Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail

"Now then," I said to myself, making my way to the three men tied up and unconscious, "time to get some information." I made sure I couldn't see Eva or her mother before making my move. Shame Meredy isn't here, she would make waking these people up take no effort—not that torturing people takes much effort in the first place. I created thorns to wrap around their legs, constricting them, turning my pink roses to a rich, vibrant red. When the stains touched dirt, screams erupted. Their eyes fluttered open, shaking heads around like prey looking for danger. Stopping on me, brows furrows and more cries echoed the forest as my roses tightened.

"You bitch!" David snarled.

"Had a good nap?"

"Once I get out, you'll wish you—"

"Oh, you'll get out, just not here. Does a prison yard sound appealing?"

"You—" Pain replaced his next words.

"I think that's enough for now, I have some questions I want answered. If you keep saying useless things, you're just wasting my time. Now, when did Norton hire you?"

"You think I'll just tell you?"

"The least you could do, you did try to sell your friend to a human trafficker." He stopped, so I pressed his guilt further. "You wanted Eva to grow up with one parent? What did that family do to you? Or are you such a pitiful person that you can't look at a happy family without growing envious of what people have that you don't?"

"I had to!" David shot up with rage, drawing more blood. "My debts were too much. And then, he came to my doorstep. He offered me money enough to pat the money back." So he's the type of person to be easily manipulated—my favourite.

"And you took it!?"

"Of course! I had to pay back the money for Eligia's surgery."

"I'm more surprised that Norton shows up himself to make offers." Did he not have enough men? Or was he just short on men at the time? Batting away my questions, I kept the fire burning. "Where did he tell you to deliver Jennifer?"

"He just told me to wait in my house for people to pick her up." This is getting strange, perhaps Meredy will get better results.

"And who are these two?" I motioned to David's bleeding companions. As if he was struck with fear, David tensed up. The other people just stared at me with hate while David but his lip. "I'll loosen the thorns if you answer." Still nothing. While their loyalty is impressive for abductors, the silence told me more than they hoped. They were digging deeper to my thorns in weak attempts of suicide. Their eyes darted around; small movements like shifting feet and low groans became more became more dramatic. And I can't call for help because I gave my orb away.

I soon took away the ropes for ice binds, trapping them with an ice cage in the same motion—I'll just drag these people back home—wheels grew from the base while tied the ropes to one side of the cage. Finally came the horse. I closed my eyes, recalling the pictures I've seen and books I've read. Two ideal horses formed in my head as I tried to make them a reality. Muscular legs with little fat throughout the body. I fashioned two pairs of twinkling eyes and a lush mane. When I opened my eyes, two horses poked at the ground. Using shaking hands, I tied the horse to the cages. We started to head back to the hideout at a gentle pace.

By the time I saw a camouflaged house, my magic was almost empty, but I reserved enough to fight the three behind me should they escape. The house was made with wood, covered with leaves and magic for places that were hard to reach. I walked to an oak door, about to take down the barrier we put up when the door flung open.

"Ul, you're back! What did the doctor say?" Meredy asked. Her hair wasn't as tidy compared to when I left, several pieces stuck out like twigs in a bird's nest.

"I'll tell you later, is Jellal awake?"

"He's still sleeping."

"That's good. Anyway," I pointed to the cage behind me, "these people were hired by Norton, the large one was just in it for some quick money. The other two, seems pretty loyal to him."

"I see…" a small smile crept up, and a twinkle was in Meredy's eyes, "I'll handle them from here, you take a rest, making those horses must have been hard."

"Then I'll leave it to you, I'm going to take a nap. Once I get up, I'll tell you everything."

"Really?"

"Yes." I stepped inside the house, glance over the table and chairs—the only furniture in our living room—trying to find any new additions. With nothing new, I supported my way up a flight of wooden stairs and took a right turn. Opening another door, I found an alluring bed singing lullabies to me. In silence, I slipped under some covers and got comfy. Then I felt something prick me butt; the medicine!

I abandoned my bed and dragged myself back down, all the while reading instructions on each drug the doctor prescribed to me. Back in my bed, I sunk in my mattress, prepared to face my sleep.

It started out hazy; a swirling mist, grey and turning black. I was encased in this expanding capsule, groping around for direction. The mist turned to something firm. It was warm, the gentle warmth you would find form another person. My senses were overloaded, bombarded with a bright flash of light, the smell of baking cake; my fingers were running through hair, soft—it was a nostalgic feeling. Memories of fixing Meredy's hair when she was still a child.

I could see again. Sitting on a thick carpet, I was stroking Eva's hair while she sat on my lap. Meredy was in the kitchen helping Jennifer with cooking. Eva had my orb in her hands, channelling her magic into it while I was instructing her.

"Not too forcefully, you'll make it unstable, you want a consistent warm white glow." Right now, the orb was flashing brightly, then it turned to sad flicker. "That's too less try a bit more."

"But it's so difficult!" Her pout made me ruffle her hair more.

"Why do you think we're practising? So you can get the hang of it."

"Can we take a break?"

"But we just started, let's continue for another half an hour."

"That's so far away!" The wailing mouse looked at her mother for help.

"Honey, you asked Ultear to teach you, you should feel lucky, it's not everyday you get a powerful wizard personally teach you magic. Besides, didn't you say you want to contact daddy everyday when he's at work? If you learn from Ultear, you can do that."

"She's right, but before we can start doing that, you need to learn how to keep a consistent stream of magic flowing. And once you manage that, you opened the doors to all different kinds of magic. Just think of this exercise like building blocks, to build big buildings, we need a good base, we're working on that base."

