Yuki's P.O.V
I breathe in deeply as I stare at Rei's lonely figure. Honestly, I thought he would be with Wendy but I suppose this makes it slightly easier for me. This will be painful but I need to do this now. With a sigh, I down the cocktail in my hands before dropping it on a table and approaching our leader. "Rei, are you busy right now?"
He turns to me with a surprised expression, "Huh no. Just waiting for Wendy to come back. What's the problem?"
"There isn't a problem but I wanted to talk to you about something in private"
"Alright, I'll follow and you decide where is good for you," he willingly complies and the two of us move behind the guild.
Immediately, I can't help but think I wish I wore something that was even lighter than my cocktail dress. I can feel my body heating up from nerves and I hate it. It's not as if this is the first time I talked to Rei about something serious but… this is going to be new. I've asked for something like this and I have no idea how he will react. Maybe he will take it well but there's always that chance he might start freaking out like when-
Rei asks, interrupting my thought, before stopping behind me, "Good now?"
"Yes," I pause to take a nervous breath before continuing, "Well this is a bit awkward of a conversation for a party but I wanted to inform you that I will be taking a month off from work."
"Huh? We just defeated Lamia and you want to what?"
Oh no, he's starting to react badly. I rub my hands together as I reply, "I know, it's sudden but… after we all almost died during the fight… I did some thinking and … I realized that I have to start following my goals or I might die before I deal with my regrets."
"Oh...okay? Well, why would you want to go solo? Friends always stick together right? What's the thing you want to go do I'm sure we can...leave…"
"Thank you for offer Rei and it means a lot to me that you want to help but this is something I need to do on my own. Besides the place I'm going to might be too dangerous. I don't want to risk everyone's safety for my sake."
"Why are you doing this...why are you sounding just like them...Yuki please tell me you're joking, please!" He says as he raises his voice.
"I'm not joking but you don't have to worry. I will be back in a month or so."
"No...nonono. Why in the hell are you pulling this shit on me? Don't you think I care about your safety! At least take me along so you'll have a backup!" His face is starting to heat up with anger and worry.
No! This isn't how it should go. He's not supposed to get angry about this. I need to try and calm him down, "I will have Aster with m-"
"I DON'T CARE YUKI! I'M NOT ABOUT TO LOSE YOU LIKE… wait, where are you going?"
"... I'm going to Cristallo but I doubt you have heard of it before."
"Yeah, I have heard of the place due to the author who wrote 'One thousand ways to execute someone'. Why the hell do you want to go to," he suddenly pauses before his face lights up with slight dread, "your family comes from there."
"... Y-yes, they do."
"Oh...that's great. You've found your family...um. Yay?"
"Yes, I thought it would be a good time now since I might regret it if I wait until later. Besides, I feel as if I can leave Fairy Tail in your hands Rei."
"Maybe... can you tell me when you found out your family…"
"I knew them about them for ... a few years now," I nervously answered. I was hoping he wouldn't ask that but there's no way I can avoid that, now. He will have to know and … it is not going to be pretty.
"Why the hell were you staying with me then...why didn't you go then Yuki...WHY THE HELL DID YOU STAY WITH ME…" His voice cracks near the end as his eyes start to mist up.
No. No. No! This isn't how it should have gone! I never wanted to make him cry! I have to do something before I accidentally hurt him but how? The only thing I can think of is to stop my trip entirely but… I can't. If it was any other place than I would but I need to do this. I have been waiting for years to confront my birth parents. I need to know why they abandoned me. Why they thought I wasn't good enough for them! I can't put this off, so I'll have to do some damage control.
"There's no big reason other than I didn't feel I was ready to meet them. I was a lot younger than and I probably would have jumped in and gotten myself killed if I went earlier," I try to gently reassure.
"That day...you talked to my older sister before she...disappeared from my life...no," he mumbles so quietly to himself that I can barely hear before he suddenly screams, "NO! NO! NO! THIS CAN'T BE TRUE!"
"Rei, what's wrong?!" I stare in horror as his tears start to heavily drop down his flushed cheeks.
He looks me in the eyes and I flinch back at the anger in his eyes and the hatred in his voice, "What...did...you talk to my...older...sister about...that day!"
"Well … I always felt it was strange until a few years after but before she left for the mission, she told me to look out for you."
