Story name; The Fairy's Jinchuriki.
Summary: "The boy who eats fire." She murmured. Eventual Lucy/Erza paring. Lucy is the nine tails Jinchuriki.
Disclaimer; I own nothing. This is a nonprofit work of FanFiction.
Sleep did not come easy that night. Not that it ever really did. . . Tonight was just, different somehow. The nightmares were a normal occurrence. A harsh reminder of her horrid existence. Filled with fire and blood, echoes of the dead screamed and cursed her name.
For the first time in well, she couldn't quite remember, this wasn't the case. Something else kept her awake. It was a strange feeling. Unfamiliar and oddly unsettling, she wasn't sure when it had happened exactly, but there was no denying it now. Lucy loved Fairy Tail. She had fallen and fallen hard for this ridiculous band of misfits and outcasts. They accepted her. Protected her. Without so much as a thought, they had brought her in and shaken everything she thought she knew.
It was undeniable the effect these people had on her. The bonds she had formed so quickly terrifying in their intensity. Natsu, Happy, Cana, Gray, and Erza. They had all buried themselves deep within her chest, forcing Lucy's previously dead heart to beat once again.
A few weeks. That's all it took for this feared, monstrous existence Lucy lived to change. To want something more.
That's what made this so hard. She knew. Lucy KNEW that deep down, this this could only end one way. But yet, here she was, trying the impossible. All so long as she could prolong the inevitable. Keeping this dream alive, just a little bit longer.
She didn't even feel sorry, and that might be the worst.
All the lying, the betrayal, the killings. . . none of it had ever bothered her. What kind of monster did that make her? Was violence and death so ingrained into her that it was all she knew anymore? How far was she willing to go? What was she willing to sacrifice?
The answers to that scared her.
A loose hand pushed through her blonde locks. Pulling them aside, Lucy was mindful of the blade like protrusions extending from her fingers. There was no need to have a repeat episode of her old apartment. Lucy laughed to herself remembering Jet and Droy's glares. She had seen the duo walking about the guild and they never passed up a chance to express how they felt. Those two certainly had the right idea. They would never know how close their little Levy was to dying.
When she lost control, time had shown that those unlucky enough to be in the area tended to get hurt. Dead more like it, she thought with a sneer. People tended to be dead when they got around her period.
Though, that blue haired girl didn't seem to hold it against her. There was no hate in her brown orbs, just curiosity. That was dangerous. Lucy would have to keep an eye out for her.
It was a cold, murderous thought that entered her calculating mind. One that made the blonde shudder in revulsion. It was an old habit, she told herself. One Lucy immediately put the brakes on. Was she really considering such a thing? No. She wouldn't do it. . . not again.
An image of fire flashed across. On reflex, slim fingers flinched. Digging across her scalp a seem of red darkened Lucy's light hair color. Ahh, she had wandered when they would make an appearance. Old painful memories. The darkest part Lucy always kept buried down, though it always had a way to rise back up again.
Flames of biblical proportions raising a once glorious city appeared. Buildings that had once touched the skies now ash upon the earth. A demonic laughter filtering out across the silenced screams.
Lucy's body trembled, a cold sweet beginning to form. A child like whimper began to escape her but it quickly gave way to a bitter laughter.
Tears ran down her face but Lucy didn't bother. Her hand was practically clawing at the tattered skin of her skull. Hot blood was running down the side of her head but in reality it was keeping her sane. The pain had lessoned the psychotic breakdown she was about to have.
It didn't make it any easier though. Replacing the victims of the past were new faces, Fairy Tail.
She hadn't seen Natsu or any other member of Fairy Tail in a few days. Since completing their shared mission, Lucy had retreated back to her home avoiding the others. It really wasn't that hard. Cana and Gray were out on missions and Erza was gone to help with something the master had requested. That had only left Natsu and Happy.
The apprehension clinching at her gut was because of guilt. It wasn't that they hadn't tried to talk to her, it was just . . .
Lucy couldn't. She wouldn't. Time, she just needed time alone.
