Fairy Tail - A New Flame

by piper5381

Raised for a time by Atlas Flame, 11 year old Hikari eventually finds Fairy Tail. Instantly, she melts the heart of Erza and two become inseparable, but a tragedy for Hikari tears at her and her Dragon Slayer gifts shut down. She distances herself from the others as well. Can the gang show Hikari that the guild is family, and can Erza show that, blood or not, she is her child?

4. Chapter 4

Chapter 4: Trust

Brythyll. A small village located not far from Mt. Hirotoma; a quiet place where those who resided there worked together and lived in peace. However, their peaceful times were about to change. Their chief, Heero Miskushi, would be the first to witness this soon to be tragedy.

"Grandfather?"

A young boy of sixteen stood at the foot of the mountain, an elder man standing there as well.

"Grandfather, is something wrong?"

The chief did not move his gaze, keeping it locked onto the mountain before him.

"We must evacuate the village."

The boys' brows furrowed at the words, confusion hitting him.

"What are you talking about?"

"Run back home, wake everyone from their sleep, and have them leave to the nearest city. Do so now."

"But why?"

The chief let out a sigh.

"The demon in the mountain…the one who can destroy all…has awoken."

"What?" the boy asked, eyes widening. "But…no…that's impossible. It can't be true! It's only legend…"

"I felt a stir in the mountains weeks ago and prayed it wasn't true…but it is. His full power has returned and he is coming."

He couldn't believe what he was hearing. There was no way something like that could happen.

"I don't believe it…that's only a story! There's no such thing! You-"

Before he was able to finish his sentence, the ground, as well as the mountain, began to shake, and it did so for a good minute before finally coming to a stop.

"Gaimeka…" The man said lowly. Looking over at his Grandson, he shot him a sad but serious gaze. "Go. Do as I said. Run with them, and when you arrive at the city, have a request sent out to the nearest guilds."

"But Grandfather, what about you?"

"I will follow soon, but for now, you must warn everyone. Now go…go!"

Although he wanted to stay, he listened, nodding his head and taking off as fast as he could.

---

A few more weeks had passed since the night she had found out Erza lived below her. At first, though she didn't show it, she thought it was wonderful news. The woman who had given her a gift, who showed her nothing but kindness, who filled her with warmth, was nearby. However, when those words came out…

"At night…you…you're the one I hear screaming…"

That statement had thrown her completely off guard. It never occurred to her that someone could hear her screams, and in finding that out, she panicked and ran, locking herself up in her apartment. Erza had tried to follow, but Hikari would not have it and kept her out.

After that, things got a little awkward between them. Hikari shunned the warmth away even more, and Erza worried greatly for the girl. Even Natsu and the gang noticed the changes, though it seemed Erza did not share their little secret. This she was silently thankful for. The fact that she was weak and afraid of her own dreams was already out to the scarlet haired woman. She didn't need the others to know she was weak as well.

With all of that happening, she was hoping the nightmares would end, but because her luck was just so wonderful, they did not. In fact, they got worst, leaving Erza to hear her screaming still from time to time. Now, normally, on really bad nights when she did scream, she would leave the house. However, that had to change, for before Hikari could do so, Erza was already at her door, leaving her trapped. Hikari figured that if she ignored the calls and pleas to come in, the woman would leave, but that did not happen. Instead, Erza would sit herself down and just talk. Sometimes it would be about wanting to comfort her, and other times the conversations were random, but she always just sat and spoke. Whether or not Erza knew the girl was listening was unknown, but she always was. Whenever she began, Hikari would also sit herself down and get lost in the words, comforted by them, but still too scared to let the woman in.

This event would happen every time she awoke screaming, which meant at least five different times in the passing weeks, the fifth time being just last night.

"Hikari?"

The girl stood silently by the door, back pressed against it. As usual, and right on time, Erza stood on the other side.

"Hikari, are you all right?"

Still no answer.

With a small sigh, the woman took a seat, leaning back against the door as well.

"They seem to be getting worst you know…the nightmares…you're losing a lot of sleep over this."

Hikari slid down to the ground, bringing her knees to her chest and listened in silence.

"If you don't start getting some decent sleep soon, you might get sick .It will start affecting you on your jobs, too."

It already was, something she picked up a few days before. Her reaction times had become slower and her power was beginning to wane slightly. It was unnoticeable to the others if she hid it right though, and she did well to make sure it never got caught.

"I'm really worried about you. I just want to help. You don't need to go through this alone."

She knew this, and though she denied it, she wanted nothing more than to let the other in, to take comfort in the woman's presence. To be honest, she wanted to curl up with her, to snuggle up in her arms and allow herself to feel safe. It was a yearning she hadn't had for years, but it was back. Could she really do something like that though? Yes, Erza had already made many attempts to hug or hold her, but she would always squirm away. This told the child that she could snuggle up if she really wanted to, but she was just too scared…the thought of being held by someone leaving her uneasy.

"You just need to know that I am here for you…no matter what. You can always come to me."

Always?

-Crunch-

Hikari snapped awake, a little dazed when she did so. She had done her normal and left for the guild early, extremely early, for only Mirajane and Lisanna was there when she arrived. She must have passed out though, for when she came to her senses, she found she was still sitting at the table.

"What the…what is that noise?"

Rubbing her eyes, she peeked over the counter, spotting a very interesting and slightly amusing sight before her.

"Ne…why are you eating our cookware?"

And older guy with black, mane like hair looked up at her with a grumpy look on his face.

"Why do you think, twerp?" he asked.

She knew why already, but she couldn't help but be a pain about it. It was Gajeel after all, someone she loved to torment when he was around.

"I know why, but our cookware? You couldn't find iron anywhere else?"

She was actually very surprised to find out that there were other Dragon Slayers here besides herself and Natsu. There was Gajeel, who was the son of Metalicana, the Iron Dragon, and Wendy, a girl about a year older than her, who was the daughter of Grandine, the Sky Dragon. She spoke to them from time to time, Gajeel being the one she liked to tease. Wendy and her pal Carla, who she believed was coming back from a job today, was surprisingly someone she didn't bug or make fun of. Instead, she had a tendency to go stupid around her. She had to really keep her tough act up around that girl because secretly, she found her cute, but that was a whole different story.

"What's it to you what iron I eat?" he asked, standing up. "Can't help it if I am hungry."

"Baka."

"Pipsqueak."

"Well, it's normal to see Hikari-chan here early, but you, too, Gajeel?"

Both Dragon Slayers turned to see Mirajane, along with her sister Lisanna, enter from a back room, walking behind the counter and placing a few things they had in their hands down.

"And really…" Mirajane continued, her face faltering slightly. "The cookware again?"

Gajeel just grumbled, swallowing the last bit he had. Then, from his pocket, he pulled out a piece of paper and handed it to the eldest white haired female.

"Pantherlily and I are going on a job today. I'll be gone for a few days."

"Very well." She told him with a smile. "Good luck with it then."

"And don't eat any more cookware, iron breath."

"Maggot."

Yep. Their normal exchange of words, and with that out of the way, he hopped over the counter and left the building.

"What's his deal?" Hikari asked. "He's so…weird."

"Weird, maybe." Mirajane said with a giggle. "But he really is a good guy. He's done quite a bit to help the guild. Oh! Speaking of the guild…"

Reaching under the counter, she pulled out what looked to be a little stamp pad and opened it up.

"You've been in Fairy Tail for a little over a month now, yes? Don't you think it's about time you got our symbol on you?"

Hikari just shrugged at this. She had been meaning to have it done, but never really got around to it.

"Well, you're definitely part of this Fairy Tail family." Lisanna told her. "Why not get it now?"

Hikari grumbled in reply to this, flopping her head back onto the table.

"If I say yes, will you stop calling this guild my family?"

"Well we can't stop calling it what it is, Hikari-chan." Mirajane added warmly. "We're family, even if you don't think we are. Now tell me, where do you want it?"

Although still grumbling about the family stuff, she gave in and decided to have to done now, but where would she have it? There were quite a few different places to choose from, but since it was going to be permanent, it'd have to be a place she'd like. So, after some thinking, she rolled up the sleeve on her left arm and flipped it over, her forearm now held out to the other.

"Just put it there and drop this family crap."

"Stubborn as always." She said with an amused glance. "All right then, here you go."

Mirajane then reached out and pressed the small stamp like item onto her arm, and seconds later, the symbol magically appeared, Hikari rubbing her finger over it when it was done.

"Aww, look!" Lisanna pointed out. "It's the same color as Erza's!"

"….Baka!"

