Hey gang! Back again! Enjoy this chapter!

Last time: Nalu Moment and Gray and Krysta had a moment.

Now: They return to the guild where more news awaits them.

Chapter 24- The Letters from Home

The next day…

After spending one more night in Zarcadia, Natsu and the team allowed each other the chance to heal, rest, and recover before returning to the guild. Now rested and paid, they returned to Magnolia. Surprisingly, Jellal actually returned with them. Erza said that Master Makarov would like to talk to him when they would get back before he would rush off to re-join Meredy wherever she was. Soon the train pulled into the station and they disembarked with Erza dragging Natsu off in the process.

Once off the train, they were walking through the streets of Magnolia, heading toward the guild hall in the distance. Erza lead the group with her large amount of luggage being tugged behind her. Beside her to her right was Jellal with his hood raised. On her left was Wendy and Carla, smiling from ear to ear just happy to be home. Following closely behind was Natsu, Happy, and Lucy. They were laughing and talking amongst themselves.

Taking up the rear was Gray and Krysta. Krysta was up and walking on her feet today as she was much better. However, she wasn't moving at a normal walking pace as it was still rather sore for her to do so. So Gray walked beside her chatting with her and being there just in case she needed a hand. He also was carrying her bag so that way she didn't add any unnecessary strain to her back. It was actually Erza who ordered him to do it, even though he was planning to do it anyway. And by ordered, she gracefully took the bag from Krysta with permission, but she threw it at Gray with a crazy amount of force. It had resulted in a chuckle from Krysta. It was great to see her smile again.

Soon they reached the doors of the Fairy Tail Guild hall. Looking up at it, Krysta felt like she was home. She smiled up at the guild hall. They opened the doors to the guild only to be met in a loud, cheerful greeting. Master Makarov came toward with a smile on his face.

"It is good to see you back home safe and sound my children," Makarov said.

"It's good to be back, Master," Erza said returning the smile.

"Why don't you kids get settled and have something to eat?" Makarov suggested.

"You read my mind gramps!" Natsu and Gray said at the same time.

They then rushed over with Happy to the bar to order food from the smiling Lisanna, who was working behind the counter with Mira. Lucy shook her head with a chuckle until a small bluenette rushed over.

"Lulu! I'm so glad to see you back," Levy said as she approached. "You have to tell all about your mission!"

"It's good to see you Levy!" Lucy said with a grin. "I can't wait to tell you all about it."

The two rushed off over to a booth where Pantherlily, Jet, and Droy were all sitting. Erza and Jellal had turned their attention to Marakrov and were chatting his ear off. Krysta looked down at Wendy.

"Wanna grab some grub Wendy?" Krysta asked the little girl.

"Yeah, I'm kind of craving a bowl of ice cream," Wendy said with a small giggle.

"Then two bowls of ice cream coming right up," Krysta said. "What about for you, Carla?"

"I'll just take some tea," Carla said from Wendy's arms.

"Alright ice cream and tea," Krysta nodded. "Go grab a table and I'll bring the food over."

For the next few hours, they ate and hung out at the guild. Gray and Natsu at some point ended up getting the rest of the guys involved in an arm-wrestling contest. Happy cheering on Natsu and Juvia cheering on Gray as well as drooling over him. Lucy, Levy, and Evergreen found themselves discussing a make-up book Evergreen had discovered at the book shop. Wendy, Carla, Krysta, Romeo, and Pantherlily played a couple of card games. Erza was sitting at the bar talking to Laxus and Mira. Jellal had taken off about an hour after returning.

Soon Krysta lost another hand at their game they were playing.

"Damn, I'm getting my butt kicked by a couple pre-teens and cats," Krysta said with a sigh. "I think I'm gonna go grab another drink." She grabbed her cup and headed to bar.

"Hurry back,"Pantherlily called. "I still want to play another round with you."

"Alright, alright," Krysta waved him off as she approached the bar.

Mira smiled at her as she approached.

"Hey, want another?" Mira figured.

Krysta nodded. "That'd be great, Mira."

"How are you feeling?" Mira asked as she refilled the cup.

"Better," Krysta said. "I mean my back is still a little sore. So I'm thinking of going home here soon and soaking in my tub. That would feel great right now."

