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Search for the Aqualord	By : RoseThorne Category: +S to Z > Slayers Views: 1533 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
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Chapter List
- 11
- 12
- 13
Title: Search for the Aqualord

By: Chrissy Sky and Rose Thorne

Summary: A sacrifice from an unlikely source brings new changes to Zelgadis� life.

Warnings: YAOI. Zelgadis/Xellos. Slight spoilers for Rev-Evo.

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Chapter Twelve: Gender Curse! Xellos the Dragon Theologian?

-

They arrived at the next village later the following day. It was smaller than the previous village, with more of an emphasis on farming. Zelgadis found the atmosphere � the feeling of community enriched by hard work � to be very peaceful. But more than that, there was something about the place that felt special, though he couldn�t place exactly why.

Instead of stopping for food like they normally did, they headed straight for the shrine. They didn�t know anymore about it than the last one, so Lina suggested that he and Xellos stuck to the back. Zelgadis was relieved by her suggestion, not at all eager to be subjected to another curse.

Xellos, walking beside him as they entered the shrine after the others, looked intrigued by the walls. �These drawings are strange.�

Zel glanced at them curiously. It seemed to be some sort of picture language. �Oh?�

�Yes.� Xellos pointed at the unusual drawings. �It almost looks like this woman is becoming a man. I must be reading it wrong.�

The chimera frowned, studying them curiously. He couldn�t remember seeing anything quite like them before, but they did seem to be telling some sort of story. �Maybe we should tell Lina.�

Xellos shrugged. �It could be nothing,� he said dismissively, walking in the direction the others had gone.

Zelgadis glanced at the drawings one last time, worriedly � these shrines were starting to make him very suspicious � before following. �Maybe.�

His suspicions were unfortunately confirmed a few moments later when Xellos called their attention to something else on the wall. A button. Before the rest of the group quite knew what was going on, before they could stop him, he pushed it.

A white light blocked Zel�s vision, then there was darkness. He woke a short while later to find himself on the floor.

Xellos had managed to land on top of him and a streak of red alerted Zel to a cut on the former priest�s forehead. Xellos must have cut himself on his wire hair. He cast recovery on the wound, feeling the familiar irritation with his body. The magical exertion made him feel even woozier than he had upon waking up, lightheaded, and he was glad he was already laying down.

�Oh dear,� Xellos murmured, his voice unusually soft.

�What?� Zelgadis was startled by the strange pitch of his own voice, higher than normal, as though the air in the room wasn�t quite right.

Xellos sat up slowly and the chimera noticed something wrong with the man�s chest immediately. It wasn�t until Xellos cupped two mounds through his shirt, groping himself, that Zel realized fully what was wrong.

He stared, shocked and blushing. He sat up and froze as he realized he was in a similar predicament. There was an extra weight on his chest, and he closed his eyes briefly, praying to any god that might listen, before looking down to confirm it. �No��

�Oh dear,� Xellos said again, flushing as well. �The drawings on the wall were a warning��

The drawings about people changing into the opposite sex. Zel hesitated a moment, horrified, before looking down the front of his pants to confirm the rest. He blushed harder. �Oh, hell no.�

Awakening near them, Lina gave a very manly wail, feeling her completely flat chest. �Oh my god! No!�

�Lina-san, what�s wrong?� Amelia�s voice cracked like a teenage boy going through puberty. Which she was now. Her shirt was now shockingly empty, missing the same as Lina.

�Xellos, I'm going to kill you!� the redhead yelled. �I mean it this time! How could you fall for something that you tricked me with, idiot?! You �� She cut herself off as she peeked down her pants. ��Oh, that just figures.�

Beside her, realizing her own predicament, Amelia screamed in horror.

Gourry was confused, naturally. �What just happened?�

Xellos whistled lowly. �Naturally, Gourry-san is the bombshell...�

Zelgadis heard them, but was too busy silently wishing he were dead to care. �As if being forced to crossdress wasn't bad enough...� He just wanted to curl up and hide somewhere with his mortification.

