Chapter 32

Natsu stood frozen in front of Lucy's unit. She was right after all. What happened to Lisanna and him, it was a kiss no matter how he looks at it. He told Lucy that and he won't just make her forget everything that has happened to them starting from that very first day he saw her. Natsu clenched his fist and hit the door.

"Lucy.. I know you can hear me. Please, listen to me. Give me a chance.." He paused. "No you don't have to for I'll do everything to win you back." He said loud enough for her to hear. "I'll get you back. I'll make you fall in love with me with no hesitation or anything. I promise. I'll make you believe me." He puts his shades back on and walked away.

When he was out reporters crowded around him, cameras flashing and question thrown at him, the reporters' microphones were at his face and it just made him irritated.

"Natsu are you and Lisanna dating? Where is she?"

"Did you two have a date today?"

"Since when are you two dating?"

"There are rumors saying all of this is just for popularity is that true?"

"How do you feel about being able to let your feelings out on stage?"

"Natsu your fans are really happy for both of you any message for them?"

"Both your bands are in competition do you think it'll affect your relationship?"

"Natsu we heard you two were fighting at the backstage.. how true is it?"

He clenched his fists. He was pissed he wasn't able to do anything with Lucy and she won arguing with him, and he just chose to give her some time. He tugged his scarf to loosen it and keep himself calm. The guards of Viewpoint started to help him but to no avail they are outnumbered.

"Natsu how true is that you went to Miss Heartfilia today? Did you go here to break up with her?"

The fans who were behind the reporters holding banners saying they support NaLi started to give their comments on Natsu and Lucy's 'relationship'.

"I think that Lucy Heartfilia isn't that pretty."

"No. She actually is. I saw her in that formal office uniform and she actually looked older than Natsu. I don't like her though; Natsu was way out of her league." The girl laughed.

"Yeah. Natsu was too cool for her. Lisanna's hotter than her!" They squealed.

"I heard that Lucy Heartfilia was engaged."

"Really?" She paused. "Oh my gosh. What a bitch?!"

"I know right? She's engaged and yet she's flirting with our Natsu?"

"Yeah. She should just realize that Natsu and her were on different worlds."

"She doesn't deserve him."

They both nodded in agreement.

And that's it. That's his limit. "Worlds apart my ass." He hissed in an incomprehensible manner that no one was able to understand him. Natsu was really pissed at everyone in front of him and he punched the reporter straight in the face. "I DIDN'T BREAK UP WITH HER!" He shouted and just as the reporter landed on the ground his eyes widen in shock. He just made another issue against him and now they'll include Lucy in it. "Damn it." He hissed. Soon guards made way for him and he was able to get away from the loud reporters.

At the end of the way he saw not his car but a black one. The door opened and Lisanna appeared.

"Natsu!" She runs to him and hugged him. "What are you doing here? Is this a surprise?" She said pulling away from him and smiling at the cameras forcing Natsu to face the cameras too as she clung to him.

Natsu on the other hand was shocked but soon composed himself. "Get away from me." He whispered to her.

"But Natsu, they know I'm your girlfriend." She winked at him and pouted.

"You're not." He said rather loud. Loud enough for the reporters to hear and the noise died down.

Lisanna immediately stood on her tip toes to kiss him on the cheeks. Natsu saw what she's doing so he moved away. "Playing hard to get." She said playfully loud enough for the reporters to hear then she grabbed his arm. "Let's go, love."

Natsu pulled his arm. "I have a car." Unknown to Natsu is that Lisanna clenched her fists in irritation.

"Alright then. Let's meet at the hotel. Bye!" She smiled and went inside the black car. Natsu walked away back to his car and drove fast.

Inside the car Lisanna huffed in annoyance.

"I thought you had him wrapped around your finger." Minerva teased.

Lisanna looked away. "He will be. When he knew that girl would be marrying Sting." She said chuckling.

"I think father would rather him not knowing about it. He still thinks that he is the Dragneel and if they're correct father will lose everything and it will all be handled to both of them. And if he isn't then maybe that brat could still use the other choices.. though from the looks of it she just pushed him away." Minerva said.

"I just need to get Natsu."

