Yo, minna! It's Otaku-chan! I know I have been gone for a long time, but life all of the sudden decided that it was time to hate me, so I had to take a break. I'm really Really REALLY SORRY! For anyone who was actually kind enough to follow this story, you must hate me! But please, forgive me! I hope that this chapter might make up for it, if even a little bit! I'm not super confident in how good it is, as I typed in it several different times and my thought process changed each time... I'm finally back and I'm going to work really hard on updating all of my stories, starting with this one. Please enjoy the new chapter!
Mira: Otaku-chan, you kept me waiting! I am finally supposed to debut in this chapter!
Otaku-chan: I don't know Mira... We'll have to see what happens...
Mira: *Satan Soul takes over* Ahn?! You want to question me?
Otaku-chan: NO MA'AM!
Mira: Good. Then I look forward to working with you.
Otaku-chan: Hai... Please enjoy the chapter everyone... *crawls into a corner to cry*
I OWN NOTHING! EVERYTHING BELONGS TO MASHIMA-SENSEI!
The further we travelled away from the place that Kaoru and I had entered from, the more nervous I became. The scenery kept changing and crazier things kept happening.
For one, Natsu finally woke back up, just as we decided to find a train station so we could just take a train to "Magnolia", which was apparently the city where Fairy Tail was located. At hearing our travel plans, he began to throw a fit and go wild, screaming, "I WON'T RIDE NO FUCKING TRANSPORTATION!" I was pretty sure that Erza was going to knock him out again, when, to my surprise, she complied, saying that she "Didn't want him to suffer."
And so, rather than take the train, for what Lucy told me would be an hour long trip, we ended up walking. When we passed a small lake that apparently the group had been fishing at before finding Kaoru and I, out of no where, a small blue creature flew up and began to talk to Natsu and his companions, looking strangely similar to Lector and Frosch. And they responded to it like it was completely normal.
The creature was later introduced as Happy, a blue exceed and Natsu's partner, on a team with both Natsu and Lucy. I for one took to him almost immediately. I've always liked cats. They don't destroy clothes like dogs do. They're more intelligent. And they were just more pleasant to be around in general. Striking up a conversation, we began to talk as we headed towards Magnolia.
"So, Happy," I began, trying to ignore the fact that I was talking to a cat. "What are the people from Fairy Tail like? What about Natsu and Lucy? Gray and Erza?"
Not hesitating for a second, Happy responded, "They're insane." I must have looked shocked because he hurried to add an explanation. "But not in a bad way. It's probably more accurate to say they're extreme. They are all insanely loyal and have a strong sense of justice. They follow their hearts without any thought about the consequences."
I heard a snort from behind me and knew it was Kaoru. "So basically, what you're saying, Furball, is that they're headstrong. I have a feeling I've met someone like that before." Not even bothering to turn around, I raised my hand and flipped him off, which only caused him to chuckle. I nodded at Happy for him to continue.
"Natsu is amazing. He's really strong and he will do anything for his nakama. He can be a bit of an idiot though." Happy paused when Natsu shouted out a protest. Deigning to ignore him, Happy continued. "Lucy is really weird and eats a lot of greasy foods, but she's also really nice and likes to write stories about the adventures she's had with me and Natsu. Gray is an idiot like Natsu and he's a really weird stripper. He can, however be really smart. I'd watch out though, because he has a stalker who can get crazy jealous. Erza is scary but nice. Never EVER mess with her strawberry cheesecake. But she's really nice and strong and she's like a big sister to the rest of us."
At this point, the rest of our party was burning with rage while Kaoru and I were barely containing our laughter. For a moment I thought they might smother my new friend, but they never did. They shouted threats, but they were empty, for show to help a wounded pride. After they had died down, Happy turned to me, a smile on his face. I noticed he was flying lower now, his tail now swishing back and forth in the sand as he glided over the terrain, which was slowly becoming more and more like a beach. Almost as soon as I noticed this, his wings disappeared and he fell onto the sand. He looked up at me and in an instant of spontaneity, I scooped him up in my arms and continued walking. Everyone else continued on as well, except for Kaoru, who seemed to be frozen in place. "Yuuki?!" he cried out incredulously. "What do you think you're doing? You know that we're allergic to cats, right?! You could go into shock and die!"
