I got too excited and posted chapter 8 ahead of schedule :) Expect to see Chapter 9 at some point I obviously need to have some self-restraint. K x
The prow of the ship cut seamlessly through the deep blue waves. Lucy sat at the base of the bowsprit. She sighed; she'd done better than expected, she didn't think she'd win that fight. She closed her eyes as the midday sunshine soaked into her skin; sighing she breathed in the tangy sea air. She was broken from her reverie by a small squeak. She looked down to see Wendy sprawled on the deck. The girl got up, blushing with embarrassment.
Wendy scuffed her boots along the deck. "Mira wondered if you could help her in the kitchen, it's nearly lunch."
"Sure, I was gonna head back below deck anyway." Lucy smiled and followed the younger girl.
Steam wafted through the room, as various pots and pans bubbled away; the merry stove, crackling, making the small room warm. Mira was stirring a large pot with some fish stew and noodles in it. Her silver locks were held back by a blue bandana that matched her eyes. She turned and smiled at the two girls who were waiting across the counter.
"Hey Lucy, do you think you and Wendy could help me prep the rest of the vegetables. Erza dragged Lisanna off to help her organise the clothes room."
Lucy chuckled, remembering the bombsite that was the clothes room. "Well then I wish Lisanna good luck."
Mirajane smiled, before placing a huge basket on the counter before Lucy and Wendy. Wendy grimaced as she saw the small weevils in the cabbages. Grimacing Lucy pulled a bandanna over her hair, rolled up her sleeves and dug into the basket. There was a time when she would have shrieked at the unsightly wilted and infested cabbages, but on a ship food was food, you couldn't afford to waste it. While Wendy washed the cabbages in a pail of water, Lucy cut and peeled the vegetables with a large knife, before handing them to Mira, who tossed them into the pot. Lucy relaxed into the work, chatting away, with the two other girls, humming sea shanties.
Meanwhile, Makarov was glaring at his grandson.
"Why did you fight her Laxus? What were you thinking?"
Laxus sighed, sinking into the worn chair opposite Makarov. He rubbed his hands together, brushing the red welt, which had been gradually turning into a bruise.
"Don't worry I held back. I didn't hurt her." He looked down at the floor.
"I was curious. I'm sorry. I just needed to see if she was like her. If she fought the same way."
He paused, watching Makarov, who had his eyes closed in deep thought. Laxus continued.
"I couldn't believe it when that doofus brought her on the ship. She looks so much like her…almost as though she's come back to us."
"I know." Makarov said softly, sorrow registering in his face.
The stew was almost ready.
"Hey Mira, that actually smells okay," Wendy chuckled, before a heavy ladle was lobbed at her head. She squeaked, ducking as the ladle clanged against the wall.
"No Wendy, It will be delicious!" Yelled Mira, a crazed look in her eyes.
"If I hear any complaints or even an insinuation that this doesn't taste good, I won't hesitate to leave those pesky Weevils in the food." Mira smiled triumphantly.
"Of course Mira, what would we do without you?" Wendy exclaimed a huge smile forced nervously on her face.
Mira turned back to stirring the pot, humming jubilantly as she added some more salt and herbs. Lisanna's head popped through the crack in the door.
"Hey sis!" She smiled and waved at Wendy and Lucy.
"Oh Lisanna, thank goodness. You couldn't ring the lunch bell could you?"
Lisanna nodded before, her head disappeared. Around a minute later a loud ringing sound throughout the ship, accompanied by the sound of boots thundering above and below them.
"Right! Time to feed the troops!"
Mira whisked the pot off the stove and motioned for Wendy and Lucy to follow. Lucy grabbed the tray of de-weeviled crackers and the pile of wooden bowls, as Wendy lugged the jugs of grog and rum onto the serving counter.
"Thanks for the help you two, why don't you go have lunch, me and Lisanna can serve, now." Mira smiled sweetly, pushing two bowls forcefully into their arms.
As they sat down at an empty table, Wendy massaged her chest, before tentatively tucking into the stew.
"Hey Wendy."
"Oh hey Romeo, this is Lucy, you can sit."
The boy stared nervously at Lucy, before shuffling nearer to Wendy.
Lucy smiled and laughed. "Seriously, I don't bite."
"You could have fooled me," Romeo squeaked.
"I saw you in the training room...you're just as scary as Erza!"
"What did you say Romeo?" Erza stood behind them, a bowl and a spoon raised threateningly.
"Nothing, nothing at all, Erza! I promise." Romeo pleaded as he shrank away.
