Hi all! This chapter was difficult for me and since it took me so long to update, I didn't edit as thoroughly as I should have. So if you have any questions or suggestions about the story please let me know! I appologize for the wait...I got a little stuck and also recently got addicted to Battlestar Galactica! But anywho, I am back in writing mode and things are beginning to build more quickly between Natsu and Lucy ;)
I hope you enjoy, love you all! -Sarey
*I do not own Fairytail or any of its characters*
Ch 4- Tipsy
The final day of the journey to Twilight Village was nearly over and Lucy groaned as she looked up at the last hill.
It's practically a mountain...she thought to herself, summoning the reserves of her strength.
She gathered Happy up into her arms when she noticed him trudging slowly behind her. Natsu was already halfway up the steep mound. Like a child he seemed to have an endless supply of energy.
Lucy started up the hill with a sigh and followed her tireless partner, finally cresting the ridge.
The view was spectacular. They could see the village in its entirety, crowds of stone and wood buildings curved around a large glittering lake. Lush gardens seemed to spill out from every corner. Boats bobbed up and down, tethered to their docks for the evening.
"It's gorgeous!" Lucy's eyes were sparkling as she took in the lovely sight.
Natsu caught the scent of food cooking as smoke curled up in thin wisps from the stone chimneys. "I'm starving!"
Before Lucy could comment on the fact that Natsu is always starving, he was already running down the winding road that led to the village entrance.
"Hey! Wait!" Lucy called after him, following with Happy in tow.
Lucy was out of breath when she caught up and, still irritated at having to chase after her partner, she hadn't noticed that they were already inside the walls of Twilight. She looked around, taking in the sights and sounds.
It was more like a tiny city, throngs of people were bustling through the busy shop-filled streets. Lucy noticed the wide variety of people from quaint farm folk to elaborately dressed nobles and wondered what brought them all to such an out-of-the-way village. She guessed that it must be the variety of shops that lined the main street. She read colorful signs advertising different foods, magic lacrimas, clothing, blacksmiths, jewelers, fireworks, and everything imaginable. Lucy realized that the buildings were larger than they appeared at a distance, most were two or three stories high, providing for the vast amount of shops in the small village.
Lucy stood on her toes to peer over the fast moving crowd until she spotted Natsu's shock of pink hair bobbing towards the local inn. She picked Happy up so that he wouldn't get trampled and pushed her way into the sea of people. It was like trying to walk upstream in a strong current and they slowly made their way to the inn. The sign hanging above the door was made of heavy black wood and carved into it in silver was "Midnight Inn" along with a crescent moon and stars.
Lucy pulled the stiff door open and stepped into a breezy lobby where large ceiling fans stirred the air. She found Natsu at the front desk having a heated debate with the clerk. Jerking his scarf she pulled him back and he choked on his aggressive words.
"Whats the problem?" Lucy asked the clerk sweetly while shooting a threatening glance at her partner.
"This..." the scrawny clerk searched for the right word, "Ruffian seems to think he can barge in here demanding food and board without any reservations." He stiffly straightened up as if to drive the point home, "We are an exemplary establishment and uphold the highest in quality service, our business has been a cornerstone of this village for over a hundred years!"
"Why you snobby bastard!" Natsu was cut off by a fist to the head this time and Lucy's fierce look sent him sulking to the sofa in the waiting area.
"We are here to investigate some disappearances in the village, I'm sure you can find room for us until we have found the missing girls." Lucy was laying the honey on thick, batting her eyelashes and leaning forward so that her breasts were pushed up by the counter top.
The starchy clerk was stumbling over his next words, "Umm well, since you are here to do our community a service I suppose I can find a room for you. But you'd better keep your friend there," he pointed an accusing finger at Natsu, "On a leash!"
"Thanks, we'll be no trouble! I promise!" Lucy put on her best smile and the clerk got her signature before giving her a large silver key adorned with the number 307.
"Come on guys." Lucy dangled the key in front of Natsu and Happy with a self-satisfied grin.
