Natsu was not happy when he found out that Laxus had been officially banished from the guild, yelling in protest until eventually we managed to calm him down. He was just always so fired up, that boy had far too much energy. Leaning back against a table for a while, I relaxed in the atmosphere of the guild until Cana came and sat down next to me. "Man this sucks, at this rate I'm going to be alone forever." Cana complained as she dropped down into the seat at the table I was leaning against, holding a rather large barrel of alcohol to herself to drink deeply. "Lucy's gonna have a fateful encounter today…I'm so jealous."

"You talking about getting yourself a boyfriend again, Cana?" I asked her as I patted her back. "You know you always get bored with them after a few weeks, you just want company and not the commitment. Am I right?"

"Exactly!" She grinned drunkenly at me so I ruffled her hair as she gave a hiccup, blushing heavily from the alcohol in her body. Yawning, Cana shifted closer and rested her head in my lap as I swivelled myself around and placed my feet on the bench so that she could rest for a bit. "A girl has needs, you know…" Gently stroking back her hair, Cana started to snore after falling asleep. The rest of the guild was in total chaos, people rushing around to get ready for that reported from Sorcerer Weekly who was coming to interview us members.

Even Erza seemed excited, emerging from the distant shell she had placed around herself and applying makeup whilst wearing a beautiful dress. I'm not sure what was going on with my sister, but something had been bothering her since the Fantasia Parade. She's more reclusive and quieter than usual, sitting alone and sometimes wouldn't even talk to me because she was too deep in her thoughts. Ever since I got back, I know that there's something weighing heavily on her mind, but until I can get her to open up, there's nothing I'd be able to do to help her. She can be so stubborn sometimes, it's part of the reason why she, Natsu and Gray get along so well.

"You not getting ready for the reporter, Zera?" Mirajane asked me sweetly as she carried around a tray of empty flagons. "Oh my, isn't Cana cute?" Giggling softly, I agreed with a smile.

"She sure is, and no, I don't really see the need. I think I look just fine the way I am, I'm very confident in my looks." Flicking a hand through the shorter locks of my hair, I then chuckled. "Just kidding."

"You do look just fine as you are, Zera, don't be bashful. I think you could easily be one of the prettiest girls in Fairy Tail." Mirajane told me and I stuttered, blushing awkwardly as I scratched the back of my head.

"Of course not, Mira, you're far prettier than I am…and any way, it's not about someone's outward appearance, it's the inside that counts…" Giggling again, Mirajane gave my cheek a light pinch, telling me how adorable I was when I was embarrassed before moving along. It wasn't often someone told me that I was very pretty, so her words were deeply valued. With so many gorgeous women in Fairy Tail, it was almost impossible to determine who was the most beautiful. To be honest, it all depended on a person's personal opinion.

Giving a sleepy snort, Cana mumbled in her sleep and brought my attention back to her. I chuckled to myself, stroking her hair once more and continued like that until the actual reporter arrived. I recognised him, it was Jason. It had been a while since he'd come here to take photos and do interviews, he looked so excited to be here. Cana woke up a little at Jason's disturbance, complaining about the noise and naturally reaching for a drink so I quickly replaced her alcohol with a drink of water which she didn't even notice as she guzzled it down.

"Wow! I can't believe this, it's Erza's younger twin sister Zera and she's with Cana!" Jason yelled, rushing over and took numerous photos of the two of us as I blinked in surprise at first before I tilted back my head with a smile.

"Hey there Jason, it's been a while. How're you doing?"

"So cool! Hey Zera, do you mind answering a few questions? Is it true that you and Erza don't agree on the best flavour of cake?" I had to laugh, giggling softly behind my hand as Cana fell asleep on my lap once more, snoring even louder than before.

"Well, my sister says that strawberry cake is the best but my favourite is chocolate. It's a subject we've never been able to agree on." I answered him with a lift of my hand and winked at him, touching a finger to my lips. "But between us, chocolate cake is definitely the best."

"So cool!" Scribbling down everything at once Jason was then off again, racing off when he noticed Gray and Juvia with Lucy hurrying after him, desperately trying to get Jason's attention but the guy was so distracted with his old favourites and heroes, Lucy went completely unnoticed. Poor Lucy, she looked so despondent and defeated. At least Jason was having a good time, though he doesn't seem to understand that getting between Natsu and Gajeel when they were fighting was not a good idea. The guy got smacked by two attacks at once but still had a rather scary grin on his face even as he rolled away.

