Chapter 3: The Spell of Love and Truth- Part One

Erza walked further into the room and grabbed onto Natsu's arm and dragged him upstairs. Lucy was left with Happy, along with Droy, Jet, and Elfman. Freed had already departed and decided to go for a run on the beach. The shouting Erza could be heard throughout the whole house. She was ranting and yelling at Natsu about learning when to argue and when to shut up, regardless of whether or not Gray started it. Lucy just sat down on the couch in shame. Why does he always act like that? Anyway, I wonder what Erza needed to talk to him about, she thought. Without realizing it, Levy and Mira were already sitting next to her.

"Oi Lucy, what's wrong? You look distracted," said Levy.

"Hmm? Oh Levy-chan, Mira-san I didn't notice you guys there…" said Lucy. She couldn't help but think of what happened in the Forest of Truth. Ever since we entered the town, Natsu has been acting like the normal crazy Natsu, but the Natsu I witnessed in the forest was much different. What happened back there? I wonder if he is trying to forget about it, she thought.

"I bet she is still thinking about what happened with Natsu," said Mira to Levy. She had a devilish smile on her face. At the moment, Lucy looked up at Mira's face and knew it was all a part of Mira's plan. She knew Mira must have talked the other guild members into leaving a day prior so Lucy and Natsu could be alone, well plus Happy. Mira has tried stuff like this in the past with her and Natsu as well as Levy and Gajeel and Gray and Juvia, but all those previous attempts had somewhat failed. This was the first time Lucy could think of that one of Mira's plans had actually worked somewhat well.

"Hmm, well yeah I am, Mira-san. I just still can't believe I went and did something that. But, I am happy it turned out this way," said Lucy. She was partially lying. She was hurt by the fact that Natsu seemed as if what happened in the Forest of Truth was a dream, but at the same time she was happy that she had finally realized her feelings for Natsu. I wonder why they call it the Forest of Truth anyway, thought Lucy.

"Anyway Levy-chan, where's Gajeel? I haven't seen him around yet," asked Lucy.

"Oh, he said he wasn't going to come. He said it was trivial trying to go and relax like this. Then he said something about going out with Panther Lily and entering him into some fights to show off his strength. He loves that cat," said Levy. She gave a half-hearted laugh followed by a sigh while looking the other away. Lucy could tell that Levy was a little hurt by the fact that Gajeel didn't come, but she also knew how much he loved Lily even though he never expressed it that way.

"Don't worry, Levy. I'm sure he likes you!" said Mira. She shot Levy a "be happy" smile.

"You know, he's just not very good at showing his emotions, but there is definitely something there!" added Lucy.

"I know, it's just frustrating sometimes…" as Levy said this, her voice trailed off. Mira and Lucy both looked at each other as if to say what should we say now?

Meanwhile, upstairs in one of the bedrooms...

"Natsu, you big idiot! We can't have you going around fighting Gray! If this house got damaged, I'd never hear the end of it from the owner or master!" shouted Erza. She was beyond pissed off. Natsu just sat on the bed looking at his feet. He took the scolding and yelling from Erza and decided not to say anything because it might accidentally make her even angrier.

"Anyway Natsu, we are only going to be in this town for a week. Once we get back to the guild, you can fight with Gray to your heart's content," said Erza. Natsu looked up at her to see her smiling at him. "Just try to avoid any unnecessary contact with him until we leave. Try hanging out with Lucy and Happy more. I'll tell her to make sure you stay away from Gray, too."

Natsu nodded and said, "Okay, I'll try to remember that. I don't want Lucy to have a bad time because I know how much she was looking forward to this vacation. She wouldn't stop talking about it."

"Well, I am glad to hear that," said Erza with a smile. "I'll make sure to tell Gray and Juvia the same things when I see them later. So anyway, speaking of Lucy, has anything changed between you two?" Erza decided she would try her luck at matchmaking, even though she was nowhere near as good at it as Mirajane was.

"Hmm? What do you mean?" asked Natsu.

"Well, did anything happen when you guys were heading over here through that forest?" Since Erza had already heard about what happened from Lucy, she figured she would try to see if she could get Natsu to reveal his emotions a little bit. She wanted to make sure Lucy wasn't going to be hurt by this thick-headed dragon slayer.

