Chapter 21

Possession...?!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, only my own OC's and Ideas

.:+:.

"He..."

"... he's come to challenge the Master...?!"

Sting shuddered slightly, his eyes wide and his breath shaking as he sucked it in.

That look...

Rogue hissed, his poker-face destroyed and tense.

.... he's full of rage.....

They stood shoulder to shoulder, their eyes locked on the man blazing with fire, his face dark, easily throwing away the people who came at him- his very presence making people halt, their bodies stiff, terrified.

.... he's on the warpath..!

But why...!?

"Where is he?! Where is the Bastard you call 'Master'?!" Natsu raged,

"You wanna take on the Master..?!"

"What are you, stupid..?!"

"Hold on...ain't he from Fairy Tail...?!"

"What does a little Fairy want with me?"

Sting and Rogue stiffened, their eyes snapping from Natsu toward Master Jiemma as he stalked through the crowd, eyes locked on the pinkette who bared his fangs at him.

"So you're the asshole who picks on his Guild, huh?" Natsu hissed, "What you did, hurting the people you're supposed to look after.... tch... how dare you call yourself a Guild Master?!"

"What is he....?" Rufus mumbled,

"... tch.... is he talking about Yukino...?" Orga grumbled lowly,

"You don't have any right to lead these people! You'll kick someone out for losing one stupid battle?! Hurt them if they do anything you don't like?!" Natsu snarled, "How dare you?!?!"

"Did you really come to challenge me?" Jiemma growled lowly, "What a stupid decision."

"I came here to teach you a lesson about what happens when you hurt the people you're supposed to care for! So you'd better listen the hell up!" Natsu snapped,

"I don't have a clue what you're talking about." Jiemma growled, "It seems to me you've come her trying to impose your own moral code, what right do you have to dictate how I run my Guild, or the people in it, hmm?"

"What right do you have to lay a hand on anyone here?!" Natsu hissed, "You've got all these people who follow you, but I can't see why- you're clearly just a rotten bastard who doesn't deserve an ounce of their loyalty or their time!!"

The Guild as a whole seemed to stiffen at the words, their eyes narrowing and looking incredibly uneasy- trying so very hard not to react, not to show that the words- they hit home, hard.

"Why would anyone follow a bastard who hurts them, or their friends?!"

"Enough of your prattling, fairy. Dobengal- take care of this insect." Jiemma barked lowly, the Guild swallowing as Dobengal stepped forward,

"Yes Master,"

"What are you, scared?!" Natsu snapped,

"Not at all, I'm the Master of this Guild and I'm not going to waste my time on a flea like you. You aren't worth my time, at all." Jiemma grumbled, Natsu jaw clenched harder.

Dobengal rushed forward, too fast for Natsu to keep track of him all the way- but not fast enough he wasn't able to easily dodge out of the way of the punches the Saber man started to thrown his way.

"My beef isn't with you, pal!!! Out of my way!!!!"

Natsu swung around, flames bursting up from the floor and spiraling through the air as he swung his elbow out, his weight thrown into Dobengal with a thundering boom- the man thrown away to smash into the wall hard enough it caved- his body barely missing Sting by a few inches, the air rushing up to slam into his face and snatch his breath away.

H... holy.... shit....

"H-he just took out one of the toughest guys in the Guild... like it was nothing....!" Lector stammered, fur on end and eyes wide.

"Tch.... you have spirit, pest." Jiemma growled, "Sting, Rogue- take care of this insolent little fool!"

Rogue and Sting both jumped slightly at the icy order, their eyes narrowing as they tensed.

"Right, Master!"

"Quit hiding behind your lackeys!!" Natsu roared, his eyes snapping from Jiemma as Rogue and Sting charged. "Tch... this guy doesn't give a damn about any of you!" Natsu snapped, jumping backward to avoid the throw Sting sent his way, "How can you stand listening to the asshole who did something like that to your friend?!"

"He's our Master, it's our job to listen and do as he orders." Sting growled,

"You have no sense of authority, Salamander." Rogue hissed, Natsu shook his head, fangs bared and seething.

"Don't give me that crap!!" He roared, fire washing out through the air toward them- both Sting and Rogue jumping to avoid it, bringing themselves behind Natsu- who spun around, eyes blazing. "She keeps defending you assholes! Why the hell is she willing to defend you, after all the shit that's gone on?!"

They blinked, sweatdropping- before splitting apart to avoid the flames that rushed toward them next,

"She said she'd defend you, no matter what happened! She's defending you still even through all that shit this bastard's put her through!!" Rogue swung out, his fists encased in Shadow as he struck out toward Natsu- only to get knocked away, skidding backward on his feet and hissing.

What the hell... is he...?!

"She's willing to defend you even when you've sat back and watched her get hurt, why?! Why is she willing to take the blame for all of you?! Why the hell does she keep saying it's her fault?!" Sting hissed, ducking under Natsu's flaming fist as the pinkette missed him by barely an inch- his heart skipping a beat when Natsu's eyes locked with his, seething, searching-

W..wait...

"Why does she think it's all on her, huh?! Why does she think she has to fix this?!" Natsu snarled, Sting felt a bead of sweat fall down his back.

He... he can't be.. right..?

"Why does she think it's up to her all on her own?!"

Rogue felt a shiver run up his spine, both his mind and Sting's racing- Lector and Frosch standing still, their fur all on end.

He's... he's not talking about Yukino.... is he...?!

Sting rolled backward, barely avoiding Natsu's leg as he swung it up- a wall of bright white springing between them as the flames clashed against it with a deafening boom.

No... he's gotta be....!

He's talking about Horatia!

"And what does this asshole have on her, huh?!" Natsu roared, "Are you all really too afraid of him?! What could possibly be keeping any of you from fighting back?! What's he hanging over her head that's so bad she won't tell you?!"

"W.. what the hell are you.. talking about...?!" Sting hissed, his jaw clenching.

"What has this asshole done to make her feel like she has to change things all on her own?!" Natsu snarled,

Something.... he's hanging over... Hora's head...?

