The movement of the train caused Natsu's stomach to roll. He moaned in discomfort as his head lolled back on the seat. He and the other Fairy Tail mages that had set out to help Crime Sorciere had gotten on the train near the border of Bosco. Many of them had spread out over the same car, each seeking some semblance of solitude after spending nearly a month on the road together.
The battle against the cult had taken longer than expected as the leaders they had been after retreated into Bosco through a secret passage, delaying their capture. Jellal, guild master of Crime Sorciere, had led the half the party into the unknown territory in pursuit, leaving behind a small force to clean up the headquarters they had cleared out. With the other half of the party remaining behind, the battle with the leaders had been more difficult than originally anticipated, but like always, they had managed to pull through successfully. Shortly after they had regrouped with the others back in Fiore, Fairy Tail had departed the company of Crime Sociere who were in charge of returning the captives to the capital for trial.
Besides Warren, who had briefly gotten in touch with Master Makarov to inform him of their delay earlier in the month, no one else had had any contact with the rest of the guild. All of them were anxious to return to their guildmates in Magnolia. Even Natsu, despite his misery, was thankful they weren't having to take part in the escorting of the criminals, instead taking the fastest route home.
Erza, who sat across from Natsu, glared out the window in silence. She, no doubt, was upset at having to leave Jellal behind, yet again. The two had been inseparable during the entirety of the mission. Natsu had always made sure to set up his camp a good distance away from them, usually dragging the younger Wendy along with him to spare her Dragon Slayer senses.
Next to Natsu sat Lisanna, who was providing him with a supportive shoulder to lean on in his misery. She hummed quietly to herself as she browsed through the latest edition of Sorcerer Weekly.
A chime sounded before an announcement was made, "Ladies and gentlemen who are traveling to Magnolia. Due to unforeseen weather conditions, the train will be stopping at the next closest platform. We are happy to help you arrange for alternative transportation into the city. I repeat." The voice repeated the same message.
Erza's scowl deepened. She stood, briefly stretching her back, before looking over the seats. "I'm going to go find Warren. Maybe he can get in contact with Master, so we have some more information." She walked off down the aisleway in pursuit of her task.
Lisanna set down her magazine, "Just what you want to hear at the end of a long journey." She sighed, leaning over to tuck her magazine into her bag that she had placed under the seat. She dug around for a moment before pulling out some dried travel rations. "Hungry?" She asked, offering a bag of trail mix to Natsu. Natsu groaned again, shaking his head.
Happy, who had been asleep on the seat next to Natsu, sat up and rubbed his eyes. "What's going on?"
"Travel delay." Lisanna said glumly, offering him the bag of rations. Happy took a handful, munching on the mixed nuts and berries. "Erza went to go find Warren." She looked up as Erza made her way back to them, "Speak of the devil."
"What?" Erza said as she sat back down across from Natsu.
"Nothing." Lisanna smiled.
Erza huffed, still clearly in a bad mood. "Warren isn't able to reach anyone from the Guild yet. At any rate, we're all going to get off at the next station and arrange for alternate transportation." Just as she finished speaking, Warren's voice came into Natsu's head, relating the same information. Natsu groaned again. Already uncomfortable at the thought of riding in yet another vehicle.
Lisanna patted his shoulder in comfort, "Maybe Wendy can cast troia this time."
"I don't think so," Erza said as she eyed Natsu, "She's in pretty much the same boat. She's sitting with Gray and Juvia and looks just as miserable as Natsu."
"Oh dear." Lisanna murmured as the train rumbled on.
Less than half an hour later, they were grabbing their bags and exiting the train. Natsu ran ahead of everyone, yelling at the top of his lungs in joy at finally being on solid ground after nearly two days on the train. "Thank Mavis!"
"Don't get too comfortable." Erza scolded, "As soon as we determine the issue in Magnolia, and find another source of transportation, we will be heading out." She walked off in the direction of the news stand.
