A/N: I'm back, and I was attacked with plot bunnies. In truth I was gonna end this pretty soon but then something popped into my head and I couldn't get it out. xD

Chapter 14 – Tell Me Why

I stare at Kagura with a slightly confused (but some would call derpy) face. I sit down beside her and ask, "What are you talking about?"

She doesn't answer; instead she looks down at the sandy trail that leads down to the crystal-like ocean water. We sit in silence for a few minutes until she mumbles, "Sorry for spacing, geez you're probably thinking I'm crazy for thinking she's dead."

She was looking a little glum, even the white bow on her head seemed to sag a bit. To get Kagura back to her pert ways I say with a grin, "Well actually I've always thought that."

It worked. She laughed and said, "Shut up and let me explain myself." She then proceeds to say in a more serious tone, "Growing up, the only neighbors I had were 30+ years old, except for this girl named Erza. Same age, same birthday, same school, she even stayed at my house for most of the year. Everyone in my family considered her as a member. But all things come to an end, and for her it was too soon. I'll never forget the June 8th that happened 7 years ago. I rushed home after school to check up on Erza who had a mild case of the flu, but when I got there her house was burnt beyond repair. Debris and wood was scattered everywhere."

Kagura closed her eyes and in a quieter voice she began, "I felt guilt, guilt that maybe if she had stayed at my house that day none of this would've happened. Yeah she was sick, but she would've fared much better at my house than hers. Erza's parents were jerks, negligent. They never spent time with her, they were always away doing business, loving money more than they ever loved her. Of course the one week they visited their "precious" daughter was the week were she died. Hell, guilt still eats away at me... but now you're telling me she's alive. The news down-played it as a rare accident, I suspect they wanted to cover the presidential debate more than figure out why one house collapsed in flames. No bodies were found so we all assumed the worst happened."

It was my turn to be floored, almost none of what Kagura told me added up to what Erza's said about her past. My mind was going into overdrive, causing me to have a slight headache.

One: Erza said her parents were the kindest people ever.

Two: She never said anything about her house being burnt down.

It doesn't make sense, who's telling the truth? Of course Erza herself, but how could Kagura make up this impossible story on the spot? Wait, before Erza came to Magnolia to live with her aunt and uncle, she mentioned that she had a nice foster care family. Of course, maybe it's possible that what Kagura said was true. Natsu, Lyon, and I met her at school when she was 12, and Kagura said it happened 7 years ago so that would make Erza… (awkward pause in my thinking- math was never my forte) 12. I think she spent only like two weeks or so with her foster family. The time fit perfectly, almost too perfectly, and that's why this was still all a gamble. Assumptions, assumptions, assumptions. That's all I could make.

I've heard enough, if I left right now I could make it back to Magnolia before sunset. I could see if I was right. Maybe Erza and I could figure out, well, a lot of things.

But before I rushed off, I needed to make sure not to leave Kagura stranded. If I did I'm sure I'd wake up with a black eye. "Do you need me to bring you home? I really should get back."

Kagura stood up and handed me a piece of paper that had her phone number on it, "When you have time call me. You're a cool guy, and I'd love to see Erza. And naw, my car's over there." She motioned to a car that I had to squint to see.

No. Freaking. Way. Her car was a shiny red Maserati without a single spot of dust. The wheels were so bright it was like looking at the sun. She totally stole tax money, but hey- I don't live here. I jokingly flip her off as I drive away, maybe I should become mayor one day.

Meanwhile back at Fiore University:

"Lucy, I'm booooooored," whined an incredibly annoying Natsu.

The scholarship student sighed deeply as she tried not to think of the many ways she could "lovingly" strangle him. "Natsu, stop throwing that tennis ball around it's going to murder some-"

She was immediately cut off as she barely dodged an unwanted ball traveling at the speed of light. She didn't have to think twice before she pinned Natsu to the ground. "What is your problem? I'm never letting you in my room again if you harass me every second." Lucy crossed her arms and shivered, "It's like you're a little brother or something." To an only child, this was a terrible idea indeed.

