Hey guys! Kytrin here with your Wednesday update! I know it's a tad late, sorry about that, it was a hectic day so I only just got to it lol. Anyway, go enjoy your chapter, and I'll see you at the endnotes!

CHAPTER 26

Hang 'Em from the Yardarm

Type of punishment served to a prisoner

"So this is the one hm?"

"My Lord Igneel." Lucy smiled, sinking into a respectful curtsey, "It is an honor to meet you at last."

"The honor is all mine princess." Igneel chuckled as he gently caught her hand and brought it to his lips, "Any queen who can turn my son's head so thoroughly is surely the most remarkable of women."

Lucy laughed, "I'm not so sure I would agree with that." She grinned, a sparkle of mischief lighting in her eyes, "I've found Natsu's attention is often diverted by shiny objects or the prospect of a fight." She flicked her hair lightly, "Perhaps he mistakes my hair for gold?"

"Luuuucy!" Natsu whined beside her, "You know that's not true!"

"Then my hair doesn't remind you of gold?" She teased, "I'll have to remember that."

Igneel burst into full throated laughter at the slightly horrified expression on Natsu's face, "Oh I like you!" He chuckled, "There hasn't been a queen born yet, besides his mother, capable of putting that expression on his face!"

"Obviously they weren't trying very hard then." Lucy smirked, but immediately eyed Igneel curiously, "Natsu has a particular mother? I thought he said dragons were raised collectively?"

"Ah... a quirk of dragon culture." Igneel explained happily, "You see, we dragons do raise our children collectively, but we also acknowledge our blood ties. Family's far too important for us not to. Natsu is mine and Grandine's son as well as a son of the nest."

"Fascinating." Lucy breathed, "Tell me more of your culture?"

"Well... has Natsu mentioned drakes to you yet...?"

"Daaaaad," Natsu whined, embarrassed already. He grumbled and flopped down on a chair nearby, but couldn't help but be secretly happy over how well they were getting along.

Even if it meant he was promptly ignored in favor of gossip. Igneel explained the hierarchy of their culture to Lucy. Drake's were the rulers of the nest, and Igneel was the ruling Drake of their nest, while Natsu was also a Drake. He went on to explain that was not always the case, and while Drake's were typically dragons which were exceptionally stronger than normal dragons and thus were looked to as leaders, the females of the nest were respected in every aspect of their culture.

Lucy was absolutely awed by the explanation, her eyes alight with wonder over Igneel's easy acceptance of her and sharing of his knowledge.

—::—

Lucy looked up at Igneel, shame in her eyes over the ordeal she had caused within his home. She felt like bowing her head in disgust and guilt, but kept her chin up.

Nearby Natsu stood next to Igneel with the other dragons of their nest. Gajeel remained standing with the crew of Fairy Tail, but she suspected it was more to stay by Levy's side than a show of solidarity.

"Lord Igneel, I apologize to you for the actions of Mash. He violated the rules set forth by you, and as his captain I will share the same punishment you see fit to give him." Lucy felt like she was about to swallow her tongue. Igneel looked coldly furious, and the parents of those eggs, a silver and gold couple, looked like they were inches away from biting her head from her shoulders.

If it weren't for Natsu standing in the path between them, then Lucy believed they would have done so without as much as a tribunal.

Igneel stepped towards Lucy, his eyes falling over her, "It's the mark of a good leader to take fault when the actions of those under her care brings shame to the rest."

"But we will not punish you Captain Heartfilia," He growled, shooting the angry couple a pointed look, "The eggs are both unharmed and accounted for. We will let this matter go, under the condition that the man you call Mash stays here."

He reached out and gently tapped a claw under Lucy's chin even as she looked at him in surprise, "My son tells me you already loosened some of his teeth with a strong right hook. He was very impressed by that, and how strongly you argued to show respect to our hatchlings."

"I'm not sure you were aware, but Sting and Rogue of your crew were rescued from pirates who raided their birth nest long ago. They were not born from one of our dragons, but it is not our way to turn away young in need of warmth and protection." Igneel took a step back.

Lucy's jaw almost dropped onto the floor when Igneel himself bent at the knees into a bow, one that was reflected by Natsu, his siblings, and even the growling parents of the rescued eggs.

