Hey everybody long time no see! Sorry for not updating like I said because mainly I was trying to figure out how I want to combine this chapter with how the manga is. Finally I just thought screw it and let the flow just make me type this up. Like I promised I added a bonus chapter for you lovely readers. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter and I feel like I kinda went out of character since it's been a while but if that's not the case then I'm good then. I'm thinking of just focusing on the main people so I won't have to include too much dialogue or cut anyone off. So I don't own anything at all sadly except for the idea of this story ;)
Chapter 25: Gentle Warmth (I thought the of changing the chapter because this one sounds better :)
General POV!
Footsteps suddenly echoed in the room as the hunch figure in the corner of the cage, held herself tightly until the sound stopped. She hid her face and didn't want to look up at the person standing before her prison.
"My...my...my, if it isn't Ichigo Kurosaki's little sister to what do I owe the pleasure of your presence. It's strange how Keyes was the one to find you, considering the portal to our world has been temporarily closed. So care to explain, how you got here?" The figure lean against the wall as the little girl continue to stay silent.
"I see if that's how you are going to act, then I hate to think what your poor siblings must be feeling. Ichigo must be feeling regret and anger while Karin must be in pain and sadness. Those two must feel so lost without their little light being held within the darkness," The man half-smiles at how the girl flinched at her siblings names and slowly looked up at him.
"Do...Do you know where they are? And where I am?" Her voice trembles in fear and worry as her eyes shone with unshed tears.
"Well I have to say they are probably thinking of a way to rescue you, but they won't be able to find you at all. At the moment we are in the airborne, and those fools have no idea of our location. Ah before I forget," The figure opened the door and walked inside as Yuzu pressed herself against the wall.
"It seems our presence is required so I like for you to come with me," He gestures her to go through the door, but she remained where she was.
"How should I trust you? I'm not leaving this place no matter what," Yuzu shakes her head only to look up in shock of the man's facial expression.
"Do you really want to stay here? It looks to me that you have company, but if you insist then I won't come back even if you are screaming," He began to head for the door as Yuzu turned her head to what he meant and saw a grotesque creature with sharp teeth stare at her. It's bright red eyes stare down her brown eyes as she felt an uneasy feeling in the pit of her after the man, she slipped and fell onto the floor as a tentacle wrapped around her leg. She screamed and tried to pry it off while trying to run for the door, only to be dragged by the creature. She glanced back to see how close she was near the thing and closed her eyes from seeing the jaws. Until she heard a swoosh and felt something land on her face, arm and clothes. She slowly opened to see the poor creature slain by the man and she shuttered at the blood on her.
"Now then let's get going or more of them will be here," He sheathe his sword and watch as the girl slowly stood up and follow behind him in silence.
After closing the door and heading in the direction of where they were required, he heard her mumbled her thanks. Ignoring the girl until they finally reached their destination, he held the door out for her to enter and followed after her.
"Ah Aizen, you took your sweet time coming here. You must be the little mouse that Keyes found," E.N.D. smiles coldly as Yuzu felt herself freeze at this man and looked down at the floor.
"My apologizes, it seem one of your demons tried to devour the girl. What do you need Master E.N.D.?" Aizen eyes focus on the demon's expression as he smiled slightly at him.
"My bad, but you can't blame them. A living human being held within this place with the blood of an innocent is enough to rile them up. Aizen, you may call me Enko no need to be formal here. I have some questions for you about a certain mage in Fairy Tail as for you little girl. You know why you are here don't you?" Enko watches in amusement as the girl stiffens from his attention on her.
"N-no...I don't know why I'm here. I just want to go home," Yuzu glances up to meet the cold eyes of Enko only for her to look back down.
"You don't know well that's strange considering how you have his scent on you. Then again that stupid boy thinks this will avert my plans. How about this and answer truthfully or I will show you the true door of hell. Did a man cloak in all black tell you anything before Keyes found you?" Enko watched as Yuzu fumbled with her fingers and stay quiet for a bit then nodded her head.
"I-i don't get what he meant but he said "Don't think that you have won for now because soon the light will destroy you completely and leave this world in peace." That's all I heard," Yuzu timidly look back up to see his eyes turned purple before she fell to the floor unconscious.
"It seems my so-called genius of a son thinks these words will stop me. He must have lost to insanity by now," Enko grimaces at the actions of his son's actions.
"Son?" Aizen widens his eyes a bit in surprise before recomposing himself as Enko turned his head towards him.
"Ah yes one of them, but he pretends to act like I'm no real father to him. Yet he treasures his little brother so deeply and wants him to end his life," Enko lean against his chair as his eyes hazed a bit before returning his attention to Aizen.
