hello everyone~
here is the 5th chapter of APUTCBT. *wink*
summer has officially started and I'm bored to death.

will Natsu see the light behind Lucy's curtains?
start reading~

again, I do not own Fairy Tail and its characters, they all belong to Hiro Mashima.
I own Maria though. tee-hee. ;p

[Lucy's POV]

What happened? All I can remember was that Natsu and I were watching a double rainbow and then boom my vision went black and I felt that someone caught me and yelled my name. Was it Natsu? Oh my… I looked around and noticed that I'm in a room. Wait a minute, this room is familiar.

This is my room.

BAM! The door was slammed open and a guy with a salmon pink hair came hurriedly carrying…me?

The hell? Natsu? Then what am I now if that's me… then it strucked me. I couldn't see neither my reflection nor my shadow. What the…I…I…s-soul? Natsu! Natsu! then Levy, Erza, Gray, Juvia and Mirajane came in with worried faces. Maria, my personal maid, trailed behind them.

"Mr. Jude Heartfilia is already on his way here from work." She told them.

"Thank you." Mira replied.

"I'll be back with cups of tea." She closed the door.

Natsu laid my body on my bed and he stroked my hair. My vision went to a blur and my body, no, not my body on my bed but my soul body, is shaking from head to toe. I was on my knees and cried.

"Lucy." I heard a gentle and kind voice. I spanned around my perimeter but no one was there.

"Lucy." There it is again.

"Who are you?"

"You know me very well." Then a middle aged woman appeared. She looks like me.

"My other soul?" I yelped and she giggled.

"No you silly girl." Then she hugged me so tight then she whispered something to my ear. "I'm your mother." Her breath tingled me to the bone upon hearing those words. I don't know if I'm going to believe her but her features looks exactly like mine except for the wrinkles. No doubt, she is my mother. My hands met at her back just to return her hug. I really miss my mom so much.

"I miss you so much." There was excitement in my voice.

"Me too, honey." She pulled away and looked at me, head to toe. "You've grown into a beautiful lady. You even got my features; the eyes, hair, complex and body." My face flushed. "How about your sex appeal? Is it great?" I could feel the hotness of my cheeks.

"M-mom!"

"How about a boyfriend? You got one? Of course you got one! I always see you two hanging out. That's so sweet." She managed to put on a cute face.

"I hate you!"

"Sorry. But the both of you are…so cute. What was his name again? Katu? Haru? Oh, Natsu! Natsu Dragneel!" she got sparkles on her eyes.

"How much do you know?"

"Hmmm. Almost everything. Happy monthsary to the both of you."

"Thank you."

"How's dad?"

"He's fine. He was really upset when you bid farewell and continually ignores me and scolds me. But now, he had a change of heart and treated me carefully as if I'm a fragile object and supports my relationship with Natsu."

"Well, that's good."

"What are you doing here?"

"Well…" but I cut through her sentence with a gasp. Don't tell me that you're going to take me away."

"No. no." she shook her hands and head. "It's not your time yet but it's near. I just wanna say that you better live your life to the fullest now."

"Eh?" I tilted my head.

"Also," she raised her index finger and looked straight to my eyes. "Natsu deserves the truth. He needs to know." I was surprised to what she just said.

"B-but…" this time, it was mom's turn to cut through my sentence.

"If he's going to leave you and won't accept the truth? And will not support you till the end?" I lowered my head. Mom's words struck me and I was at my breaking point. It's almost like she can read my mind. She placed her hands on my shoulders. "Sweetheart, in matters of life and death, which one would he choose? To stay with you or leave you until you die? That decision is in Natsu himself but do you think he will leave you just because you didn't told him about your sickness? Take a look at me and your dad. Do you remember his reaction when I told him about my sickness?"

I nodded. "He was really shocked about it and he said that he couldn't believe and he could use his money in order to let you live."

Mom smiled sweetly. "Yes, that's right. But I told him that money doesn't have that power to let one person live. I also told him that I am ready to die and he was really shocked about it. He couldn't forgive himself for not doing anything in order to let me live but I asked him to set aside the money and concentrate in spending every single minute of my life wisely and let me cherish the last moments to my family. He refused at first but he admitted defeat days after that happening. Remember, love doesn't need money nor fortune, what it needs is the person who loves, trusts and believes you."

Mom's words moved me and felt that a tear just streamed down from my eye. She is good at these things and especially that she experienced it. I rub my eyes and felt a warm hug from mom. She held my head and whispered something.

