"Your mages are certainly something." Sasahara said, arms crossed over her chest.

In front of her was a crater, several meters in diameter and approximately 5 meters deep. All in all not to big but certainly big enough to cause a loud explosion. That was what had driven the citizens out of their homes to take a look to begin with.

Everyone had feared for the worst after the mages had lost their previous battle. So when they arrived at the scene neither of them had expected to see the nine young mages victorious. But there they were, eight of them at the edge of the crater, looking just as stunned as the townspeople. In the middle laid the last one, the orange haired girl, alongside the dark mage.

Now, after they had brought the girls back to tavern to allow them to rest, Sasahara stood alongside Mamoru, overlooking the scene. The others checked the scene, the most amazing thing being a golem covered in flowers, and trying to think of a way to use this mess.

"Yeah, they worked well together." Mamoru answered, his brows furrowed as he looked at the crater.

"I've known you long enough to know when there is something troubling you, Mamoru."

"It's her magic. Honoka's magic."

Sasahara sighed, knowing what her old master was referring to. "Crash magic."

Mamoru nodded. "Magic in general is pretty dangerous if not controlled properly. Crash magic and its destructive power even more so. But she just can't control it, she's afraid."

"She needs to overcome this fear. Otherwise she'll never improve." Sasahara said, looking down at the other mage. "Do you have an idea how to help her?"

"I might have." He answered. "When she joined Sakura Heaven, Hana asked me why her father dumped her at our guild, requesting that we teach her magic. Apparently she lost control over magic power and destroyed her family's home."

Neither of them said anything for a minute, both deep in their own thoughts.

"If that's true it explains a lot." The tavern keeper finally said, her eyes downcast while watching the other townspeople.

"It does. And I want her to forgive herself." Mamoru turned around, intending to go back to the tavern where his mages rested. "By the way. Thanks for letting them stay there, I'll make that we leave as soon as possible."

"Don't sweat it." Sasahara smiled, watching the former master of her former guild going back. "I'm sure you'll help them."

Once the explosion had been over, everyone of them had held their breath, hoping that their plan had worked. The moment they had spotted Jurek on the ground had been such a relief that some of them had dropped down onto their knees. They had been glad.

But the moment Rin had spotted Honoka laying there as well had been the complete opposite. Those who had still been able to had rushed to her side to help her up and those who could barely stand did just that.

On their way back they had encountered the townspeople, alarmed by the explosion. Among them had been Sasahara who had advised them to go back to the tavern.

Now, here they were. After dealing with their injuries everyone had been on the verge of falling asleep while standing. Honoka, with bandaids on her cheeks and bandages on her right arm, leaned against Kotori, sleeping soundly. Kotori' head rested atop Honoka's. She had fallen asleep the moment she had been sure Honoka was fine.

Hanayo had treated Rin's wounds, the both of them quietly talking to each other. Rin had apologized for her behaviour again. Now the two of them slept peacefully while leaning against each other.

Maki, who had been treating Honoka, Eli and Umi, had fallen asleep the moment she had sat down on a chair. She now leaned on her arms, resting on a table.

Nico had refused any help. After she had put some band aids on some cuts and bruises she had taken a spare blanket to wrap around herself and was now leaning against a well, sometimes mumbling in her sleep.

Umi and Eli laid on the floor, the latter on her stomach. The blonde mage had refused help as well first, but after she had winced in pain and almost falling down Maki had forced her to let her help Eli.

On the other hand Nozomi was still wide awake, with a blanket around her to keep her warm. Although she was tired all she could think of was the moment when Eli had pushed aside to take the hit for her. The fact that the ice mage was barely able to move was her fault, Nozomi thought.

At the same time she wondered why Eli had helped her in the first place. She didn't seem like someone who cared about others.

"Shouldn't you be sleeping?"

A voice pulled Nozomi out of her thoughts. Raising her head she saw Mamoru entering the tavern, a small smile on his face.

"I am not that tired." Nozomi tried to convince him, but apparently it didn't work.

The old man walked over to her, readjusting the blanket around her shoulders and tugging her in a little more.

"How long have we known each other now, Nozomi-chan?"

"A couple of years I guess?" She smiled a little sheepishly.

Mamoru giggled, careful not to wake the others. "A couple of years, indeed. I've seen you growing up in the guild and believe me when I tell you that I can see when something is troubling you."

