Guys, I'm so sorry this has taken so long, but I don't have a good excuse. I simply couldn't find the right balance, and was planning to write out all of these episodes. I just couldn't, they were dragging on too much. So, the next four episodes (fillers, of course) are now going to be right here, then it's on to the Edolas arc! So, I hope you enjoy this, and don't worry, I should be releasing chapters on schedule again soon.

Rainbow Cherry Blossoms

It was halfway through Guildless' time with Fairy Tail when cherry blossom season started. Guildless at her usual spot on the second floor, she was confounded by the idea of a party based around a bunch of trees, yet she didn't spoil it for the rest. If they could enjoy it, they should.

Yet Guildless was strangely distracted. Where she might've greeted them before, she seemed even more withdrawn than before. She'd come later in the morning, she'd leave earlier in the day. She refused any food or drink, never speaking more than a handful of times, only when spoken to.

Makarov was starting to grow worried the month would run out and the girl would leave them.

Guildless didn't turn around as Makarov approached. "I assume you plan on skipping the Flower Viewing Party?"

Guildless dryly asked, "How'd you guess?"

"Well, it doesn't matter what your plans were- you're coming now."

Guildless stiffened. "... No."

Makarov smiled slyly. "Yes you are. Otherwise, I'll have to require your presence her for another week."

Guildless protested, "You can't do that. That wasn't part of the deal!"

Makarov's smile became a superior, matter-of-fact smirk. "Well it's part of the deal now. You have to put in a few extra hours for having been more absent lately."

Guildless hissed, "This is because I won't socialize, isn't it? Because I won't put anyone in danger by getting close."

Makarov's smile fell to a serious look of warning. "And if you never let yourself get close to another again, you'll spend your life alone."

Guildless started past him, softly and nearly inaudibly whispering, "It's no more than I deserve." And with that, she melted into the shadow of table, disappearing.

Makarov stared at the shadow where she'd disappeared, sighing. I won't let you live like that, child. You don't deserve it, no matter what you think.

Guildless did show up at the Flower Viewing Party as promised, but she stayed away from the crowds, standing off to the side, leaning against the trees or observing from high in the branches, Makarov glancing at her often as if to say she should join the guild.

No matter what she told herself, she couldn't seem to completely convince herself that this was the way she should be. Why? Do I really need to hide? Maybe, just maybe... if they saw me, they wouldn't be angry. She immediately shook her head, scoffing at herself. Shut up, shut up, shut up... I've killed. I don't deserve what I used to have.

But no amount of lies could make the pain of being so far away lessen.

The day passed with much laughter heard from afar and games that even the empty eyes of Guildless' mask seemed to long for a place in. Yet she sat in the boughs of a tree, carefully watching until night fell. Staying out late in the glowing tree's branches, she had stayed late, unable to leave until she'd made sure that everyone had left. She couldn't explain this need to watch out for them, as it wasn't in her promise to Makarov.

Around midnight, the last onlookers slipped off and Guildless dropped down from the rainbow tree, a few petals following her. Yet just as she did, a pink head started running into the park again. Guildless sighed. "Perfect, the dumbass is still up."

She walked toward him as a hand suddenly grabbed her wrist. She whirled, knives in her hand and the weapon flashing toward- Gray. She froze, knives dissolving as she wrenched her hand away, growling, "You should know not to just grab me by now. The hell are you two doing here?"

Gray smirked. "I could as you the same." He nodded his head toward Natsu. "I'm watching out for the idiot. He's doing something for Lucy but I wanted to make sure no one tried to stop him."

Guildless asked, "And where did thiis sudden love for Natsu come from?"

Gray shrugged. "He may not be my favorite guy, but he's part of my guild, my family. If he's going to do something for Lucy, I'm going to make sure no one screws with him."

Guildless was quiet, simply standing there, staring off to the side. After a bit of awkward silence, Gray asked, "Guildless?"

Guildless hesitated again before stiffly asserting, "Do what you want. I'm going to sleep."

Gray frowned. "Wait, where have you been staying?"

Guildless turned rigid, completely still. "... The woods. So what?"

Gray's frown grew. "You could stay with the guild, you know."

