Self-Defense
Disclaimer – I do not own Fairy Tail
*Author's Note #1 – WARNING: The moves described in this fic CAN hurt others. Do NOT use these moves unless it is for SELF-DEFENSE. If you are interested in learning/practicing SELF-DEFENSE, please CONSULT a PARENT/GUARDIAN and/or sign up for a CLASS on SELF-DEFENSE.
Chapter 10 – Front Snap Kick (Rated M)
"Is everything all right? You look uneasy," observed Gray when Natsu entered the kitchen that morning.
"I'm fine. It's just…I got weird vibes from this guy who was hanging around on our floor yesterday."
"What guy?"
"He works for maintenance and said his name was Jerome. I literally ran into him yesterday morning, and when I came home yesterday, I found him waiting in our hall. I don't feel right about him. He's…a creeper."
Gray narrowed his eyes. "Have you seen him before?"
"No. Not until yesterday. It didn't even look like he'd been working at all."
"What's he look like?"
"Well, he had a grey colored jumpsuit on and a baseball cap. He's well-built from what I could tell," elaborated Natsu.
"I'll notify the apartment security to keep an eye out for him. Well, we need to go to school in a bit. Are you all right?"
Natsu sighed. "Yeah. And thanks, Gray."
"No problem, Natsu," he replied, wrapping his arms around him securely. "I'd never let anything happen to you."
4th Period – Self-Defense
"Natsu, I don't mean to sound blunt, but how the hell did you manage to get the school to give you school supplies? Don't we have a budget crisis?" inquired Gray as he watched Natsu unload a box filled with notebooks.
"I told the principal that this was for the overall self-improvement of Fairy Tail's students. Plus, the efforts done by the school to boost the self-esteem of their students would eventually be recognized by the public."
"I didn't know you could sweet talk people." Gray sounded impressed.
"I didn't, either. Class is starting soon, so go get the shield."
Today's lesson was going to be interesting, especially since Natsu was adding homework into the mix, but he'd let the class know that…later. It was Friday, after all. If he mentioned that there would be homework now, he might incite a riot.
"Happy Friday!" Natsu started when the last of the students arrived. "We'll be learning a move today called the Front Snap Kick and the shields we used yesterday will be the same ones we use today. However, you will be holding them differently."
Grabbing a shield, he gripped the handle on the top of it and held it off to the side. "Take one hand and hold the top of the shield like I'm doing and hold it off to the side away from your body. But you must keep it off the ground. When the Front Snap Kick is used on the shield in this way, it will swing backward. Your partner will therefore not be in harm's way. Does that make sense?"
The class nodded and Natsu dropped the shield on the ground and moved over toward Gray, who was holding the shield like he just had.
"For the Front Snap Kick, your weapon will be the ball of your foot, not your toes. Your target on your attacker is their knee; the front and side. You will kick as if you're trying to kick through your target and snap back. Repeat this move as many times as necessary until you can get away. I would like to emphasize, again, that self-defense is being used to incapacitate so that you can get away and get help."
Natsu stood in front of the shield in the ready position used for most of the Self-Defense moves. His right leg was a little further back than his other one. Then he lifted his right leg and thrust it forward into the shield using the ball of his foot to make contact. The shield swung backward and Natsu let it rest before he executed the move again.
"The reason you're using the ball of your foot instead of your toes is because you have more power and force in that part of your body. If you were to use your toes, there is a good chance you could either injure yourself, not have the desired impact, or both. Just think about it. Your full weight is mostly supported by this part of your body," said Natsu, indicating the ball of his foot. "There's a lot of power there. Now, split up and start practicing. Then we'll have another lecture."
Natsu dismissed them to practice. This move seemed to be a lot easier for them to do, mainly because they weren't worried about hurting their partners this time.
"I know I shouldn't ask, but what are the notebooks for?" Gray was desperate to know. Natsu had chosen not to relate that information to him and it was driving him mad.
"You'll find out in a bit. Why are you so adamant about finding out, anyway?" Natsu asked, teasing him.
Gray pouted, although, it looked to be nonexistent. But Natsu knew it was there.
"We're not going to be writing things down and sharing them with the class, are we?" Gray grumbled.
"No. If anyone wants to share anything in this class, it's entirely up to them. I'd never pressure anyone into sharing anything unless they wanted to. Don't worry about the notebooks. You'll find out with the rest of the class."
Gray crossed his arms. He was miffed because he couldn't squeeze this valuable information out of Natsu.
"All right, class! That's enough!" Natsu called out. "If I can have you put the shields up and take a seat, that would be greatly appreciated."
