Hey guys! I finally finished editing the previous chapters, and so this chapter is going to be a new one! I hope you all enjoy it!


After defeating the Phantom Lord Guild, we were all pretty damn happy that Lucy wasn't in anymore danger. Though in the end, we were all pretty torn up about our guild hall. It was heartbreaking for all of us, knowing that the place we held special memories with, was actually gone. However, after Master Makarov gave us an inspiring speech, saying stuff like, 'as long as we're together, we're still a family' or 'we'll make new memories together', the guild members finally snapped out of it and started rebuilding our guild hall. Of course there were going to be some changes, maybe would even be some modifications to the guild hall, but it was overall going to be like the place we all grew up at. We were all excited about getting started on rebuilding Fairy Tail again.

Except for me that is...

Currently, I was bed ridden, I wasn't physically capable to help everyone out in rebuilding the guild, let alone do any heavy lifting. It's not that I wasn't excited about the guild hall either, but considering that I wasn't going to be able to do anything at all because of my current condition, I wasn't thrilled to watch everyone else do all the work. My guild-mates refused to let me take part. Currently, I was having my latest check-up with an old friend of Makarov's: Porlyusica. I always thought she was scary, but also misunderstood. I admired her skills in the medical field, but there wasn't much else that I knew about her.

"How you're still alive baffles me." Porlyusica grumbled.

I remembered little of this woman from my childhood, but I knew that she helped out Erza with her injured eye when we first arrived at the guild.

That was about all I knew of her.

"Where did you get those herbs? They're extremely hard to find, no one knows if there's any left." She questioned me.

"It was an old gift I'd been saving up. I only use them if it's an emergency, which at the time it was." I replied.

"Interesting." Was all she had to say.

She came over and finished bandaging me up, before carefully helping me put on my shirt. She then grabbed a sling for my arm and helped me get it on as well.

"You won't be able to do much for a while let alone use any magic. If you put any strain on your body, you'll only end up making your condition worse than it already is, you can literally end up killing yourself if you do so. SO MAKE SURE YOU STAY PUT IN BED!" She glared at me.

"Yeah yeah..." I grumbled.

"What did you say to me?! After I just helped save your life?!" Porlyusica's eye twitched.

"I'm sorry...it's not that I'm not grateful for what you did, but I...I'm gonna hate being stuck in bed..." I sighed deeply.

"You'll be able to walk in a month, so just relax why don't you?" She huffed.

"How soon do you think it'll be until I can go on jobs again?"

"It depends. Do you actually plan to rest and recover?" She retorted.

I nodded in response.

"If all goes well, you should be recovered from your injuries within a month or two. But you'd also have to go through physical therapy. You'll be on bed rest, you won't be able to walk." She told me.

I took her words into consideration and gave her a small smile.

"Thanks for helping me." I thanked her.

"Just get out of here! I hate humans!" She grumbled.


"Porlyusica gave me some medicine for you to take over the span of your recovery. How long did she say you have to stay on bed rest?" Erza pushed on my wheelchair as we neared the guild hall.

"She said I can try walking again in a month at least, but it'll be even longer until I can go on a job again. This is gonna suck." I groaned.

"It could be much worse. You should be grateful that you'll be able to recover at all." Erza grew serious.

"I never said I wasn't grateful, Erzie, but not being able to do shit for over a month is gonna kill me. Figuratively speaking of course." I added. "How am I gonna be able to afford living at my new apartment? I just paid for everything last week!"

"We'll figure out what to do when the time comes. For now, you're supposed to relax, it's what Porlyusica said for you to be doing. No putting anymore strain on your body for a while." Erza told me.

"EMBER! YOU'RE STILL ALIVE!" Natsu and Happy cried.

"I was only getting taken care of by Porlyusica. We already told you this." I gave Natsu a blank look.

"We were only worried about you. You looked pretty bad when Erza took you away for your check-up this morning." Gray joined in.

