"Sore wa himitsu desu!" the usual answer.
Zelgadis growled. "I've had enough of your secrets!" his fist lashed out, punching Xellos.
"Yare yare, that hurt...would you mind doing it again?" Xellos grinned.
"Che...." Of course, Zelgadis thought. He's Mazoku, they...we like pain. Zelgadis was only one-third Mazoku, but that was enough to let him in a few of their...oddities.
He introduced Xellos's face to the floor before returning to the table where Lina, Amelia, and Gourry sat, stuffing their faces. He frowned at their behaviour, sipping at his coffee. "One would think you three haven't eaten in weeks..."
"Camph meh hamnehn!" Lina said, through a mouthful of food.
"Yes, of course, of course." Zelgadis said sarcastically. "What have I said about talking with your mouth full?"
Lina managed to swallow the hunk of chicken that she had been eating. She stood up, banging her fists on the table. "What are you, my mother all of a sudden? [1] And if you'll remember, it has been almost a week since we last had a decent meal," resisting the urge to Fireball Zel, she sat back down and resumed devouring all edible things on the table.
His skilled Chimera ears picking up on a small, longful sigh, Zelgadis turned his attention to the left. He grimaced slightly, already knowing the owner of the lips from which the sigh had escaped.
Amelia had almost completely stopped eating, and was, once again, staring at the Chimera with big, longing eyes. Oh, Zelgadis-san, if only you knew how I felt.
Zelgadis, of course, did know, her feelings for him being more than obvious. Will she ever learn? I simply can't love her the way she wants me to! She's too young, too innocent. What is she...13, 14? Still a child. One day she'll understand that a love relationship between us can never be. I just hope that day is soon.
Xellos watched the quartet from a corner table he had procured for himself. Zelgadis was the only one that knew he was there: the other three had been too busy shoveling food into their seemingly hollow bodies to notice. The priest chuckled softly to himself. The silly little girl was in love with the Chimera, how amusing. And of course, Zelly won't have anything to do with her... he thought. Amusing indeed.
Zelgadis stared at the ceiling. "An unfamiliar ceiling..." How long had it been since he had slept in his own bed? Or any bed, for that matter? Not many beds were built with people made of rock in mind.
At least the stars outside were familiar. The stars that never changed, yet constantly did. As long as those stars were there, he was able to keep his sanity.
Very few things allowed him his sanity recently. He had more reasons to go the path of his grandfather/great-grandfather, and go completely insane then to keep sucking it up and continue living his degrading, depressing existence that called itself a life. So many times he had wanted to leave and never come back.
Yet each time he left his traveling companions, he always found himself returning within just a few months, at most. What is it that keeps me here? he mused.
He didn't need to stay for Lina; she had Gourry. Although he had a bit of a crush on the fiery young sorceress at one point, he had quickly gotten over that when he realized how in love with Gourry she was, and vice-versa. If only they would get over their shyness about it, they would make a rather cute couple. [2]
Suddenly he laughed out loud. "Imagine me saying that. Me, who hasn't had hardly any human contact since Rezo gave me this cursed body," he laughed again, bitterly this time.
If not for Lina, and certainly not for Gourry, why did he stay? Ameila obviously had feelings for him; anyone who had known the young princess for only a few hours could tell that. But she was nothing more than a friend to him, like the younger sister he had never had.
Zelgadis continued to stare at the ceiling. "So if not for Lina, Gourry, or Amelia...why? It's not the cure. I've been searching for years, and still haven't found a cure for my curse. Besides, I would do better searching without them tagging along. Not the joy of seeing Lina and Gourry stuff themselves at every given opportunity, that's for certain."
"Ne, ne, Zel-kun, maybe you stick around because of me?"
Zelgadis growled. "Go away, Fruitcake! Just the thought of you annoys me."
Xellos phazed in infront of Zel, floating cross-legged in the air, pouting. "Zelgadis, don't you think that's a bit harsh? After all, you're the reason I stick around," he grinned.
Ugh...even when he pretends to pout, he smiles. Is that damned Mazoku ever not happy? He gave the priest an evil glare, "You follow us because you like playing tricks on us, you use us, and you enjoy the annoyance that you cause."
"Or maybe I stick around because of a certain person, and not just to annoy them, if you get my meaning..." the Mazoku winked.
"Oh? Who might that be, and what exactly is your meaning?"
