Chapter 10: Pinky Swear

"Where is she?" he says to himself as he sat in silence in his hospital room.

Mina hasn't come back since Erza came and now that both girls are gone did he realize that he forgot how solitude felt and it's almost killing him. He was always on his own during his missions, no one to disturb him and not talking to anyone throughout his journey, he liked it that way. He preferred his silence. Not getting attached to any one, not having to be responsible for anyone. But, his guild was a different story.

And so was Mina.

The day that he met her and asked if she could tag along did he realize how lonely it was to travel by himself. Getting into trouble the minute they step into a new town, being chased by crazy animals, even people at that and getting lost more often than being found, she really is a handful. But, any where they went was a new adventure.

It's been hours since Mina left and it's aggravating him.

Putting his hand to his face, "Don't tell me she got lost again." He mutters.

"Achoooo!" Mina sniffs, as she sits by the edge of the dock near the river, "Little Miss, please be careful or you might fall." Someone shouts as they pass by her on their boat and goes under the bridge.

Mina smiles and waves at them, grateful that even a stranger could show some kindness. Unlike someone she knew.

"People from Magnolia are nice and hospitable, aren't they?" Makarove states as he sits beside Mina.

"Oh, good evening Master," Mina replies startled at his sudden appearance but nods in agreement, "They're nice, especially the guild members."

Indeed they are, every time she would drop by everyone would treat her as if she has been with them for years now.

"How's Mystogan?" Makarov asks

"He's healing remarkably."

He lets out a relieved sigh, "I'm glad, Erza and rest would never forgive themselves if anything bad would happen to him."

"Master, what is the relationship between Erza and Mystogan?" Mina asks out of the blue as she remembered the atmosphere the two had whenever Erza would visit him.

Makarove places his index finger on his chin and contemplates, "It is still a mystery as to how Jellal and Mystogan looks alike. And Erza cares a lot about Jellal, he's important to her and since the day she lost him once again, she never got over it. And now, that she found out that Mystogan is the spitting image of Jellal, she's probably trying to have some closure."

It was all too overwhelming. She knew a few things about Jellal and Mystogan, but she never knew Erza was also a part of this. Does that explain the intense aura she feels amongst the two? A fiery passion?

Just thinking about it turns her insides into knots.

"Could it be possible that Erza is in love with Jellal?" She announces as she puts the pieces together.

Makarov nods, "Probably, but I know that she cares a lot for him."

Mina stares into the river as the moonlight illuminates the whole town of Magnolia.

"Or is it that Mystogan is in love with Erza." It wasn't a question but a statement.

The short elderly man looks at the girl beside him as she stared into nothing. Her face was solemn and sad, something he hasn't seen in awhile.

He pats her back, "Don't worry, Mina, you'll have your chance."

She jerks her head up and looks at her master, "I-I was just wondering that's all." She stutters.

Makarov laughs as she blushes furiously, "Master! Please stop teasing me!" she cries out which earned her another laugh.

He stands up and jumps down, "It might be hard to break his barrier, but knowing you, I know you can do it." He turns around and looks at the vexed girl, "After all, you are Miranda, The Tempest."

She sighs in defeat knowing that with Makarov she could never win an argument.

"It's been a long time since I've heard that." She says referring to his last words before he left. It was the nickname she got after destroying two towns with just one blow.

She chuckles at the memory, the days when she was still travelling with her Master Bob, Makarov and the rest of their teammates.

"So this is where you were." A voice spoke from behind her.

With eyes the size of a saucer, Mina slowly turns her head and wishes it wasn't it him.

"W-what are you doing here?" she points an accusing finger towards Mystogan who only wore his trousers and a jacket draped around his bandaged body.

"I was looking for a lost puppy." He states.

They both stare at each other seeming to battle what they will say next, sighing in yet another defeat Mina speaks up, "Well what you're looking for was never lost."

"By the looks of it she was."

"No, she wasn't!" Mina cries out.

"Then why hasn't she come back?" He asks.

Mina looks back at him in awe. He went out of his way to look for her. Did he care for her as well? She didn't want to get her hopes up.

By this time, Mystogan was already in front of her, staring down at her. Mina tried to move away but as if the ground had a mind of its own and bound her feet there.

Next thing she knew he was dragging her down the street.

"Where are we going? We should go back to the hospital!" she screams trying to get her hands free.

Fifteen minutes later her efforts were futile and just let him drag her around the twists and turns of the town. Abruptly he stops and she comes crashing on his back.

Rubbing her nose, "You really know how to treat the ladies."

Realizing where they were she looked at him confused. They stood by the huge tree on the South Gate Park; the tree was back to its normal color unlike what she saw during breakfast she had with Freed.

"What are we doing here?" she asks looking at him as he stared straight ahead.

He put his index finger to his lips and beckoned her to look in front.

She raised her eyebrow but obliged. Crickets slowly died down from their usual noise making and even the wind stopped. At that instant the tree seemed to be glowing from inside, growing stronger and stronger.

From the base of the tree the light started and from there it was growing till it reached the tips of each branch, each second growing even brighter than the last. The leaves now turned into different shades of colors, ranging from purple, pink, orange, light blue, yellow, red and so on. Every leaf would change into different hues. The wind started to dance once again and the leaves joined in accompanied by different types of insects as they made a beautiful tune as if they were an orchestra.

The moon shone even brighter thus making the tree even more breathtaking. Stars twinkled and joined in on the fun as it sparkled in accordance with the music. Petals rained down from the tree still changing its color even if it left its branch.

Mina was awestruck, everything was beautiful. As if she was in a different world. Spreading her arms, she turned and danced with nature as she closed her eyes and savored the moment. She smiled back at Mystogan who just stared at her with the look of delight, as she enjoyed herself.

She spread her arms up above and let the petals wash over her, "You made this puppy happy." She laughs

He smiled back at her, "Indeed, I did."

"This is magnificent, but why aren't there many people around? In fact, why are we the only ones here?" She asks as she gazes around the beauty she was in. Almost so surreal.

"It was an accident that I came across this place." He starts. Remembering the day he first came back after a mission.

"At the stroke of midnight, before the end of the festival the tree gives off a beautiful show. People are too tired preparing for the next day that they forgot the real show starts before the end of the harvest."

Her lip forms an o and tilts her head, "Do you always come here during the end?"

"Yes, when I can." He replies

"With who?"

"You're the first person I ever brought here." He says nostalgic. Realizing that it was more fun to watch it with someone.

A smile creeps on her face, she didn't want to get her hopes up but, she feels special for being the first person to watch the show with him.

"Then, let's watch it again next year, and the year after that and the year after that, and so on. Let's watch it again together." She announces

"I'd like that." He grins at her as he watched her with joy.

"No matter what, we should always watch this together every year, okay?" she demands, with fake threat in her voice and rises her pinky finger towards him.

Interlocking their fingers' together, Mystogan nods, "No matter what."

They both stare at each other sharing the temporary bliss they were in. As the music and the dance of nature continued around them, time seemed to stop.

Remembering her words, Mystogan's smile grew.

I'm not alone anymore. Thanks to you.

And they let the night fade away as both watched nature in its magnificence and beauty. Along with their bond, it grew stronger.

I hope you enjoyed it . errr..