Author's Note: Hey-o! I updated! Uh, well if I didn't you wouldn't be readin' this!... Or you just don't care. I know how it is. I just saw THE Fairy Tail Movie and episode 175 of the tv series and let me tell you, Hiro Mashima better get his act together and make NaLu canon. I'm dying of emotional trauma! Bad news I have to go back to school cause my summer break ends soon! TT^TT... So, yeah, uh, bye for now!
Disclaimer: I don't know what in the name of flopping cats goes on in Hiro Mashima's head so... Fairy Tail would have ended before it started if I owned it. So if Fairy Tail never started how could I own it?(Crushed it!)
Ch. 4: What's that Strange Plant, Pengu?
The almost suffocating smell of alcohol filled the ginormous room. The warm chandeliers gave off a foggy light as music and voices resounded off the walls. Young women in dresses that hugged their frames were accompanied by young men in somewhat dressy attire. The whole first floor was filled to the brim with happy faces and tables full of men and women alike sharing a drink of alcohol. The sky-high evergreen tree twinkled brightly in a corner and held many's eyes. Through out the celebrations though, upon the second floor stood a solitary girl. Her eyes reflected the festive scene before her as she stared down at her friends. Her hair fell gracefully upon her shoulders as she leaned on the banister, overlooking the small festival. Her dress hugged her gracious frame and had a small ticklish trim of white fuzz around the silky red. Her hand held her cheek as she gazed merrily at the group.
Lucy loved Fairy Tail with all her heart and had enough fun watching them that she could be lost in the cheery atmosphere. She didn't mind that no one noticed her missing presence at the moment, the scene before her was just too perfect... She smiled softly at the group as they continued partying and playing around with new gifts. All the girls had given their Secret Santa gifts and the annual gift exchange was quite insane. Lucy's smile widened when she rememebered the small stash of presents she had recieved from her friends.
Christmas was really a great experience after all. When Lucy had been living with her father, Christmas was always a lonesome holiday. She would sit alone in the dining hall as her father worked and the servants plastered on fake smiles to hide their pity for the little girl.
Lucy didn't let the unpleasant memories hinder her mood and sighed happily as she sipped a little bit of her spiked fruit punch. She had watered it down of course because she wasn't much of a drinker and despised the hangovers. She didn't notice the light increase in heat in the already warm area. She only noticed the other presence when she felt someone playing with a strand of her hair. She turned her head to look at the other person and smiled.
"Hey, Natsu. How's the party? I'm surprised a fight hasn't started yet..." Lucy said. Natsu continued to play with a strand of loose hair and shrugged,
"S'okay. It'd be more fun if everyone joined in," Natsu replied looking at Lucy. She blushed a bit at his-for once-serious face. "Or if that stupid fur-ball wasn't here!" Natsu pouted angrily as he stared at Nobi eating his fill of food and laughing with guild mates. His newly acquired black guild mark was imprinted on his left bicep. Lucy giggled as she watched her childish friend pout beside her.
"Is that what you came up here for? Trying to aviod another problem? Hm~?" Lucy said teasingly. "That's not the Natsu Dragneel I know!" she laughed out.
"Am not! I just noticed you were all alone so I thought I'd come up and talk with you. I still haven't given you your gift yet..." Natsu said matter-of-fact like. Lucy smiled and stood straighter. She had given her Secret Santa present to him, already and he seemed to like the belt with dragons on it and the children's book she had written and drawn about a red dragon and a young boy with pink hair. He was just too stupid to notice the fact that it was about him, then again her drawings were quite simple...
"Alright, thanks, Natsu! I really apreciate it," Lucy smiled.
"So, here," he said thrusting a little white box rapped in a blue ribbon into Lucy's hands. She smiled gratefully as she untied the ribbon.
Inside the little box laid a necklace and earrings. The necklace had a silver chain and a little pink gem that looked like a flame was held inside when light shone on it. The earrings were also silver but had little dangling drops of diamonds that glittered like stars. Lucy's mouth hung open a little in pure shock. She looked up at Natsu.
"Natsu... These are beautiful! Thank you so much!" Lucy said as she hugged him. Natsu hugged her back and smiled.
"It was nothing. I just had never gotten the chance to give you anything for Christmas before. I wanted to put seven years worth of Christmases into this one..." he said quietly into her ear.
Lucy looked up into Natsu's smiling face and she felt the tears roll down her cheeks. Her smile was more radiant than anything Natsu had ever seen.
"Thank you... Thank you, you idiot!" Lucy exclaimed as her lips once more lightly-as soft as a butterfly's wing-met Natsu's. He blinked in surprise before kissing her back. A sweet brief kiss.
