Levy POV
Fairy Tail was packed full of people but Laxus was still warmly welcomed as our escort and Simon called for a feast that very evening. Within hours, we were sitting down to a table filled with all sorts of food. Natsu had an enormous mountain of food on his plate as did Gajeel.
"Just wait until word spreads throughout Fiore that the she-wolves have returned," Simon said, "then the real feasting will begin."
My smile faded when I saw Gray. He looked grim and was shaking his head.
"We cannot take them into town," he said to Simon. He was probably worried about running into Zancrow.
"We can do nothing but," Simon replied. He was much more forceful in his speech than I remembered. The last time I had seen him he was just barely hanging on, even reading a book to us was such a workout for him, but now, it was like he was like a whole new man.
He gestured over to us. "What will the people say if we do not bring the She-Wolves of Fairy Tail to be properly honored. After what happened here, we all bear the burden of responsibility to right such wrongs."
Gray's eyes darkened at Simons mentioning of what happened the last time we were here.
Gajeel, usually one to stay quiet and not get involved, leaned forward. "Simon, it is best that they stay here."
"Put your faith in me," Simon said, addressing us and completely ignoring Gajeel's warning. "I will see to it that the road from Fairy Tail to town has never been safer. If any rogue Phantom Lord members or enemies wish to try to capture you, they'll have to get through hundreds of Fairy Tail men. They'd have to bring an army capable of full-fledged war. Our scouts would see them coming from miles away. We'll have ample opportunity to get you to safety. Good?"
Erza, Lucy, Juvia, and I looked at each other silently. While I trusted Gajeel's judgement, we really weren't in a position to decline him without seeming like we were doubting his ability to lead.
"Whatever you believe is best," Erza said with a hesitant smile.
"Excellent!" cried Simon with a broad grin. He rose. "I propose we begin the celebration tonight. The she-wolves have returned! To their return!" he said, lifting his goblet.
"To their return!" Thundered all in the room. But neither Jellal nor his brothers raised their goblets with the rest.
Shortly after eating we bid goodnight to everyone and returned to our room. Given that Fairy Tail was so full they had to pile all four of us into one room, but we didn't mind. Laxus on the other hand actually got a room to himself, which I guess made sense, it would be weird if they made him sleep in the same room as us. Also, I don't think Jellal, Gray, and Natsu would appreciate a guy living with their crushes.
"Juvia can't believe we're actually back." Juvia squealed in English, squishing her cheeks between her palms.
Lucy rolled her eyes, "We were here a few hours ago Juvs."
"To us," Erza reminded her. "To them, it's been three months."
"Do you really think it's safe for us to go all the way to town? Without exposing ourselves I mean." I voiced my concern.
"Well, it seems that no one knows of our magic. That, or they're doing a really good job of acting like they don't know." Erza noted just as a knock sounded at our door.
"It's me." Laxus's voice rumbled from behind the door.
"Come in." We all answered unanimously.
Laxus entered and silently made his way over to one of our beds and sat down. Juvia and I snicker as Erza and Lucy grin silently at his pensive posture.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Lucy quips, settling down beside Laxus with a slight bounce in the bed to peer more closely at his face. Laxus silently nods his head.
"At least you knew what to expect." I grumbled, plopping down on his other side. "We were dropped out here not having a clue of what to do. I felt like I was on naked and afraid, except with different clothes on."
I could have sworn I saw Laxus fight back a crack of a smile for a second before he gives me a deadpan look.
"So, you all are witches." Laxus says, looking at each of us. "And that's... bad."
"Bingo." Lucy replies.
"And the last time you were here you helped them defeat their enemies, Phantom Lord, was it? Which is how Juvia ended up with that scar on her abdomen."
"Yup."
"But physical attacks shouldn't work on Juvia. She can turn into water." Laxus pointed out.
"Juvia was... scared." Juvia admitted. "The discrimination of witches was one of the first things we learned of when we arrived here. You saw it yourself; we're hunted here. We're considered evil here. Juvia believes that we weren't immediately caught because we have been suppressing our magic for so long it is barely recognizable."
"Also, up until today, only Erza had revealed her magic." I added before another thought crossed my mind. "You don't think Erza is Zancrow's target, do you? Someone from Phantom Lord could have escaped and spread a rumor."
