A/N: Yeah...don't know how I feel about this chapter. One of those times where what I want to convey and what I actually do seem to be conflicting. I'll let all of you decide on this chapter! You know the drill, my lovelies! Enjoy!
Love to my anonymous reviewers, readers, and faithful reviewers! You can feel the love, right? ;)
Disclaimer: don't own FT, do credit me for awesomely amazing OCs, please :D
~OoOoO~
Her heart was pounding from the speed at which her feet had carried her there. She had nearly left her friends behind but Natsu quickly caught up, forcing her to slow down for Wendy. They had come to a halt outside, as there was quite a gathering of mages, all murmuring in confusion as to why Mirajane had locked the hall. Normally around this time, she would greet them with a cheerful smile, offering them the kitchen's specials. Right now, however, looks of bewilderment were being passed around the growing crowd as they hesitantly approached the locked doors. Lucy could see Erza standing guard, her arms crossed over her chest as she refused to let anyone past her.
"What's goin' on, Erza?" Macao asked, glancing at his son.
"I'm sorry, but Master Makarov wanted me to ask you all to come back later," the red-head replied with authority.
"Did something happen to Mirajane?" a woman's voice...Evergreen, or so Lucy thought. She hadn't known the mage was even interested in Mirajane's well-being.
"Mirajane is fine," Erza tried her best to smile, but it only looked like a rabid scowl. "I'm just relaying the message from Makarov. Please understand."
The mages continued to hover around the hall, hoping to gain some insight into what the big secret was inside. Lucy, Natsu, and Wendy exchanged knowing glances, as Nani and Rien strayed some distance behind. The young girl was distrustfully eyeing the crowd, and Lucy wondered if she normally avoided large groups of people. Nani noticed Lucy watching her.
"We'll just hang back here. Don't wanna stand out, you know?" she gestured at her clothes and winked.
"I see," Lucy replied, looking back toward the crowd, "That may be a good idea."
"We'll, uh, be here...when you're done. Make sure to let us know what's happenin'," Nani shuddered, nodding at her brother's sign language. "Rien doesn't want to draw attention to us, either."
"Fine, just wait here, you two," Natsu replied, his gaze remaining ahead, "Just don't get into any trouble."
"Us? Get into trouble?" Nani's eyes were wide with mock offense.
"You heard me!" Natsu snapped, quickly grabbing Lucy's arm and pulling her behind him. Lucy yelped at the shock of the movement as he called over his shoulder, "Let's see what the old man is up to!"
"We'll be back!" Wendy bowed, shyly glancing at Rien, her cheeks pink as she quickly followed the two mages who had ran ahead of her.
Erza's posture relaxed slightly as she saw Natsu, Lucy, and Wendy approach, pushing their way through the dwindling crowd. Natsu slid to a halt in front of Erza, a stupid grin plastered on his face. Lucy noticed Erza's eyes trailing down Natsu's arm to where his hand was around Lucy's wrist. She also noticed the twitch at the corners of Erza's mouth as Lucy ripped her hand from the dragon slayer's grip. He shot her a bewildered look before turning back to Erza.
"Gramps called us!" he informed her, skipping the questions as they had already heard her reply to Macao and the others.
"He's been waiting for you three, yes," Erza murmured, "Where's Juvia?"
"Don't know, she disappeared into the crowd when we got here," Natsu scratched his head.
"What's going on, Erza?" Lucy could barely keep her teeth from chattering. She was suddenly feeling very nauseous.
Erza's eyes lingered on their faces, her own expression softening as her voice lowered, "It's not good."
"What isn't?" Natsu was growing more confused.
Erza sighed, shaking her head and biting her lip, "Just go inside and see for yourselves."
"Right.." Natsu narrowed his eyes, watching Erza close her eyes and inhale deeply, "You alright, Erza?"
Erza's eyes fluttered open, "Huh? Oh, yes, I'm fine. Just get in there!"
Natsu jumped at Erza's reprimanding tone, and the trio quickly pushed through the double doors, leaving Erza to monitor the buzzing crowd outside. It was obvious that they were now curious as to why Natsu, Lucy, and Wendy were able to enter the dining hall, but they were not. Lucy knew Erza would handle that issue, most likely with brute force if needed...
"Master, what is it?" Lucy asked as the three Fairy Tail mages burst into the familiar hall.
