A/N: Standard disclaimer, no rights of ownership, etc. etc. If you like this story, make sure to check out its sequels. There are a whole crazy mess of them now. Also view the accompanying fanart at my website, www.vejiitasei.com.

You can view this story in its un-chaptered form at my website, also. I went back and broke it up into chapters because I was getting complaints that it was too long. Sorry if the chapter divisions seem awkward in places, or if some chapters seem too short or too long. That's what happens when you write a story without chapter divisions, and then later chop it up.

Reviews are welcome!!

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He stroked the soft skin of her hand over and over again with his thumb, heedless of his actions as he stared intently at her face. What had the kiss meant? Was it just a strange moment brought on by her fever? Had she been sincere when she pressed her tender, sweet lips against his? he whispered for the millionth time. No, there was no way she could have meant it. She was ill and weak, and had merely been responding to him. Most likely she had been caught up in some sort of fever dream, and that was that. She wasn't attracted to him, she couldn't be attracted to a monstrosity like him. The reminder that his cure and hers needed similar, rare ingredients snuck into his brain, and he wondered what he would choose. If he was only able to get his hands on one root, which option would he pick? Would he cure himself and let her die, or heal her and live forever in his godforsaken chimera body? Either way, there would be no chance with her. Something inside him hardened. It was better that way, really. A warrior did not need trivial things like love, especially not a heartless swordsman like him. He wondered where along his path he decided he would like to be with her. Caught up in a tangle of conflicting emotions, he pressed her hand to his forehead and sighed.


He heard the pounding footsteps in the hall and dropped her hand a split second before the doors were flung open violently. Now what the hell is going on here? a woman's voice bellowed, making Zelgadis wince at the sound.


Now, Lina, Amelia's sick! a man's deep tones followed, and the pair stepped into the room, flanked by guards.


Zel closed his eyes and sighed, shaking his head. Does Prince Phil know you're here? he grumbled.


Why? Should we have asked? Gourry said, glancing from side to side at the armed guards. He had his sword drawn and was facing down with them warily.


No. We're Amelia's friends and we have every right to be here! Lina proclaimed, shouldering the surprised guards aside. She stormed over to Amelia's bedside, forcing Zel out of the way. Planting her hands on the mattress, she lowered her head near Amelia's. she shouted, nearly splitting Zelgadis' eardrums. Wake up!


If she couldn't hear you before, she really can't now, Gourry grumbled, sheathing his sword and ambling over to the bed.


And yelling at her will not wake her, a smooth voice said from the shadows. All three whirled to see Xellos materialize and walk toward them, his staff clicking hollowly against the marble floor.


Xellos! What are you doing here? Lina said with a scowl.


She was met with a benign smile and a tilt of his head. Did you know that you ask me that question nearly every time I see you? he replied brightly.


He's always here, Lina, Zelgadis grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. He's been here ever since I arrived. He sighed and lowered his chin. He's also right, though. Nothing can wake her up now. She's gotten a lot worse these past few days.


Xellos strolled past them and placed a gloved hand on the princess' forehead. Yes, I'd say she doesn't have much longer, he stated calmly, standing up straight and readjusting his glove. You all had better hurry if you want to find her cure.


But what's wrong with her? Gourry asked, looking down at Amelia with concern.


A curse from the astral plane, Zelgadis explained, fingering the stone ridges on his chin. Whatever's harming her is too strong to be destroyed by an astral attack because it's linked to her astral form. However, there's a root that we can use to weaken her body's ties to her astral form, which should give us enough room to break the curse.


How did you find this out? Lina said softly, ruby eyes looking at Zelgadis levelly.


He was granted access to the Clair Bible, Xellos offered with a gesture of his hand. He was also told how to cure his own affliction.


Really, Zel? That's great! Lina said with a smile, clapping the chimera on the shoulder.


There are...complications... Zelgadis murmured. I need to use the root in my cure, too. On top of that, the plant that the root comes from has been extinct for hundreds of years. Our only chance is to find a preserved specimen from somewhere.


Gourry blinked and looked from face to face while Lina fell silent, lost in thought. Zelgadis examined the two flatly, face betraying nothing of his inner turmoil. Xellos said after several moments of quiet thought, There are three of you now. The search should go much more quickly with increased numbers.


How long, Xellos? Lina blurted, stomping over to the Monster. How long do we have before we're too late?


