Hello everyone!

Chapter 7 is here! Here's an early update!

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Enjoy reading!


Seventh Wish:
I Don't Want To Say Good-Bye


Natsu had woken up that morning at the edge of the lake. He had fallen asleep on a tree log. Happy was curled up right next to him. He was woken up by a sweet melody, something that was really heavenly. The tune was lively and gives a lot of energy.

"Mister!" someone called to him as he sat up groggily. He had been talking all night with Lucy, he didn't know when he fell asleep.

The one who called him was the boy thief, Romeo. He was holding a roasted fish and a bowl of soup as he approached. "I'm glad you're awake. Here's the breakfast" he told him as he handed the meal to them.

Natsu frowned. "Why are you giving me meals? Is this more compensation?" he asked the boy. The poor villagers here would have no doubt been lacking with their own necessities. There was no need for two (including Happy) more mouths to feed.

Romeo blinked at him as if surprised but then grinned after some thought. "Hehe. That's not it. You see, this small village is different from the others. We may be poor but everyone helps each other out. We share the food that we have with everyone so that no one in this place will starve" he told him proudly.

"Wah! That's amazing! I thought it was in human nature to just stock up their resources at times of crisis and hide it for self-preservation."

'There she is,' He thought, the genie-ghost girl with golden hair and hazel eyes. She looked down from the tree where she was picking apples while reading a book. Wait, apples? Was that tree bearing apples yesterday?

He scowled at her. "Not everyone is like that."

The boy grinned as he thought he was talking to him. "I know. That's why I want to help everyone here. My mother was from this place, you know?"

He raised his eyebrow. "Hey, where's your parents?" he asked out of curiosity. He said "was", he didn't miss that word.

Romeo puffed his chest proudly. "My papa is working at the castle and serving the Royal Family! One day, I'll be a knight too and help serve this kingdom beside him!"

"Your mother?"

He smiled. "She's watching me from above!"

Natsu looked up at Lucy, wondering if he should make a joke about her being directly above them.

Lucy dropped her apples, landing right at Natsu's head.

He glared at her as he rubbed the pain away on his head. He was so tempted to snap at her now but seeing the boy can't see her, he knew better than to do that and be mistaken for a lunatic. Instead, he picked an apple on the ground. "Oh look! An apple fell on my head. I wonder who did it" he said out loud for her to hear.

"Kya! Sorry! I wasn't looking" she admitted immediately. She hid half of her face behind the book she was reading. Brown orbs staring at him apologetically.

Romeo grabbed an apple, eyes widening. He looked up at the branches in wonder. "I thought this tree doesn't bear any fruits . . ."

.


Lucy should have known of this base on the reports she heard from the passing spirits but seeing it for herself brought a really huge on impact on her.

She knew that humans were weak creatures that face many adversities and were very dependent on their environment. They die if they don't eat. They get sick from filth and waste. They become weak as they age. All these things she had never truly understand as this was never a problem that could occur to a celestial.

She looked at the depressing sight of old people coughing, children working and being used. Women were weeping at the death bed of their loved ones. How hard was life for them? She would never know.

She had never need to eat. Her friends were immortals like her. She has powers beyond human imagination.

However, she can't help but admire them.

Humans, although weak and seemingly powerless, continue to move forward on their lives. Alone, they were powerless, but as more people stand by their side they become stronger. This people who doesn't know much about the world, strive for the sake of their families and children, the new generation that would take over them.

Unlike gods and goddesses who were already perfect since they were born, these imperfect weak humans could become stronger and gain strengths if they worked hard. The fruit that bear from the relentless effort, hopes and dreams must have taste sweeter than any fruits she have ever tasted. Unlike gods and goddesses bound by rules and traditions, these humans could dream and chase after what they desire. They can become anyone they want as long as they put in the effort and faith. They don't have to worry about the consequences that could affect worlds and other realms.

They were free.

These humans had grown and even caught the attention of the heavens. The wise had grown cautious of them, for human hearts easily wavers between darkness and light. Gods and goddesses who had grown fond of humans would often fall for the wickedness of their darkness.

