Hello Fairies. Welcome to another chapter. Quick update if i do say so myself. Two chapters in one day! Hope you all enjoy

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A day full of walking is what Lucy had endured. She watched as the grey sky evaporated into a dull blue, littered with blurring clouds that dissipated into that pale blue sky. She listened to the comfortable chirping of the birds and watched as a deer bounded through the underbrush. She had guided the horse through the brush and walked as far as she could before Horologium's time ran out. She needed to get as far from the valley as she could. Horologium blocked out the scents that would have led Natsu back to her valley, and she tried to keep his vision limited so he wouldn't recognize which way they were walking. It was the best she could do with what she had.

They had talked little during their walk. Mostly it consisted of Natsu asking questions about why he was hold up within a clock, which she explained. He then descended into silence and began to look around more observing what he could of the limited landscape of the forest. Lucy knew he was smart but he was quite obvious and childlike in his attempts to take in his surroundings. She only took to walking in front of him and let the horse block half of his view. Natsu was getting frustrated with each bump in the clocks step. Not only was he cramped and completely uncomfortable he was getting further and further away from being able to track down Lucy once again. However with each bump he also realized that he should go home at some point, but that didn't mean it have to be today.

As they crested a hill Natsu saw a town that he recognized and instantly took in everything he could. But those thoughts were interrupted when the wooden walls around him disappeared and he found himself sitting on the grass with Happy sitting in his lap. Happy let out a cry of joy and took off into the sky enjoying the freedom of open space once again. Natsu stretched his back letting out cringe worthy cracks that rippled up his back as he worked out the kinks that had built up in his uncomfortable position. He let out a groan of pain and looked up when he heard a small laugh from Lucy. He glanced up to see a smile gracing her bright face before she turned towards the Ocean cliff were a small cottage lay nestled within the rolling hills.

"Come on I have a horse to return," Lucy said and Natsu couldn't help but hear a smile in her voice. Getting up from his position he followed after her, hoping never to loose sight of her. Sure he may not know exactly which way her valley lay but if he didn't loose sight of the beautiful blonde then he wouldn't loose her. That was the thought that propelled him to walk by her side as they approached the little cottage.

They approached the small cottage and Lucy waited by a swell in the hill looking for any movement inside. Only a single man sat inside reading a book, his back to the window, which looked out into the fenced backyard. Natsu watched as Lucy silently made her way to the back of the fence and silently opened the worn wooden gate. He was sure that the old gate would have creaked but she opened it without a single sound. He watched in awe as she moved gracefully without even alerting the man inside. Lucy slowly took off the equipment of the horse setting it nicely on the fence. As quickly as she had entered Lucy was making her way back to where Natsu stood just outside the gate. They moved silently back to the swell in the hill and Lucy picked up a single rock from the ground and tossed it at the window where the man sat.

A dull clink was heard when the rock connected with the window and the man turned around quickly. Lucy watched as his shocked face turned into joy as he jumped out of his chair and ran out into the backyard. A genuine smile made it's way onto Lucy's face as she watched the happy reunion of a man and his best animal friend. The old man looked around but he never saw the one whom he wanted to thank. The mysterious blonde from the encounter on the road. He never understood why those guild members were after the young girl but knew that the young girl had been badly wounded during the battle. He wanted to thank her, offer her help if she needed it. So many people fell to darkness and he could see the good in the mysterious blonde. She had returned his horse after all the odds, she kept her promise, and he wanted to thank her properly.

Lucy and Natsu left the man and his horse and walked down towards the town that Natsu recognized as Hargeon. A coastal town that bordered the ocean and brought trade into the interior. A small and beautiful town, that Natsu had once destroyed an entire house in when he attempted to capture a known criminal. He glanced at Lucy and could see a smile on her lips and a little less sadness in her eyes. He knew that she was still protecting him, but he also knew that he couldn't hide in her valley forever, no matter how much he wanted too. He took in a deep breath catching her scent on the faint breeze. The smell of fresh strawberries from her garden and the scent of the sea, an aroma he absolutely loved.

As they hit the borders of the town Natsu finally began conscious of the clothes he was wearing. He never really gave it much thought when he was in the valley but Lucy's spirit Virgo had made him a few pairs of clothing and the outfit he was currently wearing wasn't exactly something he usually wore. He was currently wearing white pants that were pulled up to his knees with simple black sandals. A deep blue fabric with gold edges that mirrored the night sky was fastened around his waist by a belt. But that wasn't what was abnormal about his outfit. It was the fact that all he was wearing for a shirt was a vest in the same dark blue and gold trimmed edges. His dad's scarf had been cleaned by the amazing spirit and sat comfortably around his shoulders in its beautiful white glory. It was a different kind of outfit and it gave him the faint thought that he may appear like a stripper like his idiotic friend Gray. However he had grown comfortable in the Celestial clothing he wore and he knew that he would be wearing it often.

