Part 2
Natsu woke to the sunset, making the sky purple and pink. With a deep yawn he sat up, rubbing his foggy eyes as they dropped drowsily. He loved afternoon naps. Stretching his arms he froze, sniffing the air. Lucy's sent wasn't as strong as he remembered. He looked at where her bed was next to his, only separated by a long golden poll, figuring that was the hanger for the curtain she used as a blanket.
Her bed was empty, and she wasn't anywhere in sight. He sprung from the bed and sniffed around, her sent not in the tunnels that lead to the valley's river, but going out the caves exit. She ran off? Didn't she want to stay here? Did she think that god forsaken castle was better than being with him? Better to be with the father he knew she hated? Like he was going to let her get away that easily! With an Enraged growl the dragon jumped from the cave edge, using the fire from his hands to propel him over the woods and into the sky, trying to sniff out the girl.
Lucy was pinned up against a tree, her teeth clenched as she glared at the man laughing in amusement as he used her for a dart target. Gajeel, a bounty hunter she has herd of from wanted posters. "Gihee! Nice to meet you princess bunny girl! I'm a bounty hunter hired to keep ya for ransom!"
"Like my father would give up money to save me! He want to use me to gain power not lose it!" She gasped as a metal dart scraped her cheek, embedding itself deep within the wood of the tree behind her. "Whoa! That was close! I also herd you were captured by the salamander, I'll just wait till he arrives to get back his prey, he's got a large bounty over his head too." Another dart aimed at her side, making her flinch, trying to squirm out of the metal cuffs that held her to the tree. The man had long spiky black hair, and many piercings. His appearance was frightening enough.
"Let me go!" She yelled, writhing as another dart landed once again beside her face. "Your too loud!" He complained, twirling a dart in his fingers, his ragged black cloak in as worse condition as Natsu's clothes. "How do you feel about being sold to a slave trade, they're the bed payers. "Dammit! Let me go! Don't stand on your imaginary high horse just because you have a few knives!" He suddenly whipped out a knife, pressing the sharp edge against her throat.
"You've got some nerve smart mouthing in your current situation. You better apologies, or I won't tell the traders to let you off easy once they get here." "Sorry but they won't be coming!" A voice called out, and Lucy looked over his shoulder, seeing a pretty woman with long red hair, dressed in armor. A knight? "Who are you?!" The man demanded and the woman didn't answer, an axe suddenly appearing in her hand and pounding at him with it, knocking him out. "That should keep him quiet. I apologies for not arriving earlier miss." She helped her get free and gave a small bow.
"I am Ezra, the titania, a knight from the mountains. I've come to get this man for some of the crimes he commuted, can you direct me to the nearest town?" She spoke bluntly, and kept it need to know. Lucy rubbed her soar wrists and picked up the package she had bought in the town she had came from, pointing in the correct direction. "Much obliged." Ezra bowed again and left, leaving Lucy in silence. "Thank you!" She yelled after the woman before she forgot, and headed back towards the mountain which homed Natsu's nest. She held the package tightly to her chest, glad that man didn't destroy it, she had to trade in a necklace of hers to buy it. The forest around her gradually began to deepen in color, turning a dull grey as the moon rose.
Lucy began to get nervous, speeding her pace and binding herself tighter in her cloak. She wished she had left the cave sooner, than she wouldn't be getting home so late. She froze at her own thoughts in realization. Home. It was a closer home than she's ever had before. She probably realized this morning, waking up in her own bed, Natsu sleeping beside her. It was a home. Though she should have left a note or something to tell Natsu she was okay, even though he probably was still asleep. From the amount of food he ate he was sure not to wake for a while.
Lucy continued through the forest, the trail getting too dark to see now. She suddenly felt her foot dip into a hole, and with a cry she was falling, sliding down a long deep tunnel, screaming all the way, before landing on hard earth. With a groan she got to her knees, seeing that the room was illuminating, orbs of light floating around, a large body of water, like a lake, reflected the light. Beautiful Chrystal's engraved in the walls, And exotic plants planted at the lake edges. "Whoa..." She breathed, and realized she no longer clutched her package. Worried, she shuffled around, searching for the brown paper wrapped bind.
