A/N: I decided to update this because it's Easter break, and I couldn't sleep. This chapter is a lot shorter compared to the other ones, and I apologize for that. It's all Sting's fault.
Once again, thanks for the reviews, they motivated me to write this one. I hope you guys keep on reviewing because it helps especially when you leave behind your POVs on how you viewed my chapters, it helps put me into their character a bit more.
As usual, I dedicate this chapter to my lovely reviewers, and the Laxus/Mira fans.
It was announced by Makarov that there would be a dance ball in the evening of the Hanami festival. Since Fairy Tail decided to host a huge festival for the citizens of Magnolia, the elderly Master decided that they are required to dress formally for the dance, and were encouraged to participate. He was determined to make this festival a success to celebrate the rise of Fairy Tail's guild status. There were mixed reactions with regards to the dance, and the dress code.
"You all have to look good for a change, you brats!" responded the Master, after hearing the whining from some of the members. Makarov inwardly wanted it to be a success as he knew that it would boost Fairy Tail's reputation, and that some of the Magic Council members are going to be present.
"And so the old man says," stated a bored Laxus, sparing an indifferent glance at his teammates and Lisanna who sat at the same round table as him. "Guess I'm going on a job then," he added.
Lisanna jested, "You're no fun, Laxus," nudging the lightning mage; much to the latter's annoyance. "Ohh…" Lisanna's face contorted to an amused one, "Could it be… that you don't know how to dance?" she grinned suggestively at Laxus, forcing herself not to laugh, as did the other members of the Raijinshuu.
"Hey, shut it, you little brat," stated an annoyed Laxus, "I know damn well how to dance. I am just not fond of all that formal stuff."
"I know, right?" said Natsu, as he passed by, "It doesn't fit well with us."
"Gi hee," Gajeel snickered from the other table, "Of course, Salamander. Being civilized is not in your dictionary."
"What did you say, you iron bastard?" responded Natsu.
"Even if I explained, you wouldn't understand because of your flame-brain," replied a smirking Gajeel.
"You wanna fight, bastard?"
"Gi hee, just don't go on crying later!"
The two began their brawl, and in just a few moments, most of the others were sucked into their fight as well. Away from the fiasco, Levy, who was originally sitting beside Gajeel, stood shaking her head in disapproval.
"That," said Laxus while pointing towards all the fighting, "is why I don't even want to come," he said, moving away. Lisanna just sweat-dropped at his guildmates' antics, "Figures," she nodded at Laxus in agreement.
After all the fighting has subsided, the ladies were all flocking in one spot while dreamily talking about the dance. "Master says we're supposed to pick partners for the dance," stated Cana, "Too bad, there aren't any decent guys in the guild," she stated, chugging at a glass of beer, the others just smiled at her remark.
"Ah, I still need to shop for a dress!" exclaimed Lucy, obviously in a dilemma. Levy nodded, "I also need a dress for the dance," she sighed, "I wish we didn't have to dress up."
"Aww, Levy, sometimes things like these are good for you too!" stated Lisanna.
Lucy chuckled and looked at Levy suggestively, "Bet you're going to enjoy the dance with Gajeel," she teased, nudging her friend.
"Lucyyyy!" exclaimed Levy, blushing furiously, to which the others laughed.
Juvia glanced dreamily at Gray, who was half-naked and arm-wrestling with Elfman at the table across theirs. She clasped her hands together, "Ah! To dance under the moonlight with Gray-sama! Kyaa!" she stated with stars in her eyes, in only a few moments, she was once again lost in her own world.
"My, my," stated Mira, smiling at Juvia.
"Looks like she's at the point of no return, once again," commented Lucy, and they couldn't agree more.
Lucy turned to her scarlet-haired teammate, "What about you, Erza? Do you have a dress for the dance already?"
Erza was in a daze, and didn't realize that Lucy was talking to her until the blonde celestial spirit mage waved her hand in front of her face. She immediately snapped back to reality, and told Lucy that she'd probably come with her in buying a new dress, "You just can't have enough dresses," she commented.
Mira noticed that her former rival was totally out of it lately, and she concluded that her melancholy was perhaps due to the blue-haired tattooed man. She once mentioned that they haven't seen each other since the end of the Grand Magic games. "Erza probably misses him," she thought. She understood Erza's concerns as well. Almost everyone else had their own partners; Natsu would probably pair up with Lucy, Gajeel would most likely ask Levy, Juvia would probably be able to force Gray to dance with her, Evergreen had Elfman. With the recent developments, she figured that because of their age difference, Wendy would probably dance with Romeo.
While the others probably didn't care much of the dance, she knew how enthusiastic Erza is about those kinds of things, and in a way, she also understood how her scarlet-haired friend felt. All that longing must be painful too.
Mirajane wasn't the only one who noticed Erza's troubles. Laxus, who was discreetly watching over Mira from the second floor, also noticed it after seeing the look that Mira had when she noticed the requip mage. He came to the same conclusion as the take-over mage, he already knew what was troubling Erza – it was the only matter that troubled her: Jellal.
Later in the afternoon, Laxus approached Mirajane at the bar for a refill. The latter greeted him with a smile, and fixed up his drink.
"Say, Laxus, you coming to the dance?" she asked, after handing him his drink.
"Thanks," he said, taking a sip of his liquor. "I'm debating whether I should or not. I am not a fan of formal dances, and I don't feel like dressing up either, so I probably won't be there," he added.
Mira frowned, "That's too bad though, I think you'd look dashing in a suit," she stated honestly. This made Laxus grin, "Oh, is that so?" he said as his eyebrows quirked upwards. "You're flattering me, Mira," he chuckled. The barmaid just smiled, "I'm not kidding."
Laxus just smirked, "If you say so," he said, turning back and walking towards his original spot.
"Guess I'm going to need a new suit," he thought to himself, "And perhaps I should also do something about Jellal." He figured that he might as well, because he owes Erza for sticking by his gramps all throughout his absence.
A/N: This chapter is sort of more focused to Erza and Jellal rather than Laxus and Mira, but I promise that you'd get your moments soon. I'll be honest with you, I plan on putting NaLu, GaLe, Gruvia, and Jerza moments in the story, as well as some others like ElfEver, but that would be in the future. :P
Miraxus- Glad you like how I portrayed Laxus on the last chapter, I hope how I portrayed him in this one doesn't disappoint you. I'm also going on a withdrawal... I need at least small hints for Mira and Laxus. I wish Mashima would give us more moments.
Niezapominajka- Your English is fine! It's also not my first language so we're on the same boat. Thanks for reviewing all the time! :)
Unknown Doll- Sorry about that, I also wanted to use Charle originally, but thought twice on it because of the wiki. I'm actually thinking of how I'd make Freed and Laxus face off, so I hope you look forward to it.
0ri0n- I'm glad you like how I portrayed Laxus. He seems a bit more light-hearted in the previous manga chapters, so I tried catching his character from there. I made this chapter a bit lighter compared to the other ones because I think they both need a breath of fresh air.
Treegona- Thanks for the review, you actually motivated me to update this because I've been too lazy to update, haha.
two- Glad you're liking the story so far, thanks for the review.