Passed boundaries

Chapter three: Officially dating

Important note at the end.

The snapping of branches could be heard as a certain pink haired dragon slayer was trekking about in the woods outside Magnolia. His trust worthy partner Happy was right behind his heels, complaining and bickering. However, they both were wandering aimlessly around the lush forest, in the middle of the night Magnolias uncharted woods could be kind of scary according to Happy, but Natsu didn't care enough to stop. Different thoughts ran loose inside his feeble mind. They were much scarier than some dark forest. To be precise Erza delivering the supreme punishment of death to him was what his brooding circulated through, and in order to escape he had chosen to make a run for it. Along with Happy, as he was considered Natsu's partner in crime.

"Natsu, I am tired...! How much longer till we are at the lake?" Happy whined while flying down from the air and landing gracefully on his partners shoulder, with the look of fatigue playing out on his feline face. They both had been wandering since midnight, then Natsu had gotten the bright idea of going out on a fishing voyage, while that was a very much welcomed idea, Happy was almost certain that all the fishes in the nearby water sources were soundly asleep...But one couldn't complain about fish, yeah? Although, when Natsu refused to stop for hours then it was time to complain, at least that's what happy thought.

"Just a little longer so stop complaining, besides, you can fly!" The dragon slayer was irked, here he was, bringing happy to a fishing trip, and all the blue furred exceed could do was to complain non-stop about how far they needed to walk...Well, Happy wasn't at fault here. Natsu knew that Happy was aware of their usual fishing spot being way back in the Magnolia forest. Besides this wasn't really a fishing trip, it was more of an escape from Erza. Yup, it always come down to that, the best strategy was to wait out the storm. Especially when he was the one who had possibly caused it in the first place.

Happy frowned at the dragon slayers obvious lack of knowledge about exceed aero magic, and proceeded to give the rosette a piece of his mind. "So what, you have legs, same thing different name!"

Natsu got lost in the midst of Happy's remark; the dragon slayer may not be the most sensible of individuals but the human anatomy which he almost had memorized. And he was pretty sure legs weren't the same as wings. But he didn't have the stamina to bicker with Happy; instead he just wanted to find a nice place to sleep.

"...Natsu...say something..." Natsu and Happy had been partners for as long as they both remembered, and of course one of them would notice when the other was under weather. In this case it was Natsu, he had been awfully quiet this whole trip...ever since they left that big fancy building with comfortable seats with cushions, Natsu had been checking behind his shoulder every-now and then, was he afraid?

Natsu never was afraid of anything, except Gildartz and Erza...who he had been carrying on his back, according to the rosette she had hit her head and was unconscious...At first it didn't seem like a big deal but Natsu was frantic and a bit panicky the whole time, kept mumbling on about pictures and gay people.

"Sorry, Happy I am just thinking about something." The dragon slayer casually said, like thinking was what he did on a regular basis. This wasn't missed by the blue feline and the exceed let out a shrill shriek! "EEEEEH," Natsu didn't appreciate this in the slightest and hurriedly placed a hand in front of Happy's maw to hinder him from revealing their position, after all she might hear!

Upon releasing his hand the blue feline uttered his restrained sentence: "Natsu, you almost never think outside of fights, are you sick?"

"Shhh," Happy was perplexed why was Natsu hushing him? "She might hear!" As he said his warnings his index finger was moved in front of his nose to signal Happy about shutting his trap!

"Who… Erza right? Natsu what have you done? I don't want to die!" Happy was spot on, he didn't want die either. That's why they were in the middle of the woods, instead of being soundly asleep. Locking his onyx orbs with Happy's own, Natsu attempted to calm him down. "It's alright, if she can't find you, then nothing will happen!" Natsu's words were in vain. The blue exceed was certain that the Titania would find him either way.

"But she has a flying armor, she will find us!" Happy exclaimed slightly panicked. Only to continue his rant: "Does this have anything to do with you dropping off Erza in the Fairy hills dormitory?" Suddenly the pink haired dragon slayers pacing come to a stop, while finding the half-moon in the night sky more interesting than Happy's face at the moment Natsu spoke: "I...don't know, maybe, but one thing I know is that she will be pissed when she wakes up!" Happy just kept staring at his partner for a minute, both in disbelief and amazement.

