7

Disclaimer I do not own Fairy Tail. Why would I be writing fanfiction if I owned something like that?

Beta Reader: volfwildman

I had finished eating about a minute ago and would have left to go to my room had it not been for the sight that greeted my eyes across the table.

Cana was all but shoveling food in her mouth like wood being into a woodchipper. Mom just sat to the side of her with a very pleased expression on her face. Cana paid little attention to neither me nor Mom as she shoved a mouth full of spaghetti in her mouth before reaching for a bit of garlic bread to add onto the pasta.

"It's not going to run away dear." Mom said with a very happy and bubbly tone.

Cana took a moment to pause and swallow what was in her mouth before turning to mom "Sorry, it's just that I was really hungry, and the food just tastes soooooooo good." She finished with a flush if her cheeks.

Mom just continued to look pleased. When I had shown up with Cana by my side Mom had taken one look at her and all but ushered her to the table. Cana had protested a bit but the second she smelt the food she shut her mouth. Then second she tasted the food her mouth couldn't be shut.

"Well at least leave room for dessert." Mom said with her normal happy inhuman smile. Cana looks at Mom like she had just led her to salvation. "Dessert?" Cana said in an awed whisper.

"It's a triple chocolate cake with shreds of vanilla on top." Mom said in a voice that sounded like a teacher speaking to a student. While Cana was busy looking at Mom in awe, I couldn't help but look at Mom in confusion.

Mom never made dessert. She didn't like eating sugary things and I never really stayed past the main course. Why was she saying she had made dessert? I leaned back against my chair and recalled what was happening while I was eating.

Ahhh right, now I remember. Mom had throughout the meal been heading in and out of the kitchen. She must have been making the cake while we ate. Why? She obviously was making it for Cana but why? Just a random girl who was hungry and had already been feed. Why go to the effort?

As I Looked between the happy smiling child and the very pleased and satisfied women I just shrugged and watched Cana devour what was left on her plate before looking at Mom with anticipation in her eyes.

I just rolled my eyes as Mom stood up to go get the sugary treat.

"I really should get going home," Cana says as she finishes her third slice of cake. I was really starting to wonder how so much food fit into such a small girl.

As Cana got up to head out Mom stopped her and said "Sweetie it's far too late for you to be out. Why don't you stay here for the night." Mom finishes with a smile.

Cana looks a bit unsure "But I don't want to be a bother and you've already fed me." Mom just gave her an amused look before gesturing to the building.

"Dear it's just me and my son living here, and you see how big this place it. Trust me it is no bother for you to stay the night." Mom says with a raised eyebrow as if daring the girl to disagree.

Cana had, in fact, noticed how big the building was. When I was leading her here the second she realized where we were going to thought for sure that I was pulling a prank on her or something. I had rather enjoyed the look on her face when she realized I was not.

I just ignored Cana's bumbling response as I got up from my chair and was about to head to my room to forget about this and read a good book when Mom notice me getting up. "Bishop sweetie, why don't you show Cana a room for her to stay in."

I froze when she started addressing me and sigh as I heard the request. Unlike Cana, I knew better than to disagree with Mom and promptly gave Cana a flat look before motioning to her to follow.

Cana gave mom one last look before just shrugging and started to follow me. As we entered the housing section of the building Cana started to speak up. "Your Mom is a really nice person."

I look back at her for a second before saying lazily "Yeah, she is." As I said this I stopped and looked around the hallway trying to decide on what room to give her. As I looked Cana said something else.

"You're really nice too." I stop looking and promptly turn to her with an eyebrow raised. Upon seeing my expression another embarrassed look dawned on her face as she spoke once again "You didn't have to help me…"

She was right I didn't have to do that. But for some reason when I saw a sad child alone I couldn't help but feel like I had to do something. Guilt eats away at me for not doing anything. Guilt, the only emotion that came to me quite clearly.

Well, clear ever since the funeral.

