Even in Death

by Kaimei

{ AU-ish, but not really. LG. AZ. } The gang meet up with an old Ryuuzoku who's been hiding in a cave. A cheerleader spies, and just what is with the deformed squirrel!

2. Chapter Two

~ A/N: Hope you all enjoyed chapter one. This is chapter two… again, my friends helped out. Reminder, if you're big AZ fans, you'll have to wait for that in Chapter Three. Two is all about… LG! So, hard core LG fans… this is the first chapter of their love. Enjoy! ~

Chapter Two.

The storm had died down during the night, and now it was just a little wet. Luna opened the door, and walked over to Lina, sitting down on the bed. "Lina? Wake up. You have a little over an hour before school. And, no, you cannot go back to sleep. This time, I won't get you there so early." This was a lie; Luna was fighting her hysteric notions that she would be late. "Breakfast is being fixed too."

Lina cracked an eye opened, placing a hand on her forehead. "Yeah, yeah… I'll be down..." She murmured a little to herself, gradually forcing herself into a seated position with assistance of her elongated limbs. She didn't pay attention to her sibling's words, since she was still quite exhausted. Luna hissed in Lina's ear, gripping her arm.

"And if you are -not- down in thirty five minutes, I'm going to hurt you, baby sister, VERY painfully."

Lina's eyes immediately snapped open, her lips pressed together firmly into a straight line. Lina nodded meekly, eyeing Luna. Luna giggled, and patted her on the head. "Good girl!" Then she padded out of the room, shutting the door behind her. Lina's shoulders slumped, her rubicund gaze locked onto the door. Her eyes reduced themselves temporarily into svelte lines, removing the blankets off her.

"She has a bad case of mood swings... I swear... that time of the month will be the end of her..." Lina placed a diminutive hand over her mouth, attempting to conceal a small yawn and swung her feet off the bed, standing up. She slumped towards her vanity mirror, scratching her head sleepily.

Lina's reflection was the only thing in the mirror, except that Lina seemed to be wearing white pajamas, and she had tears in her eyes. Also; Lina's hair had been pulled over her shoulder, as if she were brushing it. Lina blinked repeatedly, gazing at the reflection before her rather dumbfounded. She rubbed her eyes harshly and blinked at the mirror again, her arms falling to her sides. "Naaaani? What's this NOW?! I must be seeing things..." The reflection seemed to fade away, replaced with a 'picture' with her, in very... different clothing seated besides the same man she saw yesterday, but he had armor, he also looked older. It seemed like he was cooking something in a fire, and she was blushing, her hand on her chin. She asked something, but no sound came from it, and the man had fallen asleep before answering.

Lina quirked a brow, "That's the same idiot from yesterday... and the same one from my dream...!!" She neared her face closer to the mirror, twitching. "And what am I doing there in the first place?!" That one too disappeared, and then was replaced with her surrounded by multiple large men with weapons. They attacked, but were stopped by the same man that was in the last reflection, her dream, and the one from yesterday. Lina's lips formed a tiny frown, her expression revealing her current mood of utter confusion. At the same time, this all seemed rather… familiar, too familiar.

It switched once again, where the girl she had met yesterday screamed; collapsed to the ground, and seemed to curl up, before she 'died'. There was a man with blue skin, whom looked familiar, holding her. The one cheerleader she had seen yesterday stood up, and began chanting something, but she too died. Then, the one that was holding the girl similar to Amelia, got up, and ran at a child, but he fell as well... next, it was someone with a very... large hat, and then a woman with green hair.

 Lina's eyes widened considerably, twitching faintly. She stared at the scenery in front of her rather horrified. "Amelia...? Zel... Sylphiel... Martina and Zangulus..."

Now... the mirror began to flash with random memories, from a man dressed in red, to a tea-loving ryuuzoku, and more. All memories seemed to be in the mirror as it continued to flash rapidly.

Lina slowly stumbled backwards, eventually tripping and falling directly on her rear. Her gaze absolutely refused to leave the heteroclite mirror. "N-nani...?" Finally; the mirror slowed down, and stopped on a memory of Lina, being held by that man, on a halfway destroyed pillar. It stayed like that for a few moments, before it faded away, and the mirror reflected her room, as it normally did.

Lina appeared quite flabbergasted for little awhile, until she finally forced herself upon her feet, gazing down at herself. "I'm... alive...? ... Oh, Ceiphied, I'm actually ALIVE! How--whaa...?" She was still quite baffled, "The other's are alive too... and that stuff that happened yesterday--I'm not going maniacal after all!" Lina grinned widely, bunching her fists under her chin. "Guess who's back! Back again, the beautiful; sorcery genius Lina Inverse is baack! TELL A FRIEND!"

There was a sudden yell from the kitchen. "LINA! YOU'VE GOT FIVE MINUTES!"

Lina's expression of jubilance quickly morphed into one of panic and fear, "CRAP! That's riiight! EEEK!" She quickly scurried over to where she threw her uniform the previous night and dressed herself, preparing her hair and putting on her extra accessories. She grabbed her briefcase and scampered out the door and into the bathroom to complete her usual morning routine, and once that was fulfilled, she hurriedly began running down the stairs. "Coming, coming!"

Luna glared at her from the kitchen. "Hurry up! Your lunch is done. No time for breakfast!"

Lina slumped a little, wrinkling her nose.  It's not my fault I was unexpectedly recalling my… exceedingly HEROIC and inspiring past memories through a mirror, which appeared to be ordinary at first glance!  Lina blinked.  Darn! Even after death, I'm still related to Luna! ... Talk about unfortunate luck...

Luna gave Lina a steady glare, which grew a bit, as if she knew what her sister was thinking. "Kitchen, grab your lunch, and to the car. NOW." She hissed, storming past Lina and smacked her on the head as she went. Lina emitted a startled yelp, using her currently free hand to caress her poor little cranium, "Itai...! I'm on it, I'm on it...!" She hurried into the kitchen completely and grabbed her lunch, stuffing it into her case violently. After that was achieved, she sprinted out of the house and right into the car.

Luna stormed out, locking the door and went over to the car, and opened the door. "Seatbelt on, I'm going to see if I can flip the car this time." She smirked evilly, as she climbed in, and shut the door, putting her own seatbelt on, and started up the car. Lina yawned a little, putting her seatbelt on.

"Go ahead." She shouldn't be frightened; not anymore, she's done wild tricks with a levitation spell before. She grinned a little... it was good to have her memories back.

Luna blinked, and leaned over, placing her wrist against Lina's forehead. "What's wrong? Are you sick? Do you want to stay home?"

Lina sweat dropped, shaking her head. Surprisingly, she didn't want to remain at home. She wanted to see her friends... maybe they recovered their memory as well? She'd just have to find out herself. "Nah."

Luna sighed a little, and backed up the car. "It's not fun doing anything dangerous when you're not terrified." She murmured aloud, and headed to the school, actually going the speed limit this time. Lina smacked her forehead. If she had discovered that by saying that, Luna would cease her dangerous driving, she would've done it years ago. Unfortunately, this never occurred, and Lina felt downright stupid.

Luna smiled from the driver's position. "Remember last year? We did a -big- ass spin, and I still parked correctly." She smirked. "I think you almost wet yourself, though." This caused her to laugh, "Your face was so funny..."

Lina wrinkled her nose a little, looking out the glass window. "Too bad you were the only one amused..."

The car pulled up behind a white limo, and Luna blinked a few times. "Who's that? I haven't seen a limo here." The time showed that Lina had fifteen minutes before school began.

Lina grinned brightly, opening the door quickly. "I think that's Amelia...! I'll see you later, alright sis?" She closed the door after she departed from the vehicle, scanning the area for any signs of her companions... or companions from her previous life.

The driver got out of the limo, and went to the rear passenger's side, opening it and letting Amelia out. He gave her a note from her father, as to tell her why he wasn't at home, and that the house will be filled with people from Seyruun, so that she should find someone to go around with until eight that night. The driver bowed respectfully, and went back to the limo. Once the limo drove away, Luna left as well.

Amelia stepped out of the limo, "Thank you but you know you really don't have to do that!" She was referring to him opening the door for her. She blinked at the letter then nodded and put it in her bookcase. She glanced around, spotted Lina, and ran up to her while somehow managing not to trip. "Lina-san! Good morning!" She smiled cheerfully; she greeted Lina as if she'd only seen her just yesterday... Which she had so it was apparent she didn't know anything about her past life. "Hey Lina-san, do you want to come to the mall with me this afternoon?"

Lina returned the smile with the same jubilance. "Oiii Ameliaa!" Blinking a little, she scratched the back of her head, shifting most of her weight to one of her legs. "Mm... Sure. Why anyway?"

A few kids passed them, and the same one that hit on her, the one that was dragged away by the blonde headed man, came up to Lina. "Hey there, beautiful. Wanna' go out with me tonight?" He's -still- rather desperate, isn't he?

Amelia held her bookcase in front of her, swinging it a little from idleness. "Daddy's having a meeting or something at the house so I need to go somewhere until 8pm." She sweat dropped at the boy, "Shouldn't you at least get to know Lina-san better before you ask her something like that?"

 Lina sweat dropped, smacking her forehead. She closed an eye, gazing at the male. She appeared a bit flustered as well, mainly from embarrassment. "Look, I know I have the most adorable face and all that... but no, I'm not interested."

He pouted, wrapping an arm around her waist, and ignored Amelia completely. "Oh, come on! If you're not interested in me, the most handsome boy around... who -are- you interested? The most ugliest?" He laughed, and a few people who passed recognized Lina. "The Fiery Chaos likes ugly boys? Weird...."

Amelia sweat dropped again, Lina-san seems to be acting a little different from yesterday... I guess she's in a better mood. She resisted the urge to point at the guy and delivered a mini Justice speech, "Its very rude and Unjust to try to force yourself on someone just because of their appearance!"

Lina released a startled yelp and jumped away from him, twitching. "Look, baka! If you can't take rejection like a man then prepare me to dragon sla--... err, kick you to Kingdom Come!" Thankfully, she ceased herself before blurting out the name of the destructive spell.

The boy huffed, and glared at her, "Let's hope you get left out at the Prom." He grumbled, and stomped away.

Amelia shifted her bookcase to her right hand, "I hope all the guys here aren't like that... Anyway I think class is starting soon. We better hurry, I don't want to be late!"

Lina huffed a little, placing a hand on her hip as she observed the male depart. "Moron…" She diverted her attention towards Amelia, nodding. "Yeah, I guess..." And the bell then rang. The girls got to class a minute late, but weren't in trouble, as the teacher was busy on the phone. The morning passed quickly, and the second class before lunch, Chemistry, started.

The teacher was passing out tubes. "Zelgadis, I want you to partner up with Amelia. Remember, everyone, this class is mixed with different grades, so don't worry if you're partnered with a sophomore, senior, or freshman."

