Her most important thing
''LUUUUUUCYYYYYYY!'' he yelled over to the body that was rolling on the ground.
She saved his life. She just saved his stupid life!
He immediately took control over the rein and thrust it in the side Lucy had fallen, having the horse turn around in one jump. His heart was racing like crazy. He was bathing in his own sweat. His whole body was trembling. He was running exactly towards the enemies, who were now occupied being desperate that the accidentally hit the princess. Some were stopping their horses to check if the princess was still alive. Natsu needed all his courage right now, but he just couldn't stop feel like a coward shaking in fear. And not because of the bunch of losers. He felt how fear vanished, anger taking its place. He let out a groan of frustration, which gained the attention of the knights. Some were already getting out of his way, but some prepared their swords to face him. He was gaining speed with every step of the horse's. He had to get Lucy, but it was impossible to be gentle. He had to catch her like he did last time. But how could he? Only an expert in horses could lower his body as much as to grab a body laying on the ground. If he wanted to do this, he had to believe in miracles like he never did.
His blood was pumping in his temples. He felt how adrenaline spread through his aching body. He was getting close to Lucy. He lowered his body as much as he did, one hand hanging in the air, one holding the rein so tight you could tell in was part of his hand. He made sure he rolled it around his arm so it would be impossible to drop it. His sweat was getting in his eyes. His pant and the horse's pant were almost as deep. He lowered his body even more. His feet were jabbed into the horse's points. He used his every muscle just for this one move.
It would have normally been annoying. To save Lucy, it was really annoying. He recalled he had done this before, but it was nothing similar. They were playing by the river in one hot summer. She didn't know how to swim and she fell. He remembered how she struggled to get to the surface as he as laughing like a devil. But suddenly she was covered by the water entirely and she didn't get out anymore. The first second, he had enjoyed it, the next… he was getting worried. He remembered well enough that even though they were on bad terms, they used to always play with each other. And he got worried and saved her. He looked annoyed and he made sure she thought it was because she couldn't save herself. But he knew that he had been really worried. And this was one of the reasons she learned how to swim well –in order not to be a burden anymore. This was one of the reasons she was a champion at swimming nowadays. In the end, they had always cared for each other deep in their hearts.
But this was different. And as he realized this, a tear rolled down his cheek. Yes, she was annoying. Yes, he hated her. But he didn't want her to die. And now that she saved her life… he realized he might not hate her at all, in fact. He closed his eyes and prayed to God.
With one last lower of his body and arm, he felt the heavy body of hers practically braking his bones at that speed. He was prepared to face the swords of the soldiers, but instead, he only felt the cold air striking his face. The sound of the hooves racing on the ground had stopped. When? But he still felt the speed.
He opened his eyes as he lifted the body in his arm. They were flying! That Pegasus finally decided to fly! But he barely noticed this.
He held Lucy in his arms shaking from top to toe. The arrow was broken from when she rolled on the ground. He was afraid to turn her on the other side. He was afraid to see her face. But he still did it. With careful moves, he rolled her and looked at her pale face.
.
.
.
She was dead.
Something inside him broke while his heart stopped. Her closed eyes would never look at him like he recently discovered he liked. He would never see her beautiful, chocolate eyes ever again. She was gone. He shook his head softly while staring at her. This wasn't happening. This was absolutely to him.
She was alive a few moments ago. She was looking in his eyes just a moment ago.
His eyes rolled to the wound. Her dress was covered in blood.
If he had just been faster…
He caught the arrow between his shaky fingers, but then tightened his grip. He breathed deeply and grimaced as he took the arrow out of her chest. It wasn't the heart… but it was still the chest. He whimpered and felt the pain in his own chest. He was supposed to feel that, not her. For the first time in his life, he felt the burden of a heavy failure striking him. He failed to protect her. He never said he would, but inside his heart he knew that somehow… just somehow… she was already part of his life. That's why, still deep inside his heart, he knew he had to keep that piece of his life alive. If he lost it, he knew it would hurt. And that's why it hurt so much when he realized she wasn't anymore.
He touched her white face with his fingers covered in blood. He could still not get used to this thing. No, this was a dream. Tomorrow morning he will wake up late, as usual, him mom will enter his room screaming how he should be more responsible like Lucy, the neighbor. He would lazily go down to the kitchen and eat the same cereals and listen to his dad's latest jokes. He would go to school and gaze at the pretty girls and their perfect legs. He would sleep in breaks and then the classes will be over. He would meet with Lucy on his way home and they will start arguing again. He would call her 'annoying nerd and cow' and she would call him 'rat, bastard, idiot and rascal'. This will definitely happen, right?
