"Mom? ...." Ryoko blinked, her eyes flickering open to see a pink and peach blur above her. The blur gradually came into focus, revealing a Washu surprisingly close to tears.
"Mom? ... " Ryoko spread her arms, silently asking for a hug.
A hug Washu was all too happy to give, despite the awkwardness inheirit in any first hug. "My little Ryoko."
Lina sighed, watching the rip in the astral plane slowly close. <<I guess we're done.>>
<<It seems that way. Although we need to stay to avoid any complications developing, I don't think there's going to be anymore trouble.>> Zel stretched, his wings spreading gracefully in a rather catlike curve. A wince of pain crossed his face. With careful hands he reached up behind himself to feel a spot on a wing. <<Mmmph. Better check for bruises, Lina. If it can hurt me, it'll definitely cause damage to you.>>
<<Don't think I have any bruises... .>>
<<That's good.>> Zel sat down, his posture one of easy comfort, despite the rock. He jumped slightly when Lina plopped down beside him, less than half a foot away. They both watched the rip in silence for a while.
<<Zel? ... . >>
<<Yes, Lina?>>
<<Care to talk?>>
<<About what?>>
<<Why do you still travel with us? Gourry, Amelia, and me, that is.>>
<<Because it seems to be the best way to find a cure for my ... curse. You attract some of the strongest magic-users in the world to you, no matter where you are. Traveling with you has taken me all over .... you, Gourry, and Amelia accept me as I am, and I'm tired of being alone ... >>
<<Mmmh.>> Lina carefully scooted a little closer to Zel, trying to not let him notice what she was doing. <<What's your family like? Other than Rezo?>>
Zel thought that one over before replying. <<A bit violent, a tendency towards teasing, with a wide streak of insane behavior, general silliness, and a lot of love. Even though Rezo is the patriarch of the family line, the only things that seem to have been inherited from him are strong magical ability, red hair, fiery tempers, and a tendency towards tall.>>
<<Why did you leave?>>
Zel looked over at Lina, jumping again in surprise to find her less than three inches away. He scooted nervously away a bit as he continued talking. <<I never had a choice about it. Rezo enchanted me, left me at home for the two years it took me to adjust to my new body, and teleported me to his tower to begin my magical training. And four years later, I met you.>>
<<And then all those crazy adventures .... Zel, do you ever regret not returning home?>> Deciding that subtlty wasn't going to work, Lina stood up, looking down at Zel thoughtfully.
<<I have every intention of returning, as soon as we can return to our own worl-mph?!>> As he spoke, Lina had plopped down in his lap, dragged his face down, and locked her lips onto his.
Rezo smiled happily, watching Washu hug her now-healed daughter, thinking rather wistfully how it would be nice if he could mend the bridges with his own family. He blinked in surprise at a sudden surge of power from the astral plane.
"What the ... ?" Rezo closed his eyes, mentally making a quick scan of the nearby astral plane. And found out just what his grandson was up to.
"Rezo? Why are you grinning like that?" Washu watched Rezo curiously as he broke out in a fit of laughter. She was about to say more when the gate in the main lab, the gate which Rezo and the others had come through in the first place, exploded.