Here's the new edit! Sorry about the first draft.

Chapter 13

Natsu was enjoying the evening breeze of the ocean as it ruffled through his pink locks. The moon shone above reflecting peacefully in the waves. They had already been at sea for a couple weeks, and it seemed like the Captain couldn't get a moment's peace to himself. Tonight was the first night that he'd been able to enjoy like this. Natsu loved the sea, but he felt like he hadn't really been able to appreciate it as of late. He leaned over the railing and smiled to himself as he rubbed the stiffness out of his shoulder. It had been a long day; Gajeel had stepped in for him with Lucy's lessons. In contrast to Natsu, Gajeel was harsh, condescending, and ferocious. For that reason, Levy had taken it upon herself to encourage Lucy and reprimand Gajeel. Natsu was busy trying to compensate for Gray's absence. Lucy did help him out a lot in relaying orders and keeping morale high, but she was still inexperienced and he'd been relying a lot on Gajeel and Levy to fill in the gap. They were helpful and Natsu really appreciated the help he received from the whole crew. Natsu stretched his arms out above him and let out a powerful yawn. Natsu grabbed onto the railing for support afterward to allow the dizziness from his yawn to pass.

I'm so tired… I didn't realize it until just now.

Natsu looked around at his ship; it was empty except for him and Happy. The cat was dozing silently on top of one of the cannons on the deck. Natsu shook his head and laughed softly at his companion's antics. Natsu then leaned back and rested his elbows against the railing, still enjoying the sea breeze against his face. He lifted his head and looked into the night sky.

Since he'd met Lucy and Loke, the stars had a very different meaning to him. Natsu had always looked at stars and admired them for their beauty and consistency. When he was young, Igneel had taught him their names and how to use them to navigate. As a child, he enjoyed riding on Igneel's back as they soared in the night sky, getting as close to the stars as anybody earth-bound could. Igneel would only ever fly at night because he didn't want people to find them. But Lucy had taught him so much more about them. Like how they lived in a separate world that humans would describe as a heaven, and how they watch us on earth just as much as humans watch them. It kind of made him feel embarrassed that some constellation could have been witness to some of his more embarrassing moments, but something Lucy told him brought him comfort.

"Natsu, wherever you are, I can always find you using my power. So if you ever get lost just look up and ask for me."

Somehow he would find himself thinking about Lucy as he stared at the stars. Natsu continued to look at them, wondering which constellations were friends to Fairy Tail, and which ones were foes; that is, until a voice broke the silence of the sea.

"Natsu?"

The Captain blinked and slowly lowered his head to find Lucy standing in front of him.

"Oh, hey, Luce. What's up?" He asked politely, standing up from his slouched position on the railing.

Lucy shrugged, walking up to the railing herself.

"You weren't in the cabin, so I came looking for you."

Natsu walked up to her and patted her head softly, giving her a wide grin.

"Thanks for looking out for me, but I'll be there in a second. Go ahead and wait for me back in the room."

Lucy pouted and leaned onto the railing. The moonlight lit up her frame causing her skin and hair to look white under its glow. The breeze played comfortably with her hair, making it look like spider silk.

"You always say that, and I always end up falling asleep before you come back inside."

Natsu raised an eyebrow at the Princess.

"Are you saying you miss me and need my presence there while you fall asleep?" He teased.

Lucy's face twisted in fury as she punched him hard on his arm.

"No! What I'm saying is that you're so loud when you come in, that you wake me up every time!"

Natsu raised his arms and stumbled backwards. Lucy turned to look at him in the eye.

"If you're going to insist on me staying with you in your quarters, the very least you could do is not wake me up in the middle of the night!"

Natsu folded his arms disapprovingly.

"You never told me that! I was trying to be quiet so that you could sleep!"

"Yeah, well, you aren't!" She snapped.

Natsu placed a hand on his face trying to cover his embarrassment.

