Chapter 7

Home

"Oh, wow! Natsu, this is amazing!" Lucy didn't even bother to hold onto her pink-haired transport anymore and threw her arms recklessly into the sky, her face turned into the wind. She knew he'd never let her fall and this opportunity was just too good to waste.

She thought she would be afraid to be up so high. Any wrong move would have her plummeting to her death but she literally couldn't be scared. The feeling of the air blowing through her hair and the cool wind chapping her face was wonderful and familiar. It was as if she knew this feeling from another time, another place. Lucy had had a lot of dreams about flying growing up, but none of them compared to the reality of actually doing it. The bright sky stretched on in front of her infinitely and the ground below seemed insignificant and small.

The steady sound of Natsu's wings beating against the wind was like a drumbeat that inspired her to dance. That's what it was, she wanted to dance in the sky. The blonde giggled at her own giddy thoughts. How would you even do that? It didn't matter. She felt like a kid again. She could do anything or be anyone. This was freedom and, at least for the moment, she had it within her grasp.

"I told you it would be great! Flying like this, we'll reach the village before the sun goes down." He shifted a little, but his grip was firm and sure. "See those mountains over there?" Lucy nodded. Off in the distance she could vaguely see the outline of something rising out of the flat land below.

"Well, there's a valley somewhere in there and my home is in that valley. So we're actually really close." Home. The word put a small damper on her excitement. She no longer had one of those. No longer a princess, no longer a daughter, she was just…well she wasn't really sure what she was anymore. Not really anything, maybe not even a human.

"Hey." A comforting voice from above drew her out of her increasingly melancholy thoughts. "What happened? Do you feel sick?"

She smiled and shook her head. "I'm okay, just thinking." Maybe this would be a good thing. She was still alive and away from Hades, which was more than she could say yesterday. She had a new, very attractive, friend who was starting to become pretty important to her and could understand her past.

He related to her in a way that no one else ever had before and that was a gift that she would never be able to repay him for. She spent her entire life rejected simply because she was born a little different, but she knew he had experienced the same things. The happy-go-lucky man probably had it way worse than she had. Lucy thought back to the first time they met, the scars that littered his otherwise flawless skin and the welts from the lashing he'd just received and felt a pang in her heart. She really didn't like the thought of him being in pain. Gently, she wrapped her thin arms around his shoulders.

"Luce, you're being really weird." His hands squeezed a little where they touched her and she laid her head on his strong chest.

"I know. Just…" she hesitated, knowing what she wanted to say would make her seem even more strange. "I'm sorry."

Natsu looked puzzled but chose not to comment and for that Lucy was grateful.

They reached the village in the heart of the mountains just as the sky was beginning to turn orange and the day seeped into the evening. The valley sat well hidden deep into the mountain range. When Lucy caught her first glimpse of the quaint little settlement, she noticed how difficult it must be to find from the ground. Vast forests bordered it on all sides, filling up the valley and covering the mountains in thick greenery. It would be nearly impossible to reach on foot if you didn't know its exact location.

Slowly, Natsu drifted down just outside the village, within the tree line. He placed her gently on her feet, leaving his arms wrapped loosely around her for a few moments before he took a step back. After a big deep breath, he closed his eyes in concentration. Red mist gathered around him and Lucy realized he must be disguising his inhuman features again and she felt disappointment begin to weigh on her heart. She hated to see the beautiful crimson scales disappear. Not that he wasn't still gorgeous without them, he definitely was, but the real thing was always better than a mask.

"Why are you hiding what you look like? Don't the people here already know what you are?" It was all very confusing. If this was his home, he shouldn't have to worry about people being afraid of him or judging him. Even if her own home hadn't been a happy one, she knew how things should be.

He rubbed the back of his pink head sheepishly and gave her a half-hearted smile. "It's just easier this way. I mean, of course everyone here accepts me and all its just….sometimes things kinda feel weird if I don't look like a human. Like…I don't really know how to describe it. It's just uncomfortable I guess."

Lucy could tell that it was hard for him to talk about so she decided to let it drop. He said they were good people and she believed him, but even good people could have problems accepting things that were different. She understood that better than most.

She silently prayed that they didn't think she was cursed. She wasn't sure she could handle being an untouchable here where she was assured freedom, but when she glanced at Natsu, now fully human aside from his deep golden eyes and slightly pointed teeth, stretching his arm over his head with a groan, she realized that, no matter what, it would be okay. He would be with her, and that was enough.

Lucy gasped aloud as a new thought came to mind.

Levy was there too.

Running to her companion, she grabbed his arm and pulled on it urgently.

