Disclaimer: I do not own anything in the Slayers franchise, and am making no money from this fic. I am simply doing this for fun.

..Nell's inn room...

Nell undid her braids and brushed out her golden tresses that fell to the middle of her back. Once she was finished, she placed the brush on the nightstand by the bed, but just as the lovely necromancer was about to climb into bed and rest up for the next day, she became aware of a familiar presence in her room. Immediately, Nell's heart fluttered in excitement and a smile slowly stretched over her face. "Xellos," she breathed out softly just as the mazoku pressed against her back--his arms wrapping around her from behind.

"You are wearing entirely too much clothing, my sweet Nell," Xellos murmured into the necromancer's ear before nibbling it...his hands moving to the ties down the front of her flimsy nightgown and undoing them with practiced skill.

Nell's breathing quickened in excitement. "I could very easily say the same about you, my dear Xellos," she whispered as she felt the mazoku's clothing against her now naked back. She could already feel her body responding to his caresses, and the energy in the room crackled.

Xellos chuckled softly as he willed his clothing away. "There...problem solved," he said as he turned Nell so she was facing him. His eyes were open now, and his amethyst eyes gazed into Nell's as his hands moved down her slim back to cup her round buttocks--squeezing them as he pressed her against him. Closing his eyes, Xellos allowed his head to fall back as he simply basked in the rising energy in the room. As a necromancer, dark, negative energy constantly emanated and flowed from Nell, but when in an excited state as she was now, it became all that much more potent and intoxicating--more addicting than the most powerful drug. "Oh, yes..." he breathed before claiming Nell's lips in a deep, searing kiss.

Nell moaned into her mazoku lover's mouth as she ran her fingers through his shoulder-length, luxurious hair...shivering as she felt the hard length pressing against her abdomen. She wrapped her legs around Xellos' waist as he lifted her and moaned in pleasure as he suddenly encased himself in her tight, wet warmth.

As always, whenever the two of them came together like this, Xellos materialized a manhood that filled every inch of Nell's inner warmth and stretched her just enough to leave her deliciously sore afterwards. As a mazoku, he had no actual physical body, so he could create and materialize appendages however he wished...and at that moment, he wished only to please the lovely necromancer. While he could not feel the physical pleasure in the way that Nell could, the pleasure he received and felt from the surging of Nell's energy more than compensated, and as he pushed his lover against the wall and thrust hard and deep into her as he gripped her hips, his moans and groans of genuine pleasure echoed Nell's whimpering moans.

Nell tilted her head to the side to allow Xellos more access to her neck as he left a trail of nipping kisses along the sensitive skin, and she moved her hips as best she could from her current position as the mazoku thrust in and out of her. Her body sang with pleasure and growing ecstacy under her lover's attentions. "Yes..."

"Nell..." Xellos groaned as he floated the two of them onto the bed.

Nell's back arched and she whimpered her moans of pleasure as she clung to Xellos' body. From this position, the mazoku was able to pound deeper and harder into her and hit her inner-most pleasure point mercilessly. "Xel...Xellos...!" Her breaths were coming in short, quick gasps as she neared the moment of bliss that only release could bring. "Xellos...!"

Xellos bit his lower lip, his body thrumming with a burning ecstasy that only this type of union with Nell could bring. They were both teetering on the edge of release...Nell only needed a small push over that edge before they would both be enveloped in a bliss that could not be described by mere words. Lowering his head to the lovely necromancer's round, perfect breasts, Xellos suckled a pert nipple into his mouth as he quickened his thrusts...instantly being rewarded with a pleasured mewling. "Nell..." he pleaded.

Nell's body trembled as her release exploded within her, and she was suddenly no longer in the physical plane...or in her own body for that matter...

Xellos' inverted cone-shaped astral form penetrated Nell's sphere-shaped astral form, and the two merged together in a culmination of exploding ecstacy and pleasure that left them both quivering and trembling in each other's arms when they returned to their bodies. Unable to speak for several moments they were both content to simply lay in each other's arms and bask in the energy that hung in the room like a thick blanket.

"I missed you," Nell said softly once she was able to form words. "It's been too long..." She rested her head on Xellos' shoulder as she draped an arm across his chest and lightly nuzzled his neck...wishing the mazoku was able to feel the small, intimate caress the way a human could.