A strange thought, considering years of self induced isolation but that wasn't important. Lucy just didn't trust herself around them. Not yet, at least. She just needed a little distance after loosing control like that.
Their mission had been an eye opener. Hell, all of her missions with Natsu seemed to be revealing. They had been disastrous. Challenges, new or old had showed Lucy dealt with it the only way she knew. Violently. Violence, demonic induced rage.
Her body count was rising. Lucy knew it, she wasn't a fool. Lucy Heartfilla knew without a doubt that she was spiraling. Even now, with each new obstacle, every challenge she resorted to, that power. It was getting easier, the barrier was slipping.
The power was addictive. A sirens call that begged you too it. Pleaded. Giving false hope and infinite promises. Giving in, even the slightest was dangerous. The pull was so great, so compelling it was nearly impossible to stop. A little always turning to more.
How long? How long before a friend paid the price? Would it be some slight? A little comment here or there that finally set her over the edge? Or maybe a simple case of wrong place, wrong time. It was hard to tell friend from foe when fully gone. It was only a matter of time.
Who would it be? Natsu, Happy? Would those two wonder fools finally pay the price for allowing a demon within their midst? Or perhaps Cana or Gray? Would her newly minted friendship between her newest partner and drinking buddy be shattered by an act of betrayal?
Or would it be Erza?
The thought was a painful one. The Scarlet haired beauty was half the reason why Lucy was here now, questioning herself, doubting herself. Titinia had shown far greater kindness than she probably deserved.
It wasn't even the fact the girl had overlooked her murder . . . It was just who she was. She offered her friendship. Companionship. Even comfort. How long was it that someone had shown her that?
In such a short amount of time Lucy had revealed so much to the red head. Whether by the emotional trauma of combat or perhaps her need to finally tell someone, she didn't know. But something had occurred between the two of them. Erza had long since been a fascination of thee blonde, Lucy having always followed the woman's career but to be around her, fighting with her was another story. She just couldn't shake the strange connection or the pull she felt with her.
It was dangerous. Maybe it was too late, the preverbal ship having already sailed but Lucy still felt this horribly stupid urge to come clean with not only Erza but Fairy Tail as a whole. The strange group had practically become her home, family even. They accepted her without question, she owed them the truth.
The truth . . .
Living a life akin a horror film, Lucy's life was anything but pleasant. She had done things,, horrible unspeakable things. Both out of desperation and her own free will. Death followed her, those unlucky enough to be around, well . . . it never ended well.
The writing on the wall was clear. The familiar cycle all too real. It wouldn't even be long if her history was anything to go by. Lucy would fail. Today, tomorrow, it hardly mattered. Lucy was a ticking time bomb.
The Fairys Jinchuriki
Lucy woke with a start. Her precarious sleep shattered with a loud 'bang'. Hyper aware senses picked up on the commotion of noise coming from her living room. Already tense Lucy's body sprung into action, her bed sheets tossed across the room flowing slightly in the air.
Her feet touched the ground without so much as a sound as the blonde crept toward her door already seeing the light cascading through her cracked door.
Shadows were shifting back and forth across the light causing siloletes to form. Feeling the all too familiar burn resinating from within her gut Lucy had to physically restrain the snarl pulling at her lips. It wouldn't have been the first time some hapless bounty hunter had stumbled their way into the Demon's home, though it was the first time for one to be so brash to act within city limits.
There were just so many things that could go wrong. Few were ever brave enough to fight a Jinjuriki around civilians. Her kind had a tendency to become, destructive when threatened. Plus there was always a guild to consider. Jinjuriki or not, most legal guilds didn't work well with mercs. More often than not, a mercenary had lost their prey because of guild interference.
So that brought up the obvious, who would be this foolish to strike at Lucy so close to one of the nations most prominent guilds? A foolish upstart? Maybe they were really just that confident in their abilities. There were certainly several bounty hunters that Lucy had heard of that could do it, Jinkuriki or not. But she doubted any of them would have a part in this, last she heard, they'd went off the grid.
