Fiore Academy
Chapter Eight – The Decision
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 – After spending weeks working on the completion of the Flame of Life's first book, I am now ready to start working on Fiore Academy. It had been a while since I worked on this, so I decided to take the opportunity to edit the story thus far; nothing special, just grammar and spelling and whatnot, so no need to re-read it all. I'm also telling you this to warn you that will get seven story announcements in one go sometime soon… it's just the edits. Now that is out of the way, lets continue with Fiore Academy, where we left off at Natsu's decision and Ultear's and Ur's confrontation.
After the meeting with her mum, Ultear decided to treat Natsu to a meal as a way of saying thank you. So, there they were, sitting in a booth in the café, as Natsu scoffed down his meal whilst Ultear played with hers with a fork, smouldering over what had happened earlier.
Once Natsu was finished, he realised Ultear wasn't eating.
"What's wrong Ultear… don't like the food?" he asked her.
Ultear shakes her head, "Food is fine… I'm just not hungry after what happened with Ur".
Natsu nods; he understood what it was like to have parent issues.
Ultear sighs, "She just doesn't understand; she abandons me with the excuse of 'she wasn't ready', but a year later she adopts those two brats, Gray and Lyon… why didn't she just come back for me?"
Natsu shrugged, "I don't know… she did start mentioning something about your father… she's definitely hiding something there".
Ultear nods in agreement, "Yeah, that's for sure… but I don't even know his name… he isn't on my birth certificate, and Ur doesn't want to talk about him… it's very strange".
Natsu puts on a thoughtful expression, "Listen Ultear, I don't want you to bite my head off when I say this, but… what if there is a valid reason Ur Sensei couldn't raise you?"
Ultear doesn't get angry, instead she sighs, "Maybe there is… doesn't change the fact that she's lying to cover her ass".
Natsu laughs, "Yeah, I suppose you're right… but If it does turn out that there is a good reason for all of this… do you think you'd give her a chance after that?"
Ultear smiles at Natsu, "Maybe… I just don't know Natsu, not until the reason is known… there is a chance, I will say that much".
Natsu grins, "Good… because like I've said before; you don't want to live your life not knowing your own mother".
Ultear frowns, "The way you say that… it's like you know what it's like".
Natsu looks up, "What do you mean by that?"
Ultear smirks, "I mean dimwit… you don't have a mother do you?"
Natsu loses his smile and frowns; was it that obvious?
Ultear smiles, "I see… I guess that's why you're so bad with girls".
Natsu puts on a confused face, "What does that have to do with anything?"
Ultear waves a hand, "Never mind… listen, I think I'm going to go… I need to think things over".
Natsu nods, and after the pair say farewell, Ultear leaves.
Ultear's words cut deep into Natsu, bringing up old memories he preferred stay buried.
…..
Twelve years ago, Dragneel Estate
Natsu ran through the halls of the east wing of Dragneel Estate, trying to run faster with every step he took. Breath escaped his lungs faster and harder with every metre he ran on his small legs. He had to get there… before it was too late.
He reached the door he was looking for and immediately charged in… once inside, he halted, staring at the scene before him.
Surrounding a large canopied bed that was dressed in red silk, were maids and doctors. Standing close to the bed were two familiar people; Natsu's father and his brother, Zeref.
Laying in the bed was none other than Natsu's mother, pale and sickly looking, she coughs as she stares at her youngest son in the doorway.
"Mother!" Natsu screams out, running to her side. He clasps her closest hand in both of his small hands and begins to cry at the sight of his mother.
"Natsu" his mother sighs, "What are you doing here?"
Natsu sobs harder, and his father places a hand on his shoulder to try and comfort him, "I heard what was happening… they say… they say you're going to die… soon" Natsu sobs out.
Natsu's mother smiles sadly at her young son, "I won't lie… It's true… I'm not going to be here for much longer".
Natsu cries harder, "No! You can't die… not now… not ever!"
His brother comes up to him and wraps an arm around his shoulders.
"Don't talk like that Natsu" Zeref begins to say, "All living things die in time… it just so happens now is the time for our mother".
Natsu shakes his head defiantly, "NO! She can't die… she can't die!"
Natsu's mother looks on him endearingly, "I'm sorry I won't be there for you… when you grow up… I'm sorry… for losing all the time we could've had".
Natsu cries harder with each word that passes his mothers' dying lips.
"But listen… I will always be there for you… I will always be looking out for you… and I will never forget you" his mother sighs.
Natsu cries as those words leave his mothers' mouth… for they were her last.
…..
Natsu comes out of his memories and feels a tear on his cheek.
Quickly wiping it away, Natsu calls to Virgo, "Check please!".
…..
Natsu walked up to his door, where he knew Mirajane and Erza would be waiting on the other side.
Taking a deep breath to brace for what was coming, he opens the door.