"I'm sure that Natsu will accept it and won't leave you. He loves you, sweetie. He really loves you." I started crying at my mom's shoulder and she pats my back.

I heard a loud bang and both of us pulled away from the hug and I saw my dad rushing towards the bedside. He's exhausted and continues on panting. "Lucy! Please don't die. Please! Don't leave me yet." He was holding my unconscious hand and tears were flowing from his eyes.

"Jude. I missed you so much." Mom smiled and tears were streaming down on her face.

"You missed dad a lot, don't you mom?" I asked.

"Yes, sweetie. I missed him a lot. I love him so much." She wiped her tears.

I tugged at mom's arm and leaned my head on her arm. "He loves you too, mom. Too bad that I'm going to leave him in a few months time."

Mirajane patted dad's back. "Please don't cry, Mr. Heartifilia. Lucy will wake up soon. Believe in her, okay? She's a strong girl."

"Yeah." Dad replied.

"Do you want tea?"

"Yes and a Kleenex too." He sat down on the chair that Levy gave him. "Thank you so much, everyone. Now, I know that there are people who care about Lucy."

Mom giggled. "He really did change."

"Yeah." I smiled then turned to her. "Mom?"

"Yes?" she turned to me.

"Can I touch Natsu just for a few seconds?"

"Sure."

I went towards Natsu, who is seating on the right side of the bed. I hugged from the back and leaned my head to his back. "Don't worry, Natsu. I'm still alive and happy. I love you and I know that you love me too. Our love can't be replaced by any material things, that's what my mom said. I'm so grateful to have you in my life. I will tell you the truth and I know that it will hurt you deep inside but please, accept it. You can't avoid the truth even though it may hurt you. I love you." Suddenly, Natsu sort of felt me because he was holding his chest where my hands meet.

"Lucy?" he said softly.

My eyes were in the size of saucers upon hearing my name from his mouth. It made me happy and I pulled away from the hug and stood near my lamp.

"Lucy, it's time for me to go and you should go back to your body or else it will be too late." Mom walked towards me then hugged me and kissed my forehead. "Goodbye, Lucy. Give my regards to your dad." Then she disappeared.

Well, it's time to go back to reality. Then I jumped in to my body and it was just like home.

[Normal POV]

Natsu was holding Lucy's unconscious hand and everyone was watching the still body of Lucy and some lowered their head until Lucy moved her fingers and Natsu froze.

"Lucy?" he whispered.

The others noticed Natsu's frozen state and gathered around the bed.

"What's the matter, Natsu?" Erza questioned.

"Lucy. Just now, Lucy moved her fingers." Natsu replied.

"What?" Everyone said in unison. Then Lucy moved again. Her face is showing everything. She furrowed her eyebrows, wrinkled her nose then slowly opened her eyes. Her chocolate brown orbs were shining and met the olive orbs.

"Natsu?" her voice was kinda broke. "Everyone?"

Natsu was tearing up and he smiled then he hugged his girlfriend.

"Luce! You're alive! I'm so happy!"

"Of course, I'm alive. Idiot." Lucy returned the hug and after a few seconds, they pulled away. She sat up. "Hey everyone! I'm back!" and no seconds to spare, they hugged her.

"Welcome back, Lu-chan!" Levy said.

"Thank goodness!" Erza said.

"My daughter." Said Mr. Heartifilia.

"Juvia was so worried about you, Lucy-san." Juvia's mouth has a handkerchief supported by her hands and front teeth.

"Everyone, calm down." Lucy giggled then faced her dad. "Dad! I met mom and she said hi and she loves you." Mr. Heartfilia started crying then hugged Lucy.

"I can't believe it. I missed your mother so much." He pulled away and he flashed a smile at his daughter. "You are our pride and joy, Lucy."

"I know that, dad."

"Lucy! I think you need to tell something to Natsu. We'll give both of you some space. We'll be downstairs and help Maria-san in preparing dinner." Mirajane lead the party out the room leaving Lucy and Natsu alone in the room.

There was silence for a few seconds and Lucy sighed then faced Natsu. "Natsu, I…" but her lips were sealed with Natsu's. Natsu pulled away and his face was near Lucy's.

"No need, Luce."

"But…I didn't tell you about it. It's my fault. I was afraid of losing you. I didn't expect to end like this. I…" Natsu let his finger touch Lucy's lips.

