A/N: Enjoy! Do R&R so I know how you enjoy it and where I need to improve, but no bashing okay just helpful and constructive criticism :)
Disclaimer Hiro Mashima owns fairy tail and all it's awesomeness.
*Lucy's p.o.v*
I looked around Magnolia taking in the familiar feel as we followed Bisca and Al. Nothing had visibly changed in all the years we'd been gone, that in and of itself gave me a small measure of comfort. At least we aren't the only ones who look no different after seven years.
"Um guys, we're going in the wrong direction. The guild is the other way," Natsu yelled, from his position right beside me. Jeez lower the volume Natsu, I have ear drums too you know...maybe not as sensitive as yours are but, none the less that hurt!
"Like we told you on the boat, a lot has changed since you disappeared, Natsu." Al replied calmly, keeping his eyes firmly fixed on the road ahead. Something was wrong with this picture.
"Why are we going to the outskirts of town though? The guild is on the other side of town." He whined, folding his arms in annoyance.
"You just asked the same question twice." Happy corrected Natsu. I sighed, yup nothing had changed with us at all. Natsu was still the poster boy for 'I hate change'.
"Natsu's right though, this is the wrong way to the guild hall." I said, watching as the town road turned into a forest trail.
"We have a new guild hall now," Bisca replied cryptically. We all picked up the pace when we heard a large crash coming from the direction of our new guild hall.
"Not those jerks again," I faintly heard Bisca mutter under her breath. What jerks? Just what is happening here?
As we reached the top of the we were climbing, I noticed we'd reached an old run down farm. Don't tell me this is the new guild? As we neared the entrance I heard voices coming from inside the new fairy tail guild...Hmm guess I'll have to get used to this.
"I'm going to fight, cause at this rate, Fairy Tail's name will be disgraced!" I don't know who that is, but it sure sounds like something Natsu would say.
"That names been dragged through the mud long ago," Someone else sneered.
"NO!" Another person cried, hang on a second I know that voice; it belongs to Macau. I looked to my side to see Natsu had charged ahead and sent a flying kick into the back of mr sneery guy causing him to flying into the far wall.
"What the?" Mr sneery guys friends turned around ready to attack us only to be met with Gray's Ice, Erza's sword, Gajeel's iron fist and Masters giant fist.
Well they weren't very tough now were they?! We waited for the dust to clear and as it did I noticed how there weren't many people left in the guild, except the main members I met years ago, thats odd I could have swore we had close to 100 members before we left?
They were all staring at us like they'd seen a ghost. Well you couldn't blame them for all intensive purposes we had just returned from the dead...speaking of I wonder how Hibiki is going to react when we finally get to see each other again?
"We're home." Natsu greeted everyone with his trademark grin.
"Sorry it took so long," Happy added, smiling at everyone.
"What is this tiny guild?" Master muttered taking in the site we were greeted with. To be honest I don't care where the guild hall was, I'm home now and thats all that matters!
"You're all so young!" Laki exclaimed, clasping her hands together in joy.
"You haven't changed in 7 years," Nab cried, popping up next to Laki.
"What happened?" Visitar asked, also joining the line along with Laki and Nab.
Just the question I'd been waiting for. Guess I'll explain things seeing as everyone else was busy looking around and paying attention to all members we'd left behind for all these years.
"Um..you see after we all woke up," I started off, somewhat embarrassed at being the one to tell everybody this, just incase they didn't believe me. "A young blonde girl, who claimed to be Mavis Vermillion Fairy Tail's founding Master, explained that at the time of Acnologia's attack she took everyones bonds and faith in one another and converted it all into magic power." I stopped here as master signalled for me to pass the book over to him. I did so gladly.
"She went on to say that our feelings activated Fairy Sphere, one of the three great fairy magics. You see Fairy Sphere is an absolute defense magic that protects this guild from any evil. However because our feelings created such a strong defense it froze us all and took seven years for it to dispel and allow us to return home." Master finished giving us all a firm nod. He left out the next part that Mavis had said about Fairy Tail turning into a wonderful guild, just like she hoped it would, but I don't think anyone was too interested in that piece of information...just the bit about how we survived.
