Me: Back with the new story! My first fic of the year! I'm sooo Nervous! Things didn't turn out well and here! This was supposed to be a one shot but since it was becoming too long and crossed about 6000 words when I didn't even reach its end, I decided to break it into two or three parts. It would also be convenient for you guys! Thank you for reading my stories so far! Hope you'll like this too!
Natsu: Are you sure? You're idea wouldn't back fire right? Wait! What do I read? I'm not in this story! That's not fair Beatress! Though you don't own it! Hiro Mashima always puts me in the lead! And I'm so popular! You cannot leave me out of the story!
Me: Natsu! Stop whining! You didn't read it yet! Guys you enjoy by the time Natsu finishes this chapter and realises! Enjoy!
Summary: Natsu leaves. Everyone in the guild knows about it but Lucy! Will she realise? Why isn't the guild willing to tell her? Will he ever come back?
Chapter-1 The news
9th July, X791…
Somewhere on the mountains near Magnolia…..
"Hey Natsu?" the blue feline asked, a worried look crept on his face.
"Hmmm?" the dragon slayer looked in the flying cat's direction, his face was serious.
"Do you think it was okay? Only Lucy didn't know of our departure. She might feel bad that we didn't tell her about it", the cat said.
He was silent. They were sitting on top of the hill, looking at the beautiful view of the entire Magnolia city.
"May be… Happy", the dragon slayer said, bowing his head, shaking his thoughts of returning to the guild, "But if I… If I… If I see her…. I wouldn't be able to leave her. It was really hard for me to leave her back there now"
"Aye" the cat nodded.
"Let's leave, Happy," he said, standing up already. He clenched his fist tight so as to suppress his desire to go back, "If I see the city any longer…. I would want to go back,"
He turned back and started walking away from the city into the forest.
"Take care, Lucy," the cat said, before following his partner.
**0**
12th July, X791….
Near the counter in the guild named Fairytail…..
The blonde sat near the counter as she stirred her juice, smiling sadly. The takeover mage, who had been watching the blonde for quite some time now, wanted to interrupt her thoughts as she had to disclose the news of his departure to her at least now, after three days of his departure. This didn't seem fair. Everyone in the guild knew about it. But it was only she who was oblivious to the fact. Besides, she couldn't stand seeing Lucy so sad. But who knew what would happen when the news is broken to her?
She clenched her fist tight, as she moved to her table. Lucy, who was still lost in her thoughts, didn't notice her arrival. Mira knew it was time she snap her out of her world to the reality.
"Lucy…?" she said, but the blonde was too spaced out to hear her soft voice.
Then, the barmaid cleared her throat which immediately brought her back to this world. Everyone does know when Mira is serious. So, they better not mess with her at that time.
"Uh, Hi Mira! What's up?" She said, trying to throw away a smile.
"Lucy…" She said as she sounded serious.
The blonde watched the takeover mage keenly. She thought something was wrong with her. It was really rare to see her so damn serious.
"Lucy!" Erza shouted from across the guild.
"Hai!" Lucy replied, as she ran across the guild to wherever Erza was. She even dare not mess with the Titania.
Mira frowned as she heard the red haired mage's shout.
"Please, don't tell her. She won't be able to take it," a voice whispered to her.
She turned back to the source of the voice, only to find the ice mage standing there with his hands folded against his chest.
"Please, Mira, I and Erza are dying to keep this a secret," he pleaded. She could have sworn that she had seen tears in the ice mage's eyes.
"But she has every right to know about it," Mira frowned.
"Still! Let the time do the telling. If she knows that he left without telling her, she'll be broken and I'm not ready to see her cry again!" he said, making her go silent. He was so caring about her; sometimes it felt if they were real siblings.
Mira sighed, as she smiled sadly.
"Think there is nothing I can do about this," she said as she walked past the half stripped man.
"I wish it never happened. Why did that idiot have to leave?" she frowned.