"Both of you are meanies!" Eva cried. Despite her frustration, she kept channelling magic into the orb, swinging the light between a poor dying ember and a large campfire before finally settling as a candle flame. "I did it!" Raising her arms in joy, the orb died down and returned to the dull transparent orb it used to be, much like Eva's enthusiasm.

"Don't be like that, you remember what that feeling is like right?" Eva nodded. "Then it'll be easier the next time you do it."

"Really?"

"Of course, I'll tell you what; if you manage to get it right in ten seconds, I'll take you to a water park."

"It's a promise okay? Mommy and daddy are coming too right?"

"You can count on it." Eva placed her hands on the orb again, bringing the orb back to life. Like a pendulum, the light swayed again, reducing its swing arc with each pass through the centre. Then it stilled to a perfect balance. It was a warm glow. I peered at Eva's face; wiped away the small beads of sweat and said: "Congratulations." Her eyes were closed. "Eva?" The girl jumped to the air, pumping her tiny fist over and over again.

"I did it!"

"Yes you did, now let's tell your father of the good news."

"Yup!" I took the orb away from Eva and poured magic into it. Within seconds, a young man filled replaced the transparency. "Daddy!" He was shocked at first which then melted into joy.

"Sweetheart! What's up?"

"Ul is taking us to a water park!"

"That's great!" All of the sudden, everything turned cold. The elated smile contorted to that of a murderer. "You think that solves everything?" Grey mist swallowed everything. "Nothing will change."

"That's why I'm trying to repay back for what I've done."

"What will that accomplish!?" He sneered. "Will that bring back all the futures and potential you've stolen?" Eye lids stretching to its limits. "No one will acknowledge anything you do! We're filthy creatures, overlooking the good and focusing on the bad. You'll be an outcast for life. Just admit it, you're just doing this for self-satisfaction. All you your work is nothing but chasing after false gratitude. You're still a monster!" I wanted to scream, dispute his claims but, I couldn't. That would mean being confident that what I'm doing isn't just for satisfaction but from the bottom of my heart.

And it's true, every time I see the effects of what we've done, a small bubble would appear. It was warm, tiny and fleeting; just like a bubble, it was delicate. I've come to enjoy that bubble; at the same time, I feel that nothing has changed. Perhaps a little nudge could change me back. The orb joined with the surrounding and things got hazy.

I was back on my bed with the sheets kicked away, my clothes were a mess too. I stretched and hopped out perhaps it was thanks to Eva, or the medicine, whatever the case, that was the best dream I had in a long time. Now to see if Meredy is done.

I found Meredy in her room and wearing a different set of clothes than when I first came back; a pearl cardigan along with a pair of loose brown trousers. She was enjoying a cup of tea while she compiled what I assumed to be information she got from the trio I brought back.

"Did you have a good rest?" She asked, taking a sip of her drink.

"What happened to the three?" I asked as I took a seat on her bed. Meredy rested her head on my shoulder and sighed.

"I got Jellal to take them away."

"He's awake?"

"Fifteen minutes ago. But never mind that, please tell me what's happening to you." Then I was my turn to sigh.

"Straight to the point huh?"

"You told me a hunter never lets an opportunity go."

"I wish you could grow up normally many, many times," I tucked away a loose strand behind Meredy's ear, "instead, I taught you allll that…"

"I'm not falling for that again."

"These are my true thoughts, I'm not running away, I will tell you what's happening. I've…been having nightmares for a while now. They're about what I've done. I feel like my regrets are coming back to attack me and wear me down until I collapse. And I can't get used to them. Every time I think that I did, it'll change to a different one. Sometimes, it'll change at random." Meredy let my confession slowly fall to the ground, she digged at her nails and pinched her hair.

"Why didn't you tell me?" She asked in a low murmur.

"I didn't want to worry you. At first, I thought it would just go away. It only got worse at time went on. I was reminded of everything I've did, the people I've killed, the people I cheated, lives I've ruined. I was so stupid at the time, a selfish woman that couldn't accept my past and move on. I don't deserve you." I pulled Meredy into a hug. It was a tight one, I felt that if I loosened up even for a little, all that I have right now would go away. Going back to what I used to be…scares me more than anything else.

"Don't say that," she returned the affection, quickly wrapping her hands around my back and rubbing it slowly, "though you say I was also one of your victims, you still managed to take of me to this day, you showered me with your all love because you have no other places to pour it. And what I've learned from all these years of being your daughter is that deep down, you're one of the kindest people out there. I won't go anywhere." Those three words made me loosen up. "I'll always be your daughter."

"Thank you." We sat there for a while, and for this was one the few times in my life, where I lost track of time. I just wanted to enjoy this for as long as possible

"You know, I feel lucky."

"What do you mean?"

"I'm one of the few people to have ever seen this side of you—the real you. Everyone else assumes you're a cruel person. They couldn't be further away from the truth."

"I guess the doctor was right, talking about It with someone I trust will help."

"You didn't need to see a doctor to know that, I could have told you."

"I'm working on my problems with doctors."

"Liar." I smiled and tugged on her hair lightly.

"I should work on that too."

"For my sake, please do."

"I've spoilt you too much."

"But that's why you're the best mom ever."

Thanks for reading!

Yeah, I sure took my sweet time without a good quality improvement. However, that's mainly because I have an assignment I need to hand in soon, so I need all the time I I could get. At the same time, this chapter was close to completion and it weighted in my head for a long time, to the point where I couldn't focus on my assignment until I wrap this up.

With that said, I won't be writing for around two weeks so I am do my work, which most likely means the next chapter would be posted three weeks from now or even later.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed, have a nice day!