Ah, I'm sleepy.

First of all, I'm terribly sorry for not being able to have a quicker update. Been boxing with life lately, you see? Luckily, I have still enough time to spare some to watch the anime and read the manga of the Fairy Tail.

For the last 4 or 5 episodes, we have been being showered by lots of Lisanna and Bixlow scenes. What could I ask for more? Haha, yes I could ask for them to become a couple but oh well... For the ones who is seeking out any tiny bit of relationship development pattern for Lisanna and Bixlow in every little thing they say or make, I admit that I'm having the same typical fangirl moments as you do. Seeing them standing nearby each other is enough for me to watch the episode like... 12 times?

They both really are awesome.

Bixlow's rolling off to the battle scene with his trademark laugh, his babies, his sexy voice( personal opinion time!) and all with his insanity, while we see Lisanna performing some awesome stunts in her Tiger form. That Triple Unison Raid blew my mind away. They were both the mains during the battles I think.

Btw guys. I now have a tumblr with the same nickname if you are interested in, yet, due to my busy school life, I am only able to reblog stuff I like (mostly Lis and Bix screenshots.)

To Forget to Remember

Chapter 9:

All about the Tunnels and Relationships

When she woke up, she realized she must have fallen as sleep nearby the camp fire, while listening to Bixlow.

And it must have been him who brought her back to her tent.

Lisanna got up ready for the day, forming somewhat of a campaign plan as she walked towards the same circle where yesterday's camp fire was set in the middle.

"Morning all!" she had greeted all before she suspected Fried.

"Good Morning Lisanna. You look healthy and ready." he said with a gentle sympathy in his voice.

"Told you so," Lisanna grinned confidently, placing herself nearby him on a wooden block, accepting the food he had offered to her. They munched on their breads silently for a minute or two with the pleasure of filling their stomach. It was until Lisanna steepened her neck, only to observe her surroundings in a rather anticipating way.

"I should go and wake Bixlow up sometime," Fried muttered silently, but loudly enough to make Lisanna hear him clear enough to react.

"Is he still sleeping? I can wake him up. Stay still!" Lisanna stood up in a blink of an eye.

Fried couldn't avoid and welcomed a humble smile over his face. Those two, oddly yet in an appreciable way, were getting along more than anyone else could think of.

And if they thought that Fried was missing each tiny development of this blooming relationship...

...Oh well, he was going to let things stay this way. Who knew when he would need to blackmail someone?

-üöü-

She peeked into his tent hesitantly, hoping to not bust him like a stalker while he was dressing up.

Her eyes instantly softened when she saw him sleeping peacefully in his sleeping bag, snoring softly. He must have been up too late at night. She hardly had the heart to wake him up.

She tiptoed to his side and kneeled down beside him. His chest was prone to ground, allowing him to embrace his pillow dearly.

Lisanna let out a silent giggle.

Cute.

Then her attention went to his hair. Her hands accompanied her thoughts. She tapped on the pointy endings of his hair.

She grinned, wondering what his reaction would have been if he had seen it.

"Bixlow, it's time to wake up,"

.

.

.

Bixlow.

.

.

.

Bixlow?

.

.

.

Was he dreaming?

"Hey sleepy head. You there?"

Bixlow was still being disturbingly shook out of his sweet sleep by that very certain girl.

"Finally! It's a pain in the neck to wake you up,"

"What's 'rong with ya Zoo, shakin' me that way?" Bixlow muttered sleepily, looking up at her kneeled form with one eye half open.

"We've a task to fulfill, you know? "

Lisanna glared at him from above and couldn't retrain herself from observing his facial features. It was not very often to see his face unmasked. His appearance was quiet extraterrestrial. A tattooed man figure was in the upper mid of his face, accompanying his sharp facial features and something other not to be forgotten, a pair of piercing red eyes looking into hers.

Those eyes weren't even serious when they were looking at her, but knowing that wasn't taking off the pressure she was faintly feeling.

"Don't worry, I ain't gonna take your soul. At least for now," he turned his body towards her direction as he placed his elbows against the ground, supporting his upper body to straigth up to face her closer.

"You dare and I'll scratch you," she threatened, narrowing her eyes to imply she wasn't easy.

They were still close, much closer than they had been yesterday. There didn't come out a word as they kept up with their staring contest until they both realized they were so close that their breaths warmed up the tiny gap between them. It was Lisanna first who attempted to avoid her eye contact with him and not being able to hide her cheeks reddening faintly as she did so.

Bixlow observed her uneasiness, glad that he wasn't a girl or a teenager who would have ended up this way. She was shy and innocent when she distanced herself away politely. Such reactions obviously wouldn't suit Bixlow as much as they suited to her. He chuckled.

"I doubt you'd do. I know you won't be seein' it coming when I activate 'em." He ruffled her hair playfully, somewhat softening the tension in between as he also got out of his bed in his usual pants and an undershirt.

