The Face of a Rose
Author's Note: Ahhhhh! I know, 3 stories! Craziness, right? You should go check out the other 2 though (shameless plug). Well, Fairy Tail was one of the very first animes I watched and I absolutely fell in love with it, but I'm kinda upset Hiro didn't make NaLu official. T_T It's all right though, it's totally obvious. Anyway, this story centers on just after Natsu left for his yearlong training journey and deals with the events, entirely non-canon, after it and how the characters handle them. Obviously NaLu 3 but a bit of a rough beginning. I may have some OCs, but of now, I hadn't planned on it. Anyway, I hope you enjoy!
~Sofi
*DISCLAIMER*
I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL I AM JUST BORROWING THE CHARACTERS AND SOME PLOT POINTS/EVENTS
Chapter 1: Scorched Memories
Lucy's chest heaved.
The lights surrounded her, whizzing past as she ran. Her feet pounded against the coarse cobblestone beneath her. It's not too late. It can't be too late. Tell me he's still there.
Tears built up in her eyes. Slowly, they began to pile up until she could not contain them from spilling out. A wail escaped her lips as she pushed on running.
The contents of the letter left upon her coffee table echoed in her mind.
Me n' Happy are going on a little training mission.
Be back in a year or so!
Tell everybody bye for us, will ya?
Thanks Lucy, see ya later!
-Natsu
Bounding towards Fairytail, seemingly faster than the speed of light, she screamed. "How can you up and just leave me alone for an entire fricken' year?! How dumb are you Natsu?!" Lucy's speed quickened as she continued to cry out. "Can't you see?! Did you even think, of what this would do to me?!"
As street lights blurred around her and tears fogged her vision, Lucy's world slowly faded to black.
. . .
Golden light flooded through the crack in Lucy's curtains, peacefully awakening her from slumber. Huh, another nightmare.
She stretched her arms, yawning as morning rushed to greet her. She gently opened her curtains and peered onto the streets of Magnolia beneath her and smiled somberly.
She eyed the people walking around. At the flower shop just next to her house a vender with carts of fruits and vegetables stood. Two children, twins, ran about and chased each other over the bridge, a kind fisherman reminding them to be cautious of the edge. A couple, supposedly the children's parents, took a basket of fruit from the vender and lightly kissed each other, softly but with passion. Lucy tilted her head. How sweet.
Lucy had recently gotten a job in Crocus for Sorcerer Weekly, but she had been offered staff in Magnolia and was lucky enough to get her old apartment back within a month or two after she sold it. Lucy often thought of the memories shared in this apartment and the streets of Magnolia. It was bittersweet. That was the perfect word for it.
As Lucy began to dress, her mind wandered back to that nightmare. It was a recurring dream, happening more frequently as the nights passed. It had been a year and a half. A year and a half since Natsu had decided to leave with Happy.
How could they do that, how could they do that and not come back? She often thought, They're supposed to stay… He was supposed to stay…
Lucy quickly brushed the thought aside once she felt her eyes grow dewy. On the way out the door, Lucy grabbed the keys from her side table and didn't look back. Well, maybe just a glance.
. . .
Once Lucy arrived at the gate, she took a second to take in the magnificent guild hall. It was a massive building, rebuilt too many times to count. A golden was displayed at the top, cascading a harsh glare. Just below that, the flag depicting the Fairy Tail insignia blew valiantly in the mid-summer breeze.
The guild had three floors, and the building slightly reminded Lucy of a three-tiered strawberry cake she had seen Erza consume entirely by herself once. The walls of the guild were ornately detailed with incredible stone work, and the bottom wall contained tall, paneled glass windows. Each section of roof had smaller dormer windows peeking out, replicating the paneled design.
Once Lucy was satisfied, she headed into the guild. She sighed, her chest rising and lowering steadily as she entered the hall and glanced around. At one table, Lisanna, Elfman, Cana, and Bickslow were having a conversation. At another, Gajeel, Levy, Panther Lily, and the rest of 'Team Shadow Gear.' At the bar, she spots Mira serving Laxus while Freed hovered nearby. Finally, Lucy spotted Erza, Gray, Juvia, Wendy, and Carla off sitting at a table on the opposite side of the guild and made her way over to them.
"Good morning," she greeted them. They all turned to her with smiles, halting whatever their banter was about.
"Hello Lucy," Erza replied, scooting over in her seat to make room next to her for the Celestial Wizard. "We haven't started to eat breakfast yet, we got you a plate."
"Thanks!" She grabbed the plate from Erza's hand and they all began to eat together, Juvia getting pretty personal with Gray's food.
Wendy paused from eating. "I was thinking… and, I know you don't need the money because of your job Lucy-san, but we haven't gone on a job in a while and I thought it might be fun!"
"I'm down," gray spoke, shoving another mouthful of scrambled eggs into his mouth.
Juvia handed a napkin to Gray, who reluctantly took it. "If Gray's going, Juvia is going."
"As will I," Erza joined in, taking a small chunk from her strawberry cake with her fork.
"Lucy?" Wendy questioned. All eyes fell on Lucy and she could feel her cheeks flush.
Carla swooped down onto the table. "Don't pressure her, child. You know how… she doesn't have to go if she doesn't want to."
Lucy shook her head at this. God, Lucy, just go, she thought. It wouldn't hurt. Besides, it'll be a distraction. "Why not?"
"Finally," Gray spoke, laying his fork down to indicate he was finished with his meal. "We've been trying to get you out of that goddamn apartment forever,"
Lucy sighed but let out a small chuckle. This was good for her.
"Darling, oh my," Juvia gasped. "You completely inhaled your breakfast!"
"Yeah, and I'm still hungry! Can I have your toast?"