"Ember! I'm so glad you're alright!" Mirajane gave me a gentle hug and kissed my forehead.

"Thanks, Mira. How's rebuilding the guild going?" I blushed.

"Well it should only take a week as you already know, but I think everyone's having fun with this." Mira replied with a smile.

I never knew what Mirajane was going to tell me...back when Phantom Lord was attacking us. I'll have to ask her later.

"Ember! You're back!" Other guild members noticed me. "How are you feeling?"

Everyone stopped working and came over to check on me.

"Yo Cana...mind getting me a fire whiskey?" I asked.

"After the hell you've been through, coming right up. I'm glad I got me a drinkin' buddy." Cana grinned.

"You shouldn't be drinking! It's still daylight!" Erza scolded me.

"Erza, I love you and everything, but I'm tired as hell right now, and all I want after the shit I've been through, is one. drink. Is that too much to ask for?" I grew irritated.

"Fine, but only one." Erza gave in.

"Hey Ember...there's something I've been meaning to ask you." Lucy timidly spoke up.

"Hm?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Back at the Phantom Lord Guild...when you were fighting Gajeel...you used Iron Dragon Slayer magic and Fire Dragon Slayer magic. Plus you did some stuff trapping him in water to try and suffocate him similar to that Juvia from the Element Four...how did you do all of that?" Lucy asked.

Everyone grew silent as Cana slowly handed me my drink. Even Natsu became quiet and stared at me with a look of seriousness on his face.

I was afraid people would start asking questions...can't blame them for being curious though.

Everyone was shaking with anticipation as I chugged down my drink.

I had a feeling I was gonna need it for sure.

"Aaah...that hit the spot." I sighed with content. "Anyway, to answer your question, you learn a lot of shit when you travel the world. My other master...he also taught me alot."

"That's all we get? Seriously? Come on! I wanna hear some juicy details!" Cana teased.

"Alright fine, I was taught a mix of copy and mimic magic." I confessed.

Everyone gave me looks of suspicion as the area began to get more tense. It was a minute later, when Master Makarov stepped forward, giving me a look I knew all too well.

"Where did you learn something like that? It's extremely rare to know those types of magic." Makarov asked.

"Like I said...my other master taught me a lot. And you learn a lot of shit when you travel the world." I repeated.

"Ember, this is serious. Tell the master what you know." Erza gently nudged me with her arm.

"What's there to know?" I rolled my eyes.

"I suggest that you take this seriously, my child." Makarov snapped after losing patience.

I shakily got out of my wheelchair and struggled to stand. My patience was wearing thin as I stared at Master Makarov defiantly. I felt the urge to cry for once, mostly because the time spent with my other master wasn't all that pleasant.

And in the end, I wasn't able to save him.

"I don't want to talk about it..." I glared at him.

I urged the memories to go and fade away for the moment, but it was hard getting a grip over my emotions at the moment.

"Would you stop being so freaking stubborn and tell him?" Natsu practically growled.

Natsu stormed over and grabbed my shirt, our faces inches apart from each other. Natsu shook with anger, and started throwing around accusations like it was no one's business. I merely stared at Natsu in surprise because he turned on me so easily at the possibility that I had seen Igneel again. It wasn't long after until I got worked up, getting ready to hurt Natsu, my best friend. Erza stepped forward only to be held back by Gray, knowing this had to be done.

"Natsu, let her go." Erza grew worried.

"Tell me how you know dragon slayer magic." Natsu questioned me.

"If you don't let me go, I won't hesitate to break your fucking arm. You may be one of my best friends, but when I tell you to drop something, I suggest you listen." I glared at him.

That's it.

I growled like a savage animal, gathering enough strength to shove and kick Natsu away from me.

"If you think I met Igneel or something, I didn't, otherwise, I would've told you already. I know how important Igneel is to you..." I told him.

The more everyone continued to stare at me with looks of worry, of pity even, the more angrier I became.

"I'm...I'm leaving...if this is how you assholes are gonna treat me after what I did to help you, to get in this condition, then I'm done. I don't need this right now."

