CHAPTER 6 – CONFRONTATION AND KISSES

Recap:

She heard someone entered the library but did not bother to look at it. She will just pretend that she did not hear anything. Except that the person is quietly approaching her.

"You're here." No reply.

"What are you doing here?" No reply.

"What are you thinking?"

"Nothing at all," she replied not looking at her intruder.

The man took the available chair just across from her and stared at the blonde. Examining her, her eyes full of sorrow that just by looking at it makes his heart ache.

"Can we talk?" she finally looks at him and said, "I want to be alone."

…..

"What was that Eric?" Jellal confronted his nakama once they're outside the Fairy tail guild.

"I am just having my fun you know, don't be a spoilsport mate," he just shrugged his shoulder and when the man in front of him did not move an inch, he continued, "That guild is like a colorful canvas of souls. The sounds of their thoughts are like music to my ears. It's lovely. I can't help it. I haven't been entertained for a long time," he paused for a short moment, then continued. "In the contrary, you, my friends, are so much on the dull sides," he said referring to Crime Sorceire. But what can he expect? They are a group of ex-criminals trying to repent their past crimes. Their souls have been tainted black.

"But what does it have to do with Lucy? You've been fixated on her ever since we arrived."

"Let's just say that she has the biggest change in that canvas, constantly changing colors, exceedingly bright yet alarmingly dark. Her mind has been running overtime that I can't keep up. A pool of conflicting emotions. Scary. Inspiring. Depressing. Moving."

"What are you trying to say? What did you find out" He said sounding a bit anxious. What Cobra is trying to imply is a bit alarming to hear.

"Oops her secret is hers to keep," he smirked and started walking away. 'A dangerous secret it is.' He thought and his face laced with worry.

'Promise you will stay out of this, please, let me handle this myself. Please don't say a thing to anyone,' she's talking to him in her mind now. He gulped when he saw her pleading face. He clenched his fist tightly on top of the table. He is not friends with the celestial mage but what he learned is enough to trigger some disturbing human emotions, mostly wrath and disgust to the man. But maybe it's more on pity to the girl. But is he any different from that man? He was once a monster too. "But that is unforgivable," he said to the girl. He was startled when he felt small hands touched his soothingly. She gave him a reassuring smile. 'Why is she comforting me now when it should be other way around? This girl is so confusing' He was about to say something when he was dragged by one of the fighting men to the brawl.

'And why is she protecting that man?' he thought.

Jellal stared at his comrade's retreating figure then he slowly walked behind him. Next time he met Erza, he will make sure to have a word with her regarding Lucy. Her friend might be in trouble, and they might not be aware of it. Or should he go back now? They have not gone so far away from the guild.

"That's a noble idea but I highly opposed on that. Let her deal with her own demons."

"Stop reading my mind, will you?"

He just laughed at the man.

…..

He was not fazed by her words instead he stayed still, sitting, as he met her gaze.

"Luce," Natsu called her name, not sure what to say to her.

He followed her in the library. He panicked at that moment when he saw her leaving the table they were previously occupying. He doesn't like her to leave without them talking at all; he was just finding the right time though. The girl seems to be repulsive of him so he refrained from approaching her in order to avoid a scene. Even if he is engaged in the brawl, his senses are fully aware of her. So when he saw Cobra is getting cozier at her at the table, he dragged the guy in the brawl, contented to give him a beating for overstepping his boundaries.

"I want to be alone for now, please, Natsu," she said begging. What does he want? She is not ready to talk right now. She retreated in the library to have some peace of mind for a little while.

"Luce, why are you being so difficult?" he is exasperated. He is confused as to why they are even fighting. When he got home last night, he kept replaying on his mind what had just happened. One moment they are okay then the next they are not. He felt like she is pushing him away and he didn't understand why. Before he left, he saw the state that she was in. He clenched his teeth at the memory. He examined her, and then grimaced at the way she was dressed, not in distaste but in the fact that she was hiding it and not telling him the reason why. Is it wrong for him to feel concern towards her? They've been together for quite a while now since she joined the guild. Didn't she trust him enough? This is not the Lucy that he knows.

