Stand Up Be Strong: Huh, well… seems like Cait Shelter will still be a thing, and Ichigo will be its "S-class mage"? No, I won't make him an s-class, since I don't think he would care. Just like in the manga, he never wanted to be the best Shinigami.
Sinner and Redeemer: Oh, so Cait Shelter is going to be a thing. Well, will Ichigo confront Roubaul being a spirit and Wendy knowing about it too? Yes, I will have only Ichigo confront Roubaul and know his secret. I don't know if I will have Wendy find out later in the story.
Commander-in-Chief Kyoraku: Честно, я надеюсь на Ichigo/Mira/Erza. Это было бы самым лучшим вариантом. И не только романтика, но и отношения, беременность. Ok, so I used google translate for this and it might not be accurate cause it sucks. But no, I am not making this a three-way with Ichigo, Erza, and Mira. I don't think that this is the best option because I think the three ways are stupid. It's like harems, it's stupid because there are too many girls, and the main character either never picks the right girl everyone wanted or they just don't pick at all. Also pregnancy, what? I don't plan on that happening.
Chapter 6: The talk
"...When do you plan on leaving?"
"Tomorrow" he answered, "I plan on telling Wendy at an appropriate time."
"...I see"
Thirty minutes have passed after that conversation. During that time, the two had time to themselves. Jellal was relieved to hear Ichigo's cooperation but he was still anxious about Wendy's reaction to the topic. He tried to shove those thoughts away since Wendy will feel sad regardless, there was nothing he could do. Ichigo on the other hand was thinking to himself. He wasn't thinking about Jellal's situation since he wouldn't tell him anything. He probably has things sorted out. There was no need to think about it. However, he went back to the questions that lingered in his mind. There were so many questions, but he wasn't able to answer any of them. The most frequent question of the bunch that was on his mind was how people were able to see him?
"Why are people able to see me? He thought to himself. He's supposed to be a spirit. No one should be able to see him. Jellal and Wendy were able to see him, however. Maybe because they are either spiritually aware or that magic can help them see him. But why are citizens around them able to see him? During their walk to the hot spring, people were looking at him. He didn't sense any magic within any of them. "Maybe it's normal for people to see spirits, they can see Roubaul and he's a spirit, so it would make sense for them to see me." "or maybe that my Shinigami powers have merged with my physical body. So I wouldn't have to go into my Shinigami form. Which does explain why people can see me and why my powers are active in the first place."
As he continued thinking to himself, Jellal was getting out of the hot spring. Ichigo didn't realize how much time had passed and quickly followed Jellal. They dried themselves off and got dressed. The two made their way to the entrance. They felt refreshed and clean with the cool breeze blowing through their hair as they made their way outside. It was a peaceful night, with torches lighting up everything and different voices were heard everywhere around them. They were minding their business. They reached their destination and saw a girl sleeping on a bench nearby with the Woman next to her. She was giving Wendy a lap pillow. Noticing the two's presence, the woman shook Wendy's shoulder, waking her up. Her eyes slowly opened and she was met with the two boys.
"How was your bath Wendy?" Jellal asked happily. Knowing her, she might have baths in cold waters every day since dragons don't have bathrooms or hot springs. Wendy's weariness went away and was happy to see the two.
"It was great! It was so warm and refreshing!" Wendy exclaimed
"That's good to hear" Jellal's bright smile was shown
As the question was answered the woman moved away from the three and bowed. She explained that she had her own business to attend to. The three understood and bid her farewell.
The three made their way back to Roubaul. They wanted to ask him where they'll be staying for the night. As they wandered, they noticed the little things around them. The different plants that were growing in the garden, the size and shape of each building, the colors around them, and much more. They saw many enjoying their time with their friends and family while others were working hard. Wendy walked faster than the other two. She looked around, amazed by everything around her. The sounds of children to her right got her attention. They were calling out to their mothers, who were sitting at a nearby table talking among themselves. Wendy stopped walking and continued to look at their interaction. Seeing the kids talk to their parents left Wendy in an upsetting mood. She missed her mother. She hasn't had that kind of exchange with her mom for quite some time. She felt envious and alone. She started tearing up.
Ichigo took note of the girl's silence. He had a feeling why she was upset as he looked in the same direction Wendy was looking at.
"...Wendy," he said quietly
Wendy heard her name from Ichigo and turned around "yes?"
Ichigo gestured his hands, telling her to come where the two boys were. She slowly walked up to the two. She didn't know why Ichigo had called her. Jellal didn't know why either but was observing quietly. Wendy stood in front of him, waiting.
"You ok? You seem to be looking down a lot"
"Y-yeah I'm fine" she was hiding her sad expression. But soon presented them with a smile. A forced smile. Ichigo and Jellal were able to see through her facade. Jellal was going to comfort her but was stopped.
