Hey you guys! Its been a while, i know. I've just been major busy and all. Well, here is the next chapter to the ficcy. I don't own slayers, nor would you be able to find me had you tried to sue. Lol, now, on with the Fic

Mariah Sunshine

Lina walked quickly about 20 paces or so, in front of Gourry. Her wet hair stuck to the back of her head in a tight ponytail and occasionally flew into the wind. There was an undeniable scowl on her face, and her eyes glowed with fire. The last thing she wanted…needed, was for Gourry to be around her. Who does he think he is? Her father? First he hides things from her, and then has the nerve to act high and mighty and save her. She would have been just fine had he not stepped in and yanked her out the water. She was just about to say her Levitation spell, and lift herself out. She didn't need him. For that matter she doesn't need anyone. Not him, not the old, man, and definitely not Rhina.

Gourry looked up ahead at his Lina. Although the forest was dark and the light was scarce, he could see Lina with no trouble. Her tiny pale body was outlined by the sagging, wet clothes. He then brilliantly guesses she must still be a bit wet from the lake incident. As he watches her trample her way through the dark forest he noticed three important factors in understanding Lina's mood. 1, her back was slightly slouched… meaning she was utterly exhausted. 2, her chin was slightly turned upward, meaning she was in a defiant mood. 3, her hand was clenched meaning she was angry and looking for someone or something to take it out on. He had been watching her for some years now…and everything about her was beginning to become so clear. The way she cocks her head when she is proud, or the way that little tooth shows when she was on a rampage. It was always the small things he noticed. He may never get the big picture as to why she is mad, but at least he understands that she is upset.

Lina however never took the time to see the small things. For her everything was big scale. You could tell her, her house burnt down, and she would be fine. Tell her, her dinner burnt and she would just about have a heart attack. It was things like this…and her moods that amused Gourry the most. He placed his hands behind his head and looked towards the sky… his Lina… he was very happy to have her.

The sunset quickly over the mountain, and the air began to pick up. A cool breeze came in from the north and blew heavily upon the two. The leaves rattled and shook, and the trees swayed from side to side. Lina shivered and pulled her cloak close. The cold stung through her wet clothing, and her skin became red and irritated. Her body hunched down lower in an attempt to stay warm, as she began to feel more and more tired. She slowed down, and Gourry easily walked to her side. He pulled off his long blue cloak, and tried to place it on her shoulders, but she pushed herself away from him, leaving Gourry hurt, and tormented. She began to walk away from him as if he was nothing more than a mere stone on the ground.

He walked slowly behind her like a punished child, as his mind wandered to what he could have done to hurt her. There was the day before yesterday, where he forgot that those type of toads were poisonous…and Lina spent the whole day throwing up. Or that night when he and Lina were in the tent and he accidentally elbowed her in the stomach. Or was it yesterday… when he couldn't get to the rider in time to save Lina's friend. Yeah… that had to be it right? I mean… she had been brushing him off since then right?

Lina...?

Lina's ears perked up at the sound of his voice. Even though she was mad at him…she couldn't force her body to stop her reactions to him. When she regained control of herself, she ignored him, and walked faster away from him. Gourry continued to speak anyway.

Lina… Listen I'm sorry I didn't make it in time to save your friend. I should have stayed by your side instead of riding up ahead. I should have looked at each alley more carefully. I know she meant a lot to you… and I know I can't bring her back but… I'm sorry.

She her fingers grabbed the strap of her bag, and dug deep into the leather. She really didn't want to hear this…not here, not now. Why couldn't he just leave her alone? Why couldn't he just disappear? Why did he always have to be filled with some kind of emotion? Why couldn't be he just be mean and cruel, and just… let her hide herself sometimes. She closed her eyes tight, and the wind picked up, lifting her now dry ponytail with it.

Lina listen, do you remember, that… this morning I was supposed to tell you something?

Gourry stopped and looked at her. She walked just a few feet more and then stopped herself. Her body was shaking and she opened her eyes and stared ahead at the hole in the tree. Squirrels peeked their heads out, and gave her a sympathetic look. After a few short moments they continued about on their nightly feast in their home. For a second, she wished that she could just become a squirrel in the tree… or a bird in the sky…and just fly away. Yeah… fly away. Her hands that were clenched tight were suddenly released, and her body eased. She didn't look his way. How could she? She would have cried if she did. So she just waited there, with her back to him, waiting for his response.

Well Lina. It's about your friend… Rhina. Lina's head perked up, and her body became tense again. She wrote a letter for you…before she died. And well, I guess I'll let you read it, unless you want me to.

He waited for Lina to turn around and come get the letter. The wind picked up, and the sky suddenly became darker. Little stars slowly appeared in the sky between the leaves, and white petals were released into the wind. When she didn't move… he began to read the tiny letter.

Dear Lina,

I know that we've been friends for a really long time, and that you've been on the road for a while. I've requested your presence in my home a few months ago, and I know that you'll arrive shortly. I always knew you were the lazy type Lina, but I didn't think it would take so long for you to get here. Well… the whole reason I called you over is because I was pregnant, and I wanted you to be the first to see the child. And I wanted to ask that you become the godmother to the baby. I know that it is a big responsibility and you hate kids… but I don't think anything will happen to me. I'm as healthy as an ox, and I have you to protect me, should anything bad happen.

Well, I'm writing this letter, because the baby has arrived. It is a bouncing baby girl. I named her… Mariah Lina Laad. Yes I know haha, a funny name, but no more funny then yours Lina Fae Inverse. Well, I will be sending this out shortly, have you not yet arrived. Hope to see you soon Lina, Goodbye my friend.

Lina couldn't speak…she merely looked to her left at a small tree with tiny white flowers. She walked over and pulled a tiny flower from the tree, and then she twirled it in her fingers. Gourry walked up slowly behind her, and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. This time…she didn't move, and she didn't budge. She just twirled the flower in her hand…and watched it. It pained Gourry a lot to see her like this. She really wasn't herself. She wasn't the happy bubbling Lina who took on the world. He pulled her tighter and he buried his face in her hair. The wind gave a tug, and the tiny flower flew from her fingers and into the sky. She watched it fly, and fall a few feet away from her. And she watched the flower as the tears rolled down her eyes. Then everything became a blur. She didn't remember Gourry picking her up…or her falling asleep in his arms. All she remembered, was that little white flower, and that name… Mariah.

DaDADUM. There we have it, where the title of the story comes from, and why all those people were so upset. Who woulda thought, Lina, a God mother? Who woulda thought.. Lina Fae? yikes! Gourry a Godfather! Yikes! Hope you enjoyed this chapter, the next is on it way! Bye you guys! R&R pleaseeeeee