Back on Edolas the Sabertooth pirates were recovering from getting their asses handed to them. Three figures trudged wanly through the streets, stretching out their aching muscles.

"We're going to have to repair the ship now!" Rogue whined.

Sting shrugged; "It's not so bad, plus Edolas is fun and the food's decent."

Rogue rolled his eyes; "The only reason your happy to stay is because of a certain little lady with white hair."

"It's not that!" Countered Sting a blush on his cheeks.

The pace of the heeled boots clicking against the cobbles quickened. Sting and Rogue both groaned quietly, giving each other a knowing look.

"Shut-up you imbeciles! Thanks to you we are going to be behind Fairy Tail. We need to get to Tenrou Island quickly!" Yelled Minerva.

"Yeah we know!" Sting said rolling his eyes in irritation.

Rogue crossed his arms, the green cat sat up on his shoulder purring, "We heard those idiots from Blue Pegasus talking about Tenrou too, we'll follow them. Fairy Tail's Captain asked them to meet them there."

Minerva snarled her jaw tense. "I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation I-"

"And the crew thinks you need to lighten up." Rogue pointed at her.

Sting gave her a smug smile. "They're feeling pretty betrayed that you didn't tell them about your little vengeance plan. You just said we were going to get some money."

"That's right, and some of the crew were even whispering about a little black spot." Rogue smirked. (Burn Minerva. Tehe.)

Minerva's face was etched with pure fury and indignation; "You can't threaten me!"

"Who said we did?" Sting raised his hands in mock defence and laughed as she shrieked, angrily stomping her foot.

Natsu and Lucy were greeted by cheers as they entered the food hall. Wendy ran up to Lucy and gave her a big hug.

"Are you alright Lucy? We were so worried."

"I'm fine thanks to your excellent knife throwing Wendy," Lucy smiled, making Wendy blush with pride; Carla meowed in agreement, rubbing her white head against Wendy's leg.

"Juvia is so happy Lucy is ok." said Juvia hysterically, hugging her and blubbering.

"Thanks Juvia, for bringing us back to the ship." Natsu smiled at her gently; "you can stop crying now Juvia."

Gray put his arm around Juvia and kissed her on the cheek. "You did great you know," he said to her softly, she beamed adoringly up at him, love shining brightly in her ocean blue eyes.

They sat down at a table, as Mira brought over some food.

"So, how did you become part of the crew Juvia." Lucy asked as she stuffed a slice of fresh bread into her mouth.

Gray scratched the back of his head, and laughed, "We were around some islands off of Iceberg, about two years ago, looking for some Hakobe ice to sell."

"It was freezing; we were all bundled up on the deck, when flame-brain here," he gestured at Natsu, "thought it'd be a good idea to light a fire."

Natsu chuckled; "After I lit the fire, I remembered Levy saying that mermaids were attracted to light and the fire tells them that humans are nearby."

He giggled again; "but it was too late and this huge school of Iceberg mermaids attacked the ship."

Natsu continued sniggering; "Stripper here was yelling at me for lighting a fire, when Juvia grabbed him and pulled him off the deck, onto an iceberg. I was laughing my head off, cos she was going to drown him and eat him. It was great!" Natsu sniggered until he rolled of the bench, giggling like an idiot on the floor.

Gray scowled at him and continued, "Mermaids are the descendants of a woman cursed, by some Goddess, or something."

"Yes, Juvia and her sisters actually ate and attacked sailors and pirates, until Juvia met the Fairy Tail crew." Juvia said cheerfully, wrapping her arms round Gray's waist, squeezing him tight.

Lucy choked on her mouthful of juice.

"When Juvia saw her darling Gray, Juvia couldn't attack him, he was too handsome." Juvia said enraptured.

"Juvia had fallen in love with her darling Gray at first sight."

"I thought she was pretty stunning too," Gray added coolly, swilling his tankard round.

"Plus, mermaids have these hypnotic powers, which makes any man want to kiss them, or chase after them so-" Gray was interrupted by Natsu.

"They started making out on this lump of ice, it was gross," Natsu scoffed.

"Unfortunately Juvia swam back with Gray, the rest of her mermaid friends retreated and she joined the crew." Natsu smiled sitting back down on the bench.

A vein pulsed in Gray's forehead, "Oh yeah well at least I've got a girlfriend, I bet Lucy wouldn't even go out with you!"

Natsu stood up raising his fist; "Do you wanna go princess, I'm gonna pummel your pretty little face, then Juvia will eat you!"

"You're on flame-brain!"

And the two pirates became a ball of fists and legs. Juvia and Lucy chatted happily as chairs and curses flew through the air. Mira and Lisanna joined them, handing Lucy a bag of new clothes, which included some risqué underwear, several pretty sundresses, some hair ornaments and a bathing suit.

Lucy stared at the clothing nervously, "Oh Mira…you didn't have to…"

"You'll need it when we get to Magnolia." Mira winked and sauntered away, back to the counter to help Cana, back onto her stool, she'd almost drank all the rum again.

