ALRIGHT GUYS! This is officially the end of Act 1! We'll start up with Act 2 on Wednesday, you'll have Kytrin to open it up for you. Got a couple of notes, but I'll address them at the end of the chapter.
CHAPTER 13
Duffle
Everything a sailor owns, also the nickname for the bag which holds the everything.
It didn't take long to gather the crew members they had picked. Mirajane was left behind to keep an eye out for Sting and direct the rest of the crew, but Gray, Juvia, and Rogue came along to assist in unearthing the treasure.
The men yanked away the floorboards under the skeletons feet and began to dig, Lucy and Juvia observing the process until their shovels scraped against something hard.
"Juvia loosen the dirt a bit," Lucy nodded to the water mage, who hesitated for a moment before applying just enough water to soften the hard edges of the dirt. It wasn't enough to make mud and allowed Natsu and Rogue enough leverage to yank it out using their sheer strength.
Gray glanced at the lock, using his magic to form a key to slide into the lock, clicking it open to find their reward.
As promised, there were mounds of glittering jewels and gold inside the massive old chest. Old treasure maps laid within, more treasure than most had ever seen. It was an excellent haul, and the maps alone would be worth a fortune.
"Well that should keep us quite happy for some time!" Lucy exclaimed in satisfaction, "Well done everyone!"
"I wonder if there's still treasure to be had from these maps?" Rogue mused as he looked at one curiously.
"It's possible." Lucy replied, "From the log entry Natsu and I found, Hoteye was obsessed with finding the Pirate King's treasure on this island. He may not have checked any of the other places if he was still looking for that."
"Do you think the treasure could be hidden here somewhere?" Juvia asked, her voice careful in a way Natsu thought was deliberate. He frowned at her.
"Anything's possible." Lucy shrugged, "But I honestly doubt it. The odds of a treasure hoard the size the King's was said to be remaining hidden for that long are very slim."
"Assuming it even existed." Gray snorted, "Though if someone had found it I doubt they'd be able to keep from crowing about it."
"A fair point." Lucy conceded, "I guess it couldn't hurt to look the island over before we leave. Just in case. Maybe we'll spot something Hoteye and his crew missed. I won't be too upset if we don't find it though." She grinned and patted the chest they'd dug up, "This payout was already much larger than I imagined."
"Hear, hear." Gray smirked, "I say we get this beauty back to the ship and show the rest of the crew!"
Natsu grinned as Rogue put the map back and shut the lid as they moved to carry it back, "Ready when you are captain!"
Lucy chuckled and led the way back out of the dilapidated building and back to where they'd set up their base camp, "Treasure abounds me hearties!" She shouted as soon as they were in earshot, but her attention was arrested by the large white dragon settling down onto the sand and a small figure sliding off, "He's back!"
Her heart leapt into her throat as she rushed forward as Sting shifted back down into his human form.
"Captain!" Sting greeted cheerfully and dropped his hand onto his companion's shoulder, "Allow me to introduce our little sister, the sky dragoness Wendy!"
Wendy gave them a meek smile, shuffling a bit in the sand and giving Lucy a shy look, "He-hello!"
Natsu dropped his end of the chest, much to Rogue's protest, before he ran over to Wendy and scooped her up in his arms.
"Wendy!" He laughed, giving his little sister a tight hug. She let out a squeal of surprise as Natsu hoisted her over one shoulder, her eyes bugging out.
"Natsu, your tail! You have legs!" She gasped, "It's true!"
Her eyes turned glassy with tears as Natsu set her down, his expression turning into one of concern.
"Hey Wendy, what's the matter? I'm okay it didn't hurt or nothin'!" Natsu looked at his sisters trembling bottom lip.
"I-is it really true you sold your soul to a mean old sea witch to get legs? And you only have three months to get a kiss from your true love or you'll turn into sea foam?!" Wendy whimpered.
"What." Juvia deadpanned.
Natsu turned and looked over his shoulder at her, "Er, did I?"
