April 4th
The embers danced in the makeshift fire pit, bits of plants roasting on the edges. The hardly audible crackling of the flames was the only noise in the area, aside from Grace's soft snoring. Lucy's eyes slowly opened, settling on the beautiful sun, rising behind the mountain peaks. Yellows and oranges painted the sky, fading into the bright blue and puffs of white above. The air was crisp around them, the light breeze brushing against her exposed skin. Her gaze settled on the face above her, scanning over the sharp jawline and curve of his nose. Natsu's eyes were shut and she hoped he was dreaming of something peaceful. The dragon slayer didn't get much sleep to Lucy's knowledge and she insisted that Gajeel and Wendy took watch throughout the night. A small smile touched his lips the moment his left eye opened.
"Do I have something on my face?" He mused, his voice brushing Lucy's ears like a soft melody. She startled, her body jolting up from Natsu's lap. His back was pressed against a tree, legs in front of him to cushion Lucy's head.
"No!" She shook her head, cringing as she stretched ever so slightly. Natsu leaned forward, gently brushing his fingers along her back as his eyes focused on the bruises peeking through her tattered shirt. "You just looked at peace and it made me happy. That's all." His lips startled into a blinding smile that warmed Lucy's heart.
"Thanks for looking after me Luce." She returned his blinding smile with one of her own before Wendy wandered over to them.
"Lucy, can I please heal your wounds a bit more? I am well rested now." She insisted, kneeling next to the pair. Lucy pondered this for a moment before meeting Natsu's gaze. He nodded before hopping up on his feet.
"I'm going to gather some berries to go with the plants you found. Don't use too much magic, okay?" He put his hand on Wendy's head, smiling before disappearing into the woods. Lucy nodded, exposing her back to the smaller demon. Wendy gasped, her eyes scanning the angry, red wounds and the black and blue painting the celestial wizard's back.
"Lucy. Why didn't you tell me it got so bad?"
"It looks worse than it is, I promise. The wounds don't really hurt anymore, just the bruises and my ribs." She shrugged, eyes trained on the forest floor. As the warm light brushed her back, she focused on Grace's snores.
"I'll focus on closing your wounds and then your ribs. Stay still." Wendy insisted before falling silent. When she was finished, she fell back on her butt, breathing heavily. She wiped the sweat from her brow and smiled at her work. Lucy stretched, feeling immensely better and she frowned at Wendy.
"You did too much Wendy. Thank-you, but I'm not wor-" but Wendy cut her off.
"You are worth it. You're my friend and I don't let my friends sit in pain when I have the power to help them." She insisted, a determined glint in her eyes.
"Thank-you Wendy."
"Guys! Look what I found!" Branches snapped as Natsu came barreling through the trees. His eyes were sparkling, a grin on his face as he held an overgrown plant above his head. Grace startled awake, her body jolting to an upright position as Gajeel dropped from a tree above. Both look bewildered as Wendy and Lucy sat in a fit of giggles.
"Damn it Salamander. I thought something was wrong. Why the hell did you have to make such an obnoxious entrance?" Gajeel growled, a scowl on his face as he dropped down to sit by the fire. He reached in, turning the toasted leaves slightly.
"Because I found us strawberries!" He danced around, dropping small red berries in everyone's hands.
"You woke me up for under-ripened strawberries?" Grace mumbled, rubbing her groggy eyes before falling back on the ground.
"They're sooooo good. Just try them!" He insisted and was staring right at Lucy. She studied them a moment before taking a tentative bite. The sweet juice burst in her mouth and she savored the flavor on her tongue. It was a surprisingly nice touch of sweetness with a bite of tartness at the end. She smiled widely before munching on another.
"They are really good. Thanks for finding them Natsu." He smiled and tossed a few in his mouth while the others ate them happily.
"Well, it's finally food that doesn't take like dirt." Grace mumbled, still sprawled out on the ground while she ate.
"Yeah, I'm tired of eating nuts and plants for every meal. I feel like a rabbit. Can we please go hunting for some real food?" Gajeel grumbled, wiping the red from his lips with the back of his hand.
"Sure, if there was anything to hunt in the forest. The only things I've seen or smelt so far are bats and I don't think you want to eat them." Natsu quipped and Gajeel scowled. "Cheer up Metal Face. There's a town nearby, I can smell it. I can go get us some real food." Natsu assured him and Wendy bounced over to Natsu.
