I sucked in a breath, looking at the pink haired man.

"I didn't know." I said quietly and he shook his head.

"How could you? Anyway...it's getting late...might as well try and get some sleep eh?" He asked and I tilted my head slightly, chewing my lip for a moment.

"I think I'm gonna stay out a little more...look at the constellations." I said and he gave me a lingering look before shrugging.

"Whatever...anyway...night Luc-Lucille." He said my name awkwardly, like he wished he had something other than my name to call me like I called him Salamander. I couldn't bring myself to say his real name...the name I had known him as a child by. That would imply that we were friends. He had made it very clear that we weren't. And he was the Captain of Fairy Tail, I was the Captain of Sabertooth. Now that we weren't at war anymore, didn't mean we were friends. Bad blood can't be washed clean, it has to be taken out completely and replaced before the rest of the blood is infected. And I feared that we were all terribly sick.

I sighed, looking up at the sky, easily finding the lion constellation. I looked at it fondly, feeling my Lion's key shimmer as he told me he knew I was watching. I didn't bother to try to sleep, not wanting to remember that day~ although it was useless as my mind wandered.

If I had been a bit faster...hadn't toyed with the girl in front of me...if I hadn't stood my ground on the beach when our rivals approached. If I had made her stay on the ship that day because she had a headache...not telling her to suck it up and come with us...none of us should have gotten off the ship that day…

The image of Yukino stumbling, her strangled gasp as Salamanders blade went through her. Salamanders surprised and horrified face. The sound of the scream that echoed from Sting and I as we saw her fall to Salamanders feet. He had looked around quickly, ready to sound a retreat when I let out a cry, Sting lurching forward toward Salamander but being stopped by a force, looking down his eyes widened when he saw the white haired girl, her eyes wide in shock. Looking back at Salamanders eyes you could see the grief and disbelief filling his eyes as Sting looked at Salamander, narrowed his eyes and twisted the sword in Lisanna's stomach, causing her to cough up blood. The fighting stopped, screams of agony and grief overcame both groups, with myself running past a group of Fairies with some of my crewmates, kneeling and holding onto Yukino while the group of Fairies cradled Lisanna's body. I looked into Yukino's eyes as she coughed and struggled for breath, tears going down my face.

"Yuki...Yuki shhh it's gonna be alright we're gonna fix you up and you'll be all better don't worry okay!" I said, applying pressure to her wound. She coughed and shakily grabbed my now blood soaked hands, holding them tightly.

"T-take care of S-Sting...a-and...my spirits…" She said hoarsely, coughing up blood. I shook my head, squeezing her hands back.

"No No no! I'm not taking your spirits because you're gonna be up and walking soon we're gonna get you healed up." I said but she was smiling softly at me, very gently shaking her head.

"Hey Lu…? My….my head...it doesn't hurt anymore…." She managed out and the tears increased as she leaned her head against my lap, letting out a deep, struggled breath as her body started to relax.

"Yuki...YUKI!" I screamed as her eyes closed. My body was shaking violently...as I screamed and wailed, gripping her hair and bringing her head up to mine, putting my forehead on hers as my tears fell onto her cheeks. My heart had broken that moment, it had fallen out as I started to breathe harder, not in sadness, but sudden anger, rage, hatred. I looked up to see Salamander and Sting staring at each other, both not knowing what to do, go comfort the crew...or attack each other. I met Stings gaze, mine filled with all my emotions.

"Kill him." I breathed out desperately. Salamander turned slightly, looking at me with what seemed a hurt expression on his face as he took in my bloody hands, puffy eyes seeing as I hadn't began wearing the mask yet, and tear stained cheeks. Then it turned into rage and hatred as well.

"Stop it," A low voice behind me whispered as hands went around my waist in an embrace, a chin resting on my shoulders in an affectionate stance. I sighed, blinking away the dust and tears that formed from my unblinking eyes as I had remembered.

"I didn't summon you." I said quietly, turning to look at my Lion. He looked up at me, without the blue tinted glasses in the way that rested on his nose.

"I could feel your distress." He murmured, kissing my shoulder gently.

"Loke, Sting lied to me...I'm not his soul mate." I said quietly.

"Mmm of course you're not, you're mine." He said and I rolled my eyes, pulling away and looking at him.

"Be serious." I said and his grin faded.

"I'm sorry Lucille...maybe he doesn't care though? Maybe he wants you to be his regardless?" He asked and I thought for a moment, remembering Salamander saying that Lisanna was mentally his soul mate.

"Maybe...I don't know...anyway. I'm going to bed. Night Loke." I said but he didn't leave, just followed after me.

"Need a snuggle buddy?" He asked and I considered it for a moment before nodding, letting him walk into Erza's room where another bunk had been put temporarily for me. I had had a long day, I was tired, confused, and needed comfort. And what better way than to get comfort from an overgrown kitten? I kicked off my boots, sliding out of my pants and taking off my waist coat. Loke attempted to look away but I didn't care, he had seen me almost completely naked before during battles. He wasn't exactly complaining though. I climbed into the bed and under the sheets, letting him slide in with me. He pulled me against him and I cuddled into him, closing my eyes as the low, rhythmic sound of his heart beat was replaced with the soft vibrations from his purr. He knew just how to put me to sleep.

That's what I adored about Loke. No matter what he was always a shoulder to lean on, if I was upset I could trust him to be my friend, not someone who wanted me romantically. I knew he was attractive, that had never escaped my attention but we both knew nothing would ever happen. It's not like he waited around anyway. But it was times like this where I felt my connection to him stronger than before. I had saved his life, almost killing myself in the process from how much energy I put out in such a short amount of time.

"Go to sleep my darling." He cooed gently into my ear and I sighed, feeling safe for the first time in two weeks. He would protect me from the bad things.


-edited version -