ChaCha you make me laugh. I want to message you to explain myself, but your not posting as a registered user. All will be explained in due time, and like I said I'm not making this a quick smut fic. Lucy has been processing the break with Natsu for a month, and I find myself coming up with my best thoughts in the middle of a club. The music helps me shut out everything other than what I want to focus on. As for the whole Yukino being a bitchy hoe... Yeah no. Dancing with your guy friend doesn't make you a hoe or a slut. If she had been kissing him or grabbing at his naughty bits maybe, but she was just dancing. Lucy has a problem with denial, but worry not, she'll work it out in due time.
For everyone else, Please enjoy the fruits of my labor, and prepare to find yourselves ready to strangle me. :) Please refrain from doing so, I can't finish the story if I am dead. :P
I let out an exasperated sigh as I tripped over a rock, nearly breaking my neck for the fifteenth time. The incline was making it hard to get a good foot hold, my heeled boots doing nothing to help, and the wind was whipping my skirt around a little too much for my liking. I gave myself a minute to brush off the dirt from my skinned knee, I hissed at the sting of pain it sent through me, and almost decided to give up, almost. My mind processed the thought and immediately threw it away, I'd be totally screwed if I just stopped, I needed to make it to the big red star on the map and then demand answers. I shifted the duffel bag on my shoulder, a scowl settling on my face, as I continued to walk forward.
That's right, I don't even know where the hell I am; I need to get to where ever I'm going and then drop kick whoever had the lame idea to pull something so ridiculous!
First thing in the morning Freed had called down letting me know that the old man needed to have a word with me. I was expecting the usual scolding over being reckless and how I should have informed him of the situation, since the client had tried to cheat us out of our reward all together. I was surprised when the lecture didn't come, instead he had told me how proud he was that I stuck to my pride as a Celestial mage, and carried out the contract to the letter. It was the client's fault for withholding information that was vital to the job. Still he had made the necessary reparations in my place, sending an apology and everything.
That was where he got serious, a frown pulling at his tired old eyes as he read over a piece of paper on his lap. He forced a sweet smile, and crushed the paper in his palm. I felt my throat tighten when he met my stare, something reminiscent of fear welling up in my stomach. He let the moment drag on for a little to long before explaining himself.
He told me that there was a matter of the utmost importance that he needed me to attend to. There was no choice in the matter as he handed me a sealed folder and kicked me right out the door. I was lost in thought as I descended the stairs, going over my conversation with the old man over and over. I couldn't digest that he had praised me for how I had handled my job, even though black mail is frowned upon, he wouldn't hold it against me in this case. I vaguely remembered saying hi to Erza and Gray at the bar and then Mira's voice telling me to sleep.
I woke up in a carriage, several hours later (I assumed since the sun had already past it's highest point in the sky), to find myself looking up at an unfamiliar mountain range. A bad feeling settled in the pit of my stomach as the driver handed me a map and apologized that he couldn't take me any further. As he pulled away I felt the weight of the situation bare down on me, not only had I been knocked out with a sleeping spell by my friends, but I had no clue where I was. I had no choice but to follow the directions on the map, and hope that who ever was at the red dot would be able to tell me what the hell was going on.
An hour had past since I had started, my progress slowed due to the terrain, and my lack of proper shoes. I was exhausted, but then I caught sight of my destination. Up ahead I could finally make out an enormous building, the flags whipping in the wind held the emblem of the Sabertooth Guild. I smiled as I realized what was going on, the thought of seeing two people in particular gave me a burst of energy I couldn't explain.
I found myself covering the ground twice as fast as before, stumbling from time to time, but the little scrapes did nothing to slow my pace at that point. Soon I was standing in a courtyard of sorts, surrounded by impressive buildings that paved the way to the guild's main hall. I dropped my bag, and leaned forward, trying to suck enough oxygen into my lungs to satisfy the burning.