They climbed the stairs to the third floor and made their way to 307. The key fit smoothly in the lock and it turned with a satisfactory click. Lucy pushed the heavy wooden door open to reveal a small room decorated with a starry theme. The walls were painted a navy blue with silver stars and white wisps of cloud. On the rear wall a crescent moon was painted to the right above the silver draped window. There were twin beds fashioned from the same dark wood as the sign on either side of the large arched window. The beds were covered in star scattered indigo quilts that seemed to sparkle in the late evening light that trickled through the window panes.
Natsu ran, flipped, and landed on the right side bed with a thump, "I call this side!"
Lucy rolled her eyes at his juvenile behavior as she tried to hide her amusement, "Fine, but I get the first bath."
The bathroom was just through a doorway on the right side of the room and Lucy poked her head in to note a large tiled room with a sunset theme. The walls faded from a deep purple to a soft rosy pink ending in a warm orange. A huge black claw-foot tub loomed against the wall with a plush eggplant colored bath mat beside it. Lucy was reluctant to leave the luxurious bathroom behind but she knew that they had business to attend to first.
"Let's go find the mayor," she turned back toward the bedroom to see Natsu and Happy stretched out on the small bed.
Natsu was staring at the star speckled ceiling and he propped his head up to argue with Lucy, "Can't we eat first?"
She glared at him in silence and he sat up deciding that it would be better to comply, Lucy's wrath was becoming more terrifying to him than Erza's.
After locking up the room they all made their way out into the busy street and Lucy pulled the directions to the Mayors office from her skirt pocket. They waded into the crowd and headed north up the main street toward a large stone building at the base of a tall clock tower.
Natsu resisted the urge to follow his nose into a nearby pub where the scent of smoked meat wafted out into the evening air. He brought his attention back to following Lucy and realized that he had already lost her in the thick crowd.
"Damn, wheres Lucy?" He turned to ask his blue companion but Happy was nowhere to be found. "What the hell! They both just ran off and left me?" Natsu grumbled to himself.
He closed his eyes and searched the air for Lucy's scent. It was faint but he would know her smell anywhere...honeysuckles and warm sunlight...it was intoxicating but he didn't want to think about that right now.
Natsu pushed his way through the throngs of people and was closing in on the sweet perfume when he caught sight of Happy soaring just above a bobbing blonde head. Irritated that he was left behind in the first place he ran up behind them and exclaimed his malcontent, "Thanks a lot for leaving me back there! Some friends you are."
"Oh sorry Natsu," Happy frowned.
"Hurry up we're almost there!" Lucy huffed. She could hear him mumbling something to himself and she couldn't help but smile at his aggravation. Something about getting under his skin thrilled her.
The door to the Mayors office was closed when they arrived and Natsu pounded it with his fist, not able to accept that they were too late to enter. Lucy was worried that Natsu's forthright manner would give the Mayor a bad first impression and she grabbed his arm to keep him from beating the door down. At that moment the door nob turned and a short bald man appeared in the crack that opened. He looked startled to see them and Lucy jumped in before Natsu could scare the poor man any further.
"Hello, my name is Lucy. We're from Fairytail and we have come to look into the recent disappearances in town." Lucy put on her friendly smile in hopes it would get them in the door.
Sure enough her charms worked and the man stepped back to open the door wide enough to let them through.
"Please do come in. I am Yūgure Kyou, Mayor of Twilight Village," he introduced himself formally and gestured to a large leather sofa where they could sit.
Natsu plopped down and Lucy shot him an irritated glance as she gracefully lowered herself onto the couch, hoping to stay in the Mayors good graces. Happy climbed up beside Lucy and he awkwardly slid towards her, the depression in the couch having a gravitational effect. The three of them were a comical sight.
Mayor Yūgure proceeded to explain the situation of the missing girls, "Twelve girls ages 16-23 have gone missing in the past month. Most of them were on their way home from work or school and never showed up. We have exhausted our search of the surrounding areas and it has recently come to our attention that perhaps they are being hidden by a magic barrier. This is precisely why we need you."
He seemed to be a nice man, obviously concerned for the well being of the young girls. Lucy assured him of their seriousness in the matter, "We will start our search tomorrow morning and focus on finding any magic energy in the area. Are there any caves or abandoned buildings nearby?"
"Our forests are full of caves but most of them are too small for a group that large. However, there is a large system of caverns just north of here, it would be a good place to start." The Mayor suggested.
