Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters; they belong to the one and only Hiro Mashima.
I do own the idea for the fic though.
My candy.
(A I.-.-.I Kuroyagi I.-.-.I original fan-fiction story.)
Chapter 5: Wingman
THIS CHAPTER WAS WRITTEN LIKE THIS IN ORDER TO GIVE HUMOR TO IT, FLAMES ARE UNDERSTOOD AND ACCEPTED.
'Natsu's thoughts' in between quotes. Special guest's thoughts in Italics.
Left, right; left, right, turned with the left on a corner, and left and right again.
Natsu dragged his legs forward with all his willpower, the school getting closer with each step he took and the dreadful filling at the pit of his stomach growing by the second. His face showed all the signs of unrest, annoyance and sourness that a person who woke roughly had.
But it wasn't how he woke what had him on that state; it was what happened during his sleep what had him like this. Natsu never bought those stories about dreams telling you something or warning you or advising you, he just thought of them as any other normal person. Some random images with no real meaning that he didn't want to remember right now.
But you all need to know about that dream, right?
The dream started showing Gray at his house's doorstep as a salesman offering him a plane travel to a deserted island covered with a beautiful variety of scarlet roses. Later, Lucy appeared behind him out of nowhere telling him why he should listen to the guy and Lyon came behind the salesman Gray to tell Natsu that he should investigate more before going to that island.
Before he could be overwhelmed with the crossed talk, a hand grabbed him by the shoulder and the next thing he saw was Jellal dragging him out of the crowd to tell him that he shouldn't be bothered by him not going with him.
And the last and most confusing image was; Natsu sitting on the place of a pilot inside an already flying plane, the island with scarlet roses in sight, and sitting at his side was… a black haired man he never saw before in his life, as his co-pilot. To say that he didn't scream scared at the sight would be a lie, even if the man's only action was to give him a broad smile and a wave of hands.
He woke with a start, sweaty and still tired even after sleeping more than he should. In fact, he should have woken up at 6 and it was 7 thirty when he did, he was going to be late whether he hurried to the school or walked to the place.
So with how tired and grumpy as he was, Natsu wasn't bothered with walking at his own pace. What did bother him was receiving text messages from his friends that asked him why he wasn't at school yet, as he did so. He didn't reply any of the messages, two things stopping him. First, it was because of them that he was getting late, giving all this weird ideas and talks regarding his… interest for the council's president. Second, he forgot to leave his cellphone charging before going to bed and now it was running out of battery, so as to keep it for emergencies, he wouldn't waste what little energy it has left.
The message from Jellal? Yeah. He read it, but couldn't care less about it. The message didn't said or implied anything in special, just a question to him that was unnecessary. It wasn't like he needed his permission to ask the president something, he could do as he wished since he knew the woman better and more than him.
Left, right; left, right, turned with the right on a corner, and left and right again.
He entered the school grounds and he found them as he should at that time of the day. Deserted. All of the students were in their classrooms listening to their teachers or, in some cases, preparing for the last great event of the year.
The Fantasia Parade.
Which wasn't like a real parade that went across the city and all that, but a simple celebration held at the school grounds to celebrate the passing of younger students to their next year or the graduates to their college life. It was pretty well-done; it had fireworks, activities, artists, and whatever other thing one could think of. It was nice to have something like that before finishing a year or a period of your life, and encouraging too.
But there was something that annoyed Natsu to no end.
The election of Mr. and Ms. Fairy High. You won't guess who the winners are each year since 3 years ago. Okay, yes, you've got it; it wasn't so hard to guess it, right? But! To avoid upsetting our protagonist even more than he already is, their names will not be written or mentioned here so…!
'They're Jellal and Erza…' Natsu thought bitterly in answer.
Hey! Why did you think that? What are you trying to do! ?
'Stop putting me in these weird situations!'
Don't break the fourth wall, you idiot!
'I'll do whatever I want!'
Okay then, have it your way! I'm not writing your adventures anymore!
'You're a lousy writer…' The flame-brain boy gave as a short and stupid answer to the beautiful and superb writer's exclamation before he took his leave from the keyboard, tired of standing the kid's annoying attitude…
…
…
…u cant b serious…
hey come back!
…
who will write this now?
geeez what a wuss
kay looks like ill have to do this on my own
how does tis work?
guess ill have to figure it out alone… - natsu though tirely while walking to the front door off the school with his feet, his hands inside his pokets and his head high. his suitcase hangin' losely to the side – what a nice day
That's how you write?
u return'd? comin' to see my awesome writin'?
Yes and no! Answer my question, dammit!
uh? yeah have a problem?
It's an eyesore, now I get why Gray's always fighting you.
thats cause i'm better than him
Yeah, right.
i am!
