Crystal: so I suddenly got this plot that's been bugging me after reading this manga yesterday and so I have a NALU fic that I came up with. I hope you guys like it. I'll tell you right now that my idea is similar to the manga I read in the fact that I'm using a similar context or AU, but the plot itself comes from my head.

Story Name: Bride of the Fire God
Rating: 'M' for violence, adventure, future lemons, very suggestive themes, cursing, etc.
Parings: Main pairing is NALU (NatsuxLucy), Gruvia (GrayxJuvia), Jerza (JellalxErza), Gale (GajeelxLevy) and other pairings
Summary: A bride had to be sacrificed so the Fire god would stop burning away their lands. Lucy Heartfilia is sold to be the bride of sacrifice after her father went bankrupt. Accepting her fate, she goes, but rather than burning in the volcano she is saved by the fire god himself who rather than a monster was a gorgeous man with a fiery look in his eyes and a painful past. NALU NatsuxLucy

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN FAIRY TAIL

Warning: the characters will be out of character than they usually are in the manga, but will normalize in later chapters.

The Bride

Lucy's POV

These days weren't't easy. The sun was yet again proving to us that the gods were furious. Mostly the fire god was making it clear he was the one that was mostly angry. If you knew what poverty was, it was surrounding us. Well, I guess you could say my family deserved it. My father, a wealthy man, raised a monopoly simply by using the lands greedily to grow food to selfishly sell at extremely high prices. Many people perished by my dad's lack of sympathy. I tried my best to sneak food with my mother to every house we could feed with what we'd snuck out.

The smiles of gratitude warmed my heart as children looked at me as a savior, but I could only assure them that I was merely doing what was right. The tears they shed for finally having food after weeks were enough to bring me such sadness. I could never bring myself to speak against my father, and yet again the gods punished me by taking my mother away. She became ill when I was ten years old. My father could care less as he worked on building his empire thinking it was simply a cold.

One night, she called me in to her room. I remember it so vividly it causes my heart to ache.

Flashback

"Mommy, you called me?" a young girl with long ash blonde hair and big chocolate colored eyes came in with an expensive looking gown on. She neared a bed with the finest silk sheets and a canopy high in the ceiling. It was softly illuminated by the light of candles. A woman lay weakly at the bed, an exact face as the girl. Layla Heartfilia, a soul so pure and gentle. "Lucy… child. I am afraid that I won't make it much longer. I will not make it to sunrise", she spoke softly as if already comforting her child. Lucy blinked and began to shake her head, tears easily slipping from her eyes.

"Don't say that m-mommy. You'll be okay. You have had cold before", Lucy began to sniffle. Layla smiled sadly as her own tears slipped down her cheeks. "I can no longer continue, Lucy. As much as my heart yearns to stay by your side to protect you from the cruel world, I cannot. Lucy, you have a shine of promise. You don't understand this yet, but there's something you are fated to do. You are so innocent, gentle, and so pure that no other child has possessed…I", Layla continued before a coughing fit interrupted her.

Lucy held tightly onto her mother's hand in despair. "Lucy, do not cry. You are too beautiful to cry. Those tears must only be shed in joy. Please, my child, guide your father in my absence and always remember that you are the star of my eyes. I will always love you. I will always be protecting you wherever I may be. My darling Lucy, grow stronger for my sake. I…love…you", Layla trembled pulling herself up as much as she could to kiss Lucy's forehead and lay down.

Lucy only looked at her mother with wide eyes as she was given a last sad smile. Her mother slowly closed her eyes as her hand in Lucy's went limp. Lucy's trembled in realization. "No! Mommy…no…wake up…MOMMY!" She yelled at the top of her lungs lunging herself on top of Layla. She grabbed her face tears sprinkling at Layla's peaceful face. "Don't leave me! You can't leave me alone! Mommy!" Lucy cried with so much anguish and slipped down to her knees on the cold floor.

She heard the door open. She knew it was her father. "She's gone", Lucy muttered. She didn't't have to look twice at Jude Heartfilia before he too rushed to her bed side and yelled in the same anguish. "Layla, my love! Why didn't't I look after you enough! I could have saved you!" he yelled. Lucy only cried again ignoring her father. She was much too saddened.

End of flash back

My mother was the only light in my world. My father had informed me days later after the funeral saying he'd spent the last of our money to get her a decent resting place on the hill near the river with the only cherry blossom tree on it. He informed me we were now part of the poor. I couldn't't bring myself to say anything. It was as if the will to live had been sucked out of me. I was an obedient girl to my father after everything. I did not speak unless it was absolutely necessary.

It wasn't't until a three years later when I was 13 was when I found hope and happiness by continuing to help those in need especially the elderly and children when I could despite my own situation. I love teaching the kids. And now seven years have passed. I'm 17 years old and I found out the most terrible news I could hear coming from my father. I walked up the hill with a single lily in hand until I saw the beautiful cherry blossom tree in sight. The wind billowed softly through the branches as small pink petals drifted softly above my mother's grave.

