Chapter 3
Help... Least Expected

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

.:+:.

The figures of Sting, Rogue and Horatia walked into the Guild Hall, eyes narrowed and steely as they strode through the center of the hall toward the Job Board, followed closely by Frosch and Lector who looked slightly tense.

Horatia walked calmly, a little slowly- her person wrapped in bandages, but now in her usual mission attire- all sense of weakness and pain wiped from her face, her deep blue gaze steely and firm as she lead the two Dragon Slayers in.

The eyes of the Guild Members followed her as she cut straight toward her destination, all eyes wide and astounded- seeing her up and moving, and seemingly so undisturbed by her injuries... The horrific injuries they had seen her endure under the Master's wrath.

"Is that Horatia....?"

"Woah... She looks pretty good, considering...."

"They're headed toward the Request Board...."

"... She seriously gonna take a job, looking like that?"

"Think the Master's gonna let them go? Being this close to the GMG?"

"Masters been busy... He hasn't even been looking at the Requests taken...."

"But still... Sting and Rogue are on the team, right? And there's only a few months before the Games...."

Sting and Rogue sweatdropped slightly, hearing the murmurings go out around the hall- while Hora seemed hardly perturbed by it, her eyes fixed to the Board as they stopped in front of it.

Of course it was a shock to see Hora moving around only a week after having taken such a brutal punishment by the Master, and it was even more shocking to see her about to take a Job. Last they had seen her, she had been carried out by Rogue unconscious- and that was against Master's orders, though no one was surprised the two Dragon Slayers had gone against it.

Seeing her up and walking around, looking so strong and calm... It was a shock, and yet they were mostly relieved.

Now they focused on the other point- on Sting and Rogue, who, everyone in the Guild knew, were on the Team that participated in the Grand Magic Games, of which were only three months away now. They found it odd they would be going off on a Job so close to the Games... As they usually spent a large amount of time training with the other Members of the Team. To be going with Horatia, who wasn't on the team at all... They were surprised, and a little worried what the Master would think.

But, as it stood- the day Master inflicted his punishment in Hora, he had also sent Minerva out on a very important mission- which, as they heard it, was supposed to last months. With Saber's Lady out of the picture, and Master being so wrapped up in his own business... SaberTooth's Master hadn't been at all present the last few days. Yes of course he'd come out to send out some grand speech or other, other times to reprimand and correct as he saw fit... But he hadn't been paying as close attention to the Guild as he usually would. So maybe, Rogue, Sting and Horatia's action to take a Job would go without being scrutinized.

At least... That was certainly what they were hoping for.

The taking of Job Requests was usually overseen by the Master, most of the Guild's Members were assigned jobs by him personally- but those Mages of higher standing, to which Rogue and Sting belonged to, they were usually able to pick the jobs they'd like, and get approval by the Master. Sometimes they just went out without approval at all, and heard nothing from the Master in return to their actions. With the Master being as busy as he seemed at the moment, they were counting on their status in the Guild to perhaps allow them to slip under the Master's nose and approval, as well as manage a way to take a job with Hora- who at the moment was clearly not on the Master's good side. But they needed a break, a break away from the Guild and the city... And the Master.

And they were not afraid to try.

Sting picked a paper from the Board without a word, but glanced between himself and Rogue and Hora, before silently moving toward the table beside the Board and placing a stamp on the paper- jotting down in the Request book who would be taking the job itself. It was a simple job- the destruction of a small Dark Guild- but it was far away and would to a plenty of time to travel to, and them complete.

"We'll be back in a week or two," Sting announced confidently, smirking slightly. He raised his voice and looked to the balcony overhead, hoping Master would hear the words and counting on the fact the man wouldn't appear. "By then, we'll be ready to begin training for the Games." He waited a small moment, listening intently for any sign Master Jiemma would protest to the plan.

Sting's gaze flicked to Rogue, who's expression remained neutral- though his eyes were tired and slightly worried. Hora's eyes gleamed a moment in sudden tenseness as they waited a moment longer for anything, and then they all visibly relaxed- just a little.

Without a word the five of them moved back toward the doors, and out of sight- all them silent, rigid, and maybe even a little tense. The Guild watched them leave, most of them wide-eyed, some of them quiet and others talking amongst themselves.

Yukino watched the small congregation leave the hall, eyes glinting in concern and hands folded and held to her chest- a sinking feeling in her stomach that wouldn't go away.

It should have been Saber's Twin Dragon's and the ever powerful Horatia- a common team as they were- going on a job, like any normal day.

If it only it were that way...

.:+:.

Her breathing ceased altogether, her chest stilled and her harsh gasping and shallow breaths fell silent- no air swirling into her lungs any longer. She was still, deathly still.....

Rogue's heart stopped in that same instant, time slowing down yet swirling past at unbelievable speed- seeing and hearing her breathing fade to utter silence, hearing his own heart thumping in his ears in a wave of sheer and utter terror.

Frosch near him nearly dropped from air- eyes wide and streaming in tears, stammering in fragmented bits. "A-wait... No.. N.. No.... A-Atia.... A.. She...."

