Natsu went back to his room, silently closed the door and suddenly sat down on the edge of the bed. He sigh as if he was tired after work, but he was breathing heavily. He was breathing heavily not because of fatigue, but because of the fast pacing of is heart. He tried to calm it down, but failed. This was the first time, in a long time, Natsu felt the racing of his heart again. He liked the feeling, but every time he felt it, bad memories flooded in his mind.

He punched the mattress of his bed and had his fist clenched tightly.

"Lucy.....Heartfilia..." He muttered, having mixed emotions to that woman. She was a woman that could bring back a man he never wanted to bring back. The man that cause a woman he loved to die alone, but on the other hand she's started to grow on him. Natsu was used to see that blonde hair and her face all the time. He always find himself noticing everything about her from the time they met.

The next morning Lucy went on a few rooms, looking around while Natsu kept calling on the phone restlessly trying to hire an agent to find us a buyer, but by the way he acts. It looks like it's not going well.

As Lucy walked and admired the very old wood, she stopped at the end of the hall. The door was bigger than the others and it looks like strong wood, unlike the others that are oak. She tried every key she had, but it seems that the key to this room isn't any of the keys given to them. Lucy took a hairpin from her hair and picked the lock successfully. The second she pushed the door open, an amazing breeze hit her face. The curtains were made out of silk, pure white silk and the floor was leathered red and as Lucy walked in her heels, the heels always dug a bit down on the leather floor. The bed was huge with dark warm colors covered with it. The walls were dark velvet red and the windows were beige. Lucy's eyes dazzled and flashed just staring at her surroundings. She turned around seeing a desk with a oval mirror.

Music boxes, jewelry boxes and spider webs were on top of it. Lucy knew she shouldn't keep on peeping on everything, but her curiosity just won't settle her thoughts. She opened the drawers, seeing old black and white pictures; things that looked like it belonged to a rich woman. She grabbed an old picture of two girls and a little boy, three kids looking happily at each other. She looked closer and realized that the three kids were actually Mira, who was at the left, Elfman, on the right and the little cute girl in the middle was Lisanna Strauss. She stared at the picture for a few seconds and decided to keep the picture in her pocket.

She turned around again and saw an old box under the bed. Happily, she stooped down and pulled out the rectangular shoebox. She opened it and saw a couple of things that might be owned by someone who used to stay here, maybe it was something to do with Lisanna Strauss maybe? For some reason she didn't believe in what Ms. Malane said about not having a sister, so she took the shoebox and went back to her room. She opened the box and took a few old letters, but before she could even read it Natsu opened the door, making Lucy surprised and quickly hid the shoebox behind her and silently slid it under her pillow.

"Lucy, please do check out the other rooms and tell me anything that is needed to be fixed. So that it wouldn't be a hassle if a buyer would check this place. Please do so if you have the time." Natsu was extremely frustrated and he couldn't quite cope with problems very well unlike Lucy. Lucy saw that Natsu was extremely pressured.

She stayed silent, trying to pick if she would do it and or not. It would only end up in a real mess if she didn't do it at a time like this when Natsu is at his boiling point. Soon after she was finished and found nothing wrong in all the rooms. When she couldn't do anything else, she decided to take a last peep at the room that was locked. she stumbled on Natsu in the hallway. Natsu looked at Lucy and she stared back at him. There was awkwardness between them. Then Lucy's eyes gleamed in excitement.

"Natsu," She said. "I have something to show you!" She told him. It was a tiring afternoon for both and yet it felt as if she had just woken up and was completely energized.

"What is it?" He asked. She smiled and grabbed his arm.

"Just wait!" She said as she pulled Natsu to the room she found out. When they arrived, Lucy opened the door letting Natsu witness the amazing design of the room. It was so unique that it was as if it was from an era far back from them. The time when the designs were so classic yet was such a beauty to the eye. Natsu stood dumbfounded in the middle of the room.

