Previously
"And when I thought that a cat with blue fur can't get any weirder.", he muttered while staring at the cat that looked like it was smiling at him.
"I know right.", the blonde said with a knowing smile.
"Don't tell me it can also talk." Natsu deadpanned.
"Oh! It actually can. Do you want to hear?" Lucy said excitedly while jumping a little.
"Don't even think about it."
Chapter 2 (The Dragneels)
"So, this is your place huh."
Natsu jumped on his place a little as he heard the weird angel's voice coming from behind him.
"What the heck do you think you doing? I told you not to follow me didn't I?!", he shouted in frustration while clutching the area near his heart.
"But you left the door widely open so I thought that you are letting me in.", the blonde said with a pout while crossing her legs on the bed.
"Hey! Don't sit on my bed! Actually, don't stay here in my room! I don't like girls staying inside my room."
"Why are you so moody, Natsu? Earlier you look like you were going to accept helping me do the mission but then you suddenly started to run away.", Lucy said while crossing her arms and huffing in frustration.
"Just look for another person to help you okay? I already said I don't want to! And besides, what will my parents say if I suddenly brought home a girl and a freakin' flying blue cat!", he said while gesturing to Happy who was busy floating around the room.
"Aye!"
"Hey! Don't shout at Happy like that! And so what? He can turn into those normal cats if he hid his wings. And I can also make myself invisible so you don't have to worry about it."
He saw the blonde glow again and this time, golden traces made its way to her arms making beautiful patterns of flowers and stars.
"Every time I have this, I'm invisible to everyone except you.", she said with a proud smile.
"And besides, I've never thought that you are one of those obedient kids, Natsu.", Lucy teased. Natsu grabbed a pillow and was about to pounce on Lucy when his door flew open, revealing a young girl with long blue hair and curious brown eyes. Natsu's eyes widened along with the girl and it made Lucy confused of the situation.
"Aye!", the girl stared at the flying blue cat who just said Aye!, then at Lucy. A few seconds passed and she suddenly run away. Natsu snapped out of his trance and followed the girl. He hid behind the wall and listened closely at their conversation while taking a peak at his sister and his parents' figures.
"Mom! Dad! There's a flying blue cat at Natsu-nii's room! And it says 'Aye!' "
"Now, now Wendy, just leave it to your brother Natsu to have the weird stuffs.", a red-haired man suddenly said while patting the girl's head.
"And he has a girl in his room!"
"What?!", both parents said with eyes wide as saucers. Lucy snickered behind Natsu whose mouth hang wide open.
"And you're worried about Happy.", Lucy commented with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
"Is it really that impossible for you to be with girls that your parents would think that a flying blue cat is even more possible?", Lucy teased making the pink-haired frown at her. He dragged her back to his room and immediately confronted the blonde.
"I thought you said that other people can't see you!", Natsu hissed making the blonde smile sheepishly at him.
"Didn't I say people except you and kids who are still innocent and pure?"
"Lucy!", he said in a warning tone.
"Hey! You finally said my name!", the blonde girl cheered. Natsu looked at her darkly, and she let out a squeaky sound when his gaze met hers.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to mess up!", she said while fidgeting on her fingers. Natsu sighed and ruffled his pink hair. What had he gotten himself into?
"Tch. Just make yourself visible again and I'll introduce you to mom and dad.", he said with a sigh that made Lucy look up to him with curious eyes.
"Do you want them to see me?"
"I don't have a choice. I don't want to make it seem that Wendy's lying."
"You really love your sister, don't you?", the blonde said with a chaste smile that made the boy smile back. The smile didn't last long though and he soon returned to his poker face. She pouted then soon glowed a little as the golden traces in her arms disappeared.
"I... do."
He grabbed Lucy's hand and he felt electricity shot up his spine as his calloused hand made contact with her small delicate ones. He felt something snuggle on top of his head and he couldn't help but smile at thought that the weird cat was encouraging him. He took a deep breath and dragged Lucy to the living room where his parents are.
"So there really was a blue cat, and it has wings.", the elder woman said with a surprised tone. She stared at the blue cat that was nuzzling on Natsu's pink hair with amazement. The woman had light blue hair, it was so light that it could be mistaken as silver. She has brown eyes, and soft features.
"Aye!"
"And it says 'Aye', how odd."
