Chapter 5 God Only Knows by for King and Country
"Laxus why are you staying at Emilia's place exactly? You could easily stay at Bixlow's or my place if you needed somewhere to stay." Freed questioned as he guarded against an attack from the lightning mage. He wasn't going to admit that it stung and caused some of his fingers to go numb. Nor he was going to allow himself to show the jealousy that he felt towards the young woman even if he had let it slip previously a few times.
A quick roll of his grey eyes was the only answer he got. It seemed like this was all his teammate wanted to talk about anymore. At least Bixlow had other things to chat about but he didn't seem so obsessed with him. Regardless it was getting on his last nerves. It seemed like ever since the Thunder Legion found out about him staying at the farmhouse they wouldn't let up on questions. Sometimes even Bixlow was too pushy on getting to know what it was like being there and the such. Which concerned him but he knew the Seith mage had a curiosity that couldn't be tamed.
His mind stopped and focused on the very thought of staying at Freed's apartment. At the thought of having no privacy possibly he felt a chill of uncertainty race up the blonde's spine. He even swore that the letter mage had some kind of ulterior motive for the pestering which Laxus wouldn't put past him.
"Answer me Laxus. She's a complete stranger, isn't she? So why are you staying at her place unless it's something else that I rather not think of."
Getting up from his defensive stance he shook his head. So much for sparring. A lot of people thought she was a complete stranger when she really wasn't. It seemed like she was in the guild as long as Cana has if not been born into it like Asuka was. So it was a surprise that Freed hadn't ran into her like Natsu and the others had over time.
"No, she's an acquaintance. That's all." He answered finally as his gaze drifted towards the forest that surrounded them. At times it would have been nice to have her as a complete stranger. But it wasn't meant to be that especially growing up and her annoying habit of hanging around him when he was in the guild.
"For how long have you known her?" Freed questioned as he sheathed his sword.
"Since . . ." Laxus trailed off as he counted down. How many years are between them now? There was an eleven-year difference when he was banished from the guild. Now that seven years had passed that meant there were only four if his math was correct. "I had to be at least eleven or twelve. Her father used to be the one who delivered all the produce to the guild."
A slow nod escaped the other man as he watched the lightning mage carefully for anything that said he was lying. But he couldn't find anything of the sort. All he saw was a childish fondness as if his inner child was remembering it all. "And?"
"She used to annoy me to no end. Constantly she would pester me to play with her or even hang onto me like I was her lifeline. If I tried to walk away, she would follow me like a lost animal or something. Gramps thought it was adorable, but it was just plain annoying." Laxus grumbled as he sat down on the grass with a huff. Looking back at it all now he could feel his irritation growing. If it wasn't for his grandfather, then he most likely would have snapped at her ages ago.
Freed continued to watch him as he ruffled his hair as if it would help relieve him of some emotion that was troubling him. Did she rattle him that much back in the day? If that was the case then he should have found somewhere else to live temporarily.
"What's with the questions all of a sudden anyway? Are you interested in her or something Freed?" Laxus inquired as his scarred eyebrow rose. He knew how the other mage worked for the most part. The only time he showed interest in someone was for either personal gain or to help someone else out.
Quickly his gaze darted away as his face became colored. It was a bad idea from the start, but he didn't listen to his gut like he should have. It also didn't help when Bixlow wouldn't drop the topic until it was the only thing ingrained to his brain. Now he wasn't going to stop pestering him until he got his own answers.
"Freed―"
"Bixlow and I are just trying to figure out why you decided to stay at her place when you had plenty of other options." Freed blurted out as he bowed his head in shame. He absolutely hated himself for giving in too easily to the lightning mage. "But also Bixlow said something or another about possibly being interested in her. He might have hinted at it. I'm not sure."
Surprise quickly covered his face before falling back into the usual blank mask he wore. That wasn't what he was expecting as an answer. Sure, he expected the whole find the secret out but not Bixlow being genuinely interested in her. He was just as bad as him for having multiple one-night stands with random women. Never had he seen the Seith mage with the same woman twice.
