Chapter 8
I Do Not Own Fairy Tail or it's characters.
Mirajane felt as if her mouth was filled with cotton. No words were coming out to explain as to why Natsu's scarf was on the couch; even breathing had become a challenge for her. How could she possibly explain how Natsu's scarf, the one thing in this world that he refused to part with and the last thing on Earthland that connected him to his deceased father other than his magic, had somehow appeared in their home. Moreover, on the night that both of them were on separate dates, as far as the guild knew. Mira knew that Lisanna was very perceptive and intelligent, almost as much as she was, and knew that it wouldn't take long for the younger female to deduce the reasoning as to why Natsu's most prized possession was on their couch. Various excuses ran through Mirajane's mind but she knew that they would not help. Natsu hadn't broken into their home in years, even after Lisanna returned, so the odds of her believing such a tale was a slim possibility. Not seeing a way out, Mira decided that it was high time to tell her sister. Their date, her feelings, her challenge to take Natsu, everything. She could only hope that things wouldn't escalate to the point to where they would say or do something that they would regret, tarnishing their strong bond as sisters.
"Well Mira-nee? Would you care to explain," Lisanna repeated back Mirajane's words when she and Elfman returned home. Mira winced at the slight edge in her voice, her attempts to seem calm betrayed by the anger she could see in Lisanna's eyes. Reluctantly, Mira opened her mouth to speak but at that moment, they heard the doorbell ring and then the door being opened.
"Yo! Anybody home? Door was unlocked and the lights were on so- Oh hey guys! Holy crap, my scarf! I've been looking all over for that thing!" Both females' features changed dramatically after seeing who had stepped into their home. Natsu Dragneel, in all his exuberance, had come back to retrieve his scarf. Mira's beating heart had gone back to a normal rhythm, no longer stressing over what she was about to tell her sister and the aftermath that might have followed. Glancing in her direction, she saw that Lisanna's features had softened considerably, no longer was her pretty face filled with anger and skepticism, but instead she had a small loving smile and a light pink dust on her cheeks. The eldest Take-Over mage felt a sharp pang in her chest at seeing her sister's reaction to Natsu's appearance but chose to ignore it seeing as a catastrophe had just been adverted.
Presenting him the scarf, Lisanna gladly gave Natsu back his muffler. Taking it from her hands, Natsu wrapped it securely around his neck. Sighing in relief Natsu gave them a smile to show his appreciation, one that made both females blush at its radiance.
"Thanks guys! I started freaking out when I noticed that it was missing. I even went back to the guild and started a fight with the Ice Queen thinking he robbed me. Who would've thought that it was still here! Thanks for taking care of it." He smiled.
"It's no problem Natsu. Well since you have what you came for, I think it's time you-"
"Wait a minute Mira-nee; you're not off the hook yet. You either Natsu." Lisanna interrupted Mira from dismissing Natsu from the house. Mira winced at being caught, reluctantly turning her head to see the skeptical look on the young woman's face.
"Wait! What I do?!" Natsu asked. "I just got here!"
"Yeah, but why was your scarf here in the first place. I thought I heard that you had a date, and so did you Mira. So how exactly did Natsu's scarf get on our couch, when you two weren't even together tonight?" Mira glanced towards Natsu who caught her look. He could read in her deep blue eye's that she needed his assistance in getting out of the situation. Steeling himself Natsu looked to Lisanna with a serious expression, one that had Lisanna's knees quiver at his intense gaze.
"That's easy Lisanna; I walked Mira home after her date." It wasn't an excuse that Mira expected from him but it was better than nothing. All she could hope for was that Lisanna would believe it.
"Y-You walked here home. Why? What happened to her date?" Lisanna directed her question to her sister who smiled warmly.
"I had told him that I would be ok walking home by myself. It was only our first date, I didn't want him to know where I lived right away you know. While I was walking, it had gotten kind of cold and I ran into Natsu. He was such a gentlemen he actually gave me his scarf to keep warm, so to show him how grateful I was invited him in and we had some tea. I must have placed his scarf on the couch after I took it off and forgot about it. Oh, silly me." Mira played along perfectly with the lie, and Natsu couldn't help but grin as her acting chops worked wonders. He didn't like lying to his friends, especially Lisanna since she always could tell when he wasn't being truthful, but with Mira by his side, it had become easy to deceive the youngest Strauss sibling. He felt bad for doing it, but since Mira wanted to keep their relationship, or whatever they were, a secret he felt he had to help her out.