She did not answer his question instead reverted her eyes outside.

And now she is giving him a silent treatment. He took an exasperated sigh and said, "This is not you Luce."

"Care to enlighten me then?" she replied still not looking at him.

He stared at her seriously, his face dark "I don't know what's happening to you. I am trying to understand you but you won't let me to. The Lucy I know will not run from her problems. She will not go in a corner and mope around. Yes, she will cry once but she will pick up the pieces of herself. If she fails, she will start again, and try even harder. The Lucy I know will not shut her friends out; instead she draws strength from them. The Lucy I know is strong, she is capable –"

"Then maybe you don't know her at all. All you see is the best in her, only those you like to see. But how about the worst in her? Isn't that acceptable too? That Lucy you know seems too good to be true." She cut him off, she can't take it anymore. She needs to stop him or else she will crumble in front of him. But still in the end she taunted him with her words.

Then she looks him in the eyes as if challenging him.

"Lucy is not perfect, that's true. I'm pretty sure I have seen her best and her worst and I am perfectly aware of it. But best or worst, Lucy is Lucy," sincerity is in his eyes. He paused for a while and then started speaking again, now, he started gently. "You don't need to be the best if you are at your worst. But I don't want to see you at you worst if you can be at your best." He stops referring her as "Lucy" to show her that he is true to his words. He smiled at her hoping that his words will reach her. "I want to bring you back to your senses. I want to see you genuinely smile again. I want you to trust me. Let me help you if you can't help yourself."

Her face softened and her eyes brightened with the tears that are threatening to fall any second now, so she instantly shifted her eyes away from him. She wants to hate him, get mad at him, and shout at him. But how can she when he is saying all those things to her? How can she when he seems as innocent as he appears to be? How can she when all he wants to do is help her? Then she laughed sarcastically in her mind, as those are the biggest jokes in her life right now. Yet the comedy is quickly lost in the irony of the situation.

"Please leave me alone Natsu. I want to think first," she said not looking at him; her voice is cracking with too much emotions. He needs to leave now or else she will burst and will cry in front of him which she doesn't want to. She's holding her emotions right now that it hurts her chest. His words touched her.

He did not make any movement to leave. Why is she putting up wall between them? He knows he had reached her based on her reaction but why is she resisting so much?

"Natsu, Lucy, why are you both down here?" They did not notice when Laxus entered the library since they are so engrossed with each other. "Natsu, I think you are needed upstairs."

He stands up but before he leaves, he looks intensely at Lucy, the girl is still looking outside the window, her eyes held unshed tears that she's been fighting strongly to hold, her hand is clutching at her chest. The girl was being stubborn so he sighed in defeat and left without saying a word. He looked at Laxus with his unhappy eyes before leaving.

"So how much did you hear?" she said after she heard the door closed.

"Pretty much everything," Laxus stated standing in front of her. He decided to steps in between them when he heard that the girl is in the verge of breaking down.

And so she breaks down. She hugs her knees and hides her face in between her chest and knees. Her whole body is trembling from the intensity of her emotions. Her chest felt so much in pain that she thinks that her heart will burst inside of it. She knew that she was being difficult. But what is she supposed to do? She felt helpless in her situation. And, what will it profit her in speaking her mind? The truth is just bound to bring more pain and sadness to those she loves. She doesn't like sympathy neither pity on her part. It is enough that only she suffers alone. That's how deeply she loves her friend; she will not bring him to the world of misery along with her. No one will know of her pain. She has done it before and she will do it again. Just like when she lost Aquarius. She will eventually heal. Natsu is right, she will cry now but she will not be crying forever.

Laxus' heart breaks just looking at the girl in front of him. The girl is still too stubborn that she won't cry out loud, just a soft whimper can be heard from her and tiny sniffles. He can see that she is suffering so much, her whole body racked from silent crying. Laxus took pity on the girl and so he hugged her in her position even though it's a bit uncomfortable in his. It is the least comfort that he can offer to the weeping girl. "Let go Lucy," he can see that she is still bottling it all up, still trying to fight herself in her moment of weakness. He lifted her up and placed her on his lap and hugged her, soothing her, comforting her. She let go and cried on his chest.

