400 years

35

On my way to Natsu, I'd passed Erza and Jellal arguing in hushed, angered voices.

"Answer me! If you weren't up to no good then ease my suspicions!"

Jellal scoffed, "Erza, that temper of yours knows no bounds-."

At that second Erza grabbed Jellal by the collar, hard. Slamming him against the support beam. But Jellal only turned his head with a smile, his eyes landing on me.

"Well, this is a surprise." Jellal said in a low voice, almost to mock Erza's action. He then brushed off Erza's hands and straightened his collar, as he started to walk off. "Have a nice night, Lucy." Jellal winked as he passed me.

"Jellal, we aren't done here yet!"

"Oh, but indeed we are, my dear."

Jellal said turning back towards Erza for a moment, then continuing on his way with an inscrutable smile. Erza, in a even lower voice huffed a barely audible growl, shaking her head.

"Pardon, but was that about the rumors?" Asking this, I walked up to Erza, who looked frayed around the edges.

"Yes, my apologies you had to witness that. Are you heading to our lords?"

Silently, I nodded a yes. Erza offered to walk me the rest of the way. All while talking about the rumors, how some vessels suspect treason. Plus Jellal's sneaking about and meeting with unknown messengers.

It was clear just how much Erza, herself wanted Jellal to clear his own name. As we talked more, Erza   Sweetly blushed, so I decided I'd open up a bit myself.

"You know, I'm in a bit of the same boat. Wanting to believe someone that I'm not sure that I can." Erza looked at me with a raised brow as I continued. "I know this guy, who's not bad. Per say. But I don't know if he's serious."

"Hmm." Erza had her hand to chin, thinking a moment. "If it's Gray, I doubt he'd be serious at all."

'Wait, who!?' "No, no! It's not Gray! His name starts with N." I sweat dropped, practically giving the name away.

"Ah, So your finally warming up to Lord Natsu?"

"Yes. H-Hey- Eh, is it that obvious?" I felt my cheeks warm against the chill of the air as the two of us giggled.

Erza has left me at the entrance of the tenshu. Natsu frustrates me, no doubt about it.. However, I can't deny it. He was on my mind more often and it wasn't like me to stress over a guy.

Natsu and I played another game of Go. But my mind was trying to sort out the issue from earlier. 'How many vessels suspected Jellal?' And Erza has her hands full trying to keep the suspicions at bay.

"You haven't made your move yet."

"Sorry, I was a bit distracted."

Placing my next piece to the board with a clack, I built up my defense. Even though I was enjoying the game, I couldn't shake what I was told.

"Hmm, it's peculiar for you to be distracted. Did something happen?"

"We can talk about it later."

"It wasn't a request."

While I explained the events on the way over we continued our game. Natsu didn't say a word, letting me talk, while he toyed with one of his black stones.

"Something that inconsequential took your mind off our game."

'How could this be inconsequential?'

Natsu places the black stone onto the board with a harsh clack. Looking down, I'd lost again. He still didn't look the slightest concerned.

"Erza will be fine. Plus I've already heard the rumors."

'He knows all but the fact that Erza believes Jellal will stab him in the back.'

"So what will you do?"

"I've plenty faith in Jellal. Soon you, too, will learn."

'Huh?'

"Enough about that."

With a muscular arm, Natsu shoves the Goban board aside. Watching it flex with the movement sent a rush of excitement through me. Knowing what was to come.