Rei goes completely silent as he stares at his trembling hands. W-what do I do? He's starting to act like when I tried to comfort him after Rin… died. Ah! The air around us starts to heat up as Rei's magic starts to fill the air. I have to stop him but he'll attack if I start using my magic!
"What's wrong? Rei, are you okay?"
"YOU ONLY STAYED WITH ME BECAUSE MY OLDER SISTER NEVER TRUSTED ME! ARE YOU SAYING THAT OUR FRIENDSHIP IS BASED ON A SHIT LIE! FROM YOU NO LESS THE PERFECTION THAT EVERYONE LIKES!"
"No! That's not true at all! Your sister isn't that type of person. I stayed with you because I wanted to, not because she told me to!"
"GO FUCK YOURSELF, YOU LYING ASSHOLE! BOTH YOU AND RIN CAN GO ROT IN HELL! I'M NOT SOME CHILD THAT NEEDS A BABYSITTER TO TAKE CARE OF ME! I DON'T NEED YOU TO FEED ME WITH A BOTTLE AND I DON'T NEED MY SISTER TO GIVE ME HER BLOOD! YOU TWO SHOULD HAVE JUST LEFT ME TO DEAL WITH MY FEVERS BY MYSELF!"
"That's…Rei, I don't… you're not...Um, I-I was…I was the one that gave my blood to you. Didn't Rin tell you? I-I thought that she already told you everything."
"Wha… no… NO STOP LYING TO ME! IF YOU WERE THE ONE THAT GAVE ME BLOOD THAN THAT MEANS... we're related… WE'RE RELATED AND NEITHER YOU OR RIN TOLD ME!...that means...I've been looking in the wrong direction." Rei's breathing starts to get more panicky before screaming with anger, "I'VE BEEN WASTING MY TIME LOOKING IN THE WRONG DIRECTION YOU JACKASS! WHAT ELSE DON'T I KNOW ABOUT MYSELF?! YOU KNOW HOW MUCH I WANT TO FIND MY FAMILY AND YOU'VE BEEN HIDING A FUCKING LEAD THIS ENTIRE TIME! I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU'VE LEFT MY DREAMS AND MY REGRETS TO THE SHITHOLE! YOU KNOW WHAT!? GO FUCK YOURSELF AND DO ME A FAVOUR AND DIE LIKE MY STUPID SISTER!" He finally explodes as he bursts away from me with an insane ferocity.
"REI, WAIT!" I desperately scream but he's already gone.
He's gone… What do I do? We've never had such a big fight before. I don't…Ugh, I flinch a bit as blood starts to drip where my nails dug into my flesh. My breathing gets heavy as tears start dripping down my cheeks and freezing water lines onto my face. A few tears drop off my face and freeze solid before breaking after hitting the ground.
I can't think of anything to fix this. I'll just have to figure something out after I get back from Cristallo. Yes… That's what I will do. If I give myself some time to think then… I will fix it just like always. We can hug it out after he's cooled down and after I explain myself better. Then we will go back to being a happy family like what everyone wants… like what Rin wants and what I want. F-for now, I need to pack… I need to get home and ready for my trip.
Rei's P.O.V
Yuki...you've...I always knew that you were self-centered. I can't believe that you kept something my sister told you from me...I... don't even know what to feel! I stop running once I'm in town and slowly walk. I...Rin no...big sister why didn't you tell me that we were related to the Kojins. Sis never talked about dad so I'm guessing mom is the reason that I have Kojin blood.
Sis told me that mom was the reason that my friends know how to fight my fevers. Why the hell was I kept out of the loop...Yuki wouldn't like it if I attacked her family. Then...why did she make up lies about Rin. Why did she do that to me?... big sister never lies to me. Why?
I slowly wander the streets as millions of thoughts fill my mind. Why did my own sister keep my identity away from me...why? The only reason I can think of is that she wanted to protect me. I can't...ahh! WHY IS MY FREAKING HEAD CLOGGED WITH SO MANY EMOTIONS! I should feel angry but I also feel...why can't I tell what I'm feeling!
I fall down onto my knees in a dark alley and start to cry as I whimper, "Why the hell can't I-"
A dark voice echoes in my head, "Because trash like you care for me."
