Author's Note:
Hey there guys so I'll make this brief. The summary is vague and lame on purpose because I'm kind of making it up as I go along, so I only have a partial storyline in mind. Apologies for that.
Now this is a female Naruto or Naruko who I have named Mina. She will not be canon Naruto. If anything she will seem a bit OOC to the point of being OC for those of you sticklers out there. Again apologies.
As mentioned in the summary this is an Alternate Universe based in Fairy Tail, so certain events and details will be changed. Naruto characters and events will likely show up during the telling of this story as well.
Now it's been forever since I've been able to just sit down and write, so you will likely see some issues with my writing. I appreciate any and all Useful feedback. Insults strictly for the sake of insulting is not helpful.
Lastly, pairings aren't decided if you're curious. I'm feeling a bit of yuri pairing personally, but I'm not sure yet. On that note, do not expect Erza and Jellal to end up together. Just no.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Fairy Tail
A little redhead dressed in a worn dirty white dress bounced in her seat on the floor. Before her rested a small beaten wooden table, and upon that table was a torn red cloth acting as a cover for the chipped plastic plate beneath. It didn't matter that she couldn't see what was hidden, there was a smell that was drawing her in.
She cast her eyes to the left to the bedroom she shared with her elder sister, Mina. She could take a small peek right? Her sister wouldn't know as long as she puts the red covering back right? Casting one more glance at the bedroom door, she slowly reached her hand across the table top.
A little more, her fingers were just about to grasp the cloth, but the action was halted by a swift yet soft smack to her hand.
"Now, Erza. At least wait until I'm here."
"Mou, but you were taking so long neesan," Erza exclaimed to her sister whose amusement was clear to see in the twitch of her birthmarks on her cheeks.
Her sister, much like she, was dressed in old and worn clothing, dirty white pants that were ripped off at the knee, a black hooded shirt fraying at its edges, and no shoes. Also like Erza, the sister shared the same scarlet colored hair falling down to her upper back.
"Even so, it's good to be patient for good things." she pat Erza's head with a loving smile, then sat on the floor next to her little sister.
Pulling the plate closer and in front of Erza, who glanced at her in curiosity. Smiling widely and reached out. Mina watched as her sister immediately focused her eyes on the hand now holding the fabric, "Without further delay." Slowly, she lifted her hand, "I present you." Erza leaned in closer as more of the red cloth lifted, "Strawberry cake!" With a quick yank Mina raised her arms in victory. There centered on the plate was a small round pink cake. Droplets of pink frosting circled the edge of the cake. But what drew the child's brown eyes was three impossibly red strawberries planted on top.
Erza licked her lips as her eyes widened more at the treat before her. A fork her sister held went towards the cake. She watched as a small piece was cut away and carried to her. Slowly. Ever so slowly, Erza watched her sister guide the treat closer to her.
"Come on, Erza. Say 'ah'."
Eyes closed, and saying 'ah' as instructed, Erza tasted the beginning of something amazing. The sweet taste of strawberry invaded every sense she had in that first bite. And in moments the fork was taken from Mina's hand as the little redhead joyously ate the wonderful dessert.
Mina held in her laughing well, but couldn't stop the smile that seemed to grow after seeing her sister so happy. It was worth the struggle, she thought.
She worked tirelessly to raise enough money for this, and at first it almost didn't go according to plan. The plan was to buy a strawberry cake from the bakery, but even with the near endless work she put in an odd jobs around the village she still didn't have enough. She had tried to bargain at first. Offering to work for the cake, but the owner declined every time. Mina knew why he refused to help. Just like she knew why everyone refused.
Her hand drifted up to the whisker-like birthmarks on her cheeks. Her blue slitted eyes thinned as a memory came to the forefront of her mind. A broken memory of a man who tried to hurt Erza, but Mina had gotten to him first. It was hard to recall the details between when the man had started shouting and she had placed herself in front of her little sister, but she remembered hearing Erza's cry for her. She remembered her tears. She remembered red.
The memory cleared when she was crouched before Erza, hands curled like claws, and the man lay beaten and bloody on the ground. It was a disturbing memory, one that was hard to believe if she didn't have blood on herself or the way Erza would look at her as if she was a stranger. That was a painful time.
Since then the village looked at her differently. Treated her differently. Whispers of 'demon' could be heard as she passed by. Work, food, and clothes became harder to come by, but she persevered. Refusing to give up, because she had Erza. She couldn't give her a great life, and she had a hard time explaining why things had gotten more difficult, but damn it, she would not let her sister struggle by herself. So she struggled to protect her family and give them a happy life.
A soft sigh tore Mina from her thoughts.
Erza lay back on the floor with the biggest smile she had ever seen on the girl. And it was this scene that Mina worked for. Days and nights of constant work to afford enough ingredients and the instructions to make the cake herself, was all for this single moment. It didn't matter that the adult in her brain scolded her about the cost, because that adult was quiet now as they watched tears of pure joy fall from the little girl's eyes.
I promise I will bring you this moment, as long as I live. Mina silently promised.
"Erza's so mean. Couldn't even share with her neesan," Mina cried hiding her face in her hands.
Erza's eyes shot open and she darted over to wrap her big sister in a hug, "I-I'm sorry neesan. It was so good a-and after the bite, I couldn't help myself," her voice was only a whisper at the end and a soft blush colored her cheeks.
Mina peeked at her baby sister's sullen face and squealed, surprising Erza before the young redhead was wrapped in a tight hug. "You're just too adorable! Did you enjoy the cake that much?"
