Natsu was busily preparing dinner for his guests. Having Hisui, Renault, and Pheo around the house was great…but it was a lot of work. Hisui insisted on pitching in. Over the last few days, Renault and Pheo had even calmed down and relaxed enough that they would agree to the odd job, even if it separated them from their Princess for a few minutes. Hisui was never alone amongst the Fairy Tail guild. Someone was always around her, offering her berries fresh from a bush or asking her opinion on something. It was obvious that Hisui could very easily adapt to guild life.

"Need some help?" Lucy asked, joining Natsu in the kitchen.

"I just like looking at your pretty face," Natsu said, giving her a quick kiss before turning the chicken in its marinade, "But if you insist because I'm not coddling you, you can cut up some vegetables.

She stifled a giggle and went to work on her task. In the living room, she could hear Mira and the Princess laughing over a story Mira was telling about Laxus. They were never short in company these days.

"Whatcha thinking about?" Natsu asked, noting the shadow that crossed over her face.

"Our friends," Lucy sighed, grabbing a paring knife from the drawer. She sat down at the kitchen island and began to cut the broccoli into smaller pieces, "It bothers me that there's no communication. We have no way of knowing if they're okay."

Natsu nodded, "I've been thinking the same thing," he admitted, "All of Fairy Tail is thinking the same thing. We're all carrying on, pretending everything is okay, but you can sense the tension whenever you walk in."

"What do we do, though?" Lucy asked, "We can't do anything until they resurface. All we can do is believe that they'll be successful."

Natsu regarded his wife. Beautiful, sweet Lucy. He wondered if it was killing her to sit on the sidelines too.

Lucy felt her stomach tighten. One hand flew to it, patting it lightly. The baby seemed to sense her stress, so she tried not to think about it too often.

"Natsu, come here!"

He washed his hands, coming over to her obediently. She took his hand and settled it over a spot on her tummy just above her belly button. Suddenly, the spot jumped.

Natsu's eyes widened, "Did I just feel our baby kick?"

She nodded, a pretty light in her eyes, "That was him!"

Natsu rested both hands on her stomach and leaned in, "Hey kiddo! It's Daddy again! Thank you for making sure I know you're gonna be a strong boy!"

She giggled. She loved it when he talked to her stomach.

"What are we gonna name you?" he asked.

She rolled her eyes. This was usually what the conversation between Natsu and the baby rolled around to. He'd come up with some pretty lame names, which she immediately rejected for fear that he would actually think she seriously liked them. Among the rejects were Cod, Purple, Lemon, and Fire Fart. The latter was emphatically rejected.

"I hope our friends are back before he's born," Natsu said solemnly.

Lucy nodded as Hisui entered the kitchen.

"Hisui! Hisui!" Natsu said excitedly, grabbing her hands and placing them on Lucy's tummy.

Hisui laughed. All formal greeting had been scrapped by the entire guild. She was just Hisui now. And Hisui had to admit – she liked just being one of the guild. But it would be awhile before she got used to how…hands on Fairy Tail tended to be.

"What are you doing?" she asked, laughing as she tried to take her hands away.

Natsu guided her hands to where Lucy had placed his, "Now wait…"

Sure enough, after a moment, Baby Dragneel graced her with a kick.

"That's super amazing!" Hisui laughed, realizing what had just happened, "Oh Lucy – so awesome!"

"That's my baby!" Natsu yelled out proudly, doing his weird dance around the kitchen, "And we're gonna name him Choco!"

"NO!" Lucy and Hisui yelled together.

Natsu looked a little hurt, "Choco's not so bad."

"It's not so good either," Happy said, flying in the window, "I think Gray's right, Natsu…you should not be naming this child."

The girls and Happy stood to go join Renault and Pheo in the living room, leaving Natsu to finish preparing dinner.

"Oh c'mon! I named Pookey – Pookey's awesome, right?"

Natsu sighed, returning to his task. No one was listening to him anyway.


Crocus was bustling. Everyone out enjoying the lovely sun as it peaked above the mountains, ready to disappear for the night. As time wore on, the citizens of Crocus began to forget the upset they had received months ago when walls started going up around the city.

Children played at the park, gleefully sliding down the slides. The marketplace remained open later than usual, since so many people were out enjoying the sunshine.

Sometimes Sting felt overwhelmed with the raw beauty of Crocus. The city was majestic. And not just because it housed royalty. Everything about Crocus was amazing. When Sting had taken over as Sabertooth's Master, he decided that he would work hand in hand with the Royal Guard to protect the citizens. It was a decision he would never regret.

He watched Yukino push Sera in the swing. Sera would laugh hysterically when Sting stood in front of the swing, pretending to get hit and stumble backwards, falling on his butt. She loved this game. He didn't really know why, but if it made her laugh, that was good enough for Sting. To him, her laugh was the most musical sound in the world, next to Yukino's.

