Chapter Nine:

The Fall of Yoshiro

It was late in the evening when Yoshiro returned to the Guild Hall. When he learned that Mirajane and Yuon had already left to his apartment Yoshiro followed.

When he arrived he was surprised what he found. He even checked the number twice to convince himself he was in the correct apartment.

The living room was unrecognizable; the simple table and chair Yoshiro had was changed into a chic wooden table with six chairs and a beautiful red carpet beneath it. A fire was burning in the fireplace and two comfortable-looking sofa's where stationed in front of it with a coffee table between them. Several paintings hung on the walls and the color of the walls had changed from gray to light-blue. A brand new chandelier hung above the table and the entire room looked comfy.

"Uhm… Hello?" Yoshiro asked and he heard clutter in the kitchen.

"Yoshiro. Come on in. I'm just making dinner." Mirajane said whilst smiling brightly.

"Mirajane, what happened here?"

"We redecorated. I hope you don't mind? It was too empty for me so I thought I'd brighten up the place. Do you like it?"

"Yes." Yoshiro said honestly as he looked around.

"Told you he would like it." Yuon said as she left the kitchen to place a cooking pot on the table.

"Yuon. How are you?" Yoshiro asked, worried.

"I'm fine. Mira is really nice to me." She said as she smiled at her. Mirajane left the kitchen as well and walked towards Yoshiro to give him a kiss. "I was worried when you stormed out like that. That wasn't like you at all."

"I know." Yoshiro sighted.

"Tell me what happened." Mirajane said.

"I went to Hargeon and found that vulture. I also learned why he bought the orphanage." Yoshiro's gaze was hard. "He wanted to turn it into a parking for his collection of Magic Mobiles. He ruined the life of Nicole, Yuon and the orphans just because he wanted to show off his stupid cars."

"D-Did you…" Mirajane asked worriedly when seeing his dark gaze.

"Don't worry, Mirajane. He wasn't a Mage – fortunately for him – so I didn't harm him."

"So, basically what you're saying is that you did squat?" Yuon said.

"I didn't say that." Yoshiro said and he grinned. "I wrecked his mansion and destroyed all of his Mobiles."

"Yoshiro!" Mirajane said, shocked. But Yuon laughed.

"I made sure I was unrecognizable. Neither Yoshiro Farawyn nor Fairy Tail could be associated with this. I made certain of that before I confronted him."

"But still… it was a huge risk."

"It's not that I'm the only Mage in Fiore. And that man wasn't popular either. Many were glad by his misfortune."

"I don't care!" Mirajane snapped. "I don't want you doing this anymore!"

"It won't happen again. But Nicole was one of the few people who ever showed me kindness – before Fairy Tail – regardless of my name. I owed it to her." He said with a determined glint in his eye that made Mirajane stand down. "I visited her grave too. It warmed my heart that some people have given her a gravestone. I had half a mind of relocating her to the cemetery but I belief she would be more happy where she was. She always wanted as much space as possible." Yoshiro said with a sad smile. "Still, it saddens me that such a great person had to suffer a fate like that. The world is cruel."

"What about the other orphans?" Mirajane asked.

"Most of them have been send to other orphanages. They at least are taken care of, I made sure of that. They don't get the same level of treatment they got with Nicole, but it is still better than nothing I guess."

There was a short silence until Yuon asked something that spooked through her mind for a while. "And what about me?"

Yoshiro looked at her. "I stand by what I said earlier. You can stay here as long as you want and I will take care of you. I don't want to send you to another orphanage. I don't trust them. They're not like Nicole."

"See, Yuon. I told you Yoshiro would allow you to stay." Mirajane said to a baffled Yuon. "You're such a kind man." She said with admiration before giving him a kiss.

"T-thanks." Yuon mumbled.

"No problem." Yoshiro said before coming towards her to give her a hug. Yuon was surprised at first but then hugged back for a moment, before pushing him away.

"I said 'thank you', not 'hug me'." Yuon growled and they laughed.