If anyone had been watching her, they would have seen her death glare she was trying hard not to give.
"He still couldn't make up his mind…" the ice mage said, telling what was not too obvious to everyone. "He still couldn't decide on what is more important to him… He's the "Dense" Salamander of Fairytail, after all. I hope he returns soon"
**0**
17:00 hours…
16th July, X791….
Near the counter in the guild Fairytail…
"She didn't realize it yet, you say?" the takeover mage asked the Titania who wore a sad smile of her own.
"Not yet, I guess… I'm glad she didn't realise that he's gone. This would keep the pain off her mind, for some time… till she knows," the red haired requip mage replied, as she smiled seeing the blonde laughing with everyone in the guild.
Sweat formed on the white haired mage's forehead.
"But Erza…" the barmaid stuttered, "Don't you think it's past time she should know? I think we should tell her now at least… She has the right to know about it, like we all know. She shouldn't think that we were all keeping a secret from her,"
The Titania looked at the takeover mage as she took the last sip of her drink.
"No, Mira! I can't even imagine telling her… I can't bear if she cries. She's like my sister and I don't want to break her heart" the requip mage almost let a cry.
Mira sighed at this. No one could do that. Since the past four days she has been asking everyone to tell the celestial spirit mage of the secret they hold but everyone,… errr… refuses to tell her. They refuse to see her cry. She has cried enough, hasn't she? Now they want her to smile. What is wrong with such a wish? They only want to see her smile. Whatever might it take to get to see her smile…. They'll do it…. Even if it meant lying to her or making a fool of themselves… they'll do it… they'll do it for their nakama…. They'll do it for Lucy…. They'll do it for… Natsu, 'cause they knew the thing he hated the most was to see her in tears! And he would do anything, anything to make her smile… Anything!
"Hey, Mira"
Mira looked up to the source of the voice.
"Ah, Lucy?" she said, giving Erza the hint of her arrival.
"Lucy!" Erza said, smiling. She sure was fast to compose herself.
"Any problem?" Erza said as she thought of all the problems the blonde could have, giving her the "i-will-kill-anyone-who-messes-up-with-you" look.
Lucy sweat dropped at the look she gave. She was like an elder but overprotective sister to her.
"Nah," She said, waving her hands, side to side as she moved her head simultaneously.
"I was just thinking about going home," she said.
"Why? What happened? Did anyone hurt you? You tell me. I'm so going to torture that person to death whosoever did that to you!" Erza shouted, stamping her hands on the table.
"Calm down, Erza… It's just getting dark. It's natural for me to go home at five, right?" the blonde's voice sounded as it intended to soothe the re quip mage down. Indeed, it worked. Lucy's voice sure has this soothing effect of calming anyone with rage down.
The Titania calmed down taking her seat.
"Lucy, shall I walk you home?" the ice mage asked.
"No, I'm fine by myself…" she said.
"That's man!" Elfman shouted from somewhere in the guild.
"But I'm a girl…" the spirit mage sweat dropped.
"Bye, minna" she said, waving her hand to everyone as she exited through the guild doors.
"Erza… You should be more composed," Mira said.
"I know… But I get so very afraid that she'll break down the very next moment she leaves us… I feel as if she is trying to hide the pain within herself, so that we could all smile…." The Titania's eyes were full of worry. Everyone could have sworn that she was on the verge of tears.
"If she does though…" the half stripped ice mage stepped forward, "If she does know about it already… then we must sincerely pray that he'd come back soon and cheer her on fully so that she wouldn't feel his absence, though we can never replace him for her…." He said with a smile that brought confidence in everyone's heart.
"You're right, Gray" Erza said as she stood up from her seat.
"We're in it, Gray-san," the little sky dragon slayer said, with a sweet smile on her face.
"Each of us is in it! We'll make Lucy happy…." Everyone shouted.
