Hi everyooone! XD this is Nachii agaiin!

Long time no see, huh? ;D thanks for ur reviews guys! I love them! *cry happily*

and I guess some of you hate Judo now, huh? well I admit I dun like him either (in this story) x3

but yeah, here ya go, chappie ten! I hope u guys like iitt~ x9

Chapter 10

"Lucy! Run!"

"I'm not going anywhere without you Mama!"

"Capricorn! Take Lucy to-"

"No! MOM!"

Lucy stood up, panted, eyes snapped open. Cold sweat bullet flooded her face. She could hear her heartbeat rising rapidly. The room was dark. Of course, it's probably one or two in the morning. Lucy pulled her knees up to her chest, tried to calm herself. Lucy took a deep breath and closed her eyes. An image of that giant dragon slashed everything played again. This time there was no Mama in sight. But Lucy could see that dragon burned and slashed her father, Makarov, Porlyusica, her friends and…

Lucy opened her eyes again and shook her head furiously.

"No! No no no no no! No please!" she sobbed.

Her sobbed hitched when a warm arm wrapped around her shoulder and pulled her to a muscular chest. Lucy looked up, seeing Natsu rested his chin on the top of her head. Lucy sobbed louder, burying her face on the crook of his neck. The hot tears dropped on Natsu's neck and shoulder, but he didn't care.

"Sshh.. It's okay. Everything will be okay.." He whispered, stroking her hair lightly. Lucy hiccupped and nodded. She rubbed her bloodshot eyes before pulled away from his embrace. The warmth leaved her sweating body.

"Nightmare?" the pink haired teen asked. Again, the Princess nodded. "Want to talk about it?" Lucy kept silent for a minute, made her bodyguard sighed. "It's okay weirdo. Nothing bad's gonna happen," Lucy pouted at the nickname, but then she sighed. "I hope you're right. Sorry for waking you. You must be tired, right?" Natsu raised a brow.

"You okay, Luce?" Lucy nodded and smiled, not knowing that Natsu notice the sad tone and expression on her face. "Lucy..-"

"I'm fine Natsu, stop worrying, jeez." She waved her hand in front of his face. "I'm going to the bathroom, okay. You can go back to sleep," she said hurriedly, not even looked at his sad face. A click on the bathroom and Natsu sighed.

Just what the hell is wrong with her? He didn't know. But it felt like she was moving… away?

Lucy closed the bathroom and went to the mirror. Her eyes were red, and her skin was paler than before. She looked like a zombie. Maybe tomorrow Virgo will bring her a Brain Pancake of Brain Juice as breakfast. Lucy shivered at the thought. She splashed some water to her face and sighed.

When she went back to the bedroom, Natsu was leaning on the window frame, looking outside. Lucy frowned and walked to the bed.

"Something's bothering you, isn't it?" the sudden question caught her off guard. "I told you I'm fine, Natsu," Lucy cursed her shaky voice. Natsu ran his hand to his rosy hair in frustration. "No. you're not fine! What is it?" he sat beside her. "You know you can tell me everything right? So what is it? Is it about that nightmare?" Lucy tensed. Natsu smirked. "So it is about the nightmare." Lucy's frown got deeper and she slammed herself to the bed.

"That was a scary dream," she whispered, covering her eyes with her palms. "Er, Luce. It was called a nightmare for some reason." Lucy sighed. "Then it was the scariest nightmare." Natsu grinned, laid beside her and faced the Blondie. For a few minutes they were accompanied by silence. Lucy faced the pink haired half dragon curiously.

"What?"

"Soo.. Aren't you gonna tell me what is the nightmare about?" Lucy sighed and took a pillow. She buried her face in it. Screaming. Natsu sweat dropped. "Okay. Okay! If you don't want to tell me it's okay! Really okay!" he said waving his hands, afraid someone might hear her. Lucy laughed, made the pinky blinked.

