Hey everyone, wassup?
I feel slightly frustrated, I wrote this chapter like a week ago and wasn't able to post it until now. I hate not having internet connection, it's like being detached from society and I like to remain in the loop.
But past my grumbling, here's the update. (Finally)
I hope you enjoy, the friendship between Natsu and Lucy is finally blooming, kind of. It's getting there, be patient with me. Everything comes in good time.
2015: Revised
Lucy jolted upright, hands clenched tightly around her sheets, panting. She scanned her dorm room, heart pounding in her chest. All her dorm mates slept silently, their equal breathing reassuring her. What the hell was that?
Memories of her dream flooded her head, her mother, Natsu, Levy. It was all so strange. Yet something in it had a hollow ringing of truth, as if someone wanted her to understand something so painfully obvious.
A sudden dizziness washed over her, Lucy collapsed back into her pillows, as her breathing began to relax.
The words that her mother had spoken rang inside her head, suffocating her, scaring her.
Those angular yellow eyes, lips tainted in a bloodied grimace, pointed ears.
Sweat pricked at the back of Lucy's neck, trickling down her spine.
Lucy's stomach clenched, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep another wink tonight.
Carefully, as if not to wake her sleeping friends, Lucy jammed her feet in her slippers, groping for her academy cloak and wrapped it around her shoulders.
Giving her dorm a final glance Lucy opened the door, hustling down the spiral staircase noiselessly.
The Academy grounds were silent. Not a thing moved in the empty stone halls, Lucy's foot steps echoed in her own ears.
There were strict rules at the Academy, that no one was out of their respective dorms past 9:30 every night. No exceptions.
Lucy knew of these rules as she proceeded, she knew very well if she was caught she'd likely be expelled and sent home immediately. Honestly that idea didn't sound so bad to her.
For although she'd miss her friends more than she could ever admit; she had a feeling the longer she was here the longer she was in danger.
Everyday since that night in the woods, whatever had happened there, Lucy was scared. Never before had she felt as if someone was watching her every move, calculating her every decision.
A chill thundered down Lucy's spine, she pulled her cloak tighter around her body, casting nervous glances around the empty corridors.
She wasn't sure where she was headed, the school was expansive, it once had been a medieval castle. Under siege with the neighbouring kingdom for over three centuries. Sheltered by the valley the castle had remained strong under every siege, it's outer walls impenetrable.
Lucy smiled as she remembered the history of this place, she had always had a soft spot for tales of medieval times. The brave knights, chivalrous till the end, the beautiful princess, their hopes and dreams locked away much as they were, bound by tradition. The forbidden love between the prince of an enemy kingdom, destined to lead the very army that was to decimate yours.
It was a childish love, silly, but Lucy had always wished she, herself was a princess.
You are, my dear.
Lucy stopped, hands stiff at her sides, fear hammering through her veins.
Who had said that?
The voice was not one of this world. It was inside her head, trickling through her eardrums like a deathly whisper.
Lucy looked around, the hallway was empty. Why did that voice sound so familiar? The agonizing feeling like she knew that voice haunted Lucy.
Sniffling anxiously Lucy deemed it safest to turn back, snuggle under her blankets and feign off the terrors in the night.
You're not scared of me are you, Lucy?
A scream threatened to spill out of her mouth, blood freezing, Lucy struggled to calm her magic.
If it was a fight they wanted, she'd be ready.
You wouldn't fight the one who gave you such magnificent powers would you? Not when that power could bring your mother back.
Lucy's mental balance top sided, her comfortable grip on her magic gone, she stood in the dark hall, completely defenceless.
"W-who are you? What are you?" Lucy asked, trying to keep her voice calm, calculated.
A chuckle resonated inside her head, it was cruel and dry. Humourless.
It saddens me you don't remember me. I was the one who changed your life. Allowed you to realize your, let's say, full potential.
Lucy swallowed the vomit that wanted to spill out of her mouth, steeling herself.
"Show yourself! I'm not afraid of you!" Lucy knew she had lied the moment the words left her mouth.
In fact she was very afraid.
If you say so . . .The voice said blandly.
A flash of light! Lucy stumbled, losing her footing, shielding her eyes from the radiant rays.
A young man stood in front of her.
His face eccentrically handsome, he looked positively devilish, the cruelest grin situated on his gorgeous face.
