Chapter 11 - Nightmare & Training

Lucy POV
I woke with a scream locked in my throat, again. It was four days since I had woken after Aries had saved me, and I still woke with sweat covering my body after some nightmare about what had happened to me. I hugged myself as I felt myself shake. Tears streamed down my cheeks. I felt humiliated and dirty. I had heard rape victims describe that was how they felt afterward, and I could understand what they meant, even if they hadn't raped me, they had still violated me with their intrusion in my mind when they dragged my worst nightmares and fears to the forefront and with how they had stripped me naked and whipped, beaten and cut me. I started to shake harder as the memories of what happened to me ran through my mind as if someone had started a movie and put it on repeat. Then I felt a pair of strong arms circle me from behind and pull me against a naked chest. At first I stiffened, but then I recognized the spicy scent of Cobra, a combination of sun kissed beach, honey and some exotic spice I couldn't name, and I relaxed in to his arms. A sob escaping as I turned around and buried my face against his shoulder. He didn't say anything just held me tighter to him and I hugged him back. I don't know how long I stayed there, crying against his shoulder as he just held me, giving me strength to move on, to face the coming day.

Cobra POV
I woke to the sound of soft sobs, so soft that it would be inaudible to anyone else, maybe even the one crying. I sat up and looked around and my eyes fell on Lucy where she sat on her bed hugging herself. My heart clenched at the sight. And before I had even decided to do anything I found myself sitting down behind her and pulling her to me in a hug. I felt her stiffen and then relax against me before she turned around and hid her face against my shoulder and started to cry in earnest. I didn't say anything, there wasn't anything I could say that hadn't been said already, so I just hugged her tighter and let her cry it all out. We sat there, just holding each other as she cried while the sun rose above the horizon. After a while she stopped crying and sat up straight. She had a slight blush on her face as she said in a soft voice.
"Thanks, and sorry." I shook my head.
"It's okay. I just wish there was more I could do to help you keep the dreams away." I said in a equally soft voice. She gave me a small smile.
"You being here helps a lot, knowing someone who cares is here, it helps more then I can say." She said, resting her head against my shoulder, her nose under my chin. I swallowed, if she knew just how much I cared about her she might push me away, not wanting someone like me to feel like this about her.
"You have been there to help me and my guild mates so much, and have even reunited Angel with her kid sister, there is no way I wouldn't be here to help when you need the help." I said softly, afraid she would feel my racing heart. He scent made me want to just bury my nose in her hair and hug her close and never let go. She smelled so good. A combination of chocolate and fresh strawberries.

Lucy POV
I felt Cobras arms tighten around me for a second before relaxing. I thanked all the stars in the sky that Asmodeus and Mammon shielded my thoughts just by being contracted to me. I don't want Cobra to push me away, just because I have feelings that go deeper then friendship. And I thank my training before I ran away, if not for my self control he would have smelt it on me a long time ago. How could I not be attracted to him, he is hot as hell. Not so mention a great guy with a sense of humor. I rubbed my nose against the underside of his shin and breathed in his scent. No matter what nightmares plagued my mind his scent always managed to chase them away, as if they knew he was the biggest and baddest predator here. I smiled to myself at the thought. That had been what I thought about him when the whole Nirvana fiasco happened, and now I thought it again, just in a different way. Back then we were enemies and now we were friends, even if I wanted more then that. I had known since just after that mission when we took out 'Black Widow', that he meant something more then a friend to me. I just hadn't dared voice it, barley even to myself.
"The others are waking up. Shall we start with breakfast?" Cobra said, I nodded and sat up straight, his arms falling from around me and I already missed the safety they gave me.
"That might be a good idea. Some of them are real grouches in the morning if there isn't coffee or tea ready." I said with humor, Cobra laughed a low laugh that made shivers go down my spine with how hot it sounded.
"You got that right. I wouldn't want to be the one standing between Laxus and his coffee in the morning. He would fry me alive." He said, I nodded and smiled slightly, knowing that he was absolutely right.