"Lucyyyy.." he said in a scary tone. Lucy wiped her tears and rested her left cheek on her palm, looking at her mighty bodyguard. "It was about that giant dragon. And I can see it slashed and burned and hurt everyone. Including you." She whispered the last part sadly. Natsu stayed silent. She told him how she can't do anything to save them and him, and it made her feel so useless and hopeless. Natsu just kept listening until she finished.

"So, is that the thing that bothered you? That's it?"

"What do you mean that's it?" she asked, punching his arm and turned away. Natsu sighed for the millionth time, watching her back. Lucy hugged the pillow tighter and bit her lip, stopping the urge to cry again. Hell! She wasn't a crybaby. And she won't be. But her heart stung really hurt. She regretted telling that idiot about that idiot dream.

Didn't he know how she felt when that nightmare played again and again? It made her feel so terribly hopeless. And now he just said like it wasn't a big deal? It felt like when he was fighting the dragons that attacked her. And Lucy realized that she relied on him too much. She can't even stay a day without him. She always wanted Natsu to become her best friend, not bodyguard. So he didn't have to cost his life to protect her anymore. Coz it felt too damn hurt when she watched him fighting with all his might, while she just sitting and waited until he's done and win.

The pretty blonde didn't realize a sob escaped her throat, startling Natsu. He shook her a bit, but he didn't budge, instead she hugged the pillow tighter. Natsu bit his lips at the super awkward situation.

"Luce.."

"Sorry Natsu. I just… I… I need to be alone. Just go back to your sleep," she wiped her tears and ran outside. Leaving Natsu blinked and tried to register what she had just said. "Oh man!" Natsu sprinted towards the Princess.

Natsu looked at each direction, tried to find Lucy. Same questions repeated over and over again in his brain. What happen? Did he do something wrong? Was it him who made her cry? Natsu stopped, put an arm on the wall to support his body.

"I made Lucy cry," he whispered. An arrow shot right through his heart. It was hurt, seeing her cry, especially when he was the reason behind those tears. Natsu shook his head, trying not to suicide right there and right now. He sniffed her scents and followed it. Natsu stopped on front of library door. "I should've known." He said and opened the door. Tons of books that arranged on the cupboards welcomed him. He tried looking on the couch and in front of the fireplace. No Lucy.

Natsu sniffed again and followed it into the corner. 'Found ya', he thought. Lucy was sitting on the floor, the pillow was put behind her head. A book was placed on her lap, while the moon shined trough the window, helping her see the book clearer. That wasn't a book, actually, it was an album of her and her mom. A tear dropped on the picture of her and her mother in the park, with icing on their faces.

Natsu sat beside her. His hand rose carefully to touch her. Like a touch would break her into pieces. Natsu brushed the teras with his thumb.

"I told you I need to be alone," she said, but made no move to pushed his hands away. "Yeah. I heard it," he answered. "So what are you doing here? This" she pointed to herself but not bothering herself to look at him in the eye, "girl needs to be alone you. So don't bother to look for her anymore." She said bitterly. Her tears kept pouring. Natsu sighed and grab the book, ignoring her protest and carefully put it on the rack.

He turned to her again, now take a full look of her. Her tear strained brown eyes, her pale face that shining with the moon light. Her lips quivered upward and her whole body trembling. Natsu sighed and touched her cheek with his forefinger and the girl made no move. "Is it because what I said earlier, about the nightmare?" Lucy turned to the side. "You really mad at me?" he asked with a sad tone, made the blonde Princess turned to him.

"Yes. No? I don't know," she pulled away and covered her face again. Feeling slightly embarrassed and stupid. Natsu stared at the stubborn and weird Princess before him and laughed. Lucy pouted again. "What? What's so funny?"

"You!" Lucy punched his arms again. "You're not helping at all idiot!" Natsu smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. "Could you please just tell me what's bothering you? The real thing that bug you?" Lucy lowered her head again.

"You won't laugh?"

"Huh? Why should I?"

"Okay." She took a deep breath. "I feel bad because I rely on you too much. I... I feel so useless.."

"Huh?"

"Yes. I know it's so stupid but I feel useless every time I rely on you too much. So please, I beg you stop acting like you're my bodyguard for a while-"

"Acting? But I am your bodyguard Luce," he asked raising a brow.

