Chapter Five

"But, don't you have some sort of crossword puzzle you're supposed to give us?" I was furious, no. I was so far beyond furious I saw red. How dare Sting be so rude to the little spirit especially after all the sweet things he just said. And, not to mention, giving us a warning that only we knew about, so only we could act on. Of course Sting Eucliffe, Master of Saberdouche, wouldn't give two shits about me or my key, but I thought he might give a little more attention and respect to a warning about saving the world. I can't believe he is actually the master of his own guild, and one as strong and respected as Sabertooth. He was acting just like Natsu! No! Worse than Natsu. At least Natsu whenever made rude comments about people's appearances; he didn't do it to demean them! Well, maybe when it came to Gray…or Gajeel…ok maybe the two were a lot more alike than I initially thought.

"Its Del-Fy-Nus, you jerk!" I corrected him, my face burning red with my anger. I wanted to say more but he waved us off.

"Yea, yea, my bad. Delphinus. Can we get to the bottom of this?" That's what he thought an apology sounded like! Ugh! And I thought he was trying to be better than he was at the GMG. But he sounded exactly the same! How did Yukino put up with this?

"If Lexy is ready to hear?" The spirit asked. I wasn't ready. I wanted to tear Master Sting a new one but the spirit didn't seem to care how insulting Sting was. He's probably heard it all…I mean I guess technically he did have the ass of a dolphin. I shook my head at that ridiculous train of thought. "Fine, fine. Whatever, let's do this."

Delphius cleared his throat and looked around, making sure he had our undivided attention.

"The siren's song sings sadly for her master newly lost,

'Polaris, guide her to me,' sounds the mermaid's cry!

Darkness creeps towards her across the ground of frost,

Seeking to collect the last requisite from on high

Her gilded vessel awaits new covenant to lay claim

She can only pray, as evil travels the blasted sea

An old friend can save her if the treasured bond remain

Bimestrial soon passes, approaching catastrophe.

As soon as he was done he turned to Yukino, blew her a kiss and popped back through his gate. I was scribbling furiously this whole time, only registering his exit when a fine mist of water kissed my cheek. No one spoke, we were all just soaking in as much information as we could, turning the lines around in our head.

"What the fuck was that?"...Well…almost all of us.

I ignored Sting and the confusion clear on his face, though I had to admit, it looked good on him.

"Yukino, you said you knew where the key was?"

"Yes, Lucy. But just the general location. And I don't know how much that will narrow it down." She looked sad, like she was disappointed she wasn't helpful enough. But she got a lot further than I had in the few months since I learned Aquarius' key had come back to Earthland.

"Well, you gonna share with the class?" Sting prodded her.

"Oh!" She blushed. "Of course! I believe it's on the northern continent. Polaris is the north star and if you follow its path it leads you directly to the Northern Continent. I thought it meant just north at first but 'blasted sea' obviously refers to the Blast Sea. If we cross the sea and head north, we'd end up in Guiltina!"

"Well Guiltina here we come!" Sting stood up and stretched. His ridiculous crop top creeping up even higher, revealing even more of his ridiculously sculpted abs. My face flushed as my eyes wandered. Hey, I told you, I'm having a dry spell. Even Sting was starting to look good.

"We can't just leave and go wandering off to Guiltina!" Rogue said.

"Fro thinks so too!" Frosch squeaked in his cute little voice, I smiled.

"Ughhh why not?" Was Sting…whining? Not very guildmaster-like.

"Do you even know where Guiltina is?" I snapped.

"Yeah, no duh. North, like Yukino said."

I rolled my eyes at him. Gods, it was like talking to a wall.

"The Northern Continent isn't a small place, Sting," Rogue shook his head. "We're not even sure in what area the key is located or how to get there."

"Rogue is right," Minerva said, leaving no room for disagreement. "We need to decipher at least some more of the riddle before we can depart. Besides, we need time to gather supplies. It'll be quite a journey and we need to be prepared for anything."

"Fine!" Sting snapped, running his fingers through his hair. "Well I'm no good at riddles, so how about I take Lector and get some supplies we might need and you guys can sit here and decipher that gods awful poem?" Lector! That was his name!