A few minutes later, the students had seated themselves and anxiously awaited the next part of the lesson. And soon, they found themselves each being handed a notebook and a pen, along with a sheet of…instructions?
"Is this homework?" Gajeel questioned, eyeing the materials in distaste.
"Sort of," Natsu replied. "Each one of you has been handed a notebook, a pen, and a set of instructions. It's homework to a degree, but it will not be collected. However, I do expect everyone to keep up with it. Myself included. It's more for your benefit than anything else. Let's go over the instructions."
How to Like Yourself & Improve Your Self Esteem
Step 1
Every day (or night) write down at least five things you […] like about yourself and why.
Step 2
Ask yourself what's likable about the things you dislike about yourself. Again, write it down…Writing things down helps things to "stick" with us better.
Step 3
Look at those with characteristics you admire, and then look within yourself for those same traits.
Step 4
Graciously accept compliments.
"I want everyone to follow these steps and keep writing in these notebooks everyday for the duration of this Self-Defense unit," said Natsu after he finished reading the directions the article had provided. "I'll be writing in one, too. You won't have to share these with the class and, again, you won't be turning' them in. I hope doing' this will help you."
The bell rang, signaling the end of class. Filtering out of the gym, the students took what they had been given, appearing intrigued by the assignment.
"I expect you to do this, too, Gray," Natsu warned as he watched Gray stare blankly at the notebook. "Gray?"
"I want to do this, but…can you help me with it?" Gray looked…lost.
"Uh, I guess so. What do you need help with?"
"I don't…I don't think there's anything I really like about myself," Gray answered softly.
Well that was something Natsu hadn't expected. How had Gray managed to pull off having such high self-esteem if he didn't think there was anything about himself to like?
"Gray, there are many good qualities in you," stated Natsu. "You're strong and caring'. Just look at what you've done for me. If you want, I can help you work through this, okay?"
Their eyes met. "Okay."
Natsu sighed in relief as he walked up to the apartment door. Jerome was nowhere in sight, so perhaps Gray's little notification had prevented the creeper from lurking around.
Opening the door, he shut and locked it, tossing his keys onto the little table near the door. He went to the bedroom he now officially shared with Gray and let Happy out. He rushed from the room and scampered down the hall.
"Don't worry. I'll feed you in a sec," he chuckled, noticing his empty food bowl.
Making his way to the kitchen, a voice stopped him.
"It's about time you got home."
Natsu froze. Turning his head slightly, he discovered that Jerome was standing near the front door. He was wearing the same outfit as yesterday.
Natsu quickly took in his situation. He was in a bad spot. The phone was next to Jerome, as well as his keys. The rest of the apartments up here were mostly empty, so if he called out, there was a strong chance no one would hear him.
"Oh, and before I forget, there's something else I want to mention. I took the proper precautions so that we wouldn't be disturbed," began Jerome, removing his cap and placing it on the table over Natsu's keys. "That security guy who'd been roaming the hall is a little…hung up at the moment."
Swallowing hard, Natsu walked backward, circling around the other side of the couch in the center of the room. He needed to play his cards right. "What do you want?" he demanded, not taking his eyes off his intruder.
Jerome smirked and slid his hand into his pocket. He pulled out a knife.
Shit! Natsu thought frantically. From his own personal experience, a knife was a hell of a lot worse to deal with than a gun; it was far easier for him to predict what would happen. But a knife?
"First, I think I'll cut up that pretty face of yours. Then I'll take you with my knife. I like preparing my victims properly before I fuck them."
Natsu's eyes widened. He was trapped. His only way out had been blocked. If he tried to hurt Jerome in order to get away, it would be very risky. The knife worried him more than anything.
Glancing around, Natsu spotted a vase that had been used to decorate the coffee table. Perhaps if he kept Jerome talking enough, he'd be able to reach the vase and use it as a distraction.
"How'd you get in here?" Natsu asked suddenly. If he boosted the guy's ego some, maybe he could set his plan into motion.
"I'm glad you asked. All I had to do was say that I'd been called to do some maintenance up here and they let me in. I picked the lock and waited for you to come home. Too bad the other one didn't come with you. I'd have had some real fun with him, too. But you'll do just fine."
"My boyfriend's coming home any minute!" he blurted, creeping closer to the coffee table.
"No, he isn't. His shift ends at six, right? That's plenty of time to play around. Now, enough small talk. I want to have some fun."
Jerome lunged at him the same time Natsu grabbed the vase. He stepped to the side, his attacker's knife grazing his arm as he brought the vase down on his head…hard. It broke, shattering into pieces.
But instead of stunning Jerome, it only served to piss him off.