Mira nodded in agreement. 'A good bath is always relaxing. I wouldn't blame you if you left now to do that."

"I might just have to," Krysta said with a chuckle. "If I keep losing the way I am right now at cards." Mira then handed her the drink. "Thanks Mira."

As Krysta turned, she nearly bumped into Makarov and nearly spilled her drink.

"Oh, sorry Master," Krysta said as she wiped the side of the cup with a napkin from the bar top.

"It's quite alright," Makarov said. "How are you feeling, my child?"

'Better, thanks," Krysta said with a smile.

"That's good to hear," Makarov said. "By the way, strange question, but have you been receiving your mail?"

Krysta tried to find the words for second then shook her head. "No, I haven't. I keep wondering if I have been putting the right address on my mail. It's possible I haven't. I mean I'm still new and haven't memorized it yet, but I will in time."

"Well I just wanted to check," Makarov said. "As I received a large envelope with a couple of letters for you from Lena."

He produced the letters from his coat pocket. He held them up to her. Krysta reached down and grabbed them. She grinned.

"Thank you, Master," Krysta said as she clutched them to her chest.

Makarov nodded, but he did not return the smile. Krysta didn't seem to notice it or care. She was just excited to get the mail. She turned and set her cup back onto the bar. She then took a set at the bar. She looked down at both letters. They both said: "To Krysta" but one included "Read me first." So just as the letter said she opened that letter first.

She started to read the letter and immediately knew it was Dale just based off the handwriting and the "Hey Kid," at the top. As she continued to read the letter, her smile disappeared, and her face went pale. Once she finished with that letter, she hurriedly opened the next letter to read it. She read it and felt her stomach turn as tears welled up. As soon as she was done, she squished the two letters between her hands as they collapsed together. She leaned forward as tears were threatening to escape. She then grabbed the letters, rushed to the door, grabbed her bag, and took off without a word to anyone.

Makarov watched her go with a sorrowful gaze.

Gray and Natsu glared at each other as they prepared to take each other down yet again in another round of arm wrestling. As they sat there with their arms shaking due to the muscle strain, Gray glanced passed the pink haired pyro to the bar. He spotted Krysta. She had her back to him and appeared to be reading something at the bar. She then suddenly took off out the door in a huff. His browed creased with worry.

That had distracted him long enough for Natsu to win. The pink haired wizard slammed his fist into the table. That brought Gray back to the game long enough to shoot a glare at Natsu before looking past him again to the doors. Natsu cheered and pumped his fists.

"Ha, suck it Gray!" Natsu gloated. "I win!"

"Yeah whatever," Gray said brushing Natsu off as he stood and made his way to the bar.

"Gray, my darling, where are you going?' Juvia asked worried.

"I… um… I just need some air," Gray said. "I promise I'll be right back."

Natsu grumbled and then turned his attention to Gajeel to arm wrestle him. Gajeel sat down with a chuckle and arm wrestled the pyro. That distracted Juvia as she cheered for her friend. Gray took that as his cue to escape after Krysta as he made his way over to the door. Makarov stopped him by placing out his hand.

"I'd give her space, my boy," Makarov said softly only for Gray's ears to hear.

Gray shook his head and continued out the door into the evening air. Once outside, Gray looked around the courtyard for any sight of Krysta. But she was nowhere to be seen. Gray then assumed that she must have headed for home. He took off down the road in a sprint. Something was definitely wrong by how she left the guild, and he need to make sure she was okay.

Gray continued his run for her place. As he was running, he called her name, but no one responded. He only got weird stares. He slowed down when he suddenly heard something strange when he passed an alley. Gray turned and moved back over to the alley. He peered into the it only to see someone hunched over against the wall, holding back sobs. As he quietly moved closer, he recognized it to be Krysta.

"Krysta," Gray said softly, hoping not to startle her.

Her head shot up causing her to briefly wince due to her still healing back. She had tears running down her face. She attempted to clean her face, but the tears weren't disappearing. Gray moved over and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"What happened?" he asked her with a worried tone. 'Are you okay?"