Yet something inside Lucy told her she knew him, that face was one she'd seen many times, she knew who this man was!
Of course you know who I am. I've known you for a very long time, your whole life in fact. I know more about you than you do. I know who you truly are. What you are.
His words were so cryptic it made Lucy want to punch that sly grin off his face.
Lucy wracked her memories for his face, a afternoon visit? A family friend? Nothing seemed to fit, like jamming an incorrect puzzle piece together with another.
Don't push yourself. I'll just tell you who I am. I was your mothers friend. Her jilted lover to be precise.
Lucy grit her teeth, she didn't believe it. The boy looked no older than her, how could he be such 'good friends' with her mother?
"I don't believe you. You're a filthy lying snake!" Lucy spat heatedly.
This was an imposter. Liar. Poser. Her mother would have told her if she had a friend such as him. So powerful, so terrifying.
She would have told her, wouldn't have she?
Such harsh words. You don't truly mean that do you? The man's plump lips turned into a pout, his hazel eyes practically glistening with hurt.
A twang of guilt plucked at Lucy's heart, suddenly she couldn't remember why she was so mad at the man. What were they talking about again?
That same cloudy feeling from the night she came back from the woods settled over her mind like a fog.
He was dangerous, she knew it, she could sense his impending danger.
But he looked so kind. He advanced, closer to her, the pout replaced with a look of sheer determination.
The fog dissipated, Lucy shook her befuddled brain clear of his manipulation.
She steadied her magic, her control returning, her eyes flashed a blinding yellow.
"You're messing with the wrong witch!" Lucy snarled, her overwhelming magic power snaking throughout her body.
Her misplaced memories came flooding back to her in a gush of realization. He was the one in the pond! Angel! He had tricked her, clouded her mind and deceived her! Given her this curse of a gift of magic power, now she'd use it against him.
Angel's lips curled menacingly, his own eyes turning an odd azure blue.
She'd found him out.
So you figured it out. He hummed to her, irritated more than he let on. She'd broken his hold easier than he'd expected. Good for you.
Damn. That mean he had to change his plans. He hated changing plans. That meant planning and that required effort which he didn't want to supply.
What a pain.
Deciding his plan on 'wooing' her was already way past shot, he switched to his normal voice.
"You're nothing but a disgusting mortal, but unfortunately I need you. So I'll only break every limb in your pathetic body!" Angel sneered, a super natural current sent his copper hair flying around his head.
Lucy quaked slightly, she could feel his Magic power pouring out of him, oozing out of his pores.
This man wasn't going to be a pushover.
"You're going to taste the power of a real Eater!" Angel said huskily, his own power making him dizzy.
Lucy didn't know what he was talking about, what was an Eater?
Albeit none of that mattered now. Angel shot a crushing wave of wind magic spiralling towards her, pictures were torn off their hangings on the wall.
"Glittering Ward!" Lucy shouted, her glowing Ward spell blocking his blast of Magic.
Her Ward ached under the continuous strain of Angel's magic, his face a blur beside his bright, blue eyes.
"Even after all the power I gave you! You won't fight me!?" Angel mocked, his clothing flapping manically in the wind.
Lucy grit her teeth, she kept her mentality strong, she knew she couldn't hold out for long.
She'd need to blast him in a one shot.
Lucy shifted her weight, now only one hand conjuring her Ward, her shield cracking.
"Ha! You can't even manage a simple Ward! Pathetic!" Angel barked, now levitating five feet off the ground, his Wind magic magnificently strong.
Lucy gnawed on the inside of her cheek, drawing blood, her hold on her magic failing.
Lucy released her Ward, leaving her completely defenceless.
Angel narrowed his eyes, was she stupid? No way could she take a single blow of his Wind magic.
Was she insane?
But, much to Angel's surprise, and chagrin, that same smug smirk slipped over her lips.
"ENDLESS SHINE!" Lucy's hands crushed together, her magic coursing like a river through her, a perfect controlled current.
A blast of pure light magic shot at Angel at an incredible rate, his eyes widened.
He was going to die. No Eater, not even himself could take that much external damage.
So Angel did what he did best, he ran.
Lucy's hands dropped limply at her side, panting.
Had she done it? Was he dead?
Lucy walked over, wiping sweat from her brow.
She examined the place where he was standing. Nothing.
Lucy frowned, if she had actually killed him there would be a nice pile of ash where he had stood.
