I'm sooooo sorry this chapter took a lot longer than I thought! Work got crazy busy and I had writer's block already! I'm sorry if the chapter seems a little off. I had a really hard time with this one!

Chapter 12

It was dark. Way too dark for her to be awake… 'I must be dreaming, but why am I lucid? Most of the time I don't even remember my dreams.' Saphira continued to walk through the pitch black scene before her, until a voice rang out in the darkness.

'You are such a stubborn onna (woman).'

She sighed and said, 'This is your doing isn't it?'

'Yes… it is. The only way to get you to completely focus on what I have to say.'

'Well then you have my absolute attention. I'm sure you won't let me out until I've heard what you have to say.'

'You are only half right… I will not let you out until you have listened and agreed to what I have to say.'

At first it was just a chuckle and then Saphira broke out in laughter, completely confusing her inner dragon. Just because they shared the same body didn't mean they shared the same mind. Sure they could hear some thoughts if they were strong enough. But her dragon had no idea why the dragon slayer had busted out laughing. This was supposed to be serious!

When she finally calmed down she said, 'Well then,' as she sat down on the floor. 'Shall we get started…Yuki.'

A beautiful woman appeared with mid-length snow white hair and intense golden eyes. She wore a black kimono with a sakura blossom design and silver accents throughout.

'I thought I told you to never call me by my name unless…'

'Unless it was an emergency. Hai, Hai I know. Forgive me but, you are holding me hostage in my own mind. This seems like an emergency to me. Besides I don't want to talk to myself surrounded by nothing but darkness.'

'If that was your only concern… I could've simply changed the scene without you summoning me.'

Yuki then waved her hand and their surroundings change into a beautiful, lush green field, with wild flowers scattered throughout. Even a breeze passed by them as Yuki sat down next to Saphira.

They made quite the pair sitting next to each other. One with white hair and dark clothes. The other with dark hair and the white top she had worn the day before. Their outfits were the direct opposite of their personalities.

'So I imagine this is about Laxus?' Saphira stated.

'Yes… All this waiting is ridiculous. You know that Acnologia will be on the move soon. The training needs to begin very soon and you won't be able to help your slayers if you are constantly worried about messing up and accidentally telling Laxus.'

'You already know that I know this. There is nothing to agree with you about here! Of course I'm aware of Acnologia. How could I not be! He is poised to ruin everything that I have worked so hard to achieve!'

'And yet you ignore the greatest boon you have?! Your mate is strong! A mated pair is much stronger than the individual. You have a huge advantage right in front of you and yet you do not take it! Why?'

'…What if he is not happy with me? What if I'm not god enough? He has become such an amazing man… He deserves someone who didn't run from him for ten years… Honestly that is something I may never forgive myself for. Laxus deserves better. He would be much better off with someone else. I mean when I left everyone was sure he would end up with Mira!'

'And yet he has no interest in the demon takeover mage. And Mira has interest in one of Laxus's team mates. Wasn't your lion supposed to quell these fears? And during seven of those years, Laxus was asleep on Tenrou Island. I'm sure he would understand.'

'Ugh! I don't feel like getting lectured! Get to the point Yuki! What is it you want me to agree too?'

'Very well… Right now it is Wednesday morning. By the end of the day on Friday, Laxus has to be aware of the fact that he is your mate.'

'Are you crazy? You are actually putting a deadline on me? No, not happening.'

'Very well, then I will keep you here until he comes to check on you. It is nearly 10:45 am. I'm sure you can imagine it. He will try to check on you by yelling through the door. You of course, won't be able to answer. Maybe he will get worried, and then peak in to check on you. Once he figures out that you aren't waking up… chances are he will carry you to the guild infirmary. Either way I win.'

Saphira stared incredulously at the smirking woman beside her. She hated to admit it but it was a damn good plan. Well thought out too. Either I tell him on my terms or he finds out on the dragon's terms. Three days wasn't too bad of a deadline… goddamn stupid dragon.

'You know I can hear your thoughts while we are connected like this…'

'Ugh! Fuck Me!'

'No thank you…. I believe that would be Laxus's job.

Both women stopped and stared at each other for a few seconds before busting out in laughter. Only after calming down were they able to talk again.

'I never thought you would say such a crude joke!'

'Desperate times, desperate measures!'

'Alright I agree to your terms… You are a guiding light in my dark world after all Yuki. What would I do without my conscious?'

Yuki looked over at the black haired woman. She was so strong and yet so fragile at the same time. How can humans survive being as they are? Saphira had completely skipped over the person who was her real light.

'Indeed… you are a stupid onna. I am not your light. That special title is meant for someone far more important than I.'

'….Someone more important than part of myself? Now look who's stupid.' Saphira said while thinking about all the times Yuki's advice had saved her ass.

'Enough with the sappy talk and just let me out of here already!'

'Fair enough but don't forget about our terms… I can always bring you back here if I have to.'

They said their goodbyes and Yuki faded back into Saphira's mind, allowing her to wake up.

