I looked around as the blindfold was removed by Gray. We were in a good sized building, wooden tables here and there with a bar on the other side. I watched as the people I had met or seen on the ship rush around, jumping with a few groups or laughing, drinking and hugging. A felt my heart twitch at the sight. They really are like family. I saw two older men greeting and giving Cana a hug and while she rolled her eyes she gave them a warm smile. A little boy cheered, running forward. Salamander laughed and bent down next to me, hugging him tightly then ruffling his hair.
"Natsu! We heard the ship got attacked by Sabertooth! The others were worried but I knew you would kick those cowards a-" He caught himself from saying the bad word as I cleared my throat awkwardly. Romeo looked up at me and oogled, his jaw dropping. He slowly pointed at me, trying to talk but only gibberish coming out. Salamander looked at me, his face tilted and a mental shiver ran up my spine. I ignored the thoughts of how attractive it was and tried to focus on the little boy.
"Yeah, that's their Captain." He told the boy named Romeo and Romeo gasped and looked at Salamander.
"She's-but you- she has-" He stuttered and Natsu chuckled, standing back up and ruffling his hair.
"Not the demon from the tales huh?" He asked and I glowered at the pink haired man. The little boy shrugged, looking at me curiously.
"Don't know, the mask is hiding her face." He said as if I couldn't hear them.
"Yeah I know but she doesn't listen so it stays on for the most part. Don't worry she still looks good." He said and my eyes snapped to Salamander, a slight blush on my cheeks as I shifted. I looked around and ducked as a derby flew by. I couldn't help but to smirk when I heard the yelp from Salamander. I stood back up, sighing. A bigger piece flew forward and Romeo squeaked. I took pity and jumped, swinging my foot up and kicking at the piece as it burst into flames. My eyes widened for a second but I realized it was Salamander. His body cannoned through the broken piece and jumped into the brawl that had started. I raised my brows.
"So the guild hall is just like the ship." I muttered. I had to admit that I was anxious, the people who weren't fighting were staring at me and I had yet to meet the master. Although my nerves I had to chuckle slightly. Fairy Tail and Sabertooth were so different. We had a headquarters ourselves but it was nothing like this. I watched as the entire guild was pulled into it, all yelling lame insults. I watched magic circles start to fill the air, the members about to attack each other when a loud crash sounded.
"YOU DARE DESTROY MY GUILDHALL!?" A deep voice yelled causing everyone in the room to freeze. I looked up and a shiver ran through my spine as I saw a giant yelling at the guild, completely black.
"I JUST HAD ALL THESE REPLACED HOW DARE YOU!" He yelled, the magic circles fading.
"Haha wimps! I win this rou-" Salamander was cut off when the giant simply stepped on him. His gaze caught me and his eyes narrowed.
"So we have the mighty Captain Lucille of Sabertooth here do we?" He growled and I licked my lips nervously, tilting my head up to meet his gaze.
"With all due respect sir...it's Lucifer." I said slowly. He grunted before pulling his arms up, screaming loudly and causing me to jump. He grew a few feet before starting to shrink into a little white haired man with an orange and blue striped hat. He gave me a firm look.
"I see, now if you don't mind, Lucifer I'd like to speak with you in my office. Natsu you too." He added. I sucked in a breath as Salamander picked himself up, pulling off the bandana that he used to hide his pink hair and tying it to his belt, snapping his hat there as well. He ran a hand through the pink locks, causing his arm to flex. I tore my eyes away.
"Follow me." The Master said, walking up the stairs. I looked at Salamander questioningly. He met my eyes and flinched away.
"Come on Lucifer, Gramps won't like us making him wait." He said quietly, walking up after the small man. I strangely felt hurt at his actions and how he had talked to me but I shook it off, following after them both. When I got into the office and closed the door the Master had sat down on his desk, sipping from his drink while Salamander sat in one of the chairs in front of his desk. I once again felt like a small child, being brought into my father's main office so that he could scold me for being unladylike.
