Cursed

Chapter 2

Lucy winced as anger flared through her system, before an amused almost laughable feeling followed close behind. In all honestly it felt like she was feeling two people's emotions, because they obviously weren't her own. Rather that or Fairy Tail had finally pushed her past the breaking point and she had snapped. Damn, she hoped not.

Looking up, she quickly crossed the threshold of the guild and looked around. Relief flooding her system when she spotted both Master Makarov and Levy within the guild hall. Moving quickly through the tables, she stopped before Makarov, raising her hand in response to his silent question.

"That's a strange tattoo my child. Pretty, but strange." She released a sigh before shaking her head and easing onto one of the bar stools.

"Thing is, Master. I didn't get this tattoo. It just suddenly appeared on my wrist this morning, and since its appearance I'm feeling...well to be blunt I'm feeling another person's emotions! Well, two to be precise, but one's is stronger than the other." The look of shock on his face was almost laughable, if she wasn't so worried about the mark and any possible damage it may do.

"But...You haven't gone on any missions this week...How..How could such a spell suddenly appear?"

"I don't know. That's kinda why I came to the guild. Sure, it may only be effecting my emotions, but I'm afraid it could affect my abilities as a mage." Looking down at the mark around her wrist, she tried to think of anyone who would want to cast a spell like this on her.

"No fears my child, we'll get to the bottom of this. Until then just try to ignore it to the best of your abilities. We're unsure of how powerful this mark may be, but you need to make sure that your own emotions are not drown out by whoever the other two belong too. Understood." She gave a nod, smiling as Makarov patted her hand, his worried filled eyes lingering on the mark before he hopped off the bar and approached Levy. Motioning to Freed who happened to be walking near by. Lucy had no doubt that he was about to put both of them on the case on figuring out what the mark was, and what it could do.

Releasing a sigh, Lucy looked down at the mark and wondered briefly if she should use something to cover it up. No doubt everyone within the guild would see it, if they hadn't already. She hadn't been discreet at all when coming into the guild and approaching Master about the problem, but she had just wanted to see if he had known anything about it. Giving her head a small shake, she gave a smile at Mira before waving at her. Wincing as those sharp eyes narrowed in on her wrist before she quickly moved over.

"Lucy...?"

"No worries, Mira. Makarov is already looking into it. Do you think I could have a strawberry milkshake? I think something like this is a good enough excuse to have a cheat day." Lucy waited until the concern left Mira's eyes as she smiled, relaxing as the woman nodded and quickly left to get drinks.

"Hey Luce? Everything alright?"

"Yeah, you walked in and went straight to Master Makarov. What's up?"

"Are you in any trouble, Lucy? Has someone foolishly targeted you? If so I shall..."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Guys, it's okay. I just wanted to see if Master Makarov knew anything about this before I told anyone else." Lucy couldn't help but feel warmth spread through her at how protective her friends were. Even if they did have moments where she just wanted to slap them.

"Oh, that mark looks familiar." Blinking at Gray, she quickly stood up and moved before him.

"Really! Do you remember!?" Clasping her hands together she watched as Gray scratched the back of his head while squeezing his eyes shut. No doubt trying to think back to the time he had seen that mark. Hope rising in her chest when those blue orbs snapped open and he dropped his fist into his hand.

"That's right. It was on Tenrou Island! Right before I was fighting with Ultear, that exact mark appeared on me. I never did find out where it came from. But I knew that I was feeling weird emotions, and even some pain all because of it." Lucy blinked, feeling a bit disappointed that she didn't know exactly where the mark came from, but at least her hunch about the other emotions coming from the mark were correct.

"Well, that at least narrow down the suspects. However, the only person that was originally from Grimoire Hearts that is still around is Meredy." Lucy blinked as she looked to Erza, finding a frown pulling at her lips.

"Wait, isn't her magic ability Soul Link. But why would she put that mark on Lucy!"

"Well, it may not be intentional." All four of them jumped as Juvia suddenly appeared beside Gray. Her eyes locked on the mark in a thoughtful expression. Lucy faced the Water Woman and waited.

"When Juvia was fighting Meredy on Tenrou Island, she used the same magic ability on Juvia after asking who it was that Juvia loved. Of course Juvia thought about Gray-Sama, and that's when Meredy cast her spell. It linked Gray-Sama's and Juvia's soul. We could feel what each other was feeling. Be it emotions of physical pain." Lucy blinked at that, before looking down at she noticed that Makarov had approached and was listening as well.

"So, what you're saying Juvia is that Meredy must have soul linked someone who was thinking of Lucy. I must contact Jellal at once! If this happened to be an enemy, then it could be something very dangerous."

Lucy felt her blood run cold. To think that Crime Sorcerie had been fighting someone that had been thinking about her! That wouldn't be good at all! Moving alongside Makarov, she watched as he pulled out a special Communication Lacrima that would connect him straight to Jellal. Leaning forward as everyone crowded around when it began beeping, and finally connected.

"Master Makarov? Is something wrong?"

"I'm not entirely sure yet, my boy. Have any of your members been in a fight against an enemy?" Jellal looked taken aback for a moment, before slowly shaking his head.

"No. It's been a while since our last battle, nearly a month now. Why what..."

"Has Meredy cast her soul link magic?" Jellal blinked at that, his eyes casting to the side before giving a nod.

