Time really flies by. Right now he's not only the current Guild Master of Sabertooth, but he is also proud father of three adorable children, he has with his mate Rogue Cheney. Often he can't believe at all, how much luck had been granted in his life so far to him. On several occasions in the past he almost lost what's very dear to him. Lector. Rogue. Frosch. It really took a while for him to realize his true feelings towards the Shadow Dragon Slayer, he spends so much time with, since they met each other within Sabertooth after losing their fathers.
Honestly he is satisfied with his life right now. Because watching the development of his kids and being with the Shadow Dragon Slayer in a relationship is everything he never wants to trade in for any granted power in the entire world. He rather kills anyone who dares to harm his precious little Dragons and at this point it doesn't matter at all to him if this outgoing threat is coming from a mere human or a real Dragon. For his children he does everything he's capable to pull off. Even if it means to battle Acnologia one day.
Slightly pouting as he is he sits down at the bar. Today's Mission with his close friends ended into the God Slayer taking the Spotlight. Dobengal had stayed back volunteerly to watch the youngest Members of their Guild, because even their Exceeds wanted to come along on this simple Mission. Both boys are now with him, since they returned home from the Mission and in this way his focus lies fast on them instead on sulking the most of the remaining day. Obviously he's the one within the family all three of them tend to stay close. As if they need to assure Papa Dragon is allright.
He smiled when Shirayuki described them towards her little brothers and therefore both of them react immediately, when the Twins call out in this way to them. „That's unfair, I want to fly too" is he picking up right now the voice of his little Angel pouting and staring at Lector, who just takes his place right next to him while his Wings are vanishing. She was playing tag with the Exceeds and the maroon cat had used on instinct his Wings to escape. When Shirayuki walks over to him, he has to mentally agree with his mate, she is sometimes really like himself. Especially now that she is older.
„Then I give you the chance to do so" is Yukino just now saying with a slight smile resting on her lips, approaching him and the children while she has a big bowl in her hands. „What are those?" is he curiously asking, when the Celestial Mage hands out a cookie to all three children as well as to himself and he looks right into her eyes while he eats it. He has to agree, they are really delicious. He has also to agree, not only their Lady is very skilled in cooking.
„Float Cookies. Normally you hand them to children to cheer them up and I thought you might want one too" is she now explaining to him as he can now feel the effect of the Cookie becoming active. Watching Shirayukis Impression change into one of joy makes him smile. Even the Twins seem to enjoy the fact they are shortly able to fly. This really makes fun. Yukino just should make more of this delicious Cookies, so he can goof around more with his children this way. In doing so, he's back into good Spirits. As always, when all three of them are around him.
************
„Sting, we got an invitation of Fairy Tail to join their annual Rainbow Hanami, do you want to go?" is Minerva just asking him, when she enters his office with a letter in her hand and he looks up from his paperwork. Luckily the Twins are still asleep, otherwise he would have never been able to do his share of work. Lector is curled up right next to Raios and a smile appears on his lips. „Just let me see it" is he now telling her, when she only nods and hands him the letter. „I know, you might not to want to hear this from me, Sting, but you've surely matured since you have Shirauki, Hikari and Raios around" is she saying right now with a gentle smile towards him as he flies through the lines and somehow surprised he looks at her.
„Thanks M'lady" is he only responding with a sheepish grin resting on his lips while rubbing his neck and he looks again at one part if his family, that's currently sleeping. His little Angel is right now with Rogue and Yukino out to do the groceries and therefore is Frosch with them as well. To hear this from her means a lot to him. Because she's the oldest of them, followed by himself, Rufus, Rogue and in the end Yukino to be in the same age. It was quite funny, when he found out the Celestial is as old as them after she had joined Sabertooth the first time.
A big grin rests now on his lips, when he has to think about the Hanami. It be for sure fun and besides, Hikari and Raios would learn something of the world outside this Guild Walls as well. „Sabertooth is coming with the main team, just tell this to Fairy Tail" are now his words towards Minerva with a smile and he's eager to see Natsu-san again. Especially since Rogue told him, the Fire Dragon Slayer is now a father on his own. In a way he's curious how far the child resembles his idol and who the mother would be. Somehow he can guess, who it could be, but in the end he wants his thoughts to be proven.
In the afternoon, when Rogue and Yukino are back the whole Guild gets assembled and he announces, that the main team of Sabertooth will attend the annual Rainbow Hanami in Magnolia. Therefore the silent Ninja would have to take care of everything here during the upcoming days and a bright light shines in the eyes of his daughter. „Are we really going to visit Fairy Tail?" is Shirayuki asking him on the way to his office and when he nods, he can see she's eager to go there as well. „I've never attented a Hanami before" is he now admitting with a sheepish grin while looking at Rogue and as they enter the office, Lector and Frosch are taking care of the Twins.
