Star-Crossed (A NatsuXLucy Fanfiction)

Chapter 36

Lucy's P.O.V.

Gray, Juvia, and Natsu were all shouting at one another. Apparently, after all the attacks, Lisanna had proposed that they just hand me over to stop the beginning of a war and to save the guild. I wasn't really all that shocked. Even though I'd like to say Lisanna and I were good friends- there had to still be some hate in her for me- for having Natsu, someone she wanted but could never be with because he was destined to be with me. And of course, when things got tough, she was ready to give up on me. I stood there, feeling numb. Gray's eyes were filled with tears as he explained that it was the only way to save the guild. I'd zoned out, until my ears pricked at the mention of Bane.

"....and they've taken people, Natsu. Bane, Chase, Noah, and Zeke." My heart stopped. I slowly made myself face the three other Fairy Tail mages in the room.

"No," I whispered to myself. "This is wrong. This can't be happening."

"Lucy, we love you," Juvia cried. "But do you really want those four boys to die for you? For Fairy Tail to die with you?" my eyes met hers, and a silent agreement passed through us.

"Get out. Both of you." Natsu growled, and stomped out of the room, into the bathroom. A bang sounded through the small house, indicating that he'd put a hole in the wall. Eventful evening, it was turning out to be. Slowly, I reached my hands out, circling Gray and Juvia's wrists, and started walking very quietly towards the front door. They did not protest, until I didn't stop at the door and shove them out. Instead, I continued walking through the rain, through the forest, leading them away from the cottage and away from Natsu. The rain would block out my scent, his anger would block out all sounds, and I blocked the mating bond with some effort the way Levy had taught me. Once we were a good distance away, I turned to my two friends.

"I'll do it." I spoke in a small voice. Gray reeled back, as if I'd smacked him.

"I- you can't. Natsu will never let you-"

"IT'S WHAT YOU WANT, ISN'T IT?" I screamed at him, my sorrow laying heavily on each word. I didn't feel anything when they flinched back from my anger. It wasn't fair. All I'd ever wanted was to be happy. How foolish was I to think that the gods would allow me this joy with Natsu- to have the worry of when we would have children on my mind- how dare I think that we could ever have a life together that wasn't constantly on the verge of death or agony. A darkness settled over me in that moment. It was like I was lost in the world. Everything was lifeless around me, a dead land and a dead planet, empty of all color. I couldn't stand to even look at them, but I couldn't return to the cottage- Natsu would talk me out of giving myself over to those who had tortured me before. I saw the faces of Bane, of Zeke and Chase rough housing. Of Noah's soft features compared to the other boys, his boyish grin. The lead left my stomach. I could breathe again. I would save them just as they had saved me.

"Both of you. Go to the cottage, restrain Natsu at any and all costs- knock him out if you can-  I don't want to risk him being hurt."

"Even at the cost of the guild-"

"SHUT UP." I growled at Juvia.

"Lucy!" Gray scolded. "Don't talk to her like that!"

"What?" I laughed without any humor. "It's alright for me to die for you, but it's not alright for me to feel anything about it?"

"...you got what you deserved." Juvia said softly. "You ran off selfishly, leaving Natsu to feel the pain of your betrayal, and then came back and was pitied. You're selfish. All you ever think about is yourself-" I couldn't take it anymore. I made a fist, brought it back, and then swung. It connected with her jaw, a sickening crack as result, and she sprawled against the wet and muddy earth. The rain blurred my vision ever so slightly, but I could still see her glare as her eyes glided up to meet my own.

"Don't touch her!" Gray screamed, going on his knees and wrapping two protective arms around Juvia. Oh, yes. I thought. Take care of your precious little princess. Because in a few hours from now, I might not even be alive. Not that it matters to you... I took a deep breath.

"You once tried to destroy the guild, but we all forgave you- accepted you into it! You and I became great friends, or so I'd thought. I ran when I ran because- because I'd already been hurt once by him....I didn't want to hurt that way again, Juvia." I was crying, not that they could tell. The rain ran down my face. Her eyes were no longer glaring, no longer cold. Just sad. "You think I wanted to hurt him? It broke my heart that he chose Lisanna over me because I loved him so much. Then, all of a sudden when he wanted me I was supposed to believe that he loved me? I WAS BROKEN. DON'T YOU GET IT? Broken. And it was selfish to him, but it's not of your business." I threw my hands up into the air. "Because I'm going to die for you. I'm going to die for my family. And instead of saying how it isn't unfair you say that I'm selfish? I'm glad that's the last words you had to say to me." After my lengthy speech, after I'd gotten out everything I needed to say, I turned despite their screaming for me to come back, and ran. I ran, and ran, and ran, until I ended up in a familiar clearing, far from any of the others. I don't know how I knew to come to this spot, but I did. Sure enough, dark figures slowly emerged from the surrounding woods.

"Well, well, well. I didn't think you'd come...Lucy." I set the speaker with a measured look.

"Slade."