The sunlight hit Kagura face through the fancy glass of the window. She got up, pushing her bangs out of her face. Her cold, heartless hazel eyes gaze at the window in front of her from the distance, revealing birds singing while flying around in a early morning. "So today the day... Her Highness 16th birthday is today... " Kagura whisper.
"The fresh air is truly stunning that I could not forget in my memories. " Rufus complement gazing at the bright blue sky with a few white clouds in it as he glance up from the airship. The wind blew by him, letting his blonde hair dance with the wind.
Orga and Dobengal frown at Rufus words. "Are sure your using a correct term? " Dobengal question Rufus.
Rufus glance back at both Dobengal and Orga with his hands behind his back. "I'm certainly am. Am I not describing it well enough? "
"All I smell in the air is pure vomiting. " Orga pointed at two figures in front of them both.
Rufus follow his gaze and sigh to himself in frustration, pulling his hat down to cover his eyes from seeing it. "How could I forgotten that these two have motion sickness? " He wonder.
Sting and Rogue hold on to the rally of the airship, their head looking down from the sky, making them sick even more. "How... Much more... Till we get there? " Rogue ask sickly.
"Five more hours. " Dobengal answer simply not faze how many hours there are left.
"What?! " Sting shouted, his face turn even more pale green.
"Sucks being a Dragon Slayer. " Orga mock.
"Shut it! Wait til... This is over. Then I... Can kick your ass! " Sting threaten.
A women with long white hair that curls slightly at the end, with two bangs framing her face and and reaching down down to her chest. Her bangs that cover her forehead is tied up into a upward ponytail. Her eyes is blue. She wears a black dark blueish shirt that is strapless with white trimmings around on the upper and bottom part of her shirt. She have sleeves that is connect to her shirt but only show her bare shoulders. A gray slash warp around her waist. A matching long skirt with her shirt, that have a slit on the right, revealing her thigh and leg. She also wears black boots and a black ribbon warp around her neck.
She waited at the alley with her arms cross against her chest while glancing up at the morning sky. "Hey Mirajane. "
Mirajane glance at a young women, she has brown eyes and shoulder length blond hair that is tied in bun. She wears a pink Victorian dress that have sleeves but leave her shoulders bare with beautiful white designs of patterns on her dress with pink heels. She smile gently at Mirajane.
"Hello Lucy. " Mirajane greeted back at Lucy. "Today is princess Yukino 16th birthday. " She said with a excited tone.
"It is. A theater airship from the kingdom of Lindblum is coming here in Alexandria. "
Both begin to walk through the crowd of people of the town. "I can't wait. I gotta do the decorations for princess Yukino birthday and get the report. "
"Then I see you later then, at the Theater Ave? " Lucy ask.
Mirajane nodded while walking away.
Erza walking at the hallways and walk pass Kagura. She stop her steps to turn to look back at Kagura who is walking away. "Good morning, Kagura. " Erza greeted.
Kagura stop in her steps hearing her name. She glance back at Erza with a emotionless and uncaring expression on her face. "Do I need to remind you it's commander Mikazuchi, commander Scarlet? " Kagura question.
"Come now, there is no need to be so formal. After all, we are equals aren't we? So there is no need to be so formal with each other. " Erza said with a smile.
"Don't make me laugh. You think we are equal because we are in the same rank, that is all. I consider that as insult. "
"I'm not insulting you. All I want is to be in good terms with you. " Erza try to explain what she meant.
Kagura glare at Erza before looking away. "I have no time standing here all day to chitchat with you. After all, you have a duty to intend to, so don't screw up. Today is her Highness 16th birthday that could perhaps mean trouble. "
"Perhaps... " With that said, both walk away, heading to the opposite direction.
Erza walk upstairs then to the hallways where the royal family rooms are at. Once she found a particular door she was looking for, she knock gently. "Your Highness, it's me, Erza. "
"You may come in. " A very sleepy tone gave her permission to enter.
Erza enter the room and close the door behind her. She couldn't help but smile seeing her Highness in bed sleeping. "Your Highness, time to wake up. Today is the day. "
Yukino rise her head up a little from her pillow and her dark brown eyes narrow a little from sleepiness before laying back down to cover her face in her blankets, not wanting to be disturbed. "Five more minutes... " She muttered sleepily.
