I enjoyed working on this chapter. It's quite short but, I'm hoping you'll like it!

Thanks for everything. I really enjoy reading your reviews! Keep them coming! =))))))

Chapter 26

She stirred as she felt her muscles tense feeling irritated at the way she was lying and sleeping. She tried to open her eyes and was greeted by blurs of different unfamiliar objects surrounding her. Soon taking everything in she was in a room she was absolutely sure she hasn't been to. Sitting up she tried to remember what has happen the night before.

Sting..

Natsu..

Running..

Confrontation..

Sting's father..

Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia.

She was with her. She was actually talking to her, and she fell asleep. Yukino frowned. That's once in a blue moon chance and she just let it slip away. So this must be her room? Not quite what she expected of a room for a simple girl like her. This room is more like a suite or a loft? She doesn't really know. She hasn't explored the place yet. She yawned and stretched her sore limbs. Waking up late sure is embarrassing especially if she isn't at her own room and another factor was she was at Lucy's. She hurriedly slipped into her footwear and looked around for Lucy. She found herself in a secluded area, it's like a mini kitchen at the far end of the room. She checked for the ref and found no stock food. Well this is Lucy she was with. At last she found herself a glass of water. That would suffice the dryness she felt in her throat. Now she must find Lucy and thank he—

"So you're awake?" She was startled at the sound of a man's voice. She looked up and saw the man she wouldn't want to meet—never in her life, if that is possible. "You must be hungry Yukino." He smiled. A smile that sends shiver on her spine.

"What do you want?"

"I already got what I want. Don't worry."

Yukino raised her brow.

"Silly me. I thought Sting would have been friends with smart people." And then he made a faked shock expression. "Oh! I'm sorry. You must have bumped your head. Well last night I made my guards act like they're you guards so they can pick you up at that brat's unit." He smirked.

Yukino gaped. "That's dirty!"

"It's not. If you've done worse than that." He turned around. "Anyway, I have to go. Suit yourself with the foods and other things for your entertainment.. You probably would be staying here for 2 or 3 weeks. That depends on my son and Heartfilia's wedding." He chuckled.

Yukino had her eyes widen. "You can't do this!"

"I'm already doing it."

"Stop it! You're in the way of other people's happiness. Sting's happiness!" She made sure she emphasized his son's name just so it would hit him and hoped that it would change his plans.

Jiemma turned back and faced her. "Sting is happy with this. He want—"

"He doesn't want this. You're the one who wants this. Sting only wants to be freed from you!" She spat.

"Well then. Let's just say I'm doing this for everyone. This is Jude Heartfilia's last will. Would you defy a dead man's last wishes, no?"

"No good father would force her daughter into an arranged marriage. I know Mr. Heartfilia would like Lucy to be happy!"

"You don't understand. Everything was for the company.

"But Lucy doesn't want this. Hell, Sting doesn—"

"He wants it." He emphasized every word as he meant it. His eyes were full of anger. He really doesn't like it when people get in the way in his plan, especially now that this was his only way to get what was rightfully his. "It's his purpose in the first place: to gain the power and position over the company I've exerted all my efforts to." He clenched his fists. "If Igneel didn't interfere the company would have been mine right now."

"So for the company you're setting aside Sting and Lucy's happiness? Not to mention Natsu's?" She yelled with all her might.

"Why are you so affected about this?"

"Because you involved me!"

"You involved yourself girly. If you didn't eavesdrop—"

"If I didn't who would stop you? Who would fight for them?"

"Them? Or just Sting?" Jiemma stepped forward as Yukino backed away. "You've grown so attached to my son. If your company was as big as the Heartfilia Groups, then I will forget about my efforts for that company and will direct all my resources and efforts in to yours. That was, I'll be helping you to get together with Sting." He chuckled. He was now behind her, smiling triumphant in their conversation. He sensed that she stiffened at his words. "Too bad it's not." And he walked back in front of her.

Yukino composed herself. "Sting's my friend! Lucy and Natsu were too! I'll do anything to save them! You can't just do that to them! Especially to Sting, he's you son! Why would you throw away his happiness! He doesn't want this! There's no way Sting would do this! Why the hell would he want this? Didn't you understand how Sting loves you for following your orders even if it's against what he wanted?! Will you just have the heart to feel that and even just the tiniest urge to give it back?!" Yukino's face was turning red because of rage. She was stomping her feet following Jiemma, but he was just too fast.

Jiemma ignored her rants and started to walk away. He could hear her footsteps walking behind her. He reached the door. "Too bad you're locked here." Those were his last words closed the door behind him.

"Father you don't have to lock her. I'll send her back to England, I'll get Rogue." Sting said frantic of the sudden banging on the door and yelling.

The said man turned to him and smiled wickedly. "You must have done that before she heard our plans." He patted Sting's shoulder. "Don't worry. She'll just stay here until the end of the wedding. So.. If you hurried with the preparations the sooner she'll get out." He smiled and walked pass Sting.

