Rings of Promise

Chapter Three

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail

"So Natsu, how long have you been here?" Levy asked.

"I got here just last week," he answered.

"So Magnolia must be pretty new to you."

"Not particularly, I did live here for a while so I know my way around."

"Why did you move to the capital?"

"My dad had a job transfer."

"So what made you come back?"

"There's someone I want to find."

"Who are you-"

"Levy, you're asking too much," I said.

"But aren't you curious too Lu-chan?" she asked.

"Sure, but that doesn't mean you can bombard him with questions," I said.

We were currently on our way to the cafe. I was walking with Erza while Natsu and Levy were behind us. Ever since we left school grounds, she had been asking him questions non-stop. Natsu was kind enough to go along with her antics but who knows how long that would last. If Levy was going to talk, at least she should make it a conversation, not an interrogation.

We continued to walk for a few more minutes until Erza spotted the cafe which she promptly hurried to. Upon entering, she was casually greeted by the hostess and immediately shown to a booth by the windows. I wonder how often Erza had been here. Because there was only room for two people on each side, Levy immediately claimed the seat next to Erza and I was left to sit with Natsu. As the waitress came by, we ordered milk tea, omelets, and croquettes. Now that she was no longer distracted by the thought of food, Erza began talking.

"So Natsu, do you like the school so far?" she asked.

"Yeah, everything is pretty nice," he said.

"Have you found anything that you like in terms of extracurricular activities?"

"Not really, I'm just getting used to how everything works."

"Then have you found any girls that you like?"

"Erza!" I exclaimed while Levy quietly laughed.

"Hm, not really," he said.

I sighed in relief when the waitress came back with our food, distracting Erza from any further questioning. Natsu immediately began shoving food in his mouth while Erza started cutting up her omelet. Levy and I were drinking milk tea as we ate the croquettes.

"This stuff is delicious!" Natsu exclaimed.

"Natsu, your manners," Erza said.

"But it doesn't really matter right?" he said.

"It's impolite, now eat properly," she commanded.

Natsu flinched a little at her harsh tone and slowed down his food intake. Erza quietly resumed eating while Levy and I shared a look. Putting down my cup, I leaned over to him a little and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Don't worry, Erza is pretty strict with everyone, even herself," I whispered.

"No kidding."

I giggled a bit as he cracked a smile. Levy kicked my feet under the table and gave me a look of which I promptly kicked her back for. I took my hand off of Natsu and returned to my original position. Picking up a croquette, I indulged in a game of footsie with Levy while we ate.

xxx

"Ahh, that was a good meal," Natsu sighed contently.

"I know right?" Levy said.

We were just exiting the cafe and heading to the Strauss Pastry Shop. Upon opening the door, we heard a soft chime as the smell of baked goods wafted by. Natsu began drooling a little as he came inside. The shop was small but charming. The walls were painted in a soft, satin pink while the colors white and cream served as accents. White, silk curtains were draped across the front window and the round tables were covered in a cream, checker patterned table cloth. An array of baked goods laid in a glass case decorated with white trimmings near the back where the coffee maker was.

"Hi, how may I help you?" a voice said.

"Hey Lisanna!" Levy exclaimed.

"It's good to see you guys," she smiled.

"Same to you," Erza said.

"Hey," I smiled.

"How's it going Lisanna?" Natsu grinned.

"It's been great," she said.

"What kind of cakes do you have today?" Erza asked.

"Today's special is the strawberry chiffon cake," Lisanna said and motioned to a rounded glass case containing the said item.

"Looks delicious," Levy said.

"I'll take that," Erza said.

"Would you like to eat it here?" Lisanna asked.

"Yes."

"And what would everyone else like to have?"

While Natsu was browsing through the sweets, Levy and I ordered strawberry and green tea mochi. As we were waiting for the sweets to be prepared, I felt my phone buzz. Reaching into my bag, I pulled it out and saw that it Loke who was calling me. Excusing myself, I went outside to pick up his call.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hey Lucy, what're you up to?" Loke's ever cheerful voice said.

"I'm eating sweets with Levy and Erza."

"Sounds like you're having fun."

"Yeah, is there anything else that you wanted?"

"Oh right, I wanted to ask if you would like to go see a movie with me this weekend."

"Which movie is it?"

"Any movie you want."

"Seriously?"

"Yeah."

"Alright."

After saying our goodbyes, I hung up and went back inside. Levy, Erza, and Natsu were already sitting at a table, drinking coffee and talking to each other. I went and grabbed a cup of coffee for myself before joining them.

"Who was that?" Levy asked.

"Loke," I answered.

"Did you agree to give your number to him?" Erza asked.

"Yeah, he kind of guilted me into it," I sighed.

"So what did he want?" Levy asked.

"He asked if I wanted to go see a movie with him this weekend," I said.

"And you said yes?" she asked.