Xellos apologized sincerely to everyone and, after assisting in helping Gourry remove his breastplate � which was squishing his rather large chest � suggested that they split up and try to figure out what happened.

�And figure out if it can be reversed,� Zel muttered, miserable.

Xellos rubbed his back, which he felt only dimly. His skin was as hard and insensitive to touch as ever. �We will. Zelgadis-san and I can remain here and see if the shrine holds any information...�

Dimly, Zelgadis realized what Xellos was doing. Getting Lina out of the shrine to cool off meant she would be less likely to kill the former priest. If it had been a few days ago, before Dynast�s attack, Zel might have felt the same. Perhaps his feelings were blinding him, but he didn�t blame Xellos. Even if it was humiliating.

Even when the others left, Zelgadis wasn�t terribly inclined to move. Xellos remained beside him.

�Zelgadis-san?�

�I can't figure out if my life is a tragedy or a comedy,� the shaman said blankly, more to himself than his companion, not caring that he was going into shock.

Being a woman wasn�t a bad thing, apart from the fact that he wasn�t supposed to be one. Like he wasn�t supposed to be a chimera. This was like a sick joke, and if it wasn�t� Well, he hoped this curse wasn�t as long-lasting as Rezo�s. He�d seen how people had looked at him in Femille, and he certainly didn�t want to be in a situation where he�d be coveted as an object of sexual exoticism.

�Oh Zelgadis��

Soft arms wrapped around him and Xellos held Zel as he went through his quiet freak out. It was Xellos� presence, as he clung to the former priest�s changed body, that kept him from slipping further into himself. After a few long moments of deep breaths, he pulled himself together. Xellos was with him. They would get through this together.

�We need to figure this out,� Zel said in a stronger voice, though still feminine. �How to undo it.�

Xellos nodded, cupping his face gently. Zel focused on him much more clearly now, seeing that the man was still unbearably pretty as a woman. He was slighter, more fragile-looking, and the slight squareness that had been in his jaw was gone.

�Are you alright to move?� he � she? No, Xellos was still a man to Zel � asked.

Zelgadis nodded and stood with Xellos� assistance, still very shaken. Xellos somehow supported him as they walked further into the shrine, seeing where the long pathway led, until they came to a door at the end of a dead end. It was, predictably, locked, and the only possible clues on how it might be opened were carved in an intricate-looking language that Zel didn�t recognize.

�Well, this is different,� Xellos murmured. �I can read ancient dragon.�

�What?�

Surprised, Zelgadis stood a bit straighter, his mind pulling itself together a little more. Now that he thought about it, these symbols did look quite a bit like the ones that had been on the tablets in the Temple of Sand�

Something bothered him, though, and it took him a moment to place the reason. When he did, he glanced at the former Mazoku reproachfully. �I thought you said you couldn't read dragon.�

Xellos glanced at him, looking confused for a second and then a bit embarrassed. �Well, at the time it went against my orders, Zelgadis-san. And Zelas-sama did want all of you to hurry up, and it was the most expedient way��

�And destroying part of the dragon temple wasn't exactly a deterrent, I'm sure.�

Xellos grinned, then stroked his chin and leaned forward to read. �Built in Water Dragon Lord's name... all knowing and powerful, and so on... Those who wish to free themselves of our curse, come inside by giving our Lord's prayer.� He frowned again. �Password protected. A bit clich酔

�Do you know it?� Zel asked hesitantly, afraid of the negative.

Xellos sighed, which wasn�t at all heartening. �Yare yare. It's been a long time since I had to familiar myself with Shinzoku theology...� He looked around them, spotting more pictures on the walls. �Maybe there's a clue here.�

Zelgadis sighed, starting to lose hope. He very much hoped that they wouldn�t have to somehow get ahold of Filia. This was mortifying enough without her knowing about it or having to traipse across the continent as a woman. Even she might not know, given that she had been a servant of the Fire Dragon Lord, and hadn�t been alive back when there was a Water Dragon Lord to serve, anyway.