"Unlock this door you stupid guards!" Sting was surprised by the banging of the doors. "If you don't I'll kill myself!" His eyes widen in shock. He clenched his fists, if only he could do something. If only.

Sting looked at his father in disbelief. He heard everything they had talked about inside the room. He couldn't believe his father thinks he likes this and that his father totally doesn't care of his happiness. It's true his father deserves a thing in the company. He invested everything to it and put a whole lot of his effort to it. But in the end he is not chosen as a partner to the owner. He's father has been saddened about it since then. The Dragneel is just a foreign company that had just entered the industry and yet Jude Heartfilia chose them above him. In the end he was just a Board Member, a mere employee—which his father cannot seem to accept up until now.

He heard the banging on the door snapping him out of his trance. He looked at the door.

"I'll bust this door if you won't let me out!" She hit the door with her hands powerful enough to make the door vibrate with every hit. "Let me out! I need to help Lucy!" Suddenly there was a very loud bang on the door and she stopped. Sting walked in front of the door and she heard Yukino groaning in pain. Inside of the room Yukino was sliding down the door clutching on her right foot. She had just kicked it really hard forgetting that she's in soft fitted slippers, which exposes her toes. "Sting.." She said softly.

"Yukino.." He muttered. He was really worried of her. He knew he wouldn't stop and 2 or 3 weeks will just make her hurt herself. Sting couldn't do anything. He has an obligation to his father, but Yukino is another matter and now that two things collide he just doesn't know what to do. He hoped Rogue was here.

"Oh yeah. Sting?" It was father he faced him once more. His face doesn't have a tinge of regret of sadness or guilt in it. How could he do that? "Tell Rogue to tell that girl's parents you're with her. The last thing I needed is their pull of partnership to the company. And don't even try to rescue her.. Cause you can't and you know.." He smiled. "..I'll know."

Sting clenched his fists. What will he do if something happened to Yukino? He'll never forgive himself. But he can't just rush and save Yukino. He can't with this high security. And, was he ready to defy his father? He felt his stomach twist. An image of Yukino flashed in his mind, the smiling one turned to someone with an angry glare to him. His heart stopped. He just can't see that scowl, especially if it's coming from her face. Just the thought of her smiling face turning into a scowl makes his insides twist. But his father, he needed Sting. After all, he is his father's son.

He's made his decision.

Lucy was never dragged with care.

How could you even drag someone not hurting them? For god's sake you drag a person because something or the person himself or herself is resisting. Well in any way it was done, that was what happen to Lucy done by none other than Natsu. Now, standing in front of him, his gaze felt like it was piercing through her soul, his hand holding hers—tight, firm yet gentle. She can't look at him. She was busying herself with the now dark color of the white sand. It was white when she first saw it, but with the orange sky the sand seems to have darkened in a dirty pale yellow shade. There are weeds on the shore, a couple of shells, pebbles and.. a starfish? Oh gosh. It needs help. It has to get back down down down where it belong. She tried to walk towards it but was stopped when she felt a hand holding her in place. Oh right. She was with someone, she blushed. Lucy is actually spacing out.

"Lucy.." He squeezed her hand. "Look at me."

She couldn't. She just, couldn't.

And then she felt empty. His hand loosened its grip on hers and soon letting it go. She was surprised when the same hand was under her chin forcing her to look at him.

He succeeded.

"Let's talk."

His eyes bore into hers. Like he could see her soul through her eyes and she just wanted to look away because she felt like she's naked in front of him. Like he could see everything in her and she held her breathe.

"We're already talking.." She said quite annoyed.

"Yeah, I figured.." He said sarcastically. His hand was now on her cheek, cupping it so as she won't look away. "Lucy.. Lisanna—"

To his surprise she smiled. "I know that already. Am I trustworthy enough? I hid your secret feelings from everyone." She giggled.

What just happened to the Lucy he was with a moment ago? Natsu's eyes were wide. He's confuse. "What the hell are you talking about?"

Lucy removed his hand from her cheek but kept her gaze and smile. "You know back at Hosenka.. When we're by the cliff in your car.. You admitted your feelings to her." She smiled sheepishly.

He raised a brow not understanding what she was talking about.

"Anyway, I guess you should be confessing to her right now. You'll surely get her.." She winked. "That, I assure you. Plus," Lucy pointed at his chest. "You should lessen your game. No kissing other women.." Oh God. Lucy doesn't know where she got the guts to tell that to him. It's not really because it is an awkward subject for her and him but because she's not really used to those kinds of things. "No sex in the car.. Or any other plac—"

"Hey! I—"

"Nahh. Don't deny it, I got all the evidence in your car! Just a friendly advice.. Don't do it with other women if you're committed." She moved her index finger from side to side.

Okay she got him. It's true he had one night stands before. But a supposed to be inexperienced guy turned expert is nice right? That would just catch you off guard which makes it exciting. Alright. She's hitting on her when he said that to her. Jerk right?

"Lucy.. I didn't drag you here to talk about my sex life."

