I haven't updated in two days and I have no excuses. Other than i've been trying to focus on quality most of the time.
Anyways my lovelies, here is what you have been waiting for.
I also understand the confusion you guys are having with the pairing who is going to end up with Lucy. To be honest... Ya'll are just going to have to wait and read.
Rated M for violence, maybe gore, absolutely language...
Chapter 4: Crazy
Gray sat down on an empty section of the bleachers at the bottom far left end. A soft huff escaped his lips. Arms crossed, his gaze never left the blonde currently squaring off against the Iron Dragon Slayer. As guild members settled in for what promised to be an entertaining show, the two challengers' stood, perhaps four yards apart and a safe distance before the rowdy spectators that hooted and cat-called out at them. A soft breeze flittered through the trees. It swayed branches of the surrounding forest, stirred dirt at the challengers' feet and brought with it the cooling savor of the salty sea.
He fought it, the small tug of his lips as his dark blue eyes lingered on her. This resulted instead in a furrow pinching between his brows. She staged herself for them, open palm resting on a curvy hip that was out to one side while she grasped her whip's handle in her other hand. The relaxed, almost careless stance oozed confidence. And yet, he saw something what most there couldn't, having once been closer to her than few could ever claim.
This something was in those rich chocolate eyes and the ever faint creases outlining them and her mouth. Conflict. She was torn between her determination to prove herself to the Lost Team and the frustration she felt for having this need to prove herself to them at all. Even with the distance he could see her lips purse into a thin line. A tall-tale sign of her biting the inside of her cheek.
Her distant sad voice filled his head then, 'Bad habits die hard, ya know.'
Gray snorted. This gave way to a snicker and he couldn't fight the faint smirk on his lips anymore as that quote loitered around in his mind like a buzzing fly at a picnic. She was so full of herself sometimes. Yeah, she was strong. He couldn't deny her that. But those of the Lost Team must have gotten stronger as well.
All the same, he had no doubt she would put Gajeel and those who left them behind, in their place. It mattered not what dangers the Lost Team had faced. Nothing could compare to what she had been forced to endure. Knowing this, and that she basically fought for both of them - the urge to whistle, to cheer her on like the others, grew. But he remained silent. He knew it would only serve to rouse turbulent emotions within her. Distracting her from what would be a fierce fight that she had to win.
His smirk twisted slightly. It became something miserable, pained even. He had shunned her successfully for almost a year. He knew he wasn't being honest with himself though. The truth of the issue of him not cheering her on was that he simply didn't want to bridge the distance between them.
Could it be said that he only kept the distance because he was concerned for her? Disliked what she was doing and the person she had become? No. He was being selfish. He knew it. She knew it.
"You're awfully stubborn, aren't you, Lu-Chan." Gray shoved his hands into his pockets and turned on his heel, leaving the front of Lucy's apartment. He knew the name Lu-Chan would fluster her. Mavis, help any man if she ever realized how cute she was when her cheeks flushed and puffed out like that in her irritation. That was one reason why he started walking away, refusing to see this cute lure of hers and give in. No, he had to remain immune against her. Had to make her see how foolhardy she was being.
Yet, he couldn't help but hope she'd call after him.
Damn that pride of hers. He knew it wouldn't let her.
Even so, Gray planned on coming back tomorrow when she finally cooled down some. Or at least he hoped she cooled down. All he knew was that he refused to be the thing that cooled her down this time. Too many times he had been the one. Far too many. This issue... this need for cooling started a couple weeks ago. She wanted to leave. She wanted to forsake Fairy Tail and all her friends, her family, so she could get stronger - to train. Seriously, to train? Please, what a cliché story: The typical weak girl betrayed by those she trusted most and runs away to get back at them?
Gray knew. They both knew she wasn't weak. Not at all.
The ice mage also refused to train her. It wasn't exactly that he didn't want to. Just that he didn't understand anything about being a Celestial Spirit Mage. Not that he ever told her that. Maybe he should?
Whatever. She would have to deal with her own troubles for once.
He was tired of being her foundation replacement. All of her issues and troubles stood confusing and frustrating for him. He could have understood it if her constant crying was because Natsu, Happy, and Erza had left and she missed them. But all she ever mourned was her "best friend" leaving her behind.
Cold rage frothed up to the surface as his fists clenched and shook at his sides, lips wrenching into a nasty scowl as he walked. He didn't know if this rage he felt now was jealousy or the increasing anger he felt for Natsu, swelling more and more ever since they all left.
Either one still made his thoughts linger on Lucy. Linger and stew on the knowledge that it wasn't love that had her rushing into his arms that day, but Natsu. Always, always Natsu. But then that was his fault for giving into the temptations of finally expressing his emotions towards her. A chance he never thought he'd get when the pretty blonde had told him bluntly many times that he was a crazy stripping perv and he should never think he had a chance in hell with her.
Oh, how little did she realize the pain this caused him. The heart wrenching anguish he tolerated day in and out just to hold her, to love her. And all those empty, cold nights spent holding her under warm sheets while she sobbed in her dream for another man. He was her anchor. He was her lover. He, Gray Fullbuster, was being used.
Used by one Lucy Heartfilia.
A mere tool for her to get over a fool of a man who didn't even have the sense to realize the rare gem he had somehow managed to steal from said gorgeous young woman before proceeding to shatter it into untold number of pieces.
Why did he persist through the heartache?
