Chapter 19

Similar Hearts

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters, only my own OC's and Ideas

.:+:.

"You cannot be cold."

Hora blinked, her head titling back at the sound of Doranbolt's voice as he appeared behind her, looking tense and eyes narrowed. He gestured toward the coat she had put on, her hands still in the pockets as she turned toward him slightly and away from the edge of the roof Natsu had just jumped off.

"What's with the jacket?" He asked lowly,

".... It's not gonna go over well if people see someone from SaberTooth out looking for two Fairy Tail Wizards." Hora replied lowly, his eyes narrowed slightly, looking tense still.

As is what the jacket was for- the hood would hide her face if she needed it, but she put it on more for the fact that it would cover the SaberTooth Guild Emblem on her shoulder- that was very much visible with the shirt she had on.

".... I take it you don't want anyone to know you have friends here in Fairy Tail?" He grumbled,

"Nope."

He grimaced, his eyes flitting away from her and toward the ground. "... you're insane... you're not like how I imagined anyone from SaberTooth to be." Hora sighed slightly,

"Yeah, well I'm not exactly you're normal SaberTooth member, either." She replied lowly, quirking an eyebrow. "... I am curious though, you're not snapping my head off for telling Salamander I was gonna go look for Wendy and Carla. I know you were listening in." He stiffened slightly, seeming to bite the inside of his cheek. "You keep getting tense, when Fairy Tail gets mentioned... so, I take it you know them? Or at least know Wendy and Carla?"

He went rigid, his eyes snapping up toward her and sweatdropping heavily. "W-What do you mean..?!" She blinked once,

"It's the way you're reacting." She murmured, "You stayed far enough away Natsu wouldn't smell you, but close enough to hear what was going on. And now you're hesitating about going back to Era, even though the deal was I only get to talk to Fairy Tail, nothing else after that." He hissed, his eyes narrowing at the floor as his shoulders hunched a little. ".... you're clearly tense about being near them, so what happened between you and them?"

".... tch.... it's..... bad." He grumbled, Hora's head titled. ".... Seven Years ago.... I infiltrated their Guild as a spy.... I was there on Tenrou, with Wendy..... and I left all of Fairy Tail on the island, when Acnologia.... and the Council......" Hora's eyes widened slightly,

".... ok, yeah. That's pretty bad." She said, he flinched at how blunt she was about it. "But you shouldn't be all fidgety about it, I kinda get the feeling they really won't hold it against you."

"... you don't know that." He mumbled, she sighed.

"Well, whatever- I'm going to look for Wendy and Carla, you coming?" She asked simply, he blinked. "You wanna find her, right? You must care at least a little, or you wouldn't still be standing there."

"... why do you want to find them?" He asked lowly, "Natsu didn't have to ask, you offered."

"Wendy's a kid, isn't she?" Hora murmured, her voice dropping slightly, a little softer. He blinked at it, eyes flashing in question. She let out a deep sigh, her eyes falling closed. "... plus, I'm too nice a person for my own good.... so you coming or what?" She mumbled, her eyes falling on the city.

".... how are you planning to find them?" He asked lowly,

"... I can probably guess what Wendy's scent is like, based on what Element she uses for her Magic." Hora murmured quietly, missing the confused look on his face. "... If I can pick up on it, finding her shouldn't be too hard... but it'll probably help to have someone around who actually knows what the both of them look like."

Her blue gaze flashed dimly in the night around them, a bell ringing out loudly over the whole of Crocus as the clock struck midnight- and Hora hardly seemed to care.

"So, let's go, yeah?"

.:+:.

"Attention all contestants participating in this year's Grand Magic Games! Goooood Morning! To narrow down the 113 Guilds in this years Games to a more manageable eight, let's begin the Preliminary Round!"

Preliminary Round? That's new.... not that I think SaberTooth's gonna have any problem getting through, though.

Hora sighed slightly, her eyes darting away from the Hologram of the Games 'mascot' hanging over the city, her eyes darting to Doranbolt, who nodded stiffly. Hora started forward, her eyes narrowed ahead and hardly caring of whatever else was going on- her nose twitching incessantly.

I should have asked Natsu if he had any clue where Wendy might have gone, this would be easier if I had....