Lucy and the Dragneels were at their living room with pizza boxes on the center table. Natsu grunted, thinking on how normal people should react to flying blue cats. He rolled his eyes at his family's weirdness and opened one of the boxes, mouth-watering at the smell of it. He looked for the hot sauce and sneakily took it from his father's grasp.
Natsu grabbed a pizza and poured a generous amount of hot sauce. He was about to take a bite when he remembered the blonde beside him. He looked at her and found her staring off into space. He nudged her arm and grabbed a tissue to give another slice to offer the blonde; which she took with a heart-warming smile.
"No honey, what's even more suprising is that Natsu's with a girl; and a very pretty one too.", Lucy took a bite of pizza and squealed in delight. She chewed the familiar and relish its familiar taste before she swallowed the pizza and smiled at the couple.
"I'm Lucy, you're a very beautiful couple Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel. Your relationship is based on trust, love and understanding that's why you don't fight much. You express you're love with each other with simple gestures and thoughts. You always make sure that you prioritize each other's happiness and you have respect for your partner. You also love your children so much that you don't want even mosquitoes touching their skin but you trust them enough to give them a chance to learn things on their own. I think you are indeed a very great couple Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel.", the blonde said with a dazzling smile that made the couple shock for a while before a rush of warmth took over their chest.
Natsu continued to eat while looking at the blonde as she said things about his parents. How did she know that much anyway?
"Well that's quite a description you have there, young lady." said Igneel with a smile, "but how did you know such things?"
"I don't really remember my own parents but I've always thought that they were like you so I kind of always... watched you two.", she said with a shy smile.
Natsu couldn't help but feel a pang of understanding in his chest when he heard the blonde. It's hard when you couldn't even remember the people important to you.
"Are you alright dear? Who's taking care of you now?"
"Oh! I'm fine Mrs. Dragneel, once Natsu-"
"She'll be with me.", Natsu said cutting her off.
"Is it okay?", he added for confirmation.
Grandeeney and Igneel looked at each other for a while before nodding their heads, though both of them had one question swirling in their head.
"Yes, of course son, but won't anyone look for Lucy?", Igneel asked.
"Nah. Mira, the one who is taking care of her, is at work and was sent to a conference somewhere so she'll be home all alone. Mira doesn't really trust anyone else so she asked if Lucy can stay with me until she returns. I said yes since I think you won't really get bothered by it and that Wendy would like to have somebody like Lucy, for a while.", the pink-haired teen said. Choosing his words carefully. He really did not want to seem suspicious.
"Really Natsu?!", Lucy said beaming. She didn't really hear Natsu's made up story since her mind was swirling with happiness the moment Natsu said that she would be with him.
"Yeah I already said didn't I-"
"Thanks, Natsu!", Lucy said cutting him off and caging him in a bone-crashing hug.
"Hey! Get off me you weirdo! I don't like girls touching me so back off! Besides, my pizza's going to fall.", Natsu shouted while trying to remove the blonde angel's clutch. Pink coated his cheeks and after a moment of struggle, he grumbled and didn't complain even as Lucy continued to grip his arm like a lifeline.
The Dragneel couple looked at each other with mischievous grins and sparkling eyes, thinking that 'they liiiiiiiiike each other.' The youngest Dragneel, on the other hand, was practically beaming and has stars in her eyes at the thought of having an older sister.
Meanwhile, a white-haired angel named Mirajane watched the scene at her heaven lacrima. She really couldn't help but squeal in excitement. Lucy convinced Natsu to help her and she already met the Dragneel family. The lacrima was switched to a scene where there were a lot of people—mainly students—crowding the area. Mira stared at the bunch of students who were walking together.
"Man, history classes are so boring. I wished I also skipped classes like flamehead.", a raven-haired teen said while yawning, and unconsciously stripping at the same time.
"Salamander is lucky to be able to skip classes and spend his time with a chick.", another black-haired student said, he has piercings and red eyes.
"What did you say about skipping classes Gray and Gajeel?", a stern voice that belong to a woman who has scarlet hair said. She threw both men the scariest glare she could muster.
"N-Nothing ma'am.", the both of them squeaked out while Cana just snorted at them.
"You guys are so lame *hic* and Gray, your clothes.", the brown-haired teen commented. She was drinking a very special juice, one that the scarlet haired teen gave a disapproving gaze.
