The Beast Of Notre Dame

A NaLu & JerZa Journey

by

Rising Chaos

Chapter 1

Paris. 1482.

Silence surrounded the city of Paris, not a soul stirred in such early hours of the morning. At least, not a soul on the grounds of the marvelous city but way up high, out of site in the bell tower of Notre Dame a young man couldn't sleep.

He climbed up the pillars that held the many wonderful bells, he had grown to love and even name. Jumping from one pillar to the next with complete and utter ease, the young man made a final leap out onto one of the many open window ledges. Inhaling the fresh, crisp air, he walked down the stone pathway, his eyes scanning all around him, taking in the view Paris could offer him when all the flickers of candlelight were out.

It was truly breath taking. He could never grow weary of looking at such a wondrous place, he could only imagine, only dream, what it would be like to actually be among the bustling crowds instead of above them.

"You're up early" a small voice spoke to him. Looking to his right the young man saw one of his best friends, Happy, a small stone cat who also acted like a gargoyle to Notre Dame.

"Is there something bothering you?" Another small voice asked, only this one was much deeper and belonged to Pantherlily, another one of his stone-cat gargoyle friends. Lily had a small, crescent shaped crack just above his right eye.

"Oh hush, just because he is up early does not mean there is something wrong you foolish stones." Said the one and only Carla. She glared at the other two cat gargoyles before looking up at him.

"Unless of course there is something wrong, in which case you should tell us immediately Natsu." Carla stated firmly, crossing her small stone arms.

"Maybe you just need some tasty fish in your tummy!" Happy chirped, his mouth already watering at the idea of fish.

"Don't be ridiculous cat." Carla sharply replied.

"I'm fine, I promise, I just couldn't sleep that's all." Natsu smiled, showing off his pearly whites and sharp fangs.

"You should try to get some rest Natsu, you are still growing after all." Pantherlily said.

"I know, I will. In a moment." Natsu replied, his eyes drifted out to the view, and its beauty is instantly recapturing him.

"Are you excited for tomorrow?" Pantherlily asks.

"Aye sir! Of course Natsu is, it's the festival of fools! There will be lots of extra tasty fish!" Happy beamed. "Maybe even some exotic ones!"

"It' not as if you will even be able to get any of the fish you silly tom cat so stop your drooling." Carla stated. Causing Happy to pout, small tears forming in his big eyes.

"Don't be sad little buddy, I'll ask master to bring me a fish tomorrow alright?" Natsu patted the gargoyle on the head, instantly changing Happy's mood.

"Aye!"

Natsu sighed, before turning away from the city below him. Sensing the boys sudden distress, Happy looked up to Natsu.

"I have a great idea Natsu! Why don't you go to the festival tomorrow!" Happy exclaimed.

Natsu's sage green eyes widened in surprise for a moment before he shook his head, "Master would never allow it."

"Well one could argue that what Master doesn't know wouldn't hurt him. I'm simply stating that is what someone could argue." Carla stated, avoiding the shocked eyes of the boys.

Natsu dejectedly shook his head again. "I can't, I'm a freak remember? A monster."

Natsu looked down at his hands, sharp, onyx colored talons replaced what would be his fingernails. The only part of his hands that weren't covered in thick red scales were the palms and the underside of his wrists. The scales went up just a little past his forearms before scattering off to become regular skin again. He also had scales covering his legs, most of his shoulder blades, part of his neck and there were just a few patches of scales on his face.

His pink hair housed two curved horns and his ears were slightly pointed. There was also his fifth appendage that he absolutely loathed, his tail.

"Just cause you look a little different doesn't make you a monster Natsu." Happy told his best friend. Placing a small stone paw on the dragon boys leg, "You know that right?" Happy asked, worry clear in the cat-gargoyle's eyes.

Natsu sat quietly for a moment. "I wish buddy." He said. Natsu walked back into the bell tower to his make shift home. "I'm going to go to sleep." Natsu plopped down on his straw mattress and brought his rough and tattered blanket up to his chin. "Night." He whispered before slipping into the realm of dreams, the only place he'd ever feel normal.

