Crystal: This is crazy! I was bombarded with follows and favorites. I really appreciate that all of you really enjoyed my first chapter even when I was a bit nervous to try this idea out. For those of you who are curious the manga I got the idea from is called "The Bride of the water god" like one of the guest reviewers guessed. Anyways thank you to everyone who has reviewed and encouraged me to continue. Here's the second chapter.
The heavens
What was this? Lucy felt something cooling her body. All her aching bones were now feeling like new and any exhaustion was being lifted from her body like oil that doesn't mix with water. She slowly opened her eyes and saw an unfamiliar face at her side. It was a girl, and from the looks of it, she couldn't have been any older than 13 or 14. She had long dark blue hair in a braid with some hair ornament with wings attached to it. Her skin was fair and her eyes were big and brown. She wore a short white dress with a long tail floating behind it.
She smiled brightly at Lucy as she jumped to sit right next to where she lay. "I'm so glad you're okay!" she smiled gently. Lucy sat up in bed confused as to how she felt so full of energy. "H-How?" she questioned to more of herself, but somehow the girl caught on to her question. "I healed you with my sky magic. It has great healing abilities. By the way I'm Wendy, goddess of air, the breath of the gods", she said excitedly taking Lucy's hands in her own. This girl was a goddess, but compared to Natsu she was extremely bubbly and kind.
Lucy smiled back. "Thank you for caring for me. I feel so much better, and I'm Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia…a human", she muttered afraid that Wendy's attitude would change upon hearing of her mortality. Wendy just giggled. "I know Natsu-san told me all about you when he came to me for help. It actually surprised me. I came here as quickly as I could to meet the bride that had Natsu-san so flustered", Wendy explained with a light laughter. 'Natsu, was worried about me?' Lucy thought looking down at her lap. "Anyways Lucy-san, everyone is waiting to meet you!" Wendy jumped excitedly.
"Everyone?" Lucy questioned. "Well, it's just some of Natsu-san's close relatives and friends. I'm his little sister", Wendy winked at her. She skipped to the wardrobe in the now lit room and pulled out a long red dress with a slit on the side. "Lucy-san should wear this?" Wendy commented admiring the dress. "Why red? Wouldn't it call too much attention?" Lucy blushed. "Oh, Lucy-san, the wife of a god cannot wear any other color that relates to another god. Natsu's color is red so you can only wear that color and white since it's neutral", Wendy explained as she helped Lucy get up to change.
After arranging her hair in a high pony tail she wrapped a head garment that was a necklace that had a gold adornment with a ruby that rested at her forehead. Wendy smiled pleased with the outcome as she pulled Lucy out into the halls ways. Lucy looked around amazed at the gold that made up every nook and cranny of the palace that wasn't a wall. The floor was made of shiny marble in a light pastel pink and the walls that had the designs in gold were a deep red. "Isn't his palace just amazing?" Wendy asked as she saw her looking around in awe.
"Yes very beautiful. Something you'll never see if only by a miracle in life", Lucy smiled, but paused when she saw a gentle expression shift onto Wendy's features. They reached a stair case that led to the upper floor to two large golden doors and Wendy opened them with excitement. Lucy felt overwhelmed by the people in the room. She knew well she was in the presence of god and not normal beings by their glorious presence. They all sat around a long gold table. Natsu was at the end and perked up slightly as she entered. The gods looked up at her and to her surprise gave her bright friendly smiles in exception of one of them who was sitting right next to Natsu.
Lucy took built up courage and presented herself to them. "Hello, I'm Lucy Heartfilia is a great pleasure to meet all of you", she bowed curtly. Wendy patted her on the back as Natsu stood up suddenly and walked her way. Lucy gulped hoping she hadn't angered him. He neared her and grabbed her hand. "Hey, I see you're feeling much better. As my wife, you must sit next to me", he spoke rather gently compared to when they first met. She took his hand as he led her to a seat on his other side. The first to speak was a young woman of long scarlet locks that were placed in an up do with scrunched up curls falling to her waist.
