Intimate Stranger

by Handsome Puppy

Disclaimer:
Slayers belongs to Hajime Kanzaka/Rui Araizumi/Kadokawa Shoten/TV TOKYO/SOFTX/Marubeni. The title "Intimate Stranger" is taken from the song of the same name in the delirious? album "Glo". This story and all the original characters are mine.


Xelloss wasn't too happy when he was summoned by his mother early in the morning and had to remain in her chamber for the whole morning.

Valgarv, heir to the Demon Dragon King, arrived in the morning with gifts from his master, as well as a polite declination to attend the Beastmaster's 2000th birthday celebration. Zellas was slightly disappointed that her brother wasn't going to come for the big event, but she was nevertheless satisfied with the presents. She chatted with Valgarv about how the Demon Dragon King was doing, and then she gave him permission to leave. Xelloss, however, had to stay behind to discuss the celebration plan with her.

After leaving the Beastmaster's palace, Valgarv wondered around the premises, hoping to maybe catch a glimpse of the human girl that was Xelloss' fiancee and the subject of other Mazoku's chatters. He spotted her easily with her long and shining golden hair near the edge of the forest, but he also saw the son of Phibrizo cornering her.

"Fair Filia, it pains me not being able to see your angelic face after our last meeting." Meiron approached with a sly expression. "I have much to talk with you about, as I want to know you more."

Filia glanced around, inwardly blaming herself for taking on Zellas' offer on relaxing in the forest with the wolves. The wolves were all summoned away by their mistress, and she was left alone with the 'evil cousin' once more. She touched the engagement ring, pondering on her next course of action. She was ready to make a run for it and call for Xelloss when another presence suddenly appeared between them.

"You must be Filia." Valgarv grinned, scanning the blond with his golden eyes.

Filia stiffened at the unexpected stranger, relieved and fearful at the same time. Was he here to help, or was he here to worsen the problem? "Who... Who are you?"

"What are you doing here, Valgarv?" Meiron barked impatiently at the intruder.

"Valgarv?" Filia repeated the name and relaxed a little. She remembered Xelloss telling her once that Valgarv and Meiron didn't see eye to eye with each other.

"Beautiful eyes. Nice hair, too." Valgarv smiled in his proud and arrogant way, taking hold of a strand of golden casually. "I want to talk to you for a bit."

"Uh? Sure..." Filia was unaccustomed to his direct approach, but she was willing to go with him in order to get away from Meiron. Valgarv wrapped an arm around her and teleported out before Meiron could do anything.

When Filia came to realise what happened, she found them in a grass field with a river running through. Valgarv let go of her and walked toward the river bank. He sat down on a rock casually and signalled her to do the same.

"Don't worry about that pest. He can't get near. I have a barrier around us so he won't hear a word we exchange." Valgarv said meaningfully.

"Um, thank you." Filia bit her lips a little. "You... What did you want to talk to me about?"

"You are a Gold Dragon, aren't you?" Valgarv looked at her straight in the eyes.

Filia gasped and grew pale. "How did you...?"

Valgarv chuckled and softened his gaze. "I'm part Ryuuzoku myself, so I can sense your true aura behind the seal."

"You're part Ryuuzoku? You're not a Mazoku?" Filia looked at him with a confused expression.

"Let's just say that I was adopted by Master Garv and became part Mazoku."

"Really? I am adopted, too." For some reason, Filia felt an affinity to him.

"No doubt. The Ryuuzoku clan was supposed to be wiped out two hundreds years ago." Valgarv said. "I heard that the Knight of Cepheid got to the scene too late and wasn't able to save anyone. That's apparently not true if you're here."

"Luna wasn't able to save anyone. It's just that not everyone was dead when she got there." Filia recalled what the Knight of Cepheid told her. "My parents still had their last breaths and left my egg to Luna's care. She put a seal on me and delayed my hatching time so that I could learn all Ryuuzoku skills inside the barrier she placed on the egg. When I was hatched 25 years ago, she adopted me into her family. No one knows of my real identity, and my power continues to be sealed."

"I see. That explains why you feel completely human to everyone, even to the Mazoku." Valgarv nodded. "She also took away your ability to transform into a dragon in order for you to stay in your human form permanently, didn't she? Very smart move, I must say. There are still Mazoku that hold a grudge against the Ryuuzoku. If your true identity is found out, you'd be hunted down and killed."

"Luna is more like a mother than a sister to me. She took care of my egg and made sure I blend in perfectly. I suppose she's the only real family I'll ever have." Filia smiled sadly. Even though her Ryuuzoku power was sealed, she still had the long life of a Gold Dragon. All the human acquaintances she made wouldn't last. Not even her dear sister Lina.

Valgarv looked at her, his tone somewhat hesitant. "If you don't mind, you can come into my family when your human one passes away. I'm sure Master Garv won't mind me getting a little sister." This was his first time meeting the girl, yet he felt strangely attached to her. He didn't want to see her sad.

