Kuromaru glided effortlessly across the morning sky, his massive wings slicing through the air with a steady rhythm that carried them toward Magnolia. The sun shimmered on his scales, each beat of his wings sending ripples through the clouds beneath them. The air was cool and clear.
Ruby sat perched on Issei's shoulder, her paws gripping his coat as the wind danced through her fur. Her wide eyes sparkled like crimson jewels, reflecting the endless blue above them. "It's… beautiful," she whispered, voice almost lost in the wind. "I've never flown this far before…"
Issei smiled faintly, glancing at her. "Enjoy it while it lasts. You'll be seeing a lot more skies like this from now on."
Her tail curled tightly against her, and she looked down at the land passing below, forests like green waves, rivers, and the faraway shimmer of lakes catching the morning sun.
'I'm really doing it,' She thought, her heart fluttering with a mix of thrill and disbelief. 'I left everything behind… and now I am starting a new adventure.'
Behind them, the rest of Dragon Heart relaxed along Kuromaru's broad back. The wind tugged at their hair and clothes as they basked in the quiet stretch of open sky.
Yuuka was the first to break the silence. Lounging back with her arms folded behind her head, she called out over the wind, "So, what do you guys think we should do when we arrive? Should we go straight into another quest?"
Uzume's laughter carried in the air. Her long hair whipped around her face as she leaned forward, resting her chin in her hand. "You already want another quest? We're just coming back. Let's take a break. Besides, we still have to introduce Ruby to the rest of the family."
"Little Sakura will be ecstatic," Yashima said brightly, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "You know how she gets, she'll probably hug Ruby to death the second she sees her."
Ruby blinked at that, her ears twitching. "Who's Sakura?" She asked hesitantly.
"She's basically our daughter," Uzume said with a fond grin. "Trust me, she's adorable and she's going to adore you."
Ruby then looked at Issei in disbelief "You already have a daughter."
"She's adopted but that doesn't mean we don't love her any less." Issei says looking like a proud father.
Karasuba gave a short chuckle, stretching her legs lazily. "Well, while you all play family reunion, I wouldn't mind another fight. My sword's getting restless."
"Agreed!" Yuuka said quickly, pointing at her. "! I want to go on another quest and shoot someone else."
That earned her several incredulous looks from the group.
Akitsu blinked once, tilting her head. "Is Yuuka… becoming an adrenaline junkie?" She asked calmly, genuine curiosity in her tone.
"Worse. A battle junkie."Yashima sweatdropping says.
Uzume laughed. "Guess our sharpshooter got a taste for danger."
Yuuka crossed her arms defensively. "Hey, it's not that! I just—" She hesitated, realizing how ridiculous it sounded even to her, "I was just a normal girl, after learning to fight, I just don't like sitting still anymore."
"Sure," Uzume teased, smirking. "You and Karasuba can form the 'Can't-Sit-Still Club.' Motto: We fight until we drop, then complain later."
Karasuba grinned. "Has a nice ring to it."
Issei glanced back at the group, shaking his head with a laugh. "You two are unbelievable. We just finished fighting a literal army of monsters and a dinosaur, and you're already planning round two?"
Yuuka shrugged. "Hey, momentum is important!"
He sighed, though his smile lingered. "Let's take it slow for now. My parents, Tamamo, Misuki, and Miya will want us to stay home for a bit. You know how they get when we vanish for too long, Tamamo's going to fuss over every scratch, Misuki's going to lecture us about safety, and Miya will… well, she'll stare at us with her mask until we apologize."
Uzume shuddered. "That mask haunts me in my dreams."
"Besides," Issei continued, "we've got Ruby to think about. She's new to all this, we should help her get used to living with us before throwing her into another battlefield."
Ruby's ears perked at that, a mix of surprise and gratitude warming her chest. She looked up at him, her small voice almost lost to the wind. "You'd… do that for me?"
"Of course," Issei said, glancing at her with his easy grin. "You're part of the team now. We look after each other."
Ruby's heart swelled at the words, her tail flicking shyly. She couldn't help smiling, even as she tried to hide it behind her paws.
The conversation shifted as Kuromaru dipped lower through a patch of clouds, the cool mist brushing across them like fog.
Uzume leaned forward again, her eyes sparkling mischievously. "So, when we do get home… Who's breaking the news to Matsu about the monster corpses? Because I'm not doing it."
Yashima laughed. "She's going to lose her mind! You know how she gets when someone brings her new material."
"She'll probably lock herself in her lab for days," Yuuka added with a smirk. "Last time, she nearly turned the kitchen into a weapon-testing room."
Issei groaned, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Hopefully she doesn't take it too far."
Uzume's grin widened. "Then it's settled — you're telling her."
"Wait, what—?!" Issei began, but they were already laughing.
Karasuba tapped her sword hilt thoughtfully. "We should at least see if the corpses are useful. That T-rex's hide was tough, Matsu might be able to make something out of it."