"Although the number of Guilds increase and multiply each year; 'the Games have gotten boring now' is all I ever hear! Let's whittle them down I say to you, and give just eight a cheer! The rules for this Preliminary Round are simple;"

Hora skidded to a halt, her eyes widening slightly when she felt the ground tremble under her feet- Doranbolt nearly bumped into her as she stopped so suddenly,

"What?" He asked instantly, before both their eyes snapped upward toward the sight of the Honey Bone Inn suddenly rising up from the ground a few blocks away where they had left it- followed closely by what she guessed were the other Inns. Hora sweatdropped,

Who the hell had time to rig the inns to do that..?!

"Now you will be participating in a Race! The finish line is at the Domus Flau Colosseum! Only the first Eight Teams to reach it will move on to the Grand Magic Games!"

Hora's eyes narrowed,

Wait... did he say there were 113 Guilds here..?! When did that many Guilds even exist..!?

"You are free to use Magic as you please, there are no restrictions! Remember only the first eight teams pass- and all five Members have to cross the finish line for it to count!"

... that doesn't bode well for you, Fairy Tail.... not unless you have a Reserve Member sitting around....

"One more thing;" Hora paused, her eyes moving from the inns toward the Hologram. "We are not responsible for any loss of life inside the Labyrinth."

The wha-?!

"... what the hell is that..?!" Hora stammered, her eyes wide as both she and Doranbolt stared up at the massive ball of floating.. buildings?! up in the sky?!

Scratch that, who does all the effects and planning for this?! The Magic needed to create something like that has to be ridiculous!

"So! Without further ado, let the Grand Magic Games Preliminary Round; Skylabyrinth- begin!"

"..... this isn't normal..." Doranbolt grumbled, ".... they never do Preliminary Rounds... and they expect to narrow 113 to 8..?!" Hora found herself agreeing,

She shook her head, taking in a deep breath- she didn't find anything that struck her as being close to Wendy's scent- which would likely smell like fresh air, with something sweeter mixed in most Dragon Slayer's like Natsu, Rogue and Sting all had.

She sweatdropped slightly,

Grant you the city smelled like a great many things, and especially the overwhelming scent of flowers. And she was only guessing what Wendy's scent was like too-

'... and your nose isn't as sharp as it could be either, Horatia.' Lixue intoned, she growled.

"Hey." She snapped lowly, earning Doranbolt's eyes in an instant as he jumped. "Can you transport me to different sections all over the city? My nose should be good up to about a 2-3 mile radius, if we stay in those confines we can narrow down the city faster."

"S-seriously?!" He stammered, "Your Magic increased your senses that much?!"

"Tch... it's usually better, but this should do for now." Hora grumbled, "So, think you can do it? I don't smell anything that could be Wendy around here."

"Y-yeah."

.:+:.

"Is there still no sign of her?" Warren muttered, fingers to his temple and expression fixed on the door of the tavern, eyes narrowed and sweatdropping.

"We've looked everywhere, but there's no sign of either Wendy or Carla." Lisanna's voice filtered through the Telepathic Link,

"We haven't found anything either," Alzack spoke up too.

"I'm really starting to worry that something bad's happened to them." Max mumbled,

"We've looked over the entire city, the only place we haven't checked is the Palace- but they wouldn't let us in." Alzack added in,

"I heard Carla say she and Wendy were gonna go sightseeing earlier today." Happy said, his voice shaking slightly.

"Really? Then maybe they are there after all." Lisanna said immediately,

"But they wouldn't let us in, you think they're gonna let you, Lisanna?" Max mumbled,

"We can only try."

"Aye sir!"

"Alright, keep us updated guys." Warren murmured, his face pulling in worry as his hands fell from his head, he cast Master Makarov a glance from where he, Macao and Wakaba were seated at the bar, all of them looking tense.

The Sun Bar was where most of Fairy Tail was staying for the duration of the Games, and now where the ones in the city and not participating in the Skylabyrinth were- either out looking for their suddenly missing Members or sitting there, waiting.

Master Makarov looked his way, face serious. "They haven't found anything yet?" He asked, Warren shook his head.

"This isn't looking good." Wakaba mumbled,

"We're lucky Elfman was there to join in with Natsu's Team, or they'd already be out of the running for the Games." Macao mumbled, "But it isn't like Wendy or Carla to run off like that.... it does paint a grim picture, the chances they got into some kind of trouble seem pretty high right now."

Master's hands clenched into fists in his lap, his eyes narrowed at the floor as he frowned. "We must keep searching, until they are found." He said lowly, everyone in the room nodded.

"Do you think their disappearance may be a plot to undermine the Guild in the Games?"

Everyone in the room jumped, their heads snapping around and jaws dropping at the soft voice- and the sudden appearance of a blonde girl with green eyes on the bar-top just next to Master.