You're giving me a headache and leaving me blind, you know?
i now
Did you try to say 'know' there? You missed a letter!
were? oh! thats a typo
You missed it again!
seriosly?
Holy **** **** **** **** **** mother! You're so annoying! Look, pal, I'm here to help you, not fight you; so let's do this right.
pal? since when r we friends?
Oh, I don't know, maybe since I started writing your actions six months ago? And stop missing letters!
that long?
Yes. THAT long. And I waste my time making you someone more or less smarter, stronger and less annoying than you display.
wow, really?
Yes! Please stop with this torture!
kay kay, ill stop
You're not stopping.
'I'll stop writing like a 12 year old. There, hapy?'
T-that's… y-you…! Yeah, I am, but you missed a letter there.
'Nothing's good enough for you.'
That's right! That's why I improve in my writing skills; I'm not satisfied with my writing, even if many say that I'm the best, and thus, I'm always looking for a way to make it better. Now, let's stop this and continue with the story, okay?
'Okay, pal, but keep on with that better-than-you-show thingy…' The elegant and intelligent Natsu thought, as his original and unique rose hair moved and shined gloriously with the blowing wind and bright sun, his feet leaving a trail of white light and red roses at every step he gave. 'Don't… overdo it…'
Fine. Our friend walked uninterrupted inside the school building, strolling casually through the hallways with no rush whatsoever as he headed to his locker to get his stuff for the next class. Watching the ceiling, the courtyard, the classroom as he crossed past them, until Natsu committed one fatal mistake; that he was, at least, fast to counter.
He stepped in front of the one classroom he should have avoided.
'I hate you…' I know. The pink-haired thought with dry amusement, his body freezing when it felt a pair of brown eyes glaring daggers at him through the classroom door's window; there's no need to say that… he stood paralyzed for just a second before running away for his dear life. The sound of the classroom's door opening loudly and footsteps following him at the same speed he was at was something that his ears didn't miss in the midst of the escape.
"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Neither did they miss the terrible doom-foretelling scream that the person behind him was doing while following him through the halls, the courtyard, the front hall, the sports field, the gym, etc. They even ran inside Principal Makarov's office, much to the old man's surprise, that could only gape in shock and fear at how demonic the president looked when hunting down her target.
"Leave me alone! Please!" Natsu pleaded in a vain attempt to calm the woman behind him, already starting to feel his legs aching for so much running. Though, his pleads fell on deaf ears, the footsteps behind him getting faster now that the predator knew her prey was starting to grow tired of the persecution.
Natsu gave one last plea before going serious, dropping his suitcase, unbuttoning his shirt's top buttons and rolling up his sleeves; clenching his teeth as an idea came to him now out of despair, he needed to avoid the red-head until the bell rang. That way, maybe, he would be able to avoid punishment. Now, more comfortable and with all unnecessary weight left behind, the runaway student continued to run for his dear life with more earnestness; his pursuer's eyes glinting at the sight of a challenge in front of her.
"GOOD! I ACCEPT YOUR CHALLENGE!" She proclaimed while unbuttoning her shirt's top buttons and rolling up her sleeves as the boy did before, making him shout back in shock embarrassment at her actions.
"It wasn't a challenge and don't unbutton your shirt!" I can't believe you actually said that, anyway; Natsu screamed to the top of his lungs while pressing his legs forward with what little strength he had left, turning right, left, going down the stairs, going up, until he found himself cornered at the rooftop of the main building. His back against the railings, his hands going to grab the bars to support his tired body and his eyes gazing at the only exit from the place blocked by the president standing in front of it; who was grinning victoriously at him for catching him with nowhere to go. 'She didn't catch me yet!'
Do you have a way to escape?
Natsu looked to the left, and then to the right, before returning his gaze at the cautiously approaching figure in front of him; he felt a drop of sweat running down his temple, time was running out and he needed to find an emergency exit…
'Wait a minute!'
Turning his eyes to the left again, the boy found the escape route he was looking for surrounded by light; the emergency stairs that went down the side from outside the building. Shifting his gaze to the front again, he found that the girl stopped her approach midway; clearly aware that her prey found a way to continue with their persecution, she prepared her legs to intercept him before he reached the emergency exit, making the boy in front of her swallow hardly before steeling his resolve and standing up correctly.
"Say, what you were doing in the halls during school hours?" She asked out of curiosity, taking the boy by surprise with the question. Her hands moving up to tie her scarlet hair into a high ponytail, so that way it wouldn't bother her in the following run.
"Huh? Going to my classroom, I was late…" Natsu replied sheepishly, which made the president's glare shatter. A delicate hand going to point at the pink-haired boy shakily while her mouth struggled to form words that could explain what was going through her head.
