'' thought ''
'' Speaking''
Arrival of the FirebirdChapter 1:
Just another mission...
Year 791
Lucy Heartfilia sat at the bar, enjoying the peace and quiet of the beautiful summer morning. She took a sip from her drink before turning on her barstool to survey the still slightly unfamiliar guildhall. It was weird to think about, it had only been a few weeks since they had come home from Tenrou, and discovered that 7 years had passed while they'd been frozen in time. The world had moved on, without giving them a second thought. Bisca and Alzack had married, Asuka had been born, Fairy Tail had gone from one of the biggest to one of the smallest guilds in Fiore and the guildhall had moved into a small rundown windmill outside of town... and Jude Heartfilia had died.
But despite everything that had happened, everyone seemed to settle back into their old lifestyle fairly quickly. Just a few stools' away from Lucy, Cana was drinking from a barrel of her favourite beer, Erza was polishing some of her various weapons, Wendy and Romeo talking while Charla sat nearby, Gray was making mini ice-sculptures out of boredom (not noticing that he'd lost his shirt somewhere), Juvia was for once not stalking him, but actually talking with him. Levy was reading a book, happily unaware of her surroundings, including Gajeel that was watching her from his dark corner, while eating a pile of scrap metal. Various other members mingled about, discussing missions, laughing, eating and generally minding their own business. All in all, it was a very peaceful and calm morning, mostly due to the fact that a certain pink haired dragon slayer had jet to arrive for the day. Though Lucy had a feeling that that was about to change.
As if summoned by that thought, the doors swung open just a few moments later, revealing Natsu, with Happy hovering over his shoulder, as they entered the guild with all their usual energy. Almost immediately, the blue exceed pulled a nicely wrapped fish out of his bag and made a b-line Charla, Wendy and Romeo's table, the children by now sporting identical blushes. Natsu grinned after his partner, before heading towards the bar were Lucy sat.
Lucy watched as Natsu entered and couldn't help but admire the way the light played on his soft-jet-spikey hair, and cast his handsome face in relief. Although she was slightly disappointed that he was wearing one of his new one-sleeved jackets instead of the open vest from before. '' Damn it, why did he have to go and hide that body of his? Those jackets take half the fun out of getting a piggy-back ride from him. Although I wouldn't mind taking it of him myself, preferably somewhere private... with a bed...and then I could touch as much as I want... Wait, were did that come from? I can't think of Natsu like that! He's my teammate for kami's sake! And he never thinks of me that way, he probably doesn't even know what love is... which is slightly depressing when I think about it''
'' Oy, Luce! You home?'' Lucy was startled out of her thoughts as a familiar voice called right next to her. Whipping around she prepared to give a lecture in how it was rude to shout in people's ears, only for it to die on her tongue as she came face to face with the subject of her wandering thoughts. Lucy could feel a blush rising on her cheeks as she realised how close they were, their noses just a couple inches apart. ''Kami, how did I never notice how beautiful his eyes are? They're like onyx mixed with black gold, or deep shaded forest pools. How can eyes even have that colour?'' And once again her brain betrayed her, making her fail to realise that Natsu had pulled back some and was actually talking.
'' … since it's been a while?'' again she could feel a blush crawl up her cheeks, darker than before, it almost felt like her face was burning. '' Sorry Natsu, I just a bit out of it today. What did you say?'' She couldn't help but feel like an idiot for having to ask. He was right next to her, for kami's sake. Natsu gave her a look that clearly said that he thought she was being weird again, but luckily he didn't give voice to the thought.
'' I was just asking if you wanted to go on a mission with me, just the two of us, since it's been a while?... but if you don't feel well...'' He straightened as he talked, managing to look both worried, eager and unsure at once. ''Does he have any idea how cute he is when he's worried?'' It was only when he lifted an eyebrow that Lucy realised that he waited for her to answer.
'' Don't worry, I'm fine, just thinking about everything that have happened, you know.'' She gave a reassuring smile '' And a mission sounds fun, we haven't really been on one without Gray and Erza since our first mission. And I need money for my rent'' Immediately Natsu's smile grew into his usual million jewel grin, before it turned mischievous as he responded with a twinkle in his eye.
'' Great, why don't you choose the mission this time? That is, if you want something else than fighting monsters''
Lucy giggled as she slipped of the stool and skipped over to the mission board, checking for a suitable mission. She was unaware of the dark eyes that followed her.
Natsu felt his expression soften as he watched the love of his life walk away to the other end of the bar, were the board was located. He sighed ''Love of my life, yea right. There is no way she would ever even consider me. She wants someone with good looks, manners and tender feelings, not someone that was raised in the wilds. I'm only her best friend... but as long as she's happy, that's all I need.'' At that he released another, more depressed sigh. He'd liked her since day one, but hadn't realised just how much he loved her when they stood hand in hand on Tenrou. And he'd been trying to show her that ever since they came home. But apparently Lucy, even with all her romance books and ''experience'', couldn't take a hint. Even when it was less like a hint, and more like a huge, brightly coloured neon sign flashing on front of her. It was always '' You such a good friend, I have the best teammate ever, I hope I meet someone like you etc.'' Seriously, how did she not get it?
