Chapter 2

"We made it back alive!"Natsu yells as he kicks open the Fairy tail guildhall's door,Happy and Lucy behind him.

"They got here faster than expected"I commented while working at the bar,standing next to Mira.

I had returned by train last night and just in time as Mira was closing up the guildhall and told her what had happened expect a new member join soon.

Mira carried trays for serving on her hands and said with a smile"I better go help her out"

Just then a fight broke out in the guildhall with tables and chairs flying everywhere,stated by Natsu.

"Good luck"I told her while focusing on cleaning the bar table.

Someone threw a stool at me which I dodged just in time"Yeh aik paghal khana hai"*I muttered.

They started activating their magic and I was prepared to duck under the bar table,a non-mage like me will get destroyed by these morons but luckily Master Marakov stopped the fight before it got out of hand.

After things settled down Mira approached with Lucy beside her"Kerim,can you pass me the guild stamp"

"Sure Mira"I smiled and passed it on to her.

"Hey,you were that guy at the beach that night"Lucy said with surprise.

"Hello Miss,I expected you to join Fairy tail when Natsu dragged you away"I told her which caused Lucy to blush in embarrassment while Mira began giggling.

Mira gave lucy the guildmark on her hand and she gushed with happiness.

She then looked at me for a moment"How come you don't have a guildmark"

I replied"I'm not a mage,I just help around a guildhall"

Mira said"He has been working here for month now but he is a part of our guild like any of us"

I said"Thanks Mira,but you know I wouldn't be staying here long and might not be able to see each other again"

Lucy's eyes widened"Huh!What do you mean?"

I shook my head

"It's nothing.

If you need anything to eat or drink just let me know"

I waved at them before heading to the kitchen,not wanting to have that conversation again.

Mira might give me an earful later and her brother,Elfman might join in...I'll think about that later.

I came back from the kitchen carrying food and put it on the bar table.

I noticed Romeo talking with Master and remembered that his father,Macao had gone on a job request and hadn't returned yet.

Poor boy must be worried about his father so I walked up to them.

Just as he was about to hit Marakov,I stopped him and leaned to his eye level.

I said to him"Romeo,if you want someone to look for your father then I'll go"

The guildhall started to become silent but I didn't care.

Master spoke"What are you saying Kerim!These jobs are dangerous and only a mage is allowed to go."

I responded"If no one else goes then I cannot ignore it."

Master was about to say anything but I talked first

"You said everyone in this guild is like family,right?

What family does nothing when someone needs help.

My father would come looking for me when I got lost as a child."

The guild became uncomfortably silent and took me a moment to realize why.

Most people in this guild were orphans or separated from their families at young age and never experienced a 'normal' family life.

I felt guilty for sounding insensitive but my resolve remained firm.

I smiled at Romeo"Let me get my things and I'll go find your father,alright"

Romeo beamed"Thank you so much!Big brother Kerim"

I chuckled and ruffled his hair.

I was about to leave before Natsu shouted"Hey!I was about to go look for him."

I shrugged"Let's meet up here in one hour"

I rode a horse carriage with Natsu and Happy but Lucy also joined us for some reason.

Natsu had extreme motion sickness so I decided to start the conversation"So why did you come with us Lucy?You just joined the guild and Natsu can handle related to fighting"

Lucy thought about it for a moment before answering"Well...I was worried about Romeo and Mira asked me to go with you guys."

I raised an eyebrow"Is that all?"

Again she paused for a moment

"You said your father would have looked for you.

He must be good man."

I smiled

"He can be strict but he always taught me to help others.

People often tell me I'm like my father but he is much stronger than me.

When my mother became ill he would come home early from work to spend more time with her and assure me that she will be alright.

Thankfully,she is much better now."

Lucy stared at me with strange of emotions like sadness,anger and...resentment?

I cocked my eyebrow at her"Is something wrong?"

She shook her head"Its nothing"

But she still seemed upset as she looked out the carriage window.

'Khandani masael?'*I thought but decided not to force on the matter.

There was still time before we reached our destination so I closed my eyes and fell asleep,hoping Natsu doesn't throw up during this time.

TRANSLATIONS

*This is a madhouse

*Family issues

A/N : Mount Hokabe arc in next chapter