So here we are, another chapter :) It's kind of a bonus chapter, not really in the main story line (though that's in there too) but I wanted to put something cute in so this is what happened :) Enjoy!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail (It's magic is credit to the amazing Hiro Mashima), only the my ideas and love for the show.

Chapter 17
A Day to Remember

Natsu P.O.V

"Come on, Lucy," I yell at the blonde, who stand's just on the shore of the lake. We decided yesterday that we would take a day to relax. Well, most of us did,

"This is stupid," Adan says, from the tree above Lucy. "We should be out finding the cure, but no, instead you all want to laze about and waste time." He folds his arms over his stomach and leans back, legs dangling either side of the branch he sits on.

"Lighten up, Adan," Aine laughs, from her seat next to him. She bumps his knee with her fist and he grimaces at her, causing her to giggle. "Look, they've been through a lot, we should let them relax. It's not everyday you end up on a tropical island with lakes that are so warm you can easily swim in them."

Finally, Adan nods, though hesitantly, before staring out into the forest. It's like he expects us to be attacked. Aine laughs again and jumps of the branch, sparks flying from her dress, and landing soundlessly at the edge of the lake, beside Lucy.

"Go on, the water is war," she chirps, staring at the blond beside her. Lucy shakes her head and stares at the water. "It's warm I promise."

"It's not that," Lucy says, shivering. She stand in a pair of shorts and a tank top, and, even though it's warm , there is a slight breeze. She must be pretty cold. "I'm just scared about what's in there." At this, Aine laughs.

"These lakes are too warm for anything to live, Lucy," she explains, dipping her right foot into the water. "Only a few small fish and a rare breed of turtle can survive in this climate, and they are both harmless to humans. You'll be fine, trust me."

Lucy stares at her for a while and I hold be breathe, bobbing up and down in the lake. I cane hear Gray and Juvia laughing behind me, feeling the urge to join in their fun, but I won't. It would be unfair if I went and had fun, while Lucy wasn't. Finally, she nods and jumps into the water, disappearing under the mirror like surface and disturbing the uniform look of the water. She only under for a second when her blonde head breached the surface and her grinning face comes into view.

"This is amazing," she says, swimming over to me. "It's like a whole other world under there and it's so warm."

"I know," I say, smiling as she stops beside me. I hold out my hand to her. "Let go then."

Her hand slips into mine and I tug her towards the others. I can't help but like the feeling of her hand in mine, though I don't know why. It feels like home.

Lucy P.O.V

Okay, I'll admit, Natsu has a nice body. All muscles and tanned skin. I'm having hard time concentrating on swimming, he's just so close.

"Luce, want to go exploring?" he asks, appearing in front of me. I nod and he takes me hand again. His hand is so warm, it's unnatural.

We dive into the clear water, cutting through it's surface with ease. It's so peaceful here, it almost makes me forget out quest and everything that's happened. No fully though. It's still there in the back of my mind, like an ever present shadow.

"This way," Natsu says, so quietly I have to strain to hear it. His hand falls from mine and he swims a head; I follow closely behind him. We enter a secluded part of the lake, where a small beach lays at the edge. We both stop and stare around, unsure how we got here.

"Wow," is all I say and Natsu nods in agreement. The sand is pale white; the water a clear, aqua blue. Weeping willow's hand on either side of the beach, their branches and leaves kissing the lakes surface. A sheer rock face erupts from the back of the beach, meaning it's only entrance is the one we took; swimming in from the main lake.

I start to swim, over taking Natsu, and walk onto the beach, staring around in awe. It's like something from a book; peaceful, serene and beautiful. I turn to smile at Natsu, finding him already looking at me, a small smile on his face. I tilt my head and look at him in confusion.

"Nothing," he says. "It doesn't matter." He turns away but not before I see a small dusting on pink on his cheek. Why was he blushing?

He comes out of the water to and I try not to stare. His skin glistens in the sunlight and accent's his muscles. I whip my head around and stare at the cliff face above me. No way could I climb that one.

"I bet I could climb that," Natsu says, as if reading my thoughts. I snort and then cover my mouth, blushing at how unladylike I sounded. I look over to see Natsu grinning at me. "Stop trying to act so proper all the time. That's not you. The Luce I know is weird, funny and kind. Not some stuck up Princess."