I had only been standing there for a minute or two when the wind was knocked back out of me, leaving me gasping for the oxygen I so desperately needed. I squealed as I felt my body being hoisted into the air, panicking for a moment, fearing that I was being attacked. A deep laugh rumbled under me, and I let myself relax. My observations were limited to the fact that he was tall, all I could see from my position was soft spiky green hair. Orga Nanagear was the only man of his stature with that color hair, yes that fit. He had me slung over his shoulder like I was a sack of potatoes, only lighter, my bag (which looked like it held every piece of clothing I owned) was dwarfed by his large hands, appearing to be nothing bigger than a child's knapsack.
I tried my best not to make any sudden movements, my cheeks burning at the idea that I was probably flashing anyone who walked by a nice view of my lacy pink underwear. I was about to demand answers when the wind was knocked out of my lungs, again. He deposited me on the floor roughly and dropped my bag next to me. I looked up at him with enough venom to let him know i wasn't please, and he just smiled down at me.
"Oww, why'd you have to toss me like that?" I winced as I moved to stand up, but I didn't get far.
"Lucy-sama!" Yukino launched herself out of no where, knocking me back down to the ground. "What are you doing here?"
"Would you believe that I don't have any idea?" She gave me a confused shake of her head. "By the looks of it, someone is either playing a serious prank or there is some catastrophic disaster happening here that the old man thinks only I can handle." I looked around to see dozens of stunned faces that I didn't recognize, and let a rueful smile curl up. "They are having a good laugh at my expense, I'm sure of it."
"I don't understand what you mean, but I'm happy to see you again, no matter what the reason." She helped me to my feet, and led me over to the table she had been using as an office of sorts. She must have been doing research for a job with all the books spread out on the surface of the round table.
"It would seem we have a guest." I twisted, knowing that voice from the several encounters we'd had on jobs. I smiled at the man who never removed his mask, as he moved to sit on the seat next to me. "Good to see you again, Miss. Lucy."
"Always a pleasure, Rufus." He nodded at me, and leaned over to inspect one of the books in Yukino's multiple stacks.
"How did you end up here if you don't know why you're here?" Yukino leaned heavily on her elbows, curiosity making her big brown eyes sparkle.
"Mira knocked me out with a sleeping spell." I tapped my chin. "When I came to, I was already at the foot of the mountain, with my duffel and a map."
"That does reek of a horrible prank." She scrunched up her nose in disgust.
"Oddly enough, this isn't that bad. It absolutely beats the time they forced me and Juvia into a drinking contest. I don't really remember how it happened, but I woke up soaking wet on the roof the next morning, with my shirt missing." I shrugged kicking my bag under the table.
Yukino laughed, as she studied my appearance; I knew I looked like I had just walked through one of Gajeel's Iron Dragon Roars. My hands and knees were scrapped and bleeding, my hair was pulled into a messy bun on top of my head to keep it out of my eyes, and I was wearing clothing that did absolutely nothing to ward off the cold. After her appraisal was complete she leveled a serious stare at me.
"So how are you holding up?" I couldn't help but chuckle at her, it had been three days since the whole fiasco at the guild hall, and I actually was feeling better than I could have ever dreamed. "Has Natsu learned his lesson yet?"
"I would hope so, Cana stuck his head in the pool and Gray froze it, while his head was still under water." Her eyes went wide. "What, Cana said she was going to drown him and I didn't see a reason to stop her."
"He isn't dead, is he? That would be a little extreme." I laughed harder as she started to turn pale.
"He is very much alive, and still sporting a nasty black eye since Wendy refuses to heal him." I took a moment to catch my breath. "Mira hasn't let him out of her sight for very long."
"It was that bad, huh?"
"My guild doesn't allow anyone to get away with hurting one of the family, no matter who they are." I crossed my arms over my chest, pride filling every inch of my soul. "Natsu should understand that better than anyone, since he is usually the one dishing the punishment."
"Fairies are scary." She shivered.
"He'll be forgiven once he's paid his pound of flesh, we aren't the type of people who hold grudges past that."