Rogue hissed, his breath shaking as he sucked in air-

"We can't run, and even if we did- we wouldn't leave you behind. If you want us to leave, you have to come with us." He replied, his tone steely. Her jaw clenched, whether it was in pain or frustration he couldn't tell, "If we go anywhere, you go with us- there is no way around it. You have to come with us."

"I can't!"

Her eyes snapped open to land on him, glittering and watering- filled with more profound sadness and regret than he had ever seen all in one person, and never in her. He stiffened, his heart dropping to his stomach and all anger suddenly destroyed to see the tears pricking at the corners of her blue eyes.... She.... She was on the verge of tears....

"A-Atia..." He stammered, heart dropping at the sight. He'd never once seen her cry, and certainly he'd never seen her even come close to doing so.... He didn't know how to react to it, in her there was so much pain and regret, and sadness and utter despair it made his heart ache... It made his heart ache in a sudden unbearable pain to see those tears in her eyes now, and he could only stare.

"I can't..... You have to leave.... Please...." Her eyes glittered in the most unbearable pain, he felt his heart breaking. "... I don't want... To see any of you get hurt... I can't bear to watch you guys suffer... Or be in pain... I want you happy..... And you can't be happy in this Guild.... You have to go.... And you have to leave me behind.... Please....." The tears spilled over, small glittering trails falling down her cut and bruised cheeks softly,

How... Had he never seen this much pain... And sadness... In her....?

"... What do you mean.... You can't...?" He manage to stammer, her eyes closed again.

"... I just... I can't..."

"Hora." He murmured softly, shaking off some of his shock and the sudden tearing he felt in his heart at seeing her like this, he pushed it all away a moment. "Please.... I want to understand..... Why do you believe that you can't leave?" She didn't reply, and he let out a small Tch, his eyes narrowing a little as he softly lay his hand on her arm. ".... You've been hiding something all these years, something deep and dark.. And clearly painful.... We're friends, we are Family.... Please just talk to me." She shook her head a little,

".... Rogue.... I can't tell you... I'm sorry...."

Rogue's eyes flashed, a wash of understanding and panic hitting him straight on.

He's..... the reason Hora said she can't leave...?!

Sting stared, his heart skipping a beat as his thoughts suddenly clicked together too- his attention riveted on Natsu, his rage, his words-

Master Jiemma.... he's done something to make her feel like that...?! Like she's.... trapped?!

"... She says she can't leave the Guild." Rogue murmured, Sting shook his head roughly, suddenly seeming to grow agitated.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?! Its not as if she's a pet or something! She's a free, living person, and has every right to do what she wants! How could she even think that?! What a stupid idea... Idiot...!" Sting hissed, his voice rising unintentionally as his eyes flashed in irritation. It didn't make any sense to him, how could she really think she couldn't leave the Guild? So much so she told them to leave her behind?

All that pain, that guilt- the fear they'd seen in her? The reason she was crying..?!

Jiemma... he's done something, and Hora can't tell us....!?

Of all the things they'd seen Jiemma do, all the wrongs- all the cruelty, all of it.... nothing burned more fiercely in the hearts as the sheer rage that ignited at the idea.

"Why the hell can't she tell anyone about it?! Why does she have to keep everything all bent up and stuffed inside of herself?!" Natsu was still going, jumping forward into the air toward the both of Sting and Rogue, Magic blazing and the air near too hot to breathe.

And all that dread and fear and worry they had been feeling for the last few weeks since Jiemma had attacked her suddenly hit a high, it all amplified and became so much worse as they realized the full extent of how hurt she was. They nearly lost her, and they were still losing her.

Her shoulders hunched slightly, her smile growing more strained by the minute as her eyes closed.

"Please..?" She asked quietly, her voice starting to shake. She let out a strained chuckle that sounded choked. "Come on y-you guys... I'm barely keeping it together here, just a-answer the question already, this is already hard enough..." Her body was trembling too, her knees threatening to give out.

Her eyes shut, the tears spilling faster as her pressed together hands folded in on themselves, tight and gripping at her shirt as if she was holding on for dear life.

What had he done... to hurt her like that? So deeply? Like he'd scored across not only her body, but her soul too...?

They forgot to try and move, watching in stiff silence and their minds racing as Natsu came down at them- his body blazing all around in brilliant orange,

"HOW CAN YOU EVEN CALL THIS GUY MASTER AFTER WHAT HE'S DONE?!"

Sting and Rogue stiffened, their bodies reacting at the last second as their eyes snapped closed, their arms lifting to guard them- all will to keep fighting and keep up face in front of Master Jiemma was shattered.

"Fire Devil's:"

Natsu stiffened, his eyes widening at the low, steely voice of out nowhere-

"Guardian Circle!!!!!"

A powerful waft of air rushed up, slamming straight into everyone in the building hard enough to make them step back to regain their balance- their faces washed against by a thick cloud of heat that had them sweating instantly.

The glow of gold and blue lit up the room and bounced from the stone, heat wafting around through the air in wild waves as Natsu's attack crashed against the sheer, near solid wall of flame that erupted around Sting and Rogue in a circle, the air shaking violently at the sheer power that came from the clashing together fire.

Natsu's feet hit the ground, eyes wide and sweatdropping heavily as his eyes snapped on to the figure that had suddenly appeared in the very center of that storm of fire- the flames surrounding her body and never leaving a single mark-

Sting and Rogue gulped, their jaws dropping as their eyes shot open, spotting her in an instant as the azure blue fire swirled, swallowing the orange whole as if it was some great, hungry beast- before it shifted too, spiraling out of the air and down toward her- her mouth open wide as she ate every single last shred of flame, until it was gone- and her jaw snapped shut.

Every inch of fire- gone, eaten- in seconds.

Hora didn't pause, her face dark and her eyes locked straight on to Natsu with a look of sheer, icy fury- her feet bringing her forward toward him in a single second as she swung her fist back, her hand pitch black.

Natsu recoiled, his eyes going round and panic hitting him straight on.

"ENOUGH!"

The sound of Hora's fist connecting with Natsu's cheek was loud, a torrent of air sprung up from the impact and rushed out on all sides- the pinkette launched straight backward and across the room with enough force to have leveled a building it felt like.

Natsu yelped as he smashed into the wall, coughing as his body bounced off the stone, Hora halted where she was.

