The Fix

Chapter 4

Explanations

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. This is based off the Anime Series not the Manga Series. No copyright intended. I do own the story line, because I made that all up with my brain.

The sunlight streaming in through my window rouses me from my dreamlike state as I flutter my eyes open. Almost immediately I am struck with a pain in my neck, I rub it to try and loosen the muscles. Looks like I fell asleep sitting up reading this book, I lift it off my lap and try to get up to go to the bathroom but fall in my attempts, as my legs are totally numb. Figures, that's what I get for falling asleep with a gigantic book sitting in my lap. I steadily try standing up, grabbing hold of my end table near my bathroom door to balance myself, I shake my legs awake one at a time and start to walk. I was a little clumsy at first but I got it, I used the toilet and turned on the shower, hopefully the hot water will wake up my sleeping limbs. And boy, was I right, I get in the shower and let the hot water fall all around me, enveloping me in its warmth, the heat waking me up and starting to feel refreshed for the new day.

Once finished in the shower I dry myself off and get dressed in my purple tank top and black shorts and brush my hair out. I then make my way over to my bed to see where I left off in the book, to refresh my memory on what I read last night. I honestly don't remember much of anything, I must have fallen asleep before I could get very far in the book. Yup, I was right, I didn't get that far, I must have just opened up to that section that I found in the index before dozing off. So much for my alertness. I shook my head laughing despite myself and put the book in my bag along with my wallet and extra lipgloss and keys to my apartment. I put my belt on and attach my keys to it as I slip on my black flats and head out the door heading to the guild.

I really could go for one of Mira's delicious omelettes right about now, so I do not feel like cooking for myself. While I eat breakfast, perhaps I can get some reading done that I intended to do last night. Hopefully that is, the guild is usually rowdy, maybe it's a bad idea, oh well, it's not like I can change my mind much now. I'm already here, I made it this far, I might as well. I take a deep breath and walk through the guild doors, quickly ducking to avoid a chair being thrown, looks like Natsu and Gray are up to their usual shenanigans. I shake my head as I walk towards the bar to where Mira is happily talking away with Erza and Levy, they wave to me once they see me.

"Hey, Lu! Good morning, how did your date go?" Levy asked, raising a suggestive eyebrow.

I rolled my eyes and giggled at her, "It was okay up until Natsu showed up and practically threw the poor guy out of my apartment."

Erza, Mira and Levy's jaw dropped, "He did what?"

I sighed and nodded as I took my seat. "That is crazy, I wonder why he would do that." Erza commented, putting her thinking face on.

But before I could explain further, suddenly there was a loud crash, we all looked over and Gray is sitting on broken glass as Natsu sits there and laughs at his comrade. Natsu must have thrown him through the window, Master isn't going to like this.

"It's called balance, Ice Princess."

"Shut it you hot-headed overgrown lizard!"

Looking over at Erza, Master's wrath can't compare. She marches over to them, yelling their names. I giggled a little to myself as Levy got my attention.

Levy giggled, "Anyway, you think that's crazy?! Take a look at what I've been dealing with."

Levy gestured her arm out to a table where Gajeel, Jet and Droy were eating, more like a contest of some sort. They all have piles of food on each of their plates, PantherLilly is on the side of the table, paw in his face and shaking his head. Jet took a huge bite from his ham and swallowed too soon as his eyes bugged out from coughing, Droy put his food down quickly as he desperately tried to free the food from Jet's throat so he wouldn't choke to death. Gajeel pointed and bursted into laughter at the two.

"Ha! You twerps didn't even stand a chance. You are no match for me, Levy would prefer a man that can hold his own, not the sad excuse of men you both are!"

Levy turns back to us, "While you've been dealing with Natsu practically tossing away any male that comes near you, I have to endure eating contests with Gajeel! Apparently he feels like he has to prove that he's the better man. If you think Jet and Droy are bad then you should've been here 20 minutes ago. Poor Elfman is in the infirmary sick as a dog because he thought he could "out-man" Gajeel." She shook her head, annoyed.

Gajeel turned around so he could spot Levy, a smile beaming on his face as he saw her. "See Levy! I won! I can out eat anyone!"

