Chapter 13
The true sickness
It had been four weeks since that day at the pool, the day of their promise. Natsu had worked tirelessly on getting everything completed. And during that time he had done a lot of thinking, which was not normal for the salmon haired teen but for this it was necessary. Freed had revealed that Lisanna had been magically brain washed when she came to she had a message for the member's of the Fairy Tail guild.
"What do you remember Lisanna?" Mira asked calmly. Lisanna bit her lip and looked at Makarov.
"He's watching. He wanted us to know that he could see everything that we do. He says he has the power to see what we want most, and also to take it away. He...he wants to take us away from Lucy. Specifically he wants to take Natsu away from Lucy. He said that she would understand, and that only she could stop this from happening." Lisanna said in a weak voice. Makarov sucked in a harsh breath and looked at the boy standing near by.
"Master. With all due respect, do you think it is wise to tell Lucy? This might break her again." Erza said in worry for her friend.
"I think, we should leave that to Natsu. It is after all his prophecy." Lisanna said quietly. They all knew what she was doing. She was trying to force him to make a choice. One between being honest, and protecting her.
"Well Natsu? What do you think, she is after all your partner." Makarov asked him. Natsu thought about it for a moment, his eyes drawn to the floor and his brows crunched together. Finally he looked up, a large grin on his face.
"Who says I can't do both." Natsu said looking at his childhood friend. She gasped, she had no idea he would even understand. She was surprised that this saddened her a little.
"If this is my choice I want to think about it more. I get why this is important. This will only prove to Luce fears are real, that bastard will keep his promise. He is playing mind games with her, and I want to laugh because I know even if you guys don't, that he won't win. She is not a kid anymore. She isn't alone anymore. And I figure this guild is really good at breaking shit, so we have a lot of experience fixing them." Natsu told them. Erza smiled at him with pride. Makarov cleared his throat.
"That's true Natsu. But Lucy is not an object she is a person. Even if she were, there is only so many times you can break a piece of wood before you can't mend it again." He told him. Natsu found himself giving them a huge smile.
"Ya know it's a good thing I'm her partner. Cause I know her the best. And two of the things I like about her most are her stubbornness, and her ability to take what ever comes her way and change with it, with out letting it destroy her. Which means if you keep breaking the stick, you can turn it in to paper." Natsu said with an overwhelming amount of fondness in his voice.
"She's pretty simple to understand, when you pay enough attention." He added. Makarov nodded already knowing this about his adoptive daughter.
"So do you know how your going to help her with that my boy? You had better think about it because I would hate to see her rush into anything."
"Nah, but I'll think of something." He said.
"Man now I know we're in trouble. The health of Lucy's mind is in the hands of this idiot." Gray said grinning.
"With that settled Master I think we need to get together and discuss where to go from here. We don't have time to waste. I am concerned that the more we wait to take action, the more he is going to send our way. And she may be able to bounce back from it, but for how long? I don't want to make her suffer any longer then she needs too." Erza stated calmly. Makarov nodded.
"I agree. I believe I will send for our allies. I think its time we put our heads together." He told her with a cheeky grin. "I think that means we will need to plan for a party my dear." He told Mira, who nodded happily. Natsu's eyes got wide.
"Hey, I just remembered, Lucy's birthday is next week. We need to do something for her!" Natsu said patting him self on the back.
"Seriously where is Natsu? You are NOT him." Erza said looking at the teen her face straight.
"Hey it was just a thought. I think she should get a send off before we go into this. Show her how much we all care about her. It always helped me when I had trouble getting through a hard battle." Natsu huffed.
"Ooo...Let me help Mira-ne please?" Lisanna asked. Natsu knew it was because she wanted to start making up for the hurt that she had caused her friend. Mira nodded happily.
"Ne, Natsu? Could you please tell Lucy something for me?" When he nodded she continued. "Tell her I don't blame her for what happened to me. And... that I am there for her. But that I understand if she can't forgive me." Lisanna asked a dull light in her eyes. Natsu knew that Lisanna was a kind soul, to hurt on of her family intentionally was unforgivable able. He could hardly imagine how she felt knowing that she had been forced to do so, while watching locked in the back of her own mind, un able to stop the words that came out of her mouth.
Natsu nodded at her.
A little while later the meeting ended on a good note, with the promise of a celebration before this battle, hanging in the air. As they were leaving Natsu was stopped by a heavy hand on his shoulder holding him back until he was the last to leave.
"What your doing, you've got guts kid. But even so I want you to know something. When something is broken, over and over as Blondie was, they eventually snap. The pressure becomes too much and they fight back not wanting to feel the pain. Most people can't make it, after snapping more then a couple of times. By all rights she should be insane with all she has had to put up with. But instead of breaking, letting it consume her she decided to change, to make herself stronger, each time learning more. That makes her a very complicated creature. But I'm glad to see your taking this seriously. I just thought I you should know that after a while that object or person needs help. Paper doesn't make it self you know? It takes skilled craftsman to run the machines and to harvest the pulp. Each one, working together. She's got that here. Your only job in life as her mate is to make sure that she knows that. Every day with out fail. Got it?" Gajeel said. He had remained oddly silent during the discussion, choosing not to involve myself until needed. It dawned on Natsu that Gajeel would know how do deal with this situation. He had after all helped Juvia; she was a little weird, and mildly obsessive, but for the most part no worse for the wear.
"Thanks. But she's not my mate." Natsu told him slowly.
"Keh, yet." Was all the older man said before he walked past Natsu and into the main part of the guild.
Natsu had been thinking about it. He had taken every word to heart. The bit about his mate was a little unsettling. He didn't know what all that involved. And he didn't want her to get caught up in something else that was complicated. But after a while of thinking on it, he started to realize there was more benefits to her being his mate that if they just married the normal way.
Yes, he had been thinking about it a lot. He couldn't think of any other reason for the feelings he had for her, other then the obvious ones. He wanted to smack himself for making this harder on himself and not seeing it before now. He knew she wasn't quite ready but he knew he would wait. He would wait an eternity. His beast and his heart decided for him the day he met her. Nothing, he realized had changed that.
He heaved a large sigh and looked at the packages neatly wrapped all around him. He had been working on these for a while now. He had gotten help form members of the guild in some area's and even more help from Levy with the rest as the small blue haired women knew his partner as well as he did, except she was smart!
They had decided to go all out for her birthday. They combined it with the party they were throwing when the other guilds showed up. But Natsu knew that before Lucy found out that Lisanna was roaming around and had even planned her party, he needed to tell her what he knew. And he had figured out the perfect way to do it. He was going to tell her in the most blunt way possible.
He had decided that he risked making her feel weak if he tried to sugar coat the situation. And she wouldn't appreciate getting special treatment. He would tell her, pull off the Band-Aid swiftly, and add the painkiller after. In this case the painkiller was Lisanna's message and her part in the birthday party they were throwing. They had put a lot of time into the preparations, almost feeling like they had something to prove to the other two guilds coming to see their home.
But none had been working as hard as Lisanna. She was pushing everyone, making sure everything was perfect, and threatening anyone who would tell their dear celestial mage of the party. It was to be a surprise, and he would never forget seeing the small takeover mage put Gajeel in a headlock for even hinting at it to the blond. The whole guild had been roaring in laughter as she bitched him out for eating the screws to the stage.
