*~Hey Guys, my first fanfiction here! I really wanted to write one for Fairy Tail, as I absolutely adore the anime, and NaLu as a pairing, too! I hope you enjoy. A first time fan fiction writing here, so advice would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!~*

Lucy was excited for the new upcoming job, but her gut instinct told her something else bad was going to happen during it. Even the simplest of jobs turned out to either be secretly involved in some other huge quest, or Natsu ended up destroying everything in plain site. Either way, Lucy was prepared for the worst.

It was in the summer, the blossom leaves that had struggled against the strong breeze floated around, cast around by the current air flow. Wendy was gazing around, enjoying the view and breeze as Natsu and Gray had another head-to-head shouting spree to which Erza responded quickly. Lucy smiled at the scene that usually played out so much before her, but the one scene she could not live without. Happy flew alongside her, talking to her and Carla about...what? Oh right, fish. As per usual, she thought. She nodded automatically to the things Happy said, and even though Happy was half-aware she was not listening, he continued to speak anyway. It was the system they all shared, and the system she enjoyed. As they all did. But things were different this time.

The words of Mira from so many weeks ago rattled through Lucy's mind; you and Natsu would makesuch a good couple! Although Lucy tried everything to rid herself of this, she couldn't help but feel that it would be true. Natsu was very brave, loyal and just too cute.

It was two hours into their walk that Lucy realized something was amiss. Whether it was the quietness of a forest or just the fact that Natsu had stopped his chatter, something was definitely around; and it wasn't friendly. Erza become stood in a defensive stance, her eyes gazing around for the sign of enemies, and Gray flexed out his palms; waiting. Lucy grabbed hold of one of her keys (Loke's key, to be exact) as she whipped her head around, searching for the source that had sent everyone so defensive. It happened in a moment. Wendy's shrill scream erupted from near them as they heard the ground break and smash open. A hand, a hand made of root crawled out of it, snatching at Wendy's dress.

The bottom of it tore as Wendy crawled backwards. Acting out of instinct, Lucy ran forwards, scooping up Wendy as Natsu and Erza charged forwards, and Carla flew over to assist Wendy. Gray yelled out, "Ice Make: Lance!". Lucy saw the lances of ice slam towards the hand, hitting into it. No effect was seen, with Gray looking taken aback.

"Equip!" Lucy heard Erza shout, as the Heaven's Wheel armour surrounded her body as Erza's newly equiped sword was sent swinging at the hand. A small cut appeared, a black liquid oozing out before it closed itself back up once again. Natsu, his hands now engulfed in flame, said something that Lucy couldn't hear, but she still knew what he had said, "Now I'm all fired up!" He yelled, his fist slamming into the creature, however, as with Gray's ice lance, the dragon slayer's power did not show any effect.

As they all stood, dumbfounded at their powerless attacks, the hand was sent flying into the air, growing in length. It then wavered around, as if searching, when it's hand hovered directly over Lucy, who was holding Wendy.

It suddenly dawned on Lucy; whatever it was - or whoever was controlling it - was after Wendy. As the hand shot in a spiral down towards them Lucy threw Wendy and Carla to the side, just in time before the hand clutched at her. The last thing Lucy heard before she was dragged through the dirt was her name being called by Natsu.

Natsu stood, his eyes wide and angry as they stared at the spot Lucy had vanished to. The ground had covered itself back up, and Erza cursed loudly. Wendy was crying quietly, her arms wrapped around Carla,the sound of Gray punching a tree resounding across the clearing; it's bark splitting around his clenched fist. At first, Natsu jumped on top of the mound, digging effortlessly with his hands, before Erza grabbed his scarf and dragged him back, turning him to face her, "that's pointless Natsu. We must look elsewhere. Use your sense of smell to find her."

It was halfway through the forest that the scent of Lucy and her familiarness began to wash away through the damp ground. Natsu began to curse softly, closing his eyes to concentrate on the smell. Every so often the track would desert him, and he'd lose his sense of her, but then he would retrace it again. Every so often he would catch Wendy frowning at him. This irritated him highly before he decided to question her on it.
"Wendy?"

"Mhm?" She answered.

"Why do you keep looking at me like that?" Natsu asked. "It's getting kind of weird, y'know."

"I'm just finding it confusing how you can still find her scent. I'm a dragon slayer too, but I can't locate her at all."

"That's weird..." He started, before Gray butted in.

"That's because Natsu lo-", Gray was cut off by the heavy thump of Erza's fist on the back of his head.

Gray looked at her accusingly while Natsu glared at him lividly. Wendy frowned in confusion, before Happy flew over to her, whispering in her ear, "he liiikes her."

"That's enough!" Erza demanded, before giving a reassuring look at Natsu. As he continued to trace the path to Lucy, a memory flickered behind his eyes.

"Hey, Natsu," Lisanna spoke, sitting in the hut they had once built Happy.

"Yeah?" Natsu responded, gazing at the grave that had not yet been removed.

"You know how I asked you if I could be your wife, when we were kids?"

"I remember," Natsu said,his face turning red.

"I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to turn you down."

Natsu gave her a look, his face completely taken aback, "What?"

"You heard me," she said softly, grinning. "I do love you. But not like that. Now I think of it, you are just like a big brother to me."

"Oh," Natsu said, a secret sigh of relief echoing through his mind.

"And I know you like Lucy, too."

"WHAAAT?" He shrieked, falling backwards. Happy gave a small smirk as he sat back up, horrified. "How did yo-"

"I just know Natsu," she said, giggling. "Because we are the best of friends, right?"

"Right." He replied, smiling at her.

They talked of old times, and even though Natsu thought Lisanna may have some sort of hate towards him for liking Lucy, she did not display it. Maybe, he thought, maybe she likes someone else, too.

At long last, Natsu stepped out of the hut. He whipped around as a weird sound filled his ears. He turned, looking at the top of the hut where Gray sat; asleep and snoring. Natsu yelled, climbing on top of it and tackling Gray to the ground. Happy laughed as Gray's eyes flickered open. It took a while for him to register that he was on the dirt floor, being pinned down by Natsu, whose fiery eyes locked on to his. Gray suddenly burst into laughter, looking at Natsu, "You like Lu-!" He began to shout, before someone appeared from around the corner, slamming their foot into each of them as they were both sent flying.

The culprit stood there, her armour glistening from the starlight. Natsu stared at Erza, who was glaring at them both, "fighting, are we?"

"No, no!" They both chanted, hugging eachother in unison.

Erza gave a nod of satisfaction, before looking to Natsu. "Do not worry, we will keep your secret."

Natsu's jaw dropped as he realised half of his team had been listening to him and Lisanna talk. A bit pissed off about their eavesdropping, he decided to brush it aside, knowing that if he goes to Lucy's house too late, she'll be pissed, too.