Her eyes took a few moments to adjust to the dim lighting of the building, but her acuity slowly returned as she spied Makarov and Porlyusica standing over two bodies. She craned her neck to see, but the movement proved to be unfruitful. She felt her heart rate quicken as she realized that she may very well know the victims. She tried to think back on the members of Blue Pegasus that she knew...
Lucy approached on wobbly, hesitant legs. Porlyusica was standing beside the unconscious bodies, shaking her head and pressing her lips together in desperation and disappointment. Her brow was creased as she stared at the unfortunate victims at her feet.
"Makarov! Do you think I'm running a hospital ward out of my house?" she snapped at the guild master.
"I am sorry, my dear Porlyusica," Makarov quickly replied, realizing the toll his requests were taking on her.
"Hmph!" she mumbled, whispering to herself as she knelt beside the men, her fingertips searching for signs of life. Lucy could see her eyes close momentarily and her lips move slightly as she silently prayed, her fingers finding the familiar pulsations.
The elderly wizard turned toward them, his face stern though his expression soft with concern, "I wish to warn you that you may be alarmed by their conditions or...appearance, my children. It may be best to...stay back. Allow Porlyusica to do what she can."
"Are they from Blue Pegasus?" Lucy blurted. She caught the brief widening of the man's eyes in response to her question.
"Yes," he cleared his throat, recovering quickly and turning back toward the two victims.
Lucy's stomach lurched violently, and she felt as if she wanted to empty it right there and then. Makarov unobtrusively studied her reaction, his curiosity getting the best of him. He had taken note at how much Lucy had changed since Adassandra walked into the guild, months earlier. She has grown, he told himself, she doesn't see it yet.
"Who...who is it, Master?" Wendy whispered, her face pale as she quickly glanced at Porlyusica's patients.
"Yeah, and are they alright?" Natsu nodded, taking a step forward.
"Natsu!" Makarov barked, his tone a rarity. It was enough to make Natsu freeze where he stood. Lucy wrung her hands anxiously as Makarov chewed on his mustache. Finally, after a few moments of tortured silence, he answered Wendy's question, his voice low-pitched, "It's Hibiki Laytis and Eve Thylm, two of the guild members that you have met before, I presume?"
"Yeah, we know 'em," Natsu turned to face Makarov, his eyes wide with shock as he slowly nodded, glancing at Lucy, "What happened?"
His worried stare fell onto the feet of the two mages as his jaw clenched in anger. Lucy watched his hands ball into fists as he licked his lips, his face pallid. Lucy began to feel unsteady on her own feet as a million questions whirled through her head. There were so many answers she needed at that moment. She felt the hot tears sting her eyes.
"We aren't entirely sure," Makarov answered carefully, his eyes one Lucy, "Hibiki had stumbled in here not too long ago, muttering incoherently and carrying Eve on his back. Mirajane had fetched me and soon after, he collapsed."
Lucy squeezed her eyes shut, trying to push away the vision of Hibiki stumbling through the door, scaring Mirajane in the process. She could hear Makarov continue:"Whatever happened to Blue Pegasus...it was no accident."
"What do you mean?" Lucy asked, blinking furiously as she looked to Makarov for an explanation.
"He was somehow able to communicate with me, non-verbally, despite his injuries," the wizard began, his lips pressed tightly together as he pulled at his mustache. "He told me that their guild was attacked, head-on my invaders. Said he had never seen creatures like that before...and that's when he lost consciousness. I could gain no more information, and am impressed to have received that much, given his state of mine and physical appearance."
His eyes fell on Wendy, before he slowly turned to look at Porlyusica. His voice was soft as he murmured. "I can't be sure of what happened, exactly, but I have my suspicions. I already dispatched Gajeel to look into it and am awaiting further information from my inside contact."
"Ultear! It had to be her!" Lucy whispered frantically, her feet carrying her toward the bodies without her consent. She hovered behind Porlyusica, "A-Are they alright?"
"These two or the guild?" Makarov tried to distract Lucy.
"Both! Either!" Lucy rasped in frustration, her eyes searching for her friends. Please tell me no serious harm came to them! Any of them!
"As I have said, Lucy, we are not sure. From the looks of it, I have no reason to doubt Hibiki's communications to be anything other than the truth. He had reserved his strength for the purpose of giving us information."
Natsu was watching Lucy's movements, and his voice was filled with concern as he called out in warning of what he could already smell, "Lucy..."
