The harsh sunrays of the new day appeared through the open window. With a weary moan you opened your eyes and saw that you were in an unfamiliar room. The walls were made of stone and it almost looked like an ancient chamber, yet you felt a warmth and pleasant atmosphere when you looked at the bare walls.
"Where…am I?" You mumbled still half asleep and tried to sit up. But a severe pain in your stomach made you fall back. "Ow..."
Now you remembered again what had happened. You had fought Tarana, but when you wanted to destroy the Abyss pearl, everything went black and from that point you couldn't remember anything else.
"My Pearl!" With a panicked yelp you touched your neck and breathed a sigh of relief when you found your most valuable possession intact.
"Linde...?" You said, however, you received no response.
"L-Linde?" Again no answer.
You closed your eyes and tried to remember the events-in vain.
What happened?
Shortly after you called after Linde again unsuccessful, the door opened and Rogue stood there. He was carrying a tray in front of him with something to eat and drink. Instead of his normal combat clothing he was wearing a blue yukata.
He was bandaged at various points on his face. It seemed the fight against Gajeel and Natsu was more violent than you could tell from just watching the fight. On his shoulder perched Frosch, whose face looked relieved.
He jumped from Rogues shoulder and hopped on the bed, as you straightened up again. This time you bit your lip to suppress the pain.
"You're awake! Fro was worried!" Frosch said and snuggled into your arms. "Frosch seems to have a thing for you, since you met him." Rogue said as he closed the door behind him.
He seemed slightly different since you saw him the last time. A little calmer, even the icy gaze was gone and his red eyes were a bit dull, as he set the tray beside you on the nightstand.
"Where am I? And what happened? I can't remember anything after I took the pearl in my hand…" You muttered and snuggled subconsciously closer to Frosch. The small Exceed returned the gesture and rubbed his little head on your breast. "The blue-haired woman fought for you. Fro was so scared."
Your eyes widened at Frosch's explanation. "L-Linde took..."
Rogue looked up at you and nodded slightly "Correct. The siren used Take Over to save your life however, she went out of control because of the unbridled hate towards this red-haired woman was too strong for her. She was enraged, even after the death of your opponent and attacked the audience." Rogue explained.
"Tarana is dead? Then…I'm finally free from living in fear? Thank God…" You sighed in relief as you fell backwards with Frosch on your chest. "Wait a minute…" You began und straightened again. "Is someone hurt because of her?" You asked.
Rogue shook his head "A few mages of Fairy Tail evacuated the audience and Sting and I took care of the siren. You turning back to normal, however, was done by the blonde woman."
You did not have to think twice to know who he was speaking of. "Minako...Where is she?" You asked.
"We took her with us as well, since she fainted too. However, she hasn't woken up yet. But her condition is not critical." Rogue said.
Frosch nodded and then climbed to the tray. "But you must be hungry so, we brought you something." Frosch exclaimed and picked up a piece of bread and handed it to you. You blinked, before you smiled a little. Never before was someone so kind to you and Frosch's care and cheerful nature made your heart warm up. "That's sweet. Thank you." You smiled and took the bread from Frosch's paws.
Rogue watched you shortly before he heard footsteps. The door to the room opened and Sting peered inside. His face was covered with bandages too and instead of his fighting clothes he was wearing an open blue vest with a white shirt underneath and white pants. "Rogue, Master Jiemma wants to see us. Immediately." Stings voice sounded serious, but also a little scared.
Rogue nodded to him. "Rest a little. It is not advisable for you to walk on your own around here. So it's best you don't leave this room before we are back. Come on, Frosch."
Frosch nodded and hugged you briefly. "Fro's really glad that you're alright! We'll come back right after the meeting with the master! Right, Rogue?" Frosch asked, as he jumped back on Rogues shoulder.
"Tch." Was the reply. "That means 'Yes'." Sting chuckled and slapped Rogue slightly on his back, before the two men closed the door from the outside and then walked to the main hall.
You had a very bad feeling in your stomach, Although you didn't know what was up with Linde, and you had to get fit again, you were worried about the two men. Rumors said Jiemma was relentless, even with his own people. You heard what had happened to the member Yukino after her defeat.
Without thinking, you got up and left the room. Every bone in your body still was in pain, but you just couldn't stop, as you crept down the hall, looking for the main hall.
It didn't take long before you heard a deep and emotionless voice. When he mentioned Rogue and Sting's name, it was clear that you found them. Carefully you opened the door and saw a crowd of people. Rogue and Sting faced a throne on which sat an elderly man. He looked very stern and angry. You swallowed and stood with the other members, their eyes now all rested on Rogue and Sting.