Xellos leaned in close; a little too close in the Chimera's opinion. "Sore wa himitsu desu!" he giggled before once again phazing out of sight.
Zelgadis growled and pulled a pillow over his head.
Amelia smiled as Zelgadis slowly lowered his lips to hers. All my hopes and dreams, finally coming true... She melted into the Chimera's embrace, a soft purring sound emitting from her throat. His lips are so warm, so soft...wait! Soft?! The princess's eyes flew open to stare into a pair of familiar eyes. Mazoku eyes.
"Xellos-san! What have you done with my Zelgadis-san?!" she beat her tiny fists against his chest.
The Trickster priest only laughed, "Wake up and smell the lies, Amelia-san. Zelgadis doesn't love you, he barely even tolerates you! Get over it."
"No! No, it can't be! It cant..." Amelia whimpered.
"What can't be...?"
Amelia opened her eyes to find a pair of ruby eyes staring down on her. "L-Lina-san? Then it must have been a dream..." the little Princess buried her face into Lina's shoulder, sobbing. "He doesn't love me, does he?"
Lina gently stroked the younger girl's raven tresses, mimicking the actions that her sister had once used on her. "Shhh, Amelia, don't worry about it...it was just a dream." [3]
Ameila sniffled, rubbing her eyes against Lina's shoulder. "Sure...a dream...."
If one listened closely enough, they could hear a soft chuckle coming from the corner of the room. That should take care of that little problem. Being able to enter dreams was definantly one of the perks of being Mazoku.
When the girls finally emerged from their room, they found Gourry, Zelgadis and Xellos already eating breakfast. Rather, to be more precise, Gourry was stuffing breakfast foods into his mouth, Zel was drinking a cup of coffee, and Xellos was eating a chocolate sundae.
Lina plopped into a chair, waiving for a waitress with one hand, stealing bits of Gourry's food with the other. "I'll take two of everything on the breakfast menu...no, wait, make that three! I'm really hungry today."
Amelia glanced over the menu, the words all looking like a jumble of black bugs placed on the page. "Just some fruit, please," she mumbled.
Xellos leaned over the table, grinning, "Yare yare, Amelia-san. Not hungry today?"
"Have some compassion, Xellos! She had a bad dream, so leave her alone, kay?"
Xellos simply smirked. Yes, I believe this is turning out quite well...
"What are you smirking at, you freak?"
Xellos grinned, "Sore wa himitsu desu!"
Zelgadis frowned and took another sip of his coffee. "Fruitcake."
"And how!" the Mazoku giggled.
Amelia sighed and picked at her breakfast. Maybe I should just give up on Zelgadis-san? That dream seemed so real...No! I can't give up! He loves me, I know he does! It's just that....he doesn't know it yet...
Gourry was mad. So was Zelgadis, but he always seemed to be upset for some reason or another. But Gourry was almost never mad; it wasn't a Gourry Thing To Do. [4] He was only mad when either someone tried to kill Lina, [5] or when he had to dress as a girl. In this case, the latter was true, explaining the frown that found itself making a home on his lips. "Lina, I don't like dressing like a girl! Why are you making me do this?!"
"Because I need some stuff from a tribe of Amazons, and they don't like strange guys running around their village." [6]
Zelgadis and Gourry grumbled in protest, but followed Lina and Amelia through the forest.
"C'mon, guys, cheer up! What's so wrong with wearing a nice dress on occasion?" Xellos chirped from a few feet above them.
"Hhmph...unlike a certain fruitcake, Gourry and I prefer to wear clothes made for our own gender."
"Awww, but Zel-chan, you look so cute in that dress! It brings out the blue in your eyes."
"Ya know, Zel, he's right. It does look very nice on you."
"Et tu, Gourry?" Zelgadis sighed,
"Huh? Two?" Gourry looked confused. "But Zel, there's only one of me!" the tall blonde looked around frantically, trying to find the 'other Gourry'. "If there's another one of me, how come I don't know about him? Is he my twin or something?"
The Chimera sighed again, "Nevermind, Gourry. I thank L-sama that there's only one of you."
"Oh....ok." Gourry calmed down and continued to walk, the past few minutes probably already forgotten.
The group of travelers plodded through the wood, following a narrow path that was long-since trampled down. Abruptly, Lina stopped, causing Amelia, Gourry, and Zelgadis to crash into her and each other. The end result was a squirming pile of mass confusion on the ground while Xellos had a good laugh above them.
