Fairy Tail: Black Blood [Book 2/2]

Chapter Forty-Four: Reunion

     Lucy

     I didn't know how to react when I first saw Natsu.

     Should I feel relieved that he finally came back to me? Should I be mad that he left us? Should I be afraid of that dragon? Should I beat the ever living shit out of him for his stupidity? Well, regardless of how I felt, I was happy that he was alive and well. I jumped over to him and wrapped him up in a tight embrace, he held me as I clung to him and continued to check for any injuries, anything different. Nothing. I was so relieved, but then I noticed a lack of a guild mark, and I placed my hand on his shoulder and looked at him straight in the eye, but he was looking away with a small frown.

    "Luce, I'm so sorry. Would you ever forgive me?" He said and I felt a small smile tug at my lips. I cupped his cheek and he looked at me with those olive eyes that I missed so much.

    "I'll be mad later, I'm just glad that you're back," I said and he sighed with relief, leaning into my hand. I melted into his arms and he held me right back, we were like that until Natsu finally seemed to notice the other people in the room. Wendy, Erza, Gray, and master were staring at him with wide and teary eyes, their lips trembling. We all honestly thought he'd be dead.

    "Minna!" Natsu cheered and whatever trance they were in broke. Wendy cheered happily and sprinted over to Natsu with a bright smile plastered on her face, even though she was now a teenager with a fully developed body, she seemed almost like the small thirteen-year-old she was six years ago when she barreled into him with a giant hug. He didn't let neither of us go, even as Gray, Levy, and Erza ran over and practically crushed the life out of him. Master watched from the sidelines with a small smile.

    "Natsu! You fucking idiot!" Gray shouted (more like cried) as he punched Natsu in the jaw.

    "Oi! Stripper! That hurts!" Natsu yelled before punching Gray in the face. The two got into their old-fashioned brawls only for Erza to get between then and grab their heads, she smashed them together before bringing them both in for a hug, tears leaking out of her eyes. When everyone was done with their own (unique) reunion, I ran over to Natsu and kissed his cheek. He laughed and picked me up and began twirling me around, the both of us laughing all the while. Master cleared his throat and Natsu stopped, suddenly serious as he put me back down.

    "I'm glad you're back, Natsu, we were all very worried about you. But why exactly did you return?" Master asked him.

    "To ask you guys if you wanna join us, duh!" Natsu said, way to cheerful about a war invitation. Before master or anyone else could object, there was a low growl and all eyes went to the beast outside.

    "Natsu, you know we can't," Eileen growled and bared her teeth at the dragon slayer. I did see dragons before, hell I saw two of the strongest fight, but for this dragon being so close that I could poke it with a ten-foot pole... terrifies me. Natsu seemed to sense our discomfort and waved the dragoness off. But then an idea seemed to flash over his olive eyes and he gestured to us (though it seemed like he was really gesturing to Erza).

    "Oi, Eileen, why don't you come in and meet my friends?" He told her and I stared at him, did he really just ask a four-story-tall dragon if it could come into this tiny little room and say hello!? The dragon hesitantly nodded and I jumped back as it leaned forward...

     And began glowing.

     It's body began glowing a soft yellow and all the matter around that dragon seemed to warp and transcend to the balcony where a human form was being modeled. When the glow faded I saw a beautiful woman standing there with pale skin, golden eyes, with a black and gold heart-shaped bikini top and an amazon type bottom. She wore tall boots with clawed gloves and she sported a giant witch's hat and a leopard print staff. But what startled me most was her hair. It was scarlet like Erza's! In fact the woman herself looked like Erza!