~Yato~
We ran for about five minutes until we came upon a site that I didn't except.
"Yukine?" I wondered, seeing him crouched on the floor in fear as a group of monster-looking creatures approached him. "Yukine! What the hell are you doin'?!" I demanded as I watched him try to scoot back occasionally.
He glanced towards my direction and shook his head. "I don't have time for this Yato, leave me alone!" he demanded.
Hiyori looked just as confused as I felt. "Why do you think he's not attacking?" she asked the obvious.
"I have no idea, Hiyori." I answered. Just then something seemed to awaken in Yukine as he immediately charged towards the creatures.
"Yukine!" Hiyori screamed uselessly. He grabbed the little girl standing in front of the creatures, no, phantoms it looked like, and ran with her far from them, holding her close as he launched 'white fury' upon them.
"Is this the first time he's attacked?" I wondered as Hiyori and I still kept our distance from the fight. His attack seemed to knock out quite a few of the phantoms, but still many remained standing. Yukine clearly saw this though as he compulsively launched attacks on them until they were all gone, except for the most dangerous one standing right next to him.
"Yukine!" I yelled. "That girl next to you, why haven't you killed her yet?!"
He glanced down at her and then at me again. "Because she can still be saved! She wasn't always a monster like the ones I just destroyed!"
I looked more closely at the girl and realized who it was. "Yukine, we both know that she died a few months ago. Don't tell me you don't remember that!?"
"Wait, what is going on here?" Hiyori asked. I could tell she was still trying to click all of the pieces together. A girl who died that Yukine seems to not recognize, monsters that are actually just phantoms…
"It's an illusion. Yukine somehow got trapped into this reality that distorts his memory and senses. See that girl next to him?" I pointed.
"Yeah. She looks sort of freaky though."
"Exactly. The wizard is tricking Yukine into thinking that girl is still alive. She died in a chariot accident a few months back. We both heard about it at some magic store we were taking shelter in that day. She can't be saved. She's not even real." I explained.
Hiyori nodded. "Okay I get it now, but that's so tragic. She seemed really young. I can imagine why Yukine wants to save her so badly."
"Well, he can't." I snapped, and then raised the volume of my voice so that Yukine could hear me. "She can't be saved Yukine, snap out of this!" I demanded, only attempting this once.
He shook his head. "No. She's right here next to me, she can't be dead. She will be if we don't help her though!" he pleaded.
I sighed, talking only to Hiyori again. "I tried playing this nice. Yukine is really gonna hate me for this but we have no choice if we ever want to get outta here." I walked towards the little girl coldly and the person I've been taking care of for years and took out my sword. "I'm sorry buddy." I mumbled, not being able to look him in the eyes as I pushed him to the side with enough force to knock him to the ground.
"What're you-" he stopped in mid sentence as he realized what I was about to do. "No don't do it! Yato, please, we have to save her! It's like you said, being in a guild is suppose to make us the good guys."
That made me hesitate. The little girl used this as an opportunity to strike me hard enough to where I lied down on the ground too.
She finally spoke up too. "My Mommy is coming. Your friend said he would wait with me. I only want him here, I don't trust you." she stated, her voice fluctuating between a little girl and a demon.
I thought about what Yukine said and wished I could stay true to my words. "I'm sorry." I apologized as I stabbed her right in the heart, causing her to evaporate in a manner of seconds. I gave a breath of relief, she really was a phantom. No real creature would just disappear like that.
"See Yukine? Totally fake." I told and he looked like he was trying to hold back tears.
"How could you? She needed saving, not murder." he stated.
"She was already dead!" I screamed, getting real tired of his act. I sighed and spoke quiter. "The dead don't come back to life, ever."
"Yato..." Hiyori said, reaching out for my hand and then pulling back. The wizard who I left Yukine to deal with before came out of the shadows.
"Very well done sir. If you didn't show up, this kid would've been a goner. In fact, if you didn't stab my leg I would've beat him before revealing my illusion attack."
"You still want to fight?" I asked, ready to beat him to the ground.
He laughed. "Nah, I'm good. He was fun to play with but I've gotten bored. Now you three should get out of here before I kick you out. I have no idea why you're here, but it's best if you guys head out. That kid, Yukine, seems like he needs much more experience before approaching someone as tough as me, or someone even stronger." he explained.
Yukine got up and started striding ahead of us quickly.
"Yukine!" Hiyori called out for him.
"Don't bother, he needs some space in order to calm down." I told her, and we began to follow him.
"For the record, I didn't live in a mansion. Well, I suppose you could call it a mansion. But not compared to the Heartfilia one." Hiyori laughed a little as we walked side-by-side on our way home, or to the guild, whatever was left of it. "And yes, we did have a few servants. Only a few though-" she paused, seeing my starstruck face. "You okay there?" she asked, waving a hand in front of my face.