"Y-you mean…? Y-you weren't slouching…? T-that I delayed you even more…?" Natsu's eyes were small points, his mouth agape and his thinking stopped when he heard those questions.
"Um… Yeah…?" Was the short nervous reply to the question.
Seriously though, you could have come with a better answer.
'What else could I say?'
Something like: That's right, but it was my fault for running away in the first place?
'Ugh…! Y-you've a point there…'
Then say it!
Catching the hint, Natsu tried to explain his side of the story. "Y-yeah, b-but…!"
"Oh god! Please forgive me! You must be mad at me for that!" She walked hurriedly towards him, flustered at the fact that she did wrong and not good this time. Words died down in Natsu's throat at the shock and the closeness between them, the blush on his face could be perfectly mistaken for body heat after so much running. "Please punch me!"
'W-what?' He stared at her in surprise, not believing her words.
Say, Natsu; what are you doing to do?
'D-do as she says…?'
Thank your father that you have me with you, otherwise, you'll be doing stupid things everywhere you go; explain yourself!
'O-okay!'
The pink-haired boy swallowed with a loud thump and released a sigh, moving his hands to button up his shirt and unroll his sleeves to be presentable, shocking the girl in front him with his move. He turned his eyes to look at her in the eyes and nodded to himself. "Punch me, I ran away first."
Good going!
*Smack!*
Uh… *Sweatdrops*
'H-hate… you…'
I know… and I'm sorry!
Being a person that did as she was told, the president didn't hesitate to do as the pink-haired boy said and smacked him across the face. Her features going back to normal as she extended a hand down to help the boy stood up, her other hand going to her shirt pocket to hand him a handkerchief with which clean his bleeding nose.
"Dragneel, right?" She asked him while helping him to stand shakily on his two feet again, withdrawing her hand quickly and showing the one with the handkerchief rather quickly. Natsu nodded with a little movement of his head to avoid staining his white shirt with the red liquid, he took the offered piece of cloth to wipe away the small trail of blood coming from his nose, at the same time his thumb rubbed the sore spot where her fist also collided; being that one his left cheekbone. She nodded at his answer, walking to lean on the railings next to his left side as she waited for him to finish cleaning himself. "Why were you late?"
"Huh? Ah, that, well…" Natsu stopped his hand for a moment and hesitated to answer, looking at the door intently as if thinking that running away was better than answering her question.
"Don't think of running away, I 'will' punish you if you do." Was her mind-reading statement, already guessing what he was thinking while looking at the door, though, that brought a question from our pink-haired friend.
"Y-you aren't going to punish me for being late?" She shook her head in answer; he tilted his head in confusion. "Why?"
"I'm part of the cause for your lateness; it wouldn't be fair if I punish you for it." She said as a matter of fact with close eyes and crossed arms, surprising the boy next to her with her sense of justice. "But that doesn't mean that you can be this late always."
"I-I know! And thanks…" He said sheepishly, turning to look to the right and avoid looking at her.
"Don't thank me…" She was cut-short before finishing her sentence.
"Sorry then, I won't be late next time…" He said going to stare back at her, his hand moving to return the blood-stained handkerchief. She looked at him and later at the object on his hand, moving hers to close his hand and push his arm back while shaking her head in disapproval.
"Have you no manners? Clean it first, and then give it back." He blinked twice at her before nodding, moving to save the piece of fabric inside his shirt pocket. "Let's get back before break starts."
"A-aye Pres!" He answered quickly, already walking to the exit with the scarlet-haired girl leading the way.
"My name is Erza, not 'Pres', Dragneel." She said opening the door and crossing it first, leaving the pink-haired boy behind with his eyes wide and mind blank.
'…'
*Sigh* Here we go again... Natsu?
'…'
At least walk... please?
'…okay…'
Natsu followed her through the corridors with his mouth shut, nodding or shaking his head in answer at her questions, only speaking when a more detailed answer was needed. Talking about things he did, she did, he likes, she likes and such; to say the least, a very normal –and boring- conversation between people their age.
"So, what do you do?" She started. "Besides school, I mean."
"Eh?" He turned his head to look at her; her eyes were fixed to the road ahead. "Well, not much, I listen to music and go out with my friends…"
"Any band in special?" She continued, he looked up in wonder.
"Nah," He shook his head. "I like a little of everything… and you?
"I see," She nodded. "Same as me."
"Ah…" He shut his mouth; she eyed him from the corner of her eyes, almost rolling them at noticing that she would have to continue the conversation.
"And," She called his attention, he turned to look at her again. "Who are these friends with which you go out?"
"Well," He raised a hand to count them, don't think wrong, he had plenty of friends; it's just that he goes out with those he was more acquaintance with. "I mostly go with Gray, Lucy, Jellal and Levy…"
"It's strange then, than we hadn't crossed our paths before," He gave her a questioning look; she turned to look at him. "I hang with Lucy and Levy too, sometimes."