"We need more medical supplies too. We are almost out of bandages and hydrogen peroxide." Lucy cringed just at the mention of the cleaning agent. Wendy had insisted she cleaned her wounds after Natsu washed them off in the river. The burning sensation was engraved in her mind and she didn't want to experience that again for a long time. Natsu nodded, frowning at the few items scattered on the ground.
"And our clothes are disgusting. I would be forever grateful for a new outfit and some soap. I don't know if I can handle the smell anymore." Grace pinched her nose, pushing herself off the ground. A sigh escaped Natsu's lips and he sat with his back to the fire.
"Everyone, pool your money." He gestured to the space in front of him and everyone gathered around, dumping their coins in the center. Natsu swiftly counted the money and frowned. "The town isn't too far. I can go,buy supplies and clothes for everyone, and slip out undetected. You guys should stick together and I will meet you outside of Morickson. It's an overpopulated town, but we will definitely attract attention to us when we look and smell like this." He insisted and Lucy scowled. "I don't know how the crowd will react or what people in the town are like, so we should lay low." He further explained and Gajeel nodded, mumbling something about finding more pine nuts to snack on.
"Grace, can you help me collect more herbs? I smell a few different ones nearby that I'd like to get my hands on." Wendy smiled sweetly at Grace, who groaned and pushed herself up.
"Okay." She grumbled, following the smaller dragon slayer into the woods. Meanwhile, Lucy was staring Natsu down.
"I'm going with you." She stated firmly, her eyes narrowed.
"No you aren't." His response was simple as he pocketed the money they had pooled together.
"If I can't, at least take Wendy or Grace or Gajeel with you." She insisted and he frowned.
"Why?" She wanted to shake him.
"You shouldn't go alone! What if something happens? I know you're strong, but it'd be stupid to venture off on your own." She reasoned and he fixed a glare on her.
"Stupid?"
"Yes, stupid." Lucy pointed at him. "I am going with you. I can help carry everything back. You'll need more than your backpack for supplies and clothing." She was rational and though he usually liked that about her, now wasn't one of those times. He pondered her words and nodded.
"Fine. Stay close." He stated and led the way out of the forest and onto a mountain trail. She nodded, knowing that it was very easy to stay close to him. Together, they hiked through various bushes and rocky trails. A few hours had passed by in silence and Lucy couldn't stay quiet anymore.
"I wonder how everyone is doing at Fairy Tail." She whispered softly, letting her thoughts escape to the surface.
"They are doing well. I sent Gramps an update, letting him know everyone was safe. I also told him about Grace before my phone died. He said that they will lend us a hand if we need help, but he didn't ask many questions about what we were doing. He decided to tell Levy and everyone that you had some family issues and had to return home for a while." Natsu explained and Lucy's eyes studied his back as he hiked ahead of her. She frowned, guilt settling deep in her core. She hadn't even said goodbye to Levy, Gray, Mira, Juvia or Cana. They all welcomed her with open arms and she abandoned them. She couldn't even keep her promise to Levy, knowing the final edits of her newest novel were due a few days after they left. Natsu paused, turning to face her, and placed his hands on her shoulders. She startled from her thoughts, meeting his concerned gaze. "Are you okay?"
"Mhmm. I just feel guilty for leaving everyone behind. I should have left Levy a note or gave Mira notice before disappearing." She blinked the tears forming in her eyes away as he smiled softly.
"You could always go back Luce. I won't ask you to choose between the dragon slayers and the guild that became your family. I also won't blame you for leaving." He assured her and she swiftly shook her head.
"We are a team. I may not be the strongest wizard, but you may need my help. How could I abandon you, knowing that? After everything that has happened already, how could I just go home while you guys are still out here, fighting?" She stared right into his eyes and he smiled at her.
"You're strong Luce." He swiftly kissed her cheek before continuing his way down the side of the mountain. A sharp whistling caught their attention and before they knew it, the ground was shaking under their feet. Natsu grabbed Lucy's hand, steadying her as they approached a tall cavern, carved right into the side of the mountain. The pair followed the whistling and sound of chatter until they reached a large crowd. They maneuvered through, noting that nobody paid much attention to them. After a few moments, they learned that the whistling was from a smaller train, just arriving at the makeshift station. Tracks led away from the crowd and down the side of the mountain, though the drop looked a bit too treacherous for Lucy's liking.
"Are you folks heading into town or out of town?" A taller gentleman inquired, waving at them from a ticket booth made of plywood and poster board.
"Into town. Do we have to take the train?" Natsu's skin tone was tinted green as he spoke, his sweating hand clenching Lucy's tightly.
