Hope everyone's having a great start to their week! This is a chapter that a lot of folks have been eagerly waiting for since Natsu exited stage left a few weeks ago.
We've got some Natsu's PoV and some of Gray's. Keep in mind that we're filtering through the lens of their consciousness. Hopefully this gives us a nice compare and contrast between the two of them. I'll touch on this more at the end.
- K. Chandler
Natsu paced the room like a convict awaiting judgement.
"She'll be fine, Highness," Wendy said.
Natsu dropped to the chair next to Lucy's bedside, unable to stand being that far away from her. "How long before she wakes up?" he asked.
"Not long, I think."
"And you're absolutely certain she's not in any immediate danger?"
"Yes. Absolutely."
Natsu's knee tapped up and down. Anxious energy forced him to his feet to circle the room again.
Life or death? Clemency or restitution? Would Lucy forgive him?
His anger with Lucy hadn't lasted long. He had barely left Magnolia when he started regretting their fight. Sure, they had gotten a little testy with one another, but neither of them meant it.
Please, don't let those be our last words…
Natsu knew that Lucy didn't have any serious intentions toward Gray. And the Ice Block was a good enough friend that he'd never try to drive a wedge between them, even as a joke. But it was just so frustrating when Lucy kept using Gray as an excuse to avoid having a serious conversation. But avoiding her wasn't fixing anything.
So, he'd turned around and headed for Isvan, an apology on his lips. He only wished he'd come to his senses sooner. The whole fight just seemed so pointless now.
"Natsu!" Gray rushed into the room, his hair sticking up at odd angles and his shirt only half-buttoned. "How's Lucy?"
How dare he ask that?
Natsu charged, slamming the good-for-nothing ice mage into the wall. Gray's head connected with a crack. From behind them, Wendy gasped.
"You idiot!" Natsu roared, his eyes blazing. "You said you'd protect her!"
"That wasn't my fault," Gray said.
"You swore up and down that Isvan Palace was the safest place in Fiore!"
"She ran off! What did you expect me to do?" Gray demanded.
"…what?"
Gray jerked out of Natsu's hold, knocking his arms out of the way.
"You heard me," Gray said. "She ran off. Even after I told her not to go off on her own."
"Why would she do something like that?" Natsu said.
"I don't know. I didn't really have time to ask her. I was too busy trying to keep her from dying," Gray said sarcastically.
Natsu huffed, an inferno of rage roaring within his chest.
"If Wendy had been here, maybe she could have—" Natsu started.
"Well, she wasn't. Whose fault is that? You're the one who got mad and took Wendy back to Draghi!" Gray retorted.
Natsu put his hands up defensively. "I would have let you take her to Isvan if you would have asked."
"Then, why didn't you just offer?"
"I didn't think I had to. Lucy was supposed to be safe with you! With your ninja harem and your ice-fortress-castle, I trusted you and… And Lucy's safety is my priority, even if it isn't yours," he snarled.
A pained expression flashed in Gray's eyes.
"You're right," he said. His throat bobbed as he swallowed hard. "You're absolutely right. I was supposed to be responsible for her. I'm sorry. I did the best I could… And I still failed her. I'm sorry…"
"Don't worry about it," Natsu said through gritted teeth. "I'm here now. And I'll protect Lucy. Your services aren't necessary anymore."
Gray's eyes widened, looking for all the world like Natsu had sucker punched him in the gut. And Natsu probably should have, seeing as he deserved it.
Gray's expression hardened. "Are you going back to Draghi?" he asked, his voice flat and emotionless.
"Are you asking us to leave?" Natsu said.
"…No," Gray said. "I still believe that Isvan Palace is the safest place in Fiore. And I do care about Lucy's safety, whether you believe it or not." His eyes drifted to Lucy's sleeping form, before flicking back to meet Natsu's. "It's up to you whether you stay or go. I'll leave the mountain pass open until you decide. If you want me to block it, let me know."
"I'll make sure to do that," Natsu retorted. "But I don't think it'll be required. Like I said, your services aren't necessary anymore."
"Suit yourself." With a huff, Gray turned and marched out of the room.
"Prince?" Wendy asked softly.
"What is it, Wendy?"
"Can I say something?"
"Yep. What?"
"Please don't be mad at the Prince of Isvan," she said.
"Seriously?" Natsu muttered, frowning in annoyance.
"Sorry…" Wendy folded her hands in her lap, withdrawing slightly.
Natsu sighed. "You don't have to apologize. What makes you think I shouldn't be mad at Gray?"
"I can tell he took really good care of the princess," Wendy said. "I think… I think he saved her life."
"Maybe…" Natsu said. "And if that's true, then… I probably owe him one… But this should never have happened to begin with! But that might not be his fault… After all, he's the one who—" Natsu broke off, shaking his head. "I'm not ready to forgive him. I'm just not."
