They decided to stay three more months here. Something about these Woods seem to have a positive effect on both his mate and his daughter. Maybe it is the clear air that soothes their mind. There was no more sign of despair, sorrow or fear to see in their ruby-red eyes at all. Yes, this place is for sure a sanctuary for him as well as for his precious little family.
Right now he rests with closed eyes on the meadow while next to him Shirayuki was busy making crowns and bracelets out of the flowers growing here for Frosch and for Lector. Lector was cuddled up next to him, having a nap and Rogue was next to his Exceed watching their daughter play with the green exceed clad in a pink frog-costume.
Honestly since the fight against Rogues evil shadow he thought more about if Minerva had decided right into naming him to be the next Guild Master of Sabertooth. When he opened his eyes looking straight into the azure blue sky above him, he wasn't so sure at all if it would be better she had taken in this Position in the first place.
„Was it really the right decision for me to become Guild Master of Sabertooth?" is he now asking his mate still gazing at the horizon and a small sigh left his lips. The fight against the evil shadow had showed him clearly that until the moment Shirayuki would be old enough to defend herself she depended soley on their strength to protect her from any harm.
How would have Weisslogia reacted if the mighty White Dragon would have been in a similar situation as himself? Rogues words are comforting him and he feels like gathering new strength with them. For him it was really important to know what their comrades are thinking about him. Especially Rogues personal opinion counts most to him.
„Fro thinks so too"
„Me too, me too"
is he now hearing Shirayuki saying to him and a gentle smile appears on his lips while sitting up a bit without disturbing the sleeping maroon Exceed.
She wants a hug from him and Frosch joins in. With a smile he looks at them and he feels right now with ease. This is what he wants to proctect the most. Those innocent and bright ruby-red eyes fixed at him filled with so move love and trust. That smile resting on her lips. The future, that lies ahead of her.
Right now he knows quite well how Weisslogia would have acted all along. So therefore he's going to take this road and make the white Dragon proud of him. He will stand back and protect what is dear to him. Because this time, he won't be any longer the childish fool everyone knows him to be from time to time. It is finally time for him to step up and act like the adult he had become.
************
For this time of the year it is sure cold. Rogue kept her under his cloak to keep her warm while he tried his best to cope with the dropping temperatures while they travelled through the ragged mountainside. They got stranded in a tiny village due to a raging storm on their way back towards Crocus and they were grateful they could stay in the only Inn this village has to offer. The old lady keeping this house gave them not only warm clothing but also provided them with some hot tea and home-made stew.
Even through the clothes were a bit too small for her, Shirayuki wasn't complaining at all. While the two Exceeds watched her while she's taking a hot bath he asked the old lady if there is a quicker way from here to the capital town of Fiore. She tells him about the train station in the next village only two miles away from here and that they need to hurry because very soon the railtracks will be covered by the first incoming amount of snow.
Next thing in the morning they were heading to the next village the old lady was talking about. He carried Shirayuki on his shoulders while they walked the small uneven gravel road upwards and she enjoys it. Lector flies next to him while Frosch is carried as usual by his mate and they had to walk almost until noon to find this village at all. While Rogue asks around, he goes into the nearest Inn so that their little Angel is no longer out in the cold.
The waitress and daughter of the Innkeeper brings them some hot soup, tea and even fish for the two Exceeds. „If you are heading to Crocus the last train in this season will be leaving in two hours" is she now informing him and right when Shirayuki hears the word train she pouts and falls into a state of defiance. A sheepish grin rests on his lips while he tries with Lector to convince her this is the only way they come home in time wihout being scolded by Minerva.
Even when Rogue tries his best to persuade her, she stays in defiance. His mate had told him they would be stuck up here until spring, if they miss now the train and honestly they couldn't afford this to happen. When they have only half an hour left to catch their train back home, the young woman steps fowards with a gentle smile resting on her lips and hands them a small crystalline flask with a lavender liquid in it. „Honestly, you don't seem to travel often, so this remedy might help you out" is she now saying with an innocent smile towards them and gratefully they accept the remedy from her. On their way to the train station a small sigh leaves his lips. Is it so obvious what they think about any kind of moving transportation at all?
Once they sit in the train compartment he opens the flask and very much to his surprise a nice aroma spreads now around. It reminds him quickly of fresh picked lavender, rubbed sage and wild honey. When he tells his little Angel to stretch out her little hand one drop of the liquid comes out and it reminds him on a shining little marble made out of glass. When Rogue and he have one of this drops as well in their hand, all three of them take in the remedy at the same time. Maybe Rufus can figure out what ingriedients are used to make this remedy against motion sickness. It is the first time in his life he can ride the train without getting sick at all and his whole face is beaming due to this fact.
************
Just when they arrived back at the guild Minerva expects them in the hall with a stern expression resting on her face while crossing her arms. With a sheepish grin resting on his lips he welcomes her while Rogue brings their little Angel over to their house they now own.