"Yeah, and I guess I forgot it since I was on my way out to get Happy from Lucy's apartment. Actually they were the ones who told me that it was missing, so I hauled ass to the guild and when it wasn't there I came back here." Natsu grinned. The deceptive duo watched Lisanna carefully, wondering if what they said would hold true to her. She regarded them both with a scrutinizing look but her features settled into a warm smile.
"Ok, I believe you guys. Sorry for questioning you guys and thanks for taking care of my sister Natsu. She's right you are a gentlemen…when you're not being a dummy that is." she teased, Mira giggling at her statement.
"Hey, take that back!" Natsu couldn't take that comment sitting down. He was a gentlemen! He didn't know what they were exactly but dammit, he was one. Lisanna and Mirajane giggled at his reaction before their mischievous blue eyes met each other, both females nodding conspiratorially. Each took a cheek in their hands and playfully pulled on them making Natsu groan and swat their hands away.
"You're so cute when you're upset Natsu," Mira teased.
"Ha, she's right. You're absolutely adorable." Lisanna added in. Stepping back so that they couldn't grab at him again, Natsu ruffled through his hair furiously while groaning in annoyance.
"Gaaaah, you guys are freaking weird tonight! Screw this I'm going home! I'll see you guys at the guild tomorrow…you jerks!" Huffing, Natsu turned around, stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked away, his scarf billowing behind him. He grinded his teeth together when he heard the sister's combined laughter from behind him when he exited the house and walked down their pathway.
"Bye Natsu! See you tomorrow!" they yelled to him in unison. Turning around Natsu felt his pout turn into a smile when he saw them in the doorway with the light casted behind them. Their bright smiles erased his earlier sourness with them and made way for a warm feeling in his chest. Seeing them wave him goodbye, Natsu's eyes drifted to Mirajane, who stood a few feet from behind Lisanna. The older woman mouthed a thank you before playfully winking at him and blowing him a kiss as she waved at him flirtatiously, her small fingers dancing in the air. Feeling his face become hot, he turned his head around, and much like his earlier send off, waved his hand in the air to say goodbye. Once he was out of sight, the sisters went back into the house. As they ascended the stairs, Lisanna noticed something.
"Uh, Mira-nee, you do realize that you've been in your towel this entire time…right?" Lisanna said awkwardly as she pointed at her sister's state of dress. The older woman blushed slightly, taking in her appearance for the first time in the last few minutes. She had completely forgotten that she was just in a towel.
'I wonder if Natsu realized this?' she thought deviously. She would make sure to bring it up to him tomorrow, just to see what kind of reaction she could get from him.
"Ara ara, I didn't realize. Oh, how forgetful of me." Raising a hand to her cheek, she acted as if she was embarrassed but internally she didn't care one bit. She and Natsu had seen each other naked before, even had sex, so her being in only a towel in front of him didn't make her the least bit nervous. If anything, it turned her on. 'No Mira, you promised Natsu you would take it slow. However…I don't know if I can. He just brings it out of me' she thought lustfully.
"Well, I guess it doesn't matter. Natsu didn't seem too fazed by it, so either he didn't notice or he didn't care. That guy, he can be so thick headed it just drives you crazy." Lisanna pouted.
"Oh, cut the poor guy a break. He may be oblivious to some things, but that's what adds to his charm. You can't help but love the guy for it." Mira defended her crush. Seeing a smile come across her sister's face told her that she had hit the nail on the head.
"Yeah, you're right. He can be a bit of a dummy but…he's a loveable dummy." Lisanna placed her hand over her chest, trying to stop her beating heart as memories of her and Natsu raced through her mind. Mirajane was no different as the night's date played in her thoughts causing her heart to beat rapidly. When the memory of them kissing in the restaurant came to her mind, she felt her breathing become ragged and her breasts and lower region ache for his touch. She had to get in her room quickly to alleviate herself or risk Lisanna see her become a puddle of carnal emotions.
"Well, I'm exhausted after tonight. I think a good night's rest is in order. Goodnight Lisanna, see you in the morning." Mira waved as she opened her door.
