"Many years ago at Fiore there was a castle called Adzuchi-no-shiro. It was a magnificent old place, surrounded by walls and a moat filled with lotus lilies. The feudal lord was a very brave and wealthy man, Yuki Naizen-no-jo. His wife had been dead for some years. He had no son; but he had a beautiful daughter aged eighteen, who (for some reason which is not quite clear to me) was given the title of Princess.
For a considerable period there had been peace and quiet in the land; the feudal lords were on the best of terms, and everyone was happy. Amid these circumstances Lord Naizen-no-jo perceived that there was a good opportunity to find a husband for his daughter Princess Aya; and after a time the second son of the Lord of Ako, of Harima Province, was selected, to the satisfaction of both fathers, the affair having little to do with the principals. Lord Ako's second son had viewed his bride with approval, and she him. One may say that young people are bound to approve each other when it is the parents' wish that they be united. Many suicides result from this.
Princess Aya made her mind up to try and love her prospective husband. She saw nothing of him; but she thought of him, and talked of him.
One evening when Princess Aya was walking in the magnificent gardens by the moonlight, accompanied by her maids-in-waiting, she wandered down through her favourite peony bed to the pond where she loved to gaze at her reflection on the nights of the full moon, to listen to frogs, and to watch the fireflies.
When nearing the pond her foot slipped, and she would have fallen into the water had it not been that a young man appeared as if by magic and caught her. He disappeared as soon as he had put her on her feet again.
The maids-of-honor saw her slip; they saw a glimmer of light, and that was all. But Princess Aya had seen more. She had seen the handsomest young man she could imagine.
"Twenty-one years old," she said to O Sadayo San, her favourite maid, "he must have been - a samurai of the highest order. His dress was covered with my favourite peonies, and his swords were richly mounted. Oh that I could have seen him a minute longer, to thank him for saving me from the water! Who can he be? And how could he have got into our gardens, through all the guards?"
So spoke the princess to her maids, directing them at the same time that they were to say a word to no one, for fear that her father should hear, find the young man, and behead him for trespass.
After this evening Princess Aya fell sick. She could not eat or sleep, and turned pale. The day for her marriage with the young Lord of Ako came and went without the event; she was far too sick for that. The best of the doctors had been sent from Kyoto, which was then the capital; but none of them had been able to do anything, and the maid grew thinner and thinner.
As a last resource, the Lord Naizen-no-jo, her father, sent for her most confidential maid and friend, O Sadayo, and demanded if she could give any reason for his daughter's mysterious sickness. Had she a secret lover? Had she a particular dislike for her betrothed?
"Sir," said O Sadayo, "I do not like to tell secrets; but here it seems my duty to your lordship's daughter as well as to your lordship. Some three weeks ago, when the moon was at its full, we were walking in the peony beds down near the pond where the princess loves to be. She stumbled and nearly fell into the water, when a strange thing happened. In an instant a most beautiful young samurai appeared and helped her up, thus preventing her from falling into the pond. We could all see the glimmer of him; but your daughter and I saw him most distinctly. Before your daughter could thank him he had disappeared. None of us could understand how it was possible for a man to get into the gardens of the princess, for the gates of the castle are guarded on all sides, and the princess's garden is so much better guarded than the rest that it seems truly incredible that a man could get in. We maids were asked to say nothing for fear of your lordship's anger. Since that evening it is that our beloved princess Aya has been sick, sir. It is sickness of the heart. She is deeply in love with the young samurai she saw for so brief a space. Indeed, my lord, there never was such a handsome man in the world before, and if we cannot find him the young princess, I fear, will die."
"How is it possible for a man to get into the grounds?" said Lord Yuki Naizen-no-jo. "People say foxes and badgers assume the figures of men sometimes; but even so it is impossible for such supernatural beings to enter my castle grounds, guarded as it is at every opening."
That evening the poor princess was more wearily unhappy than ever before. Thinking to enliven her a little, the maids sent for a celebrated player on the biwa, called Yashaskita Kengyo. The weather being hot, they were sitting on the gallery (engawa); and while the musician was playing "Dannoura" there appeared suddenly from behind the peonies the same handsome young samurai. He was visible to all this time - even the peonies embroidered on his dress.
