Hello everyone!
This is my second Fairy Tail story, but my first one that's multiple chapters. This was the winner of my poll I (briefly) posted on my profile.
This story takes place after the Nirvana arc, just like my one-shot "I Know You". However, these two stories do not connect in any way.
Also, please do not spoil anything about the anime. I am in the 100's at the moment...somewhere around 108 or 109.
Anyways, let's get started! But before I begin, huge, huge thank you to electricblue1214 for being my editor/co-author on this story :)
:Pain of the Past:
~Chapter One~
The moonlight filtered through a dusty window, illuminating the face of a young man. He is exhausted, obviously wanting to go to sleep. But something is plaguing his mind, forcing him to stay awake. This storm of thoughts and memories whirl and churn inside of him, tugging at his emotions. A scarf is wrapped around his neck, and one of the ends falls in front of his bare chest. He shivers a bit as a breeze blows through an leak between the windowpane and the sill.
His eyes are closed, and his head is hung. His hands, clenched into fists, lie still in his lap. A piece of pink hair brushes against his forehead, and he lifts his head up slightly. His dark eyes open as a single tear slides down his left cheek, creating a damp streak.
"I'm sorry..." he whispers. "I broke my promise..." The tear falls from his cheek onto one of his hands, and slides down his knuckles. "I still haven't forgiven myself, you know..."
"Natsu?" The pink-haired teen jolts, his head turning to the side towards the door. A little blue cat looks up him with big, concerned eyes.
"Where have you been?" Natsu asks, sounding pained.
"Getting more fish," Happy replies. "You okay, Natsu?"
The Dragon Slayer forces a smile. "I'm okay, little buddy. Don't worry."
"Aye sir!" cries Happy, and he jumps up onto the hammock next to his friend.
"We really need to sleep," groans Natsu, stretching.
"Aye," Happy yawns. He curls up on the hammock and falls asleep almost instantly. Natsu sighs and gently pets his friend's head. The Dragon Slayer lies down in the hammock, attempting to get comfortable as he shifted from side to side.
"Man," he mumbles. "I should've gone over to Lucy's. I miss her bed."
Lucy Heartfilia was in a great mood that morning. She slept great the night before, and had a break-in free morning. She skipped on her way to the guild, feeling excited for whatever was to come. She imagined missions, and hoped that they'd be easy and fun.
Pushing the doors open to the Guild Hall, Lucy's smile widens. The scene that met her eyes was lively, but not crazy. Cana sat in her usual spot, chugging down booze like there was no tomorrow. Macao and Wakaba were chatting in a corner, probably bring the usual perverts they were. Wendy and Carla were enjoying a breakfast of bacon and eggs. Levy was reading out of a thick book with Jet and Droy sitting on either side of her, watching her every move as she read. Gajeel was sending random people glares, especially Jet and Droy, but watching Levy out of the corner of his eye. Bisca and Alzack were discussing a mission over by the board. Of course, Nab was loitering over there too. Elfman was randomly yelling, "MAN!" much to Evergreen's annoyance, grumbling to herself as she threatened to turn him to stone. Vijeeter was dancing in the corner of the room near Reetus, who was painting something as usual.
Lucy took a seat at the bar, swinging her legs back and forth. Everything just seemed like it would be a perfect day.
"Good morning, Lucy!" smiles Mirajane.
"Hi, Mira!" Lucy greets back.
"You seem to be in a good mood," Mira acknowledges.
"I had a break-in free evening, night, and morning," Lucy laughs.
"I bet that was nice," Mira smiles.
"Yeah," Lucy agrees. "But...in some weird way, I'm starting to wonder if I'm getting used to it..."
"Really?" Mira asks.
"Yeah," Lucy admits. "I mean, it may be annoying, but at the same time... It's kind of nice to come home to someone, you know? They may claim that they come because of food or my comfy bed, but I know that they still want to see me."
"It's really cute, actually," Mira smiles. "Natsu was telling me the other day that he likes your house way better than his own. I asked him why, and he replied that he felt safe there."
'Safe?' thinks Lucy. 'What's that supposed to mean?'
"Hey, Lucy." The blonde turns around to face Erza and a mostly-naked Gray.
"Gray, your clothes," she sighs. She just loved how everyone was so unfazed by this now.
"AHH!" cries Gray, rushing off to search for his missing garments, "Not again!"
Cana snorts from her seat, draining another mug. "It's hopeless, Lucy. He's never going to break that stupid habit of his."
"Anyway," Erza says, trying to get the conversation back on track, "we were wondering if Natsu picked the job out yet. It's his turn."