"So, how did you pay for all of this?" Yoshiro asked. "Please don't tell me you paid it." He looked at Mirajane.

"No. I only bought the food. Yuon paid for everything but I helped her choose."

"Yuon?" Yoshiro asked baffled. "How did you pay for the furniture?"

"With the jewels you gave her, of course." Mirajane said confused.

"What jewels?" A fearful presentiment crossed his mind as he looked for his wallet. "Where's my…?"

Yuon took the wallet out of her pocket and threw it at Yoshiro. "Sorry about that. I wanted to surprise you." She said with a smile. "Surprise."

"But…? How? When?" Yoshiro stared at the wallet with a confused look. He then came to his senses again. "How much did you spend?" He asked as he opened the – now empty – wallet. "Aaagh! You spend everything?"

"What can I say, pops? Good furniture is pricy."

"Alright, Yoshiro. Calm down." Yoshiro said. "You still have a little extra."

"Yea, about that… That's gone too." Yuon said.

"What?"

"Hey, if you don't want it stolen you should've hidden it in a better place. A hollow book? Seriously? That's a lame hiding spot, pops. Besides, the only purpose of money is to be spend."

"No no no." Yoshiro muttered as he ran towards his bedroom. The sound of a second 'Aaagh!' signaled the loss of all his jewels. "You ruined me! I'm bankrupt!" Yoshiro yelled when he came back in the living room.

"Don't exaggerate, pops. A few jobs and everything will be fine."

"And the rent? And the food? Did you think about that you little thief?"

"I am not a thief!" Yuon yelled. "I haven't stolen a single jewel. It's all here around you." She said as she pointed at the furniture.

"She has a point." Mirajane said with a giggle.

"All of it? It was that much for these things?"

"Well, I also used it for a bed and a wardrobe." Yuon said. "You know, for my bedroom."

"Bedroom? What bedroom?" Yoshiro asked.

"We turned the empty room in a bedroom for Yuon. Where else were you planning to let her sleep?" Mirajane asked.

"You see, pops? Every jewel is well-spend."

"But… But…" Yoshiro muttered. When he saw no one would support him he took a seat at the table and sobbed.

"Aw, don't be like that pops. I will help you on your next job. You'll see, we'll make double of what you had in no time." Yuon said.

"And if you're not in time for this month's rent I'm more than happy to lend it to you." Mirajane said.

"See, pops? The solution presents itself. Now can we start eating, Mira? We waited for pops long enough and I'm starved."

They started eating right away and although Yoshiro stubbornly kept silent Yuon and Mirajane had a pleasant conversation.

After dinner Yuon took one of Yoshiro's books and planted herself in one of the sofa's while Mirajane and Yoshiro did the dishes.

"I didn't know about the money." Mirajane said. "I'm sorry, but she seemed so sincere when she told me you gave it to her."

"No problem. But I should be the one to apologize. I overreacted and was ungrateful for what you and Yuon did. I really like my apartment. Thank you for doing this. And that you made dinner. And that you were willing the pay the rent if necessary."

"My pleasure." Mirajane said with the honest smile Yoshiro loved.

When the dishes were done they returned to the living room.

"You know, I still feel a little guilty. What do you say if I make it up to you?" Mirajane said.

"Really, there is no need."

"I'll make it worth your while tonight?" She said seductively.

"Oh?" Yoshiro said confused. Then he realized it. "Oh! Right… Yuon! Go to your bedroom!"

"But I'm not sleepy." Yuon protested.

"My roof my rules, you little brat. Move!" He yelled as Yuon stubbornly stayed. She quickly jumped up and ran to her room. "Move! Move! Move!" Yoshiro said.

"I'll go say goodnight." Mirajane said and Yoshiro followed.

When he entered Yuon was already lying in bed. The chamber had the same wooden color as Yoshiro's room but was smaller. There was a small bed placed in the right corner, a simple white wardrobe with mirror and a blue carpet lying on the floor next to the bed. In front of Yoshiro there was a window with pink curtains with white flowers.

