I'm sorry in advance cause this update won't be as long as my usual updates. Sorry! I was really busy this past few weeks and I don't have that much inspiration writing. =((( Truly sorry. Well it'll be my Christmas break soon so maybe I could update regularly again. Hahaha And thank you for all the supports! I'm really happy this fic is progressing. That's all because of you beautiful viewers. Well 'til next update!

Can someone please enlighten me of why there is no FT manga update last week? My week isn't complete. I was devastated. Thank you!

Chapter 12

It was comfortable.

A really comfortable one, at that.

They've been talking about random things that just pop out of their mind, without hesitating or even thinking if it was an appropriate topic. Both Natsu and Lucy just felt like, they have to say that thing about them. They both have the feeling of catching-up with each other.

He laughed. "And.. and Gray went home with neither his pants or shirt on."

"That's just disgusting." She giggled.

"The next day Lisanna printed the photos of last night's party and it was hilarious." Natsu laughed again. They were just talking about how Fairy Law partied the night they got their first international award. It was the night Natsu fell asleep inside the CR and his head inside the bowl, Gajeel was inside a cabinet and Gray was at the gate, naked. Well they just get wasted after their achievement, they deserve it.

Lucy stayed silent. Oh yeah, they have a problem right? Seems like Natsu has forgotten about everything and enjoyed the whole time being with Lucy, talking about random things about life. How come he forgot? He was there the whole confrontation with Lisanna, the moment Lucy was out with Juvia to finish the packing up of the stage and stuff. He stopped laughing sensing the tension forming.

He hasn't formally asked for her forgiveness yet. He yelled at her that night and Lucy doesn't deserve a thing. "Sorr –" Natsu mumbled.

"I really wanted to see those pictures of your after party. Just thinking about Gajeel having doodles on his face makes my stomach hurt." Lucy said forcing a laugh.

Natsu looked at her fazed at what Lucy was showing. He did feel the silence, the growing tension a minute ago. Where did it go? His brows furrowed as he looked at her at the corner of her eyes.

"What?" She said feeling Natsu's stare. "Stop staring like that. You're giving me goose bumps."

"Lucy I know there's something wrong and I'm sorry about that." He suddenly said without thinking.

She looked at him but instantly looked away. Lucy knew very well why he is sorry, but she's not prepared yet for something like this. Well she will never be prepared for these things. She's never been to something like this herself. Confrontations and talks about these problems are not really her thing. In situations like this she usually shrug things off and let it be, she would just let things pass like nothing has happen. And she would easily forgive or, if it's her fault, just act like nothing happened. Time will heal her right? But not that fast because she kept that problem all to herself. There were still questions left unsaid, but that's what she prefers. She's never the vocal person, not of course in matters that concern feelings. Since she was a child she practiced herself into hiding her emotions, in fact she was really good at it. After everything she went through, all those years she was alone, Lucy was able to build her very strong personality.

"You know, I don't really want to talk about it right now. So can we just forget it?" Lucy said in a slightly irritated voice.

He looked at her. How come he can easily read her? She's like an open book right in front of him. "I want to talk about it."

Lucy's eyes widen a bit. Never has she thought that someone would pursue her after she made a voice like that saying she just really don't want to talk about it. Often times those people would understand her and just follow her lead to the land of 'let's just forget about it'. "Alright. Fine. Everything's.." She thought of right word trying hard not to spill a thing. "..fine. Yes. That's it."

No response. Well he knew she's lying, he could feel it right through the way she speaks.

"I forgave you. There's nothing to worry about. Let's just forget everything about this." She smiled.

Yet it was the most fake smile Natsu has ever seen. He's not convinced. Reaching their destination he pulled the car over. They were on top of a plateau behind it was the forest leading to the mountains.

Lucy looked around. They must have drive really long enough to reach this place that seemed to be in another world. The stars looked like they can be reached by her little slender hands when she stretches her arms. The wind was sending shivers to her skin, the smell of salt and water filled her nose. At the edge of the plateau was a sea, they were a hundred meters above sea level.

"I love this place. What's it called?" She said making Natsu snap out of his trance. They have walked out of the car, Lucy walked a few meters away from Natsu's car while he stayed at the car's bumper leaning on it with his arms across his wide chest.