''Hey, Natsu. How about this one?'' Natsu blinked back to the real world as a paper was held up in front of his face, another blink and the text came into focus. Apparently Lucy had found a mission. He sends Lucy one of his special ''Luce-smiles'' (gentler and truer than his normal grins) and gently took the paper from her, inwardly smirking at her blush, maybe she wasn't totally blind after all.
The mission looked simple enough, but had a good reward. It was from the Mayor of Impdale Town, a small village in the mountains along Fiore's eastern border. They needed capable mages to capture a thief with strange magical powers that was harassing Impdale and the surrounding area.
''Looks good, I get to kick some ass and the rewards good. It's more than enough to cover your rent for a couple months, Luce. When do you want to leave?'' Lucy smiled at her partner's eagerness and turned to lean her back against the bar, while Natsu waved Mira over to tell her they were taking the mission. She waited to white haired barmaid had gone back to serving the ever thirsty residents of Fairy Tail before speaking.
'' Well, Impdale Town is on the other side of Fiore, so we should leave as soon as possible. How about we meet at the train station in... 1 hour? And one of us should tell Gray and Erza were we're going, just so they know. And don't think we'd been kidnapped or something'' Lucy giggled at the last part, and she could see the humour in Natsu's intense eyes as well, and she had to look away to hide jet another blush.
''Sounds great, but do we have to take the train? I'd end up dead if I have to be on a train for that long! ...and could you tell the guys? I'd probably end up starting a fight or something''
The last part he added with an embarrassed look on his face, scratching the back of his head. Lucy had to bite her lip to keep from giggling at how cute he was being, but sweat dropped a few seconds later as she realised he had a point. He probably would end up starting a brawl if he tried to talk to his teammates, especially Gray.
'' Sure, I'll talk to them. And yes, we have to take the train, it'll take weeks with any other way of travel. You just go home and pack and meet me at the station in one hour, ok?'' Lucy tried hard to keep her voice normal, but some evidence of her suppressed laughter at the sight of Natsu's slightly green face managed to sneak in. Earning her a small glare from her pink haired teammate, before he gave a defeated sigh and jumped of the barstool and jogged out of the guild with a wave over his shoulder. Lucy allowed herself a few seconds to admire Natsu's retreating form before turning to find the other two members of Team Natsu.
Natsu called out to Happy before leaving the guildhall, using the action as an excuse to scan the guild and discreetly (he hoped) watch Lucy as she moved over to the table that was occupied by Fairy Tail's resident red haired sword maiden. And he couldn't help but thank the kami's for her taste in clothing. Today it was a pink V-necked T-shirt with the Fairy Tail symbol outlined in gold on the left side of her chest, right over her heart, and a white skirt that went halfway down her tights and had small golden stars along the hem. All in all, a very Lucy outfit. Shaking his head to distract himself from his thoughts that was starting to wander towards how easy it wold be to take those clothes of her, Natsu turned around to exit the guild as Happy zoomed towards him.
''Luce picked a mission for us, so I'm gonna go home and pack. We're gonna meet at the train-station in an hour, you wanna come?'' Natsu spoke as the little exceed hovered by his side, obviously wanting to zoom back to the other cats. Happy gave him a calculating look before answering, almost whispering.
'' You're gonna try to tell her, aren't you?'' Smiling slyly when Natsu gave a nervous nod ''I'm gonna stay here, I don't want to ruin anything. Have fun, and don't do something... naughty '' With those parting words, the blue-furred exceed flew away, snickering at his pink-headed partner's tomato coloured face. ''That cat is way too sneaky for his one, or anyone's, good... but at least I'm gonna be alone with Lucy... I'm gonna die...'' His thoughts kept going along the same lines as he walked home, resulting in a quite nervous dragon slayer. It didn't take long to pack the things he would need, but he used almost three quarters of an hour to actually find the items. Natsu slung his pack onto his shoulder and left his house, setting course for the station to meet his partner. As he arrived, he saw Lucy already there and waiting for him. ''Sorry, I couldn't find my bedroll'' He said as he jogged up to her, praying he wasn't to late. The blond cold be even more terrifying than Erza when she wanted to. '' It's alright, I just got here'' She smiled up at him before looking around '' Where's Happy? He's usually with you always.'' Natsu grinned at the question, rubbing his neck sheepishly as he answered.
''He, Charla and Lily has been planning to visit the other exceeds for a while now, so I told him to go with them'' Lucy nodded in understanding, before both of them turned to watch as their train slowed to a stop by the platform. As he let his partner enter first, Natsu couldn't help but feel like something was going to happen on this mission, something bad. He tried to push the feeling down, dismissing it as nerves since it was their first real mission sines they almost died at Tenrou. And as he sat down in his seat, and the train started to move, his stomach distracted him enough to stop thinking about it. Leaning back, one last thought went through his brain before he fell asleep ''After all, it is just another mission... right?''