The time did come where Rogue faced off with Gajeel. Unfortunately, Kagome hadn't been able to perfect a spell to unseal his Second Origin. The power discrepancies became obvious the longer the battle went on. After Natsu shoved Gajeel into a cart and sent him off, Kagome felt tears gather in her eyes at the difference the Second Origin made in the fight. Rogue was getting pummeled, even though he was giving it his all.
Natsu was declared the winner, making Kagome flinch and wonder what was going to happen now. She could feel Jiemma's fury from her seat across the stands and knew that things were about to get very bad in the guild.
And, she was right. That night, the Guildmaster didn't even let Rogue and Sting recover before he dragged them in front of the entire guild. It was when he began to beat them that Kagome's terror and panic finally shattered something inside of her. Faster than a blink, she was between Jiemma and Rogue, growling and gathering every bit of her magic to her. Rogue needed her and she would not lethimdown.
Jiemma paused when the small Exceed appeared in front of him, apparently protecting the Shadow Dragon Slayer.
"Who the Hell are you?" he demanded.
Before his eyes, however, a pink light enveloped her. Her form lengthened and broadened until the outline of a human female appeared. When the light faded, a gorgeous woman with cat ears and fangs was in place of the cat. Her pale skin was mostly covered with a white kimono and red hakama, her dark hair pulled back. Blue eyes flared with pink fire as a barrier formed around her and Rogue.
"If you come any closer," she rasped, her fury making her voice rough, "I will kill you."
"Kagome?" Rogue gasped, grasping his ribs and pushing up to his knees. "Kagome, move!"
She wouldn't. She'd stand between him and the Devil himself if she had to. And Jiemma was nowhere near as strong as he liked to think.
"Get out of my way!" the Guildmaster bellowed, bringing a fist down on her barrier.
He roared, snatching his hand back when the pink light charred the skin of his hand and forearm. Kagome held up her hands, one palm towards the Guildmaster and one toward Rogue.
"You are a monster," she whispered. "And if you're so inclined to treat people like disposable tools, I don't even feel bad about this."
Then, she made a swift slashing motion in the air, sending a bolt of pink light out that struck the Guildmaster square in the chest. For a moment, nothing happened. Just when the big man began to taunt her, however, he suddenly gasped sharply. Heaving, he fell to his knees and clawed at his abdomen as a guttural cry escaped him.
Rogue forced himself to his feet and put a hand on Kagome's shoulder as he watched the Guildmaster writhe in agony.
"What's happening to him?" he asked her.
Kagome growled. "I sealed his magical reservoirs. Then I punctured them. He'll live. He just won't be able to use his power against people any more. And since he's no longer a wizard, I guess that means he's no longer Guildmaster, right?"
Sting was holding Lector protectively and backed over to Kagome and Rogue just as she dropped her barrier.
"I'm with Kagome on this," Sting spat, flashing his fangs.
Rufus tipped his hat to Minerva and then slid over to the Twin Dragon Slayers. "I believe she has a point as well."
Slowly, the others began murmuring and then loudly calling their agreements out. As Jiemma couldn't even make it to his knees, he didn't get a chance to protest as Sting and Rogue stalked up to him. Minerva wisely got out of their way as Sting kicked the big man onto his back.
"Throw it all away," he taunted, ripping the guild mark off the former Guildmaster's forehead.
With a flick of his fingers, Rogue let his shadows consume Jiemma, hurtling him out of the inn.
"Who's going to be the Guildmaster now?" someone asked.
Rogue's eyes met Sting's and a silent conversation passed between them. Finally, Rogue motioned to the blonde slayer.
"Sting is as good as anyone. I don't want it, Rufus doesn't either, and no one would follow Minerva right now."
Rufus chuckled. "No, but what about the pretty little kitty behind you?"
Turning, Rogue looked at his long-time friend. He could barely believe that this was the lost Exceed who'd played with him so long ago. Her anger abated, however, returning her eyes to the too-blue he'd never seen on another. She shook her head frantically at the question and ducked down behind him.
"I think that's your answer," he stated, letting her use his larger form to hide.
Sting jerked a nod and stared out at the rest of the guild. "Whatcha think? Let's turn this guild into what it should be: friends and family stronger together!"
Cheers erupted all around, most of them actually glad to be out from under Jiemma's thumb. He'd been what Sabertooth needed at first, but his tyrannical way of dealing with its members had spiraled out of control.
"Tomorrow, we'll remind everyone why Sabertooth is number one!"
At the deafening agreement, Kagome clenched her hand in the back of Rogue's robe. "You need healing," she urged him.
He was shocked when she bent and scooped him up to carry him out of the room. "K-Kagome!"
"I don't know how long I can hold this form," she told him, "so you should probably let me take care of you while I can."
Rogue gaped at her while the rest of the guild whistled and hollered lewd comments after them.
"I can walk!" he protested, but by the time he'd regained enough sense to get that point out, they were at his room.
