Kyandi: Greetings, Kyandiacs!
Rette: We're back.
Kyandi: Alright, so I'm closing in on the final arc of Fairy Tail, which is sad.
Rette: At the same time, she's looking forward to the next arc.
Kyandi: Yep. I have two more chapters before I start the next arc; this one and the next.
Rette: The next one is just kind of set up for the next arc, isn't it.
Kyandi: Somewhat. But let's get this on the road.
Rette: Sounds good to me.
Kyandi: Everyone, enjoy and review.
Rette: Kyandi-sama does not own Fairy Tail.
Chapter 55 Going Separate Ways
The next morning Rette awoke snuggled protectively in Sting's arms. He held her so tight, she had no real wiggle room left to her. Raising her head, she peered up at his face. He was still sound asleep, a grin on his face. She really didn't want to wake him up, so she tried to slip out of his grip, without any success. Sting instantly tightened his grip, pulling her flat against him as he buried his nose in her hair. He dragged in a sight breath and when he let it go, he muttered her name in his sleep, making Rette freeze.
"Don't...go..."
Rette's heart gave a painful flip in her chest when the words left the still asleep Sting. Several things had become clear to her in the last twenty-four hours. First and foremost was just how much she had scared Sting. If he had been this worried then she couldn't imagine how much pain and fear she had caused her guild mates. Just thinking about it had Rette wrapping her arms around Sting, hugging him tightly as she buried her face in his chest.
It was that tight hug that awoke Sting.
"Rette?" he called, thinking she might be asleep.
"...I'm sorry..." came Rette's muttered voice.
"For what?"
He was confused. What was she apologizing for so early in the morning?
"For making all of you sad."
Oh.
Rette truly felt bad for how she had made her guild, her friends, feel. He would be the first one to admit that it had ripped at his heart so fiercely. It had hurt just as much as it had when he had thought he had lost Lector.
No.
It hurt worse.
For Sting, after all that had happened, after holding Rette's lifeless body in his arms, there was no denying that in the time he had known Rette...he had fallen completely in love with her. Maybe it was the fact that, despite all of pessimistic words, she had the most hope of them all. Maybe it had been the way she had instantly fallen in love with a child that had smiled at her with eyes just like hers. Maybe it had been the way she had comforted him even during a time when they had been enemies. Or maybe it had been the unwavering, true strength she had displayed while fighting for her friends, the unyielding loyalty and devotion she had for her friends that drove her to give all she had for them.
He wasn't sure what it was about Rette that had finally pushed him over the edge of that cliff, but fall he had. The relief at have her alive and well, in his arms...he couldn't even begin to put words to it. So, yes, he had been sad when she had gone for her absolute last resort, as all of her friends had been, but she was alive now. That was what really mattered and he was sure her guild mates would agree.
"Don't worry about it. You're here now." he told her.
"But, I...am I really? It would be awfully cruel it this is all just an afterlife illusion or something." Rette replied.
Sting couldn't help the chuckle that left him at that. She really had to room to say that after being the one to stab herself through the heart? Tightening his grip further, he squashed Rette into him, making her wiggle as it made it difficult for her to breath.
"Sting...can't breathe..." she managed.
"See? If you were really dead, you wouldn't need to breathe." he told her.
"I get it, I get it." Rette replied, tapping his back as if she was tapping out of a wrestling match.
Sting loosened his grip, though he wasn't quite ready to completely let go of her. He would have to head back to his guild soon, so he was going to take all the time he could to assure himself that she was alive. And while he wanted to tell Rette how he felt, now that he, himself, knew, he was sure that now might not be the best time. After all, she had just died and come back to life.
Still...
"Rette."
Rette raised her face, looking up into his. Barely a few inches separated their face. When their eyes met, Sting couldn't help but stare. So similar to her father's, yet so completely different. Reaching up, he laid a hand flat against her cheek, his thumb running along her cheek bone. Rette blinked in confusion, but didn't look away from him. Even when Sting started leaning his face towards hers, she couldn't look away from him. Just a breath shy of their lips meet, the flap to the tent was suddenly thrown open.
"Rette! Time to wake up!"
Sting and Rette instantly pulled away from each other, Sting sitting up in the bed. Both of them turned towards the flap, finding Natsu standing there with Happy, Thyme, Lucy, Wendy, Carla, Gray, and Erza behind him. There were blushes on the girls' faces while Gray had a hand pressed to his face. Natsu and Happy, though, had a grin on his face. Sting couldn't help thinking that Natsu seriously had some poor timing.
