A/N Yay! My laptop's back and fully recovered! XD though, I still can't say that I'd be able to update quickly – gaaah! I have to work now. :D And finally, the mission's done! Kihehe. I'm not really sure if it's good enough so I apologize if it's not up to your standards. Thank you so much for the unending support, minna! I really really really love you all! *bows* Happy birthday to Jasmine831, consider this chapter as a late gift, ne? :D Hope you like this. ^_^

Notice: All review responses are removed on this chapter. :)

Chapter 10: THE ACTUALITY UNFOLDS

Rogue rested his palm on his cheek as he observed the sleeping figure of his companions. It was the first time they had brought a girl on a job and who would've thought it would turn out this interesting?

He stood up and turned the lights off, he headed straight to the front door and felt the night breeze hit his face. He slowly closed the door and walked further, he leaned his back against a tree standing just a few meters from the house. He could hear the loud waves of the sea hitting the shore.

He unsheathed his sword, his sharp eyes narrowing as his feet swiftly moved towards the figures in the dark. And then Rogue caught the guy who yelped silently, not expecting the sudden attack.

The girl, in the position of running away, halted… and slowly, very slowly, she turned to look at his companion.

.

.

.

.

"K-Kain-sama?"

Kain dropped his collection of Mr. Cursey's and some bags on the ground. Frozen, he could feel the sharp edge of the sword almost slitting his chubby neck.

Rogue leaned in, his captive shivering, "I assume… you're not running away, yes?" he whispered in sarcasm.

The green-haired lady raised both hands, fear for her lover's life was evident on her face. "P-please… don't?"

Rogue remained silent, he knew he didn't have to exert much effort with these two. They're weak… they were - or rather, Kain was - able to deceive the Fairy Tail mage, but not him… definitely not him.

"I-I'm sorry…" Kain broke out in tears. Being a former dark guild mage, he knew his captor would kill him… without a second thought. "I-I was scared…"

"Please!" Yumi was now crying, her voice shaking as she slowly stepped forward.

Yumi felt paralyzed as her eyes met the cold and emotionless eyes of the captor of her lover. He will really do it.

Lucy snapped her eyes open, her throat dry, who turned the lights off? It's still dark. She tapped the wall of pillows she set beside her but was a bit surprised when she felt nothing. She immediately twitched to see Sting staring at her. A knowing smile plastered on his face. She remained calm despite the urge to punch him, instead she carefully pulled her sore arm which was currently a pillow to both Frosch and Plue. I must be so tired…

She sat up, eyes directed to Sting. She automatically looked for Rogue as she noticed that it was Lector who was sleeping on the first futon.

The dragon slayer mimicked her, he sat, still staring at her. "Home sick, dorei? I thought you'd sleep well tonight… Aren't you tired?" he mocked, as he crossed his legs and rested his cheek on his palm.

Lucy impulsively gnashed her teeth, "Where's–" she paused as she discerned the volume of her voice, she sighed and continued with much consideration, "Where's the pillow wall I set as the boundary here?" she hissed as she traced an imaginary line in between them. "I thought I told you no crossing that line?" she emphasized.

Sting smirked, "I didn't cross the line, I just simply threw the pillow off, it was irritating."

The fairy tail mage fumed in annoyance, still trying to stop herself from shouting and losing her cool, "Are you a pervert or something? You creep!"

The question made Sting twitch, "No wa–" he yelled but was cut off by Lucy who instantly covered his mouth with her hands.

"Sshhh… I… hear something." She hushed and roamed her eyes inside the room, "Where's Rogue-kun?" she inquired.

Sting didn't bother to take her hands off his mouth and smirked inwardly, looks like we'll be found out.

As soon as Lucy realized what she did, she instantly pulled her hand and stood up, she reached for her belt and buckled it on her waist.

"Please!" a voice yelled.

Lucy jolted, "That's Yumi's voice?" she ran towards their room and forcefully opened the door… just to find the window open and the room almost half-empty. "They ran away!" she ran towards the window and climbed out.

Sting followed her scratching his head, "What a pain in the ass!" he whistled.

The sound of the waves hitting the shore collaborated with the nervous gasps of Kain and the pleading sobs of Yumi.

Kain could only hear the loud pounding of his heart. It was weird, his once extreme magical power… was of no use right now. It must be because he had abused the lost magic he had learned from Master Hades in Yumi.

"What are you doing?" Lucy blurted as she froze in her track.

Kain didn't dare to move, but Yumi jerked, throwing the owner of the voice a pleading look. "Please help me… Please help Kain-sama, Lucy-san?" she cried helplessly.

Lucy's gaze was fixed on Rogue and Kain, not even bothering to spare Yumi a glance. "What are you doing, Rogue-kun?" Lucy repeated in utter confusion.

From behind her, Sting ruffled the celestial mage's hair, but Lucy remained motionless.

