A Fox is Born…
I am born of a time before men when the world was raw; the wisdom of rocks and fire and earth and blood is in my veins. For now, I live in a world of mist beyond the reach of mortal man but the time shall come again when I shall rise again. - Unknown
The ride on the airship was a somber one. Cat and Walker were able to get their guild master to change back into his full human form while around people that didn't know his true nature. Once they reached the cabin she booked for passage to Hargeon, Sam's sorrow had drowned the man/kitsune to where he refused to keep any human form. He shapeshifted into a small red fox with a white tipped tail and curled up on the bed with Walker. He had buried his black nose in his tail and refused to move or participate with anything.
Cat turned to Walker after getting what little they had settled in the cabin, "How long have you know he was a kitsune?"
Walker looked over at his best friend and guild master and scratched the back of his head, "Honestly, this is all knew to me. I knew he was a requip mage and a great tactician, but to be a fabled kitsune of Sin. I was not expecting it."
"What do you mean 'fabled'? I'm from Bosco. We have a clan of the Grass Sea that reveres the white foxes that live on their island. I've never heard of a kitsune able to take human form." Cat said with a quizzical look. "His soul is unlike any I've ever seen. Its unique but now it's dim with grief." She added with sadness in her voice.
Walker smiled sadly, he looked at the small fox on his bed. He walked over to it and started petting it. He was trying to soothe the emotional pain that both men were dealing with. He cleared his voice before he started, "Well chica get comfortable and let me tell you a bedtime story that has been passed down from parent to child for centuries about the kitsune that dwell on the peninsula of Sin…"
Back centuries ago when dragons filled the skies over Ishgar, other creatures took up residences on the surfaces with the humans. There were the kitsune, the wolves, various felines, bears, and others that lived in closer proximity with the humans. Only the kitsune were the ones that humans would worship as Gods and Goddesses. They brought food to them, played with them, and build temples for them; the other land creatures became jealous of them except for the felines. They could care less about humans and what they did for the little dogs, but the wolves were very jealous. They felt they were superior at everything. When the wolves tried to show the humans they were better than the kitsune, they scared the humans off. This caused a rift between the two factions. That is another story for another day.
The gods and goddesses took note of what the kitsune had accomplished with the humans. They blessed the kitsune with magical abilities. The kitsune as they aged grew in power. The older a kitsune was the more tails they grew, the more magical abilities they learned. There had been so many kitsune over Ishgar that depending on where the kitsune lived that was the magic they developed. There were 13 clans spanning the continent.
They became great friends with the dragons that wanted peace with the humans, eventually. They helped the humans develop their slayer magic since they could be with the human when the dragon could not. The kitsune clans assisted the dragons in the war against Acnologia but were forced out of the Fiore and Bosco regions. They fled south to Sin. There is where they have lived for the last 500 years.
Walker finished his story/ history lesson of Sin's kitsune. He thought it was just bedtime child stories mothers' would tell their children. How could he refute it with Sam, a man he knew since he was 15, curled up in a red ball of fluff?
Cat looked between both men. She saw the friendship there. Both souls grayish and darkened in color from grief and emotional pain. Walker destroyed the guild hall with his explosive magic. She didn't have the courage to tell them that they were not alone in the room. They were not on that bed alone. They were both surrounded with the souls of the fallen. Only Cat could see the fallen huddled around the living and breathing males, one human one kitsune. She didn't collect these souls. These souls were the wondering souls. They had unfinished business. They were why she could cast soul retribution. It was a battlefield seith spell. It allowed them to seek out the ones that did them wrong, and then move on. They had other ideas apparently. "Walker, I'm gonna go take a shower are you good?"
"Yeah"
Cat went into the moderately sized bathroom. She needed to make contact with someone but needed to keep it quiet. She sat on the lidded toilet and focused on the teeny tiny link that was still in her mind, and prayed it still worked.
