Cookies for Gourry

by AeroGirl7986

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Slayers or any of its characters. Slayers is owned by Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi and some other people. I think that should go without saying, but hey, don't feel like getting sued today!

CHAPTER 4

"It's been a long time, Lina." Luna said, as she crossed her arms over her chest and walked forward. Gourry blinked, "Hey Lina. Who's she?" she asked innocently. One of Lina's blood vessels popped out of one of her temples, as she glared at Gourry. "Now, look here," pulled him into a headlock, with face towards Luna. Luna cocked an eyebrow. "Take a good look. Who do YOU think she is?" Her fear totally diminished, due to fact that her annoyance was too great to Gourry's ingnorance, than her fear of her older sister. Gourry took a good, hard hard look at the second Inverse he has met today.

She was tall, taller than Lina at least; she seemed about the same height as her mother, actually. She had sleek, shoulder-length, lavendar hair that shined like silk, wearing a pearl headband; her eyes were a bit difficult to see under her long bangs, but he could make out that they were pink in color, with a purple hue, with long eyelashes. Her complexion was the same as Lina and her mother. She was holding a strange-looking red hat in her hand, a hat that looked tiara-shaped with simple designs and gems at its ends. The hand that is holding her hat is sporting a red band with a transparent ruffle hanging off it. She was obviously well-endowed, which stood out, wearing her apron underneath her breasts. Her ensemble was unlike any other he has ever seen before. It was most definitely a dress, a white one, that started at her neck, with a red collar. The dress was sleeveless, with exception of transparent ruffles that ended at her forearms. Starting from the chestbone down to her chest, was the dress peeking out of her red apron, emphazing on her breasts, leaving the middle of her chest vertically exposed, showing off her cleavage; the only thing that disrupted the sight of her cleavage was the lace used to tie the torso of her dress. Her flowing skirt was covered by the red apron, that tied around her waist, covered of her dress, and ended a little above her knees which the skirt itself ended at her knees.

"Hmm, ... She doesn't remind me of anyone I know!" Gourry laughed, scratching his head, still held in Lina's headlock. "Jell-ee-fiish ... " Lina growled under her breath, gripping tighter. "Lina, ... can't ... breathe ... " Gourry choked, as his face still to turn blue. "Lili! Let him go! You'll choke him!" Lina's mother scolded, restraining her very-furious redheaded daughter. Luna just giggled, "I see you haven't changed a bit, Lina." she stated, giving her sister a wink and a cheeky smirk. Lina then released herself from her mother's girp, turning to her older sister, who stepped up to Lina. Her fuchsia eyes were now visible under her bangs, as she smirked at her little sister. Lina trembled violently as Luna smirked at her, and shut her eyes tightly. Well, better let her have it now; she won't a better opportunity, Lina thought as she prepared herself for the worst, meaning another beating from Luna. But what happened next, Lina thought she must be delirious.

She didn't feel any punches, any hits, just warmth wrapped around her. She opened her eyes, to find Luna hugging her. "Come, Gourry-hon. Let's leave them alone." Lina's mother suggested, with Gourry nodding and leaving the room, not before taking a quick look behind, with Luna hugging Lina. Luna hugged her tightly, and Lina blinked. "Luna ... ?" she questioned. Luna pulled away, "Hehe! Bet you didn't see that coming, did ya, sis?" She sniffed, chuckling lightly at herself. She then started ruffling her head, annoying Lina already. "You know, just we might have had a touching moment, you just had to ruin it, didn't you, Moon-breath?" Lina asked with an annoyed look on her face, referring to Luna by her old nickname. Luna just smiled widely, shoving Lina to her, "That's what big sisters are for!" and gave her a peck on top of her head, then shoved her back, before Lina could even react. "Stop it, dammit! You know I hate it when you do that!" Lina shouted, straightening her hair. "Why, I don't know what you talking about, Lili!" Luna teased, flashing Lina with a cheeky smile. "Ah! Luna, not you too!" Lina whined, while Luna just laughed loudly. "(Loud sigh) It's been years since we've last done this; it made me almost come to miss it! Aw, you've been home for way too long. It's good to have you home, squirt!" Luna smiled, puttng her arm around Lina, and Lina just smiled back, hearing Luna call her by her old nickname. "Yeah. This isn't even as bad as I thought this might've been." Lina replied. "Uh? How did you think this was going to be?" Luna asked, oblivious of Lina's years-long fear of her. "Oh, nothing." Lina responded innocently.