"Sorry, Luce, let's go to bed." He mumbled, looking through his fingers at her.

The Captain gently lowered his hand and offered it to Lucy.

Lucy rolled her eyes and took his hand as they walked back to the cabin together.

"I'm glad you've come to see reason, Captain."

A cold evening breeze suddenly caught Lucy in its path and caused her to shiver. This alarmed the Captain and he looked down to see if she was alright.

"Are you cold, Lucy?"

"A bit, but I'll be alright once we're inside and I'm under the blankets."

Natsu looked down, even more concerned.

"Be careful Lucy, summer is officially over where we are heading. It will probably still be hot for a while but soon it's going to be colder more often than not. So if you need outer clothing like a jacket, I can get you one."

Natsu opened the door to the cabin, allowing the Princess to walk through into the room.

"Don't worry about it, Captain. I'm sure I'll ask you for one if the need arises."

Natsu pursed his lips in frustration while he watched Lucy go to the wash room to change into her night clothes. After she closed the door, Natsu began his own nighttime routine. He removed his shirt and trousers and climbed into the futon at the end of the room, and waited for Lucy to emerge from the wash room.

"What's wrong, Lucy? Did you fall in?" He teased.

Lucy's angry voice erupted from the other side of the door.

"No, I'm fine! It's just…." her voice trailed off.

Natsu raised himself on his arm and faced the door.

"Sorry? I didn't hear that last part."

Natsu waited for a few moments before climbing out of his futon and walking over to the door. He knew Lucy absolutely didn't allow him to walk around in his underwear, but he was worried that she might need some help.

"You alright?" He asked, gently knocking on the door.

"I..I….I'm… I'm just fff-fine!"

Natsu's face twisted in concern and confusion, and decided he was going to crack the door. He slowly twisted the door knob, and slightly opened it.

"What's wrong? I know you're in trouble, Lucy." Natsu was talking to the crack in the door, but was steadfast in facing the other way.

"Close that door!"

Natsu felt Lucy's weight being pressed against the door as she shouted, but he kept the door firmly cracked.

"Would you just tell me what's wrong? You can't stay in there all night!" Natsu was losing his patience.

"AH!... Ummmm, I… I think… I think Levy got into my clothes…."

Natsu's face got even more confused.

"What? What do you mean she got into your clothes, you said she packed your bag the other day."

"Yeah! THAT one, but I packed one myself full of clothing that Mirajane and Levy gave me to wear."

Natsu pinched the bridge of his nose.

Levy…

"Aaannnd…. something has happened to the clothes you packed?"

A few moments of silence passed as Natsu waited for her response.

"Well, only to my sleeping attire that I can tell…"

The Captain's head raised in confusion.

"Lucy, it really doesn't matter what kind of clothing you wear to bed. One can sleep naked if so inclined, so get out here and get in your cot. And GO TO SLEEP."

The Captain was at the end of his rope. It really was a long day and he was eager to sleep, however she had a nasty habit of depriving him of his much needed rest. He walked back over to his futon and gave his shoulders a good stretch before reaching down for his comforter, when the door of the bathroom slowly cracked more open.

There standing in his bathroom doorway was no longer a Princess. Instead, there was somebody completely different; it took a minute for Natsu to process what was really in front of him. There was a beautiful blonde woman, with her hair freshly washed from the basin. Her face was red from embarrassment, and she was looking anywhere but at Natsu. His eyes traced her form downward, and saw she was wearing a sky blue lacy baby doll lingerie gown that barely covered the necessary parts. It was open in the front allowing the viewer to see the matching thong underneath that Lucy was doing her best to cover with her hands.

Natsu stood there crouched holding his comforter absolutely frozen in place. He wasn't sure what to do with himself. In fact no thoughts entered his mind at all. At least not until…

"DAMN IT, NATSU! I told you to hide and cover your eyes!" Lucy said, jumping back behind the door of the washroom and covering everything, save her face.

