Once Upon a Fairy Tail
Chapter 4: She's Gone
Take it from an old spectator. Life's not a spectator sport. If watchin' is all you're gonna do, then you're gonna watch your life go by without ya. -Laverne (Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame)
She was not the Princess of Fiore anymore. She had no more obligations to her Kingdom. She didn't have to get married to a complete stranger. She was just a girl flying on a huge, flying cat, experiencing something new, something amazing.
For a moment, she forgot about her father, about being a Princess, about everything that had happened that day. The thrilling wonder of being so high up from the ground made her forget it all and just enjoy the moment.
Lucy rested her chin on Natsu's shoulder and sighed contentedly. Though she couldn't stop the fear of being found and taken back to the castle, for now she would only enjoy the little freedom she was experiencing.
Natsu glanced back at Lucy and grinned. Her dark brown eyes locked on his and she smiled, and his heart did funny flips in his chest, making him look away. Something churned inside of him and it was very confusing to him. He had never felt like this around anyone else.
They weaved in and out of the clouds for what felt like hours to Lucy. Though at first she had been scared, now she was just experiencing pure bliss. This was what she had always hoped to experience outside the castle's walls. She could only wish she'd be able to experience more amazing adventures.
She stared at the back of Natsu's head and smiled warmly. She hoped she'd be able to continue adventures like these with him. She blushed furiously as soon as that thought crossed her mind, and she tried to shake it away. It was not proper to wish to be with someone she had just met! She was not to feel so comfortable around someone she barely knew! She could just hear her father's words screaming in the back of her head. Looking down she sighed, glancing back at Natsu and smiling softly.
She… she really couldn't help it. Not when it came to Natsu.
Looking up, Lucy stared in awe at the night sky that stretched endlessly and vastly above them, glittering with more stars than she had ever seen before. The moon was large and not quite full, bathing them in a soft and gentle glow. It felt as if she could raise her hands and feel the stars nipping at her fingertips. It was amazing and surreal.
To her disappointment, Happy and Natsu began seeking out a place to land. Lucy glanced down, barely able to make out land below them. She had no idea where they were going to land. Natsu seemed to know, however, so she did not worry and instead rested her temple against his shoulder.
Happy eased them down onto a forest and Lucy looked around in curiosity, but stopped, feeling a little dizzy and instead held tightly onto Natsu and closed her eyes, praying to land safely.
Natsu felt the shivers running up and down Lucy's arm and told Happy, "Please go down gently, buddy."
The huge cat was soon stretching and purring happily, looking down at the grass beneath his paws.
"Are you alright back there, Luce?"
Lucy blinked up at Natsu. He was grinning down at her, glancing at her arms. Her eyes widened and she blushed furiously as she realized that she was still clinging to him like her life depended on it.
"Y-Yes," she stammered as she drew her hands back and towards herself hurriedly. He chuckled, sliding off of Happy with ease and arching his back and rotating his arms once he was standing on his own feet.
He then helped her slide ungracefully from Happy's back. Her knees threatened to give out as soon as she landed, adrenaline and exhaustion making her thighs tremble uneasily. She was not used to sitting in one position for such a long time. She'd taken horse riding lessons back at the castle, but she had never gone for a ride on her horse for longer than an hour or two.
Her face turned a hot, crimson color as soon as she tried standing straight, concern filling Natsu's eyes as he noticed Lucy's legs wobble beneath her. Taking a step towards her, he wrapped a securing arm around the small of her back, preventing her from falling on her face.
She glanced up at him with wide eyes, clinging tightly to Natsu's side to not fall over. It appeared her feet had fallen asleep. She sighed, of course they had.
Lucy then realized that Natsu was still holding onto her and she blinked up at him, blushing a darker shade of red if possible as she noticed his dark eyes focused intently on her. "I'm not used to sitting in one position for such a long time." She admitted sheepishly. "And less on a flying cat," she laughed breathlessly.
"You'll get used to it!" Natsu grinned down at her and she blinked her eyes, realizing just what those words meant. She then smiled, almost sure that she would.
