Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail.
A/N:I apologize in advance for any 'bitchy' behavior Natsumi seems to exhibit towards any of the characters-I don't hate them I promise!-it's just for the sake of the story.
III.
"I refuse."
Natsumi did not want to join a "guild" or whatever the old man called it. All she wanted was to find her mentor and continue her training to get stronger. "Yes" she thought. That was all she wanted at the moment. And if she were being totally honest, a majority of the people in the supposed guild hall came off as exceptionally weak in her experience.
True there were a few whom had piqued her interest, so to speak. The master and the guy introducing himself as Gildarts-no one else-they seemed exceptionally powerful. Not as strong as Acnologia, but still fairly powerful.
The fact they were the only ones who dared approach her, after her harsh rejection of the Lisanna girl and most of the younger blue-haired boy was the only one brave enough left to scowl at her.
"Oh come now, don'tcha wanna stay and go on some adventures with us?"Makarov tried again, warmth radiated from his expression waving a hand as if to say 'go on, give it a whirl!', but still she refused. She shook her head, not budging an inch.
"Adventures are for babies."She said in a monotone. Her eyes turned hard.
"That's not true."Gildarts spoke up, grinning. "Spending time with those you care for, who care for you in turn, forging new bonds and strengthening those bonds everyday; that's what guilds are all about."
Makarov smiled when he said that. Some of the other members looking somehow reassured.
That is, until Natsumi spoke again-her words slicing through the cheery atmosphere like a knife through butter...
"And when those bonds betray you? When your so-called 'friend' thinks you're better off dead and alone?"Her eyes were becoming more hollow. "Friendship has no place in a fight, that's what da-my teacher said. "
Makarov and Gildarts both looked further distressed by this new information.
It was then that a new voice entered the conversation, drawing all attention towards it; it was the boy with blue hair and matching deep blue eyes, clad in only his boxers he strode over, rather cockily stopping just a few feet away.
"Heh, no wonder someone like you got so messed up. Tell me, where was your so-called 'teacher' when you were getting your shit kicked in-"
"Gray."Makarov reprimanded.
"-probably realized you were no good and so he just threw you away to the dogs. Leaving you to go crawling to someone else for a change."Folding his arms like he had just scored a victory. Natsumi only blinked, turning to give a long sideways glance.
"I take it you are speaking from experience then?"She finally asked, watching him flinch. "Because I cannot think of anyone who would be willing to take an apprentice who is unable to even dress themselves."
Natsumi turned to leave the guild hall. A chorus of laughter following her snide remark, making Gray's face flush a bright tomato red realizing he had once again stripped on his way over without knowing. This allowed her to pull one over on him, grinding his teeth in frustration when she brushed past him.
'I'll show her...!'He thought, enraged.
Unknowingly to the both of them a third party who had been watching grew worried when he saw the pinkette turn to leave. From his spot beside the counter, Laxus fidgeted nervously, still more than a little afraid of the cruel looking young girl. Gray could be mean sometimes too, but...
"She'll get lost...if she goes alone..."He mumbled quietly, his voice just barely reaching a whisper.
As expected no one else heard. One might argue that made things more easy for little Laxus to slip out in the first place, that and the fact Gray was now throwing a temper tantrum in regards to how the new girl 'dissed' him. The rest of the guild still roaring with laughter.
"Master...?"Gildarts whispered, cupping a hand against his mouth gesturing to the spot where Laxus once stood.
Makarov only shook his head propping himself back on top of the bar, sipping a new mug.
"Leave them be. Who knows? Perhaps this encounter will do them both some good..."
Gildarts only nodded. Shifting his attention back on the simmering Gray, noting the way the poor boy had yet to stop blushing.
XxX
Once outside the guildhall, Natsumi frowned.
