So, Wassup, guys? I have been so tired and sad lately about that you-know-what-thing if you actually bother to read these updates. This part was just not that fun for me. Mainly because I feel bad, but also because I feel it's that awkward scene you have to set up the entire story that just isn't interesting enough to keep you awake. I almost felt like saying "NO! I'm going to write the good stuff without an explanation!" Anywho, there's a part where it may seem rushed and not enough description, but that was kinda what I was going for. Hope you like it! Thanks guys!
This strange man had me by the neck. I was surprised at how calm I was as I assessed the situation. He was definitely a guy. My legs could still move. Just my upper body was immobile.
"Don't move or I'll kill you!" He hissed into my ear. Now, I don't know about you, but this just made me mad. This man, whether he was a robber or a bandit, he decides to threaten me on the worst day possible. It's as if the whole world has turned against.
Still annoyed I swung back my leg, knowing just where to aim. I heard him let out a grunt in pain and he released me from his grip. I didn't take any time to hesitate, grabbing a branch off the ground and turning so it was in his face. Okay, so, a branch. Not very menacing, I'll admit, but it can do some damage at the very least and I wasn't about to risk calling out my celestial spirits.
The man fell to his knees in pain and looked up at me with teary eyes.
"I was just kidding!" He cried and fell on his side. I perked my head up in confusion, lowering the branch in my hand. Just kidding? Whaaat?
I sat by the man as he got over the pain in his abdominal area. When he started looking better, I thought that maybe I could get him some water! There's a river nearby! Oh, well, that wouldn't work since it's all dark out, I don't want to risk falling into it. I sighed as I thought over a way to make it up to him until I realized that I shouldn't have to. I lifted my head at this, completely ignoring the man's gaze.
He snuck up on me! And for what? A joke? I thought I might die!
"You think a lot, don't ya?" He laughed, pulling me back to reality. I stared at the strange man, wondering what to say. "I've never seen anyone pull off that many expressions before!"
"It's just a habit of mine, I guess." I sighed once more and leaned against the tree we were at. This guy…
"So, I guess you know how to fight, huh?" He asked, his eye as playful as a child's.
"Fight? Yeah, I fight okay." I said, unsure of why this would interest him.
"That's cool! You should totally fight me one day!" He announced, making my jaw drop.
"Did I do something to make you mad?!" I asked.
"No, of course not!" He stared at me as if my question was so strange.
"Then why do you want to fight?" I asked, feeling slightly uncomfortable around him now. Would he attack me, again?
"Because it's fun!" He laughed a full laugh. The dark forest seemed hardly scary with such a bright laugh filling the air. Now, that I look at him more closely, he was quite handsome. He had tan skin and black eyes with a piercing look to them. And he had spiky, pink hair. I found it quite funny to see a guy with pink hair. I couldn't help, but chuckle at it. "What?! Why are you laughing?"
"You're hair! I'm sorry, but it's a bit girlish, don't you think?" I giggled. He brought a hand up to his face and grabbed a lock of his own hair.
"Really? I was born with it, so I never really questioned it." He said.
"Sorry, for laughing! My name's Lucy Heartfilia by the way!" I held my hand out to him and he took it gingerly.
"Natsu Dragneel. At your service!" He grinned.
"Um… So, why are you alone in the woods?" I questioned.
"I thought everyone was doing it now-a-days!" He joked. "Nah, I'm traveling to the city of Magnolia. I just happened to be passing by when I heard someone."
"So, you decided to jump me?" I stood up on my knees to where I somewhat towered above him.
"Did I get you?!" He looked at me with those eyes again. I sat back down at the sight of them.
"Yeah, I guess."
"Cool! So, why are you here?"
"Me?"
"Yeah!"
"I- I just needed some time to think…" I hugged my knees to my body as I thought of the past events that took place. Wendy… Levy… Gajeel…
I rested my chin on my knee in hopes that it would somehow comfort me.
"Hey, hey!" yelled Natsu and he slapped me hard on the back. I completely forgot about my wallowing state and turned to yell at him. "So you're from around here? Do you know where Magnolia is?"
I sighed, realizing that yelling was useless. "Yeah, I live there."
"Great! You should give me directions!"
"All right, you just need to follow that trail over there, kay?" I grimaced.
"That's great and all, but I need you to read the map for me!"
"Why?" I asked and he sat back, trying to choose his next words carefully.
"I can't read!"
"This is all pictures though…"
"I'm color-blind."
"Really? Color-blind?" I asked and Natsu nodded.
"You can just get there by following the path!"
"I could, but I could take this time to learn how to read maps."
"But you're color-blind!"
"That's never stopped me!"
I took his words in and started to laugh. My body was overcome by giggles as I listened to these poor excuses. Is he hitting on me or something? When I finally got over my laughing fit, I stood up.
"I guess I have no choice. Let's go!" I said and helped pull Natsu up.