"Am I that transparent?" Looking down Nozomi sighed. "It's just that… I don't know." She had never been someone to openly express how she felt or what she was thinking. But Mamoru always seemed to know when something was bothering her. So Nozomi decided to open up to him. "When we were fighting I was about to get hit by one of these golem. But Eli pushed me away, taking the hit instead of me. And you know how I've been trying to…"

"Yeah, I do." Mamoru interrupted her, knowing that the girl rather liked to bottle up her feelings with all her might. He didn't want to push her. "And know you don't know why, am I right?"

Nozomi nodded weakly. "Did she protect me just because she figured it might help her get an opening to attack like it did? Or did he protect me because… well… because she just wanted to do that. Protecting."

It was silent for a moment, both of them lost in their own thoughts as they looked over the other eight girls.

"That girl is hard to read and even harder to understand." Mamoru finally said, his gaze lingering on Eli. "She won't open up to anyone, opting to keep the walls she built up around herself instead while pursuing a goal only she knows of."

Nozomi sighed. "Yeah, she doesn't want anyone to be close to her. So she might just wanted to end the fight."

"Not necessarily." The old master added quickly. "She might act like this but there has to be something that still drives her forward and that made her like this."

"So you think she might have just wanted to protect me?"

Mamoru didn't miss the hope lingering beneath Nozomi's words. He smiled. "I don't know, but want to hear what I'd do?"

Nozomi nodded eagerly this time, looking at the old master as he got ready for bed himself.

"I'd just ask her."

Nozomi sighed, having expected something different. "She wouldn't answer."

"Maybe not now, but maybe someday. All that I know is that you won't know the answers to your questions if you don't ask. You, of all people should know that."

Feeling slightly offended Nozomi stuck out her tongue mockingly. But deep down she knew that he was right. She just wasn't ready to make this step yet.

"Now…"

Nozomi heard the amusement in Mamoru's voice but before she could react a pillow hit her straight in the face.

"Go to bed. We'll be travelling back to Otonokizaka tomorrow." He smiled at her, threatening to throw another pillow.

"Okay. And Mamoru-san? Thank you." Nozomi got up from the chair she was sitting on to find a comfortable place to lay down. She fell asleep immediately, the fatigue finally catching up on her.

Mamoru looked at her, a fond smile on his face as he remembered the day he was introduced to Nozomi and the nickname she would refuse to listen to soon after. "You're welcome, Non-chan."

When Minami had decided to send Kotori out as well she had thought that she would be able to handle the fact that she had put her own daughter in danger.

Now, four days after seeing them off she felt more nervous than ever. She hadn't been updated by Mamoru and neither did she hear anything of Sasahara who she knew Mamoru wanted to stay with for the time being.

The rest of the guild had already noticed that something was wrong with their master and tried to help as best as they could, be it with her favourite brand of tea or keeping any visitors out for now.

As of now that didn't seem to work because she could hear people arguing in front of the door to her office before someone knocked.

"Come in." She leaned back in her seat and took a deep breath. Minami really wasn't in the mood right now but when did that stop anyone from demanding something.

"Master Minami?" Midou Yuuri, a young mage of the guild, entered by sticking her head through the barely opened door. "We have a guest but I told him that you were busy."

"You're guild master would do well not to refuse the head of one of the ten families." A male voice sounded from across the door and made Yuuri flinch.

"Let him in." Minami announced, preparing herself for the worst. Having to deal with the ten families never was an easy task, especially if the head of one decided to visit personally.

Yuuri opened the door and stepped aside to create as much space as possible. The young girl looked over to Minami, unsure of what to do. But judging by the way she clenched her fists together Minami could tell that she was nervous so she dismissed her with a nod of her head and a mouthed thank you.

The moment Yuuri was out of the room Minami stood up and walked over to the entrance, closing the door tightly. As she turned around a tall man in his forties with reddish hair and beard and purple eyes stared down at her. She knew in an instant who she had to deal with and it send a shiver down her spine.

"Nishikino-san." She outstretched her hand to greet him. He reluctantly took her hand and let go after a second, obviously more interested in scanning her office than the person in front of him. "I am pleasantly surprised to have a visitor like you, seeing that the Magic Council is about to gather in the next couple of days."

Dealing with the ten families taught her one thing: A conversation with them was like walking over a field with hundreds of hidden explosives.

"Ohara-san is going to take my place." He replied, not interested in a longer conversation, that much Minami could tell.

Instead she opted to get straight to the point. "In that case, what can I help you with?"

"I am sure you know that my daughter went missing over a year ago. We haven't found her so we think she might be hiding somewhere." Nishikino said, finally looking at Minami to scan her face for any hint that she might be hiding something.

