Fiore Academy

Chapter Seven – Women Drama… Again

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail in any shape or form. I am a mere FF writer paying tribute to the world of Hiro Mashima, the rightful owner of Fairy Tail.

Authors' Note – I apologise for the wait, I just got back into school and immediately the devils decided to curse me and all my other classmates with essays, assignments, droning lectures etc. So, I've been pretty packed, so I apologise for the wait. Anyway, let's get on with the chapter.

After the sun had gone down in Academy City, Natsu decided to trek it back up to the Academy by foot since the trams were closed, whilst Erza decided she would find herself a hotel. Deciding to have lunch the following day with Mirajane, the two resolved themselves to talk about what was going on between them then.

It was now Sunday morning, and Natsu yawned as he stretched his arms waking up. Looking at his clock, a surge of panic rose within Natsu.

"It's quarter to twelve! Erza and Mirajane are going to kill me if I'm late!" Natsu cried out, throwing his boxers off to get into the shower.

Only fifteen minutes later, Natsu all but collapsed entering the Café.

"Are you okay Master? You look exhausted… did you sleep well?" Virgo greeted him with a small smile which Natsu returned.

"Yeah, I slept alright… only woke up about fifteen minutes ago, though, so I can understand it if I look tired" Natsu replied.

Virgo frowned, "Master, I had no idea you were such a tardy person… oh well, the ladies are waiting in the usual booth and I'll bring your food over as soon as it's ready".

Natsu sighed in relief and headed over to the booth; when he saw the girls, he was tempted to slowly back out and leave the café immediately.

Glaring daggers between each other, Mirajane and Erza did not seem very happy with one another, and all the students in the café looked nervous… like a live bomb was standing in the middle of the café… which It might as well be.

"Natsu, I see you've arrived" Erza muttered.

"Took you long enough… sit down!" Mirajane growled at him, and the two resumed their glaring at one another.

Natsu gulped and sat down.

Silence stretched as the two girls continued to stab the other with their eyes.

"So, I'm guessing you guys have already talked?" Natsu asked the obvious, breaking the uncomfortable silence.

Erza sighed and looked at Natsu with softer eyes, "Yes, I figured it would be best to get it out of the way as soon as possible".

Mirajane grunts, "Oh yeah? I don't even see why this is an issue anymore; Natsu is my boyfriend, so don't you dare even think of stealing him Erza!".

Erza scoffs, "You two barely know each other! You've been dating for a few weeks, sure, but that gives you no right to speak of him as though he is your property!" Erza spat the last word out.

Mirajane laughs, "You just want him for yourself!".

"Of course, I do!" Erza screamed at the blonde, "You know how I was raised… there wasn't any love between me and my mother… I have never known what it is like to be loved!" Erza began screeching, "So how did you think I would feel, when a strong, powerful man like Natsu, who cares for me… who loves me… came along… answer me!"

Natsu blinked at this. This is how she feels about it?

Mirajane meanwhile, was biting her lower lip in discomfort.

"I know full well what your life is like outside of Academy Island Erza… I've seen it, haven't I? But It gives you no right to steal someone I love just as much" Mirajane muttered in a simmer.

Erza shakes her head, "You act as though I've already stolen him".

"Haven't you? If he were to choose, I'm sure he'll pick you" Mirajane growls.

Surprisingly, Erza laughed, confusing both Mirajane and Natsu.

"What's so funny?" Mirajane asked, genuinely curious.

Ceasing her laughter, Erza sighed and said, "Mirajane… when I invited Natsu to spend last night with me… he said no… because he didn't want to hurt you".

Mirajane looked at Natsu, "Really?"

Natsu nods, "Yeah… I love both of you, I'll admit it even if it makes me sound like a pervert… but I can't stand to hurt the people I love".

Mirajane frowns, 'Both of us? Well… that might change things".

Natsu frowns, "What does that mean?"

Mirajane shook her head and turned to Erza, "Looks like the food is ready, I suggest we finish it, and then Erza… you and me are going to talk… alone".

Erza looked up at this, and realised that Mirajane had the same thoughts as her when Natsu said he loved the both of them.

"Understood… It's worth thinking about at least" Erza agreed.

Natsu looked on, not sure if he was safe… or in even worse danger; some would say danger.

…..

"What are those two talking about in there?" Natsu wondered aloud as he left the café along with the girls who were staying for another cup of coffee.

"You look troubled Natsu" a familiar voice spoke behind Natsu.

Natsu smiled and turned around to the person he knew would be there.

"Hey Hisui… glad to see a somewhat sane person around here" Natsu muttered somewhat relieved.

Hisui frowned, "What's up?"

Natsu shook his head, "It's Erza and Mira… as we speak they're probably fighting over who gets to date me".

