Chapter 4: Escape

It was about 8 am when Makarov opened his eyes, yawned and sat up on the bed. The sun was shining brightly through the curtains, birds were chirping on the trees just outside the old man's window, but that did not change his gloomy mood. 'Those three have actually done it this time…' he thought concerned. 'Making an old man worry like that! Kids…' The guild master then looked at a shelf by his bedside with evident determination in his eyes. 'I guess it's the right time to use this,' the old man's gaze rested on a medium-sized green flask with some purplish liquid in it. There were no inscriptions on the container only a bright red bow on its neck. Makarow sighed: "Porlyusica is going to be so mad if she finds out…" and with that said the Fairy Tail guild master went to dress himself and get ready for another hard day.

x-x-x A few hours later x-x-x

"Master. So you want me to bring this to Erza's place and give it to her?" Mirajane asked eyeing the green flask in her hands with curiosity.

"Aa," Makarov nodded slowly.

"So what is it? Some sort of binding spell or something? I mean you do not really intend to let Erza go on that 'mission' she invented on the spot with those injuries, right Master?" she asked with a smile.

"Tch," Makarov frowned and looked away a little embarrassed.

"Master?" Mira didn't understand his reaction at first, but then gasped and covered her mouth with her palm. "Master, you wouldn't!"

The old man just sighed. "It'll be no good if I try to keep Erza by force. She'll escape anyway. I better help her."

"So this flask… this really is?" Mirajane asked in bewilderment.

"Aa," the guild master confirmed.

"But is this really Ok, master?" the white-haired mage doubted. "Porlyusica-san will be…"

"Just leave that to me," Makarov gave the female mage a reassuring smile. "Now hurry, Mira, before Erza leaves!" and in addition he thought: 'Cause I really doubt that she'll stop by the guild before starting off…' and the guild master watched as Mirajane disappeared through the guild entrance. It was almost 11 am.

The water was hot and did well to Erza's aching body. The girl stood in the shower cabin with her face up to welcome the purifying stream. As steam filled the small space of the shower cabin Erza's thoughts were far-far away… 'My stomach still hurts… That will be a huge hindrance during the mission… Damn! Had Master allowed me go to retrieve Natsu with no objections I wouldn't have had to take up another task! That Iyashii… Shit, the cut's pretty deep… But still…' the girl lowered her head and opened her eyes allowing the water to flow along the smooth white skin of her back and legs. 'Natsu… Why did you leave? What was so important that made you desert something you cherish most? And even Happy…'

"Natsu…" she whispered his name gently this time. "I will definitely," the Queen of Fairies balled her fists, "bring you back!"

Mirajane was walking in the direction of Erza's apartment along the streets of Magnolia with the flask in hand. The sunrays were playing on the green surface of the container, people were smiling and enjoying the warmth of the day, only the usually cheerful and friendly female mage was obviously thinking about something serious – this reflected on her face. 'Does Master really think Erza's injuries are that grave that he resorted to…' and she looked at the flask in her hand, before coming close to Erza's door. The girl raised her arm to knock.

Erza's head snapped up immediately as she heard a knock on the door. The scarlet-haired mage quickly reequipped, wincing a bit at the stinging sensation in her abdomen, and approached the front door. It was really quiet outside and inwardly Erza wondered who it might be. The female mage reached out her hand and turned the door knob only to see…

"Erza? Erza? Are you home?" Mirajane cried out cautiously stepping into the empty apartment. 'This is odd… No breakfast cooked, her bed is made, the door was unlocked… and… Oh my God! Her things are missing!' and with that realization the white-haired mage rushed back to the guild bar to warn Master Makarov.

"Gray?" Erza shouted surprised, staring at the brunette in the dark hallway. "What are you doing here in the middle of the night?" the girl pointed to the clock on the wall showing 2 am.

"Well, I see you're all dressed up," the ice-mage commented simply, eyeing Erza from head to toe, which made the girl feel rather uneasy and annoyed. "Are you ready to leave?"

"Leave?" repeated Erza. She still needed a goodnight's sleep before setting off, so leaving at night was none of her plans. "Don't change the subject, Gray!" the scarlet-haired mage snapped out of her surprised state. "Why did you come to my apartment so late at night?" she eyed the ice-mage seriously, never letting him cross the threshold.

"Only to give you this," and with that the brunette stretched out his hand with a green flask in it.

Erza look changed from harsh back to surprised again: "What's this?"

"It's for your wound," Gray uttered looking away and slightly blushing, attempting a stand-offish look, but failing miserably as his eyes still tried to steal glances at the scarlet-haired mage.

Erza's gaze softened and she accepted the flask, standing a bit aside to let Gray in, which he did within seconds. "So what does it do and how do I take it?"

"It can heal any wound with just a few drops, so I suggest you drink some."

"Why the concern?" the girl asked suspiciously.

"A plain 'thank you' would have been enough," Gray said ironically.

"Gray!" the weapon mistress threatened.

'I want you to feel better, Erza! How hard is that to understand?' Gray thought, but said only: "I wanna help you find Natsu and bring him back," there was something so firm in his voice that made Erza see the ice-mage in a slightly new light. "I…" Gray averted his eyes once again, his look losing its determination and turning into something slightly sad. "Natsu left because of me, so it should have been me who ought to have scolded everyone like you did and run to search for him! But…" the boy gritted his teeth, "Happy asked me to wait for you…" he looked at Erza intently and she felt uneasy again. "I saw you with those injuries… but I knew you would never turn your back on…" Gray meant to say 'Natsu', but somehow the name stuck in his throat, so he just said, "…a friend."