Xellos' eyes opened a crack and he smiled warmly at her. A predatory expression crossed his face for a moment, and Zelgadis remembered how much he hated the Monster, and how fascinated the Monster was with Lina. Perhaps this was all just a dangerous game. Before he could say anything, however, the expression passed from Xellos' smooth features and the moment was lost.


I give you four days. If you have not found the root by then in some form or another, I'm afraid the Princess will pass from this world entirely.


Then we had better get moving, Lina said. Are you going to help, Xellos?


Xellos replied, taking a step back as Lina moved forward and took up his entire field of vision. Well, that's sort of against the rules...


She reached up and wrapped her fist in his black cloak. What rules, Xellos? And when have you ever played by them? she growled.

But, Miss Lina, he protested, hands hovering above her clenched fists.


She gave him a good shake, nearly making him drop his staff. I asked you if you were going to help! she bellowed, shaking him even more vigorously.


Xellos grinned as his head snapped back and forth with the motion. he stammered in between shakings. Suddenly he reached out with an arm and scooped her against him for a split second. An expression of surprise and a blush crossed her face as she looked up at him. He leaned down very close to her and whispered, just loud enough for everyone to hear, Very well, Miss Lina.


Zelgadis scowled at Lina's wide-eyed countenance, an expression that deepened when he saw Gourry's posture stiffen across the room. Something was going on. He wasn't sure what it was, but there was something that he wasn't being told.


Just as suddenly as he had gripped her, Xellos released Lina and took a few steps away, throwing an unreadable glance at the swordsman across the room. Lina gathered her hands to her chest and backed towards Gourry until the large man came up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders protectively. Xellos smiled with what Zelgadis could only describe as glee. The priest turned to the chimera, the smile still on his face. Did you hear that, Mister Zelgadis? Xellos chortled. I guess I'm going to help you now!


Oh, lovely, Zel muttered, throwing a glance at the unconscious princess.


Now, now, don't be a grouch, Xellos chided, gripping his staff tightly and leaning against it as his eyes opened just enough for Zel to see the glittering of amethyst irises. With me assisting you we will most likely find the cure in no time!


Zel heard Lina grumble from several feet away. You're probably the one that put the damn curse on her in the first place, she snarled, and something inside Zelgadis' abdomen tightened as the Monster's eyebrows raised fractionally and more amethyst was revealed from underneath his eyelids.


Once again, you are hardly complimentary towards me, Miss Lina, Xellos said.


Lina took a step closer to Gourry and scowled in return. And I already told you that I don't care. Monsters don't need compliments.


That doesn't mean we don't enjoy being highly thought of.


Uh, is this helping Amelia at all? Gourry interrupted, gesturing toward the princess.


Zel glanced at the bed again, but not so quickly that he missed the strange, long look that passed between the sorceress and the trickster priest. You're right, Gourry, he offered, trying to seem casual as he walked over to the bedside and stared down into Amelia's pain-tightened face. I'll see her well again, even if it means teaming up with the likes of Xellos.


Lina clasped her hands to her chest and batted her eyes in a mocking fashion. Oh isn't this sweet? she chirped. Her expression suddenly went hard, and she planted her hands on her hips. Not one bit of these speeches are doing anyone any good! Let's just get on with it?


I'll fetch refreshments and meet you in the library, Xellos said, and winked out of sight a split second later.


If he wasn't such a weirdo he'd make a great manservant, Lina muttered under her breath.


Zel gazed at Amelia again with a sigh, unconsciously rubbing the soft skin of her arm with his thumb. Why did you have to get him involved? he muttered to Lina.


Excuse me? He was already here for quite a while before we showed up! Lina protested.


You KNOW I hate the sight of him.


Listen, none of us are happy to see him, but he knows more about this world than anyone else we know. He's lived in it for at least a thousand years, and I think we should use that to our advantage. After all, we didn't even know this damn plant existed before you went to see the Clair Bible, Zel, but I suspect Xellos knows more than he lets on.


Isn't that always the case? Everything's a secret with that bastard.


The best-kept secrets are the secrets that are best left secrets, Xellos said, rematerializing in the room. I see that you've chosen to begin your research with a healthy round of bickering.


Lina blushed and looked at the floor, while Zelgadis' face twisted into a snarl. Why are you here? You're supposed to be in the library, Zel growled.


I brought the food and drink there, and found you all amazingly absent. I decided to see what was keeping you, since time is of the essence.