"I am sorry for putting you in this situation Laxus."

…..

He left Lucy with a heavy heart. He knew there is nothing he can do at the moment especially Laxus has entered into the scene. He knew how much she values her privacy so confronting her in front of Laxus will also not help him. The girl is being stubborn so he will not cause a scene that will make her detest him.

He saw Wendy and Carla approaching the guild. When he woke up earlier and did not see the little girl and her exceed in the guild, he asked where they might be. He started feeling that funny sensation again in his body that's why he was looking for her. Maybe she can use her magic again to soothe his senses. They said that she went to the old lady to ask about his condition and also ask for his medicine.

They have reached the guild hall after couple of hours of being away, and seeing Natsu on his best condition has brought back her last conversation with Porlyusica. Wendy stands floored in the entrance, unable to move any further, her face is extremely red.

Back then…

Wendy panted holding both her knees. "Gomenasai." Taking the medicine, she stared at it then and asked the old woman. "Grandineey, what does that drug do to the body to leave such reaction to Natsu-san?"

She is very curious on Natsu's condition. She is sure that the old woman knows the effect of it if she knows its side effect as well. Realising that the drug they are talking about might be different to the normal medicinal drugs that she knows of.

"Child," the old woman started, unsure of her words. "If you are too curious about it, it is an 'aphrodisiac'. If you don't know what that means then you can ask the scholar but I suggest you don't do that." With that the old woman retreated inside, slamming the door at her face.

She was left there standing, all red, "a-a-aphrodisiac," her face steaming from embarrassment. She might not be very well read like Levy or Lucy in the guild but she sure does know what it means.

"Wendy, how's your visit to Porlyusica?" Erza inquired upon seeing the little girl at the entrance. "Are you okay Wendy? You are not sick too, are you? You're all red," asked Gray.

Natsu, Erza, Gray, Happy and Lisanna gathered around the younger mage near the entrance.

"Don't worry about her, she is just tired from running around," Carla said as she grabs the medicines from the frozen Wendy and gives it to Natsu.

"Here take these. This one is for the headache. While this one, she said is important to take every 6 hours for 7 days," the white exceed explained while handing the vials along with the piece of paper. "This is the instructions on how to prepare and how much quantity you need to take, please read it carefully. Don't take it all at the same time" Carla warned him, knowing Natsu, he might just take all the medicine at once without reading the instructions at all. Then Carla turned to Happy. "I expect you Happy to remind him to take it on time, knowing Natsu he will just forget about it."

"Aye, count on me Carla. I will not let you down!" the blue exceed is ecstatic that Carla believes in him. He aims to please the cat.

Natsu just look at the vials, inside of it are dried cut leaves, and shoves it in his pocket. "Thank you Wendy, Carla," giving them a toothy grin, then left and headed to the bar. He settled in a bar stool and asked Mira for the same thing Asuka is drinking. He glanced at the library and wondered why the two aren't coming out yet. His mood dampened. He remembered smelling him from her apartment last night. 'What is with those two?' unconsciously, his hand grasped his glass tightly almost breaking it.

"Are you okay Natsu?" Asuka asked him, perplexed, while looking at his hands clasping his drinks tightly. At her voice, he released his hold, grinned and nodded at the little girl.

Meanwhile…

"Ne, Wendy, did Porlyusica tell you something about Natsu's condition?" Lisanna asked the girl whose face has now returned to its normal color.

"Ano," Wendy said hesitantly. "She just said that we don't need to worry, he'll be back to normal in a week's time, so it is important that he takes the medicine on time," she said to the older mages.

"Count on me, Wendy. I'll make sure he takes his medicine and I'll make a diary for him," Lisanna reassuring the blue-haired girl. Wendy just smiled at her. "Oh my, I'll go back to the bar. Catch you later guys!" she left all the other gathering mages.

