The sky was a yellow orange, like cat vomit. It was almost nightfall in the town of Magnolia. It was today when the omnious, beige parchment was placed on the request board of the fairy tail guild. There was so much written on it, it might as well have been black from all the ink covering it. Sitting on the bar stool next to Mira Makarov eyed the parchment and his eyes widen. His face was filled with alarm as soon as he read it. Walking over carefully he yanked it off the board and went to his study with the strange paper clenched in his fist.
The blonde mage, Lucy, was sitting at the bar in her black tube top and white skirt. her hair had been let down from its usual side ponytail and her eyes were closed, she had fallen asleep. Next to her was a small little blue cat curled up with a fish whispering in his sleep," Carla and yummy fishes."
The guild was clearing out and suddenly the blue cat, Happy, was awoken by a warm hand. "Hey Natsu! Are you finally done with the eating contest?" Happy said to the crimson dragon slayer.
" Yea little buddy there's more than a fire in my belly. Aw did Luce fall asleep? She didn't even stay up to see me beat Gray." The pink haired boy said while pouting his lips and slinging an arm around Lucy's sleeping body.
"Yea but she waited for you and just fell asleep. She's probably just tried from going on that mission yesterday, you guys messed it up so bad you didn't even get paid haha." the little blue cat snickered almost falling over the wooden bar counter.
Even if she was fast asleep Natsu flashed a toothy grin because no matter what Lucy says about the stupid things he does she always waits up for him. He picked up the celestial mage and groaned as he said," Too many late night snacks Luce?" Mira giggled at the sight and Happy whispered," He loooovvvessss her." Mira's face lit up at the thought of Natsu loving someone like that and shooed them out of the guild hall.
It was February and still pretty cold out. Lucy woke up on Natsu's warm back. As she slid off his back she shivered, cold gusts of wind hit her in the face. Natsu took off his scarf and reluctantly handed it to one of his best friends. Lucy nodded and wrapped in around her shoulders and face. She was too tired to say anything but she was thankful for the warm white scarf. They walked up the steps to Lucy's apartment and so tired Lucy just crawled to her bed and passed out.
After rummaging through her food cabinets Natsu and Happy were satisfied with two large bags of chips. Then as he sat there on Lucy's bed with a marker in hand he stared at Lucy's face. As the marker drew near to Lucy's face Loke appeared.
Natsu practically choked to death on the chips, he didn't expect Loke.
They were staring at each other for awhile before Loke broke the silence saying, " Hey Natsu? Do me favor. Look out for her. The guild just got back together a week ago but she's not the same."
Natsu suddenly looked puzzled as he replied," Of course i'll look out for Lucy, shes family." He still sat next to Lucy on her bed and put down the marker getting the feeling this would be a long conversation.
Loke then began a story Natsu was not familiar with," The other day we were on a mission and it was small. In fact the mission only took three hours. A thief appeared and she didn't need help at all even when I showed up. She took out her whip and completely wiped the floor with this guy. She has been calling out her spirits less and less. It's because of Aquarius you know. When you guys were in Tartaros and that curse consumed you all she summoned three spirits at once. On top of that she wasn't strong enough to defeat the demons. Out of desperation Aquarius told her if she broke her key then the celestial spirit king would show and smite her enemies. With no other choice she did it. Pain twisted inside of her and I could feel it. all her spirits could. Aquarius vanished in front of her eyes and her heart tore. She was the last of Lucy's family. She kept fighting for you and the guild. Then... then you know what never mind. She should tell you. Just know she is holding a lot in right now and make sure you look out for her Natsu. I'm serious."
Natsu's face fell as he hung onto every word Loke said. She gave up... Aquarius?
He face hardened and he said aloud," I promise Loke. Ill watch out for her. Always."
With those words Leo the Lion went back to his world and Lucy's eyes opened a bit as she said," Get out... of my room."
The words came out as a whisper but Natsu didn't care. He eyed her and left through the window as Happy whispered," Something doesn't feel right."
