Natsu of the Dragons
Chapter Ten: Natsu's Choice
Flying through the sky, Igneel spotted a flash of blue hair, followed by a black and brown haired.
There!
The two Dragon Slayers on his back noticed the younger sky dragon on running. Natsu threw his legs over the side of his dad.
"I'll take care of this!" Natsu yelled. He jumped off.
"Natsu!"
"Take care of your dad Luce!" he yelled back.
Lucy hesitantly nodded to him before Igneel took them away.
Natsu landed in front of the two men following Wendy. Wendy stopped running when she heard Natsu's voice.
"Natsu!"
"Wendy, get behind a tree," Natsu said in a low voice. His eyes having a feral look in them.
"Another dragon, eh?" one of them said.
"Well take you down," the other grunted.
They came at him. Natsu lit his hands on fire.
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!" He sent punches to the two, knocking them together on a tree. "Dragon Slayer! Get it right!"
{Line Skip}
Igneel and Lucy watched from above as dragons were fighting against humans. Erza was wounded. Same with Gray while protecting Juvia. Gajeel was in front of Levy, blocking her and the exceeds from any attacks.
"This has to stop now Igneel," Lucy said. "I won't my father hurt any of the others like this and put humans in danger."
The fire dragon nodded before letting out a terrifying roar.
Everyone looked up.
Igneel! Jellal said.
Lucy jumped off the fire dragon's back. In front of a man about to fight Sting. Lucy grabbed the man's gun and broke it in her hands. She shoved the gun into the man's arms, hard enough to make him collide with a tree.
She turned to the light dragon. "Get everyone out of here!"
Sting nodded before gathering the rest of the dragons. Some of the men were about to attack Lucy but Igneel stood behind her. He roared behind her, Lucy didn't flinch. He just watched as the men scrambled to get away from the fire dragon. Lucy heard Igneel chuckle behind her.
"WHERE DO YOU ALL THINK YOU'RE GOING?!" Lucy heard her father yell.
"You should go too," she said to the dragon.
But your father-
"I'll be able to care of him. I have for years now. You should get Natsu and Wendy and get back to the village," Lucy said, pushing his large head to the forest. "I'll try to make it to the clearing at night."
Lucy…
"Go!"
Igneel went into the forest, leaving Lucy. As he changed into his human form, he ran to where Natsu and Wendy were. On the way, two men ran at light speed pass him. Igneel chuckled as he noticed that his son had singed the poor men's asses on fire. The fire dragon found Natsu talking to a worn-out sky dragon.
"Natsu! Wendy! Let's head back!" Igneel said, taking Wendy's hand and leading her to the village.
"What about Luce?" Natsu asked.
"She'll handle her father on her own."
"No she can't!" Natsu ran back to the blonde at full speed.
"Natsu! Get back here!"
Natsu didn't listen. He ran. Lucy wasn't going to put up with her father without him by her side. Once he got to the beach, he saw something he wasn't ready for.
Lucy was on her knees in the sand, with her father grabbing her arm tightly. Natsu could feel that anger that radiated from her father and smelled the tears from her eyes.
"Lucy!"
Her eyes widened when she saw him. "No…no, no, no! No! Get out of here Natsu!"
"If I remember specifically, I told you to stay away from him!" Jude yelled. He held up a gun and aimed for Natsu.
The fire Dragon Slayer stopped in his tracks. "Let her go."
"You're not in a position to be making orders, Boy."
Jude took a shot at Natsu, but the Dragon Slayer moved to the side quickly. Barely missing the bullet. Before Jude reloaded the gun in the barrel, Lucy grabbed her father's arm, diverting it away from Natsu. Jude shot the gun again but it went into the trees.
"Natsu! Get out of here!" she yelled.
"But Luc-"
"GO!" the blonde Slayer said, not sure ho long she could hold off her father for.
With a growl directed to Jude, Natsu ran off into the forest. Jude glared angrily to here the fire Dragon Slayer ran off to before looking to his daughter. He threw her off his arm. She slammed into a rock. Mira ran over to her to make sure she was alright.
"Lucy…You saw that boy. I deliberately told you not to. Yet, being the insolent girl you are, you went and disobeyed me." Jude threw the gun on the ground. "We're leaving tomorrow. Pack up most of the camp tonight."
"But Father-" Lucy yelled.
"No buts. And don't think you're getting out of this so easily. Leaving tomorrow is only part of your punishment.
{Line Skip}
Lucy laid on her bed with her portable lacrima gaming system. She sighed before pausing her game and sitting up. She stared at herself in the mirror leaning against a tent pole. She raised a hand to her still bleeding, bruised lip.
She sighed. I can still taste the blood. After Jude had announced that they were leaving the next morning, he took Lucy aside to give her one of those stupid punishment beatings he's given her. Since her mother died.
The Slayer sighed in aggravation before seeing the large bruise right above her left breast. She couldn't touch it. It hurt even if it was gently touched.
"Lucy…" Mira walked into said girl's tent.
