Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail in any way, shape or form. Also, I don't own any other mentioning of Hiro Mashima's works.
I just want to thank KaUiA, Preppy-stealthy-ninja, LiLyRoSe98, NatsuxLucy FTW, Fairy-Tail-Kijitsu, KidTantei, Rose Tiger, souleatermerry, XoxoFairyTailXoxo, Shana Heartfiliaand CelticBlackRose for reviewing! I also want to thank all of you who added this to their favourites or alerts lists and those who read! I'm really thankful that you decided to give this little piece a shot!
I'm sorry if the ending is a bit... confusing. I tried to make Lucy's reasons as clear as I could, so if it still confuses anyone, I apologise.
I hope you enjoy the second chapter of the Fire Juggler!
"Have you heard about the circus in town?" the woman gossiped, quite loudly in fact, to another one of her friends. "I heard that they're performing for a single night only. Shame don't you think. But that night is tonight, so we should see what all the fuss is about."
She was mildly interested in the chatter, knowing that not many events such as those ever took place in their town. She vaguely remembers something about a circus when she was younger, but since it was nearly ten years ago, she had no solid grasp on the recollection.
All she remembered was a voice of a young boy telling her a promise, and magical fire.
She tilted her chin up as she walked, moving the parasol in her hand so that it blocked away more of the sun. The celestial orb seemed too bright that day, annoying her. As she passed, she heard whispers and felt stares. She didn't mind them, knowing too well why they were doing it.
In a day's time, she would be walking down the aisle in a beautiful white dress - to some flighty lord named Bora, who was famed throughout the land, or so her father had told her about. She had no choice in the arrangement. It was so that her father would earn over a million Jewels in the transaction.
A mere pawn; that was all that she was to him.
Every day, she wished for something extraordinary to come to her and sweep her off her feet. But then again, those were only wistful dreams.
She eyed the few people that galled her with their loud speech. There seemed to be the recurring topic of a circus. And something about it piqued her interests.
She continued pacing, away from the discussions. She wanted to be in solitude before she sold away her life to man that she knew she'd never be happy with. Solitude was her only peace nowadays.
She felt someone tug on her dress. Stopping to look down, she was surprised to be greeted with a young boy. His hair was black, and his grin was wide and innocent. It reminded her so much of that little boy from her past – the one she could barely remember anymore.
"Excuse me? But would you please take a look at this? We would be extremely grateful if you came!" the little boy stated happily, handing her a colourful poster. "Only those who see can believe the magic!"
The line struck her. Some part of her reacted. Some part of her knew that line.
Before she could make any protest, the boy had simply vanished from her sight. She looked around her to see if she could spot him, but she knew that it was no use once a new crowd filled the path. Sighing, her eyes flickered to the poster in her hand. Her knees nearly buckled from the shock that coursed through her body.
Come one, come all! Come to the fantastic and fantabulous circus tent in the town's square. Be amazed, be mesmerized, for we are the Dragon Graciana circus; and only those who see can believe the magic!
Dragon Graciana Circus... Her mind fogged up with memories of the day she had come home late with Cecilia. A day that ended in tragedy, all born from her desire to see a circus. From her desire to see...
"Salamander..." she muttered breathily, as she withdrew into a terrible memory.
..O..
They had come back much later than expected, though nothing seemed out of place when they first returned. The guards had opened the gates, unfazed by their tardy arrival. The other maids and butlers greeted her normally when they entered the manor, but she knew something was immediately wrong when her father's personal butler asked for them to see him.
She never let go of Cecilia's hand as they were led through the dimly lit corridors, towards her father's office. She had only visited the room once every blue moon, whenever her father summoned her. Usually, it meant that something wrong had been done.
They entered, and the only sources of light came from the few candles burning on their wicks and the moonlight which shone though the arch window, in which her father was standing in front of. She gulped nervously, squeezing the maid's hand tightly.
"You are late," her father said, as if he were stating a mere fact. "Haven't I told you before that your day in town only lasts until 6:00 pm sharp? It is now," he took a pocket watch and flipped it open. "8:30 pm. Would someone care to explain?"
She opened her mouth, but Cecilia placed herself in front of her, holding her left arm out slightly. The woman looked apprehensive, but stood firm. She curtseyed deeply. "My apologies master," she murmured, though it sounded muffled since her head was down. "I hadn't known that time could fly so quickly. Before I could tell, the sun had already set. I apologise for my incompetence deeply."
