A/N : And here we go for chapter 2 ! Hope you all enjoy, see you at the end.
I watched as Romeo started crying, a wide smile spreading across his face. I still couldn't comprehend what was happening until the dust settled, and I finally recognized the spiky pink-haired silhouette. Behind him, more silhouettes emerged—five, ten, fifteen, and even more.
Natsu stood tall in the middle of the entrance, just inches away from us. Natsu? Thos guys just said they disappeared.. for 7 years. My brain was foggy, struggling to process the scene before me.
Suddenly, Romeo leaped into Natsu's arms, followed by all the remaining members. The room erupted in joyous cries and laughter. Macao didn't hesitate; tears streaming down his face, he rushed forward to join the reunion.
If I followed everything correctly... I had arrived an hour ago, and now the missing team from seven years ago... had just come back?
"Wha-what's going on here?" I thought out loud, unintentionally catching everyone's attention. Realizing all eyes were on me, I quickly straightened up, feeling a wave of nervousness wash over me.
"Hey, never saw you before," Natsu said, his curious eyes locking onto mine.
"H-Hey," I stammered, trying to muster up a confident smile.
"Apparently this kiddo wanted to join," Macao chimed in, tears still streaming down his cheeks. "He arrived not even an hour ago," he added with a grin.
Natsu laughed heartily. "That's some serious timing!"
I couldn't help but smile back. Despite the overwhelming situation, their warmth was infectious. But I also felt like I was in the middle of something much bigger than I could understand..
"I'm sorry, I'll come back later," I said, standing up and preparing to leave.
"Ya going nowhere, what are you thinking?" Natsu said, grinning widely.
"Well, huh... If I get everything straight, you just came back after seven years, so... I'm guessing y'all got some serious stuff to talk about. I'll come back in a few days, that's fine," I replied, trying to be considerate.
Before I could take another step, someone slapped me on the back, nearly knocking the wind out of me.
"Stop saying bullshit, you'll be just fine here with us," a voice said.
I turned around to see Gray Fullbuster, a smirk on his face.
I couldn't help but sweatdrop as the chaos unfolded around me. For the next few minutes, I found myself caught in a whirlwind of hugs and greetings as the guild hall quickly filled up, almost bursting at the seams with returning members. It was overwhelming, really.
About an hour later, a tall girl with long, flowing white hair approached me. Her presence was calming amidst the excitement. "Hey, you're new, right? Natsu said we had a newcomer. That's some serious timing you had," she remarked, her smile bright and welcoming.
"Huh, yeah, not so sure if it really is that great, but hey. I'm Haru. Haru Inazumi," I replied, trying to keep my cool despite the nerves.
"My name is Mirajane, but everyone calls me Mira," she introduced herself with a friendly smile. "You want to join, I guess?"
"Yeah, but it can wait. I know you all have a ton of stuff to sort out," I said, not wanting to impose given the circumstances.
Mira chuckled softly. "Don't worry about it. We're used to chaos. You'll fit right in," she assured me, her eyes sparkling with kindness.
"Does that mean I look like chaos?" I muttered to myself, deadpanning.
Mira laughed. "Let's go and see the master," she said, guiding me through the now very small-feeling guild hall with everyone back.
Mira led me to a small, raised platform where a tiny old man stood, surveying the bustling scene with a wise, calm expression. "Master, we have a new recruit," she called out cheerfully.
The old man, who I quickly recognized as Master Makarov from the guild's tales, turned his gaze toward us. His eyes twinkled with curiosity as he looked me over. "Ah, a new face! Welcome, young one," he greeted warmly, his voice carrying the weight of years of wisdom and kindness.
Master Makarov's welcoming smile put me at ease. "Thank you, sir. My name is Haru" I said, bowing slightly out of respect.
Makarov chuckled softly. "No need to be so formal, Haru. We're all family here," he said, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Tell me, what brings you to Fairy Tail?"
I took a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts. "I've heard so many stories about this guild. For me everyone here is somewhat an example to follow. I've been on my own for a long time, and I wanted to find a place where I could belong... where I could make a difference."
Makarov nodded thoughtfully. "A noble reason. Well, child, welcome to Fairy Tail," he said with a huge grin.
Before I could react, the guild erupted in cheers, making my mouth open slightly in awe. The noise was deafening, but in the best way possible. I felt a rush of warmth and acceptance flood over me as the members of Fairy Tail welcomed me with open arms.
Mira nudged me gently. "See? I told you you'd fit right in," she said with a wink.
I couldn't be happier. At least, not that I could know.
The entire guild celebrated, drinking, dancing, and brawling (mostly Natsu and Gray) throughout the night. And I loved it. However, I needed some fresh air. I managed to sneak out the front door, finally catching the night that had fallen on Magnolia. It was calm, a small breeze floating around. In front of me, Magnolia's river flowed calmly, its surface shimmering under the moonlight. It was peace next to the chaos inside Fairy Tail. But it made me smile. A genuine smile, though tears were welling up inside me.
I walked slowly to the riverbank, taking in the serene beauty of the night. The cool breeze gently brushed against my face, bringing a sense of tranquility.
