Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Mashima Hiro-sensei
Author's Note: There's a small NaLu moment in this chapter (if you squint hard enough). If you're not comfortable with reading NaLu, you can skip that small part at the end. Well, it's your choice. : )
Whispers of the Heart
Chapter 2: Yuri
- X793 -
Huh?
Why do I feel…cold and wet?
Slowly, he cracked his eyes open. The gray sky that greeted him was mostly blocked by a number of leaves letting down big fat drops of rain on his face and body.
Since when did he manage to fall asleep outside? Last time he checked, he was confined in the Magnolia hospital.
His senses went overdrive as he took in more of his surroundings. This place looked familiar. East Forest? What was he doing here? And why was he lying on a pool of mud, feeling icky and—wait why was he dressed in a white (and now muddy) oversized long-sleeved shirt? And only the shirt. His underwear was missing. How on Earthland did that happen?
Don't panic. Don't panic. He reassured himself. Did I sleepwalk?
No. That didn't seem to be the case. I never sleepwalk!
Just then, a sudden voice roared behind him.
"Ho ho ho~, what a lucky day! I got myself a snack!"
His eyes followed where the voice was and his whole body stiffened at the sight behind him. Huge, muscular, looks like a monkey. He instantly recognized that kind of monster. "G-Gorian?"
"Damn straight kid."
The boy's legs didn't react at the first seconds he willed himself to run away from the monster. Not that running helped because the moment he tried to do so, he tripped himself and plunged back to the wet ground. The Gorian mockingly laughed at him as he picked up the brat by his humongous hairy hand.
"L-Let me go, you ugly piece of crap!" The boy glowered at the monster. The monster in return guffawed at him.
"Yeah. Great job with the glarin' kid. Ohhhh I'm so scared." He inched his face closer towards his prey, making the boy pull himself away from the monster's smelly breath.
"You should be the one who's scared! You don't know who you're messing with!"
The Gorian shot him a bemused look. "Oh a feisty one! I'm gonna enjoy eating you." He cackled. "But I ain't gonna feast on a stinkin' punk, so I'm gonna rinse you a bit." They started moving. "Hmm...Should I eat you raw or maybe char you a little under a fire? Which one do 'ya prefer, huh?"
The boy kept squirming to escape. Then he decided to bit the monster's hand.
"Ow! Shit that friggin' hurt", yelped the monster, anger etched on its face. It didn't know the kid got this real pointy canine.
"That's it! You're no more, you little fucker!"
The trapped boy would have been proud of himself back then but only cursed at what he did. He expected that the Gorian would release him from his clutches when he bit its hand, but no. It only squeezed his body harder, almost knocking out the remaining air he got in his lungs.
"I'm gonna kill you now!"
Panic rose up to the boy's chest upon hearing that. The monster tightened his hold on him. He couldn't breathe properly, much less shout for help. There wasn't any other choice for him.
He needed to use his magic. Or else he'll be a goner. And soon.
He shut his eyes and concentrated hard. Really hard.
He got none.
Come on! I can't die here!
None.
Why can't I—
The monster was roaring with laughter. He licked his thick purple lips as he salivated at the helpless boy. "Done with your prayers?"
I'm gonna—
None.
A vision of his father crossed his mind.
I can't—
Can't…breathe.
"Open, Gate of the Horseman! Sagitarrius!"
He blacked out.
...
The boy opened his dark-bluish eyes. It seemed like he fell asleep again, but this time he was a little bit dry and warm. He was also sitting on something hard. It felt and smelt like…wood? He quickly stood up as he realized he was encased in a vertical, wooden trap. He looked at this unfamiliar territory, his hands pressed firmly against the glass.
A room? A girl's room? It sure was. The place was flooded with pink everywhere he looked.
He banged his hands on the glass and tried to shout for help, feeling claustrophobic. But it seemed no one could hear him, until a voice spoke.
"AHHHHHH HEEEELP ME I'M STUCK HERE, he says."
"What?"
"What, he says."
The boy searched for the source of the voice around the room but couldn't find any person aside from him. Then he realized...
"Did that voice came from this clock?"
Finally, it replied. "Yes, that would be I, Horologium."
"Eh?! T-The clock just spoke!" He freaked out.
"Eh?! T-The clock just spoke, he says."
"You don't have to say what I just said, you know!"
"You don't have to say what I just said, you know, he says."
