Found & Forgotten

Chapter 25

By the time Mirajane and Erza arrived back at the guild, Levy had been completely healed, although still with less than her usual energy. Wendy was fully focussed on healing Lucy, who was already showing huge improvement in that she was able to remain conscious now, though both remained in the infirmary on Wendy's orders.

Master Makarov had been awaiting the arrival of the pair, and had quickly ushered them through into the side room where they could speak more privately.

"Well?" He asked, not needed to say anything more.

"It's Shin Uchu again," Erza responded immediately. "They captured Lucy and Levy, and took the SunSphere manual."

"We've conducted a thorough search of their guild," Mirajane continued, "but we couldn't find any sign of the manual, or, come to think of it, their Master."

"However, we have this." Erza handed the pile of papers to Makarov, who scanned them briefly.

"That'll put us in the Council's good books for a while." He commented.

"We've also retrieved Lucy's keys, along with these." Mirajane opened the box full of silver keys.

Makarov didn't respond right away, and a frown spread across his features. "The SunSphere uses celestial-based magic. I assume their Master didn't study up on this."

"That was what we thought," Erza agreed.

"Though how he thought silver keys would help..." Mirajane shrugged.

"I'm sure Lucy would be very happy to be reunited with her keys. We can obtain her opinion on the silver ones later." Makarov stated.

Recognising the dismissal, both Erza and Mirajane bowed and left the Master to his own devices. Without speaking, they both turned towards the infirmary, with the intention of returning Lucy's keys as soon as they could. They knew the girl loved her spirits dearly, and would be distraught at having had them taken. Safely returning her keys would also, no doubt, speed up her healing process, as she would be less anxious about her spirits.

Reaching the infirmary, they found Gray leaning against the wall besides the door. Seeing the pair, he stood up to greet them.

"Gomenasai, but Wendy says no more visitors," Gray explained. "Too stressful, apparently. I don't even know how Natsu and Gajeel managed to persuade her to let them in."

Erza and Mirajane shared a knowing glance. Gray, seeing the small smiles playing on their lips, shook his head.

"Actually," he amended, "I know exactly why."

"We have Lucy's keys," Mirajane informed him, holding them out.

"Right, chottomatte," Gray responded.

He quietly opened the door a crack and signalled someone inside. A few moments later Natsu appeared at the door.

"What is it?" He asked, quietly shutting the door behind him, so as not to disturb those inside.

"We have Lucy's keys," Mirajane repeated, handing them to him.

"Arigato." Natsu responded. "I'll go and-"

"Natsu, when are you going to tell her?" Gray interrupted.

Natsu, brain still worrying over Lucy, stared blankly for a couple of seconds before he understood what Gray had asked. Then he blinked in surprise.

"I don't know what you-" he began, and was again interrupted.

"You know exactly what I mean." Gray told him.