Hello you beautiful reader you! I've been reading stories from FanFiction for a long time and finally decided to try my hand at it.
This is a story that I developed after reading other Fairytail FanFics and just not finding one that truly hit me in my "NaLu" feels. (Or when I did find a great story, the author never completed it and I was left hanging!)

Rated M: For Romance, Action and Mild Language
*BE ADVISED* I've rated this at "M" because there are adult themes and future scenes that I feel are inappropriate for younger audiences to read. HOWEVER I consider the story in general to be right on the edge of the Teen vs. Mature rating. But because I would rather have less readers but who are mature enough to handle the mild adult situations that are present in this story, I've decided to rate it "M" so I won't have to worry about younger readers getting something that they weren't prepared for. Or at least I gave them a warning before they started.

Also this will be an ongoing story. It's not a novel, but I wanted to write something that feels developed and thought through. So if you want just a quick love story... this probably isn't for you!

I'm done warning now. There won't be anymore chapters with such a long introduction because thats just tedious.
As I said, this is all about NaLu and their relationship in my head.

I do not own Fairytail or any of its characters, but I am eternally grateful to Hiro Mashima for them!

Chapter 1: A Mission Begins

"Fire Dragon ROOOOAAARRR!" A booming voice yelled from above me and a wave of fire flew towards the figure that was across the rocky terrain of the canyon. The figure wailed in pain and once the flames died down, I saw him looking black and crispy, with smoke rising from his burnt clothing. He gasped once, fell sideways, and was out cold.

"All right! Did you see that Luce?! Guy didn't have a chance!" The voice called down.

"Yeah I saw it!" Irritation clouding my voice. I stood up from my crouched position and looked up at the large boulder where my best friend and partner was standing, grinning down at me with that oh-too-familiar mischievous and self-satisfied smirk. "Way to go Natsu! Did you forget that our mission was we needed to capture him and THEN get him to tell us where Valentino's headquarters are?! Now what are we suppose to do?! He doesn't look like he could stand up on his own to feet, let alone be interrogated!" I put my hands on my hips, my celestial spirit keys tinkling lightly as I brushed the ring they were hanging from, "He probably won't wake up 'til tomorrow and by then Valentino and the rest of his gang will have moved locations! What's gonna happen when we get back to camp and have to explain this to Erza?!"

He put his hands on top of his head and interlocked his fingers, "Geez Lucy, you worry too much!" He said with total nonchalance.

I sputtered, "WHAT! I WORRY JUST THE RIGHT AMOUNT LIKE ANY OTHER NORMAL PERSON! ITS YOU WHO'S IDIOTIC FOR NOT..."

"And you're loud too!" came a high pitched voice from behind me.

I whirled around, "Nobody asked you, ya stupid cat!"

Happy just flew over my head and landed next to Natsu on the bolder, "Besides asking Natsu to hold back in a fight is like asking Gray not to strip... he just can't help it!"

"HEY! Don't compare my awesome butt-kicking abilities to that pervy-popsicles's weird habits!" Natsu jumped down and landed next to me and grinned again, his eyes almost closing from how big his smile was, "Plus we didn't completely fail the mission we just, ah, extended it! Right Happy?!"

Happy jumped on his head, "Aye sir!"

I just shook my head in exasperation, "Natsu, you just don't get it..."

"AHHH come on Luce, don't be mad," He threw one of his arms over my shoulders, "we got the bad guy AND you got to watch me be awesome, what more could you want?!" I glanced up at his stupid smiling face and felt my anger give. I never could stay mad at him.

I sighed, "Fine... we need to haul the guy back to camp anyway, so I guess it will be easier now since he won't struggle."

"Alright! That's the SPIRIT Lucy! Get it? Since your a celestial spirit wizard?!" He squeezed my shoulders and ruffled my hair cracking up at his own joke.

I shoved him off laughing, "Stop it! That was so lame! You'll never get a girlfriend if you make cheesy jokes like that! Just go get the guy so we can head back!"

