Alright so I'm rather excited for this story, as you know my other stories are on hold, I haven't got much motivation for them and Uni is killing me but I just have to write this so I hope you guys like it :) Please let me know what you guys think, feedback is always welcome, just please be nice about it!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima is god; the plot is mine though :)

Chapter 1

Lucy POV

You'd have thought by now that the blonde currently racing to catch up to her partner would be prepared for his erratic actions, that she would at least have gotten used to the fact he would find something to fight no matter what kind of job they went on. She was far from it though, her breathing rapid, she chased the Dragon Slayer through the forest and into a large clearing, a clearing that was obviously newly made as a pair was surrounded by Vulcans. Letting out a curse she bit back the urge to complain about getting dirt on her new boots and placed a hand on her whip, the Salamander readying his attack when a burst of blinding light filled her vision, followed by a terrifying darkness that left the blonde calling out for Natsu.

It wasn't until she could see again that she realized who the pair was and levelled a glare at the pinkette, he could smell them, that's why he took off so fast. Clenching her hand around the strap of her bag she hit the grinning mage on the head with it.

"NATSU DRAGNEEL! DID YOU REALLY DRAG ME INTO YET ANOTHER VULCAN FIGHT JUST SO YOU COULD SEE THESE TWO IDIOTS?!"

Ignoring the looks she got from the twins she watched as the grin turned into the sheepish smile he always wore when in trouble and she promptly turned her back on him. He would not be getting off the hook that easy.

"Aw come on Luce you didn't even have to do anything... Happy would've flown you away if it had gotten out of hand."

Suddenly furious she spun around, hearing an 'aye sir' cut off when he saw the dark aura emanating from her as she brought her fist down on Natsu's head. She may have been a little harsh on him but this was unacceptable.

"I'm not a civilian Natsu; I am more than capable of holding my own BUT YOU CAN'T JUST MAKE A DECISION LIKE THAT WITHOUT ME OR YOU COULD AT HE VERY LEAST WARN ME FIRST! IF YOU CAN'T INCLUDE ME IN THE DECISIONS THEN FIND A NEW PARTNER!"

Her words appeared to hit him like a slap and he took a few steps back staring at her in shock, of course she wouldn't be going anywhere, Natsu and Happy were her team, her family and she wouldn't leave them but Natsu needed to see his errors. Feeling bad for how hurt he looked she turned her head away when suddenly his arms were around her, the blue cat flying in to do the same as she looked down at them with a smile, their apologies coming out in unison.

"It's okay guys, you're forgiven, I just want to feel like part of the team and not a burden."

It was then that it was Natsu's turn to be angry, his apologies abruptly cutting off the second the words left her mouth and she winced at the upcoming argument she was about to get, one they'd had many times before. The words never left his mouth though as a fist glowing with light punched him square in the jaw, sending him flying into the undamaged trees behind them, the blonde Dragon Slayer letting out a laugh as he raced after the now grinning Natsu, his hands alight with flames as the two began to fight. The distant sling of insults spurring the other on as they delve deeper into the forest.

Giving a shrug, her face full of amusement that soon fell as she felt a presence beside her, internally shying away from the Shadow Dragon Slayer. Of course, nothing was wrong with Rogue, or at least not this Rogue, but it couldn't stop the feelings from arising with her. She tried to play it cool though, to act as though everything was as it was before she had known about his possible future self and the fate of hers and everyone she loved so dearly, this was not that monster. Her breathing hitched when he all but proved her thoughts, placing a hand on her shoulder with a soft smile on his face, she knew he'd heard her call them idiots and yet he was acting somewhat out of character, or at least that was the case from what she had heard. Out of the pair, Rogue was the strong, silent type, the on you'd read about in books that would be all brooding and damaged, the one who stole girls hearts and crushed anyone who got in their way. Sting on the other hand was a lot like her goofy teammate just with a lot more ego and better hair. So if Sting was living up to his reputation, why wasn't Rogue? Did he know? No, he couldn't.

"I'm sorry for calling you and Sting idiots, that was rude of me."

"It's okay Lucy, you were actually right about Sting being an idiot."

