"Listen carefully, Natsu. Never take promises lightly. For every promise you break, a memory of you is erased. For every moment someone considers the promise to be broken, they will forget a part of you." Zeref held his brother by his shoulders. "You are the greatest demon in this world, Etherious Natsu Dragneel. You don't need to make promises."
"Never?"
"Never. Promise me you will never make a promise."
"Can't." Natsu shook his head.
"Good." Zeref laughed a bit sorrowfully. "I'm proud of you."
"Are you really proud of me?"
"Yes."
"Will you always stay by my side?"
"Promise," the words tumbled out of his mouth before he knew it.
"I'm back, Natsu." Zeref knocked on the door before entering. His brother looked at him strangely.
"Who are you, mister? Why are you in my house?" Zeref blinked in surprise.
"It's me, Natsu. Your brother." He gestured to himself. "Zeref."
"I don't have a brother. I live by myself." Zeref felt his heart break.
This was the consequence of leaving for so long, for breaking a promise. Had it been worth it? To leave his brother for another love?
Despite his mind saying no, deep in his heart his response was yes.
"Would you like a flower crown?" A girl lifted the crown. "A bronze piece each."
"Here again, Michelle?" The butcher asked from behind the counter. "Where's you sister?"
"She's sick. Would you like a flower crown?" Michelle lifted the flower crown again.
"Shouldn't you be with her?" Michelle lowered her arm.
"I should, but. . ." The butcher leaned closer. "Who will earn enough money to buy her medicine? Mother and Father are still traveling, it's only me and my sister."
"You're a kind girl, aren't you? But at this rate, you won't be able to make enough money. Medicine costs three gold pieces." The butcher called for his son. "Watch the shop for a while, yeah?"
"Um, where are you going?" Michelle yelped when he held her hand.
"We're getting your sister that medicine of course!" They paid for the medicine and Michelle tugged the end of his tunic. He bent down to get to eye level.
"Thank you." She placed the flower crown on his head.
"No need, little lady. Now get that stuff to your sister." She nodded and ran home with the medicine in tow.
"Michelle?" Lucy called weakly from their shared bedroom.
"Drink this." Michelle lifted Lucy's head and poured the liquid into her mouth.
"How did you get this?"
"The butcher paid for me."
"Did you properly thank him?"
"Yes." Lucy laughed.
"Sorry, Michelle. I'm the older one, but all I'm good at is getting sick."
"This is the first time you've gotten sick in three months. I should be thankful." Michelle shook her head.
"Hey, Michelle?"
"Yes?"
"When are Mama and Papa coming home?" The younger of the two bit her lip.
"Pretty soon, I promise."
Natsu couldn't remember where he was going. All he could think of was his empty stomach. "I'm hungry," he mumbled.
"Do you want my bread?"
"Yeah, I'd like anything right no-" Natsu turned in surprise. Where did this blonde girl come from?!
"Here." She passed him the whole loaf. Natsu took it before frowning.
"Isnt's bread expensive?" The girl nodded.
"It is."
"Then why are you giving the whole loaf?" She gave a small smile.
"I'm not hungry." Natsu gave her a look, then sighed.
"Guess you aren't." He tore a piece of bread and threw it into his mouth. "Thanks for the food. Name's Natsu, by the way."
"Lucy. What are you doing here in the forest, Natsu? It's dangerous." Natsu wanted to scoff. Not when you're a demon.
"I got lost. I don't want to go home though."
"Then why don't you stay with us?"
"Hold it right there, Lucy!" Another girl burst into the scene. "Don't invite a random stranger into our home."
"But he has nowhere to stay, Michelle. He can't stay in the forest forever." Lucy reasoned.
"Lucy, you have to understand, you're being to trusting! For all we know, he could be one of those demons who eat humans."
"I don't eat humans. Boars are good though," Natsu interjected, raising his hand. "Don't worry, I don't hurt anyone without a reason."
"See?!" Michelle paled.
"Are you saying you are a demon?"
"Yep."
"That's so cool!" Lucy chirped.
"All the more reason as to why we can't take him in!"
"I'll be good."
"He'll behave!" Natsu returned a nonchalant look to Michelle's glare.