Erza smiled, satisfied and plopped herself on the bench next to Lucy. Lucy tried to shuffle away, only to be trapped by another body on the bench. She looked up to see Gray smiling at her.
"Who said you got to sit next to Lucy!?" Natsu stomped towards the table, pushed Gray off the bench, then smiling smugly, sandwiched Lucy against Erza.
Gray glared at Natsu, before he was joined by Juvia. They continued eating as Lucy became more uncomfortable.
"Why are you two so huggy? And Natsu can't you respect my personal space!"
"Sorry Luce I just thought, you'd be sad after you lost that fight," He grinned at her, food in his teeth.
Lucy scoffed; "I'm fine honestly, I didn't think I would last five seconds."
"Well I for one thought your effort was admirable." Erza intoned pulling Lucy into a bone crushing hug. "You have the SPIRIT!"
Lucy spluttered for air, massaging her ribs.
"Seriously, it's alright, you can't win fights all the time."
"You are truly a great asset to the crew Lucy." Erza smiled at her.
Lucy felt her pride swell a bit.
"We need your help on deck though Lucy," said Gray, with his mouth full. "You can help me with the sails."
Lucy nodded happily. They may be pirates, but they're the nicest people I've met. She hadn't been familiar with kindness since her mother was alive, it made her feel safe and warm, like she'd found a place where she belonged. (Yuck can't believe I just wrote that, kinda makes me wanna hurl)
Out on deck Lucy scaled the rigging with Gray. The ropes on the sails had got tangled in the wind. Natsu and Romeo were loosening the pulleys. Wendy was balanced on the main boom, pulling down the cream, canvas and tying the rolled main sail securely. Below them Erza was barking orders to the rest of the crew.
"Jet! Get that anchor down in the water quickly, the winds picking up."
Erza had steered the skip into a small cove near a tiny island. The ship was swaying slightly in the water, the rudder battling the light current. The anchor landed in the water with an almighty splash and the ship stopped swaying slightly.
Mira raced off onto the sand clutching three baskets and a net, She was followed by three cats, eager to get some extra tid bits. Lucy stretched her legs, kicked off her boots and waded into the shallows, revelling in the feeling of cool water against her toes. Erza joined her, she sighed wading through the crystal waves. Gray and Natsu were brawling on the sand, and crashed into the water, wrestling and screaming lame insults at each other. What are they Kids? Lucy thought, smirking as she stared at the horizon.
The sky had grown darker, when Mira returned with three baskets full of fish. She lifted them up triumphantly for the crew to see. Romeo and his father Macao were stripping saplings of bark and tying them together, while Mira speared the fish on the spit and Natsu built up a large fire on the sand. While the fish cooked, Lucy watched as the sky turned from a dusky violet into a midnight blue. There were no clouds in the sky, perfect for mapping. Orion's belt was just winking through the navy haze, when Mira yelled for everyone to grab dinner. Lucy sat on the sand with Levy and Wendy, she picked up a coconut and hacked into the top of it and handed it to Wendy.
"Look Lucy, it's like I've got rabies." Wendy widened her eyes, making herself look deranged, the coconut milk, dribbling down her chin.
Lucy chuckled; "Don't joke like that Wendy."
"But Lucy you've got some round your mouth too!" countered Wendy.
Lucy wiped the sticky residue off her mouth and grinned.
It was well and truly night time, when they boarded the ship again, yawning and rubbing their eyes, but Lucy was wide awake. She raced to Natsu's cabin and grabbed the small brass telescope, her star charts, a map and her quill. Once she was back on the main deck she climbed the rigging to the fore mast. She was settling herself in the small wooden space, when a light thud next to her, made her jump.
"Hello Natsu, what do you want."
"Ha Luce I made you jump…ya scared." He grinned mischievously.
"Oh yes I'm so very scared." She replied, voice dripping with sarcasm. "I don't need your help Natsu, so go to bed."
"But, Luce you might try and runaway." He plopped himself next to her arms crossed.
"I'm not gonna do that Natsu. I'm off the trial period now."
"Oh, really so you like being a part of the crew?"
She huffed making him chuckle; "Well it's not like I can go anywhere, if I get caught I'll just get hanged cos of this stupid tatt." She waved her right hand in his face.
Giggling again he said; "Aw, ya can't lie to me Luce, I know you like it here."
She frowned at him, biting back a retort. He is soo infuriating.
Back in the small washroom, Lucy examined her right-hand. The swelling had gone down, but the cheery pink colour had not faded, and almost appeared to glow in the dim light. She got into bed smiling as once again warm arms wrapped around her protectively. I am happy here.