A new story! This idea had been blocking my mind for quite a few months so I thought I'd get it out of it. I'm working on my other stories and hope to update them all soon. In the mean time, you can enjoy this…

Disclaimer:- I do not own Fairytail. Mashima-sensei does. The plot is mine though… The poem too…

The Highest Debtor

Summary:- Being the Heartfilia Finance's highest debtor landed Natsu with a deal to date the company's president's daughter with a few conditions applied. At first, he thought it would be easy because he couldn't fall in love with a rich brat who had to pay people to love her. His thoughts changed and now he finds himself falling for her. However, she is hiding something big that can ruin many lives. Unknown to him, this deal is a dangerous scheme and he finds himself falling deeper into it... No matter how hard he tries, he still remains the highest debtor till the end.

Chapter 1:

The deal

Oh butterfly

How long you'll fly?

Why don't you rest your wings upon me?

"I see you're here, Dragneel-kun" the man greeted. He turned around in his chair to take in the figure of the person whom he ordered to be presented before him: An 21-yr old, too young compared to his own age of forty. His pink hair seemed messier than usual. Four men dressed in black had to constraint him. It was evident from the slight scratches on the boy's hand that even his best men couldn't bring him in without a fight. A glint of amusement played in his own eyes, watching his prey. He's perfect for the job. He thought.

"It's Natsu, sir" He clenched his fist tighter. He tried to maintain his composure. When the men had attacked him, he couldn't understand. As they neared the building he was currently in, the board need not tell him that it was 'Heartfilia Finance'. Stupid board didn't know that he was a regular here- to borrow money that is. "It's still not the due date for instalment"

The man in the brown suit laughed, making the boy confused. He stood up from the chair and turned his back to him, glancing out the glass wall to view the entire city at his foot.

"Did you know Dragneel-kun as to how much you owe?"

Natsu was never good in maths. So, he feigned innocence in that matter. The other guy sighed, answering his question.

"7 million jewels and you're still so young? How are you planning to pay it off? Your part-time job barely pays off your interest" the man said.

Natsu glanced at the board on the table which read "Jude Heartfilia, President of Heartfilia Inc.". For reasons he didn't understand, he found the letters, texture and paint on the board more important and attention-worthy.

"Did it amount to that much?" he asked, hinting surprise.

The President gave a meek laugh.

"You don't know the even more wonderful thing. You happen to be the person who loaned such a large amount in this company. In other words, the highest debtor"

"Oh, is that so?"

"Don't is-that-so me! I want you to make the whole payment in a few days, preferably by the date of your next instalment." Jude shouted. "Or I'll be forced… to call a certain person up and demand the payment"

Jude turned around to face the boy. He narrowed his eyes at him who now could barely control his anger.

"I understand but how can I arrange for such a large amount in such a short notice- it's a week's time I have" Natsu voiced his thoughts, his tone balanced.

"You should've thought it out before you rented it. Besides, I think you have a source to give you the amount" Jude cocked an eyebrow.

"It is my debt. I'm the one who is going to do the payment" He pressed his fist on the table, making the table displace slightly.

"And this is my firm. I demand the payment back or I'll have to take the issue to your parents" Natsu cringed at the blonde man's words.

"Please, Mr. Heartfilia. You know my conditions. You can't do that to me," He begged. Oh, how he hated to do that.

"Your expenses are getting overboard, Natsu-kun. My partners are pressing me. There is little I could do for you. You have to pay up the loan amount" Jude said in a gentle voice.

Blood gushed to his face as he heard the reason. However, he knew better. There was nothing he could do. He had no power. He was just… alone in this fight. Alone….

"But Mr. Heartfilia, there must be something you can do. Even if it is something that can pay me up better and help me clear the debt, I'll do it. I'll do anything in my power limit" Natsu said, bowing his head.

Jude contemplated for a minute. He had something on his mind. It was precisely why he wanted his audience today. Now, he wasn't sure. His forty years of experience didn't help him. The idea was nowhere near rational. It would only spoil lives, if not two, then many. By placing the offer, he might be giving a huge risk. But he had to do it for someone very precious to him. Was it worth a shot? He'd know only if he'd try.

"In fact I have one but it won't be suitable for you. You better gather up money from your sources" Jude said in a haste. Natsu took a minute before he could understand what he said.

"Please tell me. I'd like to see if I can help you with it" he replied.

"No, Natsu-kun. I'd rather not put you for this. I might write off your debt. I might also give you money whenever you want for this job. I still don't want to" the President turned around. The setting was done. Now, he only had to wait till the prey falls for it.

"Please, Unc- I mean, Mr. Heartfilia. Tell me about it. I'll handle any problem you have. Just name it. That seems like a job I'll need" Natsu was desperate to get this job whatever it was, "I promise I'll do it with my whole heart"

"That's the problem, you see. I don't want your heart to be involved," Jude said, placing a hand on the chair for support.

"Not want my heart involved?"

"Yeah. You must be aware of my daughter. I know you've never seen her but she is everything to me. I've always gave her whatever she wanted… Always…" Natsu nodded at him. He saw the old man's grip tighten. He wondered if he needed some additional support; a mental support.

"Now, she wants someone she can love. I've not objected to it. Within my mansion, she can love anyone. However, according to her, the people inside are not sufficient. She wanted someone from the outside world. Someone who'd not complain no matter how much love she showered"

So basically she wants a toy…Natsu thought, trying to picture the President's daughter.

"If you would be my daughter's guy, then I'll write off your debt. I may even pay you more. However, I don't want you to fall in love with her. That is a condition I must impose. I can't take anyone for my daughter's bride-groom. Also, whenever she says 'it's over', the deal ends" Jude finished the terms of the deal.

"What?" Natsu was lost. He could see how much the President loved his daughter. He couldn't understand why he was picking up someone random for the task.

"I knew you wouldn't agree for this. This is a job you cannot do. Even though you promised… Natsu-kun, try to prepare the amount by the end of the next week. It will be better for you," The President said, sitting down in his chair.

Silence took over the room and danced in triumph. Natsu tried to form words but nothing would come to his mouth. He was horrified at the deal. He couldn't think straight. He didn't understand what to do. In short, he was lost. The girl seemed like a brat to him, the little kid who will always cry to get the things she wanted. He couldn't understand how she'd play with someone's feelings. He wondered if she was in the right mind.

"I'll do it" he said. He didn't know what gave him the courage that he could stand through till the end but he still did. He realised the girl had no value of human feelings and lives. He couldn't stand that. He might as well teach the brat a thing or two while he's at it. If he'd get her to say 'it's over' in two days, the deal will still be good for him. He'd not have to pay anything and he'd have fulfilled his promise too. "I don't back out from my promises Mr. Heartfilia"

"Are you sure?" the president asked again. He knew it wasn't the most thought out decision.

"Yes, I am. I'm giving you my word. I'll stay up for the deal till the end," Natsu said, grinning at the man who now turned to face him.

"Thank you… T-Thank you" He muttered. Natsu swore he saw his eyes lined with water but pushed it to the back of his mind. He was happy that his debt was going to be written off soon.

While in his thoughts, he missed the next few words- something he'd regret not hearing.

"And I'm sorry… I'm sorry for doing this to you"

To be continued….

Well, our heroine will enter in the next chapter.

Any input? Any questions? Guesses? How did you like it? Is it good? Worth continuing? Tell me via pm or a review. I'd love to hear from you guys about this.

This is just an experiment here. I've never written a story like this before. So, I'll need all the feedback possible.

Leave a review if you would. Please? Pretty please? A virtual ice-cream for everyone who does that! Haha!

beatress