"This guild is just full of weirdoes." I murmured to myself as Cana snorted again, drooling in her sleep so I grimaced. Gross, she's drooling all over me. "Pull yourself together Cana! Come on, at least try and sober up a little. Hang in there." Giving her a shake, I took Cana to the ladies' room in order to help her recover a little, splashing her face with water before then putting her to bed in the infirmary to sleep it off. Things had calmed down by the time I walked back into the guild hall, Jason having recovered from his ordeal and was now interviewing everyone else, so my eyes naturally travelled over to Erza who was standing alone against a pillar, frowning and deep in thought. "Big sis? You're all on your own again. Won't you tell me what's troubling you?"

"Oh Zera." Waking up, Erza blinked a few times before looking away. "There's nothing the matter, I was just deep in thought for a moment." Not believing her for a single second, I folded my arms and arched an eyebrow at her.

"You always look away when you lie to me, big sis. Unless you tell me what's going on then I won't be able to help you." Moving closer I clasped my hands behind my back and leaned down so that I could turn my face up to look at her. "Has someone hurt your feelings? Did something happen whilst I was away? Come on Erza, you can tell me anything, I'm your sister after all." Finally allowing herself to smile, Erza pulled me into her hard breastplate and crushed me in her arms with all her strength.

"My baby sister is just too cute, you're so worried about me? I'm so lucky, having a little sister like you is all the good fortune that I need." She gushed over me, ranting on about how she missed it when we were smaller and she'd carry me everywhere on her back and how we used to take baths together all the time. Quite honestly I could barely hear her, she was crushing my skull a little too much as she rubbed her cheek against my head. "You don't have to worry about protecting me from anything, Zera, your big sister will always make sure you're safe. If anyone tries to hurt you, I'll slice them into a thousand pieces with my swords and leave them in such devastation, they will never again raise their heads!"

"Um…okay…Erza, that's a little scary. Can I breathe now please?" Hurriedly letting me go, Erza planted her hands on my shoulders to keep me steady as I recovered myself, seeing little birds fluttering around my head before I shook myself down. "So…you're really alright?"

"Of course I am. I'm just a little shaken by what's happened recently. I'll be back to my usual self in no time." She promised me, drawing me back into her arms and this time, hugged me a little more gently. "I really am lucky, you know, to have you as my sister. I don't think I tell you often enough how much I appreciate having you with me. Your smile gives me strength and brings light to my heart." I blinked in bewilderment at the rather deep level of sentimentality Erza was displaying, drawing back to rest our foreheads together before then letting me go. "It's been a long day, I think I'll retire for now."

"Sure, whatever you say big sis." Rubbing my forehead in confusion I watched my sister leave, all the more convinced that she was hiding something from me. Even more worried than before, I turned around and sought out the master. "Grandpa, what's happened with my sister? I can't figure out what her deal is, but I know that something is extremely wrong. She's way too quiet and keeps on going deep into her thoughts, but she won't let me in." I said to him as I approached, going over to the guild bar to sit myself down on one of the stools so that we could talk. "I know you know something, grandpa, so out with it already."

"Hm…" He murmured, taking in a deep breath before exhaling. "It is a difficult situation to explain, and unfortunately it is Erza's choice that she has kept things to herself." Makarov told me however I just pouted at him, leaning closer with a dead serious expression. I wasn't going anywhere until I got some answers and I was fully willing to bribe him.

"I'll buy you each copy of Sorcerer Weekly for the next month." I told him bluntly and instantly master stiffened, eyes sliding across to peer at me curiously. "And I'll also get you a new set of pervy novels that I know you secretly like, the really erotic ones with illustrations." Master Makarov blushed deeply but grinned a little weirdly with a sinister chuckle.

"Well, since you've offered, I'm sure Erza won't mind if I tell you a few of the details." Makarov rubbed his hands together before sighing once again, becoming serious. "Very well, I shall explain things as best I can." Nodding my head I listened intently to Makarov, not wanting to miss a single detail. "When Erza and you first came to this guild, you were both dressed in rags and covered in filth. Neither of you even had shoes, and you were such a small, frail thing." Master recounted, lifting his head as he thought back to that day. "You were both at the point of starvation, so you fainted pretty soon after arriving. It was then that your sister told me a little of where you had come from and the horrors you had endured. Zera, the reason you have such sizeable gaps in your memory is because Erza asked for them to be removed."