Xellos slowly ran the fingers of one hand through Nell's hair. It always amazed him how much like silk it actually felt. "Yes," he agreed softly. "Far too long, my lovely dear...but I'm afraid my mistress is quite the jealous type. She's had me on a very short and tight leash since the last time...she smelled you on me and flew into quite a jealous rage."

Nell averted her eyes. "I'm sorry..." she said softly.

"Oh, there's no need to worry about it," Xellos said with his usual, easy smile.

"Zelas," Nell said with a soft groan of annoyance at the mention of Xellos' mistress' name. "I was you didn't have to go back to her..."

Xellos' other hand lazily caressed Nell's shoulder. "There is a way for me to be fully yours, my sweet necromancer..."

Nell sighed and turned onto her side so her back was to Xellos. "I can't..." she said softly. "You don't understand what I would be risking..."

"But you would be gaining so much," Xellos said softly. "Not just me, but your--"

"As much as I want you, Xellos...I don't want those other things you speak of." Nell sighed softly. "Could we please not talk about this anymore tonight?"

"Very well."

"Xellos?"

"Yes?"

"Stay with me tonight?"

Xellos smiled. "As you wish," he said as he pulled the covers over the both of them. While he did not need the warmth, he knew Nell did. Once that was taken care of, the mazoku turned onto his side and wrapped his arms around Nell from behind--bringing her back up against him.

"G'night, Xellos," Nell said softly as she began drifting off.

The mazoku pressed a feather light kiss to the pulse at Nell's neck as he spooned her. "Sweet dreams, my dear, sweet Nell."

"Xellos?" Nell asked sleepily.

"Yes?"

"Please don't tell Lina and the others about me..."

"As you wish."


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...Next morning, outside the inn...

"Again, thank you so much for saving us," the inn keeper said with a giant smile.

Nell smiled sweetly. "Think nothing of it."

"Anytime you return here, your room and board will always be free of charge."

"That's really not nec--"

"She accepts!" Lina interjected.

Nell blinked. "Really, Miss Lina, I--"

"And I'm assuming the same applies to her friends who risked their lives keeping the zombies at bay until she made it here, right? Okay! Pleasure doing business with ya!" She grabbed a hold of Nell before she could object and took off at a dead sprint, dragging the necromancer along behind her. "C'mon guys!"

"Aiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeee!!!" Nell cried as she was dragged along.

Zelgadis heaved a long-suffering sigh. "Come on, let's catch up to them." He took off at a run with Amelie not far behind.

"G'bye!" Gourry said cheerfully to all the villagers before taking off after his friends.

Xellos chuckled softly and gave a small shake of his head. "Never a dull moment..." He phased out.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Really, Miss Lina...was it necessary for you to nearly pull my arm out of its socket?" Nell gingerly rubbed her shoulder as she walked a little ways behind the petite red head.

"Oh, quit complaining," Lina said as she walked along.

"So what exactly are we journeying for?"

"Two things, actually," Lina said as she held up two fingers. "First of all, we're trying to find Gourry's sword of light. We lost it in our last big battle, so we're trying to see if we can get it back somehow."

"I see," Nell said with a small nod.

"I sure do miss my sword," Gourry said softly. "It was in my family for generations..."

"Don't lose heart, Mister Gourry," Amelia said with a smile. "We'll find it!"

"And the second reason?" Nell asked.

"To find a cure or a spell that will turn my body back to normal," Zelgadis answered.

Nell smiled gently. "I see. Well, both are very noble reasons. Hopefully we'll have some luck with both."

"It's so very strange," Amelia mused as she looked up at Nell as they continued on their way down the country road.

Nell blinked in surprise. "What is?" she asked as she looked down at Amelia.

"Well...you just don't look like what most people would think of when they think of a necromancer," the short princess said as she took in the sight of Nell's golden hair, healthy complexion, bright eyes, and attire which comprised of clothing done mostly in various shades of purple.

Nell giggled softly and arched a graceful eyebrow. "Let me guess...you were expecting a haggard, old crone dressed all in black?"

Amelia blushed furiously. "Well...kind of, I guess."

The necromancer giggled. "It's okay, don't worry about. I'm used to the stereotype," she said as she playfully stuck out her tongue.

