Chapter 3. Cana's story

Three months later

"I'm so worried!" said Mirajane. "They should be here by now!"

Cana and Frosin were on a mission. They were supposed to return already but they were still absent. Mirajane was obviously very nervous but no one shared her fears. On the contrary, the other guild members were absolutely anxiety-free.

"They will come back soon!" exclaimed Natsu in a care-free manner.

"Don't worry, Mira-san," said Levy. "Cana will be okay. I am sure about that."

"What could harm her? Frosin is with her, after all!" added Lucy.

"That is why I'm so concerned..." said Mirajane under her breath. "Who knows what could happen… Why am I the only person in the guild who sees how strange this man is? It seems that all of you are enchanted by him! Yes, there is no other explanation! I'm sure about that! And besides that…"

"We are enchanted, you say? Do you seriously think that the master can be enchanted?" asked Erza. "It is only your imagination, Mira! Get this absurd supposition out of your head."

"I agree with you, Erza" nodded Gray.

"Mira-san, you still don't like Frosin, do you?" asked Lucy.

Mirajane was about to answer but at that moment the door opened. Frosin entered the guild hall carrying Cana in his arms. They both looked pale and tired, especially she.

"Thank goodness!" whispered Mirajane with relief and rose on her feet. "You have finally returned! What happened?"

"How do you feel, Cana?" asked Erza.

Cana strained her body. She raised her head and tried to say something but she couldn't. She dropped herself again helplessly into Frosin's arms.

"We accomplished our mission and on a way back we passed through the mountain," explained Frosin. "It was a difficult passage and besides that we were surprised and delayed by a snow storm. I am afraid that Cana is very exhausted."

"You can leave her in her room. I am going to watch over her tonight," said Mirajane.

-ooo-

Frosin gently laid the girl on the bed. Everyone surrounded her and Natsu touched her forehead.

"It is too hot," he stated. "Gray, hurry up and make some ice!"

"Don't order me you hot head!" yelled Gray.

"Didn't you hear me…" said Natsu irritated but he stopped talking under Erza's threatening look.

"Boys, it isn't the right time for your quarrels now!" said she.

"Please calm down, for Cana's sake," said Frosin.

The softness of his words pacified the atmosphere. Natsu remained silent. Gray started making an ice.

-ooo-

In the next morning Cana was much better. She wanted to get out of the bed but Mirajane opposed her.

"You need some more rest!" insisted she. "Even Frosin is still resting in his room!"

Cana obeyed unwillingly. She gave a smile to her friends who had come to see her.

"You will never believe me what happened!" she said. "I don't believe it myself… Maybe it was just my imagination…"

"Why? What is so strange?" asked Mirajane. She gave a cup of tea to Cana.

"In the mountain we were in the middle of a snow storm. And we hadn't any fire! Do you understand, friends? The situation was critical…"

"Ah, I should go with you!" exclaimed Natsu. "Then you wouldn't lack a fire!"

"Let her speak, Natsu!" ordered Erza. "And what happened, Cana?"

"Well, I can't tell what exactly happened… I was so tired and half-asleep… Maybe I have already had a fever. But I suddenly felt warmth and when I managed to open my eyes, there was a fire burning in front of me!"

"A fire?" repeated Mirajane. "Are you sure?"

"As I told you, I was in a half-asleep condition… I'm not absolutely sure… I felt warmth during the whole night but in the morning there was no trace of fire!" said Cana.

"Did you ask Frosin about that?"

"Yes, I did. He told me that I had dreamed."

"It is very strange, indeed…" muttered Mirajane to herself.

"He is probably right. You must have imagined it," said Levy.

"Yes, you have dreamed in consequence of the exhaustion, Cana. Don't think about it any more. What matters now is that you are safe. Now you must think only about your recovery," said Lucy.

Cana nodded and closed her eyes. "You are right. It was just a dream, nothing more." She took a pull at her tea.

Mirajane didn't look so convinced.

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