The siblings began giggling at this, always amused by the child's reaction when the topic of Erza came about. Hikari's snappiness was her version of being shy, and they couldn't help but find it adorable.

"Erza…"

Hikari's mind shot back to the scarlet haired woman and how she had been trying to help so much, even more so recently. Always telling her she was there when needed, always trying to shower her with hugs and comforting words, but the mere fact that the woman knew how she suffered and could hear her screams put a huge halt on ay acceptance of affection coming her way. This was mostly due to the constant "why" questions always brewing in her mind. Why was she trying to help? Why was she always being nice? Why was she always trying to hug and warm her up? And why did these actions suddenly increase more after Erza found out she was behind the screams? Was it a pity act? She hated people pitying on her…so many questions, but she just didn't know. It left her feeling constantly confused.

"Hikari, are you all right?" Mirajane asked.

The girl looked up at the two, her mind still turning. Maybe they knew the answers? Maybe they could help her figure things out? She was really torn. It was the warmth Erza gave her versus the fear of getting hurt and trusting…a fight to let Erza in or keep her out, and though the warmth was strong, she still didn't know what to do and somehow felt that if she could just talk about it, even a little, the answer might come easier. Was it ok to talk about though? Would they find it stupid? She was never good at talking about how she felt, but for some reason, she thought that if she could just voice it, things would somehow start to make sense.

"M…Mirajane? Lisanna?"

The two looked at her with some worry in their gaze, but their smiles were warm and encouraging. The look on Hikari's face told them that there was something nagging at her that she really wanted to say, but was too afraid to say it.

"If there is something bothering you, you can always feel free to talk to us." Lisanna told her. "We may not always have the answers, but I am sure we can help you find them. You can talk to us about anything."

Hikari shuffled in her seat a bit, still a little unsure of it all.

"You promise you won't laugh?"

"Of course not." Mirajane replied. "If it's something that truly bothers you, then it is never a laughing matter."

The child thought about it a little more, and after a few moments, she decided it wouldn't hurt to get a little help. She just had to figure out where to start.

"W-well…" she began, still somewhat nervous. "I….I…."

"Kyaaaaa!"

Hikari nearly shot out of her seat at the sudden loud entrance. She already knew who it was, and if she wasn't already so tired, she probably would have thrown a chair at his head by now. Wouldn't be the first time…

"Happy! We're going on a job today!"

"Aye, Sir!"

"Lucy! Gray! Let's go already!"

"Will you stop being so loud?" Gray asked, following him in along with the aforementioned blonde. "You're so annoying in the mornings."

"Who asked for your opinion?" Natsu snapped. "I'm hungry and need some money! Not everyone is a lazy ass like you!"

"Lazy? Who are you calling lazy?" he yelled back. "It's not my fault you spend all of your money so quickly. If you-"

"Guys, come on…do you have to be fighting so early?"

Lucy rubbed her eyes and let out a yawn. While the other two were all revved up, she looked like she was still sleeping.

"Well…there goes my chance…" she thought. Perhaps it was for the best. Chatting about what was bothering her wasn't exactly her style anyways and probably would have ended badly. She was actually surprised she had almost done so.

"Damn warmth…" she thought, blaming that for the talk she almost had with white haired siblings. In her mind, her toughness level had a weak moment, and now, she was almost thankful Natsu came pounding in. She would have to take care not to get weak like that again. She didn't need their help nor did she need figure out whether to let Erza in or not. It was better just to take care of herself. She could fight that warmth, right?

"Hikari…if you wanted to go into another room, we could chat there." Mirajane suggested.

"No thanks." She said back, no longer interested in sharing her thoughts. "It's nothing."

"But-"

"I'm good." Hikari told her, cutting her off.

"Hey, where's Erza?" Natsu asked.

"I'm right here." She replied, now walking in herself. "Seriously, you guys really don't need to be so loud in the mornings."

Seconds after the woman entered, she spotted Hikari, the child in turn folding up her arms and burying her face in them. Yep, even though she would deny it, she was hiding again.

"Hikari…"

The girl was constantly on her mind, worry filling her every second as she wondered if she was doing all right. She knew that her sleeping had been terrible, and no matter how much she tried to comfort her and offer her security, Hikari would just pull away.

"If I could just get her to feel safe…" she said to herself as she watched her. Nightmares, especially ones that kept returning, often stemmed from bad experiences and insecurities. From the way the girl always acted, she knew she must have gone through some sort of battle in life, she just didn't know what, and from day one, she knew Hikari was naturally insecure. Her looks always gave it away. If she could just help ease those insecurities, to help her feel safe, then maybe she could put an end to those nightmares. She thought she was getting so close on really warming the girl up, but as soon as she found out she was behind the screaming, it all started going downhill again.

"Whose turn is it to pick a job anyways?" Lucy asked.

"I picked the last one." Gray answered. "And Erza picked the one before it."

Natsu scratched his head and thought for a moment.

"Let's see…it's…oh yeah!"

Looking around the room, he quickly spotted who he was looking for and walked right up.

"Oi! Hikari! It's your turn to pick a job! Go find one!"

Hikari lifted her head, eye brow cocked at the statement.

"My turn?"

"Yeah." He said back. "Everyone else already picked, so now it's your turn."

"I didn't realize I had a turn…"

"Well you are part of the team." Lucy told her. "And everyone on it gets a chance to pick."

"I'm on the team?"

"Wow…you're really slow on picking these things up." Natsu told her.

"I am not slow!" she snapped. "How was I supposed to know?"

"Well, it's been a little obvious." Mirajane piped in. "You do just end up going with them on every job now."

"That's because Master still won't let me go alone yet."

"True." The woman replied. "But even with the options of accompanying others, you just naturally go with them without a second thought. The whole guild is under the assumption you're part of the team, especially since we all know you won't go anywhere unless Erza is around…"

"Mirajane, I swear I am going to-"

"Just go pick one already,." Natsu cut in, poking the girl in the head. "You're on the team whether you like it or not. So go!"

Again, it was Hikari's tiredness that kept her from punching him in the face, leaving her to only grumble and walk off.

"Yeah yeah…so impatient."

When she arrived at the request board, she let out a yawn, eyes glancing over the papers for anything interesting that caught her eye. A job was a good idea. She needed it.

"Ne…I'm on their team? Like an actual member?"

She knew she tagged along a lot, but she didn't realize she was part of it now or that it was an assumption by everyone else that she was. She just went with them because she had no other choice.

"Well, they did stop inviting you along at some point…and you started going without being asked. It just became second nature to tag along."

In other words, she took a liking to them… and just wouldn't admit it.

"Team…" she thought. She liked the sound of it and liked that she was part of it, but she ignored that happy feeling for now. "Whatever…now what to choose. Let's see…no…no…definitely not…oh!"

Reaching out, she plucked a single sheet of paper from the wall.

"This doesn't seem bad. Not too far…pay is ok…"

"Hikari?"

"Hmm?" she replied, still reading over the words.

"Maybe you should sit this one out today.'

This immediately pulled her attention from the paper to the speaker. Turning, she locked an emotionless glare onto another set of brown eyes, curious at the sudden comment.

"Excuse me?"

Erza, with her worried look an all, walked closer, stopping a few inches in front of the girl. The child was over tired and she didn't want her to push herself, fearing the worst if she tagged along and the lack of sleep got to her.

"You're tired. It might be safer if you stay."

Hikari merely raised her brow at this.

"I'll be just fine tagging along. I need the money."

"I'll split whatever share I get with you that way you can rest."

"I don't accept charity."

That last statement came out snappier than she intended, tension now filling the room. Even the gang was confused at what was going on as Erza never tried stopping her from coming before.

"Hikari…"

"I'm going. I can hold my own just fine."

"But you're really exhausted. I can see it. I'd feel safer if you stayed."

"Well, it's not about how you feel, is it?"

"Please…"

"No. I don't have to listen to you."

"Hikari-"

"You're not my Mother."

"But I'm the next best thing."

Silence now completely filled the room, all eyes on the two females. Erza really didn't want the other tagging along in fear her exhaustion would get the best of her, but it seemed that no matter what was said, the child would not give in. Maybe she was just over worrying herself? Maybe her motherly instincts were getting the best of her….but, that wasn't a bad thing right? Usually, motherly instincts were right on, however…

"Stay by me, and don't stray too far. Don't just randomly run off into a fight either like you usually do. I don't want anything bad to happen to you."

"Nothing bad is going to happen to me." Hikari told her, now holding the paper out. It was Lucy who took it. "You're worrying about nothing."

"I'm worrying about you."

"Well don't waste your time."

A little worried about why the two were suddenly acting that way, Lucy tried changing the subject a bit by reading the job out loud.

