SPECIAL NOTE FOR MY LOVELIES: I'm back! Or am I? I don't know. I have been having this terrible case of writer's block and procrastination because I know what ending I want, but I'm sort of confused on how to get there. I wish I could've gotten more chapters out for you guys sooner, but I just didn't know what to do. I'm not even really sure about this chapter because of a certain part later. And the end of the chapter doesn't satisfy me... But I wanted to get something out for you guys! I'm sorry it's been so long! I honestly am! I hope this is to your liking after so long. I will try and get back into this, but senior year is currently kicking my butt! I do want to continue this, but after this chapter, it will be on hiatus until I get everything in order and find out exactly how I want to get to where I want to end. I hope you enjoy!
Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail! Otherwise, there would be lots of kisses and hugs.
Lucy looked at the Celestial King with wide eyes, not believing what he had said. The king simply smiled and repeated the statement: "You are my granddaughter, Lucy; well, Lucille to be exact. Your late mother Layla was the eldest of two children; the other being Sami. She was a very spunky child who didn't want to be queen, so she ran away to be with a mortal named Jude Heartfilia, your late father. Because of that, she no longer had to ability to become queen. However, this is a story for another time. For now, we should enjoy the feast! After all, my granddaughter has returned." Lucy swallowed and meekly nodded, picking up her crystal glass of wine and taking a sip.
The night went on and the feast resumed. There was dancing, laughing, drinking, singing, and other forms of entertainment. Lucy eventually snuck out of the room and left to go sleep because she was exhausted from not only the news she received, but from all the energy that was in the banquet hall. As she closed the door behind her and sat on her bed, she let out a giant sigh. She took off her shoes and accessories before going to the mirror one last time and observing the dress she was in. It really was beautiful. She never felt more... royal. Lucy reached behind her dress for the zipper and had trouble with it. She soon felt her hands met by small cold fingers, easily sliding the zipper down the dress, and it fell to the floor once the hands undid the tie at the halter. Lucy quickly turned her head to see Virgo and a large smile on the Celestial's face: "Welcome home, Master Lucy." Lucy turned her body around and hugged the Celestial as tears slowly began to fall.
Virgo hugged Lucy back and stroked her hair as Lucy was talking: "This is so weird, Virgo. I don't know what's going on. In the course of a day, I find out that my aunt has basically been life support for me, my mom was the Celestial Princess, and I am the granddaughter of the king!" Virgo pushed Lucy to arm's length and said, "I am sorry my Princess. All will be revealed in due time." Virgo let go of Lucy, helping her out of the dress and handing her a nightgown, pushing her towards the restroom to change and prepare for bed.
Lucy walked out and saw that Virgo was gone, but her bed sheets were folded back and the dress and accessories were all put away. Lucy walked out to the balcony and leaned on the railing, taking in the small breeze and the beautiful stars. She never really noticed how gorgeous the Celestial World was until just now. It was almost too beautiful to believe. She missed the Earthworld nights. She missed the hot humid air of the summer and the cold harsh wind of the winter. She missed curling into Natsu's side whenever he snuck in to her room from the bedroom window. His warm arms would wrap around her and she would just melt. He always smelled of sweet smoke and a tinge of sweat from all the fighting he did. It intoxicated her. She missed him so much.
Lucy closed her eyes and breathed a heavy sigh. She walked back into her room, closing the double French doors behind her and turned the lights of before crawling into bed, pulling the covers up to her chin. Lucy closed her eyes and slowly drifted off to sleep, pretending Natsu was curled up to her, arms embracing.
Earth
Next Day
Natsu
It was early morning and Natsu got up out of bed with a yawn, showing his canines with a glint and a low growl, and a stretch that popped what seemed to be every vertebra in his back and neck along with his knuckles. He scooped up a sleeping blue Exceed in his arms and put him on top of his head like a hat. The furball opened his eyes groggily and eyed his partner who was heading to the door, fishing rods and bait waiting. Happy's eyes grew large and hopped up and flew around Natsu and sang, "Yay, Natsu! We're having fish for breakfast! Yay yay yay yay yay yay~!" Natsu glanced at the cat and gave a weak smile and said, "Yes we are, Happy. Let's go get some breakfast." The cat stopped dead in his tracks, his smile fell and his body slumped over. He was so sad to see his best friend so upset.
