Of Keys and Flames

Chapter 1

Sting's P.O.V

The sheer power of Rouge's glare is frightening. I'm the guild master, some say. I'm the handsome, benevolent, almighty, aweso-

"You had, ONE job." Rouge bit out as if the sentence repulsed him, but I know good and well what or should I say who that repulsion is directed towards. I flinched back but held my stance against those seething red eyes.

"Now Rouge," I began in mock confidence, "put yourself in my shoes, you can't tell me you would have handled it differently. I on-"

"That's exactly what I'm saying! You not only injured our employer but our client too!" His hands clenched and unclenched begging for my neck between them.

"Lets make this even better by refreshing our memory shall we?" His violent breathing calmed considerably but knowing this guy for over God knows how long I knew his temper will morph into a silent brooding in a dark corner. Plotting my death. With his hands...I'm screwed.

Early This Morning:

To the normal onlooker we would have been a normal group of young adults, well, until you spot the two dragonslayers kissing the dirty concrete of the train station. Six hours of pure Death in this contraption had drove us to our wit's end leaving our stomachs' not too far behind. I couldn't begin to imagine the attendants reaction to the once spotless floors covered in chunks in yellow and green. Minerva hauled us up by the back of our shirts and dragged us to the nearest hotel ignoring Yukino's pitiful glances towards us. After the necessary arrangements were made a nap was in due order for the king of the castle (which is me just in case you don't know). Our employer wouldn't need our presence until the later afternoon and even after that the client will be introduced several hours later.

The remainder of the morning and early afternoon were spent generously on resting and planning. Normally our group worked well together when you put into consideration this is only the third mission we have been on together. Separately, though, was a different story. Recently, I've been jumpy, paranoid, possessive, etc... which logically should have led me to believe that Dragon Season was coming up. The only part that threw me off is the fact that my signs came weeks ahead of what was expected and my hormones are pumping twice as much. Adding more hormones to the already hormonal dragon slayer is not the best idea. So planning ahead (shocking right?) I set up my makeshift 'cage' if you will until the season is over and I return to normal. The only problem is that I needed money from a mission to catch up on financial demands. Therefore, I had to go when I know damn well I was in no condition to participate, possible harming somebody because of my altered nature.

Around early evening, the team and I freshened up and headed our way to our employer. The moment I laid eyes on this guy I knew he was going to be a pain in the ass. My head hurts to think about what out client would be like...Zoning in and out of the conversation, only picking up what was needed, I was anxious to get to my safe house before I mess up our mission. And mess up I did. Let's just say I got pissy over a certain set of words and turned the room into a diy light show which ended up with impressive injuries on the client and employer. At the moment I didn't care, what was the worst they can do? Write a bad yelp review? Yeah I'm sooo scared.

The reality of the situation became clear when the good for nothing idiots decided to sue our guild for three time its worth for damages. Yeah....not good. That's pretty much how we ended up in our hotel at three in the morning trying to decided how we can smother the damage. Damage that I cause Rouge so kindly likes to mention.

"You have three minutes," speaking of the devil, "to get us the hell out of this mess before I get charged for improper disposal of a body." Huh, three minutes aye? I wonder what they have down at the cafeteria?

"One minute and thirty-nine seconds, one minute and thirty eight seconds..." Damn I really get distracted easily. Anyways, I might as well tell the truth, "I got 'nothin". If the vein in his neck gets any bigger he might just go into cardiac arrest. Just as he opened his mouth to unleash hell on me, Yukino soft voice spoke out, "I think I know somebody that can help us." At the sound of this everyone snapped their head towards her with their full attention.

"Lucy-san has connections in this world and I can call on a favor she owes me from a while back. It's a long shot, but it's better than drowning in dept." This girl is a genius!

"Okay then on the first train out we head over to the fairies and call on blondie" I spoke as if it was that simple. Not.

"No doffus," Minerva smacked the back of my head, "we look like outter crap and we have to go there at a appropriate time. Let's say tomorrow morning?" Though she spoke it like a question she left no room for any debate. "Also, you can't be calling her blondie Sting. We're pulling a major favor from her so we have to be as respectful as possible. Got it?" I gulped and nodded a silent agreement. Everyone dispersed to get some rest but none of us will be sleeping sound tonight. My question is, will she help us? We did help in the recent war, but the way our guild treated her in the past is enough to make her turn her back to us. Note to self: be kind and sincere tomorrow.