A/N Sorry guys! I know it's been a while since I posted but my grandpa died, so I hope you understand. But I worked really hard on this chapter so I hope you like it as much as I do! Let me know what you think! I appreciate your comments.

Chapter 6

It had been two days since the ship left port at Magnolia. Since then, the ship had gone to several ports on the way back to a place which Natsu called Tenro Island. He had explained to Lucy the way the Fairy Tail guild functioned and made their money.

The guild itself had their guild hall on an island where only the members of Fairy Tail were allowed to port. From there, they ran their fleet of ships—with Natsu being one of the ships' Captains. There were several ships with their own captains, but their crews were never the same. Based on where the ships were going and where the members accepted their jobs, they picked the ship going in that direction; it was a really efficient way for the ships and the crew to work together and get jobs—more and more crew had come aboard since Magnolia.

Lucy hadn't met any of them yet, but she knew a little about them and who they were from the information Natsu had given her, and from listening in on conversations from Natsu's room. Everyone on board seemed kind and genuine, and the thought gave Lucy a feeling of relief.

Lucy looked over to the sleeping Captain at the end of the room snoring away on his futon, his cat Happy curled up beside him. She smiled to herself as she looked at him; something about his countenance while he slept made him resonate with the innocence of a child. He had been sleeping for most of the voyage so far. She couldn't blame him; he had been up for two days straight. Lucy chuckled as she walked over to the captain and sat down on the floor next to him. Lucy reached down and stroked Happy's head.

I wish I could be as carefree as you, Happy…

Being a cat seems a lot easier than being a runaway princess.

Happy purred in response to Lucy's touch and he rolled over onto his back, presenting his belly. Lucy smiled at him as she went to pet his belly. As she moved her hand, she looked at the Captain—who was staring back at her with his onyx eyes.

"Gaaa!" She exclaimed, as she stumbled backwards to distance herself.

Natsu raised an eyebrow at her response.

"What's wrong, princess? You were the one staring at me while I was sleeping. Shouldn't I be the one who is shocked?" He asked, mockingly.

Lucy glared at him while she stood up and dusted off her pants.

"I was petting Happy—you just happened to be there next to him; it was mere coincidence." She retorted.

Natsu smiled as he took off the blanket on top of him, revealing his half-naked body underneath.

"Geeze, Natsu! I wish you wouldn't do that!" Lucy said, embarrassed as she turned around and shielded her eyes.

"Mmmmm?" He responded, as he stood up from his futon stretching out his arms and shoulders.

"You got up from bed in just your boxers without even giving me time to go into the washroom while you get dressed!" She said angrily.

Natsu just looked at her blankly as he grabbed his clothes from the neatly folded pile next to his futon.

"Princess, I don't really care if you see me or not, but if it makes you uncomfortable maybe new sleeping arrangements are in order?" He asked.

Lucy looked confused.

"What do you mean by that?" She asked.

"I mean maybe it's time you met the crew and got out of this cabin; you being in here all day is making it stuffy. Also, I feel bad that you're locked in here all the time; after you meet the crew you can sleep in the womens' sleeping quarters with Mirajane and Wendy. I think that will make you feel a lot more comfortable."

Lucy smiled back at the captain. He obviously cared for her well being.

Maybe he really is nice and isn't pretending just because he thought that it was in his interest.

"Of course…" He continued, while buttoning his pants up and tying his sash around his waist. "…that also means that you'll be right next door to Gray and the mens' sleeping quarters." He looked over at Lucy, whose face had darkened.

"The decision is yours, but let me know by this evening?"

Lucy nodded in his direction, keeping her thoughts to herself. Natsu closed his eyes as he slipped on his vest and wrapped his scarf around his neck.

"That will do for now. I'm going outside, I'd like for you to accompany me and meet the crew that's on board."

Lucy's countenance changed as she snapped her head up to look at Natsu.

"What? Already? Haven't you thought of what you're going to tell them?"

Natsu sighed as he tugged the bottom of his vest, finally finished getting himself dressed.

"Yes I've thought about it a great deal over the last couple days and I think the easiest thing to do is just tell them you're a new recruit for the Fairy Tail guild. Of course that means that you'll actually have to join… so the only way this will work is if you agree to it."

Lucy looked back at Natsu, not believing what she was hearing.

I still don't know this guy very well. This could be a trap…maybe some sort of con?

"… Are you sure that's the best way?" She asked, hesitantly.

"Yes." Natsu said, flatly.

Lucy folded her arms as she looked at the Natsu.

