A/N: Wow we're finally here! Chapter 15! The final chapter for the first FanFic in a series that I still don't see an end to. Sadly, I will be going on my Hiatus after this upload so please, as a small farewell present for the time being, leave a review and tell me how you think I did with my very first chapter FanFic :) Don't forget to vote for the Lemons vs No Lemons regarding the upcoming sequel. I hope you all are happy with this double upload so I'm going to cut right to the chase and save the sappy stuff for the ending Author's Note. So without further ado here is the Final Chapter – Chapter 15 – to "Bonds Stemmed from Mourning". :)
*Disclaimer* I do not own Fairy Tail or any of it's characters.
xXx
As the sun broke surface and shined through Mirajane's curtains, the Take-Over mage woke up feeling better than ever and when she tried to get up, she realized that she couldn't due to a certain snoring Fire Dragon Slayer having both arms tightly wrapped around her waist. The silver haired beauty couldn't help but feel her heart skip a beat as she replayed last night's events over in her head.
"Natsu confessed to me last night…It wasn't a dream…I told him I felt the same and we're really together now… I can't believe it! He's so cute when he's sleeping." The barmaid couldn't help but admire her new boyfriend as he slept. She couldn't wait to start the day with Natsu who was officially her boyfriend now. She didn't even want to go on a job today. Today, she just wanted to spend time with her teammate, but in order for her day to start, said boyfriend needed to wake up first. Mira reached one of her hands up to his face and used it to grab his cheeks, squeezing the pinkette's face into the form of fishy lips. Natsu woke up and blinked wondering what was squeezing his cheeks together.
"Huh? Oh good morning Mira, uhmmm what are you doing to my face?"
"I can't help it, you're just so cute when you sleep. I wanted to squeeze your face." Mira smiled at him as if it was a natural thing to do to a sleeping Dragon Slayer.
"Ok, but we should really get going to the guild. You wanna go on a job today?"
"Well actually, I was hoping we could just relax at the guild today."
"Yeah ok, that's fine too. But I wouldn't call a day at the guild relaxing according to your standards."
"Yeah, but Fairy Tail just wouldn't be the same if it wasn't for the rowdiness of the guild members." Mira said, still smiling beautifully.
"Well if anyone tries to start something, I can just kick their ass so it doesn't matter." Natsu grinned showing his signature smile.
"Speaking of the other guild members, do you think we should tell them?"
"Tell them what?"
"Tell them about us silly." Mira poked Natsu on the nose as she had to spell it out for the pinkette.
"I thought that was obvious?"
"Why was it obvious?"
"Well I mean, If we're happy about something aren't we supposed to share that joy with our nakama? Plus with the way everyone hits on you and now me, I think it's completely necessary to let everyone know that we are no longer available."
"Wait a minute…You KNEW that everyone's been flirting with you?"
"Well yeah? How do you think I picked up on that guy back at the photoshoot? I'm not THAT dumb."
"It is true that I should have noticed Natsu stopping that guy back then means he knows when someone is flirting…" Mira silently wondered how that crucial piece of evidence slipped right by her before she realized something else.
"So all those times girls from the guild were all over you? You knew about it?" Mira asked her eyebrows starting to twitch.
"Whoa, don't act like you didn't have guys all over you! Isn't this bound to happen considering "Weekly Sorcerer's" latest issue?" defended Natsu.
"That's not the point! All those times Cana…" Mira was now seething purple bloodlust.
"M-Mira i-its not like I was flirting back with her. I just figured it didn't mean much since Cana flirts with every guy…" stammered Natsu.
Mira started to calm down at this realizing Natsu had a point. Sure Cana has been flirtier with Natsu than anyone else lately, but it was true that Natsu didn't flirt back. She couldn't get mad at him for the actions of others because the same thing does happen with her as well. Natsu hugged Mira as he saw her calm down and continued.
"All that matters is that I'm with you and you're with me right?" Natsu looked at her flashing his toothy smile again.
Mira couldn't stay mad at that smile. That was the first genuine smile anyone had ever given her back when she was only a kid and it hasn't become any less sincere since then. Mira smiled back at him before she started giggling.
"What's so funny?"
"I don't mind it or anything, but maybe you should wait till your clothes are on before hugging me first thing in the morning. Or are you doing this on purpose?" Mira teased, letting traits of her old personality show again.
"WHA? Arghhhhh! Now I'm no better than that stupid Icicle Perv!" Natsu threw his head back in complaint.