He started jogging over to the extra-crispy villain but turned his head back, "Why would I need a girlfriend Lucy? I've got you!"

I flipped him an inappropriate gesture, which his just laughed at and turned back around, Happy sailing above him as they went to retrieve our prisoner.

"Stupid Natsu," I thought as I brushed myself off, "He just doesn't get it."

But of course he wouldn't. I hardly knew what to do about the fact. Like the fact that even now when the mission blew up in our faces (literally) and potential death at the hands of Erza (hopefully not too literally) I just let it go with one "Ah shucks" from him. Or the fact that anytime he gives me that 100-rays of sunshine smile, my legs feel like putty and my heart starts beating so fast it feels like I've run a marathon. Or the fact that every time he calls me "Luce" I can't help but feel like I've won the lottery. Or finally the fact that when he says stupid things like "I don't need a girlfriend Lucy, I have you" makes me want to simultaneously dig my own grave AND sing at the top of my lungs with joy, is just crazy. Because, within the last year I have realized something and it makes me want cry and hide from the rest of the world. Especially Natsu. I don't even know how to handle the fact so how in the world is my turnip-brain, dragon-slaying, best friend and partner suppose to get that I love him.

Me. Lucy Heartfilia in love with Natsu Dragneel.

And it sucks.

It hadn't always been like this. We had been friends and guild-mates for years and I had never thought of him in a romantic way... Okay, thats a lie, there had been a few times but they had just been little fantasies that I got over in a day or two once I came to my senses. I had NEVER seriously thought of him as potential boyfriend or husband material until almost exactly one year ago. It wasn't anything big... I just realized I felt different about him on my 23rd birthday.

Lucy's Past:

"Wow... I've been here for seven years (14 counting the time skip of Tenrou Island) but still... seven years of adventures and Fairytail." I thought as I woke up on my 23rd birthday. I yawned and stretched, sleepy but excited wondering what today held. Over the past few years I had tried to keep my birthday pretty inconspicuous but a month ago Mirajane and suddenly announced to the entire guild that everyone had to be back at Fairytail in exactly 30 days and nobody was allowed to take missions today. When asked why such a rule was happening she smiled and simply said, "Because its Lucy's birthday and we need to do something special for her."

Nab whined, "But what if I finally find the perfect job for me and go on a mission?"

One look from Mirajane's Satan Soul had ended all discussion. Since then everyone had been on the "hush-hush" about my big day and I hadn't heard anyone openly discuss it since, but I knew that if Mirajane was in charge I had nothing to worry about.

I giggled at the thought and hummed as I walked down the stairs, "I wondered what everyone got me?..." This was my happy thought as I walked into the kitchen where a loud, "BUUURRRPP," welcomed me.

"HAHAHA! Nice one Happy!"

My eyes popped open! Natsu and Happy were sitting at my table with the fridge wide open and it was completely empty!

Natsu grinned, "Hey Lucy!"

"Why are you in my house!" I screamed, "I've told you a million times! IT'S RUDE TO BARGE IN!" I stalked forward and grabbed a fish-roll that Happy was about to stuff in his mouth and snatched it away, "AND YOU ATE ALL MY FOOD!"

"Wow Lucy, someone woke up on the grumpy-side of the bed." Natsu leaned back in his chair, a toothpick sticking out of his mouth, "Happy and I just wanted a head start on finding a new mission."

While Natsu had been talking, I had been holding the fish-roll in one hand above my head, while with the other held down Happy from jumping up and grabbing it, but at Natsu's words, I stopped and stared at him, "What? What you talking about a new mission?"

Natsu now stared at me and said, "Yeah a mission... you know those things that make you money so you don't get kicked out of this apartment. Happy and I have found some awesome ones and we came to pick you up so we could get going."

I shook my head, and let my hand drop and Happy immediately grabbed the fish-roll away. "But we're not going on missions today," I said still confused.

Natsu asked just as confused, "Why wouldn't we go on a mission today?"

I stared him down trying to decide if this was a joke or not. But it had to be... surely Natsu wouldn't forget my birthday. I forced a laugh, "Come on stop playing dumb. What's the real reason for you coming over."