Mira smiled at this sight. This is what makes Fairytail- the strong bonds of heart that hold everyone together- despite the distance between them…
**0**
21:00 hours…
16th July, X791….
In Lucy's apartment…
She held onto it, tighter as his name escaped her mouth. Tighter and tighter…..
The cold wind blew in to her bedroom. But she was unaffected by it. It didn't matter her. She wanted it to strike her as much as it can. Will it make him come back? Does her suffering make him comeback? She knew the answer. It was hidden deep in her heart. It surfaced every night but she pushes it down to the depths of her heart again, not wanting to hear that answer. But still… she has to agree, though reluctantly, 'he won't come back', not for her… not for the guild… not until he succeeds in what he wants to achieve.
However, saying Good bye…. Even for Natsu Dragneel… is really difficult, ne? And so he left, without waving a good bye to her… Why only her? Everyone in the guild knows about it… And he decides to hide it from her alone!
If he was there, right in front of her at that moment, she would have tackled him into the tightest embrace possible, holding him close to her as tight as possible so as not to lose him again and cry out her heart into his chest. However, without him…
Though she is on the verge of crying…
Yet the tears won't come…
**0**
21:00 hours,
16th July, X791...
Somewhere in the hills away from Magnolia,
"ne, Natsu? Let us go back! Lucy may be crying. I don't like leaving Lucy alone" the neko asked, for the hundredth time already.
"If you want to go back, you can, Happy…. I want this to be done once and for all!" Natsu said in a stern voice, almost making the blue cat flinch and at the same time, making him sad. The blue neko flew close to him, not to lose sight of him. If he leaves the pink haired dragon slayer also, then he'd be alone again. Besides, there should be someone to look after him… atleast that he could reach home safe and sound… at least for Lucy…
After a little more walking, they found a cave.
"I think it's perfect for the night's stay, Happy" Natsu said, in a low voice. His head was held low. Ever since they left Magnolia, Natsu wasn't Natsu at all. Happy tried his best to cheer his friend up.
Yet… he never smiled….
It was very cold outside. If they hadn't found the cave, they would have been frozen to death by the next morning and the ice sculpture of Salamander of Fairytail and his friend Happy would be in the town square on exhibition.
Natsu lay on the rough ground as Happy slept on his chest and drifted to sleep soon.
A single tear made its way down his cheek as the cold wind stroked his warm skin.
"This wind… isn't cold at all… Not cold when compared to me… Gomenasai, Lucy… I just couldn't say a goodbye," he whispered to no one in particular.
**0**
14:00 hrs…
16th August, X791….
At Fairytail guild….
"Yo, Natsu! I never thought you'd come back so soon. So, did you find him?" the ice mage asked.
The dragon slayer shrugged his shoulders in disagreement.
"I thought being with Lucy was more important than finding Igneel. I finally realised what is more important to me…" the fire mage replied, laughing off at the end.
Gray couldn't believe what he heard. Was this really Natsu- the dumbest person of the world? Just being away for a month- did it affect him to such an extent so as to make that dumbest idiot realise what was more important for him? Lucy might have done wonders, unbeknownst to him.
Everyone was so excited about today. Erza wore this smile that expressed her happiness for Lucy. Mira couldn't be happier than this- Lucy finally gets her 'happily ever after' ending with Natsu! Lisanna couldn't help but join her sister in her happiness. She was happy for the get together of Fairytail's most awaited couple. Juvia dearly wished that they end up together- this way, Lucy would no longer be a love rival to her and they can be bestest of friends! Levy had her eyes fixed on the doors, waiting for her best friend to make her appearance on this great day. Gajeel had his eyes fixed on the bookworm, watching her reactions as the guild doors flank open and it didn't turn out to be Lucy, wondering when that day would come when he could finally let her know how he actually feels about her. Wendy was happy that the guild slowly returned to its initial state. Others were engaged in drinking and drank more than usual out of happiness.