"Awww c'mon Lu, I was just trying to lighten your mood. You've been studying all day, don'cha have any fun?"

Natrsu grinned up at her and Lucy's heart skipped a beat. If she was being honest it was more like it stopped working properly. Gosh, way does he have to look so cute whenever he smiles like that? The 19 year old knew she shouldn't, but she kinda wanted to share her first kiss with that smiling dork. Natsu's hair was spread out on the floor, heat was radiating off him, and looking into his perfect dark eyes made all her walls and sense of reason come crashing down. It's now or never, she thought as she put her hand gently on Natsu's broad chest.

Then the moment was ruined as Gray threw open the door and almost broke the handle. He had crazy helmet hair that stuck up more than usual and he spoke twice as fast. "Guys I really need to know where Erza is because I just need too-" He took a big gulp of air and was about to begin again when he noticed the two's compromising situation, "Ahhh, umm, am I interrupting something?" Gray slowly backed away toward the exit.

Lucy practically jumped off Natsu and stood up so fast she almost fainted. "Geez no, everyone does this with their friends. Totes normal, haha." Lucy felt her face heat as she pointed a condemning finger at Natsu, "That idiot was distracting me from writing." Never mind I'm blushing to high heavens. "Oh and uhh, Erza's at the park."

"Thanks, that's all I needed to know." They watched Gray run off as he called back glefully, "Tell me all about you and Natsu later!"

I knew he wouldn't let me off the hook. She sheepishly looked at Natsu, what does he think about this horribly embarrassing situation? Lucy was pulled out of her thoughts as she felt something get dropped into her hand. She looked down and realized it was Gray's phone, but what was on there made her face instantly change from rosy red to ashen gray. "

That trip back home gave me plenty of time to think. Racing through campus I feverishly try to summarize all my facts- and guesses. About halfway to Magnolia I remember Erza mentioned the name of her foster brother. His name was Jellal. It seemed impossible, but how many Jellals are there? As far as I know, one. And I know he isn't to be trusted.

I slow down to a walk as I see the sign that says 'Welcome to Hargeon Park'. I know it's a bad habit but whenever I'm nervous I talk to myself. And this time was no exception. "How am I supposed to tell her, just be all casual like 'Oh hey Erza, I saw you're old friend who thought you were dead! And you're house burnt down.' This was not going to be easy, but I finally settle on just being honest with her.

I make my way to the entrance of her favorite spot in the park. It's a quiet place where a small river carves its way through the forest. It's usually accompanied with a small breeze that smells faintly of lilacs that come from the Tigertall Mountains.

The practice conversations I had with myself were shattered. I see Jellal kiss Erza. What really kills me is seeing Erza kiss him back, albeit briefly. And as he walks away Erza sees me, standing there like a fool.

Lucy's POV

Natsu looks at me with a serious face and asks the one thing I never want to relive, or have to explain, or remember. "Why does this website say Jellal is working on the Layla Heartfilia case?"

A/N: Whew, that was a lot of dialogue. I tried to make it interesting though xD I am officially tired of typing haha. And now it's onto the shout-out corner.

PinkKoala213 - Thanks so much for the fave! Oh and you're back to writing, awesome!

BridgeBurn100 - Ahhh sorry for making you wait! If only I could type in my sleep xD Hope this update was worth it :D ;)

Grayza990 - Aww thank you so much for that review! Stay awesome right back 'atcha :)

WelcomeToTheanimeParade - You're reviews are too funny- they kill me every time xD Actually so does your profile pic- it's kinda s-s-scary o.O

MAILORDERCOWBOY - I'm love suspense- although it's hard not to make everything comedy xD Thanks for liking my story :)

NALU - Some Nalu just for you, lol I rhymed xD

Guest - Plot twists are life haha

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