"Obviously." Rufus added his comment with a small smile of his own.
"Humans are fragile creatures, and life is to short to let a personal vendetta consume you." I set the most serious expression I could manage on my face, knowing that there were a few exceptions to that rule. "Together though, we are a force to be reckoned with. Anyone who is stupid, or conceded enough to think they can hurt a Fairy and get away with it deserves whatever is coming to them." I saw a glimmer of fear pass over his eyes.
"I don't understand, you never laid a hand on Natsu." Yukino didn't seem phased by my previously dark demeanor, so I shrugged.
"Don't get me wrong, I wanted nothing more then to punch him till my knuckles bled, but I knew it wouldn't make me feel better. He was already beaten down, thanks to a certain someone; I guess that was enough for me." I leaned back in the chair, letting my eyes drift over the expanse of the room. It wasn't dissimilar to our guildhall, except for all the washed out grey stone, and the calm that hung in the air. "Is it always so quiet?" Yukino let out an amused laugh, garnering the attention of her guild mates.
"After being in your guild hall everywhere else must feel like a library." She continued laughing, despite the onlookers.
"I guess you have a point." I let myself relax for a moment, then I remembered that I had no clue why I was here. "Do you think maybe someone here knows why I was sent?" She shrugged her shoulders, and Rufus coughed bringing my attention back to him.
"I actually had a hand in that plot." He confessed. "Call it a personal favor if you will. Master Makarov is allowing us to borrow you for a little while, there seems to be a young miss who has been out of sorts for a while. He was only to happy to agree due to some strange happenings in your guild."
"A matter of the utmost importance, indeed." I gave Yukino a teasing smile. "I would be delighted to help."
"Rufus, that wasn't necessary!" Yukino whined. "I'm not a child, I can handle things myself."
"I can't turn away from a friend in need any more than you can, Yuki-chan. Please let me help you." I reached across the table, and patted her hand softly.
"Are you sure it isn't going to be uncomfortable for you?" She had a guilty look on her face, that confused me.
"What makes you think that?" She started playing with her fingers, unsure of how to put her thoughts into words.
"Well you know everything that happened that night." She said softly.
"It's fine, we all had fun no matter how uncomfortable certain things got." I said softly. "I'm willing to put all our drunken misadventures behind us if you are."
"Is it overkill to say that you Fairies have an unnaturally high tolerance for alcohol?" Another pearl of laughter came with the question.
"I'd be insulted if you didn't realize that." I joined in her laughter, until it died away. "So, how are things with Mr. Doom and Gloom?"
Rufus chocked on a laugh of his own, apparently amused by my nickname for my dark haired friend.
"He went out on a job yesterday, he should be back soon, I think." She tilted her head to the side, curiosity returning to her big brown eyes. "As for how things are going, I don't think I understand the question."
"Don't play coy with me Yuki-chan, I'm not blind you know." Her eyes lit with understanding, and she stumbled over her words.
"I-i-it's not what you think!" She finally yelled in the near silence. "I was really drunk, I never would have, like ever!" Her cheeks were burning with embarrassment now, as she tried to hide herself inside of a book.
"You don't need to be shy about it." I pulled the book down to take a good look at her. "You looked really happy."
She was a second away from denying the obvious again when we were interrupted.
"So, the Fairy is here already?" I twisted in my seat to see a very tired looking Sting Eucliffe walking towards the table.
"Does that mean you're in on it too?" I still couldn't quite bring myself to address him as Master Sting, so I decided to leave it off all together.
"I guess, Makarov sent a message to let me know someone was coming, he didn't mention who or why." To my amusement he pulled out the chair next to Yukino and spun it around so that he could prop his arms over the back. "Why isn't Natsu-san with you?"
"You weren't listening to a word I said when we came back, were you." Yukino slammed her book shut.
"Yuki-chan, it's ok." I gave her a sad smile. "You asked me exactly the same thing remember. I have to get used to it eventually."