She didn't answer him vocally. She handed him the pieces papers that were in her hand. He took the papers as she slid down the wall and brought her legs to her chest. He looked down at the crinkled papers to see that they were letters. He read the first one.

'Hey kid,

I hope things are going well for you at Fairy Tail. Your letters have been awesome. I am so glad to hear that you are going on jobs and making friends. Especially with that Fullbuster guy. I remembered you had a huge crush on him growing up. Anyway, we have been trying to send you responses, but…things have happened back here. You also gave us the wrong address, so I'm sending these to Fairy Tail with the hope you get them and correct the dang address.

Anyway, you deserve to know what has been happening here since you left. I regret to inform that it's not all good news. Actually, none of it is good, sadly. You remember when Lena got sick a couple years ago and we thought all was good once she was cleared by the doctors? Well… she never told you, but things got worse. Very worse. In fact, that's part of the reason she was very insistent that you go join a guild. She was really good at hiding it for a long time. However, she started getting better again around the time you left. It was after you left that things took a turn for the worse.

I hate to write this but… Lena died Tuesday night. She passed peacefully. I was by her side when she passed… it was hard to say good-bye to her. She did wish you could have been there to see her one last time, but she was happy to know you were out there making a difference and making friends like we did when we were in a guild all those years ago. The other letter I sent you was her final words for you. We were hoping it would arrive and you would have seen it before she passed, but it was too late.

I am so sorry, Krysta. Lena loved you very much and she will be dearly missed. My heart is broken to see her gone as I loved her so much as you well know. I did tell her… about everything after you left, and we made it work with the little time we had left. I am just glad she is finally at peace. I am planning to hold a funeral for her on Saturday next week. I really would love for you to be there and share a few words if you are able. Please bring your new friends or whoever you want for comfort.

I can't wait to see you soon, Krysta. Love ya and miss ya kid. And I'm sorry once again.

-Dale'

Gray lowered the letter and looked at Krysta, whose head was buried in her knees, shaking. He couldn't find his voice, but he did feel his own tears swelling. This news was hard for anyone. He then looked at the next letter.

'Krysta,

I have been reading your letters. I am so happy to hear things are going well at the guild. I'm also glad Makarov is taking good care of you. Tell him I say hi for me please. We go way back, me and him. Anyway, I am writing with a heavy heart as I haven't been honest with you for a while now.

The disease returned. It came back a while ago, but I did the best I could to keep it from you to prove to you that I was getting healthy again. However, during the Grand Magic Games, I went to see the doctor. During then, I learned it had returned worse than before. And what hurt me more was that he said that I only had a few months to live. So I told Dale, but I couldn't find it in me to tell you. I was afraid you would give up your dream of joining Fairy Tail if you knew. So I said nothing.

I am so sorry, Krysta. I do hope you forgive me. I will miss you dearly. You were like my daughter and little sister at times. Please keep smiling and keep following your dreams. I am so proud of you! And keep making a difference.

I love you, kiddo. You truly are the Force of the Wind. Use that title with pride.

-Love Lena'

Gray lowered both letters and looked back over to the sorrowful Krysta with tear filled eyes. He knelt down in front of her. He placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Krysta…I'm… I'm so sorry," he comforted her. "I am so very sorry."

Krysta looked up at him. She then moved herself forward and threw herself at his chest. Gray sat there startled for a second, but slowly his arms wrapped around her as he felt tears soak his shirt. Gray did not know how long he held her, but time didn't matter right now. Soon she seemed to calm down. Gray carefully pulled away and looked down at her.

"I am so sorry," he whispered to her again.

She sniffled and cleared her throat.

"Why?" Krysta suddenly said.

"Huh?" Gray asked.

"Why did she lie to me? Why couldn't she just tell me what was going on?" Her voice wavered between sadness and anger.

He handed her a napkin that he had tucked away in his pocket for some reason. She wiped her face then blew her nose with it. She discarded it into the nearby alley trash can.

"Let's get you home," Gray said as he started to stand up, bring Krysta up with him. "We can talk there."

He kept his arms around her as he escorted her from the alley way and to her home. Once they got there, no one was out or around, thankfully. Gray helped Krysta up the stairs to her apartment. She reached into her bag and fumbled with her keys. Gray caught them before they hit the floor. He then put them into the lock and unlocked her apartment. He helped her inside, closing the door shut behind them.