"Mira-nee," Lucy said.
Mira held up a small bundle of ice wrapped in a towel. "Here. It'll make your lip and bruise feel better."
Lucy nodded as she took the ice. She looked in the mirror as she gently placed the ice on her lip. Lucy constantly flinched whenever the cold substance touched the wounded lip. Mira rolled her eyes and huffed. The Take-Over mage grabbed the ice and sat Lucy down on her bed before kneeling before the Slayer. Mira placed the ice on Lucy's ice despite the blonde's fighting.
"You have to keep it on Silly," she said.
Comfortable silence filled the tent as Mira shifted the ice from Lucy's lip to her chest.
"I shouldn't have let him do this to you Lucy," Mira said as she let the near melted ice fall in her lap. The white-haired beauty looked up to Lucy with tears brimming in her blue eyes.
Lucy smile gently before pulling Mira in for a hug. "It's my fault Mira-nee."
"How could it be yours Lucy?" Mira asked. "You wanted to protect the dragons as if they are your family from the guild. It's just who you are. A protective Dragon Slayer who won't let anything happen to them."
"It's my fault for suggesting this trip in the first place. I wouldn't have met him if I-"
"But, aren't you glad you did?" Mira asked. Lucy pulled away and stared at Mira. The Take-Over mage smiled softly to the Dragon Slayer. "If you didn't bring up this trip, you would've never met Natsu. I think you've been the happiest I've ever seen you be in so long Lucy."
Lucy turned away. Ever since joining Fairy Tail at the age of ten, there's never been a real moment of pure happiness for Lucy. Sure she'd smile while surrounded by the destructive natures of her guild mates. But those smiles were forced. During the past two weeks while hanging with Natsu and his dragon family and friends, she felt, well, happy. Truly happy. For the first time since her mother's death and Celeste's disappearance.
"You really think so?"
"Dear, everyone does. Laxus actually smiled for once since you've begun to smile." Mira picked up the melted ice and got up. "I wish for your happiness Lucy. Whatever the choice is." Mira laid her hand on the blonde head before heading out of the tent. "Go to bed soon. Tomorrow, I'll cover for you with Liz and Levy for you to go to the village one last time before we leave."
Lucy nodded. "Thank you Mira-nee. And goodnight."
Mira looked back and showed her that poster-girl smile of hers. "Any time Lucy. Goodnight Dear."
Lucy smiled as the Take-Over mage as she left before getting up and turning out the candle on the desk. She slid into bed, continuing to play her nearly forgotten game. She played for a few minutes before turning it off completely and just laid on her bed. She let out a deep breathe before yawning.
"I better get to bed. A big day tomorrow," Lucy said to herself.
"Lushie…Be quiet…" someone yawned next to her in bed.
Lucy's brown eyes widened as she turned to where the voice came from. Beside her on the bed. She cocked an eyebrow before nearing it and staring at a lump under the covers.
How did I not notice that lump in my bed? she thought. She smelled the air; ashes and cinders. Natsu?
The female Slayer pulled down the covers and saw Natsu napping on her bed. Lucy opened her mouth and was about scream before the male Slayer covered her mouth on quick reflexes.
He looked in another direction. "Don't. Scream. Alright?"
Lucy nodded quickly.
"You sure?"
Lucy nodded again.
"Completely sure?"
"Don't mwake me wrick roe!" Lucy said in a muffled voice.
"What?" Natsu asked. The girl bonked his head. "Ow Luce!"
"I said don't make me lick you."
"Well, that's not nice," Natsu said before turning away again.
Lucy tilted her head in confusion. "Why aren't you looking at me? Is there something on my face?"
"More like there's isn't on you."
"What are you-" Lucy looked down to see that her near skimpy nightgown was low, showing an ample amount of cleavage and it had ridden up. Shit! Lucy pulled the covered that were on Natsu on her. But in doing so, she accidently touched the bruise on her chest and let out a quiet squeak, hoping the other Slayer wouldn't hear.
But he did. "What's wrong?" Natsu asked in concern.
"Nothing. How did you get in here? My father will kill us both if he found us together after what happened today." Lucy wrapped herself tighter in the covers.
"Mira helped me get through camp. Seriously, tell me what's wrong?" Natsu pulled on the covers to let him see what Lucy was hiding.
"Everything's fine Natsu. Nothing's wrong-" Lucy said.
But Natsu had pulled the covers off Lucy. She had a hand covering the bruise. Natsu managed to pry Lucy's hand off of the bruise and saw the deep purple blemish on her chest. Lucy felt him heat up beside her.
"Natsu-"
"Did he do this?" Lucy stayed quiet. "Lucy, did he-"
"Yes. But, don't do anything stupid Natsu."
"Lucy, he-"
"He's my only family. Please…"
Natsu stayed quiet. Lucy sighed before wrapped her arms around his torso and pulling herself closer to him. She felt him relax and rested his arms around her, pulling her closer to his warmth before snuggling his nose into her neck. Lucy closed her eyes while being in the familiar warmth of the fire Dragon Slayer. Natsu laid the angry thoughts against Lucy's father to rest as she stayed in his arms.
