Okay. Hello everyone. I'm going to talk to you guys in private for this chapter because I need to talk to you guys about our two stud Smurfs that will be working their tails off to get Crafty's attention. But first, let's get the reviews done and over with.
Zinka17- I know. Angel sure got a bad reaction from Gutsy and Don Smurfo. And Devil is now just being a rude, coniving insensitive jerk! Yes, Crafty probably could do that with Gutsy, but think about it: Cupid is almost done with finding a way to cure them both. Crafty can't just end the competition there and then. They'll get too suspicious if Crafty automatically declares Gutsy the winner without giving Don Smurfo a chance. It wouldn't be fair.
Chloe- I'm glad to hear that things between you and Painter. I'll be sure to get those gifts to Crafty and I'm sure she'll love them all. Trust me, she's not gonna want to be here to hear what I have to say. I'm sorry also, but your yelling will be falling on deaf ears except for mine. They aren't here either. We don't want them fighting with each other so they're not here until we can find a better solution. But I will pass on the message. And don't worry about bugging us with your problems or anything like that. You said you'll be there for our problems and we'll be there for yours. By the way, way to go with Painter, you sly fox! And it is a shame you're relationship with Painter can't go on like this. Oh, and it's no problem that you were worried. I would be worried too.
flowerpower71- Trust me. Don't try to talk those two out of it. Devil really has them going at it. Even I cringed when their eyes glowed like that. Hummer already finished off those daisies though, but thanks.
Spring-Heel-Jacq- Yeah. I found that Hebrew version also. And uh, just so you know, this wasn't exactly a contest. It was more of a fun challenge. But sure you can. And I believe you already asked me this in the last story, I said yes and left a description in the reviews.
Now, to talk to you all about something very, very important. Please don't be too hard on either Gutsy or Don Smurfo. I know they should know better, but they can't help it. And, it's not Devil who has those two under a spell. They are just in a deep, extreme state of jealousy, anger, and most of all, desperation. I think especially Gutsy is desperate to have Crafty with him since Don Smurfo is known as the "lady's man" of the Smurfs. He's really afraid to lose her and so is Don Smurfo. I'm not saying to encourage what they're doing because, well really, who would? Just don't try to torture them, traumatize them with yelling, or try to beat some sense into them. Okay, let's hit the disclaimer.
I only own Crafty, Hummer, and Meena. Cupid, the Smurfs and Don Smurfo belong to Peyo. Have a Smurfy day everyone!
Crafty woke up in a blurry daze the next morning. She was dreading even going outside since it was now the official first day of the competition for her heart between Gutsy and Don Smurfo. Looking out of her window, she noticed that the dark sky was just beginning to glow with the morning light. Maybe she could talk a short walk through the village before she would be bothered by the two Smurfs.
She sighed, got out of bed and got dressed. Putting on her cloak, she went out the door and looked over the village. It was all so silent and peaceful. Crafty took in the morning air, closed her eyes and sighed contently at the serenity she felt insde of her.
"Enjoying the morning air, are we?" A smooth, silky voice asked with a purr to it.
Crafty's eyes snapped open and she jumped as she saw Don Smurfo, laying flat on his stomach on top of another mushroom. His eyes were drooped and he had a confident smirk on his face.
"Uh, yes. And you're out here this early because...?" Crafty asked unsuredly.
Don Smurfo said nothing, but he did front flip off of the roof of the mushroom and landed gracefully on the ground. He strutted towards her with a puffed out chest and then, just as he was only a foot away from her, he got on one knee and bowed his head. He took off his hat, revealing a regular white Smurf hat, and drew it across his chest in the process.
"I would like to humbly apologize for my unacceptable behavior yesterday. It was not my intention to be so violent in front of you like that. But I assure you that I am more of a lover than I am a fighter," He said the last part with a hint of suggestivness as he arched his eyebrows playfully. Unknown to Crafty, of course.
Crafty's eyes were wide with shock and embarassment of the whole display. She was incredibly glad that no other Smurf was out and about to see it all. She had to admit it though, it was incredibly sweet and noble of him to act like that just to apologize to her.