"Yes! I know, but please pretend that you're not. At least just for a day." She clapped her hands together.

"Wha?"

"You know, I mean stop being so protective and stuffs and-"

"Wait. You don't like it?"

"No! I mean yes. I mean aargh! I mean, please act like you're my best friend, not my bodyguard."

"But I am your best friend weirdo." He chuckled, ruffled her hair.

"I know, but you always being so protective to me, not that I don't like it. I like it, really, that was so sweet, but I really want to feel a day with a best friend, so you don't have to protect me." Natsu titled his head, still not understanding.

"Just forget that you're my bodyguard." Natsu's mind clicked and he made an 'O' with his mouth.

"Pfft." Lucy's eyebrow knitted together.

"Now what? Was there anything funny?"

"Weirdooo!" he messed her hair more. Lucy struggled in his arms.

"Do you really think that I protected you this whole time because I am your bodyguard?" Lucy stopped with her struggling. "You don't?"

"Nope." He said nonchalantly.

"Then why?" Natsu grinned.

"Because I want to, with all my heart. " He said, leaning closer and planted a small peck on her forehead.

Lucy blushed and stared blankly at him. Natsu laughed and pick her up bridal style.

"Go back to sleep, Luce." He smiled softly.

"Wha? Wait! Put me down!"

Tow ladies walked side by side in front of a flower field in the wood. They were laughing, chatting happily. A small crown placed on top of the blonde's head while the one with light blue hair was busy wiping the dust from the crown.

"My, stop it Grandine! My crown is fine! You felt like the maids now," the blunette laughed at her best friend's words. "Ow come on Layla. A queen has to be beautiful every time. You know that, don't you?" Layla smiled and shook her head.

"Yes I know. But you know what? I guess being a queen is not just about looks and rich. It's about how to take care of your family. And you and the whole citizens of Magnolia are my family." Grandine smiled. "So I don't care of what clothes I'm wearing, but I care about how to take care of my family. So this crown isn't matter," she pointed to the shiny crown on her head.

"I'm wearing this because Judo insisted me," she finished, rolling her eyes. Grandine laughed again. "You know Layla? I never thought that a young lady like you might be wed to a Prince like Judo, I mean, I can see that all he thinks is about the famous and richness of this city while you," she examined the Queen, "all you think is about how to take care of the citizens. Well, people said opposite attract, huh?"

Layla smiled, sat on the green soft grass and picked a purple petunia in front of her. "And we became Queen and King. Time flows so fast right?"

"Yeah. So fast," Grandine sat beside her. "Anyway Grandine. When will you bring Natsu to the castle? I bet Lucy will be so happy seeing a new friend," she pouted at the Dragneel's lady. "Haha.. Well, it seems like his father is busy training him. They almost forget everything like bath, and sleep! I always wonder why they didn't forget about food." Grandine answered, earning a laugh from Layla.

"Come on! Then take Igneel too! I really wanted Natsu and Lucy met and become best friends! And-"

"Okay, I know where this lead to." Grandine chuckled at the Queen's daydream. Layla pouted. "But I guess it will be best if they find each other by themselves huh?" The blue haired lady said, looking to the blue sky. Layla smiled and nodded.

"But what if they found another person?" she whined a moment later. "Trust me, they won't." Just then a horse steps was heard, made the two women snapped their heads.

"My Queen, His Majesty wanted you to come back to the castle now. He said there will be a meeting after lunch." A guard bowed to her. Layla sighed and turned to hug Grandine. "Well I have to come back now. See you later Grandine," Grandine smiled and hug her best friend back. "And don't forget to bring Natsu when you come to the castle!" she said after pulling away. Grandine laughed, "Okay. I know he'd love to," Layla smiled for the hundred times.

"See you later! The castle's gates will always be open for the Dragneels!" she waved. Grandine waved back.

The blue haired woman sighed at the memory. How much she missed that Queen.

