Must I Say Good Bye

				Written By Leonardo B. Castro


Chapter One


	It was a cold and windy night. The moon was full and beautiful. The stars were shining brightly. Sadly, the moon and the star filled sky would soon vanish due the incoming storm clouds. The Slayers were in an abandon cabin in the woods. Lina turned away from the window and looked around the room. Zelgadis was by the fire enjoying a cup of tea.
Amelia was sleeping on the hardwood floor by Zelgadis, her head resting on Zelgadis's lap. Amelia, though she was asleep, was smiling as if she was in heaven, or at least dreaming it. 
Gourry and Sylphiel were sitting on the couch by the other window. They were holding hands. Gourry was staring deeply into Sylphiel's eyes with intense passion and care that was shining like a beacon in the blue sea of his eyes. Sylphiel was returning his look with love and happiness glowing in her eyes.
	Why did she have come back, thought Lina? She stared out into the starry night sky. Lina was depressed because it seems that Sylphiel wanted to lose her maidenhood with Gourry. Those two were spent a lot of time together, and Lina wasn't sure that if Gourry had or had not taken Sylphiel's virtue yet.
	The wind battered against the glass windows of the cabin. Lina wondered if she'd be sleeping on a bed or not. There were only four beds in the old, dusty cabin. If Sylphiel didn't sleep in a bed, Lina could sleep in one, but if Sylphiel didn't sleep on her own bed, Sylphiel would spent the night in Gourry's arms.
Lina looked at the old fireplace, to try and forget about her recent problems. Lina was amazed that the old fireplace was still working. The night was very cold. Thank L-sama that there is some heat in this old cabin, thought Lina.
	Lina went back to look out the window again. Something white hit the window. More white dots hit the window. It was snowing outside. In five minutes, the mountain was blanketed by one inch of snow. Lina turned around and looked at her friends.
	Zelgadis had picked up Amelia and placed her on a bed. He was wrapping a thick gray wool blanket around Amelia's shivering form. Lina then looked in Gourry's direction and grew angry at the sight that disgusted her.
	Sylphiel's back was leaning on Gourry's chest. Sylphiel's head was on Gourry's shoulder. Sylphiel was trembling. Was it because it was cold in the cabin or was it because Gourry had wrapped a thick blue wool blanket around Sylphiel and himself, Lina couldn't tell which one it was.
	Lina's knees weakened. Lina's face drained of all color. Lina almost fainted at this scene that fate was playing in front of her. Her heart felt as if Gourry cut it out with his Sword of Light. This was the most pathetic period in Lina's life.
The man that ruled her dreams was entwined with another woman. As she stared at them, she felt the life drain out of her. She wanted to scream, voicing her agony to the world. But she didn't make a noise.
Lina felt something very cold run down her cheek. Her hand touched her cheek and felt that her cheek was wet. Lina realized that she was crying. She turned around to hide her face. Lina knew that Zelgadis could see her tears, but she didn't care. As long as Gourry and Sylphiel couldn't see her tears, she didn't mind.
Zelgadis put his hand on Lina's shoulder. "Lina, we could use more firewood from the log pile outside," said Zelgadis. He knew that Lina was crying because the man she loved was in love with someone else.
How strange that Zelgadis pity Lina more than any other tortured creature in the world. Lina has silently endured watching Gourry and Sylphiel. Though Zelgadis was cursed with a chimera body, Lina seemed to saddest member of the team now. There might be a cure for my hideous form, but there will be no cure for Lina's shattered heart, thought Zelgadis.
Zelgadis turned and stared at the slumbering figure on the bed in the corner. Amelia was sleeping soundly. I am thankful that I have Amelia to care for, even though I can't confess it to her, Zelgadis mentally told himself.


