Hey guys! Kytrin here with your Wednesday update! I know it's a bit late, but editing took a tad longer than expected. I shall not keep you though, so do enjoy the chapter! :)
CHAPTER 6
The Pirate Code
A group of sailors, on turning pirate, would draw up their own code or articles, which provided rules for discipline, division of stolen goods, and compensation for injured pirates.
The sun shone bright overhead, Lucy leaning against the railing while Gray steered their ship finally back to Magnolia. They had been able to resupply in Crocus when they made their pit stop, and as such they had been able to go on to other paths.
And because of it, they now had a lovely haul of treasure. Though some of it had come at a fairly nasty price.
"The seas have been sweet the past couple of days," Gray inclined his head towards Lucy, forcing her attention to him, "Lady Juvia must be in a good mood," He grinned as he released the wheel when they dropped anchor.
"Must be," Lucy hummed, not really paying attention to what her first mate was saying. Gray smirked and slid next to her, putting his weight on the railing too.
"Still thinking about lobster tail?" He asked, nudging Lucy with his shoulder. This startled her out of her thoughts and she turned her wry look onto him.
"Yeah, I don't know why. I barely even know him," Lucy frowned, hardly able to understand it herself. Normally she forgot any romantic interests she might have within a few days. She'd sworn to herself she would not succumb to her family's curse as a child and had guarded her heart since then. But Natsu had persisted in popping up in her mind ever since they'd met. And it hadn't even been a proper dalliance!
"It doesn't matter, we need to head into town anyway, we won't see any mermaids again probably. At least not these seas." She hummed, determined to put him out of her mind for good.
"Levy is going to go stir crazy if she doesn't find Gajeel soon. They'll be disgusting and he'll be useless so I won't be able to ask him to check for damages done to Fairy Tail," Gray grumbled.
"Well then we better get to him before she does," Lucy laughed, sweeping her plaited hair off her shoulder. As much as she hated to leave her ship, she knew she had to take care of it too. And that meant dealing with the world's grumpiest shipwright. Provisions came second to the overall health and safety of the crew, and while her Fairy Tail was the strongest ship to ever sail through Fiore's waters, it didn't pay to let the wear and tear catch up to her splendid hull.
She walked off the plank to where the ship was docked, eyes squinting against the harsh shine of the sun. It was a warm day and the skies were clear. She wondered idly how long the weather would last, knowing it could change at the drop of a hat.
Gray strode by her, hurrying to catch up with Levy who was practically skipping ahead of the crew. As always, the small woman knew precisely where to go to find the elusive shipwright, and the captain and first mate shared a smirk as they followed after their cheerful navigator. It didn't look like they would be beating Levy to Gajeel this time.
Though Lucy couldn't bring herself to mind overly much. If it hadn't been Levy's sugary tongue, she sincerely doubted she would have the beautiful ship she did now.
Magnolia was said to be the home of the gods, and as such all the artisans and smiths of the town were either world renown or geniuses. But that came with a few downsides too. Namely, doors slammed in her face before Levy had come along and laid on a charm Lucy hadn't even been aware her friend had at the time. Something she'd been grateful for time and again.
Gajeel was the best she had ever seen, and was very critical of his works. He was the only man who held the ship plans for the Fairy Tail, and guarded them jealously. Even acquiring the mythical prints had been an adventure in and of itself if his stories were to be believed. After all, Fairy Tail was the ship of the old Pirate King. Those ship designs were worth a lot.
And so was Gajeel's skill. It was worth every jewel though, and Lucy had never once begrudged the price he demanded for his work. Even if he was grumpy to anyone but Levy. Speaking of which...
"So where's Gajeel today?" She teased with a nudge as she caught up to her friend.
It was something of a running joke that Levy had an uncanny sixth sense for it no matter where in the bustling city Gajeel actually was. And Lucy believed it completely. She'd witnessed Levy track the big man down at the shipyards, the library, and a random restaurant unerringly before. How exactly her friend did it she had no idea, but Lucy was personally convinced she'd been blessed by the Navigator.
Levy grinned impishly back at her, "It's late afternoon." She replied, "He's going to be at his forge shutting down for the day. If we hurry we can catch him before he leaves."
Lucy grinned back and nodded. She was a little dismayed that they'd gotten in so late, but even though the seas and skies had been clear, and the winds strong, there had been little they could do to speed up more. And besides, the crew deserved a little leave at home.
The merfolk had been a nice surprise, and Crocus had been fun, but Magnolia was their home port, and they returned as often as they could. The port authorities didn't care if a ship was pirate or not so long as they paid their fees fair and square and didn't prey on any other ships in the harbor or the town itself.
