"Good to know you two are getting along so well, Natsu and Gray." Erza said as she passed the smiling bafoons.
Natsu and Gray smiled even more and Erza claimed her cake.
AND THEN...
Natsu and Lucy were making their way to the train station. Happy was floating behind them, off in his own little world.
"So hey, Lucy," Natsu said. "Why'd you go on that job quest with Gray?"
Lucy shrugged. "I needed my rent money."
Natsu shook his head. "You always need your rent money. But why didn't you ask me? I thought I was your teammate?"
At this comment, Lucy blushed. "Well of course, Natsu. But I just really needed my rent money."
Natsu only sighed. "Okay."
The two walked in silence for the rest of the way to the train station.
Later that day...
Natsu and Lucy arrived at the train station. Everything was fine. Until, of course, the train started moving. Lucy sighed and turned toward Happy. "How are things going with Carla?"
"She never takes the fish I offer her."
Lucy smiled. "Maybe you should stop eating the fish right in front of her after she refuses them. That might help..."
Happy seemed to contemplate this, then got lost in thought.
Lucy sighed. With Natsu immobile and Happy lost in his own world, this was going to be a very boring train ride to Shirotsume.
After a while, the train seemed to be slowing down. "Hey Happy," Lucy said. "Does the train feel like it's slowing down to you?"
Happy looked out the window. "We're deffinitely slowing down, but we're nowhere near Shirotsume."
As the train neared a stop, Natsu began to stir. "We're there already?"
Happy shook his head. "We're only stopping."
Natsu was puzzled. "Why?"
Lucy shrugged. "I don't know. Maybe they'll tell us."
Just then, the train's conductor announced: "I'm sorry to announce that the train is experiencing some difficulties. We will be up and running by morning."
Natsu smiled. "Awesome! No more moving objects. Lucy, we should walk."
"What?! Natsu, we're not even half where there. It will take forever!"
"It's better than waiting for this train forever."
Lucy shook her head. "Not forever, Natsu. Just until morning."
"Yeah, but we need to be at the shelter by morning. Come on, Lucy. Let's walk."
Happy agreed. "Natsu's right, Lucy."
Lucy sighed, but reluctantly agreed. "Alright, then. Let's go."
The trio made it all the way to the front of the train when, suddenly, all the lights flickered off and there was a loud cackle.
"Good luck getting off this train," came a sinister voice from the behind them.
Instinctively, Lucy turned around and grabbed her keys. "Who said that?"
There was another cackle before someone emerged from the shadows. "Tis I, the LOVE DOCTOR! I have come to help you two fall madly IN LOVE!"
Lucy and Natsu looked at each other, and then quickly looked away, both of them slightly blushing.
"Yo, what are you talking about?" Natsu asked.
"I'm talking about you and your LADY friend." The Love Doctor wriggled with every word. "She obviously llllllllikes you!"
"Hey!" Happy turned, finally aware of everything that was going on. "That's my line!"
Lucy blushed even harder. "Listen, we're just trying to get to Shirotsume to help at a pet shelter. We don't have time for this."
"Nonsense! Come come, with me. You will fall in LOVE!" He grabbed Lucy's hand and tried to drag her down the train, but before he could even take a step, Natsu flamed up.
"Let go of her!"
The Love Doctor yelped and let go of Lucy. After staring at Natsu for a while, a creepy smile spread across his face. "I can see that you already-"
"Lllllllllllllllllllike her," Happy cut in.
Natsu and Lucy blushed even harder and turned away from each other.
"My work here is done!" The Love Doctor announced. "Commrades, start this train! These two need to get to Shirotsume by morning!"
Slowly, but surely, the train was finally back up to full speed, and Natsu was back to being immobile. Everything was back to normal-until the trio arrived at the pet shelter...