Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ Dramata Kurage! ❯ Chapter 21 ( Chapter 21 )

Disclaimer: Slayers and their characters are not owned by me. They belong to Hajime Kanzaka, Rui Araizumi and any other companies which own them. I'm just borrowing them for a little bit and I promise to give them back all in perfect working order.

21.0
Opening my eyes, I looked around quickly as I tried to figure out where I was. Something about the place had me nervous and I reached down to take a hold of the sword but I felt nothing. I looked down and realised I didn't have any swords and so I had nothing to attack or defend myself with apart from my body. It seemed that I was in the words but I could just make out in the distance an opening, and something told me I had to go there.

I walked carefully, wanting to keep quiet because I knew I didn't want to be discovered. I avoided the branches lying on the ground and closed in on the opening. The closer I got, the more I could make out and I realised there were two figures standing in the opening. I was more careful as I closed in and the closer I got, the more dread I started to feel because the figures became into view more clearly.

I finally reached the edge of the opening and I ducked down behind a fallen tree, peering over the top so that I could look to the two figures. My heart suddenly missing a beat which forced me to catch a breath because of the scene. It was Lina but dressed the way she had been as a mazoku and she was talking to Xellos. I knew immediately that she was a mazoku and I wanted to collapse.

“Why…why Lina?” I whispered to myself very softly so they wouldn't hear me, but something about their body language made me realise I was close.

They were suddenly a bit tenser and less talkative. Then Xellos phased out whilst Lina stood there as if waiting for something. I blinked a little, wondering what she was waiting for but I realised pretty quickly what it was when I heard a slightly chuckle from behind me. I couldn't react and felt myself flung off my feet and my ears filled with a loud bang that threw my senses off. I must have been hit by some sot of explosion.

I hit the ground and slid along slightly before coming to a halt. I curled up a little as the pain suddenly hit me, and then glanced up to see Lina looking down at me but with eyes of pure hatred.

“Lina? Why?” I croaked, trying to fight past the pain and push myself to my feet.

“Why?” She said in disbelief and then she said it again but more with anger. “How can you even say that after what you did to me?”

She then kicked me across the chest, very hard and I slid along the ground and was stopped only by a tree. I cringed in pain and felt the blood fill my mouth. I spat it out and felt it trickle down my chin. I then tried to get up again, but I felt her boot on my back force me back down. I grunted in pain and started breathing heavily.

“You took that ring away and you left me! You left me all alone. You made me feel like crap!”

I felt her push down hard, crushing me into the ground and then I heard a snap. I roared in pain realising that was a rib breaking.

“I didn't mean to Lina…but you hurt me. You didn't trust me.”

“How can you say that? I trusted you with my life, Gourry. I always trusted you but you turned me into nothing when you walked out on me. I had no where else to turn but Xellos.”

I started to push myself up, but then I felt her grip my tunic and push me hard back against the tree whilst still sitting down. She had knelt down at that point and looked at me eye to eye.

“I didn't walk out on you. I came back and waited for you but you never came back. My bag was there Lina; I thought you would know I was coming back. I said I needed time alone.”

“Well you can have all the time alone you like, in hell.” She growled.

My eyes softened and never left her angry ones. I felt the dagger drive into my chest but I didn't feel pain anymore. I was numb and cold, but not in pain. I just kept looking at her because I wanted my last sight to be of her, even if she was angry at me. My vision clouded over and suddenly it was dark.

I opened my eyes once more to see myself back in the room. My vision was blurred, and I felt the warm liquid on my cheeks.

“Lina…”

“Gourry?”

I blinked rapidly for a moment, trying to realise if that was really her voice. I sat up quickly and turned and saw her sitting on the bed, looking at me for a moment before turning her head away. I leaned over and hugged onto her tightly; just happy to see she was ok. I realised that it was just a bad dream but the sense of relief felt good. Her body felt stiff though and didn't react to me much. I knew something was on her mind. But I had things to tell her first. I took the ring on the pillow and I took her hand, holding it tightly so she couldn't pull away.

“Lina. I still feel angry with what happened before. I thought you trusted in me and seeing you argue with Sylphiel like that and accusing me of those things. They hurt me a lot. They hurt me so much. But I realised when I was alone that the real reason I was angry with you was because of the things I feel like you're hiding from me.”

I sighed slightly as I was reminded of what Xellos did.

“But that's the problem. I'm asking you to do something that goes against the person that you are, the person that I love. When you became a mazoku, I was so angry because of what they had done to you. They turned you into something you didn't want to be. It's like you have to be set free to be able to live life and love it, and being made to do things against your wishes is like tying you down. What I realised was that trying to make you tell me those things was making you do something you didn't want to do. I was just as bad as they were for expecting you to do that.”

I placed the ring over her finger and then held onto her hand tightly.

“I was wrong for taking this ring away, because I realise that you do really trust me. But more than anything else, this ring is a sign that I love you, and with all that has happened, I have never stopped loving you. I shouldn't have taken the ring away for that reason.”

I then slowly let go of her hand and looked down.

“You have every right to be angry and annoyed with me Lina”

I turned my head away slightly, letting the bangs that weren't braided to cover my eyes.

Kurage

21.1
I ordered all that I could possibly eat, and I devoured. I conquered the menu, I tell ya! I conquered it!

At least, until someone sat down at my table and stared at me right in the eyes. “We have to talk,” Sylphiel said simply.

I swallowed some bread and blinked at her, frowning. We did have to talk, didn't we? I nodded slowly, gesturing for her to go first, and I attacked a plate of noodles.

“I think it's clear that I still have feelings for Gourry-san,” she said plainly, her hands clasped in front of her. I nodded again, and she sighed deeply. “However,” she went on, “it's obvious that acting the way I have been won't get either of us anywhere.”

I froze in surprise, blinking at her. I swallowed the mouthful of noodle and said, “We can undershtand why you're acting funny, Sylpheel,” I slurred, my mouth still half-full of sausage. I swallowed that and glanced at her seriously. “You have a broken heart, and to be honest, I haven't exactly been discreet about it.”

She smiled smally, nodding slowly and glancing down at her hands. “I have noticed you're not one for being discreet, Lina-san.”

“You're damn right on that,” I agreed, taking a swig of milk. “However, it doesn't mean I should always jump down your throat, you know.”

She looked up at me suddenly, surprised. I glanced back at her, dead serious. “I shouldn't have said the things I said to you, Sylphiel,” I admitted. “I think I just went nuts this morning. None of that is really your fault. I think I just got...er...” I grabbed a plate of breaded chicken and started eating it, mumbling the last word.

She raised her eyebrows. “You, Lina-san? Insecure? Why, that was a mystery in itself.”

Oh great, now she was using sarcasm against me, even when I'm trying to patch things up. I slammed the plate down and gave her a nasty look, but she just giggled a little. “Knowing this makes me feel a little better,” she said.

“Good, I'm glad my emotional constipation makes you feel excellent,” I growled, and she just laughed again.

“I just can't imagine you of all people feeling that way around me.”

“Oh, whatever, Sylphiel,” I snapped, offering her the plate of chicken. She took one timidly, looking up at me. “Look at yourself in a mirror and then dare say that to me again.”

She nibbled on the chicken, her eyebrows drawing close together. A thought then occurred to her, it seemed, because she looked up at me slowly and held the chicken away from her mouth.

“What.” I said, my eyes narrowed.

She smiled. “Oh, just thinking.”

I was getting annoyed now. “Of?”

She shrugged, still smiling. “Oh, this and that.”

I held out my hand. “Give that chicken back, now. You have lost sharing privileges.”