After a brief while Happy spoke. "Then why did you hit her head so much, when we were there," The blue exceed was almost getting a fit, everyone knew that he and Natsu always did everything together and were almost inseparable, therefore it was important for Natsu to keep a good reputation with Erza, because Natsu's reputation was also his reputation. "Now she will be noticing the lumps on her head and come after us!"

Having now turned around, Natsu was facing Happy again, but instead of helping with coming up an escape plan, he just sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "Aha...We are kind of screwed aren't we?"

Two hours earlier, at Fairy hills...

"Happy!" Natsu said. "Don't bump her head, dumb ass! She might wake up!" Natsu was on the verge of shedding manly tears of fear as his partner kept maneuvering Erza up the stairs of Fairy hills. They both knew very well that Fairy hills was strictly a girls only dormitory and any and all boys would get punished, extra severe if Erza was the inquisitor. But here they were, Natsu holding her arms and happy by her feet, making the rest of her body dangle dangerously.

Erza was asleep which was good. The Fairy hills people were asleep which was also good. Erza's room was on the last floor which was bad, especially if the stairs were really narrow and with a lot of unforeseen dead angles.

"Sorry, my wings are kind of frisky!" The flying feline said with an apologizing tone.

"Sorry, won't cut it when she wakes up!" The pink haired dragon slayer said. He knew that stating the obvious wouldn't help them that much, but it was good for the morale.

They were halfway up the stairs and nearing the top, that was when Natsu's foot trampled a very creaking floor board and the loudest and most ear deafening sound echoed through the compound. If somebody were the spot them now, their agenda would be more than suspicious. Meaning they couldn't escape the situation and would get busted. After all, who the hell except he and Happy would attempt smuggling in an unconscious Titania inside her own home in the dead of the night?

Soon they reached the end of the stairs and threshold of the last floor were Erza's dorm was located. Of course Natsu had to be his clumsy usual self and tripped at said threshold. With a violent crash Natsu planted his face on the wooden floor, which turned out to be really hard. Happy who was holding Erza's feet in front couldn't keep afloat in the air and dropped the Titania the next second.

Neither of them said a word. Instead Natsu had shut his eyes and rolled over to the wall to protect his spine from any potential kicks or any other form of pummeling Erza was going to use his body for. The blue exceed was still flying, but was as if frozen. Not daring to move a limb Happy carefully took a look at the scarlet knight's body. She was still lying there, which was good. Her breathing was still calm which was also good. Happy's night vision as a cat was very useful for situations like these. With some assurance of the Titania's still ongoing slumber, Happy whispered to Natsu with suspiciously squinted eyes. "I Think she is still, you know," As he spoke, Happy used his paws to form an X signaling Natsu that Erza was still down for the count.

The rest of the conversation ended up consisting of paranoid whispers.

"Happy, don't bump her head anymore, kay?" Natsu said in a low tone. Happy was too frantic to speak, the exceed only nodded out of understanding. Soon they were at Erza's room. Or rather, rooms. Somebody had connected eight dorms into one gigantic suite, full of mannequins wearing all the armor sets Erza didn't use anymore. They were all cool; the dragon slayers gaze caressed each set with amazement.

Obviously, to hinder their detection Natsu and happy had decided not to turn the lights on, because of that it was hard to see where they were headed. The room still kept unfolding before the duo in the darkness, Natsu was bummed out that Erza's collection of armor came to an end as the initial bedroom area neared. Soon they could drop Erza off and leave!

"Hey, Natsu, Erza's room is bigger than our house! Why is that?" Happy asked out of innocence or jealousy it depended on how one looked at his question.

"Well, Erza is...Erza and she is S-class, so the jobs pay better, and stuff!" Natsu's answer was vague, but good enough for Happy. The feline contently nodded once again as he analyzed his dragon slaying partners answer.

"In that case, hurry up and become S-class in the upcoming exams, I don't wanna live in a shack anymore!" The feline stated his remark about Natsu's property, much to the rosettes spite.

"My house isn't a shack, it's a...house!" Matter of facts it was a house, it was just slightly messy inside, not enough to be qualified as a shack!

"Compared to Erza's place it is!" This argument across Erza's not so unconscious body was escalating and the place it was headed wasn't pretty.

In the midst of the glaring fest, Natsu nor happy noticed that the Titania had awaken.

"What about my place?" That very moment time stopped for the blue flying feline and the rosette dragon slayer. Since when was Erza awake? In a matter of milliseconds did Natsu's brain process the situation and preceded to action, the results were...