I sat in front of the grave smiling as much as my sadness allowed. "Hi mom…Today has been another difficult day, but I taught the kids to read today. And we made drawings and sang to the gods. It was great; I'm helping just like you told me. I haven't cried just like you asked me before you left. I hope you're doing well wherever you are. I…love you mom. And I miss you", I whispered holding back the tear that was threatening to pass my eyes. I set down the lily on her grave, but not before lightly kissing it and making my way back home.

Normal POV

"Lucy, I'm sorry", Jude Heartfilia muttered under his breath. Lucy looked up at him showing no emotion, but curiosity. "For?" she asked simply. The poverty was easy enough to see. There were no more expensive gowns or a huge mansion. They lived like anyone else, in a small house made of sticks and planks. Their beds were stuffed with hay and on the floor. They only had a simple wooden table and two chairs. They wore simple clothing, but yet it couldn't't deteriorate Lucy's beauty.

Her hair was long past her shoulders, and she had those same chocolate eyes, but they were void of light, and her lips were pink and plump. Her body had been 'blessed' as the men always whispered around her. With defined curves and larger accent in her chest area. She felt disgusted, but she guessed they simply tried to find excuses to forget their misery. She repeated her question to her father again when he didn't't respond. But before he could say anything the doors to their house were opened. Two men in fine wear came in; Guards coming from the mayor's estate. "Lucy Heartfilia, come with us", they said. Lucy stood with fear in her eyes as she looked at her father who looked down ashamed.

"Father, what's the meaning of this?!" she demanded to him. "You were chosen as the bride to be sacrificed to the fire god", he said simply. One of the guards laughed as he kicked Jude harshly to the ground. Lucy struggled as she begged the guard to stop hitting her father. Tears spilled from her eyes as she trashed wildly. "Why are you struggling to save that pathetic father who sold you", the other said to Lucy who froze in her spot. She looked at her father with wide eyes. He said nothing as blood spilled past his lips.

"Is… that true?" she begged him to answer to deny the fact. He only nodded. "Yes, it's true. I had no more money", he said. Lucy shook her head in disbelief and calmed down. "I'll go with you. Take me to the mayor", Lucy said wiping at her tears as the guards took her. Jude only looked at her retreating form and cursed his greed.

~~xXXx~~

Lucy looked at her reflection. It was as if she had never lost her wealth. She was dressed in a fine white gown with the top in a heart shape and curly 'q' designs decorating the skirt the flowed out slightly from her waist. A veil was placed on her head that covered her face slightly. It was a veil that resembled that of a priestess with intricate designs on the rims. She had fine makeup on her face and her lips were colored in a cherry red. Her hair was curled from the ends and she had white gloves to her wrist on and a white lily arrangement as her bouquet.

"So beautiful", a man called from behind her. The mayor. A short plump man with arrogance written all over him. "Tis, a shame, but I could not let my beautiful Sandra be devoured by the beast that is the fire god. You two were the only beauties left so once you're out of the picture; Sandra will be the only beautiful one left. But your father was willing for you to take on this fate. Are you having any regrets", he said with such malice. He had pursued her hand in marriage before and she declined with no hesitation. Lucy only smiled at him which seemed to confuse the man.

"I have no regrets. If I am to be sacrificed then the god of fire will cease his attack on our lands and the other gods will follow his rule and bless our lands to be fertile as they once were. I cannot find a more honorable death than to die a pure virgin to save my village and to reunite with my mother. I cannot regret that at all", Lucy explained closing her eyes in satisfaction. The mayor hissed and pulled her by the arm, angered at her refusal to be miserable in his presence. She was tied to a wooden pole and she closed her eyes in resignation.

'Mother, may we finally reunite and please my gods be sympathetic to my people who are suffering' she thought. A burly man had carried her as the whole village followed behind to the volcano that was the shrine of the fire god. Lucy opened her eyes to look at the villagers who were weeping loudly. The kids would stretch out a hand to her. "Don't cry. My mother always told me that tears are to be shed only in happiness. May my sacrifice bring you happiness when your lands are fertile once more", Lucy smiled brightly at them.

They looked at her saddened and nodded. Everyone adored Lucy and hated the fact that the mayor chose her to be a sacrifice. Lucy was taken far to the top a rock bridge was across the volcano opening as the stake she was on was plunged into the ground. The village was forced to begin the ritual prayers. Lucy took a deep breath closing her eyes. "Fire god! Take your bride! And bring fertility to our village", the mayor yelled. They all heard it then; the rumbling from the volcano announcing that the moment was coming. The villagers stepped away in fear, and before anyone could recall an eruption took place.
The villagers put their heads down. Another bride yet again was shown no mercy.