"No you didn't!" Juvia growled and stamped her foot in a bit of irritation, "Someone has been telling old sea shanties to your little sister and scaring her silly!"
Her eyes flashed to Sting, who was whistling in a false image of innocence.
Natsu followed her gaze to Sting, whose expression transformed into someone whose hand got caught in a jar. Natsu's eyes narrowed and he tackled his brother.
Wendy, seemingly undisturbed by the display behind her, gave Juvia and Lucy a watery look, "I-is Natsu going to be okay?"
"Yes little sailor, your brother is going to be fine," Lucy gave her a gentle smile which made Wendy relax.
"So you're the one he's going to kiss?"
Lucy blushed brightly at the innocent question and coughed a little, "Natsu doesn't need to kiss anyone." She managed, trying to ignore the snickering behind her, "He's not cursed or anything. And that's not important right now anyway. Did Sting tell you why he was sent for you?"
Wendy nodded, her watery expression fading, "Sting said someone was really badly hurt and you needed me."
Lucy nodded, "Our friend Cana. She was thrown overboard in an accident. Natsu saved her, but she was badly hurt and may die without healing."
The little girl's eyes narrowed a bit, the way Natsu's did when he was annoyed, "I'll do my very best to help your nestmate!"
Lucy felt a surge of relief, "Alright. Let's get you to her then. Rogue!"
Rogue stepped forward and grinned as he hugged Wendy tightly, "It's good to see you again little breeze." He purred as his wings appeared.
"We're flying again?" Wendy asked curiously and Rogue nodded, "Yes. Cana's currently aboard the ship, and flying's the fastest way to get there."
Wendy nodded and Rogue scooped her up as he flapped off.
"Gray!" Lucy called, "See to the treasure! I'm going back aboard!"
"Natsu," Lucy said sharply, her eyes narrowed as she clicked her fingers for his attention where he had his brother in a headlock, "Stop trying to chew on Stings head and help Gray!"
"Aye cap'n," Natsu growled, somewhat mutinous as he shot Sting a look which promised pain. He got up and brushed off the dirt, stomping over to Gray to help him up.
"Sting, go ahead with Rogue and Wendy and get started. It's going to take me a bit of time to get over to you guys even if I go ahead of the treasure," Lucy nodded to the blond who was looking more bruised than he had when he first landed.
"Aye Captain!" He snapped to a salute, his smug grin not wavering for even a moment. His smile only grew as he opened his wings and flapped away.
Natsu grunted as they began to trek back down the path, happy his siblings were back but not super excited about being stuck carrying the treasure instead of giving Sting a proper beat down for teasing their little sister. The whelp was still young.
They crossed the fork in the road where they had passed before, his eyes locking into the path he had continued to ignore even on the hike back. He stopped short this time, his hands trembling over the grip on the chest. His legs refused to budge, the headache returning with an almost insistent scream to his temple.
All thoughts of getting the treasure back and giving Sting a good lashing flew from his mind and this time he physically staggered.
His grasp slackened. The chest spilling sideways as he let go completely. Natsu dropped his face into his hands, a ragged breath yanking from his lungs.
The pressure in his head increased, driving him to his knees. He didn't notice the sound of the chest crashing down next to him or Grays violent swears for him to watch out. There was a glitter of gold burning into the backs of his eyes through the skits of his fingers, hot breaths burning from his lungs.
He dropped his hands to rest them on his knees, staring distantly out to the branched path. Natsu had a vague sensation of a watery hand against his temple, Juvia's voice murmuring to Gray.
He turned his eyes towards them, and for a moment he saw double. Natsu wondered if he was suffering from a type of sun stroke that was causing him to see double... but the images that were superimposed on one another were totally different. Gray and Juvia, hunched together and looking at him, but wearing clothing from centuries past.
Natsu shook his boiling head and abruptly climbed to his feet, staggering away from them to try and get some air and soothe his head. Without realizing it, his feet took him down the path he had been aching to explore since the beginning.
