The tiny ship rocked violently on the seas crashing waves. Several times it seemed as though it would tip, but by some miracle, it stayed a float. As for the storm itself, it had been going on for the past two days straight. The travelers had only just boarded at the beganing of that week...
"Why does it have to be across an ocean.." Came a mutter from under a nearby pillow, from a figure who laid still on the bed.
"Just try to ignore it.." Came another voice, from a woman who stared absently out the nearby window.
A man was also in the same room, he too keeping occupied. "It'll be over soon, I can feel it!"
"Thats what you said yesterday Gourry!!" Cried out the voice from under the pillow again. "Oh.. I'm gunna hurl..."
You see, this trio had been stuck in the same room for the past two days. Exactly when the storm had started.. Funny how life is, isn't it? So the three sat in the little cabin of the ship.. Dreaming of when this terrible storm would end...
"Maybe if you thought of something else?" Suggested the woman by the window. "Lets play the game.... I spy!"
"Okay!" Gourry said happily, at least he would be able to do something other then stare at the wall.
"Whatever.." Came another muffled reply.
"Okay! I'll start! I spy with my little eye.... something green!" Sylphiel giggled, this would surely help Lina! "Lina-San, you guess first!"
Lina peeked out from behind her pillow. Her crimsion eyes scanned the room, and then glared to the windows. "I spy.. crashing waves.." She hid back under her pillow. "Oh L-Sama.."
"Maybe that wasn't such a good idea Sylphiel.." Gourry said, scratching his head wearily. "I wonder what Zel and Amelia are doing right now..."
Sylphiel blushed madly, "Shall we try another game?"
What were Zelgadiss and Amelia doing anyways?
Zel licked his lips, it almost went in that time too... Damn, he wished he had better aim.
"Don't worry Zelgadiss, you get closer every time." She smiled, her eyes landing into his, and she giggles in a low tone. "Would you like to go again?"
Back in Lina's cramped little cabin....
Again, a wave hit, and hit ten times harder in Lina Inverse's stomach. She leaned over the trash, and the whole time thinking of why such events had to take place.
And the main question, why her?
Sylphiel held back Lina's firey-hair. "So.. you must not be good with motion.. am I right?"
"WHAT GAVE YOU THAT IDEA?!" Screamed back Lina, wiping away whatever remained at the side of her mouth.
"Settle down!" Gourry said quickly as another wave crashed to the side of the ship, knocking them all to the floor.
Quickly, without a thought Lina took hold of Gourry's arm. It wasn't that she was scared, no, not in any way was she scared. She just needed balance... And it seemed Gourry didn't even have that as he flung to the other side of the room. Oh this trip wasn't going very well..
Sylphiel looked disapprovingly at the situation at hand.. This was not going to turn out well, she had a feeling..
"I wonder what Zel and Amelia are doing..?" Gourry thought again.
"I told you not to think about it!!!" Lina yelled back over the crashing sounds of the waves and rain.
Amelia grunted. It almost made it too! "Damnit.." She swore under her breath, Zel raising an eyebrow.
Zelgadiss moaned with happiness, he had finally won! He threw in the last card, and it fell out of the hat... Crap.. Never mind.
The Princess giggled at the chemeria, as he only rolled his eyes and stared out the window. "Great, its going to rain forever.. not that it matters.."
"Zelgadiss.." Amelia began, standing and cautiously walking to the window. "Stop thinking negitively, we can call this trip.. A vacation!" She turned to him, her face bright with hope. "I don't get very many of those.. And think Zelgadiss, this is our first vacation together! And pretty soon, we'll have you cured, you'll see!" Her smile seemed to never go away.
"I supose." Answered Zelgadiss, standing and falling to his bed roughly. "But I can't help but think of the possibilty that it might be a fluke.." His eyes wandered across the ceiling absently as the ship rocked awkwardly back and forth. After mintues of silence, he spoke again. "But thank you, for trying."
