It August eighteenth was when Yukino Aguria was walking along the night in her hometown, called Celestal Falls. There was a great big waterfall right of town, and that's where they got the namesake. It was a truly beautiful sight to see, and in fact, that's where she was walking from right now. The forest path was dark, but she knew her way well. In fact, the calm and peace of the forest and waterfall was what calmed her. The past month and a half has been tough on everyone, and the young mage took a military leave after the Eclipse project.
"I just…need to get away," she spoke to herself in the dark. But she didn't feel too alone. Not tonight. Maybe, just maybe, it was the extra shine of the stars. Telling her it was all going to be okay. Her parents were already dead, and apparently, her older sister, Angel, was arrested. She found out from a councilman named Doranbolt. She visited her sister once a week all the way in Era, it wasn't a hard trip. Anything to see her sister.
Their reunion was a tearful one, and it was great to see her again. The young girl smiled, that seemed to be the only good thing going on after the whole dragon affair. Taking a deep breath, Yukino looked at where her left hand used to be. She lost that limb during the fight and there was a giant scar on her back. Like Lucy Heartfilia though, Yukino was get a fake hand to replace the old one. Lucy, though, had to replace her entire arm, and her guild mark.
Brown eyes were glazed with tears at the memories and the pain of it all. It was so hard to deal with, but in the end, it was worth it. They saved their country, each other, themselves and humanity. So, why should she complain? In the end, they all lived. Well…tears fell from her eyes, not all.
But the dragons weren't the only murderers about, no before Lucy tricked them back through the door (which took a combination of wit, power and manipulation of scent), not Yukino saw something which she only repeated to one. She swore on her life that she wouldn't repeat what she saw to anyone. But, the stellar mage smiled because she knew the one person she trusted wouldn't dare tell anyone. And besides, who would know to go to her in the first place?
Snap
Yukino turned behind her that instant, she looked around but even with the extra light from the stars, she couldn't see anything. Her brown eyes searched the surrounding perimeter, she even squinted them to see if that would help. Of course, it didn't, but trying never hurt anyone now did it?
Snap
Another twig snapped, this one was closer and was towards the town; where ere back was facing. Turning once more on her heel, Yukino frowned deeply and decided to this time call out. "Who's there?" No reply came. "I know you're there, so come on out and face me!"
"Such brave words for a coward." A feminine voice answered out, and then Yukino heard footsteps, the clanking of boots walking. In fact, the voice sent shivers down her spine and suddenly, the white haired mage felt like she had to run. But her feet wouldn't move at all.
"Wh-who are you?" her voice was now cracked and her hand moved to her belt for her keys—but they weren't there. Something shined in the glow of the stars and Yukino knew instantly by the dangling noises that the person now had her keys. She was defenseless.
"I just want a few questions answered, Ms. Aguria. Don't be too afraid, you'll be fine as long as you cooperate with me."
"Who are you?"
"I'm the one asking questions," the young stellar mage heard the person step closer, so on instinct she stepped back.
"First. What was your involvement in Eclipse, and remember; don't lie to me."
"Wh-why do you want to know?"
"Pity, pity," the woman sighed and Yukino's eyes went wide as a sword appeared from seemingly nowhere. "That's not what was supposed to come out from your mouth. Answer my questions and who knows, maybe you'll live—I highly doubt that, but we'll see—go on, girl! Tell me everything."
"I was a sergeant, under the Wh-white Knight Arcadios! After I lost to Kagura in the games, and was excommunicated." at the mention of the swordsman, the girl's eyes faltered. Little did she know, her interrogator saw this and took note of this small detail. "I-I was told that the Eclipse Project, together with all twelve Zodiac keys would open the door to bring us four hundred years back into the future where the Army could then go and kill Zeref-"
"Fools," commented the other woman dryly. "You cannot mess with time like that, no matter what events happened over the years because of Zeref, if they didn't happen, other things wouldn't have happened. Time decides itself. Now, go on."
"Right..anyway, so I worked hard on building it and watching after it. I was also told to help…persuade Lucy into helping as well. That's all really-"
"Lucy Heartfilia denied it right away though, am I correct?"
