A/N Waah, I'm currently having a hard time finishing this mission… So, please bear with me. However this mission turns out, I want you all to know that I'm trying my best. :) As usual, I would like to give thanks to Bareerah123 for this beta'd chapter, to the reviewers, to the silent readers, to those who listed this story in their alerts and favorites… *teary eyes* Again, ARIGATOU GOZAIMASU! And belated happy birthday to xNightDreamerx. Oh, before the responses, do you think Frosch is a boy or a girl? :)
Notice: All review responses are removed from this chapter. :)
Chapter 8: MISSION FAILED?
Lucy shoved the bush in front of her as she stretched her neck to catch a glimpse of their subject… The Donel's ojou-sama named Yumi.
Apparently, the girl was having a nauseous lovey-dovey moment with – she assumed – the guy who cast the love spell on her. But there was definitely something weird about this.
"What are you doing?" a voice from behind her asked.
"Shhh." She hushed, looking over her shoulder as she fixed the branches and leaves sticking out of her hair, "We're working under cover. Hide." She flailed her arms on her side.
Frosch was crawling beside Lucy holding a twig, Lector was standing beside them, paws crossed over his chest and a sweat drop forming on his forehead.
Lucy had insisted on placing leaves and twigs on their heads while hiding behind the bushes, that didn't exempt the two dragon slayers from the celestial mage's antics. When they heard the full details from Yun, Lucy had doubt her daughter was a victim of a love spell. Because when she asked Crux the fine points on how to reverse or nullify a love spell, he told her that it was almost the same as how to reverse a charm spell: It is understanding that you are under a love spell and purification through bathing in saltwater.
But it didn't make sense, since his daughter lived near the sea. If the guy had casted a love spell on her, he would've chosen to live in a place nowhere near salt water. And every time Yun would try to take her daughter back, he would always tell in her face that the guy she says she loves had just casted a love spell on her… and yet, the girl wouldn't believe him.
Rogue and Sting were both standing behind her. Lucy felt a vein pop out of her head as she gave the two dragon slayers a nudging look, "Hide yourselves…"
Rogue just sat, but Sting was losing his patience. This is frustrating! He stepped forward and sat frog-like beside Lucy, his head directed ahead.
Content, the fairy tail mage diverted her eyes to their subject. "The guy… seems familiar." She whispered.
As for most parts, Yumi Donnell looked like a normal girl in her early 20's. She had long green hair, pale skin that complimented her features, a slender body and loving eyes towards the man she was making "lovey-dovey" with. She was holding a familiar (to Lucy) doll in her hands. The guy, however, looks like he really needed to cast a love spell to get the girl. He was tall, overweight and his skin was as white as chalk. He kept on doing a crazy dance as he continued praising himself to no end. His fashion also didn't make any sense. Is that bondage he's wearing under his cape?
Lucy jolted up as she heard her keys dangle. She was at first surprised to see her keys in Sting's hand. "Hey! Give me those." She demanded in a hushed voice.
And then they heard their subject squeal. "No, Kain-samaaaa…"
A bell rang on Lucy's head as her mind lit up in recognition. So, that's why he looked so familiar. "Kain Hikaru of Grimoire Heart… He's alive?" she hissed, suddenly recalling how that dark guild ruined the S-class exam in Tenrou Island months – er – 7 years ago.
And then Kain slapped Yumi's butt, which made the girl squeal even more.
"Did you just see that?" she snapped out, as she stretched her arms and pointed at the lovers they were spying. "That was totally repulsive…sexual harassment… barbaric… inhumane! Aren't you going to do something?" she almost yelled, as she stared at Sting in anticipation.
Sting rolled his eyes, the woman's overactive imagination was getting on his nerves. He was an aggressive type, and sure he'd be thrilled to start a fight but for a reasonable cause. And he wouldn't involve himself to issues that are beyond his concerns… She took this mission after all. "No, I won't." he said bluntly, twirling her keys unto his finger.
Lucy impatiently stood up and rested both hands on her hips as she eyed him with raised eyebrows and disbelief, she shouldn't be surprised. "Why are you so heartless?" she extended her arms towards him, "Give me back my keys… I'll do it."
