We're entering into the Lullaby Arc, folks, and Naruto is heading into it with two Holy Swords, and is in possession of a Cursed Weapon. Lucy is on her way to learning from everyone's favorite blond wizard, and I'm not talkin' 'bout Laxus! But just to let you know, to give power to good spells, you have the need to learn Evil Spells as well...boo!

6: Erza

The Guild hall was slightly quieter as Lucy stared up at the Job Request board. Having not received the reward from her first real job, she was in need of rent money since Naruto had already paid his half, which he was more than happy to pay the rest in her place considering he owed her for taking him in, but the girl refused.

He was already willing to teach her advanced Celestial Magic, so she didn't want to feel like she wasn't doing her part about paying rent. In the week they'd been back, though, Naruto had been doing a lot of work, so he hardly had time to teach her anything, much as she wanted to learn. The day before he had seen a job posted on the board that had caught his eye quickly, and he was out the door before anyone could blink.

"How does he do it," she wondered as she looked at a flyer asking for someone to take down some bandits that was worth a whopping one hundred thousand jewels. She picked it up, "Hmm, there's so many different types of requests that I'm not sure which one to take up?"

Mirajane, who had been watching her from behind the bar, smiled as the girl took the flyer, "If you want to take on a job, then you'll have to bring it to me since the master isn't here at the moment."

"Hmm?" Lucy looked down the bar toward Makarov's usual spot, and saw that the man was indeed absent. "Oh yeah, you're right." She said, wondering where the man was.

Mirajane chuckled, "He has to attend a regular meeting of the Guild Masters, so he'll be out for a little while." She said as Lucy brought over the job request, "Ah, where's Naruto? Isn't he back, yet?"

Lucy shook her head as she sat down at the bar, "No, he's been gone for a whole day, even though he said he'd be back in no time," she sighed, feeling down without her blond roommate around. "It's...kinda lonely without him around..."

Mira just looked at the younger wizard, and smiled as she leaned on the counter with her face cupped in her hands, "Lucy, are you by chance falling for your roommate?" She asked with a kitty grin as Lucy flinched.

Lucy looked at her, and frowned, "Is...is it that obvious?"

Mirajane giggled, and patted her on the shoulder, "Not really, but you've been sighing all day, and since Naruto's not around, he's the only guy I know that you could be hung up on besides Natsu, and really, I kinda think you two look cute together. Almost like Alzack and Bisca, though they both know they like each other, but just don't want to risk ruining their friendship."

Lucy raised her brow at this, "Wow, they've got it that bad?" She asked, casting a small glance toward the Gun Magic duo. "No wonder they're always together."

Mirajane nodded, "Truth be told, I expect the minute those two figure out there's nothing to worry about, I'll be an auntie in no time." Both young women started giggling. "So," the barmaid asked, "How bad do you have it for your roomy?"

A small blush crossed the girl's cheeks, "Not sure, really. I mean, he's sweet and all, but he can be so random sometimes," she said, huffing, "And he's seen me naked one too many times for someone I'm not even dating - "

"Yet." Mirajane put in.

Lucy ignored her, "He's also got this crooked little grin of his that always seems to make me forget I'm mad at him," she sighed, leaning on her hands, "I mean, is that normal?"

"For a girl crushing hard on someone, yes," Mirajane said with a giggle, "Don't get the wrong idea, Lucy, but even I'd go after Naruto just because of his looks, and let me tell you, I was no prude when I was younger." She said with a slight blush on her face, "But keep in mind just how innocent Naruto acts sometimes. He may have the decency to feel embarrassed in such situations, but I highly doubt he had much physical contact with a lot of women on his island, wherever that is."

Lucy nodded, "Yeah, I guess...so what do I do?"

"Let nature take its coarse," Mirajane shrugged, "I already know that he thinks the world of you, because he's come to your rescue so many times without hesitation, and he thinks of you as his closest friend. And sooner or later, he'll realize he cares about you way more than that."

The blonde wizard sighed, "I guess I can wait a little while longer," she smiled, "Anyway, what was that you were saying about a regular meeting?"

"Oh, it's a meeting where the Guild Masters from different provinces come together to report about their Guilds," she said smiling, "It's a bit different from the Council meeting, but...hm, it's a bit confusing." She said, looking down the bar to a large, round man making a sketch, "Reedus, can I borrow a Light Pen, please?"

"Oui." He said, handing it to her.