Lucy had only partly heard Makarov's answer and completely ignored Natsu's as she stood on tiptoe to peer over Porlyusica's shoulder. She immediately regretted the move, using her fist to stifle a scream. Hibiki's face, chest and arms were badly burned, so much so that he was nearly unrecognizable. Eve was unconscious beside him, his torso caked in blood, a gaping gash to his chest and face. One eye was badly swollen. She could see the muscles through the injury, the white temporal bone of Eve's skull showing through the deep cut. Her nose finally smelled what she had seen, and the stench of burned flesh and stale blood was overwhelming. Her eyelids fluttered as she felt the impending panic washing over her. Her knees gave out, despite begging them otherwise, and she resigned herself to collapse.
"Lucy!"
She felt the familiar, strong arms catch her just as she was beginning to chastise herself for being such a child. The warmth of his chest and arms revived her senses, and she quickly regained her strength after collapsing against him.
His arms tightened around her, refusing to let her go, "Are you OK?"
"I...need...air.." Lucy croaked, licking her lips to stave off the nausea as she tried to stand upright.
"Shit," Natsu breathed, his eyes falling on the two victims for the first time, having already been aware of what he would find. He knew all too well the smell of burned flesh and human blood. "Old Man?"
"Hmm?" Makarov replied, his expression grim and filled with disgust as he watched Porlyusica diligently attend to the two men.
"Whoever did this..." Natsu's eyes didn't leave his friends' bodies as his voice became menacing, "we will avenge our allies, right?"
Makarov slowly closed his eyes, saying nothing for some time as he clasped his hands behind his back. His head bobbed, but the movement was almost impercievable.
"Wendy, my dear?"
"Yes, Master?" Wendy replied from where she had been standing the entire time: in the back of the room. Her eyes were on the floor and her was face devoid of all color. Natsu knew that she, too, had already guessed the conditions of Eve and Hibiki.
"I apologize for asking, but would you mind offering a hand? I don't expect much, just enough to allow Porlyusica to take over without concern."
"Of course, Master Makarov!" Wendy bowed, attempting to put on her strongest face as she fidgeted nervously.
"I..." Lucy opened her mouth to speak, her body feeling numb. She wasn't sure if she was about to lose her mind or faint. The weeks of frustration were slowly creeping up on her, and she knew it was only a matter of time before she broke down.
"Lucy?" Natsu whispered, his eyes studying her face. He wore a concerned expression.
"Master, I agree with Natsu!" Lucy cried, raising her head so as to meet Makarov's eyes. Her gaze was filled with resolve as she continued, "This can't be allowed to continue, we need to do something!"
"I fear it is coming to that. Soon, I expect," Makarov answered sadly, his eyes on them briefly before they flickered to the young dragon slayer, "Wendy, my dear, are you ready to begin?"
"Yes, sir!" she nodded. "I'll do my best!"
Natsu smiled encouragingly at Wendy as he decided that it was best to escort Lucy outside. When the pair exited into the late afternoon sunlight, their guild members had disappeared, though Erza was still standing at the door. Rien and Nani were anxiously pacing outside, kindly being ignored by Titania.
"I sent them home," Erza murmured, "though I get the feeling those two are with you?" Her voice was low as she nodded toward the two newcomers.
"They are," Lucy sighed, feeling somewhat refreshed in the sunlight and crisp air, "I'm sorry!" she blurted suddenly.
"For what?" Erza's smile was lopsided, "With the people we've met through you, I can't honestly say I'm surprised you've managed to find more."
"Huh?" Lucy blinked as Natsu watched Erza thoughtfully.
"If you'll excuse me," Erza's eyes scanned the area in front of the hall, "I should see if Master Makarov needs my assistance before the others return." With that, Erza let herself into the building, allowing Natsu to take over guarding the hall in her absence.
"Well?" Nani called from some distance, noticing Lucy after Rien pointed out that they had come outside. The siblings slowly approached after deciding it was safe.
"It was as we thought," Lucy weakly replied, realizing that Natsu's hand was still on the small of her back, his fingertips resting on her waist. She stepped away, noting how he quickly responded. She could only smile at his mothering, "I'm fine, Natsu."
"I just want to make sure!" he replied, glancing at Rien as the pair approached.
"It's OK," she promised, "Really."
