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.
Lol. Wow I feel silly. I try to be accurate as possible about facts in a fandom's universe. Of course right after I can't find info on something and decide to make some up, Mashima Hiro comes up and punches me saying "WRONG!" lol. XD The latest chapter of Fairy Tail it is revealed one day in the spirit world is equal to three months. And I had planned on the time for Lucy to be gone earthland wise to be 3 months. Yet she is in the spirit world for a week or so. Booooo. Well, lets just pretend I'm right or something…
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail. I just love it to death XD
Chapter 10: Tomorrow
"I've got you here in my arms, I'll never let you go…I'm tired of running. You know in my life, I'm always searching for something. You are the only one that leaves me speechless with words I can't forget… Oh if we never had tomorrow I don't know how I'd forgive myself. You're the only one I will follow… Tomorrow, if I see you, What to say to keep you from walking away. There's so much I'm feeling, That keeps me breathing" Tomorrow by BENNIE BECCA/ / / / / / / / / / /
Lucy groaned and opened her eyes slowly, quickly squinting them shut upon seeing the sun. The air felt warm and somewhat breezy, cold water ocasionally hitting her feet. She sat up slowly and opened her eyes again slowly, seeing bright blue/green waves hitting the sandy shore. Glancing down at her body she was relieved to see she was now wearing clothes again, although she was confused, the outfit was Andromeda's. She could also visibly see scars and bandages wrapped all along her stomach from Apus' plants. Letting out a sigh, she could hear Seagulls in the air and glanced around quickly recognizing the area. The town where I met Natsu and Happy…
"This is Hargeon…does this mean I'm back?" Lucy thought somewhat excitedly, tears forming in her eyes.
She slowly made an effort to stand, finding her legs to be wobbly. She made it a few steps before stumbling, landing on her knees. My body feels so tired and heavy, my wounds ache… she groaned inwardly. Her excitement about returning was slowly fading, leading her to wonder how she got back.
"Last thing I remember is yelling at the Spirit King…did Andromeda send me back…? Did the Spirit King…?" She spoke to herself, watching the waves crash onto the shore.
It's warm yet breezy here…where did the snow go? Lucy pondered and then sighed. How am I getting back to Magnolia? My body is no shape to walk that far…
"LUCY!" her thoughts were interrupted when she heard a familiar voice.
She turned to see a figure with flaming orange hair, sunglasses and a black suit on. Her mouth widened in a smile as she quickly recognized her spirit, Leo, otherwise known as Loke. He started to run towards her and quickly kneeled down in front of her, inspecting her.
"Loke!" Lucy smiled more, on the verge of tears.
"You're really here…Lucy. The spirit king said you would be but…you're really here." Loke smiled back, trying to keep a straight face.
"The spirit king? So that's how I got back. One minute I was arguing with him about Andromeda and then I'm here." Lucy tried to explain.
"Andromeda?" Loke seemed confused.
"The spirit that saved me! She…I want to help her. What happened to Angel?" Lucy panicked.
"Angel is in a prison hospitial after being turned in by Natsu and company. Natsu nearly beat her to death." Loke replied.
"Na-Natsu did that…?" Lucy seemed surprised, he usually knew how to control himself.
"Yeah, he was pretty upset. Intially he thought you had died and nearly killed her but Gray calmed him down and he put the pieces together."
Lucy made a second attempt to stand up and felt her knees shaking. She made it a few more steps before stumbling, feeling herself being lifted up. She glanced up to see Loke was holding her princess style and she felt a little heat rise in her cheeks.
"Is this really nessesary?" She stammered.
"You can hardly walk Lucy." Loke smirked.
"You're enjoying this aren't you?" She now pouted, crossing her arms.
"Guilty." He laughed.
"But what happened to Angel's keys?" Lucy asked, returning to the subject at hand.
"Her keys? Erza has them I believe. She's been going to Blue Pegasus a lot lately to get information on them." Loke started to walk towards the road by the beach.
Lucy let out a sigh of relief, "So we do have her keys…good."
"Why do you need her keys so badly?" Loke asked
"So I can help Andromeda. She helped me, I want to return the favor."
Loke just smiled and held onto Lucy tighter, picking up his walking speed till he was a fast running pace.
"Give me a little warning first!" Lucy shouted, grabbing onto Loke's suit jacket.
Lucy watched the scenery go by, beautiful flowers and trees were blooming. The sun was shining and the breeze was light but refreshing. Lucy couldn't help but smile but she was still confused as to why the snow was gone.
"Hey Loke!" Lucy shouted again.
"What do you need Lucy?" Loke shouted back as he reached the edge of town.
"Where did the snow go?"
"The snow? Its spring time Lucy, why would there be snow? You've been gone for three months." Loke chuckled.