When Natsu and Happy got to the river, they set up their poles and bait and sat quietly, taking in the scenery. It seemed too quiet for them because usually Lucy was with them, jabbering about how noisy they were in the morning, or asking why she had to go with them every time they went fishing. Originally, Natsu got annoyed at his friend's constant complaining, but he came to realize that he missed it. He missed her voice and her squeamish behavior towards the fish that they caught.
Natsu was zoned out and when he came back to reality, he saw a big pair of teary eyes staring him down. Natsu jumped and fell backwards, surprised by his friend's actions and asked, "What the hell was that for?" Happy simply responded by a sniffle and a point to Natsu's pole, which had disappeared. They lost a fish. Natsu awkwardly chuckled, apologizing, before sighing and lying back against the trunk of a tree. Once Happy had stopped crying, he lay down on top of his adoptive father's head: "You miss her too, don't you?" Natsu replied with a sigh and a scratch on the Exceed's head and he said, "Yeah, I do. It's so weird without her being here, you know? It's like… A part of me is missing and I want it back, but it's currently out of my reach." Natsu's eyes squinted, trying to hold back tears as Happy ruffled his hair and said, "You liiiiiiiike her. I knew you like her! From the very beginning! Yup! I knew it!" Natsu chuckled lightly at this behavior and glanced up at his partner with a smile: "Yes, you knew it. Long before I did. But now that she's gone, I don't know if I'm going to get her back again." Happy's babyish smile and sparkle in his eye disappeared, seeing the look on Natsu's face. He looked so lost.
Happy couldn't help but want to help his friend, so with enthusiasm, he flew up and in front of Natsu's face, exclaimed, "You know what? Until Lucy comes back, you could keep training and become even stronger! When she comes back, she will be so surprised at your strength and she'll fall for you! I just know it!" Happy added with an emphatic punch in the air, "So what do you say, Natsu?" Natsu grinned and pat Happy on his head, standing up and grabbing what's left of the bait and other fishing supplies that they could salvage, with no fish in hand for breakfast. Natsu looked up at his partner and merely whispered, "I think I'm getting fired up."
Natsu kicked the guild door in and walked into the building with a vigor that has been missing for years. People were questioning him as to why he was being so reckless early in the morning, or why he looked so happy. He just ignored them as he went to the bar and sat down. He slammed a fist down on the bar, but not loud enough to be taken as mad and disrupt the guild. Mira walked over to Natsu and asked him, "Why are you so energetic today, Natsu? You seem as if you had an epiphany." Natsu was confused and a puzzled look crossed his face… "Epipha-what? What the hell is that?" He quickly ignored the word and returned to the matter of importance. "Whatever. Mira, do you know where Gramps is? I need to talk to him."
Mira cocked her head and raised an eyebrow at the mage's energy. She leaned against the bar, curious as to why he was acting this way and asked, "Why do you need to know? You seem very determined for something right now." Natsu rolled his eyes as the bartender continued, "Does it have something to do with a certain Celestial mage that disappeared again?" Mira would usually never deny people if they wanted to know where Master was, but she just couldn't help herself. She wanted to know.
Natsu was annoyed now. He slammed his fist on the bar loud enough for people to hear and said just as loud, "Listen, just tell me where Gramps is. You're starting to piss me off right now Mira. I am in a hurry." Mira just smirked at his attack and replied just as loudly, if not louder, "So, it seems like Natsu realized he's in love." She backed away from the bar and crossed her arms, grinning as he replied, "What if I am? Do you want me to say it out loud? I'll say it if you want. Hell, I'll say it just so people stop mocking me. Yes, I love Lucy Heartfilia and I can't stand losing her again. I am going to do anything and everything within my power to get her back and I won't stop until she's in this guild hall and back in my arms to stay."
