The sun was disappearing below the horizon in a hazy orange glow by the time the five of them reached Acalypha.

Gray looked down onto a map. "The farm is pretty close to here. If we go fast, we'll be able to stay there for the night and catch the thieves red handed."

Juvia giggled. Gray-sama is so smart!

Natsu pumped his fists up in the air. "All right! Let's go!"

"I don't know..." Lucy snatched the map from Gray, and Juvia gasped. "It's a couple miles from here."

"Enh. We can make it." And with that, Natsu set off, with Lisanna right beside him, chatting with him. Gray followed, and Juvia latched onto him.

Lucy was all alone at the end of the group. And she did not like the feeling one bit.

I'm usually the one talking to Natsu like that...Lucy thought, looking at Natsu laugh at something Lisanna said that was probably very witty and smart and amazing.

I'm never the loner...even Gray is talking to Juvia. Right in front of her, even with Juvia clinging onto him, he was still able to enjoy a friendly conversation with the blue-haired girl.

I'm never alone. Lucy bit her lip so hard it turned white, and looked up at the red sky.

But why does it feel this bad?


The five of them trooped through the thick foliage of the dark forest, numerous bugs chirping and owls hooting.

Lucy was still at the end of the group, and while nobody was talking anymore, she still felt insecure. Usually her teammates would all be around her, almost like a protective bubble-

Lucy, you can do this. You need to get stronger. You can't even walk alone.

And Natsu. He was always like a constant furnace next to her; she was feeling unusually frigid without him. She shivered and tucked her arms close to her as she continued to walk.

A harsh gust of wind suddenly blew by, and Lucy ducked her head as her blonde hair whipped around her and the cold air seeped through her light jacket. When it was over, she looked up-

Only to see a pair of glowing, cat-like yellow eyes staring at her from the depths of the vegetation and oh my Mavis, they did not just blink-

Lucy quickly looked away only to find another set of eyes peering at her from within the leaves of a tree. She glanced away again-to see yet another pair from a bush a little ways away from her.

Before the blonde knew what was happening, she was completely surrounded by these eyes that seemed to stare into her very soul. She shrieked loudly.

"Lucy?" All of her friends turned around, but Natsu was the one to ask. "What's wrong?"

Lucy took a step back hesitantly, her brown eyes darting around anxiously to meet all these other eyes that the others couldn't seem to notice. She stepped on a twig that cracked unbelievably loudly and reverberated through the quiet, tense atmosphere.

"Lucy." Natsu stepped toward her, closing the distance until he was literally right in front of her. She was staring at the ground, away from the eyes, and couldn't see his face, but she guessed (or maybe, hoped) that it was full of worry for her.

"Nat-" Suddenly, large pawed hands reached out and grabbed the girl. "Mmph!"

Lucy was being pulled into the shrubbery by a thing with rough hands and glowing yellow eyes and she was fucking scared. The Mage couldn't reach her Gate Keys dangling ever so close at her waist, or her whip. She tried biting the hand, but the skin was too rough.

"Lucy!" Natsu lunged toward her. Vines were seeming to tangle around Lucy and pull her in even faster as she reached out toward him.

Natsu would never forget Lucy's expression when she got sucked in-raw fear and scared chocolate eyes screaming for help.


I couldn't save Lucy.

Natsu dropped to his knees, his hand still reaching for something that was gone. "LUCY!" he roared, his voice full of pain.

I couldn't save Lucy. I let Lucy down. Lucy. Natsu got up slowly. Lucy could fucking die now because I made a stupid mistake. The Dragon Slayer burst into flames, lighting up the surrounding forest and his teammates' forlorn faces.

"Natsu-" Gray began, but the Ice Make Mage was pushed out of the way as Natsu pummeled down the dirt path through the forest.

"You two keep going to the farm, I'll go after him," Lisanna said, changing into Animal Soul: Bird and flying off after Natsu. Gray sighed before turning to Juvia.

"Does Juvia see Gray thinking about Lucy?" Juvia asked threateningly, and her blue eyes seemed to light up.

"No!" Gray denied furiously. Mavis, he was scared of this girl.

"Uh..I guess you should stay close to me," Gray said, before quickly adding, "I don't want you getting taken either."

But that was enough for Juvia. She squealed and hugged him from behind.

"Hey, don't get any ideas," Gray said.

"Juvia knows," the water girl said, giggling.

I'm only doing this so she doesn't get kidnapped like Lucy. No other reason, Gray told himself. This is just to keep Juvia safe. It's not like I like her or anything.

And Gray did such a good job of convincing himself that he didn't even see what he walked the two of them into.


Natsu's feet pounded down the gravel, kicking up clouds of dust as he dashed down the path. Lucy, I'm coming!

"Natsu! Wait up!" He could hear Lisanna's voice frantically calling him off in the distance, but right now, he couldn't stop for anything.

"NATSU!" Before he knew what was happening, Lisanna was in front of him in Animal Soul: Cheetah, and had halted him right in his tracks. He was pressing forward on her slightly from the quick stop, and she was leaning back, their chests squeezing together painfully.

