4: Jealously and Tolerance.

(Lucy's POV)

We had been walking for a while with Sting snickering behind me every once in a while, practically every time I took a step. Finally, my annoyance overcame me and I spun around to glare at him and ask,

"What…is wrong with you?!"

Why did he annoy me so much? Not even Natsu annoyed me this much, and that's saying something. I glared at him, as he snickered some more and then said,

"So…do you even know where we're going?" His voice filled with doubt.

"Of course I know where I'm going!" I snapped at him and he raised his arms in defense as if he was scared of me, but he continued to chuckle oh-so-softly. I looked around to try and find some sort of recognition, but he was right. I had no idea where I am. The only place I had been was that place, and that woman's house, who appointed us in the first place, but I would rather be tortured in the burning pits of Hell than admit to him that he was right.

However, after about thirty minutes of us walking together and him sometimes musing out loud crap like,

"Hmm…look at the cloud over there. That must be a clue, right?" or

"You know Lucy, you have a nice ass." Which caused,

"Damnit Lucy! You're feisty too! I like a woman who can hit well."

All the while I'm either shooting daggers as I glanced over my shoulder at him or trying to find Natsu, but it was the latter that I was horribly lacking in. I still did not see any sign of him anywhere! I groaned loudly and quickly shut myself up when I remembered the Sting was still behind me, probably smirking that stupid smirk that he does oh-so-well. Damn him and damn that smirk. I glanced around and sighed.

"You, dear Lucy, are so lost." He finally said, after a short silence.

I slapped him.

Again.

But...I just couldn't help myself. He pissed me off so much!

He just grinned that lazy smile of his, while clutching his cheek. However, after a quick scan his grin transformed into a tight frown mixed with worry? Anxiety? I don't know. I couldn't place it, but either way he said,

"Man. You really are worried, aren't you? And I know it's not just because you're lost. Is it Natsu?" His last words froze me right in my tracks as I looked at him, open-mouthed. He saw my expression and took it as a yes, because he continued on.

"You know, if you're in love with him, then you should just tell him. I mean, you so obviously are, since you're so worried about him," He said with some sort of emotion spread across his face. My eyes widened. Me? In love with Natsu? A smile crept over my face and I laughed suddenly, taking Sting by surprise.

"What's so funny?" He asked, snapping at me. That made me laugh a little harder, but I stopped. There was no way I was going to have another laughing fit in front of him. One time is bad enough. He just stood there with his arms crossed, as he continued to examine me with raised eyebrows and disheveled hair.

"No." I said, finally. He continued to stand there obviously expecting me to continue on with my short answer, so I did.

"I do not love Natsu. He's just a really good friend. My best friend, actually." I told him, musing to myself on the last part.

He obviously didn't believe me as he practically hissed,

"Sure."

What was that?

That tone of voice...why does it remind me of Juvia when she's talking to me? Hmm. I just shrugged to myself and partially annoyed, responded with,

"Why? You jealous that you don't have friends?" I didn't mean to say the words, but they just slipped out before I could stop them . I felt the air turn cold as he glared silently at me, fuming annoyed rage. His mouth was pursed into a thin line as he said slowly,

"I do have friends Lucy. Apparently, not friends like yours though. Why do they receive so much attention from you anyw-" He cut off, and deadpanned. His breathing stopped and he looked absolutely stricken as he looked away from me harshly. I tilted my head confused at his sudden change of mood, but before I could question him further he said,

"Let's just hurry up and find that friend of yours, and maybe then I can kick someone's ass." He said it with such a ferocious tone, I could not help but flinch. I was too stunned into silence to make a comment and numbly gave a silent nod. What was with him...?

I shook my head violently trying to push those thoughts out of my head. I had to worry about Natsu, and I had to worry about Clara. Not Sting. So, as he started to strut away I just followed him, not making a sound.

(Sting's POV)

What the hell was wrong with me?

These were my only thoughts as I was walking away, not even aware of where I was going. I could sense Lucy following behind me, but she just stayed silent. Good.

I didn't want to hear her ramble on anyways. Especially, if it was going to be about Natsu.