Lisanna had the courage to look back at him as she felt a relaxation spreading through her body. She saw his back as she looked way up. She couldn't pass scanning his form. He was very tall, tanned and muscular.

Eye candy…

AH WHAT?

Lisanna shook away her thoughts. Cana and her calling guys names! She was never going to sit near her while she was eyeing Laxus over her table.

She noted that down, cleaned her throat then continued as normally as she could.

"I heard a lion had gotten you, so why not a tiger?" she smirked in her own way up at his back.

Bixlow shot her a glare over his shoulder.

And Lisanna had to laugh.

"Who told ya this?"

"Well, I've overheard it from Loke while he was with Macao. He looked quite proud of himself as he talked."

"He should be. Mine was an unfailin' combination. Ah ...but if that casanova still thinks that he can beat me if we re-match, things won't be that pretty for his good looks. I wasn't even serious." Bixlow snarled the last part.

"I think you have a good amount of chance of winning. I remember how you efficiently took down Rusty Rose back at the Tenrou Island." Lisanna approved quiet enthusiastically.

"...And you're just another ex who's up for revenge?" He raised a questioning eyebrow.

"What? No! How could you make that up?" Lisanna made a sour face.

"Just guessed. He dates a lot of girls n' stuff and you were so into me beatin' him up," Bixlow was looking for his boots at the moment as he babbled his response.

"Are you for real? He is just ...not my type. I don't like guys who change girls like they change their sweaters. I don't want to prejudge a lot before getting to know him decently though. Lucy told me that he was very caring when he wanted to be. And to think of it, he is good looking... But still... It's a no." Lisanna rolled her eyes.

"Wasn't that cosplay freak gonna date with him instead of Salamander? I was matchin' them together actually. Loke was also very interested in her,"

"Yes, Happy told me that too but I don't think Lucy harbored the same feelings for him as for Natsu. And for Natsu and Lucy… Personally I think that they are just the perfect match." She said.

"Hmm ...Why'd you say that?"

"Because… instead of their physical relationship as lovers, they also know how to get along very well. They are able to do everything together, and they mean to do things so naturally. Their power overflows into each other. It's like that they can take on the world as long as they are together. I appreciate their way with each other." she said with a smile more to herself as she looked at the ground thoughtfully.

Bixlow looked at her with a frown.

"You might be a good actress but you're lyin','" He said simply.

"Wh-where did you come with that?"

"Psh, come on. You can't act your way as long 's you're talking to me,"

Lisanna's eyes gazed around on the ground; worry was taking over her gestures. Were his abilities beyond of manipulation?

"I neither read your mind nor use magic. Your eyes give you away quiet easily. You aren't fully yourself when you speak 'bout those two. It's like something botherin' you." He finally commented as he searched furthermore.

Lisanna couldn't think of a proper response. Was he expecting her to admit in some sort of way like Yes, their relationship disturbs me. Or I should have been in Lucy's place? Although her heart had once been broken into many pieces, she couldn't be so cruel about those two who she found so close as her family. Those two being together didn't change the fact that she harbored a friendly love for both so dearly.

Honestly, Lisanna wasn't angry to Natsu or Lucy about anything they did.

It was only that she was sad because of being misplaced. After all, it was her that Natsu could put his all trust in without a doubt. It was her who kept company to him all the time (Except Happy). Now though, they hardly talked. She remembered the morning right before she began her preparations to travel to Dejakmara, the morning she sat with them.

It didn't take her couple of minutes to figure out she was the one who was distancing herself away from them with the hidden despair, followed by the panic to get away from them every time without being able to explain much.

It was hard to keep all the confusion and loneliness to herself.

Back at the Tenrou though, she oddly happened to be the one to charge Lucy to never leave Natsu's side. Because, deep down in her heart, she believed Lucy was both emotionally and physically strong enough to support Natsu back on his feet.

Seems like all those things she had just bursted to Bixlow weren't solely made of lies. But still, she found herself forcing her words out of her throat in not an entirely sincere fashion.

It was hard to admit.

"That damned shoe is nowhere to be found." Bixlow sighed with frustration.

"Help me findin', babies" the saying got his babies out of their hibernation mode. They all yawned then took off to fly around randomly, investigating every possible place that the boot might have stuck into.

Bixlow's babies started to circle around Lisanna. To specify, they were circling around her waist as she was sitting on the ground, her legs crossed.

Lisanna didn't understand what was going on first.

"Damn, I guess they found the other one,"

Lisanna stood up immediately from her place to let Bixlow take off the sheets in order to reach out for what was missing.

"God, Zoo... You've squished it under your butt," Bixlow turned the boot 180 degree on his eye level, pouting each time as he recognized more creases over the neck of the boot.

"It is not my fault that you're untidy and your clothes are everywhere. Couldn't you also put your complaints in a politer way?" she scowled.

"Erm... that'd be really cool if you could figure out you were pressin' my boot under the weight of... Of your ass?"