"EEEEH" As the dragon slayer let out a shriek fitting for a girl, he flung his arms up in the air, effectively letting go of his grip on the now awake Titania. Happy was frozen in place; Natsu came to the conclusion that Happy like him thought that Erza's vision could only register moving things. Therefore if they stood dead still she would walk away. The theory had not been tested, so it was not one hundred percent fool proof.

However, Erza did not get up. She was asleep again, and...Snoring? Tears of joy ran down Happy's cheeks, as the feline thanked Mavis that Erza hit her head again. Natsu's clumsiness could be of use sometimes.

After a while, Natsu started breathing again. It felt great. Neither Happy nor Natsu spoke another word, they simply picked Erza up again and left on her bead to sleep, she was still snoring soundly. Which was a good sign? Without further ado they left throughout Erza's window located next to her bed. Oh, and the clothes were still on, bikini and all...She wouldn't mind right? And just like that Natsu shrugged it off.

The next day...

The pearly rays of the sun played on Erza's eye lids and woke her up to a fine morning. There had been no more strange dreams, which was a well needed relief for the scarlet knight. It took only few steps towards the window pane for Erza to see and feel the difference. The air smelled earthy and the dry and drooping plants were now boasting of their new found youth.

The Fairy hills mornings were the best, but not like they were when Hilda was still among them. The thought brought a slight tinge of sadness on to the Titania's senses, but it didn't last long until it was all a memory. Levy, Juvia and Wendy as well as the rest of Fairy tail was there for her. It was soothing to know to know that there were people that cheered on for one from the bottom of their hearts.

A stray ray of sun hit her chestnut eyes, Erza narrowed them slightly to hinder the sun to shine down on her chocolate orbs. What she needed the most was a brief talk with Mira about yesterday and a slice of Strawberry cheesecake, no, make that a strawberry parfait. It seemed that the weather was going to be surprisingly hot today; after all it was almost spring.

Erza was just about to leave her dorm when she noticed that the towel from the bath still firmly clutched her figures, it was a short towel...

If one were to bend down and take a look at her from the floor they would surely see something they absolutely shouldn't see, well, it wouldn't matter. They were going to die anyhow if that happened.

"Re-quip!" The name of the Titania's signature spell echoed throughout her dorm and died out about where the stairs down to the first floor began. A flash of silver colored magic obscured her figure as her new outfit was re-quipped on to her body. She had picked her usual daily gear to sport; a sturdy steel cuirass and her white blouse and marine blue skirt to go along with that, on her feet were her good old black leather long boots.

As Erza trekked down the stairs to join in on the breakfast that...let's see. Juvia's was preparing, her breakfasts were simply the best! Why? She didn't know, but she just poured in so much love when she cooked it tasted godly, which in reality made Erza slightly jealous...

In the Fairy hills kitchen there where three figures sitting and standing respectively. Levy was seated in the far end of the table, and sipping on a coffee with great vigor while passing small talk with Juvia, Wendy who didn't eat her breakfast until everyone had assembled shot Erza a beaming smile just as the Titania passed the threshold.

"Good morning, Erza-san!" The sky dragon slayer said.

Erza replied with a smile of her own playing out on her face. "Good morning, Wendy, Everyone!" She was welcomed with a wave from Levy as her mouth was busy drinking from her coffee. Juvia also replied to her greeting with a nod.

The first on to offer her some breakfast was Juvia who was standing beside a kitchen isle preparing a sandwich for Gray, salami and cheese? Huh, the water mage was so very dedicated to her Gray-sama, which warmed the knight's heart.

"Erza, do you want some breakfast? Juvia felt extra happy today so she made lots of dishes!" And it was true, Juvia had really put her soul into this, it was a shame she had to decline though!

"Thanks, but no thanks, I have some pressing business at the guild to attend to!" Which was talking to Mira, about the whole business with the photo shot and such?

"Oh, Juvia understands, we will see you at the guild later then!" With that said the Titania set out through the wooden door of Fairy hills which functioned as the entrance.

Half way down the path to Magnolia, Erza remembered that she forgotten asking about some coffee to go, after all Levy's looked so good! In a blast of craving for caffeine the scarlet knight made her way through the bustling streets of Magnolia, towards her favorite coffee shop. It was a busy day, people went to and fro, as the Titania paced towards town all the eyes were on her. Not in the usual way, the civilians were ogling her in a sense of mockery and what seemed like pity? However, Erza paid no mind; she wanted her early morning coffee.