"What was that!" Hisui growled, grabbing Natsu by the front of his shirt, "They don't get it! You don't belong to either of them!".

Natsu gulped, "Uh… Hisui, would you mind… letting go of me?"
Hisui blinked and looked at her hand, which was shaking as it held Natsu by the shirt.

Letting go, she clears her throat, "Sorry about that Natsu… got a little carried away there".

Natsu nods, "It's okay… just try to keep a lid on it, okay?"

Hisui nods, "Yeah, you're right… you're always right… listen, I… I got to walk off some of this anger… cool down, you know?" Hisui says before walking to the park without another word.

Natsu blinked at her as she walked away, "So If I don't belong to Erza or Mirajane… who do I belong to?"

…..

"So, let us get the situation straight Erza" Mirajane said as she took a sip and watched Natsu leave the café, "I love Natsu, you love Natsu, Natsu loves both of us, and you and me are best friends".

Erza nods, "That's about the sum of it… I suppose you're thinking along the same lines as me?"
Mirajane nods, "I think so… but it's dangerous, I can think of at least five other girls who are interested in Natsu, and I'm sure as time goes by there will be others… there's just something about him that is irresistible… the danger is… others might think they can do it too".

Erza smiles, 'Yes, I see your point and it does possess some method of validation… however, I'm sure between the two of us, we can ward off anyone else".

Mirajane smiles, "Yes, I suppose we can".

…..

Natsu was just walking around when the sound of smacking bamboo caught his ears.

Searching quickly for the source, Natsu watched as two Kendo Swordsmen from the Club duel each other; the two were alone, wrapped in their gear.

Watching them, it was over half an hour before they stopped and took off their helmets.

One of them was Kagura, Captain of the Kendo Club, with her raven black hair and piercing eyes, her serene and solemn beauty was something to behold.

The other girl was a first year; she seemed a little quirky, with her hair shaped into cat ears, and what he believed was war paint on her cheeks.

"You're improving Milliana, I'm certain that by the end of the year, you will be one of the best in our club… maybe you'll even make captain after I leave" Kagura complimented the girl as they drank water.

The girl, Milliana, smiled and giggled, "Thanks Kagura, for all this extra training and everything".

Kagura smiles, "No problem, I'll see you at club practise tomorrow".

Milliana picks up her gear, waves goodbye and leaves for the changing rooms.

Natsu decided to approach Kagura now while he had the chance.

"Hey Kagura, been doing well?" Natsu smiled at her as he approached.

Kagura smiled kindly at him, "Enjoy watching?"
Natsu stuttered in a step before laughing, "You saw me? Guess I'm losing my touch".

Kagura smiled mischievously, "Either that… or someone wanted to be seen".

Natsu smiled; truth is, he didn't know if it was an actual accident on his part, or he purposely let her see him… but he liked playing around.

"Perhaps so… I take it you've been offering the Cat-girl some extra training?" Natsu asked her.

Kagura blinked, "Cat-girl? I suppose you're talking about Milliana… yes, she asked me if I could help her with her training… she has a lot of potential so of course I accepted".

Natsu nods, "You're a very kind person Kagura, you know that?"

Kagura smiles, "Do I detect a hint of a flirt there?"

Natsu chuckles, "Yeah, I should really learn not to do that so much; I swear I do it subconsciously whenever I see a pretty girl".

Kagura raises an eyebrow, and it took Natsu a second to realise why.

"I did it again" Natsu sighed.

Kagura laughs, "You're sweet Natsu, and who knows? Maybe one day you and I will get to… know… each other better… but right now, I need a shower, and I've still got homework to do, so I'll leave you here".

Natsu nods and turns to leave, "Okay then Kagura… I'll see you around".

With that, Natsu walked off to try and find something else to do.

…..

Natsu was beginning to make his way back to his room when he saw a familiar girl with short black hair sitting in the grass in the park separating the boy's and girl's dormitories.

"Hey Ultear!" Natsu called out to her as he approached her.

Ultear looks up and sighs when she realises who it was.

"You again? What do you want?" Ultear mutters when Natsu got close enough to hear.

Natsu smiles at her, "Just wanted to say hi… what are you doing here alone?"

Ultear looks at him in the eyes and sighs, resigning herself, "Very well… sit down" she says patting a spot on the ground next to her.

Natsu takes his seat next to Ultear and looks at her, waiting for her to begin.

"I decided I'm going to speak to my mother" Ultear mutters to Natsu.

"That's awesome!" Natsu exclaims happily.

Ultear shakes her head, "I don't know why I should even give her a chance… she gave me up when I was only a baby, so why should she have any right to even speak to me?"

Natsu shrugs his shoulders, "I don't know… she is your blood, and I'm sure you don't want to live on, not really knowing your own mother… it would be far too lonely for my liking".