'Ah, teens these days still act like children. ' She chuckle to herself. Erza walk towards Yukino sleeping form and yank Yukino blanket away from her. Yukino shiver feeling cold air on her, that she open her dark brown eyes and glance up at Erza. "Sorry your Highness but today is the day when you finally turn sixteen! " She announced with a big smile on her face.
Yukino got up and sigh with a small smile gracing her face. "So today is the day. "
Lyon walk towards his squad with his arms behind his back. Once Lamia Scale notice their leader, they stop what they were doing, and saluted. "Sir! " They say in unison.
"Today is the day men, that her Highness Yukino Agria 16th birthday is today. Rich nobles from all over the world is coming to celebrate her birthday. Our job is to make sure no intruders come near and harm her Highness at all til this event is indeed over. " Lyon inform his squad. "Any questions? "
A young man have brushy eyebrows that is pointing downwards at it's outer edge and black eyes. His bright blue hair is gather to the back of his head, tying it into a braid. He wears a Alexandria men uniform that is a all armor that cover his whole body expect his face. A dark brown belt with a sword hanging on his left waist. "Judging what your saying commander Vastia, is the Mermaid Heel squad is not participating in guarding duty today? " He question.
"Mermaid Heel is in a advance squad, of course not. They have to be guarding Queen Brahne and the princess, Yuka. I guess that's love. " A women who have long pink wavy hair in a high ponytail with bangs and have dark blue eyes, answer for Yuka. She wears the Alexandria female uniform that looks like a one piece swimsuit in light blue with a silver armor vast. Armored boots that is up above her knees, and armored gloves that is extended up to the end of her elbows. A small light brown belt is secured around her waist at an angle, holding a dagger.
Yuka frown and Lyon laugh at Sherry answer, bringing all attention towards himself. "Sherry your not exactly correct. It's true that Mermaid Heel is a advance squad but they are not guarding Queen Brahne and princess Yukino today. "
Everybody eyes widen wide hearing the news expect Lyon who is solemn now. "Wait, then who is going guard the queen and the princess? " A bald man, with a pair of oval-shaped black marks underneath his eyes. He have a long thin dark beard that reaches up to his upper chest in a wavy mortif. He also have a mustache that split into two parts, each placed diagonally below his nose. He wears the Alexandria men uniform. He question Lyon with a concern expression on his face. "Surely your guarding both the queen and the princess but there have to be two Knights. "
Lyon cross his arms against his chest. "Jura, I am still guarding princess Yukino but commander Scarlet is taking commander Mikazuchi duty of guarding the queen. As for commander Mikazuchi, she have a day off." He inform them.
"Hey that's good, commander Scarlet is taking commander Mikazuchi place. " A man have a dog features, that has a pair of canine ears sitting on his head, a small dark nose and his lower face is color differently from the rest of his body that his lower face looks like a canine muzzle. He have shoulder length brown hair, and black eyes. He wears the Alexandria men uniform, expect like how most Alexandria men soldiers wear them, his chest is bare, revealing a tattoo on his right bicep and wears a chain necklace of actual white sock.
"It is. " Lyon agree. "One last thing, don't tell anyone that Mermaid Heel squad and commander Mikazuchi is not here. "
"Yes sir! " Everyone shouted in understanding expect... One person who is gazing around, watching butterflies flying around.
"Toby. "
Toby briskly look at Lyon and saluted. "Yes sir! "
"Did you heard what I just said? "
"That we gotta guard the sock! " Toby answer with pride.
"No. "
"We must not tell anyone that sock is not here! "
Everybody sweat drop and frown at Toby expect Lyon who eyebrows is twitching in disbelief. "Unbelievable... " Lyon sigh to himself in frustration while slamming his hand on his face in ashame and disappointed. 'Come down Lyon, you got this. This is why your a commander of Lamia Scale. If you didn't got this, you would've just been a Alexandria soldier taking orders from both commander Mikazuchi and Scarlet. ' Lyon calm himself down. He remove his hand from his face and took a deep breath before he speak. "No Toby. I said you must not, let me repeat that again. Must not tell anyone that Mermaid Heel Squad and commander Mikazuchi is not here. " He repeated again. "Am I clear, Toby? "
"Yes sir! "
"What did I just said? "
"Do not tell anyone about Mermaid Heel squad and commander Mikazuchi is not here! " Toby answer.