Kaleb was in his office working with Thane going over some approval for requisitions for the guild when he felt the tiny ping in his mind bender magic. It was so miniscule he almost didn't register it. It was a link that hadn't been used in years. He had left it in place just in case, something happened. My blonde bombshell of a trouble maker is contacting me? Should I be concerned or happy? He pushed through the link.
Uh, good morning, Master Barbielocks. She giggles through. You know that I hate using this as much as what I'm about to ask for. *heavy sigh* I need your help Kaleb.
Kaleb smiled turned into a frown. In all the years he knew Cat Sinclair, the woman hated asking for help. He knew if she was asking for help things have gotten so deep she was damn near drowning, plus she used his proper name. Things must be bad.
Cat let's start off with the easy stuff first, ok? Where are you and where are you heading?
Cat pushed the events that took place over the past 2 weeks and the massacre that happened at the guild hall. She felt a little shimmy in the mental link. Sorry didn't mean to catch you off guard with all of that. I have the remaining survivors with me on an airship to Fiore. Grammie and Aunt Opal bought a house there in Magnolia. There is a few Fox members there as well…
Yeah I know about those. I've met them already. I thinks it's a good idea to bring those two to Fairy Tail for now.
A few more things Kaleb…I need Vander…and you other brother that's a seith mage. The shadows are more than just regular shadows and I have more than just the living with me. Its gonna take more than just me to help the restless souls…they are draining me as we speak.
It's ok Cat. I'll contact Vander. You've never met my other brother?
No, Vander talks about him but never mentioned his name or any other details. I need help though. You know I don't ask unless it's bad. I had to use battlefield magic.
Consider it done. Rest. I can coordinate the rest. Kaleb cringed at the thought of her using battlefield magic. She didn't use it a lot.
Kaleb turned his full attention back to Thane. Thane had already finished the requisitions. He just needed Kaleb's signature. Kaleb sent a grateful look to his right hand man as he scribbles his signature on the papers. Kaleb knew what woes were coming on the airship from Sin. He seen the carnage clear as day and felt the emotions.
"Master? Are you ok?" Thane asked in a gentle tone. Concern filled the man's face.
"Uh…Yes thank you Thane. I just spoke with Cat Sinclair. She needs a lot of help. Can you contact Beck for me? I need to call my dad. Something tragic happened. I have no words for what occurred."
Thane made the phone call to Beck. He couldn't give the beast master a whole lot of information about what was going on other than to come to the master's office. Kaleb was able to contact Arman Pradesh. He would be arriving in an hour.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
It had been two weeks since Piper and the others had witnessed the weird 'show down' just outside the guild infirmary. She had been staying home with Zosia and Astrid. Neither of the women felt comfortable at the guild for different reasons. Zosia felt uncomfortable there because of the looks she would get from Mira from time to time. They were not 'pleasant' while the platinum blonde would smile and serve the rest of the patrons in the guildhall. Astrid felt a pull to go there but unable to explain it. She didn't feel unwelcome as Zosia did but she did get the glares a time or two from Mira. Piper thought that Mira's behavior was strange for the barkeep. She had always been warm and inviting to her since day one.
The women were out on the back patio having tea in the morning sun. Oscar and Lucas had already left for the day to Lucas' jewelry store. He had some orders that needed to be expedited. Flick was curled up on the table soaking up the heat from the sun and the affection from the women. The summer breeze filtered through the patio making the wind chime tinkle their faint song. Astrid caught the sound before the other too heard it. They faintly heard the giggles of a child getting closer to them, the shout of a distraught parent saying 'No don't do that!'. The giggles continued then there was a knock on the door. Piper got up to see who it was. She hurried through the house to see the impromptu visitor. She opened the door and before anything could be said a flash of blonde hair streaked by her legs and seemed make a beeline to the patio. She groaned internally. 'Please Gods whoever listening don't let there be an angry daddy chasing her.' Piper's prayers were answered when she opened the door wider to see Lucy running towards her. She motioned the frantic looking blonde into her home.