Natsu butted in, "Do the missing girls have anything in common?"
"Actually," The mayor hesitated and turned his gaze on Lucy, "They all look quite similar to you. To be honest, I was a little startled when I saw you at the door."
Lucy's stomach turned and she thought about Madam Mooney's warning the night before. No, it can't be...
She needed some fresh air.
"Thank you Mayor Yūgure, we will keep you updated on our progress," she rose from the leather sofa and picked Happy up from his awkward position, absently petting his his little blue head.
After they said their goodbyes and left, Happy gave Lucy an irritated look, "I'm not Plue!"
"Oh, sorry Happy!" Lucy sat him down but seemed to still be lost in thought as they made their way back down the main street.
Natsu's stomach was imploding from hunger and he couldn't contain himself anymore as they walked past the busy pub, "Let's eat, I'm going to waste away out here!"
"Oh right." Lucy realized that she had been deep in thought and shook herself free of her internalization.
Natsu led the way to a small table in the corner by the entrance. Lucy took in the atmosphere as she sat down in the thick oak chair. The lighting was dim, lanterns adorned each table top and cast wavering shadows about the room. By this time the pub was slowing down and most of the patrons now sat at the bar in the back of the wide room, their voices rising and falling in conversation.
A young man walked over to their table with a pad and pen ready to take their orders. Natsu ordered just about everything on the menu and Happy of course ordered a generous helping of fish.
"And you miss?" The waiter politely looked to Lucy.
She was still uneasy from the meeting with Mayor Yūgure and her stomach was doing somersaults inside her, "I'll just have a bowl of soup," The waiter scribbled onto his pad, "And a mug of honey mead!" She nearly shouted it at him, deciding at the last second that she needed something for her nerves.
Natsu shot her a look of surprise, Lucy rarely drank, "Ooh! I want one too!"
The waiter nodded and took his pad to the kitchen to place their orders.
"Aww, what about me?" Happy frowned.
"You're too young, little buddy," Natsu patted the exceeds head.
"I'm not that much younger than you!" Happy argued.
"Fine, you can have some of mine. But I'm not gonna carry you if you get too drunk!" Natsu interjected.
"You're the one who usually has to be carried," Lucy pointed a finger at her pink haired companion.
"Oh, we'll see about that, lightweight!" A tone of challenge in his voice.
The food came and went, as did the plentiful mugs of mead and Lucy felt her anxiety fade away. She was having the best time in weeks and their laughter spilled across the room as they talked about everything and nothing at all. Lucy realized that she had never really spent time like this with just Natsu and Happy. They were usually with the entire guild.
Natsu noticed the flush in Lucy's cheeks, She's getting pretty tipsy. He didn't want her to get sick and for once he was the voice of reason, "Let's head back to the inn, I'm tired." He stretched his muscled arms over his head and yawned.
"Okay," Lucy giggled for no reason at all, staring at him with a strange look of curiosity.
Happy was already asleep on the table and Lucy picked him up, cradling him gently against her chest. Natsu felt a stab of jealousy, wishing he was the one pressed against Lucy. He immediately scorned himself for the thought and realized that he was more than a little intoxicated himself.
Lucy nearly toppled over when she saw the bill and she began to argue with the waiter. "This is insane! I don't have this kind of money!" She started to argue again but decided on a different plan of action.
Lucy leaned toward the waiter whispering drunkenly, "I'm sure we can work something out, handsome. Besides we are working a special job for the mayor." She winked.
Natsu's temper was flaring as he watched Lucy flirt with their gangly waiter. He grabbed her arm and jerked her toward the door. "Put it on the tab!" He shouted at the terrified staff, his inner dragon showing.
"Well that worked..." Lucy was a little hurt but too inebriated to care.
The streets were nearly empty now and they passed the occasional straggler, nodding in understanding as they too followed the sobering path home.
"Let's go down to the lake!" Lucy eagerly suggested.
"What about Happy?" Natsu gestured to his sleeping friend.
"I'll go put him in bed, we're almost to the inn. It will only take me a second." Lucy was doing her best to convince Natsu in her drunken state.
"Wait here," she whispered in an overly serious tone as they approached the inn.
