Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

Chapter 5

Everybody gathered in the dining area around mid-morning to eat breakfast. No one spoke while eating. The only sounds were from the clanking of table wares and Natsu and Happy munching on their food.

When everybody finished eating, Touya decided to speak first. "I apologize for what happened last night." Erza nudged Gray and gave him a meaningful look. "Uhm," started Gray, which made Touya stop speaking, "I'm sorry, too, for bursting out like that." Gray said as he fixed his gaze on his plate. Touya continued, "We didn't mean to anger you. The three of us have talked; actually, Kisa told us that she suspects that something happened to Gray after he left here which made him forget his stay with us." The Fairy Tail gang looked confusingly at him. Touya only looked at his sister, who said, "It's just a hunch. It would be normal, I suppose, if Gray forgets some things; but not to remember anything at all – about us – don't you think that is suspicious?"

Lucy answered, "I guess she's right."

Erza crossed her arms and looked at Gray, "Do you believe this, Gray?"

Gray just nodded while looking down. Lucy decided to answer Erza, "I don't think they're lying, Erza."

Erza seemed to consider this before she started to speak, "Honestly, I don't think you're lying, too." She then looked at Kisa, "What is your purpose?"

Kisa just looked at her, puzzled.

Erza elaborated, "If we do believe you, or maybe if we find the cause of Gray forgetting you, what would it do to you?"

Kisa smiled, and looked at Gray, "Then I get my friend back."

Gray was now looking at her. Lucy and Erza looked at him expecting his response, but it never came.

Touya decided to cut in, "Kisa made a proposal to us last night." Everybody was now looking at him. "She wants to join Fairy Tail."

Gray's eyes widened at what Touya said. Erza looked as if she was considering it. Natsu stood up and grinned at Kisa, "Then go with us back to the guild!"

Kisa seemed to be surprised at Natsu's sudden outburst. Mr. Yuki decided to speak for the first time since the conversation started, "Just like that?"

Natsu nodded and continued, "I think you'll like it!" "Aye!" was Happy's response.

Lucy spoke, "Natsu's right. If you want to join Fairy Tail, you should come with us. We will be with you all the way. I remember my first time going there, I was so scared. It helped that Natsu and Happy were with me on my way there. Don't worry; I'll help you cope with the shock once you get there." Lucy said the last one a little softly for Kisa only to hear. Kisa smiled at the trio; she was glad that they already accepted her despite the situation. Erza stood up and spoke, "I don't think you're a bad person, Kisa. I don't see why we shouldn't accept you as a member." Erza walked towards Kisa and offered her hand. Kisa smiled and shook it. Erza went back to her chair; now there's only one.

Gray felt the stares of everyone in the room; they seem to be waiting for him to respond. Gray sighed, "Like I have a choice." Lucy grinned at Gray, Erza just nodded her head. Natsu jumped up and shouted, "Great! Let's go home. I miss Lucy's bed already." "Hey! Don't speak like we live together you idiot." Lucy said as she tried to silence the excited Natsu. Erza was observing Kisa; she was looking sadly at Gray. Shouldn't she be happy? Erza thought as she looked at Gray; Gray crossed his arms over his already exposed chest while he looked down at his lap.

Touya coughed, making the room silent. "Yes, I believe you would want to go back to your guild today, but can I please ask you to stay for just one more hour? I would like to say my goodbyes to my little sister." He said as he tapped Kisa's shoulder. The latter jumped out of her thoughts as she felt her brother's hand.

"Yes, we will prepare our things for the moment." Erza answered as she ushered her teammates out the dining room.

An hour after…

The Fairy Tail team was waiting outside the house. The carriage was already set behind them. Not long after, Kisa showed at the doors, with Mr. Yuki beside her. Touya was in front of them, he shook their hands one by one, bowed and said, "Thank you very much for accepting my sister. We will have her things followed once she finds a place to live in." He hugged his sister and stood beside Mr. Yuki. Kisa kissed Mr. Yuki and her brother on the cheek and whispered something.

The team and Kisa rode on the carriage. Natsu immediately slumped onto Lucy when the carriage started. Lucy shrieked, "Don't drool on me Natsu!"

Erza held Natsu by his shoulders and moved him on her lap. She punched Natsu's guts which made him unconscious. Kisa's eyes widened at this; Lucy hurriedly explained, "Natsu's really bad at transportation. He always gets sick, so Erza puts him to sleep while we are travelling. Don't worry; he'll be alright when we get down." Kisa just nodded, but continued to stare at Natsu.

