Chapter 13
"Huh?" was all I could say as my mind tried to process what he had said.
"There was this weird creature that literally came out of no where and destroyed your whole building. Luckily, your landlady was out and wasn't hurt," Levy answered once she had calmed down.
"What did this creature look like?" Rukia asked coming up beside me.
"It was huge with a red and blue body, but had a white head. The oddest thing about it was the hole in its center. I have never seen or heard of a monster like that," Levy explained.
"A Hollow?" Rukia said aloud just as an explosion sounded down the street. Without thinking I started running forward, wanting to see what happened to my home with my own eyes. I had just turned the corner to my street when I skidded to a halt. In front of me the Raijinshuu, Laxus and Team Natsu along with Juvia were battling against a large Hollow that towered over all the buildings, but wasn't as big as the one we encountered in Foss. Its large white head tilted back as a red glowing began forming in its mouth.
"Shit." Someone muttered under their breath. The Shinigami's reached for their swords, but before they could do anything, Erza was suddenly above the monster and slashed down with her own sword. I slowly walked forward as the Hollow disappeared, shocked at the sight. The building I once called home was now in pieces, not a single board was left standing. It was just a huge pile of debris. Unrecognizable.
"Lucy. Thank goodness you are safe," Erza called out, running up to me with the rest of Team Natsu.
"Luce-" Natsu started but was interrupted by a flash of light to reveal Virgo in a torn maid outfit covered in scratches and dirt.
"Virgo. What happened to you?" I managed to say, tearing my eyes away from the rubble to check over my spirit.
"I sensed that something was going to happen, so I entered your house. I made it in time to save the things you'd need as well as your manuscripts and this," Virgo explained, handing me a familiar black box. I took the box from her and clutched it to my chest, tears streaming down my face before wrapping my arms around Virgo.
"Virgo, you could have been seriously hurt. What were you thinking?" I scolded her, worried that she could have gotten hurt. I hugged her tighter, feeling lucky to have such wonderful spirits. "But thank you," I whispered, pulling back.
"Punishment, Hime?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
"No, no punishment, Virgo." I laughed, feeling a bit better. She nodded and disappeared, a small smile on her usually emotionless face.
"Lucy. Are you alright? I am sorry we couldn't make it in time. You may punch me for my careless delay," Erza said, bowing her head.
I-It's fine, Erza. There was no way of knowing this would happen. You did all you could. I'm just glad no one was hurt," I hurriedly said, not wanting her or anyone to feel guilty.
"Where will you stay?" Ever asked, coming up beside me. I thought for a minute, not sure. Maybe I could stay at the guild?
"You'll be staying with me," Laxus spoke up, surprising me. I was about to protest, but the look on his face held no room for argument. I sighed and nodded, not wanting to put up with Laxus' overprotective brother side.
"If Lucy is staying with you, then so are we," Erza said. Natsu and Gray nodded, agreeing for once.
"So is the Raijinshuu." Freed stepped up, Bickslow nodding beside him.
"Since we have no place to stay and were ordered to protect Lucy as well, we will be coming too," Ichigo said from behind me, placing a hand on my head.
"I don't have room for all of you." Laxus glared, his eyes staying on Grimmjow longer than anyone else.
"That is alright, Laxus-sama. I will make an exception and allow everyone here to stay at my place," Freed offered. Laxus turned his glare back on Freed. "It would be better if we all stayed together to protect Lucy. My house has enough rooms to accommodate everyone," he continued. Laxus continued to glare at him then sighed, accepting what he had said. Freed nodded and turned to the rest of us.
"If you will follow me." Freed turned around and began walking down the street. We followed him, waving to Juvia who was heading back to the guild reluctantly, muttering that she'd rather be with her Gray-sama.
We continued to walk until we came to the edge of town and stopped in front of a huge white two story house, a dense forest growing a few yards behind it. Round pillars were spaced out along the house, stretching all the way up to the roof. Windows were lined up evenly in between each pillar on both floors. A balcony was placed on the top floor above the double wooden front door. Everything about this place screamed nobility and I shivered, remembering all the lonely memories I endured at the Heartfilia Konzern.
I felt warmth around my shoulders and looked up to see Natsu staring at me. I smiled and leaned into him, taking comfort in my best friend. I glanced at the others, feeling lucky that I had all these people to fill my life. My gaze landed on the newest additions to our guild, happy to have more people to add to my family. My eyes landed on the tallest member of the Shinigami's who was staring back at me. I felt my face heat up, remembering what happened at the guild. His eyes narrowed as they shifted to the dragon slayer beside me. What's going on between them?
"Hold on just a moment. I have to rewrite the runes for you to enter." Freed's voice cut through my thoughts. Taking out his sword, the runes lit up around the house as he began rewriting them. I stifled a giggle as I watched him work, thinking it was so like him to place runes around his own house.
"Alright. I made it to where only Fairy Tail members and you five specifically can enter the house," Freed explained to us, looking at the Shinigami's when he said them specifically. I guess that's for the best. We do not need any Hollows or Arrancar attacking us while we slept. We all stepped over the runes and walked through the front door, crowding in the large, empty foyer. All that was in it was a beautiful red oriental rug that took up the majority of the floor and a crystal chandelier that hung above us. There were a couple of doors on either side of the room and a grand white staircase sat in front of us.
