Hey y'all, sorry it took so long to update. My siblings have been hogging the only computer and I was working on this comic series I have. But just think, now I have two weeks to work on chapters! Thank you Winter Break!
The master's office was so quiet it was eating away at Natsu and Lucy. The master had called "Nalu" in to discuss their situation. They were sitting patiently for the old man to come in and the silence was maddening. No thoughts were going through their head at the time so it was even more unbearable. They shifted their eyes around the room in boredom.
GAH! When is Jii-Chan going to get here? He's the one who wanted to talk to us.
Have a little patience Natsu. It's only been a minute.
It's been the longest minute of my life! Natsu crossed their arms over their chest and pouted, their leg bouncing up and down repeatedly. Lucy mentally sighed.
Why do you have to make this difficult? Why can't you just behave? Can't you just sit here like a normal person?
Me?! What about you! What was with you staring at our nails like a weirdo.
Natsu a lot of girls do that. And you're one to complain. You ate like a pig downstairs and people were staring at us!
But that's how I normally eat.
But that's not how I eat! Control your eating habits!
Control your girlish habits!
They were both startled when the door to Makarov's office flew open. They glanced behind them to see Makarov, Mirajane, and surprisingly Laxus walk in. He stared down at them with disinterest. Natsu and Lucy smiled, trying to keep it more normal looking than their last one. Mira smiled back as she and the master walked over to his desk.
This conversation isn't over.
Agreed.
"Well Nalu, I'd like to introduce you to my grandson Laxus," Makarov said, gesturing to the blonde man next to him.
"It's n-nice to mee-et you," Lucy forced out.
Eww, don't be so polite with that Lightning Jerk.
Shut it Natsu.
"I was hoping you could go into further detail about your situation for us Nalu," said Makarov, "Can you start with what you remember before you ended up at our guild."
Natsu and Lucy hesitated. They had to be extra careful about what they revealed or they could be discovered. They cleared their throat.
"I-I remember walking home one n-night with a friend," they stared, each thinking of the other partner, "It was dark out and we were j-just talking," their cheeks grew red as Lucy recalled that night, "And that's really all we, I-I mean I-I reca-all. After that I woke up in y-your guild."
"That's not much to work with," grumbled Laxus, not paying attention to the slight mix up. Mirajane scolded him from her spot. Makarov placed a hand on his chin in thought.
"Are you sure that's all you remember?"
They nodded. Their dark eyes turned serious as they met with their master's.
"Master, I think I was kidnapped."
Laxus lifted a brow, "Kidnapped? You sure you didn't just get lost?"
Natsu and Lucy nodded, "I'm positive."
"Well that does explain how you ended up in the forest instead of in your hometown," said Mira.
"There's more," spoke Natsu and Lucy hesitantly, "I-I looked at the calendar in your infirmary and if it's correct t-then the night with that friend I spoke of h-happened three months ago."
Makarov, Mira, and Laxus' eyes grew at the revelation. Natsu and Lucy raised a questioning brow. Makarov leaned up on his desktop.
"Two of our guild members, Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia disappeared three months ago. We've been searching for them since." Natsu and Lucy sucked in a breath. Were they going to make the connection? Mira took a step forward her blue eyes gathering tears.
"Have you seen Natsu and Lucy? Please tell us you have!" Natsu and Lucy were relieved that they hadn't figured it out but felt guilty for hiding the truth from their family. Seeing their guild member so heartbroken was difficult for them to stand. Their head dropped slightly so they couldn't see the hurt in Mira's eyes.
"I'm sorry. I don't know where they are." Mira backed away, her tears falling down her cheeks.
"This could be an important development," mused Makarov, "We had considered kidnapping a possibility to Natsu and Lucy's disappearance, but we viewed it as unlikely. It would take a lot of power to capture those two."
"You really believe they could have been taken against their will?" asked Laxus. Makarov looked up at his towering grandson.
"I'll take anything at this point. They've been gone for three months and we've had no luck in locating them. If Nalu truly does have a connection to Natsu and Lucy's disappearance then I think we should follow her lead." Makarov turned back to the pinkette in front of him, "Nalu, I said I would help you regain your memories and I will, but can you please help us find our nakama in return?"
Natsu and Lucy didn't hesitate to nod, "I'll d-do whatever I can Jii-sir," they corrected. Makarov released a breath, looking at Mira.
"Contact Erza and Gray about this new lead. We'll have them come back to the guild to come up with a new strategy. As for Nalu," he eyed the tense woman, "we'll have to find some accommodations for you."