His outburst caused everyone else to stop walking as well and stare at me. Happy was looking at me with wide eyes mixed with fear, shock, and sadness. Not looking at anyone else, I held him closer and smiled down at him. Seeing this, I think he relaxed a bit. Calling back to Kaoru and the rest of the group that I had now passed, I said, "Happy's not a cat, he's an exceed! And besides, he's my friend, and I want to help him, so I can."
"Drop that filthy cat. Now!" Kaoru yelled, his voice a mix of rage and panic. The rest of the group still stood there as I continued to walk away.
My throat beginning to burn, I coughed, the force of it shaking my whole body. At Happy's glance, I struggled to hide the growing uncomfort and smiled down at him. Turning on my heel, I began to walk backwards while facing Kaoru. Sticking my tongue out at him, I said, "Don't insult my friend! And, you're not the boss of me! I'll do what I want!" The others still hadn't moved, though I could tell Natsu was staring at me. I could feel his gaze more than see it, because now my vision was beginning to blur.
Kaoru glared back at me. As if all his patience had evaporated, he began stomping towards me, rage etched in every part of his face. "Drop. The. Cat."
Meeting his gaze, I glared the best I could manage. "No."
By now, Kaoru was 5 yards away, at most, and he was closing fast. While I knew now was the time to start walking away, my legs couldn't seem to move. In fact, nothing at all seemed to be moving. Hard as I tried my limbs wouldn't move. It was if I had become a statue. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, the world started to move. I saw Kaoru, his expression go from one of anger to one of horror. I saw the rest of them snap into action behind him. Lucy looked as horrified as Kaoru and the other three were running toward me, Erza barking orders and Gray, who was shedding his clothes as if they were on fire.
When my gaze finally landed on Natsu, it seemed to become glued there. For as the world began to move more and more drastically, he was becoming the only thing I could see, his eyes searing into mine, as if silently yelling at me. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I noted a wriggling in my arms and realized that Happy had squeezed out of my arms. Then I felt a shaking as I think Kaoru shook me for my attention. But through it all, my gaze remained locked on Natsu.
By the time I realized I was falling, Natsu had already caught me in his arms. I was too tired to say thank you, but I decided to try anyway. It was then that I realized that I wasn't breathing. My lungs burned and hot tears slipped from my eyes as Natsu leaned down, his face slowly approaching mine. Lost in a fog, I wondered what he was doing. Hearing my brother shouting in the background, I struggled to ask him what was wrong. Just as I became confident enough that I would be able to get the words out, I felt a pressure on my lips.
Before I could even wonder about what it was, I was immersed in a sense of sweet relief as oxygen filled my lungs, cold yet warm. But as quickly as it was in, it was out. I began to cough, the metallic taste of blood filling my mouth as the pressure was lifted from my lips. My senses had become a little clearer due to my oxygen boost and I was able to process the words I heard around me.
"We need to get her to Wendy! She can heal her!" I think that voice belonged the stripper. What was his name? Gray, that's right.
"She's my sister and I say we need to get her to the hospital!" That voice obviously belonged to Kaoru.
"And I keep telling you, Wendy would be faster!" Gray retorted.
"Both of you, shut up! Happy, can you take Gray to Wendy and have Charle bring her here?" asked a woman's voice. I wondered who it was but was too tired to care. There was a brief shuffling sound, and I couldn't see what was happening because my eyes were closed. Soon, the woman's voice rang out again. "Hurry Gray! I don't know how much time she has left!" I assumed they had calmed Kaoru.
Dimmly, I wondered what the others were doing but didn't focus on it for long. The pain in my lungs was returning again, and again I felt that strange pressure on my mouth, giving me the blessed relief of oxygen, only this time it was followed by a voice, so softly whispered that I was certain no one else could hear it. "Thank you. For sticking up for Happy. For being there for him. For... a lot. But you can't die now. We still haven't fought yet!" Even though my eyes were closed, I could see the crooked grin splayed across his features.