Gajeel thankfully got the message and played along. With the threat of Mira breathing down his neck he was going to behave himself. Lisanna may not scare him, but that demon did. He had learned a while ago that what little sister wanted she got.
"Yo." a voice startled him from behind. Natsu turned and looked at the mage who had interrupted him. Gray was holding a large paper wrapped package, and had what looked to be a small wrapped up tapestry on his back. Next to him was Loke holding an equally large paper wrapped package.
"We managed to get everything you asked for." Gray said. Natsu stood and walked over to them setting his current tools down.
"Did you have to go to too much trouble to get these?" He asked taking the first package and sat down with it so he could take a look inside.
"No, not at all. Actually people co-operated really well." Gray told him walking to take a look at what Natsu had been working on. "This is really nice work man." He commented as he eyed the room around him. Natsu lifted his head from examining the contents of the packages that had been set down next to him.
Loke took a seat on the stepladder nearby and looked at the teen sitting on the floor.
"Thanks. I guess all those years of fixing the guild have really paid off. Though I can't believe that it's almost finished." Natsu said looking at his work fondly. Loke smiled. This had become such an important thing to him and Loke found him-self proud that he had gotten to watch him grow and mature the way he so obviously had.
Everyone had given their contributions to the project each leaving a card with their gift. But what was more was that Natsu wasn't finished yet. He had even taken the time to purchase some really well thought out gifts. Natsu had worked every day until its end and it was paying of.
"So what will you do when you're done with it?" Gray asked curious if there had been a plan further thought out after the completion of his hard work. Natsu looked at the men in the room, a dangerous grin on his face.
"I'm going to claim what's mine, and make sure she never forgets where she belongs." Natsu said.
*At the Guild*
Lucy sneezed making her forget what she had been about to say as gooseflesh made its way up her spine.
"Lu-chan? You alright?" Levy asked from across from the blond. Lucy looked at Levy and smiled.
"Yeah sure. Just got a chill all of a sudden. So where is everyone?" Lucy asked confused at the serious lack of people in the Guild. Levy smiled at her and looked at Juvia.
"Master Makarov asked a few of the teams to go out and get a few things for the guild." Juvia answered smoothly. Levy let out a breath. Juvia was definitely better at this stuff then she was. Lucy had come close several times to figuring out what was going on but they had had little trouble turning her attention to other things. Before Levy could turn the subject to something else Lucy asked,
"Again? People have been gone all month. It's like the master lifted the ban on missions or something. Are you guys sure there is nothing going on that I should know about?" Lucy looked at Levy and Juvia calmly. She noticed Juvia fidget and Levy simply bit her lip a little.
"Well um, you see Lu-chan..." Levy trailed off. This wasn't going to work. The look on her face was enough to prove that. Levy searched the guildhall desperately hoping to find something that would distract the girl. Then she spotted it. Saying a silent apology to her victims she looked at Lucy quickly devising a plan.
"Well you see Lu-chan, Gajeel asked me a question the other day. And I wasn't sure if it was a good idea to ask you. But I should I guess." Levy started, looking at the iron dragon slayer out of the corner of her eye, when she noticed that he was looking, waiting to find out exactly what he had asked her. Lucy put her hand on Levy's giving her a sincere smile, mistaking her hesitation for nervousness.
"You can ask me anything Levy, you know that." Lucy told her friend. Levy took a big breath and looked at Juvia, who knew where this was going.
"Well he had mentioned that your normal fighting style only involved two opponents and was thinking about how well your style would work with a partner against more then one opponent." Levy rushed out. Instantly Lucy's eyes went wide, and started to sparkle.
"Well I've never done it before but it would be worth a try. It would make more sense to have two other people to partner with.
"Hmmm..but that wouldn't be fair if we teamed against just Gajeel." Lucy said putting her finger on her chin thinking. Levy looked at Gajeel and smiled her eyes screaming 'HELP!'. A second later Gajeel stood with a sigh and walked over to the napping Laxus.
"Oi. We need to distract Bunny Girl." He said quietly knowing the other man could hear him.
"How is that my problem? Sounds like your little book worm already has a plan." Laxus said not opening his eyes as he re-crossed his legs.
Gajeel smirked. "I'm going to look forward to telling the devil woman why Blondie found out about her little surprise." He said turning and starting to walk away. A large hand grasped his wrist before he could take more then a few steps.
"Wait, whoa...uh...DAMMIT!" Laxus stood. "You'd really do that wouldn't you?" He asked as a last ditch effort to not have to do this. Everyone knew better then to piss Mira off when you were anywhere near the vicinity. When Gajeel said nothing and just stood there looking at him Laxus gulped.
"Who are you more scared of Lucy or Mira?" Laxus asked walking passed the man and heading to the girls table.
"This is Fairy Tail, most of them scare me." Gajeel admitted very quietly. Laxus laughed.
"Yeah, it started with my mom, went down hill from there. Something akin to Erza and Mira Jane having a baby." He joked and chuckled quietly when Gajeel stiffened and then shuddered.
"Hey you two! We were just coming to find you!" Lucy said catching the two men walking in their direction. Laxus stopped and smirked at the girl,
"So you finally decided to take me up on my offer then?" He teased. Gajeel used one of the iron studs on his knuckle and poked the man none to gently in the back, a clear signal of 'watch it!'
Lucy frowned and walked around the table coming to stand in front to the man. She crossed her arm behind your back and leaned in looking at him with a straight face, she used her other hand to grab the front of his shirt and gently pulled him down to her level. Gajeel smirked; he could feel the anger welling in her. Laxus only grinned wider. 'Moron' Levy, Juvia and Gajeel thought at the same time.
Lucy leaned forward until her mouth was right by his ear.
"Sorry big guy, but your too tall to ride this ride." Lucy told him as though she was talking to a child. 'And you control an element I have a strict aversion to.' she added in her head. She smiled wide at the chuckles and giggles from her friends and stood and winked at him.
Laxus slaps his hand over his face with his eyes closed and mumbles;
"Never in my life have I wanted to be short, now I am seriously considering it." Gajeel herd and howled with laughter. He had been right Lucy now had some serious spice that she had been lacking before.
"Actually I was hoping to ask the two of you for a little help with an experiment that we are going try." Lucy asked sweetly. Laxus gave her a strange look.
"What kind of an experiment?" he asked, suspicious.
"A sparing match. Us three against you two." She replied. Laxus' eyes went wide and he looked at Gajeel, his expression screaming 'Really!?' he looked back at Lucy and scratched the back of his head.
"Um, do you really think that's a good idea?" he asked. Lucy scoffed.
"What, you scared?" Lucy asked.
'No I just don't feel like being burned alive!' Laxus groaning inwardly.
"No, of course not I just wouldn't want to damage that pretty face of yours. I have a policy against hitting girls." Laxus said smugly. Lucy smirked.
"Wow, I'm really glad I don't or this plan wouldn't work at all." She said evenly.
"Yeah so...Oi! You trying to pick a fight?" he asked. All three girls looked at him incredulously.