She wore a beautiful golden dress that adjusted perfectly to her body. Her eyes were a brown color, but they were intense and passionate. "We've been waiting so long to meet the woman who would become Natsu's bride. We doubted he'd ever find one", she smiled lightly. Natsu glared at the woman. "S-Shut it!" He suddenly pouted surprising Lucy. She hid a smile hoping he didn't see it. "By the way Lucy. I'm Erza, goddess of war and courage, the will of the gods", Erza smiled proudly. Lucy felt all the tension she'd felt disappear as she smiled at her. "It's a pleasure", she grinned. The person next to her a blue haired man with brown eyes, a tattoo at his right eye, spoke next with a much calmer smile. He wore black robes and black gloves.
"I'm Jellal, god of sins and forgiveness, the stand of the gods. Don't be startled I am the god who the sinners seek redemption to. Erza, is my wife", he chuckled. Lucy nodded in response. The next to speak was a young man looking to be Natsu's age. His hair was black and his eyes were a dark blue. He was shirtless and slumped in his chair while a blue haired woman with light blue eyes and long wavy locks clung to him with such an amorous look on her face. "I'm Gray, god of ice, the blizzard of the gods and this woman here is-" he began to introduce himself when the woman piped up. "I am Juvia, the goddess of water, the storm of the gods. Gray-sama is Juvia's husband", she chirped kissing Gray on the cheek.
Lucy actually let out a giggle at this which caught Natsu's attention. Why did it make him happy that she finally laughed after he felt such misery radiating from her just the day before? The next to present herself was yet another brunette and she was petite and cutesy looking. Her hair was held back by a headband. "Hi, Lu-chan! I hope you don't mind me calling you that! But I'm Levy, the goddess of knowledge, the mind of the gods. And this grumpy god beside me is my husband Gajeel, the god of Earth, the ground of the gods", she giggled. Lucy really liked her. "Nice to meet you Levy-chan! And Gajeel" Lucy got confidence to call her that way as levy returned a grin and Gajeel nodded in acknowledgement with a grin.
The next one coming around to Natsu's other side was a young woman with long silver hair and ocean colored eyes. "Hello, Lucy, I'm MiraJane, but everyone calls me Mira. I'm the goddess of love and affection, the heart of the gods. This is my younger sister Lisanna, goddess of animals and fertility, a blessing to the lands of the gods", she smiled just as brightly as Levy. Lisanna gave her a gentle smile and a small wave. Lucy smiled and then her smile fell just like that. She remembered one detail. Every god that was present was responsible for the misery of her village. Everyone seemed to notice her falling moods especially Natsu and they looked at her in worry.
"You all are so kind and friendly…so why?" Lucy asked suddenly as tears reached the corners of her eyes threatening to spill at any moment. But something she hadn't felt in a long time began to surge within her. Anger and fury. "What do you mean?" Wendy asked gently from her seat. "What do I mean?" Lucy stood almost outraged. "Is it enough to know the state I was brought in to the so called 'heavens'? My village filled with innocent people, have not been shown mercy by any of precisely the gods in this room!" she yelled startling them.
"Our lands have received no blessings of fertility, the earth refuses to sprout anything for the hungry, and the sky refuses to give us water. So don't tell me what I mean! We're stuck in the shadows, our village burns. More than anything it erupts in flames. I am a sinner who did not stand up for those who had less as much as she could so her mother was taken away. I was not forgiven and neither was my father! How can you be so heartless! To see those children down below perish out of your anger. To destroy any beauty of the life of the people who desperately continue to hold on for dear life. How we can all still smile in order to keep us sane. Because despite the cruelty of you all, we still want to live", she muttered as she stared at them defeated.
They all looked down ashamed. They all looked at Natsu as if pleading to him. Natsu said nothing staring at his trembling wife who was just about ready to run out the door. Angry tears sped down her cheeks as she did go for a run, but Natsu was faster and grabbed her by the wrist yet again hugging her against his chest. Lucy's eyes widened. "I'm sorry", he muttered. "You must not know, but the gods here were working under my commands and even if they don't want to, they have to follow my orders as their superior…I'm sorry", he explained as he passed his hands at her blonde locks.
So he was the one showing such cruelty? But why? What did the humans do to him? She wondered. He nodded to the others as they stood. She was confused as Natsu pulled her behind him towards the outside of the palace. There was a huge crystal positioned on a straight rocky path. It had inscriptions in an unknown language to her. The gods put their hands together as an image of her village appeared before them. Lucy looked at Natsu who also put his hands together. A light of a different color radiated from each god as it seemed to be absorbed by the crystal. Suddenly, Lucy saw it. She gasped in shock.
