AN: Hi guys! :D So I did end up posting my new story so you should check it out. :') You guys definitely didn't like the ending to the last chapter (which I expected) so hopefully this clears things up! Hope you enjoy! :D
Chapter 26
"You're what?"
"I'm leaving Magnolia."
"You're kidding, right?"
"I'm not."
Natsu stared at Lucy with wide eyes before groaning and leaning his head back onto the tree. For such a beautiful day, it was weird to receive such terrible news.
"You just told me you weren't leaving Magnolia," Natsu reminded the blonde.
Lucy bit her bottom lip before replying, "That's because I forgot about a promise I made. But after our kiss it made me think of the future and there's someone that is supposed to be in my future, so I need to go get them."
"Wait, are you pregnant again?"
"Of course not!" Lucy screeched, pinching the bridge of her nose in irritation. "It's Aquarius."
"Aquarius?" Natsu repeated. "What do you mean?"
The blonde frowned as she retrieved her pouch of keys and splayed them on the green grass in front of them. Natsu studied them in confusion, puzzled as to what Lucy was talking about. That was when he noticed it: a broken key. Aquarius' key.
"W-What happened?" the dragon slayer questioned, his mouth becoming dry.
"It happened in the battle with Tartaros," Lucy answered, tears pricking her eyes as she recalled the day.
"She's been dead this whole time!?"
"No, not dead. Just gone. Remember when all of you were trapped in that red gooey stuff? In order to save everyone, I needed to sacrifice one of my golden keys to summon the Celestial Spirit King. Aquarius volunteered and I eventually agreed. Since then she's been gone."
"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Natsu asked, concern and sadness in his eyes.
Lucy shrugged and answered, "It was something I wanted to forget. Hence the drinking at the party, which led to Nashi. Anyways, when Brandi attacked me, Aquarius showed up and saved me. She told me that her key was reborn and that she was somewhere in the world."
"So you're going to go find her?"
Lucy nodded and answered, "I am. She was my first friend, Natsu. She was there after my mother's death and despite her rough attitude, she's important to me. I need to find her."
Natsu breathed a heavy sigh before replying, "I get it. I spent years looking for Igneel, who am I to tell you to give up on Aquarius? But what does that have to do with us?"
"Because I don't know how long I'll be gone," the blonde answered glumly. "The world is a big place, I could and probably will be gone years. I couldn't force you to leave Magnolia for me. In fact… I was going to leave Nashi in your care."
"You were? You actually trust me to raise her by myself without you around?"
"I do. You've been a great father to Nashi even before you knew your relationship to her. I trust you with her more than anyone and I know you'll do a great job taking care of her."
"When are you leaving?"
"I haven't decided yet, but soon. The sooner the better."
The two sat by the tree in silence, both disheartened after their conversation. It was as if the world didn't want them to be together, no matter how right it felt. They couldn't rid their minds of the memory of their kiss.
Natsu had many thoughts whirling around in his mind. Could he just go with Lucy? Would he be willing to leave all of his friends behind so that he could be with her? Would she even want him to come? There were so many unanswered questions in his head, but he only knew what thing for certain. He loved Lucy. So if this was something she needed to do, he was going to support her.
"Well since we have some time before you leave, we should probably go talk to Nashi," the dragon slayer stated.
Lucy nodded and replied, "You're right. But what are we going to say?"
"I don't know, I figured you would talk and I would just nod next to you."
The blonde sighed. "Maybe you aren't fit to raise Nashi."
"Hey!"
"Kidding, kidding! Anyways, I think we should tell her the truth," Lucy stated. "Tell her that we know about her plan and that it doesn't work like that. She needs to know that things are complicated. And I also think she deserves a little punishment."
"Punishment?" Natsu questioned. "For what?"
"For toying with people's lives," the blonde answered. "We can't just let her think she can do all of these schemes like this. And don't think I don't know she makes you let her stay up late. She needs to know that isn't okay either and that you are the adult."
Natsu gulped and replied, "I don't think I can punish her. She's my little angel!"
"Disciplining your child is an important part to parenting. I'll be next to you to help!"
"Can't we just let her go with a warning?"
"Nope."
"Just a very light smack on the wrist?"
"Nope. You need to scold her."
"But Lucy-"
"No buts! Let's go!"
Nashi smiled to herself as she watched another princess story on one of the lacrimas Levy lent to her. Though, the child couldn't fully concentrate. Instead, she kept thinking about her parents.
"There's no way this plan didn't work!" the pinkette thought with a wide grin. "It was my best plan!"
About ten minutes later, the door to the cottage creaked open, revealing her parents with wary smiles. Nashi's grin grew tenfold, believing that her plan worked. Though, she was a bit puzzled by the sweat practically dripping down her father's face. He appeared nervous.
"You're back!" Nashi exclaimed, bouncing towards her parents and bringing them in for a hug.
"What happened to being sick, Nashi?" Lucy questioned with furrowed brows.