"There he is! There he is!" they cried; at which he instantly disappeared again. The princess was highly excited, and seemed more lively than she had been for days; the old Daimio grew more puzzled than ever when he heard of it.
Next night, while two of the maids were playing for their mistress - O Yae San the flute, and O Yakumo the koto - the figure of the young man appeared again. A thorough search having been made during the day in the immense peony beds with absolutely no result, not even the sign of a footmark, the thing was increasingly strange.
A consultation was held, and it was decided by the lord of the castle to invite a veteran officer of great strength and renown, Maki Hiogo, to capture the youth should he appear that evening. Maki Hiogo readily consented, and at the appointed time, dressed in black and consequently invisible, concealed himself among the peonies.
Music seemed to have a fascination for the young samurai. It was while music was being played that he had made his appearances. Consequently, O Yae and O Yakumo resumed their concert, while all gazed eagerly towards the peony beds. As the ladies played a piece called "Sofuren," there, sure enough, arose the figure of a young samurai, dressed magnificently in clothes which were covered with embroidered peonies.
Everyone gazed at him, and wondered why Maki Hiogo did not jump up and catch him. The fact was that Maki Hiogo was so much astonished by the noble bearing of the youth that at first he did not want to touch him. Recovering himself, and thinking of his duty to his lord, he stealthily approached the young man, and, seizing him round the waist, held him tight. After a few seconds Maki Hiogo felt a kind of wet steam falling on his face; by degrees it made him faint; and he fell to the ground, still grasping the young samurai, for he had made up his mind that he would secure him.
Everyone had seen the scuffle, and some of the guards came hurrying to the place. Just as they reached the spot Maki Hiogo came to his senses, and shouted "Come, gentlemen! I have caught him. Come and see!" But on looking at what he held in his arms he discovered it to be only a large peony!
By this time the Lord Naizen-no-jo had arrived at the spot where Maki Hiogo lay, and so had the Princess Aya and her maids.
All were astounded and mystified except the Daimio himself, who said "Ah! It is as I said. No fox or badger spirit could pass our guards and get into this garden. It is the spirit of the peony flower that took the form of a prince." Turning to his daughter and her maids, he said, "You must take this a compliment, and pay great respect to the peony, and show the one caught by Maki Hiogo kindness as well by taking care of it."
The Princess Aya carried the flower back to her room, where she put it in a vase of water and placed it near her pillow. She felt as if she had her sweetheart with her. Day by day she got better. She tended the peony herself, and, strange to say, the flower seemed to get stronger and stronger, instead of fading. At last the princess recovered. She became radiantly beautiful, while the peony continued to remain in perfect bloom, showing no sign of dying.
The Princess Aya being now perfectly well, her father could no longer put off the wedding. Consequently, some days later, the Lord of Ako and his family arrived at the castle, and his second son was married to the princess.
As soon as the wedding was over the peony was found still in its vase - but dead and withered. The villagers always after this, instead of speaking of the Princess Aya, or Aya Hime, called her Botan Hime or Peony Princess. The Villagers dedicated a day to the Peony Princess calling it " The Day of the Peony and The Pond."
Aya didn't love the Second Son and he frequently abused her, she ended up committing suicide by drowning herself in the pond, with her dead peony in her hand, the second son succumbed to dark forces around the Castle, a evil wizard named Zeref transformed the Second Son to an demonic creature who claimed him to be the God of Love - Eros.
"Eros" now hated love and he controlled relationships in the Castle, causing rape, adultery and fake lies to be made. Princess Aya's spirit came back and made all the people evacuate and she destroyed the Castle. But her power wasn't strong enough as Zeref promised he would one day return.
The Adzuchi-no-shiro castle is now where The Fairy Tail Guild's own castle stands and one day due to a series of people asking the wrong person they liked. Eros was able to gather enough power...
The magical kingdom of Fiore was getting ready for the day of the Peony and the Pond. Lucy looked out of the window to see beautiful peonys floating down the river and Natsu gave her a fright, so Lucy attacked him and Natsu started to laugh which angered Lucy even more.
