~*****~

We'd been gone for three months. After listening to Master Makarov disband Fairy Tail, Ballad and I grabbed our things and headed for the northern continent. "Can we stop for something warm?" Ballad stammered as she shivered against my back.

I peer over my shoulder at her, smiling warmly. "The town we're looking for is just down this slope." I mention softly. "I'll get you some warm tea and a bite to eat, how's that sound?"

She nodded lightly, rubbing at her arms. "I also need to check your injuries if we have the time," Ballad murmured. 

I don't respond. I've been mostly mute since crossing the border. It's kinda strange being back here without Natsu or Lucy whining about the cold. I stared up at the mountain where Everest's cave sat, unused and lonely. I sigh through my nose and push into a loud tavern on the edge of the town. No one bats an eye as I take a seat in one of the booths, discarding my jacket and bundling Ballad up like a child.

"Would you like anything?" A sweet voice echoes out. I peer up at the young girl holding a tray of drinks. She looked tired and ragged. There were faint bruises on her neck and face, but I didn't comment on it.

"Hot tea. Something warm to eat for my friend." I hum as I pat at Ballad's still shaking head. "And a map if you've got one."

The young girl nods and scampers off to the bar. I peer after her cautiously. The man behind the counter could pass for her father. But the way he looked at her-- that kind of wrath wasn't something a father should look at their child with. My brow quirks delicately as he gestures to the men lining the bar with a scowl before snatching up what looks like our tea and food. "Enjoy," the man snaps as he sets down the platter with a harsh thud that nearly sends the food crashing into my lap.

I snatch the edge of the plate and tug it to the side for Ballad. "And a map?" I ask irritably.

He clicks his tongue and slaps down a piece of parchment. I unravel it and tug out my journal. "I don't like it here, Miss," Ballad murmurs into her tea, her eyes peering around cautiously.

I hum in acknowledgement. "I know. Towns had a problem with bandits and slavers since we got caught on Tenrou," I mention. "Relax and eat your food, if anyone gets out of hand, I'll freeze this entire tavern."

Ballad nods sullenly and sips at her tea. My nose crinkles at the scent of something unusual. I snatch the plate of food before Ballad can eat any of it and sniff again. "Miss?" Ballad hums, her tired eyes staring up at me with worry.

I hum in response and stand up, the plate of food in my hand as I step up to the bar, peering up at the man behind the counter. "Is there a problem with the food?" The man asked, brow twitching with either nerves or fury.

I slap it onto the counter, sending it tumbling over the edge. "Yeah. Next time you wanna slip a potion into the food, don't make the mistake of putting it into mine." There's an immediate uproar and the bar erupts into a huge mob, all aiming their magic attacks at me. I let out a soft breath as I lean against the counter of the bar, staring up at the bar owner as all his friends are frozen in place, groaning in pain from the frost biting into their skin. "Who's runnin' the trade here in town?" I ask in a calm tone. "And I'd be honest, otherwise you'll end up like your buddies."

"No one comes into my town--"

I snatch his shirt and tug him down until he's eye level. "Your town?" I ask in a cold tone. "I don't see your name on any of the deeds in my possession. Your town?" I repeat. "Your town is owned, by yours truly. Now you'll tell me what I want to know so I can purge your filthy urges from these once peaceful streets." When he doesn't speak, I grasp his face, claws sinking ever so slightly into his face. "And I'd be polite speaking to me," I retort. "I don't like men who beat young girls."

The girl behind him swallows roughly and scampers off, peering back at me with new life in her dull eyes. It's not long before I have the slavers and bandits all escorted out of town in chains. The town is deserted, unfortunately. Most of the citizens were slaughtered or sold off in the seven years we'd been gone. Ballad pats at my arm tenderly. "You should rest. Porlyusica said it would take a few months to heal."

I nod and turn to one of the dark houses. My nose crinkles in distaste before I peer back up the mountains. "We'll go to the cave," I murmur. "Stay there for the night before we push on. How does that sound?"

"As long as you can start a fire, I'm game." Ballad retorted. I chuckled lightly and nodded.

~*****~

The fire looked warm from the cave. I could barely see Ballad sipping at a cup of tea besides it, her eyes trained on my form out in the snow. The fresh powder around me starts shifting against my feet, sweeping up in large wafts of snow as I concentrate on building my magic energy inside. Just as it's about to crest, pain flashes across my face, causing me to stumble forward, my hand cupping at my eye angrily. I kick at the snow irritably and try again. It's the same each time I try, magic crests, then the pain hits me. I rub at my throbbing eye when I return to the cave, lips pursed in annoyance. "You've got stress fractures in your eye socket still," Ballad hums softly as she peers up at me. "It's going to take time."

