Chapter 2 Hope for Morning by Icon for Hire
She screwed up. She screwed up so bad this time she felt like she had to pack everything up and run away from the town she called home. The thought seemed like a good idea but the thought of the duty she had to keep outweighed it more. She couldn't let her father down like she swore she had done so many times in years past. It was a surprise that he allowed her to take over the family business.
But, she couldn't help but place most of the blame on Macao and Wakaba for the lack of information. They could have told her that the Fairy Tail members that were believed to be missing on Tenrou Island had suddenly reappeared from thin air practically.
Leaning against the cart and taking in the aroma that some of the vegetables had drew her back from her thoughts of torture. She could torture them in a few but it also meant a bit of normalcy had finally arrived again. As much as she hated those two for keeping the news from her she couldn't blame them. They had to be in shock from seeing their believed dead or missing friends suddenly show up without a word.
Closing her eyes and taking in the scent that rolled off the green beans she smiled. She was finally the same age as Natsu and them which meant she wasn't going to be viewed as the little girl that just wanted to tag along. Even if her magic wasn't useful for anything but to remind people of the things and people that used to be living.
Looking up to the morning sky and taking in the multitude of colors that painted the sky she let a smirk grace her porcelain skin. She swore it was yesterday when she found out that everyone that went to participate in the challenge was discovered missing along with the entire island. Part of her didn't want to give up on that small bit of hope that they weren't dead but alive and well somewhere.
As she walked along the stoned path while pushing the cart of vegetables, she felt a chill race up her spine. From what she had overheard from Macao while he was talking to a few people Laxus was with them. But why? He was supposed to be excommunicated from the guild so how did he wind up on the island with the rest of the Thunder Legion?
She had never set foot on the island but from the way people talked from experience it was a sacred place that people that was in the guild knew the location of. Though she barely knew anything of the place since she barely dealt with the happenings that the guild had. She was more in the shadows and rather be unnoticed by everyone instead of being the center of attention like some.
Shaking her head, she tried to clear her thoughts. Since she had found out about everyone, she couldn't help but think about everyone. She couldn't wait to see Erza because she was like the older sister that she never had. But she also was envious of the confidence that she carried.
Looking towards the sky once more she leaned against the wooden handles with a wistful smile. What would her father say if he was here now? He would probably be demanding a drink with Makarov or trying to hit on Mirajane or someone else that was his fancy of the day.
"Papa, what now?"
As she approached the building that was a shadow of the main hall she listened to the crow of a rooster if she wanted to call it that. She knew that noise anywhere since she raised it from the fluff of a chick. It couldn't crow so it reminded her of it being possibly strangled by someone. It was going to be the death of her or someone that finally got tired of the annoying noise.
Glancing at the yard for the chickens she caught sight of the white bird that reminded her of a cocky teen that thought he could get away with anything. So, she couldn't help but call it Cocky from the time she realized she was raising a rooster instead of another hen.
"Why couldn't I sleep in?" She grumbled as a yawn escaped her. If she didn't have to work last night like she had she would probably still be asleep. If anything didn't wake her up like rolling out of bed or dreaming of things that should have or shouldn't have happened.
At the thought of working she felt her face heat up slightly as a blush dusted her cheeks. If anyone found out from Laxus that was stripping in Magnolia she would never show her face in town again. It was almost as bad as being a single woman and having a child because reputation was something, she knew was important to people anymore. Sure, it was another job to some but when you're doing it on the side and in secret you had to be careful.
"Damn it." She whined slightly as she grimaced. Biting her cheek, she wanted to turn tail and run away from the guild that felt like a second home. It was when she was growing up and needed company for various reasons. "Maybe he didn't realize that it was me after all. It's been at least seven years since he last saw me. I've changed a lot according to Laki and Max. Or maybe he was drunk, so he doesn't remember anything from last night."
Forcing the door open for the beat-up cart that her father made from scratch she felt a little better about herself. It was enough to put a little pep in her step as she walked into the small building. It wasn't the same to her though. It didn't have the same feeling as the infamous guild did seven years ago. It was more of a shell than anything else. Now if they could build back up from the ground was a different story.
"Oh Macao! I broug―" She started to call out before she shut her mouth at the amount of bodies that littered the room. It was something she had to get use to again.
Gray was being cuddled by the rain woman that she barely knew but she could tell that the woman was melting into a puddle for some strange reason. They were on a bench that obviously looked like it was on its last leg from the shape it was in. So, she couldn't help but suspect that it was part of a brawl that Fairy Tail used to be famous for.
Natsu was passed out on top of a broken table with others in the same or similar sleeping style around the room. So, it was obvious she missed whatever party the guild had to celebrate the return of their family. She could even hear a few groans of protest for the bright light that she was allowing to creep in.