Zelgadis nodded quietly, taking a tube from the teacher.  "Yes ma'am..." He glanced to Amelia and frowned slightly... It was the same girl from lunch yesterday.  He hoped she was... calmer today.  Zelgadis didn't have any memories come back to him either...

Amelia glanced around the room; she figured he was the guy the teacher handed to the tube to so she walked over. Once she got closer she blinked, she felt like she had seen him somewhere before... Eh probably somewhere around school, she had another chance to meet new people! She held out her hand to shake, "Hello! I'm Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun!" She beamed with her usual perky expression.

Lina blinked slowly. If Amelia were getting partnered with Zel... who the hell would she be partnered with? She shrugged lazily and plopped an elbow on the desk, placing her cheek in her palm. "Hm."  Oh well, since those two are together… maybe they'd remember SOMETHING? Gah, probably not...

By the time the teacher got up to Lina, she blinked. "Oh, dear... I don't have enough! Lina, go down to room 318, and ask for some more tubes, would you? When you come back, you'll be partnered with him." She waved over to a boy with spiked hair, and a HUGE ass nose. "Ask for..." She counted the heads. "Eight tubes."

Zelgadis edged back slightly from her then slowly shook her hand.  "... Zelgadis Graywords."  Oh well... Introductions weren't that bad. 

Amelia nodded, "Nice to meet you Zelgadis-san!" She blinked to herself why did that sound familiar? She moved over to the table or desk or whatever they were supposed to sit at and looked for supplies, "... What are we supposed to do?"

Lina twitched faintly, nodding. "Right, right. Maybe I'll jump out the window while I'm at it..." She grumbled to herself and scooted off her seat, straightening her skirt uncomfortably. She quickly padded out of the room, positioning her arms behind her head. The teacher nodded at Lina, and went to the front of the class, beginning to tell everyone that had the tubes what to do. The hall Lina walked down was rather empty, though she could see someone, with a door wide open, messing around in what seemed to be a janitor's closet.

Lina simply continuing sauntering down the hallway, gazing briefly at the individual near the janitor's closet.  Eh... right... now, where the hell's that room... However, as Lina passed the janitor's closet, multiple people, mainly cheerleaders, ran down the hall and shoved Lina into the one who was messing in the janitor's closet. The two fell in, and the door shut behind them. Now, the door didn't have a lock on the inside, and it automatically locks from the outside, where the only way to unlock it is. So even if you had keys... you'd be stuck inside until someone opened it from the outside.

Lina released a yelp, twitching madly. "What in the name of Ceiphied was that about....?!" She growled a little, simply ignoring the person she was shoved into. She straightened herself and began banging on the door desperately. "OI! Lemme out! It smells in here!"

Gourry twitched a little, sitting up and rubbing his head. "Ow... what..." He blinked a few times, looking up at Lina. "Oh... it's you…"

No one seemed to hear Lina's banging, as it remained quiet in the hall, besides the running of the cheerleaders, which soon faded.

Lina blinked a few times and turned around. "Who the heck are--..." She froze, gazing towards him. ".... GOURRY!" She did have the sudden urge to either show her jubilance from seeing him with a hug or the usual beating, but she resisted from doing so temporarily.

Gourry blinked again, remaining where he was. He didn't remember when he told her his name, but... then again, he didn't even remember what he came to get in the closet, anyway. "Er… yeah... that's my name."

A few people pass by now that Lina stopped banging, and they go into random classrooms, or outside of the school. Lina frowned, emitting a diminutive sigh. He most likely was like the other two; he didn't remember anything. Then again, Gourry wasn't one to remember much in the first place. And with him not remembering... it did kind of hurt, knowing that her self-proclaimed protector had forgotten her, but she was sure it wasn't his fault directly. "Ne... I never got to introduce myself properly... the name's Lina! Lina Inverse!"  Wonder if beating him would make him remember...

Gourry just sat there, looking at the door. "You seem to already know my name, but I don't remember telling you it..." He shifted slightly. "Guess we're locked in here?"

Lina nodded gradually, eyeing the door behind her. "Yeah..." I know I can open it easily with an unlock spell... demo... maybe I can make him remember some things...! She put up a mirthful grin, winking at him. "Well, I find out things very easily, Gourry Gabriev! Anyway..." The grin of bliss transformed into a stern frown. "Get up."

Gourry slowly stood up, blinking confusedly. "Er.... okay..."

Lina growled a little, her sanguine optics forming a venomous glower, "BAKA!" She promptly slammed her foot down against his, "Baka, baka, baka! BAKA! I can't BELIEVE you let yourself die so easily against that... that FRUITCAKE!"

Gourry yelped, pulling his foot back, and moving against the wall. "W... wait... what are you talking about?! I didn't die!"

Lina simply followed him, grabbing his collar. "You SHOULD know what I'm talking about! You died, I died, Amelia, Zel and Filia died!" She yanked him down a little, "C'mon! I can't be the only one who remembers what happened!"

Gourry simply stared at her, extremely confused. "I don't know who any of those people you just said are, and I don't remember dying! I don't even really know who you are besides from yesterday morning when those guys were around you..."

Lina twitched faintly, snorting. "Logical, logical... c'mon, at least try remembering SOMETHING! You gotta' remember me, at least! Say something that you used to say... anything! At least make a comment on the size of my bust and I'll beat you later for it! Even if I never did need one... I want my protector back!" She began shaking him harshly, somewhat whining as she spoke.

Gourry yelped again. "I have no idea what the hell you're talking about!" He blinked a few times. "Well.... your chest is pretty small... but that's only from looking at it yesterday!"

Lina stared at him after awhile, twitching, and stomping onto his foot once again, slamming her fist down on his cranium. "BAKA! That's a start... demo..." She emitted a heavy sigh and buried her face into her hands. "I don't know what I'm gonna do with you... am I gonna have to fireball you or dragon slave you... or even call you jellyfish brains again..." Her hands dropped to her sides as she gazed up at him once again, frowning. "Hm..."

Gourry yelped, whining as he rubbed his head. "Ow… ow..."

Lina bit down on her lower lip, taking a sharp intake of air. She gradually lifted her hands up, placing them on his cheeks, and standing on her tiptoes a little. Lina pulled his head down closer to her face, and she did the unexpected... she pressed her lips against his.

Gourry's eyes widened a little, blinking a few times as he just stood there, this was really... weird in a way, but it did seem... like he did this before with her? But he didn't meet her until yesterday... bah, Gourry was just really confused by now, but he didn't pull away, either. Lina was only semi-conscious of what she was currently doing, but since he didn't pull away or make any attempt of struggling, she took the liberty to continue, slowly slinking her arms around his neck. Gourry was still pretty confused, but he finally closed his eyes, and placed his hands on her waist, hesitantly returning the kiss.

Lina abruptly pulled away after awhile, blinking repeatedly. Recalling on what just happened, she smacked her palm against her mouth, her cheeks consumed in a bright, rouge tincture. "A-ah... s-sorry..."

Gourry blinked a few times, not noticing the blush, or that his hands were still on her waist. "That... actually kind of reminded me of something, but I dunno what.... er... have we met before yesterday?"

Lina nodded slowly, avoiding his gaze. "Y-yeah... actually... er... but if I told you, you'd probably think I'm crazy... not like you probably don't already think that."

Gourry shrugged, still pretty confused over the recent events that happened. "Well... I dunno what to think, right now."

Lina shrugged a little, removing her hand away from her mouth. "Anyway... sorry about that." She muttered a bit and moved away from him, turning around completely to face the door. She took the opportunity, though, to smack her cheek, while her free hand was on the doorknob. "I'll get us out now."

Gourry lifted a hand, to scratch the side of his head. "Er... how can you get us out?"

Lina closed her eyes, "Just watch... yukute o tozasu tobira yo, waga maryoku o motte imashime o tokihanate… Unlock." And... click. The door cracked open, and as this happened, she opened her eyes, gazing over her shoulder. "Tell anyone about this and you'll risk losing that arm of yours, is that clear?" She said this in a disgustingly sweet voice, batting her eyelashes at him.

Gourry stepped back, nodding quickly. "Yeah...."

Lina opened the door completely and stepped out, emitting a heavy sigh as her shoulders slumped.  That was the most STUPIDEST thing you've EVER done, Lina-chan…

Gourry grabbed a few things, from the room, and hurried out. "Uh... thanks..." Then he quickly walked away.

Lina watched him for a bit, frowning.  I'm such an IDIOT! Waah... why did I do that, why?!  She whimpered softly and stepped towards the wall, banging her head against it repeatedly. "Baka, baka, baka, baka, BAKA!"

Filia blinked as he passed her, and then gazed at Lina, in curiosity, of -why- she was hitting her head overwhelmed her, and she walked over. "Lina?"

Lina yelped slightly and quickly ceased her actions, standing straight. "A-ah… Filia...! ... What'cha want?"

Being quite confused, Filia placed her hands on her hips. "Why were you hitting your head? And -why- aren't you in class?!"

Lina held her head, groaning a little as she motioned her hand towards the janitor's closet. "I was sent to get extra tubes... the closet was open and some cheerleaders ran by and shoved me in..."

Filia looked rather confused, checking Lina's head for any damage. "And then?"

Lina shrugged. "I kept banging on the door incase anyone heard me, tried ramming it down and all that... I guess I got lucky and once I turned the knob, the door opened."

Filia nodded, and gazed over her shoulder. "Then why did that boy come out of there -with you-?"

Lina twitched faintly. "Because when the girls shoved me in, HE was taking out some things for I don't know who, and I got stuck inside with him! What else?"

Filia stared down at Lina, and smiled innocently. "Oh? How long?"

Lina wrinkled her nose, a blush beginning to appear evident on her cheeks, "What's that supposed to mean?!"

Filia loosely wrapped her arm around Lina's shoulders. "Luna would honestly hurt him badly if she found out that you were dating behind her back."

Lina shook her head quickly, huffing. "As if I'd EVER want to date! I'm too young for that anyway, not interested either!"

Filia giggled, and hugged Lina, as the bell rang. "I suppose that means you don't have to get extra tubes."

Lina gazed around. "I suppose... anyway, I'll be heading to my next class..."

Filia nodded, and released Lina, walking away, before turning and winking at Lina. "Oh, and... that Gourry Gabriev -is- pretty cute. Don't you think so too?" She giggled, and turned, padding to her office.

Lina growled and twitched, looking pretty much annoyed.  Everyone's against me... as much as I appreciated recalling my memories; so far this day has sucked...  Shaking her head a little, the discontent sorceress headed to her next dreaded class of doom. The rest of the day passed slowly, and lunch was even stretched out, however... the football players, and cheerleaders were nowhere to be seen, which included Gourry. The rest of school was still pretty slow, when the last bell rang.

Amelia sighed, holding her bookcase over her shoulder. As much as she appreciated the value of a good education she was glad the school day was over with. She suddenly remembered something she had been meaning to ask, "Lina-san where were you the rest of Chemistry? Were you skipping class!? Skipping class may seem like fun but it can only damage your education and your future!"