" Well now we have your rent money for the next three months!" Natsu laughed and Lucy thought back to the incident earlier in the day when Natsu brought down a dark guild. Natsu of course was fearless while Lucy was terrified out of her mind and the only crucial thing that she accomplished was rescuing Natsu's scarf even though that was equally rewarding as Natsu had the biggest infectious smile on his face when she retrieved it.
" Aye!" Happy said. " Now we have to go buy fish!"
" Come on then Happy," Lucy called out while Happy and Natsu were already out the door. Lucy bought Natsu and Happy their fish and then Lucy went back to their house and Lucy of course was left with cleaning up but was surprised when she found Natsu and Happy's house in a pristine condition and Lisanna smiling at them all.
" You have fish! I'll start making meals right away, Lucy are you coming in?" Lisanna ushered her in and Lucy had to kindly decline her offer.
" I have to start on the dare that Levy gave me!" Lucy said sadly and walked away back to her house with Plue.
" Come to the guild later tonight though Lucy!" Natsu and Lisanna called and Lucy nodded.
Lucy stared at the blank note paper and repeatedly clicked her fountain pen. She groaned and stared Michelle, it was a couple of weeks after the Infinity Clock and The Grand Games incidents, and she finished her mini novella on Searching for the clock. Lucy was troubled after a dare that Levy had given her.
She had to write a mini story about her falling in love... And it had to be good because it would mean that all of the guild would finally stop sneaking in her house to read stories that she wrote herself! Natsu on the other hand was blunt and said it probably wouldn't stop him and Happy. Then the she started to whine which caused Happy to complain about her noise levels.
" Lucy - Why do you have to be so noisy?" Happy pulled his ears while Lucy started to groan.
" You have to do this dare!" Levy called out.
" Can I write about other people say Juvia and Gray?" Lucy asked.
" WHAAAT! Lucy you can't write about me and Juvia!" Grey blushed the colour of Natsu's hair while Juvia had looked at Lucy with sheer amount of respect and gratitude, she didn't take any notice of Grey's comment.
" You can have them in the story but it has to be about you liking someone!" Levy tried to laugh evilly.
Lucy sat for hours trying to get an idea, unfortunately for Lucy, she felt rather inexperienced about this topic of love, after all she had never had a boyfriend which Aquarius would never make her forget. She started to click her pen again and decided to go to the guild. She needed inspiration...
Who could she ask about love? Maybe Mirajane? She was always trying to get into other peoples love lives! Why doesn't she ask everyone? She felt confident with her plan but probably people like Gajeel, Laxus and Brixlow might not be able to give her an answer.
Then she shuddered at probably what Juvia would say, Lucy already imagined the long explanation she would receive about Gray. Lisanna would probably start talking about Natsu, for some reason Lucy felt conflicted about it. It was clear from the start that Lisanna loved Natsu, since he was a child and they were going to marry one day. Lucy, adored Lisanna and Natsu but for some reason every time Lisanna started talking about it, Lucy would nod and wish it would be over. Maybe it is because she knew she was destined to be forever alone...
Why did she accept this stupid love writing dare from Levy? She thought.
Lucy opened the door of the usually loud guild hall and spotted Reedus silently painting, she decided to stop and asking him a couple of questions.
" Hi Reedus!" Lucy said perkily, " Is it okay if you help me with something?"
" Of course - What would do you need help with Lucy?" Reedus said politely and he stopped painting what was Juvia stalking Grey. Since when did Reedus paint things like that? Lucy pondered.
" Do you mind if I could look at a few of your paintings? Levy gave me a dare to write about a story where I fell in love with someone and I'm struggling. Can I look at a few of your paintings, for some inspiration, if you don't mind?" Lucy asked. He laughed and he passed her a lot.
" You'll be really surprised when you look at these Lucy!" He laughed and carried on painting the fight.
Lucy carried her notebook and the paintings to an empty table, she started to thoroughly examine them. The first one was of Gajeel who was staring at Levy when she was talking to Jet and Droy. Levy was smiling while both Shadow Hunter boys were looking at her with admiration but Gajeel had something different in his eyes he couldn't stop smiling at her. Gajeel liked Levy? Lucy looked at the picture again and she couldn't stop grinning.
" HEYY LUCYYY! What are you smiling at?" Natsu stopped fighting with Gray, and Reedus shook his head at her.
