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Cerulean Sky
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The exhausted pinkette awoke to a sharp rapping on the door of the apartment, making him groan in irritation. Instinctively, he shifts around on the soft mattress, and grumbles for an extra five minutes.
"Natsu! Wake up already! It's me, Mira!"
The ivory-haired woman shouts from outside of the complex, seeming to know that the male would, of course, be sleeping over at his partner's home; as usual.
Reluctantly, he rolls out from under the heavy comforter, only to land atop of the wooden floorboards. Methodically inching toward the door frame, he reaches up and unlocks it, twisting the platinum handle. Mirajane steps in, her beaming grin contorting into an impatient grimace.
"You reek! Go take a shower and head over to the guild, it's urgent."
She pleads, before covering her nose and shutting the door hastily.
Heeding to the woman's strict orders, the pinkette finally gets to his feet and trudges into the bathroom, turning the fosset on for the warm water. Completely stripping down, he steps into the bathtub, letting the droplets of water cascade down his body.
"What in the name of Mavis is so important that I have to get up this early?"
Natsu grouses, scrubbing the soft washcloth against his muscular, tanned skin.
A bundle of minutes later, he turns off the running water, which was growing too cold for his liking. He slings his fluffy, white towel around his abdomen, beginning to comb out his salmon locks. Mumbling on and on about his fairly important sleep schedule, he proceeds to tug his black and golden vest over his arms, pulling his baggy pants up on his waist. Buckling his belt and ruffling out his hair, he jumps out of the house through the window; still slipping on his ebony sandals.
"It's barely sunrise yet. And where's Luce?"
Natsu mutters, rubbing his cheeks and looking around with drooping eyelids.
Shrugging it off, he continues his route to the guild, his arms folded across his chest.
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Natsu shoved open the wooden door panels, only to come face to face with a certain snowy-haired female.
Lisanna Strauss.
She grips onto his wrist, pulling him over to the bar.
"What took you so long? Mira-nee said that it was urgent!"
She huffs, shuffling her way through the packed crowd of people.
"Lis, it's four-thirty-seven in the morning, and, frankly, I was still sleeping."
He grouches, stretching as he yawned.
"W-..well that's true."
She puckers her lips off to the side as they finally reach the middle to the barrier of people, revealing a small child.
The child, had fairly long blonde hair, with sparkling honey brown eyes.
The pinkette's heart stopped.
"....Is that....Luce?"
He gulps, his eyes widening as the child looked over at him.
"Yeah, and unfortunately, she doesn't remember any of us. Master said that a dark mage had cast a reversion spell on her."
Lisanna frowns lightly, peering over at the girl.
She tilts her head as Natsu strolls over to the female; also being forcefully pushed by Mira.
One last time, he scratches behind his ear, then crouches down in front of her.
"Hey there."
Natsu winks, resting his hands on his knees.
"H-Hi."
She whispers, wrapping her arms around her small frame.
"What's your name?"
He inquires, obviously already aware of the answer.
"Lucy."
She replies, folding her hands in her lap.
"Hmm, can I call you Luce instead?"
He asks, a soft smile on his tanned face as he grips onto her tiny hands.
She whispers a quiet,
"Yes,"
and her cheeks flush scarlet.
"Okay then, Luce. My name's Natsu. Nice to meet you."
He rests his left hand atop of her head, ruffling her hair.
She grins and replies with a brief nod.
"I'd hate to interrupt this beautiful moment, but who's going to care for Lucy in the meantime?"
Levy asks with a quirked eyebrow, her petite arms folded across her torso.
"I'll do it!"
A sweet voice rings from the middle of the crowd, making everyone turn around in question.
It was Lisanna, with a beaming smile on her lips.
Lucy mopes and looks back over to Levy, who was thumbing her chin in deep thought.
"Can I please go home with Natsu-san, instead, Levy-san?"
Lucy pleads her, her eyes twinkling with hope.
Lisanna gasps and everyone else in the guild begins to snicker.
Levy glances over to him with a concerned frown, which he just smiles off and puts Lucy on his back.
"Don't worry, Lev. I'll take care of her. Promise."
He gives her a revitalizing grin and heads out of the guild, leaving a certain female fuming in anger.
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