Oi ya'll, hope you guys are enjoying my story so far. Nothing is going on with my life so far so I'll get onto the reviews:

Rosiebud: Thanks for the suggestions and I have decided to use either the Little Match Girl or the Willow Wife. Of course I will revise and tweak the story a bit, hehe. Hopefully, I don't ruin the story for you or anybody else.

keira-kyuketsuki : So u don't mind if they get their own arc? Kay, cuz I already thought of a story for them, but I don't know how long until Happy's "Ayes" and "llllllllllikes" I can take until I get driven to a deeper part of insanity then I already am in… The Little Mermaid (happy version) I'm saving for Gruvia.

amberdelila44: No problem. I really do appreciate it when people favorite or follow me so every few chapters or so I will give shout outs and such. Glad that you think my story is fun

Now for fate's cruel words… DISCLAIMER: FAIRY TAIL BELONGS TO HIRO MASHIMA, NOT TO ME OR ANYBODY ELSE!

CHAPTER 8: Summer's Secrets

It was the first morning of spring. Erza stood in front of a mirror and brushed her long scarlet hair. She and Grandpa Rob had spent the winter as the usually did. Mourning and searching for Jellal. The townsfolk believed he had broken through the ice at the nearby river after receiving an illness from the exposure to so much cold that he went insane, was afflicted by a curse, or was possessed by a demon. Erza always sighed when she heard these rumors.

Since everyone decided it was a fact that Jellal drowned, Grandpa Rob would never allow Erza near the river, even to this day. It has been nine years since then. Erza looked closely into the mirror at her right eye. She still found that strange to say because it was a fake eye she had gotten after Jellal had basically destroyed her real eye. Truthfully, she could still see out of her right "eye." People didn't believe her and said things like, "That's impossible. It'd take magic to do something like that and magic doesn't exist," or, "You shouldn't lie, Erza. It's just a fake eye. It's only there for appearances and to keep infection out. You might wish to regain your sight, but that will never happen."

Maybe it should've been impossible, but it had happened. She just let people believe what they wanted. Erza then put on a silver crystal earring. It was a gift from Grandpa Rob. Ever year he would get her a gift at the end of winter to try to cheer her up from the loss of Jellal. She always tried to get him a gift, but he always refused to accept. To try and pay him back she sometimes did chores around his house. That was what she was heading to do now.

Erza walked at a leisurely pace from her home to Grandpa Rob's. Birds were chirping in joy that spring had finally arrived. Erza never found joy in spring. She quickened her pace.

Recently Grandpa Rob had been getting dizzy spells and would often times feel unwell. He would still maintain his personality of having a high spirit, though. Erza did not want anything to happen to him. Finally she made it to the wooden steps of his house. She opened the creaky door, which instantly alerted Grandpa Rob of her presence. As she closed the door she heard footsteps getting nearer.

"Why, hello Erza. You're here early as always," Grandpa Rob chortled.

Erza gave a small smile. "What can I say? I'm a morning person. Have you had breakfast yet?" Grandpa Rob shook his head. "Let me fix that." Erza walked to his back door and across the huge expansion of his yard to a chicken coop. Once instead she saw all the hens were up and clucking. She reached out to grab an egg and a hen pecked her hand away. Erza eye's narrowed into a dark glare and she developed a murderous aura around herself.

"You, all of you, against that wall now. I'm going to collect these eggs. I don't care what you think. You will do it."

If hens could sweat drop then they would've, but nonetheless, they of course did what Erza commanded. No living being alive would disobey her. They all had long since learned that there would be severe consequences. The number one rule of survival in this town was to obey Erza. Erza piled all the eggs into her arms and took her leave. The hens started breathing again.

While scrambling the eggs, Erza hummed. Grandpa Rob started to speak. "Erza, I'm amazed that you were able to gather all the eggs. The hens always attack me when I try to gather them. You must have a gift with animals."

Erza responded, "Really? I'll see if I can convince them not to attack you." On the inside she was thinking, "Those little fowls! How dare they attack Grandpa Rob! Just wait 'till I get my hands on them!" Grandpa Rob was the only one who had never received or heard of Erza's wrath or punishments. He still viewed her as a sweet, innocent little girl.