"Ooo! What are you two up to?" Natsu asked, his grin growing.
"Get the hell out of here, Natsu." Natsu ducked, avoiding one of Rette's boots as she threw it at him. Reaching down to the floor, Rette snatched up the other, getting ready to throw it at him. Grinning and laughing, Natsu turned and left the tent. "All of you."
The others turned and left, too, before Rette could get the chance to throw the boot at them. She didn't know when someone had slipped a pair of boots and a change of clothes in for her, but at least the boots had come in handy. Heaving a sigh because she felt tired all over again, Rette hung her head.
"He makes me feel so tired some times." she remarked.
"Yeah. He's got really bad timing." Sting said, heaving a sigh.
The moment was lost and just when he had been about to kiss her. He was going to have to get Natsu back for this. Rette shifting to climb off the bed, had Sting turning to look at her. She was now standing beside the bed, shifting through the clothes that had been left for her.
"Natsu's always busting in when he's least wanted. It's one of his foremost traits. After all this time, I've grown use to it. Though," Rette heaved a sigh. "this time, I don't think my bone tired state is purely because of him."
"After what happened yesterday...just don't push yourself." Sting told her.
Turning to look at him, Rette gave him a smile. It was sweet, how much he worried about her. But it was uncalled for. She was sure that her guild mates wouldn't let her over do anything any time soon.
"Don't worry. I'm pretty sure my guild mates are one step ahead of you. Now," Before Sting's eyes, Rette's cheeks started turning red as she pressed the stack of clothes to her chest. "Do you mind stepping out so I can change?"
Sting felt his own face begin to heat. Quickly, so quickly that he almost tripped over his feet, he left her portion of the tent, letting the flap close behind him. He waited there until she appeared. Turning to look at her, he was surprised. It wasn't the type of close he was sure to seeing her in. The boots were similar to those she always wore, but in place of the barely there shorts and tops, she was wearing keyhole, sleeveless, turtle neck dress that hit about mid thigh length.
When she stepped out, she was staring at her bare hands, turning them over to look at them. She even rubbed at the backs of her hands.
"It feels so strange to look at my hands and not see those brands, to look at my body in general and not find a single one of the scars that Lachlan left on me." she said idly.
"But it's a good strange, right?" Sting asked.
"I don't know. Ask me again after I've completely processed the fact that I died and came back to life."
"And we're glad you did."
Rette and Sting looked up as Mira pushed back the entry flap of the tent. She gave Rette a soft smile. One that Rette had to return.
"I really am sorry." Rette told her.
"Yes, well, no more apologies. Master wants to talk to you." Mira told her.
Rette had a feeling that she was about to get the scolding of her life. Makarov was bound to be extremely displeased with her and her actions. Turning to look up at Sting, she promised him that she would see him later before heading towards the tent flap. Mira directed her towards Makarov and Rette headed out, making her way over the rubble of those building destroyed when Tartaros attacked Magnolia. She found Makarov standing before what was left of the guild hall, which, admittedly, wasn't a lot.
"Master?"
Makarov turned when Rette called out to him. Already, she was bowing to him, her head hanging. She knew what she had done had worried them all and had been a wrong and hasty choice. She was sorry, as evident by her bowed posture.
"I'm so sorry, Master. I made all of you sad and made you cry, and for that I am so unbearably sorry." she told him. "I only...I only wanted to keep all of you from feeling the pain he made me feel."
She was braced, waiting for the verbal lashing she was sure was coming. Instead, she was surprised when she felt a hand land lightly on her head. Raising her head slightly, she found Makarov standing in front of her, a hand resting on her head.
"Master?"
"You're right. You worried us, made your comrades cry. Even when told to be careful, you rushed into a decision that could have been permanent. You're very luck it wasn't." Makarov told her sternly. "That being said...you were trying to protect your family. While I don't approve of the method, I am proud that you stood up to your fears for your friends."
Rette was so shocked that she didn't realize that her knees had buckled until she was sitting in front of Makarov. He smiled at her fondly, patting her head. Rette couldn't even began to describe how much she ate up the fatherly attention. He looked Rette straight in the eye, knowing full well that while Rette was sorry for upsetting them and knew that her choice had been hasty, she still believed herself disposable compared to her friends.
