Chapter 1
It took Lucy a series of five yells and two bouts of maniacal shaking to awaken Natsu and Happy to reality. Which was quite grim in her case.
"Wake up you two!" she yelled for the sixth time. "We need to go on a job!"
"Cut it, Lucy," said Happy sleepily. "We just returned from one yesterday."
Oh man, she sighed to herself. It's going to be a real job moving these two.
It was a fine Thursday morning in Magnolia-the breeze was cool and inviting and the sun wasn't too hot, prompting people to take up jobs on the double. The guildhall wasn't much full-with Gray and Juvia out on a job together for the first time, Erza running a couple of errands for Master, the Raijinshuu and Laxus out for some formal training in Clover and Wendy and Gajeel training in the backyard, it was pretty quiet.
"Well, we would have been pretty comfortable if we had taken the reward for yesterday's job, you know," Lucy sighed as she sat down on a chair opposite Natsu who was still mumbling in his sleep.
"Come on Lucy, the guy wasn't able to pay his own rent...how can pay us for the job?" asked Happy, sitting up.
"Because of him, I will get kicked out of my house next week," she said.
"You are greedy, Lucy," said Happy, shaking his head.
"Oh shut it, cat." she snapped.
"What's the argument all about?" asked a voice on her shoulder.
"Oh hello Mira, didn't notice you," said Lucy.
"Rent's due, is it?" said Mirajane, smiling.
"Well...yeah,"she replied, with an awkward smile.
"Then why don't you go on a job with Lisanna? Her job is worth some 200,000 jewels and she is looking for a partner," said Mira.
"Is that so? That would be great!" she exclaimed happily. "Then I tell her that you are up for it?" asked Mira. "Of course yes!"
"So what is the job all about?" Lucy asked. The duo were riding in the train to Oftesbridge, a remote town down south of Magnolia.
"On the face of it, doesn't seem daunting-the client is some super-rich landlord who needs some help to harvest his field." said Lisanna, consulting the leaflet.
"Harvesting? But that is not a wizard's job, is it?" asked Lucy, puzzled.
"Normally it isn't. But Calypso shrubs are magical plants, and they are quite tricky to harvest. But we should find it easy. And not to mention, Oftesbridge is well known for its super-delicious caramel buns...yummy!"
"Don't tell me your biggest incentive on taking this job was to eat the caramel buns!" sighed Lucy, marvelling yet again at the crazy antics of her fellow guild members.
Clad in a pair of white shorts, a strawberry spaghetti strapped t-shirt with her usual belt and whip, she couldn't help but feel hot and sleepy.
"Don't worry Lucy-Oftesbridge is up in the hills, so it's going to be loads cooler." Lisanna winked.
"SHE WENT ON A JOB WITHOUT US?!" Natsu yelled.
"Cool it, Natsu," said Macao, shutting up his ears.
"Yeah, Lucy-nee said she is going to Oftesbridge. Guess she will return tomorrow afternoon," added Romeo.
"That's unfair," Natsu sulked. "We are supposed to be a team."
"Well, the lady tried her best-but you two were real sleepy-heads then," said Macao, shrugging. "Hmphf!" Natu snorted.
"Young love is so cute!" said Mira smiling as she went about her errands, leaving Natsu staring at her uncomprehendingly.
"Come let's go Happy-if Lucy's not here, then we better train," he said. "AYE SIR!"
"The job was easier than expected, right Juvia?" said Gray.
"Juvia thinks so too. But she feels uneasy." Juvia replied. The duo was sitting at the Clover station, waiting for the train to Magnolia.
"Why so?" asked Gray puzzled.
"Juvia does not know. But Juvia can feel it in the air. Something is not right."
"You are just tired out...a good dinner and sleep will drive that funniness out of your system." Gray said, though a slight frown played on his face.
He did not discuss his fears but deep inside, he knew she was correct.
That odd feeling...an old roar echoed in his ears.
A roar belonging to a certain black dragon.