Forgive me! I've been so busy I was left with no free time to update. Im sorry!
Thank you for the reviews, i loved reading them when I posted this chapter :) thank you thank you thank you! And once again im very sorry this took so long.
Chapter Twelve: Of Being Accepted & Inconsiderate
Contrary to popular belief Natsu preferred silence over noise. Even though he was normally loud and boisterous himself, he loathed being surrounded by large amounts of people due to his hearing being much more sensitive and advanced then everyone else.
"What's wrong with you?"
Natsu removed his hands from his ears and almost wept with joy as the surrounding voices dulled down to a barely audible hum.
"Seriously. It looked like you were trying to tear off your ears when I walked in... you okay?"
It took him a few more minutes to realise that no, the scowling blonde beginning to tap her foot impatiently before him was NOT a hallucination, and that yes, she WAS really talking to him.
On her own might he add.
She had walked over to him and took the initiative to strike up a conversation.
On her own!
Ever since she had offered to start over he had to admit that he had his doubts. After all, it seemed like such a big leap, one that he wasn't quite sure she was ready for considering it was usually him that had to seek her out just to talk and yet here she was, proving him wrong.
A wide grin spread out across his face, barely being able to contain his glee, and unceremoniously shoved a dozing Gray off the sofa and patted the now vacant spot invitingly.
"Hey Luce! Take a seat!"
Lucy made no attempt to move and instead looked down at the now wide awake and growling raven haired boy at her feet.
"What the hell Natsu?!" Gray fumed and immediately tackled his smirking friend off the seat whilst screaming obscenities.
She watched with thinned lips as a brawl broke out between the two, something the pair were infamous for.
This would actually be her first time witnessing them roll around punching each other as she usually made sure to stay far away from them but unlike the sudden audience they had who were cheering them on, Lucy was far from amused.
Squaring her shoulders she marched forward and reached down to bury both her hands in their hair.
"Knock it off!" She bellowed before bringing their heads together.
"Yes ma'am!" Both whimpered pitifully as they held their now spinning heads.
"Hahahaha good one Lucy-san! Usually it's only Erza that can get them to sound like little girls!"
The students dispersed, grumbling about the blonde mood-killer, only to reveal a very amused Lisanna.
Lucy shifted on her feet, slightly uncomfortable with Lisanna's praise and tried her best to keep her features stoic and uncaring.
"Yeah well... they were giving me a headache, and besides-" she glared down at the pouting boys of whom 'eeped' and sat up straighter. "These morons know fighting is against the rules. Don't let me catch you at it again, understand? "
"Aye!"
Lisanna giggled and skipped forward to link arms with the blonde completely catching her off guard.
"Come with me Lucy-san! Erza sent me to find you, we're having cake and tea in her dorm!" And then began to drag her away.
Lucy stuttered out her objections but they fell on deaf ears as Lisanna continued to ramble on about how it was a tradition for them and the rest of their female friends to meet up every Friday afternoon. In a last futile attempt at breaking free without being rude she glanced over her shoulder at Natsu for help.
'What are you waiting for idiot?! Save me!'
But the boy merely grinned and gave her two thumbs up.
"Have fun Luce!" He called out. "I'll see you later!"
'I'm gonna make you pay for this Dragneel!'
Natsu continued grinning, her threat hardly registering.
This would be good for her. Getting to know more people and possibly making more friends. It'd be nice too. Having her become close to everyone he considered family, not to mention it'd help him get to be around her more often without feeling like he was suffocating her and acting like a clingy child.
His grin morphed into a fond smile as he thought of all the possibilities their future encounters would hold.
A scoff snapped him back to reality and he turned to his frenemy who was rolling his eyes and moving to get up.
"Your love sick face makes me wanna puke."
"Say that to my face jackass!"
"I just did ash-breath!"
And so the cycle continued. Only this time Natsu felt more energised and into it.
Lucy had touched him after all and if he had his way, he'd never wash his hair again.
"I found her Erza!"
Lucy stood rooted to the spot as Lisanna skipped over to one of the two empty seats and all eyes turned to her. She recognised everyone in the room and wondered how violently they'd react to her presence.
Erza smiled the same calm, kind smile she always gave her and stood to take the side Lisanna had just vacated.
"Everyone, I'm sure you all know who this is but I'd like you all to make formal introductions none the less as she is going to be a new member to our group."
Lucy glanced at the door and was about to make a break for it but was stopped by a firm hand closing around her wrist.
'Damn it' she inwardly cursed as Erza shot her a warning look to remain where she was.
"Just give them a chance. . You might surprise yourself and have a good time.."
"Highly doubtful.."
