Be my Raven, and I'll be your Scarlet
A/N: Hiya guys again! Long time no see xp And yes, it's my fault again. I know I'm just going to start making excuses so instead I'm just telling you that I'm going to Paris tomorrow night and the coach will leave at 00:10 am on Friday at my school (way to be a hardcore student -.-) and will go with my sister and some other people. Hopefully I can find a hot French guy ;p. Just joking, my French isn't that great, although me and my sister DID get the highest marks in our class. Anywho, let's get on to this extra special long chapter cause I've failed you guys... I really need a schedule... I realise it's quite late and there's no way I'll finish this unless I put an all nighter, so when I come back in four days and three nights I'll probably finish by then :D. Enjoy and thanks for all the support :D
So...It's been over a moth since Paris and I'm being really lazy... I'm sorry :'(
It's now almost the new year... ='( Sowwy
It's the new year and its 5 am on the 17... At least my birthday is very soon ;) (26 Jan)
It's the first of February...
DISCLAIMER: Don't own Fairy Tail blah blah let's get on with the story :D (I think I forgot to write a disclaimer on the last chapter -.-'...)
Chapter X: Borrowed Time
District Court 9:37 AM
Defendant Lobby No. 3
The guilt is still swallowing me up now, and it will be only a matter of time before everyone finds out a secret I've been having. It's been fortunate that my parents haven't been in the house lately. A couple more months... seems like a long time, but fifteen years have nearly gone to waste...
There's Ultear. She better have a good excuse why she's late or I'm going to murder her sorry ass. "Needed to buy a new ring, give me the evidence," she said with a hint of desperation. She comes in late with that pathetic excuse? No way I am giving her the damn evidence. "I'll give it to you at the end of the trial," said Erza with a calm, even voice. As Ultear was about to say, "But!", the bailiff called all in the court. Erza looked over to see the defendant who would take care of Ultear's case, and he was sweating bullets, indicating that he knew it was probably a lost cause.
Apollo Justice music (If you know the reference pls tell me cause you are so frickin epic! But then again, all of you reading are epic :D)
District Court- Courtroom No. 2
Judge: The court is now in session.
Skye: The prosecution is ready to rock, roll and meet some hot criminals!
The whole courtroom stared at Prosecutor Skye Dalson, who had been in the court for more than five years, yet still no one could get used to her fetish of men criminals. She coughed to regain a solemn silence.
Skye: I'm ready, your Honour (she whispered more quietly)
Trojan: The... the defence... the ddd... I'm re..re..ready, your Honour
This was Ultear's defence attorney, a nervous, adorable geek who was Greek. His family had always helped the Milkovich family. The Vendetta family were usually very confident, but their genes had clearly been placed somewhere else.
Judge: The defendant may enter the courtroom.
The whole room fell silent as Ultear walked in with confidence and arrogance.
Judge: Wow, what is such a young, pretty lady doing here in the court of law?
Ultear put a hand to her eye and produced a tear out of nowhere. So this is her ultimate tactic, Erza thought in utter dismay. The Judge seemed to be falling for it though.
Ultear: Someone... someone accused me of murder! I know my school has a tendency to be violent, but I can't even kill a spider because I'm so scared of them!
Erza scoffed at the lies. She saw her nearly kill a person and drown the other one all in the same day. Her head suddenly started pounding at the memories which she had so feverishly erased from her mind. Stop! Don't come back!... The whole courtroom was staring at Erza for her scoffing fit at Ultear's lies. Erza looked around her after her pounding headache diminished and started to speak when a loud THUD bolted the door open.
Gray: Sorry I'm late. I was chilling with my bro.
Gray lazily walked towards Erza with a sly smile while pointedly waving in her direction. With the power of her great mind, Erza tried to control his movements and direct his gaze somewhere else, anywhere else, just as long as it wasn't on her. He finally reached her after what seemed an eternity and sat down into an empty seat. As he looked at the defendant podium, he froze at the sight of Ultear before looking back down on the ground. Not so cocky now ,huh! Thought Erza with a pleased expression.
Judge: Why are you rudely interrupting this court of law?
Ultear: He's my f...
Before she could continue, Gray hurriedly said,
Gray: Friend. She's my friend, but more like a childhood one, right?
He glared at Ultear, as if sending some sort of secret message.
Ultear: Whatever you say.
She spoke with a small smile in her face.
Judge: So beautiful witness, may I please know your name and occupation? (Is it just me, or am I making him cross the slightly pedo line O-O?)
Ultear: My name is Ultear Milkovich and I'm a sweet sixteen year old student.
The judge nodded his head to show that the prosecution could speak. Miss Dalson seemed sad and had a pout on her face. She quietly muttered,
Skye: I thought the suspect was a guy...
before continuing.
Skye: Every one of you should have the court records. In them, there is the autopsy for our poor, tragic victim. At the age of only 25. Steven Gorghe died last Saturday between seven pm and ten pm.
Erza: Objection!
Even though the spectators were not supposed to interfere with the case, Erza was a special case. All her life she had worked hard just to become a lawyer, although now she was having second doubts of whether she really wanted to study law, but that didn't matter now. She had got her degree and could now intervene in cases whenever she wanted. All she had to do next was graduate.
Judge: Yes Miss Erza?
The judge knew her well. At a young age, Erza had wanted to be a lawyer, so she had familiarised herself with everyone in the law firm she had wanted to join, including judges and such.
Erza: Ultear was at a study session in the school that evening, hosted by me. There should be proof of this in the records plus CCTV footage. Let me also state that she had been asleep for three hours, and I made sure she did not leave the room unless she had finished her work.
The judge gave her a questioning look before calling out,
Judge: Bailiff!
Bailiff: Yes, you Honour.
Judge: Please go to the school and collect all this information and the records.
Bailiff: Yes sir.
While they waited, the Judge asked for the case to continue.