Rogue deepened the cuts made by the edge of his sword, Kain winced. "P-please s-spare me…" he coughed out, very careful not to drive his captor into cutting his neck completely. The last time he felt this kind of fear was seven years ago, when he disappointed Master Hades.

Lucy chewed her lower lip as she sized up the situation in front of her. "Wha–" she was about to step forward but was dragged by a strong pair of hands on her waist.

She was surprised yet she managed to look over her shoulders to find Sting shaking his head, his hands wrapped around her stomach to keep her in place. His head nudged on Rogue and Kain's direction. Despite the awkward position and the confusing situation, she brought her gaze towards the two.

And then she heard Sting whisper, "Stay, blondie. Just listen."

She felt his breath against her ears and neck, a sudden chill ran up and down her spine as all heat from her body rushed up to her face. She could feel Sting's warm body pressed against her back. She bit her tongue and didn't move, not even a blink.

"T-the M-Mr. Cursey I-I u-used to m-make her fall i-in love with me…" Kain stuttered in difficulty, "…i-is–"

Lucy's eyes grew wide as realization dawned on her. I've been tricked.

Rogue flipped his sword, a sharper edge cutting against Kain's skin.

"–i-is… t-that doll." Kain continued, peeing on his pants. He raised his hand slightly to point a finger at the red doll dangling on Yumi's waist. It was apparent that it was attached on her belt.

Yumi took a step backward, realizing that she is now the target. No, not her, but the precious doll bathing with her blood and Kain's blood. Horrified, she turned on her heels and ran. She had to escape… quick. "No, this is our off-spring!"

It was confirmed, Yumi was under a curse, brainwashed.

Sting tightened her grip to Lucy, but the latter clasped on the dragon slayer's hands and freed herself, "I'll take care of Yu–"

"Bathe the doll with saltwater…" Sting cut her off as he placed a hand at the back of his head.

Lucy blinked at him.

"That's how you'll save her… said Rogue." he clarified immediately as he tilted his head smugly. "Go! Your job is to take her back to his father after all."

Lucy nodded in determination as she muttered a "thanks" and run after the Donel oujo-sama who was heading in parallel with the shore line.

Sting watched the retreating back of Lucy and scratched his head annoyingly, I just sounded like that stupid large faced clock spirit of hers. "Hey Rogue! Why does it seem like you planned all this?" he asked as he turned to look at his partner who was enjoying the horrific look on Kain Hikaru's face.

Rogue shrugged as he pushed the overweight man which caused the latter to stumble forward and fall on the ground.

Just then, a sudden change of aura was emitted by Kain. "How dare you look down on m–"

A swift kick from Sting interrupted what the former Grimoire Heart mage was about to say, followed by a fistful blow and a dragon's roar which destroyed the half of the lovers' house. Thankfully, the living room was spared.

Kain rolled on the ground limply, unable to move his body.

A foot stepped on Kain's face (in which his blurry sight recognize) that belongs to the blonde guy companion of the Fairy Tail mage, "Sorry for interrupting you, piggy! But I prefer actions rather than words." He leaned forward and shifted the weight of his body on his arm as he placed it on top of the foot he was using to step on to his face, the dragon slayer smirked, "You're lucky we declined this job… or you could have been crushed by now."

Kain could only groan in pain.

Lucy ran as she trailed after Yumi who was doing her best to escape with the doll. As long as she kept protecting that doll, she won't be saved.

"Yumi, please hand me that doll… Wake up." Lucy yelled as she struggled to run in the sand.

This only made the girl ran in full speed, "No," she looked back as she clutched the doll on her chest with both hands, "This is our only off-spring! My blood and his blood." She yelled back, determined to escape the Fairy tail mage. An idea popped on Yumi's head, she instantly rummaged her pocket and took out a little box… This is her final resolve… she must use this to ensure the safety of the doll she held dearly.

"Please listen, Yumi… Kain tricked you! You don't love him… You just think that way because you're under a curse!"

Yumi gritted her teeth, she fumed, "Nonsense," as she ran, she dropped the needles inside a box she was holding. "I pity you, Lucy-san… You have never been loved."

The green-haired girl halted, her back facing Lucy… yet the blonde didn't stop, all dogged to reach Yumi. If she won't give her the doll, she would have to use force. And then she felt something prick her feet, "Yumi, plea–" she paused, she couldn't move her feet, as if it was caught in some mouse trap. "W-what's this?"

Yumi turned to look at her, eyes gleaming in tears, "I'm sorry, Lucy-san… That won't hurt, I swear! That will just hold you in place until me and my baby are safe."

Panic struck the blonde's feature, she can use magic? No, she can't panic now. She had to do something… Something wise. She have to retrieve this girl from the curse. "Yumi…" she said calmly, "Please lend me the doll…"

"No!" Yumi cried as she took small steps backward, "This…" she hugged the red doll, "…is our only off-spring. My blood and Kain-sama's blood… our baby…" she sobbed as she gracefully turned to run away.

