A Dragon to Light the Way

Chapter 5

Lucy smiled as she flopped down onto her temporary bed while she was with Sabertooth, and giggled when her part of payment from the mission jingled ever so slightly. It had all went smoothly, something that she wasn't used to considered she was use to the destruction that she had to deal with whenever Fairy Tail too on a mission, although it had taken a few days to deal with all the members of the dark guild bothering Angel Feather. She sighed and thought back to the guild they had helped, it was an uprising guild that held potential, with a rather young woman named Merida as the master, but they had just gotten off on the wrong hand with a dark guild. Everything was fine now though, considered it now had the backing of Fiore's two strongest guilds, both Sabertooth and Fairy Tail. She smiled as she recalled the conversation she had with Makarov as she informed him of the mission after it was over with. He had then asked to speak to the master of the new guild, and had asked if she was willing to have two backings. She hadn't hesitated in her answer, and quickly changed the contract to include Fairy Tail as well.

"Everything is good now." She whispered, allowing her body to relax as she looked over at her clock. She wasn't surprised when she saw that it was late in the evening, and felt even better since her hip was finally healed thanks to Sting. At the mere thought of the Light Dragon Slayer a blush found its way across her cheeks, and made her roll over to hide her face in her pillow. She had been with Sabertooth for a week now, and already she felt like she was apart of the family. Although, she was probably liking Sting a little too much. How was it that she was falling for a man, after she had just escaped an abusive relationship? Was it because she hadn't tolerated the abuse for long? Sure, she was still frightened whenever a man moved to quickly toward her, but she had still been able to fight against the dark guild. Not to mention, Sting never stepped into her fights but had actually encouraged her to give it her all and tended to his own fight. Although, she knew that if the need arose, he would have rescued her. Biting her bottom lip she figured that it was people that she was close to that she feared the most, considering it was someone who she thought she could trust that hurt her. She sighed as her thoughts continued to go around in circles, and rolled back onto her back. Sitting up, she decided to go ask Sting a few questions, figuring that he would be able to help her.

She walked through the hallways, knowing that everyone else would already be asleep, but hoped the same wasn't for Sting. She figured that he would probably still be with Yukino and Rogue in the mess hall and started down the steps that would lead her there. She blinked when she turned the corner and just saw Yukino behind the bar sitting aside two plates filled with food and she made her way forward.

"Yukino. Has Sting already went to bed?" She asked, watching as the white haired woman looked over at her with a smile, but shook her head.

"No. They went on a night mission. It is something that they usually do alone." She stated, and Lucy slid into a stool across from Yukino.

"What do you mean?" She asked, smiling when the woman poured both of them something to drink and sat on the stool on the other side of the bar.

"Occasionally, a mission that they deem to dangerous for anyone else comes in. So, they team up and deal with it themselves, only using one night to finish it. At first they didn't, but after nearly losing a few members they deemed those missions off limits, and took them themselves." She stated, and Lucy blinked. What kind of missions were these night ones? What kind of monsters did they have to deal with?

"Are they fine when they come back?" She asked, watching as Yukino took a sip and then gave a small smile.

"They usually get a little beat up, but they always return. Albeit a little tired as well, that is why I wait up and get them some food before sending them to rest." She stated, causing Lucy to smile and giggle.

"You really care for the people in this guild." She stated, watching as the woman blushed and gave a nod.

"What can I say. They are my family." She stated, and Lucy nodded. She knew what that felt like, and couldn't wait until she was able to settle everything and get back to her own home.

"Yukino. Frosch can't sleep." Frosch stated, hopping up onto the bar and latched onto the woman.

"I can't sleep either. Guess we just got to used of sleeping with Sting and Rogue." Lector stated, causing Lucy to blink when he plopped into her lap. She looked down when he nuzzled into her stomach and gave a sigh, causing her to look up at Yukino to see what was going on.

"They usually hop in bed with someone else whenever Sting and Rogue are away." She stated, pulling Frosch into her arms so her could lay against her chest. She smiled as she slid her arms around Lector, and gave a sigh.

"Why don't you go ahead and go to sleep with Lector in Sting's room. I tell him to wake you when he gets back." She stated, causing Lucy to blink and tighten her hold on the Exceed for a moment. Than nodded, she knew that Sting wouldn't do anything to her, and carefully picked up Lector and gave a nod to Yukino.

"See you tomorrow." She stated, and headed for the steps again, this time heading for Sting's room.

"Lucy, you haven't changed from your clothes yet. I can wait long enough for you to shower and change if you want. I'm sure Sting wont mind if you borrow one of his shirt and a pair of shorts." Lector stated, causing a blush to shoot across her face. Although, he did have a point. She didn't pack any night clothes to wear, a mishap on her part, and figured that he wouldn't mind. At least she hoped so.

"Alright. I'll be right back." She stated, heading to her room to grab a change of underwear and then rushed back to his room. She grabbed a large shirt and a pair of shorts, and then headed for Sting's shower. Blinking when she saw how big it was, and smiled as she started the water and allowed it to become warm as she stripped from her clothes. She hoped that Sting would be back soon, because she wanted to talk to him, but was willing to wait until tomorrow should she have to. Giving a sigh, she stepped into the shower, and allowed the warm water to soak over her. After a quick wash, she hoped back out of the shower and dried off before slipping on the large clothes. Giggling at herself as she viewed her reflection, and figured that she better get back to Lector.

She peered into the room, and smiled as she saw Lector dozing in the middle of the bed. Moving silently, she slid under the covers, and pulled him against her chest. She had bonded with the Exceed during the mission, and was more than willing to help him out when he needed it.

