21: Reintroduced

My chapter got deleted as soon as I finished!!! So annoying. So I had to rewrite. Sorry if it feels rushed, but that's why.

I sat at the end of the table near Julius' chair. I was zoning out and softly petting Lunelle when the Magic Knight Captains began filing in.

Lunelle had been laying down casually, but quickly stood at attention with the interruption.

"Friends!" Julius yelled, standing to his feet.

I looked over lazily in their direction. Why do they look pissed?

"Oh, uh, Jules," I called, bringing his attention to the fact he had stepped on Lunelle.

"Oh, dear!" He quickly moved. "Sorry, girl," he said sheepishly while patting Lunelle's head.

"Jules? You guys pals now or somethin?" Yami chimed in.

"Do you like it?! I've never had a nickname before!" Julius squealed with excitement.

I can't believe the Wizard King is a total dork.

I laughed softly, turning my attention back to Lunelle. She was a little on edge with the vibe the Captains just brought in, so I thought I should calm her down before Julius introduced her.

"It's, well... cute," Charlotte cooed with a smile. "You and Jules get pretty close lately?"

I didn't even bother to look over at her. If she wants a reaction, she's going to have to get one from someone else. I'm exhausted.

"Sir," Nozel called, the only one still standing. "It seems Yami and Y/n had, well, relations before she left. Did you know about this?"

Oop, that definitely got my attention.

I snapped my head up and looked around the table frantically.

What the fuck!? How did they all know that!?

"Well, yes. Of course I knew." Julius stated blankly.

"A Captain and a squad member? You can't be serious?" Charlotte chuckled.

"They're both fine mages and good people... I saw nothing wrong with it. I hope you all find people you want to settle down with someday."

"Besides, as far as I've been told, that's over now anyway, so no need to hash out the past. We have bigger things to worry about."

I looked over at Yami who was clearly avoiding my eye contact.

Did Yami tell him it was over between us? Like completely?

"Well, I'm glad to know it's not off limits," Nozel said with a smile while finally taking his seat.

Yami's blank face, just puffing on his cigarette, it really started to piss me off.

"I'm sorry," I raised my voice. "But how the fuck did you all find out anyway? Am I missing something?"

Jack cackled, "You shouldn't be in relationships you don't want anyone finding out about."

"Settle down," Charlotte laughed, "Yami just told us while we were outside."

I shook my head and took a deep breath, letting myself recompose. "Yes, well, as Julius said, that's over now. Let's just focus on the attack today."

I felt Yami look at me, but I didn't care. He did this. Why the fuck would he tell them anyway? How did that come up in the past 10 minutes!?

"So—" Julius cut me off before I could even start.

"Wait!" he called. "Lunelle! May I introduce her?"

"The spirit of the moon, correct?" William asked with a soft smile.

"Yes," I nodded and returned the gesture.

"Well, I'm sure you noticed Y/n's increase in mana. I first noticed it myself when I met her about 2 months after she left. The red in her hair had already started growing."

"Then, in one of her letters, she wrote to me about a dream. She said a woman with all white hair and piercing black eyes appeared to her, endowing her with power."

"The woman introduced herself as the daughter of Tsukuyomi. Shortly after, Lunelle appeared next to Y/n. She was much smaller then, only a cub."

"However, as they trained and fought together, Lunelle quickly grew, as did Y/n. It's been quite remarkable to read about."

"Wow... so Lunelle is the mana manifestation of the moon goddess?" Fuegoleon asked. "Has that ever happened before?"

"Yes, but there are only legends of it."

"They say the third Wizard King was accompanied by the sun goddess, Amaterasu," William explained.

"Yes! That's exactly right!"

"So, what else can you do now?" Yami asked while blowing smoke in the air.

"Well her grimoire is practically bursting at the seams! It's remarkable!"

"Huh? Really? I've actually never seen her grimoire," Yami shrugged.

"Her Captain has never seen her grimoire?" Nozel scoffed.

Yami looked annoyed, "She never uses it in fights."

"Oh, Y/n, will you show them?! Please!" Julius pleaded

"Of course, sir," I nodded bringing out the book.

I really didn't want to, but just like Julius didn't say no the the king... I didn't say no to him.

"A four leaf clover?" Charlotte asked.

"Yes! An exact counterpart to young Yuno's! Where there is light, there will always be dark."

"N-not that you're darkness or anything, Y/n!" Julius frantically corrected himself.

"That's ok, Julius. I understood," I smiled as I put away my grimoire.

"You definitely have become quite exceptional," Fuegoleon added with a smile.

"Yea, yea. Let's get started on the important stuff," Yami called out.

"Right!" Julius agreed. "Y/n, will you tell us about your journey through the Spade Kingdom?"

