Many apologies for my absence. I know I should have updated a while ago. It's just life is kind of rough right now.
Anyways, please enjoy this chapter.
Chapter 9
"Are you even listening to me, you idiot?!" Happy shouted at the pink haired spirit, trying his hardest to talk over the television. It had been only a few days since Natsu discovered the magical box that had moving pictures in it, or what they called a television, but Natsu had already declared it his favorite thing of the human realm; beside the vast variety of food. He had spent hours watching all sorts of programs on this box. Easily, his favorite type of show were the ones were they would cook food. Really, Natsu only turned it off when Lucy glared at him from her room, a nonverbal cue that she was going to bed and she wanted peace and quiet.
Of course, that was really the only real interaction the two have had since that stupid cat told her that Natsu didn't have the best record when it came to successful missions. Lucy was so mad at him, that she haven't even spoken a full sentence to him in the last three days. She spent most of her time inside either of the two rooms. And on the rare occasion she would leave either room and go to the kitchen, she would prepare her meals in absolute silence. But seeing as she would always make an extra meal for him and Happy, maybe she wasn't as mad as she seem. That or she was just making sure that Natsu wouldn't try to make his own meal and risk eating all her food again.
"Trust me, I'm trying my hardest not to. But the sound on the magic box can only go up so high." Natsu replied as he watched a lady pull a cake out of an oven. Frustrated, Happy landed behind the television and pulled the plug from the wall. "What the hell! The lady in the magic box was getting to the best part!" Natsu tried to turn the device back on in vain; unaware of how electricity worked.
"Focus, you dope!"" Happy pulled the remote out Natsu's grasp and tossed it aside "I'll have you know that we're on a strict time limit! We can only stay, at most, six months in the human realm. And taking into account that it's you we're talking about, we need to use every second wisely. You just can't spend the whole six months just watching cooking shows."
"What happened to the whole 'I'm not speaking to you until the mission is over' crap you were babbling about a few days ago." Natsu reminded the blue cat. "Because I was really looking forward to that."
"Trust me, I'm no more pleased about the situation than you." Happy landed on the coffee table and opened up his backpack. "But the reality is that neither of us can return to the Celestial Spirit World until this mission has been completed. I don't want to stay here longer than I need to; just because you want to laze about all this time. And if you're looking to save your sorry hind from oblivion, then you can't afford to half ass it."
"Who say I have half ass anything, cat?"
"You're right," Happy rolled his eyes. "Half-assing it would insinuate that you at least managed to completed said assignment."
"Screw you, you stupid cat." Natsu glared hatefully towards the blue feline.
"Anyways," Attempting to change the subject, Happy reached into his backpack and pulled out a thick packet of paper and handed it to Natsu. "I'm going to need you to read through this as soon as possible before I can officially assign you to the Heartfilia mission."
"And what the hell is this?" Natsu asked as he eyed the thick shack of paper.
"What do you think it is?" Happy snapped back at him. "The briefing for the assignment! You were supposed to be briefed on the mission before entering the human world. But seeing how you leapt into the portal like an absolute dimwit, you have yet to be properly informed. Another reason why it was so important for me to tag along."
"Since when have I had to read before a mission?"
"Since 150 years ago. We have long since developed an organized system to insure every Celestial Spirit is well informed about an assignment. And this does tend to increase overall success. You would know that if you have actually gone on a mission in the last century and a half."
"And you expect me to read all this?" Natsu said with displeasure as he skimmed through the packet of paper. It was huge; like 50 pages worth of information about Lucy. Who needed to know that much about a short-tempered woman like Lucy? "I'll pass on the snooze fest, thank you very much! I'm not going to spend all day reading."
"I understand that reading is difficult for someone as brainless as you, but it has to be done."
"Hey, I can read just fine!"
"Could have fooled me." Happy muttered under his breathe.
"The point is," Natsu continued, disregarding Happy's shot at him. "That I have better stuff to do with my time than to stare a bunch of words for hours on end." Natsu tossed the stack in front of Happy before laying down on the sofa. "Besides, I've gotten all the information I need to know about Lucy."
"You are such a liar! You haven't done an ounce of work since you've gotten here!" Happy shot back as he flew overhead. "All you've done since you gotten here is eat, sleep, and watch television. And in case you haven't realized it yet, this mission is kind of urgent!"
"Listen here, bratty cat, I don't need to be filled in anymore. All I need to know is that Lucy is a lonely and moody girl and that she needs to make friends. Doesn't seem too hard for me."
"It's not that simple, idiot!" Happy said as he smacked Natsu with the packet before dropping in on his chest. "In order to be success on a mission, you have to know everything about the assignment. You should have known everything about Lucy before you left the Celestial Spirit World."
"Everything?"
"Yes everything. Maybe if you were a little informed, you might actually not mess up on this one."