"That's the plan," Uzume said, nodding eagerly. "Actually, I've been thinking…" Her voice took on a rare tone of creative excitement. "After seeing all that armor and scale texture, I want to try making new clothes. Maybe mix in monster materials, something durable and stylish."
"Like battle couture?" Yuuka teased. "Are you planning to start a fashion line?"
"Don't tempt me," Uzume replied, pretending to think deeply. "'Uzume's Combat Chic.' Has a nice ring to it."
Yashima laughed so hard she nearly dropped her hammer. "Please make that happen."
Even Akitsu's lips twitched, the faintest smile breaking her calm. "If the clothing is fireproof, it may prove useful."
Uzume winked. "That's the spirit."
Issei chuckled, watching them fondly as they joked and argued above the clouds. For a moment, he let his gaze drift over his team, Yuuka laughing until her eyes crinkled, Yashima's bright grin, Akitsu's quiet grace, Karasuba's restless smirk, Uzume's spark of creativity and now Ruby, small and new, watching it all with shining eyes.
He looked ahead, past Kuromaru's wings to the horizon, where the faint outline of Magnolia began to rise like a painting bathed in light.
"Alright," he said, more to himself than anyone else, "let's go home."
And as Kuromaru soared eastward, the wind carrying their laughter and the promise of rest, Dragon Heart continued toward Magnolia.
—--------------------------------
Magnolia
By the time Magnolia's tall bell tower came into view, the sun had already climbed high into a brilliant blue sky.
From above, the familiar town stretched out, the sparkling river winding through it, the bridges bustling with merchants and carriages, the colorful market squares filled with life. Even the scarred patch of forest near the northern edge still bore the faint marks of Issei's fiery clash with Natsu days ago, now slowly healing under new green growth.
And in the heart of it all stood Fairy Tail's new grand hall, its golden emblem glinting proudly in the sunlight.
Kuromaru let out a low rumble as he circled the city once, his enormous shadow sweeping over the rooftops. The sudden shade made heads turn upward.
"Look! It's them again!" someone shouted.
"The wyvern! Fairy Tail's flying beast!"
"I told you the tamed wyvern wasn't a myth!" A local bragged to a wide-eyed tourist.
Yuuka leaned back against the saddle ridge and smirked. "Still a showoff," she muttered as Kuromaru banked into a dramatic spiral, his black wings spread wide against the sun.
"Can't blame him," Uzume replied with a laugh. "If I had wings that big, I'd flex too."
Kuromaru gave a deep, proud roar before descending. Dust kicked up as he landed just outside the guild, the ground trembling faintly beneath his massive claws.
When the air settled, Issei jumped down first, stretching his arms with a contented sigh. "Alright, everyone," he said, smiling at the familiar sight of the wooden doors before them. "We're back."
Ruby peeked over his shoulder, eyes wide as she took in the towering guildhall up close. The Fairy Tail banner fluttered overhead, and even from outside, she could hear the faint laughter, cheers, and the unmistakable sound of someone breaking a chair.
"It's… huge," she whispered. "And loud."
Uzume grinned, patting her gently on the head. "You'll get used to that. Fairy Tail's motto is basically public destruction, bar fights, and explosions."
"Don't forget the drinking contests," Yashima added helpfully.
Issei chuckled and pushed open the guild doors.
—---------------------------------------
Inside Fairy Tail
The moment the heavy doors swung open, a wave of warmth and chaos hit them.
Music, laughter, the smell of roasted meat and spilt ale, it was like stepping into a living storm of noise and joy. The guild was exactly as they remembered it rowdy, chaotic, and alive.
A few heads turned toward the entrance and then a familiar voice shouted, "Issei! You're back!"
A chorus of voices followed. From across the room, Natsu leapt over a table, grinning like a child on Christmas morning. "Yo! Took you long enough! We thought you got lost!"
"Yeah, I'm back," Issei replied with an easy wave and a grin. "And you're still as loud as ever."
"Damn right!" Natsu said proudly then paused mid-step, sniffing the air with exaggerated intensity. His expression twisted. "You smell like… monster guts. What the hell were you fighting?"
Issei raised a brow. "Long story. Let's just say a mind controlled dinosaur with anger issues."
Natsu's eyes widened in excitement. "A dinosaur?! Lucky!"
Before Issei could respond, a shadow fell over them, Erza, arms crossed, armor gleaming in the sunlight streaming through the high windows.
"Glad to see you all made it back safely," she said, her tone calm but sharp enough to command silence. Her gaze softened slightly before narrowing again. "I assume you didn't leave any collateral damage behind this time?"
Uzume rolled her eyes. "That's rich coming from your group, Erza."
Erza paused, then sighed in resignation. "…Fair point."
"Good to be back," Issei said, chuckling as the tension dissolved.
Just then, Lucy came rushing over, her blonde hair bouncing as she waved. "You're all okay! We heard about the monster swarm quest near the coast, everyone was worried!"
"We handled it," Yuuka said with a wink. "Though… the mountain might look a little flatter now."
Lucy blinked. "You flattened a mountain?"