"Will you please start with the events this morning?" William interjected.

"Yes, good point! Y/n?" Julius gestured.

"Uh, right..." I started telling of my long, often daunting, travels through the ranks of the Spade Kingdom.

••••

"What are we to do if the other kingdoms don't forgive Y/n for her actions as a spy?" Fuegoleon asked.

"Yes, that's a risk we had to take. However, we have more than enough intel to bargain with," Julius commented.

"How will we organize a spatial mage for every Captain?" Nozel asked.

"Marx is handling it," Julius responded.

The Captains kept spewing out questions while Julius answered them without hesitation. He's been thinking about this the whole time? His mind is incredible.

After a while, the questions paused and there was finally a moment of silence.

"How are we going to ensure Y/n's safety?" Yami added, clearly hesitant about being the one to ask.

"Well..." Julius trailed off.

"I can keep myself safe."

"I get you think you're all powerful now, but you betrayed the Dark Triad. We have no idea what they'll do once they find out," Yami huffed.

"He's right, Y/n. Your safety is my priority, especially after all that you've sacrificed."

Julius continued, "Whatever squad Y/n ends up with, I ask that her Captain make it a priority as well. Perhaps we should get you a spatial mage in case you need to flee."

"I will hide from no one," I commanded.

William looked at me with a soft smile for like the 10th time today. The guy never smiled... He must really like me.

"Pair her with Finral. He'll make her run," Yami added.

"Isn't that your spacial mage?" Nozel asked.

"Exactly. So by Finral... I mean me. I'll make sure she runs if necessary," Yami smirked.

"I'll continue to think about it. Let's dismiss for the day. Y/n has some big decisions to make. The rest of you focus on starting preparations."

"Also," he stood. "You're all required to be at the ball tonight. With your entire squad. No exceptions."

He left before anyone could start complaining. Smart guy.

I immediately got up, being the first one out of the room, Lunelle right by my side.

"Y/n! Wait up!" A familiar voice called from behind but I kept on going.

"Really not even a hello?" Yami called again.

I walked up the grand staircase to find the room Marx assigned me for the time being.

"Seriously? What the hell is wrong with you?"

I immediately stopped, and Yami slammed into me from behind, "Geez, a little warning."

Lunelle growled, but I looked down at her to let her know it was ok, and she slowly walked off.

"Uh, hello?" Yami called again.

I whipped around and shoved my finger viciously into his chest, "You told everyone we were together. You told Julius we weren't a thing anymore. What the hell is wrong with you!?"

"You just got back and you're already mad at me?... And still not even a hello."

"You took away the hello I wanted," I grumbled, looking down at the ground.

"Hmm? What the fuck are you mumbling about?"

He's such an idiot...

I grabbed a fistful of his shirt and yanked him towards me, kissing him forcefully.

As soon as our lips met, I felt all of my anger and tension fade away. I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting my lips loosen and freeing my tongue from it cage.

I had been dreaming of this every night I've been gone. The feel of his soft hair in my hands, his stubble against my face, his strong arms around my waist.

My whole body burned with desire. I wanted all of him.

I pulled away just slightly, trying to catch my breath.

"Damn, that's one good fucking hello you've got," he teased.

I laughed and bit my lip softly while he rested his forehead against mine.

"I missed you so fucking much," he whispered.

"I missed you too, Yami."

I brought my hand to his face, lightly caressing his face before running my hand through his hair. He closed his eyes, embracing my touch.

"Y/n... Do you still love me?" he asked, barely audible.

"Yes," I gave him a light kiss.

"I still love you too."

My heart fluttered with those words. It's exactly what I wanted to hear.

I pulled away slightly, looking at him, "Why did you tell Julius that this was over?"

"I really thought it was, Y/n. I-I didn't know how you felt. You left the Bulls..." he trailed off.

"When you were gone... I'm so sorry... I really fucked up."

I looked at the ground. He didn't have to finish. I knew exactly what he meant. He hooked up with people while I was gone.

I didn't really have a reason to be mad, but it still

hurt. And I was just so frustrated.

But that's not the only problem. I didn't know what I was going to do. If Yami and I didn't get our shit together, I would have to leave the Black Bulls.

If I didn't, I'd be at a complete standstill. And now that I know what I want, I can't afford to be. I want to be a Captain. I want to help the kingdom.

"I know this hasn't been easy, Yami. But you need to figure out what you want, and then tonight, find me. Otherwise, I'll have to move on," I said before walking away.

My heart broke with those words, and I knew that it broke his too.

I didn't want to give him an ultimatum, but he had 5 months to think about this... And if he didn't know what he wanted by now, he never would.

I walked into the room assigned for me, and tried not to break down. I can't believe I have to go to a fucking ball.