Chapter 15: Taken

The rain was still pouring heavily without let up for the last couple of hours. Lucy had become so used to Magnolia's pleasant, sunny weather that she had almost forgotten what it was like to experience rain. Even though it was a little cold, the sight of Laxus in front of her made her insides feel warm.

They were both sitting on the small table across the room, talking about Jude Heartfilia's involvement with Raven Tail. They came up with a plan to confront the business tycoon in his mansion together and have him reveal any information he had about the dark guild's whereabouts.

Although Makarov already told them to back off and let the Magic Council deal with Raven Tail, Lucy just couldn't sit around knowing that she might be able to help. Her own father was a lead.

"Are you going to turn your dad in to the authorities?" Laxus asked.

"I don't know," Lucy replied truthfully. "I mean, it's the right thing to do, isn't it?"

While Laxus was certain it was, he lacked the words to tell her so. Instead of answering her, he reached out and covered one of her hands on the table with his. He knew this must be hard for her, but he wanted to be there for her if she needed someone to comfort her.

"We sure have crappy dads," he muttered bitterly.

Lucy smiled faintly and nodded. "Anyway," she said, "Natsu and Happy will be coming along with us. It's just that they're out in the rain somewhere."

Laxus raised an eyebrow. "Training?"

"How did you know?" Lucy asked.

"It's Natsu," Laxus responded, smirking. "Always wanting to get stronger. Good kid."

"He's quite fond of you." Lucy grinned, remembering how the fire mage easily forgave Laxus for the ruckus he had started in the guildhall. Right now, that seemed like ages ago.

"Tch." Laxus shrugged. "We fought a lot when we were kids. Aside from wanting to prove to Gray and Erza that he was stronger, I was on his list, too."

Lucy rolled her eyes. "That's Natsu, alright."

"Do you know when they'll be back here?" Laxus inquired. He didn't actually mind that they were not around. It only meant that he would be able to spend more time alone with this blonde chick that he was increasingly fond of. He had wanted to kiss her for the last hour but restrained himself.

"Natsu said he and Happy will be back as soon as the rain lets up," Lucy replied, glancing over to the window and then back at the lightning mage. "But it doesn't seem to be, so I don't know."

Laxus nodded. "Oh, yeah, I forgot to thank your maid spirit for helping me dry my clothes," he said, gesturing to his purple shirt and coat he was wearing.

"I'll be sure to tell her," Lucy promised. She was glad that she had summoned Virgo earlier; she just couldn't stand the sight of his muscular body and not melt. The memory of the way he had kissed her as if there was no tomorrow still lingered in her mind despite knowing that there were more pressing matters to address. She shouldn't be thinking about his lips and body right now.

"Anyway, are you hungry?" she asked.

Laxus grinned. "Starving."

"Okay, I'll call the innkeeper to bring us food."

Finally having an excuse to put a distance between them for a moment, Lucy stood and tried to pull her hand free from Laxus'. However, the lightning mage suddenly sprang to his feet, walked over to her, and pulled her into a kiss.

Surprised, Lucy stiffened at first when she felt his lips on hers, but she gradually responded by standing on her toes and wrapping her arms around his neck. She realized she wasn't the only one battling the sexual tension that never seemed to go away despite talking for a couple of hours.

The kiss he was giving her was so hot, steamy, and demanding that it set fire to her stomach. Her body surrendered to him before her brain could process her actions. As he deepened the kiss, lust flooded her whole being, and she wanted more.

"I thought you're hungry," Lucy whispered between kisses.

"I am," Laxus murmured, now lowering his lips down her neck. "I'm hungry for you... God, you smell so good."

"Ne," the celestial mage whimpered, closing her eyes, her excitement rising. "Now is not really the best time to be doing this." Despite her words, she moved her body closer against his, feeling lost in his kisses.

"So, you're saying that there is a best time," the lightning mage teased in a low voice. "Mind telling me when that is?" He started caressing her back underneath her clothes. Her skin felt so smooth and silky that he wanted to taste them.

"Oh, Laxus…" She kissed his lips again, her slender fingers stroking the warm skin underneath the collar of his shirt.

Laxus was now unhooking her bra and placing his hands underneath her breasts. He fought the urge to touch them, squeeze the hell out of them, because he wanted to make sure that Lucy was fine with it.

Lucy moaned softly at his touch. She trailed her fingers from his arms down to his sneaky hands. Then, she pushed them away slightly. She heard Laxus growl and felt his hands dropped. Just when she was about to sigh in relief, she felt his hands snake on her backside. After a moment, she decided it was okay, so she placed her arms around his neck again.

Understanding it as her way of permitting him, Laxus squeezed her backside and immediately marveled at how soft they were. He tried squeezing them harder, and he heard Lucy moan again.

Breaking the kiss to catch his breath, he looked into her eyes and smiled slightly. "Why won't you let me touch your chest?" he asked.

"Is my rear not enough for you?" Lucy challenged.

"No, I love it," Laxus snickered, giving her backside another squeeze.

"Laxus?"

"Yeah?"

"It stopped raining."

Laxus frowned, confused. "Yeah? So what?"

Lucy quickly removed her hands around his neck and gently pushed him away, breathing unsteadily. Then, she set her bra in place and arranged her clothes.

"It stopped raining," she repeated, watching Laxus' hard expression. "It means Natsu and Happy are probably on their way back here."

The lightning mage heaved a sigh. "Yeah, saved by the bell," he muttered, looking out the window. The rain did, in fact, stop pouring. He hadn't realized it because he was too consumed with everything about her.

"Ne, Laxus."

"What is it?"