"Hey Lucy? Do you like Sting?" Lector muttered, and she giggled as she brushed her hand through the fur atop his head.

"Yeah. He's a good man." She stated, blinking when he shook his head and looked up at her.

"I don't mean it like that. Do you like, like him? Like Yukino and Rogue like each other." He stated, causing her to tense and look down at him in shock.

"Why..Why would you ask something like that?" She asked, watching as he rubbed his eyes and then looked up at her.

"Because I think he really likes you, and I was wondering if you felt the same way." He stated, and she bit her bottom lip as she hugged him close.

"I'm not entirely sure, Lector. I mean, I like him, but I'm confused with everything that is going on as well." She stated, looking down when he yawned and nuzzled closer to her.

"That's understandable, but, if you like him. Why allow something in the past stop you?" He asked, causing her to blink and stare at him as he finally dosed off. She curled around him and bit her bottom lip. He did have a point. Why should she let her fear of Natsu stop her from loving someone else? Just because he hurt her didn't mean that Sting would do the same thing. Then again, she had only been here a few days, and even she knew that wasn't long enough to get to know someone in an intimate way.

Giving another sigh, she closed her eyes as she forced her body to relax. She was too confused at the moment to think all of this through. Maybe she could ask Levy when she got here, a little girl talk might be just what she needed. She could drag Yukino into it as well, having two women who were actually mated to Dragon Slayers could tell her the signs and what to expect from a proper courtship. Giving one last sigh, she allowed her dreams to take her and relaxed beside Lector.

Lucy whimpered as she crouched down beside the bed that her and Natsu shared, hoping that he wouldn't find her. She knew it was a bad place to be at the moment, but she was to frightened to think straight at the moment. Never had she seen Natsu so mad, especially at her. Sure, he had slapped her around a few times, but never like this. He was leaving bruises on her skin and it was all deliberate. She tensed when the bedroom door slammed open, and knew that he found her when he gave a growl.

"You know damn well that you never run from me, Lucy." He growled, causing her body to tremble as he stalked toward her. She refused to look up, refused to see the anger and loathing in his eyes as he glared at her. She tried to shrink away as he reached for her, but was only met with hard fingers wrapping around her throat as he hoisted her into a standing position.

"Natsu, please no." She plead, even though she knew it was futile, that he wouldn't stop until she was begging for her life. Just like the last few days.

"You need to learn a lesson bitch." He growled, tossing her onto the bed, and pinning her down. She sobbed as she realized what he had planned, and thought for a brief moment that she would rather get a beating than this. He was never gentle with her, and never thought of her while taking his pleasure. There was no preparation either, it was always the same.

She gave a sob as he ripped her shirt off, leaving marks on her skin were the fabric bit in, and then grabbed her breast in hard, rough hands. She shivered at the feeling, and tried to move away, knock him off, do anything to get out of the situation, but he stopped all attempts. Next was the jeans that she had taken to wearing since they helped cover the bruises, and once again they were shredded off of her.

"Nothing but a little, worthless bitch. I bet you like it when I take you like this." Natsu growled, causing a sob to force itself from her throat as she shook her head and tried to force him away.

"No." She screamed as he tore off her panties, and pinned her to the mattress once more. Both of her hands clasped in a bruising grip as he lined himself with her.

"Scream all you want, slut." He growled before thrusting all the way in her.

Lucy choked back a scream as she rose quickly out of bed. Only to give a cry of pain and surprise as her head collided with something. An echoing cry caused panic to spring into her chest, and she curled up thinking that it was Natsu.

"Lucy, calm down. It's me, Sting." The soothing voice caused her to peek out from between her fingers and completely drop her hands as she saw that it was the Light Dragon Slayer.

"Sting?" She whispered, watching as he lowered the hand that he had been rubbing his forehead with and gave a calming smile.

"You're safe Lucy. Remember, you're at Sabertooth." He whispered, and she looked around, finally recalling that she had feel asleep in his room with Lector. She gave a cracked sigh as relief filled her, and squeezed her eyes shut as tears pricked at them. Although, still she allowed a sob to escape her when Sting wrapped her in a hug.

"You're okay, you're okay. I wont let anything hurt you Lucy." He whispered in her ear, pulling the covers over her as he laid down beside her and Lector.

"I was so scared. So helpless." She whispered, clutching at his shoulders as more sobs racked her body. He gave a soothing growl deep in his chest, and she sighed as it seemed to calm her, causing her to move closer to him.

"You're no longer with him Lucy, you're with me. I wont hurt you like he did, I never would treat you like that." He whispered, and she finally opened her eyes as she calmed down enough to realize that it had been a dream. That she was no longer helpless, and that she had someone willing to be by her side. She swallowed, and rubbed her eyes that best she could in her position.

"Better?" He asked, still not loosening his hold on her. She nodded and rested her forehead against his chest, closing her eyes as she inhaled his scent. Realizing that his skin was still lightly damp and smelled of body soap.

"You just got back?" She whispered, allowing him to run his fingers through her hair as he made an affirmative noise in the back of his throat.

"Did everything go well?" She muttered, her body beginning to relax again under his motions.

"We were able to complete the mission, yes. Lets talk in the morning. You're tired and falling asleep on me." He stated, and she gave a small moan in agreement as he shifted slightly so she was tucked closer to him.

"Can I stay here for the night?" She muttered, listening to his chuckle before he kissed her softly on the top of her head.

"Sure you can. I wont ever say no to this." He stated, curling around her and Lector as she fell back to sleep. She sighed as his warmth surrounded her, and couldn't believe how safe she felt with his arms around her. Soon, her dreams took her again, this time filled with thoughts of her and Sting.