5: Rogue, Emotions, and What?!

(Sting's POV)

Where was that uptight know-it-all?

I couldn't help but think this as I dragged Lucy around, while trying to find the others. I already checked at the fountain and no one was there, as well as the library, but they weren't there either…so where are they? I snorted in annoyance, and stopped walking, causing Lucy to slam right into me again.

"Look jerk…I've already said to warn me before you stop so suddenly, especially when there is someone walking behind you! Got it?!" She demanded of me. I just shrugged and continued to pull her along, still looking and not giving one look to Lucy. I heard her sigh. I just shook my head. That's her problem if she's gonna be so-my thoughts were distracted as she stopped suddenly and pulled her arm away, losing that smile that had been on her face for the past couple of minutes, well at least before she ran into me again…

"Are you sure Rogue didn't just leave?" She asked me, crossing her arms over her chest. I just shook my head and tried to grab for her arm again, but she pulled it out of my reach and gave me a sharp glare.

"Look idiot…I'll just follow you. It's better than getting my arm ripped out of my sockets," she uncrossed her arms, and then crossed them again as she continued to speak, "so I'll just follow you, got it?" One of her eyebrows rose, and I pursed my lips.

"Whatever Blondie. Just make sure you don't get lost. Wouldn't want me to save again, now would we?" I smirked. Her glare became sharper and she looked away, annoyed. I smiled and looked away too, still looking for Rogue.

"Well let's go…and we should probably-"

"STING-KUN!" Lector's voice suddenly broke in and I was instantly tackled by the small flying dark-red cat. Lucy jumped back, startled, and I looked around.

There he was. After all of my searching, he was the one who found me. That didn't make me very happy, but I petted Lector soothing him as he started to cry in my shirt. Why was he crying?

"Well, it looks like I finally found you." Rogue said, nodding for some reason. Fro, behind him, agreed. Lector finally stopped crying which made me look down at him and ask why he was crying. Lector sniffed and was barely able to say,

"I-I-I thought t-that you were…gone…forever! Even t-though I kept t-telling myself that you wouldn't do t-that, but s-s-still!" He was about to break out in tears again, which made me wonder…it was as if all of Lector's emotions were just coming up, which was strange. Was about to respond, but suddenly I heard muffled crying coming from my back right. I glanced behind me, startled, to see Lucy there, sobbing her eyes out.

What the fuck…?

"That…was so sweet! Awwww…" Lucy started to say through her tears, but couldn't manage it all. Why the fuck is everyone suddenly crying? I looked at Rogue and saw that he just looked amused and he said,

"Really now. I told you were just over exaggerating Lector, but you wouldn't listen…" he just sighed and put a hand up to his head. I grinned as Lucy and Lector cried and said,

"Ha! I found you too! I need you to help me." Rogue raised his eyebrows in surprise and scoffed,

"Help? You, the great Sting Eucliffe, wants help?" I ignored him and quickly explained the situation to him. He listened the entire time, and when I finished he just shook his head in distress.

"What?" I asked. I could still hear Lucy and Lector crying in the background, but I tuned them out. I now Lector's going to stop any time and Lucy can cry herself out for all I care…

"It's just amusing," Rogue said. What?

"Whadda mean?" I asked, showing my confusion. My response made him smile.

"I mean, what do you think I can do to help? Also, I just want to go home, and you know that when we do our missions we do them and get the money. We never help out with other missions, especially mages from Fairy Tail. I mean, I have no grudges against them, actually I quite admire them, especially after the Grand Magic Games, but you never liked them so why now?" He said. I gaped at him. It was one of the longest speeches that I've ever heard Rogue say. It appeared Lector and Lucy stopped their moping and listened to. I couldn't move. I was numb. He was right. Why was I helping her? She is a Fairy, and that won't ever change…so why? I looked over at Lucy, to see her looking off somewhere behind Rogue. Good. She couldn't see me practically staring at her. I blinked, and I vaguely noticed Lector shuffle besides me, and maybe even say something, but I didn't hear him…why?

Why?

I noticed as Lucy closed her eyes for a second and breathed in. Oh, how I wished to know what this chick was thinking.

Why?

I looked away suddenly, and I felt her look at me. I gave in and found myself staring into her dark, brown orbs of questions.

She smiled at me, but instead of doing the right thing, I glared at her.

Why?

She flinched back in surprise and looked away as a deep shade of red spilled over across her cheeks. I looked back at Rogue and saw that he was watching, which made me glare at him as well.