"Sting, Rogue. What was that?" Jiemma began his cold speech. The two Dragon Slayers didn't dare look him in the eyes, as their heads hung low. "Normally you have a big mouth and are arrogant with your skills, have you nothing left to say? Or did you bite off to much for you to chew?" Jiemma's words were colder and you noticed with each syllable, your body began to tremble uncontrollably.
'This man... Makes me fear...' You thought.
"We have failed." Rogue said with a regret-filled voice. But still he did not raise his head. "Natsu has surprised us with his lightning flame." The Shadow Dragon Slayer muttered and clenched his fist in frustration.
Although he disliked fighting, he hated to fail. "His strength is beyond my wildest expectations." Rogue continued.
Jiemma however, seemed to be anything but pleased by Rogues words. He threw a glass beside him to the ground and shortly thereafter he stood before the two Dragon Slayers. Through the force of his magic, the ground beneath him had already cracks. "Are these the words of a mage of Sabertooth, the strongest of all the guilds? Who allowed you to deliver such a clumsy performance? Who allowed you to fail so miserably?" Jiemma growled and a purple aura of magic enveloped him. "You have taken our good name and thrown it in the mud!" He ended that sentence in a loud tone, and shortly thereafter he left Rogue and Sting encounter with the force of his aura to the side. The two men clashed with their backs against the nearest wall and their bruised bodies were more troubled.
"ROGUE!"
"STING!"
The two Exceeds ran worried to their friends and you didn't even think as you walked with Frosch to Rogues side. "Are you okay?" You asked, holding his shoulders.
Rogue coughed slightly and then looked at you. "[Y/n]! What are you doing here? You have to stay in the room damn it!" He snapped slightly. Jiemma became aware of your presence as well.
"And why is a weakling from another guild here anyway?" The guild master of Sabertooth asked as he concentrated a magic ball in his fist to shoot it at the intruder. "We are taking care of her injuries, then she will go!" Rogue said and placed you behind him. Your cheeks turned briefly red as you felt him grip your hand before you found yourself behind him.
'Is he...Protecting me..?'
Jiemma's anger seemed to be limitless and he would not have hesitated to extinguish both of you, but Lectors words drew him down again. "But Master…What is so bad about losing a fight? Sting-kun and Rogue-kun did their best. They may have lost, but I'm still proud of them. Especially on Sting-kun! I believe that everyone can learn from their mistakes." The red Exceed said and you almost burst into tears. You had never even considered this thinking. For you, it was always fighting and winning to survive. "He's right…" You whispered and hugged Frosch closer.
But Jiemma remained untouched. "Who are you anyway?" He asked coldly and didn't even turn his eyes to Lector. "B-But Master..." Lector started and pulled his vest high to reveal his guild symbol on his back.
"I am a proud member of Sabertooth and..."
"...What is this? Why is a measly cat wearing the proud crest of my guild?" Jiemma asked and turned with an icy look to Lector. "BEGONE!" Jiemma shouted and fired several magic attacks on Lector until he shouted one last time. "L-Lector…?" Frosch murmured traumatized and tears ran down his cheeks. Your body was trembling as you bit your lip and closed your eyes. So much bitterness you had last seen at Enigma, as Tarana had a member killed before your eyes because of petty reasons.
Sting then ran and killed Jiemma with tears in his eyes for his apparently dead friend. You buried your head in Frosch's suit and couldn't hold back your tears. That was just too much for you, especially after what had happened before. As in a trance, you crouched on the ground until you felt two arms, pulling you to a strong body. You looked up and saw Rogue. His eyes were closed and he pulled you close to his body before he covered your head with his long sleeves, so you did not have to watch the rest of Jiemma's end.
You just questioned nothing and buried you head deep into his yukata, as you squeezed Frosch slightly.
In Rogues arms you felt safe and secure, but also an unfamiliar feeling appeared in your chest. Your heart began to beat faster and you felt an unfamiliar warmth in your heart. Confused, you looked up, as Rogue got up with you. "I'll get you back to your guild…" He muttered.
"What about Minako...?"
"Do not worry...We will bring her to you as soon as she's awake."
"Then I will stay."
"What?"
"I'm not leaving without Minako!"
Rogue closed his eyes and sighed. "As you wish."
You sighed and took a deep breath.
There were still so many questions unanswered.
Why hasn't Linde answered? Why were you taken to Sabertooth? And why had Rogue protected you?
But what you wondered most...What were these feelings that happened whenever you were close to Rogue…?
