A/N: You know the disclaimer, you know that I'm going to finish this. More of the same. Again, I'm not going to post this on my websites until it's done, and I'm not going to post it in chapter form there. So, if you want to read this humongous fic in one shot, you can do it at vejiitasei.com. Reviews are always welcome- it helps me get off my butt and write! And sorry if it has errors- I really need to proofread stuff before I post it, but considering my track record, that's not likely to happen anytime soon.

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No, drop your elbows, the voice said, and Gorran kept his eyes squeezed shut, trying to memorize how the stance felt. Now nice and easy, lower that tip.

Gorran did as he was asked, and when the tip of the wooden sword reached the lowest point in the arc, he quickly changed directions and slashed to his right. The wood encountered resistance and he felt the stinging vibrations all the way up his arms and into his shoulders. He dropped the stick with a yelp and shook his hands, trying hard not to cry.

A chuckle sounded out and Gorran looked up at the towering blond man. What did I do wrong? Gorran whined, his voice wavering with unshed tears.

You straightened out your arms and locked your elbows when you swung, Gourry explained, taking Gorran's small hand in his enormous one. You could have really hurt yourself.

Gorran sniffled. I can take it, he muttered, breath starting to come in gasps as he tried not to cry.

Hey, hey, it's okay if it hurts, Gourry said softly, sandwiching Gorran's hand between his own. I think you're doing a really great job.

Are you okay? another voice interrupted, and a young girl pushed her way between Gorran and Gourry.

I'm fine, Gorran announced to the girl.

Let me see your hands, she ordered, and he sheepishly held them out.

See, Kerra? Gourry said. They're fine. They're just a bit red.

But they hurt, right?

Gorran admitted, looking at the ground.

It's okay for things to hurt, Gourry said gently.

Kerra said, taking Gorran's hands. Mama taught me this.

Gorran's mouth slipped open as his hands were engulfed by a soft glow, the redness and pain receding almost immediately. Kerra released his hands, panting. Gorran flexed his hands, then looked at her and grinned. They don't hurt now, he announced.

You're welcome, Kerra replied, her cheeks flushed. It makes me tired fast, though.

How can I learn that? Gorran asked.

Miss Sylphiel can help you, Kerra said. Mama says that she knew more white magic than any of their friends.

That's true, Gourry chuckled. Well, maybe Sylphiel can teach you white magic in between our training sessions. Would you like that?

Gorran shouted.

Me, too! Kerra screamed, and poked Gorran in the stomach.

he grunted, and tried to poke her, too. Kerra squealed and dodged, her raven-dark hair shining in the sunlight. The two children chased each other around, giggling and squealing, until Gourry charged in with a whoop and caught them both up in his brawny arms. The children screamed and laughed, struggling, but Gourry wouldn't let them go, instead charging all over the practice field, making as if to ram them all into the fences before veering away at the last second. Finally Kerra managed to squeeze herself loose and pranced away chortling, which distracted Gourry long enough for Gorran to get away as well. Soon both of the children had tackled the man, rolling around on top of him and tickling him. They were all laughing and smiling, and it reminded Gorran of the times he and Lecia used to have with their father.

Time for lunch! Sylphiel called from the house, and soon all three of them were sprinting across the grass towards her, each trying to be the first one to get to their food. Gorran knew he would get there first, since even though Kerra was faster than he was over short distances, he could outlast her, and Sylphiel wouldn't let Gourry eat before the children, no matter how hungry he was. He was just about to pass Kerra when the earth shook and the sound of a deafening explosion rattled his bones.

What was that? Gourry muttered, coming to a dead stop, and Gorran turned around as well, shading his eyes with a hand. The afterglow of a spell lingered in the air in the direction of Seyruun. The smell of scorched dirt filled the air, and Gorran could tell that the edges of the spell had been relatively close by.

That was a Dragon Slave, Sylphiel answered, gathering up the children and herding them inside. Now who wants ice cream for dessert?

Kerra called, raising her hand, but Gorran had forgotten about lunch altogether. His mind reeled with the feel of the spell. He didn't care what it was called, and he knew only two things. The first was that Lecia had cast the spell. It just felt like her, somehow. The second was that she would come for him at any time.

That night Gorran lay on his side, staring out the window at the stars. Dust from the explosion earlier still hung in the air, creating little halos around the pinpoints of light. He wanted to blow all the dust away, or wipe it away with his hand, so that the sky would be crisp again. If his mother or father had been there, he would have just asked them to bring up a wind and get rid of all the dust between him and the stars.