"Erm...It's alright, Don Smurfo. You're forgiven. I'm sure it was just...the rush of the moment," Crafty laughed nervously. She really just wanted Don Smurfo to stop being so flattering to her.
Don Smurfo stood up straight, putting on his hat and adjusting the large red feather, then he grabbed her hand and kissed it gently.
"Thank you, my Smurfirina," he breathed. "I am so grateful that you are so forgiving."
Crafty blushed and blinked. Then said, "N-no trouble at all. J-just try to keep that temper of yours in check."
"Of course," Don Smurfo murmured with a voice of velvet. Crafty could feel Don Smurfo's thumb tracing light cirlces on the back of her hand as she noticed he never let go of it.
"Oh! Uh, I guess I never got to properly thank you for getting my cloak back yesterday," She bashfully said, gesturing with her other hand to finish her sentence. Don Smurfo smirked amusedly, finding Crafty being so shy completely adorable. Especially since she sounded so incredibly strong and clever only yesterday.
Obviously, Crafty Smurfette was a stranger to being courted romantically by men. This would be way too easy for him.
"It was nothing," Don Smurfo replied charmingly. "It would be a great shame to let such a lovely cloak get away from a very lovely Smurfirina."
"Okay then," Crafty hastily said snatching her hand back. "Well, thank you for the apology, and thank you again for getting back my cloak. So, I guess I'll smurf you later."
Crafty gave a shaky smile and started walking off in another direction. Don Smurfo decided not to give chase, since she would probably be more frightened than she already was. Overall, he thought it made a very good first strike on the competition.
"Yowch!" He cried as he rubbed a sore spot on his head where Devil Smurf kicked him.
"Moron," Devil muttered.
"What? What did I do wrong?" Don Smurfo growled angrily.
"Okay. There is one rule that stands above all others when it comes to flirting with women: You always need to stay in control. You're trying to get her to eat out of the palm of your smurfs! Not the other way around! Don't grovel her like that!"
"Fine, fine," Don Smurfo grumbled.
Crafty shook her head, completely scared out of her mind at that flirtacious display set by Don Smurfo. She had to admit that it was very sweet of him to go to all of that trouble, but it was completely unnecessary.
She was shaken out of her thoughts when she ran into a hard chest. Frozen, she looked up and into the face of Gutsy Smurf. He seemed shocked at Crafty's sudden appearance and jumped back.
"Lassie! Ye scared de livin' smurf outta me!" He gasped out, cluching his chest where his heart is and panting. Crafty couldn't stiffle a giggle and soon burst out laughing.
"Me? Scare the smurf out of you?" Crafty panted between giggle fits. "You must be out of your smurf! The only ones I've ever scared were Jokey, Brainy, and Peewit!"
Gutsy chuckled as he remembered all the Smurfs she did strike fear into. In an instant, Devil flashed by Gutsy's head. He looked over the situation with a mixture of disappointment and outrage.
"What're you doing? This isn't part of the plan!" He barked at Gutsy.
Gutsy's eyes beamed the same dark pinkish glow as he went to find Crafty that morning. He still had that "unsmurfy" smirk on his face as Devil gave him some last-minute instructions.
"And you want to remember to stay in charge. She doesn't control the fate of the game, you do. So don't go and and try to flatter her. Besides, women are the weaker gender. So you won't have a problem," Devil said waving his hand like it was no big deal.
Gutsy nodded, understanding the command of the darker side of his conscience.
"Oh, you're gonna regret listening to Devil about that if you act that way towards Crafty, Gutsy," Angel said, shaking his head at the two. It was strange for both Smurfs that Angel was still there and not given up on Gutsy. But Angel was completely determined to turn Gutsy around. He knew if he didn't at least try to do something that it might just turn out worse than it already might be.
Gutsy, however, ignored him as Devil continued,"And remember that she may be intimidating, but she's also the one you're gonna have to intimidate her yourself. Trust me, the girl's not gonna respect you if you're not firm with her."
