Hello everyone! This story has gotten quite a bit of positive feedback, and that makes me happy!

So here's chapter 12!

A few friends have said this would be good even as a three-way pairing story, so I might give it a shot and see how it works out.


As always, I don't own Fairy Tail or it's characters, I make no money off this work of fan fiction.


Warnings: Gender Bender, romance, drama, angst, adult language, mentions of adult situations, AUish.

Pairings: Gray x Fem!Natsu, One-sided? Sting x Fem!Natsu, Possible Gray x Fem! Natsu x Sting, One-sided Juvia x Gray


Recap: Lucy and Erza laughed. "Oh good morning Natsu! How are you doing today?" Mira asked, pouring Natsu a glass of something to drink. "I'm doing good, Sting invited me to a party at his guild later tonight." Natsu said. "Oh, are you going to attend?" Mira asked. "I don't know, I told him I didn't know if I'd feel up to it or not." Natsu said.

"It might do you good to hang out with your friends at Sabertooth some." Mira said, not at all knowing that Natsu loved Gray.

"You're probably right, but I don't know. I'll see how I feel later." Natsu said, she looked at Gray, and he just looked bored. Her heart was doing the thumping thing again.


Natsu took a seat at the bar. "Well Mira, my...life has just gotten a bit more complicated." she said softly, biting her bottom lip as she looked at the platinum blonde woman. She sighed and then rested her head on top of her hands on the bar. "Oh? Is there anything I can do to help?" Mira asked.

"Well...I know certain things now, and some people I need to talk to, to tell them...you know, but I'm so scared!" Natsu said, sighing loudly.

Gray looked at Natsu as she spoke to Mira, he knew she was serious about loving him, and he knew he felt love for her as well. He wanted nothing more than to go, pick her up and carry her out of the guild hall so they could be alone, but he controlled himself.

She had those second dates to go on still, not that he liked it much, but if she talked to the other guys, maybe she could get out of them. He lay his head on the top of the table and sighed. "GRAY-SAMA! JUVIA HAS RETURNED TO YOU GRAY-SAMA!" Juvia is suddenly heard yelling as she entered the guild.

Natsu stopped talking as soon as she heard Juvias voice. Natsu had completely froze as she controlled her urge to pummel the blue haired woman.

Gray paid no mind to Juvia, in fact he hadn't even heard the bluenette enter the guild, it wasn't until she was right next to him, clinging to his arm and trying to kiss him that he finally took notice.

Natsu growled as she turned around and saw Juvia all over her Gray. Juvia merely smirked at Natsu and made a face at her. "Juvia wanted to know if Gray-sama would like to go to the cinema with Juvia later?" Juvia asked. Gray rubbed his temples as she talked, he really wished he could disappear at this moment.

Gray turned his attention to Natsu, the pink haired woman looked ready to pounce at any moment. It was while he was distracted that Juvia took the opportunity to kiss him.

Natsu saw it happen, she stood frozen for a bit, before she felt something in her chest clench painfully. She fought back tears as she headed to the doors to the guild hall, and walked out of them. They swung shut behind her.

Gray shoved Juvia off of him as gently as he could, while getting his point across. "Enough! Juvia, I've told you this a million times, and I have begun sounding like a broken record to myself. I don't like you like that! I don't want to date you! Get that through your skull!" he said.

"But Gray-sama, Juvia loves Gray-sama!" Juvia said, she looked on the verge of tears. "I don't love you Juvia." Gray said as he looked at her, as he got up and walked out of the guild, his shoulders tense.

Gray went looking for Natsu, after searching for the dragon slayer all over Magnolia and not finding her, he sighed. They weren't even a couple, but Natsu loved him, and he her. When Juvia kissed him, he saw Natsu, he knew she was hurt from it. He needed to talk to her.


Natsu sighed as she rode the train to the Sabertooth guild, she'd sent word ahead about her arrival, and Sting himself was waiting for her when she got off the train.

"Hello Natsu-chan, I'm glad you decided to come to the party." Sting said, smiling at her. "Thank you for the invitation Sting, I'd like to talk to you about our second date soon, if it's not too much trouble?" Natsu asked, smiling at him. "Of course Natsu-chan." Sting said. He noticed she had a bag. "Natsu-chan, are you going on a job after the party?" he asked.

