Now would probably be a good time to let you guys know I've never read the Fairy Tail manga and I'm not caught up on the anime. I'm working on it but it's slow going.

As always, happy reading!


"Come on, little buddy, you said you were okay with it!"

"Well I'm not! I don't wanna hide, I wanna come out and join the party!"

Natsu sighed as he sat on the floor next to Happy. They could clearly hear the music playing through the walls. Lucy had started it early, since Happy had started throwing a fit an hour before the party was supposed to start. Lucy had threatened to send him back if he didn't calm down, but even that hadn't swayed the little Exceed from his complaints. Natsu had offered to take him to his room for a while while Lucy finished setting up. Levy would be there any minute and Natsu was at his wits end trying to convince Happy to stay out of the way.

Originally, he'd figured that Happy would just do what he usually did on Halloween and run around the town pranking the humans. Exceeds had learned centuries ago that they were able to easily pass over into the humans' realm on Halloween through the thinning of the walls. None of the other demons were able to, and since the Exceeds' fun was generally harmless, they were allowed the freedom to move between the two worlds for the day.

For some reason, this year Happy had decided he wanted to stay with Natsu, who had already agreed to go to the party. Natsu sighed as he heard the front door open. Even over the music, he could tell that Levy that had shown up.

"Come on, Happy, it's going to be dark soon. Can't you just go find Carla and Lily and hang out with them for the night like you usually do?"

"I do that every year," Happy whined. "I wanna go to the party, too! How come you get to go and I can't!"

"You know why," Natsu said.

"It's not fair!" Happy yelled, taking flight. Before he could make it to the door, Natsu reached out and grabbed him, pulling him close.

"Come on, Happy, please? You just need stay out of the apartment for one night. You can come back once the party is over. Afterwards, I'll do whatever you want to make it up to you, okay? Please?" Natsu didn't know if there was a way to make it up to his buddy, but he would try. Lucy had given him one job for this party, and he was determined to do it.

Happy's eyes welled up with tears. "But it's a Halloween party… You know Halloween is my favorite!"

"I know, buddy, but Lucy's calling the shots here."

Happy gave him the most defeated look he'd ever seen before making his way to the window. "Alright. I'll be back later."

"I'm really sorry, Happy. I'll make it up to you, I promise!"

His buddy just continued floating towards the window with a whispered, "Aye, sir." Natsu frowned as he watched Happy leave, but pushed aside the guilt as he propped open the window to make sure Happy could get back in. After making sure his door was fully closed, he turned down the radio in the living room before making his way to the kitchen.

Both Levy and Lucy had their backs to him as they leaned over the table, so he tiptoed his way over to them and tapped them on the shoulders. When they turned around, Levy let out a little shriek, causing Lucy to jump. Lucy didn't make a sound as she studied Natsu, her face giving nothing away. She turned towards Levy, who was staring up at Natsu, wide eyed and a little terrified. "N- Natsu?"

"Yep," he said, grinning.

"Wow. That's some costume," Levy said, moving forward to study his outfit.

"Thanks!" He didn't move as she made a lap around him, touching his cloak and skin, carefully stepping around his tail.

"This is really incredible. It's almost as if it's real."

Lucy let out a quiet sigh as Levy took a step away, smiling as she started talking to him. Levy had the most critical eye Lucy had ever seen. So long as Natsu could convince her, he could convince anyone. She smiled as she moved to add a couple bowls to the table.

"I like your costume, too! I'm guessing you're a librarian?"

She nodded. "It's kind of my go to costume."

"I think you're missing an adjective," Lucy mumbled, drawing Natsu's attention.

"What do you mean?" he asked, not noticing the squinty eyed look Levy gave her friend.

Lucy smirked. "I don't think it's suppose to be just a librarian costume."

Levy blushed, subtly tugging her short skirt down and putting her other hand in front of the top of her shirt where it was unbuttoned. "I don't know what you mean." Meanwhile, Natsu was staring at Levy with confusion written all over his face as he studied her.

Lucy stopped his gawking by tugging him into the living room. "Levy, can you grab the last couple trays from the fridge? We'll be back out in a minute."

"Sure thing, Lu."

Lucy pulled Natsu behind her down the hallway, pausing outside her door. "So? Did you figure something out with Happy?"

"Yeah, he'll be out of the way until your party is over."

"Good," she sighed. "I hate to make him miss out on the fun, but I just don't want to keep adding on more lies, you know?"

"I understand. He does, too, he's just having a hard time because it's his favorite holiday."

