Fairy Tail—Together Again
Chapter Four
Start of a New Beginning
Katsumi stretched and swung her legs over the edge of her bed and sighed. She wasn't too sure if she was ready for the next step in her life after the trial. There was so many questions running through her mind, that she felt like she was starting to get a headache. With a slight growl, Katsumi jumped up and grabbed her clothes she would wear for the trial, and headed for the showers. Perhaps a nice soak under a curtain of hot water would do her a world of good. When she existed the shower room, she did feel somewhat better; but not by much. The young woman had handled most situations in her life with complete ease; but this new start in her life was making her nervous and she didn't like it. Seeing Lahar across the room, standing in front of her cell, seemed to calm her down a bit.
"Katsumi, I'm guess that you're nervous about your stay with your sister. I know Erza can be rather scary at times, but I think she's a calm and gentle person underneath that tough exterior. This is a good chance for the two of you to get to know each other now." Lahar stated as he tried to reassure the young woman.
"I understand that Lahar, but I'm not so sure about the future; it's a complete change for me. And I definitely don't care for her choice of friends; like Natsu Dragneel. I don't like him; he's too loud." Katsumi stated, giving him a rare and slight smile.
"Understood, and yes Natsu is loud and a handful most times; but he is a good friend to his comrades in Fairy Tail. Now if you're ready, let's had down down to the cafeteria for breakfast. My treat." Lahar replied, starting to lead the way.
Meanwhile at the guild, Erza had just finished her piece of strawberry cake. She fiddled with her fork for a moment until Mira came over to take her plate away. She could see the nervousness in her red haired friend's eyes.
"You nervous about finally being with Katsumi again Erza?" Mira asked, sitting down since her break was starting in a moment anyways.
"Yes I am. I don't know where to start in getting to know Katsumi? Mira, I don't know anything about her." Erza answered, feeling rather frustrated.
"I know it's frustrating for you Erza, but think about our little visit with her the other day. Even though she acted cold and distant, I think there's a loving and smart girl underneath her attitude. Just take your time and get to know her. I'll go with you to the courthouse, if it would help you feel better." Mira replied as she stood up and grabbed Erza's empty plate.
"I would like that very much. Katsumi's trial is at 1:00." Erza replied just as the guild doors opened to a guard standing in the doorway, looking around for someone. When he saw who he was looking for, he strode over to Erza gave a quick bow.
"Miss Scarlet, Captain Lahar has asked me to deliver this letter to you. All he told me was that it was information about your sister. Things you might like to know." the young soldier replied bowing.
"Thank you. Tell captain Lahar I appreciate this." Erza responded with a gentle smile.
"I will. Have a good day miss Scarlet." the young man replied and bowed again before turning to leave.
Erza quickly opened the letter, holding it out a bit so Mira could (who had quickly returned) read it along with her. It read:
"Miss Scarlet: As you probably know, I have been interacting with your sister over the last two and a half days. I thought you might like to know what I observed Katsumi to be like, so you know what to deal with. As you have seen for yourself, she appears cold and uncaring; I would think from the environment she grew up in. If she's set her mind to do something—like training the cadets; she's very serious about it. And they had better pay attention. She seems to be a serious, a bit playful/mischievous person. And, as she has told me, she definitely does not like Natsu; he's too loud.
The judge and I have offered the position of body guard, which she has accepted. Katsumi will need to take a short course which will consist of book work and defensive conbat. If you would help in the last one, I would be grateful.
I will talk to you later this afternoon."
Sincerely,
Captain Lahar
"That was certainly interesting. Katsumi sound like quite the complex girl. Would you mind if I came to the trial with you Erza?" Mira asked.
"Indeed she does. And I would appreciate the company...and support. We should leave shortly after lunch." Erza answered.
"Alright. I'll go and talk to the master and get Kinana to take over when we leave. She seems to be a little bored today. Erza, I would suggest that you wear something that's more...everyday. Less intimidating for Katsumi." Mira replied and pointed over in the direction where Natsu and Gray were about to start a fight.
"I think I'll try a different tactic this time." Erza replied with a heavy sigh, but gave her friend a mischieviously "evil" grin. Mira couldn't help but giggle and watched as her warrior friend moved very quickly around and behind the two boys.
"NATSU, GRAY!" Erza roared, right by their ears. The two boys let our a high pitched shriek and jumped high enough to bang their heads on a beam on the ceiling.
"Erza, what the heck?!" Gray complained when his feet landed on the floor.
"You two were about to fight again. Plus, I don't want to hear you two fighting when I come back with my sister this afternoon. So I want you two on good behavior. If that's at all possible for you two." Erza growled lightly.
"You have a sister?! Why didn't you tell us?" Natsu replied, rubbing his head, landing beside Gray a moment later.