"Of course you can," she agreed. "But, since you've carried me for the entirety of our friendship, I thought you might appreciate the gesture returned."
Blushing brightly, Rogue pushed back his hair and stared at her when she set him on the bed. "It doesn't work like that. How are you so strong, anyway? And how did you manage…" he gestured to her new form.
Kagome held a hand over his abdomen and gently pushed him to lay back. "Questions later. Healing now."
Then he felt a tremendous burst of incredible warmth and love wash over him, healing every injury he'd sustained and cleansing every tainted part of him. Groaning, he closed his eyes to savor the feeling, even as he felt some sort of pressure inside him build and then dissipate. Power flooded his body and mind until he felt better than he ever had.
"There," Kagome said in satisfaction as her powers faded from him.
The loss hit Rogue hard, making him feel cold and isolated after being so close to her. Without his consent, a tear slipped out of his closed eye.
"What was that?" he managed, cracking his lids open to look at her.
She beamed. "That was me. I told you I wouldn't let you down. I even opened your Second Origin while I can."
Sitting up, he met her eyes and frowned. "Have you seen yourself?" he had to ask, his mind stuttering in an attempt to keep up with everything that had been thrown at him.
"Kinda had a lot going on," she drawled, crossing her arms. When she did, she looked down in confusion, as if just realizing something. "Oh. Er. Maybe I should rectify that," she blushed and darted into the bathroom.
Rogue felt his lips twitch as he stood without pain and followed her. She was gazing into the mirror with shock written into every line of her expression.
"I look human," she breathed. "That's me?"
Leaning on the door frame, he smiled. "Yes."
Tipping her head to the side, she studied herself and then looked at him. "I don't know what to do with myself," she admitted.
Seeing her so lost and vulnerable had Rogue reacting without thinking. He pulled her into a hug and let her burrow into his power like she'd always done. Her tension faded, but she was soon sniffling and then crying into his chest.
"I was s-so scared," she cried. "He just kept hurting you!"
Stroking her hair, he breathed out a shadow to curl around her playfully. Kagome sniffed and then gave a weak laugh as the shadow snuggled her.
"You are always full of surprises," he said, leaning down to press his nose to hers.
Kagome smiled at the familiar action and wiped her eyes. "Well, I couldn't let him do that anymore." She tilted her chin up defiantly. "And I'm not sorry I butted in. You've always taken care of me so-so it was my turn to take care of you."
Letting out a quiet chuckle, Rogue led her back to the room. "Why don't you explain, now that you've healed me?"
Sighing, Kagome sat on the bed and brought her knees up to hug. "The seat of an Exceed's power is known as our Jewel. It's sort of like a heart, in that it pumps magic throughout our bodies. However, every now and then, we manage to tap into the Jewel directly-usually in times of extreme stress. And usually those times all have something in common: Friendship, Courage, Wisdom, or Love. We call them the Four Souls of the Jewel. Tapping into the Jewel without all four will lend you a burst of great power, but it will not be controllable or sustainable. Tapping into the Jewel with all four theoretically means complete harmony with our body, mind, heart, and magic. Unfortunately, it's so rare that there is very little known about what an Exceed can do once it is obtained."
Rogue processed that. "So, you might be like this for good."
Blushing, she nodded. "I'm sorry. I know I'm not convenient being this big and human looking."
Choking at that idea, Rogue wrapped an arm around her and tweaked her ear gently. When she jerked and her eyes swung to his, he smirked at her.
"You're still really tiny, Kagome. And, the only problem I have with you looking more human is the fights I'm going to be in over you."
Her brows drew together as she tried to understand. "Fights?"
Rogue rolled his eyes and gave a soft huff. "You're not a cute cat anymore. You're an attractive girl."
Realizing what he meant, she blushed again and let her fingers play with the small shadow still clinging to her.
"Do I have to sleep somewhere else?" she asked quietly.
She'd slept curled up with him since that first night. Rogue squeezed her shoulder.
"No, but you won't really fit the way you used to," he teased.
Giggling, she nodded and tucked her head under his chin. Rogue stilled before holding her, knowing she was still unsure about this change. Heck, he was still wrong-footed at the whole thing and how much had happened in just one night. But, Kagome had been his friend for years, never wavering in her dedication and always so determined to help. He wasn't about to fail her now-not when he'd gleaned from her words that she'd changed like this to protect him. She'd done something only a handful of Exceeds had ever managed, just so he wouldn't be hurt any more. It made him terribly proud and humbled at the same time.
"At least I transformed with clothes," she pointed out.
Brows up, Rogue agreed with her. He didn't want to think about the fights he'd have on his hands if she'd been naked when she'd stood over him and brought Jiemma to his knees. Like an avenging angel, she'd been ethereal in her beauty and her power made her painfully attractive-even now. Especially to his dragon instincts. Kagome was his and had been from the beginning. He'd kill anyone that tried to take her away from him.
Next Chapter: Others weigh in!
AN: I hope this chapter suited! Hugs!