"Afraid so. A landslide destroyed the walking trail a few months ago. It's still not safe for travelers, so the train is the only way in and out. The ride is just a few minutes down into the valley. It'll be a dollar each for the ride and the funds go toward restoring the walking path." The man smiled kindly. Lucy paid the man and gratefully took the tickets. She had to drag Natsu to the train and the dragon slayer stayed silent until they were seated.
"Lucy...maybe we should send Grace and Wendy to town instead. They can handle it." His limbs were shaking and Lucy placed a hand on his knee in an attempt to calm him.
"We are already here. Why would we do that?" She was perplexed at how swiftly his demeanor changed.
"Becauseā¦" His cheeks puffed out as the train came to life and jumped forward. "...I don't handle transportation very well." A groan escaped his lips after as he clutched his stomach and fell to the side. His head rested on her shoulder and she looked at him, bewildered.
"You get motion sick?!" How did he travel the land like this? It seemed rather unfortunate to Lucy. He groaned again, shutting his eyes as a few children passed by, giggling. "Huh, never would've guessed." She frowned slightly, pulling him gently to lay on her lap. He mumbled something, curling closer to her. She smiled softly, tangling her fingers in his hair while she watched the scenery pass by. Town quickly came into view, only a few minutes passing by. It was gorgeous, with a luscious courtyard in the center, next to the train station. Vendors and various stores circled the courtyard, while homes and schools expanded out and around, giving shape to the town. The mountains towered over the valley, shielding the town from the outside world. A beautiful waterfall divided the northern mountains, filling a lake at the top edge of town. It was breathtaking and Lucy almost missed their fellow passengers exiting the train. She struggled to help Natsu to his feet, swinging his arm around her shoulder and dragging him off the train. The pair stopped in the station when his knees gave out, sending his body sprawling on the floor. He groaned again, his cheeks still puffed out. "Natsu. How long will you be like this?" She studied the man laying on the worn tile.
"A while. You might have to go without me." He grumbled, unable to pick himself up off the floor.
"Come on." She yanked him up and turned her back, pulling his arms around her neck. She lifted his legs, pulling them around her waist. His head rolled forward, hanging over her shoulder. He mumbled some form of protest but Lucy shushed him. "I got you. Don't worry." She assured him and began making her way through the crowd. She whispered apologies as the pair slipped through. She had no idea how much time they had before the others made it to the meeting point, so she didn't want to delay their trip. The pair only pulled a few questioning gazes, most people focusing on their own tasks for the day. The first vendor they stumbled upon was a fruit and vegetable stand. Natsu, still hanging on Lucy's back, made it a bit difficult, but Lucy gathered a bag full of fruits and vegetables, paying the kind vendor before slipping the bag on her wrist. The woman giggled as Natsu mumbled an apology, tucking his head over Lucy's other shoulder. By the time they maneuvered through the crowd, both of their stomachs were growling. A savory aroma of spices and chicken brushed Lucy's nose and she felt Natsu perk up on her back. He wiggled until he slipped through her hands, steadying himself on the ground. He had a bounce in his step as he entwined their fingers. Lucy's jaw dropped as she watched him pull her though the crowd and into the restaurant. She figured it was the source of the smell, since Natsu had the strongest nose.
"Hi sir, would you like a table? We have a lunch buffet special running this week." The woman smiled as Natsu nearly broke down the doors. He was too busy sniffing around and Lucy laughed, pulling her hand from his. It was a fairly crowded place, people happily eating and chatting.
"Yes, please!" Lucy followed the woman to a table and the hostess seemed confused by Natsu's absence. "We will both do the lunch buffet. Thank-you." She assured the woman and she nodded, looking around for Natsu once more before returning to the front. Lucy sat down for a moment before Natsu returned with two plates, piled high with various foods.
"Gajeel's going to be so jealous!" He smirked, licking his lips.
"It's good to see that you're feeling better." She mused, eyeing the mess in front of her.
"How can I not? This food could cure anything!" His eyes were perfectly round, like a cat chasing a mouse.
"You haven't even tasted it yet." She giggled and he smirked before pouncing. He quickly devoured food, scraps flinging this way and that. Lucy leaned back to avoid the splash zone.