"Rette, listen to me. I know I've told you this before. In a guild, one person's happiness, is everyone's happiness. One person's anger, is everyone's anger. One person's sadness, is everyone's sadness. That is what a guild is. There isn't any reason for you to try to do anything alone. If something is too difficult, if something scares you, you're comrades are always right there for you. Everyone in Fairy Tail has their story, has their secrets they would rather no one know, but in our guild, we accept and love each other despite those stories and secrets. You are one of my children, Rette, and that's not going to change. Do you understand?"
Rette bit the inside of her cheek, fighting back the tears that wanted to come forth. She had already cried more in the last day than she had since she was very small. Despite trying to fight them back, a few spilled down her cheeks anyway.
"I understand. I really am sorry, Master. I never wanted to hurt anyone. Fairy Tail and everyone in it, means too much to me."
"Good girl." Makarov said, patting her head. "You're family to everyone in Fairy Tail and even those outside of our guild, and you will always mean a lot to your family. Just promise me that you will not do something like that again."
"I promise, Master. But, Master, you have to know that Lachlan isn't going to let this go. Nor is Zeref going to." Rette said, her eyes falling to the ground.
She was too aware of the fact that Lachlan was not going to let her get away from him. She was his and Zeref's creation and Lachlan never had been one to take being defied lightly. They would both come after her again, if only to kill her and regain the demon sealed within her. Makarov could see the weight of that knowledge shining in her eyes.
"I know. That is part of the reason why I called you here. Rette...I'm disbanding Fairy Tail."
Rette's head flew up, her eyes going wide as they landed on Makarov. Her mouth fell open and closed a few times as she fought to think of something to say to him. Finally she cleared her throat and tried again.
"But why?" she asked.
"There is a war brewing that I don't want my children being drawn into. I will disband the guild now and do what I can to make sure that war doesn't find it's way to our family. As Fairy Tail's master, that is my duty."
"Then let me go with you." Rette insisted.
Makarov couldn't help the smile that curled his lips. Rette had changed so much since she had joined the guild. He had watched it with his own eyes. She had tired so hard to hide the worst parts of herself and who she really was, to keep a distance between herself and the others, all in hopes to spare them of the demons she both figuratively and literally carried with her. She cared more than she had wanted to let on, had protected her guild mates even when they didn't know that there was danger lurking just out of view. Even now, she sought to protect him despite the fact that she, herself, was still so pale and weak after her death and rebirth.
"Rette, I'm happy that you feel so fierce a need to protect your family, but I won't take you with me." Rette opened her mouth to argue, but Makarov held up a hand to silence her. "Rette, when you came to Fairy Tail, I knew you had some demons, as all my children do. Whether that is figurative or literal, doesn't matter. I knew you were always holding back, always keeping a certain amount of distance between you and others, and it concerned me that you felt you couldn't trust us."
This was usually the point where people argued that they did trust others, but Rette never really made pointless arguments. She knew he was right and wouldn't argue it. If anything, she hung her head in shame of how she had acted.
"I'm sorry, Master." she said lowly.
"I understand your reasons. I have done my best to show you that this guild is your family and that everyone loves you just as you are. No matter if we're together or apart, that won't change." he told her.
"I know."
"The guild will disband now, but you are still one of my children and I want only the best for you. So, as a last order as your guild master...I want you to promise me that you won't do anything stuipd and that you will stay away from Lachlan Banesbloud." Makarov insisted sternly.
Rette raised her head to meet his eyes. He couldn't read her expression and for a moment, she was silent as she considered his words. But then she nodded.
"I promise, Master..." she said.
Makarov nodded, heaving a relieved sigh. He could do what he needed to do and not have to worry about Rette. It would be a great load off his mind as he went forth.
"What will you and Thyme do?" he asked.
"I'm not sure. I will give Thyme a choice. She's grown so close to Lily that I couldn't bare to be what separates them. I will encourage her to go with him because I know that's what her heart really wants." Rette remarked, looking back towards where the tents were pitched. "I will take Wendy and Carla to Lamia Scale. I know Jura will see to it that they are well cared for and welcomed, and Wendy is friends with Chelia. She will settle in nicely there, I think and it will ease my mind to know they are with friends."
"And you?" Makarov asked.
"I'm not sure. I know several guilds that would accept me, but I'm not sure what to do. I might go to Sabertooth. Sting would take me in without thinking twice." Rette replied.
"Then I have a final job for you to do for me."
