A/N: Woa! I actually finished this chapter? I know it's a bit short but stay tuned for the fluff – you know you want it :D
Thanks again for following this story and adding it to favourites and story alert! Oh and a special thanks goes to NoemiNalu. You inspired me to write the last chapter so thanks a million :)
Today I have a nice little treat for you. First take this green skirt made out of straws and this lovely necklace made out of multiple coloured flowers. Now pick a random member from the Fairy Tail universe. Next I want you to strip him/her down and place the skirt and necklace on the person.
Now let the person dance a happy little hula dance just for you :)
And for some reason Makarov won't stop dancing in my head. That's disturbing in so many ways :)
Disclaimer: "Knock, knock! Who's there?"
"Not Hiro!"
"Not Hiro who?"
"Not Hiro Mashima!"
"Ha, ha that means you don't own anything!"
"Yes, yes it does"
Chapter 10: Help is only a sword away
She was laying on her back with her eyes closed. Her body felt heavy and weak for some reason. Honestly she felt like the entire guild had used her body as a punching bag. Not that she would know what that felt like but she was sure it would resemble the way she was feeling right now.
It didn't take many minutes before she remembered the horrible events that had transpired before she fell unconscious. Taking a breath she opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings. It looked like she was in the cabin but she wasn't sure. Blinking a few times she started to get herself up into a sitting position. She couldn't see Natsu anywhere but he had to be around somewhere right? Groaning she inched her body upwards with her sore muscles. For a second she wondered if this was how it would feel like if you moved in slow motion while your surroundings moved at a normal pace.
When she finally got to a sitting position she took another deep breath and slowly turned her head to look for Natsu. He wasn't anywhere to be seen and she could feel her heart starting to beat faster as panic slowly overwhelmed her. He had been in a terrible state when they left that horrible plant but he couldn't be dead could he? Closing her eyes she started to shake her head. No he wouldn't die from something so insignificant and she knew that. But why did she have this unsettling feeling in her stomach? She didn't get time to answer that question as something collided with her chest. The power of the impact made her fall down on her back with a small "eeep!" escaping her lips. Laying on her back she blinked in confusion until she heard and felt someone crying against her chest. Slowly she turned her head towards the source and soon found herself looking at a blue fur ball crying his eyes out.
"WAAAHH! LUCY!"
"Ha-Happy?!"
The cat turned his head in her direction and stared at her with tears and snot streaming down his face.
"I-I'm so sorry it's all my fault... snif... If I didn't take your clothes... snort... yo-you would have had your keys and... sniffle... you wouldn't have been hurt like this... snooooort... a-and... WAHHH I'M SO SORRY!"
She smiled as she gently patted him on his head. How could she be mad at him when he was crying his soul out like this?
"It's okay Happy"
"...sniff, snort..."
Letting out a sigh she kept comforting him as he cried for a few minutes. She could feel the amount of snot and tears that was mixing on her chest growing into a small pond and it made her shiver. Really it was kind of gross but she didn't have it in her heart to kick him away when he was this miserable. She wanted to know what happened after she fell unconscious and she wanted to know if Natsu was okay. But she knew it would be selfish to ask the exceed those questions at the moment.
Sighing she looked up at the ceiling. She would get her answers when the time was right she just needed to be patient for a bit longer.
"Oi! Happy! Stop drowning her breasts with your snot!"
She flinched for a second and turned her head towards the voice. Natsu was standing near the entrance with his arms crossed. He looked kind of pissed as he was staring at them with furrowed eyebrows.
"Natsuuuu! You know it would take a whole lot more to drown her gigantic breasts!"
Lucy felt the annoyance marks spawn on her head as she glared daggers towards Happy.
"What did you say, cat?!"
She didn't get a chance to hit the cat as he summoned his wings and flew away from her grinning.
"See you later Lucy"
"Happy! Come back here! I'll show you how deadly these breasts can be!"
She was almost standing but stopped when she looked at Natsu. He was staring at her with huge eyes and a rather crimson blush covering his face. Blinking a few times she tilted her head to the side. Why was he blushing? Wait a second he wasn't thinking about...
