My Scarlet Rose (A Jerza Fanfic)

Chapter 7 - Bitter Sweet

Erza was officially a member of Crime Sorcière and has been for a month now. She already knew all but one of the members. Ironically, every member of the independent guild was, at one point, her enemy. Jellal during the Tower of Heaven incident, the Oración Seis, and Meredy on Tenroujima. Weird, right? Rachael was the only exception. Erza liked her because Rachael was probably the redhead's number one fan. Of course, Rachael didn't cling to her. That would be weird. But Rachael did admire Erza. "My dream is to be as strong as you, Erza!" No one has ever said that to her before. It made her happy.

Deep down, Erza was concerned about Rachael. It was natural for a person to keep certain skeletons in the closet, but that would only be for bad memories or a dark past, right? Erza wondered why Rachael never used magic while fighting, never talked about her past, never even told anyone what magic she used. Magic shouldn't be kept a secret, should it? It would be rude to pry into someone's past without permission so Erza kept quiet. But being the skillful and observant person she is, Erza kept an eye on Rachael.

And Rachael kept an eye on Erza. She knew Erza would be watching her. Erza wasn't easily fooled, any sane person knew that. She had to be careful about what she said and what she did. Lying was one of her strong suits, seeing it as acting in front of a crowd. One doesn't just rush into a fight without a weapon or a strategy. You must use your enemies weaknesses to your advantage. Erza had one weak spot. Jellal. Her feelings would get in the way of reason. She would sacrifice herself for him. That's what happens when one is in love. Your life isn't worth anything unless you're with the person you love. Love can get you killed.

It was the middle of the night, maybe 3am. The team slept under the stars in a forest. Rachael woke up and noticed that Erza wasn't around. She got up and walked in search of the redhead. Knowing there was a lake near, Rachael went there.

"Can't sleep?" She asked spotting Erza standing by the water.

Erza turned her head, seeing Rachael, and then turned back to look at her reflection in the water. "Something like that." She said softly.

"Wanna talk about it? Get it off your chest?" Rachael stood a comfortable distance behind Erza, watching her facial expression.

Erza took a deep breath through her nose; her emotion was shown on her face. Reminiscing. "Rachael, have you ever been in love?" A warming smile creped onto Erza's face.

Rachael was surprised by the question, but answered honestly. "Yes."

"It's a great feeling, isn't it? But it would feel even better if you knew you and the person you loved were going to be together forever."

"Exactly, but everyone's not that lucky."

"Sadly, that is true," There was a moment of silence as the cool wind blew past the two mages. "but love can bring out the best in people."

"Yeah." Rachael nodded and turned to walk away. "And the worst." She mumbled.

Planning is necessary to win a war, don't you think? And Rachael had planned her whole life for this war. A war that only consist of three people. But only two will do the fighting. Rachael remembered everything about her past. One doesn't simply forget something like that. It scars you for life. Back then, everyone had a dream. And this was hers.