"So cool." I whispered, still appearing in awe, just like how I felt.
"I guess, never really thought much of it until I had to do my own laundry." she joked.
"Hiyori Iki." I said to her, grabbing both shoulders. "It's always been my dream to be famous. Having loads of money, people getting paid to work for me. And all over the world people will be like, 'oh my, he's practically like a god!'." I giggled, falling into my own dream land.
"Will be? I guess I do recall you saying that you wanted to be god. So you expect this to happen then?" she inquired, amused by my 'fantasy'.
"Absolutely. And I'm so ready too. Just you wait Hiyori, you'll be glorifying me too."
She smiled, "Sounds like a plan Yato."
I stopped thinking about my future plans and looked at her with a serious face. "Wait, so then what happened to your house? How'd you end up with an apartment?" Before she could answer I quickly realized what I was doing. "Actually, it's okay, I don't want to introvigne like that."
"No no, it's fine." Hiyori replied. "I told you I'd explain all about how I used to live a pretty high class life. I guess I could start with explaining a little bit of background on my parents." Hiyori said. "I don't know exactly when they met, but I do know they were both young healers who shared the same dream.
~Hiyori's Mom~
"You want to create healing potions too?!" I exclaimed, amazed that my boyfriend shared the same dream I've always had.
"Absolutely! I think that magically enhanced healing potions would help dozens. If they were able to be consumed by anyone, not just wizards. That's the tricky part. Right now, it's too dangerous for people without millions of ethernanos to consume. So only highly skilled wizards can handle it. But I think there's a way to make it available for everyone." he said enthusiastically.
I tackled him into a hug and admitted that I loved him, and he said the same thing back.
We realized however, that in order to even get started on creating these healing potions, we needed to make some money. Both of us had simple jobs at small nursing offices, but that wouldn't get us anywhere, especially since we needed to practice with our healing magic more. So what did we decide to do? Join a wizardy guild of course.
For about a month we travelled around, touring dozens of guilds across fiore. A few of them stuck out, such as Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus. But once we walked into Fairy Tail, well, that felt like home.
After entering the guild, we both looked into eachother's eyes. We both knew this was gonna be the place, where we'd both make some money, create some amazing healing potions, and most of all, start a wonderful family.
He took my hand. "You felt that too right?"
I nodded. This place gave off a magical aura that only healers could identify, the value of life. This place treasured it, we could tell. Not many have died here, and it gave off the vibe that it valued family and money just as much as life. "This is the place where I want to be, spend the rest of my wizardry life here. With you, and maybe some more as well."
He smiled, "My thoughts as well, this is gonna be it."
~Yato~
"And sure enough it was." Hiyori commented. "They were accepted easily by the master, and for quite sometime they worked hard until they earned enough money to get going on their healing potions. It didn't take long until they succeeded and started making tons of money off of them. Hence why I lived in such a nice house, with a few servants." I still couldn't get over how she used to live that much of a luxurious lifestyle, that must of been amazing! But it was only because of her parents that she got to live like that, not because she did something as awesome.
"Anyways, after their potions took off, they still decided to be a part of Fairy Tail, because that's where they wanted to raise their family." it must be nice having a family like that, one founded on love and hope...
"Anyways, I was born, and then once I turned seven, I started my training to become a healer."
"But you didn't become one." I added in, confused by her story.
"I'll get to that Yato." she replied. "Like I was saying, I began my training as a healer and I spent a solid year making no progress."
~Hiyori~
After a few days of consideration, I decided that I had enough with healing magic. I just couldn't get it! My mom and dad were perfect at it, meanwhile, I couldn't even remove a simple scratch from somebody. I read some of my mom's magazines that explained all other kinds of magic, and I decided that today I was gonna ask to do some other form of magic. Because I definitely loved being a wizard, but I just couldn't heal someone to save my life! Or their life in that case.
I knocked on my parent's office.
"Mom? Dad? Can I come in?" I asked.
"Sure sweetie!" my dad commented. I slowly opened the door and stood in front of them. They both seemed to be sharing a desk as they completed paperwork.
"What is it Hiyori?" my mom asked me. I almost ran out in fear, but decided to stay as I got right to the point.
"May I please learn some other form of magic?" I pleaded quickly.
They both stared at me in silence for a few moments until my dad spoke up. "Why would you want to do that?"
"Because...I've been learning about other types of magic and they seem like so much fun! I've spent a year failing at healing magic, and I'm really sorry I just don't think it's for me." I said, holding back tears. I took a deep breath and continued on. "I've read about water magic, magic that allows for people to change into different outfits instantly-how cool is that?! And I've read about fire magic, card magic, demon magic, not sure what that one is, and celestial spirit magic, ice magic, snow magic, bubble magic, there's so many to choose from! I just really hate healing, and I'm sorry. You guys are amazing but I just can't do it!" I felt the tears coming back on but I couldn't stop them. They both came over and hugged me.
