Hello readers. This story decided to worm it's way into my head after reading the latest chapters of the Manga and it wouldn't let me be until I started typing it out. the feels were just too strong for me to ignore -_-
On with it I say!
Peace xoX
Chapter one: Return
It was early morning when the home he had yearned to see for months came into view, but instead of an ear to ear grin that would normally surface whenever he returned, a small frown took its place and his steps became more hesitant.
"We finally made it Natsu!" The blue exceed exclaimed happily from his perch atop Natsus' head. "I can't wait to see everyone!"
"Aye.."
At the sound of his partners distant reply, Happy paused in his excited ramblings and peered down at him curiously. "Natsu? What's the matter?"
"I don't know buddy." He answered after sighing heavily. "I just feel... weird... like something aint right.."
Happy raised his paws to cover his mouth and snickered in amusement causing Natsu to huff and shove his own hands deep within the pockets of his new waist coat.
"What's so funny?" He grumbled.
"You're just scared because you know Lucy's going to kill you for being late."
The pinkette stopped entirely. His body going rigid and his eyes widening slightly.
"She's not going to be happy to see us.. is she?"
"I don't know about you." The cat teased. "But I'm sure she'll be super glad to see me!"
Natsus' shoulders drooped. "Do you think she'll forgive me?"
Happy stopped fantasizing about seeing Lucy and Carla again at the tone of his best friend and flew in front of him to pat his cheek.
"we've been gone longer than we said we would.. but I'm definitely sure she'll understand!"
A sad smile appeared on Natsus' face. "I hope you're right, Happy."
It's been a little over four years since he left. His travels having taken him further away from Magnolia then he had first intended. But it was a journey that he felt like he needed to do, something that needed to be completed - and as much as he knew it would upset his partner, he had to do it alone.
The first few months away from home, from her, had almost been too much for him to handle. Guilt and regret had begun eating away at him the moment he deposited his farewell letter in her room. He had thought it would pass, that he was just homesick.
But the knots his stomach would twist itself in only got worse every time he saw something that resembled her in some way, and the pangs in his chest intensified every time he closed his eyes.
It was driving him insane.
He knew he shouldn't have left her behind. Even happy knew that he wouldn't be able to last long without having her around him. And so after what seemed like his millionth sleepless night, they decided to head back to Magnolia, kidnap Lucy first before anyone else noticed (like ninjas) and then beg for her forgiveness later for leaving without her in the first place.
But as most best laid plans do, it failed. Or to be more precise, it didnt even make it past the execution phase.
They had come across Gildarts that same afternoon, and Natsu - admittedly - couldn't be more grateful for it.
He can still remember the talk they had that night. And the old man was right. If he had gone back to Magnolia to get Lucy, he wouldn't be as focused on training as he would be if he were alone.
*-*Flashback*-*
"I know it hurts kid. But you'll learn to endure it." Gildarts said softly as he moved closer towards the boy he could almost see as a son. "But I think it's for the best that you left her behind.. At least until you've carried out what you set out to accomplish."
Natsu stiffened and turned his heated gaze on the man now standing beside him. "What the hell are you going on about old man?"
Gildarts smirked. "Happy told me earlier about a certain blonde you just cant live without"
Natsu scoffed and looked away to hide his embarrassment. "It's not like that" he grumbled under his breath.
Gildarts chuckled and gestured to himself "Dont worry kid. Your secret's safe with me."
Natsu ignored him which only fuelled the elder mans amusement. 'never thought I'd see the day...' he thought to himself fondly.
"Anyway, why d'ya think I never drag Cana out with me?" He continued out loud as he took a seat beside the pouting teen. "I'd never get any serious training done If I had to worry about her all the damn time." He laughed. "And let's face it, you and I both know she's a handful."
Natsu slumped forward as he allowed what Gildarts said to sink in.
He had a point.
Lucy seemed to attract trouble.. not only that but she'd hate camping out in the wilderness for days on end... she'd complain about her sore feet or how hot it is, or how much she hated fish.. or how she just can't wait to get back home...
