Bad news and good news. Here's the good news. I'm posting a new chapter featuring The Ball by request from Sarie and Midnight Yume-chan. ^_^ But the bad news is that there's only going to be one more chapter and then the epilogue. Well that is unless I get twenty more reviews by the end of Chapter Eight… Vote for Lina's Wedding complete with the lemony goodness of Lina's cure. Or a chapter with a nosy Amelia and Syphiel asking a freaked out Lina if she is still 'pure.'

This is my second most popular story. It's only been beaten out by my .hack/sign fic, Bitter. Who knew that a three part story based off of three poems could compete to a Lina/Zel Slayers fic? I sure didn't. ^_^

Samanda

This chapter is dedicated to Chris since he often reminds me of Zel-chan with his old tendency to isolate himself from other people. Glad you don't do that anymore, Chris. ^_^

Sapphire And Sakura Blossoms

Chapter Seven: Moonlight Becomes You

Zelgadis spotted the two gorgeous girls coming towards them. His jaw dropped open. As her female companion took Gourry's hand, the golden girl came towards him with smiling crimson eyes.

"Lina?" He breathed.

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Yes it's me. Lina smiled at him.

Zel thought he would turn into a pile of goo at that smile and he nearly did. Only the locking of his knees prevented it. He got control over himself and offered Lina his arm.

Lina accepted his offer and they were off to the feast/ball thing Prince Phil was hosting for his daughter, Amelia over her return and her recent engagement. Amelia had managed to squeeze in a short appointment to tell him and he was overjoyed.

Thus the more formal clothes than even Amelia had planned on. After the huge debate over whether Zel would wear his cloak (which Lina had won by threats) they headed downstairs with a uncloaked, unhappy Zel.

Lina had been here before but it still filled her with awe. The ballroom was decorated like something out of a fairytale with it's glittering chandeliers made of crystal, the miniature fountains sparkling water and the beautiful artwork decorating the walls.

Rumors had spread that the Bandit Killer was going to be here but everyone breathed a sigh of relief when they assumed she was missing out on the ball. A few astute guests pointed out that she was there but everyone else waved them off.

"That shy, beautiful girl is Lina Inverse? Impossible. I've heard that she's flat as a board and ugly to boot," cackled a middle aged woman to her friend.

Most people left it alone after that. As all of us know there's really no point in arguing when the fools have made up their mind. They were just lucky that Lina didn't hear any of those comments and come after them with her fists.

Lina spent most of the evening stationed near Zel. She tried to convince herself that it was because Zel was uncomfortable without his mask.

Zel spent most of the evening near Lina or kept an eye on her the few times that she wandered away. It was because he was the only person who really understood what she was trying to say. It was all for Lina's benefit.

But we all know both of them were lying to themselves, right?

Dinner came and each succeeding course more spectacular than the last. Finally the desserts were sent out and picked at by the guests who still had room.

Prince Phil stood up. "I'd like to make an announcement."

Everyone stopped eating and looked at Phil. Phil looked proud of his daughter and satisfied with himself. Amelia looked like she wanted to bounce up and down in excitement but was only restraining herself because of the important occasion. Gourry was smiling foolishly and trying to look dignified. Lina just looked bored and Zel was amused.

Prince Phil cleared his throat and started to drone, "Well we all know this is an important occasion-"

Lina gave up listening at this point and started to drift away on her own thoughts.

Zel looks so handsome in that tux, she thought to herself as she eyed him critically. I can't believe he can actually pay attention to all that junk that Prince Phil is spouting off. How can he stand it?

Zel felt a pair of eyes on him and at first he dismissed it as a gaze of a curious courtier. He glanced to the side after a minute to see Lina quickly drop her gaze, her cheeks a bright pink as she gazed at Prince Phil. Zel's face went rosy with the implications of what she could be thinking.

And so the night passed slowly for Lina and Zel as they fought not to look at one another.

It was late, Zel realized as he looked at the wilting guests. There was maybe an hour to go until the ball ended and there was no sign of Lina.

Where was she?

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Lina had slipped away from the crowd and into the gardens around the palace. She had wanted some time to herself and had waited till Zel was occupied before finding her way outside.

It was beautiful here, Lina mused as her eyes ran over the flowers.

It was also relatively quiet in the gardens. The silence was only broken occasionally by giggles, shrieks and moans of passionate couples who had slipped into the gardens to indulge in assignations.

Lina looked up at the full moon that hung high in the sky as a smile quirked her lips.

And that is how Zel found her. A dainty goddess sat on a bench with flowers surrounding her like subjects as moonlight pooled around her slight form. The pale light made her hair turn into a liquid mass of wine colored curls as they were piled atop her head. The smile that curved her lips was dreamy as she looked up into the ebony sky.

She sensed his presence and turned. Her eyes were large and mysterious as they stared at him.

Zel was speechless as a single thought occupied his mind. Moonlight becomes you so well, Lina.

And as for Lina, she had awoken from her reverie and sensed another presence nearby. So she turned to look and the sight made her breathless.

A man stepped out of the shadows and stood motionless as his eyes found her. He was of medium height and build with hair that glinted silver against the darkened background of the sky. His dark eyes were full of passion as they looked upon her. His face was half in shadow. He wore evening dress as if it was simply another layer of skin. He was the dream lover every young girl day dreamed about and wanted for their very own.

Her dream lover stepped towards her and held out his hand. Lina took his hand and let him pull her to her feet.

A fleeting thought went through her mind. I wish it was Zel…

"May I have this dance?" He said softly.

Lina nodded as she looked up into his face and her breath caught in her throat as they began to dance the last dance of the night.

Her dream lover was Zel.

He looked into her eyes and saw all the feelings she couldn't speak about. He saw the love shining in her eyes and was comforted by that realization.

Lina saw the love and passion Zel felt for her. And Lina knew that he would never leave let her fight a battle alone, no matter what it was for.

The words would come another day and both were content to wait.

For now the two were caught up in one another as they danced. Both wanted that dance to never end. The same way they wished with all their hearts that this night would last forever.

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Somewhere far away, a beautiful waitress with violet hair raised her head suddenly and smiled in a way that scattered her customers.