I'm back! Thank you for waiting patiently! Alright so the poll is closed and there will be a lemon in the future. It will be my first one so we will see how it goes.

As always a huge thank you goes out to my reviewers! Love all of you guys! Especially Insane-As-The-Mind, you my friend are awesome! lol

I do not own Fairy Tail, but Saphira is mine and I will be adding another OC in the future.

Hope you all enjoy this next chapter!

Chapter 17

The hot spring was secluded in a part of the forest that was two miles away from the camp. The walk there was short and for the most part silent. The two slayers walked hand in hand and listened to the birds as they sung in the trees. The sun was beginning its descent from the sky and the resulting sun set was a sight to behold. Orange, purple, yellow, and pink all blended together to create a perfect picture. All different, but all beautiful.

During their walk Saphira had made up her mind, and was now planning to make a move on the seemingly unsuspecting man walking beside her. Her goal for the night was to finally kiss him. Unfortunately they just didn't have the time for a proper courting. 'If Luca knew what I was planning he'd kill me.' Saphira thought as she smiled. Luca was old fashioned in his ways and believed in long courtships. But that time had long since passed… and she was determined to kiss Laxus, no matter what it took.

Laxus barely caught the smile that spread over his companion's face. 'What is she thinking about?' He wondered as he continued to watch her. After learning a little from her past he did feel a little closer to her. But Laxus had a feeling that he only heard the tip of the iceberg that has been Saphira's life.

When they reached the hot spring, Saphira hung her bag on a low tree branch so it would be off the ground. And then moved to undo her skirt, but Laxus grabbed her hand and stopped her.

"What are you doing?"

"Well I came here to get clean… and I can't do that if I'm in dirty clothes now can I?" Saphira replied with a smirk. "What did you come here to do?"

Her gaze held his as she watched the many emotions flicker through his eyes. Shock first, then uncertainty, and finally confidence. He briefly broke eye contact to look at the neatly tied bow on Saphira's hip that held together the skirt. His fingers gently brushed hers away. Laxus's eyes moved back to Saphira's and undid the bow allowing her skirt to fall to the ground. Likewise she had managed to move her hand behind him to undo his sash.

'When did she?...' He thought confused as he watched her pull her top over her head, leaving her in only a pair of black lacy underwear and a matching bra. Saphira glanced back and found Laxus still in his pants, despite undoing his sash. So using her magic she sent a rush of wind down his body, effectively causing his already loose pants to fall to the ground… And giving him goosebumps.

"That's cheating." He said with a smirk.

"No… it's called a tactical advantage. Would you like me to burn your boxers off as well?"

Panicking slightly he backed away and said, "No, I think I'll keep them on if it's all the same."

She smiled widely and agreed not to burn off his boxers. Stepping into the water felt amazing! Instantly you could feel your muscles relax as you sank into the steaming water. Saphira got to work washing her long silky stands and Laxus leaned against a boulder near the edge. 'Must he sit so far away…' She sighed. This isn't going to work if I can't even get him in the water. She finished washing her hair and dove under the water to clean out the suds, but as she did she had an idea for an awful trick to play on the lightning dragon slayer relaxing above. Using water and air magic Saphira created an air bubble that encompassed her nose and mouth, allowing her to stay under water for a longer amount of time. 'Let's see how long it takes for him to move.'

'Damn what the hell was Saphira playing at?! It's like she's trying to make me hot and bothered…fucking working too…' He sighed as he leaned against a nearby rock. Saphira was washing her hair in his sightline and her back was arched ever so enticingly. 'She's got to be doing this on purpose…' Laxus reopened his eyes after he heard her disappear underneath the water. After 10 seconds passed he started to get worried… 30 seconds he thought maybe she surfaced somewhere else. So he began to shout her name and walk around the spring and look for bubbles. After 45 seconds he was damn near frantic trying to find her.

Saphira on the other hand, had been following his movements from below the surface of the water. She waited until he was just about to pass her again and she then released her air bubble, making him stop in his tracks and lean over the ledge. Creating a funnel of water beneath her feet, Saphira shoots up out of the water, hooks her arms around a shocked Laxus's neck and drags him into the water with her.

