Fairy 39: Magic Stone Tracker II

And because he just realised this, like a broken robot, Zack slowly turned and looked into Vottes's confused link pink eyes, that looked worryingly at Zack, with his suddenly reaction and odd body behaviour.

"Zack…?" Vottes worryingly asked.

"Sorry… about me taking you to my guild… I just realised that I am… lost… in fact, I have no clue where I am." Zack said with a faint smile.

It as he said. All this time, Zack been too focus on his training, and travelling, he never gained much interest where he is going, or where he went. Before at the guild, when he took on Missions, the Guild will offer Zack a map where to go, and Zack is good a reading maps.

But not once he cared about taking one with him. Nor did he thought he needed one. And because he been destroying one training grounds after another, with his Gravity or Quake Magic Systems. Zack always on a move, and he doesn't take the main roads often, since he knew if he were too close to the main road, is his magic might endanger someone, or gain unwanted attention from someone.

Not to mention, Zack still has no clue the other month, he was so near the main headquarters of Grimoire Heart, one of the most powerful dark guilds in Ishgar.

Zack was lucky enough to be find only by Meredy and Ultear, who wanted to use Zack in any way. But Zack left before Ultear could finished her spider's web to trap Zack. And he is lucky he didn't mention he was formed Fairy Tail, since Grimoire Heart hated Fairy Tail, as much as Fairy Tail hates Grimoire Heart.

If Zack was found out. Without a doubt, Ultear and the other core members of Grimoire Heart will begin their manhunt on Zack. No matter how strong Zack is, with his SS-Class level of magic or physical strength. He is no match against the countless powerhouses in Grimoire Heart.

After all, Grimoire Heart isn't known as one of the most powerful Dark Guilds in Ishgar for nothing.

When Vottes heard Zack and look at his sorry expression on his face. For some reason, Vottes found Zack's honest and clumsy action both cute and funny, as she cannot help herself to laugh, upon seeing this.

"Sorry… I didn't mean to laugh. Well, don't worry about it, once I am healed up, I will head there myself, thanks anyway, even if you don't remember the way, least I have a clue where find help with this." Vottes went with a smile.

"You don't have to thank me. And I will go with you. It might be better if I were the one to explain to Master, what happened to you. Plus, if I am with you, maybe I can find a way to get those Black Rivers guys." Zack went.

"You still hook up on them… didn't you listen what I said earlier? Even if you defeated the Minot Brothers, the higher ups of the Black Rivers Guild are not as simple as them. In fact, the guild master is rumoured to be a SS-Class Wizard, and has several elite wizards under him, as well other S-Class Wizards as well.

Tell the truth, I have no clue how many S-Class or above wizards they have. I only knew about Mister Rivers, that f**ker, and the one in change of chasing me, are the only two S-Class Wizards I heard from Black Rivers… but that doesn't mean there only two of them, you understand that right Zack?"

Vottes warned, as she doesn't what the guy, which she has unknown feelings for, to die very foolishly at the hands of her pursuers because he has underestimate them. And the least Vottes wanted, was someone dear to her to die or become hurt because of her.

"Don't worry, I know my limits. It just… knowing such people exist out there… I don't know… for some reason I just cannot stand the thought of them… as it just makes me…" Zack halted his words, as he not used to feeling hatred, and rage to understand how deal with them.

On the other hand, hearing his words, and seeing his actions. And knowing he is upset on her behalf, made her heart go crazy again. Vottes who recovered enough to move around a little. Came closer to Zack, who become confused of her actions. And even more confused when Vottes leaned against him.

Zack looked blankly at Vottes, has he not used to something like this, as this feels both strange and good, to be leaned on for some reason. But still has no clue what's she doing, or what is going on.

"Thanks… But your feelings are enough. It made me happy knowing you feeling like this, because of me. Me, on the other hand, even if I know have magical powers that equal or stronger than most S-Class Wizards.

Doesn't mean a thing if you don't know how to use them… I become too arrogant and reckless, because all I fought were weaklings, but once the real deal come along… like the Minot Brothers… or that hunter looking wizard from Black Rivers… realise how weak I am… I want to become stronger… it just I don't know how."

Vottes told her honest feelings, and close her pink eyes. She doesn't understand why, but felt very safe, when she lean and rest her head against Zack, and that is why she has no control over her body, that acting on her instincts when she felt at ease.

Vottes soon opened her link pink eyes, and raised her head to look into Zack's grassy green eyes. Zack on the other hand, doesn't understand a thing is going on inside his mind, or why Mirajane keep popping up in his mind. But he soon shake off these strange feelings, and refocus on what Vottes said to him.