However, as there is darkness, Lucy believes in the light in human hearts. For there is "hope" in them, one of the subjects she doesn't understand yet admired. Humans gain their strength on "hope", a curious thing where they were willing to fight fearlessly because of it. There was also "love", in which she knew, but humans seemed to have different concepts of it.

She was reading the book of fairy tales while she picked apples the wood nymphs had made for her as a gift for the songs she sang to them. Naughty little spirits they were as they sometimes pulled pranks on people. Some would throw heavy branches on anyone passing by; others would make them lost in the forest for a while. When there's a thick mist, they would usually trick people into falling in pits and swamps by leading them on and calling them.

Last night, they threw a sleeping powder around. Painting on their faces or messing them up. Luckily, Lucy caught them on their play when they targeted Natsu.

"Hold it right there!" she yelled at them, revealing her presence to them. Startled, they quickly scattered away but not before she caught them at the back of their necks. They were small ladies with green leafy eyes and hair the color of wool. Red vines wrapped on their waist up to their necks to hold the white sleeveless dress. Similarly, their feet were wrapped with leaves and bark that served as their shoes. Their heads were ornamented with flower blossoms.

These young creatures began apologizing as soon as they were caught.

"Kya~ I'm sorry! We were only playing!"

"We're bored!"

"Even though, you're bored. What were you doing with these humans?" she asked them in a reproachful tone. The epimeliads started struggling as they tried to explain.

"We just want to do something fun! It's been a long time since we last materialized and we just want to poke some humans" one of them explained.

"Besides, they were cutting our trees" one of them crossed her arms. "But the old woman did give us proper offerings, so we allowed them" said the other one. "I still don't like them," said the girl before. "That's why they want to cut our trees because you don't make any fruit grow!"

Well, long story short, the epimeliads who were playing around began to squabble and almost caused havoc on the small town. To calm them down, she offered to sing to them. Perhaps they were really bored, as they quickly stopped fighting and agreed. After singing a few songs, she realized that many other dryads had gathered and the sun was high up.

Spirits naturally doesn't want to be seen by many humans, so as people woke up one by one, they left. But not before leaving a gift behind, the epimeliads had made some round fresh apples grow on trees and told her to take and eat as many as she wanted. The tree was their gift for the wonderful song she sang. One of them even offered to grant her another gift in exchange for another song while she hid in the forest. Lucy complied and asked for any human book which was readily given to her.

And so, Lucy sang as she read the book and eat apples. She decided to pick some for Happy and Natsu too. These fruits were deliciously sweet and juicy that you can't help but take a bite on its round and shiny red skin.

That was when she heard Romeo talking with Natsu and Happy. She listened to them talk as the boy talked of his village and family. Natsu asked him about his parents in which he readily replied their locations. The one that caught her off guard though was his answer about his mother.

"She's watching me from above!"

At first she didn't gave it much thought but she realized what the phrase meant based on the human vocabulary she learned while reading. She accidentally slipped upon realization and dropped the apples she picked right at the top of Natsu's head.

There was a loud thud that must've hurt rather badly. He looked up and glared at her as he rubbed his head. She thought he would yell at her, but instead he sighed and picked up an apple. She sighed in relief, thinking that he let her go which was not the case . . .

"Oh look! An apple fell on my head. I wonder who did it" he said out loud for her to hear.

"Kya! Sorry! I wasn't looking" she admitted immediately, surprised at his outburst. She hid half of her face behind the book she was reading. She looked at him worriedly, wondering if he's angry.

She felt sad for the boy who doesn't have a mother. She knew that having no mother was a heavy loss for a child and it could affect their growth. She can't say that she could fully sympathize though. In the first place, she doesn't have a mother let alone, a family. She was born as a materialized element of the Spirit Flow way before humans were born. Sure, she treats all celestials as her family but again, humans have a different concept of "family"; One that consist of man, woman and children that share the same blood or something. The man and woman seems required to be "in love" for children to grow. Again, she wasn't sure if she truly understood this part.

Books are sort of flat on this context. She couldn't help but feel like she was missing or misunderstanding something on these aspects of humans that she wanted someone to clarify it for her.