"Same to you Mira-nee," Lisanna responded back as she walked down the wall towards her room. Closing her door, Mira went to her bed and collapsed, not even minding that the towel keeping her bare body from the elements had become undone and opened around her. Her curvaceous form laid on the towel as if she was an unwrapped gift. Placing her forearm over her eyes, she let a wry smile come across her face.
"I hate lying to you Lisanna, but I can't hold my feelings back any longer. You may love Natsu, but so do I." Taking her other hand, she began to tease at her throbbing clit, moaning as she played with the bundle of nerves. Mira slipped two fingers into her tight pussy and feverishly pumped her fingers in her cunt, all the while imagining that it was Natsu penetrating her. Using her other hand to toy with her breasts, she pinched and pulled at her erect nipples, occasionally sucking on the pink tip to stimulate her arousal even further. As her climax neared, Mira put her hand to her mouth and bit on her knuckled to muffle her screams of ecstasy and her shouts of Natsu's name. With her high coming down, Mira giggled sensually, taking her fingers from between her shapely thighs and admiring them in the moonlight, each digit shining with her vaginal secretions.
"If only Natsu had walked in on me again." With a smile, Mira put her fingers in her mouth, licked them clean of her essence, finding the taste of herself oddly fascinating, and put on a matching bra and pantie combo that was white and pink. She didn't mind that she had worked up a sweat nor that her southern region was still dripping with lust. Climbing under the sheets, she quickly fell to sleep with images of her, Natsu and two little versions of him together.
Like every morning, Mirajane woke up early to make her and her siblings a large breakfast. Leaving their plates in the microwave, she left the house and calmly walked to the guild. As she was on her way, she couldn't help but think as to when Natsu would ask her out again and to where. She found it embarrassing that she was acting so much like the female protagonist in the light novels she read on occasion, but she couldn't help it. He had said that he would do it soon, and the anticipation to when he would was killing her. As she opened the guild doors with her key, she reigned in her emotions to set up the bar to her specifications like she did every morning. Putting everything in its place, she patiently waited for the members to arrive, all the while waiting anxiously for a specific head of pink hair to walk through the doors.
"Hey, Mira, another round over here! I gotta show these lightweights how to really toss 'em back!" Cana screamed in jubilation while waving an empty beer mug in her hand.
"Coming right up Cana," Mira responded back cheerfully. Filling up several mugs of beer, Mirajane made her way to Cana's table that also had Macao, Wakaba and Nab seated around her. Giving them their drinks, and a friendly wave good bye, she hurried back to the bar. It did not take long after she opened the guild for the members to come. From small groups to almost in droves, the mages of Fairy Tail arrived and the atmosphere in the guild became as boisterous as ever.
Today seemed to be one of those days where everyone just hung out in the hall rather than take a job, so the revelry among comrades had everyone in high spirits. Everyone except for Mirajane that is. Don't get it twisted, she was overjoyed to see her friends having a great time, but what kept her from feeling the full force of the guild's jovial mood was that Natsu hadn't made it in yet. Neither had Lucy. Happy was seated with Erza, Gray and Wendy, chatting merrily with Carla who smiled at him. It was already nearing two o'clock in the afternoon and neither the celestial mage nor the dragon slayer had made an appearance. Normally this woulnd't have set her on edge, but considering what had transpired with Natsu and Mirajane's relationship in the past two days, she couldn't help but worry.
'Calm down Mira. Natsu said that they were just friends. However, that doesn't mean that Lucy feels the same way. She always denies that anything is going on between them and that she feels nothing but friendship for him, but I can tell that she's lying. But to who, me or herself.' Mira wiped furiously at the counter, which drew an inquisitive eye from a certain balding, diminutive man. Taking a swig from his mug, he coughed loudly into his hand, which caused Mira to yelp and drop the towel to the floor.
"Oh Master, I didn't see you there! How are you today," the snow haired barmaid chirped. Makarov regarded her with a strange look in his eye that made Mira squirm under his gaze but when he smiled pleasantly towards her, she felt her tension leave her body.
"Oh I'm doing just find my dear, just fine. It's not every day when one can just relax and unwind, especially since the Games ended not that long ago. Its days like these when I wish I had retired, but sadly, I'm stuck here with you brats." Although his tone made it sound like he was annoyed, his expression told her otherwise.