"Everyone, Lets start, left to right."
"Erza.."
"Now please. I'd like to get back to my cake.."
Lisanna giggled and waved. "Hiya! I'm Lisanna Strauss, nice to meet ya!"
"Hi Lucy-san, I'm Levy Mcgarden. Glad to have you with us!"
"Yo. Name's Cana Alberona. Let's have a drink sometime."
"Hello Lucy-san. My name is Wendy Dragneel, its very nice to see you again."
"And Juvia's name is Juvia Lockser. If you are not in love with Juvia's Gray-sama then we will get along just fine."
Erza nodded in satisfaction whereas Lucy sweat dropped and looked around the room slightly put off.
The introductions were hardly necessary but she supposed she understood what Erza was trying to do. She was trying to give them all a fresh start, to leave all of their negative meetings in the past and keep them there, and if they were willing to give it a go..
"Please Lucy, I've grown up with all of them and believe me when I say this, they are the most loyal friends I've ever met. They won't hurt you.. you'll see.. all you have to do is give them a chance.."
Closing her eyes momentarily to calm her fraying nerves she breathed in deeply and let it out just as slow before reopening her eyes and bowing slightly, a small, shy smile on her face.
She refused to dwell on the fact that she was doing this just because he asked her nicely..
"Hello everyone, I am Lucy Heartfilia... It's.. a pleasure to meet you.."
Silence followed her greeting and Lucy seriously considered just turning around and high tailing it out of there.
But then the spell broke and Lucy quickly found herself being hugged and fussed over by all the girls who were now laughing and giggling at how cute she was being and how they were all going to have so much fun together.
Lucy was floored. Shocked beyond belief as she allowed herself to be pulled over to the table.
This was definitely not the reaction she'd expected..
Glancing over at Erza who was smiling fondly at them all she returned it with a small one of her own and felt her face involuntarily heat up when she barely managed to catch Natsu's whispered words over all of the chaos.
'That's my girl..'
It was like a jolt to his senses, awakening him from his deep slumber and sending him into a frenzied panic.
Something was wrong, and it had something to do with Lucy.
Trying his best not to overreact in case he was wrong, Natsu rolled out of bed and changed into something a bit more presentable before venturing out of his room.
"Lucy, you awake?"
He was answered with silence and even though he was telling himself it's because she was fast asleep, his feet were moving faster and faster by the second.
Her door came into view seconds later and he wasted no time in barging in. Consequences be damned and besides, it wouldn't take much to get a new lock..
The second her door swung open he was instantly assaulted by her scent. It was everywhere, and so strong that he felt himself get light headed.
"Focus Natsu!" He hissed to himself and slapped his cheeks to snap him out of the momentary haze he had fallen into.
Any other day (or night) he would have gladly basked in it and soaked it all in until he was kicked out. But now was not the time, for the longer he remained standing in the dark room without some sort of reaction from its occupant, the heavier his anxiety that something was wrong became.
"Lucy?" He called out, moving deeper into the room.
When no answer came his suspicions grew, and when his eyes fell upon the neatly made bed he nearly lost it. But he kept his cool, as hard as it was, and made his way back out and took off in a sprint towards the library.
"Just because she's not in her bed sleeping doesn't mean something is wrong." He told himself as he picked up the pace. "She's not missing.."
But the Library was dark when he got there, the doors locked and secured, and Natsu's little reassuring pep talk could no longer placate him.
"She's not here.." He croaked out miserably, knowing full well that his instincts were not lying, that no matter how much he looked, he wouldn't find her anywhere on the Academy grounds. "She's gone.."
As he stood panting on the stone steps of the library shrouded in darkness, the gut wrenching pain he felt when he woke up intensified so strongly to the point that he couldn't contain it any longer.
And so with a thunderous roar he succumbed to the feeling of loneliness and despair and lit up the night sky with a brilliant burst of flames.
She could hardly believe she was doing this.
Especially since he had so 'lovingly' sent her away.
But her mind was set on having that festival, and this was the best and only option she could think of in accomplishing that goal.
Obviously she could just give what she'd receive to go towards the trip and skip it all together but Lucy admitted to being a tad selfish in that regard. She'd always wanted to go to a festival but never received the chance, and she also wanted to go down in Fairy Tail history as the one who held the best fundraising event that had ever been, well, held.
Frowning at her reflection she waited patiently for the maids to finish styling her hair. She just wanted to get this over and done with.
"All done Mistress. Your father should be in his study."
Lucy nodded her thanks, offering her old maids a small smile and made her way to see the man she hadn't spoken to since she left.
...
