A/N: This chapter is much longer than the previous two! I might have gotten carried away, but we're getting into the good stuff. Enjoy!
Once she turned off Strawberry Street, Rosalie's pace slowed considerably, her nerves getting the best of her. Fairy Tail loomed ahead, approaching much too quickly. Figures I picked a place so close to the guild. Wonder how it was so cheap then…
Far too soon, Rosalie was 10 feet from the guild entrance. The doors were wide open, and the sounds of laughter spilled onto the street. She could see it was full of mages and she fought off nausea. Of course everyone is in, I hadn't heard any big news that would need mage assistance, and it would be just my luck. With brave steps, she approached the door, shoes clacking on the pavement.
Clack.
Voices started to become more distinct from the chaos inside.
Clack.
She could see tables full of mages drinking despite the daytime hour.
Clack.
A chair flew over the crowd. Glad some things don't change.
Clack.
Rosalie was officially inside Fairy Tail. She took a deep breath, the nostalgic smell of wood and beer filling her lungs. From the corner of her eye, she saw a piece of the previous chair flying back to its original tosser and quickly ducked to avoid being hit in the crossfire. An older man smoking a pipe saw her quick reflexes. "Good move blondie!" He high fived the purple haired man next to him, who flashed her a smile.
She smiled at the men, sensing a wave of familiarity at the voice. That's...Wakaba. And Macao. Glad they're still around. Papa would always be with them…
Then she realized she was beginning to attract attention. Many guild members looked at her curiously, since most outsiders would not have been able to dodge something like that. Quickly, she made her way to the bar, avoiding the eyes of the members. As much as she wanted to see her friends, it would be more painful to not see them.
At the bar, a white haired girl was serving drinks to many of the patrons. "Hi there, what can I get you?" she asked sweetly.
She seems familiar… "Hi, I'm looking to speak with the master of the guild about becoming a member." Rosalie said as confidently as she could.
"Oh, membership! I can take care of that for you now actually!" the woman exclaimed, reaching for the member log.
Shit shit shit. "Er, actually I…really need to talk to the master first before I can become a member. You see, um…" Rosalie felt uneasy telling her her name without Master's approval. She couldn't know if this woman knew of the past, and didn't want to risk her approving me and him revoking it.
Looking confused, the woman says softly, "It's okay. If you really want to see Master Makarov, he'll be back shortly. But whatever it is, don't worry. We're a family here and would never judge you for your past, so whatever it is I'm sure it's fine that you become a member of our family."
Normally, those words would feel manipulative to Rosalie, like the woman wanted to know her secrets for a bad reason. But coming from someone as beautiful as her and who seemed genuinely kind and almost familiar, the words were comforting.
Bracing herself, she stood tall. "Ok well, in that case, we can go about it. My magic is Water God Slayer and Celestial Spirit," the woman's eyes widened, but she couldn't be sure which magic caused it, if not the combination. She inhaled, ready to continue, "and my name is…Rosalie Estraun."
If her eyes were wide before, the woman's eyes went even wider and her jaw dropped. "...Rosalie?" Tears formed in her eyes.
"You...you know me?" Great. Papa's reputation went on to even the new members.
"Of course I do silly. It's me, Mirajane!" Mira said with a wide smile, wiping her eyes.
Now Rosalie dropped her jaw. "Mira?! I didn't even recognize you… last time I saw you, you always had the meanest face on and were ready to fight Erza. But I guess the haiir should have made it obvious," she laughed, relieved to already have found an old friend. Mirajane was the oldest of the Strauss siblings, who all had a form of demon take over magic. Mira had been particularly fierce in her youth and was one of the strongest S-class mages in the guild. Weird seeing her so...nice.
"Well, times change and we all grow up. But I'm so glad to have you back. The gang is still all here with a few new additions, but you'll like them just as much. Here, let's get your guild mark stamped and we'll make your announcement," Mira quickly got to business, filling out the paperwork and stamping her right hand with a pink mark. The time to party was about to come.
Rosalie was relieved Mira didn't ask about her father. She didn't want to have to tell more of the story than she had to this quickly before she spoke to Makarov; she planned to just say she decided to come back alone since he had no interest, which was technically the truth. Can't have interest if you don't know it's happening... But had Mira asked, it would have been almost impossible to not spill the whole story.
