A/N: Hiya~ Okay, I can't control myself for not updating a new chapter. So here it was~

I'm sorry for any errors~ too long so I got lazy to check if there are xP I don't own Fairy Tail only the OCs~ Enjoy~

Chapter 21: My Way of Saying Thank You

*Aria's P.O.V.*

*chirp* *chirp*

'Mmm.' I felt something warm hit my eyelid and I could hear birds humming. Also there's something heavy leaning on my head, but, the weird thing, is that there's something heavy wrap around my waist. I slowly open my eyes, flickering it due to the sunlight piercing right through my eyes. I slowly cover it to block it to the light, and when I could finally see clearly I glance on my side and I saw Sting's head leaning on mine, sleeping soundly. He probably fell asleep and forgot to wake me up to switch with him.

I saw him move a little and felt the thing that was wrap on me tighten. I quickly look down to see two arms wrap on my waist which there's only one person who owns it, Sting. This surprised me and blushed. I immediately try to release myself to his grasp, but he just tightens it.

I keep trying but with no avail, I just give up, then suddenly his head slides down until it hits my lap. I made a squeak sound, and quickly covers my mouth. I look down to Sting as he continue to sleep.

A vein pops out on my head as I watch him sleeping peacefully with his arms still on my waist and his head lying on my lap like it's a pillow. I let out a sigh, being angry to someone sleeping is childish. I just let it go and watch him sleep, my gaze didn't remove to his as I slowly caress his hair, and plays with it.

As I brush some of his hair out of his face, I examine it. He doesn't have much eyelashes, unlike Nick, if you stare at him he looks like a girl. Sting's actually handsome, and the scar on his eyebrow adds the charm. This is the first time I examine him, and I'm actually embarrassed that I'm looking at him while he's asleep.

"Do you like my hair that much?"

I jump when I saw Sting's mouth move and heard his voice. I quickly pull away my hand to his hair as I feel my face warms up, I'm probably look like a tomato now.

"Y-you're awake?" I ask as he open his eyes and dark blue eyes locks on my brown eyes. My heart beats so fast, as I panic. 'This is so embarrassing.'

"Well, who wouldn't be, if someone keeps on petting your hair, and you could feel someone staring at you?" he reply as he continue to look at me.

"Uh, sorry, it's just that..uh…"

'Oh no! What should I say? I was mesmerized on your sleeping face that I can't stop looking at you? NO WAY! That's very embarrassing!'

"Uh, well your hair is soft and silky and it felt good to touch it. And..um, I-I wasn't looking at your f-face, I was thinking and it looks like I was," I suddenly thought up while averting my eyes to his. I glance at him to see his reaction.

He just look at me in confusion, then slowly he remove his arms on my waist, and the warmth also disappear which made me disappointed. I mentally slap myself for thinking that, then suddenly Sting pinch my nose.

"Kya! Sting?!" I suddenly shout as I cover my nose.

Sting suddenly laugh and quickly get up. I glare at him as he continue to laugh and won't say any word. When he finally stand up with his own feet he quickly stretch up and crack his neck.

I let out a sigh and slowly I stand up leaving Lector who is continue sleeping with his and my blanket wrap on him as he continue to roll. I let out a small chuckle before I join Sting in stretching, then started to cook for breakfast.

After we've eaten, we immediately set out to finish our job right away. Before that, I ask Lector again to fly me up so we can see the place, but, Sting stop me and told me he'll do it. He said that he had keen eyesight thanks for his Dragon abilities. I let him do it and wait for the two below.

I hum as I kick small rocks as I wait for them, then I heard Sting said he found the path, I look up and saw them flying down. Sting point out where the path is and we all run towards it.

*Sting's P.O.V.*

We finally found the path. Thank goodness, now we can find the hideout easily. I don't want to get lost nor being chased by the monster, though we can beat them easily, but, Aria doesn't want to.

Speaking of Aria, she's been odd ever since we arrive to this town. Like, she been blushing around me, plus she's being more nice than the usual. Also, I've been noticing, she's been glancing to me, just like now. When I timing her gaze, I look back at her which she covers by looking around like she's searching over something.

'Does she starting to like me?' I suddenly thought as I brighten up. 'Nah, that's impossible…for now,' I quickly contradict my first thought as my big smile turn into a small smile and my eyebrows curved downward.

Aria can't be in love with me, I never done something cool in front of her. Well, if you include all those comforting times, that's just it. I never shown her my cool side, that's why this mission is my chance to show off.

I nod my head as I cross my arms and close my eyes and imagine Aria's reaction when I show her my fighting skills.