"Alright! Let's go! Sting, you tha man!" Well, would you look at that, Sting had his own personal cheerleader, no wonder his ego was so big.

"Thank you, Sting," I said trying to be polite but honestly I was fed up with the blond mage. "But the girls and I can pick up whatever we need tomorrow after we figured out more of the riddle. Why don't you boys head off to the station, I wouldn't want you to miss your train back to Sabertooth." I started transcribing my notes. I wanted to make a copy for each of us so we could work on them separately, three heads being better than one and all that.

"What the hell, Blondie?" Sting was standing over me, looming really, hands on his hips, jaw clenched tight.

"Yea, what the h, Blondie?" Lector echoed.

"Oh, sorry," I was probably being a poor host but honestly I really need to get to cracking this weird code or whatever it was. "Did you guys want to eat before you go? I can probably ask Virgo to whip something up if you promise to behave with her this time, Sting."

"Beha–me? I wasn't the one practicing Shibari, alright!? That was your freaking submissive of a maid and–Look that's not the point here! Rogue and I didn't travel all the way to Crocus to bring you this info just to get sidelined now!" He ran his hands through his hair, tugging on it a little. He looked kinda cute with his hair mussed like that. So not the point. Get it together, Lucy! There was a moment where I just stared stupidly at him. I mean, I'm sure I looked pretty stupid right now. I just hadn't thought for a second the guys would want to come. Why would they? Sting had a guild to run, he must have been busy, and Rogue, well…he wasn't the shadow dragon slayer for nothing. Not only was that guy as quiet as a shadow, he stuck to Sting like one too. I could count on one hand the amount of times I saw those two separated and pretty much all of those were during events at the Grand Magic Games. They seemed to always be together, fight together, eat together…sleep together? Alright, back up girl, we don't want to go down that road.

"I'm sorry, Sting." And I meant it too. I wasn't about to turn down his offer, no matter how annoying he was. Having a dragon slayer on my team made us even more powerful, and two was even better. "I wasn't trying to sideline you, I just thought you guys came just to escort the girls. I figured you'd have to get back to your guild soon."

"It's all good, Blondie. The guild will be in good hands. Unless…you don't want us to come?" He stopped looking pissed at least, but now he just looked like a kid who was disappointed with his Christmas gift.

"Why wouldn't I want you to come? Never a bad idea to bring a dragon slayer or two on a quest like this!" I gave him my best smile, hoping to reassure him. Apparently it worked, because I was rewarded with a big grin of his own. For a second at least.

"Well," he fidgeted and I saw some uncertainty in eyes for a second. "Maybe you'd rather Natsu go with you? I mean, I get along with that loser pretty well now but maybe we'd just get on your nerves with all the fighting." Ahhh Natsu. Of course someone was gonna bring that up sooner or later. I could feel my smile freeze on my face. I missed Natsu so much and it hit me really hard, in that moment, that my best friend wouldn't be with me on such an important adventure. I mean, he'd been with me on practically every adventure I've had since I joined Fairy Tail. He was always by my side, fighting alongside me, protecting me, holding my hand pulling me from one adventure to the next. Breaking into my apartment, eating my food…sliding into my bed at night after I had fallen asleep. I couldn't keep track of how often I had woken up in the morning, my arms wrapped around my own personal heater, Happy curled up by our feet. I'm sure my cheeks matched his hair from just that thought crossing my mind. I put my hand on my cheek and sure enough I could feel the heat radiating off my skin. I felt the tears welling in my eyes, but I couldn't cry now, couldn't drown in the memories, in my feelings, in missing him. I had things to do. I am Lucy Heartfilia, daughter of Layla. Master of the stars. And I will get through this….thank you, Loke. I felt a comforting humm from his key hanging from my hip and I knew he heard me. It gave me the strength to finally talk about it, acknowledge it outloud.