"I don't know," Lucy admits. "In fact, I haven't seen him all morning."
"Huh," Gray says. "Weird. Normally he's here by now. It's not like him to-"
BANG!
The Guild Hall doors fly open to reveal a very excited Natsu.
"I'M HERE!"
"Aye!"
"Speak of the devil," mutters Gray.
Natsu instantly makes his way over to his team, a huge grin on his face.
"We gotta mission?" he asks.
"It's your turn," Erza says. "Gray picked last time."
"Really?" Natsu asks.
"Yeah, the last one was defeating the rock monster, remember?" sighs Gray.
"Right," Natsu replies, walking over to the board. His eyes scan the board until he finally finds one he likes. "Oh! This one will be perfect for Lucy!"
The said girl grabs the paper from him and reads it. "You idiot!" she shouts. "HOW IS THIS PERFECT?!"
"You see, it's for a holder-type wizard needing experience!" Natsu grins. "And the reward is-"
"I don't need experience!" snaps Lucy. "Are you calling me weak?"
"You're not weak, you just need a bit more 'training', that's all!" Natsu says.
"JERK!" Lucy cries. "JUST BECAUSE YOU'RE A POWERFUL WIZARD DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO RUB IT IN MY FACE!"
"I'm not-" Natsu protests, only to be interrupted by Lucy.
"I don't want to hear it!" The Celestial Wizard snaps. She then turns on her heel and storms out of the Guild Hall.
"Lucy! Wait!" cries Natsu. But she's already gone.
"Is he gonna go after her?" Macao asks Wakaba. Wakaba simply shrugs.
The entire guild stares at Natsu, waiting for his reaction. The Fire Wizard clenches his hand into a fist, flames spurting out from between his fingers. He's shaking a bit, from either shock or anger. Conflict is written all over his face. Suddenly, the flames die and his fist falls to his side. Silently he walks over to the nearest table and sits down. Placing his head on the table, he glances towards the door without saying a word.
The peaceful happiness of the morning was shattered then.
Lucy rushes home, stomping in fury. Natsu had always been a bit annoying, but this was too far. Yes, he could be a bit of a show-off, but this was incredibly rude. He was babying her AGAIN. She remembered last mission when this happened very clearly...
The rock monster swung at Lucy, and she jumped back, whip in hand. Beside her, Gray slams his fist into his hand.
"ICE-MAKE...LANCE!" The ice spears shot towards the monster, but they shattered when they hit it's rocky hide. Panting, sweat drips down Gray's face.
"I'm low on magic energy!" he shouts.
"Me too!" Erza yells, creating a sword and throwing it at the beast. It simply bounces off.
"I'll take it!" Lucy shouts, going towards its legs with her whip in hand. She planned to tie its legs together to trip it. That way it would expose its weak spot on its forehead.
"NO!" Natsu shouts. "I've got it, Lucy!"
"Natsu, I'm fine!" she protests.
"Stay back!" Natsu shouts, and rushes towards the beast himself.
"Natsu!" Lucy screams, angry. "I could've-"
But Natsu's already jumped forward and slammed a flaming fist into the rock monster's weak spot. It explodes into a pile of rocks, leaving behind only rubble.
"Ha!" Natsu shouts, making a fist. "That's what you get for messing with Fairy Tail!"
Lucy sighs. He probably didn't mean to baby her, but he still did.
She kicks a pebble down the street angrily, and watches as it skitters down the cobble.
'I need to prove myself...' she thinks. 'But how? What can I do to show Natsu and the others that I'm not some helpless girl?'
By this time, she's arrived home. She shoves open her door and walks inside, sighing to herself. She grabs a muffin and heads to her room. While eating, she begins to brainstorm ideas.
"I could go on the next mission without my keys," Lucy thinks aloud. "No...that's not a good idea. The others will think I'm stupid and forgetful, then." She taps her fingers on the desk. "I could...pick a really hard mission when it's my turn!" This seems like the perfect idea when she realizes something terrible. "Oh yeah...the last one I picked was dangerous too, but Erza did all the work..."
Lucy shoves the last piece of muffin in her mouth. "There has to be something...maybe... OH!" A victorious grin spreads across her face. "That's it! I'll prove to them that I AM strong!" She laughs at the genius of her plan.
This...is going to be perfect.
I know that this chapter is short, and I'm sorry to say that all of them will range around 1,500 words. My schedule is PACKED.
However, I hope you enjoyed! If you did, please review in this little box down there!
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