A/N-coughs nervously- Yes well, um...here's the next chapter. For future reference, I like Luna more than I do Lina, and therefore feel compelled to talk about her, if not actually show her in my fics, at least, any that have Lina in it. Besides, what's a superhero without her main fear?
Disclaimer: I don't own Slayers.

Maurice A. Nigma- ..-blushes- aw shucks... thanks a million for that - I'm glad to hear I (or my writing) can be a source of inspiration (or of anything at all really). I'll try to eventually, okay? I'm kinda... umm... lax about reading sometimes (a.k.a. I can get awfully procrastinative) Oh, and a side comment before I forget- a little quote I heard that I felt like sharing. "A professional writer is just an amateur that didn't quit." - Good luck with your stories!

Winged Knight- Well, if it's any consolation... I hope they find peace in this chapter... but I'll let you (and all my other reader/readers) judge that. And -ahem- perhaps I can find a different "solution"... ;) Thanks for the review; hope to read more from you (if I can, I'll try to return the favor, though like I said about, I can get very procrastinate-happy) Enjoy!

11- Rendevous of Redheads

Lina pushed Eldora away so quickly, and so harshly, many vials and wooden tables were broken before Eldora concentrated enough to stop herself. Hovering an inch from the entrance wall, she tilted her head to one side, unhurt but confused. Tears still ran down the emotional mother's cheeks, though these were for a different reason. When she gave no signs of speaking in the terms of reason, a new voice penetrated the silence, a voice that automatically made Lina's back straighten, even as she wept.

"You have to understand- we've seen Liona die at least five times now, and each time, it's like having your dreams for the future ripped from under you. Only Lina could feel the full extent of this, especially after her time with the Lord of Nightmares. Only she could stand to live another day, even when fate keeps giving her back her daughter, only to jerk it away when she tries to get near. In sensing that it'll happen again, and soon, Lina would rather never see her daughter again, to lose her for good, then have to endure seeing her leave again. Am I right?"

Luna was leaning against the door, ankles and arms similarly crossed. As she finished, attention slowly swerved from her back to Lina, who hadn't moved a muscle since Luna had begun. When Lina opened her mouth to speak, no words came. She took an extra gulp, licked her parched lips, and a croak of a speech made itself known, though her gaze remained on the spot of blanket before her.

"Not... not never. As long as she's alive... no, no matter what, I'd always be happier to know that even if she leaves again, she's leaving alive. But if... if it comes to the point where... where my life finally comes to an end... and she's watching over me... I'd gladly die at her hand. Because... because I know that if she were to do it, I'd be at peace in my afterlife. Also... far into the future... if I am reborn... if she's still alive... I'd be glad to get to know her again... no, for the first time, get to know the real her. And if I had died by her hand, I... I don't think she'd have anything that could hurt me anymore. But before that time comes, yes, I'm happier just knowing she's all right." Lina took a deep breath and slowly added"However, that's not what made me pull away. It hurts me that even after all the years we watched her grow up... somewhat... she still finds a will to use her ability to control people. And to do that to our friends... that hurts me more than seeing her die another time. Far more."

Zelgadis couldn't resist. Despite the obvious deep, dark secrets that were being unveiled here, his curiosity wanted her to expound on that last part. "What do you mean by... her ability to control people?"

Lina seemed unsurprised by the question, but just as she was about to answer, Gourry sat down next to her and held both of her hands in one of his. Then, taking the travelers outside the family by surprise, he too, began a small speech after a fashion.

"We found out maybe a week ago, and by then it was far too late for us. Every female Inverse since the daughter of Angelina has had the innate ability to control any single creature- human, demon, and animal alike- that the Inverse has used magic of any kind on. So theoretically, if Lina so wished to activate it, if they're still alive, she could have every bandit that survived one of her... escapades at her command, to do with what she pleased. Heck, if she knew about it then, after casting a weak spell on him, she could have had that piece of Shabrinigdo do her bidding. But, then again, the stronger the being attempting to be controlled, the harder it is to get them to do what you want. Even a little mindful influence probably helped Lina defeat him in the end though. And Luna... she's known ever since she became the Knight of Celphieed- it was the power of the first Knight that was passed down to them after all. And-"

"...that's why Lina's always been so scared of her..." Sylphiel ended with an awed whisper. Lina only nodded limply in agreement.

Zelgadis, however, was thinking of it on a different track. "So, right now, at any moment, she could make Sylphiel, Eldora, and me do whatever she wanted?"

