The crew of Fairy Tail woke up the next morning to see the heavens raining down upon them. It was a very wet day and Erza had decided to really crack down on them.
"If the Captain says we can get there in five days, we WILL get there in five days!"
She was like a madwoman yelling at them through the violent winds. They heaved and pulled at the ropes, trying valiantly to keep the sails open, to push the ship through the storm. She took the wheel, steering the ship through the angry waves, the boat creaking and swerving violently, drenching the crew in icy sea water. Levy had warned all of them that the weather would become more unpredictable as they headed further South, but the violent storm that lasted through the day and into the night had dampened everyone's mood (pardon the pun), but not their spirit. Fortunately Makarov had let the crew go under the deck early, much to Erza's disappointment.
"She's only sad cos now she's got to stop bossing everyone around." Gray had whispered to Lucy and Natsu, only to be swiped across the back of the head, by a very irritable Erza.
Gray had hid behind Natsu, cowering in fear, when Erza went to punish Evergreen who was whining to Elfman and Lisanna that her hair was now ruined. She stopped abruptly as Erza stalked towards her, turning tables in her wake.
Makarov ordered them to take shifts throughout the night, in order to get to Magnolia quicker. The storm was still raging on, so they could not afford to weigh anchor. Reluctantly they all trudged back up on deck; Erza grinning over-zealously, determination etched on her face.
Happy padded sloppily round the small cabin, spreading a trail of wet paw prints on the wooden floor. Natsu supported an exhausted Lucy as they rushed into the cabin, soaked to the bone. Lucy's teeth chattered as Natsu lit a large lantern, filling the cabin with warmth and a cheery glow. Lucy peeled off her coat and boots, as Natsu did the same, before they both grabbed two large towels from a drawer. Lucy shivered as she pulled one around her with a contented sigh and sat close to the lantern, her hair dripping on the floor. She pulled off her long socks, flinging them onto her pile of wet clothes. Natsu joined her on the floor, the towel wrapped around him like a large cloak, his tan skin dripping with sea water. He hummed happily as the warmth of the lantern enveloped him. He watched as Lucy grabbed Happy and began rubbing him dry with the towel. Happy purred contentedly when she let him go; settling him down by the lantern, his blue fur fluffed up and poufy. The rain persevered outside, thunder growling ominously.
"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."
"Sure you do Luce. She may not have told you everything, but that's cos she was protecting you. She loved you tonnes, I know it!"
She grinned warmly; "I know she did Natsu. I can't help but feel that if she had told me I could have helped her." She laughed, "But I guess what could a ten-year-old do? I couldn't have helped her shoulder that burden at that age. I was too weak."
"I'm sure you've never been weak, you're the strongest person I've ever met and I know lots of strong people."
She blushed and looked at the floor, her damp hair hiding her face.
"Besides Luce, what's done is done. Igneel always said I should live for the future, cos you can't change the past."
She nodded, blushing slightly as tears welled up in her brown eyes, she sniffed slightly. He got up and put his arm round her.
"I'm excited Luce! I can't wait to show you round Magnolia. There's hot springs, the waterfall, the big lagoon, the caves and the tree house I'm building with Happy!" He grinned widely.
"And you get to meet Porlyusica." Her brow furrowed in confusion. "She's like Wendy's grandma and she's a healer. But she's so grumpy, I swear she hates people, good thing she lives on an island, by herself." He chuckled, holding her close.
They sat for a moment, heat radiating off each other, the lantern warming their bones. When they were dry, Lucy grabbed a clean night shirt, changed in the washroom and sat on the bed, brushing her hair. Natsu got in next to her, grinning.
"Aren't you gonna get some clean clothes Natsu? You stink of salt." He grinned even wider, before launching himself at her pinning her under him.
"Eurgh! Natsu geroff me!..." Lucy's shouts were muffled against his chest.
"You said I was smelly Luce, well guess what you smell of sea water too, so quite complaining."
He let her go as she spluttered gasping for air. He tickled her hips, pulling her up to him, as he nuzzled his head into her hair.
"You smell all tangy and salty Luce. I wonder if your skin is all salty too." His eyes filled with mischief as he poked out his tongue to lick her.
"No Natsu! Stop! That tickles…"
He tickled her sides and tried to lick her cheek as she flailed her arms. Lucy felt something wet slide across her cheek.
"Ew Natsu that's so creepy!"
He chuckled, pulling her closer; "See I was right you taste just like salt, just like the sea."
She huffed, trying to pry his arm off her; "Cut it out Natsu! I'm exhausted and I want some sleep!"
"But I didn't get to see you all day. We were working," he pleaded.
His puppy-dog expression was met with a disdainful glare.
Natsu loosened his grip slightly, as Lucy rolled on her side, her back facing him, he smiled, watching her narrow shoulder's rise and fall as she settled into sleep.
