Unraveled (Fairy Tail - next generation)

Chapter 2

★Ayako★

Apparently, the cart we ride in is lucky. It was first used by Team Natsu and was a gift to Otachi. He was given it a year ago, but he has never been on a job before. Maybe it was because he didn't have a team to go with. Maybe he just didn't want to.

Maybe he has his own reasons.

When he brought us the cart, he had a big grin on his face. He never smiles. Why was this different? Why were we different? The stress of your first job is enough without the stress of a mysterious boy - who is the son of two guild masters and is highly admired and respected by the guild - having to join you on your travels. Did I also mention that he's not the best team player? He's exclusive. Very exclusive.

He came in and sat in the corner of the cart straight away. And stayed there. Three hours later, he's still there, staring into space. He's not very approachable or easy to talk to, so nobody really knows anything about him. He has no friends, but he doesn't need any. I don't know if or when or how to approach him, if I would make things better of worse. I thought it was good that he volunteered to join our team? I should've thought about him before I just let him join the team.

I sit in the front with Maple, who steers the cart. She's great with horses, or any animal for that matter. I am glad that I met her, she's the best friend I could possibly have. She's kind and understanding, but strong. The only thing that annoys me about her is that sometimes I'm looking for her, and she just seems to have... Disappeared. But then she appears again, out of nowhere. She probably just has a hiding place for some time to herself. I wouldn't mind if she would just tell me when and where she's going!

I sigh. I'm so ungrateful. I should be glad I have friends! My mother was always likeable, but my dad has had a bit of a dark past. Once, when I asked my parents how they met each other, they just said "Never mention that again." They also both seem to have something against a certain tree or just trees in general. Trees, especially big ones, make them shudder.

"Maple, do you ever think that there's so much you don't know which you just wish you could find out?" I ask her, and she almost instantly responds with "Definitely." And then for the first time on the whole trip, I hear Otachi mumble something, the most he's done to attempt communication with us since we set off.

"What was that?" I ask him.

"Nothing," he responds.

I sigh quietly and whisper to Maple, "Why do you think he bothered coming if all he's gonna do is sit in the corner and talk to himself?" She shrugs and tells me he's probably tired or he just needs space. After all, if nobody knows his much about his past then nobody knows what he's been through."

"Listen," Maple says sternly all of a suddenly, "He knows what's good for him but you very clearly don't know what's good for you. Quit stressing yourself out about him, he can do whatever he wants as long as he doesn't start messing with us."

"But I was just..." I start to protest, before Maple interrupts me.

"No, stop having a problem with everyone. Anyway, go rest for a while if you don't want to be tired by the time we reach the village. It's a long journey, and you don't want to get a bad reputation on your first job."

I don't protest as I go into the back of the cart.

***

When I wake up, Maple is in exactly the same position as she was before, still staring ahead at the road. We've moved from the outskirts of town to the middle of nowhere since Maple and I had that argument. Otachi also hasn't moved, but he wasn't moving in the first place. He, however, has fallen asleep. Maple shows no sign of being tired, and had agreed with me over a bet a long time ago that when we got our first job that she would have to drive the cart, but never protested. In fact, she said that she would drive the cart and not sleep throughout the whole journey, not even once. Sometimes, she seems indestructible.

I decide not to go back to the front of the cart. I have annoyed her enough already.

Instead, I look at Otachi. He sleeps so peacefully... No, I tell myself, quit the creepy thoughts! I wonder what magic he uses. Does he take after his father (like me) or his mother? I don't even know what his father's magic is, or how it could be helpful to our quest.

Anyway, the quest will be easy. All we have to do is take down a little bear. I'll just iron fist it. Maple will burn it until it starts running away. (And probably run after it, regretting the fact that she just hurt an animal afterwards.) And Otatchi will... Summon a big sword to cut it down with? Or use whatever magic his dad uses to defeat it? I'm sure whatever it it, it'll be strong.

I grin, and think of how we'll make an excellent team.