Hey guys! It's Kytrin again. Due to the amount of stuff Mslead currently has on her plate, I've decided to keep posting here for her until things have calmed down enough that she's not being pulled in fifty directions. I'm not actually sure how long that'll take, so you guys might well see me until the end of the story lol! Either way, know that she does get your reviews, and I'm positive she appreciates all the well wishes she's had so far.
Do keep in mind I will mostly be under my own account here, so if you need to PM us please send it directly to me as I might not see it right away under Mslead's profile. Also, don't forget I'm going to be posting on tumblr at the same time, and while I've gotten better at that it could take me a minute to get it both places on posting days.
That said... enjoy the chapter! :)
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CHAPTER 25
Sandman
The Sandman is a mythical character in Central and northern European folklore who puts people to sleep and brings good dreams by sprinkling magical sand onto the eyes of people while they sleep at night.
"So tell me about this demon tribe that helped you out before." Metallicana rumbled as he tore another bite off his breakfast.
It seemed that despite Rogue's words the night before, dragons were quite fond of eggs, bread, fruit, and fried meat for breakfast. There was even more than one type of beverage. It was just all in quantities that made it look like they were feeding an army. Levy wasn't sure if they were going all out for their benefit or not, but either way she was pleased to have a relatively normal breakfast and not more roast.
"They live on Galuna Island." Gajeel replied as he made himself a bacon and metal sandwich of all things, "Seems they're the castoffs of demon society. They were created to work, but then got booted by the more powerful demons."
He shrugged and took a bite, "They left before they could become cannon fodder, and settled on the island. They don't like Tartaros, but they're too weak to fight them except in little ways, so they keep to themselves as much as they can."
He smirked at his father, "I tell you what though, they've cornered the non-human tradin' market for the islands in the area. The chief was tellin' me they've got contacts with just about every sentient the area, and even a village of giants inland."
"Interesting." Metallicana mused thoughtfully, "Do you think they would be interested in trading with the nest? There are a number of things we would be able to trade in exchange for more varied foodstuffs and the few items we lack the ability to create ourselves."
Gajeel nodded, "I'm sure they would. A powerful ally might help them out a lot. 'Specially if there's the chance of a nest interested in takin' up residence in the future. They told us about a big temple in the middle of the island. It's abandoned and they can't use it, but if it's still in decent shape..."
"It would make a fine dragon nest." Metallicana nodded, "That's certainly something to keep in mind. Though I'm not interested in us moving away from Tenrou."
Natsu yawned noisily from nearby, his beady eyes following the bacon Lucy was pulling up to her mouth. He had already licked his own plate clean in record time and was now seeming to contemplate stealing some of her food while she was distracted.
But his attention was partially divided anyway. He glanced back at Gajeel, his eyebrow raising, "Wouldn't an alliance with dragons make Galuna look like a threat to both the humans and demons of Tartaros?"
He waved a dismissive hand through the air, managing to swipe some food off Gajeel's plate as he did so, "Like, wouldn't that make them a target to both? Either way you look at it, you've got Tartaros not likin' the Galuna Islanders to gain a strong ally for rebellion, and the humans don't know the difference between nice demons and bad ones."
"Besides, won't opening a trading post with the demons be getting involved in their affairs more than Igneel wanted? You're out of his nest now, but I bet that will still piss your king off plenty," Natsu tapped his fingers against his desk.
"I see what you're saying," Levy frowned over at where the demon was stretching next to Lucy, deigning not to elaborate, "It's been over four hundred years without either Galuna or the dragons being attacked, because for whatever reason they haven't been seen as a threat."
"And we clearly know dragons are a threat," Natsu mumbled.
Levy nodded, "So that can only mean they haven't attacked any of the dragon's nest because they have remained completely neutral in this whole war. But any shift to that-..."
She trailed off.
"That would be a problem yeah." Gajeel rumbled, "This nest ain't old enough or big enough yet to stand against that. Maybe in two or three hundred years, but not yet."
"Why that long?" Lucy asked curiously.
"Because that's the least amount of time I would need to firmly establish our territory and raise our profile enough to attract more dragons." Metallicana rumbled irritably, "At the moment Skiadrium and his queen are the only breeding pair in our nest, and Gajeel and Rogue our only hatchlings."
"The true wealth of a dragon's nest is determined by how prosperous it is for those who live there." Rogue explained quietly, "Dragon fertility is a direct result of how much food and other resources are available. These are things that Tenrou and the surrounding islands have in abundance, but the nest itself is young and unproven despite who our drake is. It will take time to raise our profile enough to attract the right caliber of dragon to build us up into a force that can stand against Tartaros."