The man shook his head regretfully. "Cecilia. This is... disappointing," he stated. Cecilia didn't cease her position as the man walked up to her purposefully. "Out of everyone, I knew you were the most capable. Yet you simply disobey my wishes, letting my daughter frolic out there longer than need be. You do know what this means, correct?"
The maid said no words, but nodded slowly. The little girl, who had stayed silent throughout the whole affair, moved forward. There was a desperate look in her eyes. "Father? What does this mean? What's going to happen to Cecilia?"
The man grunted. "Stay out of this Lucy. It is not of your concern."
"I was the one with Cecilia! It is my concern! Do not blame her, because it was all my –"
"I said silence!" her father barked out, glaring at her. Lucy shied away, afraid of what he was capable of doing. Cecilia rose up, her head still bowed down in disgrace. "Cecilia, from this day forth, you are no longer a maid of the Heartfilia Konzern. Take your things and leave by dawn. You... You were always Layla's favourite, but this I must do. You are dismissed."
Lucy's eyes went as wide as saucers. "Father! What are you doing? Don't dismiss Cecilia! She wasn't at fault! It was mine entirely! Please!"
The man showed no mercy, and shoved the arguing girl. She fell to the ground, burning tears of hate forming in her eyes. Her father looked down on her, his eyes showing no form of sympathy. "You. You are not allowed to go to town next year. The years after that, you will only be allowed to go to town on a single day. Now let Sebastian lead you to your room. Do not trouble me any further."
She sniffled and backed away, sulkily following the beckoning butler. Cecilia slowly walked behind them, feeling the weight of her dismissal. She knew that if she had followed Lucy's begging, she would be without job later that night. Although, she didn't feel as angry as she would have been.
Why? Because, at least she had given the young mistress a final gift – a chance to enjoy something on her birthday.
..O..
Her feet had propelled forward when she was in her reverie, since once she was drawn out of it, she found herself standing in front of a large tent, which took up most of the space in the town square. She glanced down at the poster in her hand, uncertainty bubbling in the pit of her stomach.
"Excuse me miss," a light feminine voice said from behind her. She whirled round to see a slender girl of her age, wild hair tousled under a bandana and a book in hand – Fables of Symphonia, the Tale of Resha Valentine. Her blue eyes were looking at the poster. "May I ask, are you going to visit the circus?"
Lucy gazed at her curiously. "Why do you ask?"
The girl grew flustered. "Oh! Well, I'm actually a part of the circus, and I just wanted to invite as many people as I could to watch," she explained, looking around at the people milling about the tent. "It's going to be a one night only show, and it seems that one of our – ah! Never mind. You wouldn't want me blabbering."
Lucy shook her head, smiling graciously. "Oh no! Please continue! I'm curious as to why a circus such as yours is only performing tonight."
The girl blinked. "Well, if you would like to hear it," Lucy nodded, and the girl smiled brightly. "Originally, we weren't meant to stop here. We were actually headed for Magnolia, but one of our more... boisterous circus members begged the ringmaster for us to stop here. On this specific day. He mentioned something about a promise that he held to a girl nearly ten years ago."
The gears in her mind began spinning faster, as more memories of the day she tried so hard to forget came flooding back in her mind. A pink haired boy, wielding three fiery clubs. "Ten years ago? On this day?"
The girl nodded. "Why yes. He asked that we perform here July 1, at this very town square. The ringmaster complied, but said that it would be our very final show in this town for quite a while. Now this boy wants us to round up as many people to watch. I'm making the assumption that he's looking for someone, though I can't be sure."
Lucy was shaken, but she covered it up with a smile. "My, that's an interesting tale. I'll see if I can visit the circus tonight, since it seems all the more fascinating with this new back-story. Thank you for sharing!"
The girl stared at her oddly for a moment before she grinned. "No problem! I look forward to seeing you there!"
As the girl walked off, Lucy moved towards a nearby brick wall. She leaned against it, feeling calmed by the coolness. She looked around at all the people who were going to be watching the performances that night. That Salamander. He was the one that promised her something, and he was going to fulfil it. A single name popped into her mind as she reluctantly began walking away. "Natsu..."
..O..
She stood in front of the double doors, trying to garner enough courage by doing breathing exercises. She needed to face him. Yes, she would accept any terms as long as she was able to visit that circus one last time.
She entered, not bothering to be called in or whatnot. Her father glanced at the doors, and seemed floored when he saw her, a fiery conviction burning in her eyes.
She would attend that show. With all the effort that Natsu had put in just to see her, she had to do something equal on her part.