"Get used to what?" Sting looked between us, an eyebrow raised in confusion.
"That jerk won't be going anywhere with Lucy-sama anytime soon, their partnership has been dissolved." Yukino must have decided that it would be better to keep it to the professional side of our relationship, rather than discuss personal details.
"Are you serious? You two were are never apart, how did you manage to chase him off?" The words knocked the breath from my lungs as if I had been punched in the stomach.
"You idiot!" Yukino hissed quietly. "Way to be an insensitive jerk."
I took a long slow breath to gather my thoughts, and force the smile back onto my face. I may have accepted that Natsu and I weren't meant to be together, but it didn't make it any less painful. I spent a good month of my life working through the stages of grief, and I'd be damned if I let a simple comment undo everything I had worked toward.
"I said its ok and I mean it." She shot me a look that said she didn't believe me. "This is how everyone is going to react, since Natsu and I have always been partners." She opened her mouth to argue. "I'm over it Yuki-chan, I'll be fine."
"Your conversation earlier suddenly makes sense." Rufus observed with a frown. "I assume Natsu is the one who decided to break the partnership."
"No, that was my choice." I turned my full attention to the memory make mage. "Natsu made it clear that I had become a burden for him; I can't bring myself to work with someone I no longer trust."
"Ignorant asshole, I'm glad I got to slap him before you stepped in." Yukino crossed her arms over her chest. "I hate cowards who runaway."
"I think it's important for you to understand something." I gave her another serious look. "I am a burden to him, I don't fault him for that. Everything we've been through changed our relationship into something that he couldn't handle, and it scared him."
"You carry the same burden, and I don't see you being a coward about it." She pointed out.
"I don't expect you to fully understand, when I don't myself. One thing is absolutely certain though, being around me reminds Natsu how easy it is to end a person's life."
"It wasn't really you that died though." Yukino back pedaled.
"That is exactly why, Lucy is Lucy, her willingness to sacrifice herself devastated him more than he was willing to admit." Her eyes grew wider again. "He would never say it to me, because if he grieved over that Lucy as if she were the present me, then wouldn't the same logic have to apply to the monster who killed her?"
"Lucy, I didn't" I cut her off.
"Natsu may act like an idiot, but he is actually a very perceptive person."
"I'm not following this at all." Sting looked back and forth between us.
"Is that why he ran away?" Her mouth hung slightly open, in surprise I suppose.
"Even if he did want to deal with that burden, I would become his worst weakness." My fingers moved to slide across the burn around my wrist, remembering the moment everything finally fit into place. "I was the ignorant one, for not seeing how badly affect he was by everything. I selfishly pushed things further, and it destroyed the very thin wall of his restraint."
"I'm really lost now."
"Oh, Lucy-sama, that just makes it even worse!" Yukino cried, finally following my line of thought.
"Yukino, are you going to explain to me what is going on?" The light haired woman turned to Sting and stuck out her tongue. "Rufus, do you know what the hell they're talking about?"
"I have the gist of it, but there is one piece of information that I'm missing." Rufus looked at me expectantly.
"Eclipse, it changed everything." I could see the puzzle pieces falling into place behind Sting's blue eyes, and Rufus was nodding in a fashion that said he understood completely. There was a long silence, where they just stared at me.
"Lucy, I wouldn't blame you if you needed to go home. If it were me, I'd be absolutely terrified." She hung her head, because Rogue was her friend, and she hated to think that she'd ever be scared of him.
"I'm not scared anymore, the nightmares haven't come since that night." She studied my face for any sign that I was hiding something, so I went into it all over again. "He will never become that monster, there is no doubt in my mind about that. Rogue doesn't scare me at all, I know he won't hurt me."
"Speak of the devil and he shall appear." Rufus raised a hand waving over my shoulder.
It took all of three seconds for understanding to dawn, and it hit me harder than I ever thought possible. I couldn't breath, my throat shriveling as if I had been wondering the dessert for days. I turned, and his eyes were already on me, surprise written just under the surface of his expression. I felt the air rush back into my lungs as he walked over to join us, looking to the others for an explanation.