He felt more tears rolling down his cheek.
''Lucy…'' he whimpered.
She was beautiful. For the first time in his life, he saw her beautiful. Not the 'beautiful ' he used for hot girls. The 'beautiful' he just learned. The 'beautiful' he thought of Lucy right now. Her white face seemed perfect even though she had little blood lines traced from the corner of her lips to her chin; and he wondered how could he not notice this before.
''You can't do this. This is not the way things go, you cow.'' he whimpered while he tried to shut his tears down. Why was he even crying?
The worst part was that he felt like this world was real more than ever. He felt the weight of being alone in a completely alien world and for the first time, he realized how much he needed Lucy.
In a flinch, he found himself overwhelmed by the saving memory of Lucy telling him of the witch. She said that witch can help them. If she knew their past, she must've known their future, too. That means she knew Lucy would die, but she still called her out to her place. And that means… she could save her.
His heart started beating faster again, this time with excitement. He wiped his tears away and only then realized he was flying. He stared at the horse and then thought that, if Lucy managed to make him flutter him wings with words, maybe she was right and this animal could actually understand what they were saying.
''D-Dude…'' he whispered, slowly beginning to feel like an idiot.
''Can you understand me?''
He could swear he saw his head turn a little in one side, the way humans do when they are listening to what a person at their back says.
''Listen…'' he started, hoping for the best. ''… do you know where the witch this girl was talking about lives? I-I'm just saying… you might know. So…''
The horse made a sudden change of direction that took Natsu by surprise and he almost fell off. Almost. The young man stared at the horse. He smiled brightly. The horse knew what Natsu was talking about; and he knew what he was doing.
Hopefully, Lucy will be all right! There was a new hope and Natsu was happy. He sighed in relief and held Lucy tighter. Her corpse still gave his shivers, but he ignored them.
Time passed by without trace. Natsu didn't know how it could fly so fast, but he saw the sky getting more and more orange, darker shades as minutes passed. And he was also getting sleepy. He often looked at the horse, without saying a word. He was grateful to this animal as he had never been to anyone in his life. He wanted to say something to him, but he didn't know what. When he finally found the right words, he spoke loud enough.
''Thank you, horsie. I hope when we will land I can do something for you in return.''
The horse didn't reply. It looked dumb like a random animal and Natsu was starting to doubt it was actually a smart animal.
''Um… when are we going to land, anyway?''
No reply, as expected.
Natsu had a feeling he was just playing dumb, so he easily patted the soft fur, dirtying it with Lucy's blood.
''You better keep your energy to take care of her.''
Natsu flinched and looked at the horse. He was looking back at Natsu with big, serious eyes. And then, as if nothing happened, he looked back at the clouds and lands like a dumb animal.
The young man raised Lucy to keep her from falling down and placed on a better spot in his arms.
Soon, he was getting more sleepy and cold. There were a few times when he drifted off to sleep only to wake up before falling off. It was difficult to also keep Lucy from falling, but he somehow managed it. And because he was getting cold, he hugged Lucy tighter. But she was also cold. She wasn't warm as she was supposed to be, her body temperature was too low to keep him warm and that make him want to somehow hold the warmth from getting away, but there didn't seem to be any way.
Just when he though he couldn't bare it anymore, he felt how they were losing height. It was already dark. Natsu spotted the lights of a house below them with his sleepy eyes. The Pegasus was falling toward that house. The young man yawned for the hundredth time that evening and blinked slowly. With a loud 'thud' and a sudden move, the horse landed. Natsu almost managed to wake up for good. He got off without hesitation, carefully carrying Lucy toward the door of the little cottage. He then stopped, looked at the horse and horse looked back at him. He nodded easily in gratefulness.
The door opened before he even touched the latch. An old woman showed herself in front of Natsu. She was smiling. She was short, ugly with deformed face and body; she was wearing a black dress and a broom in her hand. Natsu thought this was the perfect image of a witch. Her black hair was rare and gross. Her big nose was covered with beauty spots, especially a big one with a hair in the middle of it. Yeah. Definitely the perfect image of a witch.