Natsu's arms shifted on her back and Lucy's eyes widened, barely realizing how close they were to each other. His hands slipped from her back and then he cleared his throat, a light pink blush dusting his cheeks. That's when Lucy realized where her hands had landed when she'd almost fallen and Natsu had steadied her.
One hand layed over the fraction of his chest covered by his vest, while the other laid on his exposed chest. His skin was warm under her hand, and she could feel the rhythm of his heartbeats on her palms. Her eyes traveled down his tan chest, drinking in the sight of his chiseled stomach and the strong planes of his chest. Her ears burned with heat as her eyes were drawn to the enticing dip of his waist, angled down into his white trousers. Her eyes widened then and she dropped her hands from his chest and stepped away from him as if she had been burned.
Her heart was beating violently in her chest. "S-Sorry." She whispered. It was improper to touch a man like that! She silently chastised herself as she bit her bottom lip and fiddled with the fold of her skirt, ignoring Natsu's gaze on her. That was not something a proper lady should be doing… She shouldn't be staring like she had… She really couldn't help feeling curious, however, since, well, she had never seen a man this exposed before her.
Natsu looked away from her and scratched the back of his head. "Don't sweat it, Luce." He mumbled. Lucy raised an eyebrow. She could only guess that meant he wasn't mad at her for her improper actions. She sighed in relief.
A bright light blinded her then, and she looked back to where Happy had landed just minutes before. A small, blue cat now stood there instead of the large cat that they had been traveling on. Natsu grinned over at Happy, "Tired, little buddy?"
The cat was only able to nod. "I feel like all my magic has been drained from my body." He yawned. "I really need to sleep. I'm exhausted."
Natsu grinned. "Yeah, thanks Happy." He took the cat in his arms and placed him atop of his head and the cat settled there with a content sigh.
Reaching up to path Happy's back, Lucy smiled at him, thanking him as well.
Yawning loudly, Natsu stretched his arms over his head and glanced down at Lucy, grinning at her as he said, "Let's get going. Our place is not too far from here."
She only nodded, walking closely behind Natsu as she followed after him.
Pulling her coat tighter around her shivering frame, Lucy stepped closer towards Natsu as the cold wind blew past them, making a shiver run down her back. Looking up, the blonde noticed that dark clouds had rolled in, making the full moon no longer visible. She gulped as she realized there wasn't even a visible star in the sky to help guide their way. Her arms trembled and she gulped loudly as she casted a paranoid glance around her surroundings. Not that she could see much. She could barely make out the towering trees around them.
Natsu glanced back at her than, asking, "Everything alright, Luce?"
She forced herself to nod, "Y-yeah." She stuttered out and Natsu raised an eyebrow, clearly not believing her.
Lucy froze then, the sound of the snap of a twig some yards away from them making her breath hitch and making a shiver of terror run down her back. "N-Natsu… D-did you h-hear that?" She stammered out as she rubbed her arms in an effort to keep warm.
Chuckling, Natsu nodded, stopping on his tracks to stare back at the blonde. "Yeah." He watched her eyes widen in terror and his grin widened. "It was probably just some rabbit or a deer passing by. Nothing to freak out about, really."
Biting down onto her lip, Lucy only nodded, her eyes still wide as they regarded her surroundings. Sighing, Natsu walked up to her and wrapped and arm around her, making Lucy gasp at the sudden warmth.
Before she could stutter out anything, Natsu told her, "Close your eyes, Luce. I'll guide you there." Lucy opened her mouth to try and tell him she was fine but he stopped her when he continued by saying, "We're almost there. It won't be long, I promise."
Cheeks flushing a bright red as his eyes caught hers, Lucy was only able to nod, closing her eyes and hiding her face in Natsu's chest, whispering a soft thank you. She felt his chest vibrate as he chuckled and then he softly whispered into the air, "Anything for you, Luce." And her heart just about stopped then. Her eyes opened widely as she stared up at him, her mouth falling open without being able to formulate the correct words to say.
Biting her lower lip, she decided to not say anything as she closed her eyes again and curled onto Natsu's chest, trying to ignore their surroundings. Whatever he'd meant by that, she'd had plenty of time to overthink off later, now, she was just going to enjoy the warmth his body emitting.
