Disclaimer— I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United Fandoms of Fanfiction. And to the lawyers for which law stands: one franchise, I'm under oath with a lack of invisibility...with...wait...— okay, I don't own Fairy Tail or any of the characters included in said anime-package. Please, don't sue me...

On a rainy day, I fell for you

— Rain Sound by B.A.P

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He'd found her huddled under a wooden bench in that old park across the street from his apartment.

It had just started to rain—the sudden change in weather halting his evening jog and effectively worsening his already sour mood. He hurriedly pulled his hood over his head, letting loose a few choice words because now—"shit, shit, shit"—he was stressed and wet.

He checked his watch. It had just turned 7:03.

A flash of lightening struck in the far distance—east, the roaring sound of thunder soon following. He jumped in shock, widened eyes flashing to his right as more lightening blinked into the night sky. And that's when he saw her. Lying on the rough concrete ground beneath a bench, attempting (rather unsuccessfully) to avoid the rain. Oh, what a strange sight it was.

He squinted his eyes, peering through the endless drops of rain to get a better look at the shivering girl. He bitterly smiled at what he saw.

Like him, she was dripping wet. Her brown locks clung messily to her cheeks. And like him, she was underdressed. Her baby blue sundress quickly became a second skin, similar to what his thin hoodie and red pajama pants had done to him. And, funnily enough, like him, she was pissed at the world. Her eyebrows furrowed when the rain decided to grow even heavier—ooh, such mockery.

It was as if he were staring into a mirror.

Perhaps that was why he began to approach her, one hand reaching out in her direction.

"Hey," he called. He knelt down beside the bench—his pants were now thoroughly soaked—curious onyx eyes meeting with a similar pair of dark brown. "This is a pretty stupid hiding spot."

She glared at him. "There aren't any better ones around."

"How about your house?" He sarcastically suggested with a smirk.

Her glare sharpened, lips pulling back into a scowl. "I can't go home," she grumbled. "I'm waiting for someone here."

"Gee, this Someone must be super important to you if you're willing to catch a bad case of pneumonia waiting for him."

She rolled her eyes. "Why do you even care?" He flinched at her hostile tone. "Gee, a total stranger must be super important to you if you're willing to catch a bad case of pneumonia for not minding your own damn business."

He retracted his hand, raising both up in defense. "Woah, didn't mean to offend you, lady. I was just asking."

"Well now I'm just asking for you to scram."

More booming thunder coupled with more blinding cracks of lightning.

He sighed as he stood up to his full height, absentmindedly flicking leaves from his legs. "Ah, this is what I get for being a concerned citizen. How saddening."

"Sorry but I didn't ask for your concern, Mr. Citizen," she barked, eyeing him warily when he continued to hover over her. "Now get going before my date shows up and kills you for harassing me."

He scoffed at her threat—she frowned. "So that's your Someone? A date?" He couldn't help but laugh—her frown deepened. "Don't tell me. It's a blind date, isn't it?"

"And? S-so what!" She hissed, crossing her arms over her chest. His laughter grew even louder. "Stop it! It's not funny!"

He ignored her, the volume of his cackles rivaling even that of the storm's. "How long have you been waiting?" He asked between strained breaths.

She pouted, eyes shifting to a nearby rock. "Since 12."

His mouth shut instantly then. "Since when?" He incredulously inquired. She grimaced at the sound.

"Why? Have I been waiting for a long time? What time is it?" She hastily fished around in her bra for her cellphone. Pulling the small device out and flipping it open, she groaned when (after furiously jamming down on every button) she realized the thing was dead. "No, no, no! How long has it been?"

He looked on worriedly at her frenzied state. "It's 7:13," he answered after checking his watch again.

"You've got to be kidding me."

"...I'm not."

"Well then isn't this just great? Abso-fucking-lutely fantastic?" She began to rant, fingers angrily running through her hair. "I just got stood up. Hilarious. Just hilarious. This is the last time I listen to Mirajane, I swear." She craned her neck, her eyes narrowing at him while her nostrils flared. "You can laugh now, Mr. Citizen. Go on, I deserve it for being so naïve—thinking I could actually have a good day for once. Yuck it up. I know you probably want to."

"Oddly enough, I don't," was his pitying reply. He sighed, kneeling once again beside her seething form.

The rain mercilessly fell, large droplets streaming down her cheeks. She sniffled, lips quivering.

