Chapter 22

"What are you doing?!" Yukino shouted when she entered her room and saw Sting packing her things.

Sting didn't even bother to look at her, but instead continued on putting all of Yukino's stuff inside her bag.

Yukino stomped over to him and tried to stop him from what he was doing as she puts out the clothes Sting was putting in.

"What the hell Sting? You came barging in my room and here you're just packing my things?! What is this all about, Sting?" Her voice sounded weak.

She tried to stop him even more and was pushing him now. But Sting won't budge. He continued on putting all of her stuff while she was removing them from being stuffed in her luggage.

"I'm saving you.." He muttered while putting her clothes in.

"From what?"

He didn't answer. Instead, he went back to her drawers an closet gathering all the things he could find.

"From what Sting?!" She asked a little more irritated this time. "Do you not trust me anymore to hide things from me?" She followed him to her closet and back.

He pllaced everything on her luggage. "It's for the best." He said hiding his eyes with his bangs.

"Then I won't go." She said as she pulled every clothes Sting was holding.

They pulled the clothes from each others grasps. "Let go already! This are mine."

"I'm not taking it. It's still yours when you get back to England."

"I won't go back!" She let go of the clothes Sting was holding. Yukino just had enough. If he won't tell her, fine.

Sting looked at her but she looked away. "I'm sorry. But you just have to.. go." He actually, doesn't want them to go. But due to these circumstances, they just have to.

"How will I do something if I don't know a thing?"

"Just trust me on this will you?" He glanced at her but she's still not looking at him. Sting sighed and continued packing.

She looked at him. "I trust you. And you should trust me too. Tell me, what's happening." She clenched her fists. "Tell me the reason, why?" She looked at him, her eyes watering.

He couldn't tell her. If Yukino will find out the truth she will not leave him. She'll be there saying she'll support him, that's how Yukino is. And that's the reason why he doesn't want Yukino here, because she'll be risking her safety by supporting him or just being with him.

"See that?" She spoke in his silence. "You actually don't want to say it. Then, fine. It's final." Her voice full of confidence and irritation in it. "I won't go Sting." She paused while shaking her head. "I won't."

"You can pack all my things, but I won't go!" Yukino yelled. "Pack everything you want, send my luggage back. WITHOUT ME!" When she said that she run off, holding the tears that was threatening to fall anytime soon. Yukino didn't know where to go and it seemed as though Sting was not following her either. Still she doesn't stop running and decided to go where her feet lead her to. She just doesn't get why he won't tell her. She knew she'll understand him, if not she'll try to understand him. All he has to do is tell her. Yukino doesn't want any of her friends being sad. And seeing Sting that way made her feel like he really is hiding something big and deep inside him. She just has to know wh —

BLAG

Yukino fell on the floor in a thud. She didn't even notice that she was on the first floor now. Man, she runs fast. Even then, she just felt more irritated because the person surely wasn't looking to where he or she was walking, though she admits to herself she wasn't looking too.. But hey! She's having an emotional downfall. Be considerate! She prepared her glaring eyes to the person.

"Oh hey, I'm sorry." Said a voice that was obviously a man's.

Yukino was rubbing her sore butt. She looked at the floor and saw a guys's shoes. And she noticed an arm extended right towards her. She was about to slap the guy's hand.

"Why are y –"

She stopped mid-sentence as she traced to whom the hand reaching out to her belonged to. She gasped in surprise.

"I'm sorry I'm not looking to where I'm going." The guy said gloomily, he's not looking at her though.

"N-Natsu?" Yukino said as she grabbed his hand. He smiled weakly. "Oh my gosh! Sorry I'm not looking to where I'm going!" She said frantically bowing and fixed herself as she look for something. "I forgot my autograph book. Damn." She said softly and sighed.

Natsu chuckled. "I could give you a poster instead."

Her eyes widen and she squealed. "But I want your autograph on my autograph book too." She frowned.

"Then why don't you get it?"

"I can't go back to my room. My.." She paused thinking of the rightest word. "..friend and I had an argument and I think he's still in there." She sighed in defeat.

"What a coincidence, I'm slightly on the same track." He grinned though.

"What?!" She said a little irritated. "Who could have broken your heart? Is it Lisanna?"

"I thought your problem was your friend. Well.." Natsu was taken aback but laughed. "Lisanna's just a friend."

"Really? But it seemed like she really liked you." Yukino's eyes were questioning.

He chuckled. "You're interesting and funny. You remind me of someone." He gave her yet another weak smile. "Anyway, I haven't introduced myself properly. I'm Natsu.. Oh well. Just Natsu of Fairy Law." He offered a hand for her to shake.

She hesitated to grab his hand but when she did she squeezed it tight and shook it. "I'm.. I'm.. I'm Yukino Aguria. Nice to meet you!"

