Hey guys! Kytrin here with your Wednesday update! No major announcements I can think of so I'll let you guys get on with enjoying the chapter!
CHAPTER 8
Man-O-War
The name used for a pirate ship that is all set and ready to go to war
Natsu groaned as he sagged into his bunk more exhausted than he could remember being in a long time.
As promised, he and Juvia had arrived back at the ship after meeting with Gajeel, and had been settled into bunks that, honestly, weren't as horrible as he'd feared. He'd seen what passed for sleeping quarters in sunken ships, and except for the captain, and maybe the first mate, the crew were all stacked on top of each other like sardines.
Lucy, it seemed, had decided on a cleverer approach.
Or Gajeel had. He wasn't really sure which.
He didn't really care either as he sank into the cubby that held his bed, personal storage underneath, and a small curtain to pull across for a little privacy. There was even a little guardrail you could lift to keep from getting tossed out of bed if the seas were turbulent, and it was all his.
Hardly luxury living, but by ship standards it was positively extravagant. Someone, probably Gajeel, had cleverly divided the below deck area to allow these cubbyholes to be built into the ship itself three and four deep just off the mess hall. Everything else, supplies, treasure vaults, and brig, had been sectioned off into the remainder of the area giving the crew the illusion of real privacy.
Not that he really cared about privacy at the moment.
He was far too busy nursing his tired muscles. Cana had been merciless in running him ragged up and down the rigging until he could almost do it blindfolded in the rain if he had to. She'd decided that since he'd displayed such dexterity for it during his fight with Gray she was going to make sure he knew every inch of it like the back of his hands.
He didn't really mind, but his legs weren't used to that kind of exercise, and he'd been beyond grateful when she'd finally declared them done for the day so he could enjoy his evening.
He rather thought a nap sounded good at that moment.
He hooked his sword overhead next to him for ease of access and dropped his chin to his chest to rest his eyes. Natsu kicked his feet over his ankles and tucked an arm under his head to cushion his neck.
No sooner had he taken in two deep breaths did his sensitive ears pick up a stride that was quickly becoming familiar. He cracked an eye open once he picked up the scent of his captain and two others accompanying her.
Two more that were so familiar but completely impossible to be on the ship...
"Cap'n, he grunted from his cot, "I'd get up but I can't feel my legs. Cana did me in real good."
"Aye she did," Lucy agreed, her voice sounding musical in Natsu's ears as she came into view, "It's fine sailor, stay where ye are. I just wanted to see how 'bout your first day aboard went?"
"I'm thinking my sorry state speaks for itself," Natsu gave her a tired smile, causing her to laugh at the pitiful way he was curled up.
"That it does," She allowed, and stepped to the side, "Won't take up much of your time though sailor, just wanted to introduce you to some of our other new recruits. The twins, Sting and Rogue."
"Sorry what—" Natsu repeated as the two familiar scents he picked up came into view.
Sure enough, the very two he suspected they were stood in front of his cot, both of them grinning as wide as they pleased.
Natsu surged upright, slamming his face into his sword overhead. He yelped and groaned, hands covering over his nose.
"What! What're you two brats doin' here?" Natsu demanded of them, startling Lucy as the twins both started to laugh at his reaction.
"Pardon?" Lucy asked, her voice sharp enough to gather his attention.
"Sorry cap'n, we might have glossed over a couple of details when we wanted to come aboard," Rogue apologized, "We're dragons from Natsu's nest. King Zeref informed us of Natsu's desire to return to land and we wished to keep an eye on him."
"Didn't expect us to beat him to your ship though cap'n, sorry about that!" Sting gave a cross looking Lucy an apologetic smile, "We're genuine about wanting to be on the crew though. We just wanted to see for ourselves what caught our older brothers attention."
"Brats," Natsu growled at them and looked at Lucy in apology, "I'm sorry 'bout this captain. I know you weren't expecting a ton of dragons to suddenly invade your ship 'n all. They don't mean any harm by it."
Lucy glared at the trio for a long moment and shook her head with a sigh, "As long as you're honest about everything else I don't have a problem with ye."
