Young Erza Scarlet

Erza walked slowly through the quiet forest, the leaves rustling gently in the breeze. Sunlight streamed through the canopy, casting shifting patterns on the dirt path ahead. She paused for a moment, blinking as her gaze swept across the scenery—vibrant and full in both eyes. It still felt strange. For so long, she had only seen the world through one, the other hidden beneath a bandage, a hollow space where sight had once been. But now… now she could see everything.

She reached up, touching her face where the healer had carefully fitted her with a new eye. It felt different—almost too clear, too sharp—but she was grateful. Grateful to be whole again. Grateful to be walking back to the guild, to her new family. She could still hear Master’s voice, kind yet firm, telling her to take her time and rest, but she couldn’t just sit still. She needed to return.

The wind picked up slightly, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant flowers. Erza took a deep breath and pressed forward, her boots crunching against the path. The guild wasn’t far now. She wondered how everyone would react when they saw her again. Would they notice the difference? Would they even care?

She clenched her fists, determination filling her chest. It didn’t matter. She had already decided—she would grow stronger, strong enough that no one could ever hurt her again. With both eyes open, she could now see the path ahead more clearly than ever. And she would walk it with unwavering resolve.

Erza sat at a small wooden table in the guild hall, happily enjoying a bowl of strawberry parfait. The creamy layers, the sweet berries, the perfect balance of flavors—it was pure bliss. She savored each bite, her eyes half-lidded in satisfaction, momentarily tuning out the chaos of Fairy Tail around her.

That is, until Natsu and Gray’s latest argument got too close.

“I told you, ice freak, fire is way cooler than ice!” Natsu shouted, fists clenched.

“You idiot! Ice is refined and controlled! Fire is just wild and reckless, like you!” Gray shot back, stepping right into Natsu’s face.

Their foreheads pressed together as sparks of rivalry flared—literally, in Natsu’s case. Erza barely had a second to react before Gray shoved Natsu, Natsu lunged back, and—SMACK—Natsu’s elbow sent her beloved strawberry parfait flying off the table.

The beautiful dessert tumbled through the air in slow motion before splattering onto the floor. A silence fell over the immediate area. Erza stared at the ruined remains of her once-perfect treat, her hand still gripping the spoon. A dangerous aura surrounded her, her body trembling—not with sadness, but with barely restrained fury.

Natsu and Gray, still glaring at each other, suddenly felt a chill run down their spines. They turned slowly, locking eyes with Erza.

“Y-You guys…” she said, voice eerily calm as she stood up.

“Uh-oh…” Gray muttered.

“I think we messed up,” Natsu gulped.

Erza cracked her knuckles, her fiery glare enough to make grown men cower. “You owe me a new parfait.”

A second later, screams and crashing furniture filled the guild hall as she delivered righteous judgment with her fists.

The steam of the hot springs curled lazily into the air as Erza stepped into the warm water, arms crossed with a serious expression. Across from her, Natsu and Gray sat stiffly, their faces bright red as they tried to look anywhere but at her.

“Alright, Natsu,” Erza said, placing her hands on her hips. “Make sure you actually wash yourself properly this time. You always skip scrubbing behind your ears.”

Natsu sank lower into the water, grumbling. “I do wash…”

“No, you don’t,” Gray interjected, smirking. “You just jump in the river and call it a day.”

“I don’t see you scrubbing either, ice block!” Natsu shot back, leaning forward aggressively.

Erza cut their bickering short with a firm look. “Enough. We’re supposed to be relaxing, not fighting. And besides, I’m here to make sure you both clean up properly.”

The boys looked at each other, their awkwardness growing. Sure, they were used to Erza being bossy, but sitting in the same bath with her—while she acted like some strict older sister—was a whole different level of uncomfortable.

Gray coughed into his hand. “Uh… Erza, you do know there’s a women’s side, right?”

“I don’t see the issue,” Erza replied casually, picking up a bucket and pouring warm water over her head. “We’re all teammates. Besides, I’m not letting you two leave here covered in dirt.”

The boys sunk lower into the water, avoiding her gaze.

Natsu muttered under his breath, “This is so weird…”

Erza ignored him, reaching for a bar of soap. “Now, Natsu, hold still. I’ll scrub your back to make sure it’s done right.”

The fire dragon slayer let out a yelp and bolted to the other end of the spring, while Gray just laughed at his misfortune.