Chapter 2 Akane's Mission
Konnichiwa to all readers! Gomen, I forgot to put a disclaimer in this story. So, I'm just gonna put it now. Arigatou Gonzimasu for understanding.
Disclaimer: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL! I only own Furiyama Akane and Hayashi Sora.
It's been quite a long time since I've been in Fairy Tail. . . . Whoa! Two years! I can't believe it! Well, better go now! The others might be looking for me, Akane thought. She changed and washed up. Then, she went to the guild.
"Good morning, guys!" Akane greeted everyone.
"Hi, Kane-chan!" Levy greeted back. After saying a big warm good morning to everyone, she immediately looked at the request board. She snatched a request and read it. Seems kinda' easy . . . . , Akane thought. Her thoughts were interrupted by somebody who shouted her name in her right ear.
"Hey, Akane!" said the voice. Akane was startled. She looked up and saw Natsu smiling at her.
"Oh, it's you, Natsu. You scared me," said Akane and went back to reading the request..
"What're you reading?" asked Natsu.
"This request," Akane replied. "It says here that I have to retrieve a sacred jewel necklace used in battle. It's owned by one of the princesses in the kingdom. She lost it when an enemy stole it when there was a war in their kingdom. Now, she needs it back so their kingdom can defeat the baddies. They really need help so I decided to do this request. Besides, it pays 70, 000 jewels. Quite a fortune for retrieving a necklace," said Akane.
"Well, duhh. It's owned by a princess. Of course she would pay you handsomely," said a voice coming from behind. Akane and Natsu turned around to see who it was.
"Oh hey, ice brain. Why'd you suddenly decide to butt in our conversation?" asked Natsu.
"I wasn't butting in your conversation and stop calling me names, Dumbo!" shouted Gray.
"You better-," Natsu didn't get to finish his comeback because Akane put her finger on Natsu's lip doing a sign that says "keep your mouth shut for the day". Natsu did what Akane wanted obediently.
"I'm so sorry, Gray. You do understand that Natsu is of course Natsu. Anyway, what did you say a while ago about the request I was going to take?" asked Akane.
"It was nothing. Anyway, can I go with you?" asked Gray.
"And why would you like to go with me?" Akane asked back.
"You know, just to make sure you're safe," answered Gray.
"Sorry, Gray. I'm sure I can take care of myself. Besides, I'm taking a level one request. This is chicken to what we S-class mages do," said Akane reassuringly.
"And now you're rubbing you being an S-class mage in our faces," Natsu suddenly said.
"I'm not!" Akane shouted at Natsu. "Anyways, Gray, I'd better go now! I'll stay safe. Thanks for caring!"
Akane flashed a wide grin at Gray. When she did, Gray's heart suddenly started to beat fast. Gray flashed a quick smile at Akane and turned his back away from her.
What am I suddenly feeling? I've never encountered such a feeling before . . . and it all happened when Akane smiled at me, Gray thought. He was so buried deep in his thoughts that he didn't notice that Natsu left.
"Hey, Akane! Wait up!"
"Huh?"
Akane wondered who that voice came from. She turned her head and saw Natsu running towards her.
"Hey, Natsu! Why did you follow me?" Akane called. She was already quite far. Natsu ran a few more steps to reach Akane.
"I was just gonna tell you something," Natsu replied panting heavily.
"What?!" Akane asked.
"I think Gray . . . likes you," said Natsu.
"I have no time for this, Natsu. I really have to go," Akane said quickly. She was trying to save as much time as possible in their conversation.
"No, I really think he does. Did you see how he looked like when you smiled at him? And why would he be caring for your safety?" Natsu asked.
"Natsu, it's normal for Gray to care about my safety the way I care about your safety and everybody else's at Fairy Tail. We're a family Natsu. We should care for each other," said Akane. "Gotta go now."
Akane waved Natsu goodbye. Natsu kept on waving until she was no longer in sight.
Akane started her journey to Sanaki's Island by boat. "I wonder why it's called that," said Akane. Her trip was very windy and cool. She felt like jumping into the ocean while she stared at it. Then, Natsu's words suddenly went back to her. What was Natsu talking about? Gray doesn't like me. I'm sure he doesn't, does he? But what did he mention about Gray after I smiled at him? Yeah, why did Gray ask for my safety?, asked Akane in her head. She kept thinking about it until her eyelids were starting to feel heavy. Nighttime had already fallen.Akane was about to doze off when she saw lights coming from up ahead. Her instincts told her that that is the island she has to got to.
