NALLLUUUUUUUUUUU. You guys thought I wouldn't do this, didn't you? You lost faith in me *scoffs*.
Though of course, it is not lovey dovey NaLu, they aren't there just yet. But you can see some of the hints to it... Damn! I keep giving away to many hints.
Oh yes, thank you for your glorious reviews! You guys keep making me blush! You guys make me laugh, I am so glad you like my writing. I'm actually suprised it's like so much, so thank you! All of your reviews make me feel like I am eating pasta! (that may sound weird but I love pasta and when I eat pasta I am in heaven so you know... anyway that was weird...) *cough*
Enjoy!
Master Makarov POV
Weariness settled over my shoulders like a blanket as the Rune Knights sent from the Magic Council stomped towards us. I know I had called them myself but it really was exhausting, dealing with people like them. The problems my children caused sometimes…
A small sigh escaped me ,and Erza being Erza did not fail to notice. She stood next to me, waiting to confront the Magic Council, as she kept one foot on Bordon's back, refusing to let him make an escape. Every time he tried to move she pressed down harder, making a whimper escape his lip, as she growled at him.
Erza glanced to me and asked, "Is something wrong, Master?"
My face dropped at just the thought of having to explain the situation to those stuck up snobs. Letting out another sigh I replied, "Nothing, nothing Erza."
She nodded and turned back to watch as the small army marched towards us. They all wore red long sleeve shirts covered by a long blue and white cloak with a large capital 'T' on the front with white pants underneath. On their heads were strange hats shaped almost like a flower and in their hands each of them held a red staff with a blue crystal on the top.
In front, leading the small army was Doranbolt. He was average height with short black hair, sideburns, and three scars on the side of his face. His left ear held a pendant earing. His shirt was blue with the same symbol as the other men and a white cloak clasped around his shoulders.
We waited silently for them to get near us. The rest of the guild had gone inside, not wanting to be in the company of the Rune Knights.
When they finally stood in front of us I took a deep breath, smiled, and waved. "Nice seeing you again, Doranbolt."
He nodded at me, face stern. His eyes went to Bordon on the ground, beaten and bloody, than traveled to the cracks on the ground, spreading like the branches on a tree, then to the a few blood stains.
"My guild of course will clean up the mess, but we figured you would like the honor of taking in Bordon." I added quickly.
He frowned. "Yes, so it seems. Fairy Tail has once again made a mess when capturing a criminal, but since it was not specifically asked of you to capture Bordon Grand the Magic Council will disregard this fact, and we send our thanks for your services."
I could barely contain a snort; of course they would point out before thanking that we had made a mess, but I decided not to push it. It was lucky we were getting off so easy.
Bordon waved a couple of his men forward and they grabbed Bordon, dragging him to the center of the small army, putting hand cuffs on him that drained his magical energy (A/N: is magical handcuffs an actual thing? I can't remember... Oh well).
Bordon bowed to us again before turning and leaving, the small army close behind. I couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief once they were out of sight. It seemed I wouldn't have to fight with the Council today. My relief quickly dissipated when I remembered the mess I had to clean up.
I let out a wail, raising my head to the sky, as Erza hovered over me crying in near panic, "Master! Master what's wrong? Master!"
Lucy POV
My eyes cracked open and I blinked, glancing around. I was back in the small room I had woken up in before, in the same bed. I tried to move but stopped when I realized something warm was pressed against my side. I glanced down and saw Happy curled up next to me. A soft smile graced my lips and I scratched behind his ears. He purred louder then he already was.
I heard a snort and glanced up. Sitting in a chair next to my bed was Natsu, asleep, his head resting on his shoulders, his arms crossed. I could see the dark circles under his eyes, so I was reluctant to wake him, though I desperately wanted to talk to him.
After all that had happened I could use his childish attitude and his trade-mark grin that always put me at ease.
I glanced down at myself and noted with a hint of surprise all of my injuries were healed. I hadn't noticed before, too distracted by Bordon, and Natsu with a dangerous, almost scary, expression on his face as he beat Bordon.