The next morning the storm had ceased, much to the crew's delight, the sun was now streaming across the sodden deck. This meant they had to scrub the deck all morning to prevent the wood from shrinking; dry it carefully and re-varnish it. They all sat wearily in the food hall cracking their backs and shoulders, stretching out their legs. Erza stalked around, ears perked up for even a whisper of complaint; to which the rest of the crew kept nervously silent until she had left to report to Makarov. Everyone in the food hall breathed a collective sigh of relief before beginning to talk.
"I've never scrubbed the deck for soo long." Romeo wined as he and Wendy stretched their shoulders.
"I thought I'd be stuck in a crawling position forever." Gray agreed as Juvia happily massaged his back.
"I wish." Natsu gave a derisive snort. "Then you'd be like a weak little baby!"
Gray was about to leap at him across the table when Juvia hit a particularly tense knot on his back. He hissed wincing and slumped back in his chair. Juvia glared at Natsu her teeth sharpening slightly.
"Juvia wouldn't mind. Juvia would care for her precious baby Gray." She giggled hugging him tightly.
"A darling baby Gray would be cuter than a loud baby Natsu, right Lucy?"
Natsu pouted into his tankard, Lucy chuckled as she took a drink and coughed "Burn!"
Since it was clear that night Lucy and Natsu headed to the crow's nest to check that the ship was still on the right course. The air was muggy and humid. A new storm was brewing as swirling dark clouds began to invade the inky black sky, obscuring the twinkling stars. Lucy cursed as she raced to check the charts and maps. Natsu helped her, since she had taught him some of the basics. Sighing in defeat as Orion's arrow was snuffed out by the trailing clouds, they descended the mast, exhausted, but in good spirits. Erza was waiting for them below deck.
"Lucy. Are we still on track?" Erza asked in a slightly aggressive manner.
"I think so, but the clouds rolled in again so I can't see the stars any more. Sorry" Lucy added nervously twiddling her fingers.
Erza nodded curtly, taking away the charts and maps for Makarov's consultation. Lucy and Natsu headed back to their cabin yawning loudly as snores filled the boat.
It did indeed rain and thunder throughout the next three days; the rain would stop abruptly for around five hours and begin again in full earnest, much to everyone's dismay. Lucy was happy though, the boat was on track and she felt so at home with everyone on board. It turned out that Erza was terrible at keeping a secret when bribed with strawberry cake and so naturally the rest of the crew knew that Layla was Lucy's mother. Some of the older crew members remembered her mother and she gained a new level of respect and trust, now that they knew she had pirate blood. Natsu hadn't told anyone what Lucy had told him. It was their secret and he liked it that way.
Early in the morning on the fifth day "Land ho!" was proclaimed loudly from the crow's nest by Romeo. Mira set about waking up the rest of the crew. Tapping lightly on the cabin door, she entered to see Lucy entangled in Natsu's arms, both sleeping soundly. Mira giggled at her too sleeping crew mates, blushing mischievously. They look so cute! Giggling she approached the bed and gently pushed Lucy's shoulder. Lucy blearily opened her brown eyes humming sleepily.
"Yes Mira." She yawned and tried to wrestle her arm out of Natsu's grip; he pulled her in tighter and mumbled incoherently into her hair, nuzzling her head.
"Lucy, we're near Magnolia now." Mira smiled chuckling. "By all means you two can stay in bed until we get there…"
Lucy blushed furiously; "I-it's not what it looks like…we're getting up…now."
With great effort she pulled herself out of the bed, flopping on to the rug. Natsu grumbled slumping forward and grabbing onto her ankle. Mira chuckled heartily again.
"Sure Lucy! Have fun…" with that she skipped out of the cabin a big grin adorning her alabaster face.
Lucy groaned, turning to pry Natsu's fingers of her ankle.
"Come on Natsu. Get off! We've got to get up now." She pinched at his big tanned hand, but it wouldn't budge.
There was a faint chuckle, then the snoring turned into a loud rumble. Lucy huffed, hands on her hips.
"You're not fooling me Natsu. Just get up before I kick you out of bed!"
He buried his face further into the red blankets, a low giggle muffled in the soft folds; his tufts of pink hair glowed in the early morning sun. Lucy sighed again, deciding on a new tactic.
"Fine! I guess you won't get any bacon that Mira is cooking for breakfast."
At the mention of food Natsu shot up out of bed and into the washroom, Lucy grinning smugly.
The sun had risen higher in the sky making Lucy more aware of how hot it was as they neared the island. She had changed into an embroidered navy skirt that came to her knees, held up with a maroon belt and a white vest. Her hair was tied in a loose bun, but her feet were hot in her socks and long leather boots. Ahgg! Who cares if I get splinters! She pulled off her boots and shoved them onto the floor along with her long cream socks. She breathed a sigh of relief relishing in the breeze wrapping round her shins.