"Hey," he gently whispered. She somehow heard his voice above the ear-bashing thunder. "May I remind you this is a really stupid hiding spot?"

She huffed. "I know. I know it's stupid. This weather is stupid. Mirajane is stupid. This bench is stupid. This whole park is stupid. Everything is stupid," she cried with a hollow laugh. "But I guess I'm the most stupid because I'm broke and my roommate took my keys. It seems stupid-me has nowhere else to go—no better hiding spots."

It was silent between them for a while as the storm raged on. The wind howled, trees aggressively rustled. He hummed, focus landing on the nearby apartment building to his left.

"How about my house?" He sincerely suggested with a lame grin.

He outstretched his hand once again.

She looked at the offering as if it were a venomous snake. She looked at him the same way shortly after. "What?"

He shrugged. "It's either you dry off at my place for an hour or two," he pointed an unoccupied finger in the direction of his apartment. "or you stay all alone out here, befriend a pack of wolves and live with them until you die."

"Although the latter sounds significantly better..." With a small smile that betrayed her reluctance, she slowly took his hand in her own. "I think I'll choose your place." He carefully pulled her from beneath the bench, helping her stand on scratched, wobbly legs. "Thanks," she muttered when she regained her footing.

"No problem."

"So you live close by?"

"Yeah."

Relief flooded her body at his words. "Good. That's good," she said. "because I don't think I can walk for long in these heels. I was never one for wearing them but Mira badgered me into dressing up. They hurt more than you'd think."

"Take them off then."

She gave him a disbelieving look. "What a typical guy thing for you to say. As much as I want to, I can't just take them off!"

It was his turn to find himself in disbelief. "If you want to then why don't you?"

"Okay, I may be impulsive—" He wholeheartedly agreed we it this. She nudged his side with her elbow when he fervently nodded. "—but I'm not that impulsive. What if I cut my feet or something?"

"You won't," he assured. "I'll carry you so just hurry up and take your shoes off before you have to get your foot amputated and we both die from hypothermia."

"You'll carry me?"

"I'll carry you."

"You'll not only invite a stranger to your home but you'll carry them on the way there?" She shook her head. "And you think I'm impulsive."

"I'm just being a concerned citizen, remember?" He cupped his hands behind his back before bending his knees. "Now hop on."

She pursed her lips. "If you're some sort of creeper, you're a damn courteous one, I'll give you that much." He snorted at her mumbles. After happily kicking off her silver heels, she pounced onto his awaiting back.

He released a dramatic "oof" at the sudden weight. "You're a lot heavier than you look, lady," he croaked.

"And you're a lot muscular." She poked his bicep.

"Please refrain from sexually harassing the transporter, thanks."

"Whatever."

He lifted her into a position that was comfortable for both of them, fingers securely squeezing into her thighs. "And what shall I call thee, m'lady? Got a name to go with that pretty face?"

"Please refrain from sexually harassing the transportee, thanks," she bit back with a grumpy tone, though her amused expression was anything but. Her grip tightened around his shoulders when he began to pick up speed. "And it's Lucy. What about you, Mr. Citizen? Is there an identity under that hood of yours?"

"Natsu."

Lucy nodded, quietly allowing the name to roll off her tongue. "Natsu, huh? That's a pretty uncommon name," she observed. "What, your parents think it was cute to name you after that famous business guy's son?"

They came to a stop at the wide crosswalk. Cars speedily drove by, headlights blaring while tires splashed into fresh, deep puddles. A dozen stray showers of rain had to be avoided before they could begin walking again.

When they reached the tall glass doors of his apartment building, Natsu finally replied. "Yeah, sure. I guess you could say I was."

"That's cool," she said before adding, "I was named after this lady named Lucille Dreyar. She babysat me as a kid until I was like...eighteen. I think. My memory's pretty bad."

Natsu spluttered. "Couldn't you have stayed at her place then?"

"I would," Lucy drawled. "but she died and her grandson, who owns her house now, doesn't exactly like me."

Natsu simply shook his head.

They eventually entered the grand main lobby of the complex. It bustled with tourists, bellhops and fancy businessmen alike. Lucy whistled in appreciation at the polished floors and massive crystal chandelier above them.

"Is this a hotel or something? You can't possibly live here."

"One, it's not. And two, I seriously do." He nodded towards the receptionist who was currently gawking at them. "And I have been since I moved out of my parent's place when I was seventeen."