The building went deathly silent, every eye on her and nearly every one of them trembling.

The look on Hora's face was nothing they had ever see in her before; deep, raging anger that had her lips curled in a snarl, her deep blue eyes icy and yet like an inferno at the same time- her entire countenance was that of someone who was oh so very done.

"Whatever idiotic nonsense this is about, I don't give a shit." Hora snapped across the hall, her eyes locking onto Natsu as he slowly pushed himself up the from the floor. He blinked, sweatdropping-

The Guild around them stared, hardly daring to breath- because the Hora they saw now, for the very first time- that wasn't her. She slapped on one of those Faces the rest of the Guild had grown so used to putting on for the world, and the one she chose so suddenly- was terrifying and cold. And oh so very merciless, the way they felt hearing the venom in her voice could have rivaled that of what they had heard in Minerva and Jiemma both.

"Don't think you can come in here and start spouting so much bullshit- or destroy our inn, attack our Guild- and get away with it, little Fairy."

They shuddered, their hearts skipping a beat in an icy pang that chilled them to the core at how low her voice got, how dangerous her growl. Natsu swallowed, staring and motionless.

"You have no idea what you're talking about, and you have no clue who you're messing with." Hora snarled lowly, "You can be sure that SaberTooth is going to ground you into a bloody pulp in the Games now, you will not get away with any of this."

A shadow passed over her eyes, her icy stare locked straight onto Natsu as he recoiled slightly.

"The only reason I'm not going to turn you into ash right now is because that would disqualify SaberTooth in the Games." She hissed, her words cutting. "And you can be assured, the only reason Sting and Rogue didn't beat your ass right now is for the same reason, Fairy."

"You and that Guild of yours are done for."

Natsu shivered, his breath shaking slightly as he glared, eyes narrowed to slits.

"Did I say you could interrupt this?"

Hora's eyes flashed, her eyes narrowing slightly at the utterly low growl. She forced herself a breath, the shadow passing from her eyes as she brought them up to meet the piercing glare of Master Jiemma. She could feel both Sting and Rogue tense up behind her,

"Forgive me, Master." Hora replied, her tone utterly cool. "I did not see the point of letting this fool continue with his idiocy."

"I do not care what you see fit or do not- wretch." Jiemma growled, Hora blinked, her expression never altering from that stony neutrality. She stiffened slightly, seeing his hand lift as he drew his fingers in air toward her-

The air was cut by a high-pitched, cutting sound that whined- a sudden burst of invisible force detonating next to Hora and slamming straight into the left side of her jaw, knocking her off balance instantly as she hissed. Her skin bruised instantly from the hit that sent a wave of air out around it. She took a few steps sideways, managing to stay on her feet and hardly reacting to the hit at all-

Lector and Frosch let out startled mews, Rufus and Orga taking a small steps forward as their eyes flashed. Rogue and Sting stared, their eyes fixed on Hora as she stayed standing in front of them, looking no less stony as she let her eyes fall closed.

"The next time you step into something you do not belong, be sure you will receive worse!" Jiemma boomed dangerously, Hora nodded.

"I understand, Master." She replied levelly, Natsu growled.

"You bastard!!! Leave her out of this!!"

Hora stiffened, her eyes flashing as Natsu launched forward toward Jiemma in a burst of anger again- orange flames circling his body as gold suddenly glittered among them too, lightning.

"Lightning-Flame Dragon's:"

Damn it...!

Jiemma shifted, Magical Pressure sparking off of him as he readied himself for the attack.

"Demolition Fist!!"

The building shook under their feet, the windows shattering outward as Magic bounced up around the both of them and suddenly arced up toward the roof- blowing a hole through it as the conflict shuddered to a halt again.

Hora sweatdropped, her stony expression breaking slightly as she felt a pang of fear hit her- she flinched slightly though, her eyes snapping shut against her will, Rogue and Sting noticed the reaction instantly.

Natsu's attack hadn't hit the Master at all, it'd been moved- and in between the both of Natsu and Jiemma stood the familiar figure of SaberTooth's Lady- a cool smile on her lips as she held her hands up between the both of them, unperturbed.

"Tch.." Hora hissed, her eyes opening again as she clenched her fists at her sides. Sting and Rogue stepped closer behind her, she waved her hand back toward them in a motion for silence-

"Huh..?" Natsu growled, Jiemma growled.

Minerva hummed lightly, her hands falling on to her hips as her Magic faded. "Hmm, certainly you'll agree- but this little quarrel of yours has gone too far."

"Tch... what?" Natsu hissed,

"How dare you get in my way, this does not concern you." Jiemma growled, Minerva smiled still.

"Forgive me, you could have easily defeated this man, so I'm not doing this for your sake, Father." Minerva replied lightly, Natsu went rigid.

"... Father..?!" He hissed,

She's that bastards daughter...?!

His fists clenched,

These two, they're the ones Hora warned me about...!

Minvera didn't seem to care Natsu said anything, she just continued on. "But we must take into account what this altercation will look like to the outside world." She smiled slightly at Natsu, "Despite the fact that you are clearly the aggressor here- our Master killing a competitor will leave SaberTooth in an awkward position. That at least I do agree on, with Horatia." Hora sweatdropped slightly, "And it would certainly put a damper on the Games, wouldn't you say?"

"Tch... you know what I think? I think you're scared of seeing me beat this guy's ass into the ground!" Natsu snapped back,

"You have enraged both my father and his men- and they are not the types to take this kind of provocation lightly." Minerva answered ever easily, Hora swallowed slightly as she watched Minerva's lips pull up in a smirk.

That look...

"What do you say? Will you allow me to resolve this in a peaceful manner?" The Lady asked coolly, Natsu glared. Minerva's hands moved up, her palms hovering over eachother as her Magic flared.

Hora felt her heart stop.

"Be aware, that is the only way your kitten will be returned to you." Minerva hummed,

"N-Natsu...!!" Happy wailed, tears in his eyes and bound tightly by rope as Minerva held him in her hands. Hora's shoulders tightened, her hands clenching harder at her sides.

Minerva....

