Story name; The Fairy's Jinchūriki
Summary; "The boy who eats fire." She murmured. Lucy/Erza pairing. Lucy is the nine tails Jinchuriki
Disclaimer; I own nothing. I write this purely for my own amusement.
A/n; So I've recently changed how I separate chapter breaks. It will be separated here on by the title (The Fairy's Jinchuriki) I hope it doesn't confuse anyone. It just seems more elegant. Also, I would just like to tell everyone thank you for all your reviews and favorite/follows. It really makes may day to see them all.
Seating perched atop precariously on a bar stool Lucy took a sniff of her drink. Her nose cringed at the sting but she didn't back away.
Tilting the dark liquid slightly back her tongue went out to tap at the brim.
"Would you just take a sip you pansy!"
A sharp slap across her shoulder nearly caused her to launch her drink. While saving the glass mug itself she wasn't able to stop the liquid from splashing over her stool neighbor.
It covered Natsu's side.
Said boy immediately turned punching a poor soul standing nearby.
She opened her mouth to protest but a new drink was promptly shoved into her lap. The contents spilling over her new skirt. The white material darkening, staining it a light brown. Scowling up at Cana the tipsy girl smiled amused before snaking an arm around her shoulder.
"Come on Lucy." Cana whined. "You should at least try it. It's a tradition in Fairney Snail."
She could feel her resistance weakening, even as she muttered a weak "It's Fairy Tail." Sighing out a defeated, "fine" she glared at the brunette. "You owe me a new outfit." It had been one of the first things she had done with her money, while not the smartest choice considering she had yet a place to live, she really wanted new clothes.
She always had a fascination with costumes, to be someone else a strange fantasy she had indulged.
Pulling the drink up to her lips she gave Cana another spiteful glare ignoring the girls happy demeanor. It was obvious Cana just wanted another drinking partner that wasn't of the male gender.
Taking a large gulp her eyes widened at the taste. Spitting out with a dignified 'ekkkk' the beer sprayed out in a mist, all over the once again seated Natsu.
Coughing rapidly Lucy was unable to stop the fire breathing boy as he lunged once again atop an innocent bystander.
It took several moments and Cana happily patting her back to gain her composure.
"What the hell?" She screamed hoarsely. Quickly stealing Happy's water she chugged it down. 'Why the hell did that burn?'
"Cana." Mirajane scolded. "You shouldn't have given her something so strong."
"Oh my god!" Cana cried ignoring the guilds bartender. "Your face!"
Storming off Cana pulled the blonde girl back. "NO, no, no, no. Come here. Your gonna try this first."
The Fairy's Jinchuriki
A horrifying ache rose Lucy with a start. Jumping out of her bed tossing her sheets with a single clawed hand. A blood-curdling shriek of agony raked across her skull.
Clutching at her temples, razor like nails dug ruthless into skin. "No, no, no, no NO!"
Aimless she struck out. Arms wildly slinging out her body twitched. In a flash, her bed was flipped, the wooden framing cracking then splitting all together under her unrestricted strength. It flew across the room smashing against the adjourned wall. The bed was soon forgotten, her small fist smashing into the ground with a thud.
She couldn't relive it. It hurt, oh how it hurt. The smell of burnt flesh, the bone chilling realization at what she had done the sight of her cold dead body. Those lifeless eyes of her caring blues staring at her unseeing glazed over.
Lucy vomited the contents of her stomach.
She cursed, loud.
Wincing slightly Lucy rolled to her side not bothered by the tears streaming down her face. It had been a long time since plagued with the horrific sleep robbing nightmare. No not a nightmare. Nightmares were only dreams after all, you could wake from them. Once freed from the crippling sleep it all went away.
This was not a nightmare, not a dream, just what she was.
Somehow she figured drinking was a bad idea. While not enough to be drunk the depressant alcohol was enough to make her head swim. It loosened ties, freeing damning memories that had been kept tight, better left forgotten.
An Infuriating sense of pain swept over her, it was irresistible, the urge to cry overwhelming. Curling up the teen allowed herself this one moment of weakness. She wept low sobbing tears, her face trying desperately to gain control.