He had just disappeared.
A part of Lucy felt relieved, she took a steadying breath. Her blood lust died slowly, until she stood in the middle of the hall feeling like a empty shell.
Many of the pictures that had hung on the walls were broken. The frames cracked, ripped and in a terrible state of affairs.
Sighing deeply Lucy bent over, humming a small 'Mend' spell under her breath.
Just as Lucy had picked up the final picture, a lovely painting of a farmhouse she heard footsteps from down the hall.
Her blood froze, fear slithered through her. What if she was caught? What would her father do to her once she returned home?
Lucy darted behind one of the old tapestry's, hoping it was just the care tender, Kane, doing his usual school ground rounds.
The footsteps got closer, Lucy held her breath, lungs screaming inside her chest.
A pause. The footsteps had stopped in front of her hiding place in front of the tapestry.
Dust filled Lucy's nose, a sneeze threatening her nose.
Don't sneeze, don't sneeze. Lucy chanted to herself.
Silence.
Had the person left? Was she safe?
Lucy didn't know.
She held her breath for a few more moments, hearing nothing.
Deciding it was safe Lucy let out a deep exhale of relief.
"Venia Borisium!"
Lucy's breath caught in her throat, as if a pair of invisible hands had began strangling her.
Lucy felt herself drift forward, gasping Lucy felt her face turn purple, kicking her legs frantically.
Her vision blurred, lack of breath making her nauseous.
"Lucy! What the hell!" Someone gasped.
Lucy couldn't make out who the voice belonged to, her head growing heavy.
"Dear God!" The person began to curse colourfully.
Lucy felt the pressure fall from her neck, falling to the ground Lucy gasped for air. Lucy wheezed, breaking into a steady coughing fit.
The person fell to their knees, hands rolling Lucy onto her back, her vision was still clouded. Unclear.
"Lucy, I'm sorry. I-I didn't know it was you." It was a boy. That much was clear. His voice was labelled in guilt, regret.
Slowly Lucy felt her vision centre, her breath return.
Leaning over her, face drawn in concern was Natsu.
Lucy bit back the urge to spit in his face. How dare he use the 'Choke' spell on her.
"What the hell is wrong with you?" Lucy gasped, cheeks tinted pink from lack of breath.
Much to Lucy's surprise Natsu actually looked regretful, he tugged on the edges of his pink bangs.
Colouring slightly in the face in embarrassment.
"I-I thought you were someone else." He mumbled, offering her a hand to stand up.
Lucy ignored his offer, pushing herself to her feet on her own, brushing herself off.
"Like who? The Bogey Man?" Lucy snarked sarcastically, pulling her cloak over her teddy bear pyjamas.
Natsu rubbed the back of his neck which had grown very hot all of a sudden.
"No. I-I don't know." He muttered under his breath.
Lucy crossed her arms over her chest, huffing in aggravation.
"Well thanks for almost killing me but I think I'll be returning to my room now." Lucy snapped impatiently, spinning on her heel, about to tromp back down the hall.
"Wait! What are you doing down here anyways!?" Natsu called to her, his voice drawing her back.
Lucy glared narrowly at him over her shoulder, her thoughts ripping through her head.
"I could ask you the same question."
"You could, but I asked you first." Natsu said coldly.
Lucy rolled her eyes, what a childish thing to say.
"You're an idiot. Good night." Lucy said offhandedly, a headache the size of a mountain growing in her head.
Just as Lucy was about to storm off to her dorm to mull over her overbearing thoughts a shout that wasn't Natsu's ruptured through her ears.
"Who goes there! Show yourself!"
Oh God it was Kane!
Lucy whipped around, a terrified Natsu frozen in his tracks.
They shared a look which read 'although we hate each other it seems we need to arrange a temporary partnership'.
Lucy ran back to Natsu, grabbing his sweaty hand and dragging him behind her.
Together they ran down the empty, echoing hallways, Kane and his evil owl; Noctune, close behind.
A small door appeared at Lucy's right. A broom cupboard! She knew this because Natsu and his friends had shoved her in it during second year.
"In here!" Lucy whispered fiercely, yanking Natsu's arm viciously, other hand pushing the door open.
Once both her and Natsu were inside Lucy did a quick 'Hold' spell on the door, making it immovable from the opposite side.
The room was dark, and only the faint sound of Natsu's breathing could be heard.