"Goodnight, sweetie." Mirajane said as she gave her a kiss on her forehead.

"I'll be waiting for you." She said mischievously as she passed Yoshiro, who made a small squeak in excitement.

"Alright, listen you little brat. You're going to stay here, you're going to put the lights out and you're going to sleep. And whatever you might hear from my room this night; Do. Not. Enter. Got it?"

Yuon nodded.

"Good. I hope you sleep well." He turned around but hesitated. "Do you want me to give you a goodnight kiss?"

"Nah! I'm fine, pops. But what are you and Mira gonna do this night? What will the sounds be and why can't I enter?"

"Uhm… we're going to… Uhm… do gymnastics… on a highly advanced level."

"Cool! Can I join?"

"No! Goodnight." Yoshiro yelled as he closed the door.

"Mm, that was perfect." Mirajane said as she nestled her head on Yoshiro's chest. He wrapped his arms around him and held her close. "You really are a cuddler, aren't you? I love it." She said as she snuggled closer.

"I'm a kisser too you know." Yoshiro said playfully.

"Proof it." Mirajane said as she lifted her head. After a long and deep kiss they continued to cuddle.

"You really like the furniture?" She asked.

"I like everything." Yoshiro said. "Except the curtains. They have to go." He said while looking at the pink curtains with the white flowers that hung in front of the window of his room as well.

"Sure." Mirajane said while giggling. "I was afraid I'd cross a line when I decided to change so much of your apartment. I'm glad you're not angry."

"I would've liked a heads-up in front but I am very pleased with the results. I love what you did with the place. It feels more like home than before."

"I'm glad you think so."

"It's not just the furniture. It's you. And Yuon. When I came home and saw that you were both waiting for me… it moved me. For a moment it felt like I had my own family."

"We are family. A strange one but a family nonetheless." Mirajane said.

"Yes. We're lucky that strange families are tradition in Fairy Tail." Yoshiro said and they laughed.

They then heard a large thunderclap; there was a storm outside and heavy rain rattled against the windows.

"Oh, my. I hope Yuon can sleep with this weather." Mirajane said.

"She'll be fine." Yoshiro said dismissively. But the storm intensified and the thunder became louder and louder. "Maybe I should check up on her?" He wondered.

"Yuon?" Mirajane asked as she lifted her head towards the door.

"Huh?" Yoshiro looked at the doorway and saw Yuon. She was dressed in a maroon nightdress and held her ugly ragdoll close to her chest. "Yuon? What are you doing here? Is something wrong?"

"I… I…" She mumbled.

"Are you afraid of the thunder, sweetie?" Mirajane asked and Yuon nodded uncomfortably.

"Oh, there is nothing to be afraid of. It's just some light. Think of it as fireworks." Yoshiro said, but another thunderclap made Yuon shriek.

"Do you want to stay with us tonight?" Mirajane asked.

"Wait what?" Yoshiro asked but that was all the invitation Yuon needed. She ran towards the bed and jumped in next to Yoshiro, pushing herself close to him.

"Wait, Mirajane… Yuon…" Yoshiro said confused but he was too slow. Thank goodness I put my pants back on. He thought.

"Goodnight, sweetie." Mirajane said as she gave Yuon a kiss on her forehead. "Goodnight, Yoshiro." She gave him a kiss on his lips before snuggling up to him until she rested comfortably.

"But… wait…" He said as he looked at both Yuon and Mirajane cuddling up to him. He then shrugged. "Oh, what the hell?"

He pulled the blanket over Yuon and hugged her close.

"Goodnight, Yuon." He said while giving her a kiss on her forehead.

And despite the storm raging on Yuon smiled as she cuddled closer to Yoshiro.

When Yoshiro woke up the following day Mirajane was already up. Yuon was still asleep and was laying on his chest. Carefully he laid her next to him and got up to see were Mirajane went.