"Happy!" Natsu hissed,

"I-I'm sorry Natsu...! She snuck up on me...!!" Happy wailed, Minerva chuckled slightly. Natsu sweatdropped,

"... shit..."

"You seem to have taken out your anger on quite a few of our members in your prattling," Minerva hummed, "But I am willing to overlook this incident entirely if you cooperate." She pulled Happy closer, rubbing his head with a smirk. "Behave like a grown-up and we can continue the Games normally like nothing ever happened."

Hora's eyes fell, immediately seeing the anger and fear in Natsu's face- and the annoyance too, he didn't want to back down so quickly but he didn't have a choice.

He lowered his head a little, shaking as he let out a breath- Minerva let Happy go once it was clear he wouldn't be fighting any longer.

"N-Natsuuu!!" Happy cried, running into the Dragon Slayer and holding on for dear life. "I'm so sorry..!"

"Don't worry Little Buddy, I should be the one apologizing for running off like that." Natsu murmured, patting Happy's head as his eyes cast sideways toward where Hora was motionless, her eyes closed and silent.

"I-it's ok...!" Happy mumbled, Natsu picked him up in his arms, his eyes falling on the Exceed as he swallowed.

"... let's go home." He mumbled, slowly heading toward the destroyed remains of the inn's entryway.

"We can settle this matter in the Arena," Minerva hummed at his back, her face darkening. "Where we will show you no mercy."

Hora stiffened a little,

Don't stop, Natsu... keep walking....

"Tch... fine." Natsu growled, "But you'll never beat us, we're at a whole other level than you." Natsu glanced over his shoulder, his eyes flashing as she settled them all with a barely muffled glare.

"Cause a real Guild treats it's Members like Family, no matter what." He growled, everyone else just returned the look, neutral-faced, silent. He hissed under his breath, his eyes lingering on where Hora was for a few seconds, before he walked out.

"That's why I came."

.... like family...?

..... we know...but...

..... what do we do...?

"Tch..... I call dibs on the first event tomorrow, I'm gonna show those losers what SaberTooth is really like." Orga grumbled, his own Face setting up again, though the feeling the events left didn't go away- Rufus beside him too regaining his composure slightly with a small nod.

The Guild wouldn't forget what was said though, none of them... they knew things needed change, but still they saw no end to it. Not one... not yet.

"Indeed... your Black Lightning will make their souls tremble." Rufus murmured lightly,

"We will be taking appropriate measures in response to this disrespect, I assure you." Minerva hummed lightly, ".... hmm, though I will admit, disturbances like this do make the Games more exciting." She smirked, "And since Yukino is no longer with us, I shall take it upon myself to fill her vacancy."

There were small smirks that spread throughout the people, forced a little... but still, their other selves flared again.

Master is watching... and the Lady too.

"I see your Mission was a success," Minerva hummed, her eyes moving over toward Hora, who looked up at the comment, her gaze level. "Very good, the money from the Magic Council will surely be more than enough to pay for the damage that fool caused here."

".... yes, My Lady." Hora murmured,

"Hmm, and such ruthlessness against the Fairy just now." Minerva smirked, "I see your punishment about betraying the Guild before was sufficient, as you've now seen the error of your ways, hmm?"

"... yes." Hora replied, the dangerous glint working it's way into her expression again, her voice a growl that sent shivers up so many people's spines. "My loyalty is to SaberTooth, and nowhere else... I will gladly burn every member of Fairy Tail into ash, if you wished it, My Lady."

Sting and Rogue swallowed, their eyes narrowed at Hora's back- they honestly couldn't tell if she was being serious or not, this sudden act she put on was just.... too good.

"Very good!" Minerva smiled wickedly, "For now, you runts clean up this mess." Her hand swept out toward the people on the left side of the room, "Father, I assumed you'd like to discuss my Mission, yes?" He gave her a small glare that she took as answer.

"Everyone else, back to your rooms. I think that's enough excitement for the night." Minerva ordered easily, the whole of the Guild nodding.

"Yes, My Lady."

Hora's head twitched a little as the room lit up with noise, letting out a low breath. Rogue and Sting saw her do it, their eyes falling on her again and eyes widening-

There was a trail of blood dribbling down from the inside of Hora's left ear and down her neck, her cheek bruising already from the hit the Master had thrown her way.

'The harshness you used against that Fairy Tail boy,' Lixue hummed, '... it wasn't all an act. You really are angry with him.'

Hora's eyes flashed,

'... so angry it's like ice.'

.:+:.

"I'll talk to you two later, get some sleep."

"You sure?"

"I'm sure... I know you probably have questions, but right now... I am really not in the mood."

"... very well, Hora."

Orga and Rufus retired to their own rooms with little argument, they could see Hora's nerves wearing, and quickly- and the thought of her anger in the middle of that conflict?

They weren't going to argue, she really did not look to be in any sort of mood at all.

Sting, Lector, Frosch and Rogue jumped slightly as Hora closed the door to the room with an audible snap- her eyes glittering and cold as she stared at the floor, her entire countenance rigid and shaking.

... that..... fucking....... IDIOT!!!

Her fists slammed back against the door, the four in the room with her flinching slightly.

I told him not to! I explicitly told him to stay the HELL out of it!

And he goes around, yelling all that shit out loud?! What did he think was gonna happen?! He's goddamn lucky it looks like Master and Minerva thought he was talking nonsense!!

He's fucking lucky Minerva stepped in before Jiemma killed him too!!

Fuck, what did I say about getting involved with Fairy Tail?

It always ends up screwing me over!

"Tch....... " Hora hissed,

.... how did Natsu... even figure all of that out....?!

"Sit down!" She ordered sharply, her eyes snapping up to rest her steely glare on all four of them. They jumped, immediately sitting down cross-legged on the floor and at full attention, looking incredibly nervous.

Hora hissed, her cheek throbbing painfully and her left ear ringing at the sound of her own voice- they perked up at the show of pain instantly,

"Hora, you're bleeding...!" Rogue and Sting told her quickly,

"Tch.... shut up!" She snapped, wincing again. They grimaced,

"... No! You can't just just tell us to leave it alone this time...!" Sting hissed back,

"Atia, everything that Natsu was saying, about there being a reason you've never fought back against Master...!" Lector said quietly,

"Leave it alone!" Hora cut him off instantly, "Don't listen to a damn thing that stupid damned Salamander was yapping about! He had no right to charge in here and no right to go around spouting crap like that!" Her eyes flashed, "He has no idea what he's talking about! You four need to leave this alone and focus on the Games!"

