Out of sight, out of mind
Chapter 10
Hearts to hearts.
First, I had to find the address. I knew I wouldn't find it easily, but I also knew that we, Fairy Tail, had an ally in the Council and, maybe, he could help me get the information I needed. So, I quickly went to the information desk. There, I asked the clerk where was Master Yajima's office. The man didn't give me the information right away. He asked my name and why I wanted to see Master Yajima. I didn't want to see him, I needed to see him…
''My name is Erza Scarlet and I am worried about a friend we have in common, Jellal Fernandes.'' I said, with an extreme seriousness and a pretty authoritarian tone.
Shaking, the clerk quickly took his phone. Soon, I heard him speaking to Master Yajima. The man told Master Yajima the information I had given to him. Their discussion ended quickly.
''Master Yajima's office is on the ninth floor, door CH 9-14.'' said the man, a little bit shakily.
I quickly thanked him and left without losing time…
I took the staircase and ran until the ninth floor and door CH 9-14. I didn't have to knock, Master Yajima was already waiting for me in the doorway. I entered quickly. I waited until the old man had closed the door and I spoke promptly.
''I need an information, I need Ultear Milkovich's address.'' I demanded him, firmly.
Hearing me, the old man frowned.
''I know that she's hiding something and I am afraid that she is going to hurt people I care about in the process.'' I added, a bit more softly.
''So, you know Master Siegrain?'' he asked me, curious.
I wanted to answer that I had not time to waste, but showing my impatience wouldn't help me and I needed his help.
''Jellal is an old and dear friend of mine; the best friend I have ever had and I don't want anything bad happening to him. I think he is in danger; he has changed and I am scared for his balance. The Jellal I knew was sweet and kind, but he isn't anymore. I am afraid it has to do with his new Master, I have met her in Magnolia, and this woman is bad news.'' I said, looking at the old man, with a steady voice. Promptly, Master Yajima nodded.
''I have already spoken about my doubts to your guild fellow. I do think that Ultear is up to something, but she always been secretive about her personal life. I am practically certain that Jellal doesn't really know her either, even if they are spending a lot of time together. What I do know is that, two months ago, Siegrain has asked the High Council to increase the surveillance of your guild, and we granted him his request. Personally, I thought that, if he could meet you guys, he would see that you're not the bad guild he seems to think you are, but something seems to keep him from going to Magnolia, and I suspect it is Ultear's doing; she is his Master after all…''he said, kind of sadly, lowering his head. ''But, if you ask me, I think there's more to it than only Ultear; he has almost changed overnight, around the time of your hearing. You're his friend, you should know about it. '' he added, lifting her head to meet my gaze. He was right; I was a poor friend, but I had my reasons, but I couldn't tell them to him… Revealing my feelings would only make our relationship even worst…
''Before the Hearing, we had not seen each other for three years. I will spare you the detail, but unrequited love are the words. I care about him dearly and, even if he doesn't share my feelings, I want what is best for him and I doubt he has taken the right path.'' I said, as I lowered my head.
After smiling kindly at me, Master Yajima went to his desk. He sat on his chair and checked something on his computer. It didn't take long for him to come back with a piece of paper.
''Here's Ultear's address. Be careful not to get caught, but, if you need assistance, you can count on me.'' He said, as he handed me the paper.
When I saw the address, I instantly knew where it was. I could be there in twenty minutes if I hurried. It was not so far from our old district. Her place was a huge and secluded house near the river. Promptly, I thanked Master Yajima. As I was about to leave, the old man grabbed my wrist. I immediately lowered my head to meet his friendly gaze.
''Talk to him Erza; you guys need to talk! You need to tell him how you feel.'' He said, staring at me, as his friendly gaze turned into a really serious expression.
All I could do was to nod under his intense glare. Then, he let go of my hand and I could leave his office, what I did, running...
Yes, maybe we should talk, but now wasn't the moment. Now, I had no time to lose. Now, I needed to go to Ultear's house and find proofs that she was up to something: that was priority. Then, maybe, I could make Jellal come out of Siegrain and he would become his good and kind self again...
It took me twenty five minutes before arriving in front of Ultear's giant house; visibly being a High Council Member has its perks…
The fact that her house was secluded was serving my purpose perfectly. Quickly, but carefully, I ran to the back door and I managed to easily force the lock with a small dagger that I had made appear. Slowly, I pushed the door open and I entered the house.
I decided to start my searches in the basement; it was usually where deep secrets were hidden, buried into the depth. I looked everywhere in the bazaar, but I didn't find anything. So, I ran upstairs. First, I had to find Ultear's bedroom, but, before I had the chance to get there, someone grabbed my left wrist. Those hands gave me goosebumps… I immediately froze, only one pair of hands could have that effect on me. I knew I was right when I heard his voice.
''Trespassing, Titania…''said Jellal, as he forced me to turn so I could face him. I was about to speak, when I took a glimpse at him. He was naked from waist up; a fluffy white towel for only garment… His blue hair were wet and few lucky drops of water were falling onto her broad chest. It took me few minutes to speak. I was mesmerized by his body. This body and its softness, its eagerness... I loved that body as much as its owner. Then, one question brought me back to reality.
''What are you doing here?'' I asked harshly, liberating myself from his grip and trying to regain my composure. Then, he smirked.
