Hi guys! Yeah, its a little later than usual, but its here XD I was actually working on chapter 12. I also accidentally left my plot somewhere and I can't get it back until Thursday so there might not be any update tomorrow. I'll try my best. On the bright side, chapter 12 is gonna have a fight scene and it's going to be awesome. I hope.(Finally I know) But anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter! Thank you guys again for all the support you've given me.

Chapter 11 (She's Taken)

Lucy's pov,

Thousands of people were clapping all around me. Cheering the same word over and over again. "Finish him! Finish him!"

I didn't even look at them as I walked closer to my opponent. As I neared him I realised he was pretty beat up. The way his breathing hitched every time his muscles twitched. The way dried blood covered most of his left arm. I smirked. Wonderful.

A little part of me, the part of me who was barely audible at the moment was screaming at me to stop. To stop and look at who was really there. The voice was so annoying that I obeyed, I instantly regretted it. As soon as I lifted my head to meet my opponent's eyes I knew who it was.

I froze as mind absorbed who was standing in front of me. He was dragging himself up from the dirt and scowling at me. He would always convince himself that he could beat an opponent no matter how strong he or she was. He was always that stupid.

"I'LL BEAT YOU LUCY I SWEAR!"

I didn't even flinch as he ran at me for what felt like the thousandth time. His flaming fist didn't even connect with it's target before he bounced straight off my poison barrier and back to the arena's walls.

I walked over to him slowly. "Natsu, you can't fight me. Stop." I said, my voice strangely cold. He glared at me, growling. "No, NO I'LL SHOW YOU!"

I sighed and extended my hand over to him. "Get up. This isn't worth it." He was silent, his face turned downwards so he didn't even meet my eyes. But just when I was going to force him to stand up he slapped my hands away.

I scowled. "What are you doing?!" I hissed, the sound of his hand slapping against mine echoed in my ears. He smirked. "I don't need you pity... I'm going to fight you and win, Lucy. I'll show you that you belong to Fairy Tail, not to them."

I stared at him then at Fairy Tail's stand, but their eyes betrayed no visible emotions. I sighed. "You just don't get it Natsu, do you? I don't do this friendship thing anymore. Ok?" My voice shaking slightly with frustration and anger.

He stood up shaking and charged his fists with fire again. "Then who are they?" He snapped pointing an accusing finger at Sabertooth's stand. I was silent, what could I have possibly answered him with? "I've lost my best friend once. I'm not loosing her twice. You'll come back to Fairy Tail, Lucy. Even if it KILLS ME!" I stared at him quietly not knowing to say.

"Lucy don't listen to him, finish him." A voice snapped angrily. I turned around to see who had spoken.

Sting.

I stared at him wide-eyed but before I could say anything Natsu's rushed me again. "LIGHTNING FIRE DRAGON ROAR!" He roared. A pillar of lightning fire fired straight at me. I couldn't move. I couldn't think.

"LUCY MOVE!" Sting screamed. But my body didn't even register it, my legs weren't listening at all. I closed my eyes, this was the end. I was going to die at the hands of Natsu, the person who had always saved me no matter what.

I couldn't help but grin as I remembered something I had said when I had destroyed Succubus Eye.

Irony was a beautiful thing.

Suddenly the sound of Natsu's attack connecting rang through my ears. The sound of explosions touching down on the dry earth. My heart that was hammering in my chest skipped a beat and only one thought echoed through my head.

I was dead.

So why could I still feel everything, smell everything?

This wasn't making sense, everything was what it should be if Natsu's attack had hit. The sound of fire burning through flesh, the smell of charred skin making me gag.

But why was I still alive?

I snapped open my eyes and stared in shock. A silent scream working it's way from my throat.

The attack had connected alright, but on the wrong person. I was frozen in front of Sting's burnt body as he fell to the ground. I screamed. Shock and fear creeping it's way up my spine.

"I told you to move Blondie." He muttered as he turned around slowly so he was facing me. A soft grin plastered on his face. I stared at him furious, tears falling from my eyes. "You idiot. Why did you save me?!" I muttered under my breath.

He laughed weakly. "Why? Because I have to." I felt my breath sharpen but I said nothing. I chuckled softly. "Your even more stupid than I thought." He grinned.

