Rosemary Village

"Finally here," Madara said as he started observing the quiet and peaceful looking village.

"rosemary village, "He whispered as he thought about the fate this small peaceful village awaited in the near future.

This village will be attacked by a cult that worships a black wizard called Zeref, They burn down this village to the ground and enslave old and young alike even going as far as killing a few villagers. For the sole purpose of constructing a tower. The cult is trying to build a tower called the tower of heaven a structure developed for the purpose of resurrecting people from the dead, They are trying to resurrect the black wizard. Erza and her childhood friends are enslaved and used to construct the tower. A tragic life awaits those who are taken and imprisoned in that tower.

A sigh of relief escaped Madara`s mouth, He wasn`t too late. Erza most be around seven years right now he thought. Madara started walking towards the village from the hill he observed the peaceful village. He was finally going to meet Ezra. The proud knight who experienced a horrible childhood and a lot of hardships who finally grew up to be one of the strongest mages in the Fairytale guild.

He truly admired her strong determination to move on from her past and how protective she is towards friends and family, those close to her. That's why he came to rosemary village for a potential future waifu.

After entering the small village. Madara saw an old man who fell on the ground breathing heavily.

He approached him and asked if he was alright.

" Yes. I am okay. Don`t worry too much about me, I am just a little tired" He said struggling to catch his breath.

" Here eat this bean, " Madara said as he stood up and threw a Senzu bean towards the old man.

" What is this for," Asked the old man oddly looking at the green bean.

" It`s a magical bean that can heal any hidden injuries in the body and restore your energy," Madara said with his back turned towards the old man waving him goodbye.

The old man had a puzzled expression on his face still looking at the disappearing back of the young child that gave him this strange looking green bean. He decided to try his luck by eating the green bean. and finally healing the hidden internal injuries he had received from someone 12 years ago.

Madara suddenly stopped in his tracks as he overheard a bunch of snotnosed kids badmouthing Erza. Seven children were having a conversation, talking about Ezra and asking each other about the whereabouts of Erza. He hid behind a rock close by and started eavesdropping on them.

" Where is that redhaired witch hiding, We have looked around the village," One of the seven said.

" Let`s keep on looking, She can`t hide forever from us," another of the seven said. They started heading towards where I met that old man a few moments ago.

Madara slowly started following behind them a distance away from them. They didn`t notice that they were being followed, They walked past where Madara met the old man and started walking out the gates of the village heading towards the hill Madara observed the peaceful village when he got to the village.

While walking behind them, Madara was thinking of how he should deal with them if they started hurting Erza. Madara was busy trying to decide which bone he did break in their pathetically weak bodies When one of the seven bullies pointed forward and shouting. " There is the redheaded monster, Let`s go and throw rocks at her" Madara noticed that they started picking up rocks, and his eyes narrowed when they threw them at Erza.

" Monster, monster" one called, While another shouted, " Why don`t you just die, Nobody will miss you anyway!"

Okay, that was enough. Madara thought as he approached the bullies, but it seemed that Erza could fend off for herself, She started throwing back at them. hitting one who seemed to be the leader of the group on the head. " Ah, the monster is attacking!" one cried out as they spun around to run. one of them pumped into Madara and fell back.

"Throwing rocks at someone. Really now" Madara said as he gave them a grin that scared them.

" Who cares, She is a witch with red hair" A girl from the group stepped forward with little courage she had. Madara ignored her and looked towards Erza, Who looked almost confused that someone would take her side.

She was abandoned by her parents at the orphanage of the village, at least that is what the sisters who are in charge of the orphanage told her. She has been living in this village for the past 7 years. No one has ever tried to stand up for her. She was surprised that someone would actually help her.

"What`s your name?" Madara asked.

"Me?" The girl asked. " My name is Erza"

Madara gave her a friendly smile. "Well, then Erza. "Don`t you think those brats are deserving of punishment?" Madara asked Erza as he turned towards the other kids who were slightly afraid of him. They couldn`t be blamed because he was really angry at them.

"So, You think throwing rocks at others is fun, Huh? Maybe we should let Erza try that game, See how she likes it."

"That`s different. She is a monster!" One boy from the group declared.

" A Monster you say. well, then how do you define a monster. please do explain" Madara asked the boy.

" She has red hair" came a reply from another kid.

"So. having red hair makes one a monster than," Madara asked as he started unwrapping his tail from his waist.

"What about having a tail. Does that make me a monster.?" Madara asked as he showed his tail.

The kids freaked out and started running towards the village. shouting monster.. monster. They never expected to meet a kid with a monkeys tail.

When Madara saw them run and having terrified expressions on their faces. He couldn`t help but laugh out loud at their pathetic cowardly attempt at running away. He could have sworn he saw one of them wet himself while running.

He picked up the book they took from Erza from the ground and started to head towards her taking a seat next to where she sat while she was reading the book. "So. What were you reading" Madara asked as he gave the book back to Erza.

Erza happily talked about her interest in romance books. And shared her lonely story in rosemary village, to which Madara was truly impressed by the girl. She had always let the other kids bully her, but lately, she started to stand up for herself. When she released that no one was going to stand up for her. She started small like whenever she was badmouthed she would say a couple of mean words back, she eventually gained some courage to throwing back if they ever tried throwing rocks at her or insulting her hair. Madara also shared his story with her.

But happy moments like those never last long. Madara saw an angry crowd approaching them.

And he wasn`t even done getting to know Ezra.