"Ah perfect! I was growing bored of 'play-time with Lucy's puppets' now I will kill that pesky Natsu." Mizu spit out his words at Lucy over Loki's shoulder, "since you didn't accept my bargain in time it looks like I have to do this the hard way. Unlike your brute styled Natsu I am a civil man and do not enjoy dirtying my hands. But if it is the blood of that fool I spill, I will oblige entirely."
Lucy scoffed, she now wholly doubted Mizu's power level if he couldn't fend off her celestial spirits. In a battle between him and Natsu the winner was obvious to Lucy. "As if! You are all talk, no game. Give him a good few more punches for me Loki!"
"It would be my pleasure. " Loki rumbled and brought his fist back for a second attack. His hit was caught short by the steely palm of Mizu.
"I told you already, play-time is over!" Mizu twisted Loki's wristed in such a movement that Lucy barely saw it, but she defiantly heard it. A sickening snap filled the air alongside a yelp from Loki. The honey haired celestial spirit dropped his hold on the other man's neck and backed away cradling his oddly bent wrist.
Loki started to fade into gold as he returned to the celestial world, "I have failed you, I am sorry Lucy."
"Loki! Are you alright?! You haven't failed anyone, thank you for everything!" Lucy called after him, she wanted to make sure he would be alright but the tall form of her friend had already vanished. She turned back to the green haired man, "You are the cruelest kind of man. I detest you."
"Aww is itty-bitty Lucy angry?!" Mizu mocked. In a few strides he was next to Lucy and had detained her wrists before she could even move in defense. Somehow Mizu had increased speed incredibly. "You detest me do you? Do you really? Does all of you whole-heartedly despise me so?"
Lucy wanted to respond with an immediate 'YES!' but the word caught in her throat. He spoke the truth; a small part of her was holding her back. Somewhere a voice screamed from inside, yeah Natsu is great and all but look at this man! THIS MAN! Look at his jaw, its soo strong and delicious looking, you could just reach out and cup it. Go ahead! This beautiful man could be yours…not to mention do you hear how educated he sounds? He actually speaks with proper grammar and doesn't say things like 'oi, yo, and doin'' He pronounces your name correctly! His muscles…oh just reach out and stroke them already! Look at that hair! Lucy Heartfilia you are an idiot if you don't choose this man right here and now! Lucy struggled to ignore it but she was choking on her own tongue. Was Natsu the right choice? This man holding her captive in his strong fingers seemed so evil…but…was that just because he kidnapped her? Could he just be so madly in love that he went to extremes?
Her silence spoke a thousand words to Mizu whose face split into a grin, a happy smile that sent Lucy's heart frantic. Maybe she was wrong, he spoke of killing Natsu, but didn't Natsu do that sometimes too? "Ah so there is some part in there, in that lovely body, that yearns for me as well." He whispered leaning in closer to Lucy. His hot breath on her face made the small hairs on her neck rise to attention. "But we don't have the time to chat about this! For now I will put you somewhere safe and greet our pink haired village idiot."
He hauled Lucy to the door of the gray brick tower the she had almost forgotten was even there. Lucy didn't put up any sort of a fight; she was too lost in her own confused emotions and thoughts. After Mizu had opened and closed the heavy wooden door he released her slender wrists from his strong grip.
"Please come with me." Mizu gestured to a high flight of stairs the lead to the sky in a dizzying spiral and started to lead the way. Lucy wasn't even aware of her body's movements as she followed him up and up and up. She could hear the sound of voices and crashing coming from below but didn't register them as important because Mizu ignored it. It seemed to take eternity to reach the top but the finally made it. A room that was slightly familiar came into Lucy's vision. It was the room she had entered in her dream a few nights ago, had it only been the short of time she had dreamed of this place? It felt like she had lived a life time since then. Something felt out of place but Lucy couldn't put her finger on it. The luxuriously decorated room felt odd in the circumstances and she took a quick glace around. There were blue things everywhere. The bed was blue, the wall hangings were blue, and the curtains on the only window were blue. They were all different shades of azure and with the breeze blowing in from the open window everything rippled giving the effect of waves on the ocean. It was beautiful and lulling, Lucy felt like she was being gently carried by rolling waves over to the navy bed spread. She sat down and at last her eyes landed on Mizu. He was watching her closely with a small smile and said, "Is this to your accommodations? Can I interest you in a drink?"
Lucy nodded and some small worry nagged at the back of her mind. Something was happening outside the window that she should see, but she didn't feel like moving off the soft bed. There was a voice outside trying to reach her, but for some reason it was faint and unimportant. It felt like she was walking in a dream land previous memories evaded her grasp as she tried to reach them. Mizu brought over a glass full of crystal clear water. His intent gaze made Lucy blush. This was the man she loved right?
He watched her silently as she drank every single drop, "Good. Now I can go out to perform a small task under good knowledge that you are well and your thirst is quenched. Wait here for me my darling, I won't be long."
"Yes." Was all Lucy was able to force her mouth to mumble. Her jaw had become slack…no…all of her muscles were failing her. She crumpled into a heap unable to hold her body up any longer, Mizu caught Lucy gently and laid her down on the bed. A fleeting image of pink flashed in Lucy's mind and it sparked a moment of confusion and dread.
