Chapter 18: Witch Hunt

Lucy had grown worried.

Juvia had grown worried, as well.

Never a good combination.

Erza hadn't answered any texts in the past few hours. She had left at 10am. It's now 4pm. No other friend had seen her for the past few hours, either, which left an open void of worry in Lucy's mind to fall into.

'She could be kidnaped or even worse... dead?' Her mind flirted back to yesterday, when Erza had been found mysteriously collapsed against the earth, sprawled out like a discarded doll. Lucy closed her eyes and shook her head, trying to rid herself of ridiculous thoughts.

Her first thought was to go send Juvia off to help but, no offense to her girlfriend, she isn't the best consoler; last time she tried to help console someone was Lucy and Juvia ended up crying with Lucy on the matter of.. what was it? Ah yes, finding her ex-girlfriend at the mall.

Next went to herself but.. she was the same as Juvia - if earlier was any indication. The collapsing Erza incident was purely on worth and adrenaline, two things that should never go together.

Then, her mind went to Natsu. He and Erza might be on... difficult terms, to say the least, but he's always been the best. (And, he also needs to make up for his stunt).

After coming to that conclusion, Lucy grabbed her phone off of the counter and texted Natsu, who was immediately on the case and texted back where is the location. With no time to spare, Natsu rushed away.


Natsu had driven up to the apartment to meet no one in the house nor driveway, only a lot of empty spaces and super most people. Directly after coming to this conclusion, he texted Lucy, who was alarmed. She had no further intel on Erza, so she was not going to be the biggest help anymore.

With renowned determination, Natsu revved his car up (and himself) for a long day adventure - though, now with tte much more serious terms, it's more of a witch hunt than anything.

Following out Heaven's Wheel Lane, the road led him out the main course of the town: Magnoloa; small, quaint (hopefully) easy to find a woman I here. It had dawned upon him at this moment, he had no clue who he was searching for. Reverting back to Lucy, he asked and she complied, handing him off a beautiful shot of a red-haired woman. He was so encapsulated by the spell Erza had put on him, that he realized he was blocking traffic, right away turning to his chooser lane.

Then, he turned. The first street he turned on was Salamander Way, which offered a numerous amount of stores lining its path. Couples darted in and out of the previously stated stores, holding candles or handmade tokens of their affection and/or love. Other times, popcorn.

Natsu paid no heed; only to Erza he would watch for. Though, he did have to say, the popcorn did smell delicious. So buttery... so salty, so... sweet. Despite his stomach's growling and the fact that the popcorn was only two dollars, he remained on track. Ish.

Next came Deliora Drive, opening up to a little restaurant tucked away in a corner called Ur's Kitchen of Home Made Goods. Natsu liked to imagine that one day, Erza and him could take a date somewhere as nice as that. When the rainbow rises.

Taking a swift right turn led him into a short street called Zeref Dragneel Street. It was bare, with only few apartments. He hoped no one was lonely there, like Erza might be.

After that, it led him to the jackpot: Dragon Way, which housed the infamous hotel. Leading him to find a red-haired woman standing at the main entrance silently and lonely, making her seem - to outsiders - pathetic. He drive past and quickly parked, rushing to make it to her before she left... but it was too late, she was already gone.

'No! I won't give up!' Natsu set his course for the hospital quickly, trying to find the famed woman before he lost her.

Pushing past the frantic doctors, rushing nurses, and miserable patients, Natsu discovered the stairs and practically climbed all the way up to scout the mess of people in the lobby. Before he or Erza knew it, he had caught the sight of a graceful Angel waltzing around the mess, bobbing her head up and down as a signal to come find her.

Which, of course, he did.

The doctors had become human obstacles in a parkour race to find his girlfriend, which had made it increasingly harder. Erza was only a few paces in front of him, yet, he couldn't even grab her hair.

Finally, the mess relented enough and Natsu stumbled onto Erza. With a quick swipe of his hand, Natsu had touched Erza's shoulder, alerting her of his presence.

"Erza!" He shouted, pivoting the named woman to his direction. She looked miffed fo be interrupted in... whatever she was doing, but the subject of her anger quickly drifted out once a new one took place: why is this weird, pink-haired man following me?

"Who are you?" Erza commands, crossing her arms. "I'm Natsu Dragneel. Nice to meet ya...," He said, prompting a response from her. The redhead did a once over before stating her name: "Miss Erza Scarlet to you. Nice to meet you," She bowed her head quickly.

From there, there was an uncomfortable silence; both had run out of thing to say, plus, Erza was still pissed at Natsu. He tried to urge out topics, like explaining himself at the whole collapsing fiasco. Or, maybe finally saying something about he's so fucking sorry-

Erza gasped with realization, finally dawning onto her who he is. At least, that's what it looked like.

"You're... Natsu, right? The one Lucy employed to win me over. I- Why have you come?" She stated, anger seeping into her. Natsu raised his hands in defense but that didn't quite work well; no one could work against Erza Scarlet's wrath.

"Well, I- I wanted to apologize! I know I set you up in a bad situation yesterday and Lucy wanted me to come find you and make sure you're ok!" Natsu exclaimed. Still didn't budge.

"Lucy had me sleep over her place for the night to watch and confirm I was ok. In other words, she had did," Erza said. Their conversation was attracting attention from workers.

"Well, after that she did! You weren't answering your texts, apparently, and Lucy texted me to go look for you. It's evident that clearly you like the sick more than the healthy," Natsu said, almost close to bursting his top. As for Erza, she was in the same situation.

"Then I think you should be in here as well. Clearly, by what you had put me through in the last 24 hours, yes."

"I- Look, I only came here to apologize! I just want at least your friendship or something. I'm not asking for any dates or romantic stuff anymore."

"What about this: I don't want your friendship. True friends or lovers should never put their S/O or friend in that situation, knowing the outcome. If you'd thought that out a little better, who knows how it could've turned out. We could be on a romantic date or continued the stupid pining games, but no, it's unfair and life is truly unfair," Erza said, tears bubbling at her eyes as more fall down her face, like an over bubbling cauldron.

More staff were alerted to the argument and Natsu could hear them grumbling on what to do while they wait for their superiors to do whatever they are doing, but Natsu booked it.

Away from his problems, emotions, the scene. It was better to leave than anything.

Though he didn't want Erza to suffer alone. So he took her with him.

I'm alive, y'all! Hey! So sorry for not updating for a few weeks. I've been so busy finally finishing a new au that's supposed to come out August 9th so I severely need to marathon this shit. Also, a few story ideas had popped into my head and, knowing me, had sprouted and IV started to plan them. So yeah, that's my life.

Secondly, we're almost done with this story. Only about 5/6 chapters left.

Alright, y'all! See you next time! Have a good day/night and I'll see you in the next chapter! Bye~!