Here is the newest chapter! It is a bit short, like all my other chapters, but I hope it is satisfying.

I got this chapter out and I didn't wait a year before posting it! That is some sort of progress!

I hope you like this chapter.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own The story Fairy Tail.

ENJOY!

Chapter 13

Decision to Start Training

I stare at the fighting that is going on in front of me, sulking. Yet again, I am useless in a mission. I can't help but feel frustrated with how weak and useless I am. It's always Natsu doing the fighting as I stand on the sidelines trying my hardest to help in any way I can. I'm tired of this. I want to join in on the fight, to fight my own battles. I want to get stronger.

"Roar of the Fire Dragon!" Natsu yells, snapping me out of my self-pitying daze. Fire comes out of his mouth, finishing of the rest of the enemies with a mighty blaze.

"All done, Lucy," he says, making his way towards me.

I look at him and then past him when movement catches my attention at the corner of my eye. One of the bandits, you luckily managed to hide and avoid Natsu's fire, was slowly trying to sneak away. Before Natsu had the chance to even blink, I have my whip in my hand and I snap it at the bandit's legs, making him fall on his face. I wince in sympathy. That must have hurt like a bitch.

"Oh," Natsu blinked, looking from the bandit and then back to me, "Good Job."

"Thanks," I say sparkly. I then proceed to go and tie all the bandits to a tree.

"I'll go get the mayor," he says once I have finished tying them all up.

"Wait," I say desperately, but he is gone before I even finish. "Shouldn't I be the one to get the mayor," I mumble under my breath. I just hope he doesn't do anything to anger the mayor or break anything; like he does pretty much every time. I really need the rent money.

I sigh deeply and then reluctantly sit against a tree opposite from where the bandits are tied up. I guess I can take this time to relax while I watch them. It's an extremely boring job, considering all of them except the one that I captured are knocked out. No wonder Natsu was so quick to snatch up the opportunity to get the mayor, he didn't want to be stuck with this boring job again. I'm surprised he's managed to do it so many times before without getting to frustrated and wondering away in search of something entertaining to do.

"Yo, busty blonde," I hear and bring my attention to the bandit I had captured; the one with the now messed up face. I have to force myself not to laugh; his face looks too funny now. Instead I just shoot him a blank look and choose not to respond. There is no point in encouraging him.

"You want to let me go," he asks hopefully, trying to send me a pleading look.

"Not particularly," I say simply, hoping he would get the point and leave me alone, but unfortunately, I am not that lucky. No, of course not.

"What's a pretty little chicky like you doing with that pink-haired wimpy looking boy," he asks in what he probably thinks is a charming manner. ""Why don't you ditch that loser? Just come here and untie me. I'll show you what a real strong man is like," he says, sounding confident of himself, as if he was trying to add extra machoness in his voice. He's awfully confident for someone with a temporarily messed up face. What does he think I am? Stupid? Just because I am blonde doesn't mean that I am dumb. He really must have hit his head too hard.

"You're right," I say, trying to sound convincing while trying to keep a straight face. "What I really need is a strong man like you." I say, flirtatiously fluttering my eyes in exaggeration.

I then proceed to get up and go to where he is tied up. I kneel down and put my hands on the rope as if I am going to untie it. Then I lean close until my lips are by his ear and I whisper, "I need a strong man who never gets defeated by his enemies. That doesn't sound like you. Idiot."

I back away and go back to my tree, laughing at that stupefied look on his messed up face.

"You bitch," he spits out at me in anger and embarrassment.

"What, I said nothing but the truth?" I say innocently.

"I was right before. You need a strong man because you're so weak. You couldn't even defeat us. You left all the work to that pink-haired mage. You're so weak and pathetic. You're so lucky you have a strong partner to protect you; without him you would be nothing." He says to me in a superior voice, mocking me.

Every word of his is like a knife stabbing me in the gut and I can't help but acknowledge the truth in his words. I had just been contemplating how weak I am. Now, to have it pointed out to me out loud, by this despicable loser is beyond painful and humiliating.

"Shut up," I say darkly, not wanting to hear anymore.