Gray pressed a chunk of ice to the burgeoning bump at the back of his head.
As much as he wanted to snarl at Natsu for pointing fingers, or fault Lucy for disobeying him and making stupid choices, Gray couldn't. Because Natsu was right.
This was Gray's fault. Sure, some of the circumstances were beyond his control. And he wasn't entirely sure he could have changed what had happened. But he was a leader, and leaders took responsibility.
This had happened on his watch. Period, full stop, end of story.
He couldn't change what happened. All he could do was clean up the mess. He had managed the crisis, and Lucy was okay. Now, they needed to move forward, and the perpetrator needed to be brought to justice.
Gray give a wry smile. He was good at that if nothing else.
In Lyon's office, Erza and Cana were waiting, along with Lyon himself.
"Status report?" Gray asked.
Lyon and Erza scrambled to stand and greet him formally. But Cana, who was still in her drunkard disguise, slouched in a large armchair and continued to chug at a bottle of liquor.
"What happened?" Erza asked, her eyes widening at his disheveled state.
"What? This?" Gray pulled the ice cube away from his skull, letting the magic disintegrate before drying his hands on his pants. "Had a run-in with a certain someone who starts with 'N' and ends with 'atsu.'"
Lyon snickered, flashing him a mocking smirk that Gray chose to ignore.
"But never mind that," Gray said. "I heard there was a breakthrough with the investigation."
"You'll never guess what I found," Cana singsonged.
"Go on," Gray said.
"I talked to all the people down at the festival. The story's all the same. Described a man they'd never seen before who set up a perfume stall. He was there all morning. Then, after he talked with a cute blonde visitor dressed for the arctic, he packed up and left."
"Do we have anything else?" Gray asked.
"Hold your horses! I'm getting there," Cana said, shaking her bottle at him. "So, it took some doing, but I asked around and I got a pretty good description of the guy. Then I got someone to make a sketch!"
Erza presented Cana's sketch to Gray. The suspect had dark hair and eyes, a narrow face, and sharp features. The man was generic enough, but something about him seemed familiar.
"Well? Don't you recognize him?" Lyon asked.
Gray frowned. Should he have? Where would he have seen this person before?
With an impatient sigh, Lyon grabbed a blank piece of paper, making wild, messy lines along the edge.
"Your drawing skills are lacking," Gray said. "What's that even supposed to be?"
Lyon laid his scribbles across the upper portion of the sketch, covering the top of the suspect's head.
Gray blinked, taking an involuntary step back. Lyon's art was still lacking, but changing the hair was enough.
"I should have known she was behind this," Gray muttered.
"She?" Cana asked. "You need your eyes checked if you think that's a she. Even I'm not that drunk."
"This man works for Queen Juvia," Lyon said.
"You're sure?" Erza asked.
"Of course, I'm sure," Lyon said. "I saw him at the princess's birthday soiree."
"He's right," Gray said. "I recognize him too."
"Lucy!" Natsu scrambled to the bed, clasping her hand in both of his when she started to stir.
"Hi…" she smiled softly, her eyes still droopy and half-lidded from having just woken up. "You're here."
"I'm here now," Natsu said, brushing her matted hair from her face gently. "How do you feel?"
"I'm okay…" Lucy said, her voice still weak. She squirmed, trying to sit up.
"You sure?" Natsu put a supportive hand at her back. "Can I get you anything?"
"I'm okay. Promise."
Natsu surprised them both by throwing his arms around her, almost knocking her down.
Lucy made startled noise before returning his hug, patting his back awkwardly. "Natsu? What's this for?"
"I'm sorry. About before," Natsu mumbled into her shoulder. "For storming off. For yelling. For the name calling. For everything. It was out of line."
"That wasn't all your fault… Because I…" Lucy's voice trailed off.
A weight lifted from Natsu's chest. She wasn't mad!
"Shh. It's okay. We both could have done better. Let's just put it behind us," Natsu said. "I'm just glad you're okay."
A knock at the door interrupted them.
"May I come in?" Gray inclined his head politely, keeping his distance when Natsu glared. "I just have a question for Lucy."
Natsu's mood darkened. "Make it quick."
Gray held up a charcoal portrait of a thin man with reedy eyebrows and a long nose.
"Is this the man who sold you the perfume?" Gray asked.
Lucy squirmed under Gray's cold, judgmental stare. "You knew?"
Gray nodded, wordless.
"Gray, I'm so sorry. I can explain. I—"
Gray held up a hand for silence. "Yes or no? Is this him?"
Lucy frowned, thinking. "Yes," she said. "I only talked to him for a few minutes, but I'm sure that's the guy."
"Thanks," Gray said, turning to leave. "That's what I thought."
"And what is that supposed to prove?" Lucy asked.