"It's in Onibus." She told them. "So only a train ride away. The problem is way out past the forest. There are farming areas there. Lately, they have been having trouble with a Vulcan that resides nearby. Apparently, it likes to steal the livestock they use to live and sell to the town. It's hurting their business, and they fear that if they try to stop it themselves, it will hurt them."

"Vulcan…" Natsu said. "We can handle that."

"Job sounds good to me." Gray added.

"Good. Then it's the one we will be doing. I'll be waiting outside."

After shooting one last glare at Erza, she turned and headed out, but right before she exited…

"And Gray?" she said, turning to face him. "Put some clothes on, will you? Pervert."

And with that, she left.

….

"I'm not a pervert!"

After the unexpected verbal exchange, the group, including Mirajane, eyed the woman with worry. Observation told them that Erza was always doting a little bit of affection here and there to the young girl, and that Hikari, despite her efforts to hide it, enjoyed it and allowed it to an extent, but lately, things had been changing. Hikari seemed to have backed off quite a bit while Erza's worry grew. Something had happened…something the crew did not yet know.

"Um…Erza…is everything ok?" Lucy asked.

Erza eyed the door the girl walked out of, a hint of sadness in her gaze. She wanted to run after her, but feared she would only make things worse.

"Erza?"

"I just have a bad feeling." she said softly. "Look at her…she's exhausted. She's been that way for a while now…"

"I've noticed that, too." Mirajane mentioned. "Whenever she comes in early, she will sometimes pass out right at the table."

"She actually just did that this morning." Lisanna added.

"Well, she has been looking tired lately, but everyone has their tired days, right?" Lucy asked.

"I wouldn't worry about her." Natsu told them. "She'll be fine on the job. She's a Dragon Slayer, and she's tough. Everyone has seen her fight. You all know she can hold her own."

"Dragon Slayer or not, she is still a child." Erza said back. "And yes, people do have their tired days, but this is different."

"How so?" Gray asked.

Erza crossed her arms over her chest, brows furrowing slightly. She had kept this a secret for Hikari's sake, but with things not getting better…

"You see…"

---

"Baka."

Hikari, who had made her way outside, was now leaning back against Erza's cart, arms crossed over her chest.

"Who the hell does she think she is telling me I can't go on a job? Who cares if I am a little tired?"

Well, more like extremely exhausted, and she knew this. She was a lot more tired than she let on and Erza seemed to see right through it. Her body felt weak, her head was killing her, and her thoughts felt a little unfocused, but regardless of the signs stating that rest was mandatory, she was going along anyways. She wouldn't let anyone view her as weak.

"Hikari?"

The child looked up to find a little blue cat hovering in front of her.

"Happy? " She said lowly. "What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be with Natsu?"

"Hikari…" he asked, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Are you ok?"

The girl stared at the other for a moment, not expecting that question, before finally looking away, letting out a sigh as she did.

"I'm fine."

"Are you sure? Erza thinks something is wrong. She says you look tired. Are you?"

Hikari simply shrugged.

"Yeah…just a little. It's not a big deal."

Happy thought for a moment, his little face perking up when an idea came to his head.

"I know! Eat some fish before you go to bed! I always do and it helps me get a good night's sleep!"

Now, this was yet another thing she was not expecting, and, despite how she was feeling, this actually got her to smile a little. It obviously wasn't that simple, but she found it adorable that he was trying. Reaching out, she gently scratched the top of his head.

"I will make sure to remember that. Thank you, Happy."

"Aye!" he said happily.

Hikari then pulled her hand back, her arms crossing over her chest again.

"Ne….Happy, do people really think I am part of your team?"

"Aye! You're always coming on jobs with us and work well with everyone, too! Did you not want to be on the team?"

"No…I didn't say that…I guess I just didn't really pick up on it is all. Speaking of them, where the hell are they?"

"There were talking about something before I flew off, but I didn't hear what."

"Well, they should hurry up. We got a job to do and I want to hurry up and get it started…damn slowpokes."

---

"What!?"

The whole group listened carefully when Erza fed them the news and was shocked at what they heard.

"Are you serious?" Lucy asked. "Her?"

Erza nodded, the group then quiet for a moment as they took in what they heard.

"I mean, I knew Hikari lived nearby," the blonde continued. "but I never would have thought that she was the one right above you, and that the screaming you have been hearing…"

"So when you say she is tired, it's more than just your normal sleepiness…" Mirajane said.

"Yes." Erza said back. "Tired is just an understatement. She is completely exhausted, and with how many times this girl has woken up screaming these past few weeks…I'm really worried about her."

"Have you tried talking to her about it?" Lisanna asked.

"Always, but she won't tell me anything. "she replied. "She was just starting to come around me more and was even starting to look a little happier, but ever since she found out I could hear her screams, she's pulled back."

"I was wondering what that sudden change in her was all about." Mirajane said. "I don't think she wants to pull away from you, though. I think she wants to come to you, but just doesn't know how."

"I don't know…" Erza replied. "Her actions are telling me otherwise. Maybe I can't really warm her up like I thought I could."

"Her actions may be saying one thing, but the truth is not it." Mirajane told her. "You don't always see the looks she gives you. I've seen you try to hug her and talk with her and such, and though her look might seem annoyed or angry, it changes when you turn away. I see something else."

"What's that?" Erza asked.

"Want." The woman replied. "I see want. There's confusion and sadness mixed in there, but definitely a lot of want. I don't think she likes telling you to go away, ignoring you, or doing anything that makes you leave, but she just doesn't know how to act or what to say or do in a situation where you're just trying to be affectionate. You are warming her up, Erza, otherwise those looks wouldn't exist. And remember, you made her smile, too. Please don't give up…she does want you, she just needs to find enough courage in her to finally say it."

Erza's gaze softened a bit, a small smile growing on her face.

"Giving up was something I was never planning." She said softly, and she meant it. If Erza was what she really wanted, then she would always be right there. She would do her best to not let the other think she was alone.

"Neither of us will give up!" Lucy added. "We want to show her she is part of this family, right? We'll do what we can to help her and to help you."

"Thank you, Lucy." Erza said back.

"If only she wasn't so stubborn…" Natsu mumbled, scratching the back of his head.

"Like you're one to talk." Commented Gray.

"Shut up!" he yelled back. "Anyways, should we still let her come then? I still think she can hold her own and that she'll be fine."

"We might as well." Erza answered. "I already told her yes. We'll just have to keep a close eye on her."

"Fine, then let's go already! I wanna kick some ass! Are you ready Happy! Wait…Happy?"

"I saw him fly outside after Hikari left." Mirajane told him.

"Happy!" he shouted seconds after, bursting from the hall.

"So annoying…" mumbled Gray.

"Come on." Erza told them. "This job shouldn't take too too long. If we get it done quickly enough, she'll have more time to rest."

"Good luck!" Mirajane told them.

And with that, the gang headed out the door.

---

The train ride to Onibus was uneventful. Everyone was kind of quiet while Natsu did his normal thing and died in the seat. Hikari still couldn't believe transportation was his weakness…of all things…

"Wimp…"

While the rest sat together, she decided to sit on her own, curling up by the window and watching the scenery as it passed by. At some point, she started dozing off, the movement of the train lulling her. She didn't want to fall asleep, but she was having some trouble fighting it. It was the sudden arrival or Erza that snapped her awake a little.

"Great…" she thought. Was she getting another lecture?

"Are you all right?" she asked.

"I'm fine."

"It looked like you were falling asleep."

"I wasn't."

She kept her eyes glued outside, curling up a little more as if she were trying to get as far away as possible. She was hoping the ignoring thing would prompt Erza to leave, but, as usual, it didn't happen that way. Instead, something a little more unexpected happened, for before she knew it…

"Oomph! What the-"

"Shh…"

"But Erza-"

"Shhh."

Hikari's body froze. One minute, she was sitting by the window, and the next, with one quick, swift movement, Erza had pulled her down, her head now resting in her lap. Soon after, she could feel the woman's hand running through her hair as well. For someone who hated being held, one would think she would have pushed back almost instantly; however, something caused her body to freeze up. Despite being tense, she stayed, and the reason why…

"It's so warm…"

There it was again, that warmth she had worked so hard to keep at bay was flaring right up in her chest, weakening her ability to toughen up and pull away. She liked how it felt to be curled up like that for it was something she had wanted for a long time. It was comfortable and warm, and, despite feeling a little awkward, nervous, and shy, she felt safe. It was a peaceful feeling.

"Sleep…"

Hikari peeked up at the other when she spoke.