Lucy packed up the bag and was approached by a little girl, with a short black plait and earnest purple eyes.

"Hi Asuka."

"Will you and Natsu play with me today, Mummy and Daddy are organising the ammunition and that's boring." The young girl pouted.

"Sure Asuka, what do you wanna do?"

He little face lit up, her purple eyes shining with excitement; "I want a shoot off Lucy, one against you and one against Natsu and I'm gonna win, then you two have to do what I tell you for the rest of the day!" She fist pumped the air in excitement.

Lucy sweat-dropped slightly. Kids can be scary!

"Oi Natsu!"

"What!" He looked up; he was wrestling with Gray on the floor.

Lucy rolled her eyes; "Once you two love-birds are done, we're gonna look after Asuka for the day."

A vein popped on his forehead; "Eurghh! I would never be lovey-dovey with Ice-princess!"

He gave Gray one final kick and raced over to Lucy and Asuka. He placed Asuka on his shoulders and they skipped off towards the training hall. Lucy smiled and went to dump the bag of clothes in the cabin. She reached the door, seeing that Natsu had added her name under his so it read; Natsu, Lucy and Happy. She smiled and touched the rough etching lightly, before chucking the bag in the room, grabbing an extra pistol and running down to the training hall.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

God this kid is a good shot. Lucy stared incredulously at the three bullets, embedded right in the middle of the target. Asuka blew the top of her small pistol, smugly.

"Your turn Natsu."

Lucy knew the drill. One of them would lose spectacularly, or they would both let her win, which wasn't hard, since her parents where both excellent sharpshooters. Natsu got most of his bullets in the middle of the target. His gun was Igneel's; it fired small flaming muskets that shot through the air with tiny roars. Asuka giggled, sensing victory, as the thick cork target smoked slightly.

"Go! Go! Lucy."

Lucy took aim and fired; her bullets landing just off centre, but it was still good shooting.

"I win! I win! Now you have to do what I say!" Asuka clapped her hands happily, dancing round.

Natsu grimaced, while Lucy gave a forced, nervous laugh.

"Natsu! Lucy! Let's go climb the crow's nest!"

Natsu swung Asuka up into the air and onto his shoulders. She squealed in delight, tugging his spiky pink hair, making his eyes water slightly.

"Race you to the crow's nest." Lucy yelled, as she shot past them, out of the practice room.

"Hey!" Natsu pouted as he ran after her Asuka bouncing on his shoulders, yelling "Faster! Faster."

Lucy nimbly climbed the rigging, but Natsu was catching up fast, even with Asuka clinging tightly to his back. Lucy felt a slight jab on her back. She turned round to see Asuka aiming her toy gun at her head. A small cork bullet brushed Lucy's face. She turned and climbed faster, building up a sweat. She reached the crow's nest and was about to climb inside, when Natsu grabbed hold of her ankle.

"Let go Natsu!" Lucy yelled.

Her fingers slipped on the edge of the crow's nest, she fell backwards, Natsu still holding her ankle as she screamed in indignation. Natsu popped Asuka into the safety of the wooden platform and pulled Lucy up by her leg, before gripping hold of her waist tightly.

"What were you thinking you idiot! I could have fallen on the deck!"

Natsu chuckled at her angry pout; "I won't let that happen Luce, but me and Asuka won fair and square, right squirt?"

Asuka giggled happily peeking through the wooden bars of the crow's nest, her eyes sparkling mischievously.

"Alright. You two win."

Lucy tried to hoist herself up, but Natsu wouldn't let go.

"Cut it out Natsu!" He smirked at her, and she frowned back.

"Fine." Lucy smiled smugly. "Have it your way."

Natsu grinned broadly, holding her close to his chest. Lucy took her whip from her belt and struck it at the fore mast, swinging away from the rigging and landing on the fore boom. She waved at him triumphantly as the sail billowed behind her. Natsu scowled heavily, as he almost lost his footing on the rigging.

"That looked fun Lucy! I want a go!" Asuka yelled, he stubby arms waving over the top of the crow's nest.

"I'm not sure." Lucy tapped her chin, "It's a bit dangerous."

Asuka pouted, her bottom lip trembling; "You promised you would do what I said."

Lucy sighed, detached the whip from the fore mast and aimed it at the crow's nest. Swinging forward, she used a knife to get a better grip on the main mast. She hauled herself into the crow's nest. Asuka grabbed hold of her shoulders and wrapped her legs around Lucy's waist.

"Hold on tight Asuka!" Lucy gave Natsu a mock salute.

Asuka shrieked with excitement as they flew through the air, before landing, slightly unsteadily on the fore boom.

"Whoa!" Lucy flailed her arms slightly before gripping tight to the mast.

"Ha! I can do that!" Natsu grabbed hold of a loose rope, slack from the rigging and swung forward.

