Hello, thanks for waiting patiently.

Nanonano15243: Are you going to have Ichigo in a relationship? Yes, I plan on having Ichigo in a relationship with Mirajane. Some might be disappointed by the person I picked for his relationship.

Godofwar: If it's okay to ask could Ichigo learn magic and if so could I make the suggestion on heavenly body magic? Yes, I do plan on Ichigo learning magic but I plan on using something different, sorry.

I honestly don't know what to say here, but I hope you enjoy it.

Chapter 3: What is a guild?

As the trio got themselves ready. Wendy sat next to Ichigo while Jellal was across from them. Jellal presented the stash of food in his bag to the other two. Wendy's mouth started drooling seeing all the different food kinds presented to them. While Ichigo was amazed to see how much he was able to obtain. Jellal placed the food in front of the firing while getting out wooden bowls, and utensils.

The food did not cook as fast as Wendy had wanted. She was able to see Jellal add-in ingredients but didn't know if it would affect it in any way. She tried her hardest to be patient but was simply excited to feast. As they continued to wait, Jellal finally gave the signal that the food was ready. In front of them, there was chicken and soup. The food looked delicious and smelled pleasant. Wendy has never smelled this many flavors. Unable to hold the urge in any longer Wendy was the first to chow down. Leaving Ichigo and Jellal in the dust. The two quickly followed after.

The food was surprisingly good. Despite the few ingredients he used, the boy was able to bring out the richness and flavors. The chicken was tender and juicy. While the soup was rich with sweetness. It's been a long time since he had a decent meal. He looked toward Wendy and noticed her slight irritation. She was having trouble using her utensils. Wendy was used to using her hands when eating. Grandeeney never taught her how to use a fork or spoon. She found it easier to use her hands. But she didn't want to feel out of place.

He saw her holding a spoon upside down with a fist. She wasn't able to scoop the soap as efficiently as she could have. Ichigo moved closer to Wendy and showed her how to use a spoon properly. Soon enough, she was getting a hang of it and finished her bowl of soup.

"How was the soup?" Jellal asked Wendy, seeing her bowl empty.

"It was delicious" she replied excitingly

"That's good to hear, would you like some more?"

Ichigo on the side saw the two's exchange. The atmosphere and mood were quite nostalgic. It reminded him of home. As they were dining in, Jellal noticed Ichigo's lack of hunger, he seemed to be distracted.

"You can have more, you don't have to hold back" Jellal offered

"...No thanks, I'm not much of an eater" he answered honestly. He didn't have an appetite. Despite the tasty food that was in front of him. So many things clouded his thoughts. He didn't feel as hungry as he should be.

"You can have some of mine if you want Wendy," Ichigo said right after.

"Are you sure, you should eat too?" She told him worryingly.

"As I said, I'm not much of an eater, I had my share so I'll be fine," he said calmly

(After eating)

"I'm so full" Wendy let out a sigh of relief as she quietly burped. She felt so happy that she got some food in her stomach. "Thank you for the food," she gratefully said

"Thanks for the food," Ichigo said as well

"Don't mention it, I'm happy to help" he smiled "How long have you been looking for your mom?"

"A couple of hours now" Ichigo answered "I only recently met her"

Acknowledging his input. "What does your mom look like?"

"Her name is Grandeeney, and she's a big white dragon"

"Huh, a dragon?"

Hearing the same response from before, Wendy's mood went down.

Jellal quickly realizes his actions. "Sorry I was caught by surprise, I didn't mean it like that."

"Guess I'm not the only one who reacted that way,"

"I'll help you guys find her" he offered to try to make up for his actions.

This took Wendy by surprise. "Y-you will?"

"Of course, you miss your mother don't you?" he reasoned

"Y-yes, thank you" She bowed soon after. Ichigo on the sideline was happy to see Wendy getting her hopes up.

"Sorry for asking but why are you out here Jellal?"

"I'm traveling, what about you," he asked back.

"...Same"

It was Jellal's turn to ask questions "I don't mean to offend you but what is with your unique clothing?" Jellal quickly asked.

"...My parents got these for me, it is strange but might as well wear them." Making up his response. He still didn't want to elaborate.

"And the sword?"

"Also a gift"

Jellal was skeptical, why would a family member give their child a weapon. And why was he traveling alone? If his parents were indeed the ones who gave him these. Why aren't they with them? He had many questions. Ichigo became aware that Jellal didn't believe what he was saying, based on the look he was expressing. But he seemed to drop the topic.

