"I'm never letting you go."

Sitting up with a large gasp, it took Jasmine a few seconds to realize that she had had yet another nightmare.

This was the fifth time that she had that dream. That same dream that haunts her mind every time she falls asleep.

And every time she would wake up panting and sweating.

Isn't it strange? For years, Jasmine had wanted to find the boy who ran out on her as a child. And after coming face to face with him almost a week ago, she wishes she had never reunited with him.

Be careful of what you ask for.

Sometimes you won't get the result you anticipated.

You get what you need, not what you want.

Climbing out of her large King size bed, Jasmine trudged to her bathroom.

She stripped off her tank top and matching pajama shorts (along with her underwear) and turned on the shower. Once the water was hot enough for her liking, Jasmine stepped inside the shower.

 Why can't I forget about him? It's been years since I've seen his face and yet after seeing him again for practically a day, I can't get him out of my mind!

Jasmine stood there in the hot shower, not moving a muscle. She just let the water hit her tanned skin and slide down her naked body. As she stayed still and let her mind wander, her long black hair fell in front of her face.

Steam began to fill the bathroom. But none of that mattered at all to Jasmine.

 And after I spent so long building up a wall to mask my feelings, it crumbled the instant I got near him.

Jasmine gritted her teeth in an attempt to hold back the tears that she felt coming.

 And I showed such a weak side of myself! I became naïve! What in the world is wrong with me?

"I can hear it. You're still in love with me."

"SHUT UP!" Shouting in anger, Jasmine punched the bathroom's tile walls, sparks of lightning bouncing off of her skin making the water splash everywhere.

As her tense body shook with anger, Jasmine slowly lowered her arm and turned off the shower.

Pulling back the shower curtain, she grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her body. Not caring about her wet hair, Jasmine left the bathroom.

Raphael was downstairs in the living room, reading a novel he had purchased. As he turned the page with his tiny paw, Jasmine walked into the room from upstairs (still in her bath towel).

The dragon slayer walked through the living room, past the couch where Raph was sitting, and straight into the kitchen.

But from the corner of his eye, Raph saw Jasmine's knuckle.

Not moving from his spot on the couch, Raph spoke. "What happened to your hand?"

There was silence for what seemed like forever. And the green cat expected this.

"Nothing." Jasmine finally replied, her voice low. "It's nothing to worry about. I'll bandage it up later."

Raph bit his lip, knowing that his partner was suffering. She had been silently suffering for years, but after meeting Cobra, it had gotten worse.

A few minutes later, Jasmine walked back upstairs with a sandwich in her hand.

At least she's eating. Raph thought. But she can't live like this forever. There has to be something I can do.

Thinking deeply, Raph furrowed his eyebrows.

 The Next Morning . . .

It was about ten o'clock when Raph left the house, leaving Jasmine there by herself.

To be honest, he didn't tell her that he was leaving.

This was a surprise mission.

The small green cat flew to Fairy Tail, the guild as loud as ever. His eyes scanned the guild, looking for someone. Anyone. 

He just wanted someone to help Jasmine.

He spotted Wendy, who was currently talking with Lucy and Levy, and considered asking her to help Jasmine. Maybe she could use some Healing Magic on the S-Class Mage's mind and lock away the terrible memories.

But would that be the right thing to do?

Maybe what Jasmine needed was someone to talk to. Another female, perhaps? Or two?

"Erza! Mira!" Raph called, flying over to the bar where the two women were.

"Hi, Raph!" Mira greeted, smiling.

"What is it, Raph?" Erza said after swallowing a piece of cake.

"Um, well, can I ask you two a favor?" He asked somewhat shyly.

Despite the fact that he seemed somewhat shy, the small cat gave off a serious aura. Sensing this, the two females allowed a serious expression to take over their faces.

"What's the matter?" Mira asked.

"Did something happen?" Erza narrowed her eyes.

"It's about Jasmine." Raph stated. "She isn't doing too well."

Mira and Erza glanced at each other before looking back at Raph.

"Would you like us to go see her?" Mira asked with a small smile.

Raph nodded. "Please."

At Jasmine's House . . .

Jasmine sat up in bed, staring at the wall. She had some dark circles and bags under her eyes, indicating her lack of sleep.

She refused to sleep. Or rather, she didn't want to sleep.

She didn't want that dream to come back. I guess you could say that she is currently afraid of sleeping.

The doorbell rang, sounding throughout the entire house.

Jasmine stayed in bed, assuming Raph was going to answer it.

Until the doorbell rang again.

Grunting, the dragon slayer climbed out of bed and trudged down the stairs. As she walked through the living room, she realized that Raph was not home. Sighing to herself, she made it to the front door and opened it.

On the other side of the doorway was Mirajane and Erza.

"Nice place you have here." Erza said, looking at the exterior of the house.

"Why are you here?" Jasmine growled, her eyes narrowed and her brows furrowed.

"Raph sent us." Mira answered. "He said you weren't feeling too well."

"I'm fine." Jasmine insisted.

"You don't look fine." Erza concluded, looking at Jasmine.

"We're here to talk, Jasmine." Mira said, a small plea in her voice.

"I don't want to talk." Jasmine stated quickly.

"We know what this is about. Or at least, we have a pretty good idea." Erza said, moving closer to the door. "It's about Erik, isn't it?"

Upon hearing that name (the very instance she heard it), Jasmine gripped the doorknob and attempted to slam the door shut.

Mira put a hand to the door, stopping it.

She stared at the tanned woman in front of her, whose eyes were filled with hatred, confusion, and pain.

Mira knew Jasmine was in deep pain. Even if she wouldn't admit it herself.

"Maybe we shouldn't use that name, okay Erza?" Mira suggested, smiling. But there was a dark aura that Mira was now giving off.

It is quite rare to see Mirajane angry.

At least, now it is. As a kid, Mira was a completely different person. She was one of the troublemakers in the guild, always getting into fights.

That's why Erza and Jasmine are so close to her. The people she used to fight with as kids, were Erza and Jasmine.

The three girls had a Natsu and Gray relationship.

"We just want to help, Jasmine." Mira spoke softly. "The pain won't go away if you keep it bottled up inside."

Jasmine just stared at the two females for a moment. Then she sighed.

"I would prefer to keep this pain inside." Jasmine casted her eyes downward. "If I hold on to the pain, then it'll remind me of the mistakes I made. I've got to push through the pain. Besides, there's some stuff that I don't want to tell you."

"That's understandable." Erza nodded. "But you can move on to the future without that pain. You can remember the mistakes you've made without the pain. It's called finding peace of mind."

"We've all been to that dark pit that you're at." Mira said, a distant look in her eyes. "It will take time, but you'll find peace. And maybe love." She smiled and giggled. "But for right now, maybe you need a vacation."

"A vacation?" Jasmine perked up at the sound of a getaway. "Are you paying?"

"Paying?" Erza growled, her brows furrowed. "But you're rich!"

"But you offered." Jasmine retorted.

"Don't give me that! A true warrior owns up to her situations!" Erza shouted.

"Warrior, my butt!"

Mira silently watched as the two women argued in the doorway. Ah, just like old times. She giggled. Hmm, I said something about love earlier. I was just on a roll, but maybe I can make that happen.

Who knows? Love could be in the air soon.