Rapproachment

Erza was speechless for lack of a better word. What could she say? How do you comprehend that the person you just spent the day with, the person you had just finished a mission with, someone who was only a year or so your junior…was your future child?
"M-mother?" Erza managed to sound out in utter disbelief.
"Yeah. You're my mother." Aura said with a small smile.
Now that Erza was so close to Aura, she could start to see the similarities between them. The eyes ere Natsu's, but her hair, nose, and attitude were Erza's. Even Aura's swordplay was familiar to Erza despite a few tweaks here and there. She could even see the two fangs that also indicated her dragon slayer lineage. Erza had no idea how to process the information that was given to her, but her curiosity outweighed her shock.
"I'm your mother?" Erza asked for the second time.
"Yeah."
"And…Natsu is your father?" She said her eyes beginning to widen.
"Yep."
Erza couldn't think clearly, from her perspective things with Natsu were still spotty despite them leaving to Auron together, and all the things they said to one another beforehand. They hadn't talked in weeks, Erza still beating herself up a bit over their fight and now she finds out that they have a daughter! Erza knew that she wanted to be with Natsu, but the thought of children was never even a possibility to her, especially with how young she still was.
"I still can't believe this." Erza said as she lowered her sword from Aura's throat and backed away. "I have a daughter with Natsu of all people? It seems completely outrageous."
"I thought you and Dad were hitting it off fine."
Erza's eyes widened a bit, it was weird to have Aura suddenly be so causal with her. "We were…are, I don't know, it's a bit complicated right now."
"You love him right?"
"Of course I-"Erza caught herself, "I mean I think I do."
"You're taking this daughter thing a bit better than I expected." Aura commented with a smirk as Erza helped her up.
"I don't see a reason for you to lie to me about something like this, besides that mark is too intricate for you to have simply tattooed it on your arm." Erza replied looking at Aura's crest. "Also knows that Natsu & I have it, not even the master."
"So…" Aura began expectantly.
"What?" Erza asked not reading her signals.
"What do you think?"
"I…I don't know. Part of me is skeptical, but part of me is a bit happy."
"Happy?" Aura looked at her confused.
"Yes, you seem to be a healthy young girl." She looked Aura up and down, "and you are quite beautiful."
Aura blushed and looked away. "S-stop mom, you're embarrassing me." The look of embarrassment on her face caused Erza to laugh softly to herself.
"I want to know." Erza said abruptly.
"You want to know what?"
"Everything there is to know about your life. How you were raised. How you lived."
Aura's eyes brightened a bit, "Y-you do?"
Erza nodded, smiling softly. "Yes I do, I want to know just how you managed to put up with Natsu & I as parents."
"But I already told my story to you and the rest of the guild over a month ago."
"Yes, but you were intentionally holding back for my and Natsu's sake. I want the real story, from you, if you don't mind."
Aura smiled and nodded. "Ok, I'll tell you at the inn."
The two walked side by side, smiling at one another as they headed towards the inn a small distance from the park where they had just fought. Once they had secured a room and cleaned themselves off, they sat on their beds opposite each other and Aura told her story again, this time to her mother.
Once again she recounted the tale of her birth omitting things like her sister, seeing as how Erza just found out about Aura herself she didn't want to overload Erza's brain by telling her that she had another child with Natsu. She told her of her training and what their family life was like in the shack that Natsu built. While Aura recounted on what she saw as happier times, Erza began to feel a weight fall on her shoulders, and the smile began to slowly fade from her face.
Things were no better when Aura recited the day that Draven attacked the Fairy Tail guild. Titania began to feel a deeper pit open up in her heat as she heard the horrors her daughter experienced that night.
"There was nothing we could do. Everything went by so fast."
"What happened to me?" Erza asked, already knowing the answer.
"You told me to leave…and then I watched you die."
Erza's eyes held back a fierce fury as she heard those words. However she wasn't angry at Aura, she was angry with herself. Why did I let her go alone? Why didn't I go with her? Why was I not there to protect her? How did I let my pride come before my own daughter? These are the thoughts that raced through Erza Scarlet's mind as Aura concluded her story.
"Mom?" Aura could see the turmoil on Erza's face as she sat on her bed. She had no idea what had her so angry. Did I say something wrong? Aura thought to herself.
"Mom?" Aura asked again as she inched closer to her, her hand outstretched.