"Fine." She rubbed her temples. "Lucy, go back home. You're starting to cough."
"Boo. I though I managed to hide it from you. What about you and Natsu?"
"I'll be explaining the rules."
"Okay~" They waved goodbye.
"She's sick." Michelle started.
"I know." Natsu sighed. "It's incurable. She can live without too much trouble if you're careful though."
"How do you-"
"I'm a demon."
"I thought only he could sense death."
"Who?"
"The Cursed Demon Zeref."
"Oh," Natsu pulled the scarf he had to his face. "He's my brother, or so he told me. But I'm not too sure."
"Just don't make Lucy's condition worse and you're good."
"Sure."
"Promise?" Michelle gave him a side glance.
"I don't make promises." He yawned. "I'll be staying at your place, but I'll be out hunting most of the time. That way, I won 't be bothering you guys too much. Deal?"
"Deal."
"Stop pulling my arm," Natsu whined as Lucy dragged him towards the flower field. "Why do I have to join you anyway?"
"Michelle won't come with me today, something about making money."
"Why don't you get a job too, so your sister doesn't need to be the one who works herself to death? You know, I thought she was your older sister, I was surprised when I found out it was you."
"Michelle is really reliable, but she won't let me make money. She says I'm too sick." Lucy sighed.
"You look fine to me-"
"Right?!" Lucy asked eagerly.
"-For now," he finished slowly and Lucy bowed her head. "You know how bad it can get at times."
"I know."
"But if it makes you feel better, I like you."
"What?!"
"Just kidding~" Lucy pouted and began punching his arm.
"You're the worst." He laughed.
"But you are hardworking. That part I like about you."
"That makes me feel a tiny bit better."
"Good." Natsu patted her head. Her glare wasn't intimidating at all, Natsu began to laugh louder. Lucy shot him a harder glare before laughing along with him.
"It's Michelle's eleventh birthday soon, so I want to get her something." Lucy explained once their laughter subsided.
"A flower crown?"
"Something better! A four leaf clover."
"That's really uncommon though. How are you going to find one?"
"Not one, two." Lucy knelt down and began looking around.
"Two?"
"One for you." Natsu chuckled.
"I don't need one."
"Why? It's for good luck."
"I already have a good luck charm."
"Where? Can I see it?" Lucy asked.
"She's right here." Natsu poked her nose. "Here's the clover." He knelt down and plucked one that was right beside Lucy's foot.
"See? Quite the lucky charm, isn't she?"
"Michelle, when are Mama and Papa coming back?"
"Soon." Michelle said as she rummaged the drawers for medicine.
"It's been a year." Lucy tugged the sheets closer to her face. Michelle sighed.
"You're still sick. Would you want Mother to get your illness? You know how frail she is."
"I guess not." Michelle patted her head. Lucy gave a childish pout.
"Once you're all good, why don't we go flower picking? Remember what happened last time? You and Natsu managed to find a four leaf clover as my birthday present."
"We did? I don't remember." Michelle felt a chill go down her spine.
"We did. Here, see? You managed to make it a bookmark." She took it out from the book she was reading and presented it to Lucy.
"Oh, I guess we did. When's your birthday?" Lucy squinted.
"I-it was just last week." Michelle placed the bookmark back into the book and then asked, "Lucy?"
"Yeah?"
"How long is a year to you? Soon?"
"No." Michelle wanted to cry then and there. "A year is too long to be called soon." Lucy turned her head to face the window.
"You lied to me," she whispered.
"She's starting to forget who I am, each day it gets worse." Michelle sobbed into her hands. Natsu just gave her a pitying look
"That's why you don't make promises."
"I know." Michelle gave him a pleading look "I need you to make a promise with me."
"Depends," he replied skeptically. In his mind, he cursed. I don't need to make promises.
"When Lucy completely forgets who I am, I will leave."
"What? But the medicine-"
"Promise me you'll protect her at all costs." He started at her in disbelief.
"You've got to be kidding me. She's you sister! You're really going to leave her behind?" Michelle stood up, expecting an answer. ". . .I'll protect her but it's not a promi-"
"Promise me!" She yelled fiercely. Natsu looked deep into her eyes and was convinced of the girl's resolution. He sighed.