She nodded. "I'll try to make it up to him after the party's over."

"He'll appreciate that." Natsu looked down at her T-shirt and shorts. "So do you still need to change?"

"Yeah, I was just waiting until I had everything set up." Lucy took a small step back, hoping Natsu didn't notice. "It'll take me a little bit, so you could keep Levy company while I'm getting ready."

"Alright." Natsu frowned as he felt a small spike from her emotions. "Are you okay?"

"Honestly… no." She gave him an apologetic smile. "You're kind of terrifying right now. That form in this dark hallway," she said as she gestured around herself, "kinda gives me the creeps. Nothing against you, I know you won't hurt me, it's just…" She shrugged, unable to find the words.

"Sorry," he said, taking several steps away. "I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable."

"It's really okay," she reassured him. "I'm just going to go get ready for the party, okay?" When he nodded, she ducked into her room.

Natsu frowned as he waited for Lucy's fear to wear off. It spiked for a long moment, before he finally felt it ease. His frown deepened as he stared at her closed door. She's keeping something from me. Before he could think about it further, Levy came around the corner, and called his name.

"You mind helping me? I can't reach the top cupboards."

"Sure thing," he said, his smile back in place when he turned and followed her to the kitchen.

Lucy continued to breathe deeply as she heard Natsu move to help Levy. She slid down to the floor, keeping her eyes open to help combat the memories that tried to cloud her vision. Dark, shadowed images threatened to invade her mind, but she focused on her breathing as she willed them away.

Lucy knew Natsu was nothing like those monsters. Despite only knowing him for a few weeks- despite literally being a demon. He was nothing like those animals, and she refused to allow them to influence her time with the friendly half-demon.


"I'm sorry, Lucy, I still don't see it." Lucy glared at Cana's joke.

"Don't worry, Princess, I do," Loke said with a grin.

Lucy rolled her eyes. "Of course you do." She smoothed down the front of her dress, momentarily regretting choosing the poofy gown. She probably could have managed to make a more comfortable princess costume, but she had been so excited about how good she looked she hadn't been able to resist.

"Well, I think you look great," Gray said, joining the trio.

Lucy perked up. "Thanks, Gray. Glad you could come!"

He shrugged. "I didn't have any other plans. Jet went to his parents' and Lyon decided to stay home to watch old Halloween movies with a new friend."

"Does that mean Gajeel agreed to come?" Cana asked.

Gray nodded. "Yeah, he should be here soon."

Cana and Lucy shared a smile, before Lucy gestured at Gray's outfit. "So, what are you supposed to be?" Gray was bare chested and half covered in black paint just as dark as his pants.

"A demon hunter," he said. At their confused looks, he elaborated. "It's from a story I used to like alot when I was younger. It's about a demon hunter who spends his time fighting demons and sending them back to hell. He ends up getting infected by them and slowly turning into one. In the end, he gives up his remaining life as a human to live between the two worlds acting as a guardian, spending eternity fighting demons to keep them in hell."

"Wow, that sounds like an interesting read," Loke said as he carefully itched under his chin, avoiding the paint on his face.

"It is. I actually have a copy of it back at my place if you'd like to read it."

"I think I would."

"I've got dibs after him!" Lucy said, making Cana snort as she took a drink from her beer. Lucy raised an eyebrow at her. "What?"

"Not a thing."

"Don't be jealous just because he has a more interesting costume."

Cana snorted again as she finished her drink. "You guys always try too hard." She was wearing a gauzy, mostly see through top with tight capris. Her hair was loose around her shoulders with a headband around the top of her head, a bright blue stone glinting in the middle of her forehead.

"What are you?" Gray asked.

Cana pulled a deck of tarot cards from out of seemingly nowhere and flashed them at him. "A fortune teller. Want me to tell your future?"

"Uh…"

"She's actually pretty good at it," Lucy said.

"What do ya say, demon hunter?"

"I think I'll pass, thanks," Gray said.

Loke laughed. "Probably a good idea. The last time she told me mine, I ended up losing a bet on, what she called, a 'sure thing.'" Loke made air quotes before scratching near his chin again.

Lucy glanced at him. "You doing okay?"

"I've got an itch. I think I'm going to go borrow the mirror in your bathroom so I don't ruin my facepaint. I'll be back."

Gray cocked his head to the side as he watched the other man leave. "So what's he supposed to be?"

Lucy answered as Cana excused herself to go to the kitchen. "The zodiac constellation, Leo the Lion."