Suddenly life entered the Captain's body once again.

He immediately jumped into his futon and pulled the covers over his head.

"I'm sorry Lucy! I didn't hear you I swear!"

He apologized as blood rushed to his face. Natsu remained there, silently cursing himself as he heard Lucy's footsteps putter past him quickly and then into the cot. Allowing himself a few moments to calm down before speaking, the Captain slowly pulled his comforter down to expose his head. He slowly rolled over to look at the cot, to see if it was safe for him to look at her. All he could see was a pile of blankets stacked on top of blonde hair cascading off the edge of the bed.

"Next time, pay attention!" Squeaked Lucy from under her blankets.

Natsu just stared at the cot for a moment, wondering what to do or say. Realizing anything he said at this point would just be taken the wrong way, the Captain opted for remaining silent and trying to go to sleep.

"S… Sorry for freaking out on you, I realize it wasn't your fault…"

Natsu looked over to see brown eyes peering at him from over her covers.

"No, I'm sorry. Dragon Slayers are supposed to have enhanced senses and I should have heard you. I think I was just too frustrated, and wasn't paying attention. This was my fault."

Lucy smiled morosely back at the Captain.

"Soooo…. uhhh…" Natsu started awkwardly.

"Why's Levy switching out all your night clothing for lingerie?"

Lucy felt like her heart jumped up into her throat, as she hid herself back under the covers.

"It's not just that! Everything I packed has been changed! I looked further in after you asked, and there's not a single piece of royal-appropriate garb in my entire pack!"

Natsu chuckled nervously.

"Yeah the women of Fairy Tail enjoy showing some skin…" He tried to explain.

"Whatever, I'm going to bed! And in the morning, I'll be borrowing some of your clothes. I refuse to walk out of here in essentially my underwear!"

Natsu rolled his eyes and went back to staring at the wall.

"I didn't think you were so sensitive."

"… I am a woman after all. Of course I'd be self conscious about how I look in front of the one I like."

"Hmmm? But Gray's not even here." Natsu stated, not fully understanding her meaning.

Lucy's face went red.

What did I just say? I know Gray's not here. So what am I doing?

"Uh, yeah sorry. Slip of the tongue."

"You should get some sleep… night, Princess."

"Yeah, you too."


Lucy was standing at the hull with Natsu, Gajeel, and Levy. It was early morning and she was having a hard time listening to them as they planned the day's events, seeing as she was hardly able to sleep last night.

Damn you, Levy…

She silently cursed, looking over at her best friend. Levy met her gaze with a sly smile, obviously aware that something had to have happened last night. Lucy simply glared at her.

I need to focus on this meeting. I don't want to miss something and let the Captain down.

Lucy listened to the rest of the meeting in earnest, while ignoring the glances that Levy was slipping her.

"We haven't gotten any word back from Fiore, or from the Island. I find this very unusual." Gajeel said, with a glare, crossing his arms.

"I agree. This is a bad time for radio silence, and yet it's impossible to reach them by my archive magic paper. Nobody's sent us any news via air mail either." Natsu mused, running his hands through his hair.

Lucy noticed that he did that whenever he was stressed or was figuring something out.

"What are we going to do? Should we just go ahead with docking in Hargeon for the first stop?"

Natsu stood there for a moment, thinking things over.

"No, something's obviously wrong. I won't lead my guild mates into danger… this completely ruins our plans. But… I think we're going to have to head south and dock at the secret pirates' location at the ancient ruins."

Gajeel and Levy both looked at him in shock.

"You think the situation is that dire?"

Natsu shook his head.

"I'm not sure, but I think it's very likely. When we left Magnolia before, the Royal Army was swarming everywhere looking for someone… my guess is that the silence we're getting must have something to do with that."

Natsu closed his eyes and frowned.

"It was foolish of me to set off in the first place. I let my own feelings and innate sense of inferiority, get in the way of my better judgment."