"Take a seat." The old man said and I moved forward, taking the seat next to Salamander as he entertained himself by flicking a flame back and forth between his fingers.
"I'm sure you know who I am, but introductions are how you start. I am Master Makarov, the Master of the dark wizards guild Fairy Tail." He said and I bit my lip. Salamander growled.
"It doesn't sound right Gramps. We used to be the number one guild! Perfectly legal!" He snarled, more to himself than to us. Makarov spared him a glance before turning his gaze to me.
"I don't need your introduction young lady. I know very well who you are, who you used to be." He growled at me. I met his eyes the best I could.
"Master Makarov, forgive my correction but you know very well of me, and of who I was." I told him. Salamanders breath caught while Makarov gave me a sideways look.
"Well spoken, but the fact remains. I am putting great will power into not punishing you for attacking, patronizing my children. Even taking one from us and gravely injuring others. What do you have to say for yourself?" He asked and I looked down.
"I am a celestial mage, an ex princess and the Captain of one of the most feared ships out there so much so that some believe it to be nothing but myth. I have killed plenty and while most I don't lose sleep over...not a day goes by where I don't remember, or regret the day our crews met on the beach. It was not our intention to kill, just to knock them senseless and loot. Send you all on your way to establish that that's Sabertooth's territory. While it may not have been planned it happened. And although you grieve for your fallen comrade, please remember that I lost one very important to me that day. It was not a one sided attack." I explained, my voice having gotten stronger at the end and my head tilting back up so that I could look him in the eye.
"Sabertooth and Fairy Tail have been at war since before I joined Sabertooth. It was supposed to be a quick thing. And yes, after Yukino was down. I did order my crew to kill Salamander. And while you have right to be angry I once again ask that you remember Stings blade moved towards Salamander, not Lisanna." I told him. Makarov stared at me for a long time.
"You wanted Natsu dead, tell me. After his actions on Gahlunna island, and I'm sure you've had a rough time on the ship with him. Do you still hate him? Would you kill him if you had the chance?" He asked. I sat back in my chair as Salamander looked at me, waiting for an answer. I didn't look at him, holding my chin up.
"Sadly...being around your "children" as you put it...I feel a new light coming above certain topics and I'm afraid that I can't say yes. I hate to admit it, but Fairy Tail...it's...much different from Sabertooth. And while I'm loyal to Sabertooth...no. No I do not hate Salamander, and I wouldn't kill him...I also promised the cat I wouldn't kill anybody from Fairy Tail. " I answered honestly, adding the last bit a second later. He considered me for a moment.
"Give me a good reason I should allow the captain of our longest, most bitter enemy back onto her ship. How do I know you wont turn around and attack?" He asked. I sighed.
"I don't go back on my word. As long as we're not attacked, and you stay off our territory then we'll not attack. If we cross in open waters we wont fire first." I told him. He scratched his neck.
"Alright...but know this. If I find out you went back on your word. I will eliminate all of you." He said, deadly serious. I nodded, not underestimating him.
"You will spend the night here, leave tomorrow." He said and I nodded once more.
"I understand." He nodded, waving his hand.
"Now go off and let me do my work. He said dismissively. I bit back that retort I felt in my throat and got up. I walked out the door, taking a deep breath and heading down the stairs. I glanced behind me and saw Salamander there. He looked at me once, not saying anything and walking past me. I frowned slightly. Was it what happened before we docked? The kiss? Was that even a kiss? I was still in shock from his declaration. If it was a misunderstanding why was he being such a little snob? If anything I should be acting like a priss after he insulted me like he did and said Sting didn't love me. I know he does. He was the only man who had shown interest in me without looking at my body.
I sat down in a booth, watching everyone interact with each other. Fairy Tail sure was rowdy. I felt hand on my shoulder and I jumped, my hand going to my keys. Taurus and Loke's key's glimmered, itching to protect while Virgo's and Capricorns glimmered ready to serve. I relaxed slightly when I saw a girl, very familiar in the face with long white hair smiling down at me.
