I looked down at a watch connected to a old man's wrist, I picked up his limp arm... Less than an hour. I dropped the arm and let it slump down with the rest of the man. I studied him for a moment. He wore a nice brown sweater, with complementing tan pants. Of course the gash in his chest was a little out of place, but it would have to do.
_Natsu_
"No way man that didn't happen!" Gray slammed his hands down onto the table. It was early morning so no one but the two males and Mirajane were in the guild hall at this hour. Mira looked up briefly at the boys and rolled her eyes with a smile, though if she knew what the two boys were talking about she would have been more interested. She thought about how nice it was to see the boys having a conversation together before the take-over mage went back to wiping down the bar.
Gray sat back down and crossed his arms over his bare chest "There is no way anyone would want to kiss you" he stated in a matter-of-fact tone. There's no way Natsu kissed a girl before I could...
"Hell yeah she did, best thing that's happened to me so far" Natsu grinned and leaned back in the bench, letting his left arm hang over the back. No one could wipe the smile off of his face since they got back from the job yesterday and it was starting to deeply disturb Gray, hence the early morning sit down.
Gray let out a small 'hm' sound before moving on to his next question. "So have you kissed since?"
Natsu's smile visibly faltered, which caused the Ice mage to burst out in laughter. Gray smirked, he coughed to try and suppress his laugh."Ever thought she could of been caught up in the moment? You did get her in a pretty vulnerable state" Truth be told Gray had no clue whether Breeze had a thing for Natsu or not, but if he couldn't make fun of his rival at this aspect in his life Gray really didn't have any hope.
The pink haired boy collapsed onto the table in sudden doubt, "What if she doesn't like meeee?~" Natsu whined.
Gray automatically rolled his eyes and detached himself from the situation, leaning back in his chair. Immediately regretting his previous comment. "Look dude I'm sure I was just being stupid, how about you ask her on a date or something, then you can find out if she likes you or not" It physically hurt Gray to put "I was" and "being stupid" in the same sentence when it didn't have a "Natsu" anywhere in it. But sometimes sacrifices have to be made.
Natsu lifted his head slightly so he could see Gray through his pink locks. The unimpressed look paired with the aura of resentment flowing off of the Ice mage was enough to convince Natsu that he seemed sincere.
"What's a date?" Natsu voice was muffled due to him speaking into his arm, but Gray turned his attention back to Natsu. Eyeing him with the amusement he had before. The Salamander caught this and blushed in embarrassment, shoving his face back into the crook of his elbow so he couldn't see Gray's stupid smug grin. Natsu had briefly heard about Elfman and Evergreen going on a 'date' before, but he never got around to asking what a date actually was.
"A date is when you take a girl out and spoil her, show her that you care 'bout her" Gray paused and put a finger on his chin. He hadn't been on many dates himself. Once he went out to lunch with Juvia, though he didn't have much choice in the matter, and he'd also had dinner with Lucy before. Again she begged him to pay so she could pay rent, but it ended in a pleasant enough evening. "Taking them out for dinner in a fancy restaurant is probably the safest way to go, you want it to be a good date, but not too good that you can't top it next time you go out"
Natsu sat up and slouched against the back of the bench chair. He had a red mark on his forehead from leaning it on his arm. "It will have to be a buffet" he stated plainly. Warming up to the idea of a date.
"Yeah, yeah, but if you eat too much then you'll look like a pig. You need to impress her, not scare her away with the amount of crap you can shove in your gob" Gray's smirk played at his lips, all he could think about is this date going horribly wrong. That's even if Breeze agrees to it in the first place.
"But what if I get really hungry, I can't help it" Natsu shrugged.
Gray rolled his eyes "Eat something before you get to the date, then eat a normal sized meal when you get there" then the Ice mage shook his head "Anyway, back on track. Tell her to dress nice, pick her up at about 7pm. Then walk her to the restaurant, eat, have a casual conversation then walk her home and kiss her goodnight. Bam, instant girlfriend"
If Natsu was drinking water he would of spat it out, he leant over the table and looked at Gray with admiration. "I-Is it that easy?!"
"Juvia doesn't think that will work"
"HOLY SHIT STOP DOING THAT" Gray jumped a mile high, as Juvia lent over his shoulder and spoke. The two boys hadn't even realized that she was here (even though she had been there from the beginning listening to the whole conversation with great interest).
"Gray-sama, Juvia thinks that your explanation to Natsu-kun doesn't have the females touch" The Gray obsessed bluenette said sitting down next to the Ice mage.
"I dunno" Natsu smirked eyeing Gray. The Ice mage returned a stone cold glare.
Juvia completely ignored the Dragon Slayer and began to talk. "You have to bring her flowers when you pick her up and no matter what call Breeze-san beautiful when you first see her" Juvia nodded as she talked. "Always pay for her meals at restaurants, and after dinner go for a walk to find dessert an ice cream or something. Sit in the park to eat it and watch the stars and if she gets cold, give her your jacket" during her little speech she didn't fail to stare at Gray the whole time, which made him shiver slightly.