Erza placed a plate full of eggs in front of Grandpa Rob. "Why thank you, Erza. I'm sure it's going to be wonderful as always." He took a big forkful and stuffed in his mouth. Erza gave another small smile. She started to clean the kitchen when she heard a raspy cough.

"Grandpa Rob," she exclaimed in worry, running over to him. "Did you choke on the eggs? I'm so sorry!"

"No, no, Erza, it was just some dust, not your eggs. I'm fine."

She examined him closely. His face was a bit red and his eyes seemed a little glazed over. She stuck her hand on his forehead. It was unnaturally hot. "Grandpa Rob, you're a fever! Get into bed this instance!" Without letting him speak, Erza forced him up the stairs and into his bed. She rushed to get him a glass of water.

"Erza, I'll be fine. It's nothing major or life threatening. Just a cold. You know the usually come during or just after winter."
"I'm not taking any chances! I'm going into town to buy you some medicine." She sped to her house and once inside she instantly grabbed her wallet and rushed back out. It took her 15 minutes to get to the shopping part of town. Everyone recognized and greeted her. She gave small waves. Finally she kicked down the door to the apothecary. No one took any notice. Everybody knew that when Erza Scarlet was in a rush, a door would go flying off its hinges. A doctor looked up.

"How are you faring, Erza? You don't look ailed at all."

"I need some cold medicine, an ice pack, a heat pack, and some cough drops. I'll also take some of those leaves to make some tea." Erza said all of this in one breath. As the doctor was preparing the materials he wondered why she was so worried. Then he figured out it was most likely Rob.

"Here you go, Erza, I hope it will be enough to take care of Rob. That will be 3,500 jewels." Erza paid up,

"Was it that obvious that it was for Grandpa Rob?" Erza thought as she ran over the broken door.

When she got back to Grandpa Rob's room, he was in a deep and content sleep. Erza smiled. A content sleep is something that often avoided her once Jellal disappeared. She softly placed the ice pack on Rob's forehead and pulled his covers up higher. She used the leaves to brew the tea and placed the cup on a glass plate along with three pills of cold medicine.

She sat down on a wooden stool beside the bed. While gazing anxiously at Grandpa Rob an idea dawned on her.

"Grandpa Rob is unconscious, so that means I can go to the river to search for clues about Jellal's whereabouts. But…" Erza started doubting her idea, "That would mean I would have to leave Grandpa Rob while he's sick, and it has been nine years. All evidence would have disappeared by now, wouldn't it have?" She clenched her fist. "Knowing that there is nothing left is better than being left in the dark. I might never get a chance like this again. And besides," Erza glanced down at Grandpa Rob's sleeping face, "if it leads me to Jellal and if I'm able to bring him back that would make Grandpa Rob so happy." Erza knew that when Grandpa Rob was peaceful in his sleep, he was dreaming about him, her, and Jellal being together again. She was determined to make that a reality.

Erza grabbed a piece of paper and scribbled down an excuse saying that if he woke up before she got back that she went shopping. She put the note beside the glass plate and scurried out of the room and to the forest.

The blue of the sky against the green of the tree leaves eased Erza anxiety. She didn't know why, but the forest always made her feel like that. It especially helped because Erza haven't seen that scene in such a long time since she was forbidden from going in the forest. A light breeze caressed Erza face and she closed her eyes and tilted her head to feel it even better. Erza never realized how much she missed this forest.

Erza heard the gurgling of the river before she saw it. She carefully slid down a slope to reach the riverbank. "River, I need to speak to you about a certain matter," Erza addressed the river curtly.

The river gushed its response, "My, my, who might this be? Also, how come you have addressed me in such a rude manner?"

"I am Erza and the matter I wish to speak of is quite serious. I wish to discuss it with you right now."

"I refuse, you may go home now," the river swished. Erza's eyes widened in disbelief. She chewed on her lip before coming to a decision. Erza got on her knees and pleaded.