"Moron." Gajeel sneered fighting back a grin. Laxus shook his head frustrated. "No, I just don't want to die by fire today thanks." Laxus said under his breath.
"Alright whatever." He huffed.
"SWEET!" Lucy cheered, she turned to the girls and gave them quick instructions. And soon they were standing in the field outside the guild, they had been using that for a lot of the training that they did. When they stopped Lucy turned to the guys.
"Go out into the trees, find a good spot." She instructed. Gajeel looked at her, this might be fun.
"Why into the tree's Lu-chan." Levy asked a little confused. Lucy smiled.
"Obstacles." She stated simply. She shooed her hand at Gajeel and Laxus then turned back to Juvia and Levy.
"Okay. Lets see. I've never done this before so I think we need to come up with a plan." Lucy told them.
Levy nodded and pulled out a large leather book, slipping her glasses down her little nose, her face determined.
"Alright!"
The girls put their heads together and twenty minutes later they were standing at the outer edges of the tree line spaced about thirty feet apart. Juvia had scouted the area and had found the boys together in a wooded clearing not to far away.
Lucy clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth. "Should have split up guys. This will be too easy." Lucy said with a sadistic kind of smirk.
Over the last few weeks she had gotten really good at using her Mesmier power. Seeing the grid of magical energy like a tiny weave around everything everywhere, had once again become second nature. Her reflexes had improved to the point where she could almost beat Erza again. And on the few occasions that she had fought Natsu (Lucy was positive he was avoiding that part of the day because he kept turning up missing.) and Gray (who now completely refused.) she had been able to beat them too. Though even Juvia was concerned that the boys were going easy on her.
Laxus and Gajeel wouldn't be so nice and Lucy was looking forward to an opponent that was not Erza, who would take her seriously. It wasn't like she didn't think Natsu and Gray took her seriously, but they were definitely holding back which kind of bothered her. How was she supposed to get stronger if they kept holding back?
Quickly, on Lucy's signal the girls darted into the trees each trailing a long scarf, each one a different color. Juvia and Levy knew the basic steps having watched Lucy do this several times. Instead of the spiral trap she normally would use though these would include the area around them too. Lucy had attached a strand of energy to each scarf, since Juvia and Levy had not been taught to see them. (Lucy had pondered the idea before, and her mother had once told her it was possible, but she had not gotten around to figuring out a way to do it.)
Juvia took to the trees, spinning and weaving heading to the clearing that she had found previously. Levy took to the ground in one direction going out and around to the left, and Lucy took the other way. Each one made sure to spiral around about every other tree that they found creating a net like line, all three headed to circle around the clearing. Lucy had instructed them carefully to make sure that they knew how the intimidation process worked. Initially this would not really be an attack only a safe guard. It was what Lucy's mom had called an elemental circle.
Looking out from the clearing all Laxus and Gajeel could see were snippets of the girls bobbing and weaving around the circle of trees and no emerging, they were a little confused as to why they seemed to be dragging a tail of different colors.
From above, there was a trill that sounded almost like a bird. Almost. Gajeel looked up expecting an attack and instead the next thing they knew the girls were running around them in a tight circle. Each one of the scarves they had seemed to be touching, creating a solid circle.
"Hey, what are they doing?" Laxus asked confused. The mage could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end, goose bumps starting to show on his arms. Gajeel put his nose in the air smelling the distinct smell of magic, and it seemed the more they went around them the more the smell grew.
"Shit! It smells like they are powering up." Gajeel said confused. But neither mage was sure how to initiate an attack for this, neither one wanting to take the first attack. Instead they stood there watching the girls as best they could. Lucy started to giggle.
"Come on boys...You're not going to try anything at all?" She teased. Gajeel couldn't help but growl.
"Same could be said for you. You're just running in circles." Laxus shot back smugly. Gajeel shook his head at the younger man. And he thought Natsu was stupid. He knew he was right to be suspicious when the girls finally stopped. Each one was equally spaced around them. Juvia and Levy handed their scarves to Lucy, who held them all in one hand the ends braced between her middle fingers.
"Well if you put it like that." Levy said.
"Juvia thinks you should have found different places to hide. This was too easy." Juvia said in a bored tone. Lucy chuckled darkly. In a low husky voice Lucy said what sounded like three words in a language they didn't understand, but they sounded a lot like a command and before the men could process what was happening Lucy flicked her wrist catching the other end of the scarf with her other hand, then put her arms up, and spun. Really fast.
The two men found themselves spinning with her, only around each other. Just as suddenly Lucy stopped. Her arms still in the air she looked at the other girls and smiled.
"What the hell is this!" Laxus screamed hovering a few feet above the ground unable to move.
"This is the control circle. For a limited time I am able to completely control your body's outer movement in the atmosphere. I can't control your muscles or you major movements, but I can twirl you like this;" Lucy demonstrated. "And move you like this;" She showed them again. "And I can hold you still and let the girls attack you like this." She finished holding them still again. Levy shot an attack at Laxus and Juvia followed suit, while Lucy stood still and watched in amusement. When the girls finished they switched and repeated.
Laxus, getting frustrated, called on his electricity and let it loose around his body. Lighting bolts danced around him.
"This is crap! You're just holding us and beating us up!" Laxus said in what sounded like an angry whine. All three girls laughed and Laxus growled.
"Oi! Shut up! Don't be a whiney little bitch or I'm going to switch teams. Use your head stupid! She said it only lasts for a limited time so she can't torture us for ever." Gajeel snapped at the other man. Laxus turned to yell at him and found his mouth full of water. And suddenly there was pain. Juvia seeing that his lighting was getting out of control had decided to put him in a water lock. Laxus got mad and tried to send a spark at her and instead shocked the shit out of him self.
This was bullshit! Laxus was festering inside. Lucy had started to spin him around with Gajeel, both in water locks, when she pulled her hands apart and then snapped them together their water locks merged and they were frying together.
It wasn't much longer before Lucy's fun was over and they found themselves in heaps on the ground coughing and sputtering.
"Oh well times up. I guess it's time to really play." Lucy said to the girls. They of course knew the plan and the two girls zipped out of the clearing, leaving Lucy standing there with the two men. Her celestial whip was out and she was holding a key in her hand.
Laxus and Gajeel stood to their feet and looked around. They had been surprised but they were alert now, if only a little uneasy at the mildly sadistic look on the small blonde's face.
"This shit makes you hot huh?" Laxus said goading. He gulped when her expression turned to one of excitement.
"To bad you won't ever get to find out." She laughed.
Before either of them saw what was happening something collided with the backs of their heads causing the two dragon slayers eyes to spin around. A small trail of drool went down the side of Laxus' chin as his mouth hung open. Gajeel stood up quickly, irritated. He spun around looking for the offending projectile. He was able to quickly deduce who had been the cause as he spied a red object a few feet away, the rock like object formed the unmistakable word: Brick.
"Oi! What the fuck!?" Laxus hollered.
* SNAP! SNAP! * both men jumped with yelps of pain as the tip of Lucy's whip both landed searing strikes on each man's rounded butt cheek. Gajeel roared, "WHO THE HELL DOES THAT!"
