I apologize for the wait! I had major computer issues that took longer than expected.

Here's a new chapter! Enjoy the read!

Chapter 129

Interlude at the Strauss

Over the next hours, Lucy and I were treated to the hospitality of the Strauss siblings. Lisanna and Mira made us dinner, and Elfman made us desert. The food was delicious, but to tell the truth, I didn't really have much of an appetite and practically had to force myself to eat, not wanting to worry anybody. After all, I never really told anyone of the Strauss siblings about Finn's death, and I wasn't quite ready to tell them just yet. After all, it was still pretty sudden, and I wasn't sure if this was a good time to say anything about it. Until then, I did my best to try and keep happy.

After we ate, Lisanna and Lucy went off to do something together in her room while Mira went upstairs. As for Elfman and me, the two of us were busily cleaning up the kitchen. I was doing the dishes, while Elfman made sure the table was cleaned up. As I cleaned, I tried my best not to think about anything, but with everything that happened, I couldn't help but feel as though my mind was all over the place.

"Hey, Willy? What are you doing standing around? Didn't you say that you were going to help me with dishes?"

I then jumped feeling a bit startled as I looked to my right to see Elfman standing there.

"Oh! Yes! I did! Sorry about that, Elfman," I apologized as I hastily resumed cleaning. "I said I'd clean them, and I'm cleaning them. See? I'm cleaning."

"Good. Just remember to make those dishes sparkling and manly," said Elfman.

"I know, I know," I said to him. "I'll get them done."

I then continued washing the dishes trying not to be distracted. There was a bit of a pause for a good few seconds or so, until at last, Elfman spoke up.

"You know, having you spend the night over here reminds me of old times back when we were kids," Elfman said. "Only this time, we have Lucy joining the party, which reminds me, did you and Lucy get kicked out of your apartments?"

"Pretty much," I said with a sigh. "Despite us being trapped in a magical barrier for seven years by a ghost, the Landlady was keeping count of the rent. Both of us owe, and I quote, five million, eight hundred and eighty-eight thousand jewel."

"Damn, that's quite the sum of jewel," Elfman said. "Well, you certainly came to the right place when you did. It's been a while since we've had a big sleepover."

"I suppose so," I spoke feeling slightly apologetic. "I'm only sorry that Lucy and I had to put you guys on the spot like this. Especially considering that you and your sisters just got back to your home too."

"Don't worry about it, Willy. We're happy to help you in any way we can," Elfman said kindly. "Besides, it's been a while since you've slept over in our place. You're more than welcome to stay at our place whenever you like. After all, you're like family. What's family for?"

Then, at the very mention of that word, I started to have flashbacks of when I was a kid still living with Finn. I could remember how much time I spent with him through training and at our home at the time. Upon remembering, I could feel my eyes start to burn a bit, and my vision blur as I tried my best not to cry, causing me to pinch my nose while rubbing my eyes.

"Hey, Willy? You okay?" asked Elfman.

"I-I'm fine," I choked, rubbing my eyes. "Just got something in my eyes is all. Anyway, I managed to finish up with the dishes. Is there anything else that I can help with, Elfman?"

Elfman thought for a few seconds. "Nothing honestly comes to mind at the moment. Why don't you make yourself at home? After all, you're a guest."

"Yeah. Sure," I replied as I walked out of the kitchen, going into the living room, and sat by the fireplace. As I sat there watching the flames crackle and flicker, I couldn't help but start thinking about Finn again, which once again made me feel like there was a pit at the bottom of my stomach. I couldn't seem to stop thinking about it. Then after staring at the fire for a good few minutes, I decided to take a soak in the bath, hoping that a good soak would calm my nerves as it always did.

"Hey, Elfman. Do you know where the bathroom is?" I asked. "I was going to go take a bath."

"It's the second room on the right when you walk into the hallway," said Elfman.

And after giving him a nod of thanks, I walked up the stairs and went down the hallway. As I walked past the first room, I could hear the sounds of laughing and talking in there, which led me to assume that Lucy, Lisanna, and Mira were in there talking something that was most likely girl talk. I figured I'd leave them be not wanting to disturb them.