I whimpered in pain as I made a move to walk away from my guild-mates before I heard Erza snap at me.

"Ember! Don't you take another step or I'll put you down myself!"

I turned around and saw Erza struggling to keep her emotions in check as well.

"Quit being a damn drama queen and sit in this wheelchair this instant. I still intend on taking care of you. I won't lose you again."

Erza glared at me, tears in the corner of her good eye. Makarov sighed deeply, and came over before grabbing my hand.

"Ember...I apologize for prying...please, don't take this out on them." Makarov said. "Whenever you're ready to talk, I'll be here to listen. And we will be talking about this."

I could only nod as my entire body started shaking.

"Jeez...your whole body's shaking. You alright?" Gray asked.

"Yeah, yeah. I'm fine." I grumbled.

Shit!

I felt myself falling, knowing I had overdone it, and before I knew it, I was now being held in Loke's arms.

"Ember! Why do you have to go and over do it, sweetheart?" Loke smiled at me, trying to ease the tension.

I couldn't help, but return the smile, feeling a little more relaxed already.

At least he's not being an asshole.

"Why do I always find you flirting with me?" I joked.

"Well I can't help it. You're too damn attractive." Loke grinned. "Come on, let Erza take care of you alright? We'll all pitch in and help you get better. Just stop trying to cause trouble, got it?"

Loke slowly eased me back into my wheelchair and put a hand on my shoulder.

"And maybe when you get better, I can take you out. Deal?" Loke winked.

"I always did have a soft spot for you." I smirked.

"Since when did you two get all friendly?!" Gray began freaking out.

"We've been on a couple of missions together over the years. I trust this fine babe with my life." Loke grinned.

"What?! Since when?!" Jet and Droy yelled.

"I always kept tabs on you guys. Or as often as I could...when Loke joined, I wanted to meet him myself and we ended up going on a mission together. We've been good friends ever since." I smiled at the memory.

"Let's get going." Erza calmed down and started wheeling me away.

"I'll step by and see how you're doing later okay?" Mira smiled at me.

"You got it...and Lucy?"

Lucy looked at me in surprise.

"I'm sorry...I'll...talk to you later okay?" I glanced at her.

"It's alright...if anything I'm sorry. I just let my curiosity get the better of me. I'm sorry if you and Natsu are fighting because of this now..." Lucy apologized.

"Natsu's a knucklehead, but he'll get over it. I let my temper get the better of me...this is just a sensitive subject for me."

Lucy looked at me with guilt, feeling bad for even asking that question several minutes ago, but I gave her a small smile to reassure her that I wasn't mad directly at her.

"I'll visit later okay?" Lucy told me.

"That would be nice." I replied.

And with that Erza took me back to my new apartment.


"Would you be able to tell me why you reacted like that back there?" Erza cautiously asked.

"Because I love you, I'm not saying anything." I immediately said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Erza grew irritated.

"It means that after I left, it wasn't all rainbows and sunshine. Plus, it's hard for me to talk about...it reminds me of...before we came to Fairy Tail. If you get my drift..."

Erza's eyes widened from what I was referring to.

"The Tower of Heaven? How could it have been like that? You have me worried now."

"Why do you think I got so defensive when you guys tried making me talk about it? In front of our guild no less? I would have been better off discussing that with you or gramps in private. The last thing we need is more drama, more fighting. Sometimes...I get so tired, Erza. Of fighting...when will it all stop?" I sighed and rested my face with my hand. "Sometimes, I feel like, if magic didn't exist, it wouldn't be so bad, dark guilds and bad people that abuse magic wouldn't exist. But then again, the one thing that wouldn't change is that there are still always going to be horrible people out there."

"There's always yin with yang. Light can't be here without some darkness, just remember that." Erza's hard expression softened. "Now allow me to help you get into your bed. You need to take your medicine and sleep."

"Can't I eat first? I'm starving..." I pouted.

