Her Little Secret

Downhill

Lucy's POV

I walk into the guild, a smile on my face.

I was going to put the current events to the side and focus on my friends.

"Lucy!" Natsu waves, calling me over.

I walk over, taking a seat.

"Have you worn that before?" He asks.

H-he noticed?!

"N-no... why? Do you like it?" I ask nervously.

He just continues to smile.

"It's different, but yeah, it's awesome!"

Mira walks over, holding an empty tray.

"Hello, you two! Can I get you anything?"

I look at her.

"I'd like a word..."

Mira follows me after I get up from the table, leading her to a spot near the bar.

"I think you've rubbed off on me too much."

She bats her eyes.

"Hm... what makes you say that?"

I look down at my sneakers, which matched the colors of my dress.

"W-well I asked myself in the mirror this morning if Natsu would like what I'm wearing..."

She smirks.

"Well did he?"

"Y-yeah."

Cana walks over, interrupting.

"Mira, what do you have in store for me today?" She asks, the smell of booze strong in her breath.

It always was.

"Oh, let me see what I have." Mira replies.

She turns to Lucy.

"We'll continue this later."

Just like that, Mira walks behind the counter in search of something special for Cana's drink today.

"Lucy." Someone shouts from across the room.

I turn, my view directing to Master.

He walks up to me with a friendly expression.

"Hello, Master! How are you?"

"I'm good, Lucy. Thank you for your concern."

His expression changes quickly, and I'm washed over with concern.

"I-is everything alright?"

Master sighs.

"I've been thinking about our conversation lately, and the decline in your health suddenly clicked into place."

What is he telling me?

"I've been healthy for quite some time now."

"I'm sure... I'm sure it won't last."

There's a pause in our conversation.

"Lucy, are you one hundred percent sure you know how to control your power?" He asks me, filling the silence.

"W-what? I mean, I've been training, but why do you ask?"

"It wasn't adjusting. Your body, in fact, is having difficulties with adjusting to something so powerful that's suddenly flowing through your veins. Combined with your celestial magic, your body can't control it."

"What's going to happen?" I ask worriedly.

"Lucy... if you're not careful, your systems will start to deteriorate."

Deteriorate?!

As in, rot?!

"You'll eventually just become a form of magical energy, flowing throughout the air."

My eyes are filled with horror.

"H-how do I fix it?! I-I don't want to go down like this..."

I want to go down fighting for Fairy Tail.

My lip starts to quiver.

I feel like bursting into tears.

In that single moment, things had gone further downhill.

"I-I don't..."

"Lucy."

Master looks at me, serious.

"Don't cry. There's a way we can fix this, but you must know by now what it will cost."

Even with the blurriness of tears developing in my eyes, I can see what he's trying to tell me.

I sniffle, wiping my eyes before my tears stream down.

"W-who has to know?"

He understands that I understand.

"It will have to be a dragon slayer. I suggest someone you can trust, someone who you're comfortable working with."

A dragon slayer.

Wendy, Gajeel, Laxus...

"Natsu." I say plainly.

My voice was clear now, but my eyes were still red.

Master nods affirmatively.

"Natsu!" He yells, causing the pink-haired boy to look in our direction.

"Come here."

Natsu gets up, and the two of us follow Master to his office.

We shut the door.

"What's up, Gramps?"

I exchange looks with Master before we both turn to Natsu.

"Lucy and I have decided to put her life in your hands, but you cannot tell anyone what you're about to hear."