Rette turned her eyes back to him, listening as he told her what he wanted for her to do. Nodding, Rette agreed to his final job. She parted from Makarov and went in search of Thyme. She found the exceed with Lily, Carla, and Wendy. Thyme raised a paw in greeting when Rette approached.
"Rette! Are you feeling better?" Wendy asked.
"Yeah. Hey, I need to talk to the three of you." Rette said, gesturing to Thyme, Wendy, and Carla.
Catching on that Rette wanted a little privacy, Lily went in search of Gajeel. Only when he was out of hearing range did Rette turn to the other three.
"What is it?" Wendy asked.
"Master is disbanding Fairy Tail." Rette said.
"We heard." Wendy said sadly.
"Everyone is going to go their separate ways. I've been tasked with taking the two of you to Lamia Scale." Rette said, looking at Wendy and Carla.
"Us? But why?" Wendy asked.
"Jura will see to it that you two are cared for and I know you have maintained a friendship with Chelia. It's a good option for you. At least until we can bring Fairy Tail back together." Rette turned and looked at Thyme. "You have a choice now, my old friend. You either come with me or you can stay with Lily. I know how much you care for him. I wouldn't grudge you the slightest if you choose him."
Thyme glanced towards Lily, her little, black paws gripping the front of her dress. Rette could see the conflict in her eyes. Crouching down, Rette rested a hand on Thyme's head, making the exceed look up at her. Rette gave her a smile.
"We have spent many years together and you are my oldest and dearest friend." Rette told Thyme, making the exceed smile back at her. "It's why I won't stand between you and what you really want. Go with him, Thyme. You don't want to end up regretting not persuing the one you love."
Thyme stared up at Rette, meeting her eyes. She knew that Rette really meant what she said. She only wanted Thyme to be happy. Finally, Thyme nodded.
"Good." Rette said softly, stroking Thyme's head.
"What about you, Rette?" Wendy asked.
"I have a last job to do for Master. After that...I'm not sure. I'll figure it out, though." Rette told her.
"You could just stay with us." Carla said reasonably.
"I don't want to join a guild. Fairy Tail is my guild and Magnolia is my home. Don't worry about me. I'll be fine." Rette assured her.
Rette, they knew, had said she would be fine during their fight with Tartaros and had, briefly, ended up dead. Wendy wasn't so sure she could trust those words from Rette. As if she could read Wendy's mind, Rette reached out and placed a hand on her head.
"I'm not going to pull a stunt like that again, Wendy. I promise. It's just...I'm a one guild kind of girl." Rette assured her.
Rette despite everything else she was and did, kept her promise. Wendy smiled back at her. As it was, Rette had already been asked to be careful by Makarov and she knew she would be asked the same several more times before she actually left Magnolia. But the truth was...what she had promised Makarov...wasn't what he had asked of her. She hadn't promised him that she would stay away from Lachlan and not do anything stupid.
What she had promised...was that she would never go against his wishes after this.
It was time she found her father and put an end to this whole thing.
-0-0-0-0-
The next day, Rette, Wendy, and Carla bid farewell to their friends after seeing off Sting, Rogue, and Minerva. It was easy for Rette to tell, just by looking at the way Sting stared at her, that he was concerned and really didn't want to leave her, but he had his own guild to look after. Once their farewells were said, Rette, Wendy, and Carla headed out.
The trip to Lamia Scale's guild hall was pretty easy, as far as Rette was concerned. Which she was grateful for. She wasn't sure she could handle a lot of hassle while she still hadn't bounced back completely. The guild hall was busy when they arrived at it's doors.
"This is Lamia Scale?"
Wendy and Carla looked up at the building before them. Rette, standing beside Wendy with her hands on her hips, nodded to Wendy's question.
"Yes. Come on."
Wendy and Carla followed Rette as she led the way inside. The moment they entered the building, all eyes turned to them. Wendy took a step closer to Rette simply because she was shy with so many people staring at her. Rette was unfazed by the stares, as she always was.
"Rette?"
Jura, with Lyon and Chelia behind him, approached them, a curious look on his face as he looked at the two Fairy Tail mages. Rette raised a hand in greeting to him.
"Hey. Just the guy I wanted to see." Rette said.
"What's going on? Shouldn't you be resting? We all heard about what happened...about your father." Jura said, lowering his voice.
Rette's eyes darted away from him. So the word had begun to spread about her and who and what she really was? She should have expected it. It wasn't like her guild mates were the only friends she had been keeping secrets from. Bowing at the waist, Rette apologized. If nothing else, Jura, Lyon, and Chelia had proved themselves to be her friends. She owed them an apology as well. It surprised Rette when Jura reached out, dropping a hand onto her shoulder. When Rette straightened up to look at him, he smiled at her.