"Is there something going on with the two of them?" Carla stated, hinting about Natsu and Lisanna. Call it cat senses but she can feel there's more to it than meets the eye. All other mages just shrugged their shoulders.

Erza, not quite convinced, questioned Wendy. "Did Porlyusica say anything else? Why is he feeling hot all of a sudden?"

"Porlyusica-san said that it might be from the drug that he has taken…," Wendy said squirming. She decided not to tell them what kind of drug it is. 'Natsu-san might get embarrassed,' she thought.

Erza's eyebrow rose, without letting the girl to finish her sentence, she turned to the blue exceed. "Happy, what drug is it?" All the hairs on Happy's body stand up as the red-head girl is looking at him like he did something wrong. "I-I d-don't know Erza, I spent the night with Wendy and Carla," he stuttered, afraid for his life. He hides behind Carla. "Is Natsu doing drugs?" Erza pressed on, looking menacingly to Happy. "Nothing I know of. Believe me Erza," Happy is shaking behind the white exceed. "Please help me, Carla."

"Let it Erza. We know Natsu's an idiot but he is not that kind of idiot." Gray is trying to calm down the red-head girl. "Arigatou Gray," Happy said, thanking his savior.

"Erza-san, please calm down. Porlyusica-san said he has taken it in an extremely high dosage. I think that is a one-time thing only. We don't know, he might have accidentally taken it thinking it's for his headache," Wendy rationalized; she said it mostly to convince herself.

Gray, Happy and Carla are nodding in the background thinking all the same thing. 'Natsu is an idiot.'

Erza still unconvinced, walked to the bar, headed to unsuspecting fire mage. He grabbed her by his shirt and asked in a scary voice, "Are you taking drugs Natsu?! How long have you been taking it?" Natsu was choked by the juice he is drinking and coughed uncontrollably. "W-What are you talking about all of a sudden? I ain't taking drugs," he said when he finally catch his air.

"Very well then," Erza trusted Natsu's words. She believes in the young man if he says so. Wendy may be right on her assumption. But still, the guy might get killed; it may not be in his fights but it may be with his own stupidity. 'Does he need another lesson from me now?' She taught the guy how to read and write when he was young so she's very disappointed now. She failed as his teacher. "Here Natsu, you may hit me for doubting you and for failing as your teacher."

"W-why would I even do that?!" Natsu shrieked. As much as he likes to fight with Erza, it is no fun if it is one-sided.

"What's a drug Mira?" Asuka who is just seated beside Natsu drinking her juice asked the barmaid curiously. "Ara, ara, it's just a medicine Asuka-chan," she said smiling sweetly at the little girl. Asuka's face glowed at understanding. "You need to take your drugs Natsu, be a good little boy," Asuka said cheering him on, remembering when she was sick, her Mama would talk to her sweetly for her to take her medicines.

"Hai, Asuka-chan," Natsu said smiling at the little girl beside him. Speaking of, he took out both of the vials and the piece of paper from his pocket wondering which one to take.

"Here Natsu, let me help you," Lisanna just behind the bar, took the piece of paper from him. She explained how to take it, pointing at each vial. While explaining, Happy joined them to listen. "Let me do it for you first," Lisanna took a measuring spoon and pour a small quantity of the herbs as per instruction and pour it into a cup of boiling water.

"Here, it is done," she said as she handed the cup to him. He drank on the cup, the water is hot but there is a cool sensation flowing through him. He likes it. "I will be tracking your intake on this note, please make sure you take it after 6 hours, okay?" Lisanna is overjoyed, happy that she can takes care of her boyfriend.

"Thank you Lisanna, you're the best," he kissed his girlfriend on the cheeks as a token of his gratitude; he was startled at his show of affection, but smiled sheepishly at her while rubbing the back of his neck at his embarrassment. Lisanna is also embarrassed as her sister is just standing beside her while watching them.

"Y-y-you k-kiss her," Erza is shocked and her face matches the color of her hair.

"He lliiiikes her," Happy rolled his tongue, his paws clasped at his mouth while snickering.

"W-what is the meaning of this?" Mirajane is giddy, in the brink of fainting.

