Hey you guys! Here is the next chapter for you. as with all fanfics, i do not own any of the characters.. in this case, slayers. Okay, on with the fic!

Mariah Sunshine

Lina walked slowly through the dark woods, and savored each ray of sunlight that peeked its head between the numerous leaves. She slowed and picked up a white tiny flower, and began to pluck off its leaves and she went. Her mind was in another dimension, and her body felt heavy and tired. Gourry was hiding something from her.

Normally Gourry wouldn't know enough of any situation, to keep anything from her. It was always her at the front lines, making all the decisions. How could he know something she didn't…how could…how could he leave her out? She crumbled the tiny flower in her hand, and started to pick up her pace. She pulled her tiny blue night bag close to her back, and her hands dug into the straps viciously. Her hair bounced heavily upon her head, as her feet heavily pounded the soft dirt. Furry little rabbits, and golden foxes raced for cover as she approached, and they stayed put after she left. She was not a force to be reckoned with.

She thought and thought till her head ached, and she grew dizzy. She nearly walked clear into the lake, had it not been for a trusty root that tripped her, knocking her face first into the muddy lakeside. She pulled herself up angrily, and shot a quick fireball at the poor tree. Had it not been for the multitude of water in its roots, the tree would have gone up in smoke. She sat down beside her favorite weeping willow tree, and pulled off her boots. She threw them to the side, and quickly slipped her tiny toes into the water. It was cooling, brisk and refreshing. She leaned back and let out a small sigh. Those boots always made her feet so sweaty and hot this time of year. She wiggled her toes, and admired the blue polish on her feet. It was Gourry's favorite color. At the sudden thought of Gourry, her face turned into a scowl, and she quickly pulled her feet out of the water. She stood up, and pulled her shirt up over her head, and dropped her pants to the ground. She was wearing a gift that Amelia had given her, on the night before her honeymoon. It was an elegant silver bra, and panty set, made with the finest silk in the town, and sewn with the finest threads this side of the northern border. Amelia blushed the whole time, and said that it was her assistant who thought it appropriate… but it was clear this was all Amelia. It took everything in her not to jump straight in, but she knew she needed to remove the set first, or it would get ruined. She quickly unhooked her bra, and folded it, placing it in her night bag. Then she slid the panties down, and jumped up quickly to avoid getting mud on it. After both were neatly folded and in her bag safe and sound, she turned to the long awaited water.

The lake was serene, and tranquil. Today there was no birds, no ducks, and no lilly pads. All that was on the surface of the water was the shimmer of the golden sun as the rays danced along the aqua blue surface. The tiny ripples moved with the wind as it stopped, continued, and stopped again. Normally Lina was not a swimmer. She enjoyed her baths and a hot tub over a cold lake any day. But this… this water was freezing. She needed her heat, needed her fire. This was where Gourry was most happy. He loved his freezing cold waters, and often tried to drag her in with him. He needed to feel the cool, he needed his ice. It was what…Gourry loved… her Gourry. The thought of him brought sudden tears to her eyes. Is he really keeping something from her? She always hated not knowing what was going on… it always made her feel so helpless.

The hot tears flowed down her face and slide down her rosy cheeks. She closed her eyes, and walked slowly into the water. She walked and walked, until the water enveloped her body and all that was left above, was her head. She opened her eyes, and looked around. She was a good 25 feet off the lakeside. Then she turned and saw there was more than 100 feet of lake for her to explore. More of the cold, golden water. She closed her eyes and dove in. Her ears were instantly clogged and she heard water softly moving past her ears as she paddled her arms. Her eyes saw things that lay at the bottom of the lake. She saw ripped clothing, old boots, and one thing that sparkled underneath. The object caught her attention of course…she loved sparkly things, so she swam for it. She started to get tired but she only swam harder for it. The lower she went, the more pressure she felt. She swam and paddled 75 feet, until her tiny hands touched the bottom. Her lungs felt weak as she forced herself to hold the breath, and her hair as unruly as it was, flew this way and that, preventing her from getting to her goal. She rested on hand on the seabed and stretched the other out to the shiny item at the bottom. Her mind raced a hundred miles an hour. Could it be gold, silver? Antique coins that would make her rich? She finally managed to grab it, and as she did, and skeleton of a body rolled over onto her hand. She let out a scream, and all the air in her lungs was released from her mouth, and sent flying up to the surface without her.

She regained herself, and grabbing the sparking object, paddled hard to the top. She felt her lungs slowly giving way, and her body weakening from the lack of oxygen. Tears entered her eyes and were released to the waters around her. Try as she might, she just couldn't find the strength to pull herself up. She paddled and pushed, but soon, she could no longer even do that. She closed her eyes, and got ready for the death to set in. She felt the water around her, rushing in her ears, she felt the cold dancing about her finger tips… and then she felt the fingers of her Gourry wrapping around her waist. He quickly hoisted her up to the surface, the surface she thought she would never see again.

Gourry pulled her close, and peeled the wet red mess off her head as she violently coughed, and spit up bits of water she swallowed during her scream. Her fingers held tight to the sparkly treasure in her hand as she struggled to regain her normal breathing. She didn't dare look up at Gourry, who was more than likely to scold her for her greediness. Nowadays, he seemed to be even more protective over Lina…and for Lina that wasn't too much of a bad thing. He rested his chin on her head, as her breathing finally settled, and her strength returned.

Lina… are you okay?

Yeah Gourry… I'm fine.

Aye Lina… I can't believe you almost drowned for that damned thing in your hand.

Lina remember the treasure in her hand, and clenched her fingers tight around it. She pulled away from Gourry's grip, and headed for the lakeside. Gourry was left with a shocked expression on his face. He didn't expect Lina to show any sort of gratitude… she didn't like having people rescue her… she liked her independence. But at the same time, Gourry didn't expect her to completely blow him off.

Lina! Wait for me!

He paddled hard back for the shore, but by then Lina was already on the lakeside. She pulled out a towel, and dried herself quickly. She dug into her bag, and pulled on her pink panty set, with the little bow in the front, and quickly threw on her clothes. When Gourry finally made it to the lakeside, she grabbed her bag, and pulled it over her shoulder. She turned to leave, when Gourry grabbed her arm.

Lina, what's wrong with you? Did something down there happen to upset you?

She pulled out of his arm, and headed into the forest. Gourry sighed, and squeezed out his hair. She disappeared behind the wall of green, and Gourry turned to follow her. She may not want his company right now, but she was gonna get it. There was something he needed to tell her, and he was gonna do it tonight.

Hey you guys! How do you like the next chapter? Review and tell me okay? Well, not much more to say, im working on chapter four now, so the next should be coming soon, goodbye guys!