Letting out a laugh she actually felt some of her tension ease and she smiled genuinely at the Dragon Slayer, if he was like this all the time or at the very least kind in his own way, maybe she would be able to go as far as calling him a friend. Maybe. Turning to face him she examined his face, he was all shadows, except for his skin which appeared to be a ghostly pale, paired with his eerily red eyes, he scar on the bridge of his nose reminded her that just like everyone else he too was not indestructible and impeccably human. She jumped as he cleared his throat, immediately realizing she had been staring as he raised an eyebrow in her direction, a blush staining her cheeks she quickly looked away, embarrassed for being caught doing what she almost always did with people. She studied them, examined their movements, their responses, even going as far to play minor experiments on Natsu and Gray to see if the facade of them always being fine was really as strong as they believed. There was nothing about Rogue that was familiar to her, nothing that she seemed to know or associate with anyone except possibly Gray, he had that pensive, always stuck in his own head look that Gray often wore but even then it was something more, his walls were up with everyone, everyone except possibly Sting and his Exceed. Speaking of which, where was she?

"Uh Rogue... Where's Frosch?"

Upon hearing the blondes words she noticed the fear in his eyes at the thought of his Exceed being missing, yet again, the gears appeared to tick over in his mind as if remembering the entire day. Backtracking all his thoughts until he relaxed his posture, the wall coming up on his expression once more as he shrugged at her answer, his tone calm with a hint of anxiety.

"She's back at the inn with Lector, Sting and I thought it was best they weren't anywhere near the Vulcans that were attacking the townspeople."

Nodding her head she was about to reply, in attempt to get to know him or simply to pass the time when a rather large rock flew into her side and she fell, attempting to grab Rogue to hold herself up but instead succeeded in pulling him on top of her, his face flushing the same colour as his eyes when she saw Natsu running into view, a scared look on his face as he realized how much he was going to pay for throwing that, even if it was at Sting. Groaning she attempted to roll over and realized the raven haired man was on top of her, appearing to follow her train of thought he immediately stood up, offering his hand to pull her up as he did. Muttering a quick thanks she tried to walk over to her idiot partner when she found herself gasping, one of her ribs was definitely broken. Shooting a glare at Natsu he came to her side and held her up right, making sure that she was in as little pain as possible, staying silent as he awaited the yelling that would be coming his way but instead, the blonde stayed silent, which was worse.

"I guess I better go get Luce home to Wendy now, I expect a rematch glow ball!"

With that the team made their way to the train station, leaving one slightly worried Dragon Slayer looking after them while the other simply waved with his signature grin on his face.

Rogue/Stings POV (slips into stings slightly)

He watched as the pink haired man assisted his partner, her anger radiating off her as they stayed entirely silent, his dragon sense not being able to pick up on anything else except their fellow Dragon Slayers guilt, no doubt coming from the fact he had injured his partner. Turning his attention back to his friend, who was standing there with a look on his face that could only mean he was going to be asked fifty million questions while they made their way to collect their reward, he let out a sigh and ran his fingers through his dark hair, mentally preparing himself for whatever questions would be slung at him. The first one directed at him being the last question he was to expect.

"So blondie smelt kind of weird didn't she?" Weird? Well that was an odd question, not in the sense that his partner had found the time to even smell the Celestial Mage in detail but it wasn't often that someone smelt weird. Generally it was an aroma that simply suggested who the person was, it reflected their personality and current mood and while everyone had their own scent, some being more distasteful than others, none of them would have been considered weird.

"I didn't take the time to smell her apparently, how did she smell weird?"

"She didn't smell like Natsu-san like she normally does... Yukino said that they're always together but I couldn't even smell him on her, his scent was blocked, even when he was holding her up, it's like her body was deflecting it... Y'know?"

Now that he thought about it, Sting had a point, Natsu had Lucy's scent all over him, a sign that the two were close and yet she had no sign of him or anyone else for that matter, it was just her and that was definitely weird. Returning his partners expression that was now full of concern, something like this would have been nothing to them not so long ago, just another idiotic Fairy making stupid choices, it wasn't their business nor their problem and yet, they both appeared to feel a fierce need to help, to protect not only the girl but the man who had shown Yukino kindness when anyone involved with their guild deserved none. The team who had all but forgotten their indiscretions and even helped them become better people, simply by being in their presence, these Fairies would get their help or whatever else they required of them.

"You're right, come on we need to get the reward and go after them or at least contact Makarov. Gajeel may be able to know what it is if he's around them, I'm surprised that none of the other Dragon Slayers have been able to pick it up... Something's not right here Sting..."

With a nod of his head the blonde looked out the corner of his eye, he had known Rogue respected Fairy Tail but this seemed different, his tone held a purpose, an authority that it rarely did. What did his friend know that he wasn't letting on, clearly if it he did know he couldn't name it otherwise he would have but the determination in his eyes told another story, something he hoped would reveal itself soon. He couldn't place it but regardless it was not something they could take care of now and that meant he had to lighten the mood if not to just distract them both for the time being, it wouldn't do much to cease their thoughts but it could help.

