Leo woke up with a start. His eyes darted around the room, searching for what woke him up. The room was completely dark with the first few rays of the sun shining through the gaps of the curtains on the windows and nothing seemed amiss. Zack for some reason was way more close than he remembered him being but he didn't really mind. Nanaki was there on the bed and he didn't remember him coming in… Oh, well. But what was it that woke him up?

Leo had a great feeling of creeping on him and he didn't like it at all. He clenched his hands and he carefully sat up, mindful of not waking the other occupants in the room. 'Damn it what's wrong with me? No, wait… it's not me. Could it be… her?'

He inched towards the edge of the bed carefully and once he got close he moved faster. He left the room not noticing that violet eyes were watching blearily.

"Leo?"

The spirit walked speedily, a sense of urgency and wrongness surging through him. There was a nervous energy filling him and his hands twitched before balling up into fists. "Come on… What the hell is going on?" he muttered as he looked for anything that seemed amiss. He headed straight down the hallway as he passed by the stairs.

He backtracked suddenly. "It's this way." One by one, he climbed each step and his heart pounded faster. He hurried along and Leo was almost jogging lightly by now. Various doors passed by but he didn't even stop to glance at them, he just went on. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity he stopped a door. "This is it." Leo felt slightly apprehensive but he charged on and he opened the door.

The room was dark and Leo's eyes were locked on what took up most of the room, the bed.

He inched closer carefully. There was someone on the bed…

His breath hitched as he noticed blue hair spilling over the edge of the bed. The body laid unmoving and unresponsive to his intrusion. It worried him because by now Aquarius would have noticed him. She would have been screaming at him by now… What was wrong with her?

"…Aquarius?" he said tentatively. His hands trembled a bit as his hand came closer to her shoulder. His hand grasped her shoulder and he shook it gently. He swallowed roughly as she remained unresponsive. "Aquarius." His voice was rougher and raw with barely contained emotions, but he calmed himself thinking that he might be overreacting and that he might wake the others. "Wake up. Come on. Scorpio is waiting for you to go on that date remember?" Leo smiled but it was gone as still she remained the way she was.

"Aquarius!" he whispered urgently as he pulled the sheet off her. His hand came in contact with her skin and he recoiled. Her skin was so cold. 'No! She can't!...' He came closer to her as he frantically brushed her long blue hair away from her face. He had tears in his eyes and he searched for any sign of life in his friend. Her breath was coming in fast, short breaths. Her eyes were moving rapidly behind her eyelids.

"She's…," 'She's dying here… She can't stay any longer. She needs to leave!' He thought, his mind racing a mile a minute. "Damn it!" He growled at himself, hating that he wasn't doing anything. He reached for the covers again as he gently placed them back on her, making sure she was completely covered.

"Leo?" At his name he glanced behind him. Zack was at the doorway staring confusedly at him. He was only in sweatpants and he was rubbing his eyes sleepily but they focused soon enough, taking in the serious and urgent atmosphere. "What's wrong?" He came in and he became mildly alarmed at the urgent look on Leo's face.

The lion spirit opened his mouth to reply but he didn't know what to say. His mind just didn't seem able to catch up. "I Aquarius! She " He choked as he tried to suppress his tears.

"Hey, it's okay. I'll go get help okay? Just wait here." Zack placed a reassuring hand on Leo's shoulder as he glanced at the woman lying motionless. He paled slightly as he noticed the pale blue tint to her face. He looked at Leo once again as he hastily left the room again. "I'll be back!" he called as he raced out of the room.

Zack expertly navigated the maze that was the Shinra manner. He knocked on Seph's door knowing that the man usually didn't sleep much or long and that he would have already heard him running down the hallway and no doubt that the others would too.

He opened the door without waiting for an answer and walked in. Sephiroth was at his desk doing what was most likely paperwork. Green sharp eyes gazed at him expectantly. "What is the problem Zackary? You seemed troubled." Silver brows furrowed in concentration.

"It's Aquarius. She's sick. I'm not sure with what but it seems like hypothermia. Leo's with her right now." Zack quickly explained. "She seems like she's on the edge of critical Seph."

"Do you know how she developed this?" Sephiroth was rummaging through the drawers. He came to what he was looking for, a cure.

"No… but it might be from being in the water for as they did. Though I think that Leo might have had the same problem before… I can't be too sure." Zack frowned as he tried to think of a time Leo was like that. He had been so sure that Leo had shown some of the signs before… He snapped his fingers. "It was when we were back at the apartment! Leo was cold back then too!"

Sephiroth strided out the door in his usual outfit as always. He glanced towards Zack and asked, "He showed similar simptoms?"