She lifted her head up and yawned. The waves were a bit strong that time which made their arrival to shore a bit longer. Akane was really sleepy at that time and she couldn't keep her senses sharp and alert. At last, they docked. Akane paid the ferryman generously then she climbed out of the boat. Akane walked towards the lights but felt something strange. She felt as if there something eerie that's going to happen. The lights were clearer and clearer as the distance between her and the lights were getting smaller and smaller. She realized that those lights were actually a village. She went closer to it until she reached a place with lots of cute little houses made of wood. Akane wondered: There are so many houses here but why aren't there any people? Akane peeked into every single house but found that the village was deserted. Using her sensory powers, she sensed something lurking in one of the houses. She tracked its location and found an isolated area, away from all those houses. She approached the house stealthily; careful not to step on twigs or anything that would give away sound that could blow up her cover. She peeked into the house and saw a woman with a kind face cooking. Realizing that there's nothing quite dangerous about the woman, she knocked on the door softly.
"Konbanwa!" She called out. "Is anybody home?"
The woman stopped from her chores and was a bit surprised upon hearing somebody knocking on her door. At first, she hesitated in opening it but when she saw a girl standing outside, she immediately opened it. Akane saw the door open and saw the woman's head popping out of the door.
"Konbanwa. Gomenasai to disturb you but may I come in?" asked Akane.
"Hai. Please come in," answered the woman. The woman offered Akane a seat.
"Do you want something to eat?" asked the woman.
"Oh, no. I really appreciate your kindness but I am here for something else," replied Akane.
"And what is that if I may ask?"
Akane tried to act kindly and nicely. "I'd like to ask why this village is abandoned and why you're the only one here."
The woman hesitated to answer Akane's question then bit her lip. Akane felt that the woman was hiding something really secret from her after a few minutes of silence from the woman.
"Uhmm . . . excuse me, Ma'am but would you please consider answering my question? I really need the information I'm seeking to save your village and help another human being," Akane said in a kind and gentle tone. She still managed to be nice to the woman despite of her impatience.
"Okay, okay," the woman finally said. "The villagers all ran away in fear of a monster and its human apprentice lurking in the shadows of this very island. They would usually threaten our lives and would spread fear in the hearts of many. We tried and tried to defend ourselves but they were just too strong. Even our bravest and strongest men couldn't stop them. And so we feared them even more. We later found out that they thrive on human fear. The more fear they implant in our hearts the stronger they get. So all the villagers decided to flee the village but I did not flee for I do not know where to go after I've fled. And so I decided to stay here despite the dangers that still remain here," explained the woman. Then, they heard a crackling sound. Then, they smelled something weird. Something that smelled like burnt food. The woman quickly stood up and went to her kitchen to see if her food really got burned.
"Oh dear, oh dear!" said the woman disappointed at what has come of her food.
Akane went to see if the woman was doing well. She approached the woman and saw her taking some parts that could still be eaten off her burnt food.
"I'm so sorry about your food," said Akane.
"Oh, it's nothing. This could still fit me," said the woman. Akane looked at the woman's wall clock and saw that midnight was fast approaching. Akane decided to say goodbye to the woman.
"I have to get going. I still have some unfinished business I need to take care of. Thank you for the information you gave me. You let me know what I needed to know and more. Rest assure that it will be put to good use and your village will be free. I have to go now. Thank you once again," said Akane. Akane took a few steps towards her door then stopped and turned around. "Wait, where could I find this monster?"
"In the ruins of the ancient temple in the forest. That's where the children last saw them at least," replied the woman.
"Wait, I've never got your name," said Akane.
"Sora, Hayashi Sora is my name. By the way, the monster's name is Sanaki but I do not know what its apprentice's name is," said the woman. Akane nodded. Sora bade her farewell. When Akane had gone quite a distance, an amazing transformation took place in the house where she last was. Bright, shimmering light surrounded the woman. Hues of crimson red and sky blue were swirling around her. Sparkles enveloped her whole body, changing all of her features.
The transformation was complete. All the lights went out to reveal a young girl with white complexion, long blonde hair with tips that reached the floor, and a devious smile. She smirked with pleasure at what she just did. "Master will surely be pleased."