Natsu and Gray were both extremely loved and doted upon by their parents though they were both brought up differently due to their different backgrounds. Natsu was taught how to become a servant like his father and Gray was taught how to manage his father's land once it was passed down on to him. However their teachings from Erza were completely equal. She taught them magic and she was very strict with them. But she could also be very loving and playful with them. As a matter of fact, when they were children, her house was the boys's favorite place to visit.

Her house was located in bayou but her area was quite lovely. It was a flat piece of land lined with blackberry patches, hedges, a creek, and a few sycamore trees, and plenty of flowers. Specifically magnolias which were her favorite. Her house was a cozy, red-brick cottage with a grey slate roof and one small chimney, and there were two little windows at the front. On either side of the house there was a wilderness of nettles and blackberry thorns and long brown grass. An enormous magnolia tree that stood overshadowing the house. It's massive spreading branches seemed to be enfolding and embracing the humble building, and perhaps hiding it as well from the rest of the world.

Animals were common visitors to Erza but they were the most unusual creatures. Small birds like starlings, nightingales, and sparrows that did not chirp but sang songs that imitated the tunes of instruments. Larger birds like herons which bore feathers of bright colors instead of just white or dull colors. And small mammals such as rabbits and squirrels who wore clothes and could walk on their hind legs. To most people such creatures would be alarming or ridiculous but to two little boys, they were the most astonishing animals ever.

But Erza herself was by far what they found to be the most lovely. She was many decades old but appeared no older than a woman in her late teens, she would sew the most magnificent gowns to wear, and her long scarlet hair was finer and more beautiful than crimson silk. And she had great wisdom and compassion to match her great beauty. She was probably the most favored of all Maakrov's grandchildren to the mortals without power because her of keen mind and good heart.

Though as much as the boys loved Erza, they weren't always patient with her.

"But Erza I don't want to stay inside and learn today." Natsu complained. "It's so sunny and warm, let's go fishing instead."

"Later." She insisted. "I have new lesson for you two and it's extremely important."

"What is it this time?" Gray asked.

"I'm going to teach you how to use magic to make it rain."

"No. Not today." Natsu begged. "Then we can't go fishing."

"It'll only be a short rain and there's plenty of crops around here who need it. That includes the ones on your father's land, Gray."

"She's right." Gray agreed. "Father has been complaining about the earth being dry for too long."

"Exactly and with no crops, your father loses his fortune and without his fortune, he can't afford to keep Natsu's father as hired help. Now follow me."

She led the boys to the back of her house.

"You'll like this lesson anyway. It's actually pretty fun."

The boys only looked at her confused then watched as she pulled out a very large, feather, bed cover.

"With this we'll make a nice spring rain." She declared.

"How so?" Natsu asked.

"Jump on and see."

"What?"

"You heard me. Jump on it."

Again the boys looked confused but they did as they were told. They jumped and bounced all over the bed cover while Erza whispered her chant. Very soon a flurry of white feathers came flying off the bed cover and flew out the window up into the Heavens. In no time at all a spring rain came down upon the earth.

"This is fun!" Natsu laughed, doing flips in the air with each jump.

"Is this how rain is always made?" Gray asked.

"Of course not but once in awhile when rain fall is scarce and the farmers are in desperate need of quenching their crops of thirst, they'll ask me for help. So I'll concoct my own rain for them."

"You sure are generous Erza."

"Yeah how come, you never ask for money from these people?" Natsu said. "My father always said that nothing in life is free."

"And he's right." She agreed. "Nothing is free. I may not ask for money in exchange for my assistance but I only give it to those who have earned it. Your fathers and the farmers are all hard workers and honest men who have devoted their lives to providing for their families. Your fathers in particular were always especially kind to me and never believed those nasty rumors about me being a witch who liked to torment people."

"We know that you're not a witch Erza." Gray said. "But who is it that always does those terrible things like sending that swarm of locusts on to my neighbor's fields."

"I'm afraid that's my wicked cousin Minerva. She's the one who likes to use her power to torment other people. If you ever meet her one day you better run like the devil is after you, because she's almost just as bad."

"What does she look like? Is she old and ugly like all witches?"

