Thank you very much readers. I'm already borrowing Hiro Mashima's characters. I'll also be borrowing a bit of his creative imagination in the manga as well as the ideas that user loubu202 suggested for the story, for the initial parts of this chapter.

Chapter 10

Great things he experienced...

...the small ones she discovered

Lucy had been obedient and pleasant from when she was small. Because there hadn't been any reason not to. She had very doting parents, who loved her dearly till their last breath. It had happened when she was around nine, her mother had died saving Mavis and her father had caught an incurable illness and followed her mother soon after. She still felt the hollow in her heart that her parents' affections used to warm up, but her friends didn't let her dwell in that sorrow for long. Mirajane and Ultear had been the elder sister-cum-mother figures for her while Lisana, Levy, Meredy, Hisui, Yukino were the best girlfriends anyone could ask for. Of course there were Loke, Virgo and others to guide and teach her to control her powers. It had taken full two years to heal Mavis and make her strong enough to gain consciousness and leave her body. They hadn't found any method to restore her body, so she chose to be an astral presence.

And it had all started from that time. Mavis' preserved body had become a huge source of energy, it had both healing and destructive powers. Lucy had the powers inherited from her mother, and she and Yukino were the only ones who could control it, with the help of the twelve celestial spirits. They had been able to put a seal on it. Major of the powers had come from Lucy, she had managed to control the powers of ten of the celestial spirits. It had not been a great deal till one day when some of the fairies themselves had attempted to kidnap Lucy and use her to exploit Mavis' powers for their own selfish purpose. That had demanded her presence and powers to be hidden, no wonder the enemies would jump at the existence of such a possibility. They had to erase and rewrite the memories of many fairies to prevent such incidents in future. Only the council and close friends were now aware of Lucy's existence.

It's not that Lucy regretted saving Mavis, so strong their bond was, Lucy didn't have to think twice before offering her help. She had a fair idea of the huge responsibility in it. That time she was sure that she would be able to handle it easily, as long as her lovable friends remained safe. She didn't want to go through the pain of losing someone dear again.

But things had changed too drastically for her to cope with it. She was made to stay at one place, with someone always keeping an eye on her. And her friends had changed, not that they treated her differently on intention; they had become too much over-protective of her. Some initial months she had borne with it, but then it had gradually became torturous. And she just couldn't oppose it, could she? She didn't want to hurt anyone's feelings.

That's why when Natsu had asked her about it, she hadn't been able to control the turmoil in her emotions anymore. She was fed up of all this and needed someone, anyone to comfort her. Unthinkingly, she had rushed to hug him, forgetting all about their differences, their strained situation. Any hesitation that she realized a few moments later were driven away by Natsu asking if she was alright. He seemed actually concerned for her, and that did it. Made her mind throw away any kind of rational thought in it.

Moments passed and they stayed like that. Her tightly hugging him and him with his arm wound around her, his hand holding her head, making her press her face more into him. She gradually calmed down, yet she didn't want to let go of the warm embrace. An irony to her disturbed feelings earlier, she felt so secured and safe and peaceful in their current position. She didn't utter a single sound, afraid that it would make him let go of her. Sadly, she didn't get her wish fulfilled.

"Lucy?" Natsu made an attempt to move, which startled Lucy and she abruptly let go of him and staggered back a few steps. What had she done now?! Her brain was now actively functioning, making her realise of her grave mistake; and so was her heart, beating rapidly, pumping blood by ten folds, making her face flushed with embarrassment. Natsu was staring at her with a dumbfounded expression. She swore inwardly, if he would say anything to tease her, she would break all the bones in his bone then and there! As if sensing the change in her, he regained his composure and sat down on the sofa and patted on the empty space beside him for her to sit. Well, what worse could happen anymore? Lucy went and sat beside him.

"You ok now?" Natsu asked. Lucy hummed in response. Silence again filled the room. Wanting to get rid of the awkwardness as soon as possible, Lucy reminded him, "Anyways, you wanted to talk about something?" Natsu's expression was unreadable when he replied, "Yea. Well, it seemed odd not seeing you in the mornings."

Lucy became wary at that instant. There it was again, the tension in being with him. She couldn't reveal anything at any cost. What was done was done. She couldn't afford to make any more mistakes. She took a deep breath and answered, "They don't require my presence. I'm not in the council."

"You didn't answer my previous question. Have you been here since that day?"

Lucy concentrated hard not to be side-tracked and replied curtly, "I have stayed here since I was small. Where else would I be?"

Even if Natsu was surprised by her sudden change in attitude, he didn't show it. They sat again in silence. Lucy was utterly confused what to do. Moments turned to minutes, yet Natsu didn't budge. He roamed his eyes around her room, as if he were memorising it.

