Sorry it took so long guys! Between my purchasing the latest book from the Mistborn series and getting absolutely hooked on another Nalu fic, I have taken longer than I'd prefer to make you wait. I know! Criminal right? I will arrive for my spanking five minutes EARLY, have no fear.
Rated M.
M is for MATURE people, if I can pretend to be, then you can too.
DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING! *sob* However sometimes I wonder if Mashima-sama used to follow me around and take character ideas from me and my friends.
At least let a girl dream!
RATED M-RATED M-RATED M RATED M RATED M!
RATED M-RATED M-RATED M RATED M RATED M!
Chapter 29
Don't Hold Your Breath!
Morning had brought Levy and Gajeel knocking on their door. Upon Levy's excitement of her friend's amazing room, Lucy felt she had no choice but to succumb to her dear guild mate's request to 'vacation' here for the final day of their visit. Besides, had they gone to the library again, the two incredibly rowdy dragonslayers would have tagged along—the horror of not being there to help yesterday still fresh in their minds.
The day was spent carefree of October's woes and frittered away by random jokes and games. Witty remarks and arguments, heated debates and playful insults were slung, a few things close friends could indulge in without fear of hurt prides. Evening led to the ladies lounging in the hot spring with sake and the dragons arguing over how best to barbecue dinner. The day ended in sweet bliss for Levy and Lucy, who had passed out snuggled up with one another under a blanket while watching a samurai flick on the lacrima-vision; abandoning the two dragons to their late night antics before they too sat to either side of the girls and nod off from a day well spent doing a lot of nothing.
^.^
Leo watched as his summoner spent her final day in capitol city as a day of rest with a lonely heart. He watched as the girls subdued a budding fight between dragons and set the two of them to barbecuing as a team. Lucy and Levy had donned swim suits and enjoyed the springs while the dragons argued about meat being better well done or bloody. Leo frowned jealously when he kept catching the animals sneaking glances at the ladies; not for the first time, he found he missed the time when he was nothing more than another eligible FairyTail wizard. Things would have turned out different had he been able to stay human, Lucy had been warming up to him before she learned of his Celestial heritage. The voice of a friend startled him out of his melancholy.
"We are definitely lookin' at some hot chicks Leo, but you should know, I'd be pissed if anyone was lookin at my Aquarius like you're lookin at Lucy."
Leo looked over his shoulder at Scorpio unashamed, "How would you feel if she had of chosen someone else?"
Scorpio smirked, "Babe threatens to do it everyday."
With a sigh, Leo looked back down at their summoner. The scorpion spirit put a hand on his shoulder, "We need to chin up bro, there are tons of ladies out there... and last I saw, you still had a soft spot for Aries."
"Aries?" Loke turned a dangerous eye to his friend. "Considering what I'm going through right now, you would be wise not to mention her." His tone had the rare quality he often neglected: the commanding voice of the Zodiac King.
"Woah," Scorpio held his arms out skittishly, "I was just saying."
The lion spirit stroked through his hair, "Yea, yea. Just..." Leo gritted his teeth stubbornly and waved the window to Lucy's world away, the last image was of the four of them playing a card game at the table outside. Natsu had just sneaked a glance at Lucy's cards and she'd pushed him away. Even in an action such as that, her eyes sparkled with love and happiness. "Whatever. I'll get over it, or he'll get over her. Whichever comes first."
Scorpio shook his head. This guy's got it bad! He knows as well as I do that a dragon's claim is eternal, even after death. Hell, there was a time way back in the day that bards would sing songs and tell tales of a dragon's love. "Yea, okay man. Me, my girl, Virgo, Aries and the Pisces are goin out tonight. You should come."
Leo walked past him on his way anywhere, besides where his friend still lingered, "Yea thanks, I'll think about it."
^.^
The train ride home was right after lunch the next day. Natsu suffered his overwhelming motion sickness with his head resting on his mate's lap. So long as she continued stroking his hair, he was able to overlook the fact that his belly was full. Somehow her attentions managed to keep the worst of his sickness at bay. Levy sat across from them and Gajeel had opted for sitting by himself in a far corner where he tried to keep a sliver of his dragon dignity despite the constant rocking, bumping and squealing of the cursed train.
A few unwelcome delays from train malfunctions led the wizards to arrive at sunset, lagged and grumpy. Natsu was the only one bursting with energy as soon as he landed on solid ground, his nauseousness leaving him sooner than usual.
They headed to the guild first, Natsu and Gajeel waited outside—unwilling to get cooped up into a building after being cooped up in the train for so long. Upon entering, Lucy and Levy were greeted warmly by all inside.