Lyon sigh in relief, putting his hands behind his back. "Dismiss! " He order. Everyone left like they were told to.
"All done. " Mirajane stretch up her arms. She scan around the huge ballroom and the diner room, making sure every single decorations went where there suppose to be. The theme color for princess Yukino sweet sixteen birthday is white and with a few plant like patterns in green. Putting blue roses in a glass of water to be in center of each table. Mirajane put both her hands on her hips with a satisfied smile on her face. 'Now all I have left is to count how many elite guards are going be here. '
Mirajane scan through the area til she spotted someone that she knows very well that'll help her, knowing it's not a risk to ask this person. Mirajane quickly run towards the person with a smile. "Hello Toby! " She greeted.
Toby turn around to see Mirajane. "Hi Mirajane, what's up? " He greeted back at her.
"I was wondering if you can help me name at least the names of the advance soldiers that are going be here today? " She ask pulling a notebook and pen to write out the names.
Toby grab his chin in a thinking position. "I don't know if I should tell you..."
"Please. " Mirajane pleaded, doing puppy eyes on Toby.
Toby begin to think even more. "Did commander Vastia told me not too? Or did he not mention it? "
'Toby ' Flashback
"Toby. "
Toby briskly look at Lyon and saluted. "Yes sir! "
"Did you heard what I just said? "
"Guard the queen and the princess! "
"No. "
"Do not tell anyone about Mermaid Heel squad and commander Mikazuchi is not here! " Toby answer.
Everybody sweat drop and frown at Toby expect Lyon who eyebrows is twitching in disbelief. "Unbelievable... " Lyon sigh to himself in frustration while slamming his hand on his face in ashame and disappointed. 'Come down Lyon, you got this. This is why your a commander of Lamia Scale. If you didn't got this, you would've just been a Alexandria soldier taking orders from both commander Mikazuchi and Scarlet. ' Lyon calm himself down. He remove his hand from his face and took a deep breath before he speak. "No Toby. I said you must not, let me repeat that again. Must not tell anyone that sock is not here. " He repeated again. "Am I clear, Toby? "
"Yes sir! "
"What did I just said? "
"Do not tell anyone about sock not being here! " Toby answer.
Lyon sigh in relief, putting his hands behind his back. He smile at Toby, giving him thumbs up. Toby eyes water in happiness, giving him thumbs up back. "We must protect sock at all cost! " They both said in a unison.
Behind them is Sherry, Jura and Yuka holding up huge flag that have a picture of a white sock. "All hail sock! " They say in a unison.
End of 'Toby' Flashback
Toby remove his hand from underneath his chin and smile cheerfully. "Nah, commander Vastia did not mention it, he mention something else. "
Hearing this brought Mirajane hopes up. "So does this means you could tell me? "
Toby nodded. "Yeah. Now let's see... " He held out his fingers in front of him and begin to say the names while Mirajane listen carefully to every single word Toby said. "Commander Vastia, commander Scarlet, Sherry, Yuka, Jura and myself are going be here... But commander Mikazuchi and her squad not going be here today. "
Mirajane look up at Toby with curiosity of the reason why Mermaid Heel is not going be here today. "Why is that? "
"Something about a day off today... "
Mirajane close her notebook and put it in her bag and smile at Toby. "Thanks so much, well I gotta go. "
"Kay. " Toby wave bye at Mirajane who is walking away.
Rogue and Sting went inside the airship, troubling keeping their balance due to their motion sickness. "I hate traveling... by airship. " Rogue muttered.
"Now, you know... Why I said riding... A Chocobo... Or walking is a lot easier. Despite taking... A long time to get here... But no, you don't want... To listen. " Sting said giving Rogue 'I told you so. ' tone in his voice.
"It's only a hour left to get there." Dobengal inform them.
"Great... " They say in unison in a disappointed and sick tone.
"Come now, you guys just gotta bare it for cup of minutes. " Rufus try to bring them hope.