Erza was silent for a moment, "That is unlikely, it would have been impossible to survive my grand chariot spell outside of my adamantium armor's protection."
"Grand Chariot?" Laxus repeated, stunned. "Years of suppressing your magic and the first thing you do is conjure up Grand chariot?"
"We were desperate." Erza replied, closing her eyes as if reliving the moment again. "Juvia would have died if we didn't win the battle. Everyone would have died. I'd do it again in a heartbeat if it came down to it."
"Good grief." Laxus exhaled, "I wonder what Mavis would have said about all of this."
"She would have been so excited, and she would have had the answer to everything. She always did." Lucy chuckled.
A knock suddenly sounded at the door.
Being the closest to the door, Lucy gets up and opens it.
"Sorry to bother you all while you're resting, I came to see if you wanted me to prepare your baths." Mira said warmly.
"A bath would be wonderful, and your presence is anything but a bother Mira." Lucy answered appreciatively. We nodded in agreement.
"I'll get that started right away then. Also, I knocked on your escort's door, but no one answered. Has he left?" Mira questioned.
"Laxus? No, he's right here." Lucy opens the door wider so Mira can see into our room. Mira's eyes widen.
"Oh my," Mira says in surprise. "He must be as tall as Gajeel."
"No, Gajeel is taller." I said to myself without thinking. I freeze for a second, thinking Laxus might have heard me, but when I turn to glance at him, he is looking at Mira.
Actually, by now he is staring at Mira. I look over to Juvia who has most definitely taken notice from the way a sly grin slowly crept onto her face. Juvia, seeing that I too have noticed what she noticed, points to her ears and then points to Laxus. I almost gasp. Laxus the Lightning Dragon slayer is blushing.
Laxus the Lightning Dragon slayer is blushing and staring at none other than Mirajane, our sweet cook and head housekeeper.
Mira steps in and introduces herself. "Welcome to Fairy Tail, I am Mirajane Strauss, but everyone calls me Mira. I tend to the kitchen and upkeep of Fairy Tail. I am at your service."
Laxus snaps out of his daze when Mira bows slightly at the end of her introduction. Looking away quickly he mumbles out, "Ah, yes, thank you. You can call me Laxus."
"Laxus," Mira repeats with a smile. "Very nice name. Shall I prepare a bath and a change of clothes for you as well?"
"Erm, if it's not too much of a bother then yes, I would appreciate that."
"I'll get right to that as well then. Shall I also send a servant to aid you?"
"No! No," Laxus quickly replied, ears turning even more red. "I can manage on my own."
Mira smiles and nods. "Very well then. I will get all your baths started. Rest well."
The door closes with a slight thud as Mira exits the room. We immediately turn to face Laxus but he has a hand up, signaling us to wait until we can no longer hear Mira's footsteps.
Once no sign of her can be heard, we immediately turn back to interrogate him on what that was all about but before we can even let out a single word Laxus rushes out of our room, lightning crackling in his wake.
"You can't hide from us forever Laxus!" Juvia yells just as the door to his room slams shut. I finally allow my jaw to drop open in shock.
"There's no way." I say in disbelief.
"There's totally a way and we just saw it." Juvia replies with triumphant excitement. "Another ship to add to my collection!"
"Wait, what? What happened?" Lucy asked, confused.
"It seems that Laxus has a crush on our sweet Mirajane." Erza says with a smile.
"On Mira?! There's no way. I can't believe it." Lucy pauses, "Actually, it's Mira so I can believe it, but Laxus? Have a crush? There's no way. Even Mavis herself would have a heart attack."
"Well, believe it because it's unfolding right before our very eyes." I said, still processing what I had just witnessed.
Lucy sighs and flops onto the bed. "What is up with everyone falling in love here?!"
A/N: Its been a while, huh? Sorry for the two year wait guys I can't promise I'll be uploading consistently but I do stand by my promise that I will finish this book. I don't know how long it will take me but I will do it, so be patient with me guys. I'm also hoping to do some revising on both the first book and this one so I'll let you guys know when I do that.
Hope you enjoyed!
See you in Chapter 5!