~Val~
I woke up feeling warm and happy. I smiled, my eyes still closed. I took in my surroundings without even being fully awake. I heard birds chirping and wind rustling leaves. I smelled campfire smoke and flowers. I started to drift back to myself. I lazily opened my eyes and lifting my head. I blinked a few times to ward off the sleep that I'd just been immersed in.
When my vision finally came into focus I saw something that I found strangely comforting. Lucy was asleep. I realized that she was the source of the flower smell. I must have been sleeping on her. She was smiling a little in her sleep, which I liked. I liked it a lot when Lucy was happy. I leaned forward and gently kissed her cheek. She mumbled a little in her sleep and shifted her position.
Speaking of her position, I soon realized that she was asleep on Natsu. His chest was expanding and collapsing slowly. Lucy's head moved a bit with each of his breaths. I was sitting in between them, their bodies warming me up nicely. Their heads were propped against each other, smiles on both of their faces. Their hands barely touched, a couple of their fingers intertwined.
I smiled a little. At first I'd disliked Natsu. He seemed dumb and over-the-top in about every category that it's bad to be over-the-top in. For example, destroying everything in sight and inhaling food like it was oxygen were two of those categories. Now, though, I saw him differently. When he'd told me that he wasn't able to do anything, just like me, I saw something in his eyes. I could see that he truly cared for Lucy. He was just as devastated as me that he couldn't save her. He was the same as me, except I saw Lucy look at him differently from how she looked at me.
My ears perked up and I glanced around our makeshift campsite nervously. I stumbled to my feet, careful not to wake the others up in case it wasn't anything important. I didn't want to disturb their sleep. We had a big day ahead of us: we were going to save O.
That's when I heard the noise again. I was certain this time. I'd heard a hissing sound. It's them, it's them! Should we tell the Lady? No, let's just take them!
My eyes went wide as a shadow shot out from behind a tree. It hurled towards me, it's voice hissing and spitting. "Natsu!" I screamed. I fell on my back and the shadow descended on me. I held up my hand to protect myself knowing it wouldn't work. I felt a blast of heat on my face and curled up into a ball. The loud screeches of the shadows were followed by silence.
"Val?" I heard a voice say. I peeked through my fingers and saw Natsu standing over me. He knelt down and smiled, "You're safe now."
I whimpered and flew into his chest with a thump. He fell backwards and I clung to his neck.
"Hey, you ok? You're not hurt, right?" Natsu asked.
I nodded and felt tears leak out of my eyes. Seeing those shadows brought back memories that I didn't want to recall. Natsu patted my back as he pushed himself upright. "I miss O," I squeaked, clinging to him tighter.
"You'll see him soon," Lucy said, seemingly pushing past her rude awakening.
I nodded and reached for her. She took me from Natsu's arms and I curled up in her lap. I loved the feeling of her arms around me, so it calmed me down a bit. I stopped crying.
"So, you still like Lucy better, eh?" Natsu pointed out.
"Yeah," I said, kissing her cheek again.
"Aww," Lucy said, kissing me back. I closed one eye as her lips met my cheek.
Natsu frowned. I smiled a little and giggled, "You're just unhappy because you don't get to kiss her!"
Natsu's face turned red, "I-I-I…"
I laughed again, "I was right! You love Lucy!"
"What do you know about love!?" Natsu demanded. I opened my mouth to say something, but couldn't think of anything. I closed my mouth again. Natsu grinned contentedly, "Didn't think so…"
I looked up at Lucy who'd been silent throughout our whole exchange, "Lucy?" I reached up and touched her forehead, "Your face is hot. Are you sick?"
She shook her head, "No." She stood up and carried me over to where Gray and Erza were sleeping. She set me down. I looked at her again and saw that her face was back to normal. I let my worry fall away.
"How are they still sleeping after all that?" Lucy asked.
I leaned over Gray and poked his face. He didn't even twitch. I touched Lucy's shoulder and looked up at her, "I think they're dead."
"Who died?!" Gray shouted, bolting upright. I screamed and jumped onto Lucy who toppled over and knocked heads with Gray. Lucy groaned. "I'm so sorry!" I cried, touching Lucy's head.
"Don't be. It was Gray's fault for scaring you," she mumbled, opening her eyes again.
I glared at Gray. "Don't look at me like that. It was an accident!" he said defensively. It only made me glare harder.
"It's alright. Blame Gray. He deserves some karma for always getting in those annoying fights," Erza said calmly, sitting up and yawning.
"Hey, Natsu also gets into those fights!" Gray protested.
"But we can't blame Natsu. He was just sitting over there the entire time," Lucy said, gesturing to where Natsu was sitting.
"I think his aura can destroy things and cause mischief without him even having to lift a finger," Gray pointed out.
Lucy and Erza nodded in unison. "That's possible," Lucy said, seriously believing it.
I walked over to where Natsu was. It struck me as strange that he hadn't yelled in outrage that they were blaming him for being present. When I got closer I noticed something strange. He was just sitting there like he was unconscious, yet he stayed upright. He was staring into space. "Natsu?" I waved my hand in front of his eyes. He didn't blink.
I poked his cheek. He didn't move. I turned, "Lucy, there's something wrong with Natsu!" She stood up to join me, but before she arrived at my side Natsu suddenly sparked to life.
"Val! We need to talk!" Natsu yelled, bolting upright. He scooped me up and slung me over his shoulder, bolting away from our campsite. I screamed for help, reaching for Lucy as my kidnapper made away with me.
"Wait, Natsu! Where are you taking him?" Lucy called after us.
"We're just going to have a little chat!" Natsu shouted back.
