I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters
Chapter 6
Forging Bonds
"Igneel!" In the skies above, the gargantuan figure of the Flame Dragon King fell from the sky, his body torn in half with the remains falling to the ground. A silent gasp escaped the mighty king, letting the torn black limb of his adversary drop from his maw. No matter how fast his feet ran, Natsu could do nothing but watch the body of his father plummet to the earth, the effect creating an earthquake that tripped him up mid sprint. Lying on the ground, Natsu's expression twisted into a scowl after landing on a pile of jagged rubble, adding to his already large quantity of cuts and bruises. His scowl would turn to fear and the injuries would pushed to the back of his mind when he felt an immense magical pressure overhead. Tilting his head up off the ground, he saw the Dragon of the Apocalypse build a massive amount concentrated dragon magic into its open maw. Closing its jaw, the black dragon reared its head back and unleashed a roar onto the downed form of the king of fire dragons.
Time slowed around him as the oncoming blast approached the fire dragon. Finding the courage to speak, Natsu bellowed his father's name again, hoping beyond hope that the dragon would rise from the ground with his body whole and what he had just seen was only a trick of the sun.
"Igneel get up dammit!" he cried in desperation with the attack looming over him. Though the distance between them was great, Natsu could make out his father's signature grin, the one strikingly similar to his own. Tears wet Natsu's eyes seeing his father grin in such a way, as if telling him that he was ready to die. For the first time that grinned angered Natsu to no end because, he himself was not ready. Not now and he never would be. Then it all went white. The black dragon's roar detonated upon impact with the ground, engulfing Igneel's body in a blinding light and overwhelming amount of magical energy. Natsu watched on hopelessly before the shockwave of the blast threw him back, his body airborne. Arm outstretched, he reached for his father whose large grin remained on his face. Abject horror struck Natsu when he watched his father's body and the life in his eyes be erased right in front of him.
"Igneel!"
"Ahhh!" Pulling his body forward, Natsu found that he wasn't at Tartarus but still inside the hotel room. Panting heavily, he looked about the room to see Happy on a pillow snoring and Mirajane still in her bed, her soft breathing signaling that she too was still asleep. Finally catching his breath, the fire mage sat with his legs hanging over the bed, head downcast as he stared at his hands in his lap.
"Again. It's been weeks since then and I keep seeing it. Damn it. Damn it!" he punched the mattress hard in frustration. In doing so, he unintentionally woke the sleeping cat.
"N-Natsu. Are you ok? W-what time is it?" the blue cat drowsily asked. Reigning in his emotions, Natsu exhaled and gave his best friend a cheerful grin.
"Go back to sleep, Happy. I'm fine." For all the years that Happy knew Natsu, he could tell when he was lying. Even in a more or less comatose state, he could see that something was obviously affecting his best friend and if the same nighttime episodes over the past few weeks since Tartarus were any clue, he knew exactly what it was.
"Did you have the dream again?" the cat asked wearily. With a sigh, Natsu smiled and nodded his head. "Yeah, buddy, same dream. I'm fine though. Just going out to get some fresh air. Now go back to sleep, ok."
"Hmm, ok. Don't stay out too long, or Mira will come find you," the feline yawned, closing his eyes mid-sentence. Chuckling, Natsu nodded and shot a glance to Mira's bed. The white haired beauty was still sleeping soundly, not even bothered by his and Happy's conversation. Before Happy woke up, he was just going to leave the room without notifying her. Now, he felt that it would be appropriate to leave his silver haired roommate a note, alieving her of any worries when she woke up and found him missing. Taking a napkin from the kitchen, a finding a pen in the living room, he wrote a quick note and put it by the bedside table. With one last look at her angelic face, he smiled warmly and left out the bedroom closing the door silently to not wake up her and his furry blue friend. Taking his bag with him, he stripped out of his regular white shorts and donned a black pair as well as a black muscle shirt. Exiting out the room, he went to the lobby and out the hotel. Looking around, he saw barely anybody on the street. The sky's color was dark blue with the last remnants of stars glistening above. The horizon was a mix of pink, orange, red, and yellow meaning that dawn was fast approaching. Grinning widely, Natsu took off in a light job down the street, letting his morning exercise and the pumping of adrenaline be his distraction from his earlier nightmare.