He was dazzled. He never knew the house had such a beautiful room. When Ms. Malane suddenly passed by, she was shocked. "How did you find this room??" She suddenly blurted out.

"I....I found it strange that this room is quiet unique in the type of wood used in the door and..by curiousity...opened it and looked inside."

"Ah! Curiosity may kill the cat, you know?" Stated Natsu, appreciating the lovely curtains and carpets looking extremely clean as if it was brand new!

"Is that so?" She smiled. "Well....This is quite a room, don't you agree?"

"Haven't you seen this room before?" Lucy asked.

"No, I don't seem to have it's key. But it's view is remarkable and it's designs are a classic apple to the eye, if I might add."

Both Lucy and Natsu nodded. "I'll leave you to your work then." She said as she went down stairs. Licy stretched her arms wide and her back was arced. Natsu stared at her, eyes not being able to look away, being reminded of the image of Lucy's just woken up state. Lucy quickly turned to Natsu with a smile and paused.

"What?" She asked.

Natsu looked away, blushing. "I-It's nothing...." Lucy leaned a bit closer with a suspicious stare.

"There's something! I'm positive! Come on tell me." She said.

Natsu shook his head. "Stop being annoying! I said it's nothing!" He said as his back is turned. Lucy, unable to see Natsu's reaction. 'I wonder......What kind of face is he making right now......'

Lucy thought to herself.

"Don't be like that~ Were partners now!" Lucy giggled and grab hold of Natsu's broad shoulders. She was surprised as when she placed her palm on his, she immediately felt his muscles, making her blush. She turned Natsu around and she saw him red as an apple. Natsu saw Lucy flush red as well. Their eyes widen and stared at each other for a few seconds. Natsu blushed and covered his mouth.

"I-If you'll excuse me." He turned around. "I'll be going." Then he left the room, still blushing.

"His face........" Lucy muttered softly. Lucy then snapped out of it and went back to her room. For some reason she was a bit happy. She then took the box out and was about to open the lid, but then.

"Lucy!" Called Ms. Malane. "Please Come down here now!" Lucy did what she was instructed to her and went down, seeing a plate of fish and other food waiting on the dinning table.

"Sit down, Dear." Said Malane and left to let Natsu know that dinner is served. Lucy pushed her fish on the edge of her plate and the assorted vegetables at the other side. Then Natsu arrived he sat down across the table, in front of Lucy.

There was silence between them. Lucy felt a bit sad that she was able to alienate Natsu. Lucy pushed her vegetables at the side of her plate and the fish to the other side. She sat there, moving her food in her plate as Natsu eat his bit by bit and had his eyes darting to her from time to time.

"Was there any damages that needed to be fixed?" Natsu asked gently, trying to make a conversation, trying to lift the atmosphere even just a little.

"You'll be happy to hear." She stated with as smile, as if Natsu being alienated was nothing to her at all. There are no damages. A few rooms were dusty, but I can handle it."

Natsu was surprised to notice Lucy's attitude. He smiled. "That's good to hear." After that silence flew over them once again.

"I-I'm sorry to ask but..." She stated nervously. Natsu stopped to looked at Lucy.

"Ask away." He insisted.

"If you don't mind, but can you tell me more about Lisanna?" She asked. Natsu was a bit surprised.

"Oh, not at all. Sure. Well, she's nice and very calm. She hardly gets very mad. She, her brother Elfman and Mira her elder sister was a very famous trio."

"Hmm." She said in understanding. "What do you know about Lisanna Strauss?" She asked. Natsu went a bit quiet with the memories of her flooding back, but he tried to keep all those emotions locked somewhere inside him, somewhere no one could open, even he himself could not open.

Natsu shrugged his shoulders. "What everybody knows. She went missing she was famous for being famous, and so what Mira. The famous duo of Fairy Tail. One of the bright young people in our generation."

"You mean like Jenny Starlight? Or Hibiki?" Natsu nodded. Lucy pushed her fish to the side.

