Chapter 5: Relatives

Rogue yawned as he and his brothers walked towards the school's entrance.

"Niisan, you must be really tired of dragging Sting last night, aren't you?" Romeo asked as he noticed his brother's tired eyes.

Rogue remembered the tiring experience he had to do last night. Lucy's driver just told the two boys that there was an unfinished road in front of them so the car can't drive through. The driver had to tell Rogue that he'll just have to carry Sting to his house and he'll just wait for Rogue to come back. Rogue had to walk for an hour just for Sting to get home and plus an extra 30 minutes for him to get back to the car. When he arrive at home, he went straight to bed without changing his clothes and leaving his door open.

"Ugh…damn that Sting! Because of him, I had to wake up early to do my homework," Rogue complained.

"I feel so sorry for you, niisan," Romeo said.

As they arrive inside the school, they were greeted by Lucy. She was just standing by the shoe lockers when they met.

"Good morning, Cheney brothers," Lucy greeted.

"Please don't call us that," the three said in unison.

"Gomen," Lucy giggled.

"Well, we have to go in ahead of you, Rogue," Alzack said, pushing Romeo to the stairs.

"What was that about?" Rogue wondered.

The two were now left alone. No one was there but them. It was early in the morning so not much students have arrived yet. Rogue went to his shoe locker and took out his shoes and replacing them with his other shoes. Lucy was just quietly looking at him by the sides.

"So Rogue, what did my father talk to you about last night?" Lucy asked, finally breaking the silence.

"Nothing much. I just accepted his conditions and that's all, I guess," Rogue said recalling everything that happen last night.

"Is that so?" Lucy said.

Was that all that happen last night? Rogue thought of the things that happen while he was in their private library. The only thing that he could remember is their short talk and that portrait. Yes, that portrait. He almost forgot about it.

"Hey, Lucy," Rogue said.

"Yes?" Lucy asked.

"Can I ask you something?" Rogue asked.

"Sure, what do you want to ask?" Lucy said.

"Well, it was about last night. I saw something and I just wanna…," Rogue stopped when someone interrupted them.

"Hey there Lucy-chan," Sting said as he put his arm around her.

"O-oh, good morning Sting-kun," Lucy said.

"What were you two talking about while I wasn't here?" Sting asked, still not getting his arm from her shoulder.

"Well-," Rogue explained but was interrupted again.

"Hey! Sting-kun, you forgot your lunchbox," someone shouted.

The three turned around and found a boy running towards them. He was carrying a lunchbox in his hand and a bag at the other. The boy had spiky, red hair and brown eyes. He was wearing Fiore Academy's official school uniform.

"Sting-kun, you almost forgot your lunch," the boy said, smiling.

"Thanks a lot, Lector," Sting said, getting his lunch from the boy.

"No problem, Sting-kun," Lector smiled.

Lector's attention on Sting was then averted when he noticed the other two people at Sting's back.

"Hey there, Rogue," Lector waved.

"Nice to see you again, Lector," Rogue said as he walked towards him and messed Lector's hair.

Lector than looked at Lucy and asked, "You must be Lucy then."

"Yes but how did you know my name?" Lucy asked.

"My big brother always talked about you and sometimes he dreams of you," Lector answered.

"Aniki?" Lucy said, confused.

"Ehehe… I think you said enough, Lector," Sting said as he covered Lector's mouth. "Lucy, I want you to meet my little brother, Lector."

"Oh. Well, nice to meet you then, Lector," Lucy smiled.

Lector removed Sting's hand from his mouth and gave Lucy a wide grin.

"My brother sure does have good taste in girls. I like you," Lector said.

Sting just blushed at his brother's embarrassing words.

"You better get going now," Sting said, pushing Lector away.

As he pushed his brother, Lector turned around and waved goodbye to Lucy. Lucy did the same to him.

"Seems like Sting's already all over you," Rogue said.

"Is that a bad thing?" Lucy asked.

"No, not all," Rogue answered. "It just means that Sting is falling for you."

"He is?" Lucy blushed.

"Well, who wouldn't? You are quite gorgeous, don't you know?" Rogue said walking passed Lucy.

Lucy blushed even more when Rogue complimented her straightforwardly. Rogue didn't even realize what he said and he just kept on walking with Lucy following him. The two continued on walking until they reached Sting. Lucy's blush diminished when she notices the Sabertooth symbol.