"Please, River, I just want to know one thing. Where is Jellal's whereabouts? Has he fallen into you and drowned? Or maybe he just drifted down your current? He must be alive, tell me where he is!" To further persuade the river she took off her new silver earring and held. "If you answer my questions this can be your compensation!"

The river longed for the silver earring. It answered her, "I do not know what you speak of, but that alone is information enough, is it not. Now I will I accept that earring." Erza hand tightly closed over the earring.

"That answers nothing! Tell me where Jellal is!"

This argument went on for a while before Erza realized that Jellal must've not been at the river at all. When she realized this, she quickly ran back up the slope and away from the boiling river. Erza remembered that a sorceress lived in this forest as well, but decided to check up on Grandpa Rob first.

Erza tried walking up the staircase as quietly as she was capable of. When she pushed the door of Grandpa Rob's room she saw that he was sitting up sipping his tea. He turned his head and Erza saw the relief that filled his eyes. For a moment, Erza thought he somehow knew she went to the river, so she said, "Is something wrong, Grandpa Rob? I just went shopping, didn't you read the note?"

He sighed. "Yes, I did read the note, but I still couldn't help but worry. Don't disappear, Erza." Erza had no idea how to respond. Finally she whispered-

"I won't, Grandpa Rob. Never." Erza's mind started thinking about the sorceress again and the trip there and back would take over a day so with a heavy heart Erza told Grandpa Rob, "That reminds me, I'm going on a trip with the Aesideth family to visit another town. They wanted me to come since I'm so good at card games that they want me to gamble for them. They'll pay me of course." Erza wouldn't look Grandpa Rob directly in the eye.

It was an awkward silence before he responded, "As long as you come back, Erza. Don't stay there too long, but have fun. You don't have to worry about me all the time," She gave a half-hearted smile and left the room.

Before Erza treaded through the forest once more she went into town and bought a few energy bars and a water bottle. She also bought a slice of strawberry cake because the temptation was far too great. Once she finished the cheesecake it was already evening so Erza knew she was going to have to travel during the night. This didn't frighten her though, it meant no one would be in the forest watching her and if they were they wouldn't be able to see her because of the darkness.

The forest revealed an entirely different side of itself during the night. Erza found it very peaceful, but she didn't let her guard down. She wasn't about to let herself get lost or mauled by wolves because she wasn't careful. When Erza realized she would have to travel during the night she went and bought a sword. The sword was titled "Demon Blade Crimson Sakura" and she felt like it was meant to be in her possession. Throughout the entire night that sword was her only companion.

By the time golden light started seeping through the trees Erza had reached her destination. She walked through gates made of what she though was animals' bones. "How lovely," Erza thought. As she walked down the dirt path to the door she noticed all the flowers around her, especially the roses. A longing look appeared in her eyes as she gazed at them. Then she lowered her head and continued to walk forward. As Erza was about to knock on the door she sensed an ominous aura approaching her and she automatically responded by slashing her blade in a diagonal arc in front of her. A metal clanging echoed through the air.

Erza made eye contact with her attacker. It was a woman a few years older than her with black hair styled in the traditional "princess style" with narrow eyes that held no emotion in them. Her eyes were black with glints of gold in them. Erza had trouble keeping her ground. She could tell this woman was an expertly skilled swordsman and she would have a hard time winning against her. Erza gracefully slid her blade down the woman's blade until it reached her throat. She made a shallow cut so that blood would flow down. Erza felt a sharp pain at her chest and realized that the woman had pressed her blade in front of Erza's heart. They both had a chance to take each other's life, but understanding the situation they both lowered their blades.

"Are you the sorceress that lives here?" Erza asked, straight to the point.

With her lips moving very slightly, the woman politely responded, "Indeed I am. I am Kagura, the sorceress of eternal summer and a gifted swordsman."

Erza gave a respective smile. "I can see you are gifted, but even I can tell it was not just a gift, but also immense training and hardships."

Erza swore she saw the tips of Kagura's mouth slightly turn upward. "Yes, since the instant I was born I made choices of becoming a skilled swordsman. I have never relied on luck or anything of those means. Now may I trouble you for your name?"