Walking in, Natsu quickly takes his shoes off and walks into the living area, where Mirajane and Erza seemed to have been waiting for him quietly.
"Welcome home Natsu, we expected you here earlier" Mirajane says plainly to Natsu as he takes a seat opposite them.
Natsu giggles slightly, "Yeah, sorry about that… I mentioned before that I was helping Ultear with some mother issues… we just went to see her".
Erza frowns, "Ur Sensei if I'm correct… how did it go?"
Natsu shakes his head, "Not so well… not that I can blame it for going that way; Ultear wants answers, answers which Ur Sensei is hiding… I find it pathetic how Ur Sensei thinks things can go smoothly this way".
Mirajane sighs, "Still… I hope they work it out".
Natsu nods, "Yeah… so do I" he says whilst remembering his own mother and all the time they'd lost.
Erza nods, "Very well… now let's get to the other matter at hand".
Natsu looks up to see the two girls both staring at him.
Natsu takes a breath before beginning, "Very well… I have thought hard, and you can definitely rule out option four".
The two girls smile; they weren't sure how they'd end up if it ended up being option four.
"So, your decision is?" Erza asks.
Natsu smiles as he stands up and begins to pace slowly, "A couple hours ago, I felt that I needed to pick either option one or two, because in the end, I figured I would need to eventually, no matter what".
The two girls nod and Natsu continues, "But I guess you guys can thank Ultear… she helped me see that If I picked option three, I don't have to pick one of you girls eventually… I could live on with the both of you".
Mirajane blinks, "Are you saying what I think you're saying Natsu?"
Natsu smiles and nods, "Yeah… my choice is option three… from now on, I will love the both of you the same and with all my heart".
Mirajane immediately hops up and hugs Natsu, before pushing his head down and kissing him. Held in each other's embrace, time seemed fluid as they passionately kissed… time only returned to normal when Erza cleared her throat loudly, bringing them out of the others' lost embrace.
Erza stands as the pair turn toward her.
"What's the matter Erza?" Mirajane asks.
Erza smiles, "Well… I just thought it was no fun watching you two make out is all".
Mirajane raises an eyebrow, "You saying you want a go?"
Natsu looks at Mirajane with a serious frown, "What am I? A toy? A toy to be passed around?"
Mirajane places a finger to his lips, "Remember… you agreed to this".
Natsu rolls his eyes and says, "I did… but you could say it a bit nicer, couldn't you?"
The girls laugh and Erza grabs a hold of Natsu's collar, surprising him.
"Erza! Not so rough!" Natsu complained, but was stopped from further words by Erza's lips as she crashed them upon his own. Quickly, Erza broke the kiss and said, "Enough words… more action".
Returning to her ravaging of Natsu's lips, Natsu returned in kind, and before it was known to anybody, Erza and Natsu seemed to have created a new sport, an even mix of fighting and kissing.
Breaking from their kiss finally, and in heated breaths, the two begin to laugh softly at the other.
Mirajane walks up to the pair and wraps her arms around the both of them, "I'm so glad we're all together now… what do you guys say we go out for dinner later?"
Erza smiles, "Sounds good… but for now, I need to return to the Council Room… I need to look over our supply sheets, make sure we have- "Erza began to say, before she was interrupted by Mirajane as she kissed her best friend.
Natsu felt like someone electrocuted his brain as he watched his two girlfriends begin to make out, not sure how to perceive this event. He had expected the two girls to get… closer… through this three-way relationship… but he wasn't expecting this so soon.
Finally breaking from their kiss, Erza looked a little confused, making Mirajane laugh.
"Silly, we're sharing the same guy… might as well share each other" Mirajane says.
Giggling slightly, Erza nods, "Sure… sounds great".
Mirajane smiles, "Now then, enough council talk and just go do it as soon as possible… we have dinner plans".
Erza nods and leaves the two alone.
Natsu takes a deep breath as he takes a seat.
"Thank god! It's over" Natsu says, relieved.
Mirajane cocks her head, "What does that mean exactly?"
Natsu laughs as he looks at her, "Nothing… I'm just glad we're all finally together is all".
Mirajane smiles and cuddles up with Natsu on the couch.
"You know Natsu… we got a few hours to kill… and we're all alone" Mirajane says seductively, "Why don't we begin the celebration a little early hmm?"
Natsu smiles, "Oh yeah? I like the sound of that".
Mirajane laughs as she runs to the bedroom, "Okay then! But remember… you need to save your strength… you're going to need it later on tonight!"
Natsu shakes his head; later on tonight… he could only imagine.
…..
Erza was alone in the council room, checking and double checking the supply sheets, as she had told Natsu and Mirajane.
Natsu… Mirajane, she thought with a smile as she placed the last sheet of paper down.