Luna let a low exhale and called"It's larger even then that. You know, I came back early for a reason. Lina, were you aware that Liona has been going all over the world, healing people, helping to improve people throughout these years? She's even got the Mazoku Lords on her side. Of course, they probably aren't even aware of it yet, but seriously, do you know what she could do with so many people, so many people she helped grow stronger, what she could accomplish?"

Eldora spoke weakly, suddenly feeling a bit under the weather, "World domination comes to mind..."

Lina shook her head fiercely. "No! No matter what, she... she would never do something as drastic as that. I've heard the rumors- of the wandering healer that asks for nothing and yet seems to give the people she meets a whole new aspect to life... From her time as a child, I know she interacted a lot with the Mazoku Lords... considering all things, I wouldn't be surprised if she found a way to work her magic on them too. Heck, she did it to us. No, not just that, we unintentionally wanted her to. We helped her harness her magic at first in any case. I don't know what she's planning, if she's planning anything at all, but... but... as my daughter, I believe in her, I believe she'll choose the right path. If not just for her, then for all of us..."

"Mama no baka. I'd never use you like that. I... I just don't want to fight anymore."

Heads swiveled to Eldora, but she held her hands up defensively and shook her head. It was not coming from her. Lina's eyes widened slowly in realization, before she scrambled out of bed, across the disarray caused by Eldora's flying body, and out the door. They only heard one faint whisper the whole way. "She's here... Liona's here" The rest of the company quickly followed her.

At the end of the dusty trail, in the centre of the Inverse home, they found Lina, kneeling on the wooden boards, clutching something to her heart. They approached cautiously, all but Luna and Gourry stopping in the doorway. There were no slugs or snails to be seen.

Placing a hand on Lina's shoulder, Gourry crouched down to see what Lina was holding. From the long golden chain flowing between her fingers, he knew, he remembered. It was Liona's medallion. The medallion that had allowed Liona to first return from the clutches of Greater Beast Zelas. The medallion Liona had carried more or less her whole life. The medallion that had allowed her unfathomable powers and immortality. Liona was nowhere in sight.

It started softly, so softly that Gourry wasn't sure at first that it was being said at all, amidst the slow but steady stream of tears. Lina was chanting a spell. A woven spell not her own. One that seemed more like a wish than a spell at all.

"If... you... dream a little dream, wish a little wish, I... will... see... you... at... the... end.
If... you... know your love is strong, stronger than the rest, I... will... be... your... friend.
If... you... keep this little token, close to your heart, I... will... come... for... you.
If... you... want to see me too, don't fret your caring heart, I... will... know... you... do.
If... you... can cast the greatest spell, control the best of the worst, I... can... too.
If... you... can break the strongest seal, transcend time and space, I... will... too.
If... you... have the strongest faith, in yourself and me, I... will... too.
If... you... can... say... this... with me... I... will... see... you... soon...
If... fryu... wil... tu. (Pronounced: If you will too)"

During the spell, which was more like a melancholy song, Lina had been glowing a warm maroon. When she stopped, so did the glow, but in disappearing, it seemed to collect into the medallion, and then project itself out of Lina's grasp in the luminescent spiritual form of the medallion, intricate to every detail of the white dragon upon it. When it had risen a fair distance, and all eyes were on it, the medallion spoke, though the voice was obviously Liona's.

"I'll come back a hero, Mama. I promise. Minna (Everyone), please take care of Mama for me until then, won't you? I love you all, and I hold you close to my heart always."

And with that, the medallion disappeared, but the warmth left in Liona could still be felt by all. Finally, after such a long time of letting her depression get the better of her, Lina let a small smile form on her lips, as well as the words, "Same here, Liona, same here. I'll become a different sort of hero, that's my promise. I hope you're being taken care of well, too. I love you more than quite likely life itself, and nothing will ever tear you from your place in my heart. Until we meet again, Farewell... my daughter."

-End Story->

A/N: I know, short ain't it? And they didn't exactly meet meet, but...I couldn't help it; it seemed the best way to end it, as far as short notice can go. I'll still put an epilogue in though, if nothing else, to keep in sync with my other fics. Did you enjoy this story? I'd love to hear from you, signed in review or not. Ciao!

P.S. If you think Gourry is OOC, just think, live long enough with Luna Inverse and something will improve. (Plus, he's like 40 something now)