"But... I miss her..."
Gildarts expression softened.
"I mean yeah she's really weird but.. I feel weirder without her... which I guess is weird huh.."
"It's not weird." Gildarts answered, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's not weird at all.."
*-*End of^^*-*
He had sent a letter after the first year passed, asking her to be patient with him. That he'll return when he feels he can really protect them all, especially her, and that he'd make it up to her somehow.
It had helped lessen some of the pain he felt, and so he had made it a point to send her letters whenever he could. Describing the places he had been and the people he had met, and how badly he missed hanging out with her and going on missions together.
Swallowing the lump in his throat, he squared his shoulders and marched forward. "Let's go Happy. Lucy's waitin' for us!"
Happy beamed and flew after him with a jovial "Aye sir!"
It was empty.
The room that he had dreamt of more times than he would like to admit, was completely bare.
"She's... not here..." Happy said in utter disbelief. He turned his head to look at Natsu who was silent ever since they stopped on the ledge. 'poor Natsu.. he looks lost..'
"Natsu? M-maybe we should go ask the scary landlady if she-" he didn't get to finish his sentence because as soon as he mentioned the landlady, Natsu had growled and dropped down to the ground and stormed his way into the building.
"Oh boy.." Happy mumbled and followed. He arrived inside just in time to hear Natsu bellow out for the old lady to show herself and tell him where Lucy was.
"Calm down Natsu.."
"Lucy aint in her room!" He snarled. "And I bet it's her fault!"
An irritated scoff met the boys ears and they both looked up to see the Landlady glaring down at them.
"Well now.." she sneered. "Look what the cat dragged in."
Natsu clenched his fists in an attempt to reign in his temper "Where is she?" He demanded, ignoring Happys' attempts to calm him. "Why isn't she here?!"
The woman didn't answer. Instead she continued to stare them down with pursed lips.
"Answer me!"
A loud 'thump' echoed around the small corridor and it took the two a minute to realize what had happened.
She had thrown something at Natsus' feet.
And their eyes widened when they noticed what it was.
A large stack of envelopes, bound together by a leather belt that looked awfully familiar.
Natsu froze.
Happy looked up at him in worry.
"Your friend left not long after your guild dissolved." The woman finally said after a few moments of complete silence. "I held onto those in case either of you showed up again."
Natsu and happy looked up at her sharply.
"What'd you say about the guild?!"
"What? You didn't know? Your guild split years ago boy."
"Noo..." Happy gasped out, covering his mouth with his paws.
"Lucy couldn't afford her room any more since there were no more missions, so she left. And I've no idea where she went. Don't reckon I'd tell ya even if I 'did' know." She scoffed.
"What.. what is that supposed to mean?" Happy asked warily since it seemed Natsu had lost his ability to speak.
The woman turned on her heel to head back up the stairs refusing to answer him.
"Please wait!" Happy called out, clenching his tiny fists at his sides as tears welled up in his eyes. "Please tell us what happened to Lucy! She belongs with us!" He screamed. "We have to find her!"
The woman sighed, the desperation in the cats voice pulling at her heartstrings.
"Please.." He continued. "We need to know.."
"The poor girl wept for days on end." She finally answered, turning her face up to stare at the ceiling. "I had dragged her to my room for tea one night after she had woken me up with her screams, and she told me everything."
"According to Lucy, during your most recent battle, she had to sacrifice one of her spirits in order to save you all. It was the only way she had said"
Natsu raised his head with widened eyes and the tears Happy had been trying to hold back finally streamed down his cheeks.
"She.. what..?"
"She didn't tell anyone because she wasn't the only one who lost someone that day. You, who has rescued her, who has helped her in so many ways, had just lost someone you had spent your whole life searching for.. and so.. she had wanted to be there for you this time. To help you through your grief instead of focusing on her own because she understood the pain of loosing a parent, and she would do anything just to see you smile again."
Natsus' face paled and his anguished eyes turned to the wood beneath his feet.