"Alright, you're all set! Ready for your entrance?" Mira looked expectant. She nodded, knowing it was now or now. "Alright everyone! May I have your attention pleeease?" The chaos continued, making Mira frustrated.
"I said, ATTENTION PLEASE!" Mira screamed demonically, pulling from her magic. Everyone immediately quieted and looked to the bar expectantly, albeit slightly terrified. "Everyone, we have a family member who came back home! Some of you will remember her from 5 years ago, but she is now officially a Fairy Tail mage! Let's give a big welcome to Rosalie!" Mira exclaimed happily.
"H-hey everyone, it's so good to see so many familiar faces. Please take care of me," Rosalie said, suddenly shy. She began to bow until a small blue body crashed into her.
"ROS'IE!" A loud sobbing came from someone buried in her chest. "I missed you so much! How dare you leave me alone with Natsu and Gray!"
She looked down, smiling at the small Exceed, Happy. As kids, they had raised him since he hatched from his egg and he was always bugging everyone for fish. But his welcome made all her worries disappear.
"Hi Happy! I missed you too! Where are the others?" she asked, giving him a big hug.
"Right here! Yo Rosalie, what kind of magic do you do? Let's fight!" Pink haired Natsu appeared in front of her, toting Gray, Erza, and Cana, her closest friends from childhood. Natsu was loud and obnoxious, but meant well. He was constantly searching for Igneel, his dragon father figure who taught him his fire dragon magic.
"Finally you've returned. I've needed your help controlling these two. And someone to share cake with " Erza greeted her warmly. She was scary to say the least; she was the main enforcer of good behavior with her requip magic. The two girls had formed an unexpected bond as children over sweets.
"Rose! Let's drink! I missed my A1 best friend!" Cana cheered. She had been Rosalie's friend the longest of the group. When Walter first joined the guild, there were hardly any kids around. But when she was 4, he came home to tell her how a 5 year old had begun hanging around, looking for her dad. They quickly became friends and spent all of their time together. If anyone held a grudge over her sudden departure, Rosalie would have expected Cana, since the two had been through so much together in their young lives. Seeing her be so welcoming made her anxiety diminish.
A lazy smirk approached the small girl, pulling her into a cool hug. "Missed ya Rose. Glad you're back. And glad you still have the bracelet." None other than Gray Fullbuster, Ice Make mage, was hugging her. The mage that tried to make her father stay, and gave her the sweetest gift of all time, my lucky bracelet. The mage Rosalie was in love.
I must have looked overwhelmed, because Mira stepped in helpfully. "Now guys, she's had a long time away. Let's not overwhelm her too much."
Rosalie laughed, remembering how to breathe again after Gray's hug. "Thanks Mira, I'm fine. I just can't believe I'm seeing everyone again," she smiled, turning to face her long lost friends. "Natsu, I'll gladly take you on after the party. I've worked hard on my Celestial Spirit magic to make Mama proud, but I also learned something else! Water God Slayer! I wonder how the fire dragon will fare…" she smirked, knowing Natsu would love the chance to try and evaporate her water. ("Hell yeah Rosalie!")
"Water god?! And Gray-sama hugged her!" A voice hissed. She looked over to see a blue haired woman glaring at her, thunder clouds rumbling above her head. I bet we won't get along…
Erza followed my gaze and interrupted my thoughts. "That's Juvia, the water woman. Her body is made of water, so she's probably just shocked. The clouds are because her magic reacts to her emotions. She's utterly infatuated with Gray, but he doesn't give her the time of day," she sent a knowing look that Rosalie quickly waved away. "Once you get to know her, you'll get along fine." Somehow I doubt that…
"Thanks Erza. I expected my arrival to ruffle some feathers...with my father and everything…" she smiled nervously.
"Fuck that! If we got hung up on what our fathers did, then we'd all be in trouble! I found out mine is Gildarts, and you know how that old man is!" Cana laughed loudly, already drunk. She threw her arm around her best friend and yelled to Mira, "Another round Mira! And some cake for Erza and Rose!" "Coming up!"
