that involved "that fate of the world."

Lina shut her eyes as those recollections resurfaced.

=Flashback=

Lina stood in the center square in Zephilia next to her elder sister, Luna. They needed money and the only honest way that they could earn some coin was as street bards. Lina would sing, her voice strong and melodious, while Luna would play on a lute. Every morning till noon, they would do this task in order to buy food later on. Luna would always tell her younger sister in a menacing, yet caring voice, "Eat all that you can because you'll never know when you're going to get food." Lina had obliged, remembering this lesson always.

Sometimes, when she sang, Luna would stare at her funny. On one occasion, when Lina was really into the song, Luna would stop playing and a nasty look would spread over her face, as if she were contemplating something. Lina had stopped at once and looked at her sister, asking what was the matter, but Luna would shake her head. "Nothing," said the purple haired girl, "I was just thinking about where we would sleep tonight. I mean, the place we usually do was torn down earlier today, so now we have to find a new place."

"Oh," Lina replied thoughtfully. She had always thought that as long as Luna (who wasn't being angry at the time) was beside her, she'd always be safe. After all, they had been safe this whole time.

At that moment, a shadow had passed across them. Lina turned around to stare into the smiling face of an elder man. He had odd hair that flared out at his sides and eyes that were forever closed. "Hello," he said softly. "I'm Rezo, and this" he gestured to a boy who looked like a miniature version of him except that the boy had large blue eyes that appeared to be annoyed, "this is Zelgadis. He's my grandson."

Lina flashed him her best smile and held out her hand for him to shake. Zelgadis just stared at it as if it were the most unappealing thing in the world and frowned. He turned away and crossed his arms across his chest. Lina, a bit angered at this refusal, was ready to pounce when she heard her sister's voice, slightly warning.

"Lina, come and help me up."

Lina turned around and helped Luna to her feet. The elder girl brushed off some dirt, taking her time. Lina recognized this as Luna formulating a plan. Finally the elder girl asked, "What can I help you with, Mr. Rezo."

Rezo seemed to be a little guarded at this turn of events. "Actually, I was wondering if I could help you two." When Luna didn't reply, Rezo continued. "I heard that you didn't have a place to go to? Well, I have extra rooms in my mansion and am looking for two maids that could help me. If you work for me, I promise that you'll get paid well, and not to have to worry about any trivial things, like working dangerously on the streets."

"Seems awfully convenient," Luna replied as she glanced at Rezo distastefully, but then she looked down at her sister and at the ragged clothes that they both wore. "But…Fine. We'll go as long as you provide us with the necessary means to survive."

"Done."

Lina shook then. It almost sounded like making a deal with the Dark Lord.

-

As the years passed, Lina began to fear her elder sister. Lina herself didn't have as much chores as her elder sister except to sing as Rezo did any of his artwork. He had said that he loved hearing her pure voice, so full of magic. He claimed he had never heard anything like that before and was overjoyed, but after every session, she had felt drained, although she didn't do much. However, Luna was always missing until the latest times of night. She'd come back angered and exhausted as if she were working harder than anyone. Lina also noticed other things, like Luna's new abilities in the arts of magic.

One time, Lina had asked her sister what she was doing and Luna replied with, "Trying to save your ass. Now shut up and go to sleep."

This had sorely confused the young Lina who found herself feeling lonelier and lonelier as the days dragged on. She had taken to wandering the streets then, just to pass the long days, and every time she went out, Zelgadis would follow her, grudgingly.

One day, when she was heading out of the house, she noticed a shadow by her side. Looking up, she saw Zelgadis slipping a sword in his scabbard and getting ready to follow him. "You don't have to come with me, Zel." She made a point in using the nickname she had given him. He hated it.

Zelgadis fitted some gloves over his hands and asked offhandedly, "Well, who will?"

Lina, a bit offended that he wasn't even looking at her, said, "I don't need you to protect me."

Zel had scoffed at that. "You are the type of person who continuously runs into trouble. Of course you need someone to watch after you."

"Well," Lina knew some truth in that. For some reason, trouble followed her all the time. "I don't need to be followed by a rich, snobbish, asshole like you."

Fully angered, Zel rounded on her. Lina was a bit surprised because he was always unemotional and unaffected by what she said. Today seemed different. She did see Rezo talking to him about something more important than him, but she didn't know what Rezo was specifically saying. "Well, it's not all sunshine on this side, kid! Do you think it's fun watching a stuck up, gluttonous, brat like you?!"

"Stuck up?!"

And that was how most of their conversations went. They would argue horribly until their faces turned blue, then they would go into town and look throughout the old ruins that were close by. At one point, Zel had even found a pendant, red, that had caught Lina's eye. She had warned him to give it to her, but he refused, saying that she didn't need anymore magical rubbish since she was already filled with magic.

"What are you talking about? I don't have magic!" Lina announced as she dove for the jewel once again.

Zel side stepped and slipped the jewel in his pocket. He then grabbed the younger girl's wrists and held them firmly. A small grin played at his lips as Lina tried to tug her arms out of his hands, but found that she was too weak to do it. "Yes you do…" he said, then his mouth turned down. "Wait, your magic…It feels weaker…" Zel let her hands go and turned around, looking as if he were in deep thought.

=End Flashback=

…all on your shoulders…

…it's up to you…

…decide whether you want to do this or not…

Lina shook her head as she resurfaced from her memories. She was in a room with everyone, sitting and listening to their incessant ramblings. She was not in the mood to hear any of this, nor to hear the cliché that the fate of the world rested on her shoulders. All she knew was that she was tired, hungry, soar, hungry, tired -- the list went on.

