If I had been allowed to, I probably would have taken the next week after that ridiculous experience just to rest and recover, but I wasn't afforded that luxury. The very next day I had to be back in Magnolia, since the old man apparently had an instinctive trouble meter for me. I was torn between being impressed that he always seemed to know when I was about to get in trouble and being irritated that he was treating me like an untrustworthy dog that needed constant surveillance.

Thankfully, I wasn't forced to sit around staring at everyone else who was making plans to go on missions as there was plenty of construction that I could help with around the guild... Oh, joy. It was something to keep me occupied, but it was a rather terrible way since I spent most of the time avoiding the entire guild, as most of them simply couldn't stop staring at me, it was like I was a unicorn of some type.

I feel like that was a pretty accurate summary of my day, avoiding people, doing construction work here and there, and confronting the evesdropper from the other day.

Oh yeah, I did mention her, right? She had been there when Laxus and I had almost gotten into a fight and I had been sensing her presence on and off since the Phantom Lord incident. The feeling I got from her wasn't malevolent, so I ignored it for the most part until today. I was bored, her attention was only slightly on me, and I didn't want to deal with anyone else.

She was hiding in a pile of rubble that we had yet to get rid of when I decided to approach her (Which, coincidentally, lined up exactly with when most of the guild was taking their lunch breaks; there was absolutely no relationship in the timing. It certainly didn't have anything to do with the fact that the lion was back and had been trying to get me alone all day... Nope, not at all.), and her attention was on the perpetually naked icyman, so sneaking up on her was rather easy. 

I sat next to her and watched as the hearts in her eyes continued to grow the longer she watched him, "You know," I said casually, watching as she nearly jumped out of her skin, "Watching him won't make him take off more clothes."

The woman's face flushed as she realized what I was implying, "Juvia did not make him take off any clothes, that is not why Juvia is here! Juvia is not a pervert." I laughed quietly as the poor woman, who I was guessing was named Juvia continued to try and defend her honor.

"Calm down, I wasn't implying anything, Icyman does look like he has an okay body, so I can't blame you for practically drooling, and to make it worse he's been giving you a free striptease hasn't he? Maybe I was wrong, are you making him take off his clothes?" Her face continued to redden until I was afraid her face would explode there was so much blood in it. A small squeal was coming from her like a boiling teapot as she shook her hands frantically. I think I broke her.

Insert sadistic giggle here.

I allowed her to calm down slightly after that, sitting calmly and watching her seizure-like movements as she came to terms with my words, "Juvia... Juvia doesn't mean any harm... Juvia is not a pervert!"

The temptation to keep egging her on was incredibly hard to resist, but somehow I managed, "I know," My voice was indifferent as I looked towards the rest of the guild, all of whom seemed to be gathered around the lion rather than paying attention towards the commotion going on over in our corner, which was incredible. "If I had sensed that you posed a threat we would not be talking right now. I would've called you out the instant you showed up."

Obviously, I recognized her as the rain woman from Phantom Lord who helped Jose when he and I fought the first time. She seemed to be different though, not as somber and with a much smaller murder boner towards Fairy Tail, which was the key thing here.

"Do you not recognize Juvia?" She asked with a stammering voice, "Juvia attacked your guild, why would you not, 'call me out,' as you say?"

Valid question, but it was one that had a simple answer, "Because you have a different attitude now than you did then," I shrugged watching as the lion handed over what looked to be a bunch of tickets to the redhead, "Honestly, I can't exactly blame you for attacking us, it was under Jose's orders and he was a dick." My eyes wandered back over to the rain woman, who was watching me intently, "Besides, I can't say that you're any worse than me, so why in the world would I judge you if I've done shit that is a hundred times worse?"

I almost hoped that she wouldn't remember why I would say that, but of course, her face softened slightly as she nodded, "Thank you, Miss Ghost-"

Before she could continue, I cut her off, "Ember, just call me Ember, I left my old title behind and it would be bad for the guild if you dug it back up now." The rain woman (Yes, I already forgot her name, despite the fact that she was literally speaking in the third person) nodded again before a quizzical look grew on her face.

"If it is dangerous for you to be seen as the ghost, why did you introduce yourself to Jose as such? Juvia doesn't understand."

This was incredibly odd, I had never spoken to anyone this freely about my past since the only ones who knew were the Thunder God tribe and the old man; none of whom were particularly open about that topic. Yet here was this woman who was genuinely curious about my actions without seeming even slightly scared or disgusted.

"Well," I started then faded off, I honestly had ever thought about how I would explain this to someone, "It was the only way to get Jose to trust me... Perhaps not trust me, but at least accept me as a valid threat. If I approached him in any other way, he would probably have brushed me off and I wouldn't have been able to fight him like that, so... yeah."

This seemed to appease- I couldn't just keep calling her the rain woman, what was a nickname I would be able to remember?- Bluey, as she smiled brightly and lunged forward, wrapping me into a tight hug.

I froze as she did this, which was understandable, I believe this was the first hug I had been given in many, many years, so for a few moments I was completely incapacitated as she began to speak, "Juvia thanks you then, Miss Ember! Juvia was afraid that no one would be able to look past what Juvia had done, so knowing that you can, makes Juvia so happy!" 

