Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.

Chapter 9

"Show Laxus the fruits of our training!" Erza cheered Kisa as the younger mage went out of the guild that afternoon to meet with Laxus – the new trainer.

"I don't know if I should feel envy or pity," Lucy commented while walking with Kisa towards Fairy Hills, "it's one tough teacher after the other."

They have not walked far from the guild when they found Laxus leaning by a tree.

"I decided we should train in a more secluded area." Laxus hinted, obviously aimed at Lucy.

"Uh – yeah, I should go." Lucy, who seemed rather disappointed, answered.

"Lucy, I'm sorry, but I was the one who suggested this setup." Kisa timidly defended.

"No, I get it," Lucy said, this time cheerfully, "I'll have Mira prepare you a nice dinner tonight." She winked at Kisa and said her goodbye.

"Thanks Lucy!" Kisa shouted at her friend's retreating figure.

"Come on! We've so much to do." Laxus started, Kisa following; but he stopped, looked at Kisa, and plainly commented, "Oh, we're gonna have a guest later."

Kisa, confused, did not answer, instead, just followed Laxus.

Later…

"I can't control another's magic!" Kisa shouted as she dodged one water slicer after another.

"That's not an excuse, isn't it?" Laxus commented from the sidelines, "You're enemy won't not attack you just because you can't control their magic, don't you think?" Laxus questioned, expecting a respond from their guest.

"Juvia thinks so, too. At least, Kisa-san can dodge Juvia's attacks," Juvia added, "- barely," as one of her attacks grazed Kisa's left arm.

"Do you want to get stronger?" Laxus demanded.

"I guess so?" was Kisa's answer, unsure of the answer herself, while trying to block Juvia's water by lifting earth in front of her.

"That's why you can't get stronger." Laxus said, calmer.

"I don't get it." Kisa answered, stunned, earning her a good hit from Juvia.

Juvia waited for Kisa to stand, before starting her attacks one more time.

"Why do you want to get stronger?!" Laxus shouted again.

"To – to protect myself."

"At least you've got the basic down." Laxus huffed.

Laxus walked closer to Juvia, making the latter stop her attacks, "Juvia, why do you want to get stronger?"

"Juvia wants to become strong for her Gray-sama. So Gray-sama would notice Juvia. So Gray-sama could be protected by Juvia. Juvia want to protect her nakama, too. Because Juvia's nakama is Juvia's family." Juvia answered, without hesitation.

"See the difference?" Laxus directed the question at Kisa, "Passion. Passion gives birth to a strong will. Will fuels strength. The most common example is protection. If you could be strong to protect yourself, think about how much stronger you could become if you wanted to protect others – others you love dearly. And Love is Passion."

Kisa was quiet at this.

Laxus continued, "how did you become a magic-user?" Laxus didn't even wait for an answer, "You must have had a motivation – whatever it was, think about it now. You had a goal, then. That's how you succeeded in learning magic. Now, imagine if your goal was that much higher – you get that much stronger."

"I should have a big enough goal? Can I really be that much strong?" Kisa replied.

"Juvia thinks Kisa does not understand. But, Juvia thinks Kisa is smart, you'll understand it, eventually."

"Thanks – I think. I get it, really." Kisa said, an unreadable expression on her face.

"I think you really don't. I think we might need a tangible example." Laxus said, a smirk on his face.

Just then, "Hey guys! How's the training going?" Lucy appeared just behind Kisa, "Mira told me to come here and bring you food!"

"Just put it down, and come here, we need your help." Laxus called out to Lucy.

As Lucy put down the basket of food she was carrying, she was trapped in a water lock.

Kisa panicked, "Juvia!"

"Love Rival!" Juvia shouted with a crazed look on her face.

Kisa ran towards Lucy, who appeared to be choking with the water. "Juvia, please stop!"

"Why don't you make her?" Laxus taunted.

"I-I can't." Kisa shakily answered.

Lucy was starting to lose consciousness. "You're hurting her?!" Kisa asked Laxus.

"It's just half a day in the infirmary. She's been through worse." Laxus shrugged.

"Water Slicer!"

Kisa heard Juvia shouting her attack. Again, she tried to block using earth, but she was feeling that her strength was dangerously low. At this rate, we'll be sharing the infirmary, she thought bitterly.

