Hello, everyone !

I'm back with a new fic !

I hope you enjoy reading it :D

Okay, so my plot happened after the Alvarez Empire arc, but it's not related to the 100 years quest. Take it as something that happened during the one-year gap after the war :D

Disclaimer: My deepest gratitude to Mashima Hiro for bringing this wonderful Fairy Tail alive.


It was scorching hot.

Lucy Heartfilia felt like her body was burning from inside out. It wasn't the kind of heat that she enjoyed. But still, Lucy knew she couldn't stop. Natsu's life and fate depended on this.

It had been a few months since their battle against the Alvarez Empire ended, but Lucy sometimes still relieved the moment when she rewrote the Book of E.N.D, especially when she dreamed. She could still feel it clearly in her dreams, the feeling of E.N.D's fire within her own body as she worked her hand to rewrite the book. The only thing that kept her consciousness intact was Gray Fullbuster's magic. His ice rivalled the fire perfectly, allowing Lucy to finish what she started.

Then, the burning heat was removed from her by Gray who used his devil-slaying magic. Everything returned to normal and the next thing she knew, Natsu appeared in front of her. Battered and weak, but very much alive and sporting his trademark toothy grin that she came to love so much.

They celebrated their victory—both against the Alvarez Empire and Acnologia—in their guild hall along with other guilds' members, but that was when the corner of Lucy's eyes caught someone. She didn't know who that someone was—they were too far apart for her to see clearly and that someone was hiding behind a pillar. Lucy didn't know who that was, but she could feel the heat that was emanating from them. She was sure it wasn't the natural heat emanating from Natsu's body who was beside her, she knew his heat all too well. Lucy gulped down anxiously, as a shiver ran down along her spine. She couldn't even see that someone's features clearly, so how come she could feel the heat coming from them instead? Who was that someone? Why was she the only one who took notice of their presence?

Lucy suddenly snapped her eyes open and sat up on her bed. She groaned lightly as her brain pounded from her sudden movement. Her forehead was covered with a layer of sweat and Lucy felt hot even though her cooling lacrima was on.

It was that dream again. Who was that mysterious figure she always saw at the end of her dream? Lucy ransacked her brain to remember, but she couldn't recall of seeing any mysterious figure during the real victory celebration. Besides, if there was indeed a mysterious someone in their guild hall, surely one of the dragon slayers in there would realize it. So, that means… That mysterious figure only appeared in her dreams? But why?

Lucy looked around, there was no one else there but her. Tonight, Natsu and Happy weren't in her house because she had managed to tell them to go out. The two of them protested, but Lucy spit out every possible reason she could think of—and believe it or not, Lucy was really good in creating a bunch of acceptable reasons when she wanted to. Her brain was also great in that way—and they finally agreed, albeit reluctantly.

Every time Natsu and Happy weren't there, she would always have that dream.

Lucy sighed as she felt her body starting to get heavy. She had been feeling sluggish ever since their final battle and the exhaustion doubled every time she had that dream. Feeling there was something odd with her body, Lucy decided to go back to sleep and to go to look for Wendy first thing tomorrow morning.

Maybe the young dragon slayer might know what was happening to her.


Wendy Marvell was one of the guild members who was an early riser. Lucy wasn't an early riser as much as Wendy, although she was definitely better in waking up early than the rest of her team. Lucy was about to open the door and head out before she stopped in her tracks. It was still early and Natsu wouldn't be here until the usual time for him to pick her up, so should she write a note for him? He would be so fussy if he didn't find her when he picked her up.

Lucy pondered for a while before deciding that she didn't have to leave a note.

She opened the door and stepped out. She locked the door but kept her window unlocked—albeit it was closed, because Natsu just wouldn't use the door. She was tired of telling him to use the door and finally backed down. Lucy didn't know why Natsu wouldn't use the door although Happy told her that Natsu would always come in through the door in their own house.