"M-Master Mavis?!" The Fairy Tailer's stammered,

"W-What are you doing here...?!" Master stammered, sweatdropping heavily as Mavis blinked.

"I came to cheer the Guild on, of course." She replied softly, "But it seems we've hit trouble from the start."

"... t.. that's not quite what I meant... I mean you're a ghost, right?" Master stammered,

"Tenrou Island gets dreadfully boring being alone all the time." Mavis mumbled, pouting slightly. "You shouldn't worry though, only those bearing the Fairy Tail Mark will be able to see me."

"That wasn't really a concern.." Several people mumbled uncertainly,

"None the less, Wendy and Carla are still missing?" Mavis asked, Master nodded stiffly.

"There has been no sign of them, we've had people searching all over the city." He replied, Mavis nodded a little.

"It seems too big a coincidence, one of our Members going missing the eve before the Games." She hummed, her eyes narrowing at the floor. ".... though it'd be a bit hard to guess who would specifically want to harm the Guild's standing, before we know who the other contestants are..." She shook her head, "Regardless, we must find them, and hope they have come to no true harm."

The Fairy Tailers nodded, all of them looking grim.

"Right."

.:+:.

"... you might want to hurry, we aren't technically allowed in here." Doranbolt mumbled, glancing around warily as he let go of Hora's arm- the both of them now standing in a courtyard in the Royal Gardens- after having spent the last hour popping in and out between different streets all around the city. He looked worn now, she could guess he probably wasn't used to using his Magic this much, and this quickly- but she still cast him a slightly disgruntled glare.

"You try hurrying to find the scent of someone you never met in a garden full of flowers." Hora grumbled hotly, he sweatdropped slightly.

"... tch... sorry. Take your time." He sighed, Hora rolled her eyes before letting them fall closed, taking in a deep breath and immediately being confronted with the overwhelming scent of flora and fauna of all kinds. It was enough to make her want to sneeze right off the bat, but she ignored the sensation as she tried her best to pick apart the different plant-scents and find what she had been looking for all over- with no luck.

Despite herself, her stomach was starting to churn uncomfortably- more and more she had the feeling something wasn't right, and she was pretty sure it had nothing to do with the Labyrinth floating overhead (to which she had blocked out the sound of the mascot's voice a long while ago).

Hora paused, her head tilting up when she caught the distinct smell of fresh, cool air- not uncommon a smell, given it was night time and they were outside- but her heart jumped when she smelt something sweet and familiar mixed in with it. And beside that smell something like tea....

She sweatdropped, her eyes snapping open as she hissed under her breath. She could smell the bitter tang of sickness too, and her stomach tightened in an instant.

This doesn't feel right.

"I think I found it." She said quickly, earning a look of shock from him, before he frowned. "It's too hard to pinpoint where it's coming from exactly with all the plants, we should split up and search the garden. It'll go quicker that way." She took a step away from him, "I'll shoot off a flare for you if we need to regroup, ok?"

"Right." He called back, before he turned in the opposite direction and they headed separate ways into the garden. Hora kept her nose keen, and her ears sharp as she moved quickly yet cautiously through the grass, peering between the trees and skirting around hedges and fountains alike.

While they had been popping around the city she'd heard a few people asking around for Wendy and Carla- presumably some other Fairy Tail Members who had by now become aware they were missing. Doranbolt was quick to stay out of their sight, not that she cared about his flightiness-

.... damn it, but I do care about finding these two. I got worked up real fast about it.... she's just a kid.... and she might...

Hora forced herself a deep breath,

'For someone wary of children, you still instinctively care about keeping them safe.' Lixue murmured,

Yeah, and you know why... I was a kid when my life got turned to shit, Lixue. I don't like the idea of that happening to someone else.

'Then best find this child quickly.'

Hora huffed, her steps halting as she passed an adjoining path by- and something caught her eye.

There was a bag lying to the side of the small path, abandoned. Hora turned, moving straight up to it and stooping to pick it up. She brought it to her nose, sniffing at it lightly and smelling the very same thing she had thought to be Wendy's scent- but lacking the smell of sickness. She bit the inside of her cheek, her eyes flashing as she glanced up the pathway-

... I really do not like this...

She pulled the strap over her head and stood up again, moving slowly down the path again and ears trained instead of her nose.

... it makes me feel better I don't smell blood.... but....

She hissed, her jaw clenching. She felt a shiver run up her spine, her eyes darting sideways toward the top of the hedge she was walking along.