„The situation is dire, Sting. Fairy Tail asks for immediate assistance. We're facing war" is she saying to him right now and honestly he should have stayed with them up in the mountains and watch the train leave. Then he wouldn't have to go through this at all. Before he can ask he follows her into his office and finds a letter from Levy addressed to him. That the Solid Script Mage wrote this letter means only, that Erza must have asked her to help her out in doing the correspondence in her name.
Quickly he flies through the lines of the letter and his facial expressions become grim while reading it. If this would have happened years ago he would have rushed in without giving it a second thought. But right now he's hesitating. This guild is everything to all of them. This is also the home of his daughter and he can't afford to act like a stupid teen at all. „Call everyone together" is he only saying to Minerva without looking at her and one hand turns into a fist. Why in all times does this have to happen right now?
Still with the grim expression resting on his face he enters the guild hall. He can feel how everyone looks at him in anticipation. „The Twin Dragons of Sabertooth are not participating in this foolsh operation at all. I won't judge anyone in here who decides to stay as well. Whoever feels like they want to join and assist Fairy Tail, feel free to do so" is he now saying to the assembled crowd infront of him, then he quickly turns around and leaves the guild without giving them a single chance to ask him about his true motives. He's not in the mood to answer any question regarding his mate and himself. This decision he just made is just to keep his little Angel safe. He is needed here the most instead out there on the raging battlefield.
Once he's back in the house he can feel the glare of ruby-red eyes resting on him. Rogue seems so to be upset with him. „I'm going too. I'm not leaving friends who need my aid" is the Shadow Dragon Slayer now saying to him and right there he almost snaps. „NO" is his response towards the words of his mate. Right now his inside is churned up because of his concern and worry towards his family. It's just, he's too stubborn to admit, he's afraid to be left behind one day. He's afraid to lose both, Rogue and Shirayuki through a situation he can't control at all. Right now, he feels like being in such a situation and that's why he is so tense. That's why he's so against their Team to participate at a Mission in this extent. Is it really so wrong for him just to step back and focus to protect what's very dear to him?
„What's wrong with you, Sting? Since when do you decide to leave your comrades behind?"
„Nothing at all. I'm just focusing on what's more important right now"
„Once in a while it's allright to stick to the rules. But to abandon your comrades at times like these? Those who abandon their comrades are far worse than scum. I'm going, because my friends are what is important to me right now"
is Rogue only saying to him in a cool voice and before he could say or do anything his mate turns in a shadow and leaves.
Frustrated and angry about himself he forms a hand to a fist and bits firmly on his lips. Deep inside he knows quite well, Rogue is right. But he can't afford at all to act so reckless like back in the days were Jienma was still their master. Lector steps backwards with huge eyes when he justs notices his feline companion and he gulps hard as he's able to see the big irritation resting in her eyes while he is almost hiding behind the door to the living room.
„Sting-kun, is he really leaving?"
„He comes back, Lector, I know he will"
is he only saying towards the two Exceeds, picks up his daughter and goes up to the bed room he shares with the Shadow Dragon Slayer.
If only Weisslogia and Skiadrum were still around. That would have made his decision much easier. Right now even through a part in him wants to join in on all these battles going on out there, he keeps himself restraint. For him the safety of his daughter is priority number one. When he sits down at the bed he can feel her little arms wrap around him and a smile rests on his lips. As if she knows it wasn't his intention at all to yell at his mate. Damned. He was never good at apologizing at all. Hopefully Shirayuki hasn't inherited this trade of his at all.
„Sting-kun" is he hearing now Lector calling out for him and as he looks up he notices the silent Ninja of their Guild standing at the door to his bed room. „I've decided to stay in the Guild. Some of the new recruits will remain here as well. So you don't need to worry at all, Sting. Our little princess here as well the Guild itself will be safe" is Dobengal now saying to him and it's the first time he hears him say more than one word at all. „Please, O-too-san, bring them home safely. Promise me to return with every single one of them unharmed" is Shirayuki now almost whispering to him while she nuzzles her nose at his neck and a smile rests on his lips. „Thanks Dobengal" is his only response to this situation while he knows now what he has to do. She's right. He is the Guild Master of Sabertooth and it is his responsibility to care for their comrade within this Guild. Even through Rogue is right in the first place but he won't admit it so easily.
When he puts her down on the bed Frosch is now right at her side and both Exceeds look at him.
„Leave everything to us, Sting-kun. We take care of her"
„Fro thinks so too"
is the green exceed just saying and this is just the right push he needs to head out and lead his fellow Guild Mates into this battle where Fairy Tail asks them to assist.
„We return as fast as possible. I entrust you with everything that's dear to me, Dobengal" is he now saying to the silent Ninja standing in the doorway, put his hand on his shoulder with a short smile, then he rushes off to try at least to catch up with the Shadow Dragon Slayer. Because right now deep within his restless soul he knows his little Angel will be safe. He can entrust her to his comrades more often. They aren't any longer stranded in those time of tyranny and terror. They work together as an efficient network by now. So it's allright for him to let someone else take care once in a while. It's allright for him that someone else is in charge. Because right now he's finally able to strip the last bit of suspicion at all.