Hi readers :)

Here is the next chapter, I hope you like it! I went to Stratford today, so I was on a train some of the day. I suppose it is better than the bus, a few days ago I went to Central London on a bus instead of the underground, that was an interesting trip and very crowded. Although, I didn't see the crazy person on the bus, but it couldn't of been me, I didn't go on about architecture! (How I Met Your Mother thing there)

I have had a few reviews and messages asking what is happening with Rogue and Natsu, I'm afraid I'm not going to give anything away, you'll have to wait and see ;)

This chapter talks about events which have happened in the latest arc of the Fairy Tail manga, so if you aren't up to date on the manga by about three months, 1) get up to date with it man! 2)You maybe shouldn't read this chapter till you've done '1)'. Anywho, just a heads up :3

Anyways, Lucy's point of view again today

Don't forget, review and, as always, enjoy! :)

Chapter Ten-

Staring at the ceiling in the dark

"To ask what your name is."

"Eh?"

I hear my response slip through my lips before I can stop it, but coming to think of it, I can't think of another response which would be any better. The question has completely thrown me, and quite suddenly, I feel myself lower my arm, the Fleuve d'étolies retracting, it's sparky blue light shortening before it is there no more. Plue seems to have also stopped dancing and twirling, instead staring at Rogue.

"I want to know your name."

"W-why?"

I manage, still finding it hard to comprehend not only that Rogue is here, but out of all things, that he wants to know my name. Is this all some kind of Sabertooth plot? But why does it involve me? He stays silent for a moment longer, as if he is thinking over how to word his next sentence, but then he begins.

"I never got a chance to ask your name after I saved you. I know of you, yes, but a name is what I am missing."

"Why is that important?"

"It's good to put a name to a face, especially such a pre-" Stopping, he clears his throat before looking away from me, staring at nothing as he continues. "It'd be nice to know."

I narrow my eyes staring at him. His midnight hair covering one of his eyes, the other looking away from me. Arms folded and most of his clothes cover by his dark cloak. I can't help not trust him, in fact, I don't want to trust him. He is from Sabertooth and his guild has never given me a reason to trust them.

In fact, I recall his future self from a different time line even tried to kill me. Instead taking the life of a me from another time, 'Future Lucy' jumping in front of me to save my life. Minerva had almost beaten me to death inside the water bubble. The guild discarding of team members they considered 'weak', throwing them away like rubbish after humiliating them like they had done to Yukino.

However, his actions seem shy, almost reserved as if he is afraid of me. Maybe he isn't just trying to con Fairy Tail secrets from me. Frowning, I sigh. I resent him for his guild, maybe by doing that, I am as bad as what Sabertooth stands for. Although, regardless of this, I still don't want to give him a foothold, just in case I am just a pawn in a complicated game of chess.

What do I do?

After a few moments of silence, I clear my throat before speaking. I still feel uneasy, so grip the Fleuve d'étolies tightly, just in case I need it.

"My name is my own, Rogue."

As if he knows that I don't want to tell him my name, he nods, finally looking back up at me.

"Then I will walk you home instead." I stiffen up to this suggestion, my muscles tensing. He seems to also notice this, laughing slightly yet softly, before shaking his head slightly. "Only as a perpetuation, it is late, and you are a woman alone in the dark."

"Oi." I raise my eyebrows and fold my arms at this comment. "I'm a mage and I am not weak. I can look after myself."

"I'm sure you can, but I wouldn't be a gentleman if I didn't offer."

"I would rather wa-"

"Please."

His voice sounds rather desperate, and I just sigh. Placing the Fleuve d'étolies back onto my belt loop, I lean down to pick up Plue before hugging him to my chest. My little white spirit responds to my embrace with his soft Puun noise. Looking to Rogue, I nod in the direction I had walked from.

"You can walk me part way, back to the bridge along the canal."

"Okay." He agrees. I step past him, beginning to walk back towards my home. I feel uneasy, almost, walking along side the Shadow Dragon Slayer. His quick steps bring him along side me, and soon he is walking in time with my foot steps. I can hear his breathing and the clanks from his metal knee guards along with the sounds of the night.

There is a silence between us as we walk for a while. It isn't exactly awkward, I wouldn't know what to say to the man anyway. But it isn't comfortable, I don't know Rogue, so this silence is far from being comfortable. "That is an odd spirit. He doesn't look like he has a fighting capability."

To this, Plue puun's, wriggling in my arms. I stare down at my spirit before letting him down so he can walk ahead, dancing as he does.

"He's more of a pet. My company. Not a fighter, although he had been useful in some fights."

I watch as Plue dances ahead, jumping between the yellowy light cast by the street lamps. His golden cone nose glowing under the light before falling into shadow in between them.

"Hmm." Rogue hums, before out of the corner of my eye I see him smile slightly. "He is rather... Cute. Like a 'Lesser Dog', almost."

Lesser Dog.

Just like that, the words Rogue just uttered sends me back to the day I made a contract with Plue. It had been the first time Natsu had seen me make a contract with one of my spirits. He had commented on it being simple, as well as commenting on many other things, and the first of many times to follow of him invading my house. But I had explained how a contract to a spirit is like a promise, and that's why I never break promises.

It was also the day we became partners and formed a team. I had been so overjoyed to be part of a team, the thought of how happy I was then crushes me almost. I had so many years of getting to know the amazing pink haired man who bought me to Fairy Tail ahead of me back then. Now, I'm not sure he even wants to see my face half the time.

Blinking away a few tears from my eyes, I look at Plue dance in the light before answering Rogue.

"He is cute, I agree."

After that, we fall back into silence. I don't have anything to say. Well, apart from the mound of questions as to why Rogue keeps appearing. However, I choose to save them. For some reason him just being here reminds me of Natsu, and that distresses me. They are both Dragon Slayers, and Rogue harmlessly commenting on Plue made me remember the first time Natsu broke into my home. The fact Rogue is walking me part way home and Natsu had done this same walk with me many times before. They both seem to surprise me.

My heart beings to ache at the thought of Natsu. What did I do wrong?

Suddenly, the sight of the bridge pulls me from my thoughts. I don't want Rogue to end up appearing at my house as well. Stopping abruptly, I stare at Rogue, who quickly notices I have stopped walking and turns to me.

"We're at the bridge now, I can get home alone from here."

I see a frown pull across his features and he looks into my eyes.

"You sure?"

"Positive." A slight pout takes over his lips, but he nods. Walking forward, I pick Plue up once more before beginning to walk away from the Shadow Dragon Slayer. After a few foot steps, I stop before turning around to look at Rogue. He is standing staring at me, out of the glare of the street lamp a few feet away from him. "Thank you."

Then I turn and walk away before he can respond. After a few steps I turn to ensure he isn't following me, just to find he has melted away into the shadows. Looking back forward and staring at the stone paving slabs, I reach my home. Letting myself in, being quite so I don't wake my land lady, I find my way into my apartment. It's empty again; no Natsu.

Sighing, I send my Nikora, Plue, back to the spirit world before quickly getting changed and collapsing into bed, staring up at the ceiling as I do.

Following the lines and indentations of the ceiling, I bite my lip. The room is so dark I can only see the outlines of objects. The deafening sound of nothingness fills my room as I stare at the ceiling in the dark, allowing the events of the day to all come to mind at once. My feelings twist, causing my eyes to tear up again.

Breathing out heavily after a while, I turn onto my side. Shutting my eyes tightly, I wait for sleep to take me away to the dream lands I want to live in.