Natsu's New Rival

Chapter 7

This just had to happen. My second mission was ruined by none other than that fire breathing idiot. He just had to take all them on at once. He had no choice but to use such a powerful attack in such a small building. Which of course resulted in the building collapsing and me almost being killed! And then over half our reward was revoked. He clearly has no sense of control and doesn't think before he acts. Why did I even take a mission with him?

Oh yeah, because I didn't have a choice. Stupid Erza, stupid Gray. They were too busy to go with me and it just happened that I looked at the request board at the same time that Erza was coming down the steps. And she just had to say that I should take someone with me. And of course with everyone busy, she just had to ask, no more like demand, Natsu to go with me.

I couldn't fathom why she wouldn't trust me on my own. I could take care of myself, I didn't need a babysitter. Especially not one that almost killed me! This time I will wait and make sure that no one is watching. That way, there is no Erza to stop me. I banged my head against the counter, growling in frustration. I could hear that stupid pink headed idiot screaming behind me at Gray as they fought. Each word that came from the dragon slayers mouth did nothing but piss me off even more.

"What did you say ice prick?"

"What? Is something wrong with your hearing too, I called you an idiot ash for brains!"

At least I am not the only one who thinks so. The throbbing in my head just didn't want to go away and only worsened as their volume increased.

"I dare you to say that again pervert!"

"Fine I will! Ash for-"

Gray was silenced with what I can only guess was a punch. All I wanted was to sit here and wallow in my anger and resentment in peace but no. They just had to fight at a time like this. They wreaked havoc on the guild as the sound of wood breaking reached my ears. Nothing seemed to stop them and nobody even tried. Now that Erza was gone, no one really seemed to care. I spun around on my stool, wanting to see what was going on when something soft collided with my face.

I pulled what seemed like a piece of fabric away only to see that it was boxers. Gray's boxers to be exact. Clenching them tightly, I lifted off the bar stool and crept towards the two. They didn't notice my approach and I stood over them, glaring. With arms crossed, my foot started to tap against the thick wood floors as I waited for them to notice.

As the time passed, my foot increased in speed. These two idiots don't pay any attention to what was going on around them when they brawl. My anger was just growing the longer I stood there. Natsu grabbed onto Gray and threw him right at me. I panicked and jumped to the side to avoid being hit with a naked man, again, and that was the last straw.

"ENOUGH!" My shout stopped them in mid-swing and both boys turned to me with confusion written all over their faces. There brows were furrowed and there mouths hung slightly open. If I wasn't so pissed I would have found this hilarious. I now had the attention of the entire guild. "What is wrong with you two!"

They pulled their fists away from the others face and just stood there gaping at me. All I wanted was a few minutes of peace but it became apparent that it is impossible around these two. They said nothing and just kept watching me.

"Just because Erza isn't here doesn't mean that you two can fight all you want!" They started to tremble slightly under my heavy gaze. I withheld the smirk that threatened to spread across my lips. I liked seeing them like this. "Now apologize to each other!"

"Sorry!" They shouted at one another and the guild began to laugh.

"Great, now behave yourself and stop damaging the guild." My voice was now calmer and I felt better after I had let some steam off. Gray stalked off while mumbling something about there being a second Erza while Natsu didn't budge. Spinning around on my heel, I walked towards the bar and Natsu followed.

"Luce, you're not still mad about the mission are you?" He asked. He moved around to stand in front of me, blocking my path. "I said I was sorry."

"Natsu, for the last time, my name is Lucy. L, U, C, Y! Lucy! Not Luigi, not Luce! What is so hard to understand about that?" He shrugged. That's all he does, shrug? Where did he even get these names from?

"Can't you just forgive me, I didn't mean it."

"You didn't listen to me, you destroyed the building, you almost killed me and then most of our reward was taken for repairs to the damage that you caused. Do you not even care about your teammates?" His eyes showed the pain that my words inflicted and just maybe this is what he needed to hear.

"Of course I care about my teammates! They are my friends! I would never intentionally hurt them!" He defended. I could see the honesty in his dark eyes but it was hard to believe him. With what I have seen of him, he must get tunnel vision or something if he doesn't even realize what he is doing.

"Then how do you explain what happened? Do you not consider me a friend? Is that what it is because you clearly weren't worried about me getting hurt!" The sorrow in his eyes only increased as I spoke each word. He was really taking this to heart. But I couldn't help the pain in my chest when I said that. I found myself actually worried about how he saw me, what he thought of me.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean it, honestly. I'm just not used to going on missions with someone else around. I didn't mean for you to get hurt." His voice was low, I had upset him and now I felt terrible, as if I was wrong for blaming him. Maybe I was.