Much to Lucy's discomfort Natsu's knees were jammed against hers, their heads practically pressed together.
Lucy felt claustrophobic, her breathing increased.
"A bit tight, eh?" Natsu murmured, voice a whisper, his face unforeseeable in the dark.
Lucy grunted her agreement, wanting to cry. She couldn't believe she was stuck in a broom cupboard with Natsu.
Sensing her discomfort Natsu snapped his jaw shut, not wanting to say anything he'd regret and muddy things up any further.
The silence yearned on, neither one of them daring to speak. Kane wasn't a spectacular wizard, but if he told one of the Professors where they were no doubt would they be able to get inside.
"Do you think he's gone?" Natsu asked, he wanted to get out of this closet. Now!
"Shh." Lucy silenced him, pressing her ear against the old oak door.
The empty silence of the halls greeted Lucy's ears.
Letting out an audible breath of relief Lucy shifted, undoing the 'Hold' spell swiftly.
"I think we're safe. For now. I wouldn't suggest dawdling back to your dorm." Lucy said curtly, hand gripping the door handle.
Natsu nodded, which he realized was stupid because Lucy couldn't see him in the dark.
Lucy pushed open the door, taking heaping gasps of air, her claustrophobia calming.
Natsu stood beside her awkwardly, not wanting to admit she just saved his buns from a inevitable punishment.
"Uh, thanks. I guess." Natsu said, voice barely above a whisper.
Lucy glanced at Natsu out the corner of her eye, taken aback by his appreciation of her cleverness.
"You're welcome." Lucy said stiffly.
"How did you know that it was a broom closet?" Natsu asked, wanting to take the attention off him.
Lucy frowned, eyebrows knitting together.
"You and Gray locked me in there for six hours in second year. I screamed for hours but no one heard me. I wasn't let out until one of the maids went to retrieve the broom." Lucy said coldly, remembering once again why she hated Natsu so much.
Natsu flushed, he had forgotten about that. He wanted to apologize, but the apology stuck in his throat.
Lucy scrutinized his face, pale in the moonlight from the windows above, dark and thoughtful.
"Well, I'm going to get going before Kane comes back." Lucy said, the chill of the stone walls creeping into her bones.
Natsu's gaze remained glued to the floor. "Yeah, me too." He muttered.
Lucy turned to leave, pulling her hood over her head.
"Hey Lucy." Natsu spoke.
Lucy paused, but didn't turn. If his face matched his sympathetic tone she didn't want to see it. It might sway her opinion of him.
And that would complicate her life even more.
"You're pretty different, you know that? I never noticed it before but you're so . . . bizarre. Unique." Natsu's voice was soft, like butter. Too soft.
Lucy felt fear stick in her throat like a brick, this was too much! She couldn't deal with this! Not today.
Lucy moved her cement like legs forward, tears stinging her eyes. She wanted to shout at Natsu! Shake him silly, make him take back those words! Those tender words. They weren't the words of an were the words of a friend. Lucy's heart ached, swelled, she forced herself onwards.
"Lucy wait-!" Natsu started, hands thrusting forward.
"No! Stop! Stop right there." Lucy barked, her back stiff, she couldn't meet his gaze.
His gentle eyes.
She couldn't. Wouldn't.
Natsu's jaw snapped close, what was she doing?
He apologized.
All those years of torture, cruelty and he had apologized. He saw something he hadn't before.
A girl. Strong, brave, smart.
She had always been those things he was just too stupid to see. Now he had swallowed his pride, apologized.
Isn't that what she wanted?
"Lucy, wait, what I'm trying to say is_"
"N! Just shut up!" Lucy hissed, hands clenching. "You don't understand, I can't deal with this now. Not now. Maybe never. Just . . . just leave me alone!" Lucy spat, words stinging Natsu like someone was repeatedly whipping him.
Lucy lurched forward, silent tears falling down her face.
She knew she made a mistake.
But she couldn't face him. Not now.
She was a bloody coward.
So with a rock of guilt sitting in her stomach Lucy left him.
Bewildered, hurt, confused.
She left.
Holy shit that was angsty. LOL. XD I find angst so fun. Sometimes.
That was fun to write.
Finally you see Natsu's cute side. C:
Did you like? I hope so.
Please review, favourite and PM any of your problems, I'm like a guidance counsellor.
Thanks my lovies.
3 Suicidal