There were people,lots and lots of people smiling, chattering and just going about their lives. Immediately her brows pinched into a glare, a brewing look of deep loathing spreading across her face remembering her master's words on humans as a whole:
"They are a selfish, vain lot. If there is any species more worthy of loathing than Dragons, it is them. They are just as much your enemy as Dragons are, they will never accept someone like you."
At the time she was still somewhat naïve and so she didn't understand what he meant fully, but she had learned the hard way-in time. Humans sucked. She just wanted to get as far from this place as possible right now, trying and failing to recall the direct route that old hag-porlu-something or another-had taken to bring her here in the first place.
Along the way a few of the passing pedestrians shot her wry glances and dirty looks. She doubted they had seen someone like her-battered, dirty, dressed in some torn apart garments-and so naturally they gave a small berth of space to her as she walked, something that didn't bother her all that much.
It did, however, strike a chord with someone else.
Laxus was trailing behind, trying not to trip over himself too much when he looked up and took notice of the looks of some of the passing townsfolk. They looked at the little pink-haired girl like some kind of disease with legs.
'Huh, why are they...?'He let the thought go unfinished, instead trying to work up the courage to actually talk to her somehow.
She had dismissed him so easily back in the guild, his waning confidence-what remained of it-dropped to an all-time low.
"Huh. Laxus?"A gruff voice called out. It was one the young boy knew well too, causing him to flinch.
"F-father!"He said, his voice rising a bit in surprise, only to drop back down, ducking his head when he saw the hard eyes of his dear ol' dad bore into him like molten rocks. Clutching the hem of his shirt, he tried hard not to tremble in the other man's presence, but Ivan Dreyar was nothing else is not intimidating with his tall, bulky frame. Dark eyes and hair that unlike Laxus's own golden blonde, went along well with his dad's more tanned complexion.
"What are you doing out of the guild, boy?"
Laxus fidgeted."I-I...uhh..."
He didn't get to finish though, when a large hand shot down and grabbed him, easily hefting him off the cobblestone path by the hair on his head. "Look at your father when he is speaking to you, understand?" Ivan hissed, vehemence dripping in every word. A sound similar to a sob broke through poor Laxus' lips nodding.
"I-I'm sorry f-father...!"He rasped, only to be carelessly thrown back down onto the ground, whimpering.
"Useless good for nothing boy!" Ivan hissed, ignoring the tears of pain that now swelled in his son's eyes."If you have time to wander about then do something productive with your time like train. You're more of an embarrassment than the old man who calls himself our guild master."
"B-but Gramps is-!"
A fist came down beside Laxus' head, smashing the surrounding stone to pieces. Forcing Laxus into biting his tongue, his small frame shaking like a leaf in the wind looking towards the ground. He could feel his father's disapproving eyes even as the older male turned and started walking away.
"I-I'm sorry..."Spilled from his trembling lips."I'm sorry...I'm sorry..."Even though his father was now gone. Tears spilled down his face, falling to the ground. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry...!"
"You really are weak." A cold voice-not his father's anymore-chided.
Unable to stop shaking he sat up, his now glittering eyes meeting a familiar pair of cold onyx ones.
Natsumi arched a brow before a sardonic smile tugged at the corners of her lips. "It's no wonder he's so ashamed of you, you know?" Her eyes took in his trembling form, the tears staining his cheeks. "I would be too. You're pathetic after all."
Laxus' lip quivered. He didn't say anything though, no denial of her words, and no scathing comeback that would have said otherwise.
Having no further words to say, and not seeing a purpose in lingering Natsumi turned right back around to continue walking. She had to get stronger after all, and for that she needed to hurry back to her master. Still, she found herself stopping when the boy she called weak called out to her.
"W-wait-" He said, taking a small step forward only to trip immediately.
Natsu scowled. Her left brow twitching just a little. 'Is he serious? He can't even walk, what good is he?'She thought, annoyed. Especially since he persisted in following her. He was very annoying.
