A/N: Hello, thanks for the reviews.  Hmm…I suppose I'll answer some review questions.

Lina Gabriev: That was only a prologue and first chapter.  Luna hasn't even come in yet.  You really expect Lina to tell Amelia why she fears the only person in the world that can make her scared?    Besides, this is just the beginning.  If you're still wondering that by the time I announce the end, ask again and I'll try and really answer it in my epilogue or an extra chapter.  -

Renee25: No questions, but I just want to reply back that if you were in it for the wedding, then…it isn't very obvious (still requires more detail).  Blah, but I'm just picky.  Write as you like; I just can't guarantee that I'll want to recommend it to someone else.

Jassy: Oh, bah-tah-foo-ki!  I already answered your question.  Yes, yes it's the story I was telling you about. :D

CT: Cannon couples?  Erm…Looks around nervously Uh…Is Lina/Zel cannon?  It isn't, is it?  --; oh wells.  I don't really feature any other pairing in this one.  Hmm.. Maybe I should…

Anonymous(): You know…I speak to all reviewers when I say this: Could you please leave some sort of name?  It's so much easier to reply to you if there is, esp. if you put your e-mail address there too.  I'm not saying you have to, but it'd be nice.

No more?  Awww phooey.  Fine.  On with the story.  And keep in mind- Patience is Key!

Disclaimer:sputters WHAT?!?! You're giving me ownership of Slayers?  HEY! Don't get my hopes up like that!  Hmph.  I know darn well that I'll never own Slayers, not now, not before, not ever.  So what's up with this dumb disclaimer?  You're just making me feel bad now…

Umm…On with the fic!

Chapter Two: Objective Two Cleared

            Lina woke up to the sound of birds chirruping away their morning ritual of praise to life.  Lina felt like throwing rocks at them- she definitely did not feel the same way.  Though she had only a blanket over another blanket to serve as a bed, she honestly felt like she had woken up on the wrong side of it because when she turned and opened her eyes for the first time that day, she found herself staring at something unquestionably out of place.  An object that always plagued her mind, sending icy chills up and down her spine with the dread of foreboding.  Lina wanted to scream in terror when she saw it, but she refrained from doing so.  Amelia was right next to her, sleeping still, and Lina did not want to admit that she had been right.  It was a letter.  Open and face-up to her.  It was signed with a signature that she knew all too well.  It was a message from her sister- From Home. 

            Instinctively, Lina scrambled up, put on her cape and boots, and took the letter outside.  Zelgadis was just finishing up his sentry duty.  Lina looked up, and realized that it was barely dawn.  Turning to her, Zel asked, "Lina?  You okay?  What's that in your hand?"

            "I've been better."  Lina held up the letter.  "It's from home."

            Zel grimaced, knowing what the problem was.  A moment later, he looked surprised.

            Lina growled, "What?"

            Zel shook his head.  "It's nothing; I'm just a bit surprised you didn't freak out like last time."

            Lina sighed as she walked over.  "I don't feel like waking them up just yet.  It's bad enough without Amelia pestering me about it."

            "Ah."  He nodded understandingly.  "Mind if I see it?"

            "Yes."  Lina looked at the sheet with slight disdain.  "I haven't even read it yet."

            After staring at it, and reading it over twice, she groaned.  Softly she mumbled, "I hate this."

            "What?"  Zel leaned over and peered at the note.  It seemed short and simple, like the last one.

            Lina-

                        Come home now.  Your punishment awaits.

            -Sis

            Since Lina was in a dazed state, Zel easily slid the letter out of her grasp and turned it around; he had caught a glimpse of something when she had been coming toward him.

            "Hey, look at this, there's more on the back."

            Instantly, the paper was snatched right back.  This seemed to finish off any vestige of positive thoughts whatsoever.  It read:

            Oh yes, just so you're informed, Mother and Father died last month, and I decided to move.  Find me in Seyruun's capital and I'll fill you in.  Also, I happened to be escorting a certain someone back home- You'll never believe who I found.

            Best Wishes, and have a safe trip.

            P.S. Make sure to bring Amelia, the Crown Princess.