Returning back to the present, Lucy visible flinched hearing a loud tearing sound. No doubt her brand new curtains. She'd just bought those too. Then her eyes narrowed to slits hearing an all too familiar giggle.
Whipping her door open with enough force to crack the hinges the wooden thing smashed against the wall, hard.
The sound echoing loudly through Lucy's living room causing her two little break ins to freeze. Happy comically sliding down Lucy's freshly bought curtains, his tiny claws leaving a long tear. Natsu looking up from his exploration of her desk, countless items tossed aside in carelessness.
"Yo!" He gave her a little wave. The fool having the audacity to smile brightly, even closing his eyes in a cheerful greeting. He never saw the chair coming suddenly smashing across his face.
Quickly turning over her shoulder Lucy gave the cat a lethal glare. "Down." She ordered. Literally freezing up, the cat released the curtains, falling to the ground with a thud.
"Geez," Natsu complained with a moan. "What was that for?"
"Don't give me that," Lucy seethed. "That's what you get for break into my apartment. Again."
"Oh come on!" Natsu complained. All sense of his earlier pain gone, in it's place a devilish grin. "We just wanted to see your new pad!"
"Aye!"
Lucy rolled her eyes. Why was she beginning to get the sense of deja vu.
"Well, now that you've seen it, get out." With a wave of her hand, the blonde gave her best look of disinterest. Turning she flipped her hair back with a huff. "And I'll expect reimbursement for that chair. It wasn't cheap."
"Then why the hell did you hit me in the head with, Humph-"
Ignoring Natsu's indignant voice Happy cut off his partner appearing atop of the pink haired boy's head. "Aren't you at least curious what we want Lucy? It's really good."
Quirking a singe perfect brow Lucy eyed the pair. Happy was well, cheerful as always while Natsu glared without any real malice at the cat. She hadn't thought they'd actually want something. It was intriguing.
"You know what they say about curiosity?" She asked, her scowl twisting slightly in amusement.
Happy just shook his head. "No. What?"
Lucy laughed. "Never mind. Alright. Let's see what just couldn't wait. Unless you just need another blonde." Crossing her arms Lucy gave an expectant look causing Natsu to pull out a small piece of paper.
"We've got a mission."
"I can see that." Her sharp eyes scanned over the paper hoping for a clue but to no avail. Wrapped together like a scroll the writing was a mystery. With a quick motion Lucy snatched the paper from the Dragon Slayers outstretched limb. Her eyes scanning the envelope.
Blue eyes started to widen the moment they began, starting with the bold letters stamped atop the mission request. 'S-Class.'
"Your serious?" She hissed, eyes turning away from the mission file only to go back down before he could answer resuming her frantic read. Several things popped out to the blonde immediately. Besides the obviously grim mission rank, other, more upsetting things seemed to fly off the page. Things like a request for 'assistance in a curse' but the effects of the curse wasn't specified, only the vague title, 'curse of the moon'.
"How did you get this?" She questioned.
"A little birdy found it."
Lucy scoffed. "And did this little birdy get this illegally?"
"Depends." He answered vaguely before smirking. "On who you ask."
"I'm serious, Natsu." She sighed.
Natsu shrugged. "We took it."
"And does the master know you just took it?"
The boy had the decency to look sheepish. "Not exactly."
"Natsu," Lucy sighed, though it came out more a puff of air. Rolling her eyes, the blonde leaned back against the edge of her sofa. Elbows propping herself up, Lucy allowed her neck to roll back, blue eyes staring at the ceiling.
"Why?"
Natsu blinked. Sharing a look with Happy the two quickly conveying confusion. Scratching at his chin the Dragon Slayer's voice was clearly unsure what she was asking. "Why what?"
Lucy allowed the question to hang in the air a moment unsure herself what she really intended. Turning back toward the boy she had only known for a short time, time seemed to freeze as he took in the seriousness of her stare.
"Why did you ask me to join Fairy Tail?"
Natsu's brow furrowed. "You wanted to join didn't you?"
