Hello! Wow, I didn't noticed- this story is already a month a couple of days that I do not want to count since I'm lazy old! Well, congrats to Starlit Sky then. Anyways, I'm really sorry for the late update. Seems like I ran out of ideas, on the contrary I'm reading the Harry Potter series and ironic that I can't come up with anything. (also it is very strange when you started the book 1 of HP last week and now you're on book 5 and you still can't grasp the reality that they're not 11 years old anymore and now they're 16 like wowie, today's wednesday and Ron wanted to order that firewhiskey but on monday he was just a 14 year old wizard.. yeah, when you're about to finish the series in just almost two weeks do that to your brain.) Oh, and also, I have published a new story named: Of Smoke and Mirror, check it out if you want to (also, it's about Irene and Erza) , you can find it in my profile :) Sorry in advance for the occasional grammatical errors and typos! Now, I'd like to thank you for not giving up on this story and for your lovely reviews. You don't know how much those reviews affect me, so thank you very much for them, with another invisible heart here.

Hope you enjoy this chapter! R&R!

The sun was already up when she woke up. She was laying in a bed, tucked with comforter around her body. She turned to her left, there was remaining heat from it, and she admits it felt nice.

Erza sat up and looked around, she's in her room. She's glad that she is not with her at the moment, for she do not want to deal with her first thing in the morning. But of course, she couldn't run from the problem.

It seems like Irene didn't want to face her as well as there are several of Erza's clothes in the bathroom and breakfast in the coffee table. However, it didn't lasted very long as the high enchanter appeared as Erza was eating her breakfast.

The two avoided each other's gazes as painfully awkward moments had passed. It was even more awkward when apparent distress were displayed on both of their faces.

"Good morning." Irene cleared her throat.

Erza grunted in reply as she drank water.

"So, what do you have in mind, dau-"

The requip mage hissed, "Don't call me that."

It seemed like it touched a nerve, as Irene stares dangerously at the younger redhead.

"I am still your mother, and you ought to respect me, Erza."

The said person just bit their tongue and continued to eat hastily, making a mess of themselves in the process. Irene made a sound on the back of her throat as she instinctively grabbed a napkin and wiped the remaining mess on Erza's face. Realizing what she'd done, Irene staggeringly brought her hand down and leave space between them.

"I want to go back to my guild."

Her voice not soft but not cold too, gave a vibe that forced her to leave no room for objections.

"I see," murmured Irene, "then I shall accompany you way back."

Erza nodded and directed her attention to her meal as Irene quietly exited the room. As she did, the younger redhead observed her in the corner of her eyes with a heavy sigh.

As Irene was walking down the hallway, her ears suddenly ring and she unconsciously jumped a little.

"Jesus, Emperor, you nearly gave me a fright."

"You were supposed to come back, and as planned, with her."

At the mention of her daughter, Irene's mouth went thin.

"Due to some.. circumstances, she won't be. And as your General, Emperor Zeref," Irene then paused, "I propose a plan."

"Then let me hear of it."

It took Irene about an hour or two to convince him, for it was such an unbelievable thing to propose. It was something that is nearly opposite to the everything what the Spriggans wants, but the high enchanter got strong points. Not only she would be receiving advantages but the others too, so Zeref agreed to her plan. It would only be time-limited, but it would be alright.

It's as if there was a silent agreement between them, Irene went to Erza's room and found her with her packed bag. It was nearly midday so the two started their travel, and to be honest it was painfully awkward and tense, they both felt that way.

"Can't you just 'port us to our places?" asked Erza.

"I could, but the- Emperor informed me of some changes." At the narrowed eyes of her daughter, Irene sighed and rolled her eyes, "Anyways, how would your guild mates feel if their comrade who was missing for four days suddenly appeared out of thin air with a high enchanter with her?"

"They.. would feel your magic power and then think that you must have.. cast a spell or something on me." Erza replied slowly as she understood.

"Exactly."

They didn't tried to make any conversations, only talking if they would go for a break or anything along those lines. It was disappointing and upsetting for Irene since she had long to hug and express her love to her daughter, but due to their situation, she can't and Erza's attitude is a dead giveaway that she do not want to be coddled by anyone, and she's not an exception. For Erza, though, deep inside she really wanted to bond with the woman, but due to her divine stubbornness, she chose not to- for Fairy Tail, that's what she tells herself anyways.

All her life she thought her parents were dead, that she's an orphan. And her- mother, also thought that she was dead. It was quite ironic, her lips unconsciously formed a bitter smile. But oh, why didn't she remembered her very own mother? Eight years spent with her, so why did she forgot? The realization of the significant question felt like a bucket of cold water splashing to her body. How can it be, that she only remembered living at Rosemary for all her life and her neighbors Kagura and Simon? It was a great mystery.

