Chapter Seven:
"So...am I the only one who smells something fishy?" Happy asked in the kitchen later that night where everyone but Jude, Lucy, and Natsu were gathered. Jude had slinked off back to the library after dinner, and Lucy and Natsu were still asleep, leaving the rest of Fairy Tail to discuss the events of that afternoon.
"Afraid not," Erza answered. "This whole situation is very suspect."
"I meant actually smelling something fishy, but that too," Happy agreed.
"Honestly, all you think about is food," Carla sighed.
"Well, maybe he's telling the truth," Wendy suggested in a soft voice. "After all, we got trapped on Tenrou Island for seven years in some sort of sleeping state."
"Yes, but our situation was one of great rarity," Erza pointed out. "That required the bond shared between us and the magic of Mavis Vermillion, neither of which Mr. Heartfelia possesses or could possibly gain access to."
"Is it possible he could have been placed in a suspended state by other means?" Pantherlily asked.
"Possible, yes. Likely, not so much," Levy answered stroking her chin.
"Maybe he wasn't suspended in time," Wendy suggested. "Maybe his memory was erased."
"The last seven years of it?" Carla arched an eyebrow. "That would require quite a lot of magic power. I'm not sure anyone would waste that much energy on a simple accountant."
"Not unless he knew something that someone high up didn't want leaking out," Galjeel pointed out.
"What are you suggesting?" Erza asked.
"Just saying it sounds to me like Lucy's old man pissed off the wrong people by prying too deep into something they wanted to keep hush-hush."
"If that were the case why not just kill him?" Gray asked. "Be alot easier than using a ton of magic energy to cast a complicated memory spell."
Galjeel thought for a moment, then shrugged. "Fair point."
"I think we can all agree that the easiest explanation for what has occurred is that Mr. Heartfelia is lying," Pantherlily stated plainly. "The real question we should be asking ourselves is 'why?'"
"'Why?' indeed," Erza agreed. "What would cause a man who spent seven years trying to reconnect with his daughter to turn around and throw all that hard work away by faking his death."
"Probably someone who pissed off the wrong people," Galjeel said again.
"If that were the case why not just ask for Fairy Tail's help instead going out on the lamb," Gray asked.
"Need I remind you that during our seven year slumber Fairy Tail suffered a sharp decline in popularity?" Erza stated.
"True, but we've been back ontop for years now. If he was really worried about his safety he could have come to us for help years ago. Given his daughter's one of our wizards there's no way we'd turn him down."
"Need I remind everyone that this is the same man who ordered that Galjeel and I kidnap Lucy when we were still in Phantom Lord," Juvia spoke up in a soft voice.
"That is a good point," Levy nodded. "Maybe he was afraid there'd still be too much bad blood for him to ask us a favor."
"Lucy did kinda threaten him with his life if he ever got close to Fairy Tail again after the war with Phantom Lord…" Happy all but whispered.
"Still, you'd think he'd at least let Lucy know he was alright," Carla said.
"No, 'cuz then she'd go after him," Galjeel said. "Hence blowing his cover."
"Hm…" Erza stroked her chin. "That is a possible theory. Still, why come back to his old home if he was trying to lay low."
"Obviously he didn't know we were going to show up," Galjeel grumbled. "Hence hi pulling a gun on Lucy. To be honest, I'm still surprised Salamader didn't take his whole arm off with that blast."
"He wasn't aiming for the arm, he was aiming for the gun," Happy pointed out.
"Still, this is one of the more likely places he'd be hiding or try to come back to," Pantherlily said. "Returning here was not a wise move if he was worried about someone trying to take him out."
Silence fell over the group as they continued to think, and occassional "hmm," or drumming of fingers breaking the quiet.
"He'd said something about a prophecy," Levy finally spoke up. "You think that has anything to with this."
"It's probably the info he got from whoever's now after him," Galjeel said.
"If anyone's after him," Juvia murmured.
"Why else would he be out on the lamb?" Galjeel asked.
"Maybe he hit his head and has amnesia," Wendy pointed out. "Maybe that's why he doesn't remeber anything."
"For the past seven years?" Gray arched an eyebrow.
"That also doesn't explain his supposed 'death,'" Erza added. "Still, I think Levy might be onto something. This prophecy was his whole reasoning for coming back here. If we can find out what it's about, we might be able to get some answers as to where he's been and what he's up to."
"Good luck. I have a feeling he won't give it up easy," Gray said.
"He was pretty vague about it," Carla agreed. "Didn't even give us a real clue as to what it was prophesizing."
"Well, that stack of books he pulled are still in the library, right?" Levy asked.
"I think so," Erza nodded.
"I didn't put them back," Gray said.
