Sorry it took me a while to get this chapter out. College is a pain in the ass at times. I am going to try to shoot for one or two chapters a month until I get out for break (then it will be once a week). Also, I have been thinking (for whatever reason) of adding Itachi Uchiha from Naruto to this story (because he is one of my favorite characters all time with Ed and I have a few ideas of how to incorporate him in)…. though I am not sure yet. SO if you want Itachi to be in this story then go to my poll and hit yes. It really does not matter to me, since I am writing this for you guys (and can stick with my original idea if he is denied access), though I want your opinions because this is not only my story, it is YOUR STORY. Anyways, here is the newest chapter!

Chapter 10: Explanation

Natsu was still carrying Lucy on his back as the mages and Happy walked back into Magnolia Town. Lucy ended up falling asleep on his back, but he did not care. She was safe, and that was all that mattered to him. The walk felt like it took forever, but they finally got back to the guild. Gray, Erza and Mirajane ran up to them. "There you are!" Erza said as she ran up to a now awoken Lucy, Natsu, and Happy. "I thought something happened to you all! I wouldn't be able to forgive myself if something did."

"We are ok," Natsu said with a smile. "Lucy got kidnapped but we saved her just in time."

"Where is Ed?" Mirajane asked. "He sprinted out of here trying to find you and let you know she was kidnapped, which I am assuming he did."

"Yea, where is Ed?" Gray asked as well.

"Stop your worrying," said a voice approaching the guild hall. The mages turned to see the alchemist with all of his wounds re-opened and in worse shape. "I am fine. I just –" Ed suddenly fell to the ground, only to be caught be Erza and Mirajane.

"You are NOT ok," Erza said.

"Yea, your wounds that I patched up before are all open again!" Mirajane added. "C'mon, I will patch you up."

Mirajane took Ed to the table nearest to them and patched him up. "So," Gray spoke, "why is Phantom Lord after you, Lucy?"

The rest of the guild, hearing this, turns to their direction to hear what is going on. Lucy then looked down at the ground in shame and sadness. "It is all my dad's fault. You see, he is Jude Heartfelia, head of the rich Heartfilia family. I lived with him, my mother, and our servants. However, life turned for the worse for all of us when my mother passed away. He never paid attention to me and was very rude, so I ran away and joined the guild. He now wants me home and is paying Phantom Lord to get me back." Lucy began to tear up. "It is all my fault that Master and the guild are hurt, if only I never ran away!"

She fell to her knees and began to sob even more. Natsu puts a hand on her shoulder. "Don't say that Lucy." he said cheerfully. "If you never ran away, I would have never met you. You would not have made this guild as awesome as it is."

"Yea, this guild would not be as fun without you," Mirajane added. "So what you ran away? It was your decision, and your father should have respected that. If he wants to hire Phantom Lord to take you, then Fairy Tail will fight to prevent that."

The rest of the guild erupted in cheers. Lucy looked up at everyone cheering for her. So this is what it is like to be part of a guild… no, part of a family. she thought. She got back up. "Thanks guys!" She replied. The whole guild erupted with more cheers, and then got back to patching each other up before their next attack. Ed could not help but smile at the guild's efforts to cheer up one of their own. After he was patched up and Mirajane gave him the ok, he joined Natsu and his friends outside the guild. They were relaxing outside on the bench by the guild entrance. They were laughing with Lucy, cheering her up. She saw Ed coming over and then turned to Gray, Erza, and Happy. "You mind if I talk to Natsu and Ed alone for a few minutes?"

"No problem!" Happy replied. "We will go help Mirajane if she needs it."

They got up and left Lucy, Natsu, and Ed. Lucy then turned to the two guys standing in front of her. "I cannot thank you enough for being so helpful to me. I am sorry I lied to you guys about my past, I did not want you guys to know because I didn't want to be labeled as that rich girl and ruin our friendships. I know how most rich girls act, and they aren't nice. I didn't want to be labeled as such,."

"It's fine Lucy." Natsu replied. "I know Ed is like a brother to you, so I know he wouldn't give two shits, and I wouldn't care either."

"I agree with him." Ed spoke up. "Plus, I knew since the day I told you my story that you were hiding something, but I am not one to pry. I am just glad you are ok."

"Yea, thanks." Lucy replied.

"Hey, remembered when I flew at you and saved you? I was so cool with my flames and everything." Natsu bragged.

"Hey, remember it was me who thought of the catapult and got you to her faster." Ed added, seeing where Natsu was going with the conversation.

"I would have thought of something."

"NA, you would have been sitting around twiddling your thumbs."

"Excuse me, Mr. I-Can-Barely-Move-Because-I-Got-A-Few-Cuts-On-Me-And-Can't-Walk."

"Look who is talking, the guy who got knocked out be a girl in one hit!"

"Shut up shortie, don't –"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING SO SHORT HE CAN'T REACH THE TOP SHELF AND NEEDS A CHAIR TO STAND ON JUST TO GET IT YOU PINK HAIRED FLAME BRAIN!"

"WHO ARE YOU CALLING A FLAME BRIAN! YOUR HAIR MIGHT AS WELL BE ON A GIRL'S HEAD!"

"THAT'S IT!" With that, Ed pounced on Natsu, forming a cloud of dust from the two of them fighting. Lucy wanted to break up the fight, but was too busy dying of laughter at the two boys in front of her. She knew why they were her closest friends: because even when she was at her saddest point, these two knuckleheads found a way to make her smile. Soon, Ed and Natsu looked up at Lucy, both smiling. Their attempt to get her to laugh was a success.