"You have no reason to apologize. We can't help the parents we're born to, Rette, and none of us hold it against you." he told her.
"Yeah, but killing yourself was taking things a step too far." Lyon added.
"I know. I just...I didn't want to see my father hurt others like he did me. He's a demon in more ways than one." Rette said, her shoulders sagging. Reaching up, she laid a hand over Jura's and gave him a smile. "Thank you for your acceptance."
"Of course. You know...you've changed." Jura told her.
"I know. I'm not exactly sure what really happened to me and my body during those moments before I came back to life, but all of my scars, both those on my body and those on my mental and emotional state, are gone. I don't know but it feels more...freeing. Perhaps change isn't all that bad." Rette replied with a smile.
"Not bad at all." Jura agreed. "So what are the three of you doing here?"
Rette and Wendy shared a look before Rette heaved a sigh.
"Fairy Tail has disbanded."
Gasps sounded all over the room as everyone fell silent. Jura, Lyon, and Chelia stared at Rette and her two companions in shock. It was Jura that recovered first.
"Why?"
"Master decided it. He didn't explain why, only said that there was something he had to do. Everyone have already begun going their separate ways. Natsu and Happy vanished without a word, Lucy's going to find a journalist job, Gray and Juvia left together, Thyme is with Gajeel, Lily, and Levy, and I don't know where Erza is." Rette told him.
"And you're here, why?" Lyon asked.
"I wanted to see if you would consider taking in Wendy and Carla." Rette answered.
"What about you?" Jura asked.
"I still have to do something Master asked me to do. I'll decide what to do afterward. Will you take them?" Rette asked.
"Of course." Jura told her. "And if you decide to join another guild after your work is done, then we'll be glad to take you too."
Rette nodded, thankful to him. She turned to Wendy then, who already had eyes full of tears. Gracefully, she dropped to one knee in front of Wendy, laying her hands on the girl's shoulders. She shared Wendy's heartache at having to part, but it was necessary. Rette, as she had done the day she had suggested Wendy join Fairy Tail, held open her arms.
Wendy and Carla both dived into her open arms and Rette wrapped them up in a hug. Wendy let her tears loose, crying while Rette pat her back.
"Don't cry, Wendy. Its not goodbye forever. Just a, "Until next time". We'll see each other again, I swear." Rette told her lowly.
Wendy released her, stepping back and wiping her eyes. She gave Rette a smile as she wiped the tears from her eyes.
"I know. Just...be careful, Rette." Wendy told her.
"Everyone is saying that. You would think I was careless." Rette remarked.
"You can be." Lyon butted in.
Rette could see the truth in that statement. She did have her careless moments. Rette laid a hand on Wendy's head and gave her a small smile.
"Take care of yourselves. I'll see you again." Rette told them.
Wendy nodded, Carla promising to keep an eye on Wendy. Rette said her farewells to them before leaving. Now alone, Rette hit the road. For the first time in years, she was completely on her own. No one walked beside her, no one was there to start conversation. It was what Rette needed to carry out what she had to do, but...it was far too quiet.
It use to be that Rette lived in silence, loved it, would have begged for silence when screams filled her ears. But now? It was so strange not to hear loud laughter or excited chatter, or the sound of wooden furniture smashing in a fight. Rette realized that she loved the sounds of her guild just as much as she loved the people in it. It was the sound of home.
"That's why I must do this." Rette muttered to herself. "For them...for their safety and happiness. I refuse to let the same darkness in me, fall over them."
Rette stopped in her tracks, turning back to look towards the town where she had left Wendy and Carla. She had come to a lot of realizations recently. Fore front of those was that her guild was her life, no...her heart and soul. She would lose her will to live without them, that was how much she loved them.
She had a lot she needed to tell them, especially Sting, but before she could do that, something had to change.
So while she still intended to bring a stop to Lachlan on her own, she wasn't going to let her life be forfeited to do so. She would handle her father and then she would come back home to her family. If, along the way, she was able to fully let the light of her family shine in, than all the better. For now, she had something that needed to be changed.
With that thought, she moved on to the next stop.
-0-0-0-0-
"My, my! Maki said that?"