Levy's face wore a frown as she didn't see any trace of blonde hair enter the guild via doors, except for the lightning dragonslayer who quietly drifted to the upper floor without uttering a word. The mutterings of 'Tch' and the depressing aura of the guild members when he entered the guild didn't go unnoticed by the S-class mage. But what caught his attention was, a laughing Natsu at the centre of the guild. His eyes almost popped out at that sight. He didn't expect the fire dragon slayer to return so soon. A small smile crept over his lips as he felt a little happy for that guy who defeated him at the Fantasia festival.
"Good morning! Minna!" a warm greeting from a certain someone who the most expected since morning turned their heads towards that someone, still standing at the door. Smiles made their way to their faces as they saw the blonde but soon, their smiles were swept away with a baffled look as they saw a frowning blonde at the door. In contrast to a warm aura, she gave off a deadly one, threatening anyone who tried to near her.
"Luce!" the voice made her rage even more. It was from that pink haired idiot who left her behind.
"Who are you?!" she shouted, making everyone in the way flinch at her authority.
"Luce, don't be like that just because I left without saying a goodbye! I'm really sorry. I wouldn't leave you again! I promise" he pleaded. She took a glance of the fire mage from toe to head- his same attire, a little grown beard, his little longer pink hair and his white scarf!
She took a key from the bunch on her waist. Chanting words as she opened the gate to the celestial spirit and her friend Loke, she glared at the guy standing in front of her.
"You called, Princess?" he said, as he looked at his opponent standing in front of me.
"Dispose of him, Loke," she sounded serious.
"Lucy, isn't that Natsu though?" the lion spirit asked.
"Yes, Lucy, everyone agree to the fact that I'm Natsu. I'm your Natsu," he tried sounding as convincing as possible.
"Don't call yourself Natsu! You are not my Natsu! Don't try to fool me! You cannot be Natsu! Did you think I will be fooled so easily especially when someone tries to disguise as my best friend and partner. This is just unforgivable!" she growled.
"Luce?" the fire mage held a baffled look.
The guild members moved their heads to look at the damn serious blonde and the baffled fire mage in confusion. It was really Natsu, right?
"If you say so, prove it!" he tried not to reveal the smirk that crept on his face. He was sure she would be convinced now.
"You're challenging me? Be prepared to lose! I have the right evidence to prove that you're a traitor!" she said, placing her hands within her bag she was carrying since the past three months.
"If what you are wearing is the actual white scarf that Igneel gave you, then what is this?" she questioned, taking out a white scaled scarf out of her bag. "The real one which he left with me, before that idiot actually left me behind…" she said the final words in a low voice.
"What?!" everyone found it really hard to believe.
Gajeel and Wendy sniffed the scent off the white scarf in her hand and confirmed her statements as truth.
The Fairytail guild was angry. They were betrayed… by someone who pretended to be someone they longed to see. They could take this! They were mad, really really mad! That guy tried to trick Lucy! He tried to make Lucy sad, reminding her the fact that he was gone!
"You traitor!" they hissed as they pounced upon that scared mage.
"Uh-oh, found out" he muttered as he ran for the doors but two demons were waiting for him at them- Erza in her heaven's wheel armour and Mira possessing the Satan soul. They gave off murderous aura that sent shivers down the solo mage's spine.
Lucy watched the man's pitiable condition as her friends were beating the hell out of him. A sad smile crept over her face as she mouthed a 'Stop' which went unnoticed by the angry mob of her friends.
"Stop it, you guys! You don't want to kill him, would you?!" she shouted and everyone stopped in their tracks.
"Lucy?!" they ran to her, surrounding her and asking her all the questions on their minds.
"Are you alright?" a worried Mira asked.
"Hai!" came the reply, the blonde smiled throughout her interview session.
"How did you figure out, Lucy-san that it wasn't Natsu-san? I mean, even we couldn't distinguish between the smells of the either! It was a perfect disguise!" Sweet little Wendy questioned.
