A/N Sorry this one took so long! I had family visiting and i'm going to visit them this next weekend so don't expect a new chapter for a couple of weeks!
SORRY!
Chapter 4
Lucy seated herself so that she was facing Natsu on the cot in his cabin. She felt a mixture of emotions after hearing Gray's voice and name. She wasn't sure she could tell the captian her whole story… it would make her so vulnerable. But it had to be done, Gray would know right away who she was and her cover would be blown. Lucy grimaced at the thought, while she looked at Natsu. The captain was looking at her comfortingly waiting for her to talk, and after she had caught her breath, she started…
"About fourteen years ago, it all began…"
Lucy was playing outside the sparkling white palace in the beautiful ornate gardens. It was springtime in Fiore, so all the sakura trees were in bloom in the city, coating the ground in pink silk-like petals. Lucy loved this time of year; it meant that her father would let her out of the palace for one hour a day… supervised of course. So the hour was precious to the young girl, who was used to being locked away in her tower. Oh, how she hated that tower. Her father, the King, locked her in there all day and all night with no company to speak of. It was only because of her mother (and only in the spring and summer) that she was allowed to be let out at all. Six year old Lucy sashayed across the flower garden, grinning from ear to ear while the Royal Guards kept a close watch; she was waiting for the right second to ditch them. There was a spot past the hedges near the edge of the garden, Lucy was careful as she tiptoed over to those hedges; all she wanted was a glimpse at what was on the other side before she was locked back in the tower all by herself. She was almost there when she heard a rustle of leaves on the other side of the hedges.
What was that?
Lucy squatted down underneath the shade of the hedges to get a better glimpse. At first, all she saw was the iron fence that separated the palace courtyard from the rest of the estate. Suddenly, what she saw was a pair of black boots that looked exactly like that ones the royal guard wear, but they were so… small. Lucy looked up, following the boots to what they were attached to. What came into her view was a pair of trousers, a white shirt, and a blue and silver overcoat that was left open in the front. This overcoat revealed a white linen shirt that tied at the top and was also left open. There was a saber sheathed in the belt around his waist. But that's not what she was staring at; what caught her attention was his face. It was beautiful, he looked like a dream. He had black eyes and blacker hair that was disheveled and caressed his ears and forehead. She felt blood rush to her cheeks as he finally noticed her, and looked down.
"Who are you? What are you doing down there?" He said, with a frown.
Lucy's eyes widened as she jumped up and brushed off her dress. She stared at the ground while she pulled leaves and branches out of her hair. The stranger continued to stare at her with a puzzled look. He continued to look her over searching for any idea of who she was. He finally noticed a broach on her dress that was decorated with the royal crest. The boy's face grew pale as he fell to one knee.
"Princess!" he exclaimed
Lucy jumped at his sudden outburst as she observed the boy, who was now kneeling before her, partially hidden by hedges. She looked up for a moment to check if the guards had noticed what had happened; they remained at their posts as if nothing was wrong. Lucy gave a sigh of relief as she turned her attention back to the young boy in front of her.
"Hey, it's ok… please stand up… you're making me embarrassed." She blushed at the young boy.
He looked up slowly, and as she smiled at him, he slowly stood in front of her. He brushed off the dirt on his pants and took a step back. He stared at her with a most bemused expression, and as he felt reality was settling in on him, fear started creeping into his gut.
"Princess…" he stuttered as he looked around nervously "What are you doing here?"
Lucy looked back at him nervously. "I… I… I wanted to look outside the garden… I've never been outside of it before… I've hardly been outside my tower… I know I'm not supposed to, but… I couldn't help it." She said, sheepishly, while she nervously rubbed her hands together staring at the ground.
The boy stared at her from above as he rubbed the back of his neck anxiously. He looked around for the guards who were supposed to be watching her; apparently they weren't especially worried about losing her, because they all seemed preoccupied and not paying attention. He grimaced to himself as he watched the princess hold back tears.
"Well, I suppose we should get you back to the palace… your father will be worried." He told her.
She looked up in a stupor, with alarm stricken across her face.
"PLEASE, DON'T! I don't want to go back there… it's not safe for me!" She was trembling from head to toe, reaching out to him but unable to move her feet. The boy's face filled with concern as he took her hands into his own.
