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It was uncomfortable, cool and too bright, those were the first things Sphinx noticed. She started to shift to a more comfortable position reaching a hand to get her blankets. Only to be suddenly yanked off, the sudden motion of falling made her eyes snap open only to get blind from the light. Instantly she let out a startled squeak.

-Wow, Its okay. A low voice said from somewhere.

She knew that voice, shutting her eyes tightly she lifted her hand over her burning eyes and let the slight alarm wash away. Again she felt herself being move but much slower this time.

Sphinx was set on the ground but not been prepared for it she fell strait to the ground. Everything was too bright and too early. Gajeel watch the woman slug down unable to catch herself but the fall did nothing to wake her up more. He looked at the ears and tail that had suddenly appeared from his rough treatment.

He guessed they were in somewhat a defense mechanism, when she got startled she lost her cloak from them.

-Where am I, she muttered slowly trying to open up her eyes only to be blinded again.

- Just around the back of the guild, edge of the forest. The same low voice said from some were near, so she assumed he was crouching down by her.

Her brain finally clicked on and she sighed in annoyance.

I KNOW THAT VOICE

-Why the fuck am I here dragon? Do you know how early it is? She hissed.

- Its late enough for you to be sleeping, seriously you sleep like a dead person. Gajeel growled back at her.

Sphinx could feel angry but her energy was leaving her again. All she wanted was to sleep, why was that so hard to understand? Not bothering to argue with the iron slayer. Her mind was still foggy as she started to recall her last memories.

She had been dreaming, a really good and a really hot dream.

Finally her eyes adjusted to the light, it still stung but she could now see the looming dragon slayer and his exceeda watch her. Her blue eyes found the intense red ones and she halted.

Well this is awkward,

Gajeel was looking straight at her. those red eyes held such mystery and intensity within them that Sphinx couldn't help the memories of her dream surfacing.

How his eyes glowed in the darkness, like a beast who watched his pray. Red eyes saw how she almost squirmed under his heavy gaze, before his head dipped down between her legs again and he let his tongue ravish her senseless.

Gajeel watched as the woman suddenly shudder and looked at his lips then back to his eyes before going slightly red and turning her gaze away.

How unfortunate was that she had to have a wet dream of the person that for once in her life time decided to seek her out. Not unfortunate just plain awkward.

The Iron dragon slayer studied how the sleepy woman suddenly blushed and turned her gaze away. Those black ears flatten slightly against her wild main as she fidgeted under his gaze.

For a second he feared that maybe she remembered something from their exchange in the cave, maybe she was actually awake?

Gajeel's scowl deepened as he stood up and looked towards the guild and threw the hoodie he had grabbed for her.

It was only then Sphinx noticed how cold it was, her body moving on autopilot as she struggled to put the hoody on, it took all her effort and by the time she was done she was panting a little. Gajeel had turned his head only for a moment in thoughts but it was enough for Sphinx to feel the heavy pull of the gravity and sleep whispering in her ears.

The black exceeda watched hear lids blink slowly until finally they didn't reopen again. Lily couldn't help but smiley at the Sphinx sleepiness. The soft wind lulled her to sleep in seconds. His chuckle brought Gajeel's attention back to her and as expected he wasn't too happy.

-OI,OI no fucking way your falling asleep again! Gajeel roughly nudged her with his foot, only to have her swat at it tiredly while mumbling something under her breath.

She soon fell limb and dead to the world again, for Gajeels annoyance. The raven haired slayer let out an aggravated huff before again hoisting her effortlessly on one shoulder.

-Look her tail, it moves even if she's asleep. Lily pointed at the black silky furry appendix that somehow had wrapped itself around his wrist.

Finally they arrived at the guild, Gajeel walked in ignoring the few shocked looks he received before pulling out a stool and dumping the unaware Sphinx by the bar.

Of course her being asleep she only stayed 'seated' a second before gravity did its thing and she tumbled uncoordinatedly to the floor accompanied with a horrified shriek from Mirajane.

- Oh, SPHINX!

-Gajeel! Mira scowled him before rushing to aid the dark haired female who aimlessly tried to move her limbs.

Hurts, still too bright, noisy, were the only words Gajeel could understand from the low mumbling Sphinx let out. She had her legs spread straight in front of her, while her one hand rested on her lap the other one rubbed slowly the back of her head.

Again only one of her eyes peaked at them from under her thick lashes as she slowly tried to register things around her.

- Mira, Gajeel? What happened? Why is it so bright? Her voice was low and husky clearly still tired.

Mira looked worriedly at her friend, her tail lay against the floor and her ears hang lazily to the sides, Sphinx like to keep them hidden or 'cloaked ' as she would put it. Too many questions, she would reason.

