Out of sight, out of mind?

Chapter 4

Sharp as a knife

As I entered the Court Room, I held on to my mask of coldness. I tried not to look toward them, but my eyes didn't seem to want to listen to my head. Sitting in front of me, I saw Erza and her partner standing next to each other. That vision almost made my mask crack, but I was hoping that my mask wouldn't fall; I had to remain professional... Seeing everybody raising up brought me back to reality.

''May 21th, X786, Case Number 9, Apprentice Jellal Fernandes to preside'' Said Master Yajima as he stood. Then, he let me take the front seat, the judge seat. I slowly sat and he stayed right next to me.

It took me few minutes to talk. I guess I was concentrating too much on keeping my mask on, but I finally did.

''Case number 9: The town of Magnolia versus Fairy Tail.'' I said, after clearing my throat, hoping my voice didn't sound too shaky.

Then, I was supposed to look in the direction of the accused and I did. I tried to keep my composure, but seeing her face, made me nervous and, when her cold eyes met mine, I froze. Erza had never looked at me like that before; with coldness, emotionless... Luckily for me, my ex-mentor and lover was sitting right behind her. Under Erza's gaze, Ultear gave me a wink. It helped me focusing on the task at hand.

''We, the Council, have read the many complains we received. We are in favor of the Town of Magnolia, and your sentence, Fairy Tail's members, is to help them rebuild their town.'' I said looking directly at them, at her to be honest. Even if my gaze had been meant to be as cold as cold hers, to show her that her icy attitude was not hurting me, I felt my cold glare melt as I kept staring at her... So many memories were popping into my mind at this instant; all good and warm memories... No, I had to keep my coolness.

''We have already started to rebuild Magnolia. This incident was an accident, nothing more... We'll do whatever is needed to make amends with Magnolia's citizens; they are our people.''

When I heard Gray Fullbuster steady, sharp and kind of sexy voice, I received a cold shower. Then, my fiery attention turned on him. He was still standing and Erza was standing next to him. They were close, really close, too close. To add salt to the injury, she took his hand as she kept staring at me, visibly pissed. Who was this girl? Not my Erza... No, I had to stay focused So, I adjusted my mask. They deserved punishment, both of them... And, they were going to get it; I had the power and I would use it...

''You, Fairy Tail's members, have six month to rebuilt Magnolia; this is final.'' I said, firmly, looking at them, fiercely.

Instinctively, I looked toward Master Yajima. I knew that he wouldn't be pleased with my decision. Earlier, we had agreed to nine month. I knew it could cost me, but I didn't care; I wanted to hurt them as much as they did me.

''On November 21th X786, a Council Member will go to Magnolia and he will attest that the city has been decently rebuilt and that the interest of Magnolia's citizens have been respected.'' I said sharply, staring at Gray. Then, at Erza.

''Case concluded!'' I said dryly, bringing my gaze in front of me.

When I stood up, I glanced toward Erza.

My mask fell when I saw her exchange a glance with Gray; a Genuine, Caring and Friendly glance; like the one she used to give to Me. If I have had only doubts before, now I was sure of it: Gray had taken my place; he was now the Friend with whom she was sharing everything, Everything... This would explain why she had never written to me. Now, he was the one she was spending all her spare time with, the one she was getting drunk with, the one she was kissing and the one she…

''I'll be in my office if you want to let out some steam or other things.''

I jumped when I heard Ultear's voice. Then, she turned herself to look in the direction that I had been looking a few seconds ago. I saw her smiling at Erza and at Gray as she slowly caressed my hand. Then, she went got out of the Court Room.

''Care to explain what went through your head, Jellal?''

Once again, I jumped when I heard Master Yajima's voice. I couldn't answer, getting even, could I? Even if it was partly the truth. And, If I had seen them exchange that glance before, I would have probably said three months, not six...

Before speaking, I took a good look at my Master. He was staring at me, arms crossed on his chest. He was clearly annoyed. I decided to play the innocence card, even if I thought that he wouldn't buy it. After all, over the year that we had been working closely together, he had learned to know me, I knew that I wasn't used to be this irrational...

''I did what I thought was best for Magnolia's citizens.'' I said, lowering my head a little.