Though at this rate she was going to wind up having a mythical crew. Seriously, who had ever heard of a cursed merman that was a dragon and two of his all dragon brothers, or nestmates, or whatever they were serving on a pirate ship?
It was the stuff out of stories.
"Definitely!" Sting grinned, and glanced at Natsu, "Um, have you told her about the thing?"
"Thing?" Lucy growled dangerously and transferred her glare to Natsu who gulped a little, "What thing?"
Natsu shifted nervously under that gaze, "It's a dragon thing." He shot Sting a glare, "Dragons have a problem with motion sickness if there's not magic set up t' deal with it."
Lucy's hands went to her hips, "I would've appreciated knowing that ahead of time too. Fortunately for you that's nothing that can't be dealt with."
There were visible looks of relief from all three men, and Lucy mentally rolled her eyes. Honestly, if she found out they'd kept anything else from her she was going to wind up gutting them all at this rate. Or tossing them overboard to play with Aquarius.
She shook her head a little, "Sting, you're berth's above Natsu. Rogue you're across here." She knocked the two spots, "I have to head out, but I'll let Cana and Gray know what you've told me so they can make adjustments. You all three are free for the evening, but I expect you back at first bell tomorrow morning."
"Aye cap'n!" The three chorused and Sting and Rogue immediately set to unpacking while Lucy headed back to her cabin.
She slipped inside and glared at the letter still lying on her desk, a surge of anger and resentment welling up in her at just the sight of it.
She sighed and flopped down at her desk, feeling as if she were the world's turtle holding up the globe upon her back. She groaned and pushed her chair back across the floor enough to get space to stare at her desk. It was littered with bits of paper, scraps and old maps.
She pillowed herchin against her forearms, tapping a light finger against the cracked surface of an old ornate compass.
She flipped the lid, thumb brushing into the the burnished engraving in its gold surface.
"May you always find your true north" - L. Heartfilia
"But where is it mom?" Lucy asked, her voice quiet in the silence of her cabin.
The compass did not answer her, it's needle sitting useless and unmoving. Frustrated Lucy closed it with a loud snap and turned her attention back to the source of her anger.
She looked to her window, seeing how far the sun had set in the sky.
Of all places here and now? How had that man even found her here? She pulled the thick letter with its ornate script and expensive paper up for her inspection. There was nothing out of the ordinary about it.
Nothing save the Heartfilia crest sealed with wax upon its back.
"The last thing I want is a fight to break out here at the home port, we don't need to be blacklisted here," Lucy grumbled. Not when so many of them had family and friends living here.
It was a summons. A simple dinner with the Heartfilia patriarch. Lucy's lips twisted in disgust.
Her appetite was hardly alive, but she couldn't avoid the man when he was in the same city as her.
The letter didn't say what he wanted, but it hardly mattered. Lucy had learned the hard way over the years that no matter what was said at first it, all of it, was about controlling her and through her the Heartfilia name.
It was a lesson her mother had also learned. To her sorrow.
Lucy's hand clenched convulsively around the parchment, crumpling it's pristine elegance, and tossed it angrily aside as she stomped over to her wardrobe. She debated for a moment ignoring the summons, but she knew that if she did the whole situation would just get worse. She couldn't risk it.
So fighting back the urge to hit something she flung the wardrobe open and dug into the bottom of it where she carefully pulled out a delicately wrapped package. She moved over to the bed and pulled it open revealing its silky contents and sighed. She didn't normally bother with this stuff anymore, but for a summons like this showing up in her usual clothing was just asking for a fight.
Admittedly, she was certain they would have one regardless, but at least this way it wouldn't be over something as idiotic as her clothes.
She caressed the fabric for a moment and sighed, "Someday I'll wear you for an occasion that doesn't have me wanting to pull my sword out."
With another shake of her head she started getting undressed. Better to get this over with before she changed her mind.
-::-
Three hours, a bath, some fresh makeup, and a ridiculous amount of contorting later Lucy frowned as she took in her image in the mirror she had stuck to the back of her door. Not bad. Not bad at all really. The dress wasn't local at all, but it was fancy enough to shut up the high society idiots she would no doubt be forced to deal with. In fact, if it weren't for the reason she was wearing it she would be quite pleased with the effect.