... why do I get the feeling something is watching me....?

She growled, her eyes moving back ahead of her and closing- she could hear cheering from further in the city, the stuck below watching the Preliminary Race- the breeze, blades of grass moving, insects here and there... the faint sound of Doranbolt walking around, his footsteps too heavy to be anyone but him. There was nothing to indicate nor confirm that feeling of being watched, though the tenseness didn't go away regardless.

She sucked in a sharp breath of air, her eyes snapping open when she caught the sound of faint, shallow breathing- from two different people.

That's gotta be-

Her feet had started to move faster without thinking about it, leading her further into the hedges as she locked to the sound- and smelled the scent of sweet, fresh air and tea get stronger than even that of all the surrounding fauna. She whipped around the next corner, turning sharply as the hedge opened up into a small alcove filled with grass and other flowering bushes- she halted, her heart dropping into the pits of her stomach and her eyes growing wide.

There among the plants and almost too hidden to see from the path- was a small, white Exceed and a girl with blue hair- both of them lying among the grass, their breathing shallow and utterly unaware of the world at all, motionless.

".. c.. crap.." Hora breathed, moving forward quickly as she bent down beside the both of them- instantly seeing the blue Emblem of Fairy Tail on the girl's shoulder. That tang of sickness hit harder on her nose, her eyes glittering.

She didn't see any injuries, but the way their breathing stayed shallow and uneven, and even how pale the both of the girl and the Exceed looked didn't make her feel much better- worse so when she realized she couldn't feel any Magic Energy from them at all. Most Wizards had some sort of pressure that she could feel at the back of her mind- more so the stronger the Wizard. But though she actively tried to find that sensation, it wasn't there, and she swallowed.

.... is that what that sick smell is? If they got drained off all their Magic at once, they could have gotten Magic Deficiency Syndrome...

Hora shook her head slightly, her hands falling lightly on Wendy's shoulders as she did her best to nudge her awake.

"... hey, Wendy...? Can you hear me, sweetheart..?" Hora murmured softly, her eyes glittering as she heard Wendy's breathing pick up a little, her eyes fluttering open drowsily.

"...nn.... huh...?" She breathed, her face pulling in pain and fear as her arms rose a little, blocking her body and shaking badly. "..n...no.... please.... don't..... hu...rt... me...." Hora swallowed, her eyes flashing.

".... easy, I'm not gonna hurt you, sweetheart....." Hora said, her voice dropping to an incredibly gentle tenor, her hands moving up to gently catch the girl's wrists as she failed to hold them up any longer- her eyes falling too in weakness Hora could see easily. ".... easy, easy..... you're pretty weak right now, try not to strain yourself, alright...?"

Wendy's eyes fluttered again, desperately trying to keep them open and focus on the voice and who it was that was talking- her nose filled with the scent of fire and smoke and something familiar too.

"... N... natsu....san....?" She asked breathlessly, Hora blinked, sweatdropping slightly.

"..... no, sweetheart. Good guess, but I'm not Natsu." Hora replied, "..... my name's Horatia, I'm gonna help you out, you don't need to be scared.... alright...?"

".... C...carla...?" Wendy breathed, Hora blinked, shifting slightly as she moved to gently pick up the Exceed- who didn't come to at all as she was moved.

"... she's right here, don't worry." Hora murmured, "... I'm gonna get you back to your Guild, alright Wendy? Just stay awake for me for a little longer, sweetheart." Wendy nodded, just barely. "I'm gonna have you hold on to your friend here for a minute, can you do that for me..?"

".. y...yes..."

Hora bit the inside of her cheek, gently lowering Carla onto Wendy's chest as her arms moved, shaking as she wrapped them around the Exceed. Hora felt her stomach tie itself into a knot, her hand moving behind Wendy's head and shoulders and the other moving under her legs- slowly, gently lifting the bluenette up into her arms and climbing to her feet, she heard Wendy let out a shaky breath, her body trembling in her hold. Carla settled in against Hora's body and Wendy's stomach, the girl's arms slackening around the Exceed a little.

"..... good job, Wendy... you're doing great." Hora murmured,

This feeling in my heart..

"... sweetheart, can you tell me what happened to you..?" Hora asked softly, Wendy's head fell against her shoulder as Hora held her close.

"...i... I.....don't..... re..member...." Was the low, trembling answer, Hora stiffened a little.

.... the way my hearts picked up at.... the way she's shaking... confused... afraid.....

