To Kill A Heart

chapter one: salamander

"But, Mister Heartfilia," detective Makarov asked, rubbing his bald head. "How are you so sure the treat is actually for your daughter?"

"That insane man called me!" Jude yelled frantically, obviously at the edge of losing his own mind. "My assistant has it recorded."

"Oh, is that so?" Makarov asked, lifting his eyebrow. He knew he had to retire before this case popped up. Now, who was going to resolve it? He was too old for this life-threatening cases, even if he'd faced others along his long career.

"Yes." Jude nodded. He then called the man standing behind him.

Makarov watched attentively as the silent man pressed the play button on the recorder, and a creepy, yet known voice echoed.

"Ah, Mister Heartfilia," the voice said. Makarov leaned closer to it, only if to catch the smallest detail. "We've heard of those… little contracts you've made. And we are quite displeased by it. We don't like competition between our lines."

The old detective lifted his gaze questionably, looking at the rich man at the other side of the table. Jude Heartfilia was pursing his lips, his little eyes full of terror as the machine continued to replay.

"So, we formally ask you to step back. Oh, and congratulations for your… lovely daughter. I heard she just turned eighteen last week. It would be a shame if such a beauty suddenly disappeared from this world. All of us would be deeply sorry."

The record came to an end, and once again the small room fell into cold silence.

"It's clear the threat is directed to her." Makarov finally admitted.

"See?" Jude said, rubbing his face in his palms desperately. "I… I don't want anything to happen to her. She's my joy and pride."

"Is there any chance of doing what he asks?" Makarov asked, writing down on his rotten notebook.

Jude pursed his lips before shaking his head. "No. Those are internationally contracts that would push my company to the top."

"Isn't it already on the top?" Makarov sighed.

"Yes, it is." Jude nodded. "But in the business world, there is always a higher level. That man, Mard Geer, always wanted to destroy me. As if a company like Tartaros would be big."

"Tartaros?" Makarov said. "So do you know who are we facing?"

"Of course!" Jude said, frowning. "Those brats had been tormenting me since they appeared. Around twenty years ago. But they've never done such things."

"Could you please give me all the information you have?" Makarov asked, ready to write down.

"Not much, actually. Their leader is Mard Geer. Their company is from the underworld, but I have no idea what they do. My researchers have found nothing."

"My, my," the detective said, analyzing the new information. "Fairy Tail will do its best to track them down and give you safety."

He started to stand up, ready to leave soon to start his job, but Jude grabbed his arm, stopping him. Makarov shot him an annoyed frown, but it disappeared as soon as he watched the fear in his eyes.

"What can I do to protect my daughter?" Jude pleaded.

Oh.

"Do you have capable bodyguards to protect her?" Makarov said.

"Yes, but…" Jude said. "I want the best for her. Can I hire one of your men? Please? So then I will be sure she's under good protection. Fairy Tail has the best, right?"

A prideful wave ran through the header of Fairy Tail. "But we haven't people specialized on bodyguarding," he warned.

"But…"

"Though, I must say," Makarov sighed, migraine already appearing as soon as he started thinking about him, like it always did. "There is a hitman that could handle the job the best he could,"

"Really?" Jude asked, newfound hope on his eyes.

Makarov grimaced, unsure if he should actually offer him as a bodyguard… Maybe he was a major threat than Tartaros itself.

But what could he say now? His only option was to pray that the house didn't burn down.

"Yes."

"What's his name? I'll call him immediately." Jude said.

"... Natsu Dragneel."

"Salamander?" Jude asked. He looked surprised.

"Yes…"

"Are you sure?" The man inquired, frowning at him.

"Uh…" Makarov said, closing his eyes. It's not that he didn't trust Natsu's ability as a hitman, in fact, he was the best of the world, but…

Jude spoke before he could.

"I don't care. The best will be for my daughter and her safety."

Makarov smiled. "I wish the best for you. Now, I'm going to start working on this as quick as I can. See you around, Mister Heartfilia."

And as soon as the detective left the room, Jude dialed Fairy Tail's number for the second time that day, and as before, the secretary named Mirajane was fast to pick up.

"Hello?" she said.

"Hello, I'm Jude Heartfilia."

"Again?" Mirajane asked. "I thought Master Makarov left as soon as you called."

"He did, indeed," Jude said. "But now I want to talk to someone else."

"Who would be it?" Mirajane said.

"I want to request Natsu Dragneel, aka the Salamander, for bodyguarding my daughter."

Lucy didn't know what had her father so nervous and scared as he entered her room that day, interrupting her work on the new chapter of her unfinished, magic novel.

Watching him so distressed made her nervous as well, and when he said he wanted to talk, Lucy's heart was practically on her throat. She sat on the leather couch of her room, in front of him, looking at his hyperactive hands as he struggled for words.

Lucy frowned, trying to calm herself down. "What's wrong, Dad?"

"I'm so sorry, Lucy." Jude said, burying his face in his hands, groaning loudly.

Lucy got up and ran next to him, scared. She rubbed circles on his back, muttering nothings until he calmed down enough to look at her eyes. Jude took her hands on his, taking a deep breath until he spoke again.

"We've been threatened," he said blunty.

Lucy's eyes widened, "W-What?"

She believed those kind of things only happened in her novels, and those cheap soap operas her mother liked to watch when she was still alive.

"I'm so sorry," Jude repeated. "I put your life on danger."

Ignoring the increasing fear inside her, she forced a smile onto her lips. "Don't worry, it's not your fault."

"But…" Jude said, watching her with wide eyes. "They're Tartaros."

"It's okay," Lucy said. "I know nothing bad will happen."

Jude inhaled deeply. "I called Fairy Tail. They're going to take care of them."

"See?" Lucy smiled bigger. "We're okay. After all, Fairy Tail is the best."

"Lucy..." Jude said, and for the first time on years, Lucy saw tears gathering in her father's eyes. It only scared her more, confirming her it was indeed a very, very serious case.

But nonetheless, Lucy hugged her father and continued to smile, for his sake.

"Don't worry. I'm not scared." she lied. "I trust you."

"My daughter…" Jude murmured, embracing her. He held her tight, caressing her blonde hair, just like her mother's. "I hired a special bodyguard for you."

"Who?" Lucy asked.

"Me," a new voice said.

Lucy jumped away from her father, her eyes scanning her big room until they landed on a sitting figure at her desk, where she'd been minutes before.

Her mouth gasped as she eyed the man. Pink hair, sharp, green eyes, a messy suit with his tie undone, laying around his neck. He was grinning madly at them, and his hand held a pile of paper as if he'd been reading them before he spoke up.

With horror, Lucy realized it was her new novel. The one nobody knew about, not even her best friend Levy.

Jude spoke for her. "W-Who are you?"

The man's grin grew even wider, showing off his fangs.

"Natsu Dragneel, the Salamander, at your service. You left the window open."

Hope you enjoy this new story of mine, I have big things planned for this! I'd love to hear what you have to say about it, thank you so much for reading!