Guildless gruffly brushed him off, "I'm well aware, I simply don't want to. I know where I'm comfortable."

Gray asked, "But why stay outside where we'd give you a place to stay?"

Guildless loosened for a half second, as if she was about to accept, then her voice turned cold. "Because I don't need anyone here or your charity." And with that, she dissolved into darkness, reforming in the trees of the woods, scaling a tree quickly, tearing off her mask to let the tears on her face race down her scars freely.

She whispered to herself, "It's for the best... They can't know... I can't get attached again... It's for the best." Staring at her mask, she took a deep breath. "Not a monster. Not a monster. I'm not a monster." And slipping it on again, she breathed, "I'm so sorry."

Wendy's First Big Job?!

The next day, Guildless didn't show at all. Her presence had become such commonality to them, it was unnerving at worst to find her missing. The guild shifted uncomfortably, anxious for their new friend. Yet Makarov bade them not to worry, insisting that she was fine, grumbling under his breath about how she had an extra day to make up for.

Gray sat at his booth, staring at his drink. Natsu burst in after a mission, grinning. "Ey, Freezer Burn!"

Gray didn't look to him, not acknowledging Natsu's call. Natsu frowned, encouraging, "Come on, to pussy to fight me, streaker?"

Gray gruffly yelled back, "Leave me alone, Hothead!"

Lucy, who had trailed in behind Natsu, frowned to match her pink-haired companion. "Are you okay, Gray? You seem a bit off."

Gray shook his head. "Fine, I'm fine."

Juvia crept up next to Gray, sliding into the seat across from him. "Are you sure, my darling? Are you sick? Are you hurt? Do you need me to kiss your wounds, my love?"

Gray sighed with slight exasperation. "No, Juvia." He took a swig of drink, shaking his head. He'd done something to upset Guildless and now, she wouldn't come back to the guild. He kept replaying the words in his mind, wondering what he said that could have made her storm off.

You could stay with the guild, you know.

To him, it seemed completely innocent, devoid of anything that could've upset her like it did. Yet it had.

Lucy leaned against the table, saying, "You can always talk to us, Gray. We're family, we've got your back."

Gray huffed a breath. "... Guildless. I talked to her last night and she stormed off. I can't figure out what I said to tick her off."

Lucy asked, "Did you mention Demon's Shadow? That seems to make her really upset sometimes."

Natsu scowled. "Just makes me angry, thinkin' she's been in a dark guild and now is watchin' us sleep."

Lucy elbowed him. "Don't be rude! Guildless deserves a second chance! You heard her, she hates Demon's Shadow, and she's saved our lives several times. I think that earns her our trust."

"Not sayin' I don't like her, I just don't like that she's always sneaking around, won't let us see her face. Plus her scent... it's all wrong, like she's not human."

Lucy rolled her eyes. "I bet it's just from her shadow travelling thing. That can't be too natural, even for a mage."

Gray suddenly stood, walking out of the booth and right out the doors, Natsu asking, "Wonder what's gotten into him?"

Gray strode straight for the woods, knowing what he had to do. It might take awhile but he'd find her and apologize for what he finally realized he'd done wrong.

It was another hour of wandering before he found the telltale flick of black fabric in the branches of a tree. "Guildless? It's Gray."

An annoyed voice returned, "That was quite obvious to me, since it's nearly snowing."

Gray looked around, noticing he'd been coating everything in a thin frost unintentionally, nerves taking over. "I-uh, I wanted to apologize for last night."

A pause, then Guildless dropped down from the tree, the empty eyes of her mask piercing Gray's head. "And why would you do that?"

Gray's confusion was slowly returning, just as he believed he'd figured everything out. "Because I offered you something you couldn't have. It was really unfair of me to do, trying to get you to stay. I get it, you're a free spirit, you've got to stay on the run, you don't need any help or luxury. I just wasn't thinking of that."

Guildless turned away slightly. "That's nothing worth apologizing for. That was a mistake on my part, not yours."

"Then why are you still out here and not with the rest of us?"

"... Because I didn't want to face the embarrassment of my own apology until I'd thought out what to say. Now you've made it awkward." Gray blinked, his confusion growing again as Guildless continued, "I'm sorry for snapping at you. There, now enjoy that, I don't give out many apologies."