Lisanna's breath quickened. This was exactly what she had been waiting for her whole life, exactly what she dreamed of every night. Could it be? Is he going to-

But the instant was gone as quick as it had come, and Natsu had already left her behind.

Lisanna sighed. Why Lucy?

Why not me?


"We got a good haul today-oh, shit!"

Gray and Juvia burst through the bushes only to find the thieves themselves, dressed in all black and levitating some knocked out cows through air magic.

"Are you the ones who've been stealing farmer's animals?" Gray asked, getting into an offensive stance. There were two of them, and they didn't seem like very strong mages.

"So what if we are?" one of them said, standing up and leaving the floating cow all up to his partner. Gray presumed he was the leader of the two.

"Give back all that you stole now, and we won't have to hurt you," Gray growled menacingly, taking a step forward.

"Make me." Without warning, the man in black jumped and shot an ice spear at Gray. Gray got out of the way just in time.

"Oh, so you're an Ice Make wizard too, huh? Well, I'll show you..." Gray summoned an Ice Hammer and struck the enemy down into the ground.

Meanwhile, on the other side of him, Juvia was fiercely battling the partner, who had left the cow in the bushes. He used Air Magic, and had tried to lock Juvia into an Aerial. The attempt was unsuccessful, as Juvia just slipped through as water, and now she had trapped him in a Water Lock.

He dropped down quickly after that, and Juvia came to join Gray, who wasn't doing so well against the powerful, same element mage. Every move Gray made, the man was able to mirror.

"Ice Make: Sword!" Gray made a sharp sword before lunging at the enemy.

"Ice Make: Sword!" The enemy met Gray halfway, and they had a strong duel before their ice snapped.

"Gray-sama." Juvia grabbed his outstretched hand, and turned him into a tango position.

Gray swore under his breath as he pushed them out f the way to avoid another attack. "Juvia, what the hell are you doing?"

Juvia just pulled him into it, as she always did. Her watery power surged through his veins, and his body replied in turn before he even understood what was happening.

They were doing a Unison Raid.

He grinned as magic circled the two of them, and the familiar feeling of togetherness swept over. Their Magic Circles fused into one, and soon, huge erupting jets of water and raining ice needles came down upon the enemy, who fell in an instant.

Juvia let go slightly, panting and sweaty but smiling. Gray was in the same state too, but he smiled a little, and he felt something stir deep inside of him.

Juvia...that was fun.


Lucy's petite form was thrown to the ground in haste. The creature swooped over her, and landed on the other side of the cave.

Lucy shuddered, her bones aching painfully as she tried to pull herself up. She winced as her leg suddenly jolted. Come on Lucy...be strong.

She pulled herself up and staggered a few steps before flattening herself against the rock wall. She had to be quiet. She had to be stealthy.

She had to defeat this creature, whatever it was. All by herself.

She slowed down her breath to a near whisper before peeking around the corner. What she saw was a normal Forest Vulcan, large, green, and pink. It was eating at something or the other, and Lucy saw this as her fast chance to defeat it when its guard was down.

"Open the Gate of the Golden Bull! Taurus!" The raging bull was summoned.

"Lucy, I will protect-"

"Not now, Taurus," Lucy interjected before he could say something perverted. "Can you just go and fight that Vulcan? Please?"

Taurus quickly rushed at the oblivious Vulcan, who turned around at the last second to dodge the oncoming axe attack. Taurus proceeded to chase the Vulcan around the small cave. swinging his large battle axe dangerously, almost decapitating Lucy.

Eventually, Taurus landed his mark. He struck the Vulcan down, and it fell, defeated. Taurus disappeared soon after, but not before adding that he "was happy to have protected Lucy's boobs".

Lucy wiped her sweaty brow, sighing in relief. Even though it was only a Vulcan, she was still happy that she had defeated it all by herself.

Maybe I am strong after all!


Hang on Lucy! Natsu continued to sprint, jumping over tricky roots and bursting through the thick vegetation. Not even a brick wall would stop him from reaching the Stellar Spirit Mage that was his best friend.

For a split second, Natsu contemplated why he was doing what he was. Why was he running to save Lucy? She was strong enough to fend off whatever it way. She was from Fairy Tail!

But, Natsu though with a jolt. What is she isn't? What if it's some insane dark guild boss? What if it's a wyvern or something? What if-

What if it was a creepy stalker pervert!?

Fire jetted out of Natsu's feet as he roared like a dragon who had reached his limit. The ground shook as his speed increased ten fold.

He didn't know much about why he was running like a mad man to save Lucy, who was already strong enough on her own, even if it was an insane dark guild boss or a wyvern. All he did know was that if it was a scary pervert, she would be at a huge, weak disadvantage.

No matter what happened, he had to protect Lucy, and even though she was a strong mage, she was also a young, attractive (a nice image of Lucy in a bikini suddenly popped up, though he wasn't sure why) woman all alone deep in a forest.

Anything could happen out here.


Gray and Juvia, after catching their breath, started traveling in the direction Natsu and Lisanna had gone in hopes of joining up with them again.