Mirajane then proceeded to draw a diagram in light above the bar. "You couldn't have possibly know the organizational chart of the Mage World when you've just joined a Guild, right?" She said while Lucy looked at the diagram in interest. "The ten council members who have connections to the government hold the highest position in the magical world." She said, "They exist to protect the order in the world of mages, they also try wizards that have commited crimes in the Guild."

Lucy nodded in understanding, "So they're like the rulers of all the wizards," she said, thinking about it simply.

"Pretty much," Mirajane said, nodding, "Now the Guild Masters are right underneath them. Their job is to smoothen out the communications between Guilds in every province, and to notify their Guild about Council decisions, as well as bring them together."

Lucy was looking over the diagram still, slightly stunned, "It sounds like a really tough job," she said, cuping her chin in her left hand, "I had no idea that each Guild had a connection to one another."

Mirajane sighed, lacing her fingers together, "Connections between the Guilds is important." She said, solemnly, "If you neglect theses...you know..."

Lucy looked at Mirajane, failing to see a certain pinkette sneaking up behind her. "People from the darkness will come to get you~!" Natsu hissed menacingly with a ball of fire shadowing his face, scaring the life out of Lucy.

Natsu cackled while Lucy reprimanded him as Mirajane handed Reedus back the pen she'd borrowed, "But these people from the darkness really do exist," she said, catching the pair's attention, "We call whatever Guild that doesn't belong to the League a 'Dark Guild'."

"They don't follow the rules, so the Magic Council doesn't like them all that much," Natsu put in carelessly.

"Aye," Happy agreed.

"Then they'll be coming for you some day," Lucy said.

Natsu just grinned and tucked his arms behind his head, "Either way, why don't you choose a job for us already," he said.

Happy fluttered up beside him, "We chose the last one, so it's your call since Naruto's not around." The cat said.

Lucy harrumped, turning around from the duo, "Don't think I forgot about you two trying to use me as bait for Duke Everlue," she said, miffed, "If it wasn't for Naruto, I'd've been toast. So I'm not teaming up with you guys anymore."

Both Natsu looked at her in confusion, "Why?"

"Aye."

"Are you kidding!?" Lucy yelled at them, "You were gonna use me as bait from the very beginning just because I'm a blonde! It could have been anyone, all they needed was the right color hair!"

"You're right, but so what?"

"SEE!"

"But," Natsu grinned, "We chose you to be on our team because you're a nice person, Lucy." He said truthfully. Lucy looked at him with a small angry blush on her face, though she thought about letting it slide for all of a second before turning away and ordering a drink.

There was a laugh from one of the tables, "You know you don't have to force yourself to team up with anyone," Gray said with a puff of his cigarette. "I heard you did excellent job that last time, so I'll bet you'll gt plenty of recruitment offers." Lucy would have thanked him...if he'd had any clothes on. She still needed to get used to that little habit of his.

Without missing a beat, Loki appeared beside the teen, "Lucy, would you like to form a Love Team with me?" He asked sidling up to her, "Just the two of us?"

"See?" Gray said, grinning.

Lucy brushed man off, "No way."

Gray took a drag from hi cigarette and blew it out, "I heard you defeated two wizards from the Southern Wolves Mercenary Guild, and a large, gorilla-like woman, right?" Gray asked, looking at the blonde, impressed, "You're really something."

"Uh..." Lucy fidgeted, "I guess I did take down the woman...but Natsu got the other two..." She said, feeling guilty for what she did to Virgo in her possessed state.

Hearing that Natsu had gotten two out of the three targets, Gray immediately latched onto Natsu's scarf, snarling, "It was you, bastard!"

"You got a problem with it?!" Natsu growled right back.

"Um...Gray, you're outfit..." Mirajane pointed out.

Gray looked down at himself, "ARGH! I forgot it again!"

Natsu scoffed, "What a pain in the ass."

"Did you just call me a pain in the ass, you flaming piece of shit!?" Gray roared, punching the Dragon Slayer in the face.

"A massive pain in the ass, ya perverted punk!" Natsu retaliated by through him to the ground, and driving his fist into his stomach while Gray kicked him in the side. As the ensuing brawl spilled out into the Guild, Lucy shook her head.

Really, she should have been used to this at least by now, but the sudden brawls always surprised her. And so did Loki's flirtations. "You're really beautiful," he said, and he had to be using some sort of Charm magic to get those stupid sparkles to float around his face, "Even looking through the dark shades of my sunglasses, you're still beautiful."

