Alright guys here's Chapter 6. I also have great news. I was able to finish this chapter early so I will be able to drop a chapter every day this week, and with that..

Here is Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Mating/ Transformation Explanation

Natsu P.O.V.

I'm running and running following the scent that I just know is her's but I can't seem to catch her. Up ahead I see her freeze before collapsing. In front of her stands a cloaked figure, I roar out before chasing the bastard but all he does is chuckle.

"I'm gonna burn you to a for hurting my Lucy." I growl before lighting up, but still the figure just chuckles.

In a rasping voice that could send shivers down Erza's spine he says "You better hurry Natsu Dragneel, Claim your mate before she is gone for good." With that he starts to fade away, I walk back towards where Lucy lays still and silent on the ground.

I can barely hear her fading heartbeat. "Luce. Lucy please don't leave me. You said I could be a part of your future. You said I am your future. Don't leave me alone, I can't be alone again." I beg as the tears fall.

When suddenly my world starts shaking. "Natsu… Natsu wake up. What's wrong? Why are you crying." I open my eyes to see the center of my world leaning over me with worry in her chocolate brown eyes.

I sit up and hug her, crying all over again. As we sit there in our embrace I just let the tears fall. Finally I choke out "I- I thought I lost you Luce. I thought you were gone for good." She gives me a smile that lights up the entire room and says "Baka I would never leave you. You know that."

I decide it's finally time to tell her with my dragon half agreeing wholeheartedly. I take a deep breath and say "Luce there's something I need to tell you, so do you think we could stay here today and not go to the guild."

She looks me straight in the eye and says "Sure" I give her a smile and start from the beginning.

"Dragon Slayer magic doesn't just give the user a dragon's advanced senses. The user also gains a dragon half of their own. It's like having two people in a buggy. One is in the driver's seat while the other is just along for the ride."

"However once we meet our mate the dragon half will be the one to know, essentially waking up once we find them. From the first time the dragon and his mate meet, the dragon half will constantly be wanting to claim what he considers rightfully theirs."

Here she interrupts and says "I understand you're a dragon slayer and all but what does that have to do with me?"

I smirk and say "I thought you were supposed to be the smart one weirdo, but in case you haven't figured it out. Lucy Heartfilia, you are my mate. My one and only for as long as I live I will only love you. There are a few things that happen when a dragon finds their mate. The first of course being their dragon half waking up. The next is an irrepressible desire to claim that mate."

"I've been fighting with mine to hold back the desire but I made a deal with him that I cannot go back on or else it will only hurt you more." I look down, afraid to see what her eyes will hold, but she grabs my chin to look me in the eyes.

All I see in the beautiful chocolate orbs is love and admiration. No hatred, no fear, just eyes full of love. She continues staring into my eyes as she asks "What is this deal you've made Natsu? Why do you fear it so?"

I gulp and look away saying "Last summer when we went on that job for Mrs. Doubtfire I made the deal with him that I would claim you within a year. If I have not done so by this summer then He takes the driver's seat and the only thing I can do is watch."

I glance back at her but am surprised with what I find; I only find happiness in her face. "Natsu. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"I was afraid. Afraid I would lose you. Afraid I would only be seen as a monster in your eyes." She tenses up at this but what comes out of her mouth next leaves me gaping like a moron.

"Natsu Dragneel you are no more a monster in my eyes then Plue is. I've told you a million times before and I'll tell you a millions time again. I love you."

"That will never change, even if Acnologia were to separate us I would only have eyes for you. No matter what happens I am your and yours alone." She hugs me and all I can squeak out is "Thank you."

She breaks the hug and says "I'm gonna go make some lunch so if there's anything else you need to tell me it can wait for after we eat." Already walking into the kitchen.

I sit there and quietly laugh thinking 'Oh you haven't even heard the weirdest part about it.'

After lunch we sit back down on the bed face to face as I contemplate how to continue. "After we claim our mates a few things will happen. One, a mark will appear on your neck at the junction where your shoulder meets your neck. The detail of the mark varies with the bond of the relationship between dragon and mate."

"Two, the aging process slows down considerably. For every 10 years, we age 1 year."

"Three, over the course of the year your power will start to fluctuate and after the year is up you will be able to do use a bit of the magic I can."

"Number 4, and the most crucial, is that for the first two weeks of spring we will transform into dragons. However this last step will not occur until after the year is up."

She frowns as she hears this last part and says "The part I don't understand is why does it take a year for it to happen."

'So she's not worried about turning into a dragon?' I think to myself, before replying to her question.

"From what Igneel told me the reason why it takes a year is because sometimes, especially for a fire dragon mate, the fluctuations can cause a bit of damage and destruction, and it takes about that long to get it under control." Her mouth forming an 'o' shape.

"So what you're saying is I could very well become as destructive if not more during the year?" I nod my head and add "Look at it this way though you'll come out stronger in the end." Giving her one of my gigantic grins to cheer her up.

She leans back against the headboard with a thoughtful look on her face. "So what you're saying is, if I heard you right, that I'm your mate and when you met me in Hargeon it woke up your Dragon half and in order to keep your dragon half from going crazy you made a deal with him to where you have to claim me within a year's time which leaves you with only 3 months left to do so, but if you don't He takes the reins anyway."

"Now if you do claim me as your mate I get a mark that states I'm yours, my aging slows down like crazy, for one year after being claimed my power will fluctuate very possibly destroying things."

