Hearing Mirajane humming lightly from the kitchen is a soothing and welcoming sound. The notes to the unfamiliar song drift through the kitchen and dining room in which I am currently sitting in while staring out of the window into the forest beyond the house. I stare at nothing as I continue to listen to Mirajane's song while clutching a letter in my hand.
It has been almost a week now since both Mirajane and Gray have joined us on the island. Thinking on their arrival now, if they had arrived three weeks ago I would have probably been disappointed with their arrival. Them being on the island meant that any intimate moments I had with Natsu would probably be far less, or we would have to openly talk about what it was that was going on between us. However, since the moment that Natsu walked away from me without a word two weeks ago, the sentiment has not been the same.
Upon seeing Mirajane at the port where we had been waiting for her and Gray, I could not have felt more relieved. I nearly cried when the older female hugged me close as if she thought that she would never see me again. Even Gray's hug felt warm and welcoming in a way that I never thought I'd miss. The frustration I had been holding for days now almost seemed to vanish immediately.
My frustration had started the day that the children had thrown Natsu and myself into a closet after a prank they had pulled on us. A prank that had led to the very male kissing me in the darkness making my head swim and my heart soar. Gingerly touching my lips now, I can still feel the ghost of his warmth and the way he had held me with such yearning. It made me feel like I could somehow touch the sky… but the moment ended much too quickly.
Since that day things have not been the same. Every day, Natsu has seemed to gravitate more and more away from me as if he could not bear to be around me. He would still join me and the children, but he has gotten worse at hiding the agony that hides within his dark turbulent eyes. He even seemed to get more distracted now than ever, but every time I tried to get him to talk he would just wave it away and change the topic.
The children have taken notice of the drastic distance Natsu has placed between us, and there hasn't gone a day where they don't apologize. They blame themselves saying that they only wanted me and their father to get closer, but they won't say why. They only admit that the prank they had pulled had gone too far and were scared that they had ruined something between the king and I, but they were wrong. This was not their fault.
Whatever was bothering Natsu went deeper than a silly little prank.
Chapter 34 - Fragmented Bonds
POV: Lucy
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy tail
Looking down at the letter still clutched in my hands, I smooth it out so that I can look over the neat and familiar lettering. Each word written fills me with reassurance, but underneath I can't help but also feel the worry I've felt for weeks continue to gnaw at me. Even a long-awaited letter such as this one cannot ease my apprehension, and I can't help but feel that I am being lied to.
Upon arriving to the island with Mirajane, Gray had found time to hand me a letter from Loke that had been personally given to him by the orange-haired male before his departure from Hargeon. Upon seeing the familiar Heartfilia insignia, I had ripped open the letter in front of the raven-haired male.
Dearest Princess,
I apologize for keeping you in the dark for as long as I have. Gray has told me about your worry and frustration at having to wait so long for a reply. A few issues have been keeping us busy what with Jose continuously attacking our northern railways making progress near impossible. My attention, as well as the attention of the others, has been set on trying to fix this new attack, but other than that we are all doing well. Everyone sends their unwavering love.
As for your turmoil towards your friend, rest assured that your secret is safe. I've met Levy in the few times I had previously been allowed to enter the castle and she seems like a trustworthy person. I'm also not at all surprised to hear that you two had been friends when you were both in school. I assure you that you can trust her, but don't forget to be wary of her husband. I know Gajeel does not know how you look personally, but keeping your distance is still preferable. If anything comes up make sure to take it up with Gray if I cannot get to you in time.
Chin up Princess. You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. I have the greatest belief that we can all overcome this. Always remember that your knight is watching over you.
Always, Loke.
I hug the letter close to me and I can almost smell Loke's cologne through the thick scent of the ink that covers the parchment. It eases my nerves, but it doesn't make my worries completely disappear. What I wouldn't give to get a hug from my favorite womanizer right about now. I needed to see that he was fine. Only then would I be certain that my foolish worry would completely disappear.
"LUCILLE!" Both Happy and Rosy cry while running into the room from the kitchen.
I immediately tuck the letter and envelope into the pocket of my dress to keep them from seeing it as they both rush towards my side. Their bright excited smiles ease one of my own to form as I caress their beautiful faces lovingly. The absence of their father has preoccupied them less once Mirajane arrived to help me get their minds off the perturbed king.
