Hey guys! Kytrin here with your Wednesday update! No major announcements, so I'll let you get on to the chapter. Mslead is currently looking over Samhain, so we should have that up soon too! Enjoy!

CHAPTER 25

Wamble-Cropped

Sick at the stomach, and figuratively, wretched, humiliated.

When day broke Lucy and Natsu weren't given the opportunity to talk about anything as Gajeel hammered on their door as a rude sort of wake up call. Lucy yelped in alarm as they jolted awake tangled together and, Natsu got a frantic elbow to the eye by a red faced Lucy in her haste to get detangled.

"Ya hear that rooster cawin' love birds? That means get up!" Gajeel thumped his fist against the door. Natsu snarled angrily, his palm pressing into his tender eye while Lucy fluttered around getting dressed.

She moved over to his side, drawing her hand gently around his wrist and wincing at his watery glare, "Ouch! I'm sorry Natsu, I didn't realize your face was so close!"

Natsu gave a betrayed hiss and pouted at her, "That's OK, it gives me 'nother reason to kill my brother."

Lucy shot him an apologetic look and leaned over to peck a kiss beside the tender eye before pulling away to vanish into the bathroom with her stuff as Gajeel thumped on the door again.

Natsu watched her go before stomping over to the door and pulling it open with a growl, "The hell's the big idea!" He demanded crankily, "Ya didn't have to go poundin' on the door like that ya damn jerk!"

"Got ya up didn't it?" Gajeel smirked and eyed Natsu's still watery eye, "The hell happened t' your eye runt?"

"Lucy happened!" Natsu snapped, "An' it wouldn't've if you hadn't scared her outta bed!"

"Oh dear!" Levy exclaimed, appearing around Gajeel's side, and shooting Natsu an apologetic look, "Sorry about that Natsu. Do you need anything for it?"

Natsu huffed a little at the petite queen and crossed his arms, "Nah. It'll be fine."

Lucy had gotten him pretty good, but even the tender skin around his eyes was tougher than most human skin. He doubted it would even bruise. It just smarted at the moment.

Levy nodded and tugged at Gajeel's arm, "In that case I think Gajeel will go on ahead and get breakfast started. You guys come join us when you're ready okay?"

Gajeel glanced down at her and grumbled a little bit, but allowed himself to be pulled away from prickling his brother any more. Much though he would've enjoyed doing so.

Natsu snorted and ducked back inside to dig out some clean clothes. He tapped on the bathroom door, "I'm heading down the hall." He called, "Common bath's at the end."

Lucy poked her head out a moment later, "They probably have fresh hot water down there." She said excitedly, "Hang on and I'll join you."

Natsu grinned as she ducked back inside, inordinately pleased that she liked his idea, and stepped back to wait for her. Thankfully she only took a moment before she was stepping back out with him and grinned, "Lead the way sir."

He snorted and offered her his arm with an exaggerated bow, "Right this way ma'am."

She took his arm, much to his delight, and he grinned at her as they walked down the hallway together before splitting into separate baths. Less than an hour later they were seated in front of Gajeel and Levy, the women picking out their breakfast while the two men patiently waited their turn.

Natsu kept sneaking glances at Lucy out the corner of his eye, unable to help himself from being distracted by the memory of the feel of her tangled legs and the bowing curve of her body.

He practically ached to kiss her, to feel what those lips would feel like against his.

But he sternly told himself to keep a head on his shoulders.

"Oi runt!" Gajeel snarled as he smacked Natsu over the head, "Quit fantasizin' about your queen an' pay attention!"

Natsu bared his fangs at his brother and started to lunge across the table at him when a firm hand grabbed hold of his shirt and tugged him back.

"Please not at the table." Lucy scolded him, though there was a bright blush on her cheeks as she spoke, "We're in public."

She shot Gajeel a glare, "And you stop saying stuff like that."

Gajeel snorted as Lucy rolled up a small map Natsu didn't even remember seeing brought out, "Alright," She told Levy, "I think that's everything. We split up here to look and meet back at high noon?"

Levy nodded as she got up, Lucy following a moment later, "And, of course, if you get into trouble, call on the lacrima or blow something up."

Lucy snorted and shot Natsu a wry look, "We probably shouldn't give them any ideas you know."

"I dunno Lucy, that sounds like a great idea," Natsu said with a shrewd grin that earned him a light thwack on his shoulder.