Lu: Ooh ... you thought I would've beated you to a pulp for those projectors of yours, didn't ya? Don't you dare think I've even come close to forgetting about THAT little stunt. But, you know, if you really want me to, --

Li: Eek! NO! PLEASE, LUNA! DON'T DO IT!

Lu: Hm, maybe you're right. Why beat you when SLUGS get more of a rise outta you?

Li: YOU WOULDN'T DARE! MOON-BREATH!

Gourry and Mrs. Inverse were in the living room, where the two were relaxing, having tea and sitting across from each other on the comfty armchairs. Gourry couldn't help but look around the room, at all the different artifacts that were displayed. Of course, the room had large amounts of Mrs. Inverse's touches, like white rose centerpieces and bowls of flowery potpourri, the fragrance reminded him very much of Lina, but it also had many objects that seemed apparent that she probably was a traveller, also, for a number of years; they even had a miniture golem of a rounded figure, which looked very similar to Lina. It was then Gourry wondered what exactly did Mr. Inverse do for a living. "How is tea, Gourry-hon? Is it too cold? Too bitter? Too sweet?" Mrs. Inverse interrupted Gourry's train of thought. "Huh? Oh, no, no, no; my tea is just fine." he stated, waving his hands out front, and took another sip. "Good," she smiled, "So, maybe I should just cut to the chase. What exactly is your relationship with my daughter?" she asked, cocking an eyebrow, making a suspicious face towards him. She never seemed to suspect him for anything before, so this change of attitude alerted Gourry.

"Uh, well, I'm her protector." he stated bluntly. "You and I know, as well as anyone else who knows her, that she most definitely does not need a protector; being my daughter, and also the one who taught most everything she knows about Black Magic, she had incredible potential, and I'm aware that she is might infamous throughout the land as Lina Inverse, the Bandit Killer, Dragon Spooker, and also Enemy Who All Live, and I know there're others, but I wish not to say them. So, I know that there must be another reason that you have stayed with my daughter for five years, I believe she said. Don't think I don't appreciate your protection towards her; if anything, I am most flattered that you have showed such devotion and dedication to the wellfare of my youngest daughter. But, also, I would like to know the reason for it, please." Mrs. Inverse stated, her voice now stern and determined. She was most definitely the mother to Lina Inverse. "The reason ... you know, I've never really thought about it. I just know that I want to keep travelling with Lina. She once asked me how long do I plan on protecting her, and I honestly didn't know but I took her, 'for the rest of my life.' Why I said that, I don't know; it just seemed like it was true. But, also, it's because ... I have a fondness for your daughter, Mrs. Inverse." Gourry said, smiling at her mother, who was pleased with his answer. "Thank you. That was the answer I was hoping to hear. And, also, you don't need to call me that; it sounds too formal! Please, call me Fiona." she smiled. "OK, Fiona!" they both smiled.

"Oh, also, Lina was telling me about this festival-thing that's coming in a few days. Do you know what day that's going to be, Fiona?" Gourry asked, non-chalantly. "Hm, the festival is usually either held early or even postponed, but this year, we're actually going to be have it in a few days from now, on March the 21st; the perfect day to celebrate spring!" Fiona cheered, clasping her hands together. "The twenty-first, huh?" Gourry remarked out loud, holding his chin in thought. "Hm? Something bothering you, Gourry-hon?" she asked. Gourry laughed, embarassibly, "No, not at all. It's just, the twenty-first of this month is my birthday."

"KYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

A flash of red-orange hair, who could only be Lina, whizzed into the living room, where Gourry and Fiona were, and glomped onto Fiona's arm. "Mama, save me! It's coming!" the frightened redheaded wailed, gripping tightly onto her mother's arm. "What's wrong, Lili? What's coming?"

"HEY SQUIRT! WHERE ARE YOU RUNNING OFF TO? I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT TO MEET MY NEW PET, MR. SLUG! STOP HIDING FROM ME AND COME PET SLUGGY!"

