Chapter 6: Misconceptions and Misunderstandings

She screamed, tried to get away, to help, but she was stuck, frozen, paralysed. All around her there was blood….so much blood….she wanted it to go away! Why won't it go away!!! She screamed in her mind. She tried to make a sound, to scream, but it was all silent. She could hear her sister, could see her run away, and leave her….alone….with the blood….and her mother….and then, blood…so much…around her father….

She sat up, her heart racing and pounding inside her chest. She clutched her brown blanket, pulling it closer around her for comfort. Her face was sweaty, her black hair plastered to her face. She brushed her hair off, and then let her face rest in her hands. Why do I keep remembering that? She asked herself, tears filling her stinging blue eyes. I never remembered it before. And why did I see father like that?? She shuddered, and wrapped her arms around herself. Where was she?

She looked around, finding herself in a tent. Lina's tent. But she isn't here…I wonder where she went. It was then that she heard voices outside the tent. Amelia moved to the tent's flap and peered through, to see Lina and Zelgadis sitting near the fire, in deep conversation. Gourry lay sound asleep in the next tent. Amelia couldn't help herself; she knew she shouldn't listen to other people's conversations, but she was curious as to what they were talking about so late at night.

"…she's safe," she heard Lina say, but didn't catch the beginning of the sentence. "This was all such a pain, though. I can't believe she just wandered around for weeks! She should've gone home!!"

"I agree. And it isn't like her, to keep her father worried."

"Those two are so close its almost sick. We should try to get back to Saillune as soon as possible."

"Say Lina, didn't you say you were tired earlier today?" Zel asked. "It's my watch…just go back to sleep."

"I would…but Amelia keeps kicking me and she stole my covers!" Amelia felt herself go red. "And, on top of that," Lina continued, "I'm hungry! Starving! I can't believe I gave her all that food! Something's wrong with me…maybe I have a fever…." Lina moved her hand to her forehead to check her temperature.

"We'd better get back to Phil soon…. I wasted too much time doing this, and the whole time she was fine!" Zelgadis sighed, looking into the fire. And now she probably hates my guts…

"Yeah, she's been such a nuisance. First, I have to search for her for three weeks. Then, she tackles me, eats my food, steals my covers, and won't let me sleep! At least I didn't hear another one of her annoying justice speeches. How can Phil stand her? It must be hard for him to have a daughter like her. I can't believe that after all these years, she's still such a pain…."

Amelia couldn't believe what she was hearing. Nuisance? A pain? I wasted their time? They probably didn't even want to search for me. They were probably forced to. She felt tears stinging her eyes as she blocked their voices from her mind. What kind of friends were they? They were probably jumping for joy when they were able to get rid of her. She quickly left the tent and dashed back into the dark, gloomy forest. She ran, panting…. she wouldn't stop, not until she was away from them. My father would probably be better off without me, too. Tears streaked her face as she ran father into the dark shadows of the forest.

"…but I'm glad she hasn't changed. I mean, she's grown and matured, but she's still the same, lovable Amelia. I've missed her so much, and I'm glad we found her. As soon as we get back to Saillune, we're gonna have a big, yummy feast!" Lina rubbed her stomach, thinking of different types of food.

"Is that all you think about? Food?" Zel sighed, looking deeper into the fire. "I wonder who this Reirs person is." He sighed again, looking up into the night sky. "I'm glad she's alright, too…."

"Ooooh, finally admitting your feelings for her?" Lina asked, smirking and nudging him. Zel turned a bright shade of red.

"S-she's just a friend, Lina. Cut it out!"

Lina laughed, and got up. "Sure, Zel…sure…." She loved teasing him about Amelia. But then Zel smirked. "I know who you're always thinking about. It's Gourry…" Lina blushed furiously. "I don't! I never! Shut up, Zel!" And she walked back to her tent, glaring at him, only to find….

"Zel!! She's missing!! Amelia's gone!!!!!"

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Amelia flew above the forest, wanting to get away from her so-called 'friends' as fast as she could. She couldn't feel the night summer air whipping through her hair, and couldn't see the moon casting a soft glow on her skin. She didn't even notice that she was crying. Eventually, she got tired. She fell back to the ground, but refused to stop. She continued running, her breath coming in short gasps.

She stumbled into a vast clearing. A creek came from one side, flowing over to a lake, where the mist hovered lazily over its glass-like surface. The stars were reflected in the smooth surface of the lake, and wild flowers spread about the grass in the clearing. A large tree stood almost at the edge of the lake. The trunk was wide…a very old tree; it's leaves dangling off its branches, almost reaching the ground. Amelia walked over to the tree slowly, and underneath the trees' great branches, she fell asleep. And she slept a dreamless sleep.

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"You two, go back to Saillune as soon as possible, and tell Phil we found Amelia. I'll go look for her, and bring her back."

The fire still crackled, the night sky overhead seeming to fall and press the darkness closer about them. Lina and Gourry stood side by side, and Zelgadis stood facing them.

"Zel, we should help you find Amelia too, you know," came Gourry's voice. He looked asleep, but sounded very much awake.

"Someone has to tell Phil before he does something drastic. You know him. And…I might be the reason why Amelia left."

Lina looked at him, her gaze seeming to penetrate his stone skin. "What did you say to her, Zel?"

"Nothing. Look, we're wasting time. You'd better go tell Phil before all of Saillune finds out what happened."

Lina continued to argue with Zel, but eventually Gourry convinced Lina that they had to get to Phil, for Amelia's sake. Amelia wouldn't want her father worried. They left, grim faced, Gourry looking at Lina worriedly as they walked side by side.