"She's not gonna respect him if he acts sexist and agressive towards her," Angel grumbled. Then he threw his arms in the air as he shouted exasperated, "I just don't understand why being your usual self isn't enough! She seems so happy with the way you are right now!"
"Because Crafty needs to learn who's boss. The relationship isn't going to last if there isn't a dominant male there. It's the natural order of things and it's best not to mess with it," Devil replied with a smirk.
Then, for an unknown reason, Angel just started laughing. He burst into fits of giggles and howls. Gutsy immediately stopped and looked at his brighter conscience in complete shock and confusion. Devil did the same, not really believing what he was seeing. Soon enough, he just got so annoyed, that he couldn't help but smurf out.
"What's so funny?" He snarled.
"Y-You both are!" Angel howled out, pointing at the two Smurfs. "Do you honestly think that Crafty can be...be...dominated? Ha ha HA!"
"Sure I do!" Devil hissed in distaste for the do-gooder Smurf. How dare he laugh at his gracious advice to his guidee? "Anyone can be dominated. It only matters if the one doing the dominating is brave and strong enough."
Devil said the last part patting Gutsy's head proudly. Gutsy growled in agreement and was now itching to show off his power to Crafty.
"Where's the love in that? You'd only be forcing her to love you. It wouldn't be real love at all! Is that really what you want? Do you really think it's what she wants?" Angel pleaded with huge eyes.
Gutsy frowned as he processed that in his mind. He knew he didn't like to be forced to do something, whether it was unnecessary chores or listening to Brainy's rants. So, did it really make it any better if he forced her to do something that could work out for the better?
"No..." He muttered. Angel and Devil's eyes widened at Gutsy's reaction. Angel mostly because he didn't expect to get a reaction out of him. Devil because he knew that meant Gutsy was straying from everything he told Gutsy.
"You said "no"?" Angel asked, hoping that his ears weren't lying to him.
Gutsy raised a rusty eyebrow and nodded. Angel smiled and clapped happily. He was finally getting through to him!
A sudden force at Gutsy's chest made Gutsy stop and snap his attention to the said force. His eyes widened as he saw it was Crafty. She looked up at him with wide eyes. Angel and Devil disappeared instantly with Devil whispering, "Don't forget what I told ya to do!" before leaving. Gutsy stiffened and his heart began to race erratically. Just last night, he was determined to show the upmost confidence and strength when approaching Crafty the next day. But now...Being with her now, he just couldn't. It was like there was some unknown force that made him hold his tongue if he even tried to say something cocky.
As a result, he jumped back, grabbing his chest and panting to cover up for his embarassment.
"Lassie! Ye scared de livin' smurf outta me!" He gasped out.
Crafty looked at him confused, then just burst out into a fit of giggles, saying, "Me? Scare the smurf out of you? You must be out of your smurf! The only Smurfs I've ever scared were Jokey, Brainy, and Peewit!"
Gutsy smiled and chuckled. It was definitely true that Crafty was a very intimidating Smurfette and for some reason, he found that very attractive about her. Everything that Devil said just didn't seem important all of a sudden. He was completely hypnotized by the sound of Crafty's giggling that nothing seemed important to her anymore.
"Huh?" Gutsy whispered, not really even caring what Devil Smurf had to say. He was too entranced by the ringing bells of Crafty's laugh. Devil slapped his hand on his forehead, disappearing into a cloud of red smoke.
"So, Blue Kilt. What're you doing out here?" Crafty asked, finally recovering from her little episode. That made Gutsy snap out of it instantly. Why was he there? He knows he was looking for her, but why? He couldn't remember.
"Erm. Well, uh...I was...looking fer ye, lassie!" Gutsy started nervously. "I-I..."
Gutsy sighed heavily, lowering his head in defeat.
"I came to apologize fer actin' like dat to you. And Don Smurfo. I don't really know what was smurfin' through me head. But, I shouldn' 'ave done it. So, I'm sorry if I scared ye or anythin'," Gutsy fiddled with his hands, getting out his apology slowly and shakily. He was actually kind of frightened since Crafty was very unpredictable about these kinds of things.
Crafty, however, smiled and kissed his cheek.