"Mama, don't make me do it! I don't wanna meet Mr. Slug! I wanna pour salt on 'im!" Lina whined, quivering at the thought of the slug. Fiona sighed, patting her daughter's head. She stood up, leaving her daughter, hiccuping on her chair, and left the room to stop her older daughter from her teasings. Lina then moved from her mother's chair to Gourry, clinging onto him, hiccuping and mumbling how she hates slugs.

"Lulu, don't you think that's enough? She's scared to death; you can stop this now." Fiona simply stated, her voice agitated and stern, when she found Luna running throughout the house, holding the slug out in front of her. "Ah, Mama, I was just having some fun with her, that's all. She knows that!"

F: Maybe she does, but right now, she is frightened out of her wits by that thing. We both know that she has always had an extreme fear of slugs. Now, get it out of the house and stop these childish games, Lulu.

Lu: (sighs) Fine, just keep that name down to a mininum, could you, Mama?

F: (makes starry eyes) But, why? I think it's such a cute name, Lulu! (drops the act) Doesn't feel so good, does it?

Lu: Yeah, yeah; I see your point. I'm going to put away the slug now, so bring out Squirt, so I can give her my farewells; I'm going home, now.

F: Alright. (walks after Luna) By the way, how's Spot doing?

Lu: Spot's doing OK. He's still pouting 'bout something, though, and I don't have the faintest clue why.

F: Hm, ... oh Lulu --

Lu: (mumbles) Oh, boy. Here it comes.

F: Why don't you have your bangs cut? You can't even see your beautiful eyes anymore.

Lu: 'Cause I like it better this way. I don't have to look at the customers anymore.

F: You know that's why you're not getting good tips anymore, you know?

Lu: That's not true, Mama. My tables are just cheapskates, that's all. Especially that ten-top from the other day; WOULD IT KILL THEM TO TIP 15 PERCENT! I mean, REALLY!

Fiona smiled after Luna, who was climbing down the stairs, now ranting about her previous, and I'll add stingy, customers at the Flute Glass. They made their way to the backyard garden, and there Luna set down the slug on the ground. Fiona stepped behind Luna, and hugged her around her neck, with Luna still with her arms crossed. "I'm glad that my two girls are together again. I'm really happy ... " Fiona sighed, making Luna smile. "Yeah; me too, Mama." With that, she looked up to the sky, watching the birds fly above.

A few minutes later, Luna decided it was time to head back to her house, not to mention Spot was probably starving by now. "Well, look's like it's my cue to head back home. I need to get out of these clothes, anyways. So, I guess I'll be back tomorrow to visit my little Squirt, uh?" Luna chuckled, pulling Lina into a headlock and giving her a noogie. "STOP IT, MOON-BREATH!" Lina roared, pulling out of the headlock and straightening her messed-up hair. Luna just giggled lightly, then noticed a tall blonde man that she didn't recognize. "Hey, who's this guy?" she asked bluntly, pointing to Gourry. Gourry just scratched the back of his head. "I'm Gourry. I'm Lina's protector." he simply stated. Luna cocked an eyebrow at him, then a smug smirk. JUST Lina's protector, uh? ..., was what was running through Luna's mind, just before she saw a plot unfoiling in her mind. With that, she waved goodbye to everyone, shouting, "Tell Papa I said, hi, and that I'll be back tomorrow!" before she walked to her house.

After seeing Luna off, close to sundown, Fiona, Gourry and Lina were all sitting in the living room, all with a cup of hot tea in their hands. Gourry and Lina were starting to feel hungry; with all that was going on, they cloud've really gone for a whole menu, triple portions. Lina stood up her seat, "I'll be back, Mama." and walked off to the bathroom. Fiona smiled, then turned to Gourry, "So, would you like to see some projectors?"