"Don't get so worked up over a little teasing Natsu, it's still really cute and if you keep acting this way we won't get anywhere all day." Mira pouted egging on the Dragon Slayer even more.
"Stop teasing me." Natsu huffed as he let go of Mira and looked away from her.
"You're so cute when you get like this Natsu. *Mwuah* Now let's get going, we have to get ready." Mira kissed her partner on the cheek causing him to blush and got off of him to go get ready, the Fire Dragon Slayer following her lead.
xXx
"So how should we bring the topic up?"
"We don't have to, I guarantee someone will make a scene out of it themselves if we walk in like this." As Mira and Natsu were discussing how to tell everyone the news of their new relationship, Natsu grabbed Mira's hand and intertwined his fingers with hers. Mira's heart always skipped a beat at the rare romantic gestures she barely gets to experience with her teammate.
"Oh? Who taught you about holding hands?" Mira asked curiously.
"Lisanna did." Natsu said nonchalantly.
"Wow, pulling out chairs, and holding hands? She taught you to be quite the wonderful gentleman Natsu." Mira said, smiling at the pinkette.
"Whatever." said Natsu as he blushed at the compliment, avoiding making eye contact with the barmaid. Mira only giggled, as she found this side of Natsu to be cute as well. As the two arrived at the guild doors, Natsu took a deep breath and kicked them open wide greeting everyone who was already at the guild.
"Morning everyone!"
"Hey, morning Nat-" as the guild members turned around to greet the Salamander, everyone went deathly quiet as their gazes fell upon the interlocked hands of the Salamander and Demon of Fairy Tail.
"WHAT THE HELL NATSU!" Macao and Wakaba were the first two to speak shouting in unison.
"Noooooo!" came another cry.
"Natsu! We need to have a real man's talk!"
"What happened to not dating?!"
"Mira! Don't forget our promise about sharing! I saw what happened last night and I know you aren't going to hog that for yourself" At Cana's comment the guild went deathly silent again.
"NATSU I'LL KILL YOU!" Shouts from multiple men could be heard.
While all of this was going on, Mira stood there silently giggling at how everyone was reacting.
"Oh yeah?! Bring it on!" Natsu lit his free hand on fire and punched the closest person to him. "I'll take on anyone right here, right now! C'mon!"
The guild had gone silent again, but this time it was due to completely different type of shock. Everyone was looking at what the Dragon Slayer had just punched into the ground so hard that it made a crater on the guild floor. The look everyone had was a clear indication that everyone thought someone was about to die.
Natsu was confused at the guilds current feeling of suspense so he looked down to see who he had actually hit and saw an armor covered female mage with scarlet hair, face down in the floor. She slowly got up on to all fours and turned around to glare at her attacker. Natsu's face paled, but went even paler when he saw that Erza had Strawberry Cheesecake smashed and spread all over her face and chest plate.
"E-E-Erza?"
"Natsu~" Erza's aura was causing the guild to shake.
Natsu was about to turn around and make a run for it when something unusual happened. Everyone in the guild started to drop, falling asleep on the spot one at a time. When Natsu and Mira were the only two left awake, the entire building became surrounded by darkness.
"Natsu you don't think…" Mira started to panic.
"No it has to be him. I never forgot this scent."
Mira quickly activated her Satan Soul and Natsu let go of Mira's hand, lighting his second hand on fire. He intensified his flames having them encase his forearms completely and he stood looking at the source of the scent he could smell. Natsu couldn't see him, but he knew that's where he would show up. As Natsu kept his focus on that little spot, he heard a slow clap enter his surroundings followed by a voice that was slightly deeper, yet still unmistakable. The man who caused Natsu to leave for training that night years ago had finally returned.
"My, my. You two certainly have gotten stronger since I last saw you."
Natsu and Mira both looked up the teen that was around Mira's age. His features had become more mature, but he was still undeniably the same person. His hair was still as silver as ever, He had grown quite muscular, even on par, if not, better than Natsu's current physique, all the while keeping the same lean build. His clothing had somewhat changed. He now wore a black wool trench coat which he left unbuttoned. The black V-Neck he used to sport had been replaced by a fitted spandex sleeveless shirt that hugged his body still showing off his physique while underneath the fabric. He had on the same style black pants with a chain on his left side and studded belt that hung low and his combat boots this time had three metal straps going up the side giving off a more punk style. He still wore his matching studded wristband on his right wrist that went with his belt, but the watch on his left wrist was no longer there. His face still held the same confident look as last time but this time it seemed more amused than anything. As he descended while clapping he turned around and walked outside of the guild, stepping foot into complete darkness. Natsu and Mira wasted no time following after him.