I watched as everyone began laughing and crying over our return, but one person who was stood solidly in place staring at Natsu seemed to be an older version of Romeo...No wait, that is ROMEO!
"You've gotten big huh...Romeo." Natsu grinned at the boy, who was on the verge of tears. No wonder that line earlier sounded so Natsu like to me, it must have been Romeo defending the guild in his place.
"Welcome back Natsu-nii...Minna," Romeo sniffled, a smile breaking out on his face as tears of joy slide down his face.
"It's good to be home," We all chorus at once. It truly did feel great to be home, the only thing that would make this moment perfect would be if Hibiki would burst through the guild doors sweep me up in his arms and kiss me. But I doubt that would happen.
"Alright everyone lets party!" Master yelled and we all shouted out that we agreed to that idea.
Well for now I'll just concentrate on spending time with my family, I'll go see Hibiki later. I'm sure he'd do the same in my position.
-the next morning-
"Urg my head is killing me!" Natsu whined, walking up from where he'd been sleeping in the corner of the guild. I can imagine it was. We had all drank sang and danced into the earlier hours of this morning raising a clamour as if to fill the seven year gap. Master and Gray had, had a stripping contest, much to everyone's horror, Juvia being the only one to be excited by the fact her Gray-sama was bearing all. I don't even think she noticed Master stripping at all.
"That isn't a surprise, you did challenge Cana to a drinking duel last night," I sighed, handing him my untouched coffee to help him wake up and dispel some of his hangover. See I'm way too nice at times for my own good.
"Thanks Luce," He grumbled before grabbing the mug and downing it in one gulp, followed up by banging it down on the table. This elected several moans from near by tables including Gray and Elfman's, who still weren't fully with it yet. "So did I win?"
"Ano..."I thought back to what had happened. Natsu had been in the middle of a free for all with Gajeel over something stupid, when Cana had challenged any and all takers to see if she could still drink everyone under the table. Which she had done easily, the funniest thing though had come next. Natsu, who does not handle alcohol well, had stumbled over to me and pulled me into a bear hug. This had shocked me to no end as Natsu is not particularly known for hugs unless he's squishing me in my sleep. He then told me he loved me and passed out. All in all a disturbing few minutes. "You lost."
"Awe man!" He whinged, laying his head on the table and dozing off again. I swear he's more like a cat/dog than a dragon at times. I got up and walked over to the bar for another cup of coffee, something was telling me I was going to need it today.
"To think you'd become the fourth master, Macao." Master Makarov stated taking a swig of his...beer? He's already drinking again?! How does he do that?
"What are you talking about? I was only standing in for you, you can have the position back right now!" Macao replied waving his arms around. Kinana handed me my coffee and I nodded my thanks to her, not wanting to interrupt the conversation I was ever so politely eavesdropping on.
"Nah, it's more interesting this way so you can keep it for the time being." Makarov hummed, brushing all responsibilities over to Macao. The poor guy I felt for him.
"Seriously?!" And that was it he was gone into a world of fantasy over being the official fourth master of fairy tail...Why are Wakaba and Master laughing so hard over it though? It's not really my business I decided as I turned to head over to where Levy and Lisanna were sat, deciding to have a chat to them, seeing as everyone else was did half dead.
"Well I'm off to visit Bob, Obaba and Goldmine. I think it's only fair that they should hear the news, that there is no need for a funeral, directly from me. Mira make sure that no one steps outta line while I'm gone." Master called causing me to freeze mid step. If Master is going to visit Blue Pegasus, I'd have a valid reason to see Hibiki and tell him the news 'I'm not dead' in person...That decides it then.
"Master!" I called, turning on my heels and striding over to him placing my untouched coffee down on a random table as I went. "Did I just hear you right, you're going to Blue Pegasus?"
"Yes child you did," Master smiled warmly at me here, his eyes closed so I couldn't really see what he was thinking when he answered me.
"Could...what I mean is...would it be possible...for me to come with you?" I stuttered out. Suddenly the nightmare I had on the island before where, I watch Hibiki walk away with another woman flashed up vividly, causing me to draw in a faulty breath as it returned to the front of my mind. Making the idea of seeing Hibiki again terrifying to me.
