Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of it's characters.
Fair warning: this fic is rated M for a reason. Expect sexual themes later on.
"Speech"
"Thoughts"
Lahar stood in his place surprised by the unexpected decision of the council. Here he was expecting something less after his report, but to go this far was unprecedented.
"You seem surprise"- the new chairman of the council, Guran Doma, said to Lahar –"Wasn't this the outcome you desired from your report?"
Straightening, Lahar replied –"Well, no sir! However, it is not my place to question your decision."
"A thing you must remember in future meetings."- Another council mage harshly replied, making Lahar gulp in fear. - "Nonetheless you are to go and inform her of this decision. You are dismissed."
Lahar waited until the council left before forcing himself to move so he could inform Angel of her current situation, wondering how the girl would take this unexpected turn of events. Walking through the narrow corridors towards the holding area he reached the cell where the girl was currently sitting in a corner. When she felt his presence she looked up to listen to what he had to say:
Clearing his throat he spoke: "Your current sentence has been 'reevaluated'."
From Angel's experience, hearing the word 'reevaluated' meant something bad. She just wondered what could be worse than her last sentence…
Meanwhile:
The team had returned the previous afternoon without much incident, that is if one doesn't count the fact that Lisanna barely said a word to Natsu during the trip back. Ever since Angel had kissed Natsu, Lisanna was furious; the youngest take over sibling knew she was being unfair to the dragon slayer, it wasn't like Natsu was the one who had kissed Angel to begin with, but the slayer didn't even tried to stop her when it happened. Looking at the nauseous slayer, currently sitting next Erza in the train ride, she couldn't hope but wonder what else happened between them during those brief hours they were alone. The logical part told her Natsu was fighting against those mages, but the jealous part imagined livid scenes between him and Angel.
"This is bad"- Lucy whispered to Gray, both currently sitting a few seats away.
The ice mage agreed, sparing a glance at Lisanna: "I don't remember seeing Lisanna this mad at anyone; she's always been so cheerful and optimistic."
"Well, Natsu screwed up"- the stellar mage added looking at Natsu –"Of course it wasn't his fault Angel kissed him but he didn't even tried to explain it to Lisanna."
"I don't think Natsu even noticed Lisanna is angry at him. Leave it to the hard head to be this clueless."
"Says who? Have you noticed your current attire?"- Charle says, making Gray look down to realize he was only wearing his boxers. The white Exceed would have berated him more, but fortunately Wendy was asleep so the young dragon slayer was saved from the nakedness of the ice mage.
"Since it's getting late you can head back home, I'll inform the master of what happened during out mission."- Erza offered to the team once they arrived at Magnolia, she did this after seeing the tired looks of the team but more so because she noticed the heavy atmosphere between Natsu and Lisanna: More in Lisanna since Natsu was still to recover from the train ride. As the group dispersed, Lisanna was about to head off when Natsu stopped her:
"Lisanna wait."
Sighing she replied –"What is it Natsu?" – Her tone came out a bit edgier that she would have wanted but she was bad at concealing her mood.
Pushing his nausea away, Natsu continued: "Are you mad at me?"
Giving him an incredulous look she replies: "What gave you that idea?"
"Well, you haven't said a word to me during during the trip back. That was a clue."
"Seriously! Was that your only clue?" – no longer feeling like in the mood to discuss Lisanna starts leaving, only for a gentle but firm hold of her wrist stopping her:
"Let me go Natsu!"
"Nothing happened between me and Angel if that's what's bothering you."
Lisanna stopped in her tracks after listening to the dragon slayer; Natsu was not as naïve as everyone thought him to be, but to Lisanna that didn't meant he was off the hook just yet.
Natsu hugged her, despite her protest, and whispered into her ear: "I don't know why she kissed me, but whatever the reason just know this: my love is only for you Lis-chan."
Lisanna stopped struggling and embraced him back, sobbing a bit onto his chest realizing she had exaggerated things. Natsu smiled and kissed the top of her head –"So, am I forgiven?
A teary Lisanna looked up to stare at him directly on the eyes –"No, forgive me for acting like that, I over exaggerated."
The young couple instead reached a silent agreement, kissing each other to seal the deal. Natsu making sure to show such intensity in the kiss to leave no doubt on where was his true allegiance.
"So: my place as usual?"
"No need to ask."
"How cute!"
Charle scoffed while Lucy, Wendy and Happy spied on the happy couple; the female exceed was not interested in the activities of those two and found the idea of spying them wrong, but it wasn't like she could drag Wendy away.