"In here Lucy. I think the little dragon hatchling is making new friends." Piper smiled. She liked Lucy. The woman was kind smart and didn't take shit from anyone except maybe Ila.
"Thanks! She just took off from me yelling something about a seeing a fox. Laxus would frizz my hair for a month if I lost her. I'd hate to see what Kaleb would do to me." The blonde shivered. "So one to better subjects, you have a fox now? What happened to Flick? I haven't seen you much around the guild since that weird incident happened." Lucy asked as they walked out to the patio. Lucy and all the non-slayers had stayed down in the ground floor of the guild so details were left out. Even her big mouthed pink haired friend didn't say anything. Gray didn't remember anything other than being in the mountains and then being in the infirmary.
The two exited out onto the patio to see Ila sitting in Astrid lap playing with her long black hair, giggling. Astrid was holding her close and nuzzling the child with the biggest smile on her face. The happiness on the raven-haired beauty was infectious. Zosia was laughing as the antics of the two. The woman and child acted like they had been friends forever not as they had just met. Ila finally piped up bluntly like any small child, "Astrid show me the fox. Pretty please. Daddy got to see it. I want to see it." She said excitedly.
Astrid smile faded just a little. She looked nervously to Zosia, who nodded at her. Piper nodded at her as well giving her encouragement. Astrid noticed the blonde woman here now. She thought this must be the child's mother. She stood up and went out to the grassy area in the backyard. The brownstone backyards were enclosed with tall privacy fences on all three sides. Astrid looked around to make sure that is was safe. She stretched her arms up towards the sky. Black inky shadows rushed up her legs encasing her until she was covered completely in an inky blackish blue magic with flicks of gold in it. After a few seconds, a large black fox with glowing red eyes burst from the cocoon. It was bigger than a wolf with nine tails. It yipped at the women on the patio and stretched out her front paws as if bowing.
Ila couldn't contain herself, she pelted to the giant black fox. She was squealing in delight. Astrid had laid down to allow the small girl access to her. They touched foreheads before Ila started petting her silky black fur.
Lucy sat down in a patio chair, stunned. "P-p-piper, your friend…is a giant…FOX!"
Piper let out a chuckled, "Uh…yeah…we just found out two weeks ago. Apparently my guild master is one as well and her mate. Oh and Lucy this is also my friend Zosia. She is a Joyan succubus. Don't let that scare you she's just handsy with the boys. Kinda like your friend, Cana, except she makes her own poisons like little Flick here."
Zosia laughed as she smiled and showed her slightly longer canines. "I look like you dragon slayers around here. But don't worry I won't bite them…unless they want me too. Speaking of your dragon slayers, are any of them single?"
Lucy digested what she was seeing and hearing. She wasn't shocked. How could she be? She worked in a mage guild full of dragons, demons, and other mages that did other fantastic and amazing things. She also thought she herself summoned spirits from another realm. "Well Piper I must say you certainly know how to surprise a girl. Do you care if I summon a spirit to play with them?" Nodding to the black fox being ridden by a golden hair girl.
Piper grinned and said, "No please go ahead. Since I've been here all I've heard Erik and Bixlow talk about is the 'Light of Fairy Tail' and her spirits." Lucy stood up slightly embarrassed about being talked about by her former boyfriend and summoned Gemini to play with the duo out on the grass. The laughter increased in sound as the duo turned into one large black fox and three Ilas.
Piper watched Lucy with curiosity in her eyes as the celestial mage summoned her spirits to play. For the first time in her life, Piper felt this tingle in her body, a pull or a draw. Piper couldn't explain it. She reached a hand out and brushed Lucy's hand innocently. In that moment, everything froze. Piper watch blurs of scenery flash by in her mind's eye.