"Hora!!" Her name made it passed his lips in utter terror, sweatdropping heavily as his mind raced in inconceivable fragments.

She wasn't breathing, she's not breathing... She's dying... She... She's....!!!

Time caught up with him as his body began to move, forcing himself to try and stay as calm as he possibly could- though he was beginning to tremble slightly. He realized in a few short moments, that he couldn't hear her breathing- but he could hear a heartbeat, and it wasn't just the thundering of his own beating frantically in his chest.

"Frosch- go fill the bath!" He ordered quickly, meeting the terrified gaze of the Exceed for a moment, before Frosch nodded in slight determination and sped off toward the bathroom, the sound of water running came on a moment later.

Rogue quickly scooped Hora up in his arms bridal style, his heart sinking and a lump forming in his throat at how limp she was in his arms, she was simply dead weight... Her body still fiery hot to the touch, waves of unnatural heat rolling off of her.

The bowl beside the bed was empty, the water having evaporated already.

Her temperature seemed to have stopped fluxing from hot to cold... Now she was just burning up, her fever too high, way too high and very, very unnatural- even for her, she was too hot, she needed to cool down.

Without a moments hesitation, or a second thought- he pushed his way into the bathroom and toward the tub, where Frosch was settled on the floor near it, shaking and quaking in fear.

He stepped into the tub and the (unpleasantly) cold water, not particularly concerned with getting himself nor his clothes wet- all his attention was focused on Hora.

He settled down, laying Hora down into the water and wrapping his arms around her chest as she leaned back against him, letting them both sink into the water until it reached her chest, her head lying limply against his chest as the water drenched them instantly.

Frosch jumped up, a cup of water in paw as he floated over them- the water dropping over the edge of the cup at the Exceed's paws trembling so much, Rogue nodded, eyes glinting.

Frosch gently poured the water over her head, her multicolored strands of hair running with the moisture and dripping, the Exceed gently brushed her hair from her face, eyes glinting in fear.

Rogue gently ran his hand under her chin, holding her cheek in his hand- feeling her skin still fiery to the touch, despite the water, red eyes glinting in terror as he listened for signs of breath.

Silence

His heart dropped, "Hora... Come on!" He snapped lowly, voice shaking ever so slightly. His grip about her tightened slightly,

This isn't happening....

"You can't die damn it...!" He hissed under his breath,

The silence stretched into what seemed like forever, her body like a fire against his body despite the cold of the water engulfing them, there was a small dripping sound as spare droplets of blood continued to fall from her mouth and into the water- staining the liquid pink a moment before it faded.

She's always hot... That's what her Magic does... But this... Its like she just... Started burning out....

His eyes shot open when her body shook in his arms, as she let out a small, weak cough and her chest started heaving as she struggled for proper air, the air in front of her hazing in a cloud... Steam. The surface of the water was steaming a little too- her Magic was getting out of hand... It was staring to seep into the air and the water, making it slowly evaporate.

He felt himself relax a little, his body having been tight and rigid with the terror sweeping through him at the prospect of losing her. He gently rest his chin on top of her head, eyes closing a moment in weariness, a great wash of relief running through him at feeling her body move with her, albeit strained, breathing. Feeling life, movement....

...... Things were much worse than he realized... He had nearly lost her..... And she was still in danger.

He heard Frosch let out a sigh of relief too, his red eyes opening to see his Exceed Parter slumped on the bath side, small tears still pricking at the corner of the Exceed's eyes.

"Frosch, I need you to go find an Ice Lacrima, if you can. There should be one in the kitchen.... Hora's fever is too high, and with her Magic, it isn't making it any better. We need to keep her as cool as possible, ok?" Rogue murmured softly, earning his Partner's eyes. He understood how delicate Frosch was, and hated that the small creature was seeing Horatia like this... But he was alone and wasn't about to take her out of the water lest she give him another scare again.

Frosch nodded, standing up and lifting a paw. "Fro will be right back!" The Exceed replied, hopping from the side of the bath and leaving the bathroom. Rogue's eyes left the space in which his Partner was lost from sight, toward Hora- the faint wisps of steam slowly rising from the water's surface, already the water wasn't even cool anymore, it was growing warmer.

His eyes narrowed, letting himself relax a little by concentrating on the sound of her breathing. His mind flashed to what she said before her breathing stopped altogether, when he had asked what was going on.

"... Over-Drive...?" He mumbled, his eyes falling to her face and features as she lay against him in his arms, gasping and too weak to move, not even awake, her expression strained and one of slight pain and discomfort.

What on earth could that even be? He'd never heard it before, and she had never mentioned it..... For a moment he was faintly reminded of his own 'Shadow Drive' and Sting's 'White Drive', but he couldn't begin to piece together what Over-Drive was supposed to be. How could it be... What was making her this sick?

Frosch walked into the bathroom, paws gripped about a small, icy blue stone that gleamed with Magic. The Exceed hopped onto the side of the bath, slowly dropping the Magical item into the water at their feet.