" Um... Nothing, I was just thinking about the day of the Peony and the Pond!" Lucy lied and Natsu definitely knew she was LYING because she hated that day because she had bad experiences but Lucy did love the story about the Peony Princess.
" Are you thinking about the dance in the towns square!" Mira joined in.
" Um... Yeah," Lucy said nervously. " I'm just wondering if I would get asked or not!"
" Well knowing Lucy it will probably end up Loki or Taurus taking her!" Happy laughed while Lucy wanted to melt to floor. Then all the girls were really nervous because it was a guy asks the girl normally. Even though some girls just asked their partner but it did feel weird. Bisca asked Alzack, so Alzack got teased for months... That was seven years ago though.
The room quietened down as Elfman looked extremely nervous as he went up to the Thunder Legion, where Laxus, Freed, Bixlow and Evergreen were sitting.
" A man is not afraid to ask the women he loves! Ever would you go with me?" This scene would be comical to an outsider Lucy thought as Elfman squeaked the words out while Ever stared at him, looking really unsure and the TL guys were muffling their laughter while Elfman stood like a solider composed and calm - waiting for the order.
" Elfman I would be honoured to go to the Valentine's dance with you!" Evergreen smiled while Elfman bridal carried Ever away and Mira clapped for her brother while everyone else put their drinks up, Ever looked extremely alarmed though.
" We aren't getting married! Not yet!" Ever added while Lucy's jaw dropped and then turned into a smile and everyone cheered.
Lucy looked at the next picture it was Max he loved Lisanna and Bixlow was always offering to help Lisanna. It was obvious that Bixlow had a soft spot for Lisanna! But Reedus drew loads of sketches of Max staring at Lisanna! Even since they were children. Aww! Lucy smiled at the pictures. Who knew the sand wizard actually liked Lisanna? She wondered if she should these to Mira... No! Mira would go into hyperdrive and that would be extremely awkward, Lucy quickly counteracted that thought.
Lucy looked at a lot between Juvia and Grey, what surprised Lucy was the look of jealously on Gray's face when Lyon came for Juvia. Lucy looked a few more from various pairings such as Laki and Gildarts, Freed and Mira, Romeo and Wendy, Laxus and Cana, "Mystogan" and Erza etc.
It was all in the eyes, gestures and facial expressions. Reedus was so observant Lucy thought and she sighed no one looked at her like that, although Lucy laughed when she saw Reedus had painted the incident at the Grand Magic Games where Lucy had fell on top of Natsu when Lisanna was trying to get to him... That was funny and awkward. Lucy also saw pictures of her and Natsu laughing together, him trying to comfort her on various occasions and him dragging her off to various jobs. Yep no looks of passion, admiration or love for Lucy, Lucy frowned when she saw pictures of other non-magical women staring at Natsu, Gray, Loki, Laxus, Freed etc.
Even Carla gave a look of admiration to Happy. At this rate the only look she'll only get is she'll get one of lust from a perverted old man and that totally desperate Dan.
Erza came through the door and was holding "Mystogan's" hands well Jellal's! Lucy was happy that Erza decided to sort things with Jellal and have some sort of a relationship with him even though he was on the run, everyone thought this Jellal was one from Edolas and Lisanna said she was going to be a witness, if anyone accused. So everything was ok for Erza and "Mystogan". With that no one blinked when they went upstairs...
Lucy looked around the guild and saw everyone laughing and smiling, even though she did feel a little sad that she isn't going to get asked from anyone - at least she had an idea what to write about. She took the pictures back to Reedus and looked at the violet haired Laki and Cana who were talking about Gildarts.
" Thanks for the pictures Reedus! Who are you thinking about taking to the dance?" Lucy asked while Reedus smiled.
" I'm thinking about asking the art supplies seller in Magnolia." Reedus responded and Lucy encouraged him while she went to the bar and sat on the stool next to Levy.
Droy was eating more while Jet was pleading with Levy to go with him, while Lucy who had her eyes on Gajeel was looking hesitant. Lucy smiled at her friend, Levy looked totally confused and looked at Gajeel but he looked down at the floor and Lucy knew Levy was going to say yes to Jet. Poor Levy - Lucy thought.