It was just a pity she wasn't doing something fun in it. Like go to the theater, or visit a temple, or anything really.
She shook off the thought and opened her door before she could change her mind.
Movement stopped as she stepped out on deck, and she repressed the urge to wince a little. Mostly the crew didn't see her like this, and she was sure she was a sight now.
"Plannin' a night out Cap'n?" Cana asked cautiously into the silence, not certain of her captain's mood between the dress and the scowl on her face.
"Unfortunately." Lucy replied, a little relieved for the excuse to speak, "A summons from my father for dinner."
Cana choked a little on her drink and gasped for air for a moment before she turned an incredulous look at her, "Seriously? Lucy... are you going to be alright?"
Lucy's expression softened a little into a faint smile at Cana's concern. As one of the first of her crew with Gray she was one of the few who understood the extent of the animosity between Lucy and her father. The rest of the crew all knew eventually of course, pirates were terrible gossips, but Cana had actually been there with Levy and Gray over the years to help pick up the pieces after Lucy's heart had been broken again and again.
The crew all gave expressions varying levels of appreciation to worry for their captain. Natsu, who had emerged half an hour prior to Lucy's appearance, watched her from the front of the ship.
His mouth went dry at the sight of her so elegantly dressed, the elegant way she practically glided over the deck. His eyes were intense in her, his head throbbing over the pretty package she was in.
His heart hammered and his palms tingled, breath coming in short.
"Want to come on an adventure with me princess? I'll take you away from this stuffy castle. You'll never be lonely again."
"I can't Natsu. I'm sorry..."
"Jeez, her dad must be a piece of work to get that kind of expression on the captains face," Sting grunted, his eyes narrowed as his voice cut into the fog of Natsu's mind. It cut off the old remembered pain. The agony of the woman's response, the crushing feeling of not being able to help the mystery princess.
He shook his head, his mouth dry as he struggled to bring himself back to reality.
Now that he was paying attention he could see the stress on Lucy's face. Looking past the painted cheeks and her rosy lips...
Anger, old remembered and unknown flared within his chest like a flame. He tightened his grip on the rope he had been coiling up. The rage inside him, he couldn't explain, but he hated the look on his proud captains face.
She swept elegantly off the deck, insisting her crew stay behind as she went out to take care of business.
Natsu for his part didn't hear the order past the pounding of his blood in his ears. They beat a path of their own and he huffed an angry breath.
"Alright you dogs you heard the Captain!" Cana bellowed after a few moments of silence, "Get back to your own business an' leave the Captain to hers!"
Natsu didn't miss the concerned look she shot in the direction Lucy had gone. Nor was she the only one. Many of the crew, the older hands if he had to guess, wore the same expression.
It pleased him to know she was so well cared for.
"I don't get it." Sting growled as the crew reluctantly broke back up to their evening duties or entertainment, "If she doesn't like him that much why doesn't she just ignore him?"
"Because she can't." Cana said, cutting through Natsu's rage and drawing their attention, as she reached around Juvia to ostensibly check a coil of rope, "You may not be familiar with it but the Heartfilia family's old and powerful. They're centuries old. Rumor has it they were once royalty before their kingdom fell to war and the last of the line fled to Fiore."
"You're kidding?" Rogue breathed, "What happened?"
"That's a story only the gods know." Cana replied, "What's important is that Lucy's family is matriarchal and she's the last of the line."
"But what does that have to do with her father?" Sting asked softly.
"Her father's an ass!" Cana replied, slamming the rope down with far more force than was necessary, and gripped the railing tightly, "And after her mama died at sea he took over the family and has done everything he can since to force her under his thumb."
Natsu's heart pounded painfully in his chest at the news Lucy's mother had died at sea like that, "So why does she have to meet him?"
Cana looked over at him, fury and pain mingling on her face, "Because whether Lucy likes it or not the family is still powerful. And Jude Heartfilia has only made it more so. And he tracked us down here. If she doesn't acknowledge this he has the clout to get us blacklisted here, and she won't risk it. Most of us have friends and family in Magnolia."