She could see the sun falling under the horizon. The show would begin soon. She had to make her stand then, or never would she see that Salamander again.
"Father, I need to discuss something with you. By the end of it, you will comply with what I demand," she stated determinedly. Her father watched her curiously from his seat behind his work table. A questioning brow was raised.
"And what is this... demand of yours?" he asked, a curious tone to his voice. She narrowed her eyes, walking further up to slam both her hands at the front of his table. The man sat up straight, sinking back into his chair.
"You may have heard that there was a circus in town. As a gift, I thought it best that you let me attend," she stated. The man smiled until she added a single word to finish it off. "Alone."
Her father heaved himself off his chair to tower dominatingly above her. "And what makes you think that I will allow you to visit that... circus."
"Because for all my life, I have never been treated how I should have. I was never loved or cared for. The only two people who truly cared for me left my life when I was younger. Tomorrow, you're selling me away to a man that I hardly know. The least you can do is let me be free to watch this for one night. Father, today is an important day for me... Think of what mother would say..."
He flinched at the mentioning of his deceased wife. They had never really discussed it between them; both traumatised seeing her life waste away on her sickbed many years beforehand. Lucy bit her lip, hoping that she had swayed him enough.
He sat down and sighed. He waved his hand, motioning for her to exit. "Go watch your silly circus. But tomorrow, you will walk down that aisle, understood."
Lucy nodded, giddy about the prospect of seeing the show. She curtseyed, saying a polite thank you before bolting out the door. She missed the rueful smile that her father had formed on his face, as the man turned to look out at the fading sunset.
..O..
The amount of people that filled the tent was hard to imagine. So many folks from the town had come to watch, all of them drawn by the rarity of it all. Lucy found herself sitting at a spot at the front. Feeling good about her luck, she waited patiently for what was to come.
The ringmaster came out – the same man from nearly ten years ago. He seemed kookier than before, wielding a staff and wearing a bright blue and orange hat. Many young children laughed at his appearance, and Lucy couldn't help but crack a smile.
Suddenly, a bright flash of light came upon them, blinding most of the audience. Once it was gone, the ringmaster had left, and the show had officially begun.
She enjoyed each act more than the last, knowing that they were gradually building up to the one that she wanted to see most. Yet, as each act passed, the time for her freedom grew closer to its end. Watching two teens her age perform acts involving ice and water; she began savouring her final moments of fun.
Different to the last show she had visited, they had given an intermission in the middle of the entire show, giving people enough time to enjoy some fresh air and possibly obtain food and drink and the occasional autograph. As people shuffled out, she followed, but paused when a familiar blue-haired girl ran up to her.
Her grin was wide. "You came! I had this feeling that you weren't!" she cried out, reaching forward to clasp Lucy's hands. "Well, I thank you for coming by to our first and final show."
Lucy giggled. "You're welcome. I'm enjoying it so far! There seems to be so many acts, I can't decide which one I loved the most! Though, I found yours amazing!"
And it truly was. The girl had magically said words, and whatever word she had said was summoned into her hands. Many people were blown away, trying to figure out whether there was some trick they were pulling off. She laughed, blushing slightly.
"Thank you. That means a lot," she murmured gratefully. "Also, it seems that I managed to pry information from that boisterous friend of mine who's the reason for all this. He barely remembers the name, but he does recall her being a pretty girl, with blonde hair and the most beautiful brown eyes he swears that he's ever seen."
Unconsciously, Lucy blushed. Her new friend noted this.
"When I was talking to you earlier about this story, I could already tell that you were familiar with it. You seemed to be deep in thought when I was speaking. Everything – it all matched with you," the ringmaster began calling people in, saying that the latter half of the show was about to begin. The blue-haired girl glanced at centre stage before turning back to Lucy. "You're the girl he's looking for. Don't you deny it, because you won't be able to convince me. You were the little girl that he made a promise to."
Lucy was taken aback, letting her hands free from the other's grip. She began edging away, trying to think of some way to answer. "I-I'm not her. Y-You m-must have mistaken me for someone else. I-I don't recall meeting with –"
The blue-haired girl was already walking down. "I told you that you won't convince me! Just enjoy the show now! It's all for you!"
Lucy gaped as her legs worked automatically to move her back to her seat. Not wanting to think about promises and such until the end, she lodged all thoughts of it to the back of her mind, wanting to continue enjoying the friendly atmosphere that she still had left.