This is stupid I only saw him a week ago I have no need to be nervous! Wait no it will have been over seven years since he last saw me...what do I do? This doesn't seem such a good idea anymore.
"You may come along, just be prepared for whatever we may find or the reactions we will most certainly receive." Master said, in that gently fatherly tone he had. This is silly I can't hide away from this I need to see him!
"I understand, thank you Mast...er I mean Makarov um... no that sounds too weird." I started babbling not really knowing what to call him now that he'd handed the position of master to Macao.
"Just call me Master if it's easier for you," Master laughed, causing me to blush at what a fool I was making of myself.
"Yes sir," I beamed in reply my cheeks still rosey with a blush. As I followed him out of the guild towards the train station, I wondered just how much Hibiki had changed these past seven years and if he might have moved on?...I felt tears spring to my eyes at this, even though it's been seven long years for him and for most of them he probably thought I was dead. I would have wanted him to move on and find happiness again after me...but the part of me that only said goodbye to him 2 weeks ago hopped, selfishly, that he had waited for me. That he had kept his promise to never find anyone other than me! But I quickly shook those thoughts from my head. It would do me no good to think like that.
-Blue Pegasus-
Master strode through the door first. Nobody stopped what they were doing or even gave us a second look, guess people have forgotten us over the last few years. Well they were ignoring us until Master Bob saw me following Master through the hall towards him and dropped a glass on the floor. Guess my blonde hair stands out quite a bit compared to masters short stature.
"It can't be?" He gasped, raising his hands to his mouth is shock. This caused several members to turn their heads, so that they could see just what had caused their master so much distress.
"Who are they?"
"Look the blonde has a fairy tail mark."
"Hey, they look familiar."
I was starting to get uncomfortable under the heavy stares from the members. Well weren't they being rude! Hadn't their mothers taught them not to stare?
"Hang on a minute that girl, wasn't she Hibiki's girl. The one that died seven years ago right in front of his eyes and everyone else's?"
"The blonde hair and pink fairy tail mark, yeah that is her. Man how could I forget that day, Hibiki was a wreck for years afterwards." I felt my eyes widen at this last remark. Had my 'death' really wounded Hibiki so much? How am I supposed to face him again now after all these years, I have merely been sleeping, while he's been suffering in pain. Coming here was a bad idea!
"Um, Mas.." I started to try and tell Master 'I'm leaving' but he put his hand up to silence me. Who was I fooling of course Hibiki would have moved on, it has been a long time after all.
"Fairy Tail has come to thank you for all your assistance over the years, Bob." Master bowed his head in gratitude here, causing everyone to go quiet. "But we regret to inform you; that there is not going to be a funeral for all those that disappeared on December 16th x784. Instead we will be having a party to welcome them home!" Master raised his head here wearing his trademark goofy grin. "You're all invited!"
"It's so good to see you again Makarov," Bob cried, flying over picking Master picking him up and squashing him in a bear hug. Much like the ones we'd received on Tenroujima when our guild had come to pick us up. I couldn't help but laugh at the scene; it was just to heart warming.
"Lucy...Lucy Heartfilia?" I turned around at the sound of my name being called to come face to face with...Jenny Realight!
"You're Jenny Realight! I'm a huge fan, I have all the sorcerer weekly's you modeled in, well all the ones that were available seven years ago!" I fangirled as I floated in her direction. I may as well let the two old friends enjoy their reunion, and enjoy meeting a model I used to follow closely.
"Um, yes I am." She replied, looking nervously at the door as she did. Huh? Did it really make her so uncomfortable that I am/was a fan of hers?
"Oh I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable." I apologised bowing my head quickly, causing her to blush.
"Oh no, you didn't." She hastily shook her hands and head. "It's just I'm not sure it would be a good idea for Hibiki to meet you again like this."
"What do you mean?" I asked, my body suddenly turning cold.
*Hibiki's p.o.v*
"ACHOO!" I got a tissue out of my pocket to wipe my nose. I hope I'm not coming down with a cold.
"Somebody's talking about you again," Eve laughed, opening a bag of chips next to me. Well that is a list longer than my arm.
