I'd Like to thank the throngs of supporters Drowning Star has come to have! Thank you so much to the all the reviewers! Especially Kurahieiritr JIO, you really were super fun to talk to on some ideas and the story process! I also want to shout out at all you guys:
Blessed Unrest
ArouraLeona
Little Princess Nana
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You all ROCK!
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Laxus POV
I flashed away from Lucy's street and landed near my house. I shook my head to clear the blush that came remembering her face as she yelled at me in the middle of the street. Guess she's like her team in the volume category... I started for my house, the lights were out and no one was here. I smelled that Freed had stopped by, stepping onto the porch and I felt a ripple of magic before a small flash showed me Freed had left a rune message.
Laxus-sama, I came by once I heard from Polyusica you left "with the other brat." I trust you are fine and not lost again, the runes will alert me when your magic has touched the barrier. As to why I visited, I was at the guild today and your Grandfather says there's a meeting tomorrow to be held at 12:00. The rest of the Raijinshuu will be there. If you'd like us to meet you just call on the communication lacrima.
I debated it but figured I'd grab Lucy and we could go together, I'd meet my team once we got there. "Tch, not even 5 minutes away and I'm already planning when to see her." I chided myself, can I afford to have something so important to me right now? When I'm not strong enough to keep ? I shook my head and walked into my house. I took off my boots and jacket, hanging it up before going toward the bathroom. Trapped in that place reeking with medicinal herbs and lying in bed all day wasn't my idea of fresh. Blondie didn't mention it, so I guess those rinses in the Old Hag's healing spring kept me from smelling like shit... I shrugged and turned on the water, as soon as I started it a shudder went through me. I stood straight up and felt it stop, I felt cold and my gut clenched as something inside me felt anxious. I felt my face scowl before the feeling faded away. Am I still shaken up from the fight and poison? What the hell was that? Over the water I hear thunder and the start of rain and started to strip, the weird feeling was gone but it still stuck in my head.
I shook it off and stepped into the shower. I stayed under the spray a while before resting my head on the tiled wall, This is just paranoia right? Can't we all catch a damned break? I sighed before cleaning up. I thought of Blondie, how she left me relaxed in her arms. I sighed again before I started to hum that song of hers.
"The storms are raging on the rolling sea
And on the highway of regret.
The winds of change are blowing wild and free,
You ain't seen nothing like me yet."
I flopped onto bed after pulling on some boxers and felt my eyes grow heavy. I recalled her smile as she yelled at me with the Fairy Tail salute next to her face. I grinned before dozing away, I'll protect everyone, no matter what.
"Nothing that I would not do
To make you feel my love."
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Lucy POV
I opened the letter, first seeing the scribbles that I had to squint at, "Geez this penmanship is awful, what is this anyw-" I stopped and felt my eyes sting as it ran over the writing, my mouth went dry as I gaped, and my feet froze. "W-what?" I reread the note and it hit me. "No way..."
I ran out of my house, he couldn't have been here that long ago right!?
"I'm going on a journey with Happy.
Why didn't you ask me to come along?!
I'll be back after about a year.
How will I possibly know for sure?!
Give everyone else the heads up okay?
How dare you ask me to break everyone's heart while you break mine!
See you on the flip side Lucy!" -Natsu and Happy
"What the hell is going on?! Just going off on a journey by yourselves! What were you thinking?!" I yell running towards the waterway. I felt the tears rip through me again, trailing down my cheeks and falling into the river,
we laughed here,
You stole me the rainbow sakura and let it float here,
I kicked you all the way here before when I caught you guys in my house before...
How could you just leave me!?
"If you do that-" I hiccuped, looking up at the stars, blurred through my tears as I lost another person.
"If you do that… I won't… get mad! Moron!"
I was alone again... Erza had wandered off, Gray was somewhere... and now Natsu.
I sank to my knees and let it out, I sobbed, hiccuped, and gasped as I felt like I was left all alone again.
"Wh-why?" I sniffle, I shudder as I hear thunder roar and look up hopping to see him
"Lax-" I stopped as I felt the rain start to fall. I sat there frozen and staring at the empty space on the path that I had hoped had been Laxus standing there. I looked up at the sky and let my remaining tears be washed away. "You're so dumb Lucy... So weak..." I grumble while grabbing the ledge to stand up. I make it up to my feet and see my rippling reflection in the water, hair stuck to my face, clothes muddy and sopping wet, and though the tears were washed away, my face looked so sad to me. Like a wet puppy. "This is so pathetic... I look so ugly right now." I mutter, the tears that kept leaking out joining the river and rain. "So damn pathetic! I can't keep relying on the others! Dammit!" I scream, "I'm Lucky-fucking-Lucy Heartfilia! I don't give up! FAIRIES DON'T QUIT! THIS IS THE LAST I'LL CRY! NEXT TIME I SEE YOU NATSU I'M GONNA LUCY-KICK YOU TO THE STARS! YOU CAN GET YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU BY AQUARIUS BACK HERE SO I CAN YELL AT YOU AGAIN!" I scream into the sky.
