BlackLynx17: So I was ahead in the game people! I remembered to update, hooray! I've been working hard lately people, real hard at work. It's horrible and the money may not be good, but it helps pay for anime things so yeah. For those who work for a living, I hope you have a good day at work!

osnapitzjera - Aw, thank you. Your review was so sweet and funny and I wish I could make Issues into a real book, but like not a real book. I'd like to just have it as a book for myself as a reminder of my childhood. I'd like to have all my stories in a book by BlackLynx17. I think in this story it might actually be 100 chapters so I'm a littler nervous because years later when I come back to read this, it's gonna take me FOREVER with a hundred chapters. I looked at other 100, 200 chapter stories and I've never read any of them.

lilobsessive - Thank you, I have such nice reviewers. I can't believe I'm really this popular, it's just unbelievable.

XNatsudragneelx - You three can be the real life J Jang! Your life goal is killing Natsu Dragneel in real life, if Natsu's real, or maybe someone like Natsu.

AnimeStalkerz - Thank you for your review, I really try my hardest in my stories.

osnapitzlivia - Thank you very much, you don't know how happy it makes me to hear you love my stories.

DeathBerryHime - Thanks for your review.

Tawny - Of course, if I have a book signing I'll let you cut into the front. Just scream out, BLACKLYNX17-SAMA! IT'S TAWNY! I'll know it's you.

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Mythical Creatures

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Chapter 36

What Just Happened?

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My phone rang at lunch, it was a text from Gazille.

It's done.

I had a feeling that he was referring to the Slob meeting I told him to have but... I let my imagination run wild for a while.

The sex change, it's done. I'm now Gazilleena.

The job, it's done. You don't have to worry about your ex-husband anymore, he's half way down to Atlantis by now.

Our relationship, it's done. I can't love a woman who names a giraffe/deer Master Slobster Slobbin the Sixth and haves heart to heart conversations with it.

"Well then fuck you Gazille."

"What?!"

I blinked and looked up, um how many people heard that?

"What did you say Lucy?" Levy asked.

"Uh, hahaha." I giggled and tried to play it off as nothing.

"I was just... thinking. Ignore that comment." I said.

I was imagining way too much and way too seriously now a days. Get your head back into reality Lucy! Interact with your friends, that will keep your mind occupied. Erza was still a sour puss as ever and I couldn't even tell her that what she was doing right now was the reason why Jellal rejected hurt. I must respect the J Rules as the J Leader. The Slobs were sitting at their table just like yesterday, not before Natsu swiped my lunchbox from me and gave me a small peck against my lips. Levy, Wendy and Lisanna were engaged with a heated discussion, Juvia was in the conversation and said some things but she never got heated over anything. Erza and I were the emo ones out, just sitting here and thinking, on my part, she looked more like a mixture of sulking and brooding.

Well that was everybody, I guess it's back to thinking. I started rubbing my hands together and paused when I felt something... cold. I looked down at my finger and stared at Natsu's ring, my ring now. I poked the diamond and spun it around my finger, it just... looked... weird. I didn't like seeing it on my finger, it brought some feeling out that weren't pleasing in the least. I felt... anxious if that made sense? What went through my mind when I first wore this? When I accepted it?

I'll figure this out later, Erza was staring at me now and I didn't want her to see the ring. If I thought it was real, then Erza for hellah sure would think it was real too.

The last creature I saw was Harpy and I had already made a clay piece for her and glazed it. There has been no other creatures since then, meaning, no more ceramic pieces. What was a girl to do now? Has it really been that long?

"What are you doing next Lucy?" Natsu asked.

I laid my head on the table, "I don't know. Inspiration hasn't came to me yet."

Now let's see, I can either sleep, talk to Natsu, HELL NO... well maybe just no since he is my boyfriend now, or help Juvia out.

"So Juvia, tell me all about this Lyon guy again? You said he was cute?" I asked.