"What's the hurry, Luce?" He asked but he let her pull him in the direction of the village anyway.

"Levy is going to be there, right? I need to see her!" She had to make sure her friend had escaped unharmed. She wasn't sure she'd be able to forgive herself if Levy was hurt...

"Ah, yeah. I bet they got here yesterday!" He sped up so she didn't have to tug on him anymore and Lucy released her light hold on his arm.

It didn't take long and the forest opened up before them revealing the tiny village. Lucy noticed immediately that she could easily see from one side to the other where the forest began again. There were only a handful of rough timber buildings, probably homes if she had to guess, with one large structure situated in the center. Everything looked surprisingly new as though the entire thing had just sprung up out of the earth within the past couple of years. She saw gardens spattered around where things were just beginning to sprout and a rock-lined well nearby for water. There were a few people milling around, but she noticed that, as soon as they entered, all eyes fell on Natsu.

"Natsu's back!" Came a shout and a younger boy, probably around twelve, came bounding towards them, throwing himself at the laughing man.

"Hey, Romeo! I hope you took care of everyone while I was gone!"

The boy stepped back and put his hands on his hips, chest puffed out in pride. "Of course!"

"Natsu!" A female voice followed by another tackle-hug interrupted the reunion.

"Lisanna! How's Happy?" The pretty young woman pulled away, but kept her hands on his arms, a delighted grin lighting up her face.

"He missed you, but he's great. I made sure he had fish everyday to distract him." She took a step back and looked at the rather dumbfounded Lucy who had tried to slip off to the side in the excitement.

"Who's your new friend?" Her voice was kind as she gave the blond her full attention.

"Um," she wasn't used to introducing herself but she gave it her best shot, with a simple, "I'm Lucy." There was no need for a title, she wasn't a princess anymore.

The other girl beamed at her and immediately stuck out her hand to shake. "Nice to meet you, Lucy. I'm Lisanna." When Lucy grabbed her hand she noticed it was very small and delicate, much like the rest of the girl. Her silvery hair was cut short and framed her face gracefully while her deep blue eyes nearly sang with happiness. The former princess couldn't help but feel a little envious of her girlish features and her open and honest manner. Plus, she and Natsu seemed to be really close... but the blonde squelched those unwanted thoughts at once. She couldn't let negativity color her first impressions of this place.

Those aquamarine eyes lit up. "Wow, your eyes are really amazing." They released each other's hands and Lucy felt her face heating up with the compliment. At this rate her cheeks were going to permanently be the color of a tomato.

"Thank you very much." She fiddled nervously with the hem of her top unable to maintain eye contact with the exuberant girl until another, very familiar, voice snapped her attention away.

"Lucy!" There she was, in one piece and grinning from ear to ear. Lucy's feet immediately began running towards her best friend.

"Levy!" The crashed into each other in a familiar and comforting embrace. "Thank goodness you're safe. I was so worried about you!"

The bluenette clung to her. "I'm safe. Gajeel got me out of there in a snap." She pulled back and gave her friend a very close inspection. "What about you? Are you okay?" Her chocolate eyes worried as she examined the blonde.

Lucy nodded enthusiastically, barely containing her relieved tears at finding her friend whole. Levy was safe and alive, not scratch on her and the former princess couldn't have been happier. "Natsu took very good care of me." She glanced at the pink-haired man as he laughed and chatted with the growing crowd surrounding him.

"Lulu, you're blushing." Levy giggled and Lucy's hands leapt to her cheeks which definitely felt flush under her touch.

"I am not! I'm just really happy to see you!" She defended, but her words held very little punch.

Maybe instead of staying red, her face would just combust. That was seeming more and more likely.

"Hey, blondie. Good to see you made it back alive." A deep voice came from behind Levy as the tall intimidating man from their escape came sauntering towards them, resting his forearm on top of the bluenette's head.

She immediately pushed it off. "Gajeel, I'm not your personal arm rest!" She pouted up at him and he just gave her a cocky grin in return.

"Too bad. You're really the perfect height for it." He teased which only made Levy's scowl grow deeper.

Lucy just giggled at the sight, drawing both pairs of eyes back to her. She waved them off gently.

"Don't let me interrupt. You guys just keep on doing..." her star-filled eyes were bright as she gestured to the arguing pair "...whatever it is you're doing."

Levy blushed at the mischievous look on her friend's face. "It's not like that!" She denied vehemently, her face warning the other girl to let it go.

"Like what? I didn't say anything." Lucy was enjoying having her friend with her again. It was a huge comfort to have a familiar face around in such an unfamiliar place.