Natsu didn't need much convincing as he too was in a state of inebriation and he simply nodded and sat on the steps leading to the main entrance.
Natsu watched the stars while he waited. He counted three falling stars and for some reason it gave him a feeling of apprehension. It gave him the feeling that something was going to happen to Lucy and he thought about the strange message from the fortune-teller...Only love can save you.
Lucy's laughter carried out into the night air and shook Natsu from his solemn thoughts. He couldn't help but laugh with her as she stumbled down the stairs whispering loudly, "Okay let's go!"
Lucy leaned against Natsu for support and she burst out laughing again, "I don't know how to get to the lake!"
Natsu, having the metabolism of a Dragon Slayer, was beginning to sober up and he followed his nose to the earthy, clean scent of the lake water. Lucy clung to his arm as they walked through narrow alleyways, twisting and turning through the sleeping village.
They descended a small hill that led out onto the lake shore where the round moon reflected brilliantly off the still water. It illuminated the shore in a soft bluish light and as Lucy walked unsteadily to the waters edge, Natsu watched as the light danced through her hair sending silver sparks through her blonde tresses. He followed her to the water and reached out, pulling the ribbons from her twin-tails. Her hair spilled over her shoulders and down her back in gleaming ripples and she looked up at him, confusion in her dark eyes.
"What are you doing?"
I don't know...he thought.
"I just...well...I mean...you're hair is pretty," he answered awkwardly.
Lucy grinned, warmth spreading across her cheeks, "Oh, thanks. Yours too!" She ruffled his thick pink hair playfully.
"Lucy!" Natsu shoved her and she teetered for a moment before falling into the shallow water with a splash.
Shock registered on Lucy's face as she hit the cold water and it was followed by bubbling laughter.
Natsu rushed to pull her from the water but Lucy grabbed his arm a yanked him in after her. They both struggled and sputtered in the cold water and Lucy pushed him down again as she made for dry land, "That's what you get, Mr. Dragon Slayer!"
Natsu chased after Lucy and tackled her onto the sandy shore where they lay soaking wet and laughing. Lucy shivered in the night air as their laughter died away and she sat up wrapping her arms tight around her chest. "Now, I'm cold."
"Sorry, I didn't mean to push you in. It was funny though." Natsu smiled at her apologetically.
"Yeah, it was." Lucy leaned over to lay her head on his shoulder.
Natsu sat so still she wondered if he was still breathing. They sat for several tense minutes, listening to the crickets and the soft breeze. Finally, Natsu took a deep breath and slowly put his arm around Lucy's shoulders. She didn't realize how much she had wanted this until now and she scooted closer, pressing against him. Natsu pulled her even closer and he laid his head against Lucy's shimmering wet hair.
"Natsu?" Lucy's voice was barely a whisper.
"Yeah?"
"I'm scared," she choked back tears.
"I wont let anything happen to you." Natsu reassured her.
"I trust you." Lucy found his hand and squeezed it gently.
Natsu leaned back and looked down into her thoughtful eyes as she continued, "It's just that I have a terrible feeling about this job. If anything were to happen to you because of me..." The hot tears streamed out, strangling her words and her gaze fell to the sand as she tried to hide her shame.
"Lucy, look at me," Natsu slid his hand under her chin, turning her face to meet his, "This isn't your fault, we don't even know if that asshole is involved!" He had to stifle his rising anger.
Natsu wiped the tears from Lucy's face as she nodded agreement but he could tell that she wasn't convinced. It was crushing him to see her cry like this and he was desperate to make her feel better. He wanted to take care of her always. This realization dawned on him and he knew that he loved her. More than a partner. More than a friend.
Lucy saw the change in his ebony eyes. It was a look she had never seen there before. It frightened and excited her. She knew in that moment that it was what she wanted. If only he would tell her.
The moment was lost when a shrill cry pierced the air. Lucy felt a cold chill rush down to her toes.
"Do you think it's another kidnapping?" She turned her big brown eyes to Natsu.
He was standing straight and still listening for any signs of struggle. "Get back to the inn."
The seriousness in his tone had her worried, "I'm not leaving you!"
Natsu was already running off toward the source of the scream and Lucy followed after him, still lightheaded from the mead.