He looked at her. Surely he won't let the topic off but Lucy's smile made him forget about it. Maybe later he'll do it. He'll make Lucy feel better by taking those hidden sadness away from her.

"Well I'm not really sure. But I used to go here when I was young; I remember it was called Taiyou Sea." Lucy's eyes widen. "It's the sea actually and this was from a different view than the one we can see from the city, this one's the country style view. And it was called Taiyou cause when the sun is out whether dysk or dawn or just up there the sea reflects it perfectly." He smirked at his explanation.

"T-Taiyou Sea?"

"Yep. Why?"

She clenched her fists. They were shaking. All over, Lucy was trembling. Clearly there were more things that are more important than what she's going to deal with Natsu a little more later or more like never because Lucy just really doesn't want to. No one will be able to make her.

She sighed when she calmed down a bit. "Well, this is the place I started losing people in my life." She smiled weakly.

He stared shock.

"It's okay. I still like it. Thank you for bringing me here though." She walked over to Natsu feeling he was guilty Lucy punched him lightly on the shoulder. "You gave me the chance to visit this place so be happy."

"Why visit if it only reminds you of a lonely past?"

"B-B-Because this is where I get my strength, my inspiration and the reason to continue living. This reminds me of mom and them."

"Your mom? I thought she got sick and stuff."

"Yeah. But after they disappeared mom worked harder and she got depressed. She felt it was all her fault they met that accident."

"Who are they?"

"The Dragneels, mom and dad's business partners. This is the sea that took them away from me."

"What happen to them?"

"It was their son's birthday that day and mom gave him a present of cruising with both his parents. We were supposed to be with them but I got sick that day so we weren't able to go with them. Mom said that when they left he was yelling my name saying how he was pissed at me for not taking care of myself." Lucy stopped for a while imagining the little boy who she treated as her only friend. Well, only eligible friend as her father says. "Then after that in the middle of the sea there was a sudden fire. It came from the ship mom made them use for their cruise and after that a few days later the rescuers found their bodies floating, lifeless." She let out a sob but tried to stop it. "But their son was never found. They said maybe his small body was crushed by the metals from the ship and they stopped searching due to hopelessness." Lucy clenched her fist.

"I'm sorry about them." Natsu said. He walked towards her and pulled her towards him, burying her face on his chest.

There were no tears coming out of her eyes she's just shaking.

She shook her head. "It's not your fault. You're not even there when it happen so don't worry." She said pulling away from him. "You know what, you even remind me of Natsu." He stiffened.

"I'm Natsu."

"No. It's funny how you two seem to be similar but different at the same time." Lucy said. "You may resemble him physically but maybe not with your actions."

"Because I'm way better?" He smirked.

"No idiot. The Dragneels are famous for their pink hair but I heard yours was dyed." She chuckled making Natsu ran a hand to his locks. "You even have the same name, but hey how many Natsu would you meet all over Fiore. Right?"

"D-Do you still believe he'll c-come back?"

"No." She responded quickly. "I don't want to get my hopes up for nothing. It's been 12 years since they were gone. There's no chance he's still alive."

"But what if he is?"

Lucy gave him a look of disbelief. "I already told you. So quit asking. He's never coming back."

He looked away clenching his fist.

"Oooooooooh that was really nice being able to talk about it now, properly." She said stretching her arms. She leaned back at the car's bumper beside Natsu. "I actually avoided that topic until Erza." She looked at Natsu. "Well you know her. She'll pry the very thing she need out of you whatever it takes."

He was still silent. But Lucy enjoyed this silence. She watched as the stars twinkle above them. Maybe this was all she needed after all, a break from everything.

"So how come you know this place?"

Natsu looked at her making all his thoughts wash away by her asking large eyes. "I already told you, I used to go here when I was little."

She rolled her eyes.

Then there was the silence again. Lucy thought about things. She told Natsu things she can't just tell. It was a vital topic to her though. Well next to her mother's death that is. The reason she hated Natsu the first time they met was that he truly resemble her only 'eligible' friend and of course he kissed her. For god's sake she doesn't know him. In the first place why was he fond of kissing strangers? Maybe this is an improvement, after so many years of avoiding that topic she was able to tell it herself then. Truly, time heals. It's true it was difficult, she hoped for him to come back once for she doesn't clear things out. But hey, she's getting better now. And that's what matters.

