Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ Inner Beings ❯ Confessions of the Makiyuu ( Chapter 10 )

A/N: I know it's kind of late, but I now have an image of what Prince Xerxes looks like. Remember in the first series, what Lina's vision of Prince Philionel was before she actually met him? Imagine that that's Prince Xerxes. I'm not trying to steal ideas, it's just, well, I think of what I want in my story, then I realize later that it's either similar or exactly the same as something I've seen before in another series, or Slayers. *Sigh* Well, if you discover that I accidentally copied something, I didn't mean to and I didn't even realize I did it before I posted it. So just read and enjoy.

Confessions of the Makiyuu

It was 3 o'clock in the morning exactly, on the night straight after the birthday ball. It was still very dark outside. Lina suddenly snapped opened her eyes and sat up in bed. Hearing this, Mazolina came out of her half-sleep trance and asked her, "Lina-san, what's wrong? It's still very early. You should go back to sleep." But Lina just ignored her. She pulled off the covers, and bolted out the door, towards the ballroom. Just before she left, Lina uttered a single word, "Presents!" and Mazolina and Kollina knew exactly what she was thinking. They quickly followed her to make sure that she didn't get into any trouble while alone.

When Lina arrived at the door to the ballroom, she quickly glanced left and right. Then she spotted a huge pyramid of gifts lying on a table in the corner, and darted towards it. There were also just as many presents on the floor underneath the table. So Lina plopped down in front of the table, reached for the nearest box, and proceeded to shake it excitedly. After a minute or two of guessing the gift, she tore off the wrapping paper and opened the box within.

Lina gurgled happily as she picked up a pure gold pocket watch from inside the box. By this time, Mazolina and Kollina had caught up with Lina and were looking over her shoulder at the present. Kollina smiled and said, "That's a nice watch. Who is it from?"

Startled, Lina jumped at the sudden voice and turned to face the speaker. When she recognized Kollina, she calmed down and said, "Oh um. *Looks at card* This is from Gracia or Naga. She has nice taste doesn't she?" Mazolina sat down next to Lina. "She sure does. Hey, technically, it's our birthday, too. So shouldn't we split the gifts?"

Lina now looked at Mazolina. She had on a mock-sadness look in her eyes. "Aww. But these gifts were for me. Oh, fine - I suppose you're right. Let's just open all of the presents and then we'll each just take whatever we want, okay?" Lina had a mischievous glint in her eyes, but they didn't notice it. Mazolina and Kollina nodded at this and started opening the other presents with Lina. Mazolina was just as vicious at present-opening as Lina, but Kollina was very neat and carefully preserved the wrapping paper. They were all so caught up in opening presents, that they didn't realize someone or something enter the room, until it spoke. They were halfway through the presents when they heard a ghastly, hollow, mocking male voice saying, "Aren't we up early? And all just to open some presents, too. We sure are greedy, aren't we?"

At this, Lina, Mazolina, and Kollina all jumped up and turned. In a ready stance, Kollina called out into the shadows, "Who's there? Show yourself!"

Just beyond their eyesight, in the shadows, two pure red eyes narrowed evilly. Then, the voice spoke again. "I am a Makiyuu, a tribe of Mazoku long-since forgotten after their complete slaughter during the War of the Monster's Fall. I am the last of them. For years now I have been learning new attacks and tuning in my inner power. Now I am the great, the mighty, the indestructible. . ." A figure stepped out of the shadows. ". . . Prince Zeynon - at your service." The mazoku bowed low and then raised his head to see their reaction.

All three women looked at the figure in surprise and disbelief. There, in front of them, was none other than Prince Xerxes. Still puzzled, Mazolina asked slowly, "Does this mean Prince Xerxes has always been a mazoku? I didn't sense any mazoku energy around him earlier." The mazoku chuckled slightly and shook his head.

"No, he hasn't. I'm not even the real Prince Xerxes that you know. You see, the Makiyuu have the power to change their appearance, or shapeshift, into any person that they desire. If they see someone in person or in a portrait, they can shapeshift into that person for up to an hour. Then they regain their natural form. If the Makiyuu kills someone, they have the power to shapeshift into that person on and off forever. While transformed, a Makiyuu can gain access to that person's personality, knowledge, abilities, and so on. If they kill someone, their access goes deeper to the person's innermost thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and the like. I merely saw Prince Xerxes, so he's still well back in his home."