"What? You'll poke your nose in other people's business?" Sting smirked at the Fairy Tail mage, "Can't you see…" he turned his head towards the couple's direction. "She's enjoying it…"
"That man used to be one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory! I'm quite sure that that doll Yumi is holding is the doll he was using to make… wait! Did he grow so strong that he can even control emotions now?" she tried to argue, but ended up musing to herself. She instantly shook her head and put on a determined face, "Now's not the time to think of the logic, I have to save her." She turned and tried to snatch her keys from her marker's hand but failed.
Now, Lucy is pissed.
But Sting is as pissed as her, "Aren't you forgetting something, blondie?" he tilted his head, giving her a smug look.
Lucy shrugged, blinking innocently, "Gaaaah. You're so difficult Sting-dono!" she said, emphasizing his name sarcastically. "Come on, keys! That man's dangerous!" she yelled, not bothering if she'd catch other people's attention.
Sting flinched at how she called him again but decided not to comment for now, "Your place?"
A big question mark appeared above Lucy's head, "Huh?"
"Aren't you a hundred years too early to be demanding anything from me?" he hissed annoyingly, the girl just got on his nerve and he was at the midst of wanting to strangle her and lock her anywhere. This is the reason why he hated working with girls… they tend to be over emotional.
Despite the feeling of anxiousness for Yumi, hearing this from Sting made Lucy chuckle in amusement. Oh, so that's his issue? But she knew she had to hurry. Every moment is critical. Kain Hikaru almost killed her then, it might happen again with Yumi. "Fine," she dropped both hands to her sides, her face darkened.
And what she did surprised them next…
Lucy charged towards the couple, holding her fleuve d'etoiles. "Keep off her!"
The couple stood flabbergasted as Lucy quickly whipped the tall overweight man hitting him in his shoulder. Kain, regaining his mindfulness, shouted, "Wow weeee!" as he instantly grabbed Yumi by her waist and jumped a few steps backward. "I love you…" he whispered, which made Yumi giggle and Lucy shudder.
He blinked at Lucy and smiled widely, "Oh… You're a pretty face…" he blushed slightly, "I know you!" he instantly pointed his index finger at the blonde mage, "Etto… Let me think where I saw you…" he scratched his brittle hair as he closed his eyes and gestured as if he was thinking, "EEEEH?" he yelled, pointing a finger at Lucy again… "You were the girl that I rejected when you asked me to go out with you!"
Lucy sweat dropped and yelled defensively, "AS IF!" she then strikes another whip blow towards Kain, who dodged her attack. It went on like this for a few minutes with Kain insisting that he was sorry for rejecting her then and he had finally found his true love in Yumi, so she must give up, until…
"I'm mad now… I'll get serious." Kain dramatically proclaimed as he knitted his brows together, "This is for you, my darling…" he blew a kiss towards the blushing Yumi who in turn shouted, "Ganbatte my love…"
Lucy could almost swear, she saw hearts flying in the background. It was nauseous. She prepared herself for Kain's attack. She might have thought wrong, Kain didn't grow strong from within the seven years she disappeared. She could now manage to catch up with his quick reflexes… but since she was spacing out, she found Kain almost grabbing her hair once again… and before his hand could reach her, a fistful blow landed on his ugly face.
Lucy blinked, an ear piercing yell was heard, "My looooove! Kain-samaaaaa!" Yumi ran towards Kain who was crying and stating his – he said – last will and testament and his declaration of true love towards Yumi.
"No touch." Sting announced, staring intently at Kain. "Not even the ends of her hair. I do not allow you to touch."
Lucy's jaw animatedly dropped on the ground. Huh? It was Sting who punched Kain swiftly.
"Fairy-san, are you alright?" Lector asked, running towards the blonde fairy tail mage.
"Fairy-san, don't die!" Frosch cried, running after Lector.
Lucy was still too dumb-founded to respond, "It's the work of the mark… He'll be possessive for a while, so I hope you'll be able to manage." Rogue explained, as he seemed to perceive the confusion in Lucy's features.