Natsu blinked as he felt her hand linger across his shoulder, fingers dipping down under the blade and drifting to his spine. A muscle in his jaw twitched and he damn near swallowed his own tongue.

But Lucy's sly touch was gone as quick as it came, and she was bending over the table to reach for a pair of handcuffs Levy was holding out.

"These will do well if you run into any problem across the way," She grinned at Lucy, "They're made from magic sealing stone. Gajeel and I... uh, well we happened to have a couple fall into our possession."

"Is this another part of that long story you're holding out on me?" Lucy asked, plucking the cuffs off the table and hooking them into her waistband.

"Ugh, don't go worrin' 'bout it Blondie, just consider it a going away present that was given to us," Gajeel grumbled.

Really, what had those two been up to?

Lucy snorted in amusement and secured the handcuffs, "Thanks. We'll see you back here at noon."

Levy nodded and waved goodbye as it appeared Gajeel was lingering a bit over the last of his food.

"So where're we going first?' Natsu asked curiously as he peered over Lucy's shoulder at the map. On closer inspection it appeared to be a more detailed view of one of the sections they'd talked about the night before. Presumably this was their area to investigate.

"The train station first I'd say." Lucy replied after a moment's thought, "It's a good landmark and should be able to help us orient. After that we can sweep outwards starting with the places closes to the station itself."

Natsu nodded. That sounded good to him. As long as he didn't have to climb back on one of those stupid death traps he didn't mind the station at all.

They walked in companionable silence as they made their way to the station, but Natsu couldn't help stealing glances at Lucy as they did. Despite his resolve the night before, seeing her in full daylight had him longing to tell her what he'd decided and ask her to be his queen right now. It was very frustrating.

For her part, Lucy was wondering the exact same thing. She'd been unable to stop thinking about Natsu's hands and the way they'd felt wrapped around herthe night before, and though she'd done her best not to show it she badly wanted to feel it again. Properly this time.

The thought had her blushing as she wondered what it would be like to feel his lips against hers and then, maybe, elsewhere.

Did she really want that? She'd never given into the temptation of a lover before, but there had also never been anyone like Natsu before. Was she really willing to give him everything she'd held on to so tightly?

The answer was immediate. Yes. She was.

She ached for him in a way she'd never done for anyone else, and... she cared for him. Despite how much he annoyed her, he was a friend, and she thought maybe there was the chance he could be a lot more.

Natsu dropped his hat on top of Lucy's head for her to hold, startling her out of her thoughts. He scrambled up the side of the platform, stretching out on the roof.

Squinting out, he stuck his tongue out between his teeth and inhaled deeply.

"You're going to be looking for the scent of sweat and everything that goes with living in tight quarters!" Lucy called up to him, not necessarily a fan of his way of looking out but not really against the idea.

He was already up there after all. Best to take advantage of it.

Natsu flashed her a wicked smile, his eyes trailing over her noticeably before he nodded and looked back up.

She held her breath, body tingling over his dragging gaze, but bit her tongue. She did want to hiss at him to hurry though, because she was worried they'd be caught.

The concern was needless though, as Natsu slid down a moment later and nodded in one direction, "East. Smells especially foul over there."

Lucy nodded and dropped his hat back on his head, her lips twitching a little at the look he gave her, "We'll start there then." She agreed, and firmly wrenched her mind around to the mission at hand. The women that had been taken were far more important than her lust for her partner.

They casually walked away from the station, mindful of any potential watchers, and alert for any danger. However, there was none as they wandered slowly out of the station and nearby businesses and into the warehouse district.

At first the warehouses didn't look much different from the businesses they'd just passed, but it didn't take long before Natsu shifted his posture and lengthened his strides to something more purposeful and predatory.

"What's wrong?" She asked softly, not certain what had set him off.

"Try an' look like you're on a guild job." He muttered in reply, "Ain't safe to wander this neck of the woods actin' like a high society gal."

Understanding flashed instantly and Lucy tried her best to follow his directions. She wasn't sure if she'd done exactly what he wanted, but it seemed to work as they garnered several looks from the workers and other people around, but no one looked at them twice. Though she noticed more than one leer sent in her direction.

Something Natsu apparently noticed as well if his low growling and the glares he shot the offenders was anything to go by. It allowed them enough leeway to move around freely where otherwise they would have been questioned though.

Natsu pressed his back against the wooden wall of a warehouse where the smell was coming in strongest. He glanced around and threaded his fingers together, nodding for Lucy to use him as a lift.