"Your welcome, Zelgadiss." Her smile spread across her face further. This wasn't so bad, being stuck in the same place with her Zelgadiss... It would give them time to sort through their problems... "Zelgadiss, I - " Began Amelia, walking toward him. The ship tilted, and she fell towards him..
"A-Amelia.." He said quickly as she landed upon him with the jolt of the rocking ship. He caught her, of course.. But now the both laid on the bed.. He blushed brightly, eyes wide. They were so close...
"I-I'm sorry!" Amelia said quickly, but queitly. She clentched his shirt for a moment, but gently let go. She too, was blushing, but her eyes also softened.. They were so close...
Without another word, she slowly pushed herself off the bed, and back to her feet. "I'll sleep on the ground tonight.."
"No you won't." Zel said sternly. Amelia blushed, wondering what he meant.. "I'll take the floor." Nevermind..
The storm continued for another three more days. The group luckily had their rations, so they wouldn't starve... Although it might have been better if some of the members could keep down their food.
But now, now after the five staright days of storms, it was over. And they were able to leave their cabins, and prehaps find something more suitable to eat. Prehaps see what the others had been up to.. Which Gourry probably inquired too much about. And so, they departed out of their cabins, which happened to be remotely close to each other..
Gourry was first to peek his head out, a drop of left over rain dropped on his head from the cabins roof. He shook his head, and looked to Amelia's room door. It flung open quickly, with Amelia's head peeking out as well.
"Nice weather where having, eh?" Gourry laughed, fully coming into view for the others.
"Now it is.." Lina said queasily, running to the side of the boat.
Amelia came from her cabin as well. "Ah.. Lina-San isn't good with motion.."
"Shh.." Whispered Sylphiel worriedly, but it was too late as Lina looked back evilly at them. But she was too sick to do anything about it, so she continued to release her lunch.
Amelia sweatdropped, and idly scratched her cheek. "I'm sorry, Lina-San!"
"But, besides that.." Gourry's stomach growled imaptiently. "Lets find food!"
For once, Lina wasn't too thrilled... Although, that had changed when they reached the kitchen..
Hours later, the grooup laid lazily upon the deck of their little boat. Their meal had been good, and the ship hadn't been a bad ride, which was good for Lina. But still, their hadn't been any sign of their captain. Weird.
"That was good.." Gourry randomly commented, breaking their silence.
Amelia looked back from her place at the side of the ship. She enjoyed watching the ocean, the birds.. Listening to the noises and smelling the salty sea air.. "I agree Gourry-San." She looked toward a little room on the ship. "I have a question, it should have been asked long ago.. Who's met our captain?"
Sylphiel turned to the Princess, standing by her side. "Our Captain?"
"Err..." Zelgadiss scratched his head, damn, Gourry moment. "Thats a good question." He answered quickly, standing to his feet. "I'll go look for him.."
Lina let out a large sigh from some where on the floor, where she had been stretched out, half asleep. "I thought I forgot something.."
"You guys call me stupid.." Muttered Gourry.
"Shut up Gourry." Lina said, passing out again.
Zelgadiss went on his search for the captain.
Although, it wasn't long before he realized he was no where to be found. This puzzled him, how could they be on the ship without a captain? So he searched further, finding a door.. Saying 'employs only'.. And we all know how kind and considerate our Zelgadiss is..
The door was blown away. What he found, couldn't be expressed in words..
Only violence.
The explosion was heard, and the group jumped to their feet, running quickly across the ship. When arriving at the scene, they froze...
"Xelloss?!" Amelia cried out, almost falling over.
"Don't tell me.." Lina began..
"I'm going to KILL him!" Gourry roared, storming towards the mazoku, with little luck of getting past the girls.
"Whoa.. back killer!" Lina said, holding back the raging Gourry.
Xelloss grined widely, pulling himself from the fallen rubble. "Ah! Lina-San! Everyone!" His grin grew slowly. His eyes changed direction toward the blonde swordsman. "Gourry-San? And why are you so very upset?"
