22Final Fantasy X – Slayers' Style Chapter V – The Beginning Of The Pilgrimage
Disclaimer: I don't own Slayers and FFX, maybe in my dream or when I'm insane...And thank you for all those lovely people that review this fic
After witnessing Lina's famous Inverse Crush attack, Zelgadis went over Gourry's unconscious form (after finding his inner calmness) "Could you stop making him go unconscious every now and then..." Lina just hmph-ed as a reply "Well it's not my fault the jellyfish kept saying unnecessary things!" Zelgadis just looked at her and let out a sigh. "You two have such a weird relationship.." That made Lina's cheek turned pink.
"We are NOT in a relationship!" a very pink Lina shot back at him before fleeing towards the waiting little girl.
"...Miss denial..." Zelgadis muttered under his breath. He then shook Gourry's body as an attempt to wake him up.
"Uuunngghh..." Gourry groaned as he rubbed his throbbing head.
"Here let me cure that bump for you," offered Zelgadis as he cure Gourry's 'injury' with a Recovery spell. After receiving a 'thanks' from Gourry, the two of them sat on their spot in silence. Zelgadis was the first one to break the silence.
"How can you stand being pummeled by Lina everyday?" That question has been nagging him for sometime now.
"It's not so bad," This made Zel quirked an eyebrow. "I mean that's Lina for you, she's barbarous, short-tempered, greedy, materialistic-"
"If Lina overhears our conversation, you know what the consequences will be," Zelgadis silently ask Gourry while giving a quick nervous glance at the unexpected 'summoner'.
"Oh, right.." With a small chuckle Gourry made a 'I'm zipping my mouth now' gesture.
"But Lina also has her charm," Zelgadis ponders at this while remembering his past experiences with the red-head.
"You got that right. You may not notice it, but Lina could be very nice at times,"
"...really!?" Another quick nervous glance towards Lina. "Changing the topic...I saw how you looked at Lina this evening, Gourry. Would you mind sharing your thoughts?" Zelgadis asked Gourry with a sly smile. For a second, Gourry's face was unreadable to Zel as he was recalling a certain hentai thought towards Lina earlier but quickly shook the thoughts away.
Seeing that Gourry isn't responding, Zelgadis tried again. "She's one of a kind, isn't she?"
"She is," replied Gourry instantly. For a second a smile was formed on Zel's lips but it quickly changed into a frown. That's right. Lina and Gourry can't have this feeling now, not if Lina is...
"...I gotta warn you Gourry. Don't get too attached to Lina," Zelgadis warned. Puzzled, Gourry gave him that usual clueless look. Sighed, Zelgadis spoke again "Just don't have feelings for Lina, okay. It's for you're own good, you and Lina," Although that may be a little too late..."Why? And what if Lina's the one who falls for me?"
That's also may be a tad too late..."...Well, it's late already. Why don't you get some sleep. We're leaving the first thing tomorrow," With the harsh tone Zelgadis was using, it could seem that he was ordering Gourry rather than suggesting.
Taken back by Zel's harshness, Gourry excused himself and went towards the Besaid's inn. Halfway, Gourry stopped his track and throws a worry look at Zelgadis. Zel was currently sitting cross-legged on the ground watching Lina with an emotionless expression.
Something's wrong...And Zelgadis won't tell me why...Maybe I'll ask Lina tomorrow...And with that he entered the inn and went into a deep slumber.
"Where am I?" Gourry asked no one in particular. "Wait a minute! Wasn't I sleeping in the village's inn before? Then what am I doing in the Besaid's harbor?" With a confuse mind, Gourry started walking along the wooden harbor when he saw...
Ei? Isn't that Lina? What's she doing here? Without a second thought, Gourry jogged towards Lina. Lina, who was standing at the edge of the harbor, seems to be searching for something.
"Oi, Lina!" Even though Gourry was calling her name, she didn't even make a move, not even an eye-contact.
"I really hope that the others won't find us," the summoner suddenly spoke.
"What?" Now Gourry was really confused.
Turning so that she could see him, Lina spoke again "You won't leave me, will you?" But before a very confuse Gourry could answer her question, a mysterious figure appears before them.
"Gourry-san!" It was none other than Amelia Wil Tesla Seyruun. "It is unjust for you to be here with Lina-san alone! Didn't Zelgadis-san warn you about getting too attach with Lina-san!"
"Zel did?" the summoner asked with a hint of disappointment.
"That's right, you foolish human," a mysterious voice suddenly spoke. That got Gourry's attention. He quickly searched for the source of the voice and saw Xellos standing behind him. "You have no chance with Lina, no one has. But, me, with the help of your father, Lina will fall to me!" Xellos laughed as he grabbed Lina by her shoulder.
"What do you mean, she'll be yours!" Gourry snapped back as he tries to reach out for Lina but found himself paralyze. Xellos continues laughing. "Answer me!" Gourry yelled. His body was shaking with fury.
Xellos gave Gourry a smirk "Sore wa himitsu desu," he calmly replied as he lifted Lina's chin and brought his lips closer to hers. Gourry's blood froze.
"STAY AWAY FROM HER!" Gourry roared, anger consuming him and yet Xellos did not falter.
"LINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
"LINAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!" Gourry screamed, jolting from his bed. His breath was ragged and sweat was trickling down his forehead. Remembering Xellos, Gourry quickly searches his surrounding for that damn Mazoku.
