It's Monday!

I said that Natsu can't fight Gray...but did you really think Natsu was going to just let it go?

guest: lol! Lyon could probably be a little more proactive. But he's also a guy and unless they're purposely trying to mess with one another, my guy friends never cut each other off, doesn't matter who's in over their head. (That's why I think very carefully before I ask one of them for help. If I pick wrong, the others won't step in.) Not to say all guys are like that, this might just be my buddies' weird version of the Bro Code... XD Showdown in the sea? (I love that description, by the way!) We'll kick that off starting with next week's chappie, so stay tuned! Thanks!

- K. Chandler


The sky was the clearest he'd seen it on shore. Stars twinkled like wishes in the infinite blackness.

Natsu had been feeling restless, despite the hour. A jog sounded like a good way to burn off his pent-up energy, and tonight seemed like a great night for a run. After a few laps through the silent streets, Natsu found his legs driving him toward Akane Bay.

The sand gave gently under his shoes, the rhythmic crunching of his stride mingling with the roll of the tide. As much as they all gave Gray a hard time for his nautical obsession, all sailors had an affinity for the sea. And Natsu was no exception. Breathing deeply, he took in the intoxicating scent of salt and sand.

As Natsu continued, the castle stood majestically in the distance. The lights in the library were on. It looked like a late night for the Royal Scholar.

Unless, of course, Gray and Lucy were using the library to finalize wedding plans. It seemed a bit late to be rearranging things, but he and Cana did just get the ceremony moved aboard the Fairy Tail II. Natsu could see why some details might need to be reconsidered.

But soon, Natsu realized that Lucy couldn't be inside with Gray. That would be impossible, because she was out here on the beach. She was sitting in the sand, her knees drawn up to her chest.

"Loopy!" shouted Natsu, waving wildly at her.

He expected her to jump up, an exasperated grin pulling at her lips as she tried not to laugh. She might even whack him for his cheek.

But when Lucy looked up, she didn't even smile.

"Oh, Natsu. It's you," she sniffled, rubbing at her face with the back of her hand.

"You're crying… What's the matter?" he asked. A flare of protectiveness shot through his chest. Natsu didn't care of Gray was his commanding officer or not. If Gray had done something stupid, Natsu would pound his face in.

"I'm marrying Gray tomorrow…" said Lucy, frowning. "This is real. This is really happening."

"So these are happy tears?" asked Natsu, sitting down beside her. "'Cause they don't look very happy to me."

"This is all wrong," she whispered. "I don't want to marry Gray."

"Then don't," declared Natsu vehemently. If Lucy never looked at Gray again, Natsu would be perfectly okay with that.

As much as he wanted his friend to be happy, Natsu couldn't help but feel a little resentful about the whole thing. The idea made him feel a little selfish. Lucy made him feel a little selfish.

"Natsu…?" Lucy blinked up at him curiously.

"I mean, if you need some more time to make sure this is what you want, I'm sure he'd understand," said Natsu quickly. "Gray's a pretty decent guy."

"Yeah. He is. He is a decent guy," said Lucy with a watery half-smile, but she didn't sound pleased by it.

"What do you mean?" asked Natsu. "I thought decent was a good thing."

"The thing is, I…" Lucy sighed, shaking her head. "I don't think Gray wants to get married any more than I do. I think the only reason we're engaged is… is because my father's obsessed with the idea of marrying me off to some wealthy noble."

"Um, just so you know, Gray's not actually wealthy," said Natsu. "I think he might be broke."

"I know. But he's got the noble part down," said Lucy. "My father says that Gray's connection to Prince Lyon will help improve the Heartfilia family's standing," hissed Lucy. "It isn't just disgusting. It's wrong! And Gray's too nice to tell him no."

Natsu just frowned. The words 'too nice' didn't seem to fit Gray. Sure, he knew when to be formal and polite, but normally, he was stubborn and didn't back down when something was worth fighting for.

"I guess it's kind of my fault we're in this mess, huh?" said Lucy.

"It's not your fault. It was your dad's idea, right?"

"Yeah, but I've been going along with it. That makes me as guilty as he is," she said, shaking her head.

"Why did you do it, then? You obviously feel bad about it," said Natsu.

"You don't know my father. He isn't the kind of person you just say no to." Lucy let out a shuddering sigh. "I don't know what to do."

Natsu put a tentative hand on Lucy's arm. "Don't do it," he said, the words out before he could think about them. "Don't marry Gray."

Natsu ducked his head, suddenly angry with himself. What was he doing? This was Gray's fiancée. They were getting married tomorrow!

But part of Natsu couldn't bring himself to feel sorry about what he had said. He wasn't just being selfish. Something had felt wrong all week. The whole wedding felt rushed. Neither of them seemed ready. Heck, Natsu wasn't even convinced that they actually liked each other!

For some strange reason, speaking up felt like the right thing to do.

"W-what?" asked Lucy. "What are you saying?"

"If it doesn't feel right, you shouldn't be doing it," said Natsu confidently.

"I can't! What about my father? He'll be furious when he finds out…"

Natsu took a deep breath, letting it out slowly through his mouth. "Don't worry, Lucy. I won't let him touch you," he promised.

She shook her head, barely registering that Natsu had called her by her name for the first time. "You don't know my father. He's got connections everywhere."

"Is that supposed to scare me?"

"He's got more money than you can imagine. He can buy anybody. Pay people off," she said, fear flickering in her eyes.

"I don't care." Natsu lifted Lucy's chin, so he could look directly into her teary eyes. "Look, I might not be royalty or whatever, but I promise: I will protect you."

"Natsu…" whispered Lucy.

"As long as this is what you want, I'll make it happen, okay? But you have want me to," he said.

She opened her mouth, then shut it again.

"So?" prompted Natsu, his stomach churning anxiously. He swallowed hard. "What's it gonna be?"

Lucy bit her lip. Then she nodded rapidly.

"Yeah?" Natsu let out a breath, his chest suddenly lighter than it had been all week. "That settles it, then!"

"Just like that?" she asked.

"Just like that."

"I don't know what I want to do yet," said Lucy slowly. "But Natsu, I think… I think I need your help. I don't want to do this alone."

"And you won't have to," he declared, flashing her a grin. It wasn't quite the answer he had been hoping for, but it was enough for now.


Remember I said that Lucy needed a push? This was it.

I was a little bit iffy on how to write this chapter. I couldn't have Natsu just swoop in and steal 'Gray's girl'. (I mean, she's not...at least not in this story...but nobody else knows that. Anybody who can go undercover as often as Gray does in canon, he has to be a decent actor.) As much as I am all for encouraging people to follow their hearts and do what they feel is right (like Natsu does here), it's generally a bad idea to persuade married, engaged, or other committed individuals to leave their significant others. (There are exceptions to that rule, like if the person is in an abusive relationship.) That's why I gave Natsu that moment when he sort of kicks himself, because he's sort of walking a fine line here. Doubly so, since he's actually attracted to Lucy. We're walking on ethical eggshells here. I mean, imagine your OTP from any show and imagine that a third wheel is trying to break them up for his own gain. Sleazy, right? And Natsu's not like that, so hopefully this went over okay.

Anyways, the tide's about to turn. And we're about to move into the final act.

Next time, in Silence, Gray and Lucy's wedding day arrives Gajeel invites himself (the wedding crasher...): Gajeel raised a hand, a metal tube in his fist. "Know what this is?" he asked, his grin triumphant.

Stop back next Monday for the next installment, or just follow me, Karine of R011ingThunder.