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"Down here, quick!"
"Quit slapping my butt, Natsu!"
"EVERYBODY - SHUT UP!"
I flinched, sliding down the rungs quickly into the dark sewage-entrance. The town bustled above me, as Erza slammed down the circular door over our heads.
Natsu quickly handed out torches from Mira's packed bag, and light engulfed the dank passage-way.
"Out of all places- What were you thinking, Natsu Dragneel?!" Mira hissed, contempt in her voice. I sniffed, ending up choking and regretting my decision instantly.
"He wasn't thinking, that's what, Mira," Gray joked, trying to lighten the situation, "Where are we, anyway? And why did Erza suddenly shove us into a rat's den?"
"We're in Crocus," Erza growled, "The only damn place where there's a hundred percent chance we'll get flipping captured and handed over to Acnologia."
O-oH... We're in the Vampires' Capital. A-Aye.
"There's still that, um- Nevermind," Mira huffed, rolling her eyes at her own idiocy, "What are we going to do about them, though, Erz?"
"Them?" I jumped, thinking someone else was with us. Mira was staring right at me, her eyes flitting between Gray, Lucy and me.
"If any of the Common Vampires catch them, they're either dead or turned," Erza replied, obnoxiously, "And ex-human Vampires might even go further..."
I grinned, "We have powers, we won't just get attacked and killed, Erza."
"Yeah," Mira suddenly surged towards me, grabbing me by the collar like an aggressive Mother, and shoving me, "Those 'Powers' of yours will help you run like two centimeters before you collapse, sis."
Natsu chuckled under his breath, leaning against Lucy, "How about we split up? This part of Crocus doesn't support Acnologia, and less of us together will attract less attention anyway."
Lucy smiled, patting Natsu's shoulder affectionately, while Mira wolf-whistled suggestively, "At least you two spending time together means Lucy's smartness rubs off on you, Salamander."
"W-Wait!" Natsu stammered, reduced to a blushing heap of flames, "I- I never said that Luce and I go tog-"
"Now that it's settled," Mira coughed, clapping her hands before pinching the bridge of her nose due to the toxic fumes from the sewer, "Meet back here before sun-down. Get as many things as we need before we go back, I have money bags here-"
"-Back where?" I asked, confused, "Please don't say we're going to another camp, I've had enough of your 'Blood Marsh-"
"-We'll be visiting Fairy Tail Academy, Fernandes."
~~~
I pulled the hood of my cloak down my face, trying to conceal my tattoo. Erza continued spitting in the face of a poor merchantman.
"C' mon! 2000 Jewel for a sack of potatoes, that's insane!" She snarled as sweat dropped further down my forehead, "I'll pay 1000,"
"M-Ma'am," The man sweat-dropped, looking timid, "That's half price! What will I do, everything's so expensive here, I won't be able to pay for my family. 1900 Jewel, last!"
"1200," Erza's eyebrow twitched in anger, as she glowered, "That's more than enough for such lousy retail,"
"1800," The Merchant looked like he was going to pass out, and I pouted anxiously, not sure whether to distract Erza and pay, or continue to let her butcher the poor soul.
"I've been a customer here at the marketplace for years!" Erza scowled. Sighing, I grabbed Erza's forearm, pulling her away from the stall. She raised her eyebrows but didn't comment. I pulled out the sack in my pocket and handing him the money. The man nodded gratefully, not commenting, and we left with the potatoes.
As soon as we got around the corner, Erza nudged me away, furious, and backed away. Her eyes twinkled with exasperation, "What the heck is wrong with you, Fernandes?!"
"I-" I was lost for words, "You- You were literally about to- You-"
Erza carried on, ignoring me, "We could've had such a better offer, you moron! Those potatoes were too extravagant."
"They're just potatoes for goodness sake, Erza!" I flipped my hood down, swiping a hand through my hair.
She grabbed my wrist and pulled it closer, hissing into my ear, "Just potatoes?Just potatoes!? Jellal Fernandes, you better take that back!"
I leaped away from her instantly and raised my trembling hands up in defense, "Okay, okay. Geez. Don't kill me."
"I would've done worse..."
"EXCUSE ME-"
"Anyway, let's go catch up with Natsu and the rest of the lot." She shrugged, changing the subject swiftly. A blush was steadily progressing over the bridge of her nose, and the sudden urge to hug her arose in my mind.
Being smart for once, I didn't.
Trudging along, and pulling my hood up again, I paced alongside the fuming scarlet-haired women, who refused to make eye contact with me. Testing the waters, as we were only feet away from the sewer entrance, I nudged her hand.
"Huh?" Erza hummed, startled.
Grow some and hold her hand for Mavis's Sake, Imbecile.
I laced my sweaty hands with hers, wincing, but enjoying the warmth. Erza lowered her eyes, the potato bag in her other hand, as she tried to pull away seemingly half-heartedly.
"Erza Scarlet has a soft-side, hmm?" I teased, smirking, "Well-"
"YOU HAVE THREE SECONDS TO GET AWAY FROM HER, OR I'M THROWING YOU OUT OF A WINDOW!"
