"Shiana Naize!" Amelia exclaimed and hugged Shi. "I thought I'd never see you again."

"Princess, this world is too little. I told you we would meet again." Shi smiled sweetly.

"You two knew each other?"d Gourry interrupted.

"Yes!" Amelia smiled, "She helped me once, three years ago when I was at Atrax. That was before you came to stay at Sailune Gourry. She saved me of this terrible creatures that I couldn't defeat with my magic. I'm alive thanks to her."

"She exagerates." Shi blushed, "It was nothing she couldn't have survived at all."

"What brings you to Sailune?" Amelia sat at a couch and asked Shi to sit down too. They looked like the oldest friends of this world.

"Felina. She is my student." Shi anwered with no emotions in her words. "I remembered you talking me about Gourry Gabriev and Zelgadis Graywords. So when I say Sir Gabriev, I decided to send her with him. She'll be safe here."

"She is learning black magic?" Amelia wasn't surprised, but didn't like the idea either. "Safe of what?"

"Yes, but she is terrible." Shi sighed."I'm not sure yet, but she was attacked in her bedroom at the inn we stayed at Touwa."

"I see. Do you know who they were?" Amelia asked. "Are you sure she is terrible?"

"Yes. We can be sure she won't be another Lina Inverse." Shi answered kind of dissapointed."And no, I don't know who they are or what they want with her."

"Well, she isn't here. She went out with someone we know." Amelia couldn't call Xelloss a friend.

"I know. We met this afternoon. She ate too much 'The Rune' desserts. Xelloss is at the living room with her." Shi explained.

"Oh! Then she is stomach sick!" Amelia exclaimed, "I don't like to wish others bad, but she deserves it for speaking in a not so good way of Lina."

"If she did so, she does deserves a punishment. She is too proud to admit her true feelings toward her sisters. That shouldn't be." Shi agreed.

"Anyways, Gourry please tell any of the servants to get ready two of the best chambers for Shi and Felina."

"Oh it's not necessary. I don't want to disturb you." Shi refused Amelia's offer.

"You never do. Besides, Felina is sister of our dear Lina and for that reason she must be treated well." Amelia insisted and Shi had no other way but to accept.

--<--@ --<--@

Xelloss was perched at a branch of the tree that guarded Felina's balcony's. Although it was really dark and he could see Fel's siloutte laying on the luxirious bed. He didn't dared to go in. 'She isn't her.' He repeated constantly on his mind. 'Lina...' He sighed. His thoughts were distracted by boot steps in the room. He tried to see who was in there but it was too dark to recognize anything. He heard the steps come closer the balcony and he moved into a parallel astral plane so he couldn't be discovered. 'Shiana.' He smiled to himself. 'After all you do care about the girl. Looks like your cold stance is only at daylight.' He watched the woman take of her black cloak and lay it on the fur seat next to the balcony's door. She walked out and looked up the sky. 'Who is the Shiana Naize?' Xelloss wondered to himself. 'There is something about her...but I can't get to remember what.' ----[Sore wa himitsu desu...]----He remembered the female voice that had invaded his mind hours before. 'Who could have been? Xellass-san is the only one who is able do that.'

Shiana looked at the little bottle on her hand that kept a green liquid, the antidote. She closed her fist around it. She looked over her shoulder into the room. 'Xelloss...what's your interest on her? Could she be able of filling the empty space in you? What would I...' ::Shiana.:: Shi's thoughts were interrupted. ::Yes mother?:: Shi walked back into the room and sat on the fur covered seat. ::It's time for her to die.:: ::Give me more time please. Xelloss have been around and she hasn't had oportunity to be with him.:: ::That is irrelevant. Do it.:: ::As you wish golden queen.:: Shi stood up and hanged her cloak on her left arm. She walked to Fel's bed and stirred her gently. "Fel!" She called softly, "Fel! Wake up."

"Uhnnn..." Fel mumbled, slowly opening her eyes. "Shi...Is it time for training again?" Her face suddenly contracted in pain. "I'm not feeling well yet."

"I know kiddo." Shi swept some strands of red fire hairs of Fel's forehead and brought out the little bottle. "Drink this and listen to me." She helped Fel by raising her head by the neck and bringing the bottle to her lips. Fel obeyed. "I have to leave again."