Lucy barked out a laugh. She couldn't help it. It must have seemed strange to him. Natsu was so obviously truthful in such a simple answer. He asked her to join his guild simply because she wanted too.
"And I'm on your team because?" She couldn't stop it now. Her words were biting, probably cruel. She had just had to know though.
Natsu grew a little more serious at her tone. He didn't look confused anymore but he wasn't defensive either. Cautious maybe but not afraid. Not even the chatter box, Happy was frightened by Lucy's strange behavior.
"So you've never wandered who I am? What I am? Where I came from? What I've done? None of that ever mattered to you?" Her voice had risen an octave. Her words blending together the faster she talked.
Before Lucy even registered what happened a fist smacked against her cheek. Head whipping to the side at the impact, a noticeable split formed across her lip. A small trickle of blood running over her chin.
It was only the shock that saved Lucy from doing something she would regret. Her head stopping at an angle, neck twisting to stare up at Natsu Dragnell. Fanged teeth stretched over her lips in a barely contained snarl.
"Leave . . ." She growled.
"Like hell I will."
Boldly meeting her gaze was a pair of fiery blue eyes. They burned, smoldering with a previously unseen passion. It was hard. Achingly hard to control the need to act. To strike out. Kill the person who had dared strike the host of the Nine Tails. Lucy grimaced. Eyes snapping shut as her head forcefully turned away from Natsu.
"Look at me!"
He had a death wish. That was the only explanation to why this stupid, stupid boy would provoke a caged animal.
In and out she breathed. In and out, in and out, in and out. IN AND OUT!
Lucy's teeth were grinding against one another. Humans anatomy didn't exactly line with the fox's extra features. It had always been a pain to hide when it started to show. It was very strange to see long fangs extending over ones lip. The whisker marks across her cheeks became more pronounced as well. As before, Lucy could pass them off as an odd orthodox defect, it just looked other worldly now, coupled with her almost animalistic look.
Lucy forced herself to go ridged when a pair of hands pulled her shoulder up, making her look into Natsu's eyes.
"Your my friend." Lucy's crimson eyes widened in surprise. Practically nose to nose, Natsu staring into her demonic slitted eyes, his hard gaze unwavering.
"You asked me why none of it ever mattered? That's why. Your my friends. I don't care who you were. What you were. I care about who you are now. Do you hear me?"
Lucy nodded dumbly.
Releasing her, the goofy grin was back in place so fast it was like it was never there. And just like that, clueless Natsu was back. Tilting his head up, eyes unbelievable leaving the enraged Jinjuriki. He looked thoughtful almost. More quizzical really but perhaps as thoughtful as Natsu could get.
"You know, you kinda look like a bit cat like that. It's pretty scary. You should look like that all the time."
Lucy laughed. She actually laughed out loud at that. What a stupid thing to say at a time like this. Natsu heaved out a pained breathe as the back of Lucy's palm smacked him across his stomach, hard. "So uncalled for," He puffed. "And I just ate."
She shrugged. Dusting off her hand, she added. "If you throw up, you'll be paying for that too." Hearing a small snicker, Lucy turned her mock glare toward Happy giggling away behind his blue paws.
"And you," She narrowed her eyes. "Your going to pay me back for that." She motioned with a tilt of head toward her ruined curtains.
"There was a small gasp from the feline. The cat worriedly exclaiming 'how he was supposed to find money'. As if he and Natsu didn't split all their earnings down the middle.
Poking a jagged finger at both chastised boys Lucy turned on her heels heading into her room. "You can start by giving me all the money we're going to get."
Even turned away Lucy could imagine both her boys perking up comically. "Wait!" Happy exclaimed. "You don't mean-" Natsu continued.
"Your going with us?" They finished together excitedly.
Lucy laughed again. "Someone has to make sure you fools don't destroy a village." She took a single step into her room before stopping. She couldn't quite turn around for what she said next, "I would tell you if you asked, you know. Anything."
"I know." Natsu answered with that carefreeness only he could achieve. "But I'm not going to ask anyway."