She smacked him on the head. "It's not your sex life I'm talking about. I'm just telling you things you shouldn't do once you had are in a REAL relationship." That is Lisanna by the way.

"And I'm telling you I'm not planning on having a relationship with the girl you kept on forcing to me. She's my friend Luce!"

Lucy looked at him incredulously. "You sa—"

"I can't remember what we talked about back then. And I don't remember saying I like Lisanna—well I do like her or love her.." He saw her mouth open but covered it with his hand before she could utter a word. "..as a sister or a friend. And nothing beyond that."

After everything she was thinking of Lucy, felt relief rush over her. She doesn't really know why. Nothing of this would've help the company. "Why are you telling this to me?" She asked in curiosity.

"Because.. The kiss." She stiffened. "I want to talk about it. Well, that's what I wanted to talk about in the first place."

"T-T-T-T-The k-k-k-k-kissss?" Lucy stuttered. "W-well.." She inhaled deeply trying to regain her composure. "That's what I'm trying to tell y—"

"And that's not what I'm pointing." Natsu hold her shoulders and stared straight into her eyes. "Look Lucy, I don't like Lisanna as more than anything but a friend. I don't really know what you're talking about me admitting my feelings about Lisanna to you."

So? What should she tell him?

"You.. The kiss. Everything had made sense since you came."

Lucy was staring at him. Waiting for him to continue.

"I.. I changed."

Natsu smiled at her removing his hands from her shoulders, sliding it down to her arms then ended at her hand holding each.

"You.. Changed me. Before.. Well you know my vices and my game.. But slowly, Gray and Jellal told me, it just all disappeared." He chuckled. "To tell you the truth those were like my drugs. They calm me down from my nightmares. Then you came, completely replacing all of it. We were totally different. But the changes you affected on me made me a better person." He scratched the back of his neck in embarrassment but immediately put her hand back in his. "Well, that's just what I thought. I think I'm better now."

Lucy still couldn't speak, but she really wanted to tell him how conceited he was for thinking he has changed and for the better. Though for some unknown reason she wanted to hear more.

"You know what?" He smiled quite nervously. "I never held hands before.."

A blush crept on her cheeks she wanted to say something.. But what could it be?

"Well, these.." He raised their hands, palm to palm; slowly he slid his fingers to the spaces in between hers. Intertwining their hands. "..are my first official." Lucy could feel he was shaking too. But why? He's more experience in this. "I was able to hold your hand before but they're always without your consent or just because it is needed. You know.. And I'm just glad you didn't pull away, especially now." He chuckled when he thought of something. "You could say I'm experiencing this simple things before the best part—which is.." He looked at her intently. "Well you know kissing and touching and.." He stopped feeling she isn't comfortable with the topic. "Cause you know I don't really care about these things before. But now it's with you.. Even these starters are the best. Just holding these hands.. Makes my heart beat faster than normal. I didn't know someone will have an effect on me this bad." He places the back of her hand to his chest and let her feel his heartbeat. "I'm really nervous right now, and holding your hand.. makes my heart beat faster. You could just make me pass out." He laughed inwardly.

She could feel the fast beating of his heart on the back of her hand against his chest. She blushed. Lucy was actually in a shocked state. Never in her life did she imagine that Pinky will tell her these things. Her feelings.. What she felt.. It's actually quite the same as to what he was talking about. So does that mean their feelings were the same? Like one in the flicks she watched? But it can't be. She's going to be married. Nothing will change. She'll just end up hurting the two of them. She opened her mouth to tell him about this is not right but he continued speaking.

"The kiss was.." She stiffened once more. She'll never get used to this. "Actually a message.."

"A message?" She finally said.

"Yeah." Natsu grinned. "I really wanted to tell you.." He breathed deep. "That you're someone really special to me. Someone I would like to treasure—one more precious than my own life." He pulled her into a hug. "One that I couldn't see sad.. Someone I wanted to protect.. Someone I want to be with.."

Her knees were shaking. Thank God his hands were on her waist and head or she might have fallen.

She could feel his lips against her ears and every breathe he gives off to every word he says makes her shiver in a good way. The way she never imagined she'll feel. Ever. "Lucy.. I.."

"Uh-uh-uh! Not so fast lover boy." To their surprise it was Erza and the gang. Erza was upfront while the others were just behind her smiling slyly towards them. It made Lucy blush a deeper red. She could feel her face heat up and she knew that her was like on fire and it will explode any minute now. Erza crossed her arms across her chest.

Lucy immediately pulled away from Natsu but he kept his hold on her, keeping his hands on her waist and the other on the small of her back. She looked at him and his face was serious.

"It's all up to Lucy." He said.

Lucy kept silent. All eyes were on her. What the hell is up to her? She can't really understand what was happening. Did she do something?

Erza sighed. "Before, Lucy and I talked about this.." Now all of them were looking at Erza. Suddenly, it hit Lucy. It was their promise. Erza walked towards Natsu and Lucy and to everyone's shock she pulled Lucy from him. "You need Lucy? You want to be with her? Then work for it."