Sorry for any grammar/spellings errors! I didn't proof read this due to rewriting it too many times. Now on to the story!

Roses are red, violets are blue, Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.. I don't think that rhymes..

Chapter Eight

(Lucy's point of view)

"Lucy are we there yet?" Natsu whined, shoulders slummed as he brought of the rear of the group.

"No Natsu we've only started walking a few hours ago and it will take all day to get there." I tried taking calming breaths that has to be the fifth time he's asked me.

"Lucyyy my feet hurt!" Happy floated near Natsu tears streaming down his face.

"Happy you've been flying the entire time." Once again I tried taking deep calming breaths.

"Lucy can be take a break it's so hot out here." Gray sighed behind me.

"Gray we just took a break." This deep breathing thing really wasn't working.

"But Lucy!" All three of them yelled as I came to a stop.

"ENOUGH!" Turning around I connected my foot into Gray's stomach sending him flying backwards into Natsu and Happy. "We still have a full day worth of walking and I've a headache from hell because of you three. Shut up and walk. Not. One. More. Word." I seethed through clenched teeth before turning around and resume walking.

"Lucy-san would you like some water and medicine for your headache? I've some herbal pills made from Porlyusica." Freed fished around in his bag pulling out a small bottle that had circular pills in it. "Here I think one should be enough, they work rather quickly." He offered me the medicine and a bottle of water that I gladly accepted.

"Thank you Freed." I smiled taking the little pill and drinking a generous amount of water. "Oh by the way Freed would you like me to have Virgo store your bags in the Spirit World?"

"Is that allow?" He asked, "Of course I rather not carry all this luggage around if you don't mind Lucy-san."

"It's perfectly fine Freed." I touched Virgo's key and she appeared hearing my silent call.

"Punishment Hime-sama?" She asked bowing her head slightly she smiled glancing at Gray and Natsu.

"Not at the moment Virgo I'll let you know if that changes." I giggled, "Do you mind storing Freed's bag with mine in the Spirit World?"

"Of course Hime-sama, will I be collecting Natsu and Gray's packs as well?" She questioned taking the bags from Freed.

"That won't be necessary they want to carry their bags Virgo." I heard the two begin to protest before I turned and shot them a look silencing them.

"As you wish Hime-sama." Bowing again Virgo vanished back to the Spirit World.

We continued walking in silence other than the occasional sigh that left either Gray, Natsu, or Happy. The quiet definitely was welcomed after an hour of are we there yet from the three idiots. My mind went back to last night in the forest with Laxus. Part of me had been so embarrassed that he seen me in such a state. Laxus really was rough around the edges and I noticed from our interaction in the guild that not many people were friendly with the man. Not that his demeanor really allowed people to get close to him. I knew that deep down Laxus was a decent person. He had a past that probably was horrible making him the way he is now. I knew he showed me parts of himself that not many have seen yesterday from the reactions of Freed. I admitted I was glad that he felt he could be somewhat his self around me but the man still erked me to no end. I've only just met him and already he consumed a huge part of my mind. My every thought seemed to revolve around the dragon slayer. Why? I had no idea. Maybe it was because he reminded me of myself or because he seemed like underneath it all he really was a good guy or maybe it was that damn kiss. A kiss that I was sure Freed saw and was waiting for the perfect moment to interrogate me about.

Sighing I looked up at the sky. It had been turning into a darker shade of gray since we set out this morning. I really liked the rain but I secretly was hoping it would hold off until we reached our place of destination. Nature however was always unkind to those who traveled. I felt the first drop hit my cheek feeling the cool twinge of water ran down my face. We still had a whole day of walking ahead of us and this weather would slow us down. I glanced back at the guys and seen the pleading looks they sent me with their eyes. I didn't blame them this time though I had no desire to walk in the storm that was coming but we were also in no position to wait it out. The client had been told of our arrival this evening.

"Lucy-san it will be difficult to make this journey in this weather. Maybe we should call our client and inform him that we may be delayed due to the storm?" Freed spoke looking around the area trying to find some decent shelter.

"As much as I agree with you Freed there isn't any place for us to wait this out even with the tree coverage we will still be getting rained on." It slowly began to drizzle as we tried to come up with some way to give us shelter from this storm.

"Lucy-sama," I heard Corvus whisper beside me. "I think I may be of assistance to you. I can help you travel to your destination faster without the weather interfering through my shadows however I can only take two at a time." I thought about what he said and I knew that it would be extremely taxing on not only me but him to shadow travel all of us like that. Before I could come up with a reply Freed started to talk.

"That would be no problem if you are okay with it Lucy-san. I can teleport through my runes and can take someone along with me."

"That should work thank you Freed!" I turned to Corvus and waved towards Natsu, Gray, and Happy. "You think you can handle them and I will go with Freed. Drop them off outside of the town we will meet with you and contact the client before entering the town." He nodded walking over to the group.

"No p-please let m-me w-walk." Natsu turned green swaying slightly at the thought of shadow travel.

"Alright Freed are you ready?" I glanced back at the rune mage to see a slight blush on his face. "Um are you okay?"

