Author's Note:
Welcome everyone to my second fanfic. Let's get started right away. I pick up right at the return from Edolas.
I do not own Fairy Tail.
"Lisanna..." Natsu mumbled wide-eyed at the person Panther-Lily had captured. The rest of them stood there in shock and disbelief. Lily had just dragged Lisanna into the clearing. Gathering her wits she noticed all the eyes on her. She saw the real Natsu or rather her Natsu standing there.
"Natsu!" she exclaimed jumping him and knocking him to the ground while still bound by the ropes she was captured in. "I finally get to see you..."
"Happy...Gray, Erza. It's been so long...Lucy and a smaller Wendy..." Lisanna said greeting everyone in tearful joy.
"Lisanna!" Natsu cried jumping her with Happy. He was just staring before, as if it was another one of those dreams. Soon though he realized that this was not another of those taunting dreams, that she had actually returned to him. His gleeful embrace was stopped short by Erza, who was still suspicious of the maiden.
"Hold on. Are you really our Lisanna? What's going on?" Erza questioned and Lisanna then explained the whole story. How she had been sucked into the anima and lived in Edolas' Fairy Tail. After the explanation they had all accepted that she had been their Lisanna and then went off to the church where Mirajane and Elfman had been mourning her death.
Standing before her grave they heard what had been her voice. To them it was a hopeful dream or taunting memories. After realizing it was real, they turned to see their once dead sister running towards them; only a sight they had in dreams. This time it was real and they welcomed her home.
After the long reunion in the rain, they all returned to the guild. Everyone was shocked at her return, but nobody thought on the reason she was here before they jumped her as Natsu had. Of course, Elfman's protective nature had gotten in everyone's way. Makarov soon step forward and welcomed his long lost child back into the guild. Soon the welcoming back party ensued and everybody was in high spirits.
"It's good to see the guild is as rowdy as ever. Eh, Master?" Gildarts said to Makarov who was sitting on the counter beside him.
"Yes. It always hurts to lose one of our family, but today we got one back." Makarov said. Gildarts looked over and saw the actual age of the Guild Master showing. He didn't act it, but he was getting old. Gildarts returned to looking at the party. It was suppose to be a cheerful party and seeing his Master in that state was a real damper.
"Oi, Gildarts. Come fight me." Natsu yelled at Gildarts who was just sitting at the bar. Gildarts let a smile slide seeing Natsu in a good mood.
"I'm not in the mood. Maybe later." Gildarts said. Natsu not accepting the reply started walking towards him.
"I'll just bring the fight to you then." Natsu said raising his fist. Gildarts quickly smacked him and sent him flying across the guild.
"I told you. I'm not in the mood for a fight." Gildarts said as Natsu climbed through the hole his body created in the wall. Gray let a comment slide and Natsu was right on him ready for a fight. They started fighting and soon the entire guild was caught up in the brawl.
"Everybody sure is happy, especially Natsu. He hasn't been this happy since I returned." Gildarts said watching the all out brawl.
"He was affected just as much as Mira and Elfman were." Makarov noted.
"I know, I saw it. It was a shame someone as young as him dealt with such a pain." Gildarts said remembering the day he returned and his mention of Lisanna.
"It is, but he can let go of it now."
"So, who do you think will make the first move?" Gildarts asked ready for a bit of gossip.
"Hm?" Makarov asked as if not knowing what he meant.
"Don't act innocent, Master. You know what I'm talking about. Lisanna keeps glancing his way and it's obvious Natsu is glad she is back."
"Oh, that. Who knows, maybe never. If anybody it would be Lisanna." Makarov said still playing the innocent party.
"Your probably right. Natsu is a good man, but he sure is stupid. Maybe I can give him a little shove. Knowing him he would slip up and say something wrong at every chance he had." Gildarts said imagining the future. Makarov let out a laugh thinking the same as him.
"Things are going to get interesting." Makarov said.
