Hello everyone. I'm sorry for the late update ubut I hope you like this chapter. As for my FTA readers, the next chapter of JeRza would be coming in a couple of days I PROMISE! Please read and review! Enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own it and I would never own it even if the world turns to coal. Thank you!
The sun bathed it's light on the scarlet princess as she began to stir. Rubbing her eyes, she cracked her chocolate pupils open to find the dazzling sun waking her up from her beauty sleep, a smile tugged the corners of her lips.
She looked over to the clock in the small table beside her bed to find it 6:30, she had woken up quite early. With a small yawn, Erza got off her bed and pulled her curtains to allow the sun's rays to engulf her; it felt pleasant.
Her nostrils were suddenly filled with the smell of salt water and a certain sweet smell she had no idea of. With a soft smile she made her way towards the bathroom to take a heavenly bath and get dressed to meet Lucy; she wanted to talk to Lucy about what little chemistry was going on between her and a certain pinkette.
After she had dipped herself in the cold water( she preferred cold water better than hot water), she let her mind wonder about certain things regarding from yesterday.
He had drawn a picture that was a complete masterpiece, she had a tough time to believe that it was actually her in the picture. She smiled softly as she remembered the conversation they had yesterday, it was a bit odd for her to be shy with someone.
But suddenly remembering that she should not be thinking about other mens when she would be getting married soon, she shook her head and proceeded to pour the lavender shampoo on her hair.
After she had finished her bath, she fixed herself a white dress with blue flowers and a pair of flat sandals with a light touch of makeup. She combed her hair straight since it hadn't dried yet and took out her white feathered hat, for some reason she loved to wear hats.
As she was giving the last finishing touches of her makeup, she heard a soft knock on her door and immediately knew it was Lucy.
" Come in," she whispered softly and heard the door creak as Lucy made herself in.
She was wearing a blue tank top with little butterflies and a mid-thigh pink skirt along with ballet flats. Her hair was combed in a side ponytail while her main hair layed neatly on her back, it was her usual style.
" Erza, finished yet?" Lucy asked looking at her red-head friend.
" Yes," Erza replied and the both of them got out of the room and made their way to the stern of the ship.
" Ah~ The breeze is soo sweet and soft!" Lucy said waving her arms in a dreamy way. Erza watched her bestfriend sway her head here and there, it felt nice to see her friend enjoy herself.
" Lucy...did you see Natsu in the morning?" Erza asked and Lucy stopped twirling around and looked at her scarlet haired companion.
" No...why did you ask?" Lucy asked curiously but Erza shrugged it off. She caught a sight of pink hair around the corner and smiled; Natsu was stalking Lucy.
" You know something Erza? Maybe destiny is planning something for you and Jellal-san," Lucy said looking at her friend who raised an eyebrow.
" It was just a hunch...don't think of it much! Hahahaha, I wonder what Natsu's doing," Lucy said looking up at the sky.
A smirk tugged the corners of Erza's lips as she said," Luuucyyyyy...are you missing Natsu?".
Lucy jumped in surprise and tried to fight back the blush on her cheeks as she stammered," W-what are you s-saying?...O-of course not!".
Erza only smiled in return as she watched Lucy looked the other way.
" L-look, he is a nice boy okay? Thats just it! He's a nice friend thats all! It's nothing like that...whatever your imagining..." Lucy hesitantly said trying not to meet Erza's eyes.
"Allllllright..." Erza stretched her words only to earn a glare from Lucy.
" Ok ok! Fine then, nothing is going! You 2 are just...only friends!" Erza raised her hands up in surrender as Lucy gave her a cold look before walking up to the edge of the ship.
" Uwaah! Lookie lookie Erza! The dolphin's sooooo cute!" Lucy squeled in delight as she pointed at a beautiful dolphin jumping up and down the ocean.
" Ahaha...well I'll leave Natsu and you alone...I'll be going to meet Hibiki okay?" Erza said and before Lucy could ask about how she knew Natsu was here or not, Erza already left.
Lucy sighed and put her hands on her back before calling out," Natsu? Are you really there?".
A very red-in-the-face Natsu made his appearence shifting uncomfortably while walking up to Lucy who only looked at him thinking if he had some problem.
" When did you get here?" Lucy asked cheerfully.
" A-ah...well...um...I know it wasn't right but...um...ever since you and Erza-san met in front of your room...ah well, sorry for eavesdropping..." Natsu hesitated while fidgeting with his fingers.