When they pulled apart both had pink cheeks. Lucy had to say that Natsu's blushing face was one of her favorite expressions of his. They both smiled.
"Natsu, I really...really, love you," Lucy said quietly. Natsu's smile widened.
"I love you too, Lucy. More than anything," Natsu responded. Lucy's eyes widened as her blush spread across her face. The tears rolled down in big fat streaks and Lucy couldn't smile anymore. Natsu wiped away her tears grinning gently.
"Th-this h-has to be a-a dream-m! I'm s-so hap-py!" Lucy hicuped. Natsu hugged her to him. He patted her head affectionately.
A long whistle interupted the moment and both teens turned around to see the source of the sound. Nobi stood leaning on the banister smirking smugly. Lucy's blush deepened and she hid her face in Natsu's chest. His grip tightened as he snarled at Nobi.
"Alright, alright, I'm leaving. Mira-san wants everyone downstairs now, later lovebirds!" Nobi said turning and walking down the stairs, tail swaying haughtily.
"Let's show him, Lucy!" Natsu said. Lucy lifted her face with a small sound of confusion.
In mere seconds, Natsu had picked Lucy up bridal style and jumped onto the banister with a loud thud. Not many noticed and Nobi turned to look, amused by the situation. Lucy clutched onto Natsu's neck and he smirked.
"Ready, Lucy?" he asked excitedly.
"HELL NO!" Lucy shrieked. Natsu laughed and launched them off the wood. Nobi looked on at the scene as Natsu plummeted downward with a screaming Lucy. Lucy buried her face in Natsu's scarf. With a soft thud they landed on a table not far away from the overhanging walkway's banister.
"YOU IDIOT!" Lucy screamed punching Natsu's arm once he let her go. He dramatically fell over with a cry of fake anguish. Lucy and the surrounding guild members laughed. The two got off the table and started talking to the exceeds in front of them. Happy, excited about his gift from Charle, talked animatedly and Lily was swinging arouund his new sword. Bisca took Lucy over to the bar to chat about the happy atmosphere in the guild.
The guild quieted as Mirajane once again took the stage. The clock marked nine fifty eight at night and Mira held her clipboard at her side.
"Everyone! May I have your attention! Please stand up and come to the middle of the floor!" Mira asked and everyone obliged except for Nobi who had escaped to the second floor in his hybrid form, readily watching the scene playing out.
"Alright, thank you. Now then, I have prepared a special little game for you, since Master approved and Freed helped out, I would like to start the game one minute from now. Here's what's going to happen," Mira started to explain as Master Makarov and Freed took to the stage. "First, I will activate Freed's ruins. Second, I will pull down my little contraption from the ceiling. Third, you'll all have to cooperate with the game or be stripped naked in front of everyone! So, in three, two, one... Begin!" Mira shouted excitedly. The floor beneath the guild mates glowed a bright purple with magic. The people rose up off the floor with excited shrieks and nervous laughter and were launched around the room. They ended up zooming into boy and girl pairs and the married men and women went straight to the stage. Everyone looked around confusedly until Mira pulled a large rope from behind the Christmas tree. From the ceiling fell a baffling amount of mistletoe. The coupled people understood what Mira was aiming at when the green and red plants flew over top of each one.
"Now then, rule one, you have to kiss your partner for five seconds under the mistletoe or face my wrath, okay?" Mira said with sugary sweetness. Everyone stared at their partner with burning red faces. Gray and Juvia, Levy and Gageel, Wendy and Romeo, Natsu and Lucy, Erza and Jellal (yes, he came, too), and many others of Mira's favorite matches stood awkwardly. Finally, with a little threatening, people quickly finished the task and most were quite happy, especially Juvia.
Natsu stared at Lucy for a moment and then moved forward, he laced his fingers through her hair and ran his fingers through her blonde tresses. He cupped her face and leaned in. Lucy grabbed his scarf and pulled down making their lips meet for the third time that day.
They parted when the need for air overpowered their dancing senses.
"Third time's the charm!" Lucy said teasingly as Natsu rested his forehead against hers. He hummed his happy reply. the cheery pair didn't notice the commotion and laughter as Mira fainted from pure happiness on stage, mission accomplished.
Nobi snickered silently, watching the whole room. This place was pretty interesting. Maybe she wouldn't be able to trace him here. With that false hope Nobi waddled down and jumped into Lucy's arms.
"I said, N-O. No!" Lucy screamed at the pink-haired mage and Pengu Demon laying on her pink bed.
"But Lucy~... Your bed's so comfy and I wanna stay~," Natsu pouted as he rolled himself up in the pink comforter.