Ultear nods, "I see… you might have a point… I just hope I don't regret it".

Natsu presses his lips together, thinking. Finally, he came up with a decision.

"Ultear, what if I came with you when you speak with her… It might be a good idea to have a friend with you".

Ultear looks at him side-ways as though he were a bug.

"I mean… we are friends, right?" Natsu asked her.

Ultear groans, "Fine… I suppose you coming wouldn't be too bad of an idea".

Natsu nods, "That's good… so when are you going to speak with her?"

Ultear thinks for a moment before saying, "How does tomorrow after school sound?"
Natsu smiles, "The sooner it's done, the sooner you can get this off your chest".

Ultear smiles for the first time that Natsu can recall, "Yes… It'll be good to get this over and done with".

…..

"Where have you been? We've been waiting for over an hour!" Mirajane interrogated Natsu when he walked back inside his room shortly after his talk with Ultear.

Mirajane, it seemed, had been standing waiting by the door for him to arrive whilst Erza sat lazily upon the leather sofa in the living area.

"Sorry, decided to take a walk and try and think" Natsu muttered in reply, taking his shoes off at the door.

Hands on hips, Mirajane frowned, "Is that so? So why could we see you talking to that first-year girl Ultear from the window?"

Natsu took a step back, "You can see the centre of the park from here?"

Mirajane groaned and rolled her eyes, "Yes Natsu, it's surprising you didn't know that since you live here".

"Mirajane, let him be, I'm sure it was just a passing conversation… it had better be" Erza added the last a bit sternly toward Natsu; Natsu gulped.

"Ultear has been having some… mother issues… I'm going to help her, that's all" Natsu said quietly.

Mirajane seemed to lose a little tension, "Well… I suppose, that's alright… so are you ready to talk with us now?"

Natsu nods and takes a seat opposite of Erza and Mirajane who sat next to each other.

"So, what's happening?" Natsu enquired.

Mirajane and Erza took a look at the other before Erza replies, "We want you to think this through first Natsu… you have four options".

"Four?" Natsu asked.

Mirajane nodded, "The first is that you decide to be with me… and only me".

Natsu nods.

Erza continues, "The second is the same… except with me".

Natsu nods, now wondering what this third option was… although the side of his brain that held his perverted side had an idea… and for once it was correct.

"The third option is" Mirajane started and Erza finished, "that we share you… mutually".

Natsu sighed; it wasn't often that part of him was correct.

"We want you to think about it first Natsu" Mirajane told him.

Natsu nods, "I do already have an answer".

Mirajane and Erza shook their heads simultaneously, and as though they had rehearsed it (which they may have) they both spoke, "No Natsu… think about it".

Natsu looks at them for a moment before he nods, "Okay… how long do I have to think it over?"

"We decided until the end of school tomorrow" Mirajane replied.

"If you can't decide… then option four, which will be compulsory if you can't decide… is that you don't have either of us… Mirajane and I don't want to lose our friendship over a guy… even if it is you" Erza added.

With those words, Mirajane and Erza stood up and left, but before they did so, Mirajane had a last word, "Remember Natsu… you said you love both of us, so be sure that no matter what… don't pick option four".

With those dooming words the girls left him, cold in the decision that he now had just over twenty-four hours to decide.

…..

It was now Monday, and all that Natsu could do was brood over the decision he had to make or stare at Ur Milkovich, knowing he would be talking to her over something very serious later that day.

As the bell tolled the end of classes, Natsu left to go to the boys and girl's toilets on the third floor, where he would meet Ultear.

When he arrived, Ultear was already pacing in front of the restrooms.

"You're here… that's good" Ultear said, sounding a little nervous.

Natsu nodded, "Are you ready?"

Ultear nods, and the pair begin to walk off toward Ur Milkovich's office.

On the way, however, Natsu decided to seek out some advice.

"Ultear… I'd like your advice" Natsu spoke up.

Ultear looks at him side-ways, "Oh? What could it be?"

Natsu shook his head, "I have a decision I have to make in just a couple hours… it's a big one".

Ultear appeared interested, "What is it?"
"I am in love with two women… they both know it… they both love me… and they've given me four choices to make" Natsu started.

Ultear laughs, "Two women? You're screwed… who are they?"

"Mirajane Strauss and Erza Scarlet" Natsu replied.

Ultear grew silent, "Those two? How could you love those two? I mean sure, they're beautiful, but Mirajane seems a little… odd… at times, and Erza is… need I say more?" Ultear pointed out, making Natsu laugh.

"Yes, you have a point… but love isn't ever based on such petty things" Natsu replied.

Ultear smiles, "The options?"

