Forever's Not Enough

A/N: I decided to let Chapter 9 be published within this week. So here it is! Even if I am currently in the 'stranger zone' right now, I could still write. I won't let that simple thing bring me down. Anyways, I decided it would be fun if I answer some of your reviews. What has gotten into me? I suddenly became so happy even after a heart breaking event.

AngelTheSwordMage -Thank you for reviewing~! Nope they will not ruin StiCy. They want to improve it. Oh and, here's the chapter so you would understand xD

StiCyLover - Thank you for reviewing~!Well here it is! Forgive me if it's slight RoLu though but it's needed in the story. Just for some fun and building up suspense.

Eeveexme - Thank you for reviewing~! Here's the next chapter~! Hope you enjoy it~!

Jessica Phantomhive - Thank you for reviewing~! Yeah a lot of people wished for that. I received a PM about it, actually. They said it's kinda cool if they were Lucy in that situation.

Little Zeus - Thank you for reviewing~! You think it is? Really? Thank you very much for liking the story.

Okay just a little warning. This is not a filler chapter, nor is it a side story. This chapter is slight ROLU, but you'll get the point why I did it afterwards. I needed to do a little RoLu so that StiCy could win.


Chapter Nine - Preparing for the False Date

"Impossible!" Natsu snapped at the stranger, "Who the heck are you anyway?! And, yes we kicked Lucy out! But she could never be with Eucliffe! Even if she's weak and all, she doesn't deserve that bastard! And what do you mean by a train crash?! If she died, then we won't help you! Besides, we're not friends with her anymore!" he hollered, enough for everyone to hear.

The stranger smirked. "How unfortunate of me. My name is Bran Zaden. A childhood friend of hers. And I am sent by my mother to give something entrusted to her. I believe she is alive, so please help me find her. Once I deliver the item to Lucy, I would leave you alone. I know they have a mansion here somewhere but I don't know where its location is. And don't worry. I mean no harm to you. Forgive me if I sounded or looked evil. Looks can be deceiving" he chuckled.

"What is going on here? Ah, Bran Zaden! Welcome, my boy!" said an old voice from behind. It was Master Makarov.

Bran waved a hello, much to the confusion of the whole guild. Erza walked to the master. "Master, do you know this man? He was asking for help from us to look for Lucy so he could deliver a dear item to her. Should we help or would we decline?" Erza asked politely.

Master Makarov smiled. "What are you talking about, Bran? Of course my children we'll help! You grew into a fine man, and I believe Lucy was your childhood friend" he turned to Erza and said, "This man right here is Bran. He was the son of a former Fairy Tail mage. He already passed away and Bran kept on coming here to talk to me. You all wouldn't see him that much because he has shadow magic". The old man cleared his throat.

"We are going to help Bran look for Lucy! By 'we' I mean Team Natsu and me! No objections! We'll go check her mansion first tomorrow! So ready yourselves, we're going to meet your former comrade!" he announced.


Back at the mansion...

Today was the day, where everything will fall into place, or that's how Rogue hoped it would be. It's going to be special, crazy and he knows there would be some problems, but he already planned a solution to all possible mistakes. In fact, there are only two people who shouldn't know about his move. A 'move' that would change the atmosphere in this household. A 'move' where the best magic takes place...sorta. Ms. Spetto, prepared herself, too. She doesn't know if she's rather excited or nervous. She hoped for a perfect outcome and wished for it to be successful. Greg busied himself with wise words to use later on, so he grabbed a thesaurus from the library and read it from page one. Kyle studied new recipes for the upcoming events. Seira, tried acting natural. Kerlei, prayed that she wouldn't ruin everything. Mielle felt proud of herself. She's the one who taught Rogue some important stuff for this 'event'.

"Something's off with this house lately. I feel that all servants are too cooped up in one place. Is it just me or they all disappeared? It's like in a horror film or something. Did you notice that Lector?" Sting asked his cat.

The said exceed looked up. "Uh, nope. Maybe you're just nostalgic about being used to crowded places!" Lector lied. He was part of the plan as well. And he has a very important role in it. He should always stir Sting's attention to somewhere else.

