Love between two worlds

Chapter 9

Motivational Talk

Lucy ran all the way back to her apartment, not caring at the looks she received. Tears streamed from her eyes, clouding her vision. She wasn't able to see her steps as easily and tripped when he heel caught into a small hole in the ground. Grabbing her shoes, she pulled them off and tossed them to the side, not caring how much they had cost.

She knew that Natsu was chasing her and that if he really wanted to, he could easily catch up but he wasn't. So did that mean that his heart wasn't in it? Did that mean that he didn't want to catch her? Natsu replayed her words over and over again in his head. She loves him, or at least she did. He couldn't help but think that after what he just said that there was no way she would still want to be with him. He had ruined everything.

His running slowed slightly as his determination lowered. What would he do if she rejects him now? All of his hard work, their hard work would have been for nothing. He couldn't think of living without his blond companion by his side. He would rather have her as a best friend than nothing at all and at this point, he didn't think that was even possible anymore.

Finally, she made it back home and threw open the door then slammed it shut. She quickly locked it and rushed around locking all of her windows, trying to prevent the dragon slayer from being able to get in. She had only one window left to do as she headed down the hall as quickly as she could. Approaching her room she threw open her door and came face to face with Natsu.

"Luce." Natsu whispered as he looked into her blood shot eyes that shined with tears. It broke his heart to see her like this, and it was so much worse since he was the cause. He never actually intended to hurt her. This was all a big mistake, something he should never have done.

"Get out." Her voice broke with the sobs that were shaking her small frame. Her hand rose and pointed to the same window he climbed in through. She was furious.

"Let me explain." Natsu asked taking a step closer. Lucy took a step back, avoiding getting too close to him.

"No. I don't want to hear what you have to say. Just get out."

"Lucy please." Natsu pleaded. If only she would give him a chance to make things right. To explain himself to her.

"No Natsu, just go." Her voice was barely a whisper now. Her head was lowered but her hand remained up pointing towards the window. Natsu couldn't stand the look of betrayal he saw in her eyes. He could see her tears as they fell to the floor, liquid forms of her sorrow. Natsu felt like he had been brutally beaten. Like someone had told him that he would never find Igneel. No it was worse than that. Nothing could compare to this.

His shoulders slumped and his head dropped once he realized that there was nothing that he was going to be able to do. She would need time to cool off before she would ever let him talk. How much time, Natsu was unsure but if that's what she needed than Natsu would give it to her. He walked towards the window and climbed onto the edge. He whispered his apology before jumping out and into the cool night air. As he walked away, he could hear her heart retching sobs echoing from her still open window. He knew that this was going to be a long night. There was no way he was going to be able to get any sleep.

The next day came and Natsu waited patiently for her in her favorite spot at the bar. Numerous of his guildmates tried to talk to him. Asking if he was okay or asking about Lucy but he never responded. They would always walk away with one last glance at him with eyes full of concern. Even Mirajane was letting him be, knowing that right now wasn't the moment to pry.

The day passed quickly and the second day Lucy still didn't show up. Natsu was starting to get worried but he wanted to give her as much space as possible. Everything that has happened recently has been weighing heavily upon the blonds heart, so maybe she needed more time than usual.

Another day passed and now it was the third day and still no Lucy. Natsu was pacing hectically around the guild, every few seconds his head would shoot up towards the guild doors hoping to see them opening for his partner. Today was the last day that their counterparts were going to be here for and there was no way Lucy would miss saying goodbye...would she? Natsu was happy for the newly found couple but it only worsened his mood when he saw his and Lucy's counterparts together. Making him realize just how much he truly loves and missed her.

"Natsu, what is wrong with Lucy?" A stern voice startled Natsu from his thoughts as he instantly recognize who it belonged to. When Natsu didn't respond she moved closer, her eyes narrowing at the fire mage. "Where is Lucy? What has happened between you two?"

Natsu was scared. He didn't really want to tell Erza what happened in fear of her wrath but he knew that he deserved any punishment she decided to give him. Even then it wouldn't make up for the pain Lucy was feeling on the inside.

"I-I said something stupid-"

"That's nothing new for you." A snicker came from beside him. He was so lost in thought that he never noticed Gray approach him. When Natsu didn't reply is when Gray knew that it was something serious. "Tell us what happened and we will try our best to help you."

He explained what happened three days ago on their double date and made sure to tell them every detail. Both of the mages in front of him stared at him with wide eyes. Most of the guild was listening in to the story but I didn't care. I felt that I owed it to Lucy to let them do what they felt was necessary. Mirajane ran off crying with an Elfman and Lisanna chasing after her. Erza stood up and balled her hand into a fist. Tears appeared in the corner of her eyes as she pulled her arm back, ready to attack. Natsu closed his eyes, waiting for the impact that never came. When he opened his eyes, he saw Gray blocking Erza but glaring at him. His out stretched arm had stopped Erza in her tracks as she looked at him questioningly.

"What the hell are you doing Gray?! He deserves to be punished!" Erza shouted as her body shook in anger. Gray just shook his head, his deep blue eyes gazing into Natsu's onyx ones.

"Erza, he wouldn't have said that without a reason. We all know him better than that." Natsu's eyes widened. Gray was defending him? Against Erza?

"Fine. Explain now!" Natsu yelped at the scarlet haired woman.

"A-alright. I d-did it to m-make L-Lucy...jealous." His last word was said in a whisper and the two mages barely managed to catch it. Erza and Gray found themselves stunned.

"So let me get this straight, you said something like that to make Lucy jealous?" Gray asked. Natsu nodded. "Even though you knew she already liked you?" Another nod from the dragon slayer. "And you knew that she was only dating Fireball to help him with Ashley not get you jealous?"

When Natsu nodded once more, his two teammates started to laugh and mutter things about how stupid and dense he was. Natsu was too concerned for Lucy to worry about what they were saying about him.

"Come on guys! I don't know what to do about Lucy. Please help me." The desperation in Natsu's voice haltered their laughing as they looked at him with knowing grins.

"Gray, I am sure that you can handle this. I shall go and explain this to Mirajane and I am sure that once she hears about his reasoning that she wont be too upset. She was the one routing for them the most." Erza said before walking off. Gray sighed before turning his attention back to the pink haired idiot in front of him.

"Okay Natsu, what you have to do may be difficult for your small brain to process but it's actually quite simple." Natsu ignored his comment as he waited for him to continue. "Just go to her, apologize and explain what happened."

"But I already tried that!" Natsu pouted. "She wont listen to me."

"Try again. And keep trying until she does. Never give up, the Natsu we know would never do something like that." Gray smirked at Natsu who's eyes widened. A smile came to Natsu's face. Gray was right. This wasn't like him to just give up and mope about like he has been. "Besides something tells me that she will listen now. She probably just needed some time to think."

"Thanks Gray. For once your actually right."