I hadn't told anyone about Natsu's letter, about him leaving me. Not Jason, not Yukino, not even my former guildmates. I barely spoke about it even with my spirits. They knew of course, hard not to notice I wasn't chained to that fiery ball of destruction anymore. Loke and I had talked about it soon after I found the letter and again after the guild disbanded. But that was it. I'd barely said his name out loud since I left for Crocus. I avoided any questions about him. Just those two heartbreaking conversations with my Lion and then I pushed those feelings down. If I didn't acknowledge them, they couldn't be real.

I was sobbing into a pillow, my arms wrapped around it trying to stifle the sound of my cries, when I heard the familiar twinkle sound, soft and musical, it sounded…well…like you'd imagine a star would. I felt a gentle caress on my shoulder, light at first, so light I barely felt it. But I knew what it was. My dashing Celestial Prince, my Lion, here to comfort me. Like always. The mattress dipped a little when he sat down, then I was being pulled up, my pillow replaced with his chest. "Oh, Loke!" I cried, trying to get the words out.

"I know, shhhh, I know."

"H-hh-ow? How do you know?" I was getting a little better control of myself now, helped no doubt by the small, soothing circles Loke was rubbing on my back with his soft fingertips. I could feel the heat of his light, not as warm as Natsu's fire, but gentler. I snuggled closer into him, trying to imagine it was Natsu holding me, Natsu's hand on my back, Natsu's fire warming my skin. Trying to pretend he never left me.

"Princess, I felt your heartbreak all the way from my realm. I don't know what happened exactly, but I know there's only one person that makes you feel this deeply and I know you needed me. Do you want to tell me what happened?"

Sweet, sweet Loke. Always looking out for me. I took a shuddering breath, calming myself enough to finally speak.

"He left me, Lok. He just left." There wasn't much more to say, it was enough. I broke down again, wrapping my arms around his waist and sobbing into his suit. I hope they had dry cleaning in the Celestial Realm. I felt Loke tense up, his muscles going completely rigid. He was furious.

"That fucking flame brained bastard!" He almost roared. It shocked me to silence, I pulled back and took a good look at his face. Teeth bared, fists clenched, eyes flashing. I hiccupped. His head snapped towards me and he met my eyes. Then we both burst into laughter. I leaned my head on his shoulder as my laughter turned to a giggle, then turned into silent tears. He put his arm around me and pulled me even closer.

"I'm sorry, Lucy. I didn't think he'd leave you behind. Hell, I didn't think he'd leave at all."

"Me neither, his letter just said he was leaving for a year or so, that he needed to get stronger."

"Of course he thinks that. Achnologia's still out there. Natsu spent years searching for Igneel just to have him ripped away from him again. He won't rest until he's strong enough to defeat his father's killer." I knew that. I saw the anguish on his face as he screamed into the sky after Igneel died. 'I'm gonna work even harder! I'm gonna get even stronger and when I do, I'm gonna take down Achnologia!' He promised his dad, and Natsu always kept his promises.

"But…he could've taken me with him! We spent this whole last week together and he never even said anything about leaving!" I couldn't stop crying, I'd been like this for hours. I thought I could help him through his grief. I told him I'd never run away alone. I didn't care how bad things got, it was always more fun when we were together. I thought he felt the same way. But I guess not…he'd be back though….right? Please, please come back to me….

"Gods, Loke. I'm so stupid…I can't believe I let myself…." I couldn't say it, I couldn't confess what I now knew in my heart to be true. Not now, when it was probably too late. But of course, I didn't have to. Loke knew me better than any of my spirits…except Aquarius.

"Fall in love?" He finished. At least he made it sound like a question. I just nodded. There was nothing else to say. I broke Aquarius' key, I condemned her to eternity in the Celestial world for the most selfish of reasons. To save myself, my guild, and the boy I loved with my whole heart. And I was too cowardly to tell him and now he was gone. He said a year, but anything could happen. How could he protect my future when he wasn't here? I wanted him to be my future….

I took a deep breath, banishing that night to the far corner of my mind. "Natsu left." There I said it. Now they knew. Natsu couldn't help me find Aquarius or save the world. He couldn't help me get stronger, I had Loke and the other Celestials for that now. Natsu left. He left. A stunned silence followed my admission. I knew they'd need more but I wasn't sure where to start. I just let the silence hang in the air hoping someone else would fill it.