"What brought all of this on all of a sudden?"
"Ask him yourself. He just hinted at it so who knows if he'll actually go through with it. You know how he is." Freed answered with a small shrug.
Looking away Laxus took in the forest once more to gather his racing thoughts. Deep down he knew he should be happy for his teammate, but he heard some of the things that the man was interested in. The roughness and other things that he liked to do sent his nerves amok. Emi wasn't the type to like that kind of thing for all he knew. But also he couldn't help but feel some kind of possessiveness over her like she was his alone. Which made him feel confused.
"If I catch him alone by chance I will." Laxus replied though he was taken back by the hint of acid in his own voice. She was nothing but someone he's blackmailing to keep a roof over his head. That's all. Nothing more or less.
Curiosity filled Freed but he didn't act on the desire to pry anything out of the blond. It was best to leave sleeping dogs lie especially with how he got when people invaded his privacy.
"I'm leaving. Dinner should be ready if not about ready. Hopefully she cooks more than enough for two regular people this time. Like hell am I going to leave to get more food." Laxus grumbled as he picked himself up from where he sat.
He wasn't sure if she was use to doing regular sized meals or forget that dragon slayers tend to eat more. He figured all the times that she was around Natsu it would have been ingrained by now. Either way it pissed him off when he felt like he barely ate when it fills her up.
"Same time tomorrow?" Freed chirped to change the topic. Hopefulness was clear as day in his voice Laxus noted.
Throwing his hand up he let a small wave out as an answer. It might happen. From the way the air felt he wouldn't be surprised if it stormed some time tomorrow or during the night depending on how fast it travelled. For all he knew it could arrive when they get ready for another sparring session.
The walk to the farm that was his temporary home wasn't long. Which meant he could have more time honing his body and skills with less walking home. The only downside he saw was the fact he had less time to think things through. That only meant he was going to get frustrated easier than how his living conditions used to be.
"Why Bixlow?" Laxus asked himself. He could remember how she used to be nothing but knees and elbows along with trying to act like a boy to hide her insecurities. He also recalled her pestering him if not hanging around Natsu and the others to let her magic out and to help them. How she was helping them was beyond him since he never personally experienced her magic.
But now since seven years had passed it seemed like she was a completely different person. She allowed her insecurities to control her, so it meant she kept to herself more than ever. He even noticed how her tempter flared up more than Natsu's when he's around Gray. It was almost like she suppressed her magic and self more than anything. He knew it only spelled trouble if that was the case.
As he stepped onto the property his stride stopped. Something felt off with the place. Taking in a deep breath through his nose he didn't smell any type of aroma of food cooking. Her scent of peach and lavender was stale as if she hadn't been there all day which was odd. He knew she spent more time home than an elderly woman who barely got around. Glancing towards a pen near him he noticed the chickens she fussed over every night still out and not locked up for the night.
"Something's wrong." Laxus muttered to himself as he practically ran into the house.
None of the lights were on. She wasn't curled up in her chair that he caught her in every night with a book in hand if not watching something on the lacrima vision. She wasn't even in the kitchen where dinner would be almost ready or done sitting on the counter.
"Emi." Laxus called out as he stopped walking to take in any noise that would give her away.
Nothing answered him. Not even the squeaky floorboard in her room that she would say she needs to fix every time she stepped on it. That was his usual sign that she was trying to hide from him for who knows what reason this time.
This isn't like her at all, he thought as he stormed off to a room she swore him to never go into. He never understood why unless it had more secrets she had. But right now wasn't the time for him to care and do what was told. Something like a pit in his stomach told him that there was something wrong with her or something along those lines.
Throwing the door open he took in the darkening room in front of him. He had maybe another hour or so before it was dark which meant it would be harder for him to find her. But right now, the sight of the room took him back.
It was a regular bedroom or was supposed to be. A queen sized bed was pushed up against one of the walls. Pictures hung on the wall with a layer of dust but he could faintly make out the figures on them. One stood out more than the others however. He could tell she was in it along with a man he knew was her father. The figure with them was a woman so he figured it had to be her mother.