He glanced toward the castle. King Tomo had called him again yesterday. Apparently he'd had more spies report in. He'd been told that there were shadows flitting in the woods, coming toward Crocus. Tomo refused to panic. He knew those shadows could be anything. It was ridiculous to sound the alarm just yet. Still, he called Sting in to have Sabertooth check the perimeter of Crocus. Just in case. That search hadn't turned up anything, but Sting remained on edge. He sent Rogue out. What better way to test what's in the shadows than send the Shadow Dragon Slayer? To be safe, he also send Rufus and Orga. He supposed that's why he was so nervous. His team wasn't back yet.

"Okay, Sera!" Yukino announced, pulling the girl from the swing, "It's time to leave the park. Say BYE PARK!"

"Bye bye!" Sera repeated, pointing to the slide and other children playing on it.

"Not today," Yukino insisted, "We'll come back another day, okay? Mommy promises."

Sera lifted her arms up to her father, "Uppies?"

Laughing, Sting bent over and scooped her up, placing her on his shoulders so she could see as they walked. He watched the streets as they returned home. Everyone was friendly, waving and offering the Master of Sabertooth free samples of their wares.

He knew something was wrong as soon as they opened the door to their 2-storey house. Sting took Sera off his shoulders and pushed her and Yukino through the door back outside.

"Do you remember what I told you?" he asked, placing both hands on her shoulders, "Our safe-place – do you remember, Yukino?"

She nodded, "Yeah…Sting, what's wrong?"

He turned to the house, looking the door up and down before turning back to her, "I don't know yet. But I want you to go. Promise me you won't leave the safe place until I come for you. Got it?"

She nodded again, accepting his brief kiss. He gave one to Sera too, then let her go. Yukino turned on her heel and broke out into a run, Sera safely cradled in her arms.

Sting waited until they were out of sight before turning back to the door. He entered it carefully, his hands lit, ready to use White Claw. He went through the living room. The house was eerily quiet.

"Show yourself!" he called out, creeping toward the kitchen.

There was no answer, but he could hear raspy breaths. The bathroom.

He walked toward it carefully, alert for anything that might come from behind.

He reached for the door handle, ripping it open in one fluid motion, magic ready.

Rogue was on the bathroom floor, covered in blood. His shoulder was separated from his arm, which was dangling. He was breathing rapidly, his eyes wide with fear.

"Oh my Mavis," Sting breathed before jumping into action. He grabbed a towel, pressing it against the shoulder to control the bleeding, "What the hell happened?"

"Demons," Rogue managed to croak, "They're coming to Crocus. There's thousands."

"Where are Rufus and Orga?" Sting demanded, reaching for his lacrima.

"They've gone for the King," Rogue said, "I came to warn you."

"Can you walk?" Sting asked, pouring liquid over Rogue's shoulder to cleanse the wound.

"I'm a Dragon Slayer," Rogue roared with the pain, "I'm not going down that easily."

Sting helped him up, "We have to move. We need to get the people off the streets."

Rogue nodded, "What about Yukino?"

"I've already sent her to the safe place."

He dialed the castle. Immediately, King Tomo answered it.

"I already know," Tomo told him grimly without a salutation, "What about Rogue? Can you get him there?" He could see Orga and Rufus in the background, also severely injured.

"It's my top priority," Sting replied, "Sounds the sirens. Looks like this is the real deal. Orga, Rufus – can you meet me on the road to get Rogue to the safe place? I've got to direct the people of Crocus."

Beside him, Rogue was trying to stand up on his own, "I'll meet them on my own. You go, Sting."

Sting nodded, looking back at the lacrima, "You go with them, King Tomo. You really don't want to be in the castle right now."

The King shook his head, "My dear boy…. thank you for all your service to Crocus, but like you, I'll be the last to go. You forget I was once a Celestial being too. I will stand my ground with the soldiers of Crocus."

"King Tomo –"Sting started to argue, but stopped when the King put up a single hand.

"Do not underestimate me, Sting Eucliffe. I have tricks up my sleeve that will bring the attacking force to it's knees if it can get through the defenses we've been preparing for months. I will make my stand with Crocus."

Sting didn't know what to do. He couldn't very well order the King of Crocus to vacate the city. He turned to Rogue, "Are you sure you can get to the safe place?"

Rogue nodded, "I'll see you there in 10 minutes, Orga and Rufus. Race you."

With that, he took off down the road, stumbling and losing more blood as he hurried.

"I'll see you soon, Sting," King Tomo promised, "Go get the people safe."

Sting nodded and the lacrima conversation ended. No time to spare, Sting darted out into the streets.