After resurfacing and recovering from his shock Laxus glares over at the elemental dragon slayer, who was once again laughing her ass off at his expense. 'What the fuck was she thinking!' Saphira stopped laughing and turned his way. Seeing the 'I'm pissed off and going to fucking kill you look' she immediately swam closer to explain.

"I'm sorry Laxus… you were sitting so far away so… it was meant to be funny…." She tried to explain.

Dammit he just couldn't stay mad at her! Laxus let out a long sigh and pulled the small female into his arms. Immediately she wrapped her arms around his back and laid her head on his chest. "You really managed to scare me… It's been a long time since that's happened to me… And I didn't like the feeling then and I definitely don't now."

"I promise I won't do it again. But… you need to stop distancing yourself… I meant what I said… back in the office. I'm happy that you turned out to be my mate and I wouldn't have it any other way. You are everything I could want and more than I need." During her small speech Saphira had moved her head away from Laxus's chest so she could look him in the eyes. She wanted, no she needed him to know how serious she was. "Please… I want this relationship to work. I want a relationship with you."

'Wow… she's… too good for a man like me. She deserves better… and yet here she is saying she wants me… I could never say no to her.' Laxus thought as he slowly leaned in, but stopped just before he reached her lips. He whispered, "I want this too," and sealed the promise with a kiss.

Finally she had him and was planning on never letting go. Saphira swiftly moved her hand to the back of Laxus's head and threaded her hands into his soaked hair and pulled his body closer. Laxus pushed her backwards until she met the wall of the spring as his lips continued to feverously meet hers. When her back hit the wall, Saphira pulled her legs up and locked them around his hips. In response Laxus released his hold on her lips and moved to her slender neck. Saphira moved her head to the side to give him more access as he continued his path up and down her neck, leaving colorful marks everywhere his lips and teeth touched. Laxus made his way to the sensitive skin right over her jugular and dragged his tongue over it and up to her jawline, making the woman in his arms shiver. Lightly he bit the same place he had licked, causing Saphira let out a breathy moan.

Laxus growled and moved back to Saphira's lips when he felt her grind her hips into his. She breathlessly moaned his name against his lips. God it sounded so right. Everything felt right. The fact that she was here in his arms, and that she was his mate but, she deserved better than a quickie in a spring.

"Saphira…we need to stop…" He breathed against her lips and he pulled away slightly.

"No… we don't." She replied. "I don't want to stop." Saphira then moved her mouth to his neck and bit a spot on his left shoulder hard enough to draw a small amount of blood. "When we mate… this is where I will place my mark." She licked the same spot to sooth it and clean off the blood.

Laxus dropped his head onto her shoulder and groaned in both pain and pleasure. Slightly lifting his head he nipped the spot where he would eventually leave his mark and said, "And when we do mate, it won't be in a spring. You deserve better."

Saphira halted her assault on Laxus's neck and smiled softly. "You're right... I'm sorry." She said as she cupped his cheek. "Besides there is still much you have to learn about me and our possible future. Let's get cleaned up now."

They untangled themselves and finished cleaning up. Once out of the spring Saphira went behind a tree to change out of her wet clothes. Seeing as Leo really hadn't given her many options for clothing and the other articles kept disappearing, she had no other option than to wear the black negligee. 'Fucking stupid overgrown cat!'

"Laxus?"

"What is it?"

"Uh…I just want you to know I didn't do this on purpose… Leo didn't pack appropriate night clothes."

"Um…alright?"

Saphira stepped back into the small clearing and into Laxus's view. 'Fuck me…' Was all that managed to pass through his head after catching a glimpse of Saphira in the same negligee she had held up the first day. Laxus quickly turned around and attempted to stanch his nose bleed.

"Are you all right? I smell blood… Is the bite I gave you earlier still bleeding?" Saphira asked as she approached and ran her hands over his back. She walked in front of him and saw him pinching his nose and realized what had happened.

