After breakfast Lucy had to scrub the deck, while Natsu watched her like a hawk. Natsu's cat named Happy, bounced across the deck, getting blue fur and dirt on the cleanly scrubbed boards. Lucy huffed in frustration when the cat knocked over the pail of water, drenching her bare feet, making them bitterly cold. Natsu laughed at her plight, while Happy meowed at her, a smug look on his fluffy blue face.
Lucy was true to her word, she did as she was told. She helped Mira in the kitchen, hauling large vats of broth and stews around the steamy cabin. Natsu sat in a corner of the room, snacking on crackers and dried beef that Mira kept giving to him. Lucy had to keep Happy away from the barrel of dried cod. He ran across the kitchen with two fillets clutched in his mouth. Lucy bit her tongue, to prevent any curses passing her lips. She didn't want Natsu to get an excuse to report her even if it was just for that stupid cat. Happy perched smugly on the work top eyeing her with an evil glint in his eye; he had clearly learned it from someone.
The manacles chaffed uncomfortably throughout the day. The rough iron rubbed her slim wrists raw. I didn't help that Natsu tugged her round the ship by the chain; she was dying to get them off. They restricted her movement and for some odd reason Natsu seemed to delight in the fact that she had them on, which seriously creeped her out.
It got better after dinner though. Natsu took Lucy to Levy's quarters which were filled with books and rolls of parchments and aged manuscripts. Levy handed Lucy some heavy tomes about the constellations near Tenrou Island and slipped her a small pocket sized book for her to read, with a wink. Natsu was snoring softly in a corner of the library. Lucy glanced at the title of the tiny book clad in cracked turquoise leather; "Tales and Legends of the Earthland Pirates". Lucy smiled and tucked the book in her belt. The library had grown dim as the sun began to drop below the horizon. Resisting the urge to whack Natsu over the head with the heavy tome on constellations, Lucy shook him awake.
"Come on Natsu. I've got to start mapping this route."
He stood up, groaning as he stretched his arms. "Alright then, Let's go up the crow's nest."
Lucy climbed the rigging with some difficulty. The shackles caught in the ropes, it didn't help that Natsu had made her carry some of the papers and the telescope. It was a perfect, clear night. The wind had pushed away the clouds, revealing the stars, winking happily in the inky blue sky.
Lucy adjusted the telescope, rolled out the maps and dipped her quill in a small inkpot. She stared at Orion. They had moved in a south-east direction, so they would need to head in a more southern direction to get back on track. She cross referenced with the shipping lane route. Great! There's an almost direct route through to Tenrou, we just need to keep South, then veer West a bit to avoid the silk trading boats and the big galleons. Lucy paused in thought, poking out her tongue. She marked the rest of the route on the map in red ink. We will need to make two stops, this is gonna take two months.
Lucy circled four possible islands and turned to a snoring Natsu. He was awoken with a sharp poke on the forehead.
"Whaa… Luce that hurt!" He rubbed his head pouting.
"What two islands should we stop off at, this trip is gonna take two months, so we're gonna need to stock up."
Natsu rubbed his eyes and looked down at the map, squinting in the darkness. Lucy lit a small lantern, which cast a cosy light into the crow's nest. Natsu scratched his head.
"Er, well we'll have to stop at Edolas first; it's the only place we can get munitions and other shit, but afterwards we can stop at Magnolia too… Cap's got a friend who lives there, so she'll let us stay."
Lucy nodded happily. She marked the two islands on the map. Happy with the route, she packed up her stuff and climbed out of the crow's nest and down the rigging.
Erza was waiting for them on the deck. Lucy handed her the maps and other rolls of paper.
"It's going to take two months Erza. I've circled the islands we'll need to stop at and I've managed to avoid the major trading routes."
Erza gave her a small smile. "Natsu. Take Lucy back to her cell. I hope she's behaved?"
Natsu yawned and nodded lazily.
Sighing Erza descended below deck tossing her red hair.
Natsu gripped hold of the chain attached to Lucy's wrists again and dragged her through the hatch. Once they had reached the hull, he pulled out a bunch of keys and unlocked the cell.
"Natsu could you take off the shackles…please…they hurt." Lucy stared up at him imploringly.
He tilted his head to the side and smirked, "Why would I do that?"
"Please I've been good all day. They do really hurt, please?"
He grabbed her hands and pushed the cuffs up her arms. Lucy yelped as his rough fingers probed the tender skin. Natsu looked at the angry red patches adorning Lucy's wrists where the cuffs had rubbed her skin. He felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He'd pulled her round all day by the shackles and she'd kept her promise. Reaching for the key, he unlocked the cuffs and dropped them on the floor. He gripped Lucy's hands and pulled her forwards.
"I'm sorry Luce…"
She looked away not meeting his gaze. "That's fine."
"No…you kept your promise..."
Lucy nodded blankly and pulled her hands out of his and walked into the cell and shut the door behind her. Natsu locked the door and sat down, facing her, a guilty look on his face.
"If you're gonna be on your best behaviour tomorrow Luce, then I will be too."
She gave him a small nod and a small. Natsu rested is head against the bars and crossed his arms. He felt something brush through the bars. He turned quickly and then he faltered. Lucy had pushed the soft blue blanket through the bars. She stopped, looking embarrassed. Natsu chuckled and pulled the blanket through the bars. Rolling it into a bundle he laid his head on the makeshift pillow.