Walking further into the room he went to the picture. Wiping away the dust he took in the contrast that made him wonder if she was actually her mother or step mother. Instead of auburn or some other color that resembled auburn her hair was white. Emi had her eyes and face but where did the auburn hair come from? What happened to her? No one from what he could remember talked about her. If they had then he must not have been listening.
Now his next question that was bothering him was why hide this room? Was she scared to relive the memories? Or was there something that made her want to forget them? What was she not letting on?
"Ask later. I gotta find that wench first." Laxus grumbled as he left the room and stormed outside. Taking another deep breath and focusing his hearing he tried to find anything that would give away her hiding position.
Just like last time he found nothing of the auburn haired woman. He could feel his patience starting to wear thin along with his irritation flaring up once more. The one day he was hoping for a huge dinner and this is what he gets.
As he stormed off the back deck his gaze traveled up to the sky off in the distance. The electrical charge in the air told him that it was going to storm sooner than he liked. How bad it was going to be wasn't something he could tell. He just knew he had to find her soon before the weather took a turn for the worse.
He wasn't the type to ask for help especially when most people didn't know that he was staying with her. The ones that didn't know just thought that they knew each other for various reasons and talked which was the way he wanted to keep it. But, since she decided to pull a disappearing act he had to get more eyes than just his.
Yanking out the communication lacrima he glanced around as he walked to the barn that needed a few repairs done to it. He knew that from hearing her muttering to herself quite a bit during the mornings or evenings. Without any other thought he sent a jolt of his magic through the stone with a thought of who to call.
"What is it my boy?" Makarov asked with a little bit of suspicion in his voice. Normally he wouldn't all unless he needed something. At least that's how it was in the past so he wasn't sure if things have changed.
"Has Emilia been to the guild today at all?" He inquired though he knew he would have his own questions to answer. Knowing how his grandfather was he was protective of the young woman.
An eyebrow rose as his face contorted into a look that Laxus knew all too well. Why was he suddenly concerned for someone he once wanted nothing to do with? "Why do you ask Laxus?"
A sigh escaped the blond as his mind went into sudden overdrive. The what ifs that could be happening to her consumed him to the point he just wanted to give up and look for her. It didn't matter if it would take him all night. He just needed to find her. Even the possible lies he could use to keep his relative from asking too many questions and getting too overprotective of her raced through his mind. But anything could be happening to her right now and he knew she couldn't protect herself like some.
"Laxus." Makarov warned as his tone grew gruff with a glint of anger shined in his eyes. Or it could have been the way the light was reflecting. "Why are you worried about her?"
His usual look of discontent crossed his face as if he was trying to pull off some form of fib. If his grandfather bought it was slim to none since the man raised him from a young age. If it did work was going to beyond him. He knew his grandfather could read him like a book if he tried.
Slowly the look of anger dissipated from the elderly man's face as worry started to replace it. What felt like the weight of the world was on his shoulders when in reality it was just familial concern for someone.
"You can tell me when you're ready." He stated with a sigh mingling in his words. If something had happened to her he would most likely be beside himself for allowing it to happen. So right now if he could help her find her in his own way then it would ease him even if it was not enough to calm his nerves. "Earlier she was. From the way Mira spoke she seemed off and upset about something. She even had a drink which isn't like sweet Emi. I stopped her to get answers but she bolted to who knows where."
A growl ripped through Laxus' chest as his grip on the lacrima tightened. There went Mira again. She really needed to learn to stay out of people's business because a lot of times she could be dredging up the past. From the way it sounds she possibly did it for real this time.
"Natsu and the others aren't back are they?"
Makarov shook his head.
Letting a noise of irritation escape him he glanced around for anything he might have missed. Any type of clue would be helpful at this point. "Get a hold of Warren if it's possible. Even Bisca and Alzack can be helpful at this point. Hell anyone would be appreciated."
Surprise over took him but he didn't let it show on his face. Maybe his rash grandson had learned a thing or two while on his journey. It was either that or he was hiding something from him.