Karasuba, with her usual predatory smirk, crossed her arms. "That was the T-rex I fought. That thing wouldn't stay down."
Gray groaned from his seat near the bar. "Great. There goes our reputation again. The Council's gonna love that report."
From behind the counter, Mirajane Strauss looked up and smiled warmly, her blue eyes bright with relief. "Welcome home, everyone. You've been gone for 3 days this time."
Then her gaze shifted to a small red figure nervously peeking out from behind Issei's leg. "And who's this little cutie?"
Ruby froze. "I—I'm Ruby! I helped Issei and his team during the Sunflower mission!" She took a shaky breath, tail curling behind her. "And… I decided to join them!"
Mira's smile softened even more. "Oh my. How adorable." She leaned forward, whispering playfully, "Are you looking to join the guild too?"
Ruby's eyes sparkled. "Yes!"
"Then you'll fit right in," Mira said kindly.
From across the room, Natsu's voice broke through the chatter. "Whoa! Another cat like Happy!" He turned eagerly toward the bar. "Happy! Come meet Issei's new partner!"
"Wait—what?" Ruby blinked, watching as Natsu dashed away, nearly tripping over a chair in his excitement.
Mira chuckled and reached beneath the counter, pulling out the familiar Fairy Tail guild stamp. "Well then, Ruby, ready to make it official?"
Ruby's ears perked, her whole face lighting up. "You mean—?"
"Mhm," Mira said gently. "Where would you like your mark?"
Ruby looked down at her tiny paws, then her tail, before smiling shyly. "Right here," she said, holding out her left paw. "So I can see it every time I fight."
"Perfect choice," Mira said.
She pressed the stamp against Ruby's paw, and a faint yellow glow blossomed over her fur, forming the Fairy Tail insignia. The surrounding members burst into applause as Ruby lifted her paw proudly, eyes shimmering with joy.
"I'm… really part of the guild now," she whispered.
Issei knelt beside her, placing a gentle hand on her head. "Welcome to Fairy Tail, Ruby."
Her voice trembled with emotion. "Thank you… I won't let you down."
"You won't have to," Issei said, smiling warmly. "You're one of us now."
The next half hour was chaos, even by Fairy Tail standards.
Issei and his team gave proper introductions, presenting Ruby to everyone: Mirajane, Erza, Gray, Lucy, Elfman, Cana, and even the old master himself, Makarov, who was sitting atop the counter with a drink in hand.
"Well, well," Makarov chuckled, stroking his mustache. "Another new face! And a talking cat, too. Fairy Tail's getting more colorful by the day."
Ruby bowed politely, her little tail flicking nervously. "It's an honor, sir!"
"Bah! No need for that." Makarov waved dismissively. "If you're friends with this bunch, you're family already."
As laughter filled the room again, Natsu came sprinting back, dragging Happy behind him. The blue Exceed's eyes immediately went wide the moment he saw Ruby.
"Aye!" Happy gasped dramatically. His wings fluttered, and tiny hearts practically popped from his pupils. "She's gorgeous!"
Ruby blinked, taking a step back. "Um… hello?"
Without hesitation, Happy presented her with his half-eaten fish like a bouquet. "For you, my beautiful crimson angel!"
Ruby stared at the fish. Then at him. Then back at the fish, the half-chewed, slightly dripping fish.
Her expression twisted in disgust. "…You ate it already."
Happy blinked innocently. "I saved you the best half!"
Yuuka and Uzume immediately burst out laughing. Yashima nearly fell off her chair trying not to choke on her drink.
Karasuba smirked wickedly. "You've got competition, Issei. That cat moves fast."
Issei groaned, covering his face. "Please don't encourage him."
Ruby sighed, gently pushing the fish away with a paw. "Thanks, but… no thanks."
Happy deflated, his ears drooping dramatically. "Aye… rejection hurts."
Lucy patted him on the head. "Better luck next time, Romeo."
The reunion carried on in true Fairy Tail fashion, loud, chaotic, and heartfelt. Plates clattered, mugs clinked, and laughter rolled through the guild hall like a storm.
Once the excitement over Ruby began to settle, Issei leaned against the bar and grinned at the familiar faces around him. "So, what about you guys? How'd your quest go while we were gone?"
Natsu, who was still nursing a bump on his head from Erza's earlier scolding, perked up slightly. "Ours? Pfft, easy stuff!"
Before he could elaborate, Gray snorted from across the room. "That's because I handled most of it."
"Like hell you did!" Natsu snapped immediately, sparks practically flying between them.
Erza stepped in before the two could start wrestling again. "It was an escort mission for a merchant caravan," she said calmly. "A few bandits tried to cause trouble, but it was nothing we couldn't handle." She took a sip of her tea and smiled faintly. "Quite peaceful, actually."
"That's because I was there," Gray said proudly.
"Gray, you got frozen by your own spell halfway through the fight," Lucy pointed out.
Gray turned red. "That was tactical!"
The others burst into laughter, and even Akitsu's lips twitched with faint amusement.