"Me neither," Juvia agreed.
"Maybe I can go through them and see what they all have in common," Levy began looking for her wind reader glasses. "Maybe then we can at least get a rough idea as to what he was after."
"That sounds like a lot of long work, Shrimp," Galjeel said.
"It probably will be, but we don't really have a lot to go off of."
"Heh, I say we just ask him outright. And if he doesn't say we-" Galjeel's arm transformed to a hammer "persuade him."
"No," Erza said firmly. "We don't yet have any evidence that he's up to something sinister, and even if we did he's still Lucy's father. Despite their complicated history she clearly still cares for him. We can't harm him unless it is as a last resort to protect one of us."
"Says the woman who held a sword to his neck four hours ago," Galjeel sneered.
"I THOUGHT HE WAS AN INTRUDER THAT WAS DIFFERENT!" Erza thundered, causing everyone to scream and back away.
"Okay, okay, sheesh. We'll do it your way, Shrimp," Galjeel's arm changed back to normal as he added: "For now."
IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
Natsu stirred and opened his eyes. He was in a strange room. It took him a few seconds to remember what had happened. Once he did he sat up, or tried to. At some point in their slumber he'd ended up lying on his back and Lucy had pillowed her head on his chest. He smiled and ran a hand up and down her back as he looked about the room. It was dark out. How long had they been asleep? And she was still snoozing? The pregnancy must have been taking more out of her than either of them realized. He buried his nose in her hair and kissed the top of her head. She mumbled something in her sleep and rolled off of him onto her other side. He took the opporunity to sit up and stretch his arms and back.
He looked about the room again. Though it was cleaner than the rest of the mansion, it was still musty and covered in a layer of dust. Normally that didn't matter, except there was an old, moldy smell that was driving him crazy. In fact, he felt a headache coming on. He turned and looked back at Lucy. He'd said he'd stay with her until she woke up, but that didn't look like it would be anytime soon. He could tell by her breathing. She was out for the count! He, however, needed to get out of this room and get some fresh air before this smell did his head in for good. That and some food would be nice. His stomach was growling. Surely she wouldn't wake up if he slipped off for a few minutes.
Carefully he slithered out of the bed. Once his feet hit the floor he turned back to his wife and tucked the blanet back around her. Giving her a small peck on the forehead, he turned and walked out of the room. It was only then that it occured to him he had no idea how to find his way around this massive building of a house.
"Hm, if Carla and I came that way...that's the library...I don't remember what was before that," he scratched the back of his head. "But, hey, maybe the library has a map of the house. They keep those in librairies right? Right?"
It didn't really matter, he was already walking in that direction. Just outside the library door, he bumped into Levy, who was wearing her wind reader glasses.
"Oh, hey Levy," he waved.
"Hey, Natsu. How's Lu-Lu?"
"Still asleep."
"Bless her heart! Is she oka-"
The libary door opened and Jude stepped out. "Lucy's still asleep?" he asked, concern in his voice. "Is she alright?"
"Yeah," Natsu answered, a bit more coldly than he meant. "She's just tired."
"You're sure?" Jude asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Natsu nodded.
Jude let out a sigh of relief, then his brow furrowed. "Say, I don't recall seeing you at dinner," he pointed to Natsu.
"What, you guys had dinner without me?" Natsu whined.
"You were still asleep," Levy insisted.
"Wait, you were sleeping too?" Jude asked, arching an eyebrow. "And just where were you sleeping, exactly?"
"Uh…" Levy squeaked uncomfortably. "Looks like you two have a lot to catch up on, I'm just gonna go ahead and head inside…" she slipped into the library, mouthing "good luck!" to Natsu as she did so.
Natsu, however, was not intimidated or phased in the least, and just stared at Jude with a "whatever" look on his face.
"Well?" Jude crossed his arms after a few moments of silence. "Where were you sleeping? Not with my daughter, I'd hope."
"And why not?" Natsu asked, arms crossed.
"It's improper!" Jude exclaimed before jabbing a finger at Natsu's chest. "Who do you think you are sleeping with my daughter out of wedlock! It's-"
Natsu held up a hand and effortlessly caught Jude's hand. "Relax, old timer, I put a ring on it," he side stepped Jude to poke his head in the library. "But even if I didn't I don't see how it's your business. Hey, Levy, which way's the kitchen?"
"She's my daughter! It's my duty to look after her!" Jude answered, staring intently at the younger man. He'd seen this boy before form somewhere. But where?
"Down the hall, turn right, take the first staircase down," Levy answered from the library. "You hit the broom closet you've gone too far."