It took her far longer than she liked. Shudders faltering, her eyes eventually ceasing their waterfall. Bringing up her hand rubbing gently at her tear stained cheek Lucy grimaced. Her lips pinching together glaring uselessly at the elongated knives sticking out of her hands.
Her lips puckered before forming a thin line, she was not going to cry.
Pulling the hand away, careful not to stab herself, again; her eyes caught a red shimmer. Gaze looking over for the source noticed the broken pieces of glass scattered across her floor. In her violent outburst the bed had flew across the room into the window.
Sharp, intense eyes surveyed the glass. Against her knowledge or even understanding her hands touched her cheek. It didn't even register the slight prick of flesh the action caused. Flashing across, their she was, a demon. Monster, murderer.
Her features ghosted over paling before a feral snarl escaped. With a burst of speed and a flash she crushed the image.
Curling her glass, bone-colored claws blood ran hot across.
She shook with a barely contained rage. It didn't bother her, her fists shook
A tongue whipped across jagged claws. Blood. It was there. Alluring, tempting. Pleasing. A violent blood lust loomed under the surface of her deceivingly youthful face. They thought her a simple teenage girl, she was not.
"Lucy? Are you alright?"
With. A gasp, sharp features shot up to her door. She recognized that voice, Levy. They had met only recently, a brief encounter on her returning rescue of Macao.
Levy was a sweet little girl that used script magic. She had a strange color of blue hair framing delicate features and very curious eyes. She remembered all too well the girls eyes raking over her birth marks with something akin to fascination.
In her drunken fit of rage Lucy had nearly forgotten that she had taken up residence in Fairy hotel.
There was a light rapping across the door. "Lucy?"
A violent pulse of anger flooded her. With shaking hands she begged her voice to stay steady. "I'm f-fine"
"I heard crashes. Please if you'll just let me,"
"I'm fine!" She snarled.
Silence. There an awkward pause, the silence stretching on in agony. She heard the shuffling feet moving away from her room. Hanging her head Lucy went about cleaning her tattered room. She couldn't stay in this building for much longer. She needed something more, secluded.
The Fairy's Jinchuriki
(Natsu)
Creeping along a tight corridor, one Natsu Dragneel was out at the dead of night, his bright pink hair reflecting off the full moons light. Suddenly, hearing a noise the teen leaped back laying spread against a wall. Careful hooded eyes watched as a dark figure walked by.
Presumable it was a woman, considering where he was, it was a fairly safe bet. It might even be a member of his own guild. The shape was surrounded in darkness, making it difficult to tell.
Glancing up Natsu nodded to the little blue feline leaning over his head. Wrapped around the small cat was Natsu's scarf. "Ninja." The cat spoke quietly.
Clasping his hands together the dragon slayer returned the gesture. "Ninja."
With a quick look to make sure the coast was clear the two boys quickly scampered off toward the tall building on Fairy hill.
Most female guild members tended to stay there, some either not having a place of their own yet, while others just preferred the company and closes to the guild.
Natsu took extra care as he passed a certain apartment. Both Happy and himself literally shivering with fear. Even with the knowledge the elder woman was out on a mission, it did little to ease his worry.
Erza had caught him sneaking around the apartment complex once; As Happy so cheerfully put it, 'She beat the stuffing out of him.'
He liked to think he got a couple good shots in.
Nearing the tall building Natsu came to an abrupt stop. Their destination insight the two 'ninjas' quietly ascended the stairs. Exactly three floors up, the second building on the left and they found it. Locked.
The two grumbled amongst themselves.
The thought and discussion came up whether just to bulldoze through the door. It was only logical, but . . .
Alarming every able Fairy Tail female at the dead of night might not have been the smartest of choices. The pink haired teen paled slightly. No, not the best choice.
After several attempts they eventually settled on the window. It was surprisingly easy to break into. Tiny little feline claws just the right size to unlatch the lock. The Dragon Slayer made a mental note to tell Lucy. If he could break in who knows what kind of perv would be breaking into her place.
Collecting himself, Natsu took a moment to examine Lucy's little room. It wasn't very large, no personal items, just a bunch of different outfits. Huh?
He found a maids outfit, school girl clothes, and what looked to be a whip?
Looking over to a closed door the two heard a shower running.