Xellos seemed to ignore him as he thought. Zel watched as he pulled the stolen jewel out of his pocket and compare it to one incrusted on the wall. There weren�t many, but there were a few more here than there had been at the last temple. �They�re the same. I wonder��

Trailing off, Xellos returned to the door and placed his hands together in strange manner of supplication, murmuring something in a language that Zel had only heard a few times, spoken by the dragons.

Holy words, Zel realized with a start, almost not daring to hope. But it wasn�t a spell. Instead, it seemed to be a form of speech.

The door creaked open a crack, creating a gap wide enough to slip their fingers in. �Aha! Show generosity even to your enemies. A Mazoku would never have thought of it. Charming, really.�

�What�d you do?� Zel asked, truly curious. He was surprised by Xellos� separation of himself from his former race, and he definitely wasn�t feeling up to exploring the possible implications of that.

Xellos smiled, idly fingering the jewel. �The bit about generosity. It's a lesson that the Water Dragon Lord taught his disciples. I merely said it in their tongue. Few Mazoku know it, but most who do aren't likely to know the teachings anyway. I only thought of it because the Water Dragon Lord has been very generous with me.� He pocketed the jewel again, looking quite smug.

�Oh,� Zel murmured, thinking it over. He supposed that Xellos having the stolen jewel meant, in some fashion, at least to the former priest, that he was being allowed to have it. Even more interesting, Xellos had also hinted that other Mazoku hadn�t felt the need to familiarize themselves fully in the Ryuzoku. But Xellos had.

One day, Zelgadis would work up the courage to ask Xellos what exactly he had done during the Kouma War.

�So this will be undone when we enter?� he asked, just to be sure.

�Or we'll find something to undo it.�

Together, they heaved the large door open. Xellos went through first, since the magic seemed to affect him less drastically, and was immediately enveloped bright, white light again.

Zelgadis winced, holding a hand in front of his eyes, trying to see what happened. When the light cleared, Xellos was lying, unmoving, on the floor.

�Xellos!� Zel cried, knowing better than to rush forward, though he wanted to. Seeing the person he was growing to care very much for prone on the floor filled him with horror.

He kept calling his name, fighting rising panic. At last, Xellos whimpered and stirred. �I�m alright� I think��

�Did it work?� Zel prodded worriedly. �Should I come in?�

Xellos felt his significantly flatter, wider chest, then between his legs. �Yes, it worked.�

Zel stepped through and was quickly enveloped by the same light. He was out before he hit the floor.

When he woke, he was lying down again, this time flat on his back, though with his head pillowed on something comfortable � Xellos� lap. The former priest leaned over him worriedly, one gloved hand pressed against his face, the other on his chest.

Zel darted his hands to his chest also, afraid, but sighed in relief when he discovered that all was indeed back to normal.

Xellos smiled fondly. �Yes, all is as it should be.�

The shaman sagged in relief, then belatedly remembered that his head was probably heavy, and his hair was likely not at all comfortable on Xellos� leg. He sat up slowly, checking that his hair hadn�t cut Xellos again, and looked around. Apart from where they were sitting, the large room was piled from floor to ceiling with curious items. He couldn�t really process it.

�Where are we?� he asked, glancing at Xellos, who had shifted close again.

Purple eyes glittered. �Treasure room.�

�Seriously?�

Zelgadis took a second look, his head clearing a little, and this time he noticed the great number of bookshelves. With old books resting on them. Along the wall were also large chests, which would probably hold more traditional treasure, but Zel was more concerned about the books.

�Do you feel like exploring?� Xellos asked, mischief in his eyes.

Zel nodded. �Definitely.�

Tired or not, he knew this was an extraordinary find. He didn�t think about Xellos possibly destroying the Claire Bible if it was there�though he should have been. He just remembered his good feeling from earlier and wondered if this was why.

If it was there, then it could have his cure. If he was cured, he would no longer be manipulated by circumstance. He could be free, like Xellos was now. He wouldn�t be a freak, and he wouldn�t have to hide.

He could touch Xellos without worrying about hurting him.