"Don't you think it's a tad odd that there are no pictures of her? I mean Mira and Lisanna are sisters. But there seems to be nothing at all."

"A lot of people have no pictures of their family. For some it could be a grim or depressing reminder for them or rather......privacy is on top in that case. Mira surely found it painful to remember about her, knowing she's gone.."

"Have any idea what really happened to her?" She asked.

Natsu drank his glass of wine. "I don't know. Really never thought about it." He turned to Lucy. "Maybe she did run away. Those kinds of people were always legging it at first when they realize what real life looks like."

"What kind of people might that be?"

He shrugged again. "Like......poilt beautiful young women who know nothing about life and is wasting their own." For some reason it sounded sharper than he intended it to be. She stared at him. "I see." And yet again, the haunting ghost of silence dwelled on them again.

"Have I upset you, Natsu?" She finally spoke.

"No, it's nothing. It's just......I'm just tired..."

"You seem upset." She stated.

Natsu was silent and switched his attention. "How did you get in that room? Ms. Malane said that she doesn't have it's key."

"I picked the lock." She said with such formality like picking a lock was a very usual thing for her.

Natsu blinked at her. "Oh."

Lucy laughed and Natsu did as well.

"Yes, Natsu. I can pick a lock, hack a safe and hot-wire a car if necessary."

"Where on earth could you learn from?" He chuckled.

"My father. A professional piss artist!" She stated happily.

"I really did not expect something as sly as this from you."

"And why is that?" She asked in a teasing tone.

"The phrase 'More than meets the eye.' Comes to mind." Lucy stared at him with with an eye brow raised.

"Natsu." She stated seriously. "Are you a transformers fan?"

"Hmmm. Not much." He stated cheerfully.

"Well, The appearance can be deceiving at times." She smiled.

"So your that kind of girl, huh? I should've remembered that's your stock-in-trade!" He didn't know why he suddenly said that. Everything was at ease with both of them. Why would he suddenly state some sideways comment?? He was too much of a loud mouth in his past life......bad habits die very hard. There was silence again.

"Not really.." She said finally, folding her table napkins. She stood up. "It's been a long day.."

"Wait, Lucy. I'm sorry." He jolted up from his seat, hitting his table and spilling the wine across the table and his trousers. "Bloody Hell!!" He exclaimed as wiped the mess with his table napkin, mopping it harshly.

"Here." Lucy stated calmly as she hands him a dishcloth and went on with stacking the plates. It was a moment where her calmness is more irritating than his clumsiness. He hurried it up, but knew that he wouldn't clean everything up before Lucy would leave the room. So he dropped the dishcloth and quickly reached for Lucy's hand. (Christine: Play the video/ song while reading)

"Lucy...." He grabbed her hand tightly, not letting her go. Lucy looked up, a bit stunned at his sudden action. For a moment, Natsu almost revealed something about Lucy or it may be just a quick reaction to his words that was almost revealed.

Natsu grabbed her other hand.

"I know you don't like me..." Her tone was like a cracking whip! Warning him away.

"That's not true....." He stated seriously with eyes staring deep into her's.

"But we might at least be honest with each other..." In her tone, it was as if there was something she wanted done and it sounded a tad pleading.

"That's not true..." He tightened his grip on both her hands. He said again, quietly leaning in. Natsu could smell the scent of Lucy's perfume stuck on her body mixing with the faint smell of her hair and skin. Natsu felt a bit rushed and couldn't control his body anymore. He was extremely close to Lucy to the point that one inch closer they'd be kissing and for some reason, both yearned to feel that kind of sensation again.

Natsu froze at one point, staring at Lucy's shocked expression. Both didn't know what to do until a phone rang loudly, echoing through the walls. Natsu loosened his grip and Lucy stepped back. Natsu watched as Lucy disappeared into the dark hallways.

Lucy answered the call on the telephone.

"Hello?"