"Well, guess we better go tell her where here." Walking toward the door a light tug on his shirt had him glancing over.
"Um Natsu? I don't think that'll be such a good idea."
"Why not?"
"Lucy might pound your face through the wall." Happy informed him grimly.
Natsu scoffed. "Nah, she probably already knows where here."
It was a strange to meet someone that was capable of keeping up with Natsu's strange collection of senses. Lucy, for whatever reason even seemed better than his own. Of course, he'd yet to try it out but he just had a feeling the moment the two walked (crashed) into Lucy's place she knew they were there.
The bathroom door opened. A wave of steam filtered into the living room, a lithe form appearing. Lucy walked through the mist, long slender legs coming into view.
Blue eyes traveled the length of her bare legs revealing the girls attire. Lucy was wearing nothing but a towel.
Gaze lingering over the short fluffy material pooling around her thighs Natsu eventually looked up taking note of the narrowed blue eyes. Her head tilted, a dangerous look crossing, what he noticed the most was that she didn't look surprised.
He smirked, he was right.
"You have three seconds." She informed the two.
"Hey there Lucy- Achk,"
Her foot smashed into his face cutting the boy off. Flying over her couch Natsu was rubbing furiously at his noise. It nearly hurt as much as when Erza hit him. "You said I had three seconds." He whined.
One hand readjusting her towel the other was by her noise, palm out as she made a show of examining her nails. "I lied."
"Come on, we just wanted to see your new padd!"
"Some would call it breaking and entering. Or did my locked door not make the meaning clear?"
"So you noticed that, huh?" Lucy scoffed.
"You weren't being subtle."
He nodded, considering that. It was true, in the past the Dragon Slayer had a history of being, less than subtle; as she put it. Others might say he was being his usual self. It was something he hardly thought about, Natsu always seemed to just act on his urges. Damn, the more he thought about it, the worse it sounded.
He was about to apologize before something very noticeable caught his attention. Eyes looking over to the large bed railing ripped to pieces he wandered how he ever missed it.
"Uh, what happened to your bed?"
Her face was blank, for a full agonizing second she stared at him. "Renovations." She answered with a shrug.
It wasn't very convincing. She didn't even seem to be trying.
Natsu could feel his face sliding into a frown. Lucy was clearly hiding something. His eyes quickly found several shards of glass littering her floor. Her eyes followed his gaze easily, picking up on the tiny shimmering glass. The specks of blood lining her carpet.
She didn't comment on it. Natsu didn't either. He wasn't as dense as people thought. Whatever was going on, she clearly didn't want to discuss.
"What brings you here, Natsu?" She sighed out.
He picked up on the clear change in topic. His eyebrows pushed tighter before he made his decision. Bring it up, or let it slide? It all screamed suspicious, his mind was burning with questions.
The real question, the one that topped all the others that came to mind. Did he trust her?
It didn't take him very long to decide. Suddenly brightening Natsu waved a thin piece at her, reaching for it he kept it just out of reach, his eyes teasing. "We got a mission."
Her brow rose in challenge. "You mean, you have a mission." She smiled a corner lifting at the edge of her lip perking.
"Aww don't be like that, gravy." Happy chirped at his side.
Natsu just resisted the urge to burst out laughing. The way the blondes eyes twitched at the felines clearly intentional mix-up obvious. Her expression narrowing, promising violence.
"You know, no one would blame me for skinning you cat. Wild animals that break into houses get put down all the time."
Fear gripped the little cat a shiver running though his body. "Don't send me to the pound!" He cried, actual tears springing.
"Come on, Lucy." Natsu whined. "We're a team!"
Expectantly her express softened, she huffed. "Don't think I don't know what you're doing."
The two boys exchanged innocent looks before grinning. Rolling her eyes Lucy extended her hand. "Give it her." Her hand motioned/commanded.
Handing over the mission slip she snatched it up. Those sharp eyes scanned over the mission grumbling to herself here and there. Openly appraising the girl he noticed her stern exterior. Quite serious as she studied the file reverently.
Blue eyes suddenly snapping up to his own the Dragon Slayer smiled nervously. 'Shit.' He thought even as he laughed.
"The guy likes blondes, huh?"
Natsu wrapped his arms on the back of his head. "Well would you look at that."
