Hello there! I'm still writing this on a Saturday lol :) Enjoy! Warning: Very soppy
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5 days later
Natsu's P.O.V.
I ran through the thicket, following the familiar scent of my mate; a warm, smooth chocolate and caramel. Her scent was distinct among the trees, which echoed cut grass. I silently stalked her, my breathing pattern matching hers. I stood with the wind blowing in my face, and I could smell her, about 10 meters in front. I slowly crept up to her, and peeked from under a leaf to see where she was. I saw her sleeping form near a burned out campfire, and her belongings were safe inside a tent. "Natsu.", Aki said my name, and I hid. Why wasn't she attacking? I looked again, and realised she was still asleep. So she dreamed of me, and I dreamed of her, huh? Nice.
I slowly climbed out of the bush, careful not to make too much noise or any stubborn movements. I tiptoed up to her, and knelt beside her, examining the tiny wounds marking her porcelain-like skin. There were a few scratches, a bruise or two, but that was about it. That's when I noticed, her left hand was curled around her right, which was curled into a fist. I slowly unwound her left hand from her right, then uncurled her fist. I gasped at the symbol on her palm; the outline of a dragon. It looked ill, but when I touched it, the dragon immediately looked better. What was this? I pressed my palm to hers, and the symbol began to glow, softly, then brighter and brighter, before becoming blinding. I shut my eyes, and the glow became even brighter, before disappearing. I lifted my palm off hers, to see the dragon on her palm was now gone. "Natsu? Is that you?", Aki opened her red eyes, and looked at me, before looking at her palm. "What? The mark's gone!"
"Yeah, I saw that. What was it?", I asked her, helping her sit up.
"It's a female dragon thing. It appears when they've found their mate, and only their mate can remove it.", She looked at me, and blushed. "But, the mate can only remove it if they realize their feelings for the female.", Aki blushed harder.
"I think this is a case of the girl being slow.",I chuckled into her ear, before kissing her cheek. Well, I aimed for her cheek, but she turned to say something and, um, yeah, that happened. I found my lips on hers, and before I fully understood what happened, my hands were in her hair, pulling Aki closer. Her hands flitted down my chest, dancing along my stomach before curling around my shirt, leaving no space between us. I felt a strange presence over us, and swiftly pulled away. "There's someone watching us.", I growled softly, so only she could hear.
"NATSUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU !", Out of nowhere, Happy tackled me to the ground, his blue fur all that I could see.
"Happy! What the hell?", I grunted, getting up. Aki was looking at us, laughing.
"Happy, what's wrong?", He asked the Exceed, who glared at her.
"Don't hurt Natsu!", He yelled, holding on tighter."Natsu, let's go, she's mean!"
"Happy! Aki isn't-", I started, but Aki held up her hand.
"It's alright Natsu, let him believe what he wants.", She smiled, getting up. "At least I'll live now."
"Live?"
"Yeah, if the mate doesn't own up within 5 days, the female dies. I was already dying, Natsu.", She smiled at me, before beginning to pack away her things. If I was a second later, she mightn't be alive. The thought made me shiver, and my heart ached.
"Aki." I threw Happy off my head, and got up.
"Yes, Natsu?", She looked at me as I walked over to her, and stopped her hands. "What is it?"
"Don't leave me there alone. Come with me. Back to Oasis. Levy believes you, Jellal does, Gajeel does, everyone except Mira. Stay with me, let me protect you for once.", I looked into her eyes, which were full of pain.
"Natsu -"
"Come with me, not as my bodyguard, but as my mate. Even Mira knows the consequences of keeping us apart now.", I didn't need to continue, if mates are split for too long while knowing who the other is, they die.
"Alright then."
"NATSUUUUUUUUU! Don't listen to her! She's evil!", Happy flew back to me and pulled me to the air. As soon as I let go of her hand however, I felt sick. Like my life force was being drained.
"HAPPY! LET HIM GO! HE'S DYING!", Aki yelled from below me.
"Natsu?", Happy began to float down, and as soon as I was within reach, Aki grabbed my hand and pulled me close. As soon as I felt her touch, I could feel my life returning, like a caffeine hit in the morning.
"Natsu, are you alright?", Aki asked, full of worry. I nodded as I took in her scent.
"I'm fine."
"Don't scare me like that!", She yelled, but I could tell she was glad I was safe.
"Natsu, what happened?", Happy asked, putting his paw on my arm. Happy still kept his distance from Aki, though.
"Aki and I are connected now, we need to stay together.", I told the Exceed, who's eyes widened. "And Aki's fine, Happy. Lisanna lied.", Happy's eyes widened even more. He looked at her, and she nodded. Soon, she suffered the same fate that I had suffered moments before; she got tackled by the blue cat and received a hug from him.
"I'm so sorry!", He sobbed, and she patted his head.