Though I knew my ability to speak was gone, but I decided to try anyway. What came out was garbled and choked, but it conveyed what I wanted. "You... welcome. Brother... an... idiot. I... always... fight... for my... friends. Please... forgive... brother... didn't... mean... i-" My body was wracked with coughs, cutting off any speech that I was able to communicate. Fear began to close in on me as I felt my consciousness begin to ebb away. I felt a warm callused hand grasp mine. Clinging to it for dear life, I began to count, to get my mind off the pain.
1...
The pressure returns to my lips again to relieve my lungs. Pretty sure my body rejected what it desperately needed, because the burning is still there.
2...
I think I just heard someone land on the sand next to me. There's some girl speaking that I don't know, but the voices are getting harder to hear. It's as if everything is in a tunnel.
3...
They're fighting. It sounds like chaos. More pressure. No relief.
4...
I hear crying. Someone must be hurt. I hope it's not Kaoru. He's such a cry baby.
5...
Something cold is touching my abdomen, so different from the heat coming from the hand I'm still holding. It feels like frozen fire, burning my skin wherever it touches, yet also freezing it.
6...
The cold is gone now, but everything seems clearer. The pressure comes back and this time the relief comes.
7...
More pressure. More relief. There are happy voices around me. Maybe I'm getting better.
8...
There is no more pressure, but I'm breathing just fine on my own. The heat is still there in my hand, confirming that I am still there, still alive.
9...
Someone's saying something to me. It sounds like it's important. I strain to listen, but I desperately want to see.
10...
Finally, I force my eyes open. My eyes water as the light hits them. At first, everything around me is a blur. There is a flash of pink right in front of me. I see blue and white over in the corner. Something beside me is black, just behind the pink. I blink and things become a little more clear. I can see faces now. The flash of pink was Natsu, and the blue and white was Happy, as well as another cat and a girl I've never seen before. The black was Kaoru, who looked like he was ready to cry too. I briefly registered the fact the Lucy was right up beside him. I couldn't see Gray and Erza.
Everyone was staring at me. I stared back at them. This continued for what felt like an eternity before I realized that they were waiting for me. Ignoring the dizziness that I felt in doing so, I sat up, still holding onto the hand. I put on the best smile I could manage at all of them and I think they all breathe a collective sigh of relief. I hear sniffling and I realize that someone is crying. Upon closer inspection, I see that it's Happy. "Happy." I say softly. His blue head jerks up and his eyes are filled with regret.
"I'm so sorry, Yuuki! I didn't mean to hurt you! I really like you! Please don't hate me! I really am sorry!" he blubbered, and I could feel my heart melt.
"Happy, calm down," I interrupted him, and felt a reassuring squeeze from the hand in mine. "It's all right. I picked you up because I wanted to, not because you made me. You don't need to apologize. And of course I still like you! Why wouldn't I?" His eyes filled with tears and he flew into my chest. I'm pretty sure I saw my brother tense. Though it was probably not the best idea, I began to stroke his fur.
"Umm... Yuuki, what are you doing? You could have another reaction!" I heard Lucy say.
Before I could retort with something along the lines of 'So what? Fuck off.' the blue haired girl in front of me spoke up. "It's all right Lucy-san. I cured her allergy, so she should be fine now." As if to prove a point, I leaned down my head and buried my head in Happy's fur and inhaled deeply. Everyone waited tensely and the hand had become rigid in mine. Minutes passed and I was still fine.
Taking my normalcy as a cue, I turned to Kaoru, who was still tense, and stuck my tongue out at him. "See? I'm fine."
Apparently, Kaoru didn't find this very humorous. "That was stupid and dangerous. Don't ever do that again! You're such a fucking idiot!" Then, he dove on me, tackling me in a hug. I hugged him back briefly, but then stood, leaving him alone in the sand.