"What?" I blanched, shocked at this new revelation. My sister had purposefully asked for my memories to be removed? "Why?"

"Because whatever it was that the two of you endured in the place you had come from, it had traumatised you so deeply that you would not speak, eat or allow anyone to come near you. You were so terrified of the world, and you would have nightmares, such terrible nightmares you would wake up screaming. It was done for your own good, Zera, as a means to protect you from the past." Makarov explained and I felt myself slump, staring into the distance. If this was true, then that meant Erza still remembered, she was enduring all of this on her own. "Recently, the past came back to haunt Erza in the form of an old friend, and the place she had escaped from with you."

"That place…what was it called?"

"The Tower of Heaven." I flinched, though I wasn't sure why. By all means, it sounded like an idyllic place, but for some reason it only brought me a cold sense of dread. "That is all I can say on that matter, however the more recent development is the appearance of a person during the Battle of Fairy Tail. You are aware of Mystogen, correct?"

"Yes, but I've never seen him. No one has." With a soft hum of sound, Master Makarov told me how Erza had seen Mystogen fighting against Laxus, however it had been revealed that he had a face very similar to the person who had caused Erza a great deal of pain in the past. It had shaken her nerves and completely rattled her mind, sending her into a downward spiral which I feared she might not be able to rise from. Pushing off the countertop I raced from the guild without hesitation, rushing past everyone and head straight for Fairy Hills where I lived.

Instead of going to my room, I went straight to find Erza, opening her door and stepping inside. "Big sis?" She wasn't in her bedroom, however I could hear the sound of water running in thick gushes and the occasional sound of it sloshing against the wash basin. Relaxing and giving a smile, I walked to the bathroom and knocked before opening it. "Big sister, mind if I join you?"

"Zera!" Surprised, Erza sat up a little in the tub and pulled in her legs so that she wasn't stretched out. Closing my eyes I dispelled all of my clothes, my entire body becoming brightened with light before I was completely naked with my long braid coiled up on my head. Stepping into the warm water I sank into its steaming heat as Erza relaxed with a smile and leaned backwards to soak. "This brings back memories. We should bathe together more often."

"Hm, I've missed this." I agreed, smiling back before I hugged my knees against my chest and slumped slightly, thinking about everything that Master Makarov had said. "Big sis, can you tell me about my lost memories?" Lifting my gaze, Erza blinked at me from where she had been washing her arms. "Master, he told me that you'd asked them to be removed, and he told me about Mystogen and a place called the Tower of Heaven." Instantly her face fell in horror and slight fear, her hand trembling as a dark shadow crossed her features so I quickly surged forwards and gripped her hand. "It's alright, I'm much stronger than I used to be so I can take it! I don't want you to have to bear these worries on your own anymore, big sis. Please, I want to know everything, you can tell me Erza. You can tell me anything!"

"Zera…" Clenching her teeth, Zera struggled to keep from crying as she struggled through the memories. "It's not something you would want to know, it's better this way, trust me."

"But you're hurting, Erza, and I can't stand it. Please, depend on me for once, even if it's just a little bit." I requested of her, still holding her hand in mine as I got as close as I possibly could to her in the small tub. "Tell me everything, I'll carry this burden with you as your sister. It's my job to help you and support you, so don't be selfish and keep everything to yourself. It's okay to need someone to lean on from time to time Erza, if you carry on trying to be so strong for so long, you're only going to end up breaking yourself." My sister was shocked by my words but at least now she had snapped out of her reverie. She looked at me, staring for a few moments before softening.

"You're right. I am being selfish keeping things from you. Please forgive me, Zera." I was happy that she had agreed, so when she turned me around to wash my back, Erza told me everything from the very beginning. We had been kidnapped from Rosemary Village as children with a number of others whilst everyone else was killed. Apparently I had almost escaped detection as Erza had hidden me, but I had refused to let them take her away from me and had run to try and reach her, getting myself caught in the process. "They took us to that place, the Tower of Heaven, where they forced us to work night and day with little food and practically no rest. We were their slaves, building the tower as a weapon. We were separated from one another from the moment of arrival and we did not see each other for several years. I do not know everything that happened to you, but when we were able to rebel and free ourselves, I found you barely alive and hiding."