"What are you smiling at?" I was snap out when I heard Aria's voice. I quickly look at her and saw her looking at me in confusion.

"Huh?"

"I said, what are you smiling at? It's kinda creepy though," she said as she furrowed her eyebrows. I blush as I shake my head.

"Nothing. Just thinking that after this mission, let's eat lots of food," I quickly answer.

Aria look at me with deadpanned face as she turn her head and walk very fast. I heard Lector laughing while following Aria by flying.

We continue to walk and walk until we finally reach the bottom of the mountain. We immediately search around to see any house or shack. Looking around quietly so no one can hear nor see us.

"Sting-kun, Aria-chan, I found a house," I heard Lector whisper.

Aria and I both look at Lector who is waving his paw, while the other is pointing to his side. We both head where he is and look where he was pointing.

He's right, there's a house. I use my Dragon abilities, hearing, smell, okay scratch the smell, I just smell something horrible inside the house.

"Hahaha! We got a good haul last night," I heard a deep man voice said.

"The town folks are really furious, hehehe.. they can never catch us," another man voice but this is more high.

"Heh, we're bandits, no one can stop us," the guy who has the deep voice said. He's probably the boss.

"Boss, I heard last night from one of the town people that the Mayor just hired some mages yesterday to capture us," another guy said.

"Bwahahahaha! Oh really? Well, where are they now? Hah! They are probably lost in the forest. They never gonna make it here, but, if they did, well, we outnumbered them. And we're not just normal bandits," the boss said as everyone laugh with him.

A vein pops on my head, and I keep gritting my teeth trying to stop myself not to just barge in. 'They're underestimating us.'

I keep glaring on the house when I heard something snap, I look on my side and saw Aria breaking twigs as a dark aura emitting on her and I could hear her laughing evilly.

"He-he-he, those bastards, I'll never forgive them for looking down on us," I heard Aria said with a very scary tone.

I gulped as I started to get scared on Aria. I saw on my side that Lector is shaking. Aria can be scary sometimes, just like Lucy when I first saw her become Erza#2. Aria turn her head on my direction which made me flinch as I could see her glares.

"Sting, no more plan, we'll beat the crap out of them. We'll show them that we can defeat them even though we're only 3," she said as she clench her fist.

When I heard her said that, it didn't made me scared more like I'm determined. 'She's right. Like hell we let them say anything bad to us mages.'

I smirk as I nod to her and she nod back, then we both look at Lector and the three of us nod together and we get out on our hiding place and dash towards the door and blast it.

*Normal P.O.V.*

The bandits were all drinking for celebrating their great achievement last night, when their door blast and they all fly away, the others quickly hide and look where the door supposed to be was, only there's smoke, blocking the entrance.

"WHO'S THERE?" the boss shout as he hold his big axe.

No one answered, the bandits were very cautious, they were waiting. Footsteps can be heard, and the steps getting closer, then 3 silhouettes are appearing from the smoke.

The boss squint his eyes to see the silhouettes clearly, but, the smokes started to disappear, and there the 3 members of Sabertooth standing, more like the Exceed is flying.

"We're mages from Sabertooth!" Aria shout, "And we're here to arrest you for stealing things from the town!"

The bandits stare at them, then suddenly the boss started to laugh.

"AHAHAHA!" So I see you found our hideout. And what? Arrest us? Do you think we'll just say yes and let you take us to the station? Hah! Get real mages! You'll have to defeat us first!" the boss yank as he hold his axe and started to run towards them.

"Bring it on!" Aria shout as she smirk.

"Attack!" the boss shout and so, his underlings started to charge while holding different weapons.

Aria summon her katana, then attack the bandits who were close to her. Sting follow as he uses his White Dragon's Roar to the incoming enemies. Lector grab some metal and hit the heads of one of the bandits which fell unconscious.

Sting attacks their boss, but, was block by his big axe. They continue to attack each other and evade each other's attacks.

'This old man is freaking strong! Expected from a boss,' Sting thought as he block his opponent's attack.

"HOLY FIST!" Aria chant as she punch her fist which is glowing into the opponent's face and slash the others using her katana.

She heard a scream behind her, and immediately she bend down and swing her right leg to the bandit's foot which made him loose his balance and fell down and bump his head. Aria smirk, but it disappear right away as a lot more bandits appear.

'Tsk, there are still more of them,' she thought as she continue to attack her opponents. This time instead of using her magic she uses her martial art skills and her swordsman skills, to save some of her magic.

