4 months earlier…

Xellos was experiencing something he hadn't felt in a very long time. He was bored. He had just returned from a rather log mission and Zelas had given him time to 'heal from his wounds.' He let out a not-so-gentleman like snort. It was her way of saying she had nothing for him to do.

He could easily go amuse himself with annoying Lina, and Zel was always happy to see him… No, he didn't want the little princess's justice speech, the stupid swordsman's blank stares, the childish sorceress's headlocks; he didn't even want the grumpy golem's feelings. He was craving something a little more destructive…

Then Xellos opened his eyes and smirked. Oh yes, it must be time to check on dear Filia.

"Thank you so much! I hope to see you again soon!" Filia cheerfully waved as a customer exited her shop. She let out a heavy sigh, her vase shop had been doing rather poor lately, and she needed all the business she could get. It seemed like no matter how hard she tried, she just couldn't fit in here. The townspeople saw her as strange, it didn't help that her tail popped out every once in a while…

Checking the clock on her wall she realized it was time for afternoon tea. But just as she got to her little kitchen she heard the bell ring, telling her someone had entered her shop. With a sigh, she set down her tea pot and went to work.

"Hello and welcome to my vase shop how can I help-!" Her warm smile froze on her face and her eyes widened. "You!"

"Hello Fi-chan! You're looking well." He stood in the middle of her shop, looking around with a big fake smile plastered on his face. "And as for how you can help me, I think I'll start off with just a cup of tea, thank you!" Filia's eyes narrowed.

"I'm not a waitress, dumb masoku, so get out of my shop. The tavern is down the road."

Xellos put on an offended face. "Well now, if that's how you treat all your customers, it's no wonder they all are afraid of you."

Filia's eyebrow twitched. "You're not a customer, you're a pest. Now out!"

"No," Xellos pouted, stilling hoping to get a rise out of her, "I think I want to stay."

Filia was about to throw some more insults at him when she saw him examining her newest prize vase which was sitting proudly on its own shelf. Before she could stop him he reached out a finger and flicked it, sending it crashing to the ground. He looked up at her shocked expression. "Oops?"

"ARGGHH!" Filia whipped out her mace and proceeded to chase Xellos all around her shop, hitting more of her vases then she was hitting Xellos, much to the masoku's glee.

After bashing him to a pulp, Filia replaced her mace, took a deep breath, and glared at Xellos. "Fine, stay if you want. See if I care."

Xellos pulled himself up from the ground. "I think I will!" he shouted after her, and saw her tail twitch in response.

Present…

"Filia, you really should eat more." Amelia fussed during breakfast the next morning.

"I'm fine, Amelia, nothing to worry about." Filia continued to push the food on her plate around.

"After all, you've been getting sick lately…" Amelia wasn't giving up yet.

"Really, I'm just not hungry." Filia answered briskly, causing Zel to raise his eyebrows at the irritation in her tone.

"and you've gotten so thin…"

"I'm fine, OK!" Filia slammed her fork on the table, causing Amelia to jump back startled, and the attention of the four other group members to focus on her. Filia blushed, stammered out apologies as she fled outside.

Amelia walked back to the table slowly. "I don't think she's okay Miss Lina."

"Ibf cee chays cees fibne, den im chure cees fibne." Lina got out while stuffing her breakfast into her mouth. When she noticed everyone staring at her like she was insane, she simply swallowed and said impatiently, "If she says she's fine, then I'm sure she's fine."

Zel rolled his eyes and turned to Amelia. "What do you mean she's been getting sick lately?"

"I heard her yesterday in the bathroom, she was throwing up. I thought it was just an upset stomach, but she was in there again today. I'm worried."

"Maybe she just has a bug, she has been kind of pale lately…" Zel reasoned.

"Yeah, that must be it." Amelia agreed but she still looked unsure.

None of them noticed that Xellos had followed her out.

AN: I had to start introducing the beginning of the story, since I started in the middle. Im not sure how it is, but im gonna keep writing. Please R&R!!