*NIKKI'S POV*
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I knew I was being rude to Natsu ever since we came out here in this muddy area to find Asu-nee... I knew it, but I just failed to hide this cloudy feeling of annoyance every time Natsu spoke to me as if HE was older. It just felt like he was building up excuses, and that was the sole reason for my behavior. Well, as always, Natsu was clueless to pick up on it...
But now I actually felt like I was crossing the line - if it's to the point that both of us were getting sidetracked in our fight against these monsters. I also shouldn't have shouted at him like that. He was only looking out for me, so why...? I started feeling deep guilt building up somewhere inside my heart which soon overpowered my annoyance from earlier.
It soon kind of got harder to forget. This feeling I mean. If only there was a way I could say sorry to Natsu in the midst of battle so we can make up, and I could get over this prickly sensation...
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I made up my mind to have a reasonable conversation with Natsu as I looked for a way to penetrate through this monster's shield. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to focus on my own fight, and I'm sure he wouldn't either.
(Natsu... I hope I'm not too late to decide this...!)
Just as I was thinking up some sort of strategy, I heard a loud cry which made me freeze in my tracks for a few seconds. The black figure managed to hit me in that split moment of time which made me fall on the mud with my spear a few inches away. I could see the same misty creature from the corner of my eye, but not Natsu!
(Natsu?! Where--)
I frantically searched for him until I caught a glimpse of the second man's back. When I slowly scooted sideways, I spotted that black hand holding onto Natsu's neck.
"NATSUUUU!! I'm coming, hold on!"
I hurriedly got up, grabbed my spear, jumped towards the figure and stabbed at his diaphragm area with all my might. The misty man growled lowly in pain as he let go of Natsu, making him cough hard.
"Don't you ever lay even a finger on Natsu, you soul-less beast!" While sticking out my tongue, I unleashed a fire border between us and the men before rushing for Natsu's aid.
"Natsu! You okay...?" I asked softly as I crouched next to him.
"*cough* *cough* Y-Yeah, I am alright Nikki... Thanks for, you know, saving me and stuff right after our fight..." Natsu whispered as he wiped off saliva from the edge of his lips.
I just chuckled awkwardly in return.
"Baka, you know at the end of it all, I still care about you! Don't you...? Umm... I am sorry for blurting all those pointless stuff before. I didn't mean a word, I promise you know!"
"Haaaah? Wait, so you didn't mean all that? A-About Rai-nii?" Natsu cut me off, looking dissatisfied.
"Yeah!! It... It was just in the heat of the moment..." I whispered, my voice trailing off.
I squinted my eyes as I looked down in an attempt to hide my face. I couldn't bring myself to look him in the eyes from my shameful act. The moment I did, I was held in a warm embrace.
Natsu hugged me tightly as he whispered, "It's okay Nikki. Don't YOU know that I already forgave you? Don't be such a cry baby now *chuckle*..."
When we parted, I was greeted by Natsu's innocent smile which made me smile slightly in return.
"Heheh, okay, I get it! You didn't have to do that..." I lightly punched his shoulder in return.
Natsu then got up first and lent me a hand before pulling me to my feet. Then, we both stared off at the two wobbly misty men after I lowered down my fire barrier.
"Now, whadda ya say we kick these monsters' butt? Together!" Natsu beamed with a wide smile.
"Uh-huh!"
I nodded in full agreement before we both took off, side by side. I felt so content. Both twins fighting the 'twin' men, hehe.
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First, Natsu shot his wind arrows at both of them while hovering in the sky with great speed. When I got an opening, I summoned two fire snakes from the spear, and ordered them to attack the figures.
I should add, summoning consumes quite a bit of physical power as well as spiritual. It took me few months of training to maintain my stamina after a summon if a fight ever extended for longer. I was already panting and resting on the ground when I finished my move. Natsu descended down from the sky after spotting me below him.
"Nikki! Are you okay? Don't push it too much."
I replied with a 'Yup, I know. Don't worry,' as I dabbed the remaining sweat off of my forehead.
Both of us had bruises and scratches on our bodies from this elongated battle, but of course, none of that mattered right now. We held our breaths as we eyed the dusty area for any new movement.
"We have to kill them quick, especially since Yuu-nii warned about their whole evolving power thingy..." Natsu's tensed whisper weighed heavily on just how much this moment mattered.
"Yeah. We will have no options then..." I nodded gravely.
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The smoke gradually cleared, revealing the misty figures. They were still standing, though swaying more than before!
I clenched some of the mud in exasperation as I smacked my hand on the ground and readied my spear. Natsu, too, stood in a fighting mode while shaking faintly. I knew both of us were slowly getting exhausted. If this fight went on any longer, none of us will be able to keep up!
The men suddenly started twisting shape. Both of us gasped.
"T-They're changing! Natsu...!!" I looked back at him in worry.
Natsu just gulped, conveying his loss for words - matching it to our grave position.
The figures evolved even further to the point of changing their structure! They looked more bigger and gooier than before. Their mist-like bodies looked entirely dreadful; cutting off any drawn out stares.
In the speed of light, the creatures flew our way, and giving us no time whatsoever, stabbed my stomach while the other grazed Natsu's whole arm. There was no time for even an opening in their attack - our eyes and mind failed to follow.