Skye: As I was rudely interrupted before, I would like to say that it was blunt force trauma (BFT) square on the forehead by an object with a distinctive pattern. The forensics team checked the pattern and we found a match. Only the Milkovich family had that certain pattern on every piece of clothing, furniture etc in their homes. While their family is large, only a select few were in the country. An even select few where able to move without a disability and only one person was in the city. You, miss Ultear.
The whole room started to fill with murmurs of uncertainty.
Trojan: Objection! While what you are saying might be in fact true, you missed out a certain piece of the jigsaw puzzle.
Skye glared at the man who tried to make her seem stupid.
Skye: What, Trojan boy?
A few giggles from the crowd. It wasn't particularly very funny to Erza, our Scarlet haired maiden. Trojan removed his glasses, folded them and crossed his arms, the stance of confidence in the courtroom. Without his glasses, you could see his tiny scar on his eye and how bad-ass he looked. Cupid's arrow was totally wasted on Skye.
Trojan: Well, the Milkovich family were burgled the other yesterday. Some of their possessions had been taken, but they all had one thing in common. Well two, including the all-famous pattern. They were all heavy metal and could easily kill someone in one blow. Unless Miss Ultear over there likes stealing from her own home, she definitely did not have anything which could resemble the 'murder weapon' in question.
The crowd started murmuring again, not sure what to think anymore, Skye shook her head and continued on with her case.
Skye: Look here greenhorn. Just because you're some smart, nerdy, geeky.. cute... hot... so amazing...
Drool subtly started cascading down her lips. She quickly licked it off before continuing.
Skye: Doesn't mean that there weren't any other weapons which may have been stashed under some closets or secret rooms.
Judge: We need proof, not possibilities Miss Dalson.
One thing Skye hated was being told off, so she clenched her fists tightly before continuing.
Skye: Where is a damn bailiff when you need one?!
Bailiff2: Yes Madam.
Skye: Search the area and perimeter of the Milkovich estate for any metallic objects which could cause blunt trauma.
Bailiff2: Yes miss.
And he scurried off.
The judge raised one eyebrow.
Judge: Under whose orders?
Skye crossed her arms defiantly
Skye: Mine of course, your Honour
While all this bickering was occurring, Erza took a chance to whisper to Gray.
Erza: Why are you here? You aren't even involved in any of this.
Gray: You should really open your ears, or do I have to get closer to you?
Now his lips were almost touching her ear, and she felt herself moving further away from his surprisingly cool breath.
Erza: I still have no clue why you are here. Childhood friend of her, really?
She said while inching further away. However he just moved closer and whispered,
Gray: Let's just say that our parents knew each other very well.
Before giving Erza a sad smile. She was so speechless that no retort or clever comeback was at the tip of her tongue.
The Judge coughed, demanding silence again.
Judge: Now that we have regained order, let us get back to the matter at hand. Miss Ultear, could you tell us your alibi as to why you cannot be the culprit?
Ultear: Of course, your Honour.
She said while a small smile played on her lips. Gray slightly bowed his head in silence, hoping she would not fuck it up.
Ultear: As Erza already mentioned, I had had to stay with her(much to my displeasure) to make sure that I could pass my exams. After the long tedious hours, I had to go somewhere special to me.
Judge: Where exactly, Miss. Milkovich?
Ultear: No offence, but that is none of your damn business.
She tutted while shaking her head, as if he were a naughty boy that said something wrong.
Judge: Miss, if you haven't realised, you are being convicted for a crime.
Ultear: If I'm not correct, I have the right to remain silent?
She raised her eyebrows, pointedly antagonising the judge. The whole room fell silent, and Erza Scarlet just shook her head. If only stupid Ultear cooperated more, this case would have finished an hour ago. Gray began tapping his foot, as if he needed some sort of distraction and without much thought, Erza placed her hand on his thigh, as if to calm him down. On contact, sparks flew and their hearts hitched, becoming one. Rapidly, she let go and stared at every other direction. Way to go Erza! Now he thinks you're a creep. She silently scolded herself in her mind. Without warning, Trojan finally spoke up.
Trojan: Your Honour, before we continue this case, I would like to request a fifteen minute recess to speak with my client. I was asked to take this case yesterday, and I'm afraid that I have not arrived very prepared.
The smoothness in his voice indicated that he knew what he was doing, but Erza saw the slight tremor in his hand and knew that he was bluffing his way through it. She knew that he also had questioned Ultear and had read his notes, which had seemed almost flawless in her eyes (and we all know when Erza doesn't find something flawless ;p). Was he trying to buy time? Probably. Ultear was a bitch to work with and everyone knew that. Dark memories started clouding Erza's thoughts about the past, and she lulled them back to sleep.
Judge: I grant the break, as it seems our pretty defendant has a pretty strong resolve not to talk. Court adjourned.
Instantly, everyone started shifting and trying to get into more comfortable positions, while others left. Even in those few minutes of dispute, it had been tense just watching the case being volleyed like a tennis match. Gray slowly got up and grabbed Ultear lightly by the arm, which she reacted by giving him a coy smile. Erza felt a twinge of something, as if she didn't know what to feel. The thing that probably annoyed her most about this was that she didn't even really know what their relationship was. Needing someone to talk to, Erza tried calling Lucy.
The hourglass of time was slowly losing sand...
Park 10 AM
Lucy was sitting on a park bench, looking up at the clouds. She couldn't be bothered anymore. Nothing was worth it anymore. A yelp escaped her lips as a loud vibration suddenly shook her out of her trance. Erza was calling. On one hand, she so badly wanted to communicate with her new friend, on the other, she could not be bothered and the latter won. With a pang of guilt, she switched off her phone, trying to drown out the sound. Something moist came crashing down her cheek, slow caressing her pale and cold face, like an embrace. Before realising it, rain pummelled down on her with full force. She slowly placed her phone in her bag before soundlessly crying.
