Title: A Cruel Payment

Author: Eldan Aranye

Rating: T

Pairing: Natsu x Lucy

Summary: Natsu's been selfish and Lucy can't pay her rent because of him. How can the Dragon Slayer ever atone for that mistake of his? Read on to find out. Some OCness, I guess.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairytail or any of its characters.


Natsu stared at Erza, then at Gray, and finally at Lucy. They were all frowning, as if there was something nasty hanging right underneath their noses. He himself frowned as he suppressed the urge to vomit all over the compartment they were all in. Why were they like that? He thought as he once again turned his gaze to the passing scenery outside. It was not like that that never happened when they were on a mission…

==FLASHBACK==

"Droopy eyes!"

"Squinty eyes!"

Natsu and Gray bellowed at each other as they aimed their attacks. It was another usual day at the guild, with the Ice Mage and the Fire Dragon Slayer at each other's necks once more. Gray was about to launch his Ice Make Lance and Natsu was about to release a Fire Dragon Roar when Fairytail's Titania suddenly thundered at them.

"Boys! Enough! Come over here, you two. I have something to ask you," commanded the redhead. Not wanting to get beaten up, the two teenagers obediently appeared before Erza, their right hands in salute.

"Very good. Now listen here. Lucy's in a tough fix right now. She has no money left to pay for this month's rest and since we are always barging in on her in her apartment," at this she glared at Natsu, who was busy sweat-dropping in his place," I propose that we all go on a mission that would help her pay. Understood?" Erza finished. It took a couple of seconds before her words penetrated the two boys' skulls, for they were busy paying attention—too much of it, really—to Titania. When her words finally sunk in, Natsu punched the air with his right hand, while Gray's features took on a smug look.

"Yeah! Finally, something fun to do!" Natsu yelled. Gray nodded in agreement.

"Well, that does make sense. I mean, we should help Lucy pay her rent, since she does all her best to help us," the Ice Mage supplemented knowingly.

"Indeed. Now listen up. That mission we're going to go to needs us to serve as museum guides or curators. It would not be that difficult since we just have to say the names of the artifacts and paintings that are currently housed in Magnolia's Art Museum. If we manage not to destroy anything as long as we're there, then that job's as good as done." Erza said matter-of-factly. The two teens looked at each other.

"But what if some bad guys come the exact moment we're there?" Natsu asked.

"Then we'll have to fight them outside. We'll lure them out so as not to destroy the artworks. If we destroy those, we'll be in very big trouble. So we will have to be really careful once we go there. Got it?" Titania glared at the two. Natsu and Gray gulped, their eyes widening in fear.

"Aye!" was all that the two of them could say. Erza nodded in satisfaction.

"Good. Now let's find Lucy."

*********************%%%*****************************

Fortunately for the team, there was not a single bad guy that entered the museum that day. Unfortunately for them, at the end of their shift, Natsu found an ancient drawing that resembled his Dragon father Igneel so much that he literally tore it off the wall. Fortunately for them, Erza was able to grab the painting and return it to the museum owners. Unfortunately for them, Natsu managed to destroy other paintings in his tantrum. Luckily, the reward money that they were supposed to get was able to cover their payment for the damage that Natsu had caused. Unluckily though, nothing was left to them, which sort of defeated their purpose of taking the mission in the first place. After saying their apologies a hundred times over, Erza, Gray and Lucy all walked ahead of Natsu towards the train, leaving the Fire Mage to walk on his own (Happy was not able to join them; he was off fishing). Once they got inside their compartment, the three did not bother to comfort Natsu as the train began moving. Erza did not even allow Natsu to lay his head on her lap as punishment for what he had done. And now, the Dragon Slayer was starting to get annoyed.

==END OF FLASHBACK==

"Come on! It's not like that doesn't happen every time we get a mission!" Natsu pouted as they all headed for the guild. The three remained silent.

"Erza! Lucy! Oh come on, Gray! I said I was sorry!" the Fire Dragon Slayer continued to whine as they neared the gates of their guild. At that point, all three friends turned to face him, each one wearing unreadable expressions on their faces.

"We were supposed to be helping Lucy, you idiot. Or did you forget about that?" Gray spat at him. Natsu opened his mouth to argue but Erza cut him off.

"Don't say that we'll just get another job. That was by far the easiest yet high paying job that we have gotten this month and you ruined our plan just because of that childlike attitude of yours," the redhead said, her voice laced with irritation. Natsu's eyes narrowed. Come on! He thought. That was the only time he saw something that resembled Igneel. What was so wrong in wanting to get it?

"What you did was utterly selfish," Lucy said, seemingly in answer to his question," and here I was thinking that you cared about me as your nakama."

Natsu glanced at Lucy. It suddenly dawned on him that it was not anger registering on her face. It was more like disappointment. His mouth hung open. He knew Erza and Gray were mad at him, but Lucy—it seemed like he had really failed her. Guilt suddenly rushed through his system, making him truly realize how foolish and selfish he had been a while back.

Finding that what they have said were enough to drive through Natsu's head, the Stellar Mage, the Ice Alchemist and the Swords Maiden Titania all entered the guild's hall, leaving a very vexed Natsu outside.


Author's Note: I found this locked away in a borrowed flash drive. Just thought I'd post it here. XD By the way, thanks to all the people who have read and reviewed my first uploaded work, Squished!

Minna-san, domo arigatou gozaimasu! Watashi wa hontou ni ureshii desu. :D

Everyone, thank you very much! I am really happy. :D