The rage built up again and Natsu shoved away from the deck railing and stomped towards the gangplank without another word.
"Where's he going?" Cana gawked at him, looking at Sting and Rogue, "He's not going after the captain is he?"
Sting frowned and looked at his older brothers back as he stalked into the crowd.
"Natsu isn't good at taking orders when his heart gets in the way. He listens to his gut, but he'd never interrupt a fight between someone's family," Sting reasoned to Cana.
"Lucy can handle herself and he knows that, but at the same time he's not going to let his captain face a threat alone. Not if he still has two legs and a heartbeat," Rogue filled in.
Somewhat mollified, but still in a bad mood in general, Cana decided to let it go.
"He's just lucky Gray is showing that new girl Juvia around Magnolia or he's be tied to the mast before he took a step off the ship," Cana grumbled.
The crew dispersed now that the drama was over. Sting huffed a bit and looked after the crowd.
"I hope Natsu knows what he's doing," He muttered.
—::—
Natsu stalked after Lucy's scent. His nostrils flared, anger pulsing through him and fueling him step by step to find his captain.
He wasn't going to do anything but he hoped it wouldn't come to it.
Squeaking, he gasped as he realized he almost ran directly into Lucy's back when she abruptly stopped at her location. He hadn't realized how fast he had been moving to close the distance between them.
He was getting the hang of his legs but it was still weird.
Diving behind a rain barrel, Natsu sneakily looked over the lid as Lucy stopped and glanced around herself. She frowned, as if searching the crowd but stopped and shrugged after a moment.
She walked into the restaurant, giving Natsu the opportunity to scuttle over to a window to try and eavesdrop.
He watched as Lucy's expression seemed to melt into an indifferent mask as she approached a well dressed older gentleman.
"Father." She half-growled through clenched teeth, causing Natsu to smirk and immediately decide that clearly Lucy had gotten all of her looks from her mother.
"Lucy." Jude greeted as he rose, "I'm so glad you could make it."
Lucy's scowl returned at the pleasant tone and she sat as soon as one of the staff pulled her chair out for her.
"Please. Take a seat." Jude concluded wryly as he sat back down, and if Natsu hadn't known there was more going on here than met the eye he might've thought Lucy was overreacting a little.
"So... how has your little... business venture been going?" Jude asked pleasantly with a too sweet smile.
"Cut the act father!" Lucy snapped, "Why are you here and what do you want with me?"
"Can't a father be concerned about his daughter?" Jude asked innocently, and for a second Natsu thought Lucy might lunge across the table and strangle the man.
"When it comes to you?" She demanded, "No. You made that very clear years ago! Now what's so important that you tracked me down here and summoned me?"
Jude's innocent expression shifted into something more serious and somehow darker as he leaned back, "Family business my dear." He replied, "I've tolerated your rebellious actions so far, but it's started getting out of hand, and it's past time you came home and settled down."
"Not. Happening." Lucy snarled, uncaring that she was drawing the attention of the other patrons, and stood up, "If that's all you wanted then this meeting is over."
"I've arranged a marriage for you." Jude replied calmly, and Lucy froze as she turned back to look at him.
"You did what?" She whispered almost too lowly for Natsu to hear, but there was no mistaking the menace in her tone.
"You shouldn't be so surprised." Jude replied, arching an eyebrow at her, "A lady of your social standing was bound to get offers regardless of your... hobbies. I assure you it's a fine match. You couldn't ask for better really."
"No." Lucy replied flatly.
"Come now Lucy..."
"No!" Lucy shouted, shaking in rage, "You must be out of your mind if you seriously think I would go along with something like this!"
"Oh you'll go along with it." Jude replied, a warning tone creeping into his voice, "You would regret the consequences if you don't."
"Consequences?" Lucy asked, her eyes narrowing, "Is that a threat father?"
"Merely a promise my dear." Jude replied, "After all, your suitor is a god."
Natsu's heart stopped in his chest at those words, and for a moment he couldn't see or hear anything as blood pounded through him a veritable storm of memories stirring just out of reach. It took him a few moments to get past it to focus on the conversation, but it seemed the news had shocked Lucy just as much as she was still gaping at her father.