The woman stepped aside and showed Natsu inside the house.
''Come, the witch is waiting for you.''
''Wait, so you're not the witch?'' he said confused.
The woman frowned.
''Of course not, I'm the cleaning lady!''
So the broom wasn't for…
Natsu entered the room deciding to ignore everything and just concentrate on bringing Lucy back to life. He was carrying her in a princess-carry. Somehow, everything made sense –she was a princess in this world. He gave little attention to the arrangements inside, but he gave huge attention to the real witch. How could he not? In the moment he noticed her, he froze. She was the sexiest woman he had ever seen. She had long, raven hair tied up in two pigtails, a tall and sharp black hat on her head. She had deep, light green and big eyes, little and delicate nose, fleshy, red and partly opened lips and she was licking an even redder lollipop. She had huge… and a really short black dress that was affixed on her lustful body with long sleeves, but naked shoulders. She had a pair of stripped pantyhose in black and white, and a pair of black, simple boots. She was smiling softly and playfully like a cat while she was sitting on the edge of a table. She didn't even look surprised when she saw Lucy. She must've expected this.
With a simple move of her hand, she showed Natsu a place where to couch Lucy. She was, indeed prepared. Trying to get over the heat he felt when seeing the witch, he concentrated all his attention on the patient.
He placed her carefully on the white blanket and looked at the raven haired woman. She was still smiling.
''C-Can you help her?'' was all he was able to say.
The witch continued smiling. She shook her head easily, her eyes fixed on Natsu.
''Me? No, I can't.''
Her voice was incredibly sweet and charming, but Natsu only felt like his world broke in two. Was she kidding him?!
''But my magic can.''
She grinned and jumped lively off the table. She rushed over to a little cabinet. She took a few potions in colorful vials humming and walked back to Natsu. She threw him all of them and rushed back at the cabinet. He barely caught them and thought she must've been crazy to be so irresponsible with such important things.
''What do I do with these?''
''Nothing, you just take her clothes off.''
He couldn't help but flush. In normal circumstances, he would've said it was too gross to do it, but now he tried to only think about what he had to do. He stared at her, wondering where to start.
''Just tear it, we don't have time.''
He looked at the woman who was taking different things from every corner of the room. She definitely knew what she was doing and he had to trust her. But why didn't they have enough time? He looked back at Lucy and felt something blocking his way of breathing. His shaky hands caught her collar and hesitated before pulled it with all his strength. Man, this material was good, no kidding. He eventually managed to tear it apart. At first, everything was covered in blood, but he noticed she had one more round of clothes. He hesitated again.
''Hurry up, there's no time to think about how much you seem like a rapist!''
He sweatdropped; actually, he hadn't thought that at all, but now that she said it…
He broke the other clothes and finally managed to get her wound free. There is no need to give details, but let's just say he kept shifting and he knew he was red, even though he tried as hard as he could to remember there was a wound! A wound, not… Hmm… But anyway…
The witch was also ready and she sat down on the other side of the corpse than Natsu. She handed him a green bottle of potion.
''Here. Pour this in her wound.''
''How much?''
''You'll know.''
She ignored his glare and continued preparing a bandage for later. Natsu started pouring carefully the green liquid and after a few seconds, the liquid was over. The witch smiled at him.
''See? I told you you'll know.''
He decided not to comment and took the next bottle she gave him. He let only five drops fall, as she told him. And he kept doing this until he asked her why were they doing this.
''For disinfection. And also to have her cells work again. And also because what comes next…''
She opened a little book in the middle.
''…Will bring her back to life.''
She grinned.
''You know what you're doing, right?''
''I dunno. I've never done this before.'' she grinned wider sheepishly.
He flinched, but he didn't have the time to stop her. She started reading something from the book; the language-unknown. She was loud and clear and soon, some other unidentified voices joined too. He stared at her. Her hair floated in the air while her eyes were closed. The room got dark, then it was filled with a green steam, then read steam and finally, white steam. He didn't even have time to flinch when she suddenly took his arm and cut it with one move. His wound was right above Lucy's wound. His blood immediately fell inside her body.
His eyes widened as he saw her wound closing in a few seconds and her flesh getting back to normal, as if nothing actually happened. He turned his attention to her face right away. But she wasn't moving. Everything went back to normal. The witch sighed relieved and took a white towel. She handed it to him.