When I had woken up I heard yelling and a small commotion. Drawn by the noise I had found the guild outside on the street, with the doors blown wide open, surrounding Natsu and Bordon, with Master standing slightly off to the side.
I hadn't processed much; just seeing Natsu caused so much relief that it got harder to walk. But then I saw Bordon, bloody and beat up, with Natsu being the one to cause it. I'm not sure how I got the courage to walk up to Natsu with Bordon so close even now, but I knew I had to stop him. I would not let Natsu, innocent and child-like Natsu stain his hands like this, especially when you could see he was blinded by fury.
I could still feel the small tingles I felt when I placed my hands on his arm, telling him to stop. He had hugged me and I had felt so warm, forgetting that the man who had raped me was just a few inches away, for a few seconds. Finally convincing him not to kill Bordon I had felt so faint that I didn't hear what Master said, though I saw his mouth moving. The last thing I remember is the sensation of falling and hitting something warm and strong.
I frowned at the sheets, trying to piece together what had happened after I had fainted with the minimal scraps I had, when the door opened. I glanced up to find Mirajane entering with a small tray of food and water. Her face brightened when she saw me sitting up in bed.
"Lucy!" she exclaimed.
"Shhh," I said, pointing at Natsu. She looked mildly surprised at Natsu sleeping, before smiling softly and nodding.
"I'm so glad you're well again Lucy, we were all worried." She said it quieter this time. Mira placed the small tray on the small desk to the right of the bed.
"How long was I out? Before I woke up, I mean," I asked.
"Just a couple of days," she murmured, sitting on the edge of the bed. I frowned, had it really been so short? It had felt like an eternity in my mind.
"Is Natsu okay?" I whispered. He looked exhausted.
A sympathetic expression crossed her face. "You still don't know, do you? I guess you never got a chance to hear Natsu's explanation. When he wakes up ask him about Bordon."
I bit my lip nervously, but nodded. I still felt a little edgy at the mention of Bordon's name. Seeing my look she smiled and patted my hand.
"Don't worry, you'll understand soon enough. Just rest a bit more for now, and don't let it concern you."
I nodded and she stood to go. . "I'll tell everyone you've woken up but I won't let them come to see you just yet, you still need more rest."
I smiled gratefully at her, I still felt tired, and I wasn't ready for the loud Fairy Tail just yet.
"Oh, and Lucy? Natsu hasn't left your side for a moment since you were hurt, except when Bordon came by." My face heated up in embarrassment. She gave me a knowing smile, and said, "Make sure to thank him properly Lucy."
I didn't respond, my face getting warmer by the second.
She closed the door behind her, leaving silence in her wake. I reached over and grabbed the glass of water on the tray and took a sip. Happy let out a small yawn and stretched.
He sat up, rubbing his eyes, and they widened when they noticed me sitting up.
"Lusshhiiiii!" he cried, launching himself at my chest, with small sobs racking his body. I hugged him close to me, my eyes crinkling in concern.
"I-," he hiccupped, "was so-," he sobbed, "worried! I thought you would never wake up again!"
"It's okay now, Happy. I'm awake now. Silly cat," I murmured, burying my face into his fur, taking comfort in the softness. We held each other for a while longer before finally his tears subsided. I pulled back and smiled at him.
"Sorry to have worried you, Happy."
He sniffed and mumbled, "The only way I'll forgive you is three fishes in payment."
My jaw dropped slightly, that was a lot of fish. "How about two, as a compromise?" I reasoned. He hesitated before nodding.
I chuckled and scratched him behind the ears. I was so relieved to see Happy that I hadn't noticed that Natsu was awake and staring at me.
When I did notice I let out a small yelp. He had surprised me; I thought he was still asleep.
I blinked in surprise when he looked down guiltily, refusing to look me in the eyes.
"Natsu?" I asked, somewhat hesitantly. He didn't answer, his gaze staring hard at his clasped hands. Happy, sensing the tense atmosphere decided to leave us alone to sort out whatever this was.