"You would know about her if you had paid attention, and got off the train three days ago." Gray scoffed and headed towards the bar. He smirked as he heard flamebrain yelp; knowing Erza had slapped him over the head for trying to start another fight.
'Can you guys stop?!" Erza yelled
"Yes ma'am!" Natsu and Gray said in unison while saluting to her
"Thank you" Erza smiled .
"Come on Erza." MiraJane said "I'll treat you to lunch today."
"Oh thank you." Erza said and she followed after MiraJane.
"Wow I can't believe Erza. has a sister." Natsu said
"I wonder what she's like?" Gray asked.
"I bet she's strong like Erza." Natsu suggested.
"No one is as strong as Erza." Gray said.
"But she could be at a similar level as Erza." Natsu added.
"Oh man imagine." Gray groaned.
"Not only do we have to deal with one Erza but we have to deal with a mini-Erza." Natsu shivered "Unless..."
Gray turned and looked at him, "I don't like that look on your face."
Natsu chuckled, "I have an idea." to which Gray groaned.
...
After a short lunch Erza and MiraJane walked to the court house; after finding the room Katsumi's trial was held in they sat down, they walked in to find a few people inside and the two sat at in the front row. While waiting for it to begin, more people entered in the room. They finally brought in Katsumi, who was wearing a her prison uniform while wearing handcuffs; Erza wanted to make eye contact with Katsumi but it seemed like she purposely didn't want to look at her. The guard sat her down and cuffed her to the table and sat next to her.
"All rise." the baliff said.
The guard sat her down and cuffed her to the table and sat next to her.
"All rise for the honorable Judge Oshira" the baliff said and everyone stood up; a tall olive skinned man walked into the court room and even through his robe you could tell the man worked out alot and was probably very strong.
"Alright you can sit." Judge Oshira said in a deep voice. "Okay now let's get this started. Katsumi Scarlet- wait a minute Scarlet? Have you any relation to Erza Scarlet?" he asked.
"Sadly." Katsumi muttered but Erza heard her and felt a little disheartened.
"Well isn't this interesting, the sister of Titania is in my court room." Judge Oshira chuckled and after looking at out in the room for the first time he noticed Erza, "Oh she's also here in the court room." he laughed. "Today is going to be a fun day."
"Is that a good thing or bad thing?" Erza whispered.
"I have no idea, although you've done great things for this town; it wouldn't be strange that you have people who dislike you at the same time." MiraJane whispered back.
"Oh my goodness." Erza sighed 'Please let him judge Katsumi fairly.' she thought.
"Alright now." Judge Oshira said while reading the file "According to the file, you, Katumi are being charged for theft and murder, how do you plead?"
"Not guilty" Katsumi said.
"Ahuh, mind telling me what happened?"
"Well it's been a while since I was able to find a job and I didn't have any money on me so I stole a couple of fruits to survive. As for the murder, it was an accident, the man groped me and all I did was push him off, he fell and hit his head."
"I see." Judge Oshira said while tapping his lip "Well I it's obvious that it was self-defense, so I will let you off with that, however the theft for that I believe two months of community service, so basically if you do any quests you can't take the money or at least donate the money. And of course any clean-up duties as well."
'That's not bad.' Katsumi thought.
"And of course you are in Ms. Erza custody for those two months.
'Never mind.' Katsumi thought.
"Alright court is adjourned." Judge Oshira said, banging his gavel down on it's block. "You are dismissed."
Katsumi watched as the judge went through a door at the side of his podium, in to his chambers. She started to get a little upset as she saw people; other than Erza, MiraJane and Lahar start to leave. She picked up a book sitting on the table next to her and flung it at the guard who had handcuffed her to the table.
"Oi, moron, is your hat on too tight! You forgot to unlock me from this table!" Katsumi growled out.
"I think it is." Lahar whispered to her, causing the young girl to giggle. "I'll do it Shadon." The guard hugged, handing the key over to Lahar and glared at the girl. Katsumi stuck her tongue at the man.
"Katsumi!" Erza and Lahar hissed quietly.
"What?! I'm having a little fun here." Katsumi sassed a little.
"Just go and get changed. I'll see you in a few minutes." Lahar sighed in good humor. He knew the girl was feeling a little pent up and needed bit of a release. He watched Katsumi smirk as she walked off.
"I believe she's feeling anxious about the start to her new way of life coming up. I heard the comment about you when she answered to judge. Please don't take it to heart Miss Scarlet. I've seen this sort of thing before and it comes from her life on the street. She doesn't really trust anyone until she gets to know them. A sort of safety mechanism." Lahar advised.
"I understand now. I forgot that I felt the same thing before I entered Fairy Tail. Thanks for everything you've done for Katsumi and myself." Erza replied.
"It was my pleasure. I'll go and check on your sister; she should be just about ready." Lahar replied.