"Yeah… but I thought that it might have been the rain. I'm not sure." Zack scowled as he tried to remember but the details eluded him.

"Sephiroth?" Vincent was gazing at them curiously, red eyes glowing brightly. No doubt he wanted to know what the fuss is about. Sephiroth shook his head and continued walking and they neared Aquarius' room. Vincent, sensing the urgency, followed silently behind.

They walked in to see Leo over Aquarius, his hand in hers. He had sweatpants and a tank that Zack just recognized as his. Cloud was assessing the situation as he tried to wake upp the woman but nothing seemed to work.

"…Come on Aquarius! You c-can't just " Leo choked and Sephiroth came beside him. As he saw the state of the other he cast a cure. Magic settled a glow over her body but she still remained in the same state.

"Why isn't it working?" Zack murmured, perplexed. Sephiroth just gazed at the materia feeling a bit puzzled.

"…Leo?" Aquarius' weak voice sounded out and they all snapped towards her face. She staring at them with glazed blue eyes. Her eyes were focused however at Leo, who smiled in relief.

"Aquarius…"

"… Is this what you felt?... Before…" She turned her face toward the ceiling before she stared at her leader once again. "Was this… what it was like… for you?" she whispered and her voice seemed to echo in the room.

Leo stared at her for a moment as he met her eyes. Answer me, they said. Leo clenched his jaw. He never wanted any of his friends to feel what he did before. It was torture on him and he would never wish it onto any one of his fellow spirits. "You need… to go back home Aquarius." He finally responded.

In truth he didn't know what to say, because really there were no words that he could put to gather to describe what it was like. She seemed to understand and she teared up again. She swallowed roughly to put away the ball of emotion stuck in her throat. "You're so much stronger Leo. You don't realize… you don't see what it is that makes us follow do you? But I know one day Leo… You'll see it. We see it. It… It's plain as day as it is… written in the stars Leo."

He didn't know how to respond. "I'll see if I can get one of them to pick you up Aqua." He turned away from her but her hand tightened.

"Wait." She put her arm up and clenched in her hand is her key. "Take this." She pushed it into his hand. "You said to give it to you in person right?" She clutched at his hands, unwilling to let go because she knew that this might be the last time she sees her leader and friend.

"An old friend is still a friend, right?" He said as he turned away and she smiled at him though he didn't see it.

Leo left the room.

Zack gazed at his back wondering what the hell that had been about. There was obviously a lot of history behind the two and he couldn't help be curious. The way they seemed to care about each other… it was amazing to see because it reminded him of his own relationships with his friends… To be able to die for them… that the type of relationship it reminded him of. Protecting each other no matter the consequences.

Sephiroth was curious as well as he had never seen this type of interaction before. He could tell that they were happy to be near each other those two Aquarius and Leo but there seemed to be this aura of sadness around them and… he didn't like it. But why should he care? He barely knew them and yet…

Cloud and Vincent observed the woman. She was gazing at the ceiling again but then she blinked and her blue eyes focused on them with a surprising intensity.

"You'll take care of him won't you?" She asked, her voice strong and unwavering.

They looked at each other and they nodded for a lack of better thing to do. Her eyes sharpened and she sat with a bit of difficulty. Her eyes gained a fire that cold rival those of hell itself and her face became a beastly visage of fury. "If I ever find out that you hurt him, in any way, shape, or form so help me god, I will hunt down every single last one of you and absolutely fucking nothing in the great sky above will help you. Do you understand me?" She said, her voice cutting through them like knives.

They nodded once again, amazed at her strength. To think that she was sick as she was and still had the strength to threaten them. She was brave that was sure.

Leo came back in with his phone in hand. "Aquarius… I'll see if I can get someone to come get you… and do me a favor will you?"

She blinked at him. "What is it?"

"I need you to tell the others not to come."

Her mind stopped for a moment before it caught up with her. "WHAT!" she screamed wondering if her leader had gone insane. "Are you insane! Do you know what the hell it is that your saying!" she roared fury enveloping her. Leo just took it in stride as he put his hands in his pockets and for a moment she saw another image of him with his hands in his pockets and the light of the sun reflecting on him and him pushing his glasses up with a smile…

"I know what I'm doing Aquarius and I'm doing this for their own good. I don't want anything like this to happen to them Aquarius… please understand."

She gazed at him and she could see her leader already building up walls to distance himself. Her face fell. Why didn't she realize?... This was hard on her leader too. She sighed and she clenched her hands into the covers. Why was it always him taking the burden, always sacrificing himself for them?

"I- I understand." He smiled at her and she couldn't resist returning it. She reached towards the side of her bed where her stuff was in the bag. She reached in and she rummaged around in it for a bit before coming to what she was looking for. She took out a little black box with intricate gold engravings. On the lid was the magic circle that depicted all the symbols of the Zodiac and in the middle was Fairy Tail's symbol.