We both yelled in torment.
I was guessing we were miles away from Yuu-nii and Mii-nee because they never even came to our aid. I know them. If they even hear the slightest scream, one of them SURELY comes to the rescue.
I fell on my knees as I clutched my stomach which wouldn't stop bleeding. I got even more worried when I shifted my eyes on Natsu.
"N-Natsu!"
I screamed as I attempted to crawl his way, but he simply stopped me with one hand as he spoke, "I-I'm okay. It's nothing to worry about..."
With that, he tried getting up, but immediately fell down. I could see thick blood dripping down his whole arm and onto the muddy floor, mixing in with the rainwater.
(Only Mii-nee has the healing ice! But she's not here...)
As if tired of our situation, the figures dashed our way and brutishly beat us up even further until not one of us could move a muscle. Despite our dire circumstance, I wanted to be with Natsu. To support him and also, to protect him. I squirmed my way to the fallen Natsu and got hold of his hand.
"N-Natsu...! Don't worry, even if I have no energy left, I will protect you!"
Natsu's fingers twitched slightly and his eyelids opened ever so slowly as he squeaked, "Heh... That's ironic. I-I should be the one protecting you since I am.... well.... a boy and older than you, but--"
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Suddenly, his eyes glistened as he jerked up and looked my way, "Nikki! I have an idea!"
"W-What now?" I met his gaze with my own, puzzled.
"Your necklace! Don't you remember?"
I gave into thought for some time until I, too, remembered what exactly he was going at.
"Ooooh, yeah! We might have just won!"
(I will give these freaks credit for keeping both our minds distracted from it TILL now.)
I was hardly able to stand back up; Natsu, like always, braced me from behind.
We both nodded one last time before I shouted, "Hey UGLY!!! Come get me! You know you want to, right~?"
I tried provoking the figures and, as expected, they growled before heading my way. How much more stupid could they get?
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Just as they both were a few centimeters away from me, I hurriedly held out my skull shaped locket in front of them. Instantly, their misty bodies got sucked into it, almost as if my locket was a black hole, leaving no trace behind.
"Why didn't I think of this before? Now only sensei will deal with those freaks~" I twirled my locket happily in between my two fingers.
That's when the ache coursed through my entire body. My legs wobbled, and I flopped onto the ground right next to Natsu who held my shoulders.
"Yeah... You did it Nikki..."
I knew he was also feeling the pain now from supporting another person. He is so strong..... unlike me.
We both slowly and steadily walked up, shoulder by shoulder, to where the others were. When we reached the spot, we saw that Yuu-nii and Mii-nee were also injured, but not badly. Just a few cuts and bruises here and there.
They were still maintaining enough stamina to keep their fight going. We tried our best to reach them as fast as we could, but Natsu halted me from taking out my necklace again.
"No, you know you can't use this twice Nikki. It will break the rule!"
"But... This is the only way to end their battle! Sensei might let this one slide!" I argued back.
Natsu replied while shaking his head firmly, "They both are way stronger than us! Let's have faith in them to kill those creatures without our help."
Upon Natsu's words, I reluctantly dropped down my hand which was clutching onto the necklace seconds ago. I could only pray inside that our decision was a wise one.
"Nikki! Natsuno! You are hurt so badly!" Mii-nee exclaimed in worry the moment she detected our presence, still fighting the man who had evolved just like the ones we were fighting.
Yuu-nii's was also the same.
"...Let's get this over with now?" Yuu-nii eyed Mii-nee for her anticipated response.
"Exactly what I was thinking. Playtime's over, you monsters."
With confident smiles, they both stood side by side as they simultaneously held out their hands. Mii-nee then let out a flood of ice aimed at both the men, immobilizing them in place. The men moaned as they tried thrashing about, but it was all futile.
Then, Yuu-nii unleashed his spirit flames, igniting Mii-nee's ice. The ice started to expand from the heat, and was soon about to explode. Natsu and I quickly took cover by burying our heads under our arms and ducking. With a loud booming noise, the ice burst, along with the men - waves of wind and shards flew in the air, swaying the trees and the clouds altogether.
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When I opened my eyes after the deafening sound, I saw that both the misty creatures were gone. Just a few remains were left, which suddenly started moving!
"Yuichi!!"
Upon Mii-nee's signal, Yuu-nii barred his fangs and sprang at the mists. He then started ripping and gobbling them up. Within seconds, their battle was over.
(Natsu was right! We didn't even lift a finger!)
Mii-nee hurriedly ran to our side, and Yuu-nii quietly followed, his cheeks slightly red.
"...I hate doing that in front of the kids... ...You should know."
"There was no other alternative Yuichi! Quit being such a baby." Mii-nee scolded him back with a slight nudge.
She then drew her attention back on us, "Now, I may have enough strength left to heal you two, but... these injuries require further medical hel--"
Before Mii-nee could complete her sentence, drowsiness mixed with relief washed over my entire body as I started tilting sideways. My body went numb, and I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer.
"Nikki! Ni...ki!! N...ki!!!"
Natsu and everyone's voices sounded more and more distant until I couldn't make out the words. I felt so tired. I just wanted to rest... At least the figures are gone to the Underworld from my locket...
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~To be continued...