This weirdo clock was ticking him off. "Get me outta here!"
"I am afraid I cannot until Lucy-sama orders your release."
"Lucy-sama? Who's that?"
As if answering his question, the door opened. "I'm back!"
The clock turned by itself to greet the newcomer. An older blonde girl holding a paper bag appeared in front of him, taking a seat on the pink bed. The clock encasing the boy moved closer to the girl. A smile crept up to her face as she eyed her little guest. "Oh, you're awake! Hello there. I'm Lucy."
Dark blue eyes glared back at her. "Get me outta here, he shouts!"
Lucy frowned. "You could at least try to be nice. I'm not a bad person."
The blond and dirty boy seemed to have calmed down just a bit.
"Why am I inside this clock? And why can it talk? Miss, are you my kidnapper, he asks."
The celestial mage gawked. Who is this judgmental kid? Did he honestly think I look like a kidnapper? "I am not! I –"
"Mama said not to talk to strangers. And you're a kidnapper. Why would you trap me here if you're not a kidnapper, he asks?"
"It's because you stink, you ungrateful brat." Lucy scolded. This kid was slowly getting on her nerves.
"…"
Great. That shut him up. "Hmph! Even though I went through all that trouble of buying you new clothes."
The child was slightly surprised. So she didn't seem to be a bad guy…err...girl after all. She had a point though. He reeked because of the mud smudged all over his body.
"…"
He suddenly felt embarrassed.
Lucy sighed in reply. "You're lucky I found you in the forest. You're about to be squeezed by a Gorian. What's a kid doing there all alone, huh? Did you run away from home?"
Silence.
"I can't remember, he says."
"Do you know where your parents are?"
"I don't know, he says."
"Wait, you haven't given me your name yet."
"…"
"Why would I give you my name, he asks."
"Jeez, what's up with you kid? It's not the end of the world if you tell me your name. Or perhaps…" Is this kid some kind of an heir to an influential family?
"Okay, maybe I can relate a little. But I'm not really a bad person. See?" Lucy lifted her backhand to let the kid see her light pink guild mark.
The boy's eyes widened.
"I'm from Fairy Tail. A mage guild of this town. Now you believe I'm a good person?"
"…"
"Eh? You don't know Fairy Tail, do you? Are you even from here?"
Unbeknownst to Lucy, the boy very well knew Fairy Tail.
I haven't seen her face before. Is she a new member?
Lucy stared at the kid who seemed to have spaced out. "Uhh, hello there?"
That got him back to reality. "Y-yeah. I know Fairy Tail. I also live here, he says."
"Do you want me help you find your parents?" The celestial mage offered.
"I'm not looking for my parents, he says. But can you help me find my house, he asks."
"Deal. But tell me your name first before I let you go." Lucy smiled.
"…"
"First name's fine by me. I don't want to call you kid all day."
What was he going to say? He was still suspicious of this older girl. He suddenly remembered his grandfather's instructions if this kind of situation arises, which was, "If a stranger asks you about your real identity, give them another name."
There was a short pause before he spoke.
"Yuri, he says."
"Alright." The mage stood up from the bed and offered the paper bag with clothes inside to the spirit clock. "It's nice to meet you, Yuri! You can call me Lucy. Hey, our names rhyme." She let out a light laugh.
"…"
"Before we head off, can you take a shower first? You can use my washroom, just don't make too much of a mess. I've bought you new clothes. I hope they'll fit."
"T-Thank you. For the clothes and for saving me, he says."
"No problem."
With that, Horologium walked towards the washroom and locked the door. A poof was heard, followed by the sound of the shower knob squeaking.
Lucy's gaze trained on the door, deep in thought.
There's something strange about that kid. He kinda looks familiar. And why was he alone in the forest only wearing a shirt five times larger than his size?
And he also didn't want to give out his name. I understand that part if I were in his shoes. But normally, a 'lost' kid would instantly give his or her full name. Going to the town hall is the most efficient way to find a person after all. That 'Yuri'…I think he's keeping something.
Her brows furrowed at the mystery.
What if he's also from a rich family? That's why he's keeping his surname from me. That must be it!
Her imagination had gone down further.