"Accommodations?" Natsu and Lucy squeaked, "you d-don't have to do-o that."
"Of course we do. You need a place to stay."
"I-I'm sure I can find-"
Luce, we have nowhere else to go.
Are you sure?
"Happy is at my house so we can't sneak into there and your landlady won't like us sneaking into yours.
"Nalu?" Mira asked, placing a delicate hand on the pinkette's shoulder. As she did, she jumped in her seat. Natsu and Lucy's eyes shot around the room in shock.
"S-Sorry, I-I zoned out there f-for a second!"
"It's alright dear," Makarov smiled, "We were just discussing where you were going to stay."
"W-Where?" they asked cautiously.
"Mira said that there were a couple extra rooms at Fairy Hills. You can have one of those till you regain your memories." Nalu's eye twitched.
F-Fairy Hills? The "all girls" apartment?
"Y-You really don't h-have to do that for u-me. I-I-I HAVE no way to pay you back!" Natsu exclaimed in hopes of changing their minds. Mira waved them off.
"It's no issue really. It's only temporary anyways. I insist," said Mira, smiling brightly. Natsu and Lucy couldn't resist her smile, especially since she was crying not long ago.
"Fine," they caved.
"Excellent," clapped Makarov, "we'll let you get situated. It's pretty late so you two young ladies should probably start heading out."
"But I still have a lot left to clean," said Mira.
"I'm sure Laxus won't have a problem doing that for you," said Makarov, grinning like a lunatic. Before Laxus could protest Mira grabbed Natsu and Lucy's hand and started running out of the office.
"Thank you Laxus! Bye Master!" she yelled back. She pulled Natsu and Lucy down the stairs and toward the guild exit. The few people still left in the guild watched questionably as they ran into the streets.
When they got outside, Mira released their hand from her iron grip.
"Fairy Hills is this way. Come on," she cheered, walking toward the apartment complex. Natsu and Lucy rubbed their soar hand, comical tears running down their face.
I think she broke something!
She could break a bat in half with that grip.
Mira and "Nalu" walked in silence most of the way. Every so often Mira would start up a conversation. Natsu and Lucy had trouble keeping it going because one of them always wanted to say something different. Eventually Mira decided to remain quiet as they walked in the dim light of the moon. The streets of Magnolia reminded Lucy of the night her whole situation started. She couldn't believe it took such a bizarre turn. There had to be away to reverse whatever happened to her and Natsu. There just had to be.
Um. Luce?
Yes Natsu?
I just, want to apologies for earlier. I shouldn't get mad at your girly habits just because we're stuck together now.
Even in the late night, their cheeks still turned a bright shade of red. It seemed so unlike Natsu to act the way he was acting. He seemed very mature at that moment.
I'm sorry too Natsu. You'd think I'd get used to your eating habits by now.
Yeah, but your girly habits are still weird, you weirdo.
A scowl spread across their face. Forget what she said about Natsu being mature.
That reminds me, we're not finished with that conversation from earlier!
Hey you're right!
Look Natsu, if this is going to work out between us then we have to set some ground rules.
You make it sound like we're dating.
N-No I don't now be quiet. Rule number 1: try to refrain from eating so much. I won't complain about your habits as long as you keep them under some sort of control.
Rule number 2: try not to act like such a girly girl all the time. Don't freak out so much about your appearance, you look pretty no matter what you do.
There was a long pass inside their subconscious. Both were incredibly embarrassed by what Natsu just said.
D-Don't think about what I said too much.
O-Okay. Rule number 3: We have to think more about what we're going to say. The stuttering is getting old and we need to fix that.
Agreed.
Rule number 4: no fighting with any other guild members.
WHAT?! You can't do that Luce!
Yes I can. Understand Natsu that this is for our own good. Please promise to restrain yourself.
… Fine.
Thank you.
Rule 5: What's your plan for the bathroom?
They suddenly froze in their spot, their eyes larger than dishes. Changing clothes was one thing but going to the restroom and bathing was a completely different matter. Their entire face went as red as a tomato and they started squeaking loudly. Mira glanced back at them in curiosity. When they saw her staring they quickly returned to a normal position smiling.
Mira shook her head and continued walking up the hill where the apartment complex was. Natsu and Lucy could see it from where they were standing. The lights of the building sparkled in the darkness of the night. They followed close behind Mirajane, their face still flushed from embarrassment.