His head lowered, to where I couldn't no longer see the pout on his handsome face, or the sorrow in his deep onyx eyes. The way his shoulders slumped, his arms hung loosely down his sides. I felt my resolve wavering as I looked at him.

"Fine, I forgive you." Who could stay upset when the man gives off that sad look? His head shot up, his normal smile returned to his striking features and a sparkle seemed to shine in his eyes. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips and I turned away from him not wanting him to see.

"Really? You forgive me?" I nodded. His smile only seemed to widen, leaving me wondering how that was even possible. He crushed me into a hug, his strong arms wrapped around me practically choking me. The heat rose to my face, causing a light pink to spread rapidly. His warm arms, seemed comforting and I just wanted to sink into them.

He reminded me of the sun. His smile is just as bright, his eyes just as beautiful, and his body was as warm as the suns rays. The hug only lasted for a few seconds before he pulled away still smiling like the idiot he is.

"Thanks Lucy! You may be weird but you're still a nice person!"

"I am not weird!" I sent him flying when my fist collided with his face. He smashed into the table behind him and sat there just barely conscious.

"What did I...do...this time?" He managed to say in a faint voice till he fell unconscious and slumped against the destroyed table behind him.

Gray was sitting in the back of the guild conversing with some other members paying little attention to me and with a knocked out Natsu, I figured now was as good a time as any. I walked forward and glanced at the request board. One flier caught my attention in particular. I pulled it down and read the details, liking it the more I read it. It was like it was meant for me.

I let Mirajane mark me down for the request and set out of the guild to head home and get ready. I felt achieved that I managed to grab the mission before anyone else and no one seemed to notice! All I had to do was be a date to some rich guy who feels like he is being targeted and feels they will attack at a party. And what's even better is the reward will cover my rent and it even includes a celestial spirit key!

I climbed aboard the train heading to the town that was specified on the request and I just couldn't wait until I finished this. After that, I will try to find out what I can on my way back about these people looking for me. Hopefully this can be taken care of before news reaches the guild.

A scarlet haired woman shoved the doors to the guild open and quickly strode towards the bar. Finding the dark haired mage she was looking, she grabbed him by the collar and yanked him towards the master's office. She knocked three times before she heard the okay to enter. The door squeaked upon entry and she shoved the ice mage into one of the two chairs in front of the large oak desk.

The small guild master sat cross legged on top of the desk, his arms crossed and his eyes closed. The steady rise and fall of his chest was the only thing moving on him. The requip mage waited for the master to acknowledge their presence before explaining her entrance.

"What news have you heard Erza?" The master did not open his eyes nor move from his position.

"Master, I have come across a member of Phantom Lord who informed me that they have knowledge of the Lucy that they are looking for. They say that she has been spotted here in Magnolia." The master nodded his head and thought over the news she was relaying. Gray shifted in his seat to turn and look at Erza.

"Erza, what's going on? Is someone looking for Lucy?"

"We believe so but I need to know if she has ever told you her last name. No one in the guild seems to recall her ever saying what it was," Erza answered. Gray rubbed his chin, deep in thought and trying to remember what she said her last name was when they first met.

"It was heart something or another. I can't remember exactly." Gray ran a hand through his dark locks, frustrated that he couldn't remember something like this when one of his friends was possibly in danger.

"Heartfilia."

"Yes! That was it!" Erza looked over to the master who finally had his eyes open.

"That was the name the man had given me. He said there is a large reward out for the capture of Lucy Heartfilia." Gray's eyes widened. Why were people looking for her?

"Very well, we need to keep a good eye out on Lucy and not let her out of our sight. Gray, Erza, continue to watch over her. Don't let her leave without someone with her and she is to take no missions on her own. Understood?"

Both nodded then stood up to leave. Walking down the steps, they looked around in search for the familiar spot of blond that would normally be sitting at the bar chatting with Mirajane. They were surprised to see that she wasn't there. Erza walked to the bar with Gray following just a few steps behind her.

"Mirajane, do you know where Lucy is?" The white haired beauty turned to face her friend. She smiled at her, brilliant blue eyes lighting up at the sight of the red head.

"Yes, she just left a few hours ago on a mission. Did you need something?" Mirajane became confused when she watched Erza and Gray's horror stricken face. "What's wrong?"

"Mirajane, we need to know where this mission was right away. Lucy may be in danger."