Fight shadows with light

Disclaimer: Please note that I do not own Fairy Tail

Chapter 3

Lucy's POV

It has been a while since I last attended a banquet. When I was still living with my father, I was often forced to go to them. I assume my father wanted me to find a good successor.

Somehow the banquet today makes me more nervous, perhaps because I expect it to be more special and magical. I have been preparing myself the whole afternoon. Now it's finally time to enter the ballroom with the rest of the girls.

The first thing I notice is that all the attention of the male attendees is directed to us. While most of the girls are marveling at the grandeur of the occasion, we are greeted by Elfman. At least that is manly.

Soon my attention goes to a dark man standing in a corner of the room. Rogue… He is looking around uninterestedly until suddenly our eyes meet. His face seems to project his normal neutral mask, but his red eyes are staring at me intently.

Before I realize it myself, I am standing next to him. It's like my feet were moving on their own, reflecting upon my desire. He nods as a greeting, still not breaking eye contact. It feels like his gaze could read me completely, could reach me until the core of my soul.

I snap out of my reverie when an arm is put around my shoulder. "Hi Blondie!"

"Sting! You're blond too!" I try to shake him off, but he only seems to lean in closer.

"That smell… Strawberries…" A huge wicked grin appears on his face. "So you're the mystery girl with who Rogue spent the night."

My face became completely red. "We only shared his cape."

"Hmm… So you two shared the cape... And here I was under the impression that Rogue was simple acting like a gentlemen and lend you his coat.*

Rogue scrapes his throat, pulling our attention to him. "Sting…" He growls softly, eying him darkly.

The light dragon slayer immediately retracts his arm. "Oh! I forgot I still need to say hi to someone! See you two later!" Having said that, he leaves us alone.

"I'm sorry. He can be a handful." Rogue apologizes.

"That's ok. I'm used to being around Natsu." I smile softly. "Do you want to join me to get a drink?"

"I'm sorry. I'm a bit more comfortable with staying here."

I nod in understanding before turning around and walking away. Somehow I am feeling a bit rejected…

Rogue's POV

I gaze at Lucy's retreating back. She smiled at me before she left, but the emotion didn't reach her eyes. I sigh. I should have replied differently to her invitation. Now it's too late… Maybe I can try to apologize later in the evening…

"I'm not sure whether you noticed, but Bunny Girl wanted you to join her." A low voice interrupts my thoughts.

"Gajeel." I say in way of greeting.

"Do you know about the guy who came from the future?" he asks in a serious tone. His red eyes are studying my face, waiting for my reaction.

"Yeah, I do. Even though he's me, it's pathetic. But I'm not gonna become that guy, ever!"

Gajeel grin. "gihi! That's the spirit!"

Sting surprises us by putting his arms around both our shoulders. "Let's toast for friendship between fairy's and tigers!" He exclaims, already resembling a happy drunk.

"Remove your arms before you're not able to toast anymore." Gajeel threatens, not liking to be touched by a man.

"I think you have toasted enough." I add.

Sting looks at both of us with puppy eyes. I don't understand how he does it… but a bit later we were all toasting.

Lucy's POV

While glancing to Rogue, I notice him toasting with Sting and Gajeel. Somehow it makes me feel better to see him loosen up a bit more. He should have some fun and party.

Speaking about partying... Where is Natsu? I didn't see him the whole evening.

"Lucy!"

"Yes, Erza!" I pipe up after hearing her strict voice.

"Sabertooth and Mermaid Heel are fighting over Yukino. We can't have that!"

"No! They shouldn't fight." I add.

"Indeed, because Yukino belongs to us!"

The remark stuns me for a while. I should have known that Erza didn't plan to stop the fight. However, I could follow her reasoning.

"Wait! We can't stay silent in this matter, either." Erza exclaims loudly, temporarily stilling the argument.

"That's right! The way things have been going, it's natural for her to join in our guild." I support Erza.

I notice Rogue gazing at me and suddenly I felt words leaving me. Did the temperature really rise? When I finally snap out of my daze, I see all of the guild our fighting over the poor girl.

"Everyone! That's enough!" Arcadios effectively stops the quarrel by introducing the King.

Great is my shock when Natsu appears with a crown on his head. He's taking it to far again. Oh well… That's how he is.

After the commotion lies down, I bring Natsu a glass of water before he chokes himself on the food. What a girl has to do to look out for her best friend... Even when he barely looks up from the buffet…

I throw a longing glance to Rogue, but his neutral expression doesn't seem to change. Maybe yesterday didn't mean anything to him. A bit glum, I decide to go have some fun with the girls.

Rogue POV

Lucy seems to be leaving Natsu. Maybe now is a good time to apologize for my rudeness earlier this evening. As soon as I start walking, I hear a low growl.

"If you take one more step in her direction, you'll regret it."

The threat makes me pause. I glance around and soon I spot him, still standing close by the buffet, keeping an eye on me.

"Why can't I talk with Lucy?"

"You already talked to her yesterday, didn't you? You hurt her once already, I'm not giving you the opportunity to do it again. I already saw Lucy cry several times since we're friends. I'll do everything in my power to avoid seeing her like that again.".

"Oi Natsu! Cut it off." Gajeel's voice bring my attention to our surroundings. I notices all the dragon slayers directing their gaze between us. They all seem to listen in. Now I could really curse our sensitive hearing…

"You know I don't want to hurt her." I counter.

"I know you don't want to… but that doesn't mean you're not going to… Can you really promise it will never happen? You know what your future version did…"

"I wish I could…" A vision of Lucy kneeling down next to me, flashes through my mind. She was so sweet, even though she barely knows me. I don't want her to get hurt…

"Rogue!"

If you want to defeat the shadows, embrace your happiness. Fight shadows with light. Fight for your future and the future of your friends.

I have thought of her words ever since that moment. Did she really mean it? Am I able to fight against my future and protect my friends?

"Rogue!"

I remember the warmth coiling within me when I woke up with her snuggled against me. That instance it really felt like I was embracing my happiness. I can't risk to destroy that happiness. Natsu is right… I'll really miss her… but I need to keep her save…

"Rogue! Wait up!" This time I realized my best friend is calling me.

I look around confused, seeing that I left the building.

"Geesh! You were running way too fast!" the blond dragon slayer complains.

"What do you want?" I ask, not really wanting to have a conversation right now.

"Don't listen to what that idiot said." He replies with a silly smile.

"Still… he's right… I'm dangerous to be around." My words immediately wipe away his smile. I see him reach out, but he's too late… I am already gone in the shadows…