"I suppose it can't be helped…"

Natsu walked towards the door and looked over his shoulder to observe Lucy.

"Are you coming or not?" He asked, impatiently.

Lucy gave a huff and pursed her lips as she stomped over to the Captain.

Natsu laughed.

"I hope you're making that face when you meet everyone, that'd be a great first impression!" Natsu said, giving her a toothy grin as he opened the door for her.

Lucy raised a hand to her face to block out the sun that was burning her eyes as she walked out the door. It took a minute for her eyes to adjust to the light after crossing the threshold of the cabin. As soon as she could see, she observed several people walking about doing business aboard the ship. Lucy felt the Captain brush past her. She watched him walk over to the crow's nest and put his index finger and thumb to his mouth as he inhaled and gave a piercing whistle that resonated through the ship and the sea. Lucy slammed her hands to her ears and covered them in protest.

"ATTENTION, HAPPY CREW!" Natsu declared, jumping into the shrouds of the ship.

The members of the crew gathered around where the captain was standing.

"I have brought a new crew member on board, and in doing so, she will be joining Fairy Tail." Natsu finished his speech and gestured towards Lucy, causing all the eyes of the crew to follow and land squarely on her. Lucy blushed, and slowly raised her hand and gave a pathetic wave and smile in an attempt to make a good first impression. Natsu jumped down from the shrouds and walked up to Lucy, ignoring the quizzical looks from his crew.

"She is my personal guest on this ship and will be treated with the utmost respect. So do try your best to get along; she's pretty easy going and I don't think that will be a problem for any of you. In fact, she's very kind and respectful."

Lucy felt herself blush at the comments that the Captain was making. From the corner of her eye she saw a burly man with long black hair roll his eyes. He then noticed her looking at him and gave her a huff as he walked away.

Did I do something wrong?

She turned back towards the Captain, who gave her a wink as he walked up to her and placed his arm around her waist.

"I leave her in your care! Show her what kind of guild we really are!" Natsu finished by punching his fist into the air as if to psych up his crew. The crew cheered in response and clapped.

Lucy found herself scanning the crowd looking for Gray.

He's not here… but I guess that's to be expected…

Lucy felt Natsu's arm drop from her waist. She turned towards him and saw him walking away to the hull.

Natsu! Where are you going? Don't leave me out here by myself, you jerk!

Natsu turned back to look at her and gave her another wink as he took the wheel. Lucy could feel all of the eyes behind staring at her. She cringed as she slowly turned around to face the crew; they were all staring at her with quizzical looks on their faces. It was then that a small petite girl in a yellow dress with blue hair adorned with a ribbon stepped forward from behind the crowd.

Lucy watched the girl approach her shyly.

"My name's Levy, I'm the navigator aboard the 'Happy.' It's nice to meet you. Lucy!" She said, raising her hand to shake Lucy's.

Lucy looked at Levy's hand outstretched and slowly raised her own.

"My name's Lucy... it's nice to meet you, too." She smiled, giving it her best effort.

Levy smiled back and took Lucy by the hand.

"Let me show you around. It's not much, but you should stay familiar with the ship and your surroundings if you're joining Fairy Tail."

Levy started to guide Lucy away.


Natsu was watching from the hull; his curiosities were getting the better of him. He wanted to see what Lucy and the crew would do.

He sat there with a grin on his face.

If I'm stuck with her calling the shots, I might as well have a laugh now and then at her expense.

And on cue, Natsu laughed to himself.

"Hey there, Cap'n!" An angry male voice called from above his head.

Natsu slowly looked over to see black boots standing right next to him, and followed them up to see Gray standing above him with his arms crossed in front of his chest.

Natsu grimaced at the look Gray was giving him.

Gray looked livid.

Gray's face normally had a permanent scowl, but the face he was giving Natsu right now was solely reserved for when he was brutally pummeling an enemy.

"So, Natsu, I would like to know... just what the hell you think you're doing!?" Gray growled, as he gave Natsu a swift kick in the pants.

The impact sent Natsu flying flat on his face.

Natsu gritted his teeth and staggered back to his feet.

"The hell, Gray?!"

"Where do you get off inviting Lucy into the guild?!"

Natsu stared at Gray and looked him over more closely.

He isn't angry he's… worried. I know Gray's concerned about something. Is it Lucy? Or Juvia? Is he afraid of Lucy meeting Juvia? Can't blame him for that…"

Natsu snapped out of his reverie.

"What are you worried about, Gray?"

Gray looked shocked for a split second, and then glared at the deck.

