AN: For my readers above 17, I HIGHLY recommend watching Food Wars! It is a hilarious anime. I snagged a couple characters for this chapter, please enjoy!
"Thanks again for tagging along on this job." Wendy skipped through the streets of Onibus excited to finally be close to home. The two ladies, along with their companions, completed their mission this afternoon. "I don't think I could've finished so quickly without your help."
The Sky Dragon Slayer took a mission that she easily could've done on her own. She was required to find a specific herb for a chef. Normally, this would be left to someone at the restaurant. Since it was such a special herb however, it only grew in extreme climates.
A lot of times these environments would have large animals that would kill any normal human. This is when they hire guild members to search for them. It took the group only three hours to pick more than enough to supply their client. The best part of the whole experience was after they returned to the restaurant.
"Thank you so much!" Lucy grinned at their client. "After the morning we've had, all of us are starving. We appreciate the meal before leaving."
"It's the least I could do. This is the fastest I've ever had this job done! I'm extremely grateful. You guys are a lifesaver!" Megumi smiled brightly at the two girls and Exceeds. "Take a seat anywhere you like, I'll have it ready in a few minutes." The Chef bowed before returning to the kitchen with her ingredients.
"That was certainly nice of her." Carla mentioned with a smile, taking a seat next to Wendy.
"I'm starving!" Happy mentioned with a weary look on his face. "All that exploring has exhausted me!"
"All you did was fly around, looking for herbs." Lucy rolled her eyes as she chuckled.
The wizards sat in silence for a few moments, taking the time to unwind after their mission. It was still early in the afternoon. After their meal, the group would make their way back to Magnolia. Hopefully they would make it back for the huge party their guild was throwing tonight.
"Here you go, guys!" A man with spiked reddish-pink hair came out of the kitchen with several plates of food. Lucy noticed he was wearing a plain white headband as well. "Please, enjoy!"
All the Fairy Tail Wizards immediately turned their heads at the aromas that were coming off of the plates. None of them ever had such a moving experience when smelling their food.
"What in the world is this?" Carla asked, wide eyed as a bowl of rich liquid was placed in front of her.
"It's a new dish we've created using the ingredients you guys gathered for us. We wanted you to be the first ones to try it!"
"Don't mention it, Wendy." Lucy beamed at the young Dragon Slayer. "It was a lot of fun to be around nature that is so beautiful. It was extremely relaxing."
"Oh yeah, I'm sure you were super relaxed as that spider came up to you and started crawling up your back." Happy chuckled deviously, causing Carla to roll her eyes.
Ignoring the blue cat, the Celestial Mage continued. "That meal was to die for! We're going to have to bring other members to the restaurant."
"Oh yes!" the others agreed.
"Do you think we'll make it back in time for the party tonight?" Wendy asked curiously.
"Party? You should go home and rest!" The white Exceed piped in. "Besides, it'll all depend on the train station's schedule."
Lucy nodded. "Carla's right. It'd take hours for us to walk back to Magnolia. The train is our best bet!"
"Man… Natsu's gonna be pretty upset if we don't make it back in time." Happy mentioned.
"He's a big boy, Happy." Lucy chuckled. "I'm sure he's having a great time. He's got so many other friends there to party with. LIsanna and Gray will be there, along with Mira and Erza. Natsu will be fine!"
"Besides, maybe there's an early train going to Magnolia!" Wendy piped in enthusiastically. "The guild will still be partying when we get back."
The four wizards head into the train station, in high spirits. Fairy Tail was supposed to be holding a party this evening. The Celestial Mage was hoping to make it back in time. Natsu had been so excited about it. Ever since the wizards came back from Edolas, the Dragon Slayer has been trying to plan a party with the Master. Everyone was trying to make it home for the festivities, some Fairy Tail members even postponing their missions just to be a part of the fun.
Onibus had other plans for these wizards.