"No she's quite young and good-looking but she was this one eye that's so horrible that when you look into it, you can see death. She keeps the eye covered so if you see a woman with her right eye covered, run or she'll probably turn you into a toad."

"If she comes near me I'll poke her eye out." Natsu said.

"Don't you dare. Never try to provoke her. Only I can do that because I can beat her magic. You two can't."

Erza proceeded to pull out something else. It was a large sphere made entirely of glass.

"Now then would you all like to see the results of your work?"

The boys got down from the bed cover and went over to gaze into the glass sphere. Soon images of rain coming down and of towns, houses, and people appeared in the glass. A lot of people looked quite happy and relieved at the sight of the rain.

"I want to see Father." Gray asked.

"As you wish."

The images than changed to Silver Fullbuster, Gray's father, and while he did look relieved he also looked somewhat melancholy. He was at the door of their household, speaking with the local reverend.

"Is she really dying?" Silver asked.

"I'm afraid so." The reverend answered. "The doctors have done all they can, I'm on my way to the house right now."

"Poor Hector. A man like him doesn't deserve to lose his wife so soon. My family shall pray for him tonight."

"Thank you Mr. Fullbuster."

"I don't understand." Gray asked. "Who's dying?"

"Let's find out."

The next image they saw was of a woman lying in bed. She was gravely ill and weak, just barely holding on to life. At her side was a bearded man who normally appeared very strong but at this moment he was as weak as a wounded stag. Tears were in the man's eyes and he could not speak without sobbing.

"Hey that's my neighbor Mr. Lockser." Gray pointed out. "We haven't seen him much since his wife got sick."

"What did she have?" Natsu asked.

"Yellow fever. Everyone in the house had to be quarantined. They only went outside to look after the fields."

"Oh dear." Erza sighed sympathetically.

"What?" Gray asked.

"I'm afraid your neighbor's wife is about to ascend into Heaven. That's why the reverend is coming to see her and asking close friends like your father to pray for her loved ones."

"Oh no. Can't you help her?"

"I'm sorry but no. Had I known sooner or had her husband come to me while the illness was still early, I might have been able to do something but now it's too late."

Gray looked back at the couple.

"I'm going to have to leave you Hector." She spoke in a voice so frighteningly soft.

"It's all my fault, Dianne." Her husband sobbed. "If only I had worked harder then I would have had enough money for better treatment, for better doctors."

"No my love." She assured him. "It is my time. I love you so Hector, you are truly the kindest and most honorable man I have ever known. I shall cherish my time with you forever."

She planted a kiss on to his mouth.

"Where is Juvia?" Dianne asked. "Where is my child?"

Hector put on a brave face and called out a name. At once a little girl, slightly wet from the rain, came inside carrying a bouquet of lilies. She was a pretty child. One with beautiful and gentle blue eyes that were just like her mother's.

"Who is that?" Gray asked.

"That's their daughter I believe."

"I didn't know they had children, and I've never seen her before."

"You called me Papa?" The girl said.

He embraced her first.

"Your mother wishes to see you."

"Okay."

Little Juvia went into the bedroom.

"Hello Mama." She greeted. "I brought you your favorite flowers. I thought they would make you feel better."

Dianne smiled weakly and took the girl by the hand.

"Juvia I'm not going to get better." She said. "I'm afraid it's time for me to go."

"Go where?"

"To Heaven."

"When will you come back?"

"I'm not coming back."

"Why not? I'm sorry if I've been a bad girl." Tears were already forming. "I'm promise I'll behave! I'll help Papa in the fields! I'll never do a naughty thing again!"

"It's not anything you've done. It's just my time."

She weakly placed a hand to her daughter's cheek.

"Remember this my dear Juvia. Be patient and believe in the lord. Show kindness to all of his creatures and children. Be humbled by your mistakes and learn from them. Do all that I have said and the lord will help you and love you in return."

"I will Mama." She wept. "I will."

"I love you Juvia."

"I love you too Mama."

Then the good woman died. Her husband and child wept inconsolably.

"This is terrible." Natsu said.

"It is." Erza said. "But that is how the world is. Sometimes a mother must leave her child before the little one matures, and Juvia is not the only around here to know such pain. I shall show you another girl who is forced to grow up without her mother."

With that said she summoned another image in the glass.