"Now you sound like Natsu." Erza smiled faintly.

"I haven't eaten for two days, you goober." I laughed. "Of course I'm gonna be hungry."

Erza went over to my refrigerator and stood still for several seconds before turning over to me, a look of confusion on her face.

"Why do you only have lettuce and tomatoes in your fridge?" Erza asked.

"Oh...right. Sorry, it's a habit of mine. I haven't eaten other foods for a long time. I always had to grow my own food. I'm gonna have to start trying other things." I chuckled softly.

Erza looked like she wanted to say something, but she dropped it instead, knowing it was better to let it go for now.

"I'll be back with some more food. You still like beef stew right?" She asked.

"Oh god..." My stomach growled loudly. "Beef stew...it's been so long..." I practically cried.

"You probably shouldn't take your medicine without food, how could I forget? I'll be back okay?"

Erza picked me up and placed me on the couch, going into my room to get my warm fuzzy blanket and some pillows. Erza kissed my forehead before heading over to the door.

"I'll put you in your bed after you eat something."

With that, Erza left my apartment without another word.


"Hmph...she still looks like a bitch even when sleeping..." A familiar voice grumbled.

I groaned as my eyes cracked open slowly and what I saw before me had deeply shocked me to the core. Gajeel sitting on the other end of my couch staring at me with those intense red eyes.

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" I screamed and sat up.

I immediately winced at the pain in my ribs and growled at Gajeel, baring my teeth as I grew angry.

"Relax, red. I'm only here to keep an eye on you." Gajeel smirked at my reaction. "Glad to know you're still afraid of me."

"I ain't afraid of you, you douchebag! Is it everyday that your damn enemy is sitting on your couch?!" I snapped.

"You still never cease to amuse me." Gajeel chuckled.

"Isn't it 'amaze' and not amuse?" I raised my eyebrow.

"Nah, I meant amuse."

"Why are you here?" I cut to the chase.

"Like I said, I'm only here to keep an eye on yah." Gajeel reminded me.

Wait...what? He's gotta be up to something...

"Who sent you?" I questioned him.

"Your little master." Gajeel rolled his eyes. "I told him that me joinin' your guild was stupid, but...he thinks I should be with you guys. For certain reasons..."

Makarov let him join the guild?! After what he did?!

"Makarov didn't hit his fucking head did he?" I mumbled.

"He probably did...if it weren't for him though, I'd probably be in prison or worse...I'm still questioning his damn motives." Gajeel grumbled.

"You're not the only one who's gonna question his motives." I fixed my pillow to put more cushion against my back. "Why'd he send you to watch over me anyway?"

"Hell if I know...honestly, I think he wanted me to get some info out of yah." Gajeel admitted.

"Does anyone else know that you're apart of the guild now? Or am I the only one right now that knows?"

"What's with all the damn questions?" Gajeel glared at me.

"Can you blame me for being curious?" I gave him a blank stare.

"Guess not...to answer your last question, there's this white haired chick, Mira I think her name was. She's the one that gave me the little Fairy stamp, she's the only one other than Makarov that knows I'm apart of your guild." He showed me his Fairy Tail mark.

"I wonder why she didn't say anything...then again, everyone would have probably freaked out."

At the thought of everyone's reaction to Gajeel's presence, I laughed hysterically.

"What the hell is wrong with you? I didn't make your stupid concussion worse did I?" Gajeel smirked again.

"Seriously? You don't think it would be hilarious to see everyone's reaction? They'd react to you worse than I did." I bit my bottom lip to stifle my laughter.

"You gotta point there. You know...you ain't half bad. When we're not fighting each other to the death of course." Gajeel said.

"Yeah...you're not bad either, metal head." I grinned.

"By the way...Juvia joined the guild too. Something about being with her true love or some shit. Just thought I'd warn you, or the guy she's after."

GOD DAMN IT NOT HER!

"That bitch tried drowning me. I'm keeping my distance from her." I frowned.