After almost two hours of running, Natsu arrived back to the Balsam Inn covered in sweat and breathing lightly. Leave it to an earlier morning workout to get the blood pumping and start the day. Making his way to back to his room to check on Mira and Happy, a familiar voice as sweet as honey called out to him.
"Natsu? Hey, Natsu!" Turning around, Natsu blushed at the captivating sight coming down the hall. Walking up to him was Jenny with her hair done up in a messy bun and a broad smile on her face. Though he would admit Jenny was very attractive, her attire was what made Natsu become so flushed. The voluptuous model donned a dark pink sports bra that to him seemed a size too small, black and pink gym shorts that stopped at her thighs, showing off her sculpted legs, and a pair of all black running shoes with white ankle socks. She cheerfully waved at him as she walked down the hall, carrying a small towel in her hand. Natsu awkwardly waved back, an uneasy grin plastered on his face as he continued to ogle her until she stopped right in front of him.
"Hey, what are you doing up so early, and…are your cheeks pink?" she questioned, eyes narrowing at his flushed appearance. Overcoming the enchantment her appearance put on him, Natsu rubbed the back of his head with one hand and thought of any excuse that could cover up his obvious display of scoping her out. 'If she finds out I was checking her out, she might hit me again," he thought worriedly.
"Did you just come from a run or something? Is that why you're dressed like that or are you going to the gym too?" she asked, hands on her hips. Natsu's eyes widens in realization at her words.
"Y-Yeah, I just came from jogging around the village. I usually do something else but-wait! This place has a gym?" Nodding her head, she pointed her thumb to the door beside them. Opening it, Natsu saw a large room complete with a set of weights, benches, running equipment and exercise equipment.
"Holy shit! Why didn't I know about this place?" he wondered.
"Probably because not that many people come here to use it, so it's not really well known," she stated, arms crossed. Glancing at his appearance, she drank in the way his black muscle shirt clung to his well-defined torso, the thin material outlining his chest and chiseled abs. 'And from where I'm standing, it's not like you really need a gym.' Her aquamarine eyes gazed at his biceps, his tight and dense muscles covered by his lightly tanned skin that still had the smallest droplets of sweat trickling down them. Her eyes traveled to his toned forearms and to his legs that lay hidden beneath his black shorts, which she thought looked great on him just like his dark muscle shirt did wonders to his overall look. Although she couldn't see them, she knew that his upper legs were just as toned as his arms, harboring great power in those long stems. Looking at his calves, she marveled at how sculpted the muscle looked. It looked like it could cut diamonds.
'Oh my God, what am I thinking!?' She sharply averted her eyes from his form took look at the gym, a fierce blush overtaking her cheeks. She was against herself for thoroughly checking out his body. Normally, she was the one catching the lustful attention of the opposite sex, not the other way around. As if to mock her, her heart was beating at an erratic rate that made Jenny wonder if Natsu could hear it. Hesitantly she peered at him, wondering if he caught her wondering eye, but alas, she sweat dropped when she saw him staring at the gym equipment like a kid in the candy store.
Thinking on the situation, she saw an opportunity before her eyes. Usually she exercised alone and although she enjoyed it most days, there were times where it was boring. Having someone she knew and was comfortable around should be a blast, making Natsu a prime candidate for her partner. It also helped that the younger male had left a deep impression on her since yesterday, one that oddly enough had her dreaming of him last night.
'No! No! No! Nothing like that, we're just friends! Mira likes him and that's all there is to it! The only thing between us is friendship and nothing more!' she thought resolutely. However, despite her confidence in her feelings being only platonic, she felt a lurch in her heart that was very uncomfortable. Shaking her head, her blonde locks brushing against the statuesque Fairy Tail mage, she put on her widest grin and grabbed Natsu's arm, pulling him into the empty room.
"W-whoa! H-hey, Jenny what're you doing?" he asked surprised. Giggling, she pulled him inward until they were standing in the middle of the room. Placing one hand on her hip, she pointed her finger at him, the digit a few inches away from his nose. Seeing the unyielding look in her normally soft eyes combined with her broad smile, Natsu knew that something was up her sleeve.
"You mister, are going to be my gym buddy for the day! I usually do this alone, but since you're up and ready, you're going to keep my company!" she told him with a smirk. Natsu stared at her perplexed but a wide grin covered his face as he crossed his arms.
"Gym buddy, huh?" he laughed.