"EH?" was all that could be hear for about a mile around.
/ / / / / / / / / / / / /
"Has anyone seen Loke?" Gray asked.
"He vanished awhile go, saying the spirit king summoned him." Erza explained.
"Maybe the king has news of Lucy?" Wendy chimed in, a hopeful look framing her young face.
"Who knows…" Gray stated somewhat glumly, "The king has been rather uncooperative about that spirit Natsu saw."
"True…" Erza placed a chin in her hand, deep in thought.
"Where is Natsu…?" Wendy looked around the guild hall.
"Juvia saw Natsu leave a few days ago for his house. Juvia hasn't seen him since." Juvia sat down next to Gray.
Gray just sighed, he hated to admit it but he was worried about his friend and rival. He saw a tankard placed in front of him and looked up to see Cana sit down from across him, giving him a solemn smile.
"You look like you need a drink."
"Thanks Cana." Gray shot her a small smile, not noticing steam coming out of his girlfriend's ears.
"Juvia wants some too." She stammered, grabbing his tankard.
"Er wait Juvia! Have you ever had alcohol before?" He scrambled in horror as she down the entire thing down.
"You could make a good drinking buddy Juvia" Cana laughed.
Juvia could only hiccup in response, placing the tankard down on the table, giving a goofy grin.
"It tastes good. Hehe. I want to be Gray-sama's drinking buddy…a heated drinking battle!" Juvia kept grinning, occasionally breaking out in laughter.
Everyone just sat there at the table wide eyed, Gray especially. He had never seen Juvia like this.
"What did you do to that drink Cana…?" Gray mumbled into her ear.
"Just a little pick me up magic…" Cana grinned.
Gray groaned and rested his head on the table, placing his arms over his head. We can have some pick me up magic when Lucy is back…
Erza let out a discrete cough and looked at her guildmates. "So Natsu is at home then?"
"Not exactly." Charle finally joined the conversation, sitting next to Wendy.
"Do you see something Charle?" Wendy asked.
"Sort of…Natsu is at a place he considers home, but it is not his home. That's as much as I can tell." Charle spoke calmly and polietly.
"I see, thank you for your insight Charle." Erza smiled.
"You are welcome Erza-san." Charle nodded her head.
"Who wants some of my new strawberry cake?" Mirajane walked over with a cake, smiling warmly.
Erza's hand quickly raised to the air, her eyes wide with desire. Mirajane just chuckled and placed the entire cake platter in front of her red-haired friend.
"Thank you Mira-san. Cravings again?" Erza smiled.
"Hehe yeah. But it works out for you too in the end." Mirjane smiled more.
"Why are you having cravings anyways?" Erza suddenly asked, looking confused.
"Didn't I tell you? Bisca isn't going to be the only mother in this guild…" Mirajane blushed but smiled more, glancing over at her husband Freed.
"Mo-mother…" Erza blushed and quickly took a bite out of her cake.
"Oo Cake…smells good, I want so-" Gray lifted his head and reached for a slice.
"Don't touch my cake!" Erza grabbed his arm and wrapped it around to his back, snapping out of her daze about Mirajane's news.
"I'm…so-sorry…" Gray gulped, why was he always getting picked on since Lucy left? Why not Natsu?
Erza let go of his arm and reached for her fork again, taking a bit out it, smiling. "This is a young woman's dream…absolute happiness."
"Well I'm glad you like it…" Mirajane smiled and started to walk away, hearing her name called from another table.
"Wendy!" Erza suddenly shouted from across the table.
"Eek!" Wendy panicked and ducked under the table, Erza had never called her name that way before.
"Wendy." She spoke again, grabbing her from under the table and forcing her down next to her, "Let us bond over cake. A young woman's absolute happiness."
Wendy gulped but then relaxed a little, smiling as Erza gave her a slice. "Sure Erza-san."
"That's not how you bond Erza…" Cana groaned and looked away, trying to avoid Juvia's death stare.
"Where is Natsu when you need something to do…" Gray groaned.
The guild doors opened slowly and almost quietly, so quietly that most of the guild actually noticed. Who entered the guild in a polite and quiet manner? Erza glanced up from her cake to see two figures come in. Her eyes widened and before she knew it her cake had slipped onto the floor from her sideways plate.
"Erza your cake!" Wendy cried, crouching to the floor to pick it up.
"Lucy…" was all Erza could say, somewhat unsure if she should belive her eyes.
Lucy glanced around the guild hall to see most eyes on her, however Lucy was desperate to find a certain salmon haired dragon slayer. Her eyes turned to Loke who was still holding her.
"Can you put me down Loke?" She asked.
"If you insist. It was fun while it lasted." He grinned and slowly let her down, holding onto her shoulder.