She laughed, and I blinked, then smiled a little. Soon, her laughter was contagious, and I started laughing too.

I think we must have scared a few people in the place, us cackling like hens this early. Either way, the expressions on their faces as they stared at us made us both laugh more.

When we finally stopped, I wiped the tears from my eyes and cleared my throat. Sylphiel did the same, still smiling. “Lina-san,” she said, glancing over at me.

“Yup,” I agreed.

“Does this mean things are alright between us?” her tone of voice was soft.

I nodded slowly. “If you don't hate me for how this all turned out, but, honestly Sylphiel...” I looked right into her eyes to make sure she knew I was serious. “I NEVER meant to backstab you that way, to make you think one thing just so that I could get you off my back. I'm just not that way. So I'm sorry for making you think that about not just me, but Gourry, too.”

Sylphiel said nothing for a moment, then she said, calmly, in a serious voice, “I don't think Gourry-san could be that smart for that level of duplicity, anyways.”

She was smiling, so that made me laugh again, and in turn she started giggling. And thus it began again.

Either way, things worked out. Instead of the false feelings that we had had for eachother, we finally got it out all in the open and we could finally be honest with eachother. I don't think I have ever had such a talk with anyone before, let alone another woman. But either way, it worked out. Yes, of course Sylphiel was still a little hurt; things like that won't heal over in a day. And yes, things were still a little awkward. And of course I still had to fix things between Gourry and I. But at least now, now I knew, that Sylphiel was someone I could count on. And trust.

And have a good larf with.

After that, Sylphiel, upon finishing her own breakfast, decided to have a bath of her own, so I decided to head on up and check to see if Gourry was awake yet. He wasn't, so I sat nearby, dragging out a book and reading it over. Until I heard my name. And well, you know the rest.

I looked down at my hand when he looked away. There it was, back on my finger. I looked at it, feeling a slight warm feeling in my chest. I smiled.

They say you can never change a person, and I think that's true. You can't. But I think the person changes on their own, through their own lessons and experiences, so essentially you don't end with the same person you begin with. I think this was one of those times when I was reminded of that.

I looked over at him, smiling a little, and he still looked away. I leaned over and grabbed his face roughly between my hands, jerking his head towards me so I could actually see his face when I talked. He started to jerk away, but I held fast.

“Gourry,” I said calmly, “don't be so stupid, okay? I'm not mad at you, and whatever happened is water under the bridge now. To be blunt, shit happens, Gourry.” He made a face, and I knew what that look meant, and I rolled my eyes. “No, I am not saying that all of this is shit. I'm just saying...I'm just saying...”

I let go of his face and recollected my thoughts carefully. He rubbed his cheeks with his hands, keeping quiet.

“I'm saying that things aren't always beer and skittles. And it takes a person a while to get the picture. I.e., ME.” I pointed to myself. “Plus,” I added quickly in a quiet voice, “I can be really insecure around people prettier than me, but THAT doesn't mean that I'm allowed to act like a moron!”

I saw him smirking, and I glowered at him. “But it also doesn't mean you're allowed to be violent with me,” I continued, and the smirk vanished from his face, to be replaced with a look of regret. I smiled gently. “It's okay,” I said, meaning it. “Just don't do it again, okay? And in return, I'll try to be more honest with you...within reason.”

He made another face. “Within reason?” he echoed.

“Yeah, as in, I'm not telling you every single thing that happens with my body, okay!” I growled, crossing my arms over my chest. I then blinked up at him slowly, feeling awkward again. I fussed with my hair a little, looking at my knees. “So, uh...are we okay, Gourry?” I mumbled.

Dramata

21.2
I nodded slowly. I was glad to just have her there with me and that the dream had just been a dream and nothing more. I leaned in at that point, shuffling my body so that I had her back against my chest, and my legs around her body so she was sat between my legs. I wrapped my arms around her, including her arms and then I rested my head down on her shoulder.

I didn't want to do anything else; I didn't care to think of anything else. I just wanted to hold her in my arms just to tell myself that things were ok between us and that we were alright with what happened. I still regretted the way I acted towards her and felt I had gone against everything I believed in. Even though she said it was ok, I was still wary of what I had done and felt incredible guilt over it. I pulled away finally, the hug lasting quite some time and then I looked down to her.

“I'm not asking that you tell me everything, but I just want you to realise that talking with me is ok. I'm not going to force it from you. It's just that I care for you and I'm worried if you're hiding something from me. I don't want you to feel like you have to hide things from me.”

I looked closer at her, and she looked back to me and smiled, nodding slightly. I don't know if she ever really meant it, but I felt like I had made the point to her and I knew she would consider my feelings a little more. I knew now that if she was hiding something, then it was for a good reason and that I should just accept it.

I started the hug again and that seemed to be the end of that. What had risen into what felt like the end of the relationship that morning had now turned into a realisation of each other's feelings and a good feeling that everything was ok. This time my hug was under her arms and I felt her hands on mine. I just stayed like that with her for awhile once more. Now that we had sorted things out I wanted to cherish what I had with her and I felt like there was no rush anymore. We were just going to explore this continent as we originally intended and only worry about everything else when that came along.

My eyes were closed and I felt her head lean gently into mine, and we enjoyed just sitting there, as I was holding onto her, until my stomach decided to let out a really large growl. I blushed deeply and I heard Lina giggling slightly.

“What are you laughing at?” I stated, pretending to be hurt.

“Your stomach, it growls louder than me when I'm angry.” She continued laughing.

“I'm sure I've heard you growl louder than that!” I replied trying to defend myself.

“Yeah, probably when you've had one of your numerous jellyfish moments!”

“Lina…” I replied flatly, pretending to be really offended.

“Just get something to eat stupid, I don't want you collapsing on me from lack of energy.” She smiled and squirmed out of my grip. She then sat down on the bed beside me and lay back to lie down.

“Aren't you coming?” I asked standing up and looking at her.

“Nah. I'm stuffed and I don't think I could look at you eating.”

“What's wrong? What are you hiding?”

She gave me a glare immediately but it softened slightly so just looked a little irked but not really bothered all that much when she realised I had a big grin on my face, making a joke.

“Piss off, Gourry before I really get angry.”

“Ok ok ok. I'll be back in a bit.”

I walked off giving a peace sign behind me and then left the room to head down to the restaurant. I sat down at a table and looked around and the waiters and waitresses who looked to be relieved after dealing with a particularly busy period. I just shrugged and was glad to have missed it and took the menu. Then catching the attention of a nearby waiter, I gave my order. When the man wrote it down, I could see him pale a little and then when he walked into the kitchen I heard a loud sigh from several people. I shrugged a little unsure of what that all meant.

I went through the meal and devoured it like my life really depended on it. I hadn't realised how hungry I was until I saw all that food infront of me, and I was kind of glad not to have to deal with Lina to fight over it. I figured it was her loss anyway if she wasn't interested in some food and it only meant more for me.

After finishing up, I sat there for the moment and just enjoyed my drink whilst the waiters and waitresses starting to clean up the dishes. I could hear them mumbling and grumbling and a few frowns on the faces, but I just figured they were given a pay cut or something. I gulped down the last few drops of my drink and placed the mug down on the table with a bit of force, and gave out a sigh of enjoyment. I then left some money on the table and left to go back to Lina.

I headed back into the room and Lina sat up a little and then leaned back down when she realised it was me.

“Better?” She asked.

“Most definitely.”