Lina shook her head, gazing off to the side boredly. She looked a bit irritated, but that was all. "No, I got stuck in a friggen' janitor's closet. So sue me!" She huffed and hurried down the stairs quickly, scanning the area carefully.  Haven't seen that idiot ever since... I think I scared him off...

Zelgadis was holding his bookcase at his side, walking toward his bike while watching the ground.  He glanced to them when Lina said she had been in a janitor's closet.  Looked like someone had gotten back at her for something... he wondered in the back of his mind if she was going to get back at whoever did...

Just then, the cheerleaders passed the three. "I hope that jerk's still stuck in the closet. You know, she deserved being shoved into it! After making my beautiful hair infected with stupid pudding..." Hissed the familiar cheerleader. Before -any- movements could be made, Filia walked over to Lina. "Are you ready?"

Amelia wasn't going to ask anymore about the janitor's closet since it seemed to irritate Lina. That is until she heard what the cheerleader's said and put two and two and two together. Being the righteous ally of Justice that she was (Or at least she thought so) she couldn't just stand by and let them insult her friends. She went into a dramatic spin, pointing at the one who had spoken. "That's cruel and Unjust! Just because she attacked you over something -you- started you play a cruel joke like that? You should be punished!"

Lina ignored the cheerleader's comment, hell, she had more thoughts inside her head that were currently troubling her, and along with confusing questions she's been asking herself. She looked up at Filia, closing an eye. "Oi... damn, Filiaaaa, I already agreed to go to the mall with Amelia--..." Lina stared blankly at Amelia's actions, twitching.  She hasn't changed at ALL... someone shoot me, please…  "... Anyway." She gazed back at Filia, "Can't I go to the mall, just this once?!"

Zelgadis very quickly put some distance between himself and the girls, rather so Amelia... did ALL girls make a scene of themselves like that?!  Were they nuts?!  He sighed heavily and continued past them to his bike.

The cheerleaders ignored Amelia -completely- and piled into a large van, which drove off after the door was shut. Filia tapped her chin, blinking at Amelia. "Uhm... You're Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun, right? I'll only let Lina go with you if you -PROMISE- to make sure you do some educational things! Not goof off and buy junk food and go shopping!" Filia tsked Lina. "I'll have to wait to take you to the old people's place tomorrow, then…"

Amelia fell over anime style, looking up with large watery, wobbly eyes, "They completely ignored me!" She blinked at Filia since she hadn't noticed she was there, "Um.. Okay... I don't really know what educational things you can do at a mall but okay…"

Lina grumbled a bit, "Absolutely lovely, delightful, divine, yadda, yadda! Can we just go already?!" She exclaimed, throwing her hands up into the air, "I wanna get out of this place sometime today, at least!!"

Filia wagged her finger. "There's a bookstore in the Mall. READ. STUDY. NO comics, though." Filia hissed at Lina, and headed to her car.

Amelia pulled herself off the ground, sighing. She began walking on the sidewalk in the direction of the mall. "Someone really needs to teach those cheerleaders a lesson! They're so cruel and Unjust not to mention superficial just because..." She began rambling on to herself.

Lina walked beside Amelia, yawning. "Ahh, don't worry. Watch what I'll do to them next time!" She smirked to herself, folding her arms, her fingers intertwined with the briefcase's handle, "Anyway... let's ditch Ms. Ul Copt's study idea and actually do something worth our time there..." After walking from the school to the mall, which is quite some ways away, they enter the extremely large mall. Lina placed a hand on her hip, smiling childishly. "Whoo! We're here! Now, where to go first... hm..."

Amelia mushroom cloud sighed, that was a long walk! "Well... we could do some window shopping maybe? ... Why did you need to ask Ms. Ul Copt's permission to come to the mall anyway?"

A few people brushed past them, leaving, and entering the mall. However, sitting by the fountain with a couple other people, was the green haired eleven-year-old boy. "Wish I had more money for that pack of comics..." He muttered, as the others agreed, eating their food.

Lina nodded in agreement at Amelia's suggestion. "Yeah... that's a good idea, and oh! Well, her and I made a bargain, I have to clean her house and go wherever she goes for awhile, and skip homework for a week... this way, she won't tell my sister anything. ANYWAY!" Lina began dismissing the current subject to something else, "Let's get goin--..." Lina blinked, gazing towards the young boy. "... Val?"

Amelia looked at Lina warily, the whole idea sounded pretty weird. She blinked innocently at Lina's outburst, "Who's Val?"

The boy blinked, gazing over at her. "Eh? Oh... hey, Lina!" He waved, smiling slightly, "I'll be back, and that's my mom's friend..."

"She's so young..."

"My mom has weird friends. She always had weird friends...." He mumbled, and shook his head, walking over to Lina. "I didn't know the high school was out so soon?"

Lina smiled, ruffling his hair a little. "Yeah, well it is, fortunately for us! What the heck are you doing here anyway? Filia finally let you go out by yourself?" She smirked a little, gazing over to Amelia. "Oh! Amelia, this is Ms. Ul Copt's son, Val. Val, this is Amelia, a friend of mine."

Val stepped back, glaring at Lina. "Don't mess up the hair!" He grumbled, 'fixing' it. "Uhm, well... no... I didn't go home after school was out... I came here with my other friends." He nodded over his head to a small, skinny like boy who had a sharp nose, and a large boy. "Jiras and Gravos..." When he said those names, he shifted his eyes back to Lina, as if waiting for her expression or reaction.

Amelia blinked, "Ms. Ul Copt has a son? I didn't even know she was married..." For the second time that day Val seemed vaguely familiar to her... Eh probably someone she had watched once.

Lina quirked a brow, "Jiras and Gr--... WHAT IN THE..." She shut up immediately, cupping a hand over her mouth. She stared at the other two, practically astonished.  NANI?! They're back too?! Who else....!? Eesh, watch Martina and Zangulus pop out of nowhere... Lina calmed herself down, clearing her throat. "Yeah, anyway... Filia isn't married, hence the 'Ms' in the whole formal-teacher calling crud…"

Amelia sweat dropped at Lina's reaction… Did she know them or something? "Well anyway, should we go now?"

Val paused, looking at Amelia, and nodded to what Lina had said, and then smirked at the redhead. He chuckled slightly, before tugging on Lina's shirt slightly, like a toddler would do. "Lina? We need to talk!" He grabbed her hand, and simply dragged her, looking over his shoulder. "Amelia... right? I'll bring Lina back... maybe not all sane, but I'll bring her back! Go keep Gravos and Jiras company for me? Thanks!"

Lina blinked, cocking her head to the side. "Ehh? What's the big idea, Val?" She found this a little suspicious... what did this eleven year old need to speak to her about in the first place?

Amelia sweat dropped, she glanced at the other two boys... Keep them company? She just shrugged then put on her usual perky expression, "Hi! I'm Amelia!"

Val dragged Lina to some random dark corner, where no one was passing, and let her hand go. For a moment, he stared at the ground, before folding his arms across his chest, and giving her a rather mean glare.

Lina wrinkled her nose, returning the glare. "Don't look at me that way, squirt! Now c'mon, talk!" She leaned against the wall, folding her own arms.

He whined a little, stomping a foot. "Don't call me squirt!" He continued to glare at her, until he finally smiled slightly. "Guess I'm not the only one that has their memories now?"

Lina's eyes basically seemed like saucers. This immediately caught her attention, and she stared at the younger child in sheer astonishment. "N-nani...? Y-you... you too?!" Lina instantly dropped her briefcase, "You remember everything before all this advance technology started appearing?! WHOO! Thank you Ceiphied! For a moment there I thought I was the only one..."

Val nodded, and placed his hands behind his head. "About time you finally got your memories back too... remember how I always asked you questions? I got all my memories when I was five, I think... and you're fourteen...." He laughed, rubbing his head. "Well... about damned time."

Lina smiled faintly. "Lucky dork..." She chuckled a bit, gazing off to the side, "Xelloss paid me a visit last night." By the time she said that, her smile was completely wiped off her face.

Val stared for a little bit, before slumping. "I was hoping someone had killed him while we were all dead... Especially after what he did to mom, Gravos and Jiras... -and- me."

 Lina snorted lightly, narrowing her eyes a little, "Damned fruitcake... it doesn't surprise me he's still alive, really..." She shook her head, gazing back towards him. "But hell, this time… I'm not letting any of us die again..."

Val shrugged. "You've got your magic, I hope..." He sighed, and slumped. "It's... so weird being a human.... I don't know how you and others could stand it."

Lina grinned, winking at him. "I got my magic alright, and it's been AGES since I've last casted a Dragon Slave..." She snickered and picked up her case, draping an arm around his shoulders. "You'll get used to it, being ningen ain't that bad... I have no problem with it because I have my magic right with me! HECK! I bet no one even KNOWS who Lina Inverse is anymore...!" She huffed a bit, "I need to regain my reputation..."

Val yelped, and grabbed Lina's shirt, attempting to shake her. "NO! Mom told me ALL about what you did when I was a hatchling! Anything but blow up places! Do you see how stupid people are now?! They'd go in a panic if you start sending off fireballs, Dragon Slave's... whatever!"

Lina chuckled nervously, sweat dropping lightly, "Yeah, yeah...! I miss how it was back in the old times! Traveling and roughing it out in the wilderness... but noooo, people had to be geniuses and create all this new type of technology that makes me wanna destroy it all at the same time... even though I do enjoy most of it..."

Val sighed, and slumped against her. "You're impossible...."

Lina patted his head, grinning. "This new era needs a nice little mix from the old one, y'know? Currently, we're probably the only two ningen that hold knowledge of what really happened in the past! Most people think that elves, dragons... Everything else, including magic is from fables!"

Val nodded, and looked up at her. "Say... aren't you supposed to be with mom?"

Lina shrugged. "She let me off today to come here with Amelia."

Val at this moment... looked exceedingly horrified, he even began to pale. "T-that m-m-means...."

Lina gave him a lazy look. "She's at home? Yup."

His voice then seemed to transform into a squeak. "I'm going to be -GROUNDED-!"

Lina patted his shoulder, "Let's tell her that Amelia and I picked you up from school, and that we took you with us... think that'd get you out of SOME severe punishment?"

He thought about it, and nodded. "It should... does that mean I can stay with you?!" And it also means I might be able to con her into getting me those comics.... He thought to himself, grinning.

Lina winked at him, "Yup! But I ain't getting you anything. Go to a payphone and call your mom before she sends out a search party."

Val slumped. "Can you read minds?"

Lina stuck her tongue out at him, "Nah. You're just really obvious."

He kicked the ground, "Then can I have some change?" Lina snorted, "Ask your two buddies or Amelia. She can't turn down a 'little boy in need of assistance'."

Tapping his chin, Val looked back up at her. "You mean she's still justice crazed?"

Lina nodded. "Yeah, in the past she matured greatly because she was hanging around other people who weren't exactly those of justice... y'know? And without us around to whip her in shape, she's basically as justice crazed as the day I met her." Val blinked. "... And that's gotta' be scary."