Happy quickly joined in. "Hey! Look, isn't Lucy a blone?"
Hand coming up to his chin Natsu studied the girl before nodding. "Good catch Happy!"
"Boys." She huffed.
Not looking at him Happy and Natsu shared a victorious look. With a high five they celebrated. They quickly straightened as she turned around. She watched them for a moment before turning away, they began to dance again.
The Fairy's Jinchuriki
(Lucy)
Looking over the mission file enough times to be considered excessive, Lucy was fighting a scowl. She didn't like this. This mission was, vague.
The entire premise that someone would spend 200,000 jewels just to burn a book seemed ludicrous. If it was truly a mere question Everlue stealing the book then simply calling the authorities would have been the first logical solution. The fact the client hadn't wanted them involved was telling.
Two wealthy families such as the Melon's and Everlue's were bound to have skeletons. Things they didn't want the rune knights meddling in.
She had the feeling they were being played. Speaking to the client only increased her suspension. Kaby Melon had been squirrelly and not very forthcoming with details.
His mission had been on the request board reportedly for months. It lead her to believe there was a reason why others wouldn't take, presumably an easy task. Either the lack of information convinced them, or worse; they didn't like what they found after.
Then Mr. Kaby had raised the reword to two million jewels. Her eyes narrowed in concentration, brow furrowing. It all spoke of desperation. For what, she didn't know.
"I don't see how you're not bothered by this." She voiced.
Natsu shrugged. "It's a mission."
"A suspicious one." She mumbled her retort.
Natsu sighed at Lucy's stubbornness. They had already discussed this, repeatedly. The argument was there first. It was just so frustrating how naïve he was being.
"Look Lucy, as mages were going to be trusted with a lot of different jobs. Some will be pretty crazy and if we can't show we can handle simple jobs now, then how can we be trusted with the harder missions?"
Lucy glowered. He was making sense, using creditable reasons she didn't have a rebuttal for and she didn't like it. It was disturbing how trusting her teammates were at times. They ignored the obvious even if it was right under their noise. How could they not see? The world wasn't this happy go lucky place. The world she knew, the one that ostrastiched a child was cold. It picked off the weak and naïve.
She stopped her whirling thoughts. It dawned on the blonde that she might have been bringing something else to the table.
This morning, Natsu had witnessed a very disturbing scene. Lucy had heard the two clumsy boys blast through her window with all the subtly of a bull in a china house. She hadn't known they were going to be waiting outside her bathroom door but. . .
A part of her wanted them to know.
She let them into her world if only just, hoping that the more they witnessed the better prepared they would be for the horrible truth. She only hopped it was enough.
The Fairy's Jinchuriki
Taking a long sip of his drink, Kaby Melon allowed the dark liquid to pool, twirling it around his glass.
He had lied to those mages. He knew it but he had done it all the same. Feeding them a story were his elderly father created a book and had it tragically stolen he'd tried his very best to convince them to burn the book. Kaby hoped with every fiber of his being that the succeeded.
Suddenly, an all too familiar sensation surrounded him. It came like a flood. The awful gut wrenching fear that paralyzed. A sick feeling that threatened to take control and end the torment itself.
Kaby Melon was frozen solid in fear. A sound flowed across his empty house.
It was just a whisper in the air, a slight hiss. Footsteps were approaching but Kaby didn't dare move. He knew who was here. The steps grew closer louder with each terrifying scrap across his hardwood floor. The pressure in his chest built until his chest was about to explode.
There was a light breath grazing against his bare neck, it scorched him like fire.
"Kukuku." A voice cued.
A hand, fingers curled around his shoulder. There was a light tap against his neck as cold steel lingered over his jugular. "Now now Kaby, that wasn't very smart of you. Bringing in those fairies." The silver voice tisked.
He knew, without a shadow of doubt; if he opened his lips to speak the only thing that would have escaped was his blood piercing wail. This man, the beast of a man before him was something not human.
"Can't speak?" The voice laughed lightly, the sound filled with mock sincerity. "Don't worry. I don't blame you. For wanting to destroy the book that is."
Kaby felt his eyes widened. 'He knew.' Of course he did. Nothing would stop that monster. His ambition all knowing, it was an all consuming flame.