"It's alright, I won't make you go back, but let's go somewhere else where we can't be seen by the guards." He grabbed her hands and started to pull her away from the hedges across the fence. Lucy's trembling instantly stopped as she felt herself being pulled forward. She watched as the handsome boy took her through a small gate in the iron fence. Her vision turned blurry; all she could see was the back of his shoulders guiding her through garden after garden passing buildings and ponds. Finally, they came to a stone wall hidden behind willow trees and bushes. He looked around; there was nobody to be found for a mile. The boy sighed as he leaned against the wall and looked at Lucy, who was on her knees trying to catch her breath. He ran his fingers through his hair nervously before opening his mouth.
"So, princess, tell me why I just ran away from your security and took you here. And more importantly, why isn't it safe for you in your tower?" He said, reaching down to Lucy to help her up off the ground.
Lucy looked up, and clasped his hand in hers as he lifted her off the ground; she wasn't sure what to say. She never talked to anybody; the only people she was allowed to talk to were people specifically picked out by her father, which included her teachers, maids, and her guards. So when this boy spoke to her, it made her feel… awkward and shy.
"Uh…well, the thing is… I just said that to get away—I don't want to go back… I'm sorry I lied to you…"She said, unsurely.
The boy just stared at her blankly, comprehending what was just said and what he had just done. He slid down the stone wall and stared at his boots.
"I'm dead, that's it. I'm not making it to my twelfth birthday..." He placed his head in his hands.
Lucy looked at him, the boy who saved her from her tower. She felt the guilt build in her stomach.
"I'm sorry… I'll go back… but please, before I go. Promise me you'll come visit me in the gardens once in a while?" She pleaded to him
He looked up at her.
Why should I trust this girl? She lied to me, and she's the princess, I could be killed just for meeting with her.
However, something about the way she was pleading with him, the way she was so helpless, her unyielding need to escape her tower… He felt like she was just like him in that way.
"Alright," he said, "I suppose I'll take you back, and I promise that you won't be alone anymore. I'll come see you when I can."He grumbled as he stood up. "My name's Gray, Gray Fullbuster." He lifted his hand slowly toward her.
"My name is Lucy, Lucy Heartfelia." She smiled, meeting his hand and shaking it.
Gray smiled back at her, and held her hand as he started to walk her back to the tower that she dreaded. The closer they got, the tighter she held on to his hand. Gray looked down at their hands and smiled.
"It's okay, princess, I promise I won't let go—so calm down, okay?" He whispered to her gently.
She smiled unsurely back at him as she clung to his arm.
"There's something I've wanted to ask you… if it's okay..."
Gray looked at her, puzzled.
"Sure, I guess. What is it?"
Lucy pursed her lips as she worked up the courage to speak to him. They were almost to the courtyard, where the guards were running around frantically looking for Lucy. Lucy and Gray only had a few minutes before they were spotted; she needed to speak now.
"Wh… Why do you have the same uniform on as the Royal Guards?"
Gray stopped and looked at her, unsure of what to say. He frowned and kept walking towards the garden.
"When I see you again, I'll tell you." He said quietly.
Lucy didn't get to respond because the guards spotted them. Gray fell to one knee and held out their clasped hands towards the adults, while placing her hand in the guards' hands. They seemed to be talking to him about something, but Lucy couldn't hear. She was being picked up and hauled back to her tower; all she was able to hear was the sound of the doors slowly closing behind them as they took her back up. She watched through the crack as the young boy looked back at her, his frame slowly disappearing as the doors slammed loudly behind her. Lucy's mind began to panic.
What will they do to him? Will he be okay?
She couldn't help but feel guilty.
Whatever they do to him, it's my fault…I hope I'll see him again…
She looked at the doors that locked him out of her life; she hated doors. They kept her in, and everyone else out. One day, she wanted to live somewhere without doors that locked. Every time they closed, she felt like someone she loved was locked out of her life forever.
"…So that's how I met Gray… He was the first person to ever take me away from my tower." Lucy muttered thoughtfully.
Natsu sat, still listening to her story, letting her take her time even thought he hadn't slept for almost twenty four hours. He rubbed his eyes and leaned back against the wall, his hand still on Lucy's back. Lucy looked back at Natsu, obviously trying not to fall asleep. Suddenly, she felt terrible; she had kept him up for a full day, and here he was trying to keep himself awake to hear her story.
"Listen, Natsu… we can finish this in the morning if you want. I know you've been up for a long time, you can…" Natsu cut her off.
"Lucy, this is an important story and it's important to you, so I'll stay awake until you're finished." He sat up, and looked her in the eye.