"Master Makarov asked for a favor." Rufus started his explanation. "There is a problem with one irate fire mage at Fairy Tail, and his sights are set on a particularly special friend of our little flower, so naturally I offered to have her visit with us until the problem is resolved." I could see the anger surface behind his eyes, the slightest tightening of his fist confirming it.
"Did he hurt you again?" He grabbed my wrist so quickly that I nearly fell off my seat. "Is that why your bleeding?"
"No, I'm fine." A shiver ran through me as his thumb ran across the pink mark, then turned my hand to see the scrapes that had formed scabs. His shoulders relaxed as he put it together. I wanted to say something else, something that would reassure him that I wasn't in real danger, but the words died on my tongue. I wasn't sure how long we stayed like that, Rogue's eyes roaming over me to take in every scrap and scratch, but it must have been a fair bit.
Rufus coughed politely to try and break the atmosphere that had suddenly become thick with tension. I felt my heart stop when Rogue finally released me, and took a step back. The adorable little green Exceed named Frosh was patting his face, whispering something I couldn't hear.
"You don't mind her visiting, right Rogue?" Rufus was good at concealing his jubilation under normal circumstances, but apparently it was rare to see Rogue lose his cool, and he seemed thoroughly entertained by this occurrence.
"Natsu wouldn't dare come here after the beating you gave him." Yukino added helpfully. "She'll be safe here with us."
"Wait a minute, when did Rogue beat Natsu-san up?"
"You really don't listen when I talk, do you?" Yukino spun on him, smashing the binding of her book right into the center of his head. "I told you all of this when I came back! Master Makarov wasn't going to hold it against Rogue because he wanted to beat that jerk to a pulp himself."
"Ok, ok. I get it, I'll listen next time I swear!" Suddenly I found myself doubled over, laughing hysterically.
"L-Lucy-sama are you alright?" Yukino stopped, the book raised to hit Sting in the head again. I just couldn't help it, all the tension was gone, because now I completely understood what was going on.
"Rogue, I think you broke her." Sting said out of nowhere, and I found myself laughing harder. I fought against another wave when the little red exceed hopped up on the table and repeated Sting's accusation. It took a few minutes to settle myself down, as my companions watched with a mix of amusement and horror.
"Sorry, I just." I fought back another little bout of the giggles and started again. "I just realized what this is really about. I'm fine, I swear."
"Do you want to share what's so funny?" Sting looked like he was in pain, that was a rather large book.
"My Guild is sneaky, and absolutely out of their minds."
"We already knew that." Sting crossed his arms over his chest.
"You don't need to worry about Natsu coming here, I promise." I fought off another bout of giggles, not intending to explain the whole plot that had been masterfully carried out. "When Mira found out that he broke into my apartment, she sent Freed to take care of it. Freed is rather fond of me, so he didn't have any trouble carrying out Mira's request. Natsu is now sporting a very nice collar of runes that prevents him from getting within fifty feet of me, or my property. Even if Mira did take her eyes off him, the collar prevents him from causing me harm."
"So he's on a leash like a dog?" Sting allowed himself a chuckle.
"Natsu is getting off easy considering Mira was right there when he burned me. If Rogue hadn't taken care of it so fast, a black eye would have been the least of his worries." I gave the dark haired man a smile; he returned a small one before coming to sit on the open chair next to me. "See this has nothing to do with that, it's more likely one of the old man's pranks."
"That is an elaborate prank, to send you all the way here like that." Rufus was actually dumbfounded.
"I'm sure Mira has something to do with it. Hold up, I completely forgot that I was supposed read something." I reached down and fiddled with the zipper of my bag, inside was the sealed folder addressed 'Open when you arrive'. I cracked the seal and looked inside. "This is most definitely Mira's idea."
Little pieces of folded paper drifted to the table as I opened it. The note attached to the folder was what got my attention though and I found myself laughing nervously.