I heard someone kick the table, I couldn't be sure if it was Natsu or Gray though. Juvia's hands slipped and she ended up cutting her piece of clay crooked. She just stared at me as I nodded and motioned to Gray.

"Oh, hmm. Yeah, Lyon was his name. Lyon...? What was his last name Gray?" Juvia asked turning to him.

Right now at the moment, I wanted to make a thumbs up for Juvia. Good work, she was catching on quick.

"Vastia. Lyon Vastia." Gray grumbled.

Ah Clay, I see a little green monster in you.

"Gazille! Bro you're back!" Loke cheered when Gazille came walking in late to sixth period.

I kind of wish he hadn't come at all because now it was just awkward. Gazille, sitting beside me, and Lisanna, sitting at my other side. I felt caught between fire and a cliff, question was which one would hurt most?

"Gazille, hey buddy." I smiled.

Gazille nodded.

"Hey Gazille, a little late aren't you?" Lisanna giggled.

Strange. Strange. STRANGE! SOMETHING STRANGE WAS HAPPENING! Gazille... he just smiled and nodded at Lisanna, and told her with a clear and steady voice-

"Slept in, had a looooong breakfast. Thought why not?"

He did not sound like someone who regretted abusing their friend, he didn't look like it either. Why were you acting so normal Gazille? You can't be this good of an actor, then again he might be. I don't know what Gazille does with his free time other than sniffs crack, he might be in a secret theater club... I'm just going to end that thought there.

I felt like I had just achieved another puzzle piece, who knows how many were left though.

I passed out as soon as I hit home. Erza didn't speak to me again, I didn't care. I already had enough to think about, her worries about boy troubles were at the bottom of that list. Unless she turned suicidal or started taking drugs, it was going to stay there.

"I don't know what to think Slobster." I sighed confronting my troubles to my little... plush.

That reminded me. I got up from my bed and dug around in my dressers and drawers, searching for an old piece of jewelry. Though most of my things, my expensive things, along with my Mother's and Father's were still at the Heartfilia Estate, I was able to bring some things along with me. I could have brought everything since technically everything belonged to me, but I didn't want too much baggage.

So I stuck to just clothes. None of my expensive furniture or my expensive jewelry, not even my expensive clothes either or any family pictures. Just some normal clothes and a few books, the essentials. There was one piece of jewelry though that I did bring with me, a gold chain that Mother had bought me on my seventh birthday. I never wore it more than once or twice, since I had a lot of prettier necklaces growing up, but while I was packing I remembered that day and just... brought it with me impulsively.

It was a good thing I did too since I needed it at the moment. Sitting down in the chair in front of my dresser, I pulled off the ring Natsu gave me off my finger and unhooked the chain, putting the ring on the chain and hooking it back around my neck. As I looked in myself in the mirror, I felt... better. I didn't feel pressure any longer wearing it on my hand, I liked it better this way.

My eyes drifted upwards to the picture of Natsu and me on my mirror. Natsu Dragneel.

I hated the man, entire loathed him. I found him interesting later on and found myself being drawn in. Now, I was in like with him and he was in love with me. I wonder if Natsu did this? Think of a person's name then list things about that person, or was that just a habit of mine? I felt a sudden ping in my stomach and hutched over.

"Looks like I'm hungry," I sighed walking over to my bed.

The chain felt cool against my neck and a little bit heavier due to the ring. I'm sure I'd get used to it though.

"Lucy... I'm sorry about yesterday." Erza said bowing to me.

I blinked.

"I was a little sad, but I'm over it now." She smiled.

I had a hard time believing that but whatever.

"Alright, sorry about Jellal."

She flinched at his name, crap. Note to self, never mention Jellal in front of her again.

"But I admire your courage to ask him out! I'd never ask a guy out in a million years, hell no." I laughed.

"Yeah, hahaha." Erza said, but it was cautious and didn't sound real.

"About that, how are you and Natsu?" She asked.

