Chapter 2

Traveling with Gourry wasn't so bad. He would talk about just everyday things, things that didn't require knowledge that I didn't have, so I was able to just relax and enjoy the trip. I was getting used to life on the road when we finally reached the next town.

Hey, there's the next town, Lina.

See, it was good to have Gourry around. He confirmed things for me at least. I nodded my head in response and continued to follow alongside him.

Before we even reached the outer city, activity could be heard from within. I didn't think much of it until we walked through the gates. There were people everywhere! People selling, people buying, people stealing...(that's not very nice!) It looked like utter chaos to me, and Gourry was heading into the thick of it!

I stood there, a bit overcome, and unsure of what to do. What if someone recognized me? Especially if I didn't recognize them? I tried to block that thought out of my mind, turning to see where Gourry was.

Eep! I saw him disappear in a crowd of people, and not wanting to be left behind, I swallowed my fears and dashed to catch up. It's a good thing he's tall, I was able to find him easily. I ran to his side, then latched onto his arm.

Hmm? What's the matter? Gourry looked down at me in concern.

W-we're going in here? I tried to sound normal, but the fear I felt managed to get through.

Gourry looked at me in confusion. Yeah. Why, what's wrong?

I stopped gaping at all of the passersby to look back up at Gourry. There's so many people! I whispered.

Gourry smiled at me, making me feel a bit foolish. "Of course. It's a town. Towns have lots of people...unless it's a ghost town...Though..I've never seen a ghost in a ghost town..."

THAT got my attention! I never even thought about all of the unseen people there must be around here!

I shrieked as I put his arm in a death-grip.

I was only kidding, Lina.

It wasn't very funny. I pouted (yes, I admit it!) and loosened my grip on his arm.

I'll make it up to you, okay? Gourry pat my head in that good-natured way of his. Dang it, I can't be mad at him when he does that!

I reply, but continue to hold onto him. The last thing I want is to be separated in this crowd.

We continue on down the street, passing by many small stands and shops. I'm amazed at all of the things there are to be had! Too bad I don't have any money, and it would be unfair to ask Gourry for any. He's already done so much for me. And what have I done? Only cut off the blood supply to his hand. (Better loosen my grip up a bit!)

There it is! Gourry exclaims.

I turn to see what he's found. A restaurant! As I gaze at it, I remember it has been quite a while since we ate anything. I eagerly tag along as he enters...

We must have missed lunch (or were too early), because it's nearly empty inside. I follow Gourry over to a table, finally relinquishing my grip on him so he can sit down. He uses his freed arm to pull out a chair for me. I smile in thanks and take the seat.

A waitress comes by and takes our order, then leaves. She's back within moments with our meal. What service!

So where are we, anyway? There're so many people here! I feel more comfortable speaking freely away from the masses...

Umm...Someri, I think. We don't usually come through this way.

I nod my head at that, trying to commit it to memory. I wonder, why we wouldn't come through here though? Aside from the crowded streets, it's not too bad. But then, that just might be the company that makes it tolerable.

"So, Lina...any progress on your memory?"

I'm jerked out of my thoughts by Gourry's question. My memory? Nothing's come to me yet, but maybe I haven't been trying hard enough. I rack my brain for a moment, and come up with....nothing. Maybe Gourry can provide some insight.

Like what? I ask.

"Oh, I dunno. Maybe fighting those big dark lords, or our friends?"

Dark lords? Friends? I fight royalty and my companions? That can't be right... Who, me?

"Yeah. You're really powerful." Gourry replies, matter-of-fact.

Oh yes! The world shall tremble at the feet of Lina....whatever my last name is! I shake that silly thought from my head, opting to go with a more serious question. After all, he's already joked once, he might be trying to fool me again.

So, what are dark lords?

As I watch, a look of pure horror spreads across Gourry's face.

He's starting to look ill. I continue to look at him, unsure of what to do.

"They...umm..... they're really really bad and strong." He finally stammers. "And they wanna destroy the world."

"Umm..okay. So how did I beat them?"

"You used your magic."

"Oh yeah... So how does that work?" Each question I ask seems to be having a bad effect on him, and yet I need to know! Sorry to do this to you, Gourry, even though I'm not quite sure why just talking would have such an effect on you.

"You use those spirit things."

"Spirit? I use...dead people?" Not the dead people again...

"Not really sure. I just left the magic up to you." Gourry looks like he's ready to pass out. Better call it quits for now.

Oh, okay. I settle back down into my seat, fiddling with a discarded napkin left on the table.

Gourry suddenly has the biggest smile I've ever seen, as if he'd never been ill before. (Such an amazing talent!) "Would...would you like to learn how to do magic again?"

"Yeah! I jump out of my seat in excitement, then sit back down. I had used my magic to terrorize before, so maybe it would be better if I didn't learn to use it again. But still, it was calling to me.

Er...ah...yes, if I could." I resumed fiddling with the napkin.

"Great! So, after we get with done this, I'll go ask around to see how people can learn magic." Gourry looks really pleased with himself.

I smile back. Might as well make him happy, I figure.

Our conversation lapses back into silence as we finish off our food. Most of mine seems to have oddly disappeared...or maybe I was just hungrier than I thought? Either way, I'm ready to go! I jump out of my seat. Can we go now?

Gourry finishes off his portion, then digs more money out of his pocket. (He had to pay for me...again! I'll be indebted to him forever if this keeps up!)

Wow, you're so rich, Mr. Gourry! Where'd you get it all? Maybe he'd let me in on where he gets all that money...

"We got this money doing jobs together."

Oh hey, guess I'm a working girl after all! "What kind of jobs did we do?

"Guarding people, things, taking down people, things, getting back people, things..." Gourry counts them off on his fingers, seeming to get lost in thought. "And you make some extra money beating up bandits."