"At the cost of one of your own nest, you defended our kin and had them returned safely to us. You treated this with the respect and weight it deserved Captain Heartfilia," Igneel looked up at her, a wry smile on his face, "By saving not only my son, but the eggs under my care, you have cemented our trust and have earned your own place in our nest."

Lucy gaped speechlessly at the dragons for a long moment, "I..." She gathered herself and bowed back, "I thank you for this tremendous honor Fire King Igneel." She managed, "Truly. Though I'm not sure if I'm worthy of such trust."

Igneel cocked his head slightly, "Why would you not be?"

Lucy smiled a little sadly at him, "Because it was my judgement that allowed Mash to join the crew. That trusted him to follow your law. I'm to blame for the fact he was even able to get close to your eggs, never mind steal them."

A toothy smile curled around Igneel's face and he lowered his head to her level, "And yet, the moment you found out about it, you did not hesitate to act. As my son tells it, your first reaction was to protect your nestmate, but once you learned the truth your focus turned to protecting the little ones and dealing with the thief." He gazed benevolently at her, "No one could have done better. Not even I, the mighty Igneel, could have."

He shifted down to his human form and took her hand in his, "If there is one thing I have learned in my centuries leading a nest it is this... you can ultimately control no one but yourself, and it is your own reactions to that which you cannot control that determine the type of leader you are." He smiled as he took his hands away, "That is why you've earned my trust. And why we will fly to your side should you ever have need to call."

Lucy smiled back at him and nodded, and curled her now cupped hands to her chest, "Thank you Igneel. And if you ever need us, for anything, we will come as fast as the winds will carry us."

Natsu smiled once the heat fell off and the dragons separated back to their lairs. He approached Lucy, his head and tilted to her, "Thank you Luce. It really does mean more than we can say."

"It's not often we have guests come here either, so thanks for keeping the crew honest," Natsu gave her a crooked grin. Really the last thing they needed was an angry nest of dragons bearing down on their ship from above to rip it apart.

That was unlikely to see them off any time soon.

Lucy gave Natsu a relieved smile, happy that despite the earlier rage on his face, he had never once been furious with her. The guilt over Mash was subsiding as he settled a hand on her back.

Warmth leeched into her, comforting Lucy with his touch alone.

"Come on Captain, there's no need for another tribunal. Let's head on out before Igneel makes you stick around for dinner," Natsu's hand drifted higher to wrap around Lucy's shoulders. He drew her into his side as they walked, "Although I wouldn't mind."

"Easy sailor, are you getting fresh with your captain?" Lucy grinned back at him.

Natsu paused and turned to look at her, "And what if I am?" He asked softly, "Would that be such a bad thing?"

Lucy's eyes widened in surprise at the serious look in his, "You're... serious?" She asked, her heart thumping in her chest, "But isn't your heart taken? By your queen?"

Natsu's expression softened, "Aye. I had a queen once." He replied, "And maybe a part of my heart will always belong to her." He curled a finger through a lock of her hair, "But Lucy... I don't remember her. I know nothing about her at all. And if she had the lifespan of a dragon I would have heard about her before now. The fact I haven't means she's long gone."

"Even so, I know you miss her." Lucy replied, "I saw the look on your face when you realized there was a queen you'd built your nest for."

"What I miss is the idea of her." Natsu corrected gently, "It takes something special to capture a dragon's attention, and I'm sorry I can't remember her to honor that." He met her eyes, "But that doesn't mean my heart belongs to a memory I no longer have, and may never have, forever." He tucked her strand of hair behind her ear, "I'm allowed to find love again."

Lucy's heart leapt straight from thumping to pounding wildly, "I... Natsu... I..." She fumbled uncertainly, and sighed, "I can't." She bowed her head, "I want to... but I can't."

"Why not?" Natsu asked with a slight frown, not certain if he should be upset or not, "Do you not see me like that?"

She did. He was positive of it. Her scent did not lie after all, and he'd detected the mouthwateringly sweet scent of her arousal many times over the past few weeks around him. He was even smelling it now. There was no way he'd read that wrong. Although he supposed attraction was different from emotion.

Lucy's shoulders tensed, "I can't because I'm cursed!" She exclaimed, "All Heartfilia women are."

Natsu frowned, uncomprehendingly. His head tilted slowly, as if unable to really process her reasoning, "Cursed?"