"Really?" I ask, staring at him. I was brought up to think and act as proper as possible. To find out that's not how I am is both good and bad. Bad because I feel as if I have disappointed my Mother and good because it means I'm my own person.

"Yeah," he laughs, coming to stand in front of me. He places his hand on my shoulder and grins. "You're never going to be a perfect Princess. You are Lucy Heartfelia; loved princess, bookworm and the weirdest girl I know. But, you also kind, compassionate and beautiful. That's you, not anyone else."

I stare up at him amazed. I never once thought something like that would come out of the dense pinkette's mouth. He always seems too fun loving and insane to notice things like that. I'm conscious that the space between us is getting smaller but I don't try to widen it. I feel my eyes flutter closed as he leans forward. I tilt my head back and-

"Lucy! Natsu! Where are you two?" Erza yells, causing us to jump apart. We stare at each other for a second before I turn away and run back into the water, leaving a gaping Dragneel behind.

"We're here!" I shout back, swimming back towards the group. The girl's lounge at the edge of the lake, relaxing, while the boys seem to be having a swimming competition. I haul myself out of the water and collapse beside Levy. She look at me strangely for a minute and smile at her.

"Where did you go?" she asks, putting her book down.

"Just went for a swim and found a little beach," I answer looking out onto the lake. I try not to blush when Natsu appears, joining in with the boys.

"Oh really?" Levy says slyly. I look at her and she gins back, raising one dainty eyebrow. "So what happened on the little beach. Did you and Natsu get busy?"

"Levy!" I shriek, causing the others to look over. I blush and lower my head, glaring at her. "Nothing happened, so be quiet."

"I don't believe you," she whispers, smiling at me. "You like him don't you?"

I think about lying for a second but it's Levy. I've never kept a secret from her, no matter what it was. She knows me almost as well as I know myself, so there really would be no point in lying to her. She would figure it out eventually. Slowly, I nod, looking away from her.

"Was that so hard to admit?" I shake my head and she laughs. "I think he likes you too."

I stare up at her but she's not looking at me. I follow her stare and my eyes land on Natsu, who look's quickly he like me? I couldn't really be sure. He did't seem to act any different. Sure, he went out of his way to help me, to wait for me and to make sure I was okay. But that's what Nakama do, right? They look out for each other.

"I doubt it, Levy," I sigh, looking down. "He's too dense for that."

"I wouldn't be too sure," is all she says, before turning back to her book.

I shake my head and sigh. This not the last I hear of this, I'm sure.

Normal P.O.V

"Sire, we need to get Porlyusica in," Gildarts states, standing at the end of the King's bed. His daughter, Cana, stand beside him with Mira and Hibiki. They all nod in unison, staring with worry at the king. "You ate not well and we have let this go on for long enough."

"Very well, Gildarts," the King sighs, leaning back into his cushions. "Do what you must." Gildarts bows and leaves the room, followed by the other three.

King Jude sighs again and stares out of the window. In the day his daughter as been gone, things have take a turn for the worst. His skin, once to healthy and glowing, is pale and gray. His eyes are sunken into his face and his mouth permanently turned down. Heartache, is what the residents of the castle are calling it. Out in the hallway, Gildarts frowns.

"He's getting worse, Dad," Cana says, leaning on Hibiki's shoulder. They boy wraps an arm around her waist and pulls her close, not caring if her father is right there.

"I know," Gildarts reply's. "The only thing we can do is get Porlyusica in here now. He needs her help."

"No, he need Lucy back," Mira says, sighing. Her beautiful face is marred with a frown and Cana reached over to take her hand.

"She'll be back soon, Mira," the brunette says. "I'm sure of it."

"I know. I'm just worried it won't be in time." Everyone knows you can die for heartache. The all thought it was only a matter of time for the king. Soon, they would lose him too.

Grandine P.O.V

"It was my fault in the end," Igneel says sadly, looking down. "I was the one who requested he change. I didn't realise the man, who I now know is Zeref, would take that so literally. I think Ace blames me for what became of him and he has every right. I was the one who sent my sister to that forest, just to get herbs for Natsu. He wasn't well. She didn't deserve the fate I pushed her to."