He guessed as he kicked a rock down the street, that in part, he felt obligated. The only member - left behind just like her - that could pick up those pieces and help reassemble her into the person that could vaguely functioned like she used to. The rest of him thought that perhaps, maybe, with time she could get better than just functioning and become herself again. That she could learn to love him instead.
Who was he kidding though? Lucy stubbornly refused to admit to herself that she had loved -still loved- Natsu. Insisting that worn line of 'best friends'. He had finally accepted, there was no way she would ever get over the flame-brain moron without being honest with herself first. Gray also painfully knew that she wouldn't and probably couldn't without breaking forever.
It was these thoughts that generated a maelstrom of frozen rage and self-pity that eventually lulled him into a fitful sleep that night.
The next morning came too soon. As did the trek back to Lucy's apartment and the frightening, almost sinister scowl she gave him when he entered her bedroom. Never. Never had he seen her so livid, so distraught… so vulnerable. She didn't even let him open his mouth, lashing out with her whip as a fury of tears streaked down her pale, hollow cheeks. Only then, in the onslaught of her mindless attacks and gasping wails did his pain and rage come out as he yelled back carelessly.
In the end, the only thing that restrained her from hurting either of them was Virgo and Loke. The lion zodiac sized both her arms, while the maiden wrapped herself around Lucy's waist, only to be forced to knock her out before she could cal Aquarius. She slumped, knotted blonde hair falling before her face. The ice mage stumbled back. Collapsing against the wall and panted, calming as he watched the two spirits forlornly settle their master in bed and ignore him.
Gray, as second then minutes passed, started to regret ever saying those kinds of things. One of the things he said being, "You're being fucking stupid, Lucy! He doesn't love you." He tried to apologize to the two spirits, but Loke turned on him. Seizing him by the neck and slammed his back against the wall as he glared down with his teal eyes. The resentment. The sadness. The pity. The betrayal. It was all too much for Gray, and when Loke finally let him go, he ran.
He ran like the coward he was.
Day. Weeks. Months slipped by. Gray had watched from afar. Witnessed how Lucy grew with the help of Laxus Dreyar and the rest of the Thunder God Tribe. His frustration and jealousy only grew with this, seeing her train with them. Or laugh with them. Even telling them about her past that none of the old members got to hear. Not only that, the whole guild slowly began to and adore her, awed by the jumps in power she constantly made. And in his shimmering frozen rage, Gray did nothing but give her the cold shoulder.
Gray did it in selfishness. He was hurting at the sight of her. The look she gives when she smirks or the mere sound of her voice and footsteps. She still haunted him.
Gray sighed at the bitter memories from a year ago. It was already too late for Gray. Laxus had managed to do what he never could. And while she wasn't the same there was enough of the old Lucy back that he knew she would forgive him.
He didn't deserve to be forgiven.
Giving a heavier sigh at the thought, Gray looked to his left. Juvia only arrived moments ago, sitting to his right. She wasn't concentrated on him, her smile directed towards Lucy. Extending out the arm he had crossed, he placed his hand on Juvia's which rested on her thighs. The gesture made the Water Mage turn her head to Gray, her porcelain cheeks tinted with a red, now directing her beautiful smile to him.
Juvia knew his feelings. He couldn't hide them and she didn't want him to. Having been in her position, he knew he was hurting her. It made his gut twist and churn with guilt putting someone else in the position he had been in. And yet, he knew eventually everything would be okay. Someday. Until then she was there for him. In a way, this made him feel worse. Unlike him she was stronger and not a coward. She didn't remain by his side in hopes he would love her, but because she loved him. Whatever he chose, she would stand by his side. Whether that be to stay with her and return that love or move on to someone else. He hoped he could return her love.
Lucy was overflowing with drama and frustration, but masked it with a determined look. She stared at the Dragon Slayer who was now stretching. Rolling her shoulders in habit, she eyed him. Trying to strategize how to thoroughly crush him, while keeping in mind they were only sparring. This was for the fun of it, right? Lucy wanted to chuckle at her remark. Never had she really gotten to properly avenge herself from when Gajeel had beaten her badly at their first encounter. Not that I am holding a grudge about it or anything. She had forgiven him. She muttered quietly to herself, "It's just for fun, Lucy. Hold back…" She yelled, "We're gonna have fun, right, Gajeel?"
Lucy could only make out Gajeel cocking an eyebrow then nodding. Oh yea, we're gonna have lots of fun. She shook her whole body and started making small jumps. It had been forever since she had brawled due to Laxus restraining her on it. Her magic had been coped up inside for too long and she felt herself bursting with excitement. She felt as if she was about to beat one of the many S-Class mages again just like she did during the trials. She shivered in delight, Mirajane had never saw it coming.
"When are you going to start already?" Makarov had his elbow propped onto his knee as he rested his chin on his hand. Lazily, he rolled his wrist at them gesturing to go, his eyes on Lucy. "Ah, Erza start us!"
Erza strolled from her seat, nodding in approval. She raised a hand. "This is a sparring match, Gajeel is on our right and Lucy is on our left if you didn't know that already." Erza glanced at both of them, each giving a nod. "Regular brawl rules apply."
Lucy wavered a bit. Brawl rules? Catching her off guard, she made a questioning face to Erza. There were brawl rules?
Noticing the Celestial Mages' puzzled look, Erza added swiftly, "No deaths. First with body flat on the floor is at loss. Ready?" She didn't even wait. "Begin!"