"Oh, no I was going to ask if there was any way I could stay here for awhile, just to get away from Fairy Tail for a bit." Natsu said. "To get away from Fairy Tail?" Sting repeated, he was honestly surprised at those words. "Yes...a lot has happened, and I want to stay away for a little bit. If it'll be too much trouble I'll go to Lamia Scale or Blue Pegasus." Natsu said.

"You're welcome to stay here. I'm sure there's a bed somewhere you can use." Sting said. Natsu nodded, and Sting took her bag and carried it over his shoulder with a grin. Natsu looked around. "It's really rocky around here." she said, smiling a bit. "Yeah, but you get used to it." Sting said as they walked.

The two made their way to the Sabertooth guild hall and walked inside. Rogue was sitting at a table next to Yukino and Minerva. The rest of the guild members seemed to be decorating for the coming party, but those who had been present when Natsu had delivered a thrashing to their previous guild master as well as a lot of the members stopped and stared as she smiled at their current guild master.

"What do you think of the new hall Natsu-chan?" Sting asked, grinning as he showed off the hard work they'd been doing to make Sabertooth more like Fairy Tail, and less like a power hungry guild of sociopaths or psychos. Natsu turned her attention to Sting and smiled widely at him. "It's great!" she said.

"Well, let's go see what rooms are free for you to use while you stay here, how long are you going to stay for?" Sting asked, honestly curious. "I don't know...maybe a week? I did leave Happy behind, but he has a lot of other people he can stay with, so I'm not too worried." Natsu said. Sting nodded, the two of them walked up the stairs and began searching for a room for Natsu to use for her stay.


"What's Salamander doing here?" Was being murmured around the guild hall after Natsu had passed through with Sting. Rogue glared at the table. "What's wrong Rogue?" Yukino asked as she looked at the Shadow Dragon Slayer. "People are talking about Natsu like she doesn't have feelings." he said.

"Oh Rogue, stop being silly. They're probably just scared of her, I heard she did a lot of damage to the guild members when she attacked them after I was expelled." Yukino said. She'd never properly thanked Natsu about that either.

"Besides, Sting-kun said he was going to invite Natsu for the party tonight, so I knew she'd show up if she decided to come." Yukino said. Rogue nodded. "I'll keep my ears open, if anyone wishes ill will upon our guest I'll talk to Sting." he said. Yukino nodded. She wasn't overly fond of the fact that the pink haired girl was around Sting and Rogue and had gone on dates with both of them, but she was no Juvia.


"Here, this room is close to mine and Rogue is down the hall a few doors. Will this work Natsu-chan?" Sting asked as they came across one of the few empty rooms in the guild hall. "Yes, this will be perfect, thank you Sting." Natsu said, smiling at him. He smiled back as the two walked into the room. He set her bag on the bed and she sat on the edge of the bed.

"So Natsu-chan, is it alright if I ask you why you wish to stay here?" Sting asked. Natsu bit her lip. "I just wanted a break from Fairy Tail is all Sting. Certain things I want to be away from for awhile is all, and this is one of the better places for me to stay I think." she said, it wasn't entirely true, but it also wasn't entirely a lie either.

She wanted a break from Juvia being all over Gray, and this was one way she could see if her mate truly was Gray or not. After the kiss she saw Juvia and Gray share, she was hurt.

They weren't together, but she was still hurt. Her eyes began to tear up, and Sting saw this. "Natsu-chan, what's wrong?" He asked, placing a hand on her arm gently to not startle her. "N-Nothing, just thinking about Igneel!" Natsu blurted, before sniffling. Sting walked to her and gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders. He rubbed her back and tried to comfort her as she cried.

"Natsu-chan, just let it out. I'm here for you." Sting said soothingly. He rubbed her back and moved the two of them to the bed where he sat down and held her. To an onlooker who didn't know she was crying they would think the two were in an intimate embrace, but Sting was really just trying to calm the poor girl, something was clearly bothering her, and he wanted to know how he could help.

Natsu sniffled as she gripped the fur on the outer part of Stings vest as she cried into his muscular chest. "S-Sorry Sting." She said between sniffles. "It's alright Natsu-chan, I'd be a terrible friend if I didn't help you when you were distressed." Sting said as he rubbed her back more.

Natsu eventually stopped crying and smiled as she looked up at Sting. The Light Dragon Slayer used the pad of his thumb to wipe the tears from her face off as he smiled at her. "Are you feeling better now Natsu-chan?" he asked. "Yes, thank you. I'm sorry for being such a pain Sting." Natsu said. "You weren't a pain Natsu-chan." he said.