"It's delicious." His words were muffled by a mouthful of food. "Go get some." He waved her off with a chicken leg and she laughed, pushing her chair back to maneuver to the buffet. She filled a plate with a mix of meats, pastas, and vegetables. The aroma was lovely and her stomach growled eagerly. She returned to the table to find Natsu and his plates missing, though the table was still coated with a layer of scraps from his assault. Savoring the flavors on her tongue, she hummed while she ate. Natsu returned with another plate, grinning like a child at her. Together, they ate and made a plan for the supply list. Natsu would go get food and medical supplies. Lucy would get clothing and soaps. Once they were done, they would meet back at the buffet place. Lucy cleaned off the table, wiping the scraps onto an empty plate while Natsu went to pay for the meal. Natsu excelled at many things, but good table manners was not one of them. "Always be aware of what's around you. If you need me, scream, okay?" Natsu grabbed Lucy's wrist when they walked out of the restaurant. She smiled reassuringly.
"Don't worry so much, okay? Enjoy the bit of normalcy for today." She entwined their fingers and squeezed his hand before hurrying off into the crowd. When she glanced over her shoulder, he was still standing by the door, watching her as she slipped through clusters of people. She gave him one last wave and smile before venturing into a small candle shop on the corner of the street. The mixture of smells assaulted her nose and she had to quickly walk through the aisles of candles before finding the assorted soaps in the back. She picked a honey scented soap for herself, grabbing Grace a lovely floral scent and Wendy a crisp scent that reminded Lucy of an ocean breeze. She even found a woodsy scent for Gajeel, hoping he would actually use it. That just left Natsu. She frowned, eyes scanning the various soaps. There was a scentless option or one that smelled like the ocean. There was another that claimed it smelled like a mountain range, but it just smelled like dirt to Lucy. She knelt down, examining the ones on the lowest shelf. Campfire? It was an odd scent for a soap, but she felt it was very fitting for the fire dragon slayer. She snatched that one to add to the pile and hurried to the register. The shop owner may have talked Lucy into buying cases for the soap as well, but she just kept telling herself it was practical so the soaps would last longer. After paying, she added it to her backpack, making sure to put the bars under the produce she bought earlier.
She hurried to find a clothing store nearby, settling on a rather large boutique. It was a bit out of her price range, but she had a knack for searching the sales rack. That talent would come in handy now. Grabbing a basket by the door, she got to work. The first thing she found was for Wendy. A small, green halter dress caught her eye and she swiftly paired it with brown sandals. Gajeel was also easy, since Lucy had seen his closet before. She grabbed him a black, short-sleeved tunic and dark tan pants. Lucy even remembered to grab him a pair of chunky black boots. For Grace, she decided on a rose colored tank-top, black shorts, and a sturdy pair of tennis shoes. Natsu was tricky. She pictured the open vest he usually wore and frowned. There didn't seem to be many options for him and she ended up grabbing a black and gold collared jacket, black t-shirt, and pants that matched the jacket. Her lip slipped between her teeth as she scanned the racks for something for herself. What caught her eye was a dark blue halter top with gold buttons and a white collar. She paired it with a a white skirt and tall brown boots that matched the pouch she wore on her hip for her keys. With her basket full of shoes and arms full of clothing, she somehow maneuvered to the register, dumping everything on the counter. The worker startled, jumping up from her stool as the magazine she was paging through slipped to the floor.
"You're having a really good sale and I just couldn't resist!" Lucy smiled widely as the woman eyed the assorted clothing. Her left brow raised when she picked up the tunic for Gajeel. "My friends all have birthdays coming up, so I thought, why not?" She continued and the woman nodded, fairly uninterested in Lucy's word-vomit. She rang everything out, shoving it into various bags for Lucy to carry. The woman waved her off, not even speaking to her when she paid. It was an odd experience for Lucy, but she didn't dwell on it too long. She wandered from the store, trying not to hit people with the bags decorating her wrists. The town was more crowded and the sun was positioned high in the sky. It had to be late afternoon and she wondered how Natsu was doing with his shopping tasks. People arguing in the center of town caught her eye and she paused, ducking behind a vendor to observe. The bags rustled, settling at her feet.
"Get out of here Jellal! I already told you that we are a peaceful town! If you keep spreading lies like that, the army will rampage through here!" An older man, sporting a suit and monocle shouted at a blue-haired man. He shoved the man back, this Jellal person falling backwards onto the ground.
"I'm telling you. They've already been here. I just want to know if you've seen anything out of the ordinary!" This man, Jellal, growled under his breath. His voice was soft, so Lucy had to lean a bit further. That was when she noticed an intricate tattoo stretching through his eye. She felt like she recognized that symbol before, but couldn't place where she saw it. At her father's mansion? That didn't seem right. At Levy's? Or perhaps she saw it at the guild hall? It was going to bother her.