Her black and blue hair was a mess and she wasn't wearing her mask or her normal outfit. It was all very weird, not to mention that Mira had envied how gracefully Sphinx moved, but that feline gracefulness, sharp eyes and elegance was far away from her. This one looked like a grumpy house cat. The thought almost made her laugh.

-Oi, cat, are you going to just sit there? Gajeel growled at her with his arms crossed over his chest.

Sphinx didn't lift her head or answer; actually she seemed to ignore the Iron slayer completely as another yawn escaped her.

- Tsk,

Mira could see the irritation in Gajeel as he lifted his foot to kick her before Mira cleared her throat giving him a warning glance.

-Sphinx, are you okay? Mira asked gently and placed a hand on her shoulder.

- Huh? Sphinx turned her head slowly towards the smiling take over mage before tilting her head slightly.

Mira never got her answer as the Guild doors suddenly opened with a bang.

- Good morning everyone, Lucy greeted the guild while entering behind grinning Natsu and followed by Gray.

.- Good morning Lucy, Happy, Natsu and Gray. Mira greeted with a radiating smile.

The four of them immediately took notice of the figure on the floor a headed towards the bar.

- Oh, is that Sphinx? Lucy was the first one to recognize her friend.

The noises around her got a lot louder suddenly and all the commotion was slowly pushing way her drowsiness. Sphinx slowly opened both of her eyes and stared at the people around her.

Mira was explaining something and Gajeel growled something in between. Her ears twisted in annoyance she might have woken up but it didn't mean she was ready to wake up just yet.

-Too loud she hissed at them quietly, it only seemed to have reached the dragon slayers as both Natsu and Gajeel turned their eyes to her.

She glared at the males and one of her ears twitched in irritation.

-Where am I? Why are you being so loud? She whined at them.

- You didn't hurt you head did you? Mira said worriedly referring to her tumble off the stool.

Suddenly there was a face in front of her. Natsu had crouched down in front of her.

-Oi, Sphinx do you know who I am? Natsu asked wide eyes pointing a finger at his chest.

Sphinx looked at him then at the rest of them,

Did they think she was a retard?

Letting out a huff of annoyance she looked back at the slayer in front of her.

- Natsu gets out of my face, or I'll rearrange it for you, she threatened with a growl.

Sighs of relief came from the others.

- The cats just grumpy because I woke it up, turns out this little kitten isn't a morning person? Gajeel said mockingly before ruffling her hair even more.

Sphinx hissed at him and tried to swat his had from her head, only for the Iron dragon to dodge all her lame attempts.

- Im not a cat, Sphinx tried to retaliate but her body just wasn't up yet.

-That's not very nice Gajeel, a woman need her beauty sleep, Mira scowled the iron dragon.

- tak, she hasn't been to the guild in weeks, she's been avoiding everyone. Gajeel defended his actions.

- Is that's what this is all about? She sleepy? From the way she look I would think something a lot worse had happened, Gray said and looked at the annoyed Sphinx.

- Come to think of it, I have never seen Sphinx before noon at the guild? She usually only here during the evenings, Lucy suddenly realized.

Sphinx was too tired to continue focusing on their conversation about her instead she sighed and let her eye lid drop again.

It was too loud, too bright and the floor was uncomferbul. Suddenly she felt a warm weight on her shin. Softly her face was lifted and her eyes opened to find out that Natsu was still there now lifting her chin with his fingers.

The warmth he radiated was comforting in some way. The tension left her face and she relaxed leaning on the fire Dragon slayers hand.

- She's kind of cute when she's sleepy, Natsu said to no one in particular, but all the conversation halted immediately.

Eyes looked from him to Sphinx then back at the softy smiling Natsu who kept his eyes on the cat-like mage. His finger traced her jawline curiously; it was most amusing to watch how she relaxed and leaned into the contact.

-So warm, she purred lowly still keeping her eyes close.

Natsu's smile turned into a grin at that and before anyone had time to react he stood up hooked his arms under Sphinx's armpits and scooped her up from the floor.

Natsu being taller than Sphinx it was easy to hold her off the floor. It was like a child would hold a toy in front of him just looking at it. Sphinx on the other hand had no idea what was going on as she just hang there limply too sleepy to care.

Lucy felt her cheeks warm from how comfortable Natsu was holding and moving the woman in his arms, he almost looked mature.

-What do you say, Happy? Natsu looked at his blue partner before suddenly bringing Sphinx close to his body and holding her against him.

The warm suddenly enveloped her and Sphinx sighed happily. Thanking silently it she wrapped her legs around Natsu and her hand went around his neck. It was as if they had done it a million times before. The two had no shyness in wrapping themselves around each other.

Gray, Lucy and Gajeel stood with their eyed wide and mouths open, not really knowing how to react at the uncharacteristic behaviors from Natsu. The blue Exceeda, fly next to the Natsu, wondering what he meant.