"Just accept that Kain-sama loves me and not you!" Yumi yelled as she cried and hugged Kain in her arms.
Sting stared at Lucy smugly, "Oh, so you've been rejected by this guy in the past…" he mocked, a smirk forming on his lips.
The statement made Lucy snap out of shock, "Shut up! There's no way I'd confess to a guy as cruel as that!" she shuddered in disgust.
"But if he's not cruel, you would've confessed, eh?" the white dragon slayer dug in further.
Lucy instantly landed a fist on Sting's head as she snatched her keys. Sting was shocked, yes… and the rest of the other people present as well. How did Lucy land a blow to Sting without him dodging it? "I'd rather die…" she clicked her tongue, attaching her keys to her belt as she ran towards Yumi and Kain. She pulled Yumi towards her which made Kain cry even more.
"Give me that doll!" she demanded, as she snatched the out of her hands.
Yumi's face was wet with tears, "Mr. Cursey!" she cried as she knelt back to Kain and nursed him. "Where does it hurt? Where does it hurt, my love?" she raised her head and looked at Lucy, who was inspecting the doll with any hair…
But to the blonde's surprise, the doll didn't have a single strand of hair on it. "Where are the other dolls?" she asked Yumi worriedly, "You're under a curse… not a spell."
Yumi blinked at her… "Were you sent by my father?" the girl asked in between her sobs.
Lucy tensed up, "We're here to save you."
The girl wiped her tears with the back of her hands, "You won't be able to save me because I am here of my own accord."
At Fairy Tail...
Natsu scanned the request board for a job. He kept on going back and forth to Lucy's apartment ever since they got back from Crocus, hoping that he'll find her there… but to his disappointment, it was empty.
"Taking a mission, Natsu?" Mira asked, as she pinned more job requests on the board… which made the whole guild roar.
At last, Fairy Tail was standing up again. After years of looking into an almost empty request board, everything seemed to be going back to the way it was seven years ago.
Natsu nodded as his eyes scanned the newly pinned requests.
"Happy, Lu–" the rosy-haired boy called out and suddenly halted as an expression of sadness crossed his face, he cleared his throat, "Happy, we're taking this job." He snatched a piece of paper from the request board as Happy flew towards him. The members who knew the truth could of course, see through Natsu and they all avoided looking at him as guilt hit them at their chests.
Gray, seated at the bar, was observing Natsu. He was feeling guilty, yet he knew he wasn't in the position to tell him anything about Lucy's matters.
Mira went back inside the bar and stood in front of the ice mage, "You okay, Gray?"
"Yeah," Gray turned his head, one arm placed on the bar table as his head was rested on his hand. "Have you talked to any of them?"
Mira leaned closer, "I talked to her… yesterday just before you came back." She said in a hushed voice, not mentioning a name and cautious that Natsu might hear them.
"How's the mark?" Gray asked with full interest.
"She said it's starting to withdraw," the white-haired barmaid smiled, "I think she'll come back soon…"
A smirk formed on Gray's lips, "No message for us?"
"Oh," Mira grabbed a clean cloth and started wiping the glass, "She said you don't have to work for her rent… She'll work for it."
Gray frowned, "I can work for it… Can you tell her the next time she calls that she doesn't have to worry a thing if it's about her apartment? I'll take care of it."
"I'll relay that message." Then Mira's face suddenly turned serious, "Ne, Gray… I feel bad for Natsu… Can you…" she sighed, "…watch over him too? Just to be sure that he won't get any information about Lucy having the dragon slayer's mark?"
"What a pain in the a–" but even before Gray could finish his sentence, it was interrupted by the sound of someone dropping and unintentionally breaking a number of plates.
The two conversing mages turned to look at the cause of interference and their eyes grew wide in disbelief.
"I-is what I heard true?"
"Wendy!"
"Are you okay, Wendy?" Natsu shouted from the request board as he walked towards the sky dragon slayer.
Mira and Gray panicked. Shit.
Somewhere in Freesia...
"What's with that funny costume, titania?" Gajeel hissed as he looked at Erza who was now wearing a sexy tigress costume as she placed the binoculars over her eyes.
