Lucy squirmed in her seat, her mind running blank and no escape route forming in her mind.

"Isn't this restaurant great, Natsu?" Happy happily chimed as he took a large bite of fish. Natsu, who was sitting beside his blue feline friend, was busy stuffing his mouth with food, gave him a victory sign,"It sure is Happy."

Lucy's eyebrows furrowed as she watched the two eating their hearts out and she exploded,"Can't you eat slower? Or leave anything for me? I'm paying you know!"

Natsu looked up from his food to stare at her as he asked, a confused look on his face,"You're hungry too, Luce?"

"What?" Lucy stared at him with wide eyes, a vein popping on her forehead,"Thats it. I'm not paying the bill at all! And what's with the nickname?"

"Oh?" Natsu gazed at her again, looking like a fish out of water,"You don't like it? How about Luigi?"

"Nats-'

"Don't be so mean, Lushi!" Happy pleaded, his eyes staring at her chocolatey brown ones,"You invited us over here!"

"Because you two blew up the entire building! And then lost all the money you got as a reward for destroying that part of the city!" She sighed as she supported her chin on her hands, "Natsu is a living destroying machine."

"Aye!" Happy agreed then went back to eating.

"Seriously, you're just gonna say 'Aye'?" Lucy stared at the two eating boys again then sighed as she began eating her own food. Seeing Natsu quiet for a while was unnerving and she slowly started a conversation,"So, you both are travellers?"

Natsu nodded as he watched how she tucked her hair behind her ears, eyes still focused on him,"Yeah. Happy and I are travellers, like mercenary mages or something."

"And you happened to be passing by when Mayor gave you the job of rescuing all the captured girls?" Lucy asked again as she sipped her glass of water.

"Yeah," Natsu grinned and for the first time in her entire life, Lucy felt herself relaxing in a boy's presence.

"That would've been great if you wouldn't have blown up the entire building," Lucy deadpanned,"What's the point in completing a mission if you end up losing the reward?"

"We manage somehow!" Natsu chuckled again,"We don't have to worry about paying rent, or transport fares or anything of that sort. Most of the time we sleep outside in tents or caves. Thats everything our life consists of at the moment."

"And food?"

"As I said, we manage, somehow," Natsu answered again making Happy groan and mumble something about being over destructive and making Lucy giggle a little at their behaviour. No one could imagine that these two were the ones who destroyed half of the city and were now having lunch like nothing was wrong. Lucy watched as Natsu patted his belly, giving a contended sigh,"We hadn't had a decent meal in ages. Thanks Lucy."

"You're welcome," Lucy smiled along with him as she asked again,"Being a dragonslayer must be cool ha?"

"It is!" Natsu boasted and Lucy could swear she saw his ego inflating. Then a sudden look of confusion appeared over Natsu's face as he asked,"What happened to you when I blew up the place? You look okay, thank goodness."

"Me?" Lucy pointed at herself,"Well, Horologium was quick enough to shield me from it and thanks to Horologium too that Keiki, the one who was the mastermind behind all the trafficking wasn't burnt either." Lucy then shook her head, mumbling,"If you knew you were overdoing it, why couldn't you control your fire?"

"Because blowing up things is fun!" He grinned again.

"Wai- I whispered that! How could you hear it?"

Natsu pointed at his ears,"I can hear the faintest sound or smell things even when they are far away. I'm a dragonslayer after all. That reminds me, what type of magic did you use? That goat in suit and the cow with axe appeared out of nowhere!"

Lucy could already feel a headache forming as she answered,"That's celestial magic stupid. If one has the key, he or she can summon the 88 constellations along with the twelve zodiacs. And also the thirteenth zodiac. What you saw that time was Capricorn and Taurus. The clock which shielded me is a celestial spirit too, Horologium."

"Ah?"

Lucy deadpanned again,"Forget it. I know you didn't understand a word."

"I did!" He crossed his arms over his chest, pouting. Lucy could feel her face heating up at the sight as she internally squeaked how adorable he looked.

"Then explain what you understood," Lucy teased again.