"What?" She asked faintly, sounding like she'd been hit over the head.
"He's a god." Jude replied, "Acnologia the Destroyer to be precise. I admit I was most surprised when he appeared at the estate and asked for your hand." He spread his hands, "But what was I to do? I could hardly refuse my patron god could I?"
Lucy's chest heaved as she tried to process this shocking news, "I don't believe it."
"It's quite true my dear." Jude said and smiled at her, "Now you understand why you simply must come home."
That seemed to snap Lucy out of her daze and she glared at him, "That's not happening! I don't care who my suitor is I am not returning to that place!"
"Lucy!" Jude growled, his patience finally beginning to fray, "You are my daughter and you will do as I say!"
"I am not your daughter!" Lucy snarled, slamming her hand against the table and getting up, "I haven't been your daughter since you broke my mother's heart! I am Captain Lucy Heartfilia of the Fairy Tail! I answer only to myself! And I will not submit to you, a god, or anyone else who thinks they can control me! Do you understand me? And if you even think about coming after me and my crew so I swear on the Peacekeeper's true name I will destroy you!"
"You wouldn't dare!" Jude thundered, also surging to his feet.
"Try me father!" She shouted, "Make all the promises you want, but I will promise you this... come after me and mine, and I will bring Heartfilia down! Everything you've built will be gone, because I will personally tear it down! I would rather rebuild the family from dust than submit to your rule!"
Natsu staggered back almost into a rain barrel from outside the window. He clutched at his chest, whistling low. To say he was impressed by Lucy's ferocity was an understatement, but ultimately he was absurdly proud by the way she swept up from the table.
She looked like a goddess with her hair glowing in the lights cast by the lanterns, the silky gown spilling from her form as if an ethereal cloud. Her anger was transformative to her already stunning beauty. He could kind of understand why the Destroyer wanted her.
Lucy left the restaurant, her lips pressed together in a hard line. Her face was white and anger trembled through her body.
She stormed away, but strangely it was further away from the ship. Natsu stood up, his eyes narrowing as he followed his captain.
He found her by the docks, her fierce brown eyes glittering with moisture as she glared out at the ocean. He came up behind her, making his heavy steps known.
"Did you enjoy the show?" Lucy asked, her voice a little hoarse as she turned to glance at him.
So she had known he was there all along. His lips quirked into a wry smile.
"Seeing you hold your ground was pretty badass," Natsu admitted, going for the path of honesty, "But I can't say I'm a fan of seeing you upset."
He stepped up beside her, dropping down heavily next to her. A leg was drawn up to his chest, his arm curling around his shin, "I wasn't about to ignore you when you were in trouble Captain. Besides, seems like an awful shame for ya to get all fancy not to do anything worthwhile?"
Lucy let out an involuntary laugh at that, "You know, I was just thinking that before I left the ship." She glanced at her dress, "It's my first time wearing this, and I had to wear it to go see him."
"Definitely not the way you want to break in a new dress!" Natsu grinned at her and held out his hand, "So whaddya say we do something about that?"
"You're serious?" Lucy asked in surprise, and tried to remind herself that she was supposed to be mad at him for disobeying her orders and witnessing something private.
Except... he'd done it out of concern for her. And he barely knew her. Cana, Gray, or Levy were one thing. They'd known her since she was much younger. Natsu had no reason to be concerned about her though. He just was. Nor had he come after her to mock her or laugh. He'd followed her because he was still concerned about her. And that melted something in her heart.
"Absolutely." Natsu grinned, "There's gotta be something to do around here you can wear your dress to right?"
Lucy laughed lightly and found herself slipping her hand into his without quite knowing why, "Plenty my poor deprived merman." She assured him as he leapt up and gently pulled her to her feet, "Levy said something about a new play in town. Shall we see if we can still get into it?"
Natsu's grin somehow brightened, "That sounds great! Way better than food in a stuffy restaurant like that. We were more relaxed back home! And that was a palace!"
