Blood and shadows (a Rogue love story)

A phoenix joins a guild

The whole guild was back inside and in complete shock about what had just happened. Ruby had completely knocked Orga out. No one had ever been able to do that before. Currently Minerva had taken Ruby into a room at the back of the guild to meet the Master. He had ti be told of the newest recruit. Now Ruby was a part of Sabertooth, that was the deal after all. She won she had to join Sabertooth. Orga was on the guild hospital bed, he was sat up with his head held low in shame,

"I can't believe she beat me and with such ease. She didn't even break a sweat. Just who the hell is that girl?"

"I believe you already know the answer to that." Said Ruby at the door of the infirmary just behind Rogue and Sting. Lector and Frosch backed away from her slightly and Rufus watched her closely. Ruby walked in and stuck her gloved hand out towards Orga. "Ruby Carter a scarlet phoenix slayer. Don't put yourself down about what happened." Orga shook her hand and then the two parted.

"And why should I not? You beat me up like I was nothing."

"What if I told you that that fight was not all that easy for me? Lightening is a scarlet phoenix's worst enemy, that and ice. I have also never met anyone that has stood up to me that long in battle before. One move and my opponent is normally out of the count."

"Even so that was just a taste of your true power." Said Rufus.

"Yes it is but you have to understand that not all phoenix slayer are like me. I am the most powerful of my kind, I'm in a league of my own. I am sure that if it had been anyone else then would have lost against such power."

"What exactly make you so much more powerful that the rest of your kind?" Orga asked her.

"My Mother was the queen of phoenixes and a scarlet phoenix at that. Scarlet phoenix are the most powerful breed of phoenixes you can get. I learnt from the best of the best. Scarlet phoenix normally don't take on humans, they are somewhat reluctant because they think humans so much weaker than them, which they are."

"So why would your mother, a scarlet phoenix and the queen take on a small 5 year old child?" Asked Rogue.

"Honestly that's something I never knew myself. Perhaps it was out of pity. When she found me after my hometown was destroyed I was a reck. Covered un the blood of my family and friends, I probably looked weak and helpless, blubbering like a stupid idiot. Whatever her reasons I am here now and a part of your guild." She said lifting her top up slightly to reveal the Sabertooth guild mark on her right hip in a blood red colour. "But if you hold a grudge against me I will not blame you."

"No, no grudge but one day I will beat you." Said Orga.

"Of course I will look forward to that day." Then she walked out of the infirmary.

"You really gonna fight her again?" Sting asked.

"I have to, otherwise I might be kicked out of the guild. Master's not going to like the fact that I lost to an outsider." Orga said.

"She is not an outsider anymore. In a way losing the fight was beneficial to the guild." Said Rufus.

"Yeah cos now we have another super strong mage." Said Sting with a cocky smile. "The grand magic games that are coming up this year is gonna be even easier than it already is. With someone like Ruby now in our guild the other guilds should just back the hell down."

"You sure someone like that will be willing to take part in the games?" Said Orga. "Her cold attitude suggests that she won't."

"But she is part of this guild now and the five strongest mages have to compete. It means that our Lady can sit this one out. No point her using her power to fight in games that we have already won." Said Sting.

"That's exactly right Sting." Said Minerva's voice from the entrance. "Ruby shall fight in these games and I shall sit back and watch the fun. Participating in those pathetic games was a waste of my time anyway. You four will be the ones to show her the ways of Sabertooth." She said looking at Rogue, Sting, Lector and Frosch. "This girl has no idea how to be in a guild. Make sure that it is done." She said walking away.

"Of course my lady." Said Sting after her...

"So how is your side mission going?" Sting asked Ruby as he sat next to her in the guild hall. It had been a week since Ruby arrived and Orga was up on his feet again but he and Rufus were at the bar getting a drink. Rogue was standing up watching the interaction between Sting and Ruby. Lector and Frosch were sat on the table talking about something.

"Absolutely shit. I have found no new information, no one is talking and beating them into talking isn't working either. I just need a place or a name but I've got nothing. It's tiring as hell tracking all these phoenixes down. Their hiding places are getting smarter. Who the hell is this new king? Who is exactly is powerful enough to take down the queen?"

"Not well then. We can still help if you let us." Said Rogue

"So desperate to help aren't you? I really don't understand what you think a pair of dragon slayers, a talking cat and a frog can do that I can't. This has nothing to do with you anyway, unless any of you are secretly phoenix slayer which I highly doubt. Dragon slayer getting mixed up in phoenix business is not a good idea, it will not end well."

"It's got nothing to do with any of that. You are a member of Sabertooth now, if you have a problem we do our best to help you." Explained Rogue.

"So that's what being in a guild does?"

"Part of it yes." Sting answered her.

"Say I were to accept your offer...what exactly would you do to help?"

"First we would go on a job. You're completely broke and we might be able to pick up some information along the way." Said Rogue.

"You don't know I'm broke."

"The fact that you cut your black trousers up to make shorts instead if buying a new pair suggested that you are." Ruby's cheeks went slightly red.

"You noticed that huh? Alright fine I'll go on one of these stupid jobs but I don't need you guys to come."

"We have been told by our lady to help you learn to ways of the guild that means showing you what to do in taking up a job."

"Our lady...you mean Minerva?"

"Wow you can't just say her name so casually like that. Our lady is the master's daughter and we have to treat her with respect." Said Sting.

"So you picked a very informal name for her? Personally that would just get on my nerves and anyway she said I could call her that."

"She lets you call her by her first name? What, why?" Sting asked with an open mouth. Ruby smirked and leaned in closer to his face making his cheeks turn pink.

"There you go catching flies again..."