The titania smirked, "I'm blending in with nature…" she answered stiffly, her tigress ears twitching.
Apparently, they were seated in a thick branch of tree some miles away from Lucy and the Sabertooth mages. She had been cautious about their sense of smell ever since yesterday when the shadow dragon slayer almost caught them spying in one of the trees just outside the window of the room Lucy and the rest were in.
She was of course, proud of Lucy, for taking the job. Sure she couldn't hear what Lucy had said yesterday, thanks to Gajeel performing his sole purpose why she brought him along, though it was kind of tough to keep him under control.
Gajeel came along under one condition, they would battle against each other to see who is stronger when the whole Lucy incident is finished. Erza, being the titania, of course didn't deny his request. They haven't tried to duel before, maybe it's about time to test their strengths.
The iron dragon slayer stared at her in disgust, "Tigers can't climb trees."
Erza raised a brow, her eyes still directed towards her targets, "Female tigers can."
Gajeel blinked, really? I should ask shorty when I return to the guild. He thought.
Lily could only smile knowingly. He knew, Gajeel had lost this round… thinking that Erza had begun an intellectual battle.
It was the first time Lily and Gajeel went on a journey – since you can't call this a job – with the Earthland Erza and he must admit, the titania was smart enough to outwit his dragon slayer most of the time.
"Hmmm," Erza cupped her chin with one hand, with the other still clinging tightly to the binoculars. "Can you hear them from here?"
"No." the iron dragon slayer answered bluntly.
"We have to get closer, then."
"This mission is a fail, blondie… Give it up." Sting hissed, as he inserted both his hand on his pockets.
Lucy stared at the couple wide-eyed, blinking several times as her eyes bounced from Kain to Yumi and then from Yumi to Kain. She was analyzing everything she heard from the girl.
"I can't believe this… I mean, how… how could you–" she pointed a finger to Yumi, "…to him?" she redirected her finger towards Kain. "I can't… uhh." She pulled her golden hair. I can't believe this.
"What is so hard to believe about this Miss? Just because you've been rejected by my love, why are you insisting that I am cursed? You're worse than my father…" she blurted out, slight pain evident on her features. Yet when she looked back at the injured Kain who was now sitting beside her, her eyes would immediately soften.
As an author, she knew love is a very mysterious thing. But she never thought someone would fall in love (she's even head over heels) with this guy. Not that she's judgmental, but she considered Kain as a threat to all living things. Being a part of Grimoire Heart once was bad enough, and being one of the Seven Kin of Purgatory made it worse. He's heartless, he once tried to kill her… showing no mercy. And aside from that, just by the thought of Grimoire Heart, the pain of the past started to crawl under her skin.
Seven years… seven years… When they came back from Tenrou Island, they had been informed that Grimoire Heart triggered the summon of Acnologia out of the dark mage. That guild, aside from the dark mage, Zeref, had cost us seven years… She is not one to hold a grudge against anyone before… but the feeling was too overwhelming to ignore.
Kain scratched his brittle hair, a bit threatened at how the blonde fairy tail mage was eyeing him intensely. He instinctively hid behind Yumi, who faced Lucy with a determined look on her face.
"This is… absurd." Were the only words that left Lucy's mouth. Her bangs shadowing her eyes, her body emitting a deadly aura, "I can't believe this…" She took in a deep breath and diverted her intense stare to Yumi, "You do know how dangerous this man is, don't you?"
"He is a mage… I know." Yumi answered, her brave face unwillingly faltering.
"A very dangerous mage from a dark guild?" Lucy prompted, remaining poker-faced, she was about to add the adjective 'cunning' but having a second look at Kain, there's no way one would mistake him as a good guy.
"The dark guild no longer exists." Yumi answered, grabbing Kain's hand, "A wanted mage for years…" she continued, tears lining her eyes.
"And you still love him?" the blonde interrogated further. Well, she's got no issue with that.
Yumi gave her a firm nod. "I love him… and I don't care whether or not he was a murderer in the past… What's important is the present."
.
to be continued...