Aisha's POV:

What a chaotic day it had been, first of all Elfman had defeated Bacchus. I let out a little smirk thinking about the night before, Bacchus had really shown Cana up. That took the heat off of me, albeit for a little while. Beating at her own game was funny, but what he had asked today was out of order. The gall of him to ask for a night with Mira and Lisanna as a bet with Elfman, disgusting pig. I hope I can show him up myself, just to have my own taste of petty vengeance. Elfman had shown him up pretty well though, he was a good man. Someone who would stand up for his sisters despite the overwhelming odds, he was now in the infirmary and I would bet that Evergreen was right there with him.

Don't even get me started on that fight Mira had with the girl from Blue Pegasus, what a bizarre twist that was. The last thing I had ever expected was a modeling contest, though it wasn't a bad thing. Mira was truly the beauty everyone claimed, I'm just glad Mavis accepted the reasoning since I was a priestess I couldn't possibly participate. Being a priestess back home was actually quite liberal, I was one of the more tame ones.

I was in the Fairy Tail booth today as I wasn't participating today and possibly tomorrow, they wanted to keep my strength to use in the later rounds. I was a little annoyed about that, but since I've been in Fiore I have come to trust in Makarov. He knew what he was doing and with Mavis being a tactical genius she decided it was valuable for me to be the guild's trump card.

I saw that the master was sitting by himself so I took a seat next to him and he looked up at me.

"Aisha, how can I help you, my child?"

"Master, I was just wondering what the plan for my involvement for the games would be. I fully trust in your judgment but I am quite puzzled as to why I am sitting out tomorrow too. I want to take part in one of the events."

I shuffled my feet uncomfortably, I have never liked questioning my superiors but I felt it necessary in this instance. Even if it is just an explanation, I am desperate for another fight. I hate leaving things on a loss, which a draw certainly was. Not everything was black and white, but in the games they are.

"I can understand why you're so hesitant to sit out, but First Master Mavis determined it was our best chance for victory. When day 4 comes you'll be ready and right into the action."

The master looked at me sternly, his word was law for a reason. He did know what was best even if it's something I wouldn't like to admit.

"You're right, but it's hard to sit out when my guildmates are out there shedding their blood and tears."

"I understand, but all you need to do is be patient. Your time will come again, I watched your fight closely. You gave Jura hell, he couldn't hit you. If it wasn't for the clocking you'd have beat him. Bide your time Aisha, because the guild will need you. Also I've heard some disconcerting news."

I came closer to him so he could whisper, listening intently.

"News?"

"From the Empire, something is brewing over there. It's currently just rumours but in the future they can become a problem for not only the guild but for the Ishgar. We spoke about the west before, but the situation could soon be untenable. The conditions are already favourable for them since the council lost Etherion, we've lost one of our most powerful weapons. I don't know if they have any other weapons at their disposal of that scale."

"Is the situation here really that dire?"

Makarov sighed and looked at me directly in the eye, with a stern look on his face.

"It really is, you've been through war before unlike anyone else in the guild apart from the First Master. You know how destructive it is, this continent hasn't seen anything like this before. Even the invasion of the past, that war barely started before the council stopped it. If it happens again we won't have the same luxury."

"That's probably true, the Empire has a whole continent behind them and that includes my home now. They have hundreds of thousands of troops available and mages who are significantly stronger than me."

"That's true but for now it's just a potential problem in the future, if that mission does come up I will have to use you. We need your strength in the coming battle, you may need to fight your kinsman."

I looked at my feet, knowing it was a possibility. But the last thing I wanted to do was kill Hijaarans. I may have left my country to come here but at the end of the day I love my country, but I do want to protect Fairy Tail.

"I understand Master, if the guild needs me I will step up."

The master nodded in agreement.

"I know you will my child, this mission will be top secret if it does happen we will need to keep it strictly between us but until that time comes this conversation didn't happen."

"Yes Master."

