*Note: Italicized is a flashback
Chapter 12
Welcome Home?
Heat. I could feel heat on my skin. It's like kissing me over and over again that no matter what position I am in, the heat would find its way and caress my skin. I squinted my eyes as I opened them bit by bit after a long night's sleep. It's been a while since I had a good rest and what made it better was when all of the players of Midnight Circus got a note after our little encounter in the toy box.
We were transported to the park in the middle of the town and still, Natsu carried me in his arms as I barely remembered anything. In the moment I held that small blade between my fingers, I dozed off and everything turned black. It was as if someone was whispering me to got to sleep as I felt the darkness' hands touch my body and pull it to its embrace.
Next thing I knew, I was being carried by Natsu in his arms and telling me to rest. I didn't know why but I listened to his words and held a cool silver blade in my hands. I didn't know what was happening but it felt like my body enjoyed what just happened when I dozed off in the middle of the fight.
"Dear players." Everyone stopped moving and looked up to the source of the voice yet there was none. It was just a verbal anouncement through speakers if I could say.
"Midnight Circus shall be under rehabilitaion for a while." The familiar words of the Game Master echoed through out the game area and everyone stayed still, all having the same thought. "Therefore, the games shall be cancelled for two weeks. On the first Friday after the rehabilitaion period, expect a different game change to this Circus. As of now, enjoy your break players. The game now shall end earlier than expected." And as if on cue, everyone rejoiced and cheered when the announcement was done. This was a miracle that we could escape from the survival mania even for just a short period of time. And one by one, we were transported out of the replica and I was back into my own room in the blink of an eye. I dropped to the hard wood floor and for a while, I sat there. listening to the clock ticking as it neared 4 a.m.
I blinked my eyes in confusion, trying to remember what just happened when the familiar feeling of the cold blade was gone. I looked for it everywhere in my room, hoping I dropped it when I got back, yet there was none.
"It looks like that item was only for the game." I sighed and got up from the floor. I walked across the dark room, the only source of light from the post lights on the streets that came in through my window. It was kind of hard to see, but I had to go to the bathroom because for some odd reason, I felt sticky.
"I think I need a bath." I mumbled and stiffled a yawn when I reached for the bathroom light switch as I opened the door. "Or a good sleep." I walked in and opened the faucet on the sink to wash my face when I noticed something red being slowly washed away by the cold water. I tried scrubbing it off from my hands and washed my face yet it just keeps getting redder and redder. I quickly went to my bath tub and turned the faucet on, filling the tub to the rim.
As soon as the tub was filled, I took off my clothes and went into the tub, pouring as much soap as I can. All night, I scrubbed off every inch of my body, hoping to get rud of the vivid color and the foul smell. I wasn't stupid. I knew it was blood, but I don't want to know how I got it.
I walked over to my kitchen and prepared a light breakfast of coffee and a tuna sandwich, after dressing myself in a mini skirt and spaghetti strap blouse.
"Now that I think about it, there's about a week left until Midnight Circus returns." I said to no one in particular as I munched on my sandwich while leaning on the kitchen counter. "What should I then? It's the weekend tomorrow after all and there's no class today." Yes, it was a Friday and due to a holiday, classes were cancelled. Now, I'm stuck at home with nothing to do. "Maybe I should write a story instead?"
A knock echoed through my apartment and I set down my breakfast on the counter and walke over to my door. I swallowed the remaining bits of sandwich left in my mouth before calling out to the person to the other side.
"Who is it?" I asked while peeking through the small glass hole on the door.
"A delivery for Ms. Lucy Heartfilia." A post man was holding a piece of letter outside and I quickly opened the door with a smile.
"Yes, that would be me." The postman smiled at me as he handed the letter and I took the piece of envelope from his hands. "Thank you." I mummbled. "Have a good day." He replied and walked off.
I closed the door behind me and headed back to kitchen to finish my breakfast. After cleaning up my dishes, I opened the letter when suddenly, a pink haired mage went flying into my room. He crashed on my floor as I sat on the couch, staring at him wide eyed.
"Neh Natsu. Are we at the right place?" A blue cat emerged from under the mage and flew up into the air.