"That is the reason why wizards normally join Guilds. After all, awakening to Ether, doesn't mean you could use magic or your magical power right away. What makes you a wizard, is the study of magic under you, and the magic you specialise in. Of course, there times when wizards joined guilds for protection, or for work. However, the main reason is to become stronger, and to band up with others of our kind.

And since your goal is to become stronger. You need to learn how to fight, how to use magic, how to use tactics like other wizards. I know I don't know much about Dragon Slayer Magic. However, luckily for you, our guild has one, a Dragon Slayer, in fact a Fire at that."

When Zack said that with a warm smile, and thought about that noisily Dragon Slayer, Natsu. Of course, he failed to look at Vottes, who looked at Zack blankly, when she saw that warm smile. And for some reason she unknowingly felt jealousy along with other emotions inside her heart when she saw that warm heartfelt smile.

(AN: Just pointing out, for those knew that Laxus Dreyar, Makarov's grandson, is also a Dragon Slayer, but at this time of the canon no one knows Laxus is a Lightning Dragon Slayer yet)

"You have someone like that? Is that Dragon Slayer… a woman?" Vottes cannot help to ask.

"Woman? Last time I check, he wasn't one. Talking about him… we often spar… chat, and even play around along with others… but something happened… and something even worse happened after that. You can say… there actually two main purposes why I went on this journey of mine.

Of course, my main and first purpose, is to become stronger… but it also to find myself as well… I just don't want to lose anyone else… that why I need to become stronger… stronger I become… more the chance no one else will be taken away from us."

A lonely smile appeared on Zack's lips, as he recalled the memories he has with Lisanna. But Zack's eyes widen as he felt something warm on his hand, only to discovered Vottes's thin soft hands overlapping with his own.

"Vottes…?" Zack cannot help calling her name out loud, as he truly has no experience when it comes to this kind of thing. Even Vottes somewhat shocked seeing she grabbed his hand, but when she saw that lonely smile, her body reacted before her mind.

"Sorry if I startled you. I just feel… like you need the company, it lonely to be by ourselves, and I know that more than anyone else could have." Vottes honestly told, which Zack smiled. As memories of the guild flashed inside his mind, and wondered if it should be a good idea to tell Vottes, who will join Fairy Tail about his past.

She already told him hers, so it only fair to tell her his own, right?

However, when Zack was about to informed Vottes of his own past. Nightfall who oddly hasn't been speaking a word all this time. Not even a dirty comment. Suddenly risen its own voice inside Zack's mind.

{Master, I think I know how they able to find your lover.} Nightfall went, as he said in a teasingly way.

'Lover…? What do you mean they can find Mirajane??' Zack spoke with confusion within his connection with Nightfall. Zack normally talks aloud when he talks to Nightfall, however when is he with others. To avoid looking like a crazy person talking to himself, Zack use their connection between himself, and this perverted sword.

Of course, if this was Zack two years ago, without a doubt. Zack wouldn't even care about his surroundings, and talk to Nightfall without a care in front of others. Fortunately, Zack has grown enough to realise what he could do in front of others, when what he shouldn't do in front of others.

{I meant that dragon woman.} Nightfall told.

'Dragon woman? Oh, you mean Vottes? Wait, when did I become lovers with her?' Zack asked with their connection.

{Oh really? You sure can fool my eyes, not like I have any. Either way, I keep feeling something strange each time you touch her, I wasn't sure what it was at first… however once enough time passed. I could feel something inside that dragon woman, I can feel some kind of entity, maybe an object located in the middle area of her back.}

"A-Are you serious…?" When Zack heard what Nightfall said, instead answering back with their connections. Zack cannot stop himself from saying his answer out loud, that even Vottes who overheard him, looked at Zack with confusion and concern.

{I am, you don't have to worry much about it. It not that hard to remove something like this, I show you how.}

Upon hearing that, Zack nodded. And turned serious and looked at Vottes. And Vottes, who notice the seriousness within his eyes as he looked at her. For some reason, felt her heart going crazy, and even lift her body from leaning against Zack's side.

But before Vottes could asked what the matter, or why Zack looking at her very serious like. Zack's next words startled her from her very core.

"Actually Vottes… I think I know why they can keep finding you… but, to stop them from finding you again. I have no other choice, but to remove it… do you trust me?" Zack simply said in a very serious tone, that also has a hint of worry as well. When he told Vottes this.