How could this happen? She was an innocent thief, wasn't she? Her life (till she met them) was filled with adventures, discovering new ways to break into homes, treasure hunting, sleeping in guest rooms of unsuspecting people…but that all changed and with this change came responsibility that she didn't really want.

But, she thought grudgingly, even if I don't want this, it's thrust upon my shoulders--it's my burden and I could feel bad about it or do something about it.

Lina was many things, but a pessimist was probably on the bottom of the list. Grounding her fist, and giving them all a characteristic grin she said, "Well, what are we waiting for? Let's find the last painting."

"But Lina," Filia interjected. Lina could see how unsure she felt about Lina's all too quick answer. "You know that if you gain this power, the consequences could be--"

However, before Filia could finish, Lina held up one gloved hand. Slowly, almost as if the sentence were still being put together, she said, "No matter how much I don't want this choice, I still have to make it." Lina paused, trying to find the right words for this occasion. "And I know, that no matter what I choose, there will be a fight…I know that I'll be a part of this fight wherever I am, and I want to be--er--as prepared as possible for anything."

"You want the magic?" Zel inquired with a raised brow. His blue eyes burned into hers as if he could almost read her answer. "Very well, then. Xelloss and Amelia will go and find out where the last one is. If I remember correctly, that was the one that was stolen."

Amelia was about to argue with that pair until she caught sight of Lina. She shut her mouth suddenly and turned to leave followed by Xelloss.

When they were gone, Prince Phil ushered Gourry, Zelgadis, and Syphiel out of the room, muttering something about a meeting. Zelgadis glanced at Lina once more before he left the room and shut the door firmly behind him.

Filia, who had been silent for a few minutes, watched Lina closely, moving next to the window and leaning against the glass. The worry and uncertainness intensified as she whispered, "You don't have to do this--" She stopped instantly at a loss for words.

Lina glanced at the woman thoughtfully. Filia although older than herself, still had a certain innocence that made Lina smile. "No one ever asks for their responsibility; they are just handed to them. It's a matter if I have enough will power and strength to meet those tasks," she said wistfully with a large grin on her face. "And I do. Besides," she added as an after thought, "no jackass will rule my life like that damned Rezo has been doing this whole time. I'll show him what Lina Inverse can really do."

Sliding out of the seat, Lina held out a hand to Filia. "Now I'm hungry. Let's go find something to eat."

===

Carefree.

That was the word that Lina Inverse was.

Lina, although not having really known her for very long, was one of the best friends that she felt she would ever have. Just knowing this made her want to save the elder, fiery haired woman, even for just a few months.

But, Amelia knew that it wouldn't be right. She knew that the only way to help Lina through anything, was to help her find the last of the paintings. So, Amelia walked out of the room with Xelloss strutting down the hall. He seemed to have a purposeful step, so Amelia followed him without any thought…that is, until he led her onto one of the balconies and sat at the edge.

"What are we doing out here?" Amelia asked, a little unsure of what was going on. She didn't like the look (that seemed forever plastered onto the Trickster's face) that he was giving her and she took a step backward, toward the castle.

Xelloss smiled at this move and said, "Nothing. Just passing the time while Lina gets adjusted with her decision."

Amelia tilted her head. "Adjusted? What do you mean? She made her decision--"

"Ah! She did, didn't she? But, it was a tough decision--not easy for any human to make. She's probably dealing with her hastiness as we speak. Maybe even regretting them." Xelloss crossed his arms and nodded as if this thought was the most perfect thought ever.

Amelia frowned slightly. "You really think so?"

Xelloss grinned. "No."

Exasperated, Amelia said, "Look, Mr. Xelloss, we need to find the last work of art before it is too late!"

"No worries, Ms. Amelia. I already know where the last painting lies. I've seen it!"

"Well then, let's go and tell Lina now so she can go right away and get whatever she needs!" Amelia hopped toward the castle, but was stopped as Xelloss grabbed her collar and pulled her back outside onto the balcony. "What? Why can't we tell her now?"

Xelloss paused. "Lina needs this calm before the storm. She just recovered from the shock of her sister, from finding out that everything lays on her movements, her choices…right now, she should just relax, don't you agree, Amelia?"

Amelia found herself sitting next to Xelloss, nodding slightly and looking down at her lap. She had never thought about the stress that Lina was going through, had never really noticed the tiredness in her eyes, that for some reason, she recalled right now. Why hadn't she seen it before.

"And besides," Xelloss clapped his hands, "this'll give us some alone time together!"

Amelia glared at him. "If you don't back away, Mr. Xelloss, you will be on the receiving end of one of my justice and love lectures."

===

Zelgadis stood in the far back of the room, half of his thoughts on what Luna had said, the other half on what he had thought. He stared into the shadowy corners, feeling his eyes grow weary at staring at a wall for so long. Sighing, he made to get off the table when he felt a weight hop behind him.

Closing his eyes, he smelled the sent. It smelled like the soft breeze of the wind, with a slight hint of cinnamon. It smelled like her, like Lina, and he was happy that he could just sit her, with her, in companionable silence. Without saying anything, he wrapped his hand around her shoulders and gave her a gentle squeeze, thinking that it was what she needed right now, but then he paused. Did Lina have broad shoulders?

He turned to his left and almost screamed. Gourry was looking closely at Zel for a second before he said, "Lina and I use the same shampoo."

"Oh," Zel said, horrified at this turn of events.

Gourry grinned thoughtfully, though. "You must really like Lina, then."

"What?" Zel asked, taken aback by his words. Suddenly, he felt like he needed some fresh air and was getting ready to leave when Gourry's smile grew larger.

"I thought as much," Gourry said with a slight air of wisdom about him.

Zel shook his head and whispered an excuse to leave, fully shocked that the man had that much insight.

=End Chapter=

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