In his usual style, Xellos simply smiled and chuckled softly at the exchange, all the while walking beside Nell...their shoulders almost touching. As always when in the presence of Lina and the others, his eyes were closed. "Oh, dear," he said after a few moments, speaking loud enough for all the group to hear. "It would seem we are about to have some company," he said as he pointed off a ways to the side of the road.

Five sets of eyes turned in the direction Xellos was pointing to see a small, female figure sprinting towards them at top speed--her long, wavy brown hair flying behind her like a flag.

"What the...?" Lina wondered aloud, coming to a stop.

"Hey, who's that?" Gourry asked of no one in particular.

Upon reaching the traveling group, the girl launched herself at Zelgadis and latched onto him with an iron-like grip. "Help me! Oh, please help me! They're after me!"

"Erk!" Zelgadis tried several times to pry himself from the girl's vice-like grip, but all his attempts were unsuccessful.. "Get off me!"

"No!" the girl wailed as she gazed up at Zelgadis with pleading, blue eyes. "Save me! Protect me!"

"From who?" Amelia asked.

"Them!" the girl pointed to the large gang that was quickly closing in, before hurriedly ducking behind Zelgadis--her arms still wrapped tightly around his waist.

Lina grinned. "Oh, goody! Bandits...time to fatten my purse."

"Hand the girl over," one of the bandits ordered once the gang had gotten close enough.

Amelia jumped in front of all her friends and pointed an accusing finger at the band of thieves. "You heartless ruffians! How dare you pick on a helpless young girl?! Your actions are unforgivable! I, Amelia will see that justice is served and that you receive punishment for your crimes!"

The bandits stared incredulously at Amelia for all of two seconds before they threw back their heads and roared with laughter.

"You talk a pretty big game for such a little girl."

"Maybe we'll take you along with our little run-away and have some fun with you when we get back to camp."

Amelia's eyes widened and she took a step back, only to have Gourry stand protectively between her and the bandits.

"You're not getting your hands on any girls today, you no-good bastards," the handsome swordsman said as he drew his sword.

Lina sighed, bored with the exchange. "All right, enough of this." She pushed Gourry and Amelia to the side. "I don't know what's going on here, but picking on girls is unforgivable...and if you happen to be picking on a girl who happens to be one of Lina Inverse's friends, you're lucky if you're alive when I'm done with you."

The bandits balked.

"L...Lina Inverse?!"

"The dragon-spooker?!"

"The flat-chested bandit-killer?!"

"LEAVE MY BUST SIZE OUTTA THIS!!" Lina snarled.

"So the rumors are true," Nell mused quietly for simply Xellos' ears. "She is sensitive about her bust size."

Xellos chuckled softly and opened one eye as he gave Nell a side-long glance. "Yes, well...not all girls can have breasts as exquisite as yours, my dear Nell."

The lovely necromancer demurely lowered her eyes as a small smile played on her lips and a soft blush tinged her cheeks. "So mazoku are in fact able to appreciate beauty?" she asked playfully.

"Of course we are," Xellos said matter-of-factly before drawing close and slowly tracing a finger down the side of Nell's neck. "And you, my dear, sweet Nell, are quite an exquisite beauty indeed," he murmured softly into her ear.

Nell found herself wishing for the millionth time that she could physically affect Xellos the way he affected her. As it was, she already felt a familiar warmth pooling deep within her...

But now was not the time for that.

"Not now," she whispered softly as she gently pushed her mazoku lover away.

"Later," Xellos promised in a whisper before taking a step towards the girl who was still doing a very good impression of a koala as she clung to Zelgadis who by now was wearing a martyred expression on his face. "Come, little madam. We should really move away from Miss Lina...it looks like she's about to blow."

"Wha...what do you mean?" the petite girl asked as she looked up at the mazoku.

"EXPLOSION ARRAY!!"

"Valance wall!" Zelgadis and Amelia cast at the same time, shielding the rest of the party from Lina's attack.

"Good job, guys," Gourry said with an appreciative smile.

"Aiiiiieeeeee!! So scary!" the girl wailed as she buried her face against Zelgadis' back...only to look up wide-eyed at him. "Wow...you're really hard."

