I really didn't want to put it off :P So yeah, it's shorter, but at least it's not 1,000 words again.

Chapter 9! I appreciate reviews!


The minute Hiyori stepped into the guild headquarters, she honestly didn't expect Sting to swarm all over her in greeting. She had returned from a 4 day trip, and the whole thing was practically on foot for her. Delivering such a secretive, but urgent letter was very time-consuming. And let's not forget aggravating. She had taken off her rain cloak and folded it over her arm, and her wet shoes had squeaked against the crystalline floor.

Even though it wasn't a hostile environment, Hiyori strode to be immaculate and respectable to the other wizards. After all, it was still a relatively new guild she had joined. A good one, but still. So it was totally unexpected when Sting jumped her at the entrance with a huge grin and lung-clogging hug.

"Can't-breathe-" The blonde choked as he squeezed all of the oxygen out of her body.

"Gomen, Hiyori!" Sting was in a fabulous mood, judging by his joyful demeanor. Well, he was usually like that, but he seemed to be downright jolly at this moment.

"Is there a special occasion that I'm missing out on?" It was difficult to hold back from giggling at her boyfriend's funny antics.

"Ah, not exactly. But my friend from the Grand Magic Games is here. He's from Fairy Tail." Sting explained, still giddy. "And other than that. . . I'm just in a good mood."

Hiyori rose on her tiptoes to pat Sting on the head. "That's good to hear, especially since you've been stressed out." She said comfortably. Even though he was the nicest person she'd ever met, even Sting was susceptible to pain and pressure as a guild master. She tilted her head. "Fairy Tail, you said?"

"Yeah. You weren't there, but they actually beat us in the Daimontu Embu, about 2 years ago."

Hiyori was astonished at this. "Really?! I thought you guys did!" It was true, she had truly believed that they had gained first place in the Grand Magic Games two years back. It was a shame; if only the Daimontu Embu hadn't been taken off as an event then maybe she could see FairyTail's abilities for herself.

What she also didn't know were the details and nobody in Sabertooth would tell her what incidents occurred in the final Grand Magic Games.

Sting shook his head. He was embarrassed. "Nope."

"Whoa." She breathed. "They must be the best of the best then. . " No way would she ever be able to get into a guild like that, no matter how hard she tried. All she had was her ring, and her magic was specifically utilized in holder's magic, not caster magic.

The white dragon slayer nodded. "Not just that. They had heart. They believed in each other."

Heart.

"Hey, you ain't thinking about leaving Sabertooth, are you?" Sting chided, slinging an arm across Hiyori's shoulder. He smirked at her as if he could see the depths of her soul which was not possible.

Hiyori scoffed and shoved his arm off of her body. "No way. Sabertooth is still the best in my eyes." She spoke gamely.

"Atta girl." Sting sang, and patted her head somewhat condescendingly as if imitating the act of intimacy she had just done to him a few minutes ago.

The ring mage needed to switch to different matters. "Enough of that, Sting. I was going to tell you first thing that I got the letter to him."

Sting's face molded into a more serious expression. "Successfully?"

"Successfully. But next time, let me use transportation." Hiyori said lightly, already missing Sting's happy-go-lucky behavior. "Okay?"

"Fine, fine. I just want you and Natsu to meet. I have a feeling you'll like each other." Sting waved off the cold atmosphere and returned to his cheerful phase. He halted before they could head to the dining room. "Wait. Are you wearing proper clothes?"

Hiyori blushed. "I was wearing a dress when I got here." She knew it was downright stupid to wear something like that while traveling, but she ran out of clothes to wear.

Sting took in her attire and grinned approvingly without commenting. He guided her through the right corridors.

It was silent for awhile, with only footsteps ringing in Hiyori's ears. It was hard to relax since they were walking through these halls. The cold never failed to form crawling goosebumps along her skin. She preferred nice, hotter than room temperature warmth. The imaginary feeling thawed the goosebumps.

"I had to fight him in the Games, actually." The white dragon slayer mentioned.