Happy sighed and looked to the other gargoyles. "I'm worried guys." Happy whispered. It was so unlike his best friend to be acting this way, Natsu is always happy, care-free and laughing. Not this sad and self-loathing. Happy didn't think his friend was a monster, not in the slightest and he should know! He's been watching over Paris for hundreds of years and he's seen a plethora of horrors that Natsu would never even be capable of.

"I am as well." Carla stated, her arms crossed. The she cat looked away from the tomcats, "I think it'd be rather unwise to continue to let Natsu go on without at least some social interaction. Maybe starting off small, something like simply attending a group gathering would be beneficial." She finished, still avoiding any and all eye contact with the other gargoyles.

"I suppose I should make him a cloak then." Pantherlily said, "Wouldn't want master to see him there."

"Do you think Natsu will really do it?" Happy asked.

"With a disguise, he'll have no excuse not to. The only hard part will be figuring out how to keep his tail covered, especially since we know just how excited he will be tomorrow." Pantherlily stated.

"Well there's no time to spare then is there? I suggest you quit your dillydallying and get to work Lily. Happy you should help him make gloves." Carla reprimanded before walking away.

Pantherlily's teeth ground together in aggravation as he tried to keep himself calm, "She's the one who suggested this outing yet she has us doing the work!"

"Hmmmm? Did you say something Lily?" Happy asked, already working on leather gloves that would be able to withstand Natsu's talons "You know you really should get started before Carla gets mad."

"WHAT?!" Lily yelled in complete disbelief, although if the tom cat had actually thought about it, Happy doing Carla's bidding isn't anything new. The cat is still trying to get the female to accept a fish from him.

"Whatever." Lily said, "I'm only doing this because Natsu needs it. Not because that damn cat told me to do it." Lily stalked off into the cathedral in the hopes of finding enough fabric to make the cloak out of without having to use the already sparse bedding Natsu has.

Natsu awoke to the sounds of a bustling Paris below him. He stayed still as he listened in on the town setting up the various booths and games, yearning to be apart of it. Groaning, Natsu rolled over onto his stomach. He inhaled deeply, taking in all of the decadent scents of the fresh baked goods that the citizens of Paris will soon be feasting on. His stomach growled loudly and Natsu groaned again, wishing he could stuff his face to his hearts content instead of politely eating a small loaf of bread and maybe some protein with his master.

"Morning Natsu!" Happy chirped happily, plopping down right next to Natsu's head. "Did you dream about any yummy fish last night?"

"Morning little buddy. Nope, no fish dreams."

"Aw, that's okay Natsu, fish taste better when you're awake anyway."

Natsu smiled and scratched behind Happy's ears. His best friend never failed to bring a smile to his face.

"Are you excited for today Natsu!? It's the festival of fools!" Happy said and smiled brightly.

Natsu's smile faltered, he looked out towards the city below him and sighed before he simply nodded his head. This didn't go unnoticed to Pantherlily and Carla who shared a look with each other. Carla cleared her throat.

"Natsu. You… are-" Carla brows furrowed, she took a deep breath.

"You are to go to the festival today. You will be wearing the cloak Pantherlily has made for you and Happy has made gloves for your talons." Carla said, she nods to herself, proud.

Natsu eyes are wide in complete disbelief. "But what about-"

"No arguing child." Carla snapped. "You will go after he has visited."

Natsu looked as if he were about to protest again but this time Happy interjectd.

"We just want you to be Happy Natsu. So have fun for one day, okay?"

Happy looked up to Natsu and the dragon boy couldn't help but smile brightly. "You got it buddy."

So, this is going to be my first Chapter fic and probably my only one for awhile. I will try my very best to have an update every week but knowing my 'lovely' job it'll most likely be every other week for updates.

I've already started Chapter two so we'll see how long that one is but I promise no chapter will be less than 1000 words :)

Please let me know what you think!

Also, I do not own the cover image, I merely see it a lot and thought it fit. If the owner of it does not want me to use it, please just message me and I will remove it immediately. That beings said if anyone wants to draw a cover I'd love you as much as Erza loves her cake!