HOLIDAY CHAPTER (31)
Chapter 31:
Natsu sat as his usual spot by the guilds window staring sadly at the snow. It was a day before Christmas Eve and everyone was already celebrating. Beer was replaced with eggnog and the bar had lovely green tresses (I have no idea what that is) on it. Makarove was dressed in a Santa costume and Mira-Jane as an elf. "I still think Elf-man should be an elf, it would be funny considering his name" Makarov snorted in his drunken haze "Ya want anotha elf phfft, make Natsu your got damn elf"
As if somebody had pressed pause, the whole guild went silent. Natsu made no notion that he heard but turned to see everyone staring at him. "He wouldn't make a good elf" one member said indignantly. Natsu ex haled heavily and turned back to the window. Not noticing the tension Makarove laughed, "Oh that reminds me, I got everyone tickets to the mountain resort so we'll be leaving at noon tomorrow.
Forgetting the previous situation everyone erupted in thanks, Natsu got up and left but Happy stayed behind. "It's my gift to you brats now lets party!" the activities exploded again and only Mira had seen the pink haired mage leave. She huffed "rude".
Natsu walked through the streets kicking at the snow. 'It's almost her birthday' he thought, he stopped walking and looked at the sky. 'Haku' he continued to walk until he entered the woods and to a clearing. In the center was a single cherry blossom tree. Surprisingly it still had all its petals; he walked over and sat beneath it staring at the sheet of white before him. 'She would hate how I've changed' he thought humorously memories of a sweet energetic pink haired girl filled his mind. He flinched remembering her death "Haku, my little rotten little sister. You'd always get mad when I said that" he relaxed against the tree and continued to watch the snow fall until he fell asleep.
Happy burst into the guild in a mild panic, "Master! Natsu didn't come home last night have you seen him" it was 10: 48 members were preparing for departure in 1 hour 15 minutes. (About) Makarov who was now sober frowned "No he hasn't come by… I'm sure he'll show up" as soon as those words left his mouth Natsu came through the doors, he explained to Happy what happened ant gave the cat some expensive sushi.
Five carriages arrived at 11:58 and they all took of with Natsu running by the side. They traveled for about six hours occasionally passing around food though none was offered to Natsu. They sped up a mountain when the already heavy storm turned into a blizzard and Natsu disappeared though no one noticed. The sun began to set when they arrived and the air was freezing.
When they arrived at the winter resort Natsu was already there with some hot chocolate in his hand. "Natsu? How did you get here so fast?" Natsu took a sip of his drink that was somehow bubbling viciously. "I fell of the side of the cliff and had to climb back up and ended up here" Happy frowned "You okay" Natsu nodded and continued to down his drink. The other guild members ignored him and Maklarove had somehow gotten drunk again so he didn't notice.
They guild members explored the grounds playing fighting and drinking. There were multiple cabins positioned in a large circle expanding about 380 ft. in the center of the circle was a large dining hall. By nine everyone was famished; they migrated to the dining hall followed by some other random people that took extra rooms at the resort.
When they entered the building they saw Natsu there at the center by a gigantic tree organizing different colored boxes. He noticed them but said nothing; he straightened one last box then sat down. There were seating cards placed strategically so that you sat with the people you went on missions the most with. Grey groaned a bit when he was placed next to Natsu.
Said mage had his head in his hand obviously depressed about something but nobody paid any mind. Maids and butlers came out with appetizers, bread cut into the shape of fern trees and some oil mixed with herbs to dip it in. Happy was given fish instead of bread wich he chose to brag about.
Conversation filled the room, Erza and Lucy talked about some girl things but Natsu stayed silent. Of course Grey had to be at the edge of the table so feeling awkward he attempted to start a conversation "So…*fake coughing* um something wrong?" he settled for a question. Natsu side glanced him then went back to staring at the wall "Why do you care" he said dully. A vein popped up on Grey's head "What's your problem! I'm just trying to start a conversation!" his yell attracted attention from some others sitting near them.