Though he still felt weak from the spell, he forced himself to his feet and made a beeline for the nearest bookcase. He searched through the dusty, cracked spines, looking for familiar lettering, but he did not see the Claire Bible, unless it was written in a language he couldn�t read. Disappointment filled him; another setback. Oddly, he was so used to having his hopes dashed that it didn�t faze him for too long. Though he had to resist the urge to punch a hole through the wall.

If these weren�t the Claire Bible, then what the hell were they? �Xellos, can you read any of these?�

He looked over and saw Xellos crouched in front of a chest, a diamond-studded tiara perched on his head, dazzling in the firelight. Zel snorted in laughter; Xellos made quite the untraditional princess after all.

Xellos grinned happily, as though making him amused was something to be proud of, and walked over. He looked at the book over Zel�s shoulder. �Oh yes. This is more of the same writing.�

�Anything useful?�

�Hm�� Xellos casually wrapped his arms around Zel�s waist and rested his chin on his shoulder. �This is one of the disciples' books. It appears to be an account of the war.�

Zelgadis was startled by the touch, but didn�t pull away. �Think it might have something we can use against the Mazoku?�

�That's highly likely. If not, it should be entertaining to read regardless. I will help you translate.�

He nodded. �Anything with the others?�

Xellos glanced at the shelves. �More chronicles, it looks like. They're all bound to be priceless. I don't see any books of spells though.�

Zelgadis sighed. �Alright. Let's see what else there is.�

Xellos kissed his neck softly before letting him go, returning to the chest to poke around the jewelry some more. The chimera had just moved on to other strange objects when Xellos caught his attention again, muttering something about craftsmanship. Looking back, Zelgadis saw that he was fingering an amulet. The slender chain was made of gold, and was adorned by a small red jewel. Any larger and the thing would�ve been tacky.

�Magical?� he asked.

�Very.�

�What�s it do?� It looked innocent enough, but considering it had Xellos� interest�

But it seemed Xellos� intentions were rather innocuous this time. �Amplifies magic. And if I combine it with the blessed jewel from the other shrine, it should be a protective charm as well...�

Zelgadis nodded and brought Xellos� attention to the objects he had found. �I can't figure out what these things are.�

There were six of the small devices. They were black and triangular shaped, but not like anything he remembered seeing before.

�Ohh.� Xellos came over, his eyes wide with surprise. �It's been a very long since I last saw one of these.�

�So what are they?� Zel prodded.

�Believe it or not, these were Ryuzoku weapons.�

The shaman quickly became more interested. �Useful?�

Xellos curled a strand of his hair behind his ear. �Not in so many words... They had potential, but the dragons could never seem to work out some of the bugs.�

�Lina might like a puzzle,� Zel murmured thoughtfully.

Xellos agreed and took three of the devices, sticking them in his bag. After considering the rest of the room, they discussed taking the books a while before deciding to leave most of what they found in the shrine. It was secure and relatively close to the next few towns they were headed to next. It was far safer than any alternative at the moment.

Xellos took two books that looked like they had the most potential for information, placing them in his bag, which already looked full now. �They already have protection spells placed on them so they should survive leaving the room.�

�That's a relief.� The books were at least a thousand years old, after all. �Is there anything else in here that might be useful?�

Xellos looked around one more time. �I'm not sure. It could take days to go through it all. Even months, realistically.�

�You don't have that much time,� said a familiar, irritated voice from outside. �Because I'm going to kill the both of you.�

Before they could warn her, Lina stepped into the room and was transformed back into her normal, feminine self. And was even angrier. The treasure saved them, as it distracted her from killing them. Treasure usually brightened her mood.

Her eyes lit up with greed. �Mine! It's all mine!�

�Xellos is the one who found all of it,� Zel told her mildly. �He figured out how to open the door.�

Lina pouted. �Oh fine. Ours then.�

Xellos giggled. �Of course. I don't mind sharing.�

Amelia stepped inside and was enveloped in that same light, collapsing. �Ow!�

�Amelia!� Lina caught the younger girl before she hit the ground.