Her thoughts went back to a memory that had not seemed special at the time, but it was probably the last thing she wanted to remember when she died:
It was late and there was a light drizzle outside, which was pretty rare. It was usually sunny with a slight breeze, which was the perfect condition for Lucy to have a happy day. A loud pang emanated from her door, and she slightly jumped up in surprise. Who could it have been? Cautiously walking to the window, she saw familiar Salmon hair. Her smile instantly brightened, before she tried to cover it up with her mouth.
"Hey Natsu!" she beamed at the boy, who looked haggard and tired. Without warning, he collapsed on her chest. A muffled scream emitted from Lucy. His head was on her chest, His head was on her chest! HIS HEAD WAS ON HER FRICKIN CHEST! She realised that his breathing was low and not constant, while his head felt feverish. "Are you okay?" she asked. He did not reply. Without a sound, she placed his arm around her and started dragging him to her bed. She honestly didn't even know how he had found her secret hiding spot. When things got tough, she always ran to this place, a little building that her mother had built for her to sleep and relax whenever she felt tired or stressed. Gray must have probably told Natsu... The jerk.
As she slowly placed him on her bed, he began to mumble, before suddenly getting up and screaming. Panicked, Lucy could only remember instinctively hugging him and kissing him lightly on the cheeks, his forehead, his nose, his eyes... As soon as she realised what she was doing, she let go and turned around, ashamed to do such intimate things with a guy that wasn't her boyfriend. Sure he was a boy and a friend, but not in that way! After preparing herself, she slowly turned to see Natsu crying silently, as if that nightmare had taken all the fight he had in him. She quickly resumed the hug, without trying to kiss him. Whispering, she said, "What's wrong?" As she cradled and rocked him back and forth. He mumbled wordlessly, making no coherent sense. "Hmn?" she asked, trying to get him to speak a bit louder.
"My dad abandoned me. I don't know why. It's probably all my fault. My mum hated me. She despised me. Probably. She died when I was young giving birth to me. She probably wants to curse me. She could have lived if I hadn't lived. It's all my fault. No one deserves to have me. I'm an abomination. She must curse my name every night. I still want to meet her though. She had such a pretty smile. Dad probably ran away after he realised I was the main cause of her death. Life's hard. I know, I'm probably being selfish. I don't even know when I'll get my next pay check. It's probably all useless. Why live? Oh gosh, I'm having one of those days again. Why am I so stupid. SO STUPID? Thinking that someone in this world can love me... They'll all just either hate me or abandon me. It's fine, I've lived in this world for a while alone, I can do it for the rest of my miserable existence. What will become of me? Am I really that worthless? Maybe I should just end my life. What do you think about that Luce?"
With that, she slapped his face so hard it was red and pulsing. Tears started to prick her eyes, because she felt sad and guilty. Sad that he had to have these emotions. Guilty that her life was worrying about random things that every teenager went through, even though it was probably insignificant. Sad that there was barely anything in this world for Natsu. Poor Natsu. And glad that she could be there, even if it was useless, to comfort this lost boy. "Don't ever say that Natsu! I love you. I LOVE YOU AND YOU NEED TO REALISE THAT. SO MANY PEOPLE EFFING ADORE YOU AND YET YOU CRY!" Before realising her confession, she quickly continued, " Don't ever think that you are useless and you can always come for me to help you. What's the point in all this money that I own (*cough**cough* we interrupt this angsty moment to say that no offence Lucy, but that money ain't exactly yours so... anywho :D) if I can't share it with someone? Let me help you Natsu! I'll do anything I can to make you happy, just say so! And before you start speaking, I do not care about men thinking their macho and not wanting help from anyone, because if you dare, I will slap your face so silly that you will look like a zombie from the walking dead and you will literally be dead right this second," she ended with an exhausted pant.
That day was probably the most memorable day because... he smiled at her. He literally beamed sunshine and rainbows and everything beautiful in the world. Her heart turned into liquid as she saw how beautiful he really was for the first time. He looked so sincerely grateful that she wanted to attack him and cuddle him all night. Slowly, like the first night they met, he put his hand on her cheek and leaned in. The moment lasted seconds, but it felt so deliciously long. After pausing for breaths, Lucy looked incredulously at the Salmon haired teen. HAD HE REALLY JUST KISSED HER? Questioned floated her brain as she almost had a heart attack from the pleasure of that one kiss. Wordlessly, he lay down and patted the mattress beside him, indicating for her to join him. Facing the furthest wall, as she was hyperventilating, he spooned her into a comfortable embrace. The chills from that evening evaporated into a tingly sensation of pure bliss. And they slept all night like that.
The next morning, Lucy felt cold and sleepy. It had been time for school, and she absolutely craved the sensation of her back on his torso, feeling all his muscles and the perfect way in which they moulded together. With a content sigh, she rushed to take a shower and change clothes as she was incredibly late. The student council meeting was in the morning, which suited her just fine as everyone was usually late for it. When she arrived, legs hurting from the torture of running, she looked up at all the faces and saw from the corner of her eye the guy that stole her heart.
"Oh, hey Luce!" He said. She stared at him in confusion. Why was he acting all normal, as if the night had not happened?
And that blissful moment was gone.
She sighed at the memories, wishing it had developed into something more. Sadly, all she could do was accept that fate just didn't want them to be together, for unknown reasons. She took her phone out of her bag and called Erza, hoping she wasn't too mad. Remembering would only bring back the hurt.
The hourglass of time was slowly losing sand...
Coffee Shop 8 AM
Juvia sat in a comfortable stool, waiting for the link to her small happiness. Breaking hearts was a small matter to pay, after all. After scrolling through all the rain songs on her playlist, she became dissatisfied. Nothing seemed to be going the way she wanted it to. From her peripheral vision, she noticed a girl with Brunette hair who probably had exactly the same expression as her. Love did that to people. She was talking on her phone, arguing with a man, probably her father from her tone of voice.