Rogue shivered as the water suddenly dropped several dozen degrees, Horatia feeling like a heater against his body- but the steam rising from the water nearly faded entirely, and her feverish gasping eased slightly, the pained and discomforted expression on her face softening a little in relief. Rogue sighed,

"Thank you, Frosch." He murmured softly, his red eyes moving toward the Exceed. Frosch nodded, still looking worried but having calmed down as Rogue did.

"Will Atia will be ok?" Frosch asked quietly, eyes wide.

"I don't know, Frosch." Rogue replied honestly, his eyes glittering in worry. "She needs a doctor, or a healer.... She's really sick, and I don't know how to help her." He admitted, and damn it... He really did feel helpless.

"Fro doesn't think the Doctors here will help us..." Frosch mumbled,

"No... They won't...." He muttered, feeling a rise of sudden resentment in himself. There was a flash of anger- and it was toward the Master.

She stopped breathing... Hora could have died for what that man did to her. He hurt her so much, he attacked her so brutally, she had gotten this sick and now she was getting worse and worse. She was fading fast and needed serious help sooner rather than later. The issue was, where would they find help at all?

His red eyes narrowed, fixed to the water in front of him, his hold on Hora tightening slightly.

... We have to find someone... Anyone who could help her....

Frosch settled down on the edge of the bath, eyes drooping a little. Rogue was the same way, they were both exhausted from worrying and looking after her as long as they had... And that tiredness still pulled at them, though Rogue wouldn't dare fall asleep again. He couldn't, his nerves were still on high alert and his heart was still racing in his chest.

His eyes fell closed, his arms still wrapped around Hora, sitting in silence in the very cold water as he honed in on her breathing, finding it soothing him slightly. He never thought just hearing her breath could be so lightening..... It eased as the minutes passed into an hour, and he simply remained there with her in his arms. He wasn't going to even dare think about leaving the water unless he was sure her fever was going down, and that was proving to be a long road.

His eyes opened when he felt her move under him, the water rippling slightly as her arms moved up toward her, her hands grasping onto his arms softly, her face pulling into a somewhat pained expression as her fingers gripped his arm tightly for a few moments, shaking her head weakly, and then she relaxed again. She seemed to be having a sort of fever-driven dream, and he gave her a small squeeze, hoping it may calm her down a little.

The sound of the front door being slammed open caught their immediate attention, Rogue's head snapped sideways and Frosch jumped up from dozing, fur standing on end.

"Rogue..?!" Sting's voice broke the silence of the apartment instantly, the blonde sounding slightly alarmed.

"Frosch?" Lector's voice sounded next, sounding worried. They could hear the two shuffling in the larger room outside the door. They must have just gotten back from the Job they had taken as a cover... And Sting had come running when he scented the sickness and the blood on the air.

"Sting." Rogue called quietly, his voice low and tired. Sting's footsteps echoed over the floors, moving quickly until he appeared with Lector by his side in the doorway, eyes wide and filled with worry and shock at seeing them in the tub, and the unconscious form of Hora in the Shadow Dragon Slayer's arms.

Sting swept up toward the tub, blue eyes glittering in worry and slight fear- his attention immediately fixed on the small drops of blood still dripping from the edge of Horatia's mouth, and the strained way in which she was breathing.

"What happened?" He asked quickly, Lector dropping onto the tub side by Frosch. He reached forward, his hand gently pressing against Hora's cheek, his face pulling into a worried frown at just how hot as was under his touch. "She's burning up.... More than normal...." He mumbled,

"She's been getting worse." Rogue murmured, he had talked to Sting via a Lacrima a few days ago and told him what was going on, so he knew Hora had been sick. "..... Her fever's gotten worse, she's burning out.... And there's clearly been some sort of internal damage we weren't prepared for." Rogue mumbled, his eyes flicking to the blood. "She... She stopped breathing." He said softly, seeing Sting go rigid, his eyes widening and a bead of sweat falling down his face as he felt his heart drop into his stomach at the words.

"W-what...?" He stammered,

"... Its bad, Sting." Rogue murmured. "I don't know what's wrong, and I don't know how to help her. She needs a Doctor, or a healer... I don't think she's going to last very long if we don't get some help." Sting nodded slightly,

"But where are we going to find someone to help her, Sting-kun?" Lector asked quietly,

"The Master is going to wonder where we are if we don't go back to the Guild." Rogue put in, "Hora went somewhere without telling anyone... And he was very angry. If we leave, he'll know, and he'll be pissed."
Sting nodded slightly, his eyes narrowing as he remained with his hand resting to cradle her cheek a little, feeling the heat radiating from her skin and hearing her breathing coming in short gasps.

"... I know. I think I have an idea, but we're gonna have to move quickly." Sting sad quietly, eyes glittering in worry. "..... I hope they won't consider us enemies, this close to the Games.... For Hora's sake...."

.:+:.

"Thank you, Rufus." Rogue murmured, nodding to the man as he switched from the form of Horatia he had taken on.

The two stood at the bottom of the hill that lead up toward SaberTooth, Sting moving off quickly with Lector in tow. Rogue stopped beside the man, looking weary and tired as Rufus nodded in return.