Issei chuckled. "Sounds like things haven't changed much around here."
Lucy's grin widened suddenly, her tone bubbling with excitement. "Well, something did change. I got a new spirit companion!"
That immediately caught their attention. "Really?" Yashima asked, her eyes bright. "Who is it?"
Lucy held up a gleaming golden key between her fingers, pride glowing in her eyes. "You'll be surprised," she teased.
Natsu groaned loudly from his table, crossing his arms and turning his head away. "Tch…"
Uzume blinked at his reaction. "What's with him? He looks like someone stole his food."
"Or his girlfriend," Karasuba muttered with a smirk.
Erza gave an amused sigh. "You'll understand in a moment."
Lucy, unable to hold in her excitement any longer, twirled the key between her fingers. "Gate of the Lion! Open!"
A bright golden light flared in the middle of the hall, and from it stepped a tall, handsome man in a dark suit and orange-tinted sunglasses, his red hair slicked back perfectly.
"Loke the Lion, at your service," he said smoothly, giving a charming bow before turning his most dazzling smile toward Lucy. "My beautiful celestial princess, your call is my greatest joy."
The entire room went still for a heartbeat.
Then the girls all blinked. "Wait… Loke?!"
Erza nodded. "That's right. Loke is a Celestial Spirit — or rather, he was one of us until recently. Lucy helped him return to the Celestial Spirit World, and now he's back under her contract."
Uzume looked between the two, realization dawning. "Ohhh… so that's why flame-brain over there looks like someone stole his candy."
"Yup," Yuuka said with a grin. "The playboy factor."
Loke turned toward them with a practiced, dazzling smile. "Well, well… its good to see all you lovely ladies again, Fairy Tail truly blesses me with more beauties to admire?"
He reached for Uzume's hand, only for her to sidestep smoothly and grin. "Careful, Casanova — I come with warning labels."
Behind her a dark reddish aura surrounded Issei with a green glow coming from his eyes that promised murder.
Loke laughed nervously, and turned back to Lucy. "But of course, none compare to my lovely Lucy."
Before anyone could react, Natsu was already moving. A sharp crack echoed through the guild hall as his fist connected with Loke's jaw, sending him flying across the room and crashing into a pile of chairs.
"GET AWAY FROM LUCY!" Natsu shouted, flames erupting around his fists.
Loke sat up from the wreckage, adjusting his glasses as he groaned. "That's a little excessive, don't you think?"
"She's not your princess, four-eyes!" Natsu barked, already stomping toward him.
"Oh dear," Erza muttered, placing a hand over her face. "Here we go again."
The two were on each other in seconds — fists, flames, and furniture flying everywhere. Gray immediately joined in, yelling something about "keeping the guild in one piece," which of course resulted in him fighting Natsu, too. Within moments, a full-blown brawl had erupted.
Tables flipped. Ale splashed. Someone's food went airborne.
And somehow, as always, Issei got dragged right into the chaos.
He barely dodged a flying chair when one of the younger male mages called out, "Get him too! He's got all the girls to himself anyway!"
"Yeah!" another shouted. "Let's take him down!"
"Wait—what?!" Issei blinked as a dozen guys rushed him at once. "What did I do this time?!"
"Existing!" someone yelled.
Karasuba's grin widened like a predator spotting prey. "Oh, this is going to be fun."
Before Issei could protest, she was already unsheathing her sword, laughing maniacally as she joined the fray. "Come on, boys, show me that famous Fairy Tail spirit!"
Uzume, Yuuka, Akitsu, and Yashima all stood off to the side, watching as chaos exploded across the guild. With Ruby staring at the chaos with wide eyes. Fists, spells, and bodies were flying in every direction.
Uzume sighed, arms crossed. "You'd think they'd have learned by now."
"Apparently not," Yuuka said dryly, sipping a drink she'd stolen from the bar.
Yashima winced as a table smashed nearby. "Should we… stop them?"
Uzume looked at her. "Do we ever?"
"Fair point."
Erza and Lucy were the only ones still seated at the bar, watching in exhausted resignation as Natsu and Loke continued to crash through furniture.
"Honestly," Erza muttered, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Every day with this guild is a battle."
Lucy groaned. "At least they're not destroying the town this time."
Just then, Loke used his magic to vanish in a flash of light, reappearing behind her and gently resting a hand on her shoulder. "Perhaps we should let the children play, my lady. How about we escape to somewhere more… serene?"
Natsu's roar of fury shook the ceiling. "THAT'S IT! YOU'RE DEAD!"
"Here we go again," Lucy sighed, already ducking as another explosion rocked the hall.
Amid the madness, she leaned toward Yuuka and the other girls. "Speaking of peace and quiet… we actually have a trip planned tomorrow."
Yuuka blinked. "A Trip?"
"Yeah." Lucy smiled brightly despite the chaos. "Loke is treating us, me, Natsu, Erza, Gray, and Happy to an all-expense-paid getaway at a luxury resort by the coast. We're leaving first thing in the morning. A few days at the beach to relax."