"Ow! Whose foot is that?"
"Stop pulling my hair!"
"Hey, Gourry, get your hand offa my chest!"
"That's not my hand..."
squish squish
"Eep! Sorry, Lina-san!"
Ow, Zel, your hair hurts"
"Anooo...Xellos, I can see up your dress."
The chaos immediately stopped, and the other three looked up.
"Eee! Xellos-san!!" Amelia squealed, covering her eyes.
"Ack!" Lina did much the same.
"Wow, Xellos, I guess you really do go 'bum to the breeze'."
Lina thwapped the swordsman on the head. "Don't look you idiot!"
Zelgadis, on the other hand, couldn't seem to be able to keep himself from looking.
"Yare yare, Zel-chan. Like what you see?"
Zelgadis quickly tore his eyes away, blushing furiously. "Why don't you curl up and die, Fruitcake?"
"I would, but its rather hard to kill me, being a Higher Mazoku and all, you know..." the priest grinned.
Lina cleared her throat and picked herself up, "Ok, lets go!"
The others followed her example, brushing off their dusty clothes. "Lina-san, why did you stop, anyway?"
The sorceress pointed to a tall gate only a few yards away. "We're here!" she announced.
The 20-foot gate was guarded by two women whom Gourry looked over, thinking. After several seconds, something clicked, "Psst! Hey, Lina, didn't you say they only like girls here?"
He received a stone elbow in the side. "They are women, you dolt!"
"Oh..."
Lina stepped up, using her best, most friendly face, "Hi there I'm Lina Inverse. I heard that there was some really powerful magics here that your people know, and I was wondering if you wanted to, ya know, trade spells or something?"
One of the guards, a tall girl of about 17 with blue hair to her knees looked at the small group. "Wait here," she instructed them before retreating behind the gate.
The other girl, who couldn't be much older than Amelia, lowered her defenses slightly. She pushed a lock of waist-length black hair behind her ear, studying Zelgadis and Gourry intently. "You two don't look like women...too muscular, even more than Joketsukoku."
The men laughed nervously. Fortunately they were saved by the blue-haired girls return, along with a pink-haired woman in her early 20s.
"Ah, hello. I am Pa Fuum," she said, stumbling over the words. "Our tribe is very honoured to have famous Lina Inverse to travel to us for spell."
Lina grinned. "Nice ta meet'cha, Perfume. I'm Lina, this is Amelia, and that's...Ginger...Zelda, and uhm..."
"Xellas!" the Mazoku grinned.
Xellos! I should punish you for taking my name!
Gomen, Mistress! But I need an inn or somewhere somewhat secluded, and the only way to get into this village is to act as a women.
sigh You may go for now...but be prepared for a harsh punishment later!
I can't wait, Mistress!
Xellos looked around, finding his companions had left him. He shrugged and levitated himself over the wall, treating the guards to a very curious, yet rather interesting sight.
The raven-tressed girl looked at her companion, "Xia Min, did you see...?
"Pou Da, if we both saw it...."
The girls embraced each other ecstatically. "Then we're not insane!" [7]
The small band of travelers, Xellos again following, was lead to the centre of the village, to a large building. "This is Elders hall. Elders will talk to you."
"Thanks, Perfume!"
Stupid girl! My name is Pa Fuum! Can't she get that right?! Pa Fuum sighed and ushered the group into the hall.
As they entered, Zelgadis pulled Xellos to the ground, "Act normal for once, you fruit! Are you trying to make them suspicious?"
The Mazoku just winked and flashed a playful grin.
"The council will now speak to Lina Inverse." The group looked up at the five old women in the council box, the one in the middle obviously the oldest. "Lina Inverse," she began. "Please tell the coun...."
Xellos drowned out the old woman; he was bored. If they respect age here, I should be a God! I'm older than all those crones put together, he thought, which was true, the eldest being only 126. [8] The Mazoku took several small steps to the right, bringing him only inches from Zelgadis. He mouthed a silent incantation, placing a finger on the Chimera's arm with a feather light touch.
What the hell is he doing now? Zelgadis wondered, spying out of the corner of his eye. He too had drowned out the talking, choosing rather to look at the floor. He turned ever so slightly so that he could see Xellos better.