"Certainly." The man replied softly, "Anything for a friend. This is Horatia's life on the line here, I'm happy to do what I can." He replied, tipping his hat to the Shadow Dragon Slayer.

As in accordance with Sting's idea, they asked Rufus to walk into the Guild alongside Rogue and the blonde- using Transformation Magic in order to assume Horatia's form. Doing so let the Guild believe she was fine and leaving with Sting and Rogue to go out of the city on a Job Request... When in reality, she wasn't even conscious.

They needed to get her out of the city and find help elsewhere, since they knew they wouldn't find help here. But they couldn't simply leave- Master would be angry if they did that, so they needed the cover of going on a Job away from the city to prevent suspicion. They planned to take her to another town, and hoped who they were going to ask for aid from were not going to refuse.... They couldn't, without help Hora was going to die.

Rogue nodded to him, "Will you four be alright?" Rufus asked, eyes glinting in faint worry. Rogue glanced away a moment, his red eyes dulling in exhaustion and fear.

"I hope so..." He replied. "I hope we can get help.... I really don't think Hora's going to last if we don't." Rufus sweatdropped a little, but nodded.

"Call when you can." Rufus murmured, "And good luck." Rogue nodded, Rufus turned away and made his way back toward the Guild. Frosch settled down on the Shadow Dragon Slayer's shoulder.

"Rogue..?" Frosch murmured, sliding tired.

"It's going to be alright, Frosch." Rogue replied, starting toward the direction Lector and Sting had moved away toward. "We'll find help. Hora's strong... She'll get through it."

If only he could make himself sound more sure.....

"Lets hurry, or we'll miss the Train." He murmured lowly, speeding up until he was jogging through the streets, eyes narrowed and tired. He grimaced slightly at the thought of the train, but knew they had no other choice. If riding a train meant bringing Horatia closer to someone who could help her- the discomfort was well worth it.

The duo met up outside the Train Station with Sting and Lector, the sun over their heads starting to wane as night started to settle in. They had waited for the water to bring Hora's temperature down as long as they could- so at least it was more manageable now. Though they were still concerned she may give them another scare and stop breathing as she had with Rogue. They had also called over Yukino, to help rewrap her wounds and change the bandages that had been soaked from the tub.

Hora rest in Sting's arms as he held her bridal style, Rogue's cloak draped over her body as she remained limp in the White Dragon Slayer's arms, her head resting lightly against his chest and breathing in short, quick breaths. Her features were marked by pain and discomfort, her fingers weakly gripping at the cloak over her body in her unconsciousness- as if she were enveloped in some dream... Or maybe a fever driven nightmare.

Sting's glittering gaze moved from being settled on Hora to Rogue and Frosch as they approached, oblivious or otherwise ignoring the questioning looks he was receiving from the people milling about the station. Sting nodded a little as they drew near, a small flicker of determination in his eyes, though it was mostly masked by worry and fear.

"Lets hurry." Sting murmured, Rogue nodded in return. They made their way on to the train quickly, setting down in one of the back carriages and picking the one with no one in it.

Sting gently lay Hora down on one of the empty benches, flinching slightly when her features scrunched in more pain and she winced. It must be painful to be moved at all, with how broken and battered she was from her injuries alone.... And that was discounting how sick she was.

The blonde Dragon Slayer settled down beside her, letting her head rest in his lap lightly and hand falling to gently rest on her shoulder- the other moving to brush away the loose strands of hair about her face, eyes glinting as he sweatdropped heavily.

Rogue took a seat opposite them, red eyes dulled with exhaustion and concern, his attention focused to Hora. Lector and Frosch settled on the bench beside the Shadow Dragon Slayer, eyes dulled in worry and fear.

Over and over in his mind, her last words to him before she had fallen into perpetual unconsciousness... They kept repeating.

"... Its..... Over-Drive...."

What the hell was that supposed to even mean...?!

He kept searching his memory, over and over he tried to recall some time, some place she may have mentioned something such as 'Over-Drive'- maybe even obscurely. And through his searching, he came up with nothing. He was entirely sure she had never mentioned it before now.

His eyes narrowed, even not being near, or in contact with her, he could still feel the waves of heat rolling off of her steadily. She was like a furnace.... Her Magic was out of hand and it could be physically felt now. It was acting on its own, presenting itself in transparent waves despite Hora still being very much unconscious and unaware.... He remembered how hot she was when he held on to her in the water, he could only imagine how hot she was now as she was pressed close to Sting.

This sickness that had taken hold of her... It wasn't natural. There was something else going on, and he was sure it was what Hora had said to him. It was 'Over-Drive', but he hadn't a clue what that actually was!

And with it he had no clue if it was going to kill her or not, what caused it, or how to fix it.

Before he realized it, the train had started moving and the minutes had passed into hours, the sun dying on the horizon and indigo painting the sky. So immersed in his thoughts and his confusion, he barely felt his Motion Sickness rising- he blinked, feeling the ever present pit of worry and fear in his stomach instead of the churning and the aversion to the movement of the train. He was too scared, too concerned and too exhausted to even be bothered to feel sick about the Train at all....