I sit besides her and grimace. "Still feels like yesterday I lost this eye," I murmur. "Porlyusica's managed to restore my sight, and I'm grateful for that, but I feel like maybe I would've been better off without the eye."

Ballad leans against my leg, her head resting on her crossed arms. "I can try to heal them again." Ballad hummed.

I smile and rub at her head. "No, you've been tending to my injuries every day since we left. You deserve a day or rest." Ballad hummed in response and sunk further into my leg, dozing off almost immediately. I smile again and pull her upwards into my arms before turning to the mass of furs I'd pulled out for bed. I curled into the center, cocooning her small body easily.

The next morning arrived way too quickly, and I ended up back in the snow, trying to train with the pain in my face. Day in and day out, we stayed on the mountain, eating wild game and the occasional root we found and drinking melted snow.

I felt bad to make her go through all of it while I trained, but she refused to go anywhere else when I'd asked if she wanted to go somewhere warm while I trained. In turn, she got in some training on her own-- and assumed a battle form like Pantherlily does.

I peered down at Ballad as she ran around in the snow, tromping through it with her human like legs and body. "You kinda look like Wendy," I comment as she stops to catch her breath. "Cute and tiny."

Ballad just grinned. "My healing magic works a lot better this way, miss!" Ballad chirped as she clung to my arm. "I don't have to worry about getting hurt during fights cause I'm faster and stronger, too!"

I chuckle at her enthusiasm. "Let's keep the battle involvement to a minimum, please. You still cry when you have a single fur plucked."

Ballad pursed her lips and nodded. "Right." She hummed. "I'll support you the best I can, miss!"

I laugh and palm her head. "I know you will." I stood up straight and heaved out a sigh as I peered into the gray sky. "How about we head back to Fiore? I'm feeling a little homesick."

Ballad perked up. "Oh boy! Can we get some fresh sushi when we get there?" And just like that, she's reverted back to her Exceed form, her little arms still waving around excitedly.

I laugh and pluck of her off of the ground. "Sure thing! Just keep the battle form on a need-to-know basis. Don't wanna freak out someone when you turn into a kid."

"Aye, miss!" Ballad chirped loudly. We both cringe at the response. "Sorry..." She murmured softly, her nose pushing into my chest.

I rub at her head tenderly. "You're okay. It's still a tender subject for the both of us, I presume. We'll get a handle on it soon enough. Not like we're bound to run into them anytime soon." Ballad nods sullenly before peering back at the cave.

"You sure you wanna leave your coat? The material is from Everest." Ballad mentions softly.

I nod as I stare up at the sky. "I want to leave it as sort of a memorial. She's no longer with me anymore... I don't need some silly coat to know that I'll always have her in my heart. Everest gave me everything she had so that I could survive in this world. I'm gonna do right by her and live for me now." Ballad peers up at me curiously. "Let's get going."

Ballad nods quickly and we depart from the mountain side, packs on our backs.

~*****~

Sting gave me a sympathetic look when I'd showed up to Sabertooth one day, his brow angled upwards as if he couldn't figure out why I'd shown up. "Got any work?" I ask as I push my finger over a napkin on the table we're at.

Sting shrugs. "I mean, yeah, if you wanna join Sabertooth, I do." Sting mentioned. A grimace worked over my face, and I leaned against my forearms. "Look, I get it. Fairy Tail was your home, and it's going to feel weird joining a new guild. I get that. You can take your time with it, but we'd love to have you."

"It's not that I don't think this guild is great, it's just... Before Fairy Tail, I'd never wanted to join a guild. It was something that bothered me. I couldn't act how I wanted without fear of damaging the guild's rep. And I couldn't do that to you guys. I mean, nowadays, I've been beating anyone I got my hands on. That's not the kinda thing you guys should have to deal with."

"There's also the fact that Miss Aria owns the guild hall, too," Ballad mentions as she sips at her tea. I wave my hand at her. "But, Miss, wouldn't it be nice to be a part of a guild again? It's not gonna be the same, but I think Sting and Rogue are great!"

I rub at her head gently. "You just wanna spend more time with Frosch, don't lie to me." I comment.

Sting laughs. "I wouldn't blame her if that's the only reason she wanted to join," Sting mentions. "Frosch is pretty special." Rogue approaches the table and takes a seat, brows drawn in irritation. "You got any advice on how to convince Aria to join Sabertooth?"

Rogue grimaced and leaned against his arms, stretching out in relaxation. "Why don't you leave her to decide that on her own." Rogue murmured. "If she decides to join, it'll be on her own decisions without anyone trying to sway her."

"And that's why you're my favorite of the dragon slayers," I comment fondly. Sting slumps in annoyance. "Give me a day to think about it."