"That's very nice of you, Valgarv." Filia smiled at the slightly blushing man.

"Anyway, how did you end up on Wolf Pack Island? And becoming Xelloss' fiancee, no less."

Filia exhaled slowly. "Father lost a bet to Zellas Metallium and had to marry a daughter to Zellas' son. Luna is out of the question, of course, so that left me and my other sister Lina. Lina was father's first choice, but she's in love with another man. I couldn't let her be separated from her love, so I insisted on coming in her place. Luna was away when the deal was made, and it was too late for her to do anything when she returned on the day of my departure."

"It's a good thing that Luna sealed your power and have you almost completely human." Valgarv shook his head. "There's no telling what would have happened if anyone finds out about your Ryuuzoku identity, especially with Meiron around. He hates Ryuuzoku with a passion."

Filia nodded. "Luckily, Xelloss also didn't want to get married, and we agreed to just wait the six-month trial period out. Then I can just go back to Zephilia."

"It's not that easy, girl." Valgarv jabbed his thumb at the figure outside the barrier. "He's going to follow you all the way back to Zephilia."

Filia froze. "How did you know?"

"Your parents gave your egg to Luna, right? That makes you the daughter of the last Ryuuzoku, doesn't it, Filia ul Copt? Of course, I don't doubt that Luna can get rid of him without even lifting a finger, but I have a feeling that you wouldn't want your sister involved."

"No." Filia sighed. "I asked Xelloss for a way to defeat Meiron. I think I can handle him."

"But that would blow your cover." Valgarv grinned wickedly. "I can kill him for you. He is no match for me."

"That's alright. I'll deal with him myself." Filia smiled.

"If you say so." Valgarv's expression softened. "So I take it that Xelloss doesn't know about this yet?"

"Xelloss is a nice person and I don't want to deceive him, but I have no choice. He thinks I'm just an ordinary human girl who happens to be in the same family with Luna." Filia paused a little and looked down. "Do you think he will be angry at me when he finds out?"

Valgarv snorted. "Nobody knows what that guy's thinking. He might not even care. But if he is angry, he's gonna have to get past me first to get to you."

"Why are you helping me, Valgarv?" Filia looked at him, curious and puzzled.

He returned her gaze sincerely. "For two centuries, I've thought that I'm the only one with Ryuuzoku blood. Now that I've met you, how can I not help you?"

"Thank you." Filia smiled and touched his arm gently. Valgarv blushed a little and smiled back.

Such was the scene Xelloss saw when he arrived. He stared at the pair inside the barrier with confusion, then he glared at his cousin furiously.

"WHAT happened?" Xelloss demanded.

"It's just as you can see." Meiron seized the opportunity to blame another. "Valgarv appeared suddenly and carried Filia off-"

"Xelloss!" Filia ran up to her fiance happily, effectively cutting off whatever Meiron was trying to say.

"Filia! Are you okay?" Xelloss pulled her to him and looked her over. "I didn't think mother would summon all the wolves to the palace and leave you alone here."

"I am fine." Filia smiled at him. "I had a nice talk with Valgarv."

"And what did you two talk about?" Xelloss asked, his eyes on the servant of the Demon Dragon King, who had just dropped the barrier and was casually walking toward them.

"I was merely asking how the Knight of Cepheid is doing. She is the guardian of Ryuuzoku, after all." Valgarv shrugged.

"Oh, really? Then what was that I saw?" Xelloss gazed into the pair of golden eyes that stared right back at him.

"I was thanking him for helping me." Filia said, still in Xelloss' arms.

"Helping you?"

"Your cousin over there was harassing Filia. I took her here so I could talk to her in peace." Valgarv cast a pointed glance at the guilty Mazoku.

"Why, cousin Meiron, I thought you are not that low as to hit on your cousin's fiancee, again." Though Xelloss' tone was light, his open eyes glared dangerously at Meiron. He wrapped his arm around Filia possessively. No one invaded his territory and got away with it. As long as Filia had the title of being his fiancee, he would not allow anyone to touch her.

"You'd believe a half-blood's words over your own cousin's?" Meiron tried to distract Xelloss' attention to a less serious issue.

"It depends, but I'll take my fiancee's words over yours anytime." Xelloss said and rested his chin on Filia's golden head.

"Hmph!" Meiron gave the girl one last look and teleported out.

Xelloss loosened his hold on Filia and released her. "Don't ever trust mother again. She's the one behind the whole game."

"Getting protective, huh? I thought you don't want to be bonded to anyone, Xelloss." Valgarv smirked.

"What I do is no business of yours, Valgarv." Xelloss turned to glare at him with open eyes. "If you've done what you were sent here to do, leave."

"Tsk, tsk. That's not very nice of you, Xelloss." Valgarv grinned at the Gold Dragon. "You must be wrong, Filia. This Mazoku can never be nice."

"Eh?" Xelloss blinked at his words, pausing just long enough for the Ancient-Mazoku to wink at Filia and teleported. He glanced at the slightly blushing girl beside him. "You told him that I am... nice?"