It would take some time, they knew, to make up the time they lost. Yet they were ready for whatever was thrown at them this time.

A comfortable silence hung between the two of them, and Juvia didn't even try to touch him. Her hand hung limp by her side, swinging with each step she took.

It was Gray who closed the space; his fingers brushed hers before entwining with hers. The blue haired girl glanced up at him for a split second, surprised, but he only looked forward. She smiled sfotly before doing the same.


"Lucy!" Natsu ran into the cave, out of breath. Lucy turned around, her golden hair whipping around her like a halo.

"Natsu?" Lucy took a step towards him.

"Lucy..." he panted. "Are you...okay?"

Lucy laughed, and Natsu felt like dancing for a really weird reason. "I'm fine, Natsu. Thanks for worrying."

"What happened?" And thus Lucy explained all about the Forest Vulcan that had kidnapped her, and the quick fight that ended in its defeat.

Natsu chuckled, raising a hand to tousle Lucy's flowing blonde hair. She pouted childishly at her messed up hair, and the dragon slayer laughed. She eventually opened up and giggled along with him.


Lisanna rounded the corner to find a cave. She saw Natsu there, in all his pink hared glory...

And Lucy. They were there together, her explaining something with huge hand motions and Natsu listening intently. Lisanna's feet stopped moving, and she stood rooted to one spot. Was I too late?

Then her husband played with Lucy's hair (which still somehow looked perfect) and both of them laughed together.

Lisanna felt her stomach clench painfully. She didn't want to admit it, but they seemed to have good chemistry. Better than she and Natsu ever had.

And they seemed so happy. Natsu never smiled or laughed when he talked with her. But no, his eyes lit up when he just so much as heard Lucy's voice, as if he only existed for her to wrap around her dainty little finger as she did with so many other boys.

Lisanna felt an unexpected hatred for the blonde rise up in her chest. How dare she steal her husband from right underneath her nose?!

Lisanna would give her one thing-she played the damsel in distress part well. Lisanna knew that she was much stronger than she let on, that she was manipulating all of them, that she was a sneaky little bitch.

Lisanna knew that Lucy was not as innocent as she seemed.


"Good job," Natsu said, slinging an arm around Lucy's shoulders and pulling her close. Their height difference made Lucy's cheek painfully bump into Natsu's shoulder, and as she was held close to him (gaining the heat she was deprived of before) she realized that if she stretched a little, she could fit her nose into the base of his neck...

Bad Lucy! He's Natsu, why would you think stupid things like that? Lucy scolded herself, before jolting in another realization-What the hell, Natsu has his arm around me like we're a...couple?

Lucy almost threw his arm off of her, before thinking hey, this isn't so bad. I mean, they were just best friends and nothing more, so this was of course only meant as a friendly gesture. Plus, he slept in her freaking bed, so relatively, this wasn't bad at all.

Actually, Lucy found the heat to be very...comforting. Should I...?

Without thinking, she snuggled closer into him.


Lisanna saw them walking out of the cave, the blonde snuggling into Natsu, and suppressed a scream as she flattened herself against a tree. Once they were out of earshot and her eyesight, she took a couple deep breaths before setting off after them.

Now that she had figured her out, Lisanna would definitely beat Lucy at her game.


The three of them had managed to join up with Juvia and Gray. Together, they headed back to get their award-which was actually the full amount because they didn't destroy anything!-and boarded another train back to Magnolia early the next morning.

Juvia sat next to Gray, her head lulling into Gray's shoulder as she fell asleep. Though it was a valiant attempt, Gray could only stay awake for a few more minutes before closing his eyes, his head thumping ungracefully on top of Juvia's.

Lucy giggled at the sight. They are so cute together!

Natsu, of course, was having his usual motion sickness, and as usual, was laying on his back with his head in Lucy's lap. She would stroke his salmon hair and run her fingers through his pink locks and give him a gentle head massage just like he liked it, and he would be able to barely contain himself for the whole ride.

Lisanna watched Lucy grow a little tired. My chance!

"Lucy, if you're tired, I could take your spot," Lisanna said.

Lucy smiled. "That's nice-"

"Lucy!" Natsu choked out in a strangled voice, his face an odd shade of green. Lucy gasped before rubbing his stomach and continuing her head massage.

"I don't think I can leave Natsu alone for even a minute!" Lucy giggled at Natsu, and Lisanna clenched and unclenched her fists unnoticeably.

She would win Natsu yet.

After all, all's fair in love and war.


A/N: Wow, I didn't expect the story to be this popular! Thank you so much for all the support you have all been giving me. It's keeping me really motivated to keep writing this story, despite my busy schedule.

I hope you all liked this chapter as much as I enjoyed writing it. I tried including a lot of NaLu and a little bit of fluffiness (if you squint). As for Lisanna...who know? She's one jealous girl though. ;-)

For the next chapter, I'm going to say that it will center in on Erza...will she find Jellal? You'll have to wait for the next chapter! But, I will post faster if I get more reviews...hint hint.