"Oh, that," He started sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Lucy doesn't want me and Gray with her when she's out with her friends, says we're too childish or something like that."
"Figures, I've heard of your meaningless quarrels before." He laughed nervously.
"Y-yeah, but that's mostly Gray's fault," He tried to explain. "He doesn't know to take a joke."
"Even if you're not the one to start it, you're at fault for following his lead," His face dropped at the truth, but her next words made him look at her incredulously. "But I cannot blame you; I used to be the same with Mira."
"Mira? You mean Mirajane?" She nodded.
"Yes," She gave him a victorious look, almost gloating at her next words. "But it was a long time ago, when we were kids."
"O-oh, I-I see…" He managed to say as his head dropped again; going back on the path they did during the persecution, he picked up his dropped suitcase on their way to clarify things with the Principal… she wanted to leave everything in order, not caring if she had to drag Natsu along. At the place, both apologize to the old man for running inside the school and through his office, and he dismissed them with a shrug and a brush of his hand, only asking them to not do it again; never again.
They went out of the office with different reactions; she was scowling at how easy the old man dismissed the incident while he was sighing in relief at not receiving any punishment from his part. They resumed their walk together, him going to get the things for the next class, and she following him to see that he did as such, passing through the hallways again with their small talk restarted until they both found themselves stopping at the familiar sound of the bell.
Break started.
"I'll go and explain my escape from class to the teacher, want me to do the same for you?" She asked him already moving to the teacher's lounge, he stood still at the question, grabbing the strap of his suitcase with one hand and scratching the back of his head in thinking with the other.
It's not hard to realize that you should go with her, you know?
'B-but what if she's tired of having me around?'
For how she punched you when you told her to, I guess that if she's tired of having you around she would have said so already.
'You better be right this time!' Natsu shook his head in answer, his legs moving to follow her as he said. "I'll go with you."
She nodded to him and leaded the way to the lounge, disregarding the looks and whisper of the students that were now outside their classrooms as they saw then walking together. Natsu steeled his face the best he could when he crossed near his classroom, sending a hateful glare when he saw Gray smirking at him with Lucy next to him with an incredulous look. Jellal was nowhere to be seen, he was probably already at the student council's meeting.
'Good, I don't want him to think wrong…' The pink-haired thought with a tired sigh, his eyes shifting to gaze the back of the… of Erza as she leaded him to their destination. Here's the end for me.
'What?'
As you heard, I'm leaving… I can't do everything for you. *Snickers*
'Again, what?'
But don't worry, you'll do alright, I'm sure of it.
'I'm not getting it!'
And don't get me wrong, it's just that I don't want to break your hopes and illusions. *Laughs*
'Hopes and illusions? What're you…? Hey! I do not like her!'
Sure pal, sure.
'Want me to punch you? Go away already!'
Okay, okay, don't get mad pal… and good luck! *Laughs harder*
'You…! I'll smoke you!'
"Is something the matter?" Erza asked him, a little curious as to why he was growling and frowning to himself; he jumped a little at the voice, shaking his head repeatedly before turning it to look at her quizzically. "Is everything alright, Dragneel?"
"Uh? Yeah! Everything's fine, Pres!" She looked unconvinced by his quick-nervous answer, but disregarded it as something else and took it as him being uncomfortable by the stares they were receiving.
"I don't believe you, but if you say so, Dragneel, I'll believe you. And it's 'Erza', not 'Pres'." He sighed in relief but turned to look at her with a pout.
"Then it's 'Natsu', not 'Dragneel'." She looked mildly surprised at the statement but nodded.
"Okay, 'Natsu', let's keep going, or you'll miss the recess."
"You too, didn't you have a meeting now?" She shrugged.
"If Jellal's there, they'll handle themselves fine, besides," He shuddered at the glare she sent him. "I need to make sure you explain yourself to your teacher and later march, straight, to your classroom when break's over."
"Yes ma'am!" He answered obediently, not realizing the contradiction in her words. She wanted to get this through so he could go and enjoy the recess, but at the same time wanted him to go straight to the classroom after everything were explained. God, help him.
To be continued
Possible breakage of the 4th wall in this chapter, those that don't like the authors interacting with characters of their stories go back and read something else. Though, if you want to have a good laugh, you're more than welcome to continue! xD
That should have been written at the top, don't you think?
Anyway, I hope you enjoyed it my friends, next chapter, one of the FT characters will be the one helping the stubborn pink-haired boy.
So wait for it!
Saludos.
Possiblebreakage of the 4th wall in this chapter, those that don't like the authors interacting with characters of their stories go back and read something else. Though, if you want to have a good laugh, you're more than welcome to continue! xD