Train Station...

On the train station, Natsu and Happy were nowhere to be found, Erza bought tickets, and Lucy went to find Natsu and Happy, which leaves Kisa and Gray to tend to their luggage – mostly Erza's things.

Gray was sitting on one of the benches beside Kisa. "Gray?" Kisa poked Gray's arms thinking he was asleep.

"Hm?" was Gray's only response.

Kisa put her hands on her lap and looked at them as she spoke, "I don't want you to feel like you have no choice in this. If you do not want me to go with you or to join your guild, please tell me now. I don't want to inconvenience you or anything."

"Huh? I thought you wanted to come and join the guild?"

"I do! Believe me I do, but I don't want you to feel like I don't consider your thoughts before doing this. What you said earlier, that you didn't have a choice, was it true? So then, do you not like me to join? You don't have to worry, I'll just tell them that I changed my mind. You don't have to tell them; but please tell me the truth." Kisa said softly that Gray had to lean in to hear her.

Gray leaned back and crossed his arms. He sighed and said flatly, "I didn't say I didn't want you as a guild member; I was just stating the obvious back then."

"So you wouldn't mind me joining?" Kisa was now looking at Gray, waiting for him to answer.

"Yeah," Gray stated as he closed his eyes. Kisa didn't speak after that.

The duo noticed that people were running outside the station. Gray stood up and went towards the commotion; Natsu!

Kisa was torn between following Gray and looking after Erza's luggage. She decided to pull the luggage and follow after Gray. She lost Gray once she got outside, the people were long gone. She heard noises behind the trees, so she went there.

Kisa first saw Lucy, whose back was turned to her. She let go of the cart and ran towards Lucy. She stopped midway when she saw the others. A boy, around fifteen, was tied at the middle of the group. Gray was sitting in front of the boy; Erza stood firmly beside Gray. Natsu, obviously mad, was behind the boy. Kisa approached the group silently, and placed herself beside Lucy. She saw an unconscious Happy on Lucy's arms; so she decided to ask, "What's happening?"

Lucy leaned towards Kisa, "I'm not so sure myself; when I arrived, Happy was already unconscious, Natsu was furiously attacking the boy. I couldn't stop him, they were both running around; it was a good thing Erza came not long after. She stopped Natsu, and tied the boy down. I could only pick up Happy."

"What's wrong with Happy?" Kisa asked concerned.

Their conversation was stopped when Erza spoke. "Who are you? Why did you attack Happy?" Erza directed her sword to the boy.

"Ha! Who are you-...?Why did you attack Happy…-?" The boy said mocking Erza's voice.

"I see. You wish to die." Erza calmly said as she posed for her attack.

"Wait Erza!" Lucy shouted making Kisa jump, "He's just a kid. Maybe it's just a prank."

"Silence." Erza's voice boomed; she raised her sword, "Kid, I hope you had a happy life."

"W-wait!" The boy cried out as he closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. I'll tell you everything. Please let me live. I didn't have a happy life. Please!"

Erza lowered her sword and walked backwards. "Good answer. Gray!"

Gray nodded, and patted the boy's shoulder. "If I were you kid, I'll consider my words before I speak."

The boy tearfully nodded.

"That cat there," Gray pointed at Happy who seemed to stir on Lucy's hands, "he is not just a simple pet. He's our friend; he's the best friend of flame-breath here." Gray said as he gestured towards the flaming Natsu; Natsu just scoffed.

"Guys! Happy's waking up." Lucy exclaimed.

Natsu ran to Lucy and waited for Happy to open his eyes.

Kisa looked at the trio. Wow. They look like a happy family. I have to remember to mention this to Lucy.

Happy opened his eyes to see a worried Natsu in front of him. "Good morning Natsu. Where's my fish?"

"Happpppyyyy!" Natsu whined. Gray just stood from where he sat.

"Happy, do you feel any different? Do you feel pain anywhere?" Lucy checked Happy's body as she talked.

Happy flew towards Natsu as he removed Lucy's hands from his body. "Lucy you're getting weird again!"

"Happy we're worried about you, this kid just attacked you!" Erza said from behind Natsu.

Happy gave them a confused look. "I got attacked?"

"Don't you remember, Happy?" Kisa spoke softly, unsure of herself.

Happy just looked at her and whispered to Natsu, "Natsu, do you know her? She seems to know me."