"How could I?" Erza said faintly as Aura lurched back.
"What?"
"How could I just abandon her like that?" Erza said, once again in a faint almost whisper.
"Are you okay?" Aura asked causing Erza to look up in surprise.
'Oh, yes I'm fine." Aura could feel the dejected tone in Erza's voice as she watched her roll over and face the wall. "We should get some rest. We have to wake up early to catch the train back to Magnolia."
"R-right." Aura said a bit worried as she got under the blanket of her bed. "Good night mom." Aura rolled over and went to sleep, but Erza received no such luck as she stared at the wall all night.
…
The train leaving Lumina heading towards Magnolia was a lively one. All throughout the cars people were excitedly talking about their time in one of the grandest cities in all of Fiore. Content men and women reminiscing on the time spend and excited children running up and down the aisles gleefully playing, however not all of the passengers on the train were as energetic as others.
In the seats located near the door that separated the third and fourth train cars sat Aura & Erza.
…
The silence between them was deafening, it had been that way since they departed from Lumina. Aura felt a pain in her stomach, but it wasn't due to the food she ate before leaving it was due to a combination sorrow, regret, and longing. Her identity had been revealed under her own volition to the woman sitting across from her, Erza Scarlet. Aura wanted to open her mouth, say something that would cause Erza to look her way but nothing came, it was as if something had taken her voice away from her.
She hasn't said anything since Lumina. Aura thought to herself, looking at Erza who herself was looking out of the window at the passing flora. She doesn't seem angry or sad. In fact I don't how she feels. Aura looked down at her feet, the silence between them only growing more suffocating as the seconds continued to pass.
…
The train finally reached Magnolia station after what felt like an eternity. Erza grabbed her luggage and disembarked, Aura following a few paces behind her. They walked a small distance until they exited the station, Erza breathing in the Magnolia air. After the long morning and the even longer train ride, Aura finally mustered up her courage and spoke.
"Erza I-"
"Thank you for accompanying me on this mission Aura." Erza said quickly cutting her off, "You did well." Erza grabbed her luggage and began to walk away into the distance, "I'll…see you later." She said, her voice lightly somber.
As she watched her mother walk towards the setting sun, Aura had every instinct to run at Erza, run to her and tell her something, anything that would fix the situation, but she couldn't. Her feet were frozen, the rest of her body even more so. As the wind blew through the city streets, tossing her hair Aura could only muster one simple word, but it was one that held within it so much pain.
"Okay."
…
Erza wandered aimlessly through the streets of Magnolia. She had no idea where she was going, but she knew that she had to get away from Aura, she had to collect her thoughts but she found it difficult. She didn't hate Aura, how could she? She did nothing wrong, she obviously trusted Erza enough to reveal her true self. So why? Why couldn't Erza look Aura in the eye? Why did she feel regret in the pit of her stomach? Why did she feel worthless? She felt fine when Aura revealed herself at first, so why did she feel this way now? These were questions she couldn't answer, at least not fully. She needed perspective, something or someone to sit her down and ask her why she had these feelings. She continued to walk until eventually something found itself in her path.
BONK!
She collided with it and fell on her bottom in the dirt, she looked up dejected and recognized the structure blocking her view of the sky…
This is…Natsu's house.
…
Natsu emerged from the tress from behind his home covered in bruises, Happy faithfully flying at his side. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he looked at his blue cat. "You think we lost them?" he asked looking behind him.
"I think so." Happy replied, "But I'll check again." The exceed flew into the air, surveying the surrounding area and flew back to Natsu's side. "I don't see anyone." He reported.
Natsu sighed with relief, "Well that's good. I thought we would never lose those guys."
"You think they were spies for Oracion Seis?" Happy asked slightly concerned.
"Don't know who else they would be. Who knows how long they were watching us." He stretched his arms over his head. "At least I warned Lucy & Gray about them."
"What about Gajeel?"
"Pshh." Natsu scoffed, "That guy can handle himself, I'm pretty sure he knows about them already."
"You think Oracion Seis knows we know about their plan?"
"I don't know." Natsu slammed his fist into his open palm and smirked, "But it doesn't matter, I'll still kick their butts."
Happy smiled, "At least you're back to your old self."
"Huh?" Natsu looked at him confused, "Of course I am, who else would I be?"