"Fine... But if you do anything weird, you're out. Okay?" Lucy said picking up her pajamas and walking to her bathroom. As she shut the door Natsu unfurled himslef and sat up.
"YES!" Natsu whispered loudly with a fist pump. Nobi waddled around tiredly in his hybrid form. He placed tow big puffy pillows on the windowsill and grabbed a small blanket.
"G'night! Don't be too loud, okay? I have sensitive hearing," Nobi said as he laid down and drifted off to sleep. Natsu yawned and laid down on the bed once more. He kicked off his shoes, shimmied over towards the wall to give Lucy some space, and dove under the covers. As he popped his head out he heard the soft beat of running water, steady and rythmic, through the closed door and gave a tired smile. He turned and laid on his side to face the bathroom door. His eyes drooped and seemed to be weighed down by heavy sand bags until his soft snores filled the room.
Lucy walked out of the steamy sanctuary to see Natsu innocently sleeping. She sighed and shook her head with a small smile and her hands fell on her hips. She waltzed over and quietly got into bed nervously. She scooted over close to Natsu's sleeping form after she turned the lights off. His natural warmth seeping into the covers. Lucy felt her cheeks grow a little warm from the close proximity-the heat she told herself, it's just the heat. She timidly snuggled into the dragon slayer's chest and took a deep breathe. He smelled like smoke with a hint of honey. Her damp hair warming and drying slowly from the new heat. She yawned silently and started to drift into a deep sleep with wonderfully warm dreams, but not before she felt a strong arm wrap tightly around her waist and pull her closer.
The velvet night sky stretched above the bright lights that illuminated the streets of Magnolia. The glimmering stars shone like diamonds, yet were barely visible and went unnoticed by the the people still roaming the cold streets. Shadows danced between the shades of light cast upon the ground by the street lamps and the cool dim of the full moon.
The sharp tapping of footsteps resounded throughout the nearly deserted streets. The lavender boots with silver heels marched through the city. They stretched upward to mid-thigh on the young girl who adorned them. They immediately met torn fishnet stockings that were only partially visible. The rustling of the roayl purple skirt, short and plaid, accompanied the loud steps. A thin black belt wrapped around her slim waist tightly and a small silver chain hung loosely from the belt's side. The tight grey scoop neck hugged her simple curves. Two white straps peeked out from beneath the thin fabric. A long white scarf with black swirls wrapped around her neck. The ends were frayed and had a matching design on both that resembled a cartoon eye. On one elbow was a ripped piece of a fishnet that fit snugly over her lean muscular arm.
Her hands swung in fists at her sides, fingerless leather gloves-the color deeper than the darkest night-were strapped on both hands. Her long white tail-a sharp arrow-like point at the end-wrapped around her shirt and torso.
A small pair of horns glittered in the warm yellow light. They stuck out on both sides of the girl's blonde head. Her long blonde hair fell to the small of her back and two long black streaks of hair fell over her cheek bones and cast shadows over her pale face. Her shorter bangs slanted to one side and gradually became longer as they framed her face.
Her slim brown eyebrows arched delicately over her crystal clear eyes and were set in determination. Her fierce eyes, amethyst and bright, contained a fiery spark that hypnotized onlookers. Her cheeks were rosy from the cold and accentuated her porcelain complexion making it look creamy. Her plush lips were as red as a rose and were drawn into a small frown as she concentrated on her task.
Her whole figure was fit and not an ounce of fat would be seen on her body, except in the right places-maybe. Her lean muscles flexed with every motion and were made by days of hard soldier conditioning and training. Her will was strong and her mind sharp. The perfect soldier.
Jez pulled her scarf up to her nose with one hand as she looked around. The night air was bitterly cold as it whipped around her frame. Her naturally high body temperature had kept the Pengu Demon warm through out the day but her energy was running low. The young beautiful girl shivered visibly. Where was that troublesome prince?
"St-stupid P-prince! It's Christm-as and no-w I have n-no warm-m pl-place to stay a-and am go-going to freeze t-to de-ath!" Jez grumbled out through chattering teeth. She would have brought that warm jacket she had recently bought had she only known Earthland was so cold...
Jez wandered on and the streets grew emptier of the few stragglers. It grew quite late into the night and with no luck in finding her target, Jez started to search for a place to sleep. She came upon a very large building with lights still lit and pushed the wooden gate open.
