Hey guys, sorry this update is late, I've been really sick lately. Hope you guys will enjoy, seeing as this story is drawing to a close. ~sobs~

Please enjoy~

2015: Revised

Chapter 23: Familiar Faces

Lucy watched as Natsu dangled himself out of his dorm window, cursing into the bitter night air, his pyjamas flapping in the wind. He was agile on his way down, strong fingers cramming in between the grey stones, carefully making his way down to the ground. Once his feet touched the frosty ground he looked at Lucy sternly, face stony, the previous joking atmosphere had diminished.

"Something bad is happening here Lucy and I need to know what it it." Natsu said, crossing his arms over his chest, onyx eyes hard.

Lucy fidgeted, she was afraid it would turn out this way, Natsu always demanding answers. It took all she had in her not to just grab him and kiss him hungrily, with all the pent up passion and need that had been welling in her gut since their last embrace. But she needed Natsu to trust her, work with her, because there was no way she could face Angel alone.

She looked up at him, lips straight eyes serious. "Are you sure you want to hear it? Because once you know you won't be able to forget this. It's not something you can forget," she swallowed, "you can't abandon me if I need you."

Natsu's eyes widened and she could see a thousand emotions flash in his eyes, finally he nodded stiffly. "I'm ready, for better or worse."

Lucy took a deep breath and let it all out. It began with her taking a drink from the lake, then it moved to Angel snaking through her mind and controlling her actions and movement. She told him about how she won the match, her ability to touch Souls, everything. She told him about what happened to her grandmother and her mother and what soon was going to be happening to her too. Lucy told him about Eve and the others, about the human sacrifices Angel needed to have the strength to obtain her. She told him about Angel being an Eater and that eventually, if Angel gets a hold of her she will lose herself to the Devil. Lucy told him about poor Mika and how Angel needed six others and if he succeeded she'd stand no chance. When Lucy finally finished her story she was shaking and very cold, tears streaked down her face.

"There it is, finally, there it all is. The truth; the entire truth," Lucy let out a broken sob as she frantically tried to push her bangs out of her eyes, "I would understand if you started running. I would if I had the choice."

Natsu said nothing but instead stepped forward and gently wrapped his arms around her, as if afraid she might break. His warm hands tucked nicely under her arms and he held her to his chest, nose burying itself in her golden hair.

"I'd have to be a coward if I were to turn and run now." Natsu whispered gently, lips moving against her hair. "I'm no coward Lucy, c'mon you should know that by now, I'm the most stubborn boy on campus."

Lucy let out a small giggle, her own hands wrapped tightly around Natsu's back. "Yeah you're stubborn all right."

Natsu leaned back from her slightly, looking down at her, "you have to admit I'm also the best looking boy on campus too."

Lucy laughed, she rolled her eyes dramatically, "oh, I wouldn't say that air head."

Natsu looked down at her horrified, "are you telling me I'm not the best looking boy on campus?!"

Lucy's arms moved from his back up to his neck, her index finger playing with the pink hair at the nape of his neck, she nibbled on the bottom of her lip, anticipating another kiss. "Well, I've been told I have unusually high standards in men and I'm with you so . . ." she trailed off, moving herself upwards so her lips were inches from Natsu's. "You do the math."

Natsu's heart pounded against his chest, Lucy's breath smelled sweet and tasty so he indulged, he ducked his head in, lips quick and fast as they met hers. The kiss was slow and tender, hearts singing, Natsu moved slowly but eagerly, wanting to show Lucy how much she meant to him in his kiss. Lucy closed her eyes and let her lips take the wheel, she gently nibbled on the bottom of Natsu's lip, revelling in this perfect moment. When Lucy finally pulled away she was sure the sun was rising and her lips were raw, her brown eyes met Natsu's and at that moment she was positive everything was going to be okay.

"Are you going to Erza's for Winter Solstice?" Natsu whispered, tucking a stray hair behind Lucy's ear and smiling softly.

Lucy shrugged, liking the feel of his calloused fingers on her neck. "I don't know, I'll have to talk to my father."

Natsu cringed, he knew about her father, everyone did, he wasn't known for being reasonable. "Does he know?" Natsu asked, "about this?" And when he said that he meant what Lucy had just described to him.

Lucy knew to what he was referring and she shook her head, "no, I don't think so." Lucy sobered, eyes falling to the ground. "I mean if he knew he would've told me right?" Lucy said this more to herself than Natsu.

Natsu smiled tightly, he honestly had no idea if Mr. Heartfilia would tell Lucy, but he nodded in condolence, "yes of course he would."

Lucy's lips twitched into a half hearted smile, "I better go, if Levy and the others wake up to find me not in bed again they'll have a fit." Lucy pulled out of Natsu's arms, immediately missing his warmth. She waved over her shoulder, the soles of her feet dirty and her hair a wild array of gold locks. "Good bye Natsu."

