Even though we may have been separated by distance, and perhaps time too...

Nobody ever truly left each others hearts.

~•----------------------------------•~

I nervously glance at Rogue, waiting for a response. I hear my heart beat more prominently with every passing moment.

He stands up abruptly, his expression concealed by a shadow, and I start to feel apprehensive.

  "Don't. Ever. Speak of this again." Rogue spits out, then looks me directly in the eyes. The diabolical look in his dark eyes causes waves of panic to wash over me, and his sinister tone makes my blood run cold.

   I feel my throat tightening and my eyes begin to sting as the rejection begins to hit me. I close my mouth, which had slightly been open due to shock, and manage to take a breath.

   Rogue takes a provocative step towards me.

  "Didn't you hear me? I know you're not deaf, (Y/N)."

   The menacing way he says my name petrifies me; I cannot choke out a single word.

I manage to tilt my head in submission, but beyond that, I do not move.

  "Tch," he starts to walk away,  "You're lucky I won't tell Master, Fairy Scum."

    I am left alone.

As soon as Rogue's footsteps fade into nothing, I let the tears that had been building up overflow, spilling onto my cheeks. My emotions pull me down to my knees, and my fingernails scratch the ground in an attempt to release the intense sentiment of rejection.

     You can tell me anything.

"Why...?" I whisper, my voice sounding tight. "Why doesn't he understand...?

Why is it that when I finally open up to someone, I am instantly betrayed...?"

     Are you okay?

  I attempt to staunch the flow of tears with my sleeve, but the stream of tears doesn't falter.

      Please forgive me.

I stay like this for a few minutes, knowing that Rogue had probably returned to Sting and Yukino, and had probably made a clever excuse as to why I wasn't with him.

  Do not be afraid to tell me anything, and I hope the fact that we're newly acquainted isn't a hindrance of any kind.

"Rogue...why...aren't you...who you claimed you were?" I continue, my voice shaking. "Why do you hold no empathy...? And why am I so offended...?"

I cover my mouth to hold back a whine of distress, and I convince myself to stand up.

    I start walking at a legarthic pace, retracing my steps. I wipe the remaining tears off my face, pray that my eyes aren't suspiciously red, and keep walking until I see the trio.

I continue onwards, trying not to appear too listless. I force a smile as I approach them, but the stretching of my mouth feels unnatural.

"Hey, (Y/N), it's okay, Sting and Yukino found a place where we can all train." Rogue says, sounding normal, as if nothing ever happened, but he doesn't smile. Although undetectable by Sting and Yukino, I detect a slightly persuasive tone.

"That's good, because I couldn't find one..." I reply, smiling and scratching the back of my head sheepishly for an added effect.

"Yes, we found the perfect training grounds. They're by the foot of the mountains, near a lake that supposedly contains a high amount of highly concentrated of Ethernanos, which is a perfect spot for breaks." Yukino informs, but she isn't smiling. Her mouth is in a firm line, and her tone is unwavering.

"This year, maybe we'll have some actual competition...Fairy Tail, eh?" Sting says, with the glint of determination in his eyes. "I can't wait to fight Natsu-san..."

I realize why Sting and Yukino are acting differently. This is training season, and they're not about to let the other guilds get ahead of them.

"I wouldn't fear, we've won every other year, haven't we?" I smirk, and force myself to act cocky. "Let's go tell Master of our selection."

They nod in agreement, and the determination I spot in their eyes is daunting.

I reluctantly lead the way out of the library, dreading approaching Master Jiemma.

As soon as we step into the main hall and in sight of our master, who is currently sitting on his throne, I hear a booming voice.

"So, have you made your decision yet?" Master Jiemma calls out before we are even before him.

"Yes, Master." we respond in unison.

I start talking immediately after we reach him.

"Master, we have found a place to train. It is located near the foot of the mountains, near a lake that contains large amounts of Ethernanos." I tell Master Jiemma. "Although it may be blizzarding outside, we will persevere, and the conditions will not prevent us from training."

  Master Jiemma grunts in what I assume is approval.

   "Good," he replies, his voice echoing through the nearly empty guild. "I approve of this. Be off, now, and do not return until the three months until the Grand Magic Games have passed."

    "Thank you, Master." Sting says. "We will be ready to win."

Yukino and Rogue nod in agreement.

"Go," Master Jiemma says, "AND CLAIM OUR GUILD NUMBER ONE!!"

I hold back a wince. If Master Jiemma keeps this up, I'll be deaf by the time I'm 18.

   Didn't you hear me? I know you're not deaf, (Y/N).

   I shake my head to dismiss the words that haunt me.

"FOR SABERTOOTH!!" We all shout, before turning away to the guild doors.

    I'm ready to prove myself. I will not allow myself to get attached to anyone in this guild. I understand who my real friends and foes are now.

~•--------------------------------•~

A/N: Thank you so much for all the positive comments and votes! (:

I can't believe this story has 22k reads now!! Thanks so much!!

With love, 
      ~Ari