CHAPTER 5
I opened my eyes slowly and stretched my arms. Light filtered into my room from a small gap between the curtains.
"What a nice day" I yawned.
"Yep. Great day for the Fantasia parade." Natsu said as he stuffed his face.
I sat up quickly.
"That's today?!" I looked over too him "Wait, what the hell are you doing in my house!"
Kuimori flew in from the other room.
"He brought you home last night" he told me.
That didn't give him a right to eat my food but there he was, eating my food, with Happy.
I sighed
"I have to get ready so you two need to go"
I scooped happy up with one hand and dragged Natsu by the wrist with the other. Kuimori opened the door for me and I dropped them both on the other side.
"Bye"
I waved then shut the door.
"Come on Kuimori, we need to choose outfits." I smiled
"Alright!" He smiled back.
We went into a little room that came off the kitchen. It was dedicated to my paints, pencils and previous paintings, however, I also had my wardrobe in here since it was the only room that had space left. I opened up the wardrobe and looked at its content. I had many cloths but only a few dresses for the occasion. Eventually I picked out a little back dress with red hems and a red ribbon round the waist. All set to go.
I stood at the side of the stage shaking. This was the miss Fairytail contest. After being persuaded by Natsu and Kuimori, I had reluctantly entered.
"And now, I give you miss Renka Highfire"
Surprisingly I heard the crowed cheer. Still shaking I walked on stage. There were so many people but now I was up here it was kind of exciting.
"Please, call me Ren" I said as I walked on. "I hope your all ok with a little water. I promise you won't get wet"
There was a laugh from the audience, though I didn't know why. That wasn't a joke.
I smiled brightly then held an outstretched hand at arms length. Little water droplets were sent out high above the audience. They glistened different colours as they fell down but vanished before they hit the audience. Everyone clapped as I exited the stage. I was relived to be off but I had to admit it was fun.
Happily I made my way to the back but stopped dead in my tracks. Laxus was stood in front of me with Evergreen. I'd never spoken to her but I'd heard a lot about her. She could turn people to stone with just one look.
"Ren!" Laxus looked shocked "What are you doing here?"
"I'm a member of Fairy tail, I have every right..."
But i didn't get to finish my sentence. My body became stiff and I couldn't move. Everything was dark, silent, lonely. I wanted to scream but I couldn't. But I wasn't a scared little girl anymore! Those days were over! Now I was brave and there was no way this would get the better of me!
I kept my self calm and listened. I could hear a few comments but I still couldn't see anything. From what I'd heard I managed to gather that Laxus and the thunder legion (Bickslow, Evergreen and Fried) had forced everyone to fight each other all around Magnolia in an attempt to make Laxus the new guild master. They had turned all the miss Fairy Tail contestants into stone and using them as hostages, including me.
When I get out of here I'm gunner murder him, not literally.
Master Makarov, Natsu and Gajeel were all stuck in the guild hall thanks to one of Frieds Runes.
Erza had broken free from the stone thanks to her bad eye and was on her way to save all the girls that had been turned to stone.
With that thought the heavy weight I felt was lifted and I fell to my knees. Natsu was instantly by my side.
"Ren, are you ok?" He asked.
"I'm fine" I coughed weakly.
"He's got to be stopped I whispered, because that's all my voice would allow me to do.
I pushed my self to my feet with my hands still on the floor and launched into a run.
I had to do something.
I jumped across the tables then back to the ground before sprinting to towards the open door.
This was really something for someone who'd just been a statue.
My success was short lived, I ran into what felt like a wall but looked like a clear exit from the guild hall into the rest of Magnolia. The impact caused me to fall back and onto the floor.
Damn it. I was stuck here too. Not that I could do much. I felt extremely light headed and I couldn't keep my eyes open. I stumbled to my feet but couldn't keep my balance and fell. The last thing I saw was Natsu's stressed face as he ran to catch me. He must have succeeded because I never felt myself hit the cold hard floor.