"... that's alright, sweetheart." Hora murmured, "... just take it easy, you're gonna be ok, you'll be back with your Guild soon, I promise...."

...... is this what you felt like, Brother....?

Hora took in a deep breath, feeling the burn of her Magic move down her arm in tandem with the Markings. Her deep blue eyes flashed gold a minute, her breath puffing out as a small, thin trail of fire leapt up into the air over their heads- gleaming against the blue backdrop of the night sky.

..... the way I want to hold her, keep her from harm.... keep her safe...?

Hora's eyes fell, the blue returning as she glanced down toward Wendy.

.... I hate this... caring so much without knowing people at all... strangers..

'You are human, however. And you have a good heart, don't forget that.'

"..... be quiet, Lixue..." Hora mumbled under her breath, her eyes flashing. Wendy's eyes fluttered open again, her mind trying to stave off the empty, swathing black as her gaze matched with the deep blue of the strange woman holding on to her.

.... I.... I feel like I've..... seen those eyes... before.... Her mind fell away into the black as her eyes fell closed too.

Doranbolt appeared in front of her moments after having caught sight of the fire, his eyes widening and his whole body growing stiff as he faced Hora- and saw her holding the unconscious forms of Wendy and Carla in her arms.

"... c.. crap...!" He hissed, his own concern flaring and equal to that he could see in Hora's face. "What happened..?!" He asked quickly, Hora shook her head slightly.

"She said she doesn't remember." Hora murmured quietly, "... but they're both really weak, and I don't sense any Magic Power from them at all.... plus I think I can smell sickness coming from Wendy, at least a little." He grimaced, "... I could be wrong... but she might have Magic Deficiency Syndrome..."

"... tch... that's bad..." He grumbled, his eyes softening slightly as he looked at Wendy.

".... we need to get her back to Fairy Tail, quickly." Hora told him, "Their Guild has their own Doctor right?" He nodded stiffly, "Good, they both need to be seen- and soon."

"..... They won't want to see me." He murmured, Hora frowned slightly. He stepped forward, his hand landing lightly on her shoulder. "... But I'll take us to the tavern the rest of Fairy Tail is staying at, you'll have to go in alone though..... I don't want to start trouble."

".... fine." Hora mumbled, she didn't feel like arguing in that moment at all.

Though, she probably would have preferred he go in on his own- seeing as how she'd be playing a dangerous game if they found out she was from SaberTooth. But her Guild Mark was covered, and she doubted she'd be out in the limelight anytime soon to be recognized as such later on... besides,

...... this is bad... I'm going to get attached at this rate.... damn me, getting sucked into helping this Guild.....

..... it's only ever landed me in trouble.....

There was a split second of weightlessness, the gardens of the Palace gone in an instant as she faced the front door of a Tavern, the sign reading 'Sun Bar'- the lights on inside and tucked away in a none-busy section of the city. It was almost quiet, if not for the distant rumble of voices of people all around Crocus watching the Skylabyrinth.

Doranbolt was gone already.

Hora's eyes flicked down when she heard Wendy let out a small hiss, her face tightening in pain. She frowned, her heart clenching.

".... easy, sweetheart... you're nearly there." Hora murmured softly, her feet moving forward toward the door. She shifted, her shoulder pressing against it to push it open- moving inside sideways, before stepping in a few more paces, the door closing shut behind her.

The eyes of three men, one woman, and an old man sitting at the bar found her instantly- their jaws dropping and their faces lighting up in fear and shock all in the instant they lay eyes on the two she held in her arms- a stranger.

"W-Wendy...?! Carla..?!"

"What happened..?!"

"Who the hell are you..?!"

Hora sweatdropped, moving across the floor toward them and ignoring the looks of suspicion she got.

This is a bad idea..

"They were both collapsed in the Palace Gardens," Hora told them quickly, stopping when the younger of the three men and the green-haired woman came straight up to her, their eyes wide and looking nearly tearful. ".... they've been drained of Magic Power, and they need to be seen by a Healer, immediately."

"... oh no.." The woman mumbled, gently picking up Carla from Wendy's arms as the man beside her gave Hora a glance, before easily taking Wendy from her arms and into his. He nodded at her slightly, turning to follow the woman that was holding Carla in her arms as they immediately headed off toward one of the back rooms- leaving Hora standing in front of the bar alone, and being held in the stony gaze of the two older men, and the oldest one on the bar countertop.