"Good morning, Yoshiro." Mirajane said as he walked inside the living room. "Did you sleep well with me and Yuon suffocating you?"

"It was a little warm but I managed." Yoshiro smiled as he pulled Mirajane in for a kiss. "How about you?"

"I always sleep well in your arms. Come, I made breakfast."

"You don't have to cook for me all the time, Mirajane. You are my girlfriend, not my maid."

"I know. But I love to cook. But if it makes you feel any better you can wake up early tomorrow to make breakfast. Sounds good?"

"Deal." Yoshiro said as he sat down. They heard the door open and Yuon came out, wildly looking around.

"Morning, sweetie. How did you sleep?" Mirajane said.

"What's the matter?" Yoshiro asked by seeing Yuon's surprised look.

"N-nothing. I just thought… when I woke up all alone… you'd…" She shook her head. "Never mind. What's for breakfast?" She asked as she took a seat next to Yoshiro.

After they ate they got dressed and went to the Guild Hall. Yuon followed.

"So, what's the plan, pops?" She asked.

"I'm going to look for a job." Yoshiro said. "Hopefully I can find one with sufficient pay otherwise I have to do several."

"Swell. When do we leave?"

"We don't leave. I leave and you stay here with Mirajane to help her at the Guild Hall."

"But…? You said that I had to help you get the jewels back?" Yuon said.

"And you can do that by helping Mirajane. There is no way in hell I'm going to take you with me on a dangerous job. You're not even a Mage."

"But I…" Yuon started but she seemed to change her mind. She was silent the rest of the way.

When they arrived at the Guild Hall two Rune Knights stood in front of it.

"Odd. I wonder who did what now. Natsu probably destroyed the wrong things of the wrong people again." Yoshiro said but Mirajane took his hand.

"Yoshiro! The damage you caused…" She said as she looked fearful from him to the Knights.

"Don't worry, Mirajane. I told you I was unrecognizable." But he wasn't so sure anymore. When they entered the Knights ignored them.

Once inside of the Guild Hall three more Rune Knights were waiting. One of them – Yoshiro assumed the highest ranking – was talking with Master Makarov.

"Ah, there you are, Yoshiro. These men were looking for you." Erza said and Yoshiro and Mirajane exchanged glances.

"By the law of Fiore I'm innocent until proven guilty." Yoshiro quickly said and everyone stared at him.

"What are you talking about?" Erza asked confused.

"Smooth." Yuon giggled and Yoshiro gave her a soft cuff on her head.

"What is going on here?" He asked and the leader stepped away from Makarov and bowed.

"Lord Yoshiro." He formally said. "My name is Eddard and I've come here under orders of your noble father."

"Lord?" Gray asked confused.

"The Farawyns are nobility." Erza whispered.

"What about it?" Yoshiro asked.

"My Lord, perhaps it is better if we speak in private." Eddard said.

"He is refusing to tell the reason of his visit to me as well." Makarov growled.

"Fairy Tail is my family." Yoshiro said solemnly. "Whatever you have to say against me you can say against them."

"Very well." Eddard said after looking around. "My Lord, several days ago Raven escaped from prison."

Yoshiro's eyes widened. "Impossible." He whispered.

"I'm afraid not, my Lord. The investigation is still on-going but we have reasons to belief he will come after you. Your father has been notified and he sent us here to escort you back to his estate."

"Why the estate? Isn't he safer here?" Erza asked.

"I don't know. All I know is that I was ordered by Lord Yorimoto to bring his son back to the estate. I don't know anything else of his plans or the investigation." Eddard said.

"This is stupid." Natsu said as he cracked his knuckles. "So they're coming after one of Fairy Tail' own, huh? Well I say bring 'em on!"

"Yea, Yoshiro is safer here with us." Gray said and several others voiced their support.

"No one messes with Fairy Tail." Natsu growled.

"Lord Yoshiro must come with us." Eddard stubbornly said.

"Why don't you let him decide?" Erza asked.

"Yea. Tell 'em you want to stay here with us, Yoshiro." Natsu said.