No...how is it...I look up and see … Yuki! Huh? No...it's not her...instead of pure white hair...it's pitch black and her clothes are stained with red blood. Her eyes are full of rage as she says, "We never would let a weak little thing know. Why? Cause a little baby bitch like you is too disabled to face the world! Hehehe, it's not only me that's lying to you. Rin is in on it too. I guess you never had time to notice but we would tell everything to each other. Hehe, in fact, she was the one that told me to lie to you just so you could suffer like she always wanted."
Wait..nono. I clutch my head in pain before mumbling, "Shut up...shut up please."
A high pitch ringing drowns out before coldness sweeps my body. I fumble to get up and look at my hands. Blood...I'm...just...like..her.
I slowly start to walk while mumbling, "Someone...help...I-"
I drop down onto my knees before throwing up some blood. BLUGH! Ahh haha...I wipe the blood from my mouth and slowly get back up. I...gotta...find mom...now that I know where to look.
Mom...I hope you can help...me...please. Either you or someone...like a half cousin...please?
Haru's P.O.V
Something feels off...like something exploded. I...ah! I hate getting drunk...why didn't big brother stop me? At least I got to wake up to Liddian taking care of me but it doesn't make it too much better. I look over towards the exit to see...I mumble, "Huh?"
Suddenly, I can feel something coming from an empty corridor to my left. It looks normal...but why does it feel like something went down? There's a faint feeling of magic wafting down from there. I whisper, "Big Bro…?" Rei should be taking his medicine...so then why? Why is he like this again!?
Wendy screams out, "Rei!" I look behind me to see that Wendy's staring at me. I can tell...her eyes are filled with fear and worry. Wendy shouts, "WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!?"
The guild goes quiet as everyone looks over to me. Um...do they think I did it? I would never break apart the people who raised me! Wendy and Rose run over to where I am, ignoring me. Rose looks over to Wendy with concern before saying, "I don't know..I've never seen him like that. Years ago...he wasn't that bad...can you-"
Wendy rubs her neck and for the first time, I've seen. Big brother's mark...it's shaped like a phoenix coming out of a star. Wendy closes her eyes for a second before going pale. Rose puts her hand on top of Wendy's shoulder as Wendy mutters, "He's...shutting out my mate mark. All I feel is coldness."
A brief moment of silence passes before Wendy clutches her fist in anger. I hear her mumble some very mean words but I could pick one out. Does she really think Yuki would hurt Rei! Never! Rei and Yuki are like peanut butter and jelly! Yuki would never-
Rose and Wendy run over towards the balcony edge. They aren't even considering to ask me!? I know Yuki and Rei better so then why am I out of this? I walk over before Rose screams out, "DID ANYONE SEE WHO WAS WITH REI!? WE NEED TO KNOW, HURRY!"
Nashi walks over to us looking even more confused than me. Finally! Someone who will point out the most obvious person to ask! Huh?
Nashi walks right past me not even batting an eye while asking, "What? Why? I mean I saw Yuki go with him to the back but that's about it."
I mumble, "Big brother…?" Is he acting up again...it was so scary last time. He was...he was so spaced out. Yuki had to teach me to talk to him and I was scared. I don't want to lose the one who basically raised me...but Yuki's my closest friend.
Rose hits the wood bar before shouting, "Dammit what did Yuki screw up!? He shouldn't be this bad!" Rose takes a big breath in before asking, "Where's Yuki!?"
The pink haired girl's eyebrows furrow with anger as she yells, "Why the hell are you assuming that?! You weren't there! No one was! We have no idea what happened at all!"
Wendy looks like she's about to explode with anger. She furiously replies, "BECAUSE I CAN FEEL HIS PAIN AND HATRED TO YUKI! WHERE IS SHE!?"
"You literally just said that he's shutting you out! How are you feeling anything if you guys aren't even connected?!" Nashi points out while she carefully keeps her clenched fists at her side.
Wendy stares at Nashi with fury. Why are they fighting!? This isn't right, Rei should be okay and talking happily with Wendy. Yuki should be socializing and making connections with new people! Wendy asks with hatred in her tone, "Why are you protecting her! Rei considers Yuki to be his closest friend! The only one Rei would talk to is Yuki you asshole!"
"That doesn't mean anything! What about you? Doesn't he trust you or are you saying you guys aren't close enough for that?!"
