Hot and Cold

Rebuilding

~*****~

I could remember the last time I was in Magnolia. Listening to Master Makarov shouting at the guild to never speak Fairy Tail's name again. It was hard, and it didn't help that some of us left immediately after. By the time Makarov had gone, Ballad and I were out of the city, traveling and training as hard as we could. "Come on, Lucy, we're just about there," I hear Ballad chirp.

I peer over my shoulder, humming softly. "Yeah, we're practically at the old guild hall." Natsu commented.

"I know." Lucy sighed. "But honestly, I'm kinda too scared to get any closer."

I heave an irritated sigh. "Don't be. It wasn't just your home. It was ours too, so come walk with your family. That's what made our guild. Not the stupid building." I mention.

Natsu grins. "Yeah. It's what's inside the counts!"

I roll my eyes and shake my head at him. "We all feel that way about it... But everyone else?" Lucy asks meekly. "I mean, it was exciting when you showed up out of nowhere and talked about reviving the guild. So I let myself get fired up, too. And right now, I sent out messages to everybody that had been in the guild. At least those I could find. No word from me for an entire year... Then suddenly, I ask them to drop everything, come to Magnolia, and rebuild Fairy Tail. Maybe they've done exactly what Master said and started making their own way through life. Maybe they've moved on. Are we the only ones who feel this way? What if they have put it in the past? What if they've forgotten about it altogether?"

"I wouldn't be too sure about that," I comment dryly as Cana appears from behind.

Cana loops her arm around Lucy's neck and grins. "I know my memory's not that great, but it's only been a year." Cana teases Lucy.

"Cana?" Natsu gasps.

"You're here!" Wendy chirps.

Cana laughs. "Course I am! Aria sent out messages from Sabertooth about you guys rebuilding!" Cana comments. I quickly turn my nose up and away from the group as I feel a flush cover my face. "It's so good to see you guys again! Wendy, I think you've grown a bit since last time!"

"I think you're drunk already," I mention as she ambles to me and leans against my shoulder. I feel her hand start bouncing on my chest.

"I see you have!" Cana cheers. "These weren't so bouncy the last time we talked! What's your secret? Fatty meat? Massages~"

"For your information, I've been training my muscles and I kinda bulked up, so they just... swelled..." I murmured in embarrassment.

Cana stops touching my chest and hums. "Not gonna lie, what all that happened, this has been an eye-opening year for me. I decided I'd try to track down my old man, so I was gonna take a trip. Can hardly believe I got your letter. What a lucky break! I imagine everyone else feels the same. The guild's family." She mentions to Lucy with a kind smile. "I've been a member ever since I was a little kid. So when Makarov just decided to break it up all of a sudden, I was pretty lost. I had no idea how I was gonna make a living or who I could turn to. In a weird way, it helped put things in perspective." She uncorked her wine and offered me a drink. I took a greedy gulp before handing the bottle other for her to chug. She pulled the bottle away with a sigh of relief. "The whole situation was such a shock to all of us. It seemed like nobody had the stones to reach out. Or should I say, nobody but you two. Good call."

"Told you," I chimed as I regrasped Cana's wine bottle for another drink. "Now let's get going, from the smell of things, everyone's waiting."

"Yeah?" Lucy asked nervously as I grasped her hand. I started walking forward, my nose twitching at the familiar scents of everyone waiting at the crater.