Finally finished up this chapter

Aside from the screams and the closure of the park for the day because of the flaming gondola that had imbedded itself in the middle of the park, there hadn't been too much damage. Any fire that spread was quickly put out by a certain ice mage, and water mage who happened to be in the area. One thing was for sure, everyone had a story to tell even though not everyone cared to share all the details of their outing.

Juvia gushed about how romantic the Ferris wheel and gondolas were, and how Grey won a stuffed polar bear for her. Lucy ranted and complained about Natsu, but threw in a few words of praise for the park, as did Levy who agreed it was nice to see the gardens. However, no one mentioned what happened later on in the evening if they could help it. Gajeel and Levy would get flustered if asked where they were when Natsu caused the ruckus with his fire, and Lucy didn't want anyone to know she was alone with Natsu on a "romantic boat ride". It would only give people another reason to tease her about the fire dragon slayer.

"I am never doing something like this again," Lucy muttered, slumped over a table as Levy covered her face with a book.

"Don't jinx it," She blunette commented.

"My life is a jinx, what's one more?"

"You'd be surprised," Levy chided, "Besides, it wasn't a complete waste."

"Oh? How was your evening then?" the blonde lifted her head and gave her friend a pointed look.

She got no response and noticed Levy tighten the grip on her book. A glint soon appeared in the blonde's eyes.

"Leevyy," she sang. "I seem to recall you and Gajeel disappearing." She scooted down the bench to sit right in front of the small book worm, "I wonder where you guys went,"

"For your information nothing happened," the blunette insisted.

"I never asked about that," Lucy grinned a Cheshire grin.

Levy gulped, remembering the peaceful ride in the Ferris Wheel. When Gajeel sat across from her with his knees just inches from hers. The way the shadows shrouded his face, and the metal studs glinted in the very darkness that hid her blush. How close they were when they both gazed at the Great Cherry blossom tree together…

"You're blushing," Lucy whispered, leaning forward.

"No, I'm not," Levy hid her face behind the red bound book.

"Interesting reaction," Lucy mused resting her elbows on the table and cupping her chin in her palm, giving her best friend her full attention, "Whatever happened?"

"Well…," The small girl began, but was saved by a chipper voice.

"Good morning Lucy, Levy," Lisanna nodded respectively to each.

"Good morning Lisanna," the girls greeted.

"You guys went to the park the other day, right?" Lisanna tried to make conversation.

Both girls froze.

"Ye-yes," Levy stammered.

"Why-why do you ask?" Lucy asked in an octave too high.

"Just curious," she answered, "I saw a tower of fire shoot up and was wondering if Natsu had anything to do with it,"

"What! Even you saw?" Lucy

"Well, it's not like I live under a rock," Lisanna laughed, though sometimes she felt she did for often she would only learn of things because her sister was the kind to always know everyone's business.

"You know, when we were kids he was always getting into trouble, and I would always have to deal with him," she reminisced, smiling to herself as she remembered the little Natsu from long ago.

"Well, I wish I didn't," Lucy muttered, "He caused a fire and then just left me in the middle of it all! Just left me!"

"I'm sure he didn't mean to," Lisanna assured her, "sometimes you just gotta be firm with him,"

As if on cue the very person they were discussing appeared.

"Mornin' Lucy!" Natsu sauntered over and threw an amicable arm around his partner's shoulder, but the blonde just ignored him, slapping his arm away.

"Ow! Why are you mad?" the pink haired dragon slayer asked, frowning.

"Natsu, promise me you'll never leave Lucy" Lisanna scolded him.

"What are you talking about?" he cocked his head.

"Promise," she gave the stern look she had given him often in their childhood.

"Why would I leave her? She's my partner," he grinned boyishly, and Lucy blushed despite trying to look mad.

"See Lucy?" Lisanna turned to the girl for whom Natsu had a special place in his heart for," Always stay by Natsu's side too, okay?"

As soon as the words left her mouth Lisanna felt her confidence plunge, though she just continued smiling. Maybe she shouldn't have said what she did. She had genuinely meant what she said, but would they think she was just being overconfident and bossy?

Lucy gaped, turning red, Levy snickered, and Natsu was as oblivious as ever. Any response was up to an outside source who was glad to make a contribution.

"Trying to be like your matchmaking sister, huh?" Bickslow piped in from a nearby table, breaking the silence.

"Don't you have anything better to do than butt in to other people's conversations," Lucy complained, in partial defense of herself than for Lisanna.

"Thanks to this one here, nope," he gestured to the girl with short white hair who responded with a frown.

"Why is that?" Lucy asked, exchanging a glance with Levy.

"I'm really sorry about that," Lisanna insisted, bowing her head.

"Sorry doesn't cut it," Bickslow crossed his arms pouting.

"If it makes you happy, I'll have a talk to my sister," she suggested, and Bickslow just shrugged.

"See you guys later. Bye Natsu," Lisanna stood up to leave, glancing at Natsu who never answered back for he was too preoccupied with bothering Lucy.

"Ne, nii-san," Lisanna returned to the bar. "Why did you put Bickslow on house-arrest?"

"Why indeed," Mira sighed as she absently wiped down a glass, " It's gone nowhere," she added to herself.

"What do you mean?" the younger Strauss sibling cocked her head, but her question was ignored.

"Hey, Lisanna how did you like the cherry blossoms?" Mira inquired.

"They were very pretty," she answered remembering the tops of the trees when she had walked by the park.