"Yep Happy. I think this is the one." Natsu stood up like nothing happened and scanned over my room as I continued to sit there, staring at him. Okay. Natsu came crashing into my apratment, through the window and a flying talking blue cat is with him. Okay. Let me take time to process this...
"Natsu Dragneel! Why the hell are you in my apartment?" I stood up, mad at the pink haired classmate of mine while he looked at me with his wide toothy grin.
"Yo Luce! I had nothing to do so I decided to drop by." Natsu comfortably sat on the couch across of me and placed both of his feet on the table. He looked around more with his eyes and I heard him comment on how nice my apartment is.
"Wait a second. I thought we're not supposed to use magic so why were you flying?" I returned to sit down on the couch, still holding the said letter in my hands.
"Technically, I'm not using magic. Happy is." He pointed to the blue cat sitting beside him and it stared at me with its huge eyes.
"Aye Sir!" The cat talked to me and smiled.
"Lucy, this is Happy, my best friend and Happy this is Lucy, my classmate and friend." I greeted the cat back and offered it a left over fish, which it glady accepted.
"So Luce, what are you up to?" Natsu sat properly now, waiting for me to reply.
I looked at the letter and carefully unfolded the single piece of paper which contained a few words from a person I know very well. I sighed and stood up while showing the confused Natsu the very short message.
Please return home.
"It looks like I'm going home for the weekend." I dropped the paper on to the table and left to go packing some very few things. Or maybe none at all.
I just took my pink hairbrush from the dresser and my bag with the Jewels I need before checking myself on the mirror if I look presentable or not.
"Wait. You're going home?" Natsu jumped up from the sofa and ran over to me as I brushed my hair and tied it into a side pony tail.
"Yep." I said with popping the p at the end. "I have to. It's like I'm not forced or anything but this is a request I have to fulfill. I rarely go home anyway." I began wearing my sandals and with one last look, I was ready to go and board the train.
"Wait a second!" Natsu suddenly grabbed my arm and span me around to face him. His face was close, well really close and I think I felt my heart skipped a bit for a second there.
"W-What is it?" I stepped back, feeling that my personal space was violated due to his rash actions.
"Can we go too?!" I was dumbfounded. Natsu and Happy coming with me? Home? To my house? "Please Lucy..." Now both cat and mage are begging me to bring them both with an effort to put up an adorable face.
Should I bring them or not?
"No!" I screamed and ran as fast as I could out of my apartment. Quickly as I can, I ran through the streets, hoping to lose Natsu before I could ride the train.
"Lucy!" I heard his voice call my name and when I looked back, he was flying with Happy, still chasing me. Damn, he was fast.
"No you can't!" I screamed and ran even more.
"Why not? I want to see your house too." I shuddered from his words. There was no way I'm letting someone visit my house ever again. The last time I invited a friend over, I regretted it very much. And most of all, no one can find out that I'm from a rich family. No one would take me seriously if that happened.
With all my might, I ran even more, feeling the lack of oxygen within my lungs yet that wasn't going to slow me down. I forced my legs to make bigger steps, move with an even greater speed that I'm not used to. I was determined to not let Natsu or anyone in particular, find out about my real identity. If that happens... He may start treating me differently.
"Lucy watch out!" I heard Natsu screamed yet it was too late. I was about to crash into a group of people and without realizing it, my feet were lifted off the ground before I smashed into a red head mage.
Natsu was able to catch me before I hurt myself and due to the speed we were going at, he made Happy let go and we crashed into the wall of the station instead. I closed my eyes and braced for the impact yet strangely, there was no pain.
"That was close." I heard a low mumble at the nape of my neck. My eyes fluttered open as I felt two arms embracing my waist and something soft at my back.
I looked around and saw Erza Scarlet and Gray Fullbuster staring at my direction oddly. Erza took small steps towards my position whereas Gray placed his hands in his pockets while giving a smug look.
"What are the both of you doing?" Erza stopped walking and folded her hands on her chest as she raised an eyebrow. I on the other hand had no words to say about our behavior. I mean we almost caused a ruckus in Magnolia.
"Yo Erza!" I felt Natsu greet the serious looking mage in front of us with a ridiculous smile and at that point I know something bad is about to happen.
