A/N: WHOO CHAPTER

flew overhead as the continued their search for Wendy and Mest, there seemed to be little to no sign or scent of them in the capital city of Crocus which only made the search more difficult.

Lucy was stood next to him with her arms folded over her chest and lips pouted in frustration.

"Mest must have teleported which is why you can't smell him" Lucy suggested.

Natsu nodded in understanding though it didn't help the situation, they still needed to find the others.

"Where would they have gone...?" He asked no one in particular as he continued to ponder his options.

"Mest is a member of the council..." He stated with a frown.

At the statement Lucy's eyes widened before grabbing him by the scarf with a wide smile plastered across her face.

"So he must have taken her there...Natsu you genius!" She declared before placing her lips over his own.

He was surprised at the bold move, though it was over before it started since she quickly withdrew from the kiss with wide eyes and heated cheeks.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to be so forward..I'm not usually good at this-" she muttered before he silenced her the most effective way possible.

He could feel her melting into the kiss, and for a moment he was afraid that she wasn't going to kiss her back. Her lips moved with as much passion as his own, a burning heat started to ignite, a heat which he only felt with her for it was a heat she always started.

"I see that you two have ended your search" Erza stated as she appeared next the the two mages with Happy at her side.

At the sight of the redhead, the two were quick to jump away from each other like mischievous children caught red handed with a marked up wall and a packet of crayons.

Erza raised a brow at how close he was to Lucy and the two immediately took a step away from each other.

"Um we think that Mest took Wendy to the council headquarters..." Lucy .muttered with her gaze lowered.

Erza nodded in understanding and the four of them were thrust into silence once more.

"Well...let's move on out" she stated, Lucy being the first to quickly walk ahead, Happy walking beside her and teasing loudly.

He was slightly nervous once Erza walked in step beside him with a knowing smirk.

"You failed to tell me of your relationship with Lucy" Erza cooed, with a knowing smirk.

Natsu paled slightly for he was well aware of Erza's congratulatory speeches and gifts. It wasn't too long ago where she had congratulated his sister with a heavy book on pleasing women, which she now used as weights.

"Didn't think you'd even want to know" he shrugged.

Erza flung her arm around his shoulders and he was met with a chest full of armour as she squeezed him tightly.

"Ah Natsu, we've known each other since we were children...we even bathed together" Erza pointed out and causing him to grimace slightly. She would never let him forget that him, herself and Gray all used to bathe together.

"Of course I want to know of your romantic conquests" She declared as she released him from her hold.

He rubbed at the sore spot on his face where he had collided with Erza's armour before turning to face her.

"So you're not mad?" He asked hopefully for he didn't want to face Erza's wrath.

She smiled softly which was a rare occurrence for the redhead.

"Of course not, I'm happy for the both of you...Lucy she's good for you" she stated with a fond smile.

He nodded before glancing back to where she was with Happy, his own smile starting to form.

"Thanks Erza-" he said before turning back to her only to find her surrounded by a dark aura.

"But if you break her heart in any way possible there will be unspeakably unbearable punishments..." She threatened, a knowing smirk still plastered across her face which caused him to pale.

"D..don't worry Erza, there's not going to be any heart breaking" he assured her with a wide grin.

Erza seemed convinced and flung her arm round him once more, if she kept this up he was sure to form one massive bruise on his body.

There was little time to marvel at the vast size of the council headquarters, numerous flags were dotted around the entrance and the building itself just screamed importance.

The Fairy Tail mages were currently stood outside, wondering the best way to enter.

"I'm not entirely sure that we can just go in..." Lucy muttered as she peeked through one of the large windows.

Erza nodded before pushing on the window and thus causing it to open.

"Neither am I, but we have nakama inside and I doubt that even with our current reputation that the council will be so willing for us to enter" She stated before climbing through a window.

Happy was next to follow, which left Natsu alone with Lucy. He gestured for her to climb through first which caused her to blush slightly. He placed his hands around the slim frame of her waist to assist her, though from his position he was unaware of her blush deepening.

Once he had lowered Lucy he climbed in after her, and the two of followed after Erza and Happy.

"Didn't think you had it in you" Lucy said with a smile.

He tilted his head in confusion,

"What do you mean, Luce?" He asked with a small frown.

She started making wild gestures with her hands, the action only resulting in further confusion.

"You have manners..." She pointed out.

He frowned before grinning at the blonde.

"Of course, Igneel taught me about being nice to girls and stuff" he shrugged.

She smiled at him and his heart swelled and his stomach fluttered.

"He taught you well" She whispered softly, her cheeks tinted pink once more.

He smiled at the action before reaching to comb a stray strand of hair behind her ear. He was close to her now and the added proximity deepened her blush and was causing his own breaths to speed up.

He wasn't sure why he let his hand linger next to her cheek, but he did and the feel of the soft skin against his calloused hands was both new and exciting.