"I'm not playing dumb," Natsu paused. "I mean... I'm NOT dumb. I don't understand what's wrong. Our reason for coming over is so we could start a new mission. Right Happy?"

"Aye sir!" The exceed said his mouth still full of food, "I want to go on one where we can catch some fish!"

"And not have to go on the train!" Natsu nodded, "So what do you say Luce- you coming or not?"

They didn't know. No doubt about it. Natsu wasn't that good of an actor and after so many years, I could tell when he was lying. They really had forgotten, or maybe didn't know about it.

It hurt actually.

I mean I understand that the world and my friends don't revolve around me but still...

It hurt.

I felt my eyes start to moist and that triggered my anger. Why can't I be cool and play it off that I don't care? I don't want to feel bad on my birthday! And why does it hurt so much?!

"GET OUT NOW! I DON'T WANT TO GO ON A STUPID MISSION WITH YOU!"

I jumped forward, grabbed Happy, who gave a small yowl, and shoved him into Natsu's arms. I then pulled Natsu out of his chair and pushed both of them towards the front door. "Lucy what the heck is wrong with..." Natsu asked while allowing me to push him.

"JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!" I finally got to the front door, opened it and shoved them both outside.

"LUCY!" I heard a voice from farther down the road call, but I didn't want anyone else to see me right now and I slammed the door. I turned around and sunk down onto the floor fighting the tears, but one slipped out. I angrily wiped it away. Why should I cry? Just because one person forgot? Who cares? I went years without people celebrating my birthday and I KNOW that my other friends will be there later today, so why should I care that the stupid pink-haired flamethrower forgot huh? I take a deep breath and calm my nerves. Which is about the time I hear the commotion on the other side of the door.

There's a scuffling sound, accompanied with yells and cries of pain. Confused, I warily stand up and take a deep breath before opening the front door. I am confronted with the image of Erza pinning Natsu down with her knee in his back while holding his arms up behind him and Gray holding onto Happy's tail as he tries to fly away.

"How could you forget it was her birthday Natsu! We have only been talking about if for a month now! For your flagrant act of forgetfulness, you shall be punished with 2,999 of the 3,000 torturing stretches that I know!" Erza pulled his arms a little higher and Natsu let out a yelp, "We didn't mean to! We were just so hungry!"

"Aye sir!" The little cat called as he tried to flap his wings harder and escape Gray's clutches.

"Not so fast! Both you and flame-for-brains need to apologize," Gray said shaking his head, " Come on Natsu, when are you going to grow up?"

"Why don't you come down here and say that to my face you ugly ice princess!" Natsu growled out, but let out another yelp as Erza kneed him harder.

Erza lifted her head and saw me standing in the doorway. "Lucy!" She glanced back down at her prey, "Here is your chance to make it up Natsu." She let him go and stood up, "You too Happy," Erza pointed at the cat, her expression saying not to argue. Happy let out a squeak and flew to kneel besides Natsu. Once Natsu had caught his breath, and could feel his arms again, both he and the little Exceed looked up at me. Both wore sheepish expressions.

"Hurry it up!" Erza barked.

They both jumped a little. Happy meekly replied, "Sorry Lucy that I forgot it was your birthday... but I promise that the next fish I catch I'll give it to you!" Happy smiled shyly and I couldn't help but feel a little touched by the fish-obsessed kitten. I felt my anger start to calm.

"Its okay Happy, thank you." I took a deep breath, then looked up at Erza and Gray, "Thanks guys for protecting my birthday but its okay, they don't need to apologize. We should just get..."

"Of course we do!" Natsu interrupted and stood up quickly, adjusting his scarf since it had been mussed up during the skirmish with Erza. "Lucy! Its your birthday and we should have remembered, empty stomach or not!" He took a step forward and grabbed my shoulders, "You're our guild-mate and partner, you should always be the first one we apologize to! And what's more, you're our best friend which makes this mistake even worse." He looked down, took a breath, then up again and his onyx eyes locked onto mine, "I'm so sorry Lucy. My bad." I smiled at him and brought my right hand across my chest and laid it on top of his hand that was still resting on my shoulder.

