Kess's p.o.v

To my joy the job was done early, and we were now enjoying a good time at the Hot springs. It was so nice and we had a pillow fight later in the night that turned violent as it went five ways with Happy Dive bombing us. It was the most fun I've had that didn't require me fighting someone. Sadly I had an ulterior motive for coming. I needed information, and the bar tender had some. After Lucy snuck away and the others settled down I slipped out to talk to the bartender.

"I need to know information, has Angel been through again.", I ask him quietly as I slide some money to grease there throat.

"Yes but it was a few months ago. Word is she's now one of six members in a very strong dark guild. It controls a lot of smaller guilds.

Names the Oracion Seis. ", he says as he hands me my shot which I down as Loke and Lucy enter.

"Hey guys what up?", I say nodding at the bartender who hands me another shot and a napkin with some information on Angel's guild mates and the Oracion Seis which I slide in my kimono pocket before I get up and hug them lingering on Loke, whose pain is worse as I absorb some of it feeling him stiffen.

"You didn't have to do that.", he says so only I can hear.

"It's the only way I can get you to share your burden with me, and try to ease it.", I say as I pop back at the counter "Gonna do a shot with me?", I ask .

"I don't recommend it Loke, Kess can hold her liquor almost as good as Cana.", my cousin says sitting at the other end of the bar from me which encourages Loke to sit by me as Lucy orders them some food.

"As a gentleman can you allow me to shoot on my own?", as say as the bartender brings another two.

"Ya I'll shoot one with you.", Loke says nervously smiling at me when I pass him his and we down them at the same time.

"That wasn't so bad.", he says with a little grin

"You weren't afraid I'd try to poison you are you?", I say bumping him lightly as I giggle a little. I excuse myself a moment to the rest room and when I return Lucy's gone and Loke's on the floor an angry hand print on his face.

"Loke what happened!", I say going to help him up even though I heard. Sad thing was I could tell he wasn't making it up.

" I played a nasty prank on Lucy, I kinda got what I deserved.", he says as I pick up his fallen glasses and our eyes meet and this time I can see the color better than normal. Like this the green in his hazel is really prominent.

"Wow you have really amazing eyes you know that?", I say not feeling awkward at all "I mean it's harder to see all the colors in it with your glasses on." as I hand them to a currently blushing Loke.

"Phil can we get some ice!", I shout to the bartender who nods "I'm on it Kess and I'm guessing another round."

Loke's p.o.v.

Kess didn't ask about what happened between me and Lucy she just helped me up and to the bar where the bartender she called Phil handed me and ice pack and another shot as Kess got hers.

"Phil?", I ask her wondering how she knew him.

"He's an old informant of the Kyle family, helped my mom and dad in there missions."

"Helped?"

"They died in a fire.", she says as her eyes shadowed but it went away as we down the next shot.

"Phil!", she says as he drops off two more shots "I also do odd jobs for him, and today I brought him four new customers."

Her eyes looked really sad like she was upset about something.

I do notice her eyes water a little as I put my free hand on hers earning me a small smile.

Phil slides an upside down note to her which she reads and her eyes widen a moment before sliding it in her pocket. "Thanks Phil.", she says as he nods.

"What was the note about?", I ask.

"You tell me your secrets Loke, I'll tell you mine.", she says studying me a small smirk.

"I wish I could.", I say.

"Loke the only thing stopping you, is you.", She says as she absentmindedly reaches over and plays with my hair as her eyes go from mine to my lips for a second making my heart skip. I then realize I want her to kiss me as I glance at hers. I want to kiss her before I die, just once.

But I'm a coward, I'm so pathetic. I'm afraid to make my move because she's not just some plaything. I don't deserve her and I don't want her to feel pain when I go either.

Kess. p.o.v.

Me and Loke had a few more shots and chatted before parting ways and he was all I could think about as I thought about how his magic fluctuated, and Phil's note claiming Loke said he was dying then took it back calling it a joke.

I have a feeling he wasn't joking. I was at Lucy's as she complained about running from Loke's now ex-girlfriends all day, and concerns cause he's missing.

"Lucy, when Loke told you he was dying I have this gut feeling he wasn't joking.", I say "His magic fluctuates like a spirit whose master has chained him here for too long and is dying." as it clicks while Lucy calls Crux I pull out the jade key thankful it has multiple forms.

"Open gate of the Dragon, Akira in chibi form.", I say as the small version of my seafoam green dragon spirit in the next room.

"Hello Lady Kess how can I help?", he say.

"Akira I need a side by side projection of Leo the Lion and Loke of Fairy Tail.", I ask as these two projector lights come from his eyes causing the two figures I requested to stand side by side.

The fighting style, the eyes, why he looks so familiar. Why he reacts every time celestial mages or spirits are around or talk of it.

Loke, is Leo. "Shoot I'm an idiot.", I say as I run out of Lucy's apartment and run as fast as I can to Karen's grave. The last time I was there It was cause I vowed to find Loke and save him. To make up for my weakness.

I run until I reach the grave and there sits the missing ring mage. "Loke, I've been looking everywhere for you.", I say panting as I hold a hand up as she approaches. "Kess.", he says looking stunned.

