Sorry, sorry, sorry! Such a shame, not posting for that long… Well, what can I say. Real life and fall of inspiration happened. Anyway, here you are, a brand new chapter:) It's already the fifth one (including the prologue). I haven't been really thinking about the detailed number of the chapts, though.

Thank you all for every review, and every adding my story to favorites. You inspire me, people.

NOTE: Fairy Tail – belongs to Hiro Mashima. DTU is only based on FT.

Chapter 5 - He's worth it

It had been few hours since Erza placed herself in the corner of the room. It was already a night, and through the window a weak streak of lantern light was creeping in, trying to reach the woman. She had stopped crying a while ago, her cheeks still blushed and with visible paths left from the tears. She knew it was pathetic to sit there without any sign of life and watch the opposite wall, but she could not really help it. It had been some time since she last was sitting and thinking like that.

It's wrong to behave like this. I must do something… Go out… Whatever… Erza thought at last, sighing deeply and stretching her arms. Then she stood up and went to the bathroom. She caught a glimpse of her face in the mirror. Ghost? Or a shutter? She could not choose. The Reequip mage let the cold water run and splashed her face with it, then put it under the water. The coldness felt good, reducing the pores and lessening the puffiness. She stopped the stream and straightened. That felt much better.

Erza returned to the room and opened her luggage. Since she was in the city of Lamia Scale, where, as Lyon was always telling them – which, actually, was pretty annoying – were so many places to have fun, Erza decided to go out of the hostel and take a look around. She considered even eating some sweets; they were the only thing which could cheer her up. Of course, excluding Jellal, who seemed to be at the end of the world. That way the redhead chose an evening dress and left the gloomy place.

'Woah!' she could not help herself and exclaimed in astonishment. A street she walked out at – and, how she found out later, every street in the city – was decorated in many colorful, tiny lamps and origami. Magically animated paper birds were flying in the air, other animals were climbing or running on the lanterns and rest of the embellishment. The view was simply amazing.

Erza reached the downtown, a huge square with many laughing people, watching and showing to each other the decorations. Is there any holiday today?, the redhead thought, confused.

'No waaay! Erza-san!' the called one heard from behind, and she turned just to face Lamia Scale's strongest team, and also the biggest nakama of the guild: Lyon, Chelia, Jura and Toby. 'What are you doing here?'

'Oh! Hello! Long time no see' Erza smiled a bit forcefully and hugged Chelia who came to embrace her.

'Erza-dono. You have a great sense of showing yourself in the most interesting places' Jura greeted her, nodding. 'Right now there is a festival in our town.'

'Yeah, like a great one! Isn't it beautiful?' shouted Toby in excitement, and Erza rolled her eyes.

'Yes, it truly is. What's the festival?' she asked.

'The Origami Festival' answered Lyon with a typical dreamy voice. 'The festival for couples and loving ones… One of the most romantic things in the world. Ah! Where is Gray? There is Juvia-chan with him, for sure! I wanted to invite her…'

'Sorry, Lyon, but I am alone' explained Erza with an apologetic voice. The Ice mage made a sad expression and crossed his arms. Chelia was already grumpy. The Reequip mage quickly realized the situation and added: 'Hey, why don't you go with Chelia?'

'Oh, Chelia is only a child' he smirked, and the Sky God Slayer became even gloomier than a moment ago. 'I need Juvia!'

Oh, goodness! That easy! The woman thought, looking at Lyon with wide opened eyes out of sudden realization. Lyon Vastia was the only person who knew Gray that well… Better than anyone. And she just had to talk with him about something.

'You. Come with me' ordered Erza, pointing her finger at amazed Lyon. 'Sorry, everyone, this is going to take some time, I need to ask him about an important thing'

The man still seemed surprised, but followed the redhead in silence. Jura, Chelia and Toby watched them walking into the nearest cafeteria and sitting at the table. Lyon, still crossing his arms, was sitting and staring at Erza with no particular expression. She cleaned her throat and put her arms on the table.

'Listen. I know it's going to sound… strange… But I need some help, Lyon.'

'From me? I have no idea how…' he started, but she shook her head.

'I need your… Advise. And some of the good will. Would you help me?'

'Guess so… You're not the right person to refuse, Erza' he smirked, and leaned over the table with a smile. 'So?'