"Natsu stop imagining how deadly my breasts can be!"
Grinning at her he scratched the back of his head sheepishly.
"Well what if I did? What would you do about it?"
"Wait? What? You can't be serious?!"
"Oh I am!"
"You... You... I'll kill you, you stupid idiot!"
With a teasing smile she clenched her fists and started running towards Natsu. She didn't get very far though as her body started shivering uncontrollably. Her body felt fatigue and she had a hard time standing on her feet. She could feel gravity slowly pulling her body towards the ground but she never hit it as Natsu wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
"Got ya!"
Slowly she turned her head towards him. He was smiling gently at her and blushing slightly.
"Th.. Thanks"
"No problem Luce!"
She felt herself being airborne for a few seconds as he lifted her up into his arms.
"He-Hey! What do you think you're doing? What about your leg?"
"Huh? My leg's fine Luce. It was completely healed a few days ago"
"What? How long was I out?"
"Well, I think it's been about a week"
"A week?!"
"Yeah"
"But... How? Why?"
"Well Erza said you were in a coma like state because you used all of your strength during the fight with that plant thing"
"Oh?"
"But lets ask her! We've all been waiting for you to wake up from your slumber"
"S.. Sorry? I didn't mean to pull a sleeping beauty on you"
"What are you blabbering about? You're always beautiful when you sleep"
"Sh-shut up!"
"Te-he, you're blushing again"
"Will you just shut up already!"
Grinning he carried her outside towards the fireplace where Erza and Gray was starring in their direction, while Happy was flying in circles over their heads.
"So let me hear if I got this straight? You found me wandering around in the jungle dragging Natsu who was strapped on a leaf?"
"Aye"
"And I was dragging him with a liana tied around my waist?"
"Aye"
"And you don't know how long I've been wandering around like that?"
"Nope"
"Okay..."
Lucy turned her head to look at her nakama. She didn't remember much of what happened after her fight with the plant. Well she knew she had panicked at the end of the encounter and had to take some desperate measures to get away from there, but she couldn't remember walking around in the jungle.
Taking another look around she noticed the bags under their eyes. They all looked so exhausted. Turning her head she stopped when she got to Natsu. She didn't notice this before but he really looked awful. He had the biggest bags under his eyes and he looked pale. It even looked like he had lost some weight during her slumber. Why didn't she notice his condition in the cabin?
Sighing she turned her head towards Gray.
"So you were worried about us and went to the jungle to find us"
"Yes, Happy came back with your clothes. Well it was actually kind of funny because he was sort of impersonating..."
Gray never finished that sentence as Erza punched him in the stomach. Lucy felt a huge drop of sweat appearing on her head as she watched Gray fly off into the distance. It wasn't until he became a small sparkle in the horizon she exhaled and turned her attention towards her feet.
"Lucy"
"Hai!"
"When Happy came back with your clothes he... Well lets just say we didn't notice your keys attached to it. But when we did we didn't think it was a big deal at first. We thought if something happened Natsu would take care of it. Besides Happy told us you weren't that far away from the campsite so we waited for you to come back. We thought you would be back sooner but we didn't search for you right away because you might be... Umm... How do I say this...?"
Lucy's eyes widened as she watched Erza blush and stutter for the right words to form in her mind. That was just wrong in so many ways that she couldn't help shivering slightly at the sight.
Happy raised his paw and grinned towards her.
"They didn't want to disturb you because they thought you were making lovey dovey"
She froze in her position for a second. Did he just say..? Wait what? Huh? Why would they think that? Um, well she had been alone without her clothes in the jungle and... Alone with Natsu who didn't have his clothes either... Shaking her head furiously she felt every inch of her body blushing.
"... why did I get stuck on an island with perverts..."
Happy kept grinning at her and pointed a paw towards her.
"Ha! You're a pervert too Lucy! You were the one thinking indecent thoughts about Natsu when you were carrying him around in the jungle"
"How did you... Hey! No I didn't!"
"Yes you did!"
"Argh! Stupid cat! I'll make slippers out of you!"