He dimly heard a voice call something behind him, but he couldn't make sense of it and growled a little as he continued his way, the path coming naturally to him even if it wasn't as clear as it should've been, only to stop in surprise when he came face to face with an ornately carved door embedded into the side of the cliff.
He stared at it uncomprehendingly for a moment, his pounding head making it hard to think, but after a second his heart stopped as he realized it was a dragon door.
Not dragon sized. No, it was human sized instead. Such doors were common in nests close to human habitation or where there was some other regular interaction with human sized people. It was made to allow convenient entrance and exit for the nest without the risk of a friend getting stomped on by mistake.
Had there been a nest here once?
Maybe there had. The ancient orchard they'd found hinted there might've been a settlement here at one time. Farmers and shepherds and the like most likely. Any dragons in the area would've been quick to trade protection services in exchange for human food and any supplies the nest couldn't make on their own.
His heart pounded a little as he laid a hand on the door, wondering just who had lived here and where they might be now, only to stop once more as there was a small ripple of magic and the doors began to creak open.
"Impossible." He whispered in shock as the doors groaned a little, fighting against the growth on them, before abruptly swinging open fully.
The door had been sealed. The only one a seal like that would respond to was the one who laid it in the first place. Surely he hadn't been the one to do that?
He stared into the dark passage, his heart pounding once more, and took a step inside. A distant part of him was shouting that he needed to go back to Lucy and the others, but it was drowned under the beating in his chest and head. This was important. He knew it as surely as he knew how to eat fire.
This was something extremely important.
He carefully followed the passage inside, old draconian lights springing up in his wake, revealing that whoever had built this nest had done it with an eye towards beauty and even human aesthetics.
There were carvings and subtle inlay everywhere, untouched by time thanks to the hardy magic imbued in them, just as fresh and beautiful as the day they'd been done. The stone beneath his feet had even been smoothed and shaped to look like the flagstone of a palace or temple rather than the inside of a cave. It spoke of an attention to detail most nests did not possess.
He followed the corridor in, a breath catching in his throat as it opened into an enormous indoor courtyard. Fully large enough for a nest of a hundred dragons or more to move freely, it boasted terraces and gardens with flowers and enormous trees all illuminated by skylights cleverly cut into the rock to make it seem like one was outside even when they weren't. There was even a dragon sized entrance leading directly onto the lagoon sand.
A nest. An entire nest had been here.
He clutched his chest tightly as he shakily moved forward and down towards the bottom level, passing what were undoubtedly personal lairs along the way. He could see the kitchens and common areas at the back, where they would've been most sheltered from the weather. The eating hall was just off it, though it was empty of even a pillow.
The weather protections must've failed somewhat down here he realized dimly as he wandered into what must've been the drake's receiving hall, and that was where he stopped short.
There, on the far wall, was an enormous life sized mural. It dominated the whole space, and he would've admired it for how impressive it looked, but the content was what had stolen his attention.
Because staring back at him from that lifesized image was himself.
He reeled backwards, staggering into a delicate looking gold fixture that clattered onto the ground. Cold sweat beaded down his temples and back, panic and confusion warring over his mind. That was him. It was unmistakable. There were people and a crew all around them, their faces worn away by the time and weather baring down on the failing protections, but his expression was clear.
He let out a hoarse roar as memories exploded in his mind, driving him down to his knees as his mind split right in half.
"You've been workin' on this pigsty for years now Salamander," the gruff voice of Gajeel boomed in Natsu's mind. He heard himself give an answering laugh, looking over his shoulder at his grumpy friend standing nearby and glowering at him.
"I started working on it the day after I met her," Natsu replied, "Now hold still. Reid is trying to work a miracle and make ya look good on this damn mural. The gods only know I'm admin' for one by putting yer ugly mug on it."
"Oy watch it captain! You'll have a fight on your hands with that sharp tongue of yers!"