I then sat down on the bed next to her and looked down at the ground. Now was kind of one of those moments of awkward silence. We'd dealt with our problems and had it all sorted out, but now we didn't really have anything to say. I bit my lip a little and glanced over to Lina who was still lying down on the bed with her feet hanging off the side.

“How's your magic?” I asked, trying to start something going.

“Some of it has come back but it'll take a day or two for me to be back to normal again.”

I blinked slightly, looking down at her.

“Back to normal?”

“You know what I mean. I'm not really me without my magic.”

I sighed slightly looking down at my feet.

“Your magic doesn't make you who you are. You're always going to be Lina if you could use magic or not. Being able to use magic is a part of you but it's not who you are. Just as my swordsmanship doesn't make me who I am.”

I felt the bed move a little as Lina sat up beside and looked at me closely, blinking a little.

“Where did you get that from?”

“It's just something I remember someone telling me when I thought I wasn't any good with a sword. Or maybe Xellos said it to me just before when I went to be alone.”

I pondered slightly.

“No, Xellos just made me realise I was forcing you to not be you.”

“Gourry?”

“Yeah Lina?”

“Xellos spoke to you before?”

“Yeah, a little weird isn't it? He couldn't wait to kill me when he turned you into a mazoku but he was really helpful to me just then.”

Kurage

21.3
While he was away, I napped. Or sulked. Whichever. When he came back, he talked to me, and I realized something was up.

“Gourry, you don't find it weird that Xellos talked to you and decided not to kill you?” I demanded, wondering if his head was on right, or if he had eaten anything that could melt brains.

“Of course I found it weird, Lina,” he answered, rolling his eyes.

“So then why didn't you tell me sooner about it, then!” I demanded, gritting my teeth at him.

He gave me a look that clearly read `are you an idiot?' “Lina, we weren't even talking to eachother...”

“You went to eat!” I pointed out.

“I was hungry!”

“Okay!” I held up my hands between us. “Let's start from the beginning, shall we?” He went quiet, nodding. “You say that Xellos talked to you, and that he was helpful?”

Gourry nodded, looking afraid to say anything. I guess I had that influence on him sometimes. I went on. “And he told you, what, exactly?”

So he told me, about how Xellos casually said that chaos followed me, and that forcing me to do things would only make it worse. I grabbed Gourry by the collar and tugged him right to me, and he looked panicked when I did that. “Wait a second, so he actually was trying to get us to mend things!” I demanded.

“That's the impression I got,” he squeaked.

I let go of him and got to my feet at once. Gourry groaned and lay down on the bed, knowing exactly what my pacing meant. I turned and put my hands on my hips. “Gourry, listen for a second!” I snapped. When he looked up at me, I explained to him what happened when I had left, and he frowned.

“That sounds a lot more ominous than what he was saying to me,” he realized.

I smacked my hand to my forehead. “That's saying the least of it,” I groaned. I started pacing again, and Gourry lay back down on the bed. “So I don't get it, then,” I began. “Why would he want to help you? Why would he want to get involved into something that he didn't want to start to begin with, and then tell me all of those things about something big and bad and killing my family?”

Gourry stayed quiet, his arm over his eyes. I glanced at him, but figured he was still awake. I went on. I rubbed my chin with my hand, the other hand on my hip. “So something is coming that would make him so worried he would risk visiting us both. But I wonder, if he wants us out of the way, why does he continue to play games? He could kill us with a wave of his hand. Why would he continue to string us along, make threats or useful comments, and then still do nothing to stop us?”

I turned and looked at Gourry. “What do you think?” I asked him.

Silence.

“Gourry?” I called, moving in closer.

A loud snore greeted my inquiry.

“GOURRY!” I shrieked, grabbing him by his collar again and hauling him up. He snorted and was instantly awake, looking confused. “Gah, Lina...” he groaned when he saw me. “I was just resting my eyes, I promise!”

“Really...” I answered, my eyes narrowed. He paled. “And what did I just say?”

“Uh...uh...”

A knocking saved his life. I swear to you, I would have cooked him if someone hadn't knocked. I dropped him back on the bed and opened the door, and Sylphiel smiled at me. “May I come in?” she asked politely. She looked much better, happy, even.

“Sylphiel!” Gourry moaned, giving her watery eyes. “Lina is picking on me!”

“Please, I bet you deserved it,” she answered, walking over and sitting on the chair near the bed, wearing a smile. I grinned at her, and Gourry looked scandalized.

“So what's going on?” she asked me. I quickly filled her in, knowing that a third opinion would sorely be needed in a situation like this. Indeed, Sylphiel mulled over it. When she finally reached a conclusion, she spoke up again, interrupting my latest train of thought spoken aloud.

“It sounds tricky,” she said, looking from me to Gourry, then back again, as she spoke. “I won't deny that it does sound like he's trying to not only help you, but give you warning about what is going on. But it also sounds to me like he is disguising these hints as threats and teasing.”

That made sense. Sort of...okay, not in the slightest.

“But why would Xellos want to help us?” I wondered, chewing on my lip.

“Well, you said to me once that he was known as the Trickster Priest, right?” Sylphiel asked. When I nodded, she went on. “I think it has something to do with that. You said yourself that he broke his façade around you when he met with you, right?” I repeated the gesture. “Well, why would he go to such trouble to keep the façade around Gourry-san, but not you, Lina-san?”

“Maybe he's just really sloppy,” Gourry mumbled, still chagrined from Sylphiel's retort.

“Pah,” I said dismissively. “If there is one thing I learned from Xellos, it's that he's not sloppy.”

“But even in saying that he still made mistakes with you when you became a Mazoku,” Sylphiel interjected.

I frowned. She had a point there. He was the one who kept admitting that he and Zelas kept missing the source of the regenerating humanity within me as a Mazoku. “So then, going by that, and also how he's been acting lately, why would they be so sloppy with something clearly important to them?”

“Maybe their attention is focused on other things, and we're just a secondary thing. Or a distraction,” Gourry said, propping his chin on his hand.

“Huh,” I nodded. “You have a point there. Whatever it is has got them so worried they don't even want to think about us, or at least, not as much as they should. I wonder why?”

“Maybe they just don't think we're as big a threat as they had once thought,” Sylphiel answered quietly.

“Maybe,” I agreed mildly. “But then they're underestimating us. We have the Blast Sword, and we certainly have quite a bit of magical firepower with us, what, with my magic as well as your Dragon Slave, Sylphiel.” I grinned.

“Liiinaa...” Gourry sighed. I blinked, and realized that they were both looking at me like I was an idiot. I stared at them. “What?” I demanded.

“If they know all that you can manage and still don't see you as a threat, we should be worried,” Gourry answered.

“He's seen you cast the Giga Slave,” Sylphiel said somberly. “He knows the height of your power. He knows it, and he doesn't feel threatened by it. At least, not enough to be a threat himself. Only enough to threaten you with empty words.”

“So you're saying that we should really be worried here?” I wondered, scratching my cheek.

“Well, maybe not worried, but certainly cautious.”

I could see she wanted to say more, so I opened it up for her. “What do you think our next course of action should be then?” I asked her.

She looked up at me, her eyes serious. “I think,” she said slowly, her hands clasped tightly together, “I think you should remind them how threatening we can be.”

I blinked slowly. “And how would I do that? Cast the Giga Slave? That alone is not an option, unless there is absolutely nothing else left. And even then I would hesitate.” I crossed my arms over my chest.

“I wasn't thinking of that,” Sylphiel said.

“Then what were you thinking of?” I wondered.

