Hello! I found some errors in the prologue chapter and updated it. And Even though my story hasn't been up long I felt bad updating the chapter without adding one so here is Chapter 1. I hope you enjoy it! Also, I've tweaked the story a bit but I refused to change the Prologue. so we'll just say some details were left out. What were they you may be wondering? You'll have to wait and find out.

Day 1

Freed sat at a table in the far corner of the guild. There he watched Mira out of the corner of his eye. He watched her teasing Lucy, probably trying to get her together with Natsu again. He then looked down at his glass of water and sighed. 'Stop it Freed! Just forget about her!' he scolded himself mentally. However, he knew he never could. He thought about how Mira looked at him a few days ago after the incident with Laxus and the thunder palace. No words could explain how bad he felt or how upset he was with himself.

The grip on his glass tightened, 'I hurt her, I hurt her brother, I made my guildmates fight each other!' he berated himself. 'Yet I'm still here along with Evergreen and Bixlow, while Laxus was kicked out.' Freed thought in frustration.

'Why? We were all guilty… so why was he the only one to be punished?' he questioned himself, but he already knew the answer, at least in his case. 'What reason do I have to stay? The only person I ever had a bond with was Mira.' Freed wondered.

'Mira… beautiful Mira… the love of my life.' He thought sadly. 'We use to be really close but now… now she probably hates me.' Freed thought with a sigh, his grip on the glass slipping.

'I wonder if I had told her that I loved her before the incident, would I have stood up against Laxus instead?' he questioned himself. 'No! No more what ifs! No matter how much I may wish it, I can't change what I did!' He told himself. Then he sighed once more staring blankly at the water in his glass.

'It's ironic how my feelings towards her have changed so much from the day we met.' He thought with a slight smile. 'Even after the moment at the river, it still took me a while to like her.' he thought.

(Flashback)

"Everyone! Your attention please!" the master yelled from the door of the guild. The members of the guild were once again fighting with one another and couldn't hear him over their brawling. Annoyed by his children's lack of attention Master Makarov grew bigger and tried again. "QUIET NOW!" he bellowed, so loud he made the guild hall shake. It was then that all activities in the guild stopped in fear of punishment. All of them then turned towards him giving him their undivided attention. Once he saw that he was successful in getting everyone's attention, he shrunk back down to his normal height and cleared his throat.

"Well now that I have everyone's attention." The master started. "I would like all of you to meet a new member, Freed Justine." Master Makarov introduced. Upon hearing this, the entire guild turned its attention to the green haired boy who was leaning against the doorway behind their guild master. The boy stood there with his arms crossed and a stoic look on his face as he studied each member silently. He then looked down slightly and closed his eyes.

"Salutations." Freed greeted nonchalantly. However, his only response was silence.

"Don't everyone talk at once." Their Master said sarcastically.

"Sorry Master Makarov but I think his attitude contrasts with what this guild stands for. Don't you think?" Macao questioned unsurely. At this Master, Makarov laughed.

"Oh, he's just being shy give him some time and I'm sure he'll open up a bit. He has been through a lot and it's left him kind of detached." He explained to them.

"Hmph, so what almost everyone in this guild has been through some painful experience?" Mira said coldly as she glared at Freed. Upon hearing this Freed's eyes snapped open and he immediately turned towards her, anger evident on his face.

"Shut up! You don't know what I've been through! I already know that a lot of people in this guild have unhappy memories but not everyone can brush it off as easily as others!" Freed yelled. Mira looked at him, seemingly taken back by the sudden burst of anger. It was then Freed turned around and walked out of the guild. Makarov sighed and looked angrily at Mira.

"Mirajane that was completely uncalled for." Makarov scolded the young teen. Mira looked at Master Makarov for a quick second before looking away.

"Master if you don't mind me asking exactly what happened to him?" Wakaba asked. Makarov looked at Wakaba and shook his head.

"I'm sorry but I'm not sure he would like it if I told you," he answered.

"We can't help him if we don't know what his deal is." Cana pitched.

"Cana has a point master." Macao agreed.

"Fine but don't let him know I told you." Makarov conceded. "Freed, just like most of you, is an orphan. However, it's how he became an orphan that is traumatic." Makarov started.

