Title: How Will You Know
Pairings: Lucy/Natsu, some Mirajane/Freed, some Levy/Gajeel, some Gray/Juvia, some Elfman/Evergreen.
Rating: I'm gonna stick with M just in case of later chapters.
Plot: Lucy has had a rough time since coming back from Tenrou Island. To make matters worse, her and Natsu seem to have crossed over the line of friends. Confused and hurt, Lucy goes on a quest to clear her mind, with Natsu hot on her trail. (Bad Summary) R/R NaLu.
Sorry for the delay in a chapter, I had a few days of work and was dealing (still is) with the worst mouth sore ever. I discovered the hard way that I'm allergic to something ; Luckily its only a minor allergic reaction but still. =/ I hope everyone had a good week! Let's get this story on the road.
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail. I just love it to death XD
Chapter 4: PUSH
"When my white lies turn black, I'll be gone. I gave you my last chance today. There's no one around to help me move on. I thought it was better this way. Forgive me if I don't make a sound. I gave you everything and now I'm out With nothing left to give. Push It just slows me down. All I have you took. It never comes back around" PUSH by BECCA
/ / / / / / / / / / /
"Are you sure he is in there?" Lucy asked her friend Levy.
"For the fifth time. Yes! He is. We would know if he left his office" the blue haired girl sighed, having an annoyed look on her face.
"Sorry Levy-chan. I'm just tired of playing cat and mouse with him. He Is the one with a quest for me." Lucy sighed, watching as Levy placed her glasses back on.
Heading up the wooden steps Lucy let out a sharp know on the door. A few seconds went by in silence before she knocked once again. You have to be kidding me Lucy thought grumpily. It had been four days now since Mirajane told her to talk to their semi-new master Gildarts. She was beginning to wonder if the quest was even worth it. He probably just took off again when gramps wasn't looking she thought pessimistically.
Her rent was going to be due soon, she needed to do something to put some money in her pockets. She didn't know if was pure luck or avoidance but she still hadn't crossed paths with Natsu, despite hearing people talk in the guild about the dragon slayer doing things within the guild hall. She had hoped that despite the all the things happening between the two of them, he would approach her with a quest. At least she would be with Gray, Erza, Wendy and maybe Lisanna. Lisanna…she thought before shaking her head. Lucy knocked once more on the door, this time harder as she tapped her foot impatiently.
"Levy!" she groaned from the top of the stairs, resting her chin on the railing.
Levy ignored her friend for she was now laying down on her stomach on the table top, reading through a book on dragons with her Gale Force reading glasses. She slowly reached around the table top next to her, trying to find her plate of scones without taking her eyes off her book. Gajeel, who was sitting on the bench near her opened his eye slowly and smirked. He grabbed a scone and placed it in her hand, watching her bring it up to her mouth and take a bite as she turned a page. He crossed his arms again and closed his eye, going back to his nap.
"Thanks Gajeel-kun" Levy replied quietly much to his surprise; she never talked to him when reading.
Lucy sighed at the scene, even Levy has someone and she didn't even know it. What is with everyone ignoring or avoiding me? Lucy was becoming irritated. Everyone is off in their own world…Levy & Gajeel, Mirajane & Freed, Bisca & Alzack…Elfman & Evergreen…Even Juvia got Gray finally! Lucy crouched and buried her head in her knees.
"Argh. Lucy now is not the time. Remember what Mirajane said…" Lucy lifted her head and smacked her cheeks with her hands, waking herself up to reality.
Lucy stood and faced the door again and finally just decided to wiggle the handle, noticing it was unlocked. Even if Gildarts is not in here, maybe I can find the request paper Lucy consoled herself. She opened the door slowly and stepped in, surprised to see the room completely empty with the exception of Makarov sitting in the middle of the floor. He appeared to be in meditation for his eyes were closed.
"Master…?" Lucy asked, closing the door behind her.
Getting no response she noticed on closer inspection he was napping. She sighed and decided to raise her voice.
"Gramps!" she shouted, using Natsu's nickname for him.
"Ah! Lucy-chan!" he opened his eyes, looking around quickly.
"Where is Gildarts?" they both asked at the same time.
"That brat! He got me again!" Makarov jumped to his feet, getting angry.
"Does that mean you're master once again…?" Lucy asked as she rubbed her temple, feeling a headache forming.
"Gildarts is gone again…so yes." He sighed and looked like he was going to sob.
"You guys really need to stop this back and forth thing, its bad enough that the other guilds don't take us seriously anymore."
"You have a point…" Makarov sighed.