"Ah Master, you say that, but you never follow through with it. You may act like we're a bother but you're not fooling me for a second," she teased him.
"And neither are you Mirajane." She turned to the master with a confused expression, wondering what he was talking about.
"You don't have to tell me because I already know. I've seen you work behind this bar for many years and I know your ticks. Happy, anxious, frustrated or nervous, I know them all, and my dear, this is one of them. I would not be doing my duty as master of this guild if I didn't pay attention to what sets my children off and know their tells when something is bothering them. You've been scrubbing at the counter top for the past ten minutes without a break in between. It's gotten to the point that I can see my reflection in the wood. Whatever may be bothering you is your business and your business alone, but just promise me one thing dear." For the first time he looked in her direction with empathetic eyes.
"What is it Master," Mira asked shyly, gazing into his warm, fatherly gaze.
"Make sure that you don't live within your mind. Know the difference between reality and imaginary; don't get caught up with what you think to be true. It can become fairly easy to mistake one for the other, and that can ultimately lead to your worst fears being realized." Mirajane nodded at his words, fully understanding what he meant.
'He's right! I shouldn't let these negative thoughts cloud my judgement. Natsu has had to pull me back form myself twice already and I don't want to burden him with that. Though we may not be a couple, I trust him enough to be alone with Lucy or with Lisanna.' With a gleaming smile, Mira thanked the master who seemed quite pleased that his words had gotten through to the young woman. Hearing another member call her name, Mira left to take the order and at that moment, the guild doors opened to reveal two of the three core members of Team Natsu.
"Sup Gramps, how's it hanging," the son of Igneel called out with a merry smile on his face.
"Low and free my boy, low and free." The master choked back a laugh at seeing the scowls of disgust cross the two mages faces.
"Gross old man!" Natsu screamed with a tick mark on his forehead.
"Ewww, Master!" Lucy screeched in embarrassment with her face as red as a tomato.
"Hahaha, grow up ya brats and learn to take a joke! Now why are you two so late? Some of the other members were starting to worry." He looked straight at Natsu and jerked his eyes to the side. Following his quick glance, Natsu saw Mirajane. Sensing someone watching her, she looked up from the table and smiled warmly in his direction before resuming her task of taking the members' orders. Natsu smiled back and turned to the master.
"Yeah, we got held up, because some people couldn't decide on how to finish a chapter in their novel," Natsu shot a quick look to Lucy who scoffed at him offended.
"Hey, I was in the zone before you showed up and threw me off! I couldn't leave the chapter as it was, it would've bugged me all day. I also promised Levy I would let her read my latest chapter, so I did I wanted to finish it for her." Lucy defended. Natsu gave an exhausted eye roll and took a seat at the bar, wanting to talk to Mira when she came back.
"Aren't you sitting with the rest of the team?" The blonde asked.
"I will in a minute, I just want to give Mira my order." It wasn't a total lie, he hadn't eaten anything all day and he was starving. Having some of Mirajane's delicious cooking would no doubt make his day. Nodding in understanding, Lucy made her way to Team Natsu and quickly entered the conversation that they were having.
"So my boy, how are things lately?" Natsu smiled at Makarov widely.
"Been good old man! Why you asking though?"
"No reason. Just wanted to know how things are going with my children. Though I do have something else I have to tell you." Finishing his barrel, he turned to Natsu with serious eyes. "Tread lightly my boy. Think before you act because more than one person can be hurt from your reckless actions and narrow mindedness. Don't mistake me for belittling or criticizing you Natsu, I'm only telling you to take a moment and think things through. I know you love your nakama more than anything and you don't wish to see any of them hurt, but what would you do if you were the one to cause them pain." For a second time, his gaze switched off from Natsu to Mirajane who was walking back to the bar. Natsu followed his gaze and felt his insides turn. Now he understood what the man was saying. He was far from an expert in the field of love so he had to be careful when he was around Mira, knowing that at times he could be rather insensitive when not meaning to be. A couple of times his actions or words had inadvertently caused her pain and it surprised him that she could be so vulnerable with him after all the years that she held her own and was the pillar of strength and resolve for the others in the guild. During their worst times, she would come with a smile that tore the fear from your heart and replaced it with hope. The only time he had ever seen her look so defenseless was when Lisanna had died and he was the one that had to pull her back from her mounting depression.
