Hey again guys! So I decided to carry on with my stand alone fan fic but... I have mentioned some stuff from the anime and manga. It's just for story setting and for it to make a little more sense so I never went into great detail. That said, there a quite a few spoilers and whilst some might not be completely accurate, it may still ruin the main series for you. So read on at your own risk or wait until you've caught up on the manga and anime, what ever is best for you. Anyways I hope you enjoy!

Chapter 4:

Getting out of bed, Finral slowly stumbled over to the window. It was raining heavily, fitting weather considering what day it was. On the streets below, were hundreds if not thousands of mourners all making their way towards the palace, all were dressed in black. It had been almost three weeks since the wizard kings death and the loss was still raw throughout the entire kingdom. Today was his funeral and people from far and wide had shown up to pay their respects. All though they had suffered such a tremendous loss, the battle had been won, and the Clover kingdom was again safe.

It had started the very same day Yami had gone for his meeting with Vangeance. It turned out Licht was using William's body as his own, and had took the opportunity to kill the wizard King with a sneak attack after holding the Kingdom hostage. It was Yami who had come to Finral for help and together with Captain Jack of the preying Mantis's, had set out to stop him. It had been a lengthy difficult battle, and Finral had pushed far beyond his limits and thanks to that, his recovery had slowed down and his pain was immense. Never the less he regretted nothing. As far as he was concerned, his suffering was nothing compared to the loss everyone was feeling right now.

"You should be in bed" a rough but compassionate voice interrupted him from behind.

"Sorry Owen, but I have to pay my respects somehow. Even if looking out the window is all I can do" Finral answered quietly.

"I understand, but your recovery is more important"

"How come your here and not going to the funeral?" Finral asked, not stepping away from the window and changing the subject.

"Well someone has to look after the patients here. As much as I want to go and say my final goodbyes to Julias, my work needs me more" Owen answered matter of factly, if somewhat saddened.

"I see..." Finral trailed off.

He knew Owen blamed himself for the Kings death. Owen thought that because he wasn't fast enough to get to him, he had died. Whilst that wasn't true, Owen beat himself up over it every day in his mind.

Owen came and stood beside Finral and looked out of the window at the crowds below.

"You know, you and your friends did well protecting the Kingdom. You should be proud" Owen commented.

"Please. All I did was help evacuate people and save my family" Finral scorned, "Asta, Yami, Yuno, Licht and Lemiel did all the hard work. As well as everyone else fighting through out the Kingdom"

"Not true, regardless of your condition, you used your powers successfully. Also if it wasn't for you the first wizard king wouldn't have been awakened to begin with"

"I had help, plus I think the adrenaline kept me from collapsing again"

"Never the less, I'm impressed. The Black Bulls really do have some impressive member's" Owen added.

"Well today's not a day for praise. Today's a day to say goodbye to our Wizard King"

"That it is, but I know he wouldn't want us all to be unhappy. He'd want us to celebrate our achievement as well. The Clover Kingdom was saved and he would be truly grateful for that" the Doctor finished.

"Yeah your right, but it's hard to feel that way"

"It's understandable, I don't much feel like that myself if I'm being honest. But work calls and as much as it pain's me to say it, life goes on. As long as I can save someone's life here, maybe I'll eventually stop blaming myself for Julias's death"

Finral remained quiet as he continued staring out of the window.

"Right I'm going to continue my rounds. You can have a few more minutes but when I come back later, I expect to see you in bed. Ok?"

"Thanks Doc" Finral replied, sadness tinged his voice.

"Anytime" Owen replied sympathetically as he left the room.