Gajeel let a smile form onto his lips. The audience hushed. Their eyes following as Lucy lunged towards him. Having anticipated her summoning a spirit or two, he shivered with glee when she didn't. Instead she jumped, aiming one of her silly yet supposedly strong, Lucy Kicks. He evaded, jumping to the right. Time felt as if it had slowed as he watched her hover in the air far longer than natural. Realizing she was up to something a second late, he could do nothing as she suddenly swung her leg midair, knee slamming into his face.
Gajeel gasped from the surprise and stumbled back, hand going to his nose. Blood trickled through his fingers. With a few blinks of his dark eyes, he got over his shock and glared at her. He wasn't stupid, he'd know what "gravity defying" spells looked like when he saw one.
The wind picked up and Lucy was successfully dodging all his attacks far too easily, and as for him, he got gut punched several times. Nothing he couldn't handle, of course. And yet - getting over his initial shock - he felt a pang of aggravation take root. No matter what he did, each punch he tossed her way she always dodged or parried. It was like bunny-girl had dramatically increased her speed and somehow her senses were more alert. Like that akin to a dragon slayer…?
He was beginning to become impatient with himself for not hitting her yet. And the smirk plastered on Lucy's face was making it worse. After what felt like an hour of Lucy's countless dodging, he finally managed to slip a right punch through her defense, causing his fist to crush into her stomach. A wave of relief washed over him followed up with a "Finally!" from one of the members in the audience. He could only smile as Lucy clenched the arm he forgot to pull back in his joy.
She cursed under her breath. Coughing up a bit of saliva that dribbled onto his arm. Her head was bent over, shadows hiding her face. Before he could retract his arm, her grip tightened. Gajeel only cocked an eyebrow, amazed when she used his arm to do a handstand. The crowd awed and gave quiet, "Whoas'"
The Dragon Slayer ignored everything but her, startled to find that he felt no weight what-so-ever from bunny-girl as she pushed off then landed gracefully in a crouch on his forearm on the ball of her right foot while the other dangled to the side. All he could do was gawk at her blankly - completely mesmerized by the feeling of nothing on his arm. His breath hitched. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, anything as to question how she was doing what she was doing. But before he could even think about forming a whole thought a surge of magic filled the air around them.
A faint shimmering orange glow formed on her hands, then dispersed to reveal fingerless gloves. His gaze fell. Gajeel promptly closed his gaping mouth, his eyes narrowing. He was still in a fight. He needed to concentrate! Examining thoroughly the pink etched into the brass that covered her knuckles, he then glanced at the Celestial Mage who was biting the inside of her cheek. The look on her face was mixed between amusement and ire, as if she couldn't decided which on she wanted to feel.
Finally she settled on ire, huffing out, "That hurt!"
Gajeel's breath hissed through his teeth, brow creasing as he wondered, What hurt?
Without warning she struck him with an open handed slap. His eyes watered, feeling the throbbing sting bloom on his right cheek - the force so great that his neck nearly snapped from the impact. Startled, he jerked. About to stumble back and shake her off his arm but not a second before she pushed off with her right foot, back flipping and landing a yard away. She straightened, smiling a shy knowing smile as he cupped his right cheek with his hand.
Tugging the ends of her glove - that he distantly noted was suddenly a yellow afterglow - her sly smile grew. That was when he began to notice the tingly sensation from his cheek. It was… It was as if something was seeping out of his cheek. Wait. Did she just...
"Drain your magic?" Lucy responded to the confused and almost horrified expression that had appeared on his face. She winked. "Maybe." Her mouth opened to say something else, but she closed it again. Deciding not to say anything with a shake of her head.
His eyes narrowed. He let his hand drop from his cheek, bracing himself for any sudden attacks. Now that he knew her gloves drained magic he had to dodge her every move. Magic draining gloves, that freaky weightless ability, and her spirits still in her back pocket? He shuddered at the thought of her draining him and leaving him defenseless. Bunny-girl got strong. No more could he doubt that or take her lightly. She had always been one of the more intelligent members of the guild. Even if she had gained just a little strength these past two years, with her intelligence it was a frightening prospect.
He hadn't really thought this one through, now had he?
Nevertheless, a huge toothy grin stretched on his lips. The blood in his veins soared as if red hot iron pumped through them. This was going to be fun!
Gajeel surged towards Lucy.
Natsu sat on the edge of his seat, knees jiggling up and down. He simply could not sit still. And while he did not wear his usual massive grin, a nervous happy smile was on his lips all-the-same. How could he not smile? The spar so far had been intense! He could hardly contain himself as he watched his best friend and Gajeel in absolute awe. When Juvia had told him of the spar and he had dragged her out to the bleachers to watch, he couldn't deny that he had been slightly concerned for his partner. But all those worries scattered when Lucy drew first blood and kneed Gajeel in the face.
From there his jittery excitement only grew. Each punched dogged. Each kick and elbow that got past the Iron Dragon Slayers defenses. Lucy was amazing. No, better than amazing. She was… Screw it! He couldn't concentrate any with the great spar before whim to recall words better than amazing.
The excitement and joy, momentarily turned into stunned recognition after watching her ex-equip a pair of fingerless pink gloves. At least he thought that's what it was - if his memory served him right - she could have just been summoning thing from the Spirit World. No matter, she was still doing amazing. And Natsu couldn't help but grit his teeth and clench his fists to hold in his exhilaration for his best friend.
