This chapter has started the realistic point of view on both the main characters. Being completely different is it possible for Sting and Lucy to admit their feelings? Also this is the start of everything coming together, I'm planning to have a couple chapters in the Grand Magic Games Arena so bare with it. I wasn't too sure if I wanted to push the relationship too fast so I left it open as said in this chapter, them questioning their feelings.
BUT please post your opinions on how you would like it to pan out or just in general how you liked the chapter! THANKYOU SO MUCH for all your support AND ALL THE FOLLOWS, FAVS AND REVIEWS! Do you know how amazing you all are 3!
There was a menacing power filling the Honey Bone Inn; no loud noises came from the inside of that place today as all within were resolute to find out what the hell was happening.
Clenching his fists together while sitting on his bed Natsu's body flared with the Dragon Slayer fire, his anger turning into a physical form. Not only him but the other members were all mimicking him, there emotions flooding into one whole pool of frustration.
"She has disappeared completely from under our noses..." Gray was the first one to speak gritting his teeth.
"Gray, keep calm, we can't go in today being controlled like this... We'll make sure to destroy whoever has taken Lucy..." Erza's was looking down towards the wooden panels, remembering their sudden fight with Minerva had caused an uproar within their guild. They couldn't make any accusations without being expelled from the Grand Magic Games.. and Sabertooth knew that. Thy couldn't give out their position and nor could they let go of Lucy... it was a foreboding situation.
"HELL WITH IT! I'll go in there now and rip them all apart. WE CAN'T JUST SIT HERE..." Natsu looked at the both of them, Like he was going to stay still. If it wasn't for Erza and her quick reflexes to beat some common sense into Natsu he would of already torn down the entire city looking for her. The power of friendship truly was something.
"Natsu-san..." Wendy was fidgeting on her own bed not making much of a presence compared to the other three. When Gray and Wendy had been attacked by Rufus, it seemed that he went automatically for the weaker link , Wendy. The Ice mage, though despite his menacing powers, wasn't able to stop the bastard Memory-maker from injuring Wendy. She had been slammed into a brick wall with as much force as Erza could behold. She had fractured many of her rib bones and had bruises and cuts all along her body. The memory was still vivid in Gray's mind and the absolute horror over the fact that he couldn't protect his friends.
While Wendy was quick to heal she was still rendered unable to battle at today's Grand Magic Games and would only watch from a safe distance; they couldn't leave her on her own seeing as Wendy was their next target.
"STOP! We go today like we always do, cover up what has happened.. AS WE HAVE DISCUSSED... then kick those trash bastards. Natsu... if you do anything to mess any of this up I will NOT forgive you.." Erza looked at Natsu with a cold iron stare, she couldn't let that immature dragon slayer destroy any means of revenge, he would surely let his anger control his judgment.
"We all understand your pain... but now not only Lucy is in danger.. they have made that VERY CLEAR." Giving Wendy a side glance Erza softened her face and drifted a smile, it pained them all to see their friend hurt and being helpless to do anything. The small war that Sabertooth had started was being politically controlled, they had to play by the rules if they wanted to win.
Visuallising her sword Erza grabbed hold of her makeshift weapon and grudgingly exited the room, it was time for them to leave. Gray was second to follow, helping Wendy up from her position he felt a pang of remorse, he was starting to ware off, a weakness was now being pushed into his face so very clearly. Breaking his thought the small girl smiled up to him. "Gray-san, it's alright. I'm not hurt as badly hurt anymore.. we'll definatly find Lucy."
Natsu sat that for a couple more moments, them cowards... Natsu was consumed with a hatred towards Sabertooth, he swore to get them for this. "Hang in there Lucy.. we're coming for you..." Natsu stood up and exited the room with a seriousness that was usually covered underneath his idiocy.
"Fro wants to know where Sting is..." Frosch looked up at the crimson eyed Dragon Slayer who was standing wordlessly, observing the current circumstances from a distance. Frosch turned away from her partner and stared down the street. The Fairy Tail Group A team were resolutely walking towards the Grand Magic games, they still hadn't recognised the turn of events that had presented themselves.
Rogue remembered clearly what Sting had done; by walking out on their Guild Master was a sign of defiance, he was lucky that Jiemma had trust in Sting though, because with the escape of the Celestial Mage most of the guild members were all thinking the same thing; that Sting had helped in her escape. The only difference between the other guild members and Rogue was that he could fairly determine with his sense of smell if Sting was the cause of this. Sting was lucky that Rogue was a loyal partner; Rogue told Jiemma that Sting's scent wasn't present at the time the Blonde escaped but in fact Rogue knew exactly where the both of them were, was it on purpose.. or not? He knew that his acquaintance wasn't an idiot and would think everything through but was the stress from losing Lector too much?
Rogue sighed, it seems unwillingly he had gotten himself caught in the middle of the whole mess, one that he couldn't get out of.
