Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or Edwards Jones-Dome

Chapter Eleven: Explanation

Gray was kneeling at the edge of the walkway, hands gripping onto Lula's dainty wrist for all it was worth. His eyes looked wild with concern at the girl he thought of as a sister.

She merely looked back up at him shocked, eyes wide at the sight. Then she clenched her teeth in pain,"Aahhhh!"

Realizing he was basically holding all her weight on her bad wrist he quickly grabbed her forearm, pulling her up and into his arms. She struggled a bit before just sighing and accepting the hug. Lula didn't want to admit it but she had seriously needed a hug and Gray was the first one to give her one.

Natsu was nearby, squatting next to the two,"Hey...Are you okay, Lula?"

The 15 year old nodded, going back to being passive," I'm fine. And I'm the one who's gonna take care of you so don't worry."

The dragon slayer laughed in her face, earning a glare,"That's crazy. You're a girl, younger, and my nakama. I'M gonna take care of YOU. So YOU don't worry about it."

She merely looked down at the cobblestone, "Whatever. Just what happened to me?"

Gray gently rubbed her head, cradling her into his chest like a child,"From what Levy and Pantherlily said you guys were in a fight with a dark Mage. Levy was the target and you jumped in front of her to take the blow which sent you sailing over the edge of the building. A fruit cart was the only thing that saved you from dying."

When he said that a small painful flash back came to the mind. The pain of the attack, the fall, the crunch of the cart, hearing people scream, even Levy pull off defeating Skygore. Shakily she tried to pull away from Gray to stand but he merely scooped her up.

Natsu asked if he had her before going off to the guild and leaving Gray to walk Lula back home. It was a quiet and peaceful walk, her head nuzzled into his cool back.

She shifted her head to his shoulder,"Gray how'd did you find me?"
"Natsu's nose. And if you're wondering, you were unconscious for three days, Pantherlily had to carry you back." "Oh."

They traveled in silence until they reached her apartment, he had set her on the bed in her room, tucking her in. Kissing her forehead lightly, he made her promise to call him on the lacrima phone if she needed help. When he let himself out, Lula sat in bed relishing the silence.

She had lots of time to think now that she was injured but she was also tired, so that's how she spent the next week.

((Lula's POV)) ((2 weeks later))

I was finally healed thanks to the sessions of magical healing and therapy. My wrist was going to be forever loose but other than that I was fine. Today I even had a mission to go on with Cana.

"Hey sis. I see you still got some of that dye in your hair."

I batted her hand away, "That's my real hair color Cana. I told you that."

She laughed and tossed my braid over my shoulder as she walked ahead. We had got a mission in the hot jungle, hence the reason why were both wearing less clothes.

Well...Cana was. She just wore a bikini top and pants as usual. I wore a lose button up tied under my bust and some khaki shorts. There wasn't much bugs - thank god - and the guys house wasn't much farther.

"There it is! C'mon slowpoke!"

Grabbing my hand we ran - she dragged me - up to the door and banged on it with her fist. A tall, slender man opened the door, his shoulder length brown hair shiny and flat. His hazel-green eyes stared at the two of us before opening the door wide to motion us inside, "You two must be the women from Fairy Tail. Please come inside. The other two mages have already arrived."
'Other two mages? What?'

As we walked inside, Cana ogling all the barrels of wine, there was a sitting room just to the left. On the couch in the left side of the room sat two older guys. One with black hair and one blonde.

Wait. I've seen them before.

Just as I had entered the room the guy with black hair looked up and his red eyes met mines. I merely stared back for a moment before going to take a seat on the couch across from theirs. The blonde haired guy seemed to be helping himself to the sandwiches and cookies on the table so he didn't pay me much attention.

Cana came in a moment later and yelled as soon as she saw them," Ehh!? Why are Sting and Rogue here!?"

The man came in again, "It's good that you know each other. Now please have a seat."

The busty brunette came to sit next to me, taking one of the few cookies left on the platter by Sting. Said blonde also swallowed painfully, chasing it down with provided tea.

Clearing his throat the guy clasped his hands behind his back,"The four of you will all walk away from here with your own type of reward no matter how you do so it's a given. You job is to find the runes of an ancient temple deep within the jungle. Whatever you find inside you can have but I'd just like to know it's whereabouts please."

Sting hopped up with a toothy grin, "Leave it to the Sabers! Just tell us the direction and we'll find it."

I raised a hand half heartedly,"Excuse me sir but what is your name?"

He gave a small bow, "I am Edward Jones-Dome the Third. And you are?"

"My name is Lula Mervyn from Fairy Tail. This here is my nakama Cana Albernoa and we'll be happy to help you."

Edward nodded, a tiny smile of gratitude on his lips,"I thank you four very much. The general direction is Eastward and then when you reach the river, Southward."

Sting rushed out the door while Cana, Rogue and I merely stepped back out into the humid weather. Rogue was wearing dark gray shorts with a red shirt and black short sleeved jacket. Sting wore a similar outfit except his shorts were blue, shirt yellow, and jacket was white.

I fondly remembered their Exceeds, so I looked over at Rogue since he was closer but Cana beat me to the punch. "Where are ya Exceeds, Rogue?"

The black haired Mage merely ignored her making Cana click her tongue. Grabbing my arm she guided me away from the Sabers,"How's about we just go ahead of them. They can't be that smart fast."

Hearing her say that I had to think for a bit, "Hmm...okay. But first let's make a plan..."

(A/N): Okay I tried make a better chapter since the last two seemed confusing even to me plus they were short. So I tried to recap in this chapter hence why I named it the Explanation. But what are Cana and Lula gonna do to get ahead of Sting and Rogue. Are Lula and Rogue gonna get closer on this mission? Idk either. Stay tuned my lovelies!

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