"Anything for you my darling!" Juvia swooned, quickly shoving the breakfast item into his face. The entire group burst into laughter. Pretty soon, Gajeel and Levy joined them after Gray picked a fight with Gajeel over some stupid stripper joke.
The mood of the day seemed to lighten after Lucy's decision, but she didn't. Lucy looked on and smiled at her group of friends. She wondered if they all felt the same as her everyday. Waking up exhausted and sweat soaked with tear streaks below her eyes. She wondered if they all threw up a similar facade to hers.
She couldn't help but feel lost. It was like, with him there, she had a train going on to the rest of her life, and she missed it. She just missed it. All the while, he waved to her from the train car she was supposed to get on. She was supposed to be with him. She always was. He waved, with that stupid grin on his face, like he would see her again soon.
Oh how Lucy yearned for that smile. His smile. That stupid, goofy, absolutely breathtaking smile. She wanted to hear his laugh, feel his presence, and touch his hair. Its just wishful thinking, Lucy reminded herself. He never felt the same anyway.
After a while, guild members slowly trickled out from the hall, just a few left scattered about the tables and the bar. Lucy and Erza were left sitting at the table, and everyone else went home.
After a few moments of silence, Erza turned to Lucy. "Did… did it happen again?"
Lucy knew exactly what she was talking about. Erza had been there with her from the beginning, well, a year and a half ago. Erza was the only one Lucy ever really opened up to about Natsu. And ever since the first nightmare, Erza had been right there with her.
Erza, other than Gray, knew Natsu for the longest. The moment she had discovered his departure, she went straight to Lucy. That night, when Lucy trudged back to her apartment, Erza had been by her side. When she had found Lucy in her apartment, Lucy was in a completely dazed state. She was lying on her bad, above the covers, clutching a pillow with her entire body. She wasn't asleep, though, and she wasn't crying either. She just stared ahead, blank-faced. You goddamn idiot, Erza thought that night. How could you do this? The next time I see you, I'm gonna… I'm gonna…
That night was the very first nightmare.
Erza didn't need words to know the answer. Lucy's face said it all. She sat staring at the table, her jaw clenched. Her brows created small wrinkles in her forehead and she looked as if she were going to cry, but her eyes held no tears. There weren't any left.
Erza put her hand on Lucy's shoulder. "Lucy…"
"I know," Lucy turned her head to Erza. A small, soft smile formed from Lucy's lips. "I would stop it if I could. But don't worry Erza, I know he's not coming back."
With that, Lucy got up from the table and wandered out into the night. Erza watched her leave the guild hall. She didn't know what to do.
. . .
"Hey Natsu," The blue cat turned over to his pink-haired companion next to him. It was late and the two of them managed to find a cave to hunker down in until morning.
"Yeah Happy?" Even given the late-night hours mixed with an action-packed day of fishing and fending off monsters, the two couldn't seem to find sleep.
"When are we going back?"
Natsu stared into the rocky ceiling above him. He didn't answer his exceed right away. He didn't really know the answer himself. "Soon Happy."
"That's what you said half a year ago, Natsu. That's what you said 3 months ago. That's what you said 4 weeks ago. What about everyone at the guild?" Happy's tone rose and caught Natsu off guard. Happy was now flying in front of Natsu, who was now sitting up. "What about Erza? Gray? Wendy? Carla?" Happy paused a second. "Lucy?"
Natsu didn't know what to say. He knew why he left, but he never really told Happy the exact reason. It was to get stronger so he could protect everyone in the guild. Natsu felt it was his obligation, though he wasn't really sure what the word meant. Tartarus was a close call. Much too close of a call. Everyone nearly died, and it was all on his watch. He couldn't stop thinking about Lucy, how he had her hand in his, and he wasn't able to hold on. Maybe, just maybe if he was able to hold on, she would still have Aquarius.
He needed to get stronger. He had to get stronger. If not for the guild, then for her. He couldn't risk anything like that again. He couldn't go back unless he was sure he was ready to protect everyone. To protect her.
After a while of silence, Happy spoke again. "They probably hate us."
That was another reason why he didn't want to go back. How was he supposed to face them? He just up and left, how could they ever forgive him.
"Happy, I'm sorry. It was never supposed to be this long. I just, I can't go back until I know I'm strong enough. I have to be strong enough."
"Natsu!" Happy's harsh tone startled Natsu. "You have always been strong enough! Don't you dare say that!"
A silence fell between the pair. The moon was full that night and its soft glow illuminated the landscape beyond the cave. A small pond glistened nearby. The calming ripples sounded a euphonious hum into the air. A slight breeze drifted through the summer air and made its way into the cave. It was cold.
"Natsu,"
Happy fluttered down from his flighted position and landed just to the right of his companion.
Natsu looked down to the rocky surface below him. His chest heaved up and down steadily, and he could spot small goose bumps forming upon his arms and legs.
"I miss everyone. I miss Lushie."
Natsu didn't hesitate to talk this time. "I miss her too, Happy."
A movement from outside the cave sent Nastu shooting up from the ground and Happy hurrying behind him.
"Stay behind me," Natsu said, but Happy didn't really need to hear it. Natus slowly crept toward the entrance of the cave and peered out.
"Your hair's gotten long," A voice said from behind Natsu. Natsu zipped around to where the mysterious man was. He was gripping Happy in one hand. "I need to talk to you, Natsu."
The figures black hair draped over his face but kept his eyes visible. A small strand poked up from the top of the black fiber. He wore a long cloak with several layers. His eyes pierced Natsu's.
Natsu's voice hardened and his brows furrowed. "Zeref."
To be continued…
Author's Note: Hope you guys enjoyed! I have the second chapter nearly done, so I'll probably upload later this week. I know I suck at schedules, but I'm gonna actually try this time lol. The chapters for my other stories are nearly done as well. Thank you!
~Sofi