Happy inched closer to him, his own teary gaze fixated on his shattered expression. It was no secret that Natsu hated seeing or hearing of his nakama in tears.. he would always jump without question to right whatever wrong was done against them, and smash the culprit to a bloody pulp. Especially when it came to Lucy.. Natsu himself had never been the cause of such a heinous act so Happy knew that his buddy would need to be kept an eye on.
"But then you had left. Gone off on an adventure without her, leaving her with a rushed farewell letter and a broken heart. And then before she knew it, everyone else had followed shortly after. You were the only one that didn't offer to take her along, and the only one that didn't say goodbye to her face."
Unable to listen any further, Natsu spun around and bolted out the door.
"Natsu!" Happy shrieked, picking up the stack of envelopes and sprouting his wings.
"Good luck cat." Said the woman. "I hope you find her soon."
Happy nodded, thanked her quickly then took off after his best friend.
He found him five minutes later, standing in the center of the wide open space where the guild hall once stood tall and proud.
"Natsu..?"
"We need to find gramps.."
Happy nodded his head and landed a few feet behind him.
"Aye.."
"I don't care why he disbanded the guild.. no doubt the old man had his reasons.."
Flames ignited around his fists as he clenched them together tightly. "I'm getting everyone back.." He said, determination shining in his onyx eyes. "Fairy Tail is our home.. no matter what! He shouldn't have shut it down.. We'll drag every last one of them back kicking and screaming if we have to.."
Happys' mood lifted some what after hearing that.
"first things first though.."
Natsu turned to face his partner with a small grin on his face. "We need to find Lucy and get her back with us, right pal?"
The smile on Happys face widened. He knew Natsu was trying to hide how much he was hurting, but he also knew that the only person that'd be able to ease it, is Lucy. So he avoided asking if he's alright, shoved the stack of letters in his knapsack, and flew up to sit atop his head.
"Aye sir!" He cried out. "Let's go find Lucy!"
'I'll find you Luce.. wherever you are.. and I'll never leave you alone again..'
Meanwhile in a small cottage on a small island somewhere..
"I hope she's ok... she was supposed to be back a few days ago.."
"I wouldn't worry. You and I both know that she can handle herself."
"I know.. that doesn't stop me from worrying though.. she's changed so much since.. you know.."
"She's still the same person we knew back then Wendy. Times have just hardened her resolve, and her emotions. As it has with most of us."
Wendy sighed and stared out the window. "You're right Carla.."
It was at that moment she noticed something fast approaching the shore and so she leapt up from her seat and grabbed her sandals with a relieved grin on her face. "She's back Carla! Come on!"
Carla sighed and set down her napkin gently before extending her wings and flying after her charge. She needed to have words with that woman anyway.
The two made their way down the pathway that led towards the beach and arrived just in time to see their friend haul a large sack out of the small boat she had arrived in.
"Lucy! Welcome back!"
Lucy laughed and hugged the blunette. "Sorry I'm late Wendy, Carla. Ran into a bit of trouble on my way back."
Wendy beamed up at her and moved around the blonde to grab the other sack still inside the boat. "It's alright Lucy! We're just glad you made it back In one piece!"
"Did you ever doubt me?" She teased, making a start towards their home. "Oh and I managed to get you both some new clothes and such. Hence the sacks"
Carla nodded her appreciation whereas Wendy squealed in excitement and ran ahead of them. "I'll see you both at the top!" She called back causing Lucy to laugh and Carla to sigh.
"I'm sorry for making you both worry." Lucy said once Wendy was out of sight. "I'll tell them that the next one has to be a group-"
"Lucy.."
Lucy glanced at the exceed and arched a brow. "What's with the serious face Carla? Something wrong?"
Carla had planned to wait until later before mentioning anything but it was too important. She knew she couldn't keep it to herself any longer.
So she flew in front of Lucy and blurted it out.
"He's coming..."
A/N ~ And so begins their twisted game of cat and mouse *cackles* .. *ahem* well that is it for chapter one. I do hope you liked it :)