Natsu turned in his seat to look at him "The only reason you're trying to talk to me is because you can't speak with anyone else" Grey knew that was true but didn't admit it out loud. He growled and was about to speak again when the maids brought out the entrees. Filet mignon, cooked medium with a baked potato that was stuffed with bacon (*drools on keyboard*) sour cream, and cheese (…never mind too much stuff mixed together) though happy received a raw fish instead of steak.
Grey gawked at the meal and looked over at Natsu who was wiping his mouth. 'How did he finish so fast' Grey wondered glancing at the empty plate. He was about to dig in when soup was brought out, or fish chowder in Happy's case, with a wad of bread sticking out. Natsu finished that at amazing speeds as well while most others were already full.
Grey stuffed his face determined not to lose in his imaginary eating contest. Lucy and Erza noticed this and raised an eyebrow. Finally desert was brought out; a warm chocolate volcano cake with fudge lava surrounded by a sea off whip cream and ice cream. On another plate was a large chocolate chip cookie covered in hot fudge and sprinkles. Everyone practically drooled over what was in front off them.
The lucky cat got cream, minced fish, and a crab cake. Grey glared at Natsu preparing to win his made up battle only to face fault when he saw both plates empty and the fire mage drinking some hot chocolate contently.
Natsu yawned and left as Grey rushed to beat the pinkettes speed only to choke and have other mages laugh at him. Happy stayed behind for unknown reasons but soon every one was assigned a cabin and headed off to bed. Grey was not surprised that he had to stay with Erza and Lucy but knew that the 'pink punk' would also be in there cabin. He entered the dark wood room and groaned when he saw Natsu sleeping soundly on the bunk beds, on the top bunk for that matter.
The girls said good night to him and walked through a door to the other side of the cabin. Gray glared venomously at the bottom bunk before climbing in and letting sleep consume him.
Natsu got up early and left before anybody else, he walked off from the grounds and into the thick pine forest. He kept walking until he met a clearing; he sighed when he saw there was no tree in the center but sat any ways. He laid back thinking off her and the others, "Happy birthday at least" he said sadly "I wonder why our parents didn't name you Kurisumasu or kurisuma maybe kurisu if they were really lazy but no they named you Haku" he sighed 'it suits you'
He heard a horn blow in the distance 'I should get back' he got up and ran towards the dining hall arriving as normal with all the others. They were seated the same as yesterday and were served simple pancakes, eggs, and bacon. After the maids sang a Christmas song they all received there presents. Everyone from the guild got one presents from every single other member leaving the random citizens speechless.
Everyone had mountains of boxes except for Natsu. He had two decent sized packages, one from Happy the other from Makarove. He opened the cat's gift first to find a sealing book; he glanced at his blue companion both sharing a secret. He thanked the feline and opened the other and blinked coal he raised an eyebrow trying to see if the old man was somehow labeling him as evil or whatever but caught nothing in his cheerful orbs.
Natsu picked up a coal and bit into it. "Hmmm" he swallowed and gave a forced smile to the guild master, "Thanks old man".
The other members ripped open there gifts leaving some for Erza to seal away, Lucy came across a relatively small package and opened it without seeing the giver. Her eyes sparkled, "A new key, oh and key polisher" she squealed "Who got me this" whispers erupted trying to find out who gave the girl such a thoughtful gift.
Makarove coughed grabbing attention "Natsu did" he said simply.
…
…
…
they all looked for a gift with the dragon slayers name on it and was shocked at what the received, Erza got a new and EXPENCIVE armor, Grey got a special molding lacrima, (You can transfer your magic to it and it will moldable like clay or something…just think of something nice) Veejeter (I think) got dancing shoes, Levy a pen the writes in the air using light, jet got durable sneakers that are enhanced so the rubber wont melt or wear easily and so on.
"Your welcome" Natsu said with a bit of sarcasm then left with happy. Makarove sighed "I'm very disappointed in you all" while outside Natsu was cursing the day he decided to join Fairy Tail. 'I hate you all, why do I even pretend'
That was one boring ending oh well we all cant be winners now can we hope it was long
enough.