Nashi's P.O.V
What's happening?! Why is this happening?! Rei just stormed off without telling anyone! Then Yuki… she's not really leaving, right? This is all one big joke, right? I mean we literally just met and she promised that we would spend more time together! If she leaves, how are we going to do any of that?!
"YUKI! YUKI, WAIT UP!" I scream as I chase after Yuki's walking figure.
We were closing in on Fairy Hill but I can't let her get away now! I was completely frozen when she first announced her leaving. I couldn't even move as I watched her leave Fairy Tail after Rei stormed out in a fury. She stops walking but doesn't turn around, not until I grabbed her shoulder. I stare at her as I wait for her to speak but nothing comes out of her mouth. Come on, Yuki! Give me anything to work with! Tell me that you're going to stay!
"Hello, Nashi… The guild hall should still have some food left. You should have your full before you turn in for the night." She finally says but refuses to look into my eyes.
"Why… why are you telling me to leave? Is it so you can run off like Rei once you're alone?"
"No, I still have something to collect before I go… Nashi, your hand. Please let go… you are squeezing too hard." Her eyes screamed how tired she was yet I couldn't. Not yet.
Instead, I squeeze her shoulder even harder and I can feel her tense up. "If I let you go then you'll just run from me. I can't let you do that yet! There's so much I need to know!... Are you really leaving us, Yuki?"
"I… Well, I-"
"Let her go, Nashi." A man's voice says behind me before grabbing my wrist and forcing me off Yuki.
I turn around to face the blonde exceed's human form. He looked plenty tired himself and his normally slicked back hair was completely loose. His red eyes had dark bags under them and his normally handsome face had a few crinkles. "What do you want, Aster?! This is between Yuki and me!" I growl at him as his eyes narrow at me.
"What I want is for you to stop harassing my partner, you little brat."
"I'm not harassing her, you stupid cat!" His hands clench my wrist in a death grip as I glare harder at him.
"Stop you two!" Yuki commands as she separates us with careful hands and a tired sigh.
Aster does as she says and slowly backs away but that certainly doesn't stop his mouth, "Just back off Fire Breath Jr. I know what you're trying to do. You're planning on begging her to stay, aren't you? Maybe cry a little to make it more convincing. Well, tough luck little lady but you don't get to ask for something like that."
THIS BASTARD! Who does he think he is?! What makes HIM think he can order me around like this?! I scream back at him, "WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?! I don't plan on begging for anything! It's just I should at least know about why she's going! I AM YUKI'S DRAGON MATE!"
"Scream that all you want but that doesn't change the hard fact that you've only known her for a few weeks. What makes you think that is enough for her to tell you everything."
"Aster," Yuki sternly orders as she takes a step forward.
"Wha-" I try to talk back but I freeze as the Exceed squarely faces me.
"Can you honestly say, you would trust your entire being to a complete stranger? Come, on. You have to admit only idiots would do something that stupid and my partner is nowhere near stupid," He sneers at me.
Tch, I get what he means but it's not reasonable to not trust new people entirely! No one should live not trusting any at all. Why is he even telling me this?! Yuki… Yuki is… she's like that, isn't she? Not knowing who to trust and who can't bring herself to believe in anyone that she doesn't know. Wait, is that why she...
"I-Is that why you don't want us to mark each other?... Even though we're mates," I ask in disbelief.
"... I am sorry, Nashi," she apologizes as she looks away from me and continues, "I can't bring myself to do something so… risky."
"That's… y-yeah I can kinda get what you mean but don't you think that means it'll be more important for us to keep that promise?"
Please! Please! Please, say yes! It's not like I want to convince her to stay but we have nothing connecting us besides an unofficial mate bond! What if she goes over to a new country and finds someone she thinks is better than me! At least, if we learn more about each other then I can put even a small part of myself in her heart.
Aster sighs and my attention turns towards him, "I knew this would happen. I don't actually know what that promise is but I can guess. You two promised to get to know each other better right? Probably did it after your bath together too," he sighs again before sending me a tired look, "just because you guys made that promise, doesn't mean she has to stay for that."
"NO! I keep telling you that I'm not trying to stop Yuki from going to another country! UGH! Look I just got out of a really stupid argument and I don't want to start another one. You just have to trust me!"
"Did you not lis-"
"What do you mean by that?" Yuki suddenly interrupts and finally, she shows me some emotion other than neutral. Her face is full of conflict and worry as she continues to ask, "Did something happen?"
"Ugh, well the guild knows about you and Rei getting into a fight. Just you should avoid Wendy and Rose for a while."
"... I see," she quietly responds.
What in the world happened between the two of them? Yuki's never been so … quiet before. I knew it wasn't as straightforward as Wendy said! She's so full of hot air! My eyes watch Yuki and she's incredibly stiff. I don't think I have ever seen her so … uncomfortable before and it hurts. She shouldn't feel like that around me!
"It's fine Yuki! They just got heated during the fight but they'll be fine once they cool down," I reassure.
"No, that's alright. Things will be easier if they are upset at me and I don't blame them. It's understandable why they would despise me," her eyes go cold as she pushes back a strand of her hair.
