I do not own Fairy Tail. This is an alternate universe from Hiro Mashima's work.


Chapter 9:

Natsu looked out at the horizon as the sun set behind them. He had to think of a away to protect Lucy. But not knowing when they would attack was troublesome. His onyx eyes were focused on the men moving about the base of the mountain where the cave resided.

"Natsu?" Lucy asked as she walked up behind him. The pink-haired boy looked up at her and smiled at her.

"Yeah, Luce?" He asked her. The blonde saw him smiling and smiled back at him.

"What are you thinking about?" She asked as she sat down next to him.

"Nothing." Natsu said, wanting to hide his thoughts from her.

"Okay." She said before resting her head on his shoulder. But Lucy was hiding her own thoughts from Natsu.

That night, when Natsu and Igneel were asleep, Lucy opened her eyes before sitting up from her bed. She looked at the sleeping pair and smiled. Her eyes closed as she went to stand up from her bed. A hand grabbed her wrist and made her gasp.

The blonde looked back at the pink-haired man who grabbed her. He looked at her with his onyx eyes that did not waiver. His hand pulled her down to the bedding and looked at her.

"Where were you going, Luce?" Natsu asked her as he wrapped his arms around her. "If you leave, I'll be lonely. Even though you were brought by force…you chose to stay here with me, didn't you?" He asks as his eyes stay on her.

Lucy blushes as she nods and wraps her arms around him. She tries not to cry while holding onto him.

"But…what about Father's guards?" Her brown eyes went to his face as she looked at him. The former princess was worried about the safety of Natsu and Igneel. She knew what her father could do to them without a second thought.

"They are dangerous and barely listen to Father's orders. I'm worried about what they will try to do to you and Igneel." She said softly as she blushed.

"Don't worry. It'll be fine." Natsu just held onto her as he smiled. His warm presence calming Lucy enough to go back to sleep.

He looked out at the night sky as he held her in his arms and tried to come up with a plan to escape. Natsu looked at Igneel who had heard their conversation and nodded his head. The dragon also nodded and walked towards the opening of the cave before taking off. Outside, Igneel flew through the darkness, hidden thanks to the moonless night.

The pink-haired boy kissed Lucy's head and closed his eyes as he tried to sleep.


Phantom Lord's men were relaxing and preparing for their fight with the dragon tomorrow. Gajeel ripped off a piece of jerky with his strong teeth and smiled evily.

"Gee-hee, I hope you're ready, Dragon Boy." He said before looking up at the cave.