Grizzly: *Swings spoon against pan* Stele, wake up! Wake up!
Stele: *Groans* I'm awake! Now, bring me some coffee if you wish to live.
Grizzly: *Snorts* Get it yourself, I just came up to tell you that we have 99 reviews and it's still growing.
Stele: *Sits up fast* For real?! That is amazing! I am so excited that our story has been so enjoyable.
Grizzly: Yes, it's real. Why on chapter ten alone we have twelve reviews! But it would seem that people have already figured out the sneak treat I left last chapter.
Stele: Well, that is true, but I don't know why there are so many, either. I guess our darling readers are becoming more and more excited with each new chapter. Which is really fun to see! Also, I am actually a little surprised that they figured it out so easily. I guess our readers are Fairy Tail geniuses!
Grizzly: That they are but let me tell you right now, this chapter y'all are absolutely gonna hate us. Now on my profile I have a small note about the NaLu v. NaLi war, which is all I'm gonna say about it at this point in time. Stele, your turn.
Stele: I claim full pardon on this chapter! I had nothing to do with this! Nobody throw tomatoes at me! Grizz did it! Right, Grizz?! I… uh… did absolutely nothing!
Grizzly: You may avoid the tomatoes for this chapter on this story but remember that this Thursday I'm pointing all fingers at you on The Magnolia Crews.
Stele: *hides face* I'm embarrassed already! Don't tell them that!
Grizzly: If y'all are wondering what's going on. I just started dropping a story called The Magnolia Crews I drop it every Thursday and if you want to know why I'm throwing her under the bus you'll have to tune in for this week's chapter. Anything else, Stele?
Stele: Well, as next chapter is our last one, we won't have any sneaks for you guys, but we still want you to leave reviews to let us know how we're doing! And don't forget to also follow and fave our story, and be sure to check out Grizz's new story (a personal favorite of mine, I must add!), The Magnolia Crews. With that said, sign us off, Grizz!
Grizzly: I will see y'all later, now go read chapter eleven! :)
Chapter Eleven
On the Eleventh Day
The next morning, Lucy rolls over and her hand falls from her blanket to land on something silky soft. She pulls her fingers through it, enjoying the softness, but her eyes open when purring reaches her ears. Slowly, she blinks the sleep from her chocolate brown orbs to see a pink mop sitting beside the bed, and as her mind comes up to working order, she realizes it's Natsu, asleep, leaning beside her bed.
Well, at least he stayed out of my bed, she thinks, as she watches the fire dragon softly purr in his sleep.
Wait… fire dragon?
She sits up and removes her hand from his soft locks, as she pulls the bracelet down her arm to look at the dragon charm in the fire light.
Then, she gets up and makes her way to the table, being careful not to wake her partner up, as she rifles through the clues, looking for the note for the eighth day.
When she finds it, she tilts it to the fire light and rereads it.
On the eighth day of Christmas, I give you a dragon.
This dragon expresses a time in which the world was nearly lost,
But it also signifies a much more personal meaning.
On the ninth day of Christmas,
Look for petals that shine in the night.
Your Secret Santa.
She pulls the note away and looks back at her sleeping partner, the gears in her head churning a hundred miles an hour.
It's not possible. He's too dense to have orchestrated something this delicate by himself.
Then, the twin slayer's words come back to her.
"We're here for the next two weeks, helping Natsu with something."
Her breath hitches at the thought, but before her mind can go any farther into what it might mean, Natsu's eyes blink open, and he looks at her, as a sloppy grin spreads across his face.
"Morning, Luce."
She nods in reply, not quite focusing on the slayer, as she tumbles over the thoughts that refuse to stop churning in her mind.
Could he be my Secret Santa?
A part of her wars against the idea.
NO! He isn't your Secret Santa, he's your partner in crime, your nakama, he could never love you that way. He's too dense.
Wait.
Love? Where the hell did that come from?