Jiemma was outrageously angered by how everything came down, he swore that the weak blonde trash would get her own grasp of horrendous pain before she begged to be killed right at his feet. He didn't expect the trash to know rune magic and even less, that Sting would have that reaction to her death, but there was one thing he was certain on and that was that Sting couldn't betray him. Rogue severly doubted his Guild Masters thoughts but that wasn't even the extent to what was happening. Jiemma had gathered his forces and was determined to take down Fairy Tail for the sake of his own power, for rising it to a new level where no one could rise against him, he planned on taking out the weak links first and leave the more powerful to become vulnerable before killing them all behind the scenes without the officials ever knowing.
Straightening up his back he looked at Frosch whom had a worried expression plastered all over her face, it was normal for her to worry about Lector and Sting and Rogue showed a sympathetic look to his friend.
"Everyone is on the move... I dare say Sting is too, Frosch." Even though it sounded like a mere statement it was Rogue's own way of telling Frosch that she shouldn't worry. It was a manner under many others that the two of them were able to communicate through actions and through the meaning of words. It came with being partners since the times when they were young.
Watching as the foreboding Fairy Tail team moved from the street Rogue also moved his position, pulling himself away from following the Fairies. He had other matters to attend too. Motioning for Frosch to follow Rogue swiftly turned around, his cloak sweeping off of his pants and quickly walked off. His crimson eyes watching every soul that walked passed, his suspicions were high at that moment, from Sting's reactions and attitude that had arisen from late it didn't take long for Rogue to realise that his acquaintance was in for one hell of a shock.
Calculating the time he had Rogue suspected that he would only have an hour after the games started to quench his suspicions before the other guild members would start showing a mere dissatisfaction towards his actions.
Looking around the street to catch his bearings Rogue decided that he wouldn't let Sting take a step forward without him, the only reason Rogue had entered that good for nothing guild was so that he could meet Gajeel, and now there was a certain other matter that had to be attended to before gazes would fixate on him.
Nothing was spoken... no word escaped the both of their mouths. Only a silent understanding and good-bye. They weren't on any terms to begin with so there was no promise that the either of them would return to the place they stated was the rendezvous location. There was only their bond. This was a day to completely disregard any emotion and get straight to the business; not only that but neither of them wanted to speak about the truly unrealistic emotions that had felt. It was defiantly unrealistic and in Lucy's mind she hoped it stayed that way. She didn't want any foreboding feelings.
The same had been with Sting; he let down his guard for a second but he was quick to bring it back up and rebuild it with reinforced armour. The celestial mage would no longer get into his head.
It was a decision that they didn't discuss but more so a silent oath, for the both of them it would only bring troubles to fall for eachother and in some aspect they had gone straight back to step one except that there was a level of trust towards the other person. They both deemed in justification that it was because they were lonely that they banded together and in that aspect they buried their feelings right down to the pit of their stomach. It was the better for the other person.
Lucy liked to think of it as a game, a game they had been playing from the start. One of them would win and the other would lose, sometimes it was a feeble draw and they were both left displeased, but it was an act that had to come to a close. Even though admittedly she would of liked for it to continue.. Lucy knew that a storm was coming, that once they stepped foot into them damn gates everything would change; alliances would change, people's hearts and their own logic would all change. She was scared.. mostly because the two of them had been so relaxed beforehand about what they were going to do and now it was slowly pounding into Lucy's soul. She had to take this step forward. On some level she didn't want to accept the reality that Sting took some large space in her heart.
Even though Lucy was hardened by her decision it was also unfortunate, it was like she couldn't ignore the feelings no matter how hard she tried. Ignoring him had been the best option in that circumstance but eventually she would speak to Sting about that night.. it really had intruding her thoughts.
She was standing just outside the gates that would lead to the Grand Magic Games Arena, Sting had already gone on ahead but she was still waiting, waiting for a time to move. There were plenty of people outside with her, they were trying desperately to get inside the arena but Lucy was resolute to stay still for a little while longer. Holding her breathe Lucy's reflexes were spiked up as the gong was sounded and the next battle was about to begin; without a hesitation Lucy forcefully pushed her way through the crowd, she only had a few minutes before someone would notice her.
Pushing and shoving people who entered her personal zone Lucy made her way through the bottom level of the arena, looking for the door that leads to the infirmary. There were a couple present within the arena, there was never just one.. Looking around Lucy was able to to see the green flashing sign that had infirmary on it and without a further thought Lucy made her way over to it. Being able to escape the crowd and into the door Lucy managed a slight jog that turned into a full out sprint down the hallway leading to the infirmary.
Before leaving the townhouse Sting made sure that Lucy changed into different clothes, his clothes. Not that she didn't put up a fight first, it was an absolute horror to look like that even though logical. The clothes completely masked her scent and what she looked like, there was no beauty in what she was wearing. Changing into a top of Sting's and some small Jeanie pants Lucy's scent and look had been completely concealed.