"Go home. You can't expect to actually find the dragon slayers on your own." The older man shouted, drawing more attention to the pair. Lucy held her breath, one hundred percent of her focus on the exchange now.
"He's not alone." A woman stepped out of the crowd, positioning herself between Jellal and the suited man. She wore a breastplate over a blue skirt and her scarlet hair hung to the small of her back. Her lips set in a thin frown while her hands settled on her hips. Lucy flinched back as the woman's eyes narrowed.
"Titania Erza. How can I help you?" The man's persona shifted and he bowed, keeping his gaze low. The hustle and bustle of the crowd around them quieted, everyone turning to look at the pair now. Something about the exchange told Lucy she wasn't the only one intimidated by the woman's presence.
"Just answer my comrade's questions and we will be on our way." She stated and the man nodded frantically.
"Ver- very well." He swallowed harshly, pulling at his tie with shaky fingers. "There have been many travelers through town, more than usual. Your best source of information would be the workers in the ticket booths for the train. They see everyone who enters and leaves the town." He forced a smile, nodding again.
"Thank-you, that is sufficient. Come on Jellal." She yanked the blue-haired man to his feet and he brushed the dirt and loose pebbles off his woman turned, fixing her glare on everyone while Jellal mumbled a thank-you to the man. The world erupted into action around them once again, people scurrying by to avoid her gaze. The pair slipped into the crowd and Lucy was in awe.
"They put on a good show, don't they?" A man's voice whispered over her shoulder and she startled, dropping all of the bags on the ground. Clothing scattered about and the man's eyes widened. He was an odd character with deep burgundy hair and pointed ears. "Didn't mean to startle you." He smirked, leaning against the stone wall of a tavern. Lucy gathered the clothing, shoving it back into bags while frowning at the man.
"I suppose so." She mumbled, giving him the best answer she could in that moment. Her heart was beating rapidly and she needed to find Natsu to warn him.
"Natsu already knows about them, so calm down. It'll be okay." His smirked widened, his pearly whites sparkling in the afternoon sun.
"Excuse me?" Lucy blinked a few times, processing what he said.
"You heard me. You might want to find Natsu and get out of here. The guards are on high alert because of Jellal and Erza." He pushed off the wall, sliding his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "I'm sure we will meet again soon Lucy. Say hi to Salamander for me." He winked over his shoulder before slipping into the crowd. Lucy was at a loss and partially afraid that he was just a figment of her imagination. Her grip tightened on the bags and she ran off through the crowd, heading towards the restaurant from earlier. Did Natsu actually know the two people looking for the slayers? Lucy couldn't really trust that guy, though he knew Natsu's name and her own for that matter. How? That's what really bothered Lucy. The whole encounter left her with goosebumps and more questions. Lucy smacked into something, thrown off balance as her thoughts jumbled. Strong hands steadied her, gripping onto her shoulders.
"You okay Luce? You look like you've seen a ghost." Natsu's onyx gaze was warped with concern as he leaned closer to her. She met his gaze and nodded.
"Natsu." His name slipped out with a breath of air. He waited for her to continue, but she was at a loss again.
"What happened?" He didn't remove his hands, though his eyes scanned over her body and the bags weighing her wrists down.
"There were these two people in the town center. They were causing a scene, saying they were looking for the dragon slayers. I jus-" Lucy let her words trail off when Natsu smiled warmly at her.
"Jellal and Erza? They're actually old friends of mine. Don't let them worry you." Lucy's eyes widened in response and her jaw slacked open. "They don't know the truth, but I know they're here so we can avoid them easily. Is that what had you so worked up?" He inquired and her lip slipped through her teeth. She chewed away at her bottom lip, thinking over the encounter with the strange man.
"It wasn't just that. After, this man startled me. He said that it was a good show, which wasn't out of the ordinary. I just didn't know he was behind me. I never saw him walk over and didn't hear him from behind. He was just suddenly there." She frowned and Natsu's brow furrowed. "He also said not to bother you with it and that you knew they were here. Then he said he would see me soon and to get out fast because guards were approaching. I didn't recognize him at all though." Natsu's grip tightened on her shoulders.
"Did he mention his name?" His voice was low and raspy, gaze hardening.
"No. He, uh, had dark hair and pointed ears. That's really all I remember." She frowned apologetically and Natsu's fingers dug into her skin. "Ow, Natsu." She flinched, trying to pull away from him.
"Where'd he go? Did you see which way he went?" His words came out in a growl, though his grip loosened a tad the moment she flinched.