The next day, back at the hide out, the atmosphere was heavy with grief. For a change the whole place was quiet and not a single person spoke. Gordon sat quietly on a chair observing his squad mates as usual. It pained him to see his friends in such grief and no matter how many times he tried to cheer them up, no one heard him. Grey was sat at a table with her head in her hands, whether it was out of grief or shyness no one knew, she was always like that after all. Gauche was sat talking to a picture of his little sister Marie. He was angry that she would also be feeling the loss of the Wizard King and he was not there to comfort her. Though truth be told, he to was saddened, especially since he had allowed himself to be taken over by his elf counter part and felt some of the blame should be on him also. Magna was outside firing off fire balls out of frustration, it was the only thing he could think of that made him feel a little better. Luck sat near by watching, his usual smile on his face. The squad knew there was nothing sinister behind it, it was just the way he was. The only proof he was grieving, was the fact he never challenged a single one of them to a fight. Since he to had also been taken over by an elf counter part, he also blamed himself for what had happened. Charmy had not touched a single piece of food since the day before. It was concerning for the others but they knew she would eat when she was ready, and probably make up for the missed meals. Zora was sat on a stool at the bar. He didn't show it, but he to felt the sadness that came with grieving. Just like when he'd lost his father, he felt like he'd lost another role model in his life. Henry was up in his room, he didn't know the Wizard King as well as the others did, but they were hurting, and so he to was hurting. He would have comforted them, if it wasn't for the fact he'd suck their power dry. Noelle was sat by Asta. She was upset like everyone else but she could see that the blonde haired boy she was sat by, was suffering more then most. He didn't cry, he didn't talk, he just sat staring blankly at the floor. Noelle knew nothing she could say would get through to him, so she hoped her presence alone was enough to comfort him. Vanessa was slumped on the bar next to Zora, she was pushing a bottle of wine that was laid on it's side back and forth. She had got it with intentions to drink it, but had lost interest and began rolling it instead. Yami strolled into the room. and the atmosphere hit him. It was enough to crush even him and he wasn't going to take it anymore.

"What the hell is this?!" he yelled loudly.

They all turned to face him shocked, except Asta who continued to stare at the floor.

"Magna! Luck! Get your arses in here now!" Yami yelled louder.

They entered the building with in seconds of being summoned.

"What's wrong? What's happened?" Magna almost yelped with confusion and concern.

"Your sorry, sulking arse's that's what!" Yami continued loudly, "The funeral was yesterday. We're Magic knights for crying out loud! Loss happens. Yeah we lost a great guy who just so happened to be the Wizard King. But we still have a job to do! The time for Mourning is over, do it in your own time, there is a ton of shit to do and as far as I can see, not a single one of you are doing it! Pull your selves together, because as you mope around here, people are still suffering out in the real world needing a magic knight to step in and help! Damn it... Luck, Gauche, neither of you knew what was going to happen that day. You didn't know you were elf vessels for gods sake so suck it up and get on with it. Charmy eat something, quite frankly it's weird not seeing you touch a crumb. Magna, Gordon and Grey, you did your best in the fight. We won, so stop moping around. Zora your a hard guy to read but you need to get back out there and stop the injustice that so called magic knights are causing on innocent people! Vanessa, I don't know what your problem is but what ever it is, get over it! And finally Asta"

Yami looked in Asta's direction now and Asta looked back waiting to be scolded like the others had just been. He was not disappointed.

"Get off your Lazy arse and get training. Now is the perfect time to prove your Wizard king material is it not? You want to beat that buddy of yours don't you? Well get the hell up and get out there and do something about it! Sitting around here feeling sorry for yourself is doing you no favours. The Asta that I accepted into the Black Bulls would not give up this easily!" Yami finished with, "Hell you don't see me sat around feeling sorry for myself do you?!"

"But Yami you're..." Magna was about to interrupt the Captain but was cut off with a threatening glare.

Yami might have been trying to rally the group, but he still couldn't hide the single tear that had sprung to his eye in the process. Seeing this the others sprung into action, they knew at that moment that the Captain was hurting just as much as they were, if not more. They were not going to let Yami show his weak side in front of them. They knew he would never forgive himself for it. Charmy immediately began making a butt load of food.

"We'll have a feast!" she proclaimed, "Celebrate the life of one of the best Wizard kings we have had, as well as us being together as group again!"

"Hey Magna let's go fight!" Luck exclaimed excitedly before giving Magna one of his famous electric shocks to provoke him.

"You bastard!" Magna shouted angrily but still grinning "You're going to pay for that! Let's go!"

Together they headed outside and soon loud explosions and shouting and menacing laughter, could be heard as they went head to head with each other.

"I'm going to sculpt Marie out of this fine piece of wood I found just after the hideout was attacked" Gauche announced happily. Then a little more darkly, "If anyone so much as scratches it you will pay with your life!"

Grey covered her eyes as she declared she would be going for a bath. She skittishly left the room getting more flustered the more she moved.