Lina was returning from the girls' room when she had roaring laughter; not just laughter, GOURRY's laughter. "Hey, what's so funny?" Lina asked, finally entering to the living room just in the knick of time. "Ah, Lili, you're just in time! Gourry and I were just going through over family album, and Gourry found one of you!" she cheered, while Lina just fell over. "Oh yeah, ... which one ... ?" Lina asked, sitting up, almost afraid to even ask. "Oh, it's the one where you were only five, and you wet your bed!" Fiona smiled innocently, causing Lina to fall over again. Gourry blinked, "Are you OK, Lina?" Lina just glared at him, growling, "Oh, sure, Jellyfish. I'm A-OK. Here, let me show you." she snarled, wrestling him down to the ground. "I give up! I give up!" he whined, while she had him secure under her grip with a certain wrestler move. "Lili, Lili, look! This is the one when you were only four, and you were dressed up for your first Shabraneen!" Fiona cheered, distracting Lina from continuing to wrestle down Gourry. "Aw, ready?" with that, she released her grip on him and ran to sit by her mother to see, "No doubt, I was an adorable little princess. Right, Mama?" she boasted, with a superior look on her face. Her mother only sweatdropped, "Um, actually, you were a pumpkin; and a very cute pumpkin, I must add!" Gourry crawled over to his chair and looked at the hologram of a certain little redheaded girl in a very rounded, very orange costume, with a small green hat on her head, with her hair in pigtails and her large red eyes looking like she didn't have a clue on what was going on. "Lina, ... was that really you?" Gourry asked, with Lina looking away and blushing. "Well, who else do you think it is, Gourry?" Gourry just nodded, and looked back at the hologram. He never thought he'd ever be able to get a glimpse of Lina when she was a child, and took a good look at the hologram, and smiled. Then, the hologram turned to Gourry's direction and smiled, "Papa." Gourry just jumped out of his chair, and Fiona and Lina giggled at Gourry's reaction. "C'mon Jellyfish; it's just a hologram. What's wrong with you?" They enjoyed themselves, watching Gourry getting a raise, from the hologram baby Lina lifting herself up and walking up to her father. The hologram finally met up with her father, and hugged his leg. "Papa." she sighed, and he bend down and picked her up. "OI! I KNOW THAT GUY!" Gourry roared, sitting straight up, pointing at the hologram.

"Darling, I'm home!" a male's voice called out to the house.

"I'm in the living room, dear!" Fiona called back, with a starled Gourry. I know that guy; I know him! Where do I remember that guy? C'mon, I know I remember, Gourry reasoned internally, while he scratched his head. It was then Lina's father stepped into the room. "Miss me -- ?" he stopped myself when he saw his wife sitting with the two famaliar faces, one whose face was very famaliar to him.

"Guess who dropped into town, dear?" Fiona smiled, while his eyes was focused on the young redhead. "Lina? You've finally come home, Pumpkin!" he smiled, with arms open for Lina to hug. "P ... Papa!" Lina jumped into his arms, hugging him tightly. Fiona smiled, "Now I remember! I REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE!" Gourry roared, pointing at Mr. Inverse. "Hey, aren't you that kid I met before? What was your name, ... Gourry? Yeah, now I remember. How have you been?" Mr. Inverse asked non-chalantly. "I've been alright. Been travelling around; I've even met one of your daughters on the road! I never imagined that she, of all people, would be your daughter. I didn't even know you were an Inverse. Haha! Small world, uh?" Gourry nervously laughed, scratching the back of his head. "Hm, yes; a small world, it is." he rubbed his chin, and smiled. "Aw, Pumpkin. I'm so glad you're home."

L: Um, actually, we're actually just stopping here for the festival. We're still going to be travelling, Papa.

P: "We?" Who's "we"?

L: You know, Gourry and me.

P: You mean, you and Gourry ... travel together?

L: (blush) Yes, Papa. It's not what you think, if you're thinking what I believe you're thinking right now.

P: (suspicious) Oh, is that right?

L: (whine) Papaaaaa ...

P: (laugh) Of course I believe you, pumpkin; I know you'd beat him to a pulp if he ever tried anything on you. That's how I raised you!

Lina's father patted Lina on her head, while she just looked up at him. "So, I bet you kids are hungry! Come now, let's all have dinner!" Mr. Inverse stated happily, leading the two into the dining room. "OK!" Gourry and Lina cheered, in unison. Fiona followed after them, smiling.