"We are dating. Natsu is already my boyfriend." Lisanna announced shyly and joyfully. Mirajane fainted in shock, that's a double dose of euphoria just for one day.

"Huh?!" everyone shouted. Their nakamas have different reactions. There are sceptics, supporters and those that don't give a damn at all.

"My cat senses are correct," Carla nodded, proud of herself.

Wendy is scandalized thinking, 'Is that what's that drug about?' and just like Mirajane, she fainted where she stands, all red. "Wendy, are you okay?" Carla flew to her.

"Juvia is so happy, one less love-rival for her Gray-sama," Juvia is crying in joy at the corner, thinking at her love-rival diagram putting an x on Lisanna's face.

"Tch, there is nothing to be excited about," Gray said uninterested.

"That is not a man!" Elfman is crying at the far table not liking that his little sister has a boyfriend.

While, Asuka is sulking, obviously not liking the commotion that is happening. "I thought Natsu and Lucy are like Papa and Mama," she said in a hushed voice, pouting.

….

Bisca and Alzack picked up Asuka before the sun sets, thanking the barmaid for looking out at their daughter. They left Azuka late in the afternoon as they needed to do some grocery shopping quickly from the town.

"You seem not in a good mood dear," Bisca asked her daughter. Alzack put Azuka in his shoulder while they walk home. The girl is still sulking and frowning, and is extremely quiet on their way home. Bisca looks at her husband, wondering why her daughter is behaving oddly. Alzack looks as confused as she was.

"Natsu has a girlfriend," she said in disapproval.

"And so we heard," Alzack said listening to their conversation.

"It is not Lucy," she stated as if making a point.

"We know dear, it is Lisanna. What's the matter? Don't you like Lisanna?" she said giving her daughter a thoughtful look. Does she already know the concept of hating people? It seems like she hated the idea that Lucy is not Natsu's girlfriend. She felt worried for her daughter.

"I like her," she said a matter of factly. Bisca sighed in relief. But her daughter's expression did not change. She was about to tell her daughter to cheer up when Asuka continued, "But they kissed already."

"Who? Natsu and Lisanna?" both the parents asked in confusion.

"No, Natsu and Lucy. I thought they are like you Papa, Mama" she said gloomily.

It's true; she saw Natsu kissed Lucy just the other night. They were returning from town and Azuka was on Alzack's shoulder, pretending her papa is a horse. She was enjoying her ride when she caught a glimpse of the two mages in the park near the riverbank below them. She was sure of it. Natsu was holding Lucy in the shoulder then he kissed her. The same kiss her papa gives to her mama when they thought she is not looking. She was so happy at that time. She knew it, she was correct. They were like papa and mama because she always saw them together. Her attention to the two cut short when her papa ran so fast chasing her mama. Then she forgot the whole incident thereafter. But now, they are saying that Lisanna and Natsu are together and he kissed her on the cheeks. 'Why would he kiss both of them?' she wondered.

Alzack and Bisca shared a thoughtful look. Their daughter is too young to comprehend things that adults do. They will make sure to have a word with the people in the guild about it. They need to refrain from kissing in front of Azuka because it confuses their child.

"Hey Azuka, let's buy some ice cream. You like the vanilla, right?' Alzack said giddily, hoping to cheer his daughter up. "I will buy two, one for Azuka and one for papa," he shouted excitedly.

"No, papa, I always tell you, I like the chocolate one," she said brightening up. "You buy for mama, too!" she ordered her papa to do so, giving him a cute face.

"Oh, is it chocolate? Sorry, papa always forgets. Vanilla is mama's favorite, so mama will have it too. And one, strawberry ice cream for papa, coming up!" he shouted animatedly. "Now, fasten your seatbelt, it's going to be a bumpy ride!" he said shouting, tightly holding Azuka as he ran off.

"Aye, aye, captain!" Azuka shouted happily.

Bisca's heart is overflowing with love for them as she looks at the two. 'I couldn't ask for more,' she thought. She is very grateful that she has her loving husband to save the day.

…