Another chapter is here! I know it's been a while since I updated but I have a good reason lol. I've been having a crisis in my life and it's sure taking its toll on me. I'm madly in love with my closest guy friend who is oblivious to the feelings I hold for him or the hints I drop. So I really haven't been in the mood to write something happy.

But I have a little hope now that everything might turn out the way I want so I'm taking advantage of my lighter heart.

I can just see Amelia calling Gourry silly love names and Lina threatening Zel with death if he ever acted that silly about her hehe. It's a little harder to picture Lina voluntarily wearing a dress but… shrugs

And as always to S.C. for friendship beyond bounds. And to C.M. with all my love. May the Air cushion you, Water Bless you, Earth sustain you and Fire protect you.

Be good to me, readers, and review please.

Samanda

Sapphires And Sakura Blossoms

Chapter Six: The Golden Girl

"Thank you, Miss Ayame" Amelia bowed to her as she thanked her. "I enjoyed my stay here."

Gourry grinned and added, "You're almost as good of a cook as Syphiel."

Ayame just smiled and took it as the compliment it was probably meant to be. "Thank you, Miss Amelia, Mister Gourry. It was truly a pleasure having you stay in my home." She turned to Zel and Lina who were saying goodbye to Syphiel. "Please come back whenever you wish."

We will. Lina smiled.

"Are you sure you don't want to finish the journey with us?" Zel questioned Syphiel.

"I am sure, Mister Zelgaddis." Syphiel answered quietly. "Our paths part here but we will meet again."

Zel gave her a small smile. "I am sure of it. Take care, Syphiel."

Goodbye, Syphiel. We'll see you soon! Lina hugged her.

Ayame and Syphiel stood in the doorway watching the group head down the road until they were specks in the distance. Syphiel held herself together until that point but then broke out into tears.

"I miss him, all of them already," Syphiel said with a lady-like sniff.

Ayame held her close. "I know."

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Opting to go and escort Amelia back home to Saillune instead of mapping more unknown borderland territories proved to be a simple task. The hardest thing Lina had to cope with was not puking her guts up at the too sweet courtship of Amelia by Gourry. All those flowery words and romantic gestures made her sick. (She also told Zel that if anyone tried that stuff like that on her she'd knock them unconscious. Zel winced and promised himself he would be far subtler.)

"There it is!" Amelia squealed as she pointed out the castle to her companions while Zel winced.

It's finally been rebuilt. Lina commented.

"Well you did destroy half the castle, Lina." Gourry told her.

Bonk!

"Ow!"

"Miss Lina!" Amelia scolded. "Are you okay, sweetums?"

Gourry smiled at Amelia who kept fussing over him while Lina just sighed and rolled her eyes. Zel pretended not to notice the couple's silliness as he mumbled, "Pathetic."

"I'm sure the guards have spotted me by now. There will be a feast in honor of my homecoming per my Father's request." Amelia said excitedly.

Oh good. Lina said with a sarcasm Amelia missed.

Zel sighed. "Let's go."

Amelia consoled Lina. "Don't worry, Miss Lina. There will be plenty of dresses for you to choose from since I took it upon myself to order you some the last time we were here. I knew you might need a few. This will be a very important event."

Amelia got stars in her eyes. "I'm announcing my betrothal to Mister Gourry after all."

Zel separated then herded a dangerously pink faced Lina towards the castle as Amelia waxed poetically on in the background with a adoring Gourry clapping for her.

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Lina stared at herself in the mirror with a satisfied expression on her face.

I hope Zel likes this, Lina signed to herself.

Lina wore a spaghetti strapped gold silk dress with waist ended underneath her breasts emphasizing the fact that yes, she did indeed have a chest. The skirt was narrow and hung down to her ankles. Her matching high heeled dress shoes gave her a few much needed inches to her petite height. She wore enough make up to be glamorous and her hair was done up like a dream courtesy of Amelia's personal maid.

She took a deep breath and turned around as the door opened and Amelia bustled inside. Amelia beamed at her. "Ready, Miss Lina? Oh my, you look beautiful."

Amelia was wearing an ivory slip of a dress with tiny cap sleeves and embroidered with silver roses. Her purple hair was held back from her face with silver clips and she also wore a pair of silver heels. Her makeup was light and enough to give her a romantic air.

Thank you Lina squeezed Amelia's hand.

They walked out of Lina's guest quarters into the hallway where Zel and Gourry were waiting for their companions to come and join them. Zel spotted the two gorgeous girls coming towards them. His jaw dropped open. As her female companion tool Gourry's hand, the golden girl came towards him with smiling crimson eyes.

"Lina?" He breathed.