"U-umm..."Laxus muttered, rubbing his now slightly bruised nose gathering himself back up, looking sheepish at best. He could see cold fury brewing in the girl's eyes. "Y-you've never been to Magnolia, r-right? So...you could, y-you know...get lost."He bit out meekly.
"Magnolia?"Natsumi repeated, now arching a brow. "Is that where I am?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Doesn't ring a bell." She said flatly. She turned, walking again, this time Laxus trotted along after her.
"Stop following me." She snapped."You're annoying."
He didn't listen. She would throw insults at him every minute and a half or so, accompanied by another scathing look of hatred saying how he was weak and slowing her down. Still, he refused to leave her, insisting she would only get lost if left on her own.
Natsumi hated every second of it. He was like a cockroach.
"Enough already!" She finally snapped, whirling on him. "You're like a stupid little cockroach! Get lost already, or I'll-what are you staring at!?" She didn't like being ignored when making death threats, so she followed his line of sight.
.
"We're back at the guild."Laxus said, softly. The familiar, brightly colored letters of the Fairy Tail sign showing proudly above the red tiled roof. They had somehow gone in a complete circle, Natsumi was mortified.
"This is all your fault!"She screeched, tackling an unsuspecting Laxus in a moment of blind fury.
XxX
"I don't care what Gramps says," Gray said. "That girl ain't any nakama of mine."
Inside the guild the younger generation were all fathered and off the side again. The topic of Natsumi still sparking quite a stir with most dead set against the idea, but there were a select few seeming to at least give it some thought-Cana, Elfman,Levy and Lisanna herself being the only ones to openly accept the notion. It made Mira scowl recalling the way said girl had treated her dear little sister.
"I agree. That girls nothing but trouble!" Mira added, folding her arms against her chest.
"I don't know about that, maybe she just needs a friend!" Lisanna chirped, not seeming the least bit discouraged in her attempts to befriend the new, enigmatic girl. "I'm sure if we all keep trying she'll open up eventually."
None of the others looked nearly convinced, even those considering the possibility of Natsumi joining them. Gray, however, was the most vocal in his protests.
"Get real Lisanna! You saw how she treated everyone here, what she said to us!" He said, a bit loudly making some of the older members look over. "She called us all annoying. Said we were weak, and to leave her alone." He huffed turning back around with his hands on his hips.
"I say good riddance she's gone." He finished with a slight scowl.
"Maybe..." Cana started to say, swallowing nervously when all eyes fell on her. "Maybe Lisanna has a point..."
"Oh for crying out loud, Cana, not you too!" Mira exclaimed.
Cana pressed on, looking towards the others. "We were all no better when we first joined, you especially Gray." At this Gray seemed to tense up, the remainder of his arrival at the guild turning his expression into a more crestfallen one.
"I...don't wanna talk about that..." He bit out. Unable to resist the urge to poke fun, Mira,being one of the ones to join later on-decided to tease him about it.
"Oh, what's this? Mister exhibitionist was feeling down in the dumps when he first joined? Ha! Wish I could have seen that." From her spot in the group, Erza looked at Gray with a small amount of concern recalling it being the Ice mage who first helped her in her own difficult time.
"Shut the hell up, you witch! "Gray said, an uncharacteristic amount of anger dripping in his voice as he smacked Mira's hand away, shocking the lot of them, drawing more than a few concerned looks from those that knew of the boys past.
His hands clenched into fists at his sides, jaw clenched in anger, hearing words from so long ago echo in his mind taunting him of his failures and mistakes:
"It's all your fault! Because of you...because of you, she's dead!"
Without another word he turned, stalking towards the door about to open it when...
/WHACK!/
"I can't believe you tricked me into coming back here, you weakling." Came Natsumi's irritated huff, sauntering back in with a now slightly beat-up Laxus. He had dirt on his clothes and was nursing a light bump or two, courtesy of Natsumi not wanting to 'waste all her energy on someone like him'.