She frowned, wondering what it was like to have this sort of relationship. What is the difference between husband and wife and partners? What is the difference of "love" and "in love"? Was there a difference at all? The way some books refer to this makes you think they were different.

This was one of those times she wished Aquarius, Aphrodite, or Hera to be beside her to explain this stuff. Of course, that's not possible right now unless she wants to go home.

.


Natsu decided to help around in order to pay for the free food everyone was distributing. He was picking apples (for some reason, the villagers were really surprised at the fruits) along with Happy and Lucy, who seemed to be deep in thought.

"Hey Lucy, is there something wrong?" he asked her. She was startled and looked at him as if she was just busted for doing something. "W-What? Did you say something?"

He sighed. "Romeo said that we could make salad with these fruits. He went ahead and brought some over to Amelia-something on the other side of the forest."

"A-Ah, I see" she told him, not really catching on. He sighed. "Kidding, I didn't say anything. What were you thinking? You look worried."

She blinked. Was it that obvious? She saw him waiting for an answer from her. She sighed, organizing her thoughts on how to say it to him. "It's just . . . I was so excited to go to the human world. I know its troubles and darkness . . . but seeing them like this . . ."

"You're disappointed?" he finished for her.

She shook her head. "No, more like it troubles me. I want to help, but if I do so, I might end up causing everyone trouble" she told him, staring at her palm. She remembered her unstable magic. It's not only about revealing herself; she might actually do more harm than help.

Natsu regarded her. The concern she was showing had sort of affected him. In an unexpected moment of self-reflection (that he never do), he realized how he was a sort-of selfish man who do whatever he wants without too much care for the other people.

It's something to be expected though.

He grew up in the streets with no one to depend on but himself. He lived on the lowest level of society. He began to steal and beat people up in order to survive, and in return, he was hated for it. While the rotten people who pressure the weak for fortune and selfish desires were called "good" and respected by everyone. Everyone had a mask on to hide their darkness. He learned not to trust on people because of that. He doesn't believe in anyone.

Except . . . Natsu looked at the golden haired genie who was frowning with worry. There were also a few who wears their hearts on their sleeves.

When Lucy thought no one was looking, she would help on any way possible. She looked for medicinal herbs and added it to their collection of medicines, took out the boiling soup out of the stove, herded back the escaping sheeps and poultry, stopped a baby from crying and many more things she does out of free will. Once, she even made medicine herself while the village volunteer was out. All the while, he was observing her strange behavior, the things she do while she was unseen. . .

Everyone have a mask . . . A reason to do what they were doing, He reminded his self. He can't think of any gain for the invisible girl, though. No one would be grateful for the things she have done if they were unknown. Then this was done with pure concern? He thought about it. Such innocence . . . What a curious thing. For this young thief who was living in the cold darkness had never received any form of pure kindness from anyone, it was a wonder to him.

The only one to have ever shown him such genuine kindness and warmth was the young princess and the man who told him a certain tale.

"Hm. Usually I don't concern myself about bothersome things like that. If it's too troublesome, then don't push yourself" he expressed his genuine thoughts to her. There's no need to bother on people who wouldn't return any of your efforts and care.

"There are people that would constantly seek help, even if you helped them, they would just ask for more. They will just grow dependent on you and suck you dry" he told her, he saw a lot of people who take advantage of other's kindness. At least, he doesn't want this innocent girl to be victimized by them.

She frowned at his cold blatant words. "How contradicting are your words and actions? You are helping them right now. The other time too" she told him.

"This and that are different. I'm just helping because they give free meals" he told her. "The other time isn't too troublesome for me either. I'm just warning you to not go out of your way, you seem like the idiot-type to me" he said with a bored tone as he filled his basket.

"W-What did you say!? Me!? An idiot!? Who are you to call me that? I have read all the books at Aquila's library!"

He covered his ears at her shouting. She threw an apple at his head, annoyed at his no-care attitude. Irritated that it hit him again for the second time of the day, he aimed an apple at her which hit her too and she fell to the ground. He laughed at her.

Soon, it turned into a fruit-throwing fest.