"But daddy! It's really important. I'll do anything to prove to you that he is perfect for me and that nothing will go wrong. Yes! I know, dad, we are teenagers. So what? ... Oh, so now I'm not a young lady, but your little girl? I can't handle this anymore!... Cana this... Cana that, just listen to me for a second! Fine! HANG UP!" she screamed ferociously before throwing her phone on the table. She seemed pissed, but it was probably just a onetime thing. He finally arrived at the door, and Juvia smiled. He kissed Juvia gently on the forehead before he held her hand to leave. As he turned around, he gazed at the Brunette with worry, making Juvia instantly flinch. Why did I flinch? She instantly questioned myself.
"Lyon!" Cana screamed, her familiar voice being music to Lyon's ears, except for that exact moment. He turned his head away, hoping she would back off. Sadly, she just approached him and stared pointedly at his hands interlinked with a Bluenette. "It's been so long!" she screamed as he blushed. He remembered the days when it was just them two playing together, and him confessing his love for her, to be instantly broken-hearted because she had thought that it was a joke.
It was a bright day when the sun was shining on my face and Cana was sitting next to me, leaning her head on my shoulder. Ever since we were kids, she and I were as close as twins. We practically did everything together, and everyone thought that we would be a couple. Cana was the sweetest, most amazing girl. She was my angel from heaven. Cheesy, I know, but what can you do about it. Falling in love had not been an agenda of mine. My priorities were to go quickly into uni and take care of my lil' brother Gray, who still had a lot to learn. I chuckled softly before placing my head onto Cana's, receiving no reaction as we were so used to this sort of interaction by now. Laying on the grass on that humid day made me want to say my suppressed feelings. After all, she always told me if she had any crushes on people.
"Cana?"
"Hmn?" she hummed ever so sweetly.
"Will you please give me the honour of being my girlfriend?"
Without warning, she burst out laughing, as if it was all a massive joke. I stared at her incredulously, awaiting for another response which would not make me feel like I was breaking into a million pieces. It never happened. She just brushed it off as a joke, and to make myself not seem even more like a loser, I laughed along with her and quickly left. We never spoke again. At school I deliberately ignored her and made sure to change my friends to people who didn't know her. What I didn't account for was that my new best mate Hibiki seemed to have a crush on Cana and rumours also started that she liked him. Devastated, I became a lone wolf and only cared about taking care of my brother. It was useless trying to find a girl to connect with, as they would mostly all go for me just to get to Gray. My life= Disaster. Nothing could have made me stoop lower and lower into the hole I dug myself into, and I was humiliated shortly for my sudden change in attitude, before they got bored and left me. Wallowing in sorrow was the only thing I could do for at least a year.
Looking at the girl who broke his heart and made him wallow in pain for a solid year somehow did not anger him, but surfaced old, forgotten feelings. He smiled as she continued to chat and talk to him, unaware that Juvia was standing beside him until she squeezed his hand. After regaining his track of thought, he introduced Juvia to Cana. Cana just nodded before continuing to speak, as if she wanted no part of being close to Juvia. Wordlessly, Cana grabbed his hand and led him to a quiet corner of the coffee shop, aware of Juvia's bewildered deer-in-the-headlights gaze.
"What's wrong?" Lyon muttered. Cana sighed before starting her speech, "Look. Whatever I did in the past, I'm sorry for doing it. I always wondered why you stopped talking to me until I realised what happened that day. Your confession... It was real, wasn't it?" Lyon slowly gulped, dragging along the seconds before finally nodding. Cana grabbed his face with her hands gently and said, "I'm so sorry... But please, whatever you do, don't go out with her." Lyon wanted to speak, but she put a finger on his mouth to silence him before she continued. "Juvia has this... Habit of liking guys a lot. She just fan girls over these guys until she either goes with them or goes out with someone close to them who is either the brother or the best friend, to make him jealous so he can go out with her. I don't want her messing with you too Lyon, so please dump her or just end whatever you two are doing, because she will dump you in three days and forget about you."
Lyon stood there, flabbergasted. He had been dating her for over two weeks, and everything seemed to have gone well. Cana had always been good with fortunes and knowing what people were like, so he knew in his heart that he 100% trusted her. He shook his head vigorously and began pacing backward a few steps before running away from the reality. He did not want a repeat of his previous heartbreak. He wanted to scream, cry, do anything! But he just ran, feeling the adrenaline and the pain seethe inside of him.
The hourglass of time was slowly losing sand...
District Court 8:20 AM
Erza had just finished talking to Lucy in a hushed tone, as everyone had stayed silent in the defendant lobby. She had seemed a bit sad, but Erza knew that she shouldn't get involved when she was not supposed to. Maybe something has happened with Natsu? The case was about to start again, and Gray and Ultear had been M.I.A. throughout the whole break. Erza started mentally slapping herself at how weak she had become. Since when did she start to care about others? Not in the past and certainly not in future. Maybe distancing herself would make these stupid feelings of longing go away.
Judge: Court is back in session. Mr. Vendetta, is your defendant ready to speak now?
Trojan: Yes, Your Honour.
Judge: Then let's have her testimony.
Ultear walked in and stood on the defendant stand with a worried look while scanning the perimeter, as if she was trying to find someone. Her arms were crossed tightly around her chest and sweat seemed to be cascading slowly down her brow.
Judge: You may begin, Miss. Milkovich.
Ultear: On the night on this supposed 'murder that I committed', I was at that revision thing with Erza. It was boring and stupid, but I had to do it or I wouldn't get my allowance. After that tedious 3 hours, I walked to a friend's house. We talked about stuff and played video games. Then, I went to another friend's house, but I needed to sort out some legal issues with them. It took ages and I decided to have a sleep over there. I insisted because these days, there are rapists and serial killers and I don't even feel safe in my own neighbourhood.
At this, she gave puppy dog eyes to her audience, as if the crime system was flawed in every way.
Judge: Well, that is true. However, your testimony was very vague, are you sure that you don't want to add anything else to your statement?
Ultear: Yes, Your Honour.
She gave a small, charming smile. Which is the opposite of her ugly personality, thought Erza with dismay.
Judge: Well, the defence and prosecution may start with the cross examination.
