Chapter 8- Natsu's Perspective
"Did you really have to shove me?" Natsu asked, annoyed.
"Yes, because I hate when people call me 'kid' or 'little' or 'small' or 'helpless.' I've been called those names all my life and I'm sick of it. I'm not a helpless little girl and I don't want people calling or treating me like one." She retorted. Natsu was a little surprised at her sudden burst of anger. He suddenly started to feel a little angry as well, but he knew why. Nyx must have not been controlling her abilities, and now he was going to feel whatever she felt.
Actually, it kind of helps to know how she feels. I'll understand her better that way. I wonder what its like, constantly seeing what people are thinking or feeling. After we ran into each other, didn't she also say something about sharpening her senses? I'm going to ask about that.
"You don't need to ask." Nyx said. Natsu was confused for a second, and then remembered that she could see his thoughts. "I did sharpen my senses. I can see sharper and clearer. I am able to see things normal humans cant with the naked eye. I also have excellent night vision and do not require a light source to see clearly, even if it is pitch black. My sense of hearing has increased as well. I can hear the beating of an owl's wings at night, and the sound of a leaf when it drops. I could also hear the sound of Gray's ice lance coming at me. That's how I was able to dodge them without looking. I can even hear the individual footsteps of an ant if I concentrate hard and if it's quiet enough."
Natsu nodded in understanding. "When we get to my home, I'll warn you now, it's a little messy. I don't usually clean up very well, so I apologies. But, it is where I call home."
"I don't mind," Nyx said. "I was never super tidy whenever I lived with Mary and Frank. They would always yell at me for leaving tremendous messes everywhere. I never did understand why some people can't stand when things are messy. I actually thing that it makes a place more cozy."
Natsu sighed with relief. "Good. Because most people would probably have a heart attack if they saw my house." Nyx laughed. "Mary used to say the same thing about my room."
Natsu was glad. His sister was more like him than he realized. Natsu wondered if they would end up being best friends or rivals once they got to know each other better. The latter didn't seem like the most likely option. He knew not to get on her bad side, though, because she could knock him out with a quick jab to the neck. In her own way, Nyx was just as scary as Erza.
They walked the rest of the way in silence. Every day he walked to the outskirts of magnolia with Happy to his little house. He had never walked there with another person before. This was a first for him. As far as he knew, he had never invited another person to his house before.
When they finally approached his house, Nyx gasped. "Oh, it's so cute! It actually reminds me of Mary and Frank's little cabin." Nyx walked up to a sign out front that read "Natsu and Happy." Natsu smiled, glad that Nyx liked it. Natsu always liked his house. It wasn't extravagant; it felt like home. Nyx walked towards the front door and waited for Natsu to approach it. Natsu opened the door and motioned for Nyx to come inside. "You don't lock the front door? Aren't you afraid that someone might come and steal all your stuff?"
Natsu chuckled. "No one's ever come here before, so why should they start now? Besides, everybody knows that, if they steal form me, they're gonna get a face full of flames!" Natsu ignited his had to prove his point. "I see," Nyx said.
Nyx went inside of his house. She smiled as she took a look around. "Hey, this place feels cozy," she observed. "Yup, home sweet home." Natsu responded. He always felt more secure in the guild hall, but his house had a certain feel to it that made it home.
When Natsu entered the house, he realized just how messy it really was. The place wasn't dirty, with mold and dust or anything. There was just stuff everywhere. Natsu kept all of the job request flyers that he had ever taken, including the S Class job request flyer that sent him on a job to Galuna Island. He also kept a souvenir from each job he went on, and boy, there were a lot of them. He especially liked the keepsakes from jobs he went on with Lucy. Ever since he met her, he had felt a strong connection with her, though he wasn't sure why. Maybe he could ask Nyx about that later.
It was really late, and Natsu was sure that Nyx was as tired as he was. "I'll crash on the couch," Nyx said. "Alright, sure. You need a blanket?" Natsu went over to a cupboard and grabbed a big blanket.
"Yea, thanks Natsu. You know, I'm glad I found you today. Before I ran into you, I was having a horrible day. I slipped and fell into the river while walking on the edge right next to it. It was freezing cold, and after that, some guy about 19 was trying to pickpocket me. I tried to get away but he kept following me. Sooner or later I lost him, but he was creepy. That's why I was running through the streets, trying to get away form him. Not to mention, today is actually my birthday and all this stuff happened. It turned out to be a better day than I could have imagined."