Lina, I'm so glad you came back home. Your father was been restless, lately, wondering where you were and how you are doing. He has even had a few occassions that he would call off work, to take off on a journey to find you; I suppose that's where he met that Gourry boy. He's such a good boy; I wonder how long he has had feelings for Lina. There's no doubt in my mind that Lina feels the same; Lina would always pick on the ones she liked. But, I wonder, if she does have feelings for him, why doesn't she take things further? I have to ask her ... Hmm, ... Gourry's birthday is on the same day we are holding our festival. Maybe then, she can tell him her feelings, and take things from there. Yes, it's the perfect plan! And I'll start it, first thing tomorrow!

Fiona was burning with fire of determination. "Hey, Mama, where's dinner?" Lina voice called from the dining room, sounding almost irritated. "Oh!" she snapped out of her scheming phase, and rushed to the kitchen. She hasn't exactly prepared for dinner yet, but within minutes, thanks to some of her magic, she was able to get dinner near to completion. Fiona popped her head in the dining room, "Don't worry; it'll only be a couple more minutes, OK?" With that, she took one last look at Gourry and Lina. With a gleam in her eyes, she knew she was going to make this work, and might even need Luna's help.

She hummed her way to the kitchen, "Yes. This will work. Even if I have to battle with Ceipheed and Shabragnigdu myself to make it work, nothing will stand in my way!" At that moment, the neighbors could almost swear they heard a thunderclap within the Inverse house.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Phew! That was a doozy! So, now, the plot is realized; Fiona & Luna are going to work together, to get Lina and Gourry together. Sounds simple, uh? NOT! To think, I almost thought this could be a oneshot story! I know it's already been, like, four chapters, and the story hasn't really started, but the Inverses & the festival are very important, & with that, I like to give them specific details. So, the story will probably be a few more chapters, but I expect for it to be all worth it! Anyways, about Luna's waitress outfit: there are only so many Luna images out there, excluding fanart and cosplay (and more random images), that are available in the Web. So, I used one that I found on Slayers Universe, with the bio of Luna Inverse. Then, when I tried to find more images to find more details to her, I Googled it & found one of a girl cosplaying Luna, so I decided to also refer to that image. The fact that she was fuchsia eyes is unknown; I just thought that fuchsia eyes would go great with lavendar hair, & exceptionally great on Luna. Most everyone who knows of Luna may know that she was a tough sister to live with, especially with the fact that she would treat Lina rough, "disciplining" her, & I believe teased her many times over, thus the slug incident. I would like to state that, if Luna hadn't of gotten hold of the slug, she would NOT have beaten Lina up; she merely did it to just tease her, like any "scary" older sister would do. Also, I've added a different side to Luna; one that has been rarely explored, if maybe ever, an affectionate, loving side to her. Lina is her younger sister, and she does love her, even if she teases her day & night. I added a few inside stories that I found on the Web, referring to Luna, like the projectors. The details to that can be found in Slayers Universe (http/ About Luna's restaurant-talk: a little thingy I had to add, myself also employed to a restaurant chain; DON'T WORRY, LUNA! I FEEL YOUR PAIN! Lina's nickname to Luna & Luna's nickname for Lina (Moon-breath & Squirt), in no way connected to the novels, manga or anime; just something I felt would be fun to hear:) I also made a point to mention Luna's pet, Spot. If anyone knows the backstory to this, they made understand the reason WHY he seems to be pouting. For those who have no clue what I'm talking about, let me explain. Luna (either ON her way to work or way BACK from work, I can't remember) sees a stray dog on the street & starts feeding it. I can't remember correctly, but I guess he started following her, her being his own source of food. But, I do know, she does eventually take him in as her pet dog and names him Spot; he'd continually tell her that Spot is not his name, but Dilgear. With that, she stopped feeding him until he accepted Spot as his name, and of course he DOES cave. (If anyone has Slayers NEXT: Phantom City, you'd see for yourself Luna & her pet dog "Spot" on the eyecatch!) If anyone noticed a certain item from Slayers GREAT, you'd be our winner! I just watched it last night, & the idea popped in my head. During the credits, they showed that they had Piko Piko Lina-chan souveneirs for sale, so I figured how about Lina's family been there recently and bought one? That'd be funny! Well, I think that's enough author's notes for today. So now, time to GO TO NEXT! (LOVE that episode to death! ;) ) Ciao, guys!