He was still waiting for my answer, but right now…I couldn't think of any valid excuse except shit, shit, and more shit. Finally, Lucy broke the awkward silence and said, "I'm Lucy. It's um…nice to meet you." Her words were unsure, but still confident. Rogue's attention snapped onto her and she responded with,

"And to you too. I'm Rogue, and this is my partner Fro, as well as the idiot's partner, Lector."

Lucy laughed, still cautious, and Lector exclaimed,

"No! Sting-kun's the greatest and strongest person there is!" at the same time as me saying, "Go to hell Rogue."

That made Lucy laugh harder, and Rogue grimace ruefully. I snorted and looked away, and I'm sure Rogue noticed that I never answered his question, but he didn't comment on it. I was thankful for that, because I'm still not sure what I would say.

Listen to me. I thought.

Listen to me. Me? The Sting was thankful? What did that say about me?

I frowned as these thoughts continued to trouble my mind, and when I got my answer it troubled me even more.

I'm weak. I'm weak. I'm strong, but I'm weak. Weak in what?

I looked at Lucy again, and saw her smile at Rogue and Lector. My frown became more pronounced and I looked away with that last thought lingering in my mind.

(Lucy's POV)

Something was up with Sting, but he appeared to be mad at me right now, so who the hell cares, right?

Certainly not me, and because of that…

I will ignore him.

Yes.

I've reached my decision.

He's getting the silent treatment.

That bastard.

I scowled suddenly, but quickly regained my composure and chatted with Rogue. He was interesting to talk to, and that was because he didn't talk very much and when he did, he spoke so eloquently.

Unlike that idiot friend of his.

I laughed derisively in my head as I imagined myself turning and smirking at Sting, but I will not, because I am ignoring him. If he noticed the silence between us and him, then he certainly did not mention it or make any smart-ass comment on it whatsoever, which was weird.

Instead, I told Rogue all that has happened since I got her, from the lady's story to me slapping Sting.

Rogue was a good listener.

When I finished he said,

"Well, I would think that the solution would be quiet obvious. I think that we should go and speak to this lady once more at the moment, and try and gather more Intel."

Sting, behind us, huffed, but still said nothing.

I wrinkled my nose in distaste and forced myself to not focus on the jackass. If he didn't want to try and be nice, then I'm certainly not being nice to him, not that I ever really was…

I crossed my arms, and continued to seem disinterested in his stupid ass fate. Rogue noticed, but said nothing, but instead asked,

"Where does this lady live?"

I unfolded my arms, delicately and looked down at my fingers, embarrassed, and before I could respond, Sting scoffed and said,

"She probably doesn't even know where she's at right now. She's absolutely hopeless."

That did it.

I spun around to face him and retorted,

"Oh? What about you? Huh? While Rogue and I are actually trying to figure this thing out," I got closer to him and stabbed his chest with my finger, "you, the mighty oh great Sting is standing around, moping!"

He glared at me, and said back just as quickly,

"You know what Blondie, or Miss Damsel, or whatever the hell you are, you piss me off!" His words were sharp, and I poked him in the chest harder and growled back, with just as equal vehemence,

"Oh is that so? Well fine! You piss me off TOO! So why don't you just leave damnit! Why don't you, you jackass!" I was screaming now, but I couldn't help it. He glared at me and I glared right back.

I was not going to take this shit. Not now. Not with everything that's happening.

He leaned in closer to my face and hissed,

"I'm. Leaving." He spun around and said to his comrades,

"Let's go." Lector looked stricken, but followed after him quickly and silently, but Rogue stayed where he was looking at Sting with an emotion that I couldn't understand and he said,

"I'm not leaving Sting. You promised Lucy that you would help her, even if not with words, and you know you never break your promises. Also, now I want to help her, so even if you do leave and lose all dignity as a man, I'll just meet up with you later afterI've helped Lucy." His words struck Sting like lightening, and Sting just stood there, dumbfounded and gaping.

Then after what seemed like that longest silence, he started towards us and passed us in a rush of a flurry, while he hissed,

"Fine."

I was frozen. I didn't want him to be here as much as he didn't want to be here, but now Rogue had to screw that up! Damnit! However, I kept my opinions to myself and remained the silent statue, before Rogue came up to me and said,

"He'll calm down eventually, so don't worry, and I'm sure you will too, eventually." He added the eventually, which made me smile ruefully and say,

"Yeah. Eventually." I looked at Sting's now still form and said, "But for now…I'll just remain pissed at him." Rogue gave me a small smile and looked down at Fro and said to us both, "Well, we should probably catch up with the idiot until he does decided he doesn't want any more dignity as a man."