(Line Break)

He really had no idea what he was doing… Or why he was standing in front of her door. Laxus could clearly hear Saphira's even breathing on the other side. She was sleeping peacefully.

'She must've been really tired. It's already 10:30 am and she's still asleep.' He thought. He considered knocking, earlier he had called Freed to update him and ask him to come over to set up the ruins for the other house guest. Freed had told him that he would be at the house at 12o'clock. And to date, he had never been late.

Deciding to leave Saphira alone, Laxus headed over to the shower next to his room. He turned on the water and took off his boxers. Once the temperature was hot enough he stepped under the falling water.

'This is going to be such a pain in the ass.' He thought as he reached for the shampoo he had found in his overnight bag. Living under the same roof as a walking poison canister was a recipe for disaster. 'Wonder if Cobra is even awake yet.' Laxus thought as he rinsed the soap from his golden hair. The soap trailed down his broad back and sculpted chest. Years and years of training had done him well. Of course the seven year gap had really fucked him over with his training. Had to start all over because of that!

Finishing his shower, Laxus stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist. Stepping out of the bathroom he saw Cobra sitting at the bar in the kitchen.

"Honestly Spark Plug, do you ever stop thinking? This is going to be the longest six fucking months ever if you can't control yourself." The irritated maroon haired man said as he glared at Laxus.

"Tch… not my fault. I have a lot to think about. Why is it only my thoughts you complain about? Shouldn't Saphira's be making you crazy as well?" Laxus replied while returning the glare.

"Her thoughts are interesting. She knows so much more than she lets on. Having a leg up on everyone else is a great advantage… especially from my point of view."

The now pissed off lightning dragon slayer stomped over to the other man in the room. "If I so much as think you are going to hurt anyone in this guild, I'll rip you apart myself." Laxus hissed.

"I'm about to be part of your stupid guild so you may as well get used to me now. I'm not going anywhere… Your Alpha made sure of that." Erik said as he held his palm up in Laxus's face. "And by the way, how is your search for your mate going? Hm?"

He had to have planned that. Because the second Erik said that, Saphira walked out of her room. She had obviously showered and changed for the day. She was wearing a short black tank top and dark burgundy skinny jeans. As she walked out of her door, she glanced up from her lacrima phone and her eyes landed directly on a shirtless and wet Laxus with only a towel covering himself.

The males watched as her eyes bugged out of her head and turned around and walked back inside her room. Then Erik cried out almost in pain.

"FUCK! What the actual fuck Alpha! Get your fucking thoughts under control! Oh my Kami! What are you? A school girl! You're over 200 years old! For fucks sake get yourself together woman!"

On the other side of the door, Saphira had covered her mouth and nose with her hands. That was the last thing she thought she would see today! And first thing in the morning too! 'Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. FUCK! Sooo many bad thoughts! If Erik hadn't been here surely we would've ended up in my bedroom… on the bed… with his towel anywhere but around his waist.'

Well aware of the fact that Erik was yelling at her, because of her current state of mind she tried to pull herself together. Tried being the key word. 'It's no use! All I want to do is drag him in here and have him push me up against the wall, bite my neck, tear each other's clothes off and push him on the bed! And preferably not leave the room for a few days.'

"Dammit Sparky go get fucking dressed!" She heard Erik yell.

"Would you stop yelling and just fucking tell me what is going on?! What is wrong with Saphira?" the Adonis dressed in only a towel said.

"If you weren't so wrapped up in your own fucking pity party you would've realized by now that she's yo…"

Before the traitorous poison dragon slayer could say anything else, Saphira had bolted out of her room and covered his mouth with both of her hands. "You say one more word and I'll castrate you." She said venomously as she sent him a glare that promised intense pain. Erik slightly nodded his head showing the fuming elemental dragon slayer that he understood.

And then without turning around she said to Laxus, "Please get some clothes on would you? Freed said he would be here in 30 minutes."

"Shit!" Laxus cursed as he spun on his heels and rushed to his room. Once the door was shut Saphira turned her attention back to Erik.

Taking her hands off his mouth she said, "You are walking on this ice. Your life here will be really miserable if I can't trust you… Do you understand?"

"Yea I get it."

"Great. Glad we are on the same page now."

Laxus then walked out of his room dressed in a white button down shirt and black jeans.

When she saw him dressed in the white shirt that was damn near see through because of his wet skin, her thoughts went straight into the gutter again. 'Fuck me si…' But a sharp pinch to her arm curtesy of Erik immediately stopped them.

"This is going to be such a long day." Saphira groaned. "Come on Laxus. I've got to get you set up so you can leave and come back when you please."

Laxus watched her walk back into her room and leave the door open. 'As if I'd ever leave her alone with poison breathe here… Am I really supposed to follow her in there?'

"Are you coming or not?" Saphira asked as she popped her head out of the door. "I don't want to have to open the door every time you want to come back in ya know."