"Of course," Sting nods. "So! You wanna join in on a game of poker? We're playing for jewel tonight."

I raise my brows in curiosity. "What do you normally play for?"

"Froggie pictures!" Frosch chirped, his little paw raised. "I draw them myself, but I haven't done any lately."

I laugh and rub at his head. "Sure, I'll play a few rounds. You might win your rent money."

The next morning, I spent the day out in town. The people along the streets were polite and pleasant enough-- and I was well known for being the nicest landlord they'd ever had. I sat by the river, peering at the boats as they coasted by, my back against the stairs I sat on, creating something close to a god-awful crick in the back. My nose twitched at the familiar scent wafting towards me. I peered over and hummed in surprise.

"Whoa, Gajeel," I chirp happily. "You sure look fancy in those new duds."

Gajeel grinned and rubbed at his head. "Magic Council's payin' a lot these days." He mentioned before tugging off his cloak and rolled his shoulders. "It's kinda annoying, though. All those big wigs lookin' down on me."

I just smile. "It's a good look for you, Gajeel. You look great. I almost kinda respect you."

Gajeel punched my shoulder with a smirk. "Don't make me barf, Ice Princess. Anyway, what're you doin' out here?"

I shrug gingerly. "Just thinking." I hum. I lean back again and sigh. "Been thinking of joining Sabertooth. What do you think?"

"Wow, Sabertooth, huh?" Gajeel hummed. "Since Fairy Tail's out, it's the strongest guild in Fiore again. Why would anyone have to think about that?" Gajeel teased. He stopped when he'd noticed the grimace on my face. "I get it. As crazy as those fools were, they were home, weren't they?"

I hum in response. "They were." I nod. "I dunno. I just feel bad joining a guild. I still haven't removed my guild mark, either." I absently rub at my shoulder.

Gajeel plopped his hand atop my head and ruffled my hair. "You ain't doing anything wrong. We have to move on eventually. And whether or not Fairy Tail comes back together, I'm sure they'll accept everyone back with open arms."

I wipe at my nose quickly and smile affectionately. "Thanks. Despite the rough and tough look you put on, you're actually very sweet." I comment impishly.

"Yeah, don't tell no one, otherwise I'll have to kick the crap outta ya." Gajeel threatened.

I leaned against his shoulder; knees curled up to my chest. "Thanks, Gajeel. I appreciate it."

Gajeel snorted and settled his head atop of mine and grunting. "What're friends for?"

I hum. "More like siblings at this point." I mention lightly. "Mind if I start callin' you big bro?"

"Absolutely not!" Gajeel snapped. I heaved out an amused laugh.

"Whatever you say, Big Bro!" I chirp. Gajeel shoved me off, but his cheeks were flushed in response to the affectionate nickname.

"I'm outta here! Ya freaky popsicle!" Gajeel roared.

"Hey!" I laugh, earning a halfhearted glare. "I'm not trying to tease you. It's strange, I know, but for all it's worth, I do see you as my brother." Gajeel scrunches up and rubs at his face.

"Whatever. Just don't pull any of the stupid crap we pulled in Fairy Tail! Sabertooth's got a reputation to uphold, too!" Gajeel snapped. He starts walking off, hands shoved into his pockets. I hum as I stare after him. "See ya, sis." He murmurs, hand lifted in a wave.

I hum affectionately and stand up.

~*****~

It had been a year since Fairy Tail's disbandment. I'd decided to join Sabertooth in the hopes of finding another home like I had in Fairy Tail. While it was fun to be around Sting and Rogue, it felt like I was staying a friend's house on a temporary basis. I was on the way back from a job when we stopped by in Marguerite to collect some rent when Ballad and I heard of a guild targeting Lamia Scale. "You're kidding me, right?" I ask irritably.

The shop owner nodded as he deposited jewel into my hands for the monthly rent. "Oh yeah," He hummed. "A few of the brutes came in and kept rambling on and on about their plan. Honestly, you'd think they'd keep it quiet. I'm not as old as I look, you know! I've got ears like a hawk!"

"It's just that you're blind as a bat," Ballad retorted as she held up a loaf of sweet bread. "Can we get this, miss?"

I grimace as she peers up at me, a wide smile on her face. "Didn't we say not to do that?" I ask.

She shrugs. "I feel like I fit in more this way! Besides, no one in their right mind is gonna suspect a sweet looking girl to be listening in on them! I heard the same rumor down the street when I passed that tavern you wanted to have a drink at!"

I grimace and pay for the bread before leading her out of the store. "Come on. Let's see if we can't pick up their scent." Ballad nodded eagerly, clasping her hand in mine.