Lucy tried her best to ignore him, knowing that he usually had two or more women on his arm at a time, "Thanks." She said, going back to her drink, considering taking the job she'd taken down from the board.

"If I looked at you with my naked eyes they'd probably shatter into pieces." Loki said, still trying to gain her affections.

Lucy huffed as a large sweat drop appeared on her face, "Then by all means, take those off." She said, looking at Mirajane, "Hey, Mira, I think I'll take this one. It's close by, and worth good money."

"Okay!" Mirajane said happily.

Loki was about to try again when he spotted Lucy's Gate Keys, and froze, "Y-You're a Celestial Spirit Wizard!?"

"Yup," Lucy said without turning around.

"She's got crabs, and bulls, and stuff!" Happy put in with a raise of his paw.

Loki, surprising both Lucy and Happy, completely freaked out, "Oh, what a cruel twist of fate!" He yelled dramatically clutching at his chest, before turning tail and running out of the Guild Hall, "I'm sorry, but this is the end of us!"

Lucy grumbled, "When was there ever an "us" to begin with?" She asked, turning back to the bar, "What the hell was that all about, anyway?"

Mirajane giggled, "He's just not really good with Celestial Spirit wizards is all," she said, "I bet something happened in the past with a Celestial Wizard he dated, and things ended badly."

Meanwhile Natsu was pinned to the floor with his legs around Gray waist in an attempt to through him off. "Shoudl we stop them?" Lucy asked, pointed to the boys.

"Naw," Mirajane said, "I think it's kind of cute watching them wrestle like that."

Just then Loki came running back into the hall, "Ah, great, the pervert's back."

He saw Natsu and Gray brawling on the floor and paled, "Oh, crap, Natsu, Gray, stop fighting right now!"

"What?" Natsu growled.

"Why?" Gray asked.

Loki took a breath, and yelled, "ERZA'S BACK!"

"WHAT!?" The two fighters roared.

The doors to the Guild burst open, revealing a woman with scarlet hair in a heart kruiz armor. Over her shoulder she carried a massive piece of horn. Activety inside the Guild Hall had stopped altogether as the woman came into the hall, all of them looking terrified. Loki was slowly slinking toward the door, "I think I'm gonna go home now." He said, and bolted.

With a tremendous thud, she set the horn down, showing that it was decorated with gold and jewels. "I'm back." She said tonelessly, "Is Master present at the moment?"

Mirajane just beamed at her, "Welcome back!" She said to her friend, "The Master's attending the Regular Meeting right now, so he's gone to Clover."

"I see..." the woman said.

"Hey, Erza," one of the guys said, "What is that huge thing you brought with you?"

Erza looked the horn, "Hmm, you mean this?" She said, and smiled, "It's the horn of a demon beast I defeated," she said, patting the item, "The villagers were so grateful that they decorated it for me. It was so pretty that I had to bring it back with me as a souvenir." She looked at the man that had spoken, "Will it be a nuisance?"

"Nah, we can fix a spot for it somewhere in the Guild Hall if you'd like." He said, "Sort'a like a center piece, right?"

Erza smiled at him, "That's very nice, thank you." She said, and frowned, "However, I've heard you've all been causing trouble again," she said, "Even if the master forgives you, I will not!"

Lucy almost flinched at the harshness in her voice, "Who is she?" She asked, Happy, "She's really pretty, but I've never seen her in Sorcerer Weekly."

"That's Erza," Happy said, "She's really strong."

"Cana," she said to the bikini-topped girl, "That is an improper drinking posture, and it is far too early to be drinking so much." She turned to the dancing wizard, "Visitor, take the dancing outside before you know the tables over. And Wakaba, stop throwing your cigarette butts all over the floor, and take it outside!"

"Nav, are you still standing in front of the request board," Erza said to the man, "Just pick a job already!"

Lucy frowned, "Whoa, she's tearing into everyone."

"By the way," Erza said, "Are Natsu and Gray here?"

"Aye!" Happy said, gesturing to the pair.

Lucy looked over at the two, and was surprised to see the previously brawling pair now with their arms around the other's shoulders, "H-hey, Erza," Gray stammered out, sweating badly, "W-we're b-being good to each other as always!"

"AYE!" Natsu squeaked in a bad imitation of Happy.

Lucy nearly burst out laughing, 'Oh, I'm gonna have a lot of fun with this!' She thought with he cheeks puffed out.