"They sure are. If you will excuse me, Master. I am going home now, it's been a long day and I am not as young as I use to be." Gildarts said leaving for the exit.
"You can't leave yet, Gildarts. You still have to fight me!" Natsu called from the fray he was in.
"I said later, Natsu. Why don't you come by my place sometime. Good Night, Natsu. Welcome back, Lisanna." Gildarts said. Natsu was now left puzzled with what he wanted to talk about. Lisanna was sitting at a table near the aisle where Gildarts was walking. She had been sitting there with her sibling who have yet to leave her side.
"Thanks, good night." she called to him when he just walked out the door. Natsu returned to fighting and the night went on for a little longer. Eventually they all fell asleep in the guild.
The morning came and Lisanna awakened. She found herself in her siblings arms and tore herself from their protective grasp. She got up and saw she was the first to wake up. She looked over at Natsu and saw him sleeping with Happy. She smiled a loving smile and remembered the time they had spent together years ago. Those memories were the happiest of her life.
Years after playing their childish game of being a family, they had become inseparable. They were each others best friend and some dared to say more, which they both denied the accusation. While away for those two years she had come to acknowledge her true feelings for the young dragon slayer. It was true that someone doesn't realize what they had until it was gone and Lisanna felt the pain of having Natsu gone from her life. She desired more than just a friendship at that point, but she couldn't begin to imagine how Natsu felt.
She was torn from her mind by her sister. She was embarrassed to have been caught staring, but it was only her sister, whom she trusted more than anyone.
"You missed him a lot?" Mira asked quietly.
"Yes, I did. I'm worried though, things may never be the same." Lisanna said with worry. She trusted her sister and was certain she would tell no one.
"Of course they won't be." Mira said with a disturbing confidence. Lisanna's worried mood had become much more depressed. Seeing so, Mira tried to fix her rash statement. "Things wouldn't go back to exactly how they were before. To much has happened for it to be just like before, we both know that. We have all lived the last two years with pain in our hearts and it has made us realize what we have. I can see you look at him with much more than the eyes of just a friend. Unless I am mistaken, you want much more than what you had before. This time around, don't let things slip out of your grasps."
"Thank you, Mira, but what if he moved on? What will I do then?" Lisanna asked with new worry.
"He hasn't." Gildarts said finally moving from the seat on the bar he was occupying, also revealing the Master had awoken.
"Gildarts! I thought you had left. How much have you heard?" Lisanna asked even more embarrassed.
"Calm yourself. I have been here for about half an hour. I could already tell by looking at you how you feel. Don't worry. When I returned from my mission I had asked Natsu about you, without knowing what happened. I never saw Natsu that like. He was good at hiding his pain, but your death hit him hard." Gildarts said. Lisanna had a slight relief, but an immediate feeling of guilt appeared over her. Gildarts seeing his mistake and hurried to comfort her.
"Don't go blaming yourself, Lisanna. It wasn't your fault you were sucked into Edolas and there wasn't anything you could do to get back. You also suffered over there and you managed to make the Fairy Tail over there much more happier while there." Gildarts said recalling the stories he heard of Edolas.
"Thanks. I know it wasn't my fault, but I can't help feeling a bit guilty." Lisanna said.
"Don't do that, Lisanna." Makarov had finally said.
"Master?" Lisanna had asked finally recognizing his appearance.
"You have been given a new chance at life. Don't let your guilt over the past ruin your future. We are all happy you have returned and nobody blames you for what happened. It is best we look towards the future now." Makarov said offering his wisdom. If he hadn't been old before, that statement confirmed it.
"Thank you, everyone. I feel much better now. I think I better head home now and get ready for the day." Lisanna said grateful.
"I'll wake Elfman and we can all go home." Mira said as she woke her brother and they all preceded to go home. Gildarts and Makarov remained in the guild waiting for the remaining members to wake up.
"Natsu is lucky to have someone like her after him." Gildarts said to Makarov once they had left.