"From the look in your eye, I can see that I have my answer." Makarov smirked.
"Yeah gramps. I gotchu, but you don't need to worry. I'll be careful like you said, and I won't let anything or anyone hurt her," Natsu spoke, the fire in his eye was all Makarov needed to know that he was serious.
"You better brat."
"But Gramps…how did you know…about us, I mean." Natsu asked with a small blush. A similar blush came across the master's face as he coughed into his hand.
"Let's just say that when you two ever decide to do it in my guild again, make sure that you're the only ones inside. Or at least keep it down." Natsu scratched the back of his head nervously when the master fixed him with a stern glare.
'I wasn't even the one making all the noise! It was Mira's screaming, so blame!' Natsu wanted to say but chose to shut up as the demon mage in question had come behind the bar.
"Hey there, Natsu! Glad to see you finally come in. Is there anything I can get you?" she asked with her more sweetness in her tone.
"Uh yeah, can I get my usual? I'm starved and I haven't eaten anything all day," he groaned whilst grabbing his stomach for dramatic effect.
"Ufufu, coming right up. Can I get you another drink Master?"
"No my dear I'll be fine. I should get back upstairs and start on some paper work I received from the Council…actually, fill me back up. I may need that little extra pick me up to get me through that torture." Giggling Mirajane refilled his mug and waved good-bye once he left from the counter.
"I'll be right back with your order Natsu," she smiled.
"Take your time," he grinned back.
In no time, Mirajane came back with a plate piled high of chicken legs, ribs and anything else that was meat. Natsu practically drooled at the sight and immediately started digging in when she placed the plate in front of him. In a matter of minutes, Natsu finished his meal and left the plate clean. If one didn't know any better, they would have thought that there had been nothing on it to begin with.
"Ahhh that hit the spot. Thanks Mira, you're cooking is the greatest," he praised as he leaned against the counter.
"Ara ara, thank you Natsu. Oh and thanks for covering for me yesterday with Lisanna. I didn't know what to tell her and I guess I panicked. Thanks for covering for me," she whispered so that no else could hear
"No problem Mira. I know you wanted to keep our date a secret, so I had to help you out. Oh yeah, I meant to ask you, what do you have planned for the weekend?" Mira's eyes lit up at his question. 'Is this it?'
"Why do you ask?" she said coyly.
"Because I thought that maybe we could do something. Last night was my first date and I really don't know what happens on them so…" he trailed off, awkwardly scratching the back of his head. He looked away from Mira's teasing gaze, the color of his cheeks turning into a healthy shade of pink, one that made Mira giggle at how cute he looked when flustered. Taking her hand, she tugged at his scarf so he would look to her.
"I have nothing going on this weekend, and I would love to hang out with you. Whatever you plan I'm sure I'll love it," she said sweetly. Natsu smiled gently at Mirajane and nodded.
"Alright thanks Mirajane. Don't worry I'll plan something awesome! I always do!"
"Ufufu, whatever you say Natsu."
"I do! Don't be mean," he pouted.
"I didn't say anything. Now go on, I think you're team is calling you." Looking over his shoulder, he saw Lucy and Happy waving him over and Erza nod her head their way. Gray just looked in his direction and scoffed then took a drink from his cup. Telling Mira bye and that he'll tell her what he comes up with he left to talk with his team.
For the rest of the day everyone did what he or she normally did. Natsu and Gray started a guild brawl, Erza asserted her role as disciplinarian, Cana got drunk, Elfman screamed about what it took to be a man and Levy, Lisanna and Lucy talked amongst themselves like girlfriends usually did. Mirajane's happy attitude had been at its maximum ever since Natsu told her that he was taking her out over the weekend. Though he didn't have a plan, that didn't stop Mira from fantasizing about what they could do together. Everything from visiting a museum or an aquarium to forty-eight hours of non-stop sex went through the young woman's mind. The latter though had actually made her so hot that she had to have Kinana take over the bar so she could cool down in the kitchen. As the day was nearing an end and she was wiping down the counter, she saw Team Natsu walk towards her.
"Can I help you guys with something," she asked kindly.
"Yes, we need you to sign off on this mission we are taking." Erza slid the paper towards the busty barmaid who quickly read it. Her brow creased slightly when she went over the mission statement and she looked to them with concerned filled eyes.
