Slayers Fan Fiction ❯ The Meaning of His Kiss ❯ Chapter 2 ( Chapter 2 )

AN: Thank you for the reviews, I've taken them to heart (as always). I can't guarantee that I'll update everyday/every other day, but I'll make sure to update at least once a week.

 

Oh, and as a thank you for the reviews: I can't say anything about Xellos's intention (sore wa himitsu desu!), but I'll say this much… That scene in the prologue wasn't about Lina. And Xellos seems to know something about L-sama no one else, even Zelas, knows. (Why else was HE given the sword of light?)

 

I hope that helps, but chances are, it'll just make you even more curious. *Evil laughter* *Cough cough* Erm… no more Slayers for me today…

 

 

The Meaning of His Kiss

 

 

Chapter 2- Angry Goodbye, and Xellos

 

 

 

“I say we go this way, Lina. Last time you chose we ended up walking into a cave full of trolls,” Gourry complained.

 

“Oh yeah, and the last time you choose we were attacked by a giant snake!” the redhead growled, annoyed.

 

“But this way we can visit Sylphiel in New Sairagg. I hear they've got good food there. And Sylphiel's a great cook!” Gourry insisted.

 

“I'd rather head to Seyruun and look some stuff up in their library. I think I have a hunch…”

 

“Not again, Lina! Can't we take a break? Wouldn't it be nice to just see some friendly faces and rest a while?” the blonde groaned, sitting on the ground.

 

“Gourry, you don't have to come with me, if you wanna take a break for a while. I'll be fine going to Seyruun on my own. We could meet up afterwards or something,” she offered quietly.

 

“Lina…” he paused for a moment. “Let's just give it the night, ok?”

 

“Alright, we'll make camp here,” Lina agreed. “I'm gonna take a bath in the river, I'll be back in like an hour, alright?”

 

“Alright, Lina. I'll make camp…”

 

Lina was gone before he could finish.

 

 

 

“Ahh, this is better!” Lina said, relaxing in the cool water.

 

“My, my, Lina, you've certainly changed,” a cheerful voice called.

 

“Xellos! Damnit, what the hell are you doing?!” Lina screamed.

 

“Don't worry Lina, I'm not peeping. I simply wondered how you were doing since your wedding. Terrible shame about your husband,” Xellos snickered. “Too bad you couldn't have enjoyed your wedding night. I thought Gourry might have been willing to take Rai's place…”

 

“Ha ha. I suppose you want a favor from me for your help, right?” Lina asked, fighting her blush, and raising an eyebrow.

 

“Actually, no. But I'll keep that in mind,” he smirked. Lina groaned. “I simply wanted to tell you that what you're looking for isn't in Seyruun. Perhaps Gourry-san would be more understanding if you explained to him what you're really looking for…”

 

“Shut up, Xellos. Besides, I've continued to age, so it probably isn't a concern anyway,” Lina shrugged, washing her hair quickly.

 

“It is so hard to tell when it comes to L-sama,” Xellos grinned before disappearing.

 

Lina sighed, and got out of the pool of water. She dressed quickly and quietly, her heart aching.

 

`What if I am immortal…?'

 

 

 

“Gourry-chan?” a soft voice called.

 

“Sylphiel? Is that you?” Gourry called, looking up from the fire he had made.

 

“It's so good to see you again! But where is Lina?” Sylphiel asked.

 

“Oh, she's taking a bath. She's been a bit stressed lately. I think something's bothering her...” Gourry trailed off, lost in thought.

 

Sylphiel's eyes widened for a moment, before she shook it off as her imagination.

 

“So, were you guys coming to visit New Sairagg?” Sylphiel inquired, sitting next to Gourry.

 

“I wanted to, but Lina seems insistent on going to Seyruun. She'll probably lock herself up in a library again,” Gourry rolled his eyes.

 

“Gourry… Has Lina told you what she's looking for?” the priestess questioned.

 

“She always says it's a hunch. She's been really upset ever since that marriage thing…” Gourry paused, hurt shining in his eyes for a moment.

 

“Did you propose to Lina-san?” she gasped.

 

“No, no! She went after this genie for 3 wishes, and it turns out that to get the wishes she'd have to marry the genie. But it was a Mazoku, not a genie. And Xellos warned her before the wedding, and she destroyed the imposter easily enough. But still… Nothing's been the same since then,” Gourry finished the story quietly.

 

“Wow… Seems like the adventures never end, do they?” the dark haired woman wondered.

 

“No, that's why I wanted to take a break for a while. Maybe then things will get better for Lina and I. Besides, we should be thinking about family now. We're not immortal after all,” Gourry smiled sadly.

 

“Gourry… Do you remember how old Rezo was? Even before he started using dark magic?”

 

“Pretty old, right?”

 

“Hundreds of years old. And he didn't have near the power that Lina has wielded. No other human has ever called upon the Lord of Nightmares. And she's traveled the Sea of Chaos. These things might have unforeseen consequences…” Sylphiel paused at the sound of a twig snapping.

 

“Oh hey Lina, you back already?” Gourry asked, smiling at the sorceress.