He was so proud of her, she had increased her in fighting potential, and Natsu just couldn't wait till he had his share of sparring with Lucy. The magic she started to disperse in the air only made him shiver more. He wanted to yell out her name in encouragement, but Gray - who sat on bench below next to Juvia - had noticed and stopped him, tapping his jittering knee. Gray was right. Natsu hadn't apologized yet and yelling her name now would probably make her mentally blank or something…
His dark gaze returned to the fight. He blinked, knees ceasing their movement as his mouth opened in horror. Was this even the same fight? Lucy was now standing still, her legs shoulder width apart and she was covering her face while Gajeel madly punched her. And Lucy only stood there. He knew she should be able to keep dodging. So why wasn't she? Did something happen that he had missed when he briefly took his eyes from the fight? He winced when a nasty upper cut managed to get past her cross-block in front of her face. Splitting her lip.
Was she crazy?
Then there was a flash of yellow that caught his eye. He blinked. Had he imagined- No! There it was again. Carefully, he watched, his keen dragon eyes scouting out the faint aura around her that blinked yellow with each punch she took. As if a shield. That shield is doing her no good though! Lucy's face cringed in pain with each new hit she took to her battered body. It was startling. Not even five minutes had really passed and she looked horrible, her tank had been tattered, split up the front to show her toned but starting to bruise abs.
And Gajeel kept punching and punching and punching.
Her combat boots dug into the dirt and more bruises were starting to blossom on her arms. Gajeel only increased his strength by adding magic. The sound of punches becoming a sickening thwap, thwap, thwap. And Lucy still stood there, taking hit after hit after hit.
Natsu hunched over, elbows on his knees and fingers clasped together in desperation. He shut his lips tightly into a thin line making them go white. Gritting his teeth, he wanted to close his eyes, to look away. But he found he couldn't. No, he had to watch for Lucy. His stomach flip-flopped. He frowned. His eyes scanned the guild members who were silent, startled. Those able to watch the one-sided pounding peered on, their expressions matching the desperation he was forcing down with each breath.
Why was no one stopping this?
Lucy staggered. Her cut and bloody legs shaking slightly, but only dragon keen eyes would be able to see that. Natsu wanted to yell at Gajeel and Lucy for being so stupid. What is she doing?! He stood up, nearly yelling for Gajeel to stop, but Erza's sudden question from his left, standing away from the bleachers and observing the spar with a pale look, made Natsu close his mouth once more.
"Should we stop him?"
Natsu was torn between watching his best friend get beat up and Erza as a tall lurking male blonde sauntered up to her. The Lightning Dragon Slayer winced at a few of the worst punches that hit Lucy. Or he thought they were winces. All Laxus did was blink, the muscle in his jaw twitching along with it.
The blonde man stopped Erza from yelling out by putting his arm in front of her. "No."
Laxus, as if feeling Natsu's eyes on him glanced over his shoulder. Blue eyes met onyx. Only for a second he felt… Natsu wasn't sure, but he had to force himself not to shudder as he jerked his gaze away and looked back to check on Lucy. It was then he noticed it… Gajeel was slowing down. And the yellow Natsu had seen before was now solid, visible for all. Every time the iron dragon slayer hit her, it blinked a brilliant white, throwing Gajeel off.
Natsu should have never doubted Lucy. She wouldn't stand there and take a beating if not for a very good reason.
Gajeel's irritation with bunny-girl had swelled to such heights that he lost control of his anger. Why is she just standing there? His thought swirled around, making him even more furious, and not at all recognizing that he was horribly hurting the woman. If anything he kept exerting more and more force into it, or tried to hit her in a place that would end the spar. He simply couldn't figure her out.
Like Natsu, the Iron Dragon Slayer had noticed the yellow flashes. It was hard not to given he was an arm's length away. But knew instantly that the flashes of light belonged to no shield. The glow and faint pressure of magic did nothing to protect her, and he was willing to bet they had something to do with those damn gloves. This just served to make him angrier.
He only grunted more at his own arrogance, as he continued to "beat" her. Most times she hardly ever moved other than to right herself after a hard hit, or protect her face. When she did move outside of those motions, she'd try to hit his right cheek. Another clue that this spar was far from over, no matter how hard he tried to knock her down flat and end it.
The continuous sound of his breath huffing started to make his skin crawl. He was getting tired faster than he usually would and she wasn't even doing anything. Through his blind punches, he took a glance at the blonde. She had one eye opened and he could see her clenching her teeth rather too hard as she gritted them together. He didn't know whether or not to take this for his own amusement or to just stop. The punches he kept landing created abnormally large bruises and cuts from his rigid knuckles. With the blood that started gushing in areas he repeatedly attacked, he almost came to a halt.
"Is that all you got?" Lucy's voice was raspy, she didn't let her guard down, only giving a semi-intimidating look at the Dragon Slayer who was puzzled. Did she want to die? By looking at her roughed up body, she was almost to the brink of it, wobbly, unstable knees backed up by poor posture and the heavy heaving of her chest. She is beyond crazy. "Come on."
"Don't get so cocky," Gajeel muttered through clenched teeth as he threw another fist at her stomach. He continued satisfying himself through clean punches, but only found it to be rather irritating with the sound of Lucy's chuckles.
