Author's note: Guys, I hope you're enjoying this story. I'm trying my best to entertain you. I'd really like to know what do you think about this story. So, here is the new chapter. Hope you like it. And please, pardon my English.

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail.

The Dance of Love

Chapter 4: Red String of Fate

Erza was wandering the dark alleys of the palace, often touching the walls. She didn't actually know where she was; she'd heard that the Royal Palace had hundreds of rooms and alleys, so there was a huge chance that she could get lost. But she didn't care. She was enjoying the darkness and loneliness.

Actually she was not alone in the party, she was with Millianna, but the cat-lover ran away as soon as she spotted four exceeds hanging out together, leaving the red haired beauty alone in the darkness.

Many memories came to her as she wandered along the dark passages. She remembered her childhood, how she ended up in the Tower of Heaven, how she met her friends, how she fell for a certain someone, how she lost him, how she joined Fairy Tail, everything.

She had lost many of her loved ones, but somehow she still survived. When she gave up on her life, her friends were there to pull her out of her misery. That's how she became strong, with the help of her friends. She overcame every obstacle in her life, with the help of her friends, be it Shou, Millianna, Simon, Wally or Natsu, Lucy, Gray, Wendy. She was truly thankful to them for giving her strength.

"Erza?" A very familiar voice came from the darkness; a voice that she could never forget. Her eyes widened as she heard footsteps approaching her. She didn't want to turn around and see, she was just frozen in her position.

Someone placed a hand on her bare shoulder. She was Erza Scarlet, the Titania, but she couldn't protest to the touch. Slowly she turned around, fighting her urge to melt in the touch. Her brown eyes met another pair of brown eyes. She noticed the blue hair, and the tattoo on the right part of the face.

"Erza, what are you doing here alone?" Jellal Fernandes asked, his voice full of curiosity. Erza blushed a little, 'May be he's thinking that I'm crazy or something!'

"I-I was just wandering... with Millianna, but she went to play with Happy and the others." The Re-equip Mage laughed awkwardly.

"So, do you mind if I accompany you?" Jellal asked.

"No, not at all."

They smiled at each other, but it was a polite smile, nothing special. They both started to walk quietly, an awkward silence hanging between them. As they walked, Jellal noticed the lady with him. Her long scarlet hair was tied in a complex twist with some locks escaping the twist, her slender figure was covered with a long black sleeveless gown, exposing most of her back. In short, she was looking stunning.

"So, what are you-" her speech ended midway as she stepped on her long sweeping gown, and fell. But she landed on the floor, thanks to Jellal who caught her by her waist. As he helped her stand up properly, he didn't notice the blush on her face.

"Are you okay?"

"Yeah..." was all she could say. Her face was burning. In the dark alley, only them, together, it was all to make her blush profusely. The way his hand caught her waist... she couldn't get the feelings out of her mind.

"Erza..." Jellal spoke, making the red haired beauty look at her. His face was grim, as if he was regretting something. He didn't look at her eyes, instead he was looking at her lips. Erza gulped, fearing what he'd say.

"I have something I want to tell you..." he spoke softly, "Please, take care of yourself, Erza... don't be so reckless... I... I don't to see you hurt..."

"I will, Jellal." Erza's smile was soft, warm, "You should also take care of yourself. You've been very reckless recently."

"It doesn't matter if I live or die..." his words made the woman in front of him tremble. It didn't matter if he lived or died? How could he say that?

"It matters, Jellal..." she said through her gritted teeth, "It matters for the people who love you, who care about you, who thinks of you as comrade!"

"Well, in that case, it's only Meredy." He slight smile appeared on his lips, "That kid's all grown up now. She can now take care of herself."

Erza felt as if her heart broke into pieces. He didn't think that his death would matter to her. How could he think so?! She could die only to protect him, to make sure that he lived; but he never felt she was special. Her eyes burnt as tears droplets threatened to come out.

