"You better believe I won, bastard!"
Lucy touches my shoulder with a smile. "You're having fun."
"No I'm not," I immediately protest.
"Yeah you are. I like this side of you, Natsu. This excited, battle-happy Natsu is a lot better than brooding and depressed Natsu." She lowers her voice a bit. "Even if you are cursed like you say, Natsu, the curse doesn't have to run your life. You saved my life so you can surely save anyone else. You can make friends. You can be happy."
"I can make friends? I can be happy?" The idea is so far-fetched that I have no idea what to do other than repeat it. "But, Lucy-"
What she does next completely throws me off. She holds my shoulder to support herself as she stands up on the tips of her boots and kisses me on the cheek. Kisses me on the cheek. "You can," she reassures me. "I owe you double for saving my life. The least I can do in return is teach you how to live."
I stand stunned for a few seconds, but the feeling quickly wanes as I smile back. "I guess there isn't any fighting you after all, Lucy."
"Nope," she says triumphantly. I put my hands on her shoulders, startling her into stillness. Her lips part in surprise as I tilt my head to the side, completely at ease even as I move close enough to feel her quickening breath on my cheek.
"Then let me show you my thanks." I press my lips against her forehead, my smile widening as she jerks in surprise. I feel heat almost as strong as my own radiate from every bit of skin on her body, her heart beating like the drums of war in her chest. I slowly move back, relishing Lucy, the brave child who was audacious enough to face me, a fire-breathing dragon, looking apprehensive and embarrassed. I lower my head and press my lips against hers, taking special note of her soft ones that seem to mold around mine and the way her every muscle relaxes as soon as I do it. It takes me a minute to notice something off. Is that...hair?
"Damn it!" I shout, grabbing Happy by the tail and spitting out the bits of blue fur that have gotten in my mouth. "Happy, what are you-"
"Natsu!" Happy interrupts. Chills of trepidation shoot through my nerves and I sit bolt-upright, my head instantly slamming into something metallic above me. I fall backwards into what feels like bars, feeling warm blood trickle down my nose from a laceration on my forehead. I set Happy down with a pained groan, trying to see through my likely concussion. The room we're in is very dark, however I can make out the metal cage we're in. I punch the bars but find they have no give, and I can't use my flames without harming Happy.
"Where are we?" I ask, my voice somewhat hoarse from the lingering pain in my skull. Happy's wide eyes are like beacons in the darkness, glistening from the tears soaking his fur.
"I don't know!"
"Huh? Wait..." I press my palm against my temple, trying to remember what happened. It was...the forest...a party...Lucy's kiss (astoundingly, that's the most vivid memory)...a woman... "Wait, why the hell are you here? I'm sure I was alone..."
"I saw two women dragging you away," he explains. "I tried to go back to call for help but all of a sudden a tree branch broke off and hit me on the head!" He pointed at a small bump between his ears. "Then I woke up here!"
"Damn..." I press my sleeve against my forehead, silently thanking Lucy for choosing this jacket. "I'm sorry, Happy. This is my problem and you're involved in it."
Happy, who was wiping his tears, snaps his head up to look me in the eyes with an expression so ascetic it catches me off-guard. "I'm your friend, Natsu," he says with finality. The effort of holding such an austere expressions appears to be too much for the plucky cat, as it drops a moment later as his eyes set on my sandals. "Even though you're not my friend, I care about you. I saw you were in trouble and I didn't think twice about it being your problem or mine; I just tried to help you, because you've been my best friend for so long. Like, back then when you told Lucy you hate her-" I didn't know you heard that, I think, but didn't say aloud, "-she still tried to be your friend. We really care about you, Natsu."
"I know," I murmur, dropping my head in my hands. "And I wish that wasn't so." I again attempt to peer through the darkness, my efforts fruitless. "That woman with black hair... She wants me because I'm a dragon, I'm sure of that. However, I don't know of a purpose I can fulfill, especially at half-power."
"Half-power?"
My stomach growls as if it wants to beat me to an answer. "Half-power."
The door opens within the next heartbeat, blinding us with the sudden white light. As my eyes adjust I make out the black-haired woman from earlier, a grim expression on her face as she slowly approaches us. "He's right here," she says over her shoulder. Another figure enters the room, one in a navy cloak with some sort of Guild mark on it. I gasp, a breath that quickly dissolves into a heated growl. "Mystgun," I snarl with as much force as I can muster. Even without the mask, I can still recognize the cerulean hair and red marks below his eye. His lips part slightly in confusion, as if he doesn't recognize the very name he gave me, but his expression quickly shifts into something indistinct.