"So when you say you're looking to trade you really meant establishing yourselves as something more than you are now." Lucy replied.
"Yes." Metallicana replied with a frown, "Unfortunately, Natsu has a point. Even if the Galuna demons are neutral with regard to Tartaros and humanity there is the chance Tartaros won't leave things be, and my brother is stubborn enough he wouldn't interfere if they chose to take exception to the arrangement."
Gajeel snorted, "No guarantee they would. They didn't seem to care about the Galuna demons or a rebellion one way or the other." He frowned, "Though I wouldn't put it past that asshole Jackal to blow 'em up just for fun if they tried anything."
Natsu leaned his elbows on the table and gave them a drowsy looking smile. He grinned at them hazily, somewhat pleased he was being taken seriously.
Although he supposed he had all the internal knowledge to be considered a threat already crammed into his head. Being a demon built to be a weapon had its advantages. Having a tactically aware brain for example.
He wet his lips and swiped another piece of food off Gajeel's plate, who swung wide and missed clocking him by a narrow margin. Natsu grinned in victory, a rumble vibrating in his chest.
He sagged down on a propped up elbow, leaning his head on his curled fist.
The feathery light touch from Lucy a moment later attracted his attention, even as the conversation drifted off into other topics.
"Are you okay?" Lucy asked curiously, "You've been yawning an awful lot."
Natsu ducked his head a bit sheepishly, "Sorry Lucy." He apologized, "I'm just tired."
"You didn't sleep well?" Lucy asked, cocking her head slightly, a little surprised Natsu hadn't woken her up if that was the case.
Natsu shook his head, "Naw. I kept waking up more than usual." He scowled, "It was really annoying."
Lucy frowned, "Hang on, more than usual? Has this happened before?"
Ugh, had he really just said that? He really was tired. He hadn't meant to tell Lucy that one. He knew how much she worried and usually it was fine since he was generally able to grab little naps during the day.
"Sometimes?" He admitted, "I don't usually sleep more than four or five hours anyway, but sometimes I wake up sooner. Though usually I can go back to sleep right after!"
"Hm. Even so, that's not something we can ignore." Lucy mused, "Even if you can get away with sleeping so little at night, which seems weird given how much you sleep during the day by the way, not being able to sleep at all is a problem."
"A sleep aid might do the trick." Chelia spoke up, her attention having been drawn by the topic of conversation, "Even demons are susceptible to those. If there's not a tablet form available I know the recipe for a tea that should do the trick provided we can get the ingredients."
Lucy nodded, "That sounds like a good idea." She agreed, and frowned thoughtfully, "I don't have one in my pack, and I don't think Natsu does either." She glanced at the demon inquiringly and he shook his head, "Hey Levy, do you have any sleep aids in your stuff?"
"What?" Levy asked, her attention being pulled from the other conversation, "Uh, I might. Why?"
"Natsu didn't sleep very well last night." Lucy smiled, "So I want to give him something and put him back to bed."
"Wait, but-" Natsu opened his mouth to protest, but was stopped when Lucy gave him a very firm look.
"No 'buts,'" she scolded him, "You need your rest. Especially if we're all going to be fighting and traveling so much. At least humor me this one time."
Natsu's shoulders hunched over and he reluctantly nodded. As much as he didn't want to worry Lucy, it seemed that was precisely what he had done.
Four to five hours, in truth, was an exaggeration. Although he did sometimes get that many. He more often than not got even less than that, sometimes waking up in fits and starts over a long course of time.
Although he did find he was able to sleep for longer periods of time when he was sprawled over or around Lucy. He supposed she set his mind at ease.
So when Levy got up to get her bag and returned shortly with a small packet of pills, Natsu took them with a great show of whining and reluctance.
"What're they supposed to do?" he asked, reaching across the tablet to refill his cup.
"Nothing bad Natsu." Lucy smiled, "I promise. They'll just make you drowsy enough to fall back asleep and help you stay asleep for a good eight hours or so. When you wake up again you might feel a bit groggy, but that should be about it."
Natsu whined softly again, and reluctantly opened the packet. He didn't want to do this, but Lucy's underlying order was both clear and firm. She wanted him rested and healthy, and he couldn't do that sleep deprived.
Lucy smiled sympathetically and patted his arm, "I'm sorry to make you do this, but hopefully this will be the only time."
"Fine." Natsu grumbled for show, and tossed the pills back, quickly chasing them with his drink. He hated taking pills, though he wasn't sure why, but for Lucy he would do anything.