Dramata

21.4
I sat down on the bed then lay down because I knew Lina was about to go off on one. I watched her pace back and forth and the movement back and forth made me want to fall asleep. She snapped at me one more and I looked towards her, half in attention, the other in fear because I knew if it looked like I wasn't paying attention then I was about to get beat up.

When she started pacing again, I felt myself lying back down again and wanting to drop off again. She started talking and I figured it was just to herself so I through my arm over my face and dropped off for a quick doze.

I awoke to see a seething Lina, grabbing onto my tunic and yelling at me. I then pretended that I wasn't really sleeping but a quick question from her proved me wrong straight away and I was in for it. At least I was until I heard a knock at the door and I can't tell you how relieved I was.

I saw Sylphiel come in and I tried to play the hurt little puppy game but she was having none of it and even seemed to be siding with Lina. I blink and looked surprised, almost shocked actually to see that and I figured that they must have sorted something out. That only made me worried though because not only did she turn Amelia against me but now I had Sylphiel against me too.

I frowned and sat back down on the bed whilst the two of them got talking about what had just happened with Xellos and we all began talking about what might be happening and what we could do about it. It felt more like Sylphiel and Lina talking whilst I did my best to put a few points in, but it seemed that the more we talked, the more we realised how bad the situation really was, at least until it looked like Sylphiel had an idea.

“Then what were you thinking of?” Lina asked Sylphiel.

I was kind of out of the conversation for awhile, and just watched Lina and Sylphiel talk things out. I didn't dare close my eyes again because I didn't want Lina to annoy Lina again and well I was lucky to have survived her threat before. If it wasn't for Sylphiel I probably would have been extremely toasty.

When Sylphiel was asked by Lina, I watched as she turned her eyes towards me. I blinked and noticed that Lina was looking at me now, but unlike Sylphiel's smile as though she expected me to say something, Lina just looked really confused.

“Well Sylphiel?” Lina added seemingly becoming more impatient.

Sylphiel let out a loud sigh and rubbed her head slightly.

“Gourry-san has the Blast Sword.”

“But they already know I have the Blast Sword, and they're not worried.” I said, but I could see Lina thinking.

“They did want the sword though, before they decided to go after me. They really wanted that sword.” Lina answered.

“I thought you said he didn't care about the sword anymore”

“You baka! Don't you remember what I told you ten minutes ago? He said the Blast Sword was the key to this.”

I looked down, sighing a little.

“It didn't work against him last time I used it. I only destroyed a part of him and that was with help from a Dragon Slave.”

I looked at Lina and Sylphiel who suddenly looked at each other for a moment. Lina then returned her look to me.

“I saw what you did Gourry, and that would have been more than enough to kill him. If he knew he would have been fine, he wouldn't have created that copy. He would have just taken the hit and been smug about how it didn't work.”

“Well even if it would work on him, it doesn't mean that it will work on whatever they're worried about. You'd have to use a Ragna Blade or something and I don't think that would work because it would probably just cut my sword in half.”

Lina sighed a little and looked down, but Sylphiel looked like she was on to something.

“Maybe the Ragna Blade would work, but you just don't cast it. Remember the sword sharpens with magical power. If you use it Lina, and then concentrate all of the magic you would use for a Ragna Blade into the Blast Sword, then it might work.”

I shook my head though because I knew why it wouldn't work.

“The sword is only useful in my hand, it won't work with Lina's and it will become less useful than a normal sword.”

However, as I said that I had thought of a way which might work, but I didn't want to say anything about it because I knew Lina would object to it straight away. But I knew if the time had come and there was nothing left to do, then that was what I would have to do. I felt like Lina could read my mind though because she suddenly looked at me with concern. I looked towards her and blinked a little but she shook her head and looked away.

I stood up from the bed at that point and stretched out.

“Well there's no point worrying about it now.” I half sighed. “We don't even know what is going to happen, so it's not like we can prepare for the unknown. I say we just keep looking around the continent, and have fun while we can. I don't want to spend anymore time moping and worrying about something we can't do. We might as well enjoy what time we have left.”

I saw both Lina and Sylphiel look at me strangely.

“What time we have left before whatever it is turns up! You thought I was thinking we were going to die?”

They both sweatdropped a little and I just slumped back down on the bed, pouting slightly.

“It's unfair. I feel like you two are ganging up on me now.”

I crossed my arms, pretending to be angry but they both just laughed at the same time.

“Ok Gourry, we'll get going.”

“Good, cause if we're going to make it to the next village we have to get moving. I hear they have the best chicken in the world, something about the stuffing they use.”

“Then what the hell are we waiting for! Let's go!”

We headed out onto the road and used the half day we had left to make it to the next village. I knew it wasn't too far when I read the map. The walk we spent in silence with Sylphiel walking just infront of Lina and myself, walking side by side. Feeling comfortable that Sylphiel wasn't looking, I held Lina's hand in my own and walked right up next to her. Any sign that Sylphiel was about to look at us resulted in Lina and me pushing each other a part, then pretending that nothing was going on.

Kurage

21.5
Oh yes. I knew exactly what he was thinking, and there was no way in hell I was going to do it. I was not going to teach him that spell. Over my dead body!

If you know anything about my past, then you know how much trouble I had getting that spell to work for me. And you also know how long it took for my body to get used to it. Even now, after several years, my body still reacts badly to it if I hold onto if for a while.

I knew that Gourry was capable of many great things. His achievement with the Fireball was the proof of that. But I would rather eat my own hand than teach the Ragna Blade to Gourry. I would never let anyone endure what I had with and from it.

Sometimes I wanted to make Gourry eat that map. I don't mind direction as a whole, but having to dictate our trek by a map was boring. It bored me. It was boring!

Not to mention awkward.

As much as Sylphiel said she was okay, Gourry and I knew she was still smarting from all that had happened in the past few days. It not only was a personal assault on her heart but her brains as well, what, with all of this Mazoku crap and the Blast Sword. Still I knew she was stronger than she looked, because she was still there, and I admired that.

“Alright Gourry,” I said calmly, although he knew I was pissed off. We were finally at that village of his, although we hadn't gotten there until dark. I hate traveling after dark, and Gourry knew it, but we had overshot our timing and it was too late to camp, so we kept going until we reached the place.

We were sitting at a table, menus at hand. Or at least, Sylphiel and I had menus. Gourry was still poring over that stupid damn map.

I went on when he looked up at me, bemused. “We have found your chicken place,” I continued. “We will order many chickens. That I promise you...” I narrowed my eyes, and he winced, knowing what was coming. I slammed my hands on the table and stood up. “But must you always look at that GODDAMN MAP all the time!”

Sylphiel looked over her own menu. “My,” she said calmly, “they even feed their chickens with the stuffing.”

I turned on her, suddenly forgetting Gourry, who had paled. “That's the stupidest thing I have ever heard!” I cried, grabbing my own menu and looking it over. Note that I was still standing up, as well. “Huh,” I said, “I'll be damned.”

“What's so wrong with me looking at a map?” Gourry whined, obviously wanting attention now.

Sylphiel and I both looked at him, although she was just curious. “Because what's the point of being a traveler if you have a map?” I demanded, turning to him again. “Travelers are supposed to travel with the wind, and leave just as quickly!”

“Sounds like a fairy tale to me,” he muttered, “without any common sense at all. What if we get lost?”

I scoffed, sitting back down. “I don't get lost, Gourry,” I answered. “I just explore all options.”

“Fine, I like to do so with a map.”

I slammed my fist on top of his head, and was about to do more, when the waiter came, looking confused and tired. We ordered, and his expression changed to angry and tired. He walked away grumbling, and Gourry teetered back into his chair.

“No map,” I declared, stating the bottom line.