"You know why.." He growled from behind Lina, holding himself back.
"Whys that?" Xelloss asked mishiviously, bringing himself dangerously close..
"Gourry!" Threatened Lina, fisting her own hand. "If anyone will kill him, it'll be ME!"
The mysterious preist grinned to no end. "Sounds like fun!"
Zelgadiss sighed loud enough for them all to hear. "This is going no where.." He commented, mostly to himself. "Alright Xelloss, NOW what are you up to?"
"Me?" He asked, letting himself float indian style. "Can't I visit without being harrassed?" His eyes continued to stare in Lina's direction. "Don't you like it when I'm around Lina-San?"
"Listen Xelloss.." Lina began calmly, as her eyes slowly became dangerous... Out of no where she leaped at him, and had him in a headlock. "Listen here Xelloss..." She said rather threatenly. "Being hurt, you, always bringing us into you plans.. Its NOT fun. Tell me, what in the nine hells do you want?!"
Xelloss choked a bit. "O-Oh nothing.." He said uneasily. She tightened her hold. "Okay.. maybe a little something.."
"And that would be..?" The little sorceress asked, a sarcastic tone.
"Sore wa himitsu desu!" He answered after raising his finger and giving it a wiggle. Then he vanished without a trace, leaving Lina holding nothing but air.
"Damnit.." She swore, standing back to her height. "So, now what?"
"Well.. We now know Xelloss has something planned.." Zelgadiss offered off handly.
"Like always.." Side commented the Princess with a light sigh.
"I'm going to kill him.." Continued Gourry in his rage, only becoming calm when Lina had hit him several times in the head. After pounding Gourry, Lina turned to the once troubled ocean. "I wonder.." She asked herself out loud, but took it no further.
"Oh well!" Lina cried as she bit into the chicken leg and took a swig of her drink. It had been several weeks, and they had finally finished traveling on that acursed boat! Now they sat on dry, still land! And they were in a nice.. warm.. comfortable Inn!! And.. And.. A smile began to form on her lips. Hotsprings!!! Oh.. that sounds really nice about now.. "Hey, Amelia, Sylphiel, wanna take a dip after this??"
"Alright, that sounds nice!" Amelia said happily. "We can settle in a rooms, and meet eachother there!"
"But.." Began Sylphiel shyly. "Aren't you supose to wait thirty mintues before going in the water after eatting?"
"Whatever, who cares!" Lina said, a smile still planted on her face. "YOU can wait thirty mintues if you want, but I'm going to the hotsprings!"
"Umm..." Interupted Gourry, scratching his head. "What are you - "
"YOU can go to the mens part." Lina said flattly as she stood. The dishes had been cleaned of their food, so now it was time for.. hotsprings!!! She rushed out of the room, giggling.
"Wow.." Commented the young Princess, standing.
"I think she is just glad to get off the boat." Zelgadiss suggested, finishing his coffee.
Soon, the girls were in the hotspring. They contently talked of the trip, how well it had been going (well.. kinda) and the weather, their little side trip to visit Lina's parent's, and other things that seemed to fall into the same catagories. Well, that is, until Amelia noticed a certain detail that Lina seemed to have forgottened to mention earlier..
"Lina-San!" The Princess cried out in great amazement.
Lina looked to Amelia, eye raised. "What? Is there something on my face?" She wiped away at her cheek.
"No Lina-San!" Amelia rose from her seat and quickly made her way to the tiny sorceress. "Your neck-"
"Huh?" Lina felt around her neck. "Is there a rash, maybe a-" Thats when she felt the chain that hung round her neck.. Opps, forget to take it off! "O-Oh, that.."
"Yes, where did you get it?!" She gripped the golden rose pendent into her little hands. "I know you didn't have it before.."