"What, does the truth hurt blondie?" he mocks me, laughing at me.

"I said, shut up," I yell angrily. I conveniently find a large rock on the ground next to where I am sitting, and without getting up, I throw it at his head, hard. It hits it's mark and knocks him out. Well, that shuts him up.

As I sit and wait, I think about all my past missions, how I was always the one to do the least fighting. How I have always been the weak link, the vulnerability. I think about how I have never really trained to get better and raise my magic level outside of casually calling my spirits outside of a job. I can't complain about being weak because I have never put forth the effort to be stronger. It is my own fault.

"Lucy," I hear Natsu calling for me in the distance, signally that he is back and I need to snap out of it.

"Over here," I yell back, in case he can't find the place.

He makes his way over, the mayor and the town police following him. The police immediately spread out and apprehend the criminals, putting them in custody. Seeing the bandit's apprehended, the Mayor turns to us.

"Thank you very much for all of your help, it is much appreciated," He says bowing. "Here is the reward money I promised," he says, holding out a bag of money which I promptly take from him.

Taking a quick peak into the bag, I'm relieved to see all 200,000 of the jewels in there. "Thank you very much sir, it was a pleasure to be of service," I say politely.

With quick goodbyes exchanged, Natsu and I quickly head back to Magnolia, walking this time because I had lost a bet with Natsu.

I don't talk much as we walk back, as I am lost in thought. I know that now things need to change, I need to change. I refuse to be the weakling in the group anymore. I may never be as strong as Natsu, But I sure as hell can get close, I hope.

"Hey, what's wrong," Natsu asks curiously, suddenly right before me.

I look at him contemplating if I should tell him. I guess he has a right to know. He is my partner and what I do affects him.

"When we get back I am going to start training," I tell him.

He stops walking in shock and I follow suit. "Why," he asks, shocked.

"I want to get stronger," I say seriously, trying to convey that I am serious.

"But you are already plenty strong," he says confused, and dare I say, a hint of desperation and refusal are laced subtly in his voice. That's weird.

That hint in his voice, that he probably did not want me to detect, puts me on edge. "Yea, maybe compared to some mages in other guilds, but not compared to many of the mages in Fairy Tail," I say honestly, this being my true opinion that I know to be a fact.

"But," he starts desperately, and I top him.

"Listen, I know you want to argue with me and you disagree with me, but this is how I feel. I don't want to feel weak anymore, to have to depend on anyone or have others fight my battles. I want to be able to rely on myself. I'm sorry, but no matter what you say this is something that I am going to do," I tell him seriously and forcefully. I need him to not fight me on this. If he does then, well . . . it isn't going to be pretty.

He look me over, thankfully for once he looks serious, deciding what he will say. It didn't take him long to come up with the words. "Okay," he says, sighing deeply as if this whole matter somehow tires him, zapping him of his never ending supply of energy.

"Really, just like that," I ask surprised. He is usually not this cooperative and a thousand times more stubborn.

"No," he says laughing.

"B-but you just said –" I start to sputter out.

"And I meant it. I just have a condition," he says carefully, as if not to provoke my easily lit temper.

"And what would that condition be," I ask wearily.

"I train with you. That means you don't train if I'm not there," he says in a tone that leaves no room for argument.

I think his proposal over. It is reasonable and it would in no way deter me from my training. I can learn from him the best ways to train and I will be able to spend more time with him. Plus, he will probably get tired of my slow pace fast enough and I will be left on my own. There is really no reason to deny such a simple request.

"Fine, though it's not like I needed your permission," I say stubbornly, pretending to be put out by his request, but I do it in an exaggerated manner to show that I am just kidding.

Seeing the giant Natsu like smile spread over his face, I can see that he knows I was just pulling his chain.

We start walking again to Magnolia. This time, as we are walking, I am thinking of how interesting these training sessions are going to be. I hope I don't end up regretting my decision.

The dragon is not happy that the bunny wants to be stronger. He always wants to protect her instead of seeing her fight. But if it makes her happy, then the dragon will do anything for her. Plus, this way, he will be able to spend even more time with the bunny.

I hope you enjoyed it!

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