Ed noticed the way Natsu was looking at Lucy: the look of "being in love" could not be any clearer. He felt he set the mood pretty well for Natsu. "Hey, I'm going back in, you two can stay here." Ed looked at Natsu, who now wore a confused face, starring at Ed. Ed just looked back into the dragon slayer's eyes. Natsu, after starring into Ed's golden eyes trying to figure out what he was doing, then realized what Ed was setting up. Natsu smiled back at Ed, who then turned and walked back into the guild.

Gray and Erza saw Ed coming back in. "Hey, where are Natsu and Lucy?" Gray asked.

"They are still out there talking." Ed replied.

"Oh, we can go join them now." Erza said, starting her walk back to where the other two mages were.

Ed ran in front of her, stopping her in her tracks. "I wouldn't do that, not after what I did for him."

"Ok Ed, what did you do now?" Gray asked, concerned for his other friends.

Ed began to smirk. He motioned for them to follow him, hiding behind a bush that was a few feet (but earshot) away from where Lucy and Natsu were. "Just watch."

Lucy and Natsu were still laughing about his and Ed's "fight". "You know, he is an awesome guy." Lucy said. "He just knows how to make you smile."

"Yea, he is pretty cool." Natsu said. "Though I think you are better than him by far."

"Aw, thanks."

There was a bit of silence between them as they sat on the bench. "So, are you ok? Phantom Lord didn't hurt you, did they?" Natsu asked.

"Not really, I have a few bruises here and there, but nothing too bad."

"Good, I was really worried about you. When I heard you were kidnapped I was ready to snap a guy in half."

"Really, you were that concerned about me?"

"YEA I WAS! You are a guild mate of Fairy Tail! Not only that, you are one of my closest friends I have here. Plus I really like you and –" Natsu covered his motor boat of a mouth, hoping Lucy did not notice what he said.

"What was that, Natsu?"

"Nothing."

"Natsu, you said something, just tell me."

"No."

"Why not?"

"Because…."

"That is not an answer."

"But…"

"Natsu just tell me! What is the worst thing that will happen?"

"You making fun of me."

"FYI, keeping things to yourself because you might get made fun of is a bad idea, trust me. I know first hand."

"I know but…"

Lucy grabbed Natsu's hand. "You don't need to hide anything from me. You know I won't judge you at all."

Natsu began to blush. "Ok." He shifted in his seat to face Lucy. "Lucy, I said that I really like you. Not just as a friend. Ever since I met you I could not imagine being without you, whether it was on my team or in general. When I said I picked you to be on my team because I liked you when we went on our first mission, I meant every word. I was not sure if I should tell you this because I am afraid you would say no and that you liked someone else. I was too scared but then when Ed and I went to save you he helped me through it and made me realize that I should go for it. I hope you are not mad at me and –"

"Whoa whoa whoa." Lucy interrupted. "That is a lot. Wow."

"Yea." Natsu replied. There was an awkward silence between the 2 that lasted what seemed like forever. "Look Lucy," Natsu said, feeling like that awkward moment meant no. "Forget I asked."

"No Natsu, it is fine. Truth is I feel the same way about you. I really liked you but was too afraid to tell you. I really care about you, which is why I yell at you a lot." Lucy began to blush.

Natsu had the biggest grin on his face. Meanwhile, Erza and Gray had their mouths open, jaws nearly hitting the floor. Ed, however, had a stern look on his face. "Damn it, they did get to that part yet."

"What part?" Happy asked as he flew over to Gray and Erza. "Oh look, it's Natsu. HEY–"

Ed yanked the flying cat down into the bush where Erza and Gray covered his mouth to prevent him from making any more noise. "Shut the literal fuck up or you will become dog food so fast you wouldn't even be able to spell fish!" Ed growled at Happy.

When Ed looked up, his face went from angry to anticipation with a mix of joy. "Oh my God, they are gonna do it!"

"Do WHAT?" Happy asked. He, Gray and Erza looked over to see what Ed was staring at when they noticed what he was talking about. Slowly, Lucy's and Natsu's faces were inching closer. C'mon, c;mon. Ed thought. Just a little more….

Suddenly, Elfman rounded the corner. "LUCY, NATSU! COME QUICK!"

Natsu and Lucy jumped in startlement. Ed, who was now fuming, jumped up in the air in rage. "ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME!"

Just as Natsu and Lucy were looking in his direction, Happy, Gray, and Erza pulled him down. They were now covering Ed's mouth, preventing Ed's cursing from being heard. "What is wrong?" Natsu answered, a bit annoyed himself.

"You guys need to see this, NOW."

"I swear if it is something stupid Elfman –"

"Natsu, come NOW."

Elfman lead Natsu and Lucy away from the bench. Ed, Gray, Erza, and Happy emerged from the bushes. "THEY WERE SO FUCKING CLOSE, BUT NOOO ELFMAN HAD TO GO & KILL THE MOOD! WHEN I GET MY HANDS ON HIM –"

"Ed, we should see what is happening as well."

They soon followed Elfman, Natsu, and Lucy to the back area of the guild by the beach. However, what they saw was nothing they would ever expect.

Out on the water, Phantom Lord's guild hall walked towards the guild, with a giant cannon pointed right at Fairy Tail.

End of Chapter 10. Please Review! & Remember to vote if you want Itachi Uchiha to be included in the story or not (go to the poll on my page). THANKS!