"I promise."
"Lucy."
"Is Mama and Papa coming back yet?"
"Th-they won't be coming back." Lucy sat up with a cough.
"What do you mean, they won't be coming back?" She coughed again. "What happened?"
"Mother died of illness." Lucy paled.
"And Papa?"
"He followed soon after." Lucy laid back down.
"I see." She pulled the blankets closer.
"Lucy?" Michelle walked closer. "Are you okay?"
"No." Of course not. "I'd like to be alone for a while." Michelle nodded in understanding.
"I understand." The door closed with a creak.
"You lied to me. You lied to me, Michelle." Lucy muttered. "Michelle lied to me, she lied." She broke her promise.
That night, Lucy cried herself to sleep.
"Eek!"
"Wait, I can explain!"
"Natsu! There's someone in my room!" Natsu burst into the room.
"Who?!"
"Me," came the quiet reply. He relaxed his body.
"Lucy, it's okay. She just needs to. . . pack her stuff. Then she's leaving."
"Who is she?" Lucy pointed at Michelle.
"She's you sister."
"I don't have one." Natsu felt sick. This was so wrong. But then again, he had said the same thing to Zeref when he claimed to be his brother. Was this how he felt when Natsu rejected his existence?
"It doesn't matter." Michelle finished dumping her clothes into a bag. "I'm leaving. Keep your promise, Natsu."
"I know." The door shut quietly behind her. "Gonna have to fix the door."
"You made a promise?" Lucy asked.
"Uh, yeah. What's wrong with that?"
"You don't need to make promises. You told me that."
"Well, I was kind of forced into it," he scratched his head in annoyance. "But she meant well, so I didn't see the point of refusing."
"Natsu?"
"Yeah?"
"Was she really my sister?" Lucy asked carefully.
"Yeah. She was." Natsu nodded.
"Why can't I remember her?" She looked up, waiting for an answer.
"She broke a promise."
"What was the promise?"
"How long is a year to you? Soon?"
"No."
"That's the promise." She looked at him in horror.
"Lucy, where are you going?" Natsu panted as the blonde ran towards the direction her sister went.
"I need to find my sister. Michelle knows that we can always make new memories, so I'm getting her back!" Lucy ran into the forest without waiting for a response.
"Lucy!" Natsu sped up and tried to stop his friend. "You know about the hunters and their dogs. Not to mention slave traders. Come back!"
"All the mores reason as to get Michelle back!" Even her speech pattern is starting to sound like Michelle's, thought Natsu.
"Michelle! Michelle, where are you? Mi-" Lucy screamed as she entered a clearing. "Michelle!" Natsu gasped when he saw what had become of the younger sibling.
Besides the mangled body stood a wolf, clearly irritated that its meal was interrupted. Growling, it took a step forward. Lucy backed up in fear.
"Lucy, come here." Lucy scrambled behind Natsu and he held a protective stance. "Five seconds."
The wolf ignored the warning and charged at him. Lucy shrieked and closed her eyes. Nothing happened. Seconds passed and the silence prolonged.
"You can open your eyes." Natsu held the wolf by its throat. The skull had been crushed horrendously. "It won't hurt you now." Lucy ran into his arms, bawling.
"Michelle is- She's. . ."
"I know." He hugged her closer. "But I promised her I'd protect you, so don't worry." His grip tightened.
"I won't let you die."
"You aren't stealing the medicine, are you?" Lucy asked once she was strong enough to get out of bed. Natsu rolled his eyes.
"What do you take me for? A heartless demon?" Lucy hid her laughter behind her hands and let Natsu process what he had just said. "Oh."
"Well, you aren't heartless." Lucy hummed as she prepared the fruits and berries Natsu had harvested a few days prior. "Did they find out you're a demon?"
"No. I didn't give a single hint of being one. At least, I don't think I did."
"That's good, the mayor's adopted son rather dislikes demons." Lucy gave a sigh of relief. "Berry tart?"
"I'd prefer meat."
"Well if you hunted an animal, I think I can prepare something." Natsu looked at her incredulously.
"You can cook?"
"Who do you think prepared your meals for the past five years?" Lucy rolled her eyes.