"Thanks. And you're forgiven."

Erza came up behind Natsu, "I suppose I won't perform the rest of the 2,999 stretches, but only because Lucy forgave you!" She slapped Nastu on the back, and Natsu went white with pain, "But its too bad! They are actually quite good for your health. I do 500 each morning myself."

"You what!?" I asked shocked!

Erza just held up her hand, "I'll teach you another time. But for now quickly go and get dressed Lucy! There is birthday cake to be feasted upon at the guildhall and Mirajane insisted we had to wait for you to come before we were allowed to partake. Gray and I volunteered to come fetch you so we could continue with the celebration in full!"

"Cake for breakfast? Seems a little sweet for this hour..."

"There's also a buffet set up with all types of food: breakfast, lunch and dinner," Gray chuckled as he walked up besides Erza, "She's just only concerned about the cake."

"Really!? Just give a few minutes and I'll be right down!" I squealed in delight, "This sounds like its gonna be the best birthday yet!"

"Agreed." Erza nodded

"Only if we get there before Droy, or we might not get any food," Gray gave his signature sarcastic smile.

I grinned and ran upstairs, throwing on my usual blue and white crop top and skirt, and quickly pulled my hair into two pigtails. As I ran back downstairs, Natsu was sitting on my couch holding his head in his hands and I could hear the others outside.

"What are you doing?" I asked confused.

He brought his head up, "Hey... I just... I still feel bad about this morning and now I totally get why you were upset... I'd be too."

I smiled faintly, "It really is okay... and I probably overreacted. So its both our faults."

He shook his head, his pink hair moving side to side, and solemnly proclaimed, "No. It's just mine."

I laughed nervously, not knowing what to do with this serious Natsu, "Well... it doesn't really matter now! Come on! They're waiting for us!"

I turned around and started walking towards the door when I felt hands reach around my waist and pull me back. I felt myself pulled up against Natsu's warm and firm body while his arms enveloped me from behind, "Natsu..." I said breathily, "What are you..."

"Sorry again Luce. I can't believe I forgot." He whispered. I felt his forehead rest on top of the back of my head.

My eyes were wide and my throat felt funny, but I was able to squeak out, "Its fine... I already forgave you."

"I promise... I'll never forget your birthday again." Thats when he let his arms drop and stepped away. And for some reason, I felt emptier in that moment then I had the entire morning. But I didn't want him to know THAT, so I turned around and punched him on the arm, "Yeah well ... you better! Or else I'll have to find some other, more competent dragon-slayer to team up with!" I closed my eyes and grinned up at him, positive if I kept my eyes open, he'd see... whatever... I was feeling at that moment, and all I knew is that I could NOT let happen. I turned quickly and said, "Come on lets go!"

...

The rest of the day had been wonderful, lots of partying, cake and celebrations. All of our friends from other guilds had come too (Sabertooth, Lamia Scale, Mermaid Heel, etc.) and it was great to see them. But I could not shake the feeling of Natsu's arms around me and how... wonderful it had felt. Late that evening when I finally tumbled into my bed my last thought was, "Why do I feel this way?"

Like I said... it wasn't something big that made me start to fall in love. And my feelings never went away.

In fact in the following months, my feelings on that fateful day grew stronger and stronger until one day months later, I woke up and had the terrifying realization that I was in love with Natsu. And because since I am an adult and can deal with any situation I, of course, was able to handle my feelings in a mature and completely uncrazy way, right? WRONG! To hide my feelings, I started biting out at all of the flaws I saw in Natsu, because I figured if I only saw everything that was wrong with him, I'd forget all the other amazing things about him! That should work! But instead... it just made my guild-mates worried.

"I can partner with Natsu for awhile Lucy," Wendy offered nervously.

"Why would you want to do that?" I asked genuinely confused. I was at the guildhall early one moring eating breakfast when Wendy approached me, "He's super annoying and basically destroys everything he touches... believe me he's the biggest headache in the world."