"Hello? Lucy-neesan! Finally! I've been calling for hours! Isn't there any reception??" Michelle exclaimed!

"Well.....sometimes..." She lied. "What made you call? Is everything alright at the mansion?"

"Uh.....sort of..." Lucy began to sweat nervously.

"Wha...what do you mean 'sort of'?"

"Well....." Nervousness was something that could be easily heard in Michelle's tone. "There's something important waiting for you here in the mansion. You must go back."

"What? Go back to the mansion? B-but I'm in the middle of a mission."

"I'm sorry, but an important letter was sent here in the mansion. It was address to you, sister."

Lucy was silent. "Did you open it yet....?" She asked softly.

"Not yet."

"Alright, then. I'm gonna leave this mission to Natsu for now...............No, I'll inform him about it."

"Uhm.....Good luck. I heard he's a tad...." She paused, thinking of a nicer way to describe him.

"Obnoxious? Self-centered? Bossy? Hot headed? A prude?" Lucy continued.

"Y-Yes, but I think that's too much...hehe.." She nervously remarked. "So was it a bad experience....?....being partnered with him, I mean."

Lucy giggled a bit. "Not at all. It's pretty exciting, really." She smiled blissfully at the thought.

"Hmm.....I can hear happiness in your tone young lady.. Are you staring to....?" Asked Michelle.

"I think I am...." She stated happily realizing something she thought was impossible.

"You better keep your distance then...."

"Why?" She asked as she tiptoed her fingers of the dusty table.

"You must come to the mansion. I will explain everything to you." Was the last thing Michelle spoke before she hung up on Lucy. Lucy started to think and wonder in curiosity. 'What was it all about? An important letter? Addressed to me?' She asked herself. While Lucy stood there beside the phone, Natsu was hiding behind the door, hearing everything that Lucy mentioned.

Natsu looked down as to be confirmed of a hunch. Lucy was leaving him alone, he knew that now, and he couldn't accept it.

Lucy opened the door, surprised to see Natsu standing there with a face so emotionless.

"So.....Your gonna leave....." Natsu asked a bit sadly, looking straight in her eyes.

Lucy silently nodded. "I'm sorry. My sister said it was urgent. I bet this'll make your job a bit easier, huh?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing....." Said Lucy as she passed Natsu, but Natsu unintentionally grabbed her arm, stopping her. Lucy looked back, shocked while Natsu gazed deeply in eyes.

"Lucy......Do..Do....." He spoke while his hand was shivering. (Christine: now's a pretty good time to listen to the video, play it again if the song finished. Or reset the song again)

"Don't leave me here alone...." Said Natsu with eyes looking down, bangs over his eyes. Those words pierced through her heart for some reason. Lucy was a bit speechless but managed to speak a bit.

"W-what do you mean....?" She asked with a weak voice.

"Look, I'm not upset with you. I'm sorry if I did say a bit offensive words about you, but....."

"W-What's.......gotten into you?" She asked nervously.

Lucy was shivering in the tight grip Natsu was giving her. She gently placed her hand on his and calm Natsu's shivering state. Natsu loosened his grip.

'Maybe Lisanna Strauss' disappearance took a big toll to Natsu's life.......I feel bad for him...But..why is he acting this way to me?...' Lucy thought sadly. Lucy jerked away from his grip. Natsu looked up with eyes teary and eyes pure of desperation. Natsu thought Lucy would be creeped out, but, no...

Lucy hugged him tightly saying. "Stop crying, Natsu." Natsu was a bit frozen and blushing. "I'm not going anywhere..." She said with a strong yet in a non-alarming way.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Did you like it? Well, sorry for the super LATE update! I made it very special! But the next chapter will take a while.

Tell me if you cried in this chapter with the background music, okay?

Haha. I hope you did cry. This would have been longer if I didn't do it here at school.

I hope you like it!!! :)

Pleease comment what you think about this, okay?

💖🔑HeartInTheKeys🔑💖