"Go ahead and finish your story." Natsu flashed a smile at her while Lucy adjusted her position on the cot to make herself more comfortable.
"Alright, I'm almost done." she continued…
A few days after their first encounter
Lucy was sitting in her room by her window that overlooked the gardens, watching the guards walk back and forth in between statues and hedges. The guards hadn't said anything to her father about her disappearance; they didn't want to portray incompetence to the king, it made them look better to just say nothing and act as though nothing had happened. The princess still got to go out for an hour a day, and the guards didn't get fired… or killed. However, Gray hadn't lived up to his promise; he didn't come to visit her. Lucy sighed.
I can't blame him. Just coming to the garden was risky, and I'm not sure what happened to him after his run in with the guards.
She started drawing in the dust that was settled on the windowsill, when a firm loud knock came from her bedroom door.
"Princess, this is the Royal Guard, please allow us to enter!"
"Permission granted." She squeaked.
Lucy's doors boomed open, with guards lining the hallway outside, allowing the head of the Royal Guard and Royal Army through while they stopped at the entrance of her room. Lucy's face beamed at the sight of a familiar face.
"SILVER!" She shouted, as she ran towards him. He smiled as he crouched down, reaching his arms out to greet her.
"Lucy, come here!" He beamed.
Lucy jumped into his arms while Silver laughed and spun her around.
"I brought you a present today." He said, rubbing his nose against hers.
"Really? I just love your presents, Silver! What did you get me this time?"
Silver chuckled as he set Lucy down on her feet.
"Alright, little missy, here it is." He said, gesturing down the hallway.
However, there wasn't anything there. She quizzically looked back at Silver. He just smiled and continued to gesture down the hallway. Eventually, she could see a small figure walking closer to her room. The figure looked like a member of the Royal Guard.
Is this the person bringing me Silver's present?
Lucy waited in anticipation as the person walked closer.
Wait, this person looks familiar…
As the figure grew closer, it was apparent that it was Gray. Lucy gasped and looked at Silver again; Silver just kept smiling. Gray stood at the entrance of her room and knelt before her on one knee.
"Princess, I'm here to serve you. Until the day I die, or the day you release me from my charge."
Lucy stood frozen in one place, unsure of what to do. All she could manage was to stare at Gray, who was kneeling before her, staring at the ground. She looked back at Silver, who was watching Gray.
Lucy, this is my son, Gray. Your mother and I have decided to make him your personal guard; doing this will allow you more freedom, as long as you are with him. You'll be able to go places around the palace grounds and hunting grounds. He will grow up with you and he will protect you with his life. However, you still can't go anywhere the citizens are allowed." Silver said apologetically.
Lucy looked at Gray with wonder in her eyes. He was her key to the outside of this tower; he was the one who would save her and take her to the outside world. She watched as Gray shifted his legs as to stand before her. Gray reached his hand out to her; she placed her hand in his as he bent down to kiss her hand gently.
"Princess, I'm here to protect you, and I'm looking forward to spending the rest of my life with you." Gray smiled.
Lucy smiled back at him as she tightened her grip on his hand. She stepped closer to Gray and embraced him tightly. Gray lifted his arms in shock and looked at his father for any sign of what to do next. Silver simply smiled and nodded at his son. Gray sighed and closed his eyes, lowering his hands silently, hoping that the king never found out about this.
Lucy was excited that she finally had a real friend.
"Thank you, Gray." She whispered to him.
"Mmmm? Thank you for what?" He replied.
Lucy buried her face into his jacket and squeezed him tight. Gray could feel the blood rush to his cheeks as he watched his father chuckle at the two of them together. Gray glared at Silver, and was about to say something, when he was cut off by Lucy.
"Thank you for keeping your promise." She smiled, as a tear silently fell down her cheeks.
"Well, that's how we got to know each other; he was my personal guard, and we spent every day together for ten years…" Lucy said, coming to the end of her story.
Natsu continued to listen and stroke her back comfortingly, while stifling a yawn.
"I fell in love the moment I saw him, and as you could imagine, my father wasn't too happy about that." She gritted through her teeth, bitterly.
"He was my first love…" She blushed, "My first… kiss…" She said tenderly as her hand rose to her lips.
Natsu stopped and looked at Lucy.
Her first kiss? Geeze Gray could you make this anymore difficult for this girl?
