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Chapter 7: On The Road Again
After we got back to the inn, we quickly packed up our supplies. We also bought a couple things once we left the inn, like some snacks, more blankets, etc. At this point, we weren’t sure where this was going to take us, but it didn’t matter to us. It gave us something to do. Once we finished gathering the supplies we needed, we were off.
As we left the kingdom, we were both thinking of how to begin the search.
“So, where are we going first, Lina?”
I looked over to Gourry with a mouth full from one of the snacks. I took a big gulp to finish it off.
“Well, I was thinking that we should start by looking in the place we found the thing, Sanaah.”
Gourry sighed. Yes, I can understand that we were just at that kingdom, but it’s not like we really had anything else to do.
“Well, I was thinking about maybe stopping by Saillune.”
I thought about it for a minute. We really weren’t that far from there. Also, we hadn’t seen Amelia in a while.
“I guess that won’t hurt. It might be a good idea to check out the library there while we’re at it.” I said to Gourry as I hit him lightly on his shoulder. I knew he had some decent ideas in that empty head of his sometimes.
So, with our new destination underway and us in better spirits despite what happened the previous night, we were on our way to Amelia’s kingdom, Saillune. Another good thing was that it was a nice, warm, sunny day. I looked over to Gourry as we walked and he had a content smile on his face. I smiled as well but then blushed and turned me head when he looked over to me.
He continued to look at me when he started speaking. “What are you thinking of, Lina?”
“Wha...What do you mean, Gourry?” I replied as my breathing quickened.
“Well, you look like you have something on your mind, so I’m curious.”
“Curiosity killed the cat you know.”
“Why would it do that?” Gourry replied as he scratched his head.
I giggled. “It’s just a figured of speech, genius. Boy, are you dense.”
“Huh?” Was all Gourry said.
“Gourry, Gourry, Gourry...I guess that’s what makes you special.” I laughed.
It took Gourry a moment to think of something to say but eventually came up with something. “You think I’m special, Lina?”
I froze. I didn’t really mean it like that but I guess I kind of said that, without realizing just what I did say.
“Well, uh....ya...sorta. You are special in some ways I guess.”
“In what ways?”
“Uh....I dunno....hey, let’s get moving. We’re wasting time.” I yelled as I slapped him on the back and ran past him.
“Hey, wait up, Lina.” He yelled back as he ran to catch up to me.
After a few hours had passed by, we started to get tired of walking. Those hours had been pretty quiet since I tried to avoid talking to him so I didn’t have to answer his question. We also didn’t notice how dark it was starting to get outside.
“Lina, the sun is starting to set. Maybe we should stop for the night.”
I sighed. “I guess so, Gourry. Let’s get the tents set up.” I said as I swung the bag I was carrying, over my shoulder and throwing it to the ground. Gourry did the same. I opened up my bag and pulled out my large tent. I then started to set it up by tying the ropes up to the big nails to put in the ground. Once I finished setting it up, I looked over to see Gourry didn’t have his set up. He didn’t even have his out of his bag.
“What’s going on, Gourry? Why don’t you have your tent set up yet?”
“I can’t find it, Lina?”
“Can’t find what? You better not be talking about your tent.” I said in a tone that didn’t sound too pleased.
“You got it.” Gourry replied with a smile, that quickly turned to a shocked expression once he clued in.
“Where did you leave it? We just bought it before we left, Radnah. You did remember to buy one, right?” I said as my suspicion grew.
Gourry docked his head and put his hand on his head. When looked back up at me, he had a smile on his face that showed that he did forget.
“Oh, Gourry. Now what? You know what this means, right?”
“Uh...what?”
“It means, we only have one tent.”
“And, what’s wrong with that?”
I was trying hard not to fireball him. “It means, that there are two of us, and one tent.” He still looked confused. “It means we have to sleep in the same tent, together.”
Gourry’s dumb look, turned into a panicking one. “You....you mean...we really have to sleep together?”
I blushed at the way he put that. “Basically, yes. Unless you want to sleep outside in your sleeping bag.” Gourry didn’t say anything. “I guess I can take first watch and you can sleep in the tent, then we can switch later.”
“That sounds ok then. But are you sure you want to take first watch?”
“Yeah, I’m sure. I’m not that tired yet anyway.”
“Ok.” He agreed as he went into the tent to change into his night wear, which was just another pair of pants and a t-shirt. As he was changing, I started up a fire with some nearby sticks and moved a log close to the fire to sit on. He then poked his head out of the tent to see what I was up to. When he came out, he brought another shirt out with him. “Here, put this on.”
I looked up at him and blushed. “What for?”
“Well, it tends to get cold at night, so you should wear it.”
“Uh, thanks, Gourry.” I smiled.
“Good night, Lina.” He said as he turned to go back to the tent.
“Yeah...night, Gourry.” I stared at the tent for a moment, then up at the sky. It was really pretty at night when you could see all the stars. I had a habit of staring at them every night as I would sit and think. I would usually sit and think about how the day went, then about our past journeys. My thoughts would always end up in one direction though, Gourry. Over the years, him and I got closer and closer. I just didn’t think I was ever going to have feelings for him. Alas, here I am, thinking of nothing but him.
As the night past, I grew tired and bored. I thought that eating some of the snacks would keep me awake, but they only made me full and lacking in energy. My yawning was starting to get to me and I had enough. I stood up, doused out the fire and began walking to the tent as I rubbed my eyes. I stopped before I entered the tent. I looked at the entrance and remembered that Gourry was inside, sleeping. I thought for a second that I should just wait till it was it turn to come out, but then that thought disappeared as I touched the shirt he gave me. I smiled and blushed yet again. He usually treated me like that, but I still wasn’t use to it. I was so use to doing things for myself and thinking of others before myself. But now the tables were turned and I had someone who was thinking of me first. Don’t get me wrong, it was flattering, but it still made me feel weird. I gave up on thinking and decided to walk into the tent.
I opened the flap and watched Gourry for a second. He was sleeping, face up, in the middle of the sleeping bag that was wide open. I guess he was just use to having a tent all to himself that he didn’t care how much room he would take up. I cocked my head to the side and smiled lightly. But then my yawning started again. My eyes began to get heavy and my body was becoming weak. I had to get to sleep. So, I grabbed my sleeping bag, and opened it up all the way. Then I laid down beside Gourry and pulled the sleeping bag over top of both of us. I didn’t really notice what I did, but I was on my side, facing him and as my eyes closed, I placed my arm over Gourry. It took no time for me to fall asleep as I felt so comfortable. The sound of the crickets outside, helped to lull me to sleep.
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After)
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Waterfall)
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