"Smart move, but she's not bad deep down, not like I am." Gajeel sighed.

"Oh don't give me that crap. Now that I've actually talked to you, you don't seem half bad either. A little rough around the edges, but okay." I told him.

"Don't start going soft on me, you damn fairy." Gajeel smirked deviously.

"You're a fairy too, metal head, considering you just joined our guild." I pointed out.

"I'm only giving this a try. I don't know if I'll actually stick around." Gajeel grumbled.

"Well you should stick around. It would be nice for Juvia if she had someone around that she knows. Plus you could learn a thing or two from our guild." I said.

"Whatever. Looks like you're doin' just fine to me...I'll see you around, red." Gajeel went over to the window and jumped out.

"Fine, goodbye to you too." I huffed in annoyance and blew my bangs from my face.

Wait...he wanted to get information from me...I can't let that slip my mind...he wanted info for Makarov. I'll have to talk to gramps later.

"Who are you talking to?"

I perked up in alarm and realized Erza had returned with groceries.

Shit! I didn't even hear her come in!

"No one!" I smiled sheepishly. "I thought I saw Lucy in a bunny outfit!" I lied.

"You must be seeing things...that worries me deeply."

Erza gave me a look of concern and quickly came over to my side after putting the groceries on the kitchen table.

"It's not a big deal! I just woke up...I was just sleepy still." I assured her.

"If you say so. I'll start making you the stew. I know how you like it." She smiled and kissed my forehead.

"HEY EMBER!" Happy and Natsu came in through my window.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" I shrieked.

"INTRUDERS!" Erza requipped into her armor.

"NO IT'S JUST US!" Natsu cried.

What is it with dragon slayers and windows?! Can't they use the door?!

"Natsu, explain yourself at once. Why did you just scare my sister half to death?" Erza held a sword at Natsu's face.

"I just wanted to drop by!" He sweated profusely.

"It's fine, Erza. Thought next time Natsu, you might want to knock first before anyone of us hurts you." I sighed.

"We do this to Lucy all the time, it's not a big deal." Natsu shrugged.

"That concerns me." I chuckled. "If you don't want me to attack you, I suggest you knock on the window at least before coming in, then I'll know it's you." I informed him.

"Aye, sir!" Happy saluted me.

"So...what brings you guys here anyway?"

"I...I wanted to say I was sorry...about earlier." Natsu blushed as he struggled to apologize.

I glanced at him in surprise considering Natsu rarely apologized, but when he did, he was always sincere about it.

"After talking to Lucy and gramps, I kinda realized why you were...defensive like that. I let my anger get the better of me and- -"

"You can stop right there, Natsu. I forgive you. Let's just forget that ever happened, okay?" I smiled warmly at him.

Natsu fell silent and stared at me with awe. What had me stumped currently was why I couldn't figure out why his face grew red.

Is he sick or something?

"You feeling okay there? You look like you got a fever or something, your face is all red." I asked in worry.

"Uh yeah! Just fine!" Natsu smiled sheepishly. "OOOH! What's cookin'?!" Natsu sniffed the air.

"I'm making beef stew for Ember before giving her medicine. Would you like any, Natsu?" Erza offered.

"HELL YEAH!" Natsu grinned.

"Aye!" Happy cheered.


After eating dinner, taking my medicine, and being settled into my bedroom again, I tried staying awake and alert. I didn't know why, but I was still paranoid, afraid that anyone would attack me at any given moment. My mind kept drifting back to the Phantom Lord Guild and Jose and found it even more hard to remain calm.

I can't stop thinking about him...how he almost killed me.

I stared at my ceiling for what seemed like hours and glanced over at my clock impatiently. When I was left alone to my thoughts, everything seemed much scarier at times. After a while, I had given up with trying to sleep and got up from bed, making sure to take my time as I went into my living room.

"Hey gorgeous."

"WHAT THE HELL IS IT WITH YOU PEOPLE?!" I shrieked.