"Well spoken Lady Lucy." I hear behind me, I turn and see Capricorn and Loke standing behind me.
I wipe my eyes while Capricorn comes forward with an umbrella and Loke wraps his coat over my shoulders. "Hey guys... what's up?" I smile
"Lucy, you don't need to pretend. I opened my gate to find out where you ran to, I brought your keys. Capricorn asked to come out so I opened his gate." Loke said while rubbing his hand over my covered arm trying to warm me up.
"Is everything okay Capricorn?"
"I do believe so, you've taken a great step forward. I know you've had a taxing day, but when you've decided to get stronger and are ready to train... I have a way to teach you. The Spirit King was the one who mentioned it to me. So go home and rest Lady Lucy, when you next call me; my fellow stars and I will train you." He smiled and handed me the umbrella, "Until next time Lady Lucy." He faded away in a small bit of sparkles and I stood straighter.
"Come on Lucy, I'll walk you home. Virgo is there too." Loke smiled
"She is? Why?" I ask
"She wanted to help. She's drawing a bath since we found the door open and rain had started."
"Hmm, I could use a bath." I nod tugging his coat around me a little tighter.
"I can scrub your back or anywhere else you'd like." Loke winked
"I can Lucy-kick you in the gut... or lower if you try." I shot back with a dark grin
"Aaaaye ma'am!" He squeaked saluting me, I giggled and he smiled before holding my hand and kissing the top. "I'm glad you're feeling okay."
"I'm not sure this is me being 'okay' but, I will be better. I'm going to get stronger!" I nod before walking up the steps of my apartment. "Thank you for being with me Loke." I smile, kissing his cheek.
"I always will be." He nods as he takes off his glasses, "We always will be."
"I'm sorry I force-closed your gate. I'll apologize to Virgo too." I said softly
"I understand and I'm not upset at all. I know Virgo feels the same way. There's no need to apologize Lucy." He frowned before gripping my shoulder a bit, "I'm sorry, I was trying too hard to make you see that it wasn't your fault... and that ended up hurting you more."
"NO! Don't be upset at that! I was just, I was being stubborn." I sigh, "But I see now I was wrong, I may not have had a choice and I am really saddened by that... but I will do her proud. I won't ever be beaten like that again." I smile, "I'll protect everyone."
"I have every faith in you Lucy. After all, you're the light of my love." He smiled
"You're such a cheesy lion." I grin
"Ahhh, but I'm your cheesy lion." He laughed, "I'll let Virgo pamper you now. Sweet dreams Lucy." Loke flashed a bright "I LOVE LUCY" in front of me as he disappeared.
"Corny..." I chuckled, I step into my apartment and saw Virgo in my kitchen. "Hey Virgo." I smile
"Hello Princess, I'm making some stew." She cocked her head, "Punishment?" she asked
I shrug off Loke's coat and put it on my chair while placing the umbrella away. "No, no punishment Virgo. I think I'm going to have that bath first. It smells great here though... Thank you. Really."
"Of course." She bowed a little and went back to making the stew.
"And about earlier, when I was blocking you and Loke-"
"Say no more Princess. Big brother does not think ill and neither do I." She turned to smile at me, "There's no need to apologize."
I sigh in relief she's not upset, "You two are so alike." I point out
"I take that as a compliment Princess. You're bath will get cold." She nods to the bathroom and I smile
"Thanks Virgo!" I call out before closing the way and stepping out of my clothes. I lower myself in and moan at the great feeling of letting the day soak away. I pull my knees to my chest and lay my head back. This is merely a setback... I'm not done yet. Just you see Natsu. I feel my hands clench and the sting in my eyes. "I won't cry!" I hiss, I take in a deep breath and slip under the water. Every sound fades away as I open my eyes under the surface. The water fills my ears tickling the inside, the water lightly scalds my skin except my toe that are along the wall and cold from above the water. My eyes sting as I keep them open under the liquid as I stare at my ceiling through bubbles and the slight waves I'm making. Any tears that were trying to escape are just bath water now. The burning in my chest means I have to go back for air... I rise out of the water and gasp while I brush my wet hair out of my face. I feel a towel go on my head and a soft rubbing starts to dry it off. I look behind me to see the shackles' glint.
"Princess do you need any help?" Virgo asks
"Mmm." I hum at her soft ministrations. "Not really, but it is nice, could you... keep doing it?" I ask
"Of course." She replied. I leaned back and Virgo just kept running the towel and her hands through my hair. The feeling reminded me of my mama. She'd do this until I fell asleep... Laxus did this too. Maybe it's why it felt so lonely once he stopped. I smiled softly as I recalled our day together, while Natsu leaving will hurt me, maybe even scar me... Maybe Laxus could help me. I rested my head on the tub side while I pondered my next move.
I'll go to the guild tomorrow. I'll get stronger, and once he's back; I'll owe that flame-brain a Lucy Kick like no other!