"No. He basically vanished." She couldn't help the guilt settling in her core as he cursed under his breath.
"Come on. We need to get out of here." He entwined their fingers and yanked her through town, leading her to the outskirts. She glanced up at the sides of the mountains.
"The train is on the other side of town." She pointed out and he met her gaze.
"Yeah, that whole one way in and one way out crap doesn't apply to us." With that, he scooped her into his arms, letting the backpack drop over his forearm while the bags hung at Lucy's side and on her lap. She let out a soft gasp as fire danced around his feet. Their bodies shot off the ground, ricocheting off the rocky edges as he maneuvered them up the edge of the mountain. It felt like hours, Lucy keeping her eyes snapped shut as she clung onto him. When they reached the top, they were covered in dirt and ash. Lucy groaned the moment her feet touched the ground. She tossed the bags away and diligently brushed the particles off her. "The river connects over here. We should have enough time to wash up and change before we have to meet everyone." He smiled apologetically and she scowled.
"Fine, but once we get to town, I'm booking us a room at an inn and I'm taking a real shower." She stuck her tongue out at him before following his directions to the river. The water was calm and cool on her skin as she stepped into it. She quickly undressed, unboxing the soap she bought. She took her time, letting the suds soak into her skin and hair. A sigh of relief escaped her lips as she lathered her body once more before rinsing off in the river. She slid her shivering, but clean body into her new skirt and top before calling for Natsu. He stepped out of the cluster of trees, squeaky clean and dressed in the outfit Lucy picked. Her eyes widened as she noticed he skipped out on the t-shirt. The jacket hung over his chiseled chest, settling at his hips. The pants fit well and hung just above his sandals. He grabbed her wrist, pulling her in for a tight hug. As his arms settled around her, she could feel the gentle warmth drying her body off. She tucked her head under his chin, enjoying the contact for a moment before he pulled away.
"My own personal dryer. Thanks Natsu." She smiled and he grinned at her, nudging her shoulder with his own.
"You did a good job with the clothes. Thanks for getting them." He tossed their soaps back into the bag before tossing his old, tattered clothes into the clearing beside them.
"I'm glad you like them." She didn't find it necessary to mention the fact that he forgot the shirt she picked. Knowing the dragon slayer, it was probably intentional.
"Toss your old clothes by mine. I have an idea." She did as he said, brow furrowing as his fist lit aflame. He stretched his hand out, the fire arching to engulf the clothing. In seconds, all that remained was a pile of ash. Lucy was bewildered and he chuckled. "We can only carry so much. That's the best way to dispose of them." He shrugged, pulling his bulging backpack on his shoulders.
"That was my favorite shirt." Lucy huffed, pulling socks on before sliding into her boots. She clasped her belt around her waist and tied her hair into a side ponytail while Natsu gathered the clothing bags.
"Well, you can have a new favorite shirt now." He mused and she puffed her cheeks out. He had a point, but that didn't make her any happier. "Stop pouting. Come on." Natsu grabbed her hand the moment she put her backpack on. Together, they wandered through the woods, chatting about the various plants they passed. None of them were useful and Lucy had stocked up enough produce to last a few days. The sun had set, moon settling above them while stars dotted the sky. It had taken them a few hours, but a fire danced in the distance and Natsu smiled. The trio came into view and Lucy shouted a greeting at them. Wendy hopped up, meeting Lucy halfway and throwing her arms around her.
"We were getting worried! I'm glad you guys are okay!" She cheered as Grace and Gajeel stood to greet them. Together, Lucy and Natsu passed out the clothing and Lucy handed everyone their soaps. Not wanting to waste time, Natsu divided up the medical and food supplies into everyone's backpacks. It made it easier to carry everything. Grace and Wendy hurried off to find a creek or river to bathe in while Gajeel leaned against a tree.
"Really though, what took so long?" He questioned while Natsu cooked beans and mixed vegetables on the fire.
"We had to take a train into town and someone needed to be carried until we found somewhere to eat." Lucy smirked and Natsu's jaw hung open as he feigned hurt on his features.
"You made Bunny girl carry you?! Come on Salamander!" Gajeel howled with laughter, clutching his stomach as he hunched over. When Grace and Wendy returned, Gajeel left to bathe and change. Once Natsu turned their old clothes to ash, the group ate, returning the conversation back to Natsu's motion sickness and his instant recovery at the aroma of food. Gajeel's laughter echoed off the trees and they all laughed, joking at Natsu's expense until the fire transitioned to tiny, smoldering embers and everyone drifted off to sleep.