"By the way, where is all the furniture? Remodeling again?" Lucy asked
"That brat broke my furniture again! This is why we can't have nice things!" Makarov flew into a angry rage before sobbing.
"Err….Master, I'm sure Mirajane can order more…Does that mean the logbook and everything is gone too?" Lucy tried to console the old man.
"No, Levy-chan has them. The last time that brat broke my stuff I entrusted them to her because she is dependable."
"Mmm I see…" Lucy replied slowly, her headache growing.
Back to Levy…? I'm just going in circles. She groaned inwardly and started to head towards the door. Her hand barely touched the knob when she felt a hand on her arm, she turned to see the Master giving her a serious look.
"Something else Master?" Lucy asked.
"Lucy-chan…as one of my brats I have to tell you. I am worried about you. Ever since you found out your father passed away I've seen nothing but pain and heartbreak for you."
"I'm fine Master…reall…" Lucy started.
"Lucy Heartfilia!" Makarov cut her off. "You are a member of Fairy Tail. In Fairy Tail we are family, once family, always family. Do not bare everything on your shoulders alone. Ever. Do not forget this." He let go of her arm and then give her a warm smile. "Make me proud."
Lucy teared up a little before closing the door behind her. Resting her back against the door she let out a huge sigh, blinking back tears before glancing over the was still reading her book which Lucy found odd, she was wearing her Gale Force reading glasses. She should be done with her book by now…Lucy then watched as Gajeel placed the last scone in her hand, apparently giving up on his nap to watch the young woman read. I wish Natsu was quiet and understanding like that when I read… I don't think I could stand Natsu watching me though…I wouldn't be able to concentrate! Lucy thought, her face turning a slight pink.
Lucy walked down the steps slightly to hear the guild doors open in a hastily manner. Her eyes widened as she watched the salmon hair dragon slayer walk into the doors. Her stomach was doing flips and she was suddenly worried she would lose her breakfast. She watched him moving across the room over to the bar and kitchen area, her knees getting weak. She wasn't aware she was holding her breathe until he had walked right past the staircase, seemingly missing her.
She walked down the steps slowly and proceeded to head over to Levy's table. She sat down on the bench and gave Gajeel a brief nod. He just snorted and looked the other way, popping a scone he had hidden for himself in his mouth.
"Levy…" she spoke somewhat quietly.
"Lucy…the master is up there." Levy replied as she continued to read her book.
"I know, I just talked to gramps. He said you had the documents normally left in the office." Lucy replied.
"Oh." She continued to read.
"Levy, I hate to interrupt you right now but I need to get the request that Gildarts put aside for me." Lucy continued, looking over her shoulder to see Romeo showing Natsu some new colored flames he has learned.
"Hehe I can smell the fear on you Cheerleader. Hiding from Salamander?" Gajeel smirked.
"N-No.." Lucy stuttered back, heat rising in her cheeks. "Levy, I really need that request paper."
"It's my time with the shrimp right now." Gajeel glared at her. "Go hang out with Salamander. She's helping me find Metalicana."
Levy slammed her book closed and looked at Gajeel with a glare of her own. Gajeel merely smirked at the young girl and she quickly looked away, her face turning red. She took off her glasses and set them on the table.
"I'll go get that paper" she huffed and ran into the backroom.
/ / / / / / / / / / /
The air became so thick around the two Lucy could slice it with a knife. She tapped her foot a bit impatiently and kept stealing glances at Natsu despite Gajeel's amused looks.
"So…Levy, have you told her you like her yet?" Lucy asked with a smirk on her face.
"What are you talking about?" Gajeel raised an eyebrow.
"You know what I mean. Ever since Tenrou Island you guys have been almost inseparable, she even broke up Team Shadow Gear to form a partnership with you." Lucy continued.
"You wanna fight Cheerleader?" Gajeel shouted, slamming his iron arm in the wall behind her.
Lucy gulped nervously and immediately regretted provoking the man. Worse yet, everyone was now looking over at them. Gajeel retracted his arm and snarled, walking over to the bar.
"Lucy I found it!" Levy returned from the back room and handed the spirit mage the request paper. She glanced around a little and then whispered, "Did I miss something?"
"Hehe nothing…thanks Levy. Sorry I've been so annoying today."
Levy just smiled and sat on top of the table, putting her glasses back on and returning to her book. Lucy unfolded the request paper and starting looking over the details. "I've been traveling from city to city in hopes of meeting up with fellow spirit mages. I want to learn everything there is to know! I'm only a novice but I would love to meet up with people. I will be residing outside of Magnolia for two weeks, if you are interested please come. You will be greatly rewarded." Lucy read to herself. It sounded like a pretty easy quest for a big reward.