"Tch. I dunno what you guys are talkin' 'bout, but I guess I'm glad you're here. Shorty was really worried 'bout you the whole time."

Lucy's smile grew gentle and she gave her friend another, less desperate hug. "I know. Thank you for taking care of her."

Gajeel looked away. "I just wanted to bust some heads in, that's all."

"Hey, Luce!" Natsu had managed to separate from his crowd and place himself at her side.

Before he could utter another word, Levy pulled away from her friend and stood face-to-face with the pink-haired man. Her gaze was direct and full of scrutiny: another inspection. Long seconds passed and everyone watched in silence.

Apparently she found what she was looking for because she nodded her head and stuck her hand out towards him. "I'm Levy, Lucy's best friend and former caretaker."

He gave her a dazzling smile and shook the offered appendage enthusiastically. "I'm Natsu, Lucy's new friend and former prison buddy."

Lucy expected it to end there but Levy did not seem ready to let go of the poor guy even after the shaking had stopped.

The bluenette pulled the man in closer. "If you ever hurt her, I'll probably kill you." Her grip visibly tightened and Lucy winced.

Natsu seemed oblivious to the rather serious threat or the way the girl's eyes narrowed dangerously. "You don't gotta worry about that. I'll take care of Luce no matter what." His words sounded easy, as though it were the most obvious thing in the world and the smile never left his face, but they had his blonde companion looking very intensely at her hands as they busied themselves with the hem of her shirt. How was she supposed to face him after he said something like that?

This seemed to satisfy the bluenette and she released her tight grip on his hand, taking a step back. "Good. Nice to meet you, Natsu."

"You too!"

She turned around and brought her face close to Lucy's, giving her a thumbs up. "I approve." She whispered.

If her face wasn't on fire before, it definitely was now. Gajeel was snickering somewhere off to the side and, if Lucy wasn't so afraid he could kill her with a flick of his wrist, she probably would have punched him for finding amusement in her embarrassment.

Before she could admonish her friend, Natsu placed his warm hand on her shoulder. "I came to ask if you wanted to go see the elder."

"Is he the man that can tell me what I am?" Lucy asked, anxious. Natsu nodded.

"I'll find you later, okay Levy?" The other girl acknowledged her and watched, ever observant, as she walked away with her new pink-haired friend. Levy's eyes never left them and she didn't miss the moment that Lucy reached out for the man's hand. She also didn't miss the fact that he grabbed her searching fingers and they walked into the center building together, fingers laced familiarly, like like a couple.

"Oh my gosh."

Gajeel slid her a questioning look. "What's up, shrimp?"

"They were holding hands." Her face was slack in shock.

"So what?"

She turned and gave the large man a very serious look. "Lucy was rarely ever touched back at the castle. Really, I was the only one that touched her her entire life."

"And?" He didn't understand what the big deal was.

"Now he can touch her and she seemed totally fine with it. She even sought it out." Levy gestured with her hands, trying to make him see what was happening was kind of important.

"I'm still not getting it, shrimp."

"If there's something Lucy is really uncomfortable with, it's touching. She isn't used to it, but she wants to touch him. It's kind of a major development if you think about it."

He shrugged. "Sure, I guess. Ain't it natural to wanna touch someone you like though?"

His obvious observation surprised the bluenette. "Well, yeah, but…"

"Well I thought it was obvious they liked each other. I told you that they did. I don't see the problem."

"There isn't a problem." She assured him quickly. "It's just…I guess they like each other more than I thought..." Her words trailed off as she looked back at where the two had disappeared behind the wide oak doors.

Gajeel smirked and ruffled her hair, making Levy glare at him. "You don't know everything, shrimp. Sometimes things just happen."

He was right, of course. It just felt odd not knowing how they became so close. She always knew everything about Lucy.

"I guess…"

"Quit yer poutin'. Weren't ya gonna go borrow a book from Wendy or somethin'?"

"Oh yeah!" She'd forgotten about that. Enthusiasm renewed, she headed off in the same direction her friend had just gone, the drake following behind her like a shadow.

The building they walked into was more crowded than the streets had been. People were gathered around tables drinking and talking animatedly about things Lucy knew nothing about. At one table two older men eyed her up and down before giving her warm smiles and lifting their cups in her direction. She managed to a weak grin back at them but her nervous fingers tightened around Natsu's hand a fraction. Looking away from them, she saw a curvy woman with brown hair literally holding an entire barrel of liquor up to her lips, drinking it in greedy gulps. When she pulled it away, she took a deep breath and belched loudly. The former princess was shocked and a little amazed at seeing a woman act so…not womanly.