            Again, Lina just stared.  This was utterly impossible.  The longest note Lina had ever received from her sister bore four seriously condemning points.  First, it commanded her to come find/see her sister.  Second, she discovered that her parents had died an entire month ago.  Third, the way she added that Amelia should definitely be with her was dangerous simply because Luna commanded it.  And last, she had a sinking feeling that she wasn't going to enjoy the company of whoever Luna brought home.  Sisterly intuition you might say.  Whatever it was, it held Lina spellbound for a gruesome sixth of an hour (ten minutes).

            "Lina?"  Zel's voice broke her out of her daze.  "Are you all right?"

            Lina glared at him.  "Why would you ever think I'd be all right with this in my hand?"  She shook the letter.  Softening, she sighed.  "I guess I don't have much choice though."  She hesitated before turning to Zel.  "Come with me?"  There was a childish hint of hope in her request, and Zel smiled in reply.  "Of course.  We'll all go."

            Lina smiled back, and didn't even look as the paper burned in her hand.  She had fireballed it to cinders.  Since she had read it, there was no sense in leaving it around.

            That day, Lina-tachi set course for Seyruun with neither Amelia nor Gourry knowing why.  However, it did not take a genius to quickly learn that Lina was on edge, and for once, actually nervous.  The least genius of them all, Gourry, asked Lina if she was all right.  She twitched, but said, "Yes."  No one was convinced.

            As the days progressed Lina got more and more edgy.  A week before they reached Seyruun, it got to the point where Lina only finished one plate of food, and it was a salad.  They knew now that something was definitely up.  It had taken a full day of walking, but Lina-tachi had finally reached the gates of Seyruun.  They gained instant access due to royal decree.  From there, however, Lina immediately suggested staying the night at an inn, so that they could be presentable after their lengthy journey.  Amelia, remembering that she had an image to uphold, consented, and since Gourry always followed Lina, he agreed as well.  Zel, with no reason to go to the castle without company, ended up going along with it as well.  After dinner had been demolished, and dirt scrubbed ferociously off in the baths, all retired to their rooms.  It was there, that Zel confronted Lina- in the privacy of her room.

            With a knock and call, he was allowed entrance.  His first question was obvious, "What's wrong, Lina?  You're not acting like yourself."

            Lina gave him one look, before continuing to brush her hair; several crimson locks blocked Zel's view of her face.  If it hadn't, he would have seen her blushing as she answered, "I can't say."

            "So in other words, it's a secret?"

            Lina slowly nodded.  Zel sighed.  "Don't tell me you're going to be like Xellos now."

            She shook her head.  "I'd tell you if you weren't you."

            Zel raised an eyebrow.  "That makes no sense.  I'm the only one you can't tell?"

            Again, she shook her head.  "Never mind.  Why'd you come up here?"

            "Why?" Because I was worried, Zel thought.  "Amelia and Gourry know how edgy you've been recently, and they want to know why.  It has something to do with your sister right?"

            Lina stopped, as if to consider it.  She shrugged.  "I guess you could say that.  I'm sure you'll all learn exactly why soon enough, though it won't be from my lips."

            Zel stared at Lina for a few moments before finally shaking his head with a sigh.  "If you can't tell me what the problem is, can you at least tell me what the solution is?"

            Lina repeated Zel's action and responded, "I wish I could, I really do, but I'm sworn to secrecy, at least right now."

            Zel exhaled tiredly.  "If that's how it's going to be, then I might as well go to sleep.  Make sure you get enough sleep tonight too."

            "Good Night, Zel."

            "Sweet Dreams, Lina-chan."

            Zel had left and closed the door behind him before Lina could even utter another word.  Slowly, she smiled and got under the covers.  That night, Lina did have sweet dreams.

A/N: My chapters are kinda short, aren't they?  Well raspberry I couldn't help it!  I made this story for a contest with a 30 page limit, and I didn't want to pay extra, so I had to keep it short!  T-T  But if there's enough reviews at the end, I'll extend it.    (trust me, it'll probably be a good idea with all the holes that are in this fic, but it's not exactly crucial…Your choice -)