“I like maps.”

“No freaking maps.”

“But—“

“Nope.”

“Why do you get to tell me what to do?”

“Because I'm smarter than you!”

“Why don't we compromise?” Sylphiel said mildly, before Gourry and I actually started fighting for real. “We can travel for a while without the aid of the map, and if we run into trouble, we can use it again.”

Both of us grumbled, but in the end we agreed. Trust Sylphiel to be logical.

Our food came, and Gourry's map HAD been right, it was the best damn chicken in the world, despite how stupid the method was to get it that way. We fought over it, although we both agreed not to fight with Sylphiel, who was quite content with her own meal anyways. When it was all done and the dust settled, we all sat back and relaxed.

Until Gourry said, “Without my map we wouldn't have found this place. You should be thanking me. I'll accept your thanks now, however.” He grinned, as if he had said the most witty thing in the whole damn world.

I was grinning too, when I stood up and got right into his face. “What was that, smarty?” I demanded.

He didn't balk this time. “You owe me a thanks.”

“No, I owe you a kick in the ass.”

Sylphiel started giggling, interrupting our argument. We both turned to her, and she blushed, trying to halt her giggles, but failed miserably.

“It's just,” she said, her eyes watery. “You have no idea how silly you both sound. And what's funny is that you sound exactly the same, even though you have been through so much. I don't know why, I just thought, that's funny.”

What a sobering thought, the idea that such events would change Gourry and I to something irreversible. If I had been anyone else, I would have probably sunken into depression after returning to my true self. I probably would have been withdrawn and full of regret.

If I had been anyone else.

Sure, sometimes, a life like that was tempting; it's easy to fall into sadness. But that's not me. And that wasn't Gourry, either.

I think that was why I loved the guy so much. Because of the fact that he was not only an optimist, but he stayed true to his own character, despite what anyone said to him and despite what he went through day-by-day. I thought about it that night while I waited for Gourry in the inn.

I sat on the bed and swung my feet somberly. I had already shed my armour and my accessories, including my gloves and the like. I just sat there, thinking about it, when he came in, smelling like soap, his hair all wet from his bath. Sadly, the braid was now long gone, although I knew I would find some way to put it up again.

He rubbed his hair with a towel and shut the door behind him, then sat down beside me. He looked silly in a robe, and I told him that, giggling. He made a face, tossing the towel aside and nudging me with his shoulder.

“Meh, what?” I blinked.

“You're pensive.”

“Yes. I know. I was just thinking. Why are we so cheerful when certain doom is stalking us? Is it just our way? I don't want it to change,” I added hastily, realizing how it must have sounded. “But I'm just curious. What makes us so different from other people when it comes to reacting? I don't think I'm that strong, really. I just think it's really habit, that I act this way.” I turned and looked at him. “What about you? Is it habitual? Unconscious? Or intentional?”

I hope I didn't break his brains...

Dramata

21.6
I wasn't really sure of what she meant at first and so I had to think about it. Some of the words just seemed kind of confusing to me but I think I worked out what she was talking about. I understood that she wasn't really sure why we seemed to get by and live on as though life was ok when we knew that there was something coming up which we might not even survive. We'd been through those occasions a few times before, and we always somehow managed to get by.

I just knew that if we really thought about what we were letting ourselves in for, then we would just want to give in, or give up and pretend it wasn't happening. I knew that we could end up curling up into a corner and wishing everything would go away. But I also knew that curling up and pretending it wasn't happening was not going to solve anything. No one else out there was willing to do anything and I couldn't just sit by and let things happen.

I guess the reason why I get by in situations like this is because I know I have no other choice and I just have to live with it. I want to live, I want to survive and be able to live my life to the fullest. If I ran away then it would just be taken away from me in the end because no one else would have done anything to stop what was happening. I also did it because if by trying to do this I do end up losing my life, then I don't want to spend the last few days moping about what was going to happen.

I had grabbed onto Lina's hand and I repeated all that I had been thinking about. I admitted to being scared by what could happen, and I knew deep down inside that I wouldn't mind running away from it all. However I had told her all about realising that running away was not going to solve anything. As I spoke to her I didn't really look at her because I wanted to think about what I was saying and not get distracted by my feelings.

However it didn't take long for those feelings to surface and I couldn't really fight them anymore. I squeezed her hand a little tighter for a moment, but kept staring down into my life.

“The one thing in all of this that really gets me by is wanting to protect what we share. I'm your protector and it's not only you that I have to protect. I have to be able to protect the love that we share. My love is more important than anything else. So if there is anything in danger of taking it away, then I'm going to fight it with all that I have.”

I wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her into me slightly and I kissed the top of her head.

“So you see. There are plenty of reasons why I shouldn't be depressed or get worried about because there are so many other things I have to think about, I don't get the time to be depressed or worried.”

“I guess you're right Gourry.” She replied, snuggling into me slightly.

“Hang on a second. Did I just hear that right? Did I just hear the beautiful sorcery genius, Lina Inverse tell me, the idiotic jellyfish swordsman, that I was right? I think the world must be ending!”

Lina looked up at me as she still snuggled up against me and gave me a little glare.

“Don't push it, or I'll make you regret.”

“Hey, c'mon, I just want to relish the fact that you said I was right for once.”

“I told you not to push it!”

Lina squirmed out of my grip and then tackled me down onto the bed and then started play-hitting me across the head whilst I just tried to protect myself. It felt like we just had a little fun and it took our minds off everything we had to deal with. It was things like this, and fighting over food that allowed us to just get by in life.

Seeing us fight over food might seem like we are really violent towards each other and never get along. But the reality behind it is that it just takes our mind of what is really going on. Having a meal is something we really enjoy and we love nothing more than to sit down and fight over the food. When we get like that, nothing else matters in the world, and everything is just ok.

I grabbed Lina's wrists and rolled her over so I was on top of her, and pinned her wrists down beside her. I grinned a little towards her as I had her helpless beneath me and she looked up at me with a slight glare, but I knew that this glare was just a show and not meaningful at all.

I found myself being excited like I had many times before when I was with Lina like this, but this time I was scared because of what happened last time. Immediately I let go of her and I sat up quickly and blushed looking at the ground.

“Umm, you might want to run a bath before the water gets cold.”

I was suddenly avoiding the situation because of what happened last time. And well I was starting to notice that each time I tried to become intimate with her, it was me who was starting it. So now I was nervous about forcing her into things even though the occasional time we did become intimate she seemed to enjoy it. I felt now that if she wanted to do it, then she would begin. I only wanted her to be comfortable and so she would know when that was and she could let me know.

I sat there for a moment as she got up from the bed and went into the bathroom, locking the door and I could hear her pouring the large jar of water into the tub. I just sat at the bed thinking about what had happened. I couldn't really understand what was happening but I knew doing those things with Lina felt so good, and because I knew how it felt, I wanted to try it again. However each time something would stop us.

At first it was because it was all so new and so I didn't really know what I was doing and how far to go. But now I wondered if Lina didn't really want to go any further. If I was being honest, I wasn't really sure of how far to go. I was just doing what seemed to feel right, and I wanted to find out more about her. It was like exploring new lands but instead I was exploring her.

I grabbed a nearby brush as my hair started drying out and I combed it, removing all the knots and making it feel smooth and shiny. I then changed into the pyjamas and lay down on the bed, and just listened to the sounds of Lina cleaning herself. The dripping of water and splashes echoed out from the bathroom and suddenly I found myself picturing her.