"That book is a troubling thing." He continued as if unaware of his captives plight. "Filled with powerful dark magic, it's very existence is a mystery to me. Perhaps I should explain."
A bile inducing smile creped across cold, pale features. A long tongue slithering out lapping across the blade held so callously across his neck.
"It is one of the legendary books of Zeref after all."
"W-what?" Mr. Melon gasped. His voice was weak, fragile, threatening to break.
"Oh my, To think your surprise could overcome your fear. If only just. But it is of little consequence. You won't need to worry much longer."
Before Kaby could answer a thud rang across the building. Red spilled hot across canvas curtains leaving a single man standing in the lonely building.
"A shame." The man muttered. "In the end you met the same fate as your father."
The Fairy's Jinchuriki
The Everlue mansion was unsurprisingly, large.
Resting across a massive crescent hill, the building was of an older design. The architecture reflecting the long family linage of Everlue's wealth. Lucy knew from experience after all.
Grading a hand across the large steal beamed bars surrounding the estate it was abundantly clear how the man felt about neighbors. Men like that, they looked down on others. They all just seemed to have a superiority complex that rivaled on a god complex. Money gave them power, and of course might equals right.
She hated them, rich arrogant fools. It didn't matter who they hurt, so long as their precious fortune was kept. The family name kept.
Lucy hadn't realized how much her thoughts were starting to affect her till a solid grip across her shoulder eased her shaking. The simple touch reminding her who she was, where she was.
"So, do we just knock?" Natsu asked, ignoring the obvious tense air.
It took a moment to swallow the vile venomous spite rising in her throat. "The lot of good it would do." As she regained her temper, reason and logic soon returned. With it, a glaringly obvious observation. "Actually, there isn't even security."
The Dragon Slayer peered at her curious, his head tilting back taking a sniff of the air. "That can't be right." He muttered. "Their scents, there's hundreds. Where are they?"
To say Lucy was surpised was an understatement. He, this boy could smell better than her? He hadn't mentioned having such a acute sense of smell. A Dragon's noise? Oh how she wanted to ask, it was an aching curiosity but she put it away for later. Questions about each others full capabilities wasn't something she wanted touched.
"What is it?" She asked instead. His face was solemn. Frozen in a rare moment of deep introspection.
"They're gone. All of them. The scent is lingering but it's older."
"How long?" She quickly jumped, mind whirling.
"I can't tell for sure but . . ." he stopped, taking a breath. "A few hours. Maybe longer. It seems like someone was trying to mess with the smell."
"What do you think Lucy" Happy asked.
"Nothing good." Her eyes quickly shot to the earth. It was moving. Quacks, vibrations really, were shaking the ground they stood on. She took note Natsu hadn't noticed yet, interesting. "We have company." She informed.
No sooner had the words left her lips a hole opened up beside them. A person jumped out in a twirl of rocks and dust.
Lucy jumped back a step to gain some distance.
It was a girl. A slim woman around Lucy's own age. Her outfit was even nearly the same as her own. The pink haired girl suddenly standing before them dawned a maid's uniform only much less modest than the blondes. She also took note of the long chains hanging from her wrists.
"Intruders," The pink haired girl eyed them before narrowing her gaze. "What have you done with the guards?"
"Us?" Natsu fired back. "We haven't done anything."
"Not yet, anyways." Happy chirped.
"Yet?" The maid's face took a dangerous look.
Lucy nearly face palmed. "Why? Just why?"
Clasping two tiny paws over his mouth Happy gasped before looking up with a tearful expression. "Sorry guys." Lucy wasn't buying it, fixing him with a hard glare he sulked, ears downcast.
"Eh, don't worry about it buddy." Natsu clapped his back, they both pretended not to hear Lucy mutter a grumbling, "I'd worry about it."
"We'll just have to beat this girl is all."
That was all the maid needed to hear, springing into the action two different sets of chains whipped out towards Natsu.
The chains surrounded him as if containing life of their own before the girl pulled back, spinning the boy like a twister.
So she thought he was the stronger?' Lucy mussed. That was alright by her. Leaping forward she intended to show this girl her mistake. That was, until the girl placed both hands on the ground.