"And you think that me reading all this crap is going to make this assignment go by easily?"
"According to the other Celestial Spirits, it should." Happy said. "You know, all the successful ones."
"That sounds like too much work. Can't I just wing it and hope for the best?"
"My goodness, are you lazy." Happy groaned in aggravation as he sat on the table. "But seeing as this could easily your last chance to redeem yourself, you might change that mindset of yours. Unless you are trying to get kicked out of the Celestial Spirit Realm and into the Demon Realm. Just like that older brother of yours." Happy knew it was a risk to mention the elder Dragneel brother, but that was really the only way to motivate the younger brother. Besides bringing Erza in for some reinforcement.
"You are asking for a good beating, cat!" Natsu took a swipe at the blue haired nuisance when they both heard a door open. Pulled himself up from the sofa, Natsu watched as Lucy emerged from her bedroom and make her way to the kitchen.
"Um, hey Lucy," Natsu cautiously called out but received no answer. Instead Lucy went into the kitchen and began preparing another meal. For the next few minutes, the only noise that filled the area was the clanking of pots and dishes as Lucy fixed her meal. "Whatever you're making, it smells really good." Natsu tried to make some small talk again. "Probably better than that flakily corn this morning."
"Whatever," Lucy said as she picked her bowl and carried it to her bedroom. But she paused momentarily. "There some for you two on the counter." She said without turning towards them. "Just wash your dishes when you're done." And with that, she went into her bedroom, slamming the door behind her.
"Of course," Happy turned his back to Natsu. "If you want to do things your way, you're more than welcomed to. Just don't get mad at me when you crash and burn as usual."
Stupid Happy. Natsu thought as sat up straight. But he couldn't deny that stupid cat did have a point. He should be taking this assignment more serious than he usually does. For this could very well be his last failure. If he wanted to stay in the Celestial Spirit Realm, he needed all the advantages he had at his disposal; including that damn cat who knew what he was doing.
"And you're sure," Natsu sighed in defeat as he picked up the packet. "Me reading this thing will make things go better for me?"
"I'm positive." Happy reassured him. "You may not like me and, if I'm being honest, I don't care for you too much either. But I'm here to help you, Natsu. Not hurt you."
"Fine." Natsu groaned as he stood up. "I'll read the damn brief thingy. It'll probably take me a few good hours though."
"I could read it to you if you like." Happy offered. "I do have a knack for paraphrasing and highlighting key facts."
"No thanks." Natsu declined the cat's offer. "Reading this is already gonna be painfully enough. I don't need to hear it in that annoying squeaky voice." Natsu said before disappearing to a quieter place to work.
"The nerve of that one." Happy crossed his arms over his chest, upset at the insult. But at least Natsu was finally starting to get serious about the situation at hand.
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It was well into the evening before Natsu finally reappeared in the apartment.
"Took you long enough." Happy called out from the kitchen counter as he was finishing the rest of his dinner. "Lucy made some chicken soup. I'm more of a fish kind of cat, but I have to say this is pretty tasty if I do say so myself." But Natsu just ignore the small cat and sat quietly on the sofa. "Did you hear me, dummy?" But Natsu stayed quiet, not even throwing out an insult at him.
That's odd. Happy thought as he flew towards Natsu. Natsu is usually more excited about a meal. But as he drew near, he noticed that Natsu had a somber expression on his face.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Is all of it real?" Natsu said after a moment of silence. "You know, all the stuff that was in the brief thingy?"
"So you did actually read it." Happy said only for Natsu to throw him a serious glance. Clearly he was in no mood for Happy's cheap shots. "Unfortunately, yes it is."
"So Lucy lost both her parents and her friend before she became a grown up."
"I'm afraid so."
"And she's been trapped in this apartment, by herself for over a year. Just sinking in her own sadness and loneliness."
"Yes," Happy answered the Fire spirit's questions. "Lucy has lived a life full of loss and sorrow. And though she doesn't want to admit it, she is in desperate need of our help. That's why it is important that we try our best to help her in any way we can. Wouldn't you agree, Natsu?" Happy y called out to Natsu, but received no reply. "Natsu?" But Natsu had stopped listening by this point. He was just so focused on Lucy's suffering.
Poor Lucy, Natsu though as he stared down at his hands. She lost her mother at 5. Her father at 12. And her childhood friend at 17. And each time, she was right there to witness their deaths. Maybe that's why she always so mean. What better way to conceal grief than with violent rage. Natsu understood that better than anyone else. How many times did he lash out at others after Zeref was taken away from him?
"Happy," Natsu lifted his head. "I want help Lucy in any way I can."
"That's what I want to hear from you." Happy gleefully said as he pulled out a box from his backpack. "Now I can give these with full confidence." As he lifted the top off the box, it revealed a bracelet. It seem like a simple prayer bracelet made up of 20 white beads.