I glanced back at Sting and then back at Rogue and asked, curious,

"Was that actually true?"

"Was what true?" asked Rogue.

"The promise thing, and the dignity thing." I mumbled, looking down suddenly, feeling shy all of a sudden. Rogue laughed, causing me to jolt in surprise.

His laughter was…surprising.

"Yeah. Every bit of it was the truth. I've never seen Sting break a promise, and when I asked him why, he just told me that it was the dignity of a person to keep them."

I swear my mouth was hanging open.

"A-are you sure?" My doubtful voice caused Rogue to chuckle once more and just nod while looking at Sting.

"Yes. He's indeed strong, and not just in power Lucy."

With those words hanging in the air, he turned and followed after Sting, who was still waiting.

Umm…okay?

I looked down at my feet and too out my celestial keys to study them. I'm not sure why, but when I do this, it comforts me. I pressed my fingers against each key and looked at each symbol, while trying to figure our what to do at the moment.

I looked back up and saw that Sting was looking behind him at me, with waiting eyes. I blushed, and he looked away, unfazed.

I glanced back down at my keys and thought,

Well, no need to be pessimistic. Let's just go and talk to this lady and figure out where those girls went. Oh, and Natsu.

However, as I started to trail after them, another thought crossed my mind.

What about when this stupid mission's over? What then?

I looked to my side and saw all of the little stores and bakeries, with the laughing couples and laughing children inside. They were all happy, so maybe…

I should be too.

It's not like I have that much to be sad about anyways.

(Sting's POV)

Fuck everything.

Curse it all.

Damn it all to the pits of the freaking fiery oblivion of misery.

Just…shit!

I shook my head, appalled at my thoughts, and that was because I didn't even know what the hell I was still mad about. Still? I don't even know what I was mad about before! I shook my head again frustrated at myself and at Lucy, just because I knew she was a part of this.

Why was I overreacting so much, anyways?

I was acting so goddamn…

dramatic!

I was acting like a raging hormonal teenage boy.

And I didn't know why!

It was pissing me off!

Rogue was staring at me during my entire lecture, and Lucy was still behind us keeping absolutely silent.

"So, Lucy…you really have no idea where this lady is? The one who gave you the mission?" I asked, on edge.

"Um…no. Not really. I remember that is was really close to that place where I got my outfits though…" She seemed startled by me suddenly talking her, and I had to pinch my mouth to stop my smile from escaping.

"So, you mean like a hooker store?" I asked, getting straight to the point. Her nose perked up and she jutted her lips out in defiance.

"Noooo… not like a hooker store, just a store where they sell clothes for girls who might be going on their honeymoon or are prostitutes…" She defended, determined.

"So… a hooker store?" I confirmed once again, and she just looked away. I laughed abruptly, but stopped almost as quickly. Lucy's gaze snapped on me and she said,

"Oh so now you can be so chipper happy and nice? What happened to 'Lucy's such a raging bitch and she can't do shit, like find a house'? Hmmm? What happened to that, Sting." I flinched back. Her words were like punches being thrown at me, that I couldn't miss. Her eyes narrowed waiting for my reply, but before I could Rogue broke in and asked,

"Is that the store?" We both looked to see where he was pointing and almost immediately I saw Lucy brighten and exclaim,

"Yes! Yes it is! Thanks Rogue!"

She quickly rushed over there, leaving us behind in her dust to comprehend and hurriedly rush after her. When she got to the store, she looked around with a determined expression set on her face. She walked towards the right, shook her head, and then walked towards the right. Lucy walked for a bit before reaching a small looking house with green windows.

It looked stupid.

I looked over the house again, and back at Lucy and muttered,

"This the place?"

She just nodded as a response, and strutted up to the door. She knocked four times, loud and hard, and stood back, waiting.

No reply.

She knocked again, faster this time, but once again there was no reply.

Lucy was getting frustrated as she now started to pound at the door and screaming for it to be opened up, but no one opened the door.

Finally, right before she started to scream even louder, I yelled,

"Jesus Lucy! SHUT UP!" Before she could react I ran up the steps, pushed her aside (kind of gently), looked around to see if anyone was watching, and then kicked open the door. It fell easily and I kicked it away, to enter the small house. I turned around to face Lucy, expecting some kind of thanks but instead I received,

"WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING YOU IDIOT!"