"That's right. Also think of this as your way of paying me back for seeing my boobs last night," she teased, flipping her hair out of her face and sashaying away to a nearby workstation. She giggled when she heard him stutter and gasp behind him. Turning around she batted her long lashes at him, working her magic to persuade him to agreeing with her.
"Please Natsu-kun, don't leave me all alone?" she pouted, clasping her hands in her lap forcing her arms to press her boobs together in her sports bra. Watching him blush, she was inwardly jumping up and down when she saw the blush spread across his face and him look away from her.
'Awww he looks so cute when he's embarrassed," she subconsciously thought, blushing herself at seeing such an adorable sight.
"Fine! Fine! I'll do it! Just lay back so we can get started!" he ordered, looking anywhere else but down at her. 'Oh, he's just making this too easy,' the blonde thought uninhibited.
"Oh, Natsu-kun so bold of you! I don't know if here is the best place, but since there's nobody around I guess we could…"
"Dammit stop that! You know what I mean!" he scowled.
"Ufufu, calm down Natsu, I know. I'm just trying to liven things up, that's all." She winked playfully. "Now spot me." Letting her flirtatious streak die, Jenny sat down on the machine and began her workout regimen with Natsu monitoring her. Letting his annoyance flow out of him as he watched her on the machine, he was relieved that she had finally stopped flirting.
'Liven things up she says. Man, any more of that and I don't think I could've kept it down.' Natsu had never been happier in his life to be wearing baggy shorts until now.
"Come on Jenny, you got this! Just a little more! Get lower! Down, down, down! You got, stop!" Setting the bar back on the rack, Jenny stood up straight breathing heavily, aiming her best deadly glare at Natsu who was grinning without a care in the world. She had been in the middle of a decent work out; that was until Natsu became drill sergeant Dragneel and forced her to complete her sets without slacking off and going full range of motion. Once done with her set of squats, she felt the need to cry at how sore her body was feeling. Jenny knew he only meant well in helping her become fit, but that did not take from the fact that she could barely feel her arms and legs thanks to him. Wiping the sweat off her face with her towel, she grinned deviously and threw it at the unsuspecting Natsu. She giggled when the damp towel draped over his face, surprising so much that he fell onto his butt. Luckily, he was at a distance that no equipment was near him. Finally pulling the used towel from his face, he scowled at the seemingly oblivious blonde-haired woman.
"What the hell, Jenny?! That's gross!" he yelled.
"Hm, I don't know what you're talking about. Did something happen?" she said, feigning ignorance. She crossed her arms under her ample bosom with a coy smile on her face. When he looked at her irritably with his left eyebrow twitching, it took considerable effort on her part not to laugh.
"Y-you just threw your towel in my face!" he raged. Shrugging her shoulders, she looked down at her shoes, shuffling them cutely like a child.
"I don't know what you're talking about," she replied cutely. Once again, Natsu was no match for her charms and he succumbed, shoulders dropping in defeat. Unbeknownst to him, Jenny was grinning like a Cheshire cat.
"You know what, forget it. It doesn't matter. It's my turn, so now it's your turn to spot me…partner." Jenny fidgeted under his malign grin. A tingle went up her spine when he walked towards her and grabbed the bar behind her, caging her between his strong arms. She felt a hitch in her breathing when he leaned towards her, the grin never leaving his face.
'Oh my God! What is he going to do! Is he…Is he going to…' Letting her imagination get the better of her, Jenny closed her eyes and waited with baited breathe for the dragon slayer's next move.
"Uh, Jenny why'd you close your eyes?"
"B-Because you're…"
"Going to ask you to move. It's my turn. I need you to spot me and you can't do that if you can't see," he chuckled. Quickly opening her eyes, Jenny looked at Natsu in bewilderment. He in fact, wasn't trying to kiss her. The whole leaning into her, arms beside her head, and alluring grin (in her mind) wasn't Natsu making a move? Letting out a breath she didn't know she was holding, Jenny clenched her fists in frustration. So conflicted with her emotions, she didn't know whether to feel relieved that he didn't try to kiss her, or angry at misreading his actions and assuming he was then basically accepting the possible outcome by closing her eyes and waiting. 'Stupid! Why would you think he was going to kiss you! We're friends and that's it! End of discussion! But…why do…why do I feel sad?'