I looked away from him so I was facing Natsu now. Dark Energy swirling around me. He glared back his eyes burning like coals. "Lucy..." I smiled darkly. "Natsu, you never know when to stop do you?"

Suddenly I thrust my hand up in the air, a spell on the tip of my tongue. "DRAGON SOUL!"

"Lucy-san?" I groaned as the voice penetrated my foggy thoughts.

Urgh, five more minutes.

"Lucy-san!" The voice said, sharper now. I sighed again and rolled over so I was facing away from the direction of the voice. "Lucy!" The voice was yelling now. I opened my mouth to shut it up.

"Go away." I mumbled sleepily, waving a hand tiredly at them. "Blondie, it's ten o'clock, get your lazy ass up." I snapped open my eyes at the different voice. "Sting? What are you doing here?" I hissed as I sat up from my bed, or Yukino's couch. Yukino stood next to Sting looking a little miffed off.

"Lucy-san quickly, we have to get to the guild. We're late for an announcement. Sting-sama came here to fetch us." I directed my gaze towards Sting. "She sent you?" He smirked nodding. "Nice look, I like the bird's nest hair. Very fashionable."

I stared at him confused before turning around so I was facing the window. I felt my eyes widened at the way I looked. My hair looked like it went through the Spin Cycle of a washing machine and my face had dried drool all over it. Add that together with my rumpled clothes, if I looked like anything right now, it would be Godzilla in the morning.

I scowled. "Shut up and get out. I'll be ready in a second." I muttered it, more to myself than to him but I knew he heard anyway. I slowly dragged myself off of Yukino's couch and stumbled to her bathroom where I had left my toiletries in there yesterday night.

As I dragged a brush through my tangled hair I saw flashes of my dream from last night here and there. I flinched, I could still smell the charred flesh. Feel the heat and dust from the arena. The like-ness between the dream arena and the Domus Flau sent a chill down my spine.

Was this more than a dream?

'I'll show you Lucy, you belong to Fairy Tail, not them.'

'Why? Because I have to.'

I stiffened while squirting some toothpaste onto my toothbrush. Impossible. No way. A deep red blush creeped it's way up my cheeks as I remembered Sting's confession. But it took me a second to realise that he was outside too.

This really shouldn't be bothering me that much after what happened yesterday but it did bother me. A lot. And now the person of said dream was outside, waiting for me. And I have to be around him all day. I groaned as I spat the toothpastes out of my mouth.

Good job Lucy, yet another amazing dream your stupid brain thought up. I sighed and quickly wiped my face. It's fine Lucy everything is going to be fine. Your going to be ok, remember?

I breathed deeply as I looked at my reflection in the mirror.

Your going to be ok.

With my wits in order I walked back outside to get dressed, only to find Sting still there, alone.

I stared at him wide-eyed, panicking. Oh god, oh god. This was not good. At least with Yukino around I could talk to her and ignore Sting completely, or until I forget about the dream but now...

Sting smirked at my dazed expression. "I know I'm hot." I blushed darkly and scowled. "You... You... Shut up." I turned around from him so I couldn't see him properly, trying desperately to banish the dream from my brain.

Why haven't I ever notice how cute his smirk is?

I blushed even more as my mind began to torture me with thoughts and feelings that were more foreign to me than a guy's toilet. He is hot, even though I wish he wouldn't say it out loud. And since when did his hair look this soft? I want totouch it.

Shut it Lucy.

I thought sharply as I shakily got some clothes from my suitcase and ran straight back to the toilet. All while Sting stood there staring at me as if I had recently gone crazy, which I swear to god was probably what was happening at the moment.

I laid the clothes on the counter in the toilet and sighed in relief. At least I was away from him for the moment, it'll give me to time to stop my mind from going everywhere again.

But as stripped and reached for my change of clothes I realised exactly what I had taken from my stash of clothing. I had somehow accidentally taken a new dress I had bought from a stall in Crocus while I was there. The worst part was that I had bought it for when I go on a date.

I didn't actually think I was going to go on any date when I had bought it and really just bought it because it was cute but I had to grab this?! Out of everything I own, this?! This, was a lacy white and blue dress with a way too proactive neck line and a questionable dress length.