"The classes weren't that bad, and what was with Natsu spending time with a girl?", a blue-haired girl said; defending one of her favorite subjects and at the same time, asking about the weird topic of Natsu spending time with a girl.
"For you that is, and we don't really know about the girl. Erza was the one who heard it.", Gray commented making the bluenette pout.
"Don't be so sad Leby-chan *hic* those guys are just asses.", Cana said while ruffling Levy's blue hair.
"Cana! Don't drink at school!", Levy scolded while Cana just ignored her.
"Natsu's with a girl huh. I wonder if she looked like an angel, hi such beautiful girls you are.", said an orange-haired teen, immediately flirting with the nearest girls at the corridor.
"Loke, stop flirting, we're going to be late on our next class.", said a blue-haired man with a strange tattoo above and below his right eye.
"Juvia thinks that there's nothing you can do about him Jellal-san.", another blue-haired girl said making the man sigh.
"Come on guys we're going to be late.", said the scarlet-haired while walking ahead of them.
Mira smiled while looking at the students.
"My, my, what lively students they are. I hope Lucy and Natsu will be successful on their mission with the eight of them.", the lacrima then returned to Natsu and Lucy who were fighting over the last pizza slice. Mira smiled at them then sighed.
"And good luck to Lucy with her mission on Natsu's life and her mission to herself.", she said with a small smile on her lips.
"You have such as soft bed Natsu.", Lucy said with a contented sigh. She plopped on the bed, spreading her arms and resting her tired body. She didn't really get a proper sleep at the playground last night.
"Tch. I said don't stay on my bed. You'll get your smell all over it if you do.", Natsu grunted in irritation. He held unto one of the blonde's feet and started pulling her out of his bed.
"Oh come on, Natsu! Don't! And what are you saying? My smell can't cling to your sheets!", the blonde whind, holding on to Natsu's bed so he couldn't pull her off.
"I have a sensitive smell so it can, you stubborn angel.", Natsu then tugged harder, leading Lucy to fall off his bed with a loud thud.
"Oww! That hurts Natsu!"
"Tch. That's what you get for not listening to me, weirdo.", Natsu said with a winning smirk. Lucy pouted and stood up to straighten her dress. The two simultaneously looked at the door when they heard someone knocking. Lucy went to open it and she beamed when she saw Wendy at the door.
"Wendy!", the blonde angel chirped.
"Hello Lucy-san, mom told me to give you some of her spare clothes so you can take a bath and change into more comfortable ones."
"Thanks Wendy! And you can call me Lucy-nee if you want.", she said. The girl blushed a little, as she couldn't help but beam at her words.
"Hai, Lucy-nee."
"Oh, you're so cute Wendy!", Lucy cooed. She pinched her cheeks lightly and ruffled her hair, making the girl blush even more.
"Tch. You're so noisy.", Natsu grunted while the Lucy stuck her tongue out at him.
"Hey Wendy, can I stay in your room for a while? Natsu is being really mean and doesn't want me to stay in his bed.", Lucy whispered at the bluenette resulting the girl to giggle at her.
"Of course, Lucy-nee."
"Great! I'll just take a bath okay?"
"Yeah. I'll wait for you there!", Wendy said before leaving and Lucy went straight to the location of Natsu's bathroom.
"What did you and my sister talked about?", Natsu said while raising a brow. He had heightened senses so he could have heard her but her scent on his bed was distracting. Happy was at his lap and he was stroking his fur making the feline purr in happiness.
Lucy pouted at how easily he warmed up to Happy, and was still being mean to her. She shrugged and continued her way to the bathroom.
"None of your business, Pinky." Lucy said while sticking her tongue out at Natsu and quickly entered, squealing at how she got the last say. Natsu had veins popping in his head as he held Happy in his hands making the feline look directly at him.
"You have one stubborn, violent and annoying owner don't you Happy?"
Natsu could have sworn that the cat gave him a knowing smile before saying his favorite word.
"Aye!"
Lucy was giggling as the cold water from the shower trickled down her body. She washed her hair with the shampoo Wendy gave her and she couldn't help but relax while stroking her blonde hair. She smiled as she remembered the scene earlier. She was one step closer to her goal and she was determined to finish her mission in order to return to his side.
"I'm so desperate yet I can't even remember who he is.", Lucy said as her lips stretched into a sad smile.
