Chapter Two: The Tender Hearted


Notes

navy = Zel's POV

red = Lina's POV

purple = Xellos's POV


How could he talk like that? I only wanted to lend some comfort. Why is he always so cold, why can't he open up? Can't he see that we care..... that I care? Oh Zel, I just wish, you would except me.

"Ne Lina-chan." I look up in shock in time to see Xellos jump in front of me.

"What do you want Xellos?" I ask coldly.

Leave me alone. I add silently. The last thing I need is to deal with Xellos' perpetual cheerfulness.

"Did that mean Chimera hurt your feelings?" Xellos asked smiling his Trickster's smile.

"You were spying?" I asked shocked, how dare he!

"Such a strong word, spying. I prefer gathering information." Xellos said lightly. "Can I help it if that foolish Chimera cannot see the beautiful treasure right in front of his face?" Xellos asked as he laid a hand on my shoulder.

"What are you up to?" I wonder. Yet, I don't object to his touch. As long as that is all he tries. Xellos leaned down and whispered in my ear.

"I see and can appreciate the lovely creature you are Lina-chan." I turn and look at him surprised.

"Xellos......"

"Shhh Lina-chan." Xellos murmured as he laid a gloved finger over my lips. "Perhaps the Chimera's heart lies elsewhere?" Xellos murmured as he cocked his head to the side.

"Shut up!" I scream at him as I push him out of the way. Surprisingly, he doesn't follow me.

"Ah run away all you want Lina-chan, I will catch someday." I let my mask drop, and smile my true Mazuko smile. "You will come to me of your own accord, one day. But what is to stop me from making sure that day doesn't come sooner, rather them later?" I laugh softly. This is going to take some planning, for the Chimera is no fool. Yes I will have to be patient, and careful. Not that it matters to one of my kind. After all, I have all the time in the world.

It has been a week since we fought, and she still won't talk to me.

Nice, Zel, she won't even let you get close enough to apologize. What am I going to do? I look down at the girl latched onto my arm. "Amelia, for the last time, let go!" I try to shake her off, but she is clinging like she is glued to my arm. I sigh; this is going to be another long day. At least the inn we are staying at has a bathhouse. I'll have a chance to calm down, and even Amelia can't follow me there. I hear Lina laugh and look up form my coffee, she and Xellos sure are friendly these days. Can you really blame her Stone Boy, after all, you have proven yourself to be a cold and heartless bastard. I shake my head; this is getting me now where.

"Excuse me." I murmur as I walk up to my room, yes, a bath sounds really nice. I glare over at Xellos, is it just me, or does his smile seem more smug then usual?

"First things first Zelly, go get your bath, then you can play with the Mazuko." I smile slightly, another piece of my sanity gone; I am now talking to myself. My bitter laughter follows me down the hall. The other men in the bathhouse give me odd looks as I walk past them to the farthest bath stall. Even after all this time, it still hurts when people flinch from my face. I try not to notice as they make wards against evil, and leave. Another bitter laugh, at least I never have to worry about a crowded bathhouse. I shut the curtain and shed my clothing. Then I step into the tub and sit down.

"I am a Champion on Justice, yes I am, yes I am." I sigh, even in the bath; Amelia finds a way to be near me. And it would appear that the Gods even put her on the other side of that wall.

Why me? I wonder silently as I begin to scrub at my scales. Stupid things, the scales, and so bloody hard to clean! Despite what the other think, I love to take bathes, for one thing, if I don't, these, scale-like smaller stone imbedded in my skin begin to itch. Gods how they itch! "Damn you Rezo." I snarl the litany once more. "I wonder why Xellos looked so smug?"

"I am a Justice Advocate." Amelia switched song suddenly and I heard her splashing around in her own tub. "Whoops." she cheerfully and I hear her lean against the wall. What a minute, she's falling through the wall. "AHHHH!!!!!" Amelia screamed as she fell backwards, and right into my lap.

Ohmygodsohmygodsohmygods. My mind blanks out and Amelia starts screaming, again. I try to calm her down and she suddenly seems to realize where she is.

"Oh.... Gomen na Zelgadis-san." She cried blushing beat red as she tried to cover herself up. I feel the heat rise on my cheeks, surely I am at red as Amelia is

"No....." I look up and I see Lina standing there with a towel throne over her shoulder, and a robe wrapped around her slender body.

"Lina... it's not...." Lina whirls around and flees. "Oh Gods."

Oh Gods no.... no not her. How can he..... he loves Amelia." I hear a pathetic animal-like crying. It's me, oh no.

"Ray Wing!" I scream, if I don't leave, I know I will only make a fool out of myself, and I will not lose my last shred of pride. No even my love for Zel can do that, I will not allow myself to be striped of my dignity.

How can he love her?! my mind screams over and over... why couldn't it have been me? Why her...... why... oh, why am I condemned to this. L-sama, will I always be alone, is there no one out there for me? I try to open myself to love, and he loves someone else. In giving me these powers, have you sentenced my to walk the path alone, unloved by the one I love?" I fall to the ground and begin to pound my fist into the soft earth as if I could so easily rid myself of the deep and heavy hole in my heart. "Take them!" I scream. "I would rather be a powerless human, then one doomed to wander this life alone, and the next as well! Please Lord of Nightmares; let me have just one short at happiness, one chance at peace. At least allow me that." I feel the tears running down my cheeks, but it doesn't matter, no one is here to see them. Alone, like always, I am Lina Inverse, sorceress supreme, and the restless wanderer. A spirit that lives is half-complete, always alone, and never truly happy. I have no soulmate; I have no, person who holds the second half of my soul. I am doomed, and there is nothing I can do about it. Suddenly a strong pair of arms wraps themselves around me.

"Of Lina don't cry, shhhh, please, don't cry." I look up into Xellos' concerned eyes. His eyes are open, and swirling with emotions, emotions I didn't even know he could feel. I bury my head in his shoulder and he simply holds me, softly smoothing my hair, "Shhh Lina, shhhh."

"Thank you Xellos." I whisper as I try to wipe the tears form my face. Xellos leans down and softly kissed the trails the tears made down my cheeks.

"Xell..... Xellos I don't think..." Xellos shakes his head slightly.

"Don't think Lina, feel. Feel how I my heart beat, hear my voice in you ears." Xellos leaned forward until his lips where just above mine. "Do you feel it?" he asked softly, and I truly did feel it. I could sense his feelings for me tugging at the edge of my awareness. I could also sense his fear and confusion. And then he kissed me, and my entire world was enveloped in bright warmth, that drove all the coldness form my bones. Could he be the one? Could Xellos be the one who completes me? He must, who else could make me feel like this.... Who else?


Chapter 3   |   Fanfiction