Chapter 9

Mirajane's POV

A loud knock was projected from the main doors that stood before me. I plastered a smile on my face as I slowly opened the door.

Natsu stood before me, "I'm here to talk with thy parents, again."

"Natsu…" I said sympathetically.

*flashback*

"Father mother, please understand that there are other men out there that are just as wealthy as Natsu… With time they too will learn to love and care for Lisanna." I beseeched on my knees, "Can you not understand the pain and grief both Natsu and Lisanna are going through hearing that you have arranged for them to marry?" Tears formed in my eyes as I too felt the agony that Natsu had felt after he left.

"Silence! You disrespectful wretch, know that I do this for her own good." Father shouted in anger. "Get out!" He slapped me hardly across my cheek. The sharp, vicious pain detonated across my fragile cheeks.

Fear and sorrow corrupted my confidence. I stood up and ran, tears fled from my eyes.

*Flashback end.*

Natsu looked at me strangely as I was still trapped in my thoughts. "What happened to your cheek, make up not covering up a secret?" He joked

"…" I stared at my hands.

He lifted his hand and gently touched my swelled cheek; I winced at the pain that still lingered. "Are you okay?" he asked, "Your father did this?"

I stare at him with wide eyes, he knew? "What brings you here today, Natsu?" I smiled, changing the subject.

He noticed the discomfort of discussing that subject, so he too carried on. "I'm here to try another chance at cancelling the marri-"

"That won't be happening, I told you yesterday, right Natsu?" A booming voice crushed our conversation. "Natsu, tomorrow you will be wed to Lisanna, again this isn't your decision."

I stood in fear, my hands were sweating and my eyes were bulging out of their sockets. My whole body was shaking. I still felt the pain of the sharp pain that haunted my cheek. I still remember the glares that father gave me after I took Natsu's side. I still remember the endless begging that I had to perform and sully my pride for Natsu.

Lucy's POV

Again had Natsu hurried the Strauss manor to complain and try to cancel the engagement between him and his childhood friend? Why did I think that the world was destroyed?

I had remembered what mother has always used to tell me, 'Love is friendship blooming from its bud, between you and a boy.' I had always thought that love was pitiful; the day you die is the day you separate from your lover forever. Is it not the same situation here?

I sat by the window and watch the clouds float by. Mother had enjoyed her life loving father; they fought and made up the next day. They were together always supporting each other. If only she could be here, if only she could see me love Natsu.

I looked down, and there coming closer and closer to the mansion was Natsu's carriage. Gray got off his horse and opened the door. He didn't come out; I could see him from this window. His buried his face into the palms of his hands. I could see that he was frustrated, pained and hurt.

I hurried out the room, down the stairs and stopped close to the door. Gray opened it, and greeted me sadly. Slowly trudging behind him was Natsu. He stopped in his tracks after noticing I was blocking them. He looked into my eyes and hugged me.

We walked to his room and sat down. I held him in my embrace; I knew that in his heart he only needed me. He made soft sobs as I hugged him tighter. Feeling his pain I too starter to tear up.

"Tomorrow… Lisanna is to be married to me." He held onto me like his life depended on his grip.

"I know…" I hushed him, "I know…"

"What do I do?"

"You are Natsu Dragneel; you can come up with anything." I smiled, "I believe in you.

*Day of the wedding*

"Natsu, you look great, I wish I can be the bride." I said sadly.

"Lucy, I have one bride and it's you." He said softly.

"The carriage is outside…" I looked down onto the carriage that Lisanna was in, "Lisanna is in it as well..."

"Gray!" Natsu shouted, startling me. Gray came running in, "Get a separate carriage for Lucy and I, I don't want to share a carriage with Lisanna." He obliged and left quickly.

I sat down in one of the chairs next to Natsu's father. He patted my back softly and smiled. Natsu stood at the front of the church. I felt so depressed; he too was standing up there with no emotion.

The music started playing and both of us stiffened. Walking the aisle was Lisanna. She walked closer and closer to Natsu. As she did, my heart tore further and further apart.

She stood before him, smiling. The priest in front said, "Groom, you may say your vow." Natsu looked down, then to me, "Groom?"

Lisanna noticed and she too, felt sympathetic for our love. But she volunteered to say her vow first, "Friar, I will say mine first then." She coughed, "I Lisanna Strauss, take thee, Natsu Dragneel to my wedded Husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health to love, cherish and obey, till death do us apart, according to god's holy ordinance; and thereto I give thee my troth."

"The Groom?" The friar asked.

Natsu stood there frozen. I covered my lips with my hands to suppress the sobs. I couldn't take it any further. I stood up and ran, out of the church and into a close by rose garden. I heard loud and quick footsteps after me. It was Natsu.

How was this chapter? I thought that I had to extend the chapter so, there might some things in the chapter that are irrelevant.

Please leave a review in this chapter to support me. I'm thinking about another Nalu story. no spoilers, sorry.

Again thanks, for reading. so far so good, I've had over 1500 people read this story :)

~Cheryl