A "Family" Promise

"So that's what happened."

Guildmaster Makarov gently folded the letter and handed it back to Wendy. Looking at the little girl trembling all over out of fear of dragging her companions down with her, he felt an overwhelming tenderness well up in his heart.

He reached out his small hand and gently patted Wendy's head.

"Silly child," he said, his voice filled with a reassuring strength. "What are you afraid of? Afraid of causing us trouble?"

Wendy's tears finally could no longer be held back, falling in streams like pearls from a broken string. Sobbing, she nodded.

"We... we only just joined the guild... We haven't done anything for everyone yet... How can we... how can we make everyone fight a terrifying dark guild because of me...?"

Her words made the hearts of Natsu, Gray, Lucy, and the others who had gathered upon hearing the news clench tightly.

Makarov smiled. That smile carried both the authority of a guildmaster and the loving kindness of a "father."

He jumped onto a table so everyone could see him. Then he cleared his throat and solemnly declared in a booming voice loud enough to carry through the entire guild and even reach every corner of Magnolia Town:

"Listen up, children!"

"From the moment Wendy Marvell stepped through these guild doors and received our mark, she became an inseparable member of Fairy Tail! She is our companion! Our family!"

"When family is in trouble, what should we do? Stand by and watch? Let her bear it alone?"

"No—!!!" Every member of the guild roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens!

"Then what should we do?" Makarov shouted again.

"Send them flying!!" Natsu was the first to leap up, roaring flames igniting around his fist. "I don't care what dark guild they are—if they dare touch our companion, they'd better be ready to burn to ashes!"

"That's right!" Gray stripped off his shirt as icy cold air rose from his body. "We'll let them know what happens when they lay a hand on Fairy Tail's family!"

"For our companions, we can stand against the entire world!" Erza's voice rang out, firm and forceful. She had already changed into a suit of battle armor.

Lucy stepped forward as well, pulling Wendy tightly into her arms. "Don't be afraid, Wendy. We're in the same guild. Your problem is everyone's problem. We absolutely, absolutely won't let you face this alone!"

Seeing those faces filled with anger and concern, hearing those heartfelt, burning words, Wendy's tears flowed even harder. But they were no longer tears of fear. They came from the immense happiness and gratitude of being protected by her family.

Makarov watched it all with satisfaction. This was his guild. This was his family.

Then his gaze shifted to the green-haired man who had remained detached from beginning to end, leaning in the corner and leisurely polishing Wado Ichimonji with a cloth.

Another brilliant plan that would kill two birds with one stone rose in that old fox's mind.

"Erza!" he ordered. "I command you to immediately lead Natsu, Gray, and Lucy in forming the strongest team and taking the initiative! Follow the clues in the letter, find that so-called Phantom Nest, and completely nip this danger in the bud before they can pose any real threat to Wendy!"

"Yes, Guildmaster!" Erza and the other three accepted the order at once.

"And also..." A sly smile curled across Makarov's lips. Raising his voice, he called toward the corner, "Zoro, boy!"

Zoro paused in the middle of polishing his sword, then lifted his eyes to look over.

"You're coming along on this mission too."

"Huh? Why?" Zoro frowned. What he hated most were troublesome missions like this that involved searching everywhere for people. "Isn't this many of you enough? I'll sit this one out. I still want to drink."

"No, you must go." Makarov's tone allowed no argument. "I have a unique, extremely important task that no one but you can handle."

"Oh?" At last, a hint of interest appeared in Zoro's eyes. "What task?"

Makarov pointed at the still-sniffling Wendy and spoke with extreme solemnity, enunciating every word.

"Your task is simple."

"As Wendy Marvell's... 'personal bodyguard,' protect her from this moment on without leaving her side."

Zoro: "..."

He froze. He had imagined all kinds of possibilities—being sent to duel the enemy guildmaster, for example, or charging into battle. But a "bodyguard"? And for a little brat like her? What he hated most was looking after children.