Lucy's face was red and tears flowed down her cheeks and onto the shirt she had changed into. Natsu did a double take. She had changed clothes while he was out and he hadn't even noticed, in all of the the chaos, that she had changed out of the cloak she was wearing when he met her. She was now wearing… his clothes. She had changed into a white shirt and some light tan pants that she had tied around her waist, and black boots that went up to her knees. The sight of her wearing his clothes was what made him blush slightly. Natsu shook his head.
Pull it together, man! Now is not the time! We could be in a lot of trouble if her cover is blown by Gray, before we can even get out to sea.
"So, one day, my father…" Tears welled up and started to pour from Lucy's eyes. "He saw us together… he took Gray from me and… and…" She burst into a full hysterical sobs.
The day of Lucy's 17th birthday.
Lucy was frantically running down the corridors of her tower heading out to the gardens. Tears were flying past her as she burst through the French-style doors that lead outside. She stopped and looked around, searching for the Royal Guard and Army uniforms that were always surrounding the palace, but today was different—there wasn't a uniform in sight. Lucy began to panic.
Where are they? They have to be here somewhere!
She heard horses and a crowd off in the distance. Lucy charged off in the direction of the noise, leaving behind her shoes in the process. She didn't stop or even look back as they flew off her feet. She felt the cold splash of water as she ran through a pond. She felt the sting of pain as her flesh tore against the branches of the hedges that she was pressing through. She was not paying attention to the pieces of dress and petticoat tearing off and scattering about the garden. Lucy just didn't care; she was focused on reaching her destination. In the distance, she could see an army regimen leaving the palace. Her stomach fell; she was too late, she wasn't going to make it in time.
"NO! GRAY! DON'T LEAVE ME HERE ALL ALONE!" She shouted at the soldiers through bursts of tears.
Lucy made it to the main road of the palace courtyard as the last of the regimen was leaving through the large gate. Lucy looked frantically for Gray among the sea of blue and silver, sweat dripping down her face. Finally, she found him at the back of the line.
"GRAY! GRAY, PLEASE DON'T GO!" She shouted after him.
Gray looked around, surprised to hear his name being called. Finally, he spotted Lucy charging after him. Gray's face grew pained as he looked her in the eyes, hers desperately telling him to stay, and his telling her that he couldn't. Gray turned back around and walked away, the gates slowly closing on his silhouette.
Lucy shook her head.
Not again! Don't close the door!
"GRAY! DON'T GO!" She pleaded, reaching out her arms with her whole being, wanting Gray to reciprocate.
Finally, the gigantic gates closed, with a deep resounding bang that echoed throughout the entire palace. Lucy felt her heart shatter, as the last of Gray's figure was blocked out by the gate. She fell to her knees and shook her head.
No, it can't be… Gray is… gone?
"GRAAAY!" She choked.
It felt as though her world came crashing down, with the noise of the gate sealing her miserable future forever. As she looked at the gate, she vowed that one day she would run away, so far away that her father could never touch her. And maybe, just maybe, she could find happiness once again.
Natsu waited until Lucy caught her breath to continue.
"Gray was deployed into the military by my father, to get him away from me. He had found out that I was in love so he sent him to the front lines. Weeks later, it was told to me that he was… was… killed… in action…" Lucy couldn't bring herself to say another word.
Natsu frowned, contemplating what he had just been told. He closed his eyes and moved his arms so that they wrapped around her figure and embraced her. Lucy was taken aback as she looked to her side, only to get a face full of pink hair.
"You don't have to say anymore, Lucy. I think I can kind of figure out the rest of the story on my own." He whispered, releasing Lucy from his grasp and slowly stood up.
Lucy watched Natsu walk over to the cabin door and stop.
"We obviously won't be able to keep this a secret from Gray; I think it's best that we include him in our little agreement. Don't worry, I won't make you see him if you aren't ready. However, he's going to know right away when he sees you, so we might as well let him in on it." He was about to open the door, when he noticed another pair of hands on top of his. He looked over and saw Lucy stopping him.
…Lucy… Natsu wondered what was going through her mind.
"I… I know you have to, but please let me do it." She told him.
Natsu turned to face her directly and lifted her chin, so that he was looking her in the eyes.
"Listen, Lucy, it's not that I don't want you to see him… it's just…" Natsu dropped his hand and looked back at the door. Lucy looked up at him, confused.
"It's just…" He continued, "…a lot has happened since he left the palace…" Natsu couldn't look her in the eyes. Lucy took a step back, her head swarming with every situation that could possibly be implied by that statement. She finally ended up back in the cot with her head being held in her hands.
