Disclaimer – I do not own Fairy Tail
*Rated M for Mature
Summary: It's the day before Spring Break, and Natsu can't wait for some fun in the sun! But his dreams come crashing down when a school project not only winds up making him stay at the home of his worst enemy, but also his biggest crush-Gray Fullbuster! Modern/AU/High School
Chapter 20 – Wednesday (Warnings: Mentions of Death)
"Of all the days to rain," Natsu muttered as he stared out the bedroom window. The sky was creepy, the rain was heavy, and there didn't seem to be any sign of it lightening up.
"Pinky, we need to be ready in a few hours. Rain or shine," Gray added as an afterthought. "The maid's daughter is about Wendy's age and size, so she lent her a black dress for the service. All of your friends have decided to forgo school today to go to the service, too."
"Really?"
"They care about you. Why else would they go?" responded Gray.
Natsu continued to stare out the window. "I still can't believe he's gone. And I still can't believe Wendy gets to stay here with us."
Gray came up behind him, embracing him gently. He loved holding his Pinky like this. "See? Things are getting better. You just need to give it time."
"You're right. The past is only the past. It's time for me to move on," Natsu said, reflecting on what Gray had told him not too long ago. "Even after all that's happened, I'm kind of glad that it did. Because if it hadn't, we might not even be together."
"Stop having gloomy thoughts," Gray replied, kissing Natsu's cheek. "After today's said and done, we only have tomorrow to look forward to. And tomorrow will be the first day of our new life together."
Natsu smiled. He really liked the sound of that.
They arrived at Magnolia Cemetery a few hours later. The rain hadn't relented, but the big, black umbrellas they held did their best in keeping them dry.
"Thanks for coming, you guys," Natsu said, looking at all of his friends. Lucy, Loke, Levy, Gajeel, Sting, Rogue, Cana, Juvia, and Erza were all there to pay their respects, although Natsu believed there was no need for them to.
"You're welcome, Natsu," replied Lucy. "I'm really sorry for your loss."
"I'm not," the pinkette stated ruefully. "He deserved what he got."
Noticing the stunned expressions on everyone's faces, Wendy decided to step in to lighten the dour mood some. "Hey, Lucy? Can I ask you a favor?" she asked.
Lucy beamed. "Sure. What is it?"
Wendy hesitated a moment before answering. "Um…I'm kind of living with Natsu now, but I don't…have anything. Would it be okay if you took me shopping for new things?"
"I'd love to," Lucy answered cheerfully. She noted the hesitancy in Wendy's voice, but decided not to question what had happened. "Is Friday good for you?"
"Let me ask," Wendy replied before scampering off to her brother and Gray. "Can I go shopping with Lucy on Friday Natsu?"
"Sure," said the pinkette.
"All right! Thank you!" she responded delightfully before she raced over to Lucy again.
"So, are you ready to do this, Pinky?"
"I guess so. It's now or never."
When Gray gave the signal that they'd be proceeding with the service, everyone followed him to where Silver Fullbuster and Acnologia Dragneel had already been buried. Their graves rested side by side.
The tombstones themselves were quite simple. They just provided the full names, birth and death dates of the deceased, nothing more.
A small table sat near the graves, bunches of fresh lavender resting on its surface. Gray had chosen this herb purposely. Lavender symbolized a number of things. Not only did its color represent serenity, but the plant also meant distrust. And oftentimes it was used for meditation, peace, and forgiveness. All of these meanings seemed appropriate for an occasion such as this, especially for Silver and Acnologia.
"This service will be a bit different than anything else you may have attended," started Gray. "There is no priest, no sermon, and nothing stereotypical of a burial."
"Then what are we doing?" inquired Lucy.
"Everyone will take two sprigs of lavender," continued Natsu, "and place one on each grave. But before you do, you'll hold the lavender in your hands and have a moment of silence for a time. You can reflect on anything you please. Imagine that whatever positive or negative energy you're feeling, you'll channel into the lavender. When you feel you're ready, place the lavender on the grave."
"You won't share your thoughts with anyone," added Gray. "Whether you wish them well in the afterlife, condemn them, or forgive them, it is your decision. Now is just a time to reflect and appreciate life—and death—as it is."
When everyone nodded in understanding, they proceeded with their brief ceremony. And when all was said and done, they all ventured home.
Natsu stretched out on the bed, Gray lying down next to him. The weather had taken a turn for the worst. Wind roared through the trees, heavy rain pelted the windows, thunder roared, and lightning flashed without warning. Good thing it was nighttime and the service was completely over.
"Do you think Wendy is all right?" Natsu asked suddenly.
Gray raised an eyebrow. "Why wouldn't she be?"
"The storm," the pinkette stated as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
When Gray opened his mouth to speak, a loud clap of thunder cut him off, the power went out, and Wendy screamed.
"I see your point," Gray mumbled as he fumbled around in the darkness trying to find his nightstand.
When he did—and he only found it because he stubbed his toe on the damn thing—he ripped open a drawer and felt around for his flashlight. Succeeding, he turned it on and faced Natsu.
"Let's go get her," said the pinkette as he rose from the bed. But as soon as they got out into the hall, a very scared Wendy clamped onto him.
"Can I sleep with you guys tonight?" she asked frantically.
Natsu chuckled silently. "Of course you can."
The two older teens led Wendy back to Gray's room. Pulling back the covers, Wendy plopped herself in the center of the bed, with Gray and Natsu on either side of her.
The two older teens pulled the covers over them, turned off the flashlight, and let Wendy snuggle against them.
"It's all right. Relax," the pinkette cooed, stroking Wendy's hair. "It's just a storm. Nothing's going to happen to you."
Gray watched this behavior thoughtfully. And soon, Wendy had fallen asleep between them.
"This was a very good idea," Gray commented pleasantly, reaching for Natsu's hand in the darkness. When he found it, they clasped their hands together and snuggled closer to Wendy in a protective manner.
"Goodnight, Gray," Natsu said sleepily.
"Goodnight, Natsu," replied Gray, just as tired.
And soon, they were fast asleep, still holding each other's hand in an endearing manner. It was a pleasant way to end the day.
End Chapter