Lucy giggled a little, feeling absurdly better the longer he chattered. And alright, maybe part of her still wasn't entirely happy he'd witnessed what he had, but it was fading rapidly as they walked down the street towards the playhouse.
Maybe this night wouldn't be awful after all.
-::-
Laughter rang out in the evening between the two pirates as they walked back to the ship together. After the play, they had gotten something quick to eat at a street vender, and Lucy could honestly say it was more fun than she had expected to have tonight.
They approached the gangplank, heading up to the deck where music was playing. There was a glow from lanterns and the crew was milling about waiting for their captain to return.
Together they thumped up it, attracting the stares of the crew who who were still awake, "Hey!"
Macao swayed to his feet, his expression grumpy as he glared at Natsu, "The captain gave us an order! You just ignored it and went off on your—..."
He trailed off at the flushed cheeks and happy smile on Lucy's face.
Natsu glanced at Macao, his pupils slitting at the confrontational tone. A smile flashed over his face so his sharp fangs were on display.
"What is it Macao? You want to go?" He purred, his haunting voice sending a shiver through the crew.
"I'm down to fight if you are, I need a little practice with legs, it might even be a fair fight," Natsu smirked, his pulse pumping at the promise of a fight.
The older pirate seemed to back down though at the happy grin on his face. Lucy almost rolled her eyes as she suddenly realized she had yet another blood Knight on her ship.
It seemed like Natsu was as much a fan of fighting as Gray and most of the others were.
"Fight later." She told them with a roll of her eyes, "It's late now, and I would like to get some sleep."
"Lucy..." Gray spoke up in concern, moving out to intercept her, "Are you, I mean... I heard from Cana..."
Lucy huffed a little in exasperation, but smiled at him, "I'm fine. I haven't let my father push me around in years and I'm not going to start back up now."
"But the port authority!" Wakaba protested, "Cap'n you know what he could do!"
Lucy's eyes narrowed, "Let him try." She growled, "I've already warned him what will happen if he messes with Fairy Tail. If he so much as sneezes wrong to the authorities it's open season on all Heartfilia cargo."
She shook herself a little before the anger she'd felt then could fully return after all of Natsu's effort to dispel it, "But we can talk more about that in the morning. I'm heading to bed."
She moved away from Natsu's side but paused and turned to him, "Thank you Natsu. I appreciate what you did tonight." She smirked and poked him in the chest, "I expect you to obey all my other orders though. We clear on that sailor?"
"Aye Cap'n!" Natsu grinned, not looking the least bit repentant.
Lucy grinned back and nodded before ducking into her cabin.
Cana let out a low whistle as the door closed, "Just what did you do?"
Natsu looked at her in confusion, "Nothing special. I just made sure she had backup if she needed it, and after I told her I asked if there was something fun she could do instead while she was all dressed up."
He shrugged and eyeballed the crew. It was clear Natsu was a bit of an oddball to them. He wasn't the type to blindly follow an order. Not when his gut told him to do something contrary to it. He stretched out and swung his body, flashing the crew a wide smile.
"No big deal, see you guys in the morning!" He said cheerfully and headed off.
Gray watched Natsu leave with guarded eyes, not quite knowing how to handle Natsu's unique brand of oddity.
"I'm not sure how to peg that guy," He said honestly.
"Me neither," Cana replied, her shoulders sagging, swinging the bottle of rum by her side.
Shaking her head, she went back to the railing to dance with the musician. For all intents and purposes, the storm had passed, and the rest of the crew was just grateful their Captain hadn't needed days to recover from her encounter with her father. Usually it took longer than that.
As far as banning their ship from this port, Jude at least didn't know they considered Magnolia their home dock. That gave the rest of the crew more ease of mind.
Once the excitement was over, the lanterns dimmed and the rest of the crew dispersed for the night.
Juvia sat by herself at the helm of the ship, having watched the whole thing unfold. Some things never changed.
And for that she was grateful.
And that's the chapter! Alas you guys didn't make your 30 review mark this time, so no preview (teaser) for you this chapter. Though I do want to give a big shout out of thanks to everyone who did leave us one. You guys absolutely rule, and your reviews give us life and inspiration! They really do! We love you and we'll see you Sunday!