Xellos: Hei! ::pouts::
And realized that he's not at the harbor anymore but in his room. Just a dream...Even though he kept repeating himself that it was all a dream, he couldn't shake this bad feeling that something is going to happen, and it involves Xellos. Gourry gritted his teeth. Calm down Gourry...This is so unlike me...what happened to the calm jellyfish for brain... Reassuring himself that nothing will happen to Lina, Gourry emptied his mind and regained his composure. That's right! Nothing will happen as long as I'm there to protect Lina. And with that, he gave his Hikari no Ken (SoL) a quick glance before going back to sleep.
Somewhere in his hut, Zelgadis had heard Gourry's scream, "...must have been a dream about food," and went to bed.
The next morning...
After a quick breakfast at the inn, Gourry met up with Zelgadis and Filia in the village's square. Sensing the absent of the other two members, Gourry asked "G' Morning! Ei? Where's Lina and that Dragon boy?"
Noticing Gourry, Zel replied "Oh, morning Gourry. Lina is still in the temples, probably saying her goodbyes to the village folks..as for Valgaav..." He turned towards Filia.
"I didn't see Valgaav since morning. I bet he's at the harbor waiting (impatiently) for us. As for Yumekage-san, she'll probably pop by anytime soon," Filia answered. The three of them remained in silence.
After a few minutes...
"Where the hell is Lina!?" Zel yelled in frustration.
"Maybe we should go to the harbor first. Lina will be find on her own (with her spells)," Filia suggested. Zel just nodded in agreement.
"Aren't you two supposed to be Lina's guardians? So shouldn't you be guarding Lina?" Gourry suddenly informed them. Zel and Filia arched their eyebrows and simultaneously said "Guard Lina!? Guard the Dra-mata (Dragon Spooker) who has THE Dragu Slave and Ragna Blade' s spell!? Where have you been, Gourry!?"
"Well, even though Lina is the most powerful sorceress/summoner in the world, she was assigned this pilgrimage with 3 guardians. Now why do you think she needs 3 guardians?" Gourry asked. The two of them blinked.
"...for fun, no, for some company?" Filia guessed.
Why would Lina wants Valgaav for company...Zel thought.
Zelgadis remained silent, "Gourry's got a point. I mean, who knows what kind of bizarre creatures this story has installed for us?"
How about Xellos..."Waiting for Lina it is!" Gourry happily exclaimed.
And right on cue, Lina immerges from the temple's door with a suspicious looking bag. Finally...Zel and Filia thought with a grim face. Noticing the carried beg, Filia asked "What's the beg for?"
Lina did a double take which surprise everyone. Getting suspicious, Zel repeated Filia's question. Lina seems hesitant to answer, but she answers it anyway.
"I-It contains g-gifts for the temple we're going to visit,"
Picking up a familiar scent from Lina's bag, Gourry replies "I don't think the temple people wants food, Lina., unless they have no money. Does that mean that they're poor? What if ack-ITAI!" Gourry fell backwards after an unexpected flying food whammed his head.
"SHUT IT!" Lina screamed at Gourry.
"'Gifts' for the temple? Or for you?" Zelgadis mocked.
"Wooooops! Eheheheeee...he," ..big sigh.. "Well I wouldn't have brought this bag (not the food) if I have my cape!" the summoner argued.
Gourry stood up and brushed himself, "Yeah! You wouldn't believe how much stuff she could hide in that cape of her!"
"But, that BIG bag will just slow you down! And beside, you can buy your food when we reach Kilika!" Zel told her. Knowing that she won't win this argument, Lina admits defeat, not without muttering a curse or two.
"Well then! Since everyone's ready (minus Valgaav), lets move out!" the party moves towards Besaid's main gate. While everyone was walking enthusiastically, Lina's steps were getting smaller and smaller until she eventually stopped walking. Nobody realizes this except for Gourry. Turning around, he saw Lina looking at the temple and the village as if she was memorizing every detail of the place, but he couldn't see her expression as her bangs were covering her eyes.
"Lina...?" surprised, Lina turned and shook her head.
"It's nothing, Gourry. Nothing at all," and she resumed walking.
Reaching the village's main gate, they saw a group of villagers waiting for them probably to say their farewells.
"Lina-sama!" called one of them.
"What's all the hub-bub people?" Lina rudely replied which receives an elbow to her ribs by Zel.
"Uh haha, I mean what ever is the matter," she unwillingly corrected herself.
"My lady summoner! All of us want to wish you a very safe journey,"
"We hope that you will obtain the one that you are seeking,"
"May the Golden Lord always watches over you, Lina-sama,"
"Goodbye, Lina-sama..."
...Lord Of Nightmares...watches over me? No problem there...Lina cursedly thought "Thank you, everyone and, goodbye,"
So, the four of them began their pilgrimage and their first destination is Kilika. But they are unaware of the golden eyes that are focusing on their every movement...
"...it is time..."
-To Be Continue -
Lina: Who's the Golden-eye dude?
Me: Sore wa himitsu desu
Xellos: My first appearance! And I like it!
Lina: XELLOS!? How dare you tried to kiss me!? ::chants Ragna Blade::
Xellos: Aww, Lina-san. It was just a dream.
Gourry: ::glares at Xellos::
Xellos: Oooooh! Gourry-san can be really frightening at times!
Gourry: ...review please...