I growled to myself.

What was wrong with me?!

I was actually having a pretty decent time with the pretty blonde! It was fun teasing her and seeing her reactions, especially her violent reactions where she would hit me. Yeah, it hurt, but who didn't like a girl with a violent personality. I thought. Well, I do, but that's besides the point. I rolled my eyes, but my attention veered back into what pissed me off. Why did I get so pissed off after I asked her about Natsu? Why the fuck did I even ask her about Natsu?! My eyes drifted upwards to look at the sky, and I stopped in my tracks. Why, I'm not sure why, but I do know that Lucy slammed right into me.

"What...? Oww! Watch where you're going jackass!" She exclaimed reverting back to her old self. I grinned in spite of myself, even if I was still pissed. I turned around to face her and she pushed herself off of me, huffing to herself in annoyance.

I looked her over again, and couldn't help but admire that nice body that she so proudly walked around in and-

"Pervert!" She screamed at me, causing some people around us to look at us strangely. She hit me on the shoulder, and her eyes fumed.

"What are you talking about?!" I yelled right back at her, but not rudely, just mockingly. She was right after all...

She hit me again and said,

"I saw you jackass! You and those eyes of yours roaming up and down all over my body and...I can just tell!" Her words were high-pitched and loud, but I just brushed off my arm as if trying to brush away the pain and muttered,

"Geez. What the fuck gives you the right to hit me all of the time, Blondie?"

"You're blond too!" She screamed at me, but not with as much force... and then I realized. She was acting like this for me. She was trying to make it less awkward between us two and trying to lighten my mood from being pissed off to well... me. Although, why she was doing it and actually accomplishing it by hitting me was beyond me, but I gave her a small smile and said,

"Thanks Blondie." She just crossed her arms and looked away.

"Just make sure you warn me before you stop so suddenly." She huffed, but I saw her sneak a quick glance at me from the corner of her eyes, as if to confirm I wasn't too pissed anymore. My lips tugged upward, and hers did too in response. However, the moment was short-lived when she perked up and cried out,

"Ohmygosh! We can't waste time here talking about our hair color and smiling like idiots! We have to figure out what the hell is going on!" It was so sudden that it confused me at first. Oh yes. Natsu. Great. My sour mood was back, although the reasons remained a mystery, but I nodded.

"Yeah, guess you're right Miss Damsel in Distress."

"I already told you to stop calling me that! Also, I'm not even in distress right now! So what gives you that right?!" She demanded. I just shrugged and took her arm muttering for her to shut up and figure out where we were going already, but...

I quickly let go and looked at her.

Of course! Why didn't I think of it sooner?!

Rogue!

(Lucy's POV)

I looked at Sting as what looked like an epiphany dawned over him. He had just let go of my arm after his sudden grab, but now it was limply hanging down my side. I could see gears turning in Sting's eyes, as he continued with his epiphany. This was weird. Sting was thinking? It was almost as weird as the thought of Natsu becoming a vegetarian. My dry humor caused me to snicker silently, but Sting snapped out of his revelation to give me a weak glare. He grabbed my arm, again, and started to pull me along. He seemed to know exactly where he was going as he continued to drag me along, which made me a little irritated. So, that's how he knew I didn't know where I was going! It was because he did, which he so obviously did not tell me. I gritted my teeth, but allowed him to continue to pull me along like a little puppy.

"Where are you dragging me off to?" I finally asked, sighing in exasperation. He looked over his shoulder at me as his blonde hair moved with him, causing it to become even messier.

"Where do you think?" He asked me, all cocky and annoying. I gritted my teeth harder.

"I don't know! That's why I'm asking you!" I muttered, annoyed. I was always annoyed with him...I guess I should've already gotten used to it...but it's just that...he was so annoying! He just shook his head and kept pulling at me, nearly causing me to stumble at least more than once. I tried again, but more cool and nonchalant this time...