"C'mon." Lucy said as she got up and gently tugged him to his feet, "I'm familiar with that kind, and you'll start to feel the effects soon. No sense in you passing out somewhere uncomfortable."
"Yeah, yeah." Natsu grumbled as he let her lead him off. He wasn't sure, but he thought he was already feeling sleepier. Not that he hadn't already felt exhausted before. He probably would've gone back to sleep as soon as he could anyway.
But by the time they made it back to their room, Natsu quickly realized that Lucy wasn't kidding.
He stumbled once and his knees buckled when a staggering yawn broke free from him and he swayed in his spot. Slowly, he edged towards the cushions and dropped back down on the disheveled pile.
He glanced sleepily over at Lucy, his eyes foggy from exhaustion.
"Gonna stay?" He asked, voice muffled from being mashed into the pillow, Another yawn shook out from his lungs and he curled onto his side, twisting a blanket in his arms.
"For a bit," Lucy grinned at him, watching with satisfaction as his eyelids drooped to half mast.
"I'll come in and check on you in a bit, so try to get some rest," She selected the book they had read together before and made herself comfortable next to Natsu.
He wiggled his hips closer to her, a sleepy smile on his face as his arm dropped onto her waist like a lead weight.
She grunted a bit and was about to chastise him for it when she realized a moment later he was almost completely out of it
She shook her head and settled down to relax. It wasn't how she'd expected to spend the day, but there were certainly worse ways.
She grinned as she reached over and managed to snag the book of fairy tales they'd been reading the night before and cracked it open. The stories in here might not all be positive, but they were fascinating to read all the same, and she had no qualms about spending a few hours doing so despite the novelty of being in a dragon nest of all places.
Outside of Metallicana and Rogue she hadn't interacted much with the other dragons, and it felt awkward to her to try given the strained relationship between most dragons and humans.
No, that was something she was more than happy to leave to Levy for the moment. She was the one they were obviously interested in anyway with her closeness to Gajeel.
Her lips twitched a little as she started to read. Hopefully those two would do something about their situation soon. It was clearer to her every day just how much Gajeel cared.
The thought was quickly forgotten as she lost herself in the book. However, sometime later, she wasn't sure how long, she was pulled from her reading by a small sound. Confused, she looked over at Natsu and frowned a little to see his face scrunched up and soft, pleading, whimpers coming from his throat.
"Natsu?" She murmured reaching over to gently rub his shoulder a little, "Are you okay?"
He didn't respond, the drugs too deep in his system to pull him out of his sleep. Instead his legs kicked feebily in the blankets, his eyelids fluttering in rapid blinks.
Moaning again, Natsu's breathing grew rapid, a coat of sweat breaking out over his face and chest. Lucy blinked at the sight of him in such a state.
He looked distressed, ragged breaths and begging whines gasping from his throat. Natsu's brows knitted into a sharp slant, his chest rising up from his shoulders only to slacken, fight draining out of him.
Lucy's eyes widened and she crept a hand to his forehead, only to quickly yank her hand away from him. He was burning up!
His breaths sounded hoarse, and his fingers fisted into the covers without control. Lucy shook his shoulder, quick to keep her touch off his hot body, but he didn't stir.
It seemed he wouldn't be waking up until whatever was in his system made its way back out.
And It seemed she had discovered the cause of his insomnia. Something was keeping him up. Something bad. Something not even Natsu knew. Memories perhaps?
She pushed the thought away in favor of wedging a thick pillow on her lap and positioning his head gently on top of it. Immediately, she felt a drop in temperature around his body, his subconscious no doubt adjusting to her presence.
Lucy sighed as she started carding her fingers through his hair, an action that seemed to quiet him further, "I'm sorry Natsu." She murmured, "I didn't know it was nightmares."
She resolved to herself that she wouldn't make him do this again. Ever. There was nothing worse than being trapped in your nightmares. She knew that from experience. And clearly Natsu's memories of his time before weren't nearly as gone as they'd hoped. That was something they'd have to be mindful of.
Unfortunately, there wasn't anything they could do about the current situation now. They didn't exactly have an antidote, so he would have to endure his memories for a while longer. With luck those memories would fade back into his foggy memory once he woke up, and the worst he would need would be a good meal.
She had even less intention of leaving him now than before though. She was resolved to stay put for him unless she absolutely had to get up for something.
And so it proved. She stayed with him as he whimpered and whined his way through the rest of his drug induced coma doing her best to keep him calm and let him know she was there. It seemed to help a little, which pleased her.