Trojan: Thank you, your Honour. Hello Miss. Milkovich, I would like you to answer a few questions first.
She just rolled her eyes before nodding with a curt nod.
Trojan: How many times do you get your allowance?
Ultear: Is that really important to the case?
Trojan: Yes, please answer.
Ultear: I don't know, just whatever's in the envelope.
Trojan: So there is never a specific amount?
Ultear: Duh! That's what I just said! Are you deaf?
Trojan: No, I am not. I wondered if it had previously had a fixed amount.
Ultear: Well duh, I usually had around ten thousand Jewels in a month, but then after we moved house and we got new maids and butlers, the money just started to change from ten thousand to around three or five thousand.
Trojan: Very interesting, thank you. I would like that fact kept in the court records.
Skye: Objection! I don't really see the point Your Honour.
Judge: Well, Mr. Vendetta seems to think that it's important, so let's put it in the court records.
At that, Trojan had a triumphant smile.
Trojan: Another question, Miss Milkovich. Who were the two aforementioned friends of yours?
Ultear: I would like to keep that confidential, but I can tell you who the second person is.
Gray Fullbuster.
Erza stared wide eyed at the boy next to her, and he immediately tensed up. What the hell did he have to do with Ultear that involved legal matters?
Judge: Well, well, well. I believe we have a witness with that name in the court. Please Mr. Fullbuster, stand on the witness stand.
Gray gritted his teeth to show utter discomfort before walking slowly to the podium.
Trojan: Please give your testimony, witness after saying oath.
After saying oath, Gray started,
Gray: Well, Ultear came over to my house to talk to me and my brother. It was nothing too important. Just some paperwork and stuff. Me and my brother are kinda having financial problems, so she wanted to help. We wanted to refuse, but let's just say that their family 'owes' mine. After we finished, I just went to my bedroom to sleep because I was kinda thinking about stuff. I fell asleep soon after and I don't really know if she stayed or not. All I heard was a car zooming past as I fell asleep.
Skye: Objection! This man has clearly stated that Ultear is guilty.
With raised eyebrows, he asked,
Trojan: How so?
Skye: W...W...Well, she has a car that is very high powered and makes a lot of noise. Only, those are the old fashioned types of cars, which she has. There are around 200 aristocrats here, and most prefer the sleek and less noisier cars. However, the Milkovich family always sticks with the traditional older cars that make a lot of noise and there are only three other families in the area with similar cars.
Trojan: No offence Miss. Dalson, but that is just speculation and proves nothing.
Skye: Don't mock me, Trojan boy! I'll even prove it to you. Mr Fullbuster, was Miss. Milkovich in your house the morning you woke up?
Gray ruffled his Raven hair before answering,
Gray: No, of course not. She knows I don't like her coming to our house or even staying there, she had to have left sometime in the night.
Ultear glared passionately at Gray, which he reciprocated with sticking out his tongue. Adorable. Erza thought before stopping herself. Dammit! Get a hold of yourself.
Skye: And how many cars are there near your neighbourhood?
Gray: Me and my brother live in a secluded street, so the only cars we hear are usually either passing by to the woods or are coming to visit us.
Skye: Ha! I KNEW IT!
Everyone stared sceptically at the crazy prosecutor. She really knew how to make a case lively. Erza really needed to intervene, because Trojan was looking lost and she had wanted to help Ultear. With confidence from within, she stood up and said,
Erza: Objection! May I please speak, Your Honour?
Judge: Of course.
Erza briskly walked to the defence podium next to Trojan. He gave a grateful smile before allowing her to pass and be at the centre-stage of this play, to watch it unfold.
Erza: First of all, I would like to bring in both the bailiffs.
Bailiff one and two entered the courtroom.
Erza: Please show what you have found.
Bailiff1: Well, I have the CCTV footage which shows that Ultear was in fact in the school with you, Miss. Scarlet.
Erza: Thank you. Next please.
Bailiff2: There were no secret rooms that we could find and all the blunt, metallic objects were stolen. It was found in the CCTV footage and Miss. Milkovich had not been in any one of the footages because they were all of a man.
Erza flashed a grateful smile before continuing with her case.
Erza: Well, I'm sure that proves some of the discrepancies. Next, I have a bit of evidence that I have been hiding from the court and for that I am sorry.
Everyone stared in shock at Erza because it was unlike her to hide evidence.
Erza: May I present to you, the evidence - A metallic clock.
Everyone just stared in confusion at the piece of evidence. Then, they stared to notice the blood stains on the edges and rims of the clock.
Erza: I went in forensics and yes the victim's blood is exactly the same match as this one on the clock.
Judge: Miss. Scarlet, where did you find it?
Erza: Why the murderer's home of course. Or more precisely, inside the Milkovich household.
Confused gasps emanated from the courtroom.
Erza: Well you see, it couldn't have been Ultear and it certainly wasn't her family. Remember when Trojan saved the piece of Ultear's testimony in his court records? It was about the allowance being manipulated. Clearly, her parents never alerted her of the change and they would have kept on giving her money. The new servants clearly tampered with it, but who was it? That is the main question. That servant had to live inside the Milkovich estate, so no one who had a house to go to is guilty. Next, as it was blunt force trauma on the forehead, the victim must have had an acquaintance with the murderer. There was no altercation because it was someone they knew. Next, let's envision the murder scene. It's around eight o' clock and Steven Gorghe, our victim, is reading a book in the servant's quarters on his chair. A familiar face goes closer to him and grabs the clock next to him, feigning to check the time before hitting him. He collapses and dies, while the murderer cleans the fingerprints off the clock and anything they may have touched before calling Ultear to check on that servant. They take a picture as she stands there shocked. She hears a flash and knows that she's in deep trouble, but there's nothing she can do, so she goes outside to her friend's houses in hope of having an alibi. Now, may everyone stand up please?
The whole courtroom stared at her with bewildered eyes before standing up.