At least it'll match his eyes.

I scowled at the thought. Shut up.

I sighed and glanced at the door tiredly. My pyjamas were already wet lying on the damp bathroom floor and I was not walking outside with only underwear on, the dress was enough to ogle at thank you very much.

So I grabbed the dress and looked at it one more time before giving in and zipped it on. I glanced at my reflection in the mirror and couldn't help but feel proud. I looked amazing, good enough to eat.

What are you saying? Stop it, you ARE not wearing this cause you want to. Remember?

I straightened, feeling a lot more then frustration at the bright red blush creeping it's way onto my cheeks. "Stop it Lucy. He's just Sting. It's not like he's Natsu or anything." I muttered darkly, without realising I had said Natsu. Did I just admit I liked him?

I pushed both guys to the back of my head angrily and grabbed a brush, dragging it through my hair until it was straight again. I quickly put the brush back in the cabinets and smoothed down my skirt. It's going to be fine, it's going to be fine, it's going to be-

As I reached for the doorknob, the door opened making me bump straight into the person who had opened it. I yelped and jumped back.

Sting scanned my body and grinned. "We're going to the guild, not some date Blondie." I glared at him, trying and failing to pick my melted brain up. "Where's Yukino anyway? Why are you here?"

Sting shrugged quickly. "She headed out, said something about you being too slow. Anyways, I stayed back to wait for you. Clearly I shouldn't have." I glanced at the clock on the wall and held back a scream.

It was already ten.

Sting must have seen the way I was looking at the clock cause he grabbed my hand and started dragging me to the door. "Let's.. Go... Blondie... You... Don't want.. To piss off... Minerva." I didn't answer. My mind was too preoccupied with his hand. His holding my hand. Don't just let him. Stop stop stop.

But I couldn't let go. I didn't want to let go. He looked back at me and grinned. I stared at him confused for a minute before smiling back at him. I was going to hell anyway, does it even matter what I do now?

Normal pov,

Sting couldn't help but curse the heavens right now, cause damn Lucy Heartfilia was torturing him right now. He was trying his best to not concentrate on how perfectly her hand had fitted in his and how pretty she looked in that dress of hers.

If he didn't know better he would have thought Lucy was really trying to make him fall for her. Which is all a big joke anyway, cause he had already fallen for the Chaos Dragon Slayer.

He had come to the conclusion last night while not being able to sleep that he had to let her go. Not just cause he knew Natsu had already claimed her as his mate but because he was scared.

Yes Sting Eucliffe was actually scared. And of this girl, scared she wouldn't want him. Scared that he'll have his heart broken.

Heart break was just one of little amount things he couldn't resolve with magic. Usually he could just hit something to make it go away, but feelings were a lot harder than that. No amount of punches could make them go away.

He was staring at her now, they were walking through the streets of Magnolia. He didn't quite know exactly how this sat with Lucy but he did know that it wasn't well.

Plus he could hear her heart now. It was beating fast, faster than usual and the way she was walking, stiffly. Almost like she was waiting for something to happen. Sting wanted to do something about it. But he didn't know what. He wasn't the affectionate type anyway.

So he just stared at her, willing her to calm down. Her anxiety seemed to leak out of her and over to him, making him feel uncomfortable too. He squared his shoulder and quickly caught up to the blonde Dragon Slayer.

"Blondie you look like your waiting for a storm to hit you, scared of something?" He sneered in his most mocking voice. He couldn't find it in himself to sound caring at all, so he just settled with a mocking voice. Besides, he was good at being a jerk. But his voice, even to him, sounded forced.

Lucy looked up from her gaze on the cement pavement. "It's... It's just Fairy Tail is so close now. I don't know... I don't know what I would do if they we run into them." Sting was completely caught off guard at hearing this. It wasn't like he wasn't expecting this, really. He just didn't think Blondie would say something like that too him.

"Oh." He replied a minute later simply. He honestly didn't know what else to say. Lucy looked away and an awkward silence fell between the two.