What if I return him to his parents? And since they might be filthy rich, they would give me a reward money for the good deed. Lucy snickered to herself, imagining the boy being hugged by her posh parents crying a river once they've found their lost son, all thanks to her. Then the imaginary father would give her a reward money. She refuses at first, but the male would insist. She'd take it (out of courtesy?) and it'll be enough rent payment for a few months, or possibly a year! Hehe~ Jackpot!
The celestial mage's devious grin wore off though. But…he said he's not looking for his parents. He probably wants to stay out of them. She remembered how badly she wanted to run away from his father before.
Her thoughts were abruptly interrupted. The boy finished showering.
A few minutes later, Yuri got out of the washroom clothed in a moss green shirt, black shorts and rubber shoes. Lucy looked at him from her chair somewhat relieved that the clothes fit the boy.
"You done? Okay, let's go." She offered her hand to him. The hand that has the Fairy Tail insignia. Yuri was reluctant at first, before Lucy told him that he might get lost. He finally accepted her hand. They went downstairs and exited the building.
Lucy was closing the lock on the front door when Yuri caught sight of a man being carried by a…a cat (?) as the guy was trying to break into the woman's room through the window. The boy yelped in surprise and tugged the older woman's clothing.
"L-Lucy-san." He pointed his index finger at the pink-haired hooligan. "A guy just went inside your room through the window."
"Ehhhh?!" The woman looked up and growled loudly. "NATSU WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING? GET BACK HERE!"
"Oh, Lucy!" The guy was waving now at the girl below. He jumped from the room through the window and landed in front of the two. "I was wondering when you'll come back to the guild. Oh? Who's this?" The pinkette eyed the boy. Yuri stepped behind the celestial mage and hid himself there. The other boy continued to sniff him though.
"Lucy, what took you so long?" The blue cat flew downwards from the second floor and spoke. Yuri's eyes grew like saucers. The cat just spoke! And apparently, it also has wings!
"Ugh, I don't know what to do with you two. How many times do I have to tell you to stop trespassing in my room?!" Lucy complained.
Natsu ignored the girl and stared hard at the kid.
"Don't you just ignore me!"
"Hey Lucy, who is he?" Natsu asked, pointing his finger.
"Yeah, yeah, who is he?" Happy flew in circles on top of Lucy.
"Don't scare the kid. He's not used to your sniffing. Not any normal person does."
Natsu crouched to the boy's eye level, rubbing his chin. "He smells like you now. But why do I feel like I've smelled him before? Hmmm… I don't know how to put it…" Yuri didn't move from his spot though he was a tiny bit uncomfortable with the sniffing.
The blue cat then spoke again. "Hello! I'm Happy. Do you like fish?"
"N-no." The boy replied.
"Aye! More for me!"
The pinkette chuckled and stood up. "Anyways, I'm Natsu. This is Happy, my partner. Lucy's also in my team. We're mages from Fairy Tail. What's your name kid?"
He's also from Fairy Tail? The boy thought. But I also haven't met him before.
"…Yuri."
"Yuri? Hmmm…have I heard that name before? Or not?" He just shrugged it off. "Where are you guys going to? Mind if we tag along?"
Lucy sighed. "I knew this is gonna happen. We have to find Yuri's house before the sun sets down. You know where your house is, don't you?" She asked the boy beside her.
"Y-yeah. I think."
"Okay then. We'll just follow you. Make sure you don't get hurt or lost again."
"Thank you." The boy mumbled.
…
It was already a half-an-hour walk along the streets of Magnolia. Lucy, Natsu and Happy continued to follow Yuri, the boy ahead by several steps. Natsu was telling Lucy about the job he did with Gray earlier and how they accidentally (?) demolished a town hall, a marketplace, six buildings and a section of that town's train station when Happy complained about his paws getting sore from walking. In which Lucy retorted by saying he can just fly, but the blue Exceed was too tired to travel and just rested on top of the celestial mage's head and dozed off. Natsu also felt he was running out of gas.
"Ne Lucy~ where did you find that kid?" The pinkette asked.
"He was at the East Forest, about to get eaten by a Gorian. I know. Strange, right?" Lucy side-whispered.
A pink brow raised to that. "What's so strange about that?"
"Why do you think a kid would like to stroll in a forest filled with monsters?"
"Lisanna, Happy and I do that most of the time when we were kids." Natsu beamed at the memory.
"That's because you three were always up for trouble." Well, Lucy wasn't too sure about Lisanna. Judging from her sweet character, she must have been pulled along Natsu's shenanigans. She continued, "A normal kid wouldn't do that!"