I looked around the streets to see if anyone was paying attention to us. Why? I'm not completely sure, I just didn't want my business out there when I told her-

"We're... dating."

Erza tripped and fell flat on her face. I started laughing as I helped her back up.

"Dating, you two?" She asked.

"Yeah, I find it hard to believe myself. He just confessed his love out of nowhere then asked me out."

Erza tripped again but I caught her this time.

"Wow, well... good for you then Lucy! I need to head to the bathroom before class so I'll see you later!" Erza said running off when we reached our school gates.

I paused, suddenly feeling very bad. Erza... was jealous. She was, or had, been comparing herself to me and Natsu. She probably was wondering how I could get a boyfriend and she couldn't, or how after knowing a man for a few weeks I could make him fall for me while she had known a man for her whole life and he still felt nothing towards her.

And that was her problem, when had Erza start comparing herself to me so much? When had this all started? We may be cousins but we weren't the same, we didn't have the same upbringings or act alike. So why did she compare us?

"Oh Erza," I sighed.

"Oh Erza." Someone sighed beside me.

I jumped up and flinched, shocked. It was just Loke laughing beside me though.

"What the hell?!" I yelled slapping his shoulder, "you scared me!"

"My work here is complete then." Loke said walking off, then turned back around with a smile on his face.

"Just kidding, come on. The Slobs are having a meeting and our leader says you've been let in on our midnight activities." Loke smirked.

"This doesn't make me a Slob does it?" I asked.

"We've discussed and have decided it just makes you an Honorary Slob." Loke laughed.

I groaned, great. That's what I always wanted to be when I grew up. Loke walked me outside the gate and towards the side to an alley near school. It was just like the movies, the Slobs were all sitting on trashcans.

"I assume you told them?" I asked Gazille walking up.

He got up and offered me his trashcan, I shook my head. Really? Sitting on a trashcan? Did he have any idea how dirty that was, I mean trash does go in the thing. Gazille shrugged and opened his mouth.

"LUCY! DID YOU MISS ME?!" Natsu asked hugging me.

His arms draped across my shoulder as he rubbed his cheek against mine.

"I missed you!" He sighed.

I lifted one finger up, and stabbed him in the neck. The Slobs laughed as Natsu jumped back and held onto his neck.

"Oh yeah, you missed me." He laughed off.

"What is it you Slobs need from me?" I asked.

"I wouldn't say anything unless you gave me the okay, regardless of what the others think." Gazille said.

I looked up at him and cocked my head to the side.

"He's talking about the Lisanna incident." Jellal said.

Suddenly, the mood headed very south.

"What do you think? I think just holding on to tell Lisanna later isn't going to make things better." Natsu asked me.

"Same here." Gray said.

"Ditto." Loke echoed.

"Jellal's the only one who disagrees, thinking it might be better if we didn't tell her at all." Gazille said.

"Even though what he did was unforgivable, I care for us more than I do an outsider. I don't want to see Gazille going back to jail." Jellal said.

"Even though you took all the blame for us, that still doesn't make up for what you did to Lisanna!" Natsu yelled.

"I didn't do that to make up with Lisanna, I wasn't even thinking about Lisanna until Lucy came into the room with you! I think the same as Jellal, I care for you guys more than my own family. Hell no was I about to let any of you rot there, you must think I'm crazy." Gazille argued.

"The fact that pisses me off is that you don't even look sad that you did it!" Natsu yelled.

That's because he didn't do it. So Natsu noticed too.

"I am though! I regret it! I'm better at hiding my emotions though than you, if I did in fact show them then Lisanna would get suspicious! She's not a dumbass you know, she'd wonder why I'm always freaking out when she's near!" Gazille yelled.

"Don't tell her anything Gazille." I finally said.

All eyes went on me.

"Understood."

"No, no, not understood. What the hell are you talking about Lucy?!" Natsu yelled.

"We're going to tell Lisanna, but I don't believe now is the best time too. So for now, we keep this under wraps." I said.