"I see," Erza said, smiling, "But even the best of friends sometimes fight once in a while, but I'd rather see you two being good to each other like that all the time."

"Well, I've told you before that we're not the best of friends," Gray said, still sweating.

"Aye!" Natsu said.

Lucy giggled, "I've never seen Natsu acting like this!" She snickered.

"It's because Natsu and Gray are scared of Erza," Mirajane giggled, "Natsu picked a fight with her and got beaten up pretty badly," she said, causing the girl to look at the red-hair in surprise, "And then she found Gray walking around naked and beat him up, too."

"Oh, my..." Lucy giggled.

"And then Loki tried hitting on her, and nearly got himself killed." Mirajane said, her lip twitching.

That did it for Lucy as the two women burst out laughing. "I think I'm gonna like her, a lot."

Erza was looking at the two laughing girls in confusion, and turned back to the two boys, "I'm happy you two are getting along," she said, smiling at the two, "I actually have a favor I need to ask of you." She explained, "I've heard some troubling rumors that I would usually consult the master with, but I regard this matter as quite urgent." She said, placing her hands on her hips, "So I need your help," she said, shocking the pair, "You'll come with me, right?"

Even Mirajane was shocked by this. Lucy heard around the room that Erza never teamed up with anyone. "Erza teaming up with Gray and Natsu," the white-haired barmaid muttered, "This might just be the strongest team in Fairy Tail!"

=Meanwhile=

In the far reached of Fiore lay the Dark Guild, Eisenwald. Surrounded by dead trees, and crumbling, the building was a ruined castle. Inside could be heard the laughter of the Guild members.

"Which Guild is that woman from?"

"How the hell should I know?"

"She's gorgeous...shit! I really should've made a move on her!"

There was laughter, "You wouldn't stand a chance!"

"WHAT!"

Down the ruined halls strode a tall, dark figure with a large scythe in his hands, "Is Kageyama back, yet?" The figure asked.

The three men that had been laughing looked at the man, "Not yet, Boss," said a man in a striped hat, "It's not an easy task to break of that 'thing', so it really can't be helped."

The "Boss" grinned widely, "This ain't the time to hesitate," he said, "Now is our chance, since those old geezers are at their Regular Meeting, now it the perfect time to end them!"

=Magnolia Station=

The train stations of Magnolia were always a bustling hive of activity, day in and day out. Today, however, it was much more lively than normal. Why you ask...well...It seems the strongest team could possibly be the evilest team.

"Why does that monster, Erza, need our help?" Natsu growled.

"How would I know?" Gray snapped, "But if she does need help, I should've been enough!" Both Guild members were face to face, ready for a fight. Which is exactly what they did. As soon as they got into the train station, a brawl started up with Natsu throwing the first punch.

"Then why don't you go by yourself!" Natsu roared, socking him in the jaw, "I don't wanna go!"

Gray retaliated by punching him in the head, "Fine, then don't come! Get yourself killed by Erza when you do!"

Lucy, sitting on a bench with little Plue in her arms, sighed, "Will you guys just shut up?" She said, "You're causing trouble for everyone!" Her words caused them to stop and look at her for a moment, "Jeez, why can't you guys get along?"

"Mira asked me to come along and keep an eye on you two," Lucy huffed, "She knew you two would start trouble and wanted me here to knock some sense into you...and I was all fired up and ready to go on my first solo job, too!" She whined, and found the the boys were at it again. Lucy sighed, but a thought struck her, "Oh, hey, Erza, this way!"

The boys yelped, and slung their arms around each other, "Let's get along good buddy!" Gray said loudly.

"Aye!"

Lucy, Happy, and Plue cracked up.

"You tricked us!" Gray and Natsu said angrily.

Giggling, Lucy smiled at them, "You two really can get along, huh?"

"Ah, so you're here already?" Erza's voice drifted to them.

Lucy turned around and her jaw dropped at what Erza was lugging behind her. "Whoa, so much luggage!"

Erza turned to her, "Hmm? You were at the Guild Hall yesterday, weren't you?"

Lucy nodded and gave a short bow, "I'm a new member, Lucy," she said, introducing herself, "Mirajane asked me to tag along, so I'll try to be useful."

Erza smiled at the younger girl, "I'm Erza, it's nice to meet you," she said, looking the girl over, realizing something, "Oh, I see, you're the one that people were talking about in the Guild." She said as Lucy gave a little embarrassed blush, "I heard you took down a mercenary gorilla...you're very promising."