The all-out fight continues, as Sting and Aria one by one defeat the bandits, and started to get tired. Though they both notice that something's odd on the bandits, even though they are getting fewer and the two mage had the advantage, the bandit's still has their smug look.

That's when they got their answer, suddenly all their weapons started to shine and something burst out each of it and head towards the two. They immediately dodge, though some of the attacks hit them which results of bruises and cut.

The boss of the bandits started to laugh as they all continue to attack the two at the same time. Aria continue to block it very fast using her katana, while Sting tries to attack them using his Roar.

"They're using magic tools. This bandits are smart. They let us think they were disadvantage at first, while it was actually they were waiting for us to worn out," Aria said while slicing one of the attacks.

"Yea, but, not smart enough. You have a plan right?" Sting said as he glance to Aria.

"Oh? How'd you know?"

"Well, your face never show that you were giving up. And you've been smiling since they started activating their weapons," Sting reply as he smile to Aria.

"Heh, it's not actually a plan. All we need to do is destroy those weapons and they are nothing more than just ordinary bandits. And that's your job," Aria said as her free hand glows and moves it in front of Sting's face.

Sting look at Aria's glowing hand, then to her. He grin as he gets what Aria meant, and quickly he eats the light from Aria's hand which made the bandits look at them in surprise.

"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU TWO DOING?" the boss scream as he started to charge on Aria.

Aria turn her head and quickly swing her katana very strong and hit the axe of the boss. The axe suddenly fly away from the boss' grasp and hit the ground which shock the boss.

"Thanks for the treat," Sting said as he wipe his mouth and his grin never disappear as he joins his open palms of his hands together, with all the fingers on one hand in contact with the corresponding ones on the other hand, and then separates his palms while keeping the fingers in contact through their tips.

"HOLY RAY!" Lights started to generate in the hollow part between his hands, expanding from the holes between Sting's fingers.

Sting separates his hands completely as he extend his arms in front of him and a large sphere form in front of him and number of white rays are fired towards all the bandits' aiming for their weapons.

Some of the weapons were completely destroyed, while the others just fly away. This froze some of them, and Aria took this as an opportunity as she charge towards them again.

This time the bandits were easily get defeated, and one by one again they were decreasing. Finally, they are completely in advantage, is what Aria thought, but it didn't last long.

"Halt you two! If not I don't know what I can do to your pet," the boss said.

Aria and Sting turn their and froze as they saw the boss holding struggling Lector around his neck and his other hand has a knife.

"LECTOR!" they both shout.

"STING-KUN! ARIA-CHAN! I'M SORRY!" Lector shout as he keeps on struggling even though he's trembling.

The boss laugh as he move the knife closer to Lector's neck. This made the two glare at him and grit their teeth.

"HAHAHA! I see you value the life of your pet," the boss said as his smug look returns again.

"Lector is not a pet!" Sting shout as he was about to charge.

"Uh-uh, that's not a good idea brat, if you want to see this cat disappear in this world." The boss moves the knife almost an inch from Lector's neck.

"Shit!"

"Be a good mages and kneel down. You girl, put down your sword!" the boss ordered.

Aria and Sting doesn't have any choice. Aria loosen her grip on her sword and it falls down between her and Sting, and slowly they bent down.

The boss smirk and his arm loosen up which Aria notice and grin as she kick her katana towards the boss and dashes right after. The katana hits the boss arm where he's holding the knife which made the knife fall. The boss look at his arm as blood started to come out.

"LECTOR NOW!" Aria shout as she continue to run towards them.

Lector snaps out and quickly get out on the man's grasp and right on time Aria is already in front of them and quickly grab both Lector and her katana as she kick the boss right through its stomach and sent flying towards the wall.

"Lector, you okay?" Aria asked the Exceed worriedly.

"Yes, thanks Aria-chan and I'm sorry. I let them capture me. That guy suddenly grab my wings and pull me down," Lector explain as tears started to form on his eyes.

"Don't cry Lector. Its fine, we're also careless," Aria said as she comfort Lector and pat his head while hugging him.

"LECTOR!"

"STING-KUN!"

Sting run towards them and hug Lector tightly. Aria smile as she watch the two, but, disappear right away as they still have a job to do.

"Lector, hide for a while. We'll take care of this guys," Aria said as the two finally pull apart.

Lector nods and fly away and hide behind the table, except for his eyes as he wants to watch the fight. Sting stand up and wipe his clothes to remove the dust as the bandits started to gather around them. They all glare at each other and again the fight continues.

Every now and then Aria and Sting got the advantage, as they beat down the bandits, and thanks to Aria for refueling Sting's magic by letting him eat her magic, they never worn out. And only 50% of the bandits were the one's standing adding the boss who suddenly regained his conscious and grab his axe.