"Okay...Now that you mention nostalgia about some weird crowded crap, I need to go somewhere where many people are. Like...Hmm...Ah I know! The kitchen! There are more servants working in the kitchen than in the guest rooms, living rooms and other rooms, right? So let's go to the kitchen, chat with good ol' Kyle and grab some early lunch!" Sting suggested.

Lector shook his head. "NO STING-KUN! I mean...The kitchen might be great but..." he couldn't just tell them that Rogue and the rest of the maids are there, discussing about the plan. It would spoil everything and he's one to blame. Even if he's a cat, there's no escape. "Don't you think you...uh...Need to exercise? I mean, your fighting skills are getting rusty, so you better flex outside, enjoy the fresh air and relax. And besides, Kyle must be busy right now and maybe they don't really need some bothering " he excused.

"Ah of course! I shouldn't bother their work! Good point, so I'll just get out and work out. I seldom do it nowadays, but mowing the lawn using the lawn mower properly helped me pick up speed. Remember the time I need to chase it until the hill? That was double the training I usually do before!" Sting chuckled, his mind getting off the topic a while ago, much to Lector's relief. All he could do now was stall him until the time is right. And lying could be the best way, or suggesting ideas that could take his attention off the sudden disappearance of the servants. Somehow he doubted it would be all worth it in the end.


Rogue walked through the third floor hallway, where the bedrooms are located. He's pretty sure that Lucy is there, reading a book or maybe writing her novel. He took a deep breath. If having a real date could make him this nervous, how much more about a fake date? It's not really a date, just a 'let's-get-out-of-here-and-tell-me-who-you-like-in -private' kind of thing. But still, he wanted to back out, his mind was buzzing, he really couldn't walk straight with all the tension. Yet on the outside, he perfectly hides his anxiety through a mainstream poker face that a lot of people use to hide their true emotions.

"Come on Rogue! You are not going to confess, even if you do like her! You are doing this for your brother and for her! You are the one who planned this and you won't also be the one to ruin it. Take your time. It's just a false date. A fake one. Not exactly a copy, but it's still a fake date. You won't just spat out something unbelievable, and you will never ever say your feelings to her. Ever. Do it for the idiot. For the idiot. Inhale. Exhale" he said to himself, smacking his forehead. "He belongs to someone better"

He knocked at the door gently waiting a reply from the inside. He heard a simple "Come in" from Lucy. Rogue entered, heart beating rapidly and mind buzzing. He stared at her intensely but you could see his mouth into a thin line. Although his expression might be a bit brighter than usual, Lucy wondered what he might be doing at this time of the day. She's sure that after lunch, Rogue would either stay in the library, the library...the library...Where he pretty much stays in the library like it's some sort of hideout.

"Hey, uh, L-lucy? Mind if we...Um...G-get out for a while? I mean it's pretty b-boring in here...And I really want to show you s-something" Rogue stuttered a bit.

Lucy raised an eyebrow at this, but she grinned anyway. "Sure, Rogue! Wait for me outside, I'll just get dressed!" she chirped. Rogue felt some relief.

He nodded, went outside her room and closed the door behind him. Ms. Spetto was waiting for him in front of her bedroom door, and she smiled at him. "I heard. She agreed, correct? Now all you have to do is follow the plan. I prayed that the results would go victorious! So just get out there, go on your so-called mini date and I'll make sure 'he' would be there. Go now, Rogue, there's no time to spare" Ms. Spetto happily shooed him away. Rogue confidently nodded and went outside as quick as possible.

However, Lucy was pacing in her room back and forth. She didn't know what to do. She wondered if Rogue was actually asking her out? Or he just really wanted to show her something? Sure he likes Rogue, but as a friend or a big brother. But could Lucy actually reject him if he ever confessed? Lucy gulped, what if he's not actually confessing? She sighed and just dressed up in her usual outfit. "He won't confess. He won't confess. We're just friends..." Lucy repeated in her mind.

She got out and dashed outside, Ms. Spetto smirking as she passed by like a small force of wind. Once she got out, she waved to Rogue. "Hey Rogue! I'm ready! Let's go!" she waved nervously.


I left yet another cliffhanger~! More RoLu on the next chapter, but don't worry the story is still StiCy. Thanks for all your kind reviews~!