"Natsu, I'm tired. Can't we stop for the night?"

"Wow, Luce, we've only been walking through these woods for five hours! You shouldn't be tired yet! Are you getting fat?"

Lucy's eye twitched in annoyance. "I'm not getting fat Natsu, I'm just a normal human being who gets tired after being dragged around the damn forest!"

"You sure?"

"YES, I am sure. In fact ANYONE who insists on traveling through these woods at night should be considered insane!"

"But for all we know the bad guys could be just around the corner!"

"Natsu, enough is enough! You know we won't be able to do much if we're tired. And by the rumors going around, these guys are super strong. We should be cautious."

The pink haired teen looked back at his traveling companion. She did look awfully exhausted. Hell, he felt exhausted just looking at her. Her hair was disheveled with the occasional twig or leaf sticking out. Dust and dirt covered her cloths and stuck to her skin. He could also smell the tang of salt clinging to her.

It was at these moments that he knew if they didn't stop soon he would end up having to carry her. Which he was fine with but for some reason she wasn't. She would always squirm and complain and her face would get red. Always saying to 'put her down 'cuz its embarrassing.'

For some reason, he loved it when she was embarrassed. She was so cute when her face was red. With his animal hearing he could hear her heart speed up and on occasions skip a beat. It was amazing how she reacted to him sometimes.

But now was not the time for that. They were on a mission and despite common belief, he did know that fun and games where meant for after missions where over.

"Fine, we can stop for tonight."

With that, Lucy immediately dropped onto the ground and leaned up against the bag she was caring. She stretched her arms above her head and sighed out of pure relief.

"Thank god," Lucy stated, satisfaction filling her every word.

Natsu set his things down across from hers and looked around the given area. He could smell water not too far off and decided that he should go get some.

"Hey Luce, I'm gonna go get some water, 'kay?"

The tired girl just hummed her acknowledgement. He looked down at his companion and couldn't help but smile. She was practically asleep, her form had relaxed and her eyes were closed. No doubt by the time he got back she'd be fast asleep.

So, the image of the sleeping mage on his mind, Natsu headed off to find water.

"Lina! I'm tired! Can we PLEASE stop!" Amelia exclaimed.

Everyone was tired, Gourry was using his sword as a walking stick, Zelgadis had been extremely anti-social and muttered to himself, and the Sailloon princess felt like her legs were going to give out.

"NO! There's bound to be someone in this forest! Whether it be bandits or old hags who eat children! I WILL FIND THEM!"

"But Lina, what do old hags with bandits have to do with guilds?" Gourry asked.

"Information! I already told you, you jellyfish-for-brains!"

"But even if we find them won't they be asleep by now?"

Lina paused and faced her group. She knew they were tired. She was even exhausted, but once the fabulous Lina Inverse set her mind to something she did it. No holds barred.

But she did suppose that they could continue their little trek tomorrow. Hunger was beginning to gnaw on her stomach and her muscles were sore.

The group waited for Lina to respond, hoping to heaven and hell that she would finally say yes to stopping.

"…Fine. We can stop."

Gourry and Amelia dropped instantly emitting sounds of bliss when they could get off their sore feet. It was then that Lina thought she heard the sound of running water.

"Hey guys, I think I hear water nearby."

"We did pass a small river a while ago, it probably runs near hear." Zelgadis stated, already in a better mood.

Lina had a sudden and brilliant idea. She rummaged through her bag until she found just what she was looking for.

Pulling out a towel and some soap she told the group her plans.

"I'm going to go take a bath, wanna come Amelia?"

"Hm? Oh sure, a bath would be lovely." The princess with new found energy retrieved her bath accessories too.

"Alright, while we're gone, you guys set up camp!"

With that the two women walked off into the woods. Zelgadis looked to Gourry and was going to tell him to collect some fire wood. He sweat dropped when he realized the blond was fast asleep. The chimera highly doubted that there would be anything that could wake up the man.

He would have to set up camp by himself.

Somewhere deep within the forest, a purple haired monster chuckled at the fast approaching mayhem.