- Should we keep it? Natsu smiled at Happy before grinning down at the sleepy creature in his arms.

- Aye, sir, Happy exclaimed loudly before rambling on 'do you think it eats fish?'

-EEEEHHH, Lucy almost felt her legs fall from underneath her.

For a second she had been shocked at the mature way her best friend was behaving. His soft smile had her stomach drop a little; of course Lucy now reasoned it to because she had yet to have eaten any breakfast.

- Did you idiot just say 'it'? Gray asked.

-You do know she's not a pet? Mira asked carefully.

Gajeel laughed quietly beside him. This was the Natsu they knew, an airhead. Natsu sat down in their table while still holding the sleeping mage in his arms while getting lectured by Lucy. The Iron slayer soon moved quietly to his own table in the shadows.

It was so warm, she was held securely so she could finally doze off again. It wasn't just the warmth of the person it was the immense energy that just swallowed her whole and enveloped her making her feel content. In some level of consciousness she recalled that it was Natsu but Sphinx didn't mind at the moment, sleep was more important right now.

However luck wasn't on her side, Sphinx soon found out that even if Natsu had the ability to envelope her in warmth he also was, well Natsu.

Her comfortable cocoon was broken when the fire dragon started to move. Someone yelled around her but before Sphinx had time to realize just what the hell was happening, she was suddenly airborne. Her eyes flashed open only to be blinded again but before she had time to turn and get her balance she came crashing into something.

-NATSU YOU IDIOT! Gray yelled as he rushed through the broke table to see if Sphinx was okay.

Sphinx moved to lay on her back letting air get back into her lungs. She held a hand in front of her eyes. Her heart was pounding in her chest,

That was going definitely into her top five worst awakening ever.

She was just so fed up with all the commotion, why wasn't she in her trusted cave with no sunlight, no light and no yelling noises.

-Sphinx are you alright? Gray hovered somewhere over her, he sounded concern.

She gave him a flick of her tail and held a finger up for him to give her a moment. Other yelled at the fire dragon slayer. Apparently Natsu was a very bad choice when it came to sleeping.

Why does universe hate me today?

-What's going on? A smooth voice asked.

The thunder god tribe entered the guild and looking at the chaotic scene. Normally the guild would have been slightly less active at this time. Most members didn't come in before lunch so it surprised him to see something going on already.

Then again is shouldn't have. Freed looked from the smiling Mirajane to the sheepish looking Natsu who was being yelled at by a red faced Lucy. On the other side there was a few tables turned over and Gray kneeling next to someone who was lying on the floor.

-Did someone get hurt? Ever asked beside him.

-Wait a minute, is that Sphinx? Bixlow piped up, the excitement made his grin gets wider and he started to stroll towards Gray quickly followed by his two comrades.

-Eh, I- I think she fell asleep, Gray said awkwardly.

-A sleep? Are you sure she's not unconscious? Natsu did throw her pretty hard.

- Natsu threw her across the guild? Evergreen exclaimed shocked before turning to look at the embarrassed fire dragon slayer.

-I was aiming at Ice princess over there. Natsu wined, not knowing when to be quiet.

- She's sleeping, Gajeel grunted from his dark corner. Eyes turned to Gajeel who just scowled back before tapping the side of his head.

The group quickly caught on, Dragon hearing. The man could portably identify her breathing pattern and other symptoms.

Bixlow crouched down next to Gray, happy that his eyes were covered with his helmet as he could slowly draw his eyes over her full figure. She was dressed very differently than usual, no mask and no jacket. It didn't take much to figure out that she had most likely been drag here with having the time to dress or look in the mirror.

-I never noticed she has pointed teeth, Gary said drawing every ones attention to her slightly open mouth.

Almost sensing all their stair Sphinx moved in her sleep. Slowly she turned to her side and lifted one of her legs up in a hook, her on arm lifted above her head supporting it. Her browse frowned as she sifted her head on the hard floor. Both Bixlow and Gray had stilled not to disturbed her, even when her tail brushed their legs.

-We should get her off the floor; she'll catch a cold with those short shorts. Mira quickly broke their trance and shifted into mother- mode.

-I'll get her; Natsu said now walking towards her only to be aberrantly stopped from a death glare from Lucy and Evergreen.

-It your fault she's on the floor in the first place, Lucy pointed out.

Suddenly there was low growl and mumbling from the floor as the feline like mage trued to shield her ears.

-What was that Sphinx? Freed asked now leaning in.

- She's complaining about all the noise, Natsu said in a matter of fact voice.

It was Gajeel who suddenly appeared and picked her off the floor. With one hand he managed to grab the back of her hoody and hoist her in the air. Sphinx whined again as she dangled limply in his grip. The scene was quit comical in Freed's eyes. Sure he may have not known Sphinx but everyone knew off her.

