Wow - it's been forever since I've updated this story. I'm so sorry for the long wait! I love you guys, and thanks for being so patient with me!
Personally, I don't like this chapter as much as the others, though. It's also the shortest one so far.
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
"Sting… Juvia's been wondering," Juvia asks as the group makes its way down the confusing corridors of the guild.
Lifting a thin, blond eyebrow, Sting urges, "Do go on."
"Juvia's noticed that Rogue wears a katana," the water mage observes thoughtfully. "However, Juvia has never seen him use it before."
A strange sound emanating from his throat, Sting raises his fist to his mouth. The noise again warbles out of the Dragon Slayer's maw, despite his attempts to stifle it. "He doesn't!" Sting's shoulders shake with laughter. "Allow me to regale you with the tale!"
Lucy exchanges a glance with Juvia. This ought to be… interesting.
"You see, when we were younger, Rogue was an amazing swordsman… Okay, I'm lying. He was rather inept with a blade, truth be told, but he still had one for some reason," explains Sting, the Dragon Slayer still trying to restrain his mirth and failing miserably. "I have no idea where he got it, but he had it."
The Celestial mage stares at the man, incredulity written upon her face. "That… seems impractical. If he couldn't use it, why did he carry it?" Lucy asks, perplexed. "Actually, why does he still cart it around with him? It's just useless weight, right? I may not know the man particularly well, I have to admit… but it doesn't sound like something Rogue would do."
Then again, the Dragon Slayer had hidden the cookies from Sting. And had then proceeded to mess with him. So maybe it wasn't too far outside the realm of possibility for him to behave as such.
With a nod, Juvia adds, "Juvia agrees. Juvia can understand Sting and Love-Rival doing something so pointless-"
"Hey!" the blonds protest in unison.
"But Juvia is a bit surprised at the thought of Rogue doing it."
Groaning, Sting shakes his head at the Water mage. "You'd be surprised. Rogue can be just as nonsensical as me when he feels like it."
So Sting was aware that he often made no sense? And yet he persisted in acting that way. Wonderful to know, that.
Sting, presumably unaware of Juvia and Lucy's identical expressions of bewilderment at his prior statement, blithely went on, "He did learn how to use the thing. Eventually. Nowhere near Erza's level, or that scary Mermaid Heel girl Kagura Mikazuchi, for example. Still. He can wield a katana now."
Sighs of relief whoosh out from the two Fairy Tail mages' lungs. Lucy isn't sure why, but the idea of Rogue carrying around a weapon he doesn't know how to wield makes her distinctly uncomfortable. Though she's seen Natsu do much the same, so really - why does it bother her? Shaking it off as unimportant for the moment, Lucy redirects her attention to what Sting was saying.
"A few years ago, though… he stopped using the one he carried around." Frowning, Sting's steps slow. "I asked him why, but all he would say was that his old one broke. And that he couldn't afford to use this one." With a roll of his cerulean eyes, Sting's pace increases once more. "Whatever that means. Rogue still occasionally practices his sword-work with other blades, so I assume he could wield that katana if he absolutely had to."
A slow smile spreading across his face, Sting glances at Lucy with a mischievous sparkle in his gaze. "I'm sure if you ask him, Blondie, he might tell you why."
Huffing, Lucy brushes off Sting's words. "And why, precisely, would he choose to tell me as opposed to his oldest friend?"
Sting and Juvia exchange skeptical glances at Lucy's question.
"Love-Rival," Juvia sighs and shrugs, as if it explained everything.
Sting holds out his arms in an equally helpless gesture. "They're a matched set, I'm telling you."
Lucy's amber gaze darts between the pair, trying to discern where the insult was in their statements. Because it is patently obvious to the Celestial mage that they are making fun at her expense. Somehow. And when she discovers what it is, she's going to call them out on it.
But for now it remains a mystery to her. Especially when they begin to laugh at her bewildered expression.
As the group approached the main guild area, they are surprised to see Gray already sitting at a table and plowing into a plate of food at a pace furious enough to match his long-time rival's. Apparently he had not fled the guild as Lucy had earlier assumed.
"Gray-sama!" With that call, Juvia disappears from others' sides, only to suddenly rematerialize way too close to the Ice Make Mage.