"I can't believe there isn't another train to Magnolia until eight o'clock!" Wendy's face looked utterly hopeless. Looking at the ground, a dark cloud began to surround the young Dragon Slayer. "I'm sorry guys… I guess we won't make it in time for the party after all."
"There's gotta be something we can do!" Happy raised a fist into the air.
Carla immediately began calculating their possibilities. She crossed her arms as the Exceed shifted her weight between her feet. "Depending on how fast we walk, the train may still be the best option. We'll get home late. However, as we all know Fairy Tail tends to party into the late hours of the night. I think we'll be able to catch the tail end of the festivities."
"Sounds like a wonderful plan." The blue Exceed beamed towards Carla. "I'll go buy the tickets!" Happy rushed into the line of people. All the ladies were surprised to see him being so helpful.
"We should make ourselves comfortable for the wait." Wendy smiles as she walks towards the waiting area. There were several people there, making it difficult for them to find a seat. Eventually, the two wizards found a spot in the back. Carla decided to wait for Happy, so he wouldn't get lost.
"So Wendy," Lucy's voice broke through all the others around the Sky Dragon Slayer. "Now that you've been on a few big jobs, how does it feel to be a true member of Fairy Tail?"
"It feels truly amazing." The young girl looked towards the ceiling, a huge smile on her face. "I've had a couple of places to call home in the past, but this one feels like I'm with a real family who cares about me." Beaming at the Celestial Mage. "You, Natsu and the others have been more than welcoming, you guys are the ones that really make me feel at home."
"We loved when you and Carla joined Fairy Tail." Glancing at the Sky Dragon Slayer, Lucy chuckled. "Although you haven't been here long, it's felt like you're meant to be here, ya know?"
"Yeah." Wendy smiled.
I guess now is as good of a time as any.. The Dragon Slayer pondered. For some time, Wendy has been curious about Natsu and Lucy's relationship. Normally she wouldn't be troubled by something like this. However, a conversation between Wendy, Gajeel, and the Fire Dragon Slayer has been running through her mind since before the Edolas incident. The two boys had been talking before Wendy overheard their conversation.
"Salamander, you're clueless! Every Dragon Slayer should know about this!" Black Steele yelled, loud enough to perk up Wendy's ears. Excusing herself from the table she was sitting at, the young Dragon Slayer made her way over to Natsu and Gajeel.
"What should they know?" Wendy asked as she came up on the table, startling the two boys.
"Uh…" The pink haired wizard rubbed the back of his head, unsure of what to say.
Gajeel sighed, not wanting to be the one to bring this up to both of them. It was one thing to educate Natsu on the subject, the damned idiot should already know! Wendy was a young girl. The Iron Dragon Slayer wasn't sure if he could explain this properly, and he didn't want to confuse her.
"Did Grandina ever mention a spell called Unity?"
Wendy pondered Gajeel's question. There were so many spells that she taught her, and that one didn't come to mind immediately. "I don't think so, what is it?"
"Oh boy.." Taking a deep breath, The long haired wizard looked between the other two Dragon Slayers. "It's a spell that we can only use once."
"Once? That sounds like powerful magic." The Sky Dragon Slayer's eyes widened.
"Oh yeah it is." Gajeel sighed, looking down. "First Generation Dragon Slayers are the most connected to Dragons. Even to the point where they only find one person to be with. A soulmate if you will."
"How do you know that you've found this person?" Natsu was engrossed in what he was saying.
"It's like…" The Iron Dragon Slayer was lost in thought, attempting to put words to his emotions. "Your center of gravity completely shifts. Whatever force was holding you to this Earth is now focused on the person that you want to share your life with. Metalicana explained it like that. From what I've experienced, it's a perfect description. Have you had this happen, Salamander?"
After the talk with the other two Dragon Slayers, Wendy couldn't help but wonder if Natsu had experienced 'the shift'. The Fire Dragon ignored Gajeel's question that day.
"Hello! Earth to Wendy!" Lucy's hand began waving in front of the young girl's face. This startled her out of her daydreaming. She wasn't sure how long she'd been staring off.