The desire to finish the spar only increased, and Gajeel gave into his rage and irritation, using his magic to increase the force of his hits. After a series of four magical enhanced punches his breath becoming more ragged and his muscles were on fire. Using magic had been a huge mistake. That stupid yellow light had flared white with each hit, sapping his magic. His cheek tingled and burned along with his lungs and muscles. But did she keep his magic or just drain it?
He scowled and flinched back from her, arms drooping to his sides, mind turbulent as he imagined Lucy taking in his magic for her advantage. Dammit, his body felt sluggish, arms too heavy to lift. Thoughts started to buzz and rattle in his head, unable to sort out a coherent thought.
And there was another big mistake he had made. He knew it was a mistake to let his guard down, but he just... couldn't... bring his... arms back... up! Through his half closed eyes, he watched as the blonde moved from her defensive stance. She flashed him a wild smirk. All her bruises had healed and she looked livelier than before they even started the brawl. Was that what his magic did for her?
With his thoughts slowed, he didn't get much of a chance to question as she lunged towards him.
Lucy fist collided with his right cheek. A rush of pleasure cascaded over her as she felt his magic continue to flow into her. The distinction between Gajeel's magic and any others she had ever felt before was completely different. She had only meant for her small cuts and bruises to be healed, but her whole body was healed. Shivering in delight as the powerful magic surged through her. Excitedly she wondered, What would it do to my whip?More than that though, she was amused and pleased that her ploy had worked on the iron dragon slayer, observing with each punch and kick that he grew weaker and tired.
The crowd, who had been in a silent hush when they had witnessed Lucy getting beat up, were now gaping and gasping as Gajeel was being driven back with each hit. The tension in the atmosphere only made the air stir, as they were affecting the weather and churning it into a storm. Above dark gray clouds slowly crept in from the sea with every punch and kicked derived from Lucy.
She could see his annoyance and frustration as he tried to lift his arms up for to block another right hook to his cheek, but only failed. Gajeel muttered curse words from every strike she successfully landed. He slowly shifted to his right, trying to bob and weave but only found himself instead falling forward. Her fist connected on his face. Furrowing his eyebrows, he forced himself to take a step forward and remain standing. He raised his hand and… aha! He caught her left jab and he almost smiled. Finally. Gripping her fist in his hand his success was short lived when he found her following through with a right uppercut to his jaw. His body flew up, feet lifting from the ground. The force strong enough to fling him up two yards, and would have been more if not for her seizing the whip at her hip and Fleuve d'etoiles surging to life as it wrapped around his arm. Dammit!
With her magic and Gajeel's swirling in the star-light water flaked with iron shrapnel, she yanked him back down, forcing him to land jarringly on his feet. He stumbled, one foot forward and leaning as he panted breathlessly. She gave him a cheeky smile as he stared, shocked by the whip still around his arm, feeling the iron whipping around and giving him nicks on his skin.
"Whew, good thing I caught you. We almost finished up too early." She winked. "No worries, though, I'll catch you when you fall."
Gajeel knees shuddered, warning that they were about to give out on him and he wobbled, barely regained his balanced. The sounds of rushing water filled his ear as the whip tightened at the same time Lucy's clutch the star-water with her other hand to give more leverage. He liked the sound of what Lucy said, but this wasn't exactly the kind of falling he had been picturing. Dammit, he was losing! How had the spar changed so suddenly? He gritted his teeth, feeling his body start to give, his legs unwilling to support him much longer.
Before he could fall though, the iron infused star-water whip tightened around his arm, jerking him back to his feet. A strangled snarl escaped his lip at the sudden pain that rushed up his arm. He gasped, swaying on his feet, eyes half closed as he looked at her. Lucy and that stupid toy he had once thought was sexy was the only thing keeping him on his feet.
The thing was - he wanted to fall. He felt too worn-out to carry on. And he was bitter to admit that his weary battered and bleeding body hurt like nothing he had ever felt before. The cut on his arm was gashing blood and the whip was making it worse. Looking at his arm, a mixture of red and bright blue almost strained his dragon slayer eyes. Gajeel gritted his teeth, unwilling to believe that bunny-girl had turned the tables so efficiently. Who knew she could be so vicious and challenging with just a little strength and experience under her belt?
His eyes slowly closed, listening faintly to the audience questioning what was going on. More silence and maybe a pinch of cheers for Lucy were heard. Followed by someone telling him to fight on accompanied by whispered of his name. He slowly turned his head to see shocked expressions on everyone's face. Gasps escaped their lips and his eyes landed on Levy who was staring at him, a frightened facial gesture painted her face. He clenched his teeth feeling himself about to blackout. His eyes soon closed and he could feel Lucy's whip tightening to keep him awake. The iron shrapnel biting into his flesh, digging deeper and more blood trickled down his arm.
A growl erupting from his throat, irritated that he was forced to look so weak in front of the bookworm. Damn Lucy, she is fucking crazy. He knew she wouldn't let him collapse any time soon. Not with how she let him beat her so thoroughly before.
Lucy took in the rough sight of Gajeel. Hardly awake, he shifted his weight from side to side, trying not to pass out. He clenched and unclenched his fists over and over. Deep red blood trailing down his arm, dripping to the dirt with a notable thap, thap, thap. The muscles in his jaw flinched as he gnashed his teeth. His shoulders slouched forward, one eye closed. A moment of calm and clarity settled over her and she almost, almost, felt bad for him knowing how much this had to hurt his tough man pride.
Her taunting smirk fell a little.