"It's ok, Happy, it wasn't your fault.", Aki crooned, and Happy stopped crying. "Let's go home, shall we?", She smiled.
"Aye sir!", Happy grinned, picking up a bag. Aki picked up three, and I picked up the rest. We trudged through the wood, and I followed that warm scent, the smell of chocolate.
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11 days after Aki left
Levy's P.O.V.
"You worry about them, don't you?", Pantherlily sat on my lap, worried for me. I nodded, and he patted my arm. Natsu had been gone for six days now, and I was beginning to worry for his, and my sister's, safety.
"I know how you feel, Gajeel hates you leaving his side, and with his father training him more now, he wants me there when he can't.", Pantherlily sighed, and I did along with him. Gajeel's father, Metallicana, had arrived two days ago, ready to train his son in the art of the Iron Dragon. Mavis and Zeref, Mystogan and Jellal's parents, had allowed for their son's to study magic, and they're very powerful mages. Lyon, Gray and Mariko were having extra ice lessons, and Ishi and Juvia sometimes joined in, otherwise they were training with Aquarius, another water mage. Loke learned from his Grandfather, with Aurelie watching. Lucy learnt more gun magic with Bisca, Alzack and Scorpio, the best gun mages in the world.
Igneel, however, was worried for his son and his student. At least Metallicana could no longer worry as much about their prized pupil, as he had his own son to teach.
"Levy?", I turned, and saw the pink-haired maid Virgo waiting for me. "Gajeel is waiting for you.", I nodded and followed her to where Gajeel was waiting for me, a gazebo.
"Thankyou Virgo.", I smiled, and Virgo bowed.
"Is it time for punishment?", She asked, and I shook my head, used to her very creepy habit of saying that. She then bowed again and walked off.
"Crazy, isn't she?", Gajeel asked, patting the spot next to him. I scrambled into the spot, and squealed when I was lifted up onto his lap, his arms forming a cage around me. I looked at him accusingly and he blushed."I'm cold, I need Levy-heat.", was his excuse, and it made me laugh.
"You're a sauna, idiot. Anyway, what's wrong?", I asked, curious about for what reason he brought me here.
"I wanted to give you something.", One of his arms unwound from around me and he pulled out a necklace from his pocket. It was made of thin iron, and the pendant was a rose, soft and delicate, just like the one from, "Beauty and the Beast. You always read that book, and I decided to help you remember your favorite bit.", He blushed lightly as he put it on for me, his hand brushing my blue hair up and out of the way.
"Thankyou, it's amazing.", I kissed his cheek, triggering another huge blush.
"That's why I've been with Metallicana a lot lately.", he explained,"it takes a while to learn this."
"You MADE this? Wow, it's so delicate, and, wow.", I was lost for words, my brain unable to absorb the fact that a buff Iron Dragon Slayer made this.
"Yeah, it took me so long because I wanted it to be perfect.", He confessed, and I blushed harder.
"Sweet, Gajeel. But I didn't know you were into soppy stuff.", I giggled at his expression, a mix of horror, shock, and amusement.
"Me, soppy? Levy, I'm starting to think that all this reading is bad for you.", He chuckled, tousling my hair.
"Really? But who was it who read Harry Potter in an hour?", I counter-attacked, and Gajeel grinned.
"Touche', it was good though. Wasn't as wimpy as I thought.", He smirked.
"Very funny Gajeel.", I giggled, snuggling deeper into his chest. I was about to fall asleep when his father called.
"GAJEEL! GET YOUR LAZY ASS OFF TH- Oh, Never mind.", I opened my eyes to see Metallicana walk away, hands behind his back and a grin plastered on his face. Gajeel took after his father, with the shaggy black hair and multiple piercings, but Metallicana was much more unkempt.
"I wasn't going to get up anyway.", Gajeel murmured into my ear when Metallicana was gone. "I'm comfy here." Suddenly, a swarm of guards rushed past us and towards the gate. Gajeel paled, obviously able to hear their conversation.
"Aki and Natsu are here, they're going to kill your sister.", He told me as he got up and pulled me towards the gate, where the guards were assembled around three of my friends; happy, Natsu and Aki. Mira stood in front of them, angry.
"You dare show your face here again, McGarden.", Mira snarled at my sister, who didn't flinch.
"Nice to see you too, Mira.", Aki smiled back, as if it was just a picnic.
"Leave this place."
"Actually, Mira, she can't.", Natsu spoke up, his grip on her hand firm. "If she does, I have to, seeing she's my mate.", They lifted up their hands, and we were all able to see the ribbon that bound their hands, but it wasn't a ribbon of cloth, it was a ribbon of flame-coloured scales. The scales matched perfectly, binding the two together.
"What? I will not let her stay here as long as she is a threat to my family!", Mira yelled.