"Prepare yourself for the worst answer," Happy warned, making Lucy chuckle a little.

"Thanks for the confidence boost!" Natsu whined again,"Geez, have some faith in me Happy."

"I have," Happy laughed again,"Only when you are fighting."

"Oi! What's that supposed to mean?"

"Will you explain what you understood?" Lucy teased,"Or did you already forget? You get distracted by the simplest of things."

"I'm not!" Natsu pouted,"Well I guess you can call friends for help with those keys on your belt from another world or something."

Lucy laughed awkwardly,"Pretty same, huh."

"Oh?" Happy got up as he looked around the restaurant, the place almost empty due to the late hour,"Its dark outside. Will you be okay Lushi?"

"Yeah," Lucy smiled fondly at the blue exceed,"My apartment isn't that far away."

"Hey, Lucy?" Natsu asked, his eyes looking away from her,"Why are you being so nice to us? We hardly know each other."

"Because you teamed up with me to bring down all the goons at the building. Right partner?"

Lucy could swear that she saw small blush on the boy's cheeks.

"Its kind of embarrassing," Happy interrupted,"A girl paying for a boy."

"Don't worry about it!" Lucy waved her hands, looking slightly embarrassed about it,"Its not like its a date or anything. Moreover you two looked hungry."

"You're the best!" Tears of gratitude (Lucy knew the cat was being overdramatic) began flowing from Happy's eyes as he lunged himself at her, hiding her face in her bosom,"Thanks Lucy."

"Its okay Happy!" Lucy scratched the exceed behind his ears, making it mewl in delight,"The pleasure is all mine."

Meeting Natsu was the best thing that happened today in her life. She rescued the girls, saw a flying cat, met a dragonslayer for the first time and more than that, made two friends. Her heart pained a little when she realized it would be the last time she would ever see them. They would travel to another place and she would stay here, still working to make both ends meet.

"Hey Lucy?"

"What is it Natsu?"

"You're a mage. So which guild are you a part of?"

"None. You?"

"Me either."

"Why?"

Natsu looked lost for a second as she waited for his answer. He scratched his chin as he replied,"Don't know. I didn't find a guild which caught my interest."

Lucy understood since she was in the same boat as he was,"I understand. Its the same with me. I've been stuck in Hargion since I left home but now I don't know where to go or what I'm looking for. This place doesn't have a guild even."

"Then why not leave the place?"

She stared at him as if he was dancing in some stupid outfit as she answered,"I want to but I have no idea what or where to look for what I want. Not only that, travelling alone would be boring not to mention dangerous."

"Then come with us!"

"Natsu?" Lucy gasped,"What are you saying?"

Natsu gave her a toothy grin again,"Yeah. Come with us. With me and Happy around, it won't be boring. We can look for what we want, together."

"Which will also mean that someone could take care of me when Natsu is being Natsu!" Happy added.

"Oi!"

"But," she looked unsure,"We just met."

"I trust you," Natsu smiled at her and Lucy could feel her heart beat rising. He started again,"You're brave and selfless. That's why you wanted to rescue the girls even when you wouldn't gain anything. So, I know having you around would be fun. Moreover, you're nice person to be around too."

Travelling with a person she knew for not more than a day? Anyone in right mind would refuse but there was something alluring about the way Natsu proposed the idea that she couldn't refuse. He seemed harmless, an idiot even but Lucy couldn't feel anything but happy when she was near him. Not to mention safe.

Trusting him would be a gamble. She could either have the best time of her life or end up destroying herself. But, she was ready to take the risk. Staying here would do her no good. Moreover, who knew what type of adventures she could come across while travelling?

"Okay," Lucy smiled as she agreed, the smile on Natsu's face growing too as she answered,"I'll go pack. When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow?"

"Okay!"

"Hey Lucy?" Happy flew up and floated around her,"Can we come over too? I don't want to sleep on a tree if I can help it!"

She sighed. If she was going to travel with him, she would have to learn to trust. So she smiled,"Come on."

"You won't be uncomfortable right?" Natsu looked skeptical.