"Lucy?" Master Makarov's voice suddenly filled her mind, making her alert. "Are you fine? Is he done with the talk?"

"Natsu? Did you want to talk about anything else?" Lucy asked aloud, which made Natsu stand up and he started to go back when he said, "No. I'm done. For today at least."

"Huh?"

Natsu turned to face her. Unlike before, his face wore a solemn expression. Lucy hesitated. She badly wanted to know what was going on his mind, yet her instincts yelled at her that she would somehow regret it.

"Lucy. I would like to meet you tomorrow as well." She was confounded by his sheer honesty. Controlling herself, she managed to ask harshly, "What for?"

To her surprise, a hint of smile played on his lips. He brushed her already-arranged hair and tugged some strands behind her ear. While she remained awestruck, he confidently said, "I won't lie about it. I like seeing and spend time you. And I'm not afraid to discover this thing between us that you are so intent on avoiding. If anyone asks, I would simply say I have taken an interest in you, and I will Lucy. I don't back out from any challenge. And you are a tough one, which I like the most. So, prepare your excuse for tomorrow because I don't require one with me Lucy. See you tomorrow." and he strode away without waiting for any response.

Lucy stood with a dazed expression even after he was gone. Mirajane and Levy rushed in after few minutes, worried even more after seeing her state, made her sit down. They showered her with thousands of questions to which she didn't answer at all. Before Natsu had amazed her with his goofiness and strength, this time he had stunned her with his seriousness. She wanted to ignore it all, as he had said; but she couldn't anymore.

"Mira-san, Levy-chan; I'm alright. Nothing happened. Could I go to sleep now? I'm really tired." They saw through her obvious lie, but didn't comment on it. "Alright. Take care Lucy." "Yea, we'll be outside, Lu-chan." and left her alone.

Not plopping on her bed, she went to sit by the window and stared out the now late-evening, sky that was red hued was now embracing darkness. His words had had great impact on her, because he had been right, he had been right about every bit about her. How could he be so perspective about her, she had no idea. And she didn't mind it. Now that she was not trying to suppress, it was easy to admit to herself that she liked him, a lot actually. Unlike before, her emotions weren't ruckus anymore, they easily passed through her unhindered, entered and stayed deep within, piling up one after another. It did amazing things with her heart. It wasn't beating as fast, but still she could feel something growing within it. And she found herself yearning for that feeling.

But the physical contact with him, it did entirely different things with her sentiments. Earlier when she had hugged him, she was busy controlling herself so she hadn't much minded or noticed. But when he had touched her hair in farewell, that small gesture did amazing things. She tried to imitate his hand, taking a few strands in her fingers, tugging them back, her hand slightly brushing her face, just like his had. The reminiscence brought a small, warm smile in her expression. And continued staring at the sky just like that...

...Once out of the fairies' piercing glances, Natsu had ran the way back, desperately in need of some physical labor. Lucy, she was so innocent. As much as it was advantageous for him to tease her and get the fun from it, it just as much arose unfavorable circumstances for him. He knew that the hug didn't have any deep meaning for her, she simply had wanted comfort; but this reason hadn't prevented him getting turned on in any way. The way her delicate soft body had been tightly hugging him, he had felt all those curves physically that he had seen and lusted at before. It had taken great ounce of concentration not to take their skinship to a greater level. He had wanted to kiss those lips of hers to disturb them from the firm line they had formed when she had been serious and distant.

"DAMN!" he halted and punched one of the many trees. It shuddered, but thankfully stood in its place. If anyone found him destroying the place...not good! He didn't want to get back yet, not when he was in such a disarrayed state. He sighed and dropped himself on ground and leaned against the tree trunk. He stared above, there was less sky that he could see because of the leaves. Nights were much different in Alvarez, he could sit on roof and watch the sky turn shades, the whole city glittering in lamps and lights. But it wasn't so bad here. Nightfall had made the place give a glitter of its own, he could make out the dark hued surroundings. Mornings made the excessive, way too excessive forestation evident for his eyes, but the night had dulled the image. And he liked it better. Crickets and other small nocturnal beings began to make their presence known by the various sounds that echoed around. He gradually calmed down. Now that he had admitted his obvious liking for her, he was surer than ever of his intentions. At least, now he didn't have to face the confusing feelings that startled him. It was one step forward the unknown course he was treading. He sighed again at the realization of how late it had gotten. Invel would bite his head off.

He stood up and brushed his clothes. He didn't know what Lucy would do, but he knew what he had to. Grimness filled his appearance as he walked back to his lots. Afterall he hadn't been lying when he had told Lucy that he didn't have any excuses.

That's it! Truthfully speaking, I like this Natsu better. But at the same time, I hope I haven't changed him too much. And, I'm really thankful for all the reviews up till now, they really keep me going.