~~xXXx~~

Lucy yelled, but rather than feeling a burning sensation it felt as if she was floating in water. When she opened her eyes she was engulfed in lava. But how did it feel so warm and yet not burn her. She moved her hands around finding that the ropes and stake were nowhere in sight. She suddenly felt as if she was drowning. She tried swimming up the fiery surroundings, but she felt her consciousness fading until a strong hand pulled her up.

She gasped for air and found that her clothes weren't't soaked. Her veil still slightly covered her face, but she looked up to see a gorgeous man. He was carrying her bridal style. He had pink hair in spiked style. He was shirtless and had a chiseled chest. So muscular and handsome and Lucy found herself wanting to look away, but it was his face that kept her eyes meeting his. His emerald orbs were so mystical as if a fire was burning within them. His eyes were slanted slightly and he held so much pain and anger in his eyes. Like a past that tormented him.

"What's your name?" he asked slightly stern. "Lucy. Lucy Heartfilia", she muttered. He placed her down gently and she didn't't look at him. She felt her veil being pulled quickly and thrown into the lava. That's when Lucy took her surroundings. It was a palace made of gold floating over a lake of lava, but it didn't't feel hot like the heat her village experienced. It was calming warmth. She felt a hand at her chin as she was forced to look at the man who'd saved her. "Who are you?" she asked as he examined her face. He looked like he was desperately trying to find something within her soul. He looked disappointed.

"Fool, isn't it obvious?" he slightly snickered. "Fire god?" she asked. He nodded with a sigh. "I'm the Fire God Natsu, the Salamander of the gods", he began to explain. "You are my wife now, my flames did not burn you for a reason", he said turning his back to her as he walked. Lucy followed him as she blushed deeply. She was supposed to have died. She stopped right at the entrance. He was not anything like she had imagined he'd be. He was normal. No…normal was not adequate because there can't be someone so gorgeous to be normal.

The God noticed she had paused and he turned to her. "Come with me", he demanded. She looked at him and said simply. "I was supposed to die", she muttered. He looked taken aback and questioned her. "Why? Are you not pleased with the way I spared you?" he asked slightly irritated. "It's not that...I'm grateful, but if I'm not dead does that mean my village will continue to suffer from your wrath", she muttered. "Why do you even care about the humans so much?" he asked sitting at the steps as she did the same. "Because...I spent my entire life devoted to help the needed. My mother taught me the joys of helping others", she explained with a light smile.

Natsu only stared at her feeling slightly touched. "But your mother was able to see you sacrificed without stopping them", he said seeming to find the bad side to the situation. She shook her head sadly. "She passed away when I was younger. I know had she been alive, she'd have tried to go in my place and I would still accept to die because she was my everything", she spoke so fondly about the humans. She was not like any of the other brides who'd been destroyed by his flames for their dying hatred for the village that sacrificed them. And any other bride who did make it was polluted by other negative emotions like greed after seeing they could have a life of riches in the heavens.

Natsu did not want to have an attachment to any bride. There was one he truly fell in love with, but in the end was consumed by a negative emotion. He annoyed himself by his own thoughts as he stood pulling Lucy along with him. "From now and on this will be your home. There's no escape and I won't set you free to return home. This is your room and you will wait here until I summon you", Natsu said rushed as he pushed her into the room and locked it. Had she angered him somehow? Lucy could only feel from the darkness of the room loneliness. It was like her father. "Come back! I'm afraid of the dark!" She yelled banging the door.

He'd locked her just like her father in a dark room when he'd find her sneaking food and she had always been afraid of the dark. Her mother would immediately come to her aide and soothe her, but now she knew that no one would come to her rescue. She went to the bed and pulled the covers around herself as she began to cry in fear. "I'm sorry mother, but I cannot cry in joy when all I've received is suffering. I'm so scared", she muttered shivering.

~~xXXx~~

It was some time later, that Natsu paused. He felt such sorrow coming from his bride. But why? Was she beginning to fall already by her negative emotion? He ran to her room desperately. Why am I running to her? He asked himself. For some reason this girl troubled him. There was something about her that made him question his own feelings. Could it be her selflessness? He reached the room releasing the barrier he'd placed on the door and entered to find her crying.

She looked up at him with wide teary eyes as she stood still with the covers wrapped around her. He neared her cautiously. They said that humans go crazy when consumed by a negative emotion. She suddenly threw herself at him. "I didn't mean to anger you! I'm so scared! Don't keep me in the dark anymore. I'm afraid of the dark!" she wept shocking the god. He unconsciously and by instinct wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him in comfort.

She clung to him desperately before collapsing. Natsu was startled and examined her. She had all the symptoms of the punishment of the gods. She was dehydrated, malnourished, exhausted, and most of all she was full of pain and misery. It was what broke her to faint. He picked her up bridal style taking a hand to wipe at her tears. "What are you?" Natsu questioned her as more tears slipped silently down her cheeks. This woman was a complete mystery to him.

Crystal: Well, that's a wrap for the first chapter. Please review and tell me what you thought. The second chapter will be up hopefully soon.