The stone building reminded Jez of Hell's Palace in size but held more of a cheerier demeanor. She pushed the large front doors open and gladly excepted the rush of warm air as she entered-and the loud noise. She saw what she guessed was a Christmas celebration going on in the large mess hall. Jez spotted out of the corner of her eyes a little old man observing and drinking from the second floor's walkway's banister. She trudged up the stairs enjoying the throbbing of warm blood in her ears.
"E-excuse me, sir," Jez said catching the attention of the balding man in the white trench coat.
"Oh, hello! Have I seen you before? You're not apart of this guild, Fairy Tail, are you?" the small man inquired and Jez shook her head. He nodded and smiled,"Well, what can I do for you, child? I am the master of the guild, Makarov," he stated.
"Um, is there any chance that I could spend the night here? I'm looking for someone in this town and I have not been here before. I have nowhere to go and it is rather cold tonight," Jez asked bowing. Makarov smiled and patted her shoulder.
"Of course, of course! Please come this way!" he said hopping down and beckoning the young girl to follow, never asking a thing about the tail or horns, he had had enough of those today.
He led her through the vast halls to a room with cream walls and a large pink bed. A large window on the wall beside the bed had deep velvet curtains drawn and a view of the town. A light snow had started and gently fell onto the morning's snowy leftovers. The city lights twinkled brightly and the clouds shrouded the stars and moon.
"Now then, have a good rest and I'll see you in the morning," Makarov said preparing to leave.
"Wait!" Jez said abruptly and halted the little man,"Is there anything I can do to repay your kindness? I would be much obliged."
Makarov smiled and gripped the doorknob,"We'll see, consider this a request for the guild. We'll talk in the morning, right now rest," and with that he shut the door softly and returned to the festivities.
Jez kicked off her boots, jumped under the covers, and nuzzled into the pillows. She yawned and started to nod off thinking she'd catch that troublesome boy the next day, for sure.
"Lucy~~! Please-just this once~~~?!" a low whine drawled as the large wooden doors swung open.
"Natsu, for the last time, I WILL NOT wear your scarf! I'm happy with the one I got from Nobi!" Lucy waved off the pitiful dragon slayer's pout. Nobi had given her a striped scarf, red and black, for Christmas. It had two matching devilish wings on both ends. Lucy thought it was adorable and wore it out to brave the cold. Nobi snickered as he sauntered around the irritated fire mage, slapping Natsu's back in a 'in-your-face' kinda way. Natsu growled at the horned man.
"Lucy-san! Would you like to go on a job together?" Wendy asked as Lucy sat down on a bar stool. She smiled and nodded. Not long after their conversation started Erza, Juvia, and Levy chimed in.
"Juvia thinks this could be a girls only mission!" Juvia spoke in her cute third-person way. Wendy nodded making a sound of agreement.
"I need new armor anyway, I think a girls only job request would be perfect for extra money!" Erza said taking out a very, VERY long list of desired armor.
"I think it would be the perfect getaway!" Lucy sighed sipping a cup of hot chocolate as her nose and ears warmed up.
"Alright, we'll plan a job request for three days from now! That way we'll be back in time for New Year's!" Levy suggested. The girls agreed and started happily chattering away about perfumes and jewlery.
The guild was still giddy from its celebrations and the decor still remained in-tack. The normal flare of brawls and drinking contests were at full throttle and nobody noticed the confused guest in the corridors.
"Oh hell, everything looks the same! I think I passed this column three times! I feel like that little old man took me in just to trap me!" Jez groaned as her silver heels clicked on the marbled floors. She looked around at the mahogany wood doors with brass doorknobs that lined the corridors and the twisting stairs that led to different levels. She sighed and turned right toward the echoing loud noise she had been hearing for the past few hours as she was meandering through the huge palace-like structure.
"I'm really bad with directions, aren't I?" Jez sighed to herself, her sharp canines nibbling on her bottom lip softly as her eyes scanned the corridor.
"Gray! Come back and fight, Ice Bastard!" a male voice yelled.
"Shut up, Flame Brain! I'm busy!" another deeper voice yelled back. The sounds of wood breaking echoed around the walls and loud laughter could be heard.
"M-my cake!" a woman's voice screeched and the fighting only grew more intense, from the sounds of it.
"Ouch! What the hell, Pinky?! Watch where your walkin'!" a very familiar voice yelled followed by a loud crash-wait, that couldn't be?!
"Only a man can wi-" another voice bellowed.
"Get out of the way!" the four voices from before interupted loudly, and more damage ensued.
Jez's eyes widened as she sped up to a jog. A large wooden doorway seperated a different room, a mahogany banister and walkway came into view. Jez leaned over the banister and her hair flew past her shoulders.