Happy, who realized what was happening had panicked and tried to catch all the fruits. (Un)Luckily, they were caught by one of the cooks who were preparing lunch and scolded him. It was Lucy's turn to grin; after all, no one can see her but these two people.

When she thought that no one was looking though, she frowned again.

Despite the happiness and hope everyone was trying to maintain, she could still hear the cry of agony of those who despaired over their lost ones. Everyone was in pain, they were sad. People were sick from an incurable illness that was spreading.

She frowned as she remembered what he said, "I'm just warning you to not go out of your way". How honest he was. It is true that she might end up in trouble. However, there was a nagging sensation that kept tugging at her heart.

They were crying for help. These people, who were struggling so hard, could only afford to go for another day with the hope that they kept carrying in their hearts . . .

. . . The hope that a miracle would happen.

Her face changed into a determined expression as she had decided.

.


It was night already.

Romeo had told Natsu that he could sleep in his home. He was going to stay late as he would assist on nursing the sick. The little boy seemed to have taken a liking to him as he started calling him "big bro" instead of "mister". He also became more respectful in regarding him.

Natsu, having his initial home blown to smithereens the other day, just complied. He wondered where Lucy went as she was suddenly gone after they were done picking apples. He entered the room when he heard sniffling.

It was dark. But he could make out the outline of his blue feline friend. He lit up the torch and find Happy crying in the corner.

"Happy, what's wrong?" he asked, surprised to see the usually happy-go-lucky-cat crying. Happy looked up at him with teary eyes. "N-Natsu . . . L-Lucy . . . Lucy . . . she . . ."

Natsu's heart dropped upon the way he mentioned the name of their new-made friend between sobs. He dropped to his knees and grabbed Happy's shoulder to calm him down. "What? What happened to Lucy?" he got a bad feeling about this.

Happy tried his best to continue between his sobs. "She said . . . she said that . . . s-she was leaving. . . S-She asked me . . . to s-say g-good-bye . . . to y-you . . . *hic* . . . in h-her stead . . . *hic* . . . S-She said . . . she said it was . . . nice to . . . to . . . to meet . . . *hic* us . . . uhuu . . . uwaah!"

At that, Happy wailed at his best friend, confirming Natsu's thoughts.

It wasn't really surprising for her to leave as she was a run-away wanderer in the first place. She had no obligation to stay with them. Even so, this selfish young man just doesn't want to give up and suddenly lose connection to the friend he just made. She was one of the few he made friends with. She couldn't leave just like that. She didn't even say good-bye properly. How could he just let her go like that?

"Natsu . . . I don't want her to leave!" Happy cried to him as he clung on his vest, eyes filled with tears and snot dripping down his nose. Natsu gave him a reassuring pat on the head.

"Yeah, me neither. Don't worry, Happy. I'll find her and won't let her go unless she had a legitimate reason for us to accept" he told him. Natsu can't think of any reason that both of them would 'accept', even if it's a reasonable one.

The blue exceed looked at him hopefully. Natsu's reassuring words had calmed him down somewhat. "You . . . You know where to find her?"

Natsu smiled at him as he rubbed his friend's head. "I have an idea".

.


The house that was built for people with contagious diseases was erected farther than the rest of the tents. Inside, the sick people were sleeping not so peacefully on their beds that were made of straw and pieces of cloth for cover and blanket. The curtain door flapped open as a wind blew in. The lights from the torches were extinguished, leaving only moonlight that pass through the door to slightly illuminate the room.

Romeo, who was tending to the sick, had fallen asleep while tending to a young girl with brown hair tied in two low braids. She was coughing blood a while ago and writhing in pain. Luckily, they had found a pain-killing herb that somehow soothed her to sleep. She was still frowning and shaking though.

A shadow loomed at her.

Hands reached out to touch her forehead. An orb of light that seemed to be as fluid as water floated above the girl's head and glided following the hand as it hovered towards the girl's body, soothing her.

She smiled.

"You're one stubborn girl, huh?"

She flinched and looked at the source of the voice.

"Sorry, Natsu . . ." she said as her hazel eyes looked at him.

Under the moonlight, she could see the silhouette of the man leaning on the wall. Only his torso was illuminated properly, the rest of his body were hidden in the shadows.