After the traditional greetings and how to dos, the ladies asked the questions they needed.
"So Mirajane, when are the preparations?" Lucy queried.
"Oh, Master secured the giant crystal lacrima sphere today." Mirajane said as she wiped the counter. "Elfman and I will set it up in the square tomorrow. Then any wizard can come help fill it with magical energy on their own schedule before the 30th."
"Will you need help transporting the crystal?" Levy asked.
"I don't think so. My brother will be holding it in his beast form, and I'll be transformed and spotting him. We should be able to get it there safely," Mirajane smiled.
"All the same, I think I might be able to enlist Team Shadow Gear to escort you," Levy winked. "Just to make sure there are no bumps in the road."
"You're so sweet, thank you!"
^.^
The ladies parted ways with a sack lunch for themselves and their companions. Lucy heard Levy ask Gajeel if he wanted to eat with her in the park as they parted ways. The Celestial mage naturally started heading for her home, when Natsu spoke up.
"Hey Luce?" Natsu paused
"What is it Natsu?"
"Lets head to my place. I wanna see how Happy's doin." He tried to hide the excitement of getting her into his lair from his expression, but he was never very good at hiding his emotions.
The blonde couldn't help but blush, they had always been in a place of her choosing before. To go into his den as his mate might be dragon for 'you're now my bitch' for all she knew. She dismissed the thought nearly as soon as it reared its ugly head and she smiled, readjusting the bag over her shoulder. It already held clean changes of clothes, why not? She trusted him, massive paranoia notwithstanding, she trusted him.
Natsu smirked at his mate, knowing full well that once again—she was thinking too much. He lifted his hands to cup the back of his head and turned to walk away. "Alrighty Luce, try to stay out of trouble this time yea?"
He's playing hard to get? Natsu? Oh I don't think so! "Hey!" Lucy ran after him and tackled him from behind, wrapping her arms up high around his neck, "you're not going anywhere without me, Bozo!" She started to comically climb onto him from behind to pay him back for his high and mighty teasing, "what if more slavers come for me?! Natsu it's so scarieeee!"
At first his mate's glomp nearly caused him to fall over, then a sweatdrop grew from his pink spikes when she started acting like a damsel in distress. Then she started crawling onto his back, and he couldn't help but laugh at her theatrics. "Okay, okay Luce! Geez, get off!"
"Say pleeeeease!" Lucy cooed into his ear, successfully achieving piggy back status.
"What? No!" He looked to her over his shoulder.
"Well, then I'm not moving!"
Natsu tsked, "Your funeral." With a smirk he took off running towards his cottage, relishing in his mate's squeal at the unexpected high speed.
^.^
Natsu's home was surprisingly clean. After all, he hadn't been home much to trash it since its repair from the clash of elemental giants the morning after the Ball. Repairing guildmate's homes had become bread and butter for the FairyTail family. Pretty much every member had a basic knowledge of architectural structures by now.
"YOU'RE BACK!" Happy dived into Lucy's chest, making her fall back a step as she took in his momentum.
Natsu grinned at him, "Good to be back Happy! And you were right! Those things are like pillows!"
"Told ya!" Happy clung happily to the Celestial mage.
Considering the things this man has done to her, Lucy found his innocent tone of voice and expression terribly ironic, "Hey! Stop talking about me like that!" She peeled the cat off of her, "those things are sensitive ya know."
"They are?" It was not just Happy saying that, much to Lucy's never ending exasperation.
Happy landed on Natsu's head, "Are ya hungry Happy?"
"Mira came by and filled our ice box with fish yesterday. I'm so full I probably weigh as much as Lucy!"
"Watch it Cat!" She was not amused, but Natsu and Happy shared a laugh as they sat down in the main room.
Lucy and Natsu shared the dinner Mirajane had so kindly provided and enjoyed light conversation with Happy. Mostly the sweet kitty kitty mentioned his time spent with Carla, alas their relationship was still platonic. As the conversation delved more into the comings and goings of other guild members and Mirajane using Happy as a constant messenger, Natsu nodded off on the couch. Lucy and Happy silenced when he let out a particularly loud snore. The blonde smiled lovingly at him and grabbed a pillow from his room and laid him down on the couch. He looked so innocent in his sleep, definitely a happy sleep.
"It's weird how Natsu's changed, but is still the same." Happy shook his head.
Lucy turned and looked at the exceed, "Figures. He was never a fan of change"
"Mmmm..." Happy grinned slyly, "but he's always been a fan of you, so I guess this is a change he can flow into more easily."