Many tables were broken and sharp fragments of wood were flying everywhere along with bottles and barrels of liqour. A cloud of dust masked the fighters and the audible sounds of punches and kicks emanated from the cloud. Jez scanned the room quickly, her tail swinging behind her. He...wasn't here...
"Why, if it isn't our late night visitor! Did you sleep well?" Jez turned to the voice of the little man from the night before. She bowed and smiled.
"Thank you for your hospitality! I really apreciate it!" Jez replied to Makarov. "How can I repay you?"
"I have two simple questions," he stated hopping up onto the banister to be at eye level, he reminded Jez of Lord Satan in height.
"Yes, ask away!" she smiled.
"Why do you have horns and a tail?" Makarov asked overlooking the brawl and saw Jez out of the corner of his eyes. She grinned.
"I was wondering why you did not inquire this last night, sir. I am a Pengu Demon, a rare celestial spirit. I am a Light Maiden of Mephis. My mother was the Light Saint Mephis and my father the second strongest demon in hell, Tadase. I am known as a Straldon, a mix betwen light and dark, and I am a loyal soldier sworn to obey Lord Satan's commands. I was sent here to find someone," Jez explained standing straight and tall. Makarov nodded along as she talked.
"My second question is, who is this person that you're searching for?" Makarov asked with an idea already in mind.
"Oh, a bothersome brat. He's Lord Satan's third son, the most powerful of the three, and he ran away from home. He has red hair, large round horns, and a pointed tail like mine, only it's black. If you see him please let me know, I'll be in this town for a little bit because I know he's hiding in this city somewhere!" Jez said determindly. She bowed her head to the guild master.
"I have one request for you, sir," Jez said and Makarov nodded for her to continue,"May I please stay here while I am in this city? I would forever be in your debt!"
"Would you complete any request I made of you whole heartedly?" Makarov asked facing Jez. She nodded enthusiastically.
"You would be helping me complete my orders, sir! Of course I would!" Jez replied. Makrov smiled and agreed to the terms.
"Oh, and one more thing, please call me Master Makarov," he asked, smiling toothily.
"Of course, Master Makarov!"
"Prepare yourselves, insolent fools!" Erza bellowed as she heaved a table over her head and threw it. The large circular piece of wood knocked over many brawlers and continued to roll around. It ended up squashing the rest that were still standing, ending the fight. Nobi stopped the table by catchng it with one hand, and laughed at the battlefield.
"You guys are too much! I'm never going back to Hell now!" Nobi laughed out. The guild erupted into laughter and festivities once again continued as the fighters stood up and brushed themselves off. These dog fights were very common in Fairy Tail and Nobi couldn't get enough of them.
"Ramhead, leave already would ya'?!" Natsu said slamming his forehead together with the red haired man.
"Make me, Pansy," Nobi hissed menacingly. The dark aura emanating from their stares was intense and caused many to back away.
Upon the second floor's walkway Jez stood frozen staring at Makarov. Her keen ears had picked up his voice and his laughter. She turned her head ever so slowly to finally see the horned man flicking his tail menacingly at a salmon haired stranger. Her mouth hung open in shock as her face paled. Her sharp canines glittered in the light as she closed her mouth. She hopped up onto the banister careful to balance on her heeled boots. She crossed her arms under her chest. She glared at the smiling youth as he interacted normally. Makarov smirked wanting to watch the scene play out and try to peek up her skirt just a bit... Jez took in a deep breathe and steeled her will.
"I finally found you!" She hollered over the guild's noise. The commotion dwindled down until it was silent. Nobi stood stock still, a shiver ran up his spine.
"Oh, Prince~?" the female called from the banister with a sugary sweet tone. Nobi slowly turned around to see the girl standing on the banister. His face paled and he took a step back.
"Do you know how much trouble you caused me, Prince Nobi?" Jez said cocking her head to the side, aware all eyes were on her. Nobi took another step back.
"Well? Are you going to greet me?" Jez said darkly as she uncrossed her arms and pushed her hair behind her ears. No one moved. No one removed their eyes from the demonic beauty. Maybe no one breathed.
Nobi gulped.
"J-Jez!" What a surprise!" Nobi said anxiously. Jez glared.
"You knew I was going to find you, Prince. Now, we're returning to Hell, by order of Lord Satan," Jez stated, it was more like an absolute order.
"Shit!" Nobi hissed.
And all Hell broke loose-metaphorically speaking.
Author's Note: Sorry for the wait but I hope this made up for it! Will Nobi survive? Will Lucy keep her magic? Will Jez-? All revealed next chapter... Maybe... Anyways, thank you my followers, favers, reviewers, and readers! I hope to make a great story!
=^..^=