As I stood there, I couldn't help but reflect on everything that had led me to this moment. The loneliness, the struggles, and the relentless search for a place to belong. I vaguely remembered the warmth of Aelion's feathers and the crackle of Kirin's thunder, how they had always been there for me until they suddenly vanished one day. The hole they left in my heart was vast, and the loneliness that followed was suffocating. And now, here I was, a part of something bigger than myself.
The tears that had been welling up finally spilled over, trailing down my cheeks. They were tears of relief, joy, but also slight sadness.
Suddenly, a soft voice interrupted my thoughts. "Hey, you okay?" I turned to see Mira standing a few steps behind me, concern etched on her face.
I quickly wiped my tears and nodded. "Yeah, just... happy. Really happy."
Mira smiled gently. "It's a lot to take in, isn't it? But remember, you're not alone anymore. Everyone is here for you if you need any help."
I nodded again, feeling a warmth spread through me. "Thanks, Mira. That means a lot."
She walked up and stood beside me, looking out over the river. "It's beautiful, isn't it? This place, this guild..."
"Yeah," I agreed, my voice steadying.
I was happy. But I couldn't hold back my tears, and Mira could see right through me.
"You know, you can cry. It's okay," she said, smiling gently at me.
"But I'm supposed to be happy, and cheering, and just...Hell, I don't wanna cry," I replied, my voice trembling with the effort to hold back my emotions.
She simply nodded, understanding in her eyes. "You know, everyone in Fairy Tail has had a hard time before. We all have our scars. And whatever yours are, we'll all be here to help you heal them. Every single one of them."
Her words hit deep, leading me closer and closer to opening the dam inside me.
"I've always been alone. Once for a while, then I finally found comfort, before it vanishing again. And alone I was, again. Everywhere. All the time... And I can't even remember the times I felt safe, the times where people were there for me ! And now, this? Do I really deserve this? I've gone from black to white in half a day. I don't feel like I deserve all this," I confessed, my voice breaking as the tears finally started to flow.
Mira stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "It's okay to feel that way. It's normal. But remember, you don't have to do this alone anymore. We're your family now. And family means we share our burdens and our joys."
Her words provided a warmth and comfort I had never known. I let the tears fall freely, each one a release of the years of loneliness and struggle. Mira stood by my side, her presence a steady reassurance.
Our moment outside caught the attention of a few curious members, who peeked through the door. Among them were Wendy and Gray, silently observing the scene with empathetic eyes.
"It's okay, Haru," Mira said softly, wiping away the tears that had fallen on my cheeks. "I promise you're not alone." she assured me, her voice soothing like a mother to her child.
"I... Thanks, Mira," I said, my voice trembling with emotion as I continued to cry.
"And you can count on us," came an unknown voice from behind. I turned around and saw Gray and Wendy standing there, smiles on their faces.
"We'll always be here for you and ready to help, no matter what," Wendy added, her eyes shining with sincerity.
Gray gave me a smile and a thumbs up. "Yeah, you're one of us now. We've got your back," he said, his voice firm with conviction.
I felt a surge of gratitude and relief. "Thanks," I managed to say, my heart swelling with a mix of emotions.
"Let's get back inside," Gray said, draping his arm over my shoulder in a comforting gesture.
I smiled back, wiping away my last tears. "Yeah, let's get back home," I replied, feeling a newfound sense of belonging.
Mira, Wendy, and Gray all smiled warmly, and together we made our way back inside. As we stepped through the doors, the warmth and energy of the guild enveloped us once more. The sounds of laughter, clinking glasses, and cheerful chatter filled the air, creating an atmosphere that was both chaotic and heartwarming.
As we rejoined the celebration, Natsu spotted us and raised his mug. "Welcome back, Haru! Now, let's really get this party started!" he shouted, his enthusiasm contagious.
The rest of the guild cheered in agreement, and I couldn't help but laugh.
As the night wore on, most people started leaving, their laughter and goodbyes echoing through the now quieter guild hall. Only Mira and I remained, the remnants of the celebration scattered around us.
"Well, I guess it's time for some well-deserved rest," Mira said with a smile. "Where are you sleeping, Haru?"
"I spotted a nice spot on the roof. Guess I'll try it out," I replied naturally.
"On the... roof?" Mira repeated, raising an eyebrow in surprise.
"Oh, yeah, I'm an outside guy. I've basically lived outside my entire life, and... I've come to a point where I actually like it. The view, the breeze, the birds in the morning..." I explained, scratching my head sheepishly.
Mira chuckled softly. "You really are something, Haru. But if you ever want a proper bed, there's always room inside," she offered kindly.
"Thanks, Mira. I appreciate it. Maybe one day," I said with a smile.
She nodded, her eyes soft with understanding. "Goodnight, Haru. Sleep well."
"Goodnight, Mira," I replied, making my way to the roof.
Climbing up, I found my spot and lay down, gazing up at the star-studded sky. The cool night breeze whispered through the air, carrying the distant sounds of the city winding down. As I settled in, a sense of peace washed over me. This was my new home, and for the first time in a long while, I smiled as I dozed off to sleep.
A/N : Done ! Don't worry, Haru won't be crying every 2 minutes. I just wanted to put an important point on his childhood.
Next chapter, we'll get some first looks on Haru's magic, see you then !
.Ney.