Alright, so I just realized that I had been completely forgetting my disclaimers on my chapters. I guess I should have read a little bit more before I impulsively posted, huh? Anyway, I don't own Natsu or Lucy or anything Fairy Tail (those rights belong to Hiro Mashima) but I do own my OCs. Enjoy! Oh, and please review or comment or something; I would love to get feedback!
True to her word, Lucy let Natsu sleep in her lap for the train ride. She softly stroked his face, counting the minutes every now and then. This would be the last mission they did together for a very long time. He snored, rolling his head until he had buried his face in her stomach, unintentionally tickling her. She had to work hard to suppress a giggle and made a mental note to wear a jacket on the trip home so this didn't happen. Perhaps she had never really appreciated his company like this until she knew she was losing it. The thought was difficult to comprehend. For a year, she wouldn't be able to feel his warm breath on her skin or see his smile when she agreed to go on a mission with him. Every time the trip came to her mind since she spoke with Natsu, she regretted it a little more, especially with him in her lap like this. Could they have been more if she had decided not to leave? Could this have been her life?
A woman suddenly tripped just outside their cabin, dropping a bag full of marbles she had been carrying all over the aisle and the floor in the cabin. The woman sighed and dropped to the ground to pick up the marbles. Lucy, noticing that she would never be able to get them all on her own, gently shifted Natsu's head to the seat and got down on her knees to help.
"Thank you, my dear. I'm afraid I just had too much to carry. What's your name?"
"Lucy. And yours?"
"Gretel. Is this handsome young man your husband?"
Lucy felt the blush that crept over her face, but laughed anyway. This woman obviously didn't recognize them.
"No, this is my mission partner, Natsu. He has motion sickness, so trains aren't really his best look. We don't have a relationship further than friends."
Gretel laughed, although her laugh seemed a bit forced. Lucy put it off. Gretel gathered up her things and the marbles, putting them safely away in a backpack.
"Well, thank you, Lucy. As a way to show my thanks, take this; it's a protection charm. It's not going to save your life or anything, but it can make you and someone of your choice a little luckier. You should be able to put that to good use as a mage. Have a nice day!"
With that, the little woman disappeared. Lucy examined the tiny necklace in her hand, its charm consisting of a shield and heart on a silver chain. She slid the shield off the necklace and tucked it into Natsu's hand. The heart remained on the chain and went around her neck, falling at just the right length. The train shuddered to a stop all of a sudden, throwing her on top of Natsu. He rolled over, instinctively lighting one fist on fire.
"What's going on, Lucy? Why did the train stop?"
"I don't know; we aren't at the station yet."
She reached for her keys, fingering Loke's, just in case. Natsu wrapped one arm around her waist, slowly pulling her until she was seated behind him, putting himself between her and the door. The train lights flickered once, twice, and died. The only light in the cabin came from Natsu's fist. He tensed; the anticipation was killing him. What he hadn't told Lucy was that abruptly, the scents of every person on the train had disappeared and the sounds had all quieted. They were currently alone on the train where that had been two of hundreds just a minute ago. He could hear Lucy's heart hammering away in her chest, could smell her fear. It made him sick to think she was this scared and he wanted to beat the shit out of whatever it was so she could calm down. A new scent assaulted his nose now: rank, dead, and suffocating. He gagged, tugging his scarf up over his face so he could at least breathe. Lucy grabbed his free hand, squeezing it tight.
"Natsu, what do you smell? What's coming?"
"I don't know. Whatever it is, it doesn't mean well. I want you to open that window and climb out. I will follow you and we can go from there."
"Be careful, Natsu. I know you're nervous when you start planning things."
She moved away from his quietly, but he prayed she would be quick. The thing on the train was moving their way, slowly, but still moving. She unlatched the window silently and worked on opening it. He scooted back to put his back to the cabin wall next to her, assisting by melting more glass so she could actually fit. The thing moved closer.
"I can get out, Natsu. Thanks. You make sure you come out after me."
On a whim, Lucy kissed him on the cheek. Just as his cheeks went red, the entire world erupted around her in fire and cymbals. She didn't know when she blacked out, but her mind comprehended nothing but her last sight of him smiling.
Okay, so my heart raced a little at the last part, much to my family's amusement as I cringed my way through writing it. Remember, read and review! I'm a good poster, so I will be updating regularly until this is over. Stick with me, my friends!