A/N: Hey all! Long week so far…ugh, I'm too exhausted to put up anything really entertaining for an A/N, this chapter is a big one though, so enjoy!
Disclaimer: Fairy Tail = Awesome manga/anime created by the wonderful Hiro Mashima.
Me = Deprived of legal ownership of said manga/anime.
Chapter 7: Evasive
"I've never been so happy to get off of a train!" Lucy groaned, wobbly legs guiding her away from said torture. Levy and Gajeel gave their agreements, (Though neither of them were quite so dramatic,) and stumbled after her. Minutes later, just as the train was about to take off again, Natsu fell out of the open doors; his face still an unsightly shade of green.
None of the passerby failed to notice how the other three mages stepped away from the boy.
"Um, should we go look around for a place to stay?" Levy piped up, inching even further away from Natsu, even though it did look as if he were gaining some color. Lucy immediately agreed and led the way, taking brisk steps and not looking back even once. "Oi, get up." Gajeel snapped at the fire dragon-slayer. 'I shouldn't even wait for this idiot, the sooner this stupid mission is done, the better.' And he did just that, he left.
Natsu was left by his lonesome, people around him shooting curious glances or disgusted looks his way. "Ugh…" He moaned. "Gotta find Luce..." He managed to struggle to his feet, "I have to ask her…" His stupid motion sickness wasn't going to get in the way of him getting some answers! He used his nose to follow his teammate, as well as Gajeel and Levy. The streets of the town were bustling with activity, which made Natsu's journey annoying as he dodged moving people and more importantly – moving carts.
"Where the hell did they go?" He asked himself, trying to peer over all of the people's heads. The scent of his partners was scattered everywhere and fading fast; probably due to the constant motion and the slight breeze.
Suddenly, Natsu got the unsettling feeling of being watched; a tingle went up his spine, and the hair on his arms and the back of his neck stood up straight. He turned just in time to see someone duck around the corner of an alleyway. So Natsu followed him.
The city of Clover had many winding paths, various alleyways, and many people. All of these factored into Natsu nearly losing sight of his target as he once again switched directions. The man he was following had perfect brown hair, and the one time the fire dragon-slayer had caught sight of his face, he thought it was something off of the cover of Sorcerer's Weekly: airbrushed. Now he was beginning to feel slightly unnerved, where was this guy going? Why did it seem like Natsu was leading himself to his own doom? Nothing smelled different about this person, nor did the fire mage sense any magical power coming off of him.
In fact, the man he was tailing seemed so normal, that he was about to turn around and go back to tracking Lucy, Levy, and Gajeel when the guy suddenly spun around.
"You're rather noisy, dragon-slayer. I wonder how that pretty blonde and the rest of them can stand it."
"Where is he Levy, it's been nearly an hour." Lucy's socked feet were propped up on a chair, while the bookworm sat on the floor, book in hand. "I'm not sure. But if we are to blame somebody, blame Gajeel, he left Natsu there by himself."
"And what the hell am I, the retard's babysitter?" Said iron mage demanded, crossing his arms, "Freaking idiot can find his own way here. He has my sense of smell, dammit." Something in the back of Lucy's mind clicked, "That's it! Gajeel, you're going to help us hunt down Natsu with your nose!"
"What, now I'm a fucking bloodhound!?"
"Who are you?" Natsu was on edge, teetering on the brink of launching himself at this model-like guy, a good ol' fist of fire should do the trick…'How did he know I was trailing him?'
"I am Koukai." The man shrugged and popped his knuckles, "Now, why were you following me? Perhaps you are searching for the rouge mages, hm?" The fire mage blinked, "Yes…actually." 'Wait a minute you idiot! How did he know who you were traveling with? What he said earlier…he must've been following us first. I'm going to beat this ass into the ground! And then I'll get back to Lucy and the others. Luce…love? No, shit! Now is not the time…NOT THE FREAKING TIME!' Lost in his mixed-up thoughts, Natsu failed to notice that Koukai was steadily sneaking backwards, reaching behind him for a button.
And then, Koukai pushed the button and all hell broke loose.