I listened in silence, hugging my knees tightly as I tried to remember anything about this tower, but my memory truly had been wiped clean. "You were able to stand up and let me lead you away, however the guards of the tower almost caught us again. They tried to kill us all, however a friend shielded us both. He was a member of Fairy Tail, I remember him telling me stories all about wizards and this very guild. It kept me going all that time, as well as thinking about you." With a long exhale, Erza rested her palm against my back, directly over my Fairy Tail crest. "He also had his insignia upon his back, Grandpa Rob. That's why, when you asked for yours to be placed there, I was sure that some part of you still recognises Rob's sacrifice for us. Yours are both in exactly in the same place." Shaking her head, Erza continued.

She told me how they had removed her right eye as punishment in place of one of her friends, who she also told me about. The one she told me the most, however, was Jellal. As it transpired, the entire story revolved around this boy who took over the Tower of Heaven and finished its construction before then kidnapping my sister in order to try and activate it by sacrificing her life. I have no idea how I remained so calm as Erza brought me completely up to date, no longer hiding anything from me. When she finished, I whirled around and flung my arms around her to embrace her tightly, crying quietly. "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry you went through all that, Erza, I'm sorry I don't remember, and I'm sorry I don't know how to make it better for you."

"H-Hey, it's alright, you don't have to apologise for anything, Zera." Erza responded, recovering quickly and hugging me back. "I'd do anything to protect you, you know that, right?" Nodding my head, I gripped onto her even tighter.

"I know that, big sis. One day, I swear I'm going to be a strong and capable wizard, strong enough to be able to protect you from anything. One day, I'm going make all these bad memories disappear and you'll never be haunted by them ever again. I promise you, big sis. I'll always be here for you. I'm always on your side no matter what!" Smiling at me adoringly, my sister grabbed my cheeks and squeezed them to pull faces.

"You truly are just too adorable to resist. After we've bathed, can I dress you up in cute outfits and play with your hair? I have the perfect little bunny outfit will simply make you look the most loveable thing in the world." The mood having completely altered, I tried to protest and escape however as I leaped out of the bathe, my sister body tackled me through the door then pulled me by the arm towards her huge wardrobe. "Now don't be silly, it's just a little fun, you'll enjoy it! We always used to play dress up when we were children, so now we can be a little more adventurous with our outfits." She said to me dreamily and before I knew it, I was being towel dried and pampered by my big sister like I was only eight years old once again.

"Aw come on! I feel so embarrassed Erza, stop it already! Cover yourself up too, you're just walking around butt naked!" I complained, crossing one leg over the other and hugging my chest with my arms self consciously as my shapeless figure became all the more noticeable as I glanced enviously to my sister's exceedingly feminine form.

"We're sisters, there's no need for embarrassment. Ah! Here we are, I knew I had it here somewhere." Against my sister's monster strength, there truly was no escape. She wrestled me on the ground to force me into the bunny suit until I was wearing a bright pink leotard with a hood and floppy ears, a fluffy white tail and thick leg warmers as well as a matching set for my arms.

"Erza! I look ridiculous!"

"I think we look absolutely perfect. We even match." Glancing across I did a double take as Erza struck a pose, having requipped herself into her own bunny outfit which of course suited her much better than it did me as she had the figure to fill out the outfit. "Though there are still a few things missing…hold still Zera." Her hands blurred into work as I blinked, blushing furiously as Erza added a purple ribbon to one of my ears and looped it into a large bow before then placing a choker around my neck almost like a collar with a little carrot pendant. "My little sister looks so adorable! I'm so happy!" Well I'm glad somebody is feeling better. Honestly, the things I do for my big sister. I feel completely stupid and awkward. "Now, where's that camera? I know I have it somewhere."

"Eh? No way big sis, no photos! This bunny is out of here!" Wailing I grabbed my hood to drag it down over my face and bolted from the room, however Erza was fast on my heels.

"Oh no you don't, get back here Zera! I'm not done playing dress up!"

"We're not little kids anymore!"

"That is hardly relevant." Sounding amazingly calm as she hunted me down, I ran as fast as I could in order to keep out of her reach, but this was Erza we're talking about. The next thing I knew, she'd requipped into her Flight Armour and suddenly she was running so fast the distance between us was closing. This is bad!

