Chapter 21

Minerva didn't seem to have an answer and neither did I, "Kinana said we would talk about it tomorrow."

Minerva nodded and made room for me on the bad, "Wendy has some information she can share with us so we're all on the same page." She took some extra pillows and put them between us, "I don't know about you but I've been having a very vivid dream about Rogue lately and there is no sense in either of us sleeping on the floor."

I blush at her no nonsense tone and solution, "I know what you mean when I finally saw Sting and not just a glimpse I froze. I've had such emotional dreams that I almost ran right to him!" I tear up a little, "it hurt to walk away. It hurt so much but at the same time I knew it wasn't the time to go to him. I can't explain it but I just know everything will work out in the end."

Minerva reaches over and squeezes my hand, "we'll get this figured out. For now let's get some rest."

I squeezed back and before I knew I was asleep.

I looked around, I was back in the castle and it was the night of the party after the Dragons had destroyed Crocus. I started to walk towards the gardens knowing he was waiting for me. I realized my dress felt different and when I looked down I gasped it was absolutley stunning. It was also something I never would have picked for myself, it drew far to much attention. I grasped the translucent cobalt skirt catching some light to see golden light shine and shimmer as the fabric moves.

I walk futher down the hall to a mirror and smile at the beautiful gown. I run my fingers along the sweetheart neckline and turn to see the completely exposed back. A gold choker at my neck with a tail falling down my spine ending just above my butt draws my attention to a stunning intricate tattoo sprawling from right shoulder down towards my hip. Before I could study it further I feel his breath on my neck.

I shiver and he chuckles wrapping his arms around my waist. "Do you like it? I won't know exactly how my mark will decorate your skin but I just couldn't wait." I smile at his impatience and giggle when I hear him growl, "oh that makes you smile and laugh does it?"

My laughter is cut off when he starts to run his fingers up my arms. I look in the mirror and see nothing but I can still feel him. I start to turn but his hands stop me, "how bout we play a game Yuki?"

I lick my lips, "what kind of game?"

"Let's see how long you can hold out without turning around. I want you to watch yourself in the mirror, I want you to see just what I see every night." I flush crimson and start to close my eyes when the snap back open at him removing his hands. I spin around trying to reach for him but there;s nothing there.

"Sting?"

Only once I turn back to the mirror do I hear him again, "Yukino tsk tsk can't have you breaking the rules already. The longer you're able to look at the mirror the more of me you'll get to see."

I flush at just what he was asking me to do but nod yearning to see his face. I tremble with aniticpation and nerves; we hadn't gotten very far but something told me this dream was a little different.

His first touch was following the chain tail up my back causing goosebumps and a little shiver. My cheeks start to gather some color knowing this was just the beginning. His hands brushed across my shoulders and down my arms with a light squeeze on each wrist. When his touch left me I had to force myself not to look around for him.

I jump and gasp a bit as his hands find my ankle beneath my dress. His chuckle makes me blush in embarrassment knowing without a doubt he's enjoying this. "What do you see Yukino? Describe yourself."

His fingers pause on the inside of my knees and I start to ramble a little, "M-my cheeks are red," his fingers start moving again. "My heart is beating fast, my breath is co-coming faster." His hands squeeze right below my butt. i stare closer in the mirror finally able to see a crouched silhoute by my feet. His hands move to the outside of my thighs and slide under my panties. My breath catches as his fingers hook and start to tug them down.

"I can never get over just how beautiful you are. Your skin's like a lily petal,...it just makes me want to..."

I gasp as his tongue starts to trace up my spine and moan as his teeth find a sensitive spot on my neck. I realize my eyes had fluttered closed and I smile wide when I open them. My eyes meet his in the mirror. He steps out from behind me; I can see all of him and flush at just what he was wearing or should I say at what he wasn't wearing.

Just as I reach for him ...

"Rise and Shine Ladies it's time to get the ball rolling!"

I bolt up in bed to see Minerva with a scowl on her face at Cana's morning rally from the hallway. "I guess we should head down and see if we can help out," I smile and squeeze her shoulder.

"I don't know how you can be so, so okay with this absurd wake up call but yes I suppose we should make the best of it," I laugh knowing Cana was lucky that Minerva was being reasonable this morning. Any other day and Minerva would use her magic to drop Cana in a well or a men's bath house if she was feeling sassy.

Then I heard Cana, "What the HELL! Where did my wine bottle go!"

I turn to see Minerva dumping it out the window with a satisfied smirk.

Lucy's POV

As we all head down for breakfast and the video, Erza fills us in on just what went down while Levy and I were at the conference.

"We would have sent someone to get you sooner had we realized just what they were after." Erza says sounding a little frustrated.

"Erza, don't make Wendy reassure you again. The chances of this happening at all were impossible, there's never been a dragon slayer with Dragon King Sickness, so how were we suppose to be prepared for it," Gray pipes in.

"Yes I know, it just seems like a whole luck is going into this and any careful planning we do on our part just ...just," Erza seems at a loss for the right word.

"Goes up in smoke," Gray mutters sarcastically

There's a moment of silence before we all start cracking up, "I don't know about you guys but I needed that." I wipe a tear away and clear my throat, "well we weren't all together to plan last time we've basically been playing catch up. I don't know about you guys but I'm ready to hear everything about this sickness and finally make a plan."

"Aye!"

As we make our way into the livingroom with our breakfast, we notice Mira setting up a Lacravison. "Apparently you aren't the only ones that want to see this," Erza chuckles.

Almost the entire guild was sitting around the room with food and beverage talking amoungst themselves. Once they noticed us in the doorway a cheer went up and everyone was saying things like "welcome back,""glad your safe," and "Happy you made it!"

I smile and nod as I make my way to a frantically waving Cana, "saved ya a spot gorgeous! Oh and I suppose the rest of you can sit with us."

Erza, Levy, and I laugh at Cana's antics while Juvia huffs and claims a spot next to Gray who couldn't help but add a comment, "nice Cana I see how we rate."

"Pfft well if you knockers like these," I squeak as Cana grabs hold of my chest from behind, "then maybe you'd have my attention!"

Gray burst out laughing while I pried Cana off me, "why don't you go molest someone else!"

"I would but Erza hurts, Juvia turns into a puddle, and levy well her's are claimed aren't they," Cana shoots Levy a smirk.

"Wha-what no!" a certain blunette squeaks out while turning into a tomato.

Everyone around us joined in the laughter. I hugged Levy to me enjoying being around our family although it felt like there was a certain obnoxious loud mouth missing. I left Gray's hand on my shoulder and we share a look of acknowledgment both knowing just who was missing.

"Alright everyone let's get this started and afterwards everyone thats ummm being well chased needs to stay Porlyusica and Master would like to speak with you," Mira annouces from the in front of the screen. She nods to Max who turns off the lights and the movie starts "3...2...1"