Lucy felt tiny pull on her magic when Piper touched her hand. It wasn't a siphon or a drain. It was like when one of her gates would open and then close. She watched Piper freeze up. Her yellow eyes wide unseeing and glowing golden. She pulled her hand away and the miniscule drag on her magic stopped, Piper sagged forward slightly, seemingly brought back to the present. Astrid had changed herself back into human form and was carrying Ila in her arms as a protective mother would towards the patio.
Loke had appeared without Lucy summoning him, "Princess? Are you alright? We felt something tug at your power. Something that we haven't' felt in the celestial world in centuries." The lion spirit has a look of concern and confusion as he looked around the outside deck.
"I'm fine Loke, thank you, but something happened to Piper when we brushed hands." Lucy started to explain.
Astrid handed Ila off to Lucy and held Pipers hands and looked into her eyes, red meeting yellow. Her eyes searching the younger woman's. Astrid seen nothing different. "Lucy can you touch her again?" Astrid asked.
Loke unsure of the raven haired woman's intentions, "Princess, don't I'll do it. I think I know what is going on…" Loke said cautiously. He moved himself so that he was between Lucy and Piper and placed his hand firmly on Piper's shoulder.
As soon as full contact was made between Piper and Loke, the woman changed dramatically. She glowed light the full moon was shining directly on her. Little golden star appeared on her arms and at her temples. Her eyes shined like the brightest stars in the night sky even though it was about noon outside. Loke let go of Piper and just as before Piper sagged forward in her chair. Everything disappeared and Piper looked as she had before Loke had touched her.
Piper didn't know what had happened. Her whole body felt amazing yet she felt ripping and tearing inside of her body. She subconsciously knew that this must be painful, but she had so many other sensations happening at the same time her body couldn't process all of the sensations simultaneously. While the spirit had touched her, she felt this overwhelming feeling to...she wasn't sure. She couldn't put a word on the feelings the spirit's magic made her feel and see. The scenery wasn't so blurry this time. She saw foxes and dragons living in harmony. She saw conflict within the dragon flights and the fox packs leaving because of some evil black dragon. She saw a large purplish blue fox clan with yellow eyes perish from the black dragon's flames. She turned to the spirit, "Spirit, what did you do to me? What did you show me? I feel as if I was there and die yet here I am living and breathing. Who was the evil black dragon that killed me and my pack?"
Loke smiled his assumption was right. She was a missing celestial being. Piper wasn't a celestial spirit. She was one of the kitsune from the Vulpecula pack, killed by Acnologia centuries ago as they fled from Sin. Her clan was granted the power of the heavens to complete the trinity of the sun, moon and stars packs. Loke bowed to Piper and then said to Lucy, "Princess, as much as I would love to stay here and enjoy the company of all these beautiful ladies, I must return to the Spirit King to tell him what I have found." With a bow he was gone in a gold shower.
Astrid looked at her friend who looked a little overwhelmed with the information. "Piper are you ok?" She asked. "I know that's a lot of information that the lion gave you sweetie, but it all true. At least about what happened to the Vulpecula packs centuries ago. My pack the Inanis Umbras were able to flee using the shadows. I don't truly know what happened."
Piper was trying to take all this information in but was starting to feel sick at her stomach. "Astrid it's fine the information with come, but I feel like I'm gonna puke and really weak. I felt a tearing inside my body. It should have been painful, but I'm only speculating because I had so many other sensations overwhelming me. Lucy, what he do? Drain people of energy or power? I feel exhausted now."
"You're burning up too, chica?" Zosia announced when she put her hand on her head. "How bout we take you to go see that pretty blue hair dragon slayer, huh? Maybe you a catching a cold?"
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Beck was home on Foxhaven Island for a long overdue visit to his family. It had been a while since he had visited. He had good reasons and her family understood that hunting dark mage guilds were important. They were all gathered around the large dinner table heaped with delicious foods that his mother and sister lovingly cooked; even his Aunt Minda was here. It felt like Thanksgiving in the beginning of July. Laughter and mouthwatering aromas filled the air of the Fashions' home.