"So tell me what do you think of Natsu Dragneel?" Aizen raised an eye at the question as he recalls of the pink haired man with white scarf.
"He seems to be an idiot, but is in no doubt strong and very quick to hand-to-hand combat. Even if he uses Dragon-Slaying magic, the power seems to be only half of what he truly is capable of," Enko entwines his hands together and lean against them near his mouth in thought.
"He may have feelings for the Heartfilla girl and that's all I have to say," Aizen looked at Enko held a wicked smile and he felt himself slightly shiver at that smile.
"To think I will be the one to fully push him and bring him misery and pain like his brother. Aizen what has been said in this room must not be permitted to be known outside, do we make ourselves clear," Aizen nodded after hearing the demand in his words.
"What about the girl?" Enko glances at her and snaps his fingers as a hole formed in her place. She vanished only leaving a yellow flower in her place as he bent down to collect it.
"Make sure to hold onto that or we might not know where the poor girl will appear. Also I thought I should let you know something about myself. I was once human before becoming a demon due to my foolish son's actions. I have two boys you may know them as Natsu and Zeref Dragneel," Aizen frozen at the words being told to him by the smirking man holding a flower to his face.
~ Back at the Guild~
People were crowding into sections of where to go next or whereabouts of Tartaros as Lucy and the group walked inside. Some greeted them as they returned back to their work as others were busy but nodded their head in greetings. Lucy stayed put as she watch her friends help the members or Soul reapers out with things. She looked back outside and went back to head for the garden that the Town created for them. She found a nice shady spot under a tree and watch as birds flew in the sky. Her eyes look around the scenery as she sighed and closed her eyes. She turned onto her side and side glances at her Fairy Tail mark, then crossed her arms behind her head.
"You know you really need to leave people in peace otherwise they would find you annoying," She heard a scoff and felt a smile as she turned her head to find Natsu with a slight grin. He came down to lay beside her and look up at the sky with an unreadable look. Lucy looked up as well to figure out what he could be thinking until she finally heard him speak up.
"Hey Luce, don't you wish life was like this at this moment? Nothing negative bothering us and just living life our own way. The guild growing bigger and Ezra marrying Jellal, everybody growing with each time passing. Makes me wonder how long will it take me to find Igneel. Don't get me wrong about me sounding a bit sentimental about this stuff, but I guess I want to let you know that you have nothing to worry cause everything's going to be fine in the end. So leave it to me," Natsu turns his head towards me as I stay quiet from hearing his words.
"Natsu...things change for me and I can't honestly say I'm okay with everything now. I made a another family when I was sent to their world and I can't imagine myself without them. There's so many precious memories we created that I wished we can all be together. Not to mention the people who came to know me and never make me feel alone especially Shiro and Granny. I guess I would feel like a part of me would be missing once this whole battle is over and they disappear from me for good. It would be over for me," Lucy bit her lip from trying to let her tears from deep down inside from letting out. Natsu looks at her with his eyes down casted until he reached out and covered her eyes with his hand.
"Saying things like "it's over" you must be such a weirdo Lucy. Surely you will meet again and find a way for that to happen besides these guys matter to us as well. Since the moment they enter the guild, they are a part of this family," Natsu flashes her a grin as he watches tears slipped through his fingers. Lucy cried as Natsu laid beside her while using his other hand to stroke her head in comfort. After she calmed down for a bit, she removed Natsu's hand to see how close they were. Natsu pushed back a piece of her hair back behind her ear as she looked into the gentle look in his eyes.
"Natsu...Thank you for being by my side," Lucy flashes his a warm smile and hugs him tightly as she felt him return the hug.
"Do you...need me to stay with you a little longer?" Natsu looks at her in concern as she shook her head.
"No I'm good now. They might need you in there," Natsu nods and pats her head as he got up to head back inside. While heading for the doors, he saw Toshiro looking up at him with unreadable eyes as Natsu came up and pat him on the back. The two once again caught each other's eyes and smiled, heading for different directions. Toshiro came closer to see her basking in the bright sunlight as she turned to smile at him. He smiled back and let the image of her summer smile linger in his mind as he came to sit beside her.
"Hey, how are you feeling?" She asked as he looks at her briefly, then laids back on the grass with his arms cushioning his head.
"I'm somewhat alright with how things are, but staying by your side seems to give me a warm feeling of comfort. You better take responsibility for making me feel this way," He closed his eyes as he heard her giggle at him.
"You know I'm not the only person to make you feel that way," He felt her laid down beside him as he opened one eye and glance at her.