His red gaze moved up toward Sting, who's narrowed eyes were glinting in the growing dim, his free arm propped up and cheek resting against his closed fist. Even Sting didn't seem bothered by his usual Motion Sickness at all... He was the same as Rogue. Too worried, too fearful...

And them he remembered in full force what else Horatia had said to him. Of how she wanted them to leave the Guild... How she wanted them to leave her behind. That she couldn't leave.

He remembered very clearly her fear, her deep and true fear... And then his heart ached to remember how broken and utterly despairing she had seemed, to remember seeing the dull light of true and utter sadness in her eyes. A deeper sadness than he had ever seen in anyone, and more sadness and regret he had ever seen in Hora alone. She always seemed... Content. But he knew now there was some deep, dark, writhing mass of hidden emotion she had kept from them for so long.

"..... Sting." Rogue murmured softly, faintly aware that at some point Frosch and Lector had fallen asleep, and were curled up together on the seat next to him.

"Hmm..?" The White Dragon Slayer hummed softly, eyes closing a moment as a bead of sweat fell down his face.

"Before everything happened... Before she stopped breathing... Hora... She woke up." He said softly, slowly. The sudden words made Sting's eyes snap open in shock, resting on the Shadow Dragon Slayer in sudden alertness. Rogue hadn't mentioned this before, they had been too concerned with orchestrating what they needed to do to get out of Saber Town and find Hora help.

"..... Did she... Say anything...?" Sting asked softly, breathlessly almost. Rogue nodded a little, his red eyes falling to the floor.

"... She wants us to leave the Guild."

"Wha...?!" Sting stammered, completely caught off guard. "I... I know the Master's actions need to be stopped... But... Leaving the Guild... We can't do that..! All our friends are there... We can't leave them..!" Sting argued lowly, and Rogue nodded.

"I told her that. And still she told us to leave.... She blames herself for not stopping us from joining SaberTooth all those years ago... She feels she should have kept us away... She regrets everything that's happened to us from Minerva and the Master... And hates that it's because she let us join... That we've suffered....." His fists clenched slightly, still a little angry she could ever believe such a thing.

"That's nonesense!" Sting growled lowly,

.... But was it?

In his own mind, Rogue had begun to understand why she felt such a way.... Why she felt it was her fault....

.... He realized now she had tried to warn them. She had tried to persuade them from joining the Guild when they had first met. And realized now.. They failed to understand her warnings, see them.... And they had failed to see the worry in her eyes when they said they wanted to join.

And still, here they were....

"... I know it is." Rogue mumbled, eyes closing and head bowing slightly. ".... But.... I can understand where she's coming from with the idea.... I think she did try to stop us. She tried to convince us not to join the Guild, and we just didn't listen." He glanced up to see Sting stiffen slightly at the words, his blue eyes falling away as he sweatdropped.

"And now... We can see why she didn't want us to join. She couldn't have ever explained to us truly what SaberTooth and the Master were like." He went on. ".... And she hates it. She doesn't want us to be a part of it anymore, so she told us to run. She said to leave... Leave the Guild, leave our friends.... And she.." He took a deep breath,

"... She said to leave her behind."

Sting stared at him, eyes wide and jaw dropped slightly, completely silent and rigid at the words. He didn't seem to believe the words anymore than Rogue had, and he seemed slightly taken aback by them. Because the idea was just ludicrous, they couldn't ever just leave her behind, it wasn't an option! Under any circumstance!

".... But.... We wouldn't ever.... We'd never leave her behind." Sting stammered, his eyes growing hard. "How could she even suggest such a thing..?!"

"... 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?

Master doesn't own her! SaberTooth doesn't own her! How could she think so little of herself?! Of course she can leave!!

"..... I don't understand it either, Sting." Rogue said quietly, his red eyes shinning as he locked gazes with the blonde. "... It doesn't make sense.... But..... She truly doesn't think she can leave... And she wouldn't tell me why... I just know... Its something serious..." He swallowed,

"... She was crying, when she told me she couldn't leave..."

That shut Sting up instantly, his eyes wide and mouth agape, shock sweeping through him. Crying?

".... She... She was... Crying...?" His gone dropped to a whisper, he was shocked, and instantly... He was worried. He knew Hora... And she'd never cried, she'd never come close to it... If she was crying.....

... What on earth... Could make her think... She really couldn't leave...?

".... I don't...." Sting's voice dropped to a whisper, face tilting down and a shadow casting over his eyes to keep them from view. ".... Hora.... Is she really... Hurting that much.....? And..... We never... Never realized it....?" Rogue stiffened, sweatdropping as a frown pulled at his face.

"..... Are we... That blind.....?"

He felt ashamed, they both did. They felt Guilty.... Because they were friends... They were Family, and somehow they had still seemed to fail to notice.... Hora hurting... They had failed to see how scared she was, how much pain she was in, how worried she was and how much she blamed herself for the suffering they had endured under Master and Minerva's actions.... They had never really known what she truly felt.... If they failed to see all of that.....

... How could they even call themselves her friends, then?