I woke up to white walls and lots of beds. The infirmary. I noticed Natsu sleeping on the chair next to my bed and Gray walking in.
"Your awake" he smiled
"Where's Laxus?"
I didn't have time to chat, I had to know!
I heard Natsu groan as he woke up.
"That's nice. The first thing you think about is Laxus."
"She's just worried. How's she meant to know that everything fine now and Laxus has been kicked out the guild?" Gray stood up for me.
"Maybe I don't want her to know" Natsu argued.
"She has every right to know, Hot head!"
"Perverted snowman!" Natsu shot back.
They were now stood in each others faces.
"Slants eyes!"
"Droopy eyes!"
The insults continued to be thrown at each other and neither of them were taking notice of anything around them. I took the chance to slip out of bed, out the room, down the stairs and back into the main area of the guild hall. I quickly rushed over to Mirajane.
"Mira!" I greeted her
"Hey, Ren" she smiled "Hows your cheek?"
I lifted a hand to my face and sure enough there was a large cut across my cheek. It must have been from when I fell or when I ran into Frieds invisible wall. Either worked, but it didn't matter.
"Where's Laxus?" I asked desperately.
"I think he's at the park" Mira replied.
"Thanks"
I dashed out the door and through the streets. It was dark outside so I assumed it was getting late. I kept running until I reached the park. Mira was right, Laxus was stood under the big oak tree with Bicslow, Evergreen and Fried. I watched as they stood there talking then Laxus turned and started to walk away with a bag swung over his shoulder.
I launched into a sprint again.
"LAXUS!" I screamed to get his attention.
It worked. His attention was now on me as he spun round, however, so was everyone else's. the few people that were in the park at this time watched as I ran into Laxus and wrapped my arms around his wiast. My head was berried into his chest. At first I thought he wasn't going to respond but then i heard his bag hit the ground and he put his arms around me too.
"What are you doing here?" He asked softly.
"I won't let you leave!"
A few tears trickled down my cheek as I hugged him tighter.
"Ren.." He didn't get to start his sentence, let alone finish it. I knew he was just going to try and tell me it was for the best.
"No! It's not for the best! I can't lose you! Iv already lost too much! My parents, Hydra, Al, my home, trust and that's just the start!"
Tears were poring from my eyes now.
"What I did was wrong"
It was nice to hear him admit that but it didn't stop the fear of losing him.
"I know. But I shouldn't be punished for that! Your out the guild but that doesn't mean you have to leave Magnolia!" I cryed.
I felt his arms tighten around me.
"I need to clear my head and sort myself out. I'll be back, I promise"
Neither of us spoke for a few seconds. We just stood there under the large tree with our arms tightly wrapped round each other.
"Ok" I said quietly through my tears.
Laxus put his arms on my shoulders and pushed me a step back so he could see me. He took one look at my face then ran his finger along the cut on my cheek.
"I'm so sorry, Ren! I never meant for you to get hurt."
"It's too late for that. And that doesn't change the fact that you meant for the others to get hurt. My friends!"
I wiped my tears away.
"That's why I have to leave."
I looked at the ground.
"I hope you know how much promises mean to me." I said trying to hold back more tears.
"Of course I do. That's why I'm going to keep it." He smiled, trying to cheer me up.
I looked up at him and attempted a smile back but it was weak.
"That hurts your cheek, doesn't it?" Guilt covered his face.
I simply nodded. To my surprise he placed his hand on the opposite cheek and kissed the one with the cut.
I stared at him in shock.
"I'll be back, ok!"
He picked his bag of the floor and flung it back over his shoulder, then he turned and walked away.
I was left staring after him with tears once again trickling down my cheeks.
I wanted to avoided all human contact. Just get Kuimori from the guild and go home.
Hey, sorry it's been a while since I last updated, I've had a lot more work than expected but I'll try to get more done over the next few weeks. especially since it's nearly Christmas!
Hope you enjoy this chapter!
Chantyrox