	What did Zelgadis say? Lina couldn't hear him. The only thing she heard was firewood. Then it hit her; he was talking about the fire. Lina realized that Zelgadis was giving her a chance to stop crying so Gourry and Sylphiel wouldn't find out about her tears. Lina nodded and went to the door. Lina open the door and great gust of wind and snow entered the one room cabin for a brief moment. Lina exit the cabin shutting the door behind her.
	Zelgadis was left in the room with a sleeping Amelia and the happy couple. Zelgadis decide he should go to sleep since there was nothing to do. 
	"Gourry dear, I think Lina is lonely," said Sylphiel. "Yeah. I think you're right. Lina been depressed since we became a couple," said Gourry. "I think we should set her up with someone," said Sylphiel. "Hey Zel. Would you like to Lina's boyfriend," asked Gourry.
	Gourry is so blind. Didn't Gourry know that Lina wants him not me, Zelgadis pondered? "That like asking me if I wanted to be tormented by Lina for the rest of my life," said Zelgadis. "So you'll do it," Gourry said. I'm forgetting whom I'm talking to, Zelgadis remind himself. "No, I will not," said Zelgadis.


Chapter Two


	Lina was standing in front of the log pile outside in the backyard of the cabin. A floating globe of light hovered above her. The wind and snow battered her face as she picked up more wood. She had stop crying for quite some time now. At least some of the color in her face returned. She took her time because she was in no rush to see the happy couple.
	Lina was glad that the tears that streamed down her face a few minutes ago didn't turn into a layer of ice on her cheek. She couldn't stand being around those two lovebirds. She felt that her heart was ripped out and thrown away every time she saw them.
	The cold penetrated Lina's clothes, and continued through her flesh, and chilled her bones. I have to go back before I become a block of ice, Lina told herself. She carried the wood in her arms and started back to the cabin, the floating globe of light following her.


	"Lina been gone for too long," said Gourry. Sylphiel had fallen to sleep in Gourry's arms. Gourry feared that Lina was in trouble and he had to go to her now. He tried to get up without waking up Sylphiel, but she woke up anyway. "Gourry dear, what wrong," she asked her boyfriend.
	"Lina is missing. It taking so long for her to come back," said Gourry. "Shall I wake up Zelgadis and Amelia," asked Sylphiel. "No, I'll handle this," said Gourry. 
Gourry put on his armor and grab hold of his sword. The couple walked to the door and opened it. Like Lina, the weather hit them hard. Gourry step outside and then Sylphiel spun him around. They shared passionate kiss. "I love you Gourry," said Sylphiel. "I love you too," said Gourry. Somehow, Gourry felt he was saying those words to the wrong person. He then heard the sound of many log blocks falling down.


	Lina could see the door open. She saw the kiss and heard the words that followed. Lina had died a hundred deaths when she heard those words. The world around Lina shattered. The globe of light vanished, leaving Lina in a world of shadows. The only light Lina could see was the light from the open cabin door. The only thing she could clearly see was Sylphiel and Gourry.
Lina try to fight back the tears but couldn't stop them. Lina realized that there was no way that she would ever get Gourry now. Lina collapse on the field of snow, a few yards away from Gourry and Sylphiel.
	Her body refused to move. Her limbs felt as heavy as logs. Let cold death take me and put me out of my misery, Lina wished. Her eyes slowly shut. She blacked out moments before Gourry found her. She was barely alive and frozen stiff.