"So your brother is a Sabertooth student, too?" Lucy asked.

"Yeah but he's two years younger than us," Sting said, still pushing Lector.

"See you later, Lucy," Lector said.

"See ya," Lucy replied.

While the three were talking, another person appeared again. This time it was a girl. Lucy was surprised to what she was seeing. The girl was hugging Rogue very tight and the worst part, for Lucy that is, was that Rogue was completely okay with it. He didn't have any negative reaction to the girl's action.

"Good morning, Rogue-kun," the girl said.

"Good morning to you to, Fro," Rogue smiled.

He was even smiling. Lucy was stiffened at this sight.

"Can she be an old friend? Maybe his ex? That couldn't be it. If she was then why are they being mushy with each other?" Lucy thought.

While Rogue was busy with Fro, Sting was the only one who noticed Lucy's sudden behavior and he smirked at the idea that she was clearly jealous. It's now his chance.

"Hey, Lucy," Sting said, putting his arm around her again.

"Y-yeah?" Lucy said, snapping out.

"Do you wanna go ahead to class while those two catch up with each other?" Sting asked as he pointed the other two.

Listening to Sting's question, Lucy was looking at the two people while clasping both of her hands. Lucy felt something strange happening to her heart but she doesn't know what it is.

"O-okay Sting," Lucy answered, still looking at Rogue and the girl.

"C'mon then," Sting said, not removing his hand around her.

As the two walked away, Lucy took a quick glimpse at Rogue and was saddened at Rogue's expression for the other girl. Sting noticed this but he didn't bother to tell Lucy as he just continued to walk with her.

"By the way, I'm really sorry for last night, Sting," Lucy said out of the blue.

"Hn? What for?" Sting asked.

"For what my mom did to you. She just forcibly made you eat all of those desserts last night," Lucy said.

"Is that all? I actually don't mind. Those desserts were really yummy so it was worth it," Sting smiled.

Lucy just gave Sting a gentle smile.

As the two kept on walking, some students spotted them and started to gossip.

"Isn't that the new student in the third year level from the Sabertooth section?" someone whispered.

"Yeah, I heard that her name's Lucy," another student said.

"I also heard from a reliable source that she's the only girl who caught both of the dragons' eyes," said by another.

"Well, who wouldn't? Just look at her. She's gorgeous," replied the first student.

As some students continued on gossiping, a person walked up to them.

"I would very much appreciate if you people will stop gossiping about my friends," said the person.

The students who were gossiping turned around and were very much shocked at who the person was. It was Rufus Lohr, a close friend of whom they were gossiping of.

"H-hai! Gomenesai Rufus-sempai!" the group of students bowed.

"Okay, okay! You people can move along now. Just don't let me or any other people catch you guys gossiping about those three ever again or else," Rufus said as he glare at the younger students.

The other students nodded and started to run as far away from Rufus. Rufus wasn't a good friend of Sting and Rogue for nothing. Rufus was also known in school but not only for his good looks but also for his memory. Mess with him and you'll get the humiliation of a lifetime.

"Oi! Rufus, what are you standing here for?" Rogue asked as he walked closer to Rufus.

"Hn? Good morning Rogue. I was just on my way to class, what are you doing here?" Rufus asked.

"The same as you. I just met up with Fro though," Rogue answered.

"I see. So how is she? It's been quite awhile since I last saw Frosch," Rufus said.

"She's fine. Happy as ever and that's what I love about her. Let's get going now before the halls will get crowded by other people," Rogue said as he walked pass by Rufus.

"I see. I'll remember what you just said right now so I won't ask you again," Rufus said as he started to walk.

It wasn't long enough until the two boys were finally at their classroom. There were only a few people inside their room so Rogue was quite happy with the small noise inside of the classroom. He and Rufus just quietly walked to their seats and left their bags there after doing that, they headed for Sting and Lucy.

"Why the heck did you two left me there?" Rogue said, crossing his arms.

"You were having too much fun with Fro and we didn't want to disturb you," Sting answered.

"Well, you guys could at least tell me that you wanted to go ahead," Rogue said.

"We're really sorry about that, Rogue. You just didn't come into our minds when we left," Lucy said.

Rogue went silent after hearing Lucy's words.