"She's Kisa. You get forgetful at times Happy." Natsu simply answered.

They completely forgot the boy until he spoke. "I cast a forgetting spell on him." Gray's head snapped up at the boy.

"What?" Natsu said as he charged towards the boy, but Erza stopped him, "Explain." Erza commanded.

"I-I'm sorry. I was just told to look after their house and track outsiders who come in when they leave." The boy pointed his mouth towards Kisa; the girl stiffened, mouth hanging open.

"Look after?" Kisa said, her hands shaking.

The boy nodded, and continued, "They told me that they would take me in if I agree to take this task for them."

Erza burrowed her brows, "'They'?"

"Yes, a creepy old woman took me in. She said her husband did this before, but is too old to continue. They aren't really loving, or friendly – at the very least – but they gave me shelter and food, so I don't complain." The boy was staring to calm down as he told his story.

"I grew up alone, you see. I fed myself through petty crimes. One day, this woman caught me and took me to her house. She didn't give me to the royal guard, instead, gave a wager. The old man, before he retired to being bedridden taught me this magic; to make people forget a certain memory."

"What?!" Gray shouted startling the boy. "Could it be? You say you track those who come in and out of their house, right?"

"Y-yes." The boy shakily turned his head away from Gray, "They told me to cast this spell on them. Sorry, I had no choice!"

"You!" Gray was about to grab the boy's shirt.

"Gray!" Erza shouted; this made Gray stop and walk away.

"Why?" Kisa said ever so softly.

"I don't know, I don't ask them questions; I did once, but they got angry and threatened to tell on me on the authorities." The boy said, tearfully.

"That's why I can't remember you. They cast the spell on me. Just like what he did to Happy." Gray told Kisa.

"Why would anybody want that?" Kisa asked Gray.

"You need to tell us where they live." Erza commanded the boy.

"I-I-I don't know. Sorry, b-but I can help your friend regain his memory." The boy said terrified of Erza's stares.

"How could you not know? Stop fooling us." Gray accused.

"They don't stay in the same place. The woman gets me just outside the forest near that house." The boy was obviously on the verge of tears.

Gray was about to protest, but, Kisa spoke, "I believe you. Well, can you just describe these people? We'll try to find them ourselves. Also, please give our friends their memory back." She said as she walked towards the boy.

"I can give the cat his memory back, but not the scary guy there."

"Why?" Kisa said as she sat in front of the boy.

"Well, I wasn't the one who took it. Only he who took the memory can give it back. But, it was probably the old man; it was his job after all – before it became mine." The boy calmed down a bit as he talked to Kisa.

"Okay, promise me you'll help us and you will not run away. In return, I'll help you." Kisa said as she put her hands on the boy's shoulders.

"What if I run away?" The boy dared to ask. Kisa didn't have to answer as Natsu covered his hands in flames and Erza posed to attack with her sword.

"Okay." The boy said in defeat. Kisa smiled as she untied him.

"There." Kisa said when she finished.

"Give me the cat," he said. He tried to look stubborn, but he was blushing.

Happy approached the boy carefully. The boy murmured incoherent words. Happy's eyes widened each second. No one was speaking aside from the boy.

"There." The boy finally said imitating Kisa's voice.

"You playful little guy. Happy do you remember me now?" Kisa said patting Happy's head affectionately.

Happy tearfully flew to Kisa and hugged her, "I'm sorry I forgot you!"

Everyone approached Happy and patted his head.

"What's your name?" Kisa asked the boy.

"What's it to you, princess?" the boy answered mockingly.

"I told you I'll help you, if you help us."

"Kaito."

"Now, Kaito," it was Kisa's turn to imitate the boy, "their descriptions."

"Hmpf, like you can find them with just that."

"Just give her the descriptions, little boy." Gray was getting impatient with the boy.

"Alright, alright," the boy raised both his hands. When he put them down, he continued, "They're two old people. The man is already bedridden, that makes me thinks sometimes; how can they move if he can't even stand, right?"

"I know, right" Kisa playfully said. This made the boy laugh.

"Anyway, the old woman can still walk around. She does the house chores. She has pale, wrinkled skin. The man has a little darker skin. Both of them are short people; shorter than I am. Both have gray hair; the woman's hair ends just about her shoulders, the man's a lot shorter."

"That's all?" Natsu asked raising his right brow.

"Well, yeah."

"Alright, you've been a big help, Kaito. Now, you have to promise me you'll never come back to them." Kisa said as he stood up.