She just wished she could do more for him.
Eventually, just as late afternoon was starting to turn into early evening, Natsu shifted a little and lifted his head sleepily, "Lucy?" He mumbled groggily, and she smiled, "Right here Natsu."
He blinked at her in slight confusion and then seemed to realize that he was sleeping on her lap, and a slow, happy, smile worked its way over his lips.
"You stayed the whole time?" Natsu asked, looking quite pleased by the whole realization.
She thought if he had a tail he would have wagged it.
He twisted his head to press his nose into her stomach, his grin seeming to spread over his relaxed face. He blinked at her blearily and sat up slowly, groaning in the back of his throat.
"How did you sleep?" Lucy asked, a touch nervously.
Natsu rolled a shoulder as he crossed his legs, long hair spilling out over his chest and partially down his back. He grit his teeth together to smother the yawn.
"Like a rock," He admitted, his grin a little crooked as he glanced at her, "Not sure if I'll do it again though, I feel really weird. Slow."
"The sluggishness will wear off," Lucy gave him a look of relief and scooted in behind him, taking his hair soothingly between her hands.
He held still, glancing at her curiously over his shoulder as she finger combed it smooth.
"Did you dream about anything?" Lucy asked, again with her nerves just at the surface, her fingers beginning to twist the rosy hair into a braid. She plaited it carefully, making sure to capture all of the rosy spikes that threatened to spill from her fingers.
Especially with all of his squirming.
Natsu shrugged again, "I think so?" He frowned with thought, "I can't really remember anything though."
Lucy laughed a little, relief coursing through her, "That happens to me all the time." She told him as she tied off his braid, and shifted around to start working on one of the strands that had escaped her.
"Luuuucy!" Natsu whined, "Stop it!"
Lucy burst into laughter, aware that he was only whining for show and tugged gently on the braid she was working on, "What?" She teased, "You don't like me doing your hair?"
"I don't want it in braids!" Natsu pouted, pleased he'd made her laugh, "It looks weird."
"Heaven forbid you look weird." Lucy rolled her eyes, "But if you don't want it braided we could always trim it up." She grinned as she pulled out Cancer's key, "Cancer is the best stylist I know. I bet he could give you a good haircut."
Natsu tugged at a lock of hair thoughtfully, "You'd really do that?"
He hadn't ever considered asking to have his hair cut. It hadn't seemed important before, and now he was surprised she'd thought about it enough to offer. Though he supposed he really shouldn't have been.
"Natsu, your hair is almost long enough to match mine." Lucy retorted wryly, "And I keep mine that way deliberately. You're past due for a trim at the very least."
Before he could say another word she slashed her key through the air, "Open! Gate of the Crab! Cancer!"
"Hey baby." Cancer greeted as he appeared, "Looking for a new 'do?"
"Natsu could use a bit of a trim." Lucy replied, gesturing to the suddenly nervous demon edging away from the pillow pile, "I'm sure you can make him look good."
Natsu eyeballed Cancer, his expression one of extreme suspicion, "Don't I get a say in this?" he demanded, already feeling a tugging in a gut to make him obey the silent command. Only his hesitation over the sudden appearance of the spirit swayed it.
Lucy, reminded of their very recent experimentation with sleep deprivation, suddenly sobered as shame washed through her. She had already forgotten how very few choices Natsu actually had. And wasn't that just a kick in the gut?
His questioning might have just been his way to try and buy himself some time, and she couldn't really blame him.
"You're right Natsu," Lucy replied apologetically, "I'm sorry. You have every right to your appearance." She gestured to his long braid, "Would you like to have it cut?"
Natsu looked surprised, seemingly a little taken aback at how easily Lucy had given in. His eyes narrowed with clear suspicion and he let out a low hum.
Likes were still tricky for him to figure out, but he couldn't see any beneficial reason to keep the long hair. Not when it was just so much easier to fight without it getting in the way. Or caught on something.
"Y-yeah, is it safe?" He squinted at Cancer.
"Totally safe baby." Cancer replied easily, "You won't even notice until it's done."
"I should mention that Cancer can fix it back if you don't like it." Lucy told Natsu apologetically, "So there's no risk, and I didn't mean to run roughshod all over you like that. Really."
Natsu's heart thumped a bit at her apology and he smiled at her, "It's okay Luce." He replied without thinking, "I know you didn't."
And he truly did know. She went out of her way to avoid giving him direct orders except where his health was concerned. It was the subtle commands that tended to get her, and he loved her for how she made an effort even there.
