Leaving

Sequel to 'Overreacted'

Leaving
:.Don't tell me it'll be okay, cos' we both know it won't be.:

Natsu grinned to himself cheekily as he walked down the sidewalk, all troubles vanishing with the afternoon sun. He felt great. No, better than great, he felt fantastic. Why you ask? Well, because he's going to meet a certain celestial blonde mage.

He wasn't stupid-okay so maybe he was a little stupid. But he was smart enough to realize that the blonde...might have feelings for him. The bad part was, she might not. He just needed to figure out which one it was, and fast. Cause truth be told, he had developed feelings for her a long time ago. Like, long long long ago, like so long that-
moving on.

So anyways, Natsu jumped through the window, signature grin on his face. He cupped his hands over his mouth and shouted "Hiya Luce!" So he wouldn't be kicked in the face when she saw him. Hearing no response, he walked over to her desk curiously, wondering where his partner was.

"Lucy?" He called once more, once again not getting a response. When he was sure she wasn't home, he began snooping through her desk. But sitting right on it, was a white sealed letter addressed to him.

A bad feeling rose in his stomach, Lucy knew he hated reading, or anything to do with words. Slowly but surely, he picked the letter up and uncharastically opened it gently, making sure he didn't rip any of it.

Dear Natsu,

Sorry I wrote a letter, I know you hate reading! I'll make this as short as possible to help you, okay? Well I just wanted to say that I'll be leaving for-

he squinted at the page, the words seeming to have smeared across each other from then on, but he could read most of it, or at least guess at the words.

and I'll be coming back in 3 yrs. I know I know, I'm sorry! I just really need to relax and have some time away from you. Not like that, I love your company, it's just that I need some time to myself. I hope you understand, I'll make it up to you someday. I don't want to hurt you but I need to breathe. While I'm gone you can go on with Lisanna, I bet you'd like that wouldn't you? Good!
From,
Lucy Heartfilia.

Natsu blanched after finally finishing the note, rereading it and rereading it until it was etched into his brain.

"WHAT?" He hollered out to no one, his hands tightening around the paper, making it crinkle under his grasp. He nearly snapped it in half before stuffing it in his pants and storming out of the apartment, everything he came into contact with 'magically' blew up or broke, leaving a path of destruction behind him. He was shaking uncontrollably, true fear filling him.

While I'm gone you can go on with Lisanna, I bet you'd like that wouldn't you?

That single line echoed throughout his mind, boosting the fear. He remembered Lucy thinking he'd kick her off the team for his old childhood friend. Natsu and Lisanna were absolutely nothing. He was just a child going along with whatever the younger Strauss sister was saying, not really paying mind to it. Never had he imagined Lucy would think he'd just boot her off like she was some sort of...replacement.

I've got to find her..I've got to...find...Lucy..

Exhausted, he burst through the Guild doors, secretly fearing what he knew the inevitable was.

"Lucy!" He yelled extra loud, making everyone turn their heads to him. He did a quick head count of a few, searching the sea of people for the one blonde he was hoping to find. A sick feeling ripped at his gut when he didn't see her, making him sink to his knees and take deep breaths.  

"What's wrong Natsu?" Wendy asked anxiously, staring at the older dragon slayer in worry. Natsu was still shaking slightly, his mind clouded.

"Lu..cy!!" He hollered one more time, praying he'd get a response from somewhere. When no bubbly voice spoke up he could feel his emotions crushing him, strangling him into gasping for breath. While he was hyperventilating, everyone else was now up and alert, staring at him with worried eyes.

"What happened to Lucy?" Erza demanded, sword in hand and ready to chop anyone that hurt her to pieces.

"Lucy's...gone." He choked out, tears finally pooling in his eyes. Pull yourself together! His inner being screamed at him, but he didn't care one bit. His Lucy was gone.  His inner being didn't get to scream at him at this moment. Some people were now scared and confused, trying hard to get information out of him.

"W..why?" Someone spoke up. Natsu roughly wiped his tears away, the pain in his heart searing. He couldn't understand why she'd leave.

"I..I don't know. She left me a note saying that I can 'go on' with Lisanna, whatever that means!" He growled, picking himself up and storming back out of the Guild. An awkward aura suffocated the Guild as they looked from one to another before dropping their gazes.