"Kurisu! I know you didn't come here to put my nakama to sleep and leave!" Natsu growled.
"Calm down Salamander. I know you're itching to fight, but I was simply doing you the favor of stepping outside so there wouldn't be any collateral damage." responded Kurisu with a confident smile.
"What made you come back?" asked Mira who still had her guard up.
"Well I said I would return didn't I? I think you two misunderstand. You see, I don't think of us as enemies." stated the calm Dark Magic mage while shrugging his shoulders.
"Then what are we?" asked a confused yet still angry Fire Dragon Slayer.
"I wouldn't say rival because then that would imply we train to consistently to outdo the other. Hmmm I guess you would be my greatest adversary. Not so much of an enemy, but not as friendly as a rival either. It's somewhere along those lines."
"Well I don't care what you think of me, because I'm going to kick your ass here and now."
Kurisu removed his coat and a Black Aura quickly surrounded him. There was a thin yet defined outline of silver around his aura allowing it to be seen even in this world of complete darkness.
"Ok I understand, you look like you'll finally be worth fighting this time. I'm ready when you are." Kurisu stood at an angle with both hands in his pockets taunting the Demon and Dragon Slayer with his lack of defense. Natsu was the first one to make a move.
"You made me break my promise to Mira! I'll never forgive you!" Natsu lunged at his opponent rage seething over him. As he got in close, he feinted a punch and stopped at point plank range inhaling deeply before letting out the most massive roar he had ever released. "Fire Dragon King's Roar!"
The flames erupted violently catching Kurisu off guard at the sheer destructive force of the attack.
"If I hadn't created this space to fight in, Natsu would have changed the landscape permanently." Understanding that he wouldn't be able to block the attack, Kurisu opted to dodge. He jumped up only to see Mira already above him.
"Evil Explosion!" Mira let loose her attack straight down at the Dark Mage. Her attack made contact and sent him crashing into the ground. Kurisu stood up and instantaneously appeared behind Mira. Before he could do anything, Natsu was already coming in from the side with his fist already flying towards him.
"Fire Dragon King's Crushing Fist!" His attack made contact, but Kurisu put up his arms in time to block the blunt force of the blow. He was sent flying back until he regained his composure stopping himself from getting any further away.
"It looks like I'll have to go all out….Secret Art: Lines of Sanzu!" As he called out his spell, Three half lines appeared on Kurisu's left bicep.
"Mira be careful, I don't know what he did, but he isn't holding back anymore." warned Natsu.
"Did he say Lines of Sanzu? That's a mythological reference to Death Gods! What kind of spell is he using?" As Mira explained the possible connection of the spell Kurisu had just activated, Kurisu called out a second spell as a black and silver magic circle lit up beneath his feet.
"First Door: Awakening Darkness!" The first bottom line on Kurisu's arm connected and his black aura started to grow denser. In an instant he vanished leaving traces of his aura in his place almost as if he had teleported and showed up behind Natsu and Mira.
"Death God's Wail!" Kurisu inhaled and let out black sound waves on par with Natsu's previous roar. The attack sent Natsu and Mira flying backwards, but Mira caught Natsu and wrapped her wings around the both of them to lessen the force of the wail.
"Mira I know it sounds risky, but give me some of your power."
"…Ok I trust you. Here." Mira was worried, but she trusted in her partner. She lit up a purple demonic flame and let Natsu consume it. Natsu dropped and started to writhe in agony.
"Arghhh!"
Kurisu watched as his opponent attempted something daring.
"Natsu! It isn't pure fire so you're going to have to bear with a little pain." Mira called out to him worried about the flailing pinkette. After a few more seconds Natsu stood up and lit is flames. They were slightly darker than usual, but the intensity of the heat could be felt throughout the entire battlefield. Before Natsu had a chance to use an attack, Kurisu activated another spell just to be safe.
"Second Door: Full Shinigami!" The second line on his arm connected and a silver skull mask appeared on top of Kurisu's head. He stretched out his hand towards Natsu and called out a new attack. "Secret Art: Death God's Complete Darkness." Natsu's flames started to get consumed by the darkness just like last time, but he intensified his flames light and it held a stalemate with the darkness.