I blushed and curled up slightly as I felt the feelings inside of me grow strong. I closed my eyes and I could picture her in the tub cleaning herself. I imagined her hands rubbing over her body and I wanted to be there, and replace her hands with my own. I imagined her hands going down below the water and then suddenly my eyes snapped open when I heard the door open. The other thing that shook me from the daydream was realising that I didn't know what Lina actually fully looked like.

I sat up and grabbed a pillow from the bed suddenly feeling self conscious and I watched Lina leave the bathroom covered in towels. I felt bad now because I felt like I was being perverted but imagining Lina like that was kind of fun. Of course I wasn't going to tell Lina about it, but if I couldn't relax anytime soon, I was gonna get busted.

“Feeling any better Lina?”

Kurage

21.7
Although for the most part I do indeed like to be the one in control, you may have noticed that if someone has a better idea or if someone knows the situation better, I allow my control to lapse for a while and allow them to take the reins.

I think it was the same way whenever I was with Gourry. Because he seemed to know what he was doing, and I sure as hell didn't, it made me feel more comfortable whenever he started the touching and the kissing and the like. I didn't mind that he started it, as long as I still got a say in it.

But, you know, sometimes I still feel like crap when things happen.

I was thinking this all while I was filling up the tub. Obviously he was still upset about the whole thing, and I couldn't blame him, really. I probably would be still mad, too. Come to think of it, I know I would still be mad.

Meh. I blushed a little at the whole thing. How humiliating it was to think about it. Have you ever had a memory that is still embarrassing, even after a long time, that you still get embarrassed about it? That was what this was to me.

I stripped off and jumped in, sighing at the warm water's feel on my skin. I scrubbed and cleaned and made myself spotless, noticing that by tomorrow, I would more than likely be back to normal again. That was a relief. I would be so emotional, and I would finally have my magic back. Which meant I could cut loose and not be all stupid anymore.

Once I was done, I dried off, tied my hair back out of my face, and wrapped up in some warm fluffy towels. I tossed my laundry into the little wicker basket they had for such a purpose and walked back.

I glanced over at Gourry when he asked me. He looked flushed, or something. I blinked slowly. “I feel much better,” I admitted. I smiled a little, trying to mask my confusion of his red cheeks. “Are you okay? You look like you're all hot. Do you want me to open a window?”

He nodded, and I did so, letting in the cool night air. It felt nice on my bare skin, and I sighed a little, standing at the window and gazing outside. “It's a nice night. Come over here and take a look.”

I heard Gourry get up from the bed and stand behind me. The smell of his soap wafted into my nose again and I wanted to giggle. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and I felt warm and safe. His chin was propped on my shoulder to close the height difference, and when I turned I saw that his eyes were closed.

“Jeez, Gourry are you that tired already?” I demanded, grinning.

He opened his eyes and looked at me. “Nah, just comfy.”

I grinned at him for a moment, then turned back to the window, gazing out. I like looking at the night sky, and with Gourry there, holding me this way, it felt even better. I leaned back against him, and he stood up straighter and held me closer, this time his chin on the top of my head.

“Hey, Gourry,” I murmured, closing my eyes.

“Yeah?” He said, sounding nervous for some reason.

“Are you still really upset with me over what happened today? I can understand if you are. I would be. I was just wondering. Are you really angry with me?”

I bit my lip. I could not believe I had just said that aloud. What was I, some sort of emotional harpy, always craving reassurance? Clearly Gourry wasn't still mad at me because he was touching me. But still, I wanted to know, for some sort of selfish insecure part.

I guess Sylphiel is right; I guess I am insecure. What a horrible thing. I would rather die than let anyone else besides her know, so I quickly spoke again so I could drown out whatever answer he had. I didn't want to hear it, and if I did, I have forgotten it, to be honest.

“Er, so,” I went on hastily suddenly realizing I had very little clothing on and that Gourry was very very close. “Maybe I should get on some PJs instead of playing around in wet towels, eh?” I smiled, sliding out of his arms and skulking over to the dresser.

I rummaged around and found a pair of pajamas that would fit me (I hoped) and walked back into the bathroom to change into them, my face burning the whole time.

Gah, why had I even left the bathroom without changing first, anyways? What was I thinking, walking around in towels? In front of Gourry? Merph. I'm so dumb.

But, he was really warm, I thought, reddening again, taking off my towels slowly. And I could feel him really really close to me, as both his robe and my towels were rather worn and thinned out from so much use. I wondered, deep down, what he would look like without the robe. I've seen him shirtless, but pantless? Nope.

I stood up my full height, blushing deeper and feeling a little warm. What the hell was I thinking of, picturing Gourry without pants! I pictured it again, but all I could see in my head were depictions of male genitalia from naughty old scrolls that I occasionally found on my research expeditions, drawn by perverted (and probably sexual frustrated) old women. That alone was weird, but when I thought about him again (without the freaky pictures) and wondered, I again felt warm and a little tingly, and I had to sit down for a while.

When I had calmed down a little, I grabbed the pajamas and tugged them on hurriedly, lest any other thoughts started getting into my head and I started doing things that would humiliate me if someone walked in.

No, I refuse to go into detail about what that means. Stop thinking about it. STOP THAT NOW!

Anyways, the pajamas were a little too big and I stumbled a little on the hems of the pants. Also, the neckline was too droopy, and it kept falling either off one shoulder or the other, but I would be damned if I made an ass of myself again in a bathroom, so I lived with it.

Besides, they were comfy.

Oh, shut up.

Dramata

21.8
I wanted to die when she asked me to go over to her because I was still feeling the effects of the thoughts and I couldn't seem to relax myself enough. However she seemed busy looking out the window so I figured she wouldn't notice. I put the pillow back down and went over to her and stood behind her. I then wrapped my arms around her and rested my chin on her shoulder, immediately closing my eyes and feeling very comfortable. Also by standing this way I wasn't going to be touching her so she wouldn't notice.

The problem came when she decided to stand up straight. I swore I was going to get caught and I felt her brush up against it. I gritted my teeth because it felt kind of nice and I was beginning to learn that pretty much any sort of rubbing up against it made me feel good. I didn't want her to know that though and so I did everything to not let her know what was happening. I was just more surprised that she hadn't noticed anything as I rested my chin on her head.

Then she had to ask me the question, didn't she. I was too busy trying to concentrate on not enjoying the feeling I was getting with being so close to her. I managed to get out a yeah but it was slightly strained and I closed my eyes again, trying to picture something that would get my mind off of the situation. She then continued with the question and that really had me struggling. I knew the answer to it straight away but I couldn't talk. It was like my voice was cut off because of the way I was feeling. My throat had closed over and I almost felt like I couldn't breathe. I felt if I did I would have given away what was happening to me and I swore she would have killed me for it.

However I was given a bit of luck as she seemed to forget about the question and was more preoccupied with changing into some pyjamas, so she squirmed away from me and got some pyjamas before going back into the bathroom. I had stood by the window the whole time because I didn't want her to see the obvious signs of what I was feeling and it was only when she went into the bathroom that I felt safe enough to move. I leapt onto the bed and quickly hid under the covers, using that as my cover.

I lay there on my side and stared at the wall and started growing frustrated with this part of me. I just couldn't seem to relax it no matter what I thought. It made me think of the way it felt every time Lina rubbed up against it. I closed my eyes and found my hand snaking beneath the pants of the pyjamas and took a hold of it. I thought about Lina again in the bath and before I knew it I found my hand rubbing over myself.

I couldn't believe how good it felt and I wanted to do it more. However as I kept rubbing, I now imagined Lina was rubbing me. I blushed deeply but I found it all so exciting that I over came the embarrassment of the situation and thought about the imagery only. I wanted Lina so much at that point and my hand began moving quicker.