"Are you guys sure about this? This mission seems like it can get pretty dangerous."
"Nah, we got it Mirajane. You said it yourself; we're Fairy Tail's strongest team. There's nothing we can't handle." Natsu bellowed in pride.
"I got to agree with Flame Brain for once." Gray smirked.
"It's only a few dark mages Mira, we can handle it. Besides, there's been word that this guild they're apart of is up and coming so we got to take them out while we can before it's too late," Lucy informed the barmaid. Mira still had a worried look in her eye but looking at the confidence coming from her friends, she knew that they were right. They had gone up against opponents that are more formidable and came back safe, so this mission shouldn't be any different.
"All right, all right. I'll sign off on it; just make sure you all be careful, ok." Mira reminded them.
"Don't worry Mira; we will be back in about three days. It shouldn't take that long to dispatch these mages. Now come on you guys. We leave for the train in the morning. Pack whatever you need tonight and meet at the train station at nine. Do you understand?" As per usual, Erza took charge of the situation making the rest fall in line with a militaristic salute.
"Aye sir!" Nodding to them, the scarlet haired female left, Gray not too far from behind her. Lucy, Natsu and Happy were on their way out the door when Natsu felt a tug on his vest. Turning he saw Mira give him a soft look before she nodded her head off to the side.
"I need to talk to you," she whispered. Nodding he turned back to Lucy and Happy and called out to them.
"Hey you guys I'll catch up later, I got to do something first. I'll see you back at Lucy's place Happy."
"Aye sir!"
"Why are you coming to my house, why don't you go to your own you free loaders." Not getting answer as Natsu had went with Mirajane and Happy down the street, the celestial mage sighed in annoyance and let the doors close behind her as she walked down the path out of Fairy Tail.
"What you wanna talk about Mira?" The older mage lead Natsu into the cellar where the barrels of wine were stocked. Fiddling with one of her bangs, she turned to him with a nervous expression.
"I just…I just wanted to tell you to be careful."
"But we already told you, we're…"
"I know what you guys said Natsu, but I'm telling you personally to be careful. I know it's not normally how you do things but I want you to think before you act ok. I've heard about this new guild, Dullahan's Song, and their mages aren't pushovers. I know that your team is one of the best in Fairy Tail but I…I just can't…I just can't risk losing you ok! I know this sounds silly of me, but please just come back. Safe and sound alright! Please if not for me, for the guild!" she pleaded, tears forming in the corners of her eyes. Natsu was in awe at the emotions that he was seeing from Mirajane. On all his other missions she would ask for him to be careful and not cause too much trouble, but this was the first time that he had seen her basically beg him to take precautions. Seeing her nearly break down in tears for him put a bitter taste in his mouth that she would worry herself over him but he also felt slightly…happy. It was the first time that he had ever known for somebody to care about him this much and he couldn't help but feel joy that there was somebody out there that cared so much. Taking his hand, he put it on her cheek, using his thumb to wipe away a stray tear.
"Hey, I'll be fine. You don't have to worry. Besides…" Mira gasped when she felt his lips press against her forehead, "I still need to come back for our date this weekend, remember. I promise to be back in time for it." He smiled gently. Unable to control herself, Mira launched herself into his arms, taking the dragonslayer by surprise. It took a minute but he finally found the ability to move and wrapped an arm around the lithe form of Mirajane.
"Ok. I believe you. Just make sure you come back. If you don't I won't forgive you and you'll have to do an awful lot to make it up to me for waiting on you," she pouted.
"Uh like what?" he questioned timidly, finding the smile she had on slightly unnerving.
"I have something in mind, but I'll keep it a secret for now." Tightening her hold on him Mirajane basked in his warmth for a little bit longer but eventually let go.
"Now you should run along. I don't think Erza and the rest of your team will be happy if you oversleep and miss the train," she teased with a smirk.
"Heh, you're right. Like I said, I'll be back for our date Mira."
"I'll hold you to that Natsu." She reminded him.
With a confident grin, Natsu gave her the Fairy Tail symbol with his right hand, which she returned, and left out of the cellar. Mira smiled as she watched him leave, knowing that Natsu was right. She was worrying for nothing. She knew that Team Natsu was more than capable of handling a group of dark mages but with her feelings with Natsu being more intense, she just had to tell him how she felt about him going. She had finally confessed to him and she didn't know how she would handle losing him after everything that has happened between them in the last two days. However, even though she was worried she knew that he would come through on his promise.