"It's getting late, we should go to sleep," he said. He looked through his bag and was reminded that he didn't have much for sleeping. "Unfortunately, I only have 2 blankets with me…do the two of you have a blanket?"

"N-no, I-I sleep with Grandeeney, she keeps me warm."

"I don't have a blanket, these clothes are warm enough."

After hearing both Ichigo and Wendy's explanations. Jellal still didn't want any of them to catch a cold during the night. And attempted to give both blankets for them to use.

"I don't need a blanket," Ichigo said suddenly.

Jellal and Wendy were surprised by the boy's abrupt claim. "A-Are you sure?" Jellal asked. "It's going to be cold." While Wendy agreed.

"The both of you are wearing t-shirts, it's not going to be warm enough for you to sleep through the night," he said "Plus I did say that this clothing is warm enough" he reasons

"We could share?" Wendy insisted, feeling bad that Ichigo is not going to get one. Since she's the smaller of the two, she thought that they might be able to share.

"The blanket is too small for two, you don't have to share." Ichigo reasoned.

Seeing Wendy still not on board with this, Ichigo reached his hand over to the girl's head, patting it softly.

"I'll be fine," he quietly said.

Hearing this Jellal didn't want to force him any further. "If you need anything you can wake me up."

"Yeah"

The three quickly got themselves to a comfortable spot. Wendy slept close to a tree, while Jellal was to her right, and Ichigo was to her left.

"Goodnight," the girl said

"Goodnight" the two boys replied.

As each slowly dozed off and met in the dream world. Ichigo was the only one who was still awake. He couldn't sleep. He lay on the tree and his head blankly stared up into the sky. The corners of the mouth turn down. His mind went back into the past. Remembering his participation in the war. The countless bloodshed he had witnessed. The countless cries for mercy. And the countless cries for help. Trying to reach out to help, but inevitably unable to do anything. In the end, he was able to stop the war. But the cost was his friends, his own life, and countless innocent lives. It was a horrible sight. Things were great before the war. Orihime and Uryu were starting to see each other more than best friends. Rukia and Renji were on the same boat. While Chad was pursuing his dream career. Knowing all of that, made his guilt feel more impactful. They had a bright future, but it's gone now. They didn't deserve any of it. As this continued, the time seemingly moved slower.

"Wake up!" A cry was heard.

Ichigo was caught by surprise by the sudden yell. His eyes quickly flickered, alerted. He sees a blue-haired girl whose arms are on his shoulder.

"Y-you're finally awake" the girl in question spoke, signing with ease.

"...I-I fell asleep?" He was stunned, he didn't recall going to sleep.

"She tried to wake you up for quite some time." Jellal appears behind Wendy, catching Ichigo's attention. He continued, "you still seem to be tired, did you not get enough sleep?"

Wendy, upon hearing Jellal's words, got upset. She believed it was her fault because she didn't share her blanket with him. Ichigo. It must have been cold for him to get a good night's rest. Ichigo saw her reaction and quickly thought up something that would explain his lack of sleep.

"It's not your fault Wendy" she looked up at Ichigo "I was just keeping watch," Ichigo finished.

"I'll keep watch next," Jellal declared.

"Thanks"

"You should eat, me and Wendy have already eaten," he said right after.

"Right"

With a simple nod, he got up and walked with Jellal and Wendy. The food was displayed on a carpet. There were berries and toast. Ichigo quickly finished his breakfast. It was surprising how full he got despite the little meal. Ichigo grabbed his Zanpakuto while the others were getting ready to take off. They still had to look for a city to get information about Wendy's situation.

"What do you plan on doing?" Jellal asks the two

"We're hoping to come across a city, maybe get some information about dragons" Ichigo replied "Do you know if there's a city nearby?"

"Not that I'm familiar with, my apologizes,"

Some time had passed since their departure. Ichigo got to know Wendy and Jellal more during their travel. Jellal is a well-mannered and very considerate person. He soon found out that the boy enjoys reading and cooking. It explained why the food was great. The same could be said for Wendy. She may be shy but she is an honest and optimistic person. She added that pickled plums weren't her favorite food. She told them the story of why she hated pickled plums. Gradeeney was the one who got her that specific food. She said it was healthy apparently, but she didn't like it. "Why does healthy food have to taste so bad? She expressed." while the boys chuckled.

She also express that she had never made any friends before, so she sometimes wouldn't know how to react. But she was thankful for both Ichigo and Jellal nonetheless for being her friends.