 

“Uh, yeah…” she said, quietly sitting down near the fire. “Damn Mazoku…”

 

“What was that?” the swordsman asked, blinking.

 

“Nothing, Gourry. Hey Sylphiel, long time no see,” Lina said, offering a half-hearted smile.

 

“It's good to see you again Lina-san. I've heard rumors of your adventures,” she said with a small smile.

 

“Yeah, lotsa treasure, food, and fun! Right Gourry?” she said with a genuine smile.

 

“Mm. Definitely lotsa food, but I've missed your cooking Sylphiel!” Gourry said.

 

“Well, actually I'm on my way to Seyruun to request more assistance from Prince Phil…”

 

“Oh, Lina wanted to head there. Maybe we can all go together!” Gourry said cheerfully.

 

“Actually I was gonna say we could stay in New Sairagg, but whatever…” Lina mumbled, looking into the woods.

 

“Lina? Did something happen?” Gourry questioned, concerned.

 

“Huh? Oh, no… Just something Xellos said…”

 

“Xellos showed up again? You're not marrying him now are you?” Gourry asked.

 

Sylphiel winced.

 

Lina sucked in a breath harshly. A dark aura glowed around her, as her shoulders began to shake.

 

“Lina? I'm sorry, I didn't mean…”

 

“Shut up Gourry. I didn't say anything about the flat-chested comment, or how you said even a Mazoku wouldn't want to marry me, but I've had enough. I won't keep going on this way, and since you don't seem to have it in you, I'll end it. We're through. No more traveling together, just leave me alone,” she said in a deadly quiet voice. Then she turned and walked away.

 

“Lina…”

 

“Raywing!” she screamed, shooting away from him as fast as her magic would allow.

 

“Oh Gourry-chan…” Sylphiel shook her head sadly. “Poor Lina…”

 

 

 

~~~ A few days, and many miles later… ~~~

 

One might assume that having her heart broken would leave Lina Inverse in a destructive rage. Or perhaps she would drink herself into a stupor.

 

But Lina Inverse loves defy assumptions.

 

“So now where do I go…?” Lina asked herself, standing at a crossroad. One way lead towards a valley with a village at the bottom of a mountain, the other lead into a dark wood. Normally Lina would simply go to the village, but she remembered it's one she previously demolished in her adventures.

 

“Well, this way might lead to treasure… Besides, I'm actually not hungry today…” She mumbled.

 

“Well, I shall remember this as the only day Lina Inverse wasn't hungry,” a cheerful voice teased.

 

“Ha ha, Xellos. Gonna tell me there's a Mazoku down this path?” she spat.

 

“No, but there's one beside you,” he smirked.

 

Lina rolled her eyes before going into the woods.

 

“Why are you here, Xellos?” Lina grumbles after walking for several minutes next to the cheerful face of the Mazoku.

 

“Sore wa himitsu desu,” he said grinning.

 

“If you're not going to do anything useful then leave me alone. I've had enough aggravation today,” Lina sighed, sounding almost defeated.

 

“Perhaps we should set up camp soon, Lina. It's getting dark,” Xellos said suddenly.

 

She blinked. “So it is…”

 

She sighed, and walked off the path towards the sound of water. Xellos walked ahead of her, and sat down on a rock at the edge of the river. He quickly made a fishing rod and cast it into the water.

 

“You know… It's rather strange to see you fishing Xellos. You feeling ok?” Lina asked, smirking a little.

 

“I suppose we've both had better days, ne, Lina-chan?” the Mazoku laughed.

 

“Oh? So things can go wrong for you too, huh?” She asked, sitting by the fire she made.

 

“Not that anything went wrong, per se. Just that it was rather unpleasant,” he clarified.

 

“Ah… And that's all I'll get out of you on that now, huh?” she raised an eyebrow, watching him carefully.

 

“I'm afraid so,” the trickster priest sounded anything but sorry.

 

Lina watched as he caught several fish before he skillfully cleaned them and put the meat on stakes. He then placed them by near the fire to cook before sitting down next to the sorceress.

 

“This is more fun then I thought it would be. I can see why you live your life this way. Perhaps we could travel together for a while, Lina?” Xellos suggested, leaning back against a tree.

 

“Why? Why are you here? Why are you following me again?” the redhead whispered.

 

“How many humans can say they've defeated Shabranigdo? Or Phibrizzo? Dark Star?” He turned to her, opening an eye. “You'd make a great Mazoku, but I realize there would be no way to win you over. Your life, as a human, will be over in the blink of an eye for me. I figured I should enjoy your company while you're here. At least things never do get dull.”

 

Lina's mouth hung open. She thinks over what he said for a moment.

 

“Besides, it's nice to have you all to myself for a while.” He smirked mischievously.

 

Lina blushed, and glared at him, and tried to cast a fireball, but then was embarrassed when it fizzled out.

 

“That time of the month?” Xellos asked, smirking.

 

“Oh, shut up!” Lina blushed more furiously.

 

And so, the adventuring duo of the world's greatest sorceress and the mazoku Xellos was born.

 

It was a terrible day for bandits.