"I-I'll call Porlyusica right away, Master!" The man holding Wendy called behind him, "And I've told everyone out looking they've been found, too!" He was gone, earning nothing but a silent nod from the Old Man- who gazed at Hora silently, his eyes hard.

"Who the hell are you?" the man with the pipe in his mouth growled,

"And what happened to Wendy and Carla?" the other, his hair purple, asked next. Hora blinked, her eyes narrowing slightly.

"... Wendy told me she doesn't remember what happened to her, and I didn't see anything around when I found them." Hora replied lowly,

"How the hell did you find them? The guards wouldn't let anyone into the Gardens." The second man growled,

".... I snuck in." Hora replied slowly, "...... Look, I'm not trying to start trouble. I realize you have little reason to trust me, or what I say, but the only thing I was concerned about was getting them help." She paused, ".... I got them back, if you'll let me, I'm just going to go."

"Why?" She stiffened, her eyes snapping to the old man- 'Master' apparently, sweatdropping a little more when she met his stony gaze. "We've had our own people looking for well over an hour now, and found nothing. You said you snuck into the Garden and found them, but why were you there in the first place?" Hora grimaced slightly and he quirked an eyebrow, "Don't try and lie, girl. You are right, we have little reason to trust what you say- if you don't want to be treated as suspect then tell me, why were you in the Gardens in the first place?"

Hora's jaw clenched slightly, her shoulder's rigid as she held his stare- but hesitated.

Do I tell him Natsu asked me to go look? But then how do I explain how I know him? And can I trust the Flame-Brain not to blab about me being in SaberTooth the minute he's asked about it later? And even then, is this Old Man gonna let me go at all if I refuse to tell him who I am myself?

He raised an eyebrow at her silence, his face turning more stern as she felt him starting to loom slightly.

"Well?" He growled, Hora bit down on her cheek.

Can I run? But that'll just make me look guilty, right? And then they'll probably start a manhunt-

They all jumped, shivers running up Hora's spine as the front door suddenly slammed open behind her.

"Someone found them?! Are they hurt badly?!" That was a woman's voice, sounding out of breath.

"Warren said a lady with orange hair found Carla and Wendy!! Was it-?!"

Hora went rigid, her head snapping around in panic at the voice she recognized instantly, her heart dropping into the pits of her stomach-

C-CRAP!

Time slowed down for a split second as she turned in reaction, her eyes locking with the tearful and scared gaze of Happy, his fur sticking on end and panting as if he had raced to get there-

His eyes glinted, filling with tears as they spilled over and he rushed forward like a blue blur- Hora hissed as he slammed straight into her, wailing like a baby as she stumbled back, promptly falling on her ass as he sobbed into her chest.

"H-Hora!! I saw the f-fire in the G-Gardens, and when Warren said someone with orange hair had found W-Wendy and C-Carla unconscious there.. I-i knew it had to be you! N-Natsu told me y-you were going to help look for them! I-I knew it was y-you, you found them Hora!! Y-you found them, and you b-brought them back! Y-you're the best!!" Happy sobbed loudly, holding tight to her as Hora bit down on her tongue- trying her best not to yelp though it was hard with how fast he'd run into her. But immediately her heart felt like it stopped, mind racing and panic setting in on high-

shiiiiiitttttttt!!! I'm supposed to be keeping a low profile!!!

"You know her?!" the two men and the young woman that had come in with Happy said all at once, their jaws dropping and utterly confused at what had just happened. 

"...tch.. H-Happy..!" Hora hissed, he sniffed, tears watery still.

"Y-yeah, she's my friend." Happy stammered, "N-Natsu and Lucy and I- we met her when we went on that job... Horatia, she's from-" Hora sucked in a breath, her hands immediately moving to cover his mouth- cutting him off as he blinked up at her in surprise.

".. Happy..! You... you can't." Hora hissed lowly, her eyes glittering like mad as he stared at her. She stiffened a little, her face falling as she shook her head at him. "... I'm sorry... but you need to keep that part a secret for me, ok? I'll get in trouble..."

His eyes flashed, immediately realizing what she meant and nodding- Hora pulled her hands away, looking incredibly nervous as his ears fell back against his head.

"... sorry, Hora... I forgot.." He mumbled, Hora bit the inside of her cheek, shaking her head slightly.

.... getting sucked into helping this Guild.......... it's only ever landed me in trouble..... please don't let it get me in trouble... not now...

".... It seems you were looking for them from the start, hmm?"

Hora stiffened, Happy blinking up at her when he felt her tense- his eyes widening slightly.

Hora.... Looks scared...?