"What? Left where?" Minerva was the one brave enough to ask. I was too stunned. I didn't think they'd go their own ways after the guild split, if anyone had seen the way those two were together…well I thought they'd be together forever if I was honest.

"I don't know, I haven't seen or heard from him in months." She spoke evenly, a pretty blunt delivery actually. But I could see the tears swelling in her eyes. I wasn't sure why, but I didn't like that.

Finally finding my voice I asked "What did he say when he left?" For some reason that broke the dam and her tears started falling. Flowing silently down her cheeks. I could smell the salt on the air, and it pissed me the fuck off, guess I just hated seeing a pretty girl cry.

"I'm sorry," she sniffled. "I just can't…can't talk about it right now."

I backed off immediately. Whatever he said to her when he ditched her in Crocus must have been pretty bad if she still couldn't talk about it.

"Don't worry, Lucy. You don't have to say anything," Yukino tried to reassure her.

"Thanks guys," I watched as she wiped her face and straightened her spine. Girl looked like a fighter, I saw nothing but determination in the lines of her face. She wasn't letting this break her. Good girl.

"Besides," Rogue spoke up now, "we've got work to do. I propose I accompany Sting to get supplies while you guys work through more clues. Lucy, if you don't mind, can I bring a copy with me? I can try to work on it while we're shopping. I'm certain I'm not as clever as Yukino, but it's worth a try." He gave her one of his rare smiles. Clearly, the news about Natsu had gotten to him too.

"Of course!"

We were out the door and on the sidewalk in just a few minutes. I hadn't been to Crocus in a while, not since the games, but I remembered it well enough to make my way to the market section. Rogue had a copy of the poem and was reading it through. I glanced down at the shopping list Minerva had shoved in my hand as she shoved us out the door, but I could barely make out the words. All I could think about was the look on Lucy's face when she admitted the little pyro had ditched her. Seeing her cry like that really pissed me off. The last time I had seen that much pain and anguish on her face was after the naval battle with Minerva. And I had laughed…but Natsu…Natsu had caught her as she fell and held her close. Man, he was ready to tear Minerva apart, and me too. Back then I was itching to fight him. I wanted to prove I was the strongest dragon slayer, and even though I knew MInerva had gone too far I couldn't care less if it meant I could go all out against my rival.

But after fighting him in the games, and seeing how much he cared about Lucy I'm relieved Titania Erza split us up. I really think he could've killed me then. So to go from that to leaving her behind…something awful must have happened between them. I wasn't gonna ask her about it anymore but damn was I curious. I wasn't the only one. I was glad at first Rogue brought it up as we entered the shopping zone because I didn't even know where to start.

"I find it surprising that Natsu would leave Lucy behind, do you think he had to take care of something and couldn't bring her along? She seemed pretty heartbroken, I bet she misses him." I don't know why but the thought of Lucy missing him after seeing how emotional she was about him splitting really didn't sit well with me. I may not know her well, but I know no one deserves to feel like that. I didn't know what to say to Rogue, I didn't trust myself to speak and not show my anger and have to explain myself. I couldn't really explain it to myself. Why do I care so much? I didn't want Rogue to start talking about how I was before Minerva came back to the guild, because I think I felt a lot like Lucy did right now.

"Maybe they got into a fight?" He tried again, again I grunted in response. Rogue just sighed, my twin knew me well enough to translate that grunt; I don't wanna fucking talk about it.

We split up the list and went our own ways, the sooner we were done the sooner we could check on any progress the girls made. I moved from stall to stall, picking up whatever Lector pointed at and passing money to faceless vendors. Lector had my half of the list, he'd make sure we got everything, my mind was free to wander. I just didn't like where it was wandering. Lucy seemed like such a good person. Sweet, but didn't take any shit. Powerful, but somehow delicate. Obviously smart as hell judging from the hundreds of books lining her apartment walls. And not to mention drop dead gorgeous. Not the same way Minerva was gorgeous, but…softer somehow. Everything about her just seemed so genuine. Seeing her so sad after that bright, beautiful smile she gave me just…I don't know, it made me…hurt. I hadn't hurt like that for someone else's suffering since…ever maybe.

