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Home > Categories > Slayers > Dance of the Full Moon

Rating: PG-13 - light/humour - Posted: 28/9/2002 - Updated: 16/1/2005

Disclaimers: Nobody so far belong to me, though I can be credited (blamed, accused...) of Zel's other form... but technically, it's probably not mine either. Nope, safe to say it's not mine.
Warnings: Where to start... um, chaos, pure and simple. Oh yeah, and heavy innuendos if you have a raunchy mind (like I do) in one scene.
Notes: This monster started out as a snippet and grew into... something I have no words for. For the most part it's light, though. I think. Well, we'll see as it progresses.

Summary: (Zel/Gourry/?Marron?) Zel has a secret he was trying to keep, but when he decides to act on his impulse, things get even more chaotic that usual for the chimera. Crossover with Sorcerer Hunters.


Part 1

His hands slipped down the front of his body, ghosting over his chest, sliding down to his stomach. Too close, he pulls back up, turning as the wind catches his hair as if to further add to his torment. Such sweet torture.

Stone was incredibly sensitive, as he had found out on rare occasions before. The silk fluttered over his skin, whispering of secrets only a lover might know. Another spin, his back arching slightly to his imaginary partner.

The music had its hold over him now. He could never let it keep him with the others, but here, it was safe. No one knew of his mistress. No one knew...

He brought the silk up, looking at the moonlight play along the ripples of the lake. Ever since he found out about this, about who he was, he longed for the chance; he didn't care anymore what the others thought, they wouldn't know anyway. It had been too long since the last time. He needed this, wanted this...

The lithe form danced ever closer, swaying to the haunting, seductive melody. Water laps at his toes as he played near the shore. The silk fell to the ground before he stepped into the water, the motion graceful and fluid as the very lake itself. Moonlit waves washed against him, the very air charged with the secret of promise and fulfillment.

Gods, he was so close; the ethereal magic burned just under his skin. He thought he'd surely die if he didn't take hold of it right now. Even his logic was silenced in the wake of the yearning in his body.

Just a little more...

He'd waded in about hip deep when the waters began to glow. A hushed cry of freedom fell over his being as the slender figure slowly began to change. His waist narrowed, his hips curved. Not much; he was already a bit petite from the start. The change is just enough. The most pronounced declaration of his brief respite came when he crossed his arms over his chest; almost giggling at the now ample bosom 'she' sported.

She... No one knew about this part of her. Her own secret. Not even the trickster could take this away. His hidden joy, her release.

She waded out the water, shivering a bit as the night air hit his skin. She didn't bother with the silk just yet; she didn't want it wet. Instead, he went to the pack he thought beforehand to bring with him, pulling out a towel and quickly drying off. Satisfied, she ran over to reclaim the silk and the dance, twirling for the wind while the music enfolded her in its embrace.

Finally, to enjoy the true freedom of his change...

Her hips rolled slowly, guiding the rest of her body as her hands played with the sheer cloth, letting it float around her. Each step feather light; a gazelle would be jealous. With every motion, she made love to the air and moon, offering herself in ways none even knew existed in his heart. Complete surrender... it felt so sweet. The moon watched silently, taking all they had to give, so much that no one else would be able to understand.

Her joy, his secret, both one and the same. Terrifying yet undeniable need as the figure danced into the night, becoming less substantial than a child's myth...

=====

"Where did you go last night, Mr. Zelgadis?"

Zel sipped his coffee, though inwardly he fumed. As far as he was concerned, none of them had a right to question his whereabouts. Well, perhaps Gourry, but only because he knew the swordsman wouldn't ask.

"Yeah, Zel. I went by your room but you weren't around. I figured you couldn't have gone too far, all your stuff was still there."

No right at all.

Lina got a devilish gleam in her eye, warning Zel of some unkind teasing coming his way. He took another sip, emotionally bracing himself for it.

"Wait, let me guess, you had a secret date, didn't you... you sly dog."

"Miss Lina! You make it sound as if Mr. Zelgadis isn't gentlemanly enough to allow us to meet his... ah..."

"Oh come on, Amelia. If I had a hot date, last thing I'd do is let 'im see the loons I hang out with..."

"Miss Lina! It's not right calling your friends names..."

"Well I didn't mean you guys, exactly... sorta..."

~And they wonder why I take off so much?~ It crossed Zel's mind to tell Lina that yes, he had met someone very special and yes, she was a female... but a glance to his left stopped him. While he wasn't sure how the swordsman would react, Zel's own feelings kept him silent.

~Gods, it's like having a schoolgirl's crush...~

"Miss Lina, are you saying Mr. Zelgadis should go sneaking around for some less than honorable meeting with some... some..."

"I didn't say that! Just that maybe Zel needed to get some... ah... tension relief. Yeah, that's it!"

"Miss Lina!"

~Okay, that's going a little too far...~ Zel slammed his cup on the table, not caring for once if he did draw all eyes on him. Maybe his secrecy led others to believe his reputation as being something it wasn't, but even he had his limits...

...and the fact he was still a virgin didn't help.

"If you simply must know, I had trouble sleeping and went for a walk. I came back later, read a book, then went to sleep. If you don't believe me, ask the innkeeper who let me in." The shaman stood up, biting an urge to tell Gourry he had to leave. Yes, they were friends, and from what Zel could see, just friends. Which meant saying and doing certain things were out, unless he wanted to get even more funny looks than he did already.

"Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to look around town and check the library. I'll be back around dinner."

He walked out, leaving a couple of speechless girls and one concerned man watching him go. Lina recovered first, and as typical of the sorceress, absolved herself of all guilt.

"Sheesh, make one little suggestion and a guy acts like you insulted him."

"Miss Lina, how can you say that? You know Mr. Zelgadis would never do something like... like... like what you were implying."

"Settle down, Amelia. It was just a joke."

"Saying things like that is unjust!"

The two girls got into it again, leaving Gourry alone to his thoughts as he simply looked out the door where Zel left.

~I wonder...~

=====

~I'll have to be more careful. Maybe I should take a break from them for awhile, just to get away from all the questions.~

Once again, midnight found Zel standing at the edge of the lake, the gauzy material held tightly in his hands. He knew it was really too soon to be back. Amelia and Lina were getting too curious for the chimera's liking, but the conversation at breakfast rattled him and in desperate need of solace.

Closing his eyes, Zel listening to the evening wind play it's familiar lullaby. Spritesong; there was perhaps no one still living who could understand it anymore. He considered himself lucky to have learned of his roots at all. It's melody floated around him, invisible tendrils teasing and inviting him closer to his nightly respite.

So close...

The chimera waded in until the water lapped at his waist. The change came as it had nights before, bringing with it the freedom and joy he could only know in this form. Giggling, she ran back to dry off, noticing with some curiosity that even her hair had grown this time.

~As if it knows what I need, and when.~ He didn't dwell on it, knowing her time was short as always. She had barely taken a few steps before she heard a sound that ran his enchanted blood cold.

Footsteps.

A voice.

"Zel can take care of himself. If Lina wants him, she should be out looking for him..."

~Gourry!~

The shock of having the swordsman here of all places stole the few precious moments Zel-chan had for escape. She could only stand there, the flimsy cloth wrapped around yet hiding nothing of her form when Gourry stumbled into view. He looked up, his eyes widening at the sight before him.

~Zel...?~

Gourry didn't know of too many who had blue skin and hair that reflected pale silver in the full moon, so his first response seemed logical, (if such a thing can be applied to the swordsman). But a second look told him that it might also be wrong.

~No, wait... Zel has hips, yeah, but... hell, whoever she is, she gives Amelia a run for her money. Lina would definitely be jealous.~

Then Gourry realized what he was doing; staring at a woman who had obviously finished a bath, and was now standing nearly naked in front of him.

"AH!" The blonde turned around quickly, feeling the blush to his face while wiping some of the blood from his nose. "I-I-I-I-I I'm sorry, miss... I didn't see anything... Just looking for a friend of mine... didn't look, nopenopenopenope..." ~Gourry Gabriev, you're a terrible liar. But what am I suppose to say, you've got a beautiful body? Yeah, right!~

"Wha...?" Still confused by the shock of seeing Gourry, it took Zel longer than usual for him to figure out Gourry's response.

~He doesn't know it's me...~

A world of possibilities opened up in Zel's mind, but he quickly forced all but the most colorful ones down. Right now he had to try and get out of the situation with both their dignity intact.

"Ah... it's okay. I've seen no one else here save a stone man earlier. But that was some time ago, so I don't know where he is now." ~Take the hint and go back to the inn...~

"Aw, Lina's going to give it to me." Gourry was about to step away, but something about the woman intrigued him. He kept his back to her, turning his head enough to let her hear his voice clearly. "Should you be out late like this, ma'am? I... I mean, that is..."

"I can take care of myself, and really, nobody else comes through here." ~What are you doing, Gourry??~

"Well, still... if you want, I could at least... you know... walk you home. Just to make sure you're safe..."

"No! No, I mean... I.. I can't."

Now Gourry was really curious. "Why not?"

~Damnit.~ "Um, just... well... you..."

"...oh, I get it, it's because you don't know me, right? Stranger and all?"

"Ye-es... yes, that."

"Well, maybe we can be friends?"

"Um..." Zel-chan looked up, cringing as she saw how low the moon was in the sky. ~If I don't turn back soon, I'll have to spend the day like this...~ Knowing a persistent streak when he saw one (even if it was out of good intentions) Zel-chan thought of the only way to stall and get Gourry out of there.

"Well, okay, but not now. Come back here tomorrow night. I'll talk to you then."

"But... well, okay... if you're sure."

"Yes...! But right now I need to... well..."

"What?" Gourry glanced over his shoulder, noticing the nervous way the woman was holding the thin fabric. "...oh. Um, sure you'll be okay?"

"Yes, if I can get dressed."

"Yeah... ah... heh heh. Okay, then I'll see you tomorrow. Um, goodbye..."

"Goodbye... and no staying around to peak!"

"Who, me? No, course not, I wouldn't... ah... bye!" The swordsman felt another blush to his face, because he had been thinking about just that, to make sure she was safe. Instead, Gourry took off and headed back to the inn. Only when the crunch of footfalls disappeared did Zel let out a sigh of relief.

~Great, he's gone...

~...but what am I going to do now?~


Part 2 »