"Hey, everybody's going swimming, want to go?" She asked and I frowned.
"It's the middle of winter and you guy's are going swimming?" I asked and she laughed lightly.
"It's an indoor pool and we just had Natsu and Laxus fix the heater...although they hit each other more than worked." She explained and I slowly nodded and moved my fingers off of my keys.
"I see...am I even welcome?" I asked after a moment and she slid into the seat in front of me.
"I don't know how Saber Tooth is run, but we're all family here. What happened happened and now since a peace agreement is being settled we might as well start getting along with the captain." She explained. I tilted my head.
"I've seen you before...where?" I asked and her smile fell.
"I'm the oldest member of the Strauss siblings." She said quietly and I sucked in a breath.
"Ah...I'm sorry I didn't realize." I said awkwardly and she nodded.
"Don't be...anyway...if you wish to join us Erza, me and a few other girls are your size and I'm sure most of us wouldn't mind lending you a suit, ask us okay?" She asked and I nodded, giving her a slight smile. I gotta play this friendship up...I want to get back to Sting.
"Hey...Mira is it…? I think I might swim after all...you seem like you have great taste...maybe you can lend me one?" I asked and she gave a small smile and a nod.
"Well of course."
I spent the next four hours in the pool with members of Fairy Tail and while I was hesitant to admit it, it was actually really fun. Master Makarov had declared they throw a party since the ship was home and visiting and also the fact that we had formed a peace alliance.
"Hey Sg." Jellal called, walking over. I grinned at him, taking a sip of my drink that I had forgotten the name of.
"Hey! Where ya been?" I asked and he blushed slightly, scratching the back of his neck.
"I was hanging out with Erza…" He trailed off and I squealed, hugging him.
"Yes! I knew it! Gray owes me a thousand jewel! You guys are so cute!" I exclaimed and he sweat dropped.
"What?! No I was hanging out with her...not with her!" He defended, his face turning as red as the woman's in question hair. I pulled back and pouted.
"You're no fun." I said, waving my hand dismissively. He stuck his tongue out.
"Yeah? Well what of you eh? You and Natsu seem to be getting pretty close." I spit my drink out, looking at him.
"What?" I asked and he tilted his head.
"You and Natsu-" I cut him off.
"Since when do you call him by his name?!" I hissed and Jellal frowned.
"What? He's not that bad of a guy Sg, he's actually really fun to be around." He told me and I rolled my eyes.
!?-!
I ran my hand through my hair, watching the blonde from the second floor of the guild hall. Longing and wanting filled me along with heartache. How could I betray Lisanna like this? How could I have this girl instead of my dear friend? And yet I wanted to be by her side, make her laugh and be with her. But she wanted to be with someone else...another dragon slayer. To make it worse it's my arch enemy. How could this happen? The Gods hate me. I let out a growl, pushing away from the railing and making my way out and onto the roof, scaling the building easily. We had moved the building four years ago when magic guilds were outlawed. I missed the view of the city of Magnolia. Now I was limited to where I could go, always having to hide my hair since it was pretty distinctive.
I sighed, looking up at the sky.
"What are you doing?" A voice asked and I nearly jumped out of my skin, looking to where the voice came from. My heart pounded and I sucked in a breath.
"Ah...Lucifer…what are you doing up here?" I asked and she tilted her head, looking at my from the ledge, not climbing onto the actual roof.
"There's a party going on inside, and you don't look like the type to miss out on a party." She said, tilting her head. I bit my lip, shrugging slightly and looking away.
"Not in the mood to party I guess." I said quietly. She was quiet for a moment before reaching her hand out towards me. I looked at it for a moment before grabbing it, pulling her up with me.
"Why aren't you partying?" I asked as she got comfy next to me. She shrugged.
"You guys are a lot to take in. I don't know...just a lot of family atmosphere all at once. Kind of suffocating." She explained and I looked back at her.
"Isn't Sabertooth like that?" I asked and she shook her head.