Both men spun around and faced the blond who was grinning like an idiot, playfully spinning the whip's handle around in her hand.
"Tsk, never take your eyes off your opponent!" She said in a singsong tone. Laxus paled.
"But you're all our opponents!" he said back like it was obvious. She raised her finger to her chin and looked thoughtful for a moment.
"I'm really sorry but I can't think of a reason that that would be my problem." She said innocently. Gajeel decided to stop messing around and launched himself at the blond, who smiled brightly at him and twisted her key, his eyes widened a fraction as he realized that Juvia's watery body stood next to Lucy, her body rippling as Lucy plunged the tip of the key into her belly.
"Open, Gate of the Water Bearer! Aquarius!" In a flash of light the buxom blue haired mermaid floated from a trail of water connected to Juvia.
"I'll tell you all about this morning if you give these guys a cold shower." Lucy said quickly to the woman. Aquarius smirked evilly and brought up her vase she gathered water into it careful not to use too much and waited until the last minute, she swung it down with a loud yell. Gajeel and Laxus had a momentary chance to gulp in a bit of air before they were floundering backwards.
Quickly the mermaid leaned down to Lucy.
"Okay now spill." She said excited. The mage's love life had become a huge bit of entertainment for the woman.
Lucy leaned into the woman's ear, quickly whispering something that made the other woman's face blush. With a start she sat straight up again, her eyes wide.
"Really!?" She asked incredulous. At Lucy's nod Aquarius snickered. "Good to know." She said and with a flash she was gone. Juvia grinned.
"Do you think they will get over themselves and actually attack us?" Lucy asked the other girl.
"Juvia thinks that the water was a good wake up." She responded smugly proud of their teamwork. Lucy and her had sparred enough that they were well aware of what they were capable of together. They had yet to try it. But from the looks of things it would work out rather well. Levy could be seen creeping behind the foliage but because of her size she was perfect to distract. The little script mage was busy making landmine like objects, scribbling furiously, her face drawn in an eerie combination of concentration and elation.
All three girls knew that if they let up for even a second, underestimated them at all, and they would lose. None of them felt like doing that, and if they did lose they were not going out with out a bang.
They didn't get long before there was a telltale rumbling and suddenly Lucy was gracefully dodging the iron rods that were being launched at them. Lucy felt a bit of envy as she saw the water mage absorbing the hits. Lucy didn't have time to ponder if that was genetic as there was a sharp shock to her rear.
"ACK! HEY!" She sputtered. Not taking time to look, already knowing whom it was, she focused on the onslaught of attacks coming her way. Gajeel was smirking, his brow's pulled together, as every piercing in his body was lunching themselves at
her, forming the long iron poles, while his arms crossed comfortably across his massive chest.
He had caught her several times with the littler ones in his eyebrows, and she was starting to feel fatigue pull at her. She vaguely realized that Natsu had been holding back on her, because Gajeel obviously wasn't. Mildly miffed her eyes whirred, looking for her opening. Her waiting paid off as she noticed him use his fist. Thanking her luck she took the chance to dodge the iron pillar, and leapt high, landing neatly onto it. Immediately she leapt up as he launched the second fist, landing as she had before. She used the appendage as a launch board and sprung above his head. She pulled back her whip and with a flick of her wrist she nailed him right on the tip of his nose.
She whooped when she got the desired effect, and landed. Gajeel stopped his attacks abruptly in favor of holding his nose, his eyes watering and he suddenly wished she had just punched him instead. He spun, taking a deep breath, he let out his dragon's roar, but just as before it had no effect, she twisted and spun using the provided magic to send her at him, spiraling tightly toward him. When she was close enough she lifted her leg smoothly. There was a flash of pale skin and then another as she brought her foot up and kicked him with the momentum she had gathered, and scissor her other leg up in a ballet-like move and kicked him again. Her skirt flared and it looked as though a flower had kicked Gajeel. Lucy leaped to the side, pushing off of his face and landed a few feet away slowing her spiral and standing at the ready, panting slightly. This was taking a bigger toll on her then she thought it would. Levy and Juvia pounced, each sending an attack at the man giving Lucy a breather.
Lucy heard the faint crackle of electricity before she yelped in pain as a fist collided with her shoulder reminding her she had forgotten one of her opponents, again. Spinning, Lucy hissed in pain, her eyes landing on the smug face of Laxus as he crackled in frustration.
"I hate to tell you this but I really don't like you right now." Lucy hissed rolling her shoulder smelling the faint noxious smell of burning flesh. She clapped her hands together and chanted quickly; she withdrew her glaive and readied herself.
"Ooo...but I'm learning to love your reactions." Before Lucy could respond he disappeared and was standing in front of her. His hand raised and swiftly he flicked his fingers sending little shocks along the front of her body. Instead of pain, Lucy screamed in outrage.
The familiar feeling had had the adverse effect, and had managed to send the girl into a blind rage. She swooped low and kicked at his feet, he leapt out of the way, surprised at the look on the normally pretty girl's face. Suddenly Lucy was a flash of cloth and color as she screamed her rage.
The others stopped in their battle surprised at the feral sound. Levy caught a glance at her friend's face and gasped. She clutched Juvia's arm and pointed. Lucy's eyes had gone a dangerous shade of violet and she was practically growling.
"Gajeel you need to stop her!" Levy cried, alarmed, her brain working quickly to deduce the reason behind her friend's sudden rage.
"Pfft, he'll be fine." He said, calm, even if he was feeling a bit concerned.
"No, you don't understand. Originally Mesmier magic was practiced to fatally harm or kill men. Women oppressed by their husbands in high society used it. The malice the power can hold is immense. The fact that he is a man is a huge problem." Levy explained quickly looking over her notes.
"It normally has no effect on her when she is control. But with the shocks that he keeps sending at her...Gajeel I think she's.." Levy trailed off, nibbling her lip, worried.
"She is reliving what happened and this time she isn't helpless. That's not Laxus she's fighting. Not in her mind. In her mind she is fighting her Uncle." Levy finished.
Gajeel looked at the blond again and with a smell to the air and focusing his hearing he was able to pick up just how serious this was about to become. Laxus had been holding up well until a little bit ago when Lucy started using the blade to cut the man instead of hitting him with the staff and cap. Gajeel thought back on the other sparring matches he had seen her in and realized she never used the blade it, self until now.
Laxus thankfully had not shocked her again, and instead was trying to dodge as he was cut from many different angles.
"I don't think me getting in the way is gonna stop her. She is pissed the fuck off. Someone needs to get Pinky over here before she kills him." Gajeel said pulling up his sleeves. "I'll try to help keep her at bay but you guys had better go quickly." He told them. Juvia nodded and stood next to him.
"Juvia will help too. Water lock should stop her for a little while. Longer if you can get a hold of her." She told him. He nodded and looked at Levy.
"Hurry up pipsqueak, got a feeling she won't forgive herself if she actually hurts the idiot." Gajeel said. Levy nodded and took off running.
Gajeel looked at Juvia and they nodded their understanding and rushed in.
