Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima.
She wiggled where she sat, her gaze steadfast and forward. Smiling as if nothing was wrong at all. Waiting for the prosecuting attorney to ask the next question. But that small sensation between her shoulder blades was not going to go away, Oh no, it was going to stay there until she was done being asked question after question with one attorney, then the next. This was really testing what little bit of decorum she still had left from her days in High Society.
Why did this always have to happen at the worst possible time? Why did nature think it was funny to cause this sensation to happen when things, important things, were going on? She would never know. It was like asking how many licks to the center of a tootsie pop. The answer was to never be known. And right now her friend needed her to be focused, answer correctly. Because the charges being lobbied were wrongful and stupid.
Not looking away as she kept the polite smile on her lips, Lucy cursed Minerva from the bottom of her soul, which she was sure was very black right now. But to return it to a gray color, she would go to confession, if she didn't kill someone first from going insane due to that niggling irritation between her shoulder blades.
"Miss Heartfilia, are you sure that you are not being biased because you are friends, team, and guildmates with the defendant?" came the sardonic voice of one Rufus Lohr.
Wanting to scream at the memory make mage, who she was not surprised was also qualified to be a lawyer, Lucy didn't even bat an eyelash as she replied, "No sir. I am well aware of his nature and penchant for wanton destruction, being thoughtless and brashness better than anyone else. And believe that everyone should be held accountable for their actions."
The way the man just looked at her, clearly taken off balance by her bluntness had her dancing happily in her mind. Still, she waited for him to collect his thoughts and keep asking these pointless questions, leading her on. Trying to get her to trip over herself and get Natsu thrown into Jail for something she knew he would never do. Even if he was technically a demon. Which explained his need for destruction and fighting all the time. But she knew that the one thing he would never do was intentionally harm someone with intent, let alone a woman.
So as Rufus asked the next volley of questions, Lucy couldn't help but frown as she answered. Wondering where her 'help' was at. It was odd that they were not in the courtroom right now. Supposedly with evidence that was to help clear her friends name.
"Miss Heartfilia, are you doing okay? You are starting to sweat and look pale," Rufus said, drawing her from her thoughts.
That damned niggling irritation was turning into an outright burning sensation, spreading across her back. Which she was sure was just her mind starting to blow it out of proportion since she had yet to take care of it.
Opening her mouth to say something the doors to the courtroom burst open and a rather frantic Lahar stood there. His purple eyes wide as he stared at her in horror. Unsure of what was going on as everyone stood up and the heads of the Magic Council murmured amongst themselves.
"I am sorry for the disruption, I was held up with that evidence your honors requested," he said, but his eyes remained on Lucy who was not quite sure why he was so focused on her.
The way he strode with purpose into the main area, all eyes trained on him, Lucy wondered just what size his brass balls were as he handed to the bailiff a small folder and lacrima disc. Quickly darting a look to Minerva, she saw the woman look absolutely livid. Meaning that she was feeling threatened now. A small sigh escaping her lips as Lucy felt cool hands on her arms pulling her from the witness stand.
"Mister Lahar what are you doing! We are in the middle of a trail here!" came a female voice to her right as Lucy gave a whimper.
Looking up at him, she wondered just what he was doing as that burning flared more through her body. Which, she was sure, shaking from being suddenly cold.
"I am sorry Ma'am, Sirs. But she needs immediate medical attention. Did no one notice she was not looking well? That her skin is both pale and flushed? If not you are all idiots," he snapped as she felt herself being tugged along.
"Lucy do you have any abnormal sensations at all on your skin?" He asked her.
Nodding her head as she mumbled her back itched and burned between her shoulder blades. Only to feel mortified as he stopped and jerked first her jacket than her shirt from her person. Exposing her to the people in the courtroom as a loud hiss filled it. Curious she tired look over her shoulder to her back to see what had caused it. Only to feel her shirt back on her body as she was hefted up.
"If your honors don't mind I am taking her to the hospital immediately," she heard Lahar say as the world started to swim around her as her body heated once more, that itching and burning spreading to more of her body.
"what? Why?" she mumbled.
"You were playing with a small child before you were delivered your notice to stand as a witness on this trail. That child had Chickenpox," he stated as a gasp came from those around them. "And I recall that you once asked Natsu if he had ever been exposed to them. Only to admit you had not. Chickenpox in an adult is deadly. That kid is now at the hospital himself for scratching, Lucy."
The silence that was almost deafening in her ears had Lucy just stare at the man. He was normally their enemy. A minion of the Magic Council. Now he was her savior? Concerned for her well being? This was a dream, right? Her mind going in circles as she tried to free her hands to scratch. The urge, no need was getting unbearable. It was impossible that she had Chickenpox, it was a child's illness...
But she wouldn't complain, much, Lahar was carrying her. And she had been dreaming of having his arms around her for a while. Sighing as she looked up, seeing a look of shock, horror and amusement wash across his face, along with a faint blush. Making her wonder why he was acting like that. It was not as if she was speaking her thoughts aloud, right? He was a very good looking man. And it was only natural to be attracted, right?
As she continued to watch him get redder and redder, Lucy smiled and just let her eyes close. Unaware of the eyes of those of her guildmates who had followed wide-eyed and in shock at her. So blissfully unaware of the fact that she had indeed been speaking aloud her thoughts in her fevered delirium.
And it had all started with an Itch!