Soon she arrived and the warm air of the coffee shop hit her face, as well as the aroma from the crushed coffee beans from the brewer. At this time of the the shop didn't have that many visitors, only a few frequents who were there and they were eating a full fledged breakfasts. There were apparently no one in line before her so Erza took the initiative.

The clerk was a small man in his thirties dusty blond hair and no facial hair, he was a nice fellow and counted Erza in as one of his regulars, which resulted in some discounts for the scarlet knight. But however, it seemed this morning he was extra generous.

"Hello what would you like...Erza?" Her name was spoken in an unexpected tone, the dusty blond coffee shop owner seemed to be really surprised at her presence. But Erza didn't care at the moment, she just wanted her very much needed coffee! After a minute or two of staring in disbelief the shop clerk went ahead and...praised her? What the hell?

"Erza, were amazing! Consider wearing bikini's more often!" This didn't make any sense! From which source had her favorite coffee shop owner gotten to know that she wears bikini's? It was probably Levy...who in turn had told Lucy...and Lucy likes very much to spread things around.

"I'd rather take coffee than compliments just now." Whatever, Lucy and Levy could be punished later, in fact it was kind of nice getting feminine compliments for once.

"Of course, here you go Erza, an Irish coffee with lots of skimmed milk and white chocolate shavings!" Offering a warm smile towards the clerk, Erza reached out and grabbed her drink, while using her other free hand to place a one hundred jewel bill on the counter.

"Keep the change." And with that said Erza took her first well deserved sip of her warm beverage. A sharp taste flooded her mouth but was fended of by the skimmed milk and chocolate shavings, everything was in perfect synch, although the dryness reminded her of something she might have drunk before, how strange.

As she continued to savor her coffee, the dusty blond man just kept sweeping the counter with his hand. Soon his blue eyes meet her chestnut ones and a very brief stare contest started.

"Say, Erza-san, have you...eh...read the Sorcerer today?" As a matter of fact, no she hadn't, but she would later in the guild, as Mira had most likely purchased a copy already.

"No, I haven't, is there something interesting on today?" Erza stated.

"Ehum, not really, have a nice day Erza!" She proceeded to wave her good-bye and step out of the shop and head towards the guild.

Fairy tail guild hall...

There were no air-borne mugs of ale or beer that were being hurled around, no flipped over chairs or tables, everything was death silent, in an ear deafening way. Everyone of the guild members were clumped together around the bar counter, waiting for something in great anticipation.

Cana had chosen to drink out of a flagon of booze instead of usual barrel, the barrel would obscure her vision of the event that was currently going on. Elfman hadn't uttered man a single time, what the members of Fairy tail were doing was not manly at all. Lisanna was more curious than usual, therefore she had taken on her bird soul to get a better line of sight on the happening. Everyones attention was directed at Mirajane who was standing in her usual spot flipping through the pages of the newest edition of Sorcerer weekly. It was the front page that had piqued everyones attention, Natsu and Erza was on it...

"Well, did you find anything? We wanna know!" Gray exclaimed, he would never miss on a chance of putting Natsu in an awkward position, ever!

"N-no, I am afraid there isn't anything more on them, sorry Gray!" The barkeep said in her usual gentle voice. But in vain that is, Gray didn't believe her for a second.

"Mira, hand over the magazine, is there something on Juvia?" In an attempt of confusing Mirajane, Gray used his cunning to manipulate the barkeeps sense of passion for all the supposed guild romances to obtain said magazine. Surprisingly it worked, Gray felt like a bad guy now but it would all go away once he found some awkward articles on Natsu.

"Gray, wait, give that back!" But the ice mage was too caught up in the article he had found, on the second page...

There were Natsu and Erza kissing...and Erza was straddling Natsu who kissed back, Gray could feel the sweet, sweet taste of supreme victory, never again would Natsu win an argument, Gray would just bring this up: Hey Natsu remember the article were you kissed Erza?

Cana was pissed off, Gray and Mira were having secrets without letting in on her, what a travesty!

"Gray, let me see!" As she said that the card mage grasped the magazine violently, and proceeded to read the article and bot just ogle at the pictures like some idiot earlier had done. Cana used a table as a podium to start preaching on the magazines contents. The first thing she read was the headline: The hottest mage couple! The guild just looked at her in disbelief to only moments later getting the innuendo and bursting into a roaring fit of laughter. The only one that was tall enough to snatch the paper out her hands were Elfman who did accordingly, and continued to read the page with great enthusiasm.