"Nothing's normal in Fairy Tail. Hey, what if Yuri isn't a normal kid?" Natsu mused. "You know, what if he's someone like us too?"
Lucy didn't get it at first, then it registered to her. "You're saying he knows magic? He couldn't even defend himself from the Gorian back then."
"Who knows? It'd be cool if he is. We can recruit him to our guild. Then I'll test him out." The pinkette grinned and pumped his fist.
"You'd pick on a kid?" Lucy deadpanned. Why did it sound normal coming from Natsu?
"That's Natsu for you." Happy interjected as if answering her, then went back to his nap.
"You're hopeless." The celestial mage face-palmed herself. Natsu was about to reply when he noticed the boy not moving anymore.
"Oh. Looks like he found it."
The duo quickened their pace. They were surprised by the boy's reaction though.
The look on his face…he was horrified.
"T-this isn't—"
He was standing in front of his 'house'. His house shared with his parents that was now replaced by a… coffee shop?
"W-what is this place?"
Lucy and Natsu looked at each other confused. They both know that shop. It was an old establishment.
"This is Magnolia, right? W-Why is this—" Yuri looked around once more. He didn't want to admit it, but the whole time he was dragging his feet, the town felt…odd. The town was like…something new to him. Was he long gone from being hospitalized that he couldn't recognize the way to his own house? Or the new buildings?
"H-how long was I gone?" That came out barely a whisper.
Natsu put a hand on the child's shoulder. "Hey, is something the matter?"
"Do you want me to take you to the mayor's hall?" Lucy offered. "Maybe they can help you more in finding your parents."
He shook his head. "I can't."
Lucy and Natsu didn't really understand why he couldn't, but they decided not to question him. "Don't worry. You have us."
"Yeah. We won't leave you until you get home safe and sound."
The boy didn't utter a word.
"Do you know any other relative's place? So we can take you there?" Lucy asked.
Yuri thought about it for a while, then he nodded.
"Hey, no worries. We got you." Natsu reassured him. "Besides, if you still can't find this relative, you can always stay at Fairy Tail for a while."
He looked up at Natsu, feeling lost. Where would he go now? What happened to his house? Where will he wait for them? If the town looked so different from what he knew…
Maybe if I go to Fairy Tail, I'll find him there…
But he was told—
Suddenly his stomach growled loud and clear for the older mages to hear. Hearing Fairy Tail did remind him of some of his favorite food aside from his blood relatives. A tinge of pink dusted his cheeks in embarrassment.
"Wow, you sure sounded hungry."
"Oi, Natsu!"
"Here, have some of my fish." Happy, who just woke up from his short slumber, jumped down and pulled out a fish from his backpack.
"Happy, he can't just eat raw fish," said Lucy.
"That's what I'm here for." Natsu grabbed the fish and toasted it with his fire-infused fist. "Here you go." He was about to hand the flaming hot fish to Yuri when Lucy quickly swatted his hand. She yelled at Natsu. "You moron! You could have burned his hand!"
Happy was at tears. "Lucy you wasted my fish! It's now dirty thanks to you!"
"Ugh why did I even bother?" Lucy let out a frustrated sigh, then turned her head to the boy. "Yuri, would you like to eat first?"
"But I don't have any jewels with me." He mumbled, looking down on the floor.
"It's alright. My treat." The celestial mage smiled.
"R-really?"
"Uhuh!"
"Does that mean you'll treat us too?" Natsu and Happy asked, both feeling hopeful.
"Hell no! You're on your own!"
"Aw. Lucy, you're heartless!" They followed her anyway, knowing she couldn't really say no to them.
...
Inside the restaurant, other customers gawked at the four, or rather two person eating like they've never eaten once for months. Scrap of bones and sauces went flying around them, and Lucy could feel the judgmental stares of the waitresses boring through her head. She just sighed inwardly, already used to Natsu's way of eating in diners. Happy shared a look with her though, when the boy she found in the forest earlier could keep up with the older mage's appetite. With more table manners compared to Natsu, but still, both were at their 23rd plate of food. Happy snickered at her, a paw on his mouth. That damn cat! Lucy cried inside, feeling her money slipping away from her. She didn't expect the brat to be as hungry as the dragon slayer beside him.
"Y-You're really hungry, aren't you?" Her eyebrows twitching, she asked.