"Sound's good" Noelle smiled as she followed Grey, "Royalty should always be prepared for a feast after all" then inwardly finished with, "I wonder if Asta will notice if I wear a new dress or something. Maybe I should ask Vanessa for help"

Glancing in Vanessa's direction, she soon changed her mind. Vanessa was still glumly sat at the bar. The only thing that had changed, was she was now swigging from the bottle. Zora was sat talking to her drinking his own beer, she would only grunt and nod in response.

"I'll just wear the usual" Noelle thought before leaving the room, "Asta probably won't notice anyways..."

Gordon mumbled something inaudible before he to left the room. What he was going to do, which the others hadn't heard, was go and see Henry. Henry was after all now one of Gordon's new friends. He was going to log everything he learnt about him and make a best friends book like he had with everybody else.

Asta stood for a while, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do. He knew Yami was right and maybe working out the anguish and sadness he felt would do him some good. He glanced around as everyone busily tried to get along with their lives and smiled.

"Right!" he thought to himself, "If I want to beat Yuno I've got to get moving! I bet he's training right now to!"

He headed out. He would do some sword training and body training before the feast. If anything it would keep his mind busy, at least he hoped it would.

Yami watched them all with a satisfied smile. He knew they had seen his moment of weakness, but in that moment he didn't care. He was still human and had feeling's and as a Captain sometimes it was important to show that. He had achieved this after all, his squad were once again getting on with their lives.

"Erm... Captain?" A little voice came to him and he looked down to see Charmy, "If this is going to be a successful feast and boost morale and what ever... Shouldn't Finral be here?"

"Good point" Yami agreed pulling his lit cigarette away from his mouth and exhaling the smoke, "Leave it to me. I'll sort something out"

"Hey Finral! Get off your arse, we've come to take you home!" Yami yelled proudly as he burst into Finral's hospital room.

Finral practically fell out of bed in fright,. Up until a few moments ago he had been asleep.

"Wha... what do you mean?" he stammered, trying to calm himself.

"We're leaving. Get your stuff together, we have somewhere to be!" Yami ordered.

"But I'm not allowed to leave" Finral answered confused.

In that moment Owen appeared at the door. Once he had reached it, he bent over and clasped his knees trying to catch his breath.

"Damn it Yami you can't run through the hospital like that!" he eventually panted out, "And keep your voice down!"

"Sorry Owen" Yami half laughed whilst trying to look a little ashamed of himself.

Owen stared at him disapprovingly as he pushed past him until he was stood at the end of Finral's bed.

"You can go home today..." Owen began but was cut off by Yami.

"See I told you..." Yami was in turn cut off by Owen.

"If you feel comfortable going home that is" Owen finished then again gave Yami a stern look. Yami just shrugged in response.

"Are you sure I'm ready to leave?" Finral asked concerned.

"Honestly, you've done remarkably well in your recovery. Your wounds have healed and your walking again. Your spatial magic is restoring itself as well. So as long as you come in twice a week for a few months, you should be completely back to normal. I see no reason for you to remain in hospital for the remainder of your recovery" Owen smiled, "Yami has convinced me you will be taken care of, so I have no objections"

"But it was only yesterday you scolded me for stepping foot out of bed with out permission" Finral replied, "Plus what about pain control? My whole body still hurts"

"Don't get me wrong. There is to be no missions until I say otherwise. And certainly no unnecessary magic use" he glanced at Yami who in turn looked a little offended.

"What are you accusing me of?" he asked innocently.

"You already know that answer" Owen raised an eyebrow. He then addressed Finral again, "You will need plenty of rest and don't over do it. I'll also send you home with some strong pain killer's, they should help keep the pain at bay"

"Thank you and believe me I won't over do it until you say I am fully mended!" Finral agreed happily as he stepped out of bed a little unsteady before regaining his balance, "I'll get my stuff now, then we can go!"

"You Black Bull's are to hard headed" Owen sighed, "I haven't even discharged you yet. There is paper work to do first"

"So get to it!" Yami demanded, "We're waiting"

"Don't push it, or you can stitch your own wounds next time" Owen warned as he left the room to grab what he needed.

"Welcome back Finral!" Everyone chorused as he entered the building with Yami.

