Chapter five- Reunited
Jellal, Meredy and Ultear stood in the entrance to Fairy Tail, while the entire guild stared back at them with confused and shocked expressions on their faces. By the looks of it, Erza could tell that some people knew right away who they were, while others had no idea. Everything stood still for about twenty seconds before Mira leaned over the bar counter and whispered into Erza's ear, "Isn't that...Jellal? The fugitive man who went missing? Or is that Segrain…?" Her voice sounded a little concerned. Erza didn't say anything to her former rival, just slowly nodded. In reality, her heart was beating a mile a minute.
"Jellal." Everyone turned towards where master Makarov jumped off his seat on the left end of the bar and walked over to the center of the guild hall to face the three visitors. The small man was surprisingly not alarmed; rather, he was quite calm. Most of the guild however, was shaking in their seats. Jellal was a known criminal, and by now everyone knew who he was. Erza had heard the rumors spread about him…and they made her sick to her stomach.
The master cast a small shadow onto the floor and looked up at the three of them. Jellal gulped and bowed his head, and Ultear and Meredy did the same.
Their eyes shadowed and fists clenched, they stood like statues, the sunlight pouring out from behind them. Makarov nodded and began to speak, the guild behind him mumbling to themselves and shuffling their feet. Erza could sense the cautious and protective emotions coming from her comrades as they eyed the former dark guild and magic council members.
"Jellal, Ultear-"
"Master Makarov!"
Jellal got down on both his knees, and bowed his head, the palms of his hands to the floor. "We have not come here to cause any harm. We only come to seek peace within the guild. We are travelers; we do not stay in one place for too long. For years no one has seen my face- I have been hidden by the sins burdened upon me and the darkness I have surpassed. I am not surprised if you ask me to leave as soon as possible. But, I come here to apologize for the trouble and pain I have caused you and your guild in the past." The blue-haired man shook as he stood before the guild leader, Meredy and Ultear beside him.
Erza stiffened as Makarov squinted and raised an eyebrow at the three intruders.
"I know." He huffed as the old man straightened out his blue and orange hat. "But I don't think you needed to say all that. I know everything that happened with you Jellal, Erza told me your situation a long time ago." The master then said, "As long as your hearts are in the right place, and you are trying to make up for what you've done, I don't see anything wrong with you staying with us. "
Meredy glanced up, surprised, as did Jellal and Ultear. "W-wait a second…I don't think you understand sir…we've just come to apologize, of 'coarse we won't be staying! If the council finds out that we're here, you could get arrested! A-and-" The pink-haired mage waved her arms awkwardly in all different directions, stammering and trying to explain.
The master wants them…to stay?
"Meredy." Jellal put his hand on her shoulder, and she glanced up at him. "Calm down."
"I don't think it's such a horrible idea to stay for a while." Said Ultear as she put her hand on her hip. "I know it's our nature not to stay in one place for too long, but…" The ice-make mage glanced at Meredy, who in return looked at Jellal, then back at her friend and smiled.
Erza smiled and looked back at the mysterious note Jellal had left her. She was glad they were going to stick around for a while…but she couldn't help thinking that the idea was a little stupid. They were practically risking their lives even showing up. What exactly did they want from Fairy Tail?
"So are you staying or what?" Makarov folded his arms impatiently.
Jellal paused and then nodded, "Yes, but just for a little while. We have-"
"Jellal, fight me!" An excited Natsu jumped in front of the light mage, his fists flaming and a determined look on his face. "I won't lose to you!"
Jellal took a step back, slightly surprised. "Ah, Natsu…I see you haven't changed at all."
"Come on! I'm all fired up!"
"Um, no thank you…and I think you need to take it down a notch." Jellal scratched the back of his head and smiled weakly.
The rest of the guild started talking again, and most people eyed the three visitors questionably while going back to whatever they were doing. The master nodded to Jellal, Meredy and Ultear before hoping back over to his seat on the bar and leisurely taking a big gulp out of his beer.
"Oi, Pinky! Who the hell do you think you are? He obviously doesn't want to fight, so cut it out!" Meredy confronted Natsu and punched him lightly in the arm, while Jellal stood there awkwardly. "Pinky? You have pink hair too, you shouldn't be taking!" Natsu's fists burst into flames again as he argued with the sensory link mage.
"I see you're doing well, eh?" Erza watched as Gray casually walked over to confront Ultear, who smiled in return. "Ur would be proud." Ultear waved and said, "Yeah." It seemed as though the time arc mage had become more laid back and easygoing after the time skip.
"Why is Gray-sama talking to that mysterious fugitive woman? Does Juvia have another love rival? Juvia must get that woman away from her Gray-sama!" Erza didn't even notice Juvia hiding behind her chair the whole time. The blunette was sweating and swearing as she pointed at Ultear, who was still talking with Gray. She slowly slid out from under the chair and proceeded to hid behind a nearby coat rack to watch them.
"Jellal-kun!" Erza turned in surprise as Mira waved to him from the bar counter. Erza suddenly tensed up, "Mira-san…what do you want from Jellal?" She wasn't sure if she wanted to confront Jellal right away…sure, she was extremely happy to see him, but she still had no idea what to say to him. Erza glanced towards the floor. Jellal looked up and walked towards them, his black boots making a clanking noise on the wooden floor.
The only things Erza could hear were the sound of her loud heartbeat and Jellal slowly coming closer to her.
C-crap! What am I going to…
"Erza…"
Erza still had no idea how she was going to deal with him. If Mira and everyone else weren't around her, things would have been different but…
"Erza…why are you shaking?"
Erza slowly looked up to see Jellal standing before her. He smiled warmly, and a small gust of wind that crept in from the open door blew his soft blue hair to one side.
Erza knew that look.
She remembered it like it was yesterday.
"I'm Jellal. Jellal Fernandes!" A scrawny blue-haired boy held out his hand…
"Jellal I'm-" Suddenly, she felt him pull her forward and wrap his arms around her. His hand stroked her scarlet hair as he gently pulled her closer. It was sudden, but she relaxed, forgetting Mira was standing right behind them. Erza fought the tears she felt welling up in her eyes.
No! I mustn't cry! Not while I'm in the guild. It's my job to be strong!
Jellal released her from their embrace and stood, holding onto to the sides of her arms. He looked back at her with a relieved look on his face. He honestly looked so happy. Erza was a bit startled by the sudden hug, and it took all of her strength to stop the tears from rolling down her face. She thought he had died long ago, but here he was, smiling back at her.
"What? Can't greet an old friend with a hug?"
"It's just I thought that you…and you…." She looked down at the note he had left her- it was all sweaty and crumpled up in her hand now. Erza straightened out, remembering where she was and asked, "Why are you here? " The equip mage had returned to her usual serious self. "You know the council would just about kill to get their hands on you."
Jellal let out a small sigh and replied, "I know. But after hearing that all of you returned I just needed to check it out for myself. And besides, it's been seven years since I've seen you. I'm just glad that I had another chance, to look into your eyes and see you looking back."