"Kisa help…" that's when she thought – Thinking of myself at a time like this?

Lucy… she's my friend. "I treasure my friends," I say. What nonsense. I protect them, is what I will say from now on. And right now, that's what I have to do. Protect Lucy.

With a new found determination, Kisa launched herself at Juvia as the latter released one big water slicer. Kisa controlled the air around Juvia's water until the 'slicer' form shattered. The former took advantage of Juvia's moment of shock, and tackled her to the ground – releasing Lucy from the water lock.

Kisa immediately run to Lucy's side, who, surprisingly, was grinning at her.

"Huh?" Kisa said out loud.

"Sorry to worry you Kisa, but I'm in on this one. You see, Laxus asked Mira who asked me to come here today to help in your training." Lucy explained as she sat up.

"The love rival is correct, also, Lucy-san was not drowning. Juvia learned to trap people in her water lock without them being suffocated." Juvia added, obviously recovered from Kisa's attack.

Just then, a hand landed on Kisa's head, "You did good. I guess we can call it a day." Laxus commented as he walked away.

Back at the guild…

"I hear you started your super-secret training with Laxus." Levy nudged Kisa while the latter was eating her meal.

"I was there to help and it was crazy! With what I've seen so far from Erza and then, now, with Laxus, I, myself, would break down early on." Lucy, from Kisa's other side, was the one who answered.

"Woah! That's so cool. Did you know that your mentors are both Fairy Tail's S-Class Mages?" Levy asked, still in awe.

"Yes, Lucy already told me. It's not like they're training me to be S-Class. And it's really not 'super-secret', I just get really self-conscious when people are watching. So I asked Laxus-san to train in a hidden place." Kisa explained to the energetic duo.

"But still! To be trained by Erza was already a big big bonus, but being trained by Laxus, after? That's hitting the jackpot, right there!" Levy said.

The three girls were in the middle of their chatting when the guild doors opened to reveal three familiar guests. The three Casanovas walked elegantly into the guild – not forgetting greeting every single woman in sight. Hibiki moved forward towards the bar leaving Ren and Eve in the midst of the women.

"Hey there, what brings you gentlemen here?" Mira asked from behind the bar.

"Just visiting," was Hibiki's simple answer.

"Oh, hi, Hibiki! Could you tone down the flirting a little bit? We have a new member, and she might get frightened by it." Lucy said as she greeted the Blue Pegasus mage.

"Hello Lucy-san, Levy-san! Of course, that's why I'm here."

"Huh?" Both mentioned mages chorused.

"Hibiki-nii!" Kisa exclaimed, attacking Hibiki with a hug.

"…-nii…?!" Lucy and Levy shrieked.

"She didn't tell you?" Hibiki asked the two female mages, "I am hurt," the last one he directed at Kisa.

"Ah – hehe" Kisa replied, now sitting back down, "I wasn't able to tell them, yet. I just didn't have the time."

"Yeah – I heard." Hibiki said dramatically.

The two, seemingly forgotten females, stared as the 'siblings' talked.

"Forgive me, please, Hibiki-nii!" was Kisa's sweet reply.

"Of course I will my cute baby sister!" Hibiki said gleefully while hugging the younger mage.

"*small cough*" Lucy interrupted.

"Oh, sorry, Lucy, Levy." Kisa said apologetically.

"I'm a little confused. I didn't know you had another brother."

So, then Kisa explained her relationship with the archive-magic user, with Hibiki pitching in some thoughts, as well.

"So how's Fairy Tail for you? Of course, with the exception of all the beautiful mages, you really would be hurt in the recklessness of the people here. Tell me, has anyone tried to flirt with you?" Hibiki asked, more like shouted, with a hint of strictness of an older brother in his voice.

"Of course not." Kisa answered innocently.

"Tch, like I didn't know why you chose to join here." Hibiki said, a little softer this time.

"Hibiki," Lucy started, which made the called mage look at her with shining eyes, "you've ever heard of the phrase 'sister complex'?"

This made the females around him laugh and tease. They spent a few more minutes of chatting when Hibiki remembered the package he was carrying.

"Oh! I almost forgot, I got a message for you!" Hibiki handed Kisa a letter with a wink.

