49. Lost and found.

Encouragement

Natsu and Lisanna had never needed each other. Natsu had been raised by a dragon to fend for himself. Lisanna had a brother and sister who still made lunches for her.

Natsu depended on himself and Happy. There wasn't a job they couldn't do alone. Lisanna was teamed up with the Demon Mirajane and Beast-arm Elfman. There was no job they were afraid to take.

But when Lisanna didn't come back Natsu hit a wall and advanced no further. The term "s-class mission" hung over him like a spectre. It took three years, the support of a new friend and the taunts of an old rival before he finally broke through the wall and reached the second floor.

In Gray's determination, Erza's proud gaze and Lucy's beautiful smile he found something he hadn't known he'd lost.


Trust

Elfman and Lisanna had never been at odds. Lisanna had better control of her magic but Elfman was the man in the family. He doted on his sisters and they adored him.

Once, perhaps twice, in his usual blundering way, he had made her cry in earnest. A hug was all it ever took to earn her forgiveness. She would smile up at him and the world would be right again.

But when Lisanna wouldn't wake up, no amount of hugs would stop either his own or Mira's tears. He had betrayed her expectations, failed to be the elder brother she loved when she needed him most. His magic, as slow to develop as it was, ceased advancing entirely. Until faced with the prospect of losing another most important person.

Then he found the faith in himself that he'd lost and turned to face his failures and his future.


Purpose

Mirajane and Lisanna had never argued. Lisanna had enough courage in her to stand up to the Demon when she was being unreasonable. Mira respected that too much to ever hold a grudge.

Mira presided over her family. She made sure they had jobs enough between them, that her younger siblings continued to train and they maintained that closeness of family even within the greater family of Fairy Tail.

But when Lisanna died, Mira's brash confidence that allowed her to handle the Satan Soul sealed itself along with her magic. It wasn't until she found herself in the unforgivable turmoil that pitted family against each other, faced with the prospect of watching a good man -a comrade- destroy her beloved brother that she discovered she yet had courage to stand in front of demons.

She found she had the courage to live life as she should always have done.


They found Lisanna had never been lost. Not from their hearts.