At this moment, a heat was emanating off of Natsu's body from his blood pressure rising and his angry mood, "So tell me where Gramps is. Now." The bartender backed down from Natsu and pointed up the stairs to the office, and Natsu took off, running up the stairs into the small room. Mira had a small smile on her face, as did everyone else in the guild, with the exception of Levy, Erza, and Gajeel. Levy was bubbling with giggles, Erza had a stone-cold expression of shock on her face along with a small blush with the sudden confession, and Gajeel had a large toothy grin on his face and did his signature 'geehee'. Natsu finally had his fire back.
Natsu barged into the office and sat down in front of Master, surprising the old man who had been looking at bills caused by the damage guild members have done on missions. He looked at Natsu, folded his arms and said, "So, you've come here now." Master sighed, looked down before looking back up and said, "I have a feeling you want to know what to do to help Lucy, don't you?" Natsu was somewhat taken aback by how Master knew, but he didn't think about it too much and nodded as he said, "I want to get stronger so I can go and help her. I know she wants to get stronger, but I can't leave her alone. I want her to listen to what I have to say." Master smirked at this surprisingly mature remark from Natsu and turned around, looking through certain files and books on the shelves, scattered throughout the back of the room. Natsu moved his head, trying to see what Master was looking for, but to no avail, so he just sat there and waited. Master finally pulled out a slip of worn paper with writing on it and handed it to Natsu, explaining, "This is a location I have picked out among many specifically for you. It is a special training ground for you. However, it is not what you will expect it to be. I promise you that." Natsu didn't know what Master meant by that, but he didn't have time to question it. He had to get there, and fast. Natsu nodded at Master as quick thanks and ran out the door of the office and soon out of the guild towards his house to gather his things.
Celestial World
Lucy
Lucy opened her eyes to the soft pressure on her shoulder and the voice of Sami saying, "Princess, it's time to wake up." Lucy grumbled an incoherent reply and turned away from the girl. This caused her to smile and let out a giggle, her voice like bells. "Lucy, you have training. I know you had a late night, but Father, well, Grandfather for you, needs to see you." Lucy simply pulled the covers over her golden hair and Sami sighed at this and left for the bathroom. Lucy sighed in success and pulled the covers back down to her shoulders and tried to go back to sleep, when all of a sudden she felt water splashed on her face. She jumped up, fully awake and looked around, her eyes landing on Sami, who had a hand over her mouth, trying to suppress her giggles. Lucy growled at her aunt, and snapped, "What the hell was that for? I was sleeping!" Sami's giggles fell and she replied to her wet niece, "You needed to wake up. Princesses don't have the luxury of sleeping in, I'm sorry."
Lucy rolled her eyes and growled as she pulled the tangled covers off her legs and walked to the bathroom. Sami leaned against the bathroom door frame, her head resting on her forearm, and said, "You better be prepared for the next few years, because they are going to be tough. So hurry and get ready. I'll have one of the servants pick out a suitable pair of clothes for you." Lucy turned her head and stared at her aunt as she slowly closed the bathroom door.
About 30 minutes later, Lucy emerged from the steamy room, clean as a whistle, hair dry, minimal make-up, and a towel wrapped around her body with her right hand holding the fabric up. She looked on her bed and saw a pair of spandex shorts, a sports bra that would keep her chest steady and contained. As she was about to grab panties from her drawer, she saw a piece of fabric lying next to the other clothes. She picked it up and examined it. It was a slinky little black thong, probably to keep any panty lines from showing in the spandex. A slight blush rising to her cheeks, Lucy put the fabric down on her bed and returned to her drawer, hoping to find something more her liking. She quickly threw on the panties and spandex, then turned to her mirror and see if there was any indication of the lines they drew on her bottom.
Scowling when she saw the faint outline, she looked back at the black on her bed and slipped the spandex off her legs, as well as the panties she had on before. She put on the thong and then put the spandex back on. She looked back in the mirror and was much happier: there were no lines and it was actually much comfier than she had thought. She had always been a thin-fabric boy short kind of girl. Putting on her sports bra, she checked that everything was in place. Her face quickly turned from one of excitement to one of concern as she thought of her workout. How would she be working out? Mentally, or physically? Just to be safe, Lucy grabbed a hair tie from the bathroom, put her hair up, and exited the room after checking herself over once more.