"No time to be gloomy! I gotta keep a cheery mood if I want Natsu to smile too!", she said while grinning to herself and feeling a whole lot better by thinking of Natsu.
"Yosh! My first unofficial mission would be to make Natsu smile genuinely at me.", the blonde said to herself while removing the soap in her body.
Natsu, on the other hand, was smirking as he heard all of what the blonde had said. He didn't really intend to listen but he couldn't help it if he has a really good sense of hearing and besides, she was talking quite loud.
"You're going to make me smile huh. Let's see if you'll be successful with that Little Angel.", he murmured while smirking to himself.
Lucy exited the room while wearing white shorts and a pink t-shirt that belonged to Natsu's mother, during her younger years. He was kinda surprised that his mother still kept them and that she actually had a good taste in clothes. He kept a straight face and secretly enjoyed the thought that Lucy would be all over him, but was shocked when she passed him by and didn't even spare him a glance.
He inhaled her scent and couldn't help but think that she now have the same warm and cozy smell as his mom but there was a natural hint of daffodils coming from her body. She was about to exit his room when he stopped her
"Oi! Where are you going blondie?"
"At Wendy's room since a jerk doesn't want my scent creeping to his bed.", she retorted then quickly exited the room. Natsu cursed silently as he inhaled her addicting scent that still lingered in his room. He buried his face into the pillow and he grunted as he inhaled the faint, but same sweet scent of daffodils on his own bed.
"Tch. So much for keeping my room from smelling like her.", the salmon-haired murmured; though he couldn't deny liking the scent as he took a deep breath before taking a nap.
"Thanks for coming, Lucy-nee."
"Nah, I was the one who insisted remember?", the blonde girl said while looking at the things on Wendy's room.
If Natsu loved fire, Wendy sure loves the wind. Her room's color was mostly blue and white with clouds and wind swirls painted on the ceilings and walls. It was actually quite homey and relaxing.
It was really different with Natsu's room who had a motif of black, red and orange and there are mostly flames and dragons in his room. She giggled because their room designs; actually matches their personality. Wendy was calm and innocent and while Natsu was a mysterious hot-headed jerk.
"Who painted the rooms?"
"Natsu-nii did, Lucy-nee."
"Ow it's very nice to hear that- What? Natsu did this? This?!", she said pointing to the white flowers that was painted quite professionally. Wendy giggled at her reaction then smiled.
"Yes he did, Lucy-nee. Natsu-nii is actually quite talented you know."
"I can't believe this.", Lucy said wide-eyed that made Wendy laugh. Well there was a white dragon on Wendy's room so it could somehow be possible.
"So, what else is there to know about Natsu?", the blonde girl said while sitting on Wendy's bed. She also gestured the girl to sit next to her. She grabbed a comb and started brushing the girl's hair, the simple action easily made the bluenette blush a little.
"Well, for starters, Natsu likes spicy foods and he has quite a big appetite.", Wendy said while giggling.
"Oh, I can tell.", she replied, remembering the large number of pizza he and Igneel easily devoured.
"He also keeps this as a secret but... "
"What?", Lucy said leaning closer.
"Natsu-nii has a good singing voice."
"No way!", Lucy said laughing.
"Yup! He's not that good, like what we see in the tv, but I liked his voice. It's very soothing and warm. He used to sing when we were younger but for some reason, he just stopped. I don't really know why, though."
"That's too bad."
"Yeah. He's pretty good at playing guitar too."
"Really?"
"Yes Lucy-nee, he keeps his guitar on his drawers. It's been so long since he last opened it though."
"I can't believe Natsu's all that."
"Natsu-nii is really nice Lucy-nee. He always takes care of me and he's very bubbly and fun before. Well not that he's not fun anymore but he just kinda... changed.", Lucy's eyes softened at the girl.
Wendy must really care for her brother so much and Natsu was the same. She was kinda jealous because she never experienced having a brother or sister of her own... well, at least she thinks she didn't. She couldn't really remember her past so there was really nothing for her to look back on.
"Oh! And he also has a pet cat before but I can't really remember its name or how it looks like. But I know they were inseparable back then."
"Hmm, maybe that's why he's so close to Happy."
"Yeah, I think so too."
"Here, you look cute in twintails Wendy.", Lucy said while the younger Dragneel just blushed.
"That reminds me, why does Happy have wings?"