Uzume nearly choked on her drink. "A free beach trip?"
Yashima groaned dramatically. "You're kidding me. We could use that!"
Even Akitsu's calm voice carried a hint of envy. "It sounds… pleasant."
Lucy laughed sheepishly. "We'll bring souvenirs, I promise!"
A loud crash echoed across the room, Issei was sent skidding across the floor, dodging a table thrown by an angry guildmate. He popped up again, exasperated but laughing. "Why does it always end like this?!"
Karasuba, standing proudly atop a pile of unconscious men, pointed her sword toward him with a feral grin. "Because you make life interesting, Ashikabi."
Lucy, watching the insanity unfold, smiled and shook her head. "Yep… definitely Fairy Tail."
The rest of the girls could only sigh in agreement, watching as the guild's chaos reached its usual fever pitch, laughter, brawls, friendship, and destruction blending together in perfect harmony.
—----------------------------
The forest outside Magnolia was peaceful, its trails dappled with sunlight filtering through the tall canopy. The air was warm, touched by the scent of wildflowers and the faint murmur of cicadas. Birds darted between branches as the group followed the winding dirt path that led away from the town's stone walls and deeper into the green.
Issei walked at the front of the group, his relaxed stride matching the rhythm of the forest. Ruby sat perched comfortably on his shoulder, her small tail swaying with every step, while Yuuka and Uzume each held one of his hands, fingers intertwined with his as they strolled together. Behind them, Kuromaru's heavy footsteps made the ground tremble softly, the great black wyvern carrying the rest of the group, Karasuba, Akitsu, and Yashima on his back. The sight of the giant dragon weaving through trees that bent around his wings would have terrified anyone else, but here, it felt oddly natural.
"So this is the forest outside Magnolia," Ruby said, gazing around in awe. "It's so quiet… and the air smells clean. It's nice."
"You'll like it even more where we're going," Issei replied, smiling as he helped Yuuka step over a gnarled root. "We built our home not too far from here, right by the lake. We made it a bit far from the town so we didn't have to pay ownership and we could build it as big as we wanted. It's… kind of special to us."
"You built it yourselves?" Ruby's voice was full of disbelief. "All of you?"
Uzume chuckled softly. "Yep. Every wall, every room. Blood, sweat, and more than a few accidental explosions."
Yuuka nodded in agreement, grinning. "Mostly from Matsu."
Issei laughed, shaking his head. "Maybe three times. Depends on whether we're counting the kitchen fire."
Ruby blinked. "She… burned the kitchen?"
"It also melted the oven," Yuuka reminded, teasingly bumping her shoulder against Issei's. "Good thing our Ashikabi can fix almost anything."
Ruby tilted her head curiously. "So, you all live together? Like a family?"
Issei nodded. "Of course. That's what we are, a family."
The word made Ruby smile. She turned her gaze up toward him, her small voice soft. "That sounds… nice."
They walked in comfortable silence for a moment, the forest alive with the hum of insects and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze.
After a while, Ruby's curiosity got the better of her. "Um… Issei? Why are we taking the long way? Couldn't Kuromaru just fly us there? It'd be faster, right?"
Issei chuckled, glancing up at the canopy as beams of sunlight broke through. "Sometimes," he said, "it's nice to take the scenic route. Gives us time to breathe, talk… and enjoy the world."
Yuuka nodded in agreement, giving his hand a gentle squeeze. "Exactly. You miss things when you rush through life."
Uzume smiled softly, her fingers tightening around his other hand. "Besides," she said, shooting Ruby a playful look, "this way, we get to hold his hands."
Ruby blinked, realizing what she meant. She glanced back at Kuromaru's passengers and quickly noticed the subtle glares being thrown their way—particularly from Yashima and Akitsu, who were both watching with unmistakable pouts.
"Lucky…" Yashima muttered under her breath, cheeks puffed out slightly. "I wanted to walk with Ashikabi too."
Akitsu, though quieter, nodded faintly in agreement, her calm eyes betraying just a hint of longing.
Uzume looked over her shoulder and smirked. "Hey, you two could've run faster if you wanted the front row."
Karasuba let out an amused laugh from her spot atop Kuromaru's back. "Careful, Uzume. Keep teasing them like that, and you'll have an ice storm and a gravity hammer fight on your hands before dinner."
Uzume just grinned wider. "Worth it."
Ruby giggled softly, the tension dissolving into more laughter as the group continued down the forest trail.
Eventually, the path curved, and the trees began to thin. The sound of running water grew louder until they emerged from the last line of trees and stepped out onto the open lakeshore.
Ruby's eyes widened as she took in the view.
The lake was vast and clear, its surface shimmering like a mirror beneath the descending sun. The air here was cooler, carrying the gentle scent of water lilies and pine. But what truly took her breath away stood at the far edge of the lake was a mansion.