Rette, standing at the bar of the Blue Pegasus guild hall, batted off the advances of some men and nodded to Bob. She had been greeted quite energetically upon entering the building, every single one of them accepting the truth of who and what Rette was. Along with that, she had been greeted with a lot of flirting, something she had waved off to approach Bob at the bar. She slid onto a bar stool and Bob sat a drink in front of her. Rette thanked him.
"Yes. Master asked that I explain to his friends among the other guild masters what is happening. He hopes, should any of our members come here looking to join, that you will accept them." Rette told him.
"But of course, my dear! I'd be more than happy to accept you too, dear." Bob told her.
"Thank you, Master Bob, but I still have quite the task before me. I will keep your offer in mind." Rette told him politely.
"Of course. Just take it easy, dear. You still look so pale. Of course, we all heard about the scare you gave poor Maki. Don't push yourself." Bob told her.
He reached out, cupping one of her cheeks. He gave it a gentle tap and smiled at her. She had friends in so many guilds, so many that she hadn't even thought about when she had gave her life for those brief minutes.
"We all care about your well being, dear. Don't forget that." Bob told her.
"I won't. Thank you for your concern, Master Bob." Rette told him.
"Oh, so polite! I would love to have your adorable face around here!" Bob said cheerfully when he saw the smile that appeared on her face.
"I'm sure. I do know that I heard Freed mentioning something about him, Evergreen, Bixlow, and Laxus coming here when Laxus wakes up." Rette told him.
"If they come, we'll happily accept them." Bob told her.
"Thank you, Master Bob. And thank you for the drink." Rette told him.
"Honey, why don't you stay the night? Get some rest and get a fresh start in the morning?" Bob offered.
"Thank you, but no. No offense, Master Bob, but I don't think I could survive a night at your guild. I have no tolerance for the constant advances and flirtation from your members."
Bob chuckled to himself. He had heard that Rette, recently, had attracted the attention and affection of Sabertooth's new master, Sting. It was adorable to think that Rette was so innocent. Bob was sure that Rette frustrated Sting sometimes.
"Well that's fine, but please promise you will find somewhere to spend the night. You need rest." Bob insisted.
"I already have a room at an inn nearby." Rette assured him.
Relieved, Bob nodded. He reassured Rette that he would keep an eye out for any fairies seeking to become Pegasuses and Rette bid him goodbye.
She spent the night in the inn and headed out early the next day. Over the next few days, she made her way to several different guilds, passing on Makarov's message. A week passed and Rette found herself standing in front of the Sabertooth guild hall. She had purposely left this one for last.
A strange sense of nervousness settled in Rette's gut, making her feel uneasy. She couldn't bring herself to go into the building and face Sting only to say goodbye. She had a feeling he just might see through her. She knew, sitting up in her inn room the night before, that she would feel this way. She had already felt nervous about approaching Sting and telling him that she was leaving.
Hence the letter currently in her hands.
"Ret!"
Only one person, or in this case, exceed, called her by the nickname Ret. Next thing she knew, Lector came flying towards her. Rette caught him by the face, just short of him crashing into her chest.
"Oh, hello Lector." Rette greeted.
Lector flailed for a moment until she released his face, letting him drop to the ground. He landed on his tail just as Forsch came up behind him, holding up his arms to Rette.
"Hello Rette. Hug?" he asked.
Rette couldn't help it. Forsch was just too cute. In his little pink frog costume, she just couldn't resist him. Bending over, she picked him up, holding him close as he leaned against her chest.
"Hello to you, too, Forsch." Rette greeted.
"How come he gets a hug?" Lector asked.
"Because he didn't come flying at me and he doesn't insist on calling me a nickname I'm not all too fond of." Rette replied.
"Come on, it's an endearment!" Lector argued.
"You are aware that my name is already shortened, right?" Rette asked. "But if you insist on a hug...come here."
Rette held out her free arm and Lector jumped up hugging her along with Forsch. It was then that Forsch caught sight of the envelope in Rette's hand.
"What's that?" Forsch asked, pointing to it.
"Oh, yeah. Can I get the two of you to deliver this to Sting. I can't stay long, so if you could pass it on to him, then that would be wonderful." Rette told them, setting the two of them down before handing the envelope to Lector.
"You could just give it to him yourself. He's right inside." Lector said.
"Yeah, but I'm already running behind. Please just pass it on to him." Rette requested.
"Sure." Lector agreed.
"Lady Rette!"
