Stars' Mystery [DISCONTINUED ON THIS ACC]

Chapter Seventeen

Her throat burned and ached and she couldn't say otherwise about her body at all. She felt weak and soon passed out again, only to wake up to a bright room around her. Her vision was blurry but she felt relief wash over her as she realized that most of the pain was gone. Nevertheless she had no orientation as to where she could be. Lucy had never seen this infirmary before, she would have recognized it immediately. Finally gathering her strength she stretched slightly, her joints popping slightly as she did so. Jesus, how long has she been sleeping? And.. what happened? Wasn't she supposed to be dead? Didn't she drown?

Before her mind could be flooded with more thoughts it was interrupted by the door opening with a creak, revealing a blue-haired mage with curious big blue eyes. Her hair was curly and she wore her usual dress. It was Juvia, water-mage. Lucy's eyes finally managed to focus completely and Juvia noticed her awake. A surprised, happy expression appeared onto her face and she hurried towards the bed.

"Lucy! You're alright! I'm so glad!" She spoke, in 1st person. Lucy wasn't taken aback and just smiled wearily.

"H-hey.." she mumbled, her voice betraying her. She just realized how dry her throat war and Juvia handed her a refreshing glass of water. As soon as Lucy had gulped it down Juvia prepared some fresh clothes for Lucy. After taking a warm bath Juvia helped Lucy clothe herself and lead her back onto the bed, telling her to wait there as she would bring master makarov. Lucy agreed and leaned back onto the pillow, waiting as she had been told to do. Her mind started wandering again, back to those horrible days of suffering. Mira.. Levy.. and even Elfman.. They were all dead. Lucy couldn't help it as she blamed herself, burdening herself with the deaths of innocent people. She felt tears appearing in the corners of her eyes and quickly changed her thoughts' topic to something happier, like for example the new guild hall she seemed to be lying in. Soon enough Juvia returned to the infirmary with master Makarov in tow, closing the door behind them.

"Lucy! You're finally awake. I am so glad you survived, my child." The old man spoke eagerly, grinning from ear to ear as he did so. Lucy smiled back at him, his happiness was making her feel better about the past events.

"How long have I been asleep?" A silence followed her words.

"About 2 months now" Juvia piped up instead of the guildmaster, making Lucy's eyes widen.

"For that long?!" Her voice got louder. A mistake, because suddenly people rushed to the infirmary, all wanting to talk to Lucy. Except for Natsu and Lisanna. But that's another story.

People began talking loudly and she couldnt answer any of them, instead, she enjoyed the excitement around her and basked in the joy surrounding her.

Sooner or later they all left to do their own thing, all chatting. Only two mages were visibly in an awful mood. Who else could it be, other than Lisanna and Natsu? The couple was sitting at a table in a corner of the guild, whispering and grumbling and badmouthing as much as they wanted to. Otherwise, the guild seemed to have come to peace, slowly starting to get over the deaths of their members.

Lucy was recovering quite quickly and was soon able to get out of bed and walk around the guild hall. As she had found out, they had built it completely anew after the demon had attacked and they added a lot of new stuff. Other than that, she couldn't get any information about the demon's offense or how she survived. But Lucy was okay with it if it was for the better, so she smiled those thoughts away and focused on the future.

She went to the bar and got herself a strawberry milkshake, sipping it in peace and quiet before feeling a finger tap on her shoulder. She turned around curiously, only to face Natsu. She gulped down hard and almost choked on her milkshake, before giving him a grim look that said it all.

Natsu stared back at her with unease in his eyes, but it was mixed with determination. Determination to ruin Lucy the best he could. And so he did. Except, he didnt come far.

"So, Lucy, how's it feel to be the reason everyone die- OOF!" He was cut off by a fist to the face, a voice snarling: "Back off, Dragneel."

After a short moment of realization she looked up at her savior, Zeref. "You're here!"

"I told you I'd come to you even if you lost your keys." That made her gaze drop a bit, and Zeref sighed slightly, holding Lucy shortly.

"I'm sorry you lost them. We all have been searching for them over the past few months and had no success. It's like they vanished." He spoke, sad that he couldn't bring Lucy her keys back before she woke up.

"Well, you tried, that is all that matters to me." The blonde girl smiled up at him and hugged him tightly, her arms wrapped around his neck as he wrapped his around her waist. A small smile tugged at his lips and he had trouble holding himself back and not kissing her forehead.

"Thanks Zeref."

"I will always be there for you."

***

Wowowowow update! So soon? Yes!