Yukino's eyes went wide. "Are you sure you want to go through with this?" She looked up at me with concern.
"If I try to go back they'll just send me here again. Once Mira gets started there is nothing that can change her mind." I decided to prove the point by reading the mission statement.
"Lucy, by now you are sitting in the Sabertooth Guild. You have most likely realized that this was a setup, and that whatever excuses Mr. Lore has given are at least partially false. You are a smart woman, so I'll allow you to fill in the blanks. Your official job for the next two weeks (unless you find yourself wanting to stay longer) is to enjoy yourself, and since it is an official job, your reward will be waiting here when you come home happy and smiling again. ~Mira and Master Makarov
P.S. Natsu has expressed a willingness to take his punishment, like a good boy. By the time you come home I will have finished beating manners and respect into him, that is a promise. Never doubt yourself again, you are Lucy of Fairy Tail, you deserve a better partner, and a better friend. I've heard everything, and Cana told me what was in the letter. I will make sure he understands how his words spoken or written can wound a person, and if he so much as tries to touch you ever again I will take his head."
"Mira is scary." Yukino was laughing, but she still stared nervously at the pile of papers. "She's right though, you deserve to be treated better than that."
"I know that. Do you think that what I did in the guild wasn't calculated? I know he heard every bone crack, and that cut him deeper than anything else anyone could have said or done. Partners protect each other, he got the message loud and clear."
"Is that what the burn was about then?" I watched her reach over and unfold one of the papers in curiosity.
"No, this was more personal." Again I found my fingers tracing the mark. "Jealousy makes people do ugly things, like hurt the people close to them."
"That makes sense actually." Her eyes crinkled in amusement as she put the paper aside.
"No it doesn't, why would he be jealous of you?" I turned to look at Rogue, silently amused by the question.
"He wasn't jealous of Lucy-sama, he was jealous of you." I saw something interesting flicker across his eyes, but it was gone to quickly to name it. "Natsu didn't hurt her till you stole her attention. Like a child who had to share his favorite toy."
"There was nothing childish about it." I heard myself saying. "Natsu has always appointed himself as my rescuer; he's so good at destroying things that it made him feel good to know I was the one thing he couldn't break. He would do anything to keep me safe, I've seen it. Seeing the tables turned, being helpless to stop what was happening, and to watch as someone else play the hero made him absolutely furious."
"Are you sure that you weren't dating him?" Yukino was trying to be sarcastic.
"Dating involves going on dates, and I can assure you I have never been on one." I caught the meaning of my words as they came out, and hide my face behind my bangs.
"You mean Natsu's never taken you on one." She corrected. I felt my face grow hot as she waited for me to give her affirmation, and it didn't come. "Are you serious?"
"Don't look at me like that!" She had this sparkle to her eyes, like she understood something that she wasn't telling me. "I was raised differently, the only contact I had with the opposite gender was at my father's dinner parties and society balls, until I was sixteen." I didn't met her eyes as I continued. "I couldn't stand the thought that my father was secretly planning to marry me off when I came of age, so I left. Since then my life has been a series near death experiences. There was never time to think about anything other than surviving long enough to get thrown into the next battle."
"I'm sure it's still hard for Yukino to understand that even though you are supposed to be older than her, you are actually younger." Rufus was trying to be helpful, but it just made me feel silly.
"I guess you're right. I was only a member of Fairy Tail for five months before Tenrojima was attacked, and everything since we came back has been such a whirlwind that I forget."
"That is an unsettling thought." Rufus added. "I can only imagine how powerful you would be today if that seven year gap wasn't present."
"My friends are all monsters no matter what." I laughed at his expression.
"Says the Celestial Mage who can break a seven layered protection enchantment by herself in less than a day." Yukino huffed in annoyance. "I've seen you summon two golden keys at a time, back to back. To top it off you have the ability to use the ultimate Celestial magic. Even if I didn't get to see what it looks like when it's complete."