"Uh, Jenny? Are you ok?" Hearing the concern in his voice, she gazed up at Natsu. The fire mage eyed her worriedly after seeing her expression go from anger to sullen. Looking into his eyes, Jenny felt her anger towards him dissipate but not enough to forgive him. Puffing her cheeks, she turned her head away from his gaze and crossed her arms, her disposition making her look like a stubborn child. Sweat dropping, Natsu went to touch her shoulder but she ducked under his outstretched arm and stood behind him.
"Um, Jenny?"
"I'm fine. Just do your workout so we can be finished and go alright," she sniped, Natsu flinching at her tone.
"O-ok?" Scratching the back of his head in confusion, he turned back to the bar and began his own set of squats. As if he did with her, Jenny stood by and monitored Natsu's movements as he stood up and squatted down, knees bent at a ninety-degree angle as if he was sitting in a chair. She wanted to lambaste and chastise him similar to how he did her when she was doing squats but unfortunately, she couldn't find any faults in his rhythm. Every repetition he did was the same as the last in every detail. After his third set of twenty, Jenny began to wonder if he even need supervision given that he performed the exercise perfectly.
"You sure you're ok, Jenny. You haven't said anything in a minute," he commented. Arms still crossed, she regarded him coldly. "I told you I'm fine." The two temporary partners glared at each other, one hoping to find answers and the other trying to intimidate him from asking again. Seeing she wasn't going to give him an answer anytime soon, Natsu sighed before walking to the barbells rack. 'Is she mad at me? Why? What did I say,' he wracked his brain for answer while taking a hundred pound barbell into each hand. Sitting on a flat weight bench, Natsu leaned back with each barbell, placing them near his shoulders. Never before had Jenny seen somebody hold so much weight. Her brain urged her to continue the callous acting, but her heart won in out as she was concerned for his safety.
"You sure that's not too much for you?" Peering up at the bodacious blonde, he saw her eyes take on a genuine look of concern, a stark contrast from her detached look from before. Glad she was no longer as upset with him, Natsu smiled up at her. "Please, this is just a warm up. Back at my house, I do twice as much as this." True to his word, Natsu effortlessly pumped out a quick six sets of fifty repetitions apiece before putting the barbells back in place. Watching him lift so much weight, Jenny was immersed in watching the muscles in his arms flex with every up and down movement he made. The droplets of sweat that accumulated on his upper body drew her curious eye. The sight of one drop cascading down the side of his jaw and onto his neck brought a fire in her loins. Feeling herself blush, she fanned her head with her hand and crossed her legs, putting most of her weight on her back foot. As she watched him, she took notice that something was off. Something critical in what made him Natsu.
"Hey, Natsu. Where's your scarf?" Hearing the word caused Natsu to become tense. Images from his nightmare plagued his mind. Thinking back, he realized that he had left his scarf on the bedside table next to the note.
'I must have left it there without noticing," he thought. Turning to Jenny, he awkwardly scratched the back of his head, hoping she would drop it after seeing how uncomfortable the topic made him. "I must have left it back at the room."
"But you never leave without it. I learned that much at the Grand Magic Games and talking to Mira." Despite his prayers, she didn't drop it.
"Well I just did this time," he griped, sitting in front of a row machine. Pulling the bar towards him, Natsu inadvertently used too much force making the weights hit the top and create a loud metallic clang. Jenny winced at the sound every time she heard it.
"Natsu let up a bit." The sound came again.
"Natsu, stop it!" It came louder than before.
"Natsu! Are you crazy! You'll break the damn thing if you keep doing that." Seeing him pull the weights with such intensity, she actually saw the equipment shake and come off the ground slightly. Forget the sound of him breaking the thing, he was about to destroy it if this keeps up. Tired of his attitude, she gripped him by the shoulders and pulled him away from the machine.
"Dammit Natsu what's gotten into-!"
"What!" he snapped, his tone mixed in fury, but also sadness. Jenny couldn't find her voice, speechless for one of the rare moments in her life. Not at him nearly bit her head off, but the tears that were streaming down his face. His eyes that held so much life and happiness looked defeated and broken. His smile that could outshine the sun itself was no more. In its place was a scowl, him bearing his teeth in so much anger she could feel seeping into her. Wracked with sobs, his body shook uncontrollably, unable to stop the tears. Even the fire and warmth he exuded with his presence alone seemed to be snuffed out. The man in front of her wasn't the same person from before, the person she had grown fond of and admired. This man was a broken shell of that man, an imposter, a fraud. Where was the real Natsu Dragneel?