As if on command, the wind rose and began to whip the trees outside his window about. The air cleared and the stars twinkled at him sharply, and he gasped as he realized somebody, somewhere, had granted his wish. Sliding from the bed, he trotted across the rug to the window, only to freeze in his steps by a dark shape rising outside the glass and blotting out the night sky. He trembled with fear and began to cast a shaky spell when the window latch clicked and the sash slid upward. He was about to release his spell when the dark shape tripped over the windowsill, falling onto the floor with a grunt. The grunt was one he recognized, and he lurched forward, eyes wide.

Hey, hold on there, the shape growled, standing and brushing itself off. I don't need you blowing my head off with some crappy spell. It's not my fault that window's designed funny.

Gorran hissed, letting the spell disintegrate.

Lecia knelt and held out her arms to him, gathering him up as he threw himself at her. Gorran sighed in contentment as he inhaled the familiar, silky scent of his sister's hair. Her tresses had always smelled like lilacs, and the scent comforted him. Lecia has always been there to comfort him, after all. I missed you!

She chuckled and stroked his head. I missed you too. You must be bored out here, being so far out of town.

Gorran shook his head. No, I like it. Mister Gourry's teaching me how to use a sword.

Lecia held him out at arm's length, her dark eyes glinting in the starlight. Don't trust him, she cautioned, voice low. He stabbed Daddy when you were just a baby.

Gorran's eyes widened at that, remembering the hairline scar on his father's abdomen, the only scar on his father's body. Gorran had more scars, but none so long and white as his father's. Oh, yeah, he murmured. But I think Mister Gourry's nice.

Well, sometimes stupidity undoes the good that nice people think they do, Lecia grumbled, then took him up in her arms again.

Gorran closed his eyes and smiled, happy to be held again. Even though he was growing up he still liked to be cuddled. His mommy and daddy held him all the time, no matter how big he got or tried to struggle out of their embraces. Mister Gourry and Miss Sylphiel rarely touched him, and he was glad to have Lecia's attention. It made it seem like their parents weren't so far away.

He was so happy, in fact, that he almost forgot to ask her what had happened earlier that day. Why did you cast that spell? he whispered into her hair, arms still wrapped around his neck.

Lecia finally stood, pulling him up with her, and sat him on the edge of the bed, where she perched beside him. Alfred and I cast a spell to find out where Mom and Dad are, she explained. It sorta went wrong, but I fixed it.

You didn't blow up Seyruun, did you? he asked, frowning. Sometiems Lecia was a lot like their mother, and he didn't like to think that the family that Kerra loved so much might be hurt.

Lecia snorted. Of course not.

Then did you find them?

Lecia sighed and put an arm around his shoulders. Well, not really. I saw Mom, and she was out wandering, doing fine, but she hasn't found Dad yet.

And Daddy?

Lecia was silent for a while, her grip on him slowly tightening. He squirmed as she held him too tightly, but was too curious to know what happened to tell her to stop squeezing him on the off chance his complaints might break her concentration. I think I saw him, too, but I can't be sure.

I think he's alive, Gorran said, finally slipping out of Lecia's hug.

He watched as Lecia's features hardened in the dim light. I know he is. It would take a lot to kill him, more than that Monster had.

But it's been so long, Gorran replied, feeling hot sobs rise up in his chest.

Lecia put him back in the bed, tucking the covers up around his chin. I know. Mom's good at what she does, but she's only one person, and she's trying to cover the entire world. I think we should help her.

Gorran nodded vehemently. But how?

Lecia's white teeth flashed in the darkness. I wrote a letter to Val. I just know he'll come get us once he gets it, and then we'll try to find Dad.

But won't Aunt Filia be upset?

Lecia said with a shrug. But who cares, so long as we find our parents?

Gorran sighed and snuggled into the covers. She had a point. What about Alfred? Can't he help?

Alfred's already done his best. I don't really want to put any more of a burden on him.

The letter will take a long time.

Yeah, but we've waited this long. I don't think Dad's going anywhere anytime soon, and Mom will be fine.

Gorran couldn't argue with the logic of that and smiled at her. She fluffed his blankets once more, then stood to leave. The sight of her retreating back filled him with sadness, and he choked on a sob. Lecia, don't go.

She turned around, her face twisted with what he thought was the same sadness he felt. What's that? she asked, her voice thick.

Please stay. You don't have to go yet. You can sleep here.

Her face softened and she came over to the bed, sliding off her boots and snuggling up next to him on top of the covers. She pulled her cloak over herself and tucked her body around his, making him feel very snug and warm. Okay, but I have to go at dawn.

he replied, pushing against her body and closing his eyes. The room felt more like home when she was there with him. He didn't want her to ever leave, even though he knew she would have to. I love you, he murmured as he began to doze off.

I love you, too, she whispered in return, and he felt himself slip away into slumber.