DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL

(Morning Eastern Forest:Baron's Home)

Baron was breathing hard pushing himself to the limit. He stopped leaned down let his head fall down to his chest and began to catch his breath. It was early morning like REALLY early morning around 3:00 AM. Baron had woken up next to a sleeping Erza Scarlet. He couldn't help but smile at the memory. She looked so peaceful and cute. He had sat there for a bit propped up on one elbow and watched as the light played across her features. He knew it was a mistake after what happened before but he couldn't help it. He was falling for Titania. And he knew it.

Baron sighed and pushed himself up off his knees and turned his face to the sky. He breathed deeply through his nose. Despite him not wearing anything but slacks not even shoes he felt ridicously warm. The sweat from his run poured down his face as he closed his eyes. Halfway done. Despite him being tired to the bone his missed his runs through the forest. Woke him up got him ready for the day in a way. He turned and faced the tree line.

"Suppose I should head back before Erza wakes up" Baron muttered to himself. He shuttered at what she would do to him if she knew he had gone for a 60 mile run. Yes SIXTY MILES its really far but with Baron's magic and his enhanced muscle tissue it just felt like a one mile jog.

Sighing he got into a runners stance and closed his eyes evening his breathing.

Then he took off leaving nothing to show he had even been on that cliff moments before but a shockwave and foot prints. Baron's mind slipped back into thought of the red haired woman as he blasted through the forest. She seemed very... domineering. She demanded respect and loyalty not that Baron had a problem with that but at times when he valued his privacy it could be... annoying. He sighed smashing through a tree branch the impact not even bothering him.

Despite her sometimes overbearing personality she was at heart still a girl. A very nice, strong, brave, intelligent, and frankly beautiful girl. He snickered to himself as he remembered her reaction the first time they encountered one another. She had been furious that he broke her sword. He still remembered when he heard he stomp over to the master and demand to know all there was about himself. She was prying but not to prying if that makes sense. While she seemed she wanted to know as much as possible about Baron's past she didn't force him to tell her. Not that she could have but the sentiment was appreciated none the less.

And on top of all these positive traits about her she was powerful. Enough so that if they fought seriously Baron knew she could give him a challenge however the outcome would have been determined from the beginning. She simply didn't have enough magic in her container. Baron frowned having now passed his Halfway mark to his home. He was positive that if she was trained properly she could become just as powerful as he was.

Baron thought on her magic. She is definitely gifted with extraordinary talents. Her Re-quipping speed was phenomenal and unknown to many people in fact almost to everyone except his own master Baron could use many types of magic mostly the basics of it such as movement speed and listening magic but he took a particular interest in Re-quipping magic. He only had one type of Armor and one Sword however it was considered the most powerful the eastern empires had to offer. He considered showing her but decided against it. He would show her sometime but not now.

Baron realizing that he was about to hit his home at his speed and that would very likely hurt. Quickly Baron moved his arms in front of him and released a blast of magical power slowing him down. Luckily he skidded to a stop just before he fell into the lake just outside his home. Sighing in relief Baron knelt down on one knee before plopping onto his backside and closed his eyes turning his face to the sky breathing deeply.

Baron was startled slightly jumping by a quiet cough coming from his door. Very slowly and catiously he turned his head to the sound hoping to god on high that it wasn't what he thought it was. He cringed as his gazed fell upon the sight of his front door.

I am so royally screwed!

That single thought ran threw his mind as he looked upon the scarlet beauty leaning on the doorframe of his home.

"Baron I believe I thoroughly scolded you about training with your wound yesterday" Erza said dangerously quiet her stern gaze fixed upon the man sitting before her. Despite her tone of voice her heart was beating out of her chest and she tried with every fiber of her being to suppress the blush creeping its way on her face gazing at the nearly naked man sitting on the shore line.

"And I think I told you that I am completely fine Erza" Baron grumbled as he fell onto his back splaying his arms on the ground.

"That should be for me to judge"

"And what makes you the judge and jury of my condition" Baron asked a mischeviously turning his eyes to gaze at her from the side.

"Because you cant stop me" She responded a challenging undertone to her voice.

Baron just sighed and stood up and turned to face her his exetremely blue eyes staring at her.

