It seems like my email alerts aren't going out. That being said, I'm trying to at least update every other day. I hope Fanfiction fixes this soon. *hint hint*

Chapter Four - Juvia

The next month went by slowly. I had a simple morning routine, in which I would get up, eat, and then go running. The running improved my stamina and my magical energy was starting to expand again as I concentrated on only my movements and my magic.

In addition to that, I read through the entirety of my books on teleportation and location magic, and a bit of requip.

I could maybe (at most) requip something the size of a large wardrobe at my current power level, but hopefully I would be able to get it much larger soon with more practice. In it I carried a bag of toiletries, a first aid kit, emergency money, a spare change of clothes, and some dry food in case it was needed.

The location magic was a bit tricky, but I was able to get it down.

I started by focusing on what I knew. I would use this to help Lucy find keys, and other sorts of magical items if anyone else wanted them. I would also use it to help find people (or more specifically, guild members).

I tested it by looking for Aquarius's key, which was, luckily, in the Heartfilia Konzern.

I tried again with Cancer, and got the same result.

Using the large map covering the wall in my study, I would imbue my thoughts and magic into a thumb tack and then throw it at the wall. I didn't have to worry about my aim or anything (which is good, because my aim is horrible). Even if I aimed for the complete other side of Fiore (while searching for Cancer specifically) the thumbtack still ended up with its pair at the Heartfilia Konzern.

That being said, I knew which person I wanted to look for first, but I needed Cana's help for that part.

"So what do you need me to do?" Cana asked me as we sat under our usual tree in the park. A while ago she had asked me why we didn't go to the guild, and I told her that I had had my reasons, and that she'd see me there sooner or later.

"I already know where she is, but I need to know what she's feeling," I said.

Cana blinked. "What she's feeling? Well, then I guess we'll just try pulling one card, and get more if you feel you need more. I've never done something like this, but if you want to know what she's feeling, you need to think of her in your mind, every single thing you know about her, or else the card will concentrate on you."

"What if I think she's going to feel something?" I asked.

Cana shook her head. "It still shouldn't affect the reading," she said. "Are you ready?"

I nodded and closed my eyes. Cana put her head against mine and shuffled the cards several times, before she stopped and pulled out the one on top.

"The Three of Swords," she said. "If this represents her feeling, then she's probably feeling sorrow, loneliness, and sadness."

I nodded. "Thanks Cana. You've helped a lot. Now, I've got to go pick up a friend, okay?"

She smiled at me. "Alright Elle-nee-chan! I will see you soon then. Have fun."

I smiled down at her. "You too, sweetie. I've got to go now."

I phased into my library, and though panting, I still gathered a thumb tack and cast a spell to find this girl's location. The tack landed in Onibus and I sighed and sat down, exhausted.

"I've done enough for one day," I said quietly. "Let's just get ready for tomorrow."

I ate some dinner, showered, and then packed in case it was needed. I threw the suitcase into my requip space and crawled into bed.

Tomorrow I pick up Juvia Lockser.

I woke up fully rested and yawned, stretching. Onibus would be the biggest jump I would have made so far, but I think I could handle it. It wasn't too far from Magnolia, and I decided to start walking in that direction anyway, so I could lower the distance.

After going shopping, I had everything I needed.

I wore a pair of black yoga pants, tennis shoes, a white short sleeve shirt with the back laced up, and a black jacket.

The only difference in the rest of my wardrobe (with the exception of the dresses) where shirts and pants in different colors.

I made sure I had enough Jewel for at least two train tickets (I wasn't going to jump with Juvia).

When I reached the train station, I closed my eyes and pictured Onibus station.

Opening my eyes, I felt extremely drained, and collapsed on the ground.

I had made it to Onibus station, but I was extremely, extremely tired.

Luckily, I had collapsed in a not-very-public place, so I didn't cause a scene. I made my way over to a bench and pulled out some snacks I had in the requip space. It took a bit of time, since my energy was still depleted, but getting food into me would help me recover faster.