She handed it to him. "Here. We never got to give this to you. It had been for your birthday but… you were busy." She remembered that day clearly and she wished she didn't. "The others pitched in to make it."

Leo ran his fingers down the lid before gently opening it. Clear crystals that reflected many colors stared back at him and was slightly startled to hear music start to play. The crystals shined for a moment before many colors exploded in the room. It was amazing to see. The stars of their home…

"Golden Grasslands…" Leo said to himself.

"We figured that you'd like to listen something you composed yourself but there's some other stuff there too."

"I Thank you… Aquarius, minna."

"Make the call, Leo. It's fine." She said quietly understanding and feeling just a bit better but her body still felt like it was aching horribly and it felt like it was terribly laden with something. She didn't know how Leo did it.

Leo flipped through the contacts before coming to the necessary one. He prayed it would work. He didn't know what he'd do otherwise. He knew that Aquarius could have opened up her own gate but he worried that if she tried to open one it would expend all of her magical energy and he didn't want to think what would could happen next.

"…H..ello?" A voice called in and in an instant he recognized it as the playful and cheerful voice of the resident Fire Dragon Slayer.

"Natsu?"

There was silence, before there was a scream and a loud thud. He could hear various curses in the background and he smiled at his antics. "Where have you been?!"

"I don't have much time Natsu. I need you to do me a favor."

"I Sure what is it?"

Thank god Natsu was being agreeable. "I need you to get Yukino to call on Swan and tell King that Aquarius needs to be picked up. As soon as possible, please."

"Sure. She's here at Fairy Tail anyway." He heard shuffling and voices talking. There were a few exclamations of surprise.

"Leo?" a soft feminine voice called out softly.

"Did Natsu tell you what's happening?"

"Yes. I will do as you ask…ano, are you coming back soon? Swan said a few things and… well…"

"Honestly, I'm not sure."

"Understandable. Best of luck, Leo." She said genuinely. There was a shuffling sound and he heard Natsu's familiar voice. "Just wait, Leo. Okay? Nakama wa haigo ni nakama o nokoshite imasen (nakama don't leave nakama behind)" He said with determination and amazing belief that Leo just had complete faith in him in that moment. Natsu would find a way. He always did.

"I'll hold you to it." Leo closed he phone and he sighed. He blinked as he heard a new upbeat song come up. "Fiesta?" he looked incredulously at the mermaid and she smiled sheepishly at him.

"Are you going to be okay?" Zack asked suddenly. She glanced at him before sighing.

"Yes. I'm sorry for causing a ruckus. I should have known better." She ran a hand through her long blue hair. "I should get ready…" she slipped off her pajamas not caring that there were men in front of her. She was still in her bikini anyway but to them it might as well be underwear. They looked away hastily and she cackled and Leo laughed as he laid on the bed.

Leo hummed along with the instrumental. "… Taiyouwo shimesu bokura no KOMPASU, Tadotteyukeba jiyuu ni nareru kara, Tomo ni uchiageyou hanabi kimochi hitotsu ni shite…."

"Taiyou wa shizumi kurikaesu, Ashita hare nante hoshou was nai kedo, Donna aranami sae mo umaku norikonashite, Unmei no rakuen was ima koko ni aaru…" Aquarius continued and they glanced at each other before laughing lightly. The panic Leo had felt earlier was starting abide a bit.

Leo gently closed the music box. He glanced at Aquarius, seeming to debate whether to do what he was thinking on doing. 'Screw it.' He thought as he ran his fingers down Aquarius' arm, and carefully began transferring a bit of his own magic energy to her. She snapped her head in his direction.

"What do you think you're doing?" she placed her jewelry on again; her choker, bracelets, arm bands, earrings, belt, and headpiece.

"What's it look like?"

She growled but didn't say anything.

Sephiroth didn't know what to make of them and neither did the others he was sure. They were the oddest beings he'd ever met. He turned his head to the wall and seeming to see beyond it. "Someone's here." He murmured.

Leo and Aquarius looked at each other. "Already? That was fast…" she told herself more than to them and she wasn't sure what to make of the development. She stood carefully and Leo helped her, not saying a word all the while. They came to the front entrance of the manor and they found the others gazing outside.

"What's wrong?" Cloud asked as he looked out as well.

"There's someone here, yo." Reno lit up one of his cancer sticks. Leo and Aquarius waslked passed them but she stopped before the door. She turned to them. She looked carefully at them and shesmiled seeing their confused looks.

"It was nice meeting you guys." That was all she said before Leo escorted her out and what she saw astounded both Leo and Aquarius.