Old emotions of a girl she thought dead and gone surfacing momentarily. She 'tisk'ed at herself and the weak sentimental fool she had once been. All the same, she wasn't heartless. She wanted this fight to continue, but he simply wasn't a challenge anymore like this - or at least that's what she told herself to cover the lingering guilt. She would fix that.
With a yank, she commanded the star-water infused with iron shrapnel to shrink in length, flinging his body towards her at a manageable speed. His body weight roughly jolted into her and forced her to take a step back. For such a slim man, he was heavier than she had expected! Then again, he was tall. She should have known better. Height hid weight rather well. Oh well, too late now.
Natsu watched Lucy intently. His back was slouched over with his elbows propped on his knees, hands and fingers clasped tightly. Gajeel leaned against her. While the other Dragon Slayer appeared close to collapsing, a pang of fear still struck him. What if Gajeel was tricking her? Had Lucy let her guard down? No, it seemed she had pulled him forward and was the only thing keeping the tall man standing. She had done it on purpose. But was that even safe?
He shuddered at the thought of Gajeel waking up suddenly and pummeling her all over again. While he didn't want this amazing spar to end yet, he didn't want to watch something like that. It had been hard enough the first time. The Naval battle she encountered with Minerva haunted him periodically in nightmares. Even with these conflicted thoughts, Natsu still felt as if Lucy had a couple more tricks up her sleeve and he was dying to see them.
Lucy's dramatic change... He had difficulty describing how she affected him. His body tingled all over from her magic. He was hot and cold - almost like he was caught between a volcano and blizzard. His heart thumped in his chest as his stomach fluttered. And it certainly wasn't the sun that caused sweat to bead down the back of his neck. The way she fought... Mavis, help him. He could never get tired watching her. Seeing the twitch and flex of those new toned muscles. That sly smirk on her lips. The amused quirk of her brow. It took everything to fight the excitement that pooled in his lower extremities.
What? He was a man. Just because he acted dense and never acted on those types of impulses didn't mean he didn't have such thoughts from time to time. Fighting, training, and getting strong was more important to him than seeing to fleeting sexual, hormonal urges. A part of him had always found her attractive, but this new exotic and tough woman before him. It stirred something primal in him. Something he feared to name.
She was Lucy. His best friend. His partner.
Maybe he felt more than mere friends about her. But he had resigned himself to keeping their relationship as it was. He weaved his fingers through his spiky pink hair, licking his lips at the troublesome thoughts. At least he had wanted their relationship not to change. Who knew now with these two years he had been gone. He couldn't forget how she hadn't greeted him yesterday or even tried to talk to him. Or how she'd been with Gray... Or any other number of things that sent his warning signals blazing.
Natsu sighed. Head falling forward, gaze dropping to his feet for a few seconds in spite of the overwhelming need to keep watching her. He missed her. Missed that smile. Missed her laugh. Missed that unwavering compassion and kindness she gave her opponents and friends alike. His dark eyes came back to the fight, glinting as he watched her. While this fight excited him, he still couldn't shake the faint dread he felt beneath all his thoughts. Where was this compassion that had first drawn him to her? He wanted the fight to continue, but the old Lucy would have stopped it here.
This Lucy... she wouldn't. He knew this by the mirth in her smirk and sparking brown eyes.
Lucy had changed. But was it all for the best?
Natsu frowned, wondering what she was up to as Lucy's now gloveless hand came up to Gajeel's cheek. The Iron Dragon Slayer's eyes were nearly closed, thin slits that tried and failed to glare back at her. Her dainty fingers caressed his face. Natsu shivered. His frown deepened. He disliked it. Just like the time he saw her with Laxus and Bickslow, and the feeling that had rushed into him when Makarov had told him about her previous relationship with Gray.
Natsu shivered again. Goose bumps prickling up on his arms as he gritted his teeth. A pink glow bathed her hand as she her fingers kept touching the Iron Dragon Slayer's cheek.
A soothing tingle warmed Gajeel's face. With the feeling strength pooled in his screaming muscles, the stinging wounds quieting down and he found he could open his eyes. Startled he looked to Lucy. Another tingle for a whole different reason settled in his gut at the sight of Lucy's smiling face so close.
He opened his mouth to say something but was cut off by Lucy. "There! Now we can fight longer!"
She shifted as he stood on his own. He rubbed his right cheek, the bruise was gone and he didn't feel a broken fracture of his nose anymore. Did she give me my power back? That had to be it. He felt better than normal, like the way he would after eating pure iron. And that was only once. Gajeel gave a devious grin as he watched Lucy standing still, only a couple inches away from him. She had her gloves tucked underneath her armpit. Without thinking he quickly grabbed the pink gloves - receiving a look from Lucy - and tucked them inside his pants, there's no way she could try to get them. The game should be on his side now.
He let magic flow to his right hand, the feeling of unfamiliar magic, must be Lucy's, rushed to his arm. Iron soon enveloped the right side of his body, creating a pole too quick for Lucy's eyes to catch. Her eyes widened a fraction just before he jabbed his metal incased fist into her stomach. He extended his arm, shoving her to the other side of the training yard. A startled yelp wheezed from her lungs as her back slammed against a tree, pinning her there painfully.
"Gihi." His lips split into a taunting grin.
There was a jingle from her keys at her hip and he swiftly brought his arm back as soon as pink clouds mushroomed up from the ground. His grin fell, confusion settling over him as the swirling interwoven pink fibers of... wool?... grew in size and blocked his view of Lucy. He sniffed the air, two people? No, three. Two strong scents that didn't belong to Lucy and one that was slowly fading away, as if being hidden.