It was just a gut feeling but with just a few words, I think my life may just be over.
...
"So Lucy, why are you going home?" Gray, across from me, asked while playing with his magic by making small snowflakes on his palms. He was sitting beside Erza because there was no way that Gray and Natsu could sit quietly together.
We were currently riding the train to my hometown, and unexpectedly, Gray and Erza decided to tag along. The sound of the train's wheels on the tracks echoed through our cabin as I sighed and leaned my head on the glass window.
"Well I was asked to go home so that's all there is to it." I replied, still depressed that I am bringing friends home. I imagined the scene an hour ago in the station of Magnolia where Natsu blurted out that I'm going home for the weekend and he is coming with me. I tried to correct him that he wasn't but Erza was already at the ticket counter, ordering four tickets to my hometown. The worst part was, the ticket girl knew me and immediately sold Erza the certain tickets I buy.
Apparently, Erza and Gray bumped into each other in the city and since they had nothing to do for the whole weekend, they immediately decided to go with me without my consent.
Well, I may lose them once I get off this train but who am I kidding? The three of them are powerful mages and even if I lose them in town, everyone knows me and my family.
Oh and it looks like Happy is free from paying the ticket because he is a cat.
"Ugghhhh. I hate trains." Natsu grumbled beside me as he laid on the cushion seat we were on. He had the very serious type of motion sickness and sadly, there was no medicine to cure it no matter how many pills he takes.
Happy was beside Natsu, chewing on a fish he mysteriously carried while our cabin was once again a quiet box aside from the train sound and Natsu's constant barfing sounds and grumbles.
"We have reached our stop!" The conductor shouted as the train came to a halt and we stood up while Erza and Gray had to pick up Natsu from rolling around in the cabin.
We made small and slow steps out of the big vehicle and unto the familiar train station. Once a few minutes being on solid ground, Natsu revived from the dilemma of riding the train and regained his strength like nothing happened.
"Yahahaha! Let's go to Lucy's house!" He was up and alive and immediately grabbed my hand and dragged me into town, out of the station. Gray and Erza followed too, but after a few twists and turns through alleyways, Natsu stopped running in front of a fruit stand and looked at me dumbly.
"Uhh Luce... Where's your house?" He asked and I think I heard a vein popped from behind us.
"You flamebrain!" Gray punched Natsu's head with a big thud and before any useless fight would start, Erza glared at them like a devil ready to drag them to hell. Both of them seemed to notice the dark aura coming from the Vice President and in an instant they became dogs, wagging their tails so obediently.
Erza released a long sigh and looked at me with calm eyes. "Lucy can you lead us to your house?" I had no choice but to say yes and considering it's almost noon, everyone was pretty hungry to have lunch.
We walked through the town and out in silence but occasionally, I could feel Natsu and Gray sending death glares to each other once in a while.
The scenery changed from the busy market to a wide vast of land with small cottages here and there. There was a lot of greenery and one could see the mountains very clearly from the road.
"This is such a peaceful place." Erza muttered as a small smile appeared on her lips as she kept looking around, feeling relaxed. A cool wind blew and that made her smile more as she felt the sweet and cold gust on her skin.
"So Lucy, which of these do you own?" Natsu placed both of his hands behind his head and looked at the uniformed houses we passed by.
"Uhhh..." As much as I wanted to not answer their question, there was no point in keeping it a secret any longer if we were already here. "All." I muttered under my breath, hoping they haven't heard it.
"What did you say?" Natsu asked again.
I felt my cheeks heat up as he brought his face closer to mine, not even minding that with one small mistake, he may kiss me straight on the lips.
"ALL!" I may had said it too loud that all of them stopped moving and stared at me wide eyed. Unfortunately, Natsu was still too close to me that anymore, I may look like a tomato.
"What?!" Everyone screamed in disbelief and I knew I wanted to be in hole somewhere right around now.
"Then which of these houses do you live in?" Natsu asked again, this time one of his hands resting on my shoulders. We continued to walk down the road because anytime soon, I'll be home. Not that they need to know.
"Hime-sama." A familiar voice got caught by my ears and straight ahead, I saw Virgo bowing before me, still with those cuffs on her hands. "Lea-san is waiting for you at the door." She stood up straight with the poker face she has as her maid outfit danced with the wind.