Rolling her eyes at his cheeky grin and wiggling eyebrows, she put her hands on his broad shoulders and her boot on his folded hands.

She squeaked when he hoisted her up, ignoring his chuckling as her fingers scrambled for purchase on the tall window he was aiming for.

"See anything?" He asked, hands wrapped firmly around her boot.

"Give me a second," she shook her head at him, "So impatient."

She returned her gaze to the milky glass, but her smile fell off her face as they came face to face with precisely what they were looking for.

As far as she could tell, there were hundreds of people, slaved and chained together.

"Natsu..." Lucy breathed, horror catching her breath at the sight. It wasn't just women in there, though they made up the majority, but men and children too. They all had a wane, hopeless, look behind the fear on their faces. As if they'd given up any idea of rescue already.

Beneath her Natsu tensed and frowned at the tone of her voice. They'd hit jackpot already then. Damn. He helped her back down, a part of him irrationally glad that she was safe in his arms once she was, and eyed her seriously, "How bad?"

"Bad." Lucy muttered grimly, "There's hundreds in there. Mostly women, but men and children too." She shivered, "Their eyes Natsu... they have no hope."

Natsu blew out a breath and nodded, "C'mon." He urged, "Let's get outta here and call the metalhead."

Lucy nodded and allowed him to guide her away, silently grateful for the feel of his arm around her waist, but couldn't help glancing back over her shoulder. It felt so wrong to leave them there like that. But what was she going to do? Sure she and Natsu were both strong, but there was no telling how many of Hades' men were around, and any rescue they did now would surely surprise the captives as much as the captors.

She bit her lip and wondered if there was any way to get a warning to the captives. Something, anything, to get them ready to act at a moment's notice. Even if all they did was get out of the way it would help.

She turned the problem over as they walked back, barely paying any attention to their surroundings, just automatically responding to Natsu's subtle signals until they arrived back at the Inn.

The walls were too high for them to easily send a message without alerting the guards. And it was too problematic if the prisoners inside began to panic. Without someone to herd or guide them, they could easily be hurt when Natsu and Gajeel descended on the warehouse.

There were far more people there than she realized.

They couldn't attack the warehouse. Not without casualties.

They wouldn't be able to save everyone...

Not unless...

She gripped a hold of the back of Natsu's vest, causing him to stop just before he entered the Inn.

His expression was stormy, and it seemed like this thoughts were running in similar paths to her own. How to save everyone without accidentally causing a stampede in the process. So many people were gaunt and weakened...

"Natsu, I have an idea," Lucy murmured, turning him around to the side of the inn and pulling him into a private corner out of sight.

He went willingly, his eyebrow raising at her.

"Now before you go ahead and say 'no' just hear me out," Lucy hid her smile at his immediate scowl.

Natsu made a somewhat pained noise in the back of his throat, but his eyes narrowed with interest.

"The problem is the captives right?" She forged on, "We can't fight around them or they'll panic and cause all kinds of problems out of fear. We can't get them out tonight either since they're due to leave tonight."

Natsu nodded warily, and she took a deep breath, "So we need to warn them. And the only way to do that is to get someone on the inside."

Natsu nodded again, "Alright. I'm with ya so far princess. But just how're we supposed to get someone on the inside on short notice?"

Lucy smirked and shifted into a flirtatious pose, "You can't." She replied, "But I can."

"What?" Natsu exclaimed, "Are you crazy?"

"It's the only way!" Lucy insisted, "We don't have time for you or Gajeel to try and join their ranks, assuming they wouldn't recognize you both on sight anyway, and Levy would be rejected out of hand. She's too small and looks physically weak. I'm the only one that can reasonably be 'caught' and added to the rest!"

Natsu scowled, "Lucy, do you know what you're riskin'?" He demanded, "There's reasons besides work they're takin' women for ya know! An' I doubt the guards have a no touching policy!"

Lucy shuddered a bit at the implication, but her expression hardened, "That makes it more important I get those women out of there as fast as possible." She met his expression unflinchingly, "As long as I time it right they won't have time to do anything to me before you, Gajeel, and Levy show up. As long as I'm in there I can at least get a warning out to the other prisoners."

"No way!" Natsu hissed, mingled anger and distress crawling across his face, "It ain't worth the risk!"

"Yes it is Natsu! You can't tell me that looking at all of those scared faces in there you would want any less than for them to be just as free as we are!" Lucy shot back, not bowing away when he pushed into her personal space.

His cheeks were warm, his breath a little ragged and a growl bubbled in the back of his throat.

