A/N: Hey everyone, thanks for still reading. I've been updating everyday since i started by fic 11 days ago now. However over the next few days I'm going to be busy so I may not be able to keep that pace up! I'm so sorry :3 I'll do my best but I have someone staying at my house so will only update if I have the time. The next update will definitely be within the next few days though, whether it will be tomorrow is questionable. I will do my best!

The air tasted so different this close to the coast. If you breathed in too deep the salt in the air would make your mouth dry up, not something that was particularly enjoyable. The sound of seagulls flying above them was muted by the bustling habitants of Hargeon Town, the very place where Lucy had first met Natsu all those years ago. She hadn't realised it at the time but looking back at it now it had been possibly the best day of her life. In fact it had been, without a doubt, it had been the day that her entire world had been flipped upside down and she would never have wanted it any other way. She vaguely recalled having a conversation with Cana about her meeting her 'fated' person on the particular date. It brought a blush to her face to think that it may be Natsu, though she had, and still did, assume it was more about her happiness, even if Cana would insist otherwise. It had been a long time since she'd been to the port. A long time as far as she was concerned and even longer to those who hadn't lost seven years. The town had changed very little, apart from the south port which had been completely redesigned since it had been levelled by herself and Natsu. It looked a little out of place, far more modern than the cobblestone streets and pure white buildings. She questioned whether Natsu was even allowed in the town after last time but decided only time would tell.

It was a beautiful day, there was barely a cloud in the sky and the sun was reflecting off the white buildings giving the town the impression that it were glowing. Lucy, Natsu, Taro and Happy were currently heading out on the mission they had picked many days previously. The S-Class request required them to travel to a little island at the very border of Fiora. Travelling to an island meant going by boat, something Natsu was not looking forward to, though both Taro and Lucy knew he would go where ever the fight was. The four of them made their way down to the port, it saddened Lucy that they couldn't spend the day at the beach instead but they had already delayed their journey for as long. The group had taken a few days to rest and ready themselves after Fantasia and had set out to Hargeon in order to catch the boat that had been hired by their employer. Natsu had sulked the entire way down on the train, something that Lucy was very used to. As the four of them moved towards the shipyard a shrill high pitched scream filled the air.

A girl of about 16 years ran full pelt towards them screaming the words:

"Salamander!"

The event was somewhat reminiscent of when Lucy had first been to the port. However this time the girl actually seemed to be able to identify the dragon slayer for who he was. Natsu was a little taken aback, he wasn't used to being recognised so readily, especially when people weren't waving pitchforks and chasing him away. Whenever he did anything wrong people seemed to know who he was and the information would get back to the guild in one way or another. When he did something right, Fairy Tail got the credit. This girl though was looking up at him as if he was some kind of God. It suddenly dawned on Natsu that she was a fan. He'd never had a fan before, a grin as broad as Elfman's shoulders grew on his face.

Lucy stiffened, she felt her heartbeat quicken, she was actually upset that Natsu was getting attention from the girl. It wasn't like Natsu didn't have any secret admirers, Lisanna was an obvious example, but none had been so bold as to approach him in the open before, at least when Lucy was with him. Lucy hoped Natsu would let her down easy but as she turned to the dragon slayer she was horrified to see the grin he was wearing. Natsu was enjoying it!

The girl pouted and looked up at Natsu with eyes as big as saucers.

"I watched you in the grand magic games. You were my favourite."

The nerve of the girl, Lucy's blood was boiling but she kept a calm composure. She felt a hand on her shoulder and turned to see Taro smirking at her and shaking his head. Lucy knew what he was saying, don't attack the girl. Lucy wanted to smack him for even thinking such a thing though she understood that on occasion she could be just as aggressive as Erza. Lucy watched as the girl grabbed hold of Natsu's arm and tugged him away from them. Lucy started to follow but Taro held her back.

"Natsu," he called to the boy, "We can only spare a few minutes."

Natsu nodded and returned his attention the the girl who was talking at him, not with him. It would have been funny to see if Lucy wasn't so blinded with rage. She knew she had no reason to be so angry but every instinct was telling her to summon Loke to clobber the girl. Lucy just watched as the girl produced a picture of Natsu and handed it and a pen to the dragon slayer. This girl was some kind of sick twisted demon. Natsu sighed the picture and handed it back to the girl. Who was shaking with excitement, Lucy counted every word of thanks that left the girls mouth, wasn't there a legal limit to the amount of flattery one person could give to another? Perhaps Lucy should consider calling the police. Taro's imposed time limit was reaching it's end so Taro walked up to Natsu and motioned towards the port. The girl looked down at her feet, a blush creeping across her face, before instantly throwing her arms around the dragon slayer and holding him tight. Time ticked by very slowly for Lucy as she watched frustrated, she didn't know why she felt so hostile towards the girl but she did. When the girl tugged Natsu down and pecked him lightly on the cheek Lucy had had enough, she was about to pull out one of her keys when the girl turned around a ran off waving her arm as she did so.