"Loke!", my cousin shouts.

"We know about Karen.", my cousin says as my eyes are locked on Loke.

Loke's p.o.v.

I could hardly believe Kess and Lucy were here as Kess's gaze never wavered from me. Those violet grey eyes held a billion emotions as I told Lucy about Karen.

"It wasn't your fault Loke.", Kess says balling her hand into a fist. "Karen was an idiot, she called Aries against a opponent with a stronger celestial spirit that likes to kill mages for there keys. She knew she was out gunned but her pride got her. I was there! She was beat by a mage that used her own tactics" I can see the anger in Kess's eyes. She was there and believes I wasn't at fault.

"She's right Loke you didn't kill Karen.", Lucy says "You were protecting your friend. "

I have another attack as Kess rushes to grab and support me as parts of my body start to turn into stardust.

"I'm not gonna let you die, I'll get you home if I have to force the gate open!", Kess says as Lucy kneals by her.

"Open Gate of the Lion!", Kess says as she starts to force the gate open an I can feel the surge as Lucy adds her power.

"Stop, your using to much magic, I don't want your deaths on my hands too!", I shout.

"No what good is magic if you can't use it to help your friends!", Lucy shouts.

"No, I promised you the day Karen died I'd save you, I won't let another spirit die if I can do something. I won't let you die if it takes everything in me!", Kess says as the power surges off of them and suddenly we're in the spirit realm and there before us is the spirit king.

"While I regret the choice Leo the Lion has made, his punishment for the death of his owner Karen stands. He was responsible.", the king says as Kess stands removing her arms from me as her and Lucy stand.

"It was Karen's own fault for summoning to many spirits gramps!", Kess yells "She admitted it herself on her deathbed!"

"Loke was only trying to protect his friend Aries. He was doing what was right!", Lucy yells.

"Karen's recklessness could of led to Aries death, he was doing what he thought best to protect her. ", Kess shouts as power goes off from her and Lucy goes off as many spirits appear, some Zodiac, some Chinese Zodiac, a few norse and a lot of Silver, are these all Lucy's spirits.

"All mine and Lucy's spirits agree and find Loke innocent as well!", Kess shouts surprising me.

"If the rule finds him at fault its a stupid rule stash face!", Lucy shouts.

"Very well it seems its the rule at fault and the rule needs to be changed. Leo I grant thee return to the spirit world.", he says.

"Way to go stash face!", Lucy says thumbs upping him as he grins

"Yah thanks gramps.", Kess says as she goes to pull me to standing.

"But.", I start "I don't deserve it."

"If you still want to atone for your sins Loke I suggest you do it by protecting your friends.", The spirit king says vanishing as two keys appear in my hands and my eyes widen.

"Lucy, Kess thank you so much.", I say teary eyed as I feel my gate start to open as Lucy takes my hand and Kess hugs me to my surprise.

"I'd do it all over again.", Kess says quietly as they pull back each holding one of my keys as Lucy's eyes hold relief while Kess's eyes hold a swirl of emotions the strongest a longing, mixed with love as our eyes stay locked as I go through the gate.

Kess's p.o.v.

The next day there was rejoicing in Fairy Tail because Loke was alive and safe, and there were many questions as me, Lucy, and Loke explained everything. I was so relieved to have him safe and smiling.

"Wait your a spirit, you don't look freaky though.", Natsu asks.

"What about virgo.", Lucy says defensively.

"And my tiger and cat keys have two forms, one of them being human with cat or tiger ears and tails. ", I add.

"I'm still surprised to learn you were a Celestial mage as well all along.", Loke says to me quietly.

"I usually don't admit to it. Mages like Karen make me ashamed to call myself one.", I say "And I didn't want you scared of me. I saw how you were with Luce."

"So if your a Lion does that make you a big cat.", Happy says as I giggle as me and Loke share a smirk.

"You bet.", Loke says.

"No it doesn't", Lucy says as I laugh again.

"I bet if I rub his head like a kitty he'll purr like one.", I say teasingly as Loke blushes.

"That's so cool, I wish I had a dragon spirit.", Natsu says.

"Why.", Lucy says.

"So I can fight it and test my magic on it.",Natsu says as Lucy smacks him.

"Spirits aren't practice dummys!", she says.

"There friends and comrads", I say

"Or we're here if you need a little Love.", Loke says scooping me up bridal style making me blush.

"Come on Kess lets go discuss our contract, and Lucy I'll talk to you about ours tomorrow afternoon.", Loke says carrying me out.

"Loke!", my cousin shouts making me giggle as I wrap my arms around Loke and when we get out he presses his forehead to mine."

"Careful Kess, I'm after your heart now, and I won't settle for less than your whole heart. Because I'm falling for you.", he says making my heart do flips as we walk to the bench we went stargazing on where he sets me down and sits by me before he leans so his breath is on my face, and I could smell his cologne and the mint on his breath as he puts his shades on his head and I lean in closing the distance as our lips touch and I finally can see what people mean by a kiss sparking fireworks.