"Oh!" She laughed and said, "I'm sorry but this is all I have at the moment. Would you rather I take it off?"

"No, that would be so much worse…" Laxus groaned.

She stood on her tip toes and kissed his cheek. "You make it too easy to tease you. Come on lets go back to camp." Saphira said as she linked her hand with his.

Back at camp, they entered the tent and immediately settled in the same position that they ended up in the night before. Saphira got comfy as she laid her head on Laxus's chest, and he tried to ignore the fact that there was a beautiful woman laying on him who was barely clothed. 'Damn this is going to be a long night.'

"What did you mean by; there is still a lot I have to learn about you and our possible future?"

Saphira once again propped her head up on his chest and looked him in the eye, as best as she could with him lying down. "Well I have a long history… for example, way before Fairy Tail I was an assassin. Leo was of course against it, but he was too busy with his master to keep complete tabs on me."

"Does Gramps know?"

"Of course he does. I won't lie about my past, but I don't want to exactly broadcast that I'm an ex-assassin."

"What was your name back then?"

"Crimson Rose, the assassination guild was named Crimson Fighters. All of the member's names were types of flowers, and everyone was a woman. We mainly had high level targets that really only a woman could get close to using seduction… Shocked?"

"A little… how many did you kill?"

"…I didn't keep count… but 60 maybe?"

Laxus could tell that Saphira was lying. And suspected that she knew the exact number, but he didn't want to push her. Killing even one person weighs heavily on someone. Killing as a profession would be no different. So he changed the subject.

"What about our future?"

"Have you given any thought to what will happen after we mate? Specifically the semi-age petrification?"

"No not really. Why?"

"You need to completely understand what will happen before you make your decision. You will outlive all of your friends and family. Slowly watching everyone you love age and die while you stay the same is a hard pill to swallow… believe me."

For a second, Saphira's true age shone through her eyes before it disappeared as though it was never there. 'As long as I have her, I can weather anything…even if it means loosing everyone else.' He thought as he lifted his head up and paced a soft kiss on her lips.

"I will always be with you." Laxus whispered against her lips.

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Laxus laid his head back down and Saphira settled back into her original spot and both slayers drifted off to sleep.

(Line Break)

They had been on this god forsaken moving death trap for two hours now. All the shaking and rattling was enough to turn all of the slayers a sickly green. Gajeel, Erik, and Natsu were all feeling the effects. Wendy's troia spell no longer had any effect on them.

"How much longer…." Natsu grumbled.

"Akane is the next stop. We will be there in about 15 minutes." Lucy answered as she ran her fingers through his salmon colored hair. Ever since she became part of Team Natsu, Lucy found that doing this helped with the motion sickness. 'This is a much better option than having Erza knock him out.'

Looking around their large cabin; Lucy found Levy doing the same thing with Gajeel and Kinana with Erik. Little Wendy had passed out about 30 minutes ago as well. She didn't get as motion sick as the guys did. 'Probably has something to do with her sky magic.' She thought. 'I wonder if Saphira gets motion sick? She's such a mystery! No one knows much about her! Maybe out here she will be a little more open…'

"Now arriving at Akane Station."

"Finally…" Levy sighed.

After the train stopped, the dragon slayers made quick work of the distance to the non-moving platform. Natsu even fell to the ground and kissed it.

"EW! Natsu that's gross! Do you have any idea how many people have walked there!" Lucy grimaced.

"Yea actually. I can smell their individual scents." Natsu replied nonchalantly.

"Just when I thought it couldn't be worse…" She deadpanned.

"I also smell Sting and Rouge! They aren't too far ahead, so if we hurry we can catch up! Come on!" Natsu said as he pulled Lucy a long with him.

'That's strange… Has he always worn a glove?' Lucy thought as she let Natsu pull her along.

The group ran into the light and shadow dragon slayers on the edge of town. They had left Yukino back at Sabertooth to handle things while Sting was away, and Sting wasn't too happy about not having her with him. So he immediately challenged Natsu to a fight.

