I'm back! :D Hopefully, life is hectic blah blah you don't care XD I've got some people helping me edit so hopefully you'll enjoy this much more than the previous chapters :) I've been working on a real novel for a while now, and I've started taking classes and such so improvement is on the way 3
Please as always send in reviews, hearing from you guys makes me want to write more, so if you want more chapters... ;P Just don't tell me you want me to change the story, I did that once and hated how it turned out. I have a plan in mind, if you don't like it, too bad. I'm not getting paid for this, it's purely for pleasure, so deal :) kthnx.
I love those of you that have stuck around, and I'm sorry my posting has slowed to a crawl, but my life is 10 times more stable than before so goddess be willing I'll have more for you soon. Specifically Sebastianskitten6, RedPrincess08, and FairyPrincessRena. Oh my all the Princess' *blush* Thank you Red, I worked on getting a bit more detail and tried to remain more linear. I just get so excited sometimes I skip over what I feel like is slow parts.
I don't own fairy tail, please go support the original creators. Rinku is my OC design. ENJOY!
Luckily there was no more excitement on our way home, though it did take longer than I expected; I guess I didn't really realize how far we were, I didn't exactly take the original path willingly.
Rose had found us a few hours before we made it to town, apparently someone had sent word ahead and she couldn't wait. She spent the first few minutes telling me how much she missed me, and about how worried she was about me. Next she decided to tell me what she had reorganized the room, of course, the clean freak.
Oh, and apparently they were going to have a party when we got back, and none of us were surprised, Fairy Tail would take any reason to throw a party. When the carriage arrived at the guild, it was clear the party was already underway, though I hadn't met most of the people there, since everyone I did know was now out questing.
Rose, Wendy, Charle and I found a corner booth, the one usually taken up by the Thunder God Tribe. Laxus was nowhere to be seen, likely up with the Master, or brooding in a corner.
"Rinku?" I jumped at the sound of my voice, smiling softly at Wendy, "I'm sorry, I guess I'm still pretty tired." I leaned back in my seat, it wasn't a lie, I'd been eating almost non stop for a while now, trying to replenish all the energy I burned through the last day or so.
Wendy smiled gently and Charle patted my hand, "We can leave if you want," her voice was so soft and gentle, it was hard to believe she was a Dragon Slayer, "I know you're still very new to this."
I shook my head at her, "Oh no, I'll be ok. I do need to use the lady's room though." I stood up and headed into the back. Truth be told I was just craving some solitude.
Rose landed on my shoulder and wrapped her tail around my neck. I smiled over at her and petted her head, "I'm glad I at least have you. I can't imagine doing this alone. I probably wouldn't be here if it wasn't for you."
Rose smiled brightly and hugged me tightly, "I was worried when they told me you were gone, but I was too scared to help them..."
"Aw Rose, I've always told you never to worry about that, I'm here to protect you, not the other way around. You keep me sane." I laughed softly and ruffled her ears.
The bathroom was plain, I almost wondered if I was still in Fairy Tail; everything they did was so over stated. But I guess a bathroom is just a bathroom.
I laughed at myself, Rose giving me a funny look as I did so. I checked myself in the mirror, almost afraid to do so.
"Oh." Ran my hand over my skin softly, "I don't have any bruises?" I pulled up my shirt, checking my chest. Not a single mark marred my skin. "Wendy really is amazing. That should have taken weeks to heal."
"Are you really that surprised?"
I nearly jumped out of my skin when Erza appeared behind me, pulling my shirt down sharply. "Titania!" I bowed my head at her, still unsure how to act around her. "I thought you were gone."
"The mages either turned themselves in, or were found in a hospital. There really was no hunt." She came forward and grabbed my shoulders, pulling me upright. "No need for bowing, not only are we the same age, but our power level is similar as well."
I stared at her speechless, shaking my head slowly.
Erza laughed quietly and tucked some hair behind my ear, almost like a mother would. "It's true, you beat multiple mages in a row with vastly different powers; twice." My fight with the guild mates flashed through my head. "You know how to look for a weakness and exploit it, and the power to back it up if you fail. Something the younger generation hasn't learned quite yet."
"Oh." I squeaked out. I couldn't say anything, the Titania, Erza Scarlet, S class mage, was telling me that we could go toe to toe. How?
The silence between us turned awkward as she shifted from foot to foot, "Well, I can ask master to test you, but we usually test everyone in a group, and that's quite a ways off yet."
I backed up and waved my hands at her, "Oh no no no, I don't need to be tested, I'm ok where I'm at, please." I needed out, I peeked at the door for a moment, relieved that it was on my side. "I- uh- should go?" I didn't wait for a response before running out. Turning corner after corner, then realized I was lost. "Shit." I leaned against the wall and sighed, rubbing my face.
I started wandering around, slowly mapping the place out in my head, trying to find my way back. Most of the rooms that were unlocked were recreational, some had people in them I quickly avoided contact with.
What I needed was some solitude, nice quiet solitude. Just thinking about it made me relax a bit.
I finally saw a door leading down stairs and on a whim decided to follow it, finding the vast library under the building. "Oh wow... so many books..." I completely forgot that it was my plan to go back to Wendy after a few minutes, and I quickly found myself surrounded by piles of books.
Of course she had found the library, what is with Fairy Tail women and their fascination with books?
