Natsu had spent his morning outside tending to Gildart's fields. He harvested the crops with great care and had a great number of them filled in a basket. He was just about to take them to Gildarts when he sensed that something was watching him. Something cleverly hidden among the bushes. He quietly stalked toward what had been spying on him and then moved to pounce on it.
"Ow! Hey!" The thing he tackled said. "Is that how you greet an old friend?"
Natsu then quickly realized that what he just attacked was his faithful feline friend Happy.
"Oh sorry Happy." He quickly got off of him. "I thought it was a predator who wanted to make a meal out of me. What are you doing here?"
"What do you think? I wanted to see you. We haven't raced, fished, climbed trees, or done anything together in weeks. Not since you came to where man lives. I missed you."
"I miss you too." He said scratching his ears. "I'm really sorry. I know haven't been around you much. I guess I just got a little too distracted with everything."
"How long is this going to go on?"
"I don't know. I haven't really thought about it."
"You're not planning on staying here for good are you?"
"Of course not. The jungle is my home and it always will be. Tell you what, tomorrow I'll meet you by the river and we'll go fishing."
"You promise?"
"I promise. Now get out of here before someone sees you."
Happy then scampered off back into the jungle while Natsu returned to getting the crops to Gildarts. He picked up the basket and started to head back to Gildart's hunt when he accidentally bumped into Lucy who was carrying a jug of water. Both the basket and the jug were dropped, thus spilling the contents that they carried.
"Oops sorry!" They both said.
He got down to gather up the crops, Lucy did the same to help him.
"You are an excellent farmer." She said upon observing how healthy and delicious the vegetables were. "Probably one of the best that this village has ever known."
"You think so."
"Positive. You know you could probably get a job farming for my father. You'd make a lot of money and would be able to build your own house."
"Why would I want to build a house here?"
"Well you can't expect to live with Gildarts forever. If you're going to live here then you must establish your own home and work."
"But I don't intend to live here."
"You don't?"
"No the jungle is my home. I plan to spend the rest of my days there. This is only a temporary lodging for me."
"But why on earth would you want to go back to living there? The jungle is a terrible place."
"No it's not."
"Yes it is. It is dangerous. Full of blood thirsty beasts, man eating plants, poisonous insects. I don't understand how any human could possibly see such an awful place as their home."
"Well that's because you only know about the frightening part of the jungle. Yes it is dangerous but danger isn't all that there is."
"That's what my father says. Ever since I was little he has always told me that the jungle harbors nothing but fear and death."
"Has your Father ever lived in the jungle?"
"No."
"Then how does he know that for certain?"
"Well he's the chief of our tribe."
"Does that mean he knows everything?"
"Not exactly but-"
"I do not mean to insult your father but it seems to me that he knows nothing about the jungle. It is my belief that you don't really know the jungle until you've lived in it."
"Maybe so but I still fear that place. I probably fear it more than anything in the world."
"Then maybe it's time that I show you the parts of it that are not to be feared."
"What do you mean?"
"Tomorrow I plan to go back to the jungle to fish with my friend. Will you come with me?"
"Oh no. No I could never."
"Why not?"
"My father has forbidden me from ever setting foot in the jungle and I'm very afraid to do so."
"You would be safe with me. I promise that I won't let anything harm you."
"I don't know. It seems too risky and my father would never allow it."
"But I want to show you my world. To help you get over your fear of it. Will you at least think about it?"
"I...I don't...I mean...I...I'll think about it."
"Alright." He said feeling great excitement.
"Now that doesn't automatically mean yes. Tomorrow may not change my mind."
"I know but just to be on the safe side I'm going to let Happy know so he won't be surprised if you end up coming with me."
"Who's Happy?"
"He's my friend who I'm going fishing with. In fact he's my best friend in the whole world and I really want you to meet him. I think that he would really like you."
"Is he an animal?" She asked with her voice unnerved.
"Yes but don't worry he's harmless."
"What kind of animal is he?"
"Well the only way you'll find out is if you come fishing with us tomorrow."
With that said Natsu quickly brought the crops to Gildarts then seeked out Happy to tell him the news. Although he didn't have the reaction that Natsu was expecting.
"Are you crazy?" The blue exceed said. "You can't bring a human here."
"Why not?"
"Why not? Because humans hunt us."
"She doesn't. She's no threat to you or anyone here. In fact she too afraid of the jungle to do anything in it and that's a problem."
"How is that a problem? If a human is scared of the jungle then they stay away."
"A dangerous human yes but not her. She's different. She's my friend and I want all my friends to be apart of my home. If I bring her fishing with us she'll see that the jungle isn't completely dangerous, she'll get over her fears, and everything will be fine."
"Except for the part where Jellal breaks your neck. You know he hates humans and he already despises you for being one of them. Imagine what he'll do if you bring one here."
"Well who says he has to know? You wouldn't tell him would you?"
"No but what if he caught you?"
"Doubtful. We'll be down by the river and Jellal hates water. He won't see us and if nobody says anything then he won't know. It's full proof."
"I don't know. Maybe you should talk to Erza about this first. See what she thinks. After all she's very smart and she knows Jellal better than anyone."
"Will that make you feel better?"
"Yes."
"Fine. I'll talk to her."
Later when he told his mother she seemed very unsure and anxious about the idea. One of her sons had already brought one human here which had made her a nervous wreck. Now her other son was doing the same.
"How is that you and your brother are so different yet you come up with the same ludicrous ideas?" She said.
"Gray brought a human here too?" Natsu said.
"Yes. He brought her to meet me."
"What was she like?"
"Afraid but kind and she seemed to be fascinated by me. Why? I don't know."
"Would it be okay if I brought Lucy here?"
"I don't know. I'm worried about what Jellal will do."
"Mom we'll be at the river and you know that he never goes there."
"Perhaps but word could get out."
"I'll just deny it then."
"Now you're being foolish. You know very well that only man is fooled by lies, animals like us can see through false words. He would know that you were lying in a heartbeat and that would make him further angry."
"Then I'll just have to be careful. If Gray can do it and get away with it then I'm sure that I can."
"I'm not entirely convinced that he has gotten away with it. Part of me fears that it's just a matter of time before Jellal finds out."
"Jellal, Jellal, Jellal." Natsu complained. "We've spent half our lives trying to keep that bully from blowing his top. Gosh when you first met him did you know that he would be so high maintenance? Or did his bad temper creep up on you?"
"Natsu!" She scolded. "I will not allow you disrespect him like that."
"Well how can I respect someone who's done nothing but hate me since I was a baby."
"I understand your anger and frustration toward him. Really I do. But you don't know what he's been through. You don't know what he was like before..." She trailed off.
"Before what?"
"Never mind. Just know that Jellal has a lot more goodness and compassion in him than you realize."
"Yeah I'm sure." He said sarcastically.
Erza sighed.
"I guess there is no harm in bringing her to the river. But just to the river. No where else. Please."
"Okay Mom. I won't bring her anywhere else."
"Good and I'll...I'll try to keep Jellal distracted tomorrow. You're right that he never goes to the river but it doesn't hurt to have a little insurance."
"Thanks Mom."
"You're welcome."
He hugged her and then bounced down from the tree before running back to the village with the intent of convincing Lucy to come tomorrow. Erza watched him while smiling at his eagerness but as soon as he was gone her smile changed into a look of concern.
"Oh dear." She thought fearfully. "What in the world am I going to do with those two?"