Lucy didn't elaborate at first, but he waited, knowing he didn't really need to ask again beyond the first question. It was fairly self explanatory.

His captain sighed and shook her head. Her voice lowered so she wouldn't be overheard. Natsu took a step away from Lucy to give her some space while she gathered her thoughts.

"It's just something that's always been with us. None of the women in my family will have happy lives with men, or be safe while on land. That's the way it has always been," Lucy muttered, her eyes lifting to meet his.

"And Acnologia's marriage proposal probably doesn't help matters, huh?" Natsu gave her a crooked grin.

"No it doesn't," Lucy said between gritted teeth.

Natsu nodded and lifted his hand to her cheek. His smile was gentle on her, his fingertips brushing her skin lightly, "I'm not the type to run from a fight captain. Curse or not, I'm not going to play it safe if it meant missing out on something that could be great."

He dropped his hand, his smile not faltering, "But I can't blame ya for everything you've been through. I know I fought like hell just to get my legs, so I know what it's like to be livin' with a curse of my own. Even if they're different."

"Just let me know if you ever feel like rollin' those dice," Natsu growled, his face soft and patient, "I ain't goin' anywhere Cap'n."

Lucy smiled at him and leaned up to plant a lingering kiss on his cheek, allowing herself the luxury of feeling his body pressed against hers for a moment, "See that you don't."

She pulled back to stare at him, her eyes dark with hunger, "Maybe, when this is all over, we'll find a way to break my curse. And then..."

Natsu shivered a little at the look in her eyes, his own blood heating in response, "On that day, I would make you my queen." He growled darkly, "And give you everything you've been missing so far."

He leaned forward a bit and grinned teasingly, "Though if you keep looking at me like that... I may be forced to test the boundaries of that curse of yours."

Lucy smirked back at him, "That might be an interesting experience." She nudged him, "We should go now though. We've stayed on land far too long for my liking."

Natsu bobbed his head and curled his arm back around her shoulders as they started walking again, his mind already whirling with possible plans. He would never push beyond her boundaries, but he wasn't one to let his intended queen go thirsty either if he could help it. It was merely a question of how far he could push her curse.

He supposed he would just have to find out. Slowly and carefully.

She had told him no, but then also gave him a clear direction on what she wanted. Which was fine, he would go slow and feel her out, especially as he didn't know the boundaries of her curse.

He liked Lucy, more than he could remember liking anyone in his early life or in the past four hundred years. He was cautious not to mess it up either. He knew there had been a cage around his heart for a long time, a lingering sadness that had followed him for a while shortly after he woke as a merman.

But he felt like it was finally unlocked and beating once again. And if Lucy wanted to wait, he would wait until the ocean itself dried up.

Still, his own issue with legs and a tail did claw at him. His own curse wasn't far away, and his legs were only a temporary solution. When this was over, Natsu didn't know how long Juvia would wait before returning to the sea.

It was something to think about as well. His eyes lingered on her as they walked and he resolved to think about it later. For now he would simply enjoy the moment.

This time they made it to the ship, walking up and thumping onto the gangplank. Natsu released Lucy as she got into 'captain' mode and began to bark orders. He grinned back at her, flashing a quick salute before running off to help Sting weigh anchor.

He watched out of the corner of his eye as the tension began to drop from Lucy's shoulders as they got underway, and sent the various deities aboard a silent thanks for the relatively quiet stop. Egg theft aside, retrieving the relic had gone smoothly this time. Though he doubted it would remain that way for long.

-::-

"Is something wrong?" Lucy asked, "You've been quiet since before we left Galuna."

Gray looked up from where he'd been ostensibly keeping a look out after their departure from the island, and shot his captain a pout as she swung herself nimbly into the crow's nest with him, "Being nosy again cap'n?"

"Friendship privilege." Lucy sniffed haughtily and flashed him a grin before sobering up, "Seriously though, what's on your mind? You've been brooding since we left."

Gray contemplated the horizon for a moment, "Do you believe in reincarnation Lucy?"

"Well sure." Lucy replied with an ease that had him looking at her in surprise, "It would be a little ridiculous for the gods to create a brand new soul every time someone's born wouldn't it? And how ever nice the afterlife might be, I'd hate to be stuck there for eternity." Her lips twitched in amusement, "Can you imagine how bored I'd get? Think of the destruction."