Her tone was loud and it made my ears hurt, since I was so close to her. I backed up into the house, out of shock as she continued to rant on.

"YOU CAN'T JUST KICK OPEN HER DOOR AND SAY, 'oh, would you look at that….well we should come in even though we're breaking and ENTERING!' NO! JUST…NO!" Her screams echoed throughout the town and before I could think, I snaked one of my hands over her mouth, and my other arm held her against her chest. She went instantly still and I put my mouth against her right ear and hissed,

"What am I doing? What are you doing? Screaming like that…you'll get the attention of everybody in town! Then, where'll we be, huh?"

She shivered under my grasp, and hissed back, with just as much force,

"I'm so very sorry, Sting. Will you ever forgive me?" Her tone was harsh and laced with sarcasm, but I smiled against her neck. She writhed underneath me, which caused my smile to grow larger. I could feel her heating up and I watched as a dark shade of red burned on her neck and face. My smile soon turned into a smirk, and she started to breathe unevenly. Finally, after what seemed like a very long time she said, while breathing heavily,

"Sting?" Her voice was guarded and I blinked.

"Hmm?" I responded, as my nose touched her neck. She squirmed again, seeming uncomfortable with the entire situation. Ha. Sweet, sweet revenge.

"Would you…let go of me?" She asked, her voice laced with venom, but before I could even give her my answer, her arms jutted back into my ribs and caused me to kneel over onto the ground, gasping for breath.

"Arghh! What the hell Lucy?!" I demanded, still trying to catch my breath as I stood up, almost tripping over a couch. She stood there, arms crossed, glaring at me.

"Pervert. That's what you get! Also, you can't just do that, right after you tell me that I piss you off, which is returned, trust me." She scoffed.

I ignored her and brushed off the dirt on my pants. I was about to respond but Rogue, Lector, and Fro all came in, looking highly amused.

"What's so funny?" I snapped at them. They just shook their heads as grins spread out over their faces, and Rogue said,

"Oh, nothing much."

"Psshh… well whatever. Let's just look around." I said. They just continued to smile, and Lucy ignored us all, as she was already looking around.

The light was already on, and the couch that I had almost tripped over turned out to be some sort of sofa-chair thing, and it was huge! I looked around some more, and noticed a lot of things not right. Such as, how everything was perfectly organized and clean. I looked over at the blonde and grunted,

"Hey chickie, was it like this before?" I tilted my head to indicate the room, and she just shook her head, looking worried. Rogue walked over to a small desk and examined it quietly. Suddenly, he looked up in shock.

"What is it?" I asked, demanding. Lucy looked over at him and raised her eyebrows, expressing more worry. Rogue looked down at something he was holding and muttered, "So, it's that lady we met earlier Sting?"

"What?" I asked, trying to confirm my earlier suspicions.

Rogue held up the same package that we delivered earlier on, and showed it to us, with a curious form of worry on his face. I immediately started towards the package, as did Lucy causing us just to run into each other. Before I reached him, I just said,

"Open it, now." Lucy nodded furiously at my statement, and so Rogue opened it.

Rogue looked down at it in shock for a moment before Lucy whispered,

"What's in it Rogue?"

He only looked up at us and said solemnly,

"I think you're in for more than you bargained for Lucy."

I reached forward and snatched the package from his grasp, and looked inside.

I gasped, then cursed when I saw what it was. I reached inside for a moment, but decided against it, and instead emptied the box all over the floor for Lucy to see. I heard her suck in a breath in shock and she whispered, astonished,

"Why does..." she gulped, "why does this lady have pictures of me?"

I looked down, and gulped too. There were so many…pictures of Lucy's smiling face, at many, many different ages, and all I could do was look back at Lucy's worried face, and say,

"I don't know, but…we're gonna find out." My words were true and strong and Lucy's eyes met mine, and I saw something that I now vowed I would never see again. Ever.

Lucy afraid.

*DUN DUN DUN! Well, because of you guys I'm updating only a couple days after I JUST updated, even though I SHOULD be studying for my VERY important exams tomorrow and Thursday, but oh….I couldn't help it! You guys make me procrastinate (that sounds wrong…). And yes, I know…Cliffhanger! There was no fighting in this chapter like I promised, but come on…this was a decent length chapter and it's actually getting somewhere! Actually, I was planning on making this chapter MUCH longer, but like I said….studying (advanced classes). So please leave a review and maybe I'll procrastinate some more for ya! XD

P.S. You also made me update before updating my NaLu story o_0…well I guess my StiCy love was just a little greater this time. :D