Gajeel heaved a sigh and looked over at the deck, observing the crew.

"There's nothing we can do about it now, what do you want me to tell the rest of the crew?"

Natsu looked over at Lucy for a moment.

Lucy felt her body grow cold, guilt and fear filled her to her core.

All this is my fault; they're in trouble because of me…

"Tell them the truth; they're going to find out one way or another. There's no sense in hiding it. In the meantime Lucy and I will continue to try to reach the others."

Gajeel nodded and started to walk away, gesturing towards Levy to follow him. Levy gave Lucy a concerned glance before leaving with Gajeel.

Crap, she could tell I was upset.

"You know, you're not very good at hiding your feelings. If you wear a face like that one, you'll definitely give your secret away in no time." The Captain mocked, giving her a cocky smile.

Lucy had no energy, nor was she in the right frame of mind to even retort back at the captain.

"Yeah, you're probably right…"

Natsu looked at his friend in concern.

"Listen, I know you feel like this is your fault. But to be honest, this probably would have happened whether or not you were here with us or back at the palace."

"… You don't have to try to make me feel better. I know that my presence here just makes it more dangerous for your crew."

Natsu shrugged.

"Yeah, it probably does. But as pirates, we're already targeted by the country. It's not like we're not already in danger to begin with."

"I realize that, but it doesn't change the fact that I still feel like a burden."

"Lucy, if you even tried to leave, everyone at this guild would hunt you down and bring you back here. That's just the kind of people that we are. Besides, Lucy, It's always more fun when we're together."

Lucy looked up at Natsu, his face giving off that sense of comfort she always got from him; his corny grin telling her everything was going to be just fine.

Lucy felt tears begin to form at the corners of her eyes. Lucy's hands rose to the face trying to cover them up.

"Hey, it's okay to cry. There's no shame in it."

"It…it's just… I don't want to leave Fairy Tail! I love it here, and I love everyone here!"

Natsu laughed outright.

"There's no way you'd be able to leave, Luce."

Large heavy footsteps bounded behind her stopping just before the hull.

"What's this I hear about Lucy leaving Fairy Tail?!" Came a furious voice from the deck below.

Lucy turned around to see Elfman was standing there next to Mirajane, glaring up at Natsu.

"You'd better be lying about that, young lady!" Mirajane huffed, placing her hands firmly on her hips. She looked just like a mother scolding her child.

"Wait what? Lucy's leaving?" Wendy stopped, almost in tears.

Natsu looked over at his crew and then back at Lucy.

"See? What did I tell you?"

Lucy smiled at all of them, tears streaming from her face.

"No, I'm not leaving; I'll be here for as long as I can."

Levy looked up at her with a cheesy grin that would rival even the Captain's.

"Good, don't bother leaving. We'd just go get you anyways." Gajeel grumbled.

Levy nodded in agreement.

The crew laughed at Gajeel's comment, causing him to grow red with embarrassment. Gajeel stopped away went back to his routines, when Mest walked up to Natsu with a letter in hand.

"Captain, a carrier falcon dropped this off at the crow's nest only moments ago. I think it's from Magnolia."

Natsu hurriedly grabbed it from Mest and thanked him for delivering it. Natsu tore the letter open and began to read. As he was reading, his face grew darker and darker, causing Lucy to grow concerned.

"Lucy, gather Gajeel and Levy and tell them we're having an emergency meeting in the officers' quarters immediately."

Lucy nodded at him and ran down to the main deck to gather up her friends, and then walked them over to the officers' quarters.

"What's going on, Natsu?" Gajeel asked.

Natsu took out his keys and opened the door, allowing everyone to walk through.

"We got a letter from Magnolia." Natsu replied quietly.

Once inside the room, Lucy couldn't help but wonder why they still called this place the officers' quarters. Nobody stayed here; they just used it for extra storage. There were crates and barrels everywhere. But it was never being used, which made it easy to hold meetings away from the rest of the crew.