'Okay… To start with. Lyon. You're probably the only person who knows Gray that well. Am I right?' the man nodded and the redhead continued. 'Great. You see… Ekhm. He…'

'He didn't!' shouted Lyon with laughter, hitting the table with a fist. Erza blinked and stared at the white headed man with opened mouth. 'He really told you how he feels?!'

'Y-you knew?!'

'Oh, come on' Lyon lounged and waved his hand. 'As you said, I know everything about him.'

'W-well… Yeah. Anyway, I have no idea what to do with that guy. I like him the other way – he's like a brother for me. And it's always been like that. But Gray… I don't want him to suffer because of me and my feelings. So, I've been thinking if you…'

'If I could take care of the small Gray and make some other nice girl to appear somewhere close to him, right?'

Erza sighed. So it was that obvious? 'Yeah.'

'Sorry, but I can't do it' said the Ice mage, suddenly getting serious. 'He's a grown up man, not a child anymore. Even if he sometimes acts like one. He should be able to do it yourself, and get over you. I mean, this is a staid experience for him. We shouldn't be taking a chance from him to understand life a little more, should we? Moreover, Erza, if Gray doesn't move on on his own, there's not help for him.'

The Reequip mage fell into a deep thought. Damn. Seemed that Lyon was right. There was no denying that Gray would be the only victim of that scheme of hers. No, I cannot do it. 'You're right. I… haven't thought of it this way'

'Woah, the Titania says I'm right!' laughed Lyon sincerely. 'I thought you would do it your way anyway.'

'How could I? And what do you take me for?' Erza pouted.

'Oh, don't get me wrong. I just wanted to say that you're truly a reasonable person' the white-headed man explained, nodding. 'Sorry, but is that it? I need to go to my mates, they're still waiting.'

'Yeah, sure. Thank you, Lyon' the redhead stood up, and, to his great wonderment, she bowed down. He scratched his head and looked away, feeling uncomfortable.

'S-stop it, geez. I did nothing, really. Just stop it…'

The redhead giggled and started walking towards rest of the Lamia Scale's team. Jura smiled, and Chelia gave her an odd look from behind the rosy bangs. Was she accusing her of confessing to Lyon, or what? To hush Chelia, she grinned at the girl, winking. The rose-haired mage unwinded. Finally, the woman added: 'Jura-san, can I have a word with you, too?'

'Sure, what's the matter, Erza-dono?' replied the Earth mage, taking a few steps away of the rest of the group. Erza caught a glimpse of Chelia's face again – it was displaying disbelief. The Reequip mage almost laughed because of that.

'I want to ask you about the dark forces that have recently been discovered in Fiore. Have you heard anything about it?'

Jura fell silent, trying to remember all the information he managed to get. 'Yes, I've heard about it… Seems like the force which attacked the people was similar to Zeref's power. My investigator told me that many guilds sent their strongest mages to defeat it, but all of them disappeared enigmatically. And the monster…'

'Monster?' she asked, knitting her brows.

'For me, the one who's doing all this is not a person. He's a monster, human being or not' explained Jura, shrugging his shoulders. 'Anyway, the monster's growing in strength. I suspect him to suck the magical power of the lost mages.'

'Yes, it seems probable' agreed the redhead, trying to control her voice.

'Exactly. What's more, it changed the direction and moves to the center of Fiore. It crossed the mountains, and is probably quarter of the road towards Magic Council. It doesn't leave any survivors. No details at all' sighed heavily Jura, pluming his long beard.

Erza started to fear. Jellal definitely would try to stop the evil with Crime Sorcière… Or even on his own to protect Ultear and Meredy. And it was going in the direction of the Magic Council… If they found out, Jellal would be lost forever! That fool would be able to risk his life to do it… And he probably doesn't know anything about the danger and lost mages – he's a criminal and has to hide, the same goes for the girls. Goodness, I must find him as fast as possible!, she thought, terrified. Suddenly, a quick cramp went through her body, especially the stomach. Erza winced, but, fortunately, Jura took it as her reaction to the news he just revealed. 'Thank you, Jura-san. You helped me a lot. One more thing, though' the Reequip mage sighed and looked straight into the man's eyes. 'How fast does this force relocate?'