After this piece of information sunk in, Lina recovered and firmly proclaimed, "Ah, I see. Well, sorry for the delay - I am the great sorcery genius, LINA INVERSE. I am known as the Bandit Killer and Enemy of All Who Live (at times Lina may not like these titles, but she can still use them to her best advantage). I am also the princess of this castle. Now state your purpose here!" Lina had forgotten that it was still night and that everybody was dead tired from the ball that had just ended two hours ago. With a groan, Gourry, Amelia, and Zelgadis trudged to the ballroom to see what Lina was babbling to. Xellos came into view in the air right above them. Nobody in the ballroom noticed as the three friends stopped at the open door.

Prince Zeynon yawned and waved a hand nonchalantly at Lina, gesturing her to stop there. "Oh I know who you are. Very well, I might add. I've been following and watching you since before you even left this town in the first place. I know almost everything that there is to know about you on the outside."

Lina thought about what he said and slightly blushed. 'Wait a minute. Does that mean he watched me bathe, too? Why that stupid mazoku pervert.' Lina gritted her teeth. Kollina stepped forward. In a serious and firm voice, she said, "Then why are you here? Especially at this time of day."

Zeynon chuckled again. "Well, first I wanted to catch Lina alone, but this will have to do. And my reason for wanting to catch her is . . ." With lightning speed, Zeynon rushed toward Lina and took hold of her hand. "I love you, Lina. I've been in love with you ever since I met you, even when you were only a kid." He kissed the back of Lina's hand while giving Lina's eyes an unwavering, clear look.

Lina was taken by surprise at his words. Not very many people, especially complete strangers to her, did what he just did. Most of them were afraid of getting fireballed by Lina if they even approached her with such thoughts, and they would have been generally correct. But after a moment of quick thinking, Lina sneered at Zeynon and took her hand out of his grasp. "Mazoku can't love. Besides, you're a complete stranger to me."

Mazolina and Xellos gasped slightly at this. Though they knew that they were special mazoku, that could have feelings, they knew that overall, Lina was right. Prince Zeynon looked slightly hurt at this, but quickly recovered his fierce determination. "Would it help if I told you that Prince Xerxes also loves you? And also, I'm not exactly a complete stranger to you. I've talked to you in disguise while you were traveling quite a few times. Want me to tell you whose forms I had taken?"

Lina growled softly, but nodded for him to continue. "Well, first, when you were around 12 or 13, I acted as that vampire hiding deep within the labyrinth. I purposely allowed you to loot his treasure, and made sure that he got captured afterwards instead of me. I also must mention that all Makiyuu's are completely magic-proof, well mostly. Next, I came up to you as the famous elder golem-maker. I thought it would be a cute idea to create a super-deformed you for a golem. My, my, you were just adorable then! Anyway, the next time I confronted you was as the home-illusionist. I knew about Zelphilia because I lived here for a time, also because the original had very good geographical skills. Let's see, what else. Oh, and I masqueraded as an old man on Mypross Island, in front of that 'Fountain of Growth'. Lina-chan, you look so beautiful in swimsuits and the like! You should wear them more often!" Zeynon took a pause as he looked at Lina's body up and down with a hungry desire. Lina shivered under his gaze.

Zeynon soon continued. "That's all until you split up with Naga. When you were 15, I posed as a rich, young man, who tried to get you to marry him. It nearly worked, if you had just allowed me to kiss you. Oh, and I wanted to so badly, too! *Zeynon hung his head in disappointment at the mere memory* I also acted as a crazy doll-maniac up in a mansion. I simply loved you in your outfit, Lina! Even if it wouldn't have helped you at all against the real maniac. Later on, I followed you to the outer realm and posed as the Supreme Elder and gave you that wondrous feast. I simply loved the new look you gave that old temple, too. I secretly handed you that blueprint, too. Between and after the times I just mentioned, I merely settled for watching you from the shadows. Ah, Lina-chan, I love you so much."

Lina twitched. She folded her arms in front of her. "Don't call me 'chan'. I hate it when people do that. From what you said, you seem like a downright disgusting pervert and peepingtom. I also despise these kind of people. And another thing, you talk to damn much. Even I don't talk that much. Stupid motor-mouth." Prince Zeynon had done it. He had gotten on Lina's nerves and knew it.