Loke stood at the door, his face paling a bit when he noticed how scared I was.

"Sorry! I knocked!" Loke assured me.

"Well at least you use the damn door! Natsu just came in through my window!" I grew irritated.

"Natsu came over? I thought he was angry at you about earlier?" Loke seemed confused.

"Surprisingly, he came to apologize. And then ate a lot of food Erza got for me..." I smiled.

Thank god it was just Loke...I was so scared...

"Whoa!" Loke came rushing over to me.

I noticed that I was about to fall flat on my face, and Loke came over just in time before I hit the floor. Loke was careful about my bandages and injuries and picked me up before placing me on the couch.

"Thanks, goober." I blushed.

"Not a problem, my lady." Loke gave me a flirtatious smile.

"So what do you want?" I asked. "Are you feeling okay?" I gave him a look of worry.

"I've been better." Loke grew serious.

"Look, I tried everything I could to look into it. Based off of your situation...I'm sorry I couldn't find anything that would help you." I sighed sadly.

"Hey...I'm just enjoying what time I have left. I missed you and I'm just glad you're sticking around for a change..." Loke smiled.

"Leo...I'm so sorry." I whispered.

He perked up at his other name, but just continued smiling.

"Knowing you, I can tell you've done everything possible to try and help me while you went away again. But right now, all I want is to help you. Let me do that much, okay?" Loke grinned.

"Help me?" I gave him a look of confusion.

Loke grabbed a small bag from his pocket and tossed it into my lap.

"These are something I've had with me for a long time, after I was banned. I only use them when I absolutely need to. They're from the celestial spirit world. Just take two of these pills, and you'll be on your feet in no time. It'll help you heal faster than the average human. You'll probably feel much better by the end of the week." Loke explained.

Damn! And I thought I had some special herbs...the ones I have help numb the pain for a while. And I only use those when necessary.

"Leo...how...what...you can't be serious. I can't accept these." I stammered.

"Just take the damn pills." Leo chuckled. "You forget that I have more than enough in the bag. Just take two."

"But...Leo- -"

"Do I have to persuade you?"

Holy shit...is it getting hot in here?

I blinked in surprise at how fast Leo was, and before I knew it, he sat on the couch with me, his face inches from mine.

"You know, you may be thousands of years old, but seeing that I'm a teenage girl with tons of hormones, I get pretty horny. Do NOT do that to me again unless you want me to jump you. I know how attractive you are." I smirked teasingly.

Loke blushed, but continued grinning as he grabbed two pills from the small bag in my lap.

"Well if you won't take the pills, I won't hesitate to do it, you know." Leo blew a small puff of air in my ear.

I felt my face heat up as Leo leaned in closer, our lips only one small fraction apart.

"What happened to that confidence? You look so flustered right now." He teased.

I grabbed the two pills from Leo's hand and quickly swallowed them.

"There, happy?" I frowned.

"What's wrong?" Leo smiled smugly.

"You can be cruel sometimes." I grumbled.

I pushed Leo away from me and folded my arms.

"I wasn't really gonna kiss you. But it worked didn't it?" Leo laughed.

"You are such a tease!"

"Did you just...squeak?" Leo froze. "That was so adorable!" Leo pulled me in for a hug.

"LEEEOOO!" I grew flustered. "Stop it!"

"But that was so cute!" He cooed.

"Get out! I'm sexually frustrated because of you right now!" I blushed in embarrassment.

"Okay! Okay! I'll cut it out!" Loke's laughter subsided.

"Thank you." I sighed.

Leo and I managed to calm down after several minutes and leaned against my body as he put his arm around me. I could feel myself finally grow tired, feeling the effects of those pills Leo had given me.

"I'm so tired...does this shit ever end?" I mumbled softly. "I'm seriously considering retirement right now."

Leo glanced down at me in surprise, not expecting me to say something like that.