I drifted from stall to stall, filling bag after bag on auto-pilot, for once not complaining about how much shit Minerva needed just to get around. When Lector said we finished our half of the list I immediately headed back to the cafe next to Lucy's place, my twin's suggested meeting point.

I took a seat in a booth next to the window so I wouldn't miss Rogue when he got here. I barely looked up when the waitress came by to get my order, a white mocha and short stack of blueberry pancakes.

"Will your girlfriend be wanting anything when she gets here?" Huh? Girlfriend? I blinked at the waitress wondering what the fuck she was talking about. She gestured at all the bags on the seat next to me. She must've thought I took my girl shopping…what girl? I was still all alone, I never liked that, but I made sure everyone else thought I did.

"No girlfriend for me, just the pancakes, thanks." I didn't even bother to check her out, I wasn't looking to distract myself with more meaningless flirting or even more meaningless sex. She obviously picked up on my disinterest because she just walked away. I completely ignored Lector when he asked why I didn't try to "hit that," I just wasn't in the mood to put up any sort of front right now. I stared out the window, just watching all the people walking by, caught up in their own lives. I had to close my eyes and look away when a couple walked by holding hands. Too bad that wasn't in the cards for me. Damn you Minerva…

I opened my eyes as the morning light touched my skin. I always left my curtains open, it was like I got a power boost from feeling the first light of the sun, it was the best way to start my day. But this morning was even better. I gazed down at the gorgeous woman wrapped in my arms, the light glinting off her beautiful black hair, getting swallowed up in its darkness. That's how I felt last night, moving against her, moving with her, like she was swallowing me up. I had never felt as connected with another person as I had with her last night.

I couldn't help it, I leaned down and pressed my lips against her hair. She squirmed in my arms and I tightened my hold. I felt her push against me, away from me, and I loosened my grip. She sat up and started getting out of bed.

"Hey, what's the hurry, beautiful?" I hoped she could hear the smile in my voice.

"It's milady, not beautiful." The tone of her words made me frown. I knew that was her preferred title and I called her that almost all the time, but I mean, come on…it's not like I made her call me Master, especially not after the night we just shared. Then again, she was never really a morning person, she was probably just grumpy the light woke her up.

"So, milady, what did you want to do today?" She was walking around the room, tracking down her clothes. I rolled over on my side, propping myself up on one arm, just watching her. She turned to look at me and I hoped she liked what she saw. My hair was probably all over the place, which was her fault, and I was wearing nothing but my extremely satisfied smirk and a sheet draped across my hips.

"We have a guild to run, Sting. That's what I want to do today." She started getting dressed, not even giving me a second glance. What the fuck was going on?

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, I have to get to the office and start managing this guild the way it needs to be managed."

She was fully dressed now and striding to the door, I leapt out of bed, letting the covers fall to the ground. I didn't care that I was naked. It was nothing she hadn't seen. I grabbed her wrist to stop her from leaving, tried to turn her towards me but she snatched her arm out of my grip. What the hell? She just opened the door and walked out. That's when I knew. The old Minerva wasn't gone, just tempered. She wasn't returning my feelings last night, she was just using me. Whether for a good time or for a stronger hold on the guild, I wasn't sure. But I was sure she didn't love me like I wanted her to. I was about to follow her out the door, I was going to make her say it, make her say she still just wanted power and I was how she was gonna get it this time but something stopped me, and it wasn't because I was in the buff. I leaned my back against the wall, tugging on my hair like I do when I'm upset, I felt my body slide down to the floor. "Minerva…."

A/N Awww, poor Sting is lonely. He's got a rep as a playboy but we can see there's more to him. FYI Sting's flashback was a LOT more steamy in my original version, unfortunately due to rating guidelines here I don't think I'd be allowed to post it here in full. I will be posting the explicit section to another fic site soon. Same title :)