Chapter Six : Boy's Hangout
Gray's P.O.V -
We all arrived at Natsu's house around seven for dinner and drinks. Natsu welcomed us at the door, his eyes looked tired.
"Hey!" he greeted and led us inside.
"Thanks for inviting us!" Tanoshi waked in.
Natsu laughed, "Well Gray invited himself over but no problem!"
After a few rounds we started taking.
"So where you guys from?" I asked.
"We just traveled around a bit," Kagayaku took another sip. "Never stayed in one place too long."
"Even forgot the city names over time," Tanoshi added.
"What magic do you guys use?" Natsu created a ball of flame. "I'm a dragon slayer!"
"Ice mage," I created a snowflake.
Kagayaku said confidentially, "Tiger transformation."
"What's that?" I asked.
"Basically I can take the form or trait of a tiger," Kagayaku said. "Dragon v.s. Tiger"
"Duh, dragon!" Natsu scoffed. "That's not even a question."
"I'm not so sure about that," Kagayaku teased. "Your form is sloppy, your fire is inaccurate, and you work purely off of impulse."
"What!?" Natsu got up and marched over to him. "How would you know?"
"The first time we fought I picked up a few things. Plus Nakina did a full analysis," Kagayaku revealed. "She's got information on all of you."
"How?" I asked. "It was all from the first day we fought?"
"Yeah," Tanoshi said proudly, "her eyes are something else."
"What about you?" I asked Tanoshi.
He smiled sheepishly, "Storm and natural disasters."
"Woah so like earthquakes?" Natsu asked.
"Well yeah," Tanoshi said. "But I can only use them within a certain range."
"I see!" I nodded. "So any power using elements is at a disadvantage with you."
"The type of power doesn't matter, it all depends on how you use it," Tanoshi pointed at Tabiki. "He's the skilled one."
"What do you do?" Natsu questioned.
"I don't got no powers. Just use the old hand and foot," Tabiki grumbled.
"But he sure can fight like he does. He can fight anyone with magic without being at a disadvantage. That's how skilled he is," Tanoshi added. "One punch can take down a house!"
"You have my respect," I leaned toward him. "I remember fighting with you. You really did have some out of this world techniques. I can't wait to see you fight sometime!"
"FIGHT ME!" Natsu roared.
Happy joined in, "AYE!"
"Woah! You can talk?" Kagayaku shook Happy's paw.
"Aye, it's because I'm blue!" Happy explained.
Tanoshi said, "I see!"
"Hey!" Kagayaku's face was a little red. "Is Erza with anyone?"
"YOU LIKE ERZA?" Natsu screamed. "Oh gosh...good luck man. I hope you make it out alive."
"Why?" he asked, scared.
"Well besides the fact that she's the scariest woman we know and that she can demolish a whole town in seconds, she's kinda waiting on this man," I laughed.
Kagayaku was suddenly serious, "She shouldn't have to wait on anyone. If this man isn't running towards her then he doesn't deserve her!"
We all went silent for a second. I'd never seen someone so worked up over Erza and Jellal. Even though he's put her though so much, made her cry multiple times, and even almost killed her a few times, no one has ever doubted their love for each other. At least not until now.
"Umm…I've never really seen her flustered about a guy other than the one she's waiting for. But by all means go for it," I said.
"Mhm. Afterall, we plan to stay here so mind as well start making new bonds with everyone here!" Tanoshi smiled. "Nakama…"
"Welcome to the family," I added.
Kagayaku seemed happier after telling us about Erza. I didn't know if I liked the idea of someone with so many secrets trying to get with Erza. Or the fact that they could leave at any moment. But I know Erza can take care of herself. And if they hurt her, we'll hunt them till the ends of the earth. There's nowhere they could hide. Natsu seemed a little suspicious too, but for now, we kept silent.
"So...are any of you dating?" Tanoshi questioned.
"Yeah Natsu and Lucy," I teased.
At the same time, Natsu said, "Yeah Gray and Juvia."
"NO!" both of us screamed at each other.
"FLAMEHEAD I'M NOT DATING JUVIA!"
"ICE PRINCESS I'M NOT DATING LUCY!"
All of the boys started laughing.
