A/N: GUESS WHO'S BACK, BIATCHES. Yeah, me, because I got laptop access. Huzzah. But enough of this, on with my wonderful NaLu filled story~
The moon's light shed softly on the town, all quite... Well, that WOULD be the case, if not for the ruckus of guards hunting after their prey, a thief by the name of "Salamander" had made the town of Era his target that year, and things were never quiet now. There was another chase, each night, and complaints were heard throughout the town, of either stolen goods, or it was too noisy, because the the rumors that he could move like a shadow. But of course, he was yet to steal his most valuable treasure
"There he is! Get 'im!" Authorities yelled, as they followed the dark figure with darted around the corner, splashing in a puddle as he did so. He leapt over boxes, barrels, and buildings, until he finally lost the cops in a dark alleyway.
He stopped, glancing behind him before smirking "Those stupid-GAH!" he was thrown offguard by a flier hitting him in the face. He growled lightly, as he peeled it off, scanning the page, reading it out loud, quietly; "Masquerade ball at the palace..." he turned, facing the direction of the tall, intricately detailed building.
He grinned, pronounced canines gleaming in the light of the moon "havin' a party an' not inviting me, eh?~ this'll be a piece of cake~" and with that, he turned on his heel, dashing off into the darkness.
Lucy sighed halfheartedly, as she wandered through the thick crowds of guests, most of which were men, and most of those men, only out to gain her favor, to later ask her hand in marriage. No thank you. All those men were shrews, and only cared for either her wealth, or generously endowed chest. It seemed no one here had any decency! So much for a party for people with "high stature", and her dream of meeting a charming prince, to sweep her off her feet...
Lucy was fixing to retire to her room, via a fake injury, or illness... But she was almost knocked over as someone practically rammed right into her.
Luckily, she caught herself before that had happened, and turned to see the tall figure of a man standing before her
"I-I'm so sorry! I didn't mean-" he started, but took a second to give her a quick once-over, as did Lucy, with him.
He was wearing all black from what she could see (with the exception of his white gloves), with a black coat, where the coattails reached his ankles, A black hat resembling a fedora, and what looked like a bandit mask, but slightly more detailed, and elegant. She couldn't make out any distinct features, aside from his tan skin, and deep, obsidian eyes, that seemed to reflect a rainbow of colors.
He grinned mischievously, and she noted he also had fangs... Sharp ones.
She shuddered
"you... You're the princess aren't you?~" He asked, holding back a light laugh
Lucy puffed her cheeks out, huffing "how could you tell? Was it the blonde hair? Such a stereo type..."
The man then proceeded in actually laughing "no, idiot, you're decked out as fancily as the chandelier~" he quipped, only causing Lucy to pout and mumble a 'oh yeah'. She was interrupted in her thoughts, as a gloved hand was held out towards her, making Lucy blink, and look up.
"Would you like to dance, then?" he asked smoothly. Lucy flushed. Instantly gripped his much larger hand with hers, and they walked into the middle of the ballroom.
Although he kept glancing around, like he was expecting something, Lucy throughly enjoyed it, because he was the first the not ogle her boobs like a kid in a candy shop. And she couldn't keep herself from damn blushing the entire time! She decided to inquire more about him, but was cut short when a sudden yell irrupted from the guards;
"There he is! Grab him!"
Lucy blinked, confused. But then realized they were talking about her dancing partner as he quickly jumped away from her.
"well, that's my cue to leave!" He yelled, as he sprinted swiftly to the nearest window
"Wait!" Lucy yelled after him, "What's you're name?!" to which she was answered with another smooth response, and a mischievous grin
"Just Salamander will work~"
And with that, he disappeared into the night. "Salamander..." she muttered under her breath. Was this love? Odd, she thought her chest would feel heavier... In fact, it actually felt lighter. She raised her hand to her collarbone, as if to check, but then realized something even more shocking.
"Eh? What happened to my necklace?" she asked herself, as she glanced down "And my bracelet too... And rings..." A look of disbelief struck her features, as she slowly raised her hand to the top of her head...
"EH?! A-All of my jewels are gone!" she gasped aloud, causing the caretakers to rush to her side.
"Are you OK? It must have been Salamander..." one said, before cursing under their breath
Lucy blinked "Salamander?"
Another nurse nodded "yeah, he's a world famous thief, who's been terrorizing Fiore for 6 years"
Lucy's expression turned to a more firm one, and she looked at the shattered window "I never knew..." she promised she'd see him again... Because, heck, she still couldn't get him out of her mind!
"I need a nap..." She sighed, with defeat, and turned to the stairs, to retire for the day.
"Oi! Salamander! Help me move these damned boxes wouldja?!" A gruff voice called from across the small shop.
"Hai, coming!" Another said in response.
Believe it or not, the "Salamander" was not here to loot this store, with his buddies. This was his day job. And his actual name was Natsu Dragneel. He worked at Mira's shop in the days, with his brother, Gajeel, and his Best Friend, Gray. And looted and pillaged in the night.
Both were very aware of his after hours work, and neither approved... Not like it'd stop him anyway.
Natsu picked up as crate as Gray started talking
"You made the front page again." He said, disapprovingly, as Natsu glanced over
"Yeah?~" Natsu chimed, as he went to the backroom, before coming back, empty-handed, and Gajeel entered the conversation
"Yeah, I heard you snuck into the castle last night" he observed, crossing his pierced arms "got handsy with her highness, eh?~"
Natsu froze for a few seconds, to have war with the blush that tried to work it's way to his cheeks. He didn't know why he was reacting this way, but damnit she was friggen gorgeous! And that smile too... GAH! He seriously needed to sort this out later.
"if by "handsy" you mean took her jewels... Then yeah" he finally said, talking carefully.
Gajeel and Gray smirked "oooh~!" Gray chimed "has the great Salamander fallen for the princess?~" Gajeel added
Natsu growled at them "I did not!"
Their argument didn't get far, as the bell chimed, and all three guys instantly swiveled to the door, and there stood Natsu's prize. Lucy Heartfilia.
It was then that he felt his throat run dry, and Gajeel and Gray snickered while shoving the shell-shocked young adult towards the girl.
"go on~" Gajeel urged
"help the costumer~" Gray quipped
Natsu quickly regained his composure, and approached the blonde beauty, while wiping his sweaty palms on his trousers.
"e-excuse me, can I help you?" He asked nervously, causing her brown eyes to avert, and look up at him, and smile.
"yeah, do you have any strawberries?~" she asked sweetly.
Natsu nodded, managing to calm his nerves, as he went and grabbed some for her, and proceeded to ring her up at the cash register.
"So... Not very often royalty comes in here... If ever" He finally said
Lucy nodded, looking distracted "yeah, I needed to clear my head..." she said, with a small smile
It wasn't long before her purchase was rung up, and Natsu escorted Lucy back to the shop doors, bur then she turned, and looked him in the eye skeptically, before saying;
"you know, you look really familiar..."
Natsu froze "a-ah, I get the a lot~ But I'm sure we haven't met before" he assured her, and Lucy nodded slowly "Yeah, I guess you're right..."
And with that, she turned, and left the store, the absent ding of the bell echoing in her wake/
This wouldn't do, Lucy thought to herself. Not at all.
"Ugh" she groaned, "Now I have TWO guys stuck in my head!" she fumed, as she made her way back home.