The Perfect Gift
Natsu and Happy quickly became overwhelmed by the vast array of shopping options in Magnolia's merchant center. There were clothing boutiques, jewelry stores, flower shops, restaurants. . . Restaurants?! After his stomach was full of spicy beef and fire whiskey, Natsu was ready to tackle anything.
"How about this?" Happy asked, holding up a small pink fishing rod. Natsu thought about how every time they would go fishing, Lucy would always just read a book in the shade. It must be because she doesn't have a fishing rod!
"Hmm, that seems pretty good. Now when we go fishing, Lucy can join us instead of just sitting around reading some boring book." Natsu was feeling pretty good about this idea until it suddenly dawned on him that Lucy liked books, and perhaps she'd prefer reading to fishing. Why would she bothering tagging along with us instead of just reading at home? She's really weird. . .
"Actually, maybe we should keep looking, just in case." Natsu decided. "We cant get Lucy just anything. We gotta think about something she'd really like to get."
"Aye, sir! Well, what do we know about Lucy?"
"Hmmm, let's see. . . She's a girl!"
"Okay, what kind of things do girls like?!"
That pair looked around and saw countless clothing stores, perfume shops, candy stores, salons, and. . . became overwhelmed again.
"I think we need to narrow this down some more. What else do we know about Lucy?" Natsu asked.
"Well, she's in Fairy Tail, so she's a mage. . ."
"Perfect!" Natsu exclaimed.
Natsu and Happy headed into the nearest magic shop and started browsing. There were all types of magical items: armor, amulets, potions, and weapons. A large, flaming sword quickly caught Natsu's eye. He picked it up and started swinging it around carelessly. The shop owner fearfully dove under the counter, wondering why he had chosen to start his business in the home town of Fiore's most destructive guild.
As Natsu swung the sword, fire balls erupted from the tip. He pointed the weapon at the open shop entrance and a swirling pillar of flames burst from the end of the sword. Natsu grinned from ear to ear. He lifted the sword into the air, unable to contain his excitement."Let's get this!" he exclaimed.
Happy hid behind him, his whole body shaking with fear. Confused, the dragon slayer looked around and noticed a smoking, charred figured standing in the doorway. He froze as Erza, smouldering, slowly clanked towards him surrounded by a murderous aura. She requipped into her Heavenly Wheel Armor, and Natsu whimpered as 100 swords suspended in midair pointed directly at him.
"Any last words?" Erza growled.
"P-please don't kill me?" Natsu said as he put his hands out in front of him and tried to smile.
"Why shouldn't I?"
"If you kill him, he'll never get to give his present to Lucy!" Happy said, too amused by Natsu's predicament to be afraid of Erza.
Erza lowered her swords, then requipped back into her normal armor, her interest piqued. She had a soft spot for Lucy. "What present?"
Natsu, sensing that he was no longer in danger, lifted the enormous, flaming sword in the air with a large grin on his face. More flames burst from the tip.
"That is for Lucy? What makes you think she would want a sword? Have you ever even seen her use one?" Erza asked, trying not to be too surprised by the dragon slayer's stupidity.
"She doesn't use one because she doesn't have one, duh! This'll be perfect! Now we can both use fire magic!" Natsu exclaimed, feeling as though he won the argument with his flawless logic. Natsu slurped the flames from the sword like he was eating noodles and belched smoke. The sword once again erupted into flames. "This is the coolest sword ever!" Natsu cheerfully exclaimed.
Erza couldn't help but smile at the thought of Lucy struggling to wield the heavy, flaming sword with Natsu triumphantly spewing flames by her side. Those two need all the help they can get, she thought to herself, shaking her head.
"Natsu, did you try thinking about Lucy's magic? Maybe you should get her something that she would be more comfortable using." Erza said patiently.
Natsu looked at the sword and frowned. He noticed a few keys on display towards the front of the shop. She's not just a mage, she's a Celestial Spirit mage. . . damn, this is really hard. . . Natsu thought as he walked towards the keys. Meanwhile, Erza spoke with the shopkeeper and told him to send the damage report and bills to Fairy Tail. The shopkeeper was appeased and gave her a large box from behind the counter.
"Well, I came to pick up my new armor, so I must be going now. Good luck, Natsu." she said as she left the shop and headed towards the guild hall.
Natsu looked at the silver keys frowning. There were no powerful spirits that Lucy could use for battle, just a couple of cutesy ones like Plue. He remembered how happy she was when she made her contract with Plue. She had purchased that key the same day that they met. He smiled and picked out Felis, a kitten celestial spirit. He also bought the sword, just in case.
"So when are you gonna give it to Lucy?" Happy asked as the two left the magic shop. Natsu felt pretty good about the gifts he'd bought, but the thought of giving them to Lucy made him feel sick for some reason. Maybe this wasn't such a good idea... he thought.
"Give what to Lucy?" a voice called from behind them. Cana, the resident drunk of Fairy Tail, mischievously stumbled over to them, a knowing grin on her face. She put her arm around Natsu's shoulders and walked along with him.
"None of your business." Natsu said, annoyed. Too many people knew he was trying to buy something for Lucy as it was. The last thing he needed was Cana teasing him and telling everyone about it.
"Don't tell me you're finally going to confess to her?" Cana said, trying to irritate him.
"Confess what?! I didn't do anything!" Natsu said, wondering what he was getting blamed for now.
"You're hopeless." Cana sighed. "I feel bad for you, so I'll help you out. Do you know what girls really like to get from guys?" She said with an evil smile. Natsu, oblivious to the fact that she was toying with him, became interested. "Every girl wants a boy to get her. . . sexy lingerie." she said as she steered him towards a fancy clothing store. Before Natsu could protest, they were standing in front of countless racks of bras and panties.
"L-like hell I'm getting her anything like this!" Natsu said, blushing.
"Think about all the times you've burst into her apartment. You know she loves this kind of thing." Cana insisted. This is too easy! she thought, trying to hide her amusement.
Natsu thought back to the last time he'd burst through her window unannounced. "Get out of here, you idiot!" she screamed as she kicked him out the window while wearing tiny pink ruffled panties and barely covering her large breasts with her arm. Natsu started drooling. Cana, getting a little grossed out standing next to Natsu while he was obviously having perverted thoughts, smacked him in the head and knocked him out of his daydream.
"How about this one?" she asked as she held up a lacy black bra with pink flames embroidered on the cup and matching panties. Natsu hesitated, but then thought about how she would look while wearing it. Well, Cana is a girl, so she'd know probably better than me. . . he tried to rationalize. He quickly snatched the lingerie from Cana's loose grip.
"Are you sure she'll like this?" Natsu asked innocently while looking at the lingerie. He really wanted to get her something nice.
"Definitely." Cana said, trying her best to sound sincere. "Good luck, Natsu! I can't wait to hear how it goes!" she said as she walked away laughing.
Natsu purchased the lingerie and headed home to wrap his presents for Lucy. His face was pale and he was feeling nauseated at the thought of giving these gifts to her.
"Are you sure about this?" Happy asked worriedly.
"What are you talking about?! This was your idea!" Natsu shouted, knowing who he was going to blame if this went badly. "I gotta do this. She needs to know." Natsu quickened his pace, full of determination. There was no backing out now.