"You can fall asleep. It didn't look very comfortable the way you were dozing off before. You might sleep better this way. I don't mind it at all. At least you'd get a little nap in before the job."

Hikari lifted her arm and instinctively hid her face. That inner warmth Erza was getting her to feel was hitting her hard and she was falling into it fast.

"Erza…"

"Shhh…just sleep." She said comfortingly. "I'll be right here. You're safe, Hikari."

Her heart clenched when she heard these words. Everything in her was telling her to go for it, to just lay there and have her moment to rest curled up with the one person who she felt truly safe with. It was comfortable, and she felt so warm…

"No!"

Before she could get lost in the warmth anymore, she pushed herself up and pulled away, curling back up by the window. She couldn't do it. She couldn't let herself get that close to people. She had to stay focused and not get caught up in whatever happiness and warmth being sent to her. She had only joined Fairy Tail for one reason and one reason only.

"Yuki…"

She had to get stronger. She just had to, and all of this affection…the warmth from Erza, the friendship from the guild, everything, was only weakening her, leaving her vulnerable. She couldn't afford getting attached. She couldn't risk it when she had someone else she needed to protect.

"Wait-"

"No….just no…"

Hikari remained firm with her decision, staying where she was, and without another word, she closed up, turning away.

"Hikari…" Erza said softly, sadness in her own eyes. She was close…so so close…

The rest of the train ride continued in silence, Hikari paying no more mind to the woman who remained by her side. When the train eventually came to a stop, she hopped right off, staying away from the others as they headed to their destination. During the walk, she couldn't get her mind off of what happened between her and Erza. She had wanted so badly to stay curled up and sleep, her heart aching for that mother like affection, but her mind kept telling her no…it kept telling her the bad things of getting attached that way.

"Mother…"

Recently, that's the word that came to her mind when she thought of Erza. Always wanting to take care of her, the constant attempts at affection…it was all motherly actions and regardless of wanting it, she was just too scared to let her in.

"We're here."

These words broke the child from her thoughts, peering out at the few farmlands in front of her. They then wasted no time in traveling to one of these farms, Erza being the first to speak to an elder man that lived in one of them.

"He took one of our sheep this morning." He told them. "One I was planning on selling."

"How long has this been happening?" Gray asked.

"For the last two weeks or so."

"Do you know which way he went?" Erza questioned.

The old man shook his head.

"I remember hearing him, but by the time I ran out, he was already gone. When I do see him, he is usually coming out of that forest way down there."

Hikari, who was hanging around in the back listening, turned her attention way past the other farms and fields to the forest on the other end.

"It's a big forest. "The old man continued. "It might take you a long time to find him."

"Not with this nose." Piped in Natsu. "We'll find him in no time."

That was true. With not only Natsu's, but Hikari's strong sense of smell as well, they'd be able to find this Vulcan quickly, and in thinking that, the girl already began sniffing the air, finding a very odd scent in almost no time.

"Hmm….I wonder…"

Without a second thought, she started walking away, wanting to stay on the trail of it. It probably would have been a smart thing to tell the others, but she decided not to. She'd show them she could do this. She'd show them all tiredness would not get in her way.

"Well, we should start searching then." Erza said. "Natsu, do you think you can find him?"

"Definitely!" Natsu said. "They usually carry a bad stench and I am already onto it…unless that's Gray…"

"Baka!" The ice user shouted.

"Do you guys really think you can defeat him?" the old man asked. "He's really hurting our business. We can't afford to lose anymore."

"Of course we can." Lucy told him with a smile. "This Fairy Tail team can do anything."

"Even that little girl who just ran off a little bit ago?"

"What?" the blond asked, every member now turning to where Hikari was standing only to find that indeed, she was gone.

"Hikari! Where did she go?" Erza panicked.

"She ran off towards the woods not too long ago." The old man replied.

"And you didn't tell us?" Erza asked.

"She's got a strong sense of smell like Natsu." Lucy said. "She probably caught the scent and ran after it."

"Since when does she leave with us?" Gray asked.

"Who cares about that?" Erza stated. "We have to find her."

"Already have her scent.' Natsu told them. "Let's go!"

The group then ran off in search for the child.

---

At one point, her walk broke into a run, keeping the pace up until she was in the forest. When she arrived, she sniffed the air again, the scent now much stronger.

"Gross." She thought. "They smell terrible."

Keeping as quiet as she could, she started her search, following her nose in hopes of finding the Vulcan.

"They're probably going to be a little pissed at you." She thought as she looked around. It really wasn't the greatest idea to go off on her own, but she didn't care at this point. Yes, her strength was a little off and her head still killed from exhaustion, but she had this. She would show them, especially Erza, that there was nothing to worry about.

"Sheep!"

Hikari immediately stopped when she heard a voice followed by a very strange laugh.

"Farmers have such good sheep!'

Peeking over a nearby tree, she spotted a very large, monkey like creature. His fur was an off white color and he was looking at the sheep as if he were ready to eat it.

"So delicious, and you always taste so much better when eaten raw. Bye bye sheep!"

"Ew…" she thought while watching. She had read about these creatures before but never actually saw one till now. Much bigger than she imagined, but she had this. "Yeah…he's got to go. Time to have myself a little fun."

And with that, her hands lit up in flames and she dashed toward the other, the Vulcan turning just in time to see her jump up and land a nice hard punch right on his face, knocking him over, causing him to drop the sheep as well. When he finally sat back up and realized his food was gone, he was not very happy.

"My sheep! Where did my sheep go?! You scared my sheep away!"

"Yeah, you did that all yourself you creep." She replied.

He got even angrier at this comment and swiped the girl up, holding her tightly in his hand.

"Well, if I can't eat my sheep, then I am going to have to eat you!"

"That won't work well for you." She told him, flames now surrounding the entirety of her body. Seconds after that happened…

"Ow ow ow!" he barked, dropping the child and holding his now smoking hand. "Hot! Too hot!"

"I'm not the Daughter of Atlas Flame for nothing." She told him. "That's what you get for stealing and messing with the farmers, and I am far from done. I'm going to have some fun with you. Fire Dragon's Flame Burst!"

Taking the image of what looked to be a fire ball, she shot towards the creature, hitting him directly in the stomach. Then in midair, she flipped, kicking him in the back of the head and to the ground.

"Fire Dragon's Flame kick!"

He hit the ground hard, scorch marks on his body from her hits.

"You're almost too easy. Guess you shouldn't be going around and doing what you do if you can't truly defend yourself."

Continuing on, she landed more hits and kicks on his body. He would rage every so often and try to swipe, but she was too fast, always out running his fists.

"Little bit on the slow side, aren't you?" she asked with a smirk, dodging another as it came her way. "You really are pretty pathetic. Oops! Too slow again!"

"Why you-"

But he didn't get to finish his sentence, cut off after Hikari threw another set of hits his way, knocking him over once more. He tried getting back up, but struggled to do so.

"Aww, having issues? Here, let me help by finishing you off."

She definitely had this now. Yes, he was pretty strong, but she had no issues, still retaining her strength despite her body feeling off. It was all about the right determination. If she wanted to do something, she would get it done despite what others thought, and now, all she had to do was finish the fight, inhaling a deep breath with the intention of doing so.

"Fire Dragon's R-"

She went to let out her breath attack, but right before she could, something strange happened. A huge dizzy spell came over her and her eyes lost focus, the world spinning for a moment. Her body also started to feel strange, her stomach suddenly feeling a bit sick from the dizziness.

"What the-"

"Too slow!"

The Vulcan took this moment to gain the upper hand, swiping his hand and knocking Hikari hard, sending her flying right into a tree.

"Hikari!"

At this point, the crew had caught up, catching the moment right when Hikari was knocked from the ground.

"Not so tough now, are you?" the Vulcan asked angrily. "You're the pathetic one you stupid little girl! Like you could finish off someone like me…I'll be the one finishing you off!"

And before anyone could react, his foot raised and came down on the little girl, leaving a hole in the ground.

"Hikari!" Erza was far past panicked.

"Ouch…" she thought, trying to get up when he removed his foot. She had to get out of there before he struck again, but her body now felt too weak. "That's gonna leave a mark…this probably isn't good."

"Still alive?" he asked. "Stupid girl! You won't be when I do it again!"

She looked up just as the foot was coming down. Did she have enough strength to stop it? Probably not… she barely had strength to get up. Her body was giving up on her, but she had to try. So, pushing herself up more, she readied herself to stop it, however, before she could, she was pulled out of the little hole.

"Gray?" she asked, shocked to see him. He said nothing, only cradling her until they were out of harm's way. When he was near Lucy, she placed the girl down.