Now, all this attention caused Sylphiel to also see what was happening. Truely, she was not a nosey person, well, she never thought of herself as one. But was she truely being nosey, or was this just out right teasing? "Oh, Lina-San, its beautiful! Where did you get this?" Oh.. don't let it be Gourry-San.. oh.. Don't let it be -
"Umm.." Lina sweatdropped uncomfortably, wiggling in her seat. "Umm.." Could she lie? Maybe.. But.. but then they may something to Gourry, thus making Gourry mad or something at me. And I don't want to put up with that.. Yeah, right. "Well.. Gour - "
"Oh, I KNEW it!" Cried out Amelia, hoping from the water.
"Not like THAT!" Lina retorted angerily. "He thought he did something wrong, he was just saying sorry!"
"Like do what?" Asked Sylphiel nervously. Now she was being kind of nosey..
Lina eyed the Preistess. "He said he didn't protect me well enough or something."
"Didn't protect you well enough..?" Repeated Sylphiel slowly.
"Do you mean from Xelloss-San, and that lady..?" Continued Amelia just as slow, finishing the puzzle.
Lina nodded, falling back into the warm water. "That brings up a whole new problem. Who was that lady?"
"Maybe like Eris was to Rezo?" Commented Amelia, as Sylphiel quickly nodded, glad to get off the other subject.
"I highly doubt that." Lina's face twisted in thought. "Xelloss is a mazoku.. A very strange one, but a mazoku. Who knows if they can love, I really don't think he loved that girl he killed so willingly before us."
"So.. this probably means.. Another wild adventure?" Amelia sighed, she too falling into the warm liquid.
"He's trying to trick us. He does like to be mysterious, right?" A sly grin played lightly on her lips. "So, I guess we'll have to be just as tricky!"
"What do you mean? Not follow his plans?" Asked Amelia in utter confusion.
"No no, we have to follow his plans. We usually don't have a choice there.. But maybe we can make this work for our better!" She played with her necklace a little. "Don't worry, I think things will work out just fine.."
Gourry settled into the hot water, a smile slowly spreading on her face. "This feels great.." He cooed, his hair surrounding him as it floated to the waters surface.
"I guess." Answered the chimera as he too entered the steamy waters.
"Cheer up!" The blonde splashed at him playfully. "Were going for your cure, right? Plus your going to get married!" Of course, Gourry never noticed when Zelgadiss froze at the work 'marry'.
Zel sunk to the bottom of the hotspring. His bubbles leaving trails as he fell.. And when he rose again, it was no surprise Gourry had continued his conversation..
The girls had now gotten out of the hotsprings to dry off. They had sat there for almost two hours, and had just talked. Surprisingly, no violence had accured!
Amelia slipped on her robe quietly, a smle still on her lips. How wonderful that had been, not only for herself, but all of them! After all, they truely did need a vaction.. She tightened the robe with her wrinkly, wet fingers. Her eyes traveled to the two happily.
Sylphiel smiled to no end. Not in months had she had such a good time! Just to relax and talk made all the difference in this trip. Maybe now they wouldn't be as stressed, how wonderful that would be! After sliping on her robe, and tying it neatly, she walked next to the other two girls. "Wasn't that nice?" She asked with a slight giggle.
"I think so!" Amelia giggled back, hands fisted under her chin. "We don't get to do that too often!"
"Your right! We should try for these Inns more often.." Nodded Sylphiel, then looking to Lina who for the most part had stayed out of this conversation. "Lina-San, don't you agree?"
"Definatly." She added simply, tying her robe around herself so it stayed close to her body. Of course, this was not easy, seeing that the robe was at least a size too big for her. And this robe was the smallest size they had next to the childrens..
Amelia kneeled next to the firey haired sorceress, still with a goofy grin painted on her face. "It was too relaxing! Oh, Lina-San! We are almost to the spring that will cure Zelgadiss!" Now she was getting all excited..
"Oh, speaking of that spring Amelia.." Lina scratched at her cheek idly. "What kind of sping is it exactly? Do you like.. have to just walk into it.. or - "
"Hmm.. I don't really know.." Amelia said thoughtfully. "I just know its helpful to Zelgadiss somehow or another.. Why do you ask?"
