Hey guys Kytrin here! I've got a relatively short chapter for you this time. It was originally longer, but when I started reviewing it I decided the second part worked better with the next chapter. So even if this one's a bit short you'll get a nice long one next chapter! :)

As always... THIS FIC UPDATES EVERY THREE DAYS: Post, Break, Break, Post!


CHAPTER 42

Hestia

In Ancient Greek religion, Hestia is a virgin goddess of the hearth, architecture, and the right ordering of domesticity, the family, and the state.


When Sting returned, his face was scraped up and dirty. It was clear his fight with Torafuzer had ended in a success for him. But even so, this was no victory.

He gaped at the sight of his brother and Lucy quietly hunched over along the edge of the village.

"What happened!" Sting called and ran over to them. Lucy looked up when he approached, her face tense and tear stained.

"There wasn't anything we could do," Lucy said hoarsely. Her eyes stung with fresh tears, but gave no more information than that.

She didn't have to.

Sting stared at the ruined village in shock. These people had been unkind and cruel, but in a swoop they were all dead.

Every last one of them.

"Yukino, is she-?" Sting demanded, suddenly terrified.

Lucy sniffed and shook her head, "No, she's fine. I found Wendy in time. She's guarding her now. I'm not sure if she's awake yet or not."

"I am." Yukino's voice sounded softly to one side, and they turned as one to find her staring at the devastation with wide, shocked, eyes.

"Yukino..." Lucy murmured, her heart clenching anew at the horrified pain on her friend's face, "I..." She trailed off, not sure what to say.

She knew from experience that no amount of 'I'm sorry' would ever suffice. She'd lashed out at the officials who had dared to utter those words after she'd received word about Deliora. I'm sorry didn't even begin to cover it.

"I wish..." She tried again, but the words failed her once again. She already knew intellectually that there was nothing more any of them could've done. They'd tried their best. It simply hadn't been good enough.

Yukino, however, seemed to understand what she was trying to say anyway. For all the good it did as the shock gave way to grief and she dropped to the ground as she burst into tears.

Sting moved to her side and knelt beside her so he could wrap his arms around her the same way he'd seen Natsu just doing to Lucy.

Yukino gripped his arm, crying out into his shoulder over her lost home. She gripped him tightly, as if afraid he too would disappear.

Wendy emerged from the trees behind her, but gasped at the state of the village. Natsu quickly got up and hurried to pull Wendy away, making her look away from the charred village.

It was a reality of war none of them could stop.

"Torafuzer is defeated for now," Natsu said hoarsely, "But he won't be down for long. Tartaros has a way of repairing the demons that have been defeated."

He looked at Sting, his expression uncharacteristically grim.

"We need to go," He was apologetic, but firm.

Sting nodded in agreement, his arms wrapping around Yukino.

"Come on," he whispered to her, "We can't stay here."

Yukino's shoulders trembled as the force of reality crushed down on her. She was homeless, and the only place she ever knew was gone. The sense of loss was so profound it shook her foundation.

And now, there wasn't any hope of finding her sister again.

There was very little said in the wake of the devastation as they moved away from the immediate vicinity. Wendy silently healed Sting enough he could transform fully and fly while Lucy kept her arms around Yukino's shoulders.

Sting took no pleasure in the fact this would be Yukino's first time seeing him change up close as he shifted and laid his foreclaws out for them to climb into. He was taking no chances this time. The cargo he'd been carrying might still be salvageable, maybe, but it wasn't worth risking a second confrontation over. The nest had a surplus of supplies they could send. Another shipment could be made.

In the meantime he fully intended to move as fast as he could for Magnolia.

No doubt Tartaros already knew that was their destination, but at least once they were there they would have backup. Something they'd need urgently if they got into a fight with more than one Gate and his minions at a time.

He just prayed that there was some kind of information in Magnolia for Yukino about her sister. Some small ray of light to make all this pain and loss a little more bearable.

