"Sting!"

Yukino spat, before slamming her back to the wall of her bed. Red hot embarrassment and heat filled her cheeks as she hung her head down some. The Light Dragon slayer flung his feet to the ground and rose, now inside her room completely. The small glint from his ear ring refracted beautifully in the moonlight, he was a very alluring creature indeed.

"H-how did you know where I was?" the voice Yukino used was in attempt to seem firm, confident in herself. Hopefully, Sting didn't seem through her hoax. The clack of his boots on hardwood floors heightened as he walked over to her, his expression was that of discouragement.

"Yukino-.." He began, the rasp of his voice crawled all over her skin, giving way to goosebumps," -You know it's been about two weeks since I've asked you to return to us." His hand met his chest in a resenting manor, eyes to the floor. "We miss you, and we want to do whatever it takes to make it up to you." Yukino's hand found her abdomen again, shoulders trembling slightly.

Inhale. Exhale. "Sting, listen. I can't stop thinking about it. Jiemma." His name was hissed, through clenched teeth. "I cannot come back to Sabertooth. I am sorry." the words nearly broke expelling from her. She really didn't want to abandon the first people to make her feel like she had a family, but she needed to find a life that suited her best, or better at least. Determination was written all over Sting's face as she looked back up to him.

"You think I haven't learned anything since the Grand Magic games? I was foolish Yukino, we all were. Now that he is gone we can fina-"

" I've heard your words before, Sting." Yukino stood up, her legs shook slightly.

"At least help us," He cut her off before she had the chance to speak.

"We have a job, supposedly only a Celestial Mage is capable of this feat, do this one job for us to see if we've changed. If you don't think we have then you can leave as soon as it's completed. These people need us. Please." Begging was an odd color on Sting, he was always burning lustrous and confident, and now he was reduced to begging her for help, she almost marveled in the thought of it. Sting Eucliffe the proud confident Light Dragon Slayer, in dire need of the help of a celestial mage. Yukino eyed the floor for what felt like an eternity, her hands grabbing at her Celestial keys, almost like a safety blanket as her mind tossed the idea over in her head for what seemed to be hundreds of times

A long pause was a chasm between the two.

.

"Okay,okay I'll help you with this one job."

The words in a breath of air, she was flabbergasted that she could even find the gusto to speak, or that she had accepted helping with whatever sort of shenanigans awaited. She couldn't believe she was going to walk through the doors of that hulking Guild one more time. She couldn't even fathom how it would go, or if she would be so welcomed by the rest of the guild. A snapped, "Yes!" bellowed from Sting's now grinning fangs as he jumped up like a kid and brought Yukino from her musings. Like a whip, Sting's hands found their way to Yukino's hand and gripped it tightly. "You'll see just how Sabertooth has changed!" He was grinning like a madman, and Yukino's cheeks reddened as she smiled slightly in response to him. Was this the same Sting that was riddled with the undeniable determination for the taste of victory at the games? Something was, different about the glint in his eye, almost happy.

"Well you had better rest it's late! Rogue and I will be here to get you in the morning!" With a flick of a wave his figure lept through the window with boundless excitement in a hurry; After a brief moment her figure then hit the mattress and she sank, bringing the wrist he held to her nose.

Mm, it almost smelled like,

Sunflowers.

I'm actually going back to Sabertooth oh my god. A hand rubbed irritated against Yukino's face, as she had awoken early to clean up her room before leaving. An hour passed before she was completely dressed in a light blue lace top and high waisted skirt to compliment her hair. The Celestial keys jingled in her hand, touching the cool metal was almost stress relieving to her at this point, and she found solace in them. She took pride in her spirits and felt safe with them. Stop slacking! It's time to go! Yukino patted her cheeks in preparation. It's now or never! With a swift turn, the female mage grabbed her belongings and shut and locked her door behind her. There's no way she could ever really be prepared.

"Yukino!" Lector and Froch cooed in unison as they launched themselves at Yukino upon her exiting the building, she was in shock at the felines longing to see her again. Arms wrapped around the exceeds in delight and Yukino smiled more than she thought she ever had. They missed her, they really missed her. After exchanging hugs and a caring "I missed you guys too!", Yukino looked up to see Sting and Rogue standing before her. Arms were folded neatly in front of Rogue's chest, his calm demeanor and soft smile polar opposite to Sting's heightened enthusiasm and wild grin. Could these really be the same Twin Dragons? She waved sheepishly at the two, "Hello you two. Ready to go?" and their grins widened in mimic of one another.

"So you were able to do odd jobs for money?" Rogue's baritone voice was subtle and soft, how Yukino had remembered it, she held Froch and Lector was snuggled up on her shoulder as she walked with the Twin slayers. "Yes, I stayed fed and rented a room for a bit." she absconded from the question before Rogue decided to pry further, or call out her bluff. She didn't want to have to admit to her folly, how she couldn't bring herself to eat much anymore, or get herself from bed. The emotional trauma that Jiemma put her through was more than just a little embarrassing. Yukino had been emotionally mutilated. "So, how exactly did you find me Sting.?" the words were hushed from from Yukinos soft voice. Sting stopped and pretended to ponder the inquisition mockingly for a few seconds. With a cocky gesture he pat his nose with his index finger, "Can't hide from a dragon's nose." he winked.

Yukino immediately looked to the ground blushing, she could hear a chuckle erupt from them both."I can't believe I thought this whole time I had evaded you so cleverly and you were two steps ahead of me the whole time." She laughed. Rogue looked over to her, his expression firm, "You undermine yourself too much. You are a powerful Celestial mage. Lucy of Fairy Tail would have been lost without you. You have accomplished and overcame many feats. Do not sell yourself short over not being able to outrun this big schnoze." A wry smirk and a beckoning to Sting with his thumb, to which he barked in response, "Hey you wanna say that to my face!" playfully. Yukino giggled the cats smiled up at her at her, this tenderness towards a fellow….well, former, guild mate. She rubbed her arm anxiously reveling in the unwanted thoughts again. Sting took note and snuck back behind Rogue and In between he and Yukino, wrapping one arm around each of them. "Can't wait, Sabertooth is back in business, one more time at least!" He smiled at them both. And the five unanimously felt, a distance as they continued chatting and sharing talks of the future.

One more time.

The monster shadow hung over Crocus like a plague, it was menacing and malevolent. No, it was different now? No longer dark, the building almost shone in the setting sun. The looming building was almost like a beckon of hope now, to atone for all the hostilities the guild had caused. All day the trio and two exceeds traveled, discussed, and rekindled their bond some. Yukino wasn't so sure about her thoughts anymore, she wasn't so sure about anything. Brown eyes dilated as they finally fell upon the guild hall, and the anxiety rushed back into her. Feet were frozen to the walkway as if when she took another step, the gates would snap shut upon her. Sting and Rogue both walked gesturing her in, reassurance in their smiles. After swallowing the hard knot in her throat, Yukino's had met her keys once again. I guess it's now or never. The thought expelled from her, as she entered through the door way.