I'm sounding more and more interesting as he goes on! I like to deal with people, at least. Although I'm not sure what a bandit' is...better ask about that one.

"Bandits?

"Robbers who live in the wild. They steal from people, sometimes hurt them." Gourry leans over and speaks a bit quieter, " And you love to blow them up and take away their stolen money."

Ah, so I beat up on thieves! But wait, I take their stolen loot? "...but isn't that stealing?"

Gourry smacks himself on the forehead. "That's what I've been telling you all along!"

"So...I'm a thief? Why do you stay with me?" Scrap any hope of being a good person...

Gourry leans back in his seat. "To try to keep you out of trouble, or get you out of it."

"I'm not being a bother to you now, am I?" After the way he's been so kind and helpful to me, the last thing I want is to be a burden on him. He's got to have his own life, after all. I slump my shoulders a bit.

"Sometimes you are..."

I look at his face. Dang, he's not kidding. I feel my heart sink in my chest, and that icky feeling of guilt creeping up on me.

I stare at the wood slats in the floor, not wanting to meet his gaze. "I'm sorry I'm such a burden to you."

"Huh? Gourry practically falls out of his chair as he stands up. No no, you're not a burden." He approaches me and puts his hands on my shoulders. "I like being with you. I like being with you a lot."

I feel the tears of guilt sting my eyes as I finally meet his gaze. "You're too good for me."

Gourry stammers over that for a moment, before an interloper appears on the scene. (Waitresses have the worst timing!)

Excuse me sir, miss, but were you done? I hate to rush you, but we have more customers waiting for a table. The waitress bows politely.

I avert my eyes, still shook up.

Oh, we were just finishing. Gourry mumbles as he leads me out of the restaurant and back out into the streets.


The crowds had died down when we went back out, but there were still many people milling about. Gourry took the lead and marched down the street like a man on a mission. I hung back a bit, not feeling quite my usual self. At least my usual self these past few days...

We spend the better part of the afternoon wandering the streets. I had hoped that perhaps Gourry was going to run some errands, but he had passed each and every weapons shop we had encountered.

Finally he stopped a passerby in the street and spent a moment chatting with them. Something about a magic place. Oh yeah! He was trying to find a place to teach me magic!

I kick at a rock laying in the street. He could have better spent his time continuing his journey (he never did tell me where he had been going), or pursuing his own interests.

My thoughts adrift, I almost don't hear him as he continues down the street. At first I'm tempted to let him leave to go live his life, but he turns to see if I'm coming. I guiltily run to catch up, and we resume our search.

Ah, there it is! Gourry finally stops in front of a small shop. I could have sworn we passed by it at least twice already! Gourry smiles at me, then opens the door, beckoning me to step in.

Sure, I'll play along, for now. I shuffle in, and stand near the door, watching as he approaches the front counter.

The man there is quick to greet Gourry, but it gets interesting from there. Gourry doesn't seem to know quite what to say. I feel bad as he struggles to come up with the right words. The shopkeeper answers his questions well enough though, and Gourry finally thanks the man then comes back to me.

C'mon, Lina. He opens the door back out to the street.

Where are we going now? I'm getting tired of circling around this place, personally.

You've got to go to a magic guild to learn magic. At least, that's what that guy said. He said it was a few blocks down this street and to the right... Again Gourry gets lost in thought and wanders down the street.

I tag along, not sure what else I should do at the moment.

We stop in front of a fairly large building (didn't notice that before!), and Gourry turns to me and beams. "This'll be great! I'm sure learning magic will help get your memory back!"

Somehow, I'm not so sure. I give a weak smile back, and follow Gourry inside.

I try to hang back, but Gourry comes from behind (Eep!) and pushes me up to the receptionist.

She smiles.

Hi! I'd like to for her to learn magic, please." Ah Gourry, so blunt and to the point.

Well, you're in luck. The beginner classes just started. There are fees for new students, of course, plus cost of materials, fee for classroom use, and the teachers need to make a decent living as well, you know. Roughly speaking, it's about a 300 gold fee we're talking about. The receptionist smiles warmly at us.

After a moment of silence, I look up at Gourry. He's just staring back in shock! He even looks paler than normal...

The receptionist doesn't miss a beat. So what's her name? She looks at me expectantly.

I stare back at her in fear, my tongue stuck in my throat. What is my name?! Lina...In....I look to Gourry for help, but he's still gaping.

The receptionist finally seems to realize there's a problem.

Th-that much? Gourry coughs. His hold on me loosens, and I take the opportunity to escape his grasp, preferring to stand to the side.

"Oh no, that's just the fee to sign up. Each course has a different fee, depending on the difficulty of the class, and how long it is." How can that lady keep smiling?

Gourry steps up to the desk and whispers to the receptionist. Is there any sort of discounted deal?"

The receptionist glances at me before replying. What kind of discount?

Something I can afford.

I knew it! He's not so rich after all! And here he's been spending money on me for the past week, with no way of getting it back. I can't keep being such a burden. I sneak closer to the front door.

As Gourry and the receptionist barter (Gourry not faring so well), I finally decide I can't do this anymore. It would be better for the both of us if I went away. I'll go somewhere far away, start up a new life...

I look at Gourry. I'll miss his company, but I can see he'd be better off without me in the way.

While the two are busy, I sneak out the front door, and out into the streets...
















Wow, thanks for all of the reviews! This was our entry into the Switchboard Slayers Fanficion Contest, so yes, there are more parts. ^_- It's actually all been written, and I'll try and post a new chapter every week. (Thanks again for your kind words, it means a great deal to me! And Rocky too, of course. Without her there would only be half a story here, and not a very good one at that!)

Next week, Lina finds out what happens when you make bad choices...