"Nope, nothing really worth mentioning, I think. I mean she was asking a little strange once we entered Cerulean though. But I figured it was because of that long walk here. Even I'm tired!" said Natsu followed by a big yawn. Erza thought he was lying at first, but she knew he wasn't because if he was lying, Natsu already knew what she would do to him. She wondered why it appeared as if Natsu forgot about what had happened and how he acted towards Lucy in the Forest of Truth. She needed to ask more questions before coming to a conclusion. Only after thinking this, did Erza realize Natsu was still talking to her.

"... anyway, to be completely honest, I don't really remember anything about what happened in that forest," stated Natsu.

"Wait, what? You don't remember? How could you not remember?!" asked Erza. She was beginning to raise her voice again.

Natsu jumped when he heard Erza's voice get louder. "Why are you getting mad again? Did something happen that I should remember? What happened?" questioned Natsu.

"I can't really say. Lucy seems to remember, but I wonder why you can't remember anything about that forest. What was it called again?" asked Erza.

"Uh, I think Lucy called it the Forest of Truth," said Natsu. He was starting to become worried. I don't know why I can't remember what happened, I just can't. I hope nothing happened between me and Lucy... Oh no! Maybe that's why she has been acting strangely since we entered this town. I must have made her mad! I'll go and ask her, thought Natsu.

"Well, I'll look into it and ask Levy. She might know why this is happening," said Erza. "Just make sure not to mention this to Lucy." Erza was worried that if Lucy heard about what happened, even if it was an accident, she might be heartbroken and embarrassed. Erza thought it would be in Lucy's best interest for her not to know for the time being.

"Okay," said Natsu as he let out a heavy sigh.

Back downstairs in the main hall...

"Anyway Levy-chan, Mira-san, do you guys want to grab some snacks and go sit out on the beach and star gaze? I could use the relaxation and I want to see what the nighttime sky looks like here in Cerulean. I bet it has beautiful natural light since I didn't see many lamp lacrimas in town and maybe I will get some good inspiration for my novel!" said Lucy.

"Sure!" said Mira and Levy in unison. All three of the girls went over to the bar area and grabbed some apples, pretzels, and peanut butter and put them into a bag. They then went over to the back sliding door where there was a closet full of beach towels. They grabbed 3 out and put them in the bag with the food. Just as they were heading out the door, Natsu and Erza came down from upstairs. I guess they finally finished talking, thought Lucy. She decided she would ask Natsu what they talked about after they got back from the beach.

"Oi Lucy, where are you guys going?" asked Natsu as he noticed she was just about to leave with Mira and Levy.

"Oh, Natsu! We are going to the beach to star gaze," said Lucy.

"Actually, there was something I wanted to ask Levy about. You don't mind do you?" asked Erza to both Lucy and Levy.

"Nope, I guess no," they both replied.

"Mind if I join ya guys?" asked Natsu to Lucy.

Before Lucy could reply, Mira said with a smile, "Sorry Natsu, girls only!"

Natsu sighed and said, "Okay, I will go find Happy."

"I think he is sitting on the bar eating his fish," said Mira. "You should hang out with Elfman, Jet and Droy!" continued Mira. She was trying to make Natsu feel better. Natsu was upset because Lucy was hanging out with Mira and according to Erza's restrictions, he was not allowed to be near Gray, and so he wasn't sure what he could do to entertain himself.

Erza turned to the girls and said, "Come on Levy, there's something I want to research and I need your help. I think I saw a library somewhere in town."

"Maybe I can pick up a new book while there, too!" said Levy with excitement. And with that, Levy and Erza departed and headed towards the library. At the same time, Lucy and Mira left the house and headed to find a good spot to star gaze on the beach.

As they were walking down the sidewalk, Lucy turned to Mira and said, "I wonder what Erza and Natsu were talking about before. At first I thought she was just scolding him for fighting with Gray, but then she stopped shouting. I want to know what they talked about after!" Lucy was beginning to get impatient about it.

"Well, I'm sure that Natsu will tell you when you see him! Just ask him then," said Mira. Lucy nodded. I'll make sure to ask him when we get back. I just hope things won't be awkward. I really hope he isn't trying to forget what happened, thought Lucy.

They arrived on the beach about 7 minutes after they had left the house. Lucy guessed the time to be around almost 10 pm. She was starting to get sleepy and decided to only stay at the beach for a little while before heading back. As they were walking around and looking for a place to lay out their towels, Mira and Lucy eventually came across Freed who was sitting near the water's edge looking out into the ocean.

"Freed! There you are!" shouted Mira while running toward him and waving. He turned to see Mira and Lucy heading toward him. He stood up and brushed the sand off the back of his pants and his hands.