Natsu pulled his hand and laughed at the girl's actions. "So how long were you my fan?" He asked nonchalantly.

"Actually, I am into the whole band. Fairy Law rocks!"

Natsu chuckled and decided he might just get along with this girl. "So do you want to talk for a while? I don't have anything to do since the girl I used to be with at these times is not here." He sighed. "Though I just force her to accompany me at times.." He whispered.

"Really? Then you can talk to me!" She pointed to herself. "I can keep a secret you know! And it's nice to talk to a stranger sometimes. It's like a whole lot image.. Well. You get what I mean right?"

Natsu scratched the back of his head not really getting what she meant and shrugged what she said. "You must be really just like her if she would just tone down a little. I mean if she, lessen her seriousness." He said putting his arms behind his head as they walked.

"Then she must be a busy woman if she's like that. Is she old? I hope you're not hooking up with old business women, you know the one's who'll die any minute so you'll get your fortune.."

Natsu raised his brow. "Nope, not a chance dude. Actually she's a year younger than me."

"Then I bet she looked old."

"And that's a no too. She's really beautiful and sexy." He smirked.

"I should be the judge to that." She said challengingly. "Who is she?"

"I won't tell, unless you tell me who's yours." He stuck his tongue out.

"Wha— That's not fair!" She huffed.

"Then tell me who's yours?" He smiled slyly.

She blushed beat red. "H-H-He's not mine. He's just a friend."

"But you like him?" He teased.

If possible she would be redder.

Natsu laughed. "Oh god, aren't we just on the same age? Felt like I'm older than you, for like a decade, because you blush like a school girl."

Yukino pouted. "Look who mature enough sulking like a lost puppy!" She stuck her tongue out.

Natsu squinted his eyes.

"Sorry! Sorry! I'm just kidding. Now were, quits."

"It's fine! So mind to continue?" He chuckled.

"Anyway, we just had an argument regarding him not saying a secret and all he wanted to do is for me to leave! How's that if you don't even know the reason?!"

"Well it seemed that he's reason is really important that he can't tell you."

"But I trust him. Why won't he just trust me too?" She pouted.

"He must have his reasons. You should understand." Natsu gave her a cheeky smile. "Maybe it's for your sake too."

"But I wanted to stay here to watch the Band Battles.. Plus I wasn't able to get your autograph, and Gray's – My crush." Natsu choked.

"You have a crush on him —I mean Gray?" He said like it was venom on his mouth.

"Well of course. He's so cool, like he can play guitar and he looks good too!" She squealed. "But you're good too, at singing at least. Besides you have a girl, and I don't like that on my idols. Though I could reconsider yours, if I find that girl pretty. That is. Maybe I will support you if she passed my standards."

Natsu chuckled. "Then give me examples of girls that looked pretty for you."

Yukino put a finger on her lips and think. "Hm. Of course Lisanna's pretty, but I don't know if she's nice." Looking at Natsu waiting for some reaction. "Juvia is pretty at times. Hm. Miss Erza looks scary, but she's pretty. Kagura too. Then there is Jenny Realight. Hmm. I'm feeling I'm missing on someone.." She scratched the back of her head.

"Seems like they're all part of the Band Battle."

"Not really, I just started there. It would be possible that one of them might be the girl you were talking about. But I can't see any changes in your expression as I say their names that would give me a hint that it was her." She sighed. "Anyway, what happen to you then?"

"Hmm."

"Oh don't worry!" She waved her hands in front of her. "I won't tell anyone. It will be just between the two of us. No reporters or anyone involve. I swear!"

"You sure are loud you know?"

"Well that's what my friends always say." She said shyly. "I'm sorry."

"Nah. It's fine. Actually I've talked to a friend about this matter already but I think a girl's view may also help."

Yukino nodded in agreement.

"Well you know, to make it all short. I sort of confessed to this girl, quite indirectly, and I got rejected, maybe. Now, that I've think of it she might have just been shocked or whatever." He sighed. "But I concluded that she rejected me."

"How come you felt rejected?" Yukino cut him.

"Her shocked face says it all."

Yukino shrugged her shoulder. "Well, it's you who knows the girl. But continue! I want to know the whole story."

"Okay, going back. She was really sad lately and I thought what I've done mde her feel more down, so in return I forced her to join me on stage last event."

"Whaaaaat? That's so cool! Can I come with you another time?" She said with puppy dog eyes.

"Guess you'll have to ask our manager." He shrugged his shoulder. "Anyway, last time at the Band Battle she was there I was holding her hand and I could see her beautiful smile, I was glad when she smiled. It just gave me the confidence and smile back there, so I don't really care if we won that time. What matters is the purpose of pulling her on stage is successful." He smiled.

"So hooded girl is a 'she'?"

"Didn't I mention she's with me on stage, right?" He said full of sarcasm.