She giggled a bit nervously but put a smile on anyways, giving him a thumbs up, "Yeah good job Gajeel."

She turned around back to us and slumped against the bar, resting her arms over the bar as she face palms into the countertop with an irritated groan.

"I have no idea why he's been acting like this. All morning it seemed like he just has a hunger he can't satisfy, he is eating way too much for a normal person, it's actually kind of concerning. I don't get it, he doesn't have to prove anything to me." Levy explained with a sigh.

Oh no. This can't be good. I bite my lip as I clutch the strap to my bag.

"You know, now that you mention it, Laxus has been acting strangely too. Look at him over there, he's practically breaking everyone's arm by challenging them to an arm wrestling match. Trying to show me his strength, going on about how he can support our future. I have no clue what that boy is talking about. This has been going on for 2 days now, I don't know what's gotten into him." Mira added to the conversation, concerned.

Levy shot her arms up in the air in exasperation, "Exactly what I am talking about here! The guys have lost their fucking minds! Not to mention how frisky Gajeel gets sometimes, one minute he is out eating everyone the next he is all over me! What the hell is up with that?!"

Mira gasps in realization, "Oh my gosh, you to? Laxus is really, really bad, if you know what I mean." A bright blush dusted her cheeks at admitting that.

"No way, what about you Lu? Has Natsu acted like that?" Levy asks.

I gulp and nod as my own blush makes its way to my cheeks. Oh boy, I was right.

I clear my throat, "Um girls. I uh, I think I know what's going on with them."

They look at me with curious glares, I get the book out of my bag, their eyes widen with curiosity.

"Hey, isn't that the book you got the other day?" Levy asked.

I nodded, "Yeah."

"What is it, Lucy." Mira asks, head tilted in wonder.

"It's a very ancient text about Dragons. Basically in modern terms, it's a Dragon Encyclopedia."

"Do you think it can explain why the guys are acting crazy?" Mira whispers.

I nodded, "Yes, I was meaning to read more about it last night but I fell asleep. There is this thing called Dragon Season, it's supposed to be dangerous to others. I don't fully understand it myself but I have a hunch that this is the reason why the guys are acting, you know...strange."

The girls nodded in agreement, Levy took my hand and lowered my book. "Maybe we should read this without prying eyes."

I raised an eyebrow in confusion as I looked at her rolling her eyes to the side, I followed her gaze and saw Natsu, Gajeel, and Laxus all staring at us, very intensely. I suddenly got a cold chill down my spine by Natsu's glare at me, watching my every move. Talk about creepy yet it makes me feel nice to be noticed by him so much. Wait, what am I thinking! Get ahold of yourself, Lucy!

I nervously giggle, "I see what you mean."

"Just go in the back library, barely anyone goes there anymore. I'll cover for you, if they ask where you guys went, I'll just tell them you went shopping or something." Mira whispers, gesturing us to come over the bar to get to the back of the guild.

We all nodded in agreement, "Thanks Mira, you're a lifesaver."

Mira smiled and giggled, "Just make sure to let me know what you both have learned."

"I promise." I said quickly as Levy and I snuck away to the library.

We ran and ran until we got to the double doors, quickly going in and locking them behind us, hopefully no one saw us. We looked at each other as our backs rested on the doors, holding them shut, letting out sighs of relief. We both started laughing at the situation then stopped as we heard footsteps coming closer, we held onto each other, scared that they found us. But then we heard Mira telling them we were in the bathroom and our tension faded a bit.

"Together? That's ridiculous. Why would they go to the bathroom together, Mirajane?" Laxus's voice boomed.

"You know how girls are, they go everywhere together." Gajeel added.

"Yes, but that doesn't explain why they took off in such a hurry. Now does it, Mira?" Natsu said, I swear I could hear the smirk in his voice.

"Uhhh, Levy is on her period! She needed help cleaning herself up so that's why Lucy went with her."

I looked at Levy and tried not to burst out in laughter at the look of how embarrassed she is, her face getting redder than Erza's hair. But at least that was the end of their constant questioning until Natsu piped up asking what a period is and we could hear not just the other guys but the whole guild groan. I even face palmed and rolled my eyes at my hopelessly oblivious best friend. He clearly knows what attractions to the opposite gender is, so how he doesn't understand the woman's body is beyond me, then again it is Natsu.

