Ch. 4

Slayers Gather

Two weeks went by before Yukino allows Rogue to get out of bed and walk around. She actually made a forearm warmer type thing with the jewel in the center for him.

"So, how long was I in that light again?" Rogue asks, standing up from his bed.

"About ten minutes. Why?" Yukino replies.

"It felt like ten days," Rogue tells her, gazing up at the ceiling. "Heh. I didn't tell Natsu or Sting yet, but while I was in there, Skiadram explained a few things."

"Like what?"

"Like, if the dragon slayers really want, I can teach them that dragon killing techniques."

"But wouldn't that…"

"Don't need to demonstrate." At least, I hope I won't need to demonstrate. Even if it's the first stage… it'd most likely leave me out of strength for quite a long time. Given my illness Rogue thinks to himself.

"Are you serious?!" Stine comes in the room all happy.

"You can teach us that move?!" Natsu yells, eager to start.

"Heheh. Yeah," Rogue nervously chuckles, scratching the back of his head.

"Alright!" the two cheer, throwing their fists in the air.

"Natsu, we're on a job, remember," Lucy scolds a bit, coming in.

"Ae," Natsu whines. "But Lucy…"

"Uh-uh. We finish this job first," Lucy wasn't going to argue with him.

"Hey, I'll send you a day, time and location to meet, Natsu," Rogue tells him. "Which will most likely be the same area I chose to train."

"Deal!" Natsu grins. "Come on, Lucy! Let's roast this job!" He runs to Lucy, grabbing her arm and bolts out of the Sabortooth guild.

"I'm still not a teacher," Rogue sighs. But I only have a year left to live. Well, less. So other dragon slayers need to know this move before I go

"That may be true. But you're the only one who can teach us," Sting says with a smile.

"Yeah. But I bet Gajeel and that other dragon slayer will want to learn it, too," Rogue sighs again, closing his eyes. "I can already tell it'll be a pain to teach them anything."

"Can't argue with that," Sting scratches the back of his head.

"If they want to learn it right, they'll have to be patient, right?" Yukino asks.

"That's right," Rogue smiles, going over to the small desk in the room. Opening a drawer, he takes out a piece of paper. He writes on it then folds it up.

"Next week, noon at the forest I trained in," Rogue tells Sting. "First… we meet at the fountain in town."

"Got it," Sting winks. "Let's have someone deliver that to Fairy Tail." Rogue nods saying he'll deliver it, needing to get out of the guild hall for a while.

"Not without someone else with you," Yukino tells him seriously. "I still need to get stronger, so obviously someone else."

"Yeah and I promised her that I'd help her train a bit," Sting scratches his head. "I know! Rufus and Olga will go with you, Rogue! No arguing!"

"Not going to," Rogue nervously smiles. "Although those hunters are getting craftier, I hate to admit."

"Yeah. We've all met those hooligans," Rufus says coming in the room with Olga and Lector.

"Real pieces of work," Olga adds with his arms crossed. "There should be a job out for their deaths. I can't stand them."

"Consider yourself lucky all you had to deal with was their voices mostly," Rogue closes his eyes, so the fear in them wouldn't be shown. "Don't ask me to explain. Not going to." He slips on the forearm warmer with the jewel before shadowing out the door.

"Hey! Wait up!" Olga hollers running after him.

"I don't believe I ever want to know, to be honest," Rufus says walking off.

"Stay with Rogue, Rufus!" Sting hollers.

"Will do," Rufus waves his hand as he leaves.

"Now, Malady Yukino," Sting smirks. "Training yard." Yukino blushes a bit at what the dragon slayer just said. They went to the training yard that Sting had put in.

On the road to the Fairy Tail Guild Hall, the people around got out of the way. All whispering, "It's the King of the Dragon Slayers."

Rogue sighs in a growl, "I declined that title."

"True. But apparently to everyone, that's who you are now," Rufus says with slight shrug.

"I think so too," says Frosch.

"Yeah," Rogue sniffs a little. "I smell them."

"We're ready," Olga tells him, ready to knock some heads together. They walk on through town, keeping their guard up.