Natsu was in motion; upside down, or was that right-side up? He couldn't tell…plus, he already felt sick and disoriented from all this freaking movement. Whatever the dang moving thing was, it slowed just enough that he was able to catch sight of three things. In order of importance:
One: Lucy, Levy, and Gajeel were just coming down the alleyway to his…left, right? And boy, they didn't look happy.
Two: Koukai was reaching behind him for another button, what horrors would this one bring?
And finally the third: Natsu was trapped in some weird net-like thing, that had him tangled and unable to escape, unless he burned his way out; which he had no problem with. 'If only I would stop moving!'
Below, Lucy and the others had gathered around. Lucy's keys were in her hand, Levy had her writing stylus out and ready, and Gajeel was already forming an iron limb to take the man that stood in front of them out. Koukai had already disappeared, and in his place, a few stray snowflakes drifted down. 'Snow magic…' The fire dragon-slayer could recognize the weird cold smell, it actually smelled a lot like Gray's magic, but there was no ice.
Natsu heard lumbering steps, a 'What the hell!' from Gajeel, and double squeals from Lucy and Levy; and then he was falling. He landed on the ground with a thump, and glanced up into the faces of his teammates. "Hey guys!"
"Idiot," Lucy snarled, "I-We were looking everywhere for you!" Levy didn't say anything, and Gajeel grunted, "Bunny girl's right. We run around this place looking for you, and we find you here, your ass kicked." Natsu rolled his eyes and staggered to his feet. "I'm sorry, alright? Not my fault that bastard was stalking me!"
Dead silence followed the four to the inn, after Natsu had told them the whole story of being followed, and then being the follower no one seemed to want to bridge the dreaded question of what was to be done next.
Lucy's feet dragged on the pavement, and she glanced around her from time to time. 'Was Natsu really being followed?' The fact that he probably had been sent shivers down her spine, Fairy Tail had numerous enemies...and now someone was targeting her team? On one of the brief instances where Lucy's eyes wavered from the dirt, her eyes met Natsu's. A split second later, the ground was all she saw once again, and Lucy promised herself that she would not let this 'love' business bother her; she would just have to evade Natsu until the right time came to deal with this mess.
A/N: Softball tournaments…Blah. Really, softball is a drag sometimes. Plus, tomorrow I have volleyball practice at 6 in the AM, and then softball again. So be warned, this next chapter will be rather laborious for me to finish, but finish it I shall! XD
RANDOM NOTES: Did you know Hiro Mashima based Gray's stripping habit off of his own? O_o Awkward… And also, Natsu has motion sickness because one of Mashima's friends does too.
OH: LuckyLifeSmile is posting a story that I (sort of) helped her with. She did most of the work though, so go drop a review and check out her other stories too!
Turtles can breathe through their butts…should I be jealous? Yes, yes I should. XD
REVIEW REPLIES:
LuckyLifeSmile: No problem…*fangirling* XD Here's your update; I hope it's what you've been looking forward to!
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WoofQuack'ed: DANG FANFICTION! Anywho thanks! I was aiming for some more humor last chapter…NaLu moment, correct! :D Gotta fit those in where ever the heck I can…Do you see the one in this chapter? …XD I think I surprised myself with that one! I've got another surprise for you coming up, let me say that Koukai is not who you think he is…I am random! Dunno about the cute part… ^_^
AznMelody5678: XD I have homework due tomorrow that still isn't done…We're both naughty! I know, I would have done the same thing…being squished instead of being barfed on is not a contest for me! :D
Levina Mcgarden: Nope. I am totally a huge GaLe fan, so there are probably going to be a few moments and hints here and there. Yes, NaLu is the main focus, but in the summary I did mention that there would be some GaLe.
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Nakeshiko Redfox: Lol, my dad isn't rich either. GO AWAY JOSE! I know, I read it! The sad thing is, I haven't reviewed yet, cause' I read your story on my IPod…*is guilty* HAHAHA! That might be the only mathematical equation I will EVER like…
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Review, or I'll tell Master Makarov you hurt one of his children!
