Lucy's face paled as she watched Natsu eat everything that was on the menu. He sure could eat, "Luce, want some?" His words came out mumbled as he spoke while he chewed.
She shook her head, there wasn't much left on his plate anyways, "I think I'm okay, I am fine with what I ordered." He shrugged and went back to inhaling the rest of his food. Heragon had terrific cooks from around the world, and Lucy enjoyed coming here from time to time, even if it was for work.
"So, who are you meeting with?"
Lucy leaned back, "her name is Flare, she happens to be my rival when we were growing up. That is until I was trained to be an assassin. Well, he did teach me how to kill, he just made the skills I learned useful. We wanted to earn Midnight's favor; the funny thing is I still feel like I owe him my life even if he did what he did to me."
His eyes met hers; the fire that dwelled in him made his eyes brighten, and a ring of red seemed to appear around his iris. "You owe him nothing." His tone was dark but soft. It made her heart skip a beat.
"I do, he saved me. When my people were killed I ran, I was lost, starving, and freezing. Midnight found me and took me in even though he saw what I was. Sure, I was a tool for him to use then dispose of when he had enough, but he saved me. But it doesn't matter; I'll kill him one day, just not yet, I want to see him suffer."
"Luce." She shook her head, not letting him finish. They didn't need to argue over truth, for the gods knew.
"I think we should be ready to leave as fast as possible so when I'm gone try to get a few moments of sleep. Flare is known for dramatics and to be honest I am sure this is a trap."
He snorted, "then why did you take the job?"
She shrugged, "I want to show her I am what I say I am."
"And what would that be?" His voice sent shivers down her spine.
Lucy leaned in, "that I am capable of being better than her, plus it would be fun to run from guards in the crowded streets. Oh, it would make her so mad when I get away with her money."
Natsu chuckled, "are you always this dramatic?"
"Are you always this boring?" They stared each other down, waiting to see who will yield first. Lucy of course won. She always was a lucky one.
"Are you sure you should go alone?" Lucy rolled my eyes, Natsu was going non-stop about her going alone.
"She is my rival; I can handle myself around her. Besides, I am better than her at everything."
"You are so full of yourself." He said with a smile that melted the barrier. She kept up, the wall that kept the emotions at bay.
Lucy smiled wickedly, "I know. Now get some rest." She could feel his eyes bare down at her backside, the hunger in those eyes when she looked at them took her breath away. It made her feel weak in the knees and made the lust build to the point it could drive her mad. But, it would have to wait, the corrupted council and her people were more important than some silly crush.
Lucy entered the small bar, eyes darting everywhere to look for exits, guards, and her rival. There she was, her red hair still annoying to look at and she was clad in a tight red dress that left nothing to the imagination. Lucy sat down with grace, "Flare."
"Lucy." She said but didn't look at her.
"You are annoying as ever."
"And you are still your rutting confident self. Hasn't anyone taught you confidence could get you killed one day?"
Lucy scoffed, "it's what keeps me alive. Man, you are still not the brightest. Alright, pay up."
She frowned, "you don't want to catch up? It's been a while."
"I don't care now give me the money." Lucy spat as she handed her the pouch that contained the finger.
She pulled out the ring, "thank you." She said in a light tone. Jerome was one of her many clients; he was never gentle with her.
Lucy shrugged, "it's the least I can do for my rival. He was also a disgusting pig who needed to be taken care of."
She laughed, "well I appreciate it. I think you should know, Midnight knows."
Lucy's heart sank, a shaky breath escaped her lips, "how?"
"It doesn't matter how; you have until morning before the guards come looking for you, they are informed of what you are. You need to leave." She was nervous, no she was scared. The scent was complete terror.
"Does he know you asked for my help?" She nodded. Lucy quickly stood, "keep your coins, pay your debt. Never look back and never contact me again if you want to live." Lucy paused when she heard her, "he's here with some low life from Phantom Lord. Try your best not to run into him."
Lucy's pace was quick; her boot covered feet silently hit the pavement. She slammed the door closed when She entered the inn making Natsu jump.
"How'd it go?"
Lucy was shoving their stuff in her bag, "we need to leave in a few hours. So, we need to rest; we will be running."
"Luce, what happened?" Lucy stopped when she heard the nickname.
"Midnight knows I helped her. He is sending guards in the morning to start looking; they know what I am."
The bed groaned as he moved off the bed. His arms wrapped around her shaking hands, "Luce, if he is sending guards you won't see him."
Lucy knew he could hear her racing heart beating against her chest as if it was trying to escape. "No Natsu, he's here with someone from Phantom Lord. I know many of the magic users in Phantom Lord, and they are a force not to be trifled with. But, I have some connections so let's just hope we get lucky and it's someone I know." She could feel Natsu's gaze on her when She turned her back to him. Lucy climbed into the bed, still dressed and Natsu did the same, both ready to run when needed. Lucy welcomed Natsu's warm embrace as he pulled her into his warmth.
