Chapter 5

Laws of life.

As he had told me, Jellal dragged me the Crime Sorcerer's camp where two women I knew waited for us. They both frowned when they saw me. Clearly they wondered who I was.

Once in front of them, Jellal introduced me as a friend. He told them that I was coming from the past to save Erza. At first, the two women had looked at me with intensity. Merudy's expression became quickly friendlier, but Ultear's gaze stayed focused on me; clearly, she wasdissatisfied. Unlike the Ultear from the future, her younger version didn't seem to like me much.

Without waiting, Jellal told them about Erza's invitation. Merudy promptly showed her enthusiasm, but Ultear's gaze stayed fixed on me. However, Ultear decided to come with us. I suspected it was because she wanted to keep an eye on me. So, we walked together till we reached Fairy tail guild's headquarter.

When we arrived near the building, we could hear music from outside. In front of the door, my father took a deep breath and he opened it.

Inside, the celebrations had already begun. People were eating, talking and dancing. My eyes and those of my father were probing the room, looking for the same person, without any success. So, he left Merudy and Ultear and approached Natsu who was talking with Gajeel. I followed him.

''Where's Erza?'' My father asked to the pink haired guy.

Instead of answering my father's question, Natsu stood, facing him.

''Training on the beach.'' answered Natsu, looking at us, boiling. Visibly, he was not pleased.

''Why?'' asked my father, in a neutral tone.

''I don't know, you tell me!'' said Natsu dryly as he positioned himself in front of my father.

''When she came back from the hospital, she mentioned seeing you there. Then, she whispered something that we couldn't not hear. Then, she took her sword and got out of here. Worried, Lucy followed her and saw Erza on the beach, fighting against an imaginary enemy. Only you can put her in that state! What have you done to her?'' asked the pink haired man, boiling.

At this moment, my father put a hand on my , he left in a hurry. I knew where he was going and it made me smile.

After my father's departure, Natsu's mood got better. Friendlier, he asked me how I was. Lucy came to tell me she was happy that I came and that I was welcomed to stay with them during their stay in Crocus. A lot of people came to say hello and Lucy introduced me to people I wasn't supposed to know. Seeing all of them was a curious spectacle. The funniest was to see Juvia harassing Gray. I wished I could have gone to her and tell her that, her more than obvious efforts would pay off someday.

I spent about an hour to speak with people. Then, I fell in love. There he was, sitting on a table, waiting for me. He was the size of one hand, soft, glazed with white scream, watered of a red thick syrup and capped with a strawberry. Licking my lips, I walked toward my destiny. Seeing I was looking at the desert yearningly, Mirajane gave it to me. Thanking her, I took the plate where rested the Strawberry cake and I went to sit on a chair near the window. I have eaten greedily.

''You should know that changing the past is never a good idea! it comes with a price!'' said a voice I knew well. I lift my eyes to see Ultear taking a seat in front of me.

''And, saving a life comes with a higher price; usually it's one life for another.'' she said with an extreme seriousness while staring at me.

''I've heard about those laws.'' I responded to her, supporting her gaze. I had perfectly planned what I was doing.

''I'm warning you, if Jellal has proposed to give his life in exchange of Erza's, I won't let that happen! We, Crime Sorcerer, have plans and Jellal is our leader and we need him.'' she said vehemently.

''We have to kill Zeref; that's our ultimate goal and it must stay that way.'' she added, never taking her eyes off of me.

''I totally agree with you.'' I said, supporting her gaze.

She looked at me relieved, but a bit surprise.

''Even if he had suggested it, which he did not, I would never agree''. I said those words firmly so she could know that I wasn't lying.

''If you know about the laws; which life are you planning to exchange for Erza's?'' She asked me, in a accusatory tone.

I expected that she would ask me that question. I took a breath and answered it.

''Someone else's.'' I said those words trying to sound as normal as I could.

When I stopped talking, I saw that she was looking at me astounded.

''You can't play with someone else's life without being punished; it's bind to a curse.'' She said, annoyed.

I knew what was waiting for me if things went as I had planned to, but I wasn't planning on revealing her the details of my plan.

''I know everything there is to know about the laws and I chose to live with the consequences of my actions.'' I told her seriously.

As she was looking at me, I could clearly see disapproval in her eyes. I hoped she wouldn't try to interfere with my plan. Ultear interfering with my plan; this, I hadn't seen it coming... The Ultear that I knew had agreed to help me. She had done it for my father and in spite of him. Somewhere, I've always known that Ultear had a soft spot for my father. Even if I wasn't too proud of what I was about to do, I had to do it to make sure that she wouldn't stop me. So, I took a deep breath, pulled out my best weapon and fought.

''Please, Ultear, I'm asking you not to interfere with my plan. If you don't want to respect my will, do it for... '' I stopped promptly. I was going to say my father, but I stopped before stumbling.

''Jellal. I know you care about him and that you want the best for him. I can promise you that my plan will grant him and Erza the future they deserve.'' I said in a lower voice, looking at her a little less intensely.

Ultear looked at me, unsure. I could see, in her eyes, that she wanted explanation.

''I am afraid you'll have to trust me because I can't tell you what my plan is. You know, as well as I do, that the things can be altered at any moment. '' I said those words, still looking at Ultear, hoping to see her face unfreeze, but it didn't. She continued to stare at me.

''Okay, I consent to your request; I won't say anything to anyone about your little scheme, but be sure of one thing..''

She took a deep breath and stood up. Still looking at me, she spoke firmly.

''If your actions hurt people whom I care about; I'll be the one punishing you for your crimes.'' As she finished her sentence, she looked at me and I know she meant every word.

Holding her gaze, I nodded. I stood up and held her my hand.

''Deal.'' I told her, drawing a slight smile.

She looked at my hand and took it after few minutes, but not without losing her tense expression.

Soon after, she left my side and walked toward Merudy who was talking with Juvia. I watched her for few minutes; Ultear was playing her part well, she never looked at me.

After Ultear's departure, my stomach started to scream again. Remembering the delicious taste of the strawberry cake I had just eaten, I glanced at the bar; another one had been displayed on it, as if it had been placed there for me. So, I went to take it.

On the other side of the bar, a little old man was sitting on a stool, staring at me, a wide smile plastered on his lips.

I knew this old man as Magic Council member Makarov, but here he was Master Makarov. He was looking at me as if he had been waiting for me.

As I stopped in front of the bar, Makarov never took his eyes off of me. He saluted me and, without saying a word, he invited me to take the cake, but when I was about to take the plate, he grabbed my hand and plunged his intense gaze in mine.

''Let's spare us some time, you know who I am and I know who you are Emma Jean Scarlett. I know what you plan to do and I…"