Thank you, Nashi

Chapter 16

After Team Natsu had turned in the bandits, they headed back to their hotel. The boys went to their room while the girls walked in to theirs next door.

Nashi sat on the couch, staring at her small hands. Erza was in the shower and Lisanna went to fetch some ice. Nashi had gotten into her pajamas (well, Natsu's shirt) and now she was all alone, trying to understand what happened at the lake. She had been doing a lot of miraculous things lately, all involving fire. She was beginning to wonder if it was possible that she inherited her father's magic.

But that's impossible, she thought, magic doesn't work like that. Mai said everyone has magic and they can learn whatever they want. So why do I keep burning things?

Nashi

Nashi jumped in her seat, taken by surprise of the familiar voice. She scanned her room, finding herself alone.

"Auntie Erza?" she called out. Her response was the sound of falling water in the shower. Nashi started to feel apprehensive. At the time, she didn't think the two older women leaving would be a bad thing, but now she couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched. The familiar voice rang through Nashi's ears again.

Nashi

Nashi tried to focus on the sound, hoping to make out what it was.

Nashi, it said again, only a little louder. Nashi's breath got caught in her throat. It couldn't' be.

"Mommy?" Nashi hopped of her seat on the couch, searching the room in a frantic manner. A light breeze came from the balcony and through the room. The air had an evil aura that Nashi didn't notice as it opened the door of their hotel room.

Nashi

Nashi couldn't ignore the yearning in her heart as she ran quietly out of the room and passed her father's room.

Natsu was currently on the balcony, looking up at the constellations. He was thinking about the stunt Nashi had pulled off back at the lake and was wondering how it was possible. Nashi had never talked about learning magic before, so how was she able to do fire magic?

The glass door to the balcony creaked open, but Natsu didn't need to turn around to know who it was. The smell of fresh snow hit his nose.

"It's not like you to think too much Ash Face," said Gray as he strolled over to Natsu's side. The Ice Maker leaned up against the balcony railing, glancing at his frienemy.

"Well, it's not every day you meet a kid like Nashi," said Natsu, ignoring Gray's insult. Gray nodded in agreement. The ice mage sighed, looking at Natsu out of the corner of his dark eyes.

"Can I talk to you about something?" He asked. Natsu stared at the raven-haired male in confusion. "I've been meaning to talk to you about it for a while now, years even," Gray clasped his hands together, "I just didn't know if it was the right thing to do."

Natsu didn't understand what Gray was trying to say. This seemed so unlike him. Gray turned to Natsu, his dark blue eyes firm with resolve.

"Natsu, I think you need to break up with Lisanna." Natsu stared at him with a blank expression. The two remained locked in a staring contest until Natsu blinked in bewilderment.

"What? Why?" he asked.

"Because you don't love her. You love Lucy."

Natsu was baffled by Gray's answer. He had never told anyone his feelings towards Lucy, not even Happy, although Happy had probably assumed this whole time.

"What makes you think I love Lucy, Gray. That's ridiculous! Sure she was my partner and I miss her, but what made you believe I love her," said Natsu, too nervous to admit the truth. Gray's gaze fell on the streets below them.