Chapter 4: A Feline's Jealously
[Previously:]
Looking over at Natsu, I was surprised to see him blushing as well, yelling at Happy to shut up. I couldn't help but get over my embarrassment and laugh at his reaction, especially when it deepened. A sudden squeal leaving Mira's lips as she got the whole guild's attention with a delightful scream.
"NALU IS SOON GOING TO HAPPEN!"
The guild went silent for a moment before bursting into cheers, everyone raising their beer mugs to the announcement. Although me and Natsu looked at one another in total confusion.
'What's Nalu?'
However before I could question it, something caught my attention in the corner of my eye. Slightly turning to see Lisanna staring… and she didn't look so happy.
(Lisanna POV.)
A smile broke out seeing the guild act so carefree from my table, they never changed… Although the sound of the guild door opening, my smile went wider because standing there was my pink haired childhood friend with Happy flying over his shoulder.
"Natsu…" I sighed dreamily.
The fire dragon slayer making his way toward the bar, I'm guessing to order food for breakfast—Mavis, I couldn't help but gaze at him dreamily whenever seeing him. I have loved Natsu since we were kids… I helped him hatch Happy… and even went as far to force him to play husband and wife with me when taking care of Happy.
I snapped out of my thoughts when hearing my sister's voice, seeing Natsu talking with her.
'I wonder what they are talking about.'
Mira was writing stuff down on her little notepad, I assumed Natsu was just ordering food before heading toward the kitchen to cook it up. My sister came out a few minutes later with plates of food, balancing them with grace. I giggled seeing Natsu's face in awe as the drool formed, 'Some things never change. Natsu always did have a big appetite.' Wait… That's new. Right next to him was a bowl of strawberries… Does Natsu even eat strawberries? I was about to go ask him what's with the sweet fruit—a perfect conversation starter—but a familiar blonde that everyone was so fond of beat me to it. What was her name again, Luce? No… Lucy.
The celestial mage walked over and sat right next to Natsu at the bar, smiling at him while doing so. My curiosity and jealousy get the best of me when seeing Mirajane, Natsu, and Happy talking to her about something… Transforming one of my ears to a bat, wanting to hear what they are saying.
"It was so cute Lucy! Natsu, here, came to order his usual breakfast but then asked for a small bowl of strawberries... He knew strawberries were your favorite and he wanted to buy you some!" Mirajane gushed, heart eyes forming.
Frowning, I felt bad for Natsu… He must have been feeling so embarrassed and disgusted—Although when I glanced at him, my eyes widened as anger boiled up seeing Natsu's face turning red with a slight lovesick grin as Lucy started to laugh.
'T-That Lucy girl! I knew Natsu and her were close, but I didn't think for a second that he might actually like her! I thought she was just there for bait during missions… No, I can't let this happen! Natsu. Is. Mine! Hear that you blonde bitch, I'm not losing that easily!'
What really threw me over the edge was when big sister Mira shouted an announcement in a cheerful voice, "NALU IS SOON GOING TO HAPPEN!" The entire guild cheered louder than ever, as if they waited for this moment forever.
I knew what Nalu meant, and in no way was I going to let that happen… My teeth gritted together as I glared at Heartfilia with the meanest look I could muster and headed toward them. Lucy turned toward my direction with one of utter confusion. The scene forever burned within my mind as it forced something to grow inside. Something primal, envy… Dark—Do something about it. Make her pay, snuff out the light and show her what it means to live in the dark.
"Lisanna, is something wrong?"
I could hear the concern tainting her voice, Lucy leaning slightly back in a nervous squirm when I got closer to tell her something for her ears only.
"I need to talk to you!"
Not wasting time, I grabbed her wrist and started yanking Lucy out of her seat. The blonde yelped as she tumbled toward the guild door.
"LU-CHAN!"
Glancing behind, I see Levy yelling for the blonde celestial made. "It's okay Lev! I'll be right back to read that book with you, Lisanna just wants to discuss something with me," Lucy explained with a smile.
However, little did the two of us know… All of the dragon slayers were watching with narrowed eyes. Especially a certain fire dragon as he stared with a glint in his eye, growls forming in his throat.
(Natsu POV.)
I couldn't stop myself, cheeks heating up from Mira ratting me out… but I was still confused on this Lalu thing, or was it Nalu? What the heck is a Nagu anyway?
'I wonder if it's some type of fire! Oh man that'll be so cool… and delicious.'
Drooling over the possible fire combinations and flavors—I froze, something felt off in the guild… Weird. There wasn't anything that smelled odd or a sense of an intruder nearby. So then why does it feel like every instinct was screaming, wishing to claw out and jump in front of Lucy from incoming danger?
Hearing a shift beside me, I glanced at Lucy's nervous expression as she stared at someone. The sight had me swiftly scan the area in case I missed something, only to see Lisanna heading our way with a glare. I couldn't help but narrow my eyes to see a hint of disgust directed toward Lucy.
'What does she want with Luce?'