"Sorry, did you say something?"
"I was asking how you and Carla have been getting along lately?" Lucy had a warm smile on her face. "I've noticed she's a lot more relaxed ever since we came back from Edolas."
"You're right." the Sky Dragon Slayer perked up. "Since we've been home, I've seen Carla smile more than I have in months. She seems to be getting along with Happy as well. Now that she knows the truth about what happened, she's been a lot kinder to everyone."
"That's good to hear." The Celestial Mage beamed.
"How have things been between you and Natsu since we've been back?" Wendy asked curiously.
Lucy got uncharacteristically quiet. The Sky Dragon Slayer watched her entire demeanor change. "There's nothing going on between the two of us. We're just friends." Running her fingers through her hair, the Celestial Mage looked down at the ground. "Ever since we've gotten back from Edolas, Natsu has been spending a lot of time with Lisanna."
Eyes widening, Lucy knew she sounded jealous of the girl. "Not that he shouldn't be spending time together! I never knew what their relationship was like before I joined the guild. So, I don't know how close they were. From the sounds of it the two were nearly always together."
Wendy was shocked to say the least. She watched her friend, seeing she was obviously distraught about this. "That's what I gathered from Mira as well." The young Dragon Slayer put a hand on Lucy's arm. "But, I also know how much Natsu values you as a friend and teammate."
"I know he does, his friendship means the world to me. I guess I wonder, does he see me as anything other than another Fairy Tail member?" The Celestial Mage began to wonder.
"Do you want him to?"
"No!" Lucy's eyes were wide as she nearly jumped out of her chair.
Wendy raised a brow skeptically. "If you say so?"
The blonde haired mage leaned back, feeling dejected. It was almost like a storm cloud formed above her. "There's no way it could happen anyway… Not after Lisanna came back to Earthland."
The Sky Dragon Slayer was taken aback by the number of emotions that ran through her friend. "I wouldn't be so sure, Lucy." A smile crossed her features as she leaned forward. "While I haven't been a part of the guild long, I feel that you and Natsu share a special connection."
"Really? You think so?" The Celestial Mage took in the young girl's words. While she hasn't been a part of Fairy Tail for long, she is very observant of others. It doesn't surprise Lucy that Wendy sees something she didn't. She is a Dragon Slayer like Natsu, afterall.
"I can't explain it.." looking down at the floor, trying to find the words. "It just seems like his days are brighter when you're around. Even if Lisanna is there, she can cheer him up. However, it's nothing compared to the smile Natsu gets on his face when you walk into the Guild Hall."
"Maybe you're right, Wendy."
The young wizard heard their friend's footsteps headed towards them. Out of the corner of her eye, Wendy noticed Carla and Happy walking their way.
"We got the tickets!" The blue Exceed mentioned happily, waving the tickets above his head.
"Now all we have to do is wait." Carla takes a seat next to the Sky Dragon Slayer.
"It looks like we'll make it in time, afterall!" Happy yelled as he flew above the two girls. "The lights and sounds of the Guild Hall can be heard from here!"
Wendy smiled brightly. "That's great news!"
The Fairy Tail wizards run to their guild hall. They noticed the party had moved onto the street, the double doors wide open. The two younger members disappeared into the crowd, while Happy and Lucy began looking around for their friend.
"I don't see Natsu anywhere" Happy was confused, not seeing his best friend at the party. "That's strange."
"Nasssuuu?" Canna slurred from the bar. "He left!"
"Really?" Lucy's brow raised. It wasn't like the Dragon Slayer to miss a Fairy Tail party.
"Yup!" A hiccup interrupted her words. "Lisanna left with him!"
"Oh…" The Celestial Mage's heart sank. Looking around, Lucy noticed quite a few of her friends were also missing from the celebration. Levy and Gajeel weren't in their usual spot, as well as a couple of others. It was possible they'd already turned in for the night. "It's been a long day, I think I'm gonna head home." The young woman said defeatedly as she walked out the doors of the guild hall again.