Sting unwillingly let her go, she slid off his lap and stood in front of him. He remained seated as she looked at his face. Her brow furrowed as she kept looking at him. "Y-You...know Sting...y-you're really..." Natsu started. "I'm really, what Natsu-chan?" Sting asked. "Um...nothing! Ahaha...sorry. I was zoning out there for a moment." Natsu said. She caught herself before she called him attractive.

"The party should be starting soon Natsu-chan, if you wish to get ready I'll wait for you outside." Sting said. Natsu smiled at him. "I'll be ready in a few minutes then." she leaned towards him and kissed his cheek. "See you in a few minutes Natsu-chan." Sting said as he got up off the bed and walked to the door. He stepped out and shut it behind him.

Natsu took a deep breath as her mind went a million miles an hour. 'What is wrong with me?! Gray is my mate, yet here I am hitting on another man!' Natsu said to herself in her head. 'But...it doesn't feel wrong with Sting. I'm comfortable with him like I am with Gray. Can someone have multiple mates?' she asked herself with a frown as she walked to her bag.

Natsu dug through her bag and pulled out a skirt and shirt. She quickly changed into them and looked at herself in the mirror. It looked good she thought. She pulled her boots back on and stepped out of the room. "Okay. I'm ready now Sting." Natsu said, smiling as she walked out of the room.


Sting smiled at her. "Alright, time to party!" he said with a laugh, which caused Natsu to laugh as well. The two made their way back to the main hall, there were tables of food and a bar, there was music playing and people doing tricks with their magic all over the place.

"Wow! This is a lot different then back when I attacked you guys." Natsu said, causing Sting to chuckle. "I wanted to make Sabertooth a guild that valued its members like family, much like Fairy Tail does." he said. Natsu smiled.

A song began playing and Sting grinned. "Come Natsu-chan! We have to dance!" he said, leading her to the dance floor. "But Sting! I can't dance!" Natsu said, trying to get out of it. "Nonsense. We've danced before." Sting said.

Natsu pouted, but in the end the two of them danced. Yukino looked at Sting and Natsu dancing as she sat next to Rogue. "They look like they're enjoying themselves." she said. Rogue looked at them. "Yeah, Sting really loves Natsu." he said, smiling at his friends as they danced together. Yukino looked at Rogue. "You're not upset about Sting-sans feelings for Natsu?" she asked.

"No, I knew I couldn't hold a candle to Sting or even Gray when it comes to Natsu." Rogue said, he was genuinely happy for Sting to be so close to Natsu, mainly because he knows how enamored the other male was with the pinkette.


Gray frowned when he walked to Natsus place and found Happy alone. "Where is Natsu, Gray?" Happy asked. "I don't know, I thought you knew." Gray said. Happy frowned. "Did something happen Gray?" Happy asked.

"Juvia was all over me earlier, and I got distracted, so she kissed me. Natsu was there, but she sort of just left the guild. I went to look for her after, but I couldn't find her." Gray said. Happy frowned. "I wonder where she went." he said. "Sting was in Magnolia earlier, he invited her to a party at his guild hall." Gray said.

"So, she might be there then." Happy said. "Yeah, with my love rival." Gray said, sighing as he ran a hand through his hair. "Have you told Natsu you love her?" Happy asked.

"Yeah, she told me she loved me too." Gray said. "So, you two are a couple now right?" Happy asked. "No, not yet. We both figured working together, and being close to one another would work for the time being. Why?" Gray asked.

"Well Sting was the only other guy who Natsu really enjoyed her date with, aside from you." Happy said. Happy knew, mainly because Natsu talked to him after she talked to Lucy, but not always!

Gray sighed and ran his hand through his hair again. "I just feel like I fucked up royally Happy, I really do love Natsu, I know I do, but it's my own insecurities and feelings causing all this." Gray said. Happy frowned. "Well, you love Natsu. Natsu loves you. So what's the problem?" he asked.

"I think Natsu also loves Sting in some way." Gray said. "She does, but she loves all her friends Gray." Happy said. "True, but I think she might have similar feelings for him that she has for me, I'm not sure how I cam compete with him, he's a Dragon Slayer like she is, and I'm just...an ice mage." Gray said.

"Don't be so down on yourself." Happy said. Gray looked at Happy. "You're a lot smarter than most people give you credit for Happy." he said. "Nah, I'm just quoting books." Happy said with a laugh, causing Gray to shake his head.