"Yes." Filia looked away nervously. Would that be an insult for a Mazoku? Would he get mad for being called nice?

Xelloss sighed, uncertain what to make of her comment. This fiancee of his sure was interesting. He glanced at the innocent expression on her face. "Well, I doubt that mother is going to have any more long talk with me before the term's over, so you won't be left alone. However, her birthday is less than two weeks away so I have to arrange the whole celebration and other things. My other relatives could also arrive anytime. It might be boring, but just make sure you stay with me at all times, okay?"

"Hn." Filia smiled and nodded.

+ - + - + - + - + - +

"Yes, that's 3000 bottles of the finest Zephilian wine... I know that's your whole stock. I'm paying good price for them." Xelloss said with a bored expression.

Making arrangements for the birthday celebration for Beastmaster without leaving the island was not a difficult thing to do. All he needed were some lesser wolves that could communicate telepathically. Right now, he was leaning on the couch in his room with Xephi sitting in front of him, acting as messenger between him and the wine maker.

"Xin will give you the money tomorrow morning when he picks up the wine... How he's going to carry all the bottles isn't really your business, is it? Mr. Ascar?" Xelloss felt like rolling his eyes. And this wine maker also happened to be the owner of the restaurant where Luna worked? Hadn't he learned anything from having such a special employee?

"It is nice doing business with you, Mr. Ascar. Then, good night." Xelloss got up, ready to signal the lesser wolf to close the link and call it a day.

"Lady Luna."

The Beast Priest paused when he heard the lesser wolf on the other side called out.

Xephi looked at her master, silently asking if she should keep the link with her brother. Xelloss nodded and sat back down.

"Xin, right?" Luna Inverse walked up to the human looking Mazoku with grace and ease. "Is Xelloss on the other side?"

"Good evening, Miss Luna." Xelloss greeted first cheerfully. "It's unfortunate that you're one minute too late. I already bought all the wine from the nice old man."

"I was only coming to check. I knew you'd place the order sooner or later. Zellas really likes Zephilian wine, after all." Luna smiled.

"How well you know mother, Miss Luna."

"So how is she?"

"Alive and well." Xelloss replied, knowing that she was asking about her little sister. His grin grew wider. "The wolves are quite taken up with her."

"Where is she now? Can I talk to her?" Luna's voice softened.

"Filia? Sure you can talk to her. She was reading some books on the bed when I made the call." Xelloss turned around and found the girl sleeping peacefully with a book half opened. "...and she's asleep."

Luna cocked an eyebrow, though Xelloss could not see it. "Asleep? In the presence of a Mazoku such as you?"

"Well, this is not the first time, and she's not afraid of me for some reason." Xelloss sighed and walked to the bed. He studied her innocent face for a moment. "She even called me nice."

"You? Nice?" Luna laughed before she turned serious suddenly. "Filia's lived a very sheltered life and believes that no one is truly evil. She's the purest and sweetest girl I've seen in the past few centuries. Don't you touch her and taint her innocence, Xelloss. If you hurt her in any way, I will sure to pay you back."

"I don't plan to harm her at all so you can rest assured, Miss Luna." Xelloss' expression was soft as he pulled a blanket over the sleeping beauty.

"What about the son of Hellmaster? He's also on Wolf Pack Island, isn't he?" Something flashed in Luna's eyes, but her bang effectively shielded it from being seen by anyone.

Xelloss opened his amethyst eyes and narrowed them dangerously. "If Meiron ever lay a finger on Filia, I'll kill him."

"I hope you keep your word, Xelloss." Luna nodded. "I don't wish to show myself on the island before the appointed pick up date." She added under her breath.

"What?" Xelloss didn't catch all of her last sentence.

"Nothing. Keep her safe and sound, Xelloss." Luna put her mysterious smile back on. "Say hi to Filia for me, won't you?"

"Of course, Miss Luna."

"Then, good night." Luna said. She waved goodbye to the lesser wolf and left.

"Lady Luna has left, Master Xelloss." Xephi said. Xelloss nodded and signalled the girl to take leave, which she did.

Xelloss scooped up his fiancee, wrapped her in his blanket, and teleported to her room. He placed her gently on the bed and stroke her cheek softly.

"Good night, my precious Filia."

to be continued


Author's Note:
I finally remembered to update... Those of you who were wondering why Luna sealed Filia's power, I hope this chapter answers that question somewhat.

I had a bit of trouble deciding how Xelloss should address Luna. In my original file, he used Luna-san, while the lesser wolf used Luna-sama. However, reading over the story this time around made me realise that I didn't put any Japanese in the previous chapters, and therefore it would seem awkward to use the Japanese honourifics now. Hope that worked out all right. What did you think of the 'chemistry' between Valgarv and Filia? I don't particularly support Val/Filia, but I really like to explore the sibling/kinsmanship connection between them. The next chapter marks the climax and the last chapter before the epilogue. Stay tuned for the only angst in this sappy story. XD