***** 15 minutes later *****
Levy's body was going numb, she had been running full speed. Her face was sweating as her hair stuck to it, she was panting heavily and her lungs were burning with exertion. When Natsu's house came into sight she sighed in relief and pushed herself harder. Quickly she burst through the door screaming for the fire dragon slayer, her body unable to move once she made it inside. Natsu came running, Gray and Loke soon behind. Seeing the look on her face Natsu knelt down to check that she was ok.
"Stop! Don't worry about me! Lu-chan!" Levy panted trying to get it out.
"She is having a flash back and is trying to actually kill Laxus. She lost control! We think he shocked her one to many times." She rushed out. Natsu looked at her wide-eyed, Gray paled, and Loke sucked in his breath.
"Gajeel and Juvia are trying to hold her off." She told him. "Gajeel told me to go get you." She finished.
"We need to go. Hurry up!" Loke said leaning over and picking up Levy. Natsu stood and slipped his sandals on.
Soon they took off running, Natsu following Levy's scent and hurdling on ahead of the other three. Even from here he could feel the disturbance.
When they arrived on the scene what they saw made them stop in awe.
Juvia had managed to catch the girl in her water lock, forming it like shackles and holding her down. Lucy was spurting power, allowing it to swirl around her. There were small violet and blue crystals starting to form on her cheekbones and the tips of her hair. Her eyes were void as she was releasing all of her emotion outwardly, their violet depths were completely cold.
Levy gasped. "Fury." She said.
"Yeah, she's pissed!" Gray agreed. Levy shook her head.
"No, not feeling fury, she is using the power of the fury. Its an ability which opens all of her emotional channels and brings out the attack, if she keeps going like this she will use her very life force to kill him and anyone in her way. She's not fighting Laxus anymore." She said
"I don't understand, why did Laxus attacks piss her off so much." Natsu whispered.
"He probably shocked her in places that triggered a flash back. Her uncle loved to use little shock boxes and even a cattle prod at one time. Static electricity pisses her off now." Loke explained his heart wrenching at his masters pain.
Lucy was struggling, throwing herself to one side and then the other. Her screams of rage making goose bumps appear on the spirit's arm.
"Natsu if she uses that attack, even if the others survive, she won't." Levy said with finality. Natsu's eyes widened, he watched as Gajeel tried to keep her blade from returning to her and Juvia was running out of energy fast. This was the fifth water lock she had used to hold the girl.
"Gray can you freeze her?" Natsu asked.
"Yeah I think so." Gray said watching in mild horror as Lucy broke free and proceeded to fling herself at Gajeel her teeth bared as she wielded her Atheme like a large dagger. Laxus was kneeling by a large tree panting heavily bleeding from various cuts and a really large one on his forehead.
Upon realizing what had happened Laxus had stopped attacking in favor of defending while he tried to figure out a way out of the fight. It had not worked, and had taken too long for the other two mages to even start to subdue the enraged girl. Laxus promised silently that if he ever got to sleep with her he would never use his normal techniques, she would squeeze his shit right off!
"Lucy!" Natsu screamed trying to get her attention, as he saw the crystals starting to take over her eyelids and down to her lips, her fingers had developed a claw look as the crystals formed there as well. She didn't respond but somewhere inside the part of her that was defending her self heard him.
Lucy was tired. But she couldn't stop. She was exerting more energy then she ever had. The crystals that continued to form were her soul taking shape, turning her body into a weapon. If she were damaged in this state she would die. She knew she had to stop but lacked the ability.
Lucy registered an ice cold feeling stop her from slinging an attack at the iron slayer. Looking down in horror the girl screamed, her legs were frozen anchoring her to the ground. Swiveling her head, her eyes landed on Gray as he stood ready to do it again. She barred her teeth at him, growling menacingly.
"Stay the fuck out of this man." She spat. Gray shivered, this was not a Lucy she wanted to tangle with.
"Oi! Luce! Wake up!" Natsu screamed coming up behind her and locking his arms around hers and then behind her head. Leaning his head close he ignored her struggles and said quietly,
"Come on Luce, its me. You're safe now. Let me help you." He said soothingly. Lucy screamed louder making his ears ring. "Lucy! Dammit snap out of it! It's not HIM he's not here! That's your friend's you're fighting! STOP!" He said loudly. He felt her pause. She turned her head and looked at him. He could see a small bit of brown. He heard his name tumble quietly from her lips. "That's right Luce. It's me. Calm down. Your safe now." He reassured. Lucy seemed to pause for a moment. She took a deep breath and in one powerful scream she threw her head back, her anger rushing out of her.
When she was done she went limp in his arms and he quickly melted the ice around her pulling her close to him.
Levy and the others approached to look down at her. Levy looked her over, concerned.
"She's breathing, but she passed out. And these crystals aren't going away." Natsu said worriedly, smoothing the girl's hair down.
"Come on, we should take her to the guild. I think there are several of us needing some repair." Laxus said.
They arrived at the guild and after Wendy saw to Lucy, making sure she was stable she did her work on the other three. This had obviously been a hard fight and Wendy was starting to become concerned for her friend.
It wasn't that Lucy was invincible. Quite the opposite actually. But there for a little while Gajeel and Laxus had been mildly afraid, seeing whom Lucy would become if her hatred were directed at them. Neither had truly wanted to hurt the other. It was all in the name of training. They had not realized, as Levy and Wendy explained, that there were some fights that should just not happen. Laxus' element was a perfect example of a trigger for the girl.
What they were now having difficulty with was the fact that it seemed the Heart stones, as Levy called them, were not going away. She had explained that they were a physical manifestation of Lucy's soul, they were brought out by the desperation Lucy felt while reliving what happened as a child.
The part that upset them the most was that though there were no signs of any new ones coming out, it was advised that no one touch her. Natsu was having an especially hard time with this.
Natsu couldn't explain the impulse but for the time that she had been asleep he kept feeling this need to touch her. He could not explain the feeling except to call it his instinct. She had been asleep for too long for his taste, a day and a half was too much for him. He had refused to leave her side for the duration, he had left long enough to relieve himself, and the occasional drink down stairs. People had filtered in and out through thru the duration of Lucy's slumber. Each found her suddenly ethereal appearance to be a little unsettling. The three dragon slayers had also noted he scent was intoxicating, and not in a good way. It was filled with fear, anxiety and an intense hatred.
The other guilds were due to arrive that evening and the next day would be the party, they were hoping Lucy woke up before then. Master Makarov had sent for all of the guild members who were able to come back for the party and also for additional orders concerning their current operation.
Natsu resisted the urge to climb into the bed next to the small woman, instead he pushed the cot that had been provided for him next to her bed and laid down. He adjusted himself to his side and looked at her thoughtfully.
"Come on Luce. Fight this please...we have a lot to do, and we can't...I can't do it with out you. Plus I've got a lot to tell you. I've been thinking a lot about things, and I want you to wake up so you can laugh at me when I tell you about it. What are you dreaming about Luce? What's on your mind that is keeping you from me? I just need a sign from you to prove your still fighting, that I haven't lost you." Natsu whispered to the sleeping mage. He had been doing that a lot lately. Talking to her, pleading with her to come back to him. He sighed and closed his eyes making sure to keep his senses alert he adjusted himself to taking a small nap.