"Thought you were gonna make another run for it Luce."
Lucy rolled her eyes, "How could I do that when I have the fearsome Salamander guarding me."
"Ya got that right." He turned his head and flashed a grin through the bars.
Lucy chuckled, "What can I say, I'm smart."
"You gave me your blanket, the only thing keeping ya warm." Natsu said pink eyebrows raised.
Lucy smiled evilly, "Yeah…It's got Lice in it…"
Natsu leapt up and tossed the blanket away. "Ah Man! Luce, that's not fair! Now I'm gonna have to wash."
Lucy waved a hand and giggled. "I'm just messing with you, but you should take a bath. You stink!"
Natsu pouted and stomped over to the crumpled blanket. He frowned at Lucy, and then inspected the blanket carefully. Lucy placed a hand over her mouth to stifle her giggles. Satisfied that the blanket was actually clean and lice free. Natsu rolled it up again and wrapped his scarf around it for good measure.
"Good night Natsu."
"Night…Lucy"
Lucy was gently shaken awake. Her eyes opened to see the girl with long indigo pig-tails and brown eyes, smiling shyly at her.
"Hi Lucy, I'm Wendy. Natsu said you'd hurt your wrists…"
Natsu stood sheepishly in the corner of the cell with Happy attached to his shoulder.
Lucy sat up and held out her wrists to Wendy. She hissed when Wendy dabbed a cloth with warm salty water across the angry welts left by the cuffs. Wend gently cleaned her wrists and bandaged them up.
"Make sure she doesn't get her wrists wet Natsu. And don't put those manacles on her again."
Wendy regarded him sternly, "I don't care what Erza says. If Lucy's wrists get infected I'm sure she doesn't want me to have to amputate her hands."
Natsu blanched and shrank back guiltily.
Lucy laughed nervously, "I'm sure it wouldn't be that extreme…right?"
Wendy shook her head and exited the cell, a white cat padded gracefully after her.
"You didn't have to get help Natsu."
Natsu avoided Lucy's gaze and ran a hand through his unruly pink hair. "Nah. I'd feel bad otherwise, plus I've decided to trust ya."
Lucy beamed, "Thank you though. I promise I won't let you down."
He blushed and shuffled out to the cell. Lucy stretched and followed him to the food hall.
Surprisingly Erza was lenient about the lack of manacles for Lucy. Levy and Mira had put in a good word for her and Wendy had explained to Erza about Lucy's wrists. Erza had given Natsu a dirty look and raised her fists threateningly. Natsu cowered behind Lucy while she Lucy tried to reason with her that it was not Natsu's fault (Well not entirely) and had promised that she would still follow orders, yada, yada, yada. Erza had refrained from punishing Natsu and stomped back to her table.
Natsu chuckled nervously and wrapped an arm round Lucy, "Thanks Luce…ya didn't have to."
Lucy shrugged, "What I owed you one. I expect you to help me out if Erza's ever annoyed with me though. That woman is like a demon."
Natsu nodded, "Ya can say that again."
Thankfully Lucy spent the day with Levy in the research room. They organised the books and scrolls, while Natsu napped in the corner of the room. Lucy had to admit he looked peaceful when he was sleeping. He looked so innocent and childlike, cute even. A faint blush tainted her cheeks when she glanced at him. He isn't that bad.
The last and final day of the trial passed without any major mishaps, despite the fact that Lucy and Natsu had to help Gajeel clean out the cannons and measure out gunpowder. The menacing looking pirate had addressed Lucy gruffly, but was kinder than he had been. Lucy suspected Levy's influence; she had seen them at meal times, sitting together with Gajeel's black cat pantherlily. The intimidating pirate turned into a vaguely grouchy yet approachable teddy bear in the presence of gentle blue-haired pirate. Natsu tormented and taunted Gajeel mercilessly, which ultimately ended in them brawling and knocking over several barrels of gunpowder. Lucy tried to break up the fight herself, but had to threaten to get Erza in order to make them stop. Once the Erza card was on the table, Gajeel had sheepishly begun to clean up the mess; while Natsu knelt before her, tugging at Lucy's dark cotton skirt, begging for mercy. Just as Gajeel had finished cleaning up, Erza entered to small room. She frowned at Natsu and Gajeel, her dark eyes flitting suspiciously between them and the barrels.
"Have you two been fighting again?"
"No..no Erza…wha-why would ya say that…ha ha," Natsu chuckled nervously, scratching the back of his head.
"Yeah Erza…Salamander and I are the be-best of…fre-fre-friends." Gajeel looked like he was about to puke, when he uttered the f-word.
Erza scowled and turned to Lucy, who began to sweat nervously.
"Well?"
Natsu stared desperately at Lucy.
"Erm…they weren't fighting…at all ma'am," Lucy squeaked.
"And were you behaving?"
"Oh Erza she's been as good as gold." Natsu smiled winningly as he held Happy in a tight grip, the poor cats eyes bulged under the pressure of Natsu's nervous hands.
Erza pursed her lips and sighed, "very well. Lucy come with me Makarov has decided whether or not you have passed the trial period."
Lucy gulped and followed Erza out of the room.
I know the story isn't picking up very fast, but it will get better. I hope. I will continue to improve the chapters also. But again thanks for reading :)