"N-Natsu, are you ok?" she timidly asked. Her hands gently rubbed his shoulders, prompting him to open up to her. However, his silence was the only answer he would give. Sitting on her legs, she cupped his cheeks and brought his face to her level, an endearing smile on her gentle features. Stubbornly he looked away drawing a sigh from the older woman.
"Natsu I can't help you if you don't talk to me," she told him gently.
"Why? There's nothing you can do to help anyway," he said sharply, not caring if he came off harsh. His words sent a prick into her heart and though it was painful, Jenny marched on undeterred.
"That may be, but it doesn't hurt to try right?" she responded calmly. Grunting Natsu spoke agan, "Why, though? Why try to help me?" Dipping into her memory reserves, Jenny found the perfect answer. "Well, do I really need a reason to help out a friend in need," she told him, repeating almost word for word what he told her last night. Shocked, he looked into her soft aquamarine eyes and felt all his anger and sadness leave him. Realizing how insensitive he was at attempting to push her away, he fell into her chest and apologized.
"I'm sorry Jenny. I didn't mean to yell at you."
"I-it's o-ok Natsu. You h-have nothing to worry about." Surprised at his bold choice of a pillow, Jenny's face sported a furious blush along with an unnerving smile. The feeling of his face so close to her cleavage aroused mixed feelings from Jenny on her choice of wearing such a low cut sports bra. Though seeing him so vulnerable right now, she knew it was best to let him get whatever he had off his chest, rather than worry about where he placed his head.
'I guess I can let him use them as a comfort zone, he's already seen them anyway.' Wrapping her arms around his body, she tenderly rubbed her hands up and down his back. A small smile appeared on the fire mage's face as he took solace in her attempts to comfort him.
"Now, do you want to explain what made you so angry that you had to take it out on the poor rowing machine," she inquired, her hands rubbing small circles on his back. Feeling him flinch under her hold, she placed her chin on the crown of his head, her arms tightening her grip on him. "It's alright you don't have to if you don't want to. But since you and Mira helped me with my problems yesterday, I'll help you with yours. It's only fair. In the name of a famous dragon slayer, 'that's what nakama are for'," she said deepening her voice in a botched imitation of him. Natsu chuckled at her lame attempt to sound like him and that drew Jenny to giggle at how bad it sounded. Raising his head from her chest, her hands now on the back of his neck, he gave her a broad grin.
"You sound terrible as a guy," he teased. Showing a fake look of hurt, Jenny puffed her cheeks out in a pout.
"Hey, I was trying to sound like you, you big meany." Continuing to laugh, Natsu wiped a few stray tears from his eyes and viewed Jenny with adoration. The look was giving her had her blushing fifty shade of red. Clearing her throat, she decided to change the subject before she read the mood wrong again.
"So, what's bothering you Natsu. Whatever you tell me, it won't leave this room, I promise," she assured, crossing her finger over where her heart should be. Natsu gave her a skeptical look but couldn't find any reason to withhold it from her. She seemed trustworthy enough, and it would probably do him some good to vent. Leaning back, he felt Jenny's remaining hand leave his neck, immediately missing the warmth but he didn't know as to why. Ignoring it, he sat cross-legged and looked up at the ceiling. Sitting with her legs crossed in front of her, Jenny locked her hands around her knees and leaned forward, anxiety eating at her. Releasing a long sigh, Natsu glanced at her and sat back on his hands.
"You remember when Fairy Tail fought Tartarus right." Receiving a nod in confirmation, he continued. "Do you also remember why some of us were trapped on Tenrou Island for seven years?" The name of a large black dragon called Acnologia surfaced in her mind making her give a shaky nod to Natsu. A hollow chuckle left his throat, his eyes becoming dark with anger. "Well, that giant bastard is the reason I'm so pissed."