"HAHAHA," His fit of laughter picked up again. "Here it says they married on a beach! HAHAHA." He said while his manly guffaws echoed throughout the hall. Elfman was unable to hold it in any longer and proceeded to roll on the floor while holding his aching stomach out of all the laughter. Lisanna saw her opportunity to get a look at the article.

Lisanna flew down and snatched the paper before anyone else did, and continued to read, but instead of anything mildly interesting she found out something that she rather would not. Her face took a turn towards the Titania's hair on pictures.

Lisanna could only utter. "...P-pregnant...!" This only worsened her embarrassed state as all her blood pumped towards her head. Igniting it like a light bulb in the red light district. The guild didn't laugh, or speak, only staring at the smallest member of the Strauss family.

Then it happened, the worst Fairy tail brawl that had been witnessed started and would surely make any dragon slayer jealous! Everyone wanted the magazine. In the midst of all the nose bleed and crashing tables no one noticed that the paper was kicked and flung over to the second floor of the guild, and on the railing a short mustached figure stood, judging and cursing his luck.

"HEY, WHAT IN MAVIS NAME IS HAPPENING? YOU BRATS!" the fighting stopped and all the guild mates gazes were upon him. The magazine he caught out of the air, and started reading. After a few pages he reached the interesting part.

His reaction was slightly different from the others. Mira thought he would squeal in delight at the sight of Erza in a bikini but...no.

Makarov stopped reading, and stared at his guild members. "The pictures are nice! But this crap is bad for my heart!" Just as he said that he grasped the left side of his chest in a motion of agony and fell onto the floor only to be caught by Mirajane in a bridal style hold. Makarov hadn't gotten a heart attack, thank Mavis but it was close. Mira left with Makarov in to his study, the master needed some rest, he probably was shocked, maybe.

Every guild member present read the situation and seated themselves and started gossiping wildly with Cana in the lead. Somehow the guild was all clean and no signs of the fierce fighting where there to be seen.

Expectedly, the heavy foot steps of Erza's armor could be heard from outside, meaning she was close. The guild was not gripped by fear as much as they were exited to see the Titania's reaction, but one thing they knew, it wouldn't be pretty.

The guilds swing doors were swung open and the scarlet knight emerged, she was very surprised to not see any early morning fights of any sort. But instead there was an aerie aura in the guild, the atmosphere could be cut with a knife and that was the sign of something going on. Gray who was seated with his bare back towards her started spouting nonsense.

"No, no, no, the way I heard it they are officially dating!" He said to everyone but Erza.

Now Elfman felt brave enough to join in. "No, they are already married, on a beach!" By the moment Erza was getting more and more confused.

The final drop was delivered by Cana. "No, wasn't she pregnant?"

The Titania's interest had grown over the past seconds and now she didn't have any patience left. While slamming her armored fist on to the table Gray was seated at she stated: "I demand you tell me what's going on!" The ice mage was no fool and pointed at the item that had started all of the ruckus in the first place.

Erza walked up to the now very tattered issue of Sorcerer weekly and picked it up hastily. Her face turned for the worse as she discovered that she and Natsu was on the front page, deciding that a view on the front page wasn't enough to figure out what the deal with the pregnancy and dating was, Erza flipped the two first pages...

Soon, her face resembled her hair more and more as she read on. First the pictures then the text under them. She was mumbling to herself as she read on and it seemed that steam was erupting from her ears. "...Dating...Official?" Her heart stopped for a moment, now everyone in the guild seemed to be very daunted by the fact that Erza now knew, maybe she would ventilate her anger out on them?

"W-where is Natsu?" The question was directed at Gray, between her nervous laughs and growing amount of tick marks Gray knew she was having a break down.

"I-I don't k-know, he was on a job with you since yesterday, y-yeah?" Gray stuttered.

"I see, tell me if he shows his face around. I need to talk with him!" With that said the Titania re-quipped into her black wing armor and walked outside to find Natsu and talk with him, this was probably the last time they ever saw Natsu...

-ooo-

Now things were about to get even more complicated for the dragon and knight...

AN: And done, this chapter was the longest so far, but it was kinda hard to write to be honest.

Now to the important part. If anyone has a under reviewed story they want to get some crit on from other writers I have created a Fairy tail review game forum the link can be found on my profile page.

Have a nice Monday (they suck) and until next time!

Reviews are Love!