AN: Ok, another chapter with lots of talking... but there's some action! Hang in there faithful readers, it'll get better soon, I promise!

Disclaimer: If I've said it once, I've said it a MILLION times, don't run with scissors! Oh, and I don't own Slayers either.

* Chapter * 7 *

The days passed, and the group continued it's journey with no major problems to slow them down. The was, of course, the occasional skirmish between Mazoku and Ryuuzoku, with some Zelgadis teasing thrown in when Xellos got frustrated dealing with Filia. Other than that, nothing interrupted their adventure until the final day.

Lina yawned and stretched as the sunlight hit her face. The troupe had camped out in the woods again, but tonight at least they'd be able to sleep in real beds since they'd be in Filia's town -- Musoan -- before dusk. After they'd eaten and broken camp, they again set out on the road, their pace faster than normal with their goal so close by. They talked and laughed as they walked along. Even Xellos' smile seemed more genuine today, though it was anybody's guess why. Popular opinion figured that it was because they'd be getting rid of Filia soon, and the Ryuuzoku seemed just as pleased to be soon leaving the company of her purple-haired nemesis.

Faith was enjoying herself immensely. She really liked her new friends. Lina, Gourry, Zelgadis, and Amelia had rapidly become very dear to her, and it felt good to be able to laugh and talk as if she was a normal person, human or not. In addition, she had two people who she could truly feel a kinship towards; even if they hated each other. Filia and Xellos were the first Ryuuzoku and Mazoku she'd been able to talk to in a very long time. And even though they bickered constantly, reminding her of her own conflict within, it was still comforting to have them around.

Still about two hours outside of Musoan, Lina and Faith were chatting idly about the Mystics' Cave. Well, more like Lina was trying to get information out of Faith and the half breed was being exceedingly vague and unhelpful, reminding Lina very much of Xellos at times. Suddenly, the strawberry-blonde stopped short on the trail and let out a loud gasp of pain. Her eyes flew open wide and she collapsed to her knees on the dirt trail, her hand pressed into her chest as if to protect her heart.

Lina cried as everyone gathered around the fallen woman.

What's wrong! came a chorus from everyone except Xellos, who was looking around the immediate area, a scowl of anger and suspicion on his face.

I... I don't know! Faith gasped, still clutching at her tunic. It felt as though her whole chest was on fire, as though a piece of her very soul were being ripped out of her forcibly. She blinked back tears as the burning torment spread through her limbs. Her fingers and hands became unresponsive as pain overwhelmed her nervous system. She was vaguely aware of her body falling over, of hands touching her and laying her down gently on the trail. Suddenly, however, she became acutely aware of a dark shadow in her mind. Panic flooded her, almost blotting out the pain in it's intensity. The shadow loomed closer, threatening, menacing, promising to blot out all light and send her reeling into nothingness forever.

Then a new coldness brushed against her mind, but it was a familiar touch, a soothing moonlit shadow, as opposed to the all devouring blackness encroaching upon her. A familiar voice whispered in her mind in hues of purple and black.

Be still,' it purred, The pain will pass, as will the darkness.' It was all Faith could do to whisper in her mind to the voice that she understood. No sooner had she replied than she felt as though a cool blanket of purple-silver moonlight had wrapped around her, smothering the fire in her nerves and blocking out the invading blackness from her vision. Slowly, her panic subsided, and she forced her eyes to open.

She found herself in the shadow of a circle of concerned faces. Xellos was kneeling at her left shoulder, while Filia sat to her right. She realized that Amelia was casting a healing spell of sorts, and Xellos' face was taut with concentration. The Mazoku opened his eyes for a moment and looked around at everyone.

I'll be back soon, he said, and phased out before anyone could object.

What happened? Amelia asked, worry etched on her features. Faith blinked slowly before she realized that the question was being directed at her.

I have no idea, she finally replied, propping herself up on her elbows and pulling herself into a sitting position. I felt as though my soul were being torn apart, and I saw this... this... I don't know what to call it, a wave of blackness I guess, coming towards me. It was going to destroy me, I think, she added with a shiver. Then I heard Xellos' voice. He told me to be still, and so I did. Then the pain subsided, and then I opened my eyes. But I don't have any idea what caused it all, she said.

It might have been an attack from the Astral Plane, Filia said quietly. Being that you're half Mazoku and half Ryuuzoku, your Astral body would be a large enough target. Lina nodded her agreement.