He sighed, and began walking back towards them. "I'll put on my best act, then."

Lina walked next to him, whispering. "It doesn't take much... trust me."

 Knowing this, Val walked up to Amelia, and poked her lightly. "Uhm... excuse me?"

Lina watched them while crossing her arms over her chest, amused.

Amelia was currently kneeling near the fountain while pointing dramatically upward. "And -that- is how you do a proper Justice speech!" She said to Jiras and Gravos. That was when Val poked her; she got out of her pose and blinked at him, "Yes?"

The other two simply stared, one half eaten hamburger in Gravos' mouth, while Jiras was staring in midsip.

Val put on a VERY cute face, looking up at her. "I... was wondering... if you had any change left... could I use some to call my mom? You see... I used up all of my money to buy them some food..." He looked down, disappointedly.

Amelia couldn't refuse a child in need! "Of course!" She said as she patted him on the head then fished her purse out of her bookcase, digging around in it for change.

Lina sweat dropped, "That might actually work..." Shrugging a little, Lina decided to gaze around for anything interesting.

Val simply waited, gazing over at Gravos, who was glaring at him. Val sweat dropped, and looked rather 'innocent', as Gravos was the one that really bought them food. Val also still had twenty-five dollars left, if he had five more, he would be able to buy the comic set.

Amelia finally pulled out the required amount of change and handed it to him. "There you go!" She said cheerfully.

Lina yawned a little, leaning against a random wall, her gaze locked on her feet. "Hm..."

He took it, and smiled up at her. "Thank you, miss! You saved me!" And he ran over to Lina. "If it was my mom, I'd be on my hands and knees begging her, while sobbing. Be glad she isn't that strict to you..." He muttered, and ran over to the closest payphone.

Lina snickered a little, his comment made her grin a bit. "Yeah, yeah..." She scratched the side of her head, and then laced her sylphlike fingers into her tresses boredly.

Val put in the change, called his mother, begged... and promised something. He then hung the phone up, and walked over to Lina. ".... Now that I just saved you, you HAVE to do what I want! Or at least buy me something...."

Lina blinked. "'Saved' me?"

He nodded. "You're supposed to go to the library and read like your life depended on it... well, mom said that if you didn't, she was going to tell Luna about what you did with..." He grinned up at her, a fang appearing in his smirk. "-Gourry-, in the Janitor's closet earlier today in school, and that you got in a fight on the first day of school."

Lina growled a little, "I didn't do ANYTHING with that idiot in the first place! I don't see why I would WANT to in the first place! WHY can't anyone get it through their head?!" She threw her arms into the air, emitting a frustrated cry. "Grrr... she has no proof, anyway!" Though, the faint blush on her cheeks explained otherwise.

He seen this, and followed after her. "Does that mean you'll give me five dollars?"

Lina huffed angrily. "Like hell!"

Val pouted slightly. "I won't tell mom!"

Lina snorted, "OI! Be lucky you aren't GROUNDED!"

He jumped in front of her. "It's for this comic set! About this sorceress that was greedy and had a really bad temper! And then she met this idiot and they traveled around, met some rock, big fight stuff happened...!"

Lina shoved her hand into his face, "That's nice. See this hand? I can generate a NICE sphere of fire commonly known as a fireball... I know how to use it."

"But... Liiiiiiinaaaaaaaaa...." He whined, "I just want this set! I need five more dollars!" 

Lina hesitated, "Anything in it for me?"

"I won't tell mom that you ditched that study thing, and not having Luna mad at you... I guess I can get you something, too... mom has a credit card..." He mumbled, taking out a blue card from his pocket. "I memorized the number, and the people here know I use my mom's thing... just don't buy something that costs in the thousands!"

Lina released an exasperated sigh, folding her arms. "WHY can't you use her credit card to pay for the comic set, huh?"

Val looked at the ground, and sniffled. "Because mom would absolutely kill me if she found out I used it to buy comics... if I buy something for you, I'd say it was because you did a LOT of studying and deserved a reward."

Lina grumbled a bit and searched her briefcase for a rapid moment, whipping out the required amount of money. "Fine, fine. Just take Amelia and I to see a movie."

He snatched it, and basically glomped Lina. "Thanks!! I will! Any movie you want!" He then dragged her over to Amelia. "Let's go, let's go! Sorry, Gravos, Jiras, but there's some things I gotta do with these two, you know... they need a man with them."

The two boys laughed, and nodded. "We'll see you later..." They were more than happy to get away from Amelia simply because she scared them.

Lina smirked teasingly, prodding him, "You call yourself a MAN?! Hah! Your voice still sounds like a little girl..."

Val glared at her, snorting. "Whatever! My voice is VERY manly!" ... In all truth, and real life... his voice did sound like a little girl.

Amelia sweat dropped, "Where are we going?"

Lina snickered a little, diverting her attention towards Amelia. "Movie."

Val hooked his arms around theirs, even if it was a little awkward, and led them to the movie area. He hummed as he went, smirking.

Amelia sweat dropped... This kid... was very weird and that was coming from her. Well she decided to humor him. "What movie are we going to?"

 Lina just yawned, gazing around lazily.  Things changed... a lot…

He shrugged, keeping his hands hooked around theirs. "Not sure... anything with violence, action, guns, blood, chicks, erhm, girls, and everything else mom doesn't let me see!" Then, he added quietly to Amelia. "Meaning whatever movie Lina wants to see..."

Lina nodded in agreement. "Yeah, let's see what movies they're giving first... I wanna see something scary." 

Amelia sweat dropped. She wasn't too fond of those kinds of movies, she'd much rather see a nice romance movie with a little bit of action and adventure. But she was out voted and it was only fair... "Okay."

Val stopped as they entered the movie theater part of the mall. "Well... pick."

 Lina wiggled her arm away from Val's and walked over to the movie posters, examining them closely. "Let's see... all romance movies are definitely out, along with the kiddy ones…"

Val let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you..."

Amelia unhooked her arm as well. She pouted slightly at the comment about romance movies...

 Lina grinned, stopping at a certain zombie-infested poster. "I say... we see Resident Evil!" The sorceress declared loudly towards her two companions, trotting over to them. "You get the tickets and Amelia and I will get the seats. You're also in charge of getting us the treats! I want four super large popcorn, a strawberry slurpee, two bags of skittles and m&ms... and... four bags of twizzlers!"

Amelia wrinkled her nose at the choice of the movie and groaned slightly, but she knew there was nothing she could do about. "Fine." She pouted and slumped a little.

Val stared at her, but nodded. "I'll... just get a lot of everything for you both." He went up to the booth and handed her the card. "Three tickets to Resident Evil."

The woman raised an eyebrow at him as he put his elbow on the booth and looked around as if he were 'cool'. She chuckled. "Val, who are you going to see this movie with?" Val pointed over to Lina and Amelia. "My two girlfriends."

"Oh? Girlfriends? At such a young age?"

He nodded. "Yeah! Aren't they cute?"

Lina stared for a moment, "GIRLFRIENDS?! YOU DOLT! You're four years younger than me! C'MERE YOU....!" She yelled out furiously, beginning to stomp towards the younger individual.

Val yelped, and grabbed the three tickets. "She's PMSing!" He grabbed Amelia, and ran. "Hurry, before she starts being evil..." He let Amelia go, giving the man the three tickets. He ripped the tops off, and gave them to Val, who shoved them in his pocket, grabbed Amelia, dragged her again, and ran to the snack area. "Hurry up and go get seats, I hope she'll be too hungry to get me...."

Lina sprinted after him, "VAL! Get over here you little wussy!" She shoved herself through the throng of people rudely. "Excuse me, coming through! MOVE IT!"

Val, by this time, shoved the card into the person's hand. "Give me four of everything you have!" "... Four, sir?"

"YES! FOUR! Hurry before you end up the cause for me DYING!" The man blinked, and quickly did whatever he had to, as Val ran back and forth. Amelia got a huge sweat drop on the back of her head. She idly wondered how a little boy could drag her like that... She decided she might have to stay, incase things got out of hand and Lina was unjust to him…

Lina, once she reached the eleven year old, and simply began chasing him around. "C'mere, you! Lina-chan has a certain fireball to throw at you with your name on it!"

Val cried, as he ran around in circles. "I was KIDDING, Lina! It was a joke! Merle didn't believe it! Of course she didn't! DON'T KILL ME! I'M TOO YOUUUUNG! I was too young to die before, too, but I still did... ANYWAY!"

Amelia blinked she was very confused about what they were talking about, "...Fireball? Dying before?"

Lina cracked her knuckles, stopping her frantic running, "I guess we'll repeat a little history, won't we--..." Lina stopped at her words, twitching.  We just revealed more than we should have... 

Val didn't have time to stop running, and slammed into Lina. "ITAI!"

The people around them stared, and shook their heads. "Nutcases..." The people behind the bar thought they were insane, as well, and simply continued filling what Val ordered.

Lina caught him once he made impact with her, placing him in a headlock. "I should twist that nice little head off your shoulders, y'know..." She cackled a little, smirking. "But of course, I can't do that to you... be lucky I actually LIKE you enough to spare you from a fireball...!"

He slumped in her grip, not even bothering to struggle. "Thank whomever's up there..." He mumbled, as the guys from behind the bar finished. "... Do you need help taking this to the theater room?"

Amelia just stood there with a rather odd expression on her face. There seems to be some added sound affect as she blinks, glancing between the two of them.

Lina couldn't help but emit a small laugh, releasing Val. She patted his back harshly; a bit too violently for someone his age. "Nah, he's a 'man'. He can handle it, RIGHT Val?"

Val squeaked, and fell on his face. Getting up, he whined. "I can't carry THAT much! Not even a GROWN man could!"

The people behind the bar nervously laughed. "We'll help take it, then... just lead the way...."

Lina smirked. She couldn't help but be utterly amused; this kid could make anyone laugh, really. She shrugged and positioned her arms behind her head, sauntering into the theater room. "La ti da."

Val took a tray, and followed, grumbling about how women are so picky and evil. Once in the theater, hardly any seats where taken, as the movie had been in theaters for a while now, Lina could have her own seat for all her snacks. "Place the snacks between Amelia and Lina. I'm not really hungry..."

Lina plopped herself down into one of the seats comfortably, grinning. "Yaaaay, morbid movie time!" It turned out that Lina sat beside someone, and beside her were the multiple trays.

 Amelia sat down beside them, sweat dropping, and still pretty confused. While Val sat beside her, smiling. "I think we might need a walkie talkie to actually speak with Lina, though..."

Lina didn't acknowledge the individual she was seated beside, she was more interested in the upcoming movie and the stack of treats beside her. Humming to her, Lina grabbed a bucket of popcorn and sat it upon her lap and began to devour the diminutive multiple treats ravenously. The previews began, and any people behind Lina and the others left, rather quickly. A woman with that many snacks coming in... They honestly didn't want to stay and see what would happen.