Lisanna sighed in defeat. But it didn't detain her smacking his bare arm as she walked to the entrance of the tent.

"I'll be with the others. Make it quick," she went out of the tent to allow him to dress up peacefully.

Bixlow stared at the spot she had vanished.

He wiped his face with his hand, cursing himself repeatedly for not being able to differ ass and butt from each other.

Oh please… Who could?

And no, he knew it was the issue of Salamander and the Cosplay Maniac Queen that actually made her leave out the tent. Bixlow didn't see himself doing anything wrong. Before it was too late, she had to shatter those fake smiles away.

It was good to see that she became hesitant for the first time she put on that smile to him. She was in a dilemma, it was clear. However, whether a part of her was believable, she also had the right to feel sad about it, and so to express.

Bixlow was on the right track.

-üöü-

She looked down deep at the enormous dent in the ground before entering in.

"I hope you are ready," Fried said after he had called everyone around.

"I am," Lisanna said assuringly.

"Lead the way then," Bixlow voiced on her other side.

Lisanna nodded.

"Animal Soul! Deganor!"

A crowd of mages had been standing still before her when she called out for her spell loudly. Her magic aura rose around brightly as a large, circular magic seal appeared above her head. She was no longer seen at the time the emitting aura rose higher above her to construct a mightier being. Mages looked at the giant bug in front of them which was once just a little girl.

The groups travelled to the underground with the help of Lisanna, or some preferred to use their magic to do so. When they arrived, the dimmed sunlight was not enough to illuminate the whole tunnel. Some mages who could lit up a source of light led their way.

"Follow her and do not separate from the group," Fried said.

With Lisanna's guidance, the guild groups walked forward. It was safe and sound for all, at least for that while.

Lisanna was following her absolute senses to detect the main nests of the bugs. The pheromone of the specie was allowing her to understand every movement pattern in the place. This invisible path and her instincts were telling her what she had to do to go back "home".

They walked deeper and deeper; probably it had been almost an hour since their feet touched the damp soil. Eventually, the tunnels started to separate by two to three. The groups hesitated by such coincidence, but Lisanna was so sure of herself. She didn't take a break and followed the way she found the most appropriate.

"Wonder how she does that," Bixlow murmured as he walked nearby Fried.

Unlike the way they had been going through, the flat surface under them was forming into a slope towards to a cliffy ending.

The bug climbed up to the hill and others followed after slowly. She had stood at the edge of the cliff for a while before she transformed back to her old self with a need of explaining what was going above them.

The mages observed the broken eggs stuck on the ceiling. They were the main reason of the fertility of the Dejakmara's lands as Lisanna remembered, and the newly born larvas were spread around the grounding below. The worst part of it was the fact that they were currently being taken care of the worker bugs.

"This is where it starts," Fried said, his hand gently touching the grip of his sword.

"It's one of the other nests they have made for their eggs. There should be another tunnel down there that will lead us to the other nests and the nest of the Queen," She added.

Chattering grew louder behind the mages of the Fairy Tail.

"We'll all be fine as long as someone doesn't use all his magic power to blow up the place," Bixlow responded to those who were discussing the dangers of using magic under tones of soil and rock.

"Yes, limit yourselves," Fried agreed, and then he became the first one to fly down to the nest's grounds.

A battle started solely in ten seconds.

Magic seals flashed and spells were casted rapidly as the bugs fell down one by one.

Lisanna looked at the mess around as she transformed back to her human form.

"Now what?" she heard Bixlow approached.

"This way," she said and the groups followed her guidance once again. They passed through a shorter tunnel, only to end up seeing not a very pleasant surprise.

"The hell?" Bixlow lifted his head up at the gigantic soil wall in front of them. There were six carved tunnels that were opened in very randomly.

"They are all tunnels which lead to a nest but, it isn't clear which leads to Queen's. I wasn't able to sense her scent during the battle,"

"We should separate," someone said as he went out of the crowd. It was the leader of the group who came from the mage guild Ashtray Phoenix, Yeva. A white haired mage he was as Lisanna, he was also one of the users of the Archive magic.

"It is obviously the only option," Fried said as he nodded slightly.

Yeva's archive screen extended in front of everyone as he started to write down some codes onto the keyboard. This caused the transfer of a body link to each group's leader.

"With this way, I will both make sure of your safety and will create a map out of the tracks you used" he said.

Then another download bar appeared in front of Fried and other team's leaders.

"This is an informative link, it will keep us in touch to transfer information. Don't forget to report often so that I can collect enough data about our progress,"

"Forget about the maps, ya lead the way," Bixlow said as he smirked at Lisanna.

"Of course I will," Lisanna said, smirking back a bit.

And they took off.

When I'll have the enough time, I'll correct the stupid errors in all the chapters. (Yea, I saw a few in every. I know my mistakes D: )

It was going to be a longer chapter, but again, I found it proper to divide it.

Anyways, thanks for reading!

And as I always say, don't hesitate to review!