What is he doing? Erza thought to herself. She looked down to herself she was wearing a black tank-top and grey slacks with bare feet placed firmly on the ground. Is he checking me out? she thought to herself blushing slightly at the thought of the very muscular man inspecting her 'goods'.

"Its decided" Baron said firmly placing his hands on his hips look her directly in the eyes.

"What would be 'decided' may I ask?"

"I'm going to train you" With his words Baron turned and began walking to the field he uses for training.

"Do I get a say in this?"

"Nope"

Baron smiled to himself facing away from her continueing on his path as he heard her 'hmmmpf' from behind him. She is so damn cute and she doesn't even seem to try. I wonder how I should start her out Baron thought to himself. I suppose she has sword play mastered I doubt she has spear combat down or hand to hand for that matter but I don't doubt her capabilities.

Baron stopped and turned to face Erza who was standing directly across from him about 10 feet.

"Ok Erza today im going to be testing your Strength, Stamina, Agility, and hand to hand combat skills we will refrain from using magic however if we get into a heated spar make sure not to injure your opponent... well not to bad anyway"

All he got in response was a confident smirk.

"Ready when you are"

"Begin"

Soon as the words left Baron's mouth she launched herself at him. Good she is fast he thought to himself simply stepping aside while swatting her hand away with the back of his hand. She could maximize it thought we will have to work on that.

Erza turned quickly after being avoided and swung her foot back confidant that Baron had no time to dodge. Reckless Baron thought to himself as he simply grabbed her leg and pulled her to him forcing her to hop in the air allowing him to rush forward place his hand on her chest and slam her to the earth forcing the air from her lungs.

Baron stepped back allowing her to catch her breath before speaking.

"You are fast Erza however your strikes are unfocused uncalculated you must think about all of the possible outcomes to a specific combination of attacks before striking know the consequences of each action perfectly" Baron said while Erza stood up.

Erza stared at Baron trying to read him. She got nothing.

Baron simply stood relaxed but ready for her to attack. He knew very well she was trying to read his reaction to her skill. He stood passive as she nodded acknowledging what he said and readied her stance again. This time he noticed she placed her back foot to 8:00. Good he thought almost letting a smile break out on his face. She was going to use her head and try to keep her feet planted firmly on the ground.

Erza used her hind foot to launch herself at Baron and was pleasantly surprised that he was pushed slightly back but the force of her blow but he had caught hit in his palm. Seeing this she swung her free arm at his ribs but he simply twirled to her left dodging the blow and forcing her other arm behind her back at the same time. He applied pressure until he felt Erza give way then kicked out her knee as she fell he simply grabbed one side of her head and toppled her to the ground firmly but gently enough to where the blow wouldn't affect her mind.

She was learning. That was a certain. The way she moved herself the way she struck was slowly becoming more focused more precise. However she still was a novice in hand to hand compared to most mages in the guild. She only knew how to use her hands not her feet. Baron would obviously need to teach her in that area.

And the day continued. Erza would come at Baron and he would simply move to the side or block her attacks and counter it quickly forcing her to her knees or knocking the air out of her. As the day went on though Baron could already see vast improvement. She learned very very fast. As day turned to night Baron forced Erza to the ground granted with some diffulty resulting in somehow her on her back but laying on top of Baron.

"Does...this count as a win?" She managed to say through ragged breaths smiling the whole time as she gazed up at the sky enjoying the closeness that she shared at this moment with Baron.

"Hmmmmm I don't think so" Baron said

"What how?! I am on top of you!" she complained pouting

In response Baron quickly pulled her right arm forecully enough to launch her into the air spinning as he rolled out from beneath her and place his knee in her stomach as she landed on the ground hard.

Baron smiled "Say again?"

"No fair" Erza scowled.

Baron just laughed and pulled her up with his hand.

"Come on its late and we where training all day lets head in and eat some dinner"

Erza sighed and relinquished. She was very tired. Besides she needed to bathe seeing as she had been in the same clothing all day and needed to wash the sweat from her body. The two made their way to the cabin and stepped inside. Baron stepped into the kitchen and pulled out a pot and lit a fire and filled the pot with water so that it could boil.