Lisanna didn't seem to notice my stare, practically dragging Lucy out of her seat and towards the exit. Too roughly if you ask me. 'She's taking our mate! Follow! Make sure our mate is safe… I don't trust a girl that smells like a cat. Doesn't have scent comforting as Happy or Lucy, might be threat to us,' I didn't know if it was a good thing or not that Mira wasn't in front of me anymore, or else she would've seen my eyes flicker from onyx to a forest green in a matter of seconds—Lisanna wouldn't hurt Lucy… However just as that thought came, a flash of black and white from a memory had me jumping out of my seat.
A growl rumbled deep within my chest as I stared at the door the two just went out of. Nobody notices a sudden change in mood or the fact that I'm leaving. Sneakily maneuvering outside the guild by hiding behind pillars, dodging Gray and Erza like a ninja. Arriving just in time to see Lisanna about to slap Lucy, my instincts taking over and rushing not humanly possible to shield her. Grabbing Lisanna's wrist with a strength that wanted, but not going over, to break a bone… Stopping the animal-takeover.
A surprised gasp was heard from the two, but I ignored it, instead focusing on why I was here. My face held a glare that could even put Erza to shame and make her proud at the same time. Growling angrily at the girl that stood before me, Lisanna flinching as she mumbled my name underneath her breath. As if she didn't expect me to be here or stop her assault.
Shoving her wrist away, I wrapped a protective arm around Lucy's waist, the blonde made too in shock to do anything. The only thing screaming inside my mind was the urge to protect Lucy, my inner dragon roaring out in anger at the alarms. 'She's MINE! Mine, mine, mine! I'll protect her from any threat, no matter who it's against…'
"Do that again and see what personally happens when you make an enemy of me. Not Fairy Tail… ME—Stay away from Lucy!" I shouted, satisfied to see her hair stand on end as a scared squeak left her lips. Jumping slightly when I growled a warning, Lisanna not taking too much time to mumble a yes. Running down the streets before transforming into a giant bird to fly home, tears fallin'—This was the first time anyone has ever yelled at her, especially Natsu.
Huffing, I watched her go to make sure Lisanna was out of sight, reluctantly releasing Lucy. This time, my eyes are not reverting back to their original colour.
"Are you alright Luce? What the hell happened, what did she say to you? Were they threats? Do I need to bring out the big guns?" I questioned frantically, turning to face a zoned-out Lucy. Needing to shake the weirdo back to the real world.
"Wha—Big guns…? OH! You mean Erza, right?" Lucy snorted, snapping out of her thoughts and trying to cover her discomfort with a forced laugh.
"What?! No! I was talking about me—Geez Luigi, you're so mean," I frowned, only to wince seconds later when feeling Lucy's sharp glare upon me as she bonked my head.
"Baka… I'm, uh, fine though. I honestly don't know what in the celestial world brought this on! Lisanna said she wanted to speak with me, but once we were outside she started shouting. The things she was saying… I never thought Lisanna had a vicious side from her usual sweet-self. The only thing I could make out during the rant was something about staying away from you and that she was not losing so easily? Whatever that means… Then, that's when you showed up as Lisanna was about to hit me. Thank you for that by the way."
Lucy puffed out her cheeks, trying to look elsewhere and avoiding that she was slowly turning a pretty shade of pink. I gave Lucy a toothy grin, showing off my canines and pulling her into a hug. Resisting the urge to nuzzle into Lucy's neck when inhaling her scent, "It's no problem. You know I won't let anything happen to you Luce. We still have more adventures to go on, right?"
For a second, Lucy's eyes softened and pulled back only to have them widen. "Natsu! What's wrong with your eyes? They're green!"
Lucy reached for me, gently yanking on Igneel's scarf to bring me closer to inspect my face. Nervously, I fumbled to pull away, grabbing her hand to stop as I looked upward so she couldn't see my eyes anymore.
"Um, there's nothing wrong with them. My eyes were always this color… Weirdo, aren't you supposed to be smart? They must've appeared darker in the guild because gramps hardly has any light in there. Maybe I should break a wall to let some sunlight in… Ha, ha, ha."
Though the deadpanned look upon Lucy's face had me sweating nervously, an eyebrow raised before sighing with a shake of her head. "You know what? You're probably right. I mean… You should know your eyes better than I do, right Natsu? Well thanks again, I don't know what I'd do without you—Now, if you will excuse me. I got a book to read with Levy-chan!" Lucy eagerly rushed back into the guild; Cheers being heard once again at her return.
'Did she actually fall for it? Dummy… So carefree,' I chuckled to myself, completely oblivious to the fact that Lucy already knew I was lying this entire time—She knows her partner's eyes better than anyone, it's the first thing she noticed when they met.
Walking back inside to finish my breakfast, I smiled when Happy crashed into me with a whine. Hugging the little furball as I unconsciously kept taking subtle glances at Lucy. My mate is sitting with Levy at a table, both in the far corner, whispering among themselves.
"Natsu~ Wahh, Where have you been?! I can't believe you ditched your best buddy!"