"So Sting..." I started. My voice sounded like I was trying too hard to be nonchalant, because he turned around and smirked at me. I suppressed a punch, and instead said,

"...where are we headed?" My voice gave it all away, and he just stood there taking in my stupidity and snickered loudly. I felt my cheeks heat up, but I remained standing tall. Why was I so embarrassed anyways? It was just Sting. The annoying, arrogant, cocky, not-funny-at-all, couldn't-give-a-straight-answer, blonde-haired, pretty cute, ripped, and hot guy- whoa, whoa, whoa Lucy. Where are you heading with these thoughts? My blush deepened swearing to myself that if he was a mind reader then to kill me now. Why was I focusing on such trivial matters anyways. There was some serious shit that was going on right now, so that means that I absolutely cannot stand here thinking about Sting's toned muscles. That just won't work. I freaking hated this guy! Ughh...I put my head in my hands, embarrassed by my perverted thoughts and embarrassed that I was going off track of what was important for Sting. I was perfectly aware that Sting was watching me the entire time, but right now...I don't give a monkey's ass about that.

"Come on Miss Violent Princess, we have to meet up with someone who doesn't know we're meeting up with him. So don't be all, 'I'm going to be so exasperated and dramatic in the middle of road even though we're in a hurry'." He wrinkled his nose at me and I fumed at his impression of my voice.

"I am NOT that high-pitched JACKASS!" I yelled at him, but I stopped suddenly.

"Wait," I started, "we're meeting up with someone? Who?" I asked, realizing what he just said. Then,

"And how was I supposed to know that we were supposedly in a hurry?!" I said, nice and haughtily.

He remained quiet for a short moment after that, waiting for any more comments from me, but for now...I was done, I suppose. When he realized I was done, he said,

"For your first comment, you sometimes do hit that decibel. For your second statement/question, yes we are meeting up with someone, if I can find him, and to also answer your third question, it's Rogue. Oh and for your final and fourth question, you didn't...I just wanted to annoy you." He told me, with a crooked grin plastered on his face. I so badly wanted to hit him, but instead I managed to squeak out,

"Rogue? You mean Rogue as in your...friend?" I asked, since I wasn't sure of their relationship, but I assumed they were friends since he was going to look for him, and well if they weren't then maybe...was Sting gay? I looked him over. Hm. He certainly looked somewhat gay because of how he dressed, but imagining Sting as gay was just...unimaginable. However, if was very funny, so I chuckled softly with this secret thought running through my mind. He gave me an odd expression at my chuckling, but decided not to question me and answer me instead.

"Well yeah. Of course. Why the hell would I have gone on a mission with him if I wasn't?" He looked genuinely confused at my statement, and that made me chuckle once more. His lips pursed and he looked as if he wanted to know why I was laughing, but again he didn't ask why. Weird.

"Well I don't know..." I admitted sheepishly. I looked down at me fingers, and heard him sigh softly.

"Let's just find the uptight idiot. Then, we can figure out what to do after that about the situation." He said. I nodded and glanced back up at him to see him smiling faintly down at me.

My heart gave a lurch.

What? Why?

My eyes widened, and he grabbed my arm once again and pulled me towards wherever we were going. I smiled an idiotic and happy smile, and stumbled after him, undoubtedly following him. He did seem to know where he was going after all, and he was strong. So even if he was an incredibly annoying pervert, he could help me. And maybe...no. Don't think about it. I just shook my head and laughed, young and carefree. I sure was laughing a lot today...I trailed off to see Sting sneak a glance at me. His eyebrows were raised, and he said annoyed,

"Jesus Blondie, would you hurry up?"

Hmph. Why I put up with him was a mystery, but maybe it was just tolerance. Who knows? I just shook my head, and plastered an innocent smile on my face. He glared at me and huffed, pulling at my arm harder. I looked down at my arm and grinned.

Why was I grinning?

*HI! HI! HI! Well...I made this chapter mainly StiCy moments, but trust me! There will be more of a story in the next chapter *GRINS*! It was fun to write this chapter, and although it's not very long, I hope you enjoyed it! So please send me those beautiful reviews and MAYBE I'll update even FASTER! Hmpf! Well thnx 4 reading! Love ya all! :D