After a while, Rogue's stomach growls. Causing him to blush in embarrassment. "Let's get a bite to eat," chuckles Olga. Rogue only nods as they go towards a small restaurant. Once inside, the employees lightly squeal.

"Uh. Don't tell me this is what's going to happen wherever I go," Rogue lightly groans.

"Might as well accept it, Rogue," Rufus suggests with a sigh.

"Fine, but that doesn't mean I have to like it," Rogue sighs, looking over the menu. Once they finish eating, they pay for the meal before leaving. Walking along the market area still keeping their guard up.

"I think so too," Frosch smiles, walking beside the dragon slayer. Finding the Fairy Tail guild in no time as they enter.

"Oh, welcome," Mirajane greets happily once she sees who came in.

"Sorry for the intrusion. Are the dragon slayers of Fairy Tail around?" Rogue asks.

"It's no trouble at all, Rogue. Actually, Natsu and Laxus are out on separate jobs right now," Mirajane replies. "Wendy's out shopping and Gajeel's just out for a walk."

"Oh. Thank you," Rogue smiles turning around to leave.

"I can tell them you stopped by," Mirajane tells him

"There's no need. I'm sure we'll run into Gajeel or Wendy soon. Thanks again," Rogue waves 'bye' lightly as he leaves with his escorts.

"Come by anytime," Mirajane calls.

Rogue sniffs again, attempting to pick up either Gajeel's scent or Wendy's. But all he's getting is a nasty aroma that clouds his sense of smell. "I hate this smell. Those hunters are still nearby. I can't smell anything else."

"Don't worry about it, Rogue. We got your back," Olga tells him looking around.

"We'll run into one of them sooner or later. Like you said," Rufus adds. Rogue just nods lightly coming into the market place. Looking around for the dragon slayers with no luck.

After a few minutes, the three wizards spot a powerful blast coming their way. Rogue drops down, shielding Frosch as Rufus swiftly brings up a barrier around them.

Elsewhere, Gajeel notices a big blast shooting in the sky from where he stood just a few feet away from Wendy. "That can't be good," he says in a small growl.

"Should we see what's going on?" Wendy asks, staring in that direction.

"Something not good," Carla glares slightly.

"Gajeel?" Panther Lily looks up at his companion, now with a scary glare.

"That scent. Let's go!" Gajeel runs off faster than the others could blink.

"Right," Wendy nods, following him. They arrive in the area in time to see Rogue taking a slash for a little girl in the back.

"Rogue!" Rufus and Olga shout, fighting some bad smelling people.

"I-I'm alright!" Rogue shouts back, looking down at the girl with a soft smile. "Are you okay?"

"Uh… hm-mm," the girl nods with scared tears rolling down her cheeks.

"I have a small favor. Can you take Frosch with you and hide? I'll be back to get him," Rogue asks softly, holding his Exceed in one arm.

"Rogue," Frosch says softly.

"Yeah. I can do that. Thank you for saving me," the girl calms down enough to thank him and take Frosch. Rushing to her house just a little bit down from this spot.

Rogue swiftly turns around in time to block an incoming blazing punch. "Won't quit chasing me, will you?"

"You're coming back to us, Shadow Dragon boy," the man tells him in a creepy tone.

"No he's not!" Gajeel shouts, his iron dragon sword smacking the man in the arm. Making him back off as the two dragon slayers come over.

"Gajeel!" Rogue shouts with a smile, glad to see him appear in a snap.

"Who are these jokers?" Panther Lily asks, transforming bigger to help fight.

"Shadow Dragon Hunters," Rogue huffs, holding his shoulder. Dodging a black-ish yellow glowing fists. He goes into the shadows to avoid three others pouncing on him. All four knocking their heads together.

Rogue surfaces beside the iron dragon slayer growling, "Really wish they didn't strike in a populated area."

"I want an explanation after we take this trash out," Gajeel growls, his fists turning into iron. "Got it, Rogue?"

"Uh. Yeah. I got it," Rogue says, gazing down slightly, before slashing an incoming hunter. Kind of surprised Natsu didn't tell them

They fight the hunters, protecting the civilians as well. Once the hunters retreat, the wizards go around to the people. Making sure they were okay and assists them in rebuilding what had been damaged.