Sting glare at Rufus while his face turning pale green. "Cup of minutes my ass. It's a hour left! "
Orga scan around the area. "Where is that pig guy? " He question.
"Oh you mean B-" Rufus couldn't finish his sentence when the door slam against the wall to reveal someone wearing a blue dragon mask. It roar before jumping forward to stand in front of them.
Rufus, Orga and Dobengal got in their battle position but as for Rogue and Sting... They are struggling to stand up straight to get in their battle stance. Rogue and Sting run towards the intruder and was about to attack til Sting trip on a guitar that was on the floor and fall on top of it. Since Sting was ahead of Rogue, Rogue didn't react too quickly that he trip on Sting, falling on top of him. Both of them groan in pain. The intruder scratch the back of it's head, a sweat drop appear on it's head.
"A curse of being a dragon slayer... " Rogue mumble.
"I hate airships... This include that damn guitar..." Sting mumble. "A little help... "
Rufus and the others sigh in frustration before walking towards Rogue and Sting helping them get up.
...
"Ugh... " Rogue and Sting groan in pain. They both lay their head on top of the metal table.
A man open the door, glance at the two dragon slayers, laying there. His skin is grey, and he has a purple beard and mustache, the body hair on his arms and legs is also purple. He has pig-like features, with a large nose and long furry ears. He wears aviator goggles; an orange waistcoat held closed with rope over a white collared shirt with sleeves to his elbows, brown wristbands, green shorts, brown belt, and white and brown boots.
"Hey Baku. " Rufus, Orga and Dobengal greeted.
Baku stare at the two dragon slayers. "What's the matter with these two? " He question.
"Motion sickness. " Rufus, Orga and Dobengal said in unison.
"Oh that's right, I had forgotten all about that. "
Sting glare at Baku. "You know us since we were little! "
"Yeah, yeah. Here's the plan. " Baku walk towards the metal table and sat down. He place a model of Alexandria on top of the table. He put a doll that looks like Yukino and the other is Brahne that is seated next to the model of Alexandria. "Rufus, Orga, Dobengal, my men and I will be distracting Queen Brahne and the knights by performing 'I Want To Be Your Canary', while Sting and Rogue is inside the castle putting sleeping weed in her Highness tea. Once the sleeping weed kicks in, Sting and Rogue must bring her Highness back here without being caught by the knights. When I mean the Highness I mean your going to kidnap the babe-licious beauty in all Alexanderia, princess Yukino not queen Brahne! Understand? "
Everyone nodded in understanding. "In my memory, the only risky part is facing one of the commanders." Rufus added, thinking of the solution.
Orga sigh in frustration, crossing his arms against his chest. "Damn... Now when you mention that, each commander have one scary title in Alexandria. "
Dobengal frown and put his hand on Orga shoulder. "Sorry to break this to you but the ones we gotta worry about facing is the female commanders than the male commanders. "
Rogue sat up straight, using all his energy to do so. "What if we disguise ourselves within their ranks? " Rogue question.
Baku nodded in agreement. "It's true but don't face neither one of them at all. Even if you disguise yourselves, one of the commanders would surely think you two are suspicious by whatever action you take. So don't be seen by them at all and be careful what action you take within the castle. "
"Right! "
Lucy lean against the wall at the Theater Ave, waiting patiently for Mirajane. "Hey, sorry I was late. " Mirajane apologize to Lucy.
Lucy smile and shake her head. "There is no need to be sorry, Mirajane. We still have time. Do you have it? " Lucy ask. Mirajane nodded, and hand over the notebook to Lucy who open it, scanning through the contents and reading it careful. "It's odd that commander Mikazuchi and Mermaid Heel isn't going be here today because they have a day off. "
"It is. " Mirajane agree. "Isn't it good though. I mean it makes it easier for us to retrieve princess Yukino. We should be thankful." Mirajane said with a smile on her face.
"True... " Lucy close the notebook and nodded. "Right, we should be thankful. I'll report to Sabertooth and Baku once they landed. They should be here in a few minutes. " Lucy was about to walk away but stop in her steps. "Mirajane... " Lucy said with a expression that show full of concern for her.
