Forgot the disclaimer last time: I don't and will never own fairy tail. Particularly because I can't draw. I know this is an early update, but I felt motivated by the reviews! Thank you all, and please don't forget to review as we go on!
Lucy stared at her father in shock. She knew he was desperate for money, but she never thought he would ever do this to her. This was her life he was changing. Her future.
"No." She said firmly. "No. You do not have a say in how I live my life. I've made that clear."
She turned to leave, but her father grabbed her wrist.
"Please, little one." He begged, his voice choked with emotion.
Lucy felt her determination begin to waver. He hadn't called her that in years. She could sense the desperation rolling off him in waves. Perhaps she should help him... not get married, obviously, but help some how.
She felt unsure of what to do, but before she could even make a decision she found herself once again unceremoniously thrown over a shoulder.
Natsu barged people out of the way, and flung the guild doors open.
"Natsu!" Lucy exclaimed.
He didn't answer, but merely continued to run, jostling Lucy as he did so. She gave up struggling with an exasperated sigh and noticed that he was heading towards her home. For once he decided to use the front door, ignoring Lucy's landlady as she shouted for rent money. Once in the apartment he dumped Lucy on the floor.
"Pack." He said. "But lightly."
Lucy stared at him. He barely seemed to be the Natsu that she knew. He stood upright and serious, his mouth set in a straight line, his eyes focused on something behind her.
"Natsu?" She breathed questioningly.
His eyes found hers.
"Just do it. Please." He implored.
Lucy simply nodded.
Natsu groaned. He felt like death. He tried to focus on Lucy's hands as they smoothed his hair comfortingly. Why had he forced them on a train of all transports?
Because you wanted to get Lucy as far away from her father and as quickly as possible, a voice in his head answered. He groaned again. He had seen the look in her father's eye when Lucy had looked like she might give in. It was a look of triumph and malice. There was no way he would compromise with Lucy.
"Natsu?" Lucy softly broke his reverie. He moaned in reply.
"Where are we going?" She asked, still playing with his hair.
"I don't know." he admitted. "Somewhere new." Where your father can't find you, he added silently.
"That would be nice." She replied.
There was a comfortable silence for a while in which Natsu allowed himself to be soothed by Lucy. Just as he was beginning to fall asleep he heard two words, gently spoken.
"Thank you."
"I DEMAND TO KNOW WHERE MY DAUGHTER IS!"
"Jude. Calm down." Makarov responded, clearly annoyed. He, Jude, Mira and Erza were in Makarov's office, in both an attempt to gain privacy and to hide Jude from some very angry guild members.
Jude slammed his fist on the desk in anger, making Mira jump. Erza rose from behind Makarov and drew her sword, pointing it at Jude. Mira smiled to herself, Erza was always so rash.
"Do not act that way." Erza said shortly.
"Erza. It's fine." Makarov dismissed her. She reluctantly sheathed her sword, but stayed standing, her hands on her hips.
Makarov turned his attention back to a now pacing Jude.
"I don't know where she is. And I suspect if she doesn't want to be found she won't be. Perhaps if you had included her in your decisions your daughter wouldn't have fled from you. Do not expect any sympathy or help from this guild. Lucy is our family. Our daughter, sister, niece and cousin. We will support her through anything and she will always have a home here. The same cannot be said for you. I trust you remember the way out." Makarov growled. Mira smiled. Master Makarov did always have a way with words.
"Now, see here!" Jude blustered.
"Erza?" Makarov asked.
With a flash Erza's sword was pointed at the base of Jude's neck.
"You..haven't heard the last of this!" Jude said shakily and left with as much dignity he could.
"Master?" Mira asked. "What are we going to do?"
"I meant what I said. If Natsu and Lucy don't want to be found. I doubt they will. We will just have to wait patiently for them to reach out to us." Makarov said sadly.
Mira felt tears spring to her eyes.
"Poor Lucy." She breathed. Erza clamped a hand against Mira's back in an attempt to console her.
"Don't worry Mira, sooner or later Natsu is bound to destroy something and we will find where they are." She smiled.
"Yes, but so will Lucy's father!" Mira sobbed.
Erza had no answer for that.
"Natsu, please just light the fire! I'm freezing!" Lucy said through chattering teeth.
"No Lucy, we can't use our magic!" Natsu puffed. "I've explained that. They might use it to find us."
Lucy sighed and went back to trying to light the sodden logs. The pair were in a rented single room cabin on the outskirts of a small village named Heiwa. Unfortunately, torrential rain had drenched the logs they were given for the fireplace as well as the duo themselves. They had changed into dry clothes, and Lucy had swaddled herself in many blankets, but the biting chill of the air still stung. Lucy flung the flint down.
"I give up." She said dramatically.
Natsu raised his eyebrow from where he lay on the cabin's only bed, his hands behind his head. Unlike Lucy, he was rather warm.
"Come here." He said.
"No." Lucy blushed. "I said I would sleep on the floor!"
"Luce. Come on." He said. "Or I'll just make you," he added with a devilish grin.
Lucy huffed and stood up, making her way towards the bed. In a flash, Natsu ripped away the blankets.
"Natsu!" Lucy scolded, freezing instantly.
Natsu ignored her and pulled her down on to the bed and draped the blankets over them. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. Lucy blushed deeper. Why was Natsu cuddling her? It was so unlike him!
Then she understood.
"Natsu! You're so warm!" She said, her inhibitions lost in the warmth.
They lay snug together for a bit.
"Luce?" Natsu asked. "Do you want to talk about it?"
Lucy stirred slightly. She didn't even know where to begin. Her head was a mess. She had run away from her home and new family to escape her old one. She wasn't ready to be married, especially to someone she didn't even know, for reasons she didn't agree with. She wanted to marry for love not money. It was one of the reasons she had left home in the first place!
"I don't think I can yet." She eventually whispered.
Natsu didn't answer. He just pulled her closer, until they both fell asleep.
"What do you mean, you don't know where she is?!" A voice angrily demanded.
Jude shook slightly, from where he knelt, his head bent in respect. "I am sorry my Lord." He grovelled.
"Need I remind you that you have a lot at stake here, Jude. If this wedding does not go ahead your debt will not be cleared." The voice sternly reverberated against the walls of the large room. It was a cold room, all the decorations were made from different stones and marbles. The voice came from a shadow clad silhouette sat upon a throne in front of Jude.
"I know." He replied.
"If you do not get your disobedient daughter back, you will have to pay in a more... distasteful manner. Am I understood?" The voice echoed sharply.
"Yes. I will get her back. Immediately." Jude stood up. "By any means possible."