"Natsu will come home, and then everything will go back to how it was before she left." Happy said. "I hope you're right, but what if she chooses Sting as her mate and not me due to what happened earlier?" Gray asked. "I don't know anything about Dragon Slayers Gray." Happy said.

"Well, I'm going to go home now, I was hoping to talk to Natsu, but I'll have to wait til she comes home." Gray said. "See you later then Gray, I'll stay here just in case she comes home tonight." Happy said. "See you later Happy." Gray said as he left.


"I'm having a lot of fun Sting." Natsu said, smiling at him as the two of them danced. "Are you thirsty or anything Natsu-chan?" Sting asked. "I'm a little hungry." Natsu said. "Alright, let's sit with Rogue and Yukino. I'll get some food for us." Sting said as he walked Natsu to the table.

"Hello Natsu, you look pretty." Rogue said. "Thank you Rogue. You look pretty too Yukino." Natsu said to the other girl at the table. "Thank you Natsu, but you look far prettier." Yukino said, smiling.

"Are you enjoying the party Natsu?" Rogue asked, trying to make small conversation with the girl. "Yeah, Sting has been really nice to me since I arrived here. I was surprised to get the invite, but I'm glad I decided to come." Natsu said. "I'm going to be staying a few days, I hope that's alright?" she asked.

"Why wouldn't it be?" Yukino asked. "Well..I did attack your guild before." Natsu said. "Yes, but it was in defense of Yukino." Rogue said, the aforementioned girl blushed a bit. "He's right, you know Natsu-chan." Sting said as he arrived back at the table with food and drinks.

Natsu smiled as she took a chicken strip off the plate and began nibbling on it. She hummed softly. "This party, what is it for?" she asked. "We're celebrating our new guild master." Rogue said, gesturing to Sting, causing the other to chuckle.

"Yeah, everyone wanted to throw a party to show how much they like me." Sting said. "You must be an amazing guild master Sting." Natsu said, smiling at the male. "He really is." Yukino said. "Yeah, he's been keeping everything in line, and we even got a pool!" she finished.

"We've got a pool too, though we've had one for awhile. Ever since we built the new guild hall." Natsu said. Sting laughed a bit. "So there was a guild out there with a pool inside the hall other than us." he said. Natsu smiled as she ate more food.

The party began to die down as various members got tired and went to their rooms, eventually the only ones left were Sting and Natsu. The two enjoying their company. Natsu yawned a bit, and smiled. "I had a lot of fun Sting." she said.

"I'm glad you enjoyed yourself Natsu-chan, shall I accompany to your room?" Sting asked. "Yes please." Natsu said, and with that the pair made their way to their rooms, Stings own being across the hall.

They stopped at the door. "Thank you for the great time tonight Sting, I really had a lot of fun. It got my mind off the things that have been bothering me. I appreciate it." Sting smiled at her. "I'd do anything within my power for you Natsu-chan." he said, which caused her cheeks to flush softly. Natsus breath hitched at his words, and her heart began to beat erratically.

Of course Sting knew that, as his hearing was enhanced and he could hear it. "Good night Sting." Natsu said, smiling at him. "Sleep well Natsu-chan." Sting said. Natsu walked into her room and shut the door.

Sting walked to his room and went inside after Natsu entered the room she was staying in, that Sting would probably keep as her room for any times she would visit Sabertooth.

Natsu changed into the long shirt she slept in, climbed into bed and closed her eyes after covering up.

Sting stripped down to his boxers and climbed into his own bed, before covering up and going to sleep.


Happy stayed up as late as he could before fatigue made him fall asleep. When Natsu still wasn't home the next morning, Happy went to the guild hall to talk to the Master or Mira.

"Master, did Natsu take a job?" Happy asked. Makarov looked at Happy and shook his head. "No, but she did ask me for a weeks leave to get her head straight." he said. Happy frowned. He knew she needed the space though, so he wasn't too worried.

Lucy walked into the guild hall and smiled. "Morning everyone!" she said cheerfully before she took her seat at Team Natsus table. Erza joined her a few minutes later, followed by Wendy and Charla, and once Charla was there Happy made his way over as well.

Gray was the last to arrive. "She's still not back then?" he asked Happy. "No...Master said she asked for a weeks leave to 'get her head straight.'." Happy responded.

"What happened yesterday anyway Gray?" Lucy asked as she looked at the ice mage. "Juvia kissed me while Natsu was here in the guild." Gray said, he didn't look happy about it at all. "She what?!" Erza exclaimed. "Shhh!" Gray hissed. "Don't broadcast it." he said.