Lucy's mind wondered further about the relationship she shared with the fire dragon slayer as she walked towards Fairy Hills. Now that she thinks about it, what term can describe her relationship with Natsu? They definitely weren't a couple, but they weren't just friends either. Best friends? Hmm… Acceptable. But there was something else between them, Lucy could feel that clearly. Something more than just 'best friends', something more… intimate.

Lucy laughed to herself. Of course there was something more than just 'best friends', she loved that stupid dragon slayer, after all. Lucy didn't know when she fell for Natsu, but she realized her feelings when he left her for one year. What could she say? He was hell handsome and hot—and not because of his magic—and he was always there for her. He was the one who brought her to Fairy Tail and he was the reason her adventures started. Natsu was always there in every moment of her life, during her happiness and sadness. His toothy grin always comforted her and his dark green eyes conveyed more words than his mouth ever could. And his voice… Gods, his voice! He had such a cheery voice—especially when he was teasing her—, who knew it could turn out sexy as hell too? And don't let her get started with his muscular tanned body along with his strong arms. Even though Natsu often complained about how heavy she was, she knew her best friend totally had no problems in swooping her off of her feet in seconds.

There were many reasons for Lucy to love her troublemaking best friend, but the main reason was because he was Natsu. Everything he had made him Natsu Dragneel, and Lucy wouldn't have him the other way. She loved him more than she ever thought she could, which only made her feel more miserable as she missed him dearly. His reappearance in her life made everything so much better.

She was also aware of Natsu's special feelings for her. It wasn't that hard to see, even though she would always rebuff that whenever someone brought the topic up to her. She knew Natsu loved her as much as she loved him, and she also knew that Natsu was aware of her feelings for him. The term 'boyfriend-girlfriend', however, also didn't seem quite right for them, which was why both Natsu and Lucy were unwilling to change their current status.

'Best friends who were in love with each other' felt much better.

Lucy had always dreamed of falling in love with a prince, but she surprisingly fell in love with a dragon instead. Not that she was complaining, she couldn't imagine falling in love with anyone else but Natsu. His presence around her felt so right, so perfect. Lucy wouldn't have it any other way.

Fairy Hills is now in her line of sight. Lucy shook her head to bring her focus back and Wendy caught her figure.

"Lucy-san!" Wendy greeted. "What are you doing here so early in the morning?"

"Good morning, Wendy." Lucy greeted back. "I'm here to see you."

Wendy's eyebrows furrowed in worry. "Are you sick, Lucy-san?"

"Well… I was hoping you could tell me whether I am or not." Lucy scratched her cheek.

"Come and sit down." Wendy gently took Lucy's hand to a bench located outside the dorm. "How are you feeling, Lucy-san?"

"Sluggish and my body feels heavy." Lucy answered. Wendy thrusted out her hands, light blue orbs glowed from her hands as she started to examine Lucy. "I have been feeling this way ever since our battle with the Alvarez Empire and Acnologia."

No one knew about Lucy rewriting the Book of E.N.D, not even Natsu. Lucy made Gray and Happy promised to never tell a soul about what happened, because she didn't want Natsu to feel guilty about it and she didn't want to worry the rest of the guild. Gray and Happy were nonchalant at first, but quickly crossed their hearts as Lucy glared at them. She could be as scary as Erza when she wanted to. Happy who normally loved to rattle out to the rest of the guild also clamped his mouth shut.

"Hmm… I don't find anything strange from you, Lucy-san." Wendy tilted her head a bit to the side, the light blue orbs had disappeared.

"I guess I'm just too tired, then." Lucy shrugged.

"Maybe this is the aftereffect of casting the Fairy Sphere?" Wendy wondered. "But please don't hesitate to come to me if you're feeling the symptoms getting worse, Lucy-san."

Lucy smiled and affectionately rubbed Wendy's head. "Thank you, Wendy."


"Mira, do you see Lucy?"

Mirajane Strauss, the former S-Class female mage of Fairy Tail guild, who was also its barmaid turned her head from wiping the glasses to face the spiky pink-haired fire dragon slayer of Fairy Tail, Natsu Dragneel. She smiled at him as she put down a glass. "Not that I'm aware of. I don't think I saw her coming to this guild today."

