Chapter ten

The day of the bird of ill omen

The day of my birth finally came and, with him, the bird of ill omen...

That evening, we were all sitting in the guild headquarters; we were eating as a big and happy family when something hit the window. We all stopped eating. A lot of people stood up and Elfman, as the real man he was, walked to the door.

He opened it. Seeing nobody, he went out of the building and walked to his left. Then, he came back, few minutes later, holding a dead bird, a white bird stained with blood.

As soon as my mother saw the bird, she stood up. She stood motionless for few minutes staring at the dead bird. Then, in spite of her big belly, she walked straight to Elfman and took the dead creature from his large hands.

I knew what she was looking for. A month ago, I had seen her placed a message on that same bird's leg and I knew she was going to find what she was looking for. Promptly, I approached her and I positioned myself behind her. When they saw me move, Gray and Natsu came next to me.

Carefully, we have all witnessed the moment she took off the little piece of paper that she had attached to the bird's leg herself. The minute she untied the paper stained with red, she let it fall onto the ground. At that moment, her face became livid. She dropped the bird and fainted. Rapidly, I caught her before she touched the ground. Then, I looked at the boys who stood beside me.

''Help me! We have to get her upstairs.'' I said to them, already moving.

As we were moving my mother upstairs, the guys looked at me suspiciously.

Once upstairs, we laid her on her bed. Lucy promptly joined. Gray, Natsu and Lucy were staring at my mother who was still unconscious. Lucy positioned herself close to my mother and she squeezed her hand. Natsu positioned himself on the other side of the bed, holding my mother's other hand. Gray came to me.

''What was that about?'' said Gray, almost shouting.

He glanced at my mother and his gaze came back on me.

''You acted so calmly; I am sure you knew what would happen. You must know something we ignore; you've got to tell us?'' He asked me, still irritated.

''Don't be so rude Gray! She's here to help us!'' said a low, but sharp enough voice.

When we heard her words, the black haired man and I turned our heads toward my mother who Gray had clearly woken up.

Instantly, Gray went by her side, but I stayed where I was. She tried to lift her upper body and succeeded with Lucy's help.

''Is it Jellal's blood?'' She asked me, almost pleading, as she showed me her hand stained with blood.

I knew to whom belonged that blood and it wasn't Jellal's! However, I couldn't reveal the truth to her. In my past, she had landed in the cave because she was looking for Jellal and that's where she had died. So, giving her details, even the slightest, could change everything and, if I wanted to save her, I had to let her in the dark, but I had to answer something.

''I don't know.'' I said, trying to sound convincing, but doubted I did.

Then, she did something impulsive. Ignoring her friend's hands that were forcing her to stay in bed, she collected her last bits of strength and lifted herself from the bed. She stood up for few seconds before collapsing onto the bed, screaming and holding her belly.

''What's wrong, Erza?'' Said Lucy,staring at me,really worried.

I didn't have the time to reply to the obvious, my mother spoke first.

''Go get the doctor, the baby his coming!'' She said, screaming loudly, making everyone backed away, except for Lucy who took my mother's hand.

As soon as my mother had stopped talking, Natsu and Gray left.

Few minutes after, the two men came back with Polyussica and Master Makarov.

''Now, you must give Erza some space. At the end of the night, Fairy tail will count a new member'' Makarov said to us, smiling.

Quickly and reluctantly, Gray, Natsu and Lucy left the room. As I was about to leave, Makarov, caught me by my wrist.

''Prepare yourself for an interrogation, Emma…'' He said, in a low voice.

Before passing the door, I simply nodded; what else could I do…

For hours, we waited outside the doors. Sitting on the stairs, we heard my mother scream louder and louder. Then, we heard a cry, cries… Then, I knew that she knew who I was.

Soon, Makarov opened the door. Without waiting, he lifted his head and spoke to me.

''Emma, Erza wants to see you!'' he said, softly.

The others seemed surprised by Makarov's words, but I wasn't; my mother was an intelligent woman and I knew what was coming at me…

So, I took a deep breath and I entered the room.

Once in the room, I saw her with her little girl; mother and daughter reunited. Tears instantly fell from my eyes and I let them fell, I could now…

Attracted toward them as if they were a magnet, I walked toward them. Polyussica was next to them and Master came to joined us. I looked at my mother who was holding her daughter. My mother's hairs were wet and stuck on her face. Even if she seemed exhausted by her efforts, she was holding her little girl dearly in her arms. The baby seemed more than fine wrapped into a blanket and cradled by her mom. She was so cute, with dark pink little hair and little dark eyes.

My mother must have felt my presence, because she lifted her eyes. When her eyes met mine, they had lost their warmness.

''Explain yourself now Emma!'' she told me abruptly, handing the baby to Polyussica.

I could still deny the truth, as long as she hadn't seen my tattoo, she couldn't be absolutely sure that I was her daughter, but I told myself that I owed this truth to her. However, before I could speak to her, she attacked me.

''Why did you lie to me? I trusted you!'' she told me, disappointed.

I took a deep breath.

''I did what I had to do'' I said softly. ''I am sorry for keeping the truth from you, but I had no choice. I came in X791 for a reason and that's what motivated my actions. If I had told you the truth, it could have altered my plan, so I didn't, as much as I would have wanted to...'' I said, taking bigger breath to chase my tears away.

''From now on, you've got to protect your daughter and I will protect you." I said, turning my heels. But, before I could leave her side, my mother grabbed my hand, forcing me to face her.

''You won't even answer my question?'' She said, perplexed.

I tried to put on a mask of placidness, but my whole body was shaking.

''I have to stick to my plan; answering your question wouldn't serve my goal. I am sorry, but I have to remain silent.'' I said softly, trying to sound firm.

Then, she let go of my hand and I walked quickly out of the room. I tried to keep my composure until I had closed the door behind me. Once hidden from her sight, in spite of the fact that the others were questioning me, I ran downstairs. I ran away from the guild headquarters and went straight to the beach. There I Iet myself fall onto the sand and I allowed myself to cry until I was drained out.

I knew that she was angry at me, she had more than the right to be. Even though I hated it, I had to stay focused on my purpose; I was doing this for her, for us. My mother had to become a mom, she had to raise her little girl and she had to marry my father. And, to achieve it, things must not be changed; she had to think that the blood soiling the message we had received was Jellal's and she had to go after him, she had to try to find him and to save him, and then I could change our history...