"You damn bastard." She could hear Erza yell. "Morning star….Photon Slicer!"

"Can you stand?" Hikari was a bit dazed and confused at everything that was happening so quickly, and though hurting a bit from her injuries, she was able to stand on her own.

"I'm fine. We should-"

"Lucy, take her out of here." He said.

"But-"

"Got it." The blond replied, and before Hikari could protest, Lucy had her by the hand and pulled her away, running far from the fight that was now taking place. It wasn't until they reached a clearing in the woods did they finally come to a stop, the sounds of the battle still going on in the background as the two flopped on the ground out of breath.

"Well…that was interesting."

These were the first words out of the eleven year old when the two had finally settled down. Though her entire body hurt, her headache was now much stronger, she still felt a little dizzy, and she was covered in cuts, she was fine. The only thing that really took a beating more than her body was probably her pride, but hey, it happened, right?

"Wasn't expecting it to go that way, but you win some, you lose some. Guess I was more tired than I thought."

"You think?" asked a not so happy Lucy.

"Whatever, it was still fun while it lasted. I almost want to go back and have a few more whacks at him."

"You're not going anywhere." She snapped.

"Well duh." Hikari said back. "Jeeze, I was just kidding."

"What, you think this is funny?" she asked. "You were almost killed!"

"Almost, but not quite."

"Hikari!"

"What?" she asked, cocking an eye brow. "Look, I'm not dead. I'm right here, so calm down. Seriously, you're getting annoying."

"Calm down?" she asked, getting angrier by the second. "You're telling me to calm down after you ran off without a word to fight some creature five times your size and in a condition where fighting wasn't your best option? We were worried about you!"

"Not my fault you worried." She said back as she stood up, slightly wincing in pain as she did so. "I tell you guys not to worry but you do it anyways. And condition? I was a little tired, so what? Yeah, I'll admit, it kinda was the reason my fight didn't go so well in the end, but so what, it happens. Point is I'm fine."

"That's not the point. You stupidly put yourself in a situation where your life was on the line. You should have stayed behind like Erza said, or at least stayed with us."

"My life goes on the line every time I go on a job." Hikari retorted back. "So I messed up this fight, big deal. I can still handle my own. You've seen me take down creatures bigger than that damn thing."

"I have, but during the time period when you were sleeping more. With all these nightmares getting worst, you've hardly gotten any sleep at all."

Hikari froze when she heard these words, her eyes narrowing as she locked gazes with the other.

"How do you know about that?"

Lucy was silent, staring hard at the girl.

"What did she tell you?"

There was only one person who knew about it, and she was hoping and actually thought that secret was safe, but…

"I said what did she tell you!"

Still no answer. Instead, they heard what sounded like a small explosion, the two turning to see some flames shooting in the sky. Yep, definitely a Natsu move, which meant that the battle was probably near done if not already completely finished. Turning away now, she clenched her fists, her anger rising in knowing that the others knew about her nightmares. And here she thought her secret was kept. How could Erza tell them like that?

"Look, it's not like she just went around and told everyone." Lucy suddenly said. "She only told us this morning."

Hikari said nothing, her anger still rising.

"She was really worried about you, and after the little spat you two had this morning, we all became worried because you two are usually fine together. She said she's been trying to help you, but you won't let her. She only told us because cares and was hoping we could help, too."

"I didn't ask for her help nor did I ask for yours." Hikari told her. "I don't want it and I don't need it."

"You say that, but I know that's not how you feel. "

"What do you know? You don't know what goes on in my mind."

"That's because you are too stubborn to let anyone in. And I don't have to know what's on your mind to know how you feel. I can see it. Everyone can. You try and hide it, but you like being around everyone in the guild. And Erza, especially with her, we see a change in you. She told us about the necklace, and about how you smiled."

"Shut up."

"You know you like it when people care about you. You like the feeling of knowing you are not truly alone. You may act stubborn and try to give off that you hate it, but we know it's a lie. You know it's a-"

"I said shut up!"

"Hikari! Lucy!"

Before that argument could continue, the group returned, running back to the two as fast as they could. Erza didn't stop until she was inches away from the child, and just from the glance, Hikari knew she wasn't a very happy person.

"I told you to stay nearby…"

"I know that. Didn't mean I had to listen."

"You should have! You were almost killed!"

"But I wasn't!"

"That's because we got there before you were!" Erza snapped. "We saved your life! You should have stayed with us! Did you really think you could handle that on your own, especially being as tired as you are? Look, you're really hurt!"

"So I failed this fight, who cares? People don't always win them, and this isn't the first time I have gotten hurt on a job either. And so what if I am tired, people fight tired all the time, too."

"They don't if they are as tired as you."

"So you think."

"It was stupid of you to run off on your own."

"And it was stupid of me to think that you wouldn't tell them about the nightmares."

This shut up the woman quickly, Hikari's anger at boiling point.

"What, did you tell them about the screams, too?"

She still said nothing, and though she felt a little bad for leaking it out, she had no regrets in doing so.

"I really didn't want you going out on this job because I was scared something like this would happen. On any normal day, you could handle a creature like that on your own. I've seen it, but during these past couple of weeks, I've seen a change, even when you tried to hide it. I've watched you train and not be on par like you usually are, and I knew your nights weren't getting better because there were times I could still hear you. I really wanted you to stay behind, but seeing as you wouldn't, yes, I did tell them because I wanted them to help watch over you, too."

"I don't need anyone watching over me. I can take care of myself."

"Clearly you can't. All we want to do is help you and-"

"I never asked for your help!" Hikari yelled. "You just assumed I wanted it! Whatever Lucy said or whatever anyone says about me really "wanting" the help or "liking" whatever attention I get or "liking" how you supposedly care about me is a lie! I hate it! I hate it when you're nearby! You're nothing but annoying! And now look! You've told them something that wasn't even any of their business to know. It wasn't even your business to know!"

"It is my business…"

"It's not! You-"

"It is!"

In one quick movement, she pinned the girl against a tree, Hikari's eyes widening slightly at the sudden gesture. Looking up at the other, she saw something she wasn't expecting, something that actually shocked and broke her heart a little.

"Baka…" A very teary eyed Erza looked down at the other, her hands squeezing the girl's shoulders tightly.

"Erza's…crying?" the girl thought. "But…but…"

"It is my business." Erza continued. "Supposedly care? What do you mean supposedly care? I care about you a lot…a lot more than you think. Whenever I hear your screams, my heart breaks and I want to do nothing but hold you and make you feel safe. I know what it's like to have nightmares all the time, and what it's like to have no one around to help them go away. I had to fight for a long time to make them stop…I don't' want you to have to do that…I don't want you to have to go through that by yourself."

She's had nightmares, too?" Hikari asked herself, turning her gaze away. She didn't think Erza was the type of person to get those because she was always so strong. Nightmares and being scared of them like her was only for weak people.

"Look at me…I said look at me!"

Hikari brought her gaze back up, those teary eyes still staring her down.

"I care about you, Hikari…I really do. That's not a lie. I want to make you feel safe…I want to help make those nightmares disappear if only you'd let me. You need to know that you don't have to go through this alone. I'm the one that hears those screams, and I'm the one who stays by your door and talks to you every time you do, reminding you that I am always right there…always….so don't tell me it's none of my business."

And with that, the woman finally pulled back, wiping away some of her tears.

"She cares….she…cares…"

These were the words that were ringing through the child's mind right now, a slew of different emotions surrounding her heart.

"She cares…and really wants to help…but look, you hurt her. You made her cry…"

Guilt now racked her heart along with everything else she was feeling, confusion being at the top of her list. She had come to Fairy Tail with zero intentions of letting anyone in, and in a little over a month that had changed. She wanted to call her guild mates friends, she wanted the affection Erza was giving her, and wanted the other to help her feel safe. She wanted so much, but fear kept her from grabbing it. No adult had ever wanted to do that before, so why now? She didn't get it. She also had that other person to think about, too. She had to stay strong for that person, but whenever she was around the others, she didn't feel strong. She felt weak and vulnerable because she was slowly giving in to all the friendships and affection, and now, she was just lost. Take the help, or leave it? Let her in, keep her out? Make the friends, stay alone? Fight her fears or live in them? She didn't know what to do, and in not knowing, she did the only thing she could think of…and ran.

"Hikari!"

"Let her go."

It was Gray who stopped the scarlet haired woman.

"The danger is gone, and she knows the way home, so just let her be."

Erza, wiping away a few more tears, just nodded.

"Hikari…" Happy said sadly.

"I'm sorry…" Lucy said. "I wasn't trying to rat you out. She was being really argumentative and it just slipped and-"

"I'm not blaming you, Lucy." She said softly. "There is no blame here."