''I live here, Titania! The question is what are You are doing here?'' he said as he took a step toward me, forcing me to enter in Ultear's bedroom. Looking at the room, I couldn't stop my mind from thinking that Jellal must know it well; the idea of them together made me queasy. I couldn't believe that they were living together! Thing were definetely serious between them! Luckily for me, I managed to gather a bit of my composure.
''I told you that I intended to find that something is wrong with your Master, and here I am to prove that you shouldn't trust her.'' I spit to him with determination.
''Keeping your promise; that's new, but I bet you haven't find anything, have you?'' He said, taking a few steps toward the king size bed.
Unfortunately, I was forced to answer to his question by the negative.
''No, not yet, but I will.'' I told, staring at him steadily.
''Since I am a good player, I'll let you search the house without interfering.'' He said, as he comfortably sat, then lay down onto the bed. '' I know you won't find anything; She Is Trustworthy.'' He told me as he put emphasis on the last past of his sentence. His comment hurt me, but I didn't let it show, I least, I thought or/and hoped. Without losing time, I went back to my searches.
I searched everywhere, but, as Jellal had told me, I haven't find anything incriminating; things that could link her to a possible vendetta she could have against Fairy Tail and, mainly, an ulterior motive concerning her relationship with Jellal. Dissatisfied, I went back to Ultear's room.
When I arrived at the door, I noticed that it was half closed. I took a glance in before entering. Jellal was now standing in the room, next to the bed. Turning his back on me, he was totally naked and he seemed about to get dressed. I should have closed the door or simply look away, but I didn't, instead, I looked, I looked avidly. I stared at the scene as he pulled up his boxer over his firm buttocks and pulled up his pant. I watched, eagerly, as every of his back and arms muscles stretched as he lifted his arms to put on his white T-shirt. That spectacle made me gulp with difficulty and my breath got a bit quicker and louder.
Then, he turned himself. He didn't seem surprise at all to see me, as if he had known that I was there all this time.
''So, have you found anything?'' He said, smiling at me.
I didn't answer him right away, I took time to regain my composure.
''Cat got your tongue, Titania?'' he said smirking, as he advanced toward me.
''Since you are not bragging anymore, I assumed you didn't.'' He added, as he crossed his arms on his chest.
''I have told you, Titania, Ultear has nothing to hide, she has done nothing wrong, unless the likes of you, members of Fairy Tail; you're are bad people… He said vehemently, looking straight at me.
Jellal was holding a grudge against Fairy Tail and he seemed to hold onto it tightly. But, why? Yes, we were well known by the Council to be turbulent, to say the least, but he was new to all that Council's stuff. He had no reason to resent us. Fairy Tail was a nicest place on Earthland. The other members had welcomed me with kindness, even though I wasn't the most docile and easygoing person. They are good people who don't deserve to be under the Council radar so vividly.
''You've never met them or went to Magnolia, so you can't say anything that resentful.'' I said, crossing my arms on my armor, looking straight at him. If he was going to defend his girlfriend, I was going to take my fellows' side.
''They are not the people you make them out be. They are nice and caring people, they take care of one another, they took care of me.'' I said as my gaze became softer. They had allowed me to live better with my grieving, but, that, I couldn't tell him.
''If, behind your Siegrain mask, you still are the Jellal I knew, go to Magnolia and make yourself your own opinion.'' I added, firmly.
Then, I saw his gaze lose a little of its intensity; his gaze slightly became less hostile, almost friendly. Yes, Jellal was still there... At that moment, I wanted to go to him and to take him into my arms, but I couldn't…
''I know you'll judge us fairly, old friend.'' I told him kindly, as I stepped back. '' I'll leave you now, but think about what I said, Jellal, and keep your eyes opened, I wouldn't want anything bad happening to you. To me, you're still, Jellal, you will always be him… No matter who you'll claim to be… You need to be careful, Ultear is a wicked witch, I can feel it… I don't trust her and you shouldn't.'' I said before leaving. If I had stayed, indecent words might have come out of my mouth.
Once out of the house, I went to the train station. My mission here was done. I knew I had reached him. I had seen Jellal's eyes behind Siegrain's darker ones… I wished that my theory would get to him and he would listen to me. Siegrain could be harsh, but Jellal would understand…
But, first, I had to go back in Magnolia and keep an eye on Ultear. Even if I hadn't found any incriminating evidence in her house, I knew that something was wrong and I intended to find what it was; for Jellal's balance and for Fairy Tail…
Jellal's Pov.
When I had heard noises from the bathroom where I was taking a shower, I knew it was her. I knew that she wouldn't back down! I knew her and that side of her hadn't changed. Since I knew she wouldn't find anything, I let her play, but I intended to play too…
I had waited in Ultear's bedroom, keeping my towel on the lower part of my body. I had decided to take it off when I would hear her approaching, and I did. I took time to dress myself, very slowly. I knew that she was looking at me. Doing so, I wanted to hurt her, I wanted her to remember the pleasure this body used to give her... Our sexual chemistry had always been electric, even if it wasn't the basics of our relationship…
I had tried to remain calm and in control during her little interlude and I did, until her last words; they had touched a string in me, a still sensitive string... Maybe, she was playing me, but a part of me was refusing to believe so and this voice was screaming way too loudly for me not to consider it. The words: Old friend and the way she had spoken to me, with care and emotions... Her mask of coldness had fallen for an instant, mine too. Titania had spoken with Erza's voice. And a voice inside of me told me that, maybe, I should listen to her…