"What's going on? What does the letter say?" Levy asked nervously.

Natsu leaned up against one of the stacks of crates, and sighed.

"The docks at Hargeon are closed; we can't make it to Magnolia. In fact, all the ports in Fiore are shut down."

Levy raised her hands to her mouth and gasped. Gajeel's face twisted into a serious scowl.

"What?! What do you mean?!" He growled.

Natsu's face was serious and upset. Lucy had never seen him like this before. He was always so happy and excited. But this was a serious situation.

"It's the Alvarez Empire." He said, looking at Lucy.

Lucy's heart sank.

No…

Gajeel and Levy looked confused.

"You're going to have to go into detail, Captain, I'm afraid I don't follow." Gajeel said.

Natsu sighed and looked over at Lucy again.

"The Alvarez Empire has decided to declare war on Fiore in one month, if the Emperor doesn't receive his promised bride from the Heartfilia royal family."

No! My father decided that engagement a long time ago, but my mother canceled it before she died! He has no claim!

Levy looked over at Lucy—who looked like she was going to be sick.

Levy! You're too observant for your own good!

Lucy's mind reared as she struggled with fear, anxiety, and anger while she tried everything in her power to look indifferent, to no avail.

"Wait a minute; I thought the Queen was barren. They don't have a child, do they?" Gajeel grunted.

Lucy gritted her teeth as they were talking around her. She was trying to keep her composure, but Natsu kept looking at her with those concerned eyes that made it so much harder to keep her emotions in check.

"Well in the chaos of the current state of affairs, the kingdom did in fact release the fact they do have a Princess that was being kept in the castle. But that's not really the important part, what's important is that Fiore will definitely lose this war."

Gajeel nodded in agreement.

"You're right; Fiore has been in civil unrest for awhile. If anyone were to attack, now would be an opportune time."

Natsu smiled.

"Exactly, I think the Emperor is just using this as an excuse to attack Fiore while we're weak."

"But why would the Emperor want to attack Fiore?" Levy asked.

Natsu shook his head.

"I'm not sure; there are a lot of possible reasons. But for now, I want to continue course for the pirate docks to the south. We should be able to get word out from there and talk to the other guilds as well; it will be a good place to re-supply and re-group."

Gajeel nodded in approval.

"I think you're making the right choice here, this is the best move we can make given our current situation. Neither army will be able to find us there."

"Uhhh, excuse me for a minute, I think I need some air." Lucy said, pushing past Gajeel and Levy to get through the door.

"Lucy!" Natsu shouted as she closed the door behind her. Lucy ran over to the crow's nest and climbed to the very top.

What am I doing? I'm only making things harder for Natsu when I act selfishly like this. I feel like I just need a minute to myself.

Lucy put her head into her arms and leaned against the railing.

Maybe I'm just kidding myself with this whole freedom thing, maybe it's just best to go back to the palace and do what I can to prevent this war. Of course that would mean…

Lucy looked down to see that the officer meeting was over and Natsu was standing below the crow's nest looking up at Lucy with mournful eyes. Natsu didn't say anything; he just looked up at Lucy. It reminded Lucy of when Gray would look up at her in her tower. She wished that Natsu could sweep her away like Gray did for her as a child and cure her of her connection to the Royal Family.

But Natsu wasn't a Prince.

He wasn't a god.

And he wasn't the solution she needed.

I know that this war is going to happen either way, but if there's even the slightest possible percentage that I can stop this war and save my friends… I have to take it.

Of all the things she learned in Fairy Tail, magic and swordplay weren't the things she needed the most.

It was courage.

Lucy looked at Natsu, who continued to stare back at her. It was still morning and the sun was shining against his chest and face. The sea was calm and by all means it was a perfect day.

I'm sorry, Natsu…

She thought as she looked away.

I'm going to Alvarez.