"That's a lot of stuff" Natsu said in awe. His brain only took in a few of those things and he was suddenly nervous that he would stuff it all up. "M-maybe I could just take her to Island-8 in Hargeon, s-she'll like it there"
Gray could tell from the paled look on Natsu's face that he wasn't liking all of Juvia's ideas of a good date. "Dude, you said when she kissed you it was the best thing that's happened to you, imagine what will happen if you take her on a date and she falls for you?" The Ice mage stood from his chair, "Juvia, come on" he wanted to give time for Natsu to think, if that was possible.
"Y-Yes G-Gray-sama, right away" in the blink of an eye Juvia was at Gray's side, hanging off of his arm walking with him out of the guild.
"She is the best thing that's ever happened to me" Natsu whispered to himself. He knew then he had to do whatever it took to make her happy, even if it meant skipping on the buffet.
_Breeze_
Sleep was no longer optional, it was impossible.
After finding out that your alter ego has committed a mass murder it gets pretty hard to sleep at night. The visions didn't help much at all either. Since coming back from King's Valley Breeze has been seeing things, things that Hera has done. Breeze wasn't sure if it was just her brain making things up, or if for the first time in her life she was remembering. After the first vision Breeze had she threw up, which had been happening more than she would have liked lately. Her stomach can't handle the stress her body and mind was going through.
So she was currently laying in her bed, at 10am in the morning with her eyes wide open, staring at the ceiling in resentment. I'm tireddddd. She whined to herself, she loved her sleep. It was close to her favourite thing in the world. But she wouldn't dare to close her eyes, she didn't need to see the same thing over and over.
It's been the same thing every time she closes her eyes, like a broken record she kept seeing it. There was an old man, he was wearing tan pants and a shirt to match it. He looked happy despite the large gash in his chest exposing his lungs and stone cold heart. There was something else she kept seeing, a watch. It was truly beautiful, sliver with gold details and golden hands. Along with a cursive 'H 'on the clock face.
She wasn't sure where the vision was from or if it was a memory, and she didn't know what that man or the watch had to do with anything. But she could just feel the malicious intent behind it every time the deep gash in the old man's chest popped into her mind. That's what made her sick.
"Ugh stop being a stupid baby and do something" Breeze didn't know how long it would take for the council to realize what she did or that Hera is actually her. So she had to get moving, do all the things she promised to do before she left.
She swung her legs out of her double bed, and sat on the edge, letting her legs dangle in the crisp apartment air. She was glad that the apartment was kept even after she had supposedly 'died'. She never did question how, but she guessed there was someone she had to thank for it.
"Maybe I'll bake them a cake" she smiled to herself, she had never made a cake before. It can't be that hard, first I have to figure out who saved my apartment so I can find out what cake to make them. Breeze placed a finger on her chin and scratched it slightly. I'll ask Natsu, he knows things. She walked to her wardrobe and froze when she remembered something she wished she hadn't.
I KISSED HIM.
Breeze dropped to the ground and sprawled out into a star shape. She wasn't quite sure what she was doing but it seemed appropriate in her giddy situation. I kissed a boy. A small smile formed on her lips. And a cute boy at that. Breeze laid on her carpet for a while smiling to herself, wondering what happens after a kiss. This time she was staring at the ceiling with a wide grin. I wonder if Arashi would have been proud? The thought of her caring dragon laughing at the embarrassed Breeze as she tried to explain who she kissed, made the Storm Dragon Slayer giggle to herself. But her smile dropped when she remembered the old man from her nightmares.
She was about to go into a self-pity state before a knock on her door pulled her out of her moment. She groaned slightly, "Coming!" she called. With her Dragon slayer hearing she could hear a sigh of relief come from the other side. Breeze opened the door to reveal Lucy and Loke.
"See I told you she'd be fine" Loke mused, resting his arm on Lucy's shoulder.
"Shut up, I knew that" Lucy shrieked, though she was blatantly lying. The celestial mage had learnt that Breeze was never not in trouble, a girl after her own heart. So it was better to be safe than sorry.
Loke on the other hand wasn't complaining one little bit. He was staring at the Dragon Slayer who had seemed to have left most of her clothing in her closet. Breeze was dawning a matching deep blue pair of bra and panties. Neither of the girls seemed to realize or care, so the Lion spirit stayed silent, carefully gawking at the masterpiece.
"So Lucy, what's up?" Breeze walked back into the apartment, motioning for the two visitors to follow her. Lucy took a seat on Breeze's bed and Loke lounged out on the two-seater sofa to the left of where they entered. Breeze's apartment was practically one big room, her bed and couch were the first things you saw as you entered, when you turn to the right there is the small dining table on a elevated platform and two doors on the far right wall. One for the kitchen, the other is the bathroom. It's enough for one or two people to live happily.