"Freed was conceived unwillingly and up until he was ten had never really felt love. At the age of five, he was then taken away by his father. He was taken back to a dark guild where they abused him. Two years later his mother committed suicide. At the age of ten, there was an explosion and everyone in the guild was found dead. The only survivor that day was Freed. After that, he was adopted by an old friend of mine where he received love for the first time. However, Freed was still wary of people so my friend asked me to bring him here." Makarov explained sadly.

"That's horrible," Cana muttered.

"No wonder he looked so emotionless, poor kid," Wakaba said.

"Master I just have one question," Erza told Makarov.

"What is it Erza?" he asked.

"Do you think he killed all of those people, unconsciously of course?" Erza questioned.

"I can't say for sure. The magic council seems to think he just lost control of his powers. However, his foster father thinks otherwise." Makarov answered.

"I bet you feel really bad… now?" Erza started to say to Mira but she was gone. "Where did she go?" Erza questioned.

(Meanwhile with Freed)

Freed sat by a river with a stuffed animal looking fox playing in the water. "Fianna?" Freed questioned the fox who stopped to look at him.

"What is it, master?" She asked as she trotted over to him.

"Why do people seem to hate me?" He asked the fox.

"Sorry I can't answer that, but hey you shouldn't let what others think bother you so much. I told you before, you stick with me and no one will ever treat you like that again. I promise." She responded as she jumped into his lap and licked his cheek.

"Thank you, Fianna." He muttered. Just then rustling was heard from behind him. He quickly turned around to see Mira standing behind him. Her head was downcast and her arms were behind her back. Upon seeing her, he clutched Fianna close and glared at her.

"What do you want?" He asked venomously. At his tone, Mira flinched and glanced up at him.

"Would it be ok if I sat beside you? I won't be here long I promise." She asked as she looked off to the side.

'Huh? What's with the sudden change in attitude?' Freed asked himself. Unsure exactly what to do his expression turned stoic once more as he looked back towards the river.

"Do what you want." He muttered loud enough for her to hear. Mira, knowing it was the closest thing to an invitation as she was going to get, sat down beside him. She sat there with her knees pulled to her chest, her arms resting on top of them.

"Um listen I'm sorry about earlier. That was… inconsiderate of me." Mira apologized. Surprised by the apology Freed's eyes widened in shock but his shock was quickly wiped from his face. When he didn't say anything Mira glanced at him with a sad expression.

'Was my comment too far over the line for an apology?' She asked herself as she looked down at her feet.

"You know…" Freed said suddenly snapping Mira out of her thoughts. She looked at him and saw that he was looking at her too. "No one has ever apologized to me before. In fact, not many have ever really cared about me." He told her as he looked down at his feet. Upon hearing that her eyes started to tear up and to hide them she buried her face in Freed's shoulder. Shocked Freed stiffened and turned his head to look at her.

"I'm so sorry. I know that you might not like me right now but I hope we can start over." Mira started.

"I… I hope that in the end, we can find a way to be good friends." Mira stuttered.

"I know I'm not the easiest to get along with and I can be mean at times, but I care deeply for my friends." She said as she cried silently. Freed didn't know what to do never had he been in such a situation. He suddenly felt guilty but couldn't figure out why. So out of instinct he wrapped an arm around her, buried his face in her hair, and rubbed her back soothingly.

"Please… don't cry. We can start over, just please don't cry. I can't stand seeing people cry." Freed said as he too started to cry. He remembered his mother and how much she used to cry. He remembered trying to comfort her but only seemed to make things worse. He hated seeing his mother sad, she may not have loved him like a mother should, but that didn't mean he didn't love her like a son should.

"Please… no more." He pleaded quietly his eyes cover by his long green locks.

(End of flashback)

'That day was when my faith in people took a turn for the better. After that, we decided to get to know each other.' He thought happily. 'And she wasn't joking about being hard to get along with.' Freed thought with a slight laugh.

'I'm glad I met her though and maybe… maybe things can still work out between us.' Freed hopefully thought. 'I just have to figure out how to rekindle our friendship and then work up the courage to tell her how I feel.' He told himself his eyes shining with determination.

(Meanwhile with Mira)

Mira stood at the bar teasing Lucy. "Oh, come on you two would make such a cute couple," Mira said as she cleaned a glass.