Think Lucy. The blonde scolded herself as she watched Yumi ran away from her. I can't bring shame in the name of Fairy Tail. She looked around, thinking hard.

"Bathe the doll with salt water." Sting's voice echoed inside Lucy's head as she recalled what her marker told her.

"Bathe the doll with saltwater?" she voiced out, contemplating what to do next. The sea was a bit far from her position even though she's near the shore… If only I could find water here… anywhere… But everything's dry with sand.

Ah. A light bulb appeared above her head as she smirked and grabbed a key, "Open the gate of the maiden, Virgo!"

In a puff of smoke, Virgo appeared before her mistress, bowing slightly, "Is it time for my punishment, hime?"

Lucy sweat dropped as she quickly ordered, "Dig a hole until you find water and make it flow from there to here."

"Ah, as you wish, hime!" Virgo said as he dove on the sand.

The blonde's eyes were still trailing Yumi who seemed to be really tired of running already.

Water suddenly spattered out of the hole Virgo had created, with the spirit being washed away. "Done, hime… Will you punish me?"

"No," she shouted, thrusting another golden key on the plopping water with her feet still glued on the ground, "Open the gate of the water bearer, Aquarius!"

And in another puff of smoke, Aquarius appeared looking pissed as ever. "Tch," the spirit hissed in irritation.

Lucy shivered and gulped as she pointed at the retreating back of Yumi, "Flush that girl back here with sea water!"

Aquarius snarled, eyes sharply directed to her mistress, "How dare you order me around, little girl?" The mermaid spirit scoffed at Lucy as she raised her magical urn which seemed to be absorbing the water from the sea.

"A-aye! I'm sorry!" Lucy hastily apologized as she winced.

And then a huge and powerful wave of water erupted from the vase, flushing the green-haired girl and Lucy (of course) towards the sea.

"Waaaah, not me too! And I said flush her back, not flush us to the sea!" Lucy wailed, thankfully free from the trap.

Lucy swam towards the shore line carrying the unconscious Yumi with her back floating and still hugging the doll. As soon as her feet could feel the rocky sand beneath the water, she instantly snatched the doll and drowned it, "Bring back Yumi… Bring back Yumi!" she squeezed it, as the bloody color started to fade.

"Tch," Aquarius clicked her tongue in disgust as she watched Lucy bathe the ugly doll in the sea water, "Don't call me and Scorpio for a week, little girl. I'm going on a vacation with my boyfriend… My boyfriend." She commanded emphasizing the last words. "My boyfriend."

"You don't have to say it three times!" Lucy felt a vein popped out of her head.

Aquarius scowled and turned, "Maybe if you get yourself a boyfriend, you would stop looking so pathetic playing with dolls and snatching it from another little girl…" was the mermaid spirit's last words before she disappeared in a wisp.

Lucy felt like shrinking at what her spirit just said, she threw the doll as far as she could in the dark sea water in front of her.

The blonde continued walking while pulling Yumi cautiously, and right there and then she felt something stung her feet. Damn sea urchin! She flinched, raising her foot and swimming back to the shore, trying not to step her stung foot.

When the water was shallow, she crawled. Resting Yumi on the shore as she herself, sat down and checked her stung foot and saw that she got a lot of sea urchin spines lodged inside her skin with stains of blood, no wonder it was painful.

"Are you alright, hime? You're bleeding?" Virgo's voice startled Lucy.

The blonde jolted and turned towards her maid spirit, "You haven't gone back yet?"

Virgo shook her head, "I'm waiting for your punishment, hime…" she declared in all respect which made the blonde sweat drop.

Just then, she noticed the unconscious figure lying on the sand as waves of the sea hit the girl's face. "Let's bring her back to her father, Virgo…" she smiled as she tried to stand. "Carry her."

The maiden spirit blinked, "But your feet is wounded, hime? I'll carry you both…"

"No… I'm okay." Lucy protested as she nudged her lips towards the unconscious Yumi, "Just carry her…"

"But hime, can you stand?" her maiden spirit asked, her voice full of concern.

Lucy smiled as she tried to stand and balance herself with one foot, "Yeah," she nodded which made Virgo heave a sigh of relief, the maid then went and carry the unconscious Yumi on her back.

The blonde celestial mage hopped, preventing any contact with the sandy ground and her stung foot but lost her balance. Just then, a golden light flashed before her eyes. When she looked up, she saw her lion spirit staring down at her worriedly.

"Lucy, I knew it, you're in pain aren't you?" Loke almost immediately blurted out as he lifted his mistress and scooped her unto his arms.

"W-what are you doing here again? I didn't call for you!" Lucy flailed her arms in panic, "And don't carry me like this! This is embarrassing!"