Her eyes snapped right, immediately aware that the Old Man had gotten down from the bar and stood beside her, hands hooked behind his back and gaze level on her. She seemed to lean away from him slightly, her eyes glittering as her hold around Happy tightened slightly.

"......... yes." Hora replied quietly, he quirked a brow.

"You are a Mage from another Guild, aren't you?" He asked, Hora held Happy a little tighter without meaning to.

"... yes.." She mumbled softly, "... but I can't tell you which one. I'm not even supposed to be talking with other Guilds, let alone..." She growled slightly, her eyes flashing as she shook her head. ".... it's complicated. I'm sorry, but I can't." He held her in his stare for a few tense moments more, before his eyes fell closed with a small nod.

".. very well." He murmured, Hora blinked in surprise at how quickly he relented. Happy's paw patted her arm lightly, smiling a little as she let him go- picking him up and setting him on the floor gently.

"Thank you for helping find Wendy and Carla, Hora." Happy told her softly, she nodded stiffly. "How did you find them though? We looked all over,"

"..... I had some help." Hora replied softly, "... that, and my nose." She added, Happy blinked.

"Your nose..?" He hummed, looking a little confused- but Hora was already getting to her feet, stiff and looking quite uncomfortable. "Oh, I think I get it, you're Magic works like Natsu's." He hummed, she sweatdropped.

Sort of

".... I really do need to leave." Hora murmured, her eyes flicking toward the Old Man who blinked, looking calm as ever. She took a small step toward the door,

"...... Hora." Happy mumbled softly, she shot him an apologetic look.

"Sorry." She mumbled softly, shaking her head a little. ".... really.... I just can't Happy..." He frowned a little, looking sad and worried all at once as she turned- the eyes of the Fairy Tailer's following her as she headed straight toward the door.

Happy let out a small mew, his ears folding slightly, she looks really scared.... I haven't seen her like that, ever..... but why? Would she really get in trouble that bad..?

Hora bit the inside of her cheek, her hand reaching for the door and heart thrumming painfully in her chest- she hadn't felt this uneasy since...

Crap..... just like that, all that confidence is gone.. huh...?

Master Makarov glanced sideways, his eyes moving from 'Hora' toward the pale shimmer of gold that appeared beside him, as Fairy Tail's First Master appeared again, her green eyes fixed to the retreating woman and face utterly neutral. He blinked, before letting his eyes move back toward Hora as she reached the door.

"Thank you very much, for helping to locate our lost members, kind stranger."

Hora's hand halted, her body growing stiff at the voice as shivers ran up her spine- her blue eyes flashing gold for a single second as her breath caught in her throat. She halted, shivering slightly as her eyes narrowed,

Hora turned her head slightly, sweatdropping as her eyes found that same blonde little girl standing beside the Old Man, her green eyes serene and her lips pulling slightly at the edges as Hora met her gaze.

"It seems you've proven quite good at finding lost things, hmm?" She hummed softly, Hora swallowed. She nodded, just a little-

"..... you're welcome." She murmured softly, her eyes breaking away again and completely oblivious to the fact that everyone else in the room had gone very still, eyes wide and looking stricken- unbelieving.

She was gone in the next instant, the door closing behind her as Mavis smiled still, her hands hooking behind her back.

"F-First...?" Makarov stammered, sweatdropping heavily as everyone else was- because what?

"She.. she can see you..?" He asked quickly, Mavis nodded. "H-how..!? I thought you said only those with the Fairy Tail Emblem could..?!"

".... she is different." Mavis hummed, "... she has the same heart as this Guild."

And it seems your fate is to cross with Fairy Tail more than once..... Horatia

.:+:.

Hora held her head in her hands, her chin on top of the table and staring straight ahead at the stack of papers in front of her- and yet not seeing them.

What did I do..?

Ira and Doranbolt were staring at her, looking quite lost and unsure of what to say nor do- they weren't sure what happened. Since coming out of the Sun Bar she had been ridiculously on edge, almost to the point of being... scared. She'd said literally nothing since coming back to Era, and only told Doranbolt she was finished- before he took them both back here.

Hora's eyes flashed, her shoulders hunching slightly as her jaw clenched.

... what did I do....? That was... that was stupid....!

Her eyes snapped closed, her arms moving to bury her head inside of them.

They know my name, they know what I look like.. they know I'm from another Guild. Even if Happy won't tell them, or Lucy, or Natsu.... they're gonna be looking now, I can't get anywhere near that Guild for the rest of the Games... I can't run the risk they see me sitting there in the stands with the rest of SaberTooth..... shit..!