"Somebody save me!" Yelling loudly I burst into the guildhall in a last ditch attempt to escape my sister. Sure I liked cute things, but this was way too embarrassing and knowing Erza she'd play dress up with me like I were a doll all night! I prefer looking at cute things, not being the cute thing itself. "My sister has finally snapped, she's trying to dress me up in all kinds of weird outfits!" All men in the room dropped their jaws in shock as I came bounding inside, attempting to try and find a place to hide however I tripped and fell flat on my face with a grunt. "Oof!"

"Hey Zera, how come you're dressed up like a rabbit?" Happy asked me, floating by my head as I groaned.

"Erza…she's trying to dress me up…Happy, please save me."

"Ah ha! Found you!"

"Eek!" Quickly spinning around I leaped to my feet and quickly waved my hands. "Erza what a coincidence! See big sis, I actually have stuff I need to do right now so how about someone else models for you? How about Lucy? She makes a pretty cute bunny girl, right? Or what about Levy? She's way cuter than I am." I tried, however Lucy loudly yelled for me to keep her out of this and Levy quickly disappeared from sight. Ah crap, I'm trapped and everyone else was still staring at my backside!

"If you think you can escape me Zera, you are mistaken." My imposing and deathly terrifying sister towered above me, smacking a whip into the palm of her hand as I began to sweat and cry in fear, attempting to plead with her winsomely however I was failing to win her over. "Now be a good little bunny rabbit and return to the burrow. I am not finished with you yet." If it were possible, the jaws around here dropped even lower at my sister's command. Jeez, she's totally giving everyone the wrong impression.

"M-Mira? Any help please?"

"Sorry Zera, you're on your own this time. There's no way I can compete with Erza." She giggled, giving me a pretty smile so I wailed once more. No fair!

"So cool!" Aw crap, Jason was still here! Immediately I was blushing and hastily trying to cover myself up, but there was far too much exposure for me to completely hide myself away. "The innocent little bunny and the predator side by side, two sisters dressing up together, it's just so cool!" He ranted, snapping photos left right and centre all around us as Erza naturally started to pose as I trembled.

"What are you still doing here?! Stop it! Don't take photos of me like this!" Suddenly Natsu was laughing, pointing at me as he chortled freely at my expense.

"You look totally ridiculous Zera! Where'd you even get that kind of outfit? It looks like something Lucy would wear!"

"Hey!" Both Lucy and I protested, so as I completely lost my temper, I released a roar and grabbed the nearest table. "You shut your mouth you flame brained dumbass! STOP LAUGHING!" Bringing it crashing down on his head, Natsu was completely flattened underneath the splinters whilst everybody turned a horrified shade of white. Natsu twitched, groaning as his head spun. Gajeel boomed with laughter, pointing at Natsu with a grin.

"You got taken out by a bunny, Salamander! What kind of dragon slayer are you?!" He smacked his hand against his knee, rocking back and forth however when he felt the shadow fall over him, he stopped and looked up to see me holding another table that I had grabbed off the ground, growling darkly as an ominous aura radiated off me in black waves.

"DON'T MAKE THE BUNNY MAD!" Completely losing my cool, I smacked Gajeel like a baseball with so much force he went flying into the wall and cracked the stone.

"The hell?! I'll get you for that!" Gajeel thundered and Natsu also jumped up, yelling that sneak attacks weren't fair and before I knew it, I had started an all out brawl. Everybody got involved, throwing chairs, tables, food and punches in all directions. Ducking my head, I snuck out of the mass of limbs and exhaled with relief, lifting my hands to slide back my bunny hood then pulled my braid free, letting it slide through my fingers before flicking it out with a light shake of my head as I closed my eyes. Behind me I heard the sound of a shutter clicking, making me blink and turn my head to look. Jason took another snapshot of me in that moment, causing me to blush heavily and throw out a hand to hide my face.

"Quit that already!"

"This is the best scoop ever, I gotta get back right now and start writing this up for next week's issue, there's not a moment to lose!" Before I could even take the camera off him to delete all the photos of me in this costume, he was gone and I was left helplessly stretching my hand after him. Wait…don't tell me…those are going to be in the next issue…?

"Remember Zera, you promised you'd pay for my weekly issue for the next month, and don't forget those novels!" Master Makarov reminded me unhelpfully so I collapsed to my knees with a groan. This sucks! I'll never be able to live this down. I'm going to need so much chocolate therapy after this day.

"Trying to escape, were you?" My blood went deathly cold, hearing the sound of a riding crop hitting an open palm. I am so done with today. So done.