Though the blond nodded in reply, she still felt guilty.

"Do you really think she is running home?" Lucy asked.

"She doesn't have anywhere else to go." Gray replied.

"But she's upset." Lucy said back. "Who knows where she might go whether she is familiar with the place or not."

"She'll go home." Natsu said, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes on the area where Hikari took off.

"Are you sure?" Lucy asked.

Natsu turned to her at this, flashing the blond a smile.

"I'm sure. She'll return home. And when we see her, we'll all just keep helping her, right?"

Lucy's gaze lit up a little, a smile growing across her face.

"Yes, we'll help. Always."

---

The entire trip home, train ride an all, was nothing but a blur for the young Dragon Slayer, her emotions on the run and her mind still trapped in the previous events. By the time she took a real awareness of her surroundings, she was already in front of the guild. Just looking at it made her chest tighten with even more sadness, that pain much worse than the physical pain she was also feeling. All she could think about when staring at the building was how it was slowly becoming her home, how she was beginning to make friends with others, and how she was slowly starting to really get close to that one person…

"It is my business! Supposedly care? What do you mean supposedly care? I care about you a lot…a lot more than you think. Whenever I hear your screams, my heart breaks and I want to do nothing but hold you and make you feel safe."

She was cared for…despite her stubbornness and everything else she found wrong with herself, she was really cared for.

"I'm the one that hears those screams, and I'm the one who stays by your door and talks to you every time you do, reminding you that I am always right there…always….so don't tell me it's none of my business."

She was, without fail, always by her door on the nights she woke up screaming, always reminding her she wasn't alone, always trying to provide whatever comfort she could, but now…

"Whatever Lucy said or whatever anyone says about me really "wanting" the help or "liking" whatever attention I get or "liking" how you supposedly care about me is a lie! I hate it! I hate it when you're around! You're nothing but annoying!"

Now…she had ruined it all. Thanks to a few poorly chosen and untruthful words, Erza probably wouldn't be around as much as she used to be. Well, that's what she wanted, wasn't it? To not be cared for, to not make friends, so focus solely on getting stronger so she could help that one person…it's what she kept telling herself and others, so now she could get what she's been asking for.

"Erza…"

She had ruined it. Her and her own fears and stubbornness ruined it all.

"Hikari?"

The child broke from her little daze to find a set or worried blue eyes staring back at her.

"Lisanna…"

The woman came running out towards the child, her worried look growing when she got closer.

"Hikari, your injuries…what happened? And where's everyone else? Are they ok?"

"They're fine…" the girl said softly. "I just…I just came home before them…"

With her emotions getting the best of her, she looked up at the other with tear filled eyes.

"Lisanna…I…"

"Shh." The woman said, pulling her into a warm hug. "It's ok."

"But I messed up…I made a mess of everything…and Erza…."

"I promise its ok." She said comfortingly, giving her a gentle squeeze. "Let's get you inside and cleaned up first, ok? Wendy's not back yet so she can't heal you, but we'll make sure to get you bandaged up and taken care of, come on…"

She ushered the brunette into the building, the young girl immediately feeling the stares from others the moment they were inside.

"Mirajane, she needs to be taken to the hospital area." Lisanna told her sister, the other now sporting the same worried gaze when she saw Hikari. Following Lisanna's lead, the two led her to the back part of the guild, having her sit on one of the hospital beds while Mirajane gathered some things to help clean up her injuries.

"The others, are they all right?" The eldest asked.

"She said they were." Lisanna answered, helping her sister out. "She said she just left before them."

After they got what they needed, they each sat on either side of the child, cleaning and tending to the wounds. They did so in silence, unsure of whether or not the girl wanted to talk about it, but when they finally bandaged her up and saw that single tear fall down her face, they couldn't stay quiet about it any longer.

"Hikari…" Mirajane said softly, pushing some of the girl's hair out of her face. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"You're not going to like me very much if I tell you." Hikari replied, her gaze on the floor.

"Believe me, there's nothing you could tell us that would make us hate you." Lisanna told her. Reaching out, she gave the girl's arm a little squeeze. "Come on, try us."

The girl lifted her dark brown gaze and looked at the two sitting beside her. The need to vent was much worse than this morning, and with her emotions all over the place, she didn't have it in her to toughen up and say she didn't need to talk, so in the end…

"I…I messed up. I really messed up."

"How?" Mirajane asked.

"Well, while everyone was talking to one of the farmers about the Vulcan, I caught his scent and went after it by myself. I was just frustrated that Erza kept thinking I couldn't do anything just because I was tired, so I thought if I beat it, she'd drop the whole thing and stop worrying for nothing. Well, I found the Vulcan and we fought, and I was doing just fine right up until I was about to finish him off. I ended up getting a really bad dizzy spell and lost focus, and then I felt sick and my body started to feel really weak. I ended up getting hit back right into a tree pretty hard, and then stomped on. It was Gray who pulled me out and then Lucy ran me to safety."

The two remained quiet as they listened to her story, a few more tears escaping the child as she continued on. Hikari was one who hated crying, especially in front of others, but she was just having too much trouble holding the tears back.

"And then Lucy and I started arguing, and then when the rest of the group came back, Erza and I argued, too. I…I kinda said some mean things to her…and I hurt her because…because she started to cry…"

"What things were said?" Lisanna asked softly.

"Well…at first I was mad at Erza because Lucy mentioned that she…wait, did you tell you guys about some nightmares I have been having at all?"

Mirajane nodded.

"She just told the group this morning after you went outside. She only did because she was worried."

"I know that now, but I didn't think of it that way at first. I got mad at her and said that I hated it when she was around, and that she was annoying. I said I hated how she and everyone tried to care for me and told her that it wasn't anyone's business to know about my nightmares, not even hers, and that's when she started crying. She was upset I had said those things and upset that I thought she really didn't care. She kept telling me that she did and that all she wanted to do was help me get through the rough nights and make me feel safe. She said it was her business because she was the one who hears all of my screams."

"Well…she does care about you a lot, Hikari." Mirajane told her. "She loves being around you and loves doing little things for you, too. And I know you like it. Just think about that night she gave you that necklace…remember how that made you smile? You were really happy. I could see it."

"Yeah but…it can't be that way. When I came to Fairy Tail, I promised myself I wouldn't get attached to anyone or make any friends and such."

"Why would you make that kind of promise?" Lisanna asked.

Hikari shuffled a little uncomfortably at this question. For her, it was still a little too early to share that information.

"I can't tell you…" she told them. "But I'll say this much. There's someone out there I have to protect…"

"Protect?" Mirajane asked, furrowing her brows a bit.

"Yes….there's someone I have to protect, and in order to protect this person, I need to get stronger. When other people try to take care of me, or when I start getting attached to others, I start getting weak and I don't feel as strong as I should be. I can't let that happen, not if I have someone I need to protect."

"Well…answer me this…" Mirajane told her. "You don't have to tell me who or why, but do tell me how you plan on protecting this person if you can't even protect yourself?"

Hikari's eyes widened a little when she heard this, her gaze shooting up to the eldest female with confusion.

"You've been suffering from nightmares and rejecting any help that might make them go away." Mirajane continued. "In turn, that allows the nightmares to continue, leaving you to lose sleep and be nothing but tired all the time. If you're tired like that, it leaves you to struggle on jobs like you did today, causing you to get hurt. That's not protecting yourself very well, and if you can't even do that, how can you get strong and protect another?"

Hikari's gaze dropped a little upon hearing this. She never thought about it that way.

"Hikari…being strong isn't always just about physical strength or being independent and doing things on your own." Lisanna told her. "Do those things make someone strong, yes, but there is another thing out there that makes one even stronger."

"What?" the girl asked.

"Love." She answered. "It's love."

Hikari's heart clenched a little when she heard this, her confusion rising.

"But that doesn't make sense." The child told her. "Love doesn't make me stronger. It makes me feel weaker…like I'm more vulnerable."

"Maybe right now it does because unfortunately, it seems you're not used to it, but when one does allow it in, it does wonders to the heart, giving your more strength that you could ever imagine."

Hikari looked down again, thinking about those words. Could that really be true?

"No human in this word can survive in complete solitude." Lisanna told her. "They may like being alone, but there's no one who can withstand it. To open your heart even at the risk of getting hurt takes true strength and will indeed make you stronger over time. The bonds you build with people, the trust, the love, that's stronger than anything in the world. It's ok to let others take care of you, and it's ok to let others in and give you support. No one here ever has to stand on their own. We give each other strength and love each other in our own ways, and that's what makes us a family…a strong family, and it's a family you are part of."