"Yes."
"But you were happy to do so?"
"Yes, I wanted to change the world!"
"Right. And look where that change got us, Yukino. I am left with no one and you, with no hand. But you're getting a fake one, right?"
"Y-yes," now the white haired mage was even more scared than before.
"That's good, what you lost is replaceable. Mine? No so much. Now tell me, what did you see the day the dragons attacked?"
"Wha-what kind of question is that? I saw fighting…blood and death!"
"Everyone did. I have a feeling there is something about this Kagura woman you're not telling me." The woman took once step closer, her the tip of her sword was now on the skin of Yukino's neck. The girl swallowed out of pure fear and looked wide eyed. How did this other person know?
"I…I can't tell you that."
"Bullshit. Tell me."
"She told me not too! She owns me, don't you get it?! I lost that bet!"
"I don't care about that. Tell me what you know."
"I-I can't!"
"Liar." A swing of her sword and blood was everywhere. The left arm that belonged to Yukino was nearby, and blood was pooling from the sport where it was cut. Pained screams emitted from the white haired mages mouth and the sword tip reached her throat again. "Tell me. What you know. Or I will cut off a leg."
"I….I…I can't," the girl managed to say in between pained breaths. Tears streamed down her eyes and she now fear for her life. She would never see her friends again, nor her sister. She wouldn't be able to see Rogue or Frosch. Or Lucy. Or Mirajane. Or her spirits. She was going to die, and she felt it. She knew it was inevitable because this person wanted something and they would kill her for it.
In the dim starlight, the shine of the sword being held in the air was enough for Yukino to scream out, "No wait!" The blade stopped, "I'll tell you one thing. It may be enough if you know about Kagura; I don't know. It involved Jellal Fernandes."
Something in the tension snapped and Yukino felt a sharp pain in her leg, but the perpetrator waited for her to finish her screams before speaking, "Tell me more. Now."
"I can't!"
"Fine. You're dead, then. I hope you told Angel you love her."
Yukino never knew who her murderer was, and frankly; she didn't want to know the poor soul who did. However, she did want to apologize; she wanted to apologize for letting what she lost get lost in the first place.
Hopefully, there was a bigger place in the stars for her. A reason for her existence other than mistakes and shame; Mirajane always wished that for her. The blade made contact with her throat and no more screamed were let out, just a chocked sob and tears.
Her body was found the next day by a dog and its owner; Yukino's neighbor.
August first, X791.
Dear Gray & Lyon,
I hope you two don't mind I'm sending you one letter. I wanted to make sure you both got the message. Anyway, I hope Juvia is doing fine, I know she means a great deal to both of you, but please don't hate each other over a girl? And give her space; really, you two fools don't need to make her life any more complicated. You may be wondering why I'm writing this to you, and I will tell you. I cannot visit you two anymore. The council will surely know that you both have connections to me and I cannot risk you two getting arrested for harboring a fugitive.
With that said, I hope all is well. I know I will not see either of you for a long time, and I do hope you both are happy. You deserve that. If you ever find yourself on the run, find me, I'm sure you'll know how. Though, be wary, if I do find out you're on the run I'll beat you.
If you hear rumors of me, don't worry; I'll be fine. If I'm captured, then don't try to break me out. The only way I will be captured is when I accept defeat and let myself be captured. I assure you that.
I want you both to know that I love you both and I'm proud of you who have become over the years. I'm sure my mother would be as well. No, I know she would be.
Now, what I saw next may sound a bit overboard, but bear with me. You may hear about me in a not so kind light. When that time comes, don't defend me. I know exactly what I'm doing. I will face my consequences. But I would hope you shall remember me in the way that you both personally know me. The best version of me.
I love you both, so so much. And I'm sorry for leaving you like this, but I must do what I plan. I will follow the road that destiny and time set out for me. I won't go kicking and screaming anymore, I shall accept it. It is my fate and what time wants.
-Ultear M.
A/N: Yeah, so the plot is building up~ and I'm thinking of changing the rating to M for violence. Feedback on that?
Anyway, have an awesome day!
-CupCake