Have you read the recent chapters from Fairy Tail? I really thought Gray became one of the bad guys. I guess, I got trolled again. *laughs*

Disclaimer: I do not own Katekyo Hitman Reborn! and Fairy Tail.

Memory 3

Erza

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I stared back at the azure-haired boy who was giving me his 'you-made-Erza-cry' look; that's another term for his death glare. I stared back a few more seconds before I gave a long and deep sigh, giving him a hint that I plan on stopping the scarlet-haired girl's tears. I sat beside the girl, not knowing where to start.

"I'm sorry."

We looked at each other in surprise, realizing that we had said it at the same time. We gave each other grins after laughing so hard, and then we were suddenly looking at each other with a small smile on our faces. She was the first one to break the staring contest, suddenly playing with her hands.

"Thank you."

I shook my head and gave her another small smile. "I told you, didn't I?"

It was then when my light orange eyes met her brown ones. "I won't let them hurt you."

Looking up, I suddenly felt satisfied with what I did earlier to protect her. It just proves that I can overcome my fears to protect those who are dear to me. "You're dear to me... Erza."

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I was looking up at the building in front of me, the one with the sign that says 'Fairy Tail'. I stared at it and wondered if Old Rob's friend will help us; I frowned and wondered if he'll help Erza like what Old Rob did.

"Giotto."

I turned my attention to the scarlet-haired girl in front of me, frowning as I took notice of her eyes. It wasn't her missing eye that made my heart clench; it was the look in her eyes—anger, but I know deep inside that there was also sadness.

'Erza...'

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"Giotto..."

So that's what it is, she is the same girl who kept on appearing in those visions. I kept on gawking, though; shame on me. The scarlet-haired girl in my memories has grown into a fine young woman. I can't help but smile at the change, which I believe Natsu noticed as he caught my attention as soon as he looked at us back and forth. "You guys know each other?"

"I believe so—"

That moment, I felt familiar warmth envelop me as the scarlet-haired woman pulled me into a tight embrace. I heard the crack on her voice as she tried so hard to say, "I missed you... where were you all these years?"

I wasn't able to find my voice as I was trying so hard to hold back my tears. I would question why if I still didn't know any better, but now I know that I also missed the feeling that this woman gave me.

It was then when I heard Natsu clear his throat. 'Way to ruin the mood, brother...'

"That's actually what Giotto's problem is about, Erza."

That obviously caught Erza's attention as she pulled back and looked at me, then back at Natsu and Master. I guess it was time for me to say something too. "I need your help."

I slowly reached for my cheek as I felt it sting. Instead of complaining about getting my cheeks hurt thrice today, I just looked away out of guilt.

"You don't get to disappear like that," Erza muttered; disappointment evident in her voice. "You don't get to appear so suddenly only to tell me that you're going away again..."

"You don't understand, I—"

Bang!

There goes the door, suddenly slamming close in front of my face. I looked down, reflecting on everything that I had told her and the Master. It's true that I suddenly disappeared on them, but I also did suddenly disappear from Earth. Weighing it all, I have left a lot of responsibilities from where I originally came from. My guardians and I... we've come a long way, and I can't let it go to waste.

I looked at the little old man with an apologetic look. "I'm sorry, but my decision is firm. I need to go back to my world, but I can't do that without your help..."

He looked at me with a sad smile as he said, "I understand."

He told me how I can have access to a lot of information if I am an official member of the guild, which he told me that I already am. "It will be better if you become an S-Class Wizard as they have greater access, but you'll have to do well."

"Thank you, Master." I gratefully said.

It was then when he dismissed me. The moment I stepped out of the room, I was greeted by Natsu's toothy grin and I can't help but notice that he was holding a paper up for me. "I heard your conversation with the old man! Come on! Let's go on a dangerous job together!"

I took the paper from him and read, "Raven... hunt?"

"Yeah, first time going out on a job with my brother! I'm all fired up!" He yelled as he pulled me by the wrist as I let him. Before he can totally drag me out of the guild, my eyes searched for a certain scarlet-haired knight, but she wasn't there anymore.

Natsu and I decided to catch up on things while waiting for the train to move. Minutes after, the knight that I was searching for just a while back sat beside me. Surprise was written all over Natsu's face, and I probably mirrored his expression. "Erza, what are you doing here?! Giotto and I are going on this job as brothers..."

He trailed of when he noticed Erza's incredible aura. "What are you saying, Natsu?"

"No-Nothing..." Natsu stuttered.

"Why?" It was all that I could manage to say.

Erza met my questioning look and it seemed like she easily understood what I meant. "I heard Natsu took the 'Raven hunt' mission. He's right about it being dangerous, so I decided to come join your little party. Don't get the wrong idea, though. I'm still not happy with your decision, but what you decide on doesn't really have anything to do with me worrying about you. You don't mind, right?"

"No," I shook my head with a smile. "It makes me kind of happy that you still worry about me."

"Erza, you're red!" Natsu exclaimed as he pointed a finger at the knight. What he said caught my attention, though. When Erza noticed that I was now looking at her, he punched Natsu on the gut making him sleep.

"N-Natsu has motion sickness," She stuttered as she looked away while the train finally made its way to a town called Hargeon.

I chuckled as I thought about how happy I am to still have some kind of the same effect on the scarlet-haired girl as I did before.

More Natsu-Giotto interaction than before. :)