*Four Days Later*
"Good bye Mira-nee! We'll see you in a few days!" Lisanna called as she and Elfman left the house. It was around noon on Saturday and Elfman and Lisanna were heading out on a mission that would take them a few days to complete. Most likely, they would be back either late Monday or early Tuesday. Mira waved at them good by after she had warned them to be careful and given them hugs and some of her cooked meals as a farewell gift. Although the smile she had seemed genuine, it wasn't. Today was the day that Natsu had promised to take her out and he had yet to arrive with his team. She had actually asked for the weekend off so that she and Natsu could be together and the master agreed without question, which struck her as odd but chose to ignore it due to her happiness reaching its maximum. However, with her siblings gone for the next few days and Team Natsu not coming back like scheduled, Mirajane found herself alone for the weekend.
'I guess I can just use the day to tidy up and relax. God knows I need one.' She thought with a sigh. For the ne, Mirajane cleaned the house to the point that a person could practically eat off the floor. Once she was done, she went out into the town to have her own personal day. Deciding that she needed a little pampering, and a distraction to keep her mind off Natsu and his team's absence, she got herself a mani-pedi, had a nice lunch and even did some shopping while she was in town. When she went to a women boutique, she perused the aisle of sexy nighties and lingerie, wondering which combo would capture Natsu's eye when he came back. She knew they were going slow, but that didn't mean she couldn't be prepared.
"Oooh, this hot pink one should be nice! However, this blue one with the lace trim is also really daring. Oooh, I just can't choose," she whined, fiddling with the semi-transparent pieces of clothe in her hands.
"Having troubles miss," a soft sweet voice asked from behind her. When Mira turned around, she was stunned into silence. The woman before her glowed with the radiance and elegance of a goddess. She seemed to be in her late twenties to early thirties at most. She had long, straight black hair that was dark as the night sky itself and it reached to the small of her back. She had curves in all the right places and her figure rivaled Mira's own. When Mira took in the woman's appearance, she saw that she was dressed in a business suit. The white blouse and black jacket she had on strained against her large breasts but it fit her hourglass shape perfectly, accentuating her curves as well as the short black skirt she had on that ended at her thighs, making her long toned legs very noticeable. The black pumps she had on gave her a few more inches putting her nearly a full head over Mirajane. Her light green eyes shown as if they were precious jade gems and Mirajane could not help but feel both intimidated and transfixed by her gaze. Clearing her throat Mira answered her question as best she could without stuttering as she was basked in the older woman's beauty.
"Um, I…I'm just having a hard time choosing. All of these look just so cute that it is impossible to choose. I'm sorry are you an employee here, Miss…"
"Ufufu, call me Angela sweetie and you're close. I'm not an employee, I'm the owner," Angela finished for her with a grin. Even her smile was perfect.
"Oh my I'm sorry, I didn't mean too…" Mira tried to apologize but for some reason her words were caught in her mouth.
"It's all right so don't worry your pretty little head over it. How about I help you try to impress your boyfriend since you're having such a hard time, that sound good," the older woman grinned coyly. Mira felt her cheeks begin to burn at the woman's words.
"Oh, um, I don't have a boyfriend…not yet anyway." Mirajane whispered the last bit to herself but the owner heard her either way.
"So, I take it that this person is really special to you and you want to be his girlfriend…am I right." A nod confirmed her assumptions. "Well, from the looks of how much effort you're putting into choosing, I would guess that you really want to impress him. Something that will knock his socks off, which I believe just by looking at you, shouldn't be too hard." The owner smirked then laughed when the blush on Mira's face darkened.
"Oh no need to be so embarrassed sweetie, all women have been in your shoes. You just have the goods that most of them wish they had, so you've already done half the battle. All you need now is something that will make him want you just as badly as you want him. Hmmm…wait right here! I have exactly what you are looking for!" Running off to the back the woman came back with a set of lingerie that had Mira blushing up a storm. It was perfect!
"That's it! It's perfect! I just know it is!" Mira squealed in excitement. Slowly she took the lingerie set from Angela and held it closely to her chest.