"It's okay sweetie." my dad comforted. "We were just discussing that the other day actually. As much as we would love to see our little Hiyori grow up to be just like us, she's just too special to do that. She wants to go along her own path, and it's very hard to see you drift away from healing. But if being in Fairy Tail for over a decade has taught us anything, it's that we can't stop you from creating your own destiny."
I sniffled. "Really? You would allow me to do that?"
My mom stroked my hair. "Of course we would. But, if you don't mind, we'd like to pick out what other kind of magic you learn, so that you can grow up to be the best Iki possible."
"Sure thing Mom!" I cheered, eager to see what they'd pick out for me.
"Awesome. Come back in an hour and we'll be ready for you." she replied, letting me go.
"No problem!"
The wait was an eternity. But finally I approached their office door once again and came right in without knocking.
"Hiyori," my dad started. "you know that you're suppose to knock when coming in here."
"Sorry." I apologized. "It just got too hard waiting, I really want to know what kind of wizard I'm gonna be!" I explained eagerly.
They both chuckled a little. "Well lucky for you we did finally decide what we think is best for you." he flipped open a magazine on his desk and turned to the last page.
"See this?" he asked, pointing to a picture of a celestial spirit key.
"I'm gonna be a celestial wizard?!" I asked with excitement in my voice.
"You happy with that?" my mom answered with another question.
"Yes!" I cheered. "Those key things look so cool, and I'll have extra friends who will help me fight, it's gonna be great! When can I get my first key?" I rambled.
"Whoa slow down there," my dad laughed. "We want to get you only the best of celestial keys, we were thinking you could have a theme of 'natural disaster' spirits. We found those to be some of the top keys available. They seem to be the strongest and they would protect you the best, keep you safest. They may take a little bit of time to get here though."
"Aw, okay." I pouted, they both stared at me in confusion. "Don't get me wrong, I am so excited for natural disaster theme-whatever that means-but I just don't like waiting for my keys to arrive."
My dad patted my back. "We have much to go over, sweetie."
~Yato~
"My first spirit I received was, as you already know, Igneous. Then soon after came Iniki, whom my parents named after our last name, then Tectas and Temblor, and then Cyclone." she explained.
"So you didn't get to name your own spirits?" I asked.
"No, but honestly, I probably would have given them dumb names since I was so young."
"Like 'explody' or somethin?" I asked jokingly, she laughed a little too.
"Exactly. Also, I instantly got hooked to celestial spirit magic." she grasped her keys on her side and smiled. "This is the magic I was fated to do." she frowned again though and continued on. "Now here's for the sad part, it took place a couple of years ago."
~Hiyori~
My parents were gone again for an extended amount of time during their mission. I didn't mind though, they did that all the time. I shuffled around with my keys, wondering if I should open any of their gates. "Well they don't really need to be here right now…" I mumbled to myself, and then covered my mouth. That was beginning to become a bad habit of mine, talking to myself out loud like that.
I decided to leave my house and head on over to the guild, hoping that maybe they would be back.
Of course, when I got there only a few wizards were present. Master, Mirajane, and Erza.
"Hi Master." I greeted. He gave me a look of empathy and sat me down. Mirajane hung out awkwardly by the bar while Erza sat alone in the corner eating strawberry cake. "Is everything alright? The guild seems, different today."
"Hiyori, there's something you need to know and I want you to remember that you have everyone's support here. Everyone in the guild is here for you." he stated.
"Here for what? Master what's going on?" I asked nervously, feeling more and more paranoid by the minute.
He looked down in sadness and shame. "Your parents had an honorable death fighting in their most recent mission. I'm so sorry." No. No, no, no.
"That's not, there's no way, no Master they have to come back! They always do!" I whispered-yelled, seeing that my voice could barely produce a sound.
"Not this time Hiyori, being a wizard is a very dangerous job."
"I don't care how dangerous it is! My parents value life so much, they're healers. They wouldn't just die on a job, they're way too smart and skilled for that!" I yelled a bit louder this time. No. No, no, no.
"I'm so sorry Hiyori, they went on an S-Class job, but perhaps it should've been ranked higher." he stated, failing to make me feel any better.
"I always go on jobs with them…" I mumbled. "Any job but an S-Class ranked one. I'm always by their side in battle, we make up a great three person team. 'The Iki Trio'. We can't be 'The Iki Trio' with one Iki." The least my parents could do was come and heal my broken heart and body. No. No, no, no.
~Yato~
"My parents left their entire house and belongs for me. But I was only able to stay in that house for a few hours until it hurt too much, so I called up my brother-"
"You have a brother?!" I blurted out.
