Where Fairies Tread

Samantha had a feeling that like Lucy, she was going to be a heart breaker when she grow up. "Mira needs that, it'll help her focus and be more determined. I offered to teach them to use Ki, but with how things stand it would get in the way of her control of normal magic."

Lisanna nodded a bit. "Mm, okay! So we'll all meditate! Sounds like fun."

Samantha patted her seat. "You could sit here for now until we get here, it shouldn't be too long before we get where we need to."

Lisanna smiled and nodded a bit. "Okay then... I'm glad you came with us, you're really nice."

Samantha continued to smile, it was hard not to. "I'm glad someone thinks so." She teased good naturedly. "How have you and Lucy got along? You seem to have clicked."

Lisanna grinned. "Lucy is awesome! I think we'll have a lot of fun together!"

"I'm glad. Lucy takes a lot after her mother, she's very easy to get along and draws you in. She's going to do a lot of great things when she's older, and I think you and your siblings will do great things to." Samantha wasn't just saying that simply because, she geuinely did think great things would be going their way as they progressed. It was an hunch.

Lisanna cocked her head. "Who is Lucy's mother? Am I gonna meet her? She calls you Aunt Sammy, so that's your sister, right?"

Samantha gave a sad smile. "She's..not with us anymore Lisanna. She calls me aunt Sammy because I'm her god mother, its just something that stuck since she was really small."

Lisanna's smile fell, and she nodded. "Oh... I'm sorry... I know what it's like to lose a mom... it's not very fun... did she lose her dad too then?"

Samantha wondered if she should tell her, but she knew it would come eventually and there wasn't an real reason to withhold it. "Her father is still around physically, but emotionally he's checked out. He doesn't spend time with her and he ignored Lucy for the most part when she was there. It got to the point where I said enough and took her here to live with me."

Lisanna seemed rather confused. "...But... why would he do that?"

"I don't know.." Samantha said after a moment. "Sometimes sweetie, people just..check out after they lose to someone. I think after Layla passed away, he went to coping in their own way. They weren't like this when she was alive. I'm hoping with Lucy being around me more instead, they'll come around."

Lisanna was silent for a moment, then nodded. "Well, I'll make sure Lucy has lots of fun at Fairy Tail then!"

"I have an idea, but we'll have to see. I was thinking of asking Lucy if she wants to train in martal arts. You don't have to take the full route besides meditation, but it could be fun to have it be a regular thing far as training went." It would also be an excuse to hammer in what she felt was much needed survival skills.

Lisanna nodded quickly. "So she'd join me and my brother and sister, right?"

Samantha nodded. "Yes. It may be others later, but for now if it works out it'll just be your family, and maybe Lucy. I think this will also help your sister in other ways to get more connected with people."

Lisanna smiled brightly. "...Thank you... you remind me of my mom..."

Samantha didn't know how to respond to that, but it warmed her heart. "..Thank you Lisanna. If..if its all right to ask..what was she like?" She didn't want step on any toes, but if she was all right with mentioning them, she was probably all right with talking about it.

"I make you feel safe..?" Samantha said almost more to herself, but felt herself smiling internally. "Thank you. We haven't known each other that long, but I consider you three important people too." She didn't expect to see that comparison so soon, but it made her feel good of course.

Lisanna just smiled, and then moved to hug Samantha. "Thank you for coming with us... I know Mira-nee won't say it, but she's happy you're here too... she's scared even though she won't admit it..."

Samantha smiled warmly returning the hug as she gently stroked her hair. "I know." She said gently. "But she's putting on a brave front for you and your brother. She'll be fine. And with our help, I know she'l be the person she was meant to be. We won't let the new magic she has get in the way of that."

Lisanna just smiled up at Samantha. "I'm really glad we joined Fairy Tail..." She leaned into Samantha's side, looking out the window as the train continued on.

~~~~~~

It had been four years since then, and while much had changed, much had stayed the same as well.

Wendy, Kagura, Emanulle, and Cadmus had become a rather effective team together at Cait Shelter, and fast friends. Wendy and Cadmus had also joined Kagura and Emanulle in trying to find information on Erza and Simon's whereabouts, but all they had found was more instances of children being kidnapped. Still, they held out hope.

At Fairy Tail, things were quite interesting. The 'kids' had grown, as had their bonds. Lucy was 15 now, and was starting to get a lot of attention from the opposite sex; though all the girls were, really. Fairy Tail had become known for being one of the top guilds, full of powerful and destructive mages, strong and quirky personalities, and beautiful women.

Adell, Lucy, Natsu, Gray, Cana, Lisanna, Elfman, Levy.... they had all become close friends, and were often hanging out together. Brandish and Lucy were like sisters, and Brandish was friendly with the others, but... she was rarely around. She was often out of the guild on one mission or another, having achieved S-Class the year before and being rather obsessed with finding Zoldeo, despite her mothers wishes. Natsu and Lisanna seemed closer than some, the two being the unofficial 'parents' of the strange flying cat, Happy.

Erza and Mirajane still had their rivalry, but it had cooled over time. Mirajane was still a bit rough around the edges at times, with a fierce temper, but her lessons with Samantha as well as opening up to others had led her to become a much kinder person. Erza had opened up to the others as well, though she still seemed to be keeping things to herself for some reason. Both young women, now 17 themselves, had achieved S-Class as well; Mirajane at 16, Erza at 15.

Samantha, of course, had been S-Class for several years now, and had sort of become a 'poster girl' for Fairy Tail. While she only occasionally would pose for photo shoots, she was still wildly popular, and well known for her strength; though some of the younger generation were starting to catch up to her popularity.

Croix had established himself in the guild, and was on friendly terms with almost everyone, and Avril had opened up more as well. They both tended to spend time with Lucy and the others; the whole group of them had become known as the 'core group' of Fairy Tail. The most well known, and among the strongest, mages of Fairy Tail.

Anna hadn't been in contact with Samantha in years, and Grammi was living her days peacefully in the city, still training her daughter, and teaching Lucy about Summon Spirits, whenever she had time.

All told, things were peaceful. And then on a rainy day, things changed once more.

Adell was around, tired as he came back from another bout of training with Samantha and Natsu but it was the good, relaxed kind of tired. Of course after the fact he wanted to spend time with Lucy and Cana, the three had been close since their kid days so it only made sense that trend continued. Samantha felt there was more to it, but she didn't really push, instead she let it blossom on its own. She was hoping for something as there was a natural chemsitry, but time would tell.

Avril on her end was cleaning the tables after the group had gotten rowdy earlier, wearing a maid outfit; she had taken to dressing up thanks to Erza's influence. She was far less shy, but she had her moments. "Welcome back you three. How was your training Adell and Natsu?"

"It was good. I just wish I had lasted longer. Man I still got a ways to go, but we're getting better day everyday. Right Natsu?"