Natsu looked back at her once more before heading out his door to go talk to Gray. He sighed as he opened the door and took a step out; he couldn't help but feel like he was hurting Lucy by doing this.
This situation will just hurt her, but there was no way around it!
Why do I care anyway?
He walked somberly over to the hatch that lead to the hold below deck, and stopped right above the grate that allowed you to see into the hold. Natsu gave a good couple stomps to get Gray's attention.
It didn't take long before he heard noises below deck the shuffling, of papers and clanking of metal falling onto the ground.
"Gray, you bastard! Get up here!" He shouted.
"GIVE ME A MINUTE, YOU ARROGANT ASSHOLE!" Screamed an enraged Gray.
Natsu made a face that expressed his disapproval of how his first mate addressed him; but he decided to let it slide given the circumstances. Gray was never one who liked to be woken up; in fact most members of the guild dreaded having to be the one to wake him if he ever fell asleep while at headquarters. Natsu smiled, reminiscing about old times.
However, his tolerance for Gray was running thin.
"Hurry it up, you…" Natsu was cut off.
"I'm coming, flames for brains! Just hold your horses for one damn second!" Gray's voice bellowed from below deck.
Natsu lifted the hatch for Gray to come up. Gray was disheveled, wearing only his boots and boxer shorts as he climbed the ladder to the deck above. Gray climbed onto the wood deck and stumbled onto his feet. He then immediately clomped over to Natsu on the other side of the hatch, and gave him a good left hook to the stomach.
"Gaaa! What the hell…you dick!" Natsu was gasping for breath as he crumpled onto the floor.
"What do you mean? You're the one who woke me up, so what could you possibly want from me at this hour?!" Gray's voice shook with rage.
Natsu rolled over on his back, gripping his stomach. He glared at Gray, and lifted his hand towards him so that he could help him back to his feet. Gray rolled his eyes as he clasped hands with Natsu and pulled him up. It took Natsu a minute to compose himself before he could look Gray in the face.
"Look, Gray, we need to talk… It's important." Natsu said, finally getting the wind back in him.
Gray looked at Natsu with a stern expression.
"So important that it couldn't wait until morning?" he glared.
"Just follow me…" Natsu responded.
Gray lifted his arm in front of himself in a decisive motion.
"Lead on, fearless leader." He said sarcastically.
Natsu rolled his eyes. "First you're going to need to know something…"
Gray lifted an eyebrow in response, waiting for Natsu to finish.
"… It has to do with someone from your past. It's… Lucy…"
Gray's eyes widened with shock.
"How… how do you even know that name?" He whispered.
Gray started to look pained and confused.
"Gray…" Natsu said, comfortingly. "Lucy is here. She ran away and she's swindled me into taking her away from Fiore, but Gray…"
Gray looked at Natsu. He couldn't believe what he was saying. What did he mean she was here? And on the ship? The information was too much; he put a hand on Natsu's shoulder for support.
"Gray… You're going to have to tell her what's happened. You have to tell her the truth; she's still hopelessly in love with you…" Natsu said, with a pained voice.
Gray looked down and then back at Natsu, trying to come to terms with what he was hearing. All he could read off Natsu's face was concern.
"Where… where is she now?" He stammered.
"… In my cabin." Natsu answered, handing out his key in front of Gray's face.
Gray looked at Natsu, pain suddenly gone from his face. It was now replaced with anger, as he grabbed his captain by the cuff of his vest.
"You didn't…" He clenched his teeth menacingly.
"OF COUSRE NOT!" Natsu shouted, as he pushed Gray off his collar. "Let's just go."
"No! No… It's fine, I'll go see her myself." Gray muttered shyly as he headed off towards the cabin.
"Uhhh Gray!" Natsu shouted after him.
"What now!" Gray replied angrily.
"PANTS!"
Gray looked down to see that he was sporting briefs and boots. His face flushed red and he headed back under deck.
"I'll see her in a minute… after I change…"
Natsu rolled his eyes.
"Just make it quick, I need some shut eye as I haven't slept in two days…but it's not what it sounds like." Natsu chuckled as he headed back to the captain's cabin, and pulled a spare key from inside his boot.
"See you soon…" Natsu said, as he waited for the sound of Gray's boots to disappear below deck before he put the key into his cabin door.
What has my life come to? Well, can't help it now…
Natsu unlocked the door and walked inside his cabin, ready to face whatever was going to happen—good or bad.