It was an arrangement mirrored by most of the ports around, and though it likely drove the merchants and crown nuts Lucy considered it the most sensible way for those places to deal with pirates. Pirates as a whole were less inclined to loot and pillage a place that readily accepted their coin so long as they obeyed a few general rules.
And for the ones who didn't follow the code... well... they swiftly learned the consequences of endangering everyone's privileges.
She smiled as she spotted a port master striding towards them, and palmed her sack of coin.
"Berthing long?" The man asked with a smile as they met.
"At least a week." She replied calmly, "General ship repair, re-provisioning, and leave for my crew. Possibly longer."
"Very good." The man said, making a notation in a slim book, "Would you like to pay your fees in advance, or wait?"
Lucy grinned and tossed him the small sack, "A week's fees now." She replied, "I'll see to the rest once I know if we'll need longer."
"Most excellent Captain Heartfilia." The man smiled, and scribbled out a receipt for her, "A pleasure as always, and welcome back to Magnolia. I hope you enjoy your stay."
"I'm sure we will Mest, " Lucy flashed him a smile before parting ways towards Gajeel's forge.
She wanted to place her order in with him before he left for the day. She knew he had plenty of other tasks to complete. She was also thinking of seeing if he would be open to having a weapon forged for her.
She had her sword and several knives, but she was thinking about something with a bit more distance.
They walked into the heart of the city, down familiar cobbled streets. They passed temples right and left as they walked, crowds around them even at this time of day. Then again, that was to be expected in the city of the gods. Everyone was eager for a favor, and between the sacred rainbow cherry trees, and the gods themselves living high above the city in the heavens, it was generally agreed this was the best place to do it.
Though some temples were friendlier than others.
Quickly, Lucy strode past the temple of the Destroyer. There were two sides to War and perhaps this was her least favorite of the aspects. His spoke of power and violence. Many people prayed to the Destroyer for strength of sword when they fought, eager to crush their enemies no matter what battlefield they were on. But Lucy was more inclined to pray to the Titania for knowledge in battle. The goddess of War was just as fierce as the Destroyer, but in her strength there was kindness and knowledge. Hers was the blessing of victory when it was granted. The Destroyer on the other hand...
Something about the Destroyer always made Lucy uneasy.
Her thoughts were interrupted when Gray set his hand on Lucy's shoulder, pulling her to a stop. He glanced down at Lucy, a lazy smile on his face as he gestured down the road where Levy had disappeared. Lucy's eyes flickered towards his hand on her shoulder, spotting just a hint of black ink curling underneath the bracer he wore strapped to his forearm which was meant to hide the mark below from view. A curse from the Destroyer. If Gray noticed her staring at the patch of skin he purposely kept covered, he said nothing. Instead he nodded ahead.
They had made it to the forge without her realizing it. She watched as the large shape of Gajeel came into focus, broad shoulders and scars over his arms were distinctive enough she could pick him out of the busy crowd. It immediately put all her tumtulous thoughts aside.
Levy had flung her arms around his middle, catching the big man off guard as he was just locking up.
Gajeel grunted a little in surprise at the sudden tackle, but his expression quickly morphed into something softer as he realized who it was.
"Hey Shrimp." He chuckled in his distinctive laugh and wrapped his arms around her before stooping down to give her a lingering kiss, "Been way too long. When'd you get in?"
"Just now." Levy practically purred, and Lucy couldn't quite suppress her smile.
Gajeel might be prickly and as difficult as the metal he worked with to everyone else, but around Levy he turned into a pile of mush, and the sight never failed to amuse her.
Gajeel glanced up and tried to scowl at her, but the effect was rather ruined by Levy practically wrapped around him, "You do somethin' to my ship Blondie?"
Lucy rolled her eyes a little, but didn't dispute Gajeel's possessive claim to Fairy Tail. He had built the ship after all.
"Nothing drastic." She assured him as she moved to join him, "Just the usual maintenance. Think you can squeeze us in sometime this week?"
Gajeel snorted, "Nothin' else in the works that can't wait." He replied gruffly, "You got the usual fee?"
"Don't I always?" Lucy smirked, "I even have a little something extra for you to offer Black Steel the next time you go to temple. We had some good raids this trip."
Gajeel snorted and gently set Levy down, "Ain't nothing free from a pirate." He smirked back, though he looked more amused than annoyed, "Whaddya want in exchange for the offerin'?"
Lucy grinned broadly, "Just a consultation. I'm looking for a new weapon. Something a little longer ranged than a cutlass."