"Shit! He still has another line left and he's keeping up with my attacks that have Mira's magic in it as well!...I got it!" Soon steam could be seen coming off of Natsu's forearms and the Darkness started to go away.
"I see. Instead of intensifying the brightness of your flames, you intensified the heat and burned it away. I'm impressed Salamander."
"He's not your only opponent!" Mira came in swinging her tail full blow down on Kurisu. Right before the attack hit Kurisu called out a new spell. This time, black and silver magic circles surrounded Kurisu, blocking Mira's strike as the spell activated.
"Third Door: TRUE SHINIGAMI!" as the final line on his bicep connected Kurisu's eyes went pitch black and the mask on his head came down to cover his face. His aura ripped apart his shirt and took on the form of a cloak dancing in the darkness, but so dense you could feel it in the air.
Kurisu materialized a scythe and it started to form through Mira's Body, Natsu saw what was happening and his heart stopped.
"Complete Darkness Final Art: Death God" As Kurisu finished saying his last spell, the scythe solidified impaling Mira as it did. Then, like he did with the flames back at their first encounter, darkness encased Mira and she disappeared completely.
Natsu was still in shock. He felt something snap. His veins started to bulge as he let out a cry that tore apart the darkness returning him and Kurisu to the actual landscape outside of the Fairy Tail Building.
"What the hell? How did-" Kurisu stopped halfway through his sentence as he looked over to Natsu who's canine teeth became sharper, scales covered his body, and an aura emitting the most rage he had ever seen was surrounding all of Magnolia.
"I'LL KILL YOU! I'LL NEVER FORGIVE YOU!" Natsu lunged at his opponent so quickly he had no time to react. He landed an endless barrage of attacks mercilessly pummeling Kurisu to death, and he kept going. The Complete Darkness user didn't even have time to get a single sound out of his mouth as he was brutally murdered without mercy.
Natsu stood kneeling in the blood of his opponent as he let loose the saddest roar anyone could imagine. The sound echoed throughout all of Magnolia and Natsu collapsed, drained of all magic with his life slipping away.
xXx
"Huh? Where am I?"
"You've done it now Natsu."
"Dad? What are yo-"
"You're dying. You used up all of your magic defeating that Complete Darkness User. Without Magic, you cannot live."
"That's good. At least I defeated him."
"What good is defeating him if you die afterwards?"
"I don't care…I lost Mira."
"Do you want to go back?"
"What do you mean?"
"I don't have a lot of Magic left, but I have enough to send you back so you can have one last chance to do your life over again."
"What'll happen to you?"
"It won't require all of my power, but it will drain me drastically. I'll need time to rest afterwards if I end up doing this."
"Will I be able to change things?"
"No one will remember what happened in this life if I use this. It's an ancient magic spell that was long since forgotten after us dragons disappeared. If you feel strongly enough about certain events, you may come to remember what you did in this time, but for the most part, no one will remember a thing."
"But wait, where can I find you? Where have you been all this time? Why did you leave me on that day dad?"
"I will tell you someday my son, but if I were to tell you now you'd just forget it all after I use this spell. Now decide. Do you want a second chance or not?"
"Yes I do. I don't want to leave Mira this time. I won't break my promise and I'll find out about my feelings as soon as possible. That's all I want to be able to change. Will I have to fight Kurisu again?"
"No. If you do end up doing things differently you can change the timeline of things drastically. Nothing will be the same Natsu so even if you find a way to remember this life, you won't be able to know what's going to happen next."
"All I want is a second chance so I can do things the right way with Mira."
"Ok my son. Close your eyes."
"Thanks Dad."
xXx
"Natsuuuuu~"
"What do you want Happy?" The little pinkette asked the blue cat.
"I've called you like five times! You promised to help me catch some fish today."
"Yeah, well sometimes things don't always go the way you want them to."
"How can you be so cruel!? Fine. I'll go catch fish myself. Don't ask me for any because I won't share with you."
The Dragon Slayer just turned his back and said nothing as the blue cat stormed out the door. After a few seconds he heard a knock at the door. He sniffed the air and realized it was Mira.
"Mira? The door's Open." said Natsu.
"How did you know it was me?" asked the Take-Over mage as she entered the house.
"You're scent." Natsu replied unenthusiastically without sitting up or turning around to look at her once.
"How do you know what I specifically smell like?"
"I know what everyone in the guild smells like."
"Oh? Or maybe you just like my scent and have it memorized" Mira teased.
"W-wha-"
"Aww you're so cute when you're flustered Natsu, especially when you start to cry."