If only you knew how easily... the guy tries to seduce me every chance he gets! I wonder if dragons have a mating season or something. Will he still be into me in a month? She shook her head at her paranoia again, what's bringing that on?
Happy tilted his head, watching Lucy watch Natsu, "...He's right ya know."
The star maiden turned to the small blue cat, "What do you mean?"
"You think too much."
"Oh shut it cat! I'm gonna go lay down." She stomped off to her lover's room at the sound of a snickering exceed.
Laying down in his bed was an odd experience. She noticed his smell ten fold and loved it. Lucy didn't even use his second pillow, she snuggled up to it much like she had her mysterious stuffed red dragon she kept at home. The mage had never thought she'd be very comfortable sleeping in another person's bed, but this... this smelled like home, because despite how long and hard she'd fought to be an independent, strong woman of her own right—home was now in his arms. Funny thing was, it didn't make her feel any less independent, it empowered her with a fantastic source of new strength.
^.^
Natsu woke to the sound of his mate in the shower. He jumped to his feet, realizing she had let him sleep on the couch. Honestly! Her first night here and he hadn't even gotten to hold her, somehow it had to be Gajeel's fault. Fighting with that guy so often must have taken a toll on him. Natsu opened the bathroom door to sabotage her shower, but paused unhappily when he saw her already washed and wrapped in a towel at the sink, just finishing brushing her teeth.
Lucy looked over at him and giggled at his pouty face. He probably didn't even know he was making it.
"Aww come on, Luce! You couldn't even get me up for shower time?"
Okay, so maybe he did know about his expression... "What is it with you and showers?"
Natsu shrugged, "Wet, slippery mate who thinks she's an escape artist...? Not sure." His eyes flickered to her knowingly.
The Celestial mage marched right past him, "Shower's all yours."
Of course, she was tugged back to him with the sound of a low chuckle that would have sounded like a growl had she not known him so well. The low tone of his voice matched his laughter well and sent chills up her spine as he spoke right into her ear. "Don't go anywhere without me."
Mavis, but he's sexy when he wants to be! Lucy felt her verbal skills challenged, "I uh... won't?"
With the classic Natsu grin that she loved so much, he said, "Good!" With a light and chaste kiss he released her, and headed into the bathroom.
Standing there, staring at the closed door, a suddenly very aroused Lucy blinked. Okay... that guy was able to do that waaaaay too easily. She worked on stilling her breathing so that Natsu wouldn't be able to hear how raspy his actions had made her.
^.^
Morning had FairyTail buzzing. Makarov had the giant lacrima orb wrapped up in several quilts outside the guild hall. Wendy and the exceeds had been placed on dragon detail. Dragonslayers weren't to be allowed anywhere near the crystal until it was securely in place atop the fountain in Magnolia square. Only gentle Wendy could be near, sniffing out possible destructive forces nearing the lacrima.
Team Shadow Gear lead the way, followed by Beast Elfman carrying the huge crystal protected from his claws by multitudes of blankets. Many citizens lined the streets to watch the procession with interest. Where the Fantasia parade had been considered a time for celebration, this procession was a stark opposite. Levy, Jet and Droy walked solemnly, clearing the street of any passersby before Elfman trudged by with his heavy load, followed by Mirajane's demon form to help catch the lacrima should he stumble. The gray sky reflected the general attitude of this cavalcade, many guild members following behind the She-demon with heavy hearts.
It was when their short journey was over halfway complete when the ground began to rumble. Elfman stopped immediately and Mirajane flashed to his side to help support the crystal. The rumbling continued and the quilts surrounding the crystal started to shift. Levy noticed the sibling's struggle first and quickly spelled the word pillow in giant letters and slid it under where it was slipping from under the blankets. Just in the nick of time too because Elfman's grip ended up ripping the fabrics and the giant orb rolled right out of Mirajane's hands. It landed on the pillow much to everyone's relief, but the rumbling ground had only grown worse as the buildings started to shift. All of the guild members' eyes bugged out as the crystal rolled off the safety of the pillow and headed downtown at an increasing speed.
The She-demon took to the sky and everyone chased after the orb, many guild members were falling on top of each other trying due to the relentless shaking of the ground. It was rolling right toward the side of a building where citizens had lined up. A few of the braver citizens braced themselves to catch it, but the more sensible ones moved out of the way knowing it would just roll them over at its current momentum. Carla had grabbed hold of Wendy and raced a head of the rolling labyrinth game and managed to create a wall of air directly in front of the Magnolian's plight. Wendy had hoped this would stop the orb, but luck was not on their side as the ground still rumbled, and buildings still shifted. As if possessed by an unruly child, the crystal shifted and spun in the wind, and headed down the next street—unwilling to be controlled.
