Wheels of Fire

The Spider and the Angel

Edo-Wendy had just begun to slip up to Natsu Dragneel, wrapping her hands around his arm, when the Dragon Slayer immediately pushed her away with an irritated glare.

"Not today, Wendy," he warned, a dark tone to his voice.

She smiled sweetly. "I didn't say anything."

He still kept away from her. "Ashley told me about you."

Wendy's face paled a little. Told him? What, exactly?

"That day on the cliff. She said you were trying to kiss me."

"Oh, that." She shrugged innocently. "Ya got me."

Softly, he said, "You lied to me." That threatening whisper sent a shiver through her body. "You said it was magic. All you wanted to do was try to kiss me. You're as bad as Ashley. She uses force; you manipulate. Right now, I'm sick of both of you. Just leave me alone," he said bitterly.

He walked away to the men's dorm, and Wendy remained rooted, stunned by the sudden rejection. No man had ever brushed her off so coldly before.

"Ouch, that's harsh," Macao commented.

Wendy could not speak. For some reason, having Natsu hate her made her eyes burn. She closed them and looked away, trying to steady her breathing, determined not to show weakness in front of the whole guild. Still, a deep sadness plunged her heart. She felt emotions spiraling out of control. It did not help that the whispers around the guild all seemed to be directed toward her.

"Someone who can turn down even her?"

"Breaking from her web takes a strong man."

"The Spider got stung by the fly this time."

Words like that were probably true, but they hurt. Natsu's rejection troubled her far worse than she dared to admit it. How could a man like that affect her so much? She knew she needed to talk to someone, but to whom could she speak freely?

Yes ... that person!

She walked over to the bar and waited until Mira took notice. The white-haired lady walked up with a sunny smile and offered to fetch Wendy a drink.

"Mira..." She gulped thickly and said, "I need to speak to The Angel."

The whole guild went suddenly quiet, and all eyes turned to Edo-Wendy.

Mira set down the glass she was wiping and took off her apron. "Kinana, watch the bar for a moment." Then she waved for the buxomly woman to follow her into the back storerooms.

Once they were gone, the guild began to whisper all at once.

"Whoa, Wendy is going to see The Angel?"

"She's never done this before, has she?"

"Not that I can remember."

Romeo looked on with worry. "Wendy," he whispered. He leaped up and ran to the men's dorm. Natsu was in there doing one-handed push-ups to work off his frustrations. "Natsu-nii, what did you say to Wendy-neechan?"

Natsu did not stop his exercises. "I told her to buzz off. You're probably too young to understand, but right now I don't want to talk to either her or Ashley."

"Wendy-nee ... something is really wrong with her."

Now Natsu sat up. Even if he was angry, he was always concerned for his friends. "Wrong? Is she sick?"

"No, but she went to speak to The Angel."

"Angel?" he asked in confusion. "What's this about an angel? I haven't heard about any angels."