Mirajane blink cup of times at Lucy, curious why she sound so worry. "Yes? "
"Aren't you scare? I mean you worked with Alexandria before working with Lindblum... You will be categories as wanted for betraying your own country... "
Mirajane embrace Lucy with a smile that caught Lucy off guard. "Maybe so but it's for the good of Alexandria. " Mirajane let go of Lucy. "Now go. You need to deliver the reports to Sabertooth and Baku. I'll see you soon in Lindblum. "
Lucy smile. "Right! "
Kagura gazing at the sunset on the rooftops of the buildings in the town of Alexandria with Archenemy by her side. Her hazel eyes harden, seeing the theater airship landing. The chilly winds blew pass Kagura, letting her black purplish long hair dance with the wind. "So the theater airship from Lindblum is here... "
She got up and jump off the rooftops, landing on the ground at ease. Kagura begin to walk to the exit of Alexandria. 'There is no point for me to stay here in Alexandria if it's my day off... Perhaps I'll stop by later on today, to check on how everyone doing. Yeah why not?' Kagura stop in her steps and turn her head to look back at the theater airship. 'And maybe I'll watch the play they are performing for princess Yukino later on. I wonder how well they can perform, especially if it's my favorite story 'I Want To Be Your Canary'... I should be on my way then. ' Kagura continue on her way out of Alexandria. 'I still felt unease about not guarding Queen Brahne...'
'When two special guest are coming. '
Yukino is sitting down on the chair facing at the window. The sky is now orange mix with yellow and pink. Birds still singing while flying around. Yukino dark brown eyes sadden watching the birds gather up to sing and fly together.
Flashback
"Big sister would you play with me? " A little girl ask, looking up at the girl who's back is facing her.
"Not right now Yukino... " Her sister answer with a cold tone in her voice.
Yukino flinch at her big sister words and became worry about her sister. "Next time then-"
"There's not going be a next time! " She shouted at Yukino before storming off.
Yukino ran after her, and grab her wrist, stopping her from leaving. "Where are you going, Sorano? " Yukino ask with tears forming in her eyes.
"... I'm leaving Alexandria for good, Yuki. " She answer with a hurt tone. Yukino let go of Sorano letting her leave. She couldn't help but cry, letting her tears fall. She couldn't stand up but fall on her knees, as she held up her hand to try to stop Sorano leaving form.
"Sorano... Please don't go. Don't leave me. "
Please don't... Sorano.
End of flashback
"Please don't go... " Yukino whisper to herself, looking away from the window.
"Wow... You look stunning as ever, your Highness. Your mother would truly be shock how beautiful you look in this elegant dress. " Erza complement Yukino, entering her room.
Yukino attire is a long white strapless gown decorated with green leaves from chest to waist. She wears a gold hair ornament with a blue rose, detached sleeves, a silver crown embedded with green jewels, and a green jeweled necklace. Yukino stand up to face Erza. "Thank you, commander-"
Erza held her up, motioning Yukino to stop speaking. Yukino blink cup of times at Erza action. "Now, now. How many times do I have to tell you to stop being formal with me and just call me Erza? " Erza question her with a upset expression on her face.
Yukino made a nervous laugh seeing Erza angry. "A lot since we were kids. "
"Exactly, I'm only three years older than you. Stop treating me like I'm your elder. I'm not like Lyon and Kagura that says it's insult calling them by their first name. " Erza said with a gentle smile on her face.
"Thank you, Erza. " Yukino thanked while giggling at Erza.
"Ready? " Erza said holding the door for Yukino. "Today is your big day. "
Yukino nodded. "I'm ready. " She answer with a smile, exiting out of her room and walking beside Erza.
Erza nodded back at Yukino. "Do me favor? Smile more often, your Highness. A young women must always smile because they say that when they smile more often they grew more beautifully. "
"I will, I promise. " Yukino vow. 'Today is the day... My sweet sixteen birthday and also... "
' My last day in Alexandria. '
I had try to make it somewhat funny by using Toby false flashback, forgetting what Lyon had order him not to do. Plus Rogue and Sting motion sickness. I added very few mysterious things in this chapter, especially about when Kagura felt unease about something. I hope you guys enjoy chapter 2.