"I'm not sayin' that Lucy," Natsu said, somewhat pained, but stubbornly refusing to move from his stance, "but I could go with you! We're partners, and you ain't goin' in there by yourself! Not without backup!"

He could see the flash of anger in Lucy's eyes and the way her cheeks puffed out. He trusted her abilities fine, but he didn't trust her being out numbered as much as she would be.

Lucy sagged a bit and nodded, her eyes casting down to her feet, "Fine then... You're right Natsu. We'll do this together."

Natsu's mouth lifted into the edges of a smile and he nodded, "Righ-"

But he was cut off, very abruptly as he suddenly found himself holding onto an armful of an aggressive Lucy.

She wound her arms around his neck, pulling his head down towards hers so suddenly he didn't even have the opportunity to catch his breath.

Her lips found his, soft and velvety smooth against his. He froze at first, too shocked to be able to tell what was happening beyond his numb reasoning of 'Lucy is kissing me.'

However, as Lucy's lips moved awkwardly against his own, he couldn't help responding and the shock quickly gave way to a roaring heat. He snapped his arms around her, tangling a hand in her hair as all other thoughts flew out the window.

She tasted as exquisite as she looked, and in an instant he knew he could never get enough. He smirked a little at her clumsy motions, purring softly at how adorable his inexperienced queen was, and his eyes slid shut in pleasure as he pulled her closer.

"Natsu!" She gasped as they broke apart for air, and the sound sent Natsu's blood boiling. He wanted her. He needed her. In every way.

He dove back in for a deeper kiss, slipping a leg between her thighs as he did, and rocked gently against her. He growled encouragingly as she gasped a little and jolted from her touch when she melted against him with a fiery eagerness he'd never seen in any woman. It was like she'd been made just for him, and he couldn't get enough.

He shifted his grip a little, the urge to touch more of her rising, but no sooner had he wrapped a hand around her wrist than something cold clicked around it, and she was pulling away.

"Sorry Natsu." She said breathlessly, her cheeks flushed, her hair mussed, and her lips deliciously kiss swollen, "I'm afraid I have to insist on my plan."

She smirked a little and shifted, the potent scent of her arousal reaching him, "Try not to take too long to catch up alright? I'm going to need my partner."

She leaned in before he could respond, shock still permeating his system, and boldly caressed his hardness, "I look forward to finishing this later." She purred, and left with an airy laugh.

Natsu stared at her swinging hips as she disappeared around the corner. He moved slowly to move after her, only to find his arm yanked back three steps from his original spot.

Dumbly, he looked at his wrist, recognizing the handcuffs Levy had given Lucy earlier.

He growled as his brain began to work again, twisting around to tug at his wrist. Of all the damned, sneaky-!

Lucy was more stubborn than a mule, too clever for her own good, and with a mischievous spirit so fierce it could give the flames of Igneel a run for their money.

"I think I might damn well be in love," Natsu growled in genuine frustration, giving his wrist a shake and glaring at the support beam he was cuffed to.

She left him to go on a dangerous mission by herself, giving him nothing but a deep yearning in his blood and a pitched tent.

When he got his hands on her. He grit his teeth together, his instincts happily feeding the fantasy of just what he would do to her.

Maybe he would use the cuffs on her and see how well she liked it.

He tried to push away the images, focusing instead on the immediate danger she would soon be in. Damn it all, if he only had a key!

Oh when he got his hands on her, he was going to make her pay for putting his heart through this.

And that's the chapter! Thank you to everyone who reviewed as always! You guys were amazing, and I hope you all enjoy your well earned preview! See you on Saturday!

She quickly closed her eyes again as she was shifted, making soft sounds like she was starting to come to, but as she was sat down and opened her eyes again her scream of surprise was not feigned at all.

Staring down at her was a man that was at least twice the size of Gajeel, but looked like he'd been made out of badly molded dough. He was even a powder white.

"Oh look she's awake!" The man exclaimed happily and grinned as he clapped chains on her, ordinary non-magic suppressing ones she noted with relief, "You stay here and be good okay?" He asked as he patted her on the head as if she was some kind of puppy, "I know I'm irresistible, but I've got work to do before I take you and your friends to Master Zeref."

Lucy blinked at him, completely at a loss for what to say. Was this guy serious? Surely he didn't think she would act up because she... the very thought made her shudder.

This guy was like Loke only worse. At least Loke was actually handsome even if he wasn't her type.