''Clean her.'' she said.
He stared at her.
''Wait. Why isn't anything happening? Why is she still the same?''
''Are you blind? The wound is closed. This is what I intended to do.''
''You said you would bring her back to life!''
She smiled.
''I did. But I didn't say immediately, now did I?''
He looked at her like she was crazy. She giggled. Calm down, it's just that there are a little more things to do. For now, she is sleeping deeply. You need to be patient.''
''Then what are you waiting for? Finish this! You said we didn't have time, didn't you?''
She looked in his eyes smiling.
''Yes, we need to finish this before dawn.''
He rose up and looked down at her.
''Then what are you waiting for, witch?!''
''Calm down. Is this how you ask for a favor?''
He gritted his teeth, but chilled out fast. She was right.
''So what do we need to do?''
''No, the question is what you need to do.'' she smirked.
She opened her palm and, with a little red explosion, a pink notebook appeared in her hand.
''You will find the answer in here.''
''What is this?''
''Her diary.''
''How did you-''
''It doesn't matter. Listen carefully. The spell she is under only works if the person who died fond the most important thing for him after all the spells had been done. In other words, if you want this chick to wake up, you need to read this carefully and find what is the most important thing for her. Then, you will have to get it for her and she wakes up! Everything before dawn.''
''What?! In just one night?!''
''You better hurry up, right?'' she threw him the pink notebook. It looked very thick, especially in this moment. he hesitated, but eventually opened it at the first page.
Ok. First of all, let's make it clear. I hate pink!
But considering that my mother loves it, I was literally forced to have this diary. No. This pink story with my closet. It love green (MY FAVOURITE COLOR!), but the pink just… ruins it!
But, considering I already bought you (mom says it's a constructive and good way of spending my time – thinking about my emotions and creating a picture of my real self), I feel forced to cooperate and write. What? Heavens know.
Haah… Guess I'll have to start with the most overwhelming feeling. This is the only thing I can think about right now and it's about… yeah…. Obviously, NATSU. And yes, he is a feeling. He is nastiness itself! I HATE him!
Natsu frowned. He was starting to get interested.
It happened three days ago. On my birthday! Of course, mom just had to force me to invite him at my party. I was planning to do a pajama party for me and my friends, but NO, Natsu is our neighbor and I have to get on good terms with him. Yes of course. And so, I had to invite another few guys so it wouldn't be awkward for him to be surrounded by girls. And to make things even worse, as a present, he got me a pink bunny! He knew how much I hated pink! He knew it!
But he never did… Natsu stared at the pages. He didn't know she would react like that. That had been one of the rare times when he actually tried to be nice. Looks like he had failed.
Anyway, fact is, when I told mom about it, she said she thought it was nice of him to buy me such a sweet present. She made herself clear she didn't want me to throw it away! Now what? She wants me to sleep with it instead of my turtle, ? Funny, right? Because that's exactly what happened last night. I had a stupid nightmare where that rabbit was Natsu and it locked me in my own room. It was really scarrry, but it doesn't matter. Mom came at me in the middle of the night and, without hearing me out, she gave he that bunny to sleep with! She took and gave me the stupid bunny! And that's why I always had a feeling it was only Natsu's fault! It's his fault my birthday party was a failure! It's his fault I had the nightmare! It's his fault I don't get to sleep with my turtle anymore! I hate him! IhatehimIhatehimIhatehimIhatehim!
But… even so… Well, I am starting to understand why people have diaries. I have a deep deep thought that I would nevereverneverever tell anyone… but my personal diary. Well, you see… After I slept with the bunny, I had a really peaceful night. I think I am … starting to like it… But maybe that's only because mom forced me to spend so much time with it!
So, as a P.S., I think deep inside that mom was right and that this bunny is quite adorable in its own way, but I seriously deny it. I still have my pride!
Natsu smiled softly. He started reading the next 'chapter':
It's a rany day. A reaaaaaally rany day. I don't know why… but I am very sleeepppy… and saaaddd…
I'd do anything for someone to play with right now. But all I can do is stay at my window and stare outside. Oh, by the way, this week we aren't going to school! I should be happy, but…. I am reeeealllly bored. At least at school I could've played with Mira and Cana. Last month, Cana peed on her pants because she drank too much juice. They all started laughing! They're all so mean! And guess what! Natsu was the one who laughed the hardest! He's the leader of the meanies!