"Are you okay Lucy?" Natsu asked looking at the blonde Celestial mage inquisitively. Lucy's face was flushed a dark red and her usually bright eyes had turned a shade darker, Natsu could tell from her scent that she was sweating a little bit too. Lucy nodded slowly trying to regain her composure when Happy floated up, unseen by either of them.

"S-s-she likesss you." The cat curled his tongue in his trademark fashion and was met by a thump to the head by the already enraged Lucy.

"We're gonna be late for the boat, thats all." Lucy snapped. All four of the mages glanced at the time and realised that her words were true. Taro took charge and they marched off in an brisk jog towards the pier.

Finding the boat was actually far simpler than any of them had imagined. They simply walked up to the pier and had someone direct them to the ship. The ship was a small fishing boat, according to the captain the bigger ships refused to go to the island anymore due to the pirates that had taken over. The mission was to remedy the situation, to remove the pirates and allow the trading routes to reopen. It was a pretty big mission, there was a lot at stake for the country, as well as the guild's reputation. Lucy was a little worried about dealing with the pirates but she knew that with the two boys at her side she would be fine. The boat cast off almost as soon as the mages had settled down on-board, the crew consisted of the captain and his 'first mate' nobody more. It was almost spookily quiet, and only growing more so as they moved out into the open ocean. Natsu was slugged over the railings looking green as always. Lucy sat inside, trying to shield herself from the chilly winds of the ocean. She pulled out a book and was about to start reading when Taro sat down next to her. Lucy had calmed down by now so she gave the boy the best smiled she could muster.

"Feeling better?" The question was so obviously a poke that Lucy didn't even falter, she just nodded. If Taro was surprised at how calm Lucy was he didn't show it he just smiled.

"Remember when I said I'd teach you some magic to help you get stronger?"

Lucy's eyes widened, was he really offering her the secrets of his magic. Magic that was apparently only passed down through his village, master to pupil. Lucy didn't know what to say, it was flattering that Taro thought she could handle it. She nodded slowly.

"I know you were kind of down then but my offer still stands. We have some time now so if you want..."

Taro didn't finish the sentence Lucy was nodding ferociously, she had always been the weakest on the team, on every mission, every single time. She knew that the others were leaps and bounds ahead of her but she had worked really hard not to let them down. If she could get that little bit more she knew she could be more useful. Taro laughed at her enthusiasm. It occurred to him that the ability to pull magical energy from her surroundings would be incredibly useful to Lucy. Her magic required a sustained stress on the flow of her magic, if he could help her increase the length of time she could keep her spirits out, she would be much stronger.

"Great, lets do this." Taro began to head for the door. Lucy shivered not really wanting to brave the winds but followed excited.

"Like I said my magic is all about the conservation of magical energy, I can change any type of energy into any other so long as the fundamental quantity remains constant. In other words the more energy around me the stronger I am." Taro explained with some confidence and Lucy realised that he must be mimicking the words that his teacher had spoken to him. Lucy happened to know that the magic Taro knew had been adapted for combat by the boy. Taro took a step back and took in a deep breath.

"For example, I can take the energy from the wind and convert it into light like so."

Taro held his hands about three inches apart and a ball of white light appeared between them. Lucy took in a deep breath the light looked so pure, it was beautiful. The light changed colour turning red to green to blue to purple, it flickered between them like a disco ball. Pleased with her reaction Taro clapped his hands together causing the light to disappear and Lucy to jump. He smiled.

"To begin with try making the light with your own magical power. Try channelling it to your hands, as heat if you have to."

Lucy held her hands apart and concentrated on moving her magic to her hands. It was a different form of magic to what she was used to, more like Natsu's. She couldn't feel anything changing, maybe she just couldn't do it. As she was about to give up a small spark of light shot from her finger, it was only for a second but it was definitely there. She turned to Taro triumphant. The boy gave her a thumbs up.

"Practise that for a while, when you can hold the light for at least ten seconds let me know."

Lucy nodded, she had felt the power for only a second but her confidence was sky high. She turned to continue her practise, Taro didn't move and sat there staring out at the ocean. She took it as a sign that he didn't expect it to take her too long and set to work. With this she would be stronger than ever, the thought made her happier than it should. She would be useful to everyone, to her team, to Natsu.