Chapter 5: Three-way Trouble

"I think this is the right place," Lucy said, looking up at a large, towering mansion. "Should I knock?" She stepped up to the two main doors and raised her fist.

"Nah, let's go find something to eat first, then the job," Erza said. We should take a look around; maybe I'll find something interesting... or a clue to my uneasiness.

"Sure! I think that famous restaurant with the flame-broiled chicken is around the corner over there," Natsu suggested, leaping away. Grey snatched the back of his collar.

"Flame-broiled chicken is broiled with flames, not covered in fire!" Grey corrected, rolling his eyes.

"Let go!" Natsu grimaced, slashing at Gray's arm. Erza quickly jumped in.

"Stop it, you two!" she hissed in a low voice. Lucy sweat-dropped as the two boys jumped back into their "Best Buddies" mode. "Now," she continued in a normal tone. "we passed a B-B-Q diner a while back and it looked nice. C'mon!" The diner was a nice one, on the edge of town, as far away from the mansion as it could be. Perfect choice, Erza, Erza thought. We'll be able to scout the whole town before arriving there.

They strode down the streets, passing many things and people. At one point Grey snatched a little girl's ice cream cone, and Erza made him apologize quite a bit to stall time, both to the girl and her parents. Then when Lucy spotted the "cutest sweater" in one of the shops, Erza consented (much to Natsu's wondering). As Erza waited for Lucy to come out of the shop (the boys had gone with Lucy), she sat on a bench outside the store and scanned the area. Children played on the cobblestones, and a few shops were setting up sidewalk vendors to attract customers.

"Hey."

Erza's head snapped up, and her hands automatically reached for her hidden sword. In front of her stood a smirking man with dark hair and handsome features. She gripped her sword.

"What do you want?" she demanded more roughly than she'd intended.

"You must be Erza the Titania," the man said thoughtfully, a gleam in his eye. He chuckled softly to himself, and Erza carefully watched for any sudden moves.

"Maybe, maybe not. Who're you?"

"No one in particular," he replied smoothly. "May I treat you and your party to lunch?" he suddenly offered.

Erza narrowed her eyebrows. "I don't go to lunch with strangers." How did he know I was with other people? Stalker...?

The man laughed. "I'll introduce myself then."

"Erza!" Natsu, Grey, and Lucy approached her. Erza's eyes were still fixed on the stranger, who glanced over her shoulder toward the three. His eyes flickered with slight fear, then relaxed and moved back to her. "Please tell them to join us. Now... shall we?"

Erza paused, then, ignoring the man's outstretched palm, she gestured to her friends and followed the man away.

Lucy glanced tentatively at the man, and her head began to hurt. Why do I have the feeling this isn't leading to something good? Have I seen that person before? Why can't I remember?

"Luce?" Natsu looked worried. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, yeah," Lucy filled in hastily. "I'm fine. Come on, let's catch up to Erza... and that stranger." Natsu seemed doubtful, but shook his head and moved on.

~ o ~

Jet frowned as he followed Levy and Droy back into the guild. Why was Levy acting this way? Hadn't the three of them grown up together? She didn't need all those other people - that Lucy, most of all. And now Gajeel.

Jet stiffened as the trio sat down at a bench and Droy and Levy began chatting.

What was I thinking, agreeing to those terms of hers? And why does Droy seem unfazed about all this? In fact, he's laughing. Laughing!... but even if he's OK with this, that doesn't mean that I have to follow those rules all the time, too. After all, a grudging agreement means no agreement at all, doesn't it? His heart pumped, and he sighed as he realized he knew better. Still...

"Hi everybody!" A cheerful voice broke into this self-argument. Wendy skipped into the guild. Carla walked beside her, with a stone face and paws crossed.

"Hi, Wendy, Carla!" replied Levy and Droy. Not wanting to be left out, Jet gave a small, "Hi."

The small sky sorceress waved and the two headed to the bar where Mira Jane was wiping the counter. The demon takeover mage smiled sweetly.

"Hiiii!"

"Hiiii!" The two grinned at each other.

"What the...?" Droy leaned over and whispered to Jet, who shrugged nonchalantly.

"Just being weird, I guess," he grumbled.

~ o ~

"So what can I get you? A lemonade?" Mira's hand paused in the air.

"Iced tea, please," Wendy said.

"Great choice." Mira filled a glass, popped in a couple ice cubes, and handed it to Wendy. "Carla?"

"Just a glass of water."

"What's wrong, Carla?" Mira asked, noting the Exceed's distracted eyes as she poured water into a glass of water. Carla looked startled.

"I.. Nothing." Mira's face twisted, but she didn't press any more. Wendy, however, was suddenly aware of Carla's sad-looking face and as they walked away from the counter to join some friends, the Exceed's steps were weighed down like stone.

"There's something wrong, I know it," Wendy whispered to herself, concerned for her friend.