"... how the hell do you expect us to leave it alone..?!" Sting snapped, she winced at the loudness.

"He wasn't just talking nonsense, Hora....!" Rogue growled, "... he... he knew about it, about what you said that night... about not being able to leave the Guild...!"

"Be quiet!" Hora hissed, he flinched as she swept her hand out in front of her- a line of fire forming in the shape of runes.

"Tch... shit... fucking... damn it.. Natsu..!" Hora hissed, turning her back on them and the Runes following her lead, moving out around her and growing in number to stick themselves along the walls all around them, trapping them in something of a circle. A Spell to dull down their voices in case anyone was listening in,

She hissed, sinking down to sit on her heels, her hand moving up to wipe away the blood dripping from her ear. They stiffened, their eyes wide in worry and confusion as they shifted, inching closer a little.

"....... tch... I told him to stay out of it..." She growled, they blinked. Her hands pressed against the floor as she leaned over a little, shaking still- though they weren't sure if it was because of her anger or something else now. "... I told him I had to handle it.... he could have.... fucked so much up... just rushing in here like that.... idiot....!"

"Hora... please, tell us what is going on..?!" Lector mewed, his ears falling against his head. Frosh reached out with a paw, trembling still as the Exceed moved to sit beside Hora,

"Does the Master really have something to do with why you can't leave the Guild...?" Sting hissed,

"What has he done, Hora? We need to know... it's passed time you told us..!" Rogue told her lowly,

I can't tell you.. because I know you. And I know how you'll react.

"No." Hora growled, her tone flinty as she settled her gaze on them, unwavering. "What I said that night has nothing to do with what Natsu said. There's nothing he has on me." They blinked, looking taken aback. "The reason I can't leave has nothing to do with Jiemma having something on me. I can't leave because.... because I can't bear the thought of leaving anyone here to deal with that asshole alone." They stiffened, "I've been in this Guild longer than anyone, I was here before Jiemma took over and I've seen all the awful shit he's done. I can't leave this Guild or anyone in it, not with how cruel he is.... I... I should have fought harder, to keep him from taking over the Guild all those years ago. He's hurt so many people and I could have avoided all of it."

Their eyes flashed, sweatdropping slightly.

"I want to fix this Guild... but I wanna do it my way. I have to do it my way, it should have fallen on me to start with and it's on me now." Her eyes fell, "..... hearing that Jiemma... what he did with Yukino..... it pissed me off, pissed me off so much I was gonna rush in here and demand for blood. His blood." She hissed, shaking her head. "... but I can't do that. Stopping Jiemma can't be done by...... killing him. That's the sort of thing my Magic makes me want to do, but I can't be that... I can't be what my Magic is always trying to force me to be."

They watched her silently, their eyes glittering as they seemed to deflate a little.

"... I have to find some way to take Jiemma down, on my own terms... I can't leave until I've stopped him. Until SaberTooth is free of him, and he won't have opportunity to do to other people what he's been doing to us." She took in a sharp breath,

I wish it wasn't this easy to lie

".... that's why, alright?" She mumbled, her eyes moving up toward them again. "That's why I can't leave, that's what Natsu was talking about.. but he got it wrong, alright? Not leaving is my choice... I just can't live with myself if I turn my back on what Jiemma does."

The looks on their faces, they were believing her... believing the lie.

'You are very good at lying.' Lixue commented,

"So please..... please just focus on the Games right now, alright? I don't want you guys to get in trouble, like Yukino.... I just need time to figure out what I'm going to do." Hora mumbled, "... you don't need to be worried I'm in danger or anything, I'm not. I'm just... frustrated."

".... is that really... why..?" Sting mumbled softly, she nodded. ".... Hora.... why didn't you tell us this forever ago...?"

"... because I was ashamed to admit it?" She mumbled, ".... I don't want you guys in danger, and you are in danger being here.... that's why I wanted you to leave without me.... but I know you won't, because I know you'll stay with me regardless of anything...and I love you all so much for it. I really do.... I just feel... selfish, almost."

"Atia.." Lector and Frosch mewed,

"... that is literally about as far from selfish as anybody can be." Sting grumbled, his eyes flashing. She blinked at him,

"Yeah! You just wanna keep people safe, Hora!" Lector told her,

"You should have told us sooner, Hora... we could have been trying to help you come up with a plan." Sting mumbled, she nodded slightly.

"... sorry." She sighed, "... but really, you can't right now... the Games are your first priority, alright?" He sweatdropped slightly, "... you need to keep your head in the game, promise me that." Her eyes flicked to Rogue, who blinked "Both of you."

"...... alright, Hora." They mumbled in unison, she smiled slightly.

"Thank you." She sighed,

"Now, seriously- are you ok?" Sting hissed, "Your ear is still bleeding, ya know." Hora blinked, sweatdropping slightly.

They believe me so easy...

"...ah... well my ear is still kinda ringing..." She grumbled, "... but it should be fine in a little, my cheek too... all things considered, he really didn't hit me that hard." She shook her head a little, "... I found Yukino, by the way..."

They all leaned in, eyes wide and interest peaked in an instant.

"Is she ok..?!"

"... she seemed pretty alright, considering." Hora mumbled, "I told her I would come back to see her soon, I hope she doesn't leave Crocus too quickly...."

"..... we.... we should apologize to her..." Sting stammered, his hands clenching in his lap. "... what Master did.... it wasn't right...." Hora sweatdropped,

"..... you will get the chance, I promise...." Hora sighed, ".... Yukino understands why you guys couldn't.... she knows. She's not gonna blame you for anything."

"I hope you're right, Atia..." Lector mumbled, Frosch snuggled into her lap.

"I miss Yukino..." The little Exceed mumbled,

".... I know.."

.:+:.

"Hora."