Once linked into the Chimera's brain, Xellos removed his finger. Zelgadis relaxed slightly. Although the touch had been soft, he had known it was there. He hasn't actually felt it with his body, but he could feel the Mazoku getting closer. I knew he was there, why didn't I pound him into the ground? He thought, totally unaware that Xellos as 'hearing' every word. Because he likes pain, that's why. I can't hit him when all it does it turn him on.
Xellos grinned. At least he knows how to please a guy... that could come in handy later.
"This will be your room, Zelda-san," the small girl led Zelgadis to a room. "I'm Lo Shin. Me and Po Shin will be your hostesses while you stay here." Twin girls of about 10 smiled up at him.
"Ah, uhm..thank you. It's very kind of you to allow me to stay with you while my friends and I are here," he said in his best imitation of a girls voice.
Lina, Gourry, and Amelia were similarly shown to separate homes. "Where is your funny purple-haired friend?"
Lina shrugged as she looked over the simple guest room in Pou Da's house. "Who knows? Xello...ah, Xellas always runs off like that. I'm sure she'll be back soon." Idiot, taking the BeastMaster's name. I'll bet he's gonna get it good when she finds out about this, she smirked to herself.
Xellos screwed his eyes shut. Waves of pleasure-pain surged from his limbs as he felt himself literally being pulled to the limits. "Ah, Xellas-sama, you're too kind. But really, you must forgive me for using your name."
"Dear Xellos," she cooed in his ear, giving the wheel of the rack another turn. "Aren't you enjoying this?" She raked her long claw-like nails across his bare chest, [9] sending more jolts of pleasure-pain to the bound Mazoku.
"Sore wa - " he stopped, knowing that the reply he used with humans didn't work with his Mistress. "Of course, Xellas-sama, demo..."
"You would rather that little Chimera of yours do it, ne?" she tsked. "Remember, Mazoku can only hurt. You remember what happened to all the others."
"Ah, but Xellas-sama, they were just toys to pass my time. No love, no hurt. Not for me, anyway."
"Just be careful, Xellos. He may be hard as stone on the outside, but inside, all humans, even those who aren't fully human, are delicate as a newborn kitten." She returned to her original task, slowly pulling Xellos tighter and tighter on the rack. She whispered in his ear, somewhere between a purr and a growl, "Be careful. You know how hard it is to get blood stains up from the carpet..." [10]
Zelgadis stared up at yet another unfamiliar ceiling from yet another hard floor. Just for once, I'd like to sleep in a bed. To have my humanity returned, to be considered 'normal'...I've forgotten what it's like. "Oh, to be human again..." he sighed, flicking the rocks embedded in his bare chest.
"Would be hell." A voice finished.
Zelgadis sat up, coming face to ever-grinning face with the Trickster Priest. He grimaced. "What do you want?"
"Why, I'm here to grant your wish, of course!"
"Great," Zelgadis mumbled. "It's the Fruit Fairy."
Xellos pressed a finger to his lips, then gently to Zel's lips. The reaction was similar to the one Lina had used; [11] a deep blush, but accompanied by a fierce slap across the Mazoku's face. The expression on Xellos's face was one of undeniable pleasure. "Oh, Zel-kun...do it again."
Zelgadis, not thinking, moving only by his anger and embarrassment, did so. Repeatedly.
Xellos's red cheeks clashed wonderfully with his purple hair and eyes which he slowly opened. What the Chimera saw in those eyes was pure pleasure, mixed with...something. Zelgadis lowered his hands to his lap, studying those eyes curiously.
What was in those eyes? Pain? Anger? The usual malicious playfulness? No... something else. Something similar to the look Amelia get when she looked at him. Could it be...desire? Lust? No, no, that couldn't be. This is Xellos! All he desires in life is to play tricks on people and to toy with them. Zelgadis closed his eyes, thinking.
Xellos, seizing he chance, lunged foreword, pushing his lips against Zelgadis's. The Chimera's eyes flew open. He opened his mouth to yell, but only succeeded in allowing Xellos's tongue to slip past his lips to probe his mouth.
The feeling, not unfamiliar, but long missed, of another pair of warm lips against his caused Zel to relax slightly, again closing his eyes. Finally he returned the kiss, leaning in ever so slightly to deepen it.
Xellos was pleased, his plan was working perfectly. You haven't seen anything yet, my little Chimera. The Mazoku slid silken-gloved hands up, over Zelgadis's chest, then around his neck. One hand stayed to entwine itself in the Chimera's wire-like hair while the other returned to its original position, only to repeatedly retrace its path.