"Ain't that what your spirits are for?"
Lucy frowned a little and shook her head, "Not as much as you might think. Many of them have ranged attacks, but most of them aren't practical for ship to ship battle. They're too imprecise. I need something that'll let me back them up with a little more accuracy."
Gajeel hummed thoughtfully, an interested gleam in his eye, "You'll want somethin' that uses your magic energy then. That'll give you precise control." He eyed her speculatively, "Give me a couple days to think about it."
"Thanks Gajeel," Lucy gave him a wide smile, grateful he had taken the bait. She cocked her head slightly as he turned, catching a glimpse of the black tattoo on his shoulder. It wasn't the first time she'd seen it, but it stood out now as she remembered the exact same emblem, in fire red, on Natsu. How curious.
She said nothing, however, as she knew Levy would kill her if she ate too much into her time with her burly lover, and Levy's methods of vengeance were things to be feared.
"I'll leave you two to catch up, Gray and I have some scouting to do unfortunately," Lucy sighed instead, her expression turning grim.
"You lost some crew members huh?" Gajeel filled in the blanks over the expression on her face. Lucy observed the dark set of his eyes, like the ghost of a reminder laid behind them.
Not for the first time, Lucy wondered if Gajeel had been part of a ship before but wrote it off. Gajeel hated traveling through waters, refusing to step on a ship if he wasn't working on it.
True irony from a shipwright.
"Yeah, I'm going to head on to the pub, I'm bound to find someone at Twilight Ogre who will need a job." Lucy sighed and began to walk off with a wave to Gajeel.
Before Gray could follow her though, he was stopped by Gajeel's low "wait."
Gray stopped and raised an eyebrow at Gajeel, curious over why he was being addressed by the grumpy man. Levy looked on with a faint smile and disappeared into the forge. Gajeel let her go, seeming to understand she was giving them some privacy.
"What do you need Gajeel?" Gray asked, meeting the larger man's glare with one of his own.
They were hardly at odds with one another, but neither were they what one could consider 'chatty.'
"It's nothing," Gajeel grunted after a long moment, "You're just a good first mate to her is all. You've... kept her safe. But you better keep an eye on yourself too." He pointed to Gray's arm, "That mark's gotten darker since the last time I saw ya. Bad luck's sure to follow, so keep yer wits about ya. You hear?"
Gray glanced at his arm and pulled his sleeve further down to try and hide more of it from view, "You don't have to tell me twice." He grumbled, "Don't worry, I'll stay sharp."
He always did after all. And he always would. Despite the Lady he revered protecting anyone who held the mark when they were on her waters, he was always wary of it. He had cause to be. It had cost him, and his family, dearly for centuries. Power unimaginable was theirs for the taking… for a price.
A price he had been unable to bring himself to pay when the moment came, and it had cost him everything else he'd ever known and loved. His town, his sister's health… even his brother hadn't made it out unmarked.
Logically, he knew it wasn't his fault. War had come to their little mountain town, and even if he had invoked the Destroyer's curse there would've been no guarantee it would've worked. The guilt still chewed at him though. He had left shortly after, with no intention of ever returning, though he sent his family as much money as he could as often as he could.
It hadn't been until Lucy had given him a chance that he'd found any measure of happiness or peace again though.
She had become his family. She and their insane little crew. They'd all been touched by misfortune in one way or another, most directly related to the Destroyer and his wars, and yet all of them laughed defiantly in his face. If they could not be happy on land then they would find their happiness at sea and to hell with the god's decrees!
For that alone he would follow his captain to the ends of the earth and beyond.
"Thanks for the advice Gajeel, I'll keep that in mind," Gray nodded to him. Lingering for just a moment longer, he smirked back and drifted after his captain.
-::-
Lucy groaned a little in frustration as Gray dealt with yet another 'applicant'. She knew pirates tended to be a slimy lot, but this felt like it was scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Alright, that wasn't entirely true. She'd already picked up a couple likely looking recruits in the form of a pair of twins named Sting and Rogue. They'd had the fresh faced look of young men who had never worked on a ship larger than a fishing boat in their lives, but they were reasonably powerful elemental mages, and had certainly known enough to pass her knowledge test which was odd considering their lack of practical skill.
Time would tell if they would be able to handle ship life, but she had a good feeling about them. Unfortunately, that was the only bit of luck they'd had.
Everyone else who had approached had been typical pirate scum. Good enough to trust on a raid so long as they got their share of the booty, but just as likely to stab one in the back if they weren't happy with their cut of the spoils. And that sort were never happy with their cut of the spoils.