"Aye, and I'm lookin' forward to it. I've got a bigger one ahead of me when I ask her for her hand," Natsu spoke, and the determination in his voice was strong enough to be cut into the walls themselves.
"She'll say yes cap'n, ain't nobody fool enough to miss how you both look at one another," Gajeel muttered.
"Oui, oui, now please stop moving sir Redfox, I'm capturing your likeness with the captain!" Reid's voice came, familiar and haunting.
Natsu felt a surge of elation as his family, his crew became etched on the walls he had painstakingly smoothed out over years of travel. A home for them all, a refuge when they wanted a rest from the sea. Perfect for their free spirits.
The thought blurred into the next one as in this one Natsu was in the middle of the fight. Gajeel was in this memory as well, but far different from what Natsu remembered.
In his hand he held a sword very different from The Crimson Lotus. It was cheap, poorly weighted and hurt Natsu's wrist. However he used it well, as an extension of himself rather than a weapon. They were being boarded by an enemy ship, a violent pirate crew that liked to think they were superior, but fell short in all regards.
Under his boot was the snarling neck of Gajeel. Red eyes burned into Natsu's, hatred coiling in that gaze. Starkly different from the companionship they would one day have for one another.
"Give up Black Steel. Phantom Lord is going to be scuttled and sent back to the crown with its tail between its legs," Natsu snarled at him, "You're a dragon though. You know what they're doing is wrong."
"You've been hunting after Captain Jose, tell me who is the one in the wrong here Salamander!" Gajeel gritted out a snarl. His fangs gnashed, furious over being pinned.
Natsu recoiled, abruptly releasing the pressure on Gajeel's neck. His eyes were wide when the other dragon sat up.
"You don't know," Natsu whispered, his voice hoarse. He shook his head, "No why would you? You're a demi-god, son to the dragon god Metalicana. Captain Jose wouldn't risk you knowing."
"Risk me knowin' what?" Gajeel growled back.
"Dragon eggs," Natsu spoke softly, his expression tight with grief. And sorrow. Because of what he was going to tell him next. The pain was like physical agony in his chest and Natsu's arms trembled, "Last time you asked for leave, to return to your nest..."
"What?" Gajeel whispered, his head shaking as he seemed to sense where Natsu was going.
"Captain Jose followed you there. When you left he stole a clutch of eggs, using the shells to create lanterns to sell to humans and kept two for himself. A pair of twins, black and white," Natsu growled, his fangs baring down at the thought, "I've been hunting Jose down under the orders of Igneel, who is being guided by the talon of the Forge. I'm working under the orders of Metallicana!"
The look on Gajeel's face was one Natsu would never forget. The expression of illness, of bloodless horror and all rage draining from his face spoke volumes. He would never forget it.
"Dad, no— then it's my fault? Are they-?" Gajeel looked sick, stricken with grief for the small lives lost to a man he foolishly had followed, "Swear this to me, on my father's name. Swear it and I will follow you."
A hand was extended out to Gajeel, knowing truthfully that swearing to a god's true name was an oath more sacred than any other.
"I swear on the true name of the Forge, your father, that I am telling you the truth," Natsu met his eyes, "I swear on Metalicana."
The memory compounded into others, spilling in together as Natsu screamed on the floor over the cavern. His fingers fisted into dusty pink hair, his body trembling as the whirlpool of memories cascaded over him in a stampede he was powerless to stop.
He could see the faces of his crew, how he convinced each one of them to sail with him. How he became friends with them. How he would die for any one of them.
Centuries of adventures and fighting and laughter all cascaded through him in a tsunami he was powerless to control, let alone stop. It was too much and not enough and all he could do was roar as the pain overwhelmed him.
He was unaware of the frantic footsteps behind him, or the soft hands on him, trying to soothe and restrain him. He knew nothing of the two young dragons that had once been the very eggs he'd saved from Jose frantically rushing off the ship, shouting to their crewmates that Natsu was in trouble, and flying as fast as they could to their drake's side.