I then continued to the third room and looked inside. I was in a place where the wooden floor met tile, there was a large sink with a mirror, and had a large basket. At the other end of the room was a door made of frosted glass.

"Guess this is the bathroom. It seems a little different than what I'm used to at the apartments. I suppose the tub is behind that door."

I ventured into the room and was just about to reach out to open the door when I heard a sound. The sound of someone humming. Not only that, but I saw something that made my face grow hot immediately. From behind the door was a silhouette of a person who was the source of the humming, washing all over as it spoke in a familiar voice sighing with content.

"Haah... This feels like heaven. It certainly has been a while since I've had a decent shower. I did feel dirty after all that fighting on Tenrou Island.

Upon recognition of the voice, I felt my heart start to beat a few ticks faster than usual as I gulped audibly.

"Yup! No doubt about it! It's Mira, alright!" I thought. "And she's in there... stark naked... without clothes on... in the buff. I should probably look away."

But for some reason, my feet stayed rooted to the spot as the silhouette of Mira continued to dance behind the door before my eyes. I wanted to look away. I should look away, but I couldn't stop. I was utterly entranced and stupified. Then I heard Mira speak again.

"Well, that should be enough for now. I better dry off before I get pruney."

As soon as I heard that along with the shadow coming closer, a switch clicked inside of me. I immediately turned on my heel and bolted out the door, not wanting to stick around. I had just left shutting the door behind me, about to start walking when I bumped into Elfman, who unexpectedly stood in front of me, which made me jump.

"Whoa. What's the matter, Willy?" asked Elfman. "I thought you were taking a bath."

"Oh! Yes! I was! But, uh, you see," I stammered inadvertently becoming flustered. "The thing was, I wanted you guys to go ahead first! Yeah! I, uh, want everyone else to take a bath first, that way I'll have some free time to soak!"

Elfman now looked a bit suspicious. "Willy? Are you feeling okay? Your face is all red, and you seem a bit flustered."

"Flustered? Who, me? I'm not flustered at all. I just decided on waiting for my bath is all!" I spoke, my voice going in a squeakier octave slightly. "Anyway, I'll be outside and, well, let me know when free! Okay! Bye!"

And I quickly power-walked away as soon as I could, wanting to get out of the house as fast as possible, going straight out through the front door. When I was outside, I took a minute to take some deep breaths trying to calm myself down.

"Okay. Okay. Calm down. Calm down! You didn't mean to look! It was a total accident that you saw Mira in the nude! Okay, technically, you didn't, it was her shadow, but still an accident! Oh, god, I hope Mira didn't see me!"

After taking a few seconds to breathe, I then decided what I needed to do. I took a couple of steps away from the house, spread my water wings, and then took off flying into the air soaring into the evening sky.

NO POV

Meanwhile, Mira was enjoying a good soak in the bath and was now rinsing herself off in the shower. The water was at a proper temperature, and she felt terrific, while getting clean. She felt in such a good mood, that she could help but hum a little tune to herself.

"Haah... This feels like heaven," she sighed with content. "It certainly has been a while since I've had a decent shower. I did feel dirty after all that fighting on Tenrou Island."

She raked her fingers through her hair as she washed it while washing her pearl white skin, continuing to hum to herself until Mira decided that she was finished.

"Well, that should be enough for now. I better dry off before I get pruney."

She turned the handle turning off the water and was just about to walk out the door, when she heard the sound of the door shutting. She opened the door and peered out and saw that no one was there, which made her puzzled.

"That's strange. I thought that there was someone there for a moment. Must have been my imagination."

She then stepped out and got a towel to dry herself off and got dressed in her pajamas. When she was fully dressed, she stepped out of the bathroom, where Elfman was standing in the hall, wearing a puzzled look on his face.

"Hey, Elfman. What are you doing standing here?" asked Mira. "Something on your mind?"

"Yeah. I just saw Willy a few seconds ago," said Elfman. "One minute, he said that he was going to take a bath, the next Willy's saying that he changed his mind deciding to wait."