„Because you were always off to a mission, when one is here around too"
„I'm not... I mean..."
is he right now saying towards the Shadow Dragon, rubbing his neck and he doesn't look him right into the eyes, because he knows quite well his mate is right at this point. „But this time we can go as a family" is he now quickly saying before Rogue could say something else and a gentle smile rests on the lips of the Shadow Dragon Slayer. „You're right, this time is going to be special" is his mate just answering as he steps up to him and rubs his nose against the younger one right infront of him.
Two days later Rufus, Yukino, Orga, Minerva and themselves are on they way to the train station of Crocus. Just in case he took the remedy with him they got, when Shirayuki denied to step into a train at all. Hikari and Raios are secptical about the train and therefore they fall into a state of defiance as they reach the platform.
If he would, he'd rather walked to Magnolia but their daughter is currently the only one of their three children to keep up somehow their speed. Asking their partners to fly the Twins would exhaust them to fast and in this pace they reach Magnolia after the Hanami was held. Lector is a great help to him right now. Right as they sit in the compartment Minerva has booked for them, he opens the crystalline flask with the lavernder liquid in it and a smile appears on Shirayukis smile.
She chose to sit on Minervas lap right next to Frosch and when she reaches out her hand he notices how close the Twins are watching her. With a small nod he hands her one drop of the remedy and when she takes it in, suddenly Raios and Hikari want one of the crystal looking orbs as well.
Without this, travelling by train would be a hell for all five of them. Lector just feeds the drops to the Twins and when the train finally starts moving, it's this time just Rogue and himself suffering from motion sickness. Thanks to his partner they are able to take in the remedy as well. So until they reach Magnolia Hikari chose to sit right on his lap and he shows him how his own magic works in closing and opening his right hand to a fist while slightly engulfing it with light.
Raios seems not to be interested at all, when he looks at the younger Twin and his focus is back on his firstborn son. A big grin appears right now on his lips just as a tiny spark is right now appearing from Hikaris little fist, because his son just tries to mimic him. The little White Dragon is proud of his achievement so far and their comrades are glad, they arrive in one piece in Magnolia.
Once out of the train the Twins demand to be carried. Raios wants to stick with Rogue and Hikari with him. So the little White Dragon sits on his shoulders as they move on towards Fairy Tail and Shirayuki is up infront of them with Frosch and Lector. A green haired woman is walking the ame way with her child as he notices how her whole face seems to beam. So the two know each other, but how? Shortly confused he looks at Rogue as the Shadow Dragon Slayer welcomes the green-haired woman, exchanges some words with her and right there he remembers again who she is. This is Bisca from Fairy Tail with her daughter Asuka. He had only seen her on short occasions before but never talked to her. „Young lady, we have to move on as well, you can play with her later at the Hanami" is he hearing Bisca saying to the dark haired girl and both of them can't await to tag along.
„We need to get you ready as well" is Rogue only saying to Shirayuki as she just looks at them if she could go right now with her friend. A gentle smile rests right now on his lips. So it's very important for his mate, they appear as whole family at the Hanami. Once they reach the Guild Hall Erza and Mirajane welcome them in a friendly manner as always.
A big grin appears on his lips as he picks up the scent of the Fire Dragon Slayer charging right up to them and right as he wants to challenge them both to a fight, Erza looks in an intimidating way at him. „It's allright, he is a good friend" is he now explaining towards Hikari as his son is now clinging to him and a gentle smile rests on his lips, when Natsu just heads off again.
At least Natsu-san is just as lively as he remembers him to be. „He's scary" is his son saying in a low voice and right now he tries to comfort him with a slight amount of his own magic. For them to get ready for the Hanami, Fairy Tail allows them to stay at their dorms. So while Shirayuki goes with Minerva and Yukino over to Fairy Hills, they are lead by Gray to the dorms of the male members of this Guild. Shortly he pouts and feels a bit jealous of Rogue acting so relaxed in the presence of the Ice Make Mage. Even through he knows quite well, Rogue is his mate, he can't avoid this feeling to pop up at all.
A short smile appears right now on his lips, when he notices how Raios tries to look as imitating as possible while clinging to the Shadow Dragon Slayer and Hikari is the same. But his smile becomes more as he can pick up form their conversation, that Gray had finally managed to marry the blue-haired Water Mage and has a daughter on his own. So this rules the Ice Make Mage out to ever be a love rival to him at all. Even if the two of them would have never mated and became parents, he'd never would have accepted Rogue to be with someone else.
„My interest lies only on you, Sting Eucliffe" is Rogue just saying to him as they enter the room they share as long as they stay here in Magnolia and a short blush rests on his cheeks. somehow the Shadow Dragon Slayer quickly picks up, what kind of thoughts go through his mind. A gentle smile rests now on his lips and right know the Twins want to he hugged by both of them.