They were approaching a large wooden bar that seemed to be run by the stunningly beautiful woman behind the counter. Lucy couldn't believe how gorgeous the older woman was. A bright smile lit up her flawless face that was framed by a cascade of almost pure white hair. She wore a modest dress that still showed off her very curvy figure and Lucy suddenly felt self-conscious in her muddy traveling clothes with her mussed up hair that she knew was probably standing in a million different directions after her impromptu flight.

"Ah, Natsu! Welcome back! I heard you got yourself in some trouble again." Even her voice was beautiful and melodic.

"Nothin' I couldn't handle." He tugged gently on his companion's hand, bringing her closer to the bar. "This is Luce!"

"Nice to meet you! My name is Mirajane, but you can call me Mira." Her smile was so dazzling, Lucy had to fight the urge to cover her eyes.

"I'm Lucy. It's nice to meet you."

"So, Mira, where's Gramps?"

The woman tapped her chin for a moment before answering "I think he's in his office right now."

"Thanks! I need to see him." Natsu maneuvered his blond friend to sit on a nearby stool. "Would you get Luce a drink? Just stick it on my tab. We've had a long trip."

"Of course. What would you like?"

"Water is fine." She was so nervous she had to clasp her hands together to keep from awkwardly fiddling with her shirt again. When had she picked up that habit?

"Coming right up!" She turned away to get the requested drink.

"Alright. I'm gonna go fill Gramps in on everything, but I promise I won't be long." The pink-haired boy turned to leave but stopped mid stride. He leaned in close, making Lucy feel flustered again. "Don't go anywhere, okay? I have a feeling he'll wanna see you after I'm done."

She had no problem staying right where she was, but didn't like the idea of being left alone with a bunch of criminals. They all seemed nice but she had very little experience in judging character. What if they decided she wasn't welcome and they turned turned on her? She couldn't fight them off, of that she was certain.

But all the former princess could say was "okay" and Natsu took off, heading further back into the building.

"Master Hades. I believe the princess has reached her destination." Ultear didn't look up as she spoke, continuing to stare at the map laid out in front of her.

When the king didn't answer, she continued.

"You said she would most likely head into the mountains. I lost her signal a for a few hours today, but it suddenly reappeared deep in the Hakobe Mountain range. Is that not where you speculated she would go?"

"Ah, yes. Makarov's little safe haven. As soon as I heard she was with the dragon boy I knew that's where they were heading. He keeps all kinds there." Hades couldn't help but smile as he thought about his former pupil. Makarov was being foolish if he thought he would be safe in those mountains forever.

"It would appear so, my lord." She rolled up the map and set it aside. "Should we dispatch immediately?"

"Yes. Best to get this little trifle settled and finished before it goes any further." He had no doubt who would be the victor.

"Who would you have me take?" Ultear was grinning, he could hear it in her voice. The woman was ruthless and she would likely enjoy this mission. It had been a long time since she had seen real combat. Edolas had not even been a challenge for her and he knew she longed for a way to test her abilities.

"Take your entire team." That surprised the woman and she instantly looked to her ruler in confusion.

"Everyone, my lord?"

"That's right. We must not underestimate how much power Makarov has accumulated in his little village." He knew that the other man had been taking in gifted people since the former king had passed the laws that outlawed magic. That gave him years to collect them and train them.

"But, my lord, I believe that I and perhaps one other would be plenty to-"

"No. Take everyone. If I know the old man, he has amassed something akin to an army in those mountains. I want him to know that not even his pathetic load of mages can stop me. Kill anyone who gets in your way and bring me the princess." He wasn't going to take any chances on Makarov trying to usurp his rule. No one was going to stop him, and his elite soldiers would make sure of that. This was his only warning.

That brought a full-blown smile to Ultear's blood-red lips. "Of course, Master Hades."

Prepare yourself, Makarov. Reckoning is upon you.

Thank you so much to everyone who has shown an interest in this story. I meant to post this chapter a lot sooner, but things happen. I hope you're enjoying Stars in Her Eyes and please leave a review to let me know what you think. Constructive criticism is always welcome.

I am going to warn you now that I currently have plans to raise the rating on this to M, but I'm not going to until I write the stuff that qualifies as that rating. Currently, it works well in the plot and will be included, if something changes I'll let you know.

Thank you so much to everyone that reviewed and to my beta on Tumblr, glitter-spires for being amazing.

To the guest who binge read this thing and reviewed every chapter, thank you. I couldn't respond to you privately, but just know that it made me feel amazing getting those notifications every time you finished a chapter!

Until next time!