Not the type of pirate Lucy wanted on her ship. Ever.
"Ugh, I hate recruiting." She grumbled just as Gray re-joined her.
"Hey, we haven't done too badly." Gray pointed out reasonably, "It's only the first day, and those twins seem like a good pick."
"I know." Lucy sighed, "I just wish..."
She trailed off with a grimace. She just wished it wasn't necessary. Especially under these circumstances. Recruiting was bad enough when crewmates left of their own volition, but this wasn't losing crew to love or family or simply a desire to retire from piracy. This was replacing crew, family, because they'd been lost to the goddess.
And it hurt. She was close to all of her crew. She took the time to know them well, learn how they ticked, and in the process they became family. And even though everyone knew their occupation was dangerous; her heart still bled when any of them were killed.
Her thoughts were abruptly broken when a mug went crashing directly into the side of Grays head as he was getting ready to say something comforting.
He yelped in pain and toppled over onto Lucy, knocking them both onto the floor in a graceless lump.
"Ow what the hell!" Gray swore, not having expected to get hit in the face with a mug going full speed at his head.
Lucy groaned and pushed Gray off her, looking up to see what had caused the ruckus. It seemed like a fight had broken out further into the bar.
"If I see your hand going anywhere near her ass again I'm going to let her deal with you next time, and trust me buddy you'd better pray long and hard to Davy Jones if it gets that far!" A voice, oddly melodic, rough, and familiar shouted, drawing the attention of the patrons.
She looked up to see where a beautiful blue haired woman was staring murderously at a man whose face was smashed into a table. From where she was sitting Lucy couldn't quite get a good angle to see the man holding him down by a fistful of hair, but she could see the pervert's friends getting up to back him up.
"Ugh this is getting messy," Gray grumbled as the man was dog piled, "What should we do captain? Doesn't look like we're going to get much further..."
He was rubbing at his head.
Lucy, however, was already on her feet and crossing the room. It couldn't be! There was no way! He couldn't change outside of the water. She'd seen it!
But it was.
Somehow, impossibly, it was him.
His face was twisted into a scowl instead of the bright grin she'd become accustomed to, but the features were unmistakable. As was that pink hair. Her heart thumped in her chest at that sight of him, dressed in clothes worthy of a buccaneer, and wearing an interesting white sash at his waist.
"Natsu?"
He turned to look at who called her. For a moment he just stared at her without comprehension, as if unsure who he was looking at before the pieces seemed to slide together in his brain. Lucy watched the process with fascination and was almost surprised when a blinding smile instantly replaced Natsu's scowl. Her heart sped up, it really was him!
"Lucy!" He crowed happily, "What are you doing here?"
Lucy caught a movement out of the corner of her eye and in a flash pulled her sword as she spun to intercept the man who had come to try to help his pinned friend against Natsu, "Not a bright idea." She told him in a tone that could've been cheerful if it hadn't been so icy, "I rather take exception to anyone attacking my friends."
The man froze as Lucy's sword tip tapped his throat, and swallowed heavily, a small pearl of red appearing at the motion, and he carefully backed away.
"A-apologies C-captain Heartfilia ma'am!" He stammered shakily, "Didn't realize they was with you!"
"An easy mistake to make I'm sure." Lucy purred, "Though I rather think it's bad manners to accost a lady no matter who she's with don't you?"
"Y-yes! O-of course cap'n!" He replied as he grabbed his friends and backed further away, "Won't happen again ma'am! You have me word!"
"See that you keep it sailor." Lucy replied, watchin dispassionately as he sharply elbowed one of his companions before he could say something, "Lest you receive a sharp visit from the Keepers. I'm sure they would be most eager to give you a refresher course on proper conduct under the Code."
The men paled at that before turning and fleeing the pub altogether.
"The Keepers?" Natsu asked curiously, and Lucy flashed him a wicked grin as she cleaned and sheathed her sword.
"The Code Keepers." She replied, "They sail independently of any pirate captain and enforce the code laid down by the first Pirate King. They have eyes and ears everywhere and are quick to punish those who break the code in even small ways. Not even the reigning King or Queen is immune to their justice if they cross the line."
Lucy smirked a little at the thoughtful look on his face and turned her attention to his companion, "Captain Lucy Heartfilia." She greeted, holding out her hand, "It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Juvia Lockser." Juvia replied with a smile, "It's a pleasure to meet you Captain Heartfilia."
"The pleasure's mine." Lucy replied and shifted her attention slightly as Gray joined her, "And this is my First Mate, Gray Fullbuster."
