Thank You all for your reviews! And thanks to your reviews, here's the second chapter of Crimson Drowned in Blue.

CHAPTER 2: Almost home

I want you to spend time with your father for the little time he has left.

……….

That one line….that one line plagued her mind like a dark disease for the past three days. And the more she thought of it the more unsure of her decision she became. She was very aware of the fact that her parents tried unthinkable acts to get her back home. They even went as far as dragging Luna into it and that was just plain scary. But father dying? That was a bit too extreme, even for her mother to push.

Now two questions covered her entire conscious, (1) Is father so ill to the point where her mother would actually write her after nearly 6 years of being away from home? And (2) Is this just some kind of foul set up for her to get married? Marriage was the primary reason she traveled the road. In her homeland, girls were promised to men at a young age that would help their family financially or socially. However in Lina's case, both were the reasons her family wanted to marry her off!

The Inverse family was widely known for their usage of powerful spells, persuasiveness in business deals and their fiery short tempers. So lots of bad things could come out of the three just by spreading to the wrong people. And Lina's father wanted to change that, by engaging Lina the son of the country's wealthiest of noblemen. This wasn't unusual considering her families love for money.

Which made everything was riding on her. Her families name, reputation, status, everything! Considering Luna was a special case. She was considered to be priestess when she grew up to show the world that the family was gifted in healing just as well as blowing up things. But one night in a tavern on her 16th birthday changed all of that, and some way or another she ended up a Knight of Cepheid. So that left everything up to Lina once again.

It's not that she didn't want to get married; on the contrary, she would love to have children of her own someday who would carry on the blood of family. And who knows, just may take up after their mom and save the world 10 times over!

But not yet…not so soon…..she didn't want to feel chained down and bonded to a certain duty for the rest of her life. She wanted to go places, try new and delicate foods, see the world, make tons of money, and not have to feel as if she's being run by someone, just by nature itself.

So she left.

Besides who would want to be married much less hang around a flat chest violent tempered little girl? No man would possibly want to be around her. None……except……

"Gourry……." she thought.

She looked up to her life bonding protector.

And it's obvious that the man loves you; I mean who else would follow an Inverse to the ends of the earth in the name of protecting them?

The very thought of the words her mother wrote made her face blush as red as her eyes. She quickly glanced down on the road they were walking on to avoid his questioning gaze.

"Lina?" he asked.

"What is it Gourry?" she asked in a demanding tone, as not to worry her companion and to keep her reputation strong.

"Well, I was just wondering what the matter was." he started worriedly. "You've been silent these past few days and quite frankly Lina it's really starting to creep me out."

Come on Lina, at least yell at me once. You've been so silent since you read that letter.

"I'm just a little nervous about going back home….that's all." She replied.

"You mean that's it? Oh.." he laughed chuckling. "I thought it was something serious! Hahahahah-"

WHACK!

"Are you really that dense? Or do just do it to purposely annoy me!!!!?!??!?!!?!" she growled standing over the now semi-conscious swordsman.

"What are talking about Lina? Your only going home, what's the big deal?" he asked naturally.

"What's the big deal?! WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL?!?!"

Uh oh…..

"Do I have to explain everything to you jellyfish brains or do I have to spell it out?" she asked angrily. When she received no response she continued to explain the situation.

"I'm going home Gourry….home….does that click something to ya?"

"Uhhhh…."

"Grrrrrrr MY SISTER IS BACK IN ZEPHILIA!!!" she roared.

"Oh that's right!" he said in sudden realization. "Your afraid of your sister aren't you?"

A sudden chill of fear and angry crept through her whole body. All she could do was slowly turn to look back at Gourry to try an already lost attempt to keep her cool.

"Gourry, let's just get to the next town before night fall so we can check into an Inn." She stated as she continued to walk ahead.

"Well it was a painful move….but I think I finally managed to get a crack in that hard boiled egg of hers." He said to himself and began to follow after the woman he swore to protect.

LATER THAT NIGHT…..

Dark clouds roamed in as the whole sky turned an Ashy gray. It looked as if the heaven's were going to break open a whole new meaning to the word pour, but no rain came down. Instead it just remained cloudy putting a gloomy mood on those who remained within its boundaries.

"Just one more day..." He thought "Just one more day until we arrive to Zefolu and I'll finally know what's wrong with Lina."

He positioned himself upon his window sill to sharpen his new found blade until another could be found to suit him.

The clouds continued to hover over the sky with the flashing of a few occasional lightening bolts and sly creep of the moonlight peeking out beyond the clouds to light the ground.

sigh….oh Lina….I wish I knew what was wrong with you. It's killing me to see you like this! If I only knew…the real reason behind us going to your home country then maybe I could feel a little at ease."

Giving up on trying occupying his mind with his sword he placed it on his bedside and walked toward exiting his room.

"Maybe some water or a walk for some fresh air will help calm me. Lina will tell me what's wrong when she's good and ready." She spoke aloud to himself.

Then again….when has she ever told me what's wrong with her besides being hungry? He thought.

He began walking down the hall toward the stairs when he heard the sound a muffled cry. He first began to ignore it but the more he heard the person crying the more his heart began to ache.

What's wrong with me? This isn't the first time I heard someone crying….but then why…..

As he continued forward he noticed that the source of the crying was coming from a room close by. The closer he got the more his heart ached and he couldn't help but feel the sorrow and hurt that person felt. When he arrived he raised his hand to knock on the door when he dunned on him.

This is Lina's room! But….but why is she crying?

Feeling the need to comfort her he knocked on her door and waited for a reply. The sound a sniffles and of her clearing her throat started until she was ready to speak.

"W-who is it?" she asked.

"Lina? It's me Gourry, are you alright in there?" he asked worriedly.

"I'm just fine Gourry! Now go back to your room!" she demanded, her fiery temper beginning to surface.

But it all seemed so pushed and façade that he didn't buy it for a second, so ignoring her "request" to go away to his room he instead opened her door walked into her room.

Her back was turned toward the door as she stood facing the window. Her cape was placed on the hanger behind her door so the cloudy night and room light made her seem very fragile in current state.

He began his decent toward her unsure of what to say. He continued walking toward her, his mind jumping around on different things, but all mainly focused on the young woman in front of him. When got behind her he did the only thing his mind could register; he comforted her. He wrapped his arms around her tiny waist and gently placed his chin on her head.

"It's okay, Lina…" he soothed. "I'm here for you."

Her body began to tremble at the very essence of his presence. She wanted to hell, kick, scream, and throw a fireball at him that he'll never forget. But when he wrapped his muscular arms around her she felt at ease felt she can completely trust him no matter clueless he is at times.

Before she knew it, her eyesight went blurry and a tear rolled down her face.

"Lina….."

"Oh Gourry!!!" she cried, turning towards him to cry into his chest. "Gourry, I d-don't know what to do! I don't want to go home! Not now! Not yet! I jjj-just…."

"Shhh…its okay Lina." He cooed

"I-III…I just…."

"Shh…it's alright Lina. For once in your life you can at least show me the real Lina. You don't have to act tough all the time Lina because I'm here for you." He assured.

After a while her sobs began to lessen and her body went limb in his arms. He picked her up and carried her towards bed and placed her within its warm sheets. The crying had strained her out so he didn't stir very much when he released himself from her grip.

As he began to walk towards the door he heard a tiny voice.

"Gourry…..don't leave me."

He turned to face the girl in bed. Sure enough she was asleep, but she apparently felt him release from her grip.

"I told you before Lina that I'm here for you." He repeated walking out of the door.

I will always be here for you.

-

TBC

So what do you think?? Is it good enough to update?