"Thank you so very much Angela-san!" The owner of the boutique waved her off as if what she did was not a big deal.
"It's all in a day's work sweetie; you don't have to thank me. Let's just ring this up, so you can go get your man." Angela clapped the younger woman on her shoulders and led her to the cash register to pay for the lingerie. With another 'thank you' along with a polite bow, Mirajane ran out of the boutique with her spirits at an all-time high. Looking at the sky, she could tell that the day had gotten away from her as the sun was setting over the horizon.
"I guess I should return home. All these bags are making my arms sore. I hope Natsu and his team are back yet. Oh, I know, I'll drop by the guild and if he's not there, I'll head back home." With a resolute nod, she departed from the shopping district with a noticeable bop in her step.
"Mou, I was so sure he'd be there. I hope nothing bad happened to them. I know it was a mission regarding some dark mages, but they should've been back by now." When she made it to the guild, she looked for all around for Team Natsu but did not see any sign of them. Asking Kinana if the group had made it back, the purple haired beauty told her that they hadn't and with that, Mirajane thanked her and went home.
Dropping her bags in her room, Mira laid on her bed contemplating what to do next. Looking at her clock, she saw that it was 9:30. She had done all of what she wanted to do for the day, so she figured that it was time to call it a night. Ruffling through her drawer, she picked out a light blue lacey bra and a matching set of panties and went into the bathroom. After about forty-five minutes, Mira came out, fresh as a daisy and with the towel on her head as she dried her hair. She put lotion on her body to keep her skin from drying over the night and to keep it's soft feel and went to put on her underwear. She had gotten her panties on, but while she was putting on her bra, she heard her window open. Slowly turning her head, she was frightened to see what looked like a man in ragged clothes climbing in through her window. Not looking to ask the stranger questions, Mira acted immediately. Covering her breasts, Mira delivered a savage kick to the man's chest, launching him towards a tree behind her house, the trunk of the tree almost snapping in half with the force of the man's back as he connected. Quickly putting on a pair of shorts and an old hoodie she used to wear when she was younger, Mira ran out the front door and around the back. Seeing the person's body bent in front of the damaged tree, she ran up to them. Snapping her fingers in their face, she got no response so with her hand she pulled their head back and gasped at what she saw. The person she had just kicked roughly twenty yards wasn't a pervert or a burglar, but the person she had been waiting for all day.
"Natsu! Oh my God!" she screamed. Finally getting his bearings back, Natsu coughed harshly, blood hitting the grass and traveling down his chin and onto his torn jacket and pants.
"H-Hi, Mirajane. S-sorry, I'm late but…did you…have to kick me so hard." He grinned despite the possibility that he was internally bleeding. Seeing the faraway look in his eyes, Mira could tell that he was close to slipping into unconsciousness. Taking his arm, she draped it over her shoulder and propped him onto his feet so she could carry him into her house. As she helped him, she did not realize that she had been crying the whole time since figuring out it was him. Seeing her tears through his hazing vision, Natsu took a trembling hand and wiped at her cheek.
"What you crying for? That little love tap you gave me isn't enough to take me down, you know that." He grinned, his attitude as laid-back as ever. Mira sniffled, but eventually let a smile grace her features as they entered her house. Laying him down on the sofa, she kissed his forehead, her hand on his cheek, rubbing it tenderly.
"I know that, but that doesn't mean I can't worry about you. I'll be right back with the first aid kit. Don't move a muscle until I come back," she ordered leaving no room for discussion. Hearing her ascend the stairs to retrieve the kit, Natsu let out a strangled groan that he was holding in so that he wouldn't alarm Mira.
"Dammit, I know some people say that love is painful, but no one told me that it's deadly. Ugh, but I got to say, I think it's worth it."
[A/N: I bet you people were expecting some gangsta shit to happen between Lisanna and Mirajane. Sorry to disappoint you, but that is for another day. Maybe when she and Lucy find out, or maybe before, I don't know. Your guess is as good as mine is with this story. Next chapter, will get a little steamy though, just letting you know. I was going to save this chapter with the rest and give you guys a full week of my stories one day after another but with my college finals this week and summer classes starting the following week, I knew that I wouldn't have enough time to write. So I decided to post this while I had it on deck. Hope you enjoy. Read and review and PM me for ideas. Blaccdragon out!]