"C'mon Rogue. Lucy's just kidding. I just kinda dragged Lucy here so that's why we didn't tell you," Sting explained.

"Okay…whoa—" Rogue said as he was yet again hugged.

"Hi Rogue-kun!" said the same girl as before.

"Fro, why are you here?" Rogue asked as his face was facing the floor.

"Just wanted to see you again. I even brought Lector with me," Fro said as she was still hugging Rogue.

"Hello!" Lector said as he popped in from the corridors.

Lucy just kept her mouth hanging at the scene. Why could Rogue let a girl who looks two years younger than them hug him like that in public? Lucy just couldn't believe it but she shouldn't be even feeling that way in the first place.

The whole day Lucy had no chance to talk to Rogue like she usually does. Every time she had a chance she was just interrupted by Fro by either hugging or appearing next to Rogue. Even during their recess Fro was with them at the rooftop. Seeing that she has no chance to continue her conversation with Rogue, she just sat by with Sting and Lector during their current break.

"Is there something wrong, Lucy?" Lector said as he was holding a sushi near his mouth.

"Hm? Oh, no… there's nothing wrong at all, Lector," Lucy said, reassuring Lector.

"Though you kinda look troubled but if you say there's nothing wrong, I'll believe you," Lector said as he munched on the sushi.

Just when Lector was eating his sushi, one of his classmates appeared and was asking his and Fro's assistance.

"Oh man! Why of all people, we have to be chosen to go?" Lector complained, packing his lunch box.

"Well, it was nice talking to you, Rogue-kun. See you later," Fro smiled.

Suddenly, Frosch was surprised when her hand was gripped by someone. It was Lector. Frosch looked up to him and saw him grinned.

"C'mon Fro!" Lector said as he started to run with Fro.

"*sigh*Those two never changed at all. Still oblivious as usual," Rogue commented.

"What do you mean by that, Rogue?" Lucy asked out of curiosity.

"Well, to tell you the truth, Lector and Frosch has been close since they were little because of us," Sting explained.

"Since I'm Fro's cousin and Lector's Sting's younger brother, those two have always followed us so eventually they got along and in our point of views, those two have developed a tight bond during the past years but they're too oblivious to even know it themselves," Rogue further explained.

"I see…wait a minute!? You're Fro's cousin?" Lucy said, shocked.

"Yeah! I forgot to tell you, didn't I?" Rogue said.

"I don't know why but I feel my heart is getting lighter now. It was just a misunderstanding after all," Lucy thought.

"Since we're talking about families right now, can you tell me who the guy was in the portrait?" Rogue asked.

"Guy? What guy?" Lucy asked.

"The guy in the portrait. It was displayed in your library," Rogue said.

"Oh that…it seems like you finally saw him. That guy you're talking about was my older brother," Lucy said, her voice getting softer.

"So you have an older brother, eh? Wait, did you just say was?" Sting asked.

"Yeah…to tell you the truth, my aniki already passed away…just last year," Lucy said, tears threatened to fall. "It was all my fault. He died because of me. Loki-niisan died because of me."

Both boys felt like jerks for even asking Lucy those questions.

"I'm really sorry for asking, Lucy," Rogue whispered as he sat next to her and put his hand around her. "You don't have to stop yourself from crying. Just cry until you feel okay. I'll just be with you, always know that, Lucy."

It's been a long time since someone told her something like that. If she can remember, Loki was the last person who said the same exact words to her. She started to cry as she placed her head onto Rogue's shoulder. Rogue just sat there, comforting her while Sting sat quietly while glancing at Rogue and Lucy.

"I'm also sorry, Lucy-chan," Sting thought.

A/N: Well, I updated as soon as I thought...maybe because of I kinda felt like doing something and since I was too lazy to color one of my fan arts, I thought of doing this. Really sorry if it's a bit shorter than the last chapter but I still made it to 2000+ words even without the author's note. (OwO) From now on, I'll be doing 2000 or above words in every chapter to satisfy all of you.

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By the way, there's only one person who guessed what really happened to Leo/Loki. Congrats! (OwO) But I'm not actually yet done with Lucy's story about Loki so I think there'll be a chapter with the whole story...I really feel sorry for what I did with Sting.

Reviews, anyone? I'll appreciate it. BTW check out my new story, 50Memories.