Thankfully neither Mirajane nor Gray have asked what has caused the king's sudden change of mood. They almost seem to have expected him to relapse into his temperamental moods once again.
"Come! Come! Come!" Rosy exclaims while taking my hand from her face to attempt to pull me to my feet.
"Come and help us make lunch!" Happy urges while following his sister's lead and tugging on my other hand to get me up from my chair.
"Okay, okay, you don't have to rush me," I laugh while standing up from my seat with their eager help, "You guys make it seem that you've never had lunch before in your life."
They only giggle at my words as they tug me towards the kitchen where Mirajane's soft humming still filters from the open doorway.
Once the children have pulled me into the warm room and seated me on a stool beside the large island, they then take their designated seats on either side of me. Mira busily moves around the other side of the kitchen while gathering ingredients before placing them in front of us. I watch her then bring forth a pot filled with sticky white rice that looks delicious and makes my stomach growl.
"What's for lunch today?" I ask the older female as she takes a seat beside Rosy and hands out plates to everyone.
"Rice balls," She answers cheerily making my stomach drop, "I thought that a simple snack that the children could make on their own would be fun. Don't you think that rice balls are easy to make?" she asks and I can't help but stare at her as she hands me a plate.
"Y-yeah," I answer after a short pause. I then take the plate from her hand and place it in front of me feeling a bit unsettled.
An image of a rice ball splattered on the floor swims around in my head in an almost taunting manner. Feeling my stomach churn, I keep from throwing up by trying to push the memory away and keep myself distracted.
This isn't like last time after all.
Happy grabs my attention by asking me to show him how to make a rice ball. Grabbing my wits, I then proceed to scoop up a handful of rice from the nearby pot that Mirajane has provided for us. I don't even bother in worrying about my gloves getting dirty with the sticky grains as I deliberately show Happy how to mold them in his hands. He follows my instructions and attempts to form his glob of rice into a neat triangle like the one I've made.
I watch him intently work on several rice balls that come out looking a bit lumpy and misshapen, but that doesn't seem to deter him from making more. In fact, he eventually forms one of those lumps into the perfect triangle that he shows off to us all making his sister pout. She has only been successful in turning her rice into similarly lumpy globs as her brother's previous creations.
She isn't at all discouraged from continuing to try to make the perfect rice ball. She even starts to munch on a few handfuls of rice between her molding causing grains to stick to her face. By the time she forms a perfect circular rice ball her mouth is nearly covered in rice that Mira continuously tries to wipe off. It comes with great difficulty when Rosy swivels her head around to keep her aunt from touching her face as she continues to mold her lump of rice into the shape she wants it to be.
The sight of the struggling silver-haired females is a comical one that causes both Happy and I to laugh at the scene. Happy even begins to throw small grains of rice at his sister which stick to her hair, face, and clothing. This incites the small girl to throw her own clumps of rice at her brother who throws bigger clumps back at her. Soon enough Mira and I join the fight by tossing our own small pieces of rice at one another.
Our battle lasts for only a few minutes as pains from laughter keep us throwing any more food at each other. We even end up on the floor with our backs pressed against the cool floor with grains and clumps of rice covering us as well as the ground.
"That was so much fun!" Rosy exclaims while snuggling beside me and holding tightly onto my arm with a wide smile.
"I haven't had that much fun since I was a kid," Mira muses with a content sigh, "Your dad, Elfman, Lisanna, and I used to get into so many food fights when we were little," She tells the kids, "Sometimes even Igneel would join us which would make the maids furious because of all the mess we would make them clean," she then giggles at the memory while we all look up at her from where we lie beside her, "Did you ever have any of these kinds of moments Lucille?"
Staring up at the ceiling, I notice a few grains of rice stuck to the white plaster looking near impossible to remove from how high the ceiling is, "No," I murmur while continuing to stare at a certain grain of rice that seems to stare back at me, "When my father was alive he wouldn't tolerate having any sort of mess around the house, so moments like these were basically nonexistent in my childhood. Even the orphanage I stayed at was strict when it came to making messes. If we so much as dropped a crumb we would be sent to bed without food, but that doesn't mean my childhood was bad. I did have my wild side growing up after all."
"That's right! You used to pull pranks with your friend when you were little!" Happy exclaims excitedly.
