I'm so sorry it took so long to get this one out! Work has been insane lately! So on my day off I managed to finish this chapter. I hope you all like it!
Important! I put up a poll for everyone to vote whether you want a lemon or not. So please vote! Also I tried to post a link to Saphira's outfit on my profile but it didn't work. So if you would like the link PM me and I'll try to send it that way.
Thanks again for all the continued support! And always a huge thank you to my reviewers Insane-As-The-Mind, FairiesandDemons, and DarthEpsilon.
Chapter 16
The next day in Akane Forest, Saphira was once again the first to wake up, being the early riser she normally is. Laxus was still sleeping soundly next to her. Carefully she lifted her head up and set her chin on his chest, gazing at the man below her. Sometime during the night she had moved one of her legs to rest in between his, half of her body rested directly on his broad chest.
'It's almost like a dream… like none of this is real and I will wake up and still be alone in the middle of nowhere.' She thought as she traced his tribal looking tattoo and Fairy Tail guild mark. 'Strong yet soft at the same time… Just like Luca,' she smiled and laid her head back in its original spot. 'I could lie here forever, if only time would let me.'
As she laid there, Saphira thought about moving her leg up higher and trying to wake him up…all the while feigning sleep of course. Just a little revenge for hum pulling away yesterday…But her better judgement won out over her dirty mind. She didn't want to push him or their relationship, he was the one who stopped their almost kiss after all.
An hour later, she heard Laxus's heart rate increase, signaling that he was going to wake up soon. So Saphira moved her chin back to his chest and waited for his eyes to open.
The first thing that registered in his mind as he woke up was the weight on his chest, and the fact that there was another leg resting in between his… and it was dangerously close to a sensitive piece of anatomy. 'Damn! What am I going to do if she's still asleep?' Laxus opened his stormy grey-blue eyes and was greeted by an icy blue pair. Relieved, he brought his left hand up to cup the black haired beauty's cheek and watched her peaceful smile as she leaned into his touch.
"Good morning," she whispered.
"Good morning," he replied, voice still husky from sleep.
'There was no way to deny it. His voice is damn sexy in the morning.'
"So are you ready to train today?"
"Hm are you? You are the one who passed out last night." He teased.
"Ha ha very funny Mr. Dreyar, how is your arm?"
"Did something happen to my arm?" Laxus asked confused.
Saphira sat up and said, "Yea, the arm I slept on all last night." She said with a light chuckle. "It's got to be sore."
"Nope, feels fine… a little tingly though." Laxus said as he sat up. As he did Saphira noticed a scar about two inched long underneath his right shoulder blade.
"How did you get this?" She asked as she ran her hands over his broad back.
For a second or two Laxus's thoughts stalled until he thought he should answer before she got worried.
"I… I don't really remember. I probably got it sometime after I was exiled from the guild. I traveled a lot during that time."
He really had no idea where he had gotten the scar. Honestly he had been in so many fights; it was hard to keep track of all his injuries. And having her hands ghost over his back was really distracting! Almost as distracting as waking up with her knee brushing his member. Laxus tried really hard to ignore her hands, he really did but it was no use… he shivered anyway.
"Are you okay Laxus?"
"Fine, just cold."
"Then put a shirt on you idiot."
"I'm going to go outside and stretch. You can get changed in here and I will change after you."
She slipped out of the tent not waiting for his answer. A little fresh air would surely do wonders on her clouded head right now. Once outside she took a deep breath of fresh air and tried to sort through the thoughts racing in her mind.
'Oh this was such a bad idea! I'm alone in the forest with my mate… we have to share a tent…and all I can think about is going back in the tent and ripping his clothes off… no one would miss us if we were off the grid for a little while… hours even… and judging from the curses coming from the tent this is about to get worse…'
During her internal rant, Laxus had been mentally and verbally cursing Loke's very existence. The spirit had been creative with his clothing choices for sure. 'Honestly what is that moron thinking!? It's bad enough that we are out here alone and now I have to fucking wear this?!' Laxus thought as he glared at the clothing options he had.
"Fuck it; I'll just wear what I did yesterday." He mumbled as he reached for his other bag. But after dumping everything out of said bag he came to the conclusion that Loke really was a horrible person after all. His pants, shirt, cloak, and hell even his boxers were all missing…
'No other choice then…'
Outside Saphira noted that the amount of curses from the tent had dwindled and that the flap to the tent was slowly opening. Out came Laxus and all proper functions ceased to work. He was dressed in a pair of baggy black pants (think Aladdin's pants, from the Disney movie. They are actually called harem style.), with a dark purple sash wrapped around his waist and nothing else… no shirt.