Lucy sighed, "Those facts are slightly twisted."

"Hey, Erza," Natsu said, coming up to the woman, "I'll go along with you, but only on one condition."

Gray sweated, "You idiot, what are you thinking!"

"A condition?" Erza asked calmly, "Say it, then."

Natsu stood tall, his face serious, "When we come back, I want a rematch," he said, shocking Lucy, "I'm a lot stronger than the last time we fought."

"Hey!" Gray shouted, "Don't rush into things like that! You wanna die!?"

'Is he crazy?!' Lucy thought, looking between the two wizards, knowing that Erza was in a league of her own. But the woman just smiled at the pink-haired Dragon Slayer, "You've certainly grown since we last fought," she said, tucking her hair behind her left ear, "While I'm not very confident in myself, I'll accept your challenge."

Natsu felt a vein throb on his head, "What d'ya mean you're not confident!?" He roared, "Fight me seriously, dammit!"

"I know, gut you're strong, Natsu," she said, giggling, "I just wanted to say that."

Lucy giggled slightly as Natsu's head lit up in flames. "Whoo, yeah, I'm all fired up now!"

The train arrived then, and Natsu forlornly made his way on board, "Man, what I would give to know that spell Naruto cast on me," he groaned.

Lucy giggled, and went to board herself, but found her path blocked by a large wall of muscle. She bounced off the person in front of her, and landed on her butt. "Oops, sorry about that," the person said, "I didn't see you."

"No, no, it was my fault, I - " She looked up to see a familiar mop of shaggy blond hair and blue eyes with just as much surprise in them as her own, "Naruto!?"

"Lucy?!" Naruto said, surprised evident on his face as he reached down to help her up, "What are you doing here?"

"Tagging along with Natsu and Gray to keep them out of trouble," she said, dusting herself up, "We're helping out one of our Guild members with something."

"And who is this?" Erza asked from behind them, her arms crossed, "Is he harassing you, Lucy?"

Lucy held up her hands in defense, "No, this is another member of Fairy Tail that joined the same time I did!" She said hurriedly, "He's also my roommate, and teacher!"

Naruto gave a short bow to the woman, "Nice to meet you, the name's Naruto Uzumaki."

Erza looked the young wizard up and down, noticing the two swords he carried, and the wrapped shaft of something else held in his hands, "Fine, he can come as well."

"Eh?" Naruto said before the woman boarded the train, dragging him along with her, "H-hey, wait a minute!"

Lucy giggled, "Um, sorry, Naruto...just go with it...please?"

"What choice do I have!?" Naruto roared, "And stop dragging me, dammit, I can walk on my own, ya know!"

When the started into the car, Naruto showed off his new cloak by placing his swords and the wrapped item inside of it, showing the inner workings of the cloak to be a void space which he used to store his luggage and weapons. Upon seeing him, Natsu looked like he'd just won the lottery. But before he could plead with him for the spell that would stop his motion sickness, the train started moving, making Natsu instantly sick.

Naruto and Lucy sat side by side as Erza took up the end of the seat. "Sorry, Natsu, but I think it's time Lucy tried her hand as some Celestial Magic," he said, gesturing to the younger blonde, "Think you could remember it?"

Lucy blushed under his gaze, looking down at her lap, "I remember the incantation, but I don't think I should - "

Naruto reached up and placed his hand on top of her head, "Hey, have a little more confidence, Lu," he smiled crookedly, making her heart take off faster than a rabbit with a fox after it. "Just focus you magic, and concentrate on moving it over Natsu, and the incantation will do the rest, okay?"

Lucy nodded nervously and raised her hands towards Natsu, "I call upon the power to expel the unclean and impure," a white glow appeared around her form, and focused on her hands, "Purify!" The glowing white magic spread from her palms and over to Natsu. It covered him for a moment before it disappeared. Natsu immediately sat up, looking much better. "I-I did it!"

"I'll say ya did it!" Natsu grinned, slamming his fists together, "I feel awesome, Lucy, thanks!"

Naruto grinned down at his apprentice, "See? I told you that you'd be able to do it." He reached up and patted her on the head again, smiling. He then looked over her head at the red-haired woman, "Now, why don't you tell me what I've just been dragged into?"

A quick little update introducing Erza and Naruto, who is dragged along, literally, with the group in search of a threat. What was the request Naruto had flown out the door so quickly for? And how will the others react to his magic?

Be prepared as Naruto goes on the attack!

Please review!