Gray smiled. "Well, look who's getting friendly?"

Guildless stiffened. "I still find you completely insufferable, Fullbuster. I simply know when I need to make up for a mistake. I've done that, so it's back to finding you annoying."

Gray couldn't help prodding, "Except you don't find us annoying. Not all the time, at least."

Guildless briskly said, "And I don't always find a talking cat to be a good person to chat with, and there are exceptions. However, you're starting to get on my nerves again with all your pestering."

Gray put his hands up in surrender. "Alright, I'm going, but you should be too. The guild's gotten used to their guardian keeping an eye on them. They're worried about you."

Guildless' answer was soft and quiet. "Then tell them that I'm fine, and to get used to it. I'll be gone again soon anyway, no use in getting attached."

Gray wanted to ask. He wanted to ask so badly why she was so dead set on leaving when she was practically part of the guild now. They'd never seen Mystogan's face before and he'd been part of the guild for years. He'd started getting attached to Guildless' presence, her sarcasm and reassuring way of simply being near and allowing anyone to know that she had their back, no words necessary.

Gray said, "It's okay to have your friends be your anchors."

Guildless actually turned toward him at the word 'friends.' She started, "I- I…" And suddenly, she steeled her jaw. "I don't need anchors to drag me down."

Gray's frown returned, more of a scowl in it now. "Fine, you can claim you don't like us. But we all know that you wouldn't mind a few friends."

Guildless insisted angrily, "I don't need friends!" A low, harsh red light started coming from inside the eyes of her mask. "I have everything I need, and the minute I need a pathetic guild of light wizards to save my ass, I won't call, as I'll die before I let you dumbasses have any more sense of superiority than you egotistical idiots can!"

Gray scowled angrily, shooting back, "Then finish off your time and never come back, if you really hate us." And he stormed off through the trees.

The red light faded as Guildless fell to her knees. She murmured, "Someday I'll tell you the truth, Fullbuster. Until then, stay away from my darkness." She meekly crawled back up into her tree, knowing that it was what she'd planned, what had been necessary. She needed to drive them away, keep them from tempting her with a home.

Yet she sat in that tree, gripping at her heart, softly crying for what she'd never have, what she was slowly letting gain control over it.

It was an hour before she calmed, removing her mask and staring at it again. Her pitch black eyes glaring at it, she hissed, "You're doing this. You're making me lose control."

The mask didn't answer.

Guildless scoffed. "I know you can answer. So own up eventually, take responsibility for what you've made me do. What I know you will someday."

Her voice started to boil with rage, her black eyes fading to a pupil-less red, glowing and pulsing until she forced her eyes closed, sighing.

"Well I won't hurt anyone. Never again. I won't let my anger get the better of me and allow you more power. And maybe I'll even destroy you someday."

And her lips moved as if of their own accord, her voice speaking on its own in a voice that wasn't hers, saying a single word in the same, smooth voice from Guildless' dream.

"Soon…"

Guildless touched her lips, hand shaking. "… You won't be soon enough." She slipped on the mask, pulled her cloak around herself, and laid her head back for another restless night.

24-Hour Endurance Road Race

The next week was calm, or as calm as Fairy Tail can be. Jobs were taken and finished, wizards were going about their business. Guildless was back but anyone who tried to talk to her found themselves talking to a wall- literally, as Guildless would disappear to another part of the guild hall.

However, the calm of the week was interrupted when a sudden realization swept the guild- the Endurance Race was coming. Suddenly, people were running crazily, training wildly for their chance to win- and the hope that they wouldn't play the Punishment Game.

On the day of the race, Makarov approached Guildless- the only one she would talk to. "What do you want, old man?"

Makarov said, "For you to join the race."

"Not on my grave."

"Well it's a good thing you're not dead, then."

"You can't be serious, Dreyar."

"I'm quite serious, my dear. You'll be joining or you'll be staying an extra week."

Guildless scoffed. "A week for a race? Getting desperate, old man?"

"No, at least not for myself."

Guildless paused. "I'm fine, Makarov."

"That's not what I see."