"Yeah, he left our house and guild to pursue in his 'art career' around when I was seven. So I didn't get to know him too well, nor did I ever stay in contact with him. Anyways, I called him up and asked if he wanted anything he left at our house and told him about our parents. He of course already heard about them and decided that he didn't want anything and I could do whatever I pleased with the house." Damn, her siblings were nowhere near close. They weren't even there for eachother when her parents died? "So I sold it, took the few things I wanted to keep, and bought my own apartment. I wanted to start fresh and try to move on from my parents, but I still remained in Fairy Tail because I knew that was the guild where they thought was the best for me.
"I did have a very close friend that I sometimes went out on jobs with," she began but then paused for a second. It looked like this was getting too hard on her.
"Hiyori, you don't have to-"
"No it's fine. Anyways, after she left, and she was all I had after my parents had recently died, I felt so alone. I don't know how I handled all of that demise, but somehow I kept going, feeling distant from everyone I knew. For the next few years until you guys arrived, I just tagged along with random teams and members from the guild. Going out on missions became something I dreaded instead of thing thing I lived for." she finished, tears streaming down her face.
"I'm so sorry I put you up to this, I'm a horrible person." I apologized, pissed off at myself for putting her through this.
She smiled as she wiped away a tear. "No, it's okay, really Yato. In fact, this actually felt so good, spilling all of this. I haven't described to anyone about my story. Thank you for listening to me, it feels so good to get that all out. I feel like I can move on a little bit more now." she sniffled yet still smiled.
I then realized why her story sounded so familiar and a wave of guilt washed over me. I felt sick to my stomach, absolutely awful. I couldn't even look her in the eyes. She didn't deserve this at all. None of this. I thought about grabbing her hand but I decided against it.
I instead returned her a smile. "No problem, any time you need someone to rant to, your wish will be heard loud and clear!" I cheered, causing her smile to stay on her face.
Finally we got to the guild but found it to be a disaster.
I thought back to what that guy warned us about.
"Dammit. This is the attack he was talking about." I spat.
Hiyori looked a little devastated but nodded. "You're right…" behind our guild approached a large, mobile guild belonging to the one and only Phantom Lord. Everyone in Fairy Tail was already outside standing along the beach and watched in horror as it came up to us through the waters outside the guild.
"How did they get past us?!" Hiyori screamed as she realized the situation we found ourselves in.
"I thought I heard something from a distance moving, guess there's multiple ways back to Fairy Tail." I added in. That wasn't a lie, I did in fact hear something that sounded along the lines of an earthquake (turns out it was an entire building moving on it's own), but I decided to ignore it because Hiyori seemed too into her story to interrupt…
"I never anticipated this." Erza stated as she was shaking in fear. "I never thought they'd go to such extremes to attack us."
Once again, I already knew this was coming and there was nothing I did to stop it. "Dammit!" I yelled again. Hiyori realized that she too knew this was coming and looked almost as flustered as me. I was ready to walk off in frustration but Hiyori stopped me.
"No. You're not walking away from this. You will help us stop that thing." she ordered with a very serious face and tone. This girl wasn't joking around…
"But where's Yukine?" I asked, realizing that he didn't appear anywhere. She took her focus off me and looked around, not finding him either.
"I don't know...we need to find him though. We need to get all of the help we can." she stated, taking even more control.
"He wasn't that much ahead of us, so he shouldn't be too far. I don't know why he didn't come straight back here." I said.
She pondered for a minute. "Do you think he's at home?"
I shook my head. "Doubt it, he probably went somewhere to cool off some steam."
"He doesn't have time for that!" Hiyori complained.
"Hey, give him some-" I started but something way behind Hiyori caught my attention. To the left of the guild I could barely spot Yukine hidden in the trees, looking like he was talking to someone. I tried to step forward to get a closer look. Hiyori noticed my sudden change in focus and looked to the direction I was heading towards and followed.
"Yato, what're doing?" she asked obliviously.
I rolled my eyes. "Can't you see Yukine is over there? I can't tell who he's talking to though." I answered reluctantly. She squinted a little and then realized the situation.
"Why is he talking to someone right now? Can't he see what's happening over here? Shouldn't that be a little more important?" she rambled on.
"How should I know?" I snapped, and then I could make out who he was conversing with. "Oh shit." I mumbled. Of course she was here, of course she wanted to involve herself and try to sabotage my only friends.
"Two years she stayed away from him. Two years she kept out." I ranted, quickly approaching Yukine and Nora.
And here's chapter 8! Thank you guys for sticking around and reading/reviewing my story!
Also I haven't made it this far in a fanfic before so that's a plus!
I'm not sure if I'll be able to publish a chapter next week, so if not then I'll definitely strive for one the week after!
Again, thanks for reading everyone!
"There's faith and there's sleep. We need to pick one please because faith is to be awake and to be awake is for us to think and for us to think is to be alive." -Car Radio by Twenty One Pilots