Hora blinked, sitting up quickly from laying in bed at the voice- her eyes flashing in the dark as she sweatdropped.

She'd left Rogue, Sting, Lector and Frosch to go to sleep about an hour ago- she'd gone to her own room with the intent of doing the same... though it hadn't quite worked, she was still too wound up. She'd taken time instead to write a letter to Yukino, hoping maybe it would calm her down once she tried to sleep again...... But she'd been staring up at the roof in sheer silence for another hour, and had hardly moved- her thoughts consumed in worry and anger and disdain...

She recognized that new voice in an instant though, her eyes narrowed as she stood up from the bed, looking into the deepest shadows at the edge of the room.

"... why are you acting all creepy, Rogue?" Hora mumbled, quirking a brow as said Shadow Dragon Slayer stepped from the shadows, seemingly melting from them. She blinked, his red eyes fixed on her and his face serious as all hell. ".... what's with the face...?"

He sighed slightly, walking forward toward her as she let her hand rest on her hip. He halted in front of her, his eyes fixed as she blinked. This was a little off, even for him- too quite, too... Neutral.

".... seriously.... what is wrong with you...?" She mumbled quietly,

"You lied." He replied softly, Hora went rigid.

"..w...what...?" She breathed, his eyes narrowed slightly, his lips pulling into a small frown.

"You lied, when you told us the reason you couldn't leave the Guild." He murmured softly, "I know you lied, Hora. I could hear it in your voice."

She smiled nervously, backing up slightly. ".... h..huh...? Seriously, that's why you're creeping around the shadows...? I didn't lie..." He blinked, shifting forward toward her as she backed up again.

"Hora..." He murmured, "... please, I saw it in your eyes that night you woke up, after Master...." He bit the inside of his cheek, "...... you were afraid, there's something else.... when Natsu said that Master had something on you.... it made sense." Hora sweatdropped, ".... you could beat Master, you could fight back... you could do it without killing him." Rogue murmured, "... but you've always taken whatever he threw at you, you always just let yourself suffer.... and it never made any sense why, but it does with what Natsu said."

"...... I already told you..." Hora mumbled, trying to cut him off-

"No." He growled, his tone flinty suddenly. Hora flinched, her back hitting the wall she'd backed up into without consciously meaning to. Rogue halted in front of her, his hands falling on either side of her and pressing up against the wall, a gesture and action that blocked her from moving to get out of his reach, or move to the door.

"Hora, I can see it written all over your face. There's something you're hiding still, something that hurts... something bad." Rogue growled, "You wouldn't have gotten so worked up that Natsu showed up and said all of that unless it was true. He was right, Master is holding something over your head- and whatever it is, it's bad enough you've been willing to suffer under his cruelty for years." He sweatdropped, swallowing a little as he shook his head. "You can't tell me you didn't lie... not when the first thing you did after telling us, was make sure we dropped it. That we wouldn't do anything that meant going against the Master. You wanted nothing more than to change the subject, avoid it altogether."

His eyes flashed, his fangs grinding down on eachother. Hora felt her heart drop, her eyes shinning as she saw fear and worry work it's way into his expression, so deep and so powerful it was...

"... Hora... please....." he hissed, his shoulders shaking slightly. "... please tell me what's really going on.... I can't take it.... knowing there's something wrong... knowing you've been keeping it hidden for so long.... even if it ended up tearing you up inside........ It's really that bad...? That you felt you couldn't tell us...?" His eyes fell closed, his entire countenance growing rigid- his voice shaking slightly.

Hora bit the inside of her cheek, her eyes snapping shut- her stomach flipped and her heart went with it.

"... stop." She hissed, ".... I..... I can't..... Rogue..... If I do......."

"Hora, you don't have to feel like you're alone!" He hissed, "You don't have to feel like you need to keep everything to yourself!" He broke off, realizing in an instant his voice had gotten harsher than he liked. He shook his head at himself, ".... Hora, please. Tell me... I want to help you."

He tilted forward slightly, his forehead resting against hers lightly as one of her hands moved up to keep him back- it barely helped. Her eyes glinted in the dim of the room as her breath caught in her throat,

"..... Look..... I hate this, I've been so wound up since Master hurt you... Since you got so bad." Rogue mumbled, "...... I saw the pain inside of you that night Hora, you can pretend and promise all you like... I can't forget what I saw, and what I know. And I know you... I know you well enough now to see it when you're lying, and you lied. There is something else going on, something you've been keeping yourself from saying..... I am worried, Hora. I have been worried for months now, please.... I don't know if I can take being in the dark anymore."

He let out a low, shaky breath, his voice growing a little hoarser, enough so Hora felt her heart ache.

He was in so much pain, so much fear and sorry all wrapped up and wound into a giant knot around his very soul- so tight it was suffocating him. He'd been struggling for breath ever since that day Jiemma had beat her so hard he thought she might die- he'd been drowning, falling deeper into that ocean of fear and concern and he was still sinking. Faster now as she struggled to keep her posture and her conviction up right there in front of him, when he saw her force herself back and it hurt her to do it.

She tried, struggling and pushing against herself- telling herself in her head over and over again;

You can't! You can't... He can't know... Not when he might get himself hurt or killed or.. no...!

He saw the true and sheer fear light up in her deep blue eyes, and it felt like his heart cracked. He could practically see it, something swirling under the surface, something biting away, clawing, trying to fight free- she kept it locked up and it was killing her as much as it was killing him to see it.

He could never unsee it- not any of it, it had haunted his dreams for months, haunted him still... Maybe even haunted him as much as the things she had haunting her.

".... I'll do anything...... I just want you help you, Hora... Please....... Please help me understand......" Rogue's voice nearly cracked, so low and so soft he was barely above a whisper. Hora swallowed, biting hard onto her cheek as her eyes snapped shut- she wanted to pull away, wanted space between them. Wanted to leave and wanted to quit feeling his breath wash up against her face, have enough space between them she couldn't feel the warmth coming off his body.... space enough she couldn't see the pain etched into his face.

Her heart twisted so painfully she almost hissed, swallowing hard against it as she felt her legs starting to shake.

