Special Seasonings

An Explanation

At the Guild Hall:

"And he just ran out the door?" Levy asked, her tone and expression sympathetic as her best friend poured out the story of her morning. She looked up as she saw a familiar blue cat fly into the hall. "Here's Happy now."

Lucy looked up hopefully at Happy, waiting for her to tell him that it was some cruel prank that Natsu had played on them. By the expression on the blue exceed's face, she could tell it wasn't good.

"Um, Lucy?" Happy hesitated, glancing at Levy, then back at Lucy.

Lucy nodded, letting Happy know it was okay to talk in front of Levy. Happy took a deep breath and let it out. "Um, well, it's like this. Natsu's like, really freaked out right now. He doesn't remember anything from the past week. He doesn't remember you two being boyfriend and girlfriend. It's like his mind's been wiped or something," the cat finished sadly. He, along with the rest of the guild, really enjoyed seeing the two mages together. Finally.

"Oh." Just that one word was Lucy's only reply. What else could she say? That her heart was breaking? That she was afraid she had lost one of her best friends, let alone her boyfriend, for good? If Natsu was that freaked this morning just waking up next to her, imagine if he knew all the things they had done this past week!

"Lu." Levy looked at her best friend, not sure what to say. She was thinking about what to do to cheer her friend up when she noticed Juvia and Mira approaching.

"So it's happened," Mira sighed, shaking her head. "I'm so sorry, Lucy. I had really hoped this wouldn't happen."

"It's all Juvia's fault," the water mage moaned. "Even if Lucy is Juvia's love rival, Lucy does not deserve this pain. Juvia is so sorry!"

Levy shot the two a confused look. "What are you saying?" she asked slowly. Lucy was listening even though she hung her head so her hair would hide her tears.

Mira took a deep breath, glanced at Juvia, then asked, "Did Natsu take Gray's apples last week and eat them?"

Lucy looked up, sniffing, using the back of her hand to wipe away her tears. "I found the box with some half-eaten apples in it at my apartment. I'm sorry Juvia, I know those were for Gray."

"Tell her Juvia," Mira said in her sweet voice with an underlying tone that dared her to disobey.

Juvia took a deep breath, then said, "Yes, those apples were seasoned especially for Gray-sama. Juvia supposes Natsu could have the same effect from the seasoning."

"Seasoning?" questioned Lucy softly.

Juvia bit her lip, looking down. "Juvia is sorry to have caused so much trouble. The apples were seasoned with a potion that was supposed to enhance someone's feelings towards you. Instead of Gray-sama eating the apples and loving Juvia, Natsu ate the apples and loved you, Lucy."

"So it was only temporary?" Levy asked, watching Lucy bite her lip to keep from crying or speaking - Levy wasn't sure which.

Juvia shook her head. "No, it was not supposed to be, but Juvia had that season made for an ice mage, not a fire wizard."

"Maybe that's what's causing Natsu's amnesia," suggested Mira, laying a sympathetic hand on Lucy's shoulder. "But remember - it's said to enhance his feelings, not create them. Deep down, this is how Natsu really feels about you but is probably too scared to admit!"

"Well, it doesn't matter now, does it?" said Lucy in an uncharacteristically bitter tone. "I've made a fool of myself and lost one of my closest friends in the process!" She turned to Juvia. "I'm sorry - I know how much you want Gray to admit his feelings for you. I hope it works out - or at least works out a hell of a lot better than it worked out for me!" With that, she turned and forced herself to walk out the guild doors. She was proud of herself that she held it together until she was safely inside her apartment.