"I'm not that great. Holder types are at a disadvantage in a fight where you're out numbered ten to one. It only makes sense to learn other skills that will make up for that weakness. There are tons off different support magics that I've started to learn over the last year or so."
"Most Mages stick with one affinity, so they can master it completely." Rufus chuckled.
"I'm not most Mages, I aim to learn the three Fairy magic one day, but I need to be S-class level before I can even imagine trying." They all gaped at me.
"You mean you aren't even top ranking?" I started to laugh at her.
"I'm not even close to those monsters!" I shook my head vehemently. "I can hold my own in a fight, but I have a very long way to go before I can even think of getting nominated for S-class. I wouldn't stand a chance against the other candidates anyway." No way in hell was I going to put myself in with the likes of Gajeel and Erza. "I'm more suited to being a cover girl like Mira anyway."
"I'm so jealous, they never ask me to do the pinup issues!" Yukino puffed her cheeks out like a child and I couldn't help myself.
"You are too cute!" I reached over and started pulling at her cheeks, laughing at how she tried to tell me to stop. "You can come with me next week, I've got a shoot in Crocus, it'll be fun."
"Aren't you supposed to be on vacation?" She rubbed her sore cheeks as she stared at me.
"The Christmas special addition is coming out soon, all the regulars are going to be there for the cover shoot." I let out a sigh. "I made a promise to Mira that I would represent the Guild this year, so I need to be there."
"If it's a promise then I guess we absolutely must go." I could tell she was getting excited. "You should probably read these, by the way." She pointed to the slips of paper that I had been trying to ignore. "They're funny."
I was about to just shove them all back into my bag when one caught my eye. It was Gray's hand writing, I was certain of that, but I didn't understand the meaning of what he had written.
"Gray wants to let you know that you have the go ahead, everyone is in agreement." I handed Rogue the piece of paper so that he could inspect it himself, and to my surprise he looked absolutely awestruck. "Gray doesn't want me to know what's going on, so it must be something important, want to explain?" He looked over the piece of paper at me, and gave me a devastating smile.
"Why would I want to do that?" There was amusement behind his eyes, making his smile all the more breath taking. On some level I hated how good that smile looked on him, or rather I hated that it made me weak at the knees.
"I have a feeling that whatever you two are being so secretive about is the reason Mira and the old man sent me here." He was about to say something probably deny he had any involvement, but Yukino had jumped on my back, breaking the eye contact, I hissed as my forehead hit the table, but didn't move a muscle.
"Lucy-sama, you need to put your things away, come on, you'll be staying with me while your here!"
An hour or so later I was standing in front of a floor length mirror, admiring just how nicely my black leather pants made my butt look. My hair was hanging loosely down my back tickling the small amount of bare skin between the waist of my pants and the bottom of the cropped cotton tee shirt. I shivered against the still damp locks as they slid across my spine.
"Your clothes are so flattering, Lucy-sama." The light haired woman twisted in one of my dark skirts and a cream colored top. I had no idea how she was planning on going out in her strapy high heeled shoes, but I knew that I would need to find out her secret, and fast. Mira hadn't packed my normal boots or even a pair of sneaker, every pair had a heel at least three inches high.
"I'm glad you like them." I was happy to see that Mira had packed for the cold weather, placing my fluffy white winter coat and my favorite red leather jacket. "Which one?" I held up the two jackets, and waited.
"The red will look better with those pants." I nodded, happy with her assessment, and pulled it on. I searched through the accessory bag that Mira had used so my jewelry wouldn't get lost and pulled out silver earring. One of the new belt I had purchased was in their as well, the light grey leather was perfect. I transferred my keys and whip before I noticed a small pouch, with a small note attached to the front.
"Spending money so you can teach the little Tigress how to party like a Fairy. ~Cana and everyone else that wanted to chip in."
"That is unnerving." She shifted to her closet and pulled out a simple white coat that only fell to her waist. "But I suppose now I know where to take you tonight."