Natsu watched her go, the flame in his gut settling into burning coals, "Lucy wait!" He called after her.

Lucy stopped, looking back with a look of confusion. "Yes?"

"Lets not say good bye, it sounds so formal, and if . . ." Natsu's sentence died on his tongue.

Lucy looked at him sadly, "if one of us dies it's a rather sorry way to say goodbye isn't it?"

Natsu nodded solemnly, unable to speak.

"Well, till next time then Natsu." Lucy smiled weakly.

"Till next time Lucy, and there better be a next time." Natsu's voice was joking but his face held the seriousness of his words; with the world they lived in who knew if they'd live to see tomorrow.

Lucy tried to smile again, reassure Natsu she was going to be okay, but it came out as more of a grimace than anything, "see you." She whispered, stuffing her hands in her short pockets and trudging across the frosty grass, not daring to look back.

Natsu watched her as she went, his heart running a marathon in his chest. Now he knew, he knew and he now he had a reason to be afraid; for himself but mostly for Lucy. It angered him more than he could fathom that Angel could be so despicable, so nasty. He hated how Angel possessed Lucy in a way that no one should, ever. He was furious with the secrets that put her in jeopardy but mostly he was afraid. Afraid of losing her.

Natsu rocked back onto his ankles, hardly believing what had just crossed his mind, he loved Lucy and he could no longer deny it. He chewed thoughtfully on the bottom of his chapped lips, memories of her smile, her laugh and the way her eyes lit up when she was determined flashed through his head and he couldn't help but grin.

So this was how it felt to truly care for someone. It was a soft kind of gooey warm feeling, like roasting marshmallows over a fireplace with lots of laughter and surrounded by people you care for.

Natsu was always warm, he specialized in fire magic, but he never felt this type of warm and for the first time in his life he felt like he truly had something to fight for.

Natsu looked up at the sky, the waning sun was slowly peaking up over the hills, yellow light aching to warm the frozen ground and earth. Slowly Natsu made his way back over to the wall, looking up at his dorm window with an amused smile, carefully he climbed up the stone wall, slipping inside smoothly. All his dorm mates slept on, oblivious to what was truly going on here and the trouble that was brewing under their noses. Stretching lazily Natsu slipped back under his sheets, his skin defrosting quickly. As sleep began to wash over him again he wondered what lay ahead of them and desperately hoped there would be no more surprises at breakfast tomorrow.

OoOoOoO

Breakfast passed without any excitement, but the grey stupor still seemed to hang over the entire school like a rain cloud, dreary and relentless. Lucy, who was feeling the after effects of not sleeping a wink the night before, stumbled to Transfiguration class, Levy talking avidly beside her about her date with Gajeel.

"So then he pulled out this little box and he was all like 'for you' so I opened it and inside was this beautiful necklace!" Levy squealed, toying with the heart shaped pendant at her neck, "isn't it gorgeous?" She asked Lucy eagerly, flashing off the small, silver piece of metal proudly.

"Gorgeous." Lucy agreed absentmindedly, head pounding.

The two quickly took their seats in the class, Professor Strauss had not entered the classroom yet. Natsu and his friends soon followed entered the room, laughing loudly over something, Lucy caught his eye for a fraction of a second, flashing him a small smile before turning back to talk to Levy.

Once everyone was seated they all realized Professor Strauss still hadn't arrived which was rather peculiar, suddenly muted talking could be heard from outside the door. "So this is him?" Came the calm and sweet voice of Professor Strauss, "I'm sure he'll have little difficulty in my class. Potions is skill of mind not sight."

Another voice chimed in, it was Makarov, his voice strained and verging on impatient. " Take care of him. He just transferred from Scandinavia."

More feverish whispering could be heard, the words sounding like hisses through the wooden door, all the students glued to their seats. Finally, after what seemed like an hour the classroom door opened and a calm looking Professor Strauss strode in, blue eyes distracted and missing their usual glitter.

She stopped at the front of the class, "good morning class, I have some exciting news. We have a new student transferring to Fairy Tail Academy," her eyes flickered over to the door. A tall, black haired boy walked into the classroom, hands stick straight at his sides. He stopped beside Madame Strauss, eyes glued to the floor, obstructing his features. The whole class peered at him curiously, unable to see his face, whispering to one another excitedly.

Madame Strauss cleared her throat, "class this is Raven Black, Raven please introduce yourself."

Raven lifted his head, familiar foggy green eyes staring dead ahead."My name is Raven." He said blandly.