Aria and Sting didn't mind, they can continue to fight all day as they are both strong and they are not really dealing with mages that can attack them with really strong magic.

The boss is now really furious, especially to what Aria had done to him, he glares to the Light mage who is busy fighting his underlings. His grip on his axe his very tight as he started to dashes towards Aria, and ready to hit Aria.

Aria who is busy and so focused on her opponents that is in front of her, she didn't notice that the boss was behind her and hit her head very hard.

"KYA!"

*Sting's P.O.V.*

I was punching and kicking the bandits when I heard a scream. I quickly recognize the voice and turn my head. My eyes widen when I Aria hits the wall and falls down.

"ARIA!" I shout as I run towards her, punching anyone who's in the way.

When I reach her, she's lying down on the floor with her eyes closed. I quickly hold her from her waist then her head, then suddenly I felt something wet on her head. I look at my hand and saw a red liquid covering my hand.

'Blood?' I saw Aria slowly half open her eyes and look at me.

"Sting" is only what she said when she immediately close her eyes. I quickly panic as I try to shake her.

"Oi, Aria! Aria!" I call her name many times. I quickly place my head on her chest, and I could hear her heart beat, which made me feel relief.

I turn my head and glares to the one who hit Aria. The boss just look at me with his smug look.

"Lector!" I called my partner's name, and quickly he fly towards us.

"Lector, take Aria outside and treat her injuries. I'll finish this," I said without looking at him as anger is starting to control me.

"Okay, be careful Sting-kun," I heard Lector said as he fly down. I lift Aria so it will be easy for him to hold her behind and he quickly lift of and was about to fly outside when someone block them.

"White Dragon's Claw!" I chant as I punch the one who blocks the way and let Lector escape. I stand with the exit behind me as I activate my White Drive.

"I won't let you pass me. I won't forgive you for what you've done both to my partner and to my Aria," I said as I glare at them and attacks them.

"Huff, huff, finally it's over," I said as I catch my breath.

I look down to the defeated bandits who I just finished tying up so they won't escape. I look around and see that the house is destroyed.

"Ugh, luckily, it's not any town folks house," I said as I scratch my neck, then I felt a pain on the side of my stomach.

They got me a while ago, though it's not that bad, I even had more painful injury during GMG. In the end I used my White Drive, though I don't want to, but, because they hit Aria I lose control.

'Aria!' I quickly dash off outside to check on her and Lector.

I quickly found them as they were just under the big tree that is on the opposite side of the house.

"Lector!" I called my partners name as I run towards them and kneel down.

"Sting-kun!" Lector said with a smile.

"How's Aria?" I asked as I look at her unconscious body which is lying on the grass.

"I immediately treat her wounds, before she lose more blood. She's fine now, and just unconscious," Lector said and I felt myself felt relief as I look at Aria whose forehead and arms covered in bandages.

"Thanks Lector. I don't know what to do without you," I thanked him as I pat his head.

"No worries Sting-kun. And I guess, you defeated all the bandits," he said. I just nod.

"As expected of Sting-kun. Now, let's treat your wounds," he said as he grab some bandages and some alcohol.

When I was about to let him, I saw Aria's hand twitch I quickly turn my head and saw her brows furrowed.

"Aria!" I called out. And slowly her eyes started to open and she quickly hold her head as she started to get up. Then she look at me with her half opened brown eyes.

"Sting," before she could continue I quickly pull her towards me. Leaning my head on her shoulder as I wrap my arms around her.

I felt her stiffened, then slowly loosen up. I could feel myself shaking, as I remember her hitting the wall so hard. I totally panic that time, coz, I let her got hit. Then I remember that I promise Nick that I'll protect her, which I didn't do.

I felt something warm rubbing behind my back and then I felt Aria's head leans down on her side where my head is. Slowly, I stopped shaking, but, I didn't let go to her. I don't want to.

"Sting," I heard her talk, "I'm fine, you don't have to worry," she said in a very soft and sweet voice. I lift my head and place my hands on her shoulder.

"But, if I was looking then I could warn you. I should have protected you," I said without even looking at her as I hold her shoulder tightly. I heard her frown.

"Don't tell me you're blaming yourself when I was hit. It was my carelessness that made me wounded, I was too busy on the opponents in front of me that I didn't notice that old man was sneaking behind me. So stop blaming yourself," she scolded me.

"But, I promise Nick that I'll protect you! And yet, I didn't do it!" I shout which surprises both Aria and Lector.