Lucy grabbed Natsu's hand, which both surprised him and pleased him at the same time and began dragging him through the alleys of Hargeon. She pulled up short at the entrance of the docks where many markets lay and many people mingled. Natsu knew what this was and he didn't want it to be happening so soon. Lucy squeezed his hand and forcefully dragged him out into the open with a strength that even surprised Natsu. Natsu instantly shielded his face hoping that nobody would recognize him. He took his vest and brought it over his head hoping that it would hide his pink locks.

"Luce wait," Natsu said and grabbed her waist turning her around so she was looking at him. Lucy had to stifle a laugh at the sight Natsu made. By bringing up his vest to cover his hair he left his back and stomach bare, which was attracting more attention then she felt comfortable with. A hint of jealousy itched its way into her system.

"Natsu you know this has to happen. Your family, your mother and father are worried sick. You have to go and see them and reassure them that you are okay," Lucy said as she glanced around at the busy docks wondering how long it would take for people to notice him. Natsu dragged her over to a few crates that gave them some privacy from the crowds but not much.

"Lucy I know but I need to know the truth," Natsu said bringing the vest tighter around his hair. His gaze never wavering from her eyes. He could see her slip ever so slightly.

"The truth," Lucy said slowly and uneasily as she brought the green hood of her cloak over her head keeping her identity hidden from wandering eyes. Knowing they only had a few more minutes before someone recognized the Prince.

"Just give me that Luce," Natsu said his eyes begging her to just give him that one answer before their time together ended.

"Natsu…" Lucy said her eyes darting to the people around them fear beginning to inch its way into her eyes. Natsu brought a hand up to her cheek making her gaze fall back on him and he finally saw those walls of hers fall down once again. "I… I don't want to see you get hurt. It's my war… it's my mission and I can't promise that you won't get hurt. You have parents that care for you Natsu, friends who look out for you, a kingdom that looks up to you. I am an orphan, nobody knows me. If I am lost then nobody looses someone close to them," Lucy said her eyes lost in his own as she finally let the truth spill from her lips. She knew it was only a matter of moments before he was found out and a little truth wouldn't hurt, since she would disappear from his life.

"Luce that's not true you have me," Natsu said as he wiped a tear away from her eye.

"And that's my reason Natsu. I've lost everyone I've ever cared for and if I have any say in it, I will not loose you as well," Lucy said as she touched Natsu's face and leaned up towards him. Natsu watched in shock and anticipation as Lucy pressed her lips against his cheek closing her eyes and savouring in this one moment.

"Luce," Natsu said his hand holding her arm keeping her close as Lucy pulled away and looked up at him. Natsu gazed down at the woman that had changed so many things in his life and had brought so much joy. He could still feel the warmth that her lips had left on his check. He didn't realize that he was leaning down towards those pink lips or that his vest had slipped off his head and returned back to his back.

"It's the Prince. The Lost Prince Natsu," they heard someone say and they paused inches away from one another. "He's finally returned. Thank Mavis he's returned," another person said from their spot in their fruit stand. Lucy was the first to lean away, eyes darting around at the gathering crowd. Happiness turned to terror as Natsu began to realize that in a matter of moment's guards would find him and escort him to a safe area, guards that would want to know who his captor was, which would put Lucy in danger.

"And this is where I leave you Natsu," Lucy said in a low voice as she gripped Natsu's arm as the crowd began to grow. She let go and went to leave hopping to get lost in the growing crowd but Natsu grabbed her hand gripping it tight and catching her before she disappeared.

"No Lucy, I don't want to loose you," Natsu said his voice low and determined. Lucy looked up into those obsidian orbs and melted instantly. She didn't want to say goodbye, she wanted to see him again, here him laugh again, and spend more time with him. But there time together had grown short even if their relationship had the potential to grow into something new.

"And I don't want to loose you," Lucy said honestly returning his grip and looking into those eyes that she loved.

"Promise me something Luce," Natsu said as he watched her walls fall down and he saw the raw emotion stir within her bright eyes. A fire he loved to watch dance. He didn't take notice that a crowd had formed around them, and were praising his return, or the fact that guards were making their way towards the Prince of the Dragon Realms.

"Promise me that this isn't the last time I'll see you. Promise me that I will see you again. No matter what happens in our lives we will see each other once more," he said taking her one hand in both of his own and looking deep into eyes that he had grown so found of. He could feel his heart slamming against his chest but he ignored it, wanting to remember this moment forever.

"I promise Natsu. One day are paths will cross again," Lucy said and smiled that beautiful grin that made Natsu's heart swell and let butterflies loose in his stomach. Natsu let his own grin spread across his face as he clutched Lucy's hands. He watched as a single tear slipped from her eye and made its way down her tanned face. Then like sand slipping through his fingers Lucy's hand fell out of his own and she turned into the crowd just as the guards surrounded Natsu and began to escort him towards the police station. He glanced around hoping for just one more glance of Lucy.

Just before he gave up hope of spotting her in the swarm of many faces he found her face. Her green hood covered most of her hair but two blonde pieces framed her face and her expressive brown eyes were tracking his movement. She stood beside an alley, a delicate hand touching the stone beside her. He could see tears in her eyes but he watched her smile one last time before she disappeared down the alley and disappeared from his life.