"Thank you for everything, Natsu." She then suddenly whispered into his chest without thinking. Her eyes opened widely as she felt him stop and she gulped audibly as she looked up at him, their eyes locking as she did.
He raised an eyebrow as he stared down at her and after a few seconds of that- and Lucy shivering under his gaze- he chuckled and shook his head as he looked up at the dark sky. "It was nothing, Luce."
She blinked her eyes up at him as she repeated softly, "It was… nothing?" He shrugged, still not meeting her eyes and Lucy looked down as she whispered, "It was to me."
A soft night breeze blew past them, Lucy's long locks blowing back and Natsu looked down then, his cheeks turning a soft pink color as he stared at her. "No one has ever done anything like that for me before." She looked up, her brown eyes locking with his. "You saved me. A complete stranger, no less. And for that I am truly grateful to you and Happy."
Natsu's eyes widened as he watched her smile brightly up at him, his heart skipping a beat as he stared at her, his fingers itching to reach out and caress her bright cheeks but he closed his eyes against the urge and curled his fingers up into a fist, his nails digging into his skin almost painfully. Looking down, he was only able to nod at her words and Lucy smiled warmly up at him, curling back on his side as she closed her eyes and allowed him to guide her through the woods.
Some minutes later, they were standing just steps away from Natsu's and Happy's cottage. Lucy opens her eyes as she feels Natsu stop, blinking up at him before she looks around. Her eyes shined in awe as she stared at the old cottage with trees growing from inside of it, coming out from the ceiling. Chuckling, Lucy covered her grinning face with her hand as Natsu fiddled with his keys to get the door to open. Once they were inside, Natsu stepped away from Lucy and she frowned at the loss of his warm body pressed against hers.
Blushing madly at her improper thoughts, Lucy looked down just as Natsu told her, "So, this is our place… Make yourself at home, Luce." He grinned down at her that bright grin of his that gave her butterflies each time he sent it her way and her cheeks turned a bright red before she nodded and looked away.
Rubbing the back of his neck, Natsu then muttered, "You can stay with us for as long as you want, Lucy." Her wide eyes then caught his and his cheeks turned a light pink color before he quickly looked away to place a still sleeping Happy down at the hammock hanging just a few steps away from the fire place. "I know it's not the greatest place and it could definitely use some cleaning…" Lucy smiled down at the floor before she returned to look around the house, sweat dropping at the mess that was their place. Clothes, books, food and boxes lay all around the floor.
Glancing back at Lucy and then quickly looking back at Happy Natsu muttered, "If you feel uncomfortable staying here… I could always ask Lisanna and Mira if they can let you stay with them instead…"
Lucy turned towards him immediately after he said those words, eyes wide as they stared at his back. Before he could turn and head towards the bathroom, Lucy held onto the back of his vest, making Natsu turn back to stare at her with wide eyes.
Looking down, Lucy felt her bangs cover her eyes and she took a deep breath before she whispered, "I want to stay here with you, Natsu." Her heart was beating madly in her chest at those words she had just uttered. She'd never felt more safe and warm than she did at that moment with him. He was different and she didn't want to leave his side. Her hands curled into the folds of her skirt as she contemplated her thoughts.
Grinning widely down at her then, Natsu whispered back an, "Okay."
And Lucy looked up with wide eyes at him, her eyes shining as they stared into his and she smiled back.
Taking her coat off and slipping off her boots, Lucy continued to look around the house while Natsu cleaned one of the two couches in the living room for her to sleep in. Smiling kindly at him as he handed her a blanket for her to use, Lucy then watched as he walked towards the fireplace, puffing fire into it as soon a he crutched in front of the stone.
Lucy's eyes widened in wonder and amazement as she watched him. Walking towards him, Lucy crouched beside him, her eyes still wide as they stared at the fire. Her cheeks flushed as she enjoyed the warmth emanating from the flames. Turning towards Natsu, Lucy smiled brightly up at him as she told him, "Your magic is beautiful."
Blinking his eyes at her, Natsu shook his head as he turned to stare at the fire, grinning widely as he muttered, "You really are a weirdo."