'Erza-dono' to her surprise, Jura got angry and crossed his muscular arms. 'You're not going to trace it, are you?'

'I… Sorry, I need to find someone' she said briefly, not getting into the cruel details. 'And I need to hurry up.'

'If I had known about it' Jura growled 'I wouldn't have told you anything.'

'I would fin out from another source. Look, I don't expect you to understand it, just, please, don't get in my way now.'

The fourth of Ten Saint Mages stared at the woman with disbelief, like he was suspecting that Erza was joking and any moment she was going to say that was a jest. And not even a funny one. Erza was not changing her dogged expression, though, and Jura went mad. 'What are you doing? I considered you as one of the wisest mages… And you're putting your life in deadly danger?! Seriously, what do you think you're doing?!'

'Just what I must do' answered simply the redhead, rising her head. She looked at the male mage with tears in her eyes. Just… What was she doing? Crying in front of that man… You're pathetic, Erza… 'Sorry, I need to go. Wish you all the best, Jura-san. Thank you for your concern, but I've decided on it long ago.'

The woman nodded and turned around. Her mind was silent and strangely calm, the only proof of her movement were glassy eyes, yet the tears were not falling, her cheeks remained dry. She heard Chelia shouting after her, but did not go back. The words of Jura were resonating in her head, although she already knew the answer. Risking my life just to find him, huh… Yes. And he's totally worth it.

'Geez, Lucy, can we just forget about that stupid matter with leaving you and going to eat something? I guess you've already paid us back…' moaned Natsu, carrying her on his shoulders. Gray was going behind them, cursing the blonde's special treatment after she found them in the restaurant, eating dinner.

Lucy had truly resembled a devil when she had bumped into the inn and had spotted the three guys in it. She had taken out her Fleuve d'étoiles, a present she had received from Virgo a long time ago and had made them regret leaving the place they were supposed to stay at. What was more, she had given them an additional punishment: Gray and Natsu were to carry her on their back for one full day, and Happy was forbidden to fly. They had been trying to bypass that retribution, but the devil's eyes were following them everywhere they had gone.

Dammit, why didn't I go alone to find Erza, but had to make those two idiots come as well, Gray was thinking while massaging his hurting back. Well, at least of Lucy – when she was in her usual, cheery mood, naturally – there was some benefit, but Natsu and Happy… They were only preventing them from moving faster by their food-stops, sleepovers and stupidity in behavior. Damn it.

'No way. One day's not over' she hissed.

'Lucy, please, I've said I'm sorry like countless times already… Right, Happy?'

'Aye!' the blue Exceed squealed, panting.

'No. Gray ensued from his part, you have to deal with yours' she asseverated, crossing her arms.

'Stupid blonde…' whispered the Fire mage. Unfortunately, she heard it.

'What did you just say?!'

'N-nothing!'

There was a loud 'bam' when Lucy's hand hit his head. Gray could not stop himself laughed out loud at the sound it made. 'Natsu, is your head that empty? It makes that kind of sound…'

'Shut up, droopy eyes.'

'You spark!'

'Ice-brain!'

'Flamed brain!'

'STOP IT' moaned Lucy, covering her ears. Then she saw an inviting house at the end of the road. 'Hey, I can see some inn, let's ask if they have some free rooms to stay at.'

'Oi, right!' Natsu rushed towards the building and Lucy had to catch his hair not to fall on the ground. 'Ough, Lucy, careful!'

'Well, sorry' she smirked.

'Guys, we don't really have the time to be sleeping. Erza might be anywhere and we need to find her!' said Gray, shaking his head and following them with Happy by his side.

'Gray, Natsu needs sleep' the cat explained like that was the most obvious thing in the world. The Ice mage face-palmed himself. 'Gray, you're stupid!'

'Who's the one stupid?!' he yelled at Happy.

'Hey, we're here' interrupted them Lucy, giving Gray a silencing look. He smirked and put his hands into the pockets.

'I'm going to take a walk. Get me a room, would you?'

'H-hey, Gray…!'

He was not listening, though. He needed some privacy. Gray left his friends and entered the deep darkness of the night. Passing through the small streets, he was not paying attention to anything. The man needed to rethink everything. Erza left Hargeon with an unknown man, a complete stranger and Mavis-knows-what weirdo. Only some of the most valuable information would make her do something like that. Did she find a trace of Jellal's whereabouts?