Lucy felt warmth bubbling up in her stomach as she softly spoke up,"Its okay." Maybe staying with him wouldn't be that bad.

"We can sleep on the bed, right?" Natsu grinned.

Or maybe it wouldn't be half bad.

"Couch or get lost."

.

"Happy! Come on! Catch a fish already!" Nashi whined as she impatiently watched the blue feline staying fixed in its position for more than an hour.

"Happy sucks at catching fish," Natsu laughed, making Happy give him an annoyed look. The blue exceed looked away, embarrassed,"Nashi can't catch one either!"

"Because I don't have a fishing rod!" Nashi laughed at his excuse while watching Natsu rolling up another fish and placing it in the bucket,"And another point for Papa! Seventh fish!"

"Natsu is cheating!" Happy whined as he waved his fishing rod haphazardly,"This thing must be broken! No! I know Natsu is cheating!"

"I'm not!" Natsu giggled along with Nashi and beckoned her to come closer,"Here little Dragon, let me show you how to catch a fish!"

"Yay!"

The girl cradled herself between her father's arms and Natsu placed the rod in her hand and said,"Now, I've placed the bait. Swing it and throw it as far as you can!"

"Aye!" Nashi cooed then with a swift swing of hands, proceeded to do as her father said.

"Umm..."

"What happened Nashi?" Happy looked at her then burst out laughing at her embarrassed face.

"Stop laughing stupid Cat!" Nashi folded her hands over her chest and Natsu chuckled at his daughter's flushed face.

Happy clutched his stomach, still rolling in laughter,"You threw the entire rod Nashi. Hahahaha!"

"So," Nashi got up, still embarrassed,"That's not a big deal."

"Yup!" Natsu patted her head,"We will get a new one. Great job on your first attempt."

"You're spoiling her, Natsu," Happy smirked as he clicked his tongue,"Thats not good."

"Hey!"

"Its okay if she is a little spoiled," Natsu picked up Nashi and placed her over his shoulders,"Right my little Dragon?"

"Yup!" Nashi giggled.

"Kyaah!" Happy suddenly exclaimed,"Its a fish!"

"Pull it up!" Nashi cheered,"Do it Happppppppy!"

"Go for it!" Natsu cheered with Nashi still on his shoulder,"Do it!"

"It escaped!" Happy slumped down, large tears forming in his eyes,"Its all because you both scared the fish away!"

"We didn't!" Nashi pouted,"You let it go."

"Natsu!" Happy wailed loudly as he pointed at Nashi,"Nashi is being mean!"

"I'm supporting my dragon!" Natsu said as he highfived his daughter, making Happy whine a little more.

"So, you're here Nashi!"

The Dragneel family turned around and watched as Rin approached them, with Storm Fullbuster following close behind.

"Hey, Rin!" Nashi waved at the approaching siblings,"Hey Storm!"

"Hey! Hello Happy! Hello Uncle Natsu!" Rin wished them as she took a seat near Happy and gave Nashi a grin who quickly came down from her father's shoulders and took a seat beside Rin. Storm rolled his eyes as he sat beside Nashi, greeting them,"Hey Nashi. Hello Happy and uncle Natsu."

Natsu nodded,"Hey Storm and hello Rin! Whatcha doing here?"

"We are here for a picnic!" Rin cooed, folding her hands over her chest as she answered,"Momma and Papa will be here soon."

"Gray and Juvia are coming too?" Natsu asked, a sour expression on his face on hearing the Ice Mage's name.

Storm nodded,"They want to have a family time together."

"Oh!" Nashi looked away, her mind revolving around what Storm said. Family time? With Father and mother? A sad and pained smile graced her lips as she replied,"Have fun."

"We will. Thanks for being so sweet Nashi!" Juvia, who was walking alongside with Gray and carrying a big basket, said as she approached everyone,"Hello everyone. Hey Natsu-san."

"Hey Juvia," Natsu greeted then eyed Gray curiously.

Gray received a small punch from Juvia as he sighed,"Hey Natsu."