"Erza. Erza Scarlet. And just like you I have never relied on luck, I have had to fight for my future. That is what I am doing here right now. I have something I want to ask you."

Kagura walked past Erza and opened the door to her house. "Of course, but I insist you come inside first." Erza accepted her offer and walked into Kagura's home. It was a modest home with traditional styling. Nothing seemed extravagant, except for in Kagura's room a traditional nodachi in its scabbard hung on the wall. The scabbard was black and white with some parts crafted out of silver, and had a thin black cord dexterously knotted slightly above the tsuba. Under it a yellowed piece of paper read:

"ARCHENEMY"

"That sword, Archenemy…" Erza started, not sure how to word what she wanted to say. Kagura saw where Erza was looking and her eyes darkened. She seemed to know what Erza was trying to say.

"Archenemy, a paramount sword and my most beloved, unsheathing it will cause a catalyst. I have never wielded it from outside its scabbard. I plan to use it on only one person."

"Who?" Erza questioned. She was extremely curious.

Kagura gave a soft "hmph" and said, "Have you ever heard the legend of the Snow Queen?" Familiarity crept onto Erza's face. Seeing this Kagura continued. "She is real. Years ago she got herself a little apprentice. Whether it was under the influence off that queen or not, her apprentice has wronged me severely. He took away everything from me. The queen has given him control over some of her powers and probably under her orders, he destroyed my home and tried to turn my eternal summer to never ending frost."

"Then wouldn't that be the queen's error?" Erza queried.

Without blinking, Kagura answered, "I thought that at first as well, but later on I discovered that her apprentice's orders were just to destroy my home, not attempt to take my life."

All Erza could say was, "I see."

They both examined the sword for a while before Kagura declared, "I swore I would kill him with my sword. Archenemy will be unsheathed and will pierce Jellal Fernandez's heart." Erza's head snapped in Kagura's direction.

"Did you just say 'Jellal Fernandez'?!" Kagura was not ignorant of the shock, and possibly hope, that flashed in her eyes.

"You know that detestable creature?" Kagura inquired. Her first thoughts were that she had mistaken her interpretation of hope and that Erza was also harmed by Jellal. If so she might be able to convince Erza to stay with her. She thought that Erza would be a superb companion.

Erza eyes seemed to intensify as they met Kagura's, and she slowly but deliberately said, "Yes, I do. He- Jellal Fernandez is my dearest friend."

Kagura face paled for a moment before she said, "I see, I guess I have no choice then." Erza took that as fighting words, but before she could draw her sword Kagura had trapped Erza in a magic circle. An agonizing pain consumed her and the last thing she saw was Kagura with her sword drawn and an expression comparable to joy before she crumpled to the floor, her sword skidding from her grasp.

When she woke up Erza was in a plush bed with a thin blanket over her. There was a glass of water next to her on a Japanese crape myrtle (a summer tree) nightstand. The room was painted a pale blue. Erza was glad to be there though. She remembered nothing except Kagura (but not the part where Kagura knocked her out), her name (her heart tightened when she though the word 'Scarlet' to herself, but she doesn't know why), and the name of her sword. Upon that thought Erza took a mental check of everything in the room. Her sword was not there.

"I'm so glad you're awake now, Erza," Kagura said as she strode into the room. Erza felt both relieved and cross to see her. She didn't know why she was cross though; Kagura was the only person she could remember. Kagura then asked, "Do you remember me, Erza?"

Erza hesitated before answering. "…Yeah, I do. You're Kagura who rules over eternal summer and is an excellent swordsman."

"Anything else, Erza?"

A scowl appeared on Erza's face and with scorn blazing in her eyes she answered, "No, I don't, although I know I was doing something important, something I cannot give up on as long as I'm alive. It's the thing that makes me feel powerful and weak at the same time, but what it is exactly I can't say." Then Erza started muttering words Kagura could not hear nor understand while rubbing her temples. Erza did not notice how Kagura's eyes became caliginous.