Luckily for him Rogue knows the proper way to wear a Yukata at such occasions and he has to admit, this kind of clothing isn't so uncomfy as he'd thought it to be. Raios wears just as Rogue a slight grey Yukata with an attached emblem of their guild at the left upper part of the sleeve. Hikari and himself are wearing a slight blue Yukata also with the insignia of Sabertooth attached to it. Right now he has to admit, Rogue looks ravishing with his pony tail and the Yukata he wears. Before the head back to the Guild Hall the Shadow Dragon has to help out their friends Rufus and Orga as well to adjust how to wear this kind of clothing in a proper way. Even Lector wears a cinnamon coloured one while Frosch is in her usual frog-suit. But ths time it is the same colour as the cherry blossoms.
„You're late" is Minerva only saying to them and he reacts with a sheepish smile. Honestly their lady as well Yukino look gorgeous as well in their Kimonos. A bright smile rests on his lips, when Shirayuki appears now slightly hidden behind Mirajane and he notices her wearing a silver Kimono with cherry blossoms on it and also a small pond with three Koi swimming inside the pond. Her Obi is a darker shade of grey with embroided blue and red coils. Her bleach blond hair is put up and fixed with two jade barrettes in form of a dragon.
He has to gulp for a short time, because she looks so wonderful. Even Rogue seems to be awestruck by what their lady had achieved in short time to prepare their daughter properly for the Hanami. Right now it dawns to him. If she really inherited all the good looks from Rogue as he thinks she has, then both of them would have a hell to fight off a row of possible future boyfriends once their little Angel reaches puberty.
With Gray, Mirajane and Erza they head of to the grounds, where the Hanami is held and right there he notices the white-haired Mage to carry a small bundle with her. He can pick up the scent of a Dragon Slayer outgoing from it and with a short grin he knows exactly who the father is. Shirayuki just walks right next to a girl with a striking resemblence towards Gray and both of them come along quite well. Also the girl walking next to Erza befriends quickly with their little Angel and a smile is resting on his lips. „Who is she?" is he now asking Erza and a slight blush appears in this moments on her cheeks. „T-T-That's Jellal's daughter" is she only answering while her face becomes a shade redder and a big smile rests also on Minervas lips.
„In short terms, she's your daughter, right, Erza?" is their lady now asking the Requip Mage and the redhead only nods fast to answer this question. To see his own daughter and Erzas daughter to come along well is really a good sign for him. Years ago, when Jienma was still the Master of Sabertooth this would been impossible. This man would have kept Shirayuki and tried to turn her into a tool of hatred. Both Rogue and himself would either be banished from Sabertooth or worse, be killed by this man. But gladly for them those horrible times are gone. Shirayuki, Hikari and Raios can gow up sheltered and loved and respected. Surrounded by family, friends and allies to the Guild.
If someone asks him what the best thing was that occured so far in his life, he's finally able to admit it was their loss at the Daimatou Enbu. Without this step, he'd never realized at all his strong feelings for the Shadow Dragon Slayer. He would most likely be the cocky bastard he was during Jienma's reign of terror. So in a way they have to thank Fairy Tail a million times for giving them a chance to face reality.
Rogue is right. This Hanami is for sure something special. Members of Fariy Tail and Sabertooth enjoying this warm spring day side by side. With Hikari and Raios he heads over to Natsu-san while his mate is off exchanging with Gray and Shirayuki is somewhere here around playing tag with her newfound friends.
„Oy, Sting" is the Fire Dragon Slayer greeting him when even Gajeel joins them and he notices a boy the same age as his own sons sitting on the shoulder of the Iron Dragon Slayer. „Honestly, I'd never imagined the two of you to end up with three kids, gi~hi~hi" is the older Dragon Slayer now saying while he tries to hide a short blush resting on his cheeks and Natsu looks confused at them.
„I've noticed, that the boys are Dragon Slayers too. I just wonder where their mother is" comes now from Natsu slightly pouting while crossing his arms as even Laxus comes near and Gajeel starts to laugh. „It's obvious to me who it is" is the Lightning Dragon Slayer saying with no interest at all into this topic as he takes a short glimpse at the Twins, that are now hiding behind him.
„So how you named them?" is Gajeel now wanting to know from him as he feels them clinging to him. In a way he can't take it badly that his sons are easily scared by the appearance of Laxus and Gajeel. Both of them look quite intimidating most of the time.
„The older one is Hikari and the younger one is Raios" is he now explaining to the Iron Dragons Slayer, who's now shaking his head with a smirk while he introduces his sons to the three Dragon Slayers infront of him. „Can't await Ryuzaki here to maybe team up with the little Shadow Dragon of yours, gi~hi~hi" is Gajeel now responding and right there it seems to click within Natsu's mind.