Lucy froze in her seat, blood running cold, she could not believe her eyes. This was the same boy who had attacked her a mere week ago, the one who was transformed into that demented monster the same one who almost murdered her. Unthinking Lucy shot up from her chair, hands on her desk, breathing ragged, eyes blurred.

The whole class stared at her, Lucy stared at him, unable to speak. Raven didn't even flinch,he just blinked steadily, blind eyes unseeing or unworried.

"Lucy?" Professor Strauss questioned, "is everything alright?"

Lucy couldn't breathe and all she could do was stare at the boy, "y-you don't know me?" She rasped, fear choking her senseless.

Raven cocked his head once, his face remaining demure.

"I'm afraid I cannot see you, I'm blind." He explained softly, though his lips tightened.

He no where near resembled the madman from before. Lucy studied him; tucked in shirt, neatly combed back hair, calm expression, this wasn't the same boy, something had happened to him. Lucy closed her eyes, shaking her head, "I'm sorry I thought I knew you." She muttered weakly, cradling her head in her hands.

Professor Strauss looked at her with a mixture of concern and curiosity, blue eyes focused on her golden crown, she then turned back to Raven. " As I was saying this is our new student Raven," she turned to Raven, "Raven please introduce yourself."

Raven stood still, eyes dead ahead, "my name is Raven and I'm from Scandinavia. Please be kind to me." His voice was clear and tranquil. .

"Now everyone welcome Raven, say 'hello Raven.'" Madame Strauss encouraged.

"Hello Raven!" The class chorused unenthusiastically.

"Now Raven if you wouldn't mind would you please take a seat beside Juvia?" Madame Strauss asked kindly, gesturing to the empty desk. Raven walked over to his desk, tongue clicking in his mouth as his unseeing eyes scanned back and forth. Lucy couldn't breath, was this the same guy? How could it be? The questions she begged to be answered couldn't seem to break the sound barrier and Raven drifted past her, sitting beside Juvia.

The rest of the class seemed to drag on, Madame Strauss was pointing to various diagrams on ingredients to brew the perfect Denegers Ditch but Lucy payed none of it any attention, she was much too busy working out how Raven could possibly be alive. The whole class Lucy watched him steadily out the corner of her eye, munching on her bottom lip. He kept his head down, he made no attempt to even look interested in the lesson and his notebook was left untouched. His eyes stuck on the surface of his desk. When the bell finally went he slowly rose from his desk, leaning over and slinging his shoulder bag on his back and hurried out of class, talking to no one, just clicking his tongue.

Lucy looked after him, unable to call him back. Natsu appeared at her desk where she sat silently, eyes focused on where Raven had just left.

"Do you know him?" Natsu whispered, onyx eyes narrowed.

Lucy rubbed the bridge of her nose, sighing, "yes, I know him; but evidently when I knew him he was a demon."

Natsu started down at her, "a demon?" He mouthed, bewildered.

Lucy nodded tensely, "yes, the same demon in fact you saved me from, the night you saved me." She smiled up at him weakly, trying to lighten the mood.

Natsu didn't return the smile and instead looked down at her, face tight and worried, "He doesn't seem like a demon. What's a demon like anyways."

"I don't know," Lucy said truthfully.

"Not to mention he's blind, how dangerous could he be when he's blind as a bat?" Natsu asked, hand in his pockets.

Lucy's eyes fell, she had to talk to Raven. His eyes had been so different that night, when he was a crow he seemed, alive; it was this fact that made Lucy speak out.

"You have a point Natsu but he's not the same as before, maybe he's changed?" she chewed on her lip again, "he seemed normal."

Natsu studied her, tiny white hands clenched tightly on her desk, brown eyes dark and tired. He placed a comforting head on top her head, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips involuntarily. "This is a real mess hey? Doesn't help that you're so trusting. I say we beat the answers out of him."

Lucy scoffed, enjoying the warmth of his hand on her head, she looked up at him, now grinning. "Too trusting hey? How long did it take me to work up the nerve to tell you my huge secret?"

Natsu let out a loud laugh, his hand now tracing down from behind her ear down to rest on her stubborn chin, taking her jaw gently in his hands, her face tilting up towards his. "You're right, that took much too long." He whispered, swooping in and placing a gentle kiss on her lips, eyes closing.

They remained like this for a long time, time seemed irrelevant and who could possibly know how many moments they had together left, especially with their future looking so grim. When they finally pulled apart, Lucy's cheeks were flushed and Natsu's eyes were glowing. His burning thumb moved to sit teasingly on her lower lip, other hand cupping her cheek.

"So are you going to Erza's for Winter Solstice?" He asked quietly, "it's going to be wicked fun." The twinkle in his eye told Lucy he'd been there before and obviously had fun.

She looked up at him, unable not to smile at his eagerness, "I don't know yet, I still have to ask my dad you know. Muggles celebrate Christmas you know."