Zelgadis stiffened slightly. The feeling of cold silk against flesh made him shiver pleasurably. Wait! Stop! His mind screamed. This is Xellos! What are you thinking?! Its Xellos! It's a Mazoku! Its...another guy! He pulled away roughly, glaring at the Mazoku. "What the hell are you doing?!"
Xellos's eyes were still open, staring at him. "Why, kissing you, of course What, haven't you been kissed before?" he teased.
"Che...of course I have! But not by...not another..."
"Not another man?" he traced a gloved finger around one of Zel's nipples, bringing it to a state much like the rocks in his skin. "Don't worry, Zel-chan, I won't tell anyone. You know how good I am at keeping secrets," he winked.
"Xellos..." the Chimera growled.
The Mazoku silenced him with another kiss. This time he didn't resist; the screams of warning in his head were ignored. His tongue invaded Xellos's mouth, probing, searching for something it couldn't seem to find. The priest slowly slid a hand down the Chimeric youth's skin. Inch by excruciating inch, the lavender-gloved hand slid painfully close to the waistband of his pants.
"Xel..Xellos, I..."
"Shhh, don't think. Just do what it tells you to in here," he touched a hand over Zel's heart. "And here..." the other hand slid lower, sneaking its way into his pants.
Zelgadis whimpered slightly, not quite sure of what he was thinking. Relief washed over him when the hand stopped, only to the second knuckle of the Mazoku's long fingers. Again, their lips found each other, tongues dueling in a battle neither would lose.
Zelgadis again pulled away, catching his breath. "Xellos...?
"Yeees?"
"Why?"
"Why what?" his eyes were turned up in that eternal smile.
"Why are you here? Why are you doing this? And why me?"
"I told you before, Zel-chan, you're the reason I stick around. Didn't you believe me?"
Zelgadis scoffed. "Why should I believe anything you say? Do you even know what 'truth' is?"
Xellos winced; that had hurt. "I know what it is. And believe it or not, a can tell the truth. I may leave a few things out on occasion, but I do tell the truth. Like now...I would be lying if I said that I wasn't very turned on by you. Hell, your very scent makes me want to tie you down and keep you as my love slave for all eternity." His violet eyes were open, staring deeply into those of the youth across from him. [12]
"What exactly do you want from me, Xellos?"
"Sore - "
Zelgadis punched him. "No secrets! Don't try to pull that crap again."
Xellos purred softly, "Yare yare. I already told you...I want to keep you forever."
"Che..you'd get tired of me before I could get old and die. Humans don't live long, you know, especially compared to Mazoku." He whispered, "Even those who are one third Mazoku."
"Ne, ne, Zel-chan, I can fix your little problem."
"What are you talking about, Fruitcake? And why would you want to help me, anyway?" the Chimera growled.
Xellos leaned in for another kiss. "That's why. And I can get rid of your little curse if you really want me to."
Zelgadis's eyes lit up, "You can?"
"Yup! That is, of course, as long as you don't mind being full Mazoku," Xellos grinned.
The Chimera facefaulted. "You've got to be kidding! You expect me to...."
Xellos smiled. "Just think about it, ne?" he leaned in for one last kiss before phazing out.
"What are your plans, Xellos?"
"I want to make him one of us, Xellas-sama." He poked his index fingers together.
"Xellos...Xellos, Xellos, Xellos..." the BeastMaster took a drag from her cigarette. She sighed. "You've fallen for the Chimera, haven't you?"
Xellos blushed, "Xellas-sama, don't be silly. You've said so yourself; we can't love."
"Yes, but it is possible...its happened before." The blonde woman sat silently, deep in thought. Finally, she nodded. "Just don't say I've never done anything for you."
Xellos bowed low to the ground, "Thank you, Xellas-sama."
Lina let out a loud belch, sighed contentedly, and pushed back her last plate. She looked at her hostess as she tipped her chair back. "That was great, Powder! How about some dessert?"
The Amazon girl sighed. Never before had she seen such gluttony. How does she keep her small shape? She eats more than the red-haired girl with the panda from long ago... [13] "I'm sorry, Lina-san, but I'm all out of food.
The young sorceress pouted. Oh well... "That's ok. Maybe tomorrow, ne?"
The Amazon just sighed as Lina excused herself and went outside. She sat on the ground, looking up at the sky which was just beginning to turn reddish. What a perfect day. Got to sleep late, the Elders showed me some great new spells, I had a great dinner, no one has bothered me, and now I get to watch this beautiful sunset. It doesn't get much better than this....