Beck was helping clear the table after a meal that would have sated any dragon slayer's bottomless stomach when his Lphone went off. He was but wasn't surprised when he Thane's number flashing on the screen. "Thane, what's up?"
"Good day Beck. I know you are out with your family, but there is something that requires your special attention…in Magnolia, Fiore. Before you leave is there any way you could gather your clans documented history on the Kitsune?" Thane politely advised.
"What's this about Thane? What's going on that you need my magic AND our recorded history on the Kitsune packs?" Beck asked respectfully. He didn't usual question Kaleb right hand man, but White Seas never asked clan for their documented histories either. Those texts were sacred in a way to each clan. Those clans that were no longer viable that had texts, the texts were housed in the White Seas library.
"I understand the suspicion Beck. Master suspects that there is a shadow kitsune in Magnolia. He was asking if you would be so kind to share your clan's knowledge with the Fairies. There also something else going on that no one else understands." Thane replied with respect to the guilds beast master.
"I'll see that I can do Thane. You know I'm always available but I'll talk to my parents about the texts. There is no guarantee about that."
"I understand. Just let us know. Good bye." Thane ended the call.
Salya touched her son on the shoulder when she noticed that he ended his phone call. She knew he was a busy mage in a large guild. He loved his work, his guild, his animals, and his family. "Son, is everything ok? Do you need to leave?" Salya knew that these visits were rare and sometimes he would have to leave abruptly. She never held any animosity towards her son or the White Seas because they protected their country from the dark guilds and the evil magic. So when her giant for a son turned around with a huge smile on his face and picked her up and hugged her in a bear hug, she squeaked out a sound of surprise. "Beck! What's going on?" She was able to get out as he placed her gently on her feet.
"Mom, that was Thane. He needs me but he asked on behalf of the White Seas if I could bring out clans history text regarding the Kitsune. They think they may how found one in Magnolia." Beck could hardly contain the excitement.
"Are you sure? They have been gone for centuries…" Salya started.
Ronjin interrupted his wife, "Salya love what is all this commotion about in here?" He pressed a kiss to his wife's temple.
"Beck's guild think's they have found a Kitsune in Magnolia and are requesting out texts to bring to Magnolia with him. What do you think husband? Should we?"
Ronjin face light up in surprise, "Yes of course. Let me go gather the texts. I'll speak to the elders as well to get their blessings."
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Wendy was sitting at the bar talking to Mirajane chatting about what had happened a few week ago. Neither woman could explain what had happened other than they both felt a compulsion.
"Mira I'm sorry if I hurt you in anyway. I felt this compulsion to protect Piper. She wasn't in any danger but my dragon was telling me to get in there and protect her. It was an odd sensation."
"I wasn't hurt Wendy and I'm sorry if I hurt you in anyway while I was in my Sitri form. I knew there was nothing happening to Gray but I felt compelled to protect him from all of the dragon slayers. I'm thinking there is something deeper happening that what we are seeing on the surface. My demon souls don't just take over unless I access them. I'm gonna have to ask Freed whenever they get back. They took a six-month job. Typically of the Thunder Legion, though."
They changed the subject to dating. Mira being the nosy barmaid and Wendy being her honed in target for a blind date. The doors opened to show Lucy holding a sleeping Ila followed by Astrid and Zosia carrying Piper who looked like death warmed over. Wendy quickly hopped off the stool and made a beeline for Piper. "What happened?" She asked with her hands lighting up in turquoise blue to assess Piper. Lucy explained what happened as she handed Ila off to Astrid. Wendy had a puzzled look on her face and motioned the tall lithe greenette up to the infirmary.
Zosia made her way up the stairs to the infirmary and settled Piper onto a cot. She got her friend settled and turned to the younger blue haired dragoness healer and asked, "Dragoness what is wrong with my friend?"