"Our innocent Lucille pulling pranks?" Mira gasps as if the thought were unimaginable, "I can't believe what I'm hearing."
"Believe it because it's true," I joke while sitting up and brushing as much rice grains as I can off myself, "Well you two, we should actually eat our food rather than just wear it, don't you think?"
Standing up from the ground, we all brush ourselves off and pic as much rice as we can from our hair before the children sit down to eat their creations. While they eat, I move to pick up the broom to sweep up the mess from the floor while Mira takes a seat beside the kids to eat her own food.
"Leave that, we can always clean it later," she tells me while waving her hand, "You should come and eat first."
Mira holds out a plate with three neat triangular rice balls towards me, and the queasiness from earlier returns at the sight of them. The image from earlier returns, but I suppress it as I force a smile towards the older female.
"No thanks, I don't care too much for rice balls," I tell her while grabbing the broom, "I'm also not hungry. You guys enjoy your food while I sweep up a bit."
No one argues with me as I start to sweep up the rice on the ground swiftly. The chatter from the children keeps my mind occupied as I quickly finish sweeping even before the kids have finished their first lump of rice.
After wiping down the surfaces that have been attacked by our food, I then dismiss myself to go and freshen up. I instruct the kids to do the same when they finish eating so that they won't leave a mess of rice around the manor. They begrudgingly agree as I make my way out of the room and upstairs towards my room.
Once within the security of my bedroom, I discard my dirty gloves and then proceed to pull out the letter I had hastily shoved into the pocket of my dress. I look over the now crumpled letter one last time before folding it neatly and tucking it back into the envelope it had been delivered in. I then put it away inside of one of the drawers inside my bedroom beneath the rows of neatly folded gloves that I own. After hiding the letter, I pull out a clean pair of gloves before then moving towards the vanity within my room to check my hair.
I spend the next few minutes picking rice out of my hair and brushing back any flyaway hair that has escaped my usual bun. Once I'm clean of any imperfection that would have exasperated my father if he could see me, I then put on my clean gloves before making my way back downstairs to the kitchen. However, when I return I only find Mirajane washing the dishes that we had dirtied.
Seeing the room empty shouldn't surprise me. I had sent the kids to go clean up after eating, but I have an unsettling feeling at the bottom of my gut that tells me that something is wrong.
"Where are the kids?" I ask Mira who jumps at my sudden question.
Looking behind her, she scans the room as if barely noticing that she is alone.
"That's strange, they were here just a second ago… Maybe they went to go get cleaned up," she advises, "Didn't you see them go up to their room?"
"No. I didn't even hear them go into their room." Suddenly I begin to worry, "Where could they have gone if not their room?"
Mira looks at the empty table towards where our plates still sit, only Rosy's seems to be missing.
"Maybe they went to go give lunch to Natsu," Mira hints while drying her hands on a dish towel, "He hasn't had lunch yet. Maybe they wanted to surprise him?" Nodding, I tell her that I was going to make sure that they indeed were with their father.
Walking towards the study situated at the back of the house, I can't help but feel that gnawing sensation worsen. It's been such a long time since I've felt this uncomfortable feeling which only comes when I am anywhere near Gajeel. However, he's not here and I don't understand why it is that I have such unease.
Moving down the hallway that holds the fated closet, I can't help but look past the white door. Since that day I haven't even been able to walk down this hallway without feeling bothered. Only Natsu and Gray tend to walk down this hallway towards the study in which both males hardly ever come out from.
Since Gray and Mirajane arrived, Natsu has hardly left the study. Apparently Juvia had sent some paper work that Natsu needed to work on before she joined us in a few more days. Having Natsu spend most of his hours in the study almost feels as if we never left the castle in the first place. Especially with how his temperament has gone from happy to miserable within days.
If only there was something I could do to cheer up Natsu again, but with him avoiding me as much as he does it's been near impossible to even try.
It doesn't take much longer before I finally hear Rosy's enigmatic voice reach me from the end of the hallway. The door to the study is slightly open so her voice is loud enough that I can even hear her jumping up and down excitedly. I'm then greeted with that exact image when I peer through the open doorway to find both kids standing in front of the large oak-wood desk where their father is busily scribbling away. He looks so preoccupied and frustrated that deep frown lines etch themselves on his forehead as he continues to work.