Giggling softly, Lucy sat down beside him, hugging her legs close to her body as she mumbled, "Yeah, maybe I am." She heard him chuckle lowly to himself and she glanced towards him, smiling softly as her eyes fixed for a moment on the way the fire made his skin glow. She couldn't help be momentarily distracted by the sight of him.
He was not the most handsome man she had laid eyes on, but he did something to her heart and stomach that no man had ever done. And as she continued to stare at him, an adorable half-smile appearing on his face as he mumbled that Happy would have loved to hear that, she realized that it was his boyish features what she liked about him.
Feeling her eyelids get heavy, Lucy leaned onto Natsu's side, whispering a soft, "I'm really glad I met you," before her eyelids finally closed and everything went black.
Smiling down at the sleeping blonde, Natsu sighed. "Me too, weirdo." He whispered as he looked out the window, seeing the sun rising.
Staring at her reflection in the mirror, Erza Scarlet sighed as she turned on her side and then on the other. Flipping her long scarlet hair from one shoulder onto the other, she bit her bottom lip and then rolled her eyes before she pulled it all up into a ponytail.
"Trying to get Jellal's attention today, Erza?" Millianna asked from her desk at the back of their small tailor shop in Crocus. She'd been sewing a dress before she looked up and noticed Erza by the end of the room.
Rolling her eyes at her, Erza picked up her coat before she muttered, "Of course not." But her flushed cheeks said otherwise.
Giggling to herself, Millianna nodded and continued on with her work, deciding to not say another word on the topic. And less to her easily angered boss.
Picking up the dress she'd finished sewing the night before, Erza placed it inside of her basket before she called out to Millianna and silently and extremely concentrated on her sewing Kagura, "I'm off to the castle now. I'll see you two later today. Work hard and diligently."
"Of course!" Millianna answered cheerfully while Kagura only nodded and Erza sighed before she stepped out onto the early morning breeze.
A street ahead from Erza's shop, a short blue haired girl stepped out of the local book store with her nose stuck in a book.
Bumping into the a couple of people walking ahead of her, she flushed with color and lowered her head as she apologized and continued on her way to the castle. Watching her from behind, Erza sighed and quickened her steps to catch up to the Princess's tutor.
Tapping on Levy's shoulder, Erza startled her as she finally looked up from the pages of her book, her eyes widening as they caught Erza's.
Realizing who'd stopped her previous activity, Levy smiled brightly at Erza. "Good morning!" Nodding, Erza repeated the greeting as the two walked side by side.
Sighing as she put away her book, Levy mumbled, "Everyday… It's just like the one before, is it not?" She sighed again, her small hands curling on the folds of her skirt as she looked up at the clear, blue sky, dazing off in her own thoughts.
Glancing down at the shorter girl, Erza contemplated her words before she frowned down at her shoes and whispered, "I suppose it is."
Frowning up at the sky, Levy then mumbled, "You know, sometimes I wish for adventure out there somewhere, just like in the books I read. I just… I want something different." Feeling Erza's gaze on her, Levy forced herself to smile as she looked up at her and muttered, "I'm of course not saying that I hate the life I have now… I just… I don't know. I want something more."
Smiling softly, Erza chuckled lightly and Levy blinked her eyes up at her. Staring up at the sky, she said, "Something more you say… I guess I can understand. I… I sometimes feel the same."
Eyes wide, Levy asked, "You do?"
Nodding her head, Erza stared straight ahead as she muttered, "When I stare in the mirror every morning… That's when I realize I don't know who the girl looking back at me is. It's just… not who I truly wish to be… I too want something more."
Blinking down at the book she'd been reading before, Levy smiled softly before she looked up at Erza and said, "Well, we better work hard to get there, now don't we? To get what we really wish for." She winked up at the seamstress and Erza chuckled and nodded.
Walking passed the back entrance of the castle, Levy smiled widely as she greeted all those who'd pass by them. Nodding her head to a few of the castle's workers, Erza enjoyed the cool morning breeze blowing passed her uncovered neck as they continued on their through the castle's gardens.