For the next few minutes, Natsu regaled Jenny with the final battle of Tartarus. He told her everything from his and Lisanna's escape and freeing of Erza, to his battle with soul snatching demon to protect Lucy and Happy and even the dragon's appearing from within their respective children to fight alongside Fairy Tail. The older woman sat stunned into silence at hearing such a tale. Shock would turn to sympathy when Natsu forced himself to tell her the final scene of the battle and the reason behind his earlier mood. Jenny could tell it was hard for him to speak about watching his father die before his eyes. This being the dragon that had raised him when he was baby and taught him his magic. This being the dragon that disappeared without a trace, prompting his son to go in search of him for years. This being the dragon that inexplicably appeared from within his own son to fight the terror that took seven years away from him and his friends. This being the dragon that was hailed as King of the Fire Dragons, but only to fall in defeat, his power severely crippled in combination to Acnologia's magic and being sealed within his child for so long. Finishing his story, Natsu sat in silence on the gym floor, eyes closed and breathing steadily to keep from making another outburst. His nerves were firing on all cylinders. He desperately wanted to go out and vent his anger in whatever way he could find. Whether it was burning something, fighting someone, or just yelling into the air, he didn't care. He just needed something to take all of his pent up emotions out on.
Sensing a warm presence take root next to him, he felt something soft land on his shoulder. Looking to his right, he saw Jenny leaning her head on his shoulder, her cheek laying directly on top of his guild mark.
"I'm sorry to hear about your loss, Natsu. I really am," she spoke above a whisper, trying hard not to let her own emotions get the better of her. "I know what it feels like to lose a parent, so I think I can empathize with you on some level. But do you wanna know how I got over it?" she asked, glancing at him in the corner of her eye. When he nodded, she smiled and spoke again. "I had my friends to lean on. It took me a while, but over time, I was able to cope with the loss and move on, knowing that they were in a better place. My friends helped me acknowledge that they wouldn't want me to keep all the anger and sorrow bottled up but that they would want me to stand up and move on. And that's what you should do," she smiled brightly.
'Huh, Igneel did tell me something like that. To stand up and move on. To find a new meaning in life and strive for it,' the son of the fallen dragon recalled.
"Also," positioning herself in front of him, Jenny tucked her thumbs into his mouth and pulled them up to give his face a grotesque looking smile. "…a frown looks out of place on you. A smile suits you a lot better," she laughed. Smacking her hands away, Natsu grimaced but seeing her laughing caused a charming smile to appear.
"Hehehe, thanks Jenny. For listening to me bitch and moan for the past few minutes. You're really amazing you know that." Blushing at his words and his smile, Jenny's expression donned a shy but cute smile. She wrapped her arms around her knees again and rocked herself in place as she sat in front of him.
"Thanks Natsu, and anytime you need to talk you can come to me. Ok?"
"Thanks, same to you. If anybody ever makes you cry again, just come to me and I'll knock their teeth in!" he grinned maniacally, punching his fist into his palm. The model covered her mouth with the back of her hand to her laughs down at seeing the fire mage get so excited. She was happy to see him so spirited again and it warmed her heart that she was the cause of it.
"Ufufu, thanks Natsu. I'll keep that in mind."
"Hehe." Sitting in silence, the two gazed into each other's eyes fondly, but once they realized it, they turned away from each other. Curling a lock of hair between her fingers, Jenny glanced at Natsu in the corner of her eyes, analyzing him. 'Can I really be just friends with Natsu? He's such a nice guy. He's very funny and cute when he wants to be. I can totally see why Mira likes him as much as she does, but I don't know. I don't want to hurt Mira, but…do I want to be Natsu's friend or something…more.'
Shrieking when she felt a hand on her shoulder, she toppled onto the floor. Glancing up, she saw Natsu standing over her with an outstretched hand.
"Whoa, didn't mean to scare you? I was just going to ask if you could spot me again! I want to finish my set." Putting his hands in the pockets of his black shorts, he regarded her in confusion. He had been calling her name, but she would only stare at him with an empty expression.
'Wonder what she was thinking about.' Getting her breathing back in order and her heart to stop racing, Jenny stood up and flicked a lock of hair behind her ear. "Y-yeah, ok. I'll spot you and after that we can leave."
"Yeah, I got to get back and check on Mira and Happy. I hope she isn't too upset with me for leaving so sudden. Well, I did leave a note by the bed so it should be fine, right?" The mention of the silver haired mage brought a painful lurch into Jenny's heart. Grimacing, she ignored the pain to focus on Natsu as he performed a set of over the bar pull-ups. She knew what she was feeling for him was crossing the line of friendship she had for Mira, but she couldn't help whom her heart chose. The compassion and attention he showed her in the past few hours were something that she had been longing for since her and Hibiki's 'break up'. Did she think of herself as selfish? Yes. Was she sorry for feeling this way about Natsu when she knew how Mira felt about him? No.