Lina was halfway completed with finishing off the first bucket of popcorn, but she decided to cease for a moment. She didn't want eat them all before the movie began, so she set the bucket down, taking a quick sip of her slurpee. "Lalala... damned previews... hurry up already..."

The movie slowly began with a deep voice speaking about an Organization called Umbrella, along with someone taking out tubes of green and blue vials. The man put the vials into a bag, and threw a blue one before he left.

By this time, five people got up, men and girls, and departed, one spoke to the man beside Lina. "Hey, Gourry, you stay here and watch this for us, okay? We're going to go do some other things." The man beside Lina nodded, and the movie continued. Gourry yawned a little, putting his hands behind his head, and just watched.

Lina immediately went rigid once the name 'Gourry' entered her ears. Gulping, Lina slowly turned her head to gaze at the man next to her, blinking repeatedly. "Gourry?!" This exclamation came out rather loud, and when she uttered it she quickly slapped a hand over her mouth.

People told Lina to shush, glaring at her as they turned back to watch the movie. Val, curious as to what was going on, sneaked on the ground and crawled by Amelia's legs, watching.

Gourry emitted a very quiet yelp, shifting so he could stare at Lina. "G... gah...."

Lina smacked her forehead and slumped into her seat, whimpering a little. She honestly never expected THIS to happen. "Nooo...." The movie progressed, as Val inched closer, still watching, curiously. If something did happen, and Lina found him, he'd be in -big- trouble. But he didn't seem to mind; he was also taking in notes what to do at theaters if he found a girl he liked.

Gourry twitched a little, muttering to himself, and watched the seat beside him, instead of the movie.

Lina grumbled slightly and picked up her bucket of popcorn, beginning to finish it off furiously. Hell, it was either be furious or actually let what happened recently and other thoughts get to her, and Lina absolutely refused to become morose.

Val huffed, and crawled out of the isle they were in, down the one in back of them, and sat behind Gourry, where he could easily duck incase Lina seen. "Hurry up and do something...! Put your hand near her!" Gourry blinked a few times, looking over his shoulder. "Wha? I don't wanna get hit!"

Lina didn't seem to acknowledge their little conversation. She was busy in her own little world. Once she finished devouring what was in the bucket, Lina began to violently tear the voluminous bucket into shreds; diminutive little shreds.

Val shook his head. "She -likes- you! She won't hit you hard, only if someone sees you; so far, no one's looking... So... just move your hand, and put it near her leg!" He giggled slightly, covering his mouth. "And once that's done, we wait to see her reaction..." Below him, he pulled out a notepad and pen from his pocket, ready to write. Gourry glared at Val, and moved over a few seats, and muttered slightly.

Lina folded her arms over her chest and crossing her legs.  I hate this... I want everything to go back how it used to beee...  She emitted a deep sigh and slumped into her seat, diverting her attention to the seat in front of her. "Hm."

Val put his head by Lina's, whispering. "You should go over and talk to him! He really likes you! I think you two would make a really good couple too… Whatever happened in the closet must have really got his attention about you." Gourry remained where he was, muttering, still.

Lina snarled and jolted off her seat, twisting around. "You little squirt...! VAL! Next time, MIND your own damned business! Nothing happened in that closet!" Oh yeah, she had the strongest urge to let loose a Dragon Slave... but she attempted to contain herself, which began to prove difficult.

Val gave her an innocent look. "I really think he's remembering things... when I was in kindergarten, this kid got amnesia, and mom was trying to help him, he started to mumble and twitch like he's doing! It's signs of remembering to some people! Just go over and talk?" He asked in a very innocent voice. "I don't like it when my friend who's like a big sister to me, you, is mad over something stupid like this...! I'll even take you some place so you can calm yourself down later?"

Lina placed a hand on her hip, glowering venomously at the child. "Calm? CALM? Oh yeah, I'm calm all right! You should see me when I'm excited! Knowing his memory span, he won't remember jack squat! Now layoff before I pull off a Dragon Slave! And I don't care if the people here start to panic just because there's gonna be a big ass crater in the place of the theater!"

Val sighed, there seemed to be -no way- hooking these two up... He knew Lina and Gourry had feelings for each other in the past, his mother had told him all kinds of stories about them when he had hatched, and he remembered. It's kind of hard to not remember your only years of life as a reborn dragon. "But, uhm...." If only his mother -WAS- here and she remembered everything, this would probably be easier.

Lina muttered and sat back down, "End of discussion."

However, the emerald haired boy didn't want to give up so easily, and began with the 'what if' questions. "Well... if you think like that about him, what if Xelloss comes and kills them all and you didn't even try to help his memory more, can't you even talk to him?"

 Lina twitched, "Val, will you just shut UP?! If Xelloss attempts to make another stunt like he did all those years ago I swear to Ceiphied...! Gah... screw it! Didn't you hear what I said? End of discussion means END OF DISCUSSION!" She sunk into her seat a bit lower than her previous attempt, muttering. This really wasn't her day... neither was yesterday.

Val crawled over and sat in Gourry's previous seat. He gave Lina a tight hug, and lit up his watch so he could see the time. "I should be going soon, to go pick up the comics, and then get home. Mom wants me home in time to help make dinner.... I don't even -like- cooking..."

Lina wrinkled her nose, straightening herself and calming down. "Then go, I guess..."

Val nodded. "Don't blow up the place, though, okay? Think about how much trouble you'd be in with Luna..." Val then slipped some pictures out of his shirt pocket. "Luna's been working out after work... so, be careful." He smirked at how he came across of getting them, and moved into the isle, he looked over at Gourry, and then walked out, heading up and through the doors, departing the theater completely once he got far enough.

Lina yawned a little and shifted in her seat, rubbing her eye with the back of her hand. "Nyaaah..." By now, most of the Umbrella group had died in that one room, and the others are in the room with the Red Queen.

Gourry wasn't really paying attention to the movie, so he simply stared off to the side, boredly. Lina didn't seem to be interested in the movie either, mainly because she felt a bit uncomfortable around him. She fidgeted continuously, wrinkling her nose. Things were pretty quiet now, besides the movie, until the doors opened, and a few more people came in, and sat behind Lina, her wall of snacks, and the sleeping Amelia. Gourry didn't notice, sighing, and letting his shoulders slump a little. Lina finished off the rest of her snacks, frowning.  This is just... really awkward...

After a few moments, the person behind her leaned forward, and poked her head lightly. "Hey! I know you!" Came the voice of the annoying, desperate boy. "What are -you- doing here?"

Gourry blinked a few times, slowly looking over to see if it was whom he thought it was...

Lina blinked also, gazing her shoulder. "Nani? ... Gah!" She turned her head back around and smacked her face, slumping. "Oh no. Why? WHY?"

Smirking, the boy leaned over more. "Are you here alone? If you are... I can keep you some company." He chuckled, moving a hand to her shoulder. "I'm very friendly."

Gourry twitched a little, and turned his gaze to the ground. Lina rolled her eyes, "You can go away now." He shook his head. "Not this time. Your friend called you Lina-san, so I'm guessing your name's Lina? It's absolutely gorgeous, it fits your appearance perfectly!" He grinned, ignoring the complaints from his friends.

Gourry grumbled a little, gazing at them from the corner of his eye, twitching slightly. Lina made a disgusted face, grumbling. "It looks like you'd rather have me make you leave in a painful manner, ne?"

He rolled his eyes, smiling happily. "Oh, come on...! I'll even buy you some nice stuff after the movie! I just got fifty bucks from my relative!"

Gourry shifted, and stood, stretching. Lina sighed boredly. "No. Go to hell."

He whimpered, attempting to make his face cute. "Please!"

Gourry moved over to where Lina was, and took her hand, pulling her up. "This movie's really boring...Let's go find something else to do?" He shifted his gaze from her, to his brother. "Sorry... but she's with me, you can find someone else, right?" Then Gourry just took her out of the theater.

Lina was simply struck dumbfounded, blinking repeatedly. She made no protest in being taken out of the theater; his younger brother was a pain in the ass. Though, this did surprise her. A few people walked past, but not quite a lot, as most were checking out the new stores on the third floor.

Gourry hesitantly released her hand, stepping away from her, and looking to the side. "Er... sorry about all that happened in there, and stuff… yeah."

 Lina scratched the back of her head, "Thanks... I, uh... guess."  Yup... awkward...

Suddenly; a girl that seemed to be fifteen skipped over to them, in her hand was a basket full of flowers, flower crowns, necklaces... etc, etc, and she put a flower necklace and crown on Gourry, giving a few roses, and a necklace to Lina. "Happy days! Make the world better by sharing a flower!" And she skipped off, giving people flowers.

Gourry blinked a few times, scratching his head in a confused manner.

Lina sweat dropped. "What the hell? That was the cheesiest motto I've ever heard..." She dumped the flowers she received onto Gourry boredly, "Here. You can have them."

And people stared after the girl. "... Right..."

Gourry blinked more, slumping a little, and began looking around for somewhere to put the flowers.

Lina smirked, "They add a feminine touch to you."

Gourry twitched, and grumbled, quickly giving them to some random person, including the flowers on his head and stuff. "... Which is why I don't need them."

Lina folded her arms, "Not like you haven't been forced to look feminine before..."

Gourry blinked at her. "Wha? I haven't... at least I don't remember being forced to look feminine before..."

Lina shrugged a little. "I would say something to see if you remember anything... but you'd probably think I'm even more insane, ne?"

Gourry blinked a few times, shaking his head. "Actually... ever since that closet thing, I've been feeling as if I've known you before, I just dunno where… maybe if you tell me, I'll remember?"

Lina stared at him for a moment. "How much do ya wanna know, then?"

 Gourry scratched his head, "I guess as much as you know that includes me?"

Lina grinned brightly. This could actually be leading somewhere... "Fine. Both of us basically lived in an era before this one. You were an ex-mercenary who was once the beholder of the legendary Hikari no Ken, but you gave it away to an overworlder since it belonged to the world the dark lord Darkstar ruled over. I've put you in drag twice. You were an extraordinary swordsman, but dumb as a rock, basically."

And the 'Flower Girl' returned, glomping Gourry and then ran away quickly. "Be HAPPY!"

Gourry just stared at her, blinking repeatedly. "I caught the ex-mercenary, Hikari no Ken, extraordinary swordsman.... but not the rest....  er..."

Lina smacked her forehead, "Gah... doesn't any of that sound familiar? You met me thinking I was a damsel in distress in a forest while facing a gang of bandits... you thought I was a little kid, and claimed yourself to be my protector; even though I never, and still, don't need one. We were traveling together for around four years until one of our… sort of… ally turned against us, and basically killed all of us."

Gourry sighed a little, staring at the ground, thinking. "Well.... the damsel in distress, and being your protector sounds...familiar too, but... I'm alive now, so how could I have died?"

Lina placed her hands on her hips, frowning. "That... I'm not completely sure. But I remember reading a book on reincarnation and incarnation when I was in the Madoushi Kyoukai... could be that. It's still vague to me. Anyway!" She grinned slyly, linking an arm around his. "How about this... YOU treat me to some dinner and I'll continue to explain!"