"Uh yea." Laxus said as he walked towards her door. He figured he would never be allowed anywhere near her room. Women were weird like that. Usually he invited women over to his house and then kicked them out after they were done fucking. But that was before Fantasia. When a woman invited him to her house it was a clear sign to cut off the relationship… So why wasn't he freaking out about going into Saphira's room?

He followed her over to a control panel at the far side of her room. After activating it with her own magic signature, he watched as she effortlessly moved through the menus to the 'Add a Signature User' page.

"Alright, all you need to do is put your hand on the pad and let the system read and record your magic signature. Once that is done, you will basically be a key to my house. So don't do anything stupid."

"Like what?"

"Get captured… There are many people who would love to have an easy way into my house. Why do you think I have such an advanced security system? I can never be too safe."

"Then isn't having an ex-criminal in your house a risk?"

"… It is a necessary risk… I suppose…. That some risks… are worth taking." She mumbled to herself as she shut down the panel.

"Yo! Alpha, someone with creepy as green hair is at the door!" Erik yelled from the kitchen.

Saphira sighed as she glanced out her bedroom door. "Will you go let Freed in please Laxus?"

Laxus agreed and left the room. As he did Saphira watched his figure leave through the doorway. 'Was I actually going to tell him right there? This damn ultimatum is messing with my head!'

She left her room and walked over to Erik, who was in the same spot she had left him in 30 minutes ago. "Why do you insist on calling me Alpha, instead of my actual name?"

"Ha! There is no way I'm going to get attached to anyone of you fuckers! The second I repay my debt to you, I'm outta here." He replied.

"It's too late for that. You are already attached to Kinana. Do you really think she will want to leave the people who have been so kind to her? You better get used to being here. You're in it for the long haul now."

Freed entered the kitchen with Laxus right behind him.

"Good afternoon Saphira-san. I understand you would like me to place ruins around your house." Freed greeted.

"Yes, although I think doing so is over kill. But it will ease Master Makarov's mind so I'll do it. Come with me and we can lay them."

Saphira started to leave the kitchen with Freed but paused when she remembered that the two left in the kitchen don't exactly get along. "I expect the kitchen to be in the same condition as I left in in when I get back. Please refrain from killing each other… Or saying anything that could get you killed." The last part being directed towards the purple-eyed male, a warning if you will.

After she left Laxus turned to Erik and said, "What the fuck did you do?"

"Fucking nothing. Drop it!" He said as he scowled.

(Line Break)

An hour later Saphira and Freed walked back into the kitchen to find… the kitchen in a complete state of disarray. Pots and pans were scattered all over the place. Even a few of the pans had large dents in them! The counters were covered in flour, there was something boiling over on the stove, smoke coming from the oven, and two very guilty looking and messy slayers.

"WHAT THE FUCK DID YOU TWO DO?" Saphira yelled, completely outraged that she couldn't leave the two of them for an hour alone.

"We were fucking hungry so we decided to make pancakes." Erik said nonchalantly.

"Pancakes… PANCAKES?! My kitchen is a fucking train wreck over PANCAKES? How the hell does something boil over, or over bake in the oven for PANCAKES!" She yelled at the pair of idiots.

"Saphira-san, I feel that is it pertinent that you know that Laxus-sama is incapable of cooking. And I suspect that being in prison for seven years has not done Erik any favors in regards to his cooking skills." Freed said while he surveyed the damage done by the dragon slayers.

"Thank you so much for the information Freed. That would've been really nice to know before we left them in the kitchen alone!" Saphira fired back at the rune mage.

"It wasn't my fucking fault! If twinkle toes here hadn't gotten involved…" Erik started.

"Who the hell are you calling twinkle toes, poison breathe!"

"Isn't it obvious? You! You god damn moron! I was just fine until you got involved."

"You put fucking cyanide in the batter! That would've killed her, you little shit!"

"Well sorrryyy! I like a little spice in my food! I can't help it if you little fucking morons can't handle it!"

"I'm gunna zap you so fucking hard you'll be knocked out for a fucking month!"

"I'd like to see you fucking try! You overcharged thunder head."

"OH MY KAMI THAT IS ENOUGH! SHUT THE FUCK UP BOTH OF YOU!" Everyone turned their attention to Saphira who was damn near close to her breaking point. She took a deep breath and pinched the bridge of her nose. 'I'm going to kill both of them before the six months are up.'

"Saphira-san, I partially feel responsible. I should've warned you sooner. I apologize. Allow me to clean up the mess."

"I can't do that Freed. Really I feel as though they should clean it up. But I fear the damage that will surely result from that." She sighed.

"I insist." Freed said determined. 'Laxus-sama has blundered. As his team mate I should help clean this up.' He thought.

"You aren't going to budge, are you?"

Freed shook his head at Saphira's question. "Fine, I'll return the favor though. Thank you Freed." As he got started in the area that used to be a clean kitchen, she turned her attention back to the two culprits. "As for you two… go get cleaned up. I am not introducing you as a member of the guild covered in flour. And for the record Erik, cyanide is not an appropriate ingredient in this house."