A low rumbling was Lucy's only warning before she was promptly sent head first into and opening crevice.
Spitting out a mouth full of dirt Lucy very nearly went back for the attack before she watched the girl shift her attention back to the mansion. Her face was full of concern.
"Master Everlue!" She cried before shooting out back into the earth.
Lucy sighed. That was a more than troubling encounter. Looking back, Natsu was rubbing at his head, letting out a groan. He looked a little queasy. Lucy herself was just rising to her feet. She took exaggerated care to slap the dirt off her clothes.
"Another outfit ruined. In two days!"
"What the hell was that?" A shaky voice exclaimed.
"I think," She started. "That was a spirit."
"You mean those key guys Cana uses?"
Lucy twitched at this words. 'Key guys?' "There called celestial spirits, Dragon boy. And yes, I think pinky is one. A powerful one at that."
Natsu looked at the shifting ground impressed. He clearly was already imagining a fight. The challenge clear in his eyes. Well, at least someone was enjoying themselves. Lucy was more worried about the prospect of another wizard. Celestial spirits didn't just pop up, there was someone close by. She also considered the mysteriously missing guards.
Something was happening. They needed to act fast. Whatever was going on could prove to be an invaluable distraction, the maid was already racing off, meaning that most of the Everlue security could be occupied as well. Or the other side of this might be leading them into a cross fire of unknown opponents.
Decision time. Stay or go?
With a groan, Lucy plunged forward leaping over the impressive gate in a single bound. Being with those boys was making her far more reckless.
Casting a side long glance back she called back to her boys. "Well," She prompted. "Don't want to miss out on all the fun do you?"
Natsu grinned. Even as she turned she could hear them behind.
It didn't take them but a moment to encounter opposition. The moment the giant doors to the mansion were blown apart, curtsey of a fire blast, there was a slight hint of movement on the balcony overlooking the grand entrance.
"Natsu!"
"Right!"
The two moved in perfect sync.
Natsu blocked the right, Lucy the left.
Smashing down like an anvil a massive black weapon blew into Lucy's open palm. From behind she could see the outlines of a large man locked up with Natsu.
A small man was before her. Strange tattoos adorned his face, a long braid of hair pulled over his shoulder. Lucy's attacker was dressed in a tight fitted white outfit, a dark arm band baring a guild mark. A wolf.
With a snarl, Lucy pushed off blowing the man back.
"Lucy!"
She didn't know why she did it, only that it felt right. Reaching an arm back the Dragon Slayer grabbed her pulling her close. Turning till they were back to back the two locked arms.
Jumping back Natsu doused the giant afro'd man to their right with flames exploding out of his feet, rocketing the two toward the staggered man at the left.
With the force of a missile Lucy launched off smacking a shoulder into a giant, frying pan? The man was sent hurtling back, blowing a hole into the Everlue mansion.
In a flash the two men were on them.
Ducking under the swinging weapon, Lucy jumped up, kicking out with a wide sweep. Twisting with impressive speeds the giant man was there to block. Bringing up both arms he managed to counter her strike.
Natsu sent a whirlwind of flames at the two men. His flames shot out, consuming the room in a male storm of great orange flames. The giant man didn't look overly concerned, in fact; he made no attempt to move. A massive black frying pan laid bare intercepting the flames.
They were at a stale mate.
"Fairy Tail." The larger man spat.
She shared a look with Natsu. Nope, he didn't know them either. "You know us?" She questioned.
"Hardly." The smaller man answered adjusting his oversized weapon across his shoulder. "We've been around long enough to recognize your guild mark."
"Oh yeah?" Natsu countered. "Who the hell are you then? Because we sure don't recognize yours."
The taunt certainly had the desired effect. Respect was something most guilds valued. Being known for their skill was very important. If you questioned a guilds place, you were in essence questioning the very guild member's value.
"The Southern wolves." The larger man stated with such reverence Lucy wanted to roll her eyes. It was such an easy opening it was almost too easy.
Guilds and their pride.
The white clad man spoke, his back straightening. "We are the vanish brothers."
"Blah, blah, blah," Natsu echoed Lucy's thoughts. "What do you want?"
"I think that's pretty obvious, Natsu." Happy drooled.