A nervous giggle echoed through the springs as Lina almost fell backwards. "Ah, no reason! Just courious is all!"
Sylphiel looked suspesiously at Lina, but said nothing. She certainly had an idea..
A sly, playful grin spread across her face. Yes, like she said before, they were like sisters.. "Oh, Lina-San, I can tell right now your lying!" She giggled with amusement. "You can tell me anything, you know that!"
"Umm.. sure, but I'd rather - "
Amelia's fingers stretched to Lina's ticklish sides. "I'll just do it the hard way, 'onee-san'!" She began to tickle attack her.
No matter how she moved, or where she moved to, there was no escape! Lina was indeed very trapped by the Princess! "S-Stop, A-Ame- heehee- Ame - "
"Amelia-San.." Whispered Sylphiel with a light sweatdrop. "Lets just.."
Amelia looked to the preistess with a sigh. "Alright.." She said with disappointment. That had been so much fun too.. Oh no, she had forgotten about Lina's magic! Oh L-Sama, don't let her fireball me.. Even worse, Dragon Slave! Thats when she saw the note fall from the robe Lina had tried so hard to keep close to her..
"Oh dear Lina-San, I think you have dropped something!" Sylphiel said before any of the others saw the happening. She picked up the note withot falter, and it opened at the touch. "Oh dear, its slightly damp!"
Lina made a quick grab for it, and sucessfully took it from her grasp. She took the note safely to her pounding chest, but it had seemed too late... It appeared some words had stuck out on the note more so than others, from the water marks.. Making it quite obvious what the note was about without even reading it..
"Oh.. Lina-San.." Whispered Amelia, as she had glanced at the note, not even on purpose.. "I - "
Lina looked hatefully at the two. "You shouldn't have been so nosey!" She griped her damp note closer to her beating heart, she shadowed her face shamefully. "I'm sorry.." She finally whispered, tears beganing to fill her eyes, but still she insisted on not crying. She would be strong, like the so many other times..
"No no.." Amelia said quickly, trying her best to comfort her friend. "I'm sorry Lina-San!" Truely she didn't know what to do.. What had her father done when her mother had died?
Sylphiel then bent down also. Her eyes full of her own past pain.. "Lina-San.." She whispered in her ear. "I shall help you, I will try my best.. to help save your father.."
Lina's head turned quickly to her side that Sylphiel had taken. Her body shook, she had never experienced one of her family.. going through this.. Expected to be dead.. She broke through, she was crowded, she needed to breath.. Pushing them aside, she ran. Where, it didn't matter, as long as it was away..
Amelia got up to chase her, despretly wanting to help.. When Sylphiel took her lightly by the arm to pull her back.
"Leave her be, for now Amelia-San.."
Amelia only nodded, staring at the swinging door.
Gourry emerged from the room where the two boys had changed into their robes and slippers. He was about to say something, when a flash of orange flew past him. "Hmm.. Lina?" He said offhandly.
"What are you taking about?" Zel asked, walking from the room also. He looked up and down the hall to find nothing. "You must be seeing things.."
"I'll be right back.." The blonde said before making a dash down that very hall.
"But don't you want to put on some clothes.." Called down Zel, sighing loudly as he walked down the opposite way.
A figure watched from above in a playful matter. Something was.. too famialr about this figure. The posture, the outline.. Everything.. And it was only a shadow.. Yet had all the quailtys.. Who could this be watching all these activities from above, and what was the next motive?
Sore wa himitsu desu! (Thats a secret!)
Lina stood closely to the tree. It stood aways from the little Inn they stayed at.. it was the feild, which was the Inn's neighbor. The wind blew lightly, and she let it blow her stray stands of hair into her damp face. She really didn't care right now, she could cry. She could let herself release these emotions, no one knew where she was. After all, she didn't want to whine in front of the others. And she knew that crying helped nothing, but she just could't help it! Now she knew how Sylphiel felt -
"Lina.." Whispered a voice, suddenly so very near.