	
Chapter Three	


	Lina woke up in the cabin. Her body felt stiff and weak. Gourry was sitting on the bedside. He was crying over her. "Gourry, don't be sad, what wrong," asked Lina. "I was too slow to save you," said Gourry. Then he stopped crying. "Lina, you're wake," said Gourry. "How else would I be talking to you if I wasn't," said Lina. Gourry paused and wondered if that was possible. "I would hit you right now, but I can't move. How long have I been out," asked Lina. 
	"Three days," said Amelia's voice. Then she saw Amelia come into view. "Gourry been watching you since he brought you in," said Amelia. "Sylphiel and the others couldn't heal you. They said your body rejected the healing because you wanted to died so much," said Gourry. "Yeah, you didn't started to get better until Gourry kept talking to you as if your wake," said Amelia.
	"What happen to you Miss Lina," asked Amelia. "I saw Gourry and Sylphiel tell each other that they loved each other. Amelia, can I talk to Gourry alone," asked Lina. Amelia got the picture; of course Gourry was still in the fog. Amelia went outside to tell the others that Lina had woke up from her deep slumber that left her in bed for so long. "Gourry, I'll be fine by tonight," said Lina. "Good, we be traveling on the road by tomorrow," said Gourry. "Without me," added Lina. "What are you talking about," asked Gourry. Gourry panicked. "I thought you said you'll be okay Lina," said Gourry. "I will be," said Lina.
	Lina was depress that she will be leaving the others and Gourry behind. Must I say good bye, Lina asked herself. This is the right choice, thought Lina. I must forget Gourry Gabriev. I have to say good bye, Lina told herself. Lina felt a small part of herself was telling her that she was stupid, and that you never forget him. This was so painful to say.
"Gourry, after today, if I see you again, I'll hit you with a Dragon Slave," said Lina. "But why, Lina," asked Gourry. "Because I don't want to see you again," said Lina.
	Gourry was crushed. He left the cabin. The others came rushing up to him. Even Filia and Xelloss came when they found out Lina was hurt a few days ago. "Can we see Lina," asked Filia. The others started to fear for Lina's health when they saw Gourry's face full with shock and sadness.
	"Lina is going to traveling alone as soon as she heals up," said Gourry. "What? Why," asked Xelloss. "Because she hates me. She hates me because I failed to protect her," said Gourry.


Chapter Four


	Amelia sat at Lina's bedside. She bought fish and cheese for Lina to eat. She also bought some sake for Lina to drink. Lina eat half of the fish and took a bite of cheese. When Amelia realized that Lina hadn't eaten all the food on her plate, but instead played with her food, she became concern.
	"Lina, what's wrong," asked Amelia. Lina stared at Amelia for a few seconds, and then she started to weep. She couldn't handle it anymore. Amelia never saw Lina like this before. "Lina, stay with us. I don't want you traveling alone like this," pleaded Amelia. "Amelia, it for the better," said Lina. Amelia understood that Lina didn't want to talk about it any longer. Amelia didn't bring up the subject again after that.
Later, that night, the Slayers threw Lina a fare well party at the cabin. They got fish for a nearby frozen pond and ale from Xelloss. The others didn't really want to ask Xelloss where he got that. Of course Filia asked where it came from, but Xelloss said, " that is a secret." Zelgadis didn't want to drink the ale, but after Amelia started to glare daggers at him because he was ruining the party, he drunk some. When Filia realized the ale wasn't drugged, she tried some.
Filia got drunk and went to bed early. So did Xelloss. Xelloss place a floating curtain to hide himself from the others. Amelia and Zelgadis got little tipsy and passed out together on one bed. Only Lina, Gourry, and Sylphiel didn't drink at the party. Lina sat alone at the window out through party. Gourry was depressed about Lina soon departure from his life. Sylphiel try to comfort Gourry but failed. Sylphiel soon fell asleep.
Lina continued to sit alone by the window. Was she crying, thought Gourry? Gourry saw a tear run down Lina's face. He wanted to go and comfort her, but he was too scared what Lina might do to him after she made that threat.
Gourry looked around the cabin saw that everyone was asleep except for him and Lina. Suddenly, Amelia fell out of her and Zelgadis's bed.  Lina and Gourry looked in Amelia's direction. When Lina saw it was only Amelia, she went back to looking at the outside through the window again.
Amelia looked up and saw Mr. Gourry sitting on the couch. He looked sad, so she thought she go and cheer him up. Too bad that Amelia wasn't sober yet and she tripped over herself. She finally made it to the couch. "What is wrong, Mr. Gourry," asked Amelia in a drunken voice, with a breath to match.
Gourry watched Amelia sit on the couch, and caught her when she almost fell off. Gourry sat her firmly on the couch before letting her go. "What is wrong, Mr. Gourry," Amelia repeated herself. 
"I'm depressed because Lina hates me for not protecting her," said Gourry. "She doesn't hate you because of that, stupid," said Amelia. "Whoa Amelia. That ale really loosen your tongue didn't," said Gourry. "She hates you for loving Miss Sylphiel, not her," said Amelia. After she uttered those words, she passed out.
The news of Lina love for him shocked Gourry. Gourry was about to go and talk to Lina when Amelia passed out. He carried Amelia to the bed in the corner. He laid her on top of Zelgadis. When he turned around, Lina was in last empty bed, trying to go to sleep. She was huddle in her blanket, shivering ever so slightly.
He was about to talk to her, when he decided against it. Last time he interrupted her sleep, he was reward with a fireball and a few good punches in the gut. He'll talk to her in the morning.
He went to where Sylphiel was sleeping and lay in bed with her, the woman he loved, right. He begun doubting the love between him and Sylphiel, and not for the first time either. Gourry quickly fell asleep.