Screw the facts, screw the confessions and logic. I was going on my gut with this one, Gazille wasn't the one who hurt Lisanna. He may have had some part in with the kidnapping, but he wasn't the one who drugged or abused her. Believing in that, I had to find out what really happened so the Slobs could get off his back about it. Gazille's not about to go to jail again for nothing.

"Lucy! Lucy! How can you?! I'm telling then!" Natsu yelled.

"No you're not, none of you are. Keep your big mouths shut on this matter." I ordered.

"But-"

"Trust me. I am a genius and a godly genius compared to you all, I know what I'm doing." I said.

Gazille got up and patted me on the shoulder.

"Whatever you say," he said before walking off.

The Slobs stared at each other before, one by one, all of them left the alley. Soon it was just Natsu and me, he reached for my hand and we walked out to.

I could see Ms. Atsuki's mouth moving, I could see her lips flapping and her tongue moving... but I couldn't hear her speak. It was all just mumbles, like a backwards conversation. After ten minutes of it, I got annoyed with her voice and put my head down. I felt someone rubbing my back and looked towards Natsu.

He was talking too, I couldn't hear him either. I just nodded and he smiled. Hopefully he didn't asked me something bad, or weird like marry me or let's have sex in the classroom right now.

...

He wasn't attacking me so I guess the second one was a no. I closed my eyes and yawned, snuggling my cheek deeper against the desk. Seconds later a scarf was wrapped around me and I welcomed it, lifting my head up so I could lay on it instead of the desk.

I fell asleep minutes later.

"Are you sure she ain't preggo Natsu? Chicks usually sleep a lot when they're pregnant."

I opened my eyes and blinked.

"We never had sex Gazille, how could she be pregnant?"

"I'm not saying it's yours, it could be Sting's or Loke's for all we know."

I raised my head at the exact moment Natsu punched Gazille in the face and laughed.

"Hey, you're awake!" Loke cheered.

I yawned and pushed my seat back.

"I think I'm sleeping off a cold or something." I told the boys.

"That's good, have you really not have sex with Natsu yet?" Loke asked grabbing my bag and leading me outside the classroom.

I walked beside him and nodded.

"Nope."

"Wow, he really shows some restraint with you." Loke said.

We were about halfway down the hall from our previous class. I turned around and started walking backwards, watching the door to our previous classroom.

"What are you-"

"I want to see their faces when they realize you stole me away." I told Loke.

"Ah," he said then started walking backwards with me.

As if right on cue, the door busted open and two boys jumped out, as if they were trying to fight there way out first. Natsu and Gazille looked both ways before their eyes paused on us.

"What the fuck?!" They yelled.

Loke and I just laughed.

"Very good Ms. Heartfilia, you may sit back down in your seat." Mr. Michaelis said.

I sat back down and sighed, fucking idiot. If he's going to call on me then at least make the question hard. It's like he was spitting on my intelligence... hmm... maybe I should hire a certain Slob Gang to key Mr. Michaelis's car, or better yet Gazille. He owed me, I legally owned him now...

So Gazille was only worth $20,000. Wow, I would have pegged him for much less.

The sight of the rice in my lunchbox made my stomach flip. Though it was the right color, and not pink like it was when I first started cooking, I didn't think I could stomach this.

"Want it?" I asked Natsu, pushing it over to him.

I got tired of sitting with the depressing people (Erza) and decided to sit with the Slobs today, it was a nice change of pace.

"Why do you make this if you never eat it?" Natsu asked digging in.

Loke tapped his shoulder, making him look away so Gazille and Gray could swipe it from him.

"I wait until it actually looks eatable, one of these days it will and then will I eat it."

"I seeee- what the hell?! Where'd it go?!" Natsu yelled looking back to see it gone.

There were two suspicious people with crumbs and rice sticking around their mouths sitting across from us. That's not fair, Loke does the dirty work and doesn't get a share?