..... They were at fault. More so than she was....

".... Damn it..." Sting hissed, fangs grinding down on one another. ".... We're.... So stupid.....!" Rogue's eyes fell closed, head falling in shame, and regret.

"..... We can't let ourselves miss any of that... We can't fail to understand, or even see what Hora's feeling. Not anymore.. We're supposed to be her friends, and friends should always know when the other is hurting, or in pain, or sad or worried!" Sting hissed, "... We have to do better. We have to pay more attention to her, and her feelings..!"

".... Like she's always concerned with ours." Rogue said softly, nodding a little in agreement. "Hora.... She's always been there for us. She always knows what we're feeling, and is right there to help us when we need it. We may not have realized it.... But she's been keeping watch on us all this time, doing what she could to keep us as safe as she can... And happy." His fists clenched a little. "We have to repay her for that."

"Yeah.... And we will. That's a vow." Sting said firmly, eyes growing hard as he glanced toward Hora, his eyes growing slightly softer.

"We'll do better... Be better friends to her.." He murmured.

"... We'll be better family. We'll look after her as much as she looks after us." Rogue promised, his voice low as he nodded in agreement with Sting, strong determination settling inside of him.

They had to do better.

They would keep to their promises, because now they realized they had missed so much... And they hated themselves for being so blind to her pain and her sadness. They hated they had been so oblivious... And Hora deserved better than that. They couldn't ask for a better friend than her... And they hadn't been returning the favor.

All first appearances, and impressions of these two- they were radically different from how they truly were, especially around the people they cared for. When first meeting Sting- he came off as an arrogant prick who cared little for other people, and more for his own personal gain. Rogue seemed emotionless, as if he didn't care about the world- as was stony and cold to everyone, to all those people who didn't know him, or what he was truly like. In reality- the few people who realized that there was more to the Twin Dragon Slayers than first appeared, those would have been Orga, Yukino, Rufus... And of course Horatia.

They had put up a huge wall between their true selves and the outside world. They had created an act, a facade that they played and put on for the rest of the world- and fallen so deep into it, they couldn't be their true selves with anyone they didn't know. People didn't like them... Because they didn't know them. And maybe they never would, the way SaberTooth was going.

".... There was something else." Rogue murmured after a few moments of silence went by. Sting glanced toward him again, "... I mentioned her fever, and the sudden sickness... And when I asked her what was going on.... She told me it was 'Over-Drive'." Sting blinked in question, looking confused.

"Over-Drive...?" Sting murmured, shaking his head a little. "I've never heard of it..."

"Neither have I.... But she wouldn't have said it, if it wasn't important."

Maybe important enough.... That without knowing what it was....

.... Could she die... Because of this... Over-Drive..?

.:+:.

"B-big...... Big Brother?!?!"

She screamed. Screamed in terror and panic as her voice was lost to the roaring of hundreds of frightened and terrified people running around her, the noise of their shouts and their own screams pounding against her ears.

The whole village was in a complete state of panic, of destruction and disarray... Homes and buildings, all those structures she had come to know by heart- they lay in smoldering ruin around her, flames dancing and rubble thrown all about. Her home was now a mess of destruction, everything looked foreign, she couldn't begin to place where she was- and the mass of running and sprinting people around her on all sides wasn't helping any.

She looked around wildly, stumbling and tripping in the snow laden and soot covered streets- her toes numb from the icy water seeping into her shoes.

"Mom?! Dad?!" She yelled, though no one could possibly hear such a small voice, tears welled from her eyes and fell down her cheeks, chest heaving and fighting for air as sheer terror sunk in even deeper in her heart. "Brother?! Please!!! Where are you?!"

She was alone... She was lost..... Her family.....

There were bodies. People from the village, broken and bloody... Crushed under the fallen buildings. Torn apart by the rubble. Burned from the fires.... People were dying and lay all around her. Death hung in the air... It...

It was a massacre.

She was trembling in her fear, her young heart hardly able to take such violence and death.. She'd never see this before, and she never should have. Such a thing as this... It was awful, it was horrifying, and among the roars of the beast and the screaming of the people around her- she was alone and lost.

All she wanted... Was her family....

But.... There were so many people dead. Her heart stopped to think that maybe... Maybe..... Her family was dead too.

The emptiness growing inside of her deepened, cold and rotting... She had never felt more alone, and her tears started to stream faster, blurring her vision as she stumbled about.

"MOM?! DAD?!" She yelled, voice shaking and tripping, the large and daunting form of the creature blurred from the salty wetness clouding her eyes. She stumbled and fell, the snow and icy cobblestone underfoot rushing up to meet her small body with a painful thud.

"B-Brother!!!!" She gasped, she just wanted... Wanted someone....

Her eyes moved from the blackened ice and snow, upward as she felt a massive shadow loom over her. Her wide and terrified gaze moved up to see the Beast standing before her, so massive it was it blocked out the sky.

Its cold eyes glittering in animalistic rage and malice, her heart stopping and ice running through her veins as she simply remained motionless. She was too terrified to move, or even cry out as one of its clawed hands lift- sharp claws glinting in the fire light.