All he could see, all he could feel, was the maelstrom tearing through him until suddenly a surge deep within him rose to meet it and his mind was wrapped in a protective bubble that soothed the pain and held back the torrent. It was the magic of the sea goddess, rushing forward to soothe the ache of the memories, its watery presence a balm to the fire ripping through his mind.
He collapsed onto the floor, gasping harshly for breath, feeling as though he'd gone a hundred rounds with Gajeel without pause. Every part of him ached and his head throbbed painfully as he tried to catch his breath.
"Natsu?"
The worried voice penetrated his pained haze as a slender hand curled into his, and he pried his eyes open to stare blearily up at a blond head, "L'shy?"
"That's right." Lucy breathed with a relieved smile, "Just hang on. We'll get your sister. You'll be alright."
Natsu let out an incoherent groan, but already the pain in his head was fading into something more manageable as the cascade of memories began settling into their proper places. It wasn't everything, he could tell that right away by the gaps, but they weren't fading away again. Whatever magic had stopped the torrent hadn't taken them away again, and he was blindingly grateful for that despite the pain. Pain was a small price to pay for his memories.
"'M alright." He managed after a few more moments of rest, "Just gonna lie here for a few if'n you don't mind cap'n."
Lucy laughed a little tearily, "Consider it an order sailor." She replied and brushed her hand through his bangs, "Can you tell us what happened? One minute you were carrying the chest and the next you looked like a zombie."
"Mem'ries." Natsu huffed, a broad grin curling his lips, "Lotsa mem'ries."
"It was the pull of this place." Juvia murmured from Natsu's other side, "He remembered it in his heart and his heart led him here." She nodded at the mural, "No doubt that was the trigger for them to return."
"Yeah." Natsu replied as he levered himself into a sitting position, the pain receding a little more every moment, "That's me. And this was my nest." He frowned, "Or, my intended nest." He glanced around, "I was building it for someone special. My queen." He shook his head, "I still don't remember who."
"The memory will return in time." Juvia promised soothingly, "Though you'll forgive me if I hope we don't have any more episodes like this."
Natsu glanced at her and his lips twisted into a crooked grin, "Aw, c'mon Juvia!" He cackled, "Where's the fun in that?"
"Lucy..." Gray called, his voice shaky, and his eyes wide, as he stared at the mural, "That's... that's the Fairy Tail." He turned to give Natsu an equally wide eyed look, "Hoteye thought the Pirate King's treasure was buried here..."
Natsu smirked a little as he managed to pull himself upright again, "Bullseye Snowman." He turned to an equally shocked looking Lucy and dipped his head in a slight bow, "Former Captain Natsu Dragneel of the Fairy Tail at your service."
Lucy's jaw dropped at the inclination. She knew what that meant. The only other time the Fairy Tail had sailed had been under its original captain. The Pirate King.
The first pirate. The one who paved the road for the first pirates to follow after, for better or worse.
And it was Natsu.
"I see," Lucy hesitated and Natsu's smile faltered. She was always cautious around other captains, knowing from experience they usually wanted either her title or ship. And this was a man with memories of having both.
Natsu seemed to understand and his expression relaxed, "Captain, this doesn't change anything. I don't want anything besides my memories."
"I'm happy being in your ship and serving under you," Natsu gave Lucy a hopeful smile, "I don't want your command. I don't even want anything from you."
He looked down, waiting for her judgement.
"Natsu of course you're welcome to stay," Lucy sighed in exasperation. She had been raised on so many stories of the fierce pirate king. The first of many who was said to be utterly ruthless to his enemies and kind or gentle to his allies.
"It explains why you're so bad at following orders," Lucy sighed and smoothed his hair from his face, "You can stay and remember who you are. And maybe remember your queen too."
Natsu nodded and clutched at his chest, happy to stay but feeling the pain from her loss. He remembered his love for her, but the sharpness of it was dampened by the gentleness of Lucy's smile.
