He looked around the clearing but the mazoku was now nowhere to be seen. Shaking his head he set up his bedroll and lay down. The forest around him sounded quiet and felt every bit as cold and lonely as Xellos had earlier proclaimed it to be. It was funny that he only noticed it now.
Of course, now he really was alone so that made sense. If nothing else the annoying mazoku had been company. Zelgadiss found that he missed Xellos' presence and then growled over his own stupidity. He couldn't be missing that annoying little pest, he just couldn't!
But he was. Rolling over onto his back he stared up at the stars and muttered "Damn."
"What's the matter Zel-chan?" A cheerful voice asked him. The comment startled him and he was out of his bedroll with his sword in his hand before he could help it. Xellos just looked at him and began laughing. "Good reflexes Zel-chan. I'm surprised you didn't chop my head off."
"So am I." Zelgadiss muttered darkly as he sheathed his sword again. "Where did you go?"
"Sore wa himitsu desu."
"Of course." Zelgadiss answered, but he was smiling slightly. Xellos cocked his head and looked at the chimera thoughtfully.
"You know, you should do that more often?"
"What, almost kill you? I thought I did that enough already."
"No, smile. It looks good." Xellos corrected him in a good-natured but matter-of-fact sort of way. Zelgadiss really didn't know how to take that. He wasn't used to receiving compliments at all much less receiving them from Xellos.
"Thank you." He finally said and sat down on his bedroll once again. They sat in silence and Zelgadiss found himself getting tired and almost fell over. Xellos laughed.
"Go to sleep Zel-chan, it's all right, I won't hurt you."
"I know." He answered absently, rolling over and toppling into his blankets.
"Do you?" Xellos murmured as Zelgadiss relaxed. He fell asleep before he could give an answer to that. His last thought was to wonder idly over the surprised and affectionate tone the mazoku had used, and then he abandoned those thoughts until the morning.