"Yeah, I don't think so," Lucy said annoyed by the thought.

"The two of you would have the cutest little babies." Mira cries happily, her eyes shining like stars.

"B-Babies? Just how far into the future are you talking about here?" Lucy asked somewhat frightened.

"Ha-ha I use to ask the same thing every time she thought of a certain guy," Cana said before chugging a barrel of beer.

"Huh? What do you mean?" Lucy asked.

"Our little Mira has one hell of a crush. She use to fantasize about him all the time, but when confronted with it she would start a fight." Cana informed Lucy.

"Whoa really?" Lucy asked looking at Mira for confirmation.

"Yeah but that was a long time ago," Mira said as she glanced at Freed.

"What are you talking about you're still crushing hard," Cana questioned.

"I meant that I no longer start a fight when someone brings up the subject." Mira giggled.

"Wait so who is this mysterious guy?" Lucy asked curiously.

"Well…" Cana started to answer before Mira "accidentally" threw cold water on her. "Ahhhh, Mira! What the heck?!" Cana screamed as she glared at the "Innocent" Mira.

"Ops, I'm sorry Cana," Mira said somehow managing to sound sincere.

"Ah on second thought I don't want to know," Lucy said as she slowly got up and backed away from the two mages.

"I guess old habits die hard, huh Mira?" Cana questioned evilly.

"I don't know what you're talking about Cana," Mira said continuing to fain innocence. Mira then stole a glance at Freed once more. 'he looks so upset.' She thought sadly.

"Mira, you ok?" Cana asked when she noticed the look on her friend's face, completely forgetting the previous incident.

"I'm worried about him?" Mira told the card mage.

"How so?" Cana questioned as she looked down into her empty barrel and frowned, 'hey where did my beer go?' she thought.

"He doesn't have many bonds here in the guild, so I fear he will leave and go after Laxus," Mira answered sadly.

"More beer please," Cana said suddenly showing Mira her empty barrel. Not wanting to go all the way to the back to get Cana another Barrel she just poured some into a mug and slid it to her. Cana picked up the mug and took a sip. "Mira if you're so afraid he will leave why you don't tell him how you feel. I'm sure that will make him stay." Cana advised her friend.

Mira sighed, "I've tried, I really have, but for some reason, I just can't seem to get the words out." She explained. "Ironic isn't it I'm always helping others with their love lives but when it comes to my own I don't know anything," Mira said sadly.

"What is it that draws you to him exactly?" Cana asked suddenly catching Mira's attention.

"Well, I guess the thing I like most about him is how deep down he really cares about everyone, even though he has a hard time showing it." Mira giggled happily.

"Uh huh? And when did you realize you loved him?" Cana asked.

"Oh well, I guess it was back when Lisanna died and he comforted me," Mira replied.

(Flashback)

Mira sat on a bed in the guild's infirmary, clutching her arm. She was looking down at the floor, tears streaming down her face. "Lisanna, Why? Why did this happen?" Mira cried as she gripped her arm tighter. "What did she do to deserve this?!" she screamed as she punched the wall. Mira then slid down to the floor.

'It should have been me, not her. She never did anything wrong, unlike me. I have committed so many sins in my life. It should have been me.' She thought. Mira looks up at the window above her head. She watches as the wind blows and the trees dance. There she sits looking blankly out the window until the sun begins to set.

(Meanwhile downstairs)

The Thunder Legion walks into the guild after a long mission, Laxus leading the group. "Yo, we're back!" Laxus announced as he spots his grandpa upstairs. Master Makarov solemnly comes down to meet them. This immediately tells Freed that something bad happened while they were gone. He looked at his comrade but none of them seemed to notice the change in the guild.

"What happened?" Freed asked, stepping up in front of Laxus, surprising not only the members of the thunder legion but the rest of the guild as well.

"As sharp as ever my boy," Makarov said sadly. "We lost a mage today." He told them.

"Who?" Laxus asked pulling Freed back behind him and giving him an irritated look. However for the first time, in a while, since being paired with Laxus he didn't care.

"We lost a Strauss." Master continued. Upon hearing this Freed's blood suddenly ran cold.

'please no.' he thought.