" Oh! Why did you stalk? You could have said hi you know!" Lucy said putting her hands on her hips in which Natsu only laughed weakly rubbing the back of his head.
" Oh well, it can't be helped! So, tell me more about you!" Lucy piped up putting her hands on the reiling of the ship.
" About me? Well, theres not much..." Natsu hesitated but looking at Lucy who was expecting more to come he said," Well I'm 17, and I have a younger sister who's 12 and Jellal's my cousin. My sister's name is Wendy Marvell and she lives in Gabria with Grandpa Roubaul so, I'm going there to meet her and well, bring her back to Magnolia since I got a part-time job and a apartment for us meaning, me, Wendy and Jellal to live. And...well our parents went missing 7 years ago...well thats its about me, what about you?" Natsu asked as Lucy sighed.
" Ah...you have a sister named Wendy? By chance, does your sister know someone of the name of Romeo Conbolt? He's 13 and my first cousin..." Lucy asked with a small smile and Natsu replied, " Romeo Conbolt...yeah! The last letter she sent me, she mentioned about meeting a senior in her school named Romeo-" a frown replaced his straight face,"- who happens to have a weird interest on my sister,".
Lucy chuckled and asked," My my, young love don't you agree?".
" Well if they were a bit older, then well I might've not had a problem with it...but I can't trust that brat, Wendy even sended a picture of him and her in there school field trip...damn brat!" Natsu cursed under his breath.
" Don't worry, he's a nice kid and I'm sure he's taking good care of Wendy-chan!" Lucy encouraged while Natsu grimaced.
" So about me now! My mother died 7 years ago and my father lives in Gabria. He owns the Heartfilia Railways, the Grand Hospital and...I can't remember every one of them," Lucy wondered while Natsu gasped.
" You mean your the daughter of the Jude Heartfilia? I completely ignored your last name...ahh! How old are you?" Natsu asked while Lucy smiled and replied,"Same as you!".
I...might have a chance, Natsu thought inwardly.
" Say Natsu, how old is Jellal-san?" Lucy asked curiously and Natsu replied," He's 19...what about Erza-san?".
" Oh! Erza's also 19...to be honest, I don't really like Hibiki-kun. He seems to be...a bit too prideful? I'm not sure why but I don't like him much...and to be really, really honest I prefer Erza with Jellal-san," Lucy said and Natsu nodded saying, " Yeah, I've noticed. Well, my dear cousin...keep it a secret, happens to have a, errr how should I say it? He happens to have a quite a bit of interest in Erza-san, at least I think so,".
" Alright, and don't tell anyone about me not liking Hibiki-kun. It would hurt Erza and well...I'll keep your secret as well! It's a promise okay?" Lucy asked raising her pinky finger and Natsu looked at her with a curious look.
" Pinky promise!" Lucy exclaimed with a bright smile and Natsu turned bright pink before interwining his pinky finger with Lucy's and doing the pinky promise.
Both of them enjoyed each others company and talked about various things, time seemed to pass smoothly between the two, and the little chit-chat between the two seemed to worth more than it seemed.
" Erza," Hibiki called leaning against his room's door as he watched Erza make her way towards him.
" Had a good sleep?" Erza asked stopping in front of him while he nodded.
" Come in," he muttered motioning with his hand for Erza to enter his room. The two entered the room and Erza found it to be quite messy, it was just like him. They sat on the leather sofa and Hibiki brought out a small oval shaped ruby necklace.
Erza looked at him curiously and in answer he said," Since I didn't get you anything for our engagement as I had some problems, I want you to have it,".
Erza reached out a hand to take it and Hibiki handed it over to him. She looked at it but something in her heart was telling her not to take it, it was odd.
She was to be married to Hibiki in about a weeks time and she couldn't accept a be-lated engagement present? Why was her heart telling her not to take it? Why did she feel awkward everytime she was around Hibiki from yesterday?
She had no answers to the questions but she knew that it would be best if she could think it over and then accept the gift.
Hibiki watched his fiancee, patiently waiting for her to ask him to put it on her but, she didn't ask him. Instead, she offered it back to him and said," I...need to think it over. Don't take it personally please, my heart is just not telling me to take it now. I hope you understand,".
Hibiki eyed Erza carefully, he was afraid that something like this would happen but then assured himself that everything was going to be alright, she just simply didn't want it now and would take it later. That was all there was to it.
He took the necklace in his hand and gave a small smile before saying," Take your time to think, Erza. I'm not offended, in fact its better if you think it over. I understand fully,".
Erza smiled and said," Thank you," before putting her hand on his shoulder as he smiled back.