"No." Yoshiro softly said and it was silent again. He looked up. "No. I won't stay here. Eddard, take your men and wait outside. I will join you shortly." He said on the commanding tone significant to a nobleman.

Eddard bowed and left with his men.

"But why?" Natsu asked.

"While I appreciate the offer you must all know something: if Raven indeed comes for me – and he will, I have no doubt – everyone that stands in his way will be in terrible danger."

"Don't worry about it. We can take him." Natsu said convinced.

"No you can't." Yoshiro said.

"Sure we can! Tell 'em, Gramps." Natsu said but Makarov remained silent.

"No you can't!" Yoshiro yelled and Natsu's smile disappeared. "You have no idea what kind of monster he is. This isn't just an ordinary villain you can defeat. This is Raven. He kills for the sheer joy of it and he will not hesitate for a moment to kill you no matter of intention," He looked at Natsu. "gender" A look at Lucy. "or age." A look at Wendy. "Raven is evil incarnate. He is immensely powerful, vastly intelligent and extremely dangerous. If you stand in his way he will kill you without hesitation, without doubt or even without a second thought."

"That's not a first time someone tries to…" Natsu started but he was cut off. "This isn't a joke!" Yoshiro yelled through the silent Guild Hall. "No idea… You have absolutely no idea what kind of monster he is. Raven is a highly manipulative, exploitative and seductive megalomaniac with traits of psychopathy, extreme sadism and cruelty. He takes considerable pleasure in the suffering and deaths of others. This is not the kind of man you want to face."

"We have dealt with powerful enemies before." Gray said.

"Tell them." Yoshiro said as he looked at Makarov, who sighted. "Tell them of his power."

"The Magic Council once considered to bestow upon him the title of 'Wizard Saint'." Makarov said. "That was of course before his disgrace."

"So? You still beat him, didn't you?" Gray asked.

"When I fought Raven I accepted the fact that I could die. Can you?" He asked and Gray fell silent. "I won because he underestimated me. I won because he didn't think of me as a treat. I won because I managed to take him off-guard."

It was silent for a while.

"What are your plans?" Erza asked.

"He will come for me, of that I'm assured. And this time he will be prepared. I will confront him again, but I'm not arrogant enough to belief for even a second that I can take him down on my own. I will return to my father and we will face him together. Even if he manages to defeat me I don't think my father will have any major difficulty in stopping him. Raven is powerful, but not that powerful. I'll be safe with him and that way none of you will be endangered. The thought alone… is unbearable. Promise me you won't try to go after him." He specifically looked at Natsu. "Promise me, please. I don't want to hear the news that he harmed one of my kin."

Natsu wanted to protest but after seeing his immensely sad look he remained silent. Yoshiro took that as a conformation and left the Guild Hall.

"Keep them safe, Master." He said.

"Don't worry. No one will harm my children." Makarov said with a determined glint in his eyes.

Outside he joined his escort and they walked out of town. "Why are we walking? Aren't there faster ways to get me to my father?" Yoshiro asked while walking.

"Yes, my Lord. But we must take everything into consideration. Once outside of Magnolia we will take an Armored Mobile to take you to a safe house. There you will be brought to Lord Yorimoto. That way we can elude any would-be attackers." Eddard said.

Yoshiro walked quietly for a while. They were already out of Magnolia when he noticed that the symbol the Rune Knights carried lacked the shield the soldiers of his father wore. "Aren't you part of the Battle Elite?" Yoshiro asked.

The Battle Elite were a large group of elite Rune Knights who fought under Yorimoto's command during the Dark War. They were battle-hardened veterans whose skill and power were renowned. They often served as Yorimoto's personal guard. They wore the traditional emblem of the Rune Knights but with a golden shield behind it. They were Fiore's most elite battlemages and were named after one of Yorimoto's titles: the Battlelord.

"Of course. Your father would not have send us otherwise. But we dressed like normal Rune Knights so we could catch any overconfident attackers."