Gourry blinked a few times, and then sighed, slumping a little. "I think I'm gonna regret doing it... but... er... alright?"

Lina tugged on his arm, "Yay! Good... now let's go!" And the sorceress simply dragged him to a random food area. Gourry whined a little as he was dragged.

The restaurant was slightly small, but it was the only place that seemed to have the smallest amount of people. The two could talk about the past, and not have anyone know about it and think they're insane. Lina released his arm and plopped herself comfortably on a seat, placing her hands on the table. "Anyway, this seems like a good spot..."

Gourry sat down, as well, blinking. "What are we gonna talk about again?"

 Lina smacked her forehead. "Yeah... you still have jellyfish for brains..." She released an exasperated sigh, creating imaginary symbols on the table with the tip of her index finger. "Anyway, to refresh your memory. You were an ex-mercenary, used to be the beholder of the Hikari no ken, but soon found another sword called the Blast Sword that worked just as well. You've helped me and everyone else that traveled with us in the bad situations we always seemed to end up in."

Gourry rubbed his chin a little, looking to the side and thinking. "Well... actually... for a while now I've been having this dream, with someone that looked like you." He stopped, shrugging. "But it's just a dream, and in it, we were always together, and a couple of times, there'd be a few other people, but not all the time. Does that mean anything, or is it just a dream?"

Lina smiled childishly, "Nope! That stuff really happened!" She placed her chin on her palm, "You always had a real big appetite, and we used to fight over food; a lot... you occasionally attempted to steal some of mine, too." She wrinkled her nose at the memory, but the smile still remained. "Yuuup... those were the good ole' times... anyway, the few other people were probably Amelia, Zelgadis… Sylphiel on some occasions... Filia, and... maybe Xelloss..."

Gourry blinked at her, tilting his head to the side, curiously. "Well... there's a few other things I remember, I think so, anyway." He shrugged again.

However, a woman walked over to a few people, and took their order, when she caught the two teens in their booth. "Lina...?" She mumbled to herself, raising an eyebrow at the man with her, and then she narrowed her eyes. The woman with short amethyst colored hair walked over to a waitress who was heading over to them. "I'll take them, can you do those two?" She nodded over her shoulder to the couple she was recently at. "Uhm, sure...."

Lina didn't notice her sister's presence. She yawned a little, "Well, that's good. Maybe I could tell you one of the real bad guys we faces before... maybe that'd refresh your memory some more."

Gourry blinked more, "Wha? Bad guys?" He didn't seem to recall any bad guys. "You mean we fought people or something? Like in those movies?"

Luna Inverse approached her sister and her companion, glowering down at her. "Excuse me. May I take your orders?" Lina nodded, "Yeah, basi--..." She diverted her attention towards the waitress, and immediately regretted it. "Yeah, I'll--LUNA?!" She practically yelled out, clinging to her chair.  CRAP... 

Gourry looked from Lina, to the waitress, and then back again. He just sat there, blinking and watching, tapping the table with his finger boredly. Luna gave Gourry a rather mean glower, grabbing Lina's arm. "I'll return your... girlfriend in a moment. We've got to speak." Luna then dragged Lina away, and into the women's bathroom. "WHO is THAT?" She hissed, glaring at her younger sibling.

Lina flinched and instinctively inched back towards the wall, gulping. "H-he's just a friend from school... I swear!"

She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "And you two are out at a restaurant?! I don't know -any male- friend that would take their -girl- friend to a restaurant! Are you dating without my permission?! You could have -brought him home and showed him to me- first! And then I'd give him a check, and then make sure he wouldn't hurt you, and THEN say yes or no!" Luna then got rather large eyes, as she sniffled. "You're so hard to deal with after mom and dad died... you never listen to me, or even behave! Where have I gone wrong in raising you?!" She wailed, leaning against the sink, dramatically. "I thought I did a good job...!"

Lina released a mushroom sigh, her shoulders slumping. "Luna... we're not even dating...! I'm not interested in that kind of stuff and you know it! And, I HAVE to listen to you or you'd give me on of your 'lovely' punishments..." Why me...

Luna wasn't listening. "Have you planned to elope?! That's it, isn't it! You're going to leave me with some jerk that'll hurt you in the future! I'm going to lose my baby sister now! Oh, someone! Give me pity!" She wailed, falling to her knees. "I just... wanted my baby sister to be a good girl...!!"

Lina's eyes reduced themselves to diminutive ruby dots. ".... Right. Luna… can I go now?"

Luna jolted up, and clung to Lina. "NO! I want you to go out the back way and leave that man now! I'll call the cops! I think he's got a gun! He'll hurt you!" She sobbed, petting Lina's head. Oh yes.... Luna really had bad mood swings.

Lina shook her head, "Luna... he's as dumb as a rock. He wouldn't hurt anyone on purpose, unless he had a reason to. Now, I really need to goooo! C'mon! You'll be a LOT better when your time of the month's done!"

She ceased wailing completely, and raised an eyebrow at Lina. "... You like dumb men?"

Lina stared at her for a moment, "Who said I was interested in him in THAT way?!" They're all on to me…

"Well... you were gazing at him pretty intimately from where I was standing." She murmured. "I thought you'd go for the smartest, most handsome boy at the school... Along with the strongest!"

Lina smacked her forehead, "Right. You're delusional. Too many romance movies you've been watching, that you have. And if you're gonna be our waitress, you BETTER not put anything in his food or drink! Okay, I'm done with this discussion... can I go?"

Luna suddenly got a devious smirk, nodding. "Of course, dear... You go be a good girl... do you know what you two want?"

Lina shrugged, "I'll have spaghetti with meatballs... and a root beer. I have no idea what he wants..." Luna winked. "We'll pull a Lady and the Tramp thing, then. A huge ass platter of spaghetti with two root beers." She nodded, and quickly left the bathroom.

Lina yelped and followed after her, waving her arms around frantically. "W-wait, no! LUNA! DON'T DO THAT!"

Luna popped up behind Lina, and shoved her back to Gourry. "SIT! Your food will be done soon!" And she ran into the kitchen.

Lina whined softly, plopping her elbows onto the table as she buried her face into her hands. "I can't believe I'm related to her..."

Gourry had been messing with some random napkins while she was gone, and now began to make a pile, yawning. "Are we gonna eat now?"

Lina nodded, muttering a little. "Yeah... my sister's getting some spaghetti..." After a few moments, a woman comes out with a large plate of spaghetti, and set it on the table of this other couple, and went back in the kitchen. Another waitress was shoved out and walked over to Lina and Gourry, setting down two plates of spaghetti, and two root beers. "Here you go." She squeaked, and went back to get another order.

Gourry rubbed an eye, gazing down at the food, and then... twitched, going pretty still. "... Noodles..."

Lina had a satisfied grin on her face, "Yay! Luna didn't do that crazy idea..." She diverted her gaze from the spaghetti to him, blinking repeatedly. "Yeah... noodles. They look good. They taste good. So eat!"

Gourry twitched more, staring at her for a moment, before glaring at the noodles, muttering, and began to growl a little.

Lina quirked a brow, grasping a fork, "What's with you?"

Suddenly, the man that had the combined plate of spaghetti with his girlfriend collapsed, his face falling into the food. The girl screamed. "AHHH! SOMEONE! HELP! MY BOYFRIEND JUST COLLAPSED!" A few people run and call 911...

Gourry grumbled, taking a fork, and began to stab the noodles. "I hate noodles..."

Lina sweat dropped, briefly eyeing the couple in distress. Wow... seems like something Luna woul--... I'm never coming here again.  Lina curled a portion of sauce-saturated noodles around her fork, "Why? They're reaaaally good... one of my favorites!" Gourry twitched. "That's why I hate them..."

 Lina blinked. "Because they're good?"

Paramedics came in, took the man, arrested the girl that served them for poisoning, and took the boy to the hospital. Luna was in the corner, and growled. "Damn...! She mixed them up...."

Gourry shook his head. "No. Because you like them, you kept muttering them in your sleep..." He grumbled, and then blinked. "... Wha?"

Lina stared at him blankly for a brief moment, setting the fork down. "Yeah... I did... actually. ... You're REMEMBERING! Whoo, there's hope for you after all!"

 Luna stomped around in the corner, and glowered at the two. "Must kill before he ruins my baby sister...."

Gourry blinked a few times, shrugging, and moving the plate away from him. "I don't like them 'cause you kept muttering them in your sleep... Thought you liked them more than you liked me." He glared at the noodles, muttering. "Can we go somewhere else and get something different to eat?"

Lina smirked playfully. "Can I first eat this and eat yours too?"

Gourry placed his forehead on the table, and put his hands on his ears. "Fine... evil noodles..."

Lina laughed a little and got off her seat, straightening her skirt. "I was joking! It'd be best if we did leave... my sister might actually poison you."

Gourry moved out of the seat, slumping still. "Good... and why would she?"

Lina positioned her arms behind her head, beginning to depart from the restaurant. "She thinks we're dating."

Gourry followed her, blinking. "She does?" Luna threw a loaf of hard bread at Gourry's head.

Lina sweat dropped a little, nodding. "Yeah. She thinks your gonna hurt me."

Gourry was hit in the head. "Ow..."

Lina eyed him lazily. "See what I mean?"

Gourry blinked, rubbing his head. "I guess..."

Lina gazed around, scrunching her nose up. "Got any suggestions on where to go?"

Gourry shook his head, yawning and putting his hands in his pockets boredly. "Hn. Nope."

Lina removed her arms away from her cranium, allowing them to drop at her sides. "How about some ice-cream?"

Gourry blinked, and nodded. "Yeah... ice-cream doesn't have noodles."

Lina prodded him, "Noodles aren't THAT bad...!"

Gourry snorted, looking to the side. "Every night you kept muttering them... blah, they're evil damned things." Lina smiled a little, folding her arms. "Did they make you THAT jealous?"

Gourry hesitated, before nodding slightly. "Yeah.... anyway, let's get the ice cream?"

Lina sauntered towards a random ice-cream store, humming to herself slightly.

Gourry followed, muttering about how evil noodles are. Lina ceased her walking a couple feet from the cash register, gazing towards the menu. "Let's see..." The man behind the register looked bored, yawning. The menu had... 'Chocolate, peppermint, strawberry, vanilla, etc, etc, and a very odd one... Noodle flavor vanilla ice cream.' Gourry seen the sign, and began to twitch.

Lina cocked her head to the side. "Noodle flavor? Wow... that's new..."

Gourry grumbled. "They're already taking over..." The man nodded. "Yeah. Do you want to try it?" Lina placed a hand on her hip, using her free hand to tap a finger against her chin. "Free sample?"

He nodded once again. "No one's tried it, so maybe if I start doing free samples, it'll get out faster."

Lina nodded mirthfully, stepping closer, "All right then!" Gourry stayed in the back, glaring at the ice cream, everything was against him. The man scooped some of the odd tan colored ice cream, and gave her the cone.