"I think you need to make sure you know who the real threat is, Mira.", I stepped forward. "Lisanna's story has many loopholes. Why would you follow someone who is trying to kill you, especially if they're more powerful than you. Also, it's simple to find out Lisanna's emotions in her writing. Her handwriting shows no sign of stress or anxiety.", I concluded, looking at Mirajane, who was shaking.
"You all believe Aki is innocent?", She looked at us in turn.
"Lisanna confessed to the lie before I left.", Natsu nodded, and his statement broke the Take Over mage, who fell to her knees.
"I can't believe it.", She sobbed as Freed pulled her into a comforting hug. "I can't believe she would do that."
"None of us can, Mira.", The rune wizard held her tighter as he stroked her hair.
"Find Lisanna.", She spoke after a pained silence. "She needs to suffer the consequences.", Freed waved his hand, and 10 guards rushed off to find Lisanna, and they came back with her, and she was shaking.
"What's she doing here?", Lisanna asked, pointing to Aki, and Natsu growled.
"She's where she belongs, with me.", He snarled, and Lisanna took one look at him before bursting into tears.
'What has she done to you?", She sobbed, whie Mira got up and stood before the disgraced princess.
"Lisanna Catharina Strauss, you are charged with providing false information to the Queen, how do you plead?", She asked, and in barely a whisper, Lisanna answered.
"Guilty.", Pain flashed on Mira's face, bt she composed herself to deliver judgement.
"You are stripped of your title, and are hereby banished to the outlands, where you are to spend the rest of your days. Do you have anything to say?", Lisanna got up and walked to the gates, but before she took a step out, she turned to face us.
"This isn't over.", She snarled at me,"It's only the beginning.", She then sprouted wings and flew away.
"It's for the best.", Mirajane whispered, before walking through the crowd of guards to the palace, Freed still hugging her. When she walked inside, I unceremoniously tackled my sister.
"AKIIIIIIIII!"
"Levyyyyyyy!", She squealed, hugging me. "So, what's happened since I left?", She asked.
"Well, none of us are single anymore.", I giggled, and Aki's eyes widened, before she smiled at me.
"Congrats guys! Anything else?"
"Hello, my dear.", I looked behind me to see Metallicana and Igneel standing there, arms wide.
"Igneel! Metallicana! You're here too?", Aki let go of Natsu's hand and tackled the two kings, who fell backwards under the pressure of the Dragon Slayer's sudden weight. She hugged them tight, and Natsu's eyes widened.
"Whaaaaaaaaaaaa?", He looked at the trio in shock.
"Igneel and Metallicana taught me Dragon Slayer Magic! Didn't you know?", Aki laughed as Igneel hugged her back, and Metallicana kissed her forehead.
"I see your my son's mate?", Igneel asked, and Aki nodded, purple hair bouncing. Igneel laughed a deep, honest laugh. "You owe me, Metallicana!" They had a bet? Stupids.
"Damn you.", He grumbled as Aki sat up, frowning.
"Your as bad as each other.", She shook her head before getting up.
"Aurelie! Your hairs gold!", Natsu yelled, pointing at the mage, and Aki facepalmed.
"It was always gold.", Aurelie shrugged, wrapped tight in Loke's embrace.
"Whoa. Can we go inside now, it's getting kinda chilly out here.", Natsu shivered as a breeze blew, ruffling our hair and clothes.
"AWWWWWWW! Is it too cold for the widdle princess?", Gray teased in a baby voice.
"Can it you exhibitionist!", Natsu yelled, his hands lighting up. Aki facepalmed again.
"Bring it flame brain!", Gay yelled, taking his ice make position, Juvia facepalmed.
"ishi, you were going to show me that new move?", Lyon pulled the water mage away, and everyone else folowed, leaving Natsu, Aki, Gray, Juvia, Gajeel and I standing there.
"You coming, Shrimp?", Gajeel smiled and I followed him to the gazebo where we sat before. He sat down, and I practically jumped onto his lap, and he wrapped his arms around me. "So, where were we?", He asked, his face creasing in concentration. I laughed when he immediately smiled and announced,"I remember now!", I was still smiling when he took my breath away with a passion-filled kiss.
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Aki's P.O.V.
"Aki?", I looked at natsu, who was blushing.
"Yeah?"
"Willyoucometotheballwithme?", he asked on a breath, but I still caught what he said.
"Sure.", I nodded, and Natsu blushed harder. I smiled as I opened the door to his room, and was met with a face full of Happy.
"You're hooooooooooooooooooooome!", He crooned, clinging onto me like his life depended on it. Natsu and I laughed, but I could see the truth behind those words, I truly was home.
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AWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW! Enjoy the happiness while it lasts, people, someone's gonna get hurt soon, DO NOT SPOIL IT IF YOU KNOW!