„Wait, you and Rogue?" is he now asking him with a puzzled look and right there he has to laugh. Natsu-san always claims to have the best nose of the Dragon Slayers living at Fairy Tail. So it really amuses him to see his idol to be so speechless.
„Took you a while to recognize it, Salamander"
„The young girl belongs to you as well?"
is Laxus right now asking him as Shirayuki comes closer and he nods with a proud smile resting on his lips. She only asks him if it is allright for her to stay over at Asuka's house before they head off with the next train in the morning. When she tells him she only need his permission as well, he nods quickly and before he can react she's back with her friends. One thing is for sure. Next year he wants to attend this Hanami with his family again.
************
Never mess with a White Dragon. That's something his opponents learn real quick, when facing him in battle. Especially if it comes to his family. Rogue and himself had just finished some minor Requests within the entire City. In his eyes something's off this day. Yukino is never too late. „Lector, Frosch; have you seen Shirayuki and the Twins?" is Rogue asking their Exceeds while they sit in the Guild Hall doing some of the paperwork together and he's honestly as worried as his mate is right now.
His inner voice just tells him there is something going on, when his feline companion just answers him, Yukino had went for a walk with all three of them. Right in this moment his keen sense of smelling picks up a scent, that doesn't belong at all into this Guild.
Everyone looks puzzled as he knocks the stranger dressed up as Yukino brutally down and a furious spark resides within his sapphire-blue eyes. „Where are Yukino and the children at her side?" is he asking the stranger in a cold manor, holding himself back to not smash the man into smithereens. „What children? I don't know of any children at all. I only know, the Celestial Mage belongs now to our own Guild" is the poor man stumbling, visibly stricken by fear and a menacing deep growl leaves right now his throat.
„Where are they?" is he asking again in a sharp demanding tone, while his own patience grows very thin with the passing seconds and before he's able to receive an answer, the stranger faints due to being to much frightened by the White Dragon Slayer. He lets him drop to the floor, running now out of the Guild and right know he needs to find Shirayuki, Hikari and Raios as fast as he can.
But without a trace to follow, it will be hard to find them. Especially, when it rains in a moment like this. Luckily for him, he comes across the journalist working for the Weekly Sorcerer, informing him about a big airship in the Northeast to Crocus. At least he has now a leading point, where to look for them. Deep inside he knows, Yukino is capable enough to take care of herself. He also knows, how responsible the Celestial Mage is with her task in taking care of his three little dragons, so therefore he can't forgive dragging them into all this mess. So, who's ever responsible for Yukinos kidnapping will definitely pay big time for involving his children.
Furious as he is he attacks with Hakuryu no Houkou directly, when he reaches the airship and the gathered Mages flee stricken by fear. His entire body tenses up as he walks inside and picks up the faint traces of young dragons to be around. When he sees Yukino straight in the eyes, he understands quickly what she tried to do in the first place. The Celestial Mage wanted Shirayuki to return with the Twins to the Guild and inform him what just happened, but somehow his little Angel stuck with her.
„Are you allright?" is he only asking her, when he frees her of her shackles and a relieved smile appears on his lips, when all three of his children show up from hiding behind some cardboard boxes and Yukino only slightly nods in response to his answer to her. Thank goodness, nothing has happened to them. All three are unharmed and save. Quickly he embraces his children and for a moment he was really afraid, he could have lost them.
But in the moment, where he decides to leave with them the air ship, the Master of an unknown dark Guild plotting this kidnapping appears and tells him his true intentions. Enraged as he is, he directly attacks his opponent. Like hell is he taking a step back and watch how this bastard tries to drain all of the magic residing in all three of his children included to Yukinos own magic.
Protective as he is right now he stands infront of them casting White Dragon's Hexagon Shield to keep them save and charges seconds later at his opponent with a brutal series of punches aimed at the man in front of him. „Holy Ray" is he casting right in the moment, where the airship is supposed to take off and his powerful attack discinagrates not only this form of transportation but the machina cannon as well this Guild tries to activate.
While carrying Hikari and Raios, Shirayuki walks right next to him followed by Yukino as he picks up Rogues scent. The Shadow Dragon Slayer obviously followed him with Rufus, Orga and Minerva as back up. Just in case they would have to face off some enemies. A sigh of relieves comes from Rogues lips as he notices their children to be unharmed and he leans his forehead on the forehead of his mate.
Just one look into these ruby orbs and both don't need to say a single word at all. Even through their little Angel seems to have inherited a lot of Rogues sense of reason and responsibility, a little part in her is as reckless as he was himself as a teenager. This will be for sure quite a life long challenge for the Twindragon Slayers of Sabertooh. Especially, if their sons turn out to be such stubborn and reckless fighters as himself.