Didn't matter. He still had his ears and faintly he could still hear that there were three people. At least he could until a series of high pitched grinding and scratching noises filled the air. He shook his head, his frustration coming back in a crushing wave as he covered his ears. More trickery! He was starting to really dislike bunny-girl's method of fighting.
He snarled from the sound that grew louder, the pink fluffs around him always growing larger. A lashing, stinging pain from his left side jolted him forward. Snapping his head in that direction, all he found was pink. It encased him on all sides now, keeping a three yard radius from him. He roared in surprise as other lash hit his right thigh, this time he caught the brief sight of Lucy's star-water whip that swirled with the iron shrapnel before it disappeared into the pink wool.
He tensed, knowing now what she was doing. Without his smell and hearing though, he could do little to stop the five more biting lashes of her whip. All he saw was fucking pink! Growling out in rage, he gave up trying to dodge such a tactic, instead he ignored the whip attacks that kept coming as he rushed forward and grasped a chunk of the wool. Before he could think it wise or not, he shoved the piece into his mouth and grabbed more.
Gobbling many fistfuls, he found the pink wool had a weird taste, like he was eating clothes. He grimaced as he swallowed the last bit just before bunny-girl's whip slashed his right shoulder and he stumbled away from the wool. His hand fell to his stomach, churning from the foreign substance. Would this magic merge with his? He didn't know and that was a risk. But it was one he had to take. Grunting, he bent over. Nearly dry heaving, but he managed to keep himself together as Lucy's whip lashed him a few more times.
Gajeel was rewarded a few seconds later as he felt his magic soar. He straightened, rolling his shoulders as his body incased... not in the silver metal but pink metal. He sneered. Seriously, pink?!But didn't allow himself to think too much about it as he puffed his cheeks and brought his hands up to do the signature dragon slayer roar.
He blew out.
A wind funnel swirled before him and pink steel wool created a small tornado that crashed against the normal wool. It stood no chance against the combined might of the pink steel wool of his roar. The wind danced around, gathering the wool as he turned in a circle and destroyed every last piece of the stupid pink crap.
"Now he actually looks soft." A member from the crowd pointed out, "He looks ridiculously like kirby." The crowd was now laughing. Kirby? That wasn't even funny.
The horrible noise didn't stop. If anything it was worse without the wool to dampen it and his hands came to his ears as he turned and found six figures. He blinked. Two Lucy's? What the... Then he remembered about the spirit called Gemini. On either side of the two bunny-girls was a mermaid, a maid -who was making that horrible noise with an old laundry scrubber with rivets and her metal chains that dangled from her wrists, another girl with horns sticking out from her head, and Loke.
Lucy and... five spirits?
His eyes widened for a few seconds. Gajeel may not know a lot about her spirits but one thing he did know was that to have that many out at once took a lot of magic. In fact, he could feel it. The pressure in the air made sweat trail down his scaly pink metal skin. When he had left with the others Lucy could only manage two. But five? He wasn't just fighting against her but five spirits. Six against one. He didn't like those odds. No wonder bunny-girl was an S-Class mage now. With her tricks, her intelligence, and able to use five spirits at once... she didn't need massive strength to take down any enemy foolish enough to stand in her way.
Whispering and murmurs quickly filled the air from the spectator stands. "Five spirits… Is she even strained?" Above the clouds now draped like a blanket over the sky, rain threatening.
Warily Gajeel watched his opponents as one of the two Lucy's disappeared. He sighed in relief. Only to find that relief broken when the real Lucy lashed with her whip and the Gemini Lucy attacked from behind. He managed to doge one, while bringing his pink metal scaled arm up and block the other. It was Gemini Lucy's whip and he tugged the spirit forward while punching and stretching his pole arm. Clipping the spirit's shoulder as she dodged, he suddenly smelt Loke to the side and was forced to let go of the whip and retract his arm as he bend back from the orange glowing fist.
How he survived the next minutes... Gajeel couldn't tell you. Only that he felt like a fool rushing around trying to fight the ranged wave attacks of the mermaid and horned girl that flung water and pink wool at him while Loke, Gemini Lucy, and the maid -who thankfully stopped making that noise- attacked at close range. It was maddening, him blocking or dodging and going to counter only to get side swiped by one of the other spirits. It also bruised his ego more that Lucy wasn't even fighting. She stood off to the side, watching with a sort of twisted delight. It was useless trying to attack her too. He couldn't take a single step towards her and no stretching punch ever came within two yards of her.
Giving up on attacking her point blank, he continued to fight against her army of spirits and think of a way to get her. Him and fighting like that though... it wasn't his strong point. And soon he lost himself in attempting to merely survive the spirits and forgot her completely. Even with the added bonus of the pink wool in his system, he felt himself tiring. It was her strategy. If her tricks without her spirits didn't work, then she would tire out her enemy before coming in for the kill. Frustrating and infuriating as it was, he recognized that his respect for her was rising. Maybe he could train with her and learn how to overcome an opponent like her...
Suddenly, Gajeel felt a burst of wind pass him and he jerked turning. When no one was there, he turned around slowly, eyeing all the spirits who had stopped for some unknown reason. Then his eyes fell on Lucy who was standing a few feet in front of him, her pink gloves in hand. His mouth opened, startled, wondering how she had moved so fast. Better yet, How'd she get her gloves back? They had been in his pants.