I struggled against her grip for a moment, my breathing picking up as I instinctively went into defensive mode. Finally I managed to get her arms off me as I jumped up and turned away from her, unable to stop the slight blush that spread across my face.

"Would Juvia be able to call Miss Ember her friend? Juvia has never had a friend before, and Miss Ember has been kind to Juvia, so Juvia would be honored if Miss Ember would consent to this request."

My face was still burning and I could feel the flush moving to my ears as I nodded slightly, not wanting her to see just how badly I was freaked out by the physical touch, "Sure, yeah... That would be fine," I murmured before walking away quickly, noticing that the Master had excellent timing, as he was now calling me over, saving me from the embarrassment that was this situation.

***

"You needed me, old man?" I asked gruffly as I ducked into the tent, still feeling the heat in my face as I cursed my human tendencies. Stupid blushing... What kind of stupid design flaw is that? Blood flowing to your face to indicate strong emotions? It doesn't even serve a purpose!

The old man walked back to his seat, an uncommonly serious look on his face, "Yes, Ember, I am glad you're here, you see..." He drifted off awkwardly, which made me jerk my gaze to him, my eyebrow cocked curiously, "Ember, are you blushing?"

Fuck. I covered my face quickly with my hand as I avoided his curious looks like the plague, "None of your business, old man," When I looked at him, his jaw was slightly slack as he stared at me in amazement.

"I don't think I've ever seen you blush, what-"

"Didn't you have something to tell me?" I cut him off harshly, not at all willing to deal with his excessive curiosity.

Thankfully, he got the message as he coughed before reaching onto his desk and grabbing a letter, "Yes, sorry about that. We finally received a letter from the Magic Council. It took some time, but it looks like they have decided to make a move against the 'supposed' Ghost of Fiore." He looked up to see my reaction, but I had none to give, he wasn't telling me anything new, "The letter is mostly them stoking their own ego, but towards the end, they finally get to the point."

I snickered as he said that, we shared similar views on how self-serving the council was and he had learned that he didn't need to hold back when it was just the two of us.

"They demand that you go to Era immediately for interrogation and they make it clear that if we don't comply, they will come and drag you back in chain where you will be brought to justice for your many heinous crimes."

Interesting, they made it sound like they could get a conviction, "Now why would I be stupid enough to run?" I muttered, shaking my head slowly, "Well, it looks like I'll be going then; unless you want me to try and make a break for it?" A gleam in my eye had the old man chortling slightly. It wasn't exactly an inside joke, but it was enough to break the tension for a small moment.

The old man sighed slightly before jumping from his chair and walking to me, "I can't ask you to do this, Ember," He said seriously, grabbing my hands, "Even if your guildmates don't realize it, you've done so much for this guild. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't help us with Jose, and there have been other things beyond this. If you say you don't want to go, then I will fight the whole of the Magic Council for you... Just... Say the word Ember."

I stared wide-eyed at the old man, he was seriously willing to fight the Magic Council if I simply said no to a summons? I hadn't done anything really, so why was he treating it like this huge thing? 

Swiftly, I dropped to one knee, grabbing his hands in mine as I stared him down, "Now why would I do that?" My voice was soft but stern as I spoke, "Why would I put anyone in danger if doing as I'm told allows me to mess with those high and mighty idiots?" His eyes widened in surprise as I grinned wryly at him, "You're underestimating me, old man, I've been expecting this for a while now and unfortunately for them, they're dealing with the best of the best when it comes to subterfuge. I wouldn't pass on this opportunity if my life depended on it."

With a wink I stood and turned, preparing to leave the tent when a short cough from the old man stopped me, "Very well Ember, I give you leave to go to Era; however, you must promise me one thing," I looked over my shoulder slightly from the tent flap that I had pulled up ever so slightly, "You must return home to us Ember, this is non negotiable. You may be a wanted criminal and a rather terrible person at times, but you are still a member of Fairy Tail, and we need you, regardless of how much you downplay yourself." 

Man, he could be so cheesy at times, "Stop worrying so much, old man, you seem to be forgetting that I'm like a stray dog; you fed me, so now you won't be able to get rid of me even if you wanted to."

With that, I lifted the tent flap and walked out, smiling as I strode past the group who were all now staring at me.

Once I had gotten aways down the road I shook my head and sighed, "Don't worry, old man, I'm looking your way too." With that, I raised my right hand in the classic Fairy Tail Salute, uncaring of who saw. This wasn't for them anyways.

***

Back at the guild, Makarov watched as Ember vanished over the hill, her raised hand being the last thing to leave his sight as he stared after her, his own hand above his head in response, a lone tear tracking down his cheek, "Be safe, my daughter."

~~~~~~~~~~~

Are you guys ready? I don't think you are, because sh*t is going to go down real soon and I couldn't be more excited about it! Also, for everyone out there who thought the Fairy Tail salute was the most heartbreakingly epic thing ever when it was introduced, well that last bit was for you!

Also, thank you so much to @ginganinja2801, @scottadam862 and @Hagureru for keeping up with this, I've talked with two of them before, but I just want to be so sure that you all know how much I appreciate your support, I love your comments and I love you guys, so keep reading fanfiction and keep the dream alive, because I'll be right there with you!

~klypso01