"Yeah... maybe... I just thought that you'd well... might want to let someone else deal with Natsu."

"ME? Why would you think that?"

Wendy glacned down nervously, her dark blue bangs covering her eyes, "No reason... I just thought..."

"She thought you would like a break since everyone at the guild has noticed how you are always at Natsu's throat?" A cool voice said from behind. Carla walked around and stood by Wendy, "Honestly Lucy, we all have eyes and ears. And for the past few months, all we've ever hear is how you cannot stand to be around Natsu. Wendy is offering help to ease this burden if you allow it... but I see that you don't even realize it yourself." She folded her arms and let out a sigh, "Honestly... to this day you humans still confuse me!"

"What?! Really?! Everyone at the guild thinks that I am dying to get away from Natsu!?" My eyes wide, and on the inside my head was yelling, "YES!" while my heart was screaming, "NO!"

"Well... its not that we don't get it... I mean... Natsu can be really annoying... but it just seems that... well... you know... what Carla said." Wendy ended her sentence quietly.

"Speak up Child! No one can hear you when you let your sentences drop off! How many times do I..." as Carla started to lecture Wendy on speaking properly my mind went into a tizzy. ME? Wanting to separate from Natsu? Was I really getting so emotional that the rest of the guild could see it?

"But Gray and Natsu are always fighting and getting into arguments! Why are you concerned about just me? It's not like we haven't fought before." I stubbornly proclaimed. Why were they trying to separate me from Natsu?!

"We say this because Natsu and Gray don't take their arguing to heart. They will always fight, but they will always be okay with that. Its a mutual understanding. Your behavior towards Natsu though is... disconcerting. We have all been wondering what Natsu did to you that has upset you so much that your attitude towards him has been hostile all this time." Carla explained, one of her eyebrows raising, "So we've finally decided to confront you. What did Natsu do?"

"He hasn't done anything..." I stuttered, "I didn't even realize... how could I be so..." I looked down and felt my frustration grow. "Way to go Lucy," I thought angrily, "You can't let it show that you like him, so you make everyone think that you HATE him... wow, what a mature adult you are."

"It really wasn't him. Its me. I guess... I've just been dealing with somethings and since he's the one I'm always around... I let that negativity spill over into our relationship." I hesitated, "Has... has Natsu said anything? Did you ask him if he knew what was going on?"

"Of course we did. In fact I'm sure there hasn't been one person in this guild who hasn't asked him what the problem is." Carla brushed herself, not meeting my eyes.

"But Natsu told everyone that its fine. He said your just holding him to a higher standard and he's not meeting it yet, which is why you're annoyed." Wendy piped in helpfully.

I just shook my head, "I don't know what that's about..." DID HE KNOW I LIKED HIM!? DOES HE LIKE ME?!

"Well he told me that you probably just had horrible indigestion and hadn't been able to, excuse my language, 'pass it' yet." Carla blushed.

"Yeah..." Wendy said, "He also seemed a little confused."

And there goes THAT theory.

I looked down. What if... what if I really DID need to get away from Natsu? Ever since my birthday, I couldn't remember one day where I hadn't at least seen or spoken to him. Most of this last year we'd been away on missions with the rest of our team, but even when we were taking a break and back at home, I'd always come to the guild and speak or eat with him. And if I didn't go to the guild, he and Happy would usually end up breaking into my house at some point (it always seemed to be at the most inconvenient times) and I'd see him there. But that couldn't be normal, right? I mean... we are best friends but even friends need a break from one another... especially if one friend is being a crazy-emotional-bitch who can only think about all the naughty things that the other friend could do to her anytime he spoke, but treats him worse so nobody will know. Yeah... a break might not be too bad.

"Thanks Wendy and Carla. You guys... gave me a lot to think about... and I appreciate your offer and I'll take you up on it. Natsu and I were leaving on a short mission later today. Let's go find him and tell him the change of plans."

"Really?" Wendy asked surprised.