Chapter Five


Lina watch Gourry crawl into Sylphiel's bed. She started to cry again. She couldn't help it. Her heart felt empty as she watched Gourry. She wanted to die. She decided to leave tomorrow without waking anyone else.


	As Lina predicted, she was okay for travel by the next morning. Lina was the first to wake up. After Lina had breakfast, which was last night's leftovers, she packed up her things and left before anyone else woke up.
	She sneaked out and left the others without saying a word. She walked down the snow covered forest road. She was walking down a valley. Her eyes were so full of tears that she didn't realize that she stepped on some loose rocks. The earth beneath her gave away and she tumbled down the valley. Lina was pinned under some huge rocks. She was try to stay wake, but the cold from the snow and the wound on her head made it impossible to stay awake long.


	From the distance, a bandit leader and his three fellow bandits saw this and saw this as easy prey. 


Gourry sense something was wrong. He sat up in bed. Sylphiel fell out of bed. Lina was gone. He knew that she was in trouble. He grabbed his sword and rushed out the door. Sylphiel blinked a few times and then she realized that Gourry forgot something. She grabbed the forgotten article and chase Gourry. Sylphiel slammed the door behind her.


Chapter Six


Zelgadis woke up because the Sylphiel slammed the door too loud. Zelgadis sat up and Amelia fell out of bed. Zelgadis glance at Filia and froze up. Amelia stood up rubbing her head.
Amelia was about to say something, but after seeing what Zelgadis saw. She decided to be quiet. Oh, Miss Filia is going to be mad when she wakes up, thought Amelia.
Filia stirred. She opened her eyes and felt something was amiss. Someone was under the cover with her and holding her, and her clothes were missing. It was Xelloss and his clothes were missing too. She screamed, but nothing came out of her throat. Someone must have cast a silent spell. She dispelled it and woke up the mazoku.
"What have you done to me you raw garbage," said Filia. "As I remember it Filia, you cast the silent spell on the bed and dragged me to the bed. I just threw up the curtain to hide us," Xelloss interrupted. Filia tried to remember the party and she got vague memory of what happened. Xelloss was telling the truth. "Well you seduce me," said Filia.
"You the one who telling me you loved me remember," said Xelloss. "You drugged the ale with love potion didn't you," said Filia. "Then why Amelia and Zelgadis not here. Face it, you got drunk and did what you really wanted to do," said Xelloss smirking. Filia was mad. How couldn't she have let this happen? This was a secret that she is taking to the grave.
She looked side wards and notice that the curtain was open and Zelgadis and Amelia were staring at them. She just wanted to die. She put her head under the covers and prayed that this was a nightmare that she would soon awaken from. "I love you too, Filia," whispered Xelloss. Xelloss hugged her, and she hates to admit it, but it felt little comfortable. 