"Luuuuuucyyyyy! Help meeee!" I cried as she disappeared into the distance. Need help, kid? I shook my head in reply to my counterpart's question. I doubted that Natsu would actually hurt me. I was more crying for help because I wanted to stay with Lucy. When Natsu finally stopped running and set me down on the ground I tapped my foot impatiently.
Natsu knelt beside me and stayed silent. "Well?" I demanded, raising an eyebrow.
"Don't sass me," Natsu said, seeming a little preoccupied.
"Why'd you abduct me?" I asked, dropping my arms to my sides. I'd already forgiven him. Natsu plopped down beside me and pulled me onto his lap.
"Alright, I'm going to ask you a question. You can't laugh, ok?" he said, looking down at me.
"Is it going to be funny? If it's funny I can't guarantee I won't laugh," I said, looking him in the eye.
"That's harsh," Natsu said, frowning.
"I'm just telling it like it is," I said, nodding and crossing my arms.
"Why does it seem like you've turned into a reluctant pre-teen?" Natsu asked.
"Is that the question you wanted to ask me?"
"No."
I stared at him, waiting. He didn't speak. "So what is the question?" I asked, snapping the silence into tiny, little pieces intentionally.
"Do you think Lucy likes me? Answer honestly!" he said, his words rushing out of his mouth. He squeezed his eyes shut as if to brace for my answer.
"Yes," I replied without hesitation.
His eyes snapped open, "Really?"
"Yeah, but she likes me more," I said, grinning and nodding my head.
Natsu frowned, "That's not what I meant."
"What do you mean, then?" I asked, staring at him curiously. He means 'like' and in 'love', Lil' Me.
"You mean love?" I asked, wondering if the elder me was correct.
"Yes, I mean love," Natsu said, looking nervous. Older me: your statement has been confirmed.
"You love Lucy?" I asked. His face turned red and he nodded. "Is that why you want to kiss her?" I asked.
Natsu reeled back and I tumbled off of his lap, "What was that for?"
"I never said I wanted to kiss her! How did you know?" Natsu yelled.
"Because you did say you wanted to kiss her," I remarked, sitting up.
"I did?"
"Yes."
"Does she want to kiss me?"
"I don't know."
"Are you lying to me?"
"No."
"Guys? We need to get going!" Lucy called, pushing past an overgrown bush.
Natsu flinched, "She found us?"
"Lucy!" I yelled, bolting towards her. I leapt into her arms and she grunted as I smacked into her chest.
"I missed you, too," Lucy said, smiling. She looked up, "Natsu, come on! We aren't about to leave you behind!"
Natsu stood up, brushing off his pants and grinning, "Sure. Coming." He bounded up to us. Lucy, carrying me, walked beside Natsu. A thought popped into my head. I looked up at Lucy and touched her cheek lightly to get her attention. She looked at me, "What is it?"
"Do you want to kiss Natsu?" I asked. Her eyes went wide and she nearly dropped me. Her face turned red again.
"What?!" Lucy screamed, "Natsu, what did you talk to him about?!"
Natsu's hands flew up in surrender, "Nothing!"
"Well, do you?" I insisted, leaning forward. Her face turned even redder. I looked at Natsu, "I think she wants to kiss you." I nodded. Natsu looked petrified and I wondered why.
"I never said that!" Lucy shouted, shoving me into Natsu's arms and stomping away. Sticks cracked under her feet and she mumbled to herself. I looked at Natsu, "Did I do something wrong?"
He shook his head and patted mine, "Nope. It was my fault." He started after Lucy, still carrying me in his arms.
"Yeah, because 'his aura can destroy things and cause mischief without him even having to lift a finger'!" I recited, repeating Gray's statement word for word.
Natsu frowned, "Who said that?"
"Gray did," I replied, resting my head on Natsu's chest.
"Remind me to beat him up when we get back, ok?" Natsu requested.
I grinned and wrapped my arms around his neck, "Ok."
What an annoying guy, older me said in my head. I frowned, "I like him."
"Like who?" Natsu asked.
"I'm not talking to you," I said, holding up my hand to silence him.
He's an annoying buffoon. I looked at Natsu, "He says you're an annoying buffoon."
"Did Gray say that?" Natsu demanded, looking offended.
"No, Val did," I said. Oh, tell him I think he's a daft ignoramus! That's a good one.
"He says you're a daft iganmus," I said, nodding. Then on second thought, "What's an iganmus?" I said ignoramus, not iganmus.
"Oh, he said ig-nor-a-mus," I said, enunciating each syllable, "What's an ignoramus?"
Natsu shrugged, "Tell him I think he's…" Natsu's voice left off as he tried to think of a good insult. "…mean…"
I laughed and so did the older me. "Don't laugh!" Natsu shouted.
"Sorry, I just think you're dumb, too," I said, still giggling. Natsu frowned and then ruffled my hair, "Yeah, guess so."
I smiled and let my head fall against his shoulder. I closed my eyes. I whispered one thing before I fell asleep, "But, if you can make Lucy happy, I think it's ok."
A/N: This chapter was pretty fun. Val is so cute and innocent. Anyway, don't forget to leave me a wondrous review, please!
PS
Sorry I didn't update yesterday. I don't really have an excuse. I guess you can let your little imaginations run wild. Maybe I was too busy completing a top-secret mission for the CIA in which I had to avoid being shot. Maybe my absence was due to my being trapped inside of the stomach of a humpback whale. Maybe I was occupied by the sudden desire to go skydiving that struck me after I last updated, which led, of course, to some hardcore plane-jumping. Maybe I just forgot. Who knows, right? Maybe if I get enough reviews I won't ride on the back of a lion through NYC listening to Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO...just maybe then the next update'll come quicker. If you don't want me to risk my life riding a lion and listening to LMFAO, leave a review. Dead serious, (Well, I might end up that way if I attempt to ride a lion).