Gray gawked at her for a moment before bursting into laughter, "You? Cause destruction in the afterlife?" He chuckled, "Aye. I could see it if you didn't get any excitement any other way. That would be a piss poor paradise for you though."

"True enough." Lucy agreed in amusement, "Now tell me, why do you ask?"

Gray shook his head, "Just a conversation I had with Juvia." He replied and looked down at his hands, "She all but confirmed I knew her in a past life. I think... we were close."

"That bothers you?" Lucy asked curiously, "I would think you'd be thrilled over knowing your goddess."

"Aye." Gray agreed, "I just wish I knew more about it. I can't remember any of it. I told Juvia it didn't matter. That we would make our own memories."

"So what's really bothering you?" Lucy asked, "The possibility that your other self might've been closer than you think he should be?"

Lucy glanced down the nest where she could see a tiny blob of pink hair gesturing wildly at Gajeel near the edge of the ship. A ghost of a smile flashed over her face, knowing where Gray was coming from.

It was one thing to know the person you were interested in had ghosts in their past. It had to be another thing entirely to know that ghost was you though.

"Maybe? Ugh, I don't know!" Gray mumbled, his fingers taking into his bangs and pushing his hair back. He gave Lucy a sullen look, even as his captain laughed and pushed at his shoulder.

"It's not right, she's a goddess Lucy. I shouldn't be having the thoughts I'm having," Gray groaned, "But she's all I'm thinking about! She's sweet and kind, a little awkward and dopey, but—..."

His expression softened into something Lucy had never seen before.

Her eyebrows raised at his tender expression, her hand raising to settle between his shoulder blades, "Then don't worry about it."

"You care for her Gray," Lucy made sure to word it carefully. Even mentioning the possibility of him loving his goddess could spook him away from ever getting closer to her.

"I think the only thing that's stopping you is your fear," Lucy grinned at him, "You really like her, and I saw you looking at her with that dumbstruck expression on your face even before you found out she was a goddess."

"Only your sense of propriety being around new crew stopped you from going after her, and then finding out she was a goddess," Lucy grinned, "But she's real sweet, and I think she likes you too. So maybe you ought to try your luck?"

"Luck?" Gray laughed, lifting his cursed arm up to Lucy's eye level, "I'm afraid I don't got a whole lot of that!"

Lucy snorted a little, "Neither one of us do." She agreed, "But Gray, your curse isn't connected to your heart like mine is. You're free to love however you want. You should take advantage of that."

"Lucy..." Gray began, his heart aching at the old pain on her face, but whatever he was going to say was cut off as he spotted a blob on the horizon that shouldn't be there.

On instinct, he surged to his feet and snatched up his telescope.

"What is it?" Lucy asked as she peered at the spot too far away to make out properly.

"Trouble." Gray growled, and began ringing the alert bell, "Ship!" He cried, "Off the starboard stern! All hands prepare for action!"

Lucy snatched the telescope from him as he shouted to the rest of the crew and trained it on the ship, "It's coming in fast." She reported, "And its sails are black."

She handed the telescope back and swung down from the crow's nest as the crew moved to ready battle stations.

"Captain!" Cana called, "Crew is ready for action! What are we looking at?"

"Pirate ship." Lucy growled tersely, "It's a rogue flying black sails, and it's coming in fast off the starboard stern."

"How fast?" Natsu asked, his expression tense.

"I'd estimate at least twenty knots." Lucy replied as she strode over to Juvia, "Can you gift us some fog Juvia? It's still far enough away we may yet be able to lose it."

"I can if Levy helps," Juvia gave her a tense nod. She lifted her hands, a mist growing around the ship. Levy joined next to her, scribbling out the word "fog" through the air.

Soon the ship was wreathed in a light fog. It didn't provide a lot of cover, but it would protect the crew from any fire they would come under.

Lucy lifted her hands to keep the crew silent as their ship moved through the water. It was no use hiding if they had already been spotted, but there was still hope to shake the other ship if they managed to get beyond the horizon. They would have a better advantage either way.

Natsu waited where he was crouched, his senses straining for any shifts to the fog as well as the approach of the enemy vessel.

The one disadvantage of the fog meant they couldn't see their enemy either.

