A/N: Insert the standard "I don't claim the rights to these characters" spiel here. Beware, this story contains adult themes (i.e., big chunks o' lemon) and gets VERY explicit at times. Read at your own risk. Also, this story only covers the exploits of Lina and Xellos. Gourry, Amelia, and Zelgadis' adventures during the time frame that "Penance" takes place are detailed in a fic called "Pursuit of Merit", which is about halfway written but probably won't be done until '05. "Penance" is followed up by "Reckoning" and then "Absolution" series, all of which are available here on fanfiction.net.

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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Once they arrived she unlocked the door and cast a light wind spell to sweep the place out. Since it was nearly nightfall they lit a fire in the hearth and looked around, studying the place that would be their home for the next few months. The cabin was comprised of a single large room, with a few tables and chairs and an oversized bed in a corner. There were cooking implements and a rug before the hearth. Xellos sighed as he noticed the covering of dust on the bookshelves lining the western wall, but overall it was a clean, tidy little space.

There's only one bed, Xellos said, looking about.

So there is, Lina agreed, already setting out her pack rations on the table and preparing to eat. Hope that chair is comfy.

Xellos turned and noticed an overstuffed chair by the hearth. I see, he grumbled. So, not only was he, the former general priest of Xellas Metallium, going to be a farmhand, be he also wasn't going to sleep in a bed for the duration of their stay. Just lovely. He sighed and shook his head, knowing better than to argue with Lina, and walked to the door just to the right of the hearth. Opening it, he was confronted with the edge of the pond not ten feet from him. Lina appeared beside him, peering underneath his arm.

she cried, clasping her hands.

For what?

For a hot spring, silly! she said. A quick fireball to a body of water like that and bingo!

And what about drinking water?

Lina leaned further out the door. she said, pointing to a well about a hundred feet away.

He sighed, utterly defeated. I'll see about getting a cot tomorrow, he said, turning and rummaging around until he found a kettle. Soon he was clutching a cup of tea as Lina stuffed her face behind him, lost in thought as he stared at the fire.

Good night, Lina said, almost startling him as she put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

Sleep well, he replied, still gazing into the flames as he heard her settle into the bed behind him.

she said from the bed.

He sighed and leaned around the corner of the chair. Yes, Miss Lina?

She flashed him a soft look from where her head rested on the pillow, her hair rioting about her face. Thanks for helping me. I'm glad you're here.

A genuine smile graced his face and he nodded. I sort of am, too, he replied as her eyes drifted shut, and continued to watch her for several minutes after she slipped off into slumber.

The next morning he came immediately and violently awake, his hands moving before his eyes were even open. He stood with a growl and yanked what he'd caught, consciousness upon him fully at last. Lina's startled face looked up at him as his free hand moved towards her throat and he froze, blinking down at her. He gently released her wrist and took a step back, rubbing at the back of his neck as a blush crept up his throat. I'm terribly sorry, he murmured. It was just a reaction.

Lina studied him carefully as she rubbed her wrist. Remind me not to wake you up ever again, she growled.

He saw the way she was holding her wrist and rushed over to her, gently gripping her forearm and raising her hand nearer to his face before he could even think about it. Are you hurt? he asked, looking at her levelly. Did I hurt you in any way? Again he looked down at her milk-white skin, running his fingers over her flesh. A shudder wracked his body as her flawless skin slid beneath his, and he wondered what was happening to him.

No, I'm fine, she murmured, looking away with pink-stained cheeks. You just startled me, that's all. She turned back to him and pointed out the window. But, if you don't get going, you're going to be late for your first day of work.

He turned abruptly and stared out the window, horror breaking over him. He was going to be late at any rate. How far away was the farmhouse? Looking about, he snatched up his cloak, leaving his staff behind. Miss Lina, please take the utmost care if you should go to Lorander today, he warned, only satisfied when she nodded. Have a nice day, he added, and dashed out the door, donning his cloak in the chill air as he ran. He noticed some strange-colored dust upon the fabric, most likely from whatever he had been hit with upon entering the library the day before. If he didn't know better it looked like some kind of spore, but there was no way spores could have lasted a thousand years, even in a pocket dimension. Glancing again at the light faintly rising in the east, he cast a Ray Wing spell on himself and sped off towards his first day of work.

He landed about five hundred yards from the farmhouse and ran the rest of the way, his boots pounding on the dirt road. The farmer and a fairly large group of men stood outside the house, apparently waiting. We were going to leave without you, wizard boy, the farmer grumbled.

One of the other men looked Xellos up and down skeptically. This is who you hired? What's he supposed to do, bring us our lunches? He certainly doesn't look like he could lift a bale.

Xellos felt anger rise up in him, an unfamiliar feeling. As a Monster he hadn't felt much anger, probably because he felt that he was beyond insult. Now, however, he found he felt he had to defend his pride quite often. I am fully capable of any sort of work you would assign me, he said flatly. Appearances can be deceiving, my good man. He narrowed his eyes and took a step forward.

The man threw up his hands and shook his head. Listen, I don't want trouble with a priest or wizard or whatever it is you are, he replied. I didn't hire you and so I don't care what sort of work you do. All I want is my pay and to leave it at that.

Xellos smiled at the man, his eyes closed, but the expression was empty of warmth. How nice to know that we'll get along just fine, he replied brightly. Oh, how he wanted to blast the man right then and there. He was finding that he had a loathing for life that he had never possessed as a Monster, and was more willing to destroy people now than he had then. The thought gave him pause, but only for a moment.

Let's go, the farmer said, and they filed off into the fields in a line.