"Hm?" Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Fighting...it doesn't end...I'm just so sick of it. I mean how long will it be before I end up dying? Before someone I care about dies because of some stupid dark guild with crazy goals? It's never ending." I grew depressed again. "I'll be dead before I turn 21." I chuckled.

"Don't talk like that." Leo grew serious.

"Well it's true." I frowned.

"You'll be fine, Fairy Tail can go through anything and still make it out okay. You just...have to have a little faith, you know?"

"I wish I could believe that..." I mumbled.

"Hey!" Leo snapped.

I looked up at Leo, his face close to mine yet again.

"If you don't stop talking like that, I will kiss you! And I mean it this time!" Leo teased. "I know your little secret! You wanna share a kiss with someone special! And it'll be your first kiss!"

I tried backing away from Loke, but he wrapped his arm around my waist to prevent me from fleeing.

"You wouldn't dare." I glared at him.

I hate being a girl...especially a teenage girl...why me?! Why does he have to be cute?! GOD DAMN IT ALL!

"Try me..." Loke smirked again. "Continue to be all doom and gloom and we'll see what happens."

"Alright fine. I'll try being more positive." I sighed.

"That's my girl." Leo smiled.

"I ain't your girl, Leo." I stuck my tongue out at him. "How I could stand you for this long is beyond me."

"You love me for my natural good looks. It's okay, you can just admit it."

"I admit nothing, kitty cat."

"Oh whatever...let's just get you to bed. You need to sleep this off. Those pills will be kicking in anytime now. You'll mostly be sleeping the whole week while your body heals. I'll see you later okay?" Leo picked me up again and put me back in my bed.

"I'm gonna sleeping the whole week? Seriously?" I groaned.

"You'll be good as new when you wake up. Look forward to that." Leo told me.

"Well...I guess you're right..."

"Of course I am."

Leo nuzzled my face for a few seconds as a sign of affection. After pulling away he left my room as soon as he tucked me in. I heard my front door open and close and knew that Leo was now gone.

He's right...I gotta stop being so negative...


Everyone's jaw dropped in shock as soon as they saw me.

"What's up, bitches?!" I grinned.

"EMBER?! WHAT THE HELL?!" Gray's eyes were practically out of their sockets.

"Did yah miss me?" I tackled Gray in a hug.

Gray blushed, but hugged me back, still in disbelief that I was up and walking around.

"Hey Ice Princess! Let's fi- -Ember?!" Natsu froze.

"Yo, Natsu!" I released Gray and then glomped Natsu.

"Hey! Let go!" Natsu whined.

"Give me a hug and I might consider it." I laughed.

Natsu blushed, but did as I said. In seconds, I released him, enjoying the flustered look on his face.

"How are you even here?!" Lucy yelled.

"You're supposed to be on bed rest!" Macao and Wakaba screamed in unison.

"Doesn't look like I'll need it now huh? I feel great!" I grinned. "Hey Mira! Get me a drink would yah?"

"Um...yeah...sure. Fire whiskey then?" Mira stammered, unsure of what to say.

"Yup!"

"Now I can finally have that drinking match with you!" Cana smiled deviously. "Get over here, bitch! We've got some drinking to do!"

"Hell yeah!" I cheered.

I went over to a table with Cana, getting everything ready for our little drinking contest.

"Oh no...that's the last thing we need...two alcoholics in the guild..." Wakaba groaned.

"It actually sounds like it would be interesting. Seeing if Ember can outdrink Cana." Macao said.

"I'll take a piece of that manly action!" Elfman grinned.

"Should Ember really be drinking right now though?" Gray protested.

"Yeah, I don't wanna carry her home! She was horrible last time!" Natsu whined.

"What did she do last time?" The men all perked up with interest.

"Besides wanting to go defeat Phantom Lord right at that moment, she kept rubbing up against me! It was so weird and I felt fuzzy and warm inside!" Natsu complained.

The male members of the guild fell silent imagining that little image in their heads and came to their own little conclusion.

"Natsu's a man!" Wakaba cried with joy. "I'm so proud!"