Wendy looked up at the succubus with a puzzled look, "Piper who isn't a mage or at least had told us many times isn't a mage, is suffering from magic deficiency disease. Anyone care to fill me in on how that's possible." The bluenette didn't wait for anyone in particular to answer as she went to work making potions that Porlyusica taught her to make in case anyone was afflicted with this again.
Lucy was the one that spoke up with Wendy being her friend and guild mate, "Uh, we aren't really sure. She and I brushed hands something weird happened then Loke appeared and he touched her and things got really weird and he said something about celestial kitsune packs and then disappeared and then Piper said she felt weird and here we are." Lucy rambled the entire morning in one sentence.
"Lucy, I love you sister, but that's a lot of weirds even for you." Wendy said with a little chuckle.
Ila stirred in Astrid arms, "Wendy, Dad says to keep doing what you're doing. He'll be here in a few hours with help, k. Astrid can you take me to Daddy, pretty please?" The little girl reassured the healer.
Astrid carried the small girl to the guild master's office. She knocked only to be answered with a grunt. She entered an office that appeared too small for the man sitting in a worn out leather chair behind a tiny desk with a giant stack of paper. The little girl wiggled her way down and walked over to her daddy rubbing her eyes, climbed in his lap, nuzzled him as all good little hatchlings do and went back to sleep.
The big blonde looked up at Astrid, "Is there a reason that you brought my daughter in here and not Lucy?" he tried to grumble. He noticed he had a hard time grumbling at this woman and Piper.
"Your wife is helping Wendy with Piper. She has come down with magic deficiency disease." Astrid explained before a deep belly laughter that sounded foreign coming from the big man with the little child in his lap. "I hardly think that this affliction is hilarious…" Astrid said starting to be offended.
"I'm not laughing at the seriousness of the disease. I'm laughing at the fact that you think that me and Blondie…aren't…married" Laxus managed to get out between chuckles. "Look foxy, I'm gay. I'm mated and we have this beautiful girl I'd give my life for…and before you get onto you high horse about gay couples…" Laxus started. He was so over how Fiore was uptight about same sex marriages and virginity. Living in Bosco during his expulsion with Bix's family had changed his mind and also lead him to his mate.
"A mated pair of males! That's wonderful. I haven't met a pair in over four centuries. Tell me is your mate also a slayer? In fact I haven't met any slayers since the dragons disappeared just over 400 years ago…"Astrid said excitedly. Her tail had even made its appearance and was wagging a little. "Tell me slayer, who was your dragon that taught you your abilities, are there dragons still around? We had been hiding in Sin for so long…"
Laxus was dumbfounded at the barrage of questions the fox woman was asking him. She was asking him questions he had no idea how to answer. He wished Gajeel was here or better yet Cristoff. He wasn't raised by a dragon but those two had the most knowledge about them and would certainly be able to answer all her questions.
Astrid was so distracted by asking some many questions to the blond man that she didn't notice the shift in the shadows. As she was shooting off another question, she felt warmth breath on her ear, a seductive hand on her hip and then a soothing angelic voice, "Well hello pretty lady. Why don't you leave that old grumpy dragon alone and come play with me?" the voice asked. Astrid tensed slightly and shadow stepped through the shadows out of the man's hand to the other side of the room. She stepped out to see the intruder. Tall willowy figured man in tight leather, shoulder length dark hair with red streaks and wine colored eyes that twinkled dark promises. "So you're the famous Astrid. I've heard tales about you, lady. Taking out a dark guild here in Fiore, able to disappear from sight without a trace…" Vander chuckled.
Astrid looked at the man who knew her. She was racking her brain. Then it dawned on her, "Vander Pradesh, for what do I owe the pleasure?" She asked with a smile. She had only heard of the man. The only shadowquip to make it to adulthood.
"Oh sugar if you want pleasure I'm willing to provide it." Vander winked at her.
Laxus cleared his throat. "This is a great time to talk about pleasure in front your niece Vander. When she starts asking what Uncle Van is talking about guess who's gonna explain, sudepah prodigy." Laxus grinned with his canines showing.
