A.N. Hello everyone. This is the second story candidate. As custum the traditional beginning Stat Chart:
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BTW, Wild Wolf is a brewing company. The more you know.
Cana was indulging herself in her favorite hobby...drinking. Of course this time there wasn't any happy occasion. The Fairy Tail HQ had been attacked awhile ago, but luckily no one was there at the time. Still, the members present indulged their sorrows with booze a plenty. Team Natsu arrived from a job, but were disappointed to be told not to attack.
As night fell, the members started to disperse to their homes. Cana was heading to Fairy Hills (1) when she notices a hooded shadow following her from behind. She calmly continues down the street and abruptly turns a corner. The shadow quickly pursues, and is met with a fist to the face. Cana quickly drags the unconscious body into the shadows and carries him back to the Fairy Tail HQ.
Upon arriving, the remaining members still in the basement looked at Cana strangely as she bragged the person in.
"Can someone get some rope?" Cana asks
Mirajane brought some rope and watched as Cana tied up the stranger.
"Who is he?" Mira asks
"I don't know, but once I finish tying him up i'll take a better look."
Mirajane wasted no time in lifting the hood up so she could see the stranger's face. Mirajane gasped when she realized who it was.
"Uhh, hey Cana, why don't you let us handle the interrogation. It'll be too dark before you get back to Fairy Hills if you stay any longer."
"*yawn* I guess you're right, I am a bit tired...alright, but I expect to get some answers tomorrow."
"Of course, good night."
As soon as Cana left, Mirajane called over Macao who looked at their guest with interest.
"So who is he?" Macao asks
Mirajane responds by pulling up the hood to reveal the man's face. Some guild members gasped at the man's face, while others just stared in shock.
"This is-is..."
"James." Mirajane finishes
"Why is he back? He was suppose to have left for good after him and Cana..."
"I know, but that begs the question as to why he's back."
The guild talk amongst themselves, when James starts to wake up.
"Uhh...dammit Cana...always did pack a punch."
"James!? You're awake!" Mirajane says
"Yeah, where's Cana? I need to talk to her."
"Why should we let you anywhere near her?" Macao asks
"Because in the years that I've been away, I changed...I've seen and felt the cruelties of this world, and I've learned to become strong."
"That's all well and good, but remember you left Cana heart broken after your departure!"
"Wasn't my choice! Wasn't my call! You wouldn't listen to me when I was telling you the truth! Blinded by your rage to see me face judgment!"
"ENOUGH!" makarov yells, silencing the two arguing parties, and out of his drunken daze.
"Master-"
"I said enough, James, why have you returned? There had better be a good reason."
"There is Master. The Phantom Lord Guild is going to make it's move, as you've already seen first hand."
"What!? How do you know this?"
"I was their prisoner for years...and when you stay in one place for a very long time, the walls start speaking to you, and the voices...oh the voices." James says with a creepy glazed look.
James shakes his head like flies were buzzing around it, and tells the guild whatever else he knows.
"So...they plan on attacking our guild again, but you weren't able to get a time?"
"I'm sorry Master..."
"Do not be sorry, but you should be worried, taking a risk like this."
"Excuse me for being so bold Master, but do you think my life means anything to me?"
"I remember a time when you were full of life, but now...I feel something else has taken you."
"I'm not the same man I was before..."
"Hmm...tell me, what is underneath that eye patch of yours? That seems to be a new addition."
"If I do show you, I risk everyone's life."
"Hmm...then for now, rest." Makarov unties James, and everyone looks at James with hostility clearly evident.
"Thank you Master...I hope to speak with Cana tomorrow if that is possible."
"We shall see...although she may not wish to speak to you."
"I understand, and if that is her wish I will obey."
James sits Indian Style in the corner of the basement and drifts off into sleep leaning against a wall.
[Dream]
A young James and Cana, around 10 tears old, were being chased around by a young Elfman while playing tag. James was caught by Elfman and started to persue Cana.
"Come on James! You can't catch me!" Cana yells playfully
Since Cana wasn't paying attention, she didn't notice the dip in the hill they were on, and Cana accidentally pulled James down with her when they fell. James ended up kissing Cana on the cheek on accident, which made both of them blush.
Elfman caught up with the two and tells them Makarov is calling them back inside. It was starting to rain as well, so it was good timing.
When the three arrive back at the Fairy Tail HQ they are covered in water. A few Fairy Tail members gave them towels and let them dry themselves. James helps Cana dry off by wrapping a towel around her.
The observing members could see the two were close even at their age, and let them be. When night set in the rain was still going hard, so the guild decided to stay in the HQ for the night, setting up sleeping bags and moving tables and chairs. James and Cana found a spot in the basement away from the others, and made a bed out of a few extra sleeping bags that Lisanna gave them.
"Come on James, it's time to go to bed." Cana says, getting under one of the sleeping bag flaps
"Coming." James says, climbing into the makeshift bed next to Cana
"Hey James."
"Yeah Cana?"
"How do you see me?"
"What do you mean?"
"I mean...what do you think about me?"
"You're a good partner, and a terrific friend."
"Thanks James, but...I...uh..."
"What is it Cana?"
"I...like you as...well, more than a friend..."
Cana rolls around so her back is facing James, embarrassed with saying what she did. James rolls her back over to see Cana's face beet red.
"Cana, I feel the same."
Overjoyed, Cana wraps James in a bone crushing hug, and lays her head on his chest as they drift off to sleep in each others arms.
[End Dream]
James wakes up the next morning to see a few guild members still sleeping. He pulls out a small alcohol canteen and takes a swing before tucking it away.
"Oh Cana...I'm so sorry..."
"You should be."
James looks at the stairway to see Cana staring at him with tears in her eyes.
"Cana..."
"James...why? Why are you back!"
"I am needed here."
"No you AREN'T!"
"Dammit Cana I...I'm sorry I couldn't be here when Lisanna was buried-"
"Don't you dare say her name! You weren't there for the funeral, and you weren't there for me when I needed you!"
"When you needed me? I've needed you many time before Cana and you weren't there. Like when my mother was r**ed and killed in front of me...where were you then?"
"I...I-"
"Yeah, that's what I thought. You were off with Macao on a job when you were head over heels for him, even when I told you that I loved you!"
"We were young, those were just...childish emotions..."
"Huh, well...we're no longer children...and I'm not the same man I was when I left."
"...What did happen to you?"
"*sigh* It's a long and painful tale."
"Most are."
"And I'm not sure we have the time."
James stands up and walks past Cana saying, "But for what it's worth...I missed you."
Cana just stood there in anger as James just left, leaving her standing there. Once outside, James heads for a nearby park in the southern part of Magnolia, where a large crowd had gathered. Approaching the crowd, James sees three Fairy Tail members hung up on a tree with the center one having the Phantom Lord mark on the girl's stomach.
"So...that's his play."
Team Natsu arrives and have various reactions to their friends being strung up and humiliated. Natsu was especially pissed off. Makarov made his entrance and started to rant.
"I can take our headquarters being turned to rubble, but I will not let harm come to my children!" Makarov says
He then crushes his wooden staff in his hands and is surrounded with a yellow aura.
"We have no choice but to go to war!"
"Master," James says, "I may be able to offer some assistance."
A.N. That's it for now. Remember to choose which Fairy Tail I should focus on
(1): Thank you wiki
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Anyways stay awesome guys and gals of the world, and see you next chapter