"Interesting interpretation, with the lion's head on a man's body."

Lucy nodded. "It's his favorite costume. He does something else every other year but-" She grunted as something bumped into her. Turning, she saw Levy catching her balance next to her.

"Sorry, Lu." Lucy saw Levy glare at Juvia, who was trying to look innocent as she spoke to Natsu The demon looked confused as his eyes darted between the two.

"Jealous, much?" Levy muttered. Raising her voice again, she looked at Gray with a smile. "Happy Halloween, Gray! Glad to see you could make it!"

"Hey Levy." Distracted, Gray stared past the pair at Natsu, who was staring back. "Well, that's kinda ironic."

"What is?" Levy asked.

Gray tipped his head in Natsu's direction. "He dressed up as a demon and I came as a demon hunter. I wonder who would win?"

Easily hearing him, Natsu snorted before coming over, with Juvia a step behind him. "Demons always win, don't you know that?"

"I don't know about that. Humans are still running things around here, from what I can see."

Natsu smiled, showing off impressively sharp teeth. Before he could respond, Lucy pulled Juvia forward. "Hey Juvia, you haven't said hi yet!"

Juvia's face instantly started to redden as she stuttered out a hello. A knock at the front door drew Lucy's attention, but Cana called out from the kitchen that she could get it just as Loke came out of the hallway and headed that way. Gray complimented Juvia on her mermaid costume before explaining again what he was. Levy immediately started asking questions about the story, dragging him over to the couch so she could grill him. Juvia followed as well, leaving Natsu and Lucy alone in the middle of the living room.

Natsu continued to study Gray as he spoke to Levy and Juvia. Lucy watched him for a moment before asking, "Is something wrong, Natsu?"

"Why do you ask?"

She waved a hand in front of his face, drawing his attention. "You're staring at Gray awfully hard. I know you've got some demon- dragon thing going on, but could you try to not be so obvious about the staring? It's rude."

He gave her a sheepish smile. "Sorry." He looked at Gray again, only a glance this time, before he turned his body towards her. "I can't quite put my finger on it, but I don't think I like that guy."

"Why is that? Don't tell me it's because of the costume."

"Nah," he shook his head. "It's not even close to accurate. I don't know what it is, he just rubs me the wrong way."

Not even close to accurate? "I don't think I under-"

"Lucy, you have a guest!" Cana called from the kitchen. "Well, multiple, to be precise."

Lucy frowned as she glanced around. "Gajeel is the only one I don't see," she mumbled. She made her way towards the open door, Natsu only a step behind. Gajeel was sitting at the table, stuffing his mouth. He grinned as she entered the room, his skin flashing in the light. It looked like it was painted, covered in shiny silver scales like a dragon. "Hey, Blondie. Thanks for the invite."

"No problem, glad you could come." She glanced around the room and then looked at where Cana was standing near the front door.

Cana gestured as she spoke. "They're still out here."

Lucy ignored Gajeel and Natsu as they took jabs at each other's costumes as she moved around the wall. Cana smirked as she moved to join them.

As she made it to the door, Lucy tried not to frown. "Hello."

On the other side of the door were four people. The tallest was around six feet with dark skin and black hair. He was wearing black robes and sported a scar across one eye. In front of him were two young girls, probably in their teens. One had pale skin and white hair, and was dressed up as a schoolgirl. Next to her was another girl about the same height with blue hair who was dressed up as a doctor.

In front of them both was a young man with blue hair and a mischievous smirk. He wore blue pants with a matching colored shirt. She could see white wings poking out from his back and there was a strange mask pulled up on the top of his head that looked like a blue cat face. She was positive she'd never seen any of them before.

"I'm sorry, but I do know you guys?"

"Oh come on, Lucy, do you really not see it?" the boy said with a familiar voice. Her eyes widened as she stared at him, her jaw falling open.

The boy's smirk widened. "I thought the outfit would be familiar enough, but maybe I was wrong."

Happy was here, where he'd supposedly agreed to not be, waiting to be let in to her party. Where she'd have to come up with more lies, that she had already decided she didn't want to make up, on the spot. She'd given Natsu one job, and not only had Happy ignored her request, he'd shown up with extra people! He took care of it, my ass! Furious, Lucy yelled for Natsu over her shoulder and then gave Happy the angriest look she could manage. When he began to look scared and took a small step back, she didn't feel the least bit bad.

Before Natsu could join her, she decided she would definitely be doing some drawing in her immediate future. That flying flea ball was going home!