Irene glanced at the younger woman beside her, seemingly lost in deep thoughts. She, too, is lost in her thoughts. Where did Erza went after the attack on their village? How did she survived? She supposed her magic must've had great contribution to it, but still.. She shook her head defiantly, something must've happened that she too cannot explain.

They had gone traveling for about almost three hours when they were approached by an Alvarez car, its chauffeur curtseyed to the Spriggan and told her he was informed to accompany the two. Noticing Erza stiffening, Irene approached her.

"Is it alright if-" Irene tilts her head to the waiting vehicle.

To her surprise, Erza just shrugged and followed her inside the car. They sat on the back seat, and a barrier of sort was blocking the chauffeur's only way of hearing anything from its passengers. Seems like it was planned, Irene narrowed her eyes. Did the Emperor really expected them to have a, ah, heart-to-heart talk and hug it out? Irene scoffed, why do Zeref wanted the two to immediately make up? He must've wanted something, the thought sent shivers down to her spine. Her thoughts were suddenly pulled into a halt when she heard the other redhead beside her speaking.

"Would you mind if you conjure a communication line for me to use?"

"I wouldn't." She then turned to Erza, "But can I ask who are you going to communicate with?"

"My guildmate. I, er, wanted to tell them I'd be back."

Nodding, Irene then waved her wrist and on the process, unconsciously tapped her staff on the ground. Levitating on their space is a what seems like cloud with a surprised face of a raven head boy.

"Whenever I call, it's always you who I managed to talk to first." Erza sighed.

"Well hello to you too, Erza. I'm having a great day, especially when there's a thing that suddenly popped out of mid-air that has your face on it."

The requip mage snickered a little, "I'm glad, Gray. Anyways, I'd just like to inform you guys that I'll be back in a few hours or so."

With the younger redhead lost with communicating with her comrade, Irene couldn't help but to feel her heart clench painfully. It's the first time she ever saw her daughter socialize with her friends. It's bittersweet. The high enchanter tried to turn her attention to the book she found lying beside her.

"..stopped attacking? Why, that's... great. Absolutely great."

Erza let out a happy puff of air, Gray just told her that their enemies stopped attacking. She wonders why. Her heart suddenly hammered loudly in her chest, could it be that-! She looked at the older woman beside her on the corner of her eyes, Irene told her that the Emperor (Zeref) had changes of plans. Could it be that maybe, just maybe, Irene convinced the Dark Wizard to stop the war?

No, that's too much hope. And likely unbelievable, Zeref wouldn't just give in to Irene. Especially now that they had inflicted such suffering to the others. Her hands turned into fists as she thought of it, she just hopes nothing serious happened when she was gone.

"Hey by the way, where are you now?"

"Uh- really far right now, we're just halfway through the middle of the North. But I'm currently riding in a car, if that's what you wanted to know."

His eyebrows rose up, "Car? With who?"

"Oh- um, the woman. Er, remember the woman I told you that saved me? Yeah, she's helping me to get back there." And I also found out that the said woman is also my mother, and our enemy. Great, right? Erza sighed inaudibly.

"Really?" Gray awkwardly scratched his head, yeah he talked with her and he found her weird, but whatever as long as she took care of his comrade, she's fine to him. "Well, I, Master, and the others just arrived to out meeting place. Would really like to continue our chit-chat but I have a meeting to attend to," he looked sad by the mention of the meeting that it earned him a chuckle from the Titania, "we'll fill you in as soon as you arrive. See you soon, eh?"

"Take notes for me. See you soon, Gray."

As soon as they bid farewells, the conjured cloud dissipated and she was left with silence again. Suddenly, she looked towards her left and saw Irene drifting off to sleep. Erza softened and then instinctively brought up a blanket she found to the woman's chest. Apparently, Irene was a light sleeper as her eyes fluttered once she felt the warmth from the blanket.

"Oh," Irene tried to blink away the sleepiness, "sorry, I think I fell asleep."

Erza put up her hands, "No worries, just- er, continue your nap."

Silence descended upon them again, though it was short when Erza decided to ask something out of the blue.

"Have you had your revenge to those people who were the reason for your family's death?"

Taken aback, Irene just nodded slowly. "Y-Yes, I.. did."

"Good."

It turned silent again but Erza immediately grumbled.

"I was just curious," she shot a glare to the high enchanter, "don't get any ideas."

But Irene just smiled quietly. And Erza found it that she was relieved Irene made those people suffer along their ride.