Sorry if I didn't upload for a while…okay a long while but my excuse is that my eyes were literally going to fall off from lack of sleep. And too much homework as well! And I needed to eat! And I needed to drink something! Sorry if I complain too much, it's just that I'm sick and I need rest but I told myself to write the next chapter so enjoy!

Disclaimer: Hiro! Mashima! OWNS FAIRY TAIL! And not me even in a million years! #_#

Chapter 14: The missing

Sting's POV.

Walking to the castle, with the princess I was supposed to act as her "Hoodie", the angry metal beast, and the little blue-haired smiling girl can take a while if you ask me. Man, when I laid my eyes on Wendy-chan and Gajeel-san again, the first thing pops up is how big they grew! I know it has been 12 years since then but seriously Gajeel-san is a giant! By the way Rogue didn't notice a thing about him at all…? Wendy-chan used to be the size of my arm and she was 3 back then! This is what I get for joining Jose-sama… people that are taller than me well except Wendy-chan.

Have Natsu-san told them what he told me and Rogue? We didn't want to join Jose at first but he took our dragons and threatened to get Natsu-san and all the other dragons killed. We've told Natsu-san that and he seemed really understanding. He gave us a big hug and promised to finish the R-system for Skiadrum and Weisslogia.

The R-system must have 3 large deaths and multiple small deaths. Jose-sama said he already had the multiple and 2 large deaths but he never told us who were they. I heard the princess would be the last death but Natsu-san has a plan so she wouldn't have to die. Why did he care so much for the girl? It's not like I have to fight for his affection of his favorite nakama or anything. (Sting is jelly XP)

Out of the corner of my eye I see the princess named Lucky? Lucy? I forgot. Well, she keeps staring at Natsu-san. 'She liiiikes him' I thought, acting like Happy. I remembered how Natsu-san kept talking about her back then and now. He must really like her since he is smiling at the corners of his mouth, knowing she is staring at him intently. But now I take a good look at her. After 10 years, she looked really different; her brown eyes chocolatier, her blond hair golden like the sun and her cute pouted lip. 'She is …really beautiful' I shook my head rapidly, trying to shake the thoughts out of my head. Rogue turned to me with an 'Are you crazy?' expression on his face. I ignored him and try to think other thoughts.

I hope Natsu-san tells her how he feels…and soon.

Normal POV.

Like the time when Jose took Natsu to Queen Layla's garden. The flowers are well-taken cared of. Lucy looks at the different flowers that her mom had laid out. She smiles warmly at them as she gently touches the petals of a tulip. Natsu blushes a bit when he saw her smiling face. Ivan grunts in annoyance. Lucy looks back with a glare to him and stands up from the garden.

Natsu straightens up and pressed on the side of the wall which makes Lucy flinch since she never told anyone about her passageway. Natsu looks at her with a sort of apologetic expression on his face and he entered. When they came out, immediately Jose stood at the opening with his hands clapped together.

"Welcome back Natsu-san! I see you have Lucy-sama" Jose said with a sense of pleasure in his voice. Natsu nodded and moved aside to reveal Wendy and Gajeel. Jose's face lit up with pure excitement as Wendy shifted uncomfortably at his stare.

"When you said you wouldn't fail me, you weren't kidding" Jose said and he looked at Lucy.

"Lucy-sama, welcome home!" he exclaimed while Lucy looked at him with disgust.

"Why am I back here?" She growled.

"I want you to be reunited with your dear father again. He had terribly missed you when you *ahem* were kidnapped by Fairy Tail" Jose said, Natsu knew he was lying but he kept quiet.

"How would you know I wouldn't tell my father about you?" Lucy countered.

"Well, I have people surrounded your so-called guards and your father. I'm not afraid to, so you can say; kill them off before you could tell him. And besides your pathetic father didn't notice my plan in 10 years and you didn't know that anything was wrong" Lucy trembled with anger but stayed silent.

"Natsu-san? Can you take care of Lucy-sama for me? I need to work on preparations with these men" Jose gestured to the 3 burly men. Natsu nodded his head politely and motioned Sting, Rogue, Wendy, and Gajeel to follow him.

As they led Lucy out, Jose began to talk with the three men.

"Well I know you guys are disappointed about no attacks or what not, especially you Giemma…" Giemma snorted but grinned at what Jose was about to say.