The whole time this debate is raging in her head, Natsu is still sitting next to her bed, watching with intrigue, the emotions that flicker across her face. She still stands in the same spot, the necklace in one hand, the note in the other.
Finally, Natsu stands and walks over to her. She's snapped out of her warring thoughts when he snaps his fingers in front of her face.
"Luce, Lucy, Earthland to Lucy! Do you read me in there?"
Her eyes snap to his face and she squeaks before stepping backwards and tripping on a shoe, but before she hits the ground Natsu catches her, grin glued to his face.
"You sure are being weird lately." He comments. She scowls at his words and pulls away from him, crossing her arms to ward off some of the sudden chill that rises from escaping his warm arms.
Natsu shrugs, a pout on his lips, as he makes his way to the kitchen to raid the fridge. Lucy takes a deep breath, making sure to drop the anvil on her thoughts, pinning them down to look over at a later time, before laying the note and bracelet on the table and going to take her shower.
After her shower, she steps out of the bathroom, humming, and looks through the kitchen door to find Natsu gone and her apartment to herself, while she gets ready to head to the guild.
After she gets ready, she stops and packs all the notes and her bracelet in the box the bracelet came in.
Deciding that it would be better to puzzle out the whole thing in the quiet of the guild library, she sets off quickly, making sure to avoid the icy patches on the stone. As she walks, her thoughts keep returning back to what happened this morning.
There is no way in hell, Natsu could be my Secret Santa.
But, once again, that nagging voice counteracts.
And, why couldn't he be Secret Santa?
Because he's my best friend. My partner; teammate. Plus, he could have his choice of any girl he wanted.
And yet, here this sexy, flaming, annoying as all hell...
You're really not helping your case, you know that, right?
Shut the hell up and listen already. Natsu may be loud, boisterous, and constantly breaks into the apartment and steals the food, but he is hot, and not just his magic. I mean, have you seen those abs? Anyway, he treats you like gold, and sure, he annoys the hell out of you, but would you have it any other way?
Lucy stops in the middle of the path at the sudden question. "Would I want him to stop being annoying?" She whispers, answering the voice aloud.
See, now that I have your attention, you prissy, prideful blonde, stop and think for a second. Where was he when each gift was found?
Lucy's eyebrows furrow and she takes shaky steps, not realizing she's stopped in front of the guild doors, until the doors fly open and a screaming Elfman narrowly misses her, knocking her out of her thoughts.
She sighs and makes her way up to the bar, where Mira stands, talking to Cana.
"Hey, Mira, can I get a hot chocolate?"
Mira looks up from where Cana has her cards laid out, and notices the partially thoughtful look the celestial mage wears, before nodding and disappearing into the kitchen.
Lucy sits on a stool while she waits, staring at the back wall, but not really seeing it, as she continues arguing with her inner-self.
Well, on the first day, when I found the bracelet, I had Lucy-kicked him out of my apartment.
And, where was the first gift located?
On the stoop, but still it could've been anybody, the gift was partially covered in snow.
That's because it was snowing all day long that day, but whatever, where was he on the second day?
Lucy looks up when Mira sets the mug in front of her, and nods, before taking the mug and heading to the library.
She shuts the doors behind her, and makes her way to the back of the library, where she and Levy set up a hidden cove for when they want to be left alone by certain nagging nakama. Namely, a fire dragon slayer and the other members of Team Shadow Gear.
Sighing, she settles onto a plush couch and sets the box on the coffee table, propping her feet on said table next to the box, as she leans back with the mug of hot chocolate in hand.
On the second day, when I woke up, he was in my apartment again. But still... how would he have had the time to hide the gift next to the kindling, if I wasn't in the shower that long?
Girl, your showers are half an hour long, he had plenty of time to hide it, then get the hell out of dodge to avoid another hearty Lucy-kick. Now, what about day three?
Lucy let's out a small growl at the incessant nagging, and takes a sip of the hot beverage before going back to the interrogation, as she's starting to see it.