"She has."

"On who?"

"Has someone at the guild received the other chain?"

Everyone narrowed their gaze on the man, easily seeing the small beads of sweat appearing on his face.

"Jellal. Answer the question. If Meredy has cast that spell and whoever it is linked too plans on harming Lucy, I'll..."

"Miss Heartfilia!?"

Everyone blinked at Jellal's surprised tone as he interrupted Erza, before he quickly shook his head and looked to the side while releasing a choking sound. Lucy also blinked as a quiet growl seemed to sound from somewhere off of the lacrima screen.

"Please forgive me, Master Makarov...But..But I've got to...uhm...I've got to go real quick."

"Jellal! Wait!"

"I assure you. Miss Heartfilia is in no immediate danger, and if it does seem like she will be, I'll have Meredy drop the link. But...I just...I'll call you back with more information later, Makarov."

They all blinked as Jellal suddenly hung up. Before their gazed turned to Lucy who just stared at the blank screen. Releasing a sigh, she felt some tension slip from her before smiling at everyone.

"Well, at least we know that it is nothing dangerous. Jellal seems to have it under control, which probably means that the emotions that I'm feeling are most likely Meredy's and one of the other Crime Sorcerie members."

"But..Which one?" Lucy blinked before allowing the emotions to slide over her. Wincing at the feeling of agitation, embarrassment, and anger slid over her.

"Not sure. Whoever it is, really has some pent up emotions."

"Well, that doesn't narrow it down." Lucy slapped Gray on the shoulder, glaring at him as he quickly raised his hands up in surrender.

"Sorry, sorry!" Rolling her eyes, she left the gathered group as Natsu laughed at Gray, provoking the man into a fight.

"Although, Juvia does have to wonder. Which member Meredy linked Love Rival up with. Juvia also wonders if Meredy asked the other person who their love was, or who they despise?" Lucy winced at that, frowning and thinking about the members of Crime Sorcerie. Sure, she might not have gotten along with a majority of the group, but she didn't think that any of them hated her. At least...She hoped not.

Cobra snarled as Jellal continued to follow along behind him, the blue headed man's soul was in a chaotic state as it tried to absorb the information that it had just gained. No doubt trying to figure out when, or how Cobra had developed feelings for the blonde Celestial Mage of Fairy Tail.

"Cobra..."

"Say anything about this to any of the others, and I'll poison the lot of ya." The threat was out of his mouth even before Jellal finished his train of thought. Glaring over his shoulder, he waited as his leader released a sigh and held his hands up.

"Fine, fine. I won't say anything to anyone in our group. But just...When? How?...Why?" Cobra narrowed his gaze before looking forward, determined to continue the little walk he was attempting to take to try and ease his agitation.

"It started the very first time we met, during the whole Nirvana incident. Back then it was my dragon side trying to claim her as a mate, fought back against it because I thought it was a load of bull. Then during the whole Clock Tower shit...It started becoming more me feeling for her. All the other Celestial Mages had been pleading, begging, even willing to give up their friends. Lucy however.." Cobra shook his head, feeling his chest tighten as he recalled her screams of anguish, which were always followed up by curses and arrogant remarks that they wouldn't get away with any of this. She had been willing to sacrifice herself, to give herself up, to protect her guild, but at the same time she fought with everything she had. She was strong, determined, open minded to new ideas and creating new plans. Not to mention, she was far too kind.

Even with all the shit that they were putting her through, she tried to get through to all of them. That they didn't have to resort to these kinds of measures, that there were different ways. Even after that incident, she never blamed them for any of it. She somehow understood that they were just trying to reach a goal, but that they just weren't on the right path for it, at least not in that moment. She wasn't even cautious around them anymore, and whenever their groups teamed up for a mission, she relied on them just like she would on her own team.

"Cobra?" He snapped back to the present with a start, realizing that he had cut himself off and had even stopped walking.

"She just impressed me, alright. More so than anyone ever has. However, I know I don't have a snowball chance in hell with her. Which is why I need Meredy to remove this damn thing..."

"You've been experiencing her emotions as well...Haven't you? That's why you quickly took this walk." Cobra glared at the man before continuing forward.

"She has strong emotions. I don't think it fair to her, if I damper them with my unpleasantness." Watching the ground before him, he listened as Jellal followed behind him. No doubt in thought about everything that had been said.

"I'm going to assume that you're going to remain out here...Walking around."

"Better than with the group. I'll only get agitated and ruin her day." He remained moving as Jellal seemed to stumble behind him before stop moving all together. As more distance came between them, Cobra felt the bitter sting of loneliness begin to settle in his chest. But merely pushed it aside as he continued to walk. He wasn't about to let his emotions interfere with hers.

Her emotions were relaxing, soothing...Just like her soul. There was no hate, no loathing, no discrimination. Just acceptance of everything and everyone around her. He had never met anyone like that, and was almost certain that he never would again. Maybe this damn soul link was the only way he could even say that he ever got close to the person of his affections, and damn if that wasn't sad.

If he thought that he even had a chance, he would take it. However, he knew that she wouldn't want, or even need, someone with a past like his. Not to mention, he doubted anyone would allow it to happen anyway. Releasing a sigh, he pushed his emotions to the side, and continued his long walk.