"Well you were pretty sad after you fought Erza."
"I wasn't sad!" Natsu yelled defensively, "It's that dream I had made me feel better, and I was just…focusing on my training."
"Training so you could protect Erza." Happy teased.
"No!" Natsu protested, "I was training so I could get stronger and beat that Dracula guy."
"Draven." Happy corrected.
"Yeah him." Natsu looked down a bit sullenly as the two continued to walk home. "Besides, I think Erza might still be mad at me." He kicked a rock that was in his path.
"Yeah, you did mess up pretty bad." Happy teased once again.
"Hey! You're supposed to be on my side!" Natsu yelled angrily as he tried to catch Happy who kept swirling around his head.
Happy flew towards their home and laughed, "You have to be faster than that Natsu."
"Come back here!" Natsu began to give chase.
Soon they were in front of their home when Happy suddenly stopped. Natsu quickly caught up and grabbed Happy's tail. "Ha, I caught you." He looked and saw the shock on Happy's face, as the cat looked toward the trees in front of their home.
"Happy what's wrong?" Natsu asked concerned as Happy pointed his paw towards one of the trees.
"Look."
"Huh?" Natsu looked towards the tree Happy was pointing towards and his eyes began to widen. There, bathed in the glow of the night sky, a lone woman laid against a tree. Her face was racked with regret as she slept. Her red hair danced gracefully in the night breeze almost giving her the visage of an angel.
Natsu's eyes widened more as his eyes adjusted.
"Erza?" Natsu said in disbelief as he felt something behind pushing him forward. He turned around to see Happy, pushing his back with his little paws. "Happy what are you doing?"
"Go talk to her Natsu." Happy said as he slowly made progress with pushing Natsu.
"W-what? Talk to her?!" Natsu yelled flustered as he began to creep forward. "I can't, she'll beat me to a pulp."
"If she came all the way out here, she's obviously not still mad."
Natsu thought about Happy's words. "Yeah I guess you're right, you can stop pushing I'll go talk to her." Natsu said as he sidestepped Happy. The blue cat dissolved his wings and smiled at Natsu. "Try not to get too lovey dovey." Happy teased, making a kissy face at the irritated Dragon Slayer.
"Rrggh, just go home already!" Natsu yelled in irritation as the smiling blue cat walked back to their home. Once the door behind him closed, Natsu walked towards the tree. He placed his hand on it, casting a shadow that caused Erza to slowly stir awake. She looked up at him, her eyes almost devoid of life as she spoke his name.
"Natsu?"
"Yeah, it's me." He sat next to her against the tree. Erza turned her head and looked at him, she tried to muster a smile but all she saw was Aura…their daughter.
"So, what are you doing out here?" he asked a bit nervous.
"I don't know. I returned from a mission with Aura and I just started walking from the station. Next thing I knew my feet carried me here, and since you weren't home I decided to wait until you returned."
"You went on a mission with Aura?" Natsu asked looking at her slightly surprised.
"Yes I did. We had to locate the-"she paused for a moment, "daughter, of a wealthy family in Lumina."
"Really? Was she kidnapped?"
"We thought so at first, but it turns out that she just ran away from home."
"Why would she do that?"
"Her parents, she couldn't stand living with such a strict group of people."
"She sounds like Lucy." Natsu commented smiling.
"Yeah, and Aura as well." Erza said low not thinking.
"What?"
"N-nothing."
"Oh, alright." Natsu looked up at the night sky, "Man the stars sure are bright tonight."
"Natsu…" Erza said his name faintly as she looked at the ground sullenly.
"Yeah?"
"If you knew were going to do something. Something terrible, something unforgivable in the future…what would you do about it?"
"I wouldn't do it." Natsu said plainly.
Erza smirked, it was the first time she smiled all day, she even managed to squeak out a chuckle. "I don't think it's that simple Natsu."
"Really? I mean there's not really a way to predict the future, if there was I would see if I ever find Igneel."
Erza continued to look at the ground with a soft smile on her face. "I envy that you can see the world in such simple terms, but I still don't think it's as simple as not doing it."
"Well, why don't you change it?"
Erza looked up at him, "Change it?"
"Yeah, I mean if you know what's going to happen and you don't like it, just change it. Do things differently so when that time comes you get something you like."
"What do you mean?"
