X-X-X-X
Chapter 37
X-X-X-X
I blinked...staring at the people from Tomoyo's company. They brought over some huge box...some kind of a delivery for the young president. Earlier, she and Sakura was talking about making something...but well, I didn't ask about it and I returned to the kitchen to finish baking. I licked the spoon, tasting the frosting for the cinnamon rolls. Hm...it's good so I can put it on top once they cool. I turned around, going to check on the cinnamon rolls when I saw Primera sitting at the table...watching me with a smile on her face. Aaahhh...she has the same look in her eyes whenever my sisters try to question me about whether or not Sorrell or Mao is my boyfriend. I thought staring at her with a strained smile. My usual instinct is to run, but she isn't my sisters so it'd be rude to just try to run off.
"Do you...want some?" I asked coating the cinnamon rolls.
"No! I want to talk to you!" Primera said still smiling.
"About?" I questioned preparing some really strong coffee.
"I just thought that you're really like a mother. It's really nice."
"That compliment...I don't want it..." I don't mind being called a good big sister, but being called a mother at my age is a bit much. "Really don't want..."
"But if you had children, you'd be a really good mother."
"I'm only 17, I don't want to think about something like marriage right now." Considering our journey. "Plus, I never had a boyfriend so..."
"A girl should always be dreaming of marriage!" I jumped staring at Primera when she stood up, pointing at me. "Like with Shougo and I, we'll definably get married in the future!"
"Huh...ah..."
"That being said!" I found one of my hand seized in hers, a very scary look in her eyes. "Which of those three do you like? The blond one, the dark haired one, or maybe that boy?!"
"Huh...? Ah...what? Do you mean...Fai, Kurogane, and Syaoran?"
"Un! Un! So, which one do you like?"
"T-That...!" My face quickly turned red from her implications. "We're just friends and travel companions! There isn't anything going on between us!"
"That is the biggest lie if I ever heard it! Listen up, Lucy-san! A woman...must be confident!"
"Even if you say that..." We'll end up going our separate ways one day. We probably...won't meet again for a very long time when we do. Besides, I have bigger worries. Being hunted for one and the void in my memories. "I don't..."
"If you let it go now, you don't know when you'll ever get a chance to obtain such a good man! That's why, you knock down your rivals and make sure you obtain his heart no matter what! Full throttle!"
"P-Primera...That kind of thing..." Knocking down rivals...what kind of rival would I even have? "Isn't...exactly...me..."
"Hm...When I see it now, the blond one and you...I can see you scolding him like a proper wife, but you'll be too soft on him. As for the dark haired one, hm...a silent understanding...taking care of one another in the best way possible without burdening the other. A relationship seems very distant, but quite close in reality. As for that boy...Hm...I guess not, you mother him too much to be considered a real love interest. That and you both seem to care about the winner of the race."
"I'm begging you...please stop..." This kind of talk...it was embarrassing to even think of those kinds of situations. Now I regret making coffee...despite the fact I'm doing my best to stay awake. I want to pass out hard right now to pretend this conversation isn't happening. "...Primera..."
"Then perhaps...! You have another man on your mind?! What kind of person is he?! Perhaps a mysterious handsome type?"
"Mysterious handsome type...?" There is that guy...Robin...he fits the description since I know nothing about him. "Hm...probably not...I don't know much about him so...that kind of relationship...I wonder if I would end up happy... since he is a ghost...one that is constantly possessing..."
"T-Then a glasses wearing man! Tall, dark, handsome!"
"...That reminds me too much of Seishirou..." That was a horrifying experience. I hugged myself, feeling this shiver go down my spine. "Pass, definite pass. I don't want to die because of him again. It was scary enough the first time! I don't want a repeat!"
"Huh?" Primera was obviously confused about my words, but as quick to recover. "The cheerful type! Someone who can smile no matter what!"
"Solomon...is little like a brother..."
"The bookworm type! Calm and collected!"
"Mao...is definably a friend...plus, I'm pretty sure he likes guys..." I remember how he looked at my editor sometimes. He tried to play it off, but I knew that he was watching him a lot more than normal. Can't blame him, my editor is a hot guy. "That was fun...plus cute..."
"The athletic type! One with a fiery personality!"
"Sorrell...friends, he's very funny. Mao and him often fight. Used to have a girly face as a kid."
"Someone into the arts?"
"...I want to punch Weiss in the face for stealing my first kiss..." Thanks for reminding me about that. "Really want to..."
"Grr...! Then what is your type?!"
"My type...?" I thought about it and I wasn't actually too sure. I never really cared about that kind of stuff after all. Never dated and zero experience in love aside from a few crushes...that quickly died out. "I guess...someone who could accept all of my flaws?"
"That's not specific enough!"
"Primera..." I turned to look at Shougo who was at the doorway, pointing at the idol. Said idol is digging through her bag, searching for something. "Oi, do something about her, she's your girlfriend."