Her face flushed once they walked passed the training grounds, her eyes widening in amazement and wonder as she heard metal scraping against metal as the knights trained. She could barely see from where they stood, but her eyes still shined with excitement as she witnessed they training. Her fingers itched by her sides to be able to walk past those gates and get ahold of one of their many swords. But the title of a knight… was something that any woman in their Kingdom had ever held...
Sighing to herself as they continued on their way towards the Princess's bedroom, Erza realized that watching their training every morning was as much of being a knight she'd ever get… But, deep inside her, she still wished she'd one day be able to fight for her Kingdom, right beside the man who'd saved her back when she was a child.
Frowning down at her feet, Erza zoned out as they walked down the hallway leading to the Princess's chambers, and so, she bumped into a strong armor.
A pair of strong hands took hold of her shoulders as soon as her head hit his chest, and Erza winced as her gaze darted upwards.
Jellal Fernandes, the Captain of the castle's knights, smiled down at her and Erza's eyes widened and her cheeks flushed with color. "Good morning, Erza." He and she sucked in a breath just as her heart skipped a beat.
Breaking her gaze away from his, she muttered, "Morning."
Chuckling to himself, he turned to continue on his way, stopping and turning around to find a wide eyes Erza looking back at him. Smiling again, he whispered, "Have a nice day."
Smiling to herself, Erza nodded, her hands holding tightly onto her basket. She looked up at him then, their eyes locking for a second before he turned to a stunned and quiet Levy and nodded curtly before he excuse himself, walking down the long hallway.
Her gaze softened as she watched him walk away, sighing softly as she stared at his strong back. She wasn't sure how long she stood there, staring longingly as the double doors he'd used to leave, that was her eyes landed on one of the many mirrors decorating the walls and she frowned at the reflection she saw there.
"Princess!" Erza's thoughts were interrupted as she looked up, her eyes wide as they met Levy's, both hearing the screams up ahead.
They both ran towards the Princess's bedroom, breathless as they regarded the empty bedroom and met the worried gaze of the Princess's personal maid, Yukino Agria.
"What's happened?!" Erza looked back to meet the alarmed gaze of Jellal, his breathing coming ragged as his chest rose and fell. Their wide eyes met for a brief second before they both turned to a crying Yukino.
Looking down in shame and worry, Yukino whispered, "The Princess… She's… She's gone."
Erza looked down and took the note Yukino had extended towards them, crumpling as she finished reading. "We must inform the King of this immediately."
Her eyes locked on Jellal's then and he nodded at their unspoken words before he quickly turned around and yelled to the knights quickly approaching the Princess's chambers, "Search the entire castle! Until further notice, you must not speak of this to anyone outside of the castle! Not until the King orders otherwise!"
He ran as fast as his legs allowed him to, grinning widely as he looked down at the sparkly and extremely expensive and valuable crown he'd just stolen. He'd definitely make a fortune out of this one! That flame eating bastard surely wouldn't had been able to get his hands on such an important and guarded treasure!
To be honest, no one would have ever been able to steal the Princess's crown if it wasn't for all the guards being distracted as they searched for the Princess herself.
Gray Fullbuster smirked at his luck. He'd always had perfect timing after all.
Yet, he'd of course caught the attention of a pair of knights just when he was about to jump out the window and make his swift escape. Curse his luck!
He was sure if he ran towards the forest he'd lose them, but that sure wasn't his luck. Quite the opposite. More came to join them just as they left the castle's walls!
He could hear them yelling after him, and the cry of their horses as they speeded behind him. Cursing lowly, Gray took a swift turn and turned around, stopping suddenly as he smirked at the fastly approaching knights. Bringing his hands over his head, he whispered, "Ice- Make: Floor!" Bringing his hands down onto the floor, ice began to cover it, the horses crying loudly as they slipped and fell.
Grinning widely, Gray turned and continued his escape.
He soon felt the ground rumbling after him and his hands tightened at his sides at the pounding of the horse's hooves. He needed to find a place to hide and fast.
Looking for a place to hide in his surroundings, Gray's eyes widened when he noticed some bushes and clicked his tongue as his eyes narrowed and he looked back. He had no other option but to try and hide until those damn knights gave up on their chase. Sighing, he knew they wouldn't stop any time soon. It wasn't like he'd stolen some insignificant artifact.