Lina grasped it carefully, turning sideways to divert her optics towards Gourry, "C'mon! You should at least try it!"

Gourry shook his head, crossing his arms. "No."

Lina sauntered over to him, giving him the adorable, sparkly and wobbly eyes of doom. "Onegai? Onegai, onegai, onegai!"

Gourry closed his eyes. "Nope. Never..." The man watched, rather amused at the two teens.

Lina lifted her arms, nearing the cone to his face. "Onegaaaaii? For me?"

Gourry whined slightly. "But it's noodle flavored…"

Lina placed a hand on his arm, "Awe, c'mon! Just this once."

Gourry twitched, and took the cone. ".... Gah... fine..."

Lina grinned proudly. "Victory!"

The man leaned in, he wanted to know what it tasted like, but didn't dare try some himself. Gourry glared at her, twitching. "But if I die... I'll never forgive you, Lina."

Lina stared at him, frowning. "Eer... right..."

Gourry took a deep breath, and.... took a taste. The man was now leaning against the freezers of the ice cream, watching and waiting.

Lina examined his face for any sudden reaction. "Well?"

Gourry began to twitch, closing his eyes, and shoving the cone back to her... his expression that really... seems like he just ate something that was really... nasty.

The man frowned. "I suppose that means it isn't good?"

Lina sweat dropped, holding the cone away from her. "That bad, huh?"

"Or maybe he just thinks it is?" He muttered aloud, slumping. "Try it? It's free and all...."

Gourry began to gag, stepping back with his hand over his mouth. Lina shook her head quickly and rapidly scampered over to a trashcan, dumping the cone inside. "Nooo, thank you!"

The man nodded, watching Gourry. "I wonder if I'd be sued if something happened to him because he tried the ice-cream... Ah... hold on." He grabbed the container of noodle-flavored ice cream, and ran to the back room with it.

Gourry twitched, sitting down somewhere, his hand still over his mouth, grumbling.

Lina hesitantly walked back over to him, patting his shoulder, "Take it like a man!"

Gourry glared at her, muttering. "I don't see you trying this damned crap..."

The man came back, looking nervous, and crossed out the noodle flavored. "Would you two like anything else?"

Lina smiled innocently, "That's why -I- made you try it first... whoo, and glad I'm not you!" She walked back towards the cash register, placing her arms on the desk. "I'll have strawberry ice-cream on a cone."

Gourry simply glared at her from where he sat. The man took a cone, and scooped some strawberry ice cream on it. "Here you go."

Lina grabbed the cone, grinning. "Sankyuuu! How much would that be?" He gazed over at Gourry, and stepped to the side. "Ah... after what happened to your friend... I think I'd just give it to you free!"

Lina blinked, "Wow... I like this place! Heh, stuff like this should happen more often... see ya!" She twisted around and sauntered back over to Gourry, licking her ice cream. "Sucks to be you."

Gourry snorted, and glared to the side, ignoring her, basically. "Hn..."

Lina plopped herself beside him, prodding his arm. "You can't stay mad at me for long!" Gourry continued to glare to the side, away from her, muttering.

Lina shrugged a little and got off the seat, walking a few feet away from him and scanning the area boredly, still licking her ice cream. Gourry shifted his gaze over to her, slowly, just looking her up and down.

Lina continued licking her ice cream boredly, "What to do next--gak!" She squeaked a little, some melted ice cream dripping onto her shoes. Huffing a little, she carefully bent down, wiping it off her shoe carefully. "Stupid... ice cream..." Gourry blinked a few times, and... watched, shifting a little in his seat.

Lina stood back up and sigh a little, gazing off ahead, still licking her icecream. "Hm…"

Gourry twitched a little, looking to the side. "Are we... gonna go anywhere else?"

Lina gazed over her shoulder, biting into the cone lightly. "No clue... I don't have anything else to do anyway."

Gourry gazed over at her, and then to the side. "I thought you didn't like dresses or skirts?"

Lina turned around completely, nibbling on the cone for a moment before swallowing a portion. "So… you are remembering! Well, I don't... not much anyway... but we're forced to wear them for school, obviously..."

Gourry nodded, looking around, a little nervous. "Yeah... but it's after school, meaning you could have gone home and got into different clothing... 'Cause those skirts are really kind of short!" He seemed to be getting rather nervous now, especially at what he had just seen.

Lina twitched faintly, pulling the cone away from her lips. "... Since when did you pay attention to that kind of stuff?"

Gourry shifted a little bit, muttering. "Well... they are short..."

 Lina Inverse blinked a little and finished off her cone, and gliding her tongue against her lips to get rid of any stray specks of icecream. "Not my fault. I didn't make them, if I had the choice, I'd gladly wear my old attire."

Gourry muttered slightly, shifting in his seat. Lina sweat dropped.

"What's with you?"

Gourry shakes his head, coughing. "Nothing! Anyway… where do you wanna go next?" Lina shrugged, scratching her cheek. "Uhm... not sure, really. What about you?"

Gourry shrugged, as well, "Don't matter to me."

Lina stepped closer to him, scanning the area. "Wonder what kind of stores are there besides those stupid Victoria's Secret and kiddie stores..."

Gourry yawned, standing up, hands in his pockets again. "I just hope you don't have me try something else..."

 Lina had a sly smirk appear on her face, ".... Can I make you try some nice, silk lingerie?"

Gourry twitched. "No. I'm a guy, just 'cause you did it to me before, doesn't mean I'm gonna let you dress me up this life. But YOU can try them on!"

Lina stared at him blankly for a few moments, her cheeks quickly found themselves engulfed in a crimson hue. "Naaaaani?! Gourry, I'm only fifteen! As if I'd ever do that for YOU!" Gourry slumped. "Damn…" Lina folded her arms, huffing furiously and gazing off to the side. "Sukebe..."

Gourry just slumped, muttering, "No fun, then..."

Lina twitched, "Waaaah! You ARE a pervert! MY body isn't used for that kind of thing!"

Gourry blinked. "Wha? I never said it was."

Lina snorted. "Why would have you asked me to wear it, eh?" Gourry blinked again. "Wear what?"

Lina growled a little, and simply slammed her fist onto his cranium. "Why you...!"

Gourry yelped, grabbing his head. "Ow..."

Lina huffed a little and turned around, wrinkling her nose. "Bah..."

Gourry grumbled, rubbing his head. "Well...you're the one that kissed me..."

Lina began twitching insanely. "I s-said I was sorry!"

 Gourry poked her shoulder, muttering.

Lina frowned, gazing over her shoulder. "... What?" Gourry shrugged.

The icecream shop owner cleared his throat. "I see you two have some relationship going on, but uhm... before some other people hear you talking about it, I think it's best if you go to a nice dark place where no people are?"

Lina stared at the owner blankly, her orbs rather wide. "W-what?! Wait, wait... what is it with people assuming these days?!"

"It doesn't take much when he said you kissed him..." Gourry blinked, and took a step back.

Lina growled a little and stomped over to the shop owner, "He's delusional. He dreamed it. Shut up if you value your life."

The owner sighed, shaking his head. "And here I thought you were a good girl who didn't threaten elders... Perhaps I should have made you pay..."

Lina snorted, "People like you who don't mind their own business tempt me."

"I merely tried to help, as a group of cheerleaders and jocks are heading over right now." He raised a hand and pointed as a 'flock' of said people was coming.

Lina quirked a brow, "Eh?" She gazed over her shoulder, frowning in distaste. "Damn..."

He went back and pulled out the noodle container, dumping some in each container of ice cream. "I dislike people like them." In the crowd of cheerleaders was none other than Sylphiel, who was staring at Gourry, as they got close enough to see who was in the store.

Lina slumped down onto her knees, banging her head against the desk. "Lovely..."

The entire squads came in, ignoring Lina and Gourry, except for Sylphiel who immediately stepped in front of Gourry and giggled nervously. The cheerleaders and jocks all ordered vanilla, chocolate and strawberry. However, instead of vanilla, the man put the noodle flavored ice cream.

Lina forced herself up and held her head with her hand, "Right... right, I give up... maybe I should go..."

Gourry took a step back, blinking. The preps ate their ice creams, and seemed to choke on the noodle flavor.

Sylphiel stepped closer to Gourry, smiling up at him, blushing. "Hi... I'm Sylphiel...."

Lina snickered at the preps, using this as a distraction in attempt to currently ignore the whole situation between Sylphiel and Gourry.

Gourry stepped back again, blinking. "Er… hey?"

The preps fell down, spitting out the ice cream. "This is NASTY!"

"My uniform!"

"I will never play football again!"

 Lina watched them, amused. "Wow, old geezer... I must say… I'm thoroughly impressed!"

"You should have seen what happened when I had used the mustard flavor ice cream." He chuckled, watching as the preps all ran out, leaving Sylphiel to lean against Gourry.

Lina made a disgusted face, "Mustard's okay... but in icecream? Belch..." She wrinkled her nose in distaste and quickly shook her head, diverting her gaze towards the other two, with a small frown appearing on her face. "Hm..."

Gourry moved back a few steps, blinking. "Er..." Sylphiel pouted slightly, and blushed, staring at her feet in all 'innocence'. The man placed his chin on his hand, with his elbow on the counter, gazing from Lina, to Gourry, to Sylphiel, and back again.

Lina simply examined the two, like a curious little child. Wow, still the same…

Gourry shrugged a bit, and blinked, walking over to Lina, since he didn't know who she was, she kind of scared him. "Where now?"

Sylphiel stared at Lina and Gourry, and her eyes got big, and watery. She remained like that, watching. The man simply watched, opening a can of soda, and took a gulp.

Lina quirked a brow, placing a hand on her hip, "You still wanna come with me?"

Gourry nodded, blinking. "Yeah.... is there a reason I shouldn't?"

Lina stared at him, shaking her head. "Never mind." Sylphiel sniffled, and simply followed her friends. Gourry yawned, scratching his head, and just waited for her to decide on where to go.

 Lina thought for a moment, taking a step forward. "Ahh... I wanna go to the park."

The man blinked at Lina. "You want to go to the park at this time? I suppose you could take a cab and get there as the sun is setting, if you don't get caught in traffic." Then he walked to the side. "Erhm, excuse me for not minding my own business. I thought it was just a tad weird to go so late."

Gourry blinked, but shrugged.

"Alright." Lina gazed to the man, "I didn't think it was that late... but at least I don't think it'd be as crowded as the earlier times." She nudged Gourry lightly, "Anyway, ready?"

The man nodded, looking at his watch. "It's almost six. By the time you get a cab, which will take about ten minutes... or so, and then get to the park, it should be about six thirty, and at six twenty seven is when the sunset begins."

Gourry nodded. "Yeah, I'm ready."

 Lina sweat dropped. "Whoa... you must examine things accurately, ne? Anyway, thanks mister!" She grabbed Gourry's arm and simply dragged him towards the exit. He waved a hand, and went back to doing whatever he was doing.