" Jellal-san!" Lucy called with Natsu following her as they saw Jellal walking in the hallway.
Jellal turned around swiftly to find Lucy waving at him and his good old cousin following behind, Natsu shuddered as he watched his cousin smirking at him slightly.
" Ah,Lucy-san. Good morning, slept well?" Jellal asked with a smile but Natsu knew better what the ultra-gentleman smile was about.
" Good morning to you too Jellal-san! Yes, I had the bestest sleep ever on last night!" Lucy nodded cheerfully while Jellal thought inwardly,
Of course you did, since you met Natsu your bound to have the 'bestest' sleep ever on your life time.
" You seem quite happy today? Did something great happen?" Jellal asked while they started walking towards the restaurant hall-room for breakfast. Apparently, Lucy and Erza had not made any reservations for any waiter to serve them food in there respective rooms and as Erza was nowhere to be found, Lucy along with Natsu and Jellal would eat breakfast together.
Natsu shifted uncomfortably realizing the tone in his cousin's voice, was all artists like him? Sneaky and know-it-alls?.
" Well the truth is, Natsu said that you might be able to draw a picture of me and well...I've been soo excited! So, I was wondering if you could..." Lucy fiddled with the corner of her pink skirt.
Jellal smiled at her warmly before grinning towards Natsu who only gulped, what was he planning NOW?.
" Hmmm...let me think about it please? I still have to finish fully painting..." Jellal looked up in a at the ceiling before finishing," I still have to finish painting 's picture and frame it...I hope you understand.".
" Of course! Take your time, I don't mean for you to rush. I only wanted to know if you could paint a picture of me, that's all!" Lucy replied cheerfully and they finally reached the hallroom or rather the open deck where the restaurant was holding the breakfast on.
The deck was clean and beautiful tables of 2,3,4 up to 8 placed carefully. The tables were neat and the menu card was placed in front of every chair.
" Is Erza-san...?" Natsu hesitated before asking and Lucy replied,"Ah no, I think she would eat breakfast with Hibiki-kun,".
They took a table of 3 that was the nearest to the reiling and was the perfect view to see the deep blue ocean, the clear blue sky and the hot sun overhead.
Natsu refused it first saying how only nature obsessed freaks would want to sit there but noticing the warm smile Lucy had while staring over the reiling, Natsu had a, noted by Jellal, a change of heart and sat on the table.
They ordered there dishes and continued to chit-chat either about the food or the scenery or about books or about artists and painters.
" Jellal-san, I got it!" Lucy piped up suddenly while Jellal looked at her expectantly.
" You should paint a picture of Natsu eating the Jolokia peppered fried chicken in the menu, its the hottest chicken ever! The reaction on Natsu's face as he takes the first bite would be really sweet and funny!" Lucy finished and Jellal nodded saying," My my, you have a very nice suggestion. I really should do that," while Natsu face-palmed.
After another round of small-talks either teasing Natsu or knowing more about each others past, Jellal looked at his watch to find it to be 9:30. Jellal called the waiter and they all paid there breakfast bills with Natsu wanting to pay Lucy's bills while Lucy telling him it was okay.
" Well, I have decided. I would paint a picture of you, Lucy-san in one condition," Jellal said with a smirk playing in his lips as they finished paying there bills.
Lucy looked at him with starry eyes begging him to continue while Natsu gulped for the second time, Jellal was planning something very, very sneaky.
" You have to model with Natsu in my picture as a couple," Jellal finished and the 2 in front of him stopped all together.
Natsu's eyes bulged out with a hint of blush in his cheeks and Lucy fiddled with her fingers with her cheeks bright pink.
" Ah...well, okay.." both of them hesitantly replied and Jellal got up before saying," You 2 should pick a perfect spot for the picture...a very beautiful, romantic yet lonely spot...start searching and then tell me, I'd be by the stern like yesterday...".
" Probably painting another picture..." Natsu replied while Lucy smiled.
" Its great! I'm soo happy to meet you two! Lets go and find a perfect spot!" Lucy said grabbing Natsu by the hand and pulling him. Natsu looked suprised at first but then gave a small smile and followed Lucy.
Jellal heaved a sigh while leaning against the reiling of the stern, it wasn't crowded as most people were busy in the deck and it was the perfect spot to calm oneself.
He thought about Natsu and Lucy before breaking into a small smile while saying," Go for it Natsu, I just hope you 2 don't find yourselves lost in the huge ship...I'd have to tell the security and explain everything and they would ask me repeated questions...god,".