There was terror in her core, fear that cut deeper than anything else- worse than the nightmares, worse than that day she earned her Magic. This was the worst thing, the truest, deepest fear inside of her- fear they would ever know, fear of what they would do when they did know.... fear of what would happen to them.

I can't.... he'll.... you might get killed.....

"........ Hora....... please trust me...." Rogue mumbled, his forehead pressed against hers a bit more, their hair mixing- black on fiery orange. "....... I don't want you to feel so afraid, or alone... not anymore..... you have me, you always have.... I just need you to see it.... trust me, Hora.... I just want to help you....."

She stiffened underneath him, her eyes shutting tighter as she sucked in one, small, sharp breath, her hands fists at her sides.

God... damn....it.....

'Are you....?' Lixue asked softly,

"....... f....fucking..... damn it... Rogue......" Hora muttered, her voice hoarse and shaking. He swallowed at the sound, his eyes flashing as he pulled back a little, trying to get a better look at her face, it was hidden in shadow as she tilted it down quickly. She let out a shaky breath, and sucked it in way too quickly, his eyes widened a little at the sound- she sounded almost like she was... gasping.

"........ I... I trust you... I just....." She choked out, "...... I'm... I'm fucking.... te...terrified...... that y...you.... shit." Her shoulders hunched, he swallowed, his hands lifting off the wall and hovering over her shoulders, but hesitating to touch her.

"... Hora..." He breathed, she shook her head.

"..... fuck.... just.... just promise me... Rogue. You have to promise me... you won't tell Sting... or Lector... or Frosch... you can't tell anybody else.... if I tell you.... you keep it to yourself... you can't run off... you can't do anything to try.... try and stop it... change it..... you have to fucking swear to me... you have to keep it....!" Hora hissed, her voice trembling, her body falling suit as she pushed herself against the wall for support- her legs felt like they were going to give out on her. Rogue stared, a bead of sweat falling down his face as he saw her struggling to just... stand.

"... Hora... what do...?"

"Promise me, Rogue. And you had better fucking keep it..!" Hora snapped, but her voice broke halfway through and he flinched at the sound.

"... I.. I swear.... you can trust me Hora... I'll do whatever you want... please just tell me.." He told her quickly, she sucked in another breath that was borderline a sob.

Her hands unclenched, one of them lifting as she grabbed hold of his shirt- he wasn't sure why she did, but her hold was so tight he couldn't have moved even if he wanted to. He stood utterly still, his eyes watching her as her other hand moved up, placing itself against her chest, shaking.

She shuddered, swallowing hard as her head tilted back up- and he felt his heart drop into his feet.

The dim light in the room shimmered off the line of tears that fell from her eyes, rolling down her cheeks and splattering against the floor as she bit back the shuddering, sobbing breaths threatening to break her voice altogether.

She's crying.... she.....

"..... There's a Lacrima in my chest." Hora whispered, "... it's connected with my Magic.... it keeps me alive..... and Jiemma's put a Possession Link on it." She broke off, hissing as she went rigid underneath him- his jaw dropped slightly.

"... tch.... you can't break Possession Links..... they have to be removed by the people who place them..... Jiemma's had it on me since he took over the Guild.... I can't run, I can't leave.... he'll find me no matter where I go...." Her eyes flashed, her hand on her chest balling around her shirt as she held on to his a little tighter. "..... he can destroy the Lacrima whenever he wants.... with a single thought...... and if he does...... it'll kill me...."

Rogue went pale, his eyes round and his entire person shaking in sheer horror.

"..... I couldn't tell anyone.... I couldn't tell you..... if you confront Jiemma about it, he will kill me....... and he'll kill you too." Hora swallowed, "... I don't want you to die.... you can't tell anyone Rogue... you cannot confront Jiemma about this.... you have to keep this a secret....." She gasped, her body shuddering as she tried and failed to stifle the sob that rose up her throat, her tears streaming faster.

"..... please... please don't do anything.... I don't want you dead..." Hora whimpered, her eyes glinting feverishly as she slid a few inches down the wall when her legs shook too much to keep her held up. His hovering hands moved this time, and he grabbed on to her quickly, trying to keep her steady but she was shuddering so hard, so violently- her breathing getting worse by the second as she crumbled right there in front of him. Her eyes snapped shut, both of her hands holding to the front of his shirt now. ".... please..... yo... you promised..... y..you have to keep it..... please.... Rogue...."

This.... this can't be.... real....

He felt like he couldn't breath, he was frozen in his spot, mind racing and yet shuddered to a sudden, grinding halt.

Jiemma had a Possession Link on something..... that she needed to live? A Lacrima implanted inside of her, not unlike the ones they had inside of he and Sting...?

He felt like his heart skipped a beat,

Jiemma can kill her, with a snap of his fingers..... he's been hanging this over her head for almost a decade...?! What the hell.... how could anyone....... what sort of Monster....?!

".... please..... please I can't.... lose you.... any of you....." Hora gasped, Rogue's jaw snapped shut, his eyes glittering as he sucked in a sharp breath of air.

Near a decade with Jiemma having his hands wrapped around a piece of herself..... and still the only thing she's really been scared of? More than a threat on her own life?

She's more afraid something might happen to us, than if something would ever happen to herself....?!

"...pl...please...." Hora gasped, her voice getting lower by the second, weaker.

Hora's legs buckled, she started to slide down the wall and toward the floor, her hold on his shirt nearly lost- Rogue jumped, immediately holding on to her tighter, bending over and onto his knees as she sank to the floor, the tears spilling fast against her arms and onto her lap. She was starting to cry so hard she was having a hard time breathing, and she hadn't the will to keep herself standing-

She was terrified, and the thing that terrified her more than anything she had just told him about Jiemma.... Was that he might get hurt if he were to confront that absolute, utter, bastard about it. And he wanted to- the anger that filled him up when he knew was unlike anything else, the rage and the horror that went with it. He wanted to make Jiemma pay, he wanted to tear into him and force him to release Hora. He'd had a chain around her neck all these years, trapped- her life in his hands and she was so afraid of what might happen to them if they found out about it... She lived with it in silence!

This was why she never said anything, this was why she didn't fight back- her life was on a thin line, ready to be snapped at any instant Jiemma saw fit.