—
Lucy held Natsu's hand as they made their way out of the large city, praying that Natsu's scent was stronger than Lucy's. Both surveyed their surroundings. If they got through this city unnoticed, they both had to be diligent. A young woman bumped into Natsu, knocking her crate to the ground, spilling everything it contained. "Oh, gods I'm so sorry!" That's when They heard it, the slight chuckle and several boots hitting the ground.
Natsu and Lucy both looked at each other having a silent conversation; we should split up.
No Luce, that's a horrible idea! Natsu shook his head, his eyes wide.
Exactly we will catch them off guard. Now go! Lucy gave him a pointed look and mouthed "meet in the forest on the outskirts of the city" He swallowed, and they split apart. Their hands, slowly letting go as they went in different directions.
"After him! I'll get the girl." Lucy smirked, good he was the one she wanted, she recognized that scent. It was on Juvia when she first came to Fairy Tail, Black Steel Gajeel, she's heard rumors of him being a dragon slayer, and she wanted a taste of his power. He was supposedly the most powerful in the guild, but we'll see about that. Lucy ran, her immortal legs pushed off the ground with a force that could break a man's neck. She zigzagged through people and buildings. Gajeel was shoving people away, a few steps behind. His speed almost matched Natsu, almost. Lucy scaled a small building and leaped from rooftop to rooftop.
"You can't run forever, bunny girl!" He bellowed behind her. His heavy steps made the wood groan in agony. She knew exactly who he was and who he considered a sister. He's an idiot for not leaving Phantom Lord when Juvia did.
She laughed, "neither can you. So, let's see who drops in exhaustion first." Lucy was running out of buildings to jump to unless she climbed. But that would slow her down; she needed to be fast and nimble as a fox. A small alleyway was a few feet away it seemed to go on for ages, it twisted and turned in a way that anyone could get lost. It was Lucy's favorite kind of place. She jumped down and landed rolling to break the brunt of the fall. Her knees cracked painfully as she sprang back up with the speed that could give a mere mortal whiplash. Gajeel stumbled behind her; his uneven breaths made Lucy smile. She knew she was better than him and Juvia was giving him way too much- Lucy slammed into the ground when Iron wrapped around her ankles, pulling her backward.
"See bunny girl I told you that you couldn't run forever." He gasped between words trying to catch his breath. The iron retreated, turning back into an arm. Holy gods, a man who could turn into iron. Lucy swiftly stood pulling her bow from behind her, magic tingling down her arms waiting for it to be unleashed. To destroy.
"Gihi, I want to see your true form little fairy."
Lucy snarled, "I know about you, they call you Black Steel Gajeel." Lucy raised her lip in a snarl, her elongated canines showing, ears turning to a point, he wants a fairy, so she'd give him one. Fae are predators and wild. Many were ruthless warriors sworn to protect their kingdom.
"I'm tired of the chitchat. I need money, and you're worth quite a ton."
Lucy's eyes narrowed before she smirked, "well then let's see if the rumors about you are true." She released an arrow, but he quickly sidestepped. Damn, he was fast, Lucy's huffed in frustration and threw her bow down.
"Getting angry bunny girl?"
She shrugged, "how about steel against steel?" She pulled out the two wickedly sharp fighting knives from her belt.
"Gehi, I like you bunny girl it's a shame we couldn't keep you."
He lashed out his arm turning into what looked like a sword. Her arms shook at the force of the blow that struck her blades. He growled and shoved her back, iron wrapped around her wrist. Lucy raised her hand, it glowing with power, "oh, I don't think so." Another iron cuff wrapped around her other wrist.
Lucy hissed, "shit." She backed up, her back pressing against the brick wall. His hand wrapped around her throat. Lucy clawed at his arm trying to get air through her lungs.
"Any other tricks up your sleeves?"
Lucy gasped for any air she could get, "I know someone!" His hand tightened, "I know Juvia!"
He cocked his head to the side, "how do you know Juvia? Where is she?"
"I can bring you to her." He dropped her, Lucy's chest heaved.
"Why would you do that for me?"
Lucy looked at him and slowly stood, rubbing her bruising neck, "I was a slave too. I know what it's like to not have free will." She pulled her shirt to the side, showing him the mark that branded her as a slave that is now free. "I can help you."
His dark eyes stared into her, "thank you. You need to leave; Pinky is well out of the city limits. He's probably stressing."
Lucy smiled, "come with me."
He smiled, "are you, sure the pretty boy will be okay with it?"
Lucy shrugged, "that doesn't matter. He doesn't decide who I befriend."
His eyes flicked to her ears, "you might want to hide those." His mouth dropped open when she glamoured herself, "whoa, I haven't seen that kind of magic in a long time."
Lucy smiled, "I know I'm special. Now let's go before my pretty boy burns the city down to look for me."
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