The princess smiled sheepishly. �It startled me, Lina-san.�

Surprisingly, Lina held her close, confirming quite a few suspicions that Zel had been keeping to himself for awhile. �Don't scare me like that.�

Amelia blushed. �Lina-san��

After Gourry had also transformed back into a man and everyone seemed fine, Zelgadis relaxed fully. He looked at Xellos and gave him a mild look. �No more pressing random buttons.�

Xellos smiled awkwardly, a pretty blush spreading on his cheeks that made Zel�s heart speed up. �Right.�

Lina wanted to start checking out the treasure, looking much like a child in a toy shop. However, Zel wasn�t able to hide the fact that he felt ill, even with his interest in the treasure, so they did not have time to let Lina explore the room for herself just yet. He was starting to fade, and fast. They closed the door behind them, not wanting anyone else to come upon their find. Between Xellos and Gourry, they managed to get him to the nearest inn and into bed once rooms were paid for.

Once Zelgadis was in bed, Xellos gently removed his cloak, belts, and boots for him. Zel was too tired to be embarrassed and was simply grateful that the former Mazoku had become so thoughtful.

Naturally, Lina was already going through the loot in Xellos� bag.

�You might be able to work out the kinks in those weapons,� Zel told her weakly. �Xellos said the dragons built them.�

�Dragon technology, huh?� Lina turned them over in her hands, her keen eyes already studying them.

Zel passed out abruptly and missed the rest of the conversation. He drifted in and out of deep sleep, having strange dreams he wouldn�t remember later, until he felt the gathering of power. He stirred to see Xellos sitting on the floor.

Furniture had been cleared and a circle drawn on the floor in chalk. Xellos sat in the middle, surrounded by symbols Zel didn�t recognize. In front of him were the amulet found in the shrine earlier and the jewel he had stolen from the previous village. Zelgadis, not wanting to distract him, watched silently.

As he chanted, power gathered around the items. They lifted up off the floor, as though of their own volition, and hovered in the air, glowing. Zelgadis watched, fascinated, as the strands of magic from each entwined. Obviously Xellos was recovering well and his skills as a sorcerer were going to be quite formidable if he could do something this intricate.

Once they were combined, the shape of the necklace changed slightly, growing smaller and taking on the appearance of a dark red marble that shimmered in the candlelight. Xellos caught the amulet when he finished, smiling smugly at his accomplishment.

Zel couldn�t blame him. �The magics strengthened as they wove together. Interesting.�

Xellos� smile grew. �It's a variation of a spell Lina uses to combine inferior jewels.�

The tired shaman yawned. �Makes sense.�

His eyes were starting to drift closed again when bed dipped as Xellos sat down. He felt the chain of the necklace clasp around his neck. �Sleep,� the former priest murmured.

Zelgadis was surprised. �That should be yours, Xellos. You need it.�

�They are after you too, Zelgadis,� Xellos reminded gently.

�I know that, but my defenses and magical capacity are already boosted, Xellos. Yours aren't.�

�But��

He could see that Xellos was going to be stubborn about this. Zel took the necklace off and slipped it around Xellos� pale neck, fumbling with the clasp for a few seconds. �Please.�

Xellos� shoulders sagged in defeat. �If you wish it.

He brushed the man�s soft cheek with his fingertips, worried that Xellos might take it the wrong way. �I do.�

Xellos seemed immediately placated by the touch, leaning into it. �Alright. I will wear it always.�

Zel smiled slightly, too tired to ponder this reaction, eyes drifting shut tiredly. He wrapped an arm around Xellos� waist and pulled him close gently. Xellos didn�t fight him and he fell asleep against his warm body.

-

Xellos woke him when it was time for dinner. Zel groaned as he sat up. He was still exhausted, though a glance at the horizon proved he had slept for almost the entire afternoon; it was almost sunset. He knew it would worry Xellos if he neglected food for more sleep, so he made himself get up. The table was already set up, his plate prepared for him.

�What have you been doing?� he asked.