So, they were back. It wasn't some kind of cruel joke that someone was trying to pull on them. They were here physically so she didn't have to feel like she was dreaming that was close to be a borderline nightmare.
The sound of shuffling feet caught her attention as she tensed. She couldn't tell who it was especially since she didn't have a nose like Natsu did. She couldn't help but be envious of him for the fact that he seemed like he was invincible.
A small smile graced her pale pink lips as she took in the sight of the elderly man that she saw as a grandfather. He was a sight for sore eyes. She wanted to run over and hug him close to her to give her some form of comfort that she wasn't going to wake up in her bed. He walked out from behind the bar with a hand rubbing his face in an attempt to wake up. It was either that or he was feeling the after affects of partying last night.
"M-Master Makarov!" She squealed in delight, earning a few groans from the bodies around her. She rushed over as best she could without stepping on anyone. She didn't care if anyone saw her because she missed the man.
Grabbing hold of the elderly man she squeezed as hard as she could. She even went as far as nuzzling her face against his cheek in an affectionally manner that reminded her of a feline. She didn't care if anyone saw her like this. She was just glad that he was back.
"My dear who are you? Did Macao recruit you while we were gone for those seven years?" Makarov questioned as his looks transformed from half asleep to confused and wide awake. He wasn't sure if he would have to pry this young woman off him or enjoy the attention he was receiving.
A soft giggle escaped her which felt uncharacteristic for her. Normally she wouldn't be letting that type of noise out, but she knew that a lot has changed since their disappearance. She had finally gone from being that girl that was a stick to finally filling out enough to look like a woman. She didn't turn heads like Mirajane could, but she had a little more confidence that she wasn't born with the wrong body.
She wasn't the same little girl that tagged along with her father when he went to the guild to restock them with food that was locally grown. Instead she was the one doing just what her father had done so many years ago.
"Master, it's me Emilia," Emilia answered as a true grin crossed her face. "But most people nowadays call me Emi."
His face slowly lit up with recognition as it slowly set in. There was a part of him that couldn't believe it because the fact that seven years has passed didn't want to sink in. She wasn't the same barely there teen that wanted to hide away all because she was hitting puberty later than some.
"My, my. You've grown since the last time I've seen you child. I'm sure your father has to keep those boys away with everything he has, doesn't he?" He chuckled though he didn't catch the quick flicker of pain cross her face.
It had to be the morning of the tests was when he last saw her. Her father was making his morning deliveries with her in tow in case he needed the help. Though, he was convinced she tagged along so she wouldn't be left alone. Back then she was obviously still a child from how she looked. It was to the point he swore if Laxus gave her a hug she would have disappeared from the embrace.
"Yeah, that's what I've been getting a lot lately especially Master Bob when he came to visit a while back. A lot of people also keep saying I look like mama, but I just don't see it though." She replied but her voice slowly got quieter as memories started to flood her mind.
He knew the subject was hard considering she was young when her mother had passed from an illness.
"I can see it. You have her eyes and your father's face. Guess what they say about the first daughters looking like their fathers is true." Makarov argued with a smirk that hinted at playful.
Emi rolled her eyes at the compliment. She knew that he was just saying that to get her to feel better about herself and not to dwell on anything. Which she would admit was the hardest thing to do. It felt like her mind preferred to be trapped there instead of going back to how things used to be.
"Anyway, where is your father? We have quite a bit of catching up to do." Makarov chuckled at the thought of the man. "Even a bit of drinking would be nice to help us catch up."
The smiled that was on her face ceased at the topic that he brought up. It still ached to the point she wanted to curl up in a ball in the corner and be left alone. She didn't want to think of the subject in the slightest even though she knew that it was bound to come up sooner or later. But she didn't think it would be this soon. Slowly she rung the end of her shirt in some attempt to distract herself.
Most people that knew the situation would stay clear of this subject or attempt to tread lightly. She couldn't fault him for this though. Him and the rest of Fairy Tail that had been gone for these seven years didn't know her circumstance. Hell, even some of the people that her father considered to be practically family was still finding out about everything that happened.
"Um . . . H-He handed the business over to me a couple years ago. Said he finally wanted to relax and enjoy his life. You know how he can be." She lied as she heard the doors burst open, allowing the morning sun to creep in once more. It also earned more groans from plenty of the bodies that were scattered around.
She turned her attention to whoever it was quickly just as Makarov glanced at the newcomer that stood in the doorway. She just couldn't anticipate the fact that her face paled more than it was already at the sight of the tall blond that looked extremely hungover if not still drunk.
'Why now? Why here of all places? Why can't it be never?' She questioned mentally as she tried to plan her escape at the same time. She didn't want to cause some sort of scene in front of the people that she considered family. Nor did she want to get Macao or Wakaba involved since they took her under their wing a couple years ago.