The vanish brothers laughed. Their noses turned up literally looking down at the mas they disappeared then reappeared upstairs. 'Impressive speed.' Lucy cataloged. The duo seemed to think the same as they suddenly looked very smug.
"Is this really the infamous Fairy Tail?" The larger man asked, or blue as Lucy had so creativity dubbed. Whitey shrugged. "They are rather, unimpressive." The second voiced in agreement.
"Not impressed huh?" Flames erupted as two fists collided loudly. "We'll see about that. Wait till I get fired up."
The fiery teen took a step forward but Lucy stopped him.
"Why don't you let me handle this one Natsu?" He seemed surprised but she continued nonetheless. "We don't have time to waste on these guys. Someone needs to go get the book."
His eyes narrowed. "Who says you get to do all the fighting?"
A light chuckle escaped her. That was such a Natsu thing to say. "Have you forgotten about the maid already? She's much stronger than these two."
"Oh yeah!" He cheered before stopping. "You sure you can handle it here?" For a brief moment Lucy was a bit disgruntled by the audacity of that statement. His brow lifted up a small turn of his lip playing at his features. He was teasing her.
She waved him off. "You just worry about yourself, Dragon Slayer." He laughed as Lucy pushed his side a bit too hard, nearly tripping the boy. "Go." She commanded.
Turning to the little blue cat she gave him a serious stare. "And don't you let him burn the place down."
The cat gave a very serious salute. "Aye, sir," before flying off.
"And be careful!" She yelled at the two rapidly retreating forms.
"What's this? A little Fairy wants to fight alone."
"How foolish. Together they could not beat us. And alone she thinks she will win?"
"What makes you guys so confident?" She challenged. Lucy twisted her neck until she heard a satisfying pop, her head tilting up looking at them.
"Unlike mages who spend all their time focusing on their magic we spend our time on our physical bodies. In short we're faster and stronger than you."
Lucy could feel her lips turn up. The smirk quickly shifting into a full blow smile, she laughed.
The two brothers gave her curious looks but it hardly deterred her. They were just too much.
"You think," She cried. "You think your skill means anything to me? Your just a couple of thugs, you are nothing."
They frowned. They both picked up on the sudden change. Her voice while light with amusement turned to a very serious note.
Tossing her hair over her shoulder taking a second to tie it up Lucy twisted. Craning her head at an angle to look at her two opponents. They had no idea who she was, what she would do. They were fools.
Her day had been a strain, a tiring grain on her already slipping control. If it came down to a fight, as of right now she suspected there would be blood on her hands.
"I suggest, you walk away little mercenaries." Distain at her words curled up like a sour taste. Their mouths opened but she beat them too it. "Money isn't worth your lives."
"Who are you?" Blue questioned.
"Indeed. A curious inquiry." Whitey seconded. "We know your guild little Fairy. Your lot doesn't deal with such, methods."
"I'm new." She answered dryly. "My name isn't important."
"As we can tell." Whitey retorted. "In fact, you look familiar. . ."
Lucy felt her eyes widen at that. Her jaw set into a firm line, those two fools had no idea the dangers they were stumbling into.
"Those markings . . ." He mused.
"Yes!" Blue declared. "I know of her. The gold hair, blue sparkling eyes, the three distinct whisker marks on each cheek. You're the-"
She didn't let him finish. With Natsu and Happy so close by, she would not let him utter those damning words. Remorse struck even as she flew toward the two men. Lucy hadn't wanted to do this but given the alternative . . .
In a flash she was on the two mercs throwing a wild strike toward the blue clad assain. Being floured by surprise the afro'd man tried to jump back but wasn't quick quite enough. Thankfully for him, his brother managed to bring up his massive skillet weapon up as a shield.
Her blow rocked across the center of the darkened utensil, gonging out like well, a gong.
Blue eyes narrowed at the intrusion. Meet with the white clad man's winching face, Lucy internally grinned; Whitey had bragged about his superior strength but the way his teeth were clinched he looked quite bothered.
While succeeding in saving his brother from a quick end he had left himself open. Extending his arms out full he was holding his skillet out at the handle.
He was well within her grasp, worse still his arms visible shook as the shock of Lucy's blow sending shimmers down the skillet up his arm.