The little girl Rogue saved comes running towards him still holding Frosch, also with a couple adults behind her. "Uh, sir," she calls softly.

"Hm? Hey, there. Thanks for looking after Frosch for me," Rogue smiles softly, kneeling down to her level.

"Rogue!" Frosch cries, jumping into his arms.

"Thank you for saving my little girl's life," the man behind her says with a smile.

"No problem, sir," Rogue stands up only to fall back down, groaning with his hand on his shoulder again.

"Rogue!" Rufus runs over to him in a hurry. "Aw, man. That's a bad wound."

"May I?" asks the man. "I have healing magic, though I never wanted to join a guild because of the jobs. I don't have the guts to pull off a lot of those jobs. But I'd like to repay you for saving my girl. May I?"

"Gr… sure. Thanks," Rogue groans with a smile. The man smiles as his hands start glowing a light green color. Holding them close to Rogue's bad slash wound on his back. It takes about fifteen minutes to close the wound.

"There. That should do it," the man says with a smile.

"Thank you, sir," Rogue says standing up.

"Those awful men should be wiped out. That kind of behavior in a place like this, it's not safe," the woman growls slightly. "Anyway, thank you." The small family walks off back to their little house.

"Now then," Gajeel says, crossing his arms. "Explain what all that was about, Rogue."

"Uh… can we first go to a more private place?" Rogue asks, scratching the back of his head slightly. Gajeel sighs as they head off towards the Fairy Tail Guild.

"This private enough for you?" he asks.

"Yeah," Rogue nods as they go in. Taking a seat at an empty table with the two dragon slayers. "Those men are a part of a cult called 'Dragon Hunters'. The only hunters I know of are those that hunter shadow dragons."

"That's scary," Wendy shivers slightly.

"Before I met Skiadram, they were doing some experiments. I didn't know then and still don't know what those experiments are for or what they did," Rogue continues. "Skiadram saved me from them. He took me in and taught me dragon slayer magic. After he had me end his suffering from the disease only shadow dragons catch, those hunters caught me. They didn't know I actually learned magic from the dragon. Once they did find that out, when I went into the shadows and escaped, they started changing their tactics. Met Frosch a year later along with Sting and Lector in that same year. Whenever those hunters decided to make a move, Sting was always there to help me after that."

"What was that black-ish yellow magic glow?" Carla asks getting on the table.

"Magic Sealing. Temporary, but effective if connected to the target," Rogue replies.

"Tsk," Gajeel growls. No way are those bastards getting their filthy hands on my sworn brother

"Hm. Rogue. The paper," Olga reminds him.

"Huh? Oh right," Rogue reaches in his pocket, taking out the paper he wrote on before leaving his guild hall. "I already know Natsu and Sting are in. I'm sure you want to learn that technique too, Gajeel."

"Damn right, I want to learn it," Gajeel tells him with a nod.

"I'd like to learn it too," Wendy pipes in.

"Heh. I can teach you, but it'll take patience mostly," Rogue tells them, handing the paper to Gajeel.

"Patience, huh?" Gajeel says taking the paper.

"No one can learn it in a day. No matter how powerful you are. Only took me two years for a few reasons," Rogue explains. "First, we had to get special permission to leave the guild hall to train in a forest far from there when Jienma was still master. Second, that shadow dragon illness. I caught it, but I have no clue when I caught. According to Skiadram, learning the dragon killing technique should take six months at least."

"You… caught that… illness?" Gajeel trembles in anger. "Did Salamander already know this?"

"Uh, yeah," Rogue nods, suddenly feeling uneasy.

"Salamander's going to get it. Keeping all that to himself?" Gajeel growls, giving the paper to Wendy before he rips it.

"Heheh," Wendy nervously chuckles, looking at the paper. "We'll be there, Rogue. I'm sure Laxus will join us too."

"Alright," Rogue nods, standing up. "I'll see you four next week at the fountain."

"Right," Wendy nods as Sabortooth leaves. Rushing back to their guild. Not wanting to risk another run in with the hunters incase they're still in the area.

…

Chapter 5 will take me a while to type out. I hope you're enjoying the story so far.

Please review ^_^