Wendy's cheeks turn pink before she fumbles out, "W-what...are you implying?"
Nashi sighs before pointing out with the same angry face, "What I'm saying is maybe you shouldn't be a dick and start saying people are in the wrong just because they're close friends with someone!"
Rose stares with hatred in her eyes. She shakes her head in disappointment before asking furiously, "You wanna explain why Yuki isn't back? If she really didn't screw up with her chat with Rei then she should be back by now."
"That doesn't have anything to do with each other!"
Rose mimics her head being blown before mocking, "REALLY! If Yuki was happy or anything she would want to keep partying. After all, what's one friend when you have many friends?"
"How would you know?! You literally only met her a week ago!"
Wendy clutches her fists before cursing under her breath, "Why do you keep protecting her? WHY!?"
"WHY WOULDN'T I?! You two are being complete dicks right now! Are you even listening to yourself?! What proof do you even have besides that Yuki was with Rei last and Wendy can somehow tell he's in pain?!" Nashi snaps back as her eyes twitch with annoyance.
Rose stares back with the same expression. This...I wanna speak up but what do I even say? Ayame's voice whispers in my head, "If you try to protect Yuki, then you would be ignoring what happened with Kiyoshi. If you side with Rei then you're saying dreams don't matter."
My vision turns black with blue water beneath me. I reply, "I know but…"
Ayame interrupts, "Those two will always care for you and you know this. You can relate to both of them more than anyone else. I think the smartest thing to do is to find your path. They're looking and searching so why can't you." Mom...that doesn't stop or help my pain.
Huh!? My vision bounces from black to the guild to hear Rose yell, "Neither have come back. I know how Rei thinks because I was once in his shoes! If the only good friend you have disappears then why wouldn't you be hurt!"
"Why are you even assuming that?! What makes you think anyone is disappearing?!" Nashi yells with anger before a red light shines across the room. Huh? I look over at Wendy's paling face. Is she feeling what my big brother is feeling? Eh!?
She drops down to her knees while hiding her eyes. Her body is trembling while it tries to process everything. I'm almost certain that was triggered by something...big sister… Rose asks with concern, "WENDY!? You okay?"
Wendy fumbles to get up while staring at the ground. A few moments go by while Wendy's shaking hands steady themselves into stillness. Is she...Wendy roars out, "YOU LYING ASSHOLE! YOU COMPLETELY MAKE ME SICK! BOTH YOU AND YUKI!"
Rose asks with concern and anger, "What did you feel? What the hell did Yuki do to Rei?"
Wendy raises her head up to meet Nashi's eyes. I flinch as tears start falling from her eyes... Wendy yells out, "How about completely destroy his understanding? Huh...doesn't it feel good to destroy someone's life!?"
"What are you talking about?!" Nashi asks with confusion laced in her angry tone.
Wendy starts smiling in pain before replying, "Why do you keep lying! I bet you're going with Yuki on whatever shit she plans to do with heading off to another fucking country!"
"What?!" All at once, Nashi's face turns to pure shock and surprise as she stares at the furious wind dragonslayer. Her eyes are wide and her hands are opened in front of her as if she was trying to grab for something. However, this quickly changes but not by much. She puts her arms down before ending with staring indiscreetly at the ground.
"Why are you three having a screaming match?" Mirajane asks with worry as she walks over to us from the crowd.
Rose looks towards Mirajane coldly before asking, "This matter is between Nashi and us. Leave."
"No. I heard you three screaming about something involving Yuki-chan and Rei. We can't have members fighting each other about something serious. This involves everyone, not just you three," Mirajane's face is suddenly serious as she stares at Rose.
I wish I can say it's been a while since I saw her like this but she has always become like this when her family is threatened. Actually, I think everyone in the guild is watching now. Especially after that show.
Rose facepalms before pointing to Mirajane with a smile before yelling, "Really? Do you want to bring this out into the open? Fine that way everyone can see the complete lie that Yuki allowed Rei to live in! How would you like to take a chance to destroy Yuki's image!?"
"What are you even talking about?! Yuki-chan isn't the type of person!" She strongly denies as she glares at Rose for even suggesting such a thing.
Wendy looks towards Mirajane before barking, "Don't act like you are innocent Mirajane! You're Yuki's number one friend. She must have told you everything about what destroyed my boyfriend's heart and mind! That's she plans to leave the guild and was just babysitting Rei for his whole time here!"