"Fine," he replied, quickly noticing Rien's raised brow, "Whatcha lookin' at?"
Rien retorted with a flurry of hand movements. Natsu narrowed his eyes, "What'd he say?"
Nani chewed her lip, her eyes on her brother, "Nothing you wanna hear."
"Maybe I do," Natsu challenged.
Nani rolled her eyes, "Fine, if you must know! He said you are pathetic, that at this rate it'll take forever and he'll definitely be the victor."
"What's that supposed to me—" Natsu growled, his eyes growing wide in realization,"Oh!"
Lucy watched the exchange in confusion, as Nani shook her head in exasperation. Rien puffed out his chest and smiled.
"What is happening?" Lucy raised an eyebrow.
"Nothin' important," Nani answered, changing the subject, "I was going to ask you the same. It looks like we've walked into something big!"
Lucy glanced at Natsu before turning her attention back to the red-head, decidedly filling the siblings in on what had occurred so far. She left out some of the more minor details and painted the big picture for them. She figured that Nani and Rien had no idea of how the magical world worked, so it would be best to keep her explanations simple. Their reaction to what she did share proved her theory correct.
"So...that means you can use magic?" Nani asked, slightly baffled as she tugged at a pigtail.
"Yes, we are part of a guild," Lucy quickly launched into an explanation regarding the makings of a magical guild as the pair listened. Nani interrupted with questions, and soon it turned into Lucy asking questions while Nani answered about the ways of her own people.
When she was satisfied with Lucy's answers, the girl glanced at Natsu, "So what do you do?"
"Me?" Natsu looked baffled, "What do I do?"
"He's a dragon slayer," Lucy answered for him, wanting to avoid an impending argument.
"Dragon slayer..." Nani repeated the words, her eyes narrowing suddenly and her voice filled with unexpected venom, "Does that mean he kills dragons?"
"No! Igneel was like a father to me!" Natsu yelled in protest, suddenly angry at the what Nani was inferring.
"Then why are you called a dragon slayer, Dragon Slayer?" Nani snapped back.
"I dunno! All I know is that Igneel trained me, then he disappeared!" he was becoming irritated with her pressing inquiries.
"You were trained by a dragon?" Nani's eyes widened at Lucy's words, her face blanching. "You don't...kill them?"
"No," Natsu replied gravely. "Igneel, himself, gave me the gift of my dragon slayer magic."
"Why would dragons want to train those who don't worship them?" Nani murmured to herself.
"Huh?" Natsu scratched his head.
Green eyes flickered over Natsu, "We worship the Scaled Ones! Their disappearance is what divided my people. I don't get why they would easily train just any human."
"He's not the only human with dragon slayer magic," Lucy informed her.
"Huh?" Nani's mouth fell open.
"Wendy is a dragon slayer, as well," Lucy pointed out, "Air magic."
"The girl?" Nani looked between Natsu and Lucy, her expression incredulous as she used her hand to depict Wendy's height.
"Yup," Natsu grinned toothily, "And we have another one in our guild, he's got a thing for metal, if you know what I mean!"
Nani looked confused, and Lucy shook her head, "Just ignore him."
"What'd I do?" Natsu whined childishly.
"Shut up!" Lucy snapped back, "You're making things more complicated!"
Nani seemed to shift on her feet, as Rien made wild movements with his hands. "No no no, stop it!" she hissed at her brother. "No...I won't!"
"What's goin' on?" Natsu asked from the corner of his mouth as the girl continued arguing with her brother.
"Dunno," Lucy answered, confused. Whatever it was, Nani was against Rien's suggestions, or so it seemed.
The door behind them opened, momentarily halting Nani and her brother's argument as Wendy slowly trudged from the hall. She looked weary, dark circles under her eyes as she registered their presence.
"They...they are resting. Porlyusica is taking care of them."
Lucy and Natsu nodded; Nani stared at Wendy, her mouth hanging open, "So...you learned magic from a dragon as well?"
"Oh!" Wendy replied through her fatigue. She glanced at Natsu before smiling weakly, "Y-Yes!"
"And is everyone who trained with a dragon..are they called dragon slayers as well?" Nani asked, nervously tugging at a red curl as she seemed to be finally accepting what they were telling her.
"Why are you so interested?" Natsu investigated, suddenly the distrusting one.