Juvia turned her attention to Gray and the whole world fell away as she stared into eyes she'd never dreamed she would actually see again. He was here, and he was real, and alive. Her heart pounded in her chest as she held out her hand to him.
"It's my pleasure." She said faintly, a distant part of her vaguely proud that she'd managed to not stammer.
"The pleasure's mine." He replied as he grasped her hand, a faint look of wonder in his eyes, and a jolt of electricity traveled between them as they made contact.
Lucy eyed Gray out of the corner of her eye and couldn't quite bite back a snicker as she elbowed her friend in the side, causing him to jump a little and glare at her.
"What was that for?" He demanded, and Lucy's smirk widened.
"You were staring." She grinned and looked at Juvia, "You'll have to forgive him. He's a devoted worshiper of the Tempest, Lady Juvia. Meeting anyone named after the goddess is bound to have an affect on him."
"Lucy..." Gray groaned, but Lucy just gave Juvia an impish wink and turned her attention back to Natsu.
"C'mon. It looks like we have a lot to talk about, and I doubt this is the best place to do that." She gestured around them, "Shall we retreat to the Fairy Tail?"
"You don't mind?" Juvia spoke up, staring at Lucy critically with eyes as dark as the deep sea. It was as if she was really looking at Lucy for the first time.
Lucy shook her head, "Not at all. Natsu trusts you, which is good enough for me." She shrugged, "Besides, only a fool would attack a pirate on her own ship."
Well, on her ship anyway. Her crew was eager for leave, but it was always done in shifts to ensure the ship was well protected no matter what the port authorities said.
Natsu nodded eagerly, "That sounds great! I'd really like to see the Fairy Tail again!"
"You didn't get a good look at it before, so you'll get to really see it this time," Lucy grinned at him, "It won't be under attack from a kraken or warriors either."
"We have to meet with the shipwright Gajeel soon, but we can stop by the ship before then," Juvia noted, standing up with fluid grace while Natsu jumped to his feet, swayed awkwardly, and straightened. It was clear he still wasn't exactly used to his legs.
"You know Gajeel?" Gray spoke up, surprised that the grumpy man even had acquaintances or friends besides them and Levy.
Juvia smiled at Gray, warmth skating up her cheeks and curling a finger through her hair almost shyly.
"Ah, yes. He's an old friend of mine," Juvia murmured, seeming unable to quite meet his eye.
"Are you sure you can make it today?" Gray asked dubiously, "He was already closing up when we docked, and Levy's probably dragged him off to his place by now."
"Ah!" Juvia's blush deepened, "Gajeel's aware we're on our way, but isn't expecting us until a little later. I believe he wanted to catch up with his love a little first."
Lucy looked surprised at that, not aware that there was anyone else besides Levy Gajeel would keep his forge open for. Still she wasn't one to complain for the woman's good luck, and instead gestured to the exit.
"Alright then, we'll make good time if we head back now!" She grinned, "Not going to find anymore crew members among these bilgerats!"
Natsu caught up with Lucy, stumbling a little so he set his hand on her shoulder to steady himself. It was large and warm, the heat from his body bleeding into her sleeve and warming her skin.
"You're looking for crew mates? Juvia and I were looking for you to join up!" Natsu gave her the largest puppy eyes she had ever seen, and she was a little taken aback by his sudden request.
It was true she had been hoping to see him again, but she couldn't just allow anyone on her crew if they had a pretty smile and sweet face. They had to be competent in a fight and with the ruthlessness to back it up if they had to.
And aside from that barfight Natsu had gotten dogpiled in, she didn't know how he would fare on that point. The last thing she wanted to do was put his life in danger. After having lost crew members, she shuddered at the thought of losing him on the other end of a ruthless pirate's cutlass.
"I have to think about it Natsu, fighting in sea is different than fighting on land, and I don't want to put you or Juvia in danger just because I want you to come along," Lucy admitted to him.
Natsu looked a little disappointed by her quick answer, but supposed he couldn't blame her. He hadn't exactly put his best fin forward when he first met her and he was hobbling around like a baby crab taking its first steps.
"Then test us Captain," Juvia spoke up, drawing her attention, "I'm unmatched in my water magic, and Natsu has a few tricks up his sleeves. Have him fight your first mate."
Her smile turned secretly sly, as if she knew something no one else did, "I guarantee you'll find yourself with a competent fighter."
And that's a wrap! Alas you guys did not make your preview marker of 30 reviews or better this time. However, I want to give a very sincere shout out to everyone who did review. You know we love you. Though I don't think we can say it enough lol. I hope you guys have a good rest of the week, and we'll see you Sunday!