Natsu raised an eyebrow. "That's odd. She's not home either."

Happy, the blue winged cat who was also Natsu's best friend flew down and settled on top of the bar table. "I wonder where Lucy goes off to."

"It's rare to see her not coming here with you, Natsu." Lisanna Strauss, the younger sister of Mirajane and also the guild's barmaid apprentice said.

"I know, right." Natsu said as he rested his chin on top of Happy's back. "And I can't smell her either when I picked her up this morning. She had left some time ago."

"She left her home early in the morning?" Mirajane asked in surprise. "Didn't you stay over last night?"

"Nope, she convinced us to go." Happy answered.

"Why didn't she want us—me to stay?" Natsu furrowed his eyebrows. "We're supposed to be together."

"Let her be." Gajeel Redfox, the iron dragon slayer said. It turned out that he was enjoying his usual iron breakfast at the bar table and happened to hear the conversation. "Maybe she just wants to have a girl's time alone."

A soft hand slapped his arm quite hard. Levy McGarden, the solid script mage, glared at her boyfriend. "You know how protective Natsu is of Lu-chan! And besides, it is strange to see her without you, Natsu. Or you without her."

"You don't know where she is either, Levy?" Natsu asked.

Levy shook her head. "I haven't seen her either all morning."

"Which got me thinking, you two must be breakfast-less!" Mirajane put down some meat and fish in front of Natsu and Happy. "I know you two got hooked up by Lucy's cooking, but fill up your stomach first with this."

"Wow, thanks, Mira!" Happy took his fish and munched on it while lying down.

Natsu stared at his meat for a few seconds longer before standing up. "Thanks for the offer, Mira! But I'm going to go and look for Lucy a bit."

"Geehee! She's fine!" Gajeel waved his hand. "She knows how to protect herself—"

Gajeel's words were cut as Levy stuffed some irons into his mouth. She then laughed awkwardly at Natsu. "Go find her, Natsu. I'm worried she might be in trouble or something along that. You know how… enchanting she is."

Natsu's eyebrow twitched and he nodded quickly. He then turned his body around and was about to step away when the guild's doors were opened.

Stepping in was the one he had been searching for, the celestial spirit wizard, Lucy Heartfilia. And along with her was Wendy Marvell, the sky dragon slayer.

They seemed to be talking about something but Natsu couldn't hear it quite well due to their soft voices and the loud guild.

"Lucy!" Happy flew happily to the blond-haired mage, cutting her conversation with Wendy. The blue-haired petite dragon slayer smiled and excused herself, carrying her Exceed partner, the white winged cat, Carla, away with her.

"Where have you been?" Natsu walked towards her and quietly sniffed. Good, she seemed okay. He didn't smell any blood on her or any other weird smell.

"Ah… Just having a little business with Wendy." Lucy said as she patted Happy's head. "Sorry I left earlier. Have you eaten breakfast?"

"Mira cooked us some!" Happy answered.

"Oh, I could really go for some of Mira-san's cooking!" Lucy happily said and made her way to the bar.

Natsu looked at her figure in silence for a few more seconds before he shrugged his shoulders and followed her.


"Man, I'm stuffed!" Natsu leaned his back to the bench and patted his big belly.

"Well, you ate like you haven't eaten for a whole month." Gray Fullbuster, the ice-make wizard snorted. "You big fat bimbo."

"Are you looking for something?!" Natsu glared at him.

"You wanna start?!"

"No fighting." Erza Scarlet, the strongest female wizard of the guild glared at them two, effectively shutting their mouths. "Now then, shall we go to work?"

"Oh yeah! I could really use some jewels, right now!" Gray agreed.

"And Lucy has her rent to be paid!" Happy added. "Right, Lucy?"

Lucy snickered. "Yeah, yeah. Well, I still got some left after our last job, but getting some more doesn't sound so bad."

"Then I will pick the job!" Wendy offered herself and went to the quest board with Carla.

"I'll come too!" Happy followed.