"What is it about that man Jellal that makes Erza's will so determined to reunite with him? Even after I erased her memories her lingering feelings continue to rest inside her. If she remembers him she will leave me, and I'm not prepared for such talent to disappear and rot just because of Jellal. That monster just takes without a second thought and leaves wreckage behind. No, not this time, I will rewrite what is in Erza's soul so that she will despise you as much as I do. With our powers combined we can easily kill you. I might die if a face you alone. Erza is just blinded by the fake innocence you claimed to have, but without such memories clouding her judgment, she will see you for what you really are. The way I've seen you for years-,"

"Kagura, right now you are the only one I can trust. What do I do?" Erza's pride melted away as she pleaded Kagura for any advice or help she could give. Kagura gave a genuine smile and responded-

"What you have always done. Exist by my side as we train, work, and live together."

"So this is home…" Erza whispered.

Ever since Erza willingly believed Kagura's explanation they had been living side by side. Erza did everything Kagura told her without any complaints and held high respect for her, but Erza sometimes had thoughts that showed disloyalty towards Kagura and she always felt guilty when she had those thoughts. Kagura wasn't cruel to her and sometimes treated her like a little sister, but Erza couldn't bring herself to consider Kagura her family and once again she didn't know why. Erza always told herself she was paranoid.

Day after day, Erza's daily routine basically remained the same. Do chores, which were just tending to Kagura's summer plants, train, and spend free time casually talking with Kagura, sleeping, and cooking. Kagura always made sure to keep the ingredients required for strawberry shortcake in stock.

Erza had been living with Kagura for five months. Whenever she thought about that a wave of guilt washed over her a Erza had no idea why. She never told Kagura about her anxious or guilty feelings. Her hand dropped down and swayed against her side causing her fingers to brush over the metallic surface grasped the handle of her sword, an image of drifting rose petals appeared in her mind. Ever since that day, she had wondered why Kagura did not seem to have any roses in her garden; she seemed to have everything else.

At this exact moment Erza walked into one of Kagura's Gladiolus bushes. "Kya!" she squealed. Petals fluttered down from above her. She briskly stood up and brushed herself off. Looking at her expression now nobody would suspect anything had happened to her. Erza looked at the layer of red and white petals scattered on the ground. Staring at them brought an odd, but very familiar picture into her head. Erza started hyperventilating. Tears were pricking at her left eye while her fake right eye felt cold and numb. She was seeing a scene play out in her head. The sudden emotions of betrayal, confusion, loss, shock, and fear overwhelmed her.

Clutching herself tightly Erza dropped to her knees and curled into a ball. The petals reminded her of snow and blood. Erza's tears spilled onto the ground and a rosebush pushed its way through the earth from where the tears stained the earth. Erza hardly noticed the rosebush. Her memories had returned.

"Snow and blood," Erza thought, but unknowingly said out loud, "Snow and blood. My blood was spilled by Jellal when he destroyed our roses. He left to be surrounded by the perfect beauty of the snow…" Erza was visibly shaking, but she somehow managed to stand up. "The snow is what took Jellal away and my blood is what he left behind.

She spotted her sword on the ground on the carpet of Gladiolus petals. She bent over and clumsily picked it up, but had her hold on it remain firm.

"Snow and blood. I will shed more of my blood to save Jellal from the snow."

In my time zone it's 12:30 A.M. and I've just finished. I meant to finish this hours ago, but nothing goes as expected. I also spent an hour searching for a red summer flower that I thought would fit with this story, but when I found the Gladiolus the entire plot of this chapter changed and became much more dramatic. So I need to discuss a certain item of business: -Which story should I make Bixanna with? 1- The Little Match Girl or 2-The Willow Wife

I'm leaving it up to you guys to decide. Put which one you want in a review and that is what'll happen. Also, Happy and Charla will have their own arc. One last thing on my agenda: What couple should be next after Jerza? I was planning CanaXLaxus or HappyXCharla, but really it's what you guys want.

Are there any questions, concerns, or suggestions about my story up to this point? If so (and even if you don't) please review.