"Um, what? Excuse, me! Why would you say that?! They looked ready to kill you! Wha-Why would you want them to be angry at you when you did nothing wrong!"
"...Nashi, this will be the first thing you need to know about me. The only way I know to fix these problems is to take the fall."
"W-what does that mean?"
She smiles at me. That beautiful bright smile that I've seen her flash before but … this one feels painful. The smile is so perfect that there's no way it's real. This is practised and rehearsed as if she only reserves it for performances. Ugh, I hate this smile! It doesn't suit her at all and I don't need a damn bite mark to tell my mate is in pain! I can't do anything... My mate won't let me help her!
"Aster, let's go. We need to speed our plans along." With that, Yuki turns around and continues her walk to Fairy Hill.
"Understood," her Exceed obediently replies and quickly follows.
"Wait!" I scream and quickly follow her, "Where are you going?!"
"Please don't follow me, Nashi." She replies instead before a white light enveloped her body.
I squint my eyes at her but almost immediately it went away to reveal a new outfit. The cocktail dress was gone but in its place is a leather jumpsuit with a fur leather jacket on top. Woah, why did she change?! Her heels are a lot thicker now so is she planning on running soon?!
"No! At least tell me where you're going first!"
"I can't do that because you will try and follow if I do."
"Well why can't I?! You can't just up and disappear so suddenly! This type of thing takes at least a week of notice!"
"Nashi," Yuki suddenly stops moving and I struggle to pause as elegantly as she did, "please just listen to me. The place I am going isn't safe so please don't follow me… If… If you truly want us to bond then please wait until I come back. It can wait a month… I will see you later."
"Yuki," I whisper as I stare at her retreating figure.
… I clench my fist as I watch her walk into Fairy Hill before I start walking back to Fairy Tail. After all, I need to start packing too.
Wendy's P.O.V.
I run through the streets of Magnolia only thinking one thing. I can't let it be over yet! Not when I promised Kiyoshi to protect him! I can't believe that this happened within the moments Rose yanked me away.
My heart sinks lower and lower as the feeling of dread spreads across my body. I can't believe our friends...our family aren't siding with Rei. I keep running and turn the corner before seeing a black trench jacket slowly walking.
I shout, "Rei-Kya!" I stumble and fall flat onto the ground. Gah! I look down and see a bit of red on the street...am I bleeding? I fumble to get up before seeing that Rei hasn't moved an inch.
Thank Mavis he didn't keep walking. I slowly start to walk over before saying, "Rei...I-"
A chill goes down my spine before coldness continues to take my body. No...Rei isn't even looking at me. Why isn't he looking at me...does he think I side with those idiots!?
I try to speak again only to mumble words that don't make Rei turn. Why am I so scared...I'm right in front of Rei and yet… how does it feel like I'm so far from him? I try taking a step forward only to take a step back.
Huh...what the...why am I hesitating now? Who cares if he looks unapproachable? He's my mate… I shouldn't be... My hands start to tremble as I try hard to hold back my tears. I mumble, "Rei...please don't leave me. I'll do anything...I just want to be with you."
Teardrops fall down my cheeks as I slowly approach Rei. I still can't feel his heart...Rei...why are you doing this!? Huh? Rei slowly turns around before revealing something that starts to break my heart even more. Rei's expression...his cheeks are bright pink and he's been holding back his tears.
Rei...huh? A flow of disappointment, fear, anger, sadness and every emotion likes that enters my mind. He's conflicted to the point he doesn't even know what to feel. I slowly walk over while saying in a very hushed tone, "Rei...please let's talk it out."
A strong grip grabs ahold of my right wrist before a paladin in silver armour appears. This armor...it has constellations and looks like what a celestial spirit would wear. The paladin says, "Unhand my master. Now!"
Who does he think he is! He doesn't know Rei's pain as well as I do! The paladin stands in front of me blocking my view before saying, "You will stop right here. You don't know anything about my master or what he truly feels. No one accepts him because of his tremendous strength and thus he never once gave you a proper explanation. He's never once offered an honest piece of his history. As he is frightened of you leaving him."
What in the world is he going on about? I say, "You're wrong! He's-"
The paladin interrupts me, "Even if both of you are in a relationship for a little over a year now. Do you expect Rei to immediately trust you!? My master has suffered vast pain in only fifteen short years." Rei doesn't even bother to pay attention to what we are saying.
I roar out, "SHUT YOUR TRAP! I KNOW HIM! DON'T SPREAD LIES!"
I clutch my left fist before I'm against a wall with Rei grab onto my hands. Rei...my eyes start to get teary before I calmly ask, "Please come back. I'll do whatever okay...I'll talk to Yuki...I will even come with you. Don't leave me...Rei-"
Rei hides his eyes with his hair before mumbling, "Shut up."
Huh? Why does it feel like more pain is entering my body? Ah...my wrists! I squeal out in pain, "Rei my wrists!"
Rei let's go of my wrists before mumbling in a louder voice, "SHUT UP."