"Then try another public display of affection. You're a bitch, you can handle that properly."

Lisanna rolled her eyes and watched as the car moved.

RING RING RING RING RING

Lisanna reached for her phone and immediately answered it after reading who was calling her. Minerva didn't bother to stick her nose into other people's business for the only thing that was important to her was fame.

"Hello?"

"Go to the private house. I need to speak with you personally."

"Wha –Right now?" She paused to look at Minerva. "I'm with your daughter we're going to have a rehearsal for the new song we'll be playing this event."

"I don't care about that stupid event. Besides, it's me who's going to be boss on that day. I request, you sing." Lisanna could hear his smirk from the other line. "As I was saying you should meet your look-a-like eavesdropping mouse."

"Oh, please. I don't look like her." She rolled her eyes. "I don't want –"

"And we have to talk about that Natsu of yours."

His voice was serious. The type of seriousness that he was saying he means business. "Alright. Be there in 30."

Natsu drove really fast. His phone was ringing but he couldn't care less. He didn't want to leave. He wanted to tell Lucy the truth all over again if that's what it takes to make her believe him. But her crying face makes him back down. He didn't want to see that. And he figured she'll just cry even more because she was seeing him. He'll do anything. Everything. Especially now that Lucy just boldly told him she felt the same, his heart beats fast. That's a good sign and a light bright enough so he can continue to pursue Lucy. His Lucy.

He drove without any destination in mind. Never did he think that a day would come and a girl would make him fall for her completely. Girls are just toys for him, like they're some pleasure-seeking organisms. Because it's true there are a lot of girls who asked him to sleep with her but he never really accepted their offer. Most of the time those girls make him drunk, wasted that he just can't tell them he doesn't want. Good thing those girls were pretty and popular and most of all good at bed. That's the reason no rumor came if he does it, or they do it because they'll both be affected. Those girls gave him big time gifts and that's half the reason he 'sort of' accepts their offer. It's not that he can't afford those expensive kinds of cigar and alcohol drink but who wouldn't grab a gold that they were giving you? Well it's kind of pleasure for him too but it's all just that. He immediately leaves once they were done, no sleeping together occurred. Makarov might just be right, he is a whore-man, man-whore or whatever it was he called him back then. Natsu chuckled. He was even a jerk for thinking that he only wanted Lucy as his toy too. And now he was a total jerk for hurting her knowing he had feelings for her and she had for him too.

He really didn't want that to happen. His grip on the wheel tightened as an image of Lucy's tear-stained face appeared in his mind. He wished he could talk to someone who would tell him the right thing to do, as a man. There was Gray, Jellal and Gajeel but they were just of the same age as him. He's sure they won't be any big help. Makarov is too old and maybe his way of being a man is different from what he wanted to be and he'll just embarrassed himself in front of the old man.

He missed his father. His mother. His parents.

Images of them flashed into his mind and his mind was truly taken over by what he was seeing. His parents were smiling at him but he still couldn't recognize their faces. They were reaching for him, asking him to take their hands. He wanted to reach for them but he finds it difficult. If only he phad died in that accident, then he would be with them. If only he had died truly then those Dragneel killers would not go after Lucy. If only he died then Lucy won't feel this way. If only he died then he won't be hurt. And if only he had died he must have been with his parents now. Unconsciously he stomped on the acceleration harder and the car sped up. The machine roaring into life as it silently runs faster, like he was in racing competitions.

Suddenly, a loud beeping sound made him snap out of his thoughts. When Natsu opened the eyes of his mind a truck was running straight towards him. His eyes widen, it would be really difficult for him to stop now and it seemed like the truck too was running really fast and was in the same situation as he was. He tried to divert the direction of his car. The wheels screech by the sudden drift.

"Did you reach him?" Jellal asked.

Gray shook his head. Jellal then turned to Gajeel and he too shook his head and threw his phone. "What a headache." Gray said as he slumped on the sofa. They've been calling Natsu for hours and he just won't pick up his phone. They wanted him to come back to the hotel because the reporters are going wild and that there has been something on the news that made them realize he was not in his right mind. He punched the reporter and that's a sign that he was pissed.