"Leaving the guild? Do you mean her trip to Cristallo?" The model asks.
Wait… what? S-so Wendy isn't lying about the whole thing. Then what… I quickly look at Nashi for support or anything at all to find comfort in. There's no way I'm the only one this out of the loop right?! However, Nashi is almost already gone. She bolted for the door as soon as Mirajane stopped talking. Still, it's not hard to guess where she's going.
Wendy starts laughing like a manic before yelling, "You're joking...she can't even stay a moment to hear what I have to say. Ahaha hahaha! Finally, that is what I wanted to see. I guess if she finally is going to break it's about time."
I yell out in disbelief, "WHAT?! YUKI'S LEAVING US! … NO! STOP LYING TO US!"
"She's not lying Haru. Yuki is going to leave," Mirajane confirms with a blank face.
I scream out, "SHE'S REALLY GOING TO-"
"For a month. She's going to Cristallo to handle her family business and then she's coming back," Mirajane suddenly interrupts me as her brows furrow.
Wendy barks with anger that I've never seen her go to. She's even angrier than big brother ...when I was kidnapped. Wendy roars, "YEAH SURE ASS! Knowing Yuki she's going to stick in Cristallo. Just as Rei's probably never coming back! ALL BECAUSE OF STUPID YUKI!"
"How dare you say that?! You don't know Yuki like I do! If she says she's coming back then she will and how could you say that about Rei?! Don't you trust him to come back to you?!"
Rose blankly stares before saying, "Oh please. It's obvious the models stay together because they need to look pretty." Rose's fists clutch before her expression turns into anger again. She yells out, "Guess what...Rei if Yuki doesn't admit what she did then REI'S NEVER COMING BACK ASSHOLE!"
A dark aura suddenly appears around Mirajane as she glares at Rose. Her posture is stiff, defensive and nothing like her normal friendly self before she barks, "You… YOU JERK! HOW DARE YOU SAY THAT TYPE OF STUFF ABOUT YUKI?! YOU THINK YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO CRITICIZE HER WHEN YOU DON'T EVEN KNOW HER!"
Rose barks back saying, "THEN WHAT MAKES YOU THINK YOU KNOW REI BETTER THAN US! WHAT ABOUT YOU MAKES YOURSELF SO SPECIAL!"
"BECAUSE I WAS THERE WHEN RIN WAS ALIVE! BECAUSE I WAS THERE WHEN HE ALMOST KILLED YUKI WHEN SHE TRIED TO COMFORT HIM! BECAUSE I WAS THERE WHEN REI FOUND HARU AND WHEN HE STARTED TO HEAL!" The model finally explodes and suddenly everything seems to become a lot worse.
Why isn't anyone trying to stop them?! This is going way beyond just a verbal fight! I look around the guild but no one is doing anything but watching! Natsu's asleep so he has an excuse along with Erza and a few other people but what about everyone else?! We have to stop them! I would do it too but… I-I can't feel my legs or voice… but that's fine! What's more important is getting someone to stop them.
I quietly scootch over to Max before lightly nudging his shoulder. With a hushed voice, I ask, "Why aren't you guys doing anything?!"
He looks at me with a wary glance before checking to make sure the three fighting isn't looking over. His voice is quiet when he answers, "I-It's complicated, alright. You can't exactly just pick a side so easily here. If I try to support Yuki then those two will just blast me."
"Then what about Rei? Why don't you try supporting him?" I solemnly ask.
Max pauses for a second before sighing and saying, "I really can't bring myself to do that. It's been… hard seeing everything he's done and not be … intimidated."
"What?... you're… scared of my big brother?" I whisper in shock.
"Don't say it out loud!" He scolds but that only makes me want to drop kick him more. Max does this combination of a sigh and a groan before trying to explain, "it's not just that. If it was then the Ice Queen would be as hard to support as him but… there's just a clear difference. One actually tries to live as a normal human and the other… doesn't."
How dare he?! First, he insults my big brother and now he insults my big sister too! Neither of them are monsters and Rei does try! I move to punch him when my attention is brought back to the fight. A black sphere nearly misses Mirajane's head before slamming into the wall behind her, reducing it to ash.