"We don't have time for that! Don't make me Lucy Kick both of you!" The celestial spirit mage shouted angrily.

"Yes Ma'am!"

"Alright morons, let's get going. We have a long way to walk before we reach Saphira's camp." Gajeel said.

(Line Break)

"Are you ready for the peace to end?" She asked.

Laxus groaned as he stretched. Having to sleep on the ground was really starting to get to him. Everyone else would be arriving today, and his alone time with Saphira would be over. 'Better make the most of it now.' With that thought, he rolled over so that Saphira was pinned beneath him.

"No I'm not… I'd much rather stay like this."

Saphira hummed in agreement beneath him as Laxus moved to claim her lips. At first the kiss was slow and loving; the pair took their time exploring each other. But then their kiss turned hungry and needy. Saphira's arms circled around Laxus's back and she spread her legs allowing him to settle in between them. He lowered his body down onto hers as he continued to ravage her mouth. The dragoness pulled away to breath and moaned as he brushed off one of the straps holding up her negligee.

"More…" She gasped as she ground her hips against his.

"HELLO! ANYONE HERE! SAPHIRA! LAXUS!"

Both occupants in the tent froze. Saphira's eyes widened as she took in the scents of their visitors. "Fuck!" She harshly whispered as she pushed Laxus off. "Shit! We aren't even dressed yet! Throw on some pant s and go out there and stall!"

Laxus dove for his bag and pulled out another pair of black harem pants like yesterday. Only this time there was a red sash instead of a purple one. Saphira helped slide on his pants and tie his sash before she shoved him out of the tent. She let out a silent sigh as she zipped then tent back up. She then moved to get herself dressed as she listened to the conversation outside.

"What were you doing in the tent?" Levy asked.

"We slept in a little late today. Saphira is getting changed now, so she'll be right out." Laxus replied.

"Well I'm ready to train so, hurry up Saphira!" Natsu shouted.

"Don't make the first thing I do today be beat the shit out of you Natsu!"

"She's scary in the morning." The fire dragon slayer muttered.

"I heard that!"

Natsu hid behind Lucy when he heard the tent start to unzip. "Don't let her kill me Lucy!"

"EH! You think I can stop her?! Who is trying to get who killed here?" Lucy panicked.

"Relax, I'm not going to kill anyone at the moment."

All eyes shifted to Saphira who had emerged from the tent. She was dressed in another belly dancer outfit, except this one was a long skirt instead of pants. The skirt was red with a black sheer overlay that was slit up both sides, showing the red underneath. Her top resembled a bikini top with teal and pink swirls that were echoed on the top of her skirt. Beads hung from the center of her top and down her stomach as well as around her low riding skirt.

"Why are you both dressed so fucking weird?" Erik asked.

"You can thank Leo for our choice in wardrobe. He has been extremely meddlesome lately." The elemental dragon slayer said while rolling her eyes. "Oh! By the way, it's your turn Gajeel."

A crease appeared on his brow when he heard Saphira's comment. 'My turn for what?' Gajeel thought. But as he continued to stare at her confused he noticed how close she was standing to Laxus. She was slightly leaning on him, not enough to be extremely noticeable but enough for him to pick up on the fact that she had indeed told Laxus he was her mate.

"Well…shit." Gajeel muttered. He sighed and turned to the small blue haired woman next to him. "Come on Shrimp, there's something we need to talk about." The large iron dragon slayer said as he pulled Levy off to the side and into the trees.

Once they were out of hearing range, Saphira turned to the rest of the group and quickly got everyone working on setting up tents and expanding their camp. 'They may be gone for a while…' She thought as she walked towards Sting and Rouge.

"Nice to see that you two could make it. How was the trip?" She asked.

"Ugh! Horrible! Trains are death traps! I wanted to walk but Rouge said it was 'efficient and practical to take the train.'" Sting complained.

"I said you were more than welcome to walk, but I was going to take the train. You didn't have to follow me." Rouge replied.

"Yea but face it, you love my company."

"Just go pick a spot for our tent would you?"