"Y-Yes I uh forgive me this may be a little awkward Lucy-san but seeing as I'm not familiar with your magic we've no other choice but to travel like this." Before I could question it Freed pulled me into his chest wrapping his arms around my shoulders holding me close to him. I could feel my face blooming into what I was sure to be a wonderful shade of red. I felt Freed's magic hum to life around our bodies. "Hold on Lucy-san we wouldn't want to get separated." I nodded my head and wrapped my arms around his waist in what must look like a lover's embrace. Suddenly I felt my body begin to tingle as runes wrapped around us. Everything after that happened so quickly and before I knew it we were on the outskirts of the town near the treeline of the forest. As soon as Freed let go of his hold on me my legs wobbled as I fell towards the ground. Before the ground could greet me Freed grabbed my wrist allowing me to lean on him as my legs regained their strength. "Sorry Lucy-san I forget that teleportation the first time makes one woozy. Just try to relax and take deep breaths please let me know if you feel like you'll be sick." Freed looked down at me concerned as I tried to calm down my breathing noticing for the first time I was panting.

"Lucy-sama?" I heard Corvus come up beside me quickly taking me from Freed scooping me up in his arms causing me to groan from the sudden movements. "Rest Lucy-sama it will pass soon enough."

Several minutes went by after that. Natsu hurling behind a tree while Happy laughed at him. Gray stripping out of his shirt that started to become damp from the slow drizzle. Freed had been writing runes around our spot since our enemy knew we were coming traps were necessary. Slowly the feeling returned to my legs and my head stopped spinning like crazy. Once I was sure I could function like a regular human being again I pulled out the communication lacrima that was in my bag I kept on me.

"Freed I'm feeling better and if you've completely secured the area let's call the mayor and make sure it's safe before enter town. Corvus please sneak into the mayor's office make sure no magic is being used to control anyone. Once you've checked out the mayor's office please check into the hotel we need to make sure these two areas are safe for us to be in." Corvus bowed his head slightly before transforming into shadows and disappearing.

"Of course Lucy-san the area is safe and I will know immediately if anyone attempts to enter the area. Should we call Gray and Natsu over?" He asked sitting on the ground next to me.

"No that won't be needed they will only prolong the call and probably make the mayor doubt our abilities. Right now the mayor should see that we are well prepared and thought out everything, not a bunch of brainless twits." I shake my head at the two boys and blue exseed eating unknown mushrooms and berries they found. Freed follows my line of vision before looking back at me a little worried.

"Lucy-san do they know those mushrooms are poisonous?" Freed asked with wonder glancing back at the three idiots.

"Freed I've told them never to eat food out of the forest without having Erza or I approve it. Trust me this is nothing compared to some of the stuff they've consumed." I simple shrugged straightening my posture as I poured a bit of magic into the lacrima. I waited for someone to answer but nothing came through. I furrowed my eyebrows concerned with what the problem was worried that maybe something had gone amuck.

"Lucy-san is everything alright?" Freed questioned waiting for something to pop up in the lacrima.

"I'm not sure Freed no one is answering-" Before I could continue Corvus popped up beside me his usual stock features twinged with worry.

"Lucy-sama there is a problem the town has been taken over by the rogue mages. The mayor is being held hostage as they await your arrival. They have many mages and non magic bandits hidden within the town and streets. They've made it a game of who can catch the Fairies first. It's a trap there is no way to get in without being seen by someone. Also it seems they are in league with a dark guild I did not catch the name forgive me Lucy-sama." Corvus bowed his head kneeling next to me. I sat there trying to come up with some sort of plan to help save the citizens as well as getting the Phoenix Tear back.

"Freed hurry I need you to put runes around us so none us can leave this area" I nearly shout as I notice the look on Natsu's face and the unsaid challenge dancing in his eyes.

"W-what Lucy-san?" He asked confused by my sudden outburst.

"No questions do it now!" I jump up running to Natsu attempting to restrain him.

"Knock it off Luce I can take them no problem." Natsu shoved me away flames already licking around his fists.

"G-Gray some help." I struggled to keep my hold on the flaming idiot as his fire magic started to eat at my grip slightly burning my skin causing me to yelp.

"Flame brain cut it out you're hurting Lucy!" Gray ready his magic not thinking too much about the fact that I still had my arms wrapped around Natsu's waist as his magic hit us both. "Shit Lucy I'm sorry!" Gray came up next to me helping back to my feet while Natsu took the moment to run.

"Come on Happy else go kick some ass!" He smiled his toothy grin, Happy grinning in return shouting an 'aye sir' before flying after Natsu.

"Gray go after them," I choked out legs shaking from the impact of Gray's magic.

"I'll bring the idiot back." I nodded at Gray as he sprinted after Natsu and Happy.

My body was still cold from Gray's attack plus my hands and arms were burned from Natsu. This was a big mess now just like every other mission we take. I don't even know why I try to come up with detailed plans when they never follow through. I was hoping that this would be an easy mission plus I wanted the celestial key given with the reward but it seems like Team Natsu can never land a simple mission. I don't think I've ever gone on a mission that didn't end up in complete disaster. Still with Freed coming along I thought that maybe Natsu wouldn't be as reckless. Natsu never realized just how he put everyone on the team in danger when he rushed off to fight the strongest guy. I turned to Freed to see a look of complete shock mixed with confusion and a little regret. It really wasn't his fault I should have explained the extend of this crazy team of lunatics. I watched as Freed turned away and pulled out his one communication lacrima from his coat pocket and channeled some magic into it.