If possible, the acts in the second portion of the show dominated the first. She recognized the metal eating man once more, though his stunts were even more dangerous. There was also a young girl who appeared to have some control over winds. The ice boy and water girl showed up once more, and the scarlet-headed swords master girl came onto stage second last.
Everyone waited, holding their breaths in as the lights dimmed in the tent. Everything was turning darker, and Lucy knew what was about to come. A single spotlight shone from above, circling around the audience and empty stage before stopping at the centre.
She couldn't help but gasp along with the rest of the crowd.
He was there.
She recalled the wild pink head of hair, but that was the extent of it. He had grown much in the past ten years, into a lean, somewhat muscled man. She couldn't see his face, since his head was tucked down, but she had a feeling that she would be quite startled by the appearance.
She faintly wondered whether he'd recognize her, her appearance different from when she was a child.
The two clubs in his hand ignited, earning many gasps from the crowd. She already expected it, and didn't react as violently as she had before. She leaned forward, anticipating what was to come.
He tossed both of them into the air at the same time. The clubs spun high in the air, though the flames didn't go out. The Salamander made two back flips, bending down on one knee as he caught the clubs with little effort. He grinned as the crowd clapped, marvelling the moves.
The Salamander then connected the two unlit ends of the clubs, turning it into a pole. He began spinning it, the speed getting faster and faster with each turn. He spun on the spot, continuing to twist the pole. The spotlight had dimmed, so the only light seen was from the pole.
She could see his face reflected from the soft light emanated by the fire. He was more handsome than she had given him credit to be – rugged yet attractive. What charmed her most was that same grin that did had the same affect on her ten years previous. She could see the love he had for what he was doing.
Seeing his passion made her happy.
The moves were more dangerous than she recounted. The fire was wilder – more untamed. Some actions that he made would have led a person to sure death, but he managed to do it each and every single time. Twirling and spinning – all his moves simply captivated everyone in the audience.
He was trying to reach out to all of them, especially to that little girl that has kept his mind occupied for the past decade.
He collected the four clubs that he eventually ended with, bringing the fire close to his mouth. Everyone sat on the edge of their seats, knowing it to be the Salamander's final move. Lucy did the same, eyes wide and expectant for how different and amazing it will be.
He sucked in a breath, along with the fire. She gasped, thinking it to be one of the most dangerous things any human could do. With his cheeks puffed out, he took a moment before letting out a fearsome roar, opening his mouth to breathe out the flames.
The fire coiled around the stage, nearly singing the eyebrows of those sitting at the front row, which included her. She yelped and backed away when she felt the heat, but giggled afterward, thinking it to be one of the most exciting moments that she's ever experienced. She didn't know whether or not she was imagining it, but for a split-second, she had thought that the front of the fire trail was a dragon's head.
The entire audience hopped up to their feet, cheering like wild for the striking performance. She followed with the crowd, clapping loudly. Her cheeks were strained from the amount of smiling and grinning she made. She had never done it for such a long amount of time. Yet, she didn't care, since she wanted to have an expression that matched her emotions.
She was absolutely delighted that she could see something so magical.
The Salamander bowed down, his manner goofy. The crowd continued their cheers, and she guessed that those who had rejected the offer to watch the show were ruing their decision. Salamander stood back up, and began watching the crowd, eyes on the lookout.
And after a few moments, their eyes met.
She was left breathless. She didn't know what to do. Petrified on the spot, she urged her legs to move. She was only there for the show. She didn't need an encounter with the boy that made her happy beyond belief. She saw him begin walking her direction, his pace quickening with each step. She panicked.
Her legs finally listened, and she took off, trying to get through the swarming mass of bodies and out of the tent. He was gaining on her, and she was too afraid to think of what would happen when they met. She was sprinting when she reached open space, and the exit to the tent was staring her right in the face.
Then, she felt a pair of toned arms wrap around her waist.
A face buried itself in the crook between her shoulder and neck. Her flush deepened, making her look very flustered. All the eyes in the tent were on her, but she made no move to escape, gradually easing into the embrace. As the face left the crook, she felt hot breath against her ear, an unidentifiable voice speaking. "It's been too long. It's been too long, Lucy."
Her breath hitched at the way he pronounced her name – with underlying affection and yearning. Had he never truly forgotten her? She was ashamed to think that she had almost forgotten him, save his fire and his promise. He let his grip on her drop, and she turned around, eyes bleary with tears as she buried her head into his chest.
"It's been too long," she breathed out, barely heard. "It's been too long, Natsu."
..O..