"That's Virgo, one of your spirits right?" I nodded at Erza and then directed back my smile to my loyal spirit. I ordered Virgo to go ahead and check if Lea, the sender of the letter is alright and well.
"Thank you very much Virgo." I said.
"Is it time for punishment Hime-sama?" I almost collapsed from her words. Everytime I summon Virgo, it's always like this. Punishments.
"No need. You can go back now." I gave a nervous smile and she disappeared back to the Spirit World.
We continued on, with Natsu still holding on to my shoulder. He was pestering me to answer yet I wouldn't budge. It's not like I find his constant poking of my cheek or arm annoying nor his fingers tickling my side. It's just that the more he touches me, the sensitive I get.
"Lucy-sama!" I heard an old voice all too well. It's a voice that I missed ever since I left home and went to the academy.
"Lea-san!" I called out to the middle-aged lady and ran into her arms.
"You've gotten quite prettier Lucy-sama." She chuckled and brushed my hair like my mother did. We broke the hug and soon, Natsu and the rest caught up to us.
Lea-san directed her attention to the newly arrived group and bowed to them like she did to guests.
"You must be Lucy-sama's friends." They acknowledged her words and Lea-san smiled warmly. "I'm Lea, a servant of the Heartfilias."
"S-servant?" Happy stuttered. All of them looked even more surprised and I know once they get into the house, they'll be asking for a tour.
"Yes, come this way." Lea led all of us further down the road until I could see the all too familiar garden and the yellow coated mansion at the end. "Welcome to the Heartfilia estate." Lea smiled and as expected all of them were speechless.
It was like for a good five minutes of silence before Natsu was able to snap out of the shock.
"Lucy! What's with the long face?" Natsu threw his arm over my shoulders and brought me closer to him. I lost my balance for a bit due to the sudden force but after I regained it, I could smell the musky scent he had on his neck.
"Aren't you happy to be home?" He gave me a toothy grin and Gray and Erza patted my back, also having smiles.
"Uh..." I wasn't able to reply again and this time I swear that I'm bright red. Natsu was very close now. Too close for my liking that is.
"You have a great home Lucy. You should protect it with all your might." Natsu messed up my hair with his other hand I swatted it away before my hair looked like a bird's nest. We both laughed and then for the first time, I felt happy that I brought someone home.
"Welcome to my home everyone." I smiled and ran ahead. I could see the other servants near the door and I smiled very wide as I waved out my hand frantically in the air like an excited kid.
"I'm home!" I shouted and ran even more. It feels good to have someone expecting you to return.
Maybe Erza, Gray and Natsu are different from the rest. I thought that my house would never look like a home to others. It's just a huge building to the public's eyes after all.
"Is this your house Lucy?" I nodded in agreement.
"It's so big!"
"You're just a show off!"
"It's just a house right? A useless building that you can't even call a home. Learn the difference Heartfilia."
I shook the old memory away from my mind as Natsu slapped my back and smiled. I returned the smile too and a thought crossed my mind that made me even more uneasy and embarrass than before.
"I wonder what's it like to have the same home as Natsu?" I whispered to myself and smiled even more as I imagined living in a cozy home and eating together at a dining table with a very heart warming feeling.
"Oi Lucy, you're blushing." Natsu pinched and stretched my cheek and laughed loudly. My thoughts vanished due to the pain and it just seemed like a far fetched dream if this is the Natsu we're talking about. "You look like a tomato." He pulled even more and continued laughing like an idiot.
I slapped his hand away and went into my home alone, pissed that he made my cheeks hurt.
"Never mind a home with Natsu, I'd think I'll die living with him." I rubbed my swollen cheek and headed upstairs.
Why did I even thought of having a home with him in the first place?
-Chapter End-
A/N: Sorry for the long wait. I had to apply and process College. Well you can say this chapter is somewhat like the calm before the storm, and there is more to this chapter than meets the eye.
P.S. Did my writing skills become sloppy? It's been a long time since I wrote a story again.
Next Chapter: The Heartfilia manor isn't all jewels and riches. Sometimes, evil may just be lurking right in that very corner. A balance between good and evil it is.