The journey through the forest passed in uneasy silence.
Erza led the way, carrying Makarov with surprising gentleness despite the urgency of the situation. Gray walked a few steps behind her, his eyes constantly scanning the trees, while Mirajane remained beside Yukari, never allowing more than a few inches to separate them.
The anger radiating from Yukari hadn't disappeared.
It had simply become quieter.
That frightened Mirajane far more than shouting ever could.
The forest surrounding Porlyusica's cabin felt untouched by the conflicts of the outside world. Towering trees stretched toward the sky, their leaves filtering the afternoon sunlight into thousands of dancing emerald reflections. Birds still sang as though Fairy Tail had not just declared war.
Yukari found it almost insulting.
How could nature remain so peaceful after everything Phantom Lord had done?
"There," Erza finally said.
Smoke rose gently from the chimney of a small wooden cabin hidden among the trees.
Before anyone could knock, the front door burst open.
"I told you idiots not to disturb me unless someone was dying!"
An elderly woman with long white hair glared at them from the doorway before her sharp eyes landed on Makarov.
"...That foolish old man."
Without another word, Porlyusica stepped aside.
"Bring him inside."
Erza entered immediately, carefully laying Makarov onto the bed inside the cabin.
Porlyusica placed one weathered hand against his chest before closing her eyes. Her expression gradually became more serious.
Gray frowned.
"Can you heal him?"
Porlyusica remained silent for several long seconds.
Finally, she exhaled.
"His injuries are not the real problem."
Everyone stiffened.
"His magical container has been almost completely emptied."
Yukari's fists clenched.
"So put it back."
Porlyusica looked toward her with an expression somewhere between annoyance and pity.
"If it were that simple, child, I would already be finished."
The room fell silent.
"The one who attacked him used a very unusual magic," Porlyusica continued. "His body survived the attack, but his magical reserves were forcefully drained. I can stabilize him, but recovering everything he lost..."
She slowly shook her head.
"...will take time."
Gray lowered his head.
Erza closed her eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, determination replacing worry.
"As long as he survives."
"He will."
Those two words allowed everyone to breathe again.
Porlyusica pointed toward the door.
"Now get out."
Gray blinked.
"...What?"
"You heard me."
She glared at all of them.
"You're making enough noise to wake a dragon."
"We're worried about the Master," Mirajane said politely.
"And worrying is helping him exactly how?"
Nobody answered.
Porlyusica crossed her arms.
"I only need one assistant. The rest of you are crowding my house."
Erza nodded immediately.
"Understood."
The group stepped back outside, leaving Porlyusica to begin her treatment.
...
The forest suddenly felt much quieter.
Gray leaned against a nearby tree and let out a long breath.
"I hate feeling useless."
"We all do," Erza replied.
Mirajane looked around before turning toward Yukari.
"Walk with me?"
Yukari nodded without speaking.
The two drifted away from the cabin, following a narrow trail lined with wildflowers until the voices behind them became little more than distant murmurs.
Neither of them spoke immediately.
The silence wasn't uncomfortable.
It was familiar.
Mirajane eventually reached for Yukari's hand.
Unlike the last few days, Yukari didn't hesitate.
Their fingers intertwined naturally.
"You've been thinking too much," Mirajane said quietly.
"I've been thinking exactly enough."
"Mmm..."
"You disagree."
"I do."
Yukari looked toward the sky, sunlight dancing between the branches overhead.
"If I had ignored your advice back there..."
"You would have destroyed Phantom Lord."
"I could have."
"I know."
"...Maybe I should have."
Mirajane stopped walking.
Yukari took another step before realizing she'd been left behind.
When she turned around, Mirajane was smiling gently.
"No."
"You don't know that."
"I do."
Mirajane stepped closer until barely a hand's width separated them.
"The Yukari I fell in love with gets angry."
A pause.
"She doesn't stop caring."
Yukari's shoulders relaxed just a little.
"You were ready to stop because you realized innocent people could still be inside."
"I only stopped because of you."
Mirajane laughed softly.
"I'll gladly take the credit."
Yukari couldn't help smiling.
"There it is."
"What?"
"Your smile."
"I was smiling?"
"You didn't notice?"
Yukari blinked.
Mirajane reached up and gently poked the corner of her mouth.
"That one."
"...You're impossible."
"So I've been told."
For the first time since Makarov had fallen, Yukari felt the crushing pressure inside her chest ease.
Only a little.
But enough.
She lifted Mirajane's hand and brought it to her lips, placing a gentle kiss across her knuckles.
Mirajane's cheeks turned a delicate shade of pink.
"My..."
"What?"
"You've become surprisingly bold lately."
"You don't like it?"
"I didn't say that."
Yukari smirked.
"So you do."
Mirajane answered by closing the remaining distance between them.
Her forehead rested lightly against Yukari's.
"I like every version of you."
Yukari's heartbeat stumbled.
"...That's unfair."
"Why?"
"Because every time you say something like that..."
She looked away, ears turning red.
"...I forget why I was angry."
Mirajane giggled.
"I was hoping for exactly that."
Their noses brushed.
Yukari's hand slipped gently around Mirajane's waist.
"So this was all part of your plan?"
"Maybe."
"You manipulated me."
"I prefer the word 'comforted.'"
"...That's manipulation with better marketing."
Mirajane laughed again, the sound light enough to chase away the heaviness surrounding them.
Slowly, almost naturally, Yukari leaned closer.
Their lips were only inches apart.
"I think," Mirajane whispered, "you were about to—"
"Ahem."
Both women froze.
They turned simultaneously.
Erza stood several meters away with her arms crossed.
Her face remained perfectly serious.
"...Am I interrupting something?"
Yukari jumped back so quickly she nearly lost her balance.
"N-No!"
Mirajane covered her mouth, desperately trying not to laugh.
Erza looked from one to the other before letting out a very small sigh.
"I have been standing here for nearly a minute."
Yukari's soul left her body.
"...A minute?"
"Yes."
"And you watched?"
"I was waiting for an appropriate moment."
"There wasn't one!"
"I noticed."
Mirajane finally lost the battle against her laughter.
Erza cleared her throat.
"Porlyusica has finished the initial treatment. We should return."
She paused before adding with complete seriousness,
"...Next time, perhaps choose a location farther away from the path."
Yukari covered her burning face.
"...I want to disappear."
Mirajane gently squeezed her hand.
"I think you're adorable."
"I think Erza just shortened my lifespan by ten years."
Erza had already started walking back toward the cabin.
Without turning around, she spoke one last time.
"And try not to keep holding hands while claiming nothing happened."
Mirajane burst into laughter.
Yukari stared silently at the sky.
"...I'm never living this down."