Erza flopped on the couch and watched Baron cook. She had to admit she had to thoroughly admit she liked that she had trained the whole day with the man. He was funny and focused but as well as serious. Something she had noticed about Baron throughout the day as that as he trained there was always a glint of sadness in his eyes. It didn't make sense he would smile at her whenever she made a joke or smirk when he won and he knew it but there was always that hidden sadness. She wanted to ask about it however didn't want to risk their... wait what did they even have?

Erza shook her head she was just confusing herself she just decided to wait till later to begin asking about his past.

"Erza you ok?"

"Huh yeah im fine uuhh do you know where that meat came from?" She asked while watching him throw in bits of meat to add to the stew he was cooking.

Baron just shrugged and replied "A rabbit I caught this morning while running"

"hmmmmm well I would help but I get the feeling everyone thinks my cooking is gross"

"It can't be to bad"

"Baron whenever I even pick up a cooking utensil everyone dives at me to take it away" Erza said rolling her eyes.

"Ok maybe it is that bad"

Baron having put in the final ingrediants to the stew walked into the room with the couch and sat down lazily next to Erza and groaned loudly. He heard her snicker beside him and looked at her pointedly and raised a eyebrow knowing she hated it when he did that.

"You sounded like a old man" she teased ignoring the eyebrow.

Baron chuckled "You know you would likely be surprised when I told you my age"

"Why is that?"

"Everyone seems to think I'm in my late twentys because of my appearance but im actually just around 19"

Baron almost burst into laughter at Erza's reaction. Her eyes widened and her mouth dropped open.

"No way your lieing"

"Absolutely not"

"Really?"

"Why is it so hard to believe?!"

"Well your very... Mature I can see it in almost everything you do, its like what you taught me today every move you take is calculated and thought out you don't rush things you can hold a stare off with someone longer than I have ever seen and you just radiate confidence it makes me comfortable and safe whenever I'm around you even when we are fighting" Erza explained and suddenly realizing what she said her face burst into a deep scarlet color rivaling her hair "Anyway that's just how I see it"

Baron sat there a bit shocked. No one had ever said any of that before and coming form her it felt... amazing. Baron chuckled and muttered a quiet thank you.

The two sat in comfortable silence watching the stew cook until Baron stood quickly and unhooked the stew.

"Should be done hold on while I get some bowls"

"Sure"

Erza watched as he retreated. Then suddenly she noticed. The whole freaking day that dude has been shirtless it even rained in the afternoon! How is he not dead from the cold! Then she blushed thinking about their last spar. He had been under her completely shirtless. She tried to stop herself from having indecent thoughts about him but failed miserably.

Baron came back in the room to see a fiercely blushing Erza Scarlet.

"Um Erza you ok?"

"YES! I mean yeah" she squeaked not looking at him.

Baron just shrugged and gave her the stew he made and sat down next to her and dug in. He observed her eating his stew for some reason he really wanted her to like it.

"Baron this is...Fantastic!"

Baron smiled at her as she dug in and finished her bowl quickly.

"Thanks"

Baron took her bowl from empty bowl to the kitchen for her and tossed it into the sink before stepping back into the room.

"Um... Baron?"

"Yea whats up?"

"Do you mind uh...you know... sleeping with me again?" she asked staring at the ground wringing her hands while blushing madly.

Baron chuckled. Of course he wouldn't mind she was freaking beautiful and he slowly felt himself gravitating to her.

"Erza I wouldn't mind in the slightest" Baron replied grinning.

Erza quickly stood and walked to the bed and laid down without looking at Baron. He just smiled at her antics. Baron made his way over then realizing that he was still not wearing a shirt blushed madly. He quickly grabbed a shirt from his wardrobe and pulled it on before climbing into be behind Erza.

She turned to face him surprising Baron a bit. She raised her hand slowly still not looking at him and traced the scars on his face. Baron closed his eyes enjoying the feeling of her fingers on his skin. Suddenly and image of her flashed through his head her corpse lying in the sands blood flowing into the earth her blue eyes cold and lifeless.

Baron quickly but gently grabbed Erza's wrist shocking her a bit and pulled it away from his face.

"I'm sorry" Baron whispered quietly

"It's ok do you want to talk about it?" she asked a tiny bit of hurt in her voice.

"Some other time Erza ill tell you I swear" Baron promised.

Erza just smiled and turned back to her original position and wrapped his arm around her waist and fell asleep.

Baron didn't get any sleep that night.