"Of course... It makes sense what you're saying... and you're right. I think we DO need a break... I guess I just needed to hear it from somebody else." I looked around and couldn't find the tell-tell sign of pink hair or the blue ball of fur that was always by his side. "It doesn't look like he's here right now... I bet he is probably at home packing up. I'll run over and let him know the plans, so how about you go get ready yourself?"

"Okay! I'll see you later Lucy!" Wendy grinned, then she and Carla started to walk away.

I called out after them, "And thanks again Wendy for... letting me know."

"What are friends for?" She waved and walked out the door.

"I am surrounded by great friends..." I mentally kicked myself, "So why am I being an awful one?"

I left the guildhall and made my slowly up to Natsu and Happy's shack telling myself the entire time that this was fine and the world wasn't coming to end just because I wasn't going on one mission with him. When I reach their house I took a deep breath and knocked on the door, "Natsu! Happy! Are you in there?"

I heard some shuffling and then a loud banging noise and some yelling, when suddenly the door flew open and a bed-head Natsu was staring me in the face.

"WHY DOES HE LOOK SO CUTE?!" My panicked mind went berserk.

"Hey Lucy," he yawned, "Is it time to go? Happy already left to catch some fish for the mission and I was just getting ready..."

I laughed and folded my arms, "Yeah, sure you were... but actually talking about the mission, I decided that I need to do some things at home today so..."

"So we doin' it tomorrow?" He stretched his arms above his head, giving me a WAAAY to good look at his abs, chest, biceps... *heavy breathing*

"Nnnoo..." I blinked to stop ogling him, "Actually I've decided not to go... But you don't have to worry about not having a partner! Wendy volunteered to take my place, so it will be you two this time.

For a moment he just looked at me, his eyes wide and I could just see the wheels turning in his head. "Wait... you mean you're not coming? We're not going on this mission together?! WHY? Whats SO important?!"

Whoa... Natsu looked angry. "Just some personal stuff Natsu... and its not like this is a hard mission. You could probably handle it on your own but Wendy was nice enough to want to go with you. I'm not sure WHY you are upset..."

"I'M NOT UPSET!"

I cocked my head, "Yeah... okay... anyway, think about it this way, what if this is a good thing?"

"Yeah, like how?" he growled out.

"Well... we've been together, like, literally all time recently so... we can think of this as... taking a break and recharging!" I could feel annoyance start to creep in... why was he being so stubborn? "And I don't appreciate the third degree just because I have something else to do!"

"You didn't mention this 'important stuff' before! I thought we were a team!"

"We ARE a TEAM! And just found out today that I am being a HORRIBLE teammate!" I finally yelled back. My eyes went wide and I covered my mouth with both of my hands.

"WHAT?!" Natsu asked, irritated, "WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT?!"

"NOTHING!" I took a step back and looked down, "NO-thing... Just that I realized... I haven't been treating you like how a guildmate and friend should. And I just think I need a break to... figure stuff out."

"Who told you that Luce?" Natsu took a step forward, all of his anger from a moment ago seemingly gone, and we were only inches apart, "What have people told you? Have they been asking you weird questions? Because they asked me too and I already told them everything's fine! You don't have to worry about me Luce!"

"It's not okay Natsu... I think I've just been... dealing with things very poorly and I unfortunately took it out on you."

"Lucy..." I saw from the corner of my eye his arms start to come up and I knew he was going to hug me.

I jumped backwards out of his reach. "I can't handle your friendship right now!" My mind screamed, "I can't handle it because I don't want to ACCEPT that's all we'll ever be!"

I stood frozen. That was it. As plain as day. I was treating Natsu like trash because I wanted more then what he was willing to give me.

I guess I'm an all or nothing sort of girl. Either you LOVE me... or hate me.

I've been trying to get Natsu to hate me.

I've... I've got problems.

I looked back up at Natsu, who's adorably cute face was twisted in confusion and... pain?

"Pain for his best friend hurting. And he doesn't know how to fix it." My mind informed me.

"Natsu... I can't explain what's going on right now. I don't know if I understand it myself but... please just go on this mission with Wendy."