The rest of the day passed in a blur. I had to seat PE out because Gazille 'accidently' threw a ball at the back of my head. It was painful and I was tossed to the ground. I needed to gain some pounds, that was just pitiful. Pushed down by a basketball.

Fourth and fifth were no better. I had to explain to Juvia how to make Gray more jealous then had to watch as Juvia listened to my instructions. I still had no inspiration for my ceramic pieces so I offered to help Natsu paint something of his. This time, it was a game controller with wings. I have no idea what goes through this boy's mind and I was glad that I didn't.

Sixth was the worse. My mind kept going back and forth between Lisanna and Gazille. The atmosphere between them was normal, sure I'd see a sudden strain look in Gazille's eyes but that was it. When that class ended I waited at the usual spot for Erza and I to walk home at only to get a text ten minutes later saying she was staying after school for some bullshit.

Great. I walked home alone, Natsu's scarf fluttering in the wing around me. I pulled his scarf down a little and pulled out my necklace, playing with the ring on it. It's been three days and I've had no breakthroughs on Gazille's case. He had a trial coming up next month, but was already taking rehab classes to make it seem like he was looking for help. Hmm... rehab. I wonder if I would need it when I finally decided to get off the junk.

... I wonder when I would even get off the junk.

I sighed and kicked a stone on the floor, it landed in a bush.

... a bush? Right in the middle of the... where was I? I looked around my surroundings, not knowing where this was. I spotted a park across the street and a few shops on the sidewalk I was walking on. I stared at the park, at the swings, and shrugged. Why not?

There was no one here which was strange because school just got out. Shouldn't little kids be, I don't know, screaming and running around like crazy right now? I decided not to question the universe and sit on the swing. The street said Hunter... I had no idea where that was. I've been living here for about a little over a month now and I still didn't know my way around.

The autumn leaves were falling from the trees by the bunches. I guess that means winter was right around the corner. I tried to keep my swinging low, just barely going up and barely going back down. I wonder if it would snow in Magnolia? Or if it even snowed in Magnolia.

My feet hit the ground when something red caught my eye. There was a man, I couldn't tell the age from our distance, standing across the street and just... staring at my direction. No, he was staring at me. This man, he had to be an adult. His hair looked like it was on fire, bright crimson red with spikes falling out of his loose ponytail. He was dressed in sweats and a baggy shirt, like he'd just walked out of his home to pick up something real quick from the store. Upon further observation there was a plastic bag in his hand.

His gaze, he was just... staring right at me. There was no ill intent in it or curiosity, just blank. I felt, scared under it. Like I was an ant looking up at the foot that was about to step on me. Why was this man staring at me? Why was he watching me? I started to get panicky and dug my feet into the sand to completely stopped swinging. My heart started beating faster with anxiety as the man didn't look away.

He took a step towards me, I squeezed on tighter to the swing's chains. The man looked left as he took another st-

"HEEEEY! LUUUUUUCCCYYYYYY!"

I turned at the call of my name and saw Natsu running behind the park's gate. He ran all the way around it, to the entrance, and straight towards me.

"Erza texted me about not being able to walk you home, I looked but didn't see you so I thought you walked back yourself. The gang and I were going to the store when I saw you sitting here, lost." Natsu explained as he ran towards me.

I jumped up and hugged him, trying to calm down my racing heart.

"Lucy? Wha-"

"There was a man, watching me. Staring at me from across the street." I whispered in his ear.

"What?" Natsu asked pulling back.

"Behi-" I paused looking back and seeing the man was gone.

"Where was he?" Natsu asked.

"He was standing right there, bag in hand. He... he's gone." I mumbled sitting back onto the swing.

I could still feel his cold gaze on me, watching. I shivered subconsciously and hugged my arms.

"What he look like?" He asked.

"He... he was dressed like a Slob with... bright red flowing hair." I said, curling my fingers together.