Gray sighed. Well, shit. That was a truly shitty situation he was at, shitty decisions he was making and, moreover, he himself felt like a worthless trash. Right then he understood the importance of people who have you for something better than you were – like Juvia, for instance. She was adoring him and praising his skills even when he had not deserve any of that. And the Ice mage needed someone at that very moment to at least pat his back and say that it was going to be all right. In the end, it always is. Besides, he found himself pitiable. So he really needed someone to build up his ego?

The brunet stopped at the end of the path he was treading. Confusion in his head had only grown instead of getting smaller. What am I even doing? I probably should be with those two idiots… Okay. Idiots or not, they're my nakama and they came with me. Guess I must be grateful for any help, thought Gray bitterly. He turned around and, ignoring two women who were winking at him, started heading back to the inn.

As far as he was concerned, Lucy was with Natsu and Happy in the hostel. How surprised he was when he found the blonde sitting at a bench, watching the sky. He felt a bit confused, so he cleared his throat loudly and sat next to her. Lucy jumped and gripped herself for the heart.

'Gray! I almost freaked out!'

'Sorry, didn't mean to scare you' he mumbled, looking behind her.

'Are you… Still angry?' she asked softly, observing intensively her knees. 'You know, if we're a burden to you..'

'It's not that' he contradicted. 'Well, maybe a bit, but I appreciate that you came with me… I really do.'

'So you thought it over' she said, finding enough courage to look at the brunet.

'Yeah. Hell I did. And I think we'll be heading to the place where Lyon has his guild. As far as I know Erza, she's looking for some dark forces, right? And who's informed well enough about anything of that kind?'

'Jura?' Lucy's eyes widened. It was quite obvious, now that Gray mentioned this, even though she would never hit on it. 'Woah. You know her so well!'

Gray did not answer. Sure he knew so much about the woman he loved. Was it not only natural? On the other hand, he did not know as much as he wished to. Erza was a mysterious woman, if there was something she wanted to hide, it was in no doubt to be successful. 'Ya know that's not enough for me.'

Lucy sighed and looked up in the sky again. There was really nothing that could cheer him up. And even if anything like that existed, Lucy had not the slightest idea of it. That was why she stood up and gazed at him tentatively. 'We should go back. If Natsu finds out we're not sleeping, he's gonna make a fuss over it'

'Are you like his possession or what?' Gray lifted his brows.

'N-no! That's not it. Don't pretend you don't know what I'm talking about!' she blushed a little, and started walking fast in the opposite direction.

'Um, Lucy… Not this way…' Gray held laughter and watched as the blonde went back, pass next to him and rushed ahead.

Now that cheered him up, making Lucy's mission half-successful without her even knowing.

Erza rushed back to her hostel room and started packing some slight things she had used after arriving there. The only thing she left was her toothbrush for the morning to speed up the preparations for leaving.

Yeah. Everything's fine. Now, get some sleep and tomorrow you're out of here… The redhead sighed and reequipped into a pajama. She was about to get under the blanket when she heard knocking on the room's door. Surprised, Erza carefully approached them and asked uncertainly 'H-hello?'

'Erza-saaan! Can I come in? It's Chelia' a deep whisper reached her ears and the Reequip mage blinked. Chelia? Here?

'Come in' she said, opening the door and letting the rosy-haired girl into the room. The teenager looked nervous. 'Why are you here? And how did you manage to run away from Jura-san and Lyon?'

'Oh, that wasn't too hard. You see, I'm a God Slayer, they trust in my abilities to defense myself' Chelia smiled a little. 'Anyway, Erza-san. Jura's planning on not letting you go on your mission.'

'What?!' cried Erza. 'But… Just what? Chelia, it's my decision… He cannot do anything about it.'

'He seems to think the other way' the girl sat on a bed and was dangling her legs. 'So I think you should leave as fast as possible'

Erza bit her bottom lip. The perspective of not sleeping another night was not too jolly, however if she wanted to avoid meeting up with one of Ten Saints Mages, she had no choice. Chelia was sitting straight, looking at the woman with concern. Finally, the Reequip mage nodded. 'You're right. Thank you, Chelia. You probably saved me'

'No problem. By the way, Erza-san, is it okay with the baby if you oil it once again?'