�Reading.� Xellos had a book open at the table so he could apparently keep reading as he ate. He seemed engrossed in it � normally lately most of his attention had been on Zel � but the chimera didn�t mind this so much. As long as he still ate, that was the main thing.

In fact, he was too tired to really care much at the moment, and simply finished his meal without any attempt at small talk. It was only after he finished that he decided to find out what had happened while he slept. In any case, it was possible that Xellos or Lina could use his help with something.

�Any news from Lina on those weapons?� he asked around an exhausted yawn.

Xellos shook his head, nibbling on a slice of bread. �Gourry-san came in once and said she was still sitting there, staring at them and muttering to herself.�

Zel smiled slightly. �On the bright side, that means she hasn't blown us all up yet.�

Xellos gave a soft laugh. �Indeed.�

�Anything useful in there yet?� Zel asked, meaning the books.

�It can be very long-winded and it occasionally states the weakness of Mazoku, but they're all things I can tell you on my own.�

�So far, somewhat useless, then.� Disappointing but not entirely unexpected.

Xellos turned a page in his book. �Somewhat.�

Zel gave up on pretending he wasn�t still exhausted, feeling a bit useless. �Thanks for ordering dinner. I think I'm just going to go back to bed.�

Xellos finally looked up, expression apologetic. �I'm sorry. Yes, you need to rest.�

This startled Zel. �Sorry for what?�

�For not being more sociable this evening.�

He shrugged. �It's fine. We need to figure out a way to fight the Mazoku more effectively. If I could help with those books, I would.�

�I know.� Xellos set the book down. �Come. You need your rest.�

Zel got up and grabbed a pair of inn-provided pajamas from the dresser. Xellos turned away to give him some privacy, but he was still far too shy about his appearance, so he changed in the bathroom like usual.

�It looks like clouds are rolling in,� he heard Xellos say from the other room. �We may get a summer storm.�

He exited the bathroom and hung his clothes up to keep them from getting too wrinkled. �That might relieve some of the heat and make travel easier on you.�

Xellos smiled sheepishly. �Yes. I'm still getting the hang of it.�

Zel sat down on the bed, yawning again. �It's not a big deal.�

The other man sat beside him. �You're very patient with me.�

He looked away. �I remember how difficult it was to get used to a new body,� Zel reminded him softly.

�Zelgadis�� A pale hand, sans glove, touched his cheek gently.

Zel looked at him and smiled honestly, not wanting him to worry. �I�m fine.�

�I�m glad.� Xellos tugged Zelgadis gently down onto the bed and pulled the covers over them.

Zelgadis relaxed next to him, closing his eyes and enjoying the feel of the light warmth Xellos� body radiated. The former Mazoku seemed to adore his touch and was surprisingly cuddly�though Zel wasn�t quite sure if this was just how Xellos was, or if Xellos was cuddly because of Zel�s feelings for him. Whatever the case, his heart swelled with affection for the other man.

They seemed to come together easily, already comfortable with each other, and were soon kissing. Though the contact was light, there was none of the hesitance from the night before in the forest. Still, the contact was tender. Xellos hummed, seemingly happy with contact, and Zel found it rather pleasing as well. Xellos hadn�t bathed, and his skin smelled slightly musky, masculine, with the lingering scent of last night�s campfire and a bit of sweat from their travels. He pulled Xellos closer, hooking his hand around the small of the former priest�s back, rubbing the gentle curve as he concentrated on the sensations, breathing him in.

Xellos� breath picked up. He could feel it just slightly against his face, and the fragile fingers petting the finer hair wires on the back of Zel�s neck. Xellos purred, his lips vibrating against Zel�s, making the chimera shiver. Tiredness forgotten for the moment, Zel wrapped his other arm around Xellos, fingering the ends of his soft hair.

He was surprised when he felt Xellos� tongue brushing the softer skin of his lips, parting his lips instinctively to the silent request. Xellos deepened the kiss and Zelgadis shivered at the sensation and responded in kind.

Xellos� hands started to explore his body, and he shifted to partially lie on top of him. Zelgadis broke away for a moment to catch a quick, shaky breath before resuming their kissing, caressing Xellos� body in return, careful to keep his touch gentle.