"So basically Natsu being gone right now is because of Juvia?" Lucy asked. "I'm not sure." Gray sighed. "Everything will be alright Gray. One way or another." Erza said.

The team, sans Natsu decided to do a job that took them out of Magnolia for a few days.


Natsu sighed softly when she woke up the following morning. She got up and got dressed before sitting on the bed. She didn't really know how to get around the Sabertooth guild hall, so she waited for someone to get her.

Knock, knock.

"It's open!" Natsu called out as she stood up. "Good morning Natsu-chan!" Sting said as he opened the door. He was dressed for the day as well. "I was going to lead you to the kitchen to get food, if you're hungry?" he asked. "Yeah, I was waiting because I didn't want to get lost or worse." Natsu said, shuddering a bit.

Sting chuckled. "No one would dare harm you Natsu-chan. Unless they wished to face both Rogue and I." he said. Natsu smiled, she looked at him and smiled. thump, thump, thump. Her heart began to pound. She thought about anything but Gray or Sting, and her heart calmed down.

"Say Sting, do you know of any books about dragons or mating for them?" Natsu asked. Sting tapped his chin. "I'm not sure, the library might have something, but I've never checked myself." he said. "Would you escort me there after we eat? I want to read up on something. Igneel didn't teach me much about mates, mating and this whole thing I'm going through." she said.

"Of course Natsu-chan, I'd be happy to escort you there and back." Sting said, smiling at her.

The two of them made their way to the kitchen in Sabertooth and sat at one of the small tables. "This is really nice." Natsu said as she looked around. Sabertooth was nothing like Fairy Tail was in the mornings, there were no drunkards on the tables chugging barrels of booze.

There were no small brawls or fights, no arguments. It was quiet, peaceful. "Yeah, we're working on the whole 'comrade' thing really." Sting said. "You're doing great so far, I can tell. Your members respect you." Natsu said. Sting smiled happy to receive praise from Natsu.

The two ate breakfast, which was eggs and pancakes, then made their way out of the guild hall. "The library is over this way." Sting said, grabbing Natsus hand and leading her to the huge library in the town where his guild was located.

"Thank you Sting, I'm going to be here awhile, so if you want to go do something you can." Natsu said. "Nah, I'd rather keep you company." Sting said, smiling at her as she flushed, and hid her face in her scarf.

"Okay." Natsu said, and the two made their way into the library. Natsu accessed a lacrima and searched through it for 'dragons' and 'mating'. She got two hits, and began looking through the shelves for the books.

She pulled them down, both were very thick, but she was determined.

'A Deeper Look Into Dragons Mating and Breeding Habits' Was the first book Natsu began to thumb through.

She learned a lot about dragons that Igneel hadn't taught her, as well as things that she didn't think anyone should know about them.

The second book was thinner, and was leaning more towards the slayers themselves, then the dragons.

'Dragon Slayers, Dragons and Their Similarities' was the second book.

'I: Preface'

'II: Chapter 1: Bonds & Bonding for Dragon Slayers'

'III: Chapter 2a: Mates, Mating & Offspring for Dragon Slayers'

Natsu flipped to the third chapter and began to read. Sting was curious and looked over her shoulder while she read.

'While rare, a dragon or dragon slayer might wind up with more than one mate. If this happens, the group (usually 3, nothing documented above that) would have a deep bond to one another, all of them marking the others. In cases of a non-dragon slayer mate(s), the dragon slayer would mark them. In case of a two slayer, one non slayer grouping, the two slayers would bond with the non slayer and mark them to keep other non-mated slayers away, while also keeping their mate safe.'

Stings eyes bulged out, Natsu hadn't noticed him reading over her shoulder, but she seemed to be smiling as she read. Something in the book must have made her happy.

Natsu read for about an hour before she shut the book and put the two back on the shelf. "Did you find everything you wanted Natsu-chan?" Sting asked. "Yeah, I've just got to figure out if it's what's going on with me or not now." Natsu said, smiling at Sting.

"Shall we get back to Sabertooth now?" Sting asked. "Of course." Natsu said, smiling as the two made their way back to Stings guild hall.


Owari!

So, a few people have mentioned that they could see this as a 3-way relationship with Sting and Gray both with Fem! Natsu, what do you all think?

I'd put another poll, but I have a feeling I know how it'd wind up.

Thanks for reading!