Fel drank the last drop of the salty liquid. She then screeched. "Why?! Don't leave me here. Let me go with you."

"You can't. I'll be back soon little one. You'll be on your own at least five days, but no more." Shi tried to soothed the girl.

"Stop calling me little one! I'm 17! I'm big enough to know and understand what's going on with you. Lately you come and go. When I ask you where you went you answer me with trival excuses like if I wouldn't realize you are lying!" Fel demanded.

"Fel, I can't-"

"I'm glad you are regaining your strenght Fel-chan." Xelloss walked out of the shadows, smiling in that particular way of his.

"Xelloss!" Fel exclaimed, "What are you doing here?" She narrowed her eyes, "How you came in?"

"I just wanted to know how you were feeling, and I came in before Shiana-san to watch your sleep" Xelloss touched her forehead and nodded. "It is quick. You have no more fever."

"But I still have head and stomach ache!" Fel threw herself back to the bed.

"Don't complain." Shi was back to her cold stance. "I'll see you in five days. Don't go anywhere out of Sailune." She stood up and adressed Xelloss. "It was nice to meet you, Xelloss-san."

"Hopefully, we'll meet again." Xelloss smiled.

"If you stay around Fel, for sure we will, but maybe I won't be nice the next time." Shi started towards the door, laying her cloak on her shoulders.

"Shi!" Fel called, but the woman didn't stop. Instead she crossed the door and closed it behind her. "Gone..." Fel whispered kind of dissapointed.

"Why that sad face Fel-chan?" Xelloss sat at one side of the bed and lifted Fel's face to him. ---'Wonder why Shiana said that...'

"I just hate when she leaves. She is so damn secretive that I get worried she is in something weird and that someday she might never come back." Fel sighed, "I mean, she is the only one left. My parents are dead, Lina is dead, and Luna, well...Luna is Luna."

"You don't know Luna. Why don't you look for her?" Xelloss suggested.

"Cause my parents always told me that Luna had other mission in her life and that she couldn't nurse any human feelings. They always said that if I looked for her and actually find her she would just say, 'I'm busy. It's my shift and there are too many clients.' or 'I already handled Lina. I have other things to do.' "

"How long did your parents die?"

"Three years ago."

"Lina was already dead."

"Even if she would be alive, I wouldn't look for her."

"Why not?"

"I've heard THE Lina Inverse stories. I didn't want to be mixed up with someone so troublesome as her. Besides, she was raised by Luna. She wouldn't be the caring and responsible sister I needed in those days." Fel sighed again. "Like it wasn't enough, I'm tired of being called dragon spooker, enemy of all livings, and bandit killer thanks to our resemblance."

"Lina was a box of surprises. She might have treated you better than Luna treated her, maybe not. And about the resemblance, you are really pretty and I don't see much resemblance on you than the red color of your hair and some slight face feautures, the rest is completly different." Xelloss smiled.

Fel blushed a little, hoping that the darkness of the room would hide it."You really think I'm pretty?"

Xelloss nodded."Yes you are."

"More than Lina Inverse?"

Xelloss stood up and smiled the way he does when he wants to hide something. Of course, Fel doesn't know this. "It could be said. Now go to sleep." He hesitated. "You don't mind if I stay? I have more of the antidote if you keep on with the aches."

Fel nodded."No, I don't mind."She layed back on the bed. In less than a minute she was sleeping again. Xelloss sat on the seat Shi had sitted down and looked out to the balcony. He replayed those short moments, trying to find something on her that could tell him who she really was. He felt a strong aura around her, but didn't know if it belonged to a dragon, a mazoku, or just a new powerful human, as Lina. 'Lina...Prettier than Lina?' He sighed and closed (really closed) his eyes, resting his head back.

[Lina-chan don't eat all those desserts!] The ruby eyed sorcerress attacked all the ice creams and cakes she had ordered at The Rune. Xelloss had left for a moment and forgotten to warn her. [Why didn't you tell me!] Lina complained, arms encircling her stomach and her face yellow of pain. [It was too late. I'm sorry.] Xelloss smiled sheepishly and craddled Lina in his arms. Then gave her a green liquid from a little bottle. [Better?] Lina nodded. After a moment she realized it. [You had that antidote all this afternoon and till now you give it to me?!] Xelloss' smile turned cat like and tightened his grip on her.[Hai!] Lina just sighed, later she would give him what he deserves. Now she just wanted to sleep. He smiled as his darling sorceress felled asleep in his arms. He stayed there, at her room, sitting on her bed, and with her in his arms, just watching her face.