Lina scowled and Zel opened his mouth to speak, but all were cut off. He's right, guys, Gourry said, arms crossed over his chest. Amelia is what matters here, not everybody's opinion of Xellos.


Xellos executed a little bow in the swordsman's direction. Thank you, Master Gourry, the Monster said. Now, is this little discussion over, or should I begin alone?


Zelgadis, fists clenched in silent fury, shouldered Xellos aside and stormed out of the room. A few steps into the corridor he stopped, yelling over his shoulder, Well? Are you all coming or not?


Yeah, yeah, Lina grumbled, and trotted out the door after him.


Xellos moved over to Amelia and stroked her cheek. So beautiful, he murmured, but his eyes were not directed at the Princess. Gourry followed his gaze in the direction Lina had left.


You coming? Gourry said, voice a bit sharp around the edges and a slight scowl marring his handsome features.


I'll be there directly, Xellos replied, a small smile winding across his face as he watched Gourry leave the room.


Three days later they were in yet another library, poring through countless rounds of ancient books and manuscripts. They had found few references to the root, and no information as to where one might be located. This is ridiculous, Lina sighed, leaning back in her chair and propping her heels up on the table. There's no way we're going to find this thing in time! Heck, it's already been several days, and we still don't know where to find one. Even if we did know where the root was, we'd still have to go there, get it, and come all the way back. There just isn't any way that we can possibly do thing.


I thought I was the negative one, Zel murmured. However, I refuse to listen to this. Amelia will not die, do you understand?


Lina took her heels off the table and turned to him, eyes wide. Zel, she's our friend and we all care about her. We're doing everything we can.


Zelgadis brought his fist down on the table so hard that the books on it jumped a fraction of an inch. It's not good enough. We have to cure her.


Gourry sat back in his char and studied the chimera for long moments. I think I understand, Zel, and we'll do everything we can, he said softly.


Lina looked back and forth between the two men, a slight frown of confusion on her brow. She sighed and glanced around at the gloomy interior of the library, watching the dust motes float around in the sparse beams of daylight. She was about to comment on the inadequacy of the place when Xellos materialized out of nothingness, holding a stack of books. he said brightly. I found these and thought they might be useful.


Zelgadis nearly pushed Xellos over in his rush to get to the new tomes of knowledge. The Monster staggered back with a smile on his face and watched as Zelgadis opened the books greedily. A few seconds later the light drained out of the young man's face and he slammed the book shut angrily, glaring at Xellos with unrestrained hatred. What in the hell is this supposed to be, a joke? I can't read this!


Xellos shrugged and took a seat next to Lina, leaning over her shoulder as she picked up the book Zelgadis had closed, thumbing through the pages. Very funny, Xellos, she growled.


What's the matter? Gourry asked from across the table, leaning to see better.


These books are in a language we can't read, Lina replied. Where did these come from?


Xellos sat back in his chair and tapped a finger against his chin. Well, they were in some ruins on one of the southern continents in one of the cities I destroyed a thousand years ago. I remembered that I didn't demolish the library because it was very extensive, comprehensive, and well-decorated. I apologize for the wait- I had to teleport under several hundred feet of rock, and it took a few times before I actually got into the library itself.


The anger in Zel's face abated somewhat and he snatched one of the other books. So these books are from the time when the root was still widely in use, before its extinction, he murmured, interest renewed.


But what good does that do if we can't read them? Gourry asked, fingering one of the dusty covers.


You can barely read anyway, Zel muttered under his breath.


Gourry protested. I read fine!


I'm sure you do, Gourry. Just calm down, Lina interjected.


Xellos tried, raising his hand a little.


I'm perfectly calm, Lina. Zel's just uptight, I think.


But I can- Xellos attempted again.


He's always uptight, Gourry.


What? I am not! You're just so damn lazy that it seems like I am!


Excuse me, Xellos said a little more loudly.


I am NOT lazy! Lina shouted. I do more work than anyone else here!


I live on the job! Gourry replied.


And I've been here for weeks trying to find this damn cure, so don't you dare talk to me about working hard!


Xellos sighed and grabbed Gourry's outstretched hand, placing it squarely on Lina's breast. Silence fell instantly as Gourry's cheeks became red and Lina stared at him in shock, mouth dropping open. How dare you! Lina screeched, and punched Gourry right in the face. The swordsman's chair fell over with him still in it, and for several moments silence reigned supreme, with only Gourry's whimperings to break the quiet.