He shook his head and went up stairs, calling out to Wendy, motioning for her to come over. It took her a moment or two before getting up and going to him, being sure to keep some distance between them.
"Mister Laxus?" Her voice shook slightly.
"Rinku found the library, and isn't coming back up."
"A-ah, yes sir." She bowed to him, stuttering. She was scared of him, most of the guild was. In fact, most of the women in general were. It pained him, but it's not like he didn't deserve it.
He turned from her, he couldn't stand seeing her frightened features. He actively tuned out most everyone else, having dragon hearing for him was more of a curse than a blessing. "I should start carrying around my Soundpod again..." it kept him from hearing people whispering about him, but it was also a dark reminder of who he used to be.
The only idiot that was never afraid of him was Natsu, but he doesn't fear anything, unless it has to do with Lucy.
Back down in the library he found himself a comfortable chair to watch her in. She was so absorbed in the books she didn't even notice him enter the room, despite being in plain view.
Laxus thought about the last few days, mostly the day the two of them first met, the moment she dropped her shield and her hair spilled out onto the table, almost like it was molten lava itself. Even with her dirt smudged face and burnt smelling clothes, she was the most attractive woman he'd ever seen.
And then she moved him. She was incredibly strong, but strength like that comes with sacrifice. She spent her whole life in the mountains, unlike the other dragons that were picked up by guilds, she spent almost her whole life alone.
He looked over at her, studying her face and muscle tone. She was mostly relaxed now, but she put herself in a position to attack or defend.
Her words about her instincts to defend herself bothered him still, even with his father he had time to relax and be a kid, he wondered if she had a childhood at all.
He got up and roamed around the library for a while before setting down with a set of graphic novels he'd been meaning to get to.
Hours went by and before they knew it night had fallen, and when Laxus looked up, Rinku had fallen asleep; curled up on the chair, book laid open on her lap, her thick hair covering half her face.
Laxus yawned himself as he got up, "Women.." he shook his head and cleaned up as much as he could, then picked her up and started carrying her. He had hoped she would wake up and go home on her own, but maybe she hadn't built that kind of instinct. He wondered if she ever even had a 'home' when she was in the mountains.
He'd never actually cared about learning someone's past before, considering his was so dark. He never thought it was too important before now.
"This is really becoming a bad habit of yours." He smirked to himself as he climbed the stairs, doing his best to not jostle her.
The hall was nearly empty by now, apparently partied out, or having found a mission to go on. He passed by Mira who gave him a bright smile, and a wink. He scowled at her, and ended at the Thunder God Tribe table.
"Did they find the mages?" He started with, not bothering with pleasantries, not that he ever really did, with Rinku dead asleep in his arms.
They hesitated for a moment before Evergreen replied, "They found the twins and the music mage. They were found in a hospital. The gas mage apparently had critical damage to his head and died, the requip Mage had turned himself in with the body, apparently claiming he was the one that did it. Though on accident."
Laxus stared at them in shock, leaving himself speechless. What the hell did Rinku do? She had fought all of them by herself, and they end up dead or in the hospital. No wonder she was exhausted and needed to relax.
He jumped when Rose landed on his shoulder, "I'm glad she's getting some sleep. She doesn't usually get to sleep much." His chest hurt for a moment, and he stared down at Rinku.
"I'm taking her to my place, last time we went to Fairy Hills we fell into a trap. It's safer." He nodded to himself. Great excuse.
He didn't wait for a response before leaving, Rose climbed down and laid in Rinku's arms. "I'm really glad she has you. She's looked up to you for so long, even before the seven year disappearance. She's followed Fairy Tail for as long as she's had the ability to read."
"She's strong enough on her own, she doesn't need me to protect her." Not to say he didn't want to do so, but he could see her strength, even more clearly now. He wasn't sure who that trap was meant for, but they sure did grab the wrong people.
"But she does, she's never been around people before. She's got a strong sense of honor and I'm scared it will be used against her..." a silent 'again' stretched between them, and Laxus looked at Rose for a moment before deciding it was better not to ask.
Rinku was still asleep by time they made it to his apartment, no one bothering them on his way up the stairs to the top floor. He struggled with the door for a moment, refusing Rose's offer of help.
He set Rinku on the couch for a moment as he went and pulled the blankets back on his bed. He got Rinku out of the harder pieces of clothing, this time with Rose's help, and pulled her hair down, holding her up as Rose braided her hair.
He shook his head, "How can she sleep through all of that?" He spoke quietly, both in amazement and wanting to keep her sleeping. He picked Rinku up and took her to his room, setting her on the bed and putting the covers over her.
"She must feel safe." Rose kissed his cheek softly before curling up on a pillow next to her.
Laxus turned quickly as a blush burned his cheeks, glad no one was there to see him, he couldn't even imagine what Mira would do if she saw him like that.
He stood motionless outside of his bedroom, 'This is probably the first time I've had e female in my bedroom and not slept with her.' He felt slightly sick for a moment. He hadn't had anyone even in his apartment for months, let alone a female.
The door closed with a click behind him and he slid to the floor against the door, rubbing his chest. "Shit." He muttered and hung his head. "I can't keep her..." 'I'm not good enough.' He finished in his head. 'Maybe she should go to Sabertooth...'
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