Not a small house, not even a large cottage, but a sprawling estate of stone and timber, its elegant roofs glinting gold in the light. Wide balconies overlooked the lake, gardens stretched across the front yard, and a dock extended over the water with a few small boats tied to it. There was even a large barn which was clearly for Kuromaru to sleep. In the reflection of the rippling lake, the mansion looked like something out of a dream.
Ruby's jaw dropped. "You… you built that?!"
Issei grinned proudly, crossing his arms as he looked at the mansion. "Sure did."
Uzume beamed. "Took forever, though. You wouldn't believe how many times we argued over what color the walls should be."
"Or how many tiles Karasuba broke showing off her sword techniques," Yuuka added.
Karasuba rolled her eyes but couldn't hide her smile. "I was testing structural durability. It passed."
Yashima nodded enthusiastically. "We all pitched in. Every brick, every board. Even Kuromaru helped carry the heavy beams!"
Kuromaru rumbled behind them, the deep, content sound almost like a laugh.
Ruby's gaze moved from one face to the next, her heart swelling at the pride and joy in their voices. "It's… amazing," she said quietly.
"It is," Issei said, his tone warm. He turned toward her, his eyes reflecting the orange light of sunset. "Welcome home, Ruby."
For a moment, Ruby couldn't speak. Her throat felt tight, her chest fluttering. "Home…" she repeated softly, the word unfamiliar yet comforting on her tongue.
Uzume squeezed Issei's arm and smiled at her. "That's right. Welcome to the Lakeside Hyoudou Mansion, our home."
—-------------—--------------------
Lakeside Hyoudou Mansion
The great double doors of the Lakeside Hyoudou Mansion creaked open, and the scent of polished wood and incense greeted them. The afternoon light streamed in behind the group, illuminating the vast entrance hall, polished floors, crystal chandeliers, and portraits of the family lining the walls. The soft echo of their footsteps carried through the air as Issei stepped inside first with Ruby perched proudly on his shoulder looking around.
"Home sweet home," Uzume murmured, stretching her arms with a yawn.
"It's great to be back." Yuuka said with a smile, her eyes scanning the familiar hall.
Before anyone could say another word, a gentle hum floated down from the second floor, followed by the faint sound of sweeping. Then a figure appeared at the top of the grand staircase, revealing it to be Miya, dressed in her cleaning uniform, a white apron tied neatly around her waist, her purple hair pinned up, and a broom in hand.
When she noticed them, her brownish-red eyes lit up instantly. "Welcome back, everyone—" Then her eyes landed on Issei, and her expression softened completely. "Welcome home, Anata."
Dropping her broom without hesitation, Miya descended the stairs with her usual grace, the faint scent of flowers trailing behind her. The moment she reached the bottom, she wrapped her arms around him. "Its good that you're finally home," She said softly, voice full of warmth.
Issei chuckled, hugging her back. "I missed you too, Miya."
Behind him, Yuuka and Uzume smiled while Karasuba pretended not to notice. Akitsu and Yashima offered polite bows of greeting, and even Kuromaru lowered his head in acknowledgment.
Just as the warmth of the moment settled in, the patter of smaller footsteps echoed from the stairway.
"Papa's home!"
The shout was followed by a blur of purple, Sakura, their six year old daughter, came bounding down the stairs, her hair that had gotten longer was wildly moving as her laughter filled the room.
Issei's face immediately lit up. He knelt down, arms spread wide, his voice full of joy. "There's my little princess! Come here, Sakura!"
But instead of running into her father's arms… Sakura zipped right past him and leapt into Kuromaru's side, hugging his scaled leg affectionately. "Kuro-kun! You're back! I missed you so much!"
Kuromaru rumbled softly, lowering his massive head to nuzzle her gently, his golden eyes full of warmth.
Issei froze mid-hug. The world around him went silent for a moment. Then his shoulders slumped as he dropped to his knees, his soul visibly leaving his body.
"S-sakura?" he whispered dramatically, eyes hollow as he stared into the void.
Yuuka and Uzume burst into laughter while Yashima and Akitsu tried to suppress smiles. Even Karasuba looked amused, leaning by the wall with a smirk.
Uzume crouched beside Issei and patted his back sympathetically. "Don't take it too hard. It's just… Kuromaru's her playmate."
"I play with her too." Issei muttered weakly.
"Not enough to compete," Yuuka teased, giggling as she rubbed his shoulder.
Before the teasing could go further, two new voices came from the upper floor.
"Did we hear the door open?"
Down the stairs came Misuki and Totomaru, and Issei's parents Gorou and Miki followed along. Misuki, ever elegant, had her black hair tied up and wore a soft green dress. Totomaru followed behind her, casual in his robe but carrying the dignified air of a seasoned warrior. Gorou and Miki meanwhile were in casual wear.
"Oh! You're all home!" Miki smiled warmly before pausing as she noticed her son kneeling on the floor like a man betrayed. "Issei, dear… are you all right?"
Uzume covered her mouth, whispering to Yuuka, "Should we tell her?"
Yuuka grinned. "Nah, let him keep his pride."
Misuki, slightly puzzled, turned her attention to Yuuka instead and smiled brightly. "How was your first official quest?"