"Sting?" "Hmm?" "Where do I belong?" Sting still dazed from what she had said earlier was silent. What he wanted to say was that she belonged to him, right here in his arms. He would comfort her and tell her that Fairy Tail wouldn't touch her as long as he was here. But he didn't so he went with this,

"Your the only one who knows where you belong Blondie." He answered softly. Lucy turned around so she was facing him. "Then where do I belong? Here? With Fairy Tail? Or in the skies, with the rest of Heartfilia family, both my parents are already gone anyway." She glanced up at the clouds sadly.

Sting was surprised that Lucy would mention her parents, he already knew they were dead. He had heard about Lucy Heartfilia long before he met her, but for her to say it in real life...

His arms itched to hug the blonde girl. Say exactly what was on his mind. But he didn't.

"I don't know about you. But I'm glad you came around. You changed Sabertooth for the better, you helped so many people even though you didn't even know them. You even turned Minerva around. Sometimes I think, you even changed me." Lucy stared at Sting. She wasn't expecting that, especially from Sting.

She knew Sting hated stepping over his ego, but here he was thanking her for what she had done. She smiled. Maybe the dream meant more then just a dream but right now she didn't care. Maybe she did belong here. No where else.

She could feel it now. Her doubt going away like the winds blowing far away.

Sting grinned a toothy grin at her. "Thanks." Lucy grinned back and began to run. She didn't know why but she felt light, free. Like her old self again, a long time ago she would have hated it. Tried desperately to turn back, to shut out the pain.

But there was no pain now. And even if there was, she had forgotten about it. "Hey! Wait for me!" Sting whined as he ran after his friend.

The Sabertooth Guild 10 minutes later,

Rogue Cheney stood outside the guild doors looking more than a little fed up. He had been waiting here since 9 this morning after Sting had left to fetch Yukino and Lucy. It was already 10:15 now and Yukino had already arrived an hour ago.

Yukino walked up behind Rogue and tapped him lightly on the shoulder. "Do you see them?" Rogue shrugged annoyed. "I don't even know where they are. Why didn't you leave with them?" Yukino glared at Rogue. "It's not my fault, jeez. I left first because Lucy-san was taking too long. So I left Sting with her."

Rogue couldn't help but grin inwardly. He didn't know exactly what would be going through Sting's mind when he was left alone with Lucy, honestly he knew the man for years but he didn't know exactly how much restraint he had left for the blonde Mage.

"So what are you going to do about it?" Rogue asked as he sipped a cup of hot coffee. Sting rubbed his eyes tiredly, he had just gotten out of bed and hadn't changed. He and Rogue were the only two awake in their apartment at the moment. "I have to let her go." Sting muttered as he walked around Rogue to get his own cup of coffee.

Rogue slammed his cup down, cracking it a little. "What?!" Sting sighed, glaring at his friend's now leaking mug. "Calm down. Geez, your getting coffee everywhere." Rogue glared at the White Dragon Slayer. "Sting, do you understand how important this is? Once you get a mate, you don't find one again."

Sting scowled. "I know ok?!" Then he sighed again setting his cup down. "It's just.. I don't think this is... You know real." Rogue stared at his friend confused. "Real?" Sting shrugged. "I'm not even completely sure if me and Natsu-san are actually sharing a mate here. But I don't think we are. I don't think this because of my dragon instincts at all, in fact."

Rogue frowned but dropped any further questioning. "So your really just going to ignore it?" Sting shrugged but nodded. "I'll try anyway." Rogue sighed and smirked as he sipped his coffee, a random thought popping into his head. "You do know that if she is your mate, you'll be compelled to, uh, you know mate with her."

Sting stared at the Shadow Dragon Slayer wide-eyed holding in a laugh. "Rogue, we're not talking about the birds and the bees in here." Rogue blushed darkly while glaring at Sting, crossing his arms across his chest. "It's funny now but when it happens-" "I'll do something about it. Geez, your worse than Weisslogia." Rogue rolled his eyes.

"Someone has to be the responsible one here." Sting laughed. "Don't you worry about me, what's happening with you and Yukino huh?" Rogue blushed further. His mouth opened and closed like he was trying to say something, but nothing came out. Sting laughed at his friend's expression and drank the rest of his coffee, leaving the cup in the sink nearby.

"I'm going to go pick up the girls for Minerva's big announcement." Rogue looked confused. "What big announcement?" Sting shrugged. "Minerva called this morning about it. I'll see you later." Rogue nodded and said goodbye to his friend as he finished his cup of coffee.

