Chapter 19: Don't Go

"So you knew."

"Yes."

"Even my connection with Sway, the girl who attacked the guild as well as the island."

"Yes."

"So, Master told you everything."

"Yes."

"Even the part about me being a Spirit Mage."

"Yes."

This is testing every ounce of patience Mina had left of her reclusive companion. Their journey back to Magnolia was uneventful which only heightened the deafening silence the two had as they sat on either side of the train chair. Mystogan had his arms folded and only stared at the window passing multiple trees and lands.

The only word he's ever spoken was the word 'yes' if she's not so lucky he'd only give her his silent nod. Mina continued to glare daggers at the said person but did little to make him be sociable.

She wanted to scream, after he crashed the wedding, kissed her in front of everyone and the whole world to see, let her cry till she became tired and carried her all the way to an inn, he hardly ever spoke to her since they arrived at the station.

She gave out an exaggerated sigh to show her defeat. Maybe he's just tired. It took him days to find her, of course, only Mystogan can find her in three days' time, for it will take weeks, even months to actually have any information on her whereabouts.

At least he has the decency to show his face and not his mask, she shrugged and closed her eyes hopefully when she opens them they're at their destination already.

"I will bring her back no matter what." He silently told himself. Hibiki Lates was determined to return to their guild along with Mina, all the while winking at every cute girl he sees. He wore his usual black suit with a light blue polo shirt. He walked with confidence, for he knew the only person that can convince Mina to come home was him.

Fairy Tail was different from the picture he saw in his Archives, he just shrugged and went inside. It was a typical place for a pirate-bar-like place. There were only three people present, the guild master, the girl from various magazines and a man with long green hair.

"Good afternoon." He spoke as he came closer and all eyes were on him, "I was sent by Master Bob for the mission as well as Mina's escort home."

"We're baaaack." Mina said in a sing-song voice, stretching the last word.

He smiled, he knew that voice all too well.

She didn't expect that there would be less people present though, the place was usually vibrant.

"Where is everyone?"

"Off on missions." Mirajane said with a smile over at the counter, "Welcome back, Mina and Mystogan."

Mina walked towards the bar with Mystogan trailing behind, she smiled in return,"It's good to be back."

She didn't notice the man with brownish blond messy hair standing beside Makarov until he came closer and gave her a kiss on the cheek then trapped her in his arms.

Silence filled the room, a thing she's most definitely getting annoyed at.

"Hibiki?" She couldn't find her words as she registered who the person that had her in a bear hug.

He let go but only stretched his arms to look at her, "Miss Lumina, it's been so long." He smiled.

"Are you the other person for the next mission?" she inquired. She wasn't phased by his familiarity with her, she loved hugs, it made her tiredness disappear. And Hibiki knew it.

He nodded, "I'm also here to accompany you back to the guild."

She furrowed her eyebrows, "Is my original mission over?"

His tone was serious, "Yes, after this next mission, there's no need for you to stay here any longer."

He didn't notice the towering image of the infamous Mystogan, who looked at him with emotionless eyes. He cringed, he was intimidating. Mina looked at him questioningly, he just shook his head.

Hibiki then let go of Mina to talk to the guild master, "Master Makarov, you've received the message from Master Bob, yes?"

In a flash, Freed was in front of Mina, lifting the back of her hand, and he kissed it, "Welcome back, I'm glad you're okay." He still held her hand.

Mina laughed, "This is so unlike you, Freed." She said referring to his action, "But thank you."

Hibiki pushed the two apart, "It is inappropriate for a gentleman to continuously hold a lady's hand once they're done greeting her."

"As well as kissing her in public for all to see." Freed fired back. This caused Mina to blush furiously as she remembered the incident on her almost-wedding-day.

The two stared at each other, engaging in a silent war. But an even darker aura arose with dark eyes that if looks could kill the two bickering men would have been a lost cause. And they felt it. It was coming from the other male in the room.

Freed cleared his throat and composed himself, "Mina should get some rest first."

Hibiki nodded, a bit grateful that he's not the only one who felt the venomous glare, "I've already checked us in an inn."

It was unlike Hibiki to be so overly conscious around anyone, heck if Mina wasn't around he would have flirted with the girl with silver hair that stood beside the guild master with an amused expression. But, Mina has always been his priority since she was the first person to ever reject him the instant they met.

It was an outright rejection without even uttering a word. He had his signature smile accompanied by his charm and when he walked towards her she already had her back to him.

And when he found out that she had a close encounter with the same girl who caused all her sufferings, he bolted into their guild master's office and demanded that he pulled her out of the mission. Only if he could convince her to come, Master Bob said.

This might be one of his hardest missions yet.

"The Princess! The Princess has arrived!" Joyous shouts filled the entire country. A country located between Fairy Tail and Blue Pegasus.

A country that has been a great ally to both guilds. Mina and Hibiki along with Mystogan and Freed were sent to find the princess.

The princess smiled down at the people while she stood atop the Palace's balcony, "My people, you needn't have to worry for the rumors that I've ran away is not true."

She waved out to them signaling her goodbye and carried her exaggeratingly huge gold dress with so many laces and ribbons. Closely following behind were her three male mage protectors.

"Good job." Freed remarked and Hibiki nodded in agreement. Mystogan stood quietly by the window.

Mina removed the curly blond wig and let her real hair down, "No wonder she ran away, you can't even breathe let alone walk in this thing!" she exclaimed.

"I'm going to ask the palace staff about the princess' whereabouts." Hibiki said and stepped out of the room.

Freed stood up from the comfy couch, "And as for me, I'll try and set up some traps if any one tried to do something suspicious." and he also left.

Mina sighed, it felt as if the room grew smaller despite it being the largest room in the vicinity. She took of the forsaken dress for she wore her real clothes beneath it.

She went to stand beside Mystogan his back on the window sill just watching her every move, "You can go back if you want." His voice low as if he dreaded saying it.

Mina grinned while she stared at the busy streets, "The question is, do you want me to?"

He looked at her as she watched the place with a curious smile.

He removed his mask and combed through his hair contemplating his answer. No one needed to ask twice for an answer because he already has one all he has to do was say it.

By now she was staring at him awaiting his answer. She liked it whenever he doesn't have his mask on. Instinctively he placed his hand beneath her chin and traced her lips with his thumb.

"No."

Thank you for reading up until now. I'm so very relieved, I thought no one was interested in this story.