"Come on Luce! I want bacon!" Natsu yelled as he skipped out of the cabin.
Rashers of bacon were sizzling cheerfully in a pan on the stove as Mira hummed, flipping them over so the raw meat turned a delicious pink shade. Sure enough the food hall was getting noisier behind the kitchen door as the smell of bacon wafted through the ship, beckoning the crew. Mira was chatting with Lisanna as she fried slices of bread. Wendy was weighing out salt and herbs for a light broth to give to Porlyusica. They were discussing Mira's favourite topic; matchmaking.
"Ooo! what about Levy and Jet. Or Droy!" Wendy asked.
"No no," Mira chuckled, "It's so obvious that Gajeel has a thing for her. He makes excuses to go to the research room all the time."
"You know Elfman and Evergreen have been sneaking round the ship lately," Lisanna added with a smirk.
Mira paused for a moment and imagined small children with white hair running round shouting "I'm a real Man!" She shivered slightly. Then her face lit up.
"You know…Natsu and Lucy were pretty cosy this morning." Her eyes glinted cheekily.
"Really?" Lisanna asked, smiling widely mirroring her sister's mischievous tone.
"Mmhm…they were asleep and Natsu was holding Lucy real tight." Mira chuckled and Wendy blushed.
"Oh…don't worry Wendy they weren't naked."
Wendy looked determined into the soup she was stirring her cheeks ablaze.
"There is definitely some attraction there though," Mira mused innocently tapping her chin, "maybe they just need a little push to realise it…"
"Oh Mira they would be so cute," Lisanna agreed, "Then Asuka would have some friends to play with…"
"I don't think so!"
"Laxus!" Mira clapped a hand to her mouth, Lisanna and Wendy hastily returned to their work.
"Thank you for this information Mira." Laxus growled, Mira sweat dropped and laughed nervously.
"Perhaps I should go have a talk with that pink haired doofus, and tell him that if he tries that with Lucy I'll throw him overboard."
Mira shook her head; "Come on Laxus, I'm pretty sure they haven't done that and their not kids anymore."
"Mira she's 17 and he's 19." Laxus crossed his arms a tick pulsing in his forehead
"Oh! But it's not like you never had sweethearts in Edolas and Hargeon at that age." He blushed clearly uncomfortable.
"Besides they haven't even showed any signs of being together yet." She reasoned smiling innocently.
Sighing heavily he ran his hand through his spiky blonde locks. "Fine! But if I even hear a whisper of anything happening that idiot is dead," he turned dumping the barrels of grog onto the kitchen floor.
The three girls nervously watched his retreating back, before breaking out into raucous giggles.
"I do love the smell of drama in the morning," Mira sighed happily placing the bacon on a platter.
"But I'm totally gonna exercise my matchmaking skills on those two." She grinned cheekily.
"Just so you know, Lucy's bathing suit is a little bit revealing…and she's got some nice new underwear from Edolas too…"
Wendy squeaked and exited the kitchen in a dash of indigo hair.
"Shake a leg brats!" Makarov yelled as he paced the deck.
"Bring her about Erza and head for the usual cove!"
The Fairy Tail ship was docking in a small cove sheltered by willow trees so that the ship was partially hidden. The sun blazed down above them. For around the fifth time Cana had had to remind Gray to put some clothes on as he slumped against the mast in all his naked glory, much to Juvia's delight.
Laden down with various barrels and duffle bags the crew headed down the gang plank onto the shadowed beach. They followed Makarov until they reached an old wooden door in the cliff with the Fairy Tail symbol upon it. Makarov unlocked the door with a small key and they all headed inside the tunnel; supported by thick iron beams. The tunnel was extremely dark; Lucy could only make out the smoothed rock walls and the glint of Natsu's smile in the darkness along with the burn of the torches illuminating all of their faces in a ghoulish fashion. They walked for about ten minutes before they all poured out of the tunnel into a large clearing in the jungle.
Chapter 16- Magnolia Island
"Porlyusica. This is Layla's daughter Lucy." Makarov smiled up at the woman's wrinkled frown as she peered intensely at Lucy.
"Well you look exactly like her. No doubt about it." She continued to look Lucy up and down, but gave her a small smile.
"I actually liked your mother, so don't give me a reason to hate you like I hate the rest of these idiots." Lucy laughed nervously as Makarov sweat dropped and hung his head.
"You lot all need a good wash too! I hate the smell of pirates!" Porlyusica stomped away with Wendy towards the water's edge.
Read This!: I've got a bit or writers block for chapter 18 so I won't be posting anything else for a little while; probably not until the end of next week. So I leave you with a little heavier Nalu fluff, so keep guessing, it's fun to read your ideas...
Sorry Tsukki086 K x