'Leo you son of a bitch…'
"I would've put on my shirt from yesterday but it seems all my normal clothes have vanished."
Laxus said with a shrug. After not getting a reaction or even a word from his female, he turned is face towards her. Saphira's face most certainly didn't lack any color, in fact her cheeks were flushed a wonderful red hue. And she seemed to have stopped breathing. Slowly Laxus approached her and stood directly in front of the gaping woman. 'Let's have some fun…'
He leaned in close and let her wild flower and forest like smell intoxicate him. "Breath Saphira… I don't need you passing out now."
She took in a deep breath and jumped away from Laxus, putting a good five feet in between their bodies.
'He was so close! Too close… damn he smells and looks delicious… Ah fuck! I'm screwed! Quite literally actually…' Saphira thought as she continued to stare at the man before her. She turned on her heels and briskly started walking towards the tent.
"I'm going to change now."
'I wonder what she'll come out in… We are never going to get any training done at this rate…'
Saphira sat in the tent, on the floor, at a complete loss of what to do…. and confused as hell. 'Are these feelings my own? There is no way for the mate mark to interfere with feelings. It's merely a way to find your partner. There is no doubt in my mind that he's attractive, and that he's a good man but…do I… love him?'
After a few more minutes of brooding over her thoughts Saphira thought it best to get changed and head out to meet the waiting lightning dragon slayer.
Searching through the bag that Loke had brought for her, she found that he certainly had a theme for her. Inside she found lots of sheer clothing and the color purple seemed to be the pick of the day. She had to admit that the outfit the pesky lion had packed wasn't that bad. It was a deep purple color, the same as Laxus's sash. The outfit had been modeled after those that belly dancers would wear, and had golden bangles on the skirt and top. Saphira put her hair up in a ponytail and took a deep breath before she started to unzip the tent.
The whole time Saphira had been in the tent Laxus had been outside wondering what could be taking so long. He hadn't even heard her curse out Loke yet. 'Surely she's not mad because of the stunt I pulled earlier?' He thought. But when he heard the zipper on the tent his thoughts immediately stopped as he waited for Saphira to emerge.
(Line Break)
Back at the guild, Makarov had looked at the coordinates Saphira had sent him. They were indeed in the Akane Forest. He had already sent word to Rouge and Sting at Sabertooth. Now he was just waiting for Team Natsu to come back from their latest mission. He had already informed Gajeel, Wendy, and Erik about the site, they would be leaving tomorrow. Hopefully Team Natsu would be back by then and be able to leave with them. Levy had also wanted to tag along saying that she needed to speak with Saphira about something. And since Levy was going he couldn't deny Erik's request to bring Kinana along…. 'The guild is going to be empty by the time I get all the slayers over to Saphira.' The master thought with a sigh.
But still something fantastic did come out of this. 'Laxus knows now so I wonder how they are doing…' Then from downstairs he heard the guild get a lot louder. 'Natsu must be back…'
"Gray! Fight me!"
'Yep he's back...' Makarov thought as he headed downstairs.
"Alright settle down everyone! Natsu! I need you front and center!"
"Gramps! I swear this mission went smoothly! I didn't break anything!" Natsu said as he walked over to the bar.
"Liar," Happy muttered next to him.
"Come here you little traitor!" Natsu shouted as Happy flew out of his reach laughing.
Makarov sighed before continuing, "You always break something… But that's not what I want to talk to you about. I have a mission for you."
"Really another one! Is this one about Igneel?"
"No… Saphira is training the slayers in a secret location. Not a lot of people know the location." Makarov leaned in closer so he was in Natsu's face. "Let's keep it that way shall we," he whispered with a scary face.
Natsu rapidly nodded his head.
"Great! The directions are on this lacrima. And if I need to get in touch with you I'll call you on it. So don't lose it. Should you feel like it, you can take one person with you."
"One? Hm… Then I choose Lucy!" Natsu said as he grabbed Lucy's hand and pulled her next to him. But as soon as she was there he quickly pulled his hand away and shook it like he had been shocked or he was trying to wake up a limb that had fallen asleep.
Because the rest of Team Natsu seemed to not have noticed, Makarov chose not to point it out. 'Natsu may have just found out that Lucy is his mate… Was it because he chose her out of everyone else to go with him? Or has something inside him changed?'
"You two should go home, pack, and relax. You will leave with the rest of the slayers in the morning. The more training you get in the better Natsu."
