Hey, everyone!
As promised, here I come with chapter 2 of Never Simple. This one is mostly NaLu, but I managed to place some Gruvia moments too.
To the shoutouts:
Star197: Here's more.
MasterGildarts: Thank goodness. I'm really not the best when it comes to smut, I rarely write it. I also love seeing them like this, I wish we had seen more on the manga/anime.
glodenglowingsnowdemon: Thank you, thank you. I'm so glad you enjoyed chapter 1. You'll see about the child's origins and it's certainly not what you're expecting ;)
I also wanna make a shoutout to Bonneyq, R011ingThunder, CoeurDePluie and adoranymph; who are great writers whose stories I haven't had time to read because I've been writing so much.
Happy reading!
"I'm warning you. If you want her, you're gonna have to go through me." Natsu threatened, a fire ball already in hand.
For reasons they didn't fully understand, Lucy had just been accused of treason and the king's army was trying to take her prisoner. However, Fairy Tail would never allow that to happen; they would fight whoever wanted to unjustly trap one of their friends.
"You can't use magic here." Colonel Arcadius, the soldier who had followed them before-towards the cave where Gajeel had discovered the dragon remains- warned.
"Huh?" The dragon slayer was confused, until a bright glow emanated from the gate. Within seconds, he had fallen to the ground; drained and exhausted.
"Natsu!" Lucy worriedly called, trying to step towards him, but was restrained by the guards. "Get your hands off me!"
"Let her go!" Erza yelled, but didn't transform, keeping the soldier's words of caution in mind.
"What happened to me?" Natsu whispered, trying to get up. His body felt weak like never before and his vision was beginning to blur.
At that moment, he wanted nothing more than to just close his eyes and take a good nap, but that wasn't possible. Not when Lucy was in danger.
He yelled her name, but it came out as nothing more than a whisper.
"I hope you won't cause anymore trouble." Defense Minister Darton told the group of angry wizards. "After all, a group of wizards that can't use magic are no match for the king's army."
As much as they hated to admit it, he was right. While they weren't amateurs when it came to hand-to-hand combat, the soldiers overwhelmed them in strength and numbers. They might not make it out alive if they decided to fight.
"You can't do this!" Arcadius protested, but was quickly silenced by the guards holding him down.
"Arcadius!" Yukino yelled just before being taken away, same as Lucy.
"Natsu! Are you okay?" The latter called while continuing to struggle.
"He'll be fine." Erza reassured her.
"What do we do now?" Wendy wondered, looking between the red head and Gajeel for advice.
"You'll be removed from the castle and may not return." Darton replied. "While we have no reason to hold you prisoner, you have overstayed your welcome."
And so they were pretty much thrown out of the castle by the soldiers, unable to fight back. Once they stood in front of it, silence fell upon the group; with the exception of Natsu's continuous cries for Lucy's name.
The others felt bad for him; knowing just how much the celestial wizard meant to him and how he hated being unable to protect her.
Without much of a choice, though, they moved back towards the bar where the other Fairy Tail members were staying, Darton's last words echoing in their minds. "If Fairy Tail manages to win the Games, his majesty might consider returning your friend."
About 30 minutes later…
"They've taken Lucy hostage?" Mirajane asked after the group revealed the situation.
"To think that she'd be involved in some top-secret project is just utterly ridiculous." Master Makarov said, crossing his arms.
"So let me get this straight. If we take the top-spot, we can ask for her back, but only if his highness allows it?!" Laxus was absolutely furious.
"Personally, I don't believe a word that old guy told us." Gajeel voiced his thoughts.
"Are we just supposed to put up with this crap from those jerks?" Natsu yelled, bringing everyone's attention back to him.
When the group had arrived, he had been unconscious, therefore Erza and Gajeel didn't have much trouble tying him so he wouldn't immediately run back to the palace once he woke up.
"Just untie me so I can go kick their asses!" Wendy tried to calm him down.
"Let's just do what the master tells us." The young girl suggested, but he was having none of it.
"I don't care! Lucy's in danger and if you think I'm just going to sit around like an idiot, you are very mistaken!" He attempted to free himself from the iron handcuffs that Gajeel had tied around his wrists.
"They won't hurt her, Natsu." Erza reassured and a dark look came upon his face.
"They'd better not." It was a threat, they knew it. But one they couldn't allow him to follow since it might just cause the end of the guild.
Still, it was hard not to feel sorry for the guy. They knew how awful he must be feeling after being powerless to stop Lucy's capture.
They were unaware, though, of just how much this was affecting him. Of the thoughts going through his head, dark thoughts. Memories of all the times he had failed her and allowed her to be taken.
Natsu remembered the Phantom Lord battle and how Lucy had been kidnapped while he was fighting against them. He had never forgiven himself for not being there for her and leaving her behind while everyone went after the enemy.