Erza still could not believe it; she now had a boyfriend… and a girlfriend at that as well. She couldn't help but feel giddy at the prospect of what the three of them were going to do later on tonight.
Her perverted side was interrupted however, by a knock on the door.
Shaking her head of her thoughts, Erza called, "Come in!"
The door opened to reveal Ur Milkovich, the teacher's representative for the ball's organisation party, otherwise known as the student council.
"Good afternoon Erza… I hope you haven't been in here since school finished" Ur greets her.
Erza smiles, "No, I haven't… been an hour I think… how are you Ur Sensei?"
Ur sighs, "Troubled lately… I don't know if I have ever told you this, but I have a daughter… and she started at the academy this year… we have a tricky relationship at the moment".
Erza nods, "I know".
Ur cocks her head to the side in question, and Erza laughs.
"Sensei… you do realise there is a third party involved in your problems, right?"
Ur puts on a dawning face, "I see… so I take it Natsu told you everything? Has he told anyone else?"
Erza shakes her head, "The only people he's told is myself and Mirajane".
Ur nods, "That's good… I prefer to keep it as quiet as possible… you understand the entire situation?"
Erza nods, "I understand it well enough. Why?"
Ur shakes a hand to ward off the question, "It's okay… I just wondered how much you knew is all" Ur sighs, "Can I ask you something?"
Erza nods, and Ur continues, "Am I in the wrong? If you were a third party like Natsu… which I now suppose you are… whose side would you be on?"
Erza shakes her head, "First of all Sensei, don't think of it as though it's a battle that needs to be won… as for my opinion of the situation… you're hiding something Sensei, and Natsu and Ultear know it as well… that is perhaps the main reason Ultear is angry with you".
Ur nods, "Perhaps… then in that case, she'll be angry at me forever".
Erza sighs exhaustingly, "Seriously? Is what you have to hide so important, you would jeopardise your relationship with your daughter?"
Ur frowns at Erza, "I know you are regarded as more than a student Erza Scarlet… but I am still a teacher, so watch your tongue… for your answer however… yes, it is that important, because I will tell you one thing Erza and perhaps you can tell Natsu to pass it on to my daughter while you're at it… If I tell her the truth, she will die!"
Erza feels taken aback at Ur's words, "Very well Sensei… and I apologise for my rudeness".
Ur waves a hand dismissing the matter, "Now that is out of the way… how are the plans coming along?"
Erza was about to begin when another knock came at the open door. Erza looked up to see if another teacher, or perhaps a council member had come… who did come however, turned her face pale.
His blue hair was longer than the last she had seen of it, and the intricate tattoo upon his cheek was as unsettling as ever… and his eyes… they were what always unsettled her the most.
"Can we help you?" Ur asks him and he chuckles.
"Forgive the intrusion… I did not expect a teacher to be here" the man says, and Erza shudders as each poisonous word passes his lips, "I came here to see Erza".
Ur frowns and turns to Erza, "Do you know his man?"
Erza nods, "I do… it's been a long time… Jellal".
Jellal laughs, "That long? I suppose two years is a while isn't it Erza? You don't sound very happy to see me".
Erza grits her teeth.
Ur notices how edgy Erza was and whispers to her, "Would you like me to stay?"
Erza's eyes flitter towards Ur, and she whispers back, "No… I can handle him… he won't try anything".
Ur nods; she did not know what relationship Erza had with this man, Jellal… but she could see it was not good.
"Very well… Erza, I will speak to you tomorrow about the preparations… Master Jellal… it was… a pleasure" Ur farewells the pair and leaves.
Jellal smiles poisonously at Ur's back as she leaves, "Frustrating woman… coming here when I wanted to see you my dear".
"Don't speak to me or Ur Sensei like that!" Erza growls, hands firm upon the table, "What do you want Jellal?"
Jellal shrugs his shoulders, "Only to see you my dear Erza… why else" Jellal smirks, "Although, another reason could be that I've come to claim you at last".
Erza grits her teeth, "That marriage was arranged when we were children! I was barely out of diapers! You want to bring that up now, you snake?!"
Jellal laughs, "It's good to have fire Erza… but I'll be sure to quench that out of you once our vows are made".
Erza begins to seethe, "So… you came here to antagonise me… is that it?"
Jellal laughs harder, "Antagonise you? Heaven's no… I wouldn't dream of it… just thought I'd warn you that I will be coming to this delightful ball of yours is all".
Erza looks up stunned; Jellal was coming? He hated balls… the only reason he would come would be if…
Jellal sees the look in Erza's eyes, and knows she has come to realise his true intentions.
"Indeed Erza" Jellal says, startling Erza, "I have indeed come to claim you… I plan to discuss the matter with your mother personally, at the ball".
Erza remains quiet as Jellal begins to leave, laughing, "One last thing Erza… if I see you with that pink haired idiot again… I'll kill him".