A tiny, muffled screech of terror warbles out of Gray's throat, the man tripping all over his own limbs and the table's bench in his frantic effort to escape the Water Mage and her affections.
The rest of the Sabertooth guild members present laugh at the free show.
Sliding into Gray's vacated spot, Sting rubs his hands in glee at the abandoned food. "Don't mind if I do!"
"I mind! I mind, goddammit!" Gray shrieks, fleeing Juvia's heartfelt embrace she was currently bestowing upon him.
The sudden appearance of a knife thunking into the wood in front of him gave Sting considerable pause.
"Stealing other people's food is rude, Master Sting!" scolds Yukino, emerging from the kitchen.
"Yes, ma'am," the Dragon Slayer responds weakly. Shrinking down in his seat, he shuffles slowly away from Gray's plate. "Understood. Loud and clear."
Brilliant, dazzling smile upon her angelic face, Yukino greets the others with a polite and cheerful, "Good morning, everyone! I can have your brunch finished for you in just a few minutes. Why don't you take a seat, and let me know if you would like to drink anything?"
Returning her fellow Celestial Mage's smile, Lucy places herself across from Gray, who was crawling back up onto the bench. Juvia sits beside her beloved, squirming her way between Sting and Gray. "I would love some juice Mira - oh my goodness!" she blurts in alarm, face reddening at the blunder. "I'm so sorry! It just - I automatically..."
Yukino shakes her head, giggling. "It's quite alright, Lucy-sama! Honest mistake!"
Nearby, Sting began to snicker softly. At least, until Yukino retrieved the large piece of cutlery from the tabletop by yanking it out with considerable force and deliberate emphasis within her motions. Then he stays quiet.
Though not for long, of course. This is Sting, after all.
"So where the hell is Rogue?!" the Dragon Slayer demands, flopping onto the table. "We have guest to entertain!"
"Actually, we would just like to eat," Lucy informs him, smiling. "But Rogue did mention that he had an errand in town, when I ran into him earlier this morning."
At this point, Yukino returns with the plates, forestalling Sting's response - though he does blink and peer at his fellow blond in obvious suspicion. "Thanks, Yukino!" he says, and then turns back to Lucy. "And when exactly was this, Blondie?"
"Before you showed up," Lucy states with a shrug. "Thank you so much, Yukino!"
"You're welcome!" the silver-haired woman returns. "I'll be in the kitchen with Lector, if you need me! He's helping today."
"Whatever you're thinking, Sting, stop," a dulcet voice intoned, its owner stepping into the room. "You'll give yourself an aneurism."
"Methinks you doth protest too much!" Sting sings at his returning partner. "So what were you up to that was so important, you had to leave these lovely ladies - and moi - behind?"
His mouth occupied with his breakfast, and unable to speak, Gray sweeps his hand around in several gestures that clearly state, 'What am I? Chopped wing-fish?'
Receiving the message, Juvia hugs her guild mate's arm. "Gray-sama always matters to Juvia!"
Lucy fights back a mischievous grin in anticipation of what she wants to say next. That stupid blue cat was definitely wearing off on her. "You're the loveliest of all, Gray."
Juvia's eyes narrow at her blonde friend. "Juvia agrees with Love-Rival. But doesn't feel right about that statement coming from Love-Rival."
"Fro thinks so, too!" the costume-clad Exceed chirps, emerging from behind Rogue's legs.
Sighing, Gray gives up. Swallowing his food, he gives a small wave at Rogue. "Hey, Rogue," he greets. "And good morning, Frosch."
The small Exceed totters over to the group. "Good morning!" Clamoring onto the tabletop, it chooses to sit beside Lucy. "Did you like the room? Fro chose it!"
With a gentle pat to the cat's head, Lucy replies, "Yes, thank you, Frosch. You did a very good job."
"Fro thinks so, too!" it purred.
Rogue nearly smiles at the sight. "Good morning, Lucy. Gray. Juvia-san."
"Dude, it's totally afternoon!" Sting interjects before the rest get a chance to return the greeting. "And stop ignoring me!"
Rolling his eyes, Rogue sits beside Lucy.