By the time the two got out of the mall, the traffic had left, but there was -no- sign of a taxi anywhere.

Gourry blinked, looking around. "Well... what now?"

Lina pouted, "Damn... that means we have to walk... or... or..." She blinked, staring at head for a moment. She gazed up at him hesitantly, and then scanned the area, a devious smirk appearing. "Ehehe..."

Gourry blinked down at her, and took a step away. "For some reason... something's telling me I don't like that smirk..."

Lina snatched his arm and quickly dragged him behind the building. "Just trust me on this one!"

Gourry whined a little. "That coming from you makes me really think I won't like what you're gonna do..."

Lina took a deep breath and stepped closer to him, wrapping her arms around his waist. "Hold on tight!"

Gourry wrapped his arms around her, tightly, for some reason, he felt that this had happened before...

Lina hesitated a little and muttered, gazing up at the sky. "Ready? Good!" And she didn't even wait until he answered, oh well... "Levitation!" Up, up and away!

Gourry yelped, and clung to her tighter. "What... the hell?!"

Lina chuckled in amusement, winking at him. She waited until they were exceedingly high off the ground, mostly in fear of being spotted in the sky lucidly. "Woops... and I forgot to mention, I was the famous sorcery genius! Or were you able to figure that out on your own?" Smirking, she shifted their position so he would be under her, and began flying off rapidly.

Gourry just closed his eyes, muttering, and continued clinging to her tightly. "Seem like a witch to me...."

Lina hissed a little, loosening her grip on him. "I can always DROP you." Gourry yelped again. "Sorry, sorry, sorry!"

Lina huffed. She wasn't going to allow him to get away with that insult easily. Of course, Lina was always the revenge type. Still with her loosened grip on him, the sorceress began doing all these kinds of flips and rolls in the air.

Gourry yelped again, and continued to cling to her, his grip around her waist tightening. "Stop! I said sorry!"

Lina snickered a little, returning to the previous position. "Revenge is the sweetest joy!"

Gourry twitched, whining. "I think I'm gonna throw up..."

Lina frowned, "Ahh... do it when we land!" She paused briefly, "Which will be... right about... NOW!" And she abruptly began descending downward quickly. Gourry yelped, and clung tighter.

Lina stopped once she was at least three feet above the ground, near a throng of trees. She removed her arms away from him, blinking. "You can let go of me now." Gourry shifted a little, opening an eye and looking down at the ground. He released her, and landed... but fell on his ass once his feet touched the ground. Gourry twitched, and glared up at her, grumbling.

Lina smirked at him and hovered away from him, landing on her feet. She brushed herself off a bit and sauntered into the clearing, yawning. Gourry got up, dusting himself off and slowly followed, muttering.

Lina plopped herself onto a random swing, grasping the chains, and swinging her feet a little, "So, enjoy the ride?"

Gourry grumbled, and just sat on the ground slumping. "No, but I'm glad I didn't eat anything..."

Lina began swinging back and forth, making sure her thighs were pressed together firmly so nothing could be seen. "That's a miracle. Did being reborn erase your endless appetite or what?"

Gourry shrugged. "I dunno... but… blah..." He fell back against the ground, muttering. "This day's been confusing..."

Lina continued swinging, looking ahead. "Anything else you want me to explain?"

Gourry shook his head, sighing. "Nah."

Lina sighed herself, ceasing her swinging. She scooted off the swing, staring at the ground ahead of her. "Y'know... I want my protector back."

Gourry sat up, blinking at her. "Wha?" Lina shook her head, "Gah... never mind."

Gourry stood up, rubbing his eye, and stared off boredly. "Well... maybe I'm not your protector? Just another guy named Gourry Gabriev who had weird dreams?"

Lina frowned, folding her arms. "So... you don't wanna be my protector, then?"

Gourry sighed. "I dunno, I'm just really confused." Lina eyed him, "Do you even -want- to remember?"

Gourry hesitated, and then nodded. "Yeah. I don't like feeling that I do not know something I should, it kind of makes me feel... alone. I don't like it."

Lina gazed to the side, away from him. "Oh..."

Gourry nodded again, and yawned. Lina slumped a little, wrinkling her nose. "Bah..."

Well, just staying there and waiting had gotten the time to six twenty seven, and, as the man at the ice cream place had said... the sun began to set. The sky turned different shades of orange, and purple, along with a few light pink shades.

Gourry put his hands in his pockets, gazing over to the sunset, yawning a little. Lina frowned a bit, her expression softening. "Well, this is certainly familiar..." She murmured to herself, her stare locked onto the sunset.

Gourry nodded a little, watching it, and shifted his weight a little, "It is familiar, actually..." He sighed, shifting his gaze over to her for a moment, before looking back at the sunset. "Hn..." Lina smiled faintly, closing an eye. "Mmhm... we were watching a sunset just like this one before the incident with Xelloss.."

Gourry blinked a few times, going quiet. After a little bit, he looked at her from the corner of his eyes. "You didn't seem very happy at the time, either..."

 Lina re-opened her eye, "Well, I did feel a bit--... chotto matte!" She turned her head towards him, blinking repeatedly. "You remember?" Gourry smiled a little, closing his eyes, and lowering his head a little. "Guess you're not really insane, then... but, go on, you did feel a bit?"

Lina hesitated, cocking her head to the side. "A bit uncomfortable..." She did seem pretty puzzled now. Gourry opened his eyes, staring at the sunset. "Why? Did you have a feeling something bad was going to happen?"

Lina nodded slowly, "Uh-huh... and it did, didn't it?" She said this rather bitterly, glowering at the sunset. "Bloop. We all went up against Xelloss. And we all died."

Gourry stepped over, closer to her, and took her wrist, pulling her against him, wrapping his arms around her. "Yeah... but at least we're alive again?"

 Lina blinked up at him, her eyes widening somewhat. "I... guess... ne, you remember?"

 Gourry hesitated, but nodded. "Kind of.... I only remember you, how we met, what we did.... just basically things about you, and what we did together... nothing else."

Lina smiled brightly, immediately swinging her arms around his neck. "And here I thought you weren't gonna remember jack squat!" Gourry rubbed his cheek against hers a little. "Maybe you shouldn't doubt me so much, then?"

Lina closed an eye, "Heh. Maybe. Mm... I'll think about it."

Gourry hugged her tightly, kissing her cheek, "What's gonna happen now?"

 Lina wrinkled her nose, "I'm not completely sure about that... I'm still waiting for Zel and Amelia to regain their memory... and everyone else who's around here... and I'm waiting for Xelloss to pop up again..." She grumbled a little.

Gourry blinked, pulling back a little. "Wait... that's the guy that killed us, right? He's still around?"

Lina snorted lightly, "Of course he's still around! He's a mazoku, after all. He came to me last night."

Gourry slumped a little, hugging her again. "Which means something bad is gonna happen again?"

Lina shrugged, "If not, I'll make it happen. I'm NOT letting what he did to us go by so easily, y'know."

Gourry sighed. "Maybe he won't do anything?"

Lina grumbled, "Like I said, if he won't start something, I'll start it myself. He killed us! What, you think we should just live our lives normally knowing that he could do it again? He killed us for a reason, y'know... and I have a good feeling that reason's still there."

Gourry gazed to the side, slumping a little. "Well...maybe he thinks we don't have our memories?"

Lina kissed his cheek lightly, "It's not worth worrying about it now anyway..."

Gourry nodded. "Yeah..." He shifted his weight a little, nervously. "Is your sister really trying to kill me?"

Lina sweat dropped a little. "Either that or her time of the month's getting to her."

Gourry blinked. "Like it did when you had yours?"

Lina glowered at him. "Urusai."

Gourry blinked again, and yawned. "There's still things I can't remember..."

Lina sighed softly, pressing her forehead against his chest. "You'll remember sooner or later. Lucky you, you got your memories back normally."

Gourry blinked down at her. "How'd you get yours?" Lina closed her eyes. "Through a mirror."

Gourry rubbed her back a little, gazing to the side. "A mirror?"

Lina nodded slowly. "Yup. Right this morning after I finally was beginning to get over my paranoid mood."

Gourry yawned. "That's why you kissed me?"

Lina opened her eyes completely, blushing faintly. "Y-yeah... I guess..."

Gourry kissed her cheek repeatedly. "It's fun, making you blush."

Lina jerked her head away from his chest, "Oh yeah, I'm so delighted that you're amused..." G

ourry kept a hand on her back, while the other went to her waist. "Though...it's weird seeing you in a skirt."

Lina fidgeted a little. "How come? It's the traditional school uniform, after all..."

Gourry blinked. "Well... a skirt this short, anyway... 'Cause when you bend over...." He coughed a little, and hugged her tightly. "I hope all of my memories come back soon..."

Lina twitched faintly, stepping on his foot. "When I bend over--... so THAT'S what was up with you in the mall earlier! WHY were you even looking?!"

Gourry yelped. "It was an accident! I didn't mean to! I was just looking around, and then you bent over! But I quickly looked awayyyy!"

Lina huffed a little, "Yeah... sure, that's what they ALL say..."

Gourry grumbled a little, muttering. "I've seen more than that with you anyway...." Lina reddened completely, lowering her gaze to his chest. "Ehe… hehe..."

Gourry continued to grumble. "After making me try that stuff, I had every reason to look, anyway..."

Lina smiled up at him innocently, "You're still mad about thaaaat?"

Gourry nodded. "It was nasty..."

Lina smirked, placing her fingers lightly against his lips. "Your expression was hilarious, though..." Gourry bit her fingers lightly, grumbling.

Lina pulled her fingers away, flicking his nose. "Heh, I'm glad you remember me though..."

Gourry kissed her lips for a moment, nodding. "Yeah... but I don't think it's gonna be very safe to be around you when your sister could be near..."

Lina grinned, returning the kiss. "Heh, I'll handle her... or at least try to, anyway."

Gourry blinked. "Is she just like the sister you had before?" Lina nodded slowly, "Yeah..."

Gourry shrugged slightly, and Lina kissed his lips a couple of times. "It's getting late, I have to get home before Luna gets suspicious…"

Gourry pouted slightly, but returned the kisses, and hugged her. She returned the hug, and both hesitantly released each other. "We'll see each other tomorrow…" Lina mumbled, and Gourry nodded.

For a moment, the two stood there, before she left. Gourry placed his hands in his pockets, and gazed over at the darkness that was covering the slight red of the sky. "I have… a bad feeling…" He muttered to himself, and began to walk home silently.

~ A/N: Just so you all know, Lina and Gourry got together after TRY, thus the reason for Gourry saying what he did, and all the cute little kisses the two did at the end. Chapter three –should- be done anytime now. As a quick note to Lina Gabriev…

Like I said, Gourry and Lina were together after TRY. Zelgadis and Amelia also got together. Filia and Sylphiel had met a little bit after (In this fanfic) TRY. Then a year later, was when Xelloss attacked. Hope I made it clear~! ^^ Glad you liked this chapter! ~