"Wait, it's your birthday? Why didn't you tell anyone?" Natsu asked. Nyx shrugged. "I didn't think that it was that important. I mean, I'll have plenty of birthdays in the future. Why should one be that big of a deal?"
Natsu realized that Nyx probably didn't celebrate her birthday. She had been alone for four years. Before that, she lived with two old geezers and most likely didn't have any friends. It was a sad thought.
"Well, how 'bout tomorrow, I take you out to get cake. Ill give you a tour of Magnolia if you'd like. Just the two of us. I have plenty of money now. I don't know if you realized, but I bet almost every jewel I had that you'd win the fight with Gray. I would like to get to know you better. You know, I've only known you for a day, but I feel like I've known you for a lot longer. Is that weird?"
"Actually, you've known me for most of your life, but you just don't remember. And, no, it isn't weird. I feel the same way."
Natsu smiled. He had a sister. Better yet, he had someone who he could talk to now. He knew that his friends in Fairy Tail were like family to him, but she was his honest-to-goodness sister. He could confide in her without it getting awkward. Natsu knew that she wouldn't judge him; she didn't seem like that kind of person. She probably knows how I feel anyway. It was a comforting thought, knowing he had someone to talk to now. It would be too weird to talk with Gray- he would probably just make fun of him. Mira was the one he seriously considered going to, but Mira couldn't keep a secret for the life of her. Elfman would just tell him what a real man would do. Erza- no, not Erza.
And then there was Lucy. Lucy, the girl whose smile could cheer him up in the blink of an eye. Lucy, the one that Natsu always wanted by his side, though he was not sure why. Natsu had always felt that he had to protect her. He wasn't sure what it was about her, but Natsu just felt better when he was near her.
Natsu was confused about his feelings "Hey, Nyx? Do…" Natsu started to ask, but was cut off. "Not right now, Natsu. I'm exhausted and probably wont be much help. Right now I need to sleep. Alright?"
Natsu nodded in understanding. At least she'll be willing to listen at some point. I'll know the right time to ask again.
"G'night, Nyx. See ya in the morning."
Natsu looked over at Happy, wondering why he hadn't said anything. He saw the blue cat already sleeping in his little bed. Natsu went to his bed, thinking how much more comfortable Lucy's bed was. He lay down, quickly drifting off into sleep.
Natsu shot out of bed, woken up by a noise in the middle of the night. Natsu wondered of Nyx and Happy were okay. He went over to Happy's bed to check on him, and the little cat was sound asleep. Next, he went to the couch Nyx was sleeping on. As he approached, he saw movement coming from the couch. Nyx was tossing and turning and moaning, but still seemed to be asleep. Natsu got closer to Nyx, trying to get a better look at her, and he suddenly felt afraid and lonely. She must be having a nightmare and isn't able to control her magic while sleeping. I wonder what she's dreaming about that would make her feel lonely. It can't be anything good.
Nyx continued to toss and turn, occasionally mumbling unintelligible phrases. Natsu was about to go back to bed, but he heard Nyx say something that was all too clear. "N…Na…Natsu! Don't leave! Don't leave again! Please!"
This froze him in his tracks. She was having a nightmare about him, and he was leaving her. He once heard somewhere that when you have a nightmare, it reflects your actual fears. She must be afraid of losing the only family she has left. First our parents, then Mary and Frank, and now she's afraid that I'm going to leave her, too. That's never going to happen. But why did she say 'Don't leave again'? She must mean when I was caught by that storm. It's crazy that I don't even remember any of it. I was too young.
Nyx's face was scrunched up tight, unable to relax because of the nightmare. In fact, it seemed to be getting worse. Natsu didn't want to wake her up. Instead he laid a hand on her shoulder, hoping to comfort her. It actually seemed to help a little. Nyx's face relaxed a little bit, but she continued to squirm and moan. Natsu could still feel her fear and loneliness. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. Finally, Natsu decided that she might feel better if she wasn't sleeping on the couch. He lifted her up gently, careful not to wake her up. He carried her over to his bed and laid her down. He drew the covers over her so she wouldn't be cold. Instantly, a more peaceful look came across Nyx's face. The fear and loneliness that Natsu felt subsided, and Nyx stopped thrashing. Natsu was relieved to see that her nightmare was over. He walked over to the couch, even more tired than he had been before he went to bed. He threw himself onto the couch, and fell asleep so fast he didn't remember hitting it.