"He is, but does he realize just how lucky he is."
"If he doesn't, I'll make sure the fool realizes." Gildarts said.
It had been two days since Lisanna's return. Lisanna barely had a moment away from her siblings. She understood their over protective nature, but hoped it would calm down over time.
Natsu was on his way to Gildarts' place. Happy was off with Wendy and Charle. He had been insistent on winning Charle's heart and didn't give a moments rest. He walked towards the house still wondering why he asked him over.
He felt a hole in his heart fill up with her return. He wasn't surprised that it had, but what surprised him was that he still didn't feel content with it. He wanted more, but he had yet to fully grasp it. His mind also worried that Lisanna may have changed. She had returned, but was she the same Lisanna that left him two years ago?
"Hey, Gildarts. I'm here." Natsu said opening the door and ending his internal struggles.
"Hey, Natsu. Come in and take a seat." Gildarts said waving him over to a chair next to him.
"So why did you want me to come over?" Natsu asked taking his seat at the table.
"You haven't guessed the reason?"
"Nope." Natsu said.
"Ah. I should have assumed this. It's about you and Lisanna."
"Yeah, what about us." Natsu said in an oblivious manner.
"Do I need to beat it into you. Lisanna is back now. Before I left last time you two were just like a couple and from what I have seen you two have barely said a few words to each other these last two days." Gildarts said straightforward.
"Well, it's nice she is back. I haven't had a moment to talk to her; Elfman and Mir haven't left her side since she came back. I was also hoping things would just go back to how they were." Natsu said honestly which earned a disappointed sigh from Gildarts.
"You should know it won't go that smoothly. Besides, you like her, don't you?" Gildarts said keeping his eye on Natsu. Natsu sat there trying to collect his thought and he couldn't hide the small blush that came to his face. "No need to be embarrassed. Were just two men here, you can tell me. I think it was obvious to the entire guild that two years ago you two would have been a couple. I doubt her feelings or yours has gone away. From what I saw the day I returned you still felt deeply about her. Am I right?"
"Of course I was upset about her death. She was my best friend, who wouldn't be." Natsu said ignoring his question.
"Do you like her as more than a friend?" Gildarts asked again.
"Well...I'm not sure. At least not anymore. Two years is a long time and things aren't the same.." he admitted.
"Love is not something that can be faked. I have seen many women in my life, but there was only one woman I truly loved and married. Give it time and you'll find out. Just don't let it slip through your hands like it had before." Gildarts said speaking from his many years of experience.
"Yes." Natsu said deep in thought.
"Enough about that. You don't want to screw this up, so I'm going to teach you all I know on how to treat a lady properly." Gildarts said trying to lift the mood.
"What!? No, thanks, Gildarts, but I think I already got that covered." Natsu said becoming more embarrassed and standing up.
"Hardly. I'm surprised you know what a woman is, much less how to treat them. If you want a chance with them then who better than me to teach you. And if you ever want a fight with me, you'll take my advice." Natsu sat there weighing the decision in his mind. His last sentence had decided his conclusion. Natsu reluctantly sat there as Gildarts went on with his advice.
After several hours Natsu stumbled out of Gildarts. He was surprised that Gildarts had rambled on for hours. It was an understatement to say he knew a thing or two. Natsu wasn't a stranger to the birds and bees. Being around the guild as long as he had he picked up on a few things, but Gildarts took things to levels he never knew existed or wanted to know existed. Seeing a restless night before him, he went home and hoped Happy would find his own way home.
Natsu grumbled awake that morning. He saw Happy had found his way home and was sleeping soundly. The sun was just rising on the horizon. Knowing he wouldn't get to asleep again he got up and ready for the day.
Not wanting to waste another moment, he decided a mission would be what he needed to find his true feelings. He felt something in the pit of his gut appear. It was something he hadn't felt for years and it took him a moment to figure out what it was. After finding the word, he realized he was nervous.