"Who? Natsu from Fairytail?"

"Yeah," Sting leaned his head back to stare at the ceiling as they continued to move. His eyes dilated as the lamps hanging up on the ceiling shined upon his face. "I promised Lector I'd beat him when the opportunity came along."

Hiyori folded her arms and looked up along with him. She always loved the decor. "Did you?" She inquired.

Still in the same position he was in before, he said a curt "no."

Hiyori found herself regarding her boyfriend. If he knew she was staring, he didn't react. "You still admire him even after he beat you?"

Sting offered her a weak smile. "Pathetic, right? If Master Jiemma were still here, he would've kicked me out already."

Hiyori remembered that Sting told her that technically, Jiemma was about to kick Sting out at one point but that was besides the point. "That's not pathetic. It just shows how mature you are." Hiyori worded matter-of-factly. In fact, she was proud of Sting for taking the loss positively.

Her boyfriend's features loosened (it took Hiyori this long to realize that they had been tight in the beginning) ever so slightly. His brows were furrowed and this meant that Sting was still deep in thought.

Something else was bothering him.

The holder mage was about to bring this up but Sting stopped shortly at the door beside them. They were here.

He pushed it open and no one paid heed to his reappearance at all. Hiyori's guild mates were literally standing on top of the tables and punching each other.

She drew her fingers to her lips. "My god." She coughed out a laugh. It was safe to say that it was chaotic at the moment.

"Oi, guys! I'm back with Hiyori." Sting called across the room, which was ridiculous with all the pandemonium occurring. The sight of Rogue and Yukino coming toward them was almost remarkable. Hiyori had forgotten about dragon hearing. Dragon slayers' ears were extremely keen that even inaudible whispers to human ears could be heard by them.

"Welcome back, Hiyori." Rogue greeted.

Yukino was right on his heels and she embraced Hiyori with a hug. "Welcome back, Hiyori-chan." The celestial spirit mage said brightly.

"Thanks Rogue; Yukino." It was wonderful to be back in Sabertooth with her beloved nakama.

Sting rose on his toes and scanned the room, ignoring the wizards' constant clashing and colliding. "Is Natsu still at the table?""Yes." Yukino answered quickly, sidestepping in front of Rogue uneasily. "He looks comfortable where he is, after he ate some of his dinner."

"All of his dinner." Rogue nitpicked ominously.

"All of his dinner." Yukino revised, shooting the shadow mage a warning.

"All of the food in the kitch-"

"We'll be with Dobengal if you need us," Yukino raised her voice as if it would omit Rogue's. She indicated the brunet with a sharp finger. "Let's go, NOW, Rogue." She grabbed hold of his sleeve that was slightly slid over Rogue's wrist, and hauled him to the table where Dobengal and the other guild members were seated.

Hiyori scratched her temple, confused. "Did I. . . miss something?" She asked to no one in particular, mostly herself.

"Dunno." Sting stepped forward. "I think he's at the back of the room. Follow me." He clasped Hiyori's hand and maneuvered them around the large crowds of mages that were brawling.

In Hiyori's opinion, it felt like forever to get to a single destination that was in this very room. But Sting let go of her hand and she looked up to discover a table that was particularly empty except for one person.

The man was slouching against the chair lazily - that was the first thing Hiyori noticed. As she got closer, she saw his hair. Pink. A grown man dyed his hair pink?! Hiyori wished to laugh or let something out so she pressed her knuckle against her mouth and stifled a giggle.

Salmon, was the color, she realized. It actually complemented with his facial features and didn't look artificial at all. In fact, he looked around her age, maybe a year or two older. Then again, she only perceived a side-view of this Fairytail mage.

When they were finally standing before him, she could discern a beautiful emblem centered on his right shoulder. Was this the symbol of the Fairy Tail guild? To a certain extent, she bent over to admire it without stirring the salmon-haired man.

"Natsu!" Sting called to him, even though he was sitting right there.