On the third day, he wasn't anywhere near my apartment when I woke up, and the fridge was still stocked with food.
Okay, then here's where we take into consideration: the fact of Sting and Rogue.
She takes another sip of her drink before thinking back to running into the slayers.
While it's true, I don't know how long they've been in town. Why would they want to help Natsu, if he really is the one doing this?
A favor, a bribe, hell, a good fight would work for Sting and Natsu. Then, of course, Rogue will come along just to make sure Sting wouldn't get into too much trouble.
Lucy groans, the entire mess with the Secret Santa getting on her nerves. Finally, she asks aloud, "Why can't this stupid Secret Santa just come out here and tell me himself?"
Then, the conversation with Emmy boils up from her memories.
"My Fiance actually used the twelve gifts to ask me out. He couldn't get up the courage to ask me himself, so he left gifts, instead."
And the sound of her palm meeting her face fills the air.
Because he's scared you're gonna turn him down. Now, doesn't that seem like something a certain Slayer you know and love would do?
Now, hold up, I never said I love him! As for him being scared, bull shit. The only thing that scares him, is Gildarts, and even then Natsu still didn't give up.
You're not seeing the point: everyone gets scared of rejection. Isn't that why you took forever to join Fairy Tail?
That's different, and I still ended up joining.
The only reason why you joined was because that hunk-of-hotness dragged your skirt-clad ass through the front doors and plopped you down in front of Mira.
Her head snaps up from where it lays on the sofa and she glares at the opposite wall, as if trying to burn holes through the voice in her head that is making a ton of sense but she just wants to ignore.
That is not how it happened and you know it.
Sure, keep telling yourself that, honey. In the meantime, where was he on the fourth day?
On the fourth day, I didn't see him until I got to the guild where he...
She tries to stop the thought but the nagging continues.
Where he gave you the snowflake.
Yes, but he said that he got it from Gray, and Gray isn't my Secret Santa.
Ever think he lied?
How did he lie if Gray backed up his claim?
Because Gray's in on it, too. Hell, Lucy, half the guild is, haven't you seen it?
Lucy stand up and starts pacing while mumbling.
"No, it's not possible. There is absolutely no way he's the one giving me these gifts. It's just not possible. He's too dense, I'm not good enough, there are others that are way prettier."
A knock on the bookshelf has Lucy stopping in her tracks to see Levy coming around the corner with a tray of food.
"Hey, Lu-chan, Mira said you had disappeared to the library. So I brought some food."
Only when Levy says that does Lucy notice her growling stomach and smiles at the script mage. "Thanks, Levy-chan."
Levy nods and sets the food on the table before sitting on the sofa opposite of the one Lucy sits on. Then, the script mage takes notice of the box with the notes.
"Still trying to figure out who's your Secret Santa?" Lucy frowns at the script mage before picking up one of the bowls of soup on the tray.
"You could say that," Levy immediately picks up on the current of disbelief in her friend's voice.
"So, then, you do have an idea of who it is?" Lucy takes a bite of the soup before nodding and setting the bowl down.
"Levy-chan, I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer me truthfully," The script mage eyes the spirit summoner warily before nodding.
"Do you know who it is? And, have you been helping them?"
Levy takes a sharp breath and is quiet for a minute before saying slowly, "I know who it is, but, no, I haven't been helping them."
Lucy frowns as Levy adds, "I told them I didn't want to be a part of it, but I do know a few others who are helping them."
"Levy-chan, who is it?" Lucy presses further. Levy frowns at the question and her eyes look anywhere but at the simmering blonde.
"Levy..."
Finally, Levy stands up and states quickly, "I have to go, Mira asked Team Shadow Gear to run a few errands around town." Before disappearing around the bookshelf and the doors of the library slamming shut.
Lucy groans in frustration and falls back against the couch, staring at the ceiling. Out of the corner of her eye Lucy catches a flash of gold and when she lifts her head she's surprised to find one of her spirits sitting on the couch across from her.