As I continue to watch the troubling scene, the room almost seems to morph itself as if transporting me into another place and another time. A man, dressed in an expensive beige suite and with hair neatly combed blond hair, pours over piles and piles of documents situated around his desk. The piles of paper never seem to diminish and the frown lines all over his face have all but become prominent.
In front of him, a young blonde girl stands before the large desk, as quiet as a mouse, and peers up at the scowling male who has yet to acknowledge her presence. The indifference the man gives does nothing to keep her from waiting expectantly, but it does also nothing for the man to continue disregard the small girl.
"Rose, go and play with your brother. I promise that I'll play with you later," Natsu grumbles, causing me to come back to reality.
Natsu doesn't once look up as he continues to read through a lengthy paper that makes his eye twitch in annoyance.
"But that's what you always say," Rosy whines while stomping her little foot, "You hardly even eat with us anymore, it's not fair! When are you going to play with us?"
"Honey, I'm busy right now," Natsu reasons with an aggravated tone. He then puts down the things he is currently holding and runs his hands up and down his tired face.
"You're not even supposed to be working," Rosy complains angrily, "We're supposed to be on vacation having fun!"
"Happy, where is Lucille?" Natsu asks in exasperation, completely ignoring his daughter's argument. The small boy shrugs his shoulders while looking cautiously at his sister and then his father with an equally angry scowl, "Please take your sister to her so I can get this work done."
Finding it as my que to go in, I walk into the room a few steps but no one seems to acknowledge my presence as Rosy bristles with her fists shaking at her sides, "I'm not leaving. We're supposed to be having fun! Why won't you come have fun with us and Lucille?!" she screeches.
"ROSALIND IRIS DRAGNEEL, YOU STOP IT THIS INSTANT!" Natsu roars while slamming his hands down on his desk almost making the wood beneath crack, "CAN'T YOU SEE THAT I'M BUSY?!"
Happy, Rosy and I all flinch from the impact of Natsu's voice. A chill runs up and down my back as the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end with fear. The last time I had seen Natsu lose control like this had been when some issues with my home had interfered with his work. It's what caused Loke to go to the castle when he had, but this time the fury Natsu exudes is much more terrifying. Perhaps it had to do with the fact that this time it was his daughter on the receiving end of his vehemence.
"You're always busy," the small girl cries, but even tears don't sway Natsu's fury.
"I'm the king of Fiore. It's not my fault if I have so much work to do and a lot of responsibility to handle," he argues and I miss what the small girl says when Gray and Mirajane suddenly appear behind me. No doubt they were drawn towards where all the yelling was coming from, "DAMMIT ROSALIND! WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WANT FROM ME?!"
Papers stacked all around the desk fall and scatter on the floor when Natsu slams his hands down on the wooden surface again. Something even falls off the corner of the desk with a splat and causing an even bigger mess on the floor, but I can't see what it is since my eyes are glued on Natsu. We're all stunned into silence as the furious king glares down at the small girl with eyes that burn like coals in a raging fire. Natsu's fuming persona makes him appear like the epitome of the dragon king everyone sees him to be.
Crying, Rosalind heaves a stuttered breath before wailing, "I want my mommy," making the older male take a stunned step back as if she had struck him.
The room grows both cold and silent with only Rosy's sobbing reverberating throughout the room. Even Happy, who is always quick to get to his sister's side, stands motionless next to his sister as if not believing what he had just heard. Standing in the wake of the chaos, I'm almost transported back into my father's library with him glaring down at me for disturbing his work.
I want nothing more than to grab both kids and leave their infuriated father to cool down, but I'm frozen in my spot. How could things have gotten so bad in only a matter of minutes? Just an hour ago we had been laughing and enjoying a silly lunch with laughter that left our sides hurting from the zeal. How is it that that cheerfulness could lead to this miserable scene before us?
How could Natsu's toothy smile be replaced with a stunned gaze that was quickly darkening as if someone had insulted him? How could he hold such a hateful expression when looking at his daughter who wants nothing more than for him to be by her side.