Rette turned finding Yukino running her way with Minerva slowly following. Yukino had a concerned look on her face and instantly grabbed Rette's hands when she was in range. Her eyes scanned Rette as Minerva silently approached, unable to look Rette in the eye.
"What are you doing here? You should be resting back home." Yukino said in concern.
"I'm fine, Yukino, really. And I don't really have a home to rest at anymore. My house was destroyed during the attack of the Tartaros guild." Rette replied.
"I'm sorry to hear that." Yukino said.
"It's fine. I can always rebuild. What's the point in having a home if you don't have the chances to improve and build upon what was once there? For now, I'm on a mission from my master."
"Really? What kind of mission?" Lector asked.
Rette heaved a sigh, her shoulders kind of sagging.
"Fairy Tail has been disbanded."
"What!?"
Rette's ears could have done without the sudden yell from Yukino and Lector, but that was to be expected.
"Then where's Thyme?" Lector asked.
"She went with Gajeel, Lily, and Levy." Rette replied.
"Natsu, then?" Lector asked.
"He and Happy vanished off somewhere to train before ever hearing about the disbandment." Rette replied.
"And the rest of your team?" Yukino asked.
"Lucy went to Crocus to find a job in journalism, Wendy and Carla are with Lamia Scale now, I don't know where Erza went, and Gray went off up north with Juvia hot on his tail. It's just me, now." Rette said, listing off all of her teammates.
"Lady Rette..." Yukino whispered lowly.
"I'm fine." Rette insisted. "It's fine this way."
Yukino knew that Sting wouldn't be happy to hear that Rette was out on her own. Even she had a bad feeling about Rette being left alone.
"You can join Sabertooth. I know Master Sting would love to have you in the guild." Yukino told her.
"I'm sure he would, but it's fine. I still have a job to finish for Master Makarov." Rette told her.
"And afterward?" Lector asked.
Rette's eyes drifted off to the side. It was then that they landed on Minerva standing there quietly, looking anywhere but at Rette.
"You're looking well, Minerva." Rette said, completely changing the subject. Minerva glanced at Rette, pausing when she found Rette smiling softly at her. "I'm glad."
Minerva was surprised by the truly genuine smile and comment from Rette. She had expected Rette to still hold a grudge against her for how she had treated her during the Grand Magic Games. Instead, Rette had given her smile.
"Rette, I-"
"Don't, Minerva, please. You have nothing to apologize for." Rette assured her. She reached out, laying a hand on Minerva's shoulder. "Let's forgive and forget, alright? Bygones be bygones. Too much has happened for us to hold on to grudges like this. Besides...what kind of friend would I be if I couldn't forgive a little dispute?"
"We're...friends?" Minerva asked.
"What? You don't want to be?" Rette asked, blinking back at her. "Well, too bad. You're stuck with me. Best to just accept it."
Minerva couldn't tell Rette how grateful she was to know that she was forgiven. Rette gave her a wink before turning to look at Yukino who was smiling brightly. Rette reached out to give Yukino's shoulder a squeeze.
"Lady Rette...are you sure you'll be alright? I can get Master Sting if you want to talk to him." Yukino said.
"No, that's fine. I swear, I'll be alright. I took care of myself before Fairy Tail and I can do so again. And it'll only be for a while. I have no doubt that Fairy Tail will be back together some day. As for Sting..." Rette glanced towards the Sabertooth guild hall, her gaze becoming distant for a moment before she turned back to Yukino and Minerva with a smile. "Watch out for him. He can be a bit...child-like."
Yukino nodded. It was obvious that Rette cared greatly for Sting. Rette looked down at Lector and Forsch, crouching to pet both of their heads.
"Get that to Sting for me, please." Rette told Lector.
"Count on me!" Lector cheered.
"I will."
Rette bid her farewells and left. Yukino, Minerva, and the two exceeds saw her off before returning to their guild hall, there, they found Sting with Rogue, Orga, and Rufus. Lector hurried over to Sting.
"Guess who just stopped by." Lector said.
"Huh? Who?" Sting asked.
"Ret."
Sting's head flew up, his eyes going to his partner. Rette had shown up and hadn't come in to say hi? On top of that, she shouldn't be traveling so soon. Immediately, he shot to his feet, his chair rocketing backwards.
"Rette's here!?" he demanded, turning to go find Rette.
"She already left." Yukino told him.
"She did? She shouldn't be traveling right now! Was Natsu with her?" Sting asked.
"No. Rette was alone." Minerva said.