“Gourry?”

Oh dear L-sama. Come and take me away and make me as though I had never existed. I wanted the ground to swallow me up, just as long as I didn't have to face up to Lina at that point. I turned my head even though I didn't want to see her disgusted look; I just knew I had to look at her. When I did, I didn't see a disgusted look, and instead it was more a confused one. She wasn't sure what I was doing and I felt I had got away with it.

Only I didn't want to because my head at that point was clouded with lustful feelings.

“Come to bed Lina.” I said to her softly, with lust clear in my voice.

I stayed with my body facing the wall so I was away from her when she got into bed with me. She still looked confused and a little concerned, but I was past the point of worrying at that point. I felt like something had taken control. It wasn't me anymore, and it was something else, something powerful. She snuggled up against me and rested a hand on my side.

I looked towards her and I grabbed her hand and pulled it forward. I took the hand beneath the sheets and at this point I looked at her the whole time. I wanted to watch her reaction and at the moment it was one of wonder because I knew she had no idea what I was doing. Her face then changed into shock as she felt her hand sliding beneath my trousers, her small slender fingers traced through the hair that gathered there.

I moved her hand just those few more centimetres lower and I gasped the second I felt her hand touch me. I looked closely and I could see her cheeks redden and she looked at me. I looked back to her and I felt like words were no longer needed. Lina then became adventurous and without my need her hand closed over me. I closed my eyes and suddenly that fantasy was now becoming reality.

Lina then pushed into my slightly and I felt her lips on the back of my neck as suddenly her hand started moving. I moaned gently and my breathing quickened. She knew what she was doing to me now so her hand started to move quicker, as she felt my whole length. She then gently nipped the skin on my neck as she continued to move her hand over me. I was losing myself in the moment and didn't care what was happening, I just took in the feelings I was begin given by her and enjoyed them all.

I felt a pressure build up inside of me slowly as she continued rubbing me. Her hand began moving quicker and quicker, and I found myself gripping onto her behind me as I found it become slowly unbearable. My breaths became sharp and quick, with my heart threatening to break out of my chest with it thumping so hard. I could feel the ecstasy inside flow through my body quickly and I began tingling all over.

Then I was sent to heaven as the pressure suddenly released. I let out a long moan along with the release of pressure and Lina's hand stopped. I turned my head and I kissed her deeply as though doing so would let her know how good I was feeling, in the hope that I could share it. I felt so sensitive now and I could feel it throbbing, her hand then moving gently. It was then I felt something wet and sticky and I blushed deeply.

Lina pulled her hand away and saw her hand covered in something. I was confused and wondered if that had come from me and I felt embarrassed because of that. I took the bottom of my shirt and wiped her hand clean and then looked towards her once more. Her cheeks were flushed and I knew mine were too. I then leaned back in and kissed her again, but this time I was softer. I was suddenly tired at that point and felt myself wanting to sleep.

I took her hand again and made her hug me again around my waist. I kept my hand on hers and rested my head back down on the pillow closing my eyes. I was hoping that she realised how good she made me feel. I had never known a feeling like that before in my life and I knew I wanted to feel it again. It was unbelievable and indescribable, but one thing I did know what that I wanted to make it up to her. I just didn't know how I would do that to her because there were still things I didn't know. I quickly drifted off to sleep, the tiredness really overwhelming.

The next morning both Lina and myself were at breakfast, fighting over the food as usual and then once that was over we waited for Sylphiel, figuring that she must have slept in at that point. I took a drink from the mug to wash down all the food I ate until I overheard a particularly rowdy group a couple of tables over.

“I can't believe they would just abandon it like that.”

“I don't know either, but there must be some reason why. You don't just leave behind a power like that without some reason for making you leave.”

I looked to Lina straight away at that point and I knew she heard the conversation too from the look she was giving me. We both then looked over to the table and noticed a group of four. They seemed to be mercenaries, not particularly experienced I would imagine but they knew enough to get by.

“Hey” I shouted over to them, all four turning to look at both Lina and myself. “Where is this abandoned place?”

“Oh, it's just to the west, should probably take a day to walk there. I wouldn't advise going though. I've heard rumours of people going in but never coming back.” One of the men said.

“Oh keep it down will ya? I bet that's just a load of rubbish. All lies just to put people off from going. Someone has probably taken it already anyway, if it's been there so long.” Another of them had said. He looked to be the youngest of the group; about nineteen I would say.

“Do you know what is kept there?”

“I don't know, some people say it's a powerful item. Others say it's some unknown magic. All I know is that if you try to go down there, you don't come back.” The same man who answered me first, replied.

“Down?” Lina added.

“Yeah, it's an underground lab. Some crazy guy who was obsessed with gaining ultimate power to the world worked down there. At least that's what the rumours say.” One of the others said.

I turned to Lina who also looked back to me.

“I say we go and take a look once Sylphiel is ready.” I stated.

Lina nodded with a slight grin on her face and I knew she relished the thought of finding something new. I worked out that anything new would be worth checking out, with the possible upcoming dangers. It could give us an advantage.

Kurage

21.9
To be honest, I didn't see too much of whatever he was he was doing. I may be a virgin, but I'm not ignorant of the ways of men. I knew what he was doing. However, I figured for the sake of us both it would be wise to say nothing about it.

I snuggled down on the bed with him, feeling a little warm myself, to be honest. The thoughts I had myself were a little overwhelming, and to my own astonishment I discovered he felt the same way, and well...one thing lead to another, of course.

His arousal was enough to skyrocket my own. I had never touched a man before, but unless you have done it, you have no idea how scary and thrilling it is the first time you do it. It's smooth, and it's hard, and it's warm. It fits right in your hand and all you have to do is squeeze a little and move your hand up and down and you get such noises that are enough to make you tingly all over.

What I felt, of his size, was interesting. I've heard raunchy stories in hot springs sometimes, when I'm surrounded by trophy wives, who titter endlessly about how huge their man is and how great the sex is because of it. Personally, the thought of an oversized member made me feel a little ill. I'm a small girl, and there was no way in the nine hells that one as big as they described would fit inside me.

So when I felt Gourry, it was a relief mixed with a surprise. Gourry is a big guy, so I imagined that he would be...well...huge! But no. The size felt just fine. I actually warmed at the thought of us being together that way. At least I knew it wouldn't break me.

Not that Gourry was tiny. Oh, nononono. It was like, a level in-between average and way too big for me. I have no idea what that is in inches, and I didn't have a damn ruler, so don't ask me! Why do you want to know anyway? Moving on!

At first, I thought I was doing something wrong. But when I watched him and saw how he looked, with his eyes shut, and the way he kept moving himself against my hand, well, I quickly learned that that wasn't the case, now, didn't I?

Oh and in case you think I'm avoiding it, yes, I know what an orgasm is, and yes, I know that Gourry had one. So don't give me that look. Do you honestly think someone who travels as much as I do is that ignorant?

In any event, when it was all over, I noticed Gourry looked confused. I looked at him closely and wondered why on earth he would look confused about what had happened, but I said nothing. I knew he was sleepy and I, too, was a little tired. Plus I wanted to be at my full potential for tomorrow's day of magic use. I snaked my arms around him, sighing deeply, thinking about what the next night might bring between us. I giggled a little, but I don't think Gourry heard me, and I drifted off.

Anyways, the next morning happened just as he described it, although he failed to mention how yummy the breakfast was. It was so yummy.