Oh, speaking of Natsu… I… uh…I ….
Well I know it will sound super creepy and weird! But I miss him… I really don't know why, but this week he's gone in vacantion with his parents at his aunt and uncle, and I miss playing with him. Even though he'd probably just make fun of me and he would always be the coolest guy in our games, I kinda got used to it.
Oh maaaannn, I guess the rain is just making me say realy weird stuff! I want to go outside and plaaaaayyyy! Wait, mom is calling for me downstairs. Be right back.
Yes. Mom told me I can call Natsu. I don't know how she found out I missed him, but she gave me her cellphone and I talked to Natsu. He was mean, as usual, but I kinda enjoyed talking to him. At their place it's sunny and warm, lucky him!
Oh wait, the sun came out! Oh man, I'm so happy. Well, it guess this is it. I'm going outside to plaaaayyyy!
P.S.- I'm so glad there's not going to be any Natsu to piss me off with those disgusting slugs!
Natsu smiled wider. This was so cute! It was the first time he had ever seen things from her perspective. It was more interesting than he expected. He kept on reading until he reached the latest chapters. That was when he remembered time was passing and it must've been already morning. He looked outside fast, but the witch, who was standing somewhere beside him smiled and said:
''It's ok. You wouldn't be able to finish all the tasks I gave you in one night. I stopped the time.''
He sighed with relief and continued his reading.
Today was the best day ever! Jason talked to me! I know I've only been here for a few months, but I like his so muuuuchhh! It's exactly as they say – your heart starts beating faster, your cheeks turn red, you keep shifting and you can't look in his eyes without getting any redder! Even though he only said a few words to me, I am so happy I could even kiss Natsu on the cheek! I must say, if it wasn't Natsu who came to my classroom to ask me something, Jason wouldn't have talked to me. So THANK YOU NATSU! I am sooo happy~ I could be singing all day!
He finished reading for that day and started the next one. It was dated for the next day.
Hahaha…ha…Hello there. Hey… uh… I…I guess I gotta tell you this one. So yeah… um… remember yesterday, when I told you Jason talked to me? Yup. Well, I never said what he told me. It was nothing much, as I probably said. He and I had a test and he asked me how I've done. So yeah, today I overheard a conversation between him and a friend. He said… bad things about me, of course. Something like how I am really ugly and boring. He also told him he asked me yesterday about the test. I thought it was because of Natsu, but it seems like out homeroom teacher asked him to do this. She thought I was too unsociable and was worried about me. She asked my classmates to be good and to talk to me.
Right.
So, in the end, I was, besides all, wrong to think Natsu was the one who helped that happen. Yes, of course.
It makes me laugh, you know? How I've so stupid. Jason is right. Why would anybody care about me? Why would anybody talk to me purposely? Even the homeroom teacher has a bad opinion about me if she asked everyone to do this. And even Natsu. But why should I be surprised? It's funny though. Sometimes I get the feeling he cares about me. But, after all, it was just me being a fool like always. I think this is one of the problems girls have – they can get the wrong idea very easily and they get very affected when they find out it isn't true. I shouldn't care, I know I shouldn't care. I shouldn't care that Natsu and the others dislike me. Then why does it hurt so much? Why do I feel my heart squeeze every time I remember he hates me? There are times when I hate him, too. But in the end it turns out to be just anger. I don't know if I ever hated him for real. I've… realized that pretty long ago. But he hates me for real. And it hurts…
There are times when I wonder if we could ever get on good terms. There are times when I wonder what makes me be so mean to him even if he doesn't do anything. Pride, I guess. It has always been pride that forbid me to do many things. Like telling him I'm sorry. After every fight we had I ended up feeling sorry for everything I said. Will I ever be able to tell him this?
Wish me luck. Tomorrow is a brand new day and I will need support. But then again… who will ever support me?
He could see the traces of water on the paper in little spots. She had been crying while she wrote all these. He stared at the diary. That had been the last page. He had no idea this was how Lucy was feeling.
From that moment, his whole perspective of her changed.
''Well? I see you finished reading. Did you find out what her most important thing is?'' the witch broke into his thoughts.
He didn't reply. Her most important thing? He found out many things about her, indeed, but what could her most important thing be?
He thought about every page he read. The only common thing between them was…
…Him.
Did that mean…?