"For someone trying to get into Lucy's pants you seriously don't understand the woman's body that well, do you, Salamander." Gajeel said chuckling.

Now it was my turn to become redder than both Levy's face and Erza's hair. After that the guys ended up in an uproar fighting with each other, but at least that got them off our backs.

"Well, now that that's over. Let's get to it." Levy said, fist pumped.

I nodded, agreeing with her. We sat at a table, side by side as I got the book out and put it in the middle of us. I flipped through the pages again until I got to 567, the Dragon Season. I took a deep breath and looked at Levy before continuing. She nodded and I sighed one more time before I started to read directly from the text.

"Dragon Season is something that happens in all young Dragons and or Dragon Slayers, this is a period of time where they go through a second puberty if you will, in hopes of choosing a lifetime partner. A warning to all, that this time comes and goes at random, there is never a set time this will occur, only when the Dragon or Dragon Slayer has reached his or her peak in maturity, going into adulthood. Typically, when their elemental solstice has reached its highest point within themselves, meaning when their element and magik has grown in strength and supply with age. Though not every Dragon is the same when it comes to Dragon Season, they are all unique in their own way but one trait always complies with every Dragon or Dragon Slayer. They are highly protective over their chosen mate and because of this, they will eliminate anything they view as a threat. This can be concerning in some ways as they may lash out at anyone without intending to."

Hmmm ...that makes sense to why that warning was there in the beginning. Innocent people could be hurt or worse. I look over to see Levy's reaction and see that she understands it as well.

"So, this Dragon Season is the Dragon or Dragon Slayers way of choosing a lifelong partner. In dumber terms, it's their mating season!" Levy says, wide eyed.

"Yes, seems to be. Every living creature that walks the earth has a mating season or ritual of some sort, it's only natural. Even humans, sex is just a normal thing in nature." I said shrugging.

"How can you say that so casually, Lucy?! Don't you know what this means?!"

I raised an eyebrow at her, "What do you mean, Lev?"

She sighed a bit annoyed, "I swear Lu, you're such an airhead sometimes. It means that the guys have already chosen their mates, the female they want to bond with for life. I'm Gajeel's mate, Mira is Laxus's mate and you Lu, you're Natsu's."

I gasped and could practically feel my eyes bug out of their sockets, "What?! No way! We're just friends. There is no way Natsu sees me in a romantic way."

"Obviously he does, Lu! You admitted it yourself, ya know, he's aroused when you're near him."

I blushed madly, "You don't know that for sure, Levy. Something could just be going on with him and he doesn't know how to control it."

"Clearly, he has the hots for you Lu, get used to it." She said giggling.

"No, there must be something else. Here let me see if it says anything specific about what he is. His main element is fire so it would be, ah ha, here under Fire Dragons or Dragon Slayers." I said frantically, scanning the book again for something specific.

Levy looks over and sighs as she reads where my finger is, "...Fire Dragons or Dragon Slayers are the most dangerous when in Dragon Season as their more primal instinct takes control to protect and claim territory over their mate. They become very unpredictable with how they will act around anyone that comes in contact with their mate, especially other males. They will become furiously enraged, irrational and aggressive, which causes them to act out violently towards others getting in the way of them and their chosen mate. This does not just apply to male Dragons or Dragon Slayers, females act just the same. Only difference is that males will react highly possessive over their mates, not letting them leave their sight, while females will become highly territorial, warning off any other females trying to mate with their chosen male..."

"Welp, that explains why Natsu keeps tossing guys away from you." Levy said giggling.

"Yes but what about the part about the female mate? It says that she will become territorial, I am so not like that. Most of Natsu's friends are other females and it doesn't bother me one bit." I said crossing my arms over my chest, pouting.

"Yeah, not yet." Levy said, smirking at me.

"What is that supposed to mean, this is just applied to female Dragons and or Dragon Slayers, isn't it? We're just humans so that doesn't mean we will start acting like that, will it?" I asked, a bit confused.

Levy sighed annoyed and rolled her eyes at me, "Lucy, Lucy, Lucy did you not hear what I just said?"