"Oh!" He sprang to his feet with a broad grin of his own. His heart seemed to fill his chest and he ran to the mural, "I built this place for my queen. But, you'll make better use of it now."
He smiled back at Lucy and slid his hand against the side of the mural. His hand pressed into the painting, his magic curling outwards. The mural flowed over itself like water. Slowly the painting slipped down, exposing a large room behind it.
Lucy gasped as the interior was revealed, "Natsu..."
"Impressive ain't it?" Natsu grinned smugly at her, his pride evident, "What I didn't spend building this place I saved here for her, but I figure you could probably use it more right?"
Lucy blinked a little and shook herself, "What? Natsu no! We can't take this!"
Natsu's smile fell again, "But why not?"
Lucy let out a slightly hysterical laugh and gestured to the room overflowing with treasure, "Because it's yours!"
She shook her head a little dazedly, her gaze sneaking back to stare at the giant mounds of gold, silver, and bronze. At the artworks and fine jewels the Pirate King had acquired in his long reign. She could even see precious silks and other things tucked away, no doubt intending to gift them to this mysterious queen of his when they married. She shook her head again.
"No. Absolutely not." She looked at him, "Natsu you have to know by now that I based everything I've done as a pirate off you! You were my hero growing up! My mother told me stories about your exploits, and the code you laid down! The code she followed and taught to me! I even rebuilt your ship! And now I find out you're a part of my crew?"
She rubbed her forehead, only vaguely aware of the crowd that had gathered outside, "Natsu, you know Fairy Tail's rule. You created it. We're family. And we don't steal from family."
Natsu's expression softened into a smile and he walked over to grasp her hands, "But you're not stealing it Lucy." He rumbled softly, "I'm offering it to you of my own free will." He trailed a finger over a stray tendril of hair. There was an ache of sadness in his eyes, of a reminder of a treasure for a person who would no longer use it, "I have no need for it. My… my queen is long dead. If she wasn't I would have heard about it by now. And I'm a prince in my own right. So why not put that treasure to where it can do some good?"
"I say we take it." Gray spoke up with a smirk, "If he's that eager to get rid of it then we might as well take advantage."
"Gray!" Lucy hissed indignantly, though she didn't pull out of Natsu's grasp, and he shrugged.
"What? The pyro was right. We could use it. You're always worrying about repairs and maintenance costs. This would take care of that." He glanced around, "Hell we could use this whole place. Magnolia's a great home port, but I wouldn't mind a secure place for us come back to, and it wouldn't take much to make this place livable again."
Lucy sighed, "I just... it doesn't feel right. You worked hard for that treasure Natsu, and this isn't like finding Hoteye's treasure. I hate spending it away."
Natsu's grin turned amused, "What? You're going to stop going after treasure just because you got a big haul now?"
Lucy blinked in surprise, "No! Of course not!"
Natsu shrugged, "Then give me my fair cut and we'll call it even." He gestured around them, "This place was built in a different lifetime. I'd rather like the chance to start fresh in this one."
"If not I can always swim in it or something," Natsu shrugged, a crooked grin flashing over his face.
"Besides you both were all about finding the Pirate King's treasure until you realized it was me," Natsu raised an eyebrow at her. He smirked crookedly, his countenance a bit more cocksure now that he had more of his memories, "What, is it less flashy then you were expecting?"
Lucy could tell that she was being baited by the former Pirate King. His face was casual, sure of himself while dealing with another captain.
It occurred to her that he was treating her like hey were on equal ground, showing her the respect of her station from his own.
"Tell ya what Captain, if you don't want it, I'll just keep it here for now," Natsu dropped his hand from the mural to raise an unpainted wall once more.
"There was no way you guys would have found it anyway without dragon magic," Natsu smirked at them, "So you're welcome!"
Lucy rolled her eyes and beckoned him closer with a crook of her finger. Natsu's heart jumped at the simple movement and he wandered closer. She flicked his nose in retaliation to cause him to rub it. Pouting, Natsu watched her.