The child chuckled awkwardly before lying, "I guess I'm all better now?"
Lucy sighed and gestured towards the couch. "Go sit down. We need to have a talk."
Nashi grinned and dashed towards the sofa. "This is it! They're going to tell me that they're together now!"
Lucy and Natsu stood in front of the child and exchanged glances. The former looked determined while the latter looked as though he wanted to run away. Finally, one spoke.
"We know about your plan, Nashi," Lucy stated.
Nashi's eyes widened as her jaw dropped on its hinges, making the girl realize how incredibly dry her mouth was. "W-What?"
"We know that you are trying to get your father and I together," the blonde elaborated. She then kneeled in front of Nashi and grabbed her tiny hands. "And we need to have a talk about it. Natsu and I have a complicated relationship, Nashi. Love itself is complicated."
"So you two admit you're in love with each other?"
Lucy and Natsu glanced at each other and smiled fondly before addressing Nashi again.
"We do," Lucy stated. "But it isn't as simple as that."
"Why not?"
"Because relationships are hard. There are so many factors that go into it, not just feelings. There are so many risks people take when they are in love and sometimes the risks just aren't worth it."
"What risks would keep you two apart?"
Lucy frowned and honestly answered, "For one, there is you."
Nashi's eyes widened a fraction as she questioned, "Me?"
"You're our daughter. You are our first priority no matter what. Not all relationships end well. If something bad happened to end Natsu and I's relationship, it'll only make things harder and more confusing for you."
"Then don't break up!" Nashi persisted.
"It isn't that simple, Nashi. Life is unpredictable and even some of the relationships you thought were invincible don't survive. Natsu is my best friend and if that's all we are, I'm okay. So long as I have you two in my life, I will be okay."
"I agree," Natsu chimed in. "Lucy and I have been best friends for years, we would be fine. As long as you're okay."
"That's a lie," Nashi breathed out, shaking her head as tears pricked her eyes. "You two are my parents! You love each other! You belong together!"
"Maybe," Lucy began warily, "and maybe not. The point is that there are so many risks and that love is a fickle thing. Thank you for trying to make us happy, Nashi. I know you were just looking out for us but if Natsu and I were to ever get together, it would take time. And it would have to be by our doing. With what you are doing, you're trying to force our love."
"Because you two won't do anything!" Nashi cried, her tears finally escaping her brown orbs. "You two just pretend not to love each other and now that you finally admit it you're running away! Everyone else has families, why can't we be one!?"
"We are a family, Nashi!" Natsu argued. "No matter what, the three of us will always be a family. Four, including Happy! Even if Lucy and I aren't dating, we're still a family. The whole guild is a family."
"But it's not the same! I want us to be like Yuki's family or Gale's family! It's not fair!"
"And maybe one day we will be," Lucy calmly stated. "But for now, you need to understand that these things can't be rushed or interfered with. They have to happen on their own. But… There's another reason why Natsu and I can't be together right now…"
"What is it?" Nashi questioned.
Lucy sat beside her daughter on the couch and hesitantly answered, "I didn't want to tell anyone this yet, but I plan on leaving Magnolia soon."
If Nashi thought her mouth was dry before, now it was like it was in a drought. Leaving Magnolia? Why would her mother leave Magnolia again? They've only been there a short while!
"W-We're leaving?" the child questioned, stunned at the revelation.
Lucy shook her head and corrected, "I'm leaving. You are going to stay with Natsu."
"W-Why are you leaving?"
"Remember Aunt Aquarius? The spirit I used to tell you about? Well, she needs my help to bring her home but she's kinda lost somewhere in the world right now. I need to find her."
"But… But we were supposed to be together as a family…"
"We are always together in heart, Nashi. Do you know why we hold our hands up like we're pointing to the sky? It's a sign to say that even though we may be far apart, we are always together in spirit. And I'll always write to you and there are communication lacrimas so we can talk every day!"
"That's why you can't be together?" Nashi asked as anger whirled in the pit of her stomach. "That's stupid! And it's an excuse!"
"No it isn't, Nashi!" Lucy argued. "You're just a child, you don't understand yet, but you will someday."
"No I won't! Because you two are stupid! I hate you! I hate both of you!"
Nashi jumped off the couch and raced for the door, ignoring her parents' shouts telling her to stop. Running through the woods, the child allowed her tears to run down her cheeks, though they quickly evaporated as her skin was burning hot from her magic. She was angry. She was sad. She was defeated.
Meanwhile back in the cottage, Lucy sighed as she sank deeply into the couch. Her heart was pained and tears pricked her eyes. Natsu clenched his fists tightly as he sat beside the blonde. Both felt defeated.
"Hurts doesn't it?" Lucy questioned with a weak smile. "She always comes back and apologizes but it doesn't take away the pain you originally felt after she tells you she hates you."