Yuri stopped gobbling his food to look at her. And the number of plates he finished. Flustered, he said, "I'm sorry. I'll pay you back, I promise."
"No, no, it's okay." Lucy waved him off. "You don't have to."
"Yeah, unlike you Yuri..." Natsu gulped down a glass of water before he continued, "…Lucy has a job. She can treat us as many times as we want." He grinned widely.
"It's just that…I haven't eaten this good food. Ever since I was hospitalized." The boy muttered.
"I see. That's understandable." The blonde girl curiously inquired. "You got sick before?"
A lot. Most of the time. The boy's expression turned downcast. He nodded. Lucy didn't push that topic.
Breaking the sudden awkwardness, he asked. "Are you both really from Fairy Tail?"
Natsu and Happy were quick to react to his question. "Heck yeah. The best in Fiore!"
"Aye, si—wait, you didn't count me in!" Happy whined.
"Why'd you ask?" questioned Lucy.
The boy let out a small smile, a first for today. "I wanna become a mage of Fairy Tail too someday."
"Ohhhh!" Natsu's eyes lit up like he just found the candy store. "Lucy we gotta recruit him!"
"And here I thought you're just a normal kid." Lucy commented, then asked Natsu. "Wait isn't he too young to join the guild?"
"I'm already seven. I'll be eight next month!" Yuri chimed in, not amused with the girl's remark.
"Yeah. Gray and I were like eight or nine when we joined Fairy Tail. I think Erza, Cana and Mira were one to two years older than us."
"You're more than 400 years old though." Happy said to Natsu, to which he agreed with a laugh. Yuri didn't get it though.
"That aside, aren't we supposed to look for your parents?"
"I-I think it's okay." Yuri's voice didn't sound too sure. "I live on my own sometimes. I always wait for them to come home. I'm not sure if they know I was gone, but they can find me later." And I know he'll get mad at me, but I don't have another place to go home to other than that, was what Yuri wanted to add but didn't. After all, they said they were from the guild. Yuri couldn't recognize them for a reason, which scared him a bit. But what was scarier to the boy was him finding out what happened back in the forest…that he wasn't able to fend for himself.
He seriously wished his parents weren't in Magnolia for the meantime.
What's up with this kid? Lucy thought to herself. It was rare for her to find someone sounding independent at the age of eight. He also looked that eager to find his own house earlier, then now he suddenly ditches his idea?
"So you know how to use magic, right?" Natsu excitingly asked the boy.
He reluctantly nodded.
"What sort of magic do you use?"
Yuri froze. Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned anything. "I can't tell you." He mumbled.
"Eh? Why not?" Natsu incredulously asked, leaning closer to the boy's face. "Is it some forbidden dark magic?"
"No. I don't think it is. But my papa and gramps said I shouldn't tell other people."
"Why would they forbid you to do that?" The two mages' brows raised at him.
Truth be told, Yuri didn't understand their reasons himself. He just repeated what they always told him to the two. "They said it was to protect me."
Natsu and Lucy shared a quick look at one another, confused at the boy's statement. The blond girl spoke, "It's alright. As long as it's not anything dangerous."
The pink-haired male crossed his arms, still curious about the young one's power. "Well, if you wanna join Fairy Tail, sooner or later we'll know what kind of magic you're hiding. You might wanna tap on it to survive in the guild hall." Grinning at the thought, he explained further. "Fairy Tail's the rowdiest, most fun guild to be in. There's always a brawl every day."
"Flying tables and chairs, too." Happy added. "And Gray's underwear."
"Not a single day without any property damage." Lucy sighed. Inside and outside the hall, she might add but didn't to retain Fairy Tail's good image on the kid.
Without their knowledge though, Yuri knew all of it. He smiled to himself.
"What magic do you use, Lucy-san?"
"Lucy's just fine." She corrected him before continuing, "I'm a celestial spirit mage. I summon spirits from the celestial world to fight for me."
"So that clock is a spirit?" He paused. "Like…a ghost?"
The girl shook her head. "Uh, how do I explain this? They're just…spirits. But they aren't just spirits. They're also my friends."
A few blinks.
"Um, okay."
"You don't get it do you?" Lucy said straight-faced. The boy nodded.
"Lucy is a holder-type mage. While me and Happy are caster-type." Natsu explained.
"Cats can use magic too?" Yuri was shocked at this discovery.