"What the hell am I supposed to do with a prayer bracelet?" Natsu asked as he examined the bracelet.
"You really don't know how things work anymore, do you Natsu?" Happy sighed as he pulled the bracelet out of the box. "This is an infinity bracelet. Aside from officially assigning a Celestial Spirit to a mission, it keeps an eye on how much positive energy and negative energy a Celestial Spirit is generating during an assignment. It's a pretty handy tool in keeping most you guys on the right path."
"Neat." Natsu said as he poked at the bracelet. "So how does it work?"
"To put in as simple as I can; once you state your mission, the bracelet will wrapped itself around your wrist. Every time you create positive energy, a bead will light up. Once all 20 beads have been lit up, that will signify that the mission has been successfully completely." But then Happy's expression turned serious. "However, if you generate negative energy, then the beads will darkened. When the bracelet has been turned completely black, that means you have generated the maximum amount of negative energy and thus have failed miserably. Most of the time, spirits are pulled from an assignment long before that ever happens. But for you, turning all those beads black will get you a one way ticket to the underworld. So I would be very cautious if I were you."
"I'll make sure to remember that. So, how do I get this thing on me?"
"Simple. Just state your name and what you will be accomplishing on this mission. A word to the wise though, this thing tends to be very literal, so it is important that you be as specific as possible." Happy then pulled out a card from under the box and handed it to Natsu. "Luckily I have taken the liberty of writing out exactly what you need to say."
Natsu read the card.
I, Natsu Dragneel, promise to help Lucy make at least three friends.
"That's it?" Natsu asked. "Just help Lucy make three friends. That's kind of lame."
"It may be lame, but it is the simplest version of Lucy's wish. And according to Wendy, a human is usually content with a minimum of three friends." Happy gave the beads a couple of taps, causing it to shine brightly. "Now hurry and state your mission so we get started on it."
"Whatever." Natsu took the bracelet from Happy and held it in his hand. "I, Natsu Dragneel," he started off. But as he gave it more though, he realized that he didn't just to do the bare minimum for Lucy. That wasn't his style. No, if he was going to give it his all, then he was going to do this right. "Promise to make Lucy's life perfect."
"NATSU NO!" Happy cried out as he reached for the bracelet. But the beads suddenly shattered and darted around the living before assembling themselves around Natsu's wrist. "Natsu, you idiot!" Happy shouted as he struggled to pull the bracelet off of Natsu, but to no avail. "Do you have any idea what you did?"
"I just got my mission." Natsu replied casually. "What else?"
"You just set yourself up for total fault, you Dumbass!" Happy shouted as he beat his small paws on Natsu's head. "Do you know how impossible the mission you just assigned yourself is? There is no way someone like you can complete such a task."
"Shows how much you know," Natsu pushed Happy away from him. "I'm the Great Natsu Dragneel! I can take on anything that comes my way. I gotta either go big or go home!"
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know." Natsu shrugged. "I heard it on a show from the magic box. But doesn't it sound totally badass?"
"Natsu," Happy smacked his tiny palm against his forehead in frustration. "You're such a moron." Sadly, there wasn't anything that Happy could do anymore. Once the bracelet has been connected to the Celestial Spirit, the only one who could break the assignment is the Celestial Spirit King. But who knew what negative repercussions that could have for Natsu, who couldn't afford to create any more negative energy. All Happy could do for Natsu at this point was just guide that idiot as best as he could to ensure his accomplishment.
Sure, Natsu was a total moron, but he couldn't mess up that badly. Could he? He looked back at Natsu who had taken off to Lucy's bedroom.
"LUCY!" He shouted as he kicked the door open.
"Natsu?" Lucy asked, shocked that he had come bargaining into here like if it were nothing. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing?!"
"You don't have be miserable anymore." He said as he grabbed hold of Lucy's hand. "I'm going to do everything make you happy. Even if it kills me."
"That's very …nice of you, Natsu." Lucy tried to stay as calmly as she could, but that was proving rather difficult at the moment. "But right now isn't the best time for this conversation."
"In fact, I give you my word." Natsu said, completely ignoring Lucy. "That I, Natsu Dragneel, promise you that I will do everything in my power to make your sucky life as awesome as humanly possible." As he stared into Lucy's eyes, he suddenly realized that Lucy was completely nude, with the exception of some soap scuds. "Hey Lucy, why are you naked?"
"Because I'm in the middle of a damn shower, you dumb bastard!" She screamed as she delivered a powerful kick to Natsu's stomach. The blow was powerful enough to send the spirit flying across the room. "And stay out, you dumbass!" She screamed before slamming the door shut.
"We are so screwed." Happy commented as he just watched from the doorway.
A/N: Oh Natsu, when will you learn. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Hopefully I'll get another out by the end of the month
Hopefully. T-T