Yukino giggled."Yeah. Yeah. She must have liked you back for smiling like that."

"But isn't it a possibility that she's just enjoying the show?" Natsu countered.

"Okay, fine. Continue."

Natsu smiled and looked up at the stars. "Hm. She was with me after the Band Battle because I just don't want to let go of her. I'm afraid that if I let her hand go it would be the last time I'll hold it. But when I saw Lisanna I got carried away for not seeing my friend for a long time. And I.. I run off and left her. When I went back I saw my friends, you know Fairy Law, and she's not there anymore." Natsu looked down.

He looked to where Yukino was. They are now sitting at the hotel's pool. Her eyes were so sad as if she's watching a tragedy movie.

"Hey don't get affected that easily!"

"It's not that easy you know! And you left her!"

Natsu stiffened. Yeah he left her. "But I just missed my friend. Is it bad to miss a friend?"

"Well it's not. But you should've gone with her." She said dipping her feet at the pool side.

"Yeah, I've thought of that. It's too late now."

"No. I don't think so. I think she liked you back, well maybe more than like if she left seeing you and Lisanna. Most girls will get jealous if one second you're holding her hand like she's the most precious thing in the world and the next you're all over another girl. That's really annoying." She said clicking her tongue. "She must have been jealous, irritated or something like that. I don't know. Maybe I'm just imagining things. I don't know who this girl is but I'm guessing that way. I can't think of any reason for her to leave." She splashed some water with her feet. "Poor girl, she must be on her tough times right now or maybe not.."

"Hm. I just don't want to force myself on her if she doesn't want, that's why I didn't follow her that time."

"Trying is not forcing yourself on her, ya know?" She smiled at him and it just made him smile back. "You're trying because you're considering her side while giving effort on your part. And for me trying means you're strong because you don't know what will happen next, like you'll just accept it whether she accepts you or not. There isn't permanence in trying, it's just well trying and stopping when you know it's time to stop." Yukino looked at Natsu. "But for you.." Then back to the moon's reflection on the pool. "I don't think it's time you accept your defeat."

"You actually talk like an old woman."

"Hey! I'm not! I'm just giving advices." She said splashing water with her feel faster this time.

"Then try that on yourself. Try confronting him too. Maybe you'll understand him that way." Natsu said.

Yukino was quite shocked. Yes, in fact she didn't even try to understand him. Now she's feeling guilty for not trying. Maybe Sting really had his own reasons why he wanted her to leave. He wouldn't do that if he doesn't have a reason. She just has to – No. Maybe she'll follow him. Natsu's right. She must've applied her advices to her situation too.

Yukino had her resolve. She looked to where Natsu was and saw him still looking at the stars.

"You know what, I know someone. She's so beautiful. And she really liked star gazing." This caught Natsu's attention. "She taught me some of the constellations when we were little though she busied herself with her work as we got older. She's smart, kind-hearted and is really beautiful inside out."

"Wow so pretty must be an understatement for her. Beautiful is such a big word." Natsu said dreamily.

"Well yes. She's not just pretty, she's perfect. And the guy whom she'll love probably would be the luckiest man there is. Sadly, I hear she's madly in love with a dead guy from her past." Natsu chuckled lightly having a hint on who Yukino was talking about. But Yukino didn't notice it. "Oh how I want to knock her out of her senses that she's so young to be committing herself to a dead boy." She said irritably. "But then again, I won't hurt her. Actually I understand her. I think she just felt lonely."

Natsu smiled weakly, but waited for Yukino to continue. Now he knew Yukino was one of Lucy's friend years after he should've died. He wanted to ask her some more but find it obvious that he's up to something. Well he really is up to something if he's going to ask about how Lucy was, after that tragic event.

"But I still believe that somewhere out there, a guy would make her feel happy again and force her out of her safe bubble. And he'll make her fall for him and they'll live happily ever after."

"You make it sound like she's in a fairy tale."

"Well she is a princess looking for that rightful prince who'll capture her heart.. And this is her castle." She spread her arms wide. "She is my role model. Someday I'm going to be just like her."

Natsu laughed. "For me, you just have to be who you are so your prince won't go through what I am going through.."

Yukino didn't get it at all. So maybe, Natsu was just teasing her or something like that.

"Hey what time is it?" Yukino asked.

"Quarter to 8" Natsu said looking at his phone.

Suddenly, Yukino pulled herself up. "I need to go. My friend must be looking for me. And, I should try too right?"

"Yeah. You do that right!" He grinned.

"It's nice talking to you Natsu, maybe we could talk some other time too!"

"It's nice talking to you too. And thank you!"

She started to walk away. "You're welcome! Don't worry you're secret is safe with me!" Yukino winked and turned back to run back to her room.