There before them were all the Zodiac, but they were in human form it seemed. Capricorn was in his usual suit but was a middle aged man with white hair and a goatee and had an aura of elegance. Pisces were in their mother and son form. The mother wearing a beautiful white summer dress. Taurus was a buff male in a tank and pants. Gemini were a pair of twins near the age of 10 and 12 it seemed, one male and the other female. Cancer looked a bit more normal with a tamed hairstyle and less eye catching clothes. Scorpio was without his tail and was wearing pants but with a vest that showed off his chest. Sagittarius was without his horse costume but was in a suit with his long mane of hair down.

Virgo and the others looked like their usual selves. Now that he noticed they were all dressed in colorful clothing from his home world… and it was a sight to see. Leo couldn't bring himself to believe what he was seeing and apparently neither could Aquarius.

"Hey! Leo-sama!" Virgo yelled and suddenly they were running to them. More specifically to him.

In a blink of an eye they were on to him. He was smothered by all sides of various of his fellow friends. He barely had time to react.

"Man, Leo-sama do you know how much we missed you?"

"Leo-sama, Gemini missed you!" the twins hugged his legs.

"It has been chaos back home without your guidance Leo," Capricorn put in.

Leo heard various vices and he could barely register what they were saying, his mind was stuck on the part that they were actually there. But then he realized that it was a good and bad thing. This was the last time that they would see each other and possibly the very last time, for real.

"Everyone. If you would please." Immediately recognizing the authority in his voice, everyone lined up next to each other in front of him. "Why are all of you here first of all."

"Leo-sama, Seireio-sama sent us here to pick up Aquarius." Virgo spoke, her face emotionless as ever but they could hear the emotion behind her voice.

"He believed it to be a good opportunity." Capricorn spoke, pushing his glasses up momentarily.

"Seireio-sama made us bring this as well." Libra stepped up as she unstrapped a package he didn't know she had been holding. "This is a gift from him, Leo-sama. It can give you the ability to use Meteo Bureido and Gyarakushia Bureido (Meteor Blade and Galaxia Blade)"

The others gasped and Leo made half a shocked and strangled sound.

"He said you'd know when to use it. As well in there a gift from Master Makarov, Fairy Law and Fairy Glitter." She says calmly, as if he wasn't given some of the most destructive and powerful spells in existence. "There are instructions as well as a letter explaining."

Leo sighed and decided not to comment. "Everyone, I'm going to ask you not to come back here… for your own good. This is where we part ways, I'm afraid. For now," he added as he smiled sadly to them, "please understand,"

Some looked like they would start crying but they composed themselves.

The snapped straight in unison and they bowed to him, including Aquarius. "We don't die for our friends, we live for them!" Some had tears running down their faces. The Gemini twins wailed before they ran to him again, each one hugging one of his legs. Virgo stepped forward and her blues seemed troubled. "Do not worry my Prince, they will be taken care of. Please take care of yourself." She handed him a bag which he took.

Aries stepped forward, sniffling and crying heavily. "L-Leo I wish that everything was the way it was before but… O-oh I'm sorry Leo!" she flung forward and she hugged him as well, mindful of the still distraught twins. "Remember, that we love you and that they're all waiting for you!"

"Minna," Leo sighed feeling heartened that his friends would miss him. Of course he knew they would but there times that Lucy's words would just crawl into his head and just twist everything until it was unrecognizable. "You don't have to be sad. This isn't goodbye," he smiled brilliantly at them, "I know we'll see each other again, so smile will ya?"

They stared and then laughed. They gave him such nice smiles he committed them all to memory.

"We need to go." Aquarius stated as she turned around and began to walk away. She didn't look back, knowing that if she did she would waver and her resolve would crumble. The others relunctantly began to follow.

Leo watched until he couldn't see them anymore. He looked away as he noticed something I the bag. "A lacrima?" he held it and it caught the rays of the sun and in a brilliant show of color the floor showed a magic circle with the Fairy symbol in the middle. It was manipulating the light to make it…

Leo wasn't sure how he'd get by without the others around and now that he saw them again for once in a long time, and knowing that he won't see them in who knows how long made him feel sad. But he'll believe in his own words. In that he'd see them again one day, along with the others.

Feeling tired all of the sudden he let out an exhale, closing his eyes as he took in the breeze. 'Now… o need to find a way back home… and find out just what it is the Planet's trying to tell me.'


A/N: Okay so I understand that sending the Slayers plus Erza (though she might be temoporary) is a bit of an overkill but considering what happened in Edolas, I don't think so. I'd like to believe that Fairy Tail would learn from that escapade and plus their general overprotectiveness of guild members… yeah. But whatever, I do what I want.

Thanks for the reviews!