"And you thought that she might be hiding by joining a guild?" She crossed her arms over her chest. For years she had wondered why Mamoru tortured her with playing poker all the time.

By now she knew why.

"It's a reasonable idea, don't you think?" He countered, the both of them now standing eye to eye.

"I doubt that any guild would risk the wrath of any of the ten families. So sadly I have to tell you that your daughter isn't here. But rest assured that I'll call you the moment I see her. I even have her wanted poster on my desk." Gesturing towards the picture she kept eye contact.

With a last judging glance Nishikino looked down at her, trying to use his height advantage to intimidate her. Not that it would work.

"I hope you're telling the truth. If not… your guild will feel what you called our wrath."

With that he stormed out, leaving Minami alone in her office.

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes, trying to relax her tense body after this conversation. If one may call it that. She looked at her desk and onto the wanted poster that said "Maki Nishikino".

"Guess I finally have to talk to her."

"I can't believe they beat me!" Jurek shouted in the small dark cell he currently was in, his hands bound together with cuffs to suppress his magic. "I got careless and didn't realize one was missing."

"That happens when someone thinks he's superior."

A female voice echoed through the dark room before a familiar blonde mage stepped out of the shadows, limping a little bit.

Jurek smirked. "Uh, did my golem hit you a little hard when you were trying to protect your friend?"

"Friend?" Eli raised an eyebrow before she realized what he was hinting at. "Oh, you mean Tojo?" She walked closer to his cell before crouching down right in front of the iron bars. "And stop smirking. After all that small hit didn't stop me from destroy two of your precious golems, did it?"

"What do you want?" His voice became darker as he looked straight at Eli, dropping the playful act.

"I need some advice."

Jurek started laughing. "What can I possibly help you with?"

"Have you been working with some dark guilds?"

Now Jurek got suspicious. "Why would you wanna know that?" He raised an eyebrow,

Eli just shrugged. "I have my reasons. Now, have you?"

"No." Even if he had he would never tell that girl.

"Figured as much." Eli sighed, scratching the back of her neck. "Well, do you know some people who could help me out with some information?"

Shaking his head Jurek chuckled. "I do, but I won't tell you."

Eli got as close as the cell allowed her to. "I think you don't realize in what position you're in."

Her voice became deeper and Jurek could feel the chill the ice mage was sending out. When he looked at the floor he saw how a thin layer of ice creeping up on him.

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me." Eli smirked.

The ice reached his food and started crawling up his leg, causing him to flinch back when the cold started to set in. Jurek looked at Eli who just smirked, having no intention to stop the ice.

When it reached his knees and a second layer started to coat the first he started to panik.

"Ok, ok, I'll tell you!"

The ice retreated back and Eli smiled. "Thank you."

"Rin-chan, wake up."

"Just a little while longer." Rin moaned, trying to get back to sleep and ignoring that someone shook her shoulders.

"Get up Hoshizora. Because of you we all have to wait."

She heard another person and felt someone lightly kicking her feet to rouse her. She pulled her blanket over her head.

"Ma- Ichinose-san, stop it." The first person whispered shyly.

"What? I am just telling the truth."

The voices got louder and Rin frowned. There was no way she could fall back asleep. "I get it, I get up!" She pulled her blanket off of her and sat up, startling both Hanayo and Maki who were standing right beside her. When she looked around she noticed that the others had already finished cleaning up and had their bags ready. Honoka was the only exception because of her injuries but Kotori helped her.

"Hurry up already." Maki said while walking away.

Turning to Hanayo the other girl smiled slightly at Rin before standing up as well to get back to her own belongings.

Rin sighed, starting to fold her blanket until someone tapped her shoulder from behind. Turning around she saw Nozomi smiling and holding up her already packed bag

"Here you go, Rin-chan."

"Thank you, Tojo-san!" Rin jumped up, grabbing the bag and stuffed her blanket in.

"Nozomi is fine." Nozomi said, her arms behind her back.

"Eh? Where is Ayase-san?" Kotori asked once she finished helping Honoka. She looked around the room but couldn't find the blonde mage.

"She got up early in the morning, took her stuff and left" Nico chimed in while sitting at a table, her arms crossed over her chest. Her leg rocked nervously up and down.

"What?" When Honoka tried to stand up her face contorted in pain. The impact of her own magic had hit her as well. Though she was lucky that didn't suffer some broken bones she still had bruises and sore muscles all over her body. "She can't just leave."

"Technically… I can." Walking through the door was Eli. "I don't need to travel back with the rest of you."