"Option one; Mirajane… option two; Erza… option three; we share… option four; if I can't decide, then I lose both of them" Natsu says.

"My advice is to definitely decide on one of the first three then" Ultear remarks with a smirk.

"I already knew that… but I can't… I mean, option three is pretty obvious, but… shouldn't I pick one of them? I will have to eventually in my life" Natsu says.

"That's true… but nowadays in our world it's okay to have multiple wives… listen, they love you… you love them… what more is there to think about?" Ultear explains to him.

Natsu nods, "I'll think on that Ultear… but for now, we're here" he says as they both stop at a door with a name carved into the top with magic 'Ur Milkovich, Teacher'.

"Here we go then" Ultear says, turning the handle.

…..

The silver clock upon the marble mantle of the blazing fireplace ticked loudly in the awkward silence stretching in the space of Ur Milkovich's office.

Ur sat behind her large oak desk, twiddling with her thumbs, not sure what to do or say.

Ultear, with her hooded eyes, staring into the sunlit day outside of the glass panes of the only window in the office, large as it was in the shape of an arch.

Natsu felt out of place… like an odd sock, staring into nothing, the space between atoms… that place you stare at when you try and forget your surroundings.

Ur clears her throat, "So… Ultear… I'm happy you've decided… to see me" she said evenly with many spaces, trying her best at a calm composure.

Ultear snorts, "Really? Where's your smile dear mother".

Ur sighs, "I'm sorry… it's just… I never expected this to be so…"

"Awkward?" Ultear suggested, and after a second, Ur nodded.

"Shall I begin by saying… I am sorry, for leaving you" Ur asked.

Scoffing, Ultear says scathingly, "You better be sorry… fifteen years I spent in that orphanage… fifteen… and not once did I see you come back, even when you were ready for kids a year after I was born… why didn't you come back for me?"

Ur shook her head, "I… I wasn't ready".

"You decided to adopt two boys a year after you abandoned me! Don't give me that shit! You weren't ready? Why did you go to a different orphanage? Why not just come back to me and take me back?" Ultear seethed.

Ur shook her head, "I… I don't know… I was young and I… couldn't think well enough to make proper decisions".

Ultear laughs, "That's so rich! You were sixteen… sixteen years old when you gave birth to me… now I can understand if you weren't ready…. But as it happens, I think you were ready to raise a child… the only thing you weren't ready for, was responsibility! But when you decided you were ready, you didn't come for me… you went off to have two boys as your children instead!"

"Ultear, I said I was sorry" Ur began, but Ultear intervened.

"You don't get it… why would you ever? I'm sixteen right now, just as you were… and if I had a daughter… I would never leave her side".

Ur began to cry, "You don't understand! Your father- ".

"Oh? My father? Yes, another person I can yell at… where is he now? Where does he get off leaving me behind as well?" Ultear seethed.

Ur was silent for a while before saying, "I can't tell you that… I cannot tell you who he is, or why I cannot".

Ultear begins to laugh, "There you go again… the next time you get Gray to beg me to see you… and talk to you… I'm going to focus my magic on his brain".

Ur looks up shocked at this, "You wouldn't".

Ultear smiles, "Oh? Don't think I'm above cruelty? You didn't raise me… otherwise I might have been above such things".

With those words, Ultear stamps out of the office.

Natsu gulps as he stands up, "I'm sorry Milkovich Sensei… she has no reason to threaten anyone but… she has every right to be angry with you… your explanation… makes no sense".

Ur looks up at her star student, "Is that so? Perhaps it would… if I could explain everything… but I cannot… I'm sorry".

Natsu nods and leaves the room, closing the door behind him.

Surprisingly, Ultear was waiting for him.

"You agree with me then?" Ultear asks him as the door clicks shut.

Natsu nods, "She's hiding something about your father… he's the key behind all of this… we need to find out who he is, and what your mother is hiding".

Ultear nods, "I agree… so you'll help?"

Natsu nods, "Yes I'll help".

The two begin to walk away, when a question occurs to Natsu.

"Ultear… before you said that you would use your magic on Gray's brain… what exactly is your magic?"

Ultear laughs, "My magic is time… If I used it on Gray's brain… he could be little more than a babbling baby in a sixteen-year-old boy's body".

Natsu laughs, "Here's hoping your mother doesn't send him to beg you anymore… or should we hope she does? Imagine it… a stripper with the mind of a baby"

The pair of them laughing, Natsu nearly forgot the decision he had to make in just a few short hours.

Authors' Note – Well I'll leave it there; what I wanted to get done will take at least another 2000 words, and I tend to make my chapters around 4000 words for this story, so I will finish the 'Decision' next chapter… hey… that's a good name for a chapter. As always, be sure to leave your thoughts in the comments section below.