"Aye sir!"
"Not you Happy! You are staying here! You sold me out to gramps!" Natsu shouted.
"It's not like it was a secret. He would've found out eventually." The flying exceed muttered.
The pair ignored the exceed as they left the guild. They decided to split up and meet back at Lucy's apartment to plan for their departure the next day.
But as Natsu walked towards his home he looked down at his right palm and found a series of dots connected by lines. They seemed to form a picture but he had no idea what it was. 'Could this mean that Lucy is my mate?' The fire dragon slayer thought to himself.
(Line Break)
He knew… he knew the second she went in the tent to change that it would be bad. But he wasn't expecting her to come out dressed as a belly dancer. Or that she would be dressed in his favorite color. Or that she would look as beautiful as she did. Really he didn't know what he was expecting. The only thing he knew for sure right now was that he was screwed…
Saphira came out of the tent and stretched. Purposefully angling her body so that the golden charms on her outfit would catch the late morning sunlight. 'As long as I have to wear this I may as well use it to my advantage.' She thought watching Laxus's eyes move down her body. 'The feeling is mutual…believe me.'
"Alright are you ready to begin today?"
Laxus pulled himself out of his trance to answer her, "Yea… what are we doing today?"
"Meditating," she said as she walked over to a clear spot and sat down on the soft grass. "Come on, get your ass over here."
He made quick work of closing the gap between them and sat in front of her. "What good is meditating going to do?"
"Even though your magic containers are already a decent size, you still need to make them bigger. So by meditating and taking in the ethernano that is naturally in everything around you, it's possible to expand your capacity."
"That's all?"
"Now don't get me wrong, this will take a while to accomplish. It's not easy by any means. Rouge is a very quick learner and it still took him quite a while to get the hang of it."
"Rouge? You already started teaching him?"
"When I first dropped by the Sabertooth guild we started talking and got along great so I gave him a few pointers before I left. He has made a lot of progress on his own." Saphira explained.
'Great…' Laxus sighed and said, "How do I get started?"
After taking 30 minutes to explain to Laxus how meditation works she let him try on his own…. He was doing it all wrong! His breathes were forced, like he was actually counting them. His shoulders were tense, and he wasn't relaxing at all! Saphira sighed internally as she silently got up and made a wide circle around Laxus, so she could get behind him without casting a shadow on him and distracting him further.
Once she was a good distance behind him she whispered, "Do not open your eyes. Only listen to my voice and what I'm saying." She watched as his shoulders tensed a little and then relax slightly. 'Good…now.' Saphira started to move slowly in a circle around him as she continued to talk to him.
"First, relax your entire body… almost like you're trying to fall asleep. And don't count your breathes… you wouldn't count them during a normal day so don't count them now." Saphira continued to circle him as she waited for Laxus to make a few adjustments. Then she continued as she kept her voice quiet and smooth.
"Feel the air move around you. Listen to the sound the trees make as the wind blows though their leaves. Clear your mind of all your worries and stresses.… Don't think about anything… Just listen to the nature that's around you. Pull in everything you feel. Fill your magic containers and try to expand them by constantly pushing its boundary." Saphira spoke and when she finished she circled Laxus two more times listening to his heart rate.
'He's completely calm and fully in the meditative state. I should've just talked him through it the first time…' She thought as she approached the blonde haired man. "Let's see how long you can stay like that." Saphira moved his bangs from his forehead and placed a kiss there. She let his hair fall back into place as she moved away.
(Line Break)
An hour later Saphira heard her lacrima phone ringing from inside the tent. She became a blur and she moved swiftly to reach the lacrima before the ringing could disturb Laxus's state.
After accepting the call, Makarov's face appeared on the smooth surface of the lacrima.
"My wonderful child! How are you and my grandson getting along? Hmmm?" He said as he raised his eyebrows.
"Shhhh! Master, I finally got Laxus to meditate. If you ruin that I will fly down there and strangle you! Got it?" Saphira hissed into the lacrima as she moved further away from the clearing.
"Now now, why is violence always your go to answer?" The master asked in a much quieter voice.
"Because it yields the results I want faster than any other way. For example, look at how quite you are being right now. Any way why are you calling?"
"Oh yes, I wanted to update you on what's going on. All of the slayers have been informed of the location. Gajeel, Natsu, Erik, and Wendy will be leaving for your location tomorrow morning. Along with Levy, Kinana, and Lucy. I'm not sure when you should expect Rouge and Sting."
"Good to know… anything else?"