He was a little happy to hear he had been her hero while growing up, although he really hoped he hadn't disappointed her by the reality.
"Mr. Fullbuster!" She called crisply, her eyes never leaving Natsu's, "I want a full accounting of this hoard before we depart! Every coin and gem! Is that clear?"
"Aye Cap'n!" Gray barked in return, though there was no mistaking the satisfaction in his voice.
Lucy smirked dangerously at Natsu, "It's a new age." She purred at him, "The Pirate King has become a Queen. And if my predecessor is that foolishly determined enough to hand over centuries of swag to me well..." She shrugged, "I could hardly call myself a pirate if I didn't take advantage."
Natsu grinned back, "Indeed not."
Lucy pulled back and looked over at the gathered crowd, foremost of which were a worried looking Sting and Rogue, "Well what are you lot standing around for!" She demanded, "I want this place checked from top to bottom! Come on move it! We've got work to do!"
There was a chorus of ayes and some broke away to help Gray get started on the unexpectedly large haul while others started slowly moving further into the nest. Though no one moved without lingering looks at Natsu and Lucy.
"Captain Dragneel!" Lucy said, "I would be most appreciative of a tour if you would be so kind."
Natsu purred softly at the Captain title. It wasn't necessary, and she didn't have to call him that anymore, but it pleased him she was acknowledging his rank. However little good it did him now.
They were equals, and somehow that meant the world to him.
"It would be my pleasure Captain Heartfilia." He replied sincerely.
-::-
Far away, Jude stalked in angry paths in front of a black temple. It was ornate from top to bottom, sleek and expensive.
He was furious over Lucy's denials which put him in one of the most awkward positions of his life. Telling a god that his daughter refused his hand in marriage.
Summoning up every ounce of his courage, he walked into the temple to face the music. His eyes fell on a sallow faced acolyte, dressed only in black robes with intricate markings painted over him. He was broad shouldered and strong, a blood Knight by the looks of it.
The temple of the Destroyer was home to the fiercest and most sadistic of warriors. Jude moved nervously under their cold eyes, "I wish to speak to Acnologia. I have news of his bride."
And that's it for Act 1! Just a couple of notes from a few reviewer questions. First, I'd like to mention that you guys have some of the best theories! Some of you guys have picked up on our foreshadowing with the story so far, which is pretty awesome, while other of you guys are spinning great ideas. We've already pre-written this story, so you just gotta hang on! Promise!
Second, yes this fic isn't exactly 'historically' accurate when it comes to pirates. This is more done in the romantic sense of the idea, so just keep that in mind. Hoteye buried his treasure because he suspected his crew was going to mutiny. He was greedy enough that he'd rather die with it close underfoot than have them get their grubby paws on it.
Try not to get hung up on the historical accuracy of pirates for this fic. We play pretty fast and loose with it.
In other news, you guys got your sneak peek! You guys are seriously rocking it out! I'm crazy impressed!
"You've been staring at him nonstop even before you found out who he was," Levy pointed out.
Lucy shot her friend an irate glower, not particularly pleased with having that information pointed out to her. Natsu was a very interesting, and Lucy had even considered getting closer to him. However since the resurgence of his memories Lucy had to remember that their relationship had shifted a bit.
He was in love. With someone else, even if it was from hundreds of years ago. Lucy could see it hanging around him like a cloud, the ache in the back of his eyes when he would rub at his chest.
She wasn't going to do that to herself.
The Heartfilia women had been notoriously unlucky in love for generations. Cursed in fact. So much so it was more surprising to find one who had found real long-term happiness than not. And it was a fate she was determined to avoid at all costs.
That was why she'd shied away from romantic entanglements of any kind.
And it was why Natsu, for all his artless charm and goofy attractiveness, was off limits. She would not compete with a ghost. Let alone a ghost he only vaguely remembered existed.