"Aye Sir!" Happy then flapped his wings and flew above the kid, landing on his small head. "I use Aera. It's flying magic!"
"He's not exactly a normal cat though." Natsu chimed in.
"What about you, Natsu?"
The pink-haired mage grinned widely, as if expecting that question. He pumped his fist with fire as a demonstration. "I'm a fire dragon slayer!"
Yuri gaped at him. "D-Dragon…Slayer?!" His voice went a pitch higher at his surprise.
"Yeah. I use Dragon Slayer Magic. It's an anti-Dragon Magic."
"B-But how?" The boy couldn't believe his ears. This guy just said he could use Dragon Slayer Magic. He took a quick glance at the mage's exposed upper body. "H-How did you become one?"
"What are you talking about? I was raised by a dragon. He was the one who taught me Dragon Slayer Magic. " Natsu said in a matter-of-fact tone.
"Dragons are real?!" He unconsciously slammed his palms on the table. It didn't give a loud clank but it earned a puzzled look from his three companions.
And they teach Dragon Slayer Magic? But isn't Dragon Slayer Magic supposed to kill dragons?
Yuri couldn't believe it. So many questions popped into his head, but he couldn't speak anymore much to his surprise. He only knew one method how to become a dragon slayer after all.
Natsu ruffled the boy's head, used to other people reacting like he's crazy. Although this time, instead of getting furious when others didn't believe him, he let out a strained smile. "Yeah. It's true. Though they… don't exist anymore."
Lucy noticed the sudden shift in Natsu's mood and explained to the boy in a soft tone. "I know it's hard to believe, but it's really the truth. Natsu was raised by the Fire Dragon, Igneel."
"Aye! I also met him once." Happy added.
"Yeah, everyone in Fairy Tail did."
Everyone?
So he knows too?
"I-I see," Yuri didn't notice his throat dried up at his own confusion. He was told before that dragon slayer magic was very rare. It shouldn't even exist now, he said. And now that he met one…
He reached out for a glass of water to soothe his nerves while the others kept talking.
"There's also a Sky Dragon Slayer and an Iron Dragon Slayer in the guild." Natsu pointed out.
"A Lightning Dragon Slayer too!" Happy interjected.
Yuri almost choked on his drink at that statement.
"Oh yeah, can't forget about him!" Natsu laughed.
Yuri stared at them in pure shock, mouth slightly open.
Who are they?
What are they saying?
It can't be true.
There's no way—
"Yuri?" Lucy asked, worried. "Is something the matter?"
Breaking out of his stupor, the boy demanded. "I want to meet them." He eyed the older mages. "Can I come with you to Fairy Tail?"
The three looked at each other. Natsu shrugged then grinned. "Sure. If it's alright with 'ya to hang around a bit in the guild, yeah why not?"
"Natsu…do you think it's a good idea?" The celestial mage whispered. Besides, that kid seems suspicious. The way he reacts…It's definitely not normal!
"I don't see anything wrong with it." The pinkette dismissed her.
"W-Well…"
"Alright. It's settled then. Off to the guild!" Natsu marched swiftly towards the exit with Happy in tow.
"O-Oi! Who's gonna pay for your food?" Lucy exclaimed, but the fire dragon slayer was too fast. He was already outside the restaurant. And it didn't help that the manager at the counter was staring at her like a hawk. "Natsu! You're gonna pay for this!" The girl asked for the bill and her face paled at the price she had to pay. Yuri watched her, embarrassed that he ate a lot for free. He thanked the girl, still promising he would find a way to pay her.
...
After Lucy scolding Natsu and Happy outside the restaurant, the four made their way to Fairy Tail. It wasn't a long walk from there. Lucy and Natsu were holding Yuri's hand, each on both sides so the boy wouldn't get lost. Yuri didn't seem to mind. After all, there were many things going on through his head right now. He was having mixed feelings about this. He knew he wasn't allowed to go back, but the thought of seeing the guild after so long was making him eager and excited and slightly nervous. He wondered what it would look like now. And what would be his reaction when he sees him?
I hope he isn't mad at me.
The walk was a silent one, until Happy decided to bother Lucy.
"Ne, Lucy~" The blue Exceed rested on the top of her head, whispering, "Don't you think Yuri looks like yours and Natsu's child?"
The celestial mage's cheeks instantly flamed up. "W-W-What are you saying?" She sputtered.