The man walked towards her. "Why did you leave without telling me?"

Lucy panicked and looked back at the girl as she continued to heal her. Her eyes cast low as she was feeling a bit guilty. "I-I'm sorry. It's just that . . . I get the feeling I won't be able to say farewell to you. I . . . After I healed this people, I'm sure Loki would find me . . . I don't want to drag you into this".

Why was her heart hammering? Screaming as if she wanted to get out of the room?

The man continued to walk. Lucy felt time slowed by as each step the man took echoed throughout the tent and into her ears.

Each slow step . . .

Echoed as his shoes hit the floor. . .

He was coming nearer . . .

If she only looked properly, she should have realized that he was wearing a suit.

"Oh? You don't want to drag me into it?" the young man asked with the voice of Natsu, a bit amused.

She nodded. Why was she feeling cold? Cold sweat ran down from her temple down to her chin. She had a bad feeling.

He was a few feet away . . .

His spiky orange hair could now be seen by the moonlight.

Time must have stopped. Suddenly, everything was quiet aside from her heart that was hammering as if trying to get out of her lungs. She suddenly froze as she realized that the sound of the steps earlier weren't the sound of Natsu's sandals would make. They were the sound of leather shoes made from draco's skin. She realized the familiar aura coming from behind.

She turned rigid as realization hit her. She couldn't turn around in fear of confirmation.

"Why are you not looking this way? That's pretty rude, you know?"

He told her with his normal voice.

Upon hearing him, Lucy quickly turned. As if an alarm rang inside her head, her senses sharpened; becoming more aware as she searched the surroundings for a means of escape. As she turned, she saw him. Her eyes widened upon the sight of the man she had least wanted to see right now.

"L-Loki . . ."

She stammered in shock. She didn't expect him to find her this soon. Not after all the effort she put into hiding.

The god of mischief smiled at her.

"It's time to go home, Lucy".

.


. . . * . . .


End of chapter.

He's here! What would Lucy do? If you're wondering, Loki is the master of disguise and illusions (any abilities that are necessary for fooling people and pulling pranks). That's why he was able to mimic Natsu's voice so that Lucy would let down her guard. Don't underestimate Loki!

Comments: Hmm. I was wondering if I should had cut it here because I want to cut it on a different part but Loki's appearance has an impact for me that it felt like I should cut it here! Guaah! And it's chapter seven here too! I want it to be a meaningful chapter (in a way it did because this is more like broadening the characterization of our mains but still . . .)

Okay, I've decided! As a commemoration for the seventh chapter, I'll give you a preview!

READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

.(THIS IS BASICALLY CHAPTER 8).


SPOILER WARNING (The content may change a bit as I edited it to be short, but this is basically what will happen) SPOILER WARNING


Lucy was aware that she was losing.

"Give it up" he told her as he walked closer. "You can't fight me. You don't have control of your powers and now you're drained. You can't even fly. Don't make me force you to come here".

She bit her lip, knowing what he said was true. He could easily push pass Natsu and force her home. Her struggle was futile . . . Unless . . .

She looked at her savior. "Natsu . . ." she called as she moved closer to him. He turned to look at her, suddenly surprised at how close she was.

There's only one way to ensure her stay on earth that even a celestial won't be able to cut. He wants to protect her wish . . . she wants to help with his. It is an equivalent exchange to form the unbreakable bond.
With this, she'll be bound to earth, bound to him, until the conditions were met.

She wrapped her arms around his neck as she looked at him with a determined expression, her face closing to his. She was a breath away. Their foreheads touching. Her eyes closed as they were nose to nose. He could see her soft pink lips leaning closer to his own.


END OF PREVIEW!


Heh. This was where chapter 7 was supposed to be cut. Oh well, I'll cut this part on chapter 8. Sorry, I'm having double thoughts if the scene above should continue or not. On second thought, I don't want it to happen. It's too early and I'm feeling evil :P

.

If you've read the preview above, you've been warned. I only posted it for self satisfaction.


THANK YOU FOR EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED, FOLLOWED AND FAVORITE THIS STORY
I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER

TILL NEXT TIME :)