Guildless growled, "I'll do your ridiculous race, alright? But I'm not going to be a puppet to your will. I've played that game before, didn't like it."

Makarov sighed. "You're no one's puppet, Guildless. I simply want the best for you."

Guildless hissed, "No, you want the best for your guild, so put them first. I'm dangerous, Makarov. With or without the guild hunting me." She raised her hands, voice lowering. "You know what these hands have done, Makarov. You know what I've done and that if I don't leave, it'll happen again."

Makarov nodded. "I'm well aware. I'm also aware you'd die before you hurt my children."

Guildless reminded, "And I can't guarantee Demon's Shadow wouldn't come looking for vengeance. You can't stand against Diviner. He'd turn you against each other so quickly, you wouldn't be able to fight it."

Makarov assured, "Then it's a good thing it will never come to that."

At the start of the race, Master yelled, "No flying magic allowed but all other magic is open for use. Now… RACE!"

And in a flash, Guildless was a black streak of shadow, traveling across the ground until she reached the mountain five minutes later, reforming to grab a scale. Slipping it inside her cloak, she turned to shadow again, zipping off across the mountainside until-

Guildless was suddenly forced to reform as she crashed into a wall of flickering purple runes. Laying on her back, she scowled angrily as she glared at the runes. "Fucking Freed." Standing, one hand on the scale, she read the runes: "None holding a wyvern scale may leave this place."

Guildless started cussing angrily, pacing and rereading- until she realized a loophole. She muttered, "He wouldn't… He wouldn't be that stupid…" She tossed the scale outside the runes, walking out without holding a wyvern scale. "Huh, and I expected more."

"I could say the same for you." Guildless whirled to find Freed.

Guildless warned, "Pick a fight and you'll lose."

Freed shook his head. "I'm too aware of your abilities to come at you headfirst. So I layered my trap."

Guildless rolled her eyes, reaching for the scale- to hit another rune shield. "You've got to be kidding me."

Freed said, "I knew my best chance was to catch someone on their way back with a scale. The trap around you happens to be one you can't leave unless you are holding a wyvern scale."

Guildless' voice shook with anger. "Oh, when I get loose Freed, you'd better hope I don't want to kill you!"

Freed picked up the scale as Guildless pounded her fists together, smirking under the mask. "Luckily, I don't have to wait. Shade's Rebellion!"

Freed's shadow shifted, twisting and bubbling until it became three-dimensional, standing in a pure black mirror of Freed. It grabbed the edge of the scale, fighting a violent game of tug of war with Freed, the rune wizard attempting to slash it with his sword, the blade only passing through his shadow as it wrenched the scale away, tossing it at Guildless' feet and snatching Freed's sword away, holding him at its point.

Guildless picked up the scale, dusting it off as she walked out of the rune trap without trouble, the shadow disappearing. "Well well, seems that wasn't as good a plan as you thought." And with that, she turned to shadow herself, streaking across the ground until she stood behind the finish line, reforming.

The crowd stared at Guildless as she threw the scale at Makarov's feet, calling, "There's your prize, Dreyar. I'll be leaving now." And she did just that, fading into shadow before anyone could even react.

Happy grinned as he pulled his heavy scale over the finish line, yelling, "I won!"

Makarov admitted, "Well, technically Guildless returned first, but as you're the first Fairy Tail wizard to return, you're the champion, Happy."

Happy grinned. "Ah, yeah! I can't wait to see Natsu's face when he realizes Guildless beat him!"

And not only was the Fire Dragon Slayer's reaction priceless, but so was nearly all others who arrived when they heard she'd finished the course in only ten minutes.

Juvia looked at Gray longingly. "I know you would've won had the others not been so cruel, my love."

Gray huffed, glaring off angrily. He had been moody ever since his fight with Guildless, angered by her words toward his family. "I'm not your love, Juvia. Stop calling me that."

Juvia's face fell as Gray walked off, hands in his pockets, the Master watching him go. Hmm. I think it's time I took the next step. I know Gildarts is on the move- it's time I called him back.

Gildarts

The day after the race was spent in horrible agony for the losers, who were forced to go through their Punishment of a photoshoot. Guildless watched from her perch above as usual, her amusement obvious. Yet the day after, what could've fallen into the usual calm again was interrupted when Warren and Max burst in, yelling at the top of their lungs, "BIG NEWS!"

