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.

31.0

Ok…positive attitude right? This was the way I had always been until more recently where I was growing more and more concerned with Lina’s safety and I suppose my own too. I kind of realised that now when I look back at what happened but then I think, was there really any other way I could look at it? So please forgive me when I say I was worried as hell walking along side Lina as she returned home.

Why?

Well let me give a little recap. The Elmekian army decided to invade Zephilia and during all of that, decided to kill lots of people. What are you looking at me like that for!? I didn’t do it! Not the innocent people anyway. I knew that, and anybody crazy enough to read all of this will have noticed that too. However most of the people in Zephilia didn’t. To them I would be just another Elmekian who tried to kill innocent people of their nation.

Strangely enough I wasn’t really bothered by anyone about it. It wasn’t like they didn’t know I was from Elmekia. I kind of stuck out really. People would have known I wasn’t a local. I guess maybe because they saw me with Lina. If the Elmekian army knew I was travelling with Lina then sure the Zephilians knew too. I suppose rumours like that do get out when you travel with someone who destroys lots of evil nasty things. I guess that’s how fairytales come about. I can just imagine them turning Lina into a bratty prince…and me? Well, they always love romance, and there always has to be a princess. I knew cross dressing would bite me in the ass sooner or later. Great, future generations will think of me as a princess.

Well anyway, back on track. I was left alone with Lina as we travelled to her parents house, and pretty soon we made it there. It’s little wonder Lina is so messed up when you think about what her family is like. We just returned from a war and they were scolding her like she had gone outside for a play in the mud and returned completely dirty.

It wasn’t long until Lina was turning to me for help and I kept my nose straight out of it. This was family business and I wasn’t family. You learn not to get involved because you quickly get torn between two camps. So no, I stayed out of it, Lina was on her own this time. Yes, Lina did help me with my family issues, but that was different! Honestly…it was. Trust me, if you were in the situation, you would understand. They were messing about with her anyway…

Lina then hugged her mother and it seemed to me that everything was ok. Only why was Luna looking at me the way she was? Lyra then turned to Luna.

“Put the kettle on, and get some food, Lina has a lot of things to talk to us about.”
“Sure Mom. Hey Gourry, I need a hand.”
“Um...” I gulped. “Ok then.”

I stepped past Lina and followed Luna into the kitchen, who’s first action was to grab a kitchen knife and turn to me, pushing it to my throat within split seconds. She curled her lips and smirked.

“You’re good…” She stated quietly, my sword was also at her throat.
“What’s this about?” I asked, paying no mind to the knife at my throat.
“Did you kill those innocent people?”
“No…I was in the group, but I didn’t kill anyone of them. I wouldn’t dare. I also got a nice knock to the head for it too.”
“Good.” She pulled the knife away and I sheathed my sword.
“I can’t really believe you would think I would do something like that.”
“I didn’t think you were the type, but in the pressure of war and large groups, I thought you might have given in. The cakes are in that cupboard.”

How could she do that!? Talk about something so seriously and than at the drop of a hat, talk about something like cakes. I opened the cupboard and took the cakes out, snagging one and putting it in my mouth in one.

SMACK

“Ow!! Hey!”
“Did I say you could eat them!?” Luna scowled.
“No?” I whimpered, holding my hand.
“I’m disappointed in Lina. She obviously hasn’t been working hard enough to keep you straight. Now…what are you guys going to do now?” She asked, waiting for the kettle to heat up over the fire.
“I don’t really know. Travel around as usual, take out bandit camps, eat lots of food.”
“Are you happy with that?”
“I’m with Lina, that makes me happy.”
“So if Lina decided to suddenly stop, and just settle down somewhere, you’d be fine?”
“Of course.” I smiled. “I could never see that happening for quite a long time though. Lina loves travelling too much to settle down.”

The kettle whistled, steam flowing freely out of the spout. Luna took it away from the fire and began filling up the several cups she had set up.

“What about marriage? Children?”
“I dunno. Marriage would be nice I think. It would make Nana and Mom happy even though they aren’t here anymore. They always wanted me to get married. ‘Get a good wife to look after you’, they told me. Children could be fun too. They would probably drive Lina mad, but I think she would love them deep down. Only it’s up to her. Recent things might make that hard to do.”
“What do you mean?”
“I think Lina can explain that better than I could. I would probably just make things confusing trying to explain!”
“Well then, let’s go find out. You take the cakes.”
“Ok!” I followed Luna as we went to join, Lina, Lyra and Ilsen, picking up another of the cakes.
“If you eat that, you won’t wake tomorrow morning.”

I dropped the cake back onto the plate as my face quickly paled.

~Kurage.

31.1

Awkward.

That’s all I could feel, sitting at the table with my mother and father, as Luna and Gourry did something in the kitchen (I think I would rather spare myself the details).

I had longed to be home, longed to be in the arms of my family, but now that I was here, I felt like I was on trial, and I couldn’t even explain myself, or why I did the things I did.

Yes, Sobold pulled a fast one on me. He managed to nab me, silence me, and strap a sword on me. But it was honour that kept the sword on my hip. I could have taken off before I had heard the fate of Elgard. I had the means, and I had the wits.

But I had heard about Elgard, and heard about how many people were killed, and I just couldn’t walk away like I usually did when things got too complicated.

I thought it had been hard facing Gourry. That had been a cakewalk compared to sitting across from my parents, struggling, trying hard to come up with the right words, the right explanation, that would make this all go away.

I opened my mouth, not putting any thought to what was going to come out of my mouth, but Mom cut me off and saved me the trouble.

“Don’t say anything,” she sad softly. I looked up into her eyes, and all I could see was softness there, as if she understood what I had gone through. It worried me, and for a moment I wondered what kind of things my mother had gone through when she was my age.