"Shit." Natsu cursed. He turned to Happy, "Why don't you and I fly back?" He asked hopefully.
"I don't know, Natsu." Happy said glumly, "I haven't had a good fish in awhile. And I'm feeling kinda tired after such a long journey." He yawned as if to prove his point.
"I'll buy you all the fish you want when we get to Magnolia." Natsu bribed.
Happy placed his elbow in his paw, his other one coming to rest on his chin as he thought about Natsu's offer. "Hmm."
Warren walked over before Happy could answer, "Turns out Magnolia has been hit by another snowstorm." Happy blanched while Natsu cursed again. "Yeah. It sounds worse than the one from December, too."
"Where did you hear this?" Natsu questioned. Worry spreading through him. He wondered how Lucy was fairing with the cold. He had left her when she was still fighting against the seal that had closed off her magic, one of the side effects being that she was unable to maintain her own body heat.
"Some travelers who just arrived from the city." Warren jerked his thumb over his shoulder at a group of people clustered around the ticket booth. "Apparently, a lot of citizens have left Magnolia temporarily."
"The Guild?" Natsu probed further.
Warren shook his head. Turning as Erza approached them. "So, you've heard?" She asked, to which both men and Happy nodded their heads. "Warren, I need to speak to Gray." She turned to Natsu as Warren raised his fingers to his temple to call out to Gray to relocate to their position. "Natsu, we'll need your help in clearing the snow. So, eat and rest up." Gray walked over followed by Juvia, Wendy and Carla. "Gray, your help is also needed to clear a path through the snow." Gray nodded, clearly already aware of the situation. "Since we have such a large group, I got two cars. I'll be driving one of the vehicles. Who wants to volunteer for the second?"
"I'll do it." Elfman raised his hand as he and Lisanna walked up together. Both of them had bags filled with food for the group.
Erza nodded her appreciation. "I've already arranged for the two vehicles to be outfitted with proper snow treads." She informed the group as Lisanna began handing out food to everyone, "They will be ready in the next hour. So, do what you have to do before we depart. We leave as soon as I receive word they are ready."
Once the vehicles had been readied, the group of mages set out. Natsu at first rode along with the others, miserable in his motion sickness, but soon after they hit the snow, he exited the vehicle in order to use his fire magic to melt a path through. Their journey was slow going, taking up the majority of the afternoon, but they eventually made it to Magnolia in the early evening.
The blizzard was still in full force. The wind pushed and bullied to two vehicles as they made their way around the outskirts of the city to get within reasonable walking distance to the guild hall. The city officials were encouraging everyone to remain in their homes until the worst of the storm was over. Warren had been in contact with Master Makarov, informing the rest of the group that Fairy Tail had turned the guild hall into a temporary refuge for all the mages. They were treating it as an extended sleep over, keeping everyone warm and entertained while the blizzard raged on.
"This weather is unnatural." Gray called out. The wind was blustery, making it so he had to yell in order to be heard. No one replied, too miserable in the weather to begin to comprehend what the ice mage was implying.
They were now on foot, making their way through the abandoned streets in a single file line. Natsu had both Happy and Carla bundled up in his scarf where it was warmest. He was doing is best to provide much needed warmth for the rest of them as Gray continued to clear their path.
"How much further?" Erza yelled up the chain.
"About another block or two." Gray called back. He had been leading them through the lesser known backroads in attempts to bypass the worst of the snow.
When they reached the gates of the guild, Lisanna broke from the line, throwing her hands up in joy at seeing the 'Fairy Tail' sign. "Home at last!" She cried, laughing as she twirled around in a circle.
Everyone but Natsu and Gray pushed past her into the warm guild hall, grumbling at Lisanna's excitement. Natsu, now relieved of the two exceeds, walked over to her. "Why are you so happy?" He asked as they too made their way inside. There were calls of joy from those inside, happy to see everyone return safely.
"It's been a long month! I'm excited to see my sweetheart." She smiled as she removed her pack and coat, dropping them in a pile by the door.