My heart continues to feel like it's splitting into a million pieces. I...can't hold it back anymore...tears start to fall before I yell, "I'm not leaving you alone Rei! NEVER IN A MILLION YEARS!"
Rei says, "The guild should be fine...just...try and be peaceful. I…"
I grab ahold of Rei by his neck before pushing him onto a nearby wall. I yell out, "NO! Kiyoshi told me to stick by you Rei. I know that you have the hardest time showing your emotions, but that's why I'm not leaving you!"
Rei grabs ahold of my hand before pulling me off him. Rei says, "Wendy…"
I cry out, "Please listen to me! I can help! I'll talk to the guild and whatever you need! R-"
Rei shouts, "You can't help me because I don't know who I am!"
I wave my hand in anger before shouting, "You're Rei Shad-"
Rei yells back with tears falling down, "NO I'M NOT! I'VE BEEN LIVING A LIE ALL BECAUSE YUKI NEVER HAD THE GUTS TO TELL ME ABOUT MY PAST!"
Yuki...that's why I felt that way earlier at the guild. How...the loving person who guided me into Cait Shelter...the one who was my friend from little. Someone who everyone looks up to because of her social skills...she told me she would never hurt her friends.
How...I look at Rei who seems like he wants to do horrible stuff to himself. I say, "Yuki did this...I...HATE HER FOR THIS! SHE HAD NO RIGHT TO MAKE YOU FEEL LIKE THIS!"
Rei looks at me with surprise before mumbling, "She's you-"
I reply quickly, "I don't care! She hurt the person I love! I'm going to tell her the truth!"
Rei pulls me in before his lips meet mine. Mmph!? He pulls out after a quick kiss before saying, "You shouldn't hate your friends for me...I..just need to do some life searching okay. Alone...otherwise my journey will be pointless."
No...I...I fall down onto my knees before crying. Rei asks, "Why are you crying? Please...t-"
I whimper out before grabbing Rei's leg, "I don't want you to leave my life! I don't want you to cry! Pleas-"
Rei kneels down before giving me a hug. Huh? Rei says in a very hushed tone, "I'm never going to leave you, Wendy. That I am certain but...I need time to improve myself."
Rei stops hugging me before looking me in the eyes. Wait, that's!? Rei says, "Your fire has been passed onto me...my angel."
What...why does Rei think... or what does he think he needs to prove to himself? Rei says, "While I'm gone can you do one thing for me?"
Rei...why does he need to run? I...huh? A feeling of confidence, wonder and hope fill my head. Is this what he's feeling...I ask, "Why are you-"
Rei says, "At the same time that Yuki hurt me...she gave me the most solid lead I've had in years. I can finally find at least one family member. So...I want you to stay in the guild for now. I'll come back for you...I promise you."
This resolve...I mumble, "I'm not going to change your mind am I?"
Rei nods no before I hug him while silently sobbing. He hugs me but I don't want him to go...why did Yuki do this? Why does he not show this side to everyone else? I quietly say, "Promise me you'll come back?"
Rei lays his head gently on top of my head before saying soothingly, "I will come back for you always. I'll never leave you permanently alone because I love you, Wendy, with all my heart."
I gasp before looking up. I mumble, "Rei…?"
Rei smiles before kissing my forehead. That feeling...I don't...it's replaced by a funny feeling. I feel warm and trust in him...I ask, "You-"
Rei says, "When I come back...I want to be well... not your boyfriend. I want to be the person who you'll spend the rest of your life with. I guess I want to assume the role of husband soon haha."
Rei...you want that? I ask Rei without realizing my cheeks are pink, "You want to already...be that?"
Rei smiles before saying, "Yeah...that means I can openly express my love for my future wife."
Rei...I think I understand why you want to travel. I say, "Alright... I'll let you go if you text me every night or as much as possible."
Rei replies, "Sure...anything for you, my future wife." Rei leans down before giving me a smooch on the cheek. Yuki...somehow you turned this into something good for me.
I say, "Do you hate Yuki?"
Rei goes silent for a moment before responding, "She didn't tell me facts about myself. Like something, my sister left her...a lead for my family. Yes...I hate her."
Yuki did all that...Rei. I won't stop your trip for now...I trust that you'll find the answers that were hidden from you. I know you will because it's your job to come back to me! I pull out of my reequip space a purple box before saying, "I planned this to be your birthday present but I want you to have it. Think of me while you wear it."
Rei smiles before grabbing the box saying, "Sure. I will… I gotta go now. I'll be in touch, Wendy."
Rei starts walking before I even notice that the paladin left. Huh...I look over towards Rei before holding up my hand and pointing my index finger to the sky. I yell out, "Your friends will always be with you Rei! No matter what Fairy Tail will always be your home!"
Tears fall down my cheeks as I see Rei hold his hand up while he walks away. I trust you Rei...I know you'll find what you were denied to for so long. I know you'll come back Rei because...I love you too. Come back soon, my Phoenix husband. For a few more minutes I stare off in the distance seeing Rei walk out of town and into the sunset. Good luck! You'll always have Fairy Tail on your side!