I see Rose has her hands out before saying calmly, "One more time and it will be your head. You know nothing of how important Rin was to Rei or how Rei values his family. He never once healed from this because he was at the top and how could he? Everyone seems to be forgetting something recent and Like hell, I'm going to say it out loud. Though it's not that surprising. It's the burden of being the best of the best. You always have to be one hundred percent there or not."
What does she mean by that?... Has big brother been hiding things from me?
"Both Rei and I know what it is like to see others with family. Both of us value our friends and family more than anything. If Yuki even...no that's wrong. If Yuki's selfishness wasn't blinding her, or if she would ask how Rei's progress going." Rose pauses for a breath before shouting, "She would know Rei gave up hope and beats himself up for not being able to find Haru and his' family. Rei's major regret is not being able to let his sister know their own mother or father!"
Rei was trying to find mommy and daddy? He...surprise? I...always wanted to meet my mommy and daddy...bro. I mumble softly, "Big brother's...was going to do that?"
Strangely, Mirajane didn't seem phased at all next to the hole that would have been her head. She's oddly calm as she agrees, "If what you're saying is true and I really don't know anything about Rei then alright. I admit that but here's one thing. You don't know Yuki's side of the story." All at once, the guild is covered in a heavy pressure that has nothing to do with magic as Mirajane enters her Alegria demon soul.
I mumble, "Yuki's side of the story?"
Mirajane's voice seems to go soft as she begins, "You weren't there the first time she came to the guild. You weren't there when she showed up homeless and with nothing but the clothes on her back, Aster and a deadly parasite! Rose, you go on about how Rei regrets not finding his family and I understand. I would have killed myself when Lisanna died if Yuki-chan and Elfman weren't there but he isn't the only one with that problem," Her eyes harden as tough as diamonds before continuing, "If you think Rei deserves to find his family then why doesn't Yuki-Hime! She deserves to find out why the bags of dung called her parents left her to die in Iceberg! Yuki-Hime deserves to know why she had to endure years of isolation! She has spent years finding them with nothing but her eyes as her only hint and she did … Quite frankly it surprises me that you can sympathize with Rei and not Yuki."
I look over to see Wendy's faint shadow leaving the guild. She too huh...why..why am I the only one out of the loop?
"ENOUGH!" A booming voice silences the room as Makarov drops from above and in between the two. His face is black with anger and his veins were popping out of his forehead as he shouts, "I HAVE HEARD EVERYTHING AND YOU TWO SHOULD BE ASHAMED FOR THIS FIGHT! YOU TWO HAVE NO RIGHT TO FIGHT ON BEHALF OF YUKI-HIME AND REI EVEN IF YOU ARE THEIR CLOSEST FRIEND!"
Rose chuckles before saying, "I have no regrets. I've walked down his path and if Wendy cannot soothe him. I will not be surprised when he leaves. Yuki acting like this suites her name well."
Mirajane snidely agrees, "I don't have any regrets either. That outsider has no right trying to invade this fight. Especially when she refuses to see the other side. Then again I suppose that does match her magic quite well."
"STOP! YOU TWO ARE ACTING LIKE CHILDREN!" The guild master screams before letting out a quiet sigh. "There's no point in continuing this party anymore and I don't expect either of you to get over this anytime soon. EVERYONE IS DISMISSED AND I DON'T WANT YOU TWO TO SEE EACH OTHER UNTIL THE BOTH OF YOU ARE WILLING TO TALK!"
Everyone goes quiet and stare at the small elder with surprise. However, the silence was instantly destroyed as Makarov demands, "AM I UNDERSTOOD?!"
"Yes, sir," the white-haired women unhappily agrees before she exits her strongest form.
Rose impatiently walks away while saying, " Like I need to come back. My friend is who knows where. The only way I'll ever come back is when Rei is apologized to." With that, she's gone from the guild.
"Why… why did this all happen?" I whimper out as I try to hold my tears in.
Something lands softly on my shoulders. I turn to see Liddian with a small sad smile on his lips but seeing his handsome face doesn't help me at all. He gently whispers, "It'll be ok, Haru. Yuki will probably apologize and then every-"
"Don't. Just stop talking. I don't want to hear you talk badly about my big sister and before you try, that goes for my big brother too." I desperately command before walking towards the exit.
I… I need to find somewhere quiet.