Remembering their exchange from earlier, Lucy flushes a little. And completely not because of his close proximity. Not much of a blush at all, really.
But apparently noticeable to the rest of the people at the table, and their smirks directed at her. She may as well be wearing a sign saying, "I am confused about how this person makes me feel!"
...Actually...
She glances up, looking for just such a sign. She doesn't put it past Gray to pull a stunt like that.
"What are you looking at?" Rogue inquires, peering at Lucy with curiosity in his scarlet eyes.
Jumping, she squeaks out, "Nothing!"
Concern on his face, he thankfully lets it drop. "Alright."
"Sooooo?" Sting cajoles. "Where were you slinking off to before?"
The Shadow Dragon Slayer's face falls back into its usual, bland expression as he regards Sting. "I don't slink."
"You totally do, man. But that's not the point. What were you up to?"
"Inspecting the damage the storm did," Rogue replies. "And seeing if the tracks were clear enough for our guests to return via train. The Station Master assures me that all the railroads are functional and that the trains - though delayed - are running."
Lucy beams at him. "Thank you so much, Rogue!"
His eyes soften towards her slightly. "You are most welcome, Lucy."
Sting makes an exaggerated gagging noise at the sight, swiftly silenced by a glare from Rogue.
"Oh, that reminds me!" Lucy leans forward, catching Sting's gaze. "Rogue and I were talking last night, and I have a question for you."
Perking up, the blond man nods. "Ask away, Blondie!"
"Sting... how did you get a hold of my personal, home address?"
Everyone at the table freezes in place, including Sting himself.
"Well?" Lucy gently prods.
Brightening suddenly, the White Dragon Slayer nods vigorously at the Celestial mage. "Okay! I'll tell you! You see, Jason…"
"Stop!" Lucy orders, sweat beading upon her brow and alarmed by the great enthusiasm in his response. "Never mind. I don't want to know after all!"
Slamming a fist into the table, Sting makes all the breakfast plates jump. "Oh, come on!" he complains. "You people keeping asking me this! So why, whenever I try to answer, does no one actually want to hear the story?!"
"Because you're too eager to tell it!" Lucy and Rogue chorus.
Juvia begins to giggle at the pair. "Juvia would like to remind Love-Rival that you had a question for Rogue-san, too."
Regarding her blankly, Lucy tries to recall what Juvia is talking about. "I do?"
"Yes! About the sword."
"Oh, right!" Lucy smiles at the Water mage. "Thanks, Juvia!" Turning towards Rogue, the Celestial mage meets Rogue's curious expression. "I was wondering about the katana you carry around -"
She stops, as Rogue's face abruptly turns to one of quiet, acute, complete and utter panic.
Nervous sweat beading down his face, Rogue gives his head a slight shake. "I would rather not talk about that, please."
"Um... okay," Lucy agrees. "Can I ask why, though?" she inquires, perplexed by the strange response. "Is something the matter?"
"I was... I was fourteen when I... acquired this katana," Rogue says slowly. "And it's... This is a time of my life I prefer to not revisit, if at all possible. Especially not the... circumstances that led to it being in my possession."
Comprehension dawns in Sting's eyes. "Wait a second, is this from that one time you went off on that unapproved job and-"
"Sting. Shut up," Rogue warns him. "I don't wish to discuss this. How about we all eat, instead." His does not indicate that it is a suggestion.
Laying a hand gently, on Rogue's arm, Lucy smiles up at him. "That's fine, Rogue. And I'm starving!"
She shoots a warning look at Sting before he can open up his mouth to say anything further on the topic.
"So, Lector is helping Yukino cook?" she asks, turning her attention to her plate, piled high with food. "Does he do that often?"
Successfully distracted by the mention of his cat, Sting launches into a long-winded monologue on Lector's many good traits and talents.
Rogue nudges Lucy's arm, mouthing the words, "Thank you," to her.
Smiling back at the Shadow Dragon Slayer, she mouths in return, "You're welcome."
She'll find out someday. If Rogue is ever ready to tell her.
Whatever it must be, she suspects it's highly embarrassing for the man.
Mavis knows how mortifying Lucy finds at her own memories of that age!
For those of you who recognize the sword from one of my other stories... Congratulations!
Let me know what you all think of this chapter!