He made up some lame excuse, saying "I think Carla is calling me!" before flying out of the room.
We were alone.
"Natsu, what is it?"
He just squeezed his hands tighter, scowling at them. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity he whispered, "I'm sorry Lucy."
What surprised me more than his voice cracking was the raw pain on his face. I wanted to grab him and hug him until all of his pain disappeared, to comfort him, but I was so shocked that I remained frozen on the spot, unable to move.
"I didn't protect you," he whispered, still not looking at me. "What he did to you, Luce," his voice cracked again as he used the nickname he gave me. "I should have protected you, but I failed, again."
Again. Oh. Oh.
"Natsu…" I whispered, tears threatening to spill. He meant when Future Lucy died. I still remembered that, so vividly, seeing myself laying on the ground, dead, and Natsu, his face so torn in agony and guilt. That face was back again, plastered on his face like a neon sign.
It hurt me a lot, when Future Lucy had died, but I could tell it hurt him more. He still smiled and acted like his goofy self but every now and then I saw through the façade, and saw the guilt he felt, the pain he tried so hard to hide.
I still couldn't move, I still couldn't try to comfort him.
"I-," his voice cracked again, and a silent tear dripped down his face. Shock reverberated through my body, Natsu did not cry, that wasn't something he did often.
"I thought you weren't going to wake up, and it was all my fault."
"Natsu," I said finally breaking my shocked silence. I shook my head violently, rebelling against his belief. "It wasn't your fault, you warned me, it was not your fault. I was the one who didn't listen, not you."
He said nothing, staring at his clenched hands. Slowly I reached out and grabbed his hands. Immediately he relaxed his grip as I rested both of my hands over his.
"Natsu, look at me." I said quietly. Slowly he did. I stared hard into his eyes so he couldn't look away.
"It was not your fault. Do not blame yourself, blame Bordon." He flinched at the name, all the rage he felt for the man seeming to have drained out. "Bordon is the one who did this to me, not you," I continued.
"Natsu," I snapped when his head started to drift down. I grabbed his chin and yanked his head back up to me.
"Natsu," I pleaded, desperation threading into my voice, betraying me. "Don't be like this. It wasn't your fault, it never was. You stopped him in the end, remember? He could have done a lot more, a lot worse, if you hadn't interrupted. I might be dead. You saved my life, Natsu. That is not worth nothing."
He blinked slowly at me, trying to process the fact that I wasn't angry with him.
"I'm sorry Luce," he whispered again.
"I know Natsu, I know." I reached over and hugged him, my arms going around his neck. He buried his face into my neck, squeezing me tight.
"Sorry I worried you," I whispered. He just nodded, holding me tighter.
Finally I pulled back and smiled at him. He paused a moment before giving me his trade-mark grin, showing all of his canines. Relief flooded me so fast I thought I was caught in a wave of it.
"Now," I said after a moment, "you've got some explaining to do."
Comments, suggestions, reviews? Yes, no, maybe so?
Told you, not totally lovey dovey NaLu, but what did you expect? Natsu is a dense idiot. Thad does NOT mean he doesn't understand stuff like this but he probably perceives it as being really protective of her, being close friends. It would most likely take forever for him to realize his feelings, and I doubt he would be to ecstatic to jump on them, not wanting to ruin his friendship...
Then there's Lucy... She's probably more dense then Natsu. Growing up isolated from things like these she's probably a little... confused probably isn't a good word to use, but you get the idea. Then when she finally realizes I doubt she will want to act on it, who wants to like a "flame-brained idiot" (quote Gray) in the first place? Lucy is stubborn like that. Plus she is convinced Natsu is totally platonic on these kind of things so she probably will wonder, "If I confess, to what end?" My bet is that it would probably be Natsu who would confess first, but I could always be wrong.
Ah! Sorry, I just realized I went on a long rant about this situation... sorry! Don't let this discourage you though, there WILL be more NaLu! That's what I'm here for!
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