"Thanks," Natsu pulled his head back out. "What was I saying? Oh, yeah! 'Your duty to protect her,' huh? That's rich coming from a guy who tried to kidnap her, mooch off her, then played dead for seven years."
"I did not play dead, and how dare you assume-"
"So you really expect me to believe that crap pile of a stor you told?" Natsu crossed his arms yet again.
Jude sighed. "No, I don't. But it's the only story I have, so you'll have to make due."
"Fine, I'll make due by not believing or trusting you," he turned to head to the kitchen.
"The not believing I can accept," Jude continued as he followed. "But the not trusting is a bit harsh considering you don't even know me."
"Doesn't matter," Natsu stopped and turned back to face the older man. "You hurt Lucy. More than once. That's all I need to know."
"I assure you I never meant to-"
"Oh, really?" he began counting down on his fingers. "So being neglected her whole childhood, kidnapped, tracked down so that you can mooch several thousand jewel off her, being left behind when you 'died' to deal with the inifinity clock with not instructions, which nearly killed her by the way, and then finding out you lied to her this whole time about being dead? Yeah, you never thought that any of that might hurt her?"
"I admit I was wrong," Jude said in a sad voice. "But that's all in the past. I want to have a relationship with my daughter. A good one. And I do genuinely care about her. I-" Jude suddenly stopped and narrowed his eyes at Natsu. "I'm not sure why I'm explaining myself to you. This is none of your business, young man."
"My wife, my business," Natsu said plainly.
"Wait, wife?" Jude's eyes widened. "Lucy's married? To you?"
"What did you think 'put a ring on it' meant?"
"For how long?" Jude asked.
"Nine months now."
"Oh, so your relationship is recent…"
Natsu rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, not really. We kinda dated for five years before-"
"Five years?" Jude's eyes widened again. "Why that long? If you really do love my daughter, why such a long courtship? Why didn't you marry her sooner-"
"Y'know, I often ask myself that," Natsu admitted. "Married life's great. I'd highly recommend it. 10/10."
"Mm-hmm," Jude looked less than impressed. He could swear he'd seen this boy before! It was driving him crazy!
"Hey, don't give me that look," Natsu crossed his arms again.
"What look?"
"That 'Dad does not apporve look.' You ain't been here for Lucy. Ever! You don't get to say what she does and doesn't do with her life."
"And who are you to tell me what I can and can't-"
"I'm her husband! I just said that! Were you not paying atten-"
"I know that. But why does that give you the right to tell me what I can and can't do. You think just because you're married to my daughter you can order me about?"
"Since when was I ordering you about?" Natsu asked. "All I said was don't give me that 'I don't approve' crap, and don't try to play the loving father card."
"I-" Jude sighed and pinched the brigde of his nose. "Alright, alright. This arguing isn't going to benefit either of us. If you really are married to my daughter-"
Natsu held up his hand and pointed violently to the ring decorating his finger.
"Yes, I can see that," Jude mumbled. "Since you are Lucy's husband I suppose the two of us should try to get along. We are family now, after all."
"Sure," Natsu shrugged.
"I'm being serious, young man!"
"So am I, you think I want to constantly be arguing with my in-laws? I've got better things to do."
"Hm. Yes. Well, then. Shall we try to get along?" Jude asked.
"Fine. I'll play nice if you will," Natsu nodded.
"Good," Jude sighed, turning to go back into the library.
"But just so you know," Natsu continued, casuing the older man to turn back around. "You do anything to hurt Lucy: you so much as say one ill word to her or harm one hair on her head, you'll have me to answer to. And you know what the last person who tried to mess with Lucy said?"
"What?" Jude asked.
"Nothing. 'Cuz he wasn't able to once I was done with him."
Jude's eyes narrowed, but he nodded. "I get the message."
"Good," Natsu replied. Jude set his hand on the door knob to the library, but Natsu wasn't done.
"And that goes for the baby, too!"
Jude stopped in his tracks. "Baby?"
"Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that didn't I? Lucy and I are having a baby. And if you think what I told about what will happen if you touch Lucy was bad, just try and even think about doing anything to our baby!"
Jude's eyes grew steadily wider. And wider. And wilder. And crazier. Yes, it was all making sense now! But that meant-
He turned back to Natsu. So that's where he'd seen him before. In that article. But that meant-oh, no!
"Your E.N.D," he said in a shaky voice as he pointed to Natsu. "The little brother of Zeref whom he turned into a-"
"Hey, the name's Natsu, bucko!"
"That's it!" Jude gasped, putting a hand to his head. "It all makes sense now but...no. No, no, no!" He lunged forward and grabbed Natsu by the collar of his shirt.
"Hey, hands off!"
"You idiot! Do you realize what you have done!?"
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