When I had finished eating and I had gotten enough strength to get up again, I sent the rest of my snack back and switched it out for Juvia's thumbtack – the same one I had thrown at the wall last night. The spell to find Juvia was still on it, but I had disconnected it from the map before I went to bed last night.

Holding my palm flat, I placed the thumbtack down and watched it spin before it pointed in the right direction.

I pocketed it in my jacket and went the way it was pointing.

Time to find myself a water woman.

Okay, so it was apparently a lot harder to find one person (even with a tracking spell) than I thought.

Honestly, I should have just gone straight to the orphanage.

There, I found Juvia sitting outside under a tree while it rained. There were a circle of kids around her, and they were all yelling at her.

"Oi, kids!" I yelled. "Scram, or I'll tell the Matron!"

Luckily, it was the right thing to say, as the kids all ran away and back into the building.

Which was good, because the next idea I had was throwing rocks at them, and that was a) kinda a dick move and b) probably not good for a first impression.

I walked up to Juvia's little form and squatted down.

"Hi," I said to her. "My name is Elle. Why were those kids ganging up on you?"

"They were upset because Juvia makes it rain, but Juvia cannot control it," the little girl said, sniffling. I would guess she was five years old.

"Your name is Juvia?" I asked her.

She nodded.

"That's such a pretty name," I told her. "And don't worry about your rain at all."

"What? But-"

"So you can't control it, so what?" I said, rolling my eyes. "You're a child! You have instinctive magic, and you shouldn't be expected to already know how to control it. And besides there's nothing wrong with the rain."

"There…isn't?"

"No, silly!" I said, holding out a hand. She took it and I pulled her up. "You just need to know how to have fun in the rain!"

"You can do that?" she asked.

"Of course!" I told her. "I'd rather have fun in the rain with a friend than not have any fun at all! And I'd much rather be here with you than be alone."

"You...you would?" she asked, crying.

I smiled at her. "Of course."

Juvia sniffled. "How…how does Juvia do that?" she asked.

"Come on, silly, dance!" I said, dragging her out into the empty street, which was full of puddles.

"But we'll get wet- oh."

"Yes, Juvia, but so what? We're already wet! Come on, it's fun. There's even a song about it!"

"There is?"

"Sure!" I yelled, taking her hand and spinning her. "I'm siiiiiiiiiiinging in the rain. Just siiiiiiiiinging in the rain. What a glorrrrrrious feeeeeling I'm haaaaaaapppy again!"

She started laughing.

"You better not be laughing at my singing; I already know it's bad!" I said. "But come on!" I spun her again. "I only know those words, but it's all you need to know. Sing with me! I'm siiiiiiiiiiiinging in the rain! Just siiiiiiinging in the rain."

"What a glorrrrrious feeeeling I'm haaaaaapppppy again!" Juvia joined in, laughing.

We dropped, tired, and began laughing as we laid sprawled on the ground. "You see Juvia? There's nothing wrong with the rain."

She smiled, and as she did, the rain stopped and the clouds started drifting away.

"Wow…." She said, looking at the sky. "It's….so pretty."

"Come on," I said, getting up and holding out a hand for her. "This place isn't good for you, but if you come home with me you can join my guild. There, others can help you train your magic, and you'll be accepted no matter what! Our guild is a family!"

She started crying again, but this time, the rain stayed away.

"Can I see your guild mark, Onee-sama?" Juvia asked.

I should've known that Juvia would go for the most formal variation of older sister.

"Sure," I said, smiling and taking off my jacket. I turned around so she could see the mark on my back. "So how about it? Do you want to join Fairy Tail?"

She nodded. "Yes!"

"Then let's get your stuff. I'll speak with the Matron, don't worry."

Juvia led me inside and over to the Matron before she ran up the stairs to what was, presumably, her room.