"Why you little—" Jerome grabbed his arm and punched him in the face, promptly knocking Natsu onto the floor between the couch and the coffee table.
Gray sighed. He should really go home now. Business at Forever 21 was so slow today.
Spinning on his heel, he looked out the window of the second floor, smiling softly when he noticed that Natsu was right. His place of work was right across from their apartment. But soon, his smile disappeared and was replaced with a look of shock.
Someone else was in their apartment other than Natsu. And he just watched as Natsu was sent flying to the floor.
Whipping out his cell phone, he contacted the police as he bolted from the building.
Shaking off his daze, Natsu's eyes refocused on his attacker's towering form.
"Fucking bitch!" Jerome hissed, coming to him.
Natsu raised his leg, brought his knee toward his face and thrust the heel of his foot at Jerome's knee as hard as he could. There was a bit of a sickening crunch as his attacker stumbled backward, but he didn't fall. Would nothing take this guy down?
Jerome growled as he righted himself, brandishing his knife once more. He moved for Natsu again. Placing his injured leg down first, Happy darted under him, causing him to lose his balance.
And then Jerome came crashing down, his head coming in contact with the corner of the coffee table.
Gray had taken the stairs with some police officers as they made their way to the apartment complex.
Please be all right, Natsu, Gray prayed.
"Step aside, Mr. Fullbuster," one of the cops said. He went to the apartment door and kicked it open, gun in his hand. "Police!"
When the officer lowered his gun, Gray shoved him out of the way and entered the apartment despite protests.
"Get an ambulance. Make that two," said the cop as he entered after Gray.
Gray immediately rushed to Natsu's side.
"He's dead! He's dead!" Natsu ranted breathlessly, staring at Jerome's still form.
"Don't look at him. Look at me. Look at me, Natsu," Gray directed, trying to pry Natsu's gaze from the bloody mess on the floor.
"Mr. Fullbuster, we should get him to the ambulance and get him fixed up. But I'd like to ask a few questions first," stated the officer who'd kicked open the door.
EMTs entered the apartment carrying a stretcher. After a few pictures had been taken, they loaded Jerome up on it and carried him out.
"What happened, Mr. Dragneel?" inquired the cop.
"He was already in the apartment when I came in. He had a knife. Jerome said what he was gonna do…and then he just came at me. I grabbed the vase and hit him in the head as I stepped to the side, but he cut me…my arm. It pissed him off. Then he…he grabbed my arm and punched me in the face," started Natsu.
"And then what?"
"I was on the floor. And he came at me again. I kicked him in the knee and it made a crunching' sound, like it broke or something'. But he was still standing. He came at me again, but then Happy darted under his feet. Jerome tripped and fell…and he hit his head on the coffee table. He wasn't moving'," Natsu gasped out.
"Who is Happy?" asked the officer.
"He's our kitten," answered Gray.
"Okay. I think that's enough for now. Get him to the hospital," he ordered.
Picking up Natsu, Gray took him out of the apartment and down to the waiting ambulance.
Gray sat in the waiting room of the hospital and stared at the wall. It was all he could do.
The cops had told him that Natsu wouldn't be charged for the death of Jerome. It was accidental and Natsu had the right to defend himself, especially since his attacker had a weapon.
What they'd been shocked to discover, however, was that Jerome had been someone the cops had been looking for. The M.O. fit for a serial rapist they'd been hunting down. All the people in the apartment complex and the guy had chosen the one person who could defend himself. What a twist of fate.
"Gray?"
Natsu's voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Natsu!" Gray gasped, throwing himself at him. "I was so worried!"
"I'm fine. He just cut my arm. No stitches. They just bandaged me up and gave me a Tetanus shot. I can go home," stated Natsu softly. He had a strong front, but he looked exhausted.
"I shouldn't have left you today. I should have been there—"
"It's over," Natsu consoled him. "I'm okay and it's over. Can we go home now?"
"Not yet," said Gray seriously.
"Why?"
"Because I need to do something first."
Without further explanation, Gray's lips suddenly met his in a searing kiss. Their mouths moved clumsily against each other, but the message was clear.
Gray pulled away first then planted a few more gentle kisses on Natsu's lips. "When I saw what happened today, I couldn't…I couldn't bear the thought of losing you. I'm sorry I wasn't there," he said, kissing him again.
"But you're here now. And that's all I need," Natsu mumbled into his chest.
And then he let his tears finally fall.
Self-Defense Recap – Front Snap Kick
*WEAPON: Ball of foot (NOT toes)
*TARGET: Knee, front and side
*Kick "through the target"
*SNAP BACK and repeat as many times as necessary
End Chapter