"We'll talk later, sugar. Laxus my esteemed brother in law…" Vander winked at Astrid then dramatically bowed to Laxus. "Care to explain to me why Dad and big brother have pulled me and Presca off a boring assignment to come to Magnolia? They gave us little to no details."
"Beats me my little shadow buddy. I have my own shit I'm dealing with here. You've met one of them." Laxus threw his head towards Astrid.
"Hmmm, well then I guess I'll wait for Captain Barbielocks, himself. He'll be here in a few hours he said. Meanwhile, I'll be down stairs flirting with your barmaid." Shadows enveloped him and he was gone.
Astrid excused herself as well leaving Laxus with Ila in his lap. Kaleb hadn't said anything to him about why Vander would be here and that just made his stress jump higher. At least Bix was out on a long mission. He knew the two of them together was bad news for everyone in the guild. Pranks abound and no one was safe. They were 'terrible' uncles. He rolled his eyes and stood up with Ila and walked her to the couch and laid her down and covered her with the blanket he kept here for her.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Cat lay on her bed asleep in a dream. The dream felt so real. She felt so frustrated by it. When she first started having it, it was the first night on the airship. Everything was vague and washed in a golden light. Two male voices talking to her. The one she recognized as Vander's. She hadn't seen or heard from Vander in years. Not since Grammie 'kidnapped' her from the Steel Council. When they finally landed in Sin she contacted them and was told that Grendace was dead and she was a free agent of the Steel Council. The closer they had gotten to Hargeon the clearer things had gotten in the dream.
Golden light washed over the two naked bodies lying there. There were entwined with each other in a lover's embrace. Cat felt the warmth. She felt safe secure and loved. Something she never felt from male. She reached up to caress her lover's face but like every other dream she couldn't see it. She could feel it. She could feel the stubble of his beard. The hard planes of his masculine face. The softness and fullness of his lips. She heard his gravelly laughter of his voice just waking up. "Husband why can't I see your face?" She would asked and never get a reply. Her only reply in the dream was of Vander fully clothed saying "Sunflower it's not time yet."
Cat awoke at the same point in the dream. Every time she would wake up Sam would be snuggle up next to her still in his fox form. It was as if he could since her turmoil in her dreams and he came to soothe them. They were about a week away.
0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0
Kaleb arrival to the Fairy Tail guildhall with Cristoff and Beck thanks to Cristoff's ability to teleport. Kaleb led the other two men into the guildhall. He was talking to Laxus as he walked in telling him he was here while Laxus was updating him on what had happened since he was in Bosco. "Both of you need to go to the infirmary. The woman that you need to see is there and is need of both your powers. Cris, Wendy will update you."
The two men climbed the stairs with ease and urgency. Cristoff knew exactly where the infirmary was due to being here many times to help Wendy and train her. When they both entered, Beck was immediately drawn to the purple haired woman on the bed. He could feel the spirit that was living in her. It was a spirit that was similar to the white foxes that lived on Foxhaven but more ancient more powerful. The only drawback is he felt the how weak her spirit was. She felt like a kit not a full-grown fox spirit. She also felt sick. "Cristoff, she's ill. More than the magic depletion."
Cristoff came over to the cot opposite of Beck. He let his healing mist move over Piper. He could feel what his friend was taking about. It felt like a black corruption was hindering any type of growth on her spirit. "Dammit, we need Bixlow here. He could help see her soul. I thought Laxus was pulling his team back early." The lunar slayer said. "I've stabilized her magic container. So the depletion sickness should be letting up."
Astrid was about follow the shadowquip through the shadows when she caught a scent on the air. It was a scent she hadn't smelled in what felt like forever. She excused herself from Laxus's office, not that he gave a shit. The scent got stronger as she moved towards the infirmary. She was sure that it was who she thought it was. She burst through the infirmary door with her big black bushy tail wagging happily, "NUREM!" She looked around with a confused look and was met with confused expressions. She didn't see her friend but she smelled her. She sniffed the air and literally followed her nose to the large raven haired man with dark blue eyes that had silver flecks in them. "Boy, why do you smell like my friend Nurem? You have her magic and and…I can't contain myself…" She hugged the tall man in a hug that only an aunt would give a nephew.