"Yeah, hello, Ice Princess," Natsu greeted.

"Since you all are here, why don't you three join us?" Juvia proposed,"It will be fun."

Natsu got up, smiling,"I must decline Juvia. Its your family time and we shouldn't interrupt. Moreover, we gotta cook all the fish we caught today, right Nashi?"

"Aye!" The pink haired girl smiled as she got up,"We will see you again! Bye!"

"You can stay you know," Gray mumbled, getting Natsu's attention,"We are nakama, aren't we?"

"That's not the point," Natsu spoke up,"Family time is just for family. You shouldn't compromise on that."

Nashi could sense the distress behind those words as she wrapped her little fingers around her father's palms. Seeing a family together, she couldn't help but feel jealous about it. Only if her mother would have been here, she wouldn't have to envy Storm or Rin. Neither would her father look so sad.

"Papa?" Nashi pulled her father as she walked away,"I'm hungry. Let's go! Bye! See you all at guild tomorrow!"

"Bye Nashi! Happy! Goodbye Uncle Natsu!" Rin waved.

"See ya!" Gray simply said as he watched the Dragneels walk away. Massaging his temples he whispered so only Juvia could hear,"He doesn't want Nashi to miss her mother so he walked away."

"Juvia understands," the water mage smiled sadly,"Hopefully Nashi wouldn't hate her father because she doesn't have a mother."

.

"And the food is ready!" Natsu announced while placing plates on the table,"Come fast Nashi! Happy!"

Natsu heard series of giggling coming from outside and he went near the window. Seeing how happy his daughter looked while Happy was flying around with her filled his heart with unexplainable happiness as he slowly whispered to himself,"I'm raising her properly, right Luce?"

He watched a little more as Nashi tried to imitate her father and do fire dragon's fist. A frown appeared on his face when he saw the pendant around her neck glowing a little as the colour of Nashi's flame turned red to golden.

'What the!' Natsu watched a little more as the flame died down due to exhaustion. Happy noticed it too, but why wasn't her fire crimson coloured like his own? Why golden?

"Nashi!" He called out again,"Lets eat. Happy! Come with her!"

"Aye!"

"Gotta ask gramps," he reminded himself as he sat on the table and laughed a little when like always, Nashi entered through the window and took a seat beside her father,"It looks delicious father!"

"So eat up!" Natsu passed her a plate then passed another to Happy,"Eat up buddy."

.

When night approached, Nashi couldn't help but think about how Rin and her family looked so happy together. His father never talked about her mother. She wanted to know and thus got up and went to where Natsu was and climbed up as she sat on his chest, making the man ask her,"Having a bad dream?"

Natsu shifted a little to make space for his daughter, who snuggled in her father's warmth,"No."

"Then?"

"Papa," Nashi slowly spoke up,"Can I ask you something?"

"You can," he said without a thought.

"Where is momma?"

Nashi could feel her father tense up beside her as he took deep breathes. He finally asked,"So, you want to know?"

"Yeah," Nashi closed her eyes to block away the tears,"You never speak about her. I don't even know her name. You always tell that I'm not old enough but now I'm an official mage. I have a guild mark, please Papa, tell me about her. Tell me where is Momma!"

"Isn't Papa enough for you?"

"That's not it Papa!" Nashi finally wrapped her arms around her father, hiding her face in his chest,"I just..."

"Nashi... Its okay... Your mother..she..is Lucy Heartfilia," Natsu spoke up, caressing Nashi's hair,"She ...is somewhere far away. Where, I can't tell you because I don't know myself."

"Did she hate me? Did she abandon us?" Nashi couldn't help but ask,"Why isn't she with us?"

"No!" Natsu got up, Nashi still in his lap as he gently wiped away the girls tears,"She doesn't hate you Nashi. She.. Lucy is a beautiful person Nashi, so selfless that you can't even comprehend. She has that bright smile which can give you the strength you're lacking. She has the same beautiful brown eyes like yours, which can melt even the coldest hearts. She will never abandon anyone, not even if her life is in danger."