I saw Aria cross her arms, then I glance up to see her glaring at me, I flinch, then Aria let out a sigh.

"Sting, I'm a mage, a Sabertooth mage. It's expected that I'll get injured since our jobs are really extreme and dangerous. I won't call myself a mage if I'm not prepared on that," she said with a serious tone.

I look at her brown eyes and I could see that she's really serious. I smile as I let go on her and apologize for being so pathetic. She shake her head as she told me that I don't need to apologize, it's natural to get worried on your friends, and I should not blame myself on whatever happened to her. I nod as I give her my biggest smile.

"So, what happened to the rest of the bandits?" she asked.

"I kick their asses after hurting you," I said as I make a proud pose. I heard her laugh which made me feel embarrass.

"I guess I should say Thanks?" she said. I didn't reply as I pout. I heard her laugh again, I look at my side as I cross my arms.

Then suddenly something soft and warm press on my cheek. I quickly turn around and saw Aria's face pulling away as she smiles at me and look to Lector and kiss him on the forehead. I put my hand on where I felt where that soft and warm is.

'Did she just kiss me?' I thought to myself. Aria seemed to notice my reaction and smile again.

"It's my way of saying thank you. Thanks for finishing the job, and thank you Lector for treating my injuries," she said as she continue to smile. My face suddenly warms up and quickly I hide it by turning my head. I heard Aria asking me if I'm fine. I told her I am and that we should wrap up and head back to the town when suddenly I felt the pain again on my side.

"Ah! Sting-kun, we haven't treat your wound," I heard Lector said worriedly.

"Eh?! Where?" Aria asked.

Then I suddenly I was turned around by none other than Aria as she scan me, then she found my wounds and quickly grab the bandage, the towel, and the alcohol to Lector. She immediately treat my wounds as she scold me for not saying anything. I just smile as I watch her wrapping my stomach with bandages while Lector place some patches on my arms.

When they were finally done, I rub Lector's head and at the same time I lean on Aria and kiss her on the cheek which surprises her and a blush crept on her face. I grin as stand up and offer my hand to her.

"It's my way of saying thanks," I said. Her blush deepens as she nod and grab my hand and I pull her up.

We went back inside as we have another problem, how will we take both the stolen stuffs plus the bandits back to the town. The three of us think of ways, but there's nothing on my mind that could solve our problem.

Aria walk outside the house, I was curious so I follow her, then I saw her went to the back and there was a cart. Aria told me that if they were stealing stuffs every night and they always walk back to their hideout, they probably have something to place their stolen goods since they said they got a good haul last night.

I was amazed when I heard her said that. To think she thought of that with just those few information. I quickly push the cart towards the entrance of the house. Lector and I place the stolen goods while Aria tied the bandits in one long rope and they are aligned in one single line, so they can walk by themselves.

When we are finally done, we all head back to the town with me pushing the cart and Aria holding the rope which is the one that tied the bandits.

A/N: And that's Chapter 21~ How is it? Do ya like it? I was actually taking a break on doing my thesis, and tomorrow I have to go to my school to record one of the voices of one of our characters. That's why I decided to post a new chapter. It actually tired me out when I was writing the fight scene, I told to myself that I'll not write it too detailed, but, my hands isn't listening to me, it just keep on typing, typing and typing. Well, I don't mind, as I 'somehow' moved on from my break out on FT's Chapter 416, not fully, but, at least somehow.

Yay~ Thanks for the reviews, faves, followers and for reading my story~ Much appreciated it XD. Here's some chocolates~ this helped me calm down this past 3 days from THAT chapter XD

Ceria- Hihihi..glad you love it! Thanks~

Paul- Yes! At first I did thought that Lector will tell it Happy style but, I thought, Lector is more mature and well mannered than Happy so I change it. XD Haha! Glad you like that idea. Yes, they totally need it, and they will continue to be dense. About the new chapter, just like Master said to Doranbolt he's the type who will sacrifice himself, so when he sneak to the council he erase him memories of being a FT member so the council won't get suspicious on him, I guess Mashima-san just thought that so no one except for Master to know who really is. Plus, to surprise his readers. Regarding on Natsu being END and for Gray killing END, I really hope too, I wanted to know how will Mashima show it. I'm pretty sure Laxus, and the others will train individually like Natsu is going to do. I was thinking what after their individual trainings, Laxus will rebuild Fairy Tail and one by one the former members will join. XD Haha. Anyways thanks for the review~ and thanks for sharing your review on the latest chap. I totally like it.

Please don't forget to R&R and F&F~

And that's that~ See ya on the next chap~ :)