They finally reached the glistening elevator doors, one of many littered throughout the complex. Lucy used her bare toe to press the up button. "How long has it been since then?"

Natsu carried her into the elevator. He blushed lightly at the odd, confused looks his neighbors sent his way before they all filed out. "Four years."

"So you're twenty-one?"

"Quite the mathematician, aren't you?" He chortled. He then gestured with his chin to the thirteenth floor's button—their final stop. Her toe obediently pressed that one next. "But yes, I am. What about you? Gonna take a guess here and say you're not a day older than twenty."

Second floor.

Lucy guffawed right into Natsu's unsuspecting ear. "Woah, I can't even remember when I was that young! Hahaha!"

Natsu raised a brow in confusion at that. He shook off his hood and twisted his neck to get a better look at her face. "No way," he breathed. "You're older than that?"

Third floor.

She shakily nodded, struggling to suppress her amusement. "Much older."

"H-huh? But you look younger than me!" He exclaimed, his tone both amazed and incredulous. "What kind of fountain of youth do you frequent, huh?"

Lucy hummed, her breath ghosting across his neck as she whispered (more to herself than him), "I guess it can be considered a fountain of youth."

Fourth floor.

The elevator came to an abrupt stop, almost jolting Natsu off-balance. His hold on Lucy's legs tightened when the lights began to flicker.

"Death, I mean. It does wonders for the skin," came Lucy's soft murmur. "Then again, so does..."

Natsu's eyes became saucers, a shiver running down his spine as her lips began to graze his neck. "L...Luc—"

"...blood."

Sharpened fangs penetrated his flesh before he could even gasp in pain.

She had bit him.

Natsu's last fleeting thought before succumbing to darkness was, fuck. Now I'm stressed, wet and dead.

He exhaled.

He inhaled.

Well, more like dramatically heaved after finally regaining consciousness. His body felt abnormally heavy. His head pounded against his skull. His mouth was beyond dry and his neck—oh, his neck—stung like a bitch.

"Oh shit, please don't wake up," an oddly familiar voice mumbled from his right. Natsu, still lost in a post-coma daze, struggled to attach a face to it.

So he cracked an eye open (like an idiot) before hissing at the sudden onslaught of light. His arms flailed wildly to cover his face, a muffled groan slipping past his chapped lips.

"Eep! He's awake!" The voice screeched this time. Natsu felt his eardrums rip in half. "Okay, calm down. You need to breathe, girl. Breathe."

A soft smacking sound. "Right. I'm dead," she reminded herself. "Dead people don't need to breathe, Lucy."

Natsu froze, a thick lump forming in his throat at that name. Lucy? His neck started to pulse. And that's when he remembered.

Park. Jogging. Rain. Bench. Girl. Elevator. Biting.

Biting?

"Biting!" Natsu suddenly shot up from his position on the floor—his living room floor, he unconsciously noted. Disregarding the burning ache and creaking of his bones, he quickly turned to face...her. "You," came his greeting laced with anger.

"Me." She gave him a sheepish grin and a wave. "Hey there, sleepy head. How ya feeling?"

"How am I feeling?" He repeated. The memory of blood, blood, more of his blood and Lucy's dissatisfied expression flashed in his mind. "Homocidal."

She gulped. "Figured. You know, there's a good excuse for all of this."

"Is there?" He was on his knees now, slowly crawling towards where she sat. She nervously fiddled with the hem of her blood-sodden dress at his pointed glare. "Spit it out before I call the cops on you."

"There'll be no need for that!" Lucy squeaked nervously. His eyes were ablaze with fury as he inched closer to her. Gee, way to make someone feel like prey. That was usually her job. "I'm serious, Natsu. It's a really, really good excuse."

He gave her a blank look. "Uh-huh."

"No, no! It totally is!" She attempted to reassure. When he blindly reached for a nearby object—his television remote. Great weapon of choice—she frantically continued. "You see, when I bit you..."

He raised his arm, remote aiming towards her.

"...you were supposed to die!"

And then he attacked.

And then his hand went soaring into his lamp.

Literally.

"Holy fuck!" Natsu gaped, eyes shooting back to his detached body part and his abnormally handless arm. Black blood oozed from his open wrist. "What...what the. Oh my god. Oh my god. Fuck. Shit. No. Oh my god."

