Hi, everyone! Right now, I'm going to rewrite the story (since all the beginning chapters sound crappy and rushed) and do my best to improve it.
Lucy's POV
Today started off as something bright, something promising. Every day was an opportunity to deepen our bond. Of course, I might be the only one feeling this way, but this overwhelming feeling of warmth whenever I see Natsu... This was something new in our friendship. Heck, he might never feel this way towards me, but what will be the use of hiding my feelings?
His sudden voice interrupted my thoughts.
"Hey! Lucy! Let's go on this mission!" Natsu gave me a cheerful grin, pointing to a mission on the board no one had dared to take before.
S Class Mission
Help capture the dark mage running loose!
Location: Cryt Forest
Client: Tudor Saki
Reward: 700,000.00 Jewels
I scanned the drawing of the sketchy mage we were supposed to catch. This doesn't sound too hard, but... My eyes hovered over the reward money. An easy task wouldn't yield a great sum, would it?
"Yeah, of course! It says the reward is 700,000 jewels. That's enough to pay for my rent for months even after we split it!" I replied, smiling. Was this going to be another mission where Natsu ends up destroying everything? Boy, who would want to pay for damage repairing afterwards...
A sudden movement caught my eye. Lisanna silently walked towards my direction. I nudged Natsu.
"Huh..Wha—" Natsu began, but was cut off by Lissanna.
"Umm... Is it alright if I join your team for this job?" Lisanna looked down, shuffling her legs, eyes full of unease. "You see, Elf-niichan and Mira-nee are busy the next few days on their mission, and... I have nothing to do." Lissanna confessed.
Natsu looked at her and grinned.
"Sure you can! Since when did you have to ask, Lisanna?" Natsu laughed.
Lisanna shrugged, giggling lightly. "Thanks, Natsu!"
Lisanna's POV (Really short)
Looking at Lucy and Natsu talking side by side, I felt a sudden pang of... Something in my chest. I can't quite put my finger on it, but it wasn't a pleasant feeling. They were discussing something about a mission. Suddenly feeling a bit lonely, I walked over to them.
"Umm... Is it alright if I join your team for this job?" I looked down, unsure of what their response will be. They seemed to partner really well with each other, and I can understand if they didn't want me to join them. "You see, Elf-niichan and Mira-nee are busy the next few days on their mission, and... I have nothing to do." I told them. It was true. Mira and Elf-niichan didn't want me to be exposed to too much danger and embarked on another S class quest alone.
I saw Natsu turn and tilt his head slightly, grinning widely at me.
"Sure you can! Since when did you have to ask, Lisanna?" Natsu laughed. I fought the will to smile as well.
Since when Lucy replaced me, I thought. A sharp pang hit my insides, making me feel revolted. I shrugged this weird feeling aside.
What's gotten into me? Lucy's a part of our guild! To feel like this about a guild member... I'm a horrible comrade.
Sick feeling.
Kind of...
Dizzy...
What's wrong with me?
Lucy's POV
After visiting the client, I felt a little more worried about this dark mage. Supposedly, he can expose your deepest, darkest thoughts and convince you to act on it. I shuddered. This wasn't an acceptable magic skill to have around.
Glancing around, my gaze swept over Erza, Gray, Lisanna, and Wendy. They were such reliable teammates, always there for me whenever I needed it. Finally, my eyes rested on Natsu. His salmon hair reflected the sunlight, giving him a glowing atmosphere. Almost too surreal to touch...
A sign up ahead indicated we have entered Cryt Forest. What a weird name for a weird place. We walked into the forest, searching for the dark mage to capture, as requested.
If only...
If only in that moment...
Had I been a little more careful with my surroundings...
I may have heard it...
That slight chuckling of evil laughter emitting from the dark forest around us...
If only I knew.