"Didn't you hear me? No need. Okay? It's going to be fine. I won't leave you. The truth may hurt a person but he should accept it no matter what. I love you so much, remember that. I will be here for you."

Lucy started crying and buried her face on Natsu's chest. "Why aren't you angry at me?"

"Because you're my girl and I love you." He cupped her chin letting those chocolate brown orbs meet the olive orbs. "Why would I be mad at someone who didn't tell me the whole truth? You're trying to protect yourself." Then he kissed her forehead.

"Idiot. You're really an idiot."

"Eh?"

"Shut up. You're idiotic side turns me on." She laughed.

Natsu knocked her head. "I'm going to spend your last moments and let you cherish every minute of it."

Lucy grinned at him. "My mom told some funny stuff, you know."

"Really? Like what stuff?" he was curious about it.

"Well, when I met her some time ago, I thought she was my other soul. I mean seriously, she looks like me." She noticed Natsu laughing. "Stop laughing!"

"Sorry. Please continue."

"Then mom told me that knew everything about us. It seems like she has some psychic powers in her. I was embarrassed when she said those things."

"There's nothing to be ashamed of about our relationship. It seems that she gave us a thumbs up to our realtionship. That's great news."

"Yeah, you're right. She also told me to tell you the whole truth then she told me the story on how dad accepted my mom's near death and sickness. At first, dad refused to accept such news and he used his money in order to let my mom live but he gave in. Mom was glad that he realized that money doesn't matter in love especially in life and death situations."

"You're mom is great. I can't believe that she lived up with that. I promise, I won't leave by your side." He caressed Lucy.

"Pinky promise?" Lucy lift her pinky.

"Pinky promise." Natsu laced his pinky onto hers then they shook it. "Let's go down and see how they're doing with our dinner before that bastard cools it down."

Lucy nodded in reply and they went down together.

DOWNSTAIRS~

Natsu and Lucy appeared and everyone was preparing for dinner. Lucy caught sight of his father and went to him.

"Hey dad." She smiled sweetly.

"Hey there." He hugged Lucy. "Did you tell him about it?"

Lucy nodded. "He accepted it. I'm so happy." She clapped her hands.

"Good job!" he patted his daughter's shoulders then Natsu walked in.

"What's with the happy atmosphere here? C'mon! Let's have dinner." He said excitedly.

"Natsu-kun, thank you. I'm grateful that Lucy has a kind lover."

Natsu laughed. "What are you thanking for?"

"For accepting her and the truth. Back when Layla told me about her sickness, I just can't accept it as it is but she enlightened my mind." Mr. Heartfilia smiled.

"It was nothing. Let's have dinner." Then the three of them went to the dining area.

The dining area was full of voices. There was talking here and there. Jude Heartiflia sat down beside Juvia while Lucy sat down beside Levi and Natsu took the seat beside Lucy. Just then, Natsu knock his fork gently onto the glass then everyone's attention turned to him.

"Before we start digging in to our dinner, I have a favor to ask," he shot a glance on Lucy and smiled then went back to everyone's gazes. "Since Lucy's days are numbered, let's spend fun times with her, Make every minute of her life count and take pleasure in her heart. I would like to ask for everyone's help in doing it. Who's in?"

"Me!" Levi raised her hand."

"Me too!" Mirajane raised her hand in midair then everyone's hands are raised making no exemption. Lucy smiled and tears started falling from her eyes.

"Guys!" she uttered.

"You're not alone, Lu-chan! We're here for you! Just call us and we'll be there." Levi cried.

Lucy glimpsed at Natsu and her heart started beating so fast. Her excitement went controlled her entire mind and heart. She stood up and hugged Natsu then faced to her friends and her dad. "Thank you so much. I won't forget this day." She made a 90 degrees bow then stood up and started to cackle up. Maria started pouring wine on everyone's glasses and went back to the kitchen.

Erza stood up. "Let's make a toast." She raised her glass. "To Lucy!"

Everyone stood up and followed Erza. "To Lucy!" they all shouted in unison. They started feasting on the foods being served on the table. Happiness, excitement and giggles filled the room while eating their dinner. It was rough day for them but as the night falls in, their uneasiness in their hearts were washed away and were replaced with joy and laughter.

satisfied? well, review.
tell me your thoughts coz I'm listening, more like reading. hahaha

just stay tuned for Lucy's birthday and their remaining meetings under the cherry blossom tree.

byeee~