Erza: Bailiffs, please check anyone with gloves or cuts on their hands.
Before anyone knew what was happening, a woman started running to the doors.
She also had gloves.
With great speed, Gray tackled her to the ground and brought her to face the courtroom. She was blonde and fairly pretty, with freckles and a nose stud.
With ease, Gray removed her gloves to find that she had a large cut with what looked like rust particles inside the wound.
Erza: As seen, this woman has rust inside her wound, why? Because she did not think that the murder weapon would injure her as she was later going to destroy the evidence. Unidentified blood is on this sharp edge and if we can get a sample, it would prove that it is hers.
Woman: Shut up! SHUT UP SHUT UP SHUUT UUUUUUUUUUUUUPPPPPPP!
The woman had one of those classic Ace Attorney breakdowns. She panted heavily before saying,
Woman: It was all his fault! After months of stealing that spoiled brat's money, he wanted to confess. We were supposed to run away, go on a cruise ship. It was going to be amazing, until he bailed on me and left me. I don't really care anymore because I killed the man I love! Take me away.
Tears brimmed at the edges of her eyes and the case was finally closed.
Trojan gave Erza's hand a shake before she walked away, pleased with the outcome of Justice. Gray ran to her and gave her one of his big, radiating smiles. "Congratz!" he exclaimed. She used her hair to cover her furious blush before lightly shoving him. Suddenly, the world started getting hazier for Erza. Her breathing slowed, her heartbeat quickened and the next thing she knew, she was on the floor. A voice was shouting her name, but she didn't care. It was happening again. A white light was numbing her vision. "Just let me sleep..." she whispered before she was gone.
The hourglass of time was slowly losing sand...
Arcade 16:45 pm
Natsu stared at the gaming screen before him. How many hours had he just sat there, doing nothing? His adorable cat Happy meowed softly while nuzzling his face on Natsu's leg, as if trying to cheer him up. It was, but only slightly. How he wished he had said something to her that night. When they had kissed, he felt that the world had been a better place. He had found his Blonde haired goddess that kept him grounded. He had been slightly drunk, so he had not wanted to make it awkward the next day by bringing it up. He hadn't wanted to face up to his feelings.
They had only known each other for a short time, yet his world broke apart whenever he wasn't near her. There was definitely something wrong with him. How could he have these types of feelings? He didn't want them, as he still remembered that terrible accident that ruined his life. It was all his fault. He didn't want to ruin another beautiful soul. He sighed for the up tenth time that day. Who was he to fall for a girl like her?
Finally, he got up from the stool he had been sitting on and begrudgingly walked home. He missed human contact. Maybe talking to someone would be a good idea, but whom? His mind instantly went to Hibiki. Even though he was a bit weird to Natsu, (I feel like this part should especially be highlighted as he is probably the weirdest, adorable goofball but anywho ;p) he always gave good advice. He texted him quickly before getting on the train. The train moved quickly and the landscape brought Natsu to so many memories.
Natsu was holding up Lucy's hair because she was throwing up in the toilet. She was violently vomiting while incoherently screaming, "I hate you so much Natsu!" He just laughed because she was crying. It wasn't his fault that he had waned to join the food eating competition to win a whole year's supply of free sea food. They had won, but she had immediately felt sick. He reminisced until she finally finished. "Done?" He questioned with a sly smile. He could see that vomit was all over her brand new shirt, and he started to feel bad because he knew that it cost a lot more than his small apartment. She just pouted at him in reply and crouched on the floor, trying to avoid his gaze. Suddenly, he had a match and made a fire out of the toilet roll in the girls' toilet.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING NATSU? ARE YOU CRAZY?" Lucy screamed at the bonfire Natsu had created. Without warning, he removed her shirt and washed it with expert hands before putting it close enough to the fire to heat it but not burn it. The shirt slowly started getting drier and he smiled in relief at his expertise. Lucy's eyes widened as she saw that his leg was on fire. "Natsu your leg!" she said as she jumped around in panic looking for a bucket. He violently shook his leg in hope to make the fire go away. As soon as she saw a bucket with water in it, she threw the contents at Natsu. The water had actually been dirty and he was soaked with dirty water. Without warning, they both started laughing hysterically at their stupidness. Natsu took off his shirt and trousers to reveal his boxers, which startled Lucy and made her turn her head away, as she was wearing a vest and her skirt and shoes still. Slowly, she sat beside him, watching their clothes dry. It had become a strangely intimate moment and she put her head on his shoulder, as they watched the flames together. They both instantly relaxed and their faces stretched into blissful smiles. The fire alarm awoke them from the beautiful moment and water cascaded, ruining their bonfire. Lucy just raised her hand to catch the water droplets while they just looked into each other's eyes.
The train was at Hibiki's stop. Hibiki was there waiting and he waved, a sad smile etched on his face. "Problems with Cana?" asked Natsu.
"Yep..." He said with despair. "She is still reluctant, even after all the months of planning."
"Don't worry man, I'm sure everything will go just fine. If you want, I can talk to Gildarts?"
"Would you!? Her old man loves you!"
"Hhahahaha! I don't think he loves me, but yeah I can try."
"Thanks bro. Now, what was it that you wanted to talk to me about?"
Natsu stayed in silence for a few seconds before answering, "Okay listen. I've got a friend... and he has a couple of problems. He likes this girl and wants to know if she likes him too but he may have pushed her away and then she may have also been threatened by someone and now she doesn't want to talk to him. Hewantstoknowifitstherightthingtodotojustleavehisrelationshiplikethisandforgetaboutherandhelpherfromafartobehappy?" said Natsu really quickly at the end.
"Okay, so I'm guessing this friend is you and you are still hung up over... her, right?" Natsu just nodded. "It wasn't your fault Natsu. She would want you to be happy. And whoever this new girl is, I'm sure she reciprocates your feelings. Just tell her how you feel and make sure to take care of her, understood?"
"Aye sir!" Natsu beamed before running to catch the next train and catch his dream before it flew away.