" Jet I would lo-," Then Gajeel stopped Levy sentence and shouted -
" LEVY YOU ARE COMING WITH ME. YOU CAN'T SAY YES TO ANYONE ELSE - NOT EVEN FOR A SINGLE DANCE!" Gajeel shouted while Levy got angry.
" You can't tell me what to do! You are being unreasonable - I want to go with my team now, if you showed you cared! I might have said yes..." Levy eyes started to get misty and she left to go up to her room.
While the rest of the Shadow Team were happy, Gajeel stormed out of the guild and Panther Lilly went after him. While Gajeel stormed out, Lyon zoomed in and scooped up the frightened Juvia.
" Juvia my love - would you care to accompany me to your towns dance!" Everyone automatically turned to Grey - expecting him to go and put Juvia out of her misery but then Cana shouted that he was already going with her and Juvia erupted into tears and Lyon probably knowing he was second choice, accepted this as a yes.
" Not to worry my pretty Juvia - if you can love Grey! You can love me even more!" Then like Levy before her, ran up to her room and Lucy felt sorry for them both.
" WAIT GRAY ALREADY HAS A DATE!?" Natsu shouted. " LISANNA YOU ARE GOING WITH ME?" Natsu looked frightened while Lucy felt her heart shatter a little bit and she looked over at Max and Bixlow, who was also a little bit depressed. Why did she feel like this? It's not like for a moment that Natsu had shown her any affection. But she remembered everything in that moment all their highlights - Natsu saving her both times especially that time in the clock, all the days spent with him, her and Happy - Team Natsu and her rescuing him and Igneel's scarf on Mount Tendrou, and him looking after her throughout the Magic games.
With out even realising it, she had started crying and Mira put her hand on her shoulder, Lucys mouth trembled and she realised that Happy was looking up at her with a confused expression likewise as Wendy and Carla. Lisanna responded with yes and Lucy sneaked out of the guild hall.
Lucy sat outside it was around about 5, and grabbed her notebook clicked her pen and wrote what she had realised today, was she really in love with Natsu?
She couldn't be...
But why was she crying? One part of her said she shouldn't - Natsu never looked at her with admiration, or love. She was just a friend to him. If Lisanna was here from the start - she would be on Team Natsu them three. Happy, Lisanna and Natsu like the family Lisanna described but another part of her said she would still be on Team Natsu even if Lisanna was here from the start and besides Natsu would do the same say if Erza, Lisanna, Mira or even Evergreen had been i the same situations that she had been in. He even took on the whole of Sabretooth, for one girl because he was like that - confident, just and a great wizard.
"So I have to brush these feelings for Natsu "- aside, Lucy thought spoke. Its probably just me being selfish and getting in the way. " He just treats me the same like anyone else.. He has never even hinted at a relationship and the last time you thought he did - he only wanted you for Virgo." Lucy tried to fake herself that it was all okay but it wasn't.
One person heard her - Gajeel.
" So you like Natsu huh?" Gajeel smirked.
" Don't ever tell anyone that!" Lucy's eyebrows raised into her hairline and was clearly panicked.
" I won't as long as you go with me to the dance!" Gajeel smirked.
" No wonder Levy rejected you!" Lucy answered back.
" I'm only asking you so I can win back Levy!" Gajeel responded. " She'll be jealous!"
He did have a point, Lucy thought but she couldn't do it to Levy but if word got out that she liked Natsu and Lisanna told her all of them stories. Lisanna wouldn't trust her, Lucy had no other option. " Fine I'll go with you!"
Then it clicked inside her head - she knew what she could write about. She would write about how love in the guild, was never smooth... Then Levy would understand why she had to say yes to Gajeel! Talk about killing two birds with one stone, Lucy thought.
Lucy summoned Plue and they walked along the river as usual, she waved at Wendy and Romeo but they didn't see her - they were arguing.
" NO I DON'T WANT TO GO TO THE DANCE!" Romeo shouted at Wendy while Wendy looked hurt and Lucy pulled her along, while Romeo was seething. The truth was Romeo wanted to go with Wendy but he couldn't dance and he didn't want to admit it.
" Lucy-chan why are boys mean and clueless?" Wendy asked nearly in tears. " Apart from Natsu!"