Erza's demeanor changed completely at the arrival of cake. Pure happiness exuded from her, so much that Rosalie couldn't help laughing as she dug into her own slice. "So yummy!"
"Say Rosalie, how did you learn Water God Slayer magic? That would go really well with my Ice Make and we could take Natsu down for sure!" Gray piped up, easily ignoring the heart eyes Juvia was sending to him. Rosalie seemed to be the only one who noticed her mood change drastically when he mentioned teaming up together.
"Well you see…" she began, dreading this conversation. She knew it would come up, since it's ancient magic and not easily learned. Her face must have given something away, because Gray looked concerned.
Before she could finish her sentence, Natsu shouted, "Hey no fair! You can't team up with Rosalie like that and fight me alone! If you have a partner I want one too!"
"What about me Natsu? I thought we were always going to be partners!" Happy cried, wanting attention from his best friend.
"Oi, flame brain…" Gray growled, ripping his pants off and taking his signature stance. "Ice Make: Spear!"
"Fire Dragon Fist!"
Laughing at their antics, Rosalie stepped away to not get caught in the carnage, sipping her second beer. She was glad to see their rivalry hadn't changed; if anything it got stronger. She was also relieved to not talk about her water magic quite yet, as it always resurfaced painful memories.
It was not uncommon for mages to gain their power through the absorption of a lacrima into their bodies. Many powerful wizards did this to have power or to enhance their natural abilities. Even Makarov's grandson, Laxus Dreyer, had a Lightning Dragon Slayer lacrima. So it wouldn't be weird for her to say she had received one for Water God Slayer when she was 15. What was weird, was how it came to happen.
Flashback
"ROSALIE! Get in here! Stop playing with those fake freaks and talk to your father!" Walter yelled out the back window of their house.
Young Rosalie sighed. "Sorry Capricorn, we have to cut this session short. Thanks for helping me with my hand to hand combat today. Can I call you the same time tomorrow?" She wiped her brow, worn from the session but not exhausted, proof she was improving.
"No worries Rosalie-sama. I swore my services to the Estraun family and will always be willing to work with you. Now go, he sounds especially irritated today and I do not want you in trouble," Capricorn said, the suited goat not thrilled to send his owner away to the disgusting man. 'Laila-sama, I am so glad you are not here to see what your husband has become.'
"Thanks Capricorn! Close, Gate of the Goat!" With a poof, Capricorn disappeared back to the Spirit World.
Rosalie walked from her training ground back to her house. It wasn't really a house, more of a shack that she was forced to eat and sleep in. There was only the kitchen, a small front room with a wash tub, her bedroom, and a basement where her father spent all of his time, sleeping or otherwise. She sighed as she reached the back door, walking into the kitchen. "Yes Papa?"
She froze when she saw a strange man standing next to her father. He was tall, much taller than her father who stood at 5'7", and he had to crouch some to fit into their tiny home. His body seemed much too frail to support his height, and his fraying hair was in a whirlwind on his head. What made Rosalie freeze though was the look on the man's face. He had a wicked grin over his wrinkled face, his eyes hungrily taking in her matured body that was clad in tight training clothes and wet from sweat.
'She will do quite well, Walter-kun," the man whispered gleefully, continuing to stare at the girl. His eyes met hers once, and then quickly resumed scanning her chest and hips.
"Rosalie, don't be rude. This is Dr. Juniper Jango, and he has so graciously offered his assistance in making you a stronger mage. You won't need those silly keys when he's done with you," Walter stood triumphantly. He hated having reminders of the weak woman he once loved.
Swallowing her anxiety, she spoke, "Nice to meet you, Jango-sensei. I'm not sure what my father has told you, but I am quite content with my current magic. I have been training every day to become stronger," she ignored her father's grunt, feeling his magic deflect off of her. 'I bet he's using it on this man, but he should know I always expect it on me.'
Dr. Juniper chuckled. "Oh dear, please just call me Juniper. While I can see you are already quite skilled in this celestial magic, your father has given me strict instructions to ensure you are even more powerful. With a body like that, Rosalie-chan," he licked his lips hungrily, "you will become a formidable foe for all that encounter you."