"I'll see what I can do. But, I can't guarantee anything." Makarov stated then closed the communication portal.
Laxus leaned against the closest thing to him as he glanced at the sky once more. Normally he would see the stars starting to appear but instead he was greeted by pitch black. Even the feeling of electricity in the air seemed to intensify which just mean the storm was closer than he liked.
"Once I find you you'll be getting an earful." He growled as he stormed off into the forest that served as part of the property. He just hoped that she was lost as a case or even lost track of time doing who knows what. Even her forgetting to tell him that she had a shift at the strip joint would be an excuse he would buy.
But the feeling in his stomach was telling him otherwise. Was it because of how her behavior kept changing more often? Or was it because something else could have happened that he didn't catch?
As he walked he kept breathing in through his nose in hope to catch her scent. Even his gaze danced around in some hope to catch that auburn hair of hers. It wasn't like it was autumn so there was no way for her hair to blend in with the leaves.
Emi!" The lightning mage called out as his stride stopped.
The only answer he got was his voice echoing back at him. If he said he wasn't getting frustrated then he would be lying through his teeth. His nerves were ready to snap from the lack of clues and what not. It also didn't help when his stomach felt like it was trying to eat itself with how hungry he felt. When he finds her she will have to make it up to him in some way.
A hard gust of wind appeared out of nowhere which signaled to him that his time was short. Even the scent of rain lingered in the air which told him that it could let loose at any moment. Normally he would feel excitement for the oncoming weather but this time around he felt dread mingling with his hunger. He wasn't sure if he would be able to eat once he was able to sit down.
"Damn it Emi! Where the hell are you?!" He yelled out only to be deafened by another gust of wind. It seemed like the deities were trying to keep him away from what he wanted which wasn't going to keep him from trying his damnest.
Sniffing around he glanced the area around him like some kind of animal that found its prey. The soft scent of peaches swirled around him as if it was trying to intoxicate him. She had to be close by or else he wouldn't be able to smell her.
Mentally he cursed the young woman. It wasn't supposed to be a game of hide and seek. She should be easy to spot but some reason she wasn't this time around.
"Emi." The lightning mage growled as he stalked off to the direction it came from. If he didn't find her but an actual tree he might kill it with his magic to let some steam out.
She owed him a lot right now. Not just for keeping her stupid secret safe but for keeping herself safe when it was obvious she wasn't able to take care of herself. Hell he would go as far as locking her in a room with his grandfather since he seemed to be a good person to act as a therapist.
But first he had to find the woman.
Walking through the brush he listened for anything. It also seemed the scent he picked up earlier was getting stronger which was a good sign. He was getting closer to wherever she may be especially if he was feeling faint waves of magical energy.
The feeling of magic made his mind race. The all too familiar itch for a fight stirred within him. It caused him to think back to all the fights he's been in or caused. Some he regretted like the fight over control of Fairy Tail. But the fight between him, Natsu and Gajeel made his blood pump. He wanted to feel like that once more.
Pushing back some low hanging limbs and his desire to fight Laxus took in a clearing. It wasn't as big as the one the farm was situated on but it was big enough for a picnic or sparring match. But there was no way anyone would want to have something as cheerful as a picnic here with what was before him.
He could barely make out the top of two smooth stones from how tall the grass was and where he stood. Something told him that there was a path somewhere from the scent of cut grass encircling him vaguely.
Walking through the grass until he came upon the path he knew was there he allowed his gaze to dance around with his other senses heightened. The aroma of peaches and lavender was strong to the point it could have been overwhelming. There were times he swore he heard muttering but didn't want to believe it on the off chance he was hearing things. But it wasn't like he hadn't dealt with weirder things.
Stepping into a circular portion of the clearing that was maintained he felt his heart jump at the sight of two tombstones before him. They were side by side with flowers and a bush of some kind in between them. Even then stones were decorated with carving of flowers and such.