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Amelia had woken up feeling slightly better, but took off once again. She raywinged herself over the forest canopy until she got tired, and then continued by foot. She stopped whenever she found any fruit or fish so that she could eat, and would then set off again. Her face was grim, and seemed drawn and pale. Her eyes looked dull and sad; her eyes no longer held the bright, happy and optimistic gleam it normally held. They were etched with a melancholy look. Her brown blanket became her new source of comfort…her only source of comfort.

She eventually found her way to a small little town. How many days had past since she ran away? She wasn't keeping count. It had been less than a week, though, that she knew. Many of the people glanced at her as she walked past. 'Who could that poor girl be, hiding beneath a blanket?' They all asked themselves as she past. Her gaze stayed glued to the street she walked on, her eyes never straying to look at any of the villagers.

Every now and then she'd stop in front of a shop window, and often she looked into the tavern, wishing for some hot food and a warm, soft bed. She forced herself not to think about anything; but as hard as she tried, she couldn't keep her mind from being filled with all her troubling thoughts. Her tired mind was busy battling an inner turmoil, one she couldn't seem to escape. She suddenly began to regret leaving her friends; she was sure that she either heard wrong, or that they didn't really mean it. Thinking back, they'd always showed that they cared for her. Even Zelgadis had…

"Excuse me Miss, are you lost? Do you need help?" asked a young man with light brown hair and hazel eyes. He looked genuinely concerned, so she decided to answer him instead of just walking away.

"I'm fine, really, but thanks for your concern," she answered, showing him a small smile. It was the first time she had smiled since running away from her friends. "Actually, maybe you could help me. Would you happen to know which way Saillune is from here?"

The young man looked at her thoughtfully for a moment, at least that's the expression Amelia thought she saw, but he was really awed at her beauty, even though she had twigs in her hair and a dirty brown blanket wrapped around her. "I-it's north of year, I-I mean here. North-east to be more exact."

Amelia once again gave him a small smile, mumbled her thanks, and began to walk away. The sky began to cloud up and get dark. Amelia looked up and sighed. Looks like it's going to rain tonight.

She moved towards the forest, hoping that she'd be able to find a cave or something to provide her shelter. She kept her eyes down as she quickly walked past many people. Because her eyes were downcast, and because she was walking so fast, she couldn't really see where she was going. The first drops of rain began to fall, and she quickened her pace, until she bumped into someone else.

"Oh, I'm very sorry," Amelia exclaimed, looking up at the person she had bumped into. In front of her stood a woman with dark brown hair cascading down her back in waves, reaching her waist. The sides of her hair were braided into a crown around her head. Her dress was dark blue, and her eyes were a hazel-green. "Oh, no dear, I'm very sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going."

The lady, looking not much older than Amelia, then looked up at the sky. "Oh dear, I think it will rain any minute now." She dropped her gaze down to land upon Amelia again. Her hazel-green eyes seemed to search Amelia's face. Amelia eventually looked away, feeling a little uncomfortable under the woman's intense gaze. The woman, as if making up her mind about Amelia, then took a quick glance at the brown blanket around her. "Dear, if you would like, you may stay at my house until the storm passes. I'm afraid it won't be very merciful today."

Amelia smiled, looking relieved and almost awed at the woman's kindness. "Oh, but I couldn't…"

"Nonsense. I would rather enjoy some company, Amelia dear."

Amelia looked at the woman. Did I tell her my name? Amelia then felt very unsure and confused, and very uncomfortable. "Actually, I'm fine…"

"Don't worry, Amelia dear. I don't bite. I happen to know that you've been through a lot. Come to my house, and I'll send a messenger to your father, telling him that you're alright."

Amelia backed away a few steps. Should I really trust her? She seems nice and all, but…"How do you know all that?" her voice held suspicion in it.

"Amelia, I know many, many things. Now, you may come if you wish; I will not force you."

Amelia hesitated for a moment. Hmm…guess it wouldn't hurt to stay for a night. Maybe the word got around; I have been missing for a while, now. Besides, if she tries anything, I can easily fireball her or something. Amelia took a few steps, and then stopped. She was still very unsure.

"Alright, then," the lady said, a bit of a frown upon her pretty face. She began to walk away, but then turned back to Amelia. "Oh, and I think I should give you this. I'm sure your mother would've wanted you to have this." From a pocket in her dress, she pulled out a ring. Her mother's ring!

"W-where did you…you get that!!" Amelia cried out. This little stunt made Amelia trust and distrust the lady in front of her even more.

"Let's just say we were old friends. Would you still like to stay at my house, or are you all right?"

Amelia looked from the ring to the lady. She still didn't quite trust her. "Alright, I'll come." I have to find out who this woman is. I can't just ignore this…something fishy's going on…

She took the ring from the lady and followed the woman to her house, high on top of a hill over-looking the rest of the small town. As soon as they reached the front door, the rain began to pour down. The lady entered the door first, and then Amelia followed cautiously.

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*AN: Agh, I had writers block! Sorry about this chapter….I had it all in my head, but when it came down to writing it, well….it just didn't turn out the way I wanted it to. Sorry. Next chapter should be better…well, should be. Oh, and sorry again if anyone is slightly ooc. School starts again tomorrow and I can't seem to think straight!

^^ Thnx to anyone who reviewed!! I praise you all!! Long live reviewers!! Viva reviewers!! Etc, etc ^^ I love you people!!!