------------
Today was the 6th anniversary of their disappearance. I woke up depressed, mindlessly I started to cook in my little apartment in Crocus. A lot has changed since the dismissal of Makao. I changed. I grew up first. I spent 5 years with Crime Sorcière, they visited from time to time here.
At some point, I wanted to settle, being in Crocus, the capital of blooming flowers, I chose to establish my home here. It was surely different from Magnolia, but I liked it. My kitchen's window over-viewed a natural park with diverse plants of all sorts. I started to brew tea, selecting the dried herbs hanging in my wall.
Chirpings of birds broke my concentration, I giggled as a tit came rubbing his head against my neck. "Good morning to you too!" I greeted him cheerily.
I started to work, singing a tune peacefully. Crime Sorciere was coming, my gut was alarming me. So I prepared a feast of sweets, treats and pastries to take out. I knew the guys struggled to make money. Jellal strictly wanted to earn money the right way. So I made a point of always giving them some supplies, it was the least I could do to thank them as they saved me.
Kaya Melvin was no longer a name I used, except for Crime Sorciere. At work, my boss called me Anya. I bear the name of Anya Cassel.
My name was on all dark guild's blacklist, I won't get caught stupid, by keeping my real name. I hushed until at some point, a feeble knock raised my attention. I put the cakes in the oven, mopping my clothes covered in flour. My door opened on three familiar figures.
"Guys!" I beamed with excitement. "It has been a long time." I jolted up, hugging the three. Letting them breathe, I welcomed them in, inspecting the outside of the hall. My neighbor was an old hag, who liked to wander in other businesses.
"How have you been?" asked Ultear with satisfied eyes.
"Fine, thank you. And you? Tell me about your new missions? Did you defeat more dark mages?" Questions sprang out of my mouth, the guys replied to all of them.
I learned at some point about Ultear's possession of Jellal in the Tower of Heaven. I first wanted to explode at her, but a wise friend told me that keeping hatred won't let me advance. So I eventually throw the grudge, witnessing how life was harsh to Ultear, I got close to her and discovered a sweet girl filled of remorse and regrets.
I let them sit as I brought all the fresh dishes to the table. Jellal's eyes widened in amazement. "You cooked all of these?"
I nodded proudly. "Uhuh, don't forget I work in a renowned restaurant." I pouted.
"As a waitress..." reminded Meredy, sweat-dropping.
"Hey! I do the desserts and cocktails there!" I defended myself. A loud giggle escaped Jellal.
It was good to have them here. We talked all afternoon about all and nothing. The night settled in. The group started to depart when I brought them bags filled with pastries and cooked meals. "You don't have to do that." refused Jellal. "It's far too much, Kaya."
I grinned, my heart aching at the thought of Jellal. "I know you don't cook properly, and at least, you will have the most exquisite meals of your life!" I joked.
Ultear rolled her eyes, she was used to my bluntness and it amused her, well, most of the time. I took a bit more solemn voice, "Take them, I want you guys safe out there. And this will help you be safe."
I pointed out the bag. They accepted the bag with kindness. I saw them walk away in the dawn. I was about to prepare to go to work when a presence sprouted behind me. "Who were those people? You know them, Anya?" Martha asked with a tough tone.
I stuttered and turned to my old great neighbor. "No one, Martha. Some strangers." I lied.
She pushed down her glasses with disdain. "Fortunately, Anya, those people must be rascals. Did you see the tattoo on his face! Atrocious!"
I refrained from any remark to throw at that old witch and mounted up the stairs leading to my flat. Preparing silently to go to work. My night shift began quite late in the night since I asked my chief to arrive later that day.
One year later, arriving at her work early, Kaya met her coworkers who discussed as the customers slowly sat at the table in the evening. She noticed Oklar and Lorine, gossiping about the news. They mostly tended to whisper about the Sabertooth's mages. Lorine craved for the two dragon slayer's abs when they competed each year in the Grand Magic Games.
Thinking they were still bickering about the beauty of the mages, she sighed and she flinched when she heard unexpected news, "Did you hear the news, Fairy Tail's mages have returned after 7 years."
Kaya came closer to them, taken aback. "Yeah! I heard Tenrou Island reappeared on the map!" replied Jamie.
"The rumors say that the mages did not age in 7 years!" added Lorine.
"I can't believe it." Anya declared all aghast.
Both of her coworkers turned to her, "Oh yeah! I remember you were a fan of Fairy Tail? Weren't you Anya?" checked Jamie.
That was the first time Anya looked so perplexed. She composed herself and finished her shift. Jamie frowned, finding his colleague really strange since the beginning of the night. All lost, Kaya left the restaurant, she walked in the cold of the night, her trench only covering her sexy outfit. She hummed in the breeze, playing with the warm air she exhaled.
They were alive! She thought. A million possibilities ran through her mind. She waited so long for that moment, she even gave up the idea of seeing them back. But now, her mind was blurry, she wasn't sure she had the strength to face back Makao and even less the others as she changed so much.
She wasn't the weak teen, who blacked out easily. Feeling someone following her in the empty streets. Her finger clapped, a cloaking made her vanish in the air. Reaching her apartment, she panicked when she found the clench had been forced.
Her feet stomped carefully, not producing any noise. She jumped when her friends greeted her from her couch. "Hey Kaya!" The Crime Sorciere were in her flat.
"Oh! It's you!" she sighed reassured. "I almost had a heart attack." she commented.
Ultear smirked amused at the scared cat who jumped, seeing them all waiting patiently for her. "I suppose you heard the news?" checked Jellal getting back to business.
"Your Fairy Tail's friends returned, you must be happy, right" chanted Meredy with happiness. Kaya frowned a bit, sitting down on a chair.
"I am overwhelmed mostly," she confessed. "I'm happy they got back safely, but I don't know what to do? I'm not sure I'm ready to face them right now."
Ultear and Jellal nodded comprehensively, Meredy, on the other hand, protested, "But they are your friends! You can't hide yourself forever."
"I know... but I still dread the dark guilds, and Tartaros still stands tall" she pointed out.
Ultear shrugged, "Why won't you take a look at Magnolia, then? You can still cloak yourself, and check if everyone's okay. You don't have to rush things. Besides, they might come to the GMG..."
"She has a point" confirmed Meredy childishly. Jellal sighed, approaching Kaya to hug her. "No matter what choice you make, we will help you, okay?" She nodded.
They discussed a bit before letting Kaya sleep, she had plenty of time to make a decision.
------------
Well, that's all for today, guys I hope you liked the following of Kaya's story.
Here's a pic of how I picture her in my mind, don't forget to hit the liking button, if my writing isn't so bad ;)