"YOU IDIOT! I doubt Natsu even knows about that stuff yet!" Macao hit his head.

"What stuff?" Natsu raised an eyebrow.

"Well if you got laid for one thing- -" Wakaba was cut off after receiving another hit from Macao.

"SHUT. UP." Macao hissed at his best friend.

"Laid?" Natsu scrunched up his face in confusion.

Lucy's face went completely red and she pulled Natsu away from them and led him over to the bar set up outside as other members of the guild worked on construction for rebuilding the guild.

"But what did he mean?!" Natsu yelled.

"Let Erza or Levy explain it to you! Just drop it for now please!" Lucy cried.

I just took my mug from Mira and watched everyone get in hissy fit about Natsu and I. It was pretty entertaining watching them all get bothered by this.

I'm not gonna deny the fact that I've had a crush on Natsu since we were kids, but I knew there was no way he'd ever return the feelings, so I just dropped it.

"Well?!" Wakaba and the others glanced over at me.

"Well what?" I raised an eyebrow and took another gulp of my fire whiskey.

"Did you and Natsu hook up?" Mira had hearts in her eyes.

"I don't really have a clear memory of that night, so I can't confirm it. I don't even know what type of drunk I am considering I rarely drink." I smirked. "Plus I'm not sure I'm into Natsu. He's...uh...like a brother." I lied.

"Well let's find out what kind of drunk you are then. Let's get some liquid courage into yah!" Cana smiled smugly.

"Sure. Sounds fun." I nodded in agreement.

Cana and I set up a line of mugs filled with beer, but before we could even get started, I heard a very familiar and scary voice yell at me from across the area.

"Ember Scarlet!" A voice boomed with anger.

I froze and saw the Master standing with Erza.

Shit...am I in trouble now?

"You're supposed to be on bed rest for a month!" Erza looked pissed.

I could feel myself shaking as I felt a sense of nostalgia, remembering my childhood.

Holy fuck can she be scary.

"Obviously I'm better now." I smiled nervously.

Erza inspected my body, searching for wounds, but was incredibly surprised to find nothing.

"But how? How have you healed so quickly?"

"I dunno! I just woke up like this! I thought you'd be happy." I partially lied.

"Of course I'm happy. I'm just concerned is all. Can you blame me?"

Makarov came over with that look of seriousness on his face. I knew I couldn't flat out tell them about Loke, because then it would lead to the conversation of how Loke was actually a member of the Zodiac.

And I didn't want to open that can of worms.

"Ember...we need to talk." Makarov spoke up.

"Can it wait? Cana challenged me to a drinking competition." I smiled warmly at him.

"Yeah! We need to know what kind of drunk she is, Master! She might have gotten Natsu laid, but we'll never know!" Wakaba cried.

Makarov perked up at this, quickly forgetting what he wanted to even talk to me about in the first place.

"WHAT?! HELL YEAH! LET'S DO IT!" Makarov cheered. "I NEED SOME GRANDKIDS!"

I felt my face heat up from the mere mention of children.

Especially children with Natsu!

"HEY! I'm not getting together with Natsu! You got another thing coming! I was only drunk that one night and I doubt Natsu was even interested!" I screeched.

"He'd have to be blind not to be interested in yah!" Wakaba smirked.

Oh my god...sometimes these people are weird...

"Would you guys cut it out?! Unless you don't want this drinking contest to end before it even started, I suggest you shut up!" Cana snapped.

"I'm so confused..." Natsu mumbled to Lucy.

"Me too Natsu...me too..." She sighed.

"Natsu, I'm sorry these guys won't drop it." I sighed.

"Come on, Ember! Let's do this already!" Cana called out to me.

"We'll talk later Natsu." I smiled at him.

"Uh yeah, sure." Natsu blushed a little.

Is he getting sick again?


Hey guys! This is a new chapter, but this was a chapter for fun! I'll try to get started on the next episode soon okay? I got a lot of school work to do! I hope you like it!