Further down the street, Juvia had been escorting her unhappy dragonslayer partner at a quaint coffee shoppe she enjoyed in an effort to keep him occupied. Gajeel's mouth suddenly went slack as he saw the fragile lacrima rolling towards them. Juvia curiously looked over her shoulder to see what he was gawking at during this odd earthquake and acquired an expression much like his upon witnessing a ball nearly the size of the street rolling right at them. Her partner stood first, planning on shattering the threat—Juvia stood up quickly, knowing his mind and waved her hands frantically in front of him.
"No, no, no, Gajeel-kun! Stop! Don't move one bit!" Her relief was overwhelming when she saw his frown and lowered stance.
Feeling confident with the dragon subdued, the rain woman walked into the middle of the street, eyeing the precious lacrima much like a deadly foe. She stood her ground proudly and raised a hand toward the rolling orb. In a calm but commanding voice, she said:
"Water Lock."
A simple feat for her, to entrap the entire crystal in a sphere of clear, blue water. Her calm control of the situation was a breath of relief for every other member of FairyTail.
"GeHAH!" Gajeel laughed as a few of the members began to catch up, "and you were worried about us slayers!"
Most of FairyTail were still clogged up on a now long, straight path that led directly out of town. Or... in the perspective of a lone wizard, it led directly into the guild he had traveled for weeks to return to. As he approached to see the giant clusterfuck of wizards staring daggers at him, the orange haired wizard raised his eyebrows innocently, "...What?"
Truly a wizard of immaculate timing—Gildarts had returned.
^.^
Juvia was being hailed as a hero right along with Wendy's quick thinking. Both ladies clearly felt awkward with the constant back slapping and praises far too loud directed right into the ear. The giant lacrima was secured to rest atop the fountain and all was celebratory, in distinct contrast to how the day had begun. Gildarts had been directed to receive an earful from the master and several members were already sitting in front of the lacrima, pumping bits of their magical energy into it. The key was to fill it slowly due to the orb's massive capability to burst if it was overwhelmed quickly.
Nothing like a near disaster to perk up the wizards of FairyTail! Citizens had begun placing flowers into the dry fountain in remembrance of loved ones long lost, but most managed to do so with a smile due to the joviality of the wizards proclaiming the two blunettes as saviors. Makarov had made it clear that he would not be able to procure another lacrima of this size should this one shatter—and that would have meant a very complicated Rite would be awaiting them next year.
The dragonslayers were now allowed to come and help, and for once, all three were acting buddy buddy. They shared many jokes at how dragonslayers were not the only forces of destructive power that FairyTail needed to watch out for, and that discrimination was wrong. All lighthearted... unless you were Gildarts of course. Safe to say, they wouldn't be there enjoying themselves at his expense had he been present.
Lucy sat on the ground playing a game of jacks with a group of children when Erza showed up with cake. This stole the children's attention and anyone with a sweet tooth to enjoy a local cake maker's new recipe. When the Celestial mage approached, she couldn't help but jump when Erza turned on her with a glare.
"Eeep! What is it Erza...?"
Erza pulled out an outfit identical to the one she wore. Where was she keeping that thing...? A short orange dress trimmed in purple, adorned with a frilly black apron that sloped down the bosom in a V-neck and hung down slightly longer than the dress itself. The look Erza was giving her was one of command. She'd don this 'uniform', or suffer the consequences. "Report to the bakery down the street to dress and bring out more samples. Quickly Lucy." Suddenly the battle maiden's attitude turned giddy, "everyone must try one of these!"
Lucy took the uniform with mock excitement, "Yea, okay Erza... sure thing!" She headed toward the bakery and slowed when she saw Cana holding a tray, walking toward the square. She filled out the uniform nicely, and blew a few kisses to men who were clearly charmed by the brunette cake lady. "So she roped you into this too?" Lucy asked hesitantly.
Cana shrugged, "Work's work. I'm running out of beer money so... it's pretty great!" Her flirtatious wink aimed at Lucy only supported more gawks from nearby males.
Suddenly incredibly excited, Lucy exclaimed, "We're getting paid?! Oh, I'm so in!"
Cana laughed as she continued walking to the square, "I'll be sure to let Pinky know you're all fired up!"