-Should we put her in the infirmary to sleep? She seems very tired, Freed suggested.

-Is she sick? Lucy piped up.

-Maybe she hit her head? Should we call Wendy? Gray said.

- I can't believe Natsu would throw her; Evergreen huffed while casting another glare at the male.

The small group kept on debating on what to do to the Sphinx who lingered between sleep and awareness. Gajeel was ready to just shake the female until she woke up but knew to get a 'demon barmaide' on his hide for that.

The Iron Dragon slayer watched as Bixlow slowly reached towards her tail. The men shared a look but stayed silent as Bixlow gently took a hold of the silky tail.

-Have you ever meet someone with her abilities? Bixlow asked quietly.

Gajeel shook his head a little but his eyes widened as suddenly the tail started to move. He could pick up her breathing becoming shallower and the lowest of noises came from the woman's throat.

The iron slayer was certain that the Setih mage was unable to hear the low pleasant rumble but the slowly rolling tail kept the man entertained.

- Just look at this, Bixlow says as he stoke the tail that kept curling towards his touch.

- She has a damn tail, not to mention I still haven't wrapped my head around what the hell happened a while ago,

Bixlow glanced at the Raven haired Slayer whose frown deepened but he didn't say anything.

-Is it her magic? But then again she seemed to be just as affected as us and I doubt she planed any of that. Well, maybe the part with Baccaus but hell no thought you would interfere, Bixlow finished.

-One thing is for sure that she's something else; Laxus is not the kind of guy to act like that with a guild mate especially at the guild.

Again the dragon slayer chose to stay quiet, but his eyes did narrow in thoughts. His eyes could see the slight twitch in her fingers. The low rumbling was soothing in his ears; it made him want to pull her against himself just to see if he could feel the vibration. It was soon broken however; her soft and even purr like growl was soon overpowered with someone else's.

Gajeel's eyes snapped to his right where at some point Natsu had appeared. His eyes winded in surprise as he saw the usually bouncy and loud pinkette quiet, eyes half lid but his eyes were zoomed in on her. The raven haired instantly tightened his hold on her hoodie only to hear Natsu's low growl again.

- Oi, Natsu, did you just growl? Bixlow looked at this fellow guild mate amused.

The fire mage's eyes snapped to Bixlow seemingly only then becoming aware of his own reaction.

-Uh, I-I yeah, His hand lifted to rub behind his head as he took a step closer.

-It's weird, how can she sleep this heavily, he mumbled as his eyes looked at the peaceful face of Sphinx.

His hand came to her face and hot fingers brushed her cheek. Bixlow glanced at Gajeel, why was Natsu acting this way?

The red eyes followed closely at the fire mage. Natsu was an idiot but apparently the attraction of a female and a seductive growl did get through to even his thick scull, even if the said idiot didn't even know it himself.

Then again Natsu was the one who did react mostly to his instincts; the rest of them had some kind of idea when not to follow that action, voice or attraction that your inner dragon wanted.

-Why is she making that noise? Natsu said in a low quiet voice his hand still caressing the sleeping dark haired mage.

Bixlow tilted his head looking from Natsu to Gajeel in wonder; he didn't need to ask the question out loud as he saw the iron Dragon slayer opening his mouth.

-Because his petting her tail and apparently she enjoys that, Gajeel was starting to feel a sudden irritation at the way the pink haired slayer stepped even closer to her.

-She growls? I can't hear anything?

The seith mage only got a 'tck' and a shrug for an answer. His hand still kept petting the silky fur as it gently pushed toward the contact.

- You have got to be kidding! Cana's surprised voice rang threw the guild.

The card mage had finally woken up from the backroom where she had passed out and sluggishly made her way to the bar counter where she was ready to open the first barrel for today. However the always smiling barmaid wasn't there to greet her. As her eyes had taken in the small group of Gray, Lucy, Freed, Evergreen and Mira waving arms and talking animated her eyes move to their left.

First thing that made her head spin was that in fact Sphinx at the guild, at this time, it was barely 10 a.m. not to mention she didn't look at all like she usually did.

What the hell is she wearing?

The second thing was that Natsu was holding her face having a very unusual serene and calm expression

Still it was the slayer famous for liking to keep to his dark corner that was holding the limp mage by her clothes. That definitely was the biggest shock.

Not to mention the seith mage petting the black tail,

Okay that's not so weird, its Bixlow.

- Oi, Sphinx, she called but got no answer.

Her steps were curious but sluggish as she made her way to the groups. As Cana pushed Bixlow and Natsu out of the way as she looked at the sleeping mage before bursting into laughter.

Of, course, it all made sense. She was still asleep!

-Who's the idoit who dragged her to the guild?

Her eyes when to Natsu expecting and embarrassed expression but Natsu looked to his right before pointing a finger at the tall Iron Dragon slayer.