"Hmm I was looking for Natsu, I was just going to run it by him if we could go on a mission together. I would have asked you and the rest of team Natsu, but I kinda need the money" Lucy said sheepishly, but she didn't notice Breeze tensing at the mention of a certain pink haired boy.
"I can give you money if you need it Lucy, I have plenty of savings. 10-year quests are rewarding you know" Breeze smiled as she picked out her midnight blue skirt from her closet and slipped it on. Lucy silently pondered the request, but the whole point she was living alone was to prove the point that she could fend for herself.
"No, no, no. I'm not a charity. It's fine" Lucy smiled in return.
"I would offer to go on a mission with you but I promised Wendy I would train her, better that I do that sooner than later" The Dragon slayer slipped a tight fitting black shirt over her head and pulled it down into place. "Maybe Loke could help you?"
"Pfft I don't want him around more than I have too" Lucy crossed her arms and smirked.
"Heeeeeeeeeeyy lucccyyyyyy that's mean" The lion spirit huffed. Lucy looked over to Loke and laughed "You know I'm joking".
"Well wanna get going?" Breeze said after she put her ankle boots on, "I gotta find Wendy"
"I don't want to go with her" Loke pouted, a playful look in his eyes as her turned into Lucy direction.
"Let's leave him to sulk, let's go" Lucy smiled standing up and directing Breeze to her own door. As the two left, Lucy could feel Loke return to his gate, though he did take a souvenir from Breeze's top drawer. I wonder if Lucy and Loke have kissed? The Dragon slayer thought to herself. What if Natsu and I can't be friends anymore?
Breeze and Lucy wandered to the guild at their own pace. Talking about things they thought out loud. They reached the bakery down the road from the guild hall and Lucy brought up the topic of boys. Breeze went undercover detective.
"S-so what happens if when a boy kisses you?" Breeze stammered, luckily Lucy didn't catch on that there was a reason for her question. The Celestial mage was a self appointed expert at relationships and boys, and from what Lucy could gather no one had really taught Breeze much about boys or relationships, so she was happy to help.
"Well first off you have to figure out if you like that guy, because you don't want to go around kissing guys until you find one you like. Or do what I do, make a pros and cons list, find out if he's worth your heart. Then make a move, start flirting with him, make him want you. You get it so far?" Breeze nodded frantically, she felt like she needed to write this all down. Boys were not her strong suit, yeah she had bursts of confidence but she's never actually done anything with a guy before.
"Then if he's interested he'll ask you on a date, he'll take you out and pay for a meal. Maybe you'll go to the movies or to see a play. Something romantic and intimate. Then if all goes well you can kiss again at the end of the date" Lucy nodded in satisfaction, she briefly looked at Breeze with a small smile. The Dragon Slayer could do nothing but sigh, boys sound so complicated.
The smell of beer and the sound of music flooded her senses making Breeze smile. It was a repulsive combination usually but it was starting to remind her of home, the home she wanted. The two girls entered the guild hall and scanned the giant room for their friends, they both spotted Gray and Juvia instantly and decided that was a good enough place to start looking for the two Dragon Slayers they were after.
"Hey Breeze, Lucy!" Gray smiled at the two approaching the table he was sitting at. Breeze smiled and slid in next to Gray "Morning!" she greeted.
"You wouldn't happen to know where Natsu is would you?" Lucy asked Gray and Juvia.
"Juvia spoke to the Dragon Slayer earlier, but Juvia hasn't seen him since" The bluenette was sitting on Gray's left eyeing the blonde on her right.
Gray looked up at Lucy, "Yeah I haven't seen him since this morning either, he's probably doing somethin' stupid" without him even moving, somehow Gray's pants went missing. Not that Juvia was complaining.
"Probably" Lucy mused, "I'm going to ask Mira, call out if you see him" the Celestial mage waved as she walked across the hall towards the bar.
Breeze moved to the bench on the other side of the table, hoping that would stop Juvia's side glares. Luckily it did. The dragon slayer blinked a few times, the reality of no sleep for the last 24 hours was starting to hit her. She closed her eyes and rubbed her temples and she got a flash of something she wished she hadn't.
His skin was ice cold, it felt like a leather couch did after it had been sitting in the corner its whole life. She dropped his arm and let it flop to his side, she saw the watch. Less than an hour. Less than an hour for what? She couldn't remember, but a sense of achievement surged through her, she felt proud."Breeze? Breeze?!""Breeze are you okay?" Gray asked, his face showed signs of concern.
"Huh? Oh I'm fine, d-don't worry" Breeze smiled, but it didn't last long. "I-I'm going to get some air, see you later"
Gray and Juvia watched the Dragon Slayer walk out of the door she only entered moments ago, they both shared a quiet glance. They might have to find Natsu before he finds her.
SO SORRY that this took so long, I don't have any excuse but school...
I think that's enough really ;) nah I just got really caught up with things.
Anyways here is this chapter, we'll find out next if Natsu has the guts to ask Breeze out on a date! Will she say yes? Will Natsu get the girl? Ha, you have to wait, I already know what's going to happen.
Till next time xxx