"I'm sorry."
"Me too."
Quiet flooded over them. They didn't want to ruin the moment. But as the moon was high in the sky, Lucy decided he should tell him now before she ambushed him tomorrow with the others.
"Natsu?"
"Yeah Luce?"
"I'm leaving tomorrow."
He didn't answer. But brought her closer to his chest as he felt her shake. She started quietly sobbing into his chest and he held her close.
"I don't want to!"
"Lucy…Listen, you have to go back. I don't want you getting hurt by your father because of me and the dragons, okay? Do it for your protection."
"I don't care Natsu. I want to stay with you."
"You don't have to worry about me. 'Cause I'm going with you."
Lucy pulled away and gawked at the other Slayer. "You're coming with us? But Natsu, I-"
"Hey." Natsu reached a hand to her face wiping the falling tears on her cheeks and from her eyes. "I'm alright with it. I don't want you looking for Acnologia on your own. I wouldn't forgive myself if I let you get hurt because I decided to stay here." He brought his forehead to connect with hers. "It's my choice Luce."
Lucy let another flow of tears run down her cheeks before wrapping her arms around Natsu's neck and crying into his neck. Where his scent was the strongest. Natsu held her close like that for another hour or two before she was drifting off to sleep.
"I have to go Luce. Before somebody catches us like this."
The girl nodded and let him go. He slipped out of bed and knelt before Lucy. He moved a piece of hair on her face and let his hand linger there.
"Meet up in the clearing right after your father gets on a boat to the ship, okay? Mira told me already."
Lucy sleepily nodded before her eyes fluttered to a close. "Goodnight Natsu." Soon enough, the tent was filled with Lucy's soft snores.
Natsu stroked Lucy's cheek before laying a kiss on her blonde head. "Goodnight Love."
With that, the fire Dragon Slayer ran out of the tent and out of camp, into the forest.
{Line Skip}
Igneel found his son looking over the village at his favourite spot. The dragon sighed before sitting next to his son. Natsu looked to him before looking out to the sea. Igneel smiled sadly, knowing what his son was going to say.
"Dad, I-"
"You don't need to say it Natsu." The boy looked to Igneel in surprise. "Just answer me one question." Natsu nodded. "Do you love her?"
Natsu's onyx eyes widened before looking to the village below them. He saw Gray walking with Juvia out to take their patrol rounds. The stripper seemed to be talking to the water dragon with ease and actual content. He saw Jellal holding Erza's hand as he dropped her off at her home. They're all in a complete happy state of mind. And, he thought, that was him when he was with Lucy. And, Natsu wanted to be in that happy state for the rest of his life. And, if possible, he wanted it to be with Lucy.
Natsu nodded. "I do." Natsu looked to her father with a sad gleam in his eyes. "Will you be fine, Dad?"
Igneel shrugged. "I can't have a brat leaving me hold me back from my duties Kid. But, I will miss you." Igneel grabbed something from his jacket. "Here." Igneel placed a package wrapped in brown paper on Natsu's lap. "I was gonna wait until you were leaving the island in another few years. But, you're leaving tomorrow with her. So…"
Natsu ripped apart the paper and saw a white scarf that had a pattern of scales on it. The fire Dragon Slayer looked in amazement to the gift. Igneel looked at his son with pride.
"It's great Dad!" Natsu said as he wrapped it around his neck. The boy looked to his father with a large grin occupying most of his face.
"I'm glad you like it Kid. Made it myself." Natsu looked at his father, expecting him to say something else. "What?"
"You don't sow or anything crafty like this."
"You got me. Grandeeney helped too with Ur." Igneel placed a hand on Natsu's shoulder before getting up. "I'm glad you like it Son. I'll tell everyone that you and Lucy are leaving tomorrow. Get home and get to bed soon, alright?"
Natsu nodded and watched his father leave. "Hey Igneel?" The dragon stopped and looked over his shoulder. "Thanks for everything."
"Natsu, I'm your father. Of course I would do anything for you."
"I love you Dad."
Igneel sighed. Tears pricking at his eyes as he turned around. He raised the back of his hand to wipe his dark eyes. There you go Kid, Igneel thought. Making a grown dragon cry. Igneel waved to his son.
"I love you too Son. Stay safe."
Natsu watched as the dragon disappeared. He looked back to the star-filled sky over the ocean. He sighed; soon enough he would be on a boat with Lucy. Going to where he came from before he was left on the island for nineteen years. He would go see the world with a girl he loves and go on plenty of adventures with her. Hell, he might even join her guild and became a mage like Lucy.
Natsu sighed in content, staring at the moon's reflection on the water in the distance. Nothing could go wrong. That is, until he remembered that a boat was a form of moving transportation that he'd have to get on. As he thought of the boat swaying, back and forth, Natsu nearly puked on Gray and Juvia below the cliff.