She was several paces behind as they zigzagged through the alleyways. Lucy nearly collided into Natsu when he came to a sudden halt.
"It sounded like it came from over here," He pointed to a clearing behind a small stone house not far from their inn.
There were already several people outside inspecting the area. An older woman was crying hysterically and Lucy felt a pang in her heart as she realized that she must be the abducted girls mother.
"Excuse me," she interrupted gently, "we heard a scream, what happened?"
A tall young man who was obviously a member of the village patrol was the first to respond, "Their daughter was on her way home from work, the parents heard her scream and ran outside but she was already gone."
"I see. I'm Lucy by the way, my partner and I are from Fairy Tail. We're here to investigate the disappearances."
"Aldren," The man stuck out his hand in introduction, "We need all the help we can get."
They all talked into the night while Natsu was on the ground sniffing out any smells that could help him track the attacker and the girl.
"Natsu," Lucy sighed, tired from the whole ordeal, "We better go get some sleep."
"Yeah," he stood up, "There isn't much more we can do here, someone is obviously using magic to cover their tracks. I couldn't smell a damn thing."
Natsu led the way back to the inn and Lucy somberly followed close behind. They plodded up the stairs to their third floor room and Natsu flopped down on his bed, falling asleep almost instantly.
Lucy was too tired for a bath so she took a quick shower and threw on a t-shirt and sleep shorts. She turned the lights out and laid down pulling the starry quilt up to her chin. Happy was curled up on her pillow, purring in his sleep. Lucy tossed and turned her mind refusing to give her rest. She couldn't stop thinking about the disturbing fortune from the previous night. She closed her eyes tightly, determined to fall asleep when suddenly Tyreus' face appeared behind her puffy lids.
Lucy shot up gasping and looked around the room to make sure he wasn't lurking in the shadows.
She shakily climbed out of bed and peeked out of the third-story window. Now how am I supposed to get any sleep? She thought to herself. Lucy watched the lanterns going out one-by-one along the main street and she closed the curtain against the desolate scenery. Still shaky, she stepped toward the one thing that could give her peace. Lucy softly lowered herself onto Natsu's bed hoping not to wake him.
He was sleeping soundly on top of the quilt and she shimmied her way under the covers curling up into a ball near the edge of the small bed. Lucy was finally drifting off when she felt Natsu stirring beside her.
"Lucy?" He was running his hands along her back through the quilt.
She rolled over to face him, "Sorry, I couldn't sleep. I'll get back in my bed." She pushed back the covers to get up but Natsu grabbed her arm.
"Stay there," he whispered.
She felt him stand up and peel back the quilt before sliding in next to her. "I'm here." He murmured softly, his warm breath caressing her face.
"Natsu..." Her voice was shaky, "What are we doing?"
"Sleeping." He grinned at her and she could just make out his expression in the dark room.
Lucy sighed sarcastically, "Oh, right." She shut her eyes and rolled over, pretending to be asleep.
Natsu surprised Lucy, scooping her into his arms and pulling her close, "I'm not going anywhere so get some rest."
He could smell Lucy's fear and he wanted to take it away, if only for a little while. She seemed to guess what he was thinking and she rolled toward him to bury her face against his neck. Her arms were folded between them, hands pressed against Natsu's lithe chest. He felt her small hand slide up his neck to rest on his flushed cheek, wondering briefly if she could feel the heat there. Lucy rolled her head back to look at him before pressing her forehead against his, "You're kind of amazing. I hope you know that."
"Yeah, well, don't build me up too much..." Natsu could taste her breath in the space between them and it was almost more than he could take. He took a shallow breath and tucked Lucy's head against his chest,"Now go to sleep."
Natsu lay awake for awhile wondering how many more nights of this he could take. He felt Lucy twitch in her sleep and he tightened his grip on her, afraid that he could somehow lose her to a bad dream. Something was wrong about this job but Natsu couldn't quite place it. As he drifted off he remembered something important but sleep was taking him fast and he couldn't hold on to the thought. I'll think of it tomorrow...
A/N: I specifically chose the mayors name to have significance to the village. Yūgure means twilight and Kyou is a masculine name that often means village.