"I was just c-curious! My people revere dragons, remember? We believe that their disappearance is a bad omen—that people of this land have done something to change the balance! To oppose the dragons! I just thought—"
Natsu's eyes began to glaze over, and Lucy knew that Nani had lost him moments ago, "Yeah, yeah, whatever you say!"
"Nani?" Lucy piped up, her voice soft as she changed the subject, "What about this mage you met and what you wanted to give me?"
"Oh...yeah," Nani murmured, looking sheepish as she hesitantly lifted her jacket, her fingers curling around something familiar to Lucy.
"A key!" Lucy whispered breathlessly as she recognized the artifact. Had she met a stellar spirit mage? The only such mage from Blue Pegasus had been Karen Lilica, to Lucy's knowledge.
Shaky hands thrust the key toward Lucy, whose own fingers instinctively reached for the item, her eyes wide with fascination. As her skin touched the cool metal, she felt a twinge of premonition. She tugged on the key, quickly realizing that that the girl had not loosened her grip. Lucy looked up to see tears spilling from Nani's beautiful eyes.
"Nani, what's wrong?" Lucy asked, suddenly confused.
"You're gonna take him away from me!" Nani wailed, suddenly near hysterics. Rien placed a comforting hand on his sister's shoulder as she sobbed.
"Take who from you?" Lucy pressed, her voice soft with understanding.
Nani sobbed into her arm, shaking her head full of curls. A golden blur—the same flash of yellow Lucy had seen earlier—suddenly swirled around Nani's forearm before lazily floating toward Lucy. The blonde offered an outstretched palm without thought, and the blur settled on the tip of Lucy's forefinger.
"Huh?" Lucy cautiously replied, squinting at the quick-moving object. She could see it writhing on her flesh, its color changing slightly. An odd purring sound could be heard in her ears.
Hello?
"What was that?" Lucy jumped.
Nani wiped her eyes, looking up in surprise. Her gold-flecked irises rested on the bright glow on Lucy's finger, "You can hear him, too?"
Him? Lucy wondered. "Hear who?"
"Him!" Nani nodded toward the streaking golden blur, releasing the key and holding her hand out with the palm up. The tiny writhing form purred more loudly in Lucy's ears as it circled Nani's palm a few more times before settling on the proffered hand.
Lucy studied the key, noticing the symbol on the handle. She gasped in recognition. "Draco!"
The miniature glowing form quickly jetted from Nani's hand. The girl cried out in disdain at its sudden disembarking. The tiny life form circled Lucy's head, its purring resounding in her ears as it settled on her shoulder. It suddenly metamorphosed into a deep violet
Yes! Yes! Yes! the soft voice declared in her head, That is me!
Who are you? Lucy sent back in surprise.
Draco! As you said, mage, the voice answered her, its voice metallic with a sing-song quality.
But how do you know me? Lucy wondered.
We all know of you, was all the voice answered before it flew into the air, glowing bright orange. Lucy noticed the beads of blood soaking through her shirt, where the tiny spirit had perched on her shoulder.
Lucy met Nani's pleading eyes, and she knew what the girl was thinking. She understood that the girl had become attached to the tiny dragon spirit, especially since it resembled what her people revered. Lucy took a deep breath, forcing a smile to her lips, "I know this is difficult for you, Nani, and I appreciate your honesty and the sacrifice you made bringing him here."
Nani said nothing, and Lucy could see Rien's grip tighten on her shoulder. Silent tears streaked the girl's freckled cheeks as her voice wavered and her lower lip trembled, "You'll be kind to him, right? You...won't hurt him, will ya?"
Lucy smiled warmly, "I would never, ever hurt a spirit! I swear that on my life, Nani! You have my word." Her eyes wandered back to the key.
"I trust you," Nani whispered.
"Wait!" Natsu interrupted, "So you're telling me this is the dragon stellar spirit you told me about?"
Lucy glanced at her key before her eyes settled on the glowing form hovering above Nani's head. "Yes, why?"
Natsu laughed, "Isn't he supposed to be...I dunno, bigger?"
Lucy chewed her lower lip. He was right. She had read about Draco's devastating power, but yet this spirit did not seem capable of that.
I am a result of my summoner's energy, came the voice, this time growing louder in her ears, This one, she does not have the type of energy I feast on.
What do you mean? Lucy silently asked.
A summoner's energy is a much different magical quality. Its properties are unique, and they satiate me in entirely different ways. Summon me, you'll see!
