Chapter VIII

By the time the four of them managed to defeat the demons and subdue Zeref, they were out of breath. Taking advantage of the foes' occupation, the group fled west.

"I hate running from a fight," Natsu muttered, sitting down when they finally came to a stop near the edge of a cliff.

The sun was just past halfway in the sky, and it beamed down on the four. They found a distinct dip in a hill close by, and they tucked themselves into it.

"We don't like it either," Laxus replied. "But we're running out of time."

"Anna's just hanging on…" Wendy added, her face clouding into worry.

"Who's this Anna you guys are so concerned about?" Lucy asked, feeling a bit awkward when all three sets of their eyes were on her.

"She's… our teacher." Natsu's reply came out hesitant, as if he was unsure of what she was to him. He looked back at Laxus and Wendy for affirmation.

"She's in danger, and only you can save her!" Wendy stood up, balling her hands and raising them both slightly. There was sharp determination in both of her brown eyes — eyes that almost matched Lucy's.

The blonde girl suddenly felt the wave of emotion resonating from the three; she could feel the imperative nature of this mission. She blinked. "But what can I do?"

"Your soul is almost exactly like Anna's. Your power inside is the same, too," Laxus answered, his serious expression not betraying his thoughts.

"And you smell just like her!" Natsu chimed in, his signature grin playing happily on his face. He leaned over to sniff her.

"Perv!" Lucy cried indignantly, whipping around to face away from him, a scowl on her face.

"He's… not exactly wrong," the blue-haired girl said quietly, offering a small smile. "You do smell a lot like Anna."

Lucy was about to say something, but Laxus cut in. "I think we should keep going. We're wasting daylight."

"Right. Ready, Lucy?" Natsu turned to her, a small smile remaining. His black eyes shone with an emotion the blonde couldn't place. Was it affection? They had just met! And yet, if it was affection…

I wouldn't exactly say I don't feel it too… Something was different about him for sure; it made him stand out among the others. No, I can't go around having a crush on him! He did save my life a few times… But wasn't that just because Lucy had the power to save someone dear to him? She forced herself out of her thoughts, focusing on the pink-haired man again.

He got up, reaching out his hand towards her, his smile contagious. She couldn't help but smile back, taking his warm hand and letting him lead her out of the dip in the hill. Thankfully, he didn't seem to notice the blush on her cheeks when he squeezed her hand gently, so Lucy was spared the embarrassment.

"You have a good heart," Natsu told her quietly. "I know it. That's why you'll help us, right?"

Lucy looked at him, then at the other two, then back at him. She parted her lips to answer.