"Karin is different besides it's the same for you and Summer right?" Lucy flushed and stutter in denial about that statement.
"W-w-w-w-hat are you talking about Shiro! Geez when did you get to be so uncute lately?" She pouted and crossed her arms across her chest as Toshiro faintly smile at her.
"You know for eighteen years I have always had people there to support me, but not an actual family feeling. I have Fairy Tail, but I wanted to know what it felt like to have little sisters or an annoying brother. I guess I feel happy that I got closer to you and got to know you Shiro. Thanks for letting me become a part of your family," Lucy turned her head with a bright smile as his eyes stared at her with a happy but painful expression.
"Idiot, you don't have to thank me for anything, besides you are a special existence to everyone with that pretty smile on your face. So don't ever forget to smile okay," Lucy felt herself tear up a bit as Toshiro placed an arm across his eyes.
"The same goes for you without you, I don't think I would make it this far. So don't ever change Toshiro," Lucy hugged him as he hugged back tightly while the two stayed like that not even noticing the group of friends watching from the rooftop of the building were smiling or grinning at the sibling duo.
~ In East Forest~
A lone cloaked figure laid on the ground staring up at the blue sky with clouds passing by until he sighed and closed his eyes. Suddenly a light breezy passed through and he looked to the side at the girl with the long wavy yellow-blonde hair with large green eyes gazing at him in wonder.
"Hello Mavis, it's been awhile hasn't it," The figure rose in a sitting position as the girl smiles gently at him.
"Yes it has and I see that you've changed a bit Zeref," Mavis came up to him and sat in front of him as he saw her barefoot once again before slightly smiling.
"You know after reading so many books I never thought that the world would ever cease to surprised me. Even if despair tried to take over, love would always heal the scars and vanish the hate," Mavis glanced at his necklace as he touched it gently for her to see it.
"Yet each era continues with so much wars, pain, and death makes me wonder how does life manage to continue on with this tedious cycle. All the knowledge in this world would never be able to answer questions or be able to prevent recurring things to stop. I'm still afraid of how I should continue my own path as this curse continues to try and take control of me. The time will be near for me to finally die and leave this world," Zeref smiled bitterly as Mavis looks at him sadly.
"Zeref nothing was your fault and this curse can still be destroyed. Your death won't change anything as people will continue to follow the paths of what they decided. Don't think so little of yourself," Mavis reached out to cup his face and made him look into her eyes as his pain reflected in them.
"You continue to care for life and your love for me and your brother keeps you from lashing out so much. Why can't you see it? Or can you explain why you don't want to take off that necklace around your neck?" Mavis felt his hands touch hers and pulled her towards him as she embraced his small form.
"I don't want to take it off because it holds so much memories of him. It would feel as if I merely reject the idea of trying so hard to bring back my own precious family. I...I don't know what to do and I don't deserve your love after what I did to you and Layla...Mavis…," Zeref shook with tears falling from his eyes as he held the girl tightly against him. She felt her own tears falling and held him back as well, hoping that this battle will help her dearly beloved be free from this pain. The two forms stayed like that as if it were their own world and in just one moment it would disappear.
~ Night time at the Guild~
A figure looked at her family sleeping from the big party they had and watched as some sleeping forms were huddled closely. Toshiro and Karin were snuggled up against Wendy and Romeo, while Ezra held Chad as a teddy bear. Uryuu laid on the table as Rangiku hugged the left side of the barrel and Cana hugged the opposite. Levy was asleep on Gajeel with Lily in her arms as Jet and Droy were crying in their sleep. Natsu and Ichigo snored loudly as Rukia would lift her foot and try to shut them up. Juvia hugged Gray who didn't sleep comfortably as Renji kicked him closer to Juvia's chest. Everyone else found people to snuggle with or fell asleep on the table or the benches. She walked towards Toshiro and lightly placed a necklace around him that held a golden key. She ran her hand through his hair and placed a gently kissed on his forehead. Heading out the guild quietly was difficult, but she made sure to leave no trace. Once outside Lucy pulled her hood over head and ran through the quiet streets of Magnolia until she reached the exit of the town. She looked back at the dear guild that held her family, but continue on to her destination ignoring the uneasiness she felt without having Draco. As she trudged through the forest, she made it to where they would meet and after taking deep breaths.
"Grey, Grey," She said aloud as she felt the wind shift through the air until her eyes fell onto the person from before.
"Didn't think you'll actually show up," He walked towards her as she watch the shade from the clouds disappear and reveal a person who kinda reminder her of someone.
"I didn't think I would either, but I had to do something for Yuzu's sake," Lucy stared him down as he smirks at her look.