"Hello Miss," I told her. "My name is Elle, and I'm a member of Fairy Tail." I turned around so she could see my guild mark. "I'm here for Juvia Locksar. I've given her an offer to join our guild and she accepted. There, she will learn how to control her magic. As you can see outside, it has stopped raining. Do you need to contact anyone else before we can leave?"

She blinked, before she asked, "Um...exactly how old are you?"

"Nine, ma'am."

"And...you're here alone?"

I nodded. "Yes, ma'am. I'm a mage, and I can take care of myself. I can take care of Juvia too, and you can at least trust me to get her to the guild hall so she can get set up."

The Matron hesitated. "Would you mind showing me your guild mark again?"

I nodded. "Sure." I turned around and moved my hair.

"Alright, then...this is acceptable. To be honest, I was thinking of contacting a guild about Juvia anyway. But since your mark is real, I have no problems with her going with you. Despite your...age, even though the matron in me is screaming. Will she be able to find a place to live?"

I nodded. "Fairy Hills, the girls Dormitory for Fairy Tail, is available to all female guild members for free until they're old enough to go on missions. The guild will supply her with food. She'll be fine."

"Onee-sama, I'm ready!" Juvia said from beside me. She was pulling a small suitcase behind her.

I smiled at her. "Good. Let me take care of this for you, though, I have some extra storage in my requip space." I took her suitcase and requipped it, so we didn't need to carry it. "Alright, let's go!"

Juvia grabbed my hand with hers and started pulling me down the road.

"Juvia, silly, you don't even know where we're going!" I said.

"But the train station is this way, Onee-sama!"

Well, she isn't wrong. I laughed. "You know, you don't need to be so formal, sweetie."

"I like calling you Onee-sama," she admitted, clutching my hand tighter.

"Alright then," I said. "Now let's go home."

Several hours later, we stood outside the guild hall.

"Is there anyone like me, Onee-sama?" Juvia asked, still holding my hand.

"Like you as in, having a water body, or your age?" I asked.

"Both," she said quietly.

"As far as I know, I don't believe anyone has a water body. Actually, I'm not even sure that we have a water wizard," I said quietly.

Juvia gasped. "But how can they help Juvia then?"

I shook my head. "At the core level, magic is magic, same for everybody. Even if no one practices the same kind of magic as you, we'll still be able to teach you how to refine your control, which is where you need help. In addition to that, we have a large library that can help you. And if you find any of the books too complicated, anyone would help you understand."

Juvia relaxed. "Alright, Onee-sama. What about other children like Juvia?"

"Right now, the only other kids around are me, an eleven-year-old named Laxus who I haven't actually met yet, and another girl who is five years old. I'm sure other kids will end up joining soon, however."

Juvia smiled. "I am five years old."

"I'm sure you'll get along with her great. Her name is Cana."

"I heard you were talking about me," said a voice from behind us.

"Speak of the devil," I said, smiling at her. "Hello Cana."

"Hello Elle-nee-chan. Why are you talking about the devil?"

I couldn't help my laughter. "It's an expression, Cana. The full expression is 'Speak of the Devil, and he will appear'. People typically say it when someone they're talking about ends up showing up."

"Ohhhh," Cana said.

"Anyway, this is Juvia," I said, gesturing to the bluenette next to me. "She's going to join the guild."

"Cool," Cana said, holding out a hand. "I'm Cana Alberona. It's nice to meet you Juvia! I deal with Card Magic."

"H-hello," Juvia said nervously, and I realized that this could be the first time making a friend for her. "Juvia is Juvia Locksar. Juvia practices Water Magic." She reached out her hand to shake Cana's but her's passed right through it.

"Woah!" Cana said. "Your body is made of water?"

Juvia looked away in what was probably shame, considering how those other kids treated her.

"That's so cool!" Cana continued.

"It is?" Juvia asked, surprised at her acceptance.

"Totally!" Cana said. "Maybe I can even try to integrate that with my Card Magic, it would be great for a quick escape, or for protection if I could change my body into water."

"See, Juvia?" I asked her. "Fairy Tail excepts everybody. Now…how about we get that stamp?"