Natsu's eyelids fluttered open. Not all the way, but it was clear that he could see them. "Hmm?" he mumbled drowsily.

Was it Hiyori, or did that voice also complement his physical attributes? Hiyori wanted to laugh again. This man - boy if anything - was just too much.

"This is my girlfriend, Tanaka Hiyori." Sting introduced her instantly. He wrapped an arm around her and silently encouraged her to speak to him with a jut of his chin. He dropped his arm as Hiyori approached him so they were only a few feet away from each other.

The Fairy tail mage held out a hand, with eyes half-lidded. "Nice to meet you," He ascended his gaze and his eyes opened all the way. "Hiyori-" He stopped.

Hiyori smiled warmly. "Nice to meet you, Natsu Dragneel." His eyes were charcoal black. She leaned forward to take his hand.A series of sudden events occurred that Hiyori wasn't able to process.

Natsu fell out of his chair.

Hiyori gaped at him and hurried over to his fallen figure. "Hey, are you alright?!"

"Get away from me!" Natsu gasped. He scrambled to his feet before Hiyori could inspect any injuries.

Sting rushed forward. "Natsu-san!" The white dragon slayer shouted worriedly.

The roughhousing in the dining room had come to an end and everyone was seeing the little spectacle that was taking place.

Hiyori saw something flash in Natsu's eyes. Green. Weren't his irises onyx? She had just seen them, but now they were a startling green that burned through her own eyes.

The next thing Hiyori saw was Sting's figure floating behind Natsu. Floating. She tried to get up but failed to move to her feet. "Sting!" She cried.

Natsu Dragneel was wringing her boyfriend's neck.

Orga rose aggressively, pounding his fists. "Salamander! Get your hands off of-"

"Fire Dragon's Roar!" Red hot flames blurred Hiyori's vision completely. She shielded her eyes desperately, but her thoughts were still revolving around Sting.

With eyes still shut, she surged forward. Her feet still weren't capable of carrying her weight so she crawled blindly towards where she thought Sting and Natsu were.

"-I don't know what kind of sick joke you're playing on me, Eucliffe."

Hiyori parted her eyes. Sting was pressed against the wall and he was clawing at his own neck while Natsu clutched his throat tightly. Hiyori weakly took in the sight of a flaming barrier surrounding her and Sting and the fire wizard.

Her first thought was her ring. . but when she looked at her right hand, the ring wasn't on her middle finger. She curled her fingers with a moan. No one. . . could save them. . .

The fire mage's voice was raspy. "But if you ever do something like that again, I'm going to tear you. Limb. From. Limb." Natsu dropped Sting and the white dragon slayer gasped and his hands flew to his own throat.

Hiyori barely saw Natsu snatch something from Sting's left side. The fire dragon slayer examined the object almost hungrily.

The familiar clink and clunk of jewel sounded in the object. Hiyori immediately realized Natsu had stolen Sting's jewel, and that the currency was in the very pouch Natsu was holding. Gaining a sudden burst of energy, she shrieked,"You-!" And lashed out at his ankle.

Natsu avoided her arm. His eyes flashed again, through all the smoke. His figure dematerialized and the smoke completely filled the space where he had been. He was gone.

"Sting, Sting!" She sobbed and she coughed at the taste of ashes filling her lungs. She crawled and forced herself to sit on her knees. She cupped Sting's face in desperation. "Stay with me! Please!" She forced her ear against his chest for any signs of the heart still beating.

There was only silence. Hiyori clamped her palms on her mouth. Constant tears trailed down her cheeks and neck.

Thump.

Hiyori froze.

Thump.

The ring mage laughed and cried at once, draping herself around Sting.

She was going to die. All because of that heartless. . . .

No, she couldn't die this way. She wouldn't! She shakily rose and brought Sting's arm around her shoulders.

"We - are - going - to-" She swallowed despite her scratchy, raw throat. "Survive!"


I'm sorry for the recap, but I wanted to show Hiyori's POV for this chapter.