"Right." She said, trying to fight the smile playing at her lips.
The Fairy's Jinjuriki
Lucy could see why so many mages chose this lifestyle.
The young girl had often wondered what it was that made mages pick the guild life over something more stable, then say a job with the magic council. Both were interesting prospects with almost guaranteed adventure and excitement.
Now, the choice seemed far too obvious. Traveling with someone you cared for, who cared for you, made traveling the endless wide open roads far more tailorable, fun even. It really was a far cry from Lucy's past travels.
The blonde even found herself laughing. Trying and failing to stifle the eruption of giggles escaping her throat and out from her cupped fingers. The sound was foreign, girly, and not at all like her.
Natsu and Happy were currently shrouded in darkness, wrapped in thick cloaks that hide all identifiable features from view one would think the trio were a group of ninja instead of legal mages. Of course voicing such a thing would have been pointless. Natsu and Happy were enjoying themselves far too much shrinking across the shadows.
It wasn't actually needed. One might even argue counter productive. When you had something to hide the general rule of thumb was to not prod cast it. Skulking about tended to raise a red flag, 'look at me, I'm trying to not get caught.' It was far better to blend in. Most wouldn't question what a mage was doing up late in their own town after all.
Lucy sighed. It was more trouble then it was worth. They could avoid a few curious looks but in the end it hardily mattered. Natsu's well, odd behavior was more or less accepted by the town and besides, Lucy didn't feel the need to raise so many unneeded questions as to how she knew so much about hiding.
In the end, the blonde resided herself to sneaking around the town with Dragon boy, and his little feline partner in crime. Well, now that she thought about it, would others count her in that regard now? Hadn't Natsu turned to her first, right after Happy? She supposed that did make them partners.
Lucy couldn't help but feel self conscious about it. How could a pair of such nice, amazing people want her around? They were truly wonderful, she thought shaking her head at their strange antics.
The journey through town was a auspicious one. The quiet morning was filled with gleeful chatter between Natsu and Happy. The two were quite adamant in their belief that S-class was just around the corner. Lucy for her part couldn't find it in herself to somber the mood.
The sun was just starting to peek itself over the horizon casting a streak of brilliant orange and yellow over the town. Reaching up and over the buildings of Magnolia, breaking through the cracks bathing the groups in light.
It was a beautiful sight. Lucy had never really taken the time to marvel of something so simple as a sun rise or even the pleasure of traveling with friends. Even after only a short time Lucy couldn't imagine life without them. Glancing over, blue eyes were greeted by a mop of unruly pink hair and underneath it a cheeky smiling boy.
The two were conversing about what cool missions was awaiting them. Pushing down the steady growing sense of doubt. Lucy even laughed lightly at the arguing duo. What did it matter what awaited them? Lucy knew of course the danger was a very real threat but she decided she was going to face it head on. If only because Natsu and Happy asked her.
The blonde found it strange and a little unnerving the influence of 'friends'. She found she didn't even mind all that much. She didn't care that it might get hard, Lucy only wanting to keep her new friends safe. Those two goofballs were the first people to spare her kindness and she'd be damned if she wouldn't do everything in her power to help them.
How could she possible say no? The fire in Natsu's eyes was undeniable. For whatever reason, Natsu truly wanted to prove himself. He needed to get stronger. To push himself to new heights. And he had asked Lucy for help. So here she was.
It wasn't like Lucy to do something like this. When danger arose she rarely got involved, often avoiding it as best she could.
There was something Natsu wasn't telling her. It was obvious. The boy didn't even try to hide it. It was personal though. Some unknown reason that Natsu wanted to take an S-class quest. Normally Lucy would have pressed for answers but, really? What was she to talk about hidden motives? Natsu was simply too nice a person for it to be anything malicious. It was his secret to tell if and when he was ready. Lucy trusted him...
Lucy felt a smile pull at her cheeks. Natsu and Happy continuing to playful bickering back and forth, either not noticing or not purposefully mentioning the genuine tears trickling across her whiskered cheeks.
This was where she belonged.