Lucy tiptoed and gave him a peck on the cheek. "I'm glad you're here," she said before giving him a hug.


Natsu was surprised to know that Laxus was tagging along with his team on their way to the Heartfilia mansion. He didn't know why the lightning mage was, but he didn't bother to ask. He did, however, noticed how awkward he and Lucy seemed because they kept on staring in opposite directions.

He knew something was up because when he found them in the room back in the inn together, they were acting weird. At least Lucy was. She had been blushing and sputtering about how Laxus was able to sense their presence in town. Then Laxus had cut in and told him that they should all work together in finding Raven Tail at all costs and that Jude Heartfilia might know their whereabouts. Happy had even made a joke about one of the futons being in complete disarray.

When Natsu finally saw the familiar road toward Lucy's old home, he turned to her and beamed.

"Ne, Lucy," he said eagerly. "We're almost there. Think your dad's home?"

"He should be," Lucy told him.

"Ne, Natsu," Happy said in a ridiculously loud whisper. "What did you think Lushi and Laxus were doing back at the inn together?"

Lucy's face immediately flushed, and, for some reason, Natsu felt upset. It was like something had pierced through his heart after hearing Happy's words. Without thinking, he shot Laxus a dark look.

"What?" Laxus' eyes narrowed.

Natsu averted his eyes and remained silent. He didn't want to think that something was going on between his nakama, but with the way Lucy was acting, it seemed like it. She was too easy to read, and right now she looked embarrassed and guilty about something.

Lucy knew that the fire mage could read her like a book. She also knew that he could sense if something was not right. As much as she would like to tell him what was going on before he would get the wrong ideas, now was not the time. She would see her father again, and she needed to focus on what she needed to do.

While Natsu seemed to decide not to press the matter, Happy was a different story much to Lucy's irritation. The blue feline kept on giving her and Laxus furtive looks, and she wanted nothing more than to smack him.

"Cut it out, Happy," Natsu muttered. If Lucy needed some time to tell him what was going on, then so be it.

"Aye, Sir," Happy responded.

When the four of them finally reached the mansion's entrance, a middle-aged woman dressed in a maid's uniform seemed to notice them. Moments later, she dashed towards their direction, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Lady Lucy! I'm so glad you're back!" the maid exclaimed.

"I'm sorry, Spetto, but we're here to see dad," Lucy told her. "It's very important."

"Oh, Lady Lucy! You have to do something!" Spetto cried. "Your father has been kidnapped!"

It took a moment for the maid's words to register in Lucy's mind. Then, she felt her blood drain from her face. "What do you mean my dad's been kidnapped?" she demanded. She looked over at Natsu and Laxus; their facial expressions were grim.

"What exactly happened?" Natsu asked, balling his fists.

Spetto hiccupped and took several breaths before explaining. "I was cleaning outside your father's office this morning, and I overheard angry voices inside. It was like there was a heated argument." She took another deep breath. "Then, I heard a crash, and your father was yelling. The next thing I knew, I was knocked out, and when I came to, your father was gone!"

"Raven Tail," Laxus seethed. He looked at Lucy, who was turning paler and paler by the moment.

"I rushed downstairs," the maid continued, fresh tears forming in her eyes, "and I saw all the maids and butlers on the floor, unconscious. They're fine now, but one of them claimed to have seen a young girl with scarlet hair and a man with purple skin."

"Flare and Nullpudding," Happy gasped.

Lucy shook her head and tried to contain her emotions. She turned to Natsu and Laxus imploringly. "I have to save my dad," she said. "It's obvious that it was Raven Tail who took him."

Laxus nodded. "We'll help you find him," he told her firmly.

"Don't worry, Luce," Natsu said vehemently. "We'll find your dad, and we'll kick those Raven Tail's butts!"

"Please!" Spetto begged. "You have to save Mr. Heartfilia!"

"Excuse me, Madame," Laxus interrupted. "But did you see anything else in Mr. Heartfilia's office? A note, maybe, after he was taken?" he asked.

"I don't know," the maid answered. "I didn't enter his office after the incident. I was busy nursing the other maids and butlers since they were injured."

Laxus turned to Lucy. "We should go and check his office," he suggested. "We might find some clues."

Lucy swallowed hard and nodded. "Okay."

Moments later, they entered the mansion and went inside Jude Heartfilia's office. They saw the shattered windows and disarrayed furniture. To Lucy's horror, there were droplets of blood on the floor. He must have been hurt really bad, she thought, fighting the urge to cry.

"I can smell those bastards' scents," Natsu said angrily, sniffing the room.

"Natsu, look!" Happy exclaimed, flying over to the fire mage with a piece of paper.

Natsu took the paper from the feline and read the note. Moments later, he bared his fangs and growled.

"Natsu, what is it?" Lucy asked, walking towards him. Laxus followed suit.

Instead of answering her, Natsu gave her the piece of paper and then punched a hole in the wall, cursing.

"To whoever finds this note: bring me ten million jewels and Laxus Dreyar from Fairy Tail, or we will kill Mr. Jude Heartfilia. We will be waiting in the woods West of Magnolia Town. If you call the authorities or plan an attack, we will kill the man. You have three days."

Lucy dropped the note in disbelief. So, her father was kidnapped for ransom, and he was asking for ten million jewels, including Laxus himself. She looked up at the lightning mage who had read the note as well. His expression was dark, and she could see his jaw twitching.

"What are we going to do?" Lucy whispered. Then, she buried her face with her hands. "This is a mess."

Natsu walked over to her and patted his nakama on the back. "We ain't givin' up, Luce," he said reassuringly. "Let's head back to the guild and figure somethin' out."