They sat on the bridge's ledge, their legs dangling off the side. She knew for a fact that the river stemmed all the way to the next city, and she contemplated whether or not she should simply dive in and be swept away.
His presence was comforting. Just being there next to him, it gave her a warm feeling. She remembered that day ten years before, that she had told Cecilia that she needed to go the circus, but that want only heightened at the sight of him. Had she actually needed to see him?
An awkward silence lingered over them. She wrung her hands, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye every so often. She didn't know what to say. Ten years, and she could barely utter a word to speak to a boy that went through all troubles just to see her.
She shuffled, moving slightly closer to him. He froze up. She kept her gaze firmly planted on the waters, knowing that if she looked up at him, she'd probably turn as red as a cherry tomato. "Your performance... It was more stunning than it was before," she murmured, pausing in the middle. "If that was possible."
He chuckled, a sound that made the warm feeling in her pool out. "Thanks. I've had a lot of practice. Ten years worth actually."
They fell into silence again. She detested it. Sighing, she willed herself to look up at him and not swoon. "We haven't spoken for ten years, and now we finally see each other, it's like this. I thought you were more energetic than this Salamander. I know you're capable."
He looked down on her and cracked a grin. Luckily for her, she was holding onto the stone of the bridge, otherwise she would've fallen down from seeing that mere smile. "It's just unbelievable really. Seeing you after all this time! It's just..." his eyes dropped to check her over, trying to take in every feature that she had and implant it in memory. She couldn't blame hi, since she was doing the same. "I knew that we'd meet again."
Her eyes widened. "Y-You knew that we'd meet up again?"
"I promised, didn't I?"
She smiled fondly, tucking a piece of strayed hair behind her ear. Her gaze dropped to the water again. She didn't know how calm she could have been just being there with him. She wished for the moment to never end, but new that like everything she wanted before, it was just a wish.
He sighed and looked upwards, gazing at the night sky. The stars twinkled brighter than usual, as if magic itself had made them shine like that, just for them. "There was another part to that promise, remember? From now on, I'm never leaving your side!"
She stiffened, eyes widening as the word registered in her mind. She looked up frantically. "But! You can't! You'll have to leave the circus, and you're their star performer! You love performing! You love performing and making people happy!"
"But I want to make you happy as well," he said resolutely, making her gape. His stubbornness surprised her, but there was more to why he couldn't stay.
"But - No... It's simply not right for you to stay here..." she murmured, turning her body round as she hopped from the ledge. She slowly backed away, unable to look him in the eye. "You may have promised, but it's not as simple as that... I can't... I won't be able to..."
"Lucy," he said, his tone quickly turning into fear. He was willing to sacrifice so much to be with her, because he would never back away from a promise, yet she was rejecting it all? He followed her movements, trying to reach out to her. "How is it not simple? What won't you be able to do? I don't have to quit you know. You can come with me, back to the circus! It's so easy!"
"It's not easy!" she burst out, leaving him shocked. The offer sounded so tempting, but as much as it seemed that she hated her father, she could never just simply leave like that. She still cared for the man on some level. And... She didn't even know if she would be able to live in such a new world. She didn't love everything that her life contained, yet she knew that she couldn't just follow Natsu on a whim. "It is not as easy as you believe it to be..."
"And why not?"
"Because I have a life here!" she cried out, her head lifting up so that she could firmly make a stand. He was torn up at seeing how distressed she looked. "It will never be easy! Even though my life isn't as perfect as it may seem, I still can't run away because I can't think of any other way to live! I have a duty Natsu! And even you can't stop me from it!"
He narrowed his eyes, determined to persuade her to come with him. "And what is this stupid duty of yours that seems to be stopping you from true happiness?"
"My duty is to be the loving daughter of a man who will only ever think of me as a tool, and if that involves me being wed to a selfish, narcissistic man tomorrow that I barely know - nonetheless love, just so I can please him, then so be it!" she vented out, tears blurring her vision. He tried to pull her into an embrace, but she backed away even further, ready to just run back to her home and wait for her fate.
"Lucy..."
" I'm sorry... It seems that this magical fate has led both of us as fools," she whispered, her voice full of regret. "I'm sorry that you aren't able to fulfil that promise that you gave to me... Now and forevermore, I do believe that this is where we part. G-Goodbye Fire Juggler..."
And with that final word, she walked towards him. He didn't move or flinch when she touched his arm briefly, planting a soft, tender kiss against his cheek. Moving backward, she didn't miss the longing look in his eyes. She turned away and began walking - wondering whether or not she had committed a grave mistake.
