Fight shadows with light

Disclaimer: Please note that I do not own Fairy Tail

Chapter 2

Lucy's POV

I'm walking with Rogue towards the place where I found Frosch yesterday. A slight blush is covering my face ever since I woke up and realized I was embracing Rogue with his cape covering us both. Rogue notices my expression and a smirk appears on his face.

"Everything ok… Lucy?"

Annoyed I reply. "You know what's wrong. We were cuddling in our sleep under your cape."

"You were shivering from the cold. I couldn't leave you like this." He says with his normal neutral face. Suddenly I see an amused twinkle appears in his visible eye, when he adds. "Unless you wanted me to use other methods to warm you up?"

Before I got the chance to reply, we hear Frosch happily calling Rogue. The little green cat jumped in his arms, crying and exclaiming he missed Rogue. I see Rogue smile at this and I also couldn't keep myself from petting Frosch. His fur felt so cold, which makes me gasp in shock.

"Frosch! Did you really stay here all night?"

"Frosch waited for Lucy to return with Rogue."

Immediately I felt guilty for falling asleep.

"I'm sorry it took so long."

"Frosch doesn't mind. Frosch is happy to see Rogue back".

I bid my goodbye and head back to the inn where Fairy Tail is staying, happy to have seen the cute reunion between Rogue and his cat. I learned a lot in the little time I hang around Rogue. He's not the emotionless guy I thought he was. He's always wearing a mask and I'm happy to have caught a glimpse below it.

Rogue's POV

After a little walk with Frosch, we reach the place where Sabertooth is lodging.

"Rogue!" I look up and see Sting running towards me, again looking like a happy puppy. "Where were you? I was getting worr…" He suddenly looks confused and leans closer to me. He seems to be sniffing me, until suddenly a smirk appears on his face.

"Strawberries? So that's why you were out all night."

I try to keep my normal expression, but fail when a blush starts to appear on my face.

"Sting… It's not like that!"

"Really? Then why is there a smell of a female all around you?" He grins and seems to be having fun.

"I just used my cape to protect her from the cold." That being said, the blush finally left my cheeks.

"hmm… Who is she? It somehow smells familiar."

Sting's thoughts are interrupted by a little voice. "Frosch knows."

When a devilish grin appears on Sting's face, my calm posture immediately changes to a panicked one. I grab Frosch and use the shadows to bring us to my room.

Lucy's POV

"Lucy!" Something blue bumps against me the moment I open the door of our room. When I look down I see Happy crying against me.

"Gomen ne, Happy… Did I make you worry?"

"Aye!" the blue cat manages to exclaim through a sob.

My attempt to calm down the poor exceed is interrupted by a new voice.

"Luce! Where were you!" I look up and my eyes immediately link with Natsu's.

"I was just helping someone… and then fell asleep."

"Geesh… Don't make us worry like that!" the pink haired dragon slayer comments, before pulling Happy and me into a big hug.

Suddenly Natsu sniffs and leaps back. A look in his eyes makes me freeze. Anger shines through it, together with something predatory. As sudden as the expression came, it is gone again and a huge grin comes onto his face. Did I really imagine that?

"Ne, Luce… I heard they are organizing a big ball. Free food and drinks! We can all go together!"

I couldn't contain a giggle at the sudden childish enthusiasm. "Sure. Why not? It definitely sounds fun."

My best friend and my favorite cat pump their arms in celebration. It's amusing to see them getting so worked up for something so simple.

My smile is replaced by a serious expression when I suddenly think of Rogue. Will he be ok? Should I tell Natsu I saw him… Maybe not, seeing his strange reaction just now.

"Luce! Why are you frowning?" Natsu studying face is just inches from mine, startling me. He pokes my forehead. "Smile." I couldn't do anything else than listening to that suggestion.

Rogue's POV

"Frosch wants to know why we are lying to Sting." The cute cat asks when I release us from the shadows.

"We're not lying." I comment while keeping my neutral expression.

"We're not telling the truth either!" The little exceed counters.

This makes a smile appear on Rogue's face. "Don't worry about it, Frosch. Maybe I will tell him later on, but for now… I just want to wait and see what happens."

"Frosch is confused." I sigh at the idea of having to explain myself.

"Lucy… She got hurt by us… by Sabertooth… by future me… Somehow, I just have the feeling I shouldn't go near her too often."

"Frosch still doesn't understand why we aren't telling Sting."

"Knowing him, he will immediately drag us over to where Fairy Tail is staying. He's a nice friend. However, he can be too straightforward at times. I don't mind it, but I don't want to be dragged in it."

Frosch seems to have understood my reasoning, since he now remains silent.

Someone knocks on our door, but the door is already pushed open before I could respond, revealing a grinning Sting.

"What's the use of knocking, if you don't wait for a reply?" I remark in my neutral tone.

"Tss… I was trying to be polite." The light dragon slayer defends himself. "Anyway… You were gone before I could make an announcement."

That makes my interest pipe up. "What news do you have?"

"Tomorrow we are going to a ball!" Sting replies, grinning widely.

I sigh. Typically Sting… Making something like a party sound like huge news. "Not interested." I inform him.

"That's too bad… You're going! It's an order of your new guild master… Me!" He leaves the room in a good mood, contrasting mine.

A ball… Great... Just great…

Hi everyone! I hope you liked the second chapter. C&C welcome.