''You should have stuck to the agreement, but what's done is done. And, it is not the end of the world, is it? But, I want to see you in my office tomorrow at eleven. There's some things I want to discuss with you. But, for now, youngster; go celebrate your first case, have fun with your friends.'' Said Master Yajima, before slightly smiling at me and going back to the antechamber.

I knew with who I would have wanted to celebrate it with, but this was before; now, it was impossible. Not only had she forgotten me, but she had replaced me, with an ice man. Instinctively, I took a look where they had stood few minutes before. They were still there.

Erza was looking at me, fire in her eyes. I was used to see fire in those beautiful brown eyes, but not that kind. I remembered the fire of passion, even a bit too well for my own sanity, but I had never seen the fire of wrath in them.

Now, she was staring at me, angrily. Her face was tense, very tense. Soon, Gray, took her by the waist and he brought her away. When they reached the door, Gray turned himself and he took a glance at me. I could easily read his gaze, it was saying; stay away from her or I will freeze you to death... Then, they got out of the room.

What had just happen? Is this what our reunion was supposed to be like? I had imagined something else; warmth, but I had only gotten coldness. All of this was because of Gray Fullbastard… He had transformed her into another Erza, she was not My Erza anymore. My Erza would have never eyed my like that, she would have come to me and we would have talked...

Maybe, this was the solution. Maybe, I should go talking to her and we could make up. After all, we were used to be able to talk about everything. Sure, I didn't want to see her icy ass of a boyfriend, but we could talk alone, maybe she would let me, even after what I had just done... After all, we were used to be there for one another, no matter what the other had done... So, I had to try, for our friendship's sake, or for what was left of it. Maybe she was okay with our friendship falling into shreds, but I certainly wasn't! So, I got out of the room and ran to the hallway to see where they had gone.

I didn't have to search long. I found them in the hallway few minutes later. Few meters before me, stood Erza; she was into Gray's arms, he was rubbing her back. He saw me, but he didn't warn her of my presence. He could have, but he didn't.

''We're leaving Gray. Our job here is done. I have no reason to stay here anymore.'' Said Erza, taking a deep breath.

''I used to Love Era, but now I can't see why.'' She added, as she cleared her throat.

''Maybe, you should…'' Gray told her gently, after taking a brief glance toward me. However, she didn't let him finished his sentence and stepped away from him.

''No. I told you before, the answer is no. I don't want to see or speak to him! My emissary duties ends now, I'll never come back here again.'' She had spoken so loudly that every people in the room turned toward them. Seeing everybody staring at them, they looked around, but, fortunately, I had the time to hide myself behind a pillar before she had the chance to see me.

''You are hurt, it is normal to say things like that where you are hurting...'' said Gray calmly as he took a step toward her.

''I am not hurt nor hurting, I only saw the truth...'' She said, extremely firmly.

''Let's go home, to Magnolia; Fairy Tail is where I belong now.'' Erza said, firmly as she started to walk toward the entrance of the Council hall.

Before following her, Gray glanced at me. I thought I would see arrogance in his dark blue eyes, but no; all I saw was sadness... Then, he ran toward her and I lost sight of them.

After their departure, I let myself fall down the pillar, onto the linoleum floor. Her message couldn't be clearer; she remembered me, but she had chosen to turn her back on me.

In spite of me, I let out a bitter laugh. I had been wrong, really wrong... Yes; I had climbed the rungs of the Council of Magic. Yes; she was as beautiful as she had always been, maybe more, but, No, she wasn't my best and dearest friend anymore... And, she had broken her promise…

Boiling with rage, I left the Hallway. I entered the staircase where I ran until I had reached the seventh floor. I stopped in front of Ultear's office. Without waiting, I knocked on the door.

''Come in.'' I heard Ultear say with a sultry voice.

When I opened the door, I saw her; she was already naked. I could see her back and her ass on her desk. Her legs were already spread.

''I was waiting for you Master Fernandes.'' she said, as she turned only her head toward me as she licked her lips.

''Am I that predictable?'' I said, as I abruptly untied the first button of my pants and I advanced toward her. As I felt my pants falling slowly onto the ground, I approached and positioned my body between her legs.

''That's what I like about you.'' She whispered as she nearly ripped up my smock…

What happened next is as predictable as me…