His boots scrapped the fore boom, but he slipped swinging backwards and forwards between the main and fore masts. His face turned a nasty shade of green.

"Ah! Luce why did you make me do this? I'm gonna be sick!"

"I didn't make you do it you idiot!"

Lucy slapped a hand to her forehead in exasperation.

"Just let go of the rope Natsu and jump onto the boom."

"Ooof!" He landed across the boom, and pulled himself up queasily.

He stood up triumphantly and yelled, "What's next!"

Natsu laid over the table at dinner; "I'm soo exhausted!"

Asuka sat on Lucy's lap fast asleep, snuggled against her chest. Lucy smiled down at the little girl, stroking her hair. They had played all day; it was a lot of fun. Asuka made them throw small rocks from the crow's nest at Elfman who had to dance around to dodge the incoming ammunition. They built a zip-wire across the three masts, with Romeo and Wendy. Natsu crashed into Gray and got into another brawl on the deck, until Erza stormed over to them and beat everyone senseless. Next they had joined Levy in the small library below deck and Asuka had made Natsu and Lucy re-enact famous pirate battles. After that she had insisted that they do barrel surfing on the bottom deck. Erza was incredibly eager to demonstrate; a mad smile on her face as she rolled quickly from one end of the hull to the other.

A lovely smell wafted from the kitchen. Mira had made some cakes with the fresh ingredients they had picked up in Edolas. Erza had already bent a pile of forks in anticipation, while she waited impatiently at the counter. Mira smiled sweetly as she placed a generous slice of strawberry cake in front of Erza.

"Thank you Mira," she said enraptured. "The cake looks truly glorious."

Lucy watched as the slice was inhaled in seconds, pure bliss on Erza's face as she puffed out her cheeks and squealed with happiness.

"Lucy, get me some cake." Asuka said, tugging at her bandana.

"Come on, then."

They headed to the counter as Mira placed two slices in front of them. Asuka ate the cake with her hands, the creamy topping dribbling down her chin and fingers. Mira handed a very catatonic Erza another large slice of cake. She was about to take a bite, trembling with elation when Natsu crashed into her. The slice fell with a splat on the wood floor. Erza went very white, before turning a deep shade of red, a dark aura emanating from her. Lucy grabbed Asuka and ran as far away from angry Erza as possible. They ducked quickly under a table, just as hell broke out in the food hall.

"IMBECILES! YOU'RE ALL SCREWED!" Erza bellowed.

"YOU RUINED THE ONLY PEACE I GET ALL DAY AND YOU HAVE ALLOWED MY PRECIOUS STRAWBERRY CAKE TO BE DEFILED! YOU WILL PAY!"

Natsu tried to bolt away, but she grabbed hold of him a murderous glint in her eyes.

"Where do you think you're going Natsu?" she hissed, fists clenched, nostrils flared.

He was shaking like a leaf. Lucy and Asuka chuckled as they watched Erza throw Natsu across the room. He toppled into Gray who joined in the fight, yelling at Natsu. Elfman started bellowing that fighting was "MANLY" and started another brawl on the other side of the food hall with Jet and Droy. Soon the food hall was a mess of upturned tables and broken stools. Cana carried on drinking barrels of rum, whilst shouting tipsily from the bar and throwing knives into the brawling mess of rowdy pirates. Erza was beating up whomever; she could get her hands on, to get vengeance for the demise of her strawberry cake. The fighting made the boat rock from side to side slightly, causing a lurch in Lucy's stomach.

"Would you brats cut it out! We want to get the boat to Tenrou and back in one piece and you're not going about it the right way!"

Makarov stormed through the brawling crowd despite his size. He separated Natsu and Gray punching each of them in the face. Then he turned, beaming at his crew.

"I suggest you all get a good night's sleep, we should reach Magnolia Island in five days, if we crank up the pace. Night kids!"

Lucy handed a sleeping Asuka to Bisca, who mouthed a "thank you" before leaving for the family's cabin. Natsu hobbled up to Lucy pitifully, a bruise developing on his jaw. She gave him a look that said; "Serves you right!" but then she smiled, making his black eyes sparkle a roguish grin adorning his face.

That night they quickly fell asleep. Natsu, holding onto Lucy's waist tightly, his face nuzzled in her hair. The gentle rise and fall of her breathing calming him, as Happy lay curled up next to them purring.

Chapter 15- Land ho!

"Urghh! When will this storm stop? It's pissing me off." Natsu grumbled, wiping his face viciously with the towel.

"I know, we'll just have to get to Magnolia quickly."

"Luce. Do you know what treasure your mum may have left for you?" He looked at her hesitantly.

She raised an eyebrow and scoffed, "I think you know my guess Natsu, considering you were waiting outside the door, or should I say attached to it."

Natsu grimaced, that face plant was still a painful memory. "But wouldn't a sword like that be cool?"

"Yeah I guess, it's a part of my mum and it's and heirloom," Lucy sighed, "but I wish I'd known sooner, I feel like I don't know anything about her anymore."