Bloody Love [A NaLu Fanfic]

Chapter 10: A Different Natsu

"It's already been two days since Natsu has been cooped up in the guild library," Gray said to Erza as he took a swig of beer. The two of them were in the guild hall that lazy autumn morning. Little did they know that it had already been a month and a half since Lucy gave her heart away. Her need for a new heart was almost due.

"Natsu in a library?" Mira chimed in, shocked. 

"That's right," Gray replied. "Gajeel told me that he wanted Levy's assistance to find information about some Hektas and something called dream charms. Not really sure what that's all about, but it's rare to see Natsu have an attention span that lasts more than 20 seconds." Gray scoffed. "Honestly I'm a bit worried that he's contracted a disease or something. He's not himself."

Erza and Mira looked at each other. "Whatever he's up to, I'm sure it's for a good cause," Erza said. "If you ask me, I think it's rather a good thing that he's putting his head to use once in a while. Our guild hall could benefit from having less of his hotheadedness running around destroying everything." Erza put on an unamused face as she thought about it.

"That's right, Mira, have you seen Lucy recently?" Gray asked. 

"Hm, no, she hasn't been coming to the guild hall very often of late. She says she's working on a new novel and wants to concentrate on it for a while."

"I see..."

Suddenly Natsu walked in, a look of gloom on his face. "What's wrong, Flamebrain?" Gray asked. "Someone steal your tacos?"

"You wanna have a go, Popsicle Princess?" Natsu glared, his nose inches away from Gray's.

"Yeah, I'm down for a fight, it's been too quiet without your destructive ass around lately!"

"ENOUGH!" Erza kicked both of them. "Guah!" they exclaimed. "Natsu, I heard you've been searching hard in the guild library the past two days. What is it that you're looking for?"

"When Lucy and I went on our mission a week ago, something seemed off about her from the start. Then the Mayor of the city of Caligo rambled to us about some Hektas and Ra crap, saying Hektas was the Goddess of Chaos and Ra was the God of Light, and that Hektas had placed dark magic in their city. I didn't believe any of that crap, but the source of the dark mist was indeed mysterious. I just thought to search in the guild library for answers."

Erza pondered for a moment. "In my travels, I did hear a rumor about Hektas, once, warning that there was a group of dark magic practitioners called the Hektacates more powerful than any existing dark guild. But I didn't think much of it either. Did you find anything about them?"

Natsu shook his head. "I only found a brief excerpt in a Mythology book telling me stuff I already knew."

"If this rumor is really that poorly documented, it's probably not much to worry about," Gray said. "We can look into it more if another incident of dark magic appears. How about we take on a job with you to get your mind off of things?"

Natsu let out a long sigh. "Alright. I'll go get Lucy."

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Natsu jumped through Lucy's apartment window. "Lucy?" he called out to the seemingly empty apartment.

"Lucy?" Natsu searched her bedroom and kitchen, but she wasn't there.

Then he noticed the bathroom door was closed.

"Lucy?" Natsu opened the bathroom door to find Lucy taking a bath.

"KYA!!!" Lucy exclaimed when he walked in. "I'M TAKING A BATH, WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE, PERVERT??!!!!" She picked up a shampoo bottle and threw it at his head.

"OW!" Natsu yelled as the bottle smashed into its target -- his face. "I was looking for you! Erza and Gray have a job and they want us to come with!"

Lucy hesitated. "I... can't. I have an idea for a new novel, and I want to concentrate on it."

Natsu frowned. "But Lucy! How are you going to pay the rent?"

Lucy sweatdropped. That's right, the rent was due at the end of the month and she had been too cooped up and afraid to meet with anyone that she didn't even take any jobs. She was running out of money.

"Grr.... fine," Lucy mumbled. "I'll meet up with you in a sec. NOW GET OUT!" 

"Aye ma'am!" Natsu abruptly turned around, but slipped on the wet floor and fell backward -- into the tub.

"KYA!!!!!! PERVERT!!!!!" Lucy shrieked as a stunned Natsu landed with his head on her chest. This wasn't the first time something awkward like this had happened. She immediately punched him in the nose and sent him flying out of the tub and out of the bathroom entirely, and used another shampoo bottle to slam the door shut. That's right. Lucy is badass.

"Nngh.." Natsu muttered as he got up, pinching his poor nose and rubbing the sore back of his head.

Oh God, that was so embarrassing, Lucy thought as she got out of the tub and dried herself off. Suddenly she had a not-so-innocent thought. Dear Lord, don't think about that!!! she yelled internally. She put on a white tank top and sapphire miniskirt, then walked out of the bathroom.

"Alright, let's go, Flamebrain," Lucy giggled as she watched Natsu rubbing his nose with a frown on his face. She grabbed his hand and led him out of her apartment. Let's make this mission quick so I can figure out what to do about that heart I need, Lucy thought gloomily. 

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