As they continued with their conversation. Jellal asked a question. "Sorry for getting out of topic but do you plan on joining a guild?"

"A guild?" Both Wendy and Ichigo asked curiously. The two were a bit surprised by each other's curiosity right after.

"You don't know what a guild is?" Jellal was also shocked

Ichigo remained silent while Wendy shook her head. Wendy has recalled Grandeney talking about guild at one point. But she wasn't able to recall most of it since she was sleepy at the time. Only recalling her telling stories and teaching the fundamentals of magic. While Ichigo had a suspicion on what guilds are but didn't want to just assume.

"A guild is a type of community in Earth Land. Wizards join together to create bonds, obtain knowledge, and disseminate job requests to the members of the guild," he summarized.

"Earth land? Is this what this place is called?" He thought to himself.

"Wizards are people who can use magic," he said right after.

"I already knew that," Wendy said, annoyed while Ichigo remained quiet.

"Sorry I thought the two of you didn't know what a wizard was," Jellal chuckled. "Wizards partake in jobs to receive payment. The jobs are varied, but usually, from what I have heard, the most common jobs are related to helping others and slaying monsters." He explained

"Do you plan on joining a guild Jellal?" Wendy asked

"...I'm not too sure" he answered

"M-maybe we can all join a guild," Wendy proposed. Jellal didn't think it was a bad idea but he had his matter. He only asked this in hopes to find a guild quickly. He also wasn't too sure if Ichigo was on board with this idea.

"I don't know Wendy, some of us might not want to join a guild." He said looking at Ichigo

Wendy slowly moved her head to look at Ichigo. She wanted him to join a guild with her if she ever needed to. She didn't want to join a guild by herself. She knew that her communication skills are not as strong as Ichigo's, but he could help her. She won't have to feel alone. She also didn't want to be selfish. Wendy's waited anxiously for his input.

Ichigo, on the other, was deep in thought. After hearing Wendy's proposition. He didn't think that joining a guild was a good idea. The fact that magic is common in this world poses a problem. People might not know what Spiritual Pressure is, or anything about Shinigamis. He'll attract other people's attention. From his experience, people yearn for a new form of power for evil intentions. People like Aizen, Kugo, and Yhwach were prime examples of people who wanted power for their own goals. Staying low might be the safest option. He thought it would cause the most trouble. He soon noticed Wendy's nervous stare and realized that joining a guild might help him.

"Maybe joining a guild isn't too bad of an option. I still don't know much about this world and it might even help Wendy" He thought to himself. After extensive consideration, he finally made his decision.

"I don't mind, if it's to help you find your mom, then I'll join" Ichigo stated calmly

After hearing his words, Wendy's eyes started tearing up. She rushed to Ichigo and hugged him. She was glad. To hear Ichigo would join her was a sense of relief.

"You?" Ichigo asked Jellal while still being hugged by Wendy.

"...I don't plan on joining a guild anytime soon." He replied slowly, in a slightly sad tone.

Despite their conversation earlier, Ichigo still didn't know much about Jellal. Nevertheless, he didn't want to pry or ask anything personal.

"If you say so," Ichigo concluded.

Jellal was surprised by Ichigo's understanding before apologizing.

"You don't have to apologize," he acknowledged. "But I do think Wendy would have liked you to join a guild with us," he said shortly

She simply nodded. Despite having just recently met Jellal. She thought of him as a friend. And to hear him not able to join them. Made her upset.

"I hope you understand Wendy," he said sincerely.

She didn't like it, but she had to accept it.

There was silence after that. No one knew what to say. Jellal felt bad that the girl was treated this way but he had to tell the truth. He simply wasn't planning on joining a guild. Just before long, something slowly approaches. He looked up at the sky, the clouds covering the sunlight. He was sensing a familiar feeling. Before it hit on him. It was Anima.

"...We should probably hurry" Jellal suggested walking at a faster pace. This caught Ichigo's attention. The day had just started. Why would they need to hurry? He seemed to have noticed something, but what.

"Let's go Wendy" he called out to her. And Wendy obliged. She was still upset but Ichigo tried to comfort her. "If Jellal doesn't want to join a guild right now, we should support his decision. That doesn't mean he's not our friend".

"O-ok" Not wanting to stay upset she brought out a smile on her face. "Y-you're right, w-we're still friends." Ichigo patted her head, happy to see her mood change.

"Yeah"