"I think I can see them." Rogue started, jerked out of his thoughts by Yukino. "Really?" He asked following her gaze. She nodded, leaning over him so she could see better. Yukino being significantly shorter then Rogue couldn't see any better over him so Rogue inched away.

"Better?" Yukino smiled in appreciation but didn't say anything. Rogue stared at the white haired girl for a moment before he looked sharply to the left. They were here. Rogue straightened, dusting off his cloak. "Their here. I can smell them." Yukino looked at a Rogue confused for a minute before realising what the Dragon Slayer meant.

She nodded. "Are they close?" Rogue shrugged. "I don't know, but their here." Before Yukino could react, both Sting and Lucy appeared not that far away laughing. "Sting? Lucy-san!" They both looked up and smiled. "Hi Yukino, Rogue!" Lucy greeted smiling.

Yukino gestured for the two to come into the guild. Lucy nodded and started to walk in but before Sting could follow he was stopped by Rogue who was still standing outside the guild. Sting stopped as the door closed behind the girls. "What?" Rogue rolled his eyes at Sting's directness but ignored it.

"What took you two so long?" Sting shrugged. "We're not that late." Rogue glared at Sting. "Yukino arrived an hour ago. What could you two have possibly been doing for an hour and fifteen minutes doing." Sting winked. "It's a secret."

Rogue gazed at Sting sarcastically before opening the door for his friend. "You weren't this happy this morning." Sting didn't get to answer because the guild was silent. They both followed the gaze of the whole guild to the staircase left of the guild hall. Minerva was walking down the staircase, Lucy waited the feet of the staircase staring intently at Minerva, as if willing her to not fall.

It must have been seconds but it felt like hours before Minerva reached the bottom of the stairs. Lucy exchanged a nod with Minerva before walking to the middle of the guild with Minerva following close behind.

"As you all might know, the Grand Magic Games are nearing and we haven't confirmed our representative team yet." Lucy said, the whole guild didn't respond but she knew they had heard, so she moved on. "And you might also be aware that I have declined the title as guild master for various different reasons, that's one of the reasons why we haven't confirmed the teams yet. I've given the title to Minerva Orlando, she has accepted."

Everyone turned their heads so they were staring at Minerva. Minerva didn't respond, her expression unreadable. Then she spoke, "So that's why me and Lucy have come up with the representative teams." Lucy looked confused but Minerva only smiled a tiny smile at the blonde girl.

"The representative will consist of five people, we won't be having a reserve this year." The guild looked a little astonished. No reservation? Is that even allowed? Minerva ignored the curious whispers and plodded on. "The representative team will have Rufus Lore, Yukino Aguria, Sting Eucliffe, and Rogue Cheney." Minerva finished.

The guild looked even more confused but those were four people. Who was the fifth? "The last one will be confirmed on the day." Everyone didn't really know how to respond now. It could be any one of them. The uncertainty bubbled through their voices and conversations but Minerva didn't seem bothered by it.

"The rules of the Grand Magic Games are simple and considering how many times we've gone to them, I'm sure you're all acquainted with it. But here's a refresher, only five members of each Guild can compete in the games, the members of the Guild's team can only be replaced by reserved members of the team, Guild Masters cannot participate in the games, only the people who bear the Guild's insignia can participate in the games. "

"Each event is to be remained a secret until right at the beginning of an event, at which point rules will be explained thoroughly. All participants must return to their lodgings by 12 midnight and finally victory is based on who can dominate across several different kinds of competitions." Minerva finished. Lucy nodded before adding,

"This year two new rules have also been created, the first is that each Guild can now have up to two teams enter the tournament. As a result up to ten members of the guild may participate. Second is that, any team without a reserve can switch team members in the middle of a duel."

Minerva smiled at the guild with a confident smile. "We will only have one team, as I'm sure we are able to take the tournament by storm. We haven't failed before and we won't start now. Representative team, it is on your shoulders."

WOOP, Grand Magic Games! Yeah! XD So, yeah I think we all know who the fifth person XD I mean it's kinda obvious, but hey what do I know? I AM the writer XD Anyways, read and review!