"What do ya want?" The rough voice of Laxus came through the connection.

"Forgive me Laxus-sama but I've made a grave mistake and have compromised this entire mission. It seems a the rogue mages we were to capture have aligned with a dark guild and are ready for any attack of action we could've come up with. However this is not the worst part," Freed paused a look of sorrow cross his face. "Lucy-san asked me to set of runes so mainly Natsu couldn't leave but I hesitated not understanding why it was necessary. She tried restraining him to give me time but it was too late at that point. Lucy-san in now injured, Natsu unknowingly let his magic get the best of him and burnt Lucy-san's hands and arms plus she was hit with some of Gray's magic from the back. Now Natsu has charged into the town with his little cat and Gray chasing after him. Everything has gone wrong and I'm now worried about the class of this mission." Freed finished throwing a glance my way when he would mention me.

"Those idiots attacked blondie?!" Laxus half growled as Freed nodded his head. "Let me talk to blondie." Freed walked over to where I was leaning against a tree.

"Lucy-san please sit down your legs are shaking," Freed lectured helping to the ground before handing me the lacrima.

"Thanks Freed," I gave him a small smile turning to the lacrima I saw Laxus and what looked like a whole lot of rage mixed with a pinch of concern.

"What's the situation blondie," Laxus almost growl glaring through the lacrima.

"Well we've arrived sooner than expected thanks to Corvus and Freed. As soon as we arrived I sent Corvus out to investigate the town, mainly the mayor's office and the hotel we would be staying in. No one would answer though via lacrima it was then that Corvus returned and told us the mayor was being held hostage. The mages who stole the Phoenix Tear seem to have allied with a dark guild and regular bandits. We don't know what dark guild it is but Corvus says they have people hidden everywhere within the town. Natsu being Natsu seen it as a challenge and tried to take off I tried to stop him but my strength is nothing compared to his and his magic flared up burning me where I tried to hold him. Gray didn't mean to hit me with his attack but he really didn't think about me being in the way either. After his attack hit me it gave Natsu all the time he needed to run off." I sighed closing my eyes for a moment, "To be quite honest this is normal for my stupid team. Natsu never thinks he only answers things with brute strength. Like Freed said this mission may no longer be a normal mission for us it could very well be borderline S - Class now."

I opened my eyes looking into the lacrima at the blonde man watching as he digested everything I told him. He looked annoyed, extremely frustrated with a touch of anger but there was a slight hint of concern dancing in his storm grey eyes. It was strange, I didn't know Laxus that well but from what I could tell he wasn't one to waste time worrying over the state of others. He seemed like the kind of man who only worried over those he kept within his inner circle. Even though we were all in the same guild I knew that Laxus and his group weren't popular within the guild. I didn't even know who we was before yesterday.

"Freed has been on many S - Class missions with me before blondie so trust in his judgment, he has gotten our team through some pretty bad shit. If the situation gets worse call me we will get Bicks or Ever out there if we have to especially if Natsu and Gray get caught by that mage and his mind/body control thing. I'm in the middle of my mission with Loke right now so I can't be of much help." Laxus sighed rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Honestly blondie how do you choose a simple find and capture mission and get into this kind of shit?" I felt a giggle crawl up my throat at the man's comment, if he only knew about the horrors of Team Natsu.

"Well dragon boy trouble seems to follow my like the plague, I suggest running at first sight of me, it could be contagious." I mumbled off the last bit a small smile playing at my lips. Laxus was a brute that much was true anyone in Fairy Tail would tell probably tell you to steer clear of the dragon slayer, yet he seemed to draw me in like a fly captivated by the light. I really wanted to know this man with every fiber of my being.

"Well blondie I'll try not to catch it but I don't run from shit." A smirk graced his lips and I felt my heart leap into my chest. "Seriously though listen to Freed he has experience with these kind of things and try not to get killed." Before I could reply he cut off the connection and I finally dropped my hand to the ground.

"Lucy-san forgive me for not following through with your request and I would like you to know from the moment forward I won't question you on such matters in the future." Freed helped me up from my spot on the ground.

"It's not your fault Freed I should've explained the recklessness of my team in more depth instead of tip toeing around it." I sighed handing him back the lacrima, "Well Freed let's get on with this mission." I smile at him, "After all Fairy Tail mages always finish their missions."

XXX

Ehh well guys I really don't like this chapter it's not what I wanted I can't tell you how many times I've rewritten the last half of the story. I decided to just post it and hope for the best because if I rewrite anymore of it there won't even be anything left.

The next chapter will be more about the mission and a little bit on how Natsu and Gray are holding up. Anyway wish me luck with the next chapter!

My uncle is doing a little better by the way so hopefully I will be able to update faster next time!

Thanks for all the lovely reviews and support you guys rock!

**MidnightsFireflies**