"She came to tell us that...Fairy Tail's been disbanded." Yukino added.
Shocked gazed fell on Yukino and Minerva. It took a moment for it to sink in and then several questions came their way. Yukino repeated all that Rette had told them. The more she spoke, the more Sting got a bad feeling in his gut. Rette...Rette was alone. Just thinking those three words made him want to go running after her.
"She left this for you." Lector said, holding out the envelope that Rette had given to him.
"For me?" Sting asked, taking it.
He put a little distance between him and his friends, opening the envelope. Inside, he found a letter comprised of a few sheets of paper with Rette's neat script scrawled across them. He found himself a seat in a quiet corner of the guild hall and sat down to read the words that Rette had left for him.
Sting,
I'm not even sure how to start this, so I'm just going to apologize. Natsu was all to quick to tell me how you cried when I died.
Sting groaned here. Leave it to Natsu to jump on the chance to embarrass him by telling Rette all about that. He was going to hit Natsu upside the head the next time he saw the other Dragon Slayer.
I really am sorry. At the moment, I felt like that was the only thing I could do for all of you. I just didn't want him coming after the rest of you. I know, first hand, what he's capable of and I would not wish that on my worst enemy, let alone all of you who I care for. Which is why, eventually, I will have to face him. Don't worry, I'm not going to do anything to risk my life again. I refuse to make you or our friends, cry again.
That being said, I know you'll worry. That's just who you are. Now that you know everything about me and my past, I guess now would be the time when one would say, "I was going to tell you", but truthfully...I wasn't inclined to ever tell a soul a single thing. I feared what you and everyone else would think. I was afraid all of you would hate me, pity me, or be disgusted by me. As I was with myself. I know now that I should have trusted all of you, but fear makes people stupid and I'm no different.
I know exactly what I'm going to do, now that Fairy Tail is disbanded, but whatever I do...you can't come after me. You have Sabertooth to worry about. Besides, Fairy Tail isn't over. You know my guild. They won't lie around, licking their wounds forever. Especially not Natsu. Giving up isn't in our vocabulary. Just you watch. As soon as Natsu comes back, Fairy Tail will be back in force.
In the mean time, take care of Sabertooth and yourself. Don't let Lector be too upset that Thyme went with Lily. And try not to fight with Rogue too much. We'll see each other again, you and I, I promise. When we do...I have something important to tell you. Just, please, forgive me. Forgive me for not telling you about Lachlan and myself. Forgive me for dying, I honestly hadn't planned it. And, please, forgive me for not being able to face you before leaving.
If you can forgive me, I'll definitely come back home again. After all...you're part of my home.
Take care, look out for the others, and try not to get too impatient, with me or anything else. I'll see you again soon and, no, that is not an invitation to come after me. Take care, Sting.
Rette
She had all but flat out said that she was going to go after her father. He would go after her no matter what she said. Another piece written at the bottom of the page, caught his attention then.
P.S.
Come after me and I have pictures of you and little Weiss taking a bubble bath that will find their way into the hands of not only your guild mates, but Natsu and Gajeel.
He was not going after her.
No way, no how. Not doing it! After all, she had requested he not, right? He would respect her wishes.
Yeah, that was it.
That was totally his reason.
Growling to himself, Sting slammed down the letter and started to rip the envelope to pieces, only for something to fall out. Snatching it out of the air before it hit the ground, Sting looked at it. In his hand was a picture of Rette, with her indifferent expression, sticking her tongue out at the camera. Flipping it over, he found a short message.
Don't be mad, please.
I'll be back before you know it.
And if you want to continue being mad...well, then I'll have to lick you.
Despite still being a little angry with her, Sting couldn't help the grin that curled his lips. He was still conflicted on what to do, for he wanted to respect her choice, to trust her, but he also wanted her safe with him. He didn't even know where to start looking for her if he did go after her. For now, he would just have to trust her to take care of herself.
With Rette, it was all about a matter of trust.
END
Kyandi: I love the relationship between you and Sting! It's just so cute!
Rette: Are you saying the relationship between me and Laxus in the other story line, isn't cute?
Kyandi: That relationship is a bit more...
Rette: Grown-up?
Kyandi: Kinda. I mean, don't get me wrong, you two are great together, but I don't think cute is the right word.
Rette: I get it.
Kyandi: Speaking of the other story line, I have to get to that one. So everyone, enjoy and review.
Rette: We will return as soon as possible.
Kyandi: Bye-bye!