"You met him," he says succinctly, neither remorseful nor disconcerted in the least. I grab the cage bars, shaking them with so much force Happy pleads for me to stop.
"Him is you!" I snap fervently.
"He's not," the woman says with a serenity that only succeeds in further invoking my ire. "Mystgun is Jellal's Edolas counterpart. You should know about Edolas; you have an Exceed right there."
Oh. I drop my hands, staring at the one she referred to as Jellal. He has a different scent now that I think about it, more like sadness and the forest, and he isn't spouting Mystgun's crap about removing my curse. "Like I give a damn. Mystgun or not, you still mean me harm, am I correct?"
"It depends on how you think of it," Jellal says.
"This situation can only be thought of in one way: I'm being kidnapped."
"You're eighteen, aren't you?" the woman pointed out. "You're hardly a kid."
"Yes, thank you for nitpicking," I say derisively.
"Rest assured, Natsu Dragneel, that our purpose is not at all shady and will not harm you at all," Jellal says.
"Then why exactly am I in a cage?"
"We knew you would be...disagreeable."
"Damn right I'm disagreeable!" I shake the cage for emphasis. "This is just one in a very long list of things to go wrong with my life in the last three days. I'd be crazy to not be disagreeable."
"Let us out!" Happy wails.
"In due time," the woman says. "We want you to...cool off, first."
I exhale a cloud of fire. "Whatever you two plan on doing, whether for the greater good or your 'greater' evil, I will not aid you."
"You might find yourself unable to disagree," is all Jellal says before they leave, bathing us in darkness again.
"What are we gonna do, Natsu?" Happy pleads, pulling down my zipper to climb into my jacket. At first I cringe at the wet feeling of his bodily fluids against my bare skin, but I figure that the cat can use a break and let him stay there.
"I'm not very sure myself, Happy."
He curls up against my stomach, his claws digging into my abdomen. "I'm scared, Natsu."
"It'll be okay. You have a dragon protecting you."
It's true, that he has a dragon protecting him, but sadly, that's not the case with me.
I count exactly ten thousand, three hundred and ninety-two seconds before Jellal returns. This time, there's something small but long concealed beneath his cloak, something that smells like metal and a bit like rust. "What is that, a gun?" I ask halfheartedly. Halfheartedly because though it's intended to be a joke, a gun is one of the few things that can actually harm me.
"Can you remain still for a minute?" he asks, reaching into his cloak.
"I truly don't believe I can."
"How about this? You stay still, or I shoot your kitty." He jerks his chin at Happy, who squeaks and hides behind my back. I grind my teeth but lock my muscles, sitting perfectly still. When he's assured I won't try anything, he kneels in front of the cage and removes the gun from his cloak, which is one that shoots syringe vials instead of bullets. Before I have a chance to react he stabs the needle into the underside of my wrist, pulling the trigger slowly as to ensure every drop of the strange violet liquid moves into my blood. "Okay, there it is." He moves back a bit, staring at me so intently I feel as if he's burning holes in my skull.
"What was that supposed to do?"
"It's not supposed to do anything," he says calmly. "It's ensured to do exactly what we want."
He silently waits there for approximately three hundred and sixty seconds before syringing me again, this time drawing my blood which, if I'm not imagining things, appears a bit cyan-tinged. "Alright," he says, a slight smile gracing that very punch-able face. I lean forward on my hands.
"What now, then? Would you like to keep me here as some sort of dragon sideshow?"
"As interesting and lucrative as that sounds - and don't take this part personally - I'd hate to have you around me any longer."
"Gee, thank you. I just might go home with a complex today."
He doesn't honor me with an equally-witty reply, which I am actually relieved for; my humor has its limits too. He pockets the vial full of my blood - who knows what he plans on doing with that - before replacing it with a vial of something colorless. This time, he syringes my neck, never breaking eye-contact as he slowly injects it into my jugular. My body slows before my mind does, giving me a few extra seconds of loathing Jellal's self-righteous smile before the darkness hits.
"Natsu. Natsu!"
"Ehhn?" I groan. "Isshuearryfodish..."
It takes me a moment to realize what I just said - or rather, what I didn't say. I crack my eyes open, squinting into the blinding light of early morning. The absolute last person I want or ever want to see is crouched at my side, an expression of concern marring his face. I sit up, clenching my stomach as I attempt to glare at him. "Whaharyuuhuinghar?" What?
"Lucy must've kissed you again; you're usually a lot more articulate," Sting comments, a sly grin crossing his face.
"Shushurshrak," I snap.