Hating the feeling, he waked Happy and headed towards the guild. Very few Mages were awake that early so the guild was pretty empty. He saw Mirajane and Lisanna sitting at the counter. Elfman was gone or had yet to awaken. Macao and Wakaba were sitting at their usual table gossiping. There were a few other members sitting at their respective tables. Nobody on his team had arrived yet.
"Good Morning, everyone." Natsu said taking a seat at a table near the bar and Happy sitting across from him.
"Good Morning, Natsu." Mirajane greeted from behind the counter.
"Hey, Natsu." Lisanna said. If her memories of two years ago were still correct, then she knew it was not normal for Natsu to be up so early. She wondered what would have brought him to the guild so early.
"The usual?" Mirajane asked.
"Yep." Natsu said tiredly.
"I'll help, Mira. Don't fall asleep on us, Natsu." Lisanna said to him as she walked by to help Mira.
"I won't." he answered. Natsu sat there trying to fully awake himself. He needed to be on top of things if he didn't want to slip up. The nervousness he felt wasn't helping and he wasn't even sure why he was nervous. He had gone on missions with her before so it shouldn't be any different. Or was it a fear endorsed nervousness. Was it fear she was still lost to him, or perhaps fear of what to do if she was truly back. He was dragged back to reality when he noticed Lisanna bringing his meal.
"Here you go, Natsu." Lisanna said setting it down.
"Thanks, Lisanna." he said hoping to defeat an nervousness that dared to show.
"You need anything else?" she asked before returning to the kitchen.
"No...well, actually...I know you just got back the other day, but I was wondering if you wanted to go on a mission...like old times." Natsu said with slight nervousness showing.
"Sure, Natsu. Why are you so nervous?" Lisanna asked curiously. She read him like a book; Natsu hadn't changed as much as she had feared from two years ago. While she was glad he hadn't changed much, she was concerned by how nervous Natsu was acting with her. She knew she wouldn't get a straight answer out of him, but any clues could help.
"Oh, nothing. I guess I'm just tired." Natsu said scratching the back of his head.
"I see, how about we be ready to leave in one hour?" Lisanna asked deciding to drop the issue. She would have plenty of time on their mission to figure it out.
"Sounds good to me." Natsu said. Lisanna returned to the kitchen to tell Mirajane about her mission. Natsu turned to his food and saw Happy looking at him funny.
"What is it, Happy?" Natsu asked curious.
"You lllllllllike her." he said choking back his laughs.
"So what? You llllllllike Charle." Natsu said imitating him.
"Your mean, Natsu!" Happy cried while flying away.
"It was only a joke." Natsu said dumbfounded at Happy's response. Natsu then turned to his food that was going cold.
"Lisanna!" Happy cried as she stepped out of the kitchen.
"What's wrong, Happy?" She asked as she held him.
"Natsu is being mean." Happy cried in her arms.
"You started it." Natsu argued from across the room. If Natsu wasn't angry before, he was now.
"I'm sure it will be alright, Happy. What did he do?" Lisanna asked comforting Happy.
"He yelled out...that I liked Charle. Now the entire guilds gonna know!" Happy complained making sure to whisper the private parts of his statement.
"I don't think you need to worry about that too much. So, why did he say it?" she asked Happy as if he had been the child behind an evil deed. Happy looked over at Natsu and saw him staring daggers at him while eating his food. Deciding to get the final blow in their fight, Happy leaned up and whispered into Lisanna's ear.
Natsu sat there frozen in place. He stared daggers into Happy as he talked. Thanks to his enhanced hearing he heard Happy talk. He felt then tension escalate very quickly. The moment Happy finished whispering Natsu dropped the silverware he had been holding. If staring somebody down couldn't kill, Natsu was about to make it possible.