"I'm surprised to see you here Lucy. I did not expect to see you until after your graduation. I was also unaware that the prestigious Academy allowed their students to leave its grounds whenever they so desired."
Lucy held back a biting reply and stared blankly at her fathers back.
Those seemed to be all her memories of him consisted of. Her staring at his back.
"I am a special case."
"Oh?"
Ignoring his belittling tone Lucy answered with as much patience as she could muster.
"The Head Boy and Head Girl are more privileged then the rest of the student body." She said. "As long as it is approved by either the Headmaster or the Deputy then-"
"I see." The man cut in, causing his daughter to inwardly seethe. "So then what is the reason you have come to see me? And be quick about your explanation. I have important matters to tend to in town."
Clenching her fists she lowered her eyes and braced herself. She already knew how this would pan out. She'd ask for money, and he'd comply on the grounds that she owed him a favor no questions asked.
Heaven forbid he actually give her anything with no strings.
"There is an event I wish to hold at the Academy, however-"
"You lack the necessary funds."
"..Yes."
"And you wish me to give you what you need."
"...Yes.. Please.. Father."
As Jude audibly hummed, Lucy bit her tongue and kept her eyes downcast.
She knew he was taking his time to decide purposely to make her more uncomfortable than she already was but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction in seeing her squirm.
She wasn't the same girl that left those few years ago.
"As long as you agree to my terms." He began slowly. "Then you may take what you need and not a cent more."
She bit her lip and almost backed out but her pride refused to let her, so she bowed her head and nodded.
"Thank you.. father. I will do whatever it is you ask of me."
The second Lucy stepped through the Academy gates she knew she was in trouble.
Erza was waiting for her with her arms crossed and a furious glare on her face.
Gulping nervously, Lucy walked towards her cautiously and waved.
"Uhh.. hi.. Erza.."
"How could you Lucy?"
The blonde blinked a few times in confusion.
"How could I what?" She asked. "If you mean leave then I received permission so-"
"Natsu."
Lucy inwardly huffed at being cut off. It seemed to be happening to her a lot lately.
But then the name Erza mentioned made the wheels in her head turn and she finally clicked.
Gasping in a way that would seem so unlike her, Lucy covered her mouth and her eyes widened.
"Oh shit.."
Natsu!
To be honest she hadn't even thought about the pinkette as she made her request to the Headmaster, and it didn't even occur to her that she should let him know where she was going.. she didn't think it was important or that it was a big deal since she was coming back.
But judging by the look on Erza's face she was obviously wrong.
"He almost set the entire school on fire." The redhead informed her. "He thought that you had run away because you were upset with him for not helping you on Friday."
Lucy almost smacked herself on the forehead but Erza's narrowed eyes stopped her.
"Did he.. is anyone?"
Erza shook her head.
"No one was hurt, nothing was damaged either - surprisingly - and no one knows."
"And.."
"It took awhile but we managed to calm him down. He's with Wendy right now."
Lucy sighed, somewhat relieved, and smiled apologetically.
"I'm sorry Erza.. I didn't think he'd notice.."
Erza gave her a look as if to say you-have-got-to-be-kidding and then flicked her forehead.
Hard.
"Next time you decide to leave, tell him. And myself so that I may accompany you. Understand?"
Rubbing her forehead Lucy nodded and began walking once more, Erza falling into step beside her.
Taking a deep breath she called out to him mentally but received no answer.
"Hey. I'm uh.. sorry for taking off without telling you.. did you really nearly set the place on fire?"
No reply.
"Natsu? Meet me in the kitchen?"
Silence.
"Fine. I'll let you touch my butt. Only once though and no squeezing."
Still nothing.
Lucy sighed and readjusted the bag on her shoulder.
She didn't blame him for not answering her. He must be really upset after all.
Knowing that possibility didn't sit well with her.. she felt.. guilty?
And that fact made her frown.
Why should she feel guilty?
Its not like she really cared.. right?
As Erza filled her in on the past 31 hours, she tried to pay attention but she couldn't seem to focus on anything but the image of a heartbroken boy that conjured itself up in her head.
His hunched trembling figure, his head bent forward, his unruly mass of pink hair covering half of his face and casting the rest in shadow, his clenched jaw and fists..
She knew that even though it wasn't much to her, to him it must have felt like hell.
She also knew that she'd have to make it up to him.
And she would.
Somehow.
Hope you liked it. Sorry if there are mistakes, ill get around to fixing them when im not so damn tired -_- ill try post up the next one soon.
If anyones confused, let me know and ill answer in the next update :)
I love constructive criticism so you have any pointers or advice let me know.
Take care & love eachother!