"Mira, Lucy, what are you doing out here?" asked Freed.

"We came out here to star gaze and relax a little! I was hoping to get some inspiration for my novel, but so far nothing has come to me," said Lucy.

"I'm sure you will come up with some great ideas," said Mira as she was smiling at Lucy. Lucy sighed. Lately, I have been having trouble with my novel. I hope this block is only temporary. Hopefully if I relax here for a bit, I will be able to start writing again, thought Lucy.

"Why don't you walk out onto those rocks?" suggested Freed. "I know that when I walked out there earlier, I felt much more level headed." Freed blushed. Why the hell is he blushing?, thought Lucy.

"That's a great idea!" exclaimed Mira. Lucy now understood what was going on. Freed and Mira were trying to get some one on one time with each other. She thought it was cute. I wonder when Natsu and I can have time together like that?, thought Lucy.

"Okay! I will head over there now! After I've relaxed a little, I will be heading back to the house so I will see you guys tomorrow!" said Lucy as she was walking away and waving to the shy couple. They waved good-bye in return. It's so adorable how shy they both are, thought Lucy.

Lucy sat on the rocks thinking about a range of things; everything from her writer's block to her feelings for Natsu, to what she overheard those customers say in The Green Dragon. That's right, she thought. I have to remember to ask Erza about that soon. She continued sitting at the edge of the jetty. The cool ocean breeze and spray of the ocean was hitting her face and blowing through her hair. She took a deep breath in of the ocean air, hoping it would clear her mind and bring rise to new ideas to write about. The sky was crystal clear and the snowy moonlight was reflecting down upon her skin. Lucy rose to her feet and sighed. Well, nothing is coming to me. Maybe once this vacation is over I will have a ton to write about!, thought Lucy. She decided to head back to the house and that she would try and get some sleep. It was now almost 11 pm. As she was getting off the jetty and heading back towards the direction of the house, she saw Freed and Mira sitting together at the water's edge. Mira was hugging him. Lucy smiled at the thought of how happy those two must be. Jeez, seeing Gray and Juvia and Mira and Freed together kinda makes me feel uneasy; no that's not what this is. Anyway, I must be really tired, she thought.

She walked back into the house to see that the only people still awake were Macao and Wakaba. They were sitting at the bar talking about what the guild was like when they were younger. Lucy could tell they were drunk. At the same time ,she noticed that Erza and Levy weren't back yet. I hope they are okay, she thought. As she headed upstairs, she noticed all the lights off and door closed in one bedroom and the lights off but door open in the other. One the last bedroom had the door cracked and lights on still. Now that I think about it, which room am I going to sleep in?, she thought. She climbed to the third floor to see the three beds all had someone occupying it and the blankets and pillows were sprawled out across the floor. Elfman, Jet, Droy, Gray, and Cana were passed out. Well, it looks like I am sleeping on the second floor, she thought. She went down one flight of stairs and figured that the 2 bedrooms with the doors closed and lights off were where Wendy, Carla, and Juvia were sleeping. Lucy figured that the room with the lights off and door open were where Erza and Levy were going to sleep. She entered the room and saw Erza's giant cart of luggage and Levy's small knapsack and a stack of books. Yup, Erza's already gone and claimed this room, Lucy said to herself. Well, the last room appears to be mine then.

As she entered the bedroom with the lights on, she saw Natsu flung across the bed. He was dead asleep. Lucy was embarrassed. Of all the beds and couches in the house, Natsu just happened to be in the one that Lucy had decided to sleep in as a last choice. She had no choice. She was completely exhausted and need a nice and comfy place to sleep. Normally, I freak out when Natsu is in the same bed as me, but this time it is me entering "his" bed, she thought. She shrugged and grabbed her pajamas to change into. When she came back from the bathroom, she couldn't help but blush at the thought of her and Natsu sleeping in the same bed together. She realized that she could probably go downstairs and sleep on the couch, but Macao and Wakaba were being loud so she knew she wouldn't get any sleep. Then she thought she would sleep on the third floor, but decided that sleeping next to 3 guys and a crazy drinking girl probably wasn't the best idea either. She eventually came to the conclusion that the best place to sleep, for tonight at least, was in the same bed as Natsu. She shook off her uneasy feelings and climbed into bed with the dragon slayer. She hoped Natsu wouldn't be freaked out when he woke up in the morning.

A/N: This chapter ended up being so long, that I decided to break it up into 2 parts for an easier read. Everything will make much more sense in part 2! Thanks for reading!

~Aeroniel