Lucy could feel the spirit's grin, suddenly wondering if she should hold off on that prospect. Something told her that Draco wasn't being used to his best ability at this point in time...
"Shut up, you moron!" Nani replied defensively, her temper aimed at Natsu for his previous remark.
"I'm only asking!" Natsu shot back angrily.
"Stop it, you two!" Lucy interrupted, smiling knowingly. She attached the key to her chain, reaching a hand out to Nani. "It's a promise, what I said before. I'll protect him!"
Nani stared at Lucy's hand, a slow smile creeping across her face though the drying tears. The glowing spirit flew figure eights around Nani's face, gingerly landing on her upturned nose. Nani smiled brightly.
"I'll miss you!"
And I, you! Lucy heard the spirits voice reverberate through her head as it looped through the air, lazily floating around Lucy. Until next time! it called before disappearing. Nani stood there staring at where Draco had been, moments before. Lucy saw her lower lip tremble, but her resolve replaced her sadness.
"Better take good care of him!" Nani struggled to smile. Someone already died protecting him!
Lucy felt her stomach knot as the inevitable question spilled from her lips, "N-Nani? This mage...the one who gave you this key...do you know his name?"
Nani's eyes flickered to Lucy's face, her expression growing serious as she wiped the last of her tears away. "Yes."
"And you said he...passed?" she pressed on.
"Yes."
"Would you tell me his name?"
Silence for sometime as glances were exchanged between brother and sister. Finally, Nani answered, her voice hoarse, "Ren. Ren Akatsuki."
"Oh no!" Lucy gasped, her hand covering her mouth as Natsu's head dropped and Wendy collapsed against the door.
"I'm sorry," Nani whispered, her eyes scanning the trio and recognizing their grief, "for the loss of your friend. I had wanted to keep my promise to him."
"Thank you," Natsu replied, as Lucy fell silent. "Was his death, er—"
"He was not in pain," Nani quickly answered. Natsu nodded, his eyes falling to the ground.
Nani turned and looked at Rien, "Let's go, Y'Rien! We need to get home! We've kept our promise to that mage!"
"Wait! Just like that...you're leaving?" Lucy was incredulous.
"Hey, if they wanna leave—" Natsu mumbled.
"Shut up!" Lucy hissed in warning. Natsu's mouth snapped shut.
Nani looked between the two, raising an eyebrow in amusement as she nodded, "Yup. We completed what we came for."
"Well, uh," Lucy shot a glance at Wendy, who understood the silent question. Despite her fatigue, the dragon slayer would perform a favor for Lucy. "At least let Wendy help you!"
"Help us?" Nani looked confused.
"Wendy can heal with her dragon slayer magic," Lucy wrung her hands, her eyes darting to Rien. Suddenly, she blurted her thoughts, "Howwouldyouliketotalkagain?"
It took the man a moment, but within seconds, his expression illustrated his confusion, disbelief, shock, excitement, and finally, hope. Nani's eyes grew wide as she stared at Wendy, her voice a shaking whisper, "Is it...true?"
"I'll do the best I can!" Wendy nodded, smiling encouragingly as she fidgeted where she stood, her cheeks flushed from the attention.
Rien's hands went through frantic fluttering movements, and Nani nodded through fresh tears. Rien took a few hesitant steps toward Wendy, his gait shaky. Natsu stepped forward to halt his progress, but Lucy put out a hand to stop him. Rien stood in front of Wendy, looking down at her for a few moments as the dragon slayer averted her eyes. Suddenly, the man dropped to his knees in front of Wendy, trembling hands removing his dark glasses so that she could see his crimson irises. Wendy gasped at the unique trait, her cheeks darkening as the man studied her face. She could see the moisture rimming the tortured, lonely eyes, and her heart ached to help him. She reached out and touched his cheek, and he closed his eyes, his own fingertips climbing to hold Wendy's hand between them. He lowered her fingertips until they brushed against the scar on his neck that his other hand had revealed to her. Her eyes grew round as she saw the memory of a wound she couldn't fathom. Rien lowered his head, awaiting the dragon slayer's mercy. He dropped his hands, making a soft fluttering movement with them before they fell silent.
"What did he say?" Wendy asked, her eyes lifting to meet Nani's.
"He said that he will not blame you if it does not work," green eyes softened, "and that he knows you'll try your best to rid him of his disfigurement."