He had been so focused on Happy that he didn't notice Lisanna. Now a faint blush dusted her cheeks. When she heard the news she had been amused and exhilarated. It was like Happy to make such accusations, but never had Natsu been so angered by him saying it. She let out a laugh which got the attention of both Natsu and happy.
"If that's all, you two shouldn't be fighting about it. Somebody apologize." Lisanna said. Though to her dismay neither of them budge, though Happy felt a guilt creeping into him. "Fine, I'm sure you two will work it out. I'm going to go get my gear. Were still going, right Natsu?"
Natsu had forgotten entirely about the mission at that point. He set aside his anger and realized the embarrassment he was feeling. He felt he was blushing and that it was quite obvious by how everyone was now looking at him. Gathering himself, he felt he could barely manage to say a word. "Y...yeah."
"Wait, Lisanna! Take me with you." Happy cried out realizing she was leaving him with Natsu.
Less than an hour later Lisanna returned with Happy entail. The blue Exceed barely said a word, but it was obvious he felt guilty. She stepped inside and saw Natsu had been joined by Erza and Lucy, though he didn't look to engaged himself. Being a bit worried, she stepped towards their table.
"I'm ready, Natsu." she said which seemed to get him out of his mind.
"Oh, where are you two going?" Lucy asked intrigued.
"Were going on a mission to...do you even have a mission picked out, Natsu?" Lisanna asked realizing they didn't have one.
"No, why don't you pick one out." Natsu said from his spot. He had yet to look at Lisanna directly.
Lucy studied Natsu interested. He hadn't asked her to go on the mission, which had been a first if she recalled correctly. Looking at Natsu it had been obvious something was going on that she had missed. She entertained the idea of asking to go along, but if he wanted her t go he would have asked. Before she could say anything she Happy stop forward.
"Natsu..." Happy said scared of what he would do. Natsu glanced towards the Exceed and saw he was trembling. Natsu was mad with him still, but he saw he obvious felt guilty. "..I'm s...sorry. Please forgive me."
Natsu just stared at him. He kept his unwavering face while he stared him down. He wasn't ready to forgive him and the ramifications of his actions were yet to be seen. Leaving no sign of emotions in his voice he replied. "We'll see..."
Natsu then got up and walked towards Lisanna who had a mission in hand. The two soon left on their mission and left Happy in the guild. Once they left Happy broke down in tears.
"Why, Natsu? Lisanna? You guys just leave without me? I said I was sorry. Is leaving me with Lucy some sick punishment? WHY!?" Happy cried.
"I'm right here." she said ticked off at him.
"It'll be okay, Happy. Come here." Erza said grabbing Happy and pulling him into her chestplate. Happy cried in pain as he tried to escape her grasps. Lucy found the scene to be quiet amusing.
"That's what you get." she remarked evilly.
"Come here, Lucy. I'm in a happy mood today. In fact everyone can have a hug today." Erza said and grabbed Lucy. Lucy and Happy were now both struggling against Erza's hold and she showed no signs of letting up. Many of the other guild members started to leave at the point in fear of Erza. "Since Natsu is gone on a mission, why don't we go on, Lucy?"
"Sure, just let go of me first." Lucy said. Erza and Lucy went on a mission and brought along the depressed Happy.
Natsu and Lisanna walked towards the train station in silence. The quietness was eating away at both of them. Natsu hadn't a clue of what to say; his mind was a jumble of thoughts. Lisanna basically knew at that point he was interested and she still wanted to go on the mission with him. It seemed to him that she was also interested, but he couldn't be so sure.
At this point if she wasn't interested he could only dream of them being friends like before. Thanks to Happy things had gone way faster than he liked. Things were out of his hands and the helplessness that came with was horrifying. He could ask her then or wait until she come forward. His indifference would continue until somebody else answered his internal struggle.
"You haven't said a word, Natsu. Is it because of what Happy told me?" Lisanna asked breaking the uncomfortable silence. The wait was killing her. She hoped it was true, but she didn't know what she would do if it was a lie.
