"That was a little bit of a mean thing you did there," Sting said, wrapping his arms around his wife's waist. They both stared out the window at Natsu, happily playing in the yard with Sera and Plue. He was swinging Sera around in circles, reveling in her gleeful giggles.
"I don't want to think of it as mean. He needs the confidence," Yukino said, playing swatting his arms away when he gave her breasts a squeeze, "Natsu hasn't allowed himself any joy in a couple years now. When he starts experiencing life again, he'll begin to let go of the past. Calling Lucy's spirit was a start," she pointed out the window, "And that right there is another start."
"What did you do anyway?"
Yukino gave him a lop-sided grin, "I called Plue out. Natsu was holding the key, but it was my magic that actually pulled him from his gate."
"And what will you tell him when he figures it out?" Sting asked, pouring himself another cup of coffee.
"I only did it once," Yukino replied, "He did it this morning on his own."
Sting nodded, "And when do you plan to tell him…about Lucy?"
Yukino sighed, turning from the window, "Not yet. He's smiling under his own power for the first time in two years. Let's try to keep him smiling for a few days before he goes all Natsu again."
Sting suppressed a smile. They'd been waiting for Natsu to come to them for two years. A little while longer couldn't hurt.
Natsu brought the baby in after about an hour. She was rubbing her little eyes.
"Sera's tired now," he said, smiling affectionately at the baby. She reached for her momma and Natsu passed her over, "Seriously, you guys…she's so perfect. She's gorgeous."
He had sent Plue back on his own. He didn't feel a drain on his power, but remembered Lucy never kept them from the spirit world for long. It was great to see Plue again. It was like seeing a part of Lucy.
"You look happy," Sting commented, eyeing the daze in his friend's eyes.
"I guess I am," Natsu realized.
"Stay with us for a few more days," Yukino offered, "Go to the guild with Sting. They're building a waterslide for the pool and could use your help. We can work on summoning larger spirits when you come back. Maybe a break is just what you need."
Natsu nodded, "Okay."
Natsu went with Sting to Sabertooth, shaking Orga and Rogue's hand as they welcomed him. He spent the afternoon helping with the waterslide, then tested it out, screaming like a little kid. Instantly, he regretted his decision. He was motion sick and hurried for the garbage can, throwing up the awesome lunch Yukino had packed them.
When they returned to the Eucliffe home that evening, Yukino had a large spread on the table for them. For the first time in a long time, Natsu felt hungry and devoured as much as Sting did. They played a few games of cards after supper until Yukino announced she was heading to bed.
As Natsu retreated to the room they'd given him for a second night, Yukino squeezed Sting's hand lightly. Natsu was showing glimpses of becoming Natsu again.
It was the fourth day when Natsu decided it was time to start heading back to Fairy Tail. He approached Yukino in the garden to thank her for her hospitality, having already said goodbye to Sting.
"Natsu," Yukino smiled gently, "Sit with me for a few more minutes."
They walked over to the gazebo and sat side by side on the swing.
"I appreciate everything you've done the last couple days," Natsu said.
She laughed lightly, "It's been a joy seeing you get out of that shell, Natsu. Maybe the change is just what you needed, right?"
He nodded, "I'm going to go home and try to keep it up, starting with taking a few missions…and sitting at the table with my friends instead of by myself."
"Good," she said, grabbing his hand.
He glanced at her, confused as she placed something in it.
"Luce's keys?" he asked.
"You should take them," Yukino said, closing his hand over top of them.
"I don't understand."
"Well, there's something I need to tell you. Make sure you're comfortable because this might be…awkward for you to hear."
Natsu's brow furrowed, "Okay…is it bad?"
Yukino shushed him, sitting across from him on a chair opposite the swing so that she could keep his full attention.
"Two years ago, Lucy called upon the Celestial Queen Atria."
"Yesss," Natsu said slowly, "I was there. I remember it all too well."
"In doing so," Yukino continued, her voice low and quivering, "Lucy made a contract with the Celestial Queen, who in turn granted Lucy with the power to wipe out the entire House of Dorthos. Her body went into overload with the magic Queen Atria lent to her, then into shock with the sudden depletion. Shortly thereafter, Lucy's body collapsed and disappeared."
"Yesss," Natsu said again, "Where are you going with this?"
"Natsu," Yukino bent forward, taking his hands in hers again, "Lucy didn't die."
Tears started to stream down Natsu's face as he stood up, shaking Yukino's hands from his, "That's cruel, Yukino! Why in the hell would say something like that?"
"Because it's the truth!" she stated, her voice strong as she tried to hide her own emotions, "Natsu, Lucy is still alive. She's been in the Celestial World recovering from her injuries. She is bonded to the Celestial Queen now and she can't come back until her key is contracted to another."
"Her key?"
"Lucy…" Yukino lost her resolve, dissolving into tears, "Has been contracted. Instead of dying, she ascended to the Celestial Kingdom. Well, I guess it was a form of dying, but she's still Lucy. She's just a Celestial spirit now."
"No," Natsu shook his head, "I can't believe that. Why wouldn't she find some way to tell me?"
"She can't!" Yukino raised her voice, "Natsu! Listen to me! She – is – alive…and she's waiting for you!" Her voice dropped to a quivering mess as her tears streamed down her face, "There is a key that is Lucy's. It's meant for you. And you have to find it."
The pain in Natsu's face was excruciating. All this time, he'd thought she was dead. Suddenly, his face expression changed, "She's alive…"he whispered, "And we can be together?"
Yukino nodded, "You need to find her key. When you find it, you can become her new contractor and she can come back to you."
"Why would the Celestial Queen do such a thing? Take her away from me like that? Not tell me she's alive?"
"Because it was take her from you temporarily and make her a spirit, or death...permanently," Yukino replied, "It was the only option. Queen Atria had no intentions of separating you forever. But Lucy was dying. She had to make a quick decision."
"Then why did I have to suffer for 2 whole years?"
Yukino wished she had better answers. She wished she could console Natsu better, but she only knew what she'd been told by her own spirits. A message had been passed to her through Pisces after she'd gained Lucy's keys. Yukino had known for a long time now that eventually Natsu would come to her.
"Celestial time is different than Earthland time, Natsu," she said softly, "It's only been 6 months there. And it's taken all 6 of those months for Lucy to recover."
"But she can come back to me? As in back to me?" Natsu asked, "She won't have to live in the Celestial World? She can come home with me?"
Yukino nodded, "Essentially, you'll break the contract with the queen, which she will do willingly. The King and Queen are indebted to you for bringing them back together. You might think of this as a gift from them rather than 2 years of hell."
Natsu nodded, absorbing all the new information, "So what do I do now?"
She pressed the keys into his hands again, "Go home," she said simply, "Lucy will start sending clues."
"Okay," he said, squeezing her hand before letting it go, "Yukino…thank you."
"You can thank me by finding Lucy and naming your first born after me!" she giggled, waving as she disappeared into the house.
Natsu sighed deeply, then turned on his heel to start the journey home. He walked slower than normal, needing the entire walk to process the information jammed inside his head.