An uncommon soft smile splayed across her lips as she watches her owner drown in frustration.
"Aquarius, what are you doing here?"
The water bearer's smile turns into a frown as she states sharply, "That idiot lion told me what's been happening these past few days."
A small smile appears at the edges of Lucy's lips at the spirit's words but it quickly turns into a frown, as her thoughts turn back to more pressing matters.
"And, what's your thoughts on this whole mess?"
A tick mark appears on the spirit's forehead at her words but she ignores it, instead choosing to shrug. "To be honest, brat, I think it's cute. Even if you are so dense that you refuse to believe what is right there in front of you."
Lucy's eye twitches and she asks sharply, "So, then, what's your advice if I'm so dense?"
Aquarius raises her urn to look at her reflection before advising, "Find the last two gifts, I think you've already made your mind up, if I'm reading your emotions correctly, but find out what these last two gifts are and give the slayer a chance."
Lucy frowns but nods anyway and the spirit returns to the spirit realm. Sitting up, Lucy finishes off her lunch before gathering up the tray, hiding the box under the sofa, and walking back upstairs into the noisy guild.
After she returns the tray to Mira, she walks out of the guild and starts to wander, generally aiming towards her apartment in hopes that the next gift is where she thinks it will be.
She turns down a street but a muffled conversation on the edge of her hearing stops her in her tracks.
She back tracks towards the sound of voices to stop at the edge of an alley. Peering around the corner, she sees a certain pinkette lip locked with a girl with silver shoulder length hair.
The girl pulls away and Lucy hears, "Did you like that?" and takes off before she can hear anything else. Her heart is beating a million miles a minute and rage boils inside her for reasons unknown to her.
When she gets far enough away, her sight starts to blur and when she reaches up, she feel tears.
Why the hell am I crying?
Because, as I told you, you're in love with him.
She ignores the voice in her head and finally makes it to her apartment, where she slams the door behind her and locks it.
Turning around, she looks up to where her doll, Gonzalez, sits above her writing desk and sure enough, she can see the gift sitting in the doll's lap.
But, she turns away, instead choosing to sit down and lean against her bed, her thoughts in turmoil.
Why? Why would he go through this shit if he loves her?
You ever think she came onto him?
If he truly loved me, he would've pushed her away.
Lucy draws her knees up and lays her head against them, her thoughts, unbidden, fly through her head faster than she can follow.
Memories from the past few days start popping up.
Her waking up in his arms.
His face inches from hers when they had crashed into the tree.
His voice during the karaoke contest.
Unknown to her, the tears start to fall harder until she's gasping for breath as she comes to a startling realization.
I love him. I love Natsu Dragneel.
Then a second thought crosses her mind, that makes her heart clench.
And he's in love with someone else.
When a gust of cold air hits her skin, she jumps up to see the boy she was just thinking about sitting there on the ledge, watching her with concern.
He steps off of the ledge onto her floor and she backs up.
"Luce, why are you crying?"
Her emotions start warring at his question but it's rage that wins out in the end, as she balls her fist and, tears silently falling, looks down at the floor.
"I should be asking you why,"
Natsu tilts his head, a look of confusion marring his features.
"Why, what?"
Her reply is so low that even he has trouble making it out.
"Why do you insist on doing this?"
His confusion is evident to even the pissed off mage as he asks, this time warily, "Insist on doing what, Luce?"
Her head snaps up and a shiver runs down the fire mage's spine at the look of pure and unadulterated rage spiraling in her dark chocolate eyes.
"Why do you play me along like some toy? You leave all these gifts for me to find and say you love me... but then I find you lip-locking with Lisanna in an alley?"
He steps back and frowns. The rage pouring off of Lucy in waves.
"Luce—"
"No, I don't want to hear it, get out of my apartment." Her voice drips with venom and rather than incurring her wrath further, he jumps back up to the window ledge but looks back one more time.