The hourglass of time was slowly losing sand...
Studio XXX 17:59
Mirajane Strauss was posing for her new photo shoot, after her new movie Fire VS Ice: 2 of the 4 Elements had been released a couple of days ago. She did it gracefully and effortlessly, like always. Today, she kept on thinking about a certain Salmon haired boy. Maybe it was time to tell him the truth? But she barely knew where he was or where he lived, after he disappeared so suddenly. She badly wanted to contact him. "Mira, are you ready?" asked the director. She responded with a sweet smile and continued on with her bridesmaid photo shoot. She had always wanted to be the best maid for her sister, and she knew that would no longer be possible. She was okay with that, but she had still wanted to make sure that the Salmon haired boy did not suffer. Her need to talk to him became urgent every single day. Everywhere, she could see him and she would chase that person, only to be confused and accidentally talk to a random stranger. She finished the shoot and took a photo from her bag in her dressing room. Two young children were smiling happily, as if nothing in the world mattered to them. There was a heart shaped cloud behind them, as if even the cloud knew that they were soul mates. Even if Mirajane had agreed that they would have made a cute couple, the White haired girl in the picture would never truly love the Salmon haired boy in that picture. She knew that he would have eventually found someone better.
Tears started tainting her cheeks, as if she had kept them for a while. She had been crying a lot more often these days. Maybe it was because she kept on glancing at this picture which brought her back to her past. She knew that the past was supposed to be forgotten and to live in the present, but her thoughts just kept on wandering to those days were she had been truly blissful. She did not want to go to her grave and keep the secret of the girl with short, White hair. How could she find him? It was tearing her world apart.
She needed to find him before it was too late. What if he had ended his life? She could never live with the guilt of that. Her whole life was revolving around that matter. It had to be fixed. It just had to. While everyone thought her career and life was going splendidly, internally, it really wasn't. Her nightmares haunted her every single day as she saw the face of the boy who had lost all hope in everything. Nothing that she said that day would have fixed his expression or made him feel again. She knew that. Yet she still needed to tell him.
It had all been a stupid, horrible mistake. If she hadn't been so harsh, maybe he wouldn't have run away. It was all her fault. She needed to mend what she had broken. She had found her metaphorical super glue and needed to use it. Would he listen if she spoke to him? Or would he run away? Maybe he was still the same and never changed, or he became a dark, depressed and tormented soul. Somehow, she knew that he had definitely turned into the latter and not the former.
Her love life had been suffering because of this matter. Yes, she occasionally flirted to make herself more aesthetically pleasing to potential clients and tried to find romance. However, every time she came close, she would push them away in horror because she did not want to have the feeling of pain clouding over her romance. She knew that she would just become overprotective and cynical, eventually pushing them away because she would never want them to leave her side. It was sad, but she had to break off whatever connection she had with someone every time she felt herself getting closer to someone. At least she still had good friends to depend on. With a content sigh at the reminiscing, she packed her things and left.
Sadly, she had forgotten her car keys, so the train would have to do. She wore her glasses, just in case she was recognised, and plugged her earphones in her ears to drown out the sound of people. She sat down and closed her eyes, letting her mind remember meeting a little girl once who had had the most incredible voice.
It had been a nice Spring day and Mirajane was at her vacation house. It was still too early to wake up, but she couldn't sleep. She was still sad about pushing away the thing that had made her and her family so happy, and now he was gone forever. Her guilt had been clouding her heart until she had become unresponsive and had barely spoken a word in three months. Her parents had taken her to the doctor, only for them to take her to therapists and give her medication she really had not needed. It had been all in vain and she still refused to talk.
She sat on the wet grass with her red dress with frills, because she just couldn't be bothered to care too much anymore. A beautiful, loud voice started singing sweet melodies. She just sang notes, but they were the most beautiful sounds that Mirajane had ever heard a person sing before. The sweet voice soon started having a coughing fit, as if singing had been really strenuous. Mirajane quickly ran to see a Scarlet haired girl coughing violently near a bush. "Are you okay?" Mirajane asked in a quiet voice. The first thing she had said in months. It had come out more as "Ashh yoo oki?", because she had not spoken in so long. The pretty girl nodded and smiled. Mirajane smiled back. "What's your name? Mine ish Mirajane, but call me Mira."
"Erza. Nice to meet you," she simply replied. She began singing again and they just sat that whole morning listening to the Scarlet haired girl sing. She had felt faint a few times and Mirajane had been worried, but the tiny girl just shrugged it off and continued singing.
"Excuse me miss, are you awake?" She was gently woken from her slumber. She gazed up to see a flash of Salmon hair. She looked in his eyes and recognition registered in his as well.
The hourglass of time was slowly losing sand...
Hospital 21:21 pm
Gray gently held Erza's hand while squeezing it. Her hands were cold and unresponsive to his touch, as if she was almost dead. Gray didn't know what to do. One minute they were joking around and having fun. The next, she was on the floor unconscious. The doctors just talked in hushed tones and they had conducted tests for several hours. Whatever they were discussing didn't sound good, but he just wanted her to wake up. A strand of her hair tickled her face, and he just caressed her face before moving the strand back to its original place. They had said that her parents were going to come soon, and he had wanted to stay with her as much as he could.
She looked so calm and defenceless while she rested. She could have been in a coma, and the doctors' still wouldn't tell him. He used the palm of his hands to cover his eyes, as if this was all a bad dream. After losing Ul, he never wanted to lose anyone dear to him ever again. He had become attached to her, and he knew it. She somehow caught his attention and now he was the puppet and she twisted him around her little finger- not that she knew that she had any control over him.
His thoughts got interrupted by her stirring. Erza's eyes slowly opened and she felt the warm embrace of a man. She instantly relaxed. cocooning in the familiar arms. Remorsefully, he removed himself from her and he gave her a lopsided grin, which caused her heart to falter and butterflies to fly in her stomach.