How can she be worried about us, through all of that...?!

It wasn't logical- he wanted her to care about herself more- a part of him was furious she didn't, furious she felt she had to hide all of this.... And yet a part of him never loved her more, knowing she wanted to protect them that badly.

And he knew in an instant he had to keep his word... Even though he didn't want to. He had to stay, he had to do as she asked. But you can be sure as all hell he wasn't going to let her drop the issue, never. They had to talk about this, they had to find some way to fix this- and he vowed right then and there that they would. He was going to help save her whether she wanted him to or not... And he would do so without breaking his word.

He couldn't confront Jiemma, he knew that. He couldn't tell Sting- because he knew what Hora did, Sting wouldn't hesitate to go after Jiemma if he knew about this. He couldn't tell Lector or Frosch either, or anyone else... This would stay between the two of them, and he was going to do whatever it took to help her.... Free her.

But right now, what he needed to do was to not leave her.

Rogue sat down in front of her, leaning in as he inched closer, his arms wrapping around her shaking, gasping form as she sank into him, holding desperately on to him as if it was her attempt to make sure he wouldn't leave and run off and start something. She was leaning into him, nearly laying on him, in between his knees as her face got buried in his chest and his arms held around her body gently, his stomach twisting and knotting with every shake, every harsh breath, every sniffle.

"Shh... It's OK... I'm not going anywhere, Hora... I promise...." Rogue mumbled softly, his hand moving in soft, slight little circles on Hora's back, trying to get her to calm down.

This woman I have seen cry more in the last few months than I have in near ten years....

".... I'm not going anywhere.... I'm right here... I promise..."

...... This woman I've had nightmares about losing for months now... This kind... Loyal.... Insanely strong woman.....

"..... Shhh.... just try and breathe..... I'm staying right here...... I won't break my promise... I swear to you...."

...... I wish you'd told me a long time ago..... I would never do anything that would hurt you...... I'd never go against what you want, even if Jiemma does deserve hell and more...... I'd never put you in danger, not on anything.....

"..... Easy, Hora.... It's fine... I'm right here.... I'm not leaving..."

...... You've spent your life thinking about protecting us......

"...... I won't tell anyone.... I won't confront Jiemma..... Thank you.... For telling me..... I'm sorry.... I didn't know it was going to hurt you......"

...... We should have been doing the same for you...

"...... I'm sorry..... Shhhhhhhh...... breathe, Hora...... I promise..... I'll do whatever you need me to do.... I'm going to help you..... I'm not going anywhere, ever....... Please trust me..... I'm staying..... I'm not gonna do anything that you don't want... Or that'll hurt you.... I swear..... it's going to be OK....."

Her crying didn't stop for a very, very long time.... Probably close to an hour. He simply held her and she clung to him, shaking and gasping, his shirt wet and her cheeks and eyes red, her arms moved to hold tightly around his waist- he sat there, letting her lean on him, his hand stroking her back gently and murmuring little words, little comforting things, promising several times over and over again he wasn't leaving.

Her body stopped shaking, slowly, her breathing evening out again as her hold around his waist started to get slack- her weight in his lap getting heavier as exhaustion started to set in. What little bit she had kept herself from laying on top of him completely disappeared, her eyes heavy and stinging as her mind wavered towards unconsciousness she didn't want to give into- but fighting it was just too hard.

He was warm against her, and she was the same to him.... But this warmth was different from the heat that came with her Magic. This warmth was pleasant, soothing.....

Rogue blinked, his head tilting down and sideways to see her eyes had dropped closed, her cheeks still flushed and wet, her breathing still a little shaky- but she was out, her head resting in the crook of his elbow and drifting off in seconds as her arms fell a little more around his waist, catching in his cloak and saving them dropping to the floor. Her hair fell in tangled, messy little stands about her face, tickling his arm and the scar across her nose. Her jaw and cheek on her left side were bruised still and warm from the hit Jiemma had sent her way when Natsu had rushed in.... It looked painful enough, and he wondered if her ear was still ringing or hurting like she had said it was earlier.

He let out a breath, his head hanging slightly as his shoulders sagged, his free hand still resting gently on her back as he swallowed at the lump in his throat.

To have had that locked up for so long, to have been burying it under fear and anger and worry for so many years.... He supposed it really wasn't a surprise she had reacted like this, broken down and crumbled. Maybe telling someone, maybe even crying so hard... Maybe it would leave room to let her pick back and feel better. Lift a little of the weight of the secret off of her shoulders, make it easier to breath..... Even if it has hurt this much to tell him, he hoped when she woke up it would be better.

"... I'm sorry..." he breathed, the apology making its way passed his lips without really thinking about it. "...... I didn't know you were hurting this much, Hora...." His eyes flashed,

..... a Possession Link..... On a Lacrima implanted in her body? He'd never realized her Magic came from a Lacrima, and wasn't simply something she had learned firsthand... Though granted up until recently he hadn't even known what kind of Magic she used either.

He knew little about Possession Links, he had heard of them before hand and he knew they were difficult to use. He also knew they were absolute, he knew they couldn't be broken and he knew that the objects taken control of, could be rendered useless to other people, even destroyed.... But they were used on weapons and rings and staffs and other things like that. Actual, usable, everyday objects- but a Lacrima? Inside of a person?

The very idea was wrong- it was cruel and it was insane. No one should ever even think to do something like that, let alone do it!

...... Jiemma..... What a complete.. Utter....

Rogue forced himself a breath before he got too worked up, he had to try and stay level-headed about it. If Hora saw him getting worked up and angry she might think he was about to race off and start something- and he didn't want to put her through that train of thought again, not when she broke down over it.

Hora shifted, her knees moving up as she adjusted a little, lying on her side a bit more, her nose burying itself deeper into his arm and sleeve, her body settling in against him a bit more as she let out a soft, deep breath. Rogue blinked, before his eyes fell closed and he ran his hand along her back lightly, stopping at her shoulder as he sighed.

"........ good night, Hora............."

.:+:.

Short Chapter, but hey! We're filling in the blanks!! And a lot of stuff happened in this one! >w<

Anyway, thank you for reading! I appreciate everyone sticking with me on this story!

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