Her hands glowed faintly and the gloves disappeared, an amused smirk on her lips and quirk of her brow. At least she was sweating. He grudgingly noticed as the beads of sweat trailed down the side of her neck and arms. She flicked her hand up and he stiffened, but Gemini Lucy, horned girl, and the maiden disappeared in a golden light as she closed their gates.
Three verses one.
That thought should have made him happy, but it didn't. He was exhausted.
"There's still time to just lay down now." Lucy's voice sounded somewhat concerned, as if trying too hard, "I won't stop you now."
Gajeel placed the bad boy grin and tried to straighten up his posture, he rolled his right shoulder and cracked his neck slowly, "Bunny-girl… I'm just getting started." Obviously a lie. He should have taken the offer to lie down, the ground was looking pretty comfortable.
"Suit yourself." She winked and gave another cheeky smile.
Loke sprang forward, attacking without warning and Gajeel barely blocked. About to counter the lion zodiac, he jerked back and gasped for air Lucy's whip slashed his chest. The male spirit followed up with two crushing blows to the Iron Dragon Slayers gut and an upper cut to the face. He attacked Loke again, only for Lucy to trip him. Before he landed on his face, the spirit's fist slammed into his face.
Like a mouse caught between two cats, Gajeel felt like it was hopeless. With each hit, more and more of his strength and will to fight vanished as did the pink iron scales. They crumbled and flanked with the attacks, leaving him exposed. It was torture. Surely it was. He just wanted to lie down on his back and surrender... But neither would let him.
Blocking Lucy's whip lash to the face, he went to tug it only for Loke to punch him with regulus and send him up into the air. Eyes closed, he felt himself free falling. If he landed on his back, all this pain and torture from a stupid brawl would be over. But it didn't. He knew it wouldn't. A sphere of water caught him, the mermaid joining the fray and water entered his lungs as he gasped, bubbles filling the sphere.
Something circled his arm and he submerged from the water sphere, standing before Lucy who held him up with her whip around his arm. Gajeel forced his eyes to remain open, his legs shaking. It took everything to stay standing. Only distantly did he notice her other two spirits were gone. Would she let him fall now? His legs gave out, but Lucy helped him regain his posture again and he frowned.
"Dammit! JUST LET ME FALL."
Lucy looked at him shocked, the fighting spirit in the Iron Dragon Slayer none-existent. To crush him like this... She gulped at his words, clutching tightly onto her whip, she didn't know if he was being serious.
"I said, let me fall…" Gajeel managed to pry his eyes open and stare at Lucy who was shifting from foot to foot, her hand was on her hip. Her golden hair that had once been in a bun was now loose in waves. Her chest heaved, showing the strain of using her magic. He could tell that she was debating on listening to him or not. Reluctantly an unneeded thought crossed his mind. Damn, did she always look that hot while holding her whip?
Just as her face softened into a pity expression, she moved as if to release him. Irritated by that expression, Gajeel grabbed hold of the whip, at first the star-waters -no longer swirling with iron shrapnel- stung him, but he ignored it and with the small amount of strength he had left, he yanked her towards him. A startled squeak escaped her lips and he raised a normal fist that collided with the bridge of her nose.
Yelping in pain as she flew backwards, she caught herself in a one hand handstand and regained her balance and dropping her whip in the process. She widened her eyes at Gajeel in surprise but held her nose. Then her eyes narrowed at his cheeky grin. Bastard! With quick jerky movements and one hand still holding her nose, Lucy removed the 10 pound weights on her ankles. Bouncing from foot to foot, she concentrated on her body. Recalling what Laxus had told her.
"So, you basically are like lightning." Laxus crossed his arms and closed his eyes. Lucy felt a quick wind rush passed her and she shuddered. "It's not that hard, but with the portion of my power I shifted to you, you should be able to do this move without any problems."
Lucy turned around to see Laxus behind her. "Try it." Another gust of wind passed her and she turned around yet again. Laxus gave her a small curve of his lips and snickered, "It's fun once you get the hang of it."
The hairs on her arms and slivers of her messy head-hair stood on end. The world around her became frozen, or close to it. She glanced at the crowd, finding everyone moving as if in slow motion. Still holding her nose she walked behind Gajeel, accidentally brushing his arm and shocking herself. She cursed lowly, but continued behind him. Activating the gravity rune Freed had given her, she jumped up, weightless as she set one foot on his head and closed her eyes. She called the lightning back inside and lulled it to sleep.
A pain shocked Gajeel's arm and a gust of wind. In a blink of an eye, Lucy was no longer in front of him. What the-
"YOU BASTARD, ARE YOU TRYING TO RUIN MY NOSE?!" The Iron Dragon Slayer jumped and glanced up, only just catching her standing with one foot on his head before she let gravity return to her and his face crashed forward into the dirt.
BAM! DONE. Sorry it took two days for me to upload, off schedule, but I might just start updating weekly or biweekly now. No worries though, it won't take months.
So, how was it? Reviews are recommended! Special thanks and shout out to "lilpumpkingirl" (: I think I love you.
Anyways, review, follow, favorite. Next chapter should be on it's way, maybe.
Ciao! Till next time.
- Crishalee
A/N: Btw, I put the characters of Natsu, Gajeel, Laxus, and Lucy on the character filter for a reason. I don't want you guys to guess off the bat who the heck ends up with Lucy. Suspense is always fun, no?