"Ah. Did you serve my father long?"

"Ever since the first battle of the War I stood under your father's command." Eddard said with pride in his voice.

"Oh? Then you are tattooed as well?" Yoshiro asked. "Like all the others that fought with him so early on. A winged sword with a burning blade, correct?"

"Correct, my Lord. You have a keen insight of your father's men."

"Better than you, apparently." Yoshiro said as he stopped. Eddard and his men turned around. "It was a lie. There is no tattoo. My father didn't send you, did he? I doubt you're even real Rune Knights."

There was a short silence before Eddard aimed his staff at Yoshiro but he was too slow.

"Aerial Bomb!" Yoshiro yelled and a massive blast of wind flew in all directions, knocking out all of the so-called Knights.

Suddenly Yoshiro sensed something. He turned around but felt an excruciating pain in his left shoulder. He turned around again to see a shadow in front of him, a knife in each hand.

He's here… and I couldn't… sense him. He thought.

Again and again the shadow stabbed Yoshiro and even after he fell on his knees the shadow planted one of his knives in his back.

"Hello, cousin. You don't look so good." Raven said after he took on his regular form again. "No please, don't get up. It's been a while isn't it? Three years to be exact. Time flies, doesn't it? Well, for you maybe. But for me time rather crawled. What, you trying to use your Magic? I would advise against it. You see these knives? The blades are drenched with powerful Poison Magic. The more you use your Magic, the more it will burn. Same counts for Healing Magic, if used upon you." He laughed as he yanked the knife out of Yoshiro's back. "Do you feel it? The poison running through your veins? Your mussels cramping, your organs failing? Everything with excruciating pain of course. I will cause you such an agonizing demise people will remember your screams for generations. And my laughter as well. A pity I can't make you suffer for three years, by what I can tell you barely have three days, and then I'm overly optimistic. And don't hope the wounds will kill you before the poison does, the bleeding has already stopped. The poison is such that it will cause your wounds to fester, causing you even more pain. And you will sense everything. Delightful, isn't it?" Yoshiro slowly fell down but Raven kneeled in front of him and kept him upright. "No no no, don't faint just yet, cousin. I'm talking to you. We're having a conversation. I worked towards this moment for three years and everything will go exactly as I imagined. You see, with you out of the way, I will attack your beloved Fairy Tail. Yes, I know about them. I know about them all; Natsu, Ezra, Gray, Lucy, Wendy and all the others. I even know about your little sweetheart, Mirajane."

At hearing that name Yoshiro tried to get up. He noticed his rapier lying on the ground beside him so he reached out but Raven stabbed him in the hand.

"Tut tut, cousin. Your role has ended, and I will assure you that you will hear it whenever one of your friends dies. I shall keep Mirajane for last, after I had my way with her. What's that? I can't hear you, cousin. You're chocking." Raven said as he laughed maniacally. "Don't worry, once you're unconscious you can breathe again. And I assure you that someone will find you so that you can spend your last days in a comfortable bed. Not that it will do you any good."

"Lord Raven." Eddard said as he got up again. "We weren't expecting you so soon."

"Right, I nearly forgot you fools were still here. You really are a bunch of worthless idiots aren't you?" Raven snapped. "A burning sword? Seriously? Then again, you served me well in spying for me when I was imprisoned, and aiding in my escape. Unfortunately for you, you have outlived your usefulness." His merciless eyes looked at them.

"My Lord?"

"Shadow Apparition." He calmly said and the shadows of the Knights rose up from the ground. With one swift stroke of their lance-like arms they impaled all of the Knights before vanishing. "Now, where was I?" Raven scratched his chin, ignoring the deaths of the men who once served him loyally. "Oh, that's right. I know this is a little cliché, cousin, but I just have to say it. You should have killed me when you had the chance." He then laughed maniacally again before looking at Yoshiro one last time. "Happy dying, cousin." He then vanished in shadows, leaving Yoshiro alone amongst the death.