The lion spirit took no heed on what his mistress said and looked around, "What are you doing here on the beach, Lucy?" he asked, curiosity evident on his handsome features, "Were you on a mission? Where are Natsu and the others?"

Lucy paled, so Virgo and Caprico haven't told Loke what happened yet?

Loke's eyes trailed Virgo's direction, noticing that his fellow spirit was on the way where a half-destroyed house was built, he followed her. "Maybe we could go on a late night beach date, Lucy… I assume you're done with the part of your job since you've summoned for both Virgo and Aquarius earlier?" the spirit suggested excitedly, "But before that, let's treat your wounds first…"

"Loke," Lucy said as her bangs overshadowed her eyes. "I have something important to tell you…"

Rogue and Sting heard the loud splash of water from the place where they stood, yet not one of them moved to look at it. They knew it was Lucy, maybe she had decided to use her keys since Yumi would definitely be hard to break out from her belief that the doll she possessed was hers and Kain's offspring.

Rune knights arrived at the area with Sting still stepping on Kain Hikaru's face and Rogue watching his partner's antics. Lahar walked slowly towards Sting, the two Sabertooth mage weren't even a bit surprised by the commander chief's arrival.

"I thought it was another havoc caused by Fairy Tail… Shame on me for being judgmental!" Lahar started as he held out a handcuff and threw it to one of the knight.

As soon as the knight took a hold of the hand cuffs, he ran towards Sting and knelt down beside the overweight man lying on the ground. Sting withdrew his feet and brushed his pants, "What brought you here?"

"Someone reported there's an upheaval going on around here and true to his word, the poor house is truly at a pathetic state." Lahar averted his eyes from the house to the overweight man when the rune knight struggled to bring his hands together for the hand cuffs. "Ah, what luck I have? Isn't this a Grimoire Heart mage?"

Kain sobbed, trying to resist the arrest. "Yumi…"

Just then, all attention went to the maid spirit who was carrying an unconscious lady behind her back. Virgo only blinked as she set the girl down, "I'll ask hime for my punishment." She then ran back towards the direction where all of them could decipher a guy carrying the blonde girl.

Sting's eyebrows furrowed as he unconsciously clenched his fists.

"Isn't that… the Fairy Tail's stellar spirit mage? What is she doing here?" Lahar squinted his eyes as he fixed his eye glasses.

Rogue shrugged, Sting didn't pay attention. No one bothered to explain anything to Lahar, realizing that they had caught a big fish at hand, he glanced at Kain and then to the two Sabertooth mages who's attention were already focused on the advancing figures which he recognized as the Fairy Tail Celestial mage, Lucy Heartfilia and her lion spirit.

He raised a hand, "We're going back, thanks for your cooperation." Lahar said, turning his back on the two as the rune knights followed him, pushing the overweight man forward.

Is Sabertooth and Fairy Tail working together? Or is this a coincidence? Is that Fairy Tail mage after Kain Hikaru too? Are they seeking vengeance? But that'll totally be out of character for them. The commander chief mused to himself as he secured Kain Hikaru inside the magic vehicle. "We've been waiting for you for so long, Hikaru." He exclaimed as he closed the vehicle door and locked it from the outside.

"Loke… I was…" Lucy was hesitating, she wasn't sure how to say it.

"You're in love with me, now?" Loke winked inching closer to Lucy's face, the blonde countered this by pushing his face with her hand.

"Loke, I'm serious. Listen to me!" Lucy yelled, barely hearing Virgo's remark about her punishment. The blonde didn't even spared Virgo a look as she said, "Thanks for today, Virgo. No, I won't punish you! You may go back now."

As soon as Virgo vanished in a gust of smoke, "Put me down, Loke…" Lucy demanded, seriousness spread through her face.

"But your foot is bleeding, Lucy?" the spirit protested.

Lucy glared at him, "I can stand with one foot. Just put me down. I am not with them right now… I am–" But even before Lucy could complete her statement, she was interrupted by her spirit's sudden gesture.

Loke held her mistress' hands and rested it on his chest, "Forgive me for losing in the competition, Lucy…" he felt something was wrong that he couldn't exactly point his finger at, just then, he caught a glimpse of a splotch of scales on her skin, he diverted his eyes towards Lucy's neck, as he shoved away the strands of hair blocking the mark from his view, he pushed his tinted glasses up as he leaned closer… His eyes widening in realization, "Is this–"

And in a blink of an eye, Loke flew a few feet away from Lucy. The blonde stellar spirit mage almost fell butt-first on the ground, but was caught by a pair of hands. She adjusted herself, blinking and confused, her eyes bouncing to Loke who was now sitting and staring at the guy who made him fly away from his mistress – the same guy who owned the hands gripping tightly unto her.

"Sting!"

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to be continued...