Cristoff felt very befuddled by this small woman hugging him for all she was worth. He couldn't hug her back if he wanted because she had his arms pinned to his sides. "Uh…hi there. I'm Cristoff Pradesh. Umm…How do you know about Nurem?" he was able to squeeze out as the tiny woman felt like a bear hugging him.
Beck watched the exchange. He had always felt Cris's dragon spirit. It was a pretty relaxed spirit, but when this woman hugged him it became a happy excited lizard, as if his best friend just got home from a long journey. The woman's spirit just floored the beast master. She was a healthy full-grown kitsune spirit. He had no idea how to respond to one. "Uh, excuse me, madam, your friend her…" Beck began asking.
Astrid finished hugging the lunar slayer. Her attention was drawn to a…beast master. A little growl started to slip through her throat but she noticed the markings on his right arm. Markings that she hadn't seen since she left for Sin. The growl faded away. "Clan Kitsune boosts a beast master? Tell me, what kind of beast master are you?" she sniffed at Beck. She met a few beast masters in her time. Every one of them using the animals as shields or pawns, or luring them into their doom for profit.
Beck noticed the suspicion in her voice about his magic. He bowed to her bearing the back of his neck to her, "I am a kind beast master. I help the animals that need my assistance and never ask for anything more than they are willing to sacrifice, Mistress of the Shadows and Voids. I need to know what is stunting the growth of the celestial mistress, if you know anything."
"She was killed long ago by Acnologia and her spirit now resides in Piper. She was awoken by Lucy and her lion spirit when they exposed her to celestial magic. If she still stunted then her spirit may be tainted by the evil black dragon." Astrid tried to remember. "I know of nothing that can remove his taint."
Lucy was taken aback by everything she was seeing. She started thinking about when she first met Loke. He was weak and dying because he hadn't been able to return to the celestial realm what if Piper's kitsune spirit needed something like Loke did to get stronger. So she spoke up, "Um, I'm not an expert on what is going on here but I am an expert on celestial magic. What if she isn't tainted by Agnologia but rather just lacking celestial magic? Astrid how would it make you feel as a kitsune of you couldn't access your shadow magic?"
Astrid thought about the question that Lucy posed, "I think you may be on to something my dear girl. Can you bring out you little lion again?"
As if on time Loke appeared, "Excuse me ladies but I am not little in any way or form." He winked. " I do have what I believe will help our friend Piper." He held out his hand and produce a marble sized diamond encrusted gold ball.
"Her hoshi no tama! That will help her. It will infuse her with the celestial magic." Astrid exclaimed.
Loke walked over and placed the ball at the little dip at the base of Piper's throat. She started to glow like she did when Loke touched her earlier this afternoon. Stars formed on her body. They shimmered and glowed on her skin. Her body floated up from the cot and emitted a soft light. Cristoff nor Beck could feel any darkness or weakness in her body now. She felt as if she were gaining energy. Beck could feel her feral instinct building and wanting to take over. He stepped in with his magic and help control it.
Astrid knew what was happening. She never saw a celestial kitsune born but knew what happened. She closed her eyes before the light went supernova.
Piper felt more alive than she ever did. She felt something awaken in her body that she never knew was there. She felt light and carefree. She saw the imagery of what happened to her clan, and why they were running. She felt the presence of a beast master helping her. He helped her make sense of the feral instincts she was having and help control them.
When the energy dies down, she sat up and looked around the room. There wre people she recognized and others she didn't. She got off the bed, bound over to Astrid, and embraced her. "Astrid, I remember it all now. I'm sorry I didn't make it way back then, but I'm here now."