She shuddered, her shoulders and arms shaking as her muscles tightened.

What if they start asking about the Mage named Horatia..? If Master or Minerva hear anything about that, about Fairy Tail looking for me..... it's going to be worse than last time, and last time he almost.... shit! What was I thinking..?!

She hissed, she hadn't- the minute she heard Wendy was missing, a kid.... she stopped thinking. She didn't care, all she wanted... needed, was to find that little Dragon Slayer, regardless what risk doing so brought with it.

..... if they find out..... Jiemma might kill me.... he might... and Sting and Rogue.... Lector... Frosch... Yukino, Rufus.... Orga........

All that talk about changing the Guild, about finding a way out from Jiemma's hold... what good did any of that do if she ended up dead before getting a chance to try?!

I have to find some way.... before he even.... shit, shit! Why do I always feel the need to help people?! Even when it'll just end up screwing me over..?!

Her body relaxed slightly, but her stomach knotted tighter.

...... So many years, so much time spent looking... Is there even a way?

'There is always a way.... You may have yet to know what it is, or find it... But there is a way.' Lixue murmured,

But am I going to like what I have to do, to be set free? I can be free.... But there's a difference between dead and free, and alive and free.... Lixue....

He never replied, he hadn't an answer for her- stupid as that seemed. There was so much that asshole should know... But apparently not this, one of the few things she ever truly needed to know.

.... I've probably royally fucked up..... Damn it...

".... Hora...?" Ira murmured softly, his hand falling on her back gently as he moved up beside her. ".... Are you alright....? Are you in pain... Or...?"

".... No... I just...... I messed up...." She hissed, he blinked. "..... I wanted to fix things.... But I might have made doing that impossible...."

Doranbolt sweatdropped slightly, his eyes narrowing at the answer.

"But I promise, I'm going to find a way to change things. Whatever happens, it isn't them. I should have tried to do something a long time ago, but that's on me. You can't get involved in it, even though I know you want to. This is something that has to start with me. You can go ahead and blame everything SaberTooth does on me, got it? I've been apart of this Guild longer than anybody else, and it's my fault it's ended up the way it has- period. I'm going to do my best to fix it, I should have done it a long, long time ago. But I'm going to do it- not you, and not right now."

Her hand lift, her thumb pressing against her chest as she settled Natsu with an utterly stony stare.

"You said I had a fire in my belly? You're right, and I'm gonna use it as fuel to fix the mess Jiemma's made of my Guild- no matter how long it takes."

Doranbolt glanced away,

".... I take it you don't want anyone to know you have friends here in Fairy Tail?"

"Nope."

.... And why did she go to try and find Wendy and Carla? She hadn't hesitated.

"Wendy's a kid, isn't she?" Hora murmured, her voice dropping slightly, a little softer. He blinked at it, eyes flashing in question. She let out a deep sigh, her eyes falling closed. "... plus, I'm too nice a person for my own good...."

.... She's not supposed to be friendly with the other Guilds, rules or something.... But she still helped them, regardless.

She was focused on finding people who got lost, who had people worried about them, and did it regardless of what consequences it might land her. She seemed to remember what she'd done the minute it was over with, and the realization she had broken those rules-

The woman who went into North Wind with little chance of walking out again, and did so without a shred of fear.... The idea of breaking the rules her Guild Master set for all of SaberTooth had that same woman trying very hard not to look terrified- but he saw it in an instant.

Doranbolt swallowed slightly, shaking his head a little as he glanced out the window.

What the hell is going on with SaberTooth? If there was ever a reason to think something wasn't right-

"....... The Council has a library, yeah?" Doranbolt glanced back toward Hora as she asked the question, Ira nodded slightly in reply to the question. Hora gestured toward the pile of papers in front of her. "After I finish filling out these papers.... Can I take a look in it?"

"Hmm? Why?" Ira asked instantly, looking confused at the request. Hora grimaced slightly,

".... I doubt I'll find what I'm looking for.... But I need to do a bit of research on something specific." Hora replied, shrugging a little. "Might as well get something done if I'm gonna be stuck here, right?"

Ira paused, blinking several times at her, before nodding slightly.

".... Ill have to get permission for you, but yeah... We can do that."

"Thank you."

.:+:.

Another less than action-packed chapter, but I hope you enjoyed it!

Apologies for how much time skipping I've been doing, and will continue to do~

Please, Vote and Comment if you can! Thanks!