He put his lips close to her ear before whispering, "Are you okay?" She nodded and he felt the movement because of how close they were. He didn't really want to break the silence, so whispering seemed more appropriate as the only sounds were the beeps of her heart through the heart monitor. Her heart was beating at a steady beat and he sighed in relief, not realising that it would tickle her ear. She suddenly moved away before going back into her position.
"Why did you pass out?" Gray asked, curious but not wanting to bog her down with questions. She slowly breathed out before starting with her answer.
"Do you know what the term, Borrowed Time is?"
"Yeah, I guess. Ul always told me that for some reason."
"And...?"
"I guess it literally means that we borrow time to do more things in our lives."
"Yeah, that's pretty much the gist."
"What does this have to do with anything?"
Erza stayed silent for a few seconds before changing the subject,
"Did you see Ultear's face when you were practically making her sound guilty?" They both chuckled at the memory of Ultear's horrified face.
"What's your history with her? Why don't you like her Erza?"
"Well, let's just leave it for now and say that it was stuff to do with the past... And what about you, what's your history with her?
The Raven haired teen cringed at that comment before replying, "You know how we were talking about Borrowed Time? Let's just say that she is my ticket to living a happier life."
"Money?" she questioned. He nodded his head with a sad smile before saying, "If only it was that easy..." Which was then followed by an awkward silence. He looked at her for the millionth time that day. She looked extremely pale and tubes were sticking out of her wrist and nose. The medication they had given her made her eyes seem clouded and lost. She looked completely helpless. She patted a small space beside her before shuffling to the edge of the hospital bed. Gray, getting the hint, entered inside the warmth of the bed and they just gazed into each others' eyes.
Time seemed to pass more slowly as they intertwined their fingers together and mirrored each other's movements. The silence was very welcome and it was the comfortable silence that only those with a strong relationship could keep. A blue butterfly fluttered above their heads, erratically trying to get higher and closer to the window. After several attempts, it finally made it out of the window.
The world seemed to freeze at a halt and the hourglass's sand stilled.
Gray started fumbling under the covers while still looking at Erza before a beautiful melody emanated from Erza's folded clothes on the other chair. She turned and took her phone, only to realise that it was a text message from Iceboy.
Iceboy: Hey. You know you're beautiful, right?
Titania: Shut up! She wrote while blushing.
Iceboy: I'm serious.
Titania: No you're not...
Iceboy: I've never been more serious in my life.
Titania: Thanks... I guess you are kinda okay looking too...
Iceboy: LOL! OK?! Girls practically drop their panties when they look at me.
Titania: And welcome back, narcissistic jerk.
Iceboy: Glad to be back ;)
Titania: Hugh! Why are we even text messaging, it's such a waste of money and we are so close.
Iceboy: But I don't want to break the silence.
Titania: Yeah... I guess the silence is nice. But we are probably tampering with medical equipment, endangering many lives.
Iceboy: Shush! Way to spoil a moment.
Erza just giggled at that.
Titania: I'm worried for Lucy and Natsu.
Iceboy: Y?
Titania: A) Stop acting like an illiterate and B) They aren't talking to each other and are just avoiding each other. First they act like a married couple and now it's just... I don't know...
Iceboy: Leave the kids be kids.
Titania: But we are technically kids, since we've only lived about 1/7 of our lives.
Iceboy: But we are mature and act like adults. They can figure out their own problems.
Titania: Why are you acting so mean?
Iceboy: Because I'm right in front of you and you are only talking about other people.
He had said that at the same time as he had written in, which made Erza look up at his beautiful eyes once more. She looked at him guiltily and mouthed a 'sorry'. They went back to their comfortable silence for a few more seconds. Then, they were interrupted by a doctor that had casually stepped inside.
"May I please talk to Mr Fullbuster?" she asked. Gray quickly got up from the bed, ruffled his hair and muttered "Coming.." He looked at her one last time before waving.
The course of the sand began again and time continued.
After they walked into an office, which seemed as boring and as unoriginal as all other offices in the hospital, the doctor said, "Please, sit down." He did as he was instructed and waited for her to continue. "How long have you known Erza, if you don't mind me asking?"
"A couple of weeks, I guess."
"And how close are you two?"
"I honestly don't know. Sometimes, we are really distant and always fight, other times we are completely in sync and tell each other useless and random things which we think is special." At his answer, she just lifted her eyebrows at the vague yet clear explanation.
"I do not know if you are prepared for what you are going to hear, so let us start from a riddle. Do you know the saying, Borrowed Time?"
"Why does everyone keep on telling me that?" He said, angered that he wasn't getting a straight forward explanation. He looked up to see the doctor's frightened face, so he just replied, "Yeah, sorry, what does that have to do with anything?"
"Well it has a lot to do with Erza. As she was born prematurely by three months, we had to keep her under close examination. She turned out to be perfectly healthy and in amazing shape, so we allowed her to leave the hospital earlier than anticipated. We had run all tests except for one, as we didn't think it would apply to her. A gene inside her mutated one of her damaged cells, which led her to becoming severely ill a couple of weeks later. To cut a long story short, nobody thought that she would survive and we were all preparing for her death. However, she lasted and became stronger and stronger. It was something we had rarely seen before and we were overjoyed when she survived. We finally did the last test and we knew what was wrong with her. It was almost impossible that she survived and it seems absolutely certain that she would die before her 18th birthday.
Erza Scarlet has had cancer all her life."
The hourglass of time was slowly losing sand... And now Borrowed Time is drifting fast...
A/N: Finally! This took me over seven hours to complete xD I don't even know why it took me this long but I'm cold and I hope you guys enjoy it. Btw, if you want anything to happen you can just PM me or something, I love reading your thoughts, improvements I can make and ideas :D Finally a year older and still my Beta (*cough* *cough* my sister *cough* *cough*) has still not done anything :D. But that's fine xD. Hope you enjoyed the angst and fluff and I made this 10k for all the slacking. Sorry for any mistakes, I just wanted to upload this ASAP :). Love you all xxxxx