She herd a sudden sound, like the flapping of pages against the echoing stone. She looked down an saw something blue glow at her feet, the light flickering. She looked closer and realized it was a fairy, with wavy blue hair tied back with a yellow head band, her ears pointed and with translucent yellow wings, as delicate as thin glass. But one of them was bent, the reason why it's light was flickering. "Are you alright?" Lucy asked, bending down and scooping the creature up in her hand, careful to mind her injury and to be careful with the tiny creature. The fairy looked up at her in curiosity.
"Thank you for picking me up, a flightless fairy is pretty useless. " the fairy pouted, upset. Lucy felt pity for her. "What's your name?" She asked and the fairy smiled, holding out a tiny delicate hand. "I'm Levi, a book fairy." Lucy touched here hand with her pinky finger, the only finger small enough to fit with Levi's hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you. Your wing looks pretty bad. I'm not sure if there's much I can do but I'd like to help." The fairy smiled in appreciation. "Thank you!" Lucy found a small twig and widdled it till it was smooth, dulling down any sharp edges till it was the length of Levi's wing. Than she took a thin silk ribbon from her dress, and tied the twig against her wing to keep it strait, tying it securely. "How does that feel?" She asked once finished with the cast and the fairy beamed, giving a deep bow. "It's perfect, thank you!" Lucy smiled and the fairy stepped in her hand.
"If you don't mind, could you please take me to the center. With my enchantments you should be able to walk on the water to get there." Levy instructed and she nodded, wanting to help her new friend. Lucy came to the waters edge and levy extended her arm, her hand glowing green. "Bridge!" A golden bricked bridge formed, and Lucy followed it , the bottom of the lake glowing, able to see the fish and creatures swimming under her.
The crystals in the cave around her made it look like stars on the walls, the dark place suddenly coming to life. Birds of all shaped and sizes flew around, strange colorful beasts visible by the lakes edge looked at her as she passed by. "This place is amazing!" She beamed and levy nodded, pride in her expression. " it is the birthplace of all magical creatures. Look! Theirs master now!" Lucy looked ahead and gasped, reaching the center of the caves.
A humongous tree towered over her, as large as the castle, animals and fairy's climbing around it, music and singing filling her ears. "The tree is master Macrove, he's been alive since the begging of time." Levy explained, and a few fairy's came down, carrying Levi away. The ground suddenly rumbled underneath he and she gasped, roots rising from the water and wrapping around her body. But they were gentle, warm, Lucy suddenly felt her consciousness fog, lights twirling in front of her. Than she herd a deep ancient voice, as almost as if it lived in side her head forever, the feeling so familiar.
"Princess Lucy Heartfillia." It rang. " I am Macrove, I thank you for saving levy, even when she is a creature unlike yourself. You are a kind and gentle being, with a strong heart. I bless you with this gift to show my gratitude, and wish that you take care of our friend Natsu. He is lost and unsure what to do with his life. I thank you again." The roots came away from her and she woke, back in the forest she started out in. Was that a dream? Lucy sat up and looked at her lap, seeing a package, but also something else. A whip. It's Handle was engraved with silver designs that swirled, the jet black leather it was made of looked sleek and mysterious. There was another gift next to it, this one a small book that could fit in her hand. She unfolded the note on it, the handwriting small and neat. "This book will produce a new story every time your mood changes. Thank you. -levy." Lucy smiled and put the book in her pocket, carrying the whip with her package as she continued through the forest. The woods didn't seem so creepy anymore, she felt calm. A shadow darted over head and she looked up, seeing a beast fly over her head. It landed in front of her and she jumped back. It was a large blue jungle cat, majestic white wings spread from its back.