He eyed Cancer for another moment and nodded as he settled on a stray pillow, "Alright crab man, let's see what you can do."
He had no reason to distrust Lucy so he would let them try it. Though part of him was pleased that Cancer's magic could fix it if he wanted. He didn't know about like or dislike in this case, but he knew instinctively that change made him twitchy, so being able to go back to the familiar if he wanted was comforting.
"You got it baby!" Cancer replied and slashed his scissors through the air at Natsu's head. In moments hair was sent flying everywhere and Cancer was holding up a mirror to show Natsu what he looked like with his new style.
Natsu blinked, his head feeling suddenly a hundred times lighter. His fingers groped through the short locks, his head tilting at the sight of his reflection in the mirror.
"Whooooooa," He propped his fingers through it, clutching at his locks of hair between his hands and standing up quickly, "It's so light!"
His cheeks flushed and he grinned at Lucy so wide his smile was in danger of breaking off his face.
"I-I ... like it!"
He turned to Lucy, riding happily off the feeling of being free from his hairy prison. Natsu swooped her in between his hands, laughing at her startled squeal. Especially when she braced her hands on his shoulders.
"Thank you Lucy! I like it!" He repeated this, but with more passion now that he was certain of his feelings behind it.
His eyes glittered with excitement and he jumped energetically, Lucy still in his grasp, "I feel like my head could float away!"
Lucy laughed happily, "I'm so glad you like it!" She replied sincerely, "You look really good!"
Amazingly good actually. It was a little startling. The long hair had looked good on him, but this was just as good if not better. She ran her fingers through his hair and tugged gently, "Thanks Cancer, you did a really good job."
The spirit smiled at them and nodded as he vanished back through the gate.
"I really like it!" Natsu cackled again, "You're the best Lucy!"
Lucy blushed a little and pulled him into a spontaneous hug, "I'm so proud of you Natsu."
Not because he'd called her the best. Though the compliment pleased her. But because he liked his haircut. She knew how big a thing that was for him, and in her eyes it was one step closer to him fully healing from what was done to him.
She pulled back a moment later and grinned, "C'mon! Why don't we go show off your haircut and get something to eat? Because I don't know about you, but I'm starving!"
Natsu nodded, feeling a sudden and unexplained loss when she pulled away. Her smile lingered in his mind even when Lucy turned around.
He was gripped with the urge to take her back into his arms and hug her until...
He didn't know what in truth.
But he still had that impulse to hold her and not let go.
Because as happy as that interaction made him, he also felt that perhaps there was something happening he didn't quite know. Like there was something lingering in her mind and throwing her off balance.
He could feel it in the way she hugged him and the way she questioned him about his dreams.
He just didn't know how to ask her.
But, he reasoned, it was fine. She seemed to feel weirdly guilty about her subconscious demands, even if he knew it wasn't what she intended. It appeared like it was bothering her more than it was bothering him.
Still... he would have to keep an eye on his mistress.
She was keeping secrets, that much he knew.
Natsu would just have to wait until they came out into the open. Lucy would tell him in time.
Special thanks to our many reviewers! We love you all! I know some of you didn't like the fact last chapter was just Gale (or Gajevy if you prefer), but considering most of the rest of the story is NOTHING BUT NALU... I think we can spare a chapter to someone else huh? :)
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Still, he wished that was the case with these Tartaros freaks.
They had hurt their friends, and for some reason that thought alone made Natsu unreasonably furious.
Lucy reached over and gently curled her hand around his arm, "We'll get him Natsu." She promised, "One of these days Jackal will pay for this and every other crime he's committed."
Natsu slowly let out a breath he hadn't been aware he was holding and nodded. He hated that he couldn't go after Jackal now, but he understood why. Even if he could defeat Jackal now they'd just gone through a fairly intricate plot to escape Tartaros and doing so would undo all their hard work
"It still pisses me off though." He growled, "They didn't deserve this!"
"No one ever does Natsu." Lucy replied evenly, "These people didn't, the people demons kill every year don't. Even the villagers that ran us out of town don't deserve what happens to them either." She shook her head, "That's the problem with war. It hurts everyone, and it doesn't have borders. No matter what some people think."
Natsu stared at her a little in surprise. He hadn't actually thought about it that way at all.
Lucy just smiled at him, "Don't worry too much. We're working to put an end to it, and once we do things will start to get better. Maybe they won't be perfect, but that's why the world will need guilds like Fairy Tail right?"
Natsu blinked and grinned back at her, "Yeah!"