"The moment it comes to love, it's out of my hands." Shougo gave me a grin, waving it off. "Just entertain her for a bit, she hasn't had girl talk in a long time."
"This is girl talk?" This feels more like an interrogation. I poured myself a second cup of coffee, trying to resist the urge for sleep. "...I wonder if I really am weird...that or because I don't have enough female friends..."
"Okay! We can complete the test in the magazine I was featured in recently! What is your type of man?"
"Eeehhh...?"
"First question!"
Someone...help me...! Primera persisted in her bothering of me as we drank coffee together. I half-heartedly answered her questions, not wanting to put much thought into it. Primera...what is with that smug look on your face? I don't think I like it very much. I heard Sakura and Tomoyo coming down the stairs and they looked excited. Oh, I guess whatever they had planned earlier is completed, some kind of a present for Yuuko. Well, I decided to do the same with homemade sweets...plus I made way too much cinnamon rolls...even if everyone did eat some after they were okay from their hangovers, I still had two trays.
"Ara nya..." I came out, holding a tray of cinnamon rolls. I saw Yuuko holding up the dress Sakura and Tomoyo made. "That is a lovely outfit, it suits you!" I said with a smile.
"Indeed, it is quite the lovely gift. Hm. What is it you are carrying in your hands, Lucy?" Yuuko questioned pointedly staring at the tray in my hands.
"Cinnamon rolls. I apologize for last time and this is also a thank you." I said allowing Mokona send it over.
"These smell quite nice. I shall take both these lovely clothing and this delicious sweet and deduct the costs of all of your clothing. However, I won't be forgetting the fact that three people haven't given me a gift for the chocolate cakes yet." Yuuko said before the connection cut off.
"That's Yuuko for you." I said as Mokona jumped into my arms.
"I absolutely won't thank her!" Kurogane growled looking pissed off.
"Hm...I wonder what to do?" Fai questioned with a laugh.
"Me too..." Syaoran said looking quite nervous.
"It's fine, it's fine. Most women like pretty shiny things. In the next world, I'll help you pick out a gift to go with Sakura's. A cute hair accessory or maybe a hat?" I suggested looking at Syaoran.
"Thank you, Lucy."
"Okay! It's time to go everyone! To the next world!"
"Already?"
"Wait a second! You're leaving already?"
"Sorry, Primera."
"N-Next time you're here! Please look me up!" Primera grabbed my hands tightly, her eyes wide and close to tears. ""I'll give my managers your appearance and name so let's go out together and shop, okay?!"
"Sure thing, I'd like that." This Primera and the one from Hashin, they're both very cute. So long as we don't stray onto the topic of love, I have no problems going with her. Plus...I don't have many female friends thanks to being friends with Sorrell and Mao. "Until next time!"
"Take care!"
"You too!"
I gave the girl a small wave as we were whisked away to the next world. The first thing that happened we arrived...was the fact that I somehow ended up alone. I released a confused hum, looking around wildly. This...looks like home...but why? I dusted off my clothing before wandering about, is this home? I can't be sure, but...it does look like it. If that is so, then where are the others?
"Kurogane? Fai? Sakura, Syaoran? Mokona?" I called out to them, but no answer. "Where am I...?" I questioned taking the path that should lead home.
"She's here..."
"She's the one..."
"Huh?" I quickly turned around, but...no one. "H...Hello?"
"She must forget..."
"Has to...or our king will be sad."
"I think I might be too tired...Never again am I staying awake for more than 24 hours again..."
I didn't sleep because there was so much on my mind...I couldn't. I walked home and when I arrived...this...everything looks the same. I reached for the doorknob, turning it enough so I could open the door...but I stopped myself. What if I open this door and...and this really isn't my home...that this place isn't the place I wanted to be so badly. I opened the door and everything looks the same.
"...I'm tired..."
I went to the living room. Everything looks the same as I last remember...but...but...something is tickling the back of my mind...telling me that this isn't right. My eyes...they feel heavy...I think...I think it'll be okay for me to rest a while...and wait for the others or something. I sat down on the couch, picking up the cat plushie. I fell over sideways, hugging it tightly.
"Lu...d...all...sl...p...!"
"Hm...ah...?"
X-X No One's POV X-X
The current location is a forest, lush with life and the sound of nature. The chirping of birds combined with the freshness in the air makes everything seem so peaceful...until there was the sound of branches being broken and our travelers found themselves somewhat separated and one of the older members in a rather sticky situation.
"Man, that hurts..." Fai said finding himself up in a tree.
"F-Fai-san, are you okay?" Syaoran questioned with wide eyes.
"Hm, I'm okay. But, where is Lu-mama and Kuro-papa?" Fai asked getting down with ease.
"Did we get separated again?" Sakura questioned looking around.
"Hey." Kurogane stalked out from the bushes. "I found the kid, but there's a problem." Kurogane said with a frown.
"Did something happen to Lucy?" Mokona questioned jumping onto Syaoran's head.