It looked calm and folded it wings, sitting. "Are you luigi?" It asked and she shook her head, astounded that it could talk. The cat looked like it was pouting. "Darn, Natsu will be mad if I don't find her soon..." "Wait, you know Natsu?" She asked and the cat nodded. "Aye! my names happy! A friend on Natsu!" Happy? Strange name for a dangerous looking cat. But than again, he didn't give off that feel, he looked as if he couldn't harm a fly. "Natsu is looking for a girl named Luigi!" He laughed. "He liiiiiikes her!" Lucy rolled her eyes at the name. "It's Lucy." She grumbled and the cat perked up. "That's it! Lucy!" She sweat dropped, wondering if this cat was brain dead. The cat looked behind her. "Oh, Natsu!" Lucy turned and saw the dragon, his pink hair an obvious give away.
He was breathing hard as if he were running, sweat rolling down his skin, a flame in his palm for a light source, reflecting off his eyes and making them that pretty forest green. "Lucy." He breathed and she smiled, giving a wave. "Hey! Sorry to worry you, I went out to get-" she cut off to him suddenly wrapping her in his arms, holding her tightly against him. The bundle fell from Lucy's grasp as she stood frozen, locked in his warmth. "Nat...su?-" "weirdo! Don't leave me like that again!" He yelled in her ear and she flinched, feeling his anger, but couldn't help but feel pleased that he had missed her.
"Sorry." She whispered, a small smile on her lips. Natsu continued to sulk, wondering if all girls felt so small, or smelled this good. He found himself stroking her soft hair a bit, his cheek pressed against her head. Holding her felt nice. "You liiiiike each other!" Happy purred and Lucy blushed, pushing away from Natsu, not meeting his eyes. "I- I got you something! While I was in town!" She picked up the package and gave it to him, looking down. Curiously, Natsu took the brown paper and tore it open, unsure of what to expect. "It's new clothes... Since yours were a bit weathered.
I also thought they went well with your scarf." Natsu had a gleam in his eyes, looking at the clothes in wonder. He suddenly began to strip off his clothes and Lucy jumped back, covering her eyes. "Don't change here!" She yelled but he ignored her, so she had to turn around till he was done. "Whoa! Their so soft!" She turned and blushed at Natsu's appearance. The clothes fit him better than she thought, and due to the necklace she gave the vendor she was able to get really nice ones. His shirt was white, button up with long sleeves and a tan vest, with black pants and black boots that came over his calves.
"You look nice Dragneel." Lucy was really impressed and he beamed a huge grin. "Thanks!" Natsu rolled the sleeves to his elbows but hesitated, thumbing his right sleeve. "So these clothes are officially mine?" He asked an she nodded. "Of course-!" He suddenly tore the entire right sleeve off and sighed in satisfaction, Lucy gawking in shock. She figured he wanted to show off the weird tattoo on his shoulder. She would never understand men. He took her hand and tugged her along. "Lets go home!" He said cheerily and Lucy smiled, following him back to the nest, back to home.
"Your too close!" Gray hissed at loke, who's sword Handle was bumping gray in the head as he cleaned it, the fire reflecting off the metal. "Than move over." He gave a sigh. "It would be so much better if it was a woman I was traveling with." Gray rolled his eyes, taking out his map. "We're not travaling, it's a mission. Take this seriously. "
"Of course I would take the princess's well being seriously!" He scoffed , and sheathed his sword. Something rustled the bushes beside them and they froze, loke taking out his sword again and gray making an ice sword on the spot with his magic, both of the men ready to fight. A figure suddenly stumbled from the underbrush and they both shot to their feet to attack. "Ouchy~!" The person whined, a girl, rubbing her knee where she tripped. "A-are you alright?" Loke asked and she looked up from her hood. The girl looked around twelve, with long blue hair and big brown eyes, a leather case beside her which she had carried.
"Yes! Thank you!" She jolted up in a panic, grabbing her case. "Carla!" She called into the woods and a giant white panther came from the trees, the two men jumping back. The girl climbed on her back and the cat spread its long white wings, ready to fly. "My name is Wendy, I'm a healer. If you ever need anything my home is by river Loxster." "Y-yah, thanks." Than she flew away, leaving the two men in the forest. "What was that about?" Grey mumbled and Loke shrugged, sitting back down. "Who knows, but the sooner I have that salamanders head the better!"