/ / / / / / / / / / /
"Lucy! Come have a drink with us." she heard her name shouted as she rolled the paper up and tucked it into the bag across her shoulder.
She turned to see Happy flying towards her, with a grinning Natsu and Cana behind him. She panicked a bit, her one hand gripping the hem of her skirt nervously. She gave the trio the best smile she could.
"Hey Lucy! After a drink do you wanna go on a quest with Happy & I? They just posted one on the board." Natsu grinned and showed it to her.
She read over it quickly and realized the reward was nowhere near as high as the one she had. She handed the paper back to the dragon slayer and tried to put on the best poker face.
"Sorry Natsu, I just accepted a quest that Gildarts had picked out for me." She ran a hand through her hair, hoping to see his reaction.
"Oh he did?" Natsu asked and then shrugged. "It's no big deal. Happy and I can kill time till you get back."
Lucy was taken aback slightly, Natsu would always whine and get depressed when they couldn't quest together.
"Natsu! Happy!" Lucy glanced across the room to see Lisanna calling the pair over now.
"Lisanna wants to talk to us." Natsu grinned and continued "Tell me when you get back okay?"
"Na…" Lucy started but stopped as he ran over to the white haired girl, giving her a hug.
Lucy felt a sharp stab in her chest, watching the two converse happily. Was this why he asked me to forget about the other night? He already had someone in mind? Of course he would…Lisanna is he childhood friend. Lucy pulled his scarf out of her bag and looked at it, trying to figure out if she could work up the courage to return it. She heard a cough and looked up again to see Cana looking at her.
"That quest, my father gave it to you right?"
"Yeah he did…"
Lucy felt a hand on her shoulder and Cana stepped in close, almost whispering into her ear. "Be careful Lucy, my cards for you were not good."
Lucy just nodded slowly, Cana's cards reading so far has always been accurate for her. Cana let her go and walked over to the bar to join Gajeel and Macao leaving the spirit mage to her thoughts.
/ / / / / / / / / / /
"Hey let's go fishing!" Natsu exclaimed.
"That sounds like fun." Lisanna replied.
"We should invite Erza and everyone." Happy added, munching on a fish.
"Nah. Let's go, just the three of us. Like the good old times." Natsu laughed.
"Yeah let's do it!" Happy and Lisanna chimed in unison.
"Natsu…can I talk to you for a moment?" Lucy had finally managed to approach the table, immediately regretting it.
"Sure what is it Lucy?" Natsu gave her a toothy grin.
"In private…?" she spoke more quietly now.
Natsu gulped a little but quickly recovered, giving Lisanna a smile.
"I'll give you guys a moment" the young woman smile and started to stand.
"You can stay." Natsu spoke quickly.
Lucy's eyes widened, she was hurt, angry. He had to know what this was about. Right…right? It was her turn to gulp as she tried hard to speak.
"About…" she started, seeing three sets of eyes staring at her intently.
"Lucy about the other night…" Natsu started somewhat seriously.
"Just forget about it. No harm done right? Just pretend nothing happened. I was just lonely, it meant nothing." Lucy quickly blurted out, getting nervous and upset.
Natsu was taken aback and just stared at the celestial mage. Lucy you are so stupid, so so stupid. Stupid! Lucy repeated over and over again in her mind. She wad squeezing the scarf in her hands tightly now, trying to hold back tears.
"I'm sorry!" Lucy shouted and ran towards the guild doors, slamming them shut behind her nosily.
Natsu just stared at the doors somewhat in shock. How can you tell me to forget now. Its happened…Natsu thought and his mind flashed back to the morning after "Just…forget about last night. I'm sorry, it shouldn't have happened." He had said to her to sleeping form. Was she actually awake?Was I just something to help her get over that bastard? Natsu you are so stupid, so so stupid. Stupid! He pondered seriously and was suddenly finding himself dumbstruck. He had no clue what to do.
"Natsu. I think you should go after her." Lisanna urged, breaking him from his thoughts.
"No, it's fine. Let's go fishing" he returned to his smile.
As they stood up from the table the guild doors burst open once more.
"Natsssssu!" He heard his name called.
/ / / / / / / / / / /
DUN DUN DUN. Man this chapter took me all day, and I still somehow feel it's too long, but I couldn't decide on what to cut or how to split it up into another chapter. So here we go. As promised, Natsu reappeared! :D Also, I promise some fighting/action will happen soon! Bear with me. As always thanks for reading, please R/R I look forward/love reading them. As always, chapter title courtesy of BECCA. The white lies refer to Lucy saying See you next chapter!
::hands out levy plushies::