"She's said that before?" Natsu asked. His heart felt as though it had been run over by a magic mobile, cut up by Erza's swords, and beaten by Gajeel's iron. To think that Lucy dealt with this before and still lived surprised him. He felt like he could die from heartbreak at any moment.
"Yeah," the blonde answered. "Usually it's over ridiculous things, like me telling her to eat her vegetables or something childish like that. But it still hurts."
"It does. Should we go find her?"
"No, she needs time alone. I'm sure she'll just go to the guild."
"But she's alone."
"You left her alone here while we were having a picnic. She's probably just going to go to the guild."
Natsu nodded and breathed a heavy sigh. He didn't expect the conversation to go too smoothly but he definitely didn't expect it to end like that. Parenting was a lot harder than he thought. To think that he would be doing it on his own soon scared him.
"Are you okay?" Lucy questioned. She could tell that the pinkette was disturbed by something.
"I'm scared," the dragon slayer answered truthfully.
"Scared? Of what? We've been in plenty of life or death situations before and I don't think this counts as one."
"I'm scared of raising Nashi on my own," Natsu answered, gripping his pants tightly. "She's perfect in my eyes and it's because you raised her. What if I mess up? What if I do a terrible job?"
Lucy smiled and shook her head as she placed a reassuring hand on the man's shoulder. "You won't. You're a terrific father with or without me around. And you'll have the guild to be able to help you. But I know you won't need it. You truly are an amazing dad and I'm proud of you for learning the ropes so quickly."
Natsu smiled at the blonde and leaned his forehead gently against hers. The two smiled and stared deeply into each other's eyes, both feeling the magnetic pull between them but resisting. That day was full of victories and losses for the two of them, but both knew that no matter what, they were going to be okay.
AN: A lot of you thought Lucy was just running from her problems. Sike! She's actually going to find Aquarius. :') And ouch, poor Lucy and Natsu! And Nashi! How heartbreaking. :') I don't know about you, but I've admittedly been a brat and told my parents I hated them during arguments. :')
CoSmO333: Haha thank you! :D At least this one didn't end with a cliffhanger! :D
ThatOneFriend-3: Lmao I just love ripping out the hearts of my readers. :') Haha jk, it'll get better soon! Hopefully! :D Thank for checking out my new story btw. :')
Alexa60765: She is leaving for Aquarius! :D And thank you for reading my new story. :')
Annie: Okay, but with what happened to Wendy just broke my heart. :') But it made it so interesting! The look on Erza's face when it happened tore me apart! And at least she has a good reason! :) And thank you so much! :D
Fairytailnumber1Anime: We'll have to see what Natsu does some other time! ;D
MarSofTheGalaxies: Haha she wasn't running from her problems this time! :D And true, at least they finally confessed. :')
Soul Eater Maka: HAHAHA I KNOW BUT IT HAS TO BE DONE. WHO ELSE IS GOING TO GET AQUARIUS!?
Rose Tiger: Hopefully something happens to make the situation bearable. :')
Soul-of-glass: Hahaha thank you for the review! :D
Nalulove: Well now you know! :D And trust me, I have a plan. ;D
31: Idk if you consider her leaving to find Aquarius a lame excuse, but if so, thank you for reading so far. :)
Deboo: Hahaha thank you I actually liked that line too lmao. And I know, how great they finally confessed. :')
Lunahartz: Aww why!? And ahh thanks sis for checking out my new story. :') I actually like that one more than this!
Guest: I feel like I would have wanted to tell them but wouldn't be able to. :') And thank you, I love the thought of them watching Disney movies together haha! And oh yeah, nobody liked the ending haha. Everyone thought she was leaving because she was scared lol.
Ligersrcool: AT LEAST IT'S A GOOD REASON LOL.
Sarara1.8: Hahaha thank you for the review. And she certainly does like to leave, huh? Lmao.
Werewingwolfxx: Me too! He's not one for words after all haha!
Akano Tsuki: You'll see what Natsu decides later! ;D
IndianaCombs: Who knows how long she'll be gone. :') Jk I do. But I can't spoil it! ;D And Natsu is being a sad but supportive boy :')
DarkestLightOfHope: Ahhh I'm glad you read it! :D Everyone loved the Disney idea, so thank you for it! :D And we'll see about Lucy! ;D
BloodRedRubies: Oh I agree I absolutely love Tangled. And no I haven't seen Moana but I really want to! I just hate movie theaters lol. Ahh at least you had hope that Lucy was only leaving for something important. :')
NashiFanGirl: They are canon and not canon at the same time! :D I actually don't even know what counts as canon tbh.
CelestialLunaPanda-Senpai: YOU ARE ALWAYS SO ENTHUSIASTIC I LOVE IT HOPE YOU ENJOYED YOUR HOLIDAYS AS WELL.
Hsdust: Haha thank you so much for reviewing both this story and my new one it means so much to me! :')
Sarah528: Thank you so much! Disney dates are always fun. :)
Sageofchaos: Thank you for the review! :)