Hey guys just gonna throw out there Reviews of any kind are welcome hope you enjoy the second chapter of Hidden Shadows! - IRA

DISCLAIMER:I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL

Erza sat at the usual booth with Lucy, Grey and Natsu silently observing and staring at the main entrance to the guild hall. Baron was due back tonight he he was NOT going to slip past her. Erza sat pondering barely noticing Natsu and Grey butting heads for the fifth time in the past 10 minutes and Lucy sitting there face-palming at their idiocy. However barely doesnt mean she didn't notice. CLANG! a mettalic sound rang through the guild hall as Natsu and Grey slumped down onto the table nursing their heads.

"Geez Erza" Natsu grumbled not even paying attention to the fact she wasn't even look their way anymore.

Erza suddenly stood noticing the guild hall doors slowly opening and revealing Baron stepping inside quietly and making his way to his customary table. Oooh no you dont! thought Erza triumphantly. She made her way to the table that Baron was sitting in sipping the same beer he had left on his table before he went out on his mission.

Erza walked up and slammed both hands onto the table loudly before glaring at Baron. He seemed completely unfazed in fact the only reaction Erza got out of him was him slightly tilting his head her direction.

"Gramps has a job for us to do" Erza said rather happily. Yes i can finally corner him!

Baron just nodded stood up and made his way to the door and leaned against the frame arms crossed gazing at her with his deep blue eyes. He was obviously waiting for her to go announce to master that they where leaving for his 'scouting' mission. RRRRAG! THE NERVE! Erza screamed mentally glaring at Baron before making her way over to Mira who was substituting for master while he was at a conferance.

"Mira I'm leaving on a mission with Baron" Erza said her anger barely contained in her voice.

"Baron!? Erza he hasn't been here since before Lissana died!"

"Are you blind Mira hes leaning on the door frame" Erza said exasperated and decided to just drop it. Obviously Baron had done a good job of erasing his presence from being generally known in the guild. Erza haughtily made her way to Baron not stopping as she said "Let's go" and strode out the doors keeping a fast pace.

If she had payed attention enough she would have heard the quiet chuckle and seen the spark in Barons eyes as he turned and followed her out of the guild.

Baron sat staring deeply into the flames. He could almost feel the heat from Erza's stares boring into the side of his head. Does this woman have mental issues? thought and exasperated Baron. At first he had been furious with Erza, she had almost completely demolished his hidden state within the guild. For gods sakes he was more mysterious than Mystogan at least people knew when he came and left!

Baron just stared into the warm flames coming from their Campsites fire. Lost in thought he hardly noticed Erza clear her throat. Finally after man loud sighs and pointed glares from the obviously trouble girl Baron turned to her and quizzically raised an eyebrow. He knew all to well what she was doing, trying to make him speak acknowledge her presence in confirm that she existed.

"Don't raise your eyebrows at me if your going to communicate use words"

Baron simply responded by shrugging and returning his attention to the fire.

"Baron?" Erza asked in a very stern voice one demanding attention and respect.

Baron turned and again raised a questioning eyebrow.

"Why?" She said quietly.

Baron simply remained as he was indicating that he did not understand her question.

"Where were you when we were attacked by Phantom? If your strong as im guessing you obviously are capable of many things, Simply said WHERE WERE YOU" Erza placed almost and angry emphasis.

Erza almost physically shrank back from the look coming from Baron's eyes.

Baron's gaze had darkened considerably at the question. His body shook from rage or sadness you could not tell. The depths of his eyes relayed a unimaginable pain and regret, guilt sorrow and many more emotions you could not fathom. Baron stood shaking with unspoken emotions and simply walked out of the camp and sat on a tree stump not far from the fire and stared into the night. Erza taking this as a sign that the conversation was over and he was taking first watch simply stood quietly and laid on her bedroll attempting at least some sleep.

The next few nights remained the same Erza would as questions he would say nothing until eventually she would hit a obviously painful subject and he would stand shaking from emotion and walk away and find somewhere to take watch. During the day as they traveled they would have a understanding silence not having a thing said between them and somehow Erza took it as a sign of trust. She wasn't sure why but that is what it felt like.

One night after their usual conversations ending the same way they always did Erza woke from a nightmare in a cold sweat. She gasped trying to catch her breath and eventually her heart rate turned normal again. She stood and stepped out of the cave they where camping in to find Baron and relieve him of his watch. She eventually found him sitting staring deep into the ground. The thing she immediatly noticed is that his face was not covered.

Baron's hair was the same as Erza's scarlet but the edges where frayed with black. His hair was spiky but obviously with a soft texture to it. His face was hidden by his bangs as he stared down. Erza slowly and cautiously moved forward knowing if he wanted her to see his face he would have revealed it and not wanting to break their trust by rushing at him to see his face.

Erza's eyes widened as she observed him. Baron was weeping, and it was not soft weeping. It was Heart wrenching soft soul breaking silent weeping. Tears trickled from his downcast face hidden in shadow falling onto the grass. Erza did not know why but she moved closer and slowly placed a hand on his shoulder. Baron instantly tensed feeling her touch and knowing his face would be revealed if he looked. Baron quickly turned his face away from Erza's gaze who was now kneeling next to him.

She didn't know what it was but seeing him like this it was... terrible. She had come to care for the silent man walking beside her by day and the seemingly unemotional man who she questioned non-stop at night. She hated to admit it but over the past week or so of their travels to the dark guild she had fallen for the silent unknown man.

Erza gently reached and grabbed his chin and turned his face to her slowly. Baron resisted at first then slowly turned his face to her his eyes still hidden by bangs.

Erza almost let a gasp escape her lips. The scars seen running from his chest reached up to Barons face running three deep lines across his right eye all the way up to his temple. On his left neck there were claw like scars running from his shoulder down to the invisible skin of his back.

"Baron" Erza whispered gently "Open your eyes"

Baron slowly complied.

Erza gazed deep into his eyes those dark blue mysterious eyes that seemed like they could swallow her soul, the confidant eyes that never betrayed any emotion. Erza could tell just from looking into them that Baron was dealing with extreme emotional and mental pain. Erza silently wrapped her arms around Baron's shoulders and pulled him close. Erza could feel the shaking of his body the tension in his muscles every fiber of his being was struggling for control. Finally she felt Baron relax into her arms and slowly drift into a silent sleep.

Erza laid him down and slipped her hand from behind his head gazing at his face. Despite his scars that ran across the mans face Baron was inconceivably handsome. Erza tearing her gaze away from his stared into the sky. Erza Scarlet, Titania was hopelessly and indubitably in love.

HEY GUUUUYS! so i am really excited for the next chapter because you get to see just how strong Baron is! GIHIHI! I CANT WAIT! Anyway hope you guys have a good day peace!- IRA