"Shh, my dear. It's all right now! I'm sorry I had to do this to you, but it's for the best. I'll be back by the time you wake, now rest." Mizu released the limp body of Lucy and watched her scared eyes flutter close. He skimmed his lips softly across her dainty lips longing. He straightened up and ran down the stairs two at a time to face the booming crashes that were echoing from the door.
Natsu pounded on the wood door with all his might but it was no use. There was very strong magic preventing him from opening or breaking the door in any way. Happy had already flown him up to the window at the very top of the tower to try and get in that way but the whole place is in a bubble like dome of magic. He had seen Lucy siting on a blue bed with a glazed over expression and he had done all he could, hammering away at the magic wall with all he had, not even fire worked. He kept it up until he witnessed Lucy fainting. Breathing heavily he noticed the green haired man in the room with Lucy motion to the ground and Natsu understood what the man wanted and landed. Then in an act of defiance he continued to attempt to enter through the door.
There came the sliding of a lock and the door swung outward. Natsu just had enough time to jump back before he was slammed in the face with the heavy wood. "Oh whoops, you got out of the way. I did so hope I would have been able to smash your face in without getting any of your blood on me. But alas it was a last ditch effort and it looks like I am going to have to soil my knuckles upon your dirty face."
Natsu didn't like the appearance or sound of this man. Just his voice had the ability to set Natsu on edge, not to mention the cockiness that poured out of his words as thick as sludge. Natsu glared and cut straight to the point, "Give me Lucy, now."
"Oh, so sorry but she is mine. In fact just before your untimely arrival I asked her the simple question 'do you detest me?' and I'm afraid I still haven't gotten an answer. After my inquiry she lost all ability to speak and stared at me like she lost a puppy. It was quite easy to tell she was debating the issue so I have left her to her room to mull it over." He jeered, not frightened by the threatening tones in Natsu's voice.
"But she didn't give an answer did she? So she could still want me more than you." Natsu fumed.
"Hmm well yes Lucy could have but you see that's impossible now. As soon as she stepped foot into that building she was engulfed in my mist. A very powerful magic that made Lucy forget herself and who she had attachments to. Also I gave her a rather strong potion, the first person she sees upon waking will be her lifelong love. Of course I will kill you and bury your body somewhere near a large manure pile then go to claim my bride. Lucy will never remember you as long as she stays in that tower, and she will stay there if I so command, for as long as she lives. For I will be the only love she will ever know." The man smirked like he had the whole thing in the bag. "Before I forget, you should know the name of your killer; it's the polite thing to do after all. I am Mizu, this is the name you cry out for mercy from but will receive no such thing. Don't bother uttering your worthless name; I have already become acquainted with it."
"You talk big but can you back it up? Or will I be the one there when Lucy wakes up? I think you have seriously misjudged me. And you will learn to regret this." Natsu's voice full of danger.
"Me, regret this? Are you such a gigantic idio—" Mizu was cut short by a flaming fist coming to connect with his face. Mizu barely had time to catch Natsu smoldering fist in his own water covered palm before impact.
"You talk too much." Natsu growled from under his arm as he peered at the water dragon slayer with all the hate one person could hold towards another.
"That was rather rude." Mizu hissed copying Natsu's loathing perfectly.
Natsu scoffed, "Us Fairytail mages aren't always considered the most polite, and you know what? I wouldn't have it any other way."
Natsu's knee sailed past Mizu's side. Mizu bent just in time to avoid the blow. Natsu raised his unoccupied fist but was again confronted by Mizu's palm. He was being blocked or evaded at every attack causing him a great deal of frustration. But Mizu had yet to attempt a hit on Natsu.
Mizu smirked, "What's the matter fire dragon? Can't seem to injure me? Well I'll let you in on a little secret, boy. Water always beats fire."
"Not this time," Natsu hissed and his words were accompanied by a huge spiral column of flames erupting from his mouth. Mizu's eyes widened but his head snapped back to excuse the inferno.
Natsu ripped his hands free from the green haired mage's grasp and sprung away from him so he could put some distance between them. Mizu rose back into a standing position, he tried to ignore it but Natsu could see a red patch of skin across the water dragon slayer's cheek. It seared fiery red and was already turning shiny; it was a pretty serious burn.
"Now if I'm not mistaken," Mizu glanced at his bare wrist as if there was a watch there, "It looks like its half past time for you to die. We're running behind schedule, better fix that."
Natsu chuckled but without any actual amusement behind it. And stated dryly, "Mizu, I think your watch is broken. Mine says it's time to kick your ass, now. I'm right on schedule."
"Oh, does it now? Funny…wonder whose time piece is correct?" Mizu pondered while giving Natsu a deadly glare.
Mizu leaned back, drawing in power. He lashed up and sent out a huge vortex of water as wild as the ocean. Natsu copied the movement at the same time and released raging fire the spun from his belly with the intent to kill.
Author's Note: Okay finally got another chapter out! I wanted to make it longer but upon reflecting that it would probably take me a few more days to get it out if I tried extending it longer...I decided to spare all of you and get it out sooner rather than later! Sorry for the puns...I really have no idea where that came from. Hope you enjoyed! Thank you for reading, and for all of the reviews! It will be a while again, sorry for these long periods between the chapters, I've been really busy. Oh and also if you haven't already you should check out this amazing romance film it's called "Garden of Words." really a fantastic film. It left me in tears, I give it a 10/10. :)