Zeynon looked hurt again at Lina's harsh words, but persevered. "I can't help it Lina-san. I admit that I've seen parts of you that no one else has *Lina held up a fist and a stressmark appeared on her head, but Zeynon quickly continued* but because of that, I know that you are definitely grown-up, with a great body to match. That makes you all the more irresistible in my eyes. And about me talking too much, well you gestured that I could tell you who I was and what forms I confronted you in. And I don't think you usually talk that much at all. I know many others who talk a lot more than you, and they don't even have anything important to say. I believe you know at least one other person as well." Everyone but Amelia immediately thought 'Amelia and her justice speeches'. Amelia just naively pondered who he could possibly be talking about.

Lina sniffed. She was a bit flattered, okay a lot flattered, at all of the compliments that Zeynon had just given her, not to mention the confessions. "Tch. I'm flattered and all, but what do you expect me to do? Say 'I love you too'? You have got to be kidding me." Zeynon smiled. He had finally broken Lina's outer emotion-barrier. He simply shook his head.

"By all means, no. I simply asked that you allow me to be near you, and at least somewhat noticed by you from now on. Or at least until you grow bored of me, then I'll try to win your heart once more." Lina raised an eyebrow at him. Thinking of something, she asked him, "Show me your true form." Zeynon nodded and stepped back. In a second, he was suddenly shrouded by a white cloud of err.a substance like gas clouds. Then, a minute later, the smoke dispersed and there before Lina, was an ermine, an animal from the weasel family. He had a brown top coating, with white fur covering his face, stomach, and the tip of his tail. Overall, his fur was short, glossy, and rich.

Lina crouched down and picked Zeynon up. "Ooh! You look just like an ermine from those fairytale books!" Lina patted Zeynon's soft fur and cooed. "Your fur is sooo soft! Hmm.maybe I should strip your fur off of you and sell it for a very high price." At this, Zeynon's eyes widened with fright, and he vainly tried to get out of Lina's grasp, while squealing with fear. Lina laughed at his reaction and calmly continued to pet his back. "Then again, you look really cute with your coat on you. All right. From now on, you can be my pet, as a birthday present to me. I'll allow you to transform into other people as long as I've never seen them and you don't kill anybody. All right?"

Zeynon quit squirming and smiled up at Lina. Lina relaxed her hold on him. Zeynon took this opportunity to jump out of Lina's hands and jump onto her shoulder and curl himself around Lina's neck. Lina smiled and scratched his head between his ears. "Come on. Let's go to sleep. I'll open the rest of the presents when I wake up again." Lina stood up and took a step towards the door. She stopped dead in her tracks when she saw all of her friends looking at her from the doorway. Mazolina and Kollina also stopped and looked. Suddenly realizing that they had probably heard everything, she blushed brightly. Each gently putting a hand on Lina's shoulder, Mazolina and Kollina pushed Lina to the door.

Mazolina spoke first. "Geez. What are you guys doing here? It's 3 o'clock in the morning! I know for a fact that you went to bed at one, I was still awake. As for us, Lina's been sleeping since ten last night. Lina suddenly woke up and remembered that she hadn't opened her birthday presents yet and rushed here. We followed her and we all met Prince Zeynon here. Now that you know everything, go back to bed! Show's over! Go!"

Startled, the foursome was pushed by Mazolina back to their rooms. Afterwards, Kollina and Mazolina escorted Lina and Zeynon back to Lina's bedchamber. Once they reached the door, Lina yawned and Zeynon hopped down. Since he still had a human voice, Zeynon asked, "Lina? Where can I sleep?" Tiredly, Lina flopped down on the bed. Then with a small smile, she turned to face Zeynon. "Well, it'll only be about another five hours before I wake up again, and I don't think Pico and Cecelia want to share their basket and floor with you. So I suppose you can sleep on the pillow next to me until I figure something else out."

Zeynon grinned happily at this. He quickly ran to the bed, leaped up and over Lina, and landed neatly on the pillow beside her. Like a dog, he circled three times before actually curling up to sleep. Lina chuckled as she watched this, and with a 'Good Night' to Mazolina, Kollina, and Zeynon, she went underneath the covers and fell asleep. Mazolina and Kollina stretched and went back to their original positions earlier that night. All was well, and not a creature was stirring, not even Gourry (:P). But all that was to be greatly disturbed the next day, well, later that day.



A/N: So did you like it? I think I had them talk way too much in this chapter, but I prefer speaking than describing or action-packed parts. Isn't that sweet- Lina had a secret admirer and stalker. Lina was strangely very nice to Zeynon after he transformed into his natural state. Maybe she has something planned, or maybe she was just to tired to put up her hard emotion shield at the moment. Oh well, please review! Questions, comments, suggestions, encouragement, flames, I don't care. Just review!