Xelloss opened his eyes and as memories of a complete chaos took the sweetness of old days. 'Never more beautiful than you Lina-chan. If you just wouldn't have done the Giga Slave Lina, things would be different.'

--<--@ --<--@

The sun rose slowly out of the sea. The wolfs howled as they ran all over the beach, leaded by a gray, big one.

"Zeta!" Shi called and the wolf ran towards her. She was sitting on her cloak which she had laid on the sand. The wolf licked her face and she patted it's head. "You are so energic this morning Zeta! Did Xellas give you Zefilian wine and meat for breakfast again?" He licked her face again in response. She laughed "I see. Zeta, bring her to me. Go." The wolf ran into the forest followed by the rest. Minutes later, he came back only with one wolf, gray as him but smaller and less muscled. It sat infront of Shi and licked it's paws stained with blood.

"Rabbit or deer?" Shi asked.

"Both. I choosed well. Looks like that was my last breakfast." the wolf's words sounded more like a growl but Shi could understand it well.

"I told you to keep him away." Shi scowled. "I bet he is still with her."

"Jelous?" the wolf smirked. It's gaze turned back to Zeta who was spralled on Shi's cloak with his head on her lap. "He doesn't get fooled by your appereance. Strange, the pet can recognize you, but the owner doesn't, or am I wrong?"

"No, you aren't Beastmaster." Shi avoided Xellas' first question.

"So what's the purpose of all this?" Xellas inquired.

"Shabby."

"Lei!" Xellas stood in her four paws and wagged her tail.

"Call Xelloss after I'm done. At least he should be with you in your last moments." Shi stated. ::And he'll be away of Fel for more.::

Xellas went to her human form, blonde, long, wavy hair, tanned skin, and green eyes. "If it's for Lei, it's worthy then. Just do it quick."

Shi nodded and patted Zeta's head for last time before standing up. He obdiently went to sit at Xellass side. Xellass lighted up a cigarrette.

Shiana closed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest. Around her neck, her wrists, and waist appeared red ruby talismans which glowed with a soft light. "Until the shadows cover the darkness. Until chaos rule over darkness..." She casted the spell, "I call upon thee, lord of thee five lords. Listen to my voice and come back to me." Xellass began screaming as her chest ripped apart and a red gem glowed between her dark flesh. Shi extended her arms making a path between her chest and Xellass. The gem floated toward Shi "Lay on me, feed on me." The gem slowly and painfully entered Shi's chest. She continued the spell trying to make aside her own pain."For I claim to be your resurector." The whole in Shi's chest sealed and the talismans dissapeared. She opened her eyes to see Xellas' limp body falling toward her. She catched her and knelt on the sand. Zeta walked nervously around them.

"Done?" Xellass asked in a weak tone.

"Done." Shi replied, her own face strained still for the pain inflicted in her chest. "Call him." She patted Zeta's head and whispered, "Don't tell him boy. It's upper matters and he can't interfere." Zeta sat at Xellass side like if in understanding and laid his head on his masters' master lap.

"Xelloss, come to me...come." Xellass whispered.

That was Shi's clue to leave. She laid Xellass on the sand and picked up her cloak. "Xellass."

"I know." Xellass managed to smile. "You just obey superior orders."

Shi smiled and covered her shoulders with the cloak. "Bye." She covered her head with the cloak's hood and vanished.

Seconds later, Xelloss arrived. "Beastmaster!" He knelt at her side and craddled her into his arms. He noticed her chest was ripped like if done by a perfect sword and she was vanishing slowly. "Who did this?!"

"Xel--loss take care, of... you and them." Xellas could hardly breath. "Stay a-a-away of Fe..." Xellass finally vanished and Xelloss' arms were empty. He looked up at Zeta who was howling. He stood up and walked towards the forest. "Zeta, lets' go." He ordered and both vanished.