"By the way Lucy, where were you this morning?" Gray asked. "I didn't see you coming with this flame-head."

"Ah… I was just meeting Wendy." Lucy smiled.

"That's quite unusual." Gray raised an eyebrow. "Are you sick?"

"No." Lucy said.

"But you ought to let him know by leaving him a not or something, Lucy." Erza said. "Natsu's been looking everywhere for you."

"Yeah, like a lost sheep." Gray snickered.

Natsu kicked his shin from behind the table. It was easy since Gray was sitting directly in front of him.

"Shut up, you stripper."

"OUCH." Gray glared at Natsu. "I'm going to pummel you—"

"No. Fighting."

"Yes ma'am." Both Natsu and Gray quieted down instantly.

"Everyone! I found this interesting job!" Wendy came back to them, her hand was holding a flyer. "It's a bit far from here but the reward is marvelous!"

"ONE MILLION JEWEL FOR EACH PERSON?!" Lucy's eyes glinted as she counted the shared reward. "I want it! I want it!"

"What's the mission about?" Gray stretched his neck to read.

"All we have to do is find a certain book which has been stolen from our client. Once we delivered the book back, then the reward is ours!" Wendy said.

"Only that? I wanna have lots of fighting!" Natsu said.

"I think you will have that, Natsu-san." Wendy said. "It's said here that the book is really valuable and there are lots of parties searching for it."

"What kind of book is this anyway?" Erza asked.

"Hmm… Doesn't say… And the book's title is not specified either." Wendy said. "Our client is in the neighboring town, so it's a bit far from here."

"When did the book get stolen? Do our client has a guess who stole it?" Lucy asked.

"Hmm… It also doesn't say here. But I'm sure we get to know the details once we meet them." Wendy said.

"Wait… Which means… Carriage?" Natsu gurgled and covered his mouth in imagining riding on a carriage to get to the client.

"Well… Ten hours ride, Natsu-san." Wendy smiled slightly. She also shuddered in imagining riding on a carriage.

"Ten… Hours…" Natsu stared blankly. "Can't we just walk by foot?!"

"Are you a moron? I don't want to spend half of the day just to get to the client!" Gray protested.

"Then you can ride in the carriage! I and Wendy will walk!" Natsu said.

"We can't let the client wait for you, stupid!" Gray said.

"Hey! Don't call me stupid—"

Erza gave them a glare and they shut up.

"We're going by the train, it'll take us faster." Erza decided.

Both Natsu and Wendy sweat-dropped but none of them dared to say anything.

"Alright, let's pack up and meet at the station in 30 minutes." Erza stood up.

They stood up and made their way back home to pack. But before Lucy could get out, Gajeel stopped her.

His voice did, to be more precise.

"Oi, bunny girl."

Lucy turned her head and faced Gajeel who was raising an eyebrow. "You're okay? You looked somewhat strange to me."

Lucy gaped. Is someone in front of her really Gajeel? Since when could he ask something like that? "What?"

Gajeel rubbed his nose. "And smelled strange."

Lucy cautiously took a step back. "Strange… Like what?"

"Dunno." Gajeel scoffed. "But there's something mingling with your scent."

"And you're a bit paler than usual, Lu-chan." Levy poked her head from Gajeel's behind. "Are you sick?"

"No, I'm fine." Lucy let out a smile. She then faced Gajeel again, her face looked a degree more serious. "But do you really find my scent strange?"

Gajeel nodded. "But seeing that Salamander is not complaining about anything, I guess it isn't a big deal."

"Oi, Lucy!" Natsu suddenly called from the doors. "Let's go and pack! What are you doing?"

"Sorry, gotta go now." Lucy waved her hand softly. "And don't worry, I'm fine. Thanks for your concern!"

Lucy ran up to Natsu as her heart beat fast in slight worry. If a dragon slayer said she looked strange and smelled strange, that ought to be a not so good sign, right?


And there you go !

I hope this is a satisfactory first chapter for you :D

Don't forget to leave your reviews and/or flames !