Uncommon Vows

Chapter two

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Okay guys, as you know, Sammy (Samanda) and I are working on this together, so we're going to alternate doing chapters. I don't have much to say except, enjoy!

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I stared at her, my voice lost as my mind raced with various thoughts. Her tears were flowing quicker now, but her smile hadn't faded. I felt tears of my own swell within my eyes, and I gently pulled Amelia into a hug. I felt her tears seep through my shirt and her shoulders trembled in my embrace.

"I-" She broke off, either thinking for words or trying to regain her composure. "I need to make amends with him," She began to tremble again, and I heard her sob slightly. I held her tighter, trying to comfort my friend. She had grown, and at such an amazing rate, I hardly recognized her.

"Amelia…" I said, my voice slightly muffled. She slowly began to relax, and her tears slowed. "Come on, let's go check on Gourry," She nodded and pulled away, wiping away her tears with the sleeve of her shirt.

As we headed down the hall, my mind began to wander. Memories of times we had spent together, on the road or otherwise. She had seemed like such a child to me then, a simple girl who had a vision that would never come true. But she had matured so much…

I glanced at her slightly. She held her head high with dignity and walked with such grace that one would never have guessed at an earlier age she was… rather bluntly, a klutz. I smiled slightly as thought of her falling from various high objects came to mind.

I thought about Zelgadis. For some reason, my cheeks grew hot and a slightly blush tinged my cheeks. The pessimistic chimera, always thinking of his cure and only his cure. The idiot never realized that we never cared about his looks, as long as he was Zel.

As we approached the Royal Library, I snapped out of my thoughts. I could hear laughter coming from inside, most likely Gourry and Sylphiel. I looked at Amelia and shrugged. She nodded and we headed in.

In the back of the room, Gourry was saying something to Sylphiel, who was laughing and blushing. We both look at each other again, the same thought in our minds. Flirting. Amelia and I had basically placed bets on how long it would take Gourry to propose to Sylphiel. Not matter how much it hurt me to say- or think- it, he belonged with Sylphiel, and deserved a happy, normal life. We all did.

"Lina-san..." I snapped out of my thoughts when I felt Amelia gently tugging my sleeve like a small child. "Are you alright? Gourry-san has been calling us over now… and you're just standing there…" The worry was written in her eyes plainly, and she was clinging to my arm as though afraid or something.

I smiled at her gently and began to head towards them, as though nothing happened. As we reached them, we caught the last few words of their conversation.

"Oh, yes, I saw him," Sylphiel said, leaning on her elbow, her raven hair slipping over her shoulder. She kept a calm _expression, but I could tell something was wrong by looking in her eyes. "He stopped by my herb shop for a few moments. I really was surprised. He certainly has changed,"

"Who?" I asked, making my presence known. Sylphiel glanced up at me and smiled happily.

"Lina-san, it's great to see you again," She gently moved to give me a hug, which at this point I didn't object. As she pulled away, I smiled and looked up to Gourry.

"Who were you talking about?"

"Huh?" What a fool I was. I sighed and slapped my forehead. I should have known. Gourry could be such an idiot at times. Sylphiel giggled and placed her hand on my shoulder to gain my attention. She smiled up at me.

"You've grown, Lina-san," She mumbled, and moved to sit down again.

"What do you mean?" I asked, pulling up a chair myself. Amelia was already chatting with Gourry happily. Sylphiel turned to me and smiled.

"When was the last time I had to smile up at you?" She sat down, and smoothed out her hair. I shook my head, smiling myself, and sat down as well.

I sighed, as no one had answered my question, as though they were avoiding it. "Who were you two talking about?"

Sylphiel caught her breath and bit her lower lip. Finally, she sighed and answered, "Zelgadis,"