"But...I-I was following you-"
Natsumi stopped, cutting him off by whirling around, fixing him with a cold glare.
"Just shut up and grab me a map or something, so I can be on my way." She said with a slight huff.
It was at that moment the doors creaked shut, and a certain peeved off ice mage was revealed to the two-the imprint of a door still on his face-glaring at Natsumi. The pinkette only stared, not the least bit threatened or amused by the antics of the other. She did, however, scoff in his direction before striding away.
Looking back on things, she would always question the turn of events that day, wondering how if things went differently it would have affected their lives?
"Hey you lousy prick!" Gray yelled, his fist already latched onto Natsumi's shirt pulling her a bit closer when she didn't resist. She blinked at him with dull, uninterested eyes. "Why don't you watch where you're going next time, huh!?"
Another scoff passed her lips, using her hand to swat away his. "Why don't you go beat up a pole or something? At least then you may actually pose some sort of challenge to it." She turned to walk away again, only this time Gray wasn't going to stand for it. He readied his attack while her back was turned.
"I'll show you! Ice make-"
"Gray, no!" Erza called out. A blue magic symbols appeared over Gray's hands followed by a chill.
Something in Natsumi's eyes turned feral sensing the oncoming magic and reacting first.
"Chaos Dragons ROAR!"
The resulting blast was horrifying to the surrounding guild members and townsfolk. The powerful burst of Chaotic magic that tore through the surrounding wooden walls of the guild with ease momentarily blinding some of them, and causing others to flee. Bright white mixed in with equally bright blue and an unheard of amount of blackness-all of it hitting poor Gray head on.
"What in the world is going on out here!?" Came Master Makarov's indignant shout, racing out of his back office along with Gildarts, Porlyusica and Ivan just in time to see the powerful attack dissipate.
And in it's aftermath leave behind a severely beaten Gray Fullbuster.
"G-...Gr...ay?" Erza stammered weakly.
The boy wasn't moving. Giving no response whatsoever, making the horrified stares turn to Natsumi in disbelief.
"GRAY!" Erza screamed rushing forward, running past Natsumi and skidding to a halt beside her friend."Gray, answer me! Come on, say something! Please!"
Natsumi watched the scene with disinterest, shaking her head in disgust choosing to forego the map and try to get out of this godforsaken town as quickly as possible. She started on her way, the scuffing of her feet causing Erza's head to snap up and in her direction.
"You...!" The redhead seethed, sword already in hand.
"W-wait, E-Erza-!" Laxus tried, just as horrified but somehow finding his voice just before said girl lunged.
Things moved in slow motion. Erza's sword in mid swing going down when it stopped suddenly.
"Laxus..." She breathed, eyes teeming with fury barely even stopping anymore to take notice of her comrade who blocked her way. "Move aside!" She yelled, no longer rational.
Laxus didn't respond, his body trembling with the steel sword only inches from his face. His chest was heaving and tears sprung in his eyes not used to seeing such a scary side of Erza before. Not able to muster the courage to give a real response, Laxus only shook his head.
"MOVE!" Erza bellowed.
"Erza, cease this at once."
The redhead stilled, her head slowly turning and seeing Makarov wearing a grim expression. Gray was being carried in the arms of Porlyusica with Gildarts at her side. Ivan was further away, glaring daggers at where his son stood, disgusted by how frightened the boy look by Erza of all things.
"But Master, we cannot-!"
"I said enough!" Makarov roared.
"She hurt one of our nakama!" Erza persisted, tears welling in her one eye. "How can you just-"
"I will deal with her myself." Makarov stated. "For now, getting Gray treated in more important, Gildarts stay here and take care of things." Makarov said softly, shooting a soft reprimanding look in Ivan's direction, noting the man's look of disdain towards Laxus. Gildarts nodded quietly.
"Yes Master, of course."
With that Makarov set off to find a certain little Dragon Slayer, whether she wanted to be found or not.
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