"Honey, stop blaming yourself," I say, placing my hand on his shoulder.

"You couldn't have known, Igneel," Lucinda Loxar, her hand clasped in her husbands. He nods with her, smiling at Igneel.

"You can't control nature and that includes a wild wolf pack," Ur Fullbuster says calmly. "The attack was not you fault, nor was you sister death."

"I wish I could convince myself that," my husband states sadly. "And I wish Ace could see that too. It just seem impossible."

Year ago, Igneel asked his sister, Grace Dragneel, to go to the forest surrounding our home and locate a rare herb for Natsu. He had became ill with an infection that only that herd could cure. We found her, a day later. A pack of wolves had attacked her and she didn;t stand a chance. She was to gentle and caring; there was no fight in her. A light went out in our family that day and we where never the same again.

"He will forgive you one day," I say with conviction. "Once we is free of that awful shape and magic that holds him. Your brother will return."

Igneel doesn't look convinced.

Layla P.O.V

"We need her," I tell the Spirit King, looking up at him with hope in my eyes.

"She is not ready," he says, for the fifth time.

"She's had seventeen years, I think that's enough time to get ready!" Avery Scarlett explodes, Erica clutching his hand.

"He has a point," Jeremy McGarden says calmly. Roxanne nods while Darren Fullbuster glares at the Spirit King.

He looks down on us, looking at each of our determined faces. Finally, he sighs in defeat and turns away, looking upward.

"Come to me, Celestial Dragon," he says quietly. In a flash on blinding light, a woman, no older than twenty-five stand before us and I frown in confusion. She is not a Dragon.

"You called?" she asks, flicking bright pink hair from her eyes.

"Grace, this is Layla Heartfelia," the King says, sounding resigned. "She needs you help." The woman looks at me in shock.

"Layla, is that really you?" I nod and she launches herself at me. "How? What happened? How are you here?"

"Zeref," is all I say and she immediately freezes, pulling away to look at me.

"What has he done now?" she asks, her voice laced with venom.

"That's why we need you help," Roxanne says, coming to stand beside me.

"Roxanne?" Grace says, looking around. "Jeremy? What? How? Erica? Avery? No, this can't- what? Marko and Karina? Darren? No, no, no, no, no!"

She falls to the ground and I sit beside her, taking her in my arms. "It's a long story, so will you listen?" She nods and I begin to talk.

Erza P.O.V

"Today was fun," I say, leaving back against a tree, my feet next Jellal's. We left the others a few minutes ago and headed back to camp.

"It was," he reply's leaning back beside me, his shoulder brushing mine. I try not to blush. "But I think this is the best part." Now I really blush.

"W-w-what?" I stammer, looking down. His hand rests on my shoulder and his thumb nudges me face up, making me look at him.

"Do you really not know?" he asks, face serious. I shake my head.

"Know what?" I ask, before his lips press onto mine. I don't pull away; instead I find myself kissing him back. This was truly a day to remember.

Levy P.O.V

"Shrimp, your going to hurt yourself," Gajeel calls. I laugh and look down at him.

He told me a couldn't climb a tree, that I was to small. So I decided to prove him wrong. Currently, I'm sitting on a branch at the top of the tree, my legs swinging. I laugh again at his face, staring up at me through the thick foliage.

"If your so worried, come up and get me," I tease. He pauses and then suddenly scales the tree, in half the time it took me. I stare at him in shock when he slips on my branch and grins.

"Okay then, Bookworm. I will," he taunts and I glare, crossing my arms over my chest. Not a good idea.

Suddenly, I loose my balance and tilt backwards. I don't scream, just close my eyes and wait for the impact. It's doesn't come. My eyes fly open and I come face to face with Gajeel, his arms wrapped around me. We're still in the tree, only a few branches down from the one we where on a second ago. How fast did he move?

"Do no do that again!" he grumbles, panting. I stare up and him in shock, before I do something I never thought I would do. I press my lips to his.

He freezes and then kissed me back, strong arms winding around my waist and pulling me towards him. My arms slip around his neck and I sigh. Okay, maybe he doesn't annoy me that much.

Ah! All the fluff! I smiled the whole way through writing this :D

Hope you liked it :) Till next time :D