"I will give you a tour and tell you where you can and can not wander in to. There will also be no fighting in here. There is a training ground outside if you wish to fight," Freed warned, mostly staring at Natsu and Gray before turning and showing us the rooms. He led us to the living room, kitchen (where he said that only Ever and I can enter since we were the only ones who knew how to cook), the dining room, the library, and the training grounds.
"There are runes around the grounds here. You can use any spell you like and it will keep it in this vicinity only. After you are done and have exited the runes, the grounds will fix the damages you made and will be ready to use the next day," Freed explained. Natsu, Gray, Ichigo, and Grimmjow all looked eager to begin training, but were lead away, Freed telling them they can come back later.
"Ever. The girls will share the rooms that adjourn to your room," Freed said once we got back to the stairs. She nodded and began walking up with the rest of us trailing behind her.
"Laxus, Bix, and I have our own rooms here, but you guys may have to share a room," Ever said, entering a room on the left. "Two of you can stay here. There is a bathroom in here and a door that leads to the other girls rooms." I entered the room to see a queen sized bed covered with red covers and pillows. There was a small desk and dresser on one side of the room with door beside them. Two doors were on either side of the bed along with a glass door leading to a balcony.
"I will be rooming with Lucy," Erza claimed, not giving room for arguments. I paled at the thought of sharing the bed with her.
"Actually Erza, I think it would be best if Wendy stayed with me. You and Rukia can have the room right next to ours," I proposed, not wanting to gasp for air while I slept. Erza turned to the little blue haired girl who had not said a word the entire time and nodded.
"Alright. I will allow it since Wendy seems nervous, but if you need anything, don't hesitate to get me." I nodded and smiled toward Wendy, her body relaxing slightly. Starting to feel hungry, I was just about to ask Ever if she wanted to help me cook something when I felt it. A familiar pull that could only be related to a key. I quickly ran out of the room, ignoring the calls from the others as I dashed downstairs.
"Freed!" I called out. The Rune mage came out of the living room followed by the rest of the guys. Seeing my expression, they all got into battle stances, eyes darting around looking for any danger.
"What's wrong, Lucy?" Freed calmly asked me, seeming to know that there was no danger.
"The woods behind your house. Do they belong to you? Can I go in there?" I quickly questioned, the pull becoming stronger.
"Yes, they do belong to me and yes, you can enter it. May I ask why?" I smiled at him and ran out the door, following the pull. I heard everyone's footsteps behind me, but I kept running until we were surrounded by nothing but trees until I came to a massive oak tree. I couldn't see any leaves or branches as I looked up the wide trunk with roots sticking out of the ground that were almost half as round as the trunk. I slowed my pace and walked up to the base of the tree.
"Lucy," Ever huffed. "Why the hell did you take off like that?"
"Shut up. She's found a key," Natsu's voice echoed through the forest.
"How do you know that?" A deep voice that sounded like Renji asked.
"Whenever she takes off without saying anything means there is a key around. She's done this plenty of times on missions and scares us half to death when we find her gone. Usually one of us has to keep our eye on her in case she goes off," Gray explained.
"I'm not that bad," I protested, kneeling down and digging at the ground.
"Yes. You are," my whole team said at once. I pouted but kept digging at the ground silently. My fingers scraped through the dirt, little pieces covering my skirt. After a few minutes of finding nothing, I sensed the others getting restless.
"What's taking so long," Someone complained.
"She'll find it soon," Natsu's voice reached my ears.
"Well hurry up. I'm hungry." The voice, Grimmjow's I think, sounded irritated.
"You got a problem, Freak?" Natsu yelled.
"Yea. We just ran through a forest for ten minutes looking for what? A god damn key? Pathetic." I heard Natsu growl and I noticed the air grow colder, but I ignored it, Grimmjow's words running through my mind. Before Natsu, Gray, or even Erza could do anything, I was already on my feet and sending Grimmjow crashing into a tree.
"What the hell?!" He yelled standing up and glaring, looking for the culprit, his eyes resting on me as I lowered the leg I kicked him with. I stood there and let my bangs cover my eyes, trying to reel in the anger I was feeling. Why can't these damn Arrancar idiots learn not to mess with me when it comes to my spirits?
"Damn, Blaze. No need to get so worked up. I was only telling the truth. What's the point of collecting these annoying keys? Waste of time if you ask me." Waste of time? My magic, my mother's magic, is a waste of time? Not able to control my anger any longer, I stepped toward him and slapped him across the face. Everyone seemed to freeze, holding their breath, not knowing what to do. The forest became silent, the tension between Grimmjow and I was heavy and he forcefully grabbed the front of my shirt and pulled me up, our eyes glaring at the other. As if the sudden movement broke their frozen state, Team Natsu got in position to attack.
"What do you think your doing, Blaze?" Grimmjow growled in my face, ignoring everyone.
"Don't ever say that my magic is a waste of time. You know nothing about me or my magic," I growled back, not intimidated. He brought my face closer, our noses brushing and our lips inches apart. I would've been embarrassed if I wasn't so angry right now. I clenched my fists, my hand beginning to feel warm. I ignored it, thinking it was Natsu until a yellow light appeared beside us and I was pulled out of Grimmjow's grasp into someone else's arms.
"Please restrain yourself from harming My Lady," a deep husky voice threatened.