"Because he's an Exceed Wendy and they're special. Don't tell anyone about him though."
"Why not?"
"Because they won't understand."
"What wouldn't they understand?", Wendy asked. Her innocent brown eyes boring into those orbs that is so similar to hers.
"Because not everybody believes that there are things and wonders in this world—that although may seem impossible—is actually possible. And Happy, is like one of those miracles.", just like me, she added in her head then looked at Wendy with a smile.
Wendy was about to ask again but was interrupted with a knock on her door. Wendy opened the door and found a scowling Natsu.
"Mom said that it's dinner time."
"Okay, I'll just tell Lucy-nee to get ready."
"Uhh, Wendy?"
"Yes, Natsu-nii?"
"Your hair looks cute. It suits you.", Wendy blushed at the compliment then smiled.
"Thanks, Lucy-nee tied it."
"Tch. Just get that annoying angel and go down. Mom's waiting.", Natsu grunted while Wendy giggled.
"Okay."
"What's hothead's problem?"
"He just said that dinner's ready and Mom's calling us... and he called you annoying angel.", Wendy said innocently that made Lucy laugh sheepishly and try to brush it off.
"That annoying jerk.", she muttered under her breath.
"Did you say something Lucy-san?"
"Ah! No! No! What are you waiting for? Let's go Wendy!", Lucy said excitedly, ecstatic for the first family dinner she would have on her mission.
"Lucy, Mira called in today.", Grandeeney said while pouring water into her glass. They were at the dinner table and Grandeeney was very happy because they were having dinner together again. Her son, Natsu, usually skips dinner so she was ecstatic when she learnt that he was joining them that night. It's quite early to say, but she had hunch that it must have been because of Lucy that Natsu had been opening up to them again.
"She did?", Natsu and Lucy simultaneously asked making the two of them look at each other and eventually look away. Grandeeney cleared her throat and continued.
"Yes, Lucy dear, she sent living expenses for you and mentioned that she'll send your papers so you can enroll in Natsu's school. Ah! She's a very polite young lady. She said something about work getting extended and apologised for making you stay here. Really, we love having you here, you're mot imposing on us at all!", the old woman rambled.
"What?!" the two shouted simultaneously again making them glare at each other.
"That's great, Lucy-nee! Now we can go to school together! I'm on the elementary division though.", Lucy broke her glaring competition with Natsu and faced the girl.
"Wendy! I'm excited to see your school!" she said with a smile that made Natsu grunt in irritation. Lucy was practically ignoring him! Not that he cared though, she was always annoying him anyway. He glanced at her sideways huffed.
"Great, I'll call Makarov and tell him that you'll enroll there on Monday, meanwhile, why don't you girls go shopping? I heard Lucy's baggage was left on the train so she doesn't have her things with her.", Igneel said with a smile making Lucy's face light up.
"Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel!"
"Just call us Mom and Dad if you want Lucy.", Igneel offered making Natsu almost spill his drink.
"Uh.. Thanks M-mom and D-dad" Lucy tried saying. She suddenly felt a constriction in her chest and her tears suddenly welled up.
"Is something wrong Lucy?", Grandeeney asked with worry in her voice.
"Uh. No. I'm sorry for ruining the mood, it's just that I'm thinking if my real parents would be as nice as you too. I can't really remember them or at least my childhood so..." Lucy trailed off while wiping the tears that fell from her eyes.
"Sorry, I'm kinda weird to be missing people whom I don't even know.", she said with a smile that made Grandeeney and Igneel smile sadly at her.
"I'll get the guest room ready for you Lucy but for tonight, you can stay with Natsu or Wendy first since I still need to remove some boxes there. You can move in there tomorrow though.", Grandeeney said while taking the plates to the sink; Lucy and Wendy helping. The Dragneels and Lucy were already done with their dinner and they were just cleaning up.
"Oh! Lucy-nee can stay with-"
"You're not saying anything Wendz.", Natsu said in serious tone while covering his sister's mouth.
"Lucy's gonna stay with me.", he declared then took Lucy's hands and dragged her upstairs. The Dragneel women could hear Lucy's protest that he didn't even want her on the bed because her scent will be all over.
Grandeeney and Wendy looked at each other and Happy came flying above their heads.
They swore that the cat was rolling its tongue while saying 'They liiiiiiike each other'.
2 days and 99 more to go
Edited-07-22-2016
