A/N:

Another chapter YEY! LOL! I hope you enjoyed the previous one. This one's a bit short but I hope you enjoy it as well. Tbh, I don't have a particular time or date when releasing a chapter but please, bear with me.

Also, I would like to thank those who reviewed, favorited and followed. ^_^ Thank you so much! Your support really means a lot to me. Like, really.

Well... on to the next chapter... Enjoy! XXX

Chapter III

"Meddlesome"

Natsu's POV:

"Hmmmm…"

The sound of Mira's hum snapped me out of my trance.

I glanced sideways at her and was met by batting eyelashes and twinkling blue eyes, which was always a bad sign for me, by the way. She's like a little she devil scheming some dirty plot.

I sighed and rolled my eyes at her.

"No Mira. I'm not goin' to fall for that anymore. It's not what'cha think, ya know. It's nothin'." I told her as I made my way towards my buddies, smiling at the people who greeted me on the way.

She followed.

"Oh really?" She teased, smiling that knowing smile of hers as she strides merrily beside me. "I saw how you look at her Natsu. And it's clearly not just 'nothing'."

I stopped on my tracks, flabbergasted at her words. I spared her a glance and saw the mischievous glint in her eyes and I know, I just know, in that moment, I'd already lost.

I sighed again for the second time.

"Alright. Alright." I held up my hand in front of me, in defeat. "I just messed up a little when I was talkin' to her and it really got to me. I felt bad. It was really a dumb ass mistake. But that's just it." I said to her, exhausted.

I wanted to sigh again.

Mira always gets like this whenever she sees someone "compatible" with me. I know she's only looking out for me like a big sister that she is, but for goddamn sake, I'm a fully grown man and capable of handling my own choices in life. Her being like that really gets on my nerves sometimes.

But is that only it? Is she really, entirely incorrect?

Strangely, there was this voice at the back of my head that was constantly saying that line. And I can't help but to wonder. I frowned, clearly frustrated.

"Oh, Natsu. Lucy's not someone who judges immediately just because of some stupid mistake if that's what you're worried about." Mira reassured, getting the wrong impression of my frustrated face.

But before I can even retaliate, an arm suddenly slung on my right shoulder from behind, turning only to see Lissanna's grinning face.

Oh no. Not the other sister.

"Worried? Who's worried." Lissana chimed, looking from me to her sister in turns.

"Hey Lis. It's nothin'. Don't worry. Mira just thinks—" I told her immediately but Mira cut me off.

"Natsu just had his eyes on our Lucy, sis. That's all." She said in a sing song voice.

And all I can do in that moment was to face-palm.

What in the world.

"Hmmm…" Lissana hummed and looked at me knowingly, a playful smirk making its way through her lips.

By the way these two sisters look at me, it's clear their planning something sinister.

I let out another sigh again.

"What is it now?" I asked them, unamused.

"Well, it's nothing. I just thought how Lucy and Celest only walk from here to their apartment. It's really unsafe at this time, right Lissana?" Mira stated, looking at Lissana impishly like the she devil that she is.

Lissana, being the little sister of this she devil in disguise, instantly had this glint in her eyes, like she had just let herself in in a brilliant plan. But for me, it's probably something ominous. Cause these two sisters really have the habit of getting me in trouble, especially with women.

"Yeah, sis. You know, I told them to just grab a cab, but Lucy always insists that it's unnecessary. But I doubt that. Do you remember the time when Lucy was cat-called by some stranger? You know, when they were just passing the Strawberry Street just a block away?" Lissana eagerly said to her sister. And I know, I just know, they're only saying these things for me to make a move. It's annoying. Yes. But what's more annoying is how they know it's gonna work. I don't like to admit it, but it's working.

I know their game and I could tell they're planning something. But that didn't concern me anymore. What rather worried me was how Lucy and Celest were only walking to their apartment at this hour and being cat-called and all that.

I know it's none of my business. And it's really not. But when I think about them having to walk god knows how far in this hour, it's a little bit unsettling. Looking at the clock, I saw it's already half past six, and upon glancing outside, I could see that the sky had already quite darkened. You never know what could happen in this time of the day and in a city like this.

It's kinda frustrating how these two sisters know me so well. They know I'm gonna feel this way and I'll try to do something. That's just the kind of person I am. Meddlesome.

"It's a little bit concerning don't you think, Natsu? Maybe someone has the heart to check them or much better, to walk them home." Mira told me, the glint never leaving her eyes.

Well. Fuck.

I shook my head in disbelief, but chuckled nonetheless.

"Alright, alright. I get it." I told them, throwing my hands up in the air. "I'll go. You sisters know me so well."

They just smiled widely at me.

I ran a hand through my hair and put my cap back on.

"Now, where do I find them?"

"Just take a turn on Strawberry Street. They shouldn't have gotten far." Mira explained, a fond smile now plastered on her lips.

I nodded once before heading towards the door.

Once outside, I ran. I freaking ran all the way to Strawberry Street.

I tried to ignore the puzzled stares and surprised looks I get from the people I passed by, but it's hard. It's hard when you're clearly searching for somebody and every single person turns to look at you with either confusion or bewilderment.

I laughed, the burn in my lungs accentuated by every breath. I wondered what went on those people's minds the moment they saw me, an army man, running in the streets of Magnolia.

This is absurd.

I was nearing the end of Strawberry Street when I finally spotted a person with long blonde hair in a one sided pony tail.

I slowed my pace to a slight jog, until I was only walking.

Lucy. I thought, before my gaze dropped down beside her. And sure enough, there's Celest, blonde hair and all, walking beside her mom hand in hand. They had their backs on me so they can't really see me.

I was debating internally whether to approach them or not. But as I watched them stroll the street with so much ease, I've decided it's not necessary for me to show my face now. But I still stayed, walking a good distance away from them.

"Those two sisters were clearly messing with me." I quietly told myself before sighing, cursing myself for falling for their antics again. They obviously wanted me to get close with Lucy and I just fell for it. I sighed again.

Atleast you're positive that Lucy and Celest are okay. My subconscious quickly reassured. And he's right. Atleast I'm certain those two are safe and that's all that matters.

I stayed and walked behind them for a few minutes before finally—FINALLY—convincing myself to turn around and leave, thinking how I'm only making myself look like a stalker.

I chuckled to myself at the thought as I walk away, but spared them a glance over my shoulder just in case.

The sight of them made me frown.

They're not walking anymore.

Celest was now behind Lucy.

Two guys were talking to Lucy.

She's not smiling.

Mira and Lissana's words suddenly rang in my head.

Shit.

Before I knew it, I had already sprinted towards them, my heart thumping in my ears.