"Whatever." The Fire Dragon Slayer replied coldly after regaining his composure.
"Hey, watch who you give an attitude to."
"If all you came here for was to tease me then you can leave."
At this Mira stood still dumbfounded. No one but Erza had ever spoken to her like this before and of all the people she'd expect to do so, Natsu was the last one on the list. "He must really be hurting…" The white haired teen thought silently.
"Actually Natsu, that's not why I came here…"
At this the Dragon Slayer sat upright and turned to look at Mira.
"Then what did you want?"
"I came to check on how you were doing…Ya know ever since Li-"
"I'm fine." As Natsu cut her off he turned his back and his eyes started to water. This didn't go unnoticed by the silver haired maiden.
"Natsu…"
Mira couldn't stand seeing the boy so hurt. He was supposed to be the one who cheers everyone else up. She tried to speak again, but the atmosphere was starting to get to her.
"Natsu, you aren't the only one w-who's still grieving…" Mira said with watery eyes.
"If I had just pushed going with you three some more…maybe I could have done something. First I was left alone by Igneel…then again by you three. It's not fun being by yourself you know."
At this Mira froze. She didn't know that this was how the young boy in front of her had truly been feeling. This whole time she thought that she was the only one who constantly suffered the loss of close ones.
"Natsu I didn't know… I'm so sorry."
The pinkette turned around to reply but stopped when he saw tears flowing from the usually tough acting teen.
"M-Mira…"
"Let's promise each other not to leave the other feeling alone anymore Natsu." said Mira, tears still flowing."
"Yeah, that's sounds like a good plan." As Natsu agreed to the promise he wiped his tears away. Mira continued to cry and jumped into Natsu's arms.
"He's so warm and strong even for a boy his age." Mira couldn't help feeling safe in the Dragon Slayer's embrace.
"Mira c'mon…I don't think it's as cute when you're the one crying."
Mira couldn't help but giggle as she felt her face get hot at the pinkette's comment.
"Shut up Natsu. You're on Erza's side so you shouldn't be cheering me up." The girl said while giggling.
"Erza's scary, there's no way I'd be on her side.
*Sniffle* "If you tell anyone about this side of me I'll kill you.
"Your secret is safe with me" and with that he flashed his signature toothy grin at the Demon of Fairy Tail.
Mira couldn't help but blush in surprise because no one had ever given her such a sincere smile besides her siblings.
"Hey Natsu?"
"Hm?"
"Is it alright if I rest here for the night? Elfman's out on a job and I don't feel like being alone tonight."
"Didn't we just make a promise? Of course you can Mira that's what friends are for."
"Thank you Natsu."
Natsu didn't know why, but for some reason, he never wanted Mira to leave his side. Something was telling him that no matter what, he must never break this promise with Mira. His heart was racing and he felt warm and fuzzy inside.
"Maybe I'm getting sick." He thought.
TO BE CONTINUED
xXx
A/N: AHHHHHH! So there you have it! The Final Chapter of Bonds Stemmed from Mourning and starting tomorrow, my 6-8 week Hiatus begins :( I know this Fic just ended, but hey "Every beginning coming to an end is just the start of a new beginning" ;) So that's what I'm going to call the sequel. "A New Beginning"! Be on the lookout for that so Follow me as an author if you wish to get an email notification as soon as I post it! Now then, as my going away gift, REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW! I personally didn't like the fight scene because I hate OC's my own included. The fight and brink of death scene did not seem as realistic as the rest of this story did, BUT it needed to be done to make this sequel and I hope you liked that little blast from the past preview at the end ;) This chapter as a whole actually came out better than I had hoped, so please keep an open mind and tell me what you thought of how I set it up for the upcoming sequel. I don't want them remembering because then it won't be the same as them discovering love, but I needed them to have strong feelings of what they wanted to do differently so that it's believable that they take the alternate path this time because if they didn't have anything pushing them towards taking the other route, then realistically, they would just repeat what they did. SO! Review, PM me, Snapchat me, Kik me, WHATEVER! Just PLEASE give feedback because that is all I ask of you as I head off to Basic. I would love to consider any ideas you all have for the sequel so mention them now before chapter one gets posted so I can make adjustments if necessary as soon as I get back. Do not forget to vote whether you are for or against Lemons in the sequel. With that said I CANNOT WAIT to hear back from you all and I CANNOT WAIT to get back and get started on uploading that sequel! I'll be back soon! :)
~ I Kurisu I