"If I found out that I eat fish tomorrow, but I want to eat noodles instead. Then when tomorrow comes, I just choose to eat noodles. That way I changed the future for the better, for me anyway."
Erza looked at the serious look on his face and couldn't help but laugh out loud at how simple his example was. "I should have known food would be your example. I think my problem is a bit more complicated than that." But he's right, I shouldn't dwell on it too much, it wouldn't be fair to Aura. Even though she hasn't been born yet, I still feel responsible.
"Well what is it?"
Erza then fell silent, her laughter stopping. Of course she wanted to tell Natsu about Aura, but she felt it wasn't her place, besides she had no idea how Natsu would react to the news. At best he would accept it with no questions asked, at worst he would be afraid. "I'm not at liberty to say." She said deciding that if he were to know, Aura would tell him.
"Well you'll tell me when you're ready if you want." He then looked at Erza's face, his staring causing her to blush a bit.
"What? What is it?" Erza said slowly moving away.
"Are you okay Erza?"
"I just have a lot on my mind."
"You've been acting funny ever since we returned to the guild."
"What? No I haven't."
"Yes you have. I can't explain it…but you smell different."
She glared at him, "Are you accusing me of being smelly?"
"No no not at all." Natsu said with a frightened look. "I just meant that you've been more on edge lately. Like you're afraid of something. Is it because of what Aura said?"
"In more ways than one." Erza said under her breath.
"What?"
"Nothing, and I'm fine. It's just some things have been concerning me besides that prophecy." She looked down at the ground again, "I'm sorry." Erza said solemnly.
"Sorry? For what?"
"I'm sorry for how I treated you a month ago, the fight we had, the things I said. I shouldn't have barred you from fighting, it was unfair of me, and most of all it was unfair to you."
There was a brief moment a silence between them before Natsu smiled and laughed.
Erza looked at him with an irritated look, "Something humorous about my apology Natsu?" Her tone was grim.
"No, no. You just reminded me of a dream I had a few days ago."
"A dream?"
"Yeah, it was after one of my training sessions. I don't remember much about it, but I think I passed out. In my dream, I was in the same place I was training but you were there. I think you put my head in your lap and basically said the same things you just said. You said that you always be here by my side, and you also said to believe in you."
Erza looked away and blushed. That wasn't a dream, I actually said those things. Luckily he wasn't fully awake.
"Since then, I've been feeling better and I feel stronger."
"I hope you can forgive me for acting so selfish." Erza said regretfully.
"Selfish? I wasn't mad at you, I was mad at myself."
"Why?"
"You were right, I wasn't strong enough to protect anyone."
"No I was wrong, you are strong Natsu." Erza protested, "I just didn't-"
"No I wasn't. I wasn't strong enough to protect my friends or-"he shot Erza a quick glance, "the guild."
"Natsu." You felt the same way I did. She smiled a bit. That's a relief.
"You're not yourself either Erza."
"I told you I'm just-"
"No there's something else. The Erza I know, wouldn't so worried about the future, if she knew something was going to happen that she didn't like she would do anything to change it. She's the strongest person in all of Fairy Tail and she doesn't let anything get her down. Everyone looks up to her, she's pretty cute too." Natsu looked at her and smiled his usual toothy grin. Erza smiled back as she slowly rested her head on his shoulder.
"Really? Well maybe you can introduce me to her sometime.' She said smiling and closing her eyes as her head rested on a blushing Natsu's shoulder.
"Erza what are you-"
"Shhh. Just let me lie here for a bit, I'm still pretty tired." She said in happier tone than her previous one.
Natsu was embarrassed, but he relented and rested his head on top of hers and began to drift to sleep.
"Hey Erza."
"Yes?" she answered, her eyes still closed.
"D-do you want to train with me until the fight?"
"I'd like that." Erza replied smiling. She then thought of Aura and how she left her at the station earlier with no explanation and felt the pain in her heart again. "I'll ask Aura & Wendy to join as well if you don't mind."
"Hm?" He wondered why Erza brought those two up all of sudden, but he didn't call too much attention to it. "Alright." He smirked cockily his eyes still closed, "I wanted to see how good Aura was anyway, and I've never fought Wendy before."
"I knew you couldn't resist the challenge."
Erza slid her hand into Natsu's open palm. Once their palms touched, they slowly interlocked their fingers, their crests glowing softly as they drifted off to sleep.