"...so now I can die in peace!" Jellal chuckled as if he was joking, but the lady in front of him could not take it anymore. She slapped him as hard as she could, leaving the Crime Sorciere master stunned.

"Don't you ever talk about death!" She hissed, tears flowing from her brown eyes. "Live, Jellal!"

Jellal was so shocked that he couldn't comfort the crying beauty. He was just looking at her with shocked eyes. After a while, he smiled sadly, and diverted his eyes from Erza. He could look at everything but her. It was too painful to see her crying. When he was in the prison, he had always thought about her smiling face; when they are young and used to slaves in the Tower of Heaven, she had always smiled brightly in all the pain and misery. She was his sunshine which always illuminated his dark world.

"I am not worthy of living anymore, Erza." His voice was soft and pained, "I've committed too many sins. I kept Shou and others slaves for so many years, I tried to kill you, I killed Simon, I couldn't even protect Ultear..."

Erza's tears had stopped, but the pain was still there. Why did he always talk about sins and atonement?! Whatever he had done, it was past. Why couldn't he live with the present?! His remorse had kept them apart for more than one year now! And still he was going on with those stuffs!

"But there's one thing that keeps me alive..." his words made her look at him, "...and that's you, Erza."

This time it was impossible for her to keep her emotions controlled. How could she?! She had been keeping her emotions controlled for so many years. She had been burning inside to see him, but she couldn't. And finally when she found him, fate had snatched him away from her.

Erza clasped his collar, and hid her face in his chest, making the blue haired man shocked. She was crying like hell, as if she was letting all her pain to flow away. She wasn't a person to cry easily. She'd faced many pains, many tortures, many injuries, but she never cried. Then why was she crying now?! Why did he make her so vulnerable?!

"Jellal, you are an idiot!" she sobbed, "You never tried to understand my feelings! I... I have been in love with you since the day you gave me my name... Scarlet... I dreamt of spending my whole life with you... you were my freedom! You are my freedom! B-But I lost you... and after all those years when I finally had you, they took you away from me! I-I wanted to kill them all, I couldn't let you go away again, but my responsibilities stopped me... I couldn't save the man I love..."

Her tears were soaking his shirt, but he didn't care. Hearing those words from her made his heart fill with both happiness and sadness. How could he hurt her so much?! Her tears were pinching his heart like needles.

"I don't deserve you, Erza..." Jellal said. Erza looked at his eyes. Her eyes were warm and loving, soothing the troubled man before her. She caressed his cheek, and felt him tremble. A warm smile appeared on her lips.

"You deserve none but me. And don't you dare lie to me again about having a fiancée!" She said and crushed her lips with his. She felt him grabbing her waist as his other hand took out the hairpin from the twist, making the scarlet hair fall.

They were kissing passionately, tasting each other's lips for the first time. Their lips fought for dominance as Jellal's grip on her waist tightened. Erza moved her hand to the back of his head, and pulled him closer to her. Their bodies were touching, often creating frictions. Erza gasped as Jellal traced her neck and back.

When they finally pulled out of the passionate kiss, Jellal looked her warmly as the red haired beauty blushed. He took her hand into his, and smiled sweetly.

"I love you, Erza. I have been loving you since I saw you first time in the Tower of Heaven. Just like the red string of fate, your scarlet hair brought us together. And now, I'm hopelessly and helplessly in love with you..." Jellal voice made her heartbeat ten times faster.

Erza smiled and jumped into his arms. She never felt more free than this moment. She had won numerous battles, but in the battle with fate, she had been always the looser. But this time, she won this battle also. That was Titania Erza Scarlet, who never lost.

Reply to my reviewer: Yeah, you were right about that. I hadn't read Alvarez Empire Arc, that's why some incidents were different, and for those who'd read it, a little confusing. But I promise, that won't be the case from now. I'm really glad to know that you're curious about the story. I'll try not to disappoint you. I really appreciate your review.