Grumbling to himself, he stepped towards the bushes, plunging his hand in them and parting their branches. Grinning widely, he slipped into the entrance just before the knights rode past them.
Curling his fingers up into a fist, he slammed it into his palm as he called, "Ice- Make: Wall!" Covering the entrance with ice. He smirked. Those castle jerks would not get a hold of him anytime soon!
Turning around, his eyebrows rose as he noticed an opening at the end of the tunnel. Walking towards it, his eyes widened and he stopped as he observed the valley that lay before him.
He looked at the tall tower standing in the middle of the valley, his mouth falling open at just how high it was. Looking back, he gulped audibly before he walked towards the tower. Surely, there had to be some incredible treasure hidden in it! He grinned widely at the thought of this being the castle's secret tower arose. Oh, he'd be making quite a deal out of all the things he'd find!
Hands itching with excitement as he yelled, "Ice- Make: Stairs!"
And just as he'd climbed through the window, he heard someone singing from within the tower, stopping him dead on his tracks as he just sat there, listening to her beautiful voice.
"When will my life begin?" She sang quietly as she swept the floor, looking up at the window then, her beautiful blue eyes locking on Gray's wide ones. The sun shined beautifully on her long, blue hair, her cheeks flushed a pretty pink color and her soft pink lips parting as she regarded the man before her.
Her eyes widened in terror as soon as they caught his, the broom falling to the floor lifelessly as she opened and closed her mouth, not being able to formulate any words.
"Uh…" Gray started, rubbing the back of his neck as he looked around the room. "Miss, I don't mean any harm, I was just…"
"You must leave at once!" The girl than yelled, her hand raising as she stated, "No one must know of Juvia's existence."
And Gray's eyes widened as Juvia yelled, "Water lock!" His eyes became hazy as he stared at her, his throat screaming from the pain as he was unable to breath. He smirked at the strong girl before him as he stretched his hands out as much as he could before the water around him began to freeze, soon breaking free from her magic.
Her eyes widened in both shock and amazement and her hands curled up into fists as she muttered, "You're a mage as well. A strong one, no doubt."
Taking deep breaths, Gray smirked widely at the blue haired girl. "I sure as hell am."
Before either of them could say anything else, their eyes widened and they froze in place as someone just below the tower yelled, "Water woman! The hell is up with that stupid shitty ice wall by the entrance?!" Gray cursed under his breath and his eyes then locked on the frightened and shivering girl before him.
Her cold eyes never left his as she muttered, "It's the work of an intruder." Gray's heart stopped then, his hands curling up into fists, but before he could do anything, she continued, "But I've dealt with that already, Gajeel." She eyed the quiet man before her before continuing, " Is anything the matter?"
A gruff laugh was heard then and the man she'd referred to as Gajeel yelled, "No, just checkin' on ya. The master heard some idiot was runnin' around this area. Apparently, the castle's knights are after his ass. I'll be going now! Gonna search the area myself as well. We don't need anyone running freely around here."
Letting out a breath he'd apparently been holding, Gray was about to thank the woman for not giving him off to her alley, when he felt something hard hit his face. Everything became foggy then as he fell on his back, and the last thing he saw, where her bare feet and the frying pan that fell by his head with a loud bang.
"You've surely come to hide to the wrong place, ice mage." She muttered as she pulled the unconscious man to hide him in one of her many closets. Her master could come any time soon now and she did not want to get herself into any unnecessary trouble. She'd deal with this one herself.
She smiled sadly down to the floor. Maybe… she could have a little bit of freedom by hiding this secret from them all.
Raising an eyebrow, Juvia walked over to the satchel the mage had been holding onto before. Opening it, her eyes widened as the crown shined brightly with the sun's rays.
Author's Note:
Hey guys! I know, I haven't updated this story in a VERY long time! But I'm back! And I am so excited to continue writing this story ;)
Hopefully you all enjoyed this chapter! And thank you sooo much to all of you who reviewed, favorited and followed this story! Your support means the world to me!
Songs: Belle from Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Reflection from Disney's Mulan and When Will my Life Begin from Disney's Tangled.
Until next time!
~ Blue ~