"Yeah." he replied. Lisanna looked at him and had an idea on how to get him more enthusiastic.
"So, is it true the you want to be...my boyfriend, Natsu?" she said looking for some life in him. Of course, as she predicted, Natsu became flustered at the statement. Lisanna felt herself blush a bit as well.
"Ah...well..." Natsu mumbled out. In his hysteria he heard Lisanna laugh.
"You know your still cute when your embarrassed." Lisanna said remembering their times together. Natsu just stared off thinking of her statement. Her statement brought up a flood of memories that reminded him of their time together. He hadn't thought much about his past with Lisanna since her death. They still brought on a flood of bad memories, but he found them bearable. With more confidence than before he found words to actually say.
"Well...I am your friend...and I'm a boy...so I guess that I am your boyfriend." he said. He knew that wasn't the question, but the flood of childhood memories gave him the idea.
"You know that's not what I mean, but it is nice to see you haven't forgotten about me completely." Lisanna said. She had been worried Natsu had forgotten about their past entirely in dealing with her death. It was a relief to see he hadn't.
"Of course I didn't forget. Your my best friend, I'd never forget you." Natsu said with complete honesty.
Lisanna was touched. Natsu wasn't trying to be sweet in any sense, he was just being honest.
"Lisanna?" Natsu asked worried. When he finished talking Lisanna had gotten lost in thought. He had been worried he said something wrong and immediately looked to fix it.
"Sorry." she said realizing she had gotten distracted.
"Did I say something wrong?" Natsu asked her worried.
"No, you said it just...perfectly." she said which earned a confused look from Natsu. She laughed at his attempt to understand what just happened. "You never did answer my question, Natsu. You can think about it some. Why don't you give me your answer over dinner once we finish the mission."
It took Natsu a moment, but he caught on to what she was saying. He flashed a big smile and it seemed he had gotten over the rotten mood he had been in all morning. He finally felt the pit of nervousness inside of him go away and he had been he happiest he had been since her return.
"Aye!"
A man with black hair sat on the edge of a cliff sat looking out towards the ocean. He had blue eyes with white slits. He wore a tattered black cloak and tattered black pants that had seen years of wear. He had long ago throw away his shirt. As he looked upon the setting sun, the other occupant of the lonely island came up from behind him.
"I haven't seen you in a few weeks." the first man said. It wasn't surprising to either of them the second man had approached.
"I had a lot to think about." he said in calmly.
"Isn't that always the case." the man over looking the ocean said.
"I feel he may be coming very soon." he said now earning an eyebrow raised by the first man.
"If that is the case then I should take the chance to move on with my life." he said standing up.
"What will you do once you leave here?" he asked in curiosity.
"I don't know. I wish to hear the truth from my father, but finding him is easier said than done. I may join a guild until then. I don't know much about the outside world, but now I can take a chance to take part in it." he said turning around.
"Well, whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck."
Author's Note:
How does it sound? Romance is not my expertise. In my opinion it is kinda cute. Trying to depict the emotions of people accurately is pretty hard and you can expect they will be a bit out of character. I am trying my best to keep them as close to character as possible. Please point out any irregularities if you notice any.
I also feel inclined to say I don't hate Lucy. I know the majority likes the Nalu pairing, but I personally like Nali better. If I was writing the story to the majorities opinion I would write Nalu, but I can't write a story I don't like myself, so that is why I choose Nali. As for Lucy's character I actually like her a lot, except for the fact she is throw around a lot for fan service. You can not deny the fact she provides a great deal of fan service. I am not saying it's entirely bad, but I feel her character is more shallow because of it. This my personnel opinion and if you disagree, that's okay. Were humans, we disagree, but if your gonna give me crap about it then I will not stand for it.
I try to keep an update about myself on my profile. That way you guys know how far along I am with the next chapters and if I will be gone for weeks at a time.
Thanks for reading and all reviews are appreciated as long as they are constructive.