I have to admit, the thought of an underground exploration did excite me. Add that to the early morning confirmation I had received that finally I was back to normal, and my morning was all set.

(The confirmation, you asked? I got up earlier than Gourry and opened the window, checking around. When I spotted one, I Fireballed a bird. And it worked, easy as bread. Oh please. Like you haven't had fried chicken before. You think you're better than me? Pfft.)

So Gourry and I finished our meal, keeping mum about our obvious plans of exploring the place mentioned. When Sylphiel joined us, she ordered her meal, and Gourry and I replenished our own.

“Hey Sylphiel,” I said between mouthfuls of yummy sausages. “Guess what we heard?”

She sipped her tea, blinking slowly. I knew I had her attention, so I went on. “Gourry and I heard about this underground thing, nearby. We're going to explore.” I looked over at Gourry. “Right?”

He nodded, grabbing a few more slices of my toast. I slammed my hand down on his arm, but he used his other to grab the slices. I let it go, instead retaliating by grabbing several of his eggs.

“Lina, I didn't take that much of your toast!”

“What underground thing?” Sylphiel asked calmly, taking a bite of her own poached egg.

“Gourry and I heard a bunch of morons talking about this underground tunnel thing, about a day's way away from here.” I munched on Gourry's eggs happily. “They say it's abandoned. We're going to check it out, and you have to come with us!”

Sylphiel looked flattered. I wondered why. Then it occurred to me that it was the first time I had even showed enthusiasm for her joining us in something. “I would love to join you, Lina-san, Gourry-san,” she agreed, smiling.

“Okay, so that's settled.” I nodded, then dived back to Gourry and snatched several slices of toast back. He yelled and grabbed them back, but I ended up stabbing him with my fork. It was an accident, I swear! I mean it!

Once breakfast was eaten, we went to a few stores and bought some supplies for the road. I was eager to get back on track and I was looking forward to checking out what that place had in store. I was actually sort of hoping we would be jumped by bandits that day.

But, no. The day was pretty uneventful. We stopped a few times, to either pee or to eat lunch. Sylphiel made lunch for us, and I finally understood why she penetrated Gourry's memory moreso than others. Her cooking was fabulous. I pleaded with her to make dinner, and she gladly complied when we found campground, making a wonderful stew. Gourry and I fought over it much more than usual, and Sylphiel was flattered once more.

That night, I took first watch. Sylphiel and Gourry went to bed in separate tents, and I stretched out in front of the fire.

I got bored after a while and decided to take a walk. I got up and stretched again, then started walking around the campsite, yawning a little. It was probably close to midnight by then, and Gourry was due to relieve me at 1. Gourry and I both agreed not to make Sylphiel take a watch, because she could be overbearingly crabby when she didn't get enough sleep.

When I came back to the site, I saw a shadowy figure standing nearby. I started muttering under my breath as I closed in, relieved that finally my powers were back to full. As I came close, I stopped. It was Sylphiel.

“Sylphiel,” I blinked, confused. “What are you doing up? Shouldn't you be sleeping?”

She smiled faintly. I could tell she had been awake for a while. I wondered what was wrong. “I couldn't sleep tonight.”

I walked closer. “Sylphiel, what's wrong?” I asked, getting right to the point.

She nodded slowly. “I have a bad feeling about this whole thing.”

“What, you mean exploring the underground?” I asked, gesturing to her to sit down. She did so, and I followed.

She nodded slowly. “I have this bad feeling that it's a trap.” She looked right into my eyes. “I think we should turn back.”

I chewed on my lip a little before answering. “While I respect your opinion and your feelings in this, I can't say I agree with you. If it's a trap, then we definitely need to go there.”

“I don't understand why you feel the need to be so reckless, even when it could be a trap,” she muttered, looking angry.

I sighed. “It's not recklessness,” I snapped. Her attitude was pissing me off. “It's the knowing that maybe something is fishy and going in there to check it anyways. Aren't you even the slightest bit curious? And if it is a trap, don't you think we all have a right to know why?”

She was silent for a long time. I could tell she was trying very hard not to get mad at me even more. When she finally spoke, she said, “I don't feel like getting killed for curiosity, Lina-san.”

I was a little concerned by how soft her voice was, so I tried a joke. “Not in the mood to be a cat, are you?”

She said nothing, but she made a face.

I sighed. “Sorry, bad joke.” I spread my hands out in front of me, then clasped them together. “Honestly, Sylphiel, if it bothers you that much, you can turn around and head home. I won't be offended.”

She made another face. “Like I could leave you and Gourry-san alone now.”

“Gourry and I can handle ourselves,” I said honestly. “We would be just fine.”

She shook her head slowly. “No, I can't do that,” she said softly. “I just...promise me a few things, will you?'

“I have to hear them first,” I said tersely, not liking the direction that this made lead to.

“Okay,” she answered, not ruffled one bit. “The first and more important thing; whatever we come across, don't use the Giga Slave.”

“I'm not an idiot, Sylphiel!” I snapped.

She glared at me. “But you used it when you fought Dark Star, and you swore to seal it before then!”

“I had no choice!”

“Promise!”

I shook my head, and she glared more, gritting her teeth. “Lina-san, you have to seal that spell once and for at!” she snapped, her voice getting louder with each second. It worried me. It might've woken up Gourry. “You endanger everyone in this world because of your own selfish desire to have the most power!”

Ouch. That hurt. “I can't do it, Sylphiel," I said flatly, “and it's not for the reasons you think.”

“You owe me an explanation,” she growled.

She scares me sometimes, even to this day. Honestly!

“Look, Sylphiel,” I said slowly, choking down my own anger. “I can't seal it because it IS the strongest spell I have. I won't use it, unless I have no other options, but actually sealing it? I can't do it. But I promise you this; I will not use it anytime soon. Understand?”

“Even with Gourry-san around?” she asked softly.

“Yes,” I answered back, my voice catching in my throat. “Even with him around.”

If I can help it, I added silently.

We were quiet for a moment before she went on. “Alright,” she continued. “Promise me one more thing.”

“Alright...”

“Promise me that you won't die,” She looked up into my eyes, and I swear those eyes seemed to look right through me. “Promise me that you will get through this, whatever it is, and you will not die.”

I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. She noticed I was struggling, so she went on. “Even if Gourry-san is at risk, Lina-san,” she whispered. “Don't die, but don't use that spell.”

“Why does it matter if I die?” I finally asked, my voice working again.

“Because you're my friend, and I would be sad if you died,” she whispered, quieter this time. “It has nothing to do with anything, really. I just don't want you to die.”

I was really and truly touched. I think I wanted to cry. I felt a lump in my throat. I had, when I least expected it, made a true friend in Sylphiel. Slowly, I nodded. “I promise, as long as it's in my power, that I won't die, Sylphiel.” I murmured.

She nodded slowly. She reached over and clasped a hand on my shoulder tightly, staring at the fire. I opened my mouth to say more, but she suddenly glomped me, hugging on tight. I hugged back.

“I've lost many people over the years,” she choked out, her body trembling. “I don't want to lose everyone.”

“Fair enough,” I agreed, smiling a little.

When she had calmed down, she pulled away and decided that now she could more than likely sleep without worry. I reassured her, and she went back to her tent.

The rest of my watch was quit, and somber, as I thought over the whole conversation. When Gourry woke up and dismissed me for sleep, I hugged onto him so tightly it surprised me.

Sylphiel's words unnerved me, and I wasn't sure why. But I hugged him, and he hugged me back. Then I went to bed, curling up in a ball, falling asleep with the smell of Gourry's scent in my nose from the sheets.

Dramata