"How did you like the rest of the park? I didn't see you," Her older sister probed.

"Well, that's because I didn't actually go in," Lisanna shrugged.

Mira's face fell, "Did Bickslow not give you the tickets?"

"Oh no, he did give me a pair for some weird reason," Lisanna shook her head, "I just gave them away," she gave an apologetic smile, "I'm sorry, I just thought that person could use them better"

Upon realizing that her plan had failed, Mira sighed and pulled her sister close ruffling her short hair, "What am I going to do with you?"

"It's fine, I'm just happy that I could cheer them up," the younger girl stated looking up at her big sister.

"I know dear," Mira pulled away and gave her little sister a smile, "But next year you are going, okay?"

"Yes, yes," Lisanna giggled, giving a wave of dismissal as she went to help clean the dishes.

'She's such a good girl' Mira thought. Since childhood, her little sister had been kind and considerate, always offering a smile in the face of hardship. There didn't seem to be a malicious bone in her body. That's what made her all the more likable. It was almost funny that despite her being docile for the most part she had always had a way with Natsu. Until Lucy came along, Lisanna was the only one Natsu noticeably cared about. Whilst Lisanna had always been sweet Mira herself had been the definition of a rebellious teen that could only be matched by a few.

"Oh," Mira let out a sound of realization

"What's up?" Lisanna asked her big sister who just shook her head.

"I just remembered something," Mira dismissed, smiling to herself.

He didn't need an announcement, and he couldn't have snuck in if he tried. At least not when the Raijinshuu were waiting in anticipation for his return.

"Laxus!" the overjoyed cries pierced the air. Immediately three blurs zoomed through the hall to stop in front of a tall blond man, and after a moment to take in the sight, jump on their savior in excitement of his return. Evergreen hugged his torso, Freed nuzzled his arm, and Bickslow wrapped his arms around all three. The lighting dragon slayer stood awkwardly at the front of the guild and allowed his team their moment.

He gave Evergreen a short side hug as she still clung to him, and clapped a hand on Bickslow's shoulder in acknowledgment.

"We have been waiting in anticipation for you return!" the green haired mage cried out.

"Er, yeah. Good to see you," he responded, and uncertainly patted Freed's head. The said mage seemed to glow with happiness, a light pink dusting his cheeks, and hearts in his eyes watching Laxus walk away. The lighting dragon slayer quickened his pace in the hope of avoiding any annoyances as curious eyes turned on him. Unfortunately, it was not to be. Fortunately, the annoyance was soon dealt with.

No sooner had the battle cry "Laxus fight me!" been uttered when the pink haired dragon slayer was sent flying against the wall to land on top of a collection of barrels, knocked out cold. This was on reason why Laxus had never let go of his dislike for lingering on the first floor. He retreated up the wooden steps shooting a glance at the transformation mage with flowing white hair behind the counter who paid him no mind, until he had disappeared from sight.

To the far end of the floor next to Markorov's office was a room that was hardly ever used. Over the years Laxus had taken a liking to holing up there whenever he was at the guild. He took a seat on the somewhat dusty couch that stood against the wall and rested his feet on top of the small coffee table.

The fading sunlight peeked between the moth bitten curtains that shielded the only window marking spots of light on the wooden floor and worn out rug. He let himself relax, shutting his eyes for a moment and listening to the faint buzzing of conversation from below.

After a while, he was joined by another presence in the secluded room. As the door creaked open Mira's slim figure emerged, carrying a tray with a steak dinner and a bottle of beer.

"Hi, so how did the mission go?" she inquired, stopping when she saw his shoed feet on the table.

"Nothing I couldn't handle, just tedious," he informed, shifting his position so that his feet no longer dirtied the table. Giving a small nod Mira dusted off the table with a cloth, and set down the tray. Laxus tossed her some Jewels, which she caught midair, and immediately reached for the beer, popping open the cap with a flick of his fingers.

"So, I heard you were up to one of your little games again," he decided to make conversation which he didn't normally do.

"Whatever do you mean?" Mira asked innocently.

"You realize only I can tell them what they can or cannot do right?" he reminded her, though he knew she didn't care.

"Okay, then please tell Bickslow he can't go on any jobs except for the ones I've approved," she tilted her head and smiled.

"And if he needs the money?"

"I know for a fact he is not in desperate need of Jewels at the moment,"

"Seriously, woman," Laxus sighed.

"What?"

"I don't see why you have to meddle in the affairs of other's," Laxus scoffed.

"I like to see it as giving them a little push in the right direction," she replied, crossing her arms.

"Sure," he muttered, taking another swig and making the woman frown.

"Eat." She commanded him, removing the beer from his grip and pointing to the untouched food.

"Don't…" Laxus began, but Mira interrupted him.

"You've been away for two weeks and knowing you, I'm sure you haven't had a proper meal the whole time,"

"What are you, my mother?" he grumbled, but reached for the fork.

"I shouldn't have to be, given you're older than me," she retorted, landing a small blow on his ego.

"I still don't think it's a good idea," Laxus was the only one in the guild who would ever tell Mira something like that, and not be the least bit afraid.

"Why not?" She pouted, for he was the only whose comments she might graciously dismiss. He didn't answer. He just took another swig of beer and gave her a look that told her exactly what his opinions were. She accepted it with silence as well, gathering the tray and headings towards the door.

"You should know how oblivious some people can be," the girl smiled from the doorframe, giving him a wave, and Laxus' scowl softened slightly as he watched her leave.