Ch. 4- Apologies

Fairy Tail © Hiro Mashima

Story and OCs © Me

Two days after sending Zammond and his goons away to be reported to the Magic Council for their crimes, Haru, Erza, and Blue Fang collected their reward for a job well done. After splitting it evenly between the two of them and making sure that Blue Fang had recovered from his shock completely, the two wizards and their wolf companion were on the train ride back home. As thanks for their help, the mayor said that they were welcome back any time, something that the girls were grateful for. Haru even said that she would bring Natsu, Lucy, Gray, and Happy along so that they could enjoy the bathhouse.

As the pair rode the train home, Haru glanced over at Erza, who smiled as she looked out the window... and she was still wearing the same clip that the Beast Wizard had given her last night, causing her to smile warmly. However, that smile was soon replaced by a sad frown as she thought back to the night before, then she glanced up at Erza before opening her mouth to speak.

"Umm... Erza?" Haru asked, causing the Requip Wizard to look at her. "Listen... about what I asked... about your scars and all... I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to pry into your past like that."

Erza smiled at Haru before she shook her head.

"You have nothing to apologize for, Haru," she assured. "You were just curious... anyone would be if they saw my scars."

"Even so," Haru began, "I shouldn't ask things like that. It's just... I tend to be curious and I don't really know when there's a right time to ask these kinds of questions. I should really be more considerate."

"...Haru?" Erza asked, causing her to look at her. "What do you think of my scars? Do you think that they're ugly?"

"Ugly?" Haru repeated. "No way! Erza, scars or no scars... you're the most beautiful woman I've ever met! If you ask me... your scars make you even prettier because they show that even though you've been through so much, you don't let them stop you from being who you are."

A pause... before Erza gently pulled Haru into a hug, causing her to laugh as she embraced her older sister figure and role model.

"Thank you, Haru," Erza whispered. "That makes me feel so much better."

"You're welcome," Haru replied before Blue Fang suddenly sat up on his haunches and began to lick Erza on the face, causing her and Haru to laugh as the former stroked the wolf's neck.

"Alright, alright, Blue Fang!" she said. "Yes, I love you, too."

Haru smiled before she glanced out the window, watching the landscape go by in the blink of an eye.

'I don't know much about Erza's past... but I think that's okay. The way I see it... if she really wanted us to know, she'd tell us herself... but no matter what, I know one thing that'll never change: she's Erza... and she'll always be Erza.'

XXX

It was 2 hours after the train ride that Haru, Erza, and Blue Fang arrived back in Magnolia and were on their way back home to the guildhall.

"That was a lot of fun!" said Haru. "We should really work together more often, Erza!"

"I'd like that," Erza replied as she lugged her cartful of luggage behind her. "It was quite enjoyable." She looked up at her hair clip in her hair. "Plus... I wouldn't mind getting little accessories like that, again."

"Really?" Haru asked, her eyes lighting up a bit. "You mean it?"

"Of course," Erza answered. "Thank you for the hair clip, Haru."

Haru grinned just as the trio finally arrived back at the guildhall.

"We're back!" the Beast Wizard called... only to find the other guild members in a bit of frenzy, running around and shouting things. "Uh... what's going on?"

"I don't know," Erza replied before she walked over to Mirajane, Elektra, and Makarov. "Did something happen while we were away?"

"Oh, Erza!" Mirajane exclaimed. "It's you!"

"It seems a bit of an emergency," Elektra replied.

"What kind?" Erza asked. "What happened?"

At that moment, Haru noticed that someone was missing... a certain pink-haired someone, at that.

"...Where's Natsu?" Haru asked, worriedly, causing Makarov to groan.

"Haru... about that..." he muttered. "You see... he..."

XXX

On Galuna Island, deep in the jungle...

"NATSU DRAGNEEL, WHAT IN THE HELL HAVE YOU GOTTEN US IN TO?!" Lucy screamed as she ran as fast as she could along with Natsu, Gray, and Happy... and behind them was a gigantic blue rat in a maid's outfit.

"IT AIN'T MY FAULT!" Natsu cried.

"IT'S ALWAYS YOUR FAULT!" Gray yelled.

"AYE!" Happy shrieked.

Yeah, I know, it's very short, but it's the best I could do.

Anyway, I've been trying to get my motivation to do my other projects back but it's kind of difficult, right now. Hopefully, I'll be able to update Bonds Through Time before the month is over.

Review, please!