I looked at her with my eyebrow raised, she took me by the shoulders and sighed. "Lucy this is applied to the chosen Dragon or Dragon Slayers mate. Mates will coincide with each other, the males will react a certain way and so will females, they feed energy off each other. So yes, us girls will start acting this way once the boys try mating with us, embarrassing as it is, it is the truth. We have to mate with them just as much as they need to mate with us to keep the natural order."

"Oh, I see that makes sense. Well what about you huh? Gajeel is an iron elemental, what does the book say about Iron Dragons or Dragon Slayers." I asked pouting, annoyed how much of a kick Levy is getting about embarrassing me with this.

She rolled her eyes and scanned the book with her finger until she came across it, then began to read aloud. "...Iron Dragons or Dragon Slayers are the next to become dangerous when in Dragon Season as their appetite becomes overbearing. These Dragons or Dragon Slayers will constantly gorge themselves with food in hopes of attracting a mate by showing their ability to provide for future young. This also applies to both genders of Dragons or Dragon Slayers, the only difference is that once the females become impregnated, they will start to scour the earth for the best iron around and hoard it away to start building a nest for their young. A warning to any soul that dares go near a female's nest…"

I pointed at her and laughed, "Who's the embarrassed one now, Lev!"

She waved my teasing away and stood up, sliding the book over to me. "Yeah, yeah, yeah, shut it Lu. We still need to find out about Laxus for Mira, we did promise her after all."

I giggled and nudged her shoulder to lighten her mood, "Oh c'mon Lev, it's just a bit of fun."

She smirked and stuck her tongue out at me, I giggled. "Laxus is a lighting elemental so would that be considered a storm dragon or something?" Levy asked, eyebrows raised.

I twitched my lips to the side in thought, "Hmm...I'm not sure how this book classifies that. Hopefully it'll just say something about lightning, let me look."

"Ah ha, here is it Levy. It was right under Natsu's, I had to backtrack a bit. Let's see here, it says...Lighting Dragons or Dragon Slayers come to a second in terms of being the most dangerous when in Dragon Season as both male and females will strive to prove their worth to each other in strength and agility. This type of Dragon and or Dragon Slayer will become dangerously competitive to others of their gender to attract a mate, males will become obsessive and highly determined to show off their strength against other males, going as far as sparing with other males in a death match. While females will become emotionally unstable as their hormones will become dangerously unbalanced, as they get enraged at anything they view as a threat to themselves or their mate…"

Levy and I looked at each other when I stopped reading. We shared looks of concern and fear, just imagining Mira emotionally unstable is terrifying, she can be worse than Erza. Oh no. I'm not sure which is worse at this point, Natsu wanting to mate with me or Mira becoming more of the she-devil she already is.

"T-this is all hypothetical, right? It's not actually gonna happen, is it?" I asked nervously.

Levy gulped, "I think it already has Lu."

I groaned a little, "Does it say anywhere in the book about how long this Dragon Season is supposed to last?"

Levy pouted in thought as she looked over the book and sadly shook her head, "It's hard to say. All it says is that every Dragon and or Dragon Slayer is different, meaning that there is no set in stone time period of how long Dragon Season lasts. Some say a week, others say a month. I really don't know, Lu."

I sighed and bit my lip, "I was afraid of that."

"What are we going to do Levy? Isn't there something we can, to alter this Dragon Season? I have a feeling if this keeps going, there will be more people ending up in the infirmary than just Elfman." I said, the worry slowing clearly in my voice.

Levy shrugged and shook her head, "I don't think so. If this is their nature then maybe it's best to let it ride itself out, we'll just have to make sure no one gets hurt because of the guys. That's all we really can do."

I sighed and looked away knowing that she was right. Hopefully this doesn't end up in such a disaster like I am thinking. My heart picks up in rhythm as I lull over the idea of Natsu and I getting all romantic, but then again maybe the only reason he's acting this way towards me is just because it's his natural process of being what he is, not for love. Tears start to brim my eyes at the thought of Natsu not being in love with me, but maybe it is true. How silly of me to ever think that he could actually…..nevermind. It's just foolish thinking.