"Family…" she thought. Perhaps the idea of it wasn't as bad as she thought.

"If you don't believe me, try it yourself." Lisanna continued. "Go find Erza later, tell her how you feel, and just let her take care of you, and I can guarantee that it will be one of the best feelings in the world…and feeling that will help you become a stronger person, and in doing so, you'll be strong enough to not only protect yourself, but that other person as well."

Though some things didn't completely make sense quite yet, she did understand what she was being told and what she had to do. There were just two problems. One, she was scared. She never really was a people person and the thought of getting close to others, especially in a family way, made her nervous. She had just been hurt one too many times and was afraid to do it again. And the second problem…

"Look, I'm still not so sure about this, but say if I did decide to talk to her about things, how do I know she'll want to listen? I did say some mean things and I made her cry. What if she doesn't want to be around me anymore?"

"That is something you won't have to worry about." Mirajane said. "Trust me. I'm telling you, she really cares about you, and those feelings don't just go away. Talk to her. Go ahead and let yourself get taken care of. You'll see, it will all work out."

Easier said than done, but she figured she wouldn't know until she tried. She just wanted to think about it a little longer.

"Yeah…I'll…work on that. I think, for now, I'm just going to go home."

"Probably a good idea." Lisanna told her. "You need the rest. You will rest…right?"

"Yes." She said, slipping off the bed. "I promise. I'll…see you guys later."

She turned to leave, but almost immediately stopped in her tracks.

"And…thank you." She said, looking at them again. "For taking care of me…and for helping me figure things out…I needed it…"

"No thanks needed." Mirajane said with a smile. "We're happy to. And remember, you can talk to us anytime."

Hikari simply nodded at this, and with that said an done, she travelled home It was yet another small journey that seemed to pass in a blur for her mind was now reliving the conversation between her and the sisters over and over again. Would she really get that much stronger by just letting people in? By letting other people take care of her when needed. Logically, it still didn't quite make sense, but if it did help…

Reaching her apartment, she froze by Erza's door. Hikari couldn't quite pick up her scent, telling her she wasn't home yet. This was probably a good thing seeing as she needed a bit more time. Turning away, she ran upstairs and to her own home, unlocking the door and stepping inside. At this point, it was the late afternoon, telling her she missed lunch. She was a bit hungry, but her tiredness and her sore body canceled it out, leaving her to just change into her pajamas and flop on her bed.

"Ne…what a day…"

She flopped her arm over her eyes and let out a sigh. She was beaten to a pulp, left bandaged, she made Erza cry, opened up a little to Mirajane and Lisanna, and now had to figure out a way to speak to Erza. The physical beating she could deal with, but the twenty thousand thoughts running through her mind and the mixed emotions running through her chest…that was much harder to handle. She was basically being told that if she wanted to get stronger, she'd have to open up. That if she wanted to protect that person…

"Yuki…"

Rolling onto her side, she pulled her pillow to her chest, squeezing it tightly.

" Yuki…" she said softly. "I know…it was stupid of me to run off today. I really could have been killed. How can I protect you if I put myself in danger so carelessly that way? It's just, I don't know. I can see the point Lisanna and Mirajane were making, and though it doesn't make sense in my head, it kind of does in my heart…"

She gave her pillow another little squeeze.

"When Erza tries to take care of me or attempts to warm me up, it makes my heart feel funny. It gets happy and jumpy, and though I get a little scared, I do like the feeling. And when she gave me that gift for no reason, that feeling grew so much bigger than it had ever been, and I felt different. I was really happy. You know what adults have been like to me, so you understand why I am hesitant about it all, but I think…I think Erza is different. She might not really turn out like the others. I don't think anyone in Fairy Tail will turn out like them. It'd be nice to make friends and to get closer to Erza. She's always being real motherly to me, and I like it. If getting closer to others is going to make me stronger, then I think I can face my fears, especially if it means saving you. Plus, I'm really happy here. I bet you'd like it here, too Yuki. I know you will. I can't wait till you meet every one. Soon enough, Yuki-chan….soon enough."

In the middle of her little talk, she heard a small bang from downstairs. It sounded like a door closing. Had Erza finally arrived home? If she had…

Slipping out of bed, she walked over and opened her door, sniffing the air a little. Yep. She was definitely below. Now was probably a good time to speak to her, especially if she was still feeling sad. She didn't want to keep the woman feeling like that for the rest of the day and night, but did she have enough courage to do so?

Sneaking downstairs, she stood inches away from the Erza's door. Whether she had the courage or not, she had to say something to her. She had been worrying her a lot lately and caused a bit of trouble earlier. It was the least she could do. All she wanted to do was help, and deep inside, Hikari wanted that, too.

"Just do it…" she told herself, reaching her hand out to knock. "Come on, you spoke to Mirajane and Lisanna….you can do it to her, too." She had to do it, but right when she was close enough to knock, she pulled away, the nerves getting the best of her.

"I really am weak…" she thought. Leaning back against the door, she crossed her arms over her chest, letting out a sigh. It probably would have been better off if she left seeing as she was too scared to knock, but she couldn't bring herself to move. She wanted to stay nearby…she wanted Erza.

"I'm sorry…" she said softly. It was odd for her to be the one on the outside of the door talking, but she really just didn't want to leave. And even if Erza couldn't hear her now, she thought that if somehow she could say the words she wanted to in this moment, it would give her the courage to say them directly to her soon.

"I'm sorry about today. It was a stupid move on my end to run off alone, and I feel bad that I made you worry. I'm also sorry for the things I said and for the way I've been treating you these last few weeks. It just scared me a little…knowing that this whole time, you've heard me wake up screaming. It made me feel vulnerable, and when I get that way, I guess I just close up because I'm afraid of looking weak. The thing was though…I was already weak to begin with, wasn't I? Look how long these nightmares have been going on. You'd think I'd stop waking up in a panic or screaming by now, right? Yet I still am, and it's affecting everything. My fighting, my focus, my body… How stupid is that…I'm scared of things that aren't even real…I'm a lot weaker than I thought…"

-Click-

"Kyaa!"

-Thump-

"Ouch…"

With Hikari lost in her own little mini speech, the child was taken completely off guard when the door suddenly opened, and thanks to her leaning on it, she fell right back and landed on the floor.

"Hikari! I'm sorry! I heard you and I was going to let you in but I didn't know you were leaning on the door and-"

"It's ok, it's ok!" she said, sitting up and rubbing her head. "I got quite a few war marks from today's fight, what's another bump or two? And…wait…you actually heard me?"

The woman nodded.

"I went looking for you at the guild, but Mirajane and Lisanna said that you left for home after they fixed you up. I was just putting some things away and was planning on heading up to check on you, but then I heard your voice…"

Hikari blushed a little at this, partly because she had been heard, and partly because that even after what happened, Erza was going to check on her anyways.

"Sorry…"

Erza's gaze softened at this, and without a second thought, she sat on the ground with the other, scooping the brunette up and holding her close.

"H-hey…Erza-"

"Just because you are scared of your nightmares does not make you weak."

Hikari shuffled a bit in the woman's embrace, the whole being held thing still a little uncomfortable for her, but it didn't look like Erza was going to let go. She probably could have pulled away if she really wanted to, but the words also kept her there, slightly disbelieving in what was being said.

"But I'm scared of them all the time…"

"That still doesn't mean you're weak. People get scared, Hikari. It doesn't make them weak, it just makes them human."

That line seemed to click in her mind a little. She always viewed herself as weak if she was scared, but perhaps that perception, along with many others she had, was wrong.

"It's ok to get scared, even of dreams. I know what it feels like, trust me. I used to get really bad nightmares, too."

Hikari sat up a little and looked at the other when she heard this statement.

"I remember you mentioning that before…you really used to get them?"

"Mhm, when I was just a little bit younger than you, and they'd happen all the time."

"What did you do to get rid of them?"

Erza smiled a little sadly at this, her fingers idly playing with Hikari's hair a little bit.

"Everything I possibly could, but no matter what I did, they never wanted to go away. It took a long time for them to stop."

Hikari looked down when she heard this, playing with the sleeve of her pajama shirt to help ease her nerves.

"I used to get them a long time ago, too." Hikari told her. "But I somehow found a way to get rid of them. Well, more like I managed to just block the magic out."

"Magic?" Erza asked.

The child nodded. She had never told this to anyone before so it was a little awkward to say, but she wanted to help the other understand what was going on a bit more.