"Which one Mirajane, Elfman, Lisanna?" Evergreen asked sounding slightly worried.

"We lost Lisanna," Makarov answered quietly.

'God no.' Freed thought as he looked over at Laxus who seemed to be in shock. 'Mira? Where is Mira?' he panicked. "Master?" Freed wanted to ask him, however, couldn't seem to continue. Luckily master Makarov seemed to know what he was going to ask and smiled slightly.

"She is upstairs in the infirmary, my boy." He told the panicked teen. Freed muttered a quick thank you, before for rushing up the stairs.

Freed knocked lightly on the door and waited patiently for an answer. However, when he didn't get one, he slowly opened the door and peeked inside. He saw her on the floor staring out the window tears streaming down her face. Quietly, Freed made his way over to her and kneeled down behind her. He then slowly wrapped his arms around her and placed his chin on top of her head.

"I'm sorry Mira. This must be painful for you," he whispered as he stared out the window with her.

"I take it the master told you what happened huh?" she asked quietly. Freed didn't say anything he just held her tighter in response. "Freed it's alright. I'm fine now." Mira lied.

"Don't lie to me, Mira." He said through clenched teeth. "It's ok to be sad. It's not easy losing a loved one. I mean I never really got over my mother's death." Freed confesses as he shifted so Mira was sitting between his legs. Mira then turned her body so that she could lie against him and rest her cheek against his chest. She clutched his coat trying to hold back her tears. Freed sighs and begins to stroke her head.

"Come on Mira. I don't care if you cry." Freed coaxed as he rested his head on hers once more. And just like that Mira began crying, her tears soaking his coat but he didn't care. Freed smiled slightly happy that she was ok letting him see this side of her, Happy that she was taking his advice, and wasn't holding everything in. As her crying got louder and she started to scream he held her tighter.

"That's it just let it all out." He coaxed as he held her close in his arms. When Mira couldn't cry anymore she just continued to rest against Freed. All that crying had made her tired. "Feeling a little bit better now?" he asked her before she tried to fall asleep against him. His only response was a nod. He smiled.

"I'm glad." He whispered. "The pain will lessen with time but until then I'll be here for you." He told her just before her eyes closed and she fell asleep. He looked down and noticed a slight, content smile on her face. 'Sleep well Mira.' he thought as he held her.

(End of flashback)

When Mira was done with her story she looked at Cana who seemed to be completely and utterly shocked, her beer now all over the floor. "What?" she asked the shocked card mage.

"We are talking about the same Freed here right not your Juvia like fantasy of Freed?" Cana questioned obviously not believing what she was hearing.

"Yes," Mira replied.

"Wow, I guess I never realized just how close you two were back then," Cana said with a laugh as she brought her, now empty beer mug, to her lips. However, when she realized it was empty she frowned. "Alright who keeps stealing my beer!" she yells catching everyone's attention.

"What are you yelling about?" Wakaba asked from his seat next to Macao.

"You sure you didn't just drink it and forgot Cana?" Levy asked as she lifted her head from the book she was reading.

"Oh I'm sure, I had almost half of this mug left," Cana yelled. Mira giggles at Cana's antics and decided that she had enough alcohol for one day. Just then Freed stood up from his seat.

"I'm going home, see you all tomorrow." He said as he walked to the door. "Oh and Cana, no one stole your beer. You spilled it on the floor." He told her before leaving.

Cana looked down at her feet and mouthed 'oh'. She then glared at the door, "Damn that guy." She muttered. She then turned back towards Mira and held the mug out to her in hopes of getting more Alcohol.

"I think you've had enough Cana," Mira told the card mage. Cana tipped her mug towards herself looked at it and then back at Mira. Cana sighed and placed her mug on the table.

Well, there you go. Tell me what you think. It's moving really slow for me. I had some ideas to liven up the story a bit but I'm not sure how it will work out. That's the problems with slight AU stories, but I'm working on it! I'm adding things, Taking things out, and changing the story almost completely. It was actually going to be quick and simple but then I was like nope, It needs something more. Sometimes I hate my overactive mind. That's what's going on with my second story too. I'll write something and then be like no, It should go like this, or what was I thinking I should have done this. Why do I feel the need to make things so complicated =( sorry for my rambling everyone It's been rough.