Erza's P.O.V.

I woke up to the faint sound of birds chirping, and the gentle stream of people outside of our window. Sunlight crept it's way through the blinds and drizzled orange streaks across the room. Blinking a few more times, I allowed my senses to come to life.

I felt my leg wrapped around Jellal's as I cuddled into him for warmth. His chest rose and fell with each silent breath as he he slept. Things were calm and delicate, almost as if I were still dreaming. 

His face remained peaceful and his unmoving features reflected his unconsciousness. I took a deep breath only to be welcomed with the familiar scent of him; it's distinctive qualities understandably present as a sign that this was not, in fact, a dream.

Lucky me.

Reluctantly at first, I pulled myself from the radiant heat of his body. I got to my feet and stretched until I was on my tip-toes. I made my way to the window, where I split the blinds with two fingers and watched as people happily scurried across the morning streets.

I smiled at the sight, and found myself smiling even wider once I returned my gaze to the still-very-much-asleep Jellal. 

His blue hair was distraught in a way that made him look almost like a kid again. Nonetheless, he still acted like a child. With a subtle laugh at the thought, I quietly escaped the bedroom and snuck into the kitchen.

I began making tea, for the third time since we got here. After all, I don't think someone could blame me. If there's any way to start a day off right, I highly suggest to begin with a fresh, hot cup of tea.

While the water was boiling, I requipted into my chef's uniform and began to stifle through the cabinets. Upon realization that the cupboards were near empty, I swore at myself for telling Natsu to bring my bags back to the guild hall. 

All my suitcases are filled with high-class ingredients that can only be found in extreme environments. They would've been perfect for creating breakfast. 

I sighed and thought about what I had in my dimensional space besides armor. I might have a few foods, but nothing special. 

It was settled then.

I would have to go and see what they were selling in the markets outside.

I didn't feel the need to requipt again, so I just went out as I was. I tucked a few bills into my pocket and headed out through the lobby.

A breeze of fresh air swept through the street, and I was met with the fragrance of the local flowers. It was an enchanting beginning to something so dull as grocery shopping.

I crossed the street to the first shop, where they happened to be selling spices and other basic cooking ingredients. Without a second thought, I purchased a bag of wheat flour and a pound of sugar to match.

Carrying them in my inventory, I continued on to the next stand. There was a colorful variety of fruits to choose from, which was a lucky break for me. I couldn't stop myself from purchasing twelve cartons of strawberries before getting an abundance of other fruits as well.

I wouldn't use all the strawberries this morning, but I could keep them for snacking and such later on. 

From the next stand I bought milk, butter, and eggs.

From the one after that: Confectionery sugar and chocolate chips.

I hadn't been paying attention to where I was going until I found myself in a completely different part of town. I'd never seen this area before, but it looked friendly enough. There weren't many buildings where I was, so I must've been getting close to the outskirts of town.

How foolish of me to wander off so carelessly. I won't let it happen again.

However, being such a lovely day out, I didn't see any harm in venturing a bit. On the opposite side of the street, I saw a floral shop. I eyed the advertisement on the chalkboard outside that read that there was a 30% discount on every dozen. 

I didn't necessarily need flowers, though. Then again, I never got the opportunity to apologize to the woman who ran the hotel. Just remembering her encounter with Natsu made me want to beat him with a brick. Relieving my stress with a sigh, I crossed the narrow street until I was within reaching distance of the door.

I paused.

The hairs on the back of my neck immediately stood upright.

There was a dark magic energy in the area. The same dark energy I'd felt from that day with Jellal. It flashed only for a second, and then it was gone.

It was more of a pang than a feeling.

I spun around to look at the streets around me. It was just as normal as it had been a few minutes ago. Still bustling with life and joyful citizens. I rubbed my head for a moment, doubting I'd felt anything at all.

It must've just been in my head.

I looked down for a moment, before returning my attention to the floral shop. There was no point in chasing something that probably wasn't even real.

A bell rang as I entered the shop with a hopeful smile and embraced the cool scent of the flowers surrounding me. Looking around, I found all different colors and selections to choose from. In a quick decision, I decided to get a dozen white roses followed by a dozen red tulips. 

I greeted and paid the old woman at the counter with a smile. I waited for a moment with my flowers in hand for her to get the change for me. 

"This old dang thing just won't open!" She laughed as she fumbled with her rusty change box.