Her arms practically flailed about as she praised the "most amazingest cake ever" and she continued about finding the one who made it and demand another, after thanking them for the first.
The whole time Mina watched her sister animatedly display her love of the cake that she made, and she couldn't stop her own happy tears from spilling out. It was soon followed by laughing, which stopped the child in the middle of her praise of strawberry cake.
"What's so funny? I'm being serious," Erza stated, putting on her best serious face.
"Sorry," she replied between giggles, "I'm glad you liked it, because I made that cake." Mina pointed her thumb to herself with another widening grin, as Erza's brown eyes widened in surprise and adoration, though Mina wasn't sure if that was adoration for her or the cake she made.
"You made that!" she shouted more than asked, "Neesan, you have to make more! We can have some for breakfast. For lunch. For dinner. For… for midnight snacks. For… Ow!" Erza started rubbing her nose after her sister flicked it.
"I don't think so Erza," the girl deflated at the denial of the wondrous treat. Tears even started to form in her eyes and Mina could feel her heart break at the sight, "Don't give me that look. Things like this have to be saved for special moments."
The younger sister perked up at that, "Like what?"
"Like," Mina paused, "Well I guess any moment can be special. I'm still not making them all the time Erza," she said as soon as Erza's smile grew, which only caused the girl to pout again. "I'm talking, super special moments, like today." At her sister's confused glance she brought out a tiny box. "This is a gift for you, and you have to promise to keep it safe," Erza quickly nodded, eyeing the box as if she could see through to what lay inside.
Mina placed the small box into Erza's hand, and allowed her sister to open it, "It's beautiful." the little girl spoke breathlessly.
Inside, on a pure white pillow rested a skyblue crystal. Attached to it was a black cord and on either side of the crystal were round metal beads. The crystal seemed to glow as a tiny hand hovered just over it, scared to ruin it if she touched it.
Mina's arms encircled her sister in a hug, "It's called a crystal gem. It is meant to protect and help you achieve your goals." She paused, "It was mom's."
That declaration caused the youngest to snap to her sister with wide eyes, and back to the gem. Her eyes grew misty staring at the priceless gift she now held. Momma, Erza hugged the crystal tenderly to her heart. Already a warmth filled her as she shook with silent sobs in her big sister's arms.
Mina combed her fingers through Erza's red hair quietly, to give the young girl a moment to connect with their mother. This was the only thing they had, and Mina fought off many people who came looking for it. The money it was worth could easily set the sisters up for life, but money doesn't bring back lost family. If she had to choose between a life of luxury by selling the necklace or surviving on the streets, Mina would pick the streets every time, to make sure Erza had just one connection to mom.
"Well come on silly, it's not going to work if you don't wear it. Here, I'll help," Mina gently wiped the tears away and guided Erza to sit in front of her.
She reached for the box that the small girl was hesitant to let go of like it might disappear forever. With brief coaxing Mina took hold of the crystal gem, and tied the cord around Erza's neck.
Finished she hugged her sister again, "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday dear Erza. Happy birthday to you," it was sung quietly but it was heard loud and clear.
"My birthday," she whispered in surprise. Her sister always made a point to shout the song as loudly as she could every year, so when that didn't happen today Erza didn't know that today was any different.
But hearing that song now, eating that cake, receiving their mother's necklace. This was beyond what she had grown used to. Gifts and cake didn't happen on her birthday, and she remembered her sister would apologize every night when she thought she was asleep. Is it because there was no cake or gifts?
Why? Was the only thought that came to Erza's mind.
Erza didn't realize she had thought that aloud, until Mina pulled her closer muttering an apology. Sadness and guilt weighed heavily on the older sister for not giving the life her baby sister deserves. That sadness is what Erza saw and she didn't like that look. Her sister shouldn't have that look. Her sister was a happy person. Always smiling. Always kind. Always loving. But now…
In a panic the girl turned and hugged her elder sister as tightly as she could. Trying to convey how much she loved her through that simple action. Muttering apologies to each other they sat in their home, holding on to each other with everything.
When the sisters calmed down Mina spoke up, "I'm sorry I haven't been able to do this every year, but I promise there will be more super special moments from now on." She knew the promise would be hard to keep, but she was going to keep.
Erza didn't know how to feel. On one hand, she felt excited that her sister had done this for her, and that she promised to do it again. On the other, she hated herself for making her sister feel like she needed it. She didn't need the gifts or the cake or anything. She just needed her sister. That was all she could ever need, "It's okay neesan. You don't have to do that."
Mina gave another sad smile, I'm the worst sister ever.
Stopping the tears before they could flow again, the elder sister kissed the top of Erza's head, "Enough of that now, I will do it no matter what you say. It's my job to spoil my baby sister," she said back to cheerful self. "So what're goals huh? I bet it's something grand, like going on an adventure for lost legends and treasure. Ooo, that sounds fun."
Erza giggled at her eccentric sister who continued spitting out stories of exploring ancient ruins, and escaping with the treasure that was booby trapped. But that isn't what she wanted. If anything Erza just wanted this. This moment of happiness together, to continue for as long as they lived, but she couldn't tell her big sister that. She'd just tease her about it, so maybe she'd go with second goal, "I want a castle."
Mina blinked at the answer and smiled, "A romantic huh? Thinking maybe a wonderful hero…" she didn't even finish her statement before Erza spoke again.
"I want a castle of… STRAWBERRY CAKE!" she shouted as loudly and proudly as she could with a fist raised in the air to punctuate her goal.