G-Give me a minute to think of something.
Mira opened the door for Natsu and Lucy and they hesitantly entered. Natsu had never been inside the apartment due to the spell on the building to keep men out. He took in all the intricate details of the walls and floors.
This place is pretty nice. I see why you're too poor to afford it Luce.
Shut it Dragneel.
"Here we are," said Mira, stopping in front of a door. She pulled out a key and unlocked it. Mira pushed it open so Natsu and Lucy could see. The room had light blue walls and tan carpeting. There was a living room with two couches and a coffee table. The window in the living room gave them a perfect view of the city of Magnolia. They hesitantly walked in to scan the rest of the apartment.
They entered the kitchen next. It had simple white tile floors and white walls. The walls were lined with cabinets, a fridge, an oven, and a sink and dishwasher.
They continued to the other side of the apartment where the bathroom and bedroom were. The bathroom was nothing too special with its white interior with a sink, toilet, shower, and bathtub. They went into the bedroom next door that had a queen-sized bed with red blankets. Against the wall was a desk for writing and a dresser for clothes.
"Do you like it?" Mira asked from behind them. Natsu and Lucy smiled.
"It's l-lovely Mira-san, thank you." Mira nodded and started toward the door.
"If you need me, my apartment is two-doors down. Or you can ask Juvia who's right next door." Mira slowly closed the door, "Goodnight Nalu." Natsu and Lucy turned around enough to see Mira disappear.
"Good night Mira," they whispered. Now that they were by themselves in the empty apartment, they had no idea what to do. Even though they were together, Lucy couldn't help but feel all alone.
What now?
I guess we should get ready for bed. We've been out in the wilderness for a while so maybe we should, t-take a bath?
Are you okay with that? Natsu questioned as they made their way to the bathroom. They opened the door and strolled toward the bathtub. With shaky hands they turned the faucet on.
Y-Yeah, I'm sure it will work out? Right?
To be honest, I have no idea, they pulled out some towels from next to the shower, how do you want to do this?
Lucy didn't respond right away. The only sound in the room was the running of the bath water. Natsu began to grow increasingly nervous as it grew higher.
Natsu?
Yeah Luce?
I want to try something, but you have to do exactly what I say, all right?
Their head nodded slightly in respond.
Okay Natsu, I want you to concentrate really hard. Think of something important to you. A person, an object, even a memory is okay, but I want you to think of something that matters to you more than anything in the world.
Imagine yourself with that one ting and focus on it. There is nothing but you and it. Nothing else matters.
Natsu focused on her soft voice. He found himself lost in her words. They carried him through his mind and led him to the destination she had been speaking of.
Before him was a golden field. The grass blew carelessly in the breeze. He looked down at his hands and instead of the pale, feminine ones he had before, they were his own. It shocked Natsu realizing he had forgotten what his own hands looked like. How could he forget?
His gaze drifted up toward the plain. Standing a few feet away from him was a woman with long, blond hair. Her dark brown eyes and tender smile expressed a sweet emotion Natsu wasn't used to seeing.
He took a couple steps toward the image of his partner, his hand reaching out towards her. As he did so he thought about everything that had been happening.
What if this was their fate? He hated thinking about it but what if they were doomed to spend the rest of their lives trapped in one body? Would they ever voice their own voices, think their own thoughts, live their own lives.
Would he ever get to see her face again?
Natsu?
Natsu snapped out of his trance suddenly. He glanced around to find him and Lucy in their bedroom with the lights turned off. He looked down at their body to find them covered in black pajamas. A strand of pink hair fell into his vision and he noticed it was wet.
How? What? How did you do that? He asked.
I'm not sure. I just tried to get you to focus on something else so that I could take control and get ready for bed.
Did you, you know, see anything I saw?
No, I was busy washing.
Oh, okay, he thought nervously. If she had known about that it would have been embarrassing. They slowly walked toward the bed and climbed into it. Neither of them knew what to say to each other as they pulled the covers over them and snuggled into the bed. They each thought about what had happened a couple minutes before. Lucy had no idea she could get Natsu to do what he did successfully and Natsu had no idea how he was able to follow her command. Everything was a mystery to them now. What else could their new body do?
They didn't want to be bothered by those thoughts as sleep began to overpower them. They would solve everything in time, and like always they would do it together.
Good night Luce, Natsu whispered in their thoughts as their eyes closed.
Good night Natsu, Lucy thought back. A small smile graced their tired lips.
"Sweet dreams."
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