“We’re not ashamed of you, like you are of yourself,” I looked over as my father spoke to me, and saw the same kindness.

“You can tell?” I murmured, smiling a little.

“Everyone can tell,” he replied, reaching across the table and putting his hand over my own. I lowered my head, feeling the shame that he had spoken of, burning in my eyes and my throat. “The details have been more than likely stretched, but we’ve heard rumours and tales of what happened, especially when you walked on the field and swung your sword.”

My throat clogged up at that. What could they have possibly heard? Had they heard about my going berserk on my own fellow soldiers? Or had they heard the worst, that the Lord of Nightmares had graced my presence on the field and granted me power to fight?

“Is it true what we’ve been hearing, about how you went into a speech about how corrupt the government is?” My mother asked calmly, her eyes wide.

My head slammed onto the table in shock. I groaned, rubbed my head, and cried, “THAT is what they’ve decided to broadcast?! My political yammerings?!”

Dad looked at me slyly. “Oh? And what else could it be that we should have heard?”

I ignored him. “This is just like what happened with Rezo and Shabranigdu!” I cried, slamming a hand on the table. And it was! Why was it that people never focus on when I’m a hero? Why do they focus on the CRAP?

“People like to glaze over the scary bits and focus on the things they can get enraged and indignant about,” Mom replied casually.

“And naturally, things like political spewing from previously absent sorceresses spread faster than feats of heroism. Why don’t you ever watch your tongue?” Dad continued, his face stern all of a sudden. “You know how prickly the queen is, especially in these later years.”

I snorted. “Oh, please? Like my words will ever reach her ears.”

My parents exchanged a glance, one I couldn’t read. “What,” I said flatly, “don’t tell me, you’re going to say that she’s already heard, despite it not even being a week since I said those things?”

My mother shrugged, her smile the same as the one my sister inherited from her. “Who can say?” she replied calmly.

I gaped at her. “You’re kidding me...right?”

“Nope. Truth is, the rumours reached her very quickly. Not sure by who, though. But it was enough for word to get back onto the streets that when she heard them, she was pretty angry.”

“About what?” I demanded. “All I said was garbage. I was trying to get people to stop killing eachother. Surely she’ll get that and not get her stupid petticoats in a bunch.”

“Except that you implied rather infuriatingly about how the queen ran her kingdom,” Dad pointed out mildly.

“Doesn’t anyone care about how those words made morons stop swinging swords at eachother?!” I demanded.

“Well, the queen doesn’t,” Mom answered, her eyes grave. “If memory serves, I remember hearing that she, at the start, was very adamant about the complete domination of the Elmekian army. The fact that your words not only insulted her but ceased the very means of taking over Elmekia, well...” she trailed off.

“I’m not known by name, am I?” I asked, suddenly a little fearful.

“I hope not,” Mom said softly. “But it could very well be possible that the people who told her about it knew who you were.”

I opened my mouth, then froze. Something stank about that. Who could be fast enough to get to the queen and tell her what I said? And worse, did they know who I was? Was anyone I knew in danger?

I sighed and placed my forehead on the table, gently this time. “Whatever. I don’t care right now.” And that was sure as hell true.

I felt my father’s hand on my head. I looked up and saw both of them smiling at me. I felt my heart in my throat again.

“Even though you were coerced,” Mom said, “we’re still proud of you.”

Dad laughed. “Especially the pissing off the queen part!”

I smiled, feeling warmer inside.

“Sorry for the wait,” Luna suddenly called, shortly followed by Gourry. I met his eyes and felt a jump in my stomach.

There was one thing I hadn’t counted on. When Gourry and I were alone, truly alone, what would happen then? What would I say? What COULD I say?

It was different when we stayed in the camp. That was about avoiding it all. But now that we had left it, there was no skirting around it any longer.

But how could I possibly even talk about it? Especially after what he had seen me do on the battlefield?

There was just too much to think about. I looked away, starting at my hands, trying to ignore everyone around me, especially him.

~Dramata

31.2

Luna put the tray with several cups filled with coffee on the table, and started handing them out, one for everybody even me.

“Um…I don’t…really. Hey wait!?” As I was about to try my best to explain that I didn’t like bitter things, including coffee, I had put the tray of cakes down and immediately they were gone, the three Inverses already eating them. “I didn’t even get a chance! You said I couldn’t have any too!”

“Oh…” Luna managed to reply with a mouthful of cake. She then swallowed quickly. “Inverse family rule. Once the food is on the table, take what you want.”

I stood there, scratching my chin a second. “I’ll have to remember that one in the future then.” I then sat down and decided not to mention the coffee. I didn’t want to be rude about it. I took the cup and moved it to my lips and sipped the boiling hot liquid. I fought back the immediate reaction to cringe, but I couldn’t help pull a funny little face. I put the cup back down quickly and decided to try again in a bit.

“So Luna, did he do it?” Ilsen glanced to her elder daughter, taking a good gulp of coffee after.

Luna simply shook her head, looking over the Lina closely. It was the first time I noticed that Lina wasn’t looking at anyone. No that was wrong. I could tell she was reacting slightly to her parents and sister. She was completely ignoring me. I had spent years training as a swordsman, reading people’s body reactions so you can work out their next move. One of the useful outcomes of that was being able to read people’s body reactions in general. I could read Lina at that moment as well. However, it was what Ilsen said that caught my attention.

“Huh? Did I do what?” I looked closely to Ilsen. It was obvious he was talking about me, and I thought it was pretty rude considering I was sat with them.

“Oh, nothing Gourry. Don’t worry about it.” He replied, continuing to drink his coffee like nothing happened.

I looked to Luna and realised that since the only thing we really talked about was me killing those innocent people in Elgard. The other thing was about Lina, but what he asked didn’t seem to link up. I continued looking at Luna but she was pretty difficult to read. I looked back to Ilsen and then down at the table.

