Magnolia's square glowed in harvest colors—pumpkins stacked like towers, banners strung between lampposts, spice and sugar in the air. Guild booths lined the cobbles: Mirajane's pastries, Levy's book swap, Cana's... very enthusiastic punch bowl. Laughter rose and fell like waves.
On the small stage, Wendy adjusted her violin and bow; Ryuji settled at the upright piano, silver-blue hair catching lantern light. They glanced at each other—instantly flushed—and looked away in perfect, awkward sync.
Wendy (soft to the mic): "Th-thank you for listening... This is our song."
Ryuji's fingers fell into the first chords; Wendy's bow found a warm, steady line.
"Song of Bonds" — Piano & Violin Duet
Verse 1 (Ryuji, gentle): "In the silence of the night, I once walked alone, no guiding light..."
Wendy's melody wrapped around his voice like a promise.
Chorus (both, rising): "Now I see the stars above— a sky of hope, a gift of love..."
The square hushed, then swelled with smiles.
Verse 2 (Wendy, tender): "You reached for me with open hands... Every note we choose to share turns sorrow into care."
Bridge (hushed): "Though the night still whispers pain, I won't walk that road again..."
Final Chorus (full): "Hand in hand we'll face the day— together we'll find a brighter way."
The last note lingered, then fell away. Applause rolled across the plaza.
Happy (stage whisper that wasn't): "Aye! Duet of loooove!"
Lucy (grinning, covering his mouth): "Happy!"
Makarov (dabbing at the corner of his eye): "Hrm. Good music builds strong hearts."
Erza nodded once, approving. "Well performed."
Gray leaned to Natsu. "They're better in tune than you."
Natsu snorted. "Hah? I can sing!"
Gray: "Please don't."
Mirajane: "You two—no brawling during a ballad!"
Ryuji hopped down from the stage and offered a hand; Wendy accepted, cheeks pink. Their fingers lingered a fraction too long. Carla cleared her throat. They sprang apart.
Levy bounced over with sparkling eyes. "It was beautiful! The phrasing on the bridge—"
Cana slung an arm around Lucy. "Our kids are growing up."
Lucy (beaming at the duo): "You two were amazing."
Wendy glanced at Ryuji; he looked back. The square fell away for a heartbeat—only the two of them, soft lantern light and the echo of their song. Both blushed and looked down.
Lucy's smile thinned. A man at the edge of the crowd flipped a coin—half sun, half crescent—and turned away too smoothly.
Lucy (low, alert): "Erza. Eleven o'clock. Hooded. Coin sigil."
Erza's gaze slid over, casual but cutting. "I see him."
Ryuji's faint smile faded. He'd noticed too. "Wendy—stay with Carla." He slipped into the milling bodies, silent as frost.
Wendy (quiet gasp): "Ryuji—!"
Carla rested a paw on her arm. "We won't let him go alone."
Lucy lifted her hand slightly; Natsu and Gray were already moving.
Natsu (grinning, contained—for once): "Lead on."
Gray rolled his shoulders. "Let's keep this tidy."
Erza's tone barely rose above the crowd. "Formation. Do not spook the civilians."
They fanned out, vanishing between stalls and lantern poles, following the faint thread of a cloaked back and the flash of a coin as it slipped into shadow beyond the square.
To be continued... (Part 2: The Ambush)
Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima/Kodansha. I only own Ryuji Kazuma and this fan story. Non-commercial fan work.