He kept that in mind as he took to the air and flew towards the human city as fast as he could move.

There was a chance. However small it was, it was still a chance.

He'd learned the hard way that even the smallest chances were a reason to hope, and to give Yukino her smile back he would chase down every chance he could find.

-::-

The trip back to Magnolia was silent and tense. Their new companion had been quietly crying on and off the rest of the way. Since there really was no way of consoling her, nothing could be said.

But they arrived at Magnolia, and for the first time in hours Lucy saw a shred of light. Standing outside her home town, she had never felt more grateful to see it in one piece.

She felt new sympathy for Yukino.

Erza greeted them at the walled off entrance, her scarlet hair bright and fiery. It was the first thing they saw when they landed.

"Erza!" Lucy called out, her hand waving over her head to signal to the other woman. Erza lifted her hand in greeting, a faint smile on her face.

"I'm glad you made it safely," Erza's eye lingered over Yukino but she thankfully chose to say nothing, "Come. You can tell me everything that happened when we are safe in the city."

Lucy nodded, and they quickly followed the redhead inside.

Once they were safely back at the guildhall Mirajane quickly produced drinks for all of them, which earned her a grateful smile from Lucy as they sat down.

"Alright." Erza said once they were settled, and crossed her arms, "What happened out there after you left the nest?"

Lucy winced a little and sighed, "It started when Tartaros shot Sting out of the sky..."

She quickly filled them in on everything that had happened, the others interjecting only as needed, feeling a little as though she was giving a mission report after a particularly trying mission, and suddenly she wanted nothing more than to go home, curl up with Natsu in front of the lacrimatron, and try to forget the horrifying events of a few hours ago.

She felt a little guilty about that when Yukino started crying again, but not enough to actually change the desire.

"I see." Erza murmured once the report was finished, and reached over to squeeze Lucy's shoulder, an approving look on her face, "I can find no fault in any of your actions." She told her with gentle firmness, "Despite the tragedy you all performed admirably. I doubt any of us could have done any better."

She looked at Yukino, "Miss Yukino, I know this is an extremely difficult time for you, but you're welcome to remain with us if you like. And if not, we'll help you get back on your feet so you can begin a new life."

"Thank you." Yukino whispered despondently, "But it doesn't matter. I stayed so my sister would know where to find me when she returned. Now that the village is gone..." She shook her head and fresh tears trickled down cheeks that had long since become raw.

Erza blinked at the girl's whispered confession but moved aside when Mirajane shifted their drinks to the side and sat down next to Yukino.

"You're looking for your sister?" She asked, setting a gentle hand over Yukino's.

The teary girl nodded back, her red rimmed eyes looking at Mirajane in silent confusion.

"I know something about losing a sibling," Mirajane's voice was heavy with sympathy. She set an arm around Yukino's shoulders and cradled the back of her head.

"Don't lose faith you'll find her," Mirajane's smile was unwavering and kind.

"Just tell us her name and we will do everything in our power to find her for you."

Yukino's shoulders trembled with emotion, but she gave Mirajane a sad smile. It was clear her hopes weren't up, but she was appreciating the effort nonetheless.

"Sorano, her name is Sorano," Yukino croaked.

Jellal inhaled sharply at that, drawing everyone's eyes to him, but he didn't seem to notice as he stared at Yukino in shock.

"I had no idea..." He breathed, caught somewhere between horrified and stunned.

"Jellal?" Erza prompted, causing him to blink a little and look at her, "What do you know?"

Jellal shook his head and gave Yukino a soft smile, "Apologies. I was just surprised. I know your sister."

"What!" Erza exclaimed at the same time Yukino surged to her feet, desperate hope warring with despair on her face.

"How do you know my sister?!" She half exclaimed and half demanded, "What happened to her? Is Sorano alright? Why hasn't she come home yet?"

Her words grew louder with every word until Jellal held up his hand to silence her.

"I only know some of this story." He replied, "The rest you will have to get from her alright?"