"Yeah."

"You know he's trying to make a move on you again right?"

"I already told him that I wasn't interested."

"That doesn't mean he'll stop trying." Levy pointed out.

"It's just going out to see a movie, friends do it all the time." I reasoned.

"Except that friends don't try to hit on each other." Levy said.

"I'll be fine." I assured her.

"Who's Loke?" Natsu asked.

"He's in our gym class, you didn't see him because he was flirting with the girls instead of playing," Levy said.

"He did what?" Erza said.

"Oops."

Any further conversation was cut short when Lisanna came by to deliver our sweets. We all thanked her before beginning to eat. It seemed that Natsu had went with an array of European cookies. Natsu's eating habits had improved incredibly after Erza's constant scolding of his table manners.

xxx

"See you tomorrow Lisanna," Levy said.

"I look forward to it," she waved.

After bidding Lisanna farewell and leaving the shop, we headed for home. This time, Levy and Erza were walking in the front while Natsu and I were behind them.

"Hey Natsu?" I said.

"Hm?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"For helping me out with Dan this morning."

"No problem."

"And sorry for punching you in the face," I mumbled.

"It's fine, it didn't really hurt that much anyway," he said.

"Are you saying that I'm weak?" I asked, offended.

"No, it's just that I'm used to pain," Natsu said.

"What's that supposed to mean?" I asked.

"I just get into fights a lot, don't worry about it," Natsu said.

"How am I not supposed to worry about that?!" I exclaimed.

"It's okay, I usually win," Natsu assured me.

"But it's still bad to get into fights."

I stared at him in dissatisfaction and pouted a little. He stared back at me with a frown before giving a long sigh. He smiled and brought a hand up to ruffle my hair.

"I get it, I'll get into less fights," he said.

"Don't you mean none?" I said.

"No promises," he grinned.

I sighed but had to return his radiant smile with one of my own. It was hard not to have a good time when Natsu was around, he was like a ball of energy that never burns out. The sky was turning pink as the sun began to set, illuminating everything in a soft golden light.

"You really do remind me of an old friend," Natsu remarked.

"What?" I said.

"She was really pretty when she was under the evening sky too," he grinned.

"I-Is that so?" I said as I blushed.

I stared at the ground as we walked, willing my heart to calm down. I tried to convince myself that it wasn't anything special and that I was just a reminder of someone special to Natsu. Thinking that made me feel uneasy and a little hurt. I was thrown out of my thoughts when I felt a hand on my shoulder.

"Hey, you alright?" Natsu asked with concern.

"I'm fine," I said.

"Are you sure? You look a little pale," he said and placed a hand on my forehead.

"No, I'm fine really, just a little tired."

"Hm, if you say so," Natsu said and hesitantly pulled back.

"Natsu, you don't have to worry about me," I assured him.

"Are you sure?" he said.

"Yeah," I smiled.

Natsu relaxed a little at my words. He soon returned to his cheerful self and began talking. As we did, I realized that Natsu had been with us for a while even though we had walked past so many neighborhoods.

"By the way Natsu, where do you live?" I asked.

"In the neighborhood next to the school," he said.

"What a coincidence," Levy turned around and said.

"Do you guys live there too?" Natsu asked.

"Yeah, all of us do," I said.

"You should come over and hang out sometime," Levy suggested.

"Sure, if you're okay with me stopping by," he said.

"Awesome!" Levy grinned.

"Levy, he might not want to come over," I said.

"It's no trouble. Do you not want me to come?" Natsu asked.

"It's not that, Levy usually has a way of making people do what she wants even if it's against their will," I explained.

"Hey, that was mean!" Levy pouted.

"But if you're okay with it, then I guess it's fine," I said.

Natsu laughed as Levy continued to pout. We reached home just as the sun left the horizon and disappeared into the night. Erza went on ahead to the farther part of the neighborhood while Natsu showed us where he lived. It turned out that he was just a couple of houses down, right next to where Gray and Lyon lived.

"See you later Natsu," Levy said.

"Later."

"I'll see you tomorrow," I waved.

"Yeah," he smiled.

We parted ways with Natsu and returned to our own home. As we came in, I took off my shoes and fell onto the couch. Levy turned on the lights and headed into the kitchen to make a drink. I laid comfortably on the cushioned seats, hugging a pillow to my chest as I stared up at the ceiling. Today was such a tiring day, especially when it was only halfway through the week. Levy came out a moment later with two mugs of hot chocolate. She gave one to me as she sat on the opposite couch.

"Hey, who do you suppose Natsu is looking for?" I asked.

"Who knows, he didn't give us much details," Levy said.

"It's because you were badgering him with so many different questions," I said.

"We can just ask him tomorrow, I'm way too tired to do anything now," Levy sighed.

"Wait, didn't Ms. Evergreen say that we were going to have a test tomorrow?"