"... If that's what you want Lucy." He let his hands drop back to his sides, "But what about you?"

"I'll be fine..." a thought came to my head and as much as I hated it... I realized I needed to say it, "And when you come back... can we not see each other? I just need to be by myself for awhile... to figure this all out."

"But Lucy!"

"Please?" I whispered as I felt tears starting to fall.

Natsu took a step back, his face scrunching up even tighter and it looked like he was about to burst... then he let out a long breath.

"Yeah. I'll let you 'recharge'."

"Thanks." I smiled through my tears and I brought my hand up to wipe them away, "Sss...ssoorrry... I'm being such a baby."

"Nah, its okay Luce. I don't get it, but I can accept it."

"Wendy is probably waiting for you at the guildhall... You better get going." I turned and quickly started to walk away.

"Bye Luce." His voice called out after me, but I didn't look back.

...

That had been month ago and since then, Natsu and I had only seen each other when absolutely necessary. He stopped breaking into my house and I'd even asked not to be part of regular missions for awhile, stating that I was so close to finishing my book that I couldn't stop.

"How will you pay for your rent Lucy?" Levy asked me one day, "You haven't been taking any missions lately... Aren't you going to get evicted?"

"I have some money in savings... its enough for this month at least."

"Well... as long as you're okay. I can't wait to read your book! It must be almost done by now!"

"Kinda..." I lied, feeling like a jerk, "But... I don't know... its still pretty rough."

"I'm sure it's great!" Levy proclaimed with a smile

"Yeah... its great."

The "avoiding Natsu until I didn't love him anymore or until I die" plan was going well until yesterday, when a S-Class mission came that specifically requested our 5 man and 2 exceed team.

We'd been asked to hunt down a notorious gang leader Valentino and put an end to all his illegal activities. Apparently the man and his thugs were selling dark magic artifacts to anyone with a big enough check. His operation had been ongoing for months, even with several attempts were made by local police and wizard guilds to capture him. But they never even got close to finding him, let alone putting him under arrest. He had been successful so far because nobody knew where he was hiding... at least his exact location. The town that hired us, Theisseilwood, knew that he was somewhere in the canyons and forests that were east of them, but there are so many caves and secret places that it would take months on end to find him, and from what they knew, he was constantly moving his base of operations. So they called upon "Fiore's Number 1 Guild" and requested "Fairytail's Best Team." Erza immediately took the job saying it was an opportunity to "not only end evil activities, but also to stretch our detective skills" so of course our team: Erza, Natsu/Happy, Gray, Wendy/Carla, and myself were off on a new mission.

I was upset about the decision.

Not because I didn't want to save the town or stop this creep Valentino, its just... SO awkward teaming up with Natsu again because DAMMIT I still love him.

But... in the end they needed help so we took the job. The town was an entire day's ride away and it took all of Erza's persuasion to get Natsu and Wendy to take the train with us. Erza finally had to knock Natsu out and have Wendy take a sleeping potion. I was glad that Natsu wasn't awake. We didn't really know what to say to each other... and anytime I thought about approaching him, I chickened out. WHY AM I SUCH A LOSER?!

We'd arrived just as the sun was setting and were immediately greeted by the mayor, a man named Peter. He'd informed us that three of Valentino's thugs had just come through town, recking some shops and stealing from the local bar. If we were quick enough we might be able to catch them. Two had gone into the forest, one headed south the other north, and the third had gone into the canyons. Erza immediately split us into teams to find and apprehend them.

This Past Evening:

"Wendy and Gray- go after the one headed south, I shall find the one traveling north, and Natsu! You and Lucy go after the one in the canyons. Find them and get them to tell you where Valentino is hiding. Once you've got the location, return immediately to town and light a signal in the sky, so we all know to return as well. Once we've regrouped, we will hunt them down together. Understood?" Erza stared all of us down.

"Yes ma'am!" We all chirped back.

"Then lets move!"

"Alright! I'm fired up now!" Natsu punched his fist into his his open palm, "Let's get these guys! Come on Lucy!"

