For Me?

Apologies Unheard

"You want me to do what?!" I shouted.

Grandeeney stared at me and repeated.

"You will collect your earnings for having vanquished the water demon. Makarov is the only one to know you live, because he needs to remove your emblem. After that, we fake your death to the guild. We need to be able to train in the Earthland as well, and it will be hard to do so if mages still search for you day and night, like that Gray Fullbuster."

I blushed, but it quickly faded as the reality of the task ahead sank in. Reluctantly, I nodded. Grandeeney smiled calmly.

"Then go, my child." She whispered.

She snapped her fingers and dissolved, and as my body began to fade as well, the guild doors burst open, revealing Natsu, Laxus, Gajeel, Wendy and Gray. 

"Where is she?" Gray snarled.

"I swear I smell her... right here!" Lexus exclaimed, but as my body faded completely, they turned up with nothing. 

Gray, angry and disappointed, kicked Natsu halfway across the town the slowly trudged back into the guild. The remaining dragon slayers followed and my body reformed in Makarov's office. When my body reformed, there was suddenly a heavy sack in my hand. The money.

"6th Master." I stated, throwing the money onto his desk.

Makarov who had had his back to me turned quickly, his eyes widening as he took in the sight of me.

"Jaylinh!" He nearly shouted.

I gave him a harsh glare. He looked me up and down then narrowed his eyes. 

"You have grown powerful. I assume you are aware of your heritage?" He asked.

I nodded in confirmation but didn't say anything, conveying that this was not what I was here to speak about.

"I am going away for a while more, they must not know I'm alive. Give the earnings to Gray and Levy. Tell them, I sacrificed my life for it." I pressed.

"How much is it?" He asked.

"15 million each." I responded.

He looked at me with wide eyes as I continued.

"I'll be back in time for the games." 

Then I conjured up an image of the lady who had employed me, as well as two men in black suits. the two men held between them a casket, and inside lay a battered and bruised clone of myself.

"Go." I told him.

He nodded. His and my eyes filled with tears, as I watched my Fairy Tail mark slowly fade from my left calf. Dissolving my body into light, I escaped into the main hall to watch. I watched sadly as my old friends sat huddled in a corner, hardly touching their food and chatting quietly. It was so dim, so much less lively. 

Just then the Master threw open the doors to the hall, and in followed the old lady, and two men with my casket. For a second the mages looked upon the scene, confused, before Gajeel and Wendy rushed to them. 

"No! No! She can't- It can't be her!" Wendy cut herself off in a shriek, the tears already pouring down her face.

 Gajeel, seemingly stunned, sniffed beside the casket and said,

"It's her. That's her smell. I don't like it... but it's her." 

Natsu raced forward closely followed by Laxus, Erza, Gray and Levy. 

"Who is it?" Gray asked, voice trembling.

"I fear the worst." Erza added.

"Who is it, Natsu?" Levy asked quietly, prodding the dragon slayer.