"Well it's just a hunch but Natsu may have found out who his mate is. But I'm sure you would be able to tell for sure. Like I said it's just a hunch."
"That's really good news actually! I wonder why it took so long. I mean Lucy has been part of the guild for quite a while." Saphira mused.
"I didn't even say Lucy's name… Why do you think it's her?"
"Oh come on Master! It's painfully easy to tell he has feelings for her. Honestly… why neither of them has made a move is beyond me…"
Back in the clearing Laxus was starting to come out of his meditative state. With her enhanced hearing Saphira heard this and ended her conversation with Makarov, promising to keep him updated on any progress made by the slayers. She placed the lacrima back in the tent and sat in front of Laxus once again.
Opening his eyes he found his beautiful mate to be still sitting in front of him. He also noticed that the sun was in a different position than the last time he had his eyes open.
"How long was I out?" Laxus asked confused.
"Ummm… about an hour and 15 minutes. Not bad for your first time." She said with a smile.
"Did you really sit there the whole time?"
"No, I moved away so I didn't break your concentration. And your grandfather called so I talked to him for a little while." She said while she uncrossed her legs and leaned back, placing the palms of her hands on the ground to keep her from falling backwards.
Laxus stared at her and thought about what he actually knew about her. Really it wasn't much…His head seemed much clearer than it had been earlier. A benefit of meditating?
"Can I ask a question?" He asked.
"You just did… but sure I'll let you ask another." They both chuckled and then Laxus asked,
"Would you tell me about your dragon?"
"Why?"
"I want to know more about you. And you spent more time with your dragon than any of the other slayers. It's a huge part of who you are."
Saphira blushed and turned her face away slightly. 'He does deserve to know… Now is as good of a time as any…'
"Luca was a stubborn dragon, but I guess all dragons have that in common. He was stern and yet kind. A total walking paradox if you will." She said as she chuckled. "He was a great teacher and an even better father-figure. He made sure I understood everything about being a dragon slayer and how much power came with my responsibility. Slayers were made to protect, despite what our name seems to suggest."
"How did you meet him?" Laxus asked. Finally she was opening up! And he was going to push as far as he could to gain a better understanding of this complex woman.
"Umm… well it was during the plague 230 years ago. I was about 10 years old at the time. My parents had died from the sickness and I was left in charge of my younger brother. He was only six then… The town we lived in was a small farming colony and we didn't have much… nearly everyone had died and more perished every day from malnutrition and starvation. There was hardly any food left to go around. Any food I did manage to find I gave to my brother…
She paused in her story and her hands bunched up in the grass. Her head was bowed and her bangs hid her eyes. Carefully Laxus moved to sit next to Saphira and then gently pulled her to sit in between his legs and against his chest. Laxus rested his chin on her head and held her close.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled.
That was all it took for the dam to break and the tears to start falling.
"I couldn't save him! I tried so hard… all I could do was watch him slowly die… he died in my arms, underneath a willow tree we had found together… before the plague happened…"
Her tears had slowed down, but Laxus still held on tightly to her. Slowly Saphira's arms went around him as she leaned into his embrace. After she quieted down she continued her story.
"I buried him there… beneath the tree. Our parents were there too… After that I was run out of the town by the other townspeople. No one wanted to be responsible for a brat with no family. So I walked into the forest, wandering for what seemed like weeks. I remember coming across a waterfall. I was so thirsty I completely submerged my head in the water and when I came up I was face to snout with Luca. I was so shocked I couldn't even scream." She said with a light chuckle. "Luca took me under his wing and taught me all about magic and about the world. The rest is ancient history…" As she trailed off Saphira scooted closer into Laxus's arms.
"What… what was his name?"
"…John. His name was John."
Laxus had no idea what to say. 'I'm sorry' just didn't seem good enough. So he just let her sit there in his arms, trying to comfort her with his presence. He got an idea soon enough.
"Saphira, I have an idea. How bout we but the training on hold today and go into town for the festival? When the others get here we won't have time to do that."
"That sounds nice."
The pair made quick work of the distance between their campsite and the town of Akane. They received a few weird looks because of their choice in clothing, but it was a festival so no one really cared. They eventually passed the same vendor that they met when they first arrived. Remembering how Saphira reacted to the lightning bolt shaped charm Laxus led her around the corner and said,
(Line Break)
"Could you wait right here? I need to use the restroom."
"Sure, I won't move." Saphira replied with a smirk.
"Not sure if I believe you…" Laxus replied with a smirk of his own. He then leaned in and kissed her forehead. "I'll be right back."