To my dearest sister,

I hope you are well. I trust you are now accustomed to your new home. If you've noticed some of the furniture I sent were new – I got excited with your new life I thought it would be great to start with new things!

I wish from the bottom of my heart that you are enjoying your time there!

About Kaito, I was surprised with his story; but I expected this display of kindness from you. You really are our mother's daughter. You have made Yuki-san and I proud. You don't have to worry about him, we will put him to a good school and he will be under Yuki-san's care.

Lastly, my birthday is coming. Of course, I have invited my business "friends". I hope you can invite your guildmates in our home on that night. Looking forward to seeing you soon!

With love,

Touya-nii

"Thank you so much!" Kisa exclaimed hugging Hibiki.

"I'm glad to be of help. I also wanted to see you and how you were doing so far." Hibiki answered as he pats Kisa affectionately, "I guess I was worried for nothing. So, I'll just leave you three lovely ladies here."

"Are you going already?" Levy asked.

"I just need to talk with Master Macarov. Another reason I went here." Hibiki answered with an angelic smile.

"See you later!" The three women chorused.

Her condition…

"Master, there is something I think you should know." Hibiki said, with a serious tone, as he faced Fairy Tail's Guild Master who was drinking quietly on the other end of the bar.

When they were at the office, Hibiki started, "It's about Kisa."

"So it's not just the kidnappers, huh?" Macarov lowered his head to ease the headache he knew was coming.

"I'm afraid so. I apologize Master Macarov, her brother could not just disclose this information to anybody – even if it was Erza."

"I don't get it. There is something more serious than the dark guilds?"

"I can't say. I sure hope not." Hibiki hesitated, but continued, "You see, her mother was killed by their father."

This came as a shock to Macarov.

"I don't know who their father was; Touya told me his name was Ryusaki Tadasu. He was a mage. But I couldn't find him – I've already searched in the council's list of registered mages." Hibiki decided to sit down in front of Macarov.

"So he would either be an illegal mage or a fake name. For his intentions, we're not sure."

"You think he's the one after Kisa?" Macarov, coming out as a statement, asked.

"We've considered it; but we can't know for sure."

"That's not all isn't it?" Macarov was sure there was more to it.

"Yes, her mother was already dying of a disease before she was killed. She had a heart ailment; doctors said that she would only live until she was, at most, 30; her sickness was congenital."

Macarov dropped the cigarette butt he was holding, mouth hanging open.

"Sorry, Master Macarov. We truly are. She wanted so hard to get in – they thought if you knew about this, you wouldn't accept her." Hibiki said fast, his head hung low, but, Macarov was still silent. "So when I heard about the trainings, I immediately went here."

"But Erza said she was really doing well." Macarov contemplated. She was always so cheerful, no one would have thought she had a weak heart.

"I was her teacher back then, I saw how using magic took a toll on her body. I'm really worried, Master!" Hibiki cried.

"Why don't we ask her present teacher? Come on in, you heard, right?"

"Uh, sorry. I didn't know you had a guest. I already heard before I could turn back." The person outside the door said as he entered.

"Laxus…" Hibiki uttered.

"To tell you the truth," Laxus started as he leaned on the wall near his grandfather, "I am shocked. I knew she would tire out faster, it's expected, she didn't have that much training. Thinking back – I can now understand why she lacked training even with that great magic."

"She's doing okay?" Hibiki questioned.

"Yeah – doesn't show any sign of illness in any way."

"She made a good choice after all, huh?" Hibiki smiled faintly to himself.

"Choice?" Macarov inquired.

"Of joining this guild, of course. I've always wanted her to join mine. I guess this is good for her – who'd have thought?"

"Hey!" Laxus answered.

The three laughed lightly at this. Hibiki stood up and said, "But you must still not forget about her condition, please. Thanks Macarov-dono, Laxus for your time today. I must go back now. Bye!"

When Hibiki left the office, the Dreyar's continued the conversation, "What do you plan now?" the older one inquired.

"I'll tell Erza, of course. But the same as before. I won't go easy on her – and that's exactly why. But she's a complicated one, huh?"

"Yeah"

With that the two retreated down the noisy guild and went back to their normal routine. Not that "normal" would best describe a day in this guild.