Lucy sweatdropped and continued the short jog to the bakery. Surely Levy and Happy have kept their traps shut... what's with everybody knowing our business?
^.^
It was Natsu's turn to focus some of his energies into the lacrima, and he was miserable about it. He could hear Gajeel and Laxus enjoying themselves, but Erza had insisted he be the first slayer to sit in front of the dumb old crystal. Something about her not wanting any slayers filling the stupid ball at the same time. He sat between Laki and Max, both of them looking far more serene than him.
Oh but he hated meditating.
He hadn't meditated since... oh yea, heheh, it wasn't that long ago. Oh man, but that time it was sooo worth it! Suddenly something hard and flat slammed into the back of his head, securing a new relationship between the decorative tile of the square and his nose. "Uhg."
"Pay attention Natsu!" Erza's voice boomed above him. "Focus your energy in a slow trickle into the lacrima. Something you are not accomplishing at all with that ridiculous grin all over your face."
Natsu sat back up and winced, rubbing his head. "Geez Erza, okay... you don't have to go overboard."
The shadow looming over him suddenly seemed darker than the blackest ash, "You are telling me to show restraint?"
Yikes!
"No ma'am! Sorry ma'am!" Natsu was suddenly in a perfect cross-legged position for meditation, he even went so far as to pull his scarf up to cover his face like a ninja and hold his hands together with his index fingers touching in front of his face. "Ninja, meditation... begin!"
Erza's rolling eyes was Lucy's giggle. Her dragon was so goofy—she couldn't help but recall the first time she'd seen her lover pretend to be a ninja. Yep, he was still a hopeless nut job!
Gray smirked over Juvia, who was trying to get him to eat the cake sample she was offering. "Flametard doesn't even get that it's samurai that meditate, not ninjas."
Natsu turned back and yelled to Gray, "Ninjas can meditate too, JERK!"
This time, Natsu's nose made it to second base with the tile. Erza dusted her hands off after clocking him with the tray a second time.
"Oww."
^.^
The fire dragon had never been so happy to tag in another dragon before. Laxus took his place and Natsu was hungry and cranky. A nap would be nice too. The party seemed to have died down for guild members, but the citizens were still going strong. What the hell was Lucy wearing? He knew he shouldn't, some deep dark nagging voice in the back of his head told him he shouldn't, but Natsu was pretty adept at ignoring that voice. He foolishly started to laugh.
This pulled the attention of most wizards in the vicinity as he blurted out, "You guys look so funny!" He actually started pointing at the three girls as he continued laughing.
An unspoken agreement was made as Erza, Cana, and Lucy nodded to each other. They all three advanced toward the laughing wizard, trays full of delicious, gooey treats. Natsu noticed when they were about two paces away and fell into silence as he took a nervous step back from the ill humored ladies.
"Now uh... guys? I was just playing... no need to do anything—"
It was too late for him. His fate was sealed the second he had the audacity to laugh at their bakery uniforms, uniforms all three of the girls thought were pretty cute. A loud sound of cymbals were heard as all three crashed their tray onto his head. They walked away, still disgruntled as the fire dragonslayer fell down, the three trays stuck to his face.
The final few days before the Rite were spent similar to the first. Citizens would come from far and wide to place flowers in and around the fountain, and FairyTail wizards would sit before the lacrima and slowly fill it with magical energy. At last, on the final evening before the All Hallow's Eve Sacred Rite, sat Levi, Jet, Droy, and Lucy. Two dragonslayers leaned against nearby buildings, keeping a watchful eye on what was most precious to them.
As one, the wizards opened their eyes to look up as a flash of brilliance signaled the crystal was completed. Despite the beauty of it, an ominous shadow threatened to blanket the bravery of these spell casters. The only thing left to do now was ensure those would had tragically passed with regret filling their hearts would find their way to whatever lay beyond. Pray they cross over willingly, and allow the survivors to mourn and bid farewell in peace.
Tomorrow at sundown, the All Hallow's Eve Sacred Rite would begin.
Many, many hugs and well placed licks to my dear friends Snavej and Fanficlove2014, I know I already pmed you, but I thought you deserved more! I can always count on your reviews to lift my spirits!
Snavej: I agree, but Natsu told me to tell you that his hypochondriac, er... hypothesis is just as liable as anyone else's-and that it's not funny! :p
Fanficlove2014: Fear not my Luv! The brand new fanfic is already boiling over and spilling out all over the keyboard! Your Lick isn't going anywhere!
Much love
Stay naughty
Live a life free of regret
Seri aka Lick