Yuuka straightened up, her eyes shining with pride. "It was amazing, Mom! We took down an entire monster swarm near the coast. I even fought from Kuromaru's back! It felt… incredible."
"That's wonderful!" Misuki said with genuine happiness. "I'm so proud of you."
Meanwhile, Karasuba had turned her gaze toward Totomaru, her usual confidence melting slightly as she rubbed the back of her neck. "Oi… Totomaru" She said awkwardly. "Your lessons really helped me this time."
That statement made everyone pause.
Totomaru blinked in disbelief. "Your… actually thanking me?"
Karasuba's face turned pink. "Don't push it," she muttered, looking away.
Yuuka leaned toward Uzume and whispered, "Did she just praise him?"
"Yep," Uzume replied. "Guess near-death experiences really do build character."
Totomaru with disbelief was still clearly touched. "I'm glad, Karasuba."
At that moment, the faint scent of jasmine filled the air, and another presence made itself known. From the corridor leading toward the kitchen came Tamamo, her long pink hair tied in a loose braid, her three tails swaying gracefully behind her as she approached with a gentle smile.
"Welcome home, everyone," She said, her voice like a melody.
"Tamamo," Issei said, rising to his feet. She closed the distance between them and immediately embraced him tightly, her arms and tails wrapping around him in a warm, familiar hug.
He smiled and hugged her back. "Missed me?"
"Three days away feels like forever," She murmured, her tone half-serious.
"I missed you too," he said softly, brushing her cheek.
When she finally stepped back, Tamamo looked over the group, her golden eyes full of pride. "How have you all been? I trust the mission was a success?"
Yuuka nodded eagerly. "Definitely. We even made a new friend."
Tamamo's eyes sparkled with interest. "Oh? You'll have to tell me all about it later. But first—" she clasped her hands behind her back, her tails swishing playfully "—I have a major surprise for everyone tonight."
That immediately caught everyone's attention.
"Surprise?" Uzume echoed, curious. "What kind?"
Tamamo only smiled mysteriously. "You'll see soon enough."
Before anyone could press her, a small voice piped up near Kuromaru.
"Papa," Sakura said, peeking over the wyvern's wing, "who's the red kitty?"
Ruby, who had been quietly watching the warm chaos unfold, nearly jumped when all eyes turned to her.
Issei grinned, his mood instantly brightening. "Ah, perfect timing! Everyone, meet our newest family member."
Ruby blinked as he gently lifted her down from his shoulder and placed her on the floor. "Everyone," he said proudly, "this is Ruby. She's from Sunflower town where we went for our quest. She helped us during a massive fight with a giant swarm of monsters and proved herself more than once. She has really interesting magic and is officially part of Dragon Heart now."
Ruby gave a nervous little bow. "It's nice to meet you all! I'll do my best!"
Miki clapped her hands together, smiling warmly. "Oh my, she's adorable!"
Gorou nodded approvingly. "A fine addition to the family."
Tamamo crouched down, her tails curling around her gently. "Welcome home, Ruby. You'll find this family a little strange, but full of love."
Ruby blushed shyly. "Thank you, Miss Tamamo."
Issei chuckled. "Well, with introductions done, there's only one person left to check on…"
Miya sighed knowingly, resting a hand on her hip. "You mean Matsu. She's been locked in her laboratory since you left. If I didn't leave food outside her door, she'd forget to eat."
"Still?" Yuuka groaned. "Man, just how much of a shut-in is she?"
"Tell me about it," Miya said. "Please go down and make sure she hasn't blown up the basement again. Dinner will be ready soon, Tamamo and I will handle the cooking."
"Got it," Issei said, turning toward the lower hallway with a grin. "Come on, everyone. Let's go give Matsu a shock at all the material we brought."
The girls laughed as they followed him deeper into the mansion, Ruby hurrying to keep up as she wanted to know more of the mansion.
—-------------------------------------
Matsu's Laboratory
The side wing of the mansion was alive with the sound of crackling mana and whirring gears. Strange contraptions filled every corner, tubes filled with glowing liquid, suspended crystals that hummed with power. On a table several smartphones could be seen completed. The walls glowed faintly with shifting colors as sigils danced across their surfaces, feeding into the main power core at the center that was the massive Lacrima that Matsu recovered from the raid at Phantom Lord's guild.
At the heart of it all stood Matsu, dressed in her trademark pink cheongsam under a white lab coat, goggles perched on her forehead. Her twin braids swayed as she moved rapidly from one workbench to another, her focus absolute as she adjusted dials and scribbled notes with the energy of a woman possessed. Sparks of blue light leapt from a magic core and fizzled harmlessly against a containment field as she muttered, "No… no, that resistance ratio's still off… Maybe if I substitute the focus crystal with—"
A polite knock on the wall interrupted her thoughts.
She blinked and turned, pushing her goggles up. When she saw who it was, her face instantly lit up. "You're back!" Before Issei could say anything, she had already bounded across the room, practically glowing with excitement. "How did it go? Did you bring me presents?!"