Gray pivoted slowly. "This proves that lunatic, Juvia, is behind this."
"What does that picture have anything to do with Juvia?" Lucy asked, her chest heaving.
"He works for her," Gray said, waving the portrait in the air mockingly. "Lyon confirmed it. He recognized the man too."
"Don't you think you're being a little unfair?" Lucy asked. She was starting to sound breathless.
All of this excitement couldn't be good for her so soon after her brush with death.
"That's enough," Natsu said to Gray. "I think you should go. You're upsetting Lucy."
"Natsu, he doesn't have to—" Lucy started, breaking off when Natsu braced a hand against her shoulder and glowered at Gray.
"Apologies." Gray's mouth pressed into a thin line. He bowed stiffly before retreating.
Lucy studied him with a frown. "Are you two fighting?"
"What do you expect?" Natsu asked. "After this happened to you in his palace? Of course, we're fighting."
"It was probably my fault, Natsu. I… I snuck out without telling Gray. There was no way he could have known," Lucy said. "Will you give him the benefit of the doubt?"
Natsu snorted. He'd deal with Gray when he was ready.
"Please?"
And she had to go there, with the please and the big eyes.
"Why do you care so much?" Natsu asked.
"Gray's a dear friend and so are you. The three of us being together is really important to me," Lucy said. "I'd hate for my mistake to drive a wedge between us all."
"You are far too forgiving," Natsu complained. He was starting to see why Lucy kept making excuses for Juvia. "But that's what I love about you."
Lucy tensed, her breath hitching.
"What's wrong? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Lucy pulled back, angling herself away. She looked like she wanted to say more, but she just shook her head.
"What's wrong?" he asked again.
"There's something you should know," Lucy said in a small voice. "I'm not sure how to tell you this. I just…" Her shoulders jerked in a motion that looked almost like a shrug.
She looked like she needed a hug. He reached for her, but she pulled away.
"Don't."
Natsu froze in place. "Tell me how I can help. I don't know what you need me to do," he said. His voice had gone low and wooden.
"Oh, Natsu…" Lucy shook her head, blinking rapidly, like she was trying not to cry. "You have been the best and most patient friend I could ever ask for. And I know that this isn't fair to you. But I just—I can't… Not the way you want me to…"
The world went still, silent except for the rush of blood in his ears. It was the feeling after you dropped a glass but before it hit the ground. For a moment, he forgot to breathe.
A wave of renewed hurt surged through his chest as everything came back into motion. Lucy watched him with anxious eyes, awaiting his reaction.
Natsu forced a smile, trying not to make Lucy feel worse. It wasn't in her nature to be cruel, and she cared a lot about the people around her. He could see how hard she was trying to be respectful of his feelings.
"I understand what you're trying to tell me," Natsu said. "You don't have to say anymore."
"At least let me explain… I owe you that much, at least." Lucy's eyes were full of regret.
"It's fine. You don't owe me anything." Natsu studied the hem of his sleeve. "Don't stress over this. You've been through enough today."
It wasn't her fault they were in this situation. Maybe he misread her interest. Maybe Magnolian customs were different than what he was used to in Draghi. Somehow he'd misunderstood.
For a moment, it was like being in the room with a stranger.
Natsu stood, feeling uncoordinated and clumsy. "I'm gonna…" He jerked his head toward the door.
He was halfway across the room when her voice halted him in his tracks.
"The people you love most are the ones that leave you," Lucy blurted, her voice so low that Natsu barely recognized it. "That's why I can't."
What did that mean?
Natsu pivoted to face her. "Not me," he said, jaw clenching. "I wouldn't do that."
He studied her, trying to decipher her expression.
"Not on purpose," Lucy said. "But sometimes you can't help it. Like my mom… I know she couldn't help it, but she's still gone."
"Musta been hard." Sometimes he forgot that Lucy's mother had died. He never realized how much it affected her.
"It just about destroyed my dad. I know he loved me once too…"
Natsu nodded.
"Say something. Anything," Lucy said.
What was there to say?
"…Look, it's been a long day. For both of us," Natsu managed.
Lucy's face crumpled.
Natsu resisted the urge to run to her. To hold her and tell her that things would be okay. Neither of them needed that right now. He forced himself to keep walking.
When he reached the door, he paused. He couldn't just leave things like that and walk out.
"It'll be okay," he said, keeping his back towards her. He couldn't look at her right now. "We'll get through this. I just need some time to process."
Poor Natsu!
And Gray and Natsu at each other's throats. Will the guys every figure out how to work together?
Next time, in Toxic, Juvia plans her retaliation: "Juvia will take care of this. Juvia will finally rid her darling Gray of that pesky Lucy. Lucy will go home. Then, Juvia and Gray will live happily ever after. The end!"
Stop back next Monday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.