"Well, let's go!" At everyone's confused expression, I added, "Weren't we going to Fairy Tail?"
The hand's possessor laughed, a warm sound that I felt course through my body like lightning. "That's right! I knew you were strong." I looked down to see Natsu grinning up at me, and I felt him squeeze my hand. Blush coating my cheeks, I quickly let go of his hand and began walking away towards Fairy Tail.
Or at least, that's what I thought. Apparently, I started heading in the wrong direction (I'm really REALLY bad with directions). Ordinarily, this would be the time where the people who knew where we were would tell me that I was wrong, but they followed me as if all was well. It was only about 5 miles later when Wendy, the little girl who had apparently healed me, spoke up.
I was embarrassed, but not as much as I was enraged. My gaze flicked over each person looking for a target. Kaoru. No, no challenge. Lucy. No, I like her. Gray. No, too weird. Erza. Not even considerable. Wendy. Definitely not. I couldn't treat my savior that way. I looked at the two cats, Happy and Charle, who had come with Wendy, and decided against any unnecessary touching. That left one idiot who was laughing obnoxiously at my mistake.
"Natsu," I said, my voice low and tense, "Do you still want to fight me?"
His eyes got even more excited than usual. "YES!" Flame roared to life on his hand, and I figured that was his power.
Taking a deep breath, I concentrating on losing my material body. I wasn't really sure if I could do this yet, but hey, why not try. I took a steadying breath in, held it, then exhaled. When I opened my eyes, Natsu was staring at me in confusion and I think Kaoru was about to have a cow, he looked that scared. The others didn't look much better off, all wearing their own expression of bewilderment. It was only when Natsu's confused expression changed into one of delight did I know I had succeeded. Trying not to smile obviously, I glanced down at the rest of my body. My limbs seemed to glow, as if they contained some unknown light, and my clothes had been exchanged for a black strip of cloth wound around my breasts, revealing more than usual. (Was it my imagination, or was that Gray in the background with a nosebleed?) Going along with this was a black mini skirt that seemed partially torn and tattered. I lifted a hand and ran it through my hair, which was now white, a stark contrast to everything else.
To test what this new form could do, I closed my hand into a fist and a dark shadow seemed to gather around it. I glanced up at the others, who were still stunned. Forcing the shadows to my fingertips, I drew in the air with my shadow, drawing a blade made entirely of my shadow. It seemed to flow, without a solid definition. When it was completed, I laughed, in spite of the situation.
Focusing on Natsu, I raised my blade and took a step toward him, barely able to contain my delight and refrain from charging him. His flame grew to engulf his entire body and he took a step towards me.
It was then I heard several cries from the audience. I'm pretty Lucy was the one who shouted, "Natsu, don't you dare kill her!"
Kaoru likewise shouted at me, "Yuuki! Stop! You don't want to kill him like you almost did to Yukino-chan!"
This caused the others to pause, even Natsu. The conversation on the sideline continued while I clenched my fist to keep from attacking. "Yukino? As in Yukino from Sabertooth?!" Wendy said incredulously.
Kaoru turned to them in surprise. "Yeah. You guys know her? I didn't know that Fairy Tail and Sabertooth were friends."
"We're not." Gray spat out, the venom in his voice causing Kaoru to fall silent.
"We fought against Sabertooth in the Grand Magic Games, a giant competition here in Earthland, and they were very cruel to us." Erza added.
"They were really strong. Like, REALLY STRONG! You can't just almost kill one of them!" Lucy shouted.
I laughed to myself. "It's a shame I didn't kill her. That bitch insulted my clothes. She deserved to die. That bastard Sting too, and his cocky smirk."
At this, Natsu jumped in, "How do you know them?"
I sighed, my patience almost gone. "They found us before you and told us everything we know about this world."
"Well they're assholes and you should stay away from them," he snapped.
This sent me over the edge and I charged towards him, a cry of rage tearing out from my throat to sound inhuman. "Don't tell me what I can and can't do!"