"In my defense, twelve year old Lucy couldn't roast a pig to save her life."
"That was twelve year old Lucy! This is the new and improved seventeen year old Lucy." She huffed.
"Really? I don't see any differences. Your cooking skill sucks."
"Natsu Dragneel! I'll make you regret ever insulting my cooking!"
"Come at me! I ain't afraid of you!" Laughter filled the house as the chased each other around.
A lone figure slinked away with gritted teeth.
"Kill the demon! Burn him to death! Skin him alive!"
Lucy tried to catch her breath quietly as she and Natsu hid behind a bush. "Are you okay, Lucy?"
"Just let me. . . rest for a little bit more."
"If you're too tired to run, I can carry you." Natsu said concernedly. "You really didn't need to defend and run away with me. Now they think you're possessed."
"I'd never leave you to die. Besides, they still might've done something to me if I had stayed behind."
"I heard something behind those bushes!" Natsu cursed under his breath.
"Let's go." Before they could make a run for it, a firm hand grapsed Lucy's wrist and pulled her towards the townspeople.
"I got the girl! Get the demon while he's distracted."
"Don't touch her!" Natsu punched the man and took Lucy by hand. "We're leaving." He pulled the girl along. The villagers began throwing kitchen knives and pitchforks at them.
"Almost there." The light beyond the trees was getting brighter. Lucy yelped and stumbled. Natsu tugged her up and burst into the plains.
"We're safe now." He heard a thud. "Lucy!"
He lifted her up and to his horror found a knife lodged into her back, blood staining clothes red. He felt uneasy. Her breathing short and shallow, Lucy grinned.
"Where to next."
"Somewhere safe."
"Carry me there, please."
"Yeah." He let the knife remain in her body, knowing removing it would only make things worse. "Tell me if it hurts."
"Okay." She gave a small nod. "Sing me a song while we travel." The uneasiness grew stronger. She was getting closer to death.
"'Course."
A few minutes later, Lucy asked in a raspy voice, "Natsu?"
"What's up?"
"Will we see each other soon?"
"We will, I promise." She smiled.
"I'm. . . counting on. . . you."
"Yeah." He set her down in the flowers. "No matter what, we'll see each other again." He kissed her cold hand.
"I'll make sure of it."
"The demon got away," the mayor hissed.
"At least we got the traitorous girl." His son stabbed a fork into his steak. "I'm surprised though, you got her perfectly in the back."
"What can I say? I'm a butcher, I know how to work with knives." The man who once paid for the child's medicine smirked. An explosion rocked the building. "What was that?"
"The demon is back! He's back for revenge!" Someone shouted through the window.
"What did you say?" The mayor barked.
"Father, I'll dispose of him." His son snatched a dagger from the wall and took off. Natsu was waiting for him outside.
"Stop!" He commanded the demon.
"It was you. You overheard us, didn't you?"
"And if I did?" Natsu growled and with a flick of his wrist, set the nearby buildings ablaze. "Impressive, how strong." The human muttered.
"You'll pay."
"Hm, what a shame. If you were not a demon, we could have been the best of friends."
As if I'd be friends with you."
"I'm a demon slayer. Quite unfortunate, no?" Natsu blinked before collapsing on the ground. He gasped sharply. "Bye bye, Natsu Dragneel." The demon slayer plunged the dagger into his body.
Everything went dark.
Natsu opened his eyes only to be greeted by the mayor's son. He said nothing, only staring at the demon.
"Are you here to laugh at my death?" The boy morphed into Michelle. "What the-?"
Michelle split into two and became a man and woman. So similar was the woman to Lucy, Natsu could only conclude that these two were Lucy's parents. He set his jaw.
"A second chance." They didn't budge an inch. "I need a second chance. I promised Lucy we'd see each other again. So please, let us meet again."
"What is your sacrifice?" He jolted at the disembodied voice. "Would you do anything to see your love again?"
"I would." He nodded.
"Even if she doesn't remember you?" Natsu smiled.
"I'll make her remember. It'll be fun, falling in love again." Lucy's father nodded.
"Very well," the voice spoke through her mother. "Your second and last chance. Use it wisely."
"Of course I will." Natsu grinned.