"Just be lucky I can understand gibberish."
"Whyharyuuhar?"
"Why am I here? Well, take a look."
I turn to the side and grit my teeth. There, a large building looms, one with letters bearing the name 'SABERTOOTH'. "Huckyuu."
"Aw, there's no need for profanity." He stands up and offers a hand; I make a point of ignoring it, but find myself stumbling and cringing when I try to rise. Grudgingly, I accept his offer, even though I still feel as if I might collapse at any moment. "What happened? I was just coming out with Rogue - he's my partner, you see - and we found you lying in the middle of the street unconscious. He wanted to get help, but I told him he'd better just telling the Fairies. He should be on his way back by now."
"Herarhandhahhohan," I say. remembering Jellal and the other two women. Then I remember that injection he gave me, and suddenly it makes sense. "Klohor-kloroho-chloroform."
"I didn't understand the first part, but I get the chloroform bit. But how exactly did you let yourself get chloroformed?" he asks, raising an eyebrow.
"Happy," I mutter.
"Huh?"
"Nohing."
"Natsu!" I look up in time to see Lucy crashing down to my side, throwing her arms around my neck and pushing her face into my shoulder. Even though my nerves are somewhat dulled, our bodily contact sends an eye-opening shock directly to my brain. I put my arms around her instinctively, taking in great mouthfuls of her flowers and ink scent.
"Hey, look what the dragon dragged in," Gray says, markedly less excited to see my face but relieved nonetheless. A young man with black hair and red eyes follows behind, nodding at Sting.
"Fahlkustahyukekahawtsurmgouh."
"Huh? What's that? I don't speak moron," he smirks. I then proceed to give him the universally understood gesture of my middle finger. He starts to move towards me but Lucy stops him, glaring.
"Gray, please," she says like he's an insolent child. I grin at him as he shoots visual daggers at me. She looks at me then, eyes concerned. "Natsu, where did you go? What happened?"
"Ihawskuckkakked." I frown, then turn to Sting.
"He was kidnapped," he supplies.
"AhighnumHerarandahohar... Kuuhohar."
"A guy named... Gerard?"
"Ho."
"Jellal?"
"Hah."
"Jellal," Sting says. "He was kidnapped by a guy named Jellal and two women."
"What two women?" the black-haired man asks.
"Ihonhohairames."
"He doesn't know their names," Sting translates.
"Heyihehehehuihohine... Hoo. Ihin... Ithushuhoshohoohohihithihint."
"He was injected with something blue, and it didn't do what it was supposed to."
"What about his worse-than-usual speech?" Gray inquires.
"Chloroform."
"Ihotworhshanuhual," I protest. "Ur haceis worhth 'han ushual."
"Hm? I kind of understood that."
"The chloroform ish wea'ing offh." I turn to Lucy. "I haff to tell Makarob about Shellal. I haff to-" I try to stand but end up falling into Gray's arms. "Thish doeshn't mean anyshing," I say to his smirking face.
"Honestly, though, you should be more concerned about getting to the infirmary," he says. "If that Jellal guy injected you with something, your life could be in danger."
I want to laugh how it's my life, yet those around me are more concerned about it, but I can't spare the strength. "So how did Billy Badass get his ass captured?" Sting says behind me.
"Shusshup Shting."
"Hey, chill. You know I love you," he grins, moving in front of me. "Us Dragon Slayers have to stick together when there's not a lot left, right?"
And guess who the blame lies with, I think. Gray pulls my arm over his shoulders and puts his arm around my waist, then he starts walking back in Fairy Tail's direction. "You shouldn't kick yourself over this, Natsu," the black-haired one says. Even without smelling him, I can tell he is a Dragon Slayer. "It could have been any of us."
"But it happen to me. I'm shoo frea'ing unlushy." The statement could be taken regarding the kidnapping, but for me, for Lucy if she can decipher it, it can also mean how I am determined to remain solitary, yet I'm faced with such open and compassionate Guild members it's nearly impossible for me to be alone. Unluckier still, because I find that I am less content to be alone, and more so with my...friends.
I'm still not accustomed to the idea of having my own home, so when they do not follow the usual path to the Fairy Tail Guild I am confused. It's only when we approach the stone shack that I remember where we're going. Lucy opens the door and Gray sets me lying down on the couch; I can't explain how much of a bastard that makes me feel like, but I also can't feel my legs, so I'm stuck either way.
"Gray, we should go tell Makarov what happened," Lucy says to him. "Sting, Rogue, can you watch Natsu for us?"
"I'm not goin' anywhere," I protest, more than angry at having to stomach Sting's presence more than strictly necessary.