Everyone missed Layla Heartfilia. No exception. It felt like she gave a magic power that made everyone smile. For the citizens, for her friends, for her husband, and for her beloved Lucky Lucy.

Ever since Judo told Lucy that her beloved light, her beloved Queen that she called Mom was dead, Lucy's world turned upside down. She spent her most times in her bedroom that had so many memories about her mother and herself. After her lesson time, she went back to her room. Her spirits tried many times to cheer her up, no use.

Until Dragons Night last three years. When she saw a boy with fire on his feet, calming a dragon that charged the backyard, right in front of her window. He smiled at the dragon, patting its head like the creature was a dog. Lucy was caught in amazement and she couldn't take her eyes off him. When that dragon flew away, the boy looked at her window and their eyes met. Lucy put her hand on her window glass. The boy flew closer to her window, seemed curious.

Although it seemed bright enough because of the fire on his feet, she couldn't see his face clearer. All she could see was a scar under his scarf on his neck. His eyes were fascinating, and she couldn't look away. His right hand rose, sliding on her cheek that sent shiver through her skin. And the young Princess dared herself to touch his hand that touching her cheeks so slowly and gently.

Just when she was about to smile at him her short lasted happiness stopped. The door burst open. Revealing Mrs. Spetto called her and told her to stay away from the window. The boy got startled and flew away to the city that she herself could see, were fighting the dragons.

But then she saw him grinned at her and she smiled back, feeling weird warmth on her belly and cheeks, before following Mrs. Spetto to her Mom's bedroom to sleep safely, since her father was busy fighting the flying reptiles.

Since that Lucy Heartfilia always made excuses to join her father or her tutors to the city. She really wanted to see the outside. And more importantly, she wanted to meet that charming boy again. But after a few times failure, she sighed in defeated. And her father never allowed her to go out of the castle anymore. Little did she know that the 'charming' boy always watched her appearance in the city until the day they met again.

Lucy grinned at her locket once more. Natsu has lighted the fire once again. He said the fire will grew bigger if she was happy or laughing, but will die up when her tears touched it or when she was in danger. Lucy sighed happily, waiting her bodyguard to come back from whatever Mrs. Spetto told him to do.

"What's with that face?" Porlyusica asked her short friend. Makarov stood up and walked to the window. "I was thinking about the reason why the dragons attack this castle in the first place."

"Well I thought it's because that they looked for more food." Makarov shook his head. "No. I mean, why the castle? Those dragons weren't fool to think that they'll get a lot of food here." Porlyusica's brow furrowed. "You mean, there's another cause?" the short man nodded.

"According to Igneel, that green mist probably just dragged the dragons and everyone who has Dragon's blood. But why didn't Igneel, Grandine or even Wendy got hypnotized? They have dragon's blood, and yet it was only Natsu who got hypnotized."

"Well maybe it's because that boy and his exceed were coincidently near the source of the mist so they both got dragged. And is there any relation between these cases?" she asked impatiently.

"No I mean, what if the dragons attacked the castle because they wanted Natsu to join them?"

"Makarov, I really don't follow you-"

"You remember that among the rest of the Dragneels, Natsu was the only one who entered the volcano, right? Meaning his and Lucy's face was seen by the other dragons."

"Just get into the main problem!" Makarov snorted.

"Well, Natsu has Dragons blood, maybe that's the thing that attracted them to come and get Natsu to bring him back to their queen." The old lady put her hand to her chin.

"Not to mention Natsu always near Lucy," now she snapped her head up.

"You mean, this whole time, those dragons attack them because they thought Lucy was a threat for Natsu so they mainly attacked her?" Makarov nodded.

"So our Princess was in danger because of her own bodyguard?" Makarov lowered his head. "And she was always-"

"And I guess we should stop talking now, Prolyusica." He said, pointing his chin to the closed door. Porlyusica stared at the door and nodded in understatement.

Natsu stayed still in his position. He couldn't move a finger. He even couldn't feel his heart beating or pumping bloods. He couldn't feel his lungs processing the air. He couldn't hear anything but a cracking sound from his heart. Natsu was petrified.