Lucy huffed in frustration before standing. "You should've let me finish before you went all apeshit on me!" She had the nerve to reprimand him as she went to retrieve his hand—his hand, his hand, that was his hand, oh my god. He began to hyperventilate. "Stop freaking out! It's only a flesh wound."

"T-this is...I'm dying. My hand. I'm...the blood. It won't stop," Natsu gasped. He poked at his cold skin, shaking. A sharp pain tickled his elbow. "It doesn't hurt as much as it should. Why doesn't it hurt as much as it should?"

The brunette sighed as she plopped down before him, his renegade hand held firmly in her own—oh, this was so weird. "Your senses are dull now," she explained. "If you had let me finish talking before trying to assault me with a TV remote, you might've known that."

Natsu choked on a whimper when she jammed his hand back into place. "What on earth happened to me? What did you do?" He wiggled his fingers. They moved. They actually moved.

"I tried sucking your blood," she nonchalantly answered. Natsu's face twisted in disgust. "It tasted like crap so I stopped. But apparently I didn't stop soon enough because you died."

"I died?"

"You died."

"I died." He couldn't believe it.

"But then your nose twitched," she continued. She looked troubled as she recalled the night's events, brows furrowing and eyes not meeting his own. "It twitched but your heart wasn't beating."

"I was still dead?"

"You were still dead."

"But I moved."

"Yeah," Lucy clarified with a nod. "So I carried you here. Thanks for putting your name on your door, by the way. If you hadn't, I would've broken into any apartment and killed whoever was inside."

Natsu felt like he was going to throw up. "You're welcome?"

"Anyways," she sang. "I dropped you off here," she pointed down at his living room carpet. "and used your phone to call my roommate. I had no idea what was going on and she's usually good at figuring stuff like this out."

He stayed quiet as Lucy then went on and on about her and her roommate's irrelevant conversation—"I had to curse her out for a good ten minutes because she stole my keys and had the audacity to say I let her borrow them." Just as he was about to cut her off and demand she get to the point, she suddenly said, "Erza's a witch." Natsu blinked dumbly at this. "She spent an hour or so going through her little spellbooks to help find an answer for my problem. In the end, she couldn't find a thing. A human surviving after getting their blood sucked on is unheard of, even in the witch world."

"So..." Natsu drawled.

"So I got bored sitting here watching you and decided to go watch a movie. Great collection you got here."

"You're kidding."

"I'm not." She tilted her head towards his flat screen where an old zombie movie was put on pause. This girl really had some nerve—killing him and then enjoying a movie in his own home. "But I'm not done giving you my excuse yet."

"Get on with it then."

"Okay, well after seeing the first half of the movie, a sudden thought came to me. What if you weren't dead, what if you were..." She paused for a dramatic effect. "undead."

"Undead," he parroted, crossing his arms over his chest. "What the hell are you that you were able to make me undead?"

"A vampire. Duh." She rolled her eyes at his shocked expression. "And you're a zombie now, if you haven't caught my drift yet. Guess this situation calls for a happy birthday, Natsu!"

If his skin weren't already ghostly pale (courtesy of his recent death), Natsu was sure his face would be white as snow at Lucy's gleeful cry. "Z-zombie..."

"Or should I say happy deathday? I forgot how these things work. Bad memory and all." Lucy certainly wasn't helping in calming him down. "But hey, look on the bright side. You can't catch a bad case of pneumonia now!" She thought for a second. "Y'know, because you're dead."

Her ridiculously sugary-sweet tone was probably what did it for him. He was having a mental breakdown.

Natsu slammed his face into his coffee table and began to wail his throat sore. Black tears streamed down his cheeks as incoherent sobs racked his form. All of this...because I wanted to be a concerned citizen...

His watch beeped loudly as the time struck midnight.

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💀 ɞ 👿 To Be Continued 👿 ʚ 💀

Author's Note: (1) Okay, guys. I've finished 1/7 of my Boss Exams. The next one is this Wednesday and it's definitely the hardest of the bunch. I feel really bad for leaving you guys hanging for another two months, so to keep you all un-bored, I'll be publishing a few of my Vault stories! These are the many stories (40+) I have stored away, collecting dust, and I thought maybe you guys'd want to check them out. And maybe, if you like them, I'll update them some more when the summer comes. That okay? Okay!

(2) Check out my profile for a schedule to see when I'll be updating/publishing my stories! Cross your fingers I'll be able to actually stick to the dates this time...heh. -_-;

And remember, stay tuned for chapter one and review if you wanna!

chu~