"Lucy, please, just let me explain."
"No, Natsu, I don't want any of your excuses, just go away." With those words he disappears out the window and Lucy's knees buckle, leaving her to lie on the floor.
The rage that boiled in her veins just seconds ago now escapes as silent tears.
After a while, the tears dry and she lies in a fetal position in front of the fire, mind too tired to think but eyes not willing to give in. So, there she lies, watching the fire as it crackles, pops, and licks along the wood in its grasp.
It isn't until her eyes start to burn from the hot flames that she realizes she's been staring into the fire this entire time. She blinks rapidly, trying to alleviate some of the dryness in her eyes.
How long have I been lying here? She wonders, rubbing her stinging eyes with the backs of her hands.
She turns her head to the clock to see that a few hours have passed while she lay in front of the fire but when she turns her gaze back to the fire her eyes land on the gift sitting in front of her doll.
Heaving a sigh, she stands on stiff legs and walks over to her writing desk, grabbing both the gift and the doll before sinking into the chair.
With Gonzalez safely tucked under her arm, she slowly, hesitantly, unwraps the gift and pulls the top off.
Pulling back the cotton, she finds a miniature version of the doll tucked under her arm. The hook connects at the top of the doll's head and in it's hand she can make out an almost microscopic key, similar to the one that she received before the zentopia fiasco.
The entire charm is a solid gold and she admires it in the fire light before setting it on the desk and digging up the folded note underneath.
She takes a deep breath before unfolding it and reading in the fire light:
On the eleventh day of Christmas,
An old friend reminds you of what you've lost but also of what you've gained:
A friend, a family, and a love so deep that not even a falling star could bring it down.
On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Your final gift can be found where the wild meets the docile,
At the peak of the Fairy's Tail but under it's bell will you find this heart.
Your Secret Santa.
Lucy heaves another frustrated sigh and lets the note fall to the floor.
"How did I not see it before?" She whispers, eyes shining with unshed tears. It seems so painfully obvious, now. The notes were just as frustrating as Natsu.
"And just as annoying." She grumbles under her breath.
Still...
"Why would he go through so much trouble just for me? What does he want?"
After a moment of thought, Lucy pulls the bracelet from her wrist and hooks on the charm, then stands and places Gonzalez back on the shelf before changing into pajamas and going to bed.
Well, like I said y'all are gonna hate us for this chapter, but I also said that there's a reason for this. Now on my profile I have a small note about the NaLu v. NaLi shipping war. and it goes something along the lines of I see Natsu and Lisanna as sister and brother but if I'm in the mood I will write her as jealous.
Now this does not only go into effect for jealousy but also as you see here, her confessing to Natsu. The reason why I wrote it like this? Simple. I need a catalyst for the next chapter. The entire time we've been writing this story I kept trying to come up with a catalyst for what we had in mind for chapter 12. My answer was piss Lucy off.
And hey it worked didn't it?
With that being said, it all comes to a conclusion the day after tomorrow. Y'all will find out what happens with the final gift, the final note will bring you to tears and the ending, well lets just say you're in for it.
Now onto the next part of my A/N, the sneak peek.
Mira glances up at her in surprise at the wild look in the blonde's eyes. Juvia also looks slightly bemused, and Gray looks to be the only unaffected party. In fact, his expression is knowing as he gives Lucy a smirk.
"Mira," Lucy says, ignoring the ice mage. "Did you know about this?"
Mira gives her an expression that is so overly innocent, Lucy immediately narrows her eyes at her. Mira sighs.
"Yes," her tone reluctant. "But you can't hardly expect for us to give him away, now, can you? We're his friends, too."
BTW. Stele picked it out. XD
So with that I'ma let y'all go.
Grizzly out for the night.
P.S. For my Dragon King and Queen fans, and my Dragon's Sanctuary fans, if you haven't seen it yet I will be dropping a new chapter for both this week. All stories of mine are now being edited by Stele so there will be a lot less errors.