The only person who hadn't joined in with the welcoming party was Vanessa, she was currently drinking her self into oblivion refusing to even look in Finral's direction. They hadn't spoken or seen each other since their fall out over Rachel. So in turn, Finral refused to acknowledge her as well. Instead he tried to fend off the over excited squad members that were currently greeting him.

"There's lots of yummy food for you"

"You've got to try that new move of yours on me"

"Here's a picture of Marie. You may look at her face as welcome"

"Mumble, mumble, mumble"

"Argh! Welcome back. Please don't look at me!"

"Good to see your up and on the mend"

"Hey Finral. Good to see you on your feet, though even losing the use of my arm's I still beat you to recovery"

"Right you savages! He needs rest not your stupid faces hounding him! Now move and let's get on with this banquet. God knows I'm starving here!" Yami commanded as he pushed Finral through the crowd a little to roughly.

"You need to take a leaf out of your own book" Finral thought to himself as he struggled to keep his balance. Then out loud continued with, "Thanks everyone, it's good to be back"

"Sit here Finral, I'll bring your food over!" Charmy offered, indicating a seat she had prepared for him with far to many pillows.

"Erm... thanks, but I can get my own..."

"Nonsense!" she cut him off, "Now sit and I'll be right back!"

She pushed him down into the pile of pillows which instantly buried him.

"I should have stayed in hospital!" he thought pitifully to himself. The push itself hadn't hurt to much, but now he was lost in endless darkness. Suddenly, a little light made it's way through the pillow tomb.

"Well there's far to many of these for you" Noelle commented as she helped him burrow his way out.

"Ah thank you" Finral sighed gratefully.

"I get that everyone's trying to be considerate, but they really need to learn how to hold back" she huffed.

"It's fine, I'm used to it" he smiled back.

Zora walked over now and sat down next to him.

"Hey I'm Zora, we've met before but I think I need to introduce myself to you properly"

"Oh yeah, the other's have told me quite a bit about two Black bull members no one knew about. There's you and someone called Henry right?"

With that Zora and Finral began a conversation. Zora explained everything that had led up to him infiltrating the Royal knights exam.

"So are you not going to welcome Finral home?" Noelle asked as she walked over to where Vanessa was still slouched at the bar.

"Ner I'm good" she slurred.

"Why? Have you two had a fallen out or something?"

"Please we're not kids. It's more of a... how'd ya put it? Ah yes, more of an adult disagreement"

"Disagreement about what?"

"That he would rather date someone I don't like then be friends with me" she slurred angrily.

"Sounds rather childish to me" Asta commented in passing and received a slap to the back of the head from Noelle for his efforts.

"Ow what did you do that for?" he complained, "I'm just being honest. Just because someone doesn't like another person, doesn't mean no one else can"

"At least try to be a little more sympathetic about it!" Noelle hissed.

"Wait so you think I'm in the wrong?" Vanessa asked confused.

"Well I hate to say it, but yeah." Noelle answered trying to add a little compassion to her voice, "I've been through the same thing, but I managed to keep my opinion to myself"

"You have? When?" Asta and Vanessa asked together.

Noelle thought back to the time she had stalked Asta to the Village where Rebecca lived. There growing rivalry to win Asta's heart had begun then. She had took a disliking to her the moment Rebecca had kissed Asta on the cheek. Her Jealously was still fresh in her mind even now.

"Urgh... It doesn't matter!" she blushed, "Anyway's...Vanessa does that mean that your Jealous?"

"What? Why would Vanessa be Jealous of some woman being friends with Finral?" Asta questioned confused.

"So clueless!" Noelle scorned, "Get out of here Asta!"

She pushed him away and as he reluctantly went he got even more confused. Noelle turned back to Vanessa. Vanessa didn't look back, instead she looked solemnly into her booze bottle.

"Well?" Noelle asked kindly, "You can be honest with me, I'm good at keeping secrets"

"I have feelings for him Noelle" Vanessa eventually spat out., "I have feelings for him and he would rather be with another woman. I just don't know what to do!"

I hope this chapter did my fic some justice. I really didn't want to linger on the whole Wizard kings death thing so I hope you don't think I've just brushed it over to quickly. Ill probably reference it a few times through out the rest of the fic so there's that. Anyways, I'm off on holiday for week but I promise I will try my hardest to update again as soon as I can. Until next time, Enjoy!