"Y'know Rogue, if you like being in charge so much maybe you should take Guild Master off my hands... I hope you know Yukino is gonna go nuts if she realizes that I came with you on a job with you, considering 'The master is supposed to do paperwork and not put himself in harm's way... You must be more careful Sting-sama.' Honestly, you're better at paperwork, it should be your job."

With a roll of his eyes the Shadow Dragon Slayer was nudged with his partners elbow, the blondes cocky grin showing just how serious he was but also the fact he'd never give up such a role, he planned to make Sabertooth proud and Rogue knew that but it still managed to make his lips pull up at the edges. Always trying to brighten a situation.

Lucy's POV

In the end Natsu had to carry her to the train station as gently as possible but even then every step he took was like he was contorting her insides, how on earthland did one broken rib hurt so much? It was lost on her, it wasn't like she hadn't been injured before and a broken rib was probably one of the more minor injuries she had received and yet it was causing her more than just physical pain. It wasn't until they got to the train station though that she finally realized the issue, her heart was pounding in her ears, her breathing ragged and faulting as she began to slip into a panic attack at the prospect of leaving, she needed something. There was something here, in this town, something that would force her to stay until the ache left her. So clutching her side she stood up from the bench Natsu had deposited her on, ignoring the protests of Happy, and began walking in the direction her instincts told her to go.

She honestly had no idea what she was looking for or where she was going, though she did know whatever it was, was in a dark place, somewhere that had not been touched for a very long time. She could distinctly hear Natsu chasing after her but she failed to care, it was hurting too much that the only thought in her head was completing her goal, she refused to stop and when she felt Natsu's hand pressing lightly on her wrist she ignored it and continued walking. Only stopping when he placed all his strength on her and spun her around so that she couldn't move and all the pain that had slowly been leaving her was rushed back, causing her to double over, her teammate's arms wrapping around her protectively as she spat her words at him.

"Natsu... Let. Me. Go!"

"Luce what are you talking about? You're in no condition to walk right now!"

It wasn't enough though, she levelled a glare at him that would have put the one earlier to shame, it was nearly worse than one of Mira's and yet he still held onto her, refusing to let her go, to let her relieve herself of the ache that was chilling her to the bone every second she was stopped. Letting out a wail she clung to him eagerly, if he wouldn't let her go alone then he'd be coming with her and she was resorting to something she normally wouldn't do but this was necessary, so she begged him.

"Please... Natsu I have to go this way... I don't know why, I just do okay? Come with me and you'll see."

That had his attention or at the very least his sympathies, he of all people should know that when your instincts were telling you to do something then you did it, regardless of how strange it may be, you did it because if you didn't; you'd regret it. So he simply nodded his head at her and she let out a sigh, of course he had one condition and that was for him to support her the entire way to wherever it was they were going but if that was the only thing he would be requiring then she'd give in and let him. Her goal was more important than her pride. So the two set off, Happy hovering curiously over their heads as the Fire Mage slipped his arm around the blondes waist, taking on most of her weight, and let her lead the way to their destination.

They walked for at least an hour, the feeling in her stomach pulling them towards the edges of town when suddenly it changed course, walking past a mansion that she had just been tempted to walk into without even announcing their presence and back into the middle of town, the entire time Natsu was patient with her, something he rarely was but he must have sensed that she needed him to be exactly that in this situation. It wasn't until both their stomachs growled that she allowed him to convince her to stop for food, promising that they could resume their search as soon as they were done, which seemed to keep the ache that had threatened to come back at bay for now. Whatever was happening, she was close, she would soon figure out whatever the hell was happening to her and why she had been drawn to its presence and finally when her hunger was satisfied for now and had Natsu and Happy's food wrapped to go, she was all but running out of the tavern they had slipped into.

Running for another block she came to a stop in front of an inn, it was nice enough for a Mage to stay in for a short time but she had no intention on booking a room. The object of her goal was in there somewhere and she was going to find it, so with Natsu hot on her heels she walked in and straight up the stair case and banged on a door near the end of the hall. There was no response at first and after hovering for another thirty seconds she was about to simply walk in when it was swung open by the same man who had been on top of her earlier that day.

"Rogue..?"

N.B: Kay I know what you're probably thinking and let me assure you here, the reasoning behind Lucy being pulled there was not anything to do with Dragon Slayers, mating OR anything to do with a ship for that matter, you'll find out more next chapter!