The woman tripped over her own leg and almost fell on the floor from sudden shock. 'How do you know?' she almost cried.

Chelia giggled and readjusted her bangs. 'You smell like a pregnant woman.'

Oh. Right. Chelia was an Air Mage as well. And probably had had more to do with the normal people's world than Wendy, who did not recognize the change of her scent… What was more, the rosehead was older. She just had to know about those things, right?

'Well, it doesn't seem like I have any other option' said Erza ironically.

'If you'd like, I can take care of your tiredness and nausea for some time' Chelia proposed, grinning and wagging her legs all over again.

'R-really?!'

'Yup. Come here.'

Erza approached the girl and closed her eyes when Chelia rose her hands. The magical power was going through Erza with a feeling of penetrating her and inquiring into the source of the problems. The redhead relaxed, smiled and opened her eyes. She felt like she was born all over again. 'Woah! What a sensation!'

'See? I'm good' Chelia laughed and got up to her feet. 'I must go now, Erza-san. Take care, and good luck with whatever you're planning to do'

'Chelia. I can't thank you enough… I promise I will make it up to you someday.'

'Just survive, Erza-san. Okay?' she grinned, hugged the woman and left he room. Erza smiled and shook her head. What a dear girl.

The night of the cheery city of Lamia Scale guild was flashy, loud and crowded. People laughing, dancing and showing each other the fireworks and other attractions of the Origami Festival were filled with joy and did not pay any attention to the black figure who left the inn during the loudest part of the event. The effigy looked around, concealed herself with the clock and started running in the opposite direction of the downtown.

The next stop for her would be a nearest town on a way to National Council Fiore Branch. Or, at least, that was the notion. Just after getting out of the town, walking through the forest the figure swayed and stopped moving, collapsing on the ground. There was no reaction from her, even when another creature started to surface out of the omnipresent darkness, carrying the feeling of anxiety…

He was sleeping really badly. Truth to be told, he was waking up every five minutes, filled with anger because of the nightmares he had been dreaming. It was not enjoyable to see the person you love the most fading away in the darkness or dying in your arms. And even the spells he put on himself did not work.

The man sat down from the lying position, looking around. Their camp was alongside, the rest of his company deeply asleep. He stood up and approached the nearest tree. Leaning over it, he suddenly felt a strong angst in his heart and soul. What was that? And why right then, in the middle of the night? He did not understand it, but that fact only caused him to worry doubly. Was there any chance of that matter being connected to his dreams and the anxiousness?

The man shook his head, sighing. Closing his eyes, he took a deep breath. There was no way for him to know anything of that matter. Besides, he would definitely… Oh, wait. No… No way! He opened his eyes, his heart started beating fast. So it was applying to her. And that emotion was not the positive one. He was sure of it. She was in trouble.

'Jellal?'

The man jerked and turned slowly around, standing face-to-face with a tall brunette. 'What is it, Ultear?'

'Is everything okay? You've been standing here for so long… And your behavior…'

'It's all right. Get back to sleep' he answered, turning his back on the woman.

Ultear stood for a few minutes at the same place, waiting for another words, but they never came. She sighed and got back to her blanket, where she laid down, still observing the man. He was immobile like a statue, his face frozen in the emotion of worry and pain. He hated the feeling of impotence. He hated being so far away from her. And he hated it that there was nothing he could do – including even checking up on her.

'Please, Erza… Be safe…' whispered Jellal in the night.

Sooo. That's it. The little surprise I was talking about was the scene with Jellal, finally! I've missed him here ^^

You see, I had to go through the boring part – boring, I mean, with less action.

By the way! What do you think of Jura being so stubborn? And the whole thing with Lucy, Gray, Natsu and Happy? ;) share your opinions, I'm really curious:)

PS I will try to update Desiring… soon, so don't freak out. Also, don't ask me please if I'm dead or abandoned the story. I am alive and I'll definitely continue that piece of work. Just be patient.

PPS also, thanks everyone for voting in my poll! The winners are… The apostrophes, which I started using in every story now:) anything for you to have a comfort of reading, my dear Readers!