Rain had begun to pour. The lands began to grow at incredible speed and the fires were stopped. The sun reduced its size signaling the cooling of the village. She saw as the villagers left their homes with tears in their eyes. 'Tears of Joy', she said to herself. They began to cheer and hug each other in happiness while some kneeled in shock and gratitude. "Lucy-san, thank you!" they chanted together making Lucy cry, but this time out of pure joy. The gods were in awe seeing how they all adored Lucy so much. "Lucy-san we love you", the children cried as they ran jumping in the puddles. Lucy saw her father in the multitude as food was passed around to everyone.
He looked so happy to be receiving food. Even after all he had done, she couldn't bring herself to hate him. After all, he was and would always be her father. "Thank you! Thank you so much!" She laughed in pure joy hugging the life out of Natsu. The gods smirked as for the second time in their lives, they saw him blush furiously. He huffed letting her hug him as he looked away slightly bashful. "That Lucy is something. She will ironically melt away his cold heart and his blinding hatred for humans", Erza muttered to the others as they watched the loving display.
"Shall we leave them alone? I'm sure they have much to talk about", Mira smiled secretively. Erza just chuckled. "Always scheming your match making, Mira." Mira just giggled lightly and winked. "No one can control the work of lady love and her undeniably amazing intuition of who is meant to be", she said simply. The gods remained only to see as Natsu leaned down to sit next to Lucy and ask a question that made them all curious to see her answer. "Why do you go to such extent to save them?" he said simply, a question he had previously asked.
She looked at him quizzically as if confused as to if he really forgotten her previous answer. "I know your mother instilled this passion within you, but is that truly the only reason. I refuse to accept that someone passed on this idea to you. There has to be something more", Natsu said rather excitedly causing the gods to be startled. Natsu was beginning to act so child-like and the smile he received in return was that of an adult willing to indulge a child's curiosity. It was then the gods thought how much they synched despite their polar personalities. They listened in eagerly,
"To be totally honest with you…I simply don't know myself. It's like the stars", she began as if telling a tale. "What do you mean the stars?" Natsu said as he crossed his legs in an Indian style and rested his elbows on them to lean his face on his hands to direct his full attention to her. Even the other gods who had intended to leave rushed to sit around her as she looked at them in pleased confusion. "Come on, Lu-chan! Tell us more about the stars and their relation to your will to the humans!" Levy jumped in her spot excitedly. After all, as the goddess of knowledge, the fact that there was something she did not know or comprehend made her eager to listen.
Lucy couldn't help, but spoil the cutesy goddess that she considered a friend now, and she gave off a genuine laugh of amusement making Natsu's own mouth twitch as if to smile and then he did give off a light smile to her that seemed to take her breath away because he directed it straight at her. She gave a content sigh as the child-like behavior of the gods made her feel she was teaching the kids from her village. "Well, here's my question to you. How many stars exist in the sky?" She asked. They all remained silent as if trying to recall that detail. "Well there's no way you can count that many stars!" Gajeel countered not used to overthinking.
Lucy nodded. "That's my point. You will never be able to count how many stars exist in our universe and just like that there are things that we must accept cannot be figured out. The sky is vast as Wendy must know and the stars range from billions and beyond. The reasons I care for my people is as if asking me how many stars light up the heavens at night. To me humans are like stars. I look up and although they may be that faintly glowing light, they give even the weak a purpose to live. Stars may die, but new ones exist", she began to explain so passionately. Natsu was the most in awe seeing such a 'fire' radiate to him from her words. If anything his curiosity was only growing and growing to figure out this woman that had him curious to no extent.
"Wow, so romantic", Mira hummed dazed. "Juvia agrees with Mira", Juvia said still holding onto Gray like gum. "Lu-chan, I want to know more. Do you mind telling me more about the stars?" Levy clapped excitedly. "Please do Lucy-san!" Wendy agreed. "We'd be honored if you'd lend us more of your time. We are quite intrigued", Erza smiled lightly. Lucy blushed positively flattered. "Of course, I'd love to tell you more about the stars. There is so much I must tell you!" Lucy began to ramble. Natsu looked at her yet again startled. Did all humans have this sort of mood swings? One moment he felt Lucy so closed in and now it looked as if she fit just right in with his friends and family.