As he was thinking of what might happen if Natsu and Lucy got lost, he didn't notice Erza walking up to him and smiling at him.
Erza tilted her head a bit to have a better look at Jellal's face when Jellal twisted his head in her direction. Both of them looked at each other, startled for a while before greeting each other with 'good mornings' and 'how are you's'.
" I apolozige for not noticing you, I was in deep thought," Jellal said while Erza replied," Its nothing to feel sorry for, I shouldn't have startled you in thought. I apolozige as well,".
" Pardon me for asking, are you not supposed to be with... Laytis?" Jellal asked curiously.
" We finished our breakfast a couple of minutes ago and well...I was looking for you," Erza replied with a small smile as Jellal looked at her curiously.
" Natsu Dragneel was it? Your cousin seems to have a interest in Lucy," Erza said looking at the ocean.
Jellal smiled softly before replying," I've noticed, they seem like a perfect match no?".
" Yes," Erza replied smiling softly.
" I haven't finished painting the picture, I would in a day's time but my first priority is to paint Natsu and Lucy-san in a couple picture...she seemed quite excited," Jellal said while Erza chuckled.
" Let me guess, you send them searching for a perfect spot to model didn't you?" Erza asked in a proud voice while Jellal laughed weakly saying," Now let me guess, you met with them while they were searching for a perfect spot no doubt?".
" Yes, I met them near to the cargo of the ship. Apparently, they were thinking it was a great place to model...what taste," Erza tried to keep her laugh quiet while Jellal dead-panned," I'm truly sorry for them...".
Silence fell in between them but the atmosphere around them was calm and warm. Both of them continued to stare at the deep blue ocean aimlessly, surges of water splashed along the sides of the ship as the dolphins continued to swim around them.
The wind smelled fresh and calm while the seagulls called each other endlessly putting the finishing touches to the wonderful scenery ahead of the 2.
" If you don't mind me asking," Erza began in a soft voice," I was wondering if...I could know more about you,".
Jellal shifted his gaze at Erza but noticed that her scarlet bangs were framing her face in a elegant manner which mezmerised him, a small smile escaped his lips as he said," Curiousity killing the cat? I must admit too, I've wanted to know more about you as well . You seem really mysterious...".
Erza looked at him and both of there brown eyes pierced each other in a deep gaze.
" Well, I'll go first shall I?" Erza asked in a soft voice while Jellal nodded.
" I don't know who my real parents are...ever since I could remember, Grandpa Rob brought me up. When I was about 10 or so, he died and I had to fend for myself. I met Lucy a couple of years ago...and she helped me quite alot, with money and mental support. I owe my thanks to her...I'm going to Gabria," Erza finished not wanting to mention Hibiki for some reason and looked up to Jellal who looked as if he was thinking something.
" Mr. Hibiki Laytis...he is your...fiancee correct?" Jellal asked looking at the landscape in front of them.
Erza shifted a bit uncomfortably for some reason and replied," Yes, he is. Lucy must have told you no?".
" Ah, well Lucy-san told Natsu and he told me...enough about that. There's not much about me except that I too, don't know my real parents and was brought up by a distant uncle, named Faust...I learned that Natsu was my blood related cousin when I was about 8 and well, Uncle Faust died soon after. Uncle Igneel and Aunt Grandine, Natsu's parents disappeared soon after so, me and Natsu began living on our own with help from a really nice lady, Aunt Ul who allowed us to live with her. And well, I became a artist and Natsu well...he's reading on a subject I have no idea about-" Jellal paused as Erza chuckled a bit,"- well, I'm going to Gabria since it's a fabulous place for art and Natsu to see his sister and bring her back home with us. That's just about me," he finished.
Erza and Jellal looked at each other before breaking into a small smile.
They chit-chatted for a while, laughing and smiling at each other before Natsu and Lucy came telling them that they found an awesome place to model which just happened to be in the cargo as Erza predicted.
Jellal face-palmed and finally after much persuading, Natsu and Lucy decided to model in the stern of the ship which turned out to be a romantic spot with Natsu blushing furiously and Lucy completely oblivious to the fact.
Erza stayed and watched Jellal sketching the picture and she played her part in the model as well.
Teasing Natsu and Lucy seemed to be Erza and Jellal's habit much to Natsu and Lucy's dismay.
And after much chatting, teasing and laughing, they all ate lunch together with Hibiki and the rest of the day passed slowly.
As night fell, all of them looked at the sky from there balconies and smiled hoping that the next day would be better than that day.
Please read and review! Thank you very much!