Nobodys POV
The two mages started making breakfast. The rest of the group noticed Lucy's red eyes but didn't say anything. They ate in silence, just enjoying the good food before they cleaned up around their campsite.
"So, shall we go?" Laxus said, the others nodded and with Laxus leading the way they set out for their new training spot.

That night did they camp just a few hours travel from their destination. Everyone helping out with setting up the camp, or that was the idea. They all jumped around and in to their fighting stances when Freed, who was about to set up their tents, screamed. They all saw what had made them scream. There was a swirling mass in front of him, and when it stopped their tents stood there. Lucy laughed softly as Virgo bowed.
"Punishment for frightening the green haired man, again?" She said
"No, Virgo. Thank you for putting up our tents." Lucy said, Virgo bowed again and gave her a kettle.
"Food for you and your friends." She said, Lucy beamed at her.
"Thanks, Virgo." Lucy said and took the kettle before giving Virgo a hug. Virgo smiled at her and nodded before she left. The others laughed as Freed stood up and brushed off his clothes.
"It doesn't matter how many times that happens, I jump every time." Freed muttered. The others laughed.
"You really jump every time?" Angel asked, Freed scowled.
"He does." Evergreen said with a friendly smirk. The others laughed as their green haired friend blushed.
The rest of the evening passed with jokes and laughter. And Lucy only stiffened a couple of times, and if the others noticed they didn't say anything. Guessing correctly that she wouldn't want to talk about it.

Late the next morning did they arrive and saw Levy, Gajeel and Lily already there. As the three of them saw their friends Levy raced over to them and threw her arms around Lucy.
"I'm so glad you are alright. I was so worried." She cried, hugging her friend hard. Lucy hugged her back as well.
"I'm sorry I worried you." She said, Levy shook her head.
"No. It wasn't your fault. I'm just glad you are back with us." The bluenett said, Lucy smiled softly at her and nodded. The others smiled at the two young women.
"Good to have ya back, Bunny." Gajeel said and ruffled her hair. Lucy grinned at him and nodded.
"I'm glad to be back too." She said, Levy let go of her and said.
"So, master said you will be here for a while to train. How do you plan on doing that?" She asked, Lucy smiled at her.
"I need to make my magic container bigger so I can keep my Hell demons out longer, then I need to work on my stamina and physical strength so that my body can handle the strain the increased amount of magic will put on my body." Lucy said
"We also need to work on your hand to hand skills. You might have a powerful kick, and has grown stronger the last few months, but it never hurts to have a few extra tricks up your sleeve." Laxus said, Lucy nodded.
"Good. I'm going to join you on all those. I want to become stronger as well, so I can help my family more as well." Levy said, Lucy smiled and nodded, then she looked around at her friends.
"I really appreciate all this. Thanks you guys." She said, the others smiled at her.
"No problem, Cosplayer." Bixlow said and grinned at her with his tongue hanging out.
"Yea, this will be fun." Mira said, the others nodded.

After that did Virgo put up a huge tent for all of them and they fixed their things before they started on their routines. Lucy summoned Mammon and Asmodeus to try to keep their gates open for as long as possible. While they were out they helped Lucy with light hand to hand as well as explaining a bit more about themselves and the other Hell keys. They also, on Lucy's request, told her about some of the legends that surrounded themselves and the other Hell keys, so she could hear more then just facts.
After she was unable to keep their gates open longer she meditated for a couple of hours, then she spared with Mira while Levy spared with Angel. Mira taught her and Levy how to punch and how to throw someone and how to dodge attacks better and get out of different grappling holds, after having done this until dinner time, around 5, they ate and then the whole group went for a run, taking different routes and going at different speeds to give themselves the best type of challenge. All the routes had been laid out earlier during the day by Capricorn who had come out on his own power to do that. After they they all washed up in a small river before going to bed.
The next day is nearly the same, except for that the fighting time is split with magic training. Both Lucy and Levy work on their spells while the more seasoned mages spare with each other on a whole other level then Lucy and Levy is capable of.

END OF CHAPTER 11