Honoka smiled, despite the pain. "But you came back because we are a team."

Nico snorted before bursting out in laughter. "No, no, no, no. That was a once in a lifetime thing because we had no choice. Don't get your hopes up."

"I agree with Yazawa." Umi said, standing in a corner. "Besides, we were all assigned to this mission by master Minami, otherwise I'd never have worked together in the first place. I guess Ayase agrees as well."

Eli just nodded, ignoring the glances by Honoka and the others.

"You're kidding, are you? Are we back to all this arguing and fighting?" Honoka asked, but before anyone could answer Sasahara walked through the door.

"Good morning, everyone! Are you rea- Did I interrupt something?" She immediately caught up on the bad mood in the room and looked around but neither of the girls looked at her.

The silence was a little awkward, even for Sasahara. She didn't know what to say, doubting that this was the outcome Minami and Mamoru wished for. Everything seemed back to how it was before they lost their first battle.

"So… the townspeople prepared a carriage for you because some of you had troubles walking. It's a thank you for helping us out." She finally said.

Honoka looked up, a forced smile on her face that made Sasahara frown. "Thank you."

"Girls, get ready! We are departing. We've stayed here long enough, Sasahara needs to get the her business going again!" Mamoru announced as he walked back in, standing beside Sasahara.

While the nine young mages all made their way out, Sasahara nudges her old master. "They are back to square one." She said sadly.

"Yeah, I've noticed. I feared that may happen." He whispered. "But some of them actually opened up to others."

He looked at Rin and smiled. The girl had always been a gentle soul and seeing her apologizing to Hanayo despite the fact that her injury wasn't even Rin's fault made him proud. Now she helped the others, especially Hanayo since she still felt guilty, however she possibly could.

"Especially Sonoda, Yazawa, Ichinose and Ayase won't open up that easy. I think Hana underestimated that quite a lot."

"I bet she'll just be happy that Kotori is fine."

Mamoru just nodded.

They travelled back in silence, neither of them uttering a word.

Honoka and Hanayo sat in the carriage together with Kotori and Nozomi. Despite trying to convince Eli to do the same the blonde had refused and was now walking beside the carriage, still limping a little. Rin was together with Mamoru handled the horses while Umi, Maki and Nico walked ahead, a visible gap between them.

While he was happy that they were all somewhat fine, especially Kotori since he didn't want to know what Hana would have done with him if her daughter would have been seriously injured, he still worried for what would happen in the guild.

He knew Hana ever since she was little. She never did something without a goal in mind and if she really wanted these girls to become friends her plan had failed miserably. At least this time.

For now he was glad that he didn't need to threaten any of them again.

With his mind wandering he didn't realize that they were approaching Otonokizaka. Only when Umi called back that she could see the town he was pulled out of his thoughts.

They sped up a little to make it back before dawn and sure enough they soon were walking through the streets. He was greeted every now and then but Mamoru really didn't feel like cheering.

When they came to a stop in front of the guild he and Rin helped their passengers to get down while Eli announced she would go straight to the library and no one should disturb her. Umi, Maki and Nico followed suit and Mamoru guessed they'd just check on the newest requests or retreat to be alone as well.

What he didn't expect was to see Minami at the guild's counter stopping them, though.

"Mama!" Kotori ran passed him, dropping her bag on the floor.

Upon being called Minami turned around, a relieved smile on her face as she caught her daughter in her arms, hugging her tight. "So I guess everything went well?" When Kotori just nodded, Minami loosened her hold to look at her daughter. "Great. I am proud of you."

"Did you stop us just so we see the family reunion?" Nico asked, obviously annoyed. Behind her where Umi, Maki and Eli, the latter two looking away.

"No, I didn't. But first…." Minami turned to Mamoru, finally seeing Hanayo's broken arm and the patched up Honoka. "What happened?"

Mamoru sighed. "Long story short: the hotheads there rushed ahead." He gestured at Umi, Nico, Eli and Rin. "In the process Hanayo got injured and they lost the battle. Afterwards they agreed to team up, with Honoka-chan here being the leader, and, with a well thought out plan, managed to successfully end the mission you assigned to them."

"That is great news."

"Yeah, whatever. It's not like we'll work together again."

"You're wrong if you think that, Yazawa-san." Minami said with a smirk that Mamoru really didn't like. Nico was staring at here with raised eyebrows and so did everyone else.

"Because as of now the nine of you will be an official team of this guild."

AN:
I am not dead and neither is this fic, I promise. xD

Either way, I hope you enjoyed this little update. I'll see you again, I guess? :)