"Want a piggyback ride?" Ichigo asked
"Eh?" The only words that came out of both Jellal and Wendy's mouths. While Ichigo waited patiently for the girl's answer.
"Y-yes?"
As the signal was presented. Ichigo walked up to her, turned around, and lowered himself for her to climb up. "Why would Ichigo ask that question all of a sudden?" Jellal asked inside his head. Wendy slowly climbed up Ichigo's back.
"I-Ichigo-San w-why would you ask me if I wanted a piggyback?" She asked while steadying her voice.
"You ask that after you get on?" he teased while Wendy got embarrassed by her clumsiness. "Did your mother give you a ride? Like flying up into the sky?" Ichigo asked with a more calm tone.
"Y-yes" feeling confused, surprised, and sad when he mentioned her mother.
"How high do you think you can see from my back?"
"A-a bit higher than before." She responded, still wondering why he was asking these questions.
"What about when you climb higher?" Ichigo asked. She climbed up to where Ichigo's neck was. Sitting on both his shoulders.
"How about now?"
"I-I can see higher" She answered his question.
"...Would you have been able to see things this high if you were alone?"
As the question was asked Jellal slowly understood the reasoning for the piggyback ride.
"N-no"
"...I know you miss your mom," he started slowly. Catching Wendy by surprise "But you're not alone. Both me and Jellal are here to support you. And soon many more will help and care for you. Even if one of us is far away, we'll be there for you in the heart. The same could be said for your mother. She'll still be there in your heart. Never forget that."
Tears slowly flowed down the girl's eyes. She didn't say anything. She simply nodded. Hiding her crying face behind her hands while acknowledging the valuable message.
Ichigo looks back at her, seeing his message delivered. He slowly gathered the reishi around him and slowly floated in the air. He was carrying Wendy with her and leaving Jellal on the ground. It looked like he was flying in some sense. Jellal, who had witnessed everything, was speechless. He didn't know that Ichigo knew flying magic.
Wendy didn't realize how high she was once her tears stopped. After seeing the distance between them and Jellal, Wendy finally became aware of the situation. She quickly grabbed onto Ichigo for dear life.
"Don't worry, I won't drop you." Reassuring Wendy. "...How's the view?"
"I-it's beautiful."
"You might have gone higher before with your mom, I don't know…but…I'll be there for you if you ever need help." He said "if one friend can get you this high. How many will get you as high as your mom?" He continued before Wendy could think up an answer. "A lot right? That's why friends exist. You help them, they help you. You're able to accomplish many things together. You create bonds. You enjoy your time with one another. You laugh together… and you even cry together." He said slowly.
Wendy listened carefully, holding back her tears as much as possible.
"Which is why… it's ok to cry. It's ok to ask for help. You don't have to hold it in. You can let it out, I'll be here for you" He said quietly.
His words followed through, and all he could hear were sniffles. Hot tears streamed down her face. With her voice choppy and cracking, her watery eyes remained for quite some time. She was happy to have found a friend like Ichigo. As her tears continued. Ichigo slowly flew himself down. Getting closer to Jellal.
"I didn't know you knew flying magic"
"Yeah, I didn't think it was noteworthy, sorry for not telling you" he responded, using "magic" as an excuse for what he did. He didn't want to explain what he truly did.
"Are you feeling better now?" Ichigo looked up hoping to hear her response. She nodded, giving a genuine smile to both of them and hugging Ichigo.
"We should probably find Roubaul," Ichigo stated. With Jellal agreeing, the two continued walking.
"U-um," Wendy broke the silence.
Ichigo looked up while Jellal looked behind him. They both looked at Wendy. Wondered what was on her mind.
"I-Ichigo-san…c-can I" She paused for a second. Her face was getting red and her voice had gotten a bit quieter. "C-call you nii-san?" she whispered. Only Ichigo was able to hear her and he was astonished.
"Sorry, could you say that again?" Ichigo requested
She repeated the question with a louder voice. This time the two were able to hear her question. Wendy and Jellal looked at Ichigo, waiting for his response. She saw two kids playing before their talk. She knew what that word meant and she believed that Ichigo fits the role. She believes that Ichigo is a role model.
Jellal thought that her question was kinda out of nowhere. But understood why she asked. Ichigo is responsible, well-mannered, and caring. Even that exchange earlier, helped Wendy a lot.
But only Wendy was able to see that through Ichigo's eyes, he was sad. She saw his eyes squint a tiny bit. But didn't know the reason why. Ichigo had siblings himself. Two younger sisters and he missed them dearly. Because of the war and the aftermath, he never got the chance to see his siblings. To hear Wendy's words cuts deeply in Ichigo. It wasn't the same as what his younger siblings called him. But even though he was upset, he didn't mind Wendy addressing him in that way.