"Probably Jenny." Ren grumbled from his seat opposite me. I simply scratched the back of my head and chuckled nervously at the mention of my on/ off again girlfriend. Seeing as we're both players it works best that way..don't ask me how it just does.
"So do you think the funeral will be soon?" Eve asked, his face hidden behind his bangs. The mood instantly darkened at this, well I suppose it needs to be talked about.
"Most likely, yes. Their Master will contact our's with the details, then we'll be informed. But it should be no later than next week." I state matter of factually. There should be no reason for us to get depressed like this. It's been 7 years and 3 months since they died, now is a time for peaceful acceptance and finally being able to bury the past! Yes, I must think this way or I may fall back into that black pit it took me so long to climb out off. I do not want to go back to that place!
"So what flowers should I take to place on Lucy's grave?"
Um..Tiger lillies or Pink roses, if I remember correctly." I replied feigning a foggy memory. I knew they were both her equal favourites, but I didn't want them to know that I still remembered everything that she loved and hated..it would seem weird to them, after all I had moved on hadn't I?
"Great, I know the best place to get those," Eve beamed, perking up once again, returning to munching his chips. We sat in comfortable silence as the train pulled into our station.
"So how about another job then?" I mentioned to my team as we disembarked and headed back towards the guild hall. I can always use the excuse of Ren needing to save money up for his wedding, instead of I don't want to be sat around waiting for the dreaded news to be announced.
"Yeah why not." Ren confirmed with a nod of his head, as he headed off in the direction of the house he now shared with Sherry. "I'll see you back at the guild."
"Okay see you later," I called to his retreating figure.
"Having extra rent money saved up is always a plus in my book." Eve grinned. Well that settles that then.
"Do you wanna come with me to the guild or go home and meet back up later?"
"I'll come with you as it is my turn to choose the request this time."
We walked into the guild hall and the first thing that struck me was that everyone instantly went quiet when they noticed who had entered.
"We're home guys," I waved, looking around for Master and not finding him anywhere. This is strange!
"Welcome back," Jenny smiled, rushing over to give me a hug.
"So what did we miss?" Eve asked straight off the bat. Looking for any news on the funeral is my guess.
"Er," A male member, that I didn't know very well, started speaking.
"No! You haven't missed anything." Jenny spoke up drowning out the other guy. Oh well I didn't want to here what he had to say anyway.
"Oh okay," Eve mumbled, heading over to the board to pick out our newest job. There went his good mood, and mine for that matter, I had been hoping for some news by now. It had been over 2 weeks since we sent them to retrieve the Tenrou team.
"So, wheres Master?" I looked around still not seeing any sign of him. Where could he be? I know for certain there isn't a guild masters meeting scheduled for at least another month.
"Master is out on business and won't be back until tomorrow," Jenny smiled sweetly at me, as she pulled me over to the bar.
"Okay, I'll just sign us back in and out again." I leaned over the counter to pull out the large record book Master keeps on, all job requests and Wizards who take them.
"Hibiki, I found one!" Eve called dashing back over to us. I took the flyer from him and read over the details.
"Hmm a fight a group of Bandit request huh?" I mumbled continuing to read through. "600,000 jewel and it's on the outskirts of Acapolise near Love & Lucky."
"Sounds perfect right?!" Eve beamed, proud of himself for picking such a good and easy job.
"Yeah," I agreed logging in the fact that we'd just taken the request, before putting the book back, giving Jenny a kiss on the cheek and then following Eve out of the guild. Guess I really couldn't sit still right now.
"Meet you at the station in 20. Grab Ren on your way seeing as he lives in your street." I called to Eve as we part ways. We both needed to unpack and resupply our luggage just in case the job ran longer than expected.
"Will do!" He sang running off. I don't know why but I had a bad feeling about this one..as if something bad was going to occur...
Stop being silly Hibiki, you'll finish this job, return in time for Lucy's funeral and then you can ask Jenny to move in with you. Yes theres nothing to be worried about, everything is going to be fine!
'It'll be fine, so don't worry byebye.'
I gulped as Lucy's parting words to me, before she set sail to tenroujima, floating into my mind. Everything was going to be fine, wasn't it?