"Maybe his soul is wandering.." Gajeel chuckled. "OWWW!" He stared at Levy who punched him on the arm. "You're so small yet you hit hard." Gajeel furrowed his brows touching the part where Levy had hit him.

"It's not a good joke!" Her hands were on her hips and stuck a tongue out for him. "Even if he hurt Lucy he's still our friend! And we have to meet him as soon as we can!"

He huffed. "Like I care for both of them."

Levy smiled slyly. "I saw you looking into some things related to the incoming band battle…" Gajeel gasped. "He doesn't care. Says the guy who's been doing everything to help them." Gajeel blushed in embarrassment and just looked away. "Oh Gajeel, you're so sweet."

Everyone smiled at the scene.

Erza stood up and Jellal looked at her in confusion. "What's wrong?"

She looked at him. "Nothing. I just wanted to see Lucy." Levy stood.

"I want to come."

"Juvia wants too."

"It's kind of off but I wanted to check on her too." Gray said raising his hand and another on his pocket.

Gajeel stood. "I'm going for a walk." He said and left the room.

Erza shook her head. They felt disappointed at her reaction. "You know Lucy. She'll push everyone away especially in this kind of situation."

"But I really wanted to see her.." Levy said.

"I think it's best if we let Erza go there first. It was Lucy. Erza can handle her perfectly; if things get better or something happens then she'll let us go with her." Jellal smiled in front of them and crossed his arms proudly. "Besides you guys still have a practice to do."

"But Gajeel left!" Gray said in annoyance. It is not the right time for them to practice for that upcoming Band Battle and to think that Natsu felt that way makes him worried. It will be useless if Natsu isn't himself.

Jellal shrugged. "Then let us double our effort!" He exclaimed. He turned to Erza and leaned forward to give her a kiss. "Now, go and do what you think is right."

Erza turned red that instant and all she managed to say was a silent "Thank you." She whispered gratefully.

"Just be careful." He smiled and Erza left. He turned back to the rest of the band members. "Now where were we?"

Gray rolled his eyes and went to the fridge.

"Juvia received some information on what will happen on the Band Battle." Juvia said hugging a pile of papers, neatly fastened inside a folder. "It was said that Master Jiemma is requesting songs that were related to happy ending love stories."

Gray choked on his drink when he heard the information. "WHAT?!" He laughed. "That big old man is so corny! I didn't know he's soft inside."

"It does sound peculiar but everyone has their own choice of genre." Levy said thoughtfully. "So, what are we going for?"

"Hmm. I'm thinking… On This Day by David Pomeranz." Jellal said and walked towards them. "Any other idea?"

"That would be 5 dollars."

Gajeel dug his hand into his pocket and gave the cashier the amount needed for some boxes of Pocky he bought.

"Say, are you by any chance Gajeel of Fairy Law?" The cashier asked in anticipation. She looked at him intently and hopefully.

Gajeel just shrugged and walked away from the store. He adjusted his shades and cap to further hide himself. The truth he doesn't want to disguise like this because he thinks it's useless but Jellal insisted that when they go out they should wear glasses or something like that that'll cover their faces.

He started to put a stick of Pocky in his mouth and munched. Walking with no destination in mind and nothing to worry, he kept on putting sticks of Pocky in his mouth until he bumped into someone which caused his bag of goodies to fall.

"WHAT THE F –" He looked at the tall and big man in front of him. "What's your problem?!" He asked annoyed.

Two men immediately went to each sides of the huge guy and covered him from Gajeel in defence. "You're not looking to where you're going, bastard."

"Oh really?! You're the one who's –" He suddenly stopped when he noticed the woman beside the big guy. "Lisanna?" He mumbled lowly.

She was in the same shocked situation as he was. Then he looked at the man from head to toe and back. "I didn't know these were your type." He said and just walked away while glaring at the man beside Lisanna.

"Do you know him?"

Lisanna kept staring at Gajeel as he walked away and turned to another street. "He's part of Fairy Law. But it doesn't seem that he knows you."

"Just make sure he won't ruin our plans." The man, Jiemma, gestured for the guards to move and they walked. "Let's go." He said and went inside a building.

The building was actually a condominium. It was owned by the Sabertooth Company. Yes he owned a company himself but it was a small one and up until now it is depending on the help coming from Heartfilia Groups.