Maybe living in that cave shielded you from attacks like this, Lina said, apparently thinking out loud, But once you left it--

MY CAVE! Faith shrieked, her eyes flying open wide with fear. Something happened to my cave, I know it! That's what happened! Oh gods! she moaned, covering her face with her hands and sobbing as if in dire pain. I have to go back there! she cried, trembling.

Oh no you don't, Lina said firmly. Faith shot her red-haired friend a hurt and angry look. Lina sighed and softened slightly. Very slightly. Look, if something is wrong with your cave, in your condition, there's not much you can do about it at the moment. Better to rest a bit then go check it out. Besides, she added, seeing that Faith was not looking convinced, I have a feeling that Xellos might have gone to check it out for you anyway.

Why would a self-serving Mazoku do something like that? Filia asked, as if she didn't want to believe that Xellos could do anything kind or helpful. Lina shrugged.

By the way he's been acting and from what Faith's said about the cave, my guess is that he has orders to find out some information from it, or as much information as he can, she said. He probably is supposed to keep watch over Faith, since she's the only one who can access the information, or better yet, tell him how to access it. Xellos just loves his secrets, and the more he can learn, the more he can keep.

Oh, I guess that makes sense, Filia muttered. Lina guessed that the Ryuuzoku was still slightly upset at having been rescued by Xellos, in part anyway. That reminded Lina of a nagging question that had yet to be addressed.

Why was Filia kidnapped in the first place?' Lina wondered, And why would Xellos of all people help her? If that trickster was behind the kidnapping in any way...' Her thoughts were interrupted by a very nervous looking Filia pacing around.

Do we have to wait here for that Mazoku to get back, or can we go on to Musoan without him? she asked, a mixture of irritation and worry in her voice. Lina thought about it for a moment.

Let's go on ahead, Xellos will find us, she said while Gourry and Zel helped a still shaky Faith to her feet. The troupe made it's way down the path, slightly slower now. Still, they made good time, and within two and a half hours, they were approaching Filia's shop. The somber mood of the friends had picked up slightly after they entered the city; but now, almost at the door of Filia's shop, they were again flooded with worry. A small red fox man-beast came running out the door of the shop, tears streaming from his one good eye. They did not seem to be tears of joy and relief, but tears of pain, fear, and despair.

he choked, rushing up to the golden dragon and throwing himself into a hug around her knees, Forgive us, Omaesan! Please forgive us! he wailed.

Filia exclaimed, resting her hand on the crying fox-man's shoulder. What's wrong? Why would I need to forgive you? she asked kindly. Jillas only sobbed louder. It was then that a large, crocodile-like man-beast came lumbering out of the shop, his head bent low and his shoulders drooping. Gravos! What's going on, what happened? Filia asked, fear welling up in her chest.

We tried to stop them, Filia-san, we tried, but they were too strong, Gravos said, his deep voice choked with pain and fear.

Who were? Filia demanded.

Mazoku, we think, Gravos said.

They took Val-sama!! Jillas cried before burying his face in Filia's skirts again. The golden dragon froze, the color draining from her face. Lina and the others froze in shock. Xellos chose that moment to phase in a few feet to the right of Filia. For once, the Mazoku wasn't grinning. Filia's eyes burned crimson as she spun to face the priest.

she screamed, lunging forward, knocking Jillas down as she made as if to tear Xellos' throat out. You and your damned kind! Mazoku! she howled, stumbling towards Xellos, tears streaming down her face. She slammed her fist into the priest's chest so hard that everybody heard bone cracking as his chest caved in slightly under her fist. Xellos' expression remained stony as he reached down and grabbed Filia's wrist, pulling her fist away from his chest. She glared up at him with terrified, angry eyes, and he stared back with hard amethyst eyes. He looked up at the others, who were all staring at him as if expecting something. He looked back down at the dragon in his grip.

I had nothing to do with this, he said coldly. He turned his glare on Jillas and Gravos. When was the child taken? he asked. The beast men looked at each other for a minute. Finally, Jillas responded.

It couldn't have been more than two hours ago, he said, ducking his head in shame.

That was just after Faith was attacked! Amelia exclaimed.

Faith wasn't attacked, not directly. Her cave was, Xellos said, confirming Faith's fears. The half-breed sank to her knees again, burying her face in her hands, moaning as if in pain. It's still quite intact, nothing to worry about, for the moment.