"That does seem a bit strange," Mira spoke thoughtfully. "Now that you mention it, Willy has been acting a bit weird ever since we came back from the guild. I wonder what could be wrong with him?"

"I was thinking that it'd be the stress from losing the apartment or something like that," Elfman said. "But I don't stress would make him act this weird."

"Where's Willy now?" wondered Mira.

"Most likely outside," replied Elfman pointing with his thumb.

"I'll go see if he's okay, Elfman," said Mira. "Don't wait up for me, okay?"

Elfman gave his sister a nod in agreement. "Alright. Whatever you say, Sis."

The two then split up, Mira going towards downstairs while Elfman decided to take his turn in the bath. Mira then stepped outside and quietly shut the door behind her. The sky had already become dark, signaling the start of nightfall. She looked around, squinting her eyes, trying to search around the dark, taking a deep breath of night air to calm her senses. She walked into the stone path and looked around, and looked up towards the moon, thinking.

"Now, where is he?" Mira wondered to himself. "If I was Willy, where would I-"

Mira stopped mid-sentence, for she found her answer before her question could even leave her mouth.

Willy was sitting on top of the edge of the roof, lotus style, eyes closed, and in deep concentration. The moonlight shone directly on him, illuminating the front of his face, making his skin somewhat glow. He appeared to be at peace, but Mira could see that the boy was trying his best to try and keep himself calm like he was trying to shake off something beneath the surface. Mira, using her legs, jumped up and hopped a smaller roof and hopped on top of the main roof.

WILLY'S POV

I was sitting on top of the roof meditating. Since I couldn't find any other means of trying to get myself to relax, this was pretty much my only other option, which has only been somewhat useful. I tried focusing on my breathing and clearing my head, but just when I thought my mind was clear, my thoughts would wander, and my mind would end up filled with pointless thoughts, including what I just saw.

Then at that moment, I heard the sound of footsteps coming towards me from behind. My eyes snapped open and turned around, feeling a bit startled, only to see that I had some unexpected company in the form of Mirajane.

"Do you normally come up on rooftops for no reason?" Mira joked with a light smile.

"Not really," I replied. "I just... needed to clear my head a bit."

Mira walked over to where I was sitting and sat down beside me, letting her legs dangle over the edge. The two of us then sat there in a long silence, staring up in the night sky. I, for one, felt a bit awkward, and honestly didn't know what to say. After a while, Mira finally broke the silence by speaking up.

"You know, I would come up here sometimes to clear my head too," she said. "It's nice up here, and it makes me feel closer to the sky."

"Really? I had no idea," I spoke, glancing away. "Sorry if I took your spot."

"It's no big deal," Mira said. "Willy, I know I asked you if you were feeling okay, and you told me that you were fine, but I can't help but think that there's something wrong with you." She then placed her hand on my shoulder. "I also understand that you're stressed and most likely don't want to talk about certain things, but I just want you to know that if you're ever feeling sad or want to talk, I'm right here."

This made me look up at her to see that she was wearing a smile. That same smile that I've fallen for, ever since we were kids and now as adults. So radiant and kind like a goddess. I felt so moved by her kind words, that I felt myself wanting to cry; however, I kept my feelings of sadness bottled up.

"Thank you for understanding, Mira," I said. "And believe me, I appreciate it, but there's honestly nothing wrong with me. Honest."

"Whatever you say, Willy," Mira smiled. "Anyway, I'm going to head back inside and get ready for bed. Make sure you don't stay up here for too long. The last thing you want is a cold."

"Don't worry. I won't," I said, giving a light smile. "You're talking to a guy that slept in a cold dank cave when he was little."

Mira let out a giggle as she jumped off of the roof and landed on the ground below and walked inside, as I continued to sit there roof staring up at the moon and the stars while sending Mira a silent apology.

I would once again like to apologize for not uploading for the past few weeks.

As for this chapter, I'll let it sink for a bit. ;)

If you like what you read or want to give me pointers, make sure to PM me and leave a review!

Dragomaster, signing off!