The following day, the guild was bustling. It seemed as if everyone was in between jobs at the same time, which was strange. Even Laxus could be found sitting at a table, drinking with Kana. Lucy could be found at the bar with Levy and Mira, sipping a strawberry smoothie. Gray was a little ways down, and if one looked at just the right time, they might swear he was staring at a certain celestial spirit mage. To Lucy, it was almost peaceful. After all, this was the most peaceful day she'd had in a while.

This calming hum of activity was broken by Natsu. "Lucy!" he yelled, running up to the blond and grabbing her shoulders.

"Yes?" she answered evenly.

"I know how I'm gonna make it up to you!"

"Make what up to me?"

At this, Natsu looked a bit uncomfortable. "Erm…"

Happy, who had just flown over, rescued him. "Natsu feels bad that he hit you yesterday."

"Happy!" Natsu glared at the exceed. He sighed and returned his attention to Lucy. "Anyway, let's all go on a mission!"

"All?" Lucy questioned.

"You know, you, me, Happy, and Lisanna!"

Lucy's stomach dropped a little. "Ah."

"Hey, flame-brain, there's no way I'm letting you take my new partner that easily!" Everyone turned to find a shirtless Gray.

"Since when is she your partner?" Natsu asked, a bit of malice creeping into his voice.

"Since we went on that last mission together. You do understand what the word 'partner' means, right?"

Natsu let loose a growl and glared at Gray. Gray glared right back. Natsu broke first, letting out a sigh. "Fine, you can come, too."

Suddenly, there was a presence behind Lucy, who yelped. "Oh, are we taking a mission?" Erza asked.

"Umm…" Natsu squirmed.

"Well, I'll just find Wendy and Charle and you can brief all of us at once." With that, the red head spun on her heal and walked away from the group, who all watched her retreating figure, mouths slightly agape.

Lucy coughed. She turned to Natsu. "Do you even have a request picked out?" The dragon slayer shook his head. The group let out a collective sigh. "Well, Natsu, you go find a mission suitable for…eight mages. Everyone else should go pack."

"Hey," Natsu exclaimed. "I have to pack, too!"

Lucy stared him down. "No, you don't. We all know you just grab a bedroll and are ready to go." She grabbed Gray's arm and started walking away. "Get to it, Natsu!"

"Hmpf." Natsu crossed his arms. "What's wrong with her?"

Happy stifled giggles with his paws. "She liiiiikes him!"

For some peculiar reason, this made Natsu uncomfortable and…angry? "Ah, I must be hungry!" he declared, running to beg some food off Mira.