"What?" everybody said in chorus.

"Wait, why don't we let him help us find these people?" Lucy said.

"I don't like getting him in danger just for us to gain something." Kisa said with a straight face.

"But we can't find them with just the description he gave us. What about Gray's memory? And their purpose?" Lucy asked as she approached Kisa.

"No, but maybe we can use Natsu's nose." Gray answered. Gray looked like he was in deep thought as he looked from Natsu to the boy and back again. "You!" Gray fixed his eyes on the boy.

"Kaito," Kisa rolled her eyes as she corrected Gray.

"Right, Kaito. When were you last with them?" Gray asked demandingly.

"This morning?" Kaito answered.

"You're sure?" It was Lucy's turn to ask the boy.

"Yes, they told me to follow this group and cast the spell on all of them. I thought you'll be like the other mages. But, I was surprised when dog-nose there plunged towards me while I was hiding." Kaito said as he pointed towards Natsu.

"Yeah yeah, his dog-nose saved us a couple of times." Gray said impatiently, "Natsu, can you smell other people from him? Do you think it will lead us to the old ones?"

Natsu nodded and proceeded with smelling the boy.

"Hey! That's gross." Kaito shouted, as Natsu smelled him.

"I smell other people, but their smells are very faint." Natsu said as he stood up.

"Can you direct us to where you last saw them? Maybe we can track them from there." Erza spoke after being silent for a few minutes.

"Or maybe they're still there!" Natsu exclaimed as he put his hands on the boy's shoulders.

The boy got scared thinking of Natsu's flaming hands. "O-okay. I'll lead you there."

"No, just tell us where. As she said, she doesn't want you in trouble." Gray said as he pointed at Kisa, who smiled at him widely.

"They were at the old house up at the hill, just north of this town." Kaito pointed to the direction as he spoke.

Kisa sat down in front of Kaito and gave him a letter. "You know where I live, right? Go there, I already wrote here what they need to know about you. Don't worry, they'll take you in. Mr. Yuki's a great man; so is my brother. Stay there, if you want to work, they'll give you a job; but, if you want to study, they'll put you to school."

Kaito stared wide eyed at the letter.

"Take it. It won't bite." Kisa said smiling.

Kaito carefully lifted his hands to receive the letter. When the paper was in his hands, Kisa withdrew her hold on the letter and ran after the others. The Fairy Tail gang was already at the street and posed to walk to the direction Kaito pointed. Kaito was left there behind the trees still holding the letter. He looked at the letter, the envelope was sealed, but behind it was a short note.

Kaito,

You promised to not go back there; remember it, okay? When I contact my brother, I want to hear that you've been doing good. Take care of yourself!

Kisa

As Kaito read the note a tear landed on the paper. He was crying; it was the first time someone has done something good for him. Kaito stood up and walked towards the Sonomi house; to my new beginning.

Up North…

The group has arrived at the hilltop as Kaito said, but found no house or any sign that one was built there recently.

"He lied to us." Gray declared.

"No Gray, I smell him here. I can also smell two others. I can't smell where they went, though." Natsu answered as he circled around smelling the air.

"They're good at covering their tracks." Erza said as she crouched down and examined the soil.

"What do we do now?" Lucy asked her comrades.

"I'm sorry, I'm making this hard for all of you. First, you had to miss your train just to end up clueless here. Then, I prevented you from using Kaito as bait to get these people." Kisa sat from where she stood and bowed down. "I just… I can't take it if Kaito would get in trouble helping us – helping me. He's too young to get in the middle of all of this."

Lucy approached Kisa and sat down in front of her. "No one blames you Kisa. You're our friend now, right? We help each other. That's what friends do."

Kisa looked up to Lucy.

"We understand your reasons for not letting that boy go with us." Erza said; she was now standing up, her back facing the group.

Gray was just scratching the back of his head. Girls and their tears.

"Let's go home! I don't forget the smell of people. I'll smell them when they get near me." Natsu said from behind Lucy.

"What about Gray's memory?" Kisa asked.

"Don't worry, I'll get them back." Gray answered not looking at Kisa.

"Great! Let's get on going. I need a shower." Lucy said as she helped Kisa up. As Kisa stood up, she hugged Lucy in delight. It was already sundown when they got on the train station. Erza had to buy new sets of tickets because they missed their scheduled train. Kisa offered to add to the ticket fare so they can get a coach.