*In Lucy's dream's *
This was hell. Lucy was sure of it. She was also positive that she wasn't going to get out anytime soon. All around her she could hear voices. She had been hearing them for a long time now, it was a little while before she could focus on one voice at a time and she shuddered realizing that they were all pleading to be free, begging her to help them.
Occasionally she would hear voice or two that sounded vaguely familiar begging her to come back. What she didn't understand was that she was not aware that she had gone anywhere. The voices had gotten stronger and she felt so tired, the intense pain of a migraine was consuming most of her abilities to function. All she really knew is that she was mad. She could feel the anger swelling and twisting around her body. She had little to no recollection as to what had made her so angry, and was spending time at the moment, using precious energy to figure it out.
"Your giving him what he wants you know?" A voice in her head said clearly. Well it wasn't exactly one voice it seemed like several woven together.
"He's feeding on it." One voice said. Lucy became irritated.
"Who are you talking about and what is he feeding on?" Lucy asked. The voices seemed to be talking to each other deciding on something, their voices a blur that started to cause pain in her head. "Whoever you are, can you please quiet down, your going to make my head explode." There was a shift in the darkness around her and then an image started to form, each c color shifting like a puzzle the light behind them illuminating the figure. Then in a final burst of light Lucy was able to see the image or rather the person, more clearly. Lucy felt her body freeze and her voice failed her for a moment.
"Mom?" Lucy was able to get out as she watched the older blond women walk gracefully forward.
"My dear Lucy. Seeing you like this cause me pain. I'm so sorry, for all of this." Her mother said finally coming with in arms reach.
"Mom, what's going on? Where am I?" Lucy asked. "How are you here?" Lucy wondered.
"Lucy, we don't have much time. You need to calm yourself. You are giving him to much power over you." Her mother told her dismissing the other questions for the moment.
"I can't even figure out why I'm angry. How can I calm down if I don't know what pissed me off? And what does this have to do with where I am? Why don't we have much time?" Lucy asked still confused.
"Your anger comes from the injustice you have suffered. It is consuming you. You didn't let it all go as you should have. Your letting things trigger your responses. You know to keep your power stable you must control your emotions. I'm sorry to say that is why you felt so powerless at the hands of my brother. Lucy I'm so sorry this happened to you." Her mother said softly, a tear trickling down her porcelain skin.
"Mom this isn't your fault. I'll get stronger I promise just please don't blame yourself. But what do you mean he's giving me what he wants?" Lucy asked. Layla smiled sadly .
"In a way this is my fault though sweet heart. there is something you need to know. Something I had hoped none but your father would know of. Your uncle, for a long time was a very good brother. Around the time I was your age however, he started to change. He became overly affectionate toward me. Often I would find him following me through the house, and then I caught him spying me in the bath." Her mother started. She drew a ragged breath.
"He became obsessed after a while. when i became engaged to your father he kind of snapped. He kept screaming at me that I had betrayed him, that I was his. He tried to stop the marriage, he didn't want us to be together because he felt that I already belonged to him. I told your father of his obsession but no one else. When you were born I told your father not to trust him. Though he was convinced that Liam would not harm you he listened to me for a time." her mother explained. Lucy eyes widened in horror.
"But he was your brother, how could he...that's disgusting!" Lucy said fiercely.
"It's the truth dear. Liam is sick, I believe he saw you as me, being that was the age he seemed to develop feelings for me. I believe that he felt that he was punishing me for my supposed betrayal. For this I'm truly sorry, though I didn't know how far he would go...I knew that you would be a target. But you can't do anything as long as you stay here, and your running out of time my dear. Do you honestly think he will wait the full time for you to die? The longer your alive the more he will see ˇ you as proof as his insanity. I can't bare what he is doing, and I will do all I can to help you. But I can't help you if you don't wake up." Her mother said. Lucy looked at her mother confused.
"You mean this is a dream?" Lucy asked. Her mother shook her head.
"You started to lose control, forcing your very being to protect you with your life force. In doing this you have quite literally pushed yourself to the brink of death. Though you are able to get here with out that happening you are currently sitting between the veil of life and death. Some call it purgatory, however it is the means with which we are able to communicate with those of the living." Her mother told her. "You have a very good group of friends. I am happy that you have found a place to belong. I always knew you would not be happy with the life your father wanted you to be apart of. Let them help you Lucy. Because you must stop Liam. He is doing terrible dangerous things. Only you have the power to stop him." Layla said. "But for you to do that you must conquer your fear of him. He can't control you any more then you let him now. So you must fight, you must keep facing your fears until there is none left. Spiritually you have done this, mentally you have not." she explained
"But the ritual..." Lucy said her mother shook her head.
"That was only to bring them to the surface. It was to open the channel to the power you hold inside of you. Liam knew that by breaking you down he could suppress it." Her mother said. Lucy shook her head.
"I don't' understand why would he want to suppress it?" Lucy asked. Before her mother could answer there was another voice in her head. This one was familiar but hard to make out.
"Lucy we don't have much time but I will come to you soon until then think about what I have said. I will do all i can to help you but It seems your friends would like you back now." Layla said a small smile on her face. Lucy was confused.
"What do you mean? Will I get to see you again?" She asked. Her mother nodded.
"I will always be here sweetheart. But there are people amongst the living who love you. They are calling to you." Her mother said again. Lucy focused a bit listening to the strange voice that seemed so insistent.
"Lucy, wake up. You don't have to be scared any more just please wake up." The voice called her. Lucy started to feel light headed, the world around her spinning slightly. With a final smile and a wave of farewell Lucy's mom was gone. Lucy felt herself start to cry and the world around her was constricting, closing in on her making it harder to breath as she listened to the voice that seemed to drown out all of the others. The voice was still pleading. There seemed to be a small light that was forming to her right and she turned to it. Not knowing why she started to walk to it, feeling the impulse too much to fight. As she got closer to the light she could hear another voice. This one stronger then the other one.
"Natsu." Lucy whispered. And she started to run.
*With Natsu *
He had woken with the feeling of being watched. When he opened his eyes he took in his surroundings noting that he was still in the cot beside Lucy. But he noticed, or rather smelled that there were others in the room with them now.
"Natsu thank god your awake." Wendy cried from her position next to him. He looked around the room and noticed that the population of the room had increased to five more. Levy stood on the other side of Lucy, Wendy by him at the head of the bed. He blinked and cocked his head to the side, Hibiki, Erza and Makarov stood around him as well. Makarov had perched on top of a stool at the foot of the bed, and Erza was standing at the door.
Hibiki's position made him suppress a growl. He had taken a position at the head of the bed next to Lucy, he had the finger of one hand placed in the middle of her forehead, the other pressing to his temple, he was glowing slightly and there was a large screen in front of his face.
"OI! I thought we weren't supposed to touch Lucy?" He asked confused.
"He is trying to wake her up Natsu, calm down." Erza said sternly. Natsu looked at her with a slight glare.
"I'm calm. I'm perfectly calm. I went to sleep guarding my partner, and then I woke up surrounded by people, and one of them is touching her. No one is supposed to touch her." He said clearly upset, while the temperature in the room started to rise.
