Turf Wars – Chapter 18

Mira/Erza (Traditions)

Okay, l lied, I wasn't able to finish the story last week. It's pretty much the end of the semester and so I've had tests and speeches galore. Just one more week and then finals week and I'm free. Hopefully I will finish before the semester ends. I'll just use this as a study break.

…

The two graduates walked in silence, but the glares they sent each other conveyed a million words.

"I can't believe we were ever friends," Mira said as she looked up at the mountain. The two were half way up it already but the path they were on was coming to an end soon.

"Same," Erza grumbled.

"Glad I went we agree on something," Mira said as she started climbing up the mountain face, Erza following suit.

"I think we can both agree that Natsu and Gajeel are stronger than those idiot siblings of yours too," Erza smirked knowing she would get a reaction from the silver haired model.

"I think you are senile," Mira responded with venom in her voice as she kicked at a rock, sending it tumbling toward Erza.

The red head moved so it didn't hit her face, but it landed on her hand before falling to the bottom. She grimaced but didn't let go of her hold. "You trying to get me killed?" she spat back when she got to a better area.

"Maybe," the model replied cheekily.

Erza growled, but for the moment there was nothing she could do but keep climbing, thoughts about revenge running rampant in her mind.

It wasn't long before the two had made it near the summit of the mountain, a landing with a small trail carved into the mountain face guiding them to the top.

As soon as Erza had majority of her body on the landing, a punch was being thrown Mira's direction. It caught her on her arm and she turned, a leg outstretched ready to kick the red head off. Instead, Erza grabbed her foot and tossed her to the ground, climbing on top, her fist pulled back and ready to strike. "Admit it, you are weaker than me and your siblings are weaker than Gajeel and Natsu," the fighter said as pulled her first back more.

"What ever happened to the whole 'say it don't spray it' thing we talked about?" Mira asked she tried to wipe some of Erza's spit off her face with her shoulder.

Erza stopped, her fist lowering as she slowly climbed off the silver haired girl.

Mira finished wiping her face off and looked over at the red head, slightly concerned. "Been awhile since you heard that huh?" she asked, sitting down next to her.

"Yeah." Erza replied quietly but sat there, her back to the mountain as her eyes gazed out over the island. She could make out the port of Magnolia if she squinted.

Mira looked out over the island too, it clicking in her mind why Erza suddenly changed. "We joked as middle schoolers, hearing the rumors of this stupid rivalry that we wouldn't let it affect us. We even pinky promised," the woman said, letting out a sigh. "I guess neither of us are good t keeping promises then."

"No, we aren't," Erza smiled sadly. "That was the first thing you ever said to me, you remember?"

"How could I forget," Mira chuckled. "You were such an oddity."

"Thanks," Erza replied sarcastically.

"The new kid with the mouth brace," Erza chuckled again. "You were always spitting you words out, no one wanted to be closer than five feet from you."

"Except you," Erza responded, turning to look at her old friend. "Thank you for that."

"Well, it wasn't like I had many other friends to hang out with anyway," Mira said, smiling back.

"And people say my temper is bad," Erza grumbled.

"What was that?" Mira asked.

Erza smiled and stuck her pinky finger out. "Let's make a promise we can keep this time," she said.

Mira interlocked her pinky with Erza's. "And what promise would that be?"

"To end the rivalry and be friends again," she said. "It's lonely out there."

"Agreed. Besides, it looks like everyone else wants to stop this fighting too." The two shook pinkies before staring out over the island for another minute.

"I don't know about you, but I wanna be in that movie," Erza said, coming to a stand.

"And that modeling gig is calling my name," Mira said, standing as well. "If the principal is even telling the truth about them."

"He better be."