"...Sure…If that's what you want to call me…go for it," he said kindly to Wendy. He gave her a small smile before smirking. "Does that mean that you're going to be my Imoto?" Trying to hide his emotions. But attempted to tease her.
She simply smiled and nodded, acknowledging her role as a little sister. While Jellal simply smiles at both of them before continuing their walk.
They saw Roubaul off in the distance. He was next to the hut the three had entered in the beginning. Meeting up with him, he explained to them that the hut they had initially entered was going to be the place they will be staying. The three weren't too sure if it was alright to enter someone else's home. He laughed and said that the hut was supposed to be a storage place. But since there were never many things to store, there was never use for it. He further elaborated that the place was a bit different from when they first initially saw it. He also provided food inside, so they wouldn't feel the need to buy food. After he explained the circumstance he bid them goodnight and walked away.
They made their way inside the house. The boys saw the girl's sleepy eyes slowly blinking. Jellal was going to bring up the topic but was still scared to see her reaction. Ichigo, however, beat him to it.
"Wendy, I know you're tired but could you stay up a bit longer, Jellal has something to say." Jellal looked in Ichigo's direction. He was thankful that he was the one to bring up the conversation.
"O-ok" she yawned
The three walked over to a table. They grabbed a seat, and Wendy and Ichigo waited for the boy to talk.
"I'm…I'm going to have to leave the two of you tomorrow."
"...W-what" after finally realizing what Jellal had just said, she was confused. He repeated his previous statement with a clear and more confident tone.
"W-why are you leaving?"
"I have something to take care of."
"Why can't we go with you?" she asked in concern
"...This is something I have to do alone, I don't want you to get involved" he answered quietly
"W-what do you have to do?"
"...sorry I can't elaborate"
He didn't want to lie. It was already hard enough to tell her.
Wendy was stunned. She didn't want to believe it, Jellal was planning to leave. She looked over in Ichigo's direction in hopes for him to stop him or at least for him to reconsider. But looking at his eyes, he seemed calm, like he knew about this.
"I think we should let him go," Ichigo stated
Wendy's shock was displayed on her face. Why was Ichigo fine with his friends leaving? Wouldn't it be better for the two of them to follow him?
"It's his choice, we have to respect the choices he makes." he continued "Not only that, Jellal knows that this short notice would upset you. He doesn't want to leave, but he has to."
Wendy's tears started flowing out,
"I'm sorry Wendy," Jellal said
"...Remember what I said, you're not alone, even if they're somewhere else, they will always support you in the heart. That isn't different here."
She was silent, what Ichigo had told her before remained in her heart, but it was still hard to let go. He was the second friend she had ever made. But seeing Jellal's face. He was serious, he needed to go and Wendy could see that.
"It hurts for you just as much as it hurts him. I don't think you would want him to regret his decision. You want to support him, just like how he supports you."
She was silent. Her tears flowed out, and Ichigo and Jellal were able to hear Wendy sniffling.
"J-just stay safe o-ok" she finally responded, trying to speak her mind.
"I will…thank you" Jellal replied, thankful for Wendy's understanding.
She didn't say anything else, she sat there quietly while crying, Ichigo comforted Wendy.
"...I'll go tell Roubaul about my departure," Jellal said while getting out of his seat.
"I'll do it," Ichigo said as he also got up from his seat.
"That's ok, it's getting late and I'll be quick. The two of you should rest." he exited leaving the two at the hut.
"Ichigo-san?" Wendy said, grabbing Ichigo's attention. She didn't address him as the older brother. "H-have any of your friends ever had to leave you?"
He knew what Wendy had meant. A person leaves another in pursuing something else. But he couldn't help but think about death. "...Yes," he said sadly. "...it hurts, but I know that they'll be there for me and they'll support me." He continues with a more happy note. "If a friend leaves, that doesn't mean that they won't be our friends anymore. We'll see Jellal again one day."
"...y-you're right… thank you"
"Don't worry about it" he wiped her tears off Wendy and patted her head. "We should get some rest, we need to wake up early so we can say our goodbyes. You don't want to miss that right?"
She simply nodded her head while getting off of her chair and making her way to the bedroom, with Ichigo following her. There were three beds presented in front of them as they opened the door. Ichigo went to the very left bed while Wendy hopped onto the middle one.
After a little bit, Jellal made himself back into the hut. He saw the two occupying the two beds, while the third bed was free. He made his way and got himself settled in.
"G-goodnight" Jellal recognized the voice and looked at Wendy. Both Ichigo and Wendy were still awake, the two smiled at the boy.
Jellal smiled back "Goodnight"