“I think I should be going…” I pushed the chair back and stood up from the table. I looked back to Lina to see if that got at least some sort of reaction out of her, but she was still refusing to look at me.

“Please Gourry…this is silly.” Lyra reached out to grab my wrist and stop me from leaving.

“No Mrs. Inverse. It’s pretty clear that I’m not welcome here.” I gently pulled my hand away and got my things together. I stopped before I headed to the door. “Lot’s of bad things happen in war. You have to kill or be killed. I don’t blame anybody from Zephilia who killed an Elmekian. They were protecting their own lives and the ones they loved. What I never do is kill people not involved in the war.” I then glanced to Lina and my eyes softened. “I’ll be waiting outside. Take however long you need. Ok?”

I quickly left and made my way down the street a little before stopping at one of the corners. I sat down, placing my bag beside me and watched as people went about their business. A little way down the street some kids were playing. I smiled a little as they ran about, tagging each other. Their happy screams filled the air.

Suddenly one stopped and seemed to have noticed me, then suddenly the other kids slowed down and stopped when their friends noticed. I looked away and smiled to myself a little, mumbling quietly. “Great, not only did Lina’s parents accuse me, but now everyone in the city will do the same. Oh well.”

I kept sitting there as they slowly made their way over to me, I just looked away, minding my own business.

“Um…Mister?” One of them spoke. I blinked a little and turned towards the source of the voice. It belonged to a small boy, and something about him seemed familiar. Behind him were all the other kids, looking slightly afraid.

“Hi guys!” I smiled and waved. “You looked like you were having lots of fun. Why did you stop?”

“You were in the war, right? You were with the Elmekians?” He asked. The others children whispering amongst themselves.

“That’s right.”

“I thought so. You were the one who saved me.”

I blinked again, a little confused. “Huh?”

“I was hiding, and instead of killing me, you told me to run away. I thought I was going to die but you sent them the wrong way. You saved me.”

It took me a little time to think, and then some of the memories flooded back. I almost killed the kid but I managed to redirect my sword before it hit him. I broke the sword as I did so, but at least the kid was safe. I smiled and nodded. “I remember now. I’m glad you’re safe.”

“I thought I was going to die. News of what happened in Elgard spread and when you took over our town, I thought I was a goner.”

“Well, now you’re safe. The war is over too!” I smiled again. “You guys should go back to playing. I’m not sure your parents will be happy to see you speaking to me.”

One of the others kids stepped forward. “But why? You were with Lina. It was you guys who stopped the war. Loads of people have been talking about it. You’re a hero!”

I reddened slightly in embarrassment. “Oh really? I don’t know about me, I didn’t do much. Lina was the one who stopped it all. Lina is always the one to stop it all.” I then reached up and ruffled the hair of the kid I saved. “But thanks, nice to know some people believe in me.”

“Hey! You wanna play with us?” The others started joining in.
“Yeah yeah, play with us.”
“You’re not doing anything else, right?”

I rubbed the back of my head awkwardly and then looked back to the Inverse house. “Well, I don’t see why not. I’m sure Lina won’t mind!”

“Great!”
“Yay!!”

Suddenly one of them tagged my knee. “You’re it!”

“Hey! I wasn’t ready!” I shouted, standing up immediately, the other kids screamed and ran off. “Hey, get back here!” I then chased them, quickly closing them down and then lightly tapping one on the shoulder.

“Oi! That’s not fair, you’re too quick.”

I blew a raspberry and then joined the others kids in running away.

~Kurage

31.3

With wary eyes I watched Gourry leave. I felt that sinky feeling in my gut, the one I often get when I know that things are going to hell, whether it be personal or otherwise. I knew that I had pushed him away. How else was he supposed to react to it than to leave?

I hesitated, but in the end, despite the pull, I didn’t get up to follow. Somehow, I wondered if doing so would make it much worse.

I was calm, for a moment. Until something in my brain clicked.

“Wait a second,” I said quietly, gritting my teeth. I turned slowly to my father and my sister. “What was it that you said? What were you talking about?”

Dad looked a little embarrassed, like I had walked in on him with his pants down. Luna, however, looked very calm. “We were checking to see if Gourry had done anything dishonourable. If he had, we would have taken necessary action.”

I swallowed, trying very hard not to scream out. Dad saw me trying to keep my cool, so he jumped in. “Really, Lina-chan, we were only trying to make sure that you were safe...what if he had been one of the ones at Elgard—“

I slammed my hands on the table, sending a couple of plates rattling. Mom frowned at me, then at Luna, but I ignored her. I stood up, and lost my internal battle, and with great pleasure, I might add.

“So wait...you decide that, even though I trust him with my life, a cross-examination after a brutal battle would be a great idea?!” I shouted.

“You may trust him,” Luna said flatly, “but we don’t.”

“Luna-chan, don’t say such things,” Mom said sternly. I glanced over at her, and looked sadly at me. “I don’t know why they would do such things. I had no idea.”

Luna shot a look to Mom. “Maybe, but I’m sure you would be with us if you had known,” she replied coldly.

I ignored them both. “I can’t believe none of you would even trust my own judgment!” I cried. “Do you really think that I would let Gourry even within an INCH of this house if I had the slightest belief that he had done ANYTHING in Elgard?!”

My father cleared his throat, his cheeks pink. “Sometimes, Lina-chan, when the heart is snared by love, the mind doesn’t see clearly.”

I laughed, coldly. “Do you even know me at ALL?” I demanded. “When have I ever mooned over anyone?”

“Er...” Dad looked at Mom. Mom shrugged and looked at Luna. Luna rolled her eyes.

