Chapter 23

                                    

                                          
Kayla woke up to the sound of voices. Depending on the scents around her, Laxus was closest, sitting next to wherever she was laying. The others of the Fearsome five were laying in places around her, each of them surrounded by wizards of their own guilds. And going by the smell, Kayla assumed they were still in the Death's Storm guild hall, but depending on the way everyone was relaxed, the Death's Storm members weren't holding them captive.
                          
Feeling strength starting to return to her, Kayla finally blinked one her eyes, seeing that she was in a small infirmary in the guild hall. While Death's Storm hated weaklings, the strongest wizards did get injured occasionally and they were the only ones who were able— or survived long enough— to use this room.
                          
"Laxus." Kayla muttered, getting the attention of the Lightning Dragon Slayer.
                          
"Kayla, you're awake." He said, getting the attention of the other Fairy Tail wizards who were near her bed.
                          
"How're you feeling?" Wendy asked.
                          
"Still a bit tired and sore, but I'll survive."
                          
Wendy smiled, a look of relief on her face. "I'm glad."
                          
Kayla around the bed, seeing everyone's faces. The faces of the wizards and mages who had accepted her with open arms into their guild. The wizards who swore to protect her even after they knew who she really was. The wizards who came to rescue her. A soft smile made it's way to her face as her eyes started to water. "Thanks guys, for coming to get me, even after you knew who I was." She said.
                          
Erza placed her hand on Kayla's shoulder, a smile on her face. "You're still the same wizard from when we first met you. What happened in your past does not define who you are in the present. You've changed, grown."
                          
Kayla's smile wavered as tears started to slide down her cheeks. "Yeah, y-you're right." She said.
                          
Gajeel grinned, "Once you're all better and rested, we're taking you back home. To Fairy Tail."
                          
Kayla nodded, "Of course. I wouldn't dream of going anywhere else."
                          
***
                          
"Well, I guess until next time." Valorie said.
                          
Some time ahead past and the rest of the Five had woken up— having gathered enough ethernano to replenish their magic until they could get back to their guilds and get proper treatment. Before they left to go to their respective guilds, they gathered together to exchange some quick words before parting.
                          
"It's really over, isn't it?" Finnian asked, tilting his head upwards to look at the sky.
                          
"It really is." Kayla assured. "We're not running anymore. We're free to choose our own paths."
                          
"We've gained so much since we left, we've each gained a family, and friends." April said softly. "I'm so glad that wasn't taken away from us."
                          
Valorie nodded, placing a hand on April's shoulder, "I couldn't ask for anything more." She said.
                          
"We already have everything. There's nothing more to ask for." Finnian added.
                          
"Hey! Mel!" Someone called and the group looked over to where the two Mermaid Heel members. Milliana was waving the said girl over with a smile on her face. "We're heading back meow, you coming or what?"
                          
Melody smiled before looking back at the group. "Well, I'd better head back with them. Mermaid Heel is probably missing my gorgeous self." She said, waving 'bye' to the group. "Till next time!"
                          
They all waved at her as she turned and walked towards her guild mates.
                          
"Well, we should be heading back to our guild as well." Valorie said.
                          
"Please be careful." April said as she turned and started walking to where Lamia Scale was standing, Valorie waving goodbye and walking to join them as well.
                          
"Kayla, I'm glad you've found a place you can call your home. I'm glad all of us have." Finnian smiled and took Kayla's hands in his, seeming to sparkle somewhat, "Live your best life from now on, alright."
                          
"Kayla! We're heading back!" Laxus shouted from the group, and she turned to look at him, seeing that his expression was as stoic as usual, but she was able to notice the slightest twitch of his eyebrow.
                          
Finnian smiled, looking between Kayla and Laxus, turning her around and patting the square of her back, "He cares about you, doesn't he? I'm glad you found someone, Kayla." He said.
                          
Kayla turned and looked at him, her cheeks red. "F-Finny!" She exclaimed, watching as the brunette chuckled and turned to walk away.
                          
"See you around." He said joining up with the others in the Trimen.
                          
Kayla looked at him before letting out a sigh, her cheeks still warm. She turned back to the Fairy Tail group, the five of them turning to look at her. She gave them a smile, "I'm coming!"
                          
***
                          
After suffering the train ride back, Kayla walked through Magnolia Town, taking in all the scents. Her and Laxus were walking toward the back of the group, dragging behind the others.
                          
"Thanks for coming to get me." She said.
                          
"Yeah well, I wasn't going to let you go without apologizing."
                          
"Apologizing? For what?"
                          
"For leaving without a fight. 'I guess this is goodbye.'? You can't just leave like that." Laxus said, turning and looking away from Kayla, the Storm Dragon Slayer seeing that the tips of his ears were slightly red.
                          
"Laxus." Kayla said, and when he turned to look at her, she motioned for him to get closer to her. The two of them had stopped walking, and now Laxus was bending slightly, his face a bit closer to hers.
                          
"What?"
                          
She grinned, standing on her tippy toes she pecked him on his lips before pulling away, "I think that suffices enough for an apology." She said, her smile turning playful. "Now let's catch up with the group, alright?" She turned and started walking, leaving Laxus where he was standing, his eyes widened ever so slightly.
                          
"Come on slowpoke, or we'll leave you to walk to the guild alone!" Kayla shouted, breaking Laxus out of his small trance, he looked at her a grinned.
                          
"How did I get so lucky?" He asked himself in a hushed voice as he started walking and caught up with the group.
                          
It wasn't long before Kayla was standing in front of the doors in the guild hall, the others gathered behind her. She jumped slightly at a hand being placed on her her shoulder and she turned to see Laxus standing beside her.
                          
"Welcome home."