Her head turned qucikly to her side, there stood a very tall man. His blonde hair falling to behind his knees, his blue eyes reflecting worry. He wore... a bathrobe and slippers? Although.. She looked down at herself. DAMNIT! She blushed ferciously at the situation. How could she have been so stupid? Because the rush of the moment, thats why! The voice in the back of her mind said sternly.
"Lina?" Asked the man again, worry continuing to fill his voice.
"G-Gourry!" She stuttered back, clutching her hands closely to her chest. This was soo embarressing... "I was just - "
"Why were you in such a rush Lina? Is something wrong?" He asked, cutting off her sentence.
"I - " She paused, unsure what to do. Should I tell him? She thought, biting her lower lip. Thats when she felt his large hand cover her cheek so gently..
"Lina, your cheeks are really red!" He said suddenly. "And your eyes are red also.. Your face is really wet.." He wiped away at a remaining tear. "Tell me Lina, you seem so upset.."
She was speechless, what was there to say? The pounding in her chest returned.. But it was unfamilar, not the one from before.. This one hurt so bad.. "Gourry - " She said, trying despertly to speak, but failing terribly as a sob burst through her throat. Nothing could stop her tears, as much as she tried..
"L-Lina!" He said, taking her shoulders quickly. He was very unsure of what to do.. So he did what just came naturally, he held her. "Its alright Lina, you can tell me later if you feel like it.."
Sylphiel now sat quietly in their room. She had asked nicely both Amelia and Zelgadiss to leave her alone for a bit.. They needed some time together anyways.
Her mind was a mess at the moemt. So many things to think though.. And worse, she wouldn't tell the others of the strange feelings she was having earlier.. Ever since entering this Inn. She watche herself clentch her fist. What did this all mean..? So many wierd happenings..? Suddenly, a knock at the door. "Coming!" She called, rushing towards the door. She fell backwards upon seeing whom her visitor was..
"G-Gourry?!"
"Hello Sylphiel.." He said calmly, smoothly.. His smile melted her heart.
"W-Why are you here..? Weren't you to see Lina?" She asked nervously. Her stomach tying in several knots.
"To see Lina?" He repeated with a lugh. "No Sylphiel, I came to see you."
Of course, she let him in. The door quickly closed.
Amelia paced her room back and forth. What could she do for Lina? And what of the spring, coul it solve her problem? She practiacly pulled out her hair trying to think of answers.
"Settle down Amelia." Zel said calmly, looking out his window.
"But.." Protested Amelia, her face formed in a pout. "I didn't do anything for Lina-San.. And I even think I was the cause of it!"
"Amelia.." Zelgadiss said once more. "Just sit down, Gourry is with her. I'm sure she'll be just fine!"
"Well.. I supose.." She answered, defeated.
Zel nodded, he was silently proud of her. "I think I'm going to go for a little walk.." He said, brushing back at his wire hair.
"I think I'll stay here." Replyed Amelia, streching a little bit. "I'm kinda tired.."
"Suit yourself." He threw over his hood, and left the room. Amelia lazily fell to his bed. What a day.. The door creaked open again.
"Zelgadiss, if you - " She was stopped by the sudden heaviness of the bed. Her head turned to meet his. Didn't he go out for a walk..?
Lina broke away from Gourry's grasp, as she looked up to his bright blue eyes. They were so full of pride.. "Gourry - I"
"Its okay!" He said, smiling his best for her. "Lets go back, you must be tired, right? We can talk tomarrow if you'd like.."
She nodded as they began to walk across the little field to the old Inn..
Well, I FINALLY finished my fourth chapter! And the first (fourth) season is almost done. heh, don't worry, your toture is almost complete!! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, I did writing it, kinda. I'll try my best to hurry with the next chapter!!