Still they had enough dragons onboard, covered at each edge of the ship at Lucy's silent command to give them a clear enough signal when an attack started.

Natsu raised a fist to Lucy as a shadow shimmered into his field of vision. He held his breath, eyes narrowing when he spotted a small glimmer through the fog.

He could hear the creaking of a spring, like the sound of a harpoon being pulled back.

Jolting upright, Natsu whipped his head towards Lucy. "Captain! Get down!" He roared.

He jumped for her as the spring snapped, what looked like a strange claw shooting out from the haze at Lucy. Natsu tackled her down, the metal claw latching around his extended wrist.

The thick chain jerked Natsu around by his arm, hurtling him to the edge of the ship as it retracted, trying to draw him off the Fairy Tail and towards the enemy ship.

He growled, gripping at the railing to try and stop himself from being pulled over, the wood straining under his grip. Natsu felt slim arms grab him hard around his middle, and he looked over his aching shoulder to see a blond head of hair pressing into his back.

"Natsu hold on!" Lucy strained against him.

"What do I look like I'm doing?" Natsu joked between bared fangs.

He could feel Lucy's grip on him slipping, even as she tried to reach for her keys without letting him go. But it was a losing battle, and they both knew it. Even with the members of the crew running over to help them there wasn't enough time. Even with Natsu's grip slipping.

Lucy wasn't letting go either.

Natsu grinned, rather appreciative of the captain for her stubbornness. He lifted a leg to give him some separation from the railing, long enough to reach out and shove Lucy off him, "Sorry Cap'n, they ain't gettin' you too!"

The pause in his grasp was enough, and Natsu yelped as he was jerked overboard and directly onto the other ships deck.

Nausea set in at once, Natsu moaning when the chain was reeled in.

"Natsu no!" Lucy called out, but there wasn't time to do anything as the ship loomed closer.

"Brace for impact!" Gray shouted as the other ship scraped up against them with a sickening crunch. The impact was enough to unbalance all but the most seasoned, and was followed immediately by the whistle of lines clattering onto the deck.

"Boarding lines!" Cana cried.

"I got them!" Lucy cried as golden sparkles formed around her, leaving her in a tight eastern outfit with Cancer's symbol on the chest, and bearing a pair of short swords. In a flash she darted forward, deftly slicing through the lines as fast as she could.

It was not enough to stop the boarding though.

She growled softly in the back of her throat as the clash of magic and steel began. The first battle of the war had begun.

And that's a wrap! To avoid confusion, I'd like to note that from here on in we changed the flashbacks up a bit, so unless we specifically note the flashbacks are dreams or memories then assume they're not actually being remembered by the respective person as of yet. Additionally, we are officially halfway through the story! Congratulations for getting this far! Time for the main part of the roller coaster to get started! Also, I wanna give a mega shoutout to everyone who reviewed! You guys seriously knocked it out of the park again! I'm in awe, and super impressed! Thank you all so much! Here is your well earned reward. Enjoy, and we'll see you Sunday! :)

Jackal for his part had rushed Lucy the moment she dropped, grabbing her and peppering her down with as many bombs as he could muster to keep her flat. She screamed from the explosions tearing at her stardress, her teeth gritting together.

She spotted a flicker out in the ocean, and she summoned every ounce of her willpower to wrap a hand around Jackals ankle.

"That's not going to do you any good," Jackal sneered at Lucy, "what did I tell you about touching me? Talk about stupid!"

He snapped his fingers, the explosion ripping through the nerves in her hand. Lucy bore through it though, riding through the pain.

"Call me stubborn," Lucy smirked at him, her grip tightening.

She bore down, her fingers crunching together, "Titania give me strength."

Lucy shifted herself, throwing her weight to the side and using every ounce of her stardress to jerk Jackal to the deck and throw him through the railing.

The demon smashed into the wood, tumbling into the choppy waters down below.

"You threw him overboard?" Bora yelped, "But how?"

Lucy shot him a disgusted look and settled back against an intact section of railing to rest, "And that, right there, is proof you're a moron." She replied, "Not that we needed more." She glanced at Gray and smirked, "How long d'you think that jerk will last against Natsu and a pissed off goddess?"

"I give it five minutes." Gray drawled back, "If they're slow." He grinned at her smirk, "You?"

"Put me down for two." She replied instantly, "Usual bet?"

"You're on."