A/N: Geez, where are the reviews? *sigh* Guess Slayers isn't as popular as it used to be. Or maybe it's just me... Anyway, hope you enjoy. Looks like I'm going to be updating every Thursday night for at least a few more weeks.

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Gorran was halfway to the manor house when he was knocked down by a blast of air, followed by a shaking of the earth beneath him. Sweat rolled down his cheek and he looked around frantically for Kerra, sighing in relief when he saw her just a few yards away, also on the ground.

You stupid brat! he heard someone screech, and he scrambled to stand up. Turning, he saw a lithe figure slide off of the back of the largest dragon he had ever seen, great golden eyes fixed upon him. What the hell were you thinking, firing on us?

He glanced around, but the screaming person was obviously talking to him. Gourry was on his rear in the grass, eyes wide, and Kerra was rubbing her shoulder as she sat up.

Gorran asked, frowning, and then the screaming person was upon, him, punching him in the arm. he said, stumbling backward.

I come to pick you up and this is the thanks I get? the voice growled, and he looked up to see Lecia scowling down at him, her amethyst eyes flashing in the sunset.

His identical eyes stared back at her, then his face broke down in a grin. he cried, flinging himself at her.

About time, she snapped, but she was smiling as well as she wrapped her arms around him. He pressed his head against her chest and felt her fingers brush over his hair. After a moment she released him and he stepped away, staring at the huge beast behind her.

Who's that? he breathed softly, recognizing it as a dragon. The golden eyes were familiar, but the dragon was so huge he wasn't certain he had seen it before. Perched atop its back was another person clinging to it, his face ashen and his eyes wide. Is that Val?

Lecia grinned and waved to the dragon. Val, say hello!

the dragon rumbled, and then there was a flash of light. The boy atop the dragon squealed as the dragon disappeared, falling on the ground with a grunt. Where the dragon had once been stood a tall, lanky boy, glaring down at the boy who had fallen on the ground. He snorted at the other boy, then strode over to where Lecia was standing. Gorran hadn't seen Val in so long that he hardly recognized him. Val was taller than he remembered, with his sea-green hair tied back in a ponytail. His thin face stretched in a smile, the golden eyes unchanged. Wow, is this Gorran?

Hi, Val! Gorran shouted, and threw himself at the older boy. Val picked him up under the armpits and swung him around, the two of them laughing. Gorran gripped Val's forearms, which were ropy with a young man's muscles. Your dragon body got really big!

Val chuckled and set him on the ground, tousling his hair. Yeah, and my mom says I'll get even bigger before I'm done growing. She says my human form only has a few more years left, though.

You're almost as tall as Mister Gourry, Gorran commented, and Lecia's head jerked slightly.

Oh, right, she said. Val, this is Mister Gourry. She gestured to where the blonde man was slapping the dirt and grass off his rear. Gourry smiled and waved before putting his hands on his lower back and stretching. And this is Kerra, she said, gesturing to the little girl standing next to Gorran. She's Amelia's youngest, about Gorran's age.

Val said, taking Kerra's hand and smiling.

Kerra said, a blush staining her cheeks as her eyes flitted downward.

Gorran felt a strange stab of emotion in his chest until Val released her hand. A moment later the strange feeling was forgotten, happiness washing over him. With Val there it almost felt like he was home. He had known Val since he was born, after all. I'm so happy you came! he told the dragon.

Oh, Alfred! Kerra exclaimed, and sure enough, the boy that had fallen from the dragon's back was limping over, holding his hip.

Alfred said with a smile, wiping strands of dark hair out of his face with his free hand. Gorran could sense Alfred casting a healing spell, and he wondered why Val had dropped him. He glanced at the dragon and saw him inch closer to Lecia, his golden eyes narrowing at Alfred. Alfred seemed to catch Val's gaze and narrowed his eyes in return. Lecia cleared her throat and stepped forward, the boys' eyes moving to follow her. Gorran wasn't exactly sure why, but the two boys' reactions made him feel uneasy.

So, are you ready? she asked her brother.

Gorran blinked up at her. Ready for what?

She sighed and rolled her eyes. Ready to find Mom and Dad.

Gorran's dark eyes widened and a grin split his face. Yeah! Just let me grab my blanket!

Hurry up, Lecia said, crossing her arms.

Gourry, however, had reached their little group by then. Now hold on, he said, towering above all of them. His brawny hands were on his hips and his brow was furrowed slightly, the corner of his mouth turned down. I'm happy you kids are reunited and all, and it's great to see you again, Val, since I haven't seen you since you were an egg, and I hope you tell your mom hi for me when you see her, but I can't just let you guys go running off.
Lecia's mouth pressed into a line while the rest of her expression stayed the same, her gaze flat. Garron recognized these things as the signs of her extreme displeasure, and he pitied Gourry. I think that his duty to his parents takes precedence, she replied sharply.