In the end, I just gave her a shrug before picking a random door and opening it for her. It was just like the rest of the rooms. Large and nice. Cana just started in awe once again before heading in.

As she went in I stopped her. She looked up at me with confusion on her face as I looked down with my normal blank face. Eventually, I spoke, "My rooms over there." I point my hand to my room "If you need something important then come get me." I finish before turning away from her and making my way to my room.

If I turned around I could have seen the happy smile she was giving me.

Morning had come rather quickly for me. Probably since I had gone to bed early that night. Just couldn't focus on my reading.

Once the sun rose above the horizon I got out of bed and got to doing my morning routine. Showering, brushing teeth, etc. Once I was in the hall heading towards the dining room for breakfast I remembered something.

After a few seconds of looking at all the doors in the hall, I quickly opened one to see the room inside. It was a bit messy, but the main feature was the bedsheets currently moving up and down. With a few swift steps, I found myself next to said bed.

At first, I was just going to her wake up like any normal person would, a bit of shaking and loud words but an idea formed in my head. A small smile falls upon my face as a little bit of magic filled the room. Just as I had the right amount I sent a simple sound for the magic to mimic.

*Bweeeeeeeee*

Apparently playing the comedian in my past life still has some lingering effect now. Nice to know.

The sound of an air horn full the room as the body under the sheets shot out of the bed and promptly ran into a wall in the mad dash. A groan filled the air after the air horn stopped as Cana look up at me with a mixture of confusion, surprise, and annoyance.

"Good Morning," I said in a calm tone with just the hint of teasing in it before I turned around and headed out the room.

The rest of the morning proceed as usual. Well with a small addition. Cana had tried to leave as soon as she could, but Mom stopped her and promptly put her in a chair at the table and set a plate of pancakes and bacon in front of the young girl.

Any protest stopped in favor of the delicious food in front of said girl. Once breakfast had been eaten Mom asked me to walk with Cana to the guild. Tab bit annoyed with the request but I had been planning to go to the guild later so might as well go now.

Cana and I walked in awkward silence for most of the way to the guildhall. She only spoke when we were a few feet from the guild as she ran in and gave me a quick thank you before descending into the building.

I just simply stared at the building for a few seconds before letting out a tired sigh as I proceeded into the guild. I had picked up a newspaper from a pile on the bar before making my way to one of the tables in the corner of the building ignoring any good morning said my way.

I was just flipping through a few of the articles, reading anything of note. Like the fact that apparently there was a new rising star among mages. Some guy with tanned skin and a blond afro. Apparently, he used, 'wait that can't be right' I thought as I looked at the words closer. Nose Hair Magic. He used Nose Hair Magic.

Time to move on to the next article.

I was making my way through a rather interesting article on a political conflict between the nations of Desiert and Bellum about the northern part of their shared border. It was this interest that cause me to not notice a person making their way over to me.

I did notice when said person proceeded to poke me in the side. I was startled for a moment before turning to the person who had interrupted my reading. It was Cana.

She had a shy look on her face as she seemed to be building up the courage to ask me something. In the end, she just handed me a piece of paper. I gave her a bit of an odd look before taking the paper and looking at it.

It was a job request. A simple C-class job that involved guarding a shipment of things toward a village that wasn't connected to the world via railroad. As I looked over the request Cana spoke, "Could you help me with the job?"

I looked from the paper to the girl in front of me with a raised eyebrow. "Shouldn't you be able to do this on your own?" I ask and in response, she looked at me in surprise. "Of course, I can't." She said "I've only been using my card magic for a few weeks. I can barely do some of the D-Class jobs."

Ahhh right she was just a 6-year-old girl right now. Having a bit of trouble not seeing the women she would become in a decade or so. Well, I had been planning to take another job to further test my abilities but wasn't sure I would want to do that with someone else in the way.

Apparently, Cana saw my apprehension as she quickly start to speak "We would split the reward in half and I hear that the village that the supplies are going to is nice around this time of year" She said this with a bit of desperation in her voice.