"Remember the white scarf Natsu-san left for her she said before leaving her? May be because of that!" Romeo tried to reason.
"Not only that Romeo, that idiot is too stubborn to return before he finally achieves what he wants to and too dense to realise anything so soon!" Lucy added her other reasons.
"Wait! The white scarf Natsu left behind for her before leaving? Does that mean?" a shocked Levy tried to figure out the situation.
"Did Natsu-" it struck the requip mage's mind then.
"meet you-" Gray couldn't utter a word.
"before he left?" Mira completed the question.
"Iie! He didn't even show me his shadow," Lucy smiled.
"Wait! The issue on the surface is…" Carla identified something that the others didn't realise yet.
"Did you know that Natsu left right from the start?!" she completed her question.
Everyone's eyes widened a little as they heard the feline's question. They closely followed Lucy's reaction and her reply.
"Actually…." She trailed off, holding her head a little low. "I knew he would leave even before he himself knew that!"
"What?!"
Me: So, how was it? Good? Bad? Boring? Want me to discontinue? Whatever! Please tell me! I need your valuable suggestions and opinions! I'd really appreciate them!
Natsu: Don't panic! But that's not the way you ask! Guys, do you think it's worth a review? If it is, just do! Don't think! And you know what I mean by that! (telling secretly, so that Beatress won't hear) Tag your advices too. See, you can identify that she doesn't listen to me or Lucy or anyone and always creates troubles. Tell her not to make life so miserable for us! So, don't forget to tag your advices.
Me: What's happening, here? (suspicious) Natsu get back to work! Remember what I told you!
Natsu: Hai!(salutes) We, sincerely thank everyone who have added Beatress's stories to their favourites list and alert list! And also everyone who added her to their favourites list -
Akatsuki Annabell-YAOI ROCKS, alicehoong , AMA2012AnimeLover1, An1mE QueeN, .Guilt, animebunny23, animefreak978, Aquamarine2002, Ariri Dragneel, ascarroll, Azumi Ojima, Babbii Pandaa, Beverly-Gomes-Chubster9021, Blitzing Riptide, BoredAsYou, cat in dreamland, Critic-san, Curiosity- Or n0t, Darklight0303, EsteVamp4998, Fairy x Hunter, fairytail96, fairyXangel, FatalError69 Gimme-Cookies, godzilla90fan, GoldenRoseTanya, Happyyy, I always smile, I-am-Fairy-Tail122, IamaPegasusDEALWITIT, ILover13, IrishElvnorWhiteDreyar, ixburnout, jijiemi, KagomeUchiha101, KanaeHitomi, kiokostc, Lady scarlet '1997, Lanessa29, Lilitraum, LiLyRoSe98, lorella moon, Lorii-chan, lu'In'Na'Onplover123, lurvevanilla, Ly-Jane, MissForgetfulMe, MissLucyFullbuster, moemoekyun, MusaStewert, NaLu4ever2000, NaLuLoverNaLiHater, NatsuxLucy4ever, Naturesshadows, Nimra, OctobersFall, olivia the rat, onyxlark36, Otaku'25, pinksnail, PoisonPink, Princess Rin-rin, Red Kisses And Dark Secrets, , Rozinita, Sara16pokemon, Serena Heartfilia, ShoutGenuine14, Stellar Flame, Suzume Tsuji, Sweetcandy64, Takumisa777, Tazski, TheOneAndOnlyAnimeLover, WolfWindBlade4, xmaybunnyx
And also everyone who added her to alerts!
Me: I sincerely regret not being able to put up everyone's names. I'm kind of running out of time!
Last but not the least! This fic is dedicated to everyone who is reading this, reviewed it and everyone who have liked me and my writings and added them to their favs!
Natsu: But I don't understand, why I left. Could you help me out?
Me: Nah, let the time do the telling! By the way, it's your reason! How the hell should I know?!
(This will continue, you may quit for now…. Bye for now!)