And, so I showed him how to get to Magnolia. I explained what each symbol on the map was, and he listened half the time. We actually got to make some small talk although it was mostly about what he hopes Magnolia would be like. I think he imagined it to be a magical place, so when we got there he was pretty disappointed.
"What did you expect?" I smiled and handed him the map.
"Anything, but this!" He whined. I looked around at the town as we walked towards the nearest motel. The town was once beautiful. The memory of it seemed so vague now. The buildings were in shape. The streets were clean. Now, everybody is closing down. I worry about what this means for Magnolia. Such a wonderful place, destroyed by that King. Another thing he took from us. I stopped in front of the best motel in town.
"Here it is! This place is the best, no doubt!" I told him and looked at it. Zinnias were planted in little pot holders by the door step. I smiled at the sight of my favorite flowers. There were all different colors, too. It was a sharp contrast against the dreary scheme of the town. "I think you'll like it here."
Natsu thanked me and turned to go inside, but before he could I stopped him.
"Natsu. Why did you lie about not being able to read?" I asked suddenly. His eyes went wide in shock.
"You knew?!" He feaked and his face went red with embarrassment. I cringed at his reaction. He means to tell me he didn't know that I knew? What kind of idiot is this? While I shook my head in disbelief, Natsu took the liberty to answer my question.
"When I asked why you were here, you seemed real sad… That face you made was just…" His words trailed off. I was even more surprised at his worry for me. "I just thought that maybe if you had something else to think about, like teaching me how to read a map, then maybe you would feel better." He scratched his head.
"Natsu…" I was dumbfounded. His worry really warmed my heart, considering how lonely I felt lately. Why is it that a stranger knows just what to do to make me feel better? "You're a good man. Thank you." I smiled up at him and turned to go home. My step felt a little lighter after that. The sun peaked above the horizon, causing me to run home in a hurry.
"Ahhh! They're gonna be so mad at me!"
Luckily for me, Levy and Wendy weren't awake. I walked into the house, thinking I would be met with e of angry looks, but I just got the sleeping face of Wendy on the couch. I sighed, feeling slightly guilty. She probably fell asleep waiting for me. I grabbed a blanket from her bed and placed it over her. I leaned over and planted a small kiss on her forehead. I stared at her for a moment with a sad look. She wants to go and fight? Maybe not fight, but heal others? She's willing to risk her life for this stupid revolution? I never liked the king, but I knew that overthrowing him was an impossible dream. I just wish that they could see this. I shook my head at my thoughts and dragged myself to the bedroom to fall into a deep sleep.
Over the next few days, we didn't speak much about what happened. We would eat breakfast and dinner as if everything was normal. That didn't stop Levy and Wendy from talking. They discussed their plans for when they would leave. Sometimes I could tell what they were saying through the paper-thin walls as I lay in my bed alone.
I would find myself, trying to come up with excuses to leave the house. Things like, "I need to go shopping," or "I need to go stealing." Which brought me to today. I was on a mission to obtain some objects for a divorced couple. Apparently the husband took custody of some of her family's most prized possessions. I didn't really pay too much attention. I accepted the job and threw on my hood.
So, I got all the stuff in a burlap sack and I'm running down the street towards that ladies' home. As I pass by I do my usual greeting to the villagers before having to hurry up since I am being chased and all. I run down a large alley, ready to go down a secret tunnel, when I see a man there. Not just any man. I know this guy. I met him in the woods once. I was so surprised to see him there that I froze.
Natsu looked at me and sighed. He stepped aside and gestured as if to tell me that I can pass. Okay, this is a first. I was afraid to reveal the secret tunnel to him, so I opted to just jump the stone wall that sat at the end of the hall, and like that it was over. I easily escaped the guards after that. That moment flew by so quick that I wanted to go back and see if it really was him.
I chose not to do so. I can't believe it. Why was he there? Isn't that Inn he's staying at on the other side of town? I doubt he was sightseeing. Who would want to see the slums of Magnolia? Did he recognize me? I had my hood on, but I am not usually seen by people who have met me. And like that, Natsu somehow wormed his way into my thoughts. And he stayed there till I fell asleep that night.
I woke up the next day and saw him. He was at the inn I directed and I just had to confront him about what he saw. Except if he didn't realize it was me than I would have to get him to confess without giving myself away. I didn't walk two steps in the room when he swung an arm around me and yelled, "Hey! How are ya!" I blushed at the sudden closeness and threw his arm off me. He pouted and leaned towards my ear. "Might wanna be nicer to me, Kisosha." He whispered into my ear. My eyes went wide as he pulled away to study my face. So, he did see? I clenched my fists and grinded my teeth in an attempt to calm myself. Then Natsu burst out laughing.
"Ha! You should've seen your face! It was priceless!" He grinned and patted my head in a comforting manner. "Don't worry. Your secret is safe with me."
What have I gotten myself into?