"Hey old geezer where did you store all of my shit? All I smell right now is bourbon and beer which is nasty as shit." Laxus grumbled as he stumbled over to the bar to the point he almost stepped on Cana who was passed out still. He wasn't hungover but obviously still drunk like she thought.
"In the closet in my office you dumb child."
Turning on her heel as she deemed it her time to leave Emi tried to hide her face from the lightning mage. Even if he was drunk or whatever state he was in she knew that there was a possibility of him recognizing her. That was the last thing she needed on her plate.
"So anyway, who's the girl? Is she trying to join the guild or somethin'?" Laxus groaned out as he leaned against the bar earning a squeak of protest from the wood. From what she could tell he had gotten bigger since the last time she saw him up close and without his coat.
"No, I-I'm just drop-dropping off food." She whispered as she mentally prayed to the deities above that he stayed clueless long enough for her to get out of there. Maybe, if she was lucky, he didn't hear her last night thanks to the music. Or maybe the alcohol that was still in his system would continue to impair him until she left.
"Laxus, you're telling me that you're too drunk to remember Emi? Her parents were the ones that would supply us with all the food for the guild." Makarov answered with a huff.
'The nerve of that boy,' he thought as his eyes narrowed at his grandson. First, he went to Tenrou Island despite being kicked out of the guild. Now he can't seem to remember the people that obviously helped the guild get to where it was, or once was.
"She's the girl that you use to pick on because of her magic. It was . . . um what was it again? It's there but I can't seem to place it." Makarov muttered to himself as he stroke his mustache.
"Dream and memory recollection magic. Nothing useful." Which was the truth. The only time she saw use for it was helping Natsu then the others remember things that they don't want to forget. Like their dragon parents.
"It is useful child. Every type of magic that is out in the world is useful in some way." Makarov argued slightly.
Some things really haven't changed since they unfortunately left. She was still unsure about herself and her magic. It hurt him since she and her family were a part of Fairy Tail. It also was a topic that her father brought up to him when they would speak alone while she was in the hall with the others. He knew that all his children deserved to be happy and confident.
Laxus' gaze turned to the girl before his breath hitched at the sight of the auburn hair. It couldn't be, could it? What was the odds of running into her here if it was her?
"Not for farming. Not going on quests that call for strength and everything that I don't have. How could I be like Erza and them if all I can do is bring back things that people have forgotten!" She argued back as she lifted her head even if she knew she would regret it later.
Her grass green eyes were near tears which was another thing she absolutely hated about herself. Her self confidence might as well be zero because of how everything fell into place for her. She yearned to be like Erza and everyone else that was so sure in themselves and their magic. At times she even wondered if she did something in her past life that caused her to deserve this.
Makarov sighed as he shook his head. What was he going to do with this girl? Slowly he stretched his arm out and patted the young woman on her head. Nothing really has changed since that day. He could tell that she was still envious of Laxus and the others even when some of them had to pay a darker price for their power. "Child, you will blossom. It might not be this year, but you will blossom."
An almost animalistic growl escaped her throat as she shoved the elderly man's hand off. It wasn't that easy like he thought. It wasn't like she could make a cocoon and transform into a butterfly. If it was like that then it would have happened a long time ago.
"It isn't anything like puberty," she muttered as she took a couple steps back from the two. She glanced at them as she watched Laxus stare at her as if she was familiar or not. It wasn't like that at all.
Shakily she took a couple more steps back and tried to not to injury anyone that might be in the way. She had to get away before everything that made up her façade crack and eventually break into nothing. It was the last thing she needed today.
"It's never been like puberty. It's not like Laxus who just bulked up and embraced everything that happened to him. It's not Natsu who was abandoned and used that to build himself up and try to find his dragon parent." She whispered harshly but both men heard it.
A blond eyebrow rose at the comment. He couldn't help but grit his teeth to keep himself from speaking his mind right then and there. How had he embraced everything that happened to him? He resented his father for putting that lacrima in him. He also envied him years back but that's changed. He didn't want to embrace any of the things that happened to him. He definitely didn't want to embrace the fact that Natsu and Gajeel handed him his ass when he was so power hungry.
Makarov casted his gaze onto his grandson since he knew that the subjects were still tender for him. He wasn't surprised at the look of anger that crossed his face. She had touched a sore subject right there and most likely didn't realize it. "Emi―"
"No. Don't say anything Gramps." She hissed as shed looked over her shoulder. As soon as she looked at them, she was storming toward the doors. She felt the all too familiar burn settle into her throat and eyes as she fought against the urge. It happened every time she would get angry that you would think she was be immune to it by now. She hated that she took after her mother as an angry crier.