Saphira watched Laxus's back as he disappeared around the corner. She then leaned against the wall with a ridiculous grin across her face. 'He kissed me…'
Everything was fine for the first couple minutes. She watched the people that passed with mild interest. Human watching had always been a favorite past time for Luca. Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a group of three men. 'Ugh they all seem to be eyeing me… how gross…' Not even a second later they began to make their way over towards her.
"Hey baby, are you like one of those exotic dancers? I'd totally let you dance on my pole." Said the first unidentified creepy male.
"Yea, we could show you a real good time, little lady." UCM number two said.
Saphira sighed deeply and said, "No, I'm not a dancer. Nor do I wish to spend any of my time with you ridiculous looking fellows. Now kindly move along before my companion comes back."
Apparently the third UCM didn't like her comment. He slammed his left hand on the wall behind her and leaned in closer. "I'm really going to enjoy wiping that smug ass little smirk off your face."
Saphira's smile continued to widen across her face. "Not as much as he's going to enjoy kicking your ass."
Laxus was coming in hot! Oh man was he pissed! The guy closet to Saphira was the first to go. A swift right hook to the jaw and a harsh impact on a nearby wall and he was out cold. The other two didn't have such luck… Laxus lifted them both up at the same time while gripping their necks. The poor fools were a good foot off the ground… not to mention scared shitless as well.
"What the hell do you fucking scum bags think you're doing with my woman?!" Laxus growled out through his clenched shut teeth.
"W… we…we're so…rry." One of the men managed to get out.
"Ease up a bit Laxus. You can't hear their groveling if you're crushing their windpipes." Saphira said as she placed a soothing hand on his forearm. "Besides you've drawn quite the crowd."
Laxus glanced around and found Saphira to be correct. People had stopped what they were doing to see what was going on. Many faces seemed concerned and many mothers ushered their children away from the area.
"Let's keep a good face for Fairy Tail, okay?" She said once Laxus had visibly calmed down.
"F…F… Fairy Tail?!" The second guy stuttered out. "Please just let us go! You'll never see us again I swear it!"
Laxus continued to growl at the pair in his hands, until he decided to drop them both on their asses. They quickly got on their feet, picked up their other buddy and ran away.
"They are actually quite fast." Saphira muttered as she watched them.
Laxus turned to her and looked her over for any injuries. "Are you alright?"
Saphira chuckled lightly and said, "They didn't even touch me. I'm fine Laxus."
Seeing the smile on her face made Laxus relax a little. "Good, I don't feel like tracking them down to pound the shit outta them without an audience." He said as he pulled Saphira next to him and put his arm around her shoulder. And Saphira held the hand that rested on her right shoulder.
The dragon slayers continued on their way through the festival while checking out the vendors and trying many different local dishes and later when they finally headed back to the clearing Laxus decided to give her his gift.
Saphira was digging around in her back for a change of clothes. There was a hot spring nearby and she was in desperate need of a bath.
"I got you something while we were at the festival."
"Really? When did… Ohhh… The old bathroom trick huh? Clever, so do I get it now or later?"
"What if I said later?"
"Then I'd leave to take my bath." She quipped.
"And if I said now?" Laxus countered.
Saphira held her hand out palm up and closed her eyes. A grin spread across Laxus's face as he stared at her expectant face. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a tiny grey box with a white bow. Laxus gently set it on top of her lightning bolt shaped mark.
When she opened her eyes and saw the box her expression changed from expectant to confused. She had been expecting maybe a stuffed animal or a festival mask from one of the many shops they had passed. Saphira made quick work of the bow and pulled off the lid. Inside she found the same small lightning bolt shaped charm they had seen just the day before.
"When I went back to get it I was actually worried that he wouldn't have it. It looked like most of his charms had already been bought. But the old man had actually hidden that one away. He said he knew that I would be back for it… crazy old man…" Laxus said as he scratched the back of his head.
Saphira took the charm out of the box and gave the box to Laxus to hold. She then reached behind her neck and unclasped her necklace and slid on her new charm.
"Would you put it on me?" She asked as she held out her necklace.
"Of course." He said taking her necklace and putting the box in his pocket. Saphira turned around and moved her pony tail out of the way so Laxus could put the necklace on her. After clasping it shut, Laxus ran his hands down her shoulders and stopped when he reached her hands.
As she felt his strong has work their way down her arms, Saphira relaxed and leaned on Laxus's chest. And before he could pull his hands away she grabbed them and threaded her fingers with his.
Saphira laid her head on Laxus's shoulder and said, "Why don't you come to the spring with me?"