Zelgadis blushed furiously at the double meaning behind the girl's words. "Well, then let go of me!"

"Nuh, uh! You're protecting me!" She gazed up at Zelgadis with adoring eyes.

The chimera simply heaved a long-suffering sigh...long-since given up trying to detach himself from the girl.

Nell giggled softly as she peeked around everybody to see an ecstatic Lina coming back from the slightly charred pile of bandits--several money pouches in her hands. "Spoils of war?"

Lina beamed. "You betcha! This oughta last us a while," she said as she divided the pouches amongst herself, Gourry, Amelia and Zelgadis...partially so as not to put all her eggs in one basket, so to speak, and partially because all the pouches together would have been too heavy for her to carry by herself.

"Yeah, no kidding," Gourry said with a smile. "Hey, you okay, little girl?" he asked as he spied the petite brunette still 'attached' to Zelgadis.

The girl beamed. "I am now! Thank you guys so much!" She let go of Zelgadis and all but pounced on Gourry. "You guys are amazing!" She blinked up at Gourry. "Wow...you're cute!"

"I, uh..." Gourry smiled nervously, not quite sure what to say or how to react, but he was soon relieved of his discomfort when the girl launched herself back at Zelgadis again.

"And you! You protected me from them! Oh you're so amazing!"

"She's certainly friendly, isn't she, Miss Lina?" Amelia asked.

"To put it mildly..."

"So...do you have a name?" Nell asked politely.

The girl blinked. "Huh? Oh, yeah! Of course I have a name," she said happily. "Reina...but everyone just calls me 'Rii'."

Nell smiled sweetly. "Nice to meet you, Rii. I'm Nell, this is Xellos...the one you're currently hugging to death is Zelgadis, that's Amelia, that's Gourry...and well, you of course know Lina."

"Hi! It's great to meet all you guys!"

"So, why were those guys after you?" Gourry asked.

"Yeah, who'd you piss off?" Lina asked.

"Oh...that would be my dad."

"Excuse me?" Lina asked with a quirked eyebrow.

"Well...daddy is the leader of this big band of thieves, and he wants to start grooming me to take over for him for when he's too old to run the gang...but I don't wanna."

Xellos drew close to Nell's ear. "Running from family...that seems to be a theme," he murmured softly.

"So those men, came to bring you back?" Nell asked, as a slight blush rose into her cheeks.

Rii nodded. "They were chasing me for miles." Her eyes widened as a thought popped into her head. Where are you guys going? Can I go with you?! Oh, please take me with you!"

"Uh..." was the unanimous sound of uncertainty that went around the group.

"PLEASE?!" Rii slid down Zelgadis' leg so she was hugging it as she gazed up at him with as good a 'puppy-dog' face as she could muster. "Oh, please, oh, please, oh, please?! I'm begging you! I don't wanna go back to my dad! PLEASE?!"

Zelgadis blushed brighter than before and he once again tried vainly to disentangle himself from Rii. "Get up! And would you please let go of me?!"

"Can I go with you guys?! PLEASE?!"

"Yes, yes, you can come with us!" Zelgadis cried desperately. "Just please for the love of all that is holy, let me go!"

"YAY!" Rii was all smiles as she let go of Zelgadis' leg and jumped to her feet. "Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!" She happily clapped her hands as she jumped up and down excitedly. "YAY!!"

Lina groaned softly and pinched the bridge of her nose. "Great, just what we need...another hyperactive brunette," she muttered under her breath. "All right guys, let's go...the day's not getting any younger," she said as she turned on her heel and began walking down the road once more, confident that the rest of the group would fall into step behind her.

Rii, oblivious to any discomfort or embarrassment she was causing Zelgadis, hugged his arm as they walked, happily humming a random tune as it entered her head.

Amelia followed behind Rii and Zelgadis, sighing softly as she shook her head in pity. "Poor Mister Zelgadis," she said softly.

"Huh? Gourry asked as he rubbed the back of his head. "He looks fine to me."

Nell brought up the rear with Xellos. "My...they certainly do attract strange crowds, don't they?" she mused softly with a small giggle. She was of course including herself in the strange crowd.

Xellos chuckled. "Oh, yes...never a dull moment with this bunch. Never a dull moment..."

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