2 Arriving In Hargeon

Erza slept through the rest of the trip, which Itachi did not. His mind was too energized to rest. He took the time now that they were alone to play around with the unknown energy he could feel coexisting with his chakra. It had blended in perfectly and he felt almost twice as powerful. What he didn't know was if he could substitute magic for his chakra to cast ninjutsu. Not that he was above learning magic, but he'd rather stick to what was familiar.

'To blend into this new environment, I should at least learn some basic magic most mages learn. Maybe there are simple everyday spells that I can learn to pass as a mage. At least until I know more about where I'm going.'

His eyes drifting to Erza. She had crawled up into a little ball to keep the warmth, and she reminded him greatly of Sasuke. His little brother would snuggle up to him on stormy nights.

A familiar warmth surfaced in his eyes as Erza and Sasuke seemed to blend into the same person for a second.

'Maybe I got sent here for her. I might be able to work off some of my sins here. Nobody should know me, I could turn over a new leaf.'

A sudden knock on the door grabbed his attention. It opened slowly to reveal a timid-looking crewmate, who couldn't be more than fifteen or so.

"May I help you?" Itachi appeared behind him, his instincts made him withdraw into the shadows when he heard the knock.

"Ah!" The timid young man released a wide swing of his arm on instinct.

The arm-swing was dodged as Itachi leaned back.

"Don't do that! Thought my heart was gonna burst through my chest." He waited patiently for an apology or at least a response but all he got was Itachi's deep profound stare-down.

"Ahm, T-The captain wants to talk to you. We've arrived at Hargeon."

"I see. Very good, thank you for the information." Itachi said.

"You can leave." The room got ice-cold almost instantly and the boy couldn't have escaped faster if he had tried. He was out the door in an instant.

Itachi sat down at the bedside looking down at Erza. He almost regretted having to wake her, but he decided he wouldn't abandon her here in this town if she wanted to travel elsewhere. That would also help him since he got to explore and help out Erza at the same time.

"Erza." He nudged her side a little.

"Mmm, J-Jellal," Erza took his hand unconsciously and cradled it to her chest. Itachi saw tears forming in her eyes, just before her eyes shot open.

"J-Jellal!" She shot up from the bed with her back straight and her body shivering.

"I am afraid you have me confused with someone else, Erza." Itachi motioned for his hand which was trapped in her embrace. Her face lit up in scarlet red and she let go quickly.

"We have arrived at Hargeon. Let us go see the captain before departing." She was reluctant to do so, only out of confusion.

"What is it?"

"Are we leaving together? Are you gonna go to Fairy Tail as well?" She had a little hope sprinkled in her tone.

"Is that where you are going? Fairy Tail?" He asked.

'Strange name. Might be where mages gather if she is going there.' He added it as something to look into later.

"It was not my original goal. But, if you allow me to do so, I wish to accompany you there. Travel should be safer with the two of us."

"Really!?" Her eyes lit up in ways only a child could. Even with the tragedy that has befallen her, she still had parts of her innocence abstained from corruption.

"Hurry up, we will discuss this with the captain. I believe he is waiting." He got up and walked out, Erza right on his tale.

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Erza and Itachi stood at the port, having just stepped off the ship.

"Beautiful." He commented silently as he observed the town. It was so... Untouched. The Hidden Villages all had many scars from the many wars. This town looked like the epitome of tranquillity.

"Lad!" The captain came up behind him puffing on his pipe as usual. A big grin on his face as he saw Erza standing close to him as if trying to make herself invisible behind the Uchiha.

"Captain I-"

"Calamai, please. In your own words, the exchange of names makes for equal ground." He offered a handshake, which was big deal for any sailor. A handshake from a captain meant you just made a friend for life. Not many sailors had that privilege.

"Itachi Uchiha. A pleasure to meet you, Calamai." He allowed the tiniest smile to spread his mouth apart. Back on the ship, the crew stood in awe at what they saw.

"D-Did yeh see that? The captain gave that man a handshake."

"Been a decade or so since he offered a handshake, he is usually so stingy about that. Itachi must be something extraordinary."

"Aye, I say this calls for a party!"

"Hurray!" Their combined vocal might shook the deck of the ship.

Calamai sighed at his crew's antiques. He would be sure to reprimand them later for wasting precious alcohol. It was a big deal what he had done, but not enough to waste expensive alcohol. It might also have something to do with him being cheap and hating to waste money. But, he might let that slide this day.

"Itachi, lad. Are you planning on joining Fairy Tail once you get there? Because I might just have to pick myself up one of those wizard magazines so I can read about your adventures when we're stuck out at sea."

"My priority is to get her there safely. The danger on the way is unknown so I will deal with the guild when we arrive."

"Fair enough, how about you, lass?" He looked down on Erza.

"I want to join the guild for the sake of the friends who saved me." She glanced up at Itachi, as his words echoed in her mind.

"They wanted me to grow strong, so I will!" She clenched her hands tightly.

"Hahaha, aye, with eyes like that, you'll make them proud in no time at all. And, that smile I betcha gonna melt a lad's heart in seconds. You're gonna be a fine woman, those friends should be proud of knowing you."

Erza nodded slowly.

"Thank you." She wasn't very good at receiving compliments. Very much like Itachi. Instead of being apprehensive towards them as she was, he didn't care or have a need for compliments. His validation came from his actions and the results they brought.

"We should head out, Erza. We need to cover much ground before nightfall." He nodded to Calamai who raised his pipe in acknowledgement.

"Hope to see ya again, lad." He said and walked back onto his ship.

'That ain't the last time I'm gonna see or hear about them. There's a fire in that lass' heart.'

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End