"We can stay in, it's not that big a deal." I offered as I dropped on the bed.
"It'll be fun, maybe we could even get some of the guys to come with us." I couldn't tell her no, not when she looked so excited.
"That does sound like fun." I pulled on my boots and fastened the belt around my hips, making sure everything was even. I did my makeup last, going far more dramatic then usual to suit all the dark leather I was wearing.
"Are you ready?" Yukino had gone pretty in pink, all light and girly.
"As I'll ever be!" I sang linking my arm through hers.
I took the opportunity to let loose a little, and wedged the door open with my foot forcefully. Yukino trailed just behind me as we walked back to the table; I heard her giggle at her wide eyed guild mates.
"Why are you two all dressed up this late in the day?" Sting wasn't one to mince words so I wasn't going to bother either.
"I'm going to teach Yuki-chan how to party the right way." I settled my hands on my bare hips and raised one eyebrow at him. "Cana was beside herself that you boys haven't taught her how to hold her liquor properly."
"I'm not exactly thrilled about that, but I'm not going to argue." Yukino leaned her thigh against the table and gave a sweet smile. "Just the two of us drinking and partying the night away should be fun. We may even have to stay overnight." I gave a proud smile, happy to see she could accomplish this level of seduction while sober.
"Oh I have to take care of something before we can go anywhere." I flipped through my keys and summoned Aries, brushing off her first apology of the day.
"What can I do for you, Lucy?" She asked shyly.
"If you can keep Loki in the Spirit world all night I will grant you one request, anything you want." She tilted her head to the side, as if she wasn't sure if she should agree. "I don't need him trying to kidnap me while I'm having a good time."
"A jealous lion scares off men, and we can't have that." Yukino had an evil smirk on her lips.
"I was going to say over protective, but yes. I don't want him ruining my fun two times in one week." I heard Rogue chuckle a little, and knew I was headed in the right direction. "I left his key behind, but you know as well as I do that it doesn't stop him from coming to track me down."
"Is there anything else you need?"
"Nope, feel free to use any means necessary to keep him occupied, especially if he notices I don't have his key on me." she vanished in a plump of sparkles and I let myself relax. "That takes care of that." Yukino nodded, and turned back to Sting.
"If you're not super busy I suppose we wouldn't mind the company." She pulled away from the table patting Lector on the head as she came back over to where I was standing.
"You're coming too Mr. Doom and Gloom."
"I'm really not up for it tonight." He stared at a sleepy Frosh, absently patting his soft fur.
"It's cute how you think that was a question." Yukino placed her hands on her hips so she was mirroring my exact stance. "You can walk out of here and willingly put on something nice, or we will drag you in what you've got on. That is the only choice we are offering."
"I'm not in the mood to play baby sitter tonight." He crossed his arms over his chest, refusing to look over at us. I felt the bottom drop out of my stomach. Normally I would have screamed that I didn't need a baby sitter, and stormed right out the door, dragging Yukino with me. For some reason I just couldn't, and his comment stung me instead of infuriating me.
"Please." My voice was barely a whisper, as I continued. "It won't be the same without you, please come with us." I didn't care to analyze the situation past the fact that my whole being was screaming that he needed to be there. "I promise I'll be on my best behavior." I hadn't realized that I had started to tear up until I saw his shoulders tense.
"Ok, I'll go." I couldn't stop myself from launching forward and wrapping my arms around his back. "There's no reason to cry about it."
"Thank you." He nodded, his feathery black hair tickling my nose. I hesitated a second, not wanting to let go, but forced myself to retreat knowing that I shouldn't be hanging all over him. I blinked several times, forcing the tears back, replacing them with my brightest smile.
"I guess I can spare some time, if Rogue is going." Sting grabbed the dark haired man by the collar and proceeded to drag him out of the room.
Rogue is so weak to tears. T.T lol thanks for reading. If you have comments or concerns please feel free to review or PM. These conversations impact the story, I promise they do.