Talking to a new friend made her feel light. First she was able to have a friend, not just a friend, a superstar friend. And she found him really nice, unlike other stars she knew under the screen name 'Lady of Sabertooth'. She was smiling at the thought that she was close to getting autograph from each member of the band. She just hoped Natsu will help her get them. Second, she was able to let it out. She felt nice right now. But she actually felt guilty by getting mad at Sting without hearing his side. She is happy that someone was able to make her realize of the things she's missing out.

She reached her room but it was empty. She found her clothes were still on the luggage Sting was doing a while ago. She frowned at the thought that Sting doesn't want her here. Still, she shrugged the thought off and run to Sting's room. She was surprised Jiemma was inside along with another girl. Well she confirmed it by the voices they were making.

She peeped through the slightly closed door and saw Sting's back. She was about to open the door but she saw Jiemma walked and sat on the couch across Sting's, her eyes wandered and there she saw what shocked her most.

Lisanna.

Why was she here? She kept on asking herself. Eavesdropping is a bad thing, and obviously not her thing, but she wanted to know why Lisanna is there and why were Jiemma and Lisanna are laughing. He can't see if Sting was joining them but by the looks of it he's not laughing with them.

"Very good job Lisanna." Jiemma praised her.

Lisanna grabbed a glass of wine that was on the table. "Well, I just want Natsu. It just happen that you want Lucy so that makes us sort of partners." She drank from the glass. "I didn't know winning the Band Battle is a must when I joined The Sabers."

"Minerva scold you?" Jiemma chuckled.

"Well yeah. She said we lost because I started the last song with an it's.."

"Don't mind it. Focus at the task at hand." He smiled. "Anyway, I need to know something about that Natsu too."

"What is it?" Lisanna asked.

"Well, Sting here said he saw him talking to Makarov. You know him alright? He's one of the Board of Directors and probably someone who's against me. Do you know anything about that guy's past?"

Lisanna was taken aback. She hasn't thought of it. And now that she's think of it, Natsu's stories about his past before he met Gray seems to have a lot of holes in it.

"And what would happen? What kind of information should I get from him?"

"I need to know, who he really is. What was his relationship to Makarov?"

"And?"

"I just wanted to check on something.." Jiemma answered.

"You know I don't work if I don't get all the detail."

Jiemma tched. Indeed, Lisanna is sharp. He didn't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing though. "I'm suspecting that he is the Dragneel heir."

Yukino who's still watching them from the slightly opened door, gasped but covered her mouth if ever she reacted any further. She perfectly knew who the Dragneel heir was, he's somewhat the main reason why Lucy changed drastically during their childhood years.

Lisanna choked with the wine she was drinking. "What? The Dragneels died a long time ago. It's impossible."

"That's why I'm just checking.. It would be good if he's the Dragneel heir. There's not a lot of lucky bitches around that can get a man of his status."

"Fine. But you're not touching my Natsu." Lisanna said ignoring the 'bitches' part.

"If, he doesn't have anything to do with this." Jiemma said softly that no one may hear especially Lisanna. He turned to Sting. "So, have you started with the plan? Or did you sent Yukino and Rogue away and try to save them?"

Sting didn't say anything.

"Don't try to save them anymore Sting. After all they'll be the reason my plans will work. Don't worry nothing will happen to them just like what I just promised.." Sting clenched his fists tight and Lisanna chuckled. "That is until you make your move. The faster you marry Lucy Heartfil –"

Eeeeeeeek~

The door creaked open when Yukino accidentally tapped the door, not believing what she was hearing. Her tears were falling and she just can't hold it. She covered her mouth realizing she just caught their attention.

"Who's there?!" Jiemma shouted standing up.

Yukino didn't know what to do. So she runs as fast as she could. So she was wrong after all, Sting wanted to protect them. If only she listens to Rogue in the beginning, if only she hears what Sting's reason is, then she might have helped Sting in his problem.

"Sting! Follow that eavesdropping person. That might ruin our plans!"

Sting did as what he was told and followed the culprit. As he turned he saw and recognized who it was. "YUKINO!" He shouted and run a bit faster but Yukino just won't stop.

Is it Yukino who was eavesdropping on them? If she was, Sting knew she's in danger. He tried to get to her but she was running just too fast and she won't stop when he call for her. He arrived at the hotel's pool and he saw her, with him.

He can't understand. Why did Yukino run into him? Natsu? Why? He moved closer to them, and Natsu noticed his presence.

"So it was Sting you were talking about. Must have been a good thing you didn't listen to him." Natsu said patting Yukino's head. She's crying and she doesn't know why.

"Yukino? What are you doing with this guy?"

"I comforted her, when you made her cry."

"Cry?" He looked at Yukino, her eyes were puffy and swollen.

"There he is! Master Sting!" Suddenly a group of men in black suit came. They were his father's men, how would he be able to save Yukino now?