Bells tolled outside as they announced, "Gildarts, he's on his way!"

The guild cheered as one: "GILDARTS IS BACK!"

Guildless suddenly seemed to be at a loss. Under her mask, her face had gone into blank horror, memories flashing before her eyes faster than she could comprehend them. She murmured, "Of all the times..." She scowled. The Master. Of course he did this, how else would Gildarts suddenly be back just when I'm here?

The town began to move, going through a Gildarts shift as the red-head returned, walking into the guild hall with a confused look. He gave an annoyed huff as Natsu grinned. "Come on you old geezer, let's throw down!"

Elfman deadpanned. "That's no way to treat a man!"

Mirajane smiled. "Welcome home!"

Lucy marvelled, "He's the most powerful guy in the guild?"

Gildarts asked Mira, "Sorry to bother you miss, but I'm looking for a guild that used to be around these parts. It's called Fairy Tail."

Mirajane agreed, "This is it! Remember me? Mirajane!"

Gildarts blinked, face twisting in surprise. "Mira? Wow! You sure have grown up a lot, little girl! And did you change some stuff around the hall too?"

Guildless could barely contain a mix of laughter and sobbing. Of course he's still so clueless... God, this makes everything so much harder!

"GILDARTS!" Natsu grinned.

"Ah, Natsu! There's someone I recognize!"

Natsu jumped at him, fist flaming. "Good to see you- now let's party!"

Gildarts easily knocked him away, flinging him right for Guildless. The mage stepped aside as Gildarts apologized, "Sorry! Didn't mean to hit you with him! You new here?"

Guildless fought to keep her voice level. "Just passing through."

Gildarts stared at her, Lucy whispering with Mira while sweat poured from the back of Guildless' neck. If he recognized her somehow, if he figured it out- no, he was too thick, he'd never-

"Ey, I know you!" Guildless stiffened. "You're that lone wizard everyone was going on about forever. Guildless, right?"

She gave a stiff nod in reply, gruffly excusing, "I'll be right back."

And she disappeared into shadow, reappearing outside the guild as Gildarts blinked at her disappearance. "Huh, nice trick. So-"

He continued going on, Guildless pacing out back, her heart pounding in her palms in sync with the pulsing lacrima in her arms. "No no no, I can't let this trip me up... Got to keep my head clear... Think straight, think straight... He won't notice. No one will recognize me."

"No one will? Or you don't want them to?"

Guildless sighed, recognizing the voice before she panicked again. "Why the hell can't you ever give me some fucking peace, Dreyar?"

Makarov insisted, "Because you won't find it alone. It's with your family."

Guildless's voice turned deadly cold as she spat, "My family's six feet under the ground or hunting me like a beast for its pelt. This guild? This is your family Makarov, and it's high time you started thinking of them. I can feel Kyja growing stronger, Dreyar. The demon gathers strength, and soon enough, I won't be able to stop her anymore." She bowed her head. "My power isn't limitless in any way and my will isn't enough to stand against her. It never will be. So I suggest you distance yourself and your kids from me before I fall into eternal darkness."

Makarov shot back, "You're my child as much as any other, Guildless. You'll have to accept that I'll always think of you as the girl I found in the woods."

Guildless turned away from Makarov. "... That girl is dead, Dreyar. And soon enough, I will be too. Just you wait." Looking up, she prophesied, "I'm going to die, Makarov. I've got less than a year before they close in on me. It's only a matter of how I die now, and I'd prefer it wasn't with your foolishly brave guild being dragged to hell with me."

9With her grim prediction, she disappeared, back to the guild hall, but high in the rafters, where no one could have questioned the way she hugged herself in fear of the future that was coming to devour her alive.

Quick note, since I wanted to explain the change to Gildarts' return. As he's a wanderer, he quit the century quest, then was wandering around Fiore for awhile. Makarov sent for him, telling him to stop wandering his way back to the guild and start moving there with a bit more urgency. Gildarts is not aware of Guildless' past associations with any guild, so I thought I'd just clear that up quick.