Issei chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck. "It went well — and yeah, we brought you something you'll like."
Uzume grinned, crossing her arms. "You might wanna brace yourself though. You're gonna love this."
The rest of the group followed into the lab, Ruby trotting in behind them, her tail twitching curiously as her eyes darted from one strange device to another. "Whoa… so this is a laboratory?" she murmured, awed. "It looks like an explosion is waiting to happen."
"You're not wrong," Yuuka whispered.
Matsu finally noticed the small red feline. Her eyes sparkled mischievously. "Oh? And who's this adorable little specimen?"
Ruby froze. "S-Specimen?"
Before she could move, Matsu crouched down, her face dangerously close to Ruby's. "Fascinating fur tone! Unique magical aura! The same species as Happy? Oh, the data I could collect—!"
Ruby yelped and darted behind Issei's leg. "She's trying to dissect me!"
"MATSU!" Uzume shouted, grabbing her by the collar and pulling her back. "Knock it off! She's part of the family, not a test subject!"
Matsu pouted, adjusting her glasses. "I wasn't actually going to dissect her… I just wanted to know how she channels magic through fur. Purely academic curiosity!"
"Still creepy," Ruby muttered, peeking out from behind Issei.
Issei chuckled, stepping forward. "Alright, Matsu. Focus. We've got some new materials for you to play with."
That immediately caught her attention. Her entire demeanor switched from mischievous to ecstatic. "Materials?" she repeated, her grin widening. "What kind?"
"Sherri," Issei said, tapping his wrist. "You know what to do."
Sherri's calm voice resonated from the Dimensional Watch. "Acknowledged. Releasing cargo. Stand clear."
A magic circle flared on the lab floor, its runes spinning like gears. The air shimmered, and in the next moment, several massive monster carcasses, frozen solid and neatly preserved, materialized in the open space. The sharp scent of blood and frost filled the air instantly.
Matsu's eyes went wide. "Ohhhh…"
She clasped her hands together as she approached one of the carcasses, a hulking reptilian beast with crystalline scales and jagged teeth. "Magnificent! Look at this hide density! The mana signature alone is incredible! Oh, this one's got an elemental mutation! And—"
She gasped as she reached another one, pressing a hand to its scales. "Frost exposure but still structurally intact — Akitsu's doing, no doubt!" She turned, grinning like a child surrounded by toys. "You brought me art pieces!"
Yashima leaned toward Uzume and whispered, "She's going to forget to sleep again, isn't she?"
Uzume sighed. "I bet she already forgot what day it is."
Matsu was already taking frantic notes on a clipboard, muttering to herself. "If I can extract the mana fibers from the musculature, I could integrate them into weapon cores… or armor plating… or pets!"
Ruby's fur stood on end. "P-Pets?!"
"Not you!" Issei said quickly, shooting Matsu a warning look.
The scientist laughed. "Relax, relax! Oh, but you have no idea how much potential this opens up!"
Issei smirked and decided to drop the real bomb. "And that's not even the best part."
Matsu looked up mid-scribble. "What could possibly be better than this?"
"We've got a few more to unload later," Issei said, leaning casually against a console. "Including a big one."
Matsu blinked. "Define 'big.'"
"Let's just say," Yuuka said with a grin, "It was a living breathing T-rex."
Issei folded his arms, nodding. "Technically, it's called an Abyssal Devourer. An S-ranked monster. Giant black T-Rex lookalike."
Matsu's pen fell from her hand. "A… T-REX?"
Her goggles slid down her nose as her expression shifted from disbelief to pure, unfiltered joy. "You found me a DINOSAUR?!"
"Technically," Issei said, chuckling, "yes. But it's too big to fit in the lab, so I'll show you later, outside."
Matsu placed both hands dramatically over her heart, staggering back. "My dreams have come true. My life's purpose has been fulfilled."
Uzume smirked. "She's gonna faint."
"Or explode," Karasuba added.
Matsu straightened suddenly, her energy back in full force. "No, no, no time to faint! I need prep tables, reinforced chains, mana lenses—oh, and snacks!"
"Later," Issei interrupted with a grin. "Right now, dinner's ready upstairs. Tamamo and Miya are cooking for everyone."
Matsu froze mid-rant. "Dinner?"
"Yes," Issei said firmly. "Food. Actual food. The kind that doesn't glow or move on its own."
Her shoulders sagged dramatically. "But… but the samples…"
"They'll still be here tomorrow," Yuuka said gently.
"Unlike your sanity," Uzume added with a teasing grin.
Matsu puffed her cheeks in defeat, then sighed. "Fine. But if anyone touches my specimens while I'm gone—"
"We know," Issei said, raising a hand. "They'll mysteriously explode."
She smiled sweetly. "Exactly!"
As they turned to leave, Ruby gave the room one last fascinated glance, the crystals humming softly, the scattered notes written in elegant yet chaotic handwriting, the faint traces of ozone in the air. "It's kind of amazing in here," She admitted softly.