NOTHING TO WORRY ABOUT! Filia screamed, not caring that the comment hadn't been directed at her, What about Val-chan! she sobbed, trembling as she struggled against Xellos' steel strong grip.

My cave, Faith whispered, visibly shaking.

Ok, we have two problems here, Lina said, taking charge of the situation. Firstly, we have Val's kidnapping. Secondly, Faith's cave has been attacked and presumably damaged. We have to figure out who did what and why. And sitting around crying and moaning about it won't do anybody any good, she added, turning to the two sobbing women, So snap out of it.

Filia looked at Xellos and forced herself to relax, realizing that Lina was right. Once Xellos was sure Filia wasn't going to hit him again, he released his grip on her wrist. The golden dragon then turned and offered her hand to help Faith up from the ground. The half-breed grasped the Ryuuzoku's shaking hand with her own and got to her feet.

Sorry about that, Faith whispered to no one in particular.

It's ok, just stay focused now, Lina said, patting both women on the shoulder. Now, what do we know about what happened? Jillas, Gravos, what can you tell us about the Mazoku who took Val?

They were big, was all Jillas finally managed to say, fighting to keep himself under control. He drew a deep breath, and continued, They came in like black shadows, and they kept shifting form.

They slammed me into the wall, Gravos admitted, his shoulders slouching down further, his ears and tail drooping.

And they held me down. They were so strong! Jillas added. We heard Val-sama crying... the fox-man broke down again, shaking and crying. Xellos had a thoughtful look on his face.

If what these beasts say is true, then the Mazoku who attacked didn't bother to hide their true form, most likely lower level creatures,' the priest thought. If they were such low-level Mazoku, then they'd be too stupid to come up with a workable plan on their own. So someone higher up must be behind this...'

Isn't it strange that Faith's cave was attacked right around the same time that Val got kidnapped? Amelia asked, looking around at the others. Zelgadis nodded.

It can't be a coincidence, the shaman agreed.

Especially considering that we just got back from saving Filia, Val's caretaker, from Mazoku, Lina added, nodding to herself.

So...what does it mean? Gourry asked. Lina sighed.

If we're not mistaken, then it means that the attack on Faith's cave, Val's kidnapping, and Filia's kidnapping are all connected somehow, the flame-haired sorceress said. Turning to Xellos, she narrowed her eyes, And if anyone here knows the connection, I'm betting it's you, Xellos. The priest put on a surprised expression.

Why do you say that, Lina?

Because your kind seem to be behind this, so you're likely to know something about them and their motives, Lina said, crossing her arms and tapping her foot. That and you always know more about what's going on then you let on.

Oh, well, in that case, he said, putting on an amused ironic expression, I suppose I can say that while I'm sure there is a connection, even I am not fully sure of what it is.

Well then what do you know about this? Lina asked, rubbing her temples. At times, she wasn't sure if Gourry or Xellos gave her more headaches. Xellos looked thoughtful as he searched for an answer.

At this point, I can only surmise, since I don't know exactly who is behind all of this, or what their motives are, he said, his tone light. However, I see two possibilities. Firstly, it seems reasonable that Filia was kidnapped, at least in part, to leave Val an easier target for abduction. Secondly, the two kidnappings were not planned together, but someone took advantage of Filia's absence to kidnap Val. I'm sure that the attack on the Mystics' Cave was connected to Val's abduction as well. The timing was too close, and the energy there was almost identical to the remnants that are still here.

You can sense the energy patterns? Lina asked eagerly. That means you could use it like a fingerprint to figure out who's behind this! Do you recognize the pattern at all? Xellos shook his head, purple hair fanning out gently.

It's Mazoku, and it feels vaguely familiar, the priest said with a shrug. Unfortunately, it's either not strong enough or I simply had very little contact with this Mazoku in the past. Or both.

So this leaves us where, exactly? Faith asked, seeming very confused.

Not much of anywhere, actually, Zelgadis said.

Don't be so gloomy, Amelia said, poking him gently in the ribs. Zel shrugged.

Sorry, force of habit, he apologized. Amelia gave him a half smile, and he smiled back at her.

We need to figure out the connection between Val and Faith's cave, Lina said. But I can't think on an empty stomach, so let's discuss this over dinner!


End Notes: I swear this story (and my muse) has a mind of it's own...I'm at it's mercy here, people. If the muse is not satisfied, then the muse will rebel, and the story might suffer! I beg of you, appease my muse with feedback!