Chapter 9

The next morning, Natsu burst in through the guild doors, looking particularly energized.

"Laxus! Fight meeee!"

Stopping to breathe, he finally noticed that there was no reply. Frowning, he went up to Lisanna at the bar and ordered breakfast.

"Laxus isn't here yet?"

"It doesn't look like it."

Mirajane, who had been listening, slid a mug over to Natsu and said conspiratorially:

"He and Gajeel went on a mission yesterday. They're not expected back until at least this afternoon."

"What would they go do that for? I wanna fight!"

"'Course you do, dumbass. You're just gonna have to wait." Gray drawled from the corner. Juvia was hovering worriedly behind him.

"Juvia is worried Gray-sama will start a fight with Natsu-san. They are still tired and—"

"What did you call me?" Shouted Natsu, who, sure enough, was charging at Gray. "Say that one more time, pansy."

"I said dumbass, Dragon Balls."

"Ice Princess!"

Natsu was suddenly thrown across the guild, landing at the feet of Erza, who had entered. He looked up, shocked at the intensity of Gray's attack. His face darkened, and his head smoked as he took off to attack. He hadn't so much as left the ground before he felt Erza's grip on his collar. He scrabbled.

"I'm gonna kick his ass once and for all! He—"

"You'll do no such thing," said Erza sternly. Looking up, she addressed Gray as well. "Both of you seem unable to keep emotions out of this, judging by your faces, and you need to learn to deal with it. Do not take it out on your teammates. Now is not the time."

Gray looked slightly ashamed, but Natsu still glowered as he shook Erza off. Heading back to the bar, he missed Lucy stumbling in sleepily.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing. It's not going to be a problem for now, anyway." Said Erza, shaking her head. "I do hope things will quiet down soon."

Lucy looked up at her. "Yeah," she sighed. "But I think it'll take longer than we want to believe." The two women made their way to a table and ordered a little food. Natsu and Gray were on opposite sides of the bar, but Lucy could almost smell the testosterone flying between them. Natsu was just about to open his mouth when the guild door slammed open.

"Where's Wendy?" Laxus boomed out. Everyone turned. In the doorway stood Laxus, holding the fire mage Naomi in his arms, Gajeel stalking in behind them.

There was dead silence. Natsu's already dark expression turned positively stormy, and he got up slowly from his stool.

"What…the hell…are you doing…bringing her here…" he began to walk slowly towards Laxus. "She…hurt…our-"

"Put me down." Interrupted a small voice. Laxus looked down and saw Naomi looking up at him.

"You can barely stand, you need Wendy—"

"I'm fine. Put me down," Laxus paused. "Now." He gently lowered her legs down, but she stood straight and tall.

The guild hall was tense and anxious. Naomi looked around, searching, but looking each member in the eye. Seeming to find who she was looking for, she began slowly but steadily walking towards Erza and Lucy. Natsu stood in her way, his head smoking, but when she looked him in the face, he inexplicably let her pass, his face confused.

Erza watched her make her way towards her with a stiff expression, not knowing what to expect. Lucy was extremely nervous. What was she doing?

Naomi, making it to their table, promptly knelt down in front of Erza. Everyone's eyebrows shot up as she slowly drew out a dagger. For a long time she sat there, never taking her eyes off of Erza, and Erza gazing back. Her long arms went up to her head, and in a few short swipes she had hacked off all of her hair. Tears had begun to fall from her eyes, and she laid the locks at Erza's feet. Getting up slowly, the shorn head turned to the rest of the guild and said,

"There is nothing I can do or say to make this better, so I'll be quick. In all my travels, I have never come across a group of people so closely bonded, so ready to die for each other. Your love is something incredibly beautiful, and I am glad to know that you will be able to heal one another's scars." And she began to walk out the door.

"Naomi," called out an old, raspy voice. She stiffened, and turned to see the master standing at the top of the stairs. "Your words are well received, but you overestimate the power you have over people. You haven't committed any unforgivable sin. You aren't even accountable for your actions. Please consider—"

"Makarov, please stop." Said Naomi quietly. "I can't join you, and I won't accept any favors. Thank you for your kindness." And she turned on her heel and walked out of the hall. Laxus watched her leave, frowning. He clenched his jaw.

Makarov sighed deeply as he clambered down to order a beer. "Poor dear," said Mirajane. "I wish she would just forgive herself."

"She'll be back," said Makarov. "She's got that desperate look in her eye. I don't know how or when, but she'll need a family sooner or later, and I don't get the feeling that she's got one right now."