It only took two steps and Lucy was in his guard. Sweeping out with her left hand she smacked his clasped hands wrapped around his massive weapon. At least three fingers cracked audible, the weapon being blown from his grasp.
A blur of blue had Lucy duck.
Just as the merc had boosted Blue was indeed very fast. Moving with lightning fast speed the larger man's leg sailed over her head.
Taking a step to the side she back up; weaving, ducking around the long limbed blows Lucy avoided his follow up. 'He's good,' she grudgingly admitted. Throwing up blocks Lucy was light on her feet dodging blow after blow, his relentless assaulting surprising as he tried to press his advantage.
With years of practice focusing solely on their physical abilities it came to little surprise that the two men were actually good. For humans that poses no magic their bodies were fit and toned to the extreme.
But yet, even as the wolf guild member valiantly struck against Lucy, blows raining down left and right she noticed the beads of sweet crossing the man's brow. His breathes coming out hard and ragged.
They were not mages. No amount of training could possible amount to the strength magic could provide. Of course, saying that, Lucy knew all too well she was no mage either but she was hardly human herself.
Magic wasn't just a source of destructive power to use on spells; it affected the human body as well. It honed it, shaped around you like a shell. Over time mages on a primordial level used magic to increase their body's strength to be able to withstand enormous levels of punishment. While it was impressive that these two could achieve such strength they would never be on her level.
Blocking a furious strike from him Lucy's arm snapped out high above her head smacking the two's wrists together stopping the blow. It was such a simple kata taught at an early age. The move itself wasn't what mattered; it was the intent behind the strike.
Nothing was done half way.
While fast, the afro'd man was nowhere near as strong as his brother or for that matter, Lucy. His punch sailed off course leaving Lucy the opportunity to step inside. With her unoccupied right, she simply reached out, grabbed and squeezed.
At this point it was second nature, ruled by the fight Lucy tended to end things with brutal effenceny.
The man's eyes widened just a second before his head slumped. Neck snapping like a twig between her index finger and her thumb.
Cold detachment washed over the girl. He was just another on her long list of casualties. "I told you to run." She whispered.
"Brother!"
Lucy's head tilted back to look over shoulder. Blue eyes drifted up into the air watching disinterested as Whitey flew toward her.
Lifting his skillet, single handily, over his shoulder; he twisted using his body to throw the weapon. Lucy didn't feel the need to dodge.
Moving with more power than speed the black weapon barreled into her ribs, the side jutting her body as it coiled around before being launched back, smashing into the wall behind with a thud. Lucy felt her back explode off the expensively decorated wall denting it.
The force of the combined blows broke a rib or two as tiny drops of blood coughed from her lips.
The loose tie containing her wild hair broke in the flight sending blonde locks cascading around her head. With her chin downcast the wall of hair hide her quickly changing features.
The man's anguished cries reached her ears easily. "You monster!" He bellowed. "He was my brother!"
'Good.' She thought. Her voice was so very dark, augmented by her change. "Now you know, now you realize."
"What are you?" He screamed. His pain stabbing her dead heart. The cold vicious eyes that met his tear streaked face froze him silent.
"A demon."
Slowly, oh so slowly she rose to her feet. With each tense, every move forward Whitey took a fearful step back. Self preservation was a curious thing. Even if not consciously aware of it, humans like animals contained a natural instinct. Fight or flight. Years of being top of the food chain had dulled it but with just the right, push. It all came back.
She felt the bones in her side shift, cracking as they situated. It was, unpleasant. In truth, she hadn't wanted to use that power. It came on its own, hearing her bodies cries, the power reacted.
It was a strange balance. Sometimes Lucy wandered if she could truly die. Life was such a fecal thing. Snubbed out in an instant.
He was dead before his body ever touched the ground. A clawed hand stabbed him through. His still beating heart taking its last loud thumps in her palm.
"I'm sorry." She whispered. "I can't go back. I refuse."
A/N: More of Lucy inner darkness is revealed. So please do review. I'm very curious to hear people's reactions to Lucy darker side. Also I'm sure you could guess who the man who killed kaby was. He was a rather important Naruto character after all.
Also, there will be another Naruto character next chapter. Stay tuned!
-Love, RRR