'Our princess was in danger because of her own bodyguard' The words felt so real.

The pink haired teen covered his face with a hand. He felt so ashamed and his heart felt so…

Hurt.

Natsu didn't realize that his feet move on their own will to the Princess' bedroom. He completely forgot that the head of the maid called him earlier. He just wanted to go to Lucy's side. That's all. Natsu reached the door knob. Maybe he should tell her that he was the one who-

"BOO!" Natsu turned his head to the right to see Lucy tried to surprise him.

"BOO!" she tried again. But Natsu could only stiffled a smile.

"BOO! Oh come on BOO! Startle a bit Natsu!" she pouted. Natsu stared at her before pulled her upper arm and hug her in a death hug. Lucy's eyes widened. "Natsu?" she asked but only got a tighter grip as an answer.

Carefully, she adjusted herself to wrap her arms around his neck. "What is it?" she asked again. This time he sighed and pulled away a bit.

"Hey Princess. Promise me something?"

"What?"

"Don't ever get yourself in danger or harm." Lucy raised an eyebrow. "But we got into danger the whole time, no?" Natsu pinched her nose.

"Just promise, okay?" Lucy stared at his eyes, looked for any hint. Then she nodded slowly. "But why?"

KNOCK-KNOCK!

Natsu growled. Now what? Will there always be someone that has to ruin their moment? Natsu opened the door harshly. He expected a maid or butler to show up, but instead of them, it was a guard.

"What is it?" Lucy asked from behind her bodyguard.

"Natsu-san was called by someone." He said. Natsu slapped his forehead. "Is it Mrs. Spetto?" the guard shook his head. "Yes and No."

"Just.. What is it?" he asked impatiently. "Actually, the whole butlers and maids need you." Lucy looked at Natsu, then to the guard. Natsu sighed and looked at her too who smiled and nodding.

"Alright. I'll be there in a minute." The guard bowed and leaved the door robotically. Natsu smiled at Lucy.

"Remember your promise, okay?" Lucy smiled back. Natsu grabbed the door knob again, but then he turned to the blonde. Lucy smiled cutely at him, and Natsu couldn't help but blush.

"Hey Luce?" he grabbed her wrist and leaned in, kissed her full on her lips. Lucy blinked and kissed him back lightly, returned the squeeze on her hand.

"Keep that promise, okay?" he said after they pulled away. Lucy smiled, nodding. The pinky grinned at her and made his way to downstairs.

About some minutes later Lucy blinked. Then blinked again.

"OH MY GOD!" she fell to her butt. Face covered in red color and the heat stammered to her neck, and shoulder, and chest, and Lucy could feel herself melted in…

Joy.

She touched her lips, for a fire dragon like Natsu, he had an incredibly soft lips. And they tasted like pepper and spices. Burning her lips yet she couldn't forget how it felt. Lucy lied on the carpet, not bothering her feet to drag her to the bed.

"La la la laa~" she sang like a crazy girl. Okay, right now Lucy didn't care. The smile she put on her face grew wider than ever. Although her heart was beating super loudly, she didn't care because she was in LOVE!

I AM IN LOOOVE! She shouted in mind, afraid if she said it out loud the boy who took her heart away might hear it and she will die in embarrassment.

And that time Lucy couldn't wait for him to come back.

BRAK!

The door bust open. Lucy quickly sat up and fixed her hair. Two guards came in and bow in front of her.

"Your Majesty, the King asked you to meet him." Lucy kept silent for a while before saying an 'Okay.'

"No Princess. Not here. In somewhere else."

"And where that could be?"

"In our Head Quarters." Lucy gasped. "What does my father want?"

"You have to come with us, Princess." They said, ignoring her previous question. "Alright."

"But I won't go without Natsu." She continued firmly.

"Why/ it's just a family meeting. Your father just wanted some chats with you."

"Well why not in here?"

"Well why would you want to wait for Natsu-san?"

"You know exactly why. He's my bodyguard. I won't go anywhere without him!" the guards exchanged glances.

"Isn't it too much relying on him?" Lucy gasped.