"Maybe I should go with Wendy..." I said faintly.

"And leave me with 'ol droopy eyes! Not a chance Luce!" He ran forward and grabbed my hand, "Besides it's been too long since we've been on a mission together!"

"SHUTUP loser! I wouldn't want to go with you either!" Gray yelled.

"Affirmative. Having Gray and Natsu together would just erupt in unnecessary fighting. Go with Natsu Lucy." Erza commanded.

"SWEET!" Natsu crowed and started hauling me towards the canyon.

"Hold up." Erza grabbed the dragon-slayer's scarf as he went past, "Did you understand my instructions? Do not pummel the suspect too much. We need information and while having one source is good, capturing all three culprits seems critical to getting an accurate location of Valentino's whereabouts. You got that?"

"Yeah, yeah. Don't beat the guy to a pulp. Come on Erza, this is me you're talking to! I won't let myself get carried away!"

"Lucy..." Erza sighed.

"Yeah... I'll try my best to keep him under control." I grimaced.

Like thats going to happen.

...

"I'm screwed. Erza's gonna beat ME to a pulp." I whined as we finally got to the mouth of the canyon.

"Ah come on Luce... it won't be that bad. I mean we did catch the guy!" Natsu turned his head and grinned, "Besides doesn't this feel great?! Getting out on a mission again and beating up some bad guys?!"

"Well... I have missed fighting side-by-side with my Celestial spirits. And getting to wear the cute Celestial Power Form outfits." I sashayed the skirt of my Leo form dress as I walked.

"AND teaming up with me again! Right Lucy?" Natsu had turned completely around and was looking at me with real curiosity and... a little bit of shyness.

I also smiled shyly, "Yeah... definitely."

He grinned, "Alright! Team Natsu's back!"

"Why can't it be Team Lucy? When did we ever decide on a name?" I pointed out.

"Because... N comes after L in the alphabet!"

"What's that logic!? Going by that, it should definitely be Team Lucy!"

"No it shouldn't! It's because 'N' comes after your letter SOOO you should feel sorry for me and let it be Team Natsu!"

"It only comes after by ONE letter! And that's not even a good reason!"

"I think it is and I bet Happy agrees with me! Right pal?"

"Nay sir!"

"HAPPY!" Natsu gasped, "How could you betray me!"

"ALRIGHT HAPPY! Give me five... or four... since you're a cat..." I raised my hand up.

Happy just flew right past and landed in front of both of us, "Actually I think that it should be... TEAM HAPPY!"

"WHAT?!" Both Natsu and I yelled.

"And our mascot can be a fishy!" Happy cried out holding up a fish, "We can even write an anthem about it! 'OH TEAM HAPPY! FISH TASTE LIKE TAFFY!..."

"That's dumb! With Team Natsu we could totally make a cooler song! 'OH TEAM NATSU!...ah... WHAT'S... IT TO YOU!"

As we kept walking and bickering I couldn't help but think, "Yeah... I really did miss this."

...

*From higher up in the canyon, a set of eyes follows Natsu, Lucy and Happy as they argue back and forth while walking to town.*

"Should I go get Dwayne sir? He knows where our camp is." A shadowy figure spoke into a small glowing lacrima he was holding.

A sickeningly sweet and honeyed voice called back through, "Dwayne can't be forgiven after being caught. Go take care of him sugar, then get back to base."

"I sense strong magic sir. I'm not sure I'll be able to get to him without being caught myself."

"They can't find us or our supply. Take care of Dwayne.. and if you can't escape then don't allow yourself to interrogated, understand sugar?

"Completely sir. Harlo, out."

The figure returned the lacrima to his pocket and started down the small game trail that led back into town.

His eyes completely blank.

End of Chapter 1

YAY! Thanks for reading! Please review and comment, I know there is alway room for improvement!

I will be putting up stories as often as possible, which could be 2 or 3 times a week, depending on how much creative enthusiasm hits me. This chapter took me about 3 days so... we'll see what happens. BUT I do promise at least one chapter a week! See you later!