Lucy just let out a sigh but it wasn't long till she was smiling, it wasn't long for her but it felt good to be back.
"Lucy!" everyone shouted.
Erza soon made her way over to her blonde friend and grabbed her, smashing her face into her metal armor.
"I missed you! Give me a hug"
"Ow…Erza that…hurts…" Lucy tried to protest but gave up, laughing at her friend's always odd behavior.
"Thank you Loke." Erza gave the spirit a smile.
"Don't thank me, thank the Spirit King, he told me where to find her." Loke smile and then vanished, going back to the spirit world.
Erza let go of her friend to look her over slowly, noting the scars and bandages and the unique clothing her friend was wearing.
"Where did you go?" Gray cut in, holding Juvia up beside him.
"The spirit world. A cut off area of the spirit world." Lucy tried to explain in simple terms.
"I like your clothes Lucy. Did Virgo or Cancer give them to you?" Wendy asked smiling.
"Actually another spirit gave them to me. She saved me…" Lucy smiled "I'm really glad to see you guys, but I need Angel's keys. I have something I need to do."
"I had them, but I gave them to Natsu a few days ago. We haven't seen him since then. Charle said 'Natsu is at a place he considers home, but it is not his home'. Do you know where that is?" Erza explained.
"I might…I want to stop at my house first and change, these clothes are a bit revealing…" Lucy laughed nervously and took a step back, wobbling a little.
"Are you okay Lucy?" Cana asked, approaching her friend now.
"I'm fine Cana…just took a bit of a beating."
Lucy headed towards the guild door again and took a few steps outside, wobbling a bit still.
"Lucy!" she turned to see Wendy running after her.
"Wendy, what is it?" Lucy stopped
"You seem to be having some trouble walking, let me cast Troia on you, it'll help you get home at the very least." Wendy smiled.
"Thank you, I'd appreciate that."
"Just don't tell Charle." Wendy whispered.
Lucy just smiled and nodded, watching Wendy bring her hands to Lucy's legs.
"Troia" she spoke as a pale blue light formed from her hands, going into her friend's body.
Lucy let out a sigh of relief and took a few steps forward and back, noticing her body didn't feel so heavy. Wendy just gave her older friend a thumbs up and then ran back into the guild.
"Aright lets do this." Lucy clenched her fists and started to walk faster down the road, eventually running.
Who knew running bare foot could feel so good. Is this how you felt Andromeda? Running down the beach with no shoes and the breeze blowing through your hair? Running towards the man you love? Lucy smiled and continued running towards her apartment.
/ / / / / / / / / /
Lucy walked up the steps slowly, feeling Wendy's magic running out. She panted as her legs started wobbling again like jelly. She was so close to the door to her apartment. Was it even still her apartment? Reaching the door she turned the knob slowly, surprised to find it unlocked. Opening it she stepped in slowly, impressed at the sight before her.
She stepped into the doorway, feeling the door click close behind her. She was amazed to see all of her stuff left the way it was three months prior. However what impressed her the most was the addition of things on the walls, memoirs to be exact. She had seen them before the time she came to visit Natsu's hut. Had Natsu brought all his stuff over? She stepped further in, stumbling into her desk, hitting her toe on the corner.
"Damn it. That huuuurt…." She whimpered and held onto the desk for support.
"Natsu, I think someone is here." She heard Happy speak from the Kitchen.
"You think so? I don't smell anyone. How do you work this oven thing anyways?" she heard Natsu reply back.
"Aye. You just turn it on all the way up and shove tons of things in" Happy chirped back.
"Alright. Lets make some good dinner!" Natsu chiped in response.
Lucy stumbled to the entryway to the kitchen, seeing her partner shove tons of fish and vegtables onto the oven rack.
"What are you guys doing to my kitchen? That's not how you cook!" Lucy shouted, worried they would set her place on fire.
"Eh? Natsu…I'm seeing Lucy. Does this mean she died? I'm seeing her ghost? Ghosts are scary…" Happy hovered behind his friend, peeking over his shoulder.
"Look here…." Lucy groaned but gave up, turning around to head back into the bedroom. His face, did it always look so…amazing?
Before she could make it any further she felt strong arms around her from behind, holding her tightly. She felt her legs go, falling forward onto her knees, Natsu still clinging to her for dear life.
"Na-Natsu…" she stammered, heat rising in her cheeks.
"Lucy!" was all she heard come from as he buried his head into her back, sobbing quietly.
/ / / / / / / / / / /
Alrighty so its looking like maybe one more chapter. Hope you guys enjoyed this one as much as I did. As always, more fairy tail humor! Lol Erza has been my favorite to write for recently. See you guys next chapter!
::hands out happy plushies::