I left Makarov alone with his thoughts, the Empire is dangerous. They controlled Hijaara now, they controlled the entire continent of Alkatasia. It's in the nature of Empires to expand, it's just puzzling why he thinks Fairy Tail would be involved. Surely it would be up to the countries to decide how to react.

I walked back up the steps to my seat and sat down, wearing a stern face. My mind was racing about a thousand different things, I barely even noticed as someone sat down next to me.

"Aisha? Are you ok?"

I looked up and I was met with the warm smile of Lisanna, I smiled back at her. She always had an infectious smile, during our little mountain training expedition we had grown quite close alongside her brother. The Strausses were a lovely family, they cared deeply for each other and for anyone else.

"Oh Lisanna, everything is fine just thinking about what happened earlier. I can't quite believe what happened with Bacchus."

"He was a creep, I'm just glad Elfman managed to put him in his place."

I laughed a little, getting more relaxed in my seat as I looked over at the younger Strauss.

"He certainly won't live that down in a hurry, I don't think Quatro Puppy will like their name or their strongest member being laid out by Elfman. He is a real man."

"He is, he showed everyone in the crowd that Fairy Tail is still here and proved himself. No one in the world deserves that more than him."

I nodded in agreement, he was always physically strong but that is not the be all and end all.

"Mira too, she showed that she was still the same person who became S-Class. That demon form was incredible, she won effortlessly."

"That she did, I just wish the battle hadn't been so strange before."

I smirked at Lisanna and scooted over to her, looking her in the eye.

"What about you and Natsu, I saw you in your wedding dress. You should've taken the chance, I've heard from the guild how you and Natsu were once husband and wife."

Lisanna blushed massively and buried her head in her hands, I couldn't help but laugh again. Lisanna and Natsu would be a cute couple, though I suspect in the future she might have to contend with Lucy for that.

"Aisha!"

"Ok I promise I'll stop, but I was just thinking out loud."

Lisanna after a few moments had managed to get over the initial embarrassment and was able to look me in the eye.

"I mean do you have your eye on anyone at the moment, some of the guys in the guild have been talking and they're very interested. I think Max…"

"Sorry Lisanna, I haven't been looking for anything like that. I'm just focusing on the guild currently, with everything going on I just couldn't think of that."

Lisanna looked slightly disappointed, I can see she likes to play the matchmaker just like Mira. Can't say that I blame her though, it's understandable wanting to see people happy.

"That's fine but afterwards there must be someone for you, you're beautiful and strong. Every guy in Fiore will be looking your way."

Lisanna looked at me and squinted her eyes and smiled.

"Oh I get it, you're not interested in guys. Maybe you'll find a nice girl then, there are a few in the guild."

"I'll give you this Lisanna, you're good. Within a few seconds you figured that out, but I'm still not looking for anything currently. I just want to settle into the guild properly, but if I change my mind I promise you'll be the first person to know. Deal?"

"Deal, you'll be the first person to know."

Lisanna's face lit up and she smiled excitedly, she looked directly into my eyes took my hand and held it.

"I mean there is one person I see you looking at often, you seem like you've gotten very close with Mira. Until now I hadn't thought anything of it, but the more I think about it maybe you have a crush on her?"

I couldn't answer her, I was far too embarrassed. I looked away from Lisanna and into the crowd leaving the arena, I felt an unfamiliar blush reach my face.

"You do!"

"Mira is just a remarkable person, it's not a romantic interest. I just value her as a friend, she's made me feel welcome in the guild. You all have."

"I don't see you looking at anyone else like that, you don't look at me like that. I think you do have a crush even if you don't know it. I'm just surprised no one else has noticed."

I sheepishly look at my feet, trying to avoid eye contact still. She was right, and she knows it. I cannot say anything else to her that will convince her otherwise.

"Lisanna, I need you to keep this as a secret then. Just between us, if I do have these feelings like you said I need you to keep this quiet. Deal?"

"Deal, just be careful. Mira has never been in a relationship like that before, I wouldn't want you to hurt her."

"And neither do I, the last thing I want to do is hurt anyone in the guild. Especially Mira."