"That's so romantic?"- The sky dragon slayer sighed, receiving an Aye from Happy.
"You're too young to be thinking things like that!"- Charle said but her words went through deaf ears. –"Besides, the whole concept of love is overrated."
"But Charle, don't you dream of someday finding true love as well?"
The white tomcat refused to answer Wendy, ignoring a certain blue cat slowly edged closer and closer to her.
The following morning Natsu and Lisanna sported equally large smiles as they entered the guild. The team was glad they had settled their differences, for them the situation was more unbearable than when Juvia was depressed; they could handle a little rain, but it was a hard pill to swallow when the young couple was distanced like they were yesterday.
Lisanna kissed Natsu one more time before leaving to help her sister with serving drinks, leaving the dragon slayer with a dreamy look on his eyes.
"Looks like someone's having a good day?"- Macao says as he takes a seat next to Natsu.
"With a girlfriend like Lisanna I don't blame him"- Wakaba adds as he joins them –"got any tip so I can woo Mira?"
"Aren't you married?"- Macao asks
"So? It's not like till death do us part"- The smoke manipulator states
"Actually it is"
Natsu ignores them while they bicker, too engrossed admiring Lisanna as she delivers drinks. Fingers snapping before his face get his attention –"huh, what now?"
"I asked: have you taken Lisanna out on any date as of late?"- Lucy asks to the slayer, during his gazing she had taken a seat next to him when Macao and Wakaba had left to bicker outside.
Thinking for a bit, Natsu replies –"Well, I took her to a restaurant a while back, then we went for a walk to the plaza, and…"
"You don't mean that time when…?"- Lucy asked, realizing it was when the two of them had gone together on that mission.
Receiving a vigorous nod from Natsu, the slayer then received a nock to the head in return: "Natsu! You need to take her out more often! Or else Lisanna will feel neglected!"
Natsu was about to say he and Lisanna spend a lot of time together at night but realized that would sound the wrong way.
"But I take her out for training. Does that count as a date?"
"No!"
The sound reverberated through Natsu's ear; Lucy's voice could put a banshee to shame if she wanted to.
"Now go and plan a perfect date for her."
Realizing she was right, Natsu stood up and left the guild to prepare a date for his girlfriend. This was the perfect opportunity to show her just how important she is to him.
"But"- Natsu grabbed his chin, deep in thought –"Where can I take her?"
"Natsu."- Charle called him, breaking his concentration: "Can I have a word with you: in private?"
Natsu looked at Charle then at the guild: "If you're looking for Happy, he's inside with Lucy."
"I don't care where he is! I want to talk to you about the bonding!"
Natsu's grin vanished, replaced by a serious look: "What do you know about that?"
"Not here."- Charle motioned him to follow her.-"Someone can hear us."
Both slayer and exceed walked for a few minutes until reaching the river where Natsu usually likes to fish. Determining its far enough Charle stopped and turned to the pink hair slayer:
"Now then: Why do you want to know about that technique?"
Natsu crossed his arms and replied: "First tell me what you know about it?"
"I asked you first!"
Both stared each other down, waiting for the other to spill the beans first. Seeing that the white cat wasn't backing down, Natsu resigned: "Fine. I marked Lisanna while we were on that mission a while back, that's why I want to know more about that technique."
"Oh"- Charle was genuinely surprised –"I thought your intentions were to mark Wendy."
"Huh? Why would I do that? That would only happen if she was seriously injured and…"
"You really don't know anything, do you?"- Charle asked, interrupting Natsu –"That technique not only saves the life of another person, it also binds them together…"
"That I know."
"…forever"
Natsu froze after hearing Charle, was that what Igneel meant with the binding. Was Lisanna bound to him forever?
"That mark you gave her brands her as your mate, the one person you will spend the rest of your life together with."- Seeing the dumbstruck look on his face she continued –"A good thing she loved you back before the bonding."
"Why is that?"
"If you brand a woman that doesn't hold any feelings for you she will immediately start falling in love with you, Lisanna already loved you so her emotions just got magnified."
"Ah I see! Wait! Did you really think I would brand Wendy?"
The white Exceed scoffed: "You were asking her about that technique."
"She's only 12! And I consider her only as a little sister!."
"You can never be too careful."- Charle said –"One more thing: Do Not mark another woman, that would only cause more trouble. Besides, having two mates would be just plain wrong."