"Maybe, but if you croak, someone's gotta witness it," Sting smirks, sitting on the adjacent table and resting his elbows on his knees. I roll my eyes and close them, unwilling to look at him. I hear the door close, then slowly Gray and Lucy's scents fade away. "We finally have a moment alone."
"If you expexsht a kissh or shomething, you should leave now."
"No, no." His voice is surprisingly austere. "I actually have some questions for you, me and Rogue. We didn't know there are still Dragon Slayers hanging around."
"Wut?"
"We thought a certain pink-haired guy killed them all."
"Wut?" I stare at them, eyes wide. Sting exhales, locking his fingers together beneath his chin.
"Don't get the wrong idea; neither of us blame you for what Acnologia did," Rogue says. Somehow, that does not relieve my tension. "But we do have questions, nonetheless, such as how you evaded him."
"Him? Who ish him?"
"Jellal Fernandez," Sting says like it's the easiest thing in the world.
"You know who he ish?" I growl, happy to think I have a reason to kick his ass.
"'Course," he shrugs. "He came to Sabertooth a while ago. He was wearing a cloak, so we couldn't see his face - we just knew it was him because you have his scent on you - and he offered to bring back our dragons for a little of our power each."
"He wut? Are you sure it wash Jellal and not shomeone elsh?"
"Like who? I'm pretty sure there's only one guy in the world that looks like him."
That's true enough; there is only one guy in the world that is Jellal Fernandez, but another world, that's completely different. It is not unbelievable that Sting is unaware of Edolas, but if he was also approached by Mystgun, then that is grounds for concern. Something does not compute, however; it appears that Jellal and Mystogun (if that is even his true name) are the same people, yet they have contradicting motives. Mystogun wants something from me while Jellal instead gave something to me, something that's still coursing through my body and has yet to make itself known. The fear of not knowing what is it is greater than the fear of what it will do.
"Anyway, the guy was pretty damn persistent, even after we refused. Said he'll persuade us to think otherwise. We thought he was just bullshitting and went on with our lives - that is, until three of our Mages were left in critical condition after a good fight with him. And they weren't even everyday rookies; we're talking about a God Slayer, a Celestial Mage, and the Guildmaster's daughter."
"He never tried to fight me, though he did try to kill me with fire..."
"What?" Sting and Rogue say concurrently.
"Doeshn't matter, I'm fine now. He gave me a shimilar offer and became irate when I didn't ashept it."
"Ah." Sting scratches his hair with a sigh. "Wonder what the guy's motives are?"
"Speaking of motives, what are yours, exactly?" Rogue asks. I look at him, not expecting the question. "You don't seem to want to join Fairy Tail, neither do you want to stray too far from the Mages. You do know that the more you hang around, the more people you endanger, don't you?" My expression answers him for me. "Yeah, of course you do. That's why we didn't hear about you all the years you were in Magnolia; you were in the shadows, unobtrusive. So why not return to that life now, before all these people end up dead like the others?"
I turn my head away. "I'm... Afraid."
"Afraid?"
"Mhmm. Afraid that just going back won't erase the bonds I've inadvertently created, and the others will still suffer and, consequently, I as well."
"So it's out of self-interest?" Sting asks. I shake my head.
"I've always cared for those around me more than myself, but I'm starting to realize that if I can't be happy, she can't either."
"She? Hmm, you really care about Lucy, don't you?" I turn back to Sting, irritated, but I see that he's still dead-serious.
"Of course."
"More than anything?"
"More than anything."
"Even if you learned something...bad about her? Like, she isn't what she seems to be?"
"What in the world are you talking about?"
"Your lisp is gone," he says offhandedly.
"Don't change the subject."
"Hey, I don't know what I'm talking about. Just sorta slipped out. Anyway," he says loudly, standing up. "Rogue, we should get back to the Guild."
"What about Natsu?"
"Don't worry; someone's coming for him," Sting smirks. I catch the scent he's referring to and relax a bit. "C'mon."
"Hey!" I sit up, rising to my feet a bit unsteadily. "Don't walk away! What were you talking about? Sting!"
He just passes through the door, shutting it on his way out. I could chase after him, but I can tell he'll just shake me off again. Also, a question has me hesitating: If they just met, how does Sting know about Lucy? He's cavalier and snotty but does not seem like a liar at all; I could have sensed his lies, if any, in any case. I realize that instead of focusing on why he said it, I should be focused on what he said. She isn't what she seems to be. Lucy is a little strange, of course, but Sting implies something far deeper than that. What could he possibly mean?