Erza gave the ice-mage a friendly soothing smile. "So I guess stopping you is out of the question then?" she half-teased.

Gray smirked back. He always loved this about Erza. She could say very little but imply very much. "Same as stopping you," the boy replied. "Speaking of which, you should really drink the potion and pack. We have to take off as soon as possible. The old geezer might try to stop you…"

"Master?" Erza said in disbelief. "I'm sure he wouldn't…"

But Gray already cut the girl short. "I highly doubt it too, but Master cherishes you very much, he won't allow you to get hurt. We have to leave now to prevent the old geezer from locking you up in Fairy Tail. We need Natsu back! As soon as possible…"

"Aa," Erza confirmed with her usual small understanding smile. 'Natsu…' and the boy's smiling face flashed before her eyes.

x-x-x A few hours later (back at the guild) x-x-x

"Lucy-san! Lucy-san!" Juvia screamed rushing into the hall. On seeing the blonde she ran straight to her. "Lucy-san, have you seen Gray-sama?" the water mage asked concerned.

"Hi, there, Juvia," Lucy greeted stuttering a bit from being taken aback. "No, I haven't seen him, why?"

"Juvia went to Gray-sama's apartment to bring him breakfast, but Gray-sama wasn't there! Then Juvia went to the training grounds, but couldn't find Gray-sama there either! So Juvia came here, but Gray-sama isn't here! So where is he?" the blue-haired girl cried with teary eyes.

"I-I… don't…" but Lucy never got the chance to finish the sentence.

"Master! Master! Something terrible has happened!" Mirajane shouted running straight to where Makarov was sitting. The said mage saw the green flask in the girl's hands and his eyes grew wide.

'Don't tell me she's…'

"Master, Erza's gone!" Mirajane blurted out.

Makarov grunted, stood up and disappeared in a flash, leaving the other guild members totally flabbergasted and confused. He reappeared near Porlyusica's house in the woods and knocked on her door.

"Unless you're dying, go away, Makarov," the pink-haired mage stated plainly.

"Porlyusica, I need your help," the old mage said firmly.

"Judging from your voice you're not dying, so why test my hospitality?" the female spoke never casting an eye on her friend, mixing some potions.

"It's about Erza."

"Era who?"

"Erza Scarlet, the girl you made an artificial eye for!" Makarov's patience was wearing thin, but Porlyusica didn't like the sound of the old man's voice.

"You really think I remember all those humans?" she snorted.

"THIS IS IMPORTANT!" the mage finally yelled. "Erza is the strongest mage in fairy Tail so far, and she is planning to do something reckless, walking around and engaging in battles with a deep cut across her abdomen! Now I want you to tell me how far she could have gone with an injury like that, so I can find her and bring her back for treatment!" the old man said in one breath.

"Makarov…" Porlyusica eyed the guild master in surprise, "…you must be really out of it yelling at me in my own house!" the female threatened.

"Tch," Makarov turned to leave, "could have known you were of no help…" the old man was already about to shut the door behind him, when suddenly he heard Porlyusica speak.

"Do you know what potion I am making now, Makarov?"

The said mage simply raised an eyebrow saying nothing.

"I'm making the Iryo potion. Sound familiar?"

"B-but, that potion was supposed to be used only in extreme circumstances! You had only one for yourself and made one for me, in case I fall ill… Did something happen?"

"Old man, you sound as if you were concerned about me," Porlyusica mused. "You shouldn't' worry, though. I'm fine. But the one who stole my precious purple Iryo last night should!" she raised her voice.

'Stole the potion… at night… But Erza couldn't have! She wouldn't! Then who?' Makarov mused in thought. "If you think it was Erza…" the mage started his defense speech but was cut short.

"Makarov," Porlyusica began calmly, "my plants have withered…"

'What does that have to do with anything,' the guild master thought annoyed. But the answer came shortly.

"…they only wither from cold."

Makarov's eyes widened for a brief moment, then shrunk back to normal and then Master finally closed them with a sigh, massaging his eyelids. "I see…" was the only thing he said, before thanking Porlyusica for the information and opening the door to leave.

"Makarov," the pink-haired mage said as if reminding the guild master about something.

He just sighed again. "Yeah, I'll make sure he makes up for it when they come back," Makarov said and then finally left for the guild thinking 'The poor bastard doesn't know Porlyusica's wrath… She can be scarier than Erza at times…'

x-x-x One day before that just outside Magnolia x-x-x

A certain familiar Dragon Slayer was sitting on a high hill a long distance away from the town he considered his home and looked at it from above. Buildings, trees, streets, people… everything was so small and fragile, yet so peaceful and undisturbed. 'Come to think of it when I left it was raining and now it's sunny and warm. Everyone seems to be pretty happy. I shouldn't have stayed around outside Magnolia for so long, though… guess those strings attach stronger than I thought…' But in reality it was not the whole truth… Partly Natsu stayed around Magnolia for the last few days hoping to see a certain female mage return from her mission and make sure she was Ok, before finally parting with his dear guild… But the Dragon Slayer never had the chance to see her, and staying near his home was starting to get so unbearable, that he finally decided to take off to some other town.

Casting one final look at his hometown, Natsu stood up with a sad smile on his face. "Hope you guys will be ok." And with that the fire mage was off, a single female name replaying in his mind.