Yukino nodded tensely and Jellal curled his hand into Erza's, "Sorano, Angel as we call her, was among the children of the work group that included Erza and myself all those years ago." He glanced at Erza, "The full story of how that ended is a long one, but in the end we all found our freedom."

He returned his smile to Yukino, "These days your sister, along with a few others, are part of an independent guild known as Crime Sorciere. They're close friends and allies of Fairy Tail, and their goal is to eliminate the darkness Zeref had brought into the world."

Yukino stared at Jellal in shock, hardly able to believe that at long last here was real, solid, news on her sister. It had been so long.

"Will... can you...?"

Jellal nodded, "I would be pleased to, but I can't promise when Sorano will be able to come by as she's on a mission now. And I can guarantee she's changed from the sister you knew. Zeref's darkness has a way of changing everyone it touches."

Jellal found himself being tackled with far more enthusiasm than he had expected from a weeping girl, and he just managed to catch her before they both toppled over.

"I don't care what happened, I've been dying to see her for years," Yukino pulled away from Jellal, her eyes watering, but the first signs of a smile flashing over her face. In the wake of the tragedy she had just experienced, it was a sight to behold.

"Thank you," She said empathically, "I don't know what to say or do to thank you enough."

"That's just the sort of thing Fairy Tail does," Natsu grinned at Yukino, but nudged his brother with his elbow.

Sting blinked at Natsu, but turned his attention towards Yukino when the human came at him. Her arms wrapped around his middle with surprising strength. His hands settled instinctively down against her back.

"I should have just come with you when you offered," Yukino whispered in his chest, "It was the right decision."

Sting stared at Yukino's snowy head, but slowly relaxed his body, a smile curling over his lips.

Anything that made her happy seemed to be the right choice in his book.

Lucy found herself grinning as well as Erza shot Jellal a warm look, "Well then, that's one bit of very excellent news." The redhead said, sounding extremely pleased, "Mira, can you arrange for a room for Yukino?"

"Of course!" Mirajane replied happily, "I'll make sure she gets settled in while we wait."

Erza nodded, "Very good. In the meantime, I'll contact Igneel and alert him that you've all arrived in one piece." She shot Wendy a look that had the little dragoness squeaking a little, "I believe your parents will want to speak with you afterwards. However, if you can convince them to let you stay we'd be more than happy to have you here to help Porlyusica with healing."

"Well it was nice knowing you Wendy!" Natsu cackled teasingly, "I bet I'll be able to hear mom's roaring all the way at Lucy's house!"

"Don't forget dad's." Sting smirked, enjoying the growing look of horror on Wendy's face, "We might wind up deaf afterwards."

Lucy sighed and shook her head before grabbing hold of Natsu's scarf, "C'mon. Let's go home before you terrify her too much."

She was grateful though for the sudden bout of sibling teasing. It had effectively broken the remaining gloom from the meeting.

"You're to take a couple of days off at minimum!" Erza called at Lucy's back, as she tugged a slightly flailing Natsu towards the door.


Special thanks to our reviewers! You guys were amazing last chapter. Though I think maybe we stabbed you guys in the feels a little too much since not as many of you left reviews lol! Still, you guys made the mark for your sneak peek, so enjoy that, and keep rocking on! We love you! :D


30 REVIEWS EQUALS A SNEAK PEEK!

Lucy shifted to look at him intently, "Natsu... you know a comment like that could be considered a marriage proposal?"

Natsu stared at her for a moment before grinning broadly in relief that it was surprise and not upset, "Let's get married then!" He replied cheerfully, "As long as it means I can stay by your side I don't care what it's called."

Lucy stared at him in shock and reached out to caress his cheek, "You mean that?" She asked softly, "Even if you had the freedom to walk away right now and experience the world on your terms?"

Natsu leaned forward and pressed his forehead against hers, "It's always more fun with two." He purred, "And I can't think of anyone I'd rather see the world with than you my queen."