Erza laughs, startling Jellal, "What is it?" he asks her.
Erza stops her laughter, "Kill him? You may be powerful Jellal… but don't speak of killing Natsu as though it would be a small matter… didn't you hear? He beat me in a fight… and I don't think he used everything he had".
Jellal laughs, giving Erza's turn to be startled, "Is that so Erza? Are you basing this all on how powerful I was two years ago? You know me Erza… you know how much more powerful I could become after two years… don't you?"
Jellal leaves, leaving Erza to think things over; Jellal was right… it had been two years ago, and a lot will have changed… was her own power now insignificant to him? She was uncertain of Jellal… and he seemed… darker than when she last saw him… it was in those unsettling eyes.
She wasn't sure what she should do, what she should decide; Love Natsu? Or leave him?
…..
Later on, Erza, Mirajane and Natsu met at the café to have dinner to celebrate their union. Natsu ordered twice as much food as usual, and even Mirajane ordered more than her diet allowed.
However, throughout the dinner, Erza was troubled… which was picked up by Mirajane and Natsu.
"Erza? What's the matter? Aren't you happy?" Mirajane asked her, Natsu nodding agreement.
Erza shakes her head, "I am… really, I am… it's just".
Erza left her sentence unfinished, leaving Mirajane and Natsu worried.
"Erza… tell us what's wrong" Natsu requested Erza.
Erza sighs and looks up at the pair; her best friend turned lover and her crush turned lover… she couldn't lie to them… but she couldn't tell Natsu.
"Are you finished eating Mirajane?" Erza asks Mirajane softly.
Mirajane looks at her plate, a little food left. Shaking her head, Mirajane replies, "Yeah, I'm done".
Erza nods, "Natsu, If you don't mind, I'd like to take a walk with Mirajane before we go back to your room".
Natsu looks from Mirajane to Erza, before nodding, "Sure thing… I just hope everything is okay".
Erza nods and turns to Mirajane, "Let's go Mirajane".
…..
The moonlight lit up the cobblestone path through the park as Mirajane and Erza walked hand in hand. The night was quiet and a little unsettling… like Erza's heart.
"So, Erza, tell me what's wrong" Mirajane asks her friend.
Erza shakes her head, "It's a disaster Mirajane… do you remember me telling you about Jellal?"
Mirajane looks up at this, "Jellal? Your fiancé?"
Erza nods and Mirajane continues, "I remember… I also remember you saying not even a day ago, that you don't care about the promise your parents made to Jellal's… you wanted to marry Natsu".
Erza nods, "I know that… and that isn't exactly the issue… the issue is… he came to see me today".
Mirajane grips Erza's hand more firmly, "Were you okay? You always said Jellal gave you the creeps".
Erza nods, "I was okay… but he came with news".
"What news was that?"
"He said he was in Academy City for the ball, and whilst he's here, he's going to speak to my mother about marrying me as soon as possible" Erza told her best friend.
Mirajane walks in front of Erza and into her face, "You can't do that Erza… you can't marry that snake".
Erza laughs, "I will have little choice if he convinces my mother… but that isn't all".
"What else is there?" Mirajane asks her.
"He made a threat" Erza says frowning, "That if I kept seeing Natsu, he would kill him".
Mirajane was silent for a few moments before saying, "You're worried about Natsu? How strong is Jellal?"
Erza laughs bitterly, "Incredibly strong… in the two years since we last met, he's become a Captain of the Knights of the Red Cross… that should tell you enough, but not only that, he is also ranked fourth among the Captains… might as well say he's the fifth strongest wizard in the world".
Mirajane leans up to Erza and kisses her, surprising Erza.
For a blissful moment, the two connected lips, before Mirajane took a step back, "You're forgetting something Erza".
Erza blinks, "And what's that?"
"If Natsu cannot fight this guy alone… then the two of us will help him" Mirajane says with a smirk.
Erza stands there, mouth agape, "You don't understand Mirajane… even the three of us may not be a match for him".
Mirajane laughs, "And so what? We die together, that's what… better that then letting him tear the three of us apart".
Erza smiles sadly at her lover; she knew she would react like this… and it did help her own spirits some.
Mirajane sighs, "Listen Erza… you have a decision to make here… a big one… live a happy life… or a sad yet safer one… it's your decision".
Mirajane grabs Erza by the hand and leads her toward the boys' dormitories. All the while Erza, thought over Mirajane's words; the decision of her life.
Authors' Note – I'm gonna delay the Erza lemon for the time being… I strive for plot more than lemons, and right now isn't the right time for an Erza lemon. So perverts out there? Don't look forward to a lemon between Natsu and Erza until later on… by my estimation about chapters 18 or 19. Anyway, this chapter will be uploaded with two other chapters, so read on my readers… continue to read my dribble!