"Up until about eight months ago, I lived with my Aunt…she had two servants that worked for her named Jerick and Akito. They were wizards that specialized in illusion magic and they would use it on me…a lot, particularly when I was sleeping. They used to give me the worst nightmares that always felt real. In some, I swear I almost died, that's just how real they would seem. They started it when I was six and kept it up for a few years, but eventually gave up on it when it stopped having an effect on me. "

Ezra's eyes had widened when she heard this story. She couldn't believe what she had been told. She was only a child, and they had done that to her?

"Why would they do such a thing? Did you tell your Aunt? Couldn't she have made them stop?"

"Why would she do that?" Hikari asked with a sad smile. "Why, when she was the one telling them to do so?"

Erza's heart broke when she heard this. Who could ever do this to a child, especially to one that was their own flesh and blood?

"But let's not talk about that." Hikari continued. "Point is, I was able to somehow block out that magic after a while, but these nightmares aren't magic. Yes, they are of the ones I used to get from them, but it's just from memory, so it's not like I can block these ones out like the others. They just come whether I want them to or not."

Though Erza wanted to hear more about the girl's past, she wouldn't push her. If she was going to be told, she wanted it to be done when the girl was ready. Instead, she hugged the girl a little tighter.

"That's why I want to help you…that's why I want to make you feel that you're not alone and that you're safe. If I can get you to really feel safe, then-"

"Erza…I already feel safe with you."

The woman's heart warmed at the sudden, unexpected words. She was really helping the other?

"I have for the longest time. I just…I just thought that was another sign of weakness…leaning on someone to feel safe. And it was something I just wasn't used to. The last person I ever really felt safe with, well, wasn't exactly a person. It was Atlas Flame. He always made me feel safe, but adult wise, I've never had anyone, so when I started feeling it with you, it scared me. That warmth you always get me to feel scared me, too…it still does."

She blushed a little when she said this, keeping her gaze elsewhere as she spoke. She really wasn't used to being this honest.

"But…Mirajane and Lisanna said that being safe with someone or being taken care of by someone was a good thing, that it can make someone stronger, and I really do need to get strong. There's someone out there…someone I need to protect."

"Protect? Who?"

"I can't say…" she said softly. It was more like she wasn't ready to say, but one day, she would be. "But she needs to be protected, and I promised her I would. That's why I have to get stronger, but to do so, I have to do things I am scared of. I'm really not good at getting close to others…"

Erza let her fingers run through Hikari's hair, Hikari actually enjoying the feeling. Uncomfortable or not, the affection did feel nice.

"You really feel safe with me?" she asked.

Hikari blushed a bit more, still unable to make eye contact.

"Yes…very."

The woman smiled, a look of relief mixed with the happiness in her eyes. Leaning in, she rested her forehead on the side of the girl's head.

"Thank god…That makes me so happy…"

"E-Erza…"

"I don't know much about what you've gone through or about who you need to protect and why, but Mirajane and Lisanna are right. When you can form bonds with others, your heart grows stronger, in turn making you stronger as a person as well. I'll do whatever I have to and whatever I can to help you, not only to reach your goal of getting stronger and protecting that person, but because I want to and you deserve all the safety and happy feelings in the world. I want to give them all to you. You won't have to be scared anymore. I'll always be by your side."

Hikari, who was tearing up at this, pulled away a little only to finally look into the other's eyes.

"Always?"

The woman simply smiled.

"Always."

A few tears escaped the confines of her baby browns, and before she knew it, she wrapped her arms around the other's neck and hugged her tight, hiding her face in the sweet smelling scarlet locks.

"Erza….I…"

"Shhh…it's ok." She whispered comfortingly. "I promise, it's all ok."

She could feel more tears welling in her eyes, but the girl did not want to let them free. She didn't want to cry right now and did her best to hold it back, nuzzling into the woman's hair even deeper.

"Thank you…" Hikari whispered.

Erza, who was smiling warmly, simply nuzzled into the child's brown locks as well.

"No…Thank you…"

These words caused the girl to pull back slightly, looking up at the other with some confusion.

"You're thanking me? For what?"

"For letting me take care of you…it makes me so happy. I've wanted to…and I mean really wanted to…for so long. I'm glad I can now."

If Hikari's blush could get any deeper, it did in that moment. She didn't realize how the simple act of taking care of her made the woman so happy. Erza, seeing this blush, could help but find it adorable and just had to tease.

"I'm going to have so much fun…" she said with a smirk. "I'm going to hug you and snuggle you and spoil you silly."

"B-baka!" Hikari shouted. "You'll kill me!"

Now this made the other laugh, the woman shaking her head at the statement.

"Getting loved on is not going to kill you."

"It will if you do it all at once!" Hikari said back. "I've got to ease into this! Oh god…why do I get the feeling you're going to do things anyways…I'm doomed…"

Erza couldn't help but giggle again, the girl's reactions cute. Hikari tried to pout at this, but it was disrupted by a little yawn.

"I bet you're really exhausted now." The woman said to her.

"A bit." Hikari replied. "To be honest, a nap doesn't sound too terrible."

"A nap…" Erza said, suddenly getting an idea. "That sounds good. Let's go!"

And before Hikari had the chance to grasp what was going on, Erza stood up, still holding onto Hikari, the child in turn having to wrap her arms around the woman's neck again to keep from falling.

"Hey! Put me down! What do you think you are doing?"

"Well you said you wanted to nap. I'm just going to tuck you in!"

"Wait, down here?"

"Of course!"

"But I didn't mean-"

Nope, Erza wouldn't hear it. She brought the child to her bed, and before Hikari could finish her sentence, she plopped her right down on top of it.

"And I think I might nap with you. It has been a long day."

After re equipping into some pajamas, an act that took Hikari a little off guard, she pulled down the covers and crawled inside, looking up at the girl when she did so.

"Well, come on, get under. It's warm."

Hikari was left a bit speechless with this sudden move, but she also knew that there was no way she was getting out of it either. Plus, even if she hid it, she really did like the idea of sleeping near the other. So, after a few grumbles and curses, she crawled beneath the blankets, a blush still on her face as she did. When she was all snuggled in, she turned and faced the wall, wanting to hide the aforementioned blush.

"You're not allowed to do that snuggling thing." Hikari told her. "I mean it! I'm telling you, you'll kill me if I do."

"All right, all right." Erza told her. "I'm happy you're at least attempting to get some sleep."

"You're not giving me much of a choice…"

She could hear the woman giggling in the background at this, causing Hikari to pull the blankets over her head, hiding her face.

"What have I gotten myself into…" she wondered.

"Hikari…" Erza's giggling had stooped, warmth now streaming in her voice. "In all seriousness, you're safe. I'll be right here. Nothing's gonna hurt you, I promise."

These words caused her already warmed up heart to flare even more, and though the whole scene was new to her and left her feeling a little nervous and uncomfortable, she, for once, really let herself fall into it. She really was safe. She could sleep peacefully if Erza was nearby.

Rolling over, her eyes locked with the brown ones of Erza's, her face still half hidden.

"Ne….will you be here when I wake up?"

"I will be."

"Promise?"

"I won't leave your side."

Easing a little more at this, she finally let herself curl up nice and good, and after nuzzling into the pillow a bit, she closed her eyes.

"I'll be right here the whole time. You won't be alone."

Hikari could feel the other scoot a little closer, but paid no mind, instead getting lost in the words she was hearing.

"Those dreams can't hurt you. You don't have to be afraid. You're safe here with me."

Comforting…very comforting….the words, the sound of her voice, the warmth behind what she said…it calmed her quickly, sleepiness already taking over.

"Erza…" she mumbled, wanting to say something before passing out, but, she was just too tired, and too comfortable, and before she could say anything else, she fell asleep.

Erza smiled at this, happy the girl seemed relaxed. She needed it…the nap, the relaxation, the chance to feel safe, everything, and she would be sure to give it to her no matter what.

"Hikari…" she said softly. Reaching out, she found the girl's hand and slipped her own inside of it. What she wasn't expecting was the girl to gently grab back in her sleep. This caused the woman's heart to melt instantly, a small blush forming on her face as her eyes began glazing over slightly. This also caused her to wonder about something, and curious for the answer, she made her move, scooting as close as she could and ever so carefully pulling the girl into her arms, wrapping her up and holding her as she slept. And, much to Erza's happiness, Hikari snuggled right in.

"Fight it all you want while you're awake. This tells me that inside, you really want it…" she whispered teasingly. She had a feeling that if Hikari woke up like that, she's freak out, but that was ok. Hikari would learn to love the snuggles eventually, and Erza would never hesitate to give them.

"Sleep well, Hikari….sleep well."

And after giving off her own little yawn, she too finally fell asleep.