It had been over a year since said battle, but he could still recall how his heart had stopped and his blood ran cold when he overheard Gajeel talking about Lucy's successful capture by the Element 4.
He remembered the emotions that overwhelmed him at that moment. Fear. Dread. Anger. Regret. He had been so scared of losing her, of losing his best friend-besides Happy, of course.
Thankfully, Natsu was able to rescue her from Jose Porla. And after she was back at the guild, safe and sound, the realization still stayed with him: something had changed that day.
After that, he became more protective, careful. Remembering what it felt like to lose her, even if for a short while, was enough to make him always wish to be by her side.
Unfortunately, he couldn't always be.
During the Battle of Fairy Tail, it happened again. Lucy was taken away, or at least that's how he saw it when she was turned to stone.
Once again, he wasn't able to protect her. He didn't even see the danger coming, since it came from old friends. In that moment he finally understood the phrase: "Betrayal only hurts so much because it always come from those we would least expect, those we trust the most."
Natsu kept those words in mind during every mission, every battle. It made him more less trusting of people, but also enabled him to protect Lucy better.
Over the course of the next few battles they had-against Oracion Seis, in Edolas, on Tenrou Island- Natsu managed to keep her safe.
He wasn't always by her side, but it was okay because Lucy had grown stronger over time. He saw her development and it made him so proud, even more knowing he was the one who helped her grow.
So he didn't worry so much over those fights, knowing she could take care of herself just fine.
Now, this was different. She wasn't trapped by a dark guild, but the royal family of Fiore. Even without magic, their political power was above any enemy he had ever faced and Natsu knew he couldn't go against them.
As much as he wanted to make them pay for taking Lucy away again, he knew better. He wasn't as hotheaded and stupid as many assumed.
No, the real problem was letting his emotions take over; which happened frequently when she was involved.
"Are you calm now?" Wendy asked, seeing as he had stopped struggling.
"There's no point in losing our minds now." Erza said just before Master warned. "You need to keep yourself together, Natsu, before you do something you might regret."
He almost wanted to laugh at the falseness of those words.
The real issue wasn't him doing something he might regret. Much on the contrary, it was him regretting not doing things.
Like telling Lucy how he felt.
He wasn't a complete idiot, he knew. Ever since that morning, when she was brutally assaulted by Minerva, he had known exactly how he felt.
He loved her. It was undeniable, as clear as day. His reaction to seeing her get beaten only proved that, although he only realized it when Gray mockingly pointed it out.
Natsu really needed to thank his friend for that. Where the hell was he?
Meanwhile, in the streets of Crocus…
"Are you sure you're okay?" Gray worriedly asked while him and Juvia rushed towards the bar.
"I'm fine." The bluenette replied for the millionth time.
"Juvia, come on. Slow down." She was running so fast that he was having a hard time keeping up. It surprised him just how quick she could be.
"We can't. We need to get there." The familiar voice-which she had yet to decipher- was still talking to her, telling her to hurry.
"Okay, stop." Gray jumped and placed himself right in front of her, forcing her to stop. "We need to talk."
"We can't. That voice…" He interrupted.
"I know, I know. But you can't just barge in there. What if there's danger?" She gave him an anxious look.
"That is precisely why we need to be fast." Gray shook his head.
"No, we need a plan." Juvia sighed.
"We don't have time to make one. Let's just keep our eyes open." He still refused to move, keeping a hand on her shoulder to stop her.
"That's not good enough!" He yelled, startling her. Sighing, Gray ran a hand to his messy hair. "Do you have any idea how I'm feeling right now?"
"Gray, what…" Juvia was confused.
"I'm scared, Juvia." He admitted, calming down. "Scared of what?"
"That something might happen to you. I don't…I can't lose you." She cast him a soft smile, finally understanding.
"You won't. I'll be just fine, you'll see." Seeing his unsureness, she moved closer before wrapping her arms around his neck. "We'll be fine." Then she was leaning in for a soft kiss and he eagerly replied, holding onto her waist.
Memories of every death and every sacrifice crossed his mind, but Gray quickly chased them away. He wouldn't let anything happen to Juvia, never.
A few minutes later, with Fairy Tail…
"So what shall we do, master?" Mirajane asked.
"Well, I suppose we…" Makarov was interrupted by a loud bang as the bar door was forced open. Everyone turned to the couple on the doorway and many eyes widened.
Gray's half-naked state wasn't much of a surprise, but for Juvia to be wearing her simple underdress and with messy hair, it was too suggestive.
"Where the hell have you been, Gray?" Natsu immediately yelled.
"No where. Dinner." The ice mage stuttered under so many scrutinizing stares.
"Is everything okay here?" Juvia asked, looking around the room and attempting to ignore some of the most perverted guild member's eyes on her exposed cleavage.