Sting slowly walked away while muttering 'grouch' under his breath.

"So how is your independent training coming along?" Saphira asked.

"Slowly, but I'm sure that with your direct guidance here, I will be able to improve faster."

"One step at a time my friend." She said as she placed a hand on his shoulder, and then walked away. Being the Alpha of all these slayers, it was her job to check in with all of them and make sure they were doing fine, and next was the young sky dragon slayer.

"Hello Wendy, do you need any help with your tent."

"Hello Saphira nee-san! No, Carla made me practice putting up my tent so that I could do it without her." The young slayer replied.

"Why didn't Carla come with you?"

"She said something about Happy needing her… I'm not sure." Wendy said as she went back to putting up her tent.

'Well that's interesting.' Saphira thought. Carla had always been so standoffish towards the blue cat. Maybe there was something there after all. "Let me know if you need anything, okay Wendy!"

"Sure thing!"

'Alright, Gajeel is off with Levy so next I'll check up on Erik.' Currently Erik and Kinana were setting up their tent about 15 feet from hers. Sensing her approaching Erik stopped what he was working on and met her halfway.

"How are things back at the guild? Any issues with the council?"

"Luckily not, the council hasn't shown their fucking faces. So we are safe for now… Until they find out we aren't in that fucking town anymore."

"Makarov will cover for us, and if there is an issue he knows how to get a hold of me. I thought you were working on not cursing as much?"

"It's not fu… It's not easy to stop something I've done my entire life. But Kinana thinks it will help me win more people over."

"Fairy Tail is a rowdy bunch. I don't think that whether you curse or not will affect anything. Do what you want. If you are happy so will Kinana." Saphira finished with a smile and a comforting hand on his shoulder as she moved on to the fire dragon slayer.

"Hey Natsu, follow me would ya." The black haired dragon slayer called out.

"Aye sir! I'll be right back Luce."

Laxus watched the pair as the disappeared into the forest. 'Wonder what that's about?'

Saphira stopped when they reached a good distance. A distance that was out of dragon slayer range. During their walk Natsu had been his hyper normal self and jumping around spouting fire.

"Honestly I have no idea why you keep up this charade. It would be so much easier and less destructive..." She muttered. "Alright drop the act Natsu."

Almost immediately the salmon haired dragon slayer calmed down immensely. Gone was the hyper active, destructive slayer. And in his place was a calm and level headed man.

"It's fun to goof off and not have to be serious all the time." Natsu said.

"Well could you manage to do it in a less destructive manner? You are the cause of many of the master's headaches."

"I can try, but destroying things is a hell of a lot of fun."

Saphira sighed at the crazy smile on the fire dragon slayer's face. 'He'll be the demolition specialist then.'

"Makarov said something about you finding your mate. And judging by the glove his suspicions were right. So… let's see it."

Natsu took off his newly acquired glove and showed his palm to the waiting Alpha. "I'm pretty sure it's Lucy, but I have no idea what these lines and dots are."

As Saphira took a closer look she realized that the seemingly random dots and lines weren't random at all.

"This is a constellation. Which makes sense seeing as Lucy is a celestial spirit mage." She said.

"So which constellation is it?" Natsu asked confused. "I don't really know anything about that sort of stuff."

"It's Andromeda, the princess constellation. Perfect fit, really… so when are you going to tell her?"

"I have no idea…" He sighed.

"Well the sooner the better."

Saphira started to walk away but Natsu called out to her before she got very far.

"What about you? Slayers are starting to pair up and we all suspect that you do know who your mate is. So?"

She smiled and help up her marked hand. "You got me! Laxus is my mate. And by the way, he already knows."

(Line Break)

Back at camp most of the tent were set up. Gajeel and Levy were finally back but their hair was just a little messed up, and so were their clothes. 'Levy must've been more than happy that he was hers.' Saphira thought with a smile.

Natsu re-entered the clearing and was back to the person he had everyone believing was the real Natsu. 'Boy has way too much pent up energy.'

"Alright everyone! Today you will have to yourselves, so get settled. But tomorrow training starts."