Gourry shook his head. I don't know if Amelia and Zel know you guys are doing this, but Gorran's under my care, and it's far too dangerous for him to go. Nobody knows where your parents are or what happened, but I'm sure they're fine. They don't need you running off and getting hurt.
Lecia's amethyst eyes flashed as the wind picked up her dark tresses, fanning the silken strands out behind her like a banner. Are you trying to tell me that I'm not capable of taking care of my own brother? she asked, voice flat.

Shivers ran down Gorran's spine, knowing that Gourry was treading on dangerous turf. Lecia screamed and carried on once in a while, but he knew she wasn't really angry when she did that. No, she was more like their father, becoming cold and calculating when she was angry. In face, she was eerily like their father, only caring for her family and not many people outside of it. Gorran knew that she would see Gourry as expendable, but he had no idea what to do about it.

Gourry sighed. No, I'm just trying to get you to consider how upset your parents would be if you ran off and got hurt while they were gone. I know your mom and your dad would feel much better in their journeys knowing that you were safe and sound.
Gorran closed his eyes for a minute, not really wanting to see Lecia's reaction. Gourry hadn't done as badly as he could have, but Lecia was very difficult to mollify. She was also very impulsive and selfish, just like their mother. He's gonna get it, he whispered to Kerra. Her dark eyebrows came together and her blue eyes seemed worried.

Well, Mister Gourry, you are not our father, Lecia said coldly, her eyes widening slightly on the last word. If you were, then your words might have some sway with us.

Gorran's heart went out to the man as Gourry's eyes went flat, his jaw tightening as some unnamed expression passed over his features. His gaze flickered over to Gorran, and the boy wondered what was going on in Gourry's head. I came closer to that than everyone but Xellos, he said softly, but his tone held steel.

A missed chance is as good as none at all, Lecia spat back. Come on, Gorran. We're going now.

Gorran replied, his desire to help his parents at war with what he knew was the better idea. He ran inside, collected his blanket and a few other things, and dashed back outside. The smell of scorched grass reached his nostrils, causing him to quicken his footsteps. He arrived to find that Kerra was gone, Alfred and Val were still giving one another glares, and Lecia was standing with a scowl on her face, her hands planted firmly on her hips. Gourry, to his chagrin, was lying flat on his back, wisps of smoke slowly rising from his clothes. What did you do to him? Gorran cried, worried and angry all at once.

Lecia shrugged. He tried to restrain me, and so I zapped him. He'll be okay, but he might want to trim the split ends I gave him after he wakes up.
That wasn't very nice, Lecia, Gorran grumbled. He's been really good to me.

Lecia merely shrugged again. Well, that's that. Let's get going. Val?

Val nodded, his eyes beginning to glow. There was a flash of light, and a dark shape twisted up toward the sky, finally solidifying into a black, feathery dragon. The dragon stretched his neck and opened his wings, knocking over Alfred as he did so. The action would have seemed like an accident if Alfred had been standing anywhere near the path of Val's wing at the time. Alfred tumbled to the ground with a grunt, then stood and glared daggers at the dragon, dusting himself off. Gorran felt magic begin to build in the boy's body, and he winced to think of the human attacking the dragon. Alfred was a very strong magician, but nobody could stand up to a dragon, especially an Ancient one.

Lecia took Alfred by the hand, earning a hard golden stare from Val, and levitated to the dragon's back. Gorran stood and looked at Val in awe, wondering how much bigger Val could possibly get. Come on! Lecia shouted at him, and he rose into the air with a nod.

Wait for me! he heard someone cry, and he looked behind him to see Kerra racing toward them, her blankets tied into a bundle on her back. She took to the air, but her blankets were apparently heavy, for she made slow progress and her flight path was wobbly.

She should stay- Lecia began, but Gorran shot her a dirty look. She responded with a big grin and a wink, and so Gorran turned his attention back to Kerra. Casting a spell, he wrapped her within the wind and propelled her to them. She looked surprised at first, then smiled at him and reached for his offered hand. He settled her behind him and in front of her brother, Lecia in front of all of them. Wrapping his arms around his sister, he felt Kerra's arms wrap around his waist, trusting Alfred to bring up the rear.

Is everyone ready? Val asked, his voice surprisingly quiet for someone his size.

Lecia cried. Let's go!

Everyone cheered simultaneously as Val's huge wings carried them into the air, and they headed off in the direction of the sunset.