"He's not disfigured!" Wendy blurted, immediately blushing from her outburst. Rien looked up to meet her stare, his own filled with surprise and wonderment. A sad smile pulled at his lips as he studied Wendy in awe.
"Here goes," Wendy took a deep breath, her heart thudding in her chest as the bright light encircled both her and Rien.
They stood like that for minutes, the light's pulsations slowly dying. Everyone waited with bated breath as the two remained still. Wendy was the first to move, swaying and falling forward as her eyes rolled up into her head. Rien's head quickly snapped up, and he reached out and caught the young girl in his arms, enveloping her against him.
Nani stepped forward, hopeful tears filling her eyes as they fell to his neck, "Brother!"
Rien watched her raise her hand to her own neck, and he did the same, his crimson eyes growing wide at the disappearance of a very noticeable scar. Like his sister, tears filled his eyes as he stared down at the girl who had wearied herself while trying to help him.
"Wendy!" Lucy called out, her voice filled with worry as she approached, unsure of what happened.
Wendy's eyes fluttered, and she opened them to find a smiling crimson pair staring back at her. Her cheeks flushed as she tried to push herself up, feeling foolish for falling into his arms. Rien helped her to her feet.
"Did it work?" she whispered, her brow raised pleadingly. Please say I did it!
Rien opened his mouth in an attempt to speak, but no sound came out.
"It didn't work," Nani whispered, tears spilling down her cheeks. Wendy's head dropped in defeat as she hid her tears from her friends. First she had failed Lucy and now she had failed Rien...
"Wendy..." came the soft croak, barely an audible whisper.
Wendy's head shot up in shock as Nani screeched in excitement. The dust kicked up around the girl as she tackled her brother to the ground in a vice-like hug. "Y'Rien! Oh, it worked! Thank the Gods it worked!"
A dry, hoarse laugh was Rien's response as he returned his sister's fervent hug. Wendy clapped, tears falling down her tired cheeks as she watched Nani giggle while she tried to make Rien say other things. His voice was weak, but he made an effort if only to please his sister. Lucy couldn't help but shed a few tears of her own at the touching scene. She felt Natsu's hand brush hers, sending a chill up her spine. He wasn't looking at her, but his cheeks flushed pink, letting her know it was no accident.
"It worked!" Nani shrilly screamed, tears of joy streaming her face as she leaped to her feet, jumping up and down. Wendy was currently the victim of her hug. Rien wiped his eyes, his smile radiant as he tried to say various things, filled with wonderment at the sound of his own voice.
When the rounds of hugging were over, Nani faced them all, bowing acrobatically, "You have done us a great service, and I will repay the favor. I give you my word!"
Rien was holding Wendy's hands between his own, smiling at her as her face and ears turned pink from his attentions. He was too busy staring at Wendy with eyes full of appreciation to take notice of his impetuous sister's attempts to steal his attention.
"Let's go, NOW!" Nani hissed, ignoring the blazing blush on Wendy's face as she ripped Rien from where he was kneeling. "Thank you, Wendy! You have no idea what you have done!"
"Wait! Are you leaving?" Lucy asked, dumbfounded by Nani's hasty actions.
"Again?" Natsu muttered. Lucy sent him a warning glance, and he quickly pressed his lips together and averted his gaze.
Nani waved in the air as she broke into a run ahead of Rien, who stumbled to his feet, "Yep, sorry! Gotta get back home! Some changes need to be made!"
"What changes?" Lucy yelled out, a knowing smile on her lips.
Nani never answered, her laughter ringing out as she called for Rien to catch up. He turned and waved to them, attempting to say "goodbye". All Lucy could hear was him faintly call Wendy's name one last time before they had disappeared from sight. There was no doubt in Lucy's mind that another woman had taken her spot in Rien's heart.
"I don't get it," Natsu scratched his head, confused by their sudden departure.
"Of course you wouldn't, silly boy," Lucy whispered as Natsu stared at her in confusion.
Lucy smiled and shook her head as she watched Wendy stare after the siblings, the dragon slayer's cheeks still flushed and rosy. She was sure it had something to do with changing the ways of Nani's tribe, as she had shared with Lucy earlier that day. She silently wished the young girl good luck, before turning to enter the hall. She cast one last look over her shoulder, confident it was not the last they would see of Ho'Onani and Y'Rien.