"Then shall we get going then Miss," He began to go when he felt her hand grabbed his arm.
"First tell me who you are and your connection to Tartaros?" He chuckles as he turned and gave her an amused look.
"Names Silver and I'm a demon for the Nine Gates,but before that I should warn you. I might need you to be unconscious first," He blew blue dust in her eyes as Lucy started to feel drowsy and fell unconscious.
Well did you guys like it? Let me know what you think and I hope to update soon sometime once I figure out what to put for the next chapter! The bonus chapter is about the lunch Karin gave Toshiro a couple chapters back!
Toshiro: So what am I supposed to do here?
Karin: Idiot, you're supposed do preview the next chapter!
Kon: Everyone I'm still alive! Anyways what's Lovely Lucy's going to do once she wakes?
Karin: Wait when did he get here!
Kon: I've been here! Will Toshiro finally get over being such a whiny kid to her?
Toshiro: I guess I should asked Uryu to sew your mouth shut again *grabs Kon and leaves*
Karin: Jeez well whatever Chapter 26: Blindside! Hope to see you guys there!
Enjoy!
~Bonus Chapter~
"You know what my friend Umi told me, she said the way to a guy's heart is through his stomach!" Yuzu tells Lucy and Karin excitedly as the two sweat-dropped at what Yuzu's friend said.
"If anything it would only make the guy pleased to know you make good food not fall for you. Besides I thought people look for what's in the inside not what you could magically make for them to eat," Karin states as she chomped on the chocolate bar.
"It's not like that right Lucy," Yuzu stared at Lucy to agree with her as Lucy scratched her head nervously.
"You can't force her to answer if she doesn't want to, besides we all know you want her to agree with you Yuzu," Karin answers for Lucy as Yuzu pouts at her sister while Lucy sighs in relief.
"Fine, then why don't you make your boyfriend some food. Then we'll decide who's right," Yuzu smirks in triumph as Karin choked on her chocolate as Lucy raised her eye at her.
"He's not my boyfriend for crying out loud! Why should I make some for that shorty?" Karin blushed as she stubbornly disagree while Lucy watched how different Karin acted about this guy she has yet to meet.
"Oh please you two are perfect for each other. You both act grumpy and like to play soccer not mention I saw how close you two were walking from school today," Yuzu points out as Karin turned a deeper shade of red.
"And how is that supposed to prove your point?" Karin crossed her arms as Yuzu smiled slightly.
"Or you're just too afraid to lose and say I'm right," Lucy watched as those words changed Karin's mind and made her take the bait.
"Alright I will make him something and prove you are wrong! Just watch," Karin proclaimed as Lucy decided to head home and do her daily routine for the day. The next morning she woke up to see her clock say 5:30am and heard knocking at the door. She opened it to find Karin with a plastic bag full of groceries in her arm and her backpack in her other arm while dressed in her school uniform.
"Karin, what are you doing here at this time?" Lucy looked at her in surprise as Karin flushed a bit.
"I was wondering if I could use your kitchen to make that guy's lunch. I didn't want to do it at home otherwise my idiot brother and dad would piss me off about who I was making this for," Karin looked down with her cheeks turning a bit more red as Lucy smiled and let her in.
"So need any help or do you think you can do it on your own?" Lucy watched as she set up everything but stared at it for five minutes, leaving Lucy to worry about her.
"Yes please, sorry even though I talked big I really suck at cooking,"her head in embarrassment as I pat her head.
"No worries, but you have to tell me how he likes it, promise?" Lucy raised her pinky up for Karin to wrap it in hers as well.
"Alright now let's do this!" Karin raised her fist in the air as Lucy laughs at her and helps her make the food.
"Wow it looks so good, now for the finishing touch! Candied beans," Karin tied the little snack near the bento as Lucy smiled happily at Karin's expression.
~Present~
"Hey Karin, you never told me about the lunch box? Did that guy like it?" Lucy asked as Karin turned red as Toshiro ears perked up about Karin giving a lunch box to someone. Come to think of it didn't she give me one I wonder Toshiro smirks at this information as he watch the two discuss about it in front of him.
'So did he like it?' Lucy pressed as Karin stuttered and look away from her. Toshiro propped his arms on the table and lean forward a bit.
"It was delicious, so I will be waiting for the next one, Karin," Toshiro smiled at her innocently as he walked up to head out, but turned his head to see Karin collapsed on the table with a very flushed expression as she lifted her head to catch his eyes.
Serves you right Toshiro smirks as he winks at her as he went out the door to hear her outburst.
"But it was really good," He smiles softly as he head for the guild with thoughts of what kind of food she'll make for him next time.