It was long after that night approached them that the god retreated to their rooms in Natsu's palace. They had begged Natsu to let them stay if it was to hear more of Lucy's knowledge. Natsu agreed acting reluctant and irritated when he really didn't mind. Once he was alone with Lucy still outside Natsu stood and grabbed Lucy's hand. "Come, you must be tired by being bombarded by our questioning", he gave her a side grin which she only chuckled. "Actually, it made me very happy that I could be at least of some use if I am useless for nothing else", she looked down as he led her down the palace halls.
He suddenly stopped and looked at her. "Hey, what kind of talk is that? No one ever said you were useless, Lucy", Natsu said suddenly bringing her to look at him with wide eyes. "You know you're actually a weirdo", he yet again startled her. For some reason it sounded playful and Lucy without thinking blurted out, "don't call me weird, stupid". She froze realizing what she'd said. "Oh no! I didn't mean that I-" she began to say before Natsu hugged her. "That's what I'm looking for. I knew you could be feisty somewhere in there", he laughed at her.
What just happened? Lucy wondered bewildered. Where was the cold, collected, and fierce god of fire she met just yesterday? It's like he was another person. He gave her a boyish grin and for some reason it made him look more youthful and playful. Normal. She thought while giving off her own playful push to his arm. "I didn't mean you're a weirdo in a bad way, you know. I meant that you're a complete mystery to all of us. There something about you that I can't quite figure out, but I'm all fired up to discover", he explained as he finally stopped at gold door.
He led her inside and she noticed it was a far more luxurious room than the one she was previously in. How could it even be possible to make it look so much more luxurious? The bed was much larger than the one in her room and had red sheets with gold designs on them as well as a larger canopy with long transparent silks in gold coming down from it. "Wow", Lucy breathed mesmerized. "This is our room", Natsu hummed. "Our?" she mumbled. "Yeah, as my wife we have to sleep in the same room", Natsu said nonchalantly. Lucy blushed furiously. She had to admit that even when she had had a crush on a few boys before she'd never actually been so close to a man.
Natsu was a word of art. From his perfect chiseled body and abs to his gorgeous face. Something any girl would desire in a man. Lucy only shyly approached the right side of the bed as Natsu pointed at the wardrobe in the room that was also on the right side. He told her to grab clothes to sleep in as she approached pulling the first sleeping gown and placed it on while Natsu was taking a bath. She was nervous. What if he expected more from her than just to sleep? Lucy shook her head slipping into the bed under the soft velvety covers. She was slowly beginning to fall asleep when she felt someone shift next to her. Natsu was probably getting into bed himself. The light was turned off in the room.
For what seemed an eternity the room was quiet and Lucy couldn't sleep as she turned to face Natsu to find him wide awake as well and staring straight at her. "W-What? Couldn't s-sleep?" she stuttered. He only gave a long sigh confirming her thought. "I was just thinking that you're telling everyone the story of the stars, and I don't know, but I felt kind of upset", he said simply. "Why?" she asked not understanding what he felt. "Well because I want to know something they won't know. Like a secret between us", he said blushing slightly.
She blinked and a smile slipped onto her face. "How about I tell you the stories my mother told me about the stars and I'll only tell them to you?" she asked him brightly. "Really?" he perked up smiling himself. Lucy nodded and said, "It can be our secret. And given that you are awake how about I tell you the story of the 12 zodiac signs. One sign per night and only you will hear about them. Right now, we can start with the zodiac sign of the gate of the bull, Taurus", Lucy chuckled as he nodded leaning on his elbow to listen.
Lucy began to tell her tale leaving Natsu fascinated. But as he listened to her soft angelic voice it the realization suddenly hit him hard like an arrow to the heart. He couldn't stop thinking about her even after only meeting for a day. Even in his presence, he could not direct his attention from her. It was all complicated to him yet so simple. The way he made her smile took his breath every time, and how pathetically happy it made him when she was happy as well. It was all there right in front of him which made him come to the simple conclusion that would forever complicate the days to come. But it didn't matter to him that he had fallen so easily without effort on her part, as she had him in a conflict of emotions like a flame that flickered violently. Natsu, the god of fire, realized he was undeniably and utterly in love with the human Lucy Heartfilia.
Crystal: That's the second chapter. I hope it was to your liking. Please continue leaving reviews as all of you have been doing so kindly. And be looking forward to the next chapter.