"Though I will come out stronger and let's not forget the fact that for two weeks out of every year you and I turn into dragons. Did I miss anything?" I shake my head no.

She smiles and says "Well Mr. Dragneel you may have won my heart, but I ask for one thing in return."

At my confused expression she adds "If we're gonna follow dragon customs then I want to at least follow a human custom and get married. That way to those who don't understand dragon customs I am and always will be yours."

Then it clicks for me. 'Of course she wants to do it the way she was raised even if the dragon still comes first.' I look to her and say "I have just the plan for that, you just wait and see."

~ Next day at the Guild ~

We walk into the guild like usual but instead of getting into the normal brawl I head over to the bar to talk to Mira while Lucy goes over to where Levy is sitting with the rest of the girls.

"Hey Mira you got a minute?" I ask when she comes over. She grabs a barrel from under the counter (Still don't know how she fits so many under there) to use as a seat.

"Sure what's up?" She asks. I hesitate a second before saying "I want to propose to Lucy, but I want it to be romantic and without the ENTIRE guild trying to step in."

She looks at me a little confused and says "Why don't you want the rest of the guild helping out? We are your nakama, we are always there for you."

"I know Mira, but I want it to go perfectly, and you know me I'm bound to mess something up." I say with a sigh.

Mira looks thoughtful for a second then the she-devil's evil grin spreads across her face. "I think I know how we can handle that. We could host a spring ball and we can crown you two King and Queen of the ball, then when you're up on stage you propose to her. How's that sound?"

I raise my eyebrows in surprise. "You know you sure are good at these plans of yours, But do you think you can set it up in a month's time?"

She looks at me and says "If we get started right away, I'll run upstairs and talk to the Master." then she looks around calls Lisanna to watch the bar, runs up to Gramps office and disappears inside.

Meanwhile I turn around and jump into the brawl flame fist flying. Finally giving into the taunts that have been flying my way from metal-head and Ice dick.

Not 10 minutes later Gramps comes out and jumps on the second floor railing yelling out "Brats shut up and listen."

Once everyone's attention was on Gramps he started "Listen up in a month's time we will be having a spring ball. Everyone must attend, dress accordingly, and everyone must have a date."

"Can our date be from another guild" Half of us look to Cana since she was the one that said it.

She looks back at us and says "What? I need a drinking buddy and the only who can handle it, is in another guild." Gramps chuckles at this and says "Sure Cana, in fact if you cannot find a date among nakama then you may bring someone from out of the guild."

"Also one more thing before you brats go back to destroying the guild on the night of the ball a king and queen will be announced. Now I would like to talk to Natsu and Gajeel in my office."

Once Gramps jumps down from the railing and returns to his office, I jump up with Gajeel right behind me and we enter Gramps office.

~ Master P.O.V, ~

Once I jump down from the railing and enter my office, I have just enough time to sit on my desk before Natsu and Gajeel enter. Gajeel says "What do you need Gramps?" While Natsu remains quiet.

"I want both of you to work together to make the crowns for the ball. Can that be achieved without much problem or do I need Mira to act as a babysitter?"

Natsu speaks up "It's fine with me Gramps we don't actually have to work together. Metal-head over there can mix the metals and then I can form them up." While Gajeel gives a nod.

"Very well Gajeel you're free to go. Nasu stay behind please." with that Gajeel walks out while Natsu turns back towards me. "Is it true you'll be proposing to Lucy?" I ask quietly.

Natsu nods his head and says "She's agreed to be my mate, on the condition I marry her so I want it to be a surprise, only thing was I didn't know where to start so I did the only thing I could think of."

I nod my head and continue on from there "You went to Mira and she concocted this spring ball as a way so Lucy doesn't see it happening. Now tell me does Lucy know the whole story?"

He shakes his head no then says "She knows 99% of it but I'm gonna wait before I drop that bombshell on her."

"In other words she knows all she needs to worry about and you won't tell her that part because either way you'll protect her no matter what?" He nods his head at that not surprised I hit the nail on the head. "Very well you may go Natsu."

With that he turns and leaves and I go back to paperwork.

~ Natsu P.O.V. ~

As I walk out of Gramps office I growl out "What do you want metal-head?" He growls back just as low "I heard what y'all talked about. Why didn't you tell Bunny girl the whole story."

"If you heard then you know. She doesn't need to be worried about it right now."

A snort "What the hell Salamander if you don't tell her then I will."

I shoot a death glare at him and reply "You do that and I spill everything to Levy."

With that he freezes and says "What deal did you make with you dragon and for how long?"

I look around as we reach the bottom of the steps and walk out the back door with metal-head following me. Then I reply "I claim her within a year. I still have 3 months left."

Again another snort he says "Damn I could only get 6 months out of mine." I chuckle and say "It wasn't easy he kept wanting to take her right there at the cafe. So finally I managed to get him to understand the situation, and he surrendered albeit grudgingly and with a warning that still scares me."

Before he can reply Lucy comes through the backdoor and says "There you are. I've been looking for you. Mira told me you'd be out here. Also I ordered some fire chicken for you that should be ready."

I grin and say "Thanks Luce I'll be back inside in a second." With that she goes back inside and I growl at metal-head "Not a word." Before heading in after her.

How will Natsu propose to Lucy? What is the "That" that Master, Natsu, and Gajeel were talking about? What are these fluctuations and how do they affect Lucy and those around her? I already know, but you guys will find out over the next few days. See y'all soon.

Grizzly out for the night.

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