"I… it's too dangerous for the Princess to be in an exiled and illegal wizarding guild…"

"Ever her protector, eh, Gray?"

Gray glared at Natsu with bitterness in his eyes.

"Don't push me, Natsu. She's the Princess and…"

Natsu cut him off.

"She's finally free, Gray! Who gives a damn about appropriate social behavior? She'll be fine in Fairy—"

Gray grabbed Natsu by his vest and slammed him against the wall, fixing his gaze with Natsu's.

Natsu glared right back, his face unchanging and unrelenting.

Gray decided to break the deadlock.

"You don't know her or her family like I do. They will hunt every last one of us down, and they will enjoy it. Not only that, but we will have started a war and she will be right in the middle of it. Do you get where I'm coming from?"

He spat angrily in Natsu's face.

Natsu grabbed Gray's hands and slowly moved them away from his person.

"I understand all of that, Gray. I understood that when I asked her to join; that's why it took me a while to come to this conclusion."

Gray stepped back and waited for Natsu to finish what he wanted to say.

"I also know that this war was a long time coming, and we're going to have to pick sides, Gray. You know the way our country runs…the monarchy…the corruption. You can't tell me that you haven't felt this way, too. And if she was all tucked away at home safe and sound, she'd still be in the middle of this war as a member of the royal family! At least this way we can keep an eye on her—and it also gives us a little leverage in the upcoming war." As Natsu finished, he walked away from Gray and leaned over the railing.

"Wait a second, Natsu. Are you telling me that you mean to start a war? And that you're going to use the Princess as bait? Or leverage? Or whatever you're calling it?!"

"I didn't start this war…!" Natsu shouted, as he turned back around to face Gray.

"…I sure as hell didn't start it, but one way or another this war is going to end—and I don't want the evil and corrupt people in this world to be the ones who win. So yeah, I'll do whatever it takes. I don't want to throw Lucy smack in the middle of it. Believe it or not, I actually do care about her and her well being. I personally will protect her with my strength and my life, Gray—because you can't!"

Gray shuddered as he held his gaze to Natsu's eyes.

"And why can't I?" He said in a hushed tone.

"Because Lucy can't take it, Gray! Seeing you is killing her, and if you tried to help, it would only hurt Juvia and ruin your relationship. You care about both of them too much to do that to them. You have to give yourself to Juvia entirely and let Lucy go. Sometimes when we love people, we have to let them go for their sakes and our own Gray…" Natsu said in a comforting tone.

Gray closed his eyes for a moment to process what was being said.

"This is a dangerous move, Natsu—but I trust you. I've followed you into the pits of hell before and I'll do it again. I trust you more than anyone; it's why I became your first mate to begin with. But, so help me Natsu, if you don't protect the Princess, I'll…"

Natsu waved him off.

"I know, Gray. I know. I swear an oath to you that I will protect her with my life, but for both of your sakes, please stay away from her. I know you have history, but I think it's best for both of you to give each other some space." Natsu somberly walked over to Gray and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"In the meantime, let her have her fun and make friends in the guild. They're all good people who will help heal her wounds that her family has made. It will be a good healing experience for her—and for you." Natsu dropped his hand as he walked passed Gray.

Gray watched Natsu as he walked away from the hull and climbed the ladder down to the main deck.

"I'm leaving the steering wheel in your care, Gray! Make sure you take us home!"

Natsu smiled.

Gray shook his head as he took hold of the steering wheel.

That man is going to get us all killed one of these days.

Gray looked up to see Lucy and Levy talking over some books on main deck, leaning against the railing. He smiled to himself as he witnessed his childhood friend expanding her world.

Maybe this will be good for her, and who's to say it would be any better for her in the palace.

As Gray finished his thought, he heard a huge resounding bang in the distance. He turned towards the sound, but before he could locate its source, the starboard side of the ship exploded in a rain of shrapnel. The ship 'Happy' creaked and rocked violently, knocking many of the crew off their feet and sending them flying across the ship. Gray stumbled to his feet and peeked over the back of the ship in the direction of the sound.

In the distance, he saw a royal flag ship.

Damn it! They're after us! How did we miss that!?

Natsu's voice called out.

"EVERYONE TO BATTLE STATIONS!"

With his voice ringing throughout the ship, Natsu flew over to Lucy's side, grabbing her and pushing her onto the deck. Using his own body as a shield, he kept her pinned against the floor as another cannon ball whizzed pass them—barely missing their heads as it shattered the railing and landed into the ocean, causing a huge wave of water to splash all over the deck that drenched them both.