A/N: I own nothing Slayers. It's a well-known fact! (Do I have to do this EVERY chapter?)

"What do you thinks wrong with her, Lina-san?" Amelia asked, concerned, as the group was watching Filia sleep on a bed they had rented at the inn. Filia looked painfully different then she had the last time they had seen her, which was almost five years ago. Her face seemed thinner, and her eyes were surrounded by dark circles. She had worry lines on her forehead and she was filthy. It seemed as though she'd been traveling for days and hadn't had the time to sleep, eat, or clean herself up. Whatever it was that was scaring her this much, it was serious.

"How should I know, I wasn't the one who found her." Lina snarled, shooting a smoldering glare at Xelloss, who looked confused and innocent.

"You wouldn't be blaming ME, now would you?" He asked, pointing a finger to his chest and raising his eyebrows.

Zelgadis looked aggravated. "Tell us AGAIN how you found her, and if you say 'That's a secret', I'll convince Lina to fireball you into the next century." In Xelloss's opinion, Lina didn't look like she needed much convincing, looked like she'd be happy to oblige.

"Now Zelgadis, I would love to tell you, however, that IS a-" Lina lunged at Xelloss and held him in a strong, somewhat too tight headlock.

"Xelloss you tell us now or I swear to L-sama that I'll-" Lina threatened.

"Argh, my head…" Filia brought a shaking hand to rest on her throbbing forehead. Opening her big blue eyes slightly she looked around and was surprised to find herself surrounded by her old friends.

"Miss Filia, you're awake!" Amelia shrieked with glee, causing Filia to wince at the sound.

"What happened?" Filia asked groggily.

"We aren't sure… yet!" Lina once again glared at Xelloss, but released him from the headlock. He smiled cheerfully.

"Good morning, Lizard!" Lina smashed her hand into his head. "Oww…"

"What's going on? Who was attacking you?" Amelia asked.

"A masoku, a strong one. She's after me because, I-" She seemed to hesitate about whatever she was about to say, "I don't know why she's after me." She finished, weakly, as though she didn't even believe it herself.

"Would a masoku be after Filia?" Zel said, studying Filia and glancing to Xelloss with an accusing look on his sulking face. Xelloss, however, seemed to be completely unaware of Lina and Zel's glares. Instead he was scrutinizing Filia, her power signature: It was undeniably hers, he remembered it from the last time they had traveled together, but there was something… different about it. He then noticed they were all looking at him. He grinned the trickster grin.

"Oh my! Is THAT the time? I really should be getting back to Zelas-sama! Ta!" And disappeared.

"How typical of him! To leave when we actually need him!" Lina grumbled. Surprising everyone, this caused Filia to sob, bury her head in her knees, and cried silently.

"Uhh, Fi? What's wrong?" She sobbed louder. One hand covering her eyes and on came to rest on her lower abdomen.

"How typical, indeed." She sobbed. Everyone stared.

A/N: There it is. Ya'll like it? R&R! Three coming soon!