"I'm saying he has blonde hair like yours." Happy teased her more.
"A-And so?"
"Did you and Natsu made lo—"
"Knock it off, tomcat." Lucy cut him off. She flicked the Exceed on the forehead, which made him fall off of her.
Happy flew in front of her, not amused. "Only Carla calls me that." He then hovered and rested on Natsu's head.
"Ne, Natsu~"
"What is it, Happy?" The fire mage glanced at his partner.
"You three look cute holding hands." The Exceed commented. "You look like a real family from behind."
"Happy…" Lucy lowly growled. She heard that one.
"Really?" Natsu raised a brow. "Hmm… Is that a compliment?"
Happy only sighed "You're as dense as ever, Natsu."
Lucy took a quick glance at her teammate. She was hoping a little that he'd react differently. Sigh.
Yuri, who has been quiet for a while, noticed this and asked innocently, "Natsu, do you like Lucy?"
Lucy and Happy's jaws dropped on the floor at the sudden question. They swore bugs could fly in and out of their mouths at their shock.
Natsu looked at him with a disbelieving expression. "Huh? Of course I do."
"W-W-Whaaaat?" Lucy cried out, her heart racing a marathon from his reply. Her cheeks were as red as Erza's hair by now. She glanced at Yuri, who was smiling at her knowingly. Coincidence? She didn't think so. Before she could say something though, the boy cut her off.
"Do you like Natsu?"
Lucy gawked at him. There was a five-second delay before she could manage a reply. "W-Why would I answer that? Don't ask embarrassing things, you brat."
"I just asked a question." He retorted at the celestial mage, again with an innocent look on his face.
"T-This kid. He's giving off Mira vibes." Happy muttered darkly.
"Lucy." Natsu called her. With a serious expression, he asked her, "You don't like me?"
"D-Don't get any wrong ideas, idiot!" She exclaimed.
"Aw, but I said I like you a moment ago. I'm taking it back." The pinkette sulked, turning his head to the side, let go of the boy's hand and crossed his arms, walking ahead a few steps from them.
"J-Just…a moment ago?" Lucy frowned.
Yuri only smiled, gripping Lucy's hand harder to get her attention. He signaled her to crouch down at his level, then whispered to her, "He likes you."
Yeah right. She wasn't gonna fall for that. But her blushing face didn't agree with her.
"It's true." The boy insisted.
Lucy stared at the child dumbfounded. He just dropped that statement as if it were real.
"You don't believe me?"
"A-Aren't you too young…to know these things?"
He blinked at her.
"You just told me earlier that dragons were real. How come you can't believe me?" He reasoned out. Lucy gave him an incredulous look.
"Okay, kid. You're seriously weird." You creep me out was what came to Lucy's mind, but she thought that would be too offensive to the child.
Instead of being annoyed, he beamed at her.
"If I focus enough, I can hear it."
Natsu abruptly halted his steps and looked back at the two, or rather, at the child. He heard him too. His black eyes trained on Yuri, who was now dragging Lucy by the hand towards him and Happy. Did his ears fail him that moment or did Yuri just…reminded him of someone?
He shrugged his thoughts away when the boy took his hand and pulled them towards Fairy Tail, an unusual excitement showing in his eyes. It was as if the boy couldn't wait to go there. He reminded reminded the pinkette of the day when he got back to the guild from his first job as a mage. While his own memory made him giddy inside, he felt strange right now. He looked at his female partner who also wore a perplexed expression.
Lucy's onto something. This kid is something else.
Natsu couldn't sense any malice from Yuri though, which was already good in his book. But there's something about the kid. Something…Something he can't figure out, but already did. It didn't make any sense to him right now, but he felt the kid might probably hold some kind of power that could benefit the guild. So he just dismissed his suspicions with a proud grin. "Hehe. We got a new recruit. Gramp's gonna love this."
...
Author's Note: I noticed a mistake on the second Author's Note in the first chapter. It's supposed to be X793 and not 973. This is why I need to replace my glasses.
Hey how's it going? Anyone curious as to who Yuri might be? He isn't the OC that's for sure.
Next chapter's gonna be a bit longer. Brace yourself for some (very) mild action. If you like this chapter or noticed something amiss, any questions you wanna ask or whatever reaction you may have, don't hesitate to hit me with a review. : )
-AwkwardToffee