"You want your mom?" Natsu asks, his voice hoarse and shaking as his hands crumple the papers underneath them making me cringe at the ferocity his voice holds. His head is bowed forward enough that his bangs cover his eyes from us making it hard to see what he's thinking. The uncomfortable feeling in my stomach intensifies when Rosy nods her head but doesn't look at her father as she rubs her eyes with her tiny fists, "Your mother is gone," he whispers so low that it almost sounds like a growl rather than a statement, "She's gone and it's your fault…"
"Oh no," Mira gasps, her own voice quivering, but I can't get myself to look at her. I'm too appalled to think of anything else except Natsu's hateful words.
"Hey there flame brain. Don't say something you'll regret," Gray warns while walking towards the fuming male and placing a firm hand on Natsu's shaking shoulders.
"GET OFF ME!" Natsu snarls while ripping his arm out of Gray's hold before rounding on Rosy, "Your mom is dead, and it's all your FAULT!" he finally yells so loud I am left with a ringing in my ears.
My blood drains from my body leaving me feeling frozen and empty. Instead of Natsu yelling those hateful words to Rosalind, it's Jude shouting to me that he hates the way I look so much like my mother and he wanted nothing than for me to disappear.
My mind immediately shuts down after that.
So for my dear veterans (those who have read the old version of this story) you should have all been expecting this chapter to come up. For those of you who have barely read this chapter, I'm sorry. This chapter was definitely a roller coaster to write when I had written it the first time. It still hurt when I added it this time, but it was needed, so don't hate me too much. Even then I hope you guys all liked it anyways.
Anywho, I can't believe that this year is already going to be over. 2017 was definitely a crazy year, though personally I think 2016 was worse. Even so, I hope that our 2018 will be immensely better for everyone. We have so much to look forward to, and I'm especially excited for the final season of Fairy Tail. Even if I already finished the manga I still want to see everyone on the big screen. Other animes are also coming with new seasons and I'm super excited for those as well. 2018 Will also probably be when I finally finish this story, but fear not because our ending will be a happy one and more projects are underway for the future.
On another note, forgive me for the cliffhanger, but this will be the last chapter for this year. I'm going to take a week off from writing since I start work again on the second and I really need to fix my sleeping schedule as much as I can, but a new chapter will definitely be up by the end of the week.
Shout Outs
I want to great a big shout out to my Fantastic Favorite...
- Littlest1
And to my Fantabulous Reviewers...
- NatsuYuki = I'm so happy you enjoyed it!
- DecemberRome = I feel the love! I'm so happy you enjoyed the chapter!
- Littlest1 = Where do you think those two even learned about matchmaking from? I do believe it runs in the family after all. Also, I'm happy you enjoyed the chapter and I agree that memories brought on by love are better than from anything else.
- ChiliR612 = Natsu is a person that tends to keep things to himself, but who knows. He might confide in someone in the future over his troubled thoughts. Also, I'm glad you liked the chapter and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you as well!
- MagicalFoxInTheWilderness = I'm glad that you enjoyed my fluffy scenes. I'm also happy that you enjoyed my little scene with Rosy tricking everyone. My little cousin did that to me once and I just couldn't help myself but add that into my story. Lucy's gloves will be coming off in the next few chapters, so look out for that, and as for Gajeel, he will arrive on the island along with a few other staff members. And yes, the children are miniature versions of their aunt. They had to learn from the best after all.
- sarara1.8 = I think Lucy might plan on telling Natsu in the future, but I haven't quite decided yet on that route. Also, yes, there will be a lot of drama in the future so get your tissues ready. I've already stocked up on mine because even though I'm writing it it doesn't mean that it doesn't hurt me as well.
- Stranger1999 = I love your insight, and you aren't too far from the truth with your perceptiveness. I hadn't thought of Natsu calling Lucy Luce more often, but maybe I'll add it in just to confuse our pink-haired king a bit more. Also, don't worry about the rambling. I actually quite like when readers give their own thoughts about what is going on.
Well that's all the shout outs for today!
Lastly I want to thank every single one of you for taking the time to read my story and give your immense support! You guys literally make my days better and I love every single one of you from the bottom of my cold demonic heart. I want to wish you all a very Happy New Year and I hope to hear from every single one of you again. Please be careful, drink responsibly, drive with caution, and most importantly have fun and make this new year a great one!
If you are enjoying my story so far please follow, favorite, and review - remember, reviews are a writers candy - and if you have any questions or ideas you'd like to see put into this story you can also PM me and I'll gladly add it in.
This is DemonHeart42 signing off.
Until next time my lovelies.