“Exactly!” I yelled. “NEVER! Why would I start now? And besides!” I put my hands on my hips. “What I feel for Gourry is not mooning. It’s actual trust. He’s stupid and a jackass, and sometimes he says really cold and insensitive things, but he’s still a good guy, and I trust him with my life!”

Finally, silence.

“You didn’t see him out there,” I said quietly, my eye narrowed. “You didn’t see how he tried very hard not to kill if he didn’t have to. He knew that these were my people, and even though I sure as hell didn’t hesitate killing HIS people, he was thinking of me first.”

I took a breath, my hands going from my hips to my sides. I looked down at the empty breadbasket, not keen on looking at any of them at the moment. “His brother hates him for some reason, and he got the shit kicked out of him because of it. And yet, he still thought of me. He ALWAYS thinks of me. I rarely even focus on him when he’s around in the midst of a battle, and yet his mind is always on me. He can be really stupid, but not when it comes to me...”

I trailed off and looked up, suddenly embarrassed. I felt like I had said too much.

Luna slid her hand through her hair, sighing. “That was close to mooning.”

I reached over the table, grabbed a fistful of her hair, and yanked, growling. She lunged to the side, grabbed the breadbasket, and started bashing my shoulder with it.

My mother held up a hand, and a small spark of light shimmered to brief life. In an instant, some unseen force pulled us both apart and held us immobile.

Argh. I had forgotten that she could do that.

Mom and Dad exchanged somber looks, and I noticed that when they looked back at me, their faces were relaxed. “You’re right, Lina-chan,” my father said gruffly. “We should trust your judgment.”

“In return,” my mother chided gently, her hand still in the air. “You should trust us to tell us what happens in your life, especially at crucial moments like these.”

She lowered her hand, and both Luna and I jolted. Luna reached forward and grabbed a fistful of my hair, but didn’t tug.

“Yes, like why your hair is WHITE,” she snapped. “And why my fingers are itching to grab my knife whenever I lock eyes with you.”

I sighed and batted her hand away. I tried to treat it lightly. “Oh, that? Surely you haven’t forgotten my little moneymaking scheme?”

In one fluid move, Luna lashed out and smacked my cheek with her hand. I felt the sting, but didn’t register it. “Be serious!” she shot back. I think that, perhaps, that was one of the few times I had heard panic in her voice. “I’m scared for you. Don’t you see that?”

“Yes, and slapping your sister surely tells her that,” My father growled.

I rubbed my cheek. “I’m sure you already know,” I said quietly.

Luna stiffened, shaking her head. “I was hoping it wasn’t true.”

“Would you like to tell us, the ones who gave birth to you both, what you are blabbing about?” Mom said mildly.

Luna pointed at me. “She’s turned into a vessel, Mom,” she said, her voices dripping with fury. “She’s become a Knight.”

“Like you are to Ciephied, dear?”

“No!” Luna answered. “To something worse.”

I sat down, in one move, and spread out my hands. “Okay, so before my beloved trigger happy sister gets into a whole fabricated story of what happened, I’d like to tell my side of it, first. Okay? And no questions until I’m done...” I glared at Luna specifically when I said that.

Stonily, she sat down.

With some trepidation, I started to tell them everything. Not just from the battle, but EVERYTHING, from the start of the whole damned mess.

And the whole time, my heart was racing in fear.

What would they think of me when it was over, said, and done?

~Dramata

31.4

After a while, we stopped the little game as all the kids were worn out. I smiled a little and sat back down in the spot I was before, the kids sitting around trying to catch their breath back. Once they did, one of them looked to me with a thought.

“What’s Lina like?”

The others murmured with each other and then quickly joined in.

“Yeah, what is Lina really like?”
“I heard she was really scary, almost like a monster.”

I smiled a little and glanced towards the Inverse house before turning back towards the kids.

“Well to begin with, Lina definitely isn’t a monster, but she can get pretty scary at times. She can be pretty selfish too and she complains if she doesn’t get things her way.”

“Wow...she doesn’t sound like a very nice person. Why are you waiting for her then?”

“That’s just the way she is to lots of people. I think when you get to know her a little better then you realise she’s not that bad at all. She’s really protective of her friends and will do her best to make sure of that. She always looks forward too, never stopping to look back and worry about things. She’s really determined and will get things done. I think that’s why she’s saved the world so many times.”

“Really? Now she sounds really cool.”

“Don’t let her hear that. She’ll start to get really big headed...” I rubbed the back of my head and grinned a little. “Now, you kids should be going home. Your parents will be worried, and I still don’t think they would be happy to hear that you were playing with someone from Elmekia. So if you don’t want to get in trouble, you might not want to mention me.”

“Awww...ok. He is right. We should be having our dinner soon. But Gourry, what are you going to do? You can’t just sit out here the entire time.”

“I’m fine, don’t worry about it. I’m used to doing this. I promised Lina I would be waiting and I’m not someone who breaks promises. You guys get going, ok?”

“Ok! Bye Gourry!”
“See you later Gourry! Don’t let Lina push you around!”
“Bye Bye!!”

I smiled as all the kids ran off down the road and then slowly dispersed to their homes and then the sound of the laughing children died off until there was silence.

I looked back to the Inverse house and wondered what Lina was up to. I didn’t mean to leave the house like that, but I had a feeling that she had some things she had to talk to them about alone. It didn’t make sitting outside all alone any better or more interesting though. I sighed a little and leaned back into the wall and looked up to the darkening sky. I could see a few stars beginning to appear and breathed another sigh closing my eyes.

I thought that after the war was over things would be less complicated, although I wasn’t even sure at the time that there would be an end to the war. Now that it was, I thought things would just go back to normal. Only they weren’t. Now Lina had this immense power and although the kids weren’t suspicious of me being from Elmekia, a lot of the others in Zephilia were. Maybe it was silly of me to think that things would just go back to normal. I should have known that after war, things change and they’re often for good. I just hoped that maybe this time it would be different.