In her nervous state she gently bit down on her bottom lip and his gaze instantly focused on the action. He longed to taste those lips one more time, the sweet strawberry like taste he had found himself craving and he inched himself closer towards her. Their lips were a breath apart and he could almost taste her, however before he could act on his desires the moment was once again interrupted.

Erza was standing not too far away from the pair, her arms were folded over her armour clad chest and a hint of a smirk was across her lips almost as if she knew she had interrupted the pair.

"Natsu...we need you upfront to follow their scents" Erza ordered before walking ahead once more.

Lucy shrugged before following after her, which left Natsu to walk ahead and lead the group in the hopes of finding Wendy and perhaps picking up where he last left off with Lucy.

Rogue sighed as he placed the lacrima back into his pocket, a soft smile was placed across his lips as he replayed his earlier conversation with Rissy.

"You love me and I love you"

He smiled at her statement, though he had never spoken the words to her he was glad that she knew, though a part of him yearned to tell her himself. To see her face as he revealed his feelings to her, her wide grin and dark eyes that he always found himself lost in.

They had barely been back at the guild long before Sting had been called for some sort of interview in Bosco which naturally meant that he had to be dragged along and prevent his brother from doing or saying anything to ruin his reputation as the sabertooth guild master.

The large double doors were swung open and out walked a slightly I ratted Sting.

"That took longer than expected.." He sighed whilst running a hand through his hair with a huff.

Rogue gave the blond an amused smirk before standing, he felt somewhat empty without Fro and Rissy beside him though he quickly ushered the thought away as he approached his brother.

"I take that it didn't go too well" he stated.

Sting exhaled loudly before placing himself in the seat next to Rogue with an added scowl. He wasn't in a good mood.

"Why does the entire media think I'm a shitty guild master?" He asked, his palms lifted in the air in what could only be described as frustration.

Rogue felt bad for his brother for every since he had held the position of Guild master his abilities had been doubted by not only the council, but the general public and now the media.

"They're probably wary of your age and assume that your youth clouds your judgement" Rogue suggested.

Sting sighed once more before running a hand through his hair.

"Enough about me...heard from your wife yet?" He asked with a smirk.

The shadow dragon slayer simply rolled his eyes. Ever since his brother had sussed out his feelings for Rissy he kept addressing her as his 'wife'

"As a matter of fact I have...she's taken an unofficial job in Crocus" he explained.

Sting smirked once more

"You didn't even deny it" he said in a sing song voice.

Rogue just stared blankly at his brother; for a guild master he could behave rather childish.

"Deny what?" Rogue asked in a slightly bored tone.

Stings smirk only widened at his tone.

"That she's your wife...in about let's say a year from now she'll be your wife and you'll have twenty babies and I will be the cool uncle" Sting stated.

Rogue raised a brow, he doubted that he would have twenty children with Rissy let alone one. Yet he somehow found himself thinking of young boy with dark hair and charcoal eyes filled with hope, all combined with a wide grin.

"Cool Uncle...what about Natsu?" He asked.

Sting shrugged before making a humming sort of sound.

"He can be the weird uncle that no one wants to admit is their uncle" he said with an added shrug.

Rogue just shook his head in disbelief. It was only a couple of minutes ago that Rissy declared that she loves him and here he was talking with Sting about being married and having twenty babies.

"So when are we going?" Sting asked, once again sitting next to him.

Rogue raised a brow in confusion, though he assumed that his brother meant the guild.

"Back to the guild?" He asked.

Sting shook his head with a grin, and Rogue sighed knowing what he was about to say.

"To see your wife...you said she's in Crocus which isn't too far so we can go and you can profess your love...or something" He said with a smile.

Rogue frowned at Sting, for all the tears he had known him, his brother had always been the one the pursue short relationships which often lead to nothing. Yet here he was pushing him to pursue his own romance.

"I thought you didn't believe in love" Rogue stated as he stared ahead at a blank space.

Sting shrugged a shoulder before turning to said blank space where the numerous names of his one night stands were written.

"Not until I see it...and I'm seeing and believing" He added with a small smile.

And that was when Rouge realised it; Sting wasn't a non believer to love, he was adamant that he just wasn't going to find it.

"She is out there" Rogue stated after a short silence.

"Who?" Sting asked.

Rogue made a soft humming sound.

"Your wife" he told him.

Sting laughed slightly before placing his hands on the back of his head and relaxing in his chair.

"Yeah...but let's focus on keeping yours" Sting countered before standing.

Rogue smiled though he was certain that Sting would find his 'wife' even if he didn't believe it.

The only light was from the small window at the top of their shared cell, even then it was only a small slither of silver light that alerted Wendy that it was already well into the night. At least this way she was able to get to know Mest a little more for her knowledge on the teleportation mage was limited.

She frowned before reaching into her hair and pulling out a hair pin. She had seen this done only once in a comic so she wasn't sure if this trick was definitely going to work.

"I think I know how to pick locks" She said as she started on pulling the pin apart.