She was going to die.....

It swiped downward, she lift her arms as her eyes shut right in terror- the beasts hand catching her small body and tearing open her skin and muscle and bone with one of the wicked claws, her blood flying into the air and staining the snow- just as hundreds of different scarlet pools already were. The agony that swept through her was gut-wrenching, her vision went black and red at the pain of it tearing across her being, as she was sent flying- her scream of utter pain tearing at the air and her throat.

She fell abruptly silent as she slammed into the ground, bones cracking. She rolled, coming to a halt, unmoving, unbreathing... A large, deep pool of crimson surrounding her body, the wound deep, bone showing through the shredded skin.

She couldn't even hear the screaming anymore, she couldn't open her eyes... She couldn't even wince at her pain.... She was just... Falling..... Alone.......

My... Family......... My brother..... Dead.....

.... I should have.... Been dead....

.:+:.

"What in the... Hell...?"

Several pairs of eyes gazed toward the small group of Mages, all expressions puzzled and many of them wary, some of them just looking on in plain disbelief.

Rogue, Lector, Frosch and Sting- who held Horatia's form close to him, almost protectively- they stood in the grand stone doorway to the large, regally built building. Its roofs reached over their heads, stone structures supported by wood and metal beams, tables spread out on either side of the main walkway in the center, the form of a fountain featuring a beautiful woman with a serpentine tail set in the very center. The water shooting from the fountain was dazzled by the multicolor fragments of light falling through the stained glass oculus above it.

All around them they were faced by the bewildered and some of them hateful glances of the Wizards of the Guild- understandable, considering SaberTooth's reputation with the other Wizard's Guilds of Fiore. SaberTooth was not very well liked, and Sting and Rogue even less so for their exploits in the Grand Magic Games- to which they had battled against some of these Wizards standing before them, and beaten... Harshly.

"What the hell are you doing here?" One of the Wizards growled lowly, his dark gaze glinting in mistrust.

"You can't just how up here." Another one growled,

"We were on a Mission, and one of our Wizards was wounded, badly." Sting said, his tone low and face neutral. His facade, like a switch in his head was flipped when he was around other people- he wasn't him. "We had heard you had a Mage here who uses Healing Magic." He said in a matter of fact tone, there was no pleading in his face, no gentleness... No humility. Rogue beside him remained expressionless, his eyes dull and unreadable.

The rival Guild seemed to bristle at the words, looking slightly outraged at what he was saying to them.

"We want you to heal her." Sting said flatly, his tone borderline commanding- he couldn't stop himself. His true self was gone, under the role he had learned to play in front of other Guilds.

"Wha?!"

"Don't think you can just waltz in here, demanding we help you!!"

"Yeah, we don't owe you bastards anything!"

"Bastard, you can't even manage to show a little humility?! You are the one asking for our help here!"

Sting frowned a little, both he and Rogue sweatdropping slightly at the onslaught of angry comments and near refusal they were receiving already. It was clear they were not in good graces here, and it didn't seem likely they would be getting Hora help.

"Tch.... Aren't you supposed to be willing to help those in need or something?" Sting grumbled,

"And what the hell has SaberTooth ever done for us?!" Was the short reply. "You've humiliated and beaten us without mercy and acted without kindness toward us. You look down on all Guilds and treat other Wizards like crap, why the hell should we treat you any differently?!"

Rogue and Sting sweatdropped, Lector and Frosch exchanged slightly worried gazes between themselves.

"Besides- you're so convinced SaberTooth is so great, why do you need help from anyone else?" Another growled lowly, "Aren't you supposed to be the strongest Guild on all of Fiore? Why would you need help from the 'weaker' Guilds?"

Sting grimaced, hearing the same thing that he had said several times over in the Games suddenly reiterated to him. His anger and irritation suddenly rose, fangs baring slightly as he barely held himself back from snapping at them all. He could yell and demand they help, and for a moment he wanted to- but then his worry and fear for his friend grew stronger and he stopped himself.

"Get out! Nobody wants you here!"

"Enough!"

The large booming voice tore out over the angry murmurs, the figure of a large and daunting man made his way toward the front of the crowd, arms crossed over his chest and eyes steely. He looked over the coalition of SaberTooth Wizards silently, seemingly agitated though he kept his dislike for them at bay for now- much more refined and controlled than his other members.

Beside the large man approached a small girl with fiery pink hair and deep blue eyes, glinting not in hate... But in slight concern.

"Regardless of the past, and the things your Guild has done to us," The man said lowly, all attention suddenly on him in respectful silence. "It is unfitting for any Guild, or human being, to turn away someone in true need. We would be no better than the worst Dark Guilds if we were to send them away now." The Guild around him fell silent, sweatdropping slightly and seeming to falter, some of them looking ashamed.

The girl moved up toward Sting slowly, the White Dragon Slayer stiffened slightly as she looked to him a little warily. "What happened?" She asked gently, "How long has she... Been like this?" Her blue gaze flicked toward Horatia.