They stopped at a door not different from the others but this one has a code for lock.

"Does she try to escape often?" Lisanna asked as they went inside and saw the windows blocked by bars and grills and not to mention the door was made of steel and can only be opened by a certain combination of numbers.

Jiemma stopped in the middle of the room and looked around. "Maybe. It was the guards who puts those things."

"What's with the sudden visit? Aren't satisfied yet that your plan is working? Or aren't you supposed to be planning better because I know it'll fail in the end." Yukino said as she emerged from the doorway wearing loose pants and shirts. It was obvious that she lose weight ever since she was held captive in there.

"Looking stressed as eve Miss Aguria?" Jiemma said. "I was here because there's no other safe place to talk to this girl about the plan."

Yukino didn't notice Lisanna was there and when she did she glared at her. "I was waiting you'd show up in here. I wanted tell you so many things." She said smiling deviously while walking towards the other white haired girl. When they were in a good distance Yukino raised her hand and slapped her. In time Lisanna stopped him and glared at the other girl.

"You look like me, but you should practice slapping." She smirked.

"So, if you want me to practice then why don't you be my buddy?"

"Bitch."

"I'm not that. It's you! You're the one who's making things complicated for Lucy! She thinks Natsu loves you, that's why she can't let her feelings show! You and Jiemma!" Yukino shouted and glared at both of them. "Well if you think he really loved you why don't you bump your head on the wall a couple of times to realize it was Natsu and Lucy."

Lisanna clenched her fists.

"She's not worth your energy." Jiemma said, stopping Lisanna from hitting Yukino. "She's locked inside this room so she's just all bark and no bite."

Lisanna glared at the girl. "So Lucy thinks he loves me, then she's right. Natsu is mine. She should be the one to back off."

"No. Natsu doesn't even like you! He said it himself!"

"Oh really? Then why are we together now?" She said nonchalant.

"Together?" Yukino's eyes widen. "That isn't true."

"It's true. He confessed to me when we were on a concert." Lisanna smirked.

"I don't believe you!"

"You should because like I told you, Natsu is mine."

"He doesn't. Only Lucy holds his heart! And hers was Natsu!"

Lisanna sighed in annoyance. "Did you have television in here? You should watch the news more often. You're held captive and yet you're still oblivious to what was happening outside?"

"Stop this now!" Jiemma said. He walked towards the living and sat on the longest couch. Lisanna followed and Yukino just stayed to where they were standing a while ago. "You did a pretty great job interrupting that confession."

Lisanna leaned on the couch lazily and blinked. "Thankfully he trusted me enough to tell me what's he's going to do on stage." She sighed. "I was afraid I'll completely lose him when I let him say who he loves. That was an act out of instinct. And now that I think of it I saved your plan and made better for you."

Jiemma smiled happily. "Yes. Yes. I'm really grateful. You should've done that a lot sooner, but I think it was better that way. Lucy was beyond repair right now and the Board didn't trust her anymore. Very right on time."

"I was worried about Natsu. He was really sad and mad about me." She pouted.

"Don't worry. He's a good guy for still trusting you even after what you have done to Lucy the first time. If that happened before then it can happen again. Just wait." He smiled. "He'll come running after you after the marriage."

"Oh right. When will that be?" She immediately sat up straight.

"Tomorrow."

"WHAT?! Same day as the semi-finals of the Band Battle?" She asked surprised.

"Same time too."

"You won't let me watch? Damn it. I always wanted to laugh at Lucy being wedded to in an arranged marriage." Lisanna huffed.

"You will be with your guy during the whole wedding. So, I don't think not being able to laugh at the brat wouldn't be such a big deal if you're going to be with him. You should do your next kissing act or whatever it is in your mind, which would make everyone think you're together, on that day. It will be the best day for both of them."

They both smiled at the success of their plans and continued to talk about what they'll be doing tomorrow.

Yukino was still standing near them and was clenching her fists as tears started to roll down her eyes. All she wanted was to help those three, Lucy, Natsu and Sting, but here she was wasting her time hearing those devious plans. She hated herself for not being able to do anything.

Sting.