Kagayaku nodded, "I see how it is."
"SHADDUP!" we both growled at them, making them laugh harder.
Tanoshi began to speak, "I'm glad we found this guild. I feel like I'm finally home."
"Me too," Kagayaku sighed. "Me too."
"I'm glad to hear that," I poured each of them another glass.
Tabiki merely took another sip of his drink, but I could just see a small smirk appear on his face. He went to the bathroom.
"What about you guys? Any of you dating?" Natsu changed the subject.
"No," Tanoshi chuckled. "We're like siblings."
"Yeah, but I think Tabiki has a thing for Hikari," Kagayaku whispered. "I've only ever seen him smile once when he was talking to her."
"Hehehe," Natsu laughed suspiciously. "We should tell Mira."
"Mira?"
"Yeah she's like the cupid of Fairy Tail,"
We went on like that for a few hours.
"Hey where are you guys gonna stay?" Natsu was putting dishes into the sink.
Tanoshi passed him another plate, "The guild's infirmary."
"Are you guys gonna be okay there?" I asked.
"Yeah, the girls are there too," Kagayaku smiled. "Master's very kind."
With that they were off to the guild. I bid Natsu goodbye as well and went home.
Natsu's P.O.V -
After they left, I was finally able to relax. I didn't need to pretend to be interested, nor did I need to yell or smile and laugh. Happy and I got into bed.
"Natsu," Happy cuddled next to me.
"Yeah?"
"I hope you get better soon so we can hang out with everyone like we used to."
"I hope so too…."
"Goodnight Natsu,"
"Goodnight Happy,"
Igneel wrapped his tail around me and pointed to the letters scribbled onto the floor.
"A"
"A" I repeated.
"B"
"B" I looked up at him. "Igneel?"
"Hmm?"
"Why do I have to learn to read? I wanna learn how to breathe fire like you!"
"Well, what if you need to help someone in a specific town, but you can't read any of the road signs?"
"I could just ask people," I laughed.
"But what if that takes too long or if everyone is too busy running away?" Igneel rubbed my head. "And don't worry, I'll teach you how to breath fire."
"Just like you?"
"Even better," he smiled.
I opened my eyes and stared at the dark ceiling. Igneel…
I quickly wiped the tears from my eyes and went back to sleep.
Erza's P.O.V -
"I never respected you," Kagura growled.
"I hate you!" Millianna cried.
Bisca chuckled, "You aren't wanted here."
"Erza," Jellal looked at me with disgust. "You know the real reason I haven't come visit you is because I don't want to see you."
"You're a burden all of us have to carry," Mira sighed. "Even when we were younger I never saw you as a friend."
I woke up at the jolt of my body.
Man you really are hated by everyone.
Why won't you let me sleep in peace?
Why won't you let everyone else live in peace without you?
Ugh.
Simon was standing in front of me, blood spilling from his lips.
"I don't know why I wasted my life for you," he growled.
I'm sorry.
"You should've died instead."
I know.
"I hate you"
You should.
Grandpa Rob appeared next to him.
"I agree with him. Why did I waste my life on you?"
I don't know.
"You should've died,"
I already told you I agree.
Poor souls. Dead because of you.
Yeah. I know.
You should've gone back to the tower to save them.
I agree.
Instead you left them behind.
Yes, I did.
Do you feel guilty?
Yes.
I sure hope you do. That's the least you could do.
I'll carry that burden forever.
That you will.
What are you anyway?
You.
I opened my eyes and walked out to the balcony for some fresh air.
You know how you could make it up to them?
How?
Jump.
No.
Jump.
I won't waste their sacrifice.
Oh Erza, always making excuses. They died because of you. Why should you live?
I don't know.
Jump.
I slowly walked to the edge and looked up at the sky. The crescent moon frowned down on me.
JUMP!
I exquiped out of my armour and stepped sat on the ledge.
Titania, this is how you make up for everything. This is the end. Jump. Jump. Jump. Jump. Jump.
I'm not going to-
Selfish.
I'm not…
How many people have suffered because of you!
I know!
If you know then jump! Jump jump jump-
But I don't think tonight-
Excuses. Jump.
Stop…
Jump...jUmp….juMp...jumP...Jump…