'Like you said Mira, all's fair in love and war. And this is one war I don't intend to lose. I hope you can forgive me.'
"It wasn't as tough as my normal routine but man, that workout has got me sore," Natsu grinned, stretching his arms over his head. Beside him was a sulking Jenny who let her arms dangle in front of her.
"Ugh, it hurts to walk and I can barely feel my arms. Hmph, I should make you draw my bath for me since my crippling is your fault." Jenny addressed, a deadpan stare directed at Natsu.
"Eh? No way, I got to take my own bath."
"Well, I'll just take one with you," she said, her flirtatious nature surfacing again. She smirked as she saw a light pink blush coat his cheeks.
"Now you sound like Erza," he mumbled under his breath. "What was that Natsu?" "Nothing!" he shouted unintentionally.
"Uh huh. So about our bath, yay or nay, Natsu-kun?" she coyly smiled. Her eyes narrowed in on him, seduction written in her light blue eyes. Leaning into his body, she intentionally pressed her breasts flatly against his chest, pinning against the wall. The two were right outside their respective rooms. Caught between a proverbial rock and a hard place, Natsu gulped before answering.
"H-how's about I-I take a rain check on that," he stammered. A sultry smile came over Jenny's flawless features as her eyes bore into his own with a passion that was almost suffocating.
"Are you sure? We can take turns washing each other's backs and…other places," she purred.
"Uhhh, y-y-yeah! I'm…I'm sure," he squeaked. Taking mercy on him, Jenny pulled back and opened her door. Glancing over her shoulder, she held her smile.
"Too bad, we could have had a great time. Huh, next time I suppose. Thanks for the workout Natsu; I really worked up a sweat. See you in a bit." She slowly closed the door but before she did, she gave him a coquettish wink and blew him a kiss. When her door closed, Natsu leaned against the wall.
"Master in a speedo. Master in a speedo. Master in a speedo." Chanting and imagining the image in his mind effectively brought Natsu's hormones to stable levels. Taking his key out of his pocket, Natsu entered his room.
"Happy! Mira! You guys up yet?" Heading towards the kitchen, he opened a cabinet and took a glass. Filling it with water from the sink, he took hearty gulps of the precious liquid.
"Natsu is that you! I'm in the living room! Where were you, I was worried when I woke up but then I saw your note but you didn't say where you were going!" Mira responded.
"My bad. I thought you might be worried if I left without telling you anything but I was in a hurry so I just wrote the note. I went for a jog and-!" Natsu paused upon entering the living room, his body becoming as still as a statue at what he was looking at. Eyes wide like an owl, Natsu stood peering down at Mira who was in the most awkward yet provocative pose he had ever seen. The young woman was dressed in a pair of white yoga pants and a tight dark red tank top that crisscrossed behind her back. Her hair was out of its regular front ponytail as her snowy white tresses were pulled into a high ponytail atop her head. Once he entered the living room, Natsu got a face full of Mira's shapely backside thrust into the air and into his field of vision. Her large hindquarters filled out the yoga pants very nicely. Due to its translucence fibers, Natsu could make out the sexy thong she wore underneath her workout attire. Feeling his chin and shirt become wet, Natsu noticed that he had been in mid sip and let the contents of his drink drop onto him.
"Hm, Natsu is something wrong?" she pondered, craning her neck to look at him over her shoulder.
"Uuuh, Mira what are you doing?"
"Oh, I'm doing yoga. It's good exercise and it helps cleanse the soul. I almost start out my mornings like this." she tittered.
"I see. And what is…this," he gestured to her awkward posture.
"This is called the forward fold. I would ask you to join me and Happy, but this is the last pose!" she informed him.
"Happy?"
"Yeah, he's right next to me." Looking over, Natsu had to suppress a laugh when he saw his furry blue pal sleeping on the extra mat Mira apparently gave him. Rather than the downward dog, the exceed was mastering the slumbering cat.
"Hehehe, maybe next time," he chuckled humorously. Swiftly standing up at full height, Mira whipped her long hair out of her eyes and roamed over his appearance. She felt her mind become hazy when she took in how Natsu filled out his muscle shirt and shorts. The definition in his arms and legs seemed more profound meaning he had just finished a workout. As a blush took over, she sensually licked her lips and ran a hand up his bicep, marveling at how dense the muscle fiber was.