"Natsu." he herd a whisper from the girl next to him. Turning swiftly he leaned down listening closer to her heartbeat. It was still erratic, and there was the residue of anxiety, but she seemed to have calmed considerably. And he realized with relief she seemed to be waking up.
"Luce, hey I'm here! Wake up kay? We've got lots to do!" Natsu said, urging her to wake up for him.
He didn't realize how worried he had been until he saw her eye start to roll around beneath their lids. Hibiki stood back, letting out a sigh he dropped his hands to his sides.
"I did all that I can the rest is up to her. But she should wake shortly." He said. "I don't understand though, how did she get like this?" He asked confused as to why it felt like he had just pulled the girl from the brink of death and a nightmare all at the same time.
"I lost control." a hose whisper said below him. There was a collective gasp and then shouts of joy from the dragon slayer, who was currently paying close attention to not touching the seemingly fragile girl next to him, though that didn't stop him from getting as close to her as he could.
Lucy blinked her eyes trying to focus them. Feeling something scratchy on her face she raised a gentle hand to her face, tracing her fingers gently over the crystals she found there. She grimaced. ˇ
"Almost completely apparently." She said still a little groggy. She tried to replay the events that led to such a display and her eyes flew open completely in shock, she sat up quickly.
"Oh Goddess, Laxus...where is he? Gajeel, Juvia...?" She rushed out looking around the room to see the other bed empty.
"Child, they are fine. Laxus was the worst but even he is healed thanks to Wendy." Makarov said soothingly, gesturing to the anxious girl beside her.
"Lucy, how are you feeling? I'm sorry I healed all I could but I couldn't get those crystals to go away." Wendy said obviously still worried about the girl. Lucy gave her a warm smile.
"I'm fine Wendy I promise, just a little thirsty." She said. When everyone but Natsu seemed to relax she looked at him. "Natsu I promise. I'm not going to break or anything." She said easily.
Natsu struggled at first with relief and then with frustration.
"Not going to break? Luce you've been asleep for nearly two full days! I am afraid to even hug you right now because ˇ I don't want to possibly kill you!" He said clearly very upset.
Lucy took a moment to look at him noting his eyes, which were sporting impressive dark circles beneath them, his normally disheveled hair greasy and completely unkempt. His clothes were wrinkled and he seemed to be wearing the same ones she remembered him wearing the day before. She smiled softly at the practically steaming teen and reached over and grabbed his hand, he tried to flinch away as she slowly raised his hands to her face, allowing him to feel the strange crystals that had gathered there.
"Really. I'm okay now. You brought me back. Though I felt Hibiki there," She paused to smile at the ginger haired man, who blushed a little and put his hand to the back of his head a little embarrassed under her stare "But it was you I heard." She finished.
"Lu-chan, are those really Heart stones? The book I read said that no one could touch them but you. And there was nothing in there about how to make them go away." Levy said coming forward ˝. Lucy turned to look at the other occupants of the room her eyes finally resting on the smaller woman.
"Natsu is an exception actually." She said softly.
"Why did it feel like you were going to die, when I was inside your mind?" Hibiki asked pulling up a small screen and he seemed to be putting all of the information gathered in to his computer, carefully avoiding the blonde's eyes.
Lucy sighed and lowered her eyes, bringing her hand still clasping Natsu's tightly, laying them to rest in her lap. Natsu turned his hand twining his fingers with hers careful to avoid the crystals there but not willing to release her hand. Lucy gave his hand a grateful squeeze and looked at Master Makarov.
"I know you all have questions, to be honest I have several myself, and I will be more then happy to explain all I know but first I need some information." Lucy said calmly glad for the support she was receiving from her partner.
Makarov smiled , "And what information would that be?" He asked.
"You said that there are others this has happened to? Others Liam has hurt. I need to see what they look like." She said with a solomness in her voice that disturbed the occupants of the room. Makarov looked at Hibiki, the other man nodded.
"Just give me a moment." He said his fingers moving swiftly over the keyboard. With a flick of a finger and a slight tug there was a large screen displayed for them to all see, as sixteen pictures filled the screen.
At the sight of the girls in the pictures Lucy paled, the others simply held their breath, only slightly realizing the full implications of what they were seeing. Lucy shuddered.
"Lucy, they all look like you." Erza said her voice quiet and shaking a little. She had no idea this was not just a simple sick sexual fetish, this was an obsession.
"No, they all look like my Mom." Lucy replied softly. "She was right. But this is much bigger then what she made it seem." She added. Astounded as Hibiki continued to scroll down showing more and more pictures of girls that all held similar or matching appearances as her late mother.
"Lucy, your mother is dead? How could she have told you anything?" Makarov asked. He felt truly sick to his stomach. If what Lucy had just said was true...he stopped him self from thinking about it. There was so many of them. This problem had been left unchecked for several years. From the dates of the disappearances, or introduction to the Celeste household, this had been going on far longer then Lucy had been alive.
"That's my given gift. The one I get because of my link to the celestial world. I was able to speak with her between the veils. She explained that it's a place used to communicate between the living and the dead. A lot like Cana's card magic. She came to me..." Lucy's eyes started to water and she fought to control her breathing. "She told me that before my parents got married, my uncle became obsessed. He had convinced himself that she could not marry because she belonged to him. She said that he had become obsessed with her, completely believing that she was the only woman for him, that she would remain his. Of course that never happened and my mother told my father never to send me there, she said that in his grief, he must have sent me, not believing that Liam would harm me." Lucy told them. "I think that each time he does this, he is attempting to punish my mother." she added.
"That's sick." Natsu said harshly tightening his hold on Lucy. "Do you look like your mom then?" He asked. Lucy nodded, "My father used to say that I was a mirror image of her." Lucy said. "This is the one time I almost wish I wasn't." She added.
Makarov nodded. "I can't begin to imagine how you're feeling right now. But Lucy, this doesn't change anything. He has to be stopped and brought to justice." He told her. Before he could continue he was stopped by a sharp shake of Lucy's head.
"Master, this changes everything. Your version of justice implies a life sentence in jail. Jail only works when people feel the remorse for what they have done. To make them have to live with the memories." Lucy said. Her eyes were blazing. "Look at how many of them there are! He would get off on the memories, not feel bad about it! He doesn't deserve to eat, sleep and breath, he needs to be made to feel all of the things that he made me and all the others feel. He needs to be locked inside a nightmare, tortured and then only after he has suffered enough he needs to be killed, torn to pieces before death claims him." She practically spat.
There was a gasp from Wendy at the sudden flutter of power radiating off of the girl, she nearly reached out to calm her, only to stop herself when she saw the crystals start to seep back in to her skin.
"Lucy the crystals." Wendy said motioning to the ones on her hand. Natsu pulled his hand up to examine the small fingers embraced in his.
"Yeah, they will do that. I'm in control now. I may be pissed, and considering murder for the first time in my life. But I'm in control. We don't have any more time to waste. We need to figure out a plan, and then we need to act on it. My mother told me that he would come for me, that he would not wait six months to see me die for my crimes." She said looking at the people standing around her. She looked again at Makarov.