"Not exactly." Erza answered, sighing.
"What happened?" Gray asked, taking a few steps into the bar while the bluenette followed him.
"Lucy was captured by the royal army." Levy answered and his eyes widened.
"What?" Juvia was stunned too.
"Why would they do that?" Before anyone could reply, a figure appeared by the door, catching everyone's attention.
"Who are you?" The ice mage asked, quickly turning around and pushing Juvia behind him-something which didn't go unnoticed by their friends.
"I'm so glad I've found you." The voice was familiar and most people recognized it immediately.
"What?" Juvia's face paled.
"That voice…It's her." Gajeel whispered while Erza frowned. "How is this possible?"
"Juvia?" Gray asked, looking between his girlfriend and the stranger.
"My love. You're…here." The figure removed her hood, revealing a head of familiar blue hair.
"Impossible." Master shook his head, staring at her in disbelief.
"It was you calling out to me!" Juvia finally realized, stepping away from Gray and facing her twin.
"Yes, I wanted to talk to you." The latter replied.
"So you have a twin sister? Why didn't you tell us?" Natsu asked, confused.
"It's not that simple." The other Juvia replied, sighing.
"So who are you?" Gray asked and she frowned while taking a step into the room.
"Could you grab me a chair? I really need to sit down." Everyone stared at her, frozen in shock.
Mirajane was the only one who acted and quickly grabbed an empty chair before walking towards her.
"Thank you, Mira." She sat down, letting out a sigh, and that was when they noticed it.
"What the hell?" Gajeel yelled at the same time as Natsu let out a "No way!".
"This can't be possible." Erza muttered.
All were staring at the woman's clearly enlarged stomach, signaling something that shouldn't be possible.
"You're pregnant?" Juvia asked, eyes wide.
"How?" Gray asked, to which Max replied with a smirk. "I suppose that the usual way."
"Agh, can't you stop that?" The woman complained and their eyes went back to her.
"Are you okay?" Mirajane worriedly asked.
"Fine, fine. It's just the contractions." Their eyes widened even more.
"Contractions?" Natsu asked.
"Oh My God! Are you…" Evergreen realized what must be happening and Juvia confirmed with a nod.
"Yes. Someone has really bad timing." She glared at her stomach, a hand caressing it gently. "It will be hard to explain everything now."
"That can wait. You need to see Porlyusica." Mirajane told her, but she shook her head.
"Nah, it will take a while before I have to give birth, so I'll see her then." She groaned in pain, closing her eyes. "Besides, this is more important. There's so much at stake!"
"What do you mean?" Erza asked, having approached her along with the rest of the guild-everyone gathered close, curious to learn what was going on.
"Something terrible…it will happen tomorrow." These words shocked and confused them.
"Will happen?" Gajeel asked, raising a brow.
"Yes. I've come…from the future." Juvia's eyes widened.
"Future?" How could that be possible? Time traveling?
"How?" Erza wondered.
"The Eclipse Gate. I used it to travel back in time." Future Juvia knew that they had already learned of it.
"So it actually works?" She nodded to Master's question.
"It does, but it took us a whole year to manage to use it. So much happened." Her hands caressed her stomach while she smiled softly, feeling a kick.
"Clearly." Erza said, staring pointedly at it.
"So, who's the father?" Gajeel asked what they were all thinking.
"Like you need to ask." Cana scoffed, smirking in Gray and Juvia's direction. "I bet these two were baby making tonight."
"Cana!" Levy shouted in warning.
"Shut up, Cana!" Gray yelled, blushing furiously as well as Juvia.
"Seriously, is it Gray?" Elfman asked, curious.
"No." Future Juvia shook her head, surprising everyone.
"Then who the hell is it?" The ice mage stepped away from his girlfriend and glared at the pregnant woman. "Lyon? God, if it is Lyon I swear I'll…"
"It's not that simple." She interrupted him.
"How so?" Erza asked, raising a brow.
"It's really complicated. And sad." Juvia sniffled, clearly struggling against tears.
"How complicated can it be?" Gajeel wondered at the same time as Gray asked, more firmly, "Who's the father, Juvia?"
"Well, technically, it's Natsu." The dragon slayer's eyes widened.
"Whaaat?" She really shouldn't have phrased it like that.
So, what do you think?
Did I do okay with NaLu? As I said before, I'm not used to writing them.
What did you think of Future Juvia? Does anyone have theories on how the pregnancy happened?
Next chapter will be called Short-Lived Happiness. You can expect more Gruvia and Nalu; the other couples will also get a mention since there'll be flashbacks. I'll warn you in advance that I've gone pretty graphic with the deaths, so caution is advised when reading the next few chapters.
Can we try 5 reviews by July 4th?