"So he's the reason you can't love me?" Natsu said making Lucy look at the smirk on his face.

She huffed. "Well sort of. We were tied to each other and I keep my promises. And not only that, I don't like you."

"Awwww. Isn't that just so straight forward?" Natsu cooed.

Lucy smiled. "Quit playing with me. Would you?"

"I'm not playing with you."

"Sush. I know your kind."

He stared at her in disbelief. "K-Kind?" He asked suppressing a smile.

"Yeah. You player."

He smiled, gaping his mouth. "I'm not a player. I don't even have 'official' girlfriend."

"Gosh you're categorizing your relationships?" Natsu nodded with a smirk. "A real player, that is."

"Actually, it's 'unofficial'.." He made quotation marks in the air. "..because it's out of my consent. It was just the girls' wish and I just grant them. You know, I told you about that right? I often left my wallet anywhere making me empty-handed at bars but girls kept on coming to me making a deal of a kiss in exchange of a token. Very much for my advantage right?"

"Disgusting I say."

He gawked at Lucy.

"You just kiss randomly, you might have herpes." She paused for a while. "And to think you k-k-kis –" She screamed. "Let's just forget about it. Never mention it again. Not once." She threatened and Natsu just laughed at her.

"You know what, I guarantee you I choose who I kiss."

"Why the hell are we even talking about this?" She said as she rolled her eyes.

"Shut up and just listen. Let me tell you those girls who're patronizing over this transaction.." He started to count pointing at his fingers. "I might just tell you that all of them are popular or maybe just rich and pretty. " He started counting. "Ultear Milkovich, Sherry Blendi –"

"I don't believe you." Lucy muttered looking away as Natsu continued enumerating.

"Cana Alberona, well she just usually shares beer with me that's why she's into it, Jenny Realight, Flare Corona, Angel, Ikaruga, Daphne, Minerva, Lisanna –" Natsu stopped.

Lucy's ears perked up. Why would she be surprised? Lisanna liked Natsu so much so she must have tried that bragging thing Natsu was saying. And same for Natsu, he loves Lisanna. It came right from him so why was she surprised? It's not like she's already gave meaning to Natsu's actions towards her. And no she'll never do that. Lucy will never interfere with their love. It's another reason why she doesn't want to talk about Lisanna. She doesn't want to confirm that he really felt about her. And why? She doesn't know herself. She's just afraid he'll slap it hard enough to her face this time. Besides she was just Natsu's friend, so why assume something from those actions.

"Lucy.." Natsu said sending her back to her consciousness. "I'm sor –"

She walked away from him. "I already told you I don't want to talk about it."

Why's that all of a sudden it felt like they exchange attitudes? Natsu look at her. He can't believe himself why does he keep on apologizing to this girl? Yeah he yelled at her for nothing, she was his friend and he treasures his friends but he's not the kind to apologize like this. Still, he felt like there's a need to do it. This is not really his thing; mostly he would be the one you would be apologizing to even if he's a fault. Oh god, what does Lucy do to this guy?

He followed her, grabbed her arm and turned her to face him. Her eyes have fire in it. She was made. She is serious. Lucy doesn't want to talk about it.

"I need to talk this out with you." Natsu said tightening his grip on her.

She struggled to pull her arm from him and she succeeded. His hands left red marks on her arm. "I said I don't want to talk about it. Isn't it fine for you to know that all is well? That I don't care what the hell was between you and Lisanna? That I don't care because I understand that you loved her."

His face softened. "Jealous?"

"Why would I?" She smacked his head. "Idiot!"

There was a minute of silence. "I'm sorry." Natsu said breaking it.

"I said! No. More. Sorrys! I don't need it."

She was close to sobbing.. But she had a strong personality, never would she show her tears. Not to a person she just knew.

Suddenly there was a tension to where they were. Helicopters were crowing above them and cars started to arrive. Reporters were swarming over them pushing them towards the cliff. Natsu pulled Lucy closer to him.

"What's this?" She asked Natsu who was also as confused as she was.