Chapter Seven


Lina unleash a fireball and destroyed two of the four bandits. That was all the power she could muster. The bandits clear away the rocks that pinned her down. Sadly, she was too weak from her injuries to do anything else but watch.
They pulled her out and started to remove her armor. Lina knew that they were going to rape her. She was powerless to stop them. She swung her fist at them, but it was hardly affecting them. She could throw attacks, but they didn't have any power in them. She started to cry. Then she stopped crying, when she realized the bandits stop trying to remove her armor.
They charged a figure and lost their lives as the figure's sword cut through their flesh with two masterful strokes. "Lina," the figure called out to her. It was Gourry. "Gourry," Lina cried out in joy.
Tears of happiness flowed down her cheeks. Before, she prayed to let death take her. She wanted to slumber forever, dreaming of what might have been. Seeing Gourry now only made her realized how much she truly loved him. She vowed that she would steal Gourry from Sylphiel no matter what the cost. I will tell him how I feel when we are back at the cabin, Lina decided.
Gourry picked her up. "I love you," said Lina. She blushed. Lina was embarrassed. How could I have blurted that out, thought Lina?
"Lina, I love you too. I always loved you, it just taken me this long to realize that," said Gourry. They kissed. They had to break the kiss so they could breath. "Lina, I love you. Even though you have small breast," said Gourry. Lina smacked him on the head.
"I love you Gourry Gabriev, but don't insult my body again," screamed Lina. "I love you too Lina Inverse, and I intend never to let you go," said Gourry. Finally Gourry felt he said 'I love you,' to the right person. Lina was so happy. Tears of joy filled her eyes. She hugged him. She buried her face into his shoulder. 
Then Lina blushed as she realized something. "Gourry, aren't you little cold," asked Lina. "Yes, I am. Why do you ask," replied Gourry. "Because you forgot your shirt," said Lina.


Chapter Eight


Sylphiel saw the passionate kiss that Gourry gave Lina, and ran away in tears, still clutching Gourry's shirt. Blinded by he tears, she tumbles down the valley at the other side of the forest road.
She flies through the air and almost went off a cliff. Philionel, on his way to see the bedridden Lina Inverse, and got lost, was there. Lucky, he catches Sylphiel before she falls off the mountain. "Thank you your highness," said Sylphiel. "What wrong Miss Sylphiel," asked Philionel. Sylphiel tells her story of love and lost to Prince Philionel. Then Philionel goes into a motivation speech of love and how she could find it again. She fell little better, but still felt heartbroken over Gourry.
"You'll get over it eventually," said Philionel. "I guess you are right your highness," said Sylphiel. "Come on Miss Sylphiel, I know a nice coffee café in Seyruun," said Philionel.


	Lina stared deeply into her love of her life's eyes. She could see happiness and undying love in Gourry's sea blue eyes. Gourry wouldn't abandon her. She continued to stare into the eyes she called the most dreamily eyes in the whole world. She could see into his soul, and the happiness she bought him.
	Gourry shivered slightly as he carried Lina back to the cabin. "Gourry, don't catch death of cold out here," said Lina. "I think I can see the cabin from here," said Gourry. Lina was too tired, injured, and concern of Gourry's health to care about the cabin.

Epilogue
	
	At the cabin, Lina and Gourry are healed and they rest up. Sylphiel never returned to the cabin. None of the Slayers ever saw Sylphiel again for the next three years. Three years later after the cabin incident, they heard that she met someone in Seyruun, also Lina, Gourry, and Amelia will return to Seyruun to attend Philionel's wedding and meet Philionel's new wife.
	Lina will have many more adventures with her friends. Eventually, at the age of twenty-nine, Lina Inverse Gabriev retires and starts a family with Gourry in Seyruun. Unfortunately, her adventures were not over...

Gourry and Lina new life together might just be beginning, but for us, this is...



				The End 


Tell me your thoughts. E-mail at Leonardo2002@aol.com