I opened my eyes and suddenly realised that I was surrounded by a group of soldiers, one holding a long staff with a dagger at the end pointed at my throat.

“We have orders from the Queen to arrest you under charges of trespassing, Gourry Gabriev”

I gritted my teeth slightly and went to reach for my sword only to feel a booted foot stamp down hard on my hand, pinning it and stopping me from reaching for the sword. The staff also pushed dangerously into my throat.

“No resistance please Mr Gabriev. It is preferred that you are taken in alive, but we have orders to kill if you resist too much.”

Uhh...

~Kurage

31.5

It took less time than I had expected.

I didn’t glaze over any details, but I didn’t go into every SINGLE detail. I told them the facts, as detached as I could, but there were times, especially when it involved Gourry, that I had to clear my throat and start again.

When I was finished, I was staring at my hands, afraid to look up at any of them.

There was a silence.

Then, “Oh.” It was Luna. “That explains much.”

“Mmhm,” That was Mom.

I felt a hand in my hair, ruffling my bangs. I looked up and saw Dad smiling at me. “You should have just said all of that from the start.”

I gaped at them, not believing what I was hearing. Were they all completely mental?!

“But...” I shook my head. “I was a Mazoku! I tried to kill people!”

Mom shook her head. “But you didn’t. That’s what makes you much stronger than any of those creatures.”

Huh. She had a point.

Luna rolled her eyes. “What, did you expect us to be disgusted with you and not want anything to do with you?”

“Er...” I blushed, unable to continue.

“Honestly, Lina-chan, what a thing to assume!” Mom cried, looking scandalized yet again.

I opened my mouth to reply, but was interrupted by the sound of unmistakable male shouting. I jumped to my feet and listened, turning into the direction I heard it, and soon heard a couple of thuds.

“My,” my mother said mildly. “Sounds like trouble.”

I was already running towards the door as she said that. Once I reached the outside, I saw that Gourry was surrounded by a bunch of Sobold’s old lackeys. I jumped right into it all and stood in front of Gourry, glaring at the group of soldiers.

“Hi,” I said calmly. “Can I help you at all? Or will you allow me to ask you why you’re on my property, trying to injure my guest?”

One soldier looked at me shrewdly. “Your ‘guest’ is a trespasser from the recently aggressive country of Elmekia.”

I eyed him. “Are YOUR parents siblings?” I demanded. “The conflict is over!”

A second soldier came forward when the first appeared too confused by my question. “Right now, we’re at a standoff, and it’s preferential that any Elmekian is to be escorted to the Queen.”

I leaned back, crossing my arms. I felt a sudden brainwave coming on, one that was not amusing. “Any Elmekian, huh?” I echoed.

“Lina,” Gourry whispered into my ear. “It’s okay. If I have to go, I have to go.”

I shook my head. I marched up to the soldiers, ripped the glove off my left hand, and pointed to the ring on my finger. “See this?” I wondered. “We’re married. Elmekia has basically disowned him, once they realised that he didn’t want to fight anymore. He’s Zephilian now. Get it?”

“M-married?” A third soldier stammered.

“Uh huh,” I lied smoothly. “So you have no claim on him. He’s one of us, so why would you need to take him in? Go find some other Elmekians to drag in.”

“But…” The soldiers exchanged wary looks. “The Queen was rather insistant on the retrieval of any Elmekians found on our lands.”

I leaned in closer. “Any Elmekians?” I repeated, my voice dripping with venom. “Or a particular, blond one, who travels with me?”

All three men went as pale as a cloud on a sunny day.

Bingo!

I took in a breath, trying to control my anger. Surely, any action against these men would be seen as aggression towards the Queen, right?

Gourry seemed to think the same thing, but he also knew me very, very well. “Linaaa...” he said softly, panic evident in his tone. He slowly started backing away from me.

Hell, I knew it wasn’t necessary. I knew it was overkill. But I was tired of the interruptions and I just wanted to spend some alone time with Gourry, for once. What better way to ensure it than by blasting a few annoyances into another region?

“Well, that’s over with,” I replied, replacing my glove and brushing my hands together.

“Lina,” Gourry sighed, then looked into my eyes. “You lied to them. You said we were married.”

“Oh, what does it matter?” I answered, smiling at him. “Even if we aren’t, my lie still has a claim over you. And technically, what I said was true: If we were married, you would be Zephilian.”

Gourry tilted his head. “Oh, so that’s the only reason why you said it?” he wondered.

I sighed, walked over, and cupped his face in my hands. “You know me better than that,” I said softly, for his ears alone. “With all the time we spend together, we might as well be married!”

He smiled a bit. “Yeah.”

His smile was so endearing, and his eyes were so glittery and beautiful in the setting sun, that I felt my throat catch a little. I felt a sudden warmth stirring in my blood, one that was like so many times before, only it coupled itself with the sadness and the loneliness of the past week.

I leaned in close, feeling my face heat up a little. I looked right into those eyes and said the words that I knew I would never regret. “Gourry,” I whispered, “I love you. Would you like to...spend the night with me?”

I watched as Gourry’s eyes widened and his cheeks turned as red as mine. He opened his mouth to reply.

“So, everything is alright out here then?”

I darted away from Gourry in a second and put my hands behind my back, my face on fire. I looked up and saw Luna standing in the doorway, grinning from ear to ear with a knowing look in her eyes that I hated instantly and wished that older sisters didn’t possess but of course they all do.

“Yes,” I said shortly.

“Good,” Luna replied, laughing. She turned from the door and started back into the house, calling over her shoulder, “You might want to check into an inn that’s far away from here. I wouldn’t want to hear anything, and, well, the rumours would be pretty rampant...” She laughed again, harder.

