The Power of One Dream (A One Piece x Fairy Tail Story)

Part 39

A/N: This is the second longest chapter of the main story. Please read it to the end!

Yamato smiled in particular at his old friend's still slightly childish personality, and the Captain's newlywed wife's (mostly) calm acceptance of his crazy shenanigans. The (slightly tipsy) 'New Beast King' also didn't fail to notice a few party guests stepping out early from the celebrations, new ally Jellal-san being the first, later followed by Law-san and Robin-san. Up 'til at some point his eyes falling upon Sting-sama and Rogue-sama and their 'Exceed' companions talking actively with Meredy-san. All of a sudden, the horned-warrior of Sabretooth felt his heart grow heavier.

[Sabretooth's Guild Hall, Gazania, Eastern Fiore; 3 Days earlier, following the defeat of Manticore Sting]

Yamato knelt on one knee before the Sabretooth Guild's seat of power. The knuckles of his newly-attached Magical prosthetic left arm (with the Sabretooth Guild Mark proudly displayed on his bicep) was pressed firmly against the ground in reverence (though he still couldn't entirely remember how exactly he lost his original arm). By now all the guild were well aware of Rogue Chenney's undercover operation within Manticore Sting (though as he soon realised none had ever seriously doubted his loyalty to Sabretooth or its Wizards, an absolute belief in him that he'd never again take for granted). But that meeting was not about the Shadow Dragon Slayer's brief leave of absence from the guild, but the pending leave of The New Beast King! The tension between the kneeling warrior, Sabretooth's presently seated Guild Master and resident White Dragon Slayer Sting Eucliffe, and their witnesses Rogue and the two Exceed companions, was nigh palpable.

"So as I understand it.. (Sting began in a neutral tone).. after 4 months as part of our guild you now want to blow us off and go romping around Fiore on your own.. (he added coldly)." Yamato's head remained bowed but his answer to the White Mage's accusation remained resolute. "Sting-sama, you took me in as a stranger and a foreigner to your land and gave me a home here, and a family. I owe all of you a debt I can never fully repay.. but...."

Yamato raised his head and locked eyes with Sabretooth's Master, a steely glint of conviction in his own misty honey-brown ones. "...The time has come for me to take up anew the journey I begun months ago..... As I am, I'm not strong enough. Not by my own strength. And, selfish as it may be, I have never been content to stay in one place for long. There is a whole world of wonder in this island of Ishgar that I yearn to see but am unprepared for. Challenges I must face in becoming whomever I am destined to become. Growth I cannot realise while I remain constricted to the boundaries of this guild. Please understand-"

"Oh I understand." Sting announced sharply, holding pressed fingers in front of his face which had a shadow over it. "And there's nothing else to be said. You wanna go. You go. But the Laws of excommunicated members of Sabretooth apply. You will have nothing more to do with ANY active members of the guild, nor any of its prior clients-", "Sting, please!" Rogue implored the Guild Master. "Seeking to broaden his horizons shouldn't have to mean excommunication! After all we've been through together against Manticore Sting, he's proven himself a true member of Sabretooth-"

"He made his choice, Rogue! Now he has to live with the consequences." Sting snapped back, still with hands pressed in front of his face making his expression unreadable. Lector looked like he wanted to say more, but didn't dare rile up his partner further. Rogue looked to Yamato apologetically, who again bowed his head humbly in response. "Thank you Rogue-sama, but he is right. This is my choice, and with it my burden.. to bear...." the behemoth warrior trailed off, his head still bowed and making sounds suspiciously like quiet weeping. A sympathetic Frosch put a comforting paw on his leg, while the Shadow Dragon Slayer fought back tears himself.

"PULL YOURSELF TOGETHER YAMATO.. (Sting barked hoarsely).. AND YOU TOO ROGUE!! MEN OF SABRETOOTH DON'T CRY!", "Shut up Sting. You're crying too!" Rogue retorted, no longer able to hold his own flow back. "NO I'M NOT.. (Sting retorted back defensively, trying to hide silent sniffling behind pressed together hands).. My eyelids are just sweaty. It's been an exhausting day."