The one thing that took him back however was the body curled up between the two at the foot of the graves. He recognized the auburn hair but it was matted and tangled from branches snagging it. Cuts and possible bruises covered her arms which told him she experienced some kind of trouble or took an off the beaten path approach to get here. If someone had caused it then he would make them pay if not Natsu would.
"Emi." Laxus called out to the young woman but got no response. He could tell she was breathing from the rhythmic movement of her back and sound of air escaping her slightly parted lips.
As he got closer a crack of thunder echoed around them. A shutter escaped her which gave him a sign that she was somewhat responsive to what was going on around her. He leaned down, watching her.
Locks of her auburn har concealed parts of her face but she looked like she had went rolling around with the pigs. Dirt along with dried blood was smeared on her face as if she just went along wiping her face without a care in the world. The only spots that looked somewhat clean was the dried tear streaks that ran down her face.
Narrowing his eyes he tried to imagine what happened. Never had he seen her upset to the point of tears. Anger, a bit of happiness, and a hint of melancholy was all he seen from her. "What happened to you Emi?"
It seemed stupid of him to ask that especially when she wasn't able to respond. Knowing her if she was able to she would come up with some kind of pathetic lie.
Another crack of thunder accompanied a couple flashes of lightning. Just like before she curled in on herself in hope possibly to get away from the noise.
"Stop." She muttered sleepily with fear. He could almost smell the fear rolling off her in waves with how strong it was. Was she scared of the storm? If so he never seen it before. Or could she be talking in her sleep?
Was she always hiding her true self from him? If that was the case why? What was she trying to hide from everyone? Did something happen while everyone was trapped that no one could stop? How could she fall from someone that wasn't afraid to get cut up and be one of the boys to someone that reminded him of a piece of glass? She honestly looked so fragile that one touch would cause her to break into a million pieces.
Squatting down to get a closer look at her, he felt a couple of drops of rain hit him squarely on his head. The desire to just stand in the chaotic mess that the storm was hit him like a brick wall but he couldn't act upon it. He didn't have a choice thanks to her. But, it showed that he didn't have much time before the heavens let loose.
His mind stopped racing at the yearning of the storm to something that he didn't bother to think about until he finally faced her. Where should he go and take her to get checked out? Her house didn't have anything but basic first aid so if she had something serious then they were shit out of luck. Knowing Porlyusica and her distaste of people she was already in bed for the night. She was out of the question because she scared him with how her face was in the same emotion day in and day out. So it only left the guild hall and facing his grandfather's lecture once more.
But he had to get her checked out. If something would happen to the roof over his head he wouldn't know what to do.
As more droplets of rain fell on him he watched her body light up momentarily from a flash of lightning. Just like before but louder thunder rattled his body. She curled in on herself to the point she was in the fetal position.
"No . . . Pa-Papa." Emi whimpered as a stray tear fell from her visible eye.
A blond eyebrow rose as he tore his gaze away from the young woman. Faintly he could make out the lettering on the two stones that was near them.
Takashi Yamamoto read one while the other read Miyuki Yamamoto. He recognized her father's name from all the time's his grandfather said it in greeting over the years. So he assumed Miyuki had to be her mother's name. Though the question that was starting to bother him was something that should have bothered him for a while. Her father was supposable on a business trip so why lie about it?
Glancing at the young woman again he couldn't help but shake his head at her. Once she woke up and felt like she could do it she had a lot to explain to his grandfather and himself. Quickly he reached over and picked her up bridal style to get her out of the now slow rain.
He regretted the action quickly however. As soon as his hands and arms touched her he felt her magic pour into him as if there was no dam to hold it back. So this was why the flame and iron brains always went to her for memories?
But something felt off with how it felt. It was raw and pressured like it was contained all this time. Did that mean that she hadn't used it in months if not a year. Most people knew that was asking for trouble when they were first learning about their magical abilities. So why was she holding it all in before it became too much?
How was it? Please tell me what you thought. If you can't tell I'm using songs to help me get ideas for the chapters but if you have any suggestions please send them my way. I don't bite I swear. Until next time everyone!