"I thought you said you went on a jog? From the looks of your arms you did more than just that." Traveling up his bicep, she moved her hand to his chest, lightly grazing his pecs with her delicate fingers. Natsu watched as she regarded his body in fascination. 'Are all girls this touchy feely or is it just hot models?' he wondered. Not at all put off by her touching, Natsu answered her.
"Yeah I went for a run but I got in a quick workout with Jenny." At the mention of her name, Mira's hand pulled back as if he was toxic.
"Jenny? When did you meet her?" she asked curiously, her hair shadowing her eyes.
"After I came back from my jog. Ran into her a few halls down and she asked me to be her gym buddy. Had a blast too. I had to ride her ass a couple of times but other than that it was a pretty fun." He intentionally left out the part about the conversation he had with the woman, not wanting to bother Mira with his problems. He would tell her and the others when he was ready and only then. Right now, he wanted to forget the nightmare and enjoy the day.
The inside of Mira's mind was chaotic. Hearing mention of Natsu and Jenny being together and the possible chance of them being intimate brought a pain in her chest. The emotion of jealousy quickly came forward but Mira didn't know why. 'Jenny doesn't like Natsu that way so I have nothing to worry about. However, they did seem pretty close last night when I came out of the shower…' Remembering the laughter the two shared and the looks between them, Mira grimaced at the image. Irritation swelled inside her but after years of hiding her true feelings, Mira played it off and gave Natsu a warm smile.
"That's good! Did you tell her hi for me?"
"Oh my bad Mira. It didn't cross my mind, sorry," the dragon slayer apologized. Patting his shoulder, she shook her head.
"It's fine; we'll see each other in a little while anyway so it doesn't matter. Speaking of which we need to get ready. We agreed to meet up at ten and it's already quarter to nine." Turning his head to the stove in the kitchen, Natsu saw she was right.
"Yeah, you're right. Ah man, I stink. Hey, if its ok with you can I shower first. I've been stewing in my own sweat since before sunrise," he pleaded. Mira giggled cutely and stepped aside.
"Go right ahead. I need to find an outfit for the day anyway." Rushing past her, Natsu called over his shoulder. "You're the best Mira!" After he closed the bathroom door, Mira went to her luggage and looked through the clothes she had brought. What she brought was cute but it wasn't ideal for what she had planned. Remembering some of the outfits she bought the other day, a sly grin spread across her pretty face. Laying them out on her bed, she eyed each item with a calculating expression. Coming to a decision she folded the clothes and put a towel over them so that when Natsu came out, he wouldn't see it. She wanted nothing more than to surprise him with her appearance.
'I don't know what the relationship between those two is, but a little added insurance could never hurt.'
Unbeknownst to her, the blonde bombshell across the hall had the same idea she did when it came to acquiring the interest of a certain fire mage. Confidence swelling within her, Jenny strode to bathroom clad in only a towel and a swagger in her step. 'He may be dense, but even his heart will be pounding when he sees me in this. I highly doubt Mira will try something like this.' Dropping her towel Jenny admired her assets and slender curves as she tried many poses in front of the large mirror, wondering which one would catch Natsu's attention.
"Ah, I'll just wing it."
'Today I'll make my move and take the lead!' the two females thought in unison, their eyes burning with determination.
"Achoo! Shit, I hope I'm not coming down with nothing! That came out of nowhere! Also, why do I have such a bad feeling about today? Meh whatever!" Natsu said before going back to his shower song, ignorant to the plots and schemes being forged between the two beauties.
It is well known that love is a battlefield and those strive for true love have to fight for it. The combatants were fully armed; strategies planned as well as contingencies, ready to do whatever it takes to acquire what they coveted, by any means necessary. Little did Natsu know that the moment he met Jenny in street the other day, he had stepped onto an active minefield.
[A/N: Hope you enjoy the newest chapter of Model Behavior. I didn't want to have Jenny immediately fall in love with Natsu so I made them get a little closer and have Jenny question herself on what she feels for him. It isn't love but it isn't the kind of feelings you have for a friend either. Now that Jenny has thrown down the gauntlet, I wonder what Mirajane will do. Stepping up her game is a must if she doesn't want to lose. I wonder what these two have in store for the son of Igneel. Which one will he choose and how will it affect all three of them. Tune in next time on Model Behavior. Blaccdragon out!]