I once again looked at her and tilted my head in a silent question. She looked to the side and said, "Half of the reward is more than I make in a week with the D-rank jobs." She said with a bit of sadness before looking back at me. 7,500 Jewels was less than what she made in a week? That's just sad.

"Please." She said with a pleading look towards me. I tried to say something along the lines of a rejection before the feeling of guilt arose in my body. I grounded my teeth a little as I looked at the girl in front of me. The desperate and pleading child in front of me.

"Fine." I simply replied. She looked like I had just given her a present before jumping into the air in celebration. I just let out another tired sigh as I stood up to prepare for the job.

After a quick stop to inform Mom of the job, during which she forced a picnic basket of all things on to me, Cana and I were on a train to the town where the supplies would be ready for its journey. Had fun trying to fit a picnic basket into me hammerspace, which is currently the reason my saber is on my hip rather than in said hammerspace.

Cana and I were for the most part just sitting in silence as I read through a novel about a magical pirate looking for treasure. The silence was broken when Cana decides to ask a question.

"What's your magic? You know mine is card magic, but I don't know yours." She said with a tilt of her head. I looked up from the book and simply replied with "Illusions."

"Illusions? That's it?" She said with a very confused voice. I simply shake my head yes before trying to go back to my book. Keyword trying.

"I thought you have something cooler," Cana said with a pout. Well, at least she not saying I shouldn't be a part of the guild. The prejudice against Illusion mages got rather annoying at time.

"Illusions will work just fine for the job," I say in an even calm tone. Cana looks at me for a bit before her eyes turned down to my blade. "Is that why you have that sword?" She said in curiosity.

"Yes. Illusions don't have a lot of offensive options so having something to stab with is rather nice." I say while deciding to not mention the poisons I use. "It's cool. Where did you get it from?" Cana says will leaning forward to get a better look at the saber.

I stiffened for a split second before I spoke, "Dad got it for me." At my words, Cana looked up in both surprise and sadness. She seemed to be trying to form an apology but just kept bumbling her words. I just turned back to my book and read on in silence.

The driver of the carriage did not look happy at learning his guards would be two kids. "Magic or no magic your just kids. I can't let you go into a dangerous situation. Those roads are full of all kinds of bandits." the driver said with a firm voice.

Really getting tired of the kid shtick. Wait? I have illusions, why didn't I just make myself look older!? Sigh, too late for that now but I need to remember that for later.

I look at the driver than to the carriage as mentally prepared a spell. Once down I turned my body to the carriage and attached some magic to the vehicle. With that done I put my mind to work to cast a spell with said magic. "Vanish" I spoke out as the carriage seem to fade from existence.

Vanish was just a simple spell that was designed to take the senses affected by my illusions and cover them with something to negate it. Now the carriage would not be heard nor seen. It could still be smelled if one had a good nose and as for touch and taste. Well, I doubt someone would eat a carriage and even if they wouldn't feel the carriage, if they touched it they would still touch a solid object.

Of course, the sense of touch, smell and taste were still out of boundaries right now even if I was making somewhat good progress on touch.

The driver just looked on in disbelief before turn to me with a raised brow. "The carriage will not be seen or heard now as long as the person is outside of the illusion," I say in a tab bit of a smug voice. The driver just lets out a sigh before heading toward the vehicle's direction.

I made to follow but saw that my current partner was still standing in one place. I turned to see her staring at me with awe on her face. "Cool enough for you?" I say with once again a bit of smugness before turning and heading toward the carriage.

After a bit of preparation on the driver's part, the carriage was moving. Cana and I were just sat on the back of the vehicle as she kept looking around for any person to throw a card at while I just tried to finish reading this world's version of One Piece with magic.

Much to Cana disappointment and slight boredom we got to the small village with no interruptions and both of us got off the carriage to allow for the supplies to be unloaded. We were told it would take about an hour or so to unload everything and until then we were free to do whatever we wanted.