She was aware of Mest watching her from beside her as she fiddled around with her newly formed lock pick. Of course from all the crime novels she had borrowed from Levy had added to her vast- yet limited knowledge of lock picking. After tense minutes of fiddling with the lock she heard the tell all 'snap' that signified that her pin had snapped in two.

With a sigh she pulled the broken pin out of the lock, Mest offering her a reassuring smile at her disheartened expression.

"Hey its a start..." He offered causing her to nod. She reached into her hair once more and pulled out a second pin, starting the process once more. This was her last shot.

The salmon haired woman spared Rinan a glance, a swell of pride filling up on her chest as he smiled softly at her. She wasn't sure how she hadn't seen it before; that same soft smile, his dark hair and of course the scent. She mentally cursed herself for not realising the fact sooner but she was glad to have her son even if it was her future son by her side.

She smiled softly as Rinan's words flashed through her memory, it were almost as if the teenager was dropping subtle hints as to who he was, as to who she was to him.

"She was always able to make my father smile"

Those dark orbs were definitely hers, though she felt a pang of sadness overcome her once she realised that Rinan had to have a father and it disheartened her to think of a future without the man that made her heart flutter. She didn't even know where this mother instinct even came from, but she was glad to protect her family.

The smoker studied her, his cloak over his eyes and lips curved into a dark smile.

"This brings back memories..." He sneered, his voice thick and rough like the smoke he created.

Rissy narrowed her eyes in confusion, though kept up her fight stance.

"If you're referring to the future it won't have an effect on me" she countered with a growl.

The smoker raised his head in slight amusement before chuckling, the sound causing Rissy to step backwards slightly. That wasn't a chuckle of happiness, it sounded of evil intentions and promised pain.

"I've killed you once dragon slayer...and I can do so again" he spat, the ferociousness of his tone causing Rissy's eyes to widen.

The statement shocked the salmon haired mage, a lump formed in her throat as she stared at her opponent.

"So...you're the reason why Rinan is motherless?" She asked her voice barely a whisper. The smoker seemed pleased at this and proudly raised his head with a grin.

She clenched her fists, magic energy flowing through her body as she narrowed her eyes at her killer, the man who had hurt her son.

"Then I'm going to make sure that you remember this face...remember me so where you go back to where ever you came that you'll regret laying a finger on my son"

Before the smoker could even think to react Rissy had released an attack at him and thus sent him to the ground once more. She offered him no respite and allowed her magic energy to increase before advancing towards him.

The last time where she had felt such rage, such hatred towards another person was when she was in her old guild Draco Fire and back then she was a whole different person

"You know I was part of a dark guild" She hissed as she released a blast of her magic that hit him square in the stomach.

The smoker seemed to be hanging off her every word.

"We would have taken out a guy like you..." She continued as she neared him.

He was smiling now, she wasn't sure why but she wanted rid of it.

"But I'm not the same person...I'm a Fairy Tail mage now and I may not kill you but I will make you regret killing me" she growled.

The smoker smiled once more however before Rissy could attack him a magic circle was released and fog enveloped the town of Crocus once more. She coughed and spluttered as her vision started to cloud making it harder for her to see.

She staggered slightly, aware of her friends calling her name though the darkness was starting to claim her once more. Glancing back she noticed both Gray and Lavender passed out on the ground, the smoke having claimed them. She stood in fighting stance though that was unable to prepare her for the acidic attack dealt by her attacker and she cried out as her flesh started to burn.

"There's no timeline where you will live, dragon slayer..." He spat before another blast of acid like liquid hit her left arm.

She fell to the ground unable to stand no longer for the fog was already kicking in. She tried to fight, to be strong for her family but it seemed that in all timelines she was doomed to fail.

As she lay there on the ground she felt a small pressure on her hand and turned to face familiar dark eyes, the eyes that belonged to her son. She offered him a small smile, though his face wad clouded but the smoke.

"Sorry..." He muttered, his voice thick and hoarse from the smoke.

She smiled once more before placing a hand on his cheek.

"There's nothing to be sorry for Rinnie" she countered

He shook his head though the sound of footsteps caused her to glance up and it seemed that the smoker was advancing towards them to finish them off.

"I failed...I couldn't protect you or dad" he said sadly.

"Then we failed" she answered, a large shadow obscuring her vision and waiting to give her a quick death.

"I'm just glad I've met you" she whispered before closing her eyes and entwining her fingers with her sons. If this was the end her last thoughts were that she was glad she told Rogue she loved him.

An unfamiliar magic circle appeared in front of her and Rissy's eyes widened at the sight of the man she knew, though his appearance seemed aged and his eyes dead yet his body alive.

"Rogue...?"

So what did you think of that?

I can't believe that I just did that oh and a cookie goes out to the first person that guesses the song reference in this chapter.

Stay tuned for the next chapter where Wendy and Mest escape, fights continue and bonds are rekindled.

JustAnotherFairy :)