"Emilia!"
She ignored the guild master as she forced the doors open, earning protests once more. Looking back, she took in the black shirt that stared back at her. Slowly she lifted her gaze to take in the hardness that had settled into Laxus' eyes. It bothered her especially since he was obviously bigger than her.
"Your bill is with the vegetables like always." She almost spat out as she left the run-down building. It was no guild hall. Not like the one she grew up visiting. This building reminded her of a shack.
"Wait up."
She continued to ignore everything that was going on around her. It helped her focus on keeping herself in check and not get involved in anything that would cause more trouble for her. So, the faster she got home then the sooner she could let her walls down. It was all she wanted.
"I said wait up." A gruff voice called out to her as a hand grabbed hold of her bicep. It caused a yelp to escape her out of surprise. His eyes narrowed more at the fact that his hand consumed her arm as if she was nothing but a stick or she was just that small compared to him. "What the hell is your deal? Gramps shows you compassion and that's how you repay him Stripper?"
Her mind halted as it processed that one word. Stripper? As it consumed her thoughts, she felt her eyes widen involuntarily while her face burned slightly. So, did that mean he realized that it was her last night?
A rough shove into an alleyway caused her mind to return to the present. She could feel the hatred roll off him in waves causing shivers of fear to race through her body. A grunt even escaped her as she felt her body collide with a wall which meant she was pinned between him and a building to keep her from running.
Slowly her gaze trailed up into the gray eyes that radiated so much hate much like his body. Disgust even mingled to the point she felt like she needed to go home and take a shower to get rid of whatever filth she had on her.
"Stripper?" She questioned quietly in some hope that he wouldn't hear her.
"Yeah that's what I said. Stripper." He answered with his eyebrows furrowing as if to signal he was getting impatient with her. "It was you on that pole last night wasn't it? Everything is matching up except the hair. But I'm sure if I ask Evergreen to do me a favor to curl it then it would."
If it was possible for her skin to get any paler then she knew it was already. It was a dead giveaway that he hit the nail on the head, but this was a natural reaction. She couldn't control it even if she tried. "A-And what are you going to do about it? Tell everyone in the guild. Everyone there had to either get second jobs or join a different guild to support themselves. It's no surprise."
It would still ruin her if everyone found out. She wasn't about to let them know that she was struggling and didn't want to ask for help when they were in the same boat as her. But the fact that she took up that professional was something that meant to stay in the shadows to her. No one was supposed to know about it.
The thought didn't occur to Laxus which caused him to sober up a bit to think. All he was focused on was the now thanks to his drunken mind. It also still said he had a lot to learn despite all the traveling he's done his thoughts hadn't changed any.
"I won't but . . ."
She hated the way he paused. He could still be up to no good even for someone that should have learned from the last time. If she had been in his shoes, then she would have. He was also Makarov's grandson, so it probably ran in the family. Hell, she would even do anything to be allowed back into the guild because she couldn't bare the thought of being without her second family.
He thought about it for as long as his dulled brain would allow him to. He could ignore her silent plea to forget about it and tell everyone. It was a cruel punishment for treating his grandfather like that which seemed to fit. Or he could get something out of it which sounded better. But what?
Glancing around and taking in the distant tree line that he could barely see from where they were standing in town, he felt a smirk grace his face. Tilting his head, he let that cocky smile take over as he tried to let the usual charm out that women fell for. "Where do you live again Red?"
Her eyebrow rose as she took in his expression. Was the alcohol still affecting him? What was with all the weirdness suddenly? He never called her red or acknowledged her existence in the past unless it was to pick on her. It used to be a cold shoulder or snide comment from him and the Thunder Legion mostly. Though the risk of being ridiculed outweighed fighting him over something that could be small.
"Um . . . on the other side of the town in the forest. Why?" She answered reluctantly.
"I'll keep your secret if I'm allowed a bed. It beats camping out in the forest and bumming a shower off Bixlow every couple of days."
As her mind processed what he said she felt her skin turn from ghostly cold to on fire with embarrassment from the thoughts that raced through her mind. Most were impure but she couldn't help it since most men barely glanced her way. "A-A-A bed?"
"Or couch? Either one works as long as my back won't be stiff from sleeping on that unforgiving ground." He shrugged as if it wasn't a big of deal like she was making it out to be mentally.
So, he didn't mean sharing a bed or something along those lines like she originally thought. It was a stupid thought that shouldn't have crossed her mind. He would never be interested in her. He had Mira which seemed to last the test of time.
But should she do it? She was risking her secret coming out and possibly getting treated worse than she already was. Then there was the fact that she doubted he would go back on something like this since he was once a part of the guild that made complete strangers into family.
"Fine. You have a deal Laxus."
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