Nashi's face was still hidden in her father's chest and she felt a tear landing on her head. "Papa.."

"Don't look up Nashi, not when I'm crying."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. Be angry on me, but don't hate me or your mother, Nashi. She had no option back then. She didn't abandon us, she didn't leave us. She was so happy when we came to know you were coming. She was so happy that I can't explain. She had that wonderful smile on her face whenever we spoke about you. But its not her fault that she isn't with us. Do anything Nashi, just don't hate her, I can't bear it. I know she will be sad too if you don't like her."

"Papa..." Nashi slowly started and brought her hands to her face. She was crying too,"Tell me more about her, tell me her adventures, what she liked, what she hated. Tell me why...why you're still in love with her.."

Natsu held back a sob as he pressed a kiss against his daughter's head,"She was a lucky girl, I mean really really lucky. She loved to read, and had good knowledge and intelligence. She loved to write but was shy to show anyone her writings. She was in love with food, with nature, with spring, with everything around her, just like you love them, Nashi." Natsu laid back again, Nashi still in his arms,"She hated being dirty, just like you Nashi. She hated when Happy landed himself in trouble or got hurt, just like you Nashi. She hated when I overdid things, just like you, Nashi."

"She has been gone since I was born, Papa," Nashi couldn't help but ask again,"Why do you still love her so much?"

"I love her because she is a weird girl who makes me complete. She gave me you, she gave me so many memories, she gave me the power and confidence boost I always needed. I can't explain why I still love her, its impossible," Natsu smiled sadly,"But I do know that I can't replace her. I won't replace her anyway."

"I'm so..so sorry Papa," Nashi weeped again,"I hurt you."

"Uhu, that's not it," Nashi looked up as her father said that. His face still had tear marks and he looked sad, but Nashi knew her father would stand up again, if not for himself then for her sake.

Natsu kissed her forehead as he softly said,"I wanted to tell you about her, but couldn't just because I was a coward. Every time I think about her, I die a little from inside. Forgive me. I know it hurts you when you see other child with their family but always remember Nashi, that its the bonds we share that make us a family, its the love we have which ties us together. She isn't with us now but trust me, your Papa will bring her back. I'm sorry for hiding it for so long."

"Papa," Nashi kissed his cheek again,"Don't be sorry. Its okay and I'm really happy that she didn't hate me or leave me. Enough sad talks, come on, lets go on my first official mission tomorrow. Please?"

Okay," Natsu smiled a little,"Now go to sleep."

He tucked her in her small bed and brushed the hair off her face as he slowly whispered,"She would look just like you, Lucy, if she had blond hair. I know you're watching over us."

"Natsu?"

"Yeah Happy?" Natsu turned around and followed the cat outside, making sure Nashi wouldn't wake up,"You need something?"

"Are you okay?"

"I'm." Natsu answered and sat down as he reached for Happy and patted his head,"I had to tell her about Lucy one day or the other."

"You saw Nashi's golden flame, right?"

"Yeah," Natsu stared at the sky, his eyes watering when he saw those stars sparkling,"Its Lucy's magic mixed with my own. I know."

"Then is she a celestial mage?"

"I have no clue," Natsu looked away from Happy,"I mean, all I know is dragonslayer magic and can't teach her how to summon spirits, I know nothing about it. I don't know what she is more compatible with."

"Hey, Natsu?"

"Yes, Happy?"

"Won't Lucy ever come back? Is she really dead?"

"Hey Happy," Natsu pulled the sobbing exceed in his arms, and said,"She made us leave that place by acting as a bait. She gave us her keys to protect them from any harm. She... She... I know she is so far away that I can't reach her but I don't believe that she is dead. I know one day, I will find her. We left that place so we don't know what happened afterwards. So, don't give up hope, okay?"

"Yes," Happy sobbed again,"I won't."

"And Happy," Natsu finally asked,"Do you think we should try teaching Nashi how to summon spirits? Maybe Loke and others can help."

"We don't know how to summon spirits," Happy answered,"No one in Fairy Tail does. How can we teach her?"

"I don't know."

.

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