Xellos giggled breathlessly into his mouth. His hands, miraculously, as they explored, found the places on Zel�s body that were still sensitive. He jerked slightly when Xellos caressed his hip.

�Feels good there?� Xellos asked. He had pulled back slightly, but his lips were against Zel�s and the sensation of his breath was wonderful. �I want you to feel good.�

�Xellos,� he managed to gasp, face heating up. He didn�t think he could say it, so he tugged Xellos down for another kiss to answer his question.

Xellos gave a cute, happy noise against their joined lips and slid his leg between Zel�s. He froze as Xellos� knee brushed his groin, surprised. His heart was beating in a different way, in panic instead of arousal.

They weren�t just kissing. They were doing this, taking it further, and it was too much, too�

�Too fast,� Xellos murmured, shifting his leg away slowly.

Panting, Zelgadis nodded. �Sorry��

Xellos shook his head, understanding smile in place. �Mm. Don't be. This isn't scripted. We can make our own pace, together.�

The shaman nodded, grateful that Xellos wouldn�t try to force him like before, that he could hold himself back if he wanted. He brushed his fingers against Xellos� cheek, eyelids drooping; even if he had been ready, he didn�t think he had the energy for that.

Xellos mewed softly. �I've kept you awake long enough. Sleep.�

Zel let his hand stray into the hair behind Xellos� ear. �Are you going to do more reading tonight?�

�Oh, that feels nice...� he answered breathlessly before clearing his throat. �Most likely.�

Zel blushed lightly at Xellos� little moan and closed his eyes. �Okay.�

He curled closer to Xellos� warmth and drifted off easily, mind and body at ease.

-

Xellos had to leave the warm nest of blankets and snuggly chimera in order to fetch his book and light a candle. But he returned quickly, not willing to be too far from him.

He wasn�t offended that Zelgadis had frozen up, merely concerned. He didn�t want to push things too far again before the shaman was ready. He didn�t want to do what he had nearly done before.

When he climbed back into bed, Zelgadis immediately snaked an arm around his waist, pulling him closer in his sleep, leaning his head against Xellos� side. Xellos had to smile at the possessive gesture, even if Zelgadis� elbow was resting against his groin. After a moment, he was able to concentrate, for the most part, on the book, and only absently petted his sleeping beauty�s wire hair. It was hard not to look down at him occasionally, since Zelgadis was so adorable.

Gourry came in quietly, looking as though he had just gotten out of the bath, his long hair still damp. �How�s he doing?�

Xellos didn�t take his attention off the page. �Fine. Sleeping.�

�Good.� He could hear the smile in Gourry�s voice. �He looked like he needed it. I wonder why those spells are affecting him like this.�

�It's something to do with Rezo's magic, which isn't something he likes to talk about in general.�

�So this magic messes with Rezo's magic,� the blond murmured thoughtfully. �I wonder what that might mean.�

Xellos blinked, looking up in surprise. He must be getting slow � he hadn�t bothered to think about why. �Yes. It must mean something, mustn't it? Zelgadis has had magic cast upon him before and has never reacted so severely, aside from the Ra Tilt incident the other day. I wonder if it's because of the Ryuzoku magic...�

Gourry yawned and sat on his chair. �Well, I'm sure you guys'll figure out what it means. It's just a little strange.�

�Indeed.� Xellos glanced down at Zelgadis, worried, his mind working fast. Disturbing theories were forming in his mind, theories that made his fingers move of their own accord, stroking the chimera�s brow as though comforting him. He needed confirmation. �Is Lina-san still awake?�

Gourry shrugged. �I passed them on my way up. She and Amelia were going to get a bath. They're probably still down there.�

�I need to speak to Lina-san.� Xellos gently slid out from under Zelgadis� arm. �If he wakes, tell him I'll return soon.�

After pulling the blankets around the sleeping shaman more snugly, Xellos grabbed his staff and rushed downstairs to find their resident sorcery genius.

-

TBC. Thanks for reading!
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