I fell into the dirt.

~Dramata

31.6

I couldn’t tell you guys how pleased I was to see Lina come and jump in like that. To be honest, I hadn’t thought up much of a plan to escape at that point. It was pretty difficult when someone shoves a lance up against your throat, ready to drive it in for the killing blow. I didn’t dare go and try and resist at the time because I could tell instantly the guy was skilled. So with Lina turning up, I didn’t have to worry about it.

Now what always amazes me with Lina, is how well she manages to lie like that, and make it so convincing. I know I wouldn’t be able to keep a straight face if I told a blatant lie like that. Although it did make me think how Lina was able to lie about something like marriage so easily. I mean, she kicked up such a fuss all that time ago. I forget what happened exactly but I remember Lina complaining about being a bride and I had a really itchy fake goatee. Although she had to actually go through a wedding then, and I guess this time, she just posed the ring as a wedding ring.

Soon enough, Lina managed to convince the soldiers to leave and we were left alone for a moment. I quickly picked up my sword and placed it back on my hip and then looked to Lina to try and get her to explain some things. I guess I was worried that maybe we would get into trouble, and something told me that they would probably be back. The Queen of Zephilia was meant to be really powerful, right? If she gave orders to escort Elmekians to her, then what was she going to do?

To say that what Lina said next surprised me would be not telling the truth. I was more than surprised, I just can’t work out a word for it right now. Hearing her say that we might as well be married and then hearing her say those three words that seemed to be her only fear...oh and slugs...and Luna.

Talking of the demon, Luna appeared from the doorway and surprised us both. Lina bolted away from me as though nothing had happened, and I stood up straight, trying to make the dozy lovey look disappear from my face. They talked briefly after which Luna suggested we get an inn far away. Lina fell over as though I just said something stupid but I was pretty sure I wasn’t talking at the time. Then Luna disappeared from view and I walked over to Lina.

“Hey...Lina? What did she mean by getting a room at the inn far away? Is there something wrong with the house? Do they need to get rid of any...oh...OH...I get it. ” I turned away and reddened a little as I just realised what the elder sister was talking about.

After gaining a bit of composure, I turned back to Lina and helped her off the ground and I watched as she dusted herself off. Her cheeks were even more red than before and she grumbled angrily, glaring straight at the now closed door.

“Why don’t we get married then?” I stated simply.
“Huh!?” Lina replied dumbly.

Ok, it wasn’t the smartest move on my part, but when have I ever made the smartest move outside of a sword fight? I just thought it would get her mind of Luna, and the embarrassment that she gave the pair of us. I guess she was embarrassed with that thought now, but it wasn’t as bad as what it was before.

“I...uh...um.” Lina stuttered.
“You?” I tried to help her along.
“I...” She glared dangerously, not appreciating the help. “...think that now is not the best time to think about something like that.”
“But then we wouldn’t have to lie to people.”
“I know that!” She growled slightly.
“I’m hungry...let’s eat.”
“Stop talking about...wait...what?”
“Food? Eat? Hungry?” I looked at her as though there was no conversation about marriage.
“Umm...yeah. But you’re paying...”
“I know...I know...”

I then turned and walked beside Lina as we headed away from her house and towards some restaurant/inn that she probably liked. The whole deal with the soldiers had me wondering about things though, and I didn’t like it hanging in the air like that.

“Lina?”
“Uh huh?” She replied, obviously thinking of something else.
“Do you have any idea what that was all about before, with those soldiers, and the queen?”
“Hmm...I’m not sure really. I guess it makes sense for them to be on high alert. I’m kind of surprised that they closed in so quickly on you though. It’s not like we arrived with a fanfare.”
“So do you think maybe they were after me rather than Elmekians in general?”
“Well if that’s true, they would have to be after you for a reason. Don’t take it personally but I’m not sure what that reason is. You don’t have any magic swords. I guess the only thing could be information. You know the insides of the Elmekian army, and who knows what people have said about you. They might think you’re some high ranking official.”
“You realise then that they’ll probably be back.”
“Yeah...probably. At least you have me to save your ass! Anyway, I thought you were meant to be the one to protect me!”

I grinned a little, then looked over to Lina, reaching out I took her gloved hand in mine and felt the ring underneath.

“You obviously forgot the meaning of this ring then.”
“I’ve not forgotten, stupid. It’s a promise that we’ll protect each other.”
“Is it? I thought it meant you were going to marry me...”
“No it’s not you idiot! Have you forgotten what it meant!!” She then took out her slipper and started beating me over the back of the head with it.
“Ow! Ow! Ow! Stop it, Lina! I’m kidding! I’m kidding! Of course I remember.”
“Or I just beat some sense into you...” She mumbled, putting the slipper away.

I rubbed the back of my head and smiled towards the sorceress, and she looked back at me, grinning slightly. I know she wasn’t fond of public displays of affection, but I found the urge hard to resist. I hooked my arm with hers so that as we walked side by side, we were quite close.

“I hope you’re taking us somewhere nice.”
“Of course...always the best for Lina Inverse!”

~Kurage

31.7

The fact that Gourry kept talking about marriage made me nervous.

Don’t misjudge me in this. I love Gourry. I would walk on needles for the guy. But sometimes, when I get those moments of self-doubt that everyone gets, I wonder if marriage would be biting off more than he could chew.

Yes, I am human! Yes, I have moments of doubt!

Talking about it and acknowledging it would make it seem REAL, and I wasn’t too sure I was ready to get into that. Granted, if we DID legalize everything, it would make things easier for us both, now that the initial skirmish between our countries was, at the moment, over.

But…I think the whole thing will the Lord of Nightmares also made me realise how much trouble I tend to get into. If the Mazoku were getting more and more pissed off that I kept hacking off their heads, I would certainly need her aid in the future.