Now, as I was trying to say, I am able to read these texts, Xellos said pleasantly.


Lina and Zelgadis blinked at him.


I said I can read the language these books are written in. I've been trying to tell you, but you all were arguing too loudly, the Monster replied.


That was just a stunt to get our attention? Lina howled. How dare you? She pounced on Xellos like a cat, wrapping her arms around his neck and putting him in a powerful head lock. Xellos smiled, eyes shut, and sighed as she yanked him this way and that.


Uh, I think he likes that, Zelgadis muttered, an expression of discomfort on his face.


I don't think you're hurting him enough, Gourry grumbled, rising from the floor. Let me have a shot at it.


Oh dear, Xellos said. I don't believe that is necessary, Master Gourry.


Yeah, Gourry. I'M the one that was violated! Lina proclaimed, tightening her grip on the trickster priest.


A gurgling noise came from Xellos' throat. It might have been laughter, or perhaps he was trying to say something, but Lina was holding him so tightly it was impossible to discern.


Are we done yet, or are you going to kill him before he can read us these books? Zel asked acidly, eyes fixed coldly on the Monster's face, which was quickly going purple.


Oh, right, Lina said, and promptly released the man.


Xellos gasped for a few moments, rubbing his neck, then turned a beaming smile on Lina. You certainly are strong, he wheezed.


Lina closed her eyes and tilted her nose up in the air. Of course, she said haughtily. Now read us the damn books!


Yes, yes, the Monster rasped, picking up one of the heavier books. He frowned slightly and paged through it for a while. The other three watched intently, the silence heavy over all of them as Xellos skimmed the text. At one point his eyebrows raised fractionally, which made Zelgadis jump out of his seat.


What? What did you find? the chimera demanded.


Xellos opened an eye a crack and looked at the young man coolly. Oh, just something that might be of use at a later date. It has nothing to do with our current problem, however.


Zelgadis' face fell and he sat back down in his chair heavily. Fine. Hurry it up.


Xellos nodded and continued his examination, moving from one book to the next as the others watched. Finally he sighed and put them down. No good, he sighed, glancing at the windows.


What do you mean, no good'? Zelgadis growled.


I mean I didn't find anything that mentions that root, he said with another glance at the waning light. And I'm afraid I need to go now.


Wait a second! Lina interjected. You have to go? You're going to leave us hanging?


Just let him go, Lina, Gourry said, voice edged with coldness.


I'm afraid I am being called. I have taken too much time away from my duties to assist all of you as it is, Xellos replied with a sigh.


But you can't! What if we run into more things we can't read? Lina continued.


Xellos shook his head and began to rise, when Lina curled her fists in his cloak and pulled him down to her level. She growled at him inarticulately, giving him a shake every now and then. Xellos smiled and leaned in kissing her on the cheek. I'm sorry, Miss Lina. I'm sure you'll make do, he said quietly, and detached himself from her gently.


Zelgadis heard a low noise and glanced over at Gourry, whose face was lined with ire. He narrowed his eyes and looked back at the Monster and Lina, and an idea began to take shape. I agree, Lina. We'll be fine without his tainted assistance, Zel proclaimed. Get out of here, Xellos.


The trickster priest raised an eyebrow. I will try to be back by tomorrow evening. If you haven't found it by then, I'm afraid she won't make it.


We'll find something, Lina said, turning her back on the tall man.


I'm sure, Xellos murmured, and disappeared.


Lina sighed and fingered the books on the table, glancing at Gourry. Her eyes locked with his for several moments, and Zelgadis could tell a silent battle was being waged, although he had no clue what it could be about. Finally Gourry glanced away, but looked back at her quickly, and she relaxed and leaned against the back of her chair. Are you two ready? Zel asked, wondering what exactly was going on.


Yeah, let's have at it, Lina said, grabbing the books Xellos had left behind.


You can't read that, Zel reminded her.


Doesn't matter. It still has pictures. Maybe there's a picture or something that he missed.


Suit yourself, just don't waste our time. We have precious little of it left.


I know, Lina growled, burying her face more deeply in the book.


I'll go get us something to eat, Gourry offered. I'm not even going to attempt to read a language I don't know.


Good idea, Zel muttered, picking up another book from the pile. Soon he was lost in thought, and it wasn't long before he forgot the strange tension between the other three people had even existed.