"It's quite alright, 'Mam. Please, take your time," I told her as I looked at the wall behind her. There were photos of people all over it, to the point where you couldn't see the paint of the wall past them. 

Some photos looked old while others looked recent.

From the looks of it, this shop was a family-run business that had been here for more than a few generations. There were smiling faces throughout the many years. It made me feel warm just thinking about all the work and love put into this little shop.

I was so focused on enjoying the photos that I hardly noticed the ring of the door's bell as someone else entered the shop. I was still day dreaming as the lady finally managed to pry the register open.

She gave a cheerful yelp and quickly started making change. I watched her fingers grazing bills and coins before placing them in her shaky hand. She turned back to me with a smile, still looking at the change before meeting my eyes.

We only held eye contact for a split second before her glance went behind me.

"It's you!" She giggled happily with a shining smile, "I haven't seen you in months,"

Her exclamation wouldn't have bothered me if her look wasn't directed right over my shoulder. It was creepy and unsettling to say the least. 

I went to turn around, to see the face of the person behind me. 

My muscles suddenly felt weak, and my eyelids threatened to close before I could even finish turning my head. I felt like I was falling asleep in a matter of milliseconds.

The last thing I saw was a black hooded figure standing over me, followed by a flash of white.

The blackness swallowed me whole as the muffled voice of the old woman fought against the impending silence.

"Oh my goodness!" She cried, "Take her to the hospital, take her to see..."

And that was it.

That was the end as the darkness consumed me in a single gulp.

I shook my head, my eyes blinked as they adjusted to the sunlight.

I was standing outside of a floral shop, the breeze gently kissing my skin.

I was holding two dozen flowers: One white roses, the other red tulips.

I had gathered all the ingredients to make crepes for breakfast; a French food that happened to be exceptionally delicious. Hopefully, Jellal would feel the same way about them.

Now, I just had to get home before he wakes up. That shouldn't be hard, considering he sleeps like a sloth. I laughed to myself, just thinking about him still laying in bed. I should draw on his face sometime or do his make up. He still most likely wouldn't wake up.

I looked around the streets, to see morning vendors and mothers with their children. Everything seemed so happy and cheerful. Almost like it were a dream.

Then I took another glance around the area. It suddenly felt alien and foreign in every sense.

Where am I?

When did I get here?

My breaths began to quicken, and my heartbeat began to race rampantly.

How did I get here?

I...

I can't remember a thing. All I know is that I got the ingredients to make Jellal breakfast and...

I saw a shop.

This shop.

There was a sale on flowers and I went to cross the street and...

That's where my memory ends. It's all just... Black, after that.

The streets seemed to blend together in a somewhat whimsical way. I looked around for a moment, searching for any sign to remind me which way to go. I know for sure that I came from this narrow road here... But where does it lead?

I can't care about that at the moment.

If my memory is failing me, then there's no use in wasting time trying to regain it. That means there's only one thing left to do.

I need to find Jellal.

I began sprinting down the street, desperately clutching onto the flowers I'd been holding. I looked from one sign to another, trying to follow them like bread crumbs. Almost on instinct, I felt I needed to make a right on the upcoming street.

I bumped into a cart pusher, who didn't say anything as I apologized. A wide-brimmed hat was covering his face, but I could still tell he was young. 

I continued running, jolting through crowds of people as I tried to find my way home.

Home?

Where is... Home?

Home... What am I calling home?

My memory is fuzzy... I can't seem to remember... What 'home' looked like.

I skidded to a halt. 

I stood in the middle of the busy street as people swarmed like moths around the seller's shops. I looked around, the breeze seeming a lot less lovable, and a whole lot colder.

There was a knot in my throat as I swallowed and my instincts picked up the something was incredibly wrong.

"J-Jellal," I whispered, spinning on my heels to look around through the people.

No one bothered to look at me.

No one bothered to listen to me.

"Jellal!" I shouted louder, causing a few women to bat an eye at me.

My heart was beating faster, faster, faster yet.

It was like a drum, beating out my fears in a repetitive melody. 

"JELLAL!" I screamed at the top of my lungs.

A few people stopped walking or stopped conversing with street vendors. 

Their eyes found their way to me. 

Lost, ignorant, forgetful me.

I went to take a breath, but stopped.

Wait...

Who is... Jellal?