However, was that something I was willing to drag Gourry into?

I wasn’t too sure.

And besides, I sort of lied to him. I had some inkling as to why the queen wanted to drag Gourry, and, myself with him, into her throne room. However, saying such a thing, this soon after our emotions were still healing, probably wasn’t a good idea.

Plus…I had other things on my mind.

I hooked one arm around his waist, leaning in closer to him. The whole time we walked, I knew my face was burning, but it seemed stupid to call attention to it. The whole time we walked, my mind was going miles a second, wondering what Gourry was thinking.

Did he even REALISE what I had asked him? The fact that I had said such a serious thing...well, some part of me, while I was relieved that we didn’t go into detail about it, was sad because there wasn’t much reaction about it.

Once again, it made me wonder if Gourry had been through it before. There had been many things that seemed to state that he was just as virgin as I was, but then, at times like this, he was so calm and unfazed...it was confusing!

“Hey, Gourry,” I said softly.

“Mmhm?” he replied.

“Do you have any idea where we’re going?”

He stopped, and in turn I stopped with him. When he just smiled and didn’t say anything, I knew the answer. “You had no idea at all, did you?!” I cried. “And you’re the one that said you were the one treating me!”

“Actually, YOU said that,” he responded. I scowled. “Besides, this is your town,” he scratched his cheek. “I was hoping you would somehow steer me into a place you wanted to go and we could both pretend it was all my doing.”

I opened my mouth to yell at him more, but the while concept of it was just so typical of him, I smiled instead, then laughed a bit. “I’m sure I would have, but my mind was on other things,” I admitted.

Gourry feigned shock. “On something other than food?”

I smacked him, hard, on the chest.

“That one hurt!” he whined, rubbing the spot I had struck.

“Good! You deserve it!” I responded. “Not everything I think about is food!”

He scratched the back of his head this time. “Yeah, I know that,” he said bashfully. “But sometimes you’re so serious it throws me.”

I tilted my head. “You’ve seen me serious before.”

“Yup,” Gourry agreed. “Still doesn’t mean that it doesn’t throw me.”

“Whatever,” I snapped, not wanting to get into such a stupid conversation anymore. I stood on my tiptoes and surveyed the place where we had stopped. It was getting late, so the streets weren’t as busy. Most people were inside, probably to escape the chill of the setting sun.

I pointed to the closest restaurant. “Let’s go there,” I said.

“Why?” Gourry wondered.

“Because I said so and because I don’t have to pay,” I replied. He looked at me with a frown, so I upped the ante and smiled as wide and as cutely as I could.

He rolled his eyes and sighed. “But it looks expensive!”

I pouted. “Come on, and spoil me.”

“I spoil you every day!”

I smacked him again.

“Stop hitting me!” he growled.

I grabbed his cheeks and pulled, hard, grinning. “Then spoil me!” I said sweetly. When he sighed again, I let go and slide my arms around his waist. “Good!”

I looked up again from my new place and saw him smiling. He patted my head lightly, then put his arm back around my shoulders. “Right, whatever you want, Lina.”

“Get used to saying that all the time!” I teased, as we walked towards the place. “You should be saying it all the time anyways!”

“I’m not your manservant!” he shot back.

“Nyeh,” I stuck my tongue out at him. When he reached down to grab it, I darted away and into the restaurant doors, pulling down my eyelid and further pulling a face at him. He made chase, which is always fun, and soon we were both in.

The place was nice and spacey, and despite the time of night it wasn’t that busy. I guess most people had families to go home to, but others…others, I saw, had a home in drink.

I spotted an empty table and dragged Gourry to it. We were given menus, and we each took our time giving the waitress both a heart attack and a stroke with our orders (and enjoying each second of it).

Once the order was taken, I leaned forward and rested my chin on my hands. I swallowed, feeling my face grow warm again.

I wanted to ask him many things. Like, did he realise what I had asked? And, did he understand why I had asked it? Or, did he get why I didn’t want to get married? As well as, he didn’t take it personally, did he?

But nothing came out.

Gourry saw me staring, and he turned to look back at me, smiling.

“What were you staring at?” I asked, my voice flat.

“Nothing,” he said cheerfully. “I spaced out.”

“As usual!” I rolled my eyes, then looked away from him, my cheeks burning even more. Damn, I thought, why can’t I have more control over that part of my face?!

I felt one of his big hands on my own again, the one I had put down on the table in my exasperation, and I looked over at him. He smiled at me, one of those light smiles of his.

“Er,” I blushed deeper (DAMMIT!), “hi.”

“Hello,” he replied.

I opened my mouth, desperate to voice those doubts and constant questions in my head, but, true to the rumour mill, our food came pretty fast and was soon on our table. Gourry pulled his hand away and dove in.

I sighed a little and did the same, and we fought like we always did, but my heart wasn’t into it. It’s sad how things work out, that even your appetite is affected!

Oh well. Some things even I can’t control…right?

~Dramata

31.8

During the time Lina was smacking my chest constantly, I had to do my best not to burst out laughing. You see, I really did know what she was talking about, and I wanted to have a little fun with her first. Of course, being hit wasn’t all that fun, but to see her getting a little wound up was very funny. I guess I wanted to surprise her a little, but I suppose the whole thing could end up backfiring. I was really hoping that she would see the funny side to it.

It was nice to feel her wrap her arm around my waist and just as good when I put my arms around her. It wasn’t often that we were so close like this and so I savoured the moment while it lasted. It didn’t last very long, but I was happy with whatever I got. She then scurried off into the restaurant before I could get her for pulling her tongue out at me and I quickly followed her in.

I looked around me as I entered, and my initial thoughts quickly came true as I realised how good the place looked. I wasn’t going to have much money left for the week if she wanted to dine like this every night. I didn’t have to look at the menu to know that. However I wanted tonight to be special and so I thought it would be worth it. The food should be great too!