Erza and Natsu laughed as they watched Lucy chase the exceed with clenched fists. The chase didn't last long as Happy summoned his wings and flew upwards and out of her reach.
"This isn't over cat!"
Putting out her tongue she wiggled it mockingly in the cats direction. When he got back she would make him pay for sure. Sighing she placed herself next to Natsu and rubbed her temples. Her muscles was still sore and she felt exhausted. Lifting her head she turned her attention towards Erza again.
"So you found us in the jungle and you got us back to the campsite"
"Yes and when we got here we took care of your wounds. Fortunately Happy found a chest filled with first aid kit when he was out scouting for fish"
"So that's why I'm wrapped in bandages"
"Yes"
"But how did you cure Natsu?"
"The poison wasn't deadly. He slept for two days but when the poisson's effect stopped he was up and running like nothing happened"
"Oh... Well I'm glad you found us and that everything turned out right. Thanks"
"Any time Lucy"
Everyone was silent after that and she suddenly felt very tired. Yawning she could feel small tears forming in the corner of her eyes. As she yawned she felt Natsu wrap his arm around her and slowly placing her head onto his lap. She was too tired to protest and yawned in her position. As she laid there she felt him gently stroking her hair. His fingers gently caressing her head felt nice and she exhaled as she closed her eyes. It didn't last long before she was snoring peacefully on his lap.
Natsu watched Lucy as she was snoring lightly on his lap. He kept stroking her hair even though he knew she was fast asleep. She looked so fragile in her slumber and for now he just wanted to be there for her even if his only function at the moment was being a pillow.
"Natsu"
"Mmm Erza?"
"Have you told her yet?"
He froze in his position and stopped stroking her hair. She couldn't know about his feelings towards Lucy could she? He just acknowledged his feelings recently so there was no way for her to know that. Right? Slowly he turned his face towards her while narrowing his eyes.
"Told her what?"
"Your feelings towards her. Have you told her yet?"
Crap! She knew? How? He started laughing nervously and scratched the back of his head.
"He, what are you talking about Erza? We're nakama! She knows I care about her"
"Don't insult me Natsu! I know you like her more than that"
"No I..."
"Now you listen to me Natsu! I know you're dense and inexperienced when it comes to this stuff but you're not an idiot! I've seen have you act towards each other and it's so obvious that I'm surprised you haven't acknowledged it yet"
"Erza I..."
"I noticed this a while back but even if I hadn't I would have reached the same conclusion during this week when she was unconscious. Look at yourself! You've been a mess all week because you were worried about her!"
"That's not fair. I would have been worried if it was any of you guys who didn't wake up"
"But not to the same extent. We've been nakama for a long time now haven't we Natsu? I know how you act when you're worried and normally you would pace restlessly around the place wanting to start a fight with anyone who gets in your way..."
"So? I've had multiple fights with Gray the last couple of days. I don't see I've acted any different than..."
"Hush! I'm not done Natsu! Normally you would still be capable of eating and sleeping. But have you had any sleep at all during this week? Have you had anything to eat? Just look at yourself! You look like a living zombie at the moment! You've lost weight and you're so sleep deprived that you're starting too look like a madman. I know how you feel towards her and I think you should grow up and be a man about this"
Natsu narrowed his eyes as he listened to her speech. It was true that he hadn't gotten much sleep or enough to eat recently. Heck he couldn't even remember when he slept or had anything to eat when he thought about it. Well it was probably true that he hadn't slept or eaten during the week Lucy was unconscious. It wasn't because he wanted to ignore his body's basic needs he was just to worried to pay any attention to it.
Sighing he hid his face with his hands. What should he do know? Should he confess his feelings to Erza and tell her that her assumptions was right? Would it be okay to tell her when he hadn't said anything to Lucy? Well he couldn't ignore her either so he had to do something. But what? His thoughts were blurry and chaotic and the lack of sleep and food didn't exactly help.
"Natsu. You don't have to tell me. I want you to tell Lucy how you feel"
He didn't move but kept his face hidden in his hands. Opening his mouth he talked in a tone that was barely above a whisper.