"You're forgiven. I know you were only trying to protect me. So thank you," She said sweetly.
Gutsy's heart fluttered and he blushed as he smiled a dopey smile and he managed to giggle out, "Hehe. Yer welcome, lassie."
Crafty chuckled at Gutsy's giggle. It was the first time she ever heard him give out anything close to a giggle. She had to admit it was cute on him. It was warm, inviting, but still masculine.
"Mornin', ya whippersmurfers!" Grandpa called to the two Smurfs. Behind him were the Smurflings, Wild Smurf, and Puppy. Now what were they doing up at this early in the morning? "What're you two doin' in these early hours of the morning?"
"We were just about to go on a walk," Crafty hastily replied. "What are you Smurfs doing?"
"Going on a nature hike! Grandpy's said he'd smurf us!" Sassette said jumping up and down with excitement.
"Did you say a hike? I love hiking! Do you mind if we join you?" Crafty asked excitedly. Gutsy raised an eyebrow at her for including him. She rolled her eyes, whispering, "Please? C'mon. It'll be fun."
Gutsy did need to spend time with Crafty to gain an edge on the competition. This would be the perfect opportunity since Don Smurfo was nowhere to be seen and he could be alone with her. He smiled at the very idea and nodded in agreement with Crafty.
"I don't see why not. What do ya little Smurflin's think?" Grandpa asked the Smurflings.
"Sure! The more the smurfier!" Sassette beamed.
"I like that idea! I say let them come with us!" Nat agreed.
"Sure. Why not?" Slouchy shrugged his shoulders.
"Whatever," Snappy grumbled. This greatly shocked the other surrounding Smurfs since just a little while ago, he was as smurfy as any Smurfling could be. Now, he was just like a mini-Grouchy Smurf.
"Err, okay. Let's get going," Crafty said trying to sound cheerful. She was now determined to tag along so she could get to the bottom of Snappy's bad mood.
With that, the group of eight Smurfs, plus Puppy, went off into the forest. They crossed over small streams, climbed over hills and even up trees. Each of them playing games along the way like tag or leap frog. All the while, Snappy never lifted his mood and Crafty couldn't help but worry for him. So, she decided to do something about it.
"Uh Smurfs? Do you mind if I steal Snappy for just a minute. I want to show him something," Crafty asked the group who was sitting down for a small break.
The others looked at each other and nodded, giving "okay"s and "sure"s. Snappy crossed his arms and stood to follow Crafty. She led the young Smurflings away from the group of Smurfs only to a short distance where they couldn't be disturbed. Once she found a satisfactory spot, she stopped and kneeled down to Snappy's eye level. He arched his eyebrows, wondering why they had stopped and where was the thing that she wanted to show him.
"Snappy. What's the matter? Why are you upset?" She asked softly, placing her hands on Snappy's shoulders.
Snappy only frowned deeper and shook away from her grip. He kept his arms crossed and turned away from her, huffing.
"C'mon, Snappy. You know you can talk to me. I really want to know what's bothering you," Crafty reasoned.
"Don Smurfo fell in love with you, that's what's wrong, Crafty," Snappy grumbled angrily.
Crafty raised an eybrow in confusion. What does that have to do with anything?
"What do you mean, Snappy?"
Snappy turned to her with tears threatening to come out of his eyes. He breathed heavily and gritted his teeth in pure anger.
"Don Smurfo was my hero! Now he's in love and he'll never be the same Don Smurfo ever again! Why did you have to be there when Don Smurfo got hit with Cupid's love arrow!"
Snappy kicked dirt in the air and then stormed off back in the direction of the group of Smurfs. Crafty was frozen on the spot even after he left. She couldn't believe that Snappy would flip out at her like that. She knew that Don Smurfo being a hero was a big influence on Snappy and it was no surprise that he would be angry at this. The only thing was that she didn't expect him to blame her for it all.
She sighed in utter defeat. There was just nothing she could do about any of it until she could finda way for Don Smurfo to be out of love with her and return back into his book. She got up and also made her way back to the resting spot with complete reluctance.