-

"Lucy! Lucy! Lucy!"  Natsu roared, his voice becoming sore after two hours of yelling. Feeling disappointed, he fell onto a park bench, still shaking slightly. He was filled with strong, negatively sad feelings. He had to be dreaming, this morning had been so perfect. Why did she have to leave? Didn't she know that way he felt about her? Didn't she care about his feelings?

"Lucy please come back." He pled quietly to the air that was winding pass him, slightly waving his spiky hair. He put his face into his hands, biting his lip and forcing himself not to cry.

"I'll never leave you Natsu," Her voice echoed throughout his head, making him hurt 100x worse. Lies. She had left him, she left him and there was a huge chance she wouldn't come back.

"Lucy I miss you.." He moaned into his hands. He heard a squeak and slightly looked up, confused at what he was seeing.

There Lucy was, her face a deep red and staring at him intently.

"Lucy? You came back?" He asked in a hopeful tone, hoping he hadn't gone mad already. She rose an eyebrow at him in confusion, wheeling a large suitcase behind her and taking a seat next to him.

"Back? Of course I'm back!" She said, a cheery smile coming to her features. All the relief and happiness he felt was reduced to pure rage. Why was she acting so cheery, and leaving such important letters if she wasn't even going through with them?

"Of course you're back?" He all but spat, rising up slightly. "You leave a letter saying you're leaving for three years, making me have a meltdown, then come back only a few hours later and act like it's nothing!" He wouldn't yell at her, she was his nakama after all, but that didn't mean he couldn't be mad and growl at her. She stared at him in shock and confusion, adding onto his burning anger.

"Three years?" She echoed, her perfect eyebrow rose in absolute confusion. He narrowed his eyes at her innocence, not buying into it.

"Yes! And what's with the 'While I'm gone you can go on with Lisanna, I bet you'd like that wouldn't you?'?" He demanded, not finding it a tad bit funny. He was seriously hurting, he never thought his best friend would joke like that.

"Go on with Lisanna? What are you talking about!" She was now demanding, completely lost. How could she pretend she didn't know what he was  talking about?

"That letter you left for me! Telling me you'd..you'd leave me!" His voice slightly cracked and he glared down at the cemented floor, pretending that was her instead.

She hesitated for a moment, trying to process everything he was saying.

"The letter...it said nothing about leaving for three years." She said softly, trying to calm him down. He looked back at her, now he was confused.

"Yes it did! It said I'll be coming back in 3 yrs. yrs=years!" He pulled the letter out, justifying his answer. She took it from him and looked closely at it before chuckling.

"Natsu, that says hrs. as in hours." She said gently, a smile creeping onto her face at his befuddled expression.

"Three...hours..? So..you weren't leaving me?" He asked in a small voice, eyes boring into hers. Her eyes softened and a beautiful, breathtaking smile came onto her face.

"Oh Natsu...I'd never leave you. I promised, didn't I? And Celestial Mages always keep their promises." She said softly, putting her hands onto his shoulders for emphasis. He stared at her until it finally clicked, a happy side smile coming onto his face.

"Yay! But what's that about Lisanna?" He asked curiously before he could fully celebrate. She rolled her eyes and giggled slightly.

"The letter actually said:

Sorry I wrote a letter, I know you hate reading! I'll make this as short as possible to help you, okay? Well I just wanted to say that I'll be leaving for Kanami Springs and I'll be coming back in 3 hrs. I know I know, I'm sorry! I just really need to relax and have some time away from you guys. Not like that, I love your company, it's just that I need some time to myself. I hope you understand, I'll make it up to you later today. I don't want to hurt you but I don't want to be rude to the client that gave me the ticket. While I'm gone you can go on missions with Lisanna, I bet you'd like that wouldn't you? Good! "

She giggled again at the classic expression on his face.

"You thought I'd actually leave? And pffft look at you!" She teased lightly, secretly delighted in the state he'd be in if she left, which she'd never do. She loved the Guild and secretly...not saying names, but a pink haired dragon slayer mage.

"Shut up! I was scared okay? I thought you'd leave." He whined, pink on his cheeks as he looked away in embarrassment. She grinned at him before wrapping her arms around him, making sure he realized she'd never go.

"D'aaaaw I care about you, too." She said in a baby voice, pinching his cheek playfully. He grumbled, his face turning fully red. She burst out laughing while he protested.

"You know I'm never letting this one go, right?" She asked between guffaws.

He sighed in complete defeat. "I know."

The Guilds gonna kill me. Was all he could think, but didn't care, happy to have his favorite person back.