Natsu's nose crinkled up as if the mortal equivalent had a sour stench, "Christmas? That ridiculous muggle holiday when they exchange gifts and leave cookies out for some nonexistent chubby guy in a red suit?"

Lucy giggled, causing Natsu's thumb to slip off her lower lip, "yeah that one." She laughed, grabbing Natsu by the collar and once again pulling him closer to her, brown eyes twinkling.

Natsu grinned toothily, smirking devilishly, "I'm sure you'd have much more fun at Erza's mansion. I mean I'm going to be there, not to mention I'm not letting you out of my sight in these next few days." Natsu looked around the classroom testily, as if he was scared Angel would be hiding in the corners waiting for a moment to pounce. "Not with everything that's going down."

Lucy smiled again, tweaking Natsu's nose between her fingers, "okay macho man, protect me." She teased, leaning in quickly and planting a small kiss on his cheek.

Natsu chuckled, fingering the fringe of Lucy's bangs with his forefingers, eyes focused on the golden strands of hair, "it's still hard to believe you're mine sometimes." He muttered, onyx eyes drifting back to meet hers, burning like coals.

Lucy felt her heart skip a beat and her skin began to burn, it was a rare occasion when Natsu was actually serious with the words he tossed around. "I don't think so, I think us being together was a very fateful thing, even if I didn't think so before." Lucy breathed, her throat clenched shut and lungs hammering in her rib cage.

For a long moment Natsu just stared at her, face unreadable, lips pursed, eyes unblinking; but slowly his mouth pulled into an ear to ear grin and he captured Lucy's lips again kissing her with renewed fervour.

"You're right Luce," he panted, lips mere centimetres away from hers, eyes gleaming. "When people hate each other as much as you and I did there is no way they won't end up together."

"End up together?" Lucy asked coyly, fingers interlaced in his soft, pink hair at the base of his neck. "This is just the beginning, don't go spoiling the end of the story."

Natsu beamed, "right, I'm in no hurry, I want as much time as possible kissing you."

Again their lips met..

The bell went, signalling the end of break and the two froze, lips still pressed together. They remained entwined for a moment before slowly untangling and brushing themselves off.

"Off to Runes I suppose." Lucy mumbled through a heavy blush, lips swollen from their previous exertions.

Natsu straightened out his collar and smiled crookedly, "Runes it is."

OoOoOo

Raven was in the courtyard, his dark hair lifting and falling in the chilly wind, pale arms exposed to the bitter cold. Lucy had been watching him throughout the day, his careful footsteps, ducked head and invisible demeanour it was impossible to believe this was the same boy as before. Even though snow fell from the grey sky and the wind blew Raven seemed unaffected by the bitter weather as he sat outside in his school uniform, staring into space. Lucy was watching him out of the lounge window, Natsu curled up beside her on the small private couch in the corner of the room, the other students huddled around the fire in the centre of the room.

"He's very different isn't he?"

Lucy snapped back to reality to realize Levy had appeared in front of them, hazel eyes also focuses outside the bubbly glass, frowning slightly.

"Yes, very." Lucy agreed, nudging Natsu to sit up straighter.

Levy continued to watch Raven, "I wonder what stories he has to tell, they're probably pretty interesting. He's from Scandinavia after all."

"So?" Natsu asked, not seeing her point.

Levy looked at him pointedly, obviously still disapproving his and Lucy's newly declared relationship. "Don't you read? Scandinavia is home to some of the greatest witches and wizards of all time, all widely known for their clans of shapeshifters. And their dragons."

"Dragons?!" Natsu asked eagerly, sitting up, suddenly interested.

"Yup." Levy nodded smugly, proud of her knowledge. "In the past, before most of them were hunted, if you were lucky one clear afternoon you could see one tearing wind through the sky. They're magnificent creatures truly." Levy looked out at Raven again, eyes faraway.

"What about giant birds? Does Scandinavia have any of those?" Lucy asked, brown eyes serious.

"Giant birds?" Levy repeated, "Well, as I said they have native tribes of shapeshifters, witches and wizards of old able to take on the form of an ancestral beast to fight. Though they're very rare nowadays."

Lucy chewed on her lip. Was that what Raven was? A shapeshifter?

"Well in any case that new kid is definitely weird." Natsu grunted.

Levy nodded. "Yeah, he's weird alright."

"Levy!" A voice from across the room called.

Levy turned to see Gajeel waving over to his spot near the fire, waving her over.

"Well, I gotta jet, see you guys." She said to Natsu and Lucy, before striding back across the room; but not before casting the solitary couple a very quizzical gaze.

The new kid was weird no doubt, but those two were something else entirely.

DONE.

SORRY THIS IS SO LATE

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3 SUICIDAL