Krysta dropped her bag and just stood there.

"Thank you," Krysta said her voice barely a whisper.

"Of course," he said setting her keys down in the bowl next to the door "Do you uh… need anything?"

She shook her head. "No." Was all she said.

Gray nodded. He didn't know what to say or do. He didn't know if he should comfort her or leave her be.

"Well if you do, please just give me a call, or Lucy, then we will be right over," Gray said uncertain. He turned toward the door.

"Wait!' Krysta said turning on a dime. She rushed over and wrapped her arms around Gray's midsection. She could feel his toned muscles through the shirt, but the thought of her actually touching them didn't even cross her mind at the moment.

Gray was startled by the hug and glanced back at her.

"Thank you," she said. "I don't deserve such kindness. You really are a great friend, Gray. I… I just don't know what to do now that Lena is gone. She was my rock, my family. I miss her so much and now…" he felt tears on the back of his shirt. "Now, I'm never going to see her again. Why didn't she tell me?"

Gray frowned.

"People we care about do things for a reason to protect us.' He started thinking of Ur while saying it. "Whether we want them to or not. Lena didn't tell you, because she was afraid you wouldn't live your dream. Why is that?"

Krysta took a deep breath.

"Because the first time she got sick a couple of years ago was when I was first planning on joining Fairy Tail even despite the fact that everyone saw them as the worst. When we found out she was sick, I told her I would help take care of her then join after. I didn't realize that it would take about a year for her to get better. By then I couldn't just leave her. I had to make sure she was okay, and she would be alright on her own. It wasn't until after the Grand Magic Games that she finally convinced me to go join the guild." She snarled. "She told me she was fine. I believed her. I wouldn't have stayed, but… but… I still could have helped her."

Her tears fell harder once again. Gray's heart broke at the feeling of her tears and the sound of her sobs. Gray reached down and grabbed her arms. He carefully pulled them off of him then in one swift motion, rotated around and pulled her into a hug. Krysta collapsed further against him. He held her there for as long as she needed.

After a while, Krysta pulled away and wiped her face. She sniffed.

"Thanks," She said softly.

"No problem," Gray said comfortingly.

She paused. Gray couldn't tell if she blushed or if her face was still red from crying.

"Are you doing anything the rest of the evening?" she suddenly asked.

Gray was taken aback, blushing. "Uh… I mean I might go home later. Shower, maybe. Why? What's up?"

"I was wondering if you could stay for a while," she said in a voice that was barely a whisper. 'I… I really don't want to be alone right now."

Gray felt himself blush, harder. He still managed to nod. But given the circumstances, he would even stay until she was sound asleep just to make sure she would get to sleep okay. However, it didn't feel like his place to mention that. It was probably better for him to just say yes.

"Uh… yeah. I don't see why I can't stay for a while," Gray said with a slight nod.

Krysta nodded and for a second, Gray thought he saw her smile again.

For the remainder of the evening, Gray stayed at Krysta's. He made her cocoa, they enjoyed dinner together, and they played a few games to keep her distracted. Soon it was nearly midnight, Krysta was starting to lull off during their games of dominos. Gray decided it was time to call it a night. After they cleaned up, Gray headed for the door. Krysta followed him.

"Thank you again for staying and for helping me get my mind off things," Krysta said as she played with her hair.

Gray smiled. "Of course. And if you need anything else, just let me know."

Krysta nodded. "I will."

Krysta unlocked the door and opened it up for him. Gray turned once he stepped into the hall.

"Good night, Krysta," Gray said with a smile. "Everything will be okay. Just get some rest and I'll be by later."

She nodded with a sad, but slightly visible smile.

"Good night, Gray," Krysta said as she leaned against the door.

Gray nodded and started to walk toward the stairs. He heard the door close as he walked away. Gray started to walk down the staircase toward the exit. He made a note for himself that he would stop by and check on her tomorrow morning before heading to the guild. Speaking of the guild, he remembered he left his bag there. Oh well, he thought, I'll just grab it tomorrow.

REVIEW! Poor Krysta…