"Just who is this mystery suitor?" Natsu questioned. He removed his own pack, scanning the hall for Lucy's blonde head.
Lisanna leaned in to whisper in Natsu's ear, her hand on his shoulder, "Wouldn't you like to know." She said teasingly, giving him a kiss on the cheek.
At the same moment, Natsu locked eyes with Lucy. Relief flooded through at seeing her safe, but quickly turned to confusion as he saw the blood drain from her face. Is she still ill? He thought as he turned back to Lisanna before she could dance off to greet her sister. "Yeah, I would." He growled. Lisanna was one of his closest friends, practically family. He wanted to know who Lisanna was sharing her heart with, if only so he knew who to beat up if they ever broke said heart.
"Still not telling!" She said in a sing-song voice before she started squealing at the sight of seeing her sister. She rushed over to Mirajane and threw her arms around her. Elfman was close behind, picking them both up in a giant bear hug of his own.
Natsu sighed before turning his attention back to Lucy. He frowned when he noticed she was no longer there. Wanting to know why she looked like she had seen a ghost when she had laid eyes on him, he made his way across the hall to where he last saw her. Sniffing the air, he caught her scent easily enough and followed it upstairs to the door that led to the balcony where he had kissed her at New Years.
Going through, he saw her standing leaning against the rail. The wind and snow were blocked by the building, leaving the balcony relatively clear from the worst of the weather. It was comfortable for Natsu, but he wondered at Lucy who was wearing only a thick sweater against the chill.
"Hey." Natsu spoke quietly, walking over to lean against the rail next to her. Without giving it much thought, he extended his magic, enveloping her in his heat. Lucy shivered. He watched her from the corner of his eye, noting that she didn't turn to look at him.
Natsu had had an entire month to think of what he wanted to say to her. He wanted to tell her how much she meant to him. How he would do anything for her. That he loved her with his entire being. Being next to her after such a long time apart, however, he found himself clamming up, nervous beyond belief.
Just as he was about to open his mouth to begin the speech he had perfected while he lay awake at night, Lucy spoke, her eyes trained on the snow-covered lake in front of them. "I'm pregnant."
Her voice was soft. So soft that it was nearly swept away by the snow that drifted around them, yet Natsu still heard it. He stood stunned. His mind going completely blank at the news. A baby. My baby? He thought. His heart began to pound in his chest, filling with elation.
Without thinking, Natsu grabbed Lucy's arms and turned her towards him. His eyes crossed over her face, trying to get a read on what she was feeling, but it was if she had closed herself off from him. Did she think he wouldn't want their child? That he wouldn't love and cherish anything she gave him? "Marry me." He said breathlessly; the only words he could think of. He wanted to tie her to him, to form the family he longed for, with her. He knew he was doing things all wrong, that he should be getting down on one knee, to exclaim how much he loved her, but he was too excited at the news.
Lucy pushed at him, her face breaking into a frown. "What?" Her voice was choked as she pushed at him harder, but Natsu did not let go of his grip.
"Marry me." He said more firmly.
"Natsu!" Lucy pushed with all her might, causing Natsu's hold to slip. He was confused at her reaction. "Natsu, let go!" He dropped his hold, his brows furrowing. Lucy hugged her arms to her chest, "No." She finally whispered.
"What?"
"No. I won't marry you." Tears began to streak down Lucy's face.
"Lucy?" Natsu reached out to her again, she batted his hands away. He let them fall to his sides, "Why not?" He demanded.
"Because it was a mistake!" Lucy sobbed.
Natsu felt as if she had punched him full force in the gut, causing the air to be knocked out of him. He lost his grip on his magic, letting the cold winter wind to break through his defenses, chilling him to the bone. "Mistake?" He whispered, staring at her without seeing her. Lucy was sobbing uncontrollably now, her body shaking. "Mistake?" Natsu repeated as Lucy shoved past him and ran back into the guild hall.