"... A powerful Wizard attacked her. She suffered a lot of damage... And she's been sick for nearly a week." Rogue answered in a low, monotone voice as Sting remained silent. The girl's eyes widened in shock,

"A week?" She echoed lowly,

"And you're only now looking for help?" The man with the white hair and dark eyes asked lowly.

"We weren't near any place with a Doctor." Rogue replied, the lie slipping past his lips nearly effortlessly. They had no choice but to lie... "We tried to wait it out, but her fever just got worse. We decided to head to the closest town- here." They received flinty, piercing stares in return to the story- which wasn't at all true. They just couldn't ever explain that it wasn't a Dark Mage who did this... That it was their own Master, and the Doctors in their own city would have been too afraid to help Hora, out of fear of Jiemma.

There was a strained silence over the building a moment, before the girl slowly made her way closer to Sting- who stiffened as she moved, eyes narrowed and watching her closely. She held up her hands in a gesture meant to calm him, as she slowly placed a hand on Hora's forehead, eyes widening in utter shock at how hot she was to the touch.

"She's burning up..." The girl murmured, eyes scanning the unconscious woman a moment, before glancing back to the large and daunting man behind her who had quieted the Guild around them. "She's really hurt." She affirmed, eyes glinting. The man blinked, before nodding slightly, his eyes falling closed as he seemed to go into thought.

"..... We will help your comrade." He decided, earning shocked gazes from the SaberTooth Mages at how easily they had given in to their request. "It would speak ill of us to refuse you, even with the past and your actions against us." Sting and Rogue sweatdropped, eyes hard.

".... I suppose it would make us look bad..."

"It'd be evil of us to refuse.... He's right... Damn it."

There were murmurs of hesitant and grudging agreement that swept over the hall, the fear in the hearts of the SaberTooth Mages lessened a little- despite the clear scorn.

"Come on." The girl said to Sting, flicking her head the opposite direction of him. "Bring her here, I'll get to work immediately." Sting paused a moment, before nodding stiffly.

Sting made his way through the crowd of rival Wizards slowly, following the girl closely, eyes hard and expression tense. Rogue made to move after them, but the larger man stepped in front of him, blocking the way. His red eyes glittered slightly at the action, but he didn't argue.

"SaberTooth bending to ask for assistance from us.... It seemed impossible." The man murmured, as Rogue frowned slightly. "We will do what we can for your comrade, but don't expect happiness that you're here."

Rogue looked past the man, his eyes following Sting and Hora move through a door at the back of the Guild and out of sight.

This was dangerous in itself.... Word that SaberTooth's Twin Dragons had come here and asked for help was sure to spread. The longer they were here, the more likely it was their actions would be heard of by the Master.... And then they would be in a large bit of trouble. With this, came something he didn't like... They were going to have to leave Hora here.

The idea was not one they stomached well in any way, they would never want to leave her here among strange Wizards who were not at all fond of SaberTooth... But they hadn't a choice. They knew enough to realize that Hora would be here for a few days at least to recover, and they couldn't stick around- it would draw too much attention. Saber's Twin Dragons saying in Margaret Town for any extended amount of time would cause a stir.... But a rather unknown Mage, who many had no idea was affiliated with SaberTooth staying here would hardly cause a ripple. And they needed to stay as low key as possible.... But they hated it none the less. They wouldn't leave her here with light hearts, they'd be worried and tense, and very opposed to the idea. They just... Didn't have a choice. The situation was too delicate.

Rogue's eyes closed, sweatdropping slightly as his shoulders seemed to hunch a little, his emotionless expression turning to one of... Discomfort for a moment.

Despite the act he and Sting played with other people, especially other Guilds- the arrogance that Sting put off wasn't all together an act at all. Sting was arrogant..... It just reached new heights around other people. Rogue was proud, stubborn even...... But even now, he couldn't stay prideful as the worry and the fear he felt for Hora suddenly began to melt, now that she was going to be helped, and maybe even saved. For the sake of his friend.....

".... Thank... You..." He grumbled, the words sounding pained as they made it past his lips in a soft tenor. It looked as if it was hard for him to say those two words at all, as he glanced away from the man, looking tense.

The larger man's eyes widened in utter shock, looking astounded and caught off guard, before he smirked, just slightly.

"So you do know humility." He murmured and Rogue sweatdropped more, ".... This girl must mean a lot to you two, if you were willing to ask for assistance, hmm?" He hummed lightly and Rogue still don't look up at him. The man only smiled a little more, perhaps seeing just a small, tiny glimpse... That maybe SaberTooth and its Mages were not as they appeared all together. Who'd have known..?

"... Perhaps SaberTooth is not entirely arrogant and ruthless after all..."

.:+:.

Guess where? XD

Oi, I'm worried I'm making them a little too OOC from their actual characters, what do you think?

Anyhoo- here we are, hope you enjoyed it!

That is now three days, and three chapters! The next update int be so soon, I need to focus on getting don't with Chapter 52 of Balance In Our Lives. I'm only halfway done with it (and its gonna be another long one... ;) ) So I gotta focus on BIOL before finishing up chappy four of SAIF.

Feedback is always appreciated!