Feeling sick, she turned to Walter. "Papa, please, I don't want to do this. What do you mean I won't need my keys anymore?"
"I am your father so you will do as I say. Juniper here specializes in rare magic lacrimas. You're getting one put into you tonight, one way or another. With its level of power, those stupid keys of your weak mother's will do no good. You will use the magic you get to bring in money so I can finally be out of debt. I had to make a trade with Juniper here but it will be well worth it," Walter finished his rant, looking proud of his plan.
Rosalie began to cry. The keys were all she had left of her mother; Walter had refused to bring anything else with them when they left Magnolia three years ago. It was all Rosalie could do to convince him to let her keep them in the first place.
"Quit crying you ungrateful child. Juniper, take her to the basement. I'll be in town celebrating so I don't have to hear this anymore," Walter's instructions rang through the room. He stalked out of the front door and left Rosalie alone with the wretched doctor, making her cry harder. Mind Magic only worked if you were near a person, so it meant that this doctor was doing this on his own accord.
"Now Rosalie-chan, you are too beautiful to cry, although I must say, you are even more beautiful when you look pained. Come now, everything I need is in the basement so we can get started," Juniper talked down to her, his grin turned to an evil smirk.
"Don't come near me!" Rosalie screamed. She reached to her keys. "Open, Gate of the Bu—" Before she could finish the incantation to open Taurus's gate, Juniper grabbed her wrist and sent a shockwave up her arm. Rosalie screamed in pain and slumped to her knees.
"Silly girl, you think I don't know of your magic? Or know any of my own? If you can't say the words, your keys are worthless. So a magic as simple as Lightning Strike can incapicitate you just. Like. That.'' Juniper spoke as he dragged the crying girl to the basement steps, punctuating his words with each step she tripped over. "Now, get on that table and we will get started…"
End flashback
Rosalie jumped when she felt a bottle knock on her back. When did I fall asleep? "Cmon party pooper! No passing out at your own welcome party! You never learned to hold your booze huh?" Cana laughed loudly, downing yet another beer as she walked past. Oh, I passed out..now I remember finishing my second, and Cana getting me shots... So that was all a dream…
Straightening herself, she walked to the bar and helped herself to a gallon of water and started chugging. It was critical to her magic that she stay well hydrated, and alcohol was a cruel mistress.
"Thirsty huh? Guess that makes sense with water magic," came an easy laugh that Rosalie would know anywhere.
Gray.
She laughed too. "Yeah, gotta stay hydrated or it won't work. And being back here I gotta be ready at any minute to use it if a fight breaks out."
"That's right. Hopefully you can extinguish Natsu while you're at it," Gray smiled. "By the way, before Natsu cut you off before, what were you saying about your magic? I'm still curious how you learned it."
Shit. Leave it to Gray to remember. "Oh yeah that. When I was 15 I got a Water God Slayer lacrima implanted in me, as well as magic increasing lacrima. So my keys are even stronger than they were, and my slayer magic is almost unbeatable," she answered as upbeat as possible. Pain still instinctively crossed her face as she recalled the process, which did not go unnoticed.
Gray nodded in sympathy, "I bet that was rough. I heard Laxus say once that the lacrima process is pretty painful as your body adjusts." If only you knew… Sensing her mood, he changed the subject. "Anyways, I'm just glad you're back. Master came in while you were passed out and was excited as well. He asked me to send you to his office when you woke up."
"Thanks Gray. If you'll excuse me, I'll go talk to him now. I'll see you later!" She tried to give him her best smile, but she knew it looked forced. She went to walk away, but his voice stopped me.
"Wait Rose," she turned back to Gray. "Don't worry too much. I know...your father hurt the guild back then. But everyone forgave him. And no one was ever mad at you for it. You were just a kid." He looked down at his feet, suddenly bashful.
She smiled. "That really helps to hear that. So thank you. Plus, I have my lucky bracelet, so I know I'll be okay," she held her right wrist up to wave goodbye, the same hand that now held her guild Mark. He blushed, but didn't say anything, just waved her away to speak to the Master.