"But how... and why? How can I tell her? Why would I tell her? Wouldn't it be selfish to say something like that to her? I mean I could ruin everything we have and I don't want that... If she doesn't fell the same way she would probably leave me and I don't ever want her to do that. I would rather live with this than risking solitude"
"She would never cut you off like that. You know her better than any of us does and do you really think she would leave you if you told her?"
"No... No she probably wouldn't"
"Then what are you scared of? That she doesn't feel the same way? I'm sure she does but even if she didn't don't you think she have the right to know your feelings?"
"I guess she does... But... I don't know how..."
"I have faith in you and I know you'll figure out how to tell her. Just don't give up hope until you've tried"
Removing his hands he looked at Erza. She was smiling encouraging at him and he knew right then and there that he had to tell Lucy. He didn't know how or when but he was confident that an opportunity would arrive at some point. Grinning he nodded towards Erza.
"Thanks Erza"
"No problem Natsu. Now might I suggest you eat something and take a nap?"
"Yes ma'am!"
He saluted for a second as he watched Erza run off to fetch a giant barrel and placing it in front of him. Blinking in confusion he looked inside the barrel but grinned when he saw all the fish it contained. Still with Lucy laying on his lap he picked one fish up after another, fried it with his magic and consumed it in one bite. When he was done emptying the barrel he burped and smiled with his canines showing.
"Thanks Erza!
"No problem Natsu"
"Man I'm tired! Well I'm off to bed. Later!"
"Later Natsu"
"Oh wait Erza?"
"Yes?"
"How do we get off this island?"
"Eh.. I don't know. But we'll figure something out right? And it's not like we're in a hurry are we?"
"But what about the mission?"
"The master will take care of that. Don't worry about it"
"Right... Night Erza!"
"Night Natsu"
Still smiling he gently placed his arms under Lucy and lifted her. She mumbled something but she didn't wake by the movements. His smile increased as he looked down at her. Some day soon she would be his. Even if he had to fight for it he would win her heart some way.
He walked to the cabin and placed Lucy on the floor. Looking around he found a banana leaf and wrapped it around her. She started mumbling again and he placed his hands on each side of her head and leaned in closer to hear what she was mumbling about.
"... don't fly off like that.. stupid... I can't catch you when you fly..."
He laughed as he heard her mumbling. She was probably dreaming about Happy and her previous attempt to catch him.
"... why do you have wings Natsu...?"
He flinched as he heard his name. She was dreaming about him having wings? That was just weird but then again this was Lucy. Looking down he noticed that their heads were only inches apart. It wasn't uncomfortable or anything but he could fell a small blush appearing as he kept watching her. She looked so peaceful and beautiful right now and her scent was so intoxicating he had a hard time controlling himself. Really this was pure torture but in a way he enjoyed it.
He didn't think about his action as he leaned in closer and inhaled her scent. His body tingled and his mind was blurry as he grinned.
"Soon Luce.. I promise... I'll do whatever it takes"
She didn't hear him and it didn't really matter to him at the moment. He just needed to say those words aloud to harden his determination. Still smiling he placed his lips on her forehead and kissed it lightly.
"Just wait for me okay?"
He could feel his cheeks burn as he laid next to her and wrapped an arm around her waist. His body and soul was at ease for the moment and it didn't take long before he was sleeping peacefully.
A/N: You go Erza! Knock some sense into him! And Natsu... again you're such a pervert! Yeah I know I'm the one making him perverted but I really love that side of him. Ge-he-he! I feel like running around like a maniac with my arms above my head :)
Gray: "What the fuck?"
Me: "Sorry I made you fly off like that"
Gray: "Yeah what gives?!"
Me: "I didn't want you there when Erza interrogated Natsu"
Gray: "Why?!"
Me: "Because it would mess up the storyline"
Gray: "Hmpf! You promised me something a while back for the prank blondie and the idiot pulled on me remember? When is that gonna happen?"
Me: "Next chapter"
Gray: "Really? Sweet! Well what are you staring at! Start typing the next chapter or else!"
Me: "Ha-hai!"