"You made us feel like you can't do anything without him. Forgive my words Princess. But your father insist you to come and met him there." Lucy stared at her feet.

"Okay." She followed them out.

"So, is this all?" Natsu grinned. Mrs. Spetto smiled at him. "Yes, Natsu-sama. Thank you very much."

"No problem. By the way, who sent these boxes?" Natsu asked the fat women while staring at about a hundreds of heavy and big boxes. Mrs. Spetto shrugged her shoulder. "We don't know. The guards said that the King's friend from another kingdom sent it here, and they said they were busy so we had no choice but asked for your help." The teen grinned again. "It's okay. Well, I better head back. Bye Mrs. Spetto!"

Natsu ran to his Princess's bedroom happily.

"Luuuce~" he opened the door but was welcomed with silence. "Huh? Luce! Are you in the bathroom?" no answers. Natsu's brow furrowed. He checked everywhere, but he found no Luce, nor her scent. "What the?" Natsu inhaled her scent, but it was fading.

He searched in the library, the kitchen, Makarov's room even Porlyusica's room, garden, backyard, no Lucy. Natsu panicked. He found her keys on the drawers in her bedroom but the owner was not there.

"Mrs. Spettooo!" he shouted. "Where's the Princess?"

"Eh? We thought she was in her bedroom?" Natsu shook his head. "I searched everywhere but she just gone. What if something happen to her?"

"We really don't know Natsu-sama." Natsu groaned. After saying Thanks to the maid he went to the city.

Levy swept the floor while humming a sound. Erza chuckled and went outside to call Mirajane, Lisanna and Juvia that the cakes were ready. "Mira! Lisa-"

"ERZAA!" they girls' head snapped toward a blur of pink on the horizon.

"Eh? A cotton candy just called Erza?" the youngest take over mage asked.

"Juvia never thought a cotton candy can talk." The water mage said. "What is it guys?" Levy asked, dusting her skirt.

"A cotton candy called Erza!" Lisanna exclaimed again.

"Are you girls blind or what? It's flame head!" Gajeel popped from nowhere.

"Ooo…" the girls chorused in different rhythms. Gray and Jellal turned their heads towards the infamous Natsu Dragneel.

"What is it flame head?"

"Have you guys seen Lucy?"

"Huh? Wasn't she with you All The Time?" Gray smirked mockingly. Natsu groaned. "She was. But then I can't find her anywhere!"

"I thought you went with her." Levy said matter-o-factly. All eyes turned to her.

"To where?" they asked in the same time.

"Well, I saw a royal carriage about half an hour ago, and I can see Lu-chan inside. So I thought you were with her."

"Carriage? What carriage? And so you know where it was head to?" Levy shook her head. "Sorry, I don't know."

"Ara.. Natsu-kun? I thought you were with Princess Lucy, no?" an old lady asked.

"No, she went without me. Do you know where was that carriage head to?" he asked worriedly.

"Well, yeah. I heard one of the guard said they'll go to that place. To their Head Quarter."

If there's someone in the castle didn't know anything about the Magnolia's Guards Head Quarter, it must be Lucy. Her father never told her, so the rest didn't too.

MGHQ is a place where the guards were trained to become number 1 in strength and intelligent. But mainly powers. For a city which surrounded by dragons, here they were trained to attack, defend themselves, and even kill dragons.

But no matter how many dragons they managed to eliminate, they never ran out of dragons. That's why King Judo instructed some of them to bring about ten or so dragons for training. And he chose the strongest dragons.

There are about two hundreds guards there, ready to attack dragons in their night. So if someone didn't know, MGHQ was a dangerous and scary place.

And our little Princess who didn't know anything was there, staring in amazement at the big iron gate.

"This way, Princess." The guard motioned her to came in.

And Lucy followed.

*backsound death march*

okay.. please don't kill me okay :D and I hope Judo won't kill me for making him such a cruella de ville here :D

pwetty pwease leave a revieww! I will love it more that sweets.. *well, I dun like sweets too much thou* ._.a

thank you very much! XD

-Nachii-