Sharply turning a corner Lucy's feet almost gave out beneath her but to her prevail she was able to keep them steady. Her feet tapping against the floor echoed through the whole hallway but suddenly came to a stop when she opened the door to the infirmary and concealed herself inside. Not wasting anytime in the lonesome room Lucy took out a few boxes and started rummaging around for medical supplies. Finding scissors, pain killers, a vile and a few bandages, Lucy set them all out onto the bench and looked at them with a slightly scared look. Before going into the arena Lucy stated to Sting that she would tell her friends not to look for her, in a way that wasn't to showy. Now She really needed Sting not to react.
Grabbing the scissors Lucy brought it to her arm. Breathing heavy she closed her eyes and brought it down into her skin. The pain was sharp and continues but she knew she couldn't stop just yet. Trailing the sharp side of the scissors up her arm Lucy let a single sweat drop, holding her breathe. She stopped the trailing and then took out the scissors,. Lucy supressed a loud scream that was on the verge of falling out of mouth, but biting her lip she kept it in. Thinking quickly Lucy grabbed the vile and filled it with her blood that fell down the side of her arm before placing it back down. Then she reached into the pocket of the Jeanie pants and came out with a piece of paper that had a written message on it. Putting the vile and the message together Lucy looked up with a certain achievement. She couldn't have her friends messing this up.
What she had just placed down was a definite call to her friends that it was her putting the message there and not someone else; an act of verification. She had complete faith that Natsu would find it because there were only four people in that whole arena that could possible know what she was doing- Sting, Rogue, Gajeel... and Natsu. Natsu would be the only one to react to the scent of Lucy.. other then Sting who would be fiercely angry that she didn't tell him beforehand.
Realising that Natsu was most likely on his way now Lucy made a desperate attempt to quickly wrapp up her arm with the bandages and flung herself over to the sink to take two pain killers that would ease the pain until she could clean the wound up. Taking are not to spend any longer in the room Lucy fled from it and back into the crowd.. knowing full well that there was someone watching her... someone whom was a sworn enemy.
The morning surely gave Sting a head-ache, at first him and Blondie were sleeping next to each other and then they weren't talking at all, he would never understand the thoughts of that girl. It wasn't like he made an approach to start a conversation but her menacing aura that she was giving off seemed like she was having an inner conflict. It was an annoyance so just for the day Sting swore he would have his mind set on just finding Lector. He couldn't waste another breathe on that bitch, if she completed what she had to do then he would complete his, simple as that. Tch so annoying.
Climbing the horrid stairs to the top of the Arena Sting made his guesses that he was no longer welcome in the guild; it would only depend on if Rogue had caught his glimpses and subtle hints that there was reason to be suspicious of Jiemma; that he was now taking action but either way there was no way Sting would waltz into their viewing ground, it was too suspicious.
When Lucy had told each other of their splitting up during the day it seemed like the plan was all too shallow, just merely going in there and spying. The hell with that! What's that woman hiding? but when she started laying out more of the details it looked like the blonde was setting everyone up into a position where one movement would set off a whole chain of reactions. He applauded the girl for looking that far ahead but he was still in the dark as to what she was setting up.
Rounding a corner Sting set himself many viewing platforms away from Jiemma's. He couldn't get to close without being felt from the other guild members, they were able to sense the enormous amount of power spilling from Sting's body. Taking a small glimpse over the side without bringing any attention to himself, to his surprise he saw that both Minerva and Rogue weren't present; looking up at their Guild Master Sting could make out that is was the same solemn face he always had, one that showed no emotion but Sting wondered how he could hold that composure with three of his Guild's team gone. It was almost laughable how weak the guild looked, truly just pitiful. Sting craved off of the sick thrill from seeing them eventually perish into the dirt but Sting had no time for such sadistic thoughts. I would of liked to see a different face coming from that bastard Jiemma.. A week ago Sting's attitude to this whole situation would be completely different but he noticed that over time he had...softened? His grip on his resolve for power had loosened all because of that bitch...
Reminding himself of the girl only brought on another wave of emotion, it hit him all at once, he smelt...blood? No that can't be fucking right.. Or was it? His face slightly convulsed with pain as with every thought in his mind. Sting wasn't sure if it had been her being attacked or maybe she fell over. Surprisingly the thought of her lying dead in the corner on the floor made him shudder like he absolutely didn't want that happening, It was a confusing though but that was easily overcome because she could of actually been in danger, but with all the things happening up until now it looked like she always had a plan... maybe he shouldn't go... ARGH WHAT THE HELL! Turning away from his position Sting decided to at least check but he was suddenly stopped. He couldn't see much because it all went too fast, but there was a flare of a cloak and a quick arm that went around Sting's neck.
"Your decisions are too premature..." The one whom spoke and was walking with Sting latched underneath his arm was none other his long time partner Rogue.
"Hmmph so it's you.. took your time..." That's all Sting said as he was brought away from Jiemma, knowing that what Rogue was about to inform him on would be quite useful.