"Lina! Lina!"
She sighed, "Spoke too soon...what is it, Gourry?"
The blonde ran up to her, still in a dress. "Lina, my sword is missing! I woke up from a nap, and it was gone! There was just this note."
Lina took the note and read:
Gourry -
Sorry, I had to borrow the Hikari no Ken.
Don't worry, I'll bring it back later tonight.
- Zelgadis.
"Zel took your sword? Why?" The swordsman just shrugged. "Well, there's got to be some explanation behind this...come on! Get Amelia, and meet me here in five minutes."
"What about Xellos?"
Lina waved her hand, as if shooing away a bad thought, "Who cares? He'll show up if he wants to. Now go!"
Gourry nodded and ran off, leaving Lina alone with her thoughts.
Zelgadis stood alone in a clearing, normal beige outfit on, Hikari no Ken at his side. A soft breeze blew, moving his cape behind him as he watched the sun slowly dip behind the trees. "Perfect time for a death; sunset."
"And for a resurrection," a voice whispered from behind him. He turned abruptly, dropping the sword, and was greeted with a firm but gentle kiss. "Are you ready?"
"I'm here, aren't I?' he looked up into Xellos's eyes. They were open, staring down on him. "And you're sure this is the only way to do it?"
Xellos nodded, picking up he glowing sword from the ground, and construction a 10-foot barrier around them.
Zelgadis closed his eyes, and took one last kiss from the Mazoku's lips. The last kiss his Chimeric body would ever know. Swiftly Xellos pushed the hot blade of light into Zelgadis's heart. His last mortal sound was his own pained scream; his last sight those amethyst eyes filled with the animal lust of a predator...and with pain. A strong wind started to blow as Xellos watched Zelgadis's face. The effects of Rezo's curse washed away with his life, leaving his skin soft, his features perfect.
Lina heard a primal scream as she entered the clearing. "Zel!!" she raced towards the scream, Flare Arrows ready in her hands. the trio arrived just in time to see Xellos remove the sword from Zel's body and drop it, clutching him to his chest.
"Xellos! Damn you!" Lina screamed, hurling multiple destructive spells at the two, but only hitting the barrier.
"Zelgadis-san..." Amelia slumped to the ground, heartbroken and devastated. Gourry simply stood staring, dumbfounded.
The wind brought whispered words to Lina's ear; the words that would bring Zelgadis back to life, but change him forever into a Mazoku.
Xellos steadied Zelgadis on his feet. "Are you ok?"
Zelgadis felt his skin, his hair, and wept for joy. "Xellos...Xellos!" he grabbed the priest in a wild embrace, finding his lips with his own. Xellos took this opportunity to phaze out, taking Zelgadis with him.
The barrier fell, allowing Lina's spells to hit anything in the area. Gourry rushed foreword and grabbed his sword, hugging it like a child with a security blanket.
Lina walked up to him, dragging a hysterical Amelia. "Zel..Zel is..." Amelia burst into fresh tears.
Zelgadis bowed low, fidgeting slightly.
"You may rise."
He did so, looking back and forth between Xellos and Xellas.
"So, Xellos-chan, this is the Chimera boy you've been telling me about?" without waiting for an answer, she turned back to Zelgadis, "Its so nice to have such a powerful sorcerer in our ranks. You shall be an asset to me...and so handsome, too."
Zelgadis blushed, poking his index fingers together.
"Zelgadis Greywers, you will, from now until eternity, be known as Zelgadis Metallium, my General, and personal love slave to Xellos," the BeastMaster announced formally, not without the hint of a laugh in her voice.
Zelgadis and Xellos both blushed. "Thank you, My Lady." Zel bowed again.
Xellos grinned. "See, Xellas-sama? Such a good boy he is." He patted Zel's head. Zelgadis growled slightly and nipped at the hand.
This time Xellas didn't hold back her laughter. "Now now, save that for when you two are alone," she smiled; obviously Xellos had learned his smile from her. She waved a hand in the air, "You may go now."
Xellos bowed and phazed out, taking Zelgadis with him.
Amelia's body shook with sobs. "Lina-san, Zelgadis-san is...is..." she buried her face in the sorceress's chest.
"Is right here."