I found myself getting dragged along by the sorceress and found myself sat down at an empty table. I looked back at the guy who seemed to be standing behind a little desk with a book. He was looking over at us a little confused and started to thumb through a few of the pages.

“Umm...Lina? I think we were supposed to have a booking or something.”

I turned back to her to find her busily looking through the menu just before one was placed in front of me. I looked up at the waitress who smiled a little and I reddened, taking the menu.

“Th...thank you.” I stumbled before thumbing through the menu quickly.

I was right about the prices but I was also right about the quality of food. I quickly followed Lina’s order and pointed out my order, which was pretty much every other item on two pages. The waitress seemed to think we were joking at first, but then when she looked closer I think she realised who we were and then suddenly seemed really nervous.

I blame that on Lina. She’s the one that causes us to have this reputation of us destroying places if we don’t get what we want. It’s really Lina who destroys the place when she doesn’t get what she wants. I just happily have whatever I get, unless it’s something bitter. I might kick up a fuss then.

In the quiet moments before our order came, I could see Lina was struggling with her thoughts. She wanted to tell me something but I guess her embarrassment stopped her. I tried to help by placing my hand on hers, trying to comfort her. I guess in the end it just made her even more nervous, and before she had a chance to finally come out with something, the order arrived.

She quickly pulled her hand away and I did the same a moment later as trays and trays full of dishes surrounded our table and then the dishes filled with food placed on the table. They barely had time to rest on the table before we started digging in hungrily. I don’t know what it was with Lina, maybe she was still thinking about something, but I was really hungry. Considering I was going to be spending so much money on all this food, I was going to make sure every single scrap was eaten!

I went through all the dishes and trays, eating everything in sight and even started on the dishes that just arrived. The waitress had to struggle with a difficult balancing act to take the empty dishes and trays away before they were replaced. Despite all of that, we fought over the food as usual, although I seemed to be coming out on top a few more times than usual and could tell that it was still because Lina was thinking about something else.

My plan of playing ignorant was quickly starting to unravel with the constant reminders that something wasn’t right with Lina, and then when we finished off the food, it became even clearer that I was going to lose it.

We had been through so much and now I just wanted to be with her and her alone. When I almost got taken away by those soldiers, I didn’t know what to think. I felt like things were just always trying to tear us apart no matter what. Didn’t we deserve a break?

Talking of breaking, I stood up and Lina looked up at me, blinking in confusion and wondering what I was doing.

“I’ll...uh...let’s see. I’ll be right back!”
“Back from where?”
“I dunno!”

I then quickly made my way to the exit of the restaurant and noticed the man by the large book.

“I was just wondering if you knew of any inns nearby which are really nice. Like really soft beds, and comfortable rooms. Some place that you would take someone special to stay in.”

The man raised an eyebrow and then glanced over at Lina, recognising her suddenly and turning back.

“You’re either stupid, or have a death wish. Well...either way. There’s a really nice place across the street. It’s the best place around. It’s meant to be the best in all of Zephilia.”
“Thanks!”

I then quickly made my way out of the restaurant and ran across the street to the inn, pushing the door open fast and causing everyone in the reception area to jump up on surprise.

“I want your best room please, or the next best room if it’s not free...or the next best if that one...”
“I got it, I got it.” The woman smiled a little and started thumbing through the pages. “Ahh, here we go. This room is perfect, and it’s the last one free. It’s the best we have on offer and there was a last minute cancellation. Seems they decided to pay in advance too so there’s no cost. So you’re in luck.”
“Really? No cost? Are you sure?”
“Well it is paid for...I don’t see why not.”
“Oh great, I’ll take it then. I’ll just be right back in a moment.”
“Ok!” The woman smiled.

I quickly turned and headed back over to the restaurant, moving back inside and then making my way quickly back to the table. I breathed heavily and slouched slightly trying to catch my breath back.

“Gourry? What’s going on?”
“I...needed the bathroom.”
“But there’s one right there.” Lina pointed to the corner of the room.
“Oh...oh yeah. Silly me. Now let’s go, there’s something important to see. Something special, you’ll really like. Some really old book.”
“What’s going on Gourry?” Lina narrowed her eyes dangerously.

I sighed a little in defeat and hung my head. I guess the idea of being ignorant wasn’t working anymore. I was rushing things, but I just wanted to be with her, and I wanted it to be special. I sat down at the table and looked down at the middle of it, my cheeks reddening slightly.

“I...I knew what it was you were talking about before. That thing that you thought about that was other than food.”

Lina proceed to bash me over the head with the edge of her fist.

“Ow!!! What was that for?”
“For making me feel so damned embarrassed and then having the audacity to wind me up over it!”
“I’m sorry?”

She hit me again, just as hard.

“Now what!?” I rubbed my head as the throbbing pain continued.
“At least if you’re going to apologise, you can make it sound convincing!” She growled and crossed her arms.

I sighed a little in defeat and decided to just say what I wanted to say.

“Things have been tough for us recently. So much has gone on and I kind of wondered if we were ever going to get a break from it all. Not that what we did was bad, but there is only so much you can take right? I kind of feel like that a lot of the stuff we’ve had to go through was because of people trying to tear us apart. For once I just want to be with you Lina. I want to be with you alone and I want it to be special. I’ve never been like this with anyone else. Only you have done this to me. Whether we’re married...or just travelling partners, I just want to be with you.”

She then bashed me on the head again.

“Lina!”
“What? You still didn’t apologise properly.”

I think she just likes hitting me at times. I guess I deserve it, but I know what Lina is hitting me in anger, and hitting me just for the fun of it. I smiled a little as I rubbed my aching head.

~Kurage

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