Ember of the Starry Sky

 Yukari was still half-asleep, her arms wrapped around her knees as she dozed off in the warmth of the fire. She stirred only when she heard Hinote's familiar, sarcastic voice cutting through her dreams.

"Rise and shine, fire chicken! It's time to break free from this cozy little hole."

Yukari groaned, rubbing her eyes and blinking at the phoenix-turned-woman standing at the entrance of the cave. "What are you talking about? I'm trying to sleep."

Hinote crossed her arms, a smug grin plastered on her face. "Oh, come on. You've been holed up in this cave with me for five years. Don't you think it's time to see a little more of the world? Maybe, I don't know, interact with some humans?"

Yukari sat up, instantly alert. "Humans? Why would I want to do that? They suck."

Hinote burst out laughing. "And whose fault is that, Miss Socially Awkward? All you've done for five years is talk to me, chop down animals for food, and occasionally grumble about prices in the nearby town when you go for clothes or haircuts. Face it, kid, you've turned into a total hermit."

"I'm not a hermit," Yukari snapped, though she could feel the heat rising to her cheeks. "I just... prefer your company."

Hinote raised an eyebrow, smirking. "Oh, how sweet. You're saying I'm better than the average human? Well, I am a legendary phoenix, after all."

"That's not what I meant," Yukari grumbled, crossing her arms and glaring at the floor.

"Well, you're going to have to get used to people again," Hinote said, her voice suddenly more serious. "We've trained here long enough. You're stronger, smarter, and a hell of a lot more dangerous. But there's one thing I can't teach you: how to deal with other people."

Yukari frowned. "Why would I need to learn that? I can just burn anyone who annoys me."

Hinote snorted. "Yeah, sure. Burn your way through the entire human population. Real smart. Look, I know you've had a bad past with people, but the world isn't just full of idiots. There are guilds, places where mages come together to work, train, and grow stronger. You want to become the best? You'll need allies. You'll need to get over that social anxiety of yours."

Yukari looked away, her expression conflicted. She hadn't talked to anyone besides Hinote in years. Sure, she could exchange a few words with shopkeepers, but anything beyond that? The thought made her stomach twist. She wasn't used to people. Not anymore.

Hinote, ever perceptive, leaned down to poke Yukari in the forehead. "Oh no, is the mighty Yukari Hoshizora nervous? You've faced giant beasts, learned how to control flames that could melt mountains, but humans scare you? Pathetic."

Yukari swatted her hand away. "I'm not scared. I just... don't like people."

"Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that," Hinote said, turning to look out of the cave. "Anyway, I've done some research."

"Research?" Yukari asked, raising an eyebrow. "You?"

Hinote rolled her eyes. "Don't look so surprised. I may be lazy, but I'm not useless. There are a couple of guilds in this area that might interest you. They're not too far from here, either. Think of it as your first step into the human world."

Yukari stood up, dusting off her pants. "What guilds?"

"The first one is called Fairy Tail," Hinote said, her tone filled with mild amusement. "It's not that well-known right now, just a small guild with a handful of mages. Their name's a bit ridiculous, but from what I hear, they're a decent group. Friendly, chaotic, and apparently, they don't mind taking in people who are a little... rough around the edges."

Yukari's interest was piqued, but she tried to keep her expression neutral. "Friendly? Doesn't sound like my kind of place."

"Oh, I think you'd fit right in," Hinote said with a smirk. "They're reckless, just like you. They'd probably welcome you with open arms, even if you tried to set the place on fire."

Yukari snorted, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "And the other guild?"

"Phantom Lord," Hinote said, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "They're a bit more... aggressive. Stronger, too. They've got a reputation for taking on powerful mages, and they don't shy away from using force to get what they want. They're the type who would probably challenge you right off the bat, just to see how strong you are."

Yukari nodded, her curiosity growing. "So, two guilds one chaotic but friendly, the other powerful but dangerous."

"Exactly," Hinote said, crossing her arms. "Now, if you're going to make a decision, you'd better start thinking about what you want. Do you want a family-like environment where you can grow stronger without too much pressure? Or do you want a place where you're constantly pushed to your limits, but at the risk of becoming a weapon for them?"

Yukari frowned, her mind spinning with possibilities. Fairy Tail sounded like the kind of place where she could actually connect with people. Maybe even make friends, though the idea still made her a little uncomfortable. On the other hand, Phantom Lord would challenge her strength at every turn, and that sounded more appealing than getting all buddy-buddy with a bunch of mages.

"So... which one?" Yukari asked, glancing at Hinote.

Hinote grinned, her fiery eyes glowing with mischief. "Why are you asking me? It's your life, kid. But let me tell you this you've spent five years hiding from the world. Now's your chance to step out and see what you're made of."

Yukari sighed, running a hand through her now shoulder-length black hair. She hadn't been ready for this. Sure, she'd trained, grown stronger, learned new techniques, and even gained control over her fire. But she wasn't ready for the outside world. She wasn't ready for people. And yet, something in her gut told her that Hinote was right.

"Fine," she said after a moment. "We'll check them out. But I swear, if anyone tries to hug me, I'm setting them on fire."

Hinote burst out laughing. "That's the spirit! You'll fit right in."

Yukari scowled. "I'm serious."

"Oh, I know," Hinote said, her grin widening. "That's what makes it so hilarious."

As they packed up their few belongings and prepared to leave the cave, Yukari couldn't shake the nervous excitement building in her chest. She hadn't felt this way in a long time. The world outside the cave was unknown, unpredictable, and full of people who could either become her allies or her enemies. It was terrifying.

But it was also thrilling.

They stepped out of the cave, and the morning sun greeted them with a warm glow. Yukari took a deep breath, feeling the cool breeze against her skin. For the first time in years, she was going to be among humans again. She was going to see what the world had to offer beyond the safety of her cave.

As they began their journey toward the nearest town, Hinote couldn't help but tease her one last time.

"You know, you should practice smiling more," she said, glancing at Yukari. "It might help you not look like you want to murder everyone you meet."

Yukari shot her a glare. "I don't need to smile. My default face works just fine."

Hinote snickered. "If by 'works just fine,' you mean 'terrifies small children,' then sure."

Yukari rolled her eyes. "I'm not here to make friends, Hinote."

"Yeah, yeah, keep telling yourself that," Hinote replied with a wink. "But who knows? Maybe you'll find someone who's just as much of a hothead as you are."