The village was rather nice to look at right now. Spring was in the air and a lot of the village was surrounded by flowers of many different colors that were just starting to bloom. Cana spent a few seconds staring at the beautiful sight before a slight rumble erupted from her stomach.

"Really," I say to her with a deadpan look on my face. After all the food she ate yesterday and this morning you'd think she wouldn't be hungry until at least a few more hours.

"I'm a growing girl." she tried to say defiantly but with her looking down with embarrassment on her face it really didn't work. I just roll my eyes before remembering that food that had been forced upon me. Why do I feel like Mom planned this out?

With a sigh, I reached into my hammerspace and pulled the basket out much to Cana surprise. I quickly found a nice spot next to the blooming flowers and set the picnic blanket on top of the basket down. After a minute of setting things out, I looked towards the girl and gestured to that food beside me.

She only took a few seconds to think before she descended upon the sandwiches and fruit that had been in the basket. I got my own little share of the food while Cana finished off the rest and before long Cana and I were just sitting on the blanket looking at the nice outdoors that surrounded us.

"Sorry about mentioning you Dad," Cana mumbled beside me. I just shrugged "He's long gone." I simply said with my usual even tone. I had long grown numb to Dad being gone.

"At least you have a great Mom left." Cana had tried to say this in a nice tone but some bitterness leaked through. It took me a moment to remember how the only parent Cana had left wasn't even aware that she existed.

Things had grown a bit awkward after that. Cana just kept looking down with a bit of a sad expression on her face. After a few minutes, I decided to take a page out of Dad's old book.

I slowly put my hand on Cana's head and lightly ruffled her hair. She looked up at me in surprise as I spoke. "It's fine. You got the guild, right? Besides, I doubt my Mom would ever let you go to bed hungry ever again." As I finished I gave her a small smile to try and reinforce the message.

Cana kept looking at me in surprise before a smile split her face. What she did next, I was not prepared for. She lunged toward me and wrapped around me in a hug as she started to mumble thank you into my chest.

I froze in place unsure what to do right now. I had never been a touchy person and hugs were always a very awkward thing for me. Mom had learned this early on and had keep hugs to a minimum thankfully. In the end, I just settled for continuing to lightly ruffle her hair until she let go.

The day passed rather fast after this. The ride back was just as uneventful as going there. We were awarded 15,000 jewels ($150) which Cana and I split in half. Before long we were back at the guild finishing up the after-job report.

Makarov had been rather surprised that we had gone on a job together but the wide smile on his face showed that it was a pleasant surprise. Next thing I knew Cana and I were in front of the guild with the sun slowly hiding under the horizon.

Neither of us really seemed to know what to say to each other. "Well, I guess I'll go home. Tell your Mom I said hi." Cana said breaking the silence. She looked toward me and then toward where I knew the mansion was before she turned around started to walk off.

I once again found myself with a conflict in my head. I wanted to just go home and move on with my life but another part that was filled that the annoying feeling of guilt told me to do something else. In the end, I chose the road of least resistance. Something I was getting far to use too.

"Hey Cana," I called the girl. Cana looked back with a questioning gaze. "Mom should have dinner ready. Want to have a bite or two to eat?" I said with the most neutral voice I could manage.

Cana stood in surprise for a moment before she smiled and ran up to me. As we both start walking to the mansion my mind once again started trying to rationalize the situation and how I could return to the status quo. But at this point after tempting fate for so long and learning of the consequences of doing so I had just one thought for the entire situation.

Fuck it.

AN: Fuck it, a great life motto. Nothing much here, just the beginning to what will hopefully be a very nice sibling relationship.

Thanks once again to volfwildman for being a Beta. A thank you to Lull Meister for the adult illusion idea that I hope to use some. Also good job to those that were able to guess the creature from chapter 6. You get a cookie with little faces on it.

Want to help this story's pilgrimage? Leave constructive food and water for it in the form of reviews. I'm having way to much fun coming up with these things.

Have a great day.

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