"And I need you to know, as morbid as it sounds, I don't think I will be safe again until he is dead. I know how you all feel about killing. But in this I have no such reservations. He is a monster, and must be stopped. So what ever plan we come up with expect that the end result will be his death." Lucy said firmly. Makarov studied the girl before him, he knew what she was saying, and he also knew that she was completely serious. He grinned.
"Well I guess your going to be happy then. Because, I have had Levy here reading through tombs of laws in Fiore, as many as we can get our hands on. Every generation there is a leader. They create their laws but they hardly every change the ones of the monarch before them. It seems that works in our favor. Levy would you like to tell her?" He asked looking at the girl who had a proud smile gleaming brightly on her face.
"Tell me what?" Lucy said still confused how this was any help.
"There is a law from about a hundred years ago. I almost missed it because the change of monarchs was so swift, but I was being very thorough. It seems there was a law placed that stated that the families or the victims themselves could ask for the life of the offender. It states that if you or any of the other victims request it, the current monarch must relinquish the offender to the victim so that they may carry out their own justice, according to notes this often led to the death's of the offenders. It is not however a law that has been used since then." Levy said in a very educating tone, though if the slight bounce she seemed to have while telling Lucy this. Lucy smiled fondly at the girl, and then a thought hit her.
"But will they honor it?" Lucy asked.
"They will or they will have to explain to you personally why. And when I say you, I really mean the whole of Fairy Tail." Makarov said sternly. Lucy sighed.
"I don't want anyone to get into trouble because of me. Certainly not the entire guild. When the time comes I will accept responsibility, unlike that poor excuse for a man." Lucy said.
"HA! We are always in trouble! Don't let that stop you. But if you don't do it...I will." Natsu said seriously. Lucy looked at him blinking violet orbs met onyx and Lucy knew with out a shadow of a doubt, he would not back down either. Given the chance he would do it with out hesitation.
Instead of being offended that he would try to fight her fights for her, as she usually would, she smiled one of those smiles that made Natsu feel like his heart would explode.
"I know you will Natsu." She said.
"Yes, well as Natsu stated it doesn't matter what you want when it comes to the guild. We are mostly all adults, but we all have the right to make our own decisions. We already told you that we support you a hundred percent. No matter what the out come." Makarov reminded her. Lucy smiled, and nodded knowing there was no point in arguing with the old man.
"Now on to less depressing business!" Makarov stated standing up on the stool his face splitting with a grin.
"We have friends to welcome! Drinks are on the house tonight so you all had better get cleaned up, you know how Mira is about presentation." Makarov told them. Lucy grinned. Leave it to Fairy Tail to get wasted before they win the battle.
Before anyone could say anything else the small blue haired healer, telling them all they needed to give Lucy space to get her bearings, shooed them out rather abruptly. When everyone was out Wendy offered a small smile and a wave and softly shut the door. Lucy blushed a little realizing the girl must have thought she and Natsu needed some time alone.
"Luce." Natsu said drawing the girls' attention to him. He looked down at their joined hands. "What happened? Are you sure your okay now?" Natsu said. Lucy huffed a little thinking about what he mother had said.
"Well I don't know if I'm completely okay. My mom said that I needed to face all of my fears. I have done that for the most part but I guess she meant my triggers. Looks like I'll have to face electricity too. I guess as long as it's Laxus though it will be ok. As long as your there." Lucy said looking at Natsu.
"But I thought when you did that thingy you were healed." He said thrown off a bit. Lucy shook her head.
"I did too. But my mom said that it is only a way of opening those fears up for me to face them. I have faced some of them but there are a few I have to physically face I think. But for now I can relax a bit. If only for a little while." She said.
Natsu wanted to ask more but it seemed she really just wanted to let it go for a little while. And he would let her knowing that he would always pull her back, no matter how far she goes.
Natsu nodded at her and grinned. "Yosh! PARTY TIME!" he said happily. Lucy grinned too, loving the smile on his face and the glitter in his eyes when he was excited. With out thinking she pulled him to her using the hand locked with her own. She pulled him in and wrapped her arms around him in a sound hug, one of her hands trailing up his back to tangle in his hair, holding him tightly to her. At the feeling of his body so close to hers Lucy was reminded of her ache for him. She brought her head up a bit lips brushing his ear as she spoke.
"Ne, Natsu how much longer are you going to make me wait, huh?" Natsu stiffened and nearly had a nosebleed at the silken touch and sultry tone of her voice. She chuckled lightly.
"I have this strange urge to bathe you, you know? Keep pushing me to wait and I may do just that. A bath sounds," She ran her tongue around his ear lobe and up the outer shell, "Like a lot of fun."
Enter mental nosebleed. Natsu found himself cursing his body and cursing his newfound maturity even more. He pulled away from her a little to look into her heated eyes, which were still a startling purple.
"You know, wine only gets better with time right? Well if you wait a little longer you will get really good and drunk off of this wine." He said with a lopsided grin.
"You know that didn't make much sense right? Besides I don't wanna get drunk, I want to capture my dragon so I can fly." she said capturing his lips with hers in a searing kiss that left Natsu seriously doubting his plan. He groaned knowing that he needed to stick to the plan no matter how satisfying this kiss was. He pulled back and gently flicked her on the nose.
"Now, now, a little restraint. I know you can't resist my hot body and all but if you stoke the flames to high you might get burnt. Just wait a little longer. I promise." Lucy let out a small squeal of frustration but leaned back trailing her hands longingly across his neck and a little way down his chest.
"I know, I know, I'll wait." She said. Natsu nodded.
"But if you get raped in your sleep don't blame me." She added turning her back to him to stand up. As she was putting her weight down on her sore legs she nearly toppled over when Natsu whispered to her.
"You can't rape the willing Luce. Besides its not rape if you yell surprise first!" His breath was hot on her neck making her knees go weak. When he chuckled at her reaction she turned her head and gave him a halfhearted glare.
"I could really hate you right now Natsu Dragneel." She stated. Turning away from him and his stupid laughing face she stood and stretched giving him a full view of her scantily clad figure. He groaned inwardly, she would be the death of him. He just knew it.
He shook his head and walked to the door.
"Well shall we? I think Juvia wanted to see you when you woke up." Natsu told her. She smiled at him, knowing he was trying to change the subject. Walking over to him she nodded letting him lead her out the door and down the hall to the stairway. Once at the top of the stairs she sweat dropped.
"Really? Been out here less then ten minutes and most of them are already drunk and brawling!" Lucy stated in disbelief.
"Are you kidding they were drinking hours ago you know that." Natsu laughed allowing her to lead him down the stares. If any one said it was to watch her hips sway and the muscles in her lower back bunch appetizingly he would heartily deny it. But he was enjoying the view.
My Darling readers! you are amazing...Have I told you that yet? Well you most certainly are! I am so honored that you all are enjoying this story and am even happier that you have decided to tell me about it. Your words have fuled this 10,000 word chapter and I'm happy to say that between now and the next few days I will be able to update as soon as a chapter is finished. Meaning I'm going to be posting as many chapters as I possibly can ! :D Yay frequent updates!.
Love and Light
Essy! :D