"No...it's not nearly as fun. Strict rules, strict discipline. It's not really a family atmosphere." She explained and I frowned.
"Doesn't sound like much of a guild if you ask me." I said honestly. She looked at me.
"It's good...it's better than what I had before." She told me and fingered the roof tiles.
"We weren't always like this you know...we use to be a lot more happier, a lot more members too." I admitted.
"That doesn't make sense, you're all so cheerful and happy."
"No...most of it is just a mask. None of us are like we use to be. Ever since guilds were outlawed. At first we did disband...after a month or two I couldn't take it anymore. I found everyone and got Master Makarov to agree. All of us here think of Fairy Tail as home, and the people as family. We stand together. But taking on the rank of a dark guild was hard for most of us since when we were a legal guild we were responsible for taking out more than a few dark guilds. Becoming a dark guild...some of us had to do a few things that dark guilds do so that we could stay alive...it's taken it's toll on everyone." I explained. She was silent for a moment before she put her hand on my shoulder, rubbing it gently with her thumb. I found it relaxing.
"I'm sorry...I wish there was something I could do...if I could I would make it to where guilds were legal again. My father got a bitter hatred for them and pretty much any magic users because my mother loved magic and guilds." She told me. I watched her from the corner of my eye.
"Well...technically you could. You are a princess...if you wanted to you could probably change things when you became Queen." I said, ready to jump back in case she punched me. She laughed and shook her head.
"I'm not fit to be Queen." She said, waving her hand dismissively. I caught her hand, holding it and looking at it carefully, feeling the soft skin before looking at her surprised face.
"I think you would make a great Queen. You can protect yourself, you have awesome magic and you're smart. Not to mention stubborn. I'd put you on the throne if it were up to me." I told her, letting go of her hand slowly before shaking my head, tossing her a sideways grin.
"That's not really you though...I feel like you'd be breaking out of the castle the second day from boredom." I chuckled. She looked at me for a long moment before slowly offering me a small smile.
"You know what...I think I could last at least a week." She giggled and I gave her a wide smile myself, laughing.
"No way! Well then again...I'm sure you would have everyone from Sabertooth." I added, swallowing down the pain I felt. Her smile faded slightly.
"Ah...I don't think that would be the best idea…" She trailed off and I tilted my head.
"If you were Queen then wouldn't….Sting be the King?" I asked and her smile left completely.
"Sting is loyal and protective of those around him...kind of like you. He would make a great captain...but not a good King. He despises royalty and makes no effort to hide it. In fact if he found out that I was royalty he would probably kill me or toss me off the ship." She said and anger coursed through me.
"Are you kidding me? He doesn't know?" I asked and she bit her lip, shaking her head. I balled my hands into fists. "He's supposed to love and cherish you! Why should it matter where you came from?! It only matters on what type of person they are and how that person makes you feel. Who cares if they came from rags or riches? That doesn't define a person! You're telling me that if he knew who you were he would just drop you?! What kind of person does that?!" I seethed, my voice getting louder, I only stopped when she did something completely unexpected. She flinched. My face softened and she looked down, her eyes teary under the mask.
"You don't know the whole story-"
"I don't need to know. If you love someone you risk everything for them. It doesn't matter who they are. If you love them you don't just drop them when you find out something about them that you don't like. You accept that as a part of who they are." I said firmly and she closed her eyes.
"Not for Sabertooth Salamander…" She trailed off and I sucked in a deep breath through my nose.
I heard someone clear their throat and looked up to see Gramps standing there.
"Natsu may I have a word with...Lucifer here?" He asked and I felt like he had asked me to leave Fairy Tail by leaving her side. I swallowed hard and nodded, getting up and hopping down, going back inside and sighing.
"Hey ash breath! We're having a drinking contest!" I heard Gray yell and I looked down, slowly smiling so no one questioned me.
"Alright! I'm taking all you losers down!" I yelled, jumping over the railing and onto the main floor.
-edited version-