"Let's get the preparations ready or should I say two"

Natsu's POV.

"Princess, please talk to me" I begged but it sounded more like whining. She speed-walked in a sort of fast way and was ignoring me. I can hear Wendy giggling at my behavior but I didn't care. Gajeel snorted at me and Rogue was giving small smiles to Sting. Are they laughing at my expense?

"Princess?" I asked again but she continued walking faster. She doesn't even know where she was going…

"Should I hit her?" Rogue said which didn't sound sarcastic. I shook my head at him sweat dropping. Princess turned around abruptly at Rogue's comment. She was actually scared at what he said?

"Please Princess you can't go back to your old room so we have to bring you to a special room in Jose's part of the castle" I said.

Princess fumed with agitation. She swept her blond hair, almost like a diva, back behind her shoulders.

"No!" she said stubbornly. I raise my eyebrow at her, groaning as well.

"And why not?"

"My keys are in there" 'Keys?' I thought blankly. Her celestial keys…

"If you come along quietly, I promised to get your keys for you" I insisted, hoping to change her mind. Her eyebrows knitted together in thought and sighed in defeat. She allowed us to lead her to her new room.

"Thank y-"

"That still doesn't mean you didn't do anything wrong!" Princess interjected throwing me off guard.

"Wait what?" I said while she crossed her arms. I can hear Gajeel laughing at my expression. Princess gives Gajeel a glare which made him shut up. I snicker quietly to myself and her hard gaze landed on me again.

"You betrayed everyone that you called "family", I have a right to be angry with you. I don't care if you are Hoodie or just Natsu. You hurt the guild and me" Her voice cracks and her bottom lip trembled as all of her feelings poured out.

I looked down at my clenched hands with hopelessness. If I can tell her now, it would make everything so much simpler but Jose has spies everywhere. They might overhear and it will ruin my whole entire plan. I can't risk it, it has to go in order to the plan… I have to revive her.

"I talk to later" I tried to sound stern in case others are trying to listen to our conversation. Hopefully Princess can see a different look in my eyes. Either way she quieted down and we continued to her room. The others trudged behind me silently. I can't get use to this silence, at the guild it was loud but I liked it that way. 'I wonder how the ice bastard is doing after Giemma almost crushed his head?'

An even longer silence came and I was about to burst out "Will anyone do me a favor and talk!?" until we finally came to her chambers. Princess walked in her new room and I followed her in, of course the rest followed me. She turned around and stared at us incredulously as she the group entering her room.

"What are you doing?"

"Uh…guarding you?" Sting said matter-of-factly. She rolled her brown eyes at him.

"I mean what are guys doing here in my room?"

"That's part of our job Blondie!" Sting interjected again.

"You're blond too DUMBASS!" Princess cursed.

"Why I outta-" Rogue held Sting down when he tried to lunge himself to Princess. The blonde smiled and stuck out her tongue that made Sting struggle even more. I couldn't felt jealous to see their childish fight.

"Please can I speak to Princess for a minute?" I said it a little too forcedly. Their heads turned to me and nodded. Soon enough me and Princess were the only one in the room.

"What do you want?" she said coldly like before, while examining the room she was stuck in. She sat down on her dark fluffy bed.

"Why can't you talk to me normally anymore?" I groaned.

"You know why" She said emotionless. I froze and stared at her. I have to tell her, everything.

"There is nobody here to hear us right?" I asked her but she still looked at me with coldness.

"I would never betrayed Fairy Tail" I murmured quietly; quiet enough for her to hear.

Her eyes widened and started to tremble.

"You never betrayed us…?"She whispered. I nod for confirmation and at the same time she got up from the bed. She walked to me slowly. Her hand slapped me on the side of my face. For a quick second I was shocked but she started to wrap her arms around me in a hug.

As I register what just had happened, I slowly wrapped my arms around her puny waist; I never knew how much I missed her.

I tried to explain much of it I can to her; I did not mention who I wanted to revive and she looked very curious when I wouldn't tell her. She looked at me with her puppy dog eyes but I zipped my lips and smiled mischievously.

She pouts. I laughed at her which made her frown at me.

"How do I know if you're not lying to me…About everything?" She says cautiously. The next thing I knew my lips landed on her cheek.

I pulled away and looked directly in her shocked eyes.