I suddenly felt like I was falling, and I was. Natsu had tackled me and I fell from the swing onto the sand below. Our legs were being supports up by the swing still while he laid on top of me. I moaned in pain and tried to push him off of me.

"Natsu, that hurts."

"You're not allowed to walk home anymore. Don't walk anywhere without someone with you okay?! I need you to do this for me." Natsu whispered fast in my ear.

"Wha- I'm confused Natsu."

Natsu lifted himself up off but still laid on top of me. His eyes were widened as he stared into my own.

"Please. Can you do this for me Lucy?" Natsu asked.

"Why?"

"Oye! You why'd you run like that Nats- oh! Sorry to interrupt!"

I blushed scarlet and pushed Natsu off of me, he didn't budge. Instead he helped me back and sat me back on the swing, brushing the sand out of my hair.

"Lucy! What are you doing here?" Gray asked walking up.

"Surprise to see you, no wonder Natsu ran like the wind." Loke laughed.

Jellal smiled and waved while Gazille smirked. He walked over and leaned on Natsu's shoulder.

"So what was with that position you two were in? Hu- Natsu, what happened?" Gazille paused when he saw his face.

It was still shocked, his eyes widened and his mouth dropped a little.

"Natsu?" I asked.

His fists were clenched tight around his hands, his chest rapidly moving up and down. Jellal walked in front of Natsu, got one good look at him, then clapped his hands. Natsu blinked and shook his head, looking around.

"Hey, guys." And like that he was back to normal.

"What happened?" Jellal repeated.

"Natsu, why weren't you telling me to be alone?" I asked after.

"OH YEAH! OH YEAH! OH YEAH!"

What a time for my phone to ring. I dug in my bag and pulled it out. Hmm, seems Cana had finally decided to call me back now.

"Hello?" I asked answering it.

I saw Natsu looked towards me once then walked a few feet back with his Slobs following.

"LUCY! LUCY ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!"

I blinked, "yes."

"Are you alone right now?! Where are you?!"

"Um, no I'm with the Slobs. What's up?"

"Thank God, listen. Don't go out anymore, if so then don't go out alone! Always be with someone, preferably male. Are you listening?!"

How did? Natsu just told me the same thing right now...

"What the fuck did you get me into Cana?!" I screamed over the phone.

The Slobs all stopped and looked at me, I ignored them though and stared at the sand.

"Nothing, just listen to what I'm tell-"

"Bullshit! What's happening?! Cana?! Cana!"

"I heard what you did for Gazille! Bailing his ass out when you owed me money! Where's the money you owe me huh Lucy?! Huh? Don't fucking call or text me anymore!"

I scoffed.

"Is that what's this is about?! I'll pay you back right now the-"

"NO! I don't want your fucking money! I want you to stay out of my life!"

"Cana! Cana! What am I suppose to do then?! I'll pay the price, I'll pay double!"

"I fucking hate your little spoiled ass! Don't call me again!"

"Cana? Cana?!," I heard a dial tone," I'm sorry Cana! Cana!" I yelled staring at my phone.

"What the fuck is happening?!" I screamed at it.

"Lucy?"

I looked up and saw the Slobs still staring at me.

"Is everything alright?" Natsu asked walking towards me.

She just, she just cut me out of her life... why? I stood up and grabbed my bag, walking off.

"Lucy?! Dammit didn't you hear a word I said!" Natsu said catching my wrist.

"Lu-"

I sniffed and looked away, trying to hide my tears. Natsu's didn't release my hand but he did loosen it a little.

"She, she..."

I started shaking and fell into his arms.

"She, she, she..."

I whimpered into his chest, trying not to show my tears. Not in front of him again, not in front of his friends either. Natsu started rubbing my back, pulling my closer to him.

"Cana," I whispered before giving up and crying.

I didn't know how important Cana was to me until this very moment. Only now did I realize I considered her my friend, my best friend... my sister. Why? Why did this happened? What happened Cana? Why are you doing this?

I love you Cana, why'd you cut me out?