"Just follow, cover your noses too."
The others followed Kurogane and he stopped them a few feet...of an unusual part of the forest. Unlike the rest of the forest that is normal...this part was not. Weeping willows...all of them in bloom. What was strange was the fact that animals were wandering about among the blossoms. Their eyes glassed over, not paying attention to where they were going...instead just wandering uncaringly.
"What's wrong with the animals here...?" Syaoran questioned silently.
"So, where is Lu-chan?" Fai questioned looking around.
"There, in the tree." Kurogane answered nodding his head to a figure just barely visible in one of the trees.
"Why aren't we getting closer?" Mokona asked looking up at Kurogane.
"I scared a deer when we arrived, it rushed in...and it fell unconscious once the smell hit it."
"W-What about Lucy?"
"We can't risk getting too close."
"But..."
"Syaoran. There's something here that's really strong. I don't know if it's a feather though."
"Then we have to find a way to enter the forest..."
"Stop! Don't approach the Forest of the Forgotten!" Everyone turned to look in the direction of the voice...a child. They couldn't see the face very well, due to the scarf wrapped around their head, hiding a large portion of their face. The child has an arrow notched on her bow, pointing it at them. "Move away, now."
"We don't mean any harm."
"Then why are you here?"
"We..."
"We're travelers. One of our companions wandered off and she entered that part of the forest."
"Travelers, eh?" The child slowly eased the tension of her bow...lowering her bow. She reached up, pulling the scarf away to reveal a young girl...her long brown hair tied into a ponytail and matching eyes glaring at them. "Then you best give up on that one. She won't make it back out alive. No one ever does."
"Huh...Lucy...?" Sakura looked between the young girl and the direction the true Lucy was located. "They look a lot alike..."
"Lucy? Who's that?"
"Uh-our friend! Is there nothing we can do for her?"
"It's too late. The faeries of that forest...they have already claimed her life. Right now, she's probably dreaming a sweet dream."
"Dreaming?"
"Syaoran-kun! Lucy is moving!"
"Hm?" The girl looked into the forest to see Lucy...who stood at the base of the tree in a daze. "...that...no..."
"What do we do...Sakura...Syaoran...?" Mokona looked up at the two. "S-She said not to enter, but...Lucy is..."
"Maybe if we call out to her?"
"Don't!" The girl stared at them, her arrow readied to be fired at them once more. "Don't. There have been many who thought that if they called out to their loved one...that they'll come towards them, but they end up pulled in as well. If you try to enter, I'll shoot you down!"
"The kid's walking off..."
"...That girl...her name is Lucy?"
"That's right. By the way, we didn't catch your name, young lady."
"Hmph! It doesn't matter!" The girl glanced back at Lucy's retreating figure. She released a sigh, lowering her bow. There was the sound...the sound of a bell deep within the forest. "It'll be nightfall soon. Best get away while you have time. Once the moonlight hits their flowers, they'll release their spores and if you're too close you'll end up affected! Farewell!"
"Wait!" The girl rushed off before anyone could stop her. Syaoran looked in the direction Lucy disappeared in then in the direction the young girl had taken off in. "...We have to follow her."
"Not like we have any other option."
"She said that we'll end up affected too if they release their spores. We should hurry, Syaoran-kun, Sakura-chan."
"Un."
Everyone quickly chased after the young girl, but it became clear that they wouldn't be able to keep up not with the princess slowing them down so much...that being said, Kurogane quickly lifted the princess up with one go and easily carried her over one shoulder, very similar to the way he treated Lucy when she couldn't keep up back in Hashin. However, due to their different natures...well the princess merely released a small squeak where as Lucy ended up shouting at him for his actions.
"Stop following me!"
"We just want to talk!"
"Well, I don't!"
"Please! Our friend is there!"
"..." The girl stopped, standing at the top of large boulder. She turned back to Syaoran. "...Who...is that person?"
"She is-Her name is Lucy, please..."
"...She looks a bit like me...Hm...! Fine, I'll help, but you best keep up. If we don't make it back to the village soon, I'll get in trouble!"
"Ah, please slow down!"
"No way! My brother is scary when he's angry!"
X-X-X-X
Chapter 37 Ends
The next world isn't Lecourt! Actually, the plot for this world was based off a time I was sick a few years back. I was sick for three days with a fever and I couldn't think properly. While I don't remember my dreams very well...yeah, I ended up confused as hell for a bit when I woke up since I thought my dream was reality. It was a noteworthy experience for me even to this day so I decided to do something similar in this chapter. The next few chapters will be switching between Lucy's POV and a third person's POV. This world will last until...chapter 44 maybe? Actually, this world didn't exist at all when I first finished the end of this story, but I wanted to elaborate more on Lucy's past and possibly give a lot more hints. There will be many hints to come especially concerning Lucy's past with Yuuta/Lucius. Welp! That's it for now so until the next time, dears! Bye-bye~!