"Got it!."- The slayer replied, finally at peace knowing the full extent of his bonding with Lisanna. Instead of feeling guilty for marking her without her consent he felt glad about it; he loves her and she loves him back, there's nothing wrong with the two of them being bound together. However, he still had some questions for Charle:
The White Exceed thought for a moment, but found no true answer: "I don't know exactly why Lisanna can use dragon take over, but I guess it has something to do with you being her mate."
Natsu shrugged, still kinda lost at her explanation. –"And Charle: how do you know so much about the marking stuff?"
"Wendy told me about it years ago, it was one of the last things her dragon taught her before disappearing. She can't remember much of it but luckily she has me to explain it to her when the time comes."
The pink haired slayer imagined Wendy biting some guy and found the idea kinda peculiar, but said nothing about the matter. Thanking Charle, Natsu left to prepare a date for Lisanna.
It was past midday when Natsu finally returned to the guild; after thinking long and hard he finally put together a good plan to take his girlfriend out on a date. Well, he still needed to ask a few favors but nothing out of reach. Looking around the guild he found Lisanna delivering some drinks, walking cautiously so she wouldn't hear him he snaked a hand around her stomach.
"Working hard Lis-chan?"
Lisanna relaxed into his embrace, feeling his hot breath on her ear: "I don't think I'll ever get tired of you calling me that."
Grinning, Natsu turned her around so she could face him: "Let's take a seat. I wanna talk to you for a moment."
"I'd love to, but I promised nee-san to help her a while."
As if on cue Mirajane appeared behind them, impressing Natsu with her sneaking skills: "Don't worry about it; go and take a rest, Kinana and I can handle the rest for today."
Thanking her, Lisanna allowed Natsu to lead her to a nearby table. Holding his hand above the table she spoke: "So, what did you want to talk about Natsu-kun?"
"About you and I going out on a date later today, what do you say?"
"I'd love that."- Lisanna gazed lovingly at Natsu –"So, we're you taking me?"
"Not telling. It's a surprise."- The dragon slayer smiled seeing her cute pout.
From afar Alzack and Bisca watched the couple; while they still observed how the relation between Juvia and Gray played out, Natsu's and Lisanna's was moving faster for their liking. Stealing a glance to his companion he catches Bisca looking at him before turning away, both with a heavy blush. If only he could gather the courage to finally ask her out. Redirecting their sights on the couple they were disappointed to see Lisanna had returned to aid her sister leaving Natsu chatting with his team.
"Natsu-kun!"
Turning their attention to the entrance, both gunslingers noticed a white hair girl calling out for the dragon slayer. Next thing they know the unknown girl reaches Natsu and embraces him with her arms around his neck, to say they were surprised a girl (any girl besides Lisanna) would show such affection for the dragon slayer was unheard of. Maybe Loke, but not Natsu.
"You!"- Lucy's eyes widened as she pointed at the new arrival –"What are you doing here?"
"If I may explain:"- everyone turned to see Lahar at the entrance –"She has been granted probation and the council has decided to enlist her as a mage of Fairy Tail. Now if you excuse me, I need to talk to Makarov about further details about this."
While Lahar went to meet Makarov, Angel looked at the slayer: "To be reunited with him must be fate, I know it!"
Meanwhile, Natsu dared a glance at the bar where Lisanna was emanating a dark aura that put Mirajane's at shame. The good thing was that it wasn't mostly directed at him but at the girl currently holding him too close for his comfort. Seeing her approaching, the slayer had one thing on his mind:
"I'm screwed."
Meanwhile Lahar was troubled by this decision, for the first time he was starting to doubt the council he held in such high regard. To go this far just to defeat a dark guild was unheard of, but there was little he could do about it. He only hoped everything would work out in the end.
A.N.
Wow! I never expected this fic to reach this level of attention: as of now there are 58 reviews. Keep them coming!
Now to answer some questions:
Tha Golden Boy: As of right now I still don't know if either Juvia or Lucy will end with Gray. Anyway, it's still too early to decide (although I'm a Gruvia fan myself)
The real person: the name of the chapter comes from Angel; she has wings but she can't fly cause she is(was) imprisoned, so her wings are clipped. It's better than naming it chapter 10.
Onebean: Yes, she is jealous, more with what happened on this chapter.
Clavorjante: You must be psychic since that was the same idea I had for this chapter. I like the name "aurora shadow", a shame I already named them "Trinity Wraith".
CreateElements: Yes, the love triangle will be one of the main plots in future chapters.
Thanks again for all the other reviews and fav. Adds. Next chapter will reveal the reason why Angel was released. And in a distant future Loke will confront her as well. Until next time.