Natsu, caught off guard at the sudden attack, was barely able to dodge. His instincts kicking in, he swung a flaming foot at my head while spring away to land on his hands. Snorting, I caught his foot, a shadow emitting from my hands that extinguished his flame. "Please," I spat. "Even in my world, I would have been able to stop a kick like that."
I threw his foot away in an attempt to throw him off balance and swung my blade at him. His reflexes were faster than I had anticipated, though, and I ended up missing and the force from my swing pulled me forward and threw me off balance. He took this opportunity to launch a flaming fist at my abdomen. Sucking in my breath, I barely managed to avoid his hurtling fist.
Spinning away, I swung my blade at his head, allowing the sword's weight to increase my speed. He moved to dodge but the blade nicked him. Rather than blood coming from the wound, the mark on his cheek seemed to burn his skin, almost like another shadow blade was there, continuously cutting in to him. He hissed in pain and launched himself at me.
Still marveling at the wound, I was caught off guard and left unable to dodge. He tackled me onto the ground and moments later he knocked the blade from my hand. His face inches from mine, he grinned. "I knew this was gonna be fun, but I never imagined it would be this much fun. This is almost as fun as fighting Erza! Except she's better with a sword." With that, he lept away from me, landing on his feet. The wound on his cheek now revealed a cut, the flesh around it appearing burned.
Standing up, I wiped the sweat from my brow. Natsu was good. Taking a deep breath, I called out to him, little shadow bubbles appearing on my fists. "You're not doing too shabby, Natsu. Since you were a wizard, I assumed your physique would suffer, but, while you're not the best I've fought, physically speaking, you're almost as good as Kaoru."
Over on the sidelines Wendy spoke up from next to Kaoru. "What is she talking about, Kaoru-san? Yuuki-san has fought before?"
A dark cloud seemed to settle over Kaoru at the question. "Yes. Back on Earth, she was something of a martial arts prodigy. After seeing any move once, she could do it perfectly, to anyone, no matter size or age. It gave me nightmares growing up..."
Lucy spoke up, joining their conversation. "Still, I find it hard to believe that she fought someone better than Natsu, without his powers, that is..."
Kaoru scoffed. "She's fought the world champion before and still won. For as long as I can remember, she's never lost. She's never had anyone that even came close to her abilities... And for those unfortunate enough to live with her, I have to deal with all the destruction she causes..."
Lucy shouted from beside him. "I know exactly what you mean! Natsu and Gray are always fighting and destroying everything for no reason!"
Kaoru turned to her excitedly, momentarily forgetting the match in progress. "Yuuki's the same way! It's like, I turn away for one second and BAM! she's fighting again!"
Lucy nodded emphatically. "It's ridiculous! And don't even get me started on Erza! She is probably the-"
"Ano, Lucy-san?" Wendy interrupted, tugging gently on the blonde's sleeve.
Turning to Wendy, Lucy asked, "What is it Wendy?" Behind her loomed a rather demonic looking figure.
"Behind you," Wendy squeaked before cowering behind Lucy in fear.
"What is i-" The words stopped dead in Lucy's throat as she turned around. Leaning over her, seething with rage, was Erza. Immediately in a nervous sweat, Lucy rushed out words. "Hey Erza! How you been? Great fight, huh? How long have you been listening, exactly?" The anger in Erza's eyes spoke volumes, and in a flash the pair was running around the beach, away from the fighting pair, Lucy screaming "Spare me!" while Erza chased after her.
Kaoru watched them in stunned silence. Out of no where, Gray walked up and slung his arm around his shoulder. "Women, huh?"
As he dragged his gaze over to Gray, he winced and looked away. "Dude, your clothes."
Gray jumped away, looking down at his lack of clothing and yelling, "Shit!"
Everyone had lost interest in the fight. Even the cats had begun talking amongst themselves. Everyone's attention was immediately drawn back over when an explosion sounded from over by the fighting pair.
(A/N: Sorry I kind of switched point of view there, but I felt it was necessary. I'll warn you next time, though I hope not to do it again...)