" Trust me sometimes Natsu is dense and mean to..." Lucy opened the door to her house and Wendy waved her goodbye.
Natsu was already in the fridge in her home and Lucy ignored him completely, tried to finish her planning. Sensing something was up, as Lucy would always smack him if he went in the fridge, Natsu was at a loss why she was doing that. He decided to eat her favourite yoghurts and started to look over her shoulder. This was pushing Lucy.
" What-cha doing?" Natsu asked.
" I'm just writing..." Lucy's voice sounded like it was cracking.
" Are you going to the dance?" Happy tried to change the subject, he ate all of Lucy's fish and she didn't raise a finger or go "you damn cat" and Happy wasn't used to Lucy being quiet, when she was quiet she was sad.
" Yes I'm going with Gajeel," While Natsu felt a fire blazing fury go through him, he didn't understand why and all he wanted to do was rip the iron dragon slayer head off. Why an earth did Lucy pick Gajeel out of all the guys that like her? Natsu was confused. Had Lucy fallen out with Levy?
" Why?" Natsu questioned Lucy odd behaviour.
" Cos I like him? That could be a reason!" Lucy sounded unusually sarcastic and Natsu could tell that it was a lie - because she was trying not to cry.
" Why Lucy?" Natsu pressed on.
" Please just go..." Lucy's eyes were hollow and tears sprinkled out. " I need to finish this for Levy!"
With that, Natsu went out of Lucy's house and felt a mixture of emotions... Mainly for some reason - jealously. Problem was he didn't understand why that the thought of Lucy and Gajeel, affected him so much. He could picture it now - Gajeel rescuing Lucy, Gajeel eating Lucy's food, Gajeel getting help from Lucy about his motion sickness, Gajeel and Panther Lilly spending every day with her, Gajeel dancing with her at balls and Gajeel rescuing her, then Lucy going off with Gajeel on missions... Thats it! Natsu lost it and decided to fight him.
It wasn't just Natsu, Lucy, Gajeel, Levy, and Max, who were feeling envious. Freed was at a loss when Laxus decided to ask Mira in front of him and he felt so confused. Laki felt rejected, like wise with Wendy, Erza was disappointed that Jellal had refused to go to the dance with with her. Warren, Nab and Reedus had all been rejected and lost hope. Cana was depressed as she didn't have the guts to go after that one person she thought that could be her match, so she settled for Gray. Juvia was in her room wallowing in self-despair, and felt like all her dreams had vanished. Levy felt awful - she felt like she was hiding behind her team. Lisanna, Jet and Droy knew deep down that they who they had liked wasn't really in love with them but they didn't want to believe it. Even Loke who had asked Aries to go with him to the dance was upset because Aries was to frightened.
Little was known that a dark cloud was hanging over Magnolia, a angelic blonde haired man was risen out the guilds walls, he used his magic so no one could see him and that was when a new evil had formed - Eros. Eros was rising, so he gained energy when couples fell out of love or hit a wall or when friends were betraying each other or when love was rejected. He could manipulate their thoughts and actions around their lover or crush. So Eros started with Elfman and Evergreen who were both happy...
" YOU ARE NOT WEARING THAT TO THE DANCE ELFMAN!" Evergreen screamed for the fiftieth time.
" I'm a man! I chose what to wear!" Elfman said while he started to regret his decision of asking her.
" STOP SAYING MAN!" Ever screamed and turned him into stone for a brief second..
Eros sniggered and made her hear his thoughts... Evergreen automatically broke it off. While Elfman was upset then Eros made him appear angry. Eros put her hands through his blonde hair, then left the guild and strolled through the town and spotted Alzack & Bisca with their wonderful daughter Azuka. Eros planted the thought into Alzack head that he cheated on Bisca.
Eros thrived off the energy that Magnolia had given him. And he was sure pretty soon that he could even drive one person to kill their love. He was glad that he could rise again. Eros spotted a depressive looking Natsu and drew love from him but something blocked Eros, and he was determined to get to know this pink haired boy.
Here is my first chapter! I hope you enjoyed it - the story is based off Peony Princess which is a Japanese myth but I've adapted it to suit my story :) If you have any comments, constructive critique and pairings which you want to happen leave in the review box! Thank You!