Amelia looked up. "Zelgadis-san! You're back!" the princess leapt into his arms, hugging him fiercely. "You're ok! You're...soft?!" she poked him, "And not blue? And your rocks..? And hair?"
"Yes, my body is basically back to its original state now, like before Rezo cursed me." he said, looking at Xellos who was next to him.
"'Basically'?" Lina looked him over. "What do ya mean?"
Amelia, too, was looking him over. Suddenly, she stepped back, "Zelgadis-san, your eyes..."
Xellos stepped up. "Yup, Zel-kun is 100% Mazoku now. Ain't he cute?"
Ameila screamed and fainted. Lina stared, shocked. "You mean..that I saw before...you two are...?" Lina had thought she had seen the two kiss just before they had disappeared, but assumed she had just imagined it.
"They're what? And what was the screaming?" Gourry peeked in the door of that room that Amelia had been using, still is a dress. Lina pointed at Zelgadis. Gourry looked. "Hey, Zel, you got a cure! Cool!" he grinned, dense as ever. "Congratulations!" [14]
"Not just that, you jellyfish-brain! Look at his eyes! He's a Mazoku, you idiot!"
Gourry looked again, focusing on the eyes, "Oh! Why so he is! I'll be damned...But why would Amelia scream?"
The other three facefaulted.
"Yare yare...let me handle this one." Xellos said. "You see, Gourry, our little princess here was in live with Zel-kun. So when she saw that I got to him first, she wasn't very happy, and decided to take a nice nap to cool off."
"Oh, ok," Gourry nodded, pretending he knew what was going on.
A pink bunny slipper found itself flying towards Gourry and bouncing off his thick skull. "Gourry, you idiot!" Lina stood on the bed to raise herself to his eye level. "Don't you get it? Zel and Xellos are..."
"Lovers?" Gourry ventured. Lina followed Ameila's earlier example; she fainted.
Zelgadis was shocked, "Gourry, you knew?"
The swordsman just shrugged. "You two were always flirting, then you kissed earlier, I just assumed you were lovers." [15]
Amelia and Lina both chose this time to wake up. "Zelgadis-san, say it's not true...?" Amelia's eyes pleaded with the newly transformed Mazoku.
"Sorry, Amelia, but it is. Xellos and I are l-lovers," he blushed, looking at the floor.
"Ne, ne, Amelia-chan, I'm sure you'll find someone nice. I've heard the third part of Shabernigdo is rather interesting..." Xellos dodged the bunny slipper that flew at him. "Ok, someone else then." Amelia simply stared with a new set of tears in her eyes. "Well, it's been fun, really, but we should be going now. I've got so much to teach Zel-chan, and only an eternity to do it in." Xellos grinned, wrapped his arms around Zelgadis, and phazed out. "Been nice knowing ya...."
Gourry looked at Lina. "Hey Lina, you think they'll be back soon?"
Lina stepped a bit closer, casually resting her head against his chest, "I dunno, Gourry. I really don't know."
1: Luna: No, Lina, but I'm your sister!
2: waves a Gourry & Lina forever! banner =D
3: yes, this is rather ooc for Lina...but she can be nice on occasion, ya know....
4: Gourry Thing To Do (TM) brought to you by Justice Puffs (TM), the official cereal of Champions of Justice!
5: Oh yes, and no one ever tries to kill Lina, do they?
6: Whoo-hoo! Joketsukoku! Waves a Shampoo & Mousse forever! banner
7: Ah yes, Joketsukoku women and their names...all sorts of lovely bathroom products...^.^;;
8: yes, Xellos-sama, youre so young at only 1024...u.u
9: *-* Sugooooi.... drool drool half-naked Xellos-sama...
10: Foreshadowing! Foreshadowing!!
11: Episode..something in NEXT, where Xellos does the same thing to Lina, and she gets this huge blush
12: raises a hand I'll do it! I'll do it!
13: Yay! Another cameo
Ranma-chan: Finally! How long has it been since youve written a fic even with me in it?!
Miko: Anoo..the last one I did was the Kuno/Nabs one..does that count?
Ranma-chan: No! I showed up for two whole seconds.
Miko: Ok, ok...I'll write another one soon, promise!
Ranma-chan: Good girl...and don't you dare write another lemon with me and Ryouga!
Miko: grumblegrumble fine, fine...
14: At least he noticed Zel was cured, you gotta give the guy that much...
15: Ok, so maybe Gourry's idea of 'flirting' is a bit...different?