Kaoru was immediately yelling for me, not that I could see him through all the smoke. In fact, I couldn't really see anything. Not really confident about my location, I went to take a step forward only to realize I was on my back.
Pushing myself up so I was sitting up, I scanned the area, as the smoke was now clearing. Across from me was Natsu, who, in a similar position to my own, sat there grinning at me non-stop. Over at the side, Kaoru, Wendy, and the cats were rushing over, Gray was putting on clothes, and Erza and Lucy were running closer, though they seemed to have been farther away for some reason.
As the various bystanders reached me, I heard them asking me if I was okay. Blinking, I tried to respond but words didn't seem to form. I knew sound was coming out, but I was unable to identify. Then, I realized, I was laughing. Me. Laughing.
Then, almost as if I were a third person watching myself act, I felt myself get up and run over to Natsu. Throwing my arms around him in a hug, I felt my smile broaden when he hugged me back. Leaning away from him, I took breath, my laughter subsiding. Or so I thought.
But one look at Natsu, and we both in hysterics, rolling around on the sandy floor beneath us.
Barely able to breath, I managed to squeak out, "That... was... awesome!"
Natsu nodded his agreement, tears forming in his eyes.
For a long time, we stayed like that. Natsu and I laughing like crazy people and the others just watching from nearby. By the time we were able to reign in our laughter, the sun was already setting.
Still smiling, I punched Natsu lightly in the arm and said, "Thanks, Natsu. That really cheered me up."
Turning to me, he shot me this crooked smile that made my heart feel weird, as if it were trying to run and tripping. Punching me gently on the arm in return, he said, "No prob."
A cough sounded from our right and I turned to find Erza, Gray, Lucy, Wendy, the cats, and my brother all staring at us. Blush coating my cheeks, I jumped and began walking away, confident that it was the right direction this time. "Well, Natsu, you did pretty good against a pro like me. You keep improving and I might just have to get serious."
"What?!" He shouted. "You were totally serious just now!"
I turned to retort, but my brother beat me to it, slinging his arm around Natsu's shoulders. "Dude, she wasn't even half serious just now. The only reason she didn't obliterate you immediately was because she still isn't used to her powers."
I smiled back at Natsu and the others as some of them, particularly Lucy and Wendy, stared at me slack jawed. "Wait," Lucy said, her voice barely a whisper. "You mean she's even stronger than just now?" Kaoru nodded proudly, as if it were him they were in awe of.
The others made a few comments about my strength and Erza challenged me to a fight later as we walked towards Fairy Tail. Once again they didn't tell when I started heading in the wrong direction again, so by the time we finally reached the city of Magnolia, the evening stars were starting make their entrance on the darkening sky above us.
Far on the other side of the city I saw a large building that seemed tower over all the rest. I was about to turn and ask Gray if that was Fairy Tail, as he was closest to me at the moment, when suddenly there was an explosion from the side of that building. "That's odd," Gray said while in the midst of taking off his clothes. "Usually things don't explode unless we're there..."
Lucy spoke up from Gray's other side, "You forget that Gajeel and Laxus are there. There's Elfman, too."
A growl resonated from Natsu's throat as he spoke up from right behind me. "That metal bastard better not have done something stupid."
Erza, deciding to make the conversation even more insane, said, "I hope Mira has some strawberry cheescake! Wendy, want to grab some when we get there?" The bluenette eagerly nodded from beside the red-head.
Confused, my eyes locked with Kaoru's to make sure he was hearing the same things I was, but he looked even more lost than me. "Umm..." All of them looked at me expectantly. "Does that building explode often?"
Natsu grinned broadly, and cocked his head to the side. "Of course! It's Fairy Tail!"
All right, well I hope you enjoyed my sorry excuse for a chapter. I promise that they will finally reach Fairy Tail in the next chapter, plus, this chapter didn't cover what it's supposed to, so join us next time for Chapter 6: If I'm the Shadow Then Who's My Light? (I promise to do better from now on!) Now I am going to run before Mira can catch with me and punish me for not including her in this chapter. *runs off into the sunset screaming for dear life*