"Does this make you believe me?" Her face immediately turned red like a cherry tomato. She nods rapidly and covers her face with her hands. I smirked in accomplishment.

"I have something else to tell you" I said after her face turned less red than it was before.

"What is it?" She said trying to sound casual despite her redden face. She has a hint of curiosity in her words.

"I-"

The door slammed open and the group came tumbling down. Wendy had a glass cup in her hand as she landed on Rogue while he lands on Sting and Gajeel.

Our heads snapped toward their embarrassed faces. Princess looked flustered and gave them a glare.

"What are you guys doing?" She places her hands on her hips.

"Not listening to your conversation…" Sting blurts out. Gajeel smacks his hand on the dumb blond's head (No offense to people who are blond!) "Ouch! That hurt bastard! Is your arm made of metal or something?!" He screamed not noticing the irony.

Princess ignored him and turned to Wendy.

"Wendy I didn't know you would listen as well!" Princess huffed.

Wendy looked ashamed and gave them a small smile. "I'm sorry but they dragged me into it" She pointed to the guys who stared at her in shock. "WENDY!" They shouted. I laughed and rose from where I was sitting. "Well Wendy, thank you for telling me who started eavesdropping on the princess on me so now…. I can give them a big punishment!" I smiled sinisterly as I cracked my knuckles.

The guys immediately ran, Gajeel stood where he was until Rogue dragged him with them. I sighed and gives a thumbs up to Wendy. She giggled along with Princess.

"Well I'm going to keep my promise and get Princess's keys so Wendy *ahem*" I clear my throat to sound more official. "Wendy your first job as my apprentice, you will stay here and do whatever girls to together with Princess!"

Wendy smiled widely and saluted to me. "Yes Sir!"

I marched playfully out the room and headed to the Princess's room. Her door… What does it look like? I sweat dropped. I went to her room many times when I was little. I completely forgot where her room was…It must be the girlish room in the whole entire castle. So I came upon a light pink door with gold designs on it and on the doorknob. Immediately I knew this was her room. I opened the door slightly and entered.

This wasn't her room. This room had a red majestic bed in the center and I know Princess's favorite color is pink. The carpet with covered with a thin blanket of dust which means this room hasn't been occupied for a very long time. The picture frames above the magnificent fireplace also layered with dust showed pictures of the royal family.

In one frame showed a little blond girl with a boy with a hood who had a frown on his face while she smiled happily. That little boy was me. I never smiled in pictures back then. I always hated taking pictures so I frowned in every single one. All these memories warm me up. More pictures shows a lovely older woman and a blonde man stood in an altar smiling big. When I looked at the woman, she looked exactly like Princess. For a minute I felt extremely uncomfortable at Princess's "Husband". Did Princess get married to some guy before she came to me? I thought bitterly. But I looked at a drawer that stood next to the huge bed. It was a card, on the front had a crudely drawn picture with a child, father, and a mother with the words above them: I love you Mom!

This was Queen Layla's Heartiphilia's room… All the uncomfortable feelings left me and I walked out the door. As I closed the door until there was a slight crack. "Sorry for intruding Good Night" I whispered. Then I shut the door.

I quickly walked around, looking for Princess's room… for over an hour… When it was finally her room, I know because it smelt exactly like her, I searched for her keys. I looked everywhere! I remembered Princess said her celestial keys were on her nightstand but where were they now?!

Jose must've took them, knowing the Princess would want her keys.

"Jose…" I thought bitterly. Suddenly there was a jab of pain on my arm. I fell to my knees and clutched the spot where the pain came from…the Acnologia tattoo.

I can feel my sweat sliding down my forehead. I gasped heavily for air until the pain ends. I took huge lungful's of air and wiped the sweat off my forehead.

'I don't have much time left… isn't that right Jose…?'

End of Chapter 14

I finished Hallelujah! Well I'm extremely exhausted so I hoped you enjoyed this new chapter! Good night. XD Oh before I forget! I'm starting another fanfic called "The Unluckies" so be sure to read it! Thank you.

Coming up next Chapter 15: The many sacrifices

What does Natsu mean?

Where are Lucy's keys?

What does Natsu wants to say to Lucy?

Where did Gajeel, Sting, and Rogue run off to?

Shooby doo ba! Gajeel style :)