"I'm bored!" Natsu yelled, lying on the cave floor as Lucy read her book, sitting on his bed since it faced the cave opening. Rain pounded on the earth outside, dripping in streams off the cave opening. "Go do something than." Lucy mumbled, turning the page, the story she was reading was exiting, with thrilling twists and turns, perfect to counteract the boring atmosphere. "There's nothing to do!" He got up and leaned infront of Lucy, trapping her as he supported how weight on his arms which he placed on each of her sides. "Lets go do something! I'm bored!" He whined and Lucy blushed on how close he was, leaning a bit away. "We can't go outside, it's raining." "It's just water! No harm done!" She ignored him and he sulked, looking down at her book than up.
Lucy wore a light blue dress, summer made that was well fitted with her curves, the sleeves wrapped around her slim arms to her elbows, than lace draping to her wrists. Natsu couldn't help but stare at her bare shoulders, a bit of cleavage showing from the neckline. As she continued to read, her dark lashes brushing over her cheeks as her eyes moved, her lips moving ever so slightly as she read. Her golden hair was tied back in a bun, leaving few short strands to curl gently against her slender neck, and Natsu wondered how soft her skin would be-
Natsu suddenly snatched the book from her hands, making her jump as he flipped through the pages. "Hey! Natsu!" She whined, trying to jump up to reach it but he was too tall, his eyes skimming over the pages. "You actually like these romance stories?" He asked, looking at a page and Lucy hesitated. "I was reading a mystery, the book is supposed to change with your mood so-" he dropped it as he jumped back, his face beet red and Lucy sighed, picking it up and brushing it off with the flick of the hand. "Your hopeless." She mumbled and natsu glared, grabbing the book and Sarto outside into the rain. "Natsu!" Lucy screamed, running after him and making her way down the rocky incline, trying to see the blur of pink in the distance.
Was he so bored that he had to get her drenched?! "Catch me if you can!" He teased and Lucy yelled cusses at him, watching him dart into the trees, loving the thrill of the chase. Lucy ran after the fool, holding up the hem of her dress, infuriated. When she gets her hands on him hell wish he was never born!- she suddenly ran into something, falling down in the mud. She looked up at the blurry figure in the rain, and gasped in shock. Prince gray! "Princess Lucy!" He cried in surprise and helped her to her feet. "Are you alright? Were you running away? Where's the dragon?" "Gray! What are you doing here?!" "Where's the dragon? Is he following you?" He held tightly onto her wrist with one hand, the other drawing his sword, the rain sliding in ribbons down the sharp gleaming metal. Lucy panicked, bucking against the mans grasp. He wanted to kill Natsu! "Princess!" She turned and saw Loke in his armor and red cape, rushing to his master with a relieved look. "Than god your alright!" "Loke?!" Gray pushed her towards Loke and he wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her away.
"The dragon should arrive soon, stand over here where it's safe." He told her, but Lucy writhed, pushing and kicking to get loose. "Princess! What's wrong?!" "Let me go! I'm not going back! I hate it! Release me!" Loke restrained her arms, her whip dropping to her feet so she couldn't fight them off. They were going to being her back to her horrible father, she couldn't go. She wouldn't. She liked it here with Natsu, she wanted to stay. "Is she brain washed?" Gray questioned and Loke shrugged, unsure at the wild princess.
"Natsu! Natsu!" She screamed, managing to get herself free, her trump card was that Loke didn't want to hurt her, and began to run, stumbling through the mud and under brush. Gray grabbed her arm and faced her towards him, shaking her violently. "SNAP OUT OF IT!" He screamed and Lucy recoiled, tears stinging her eyes. "I want to stay... I don't want to go back.. Please let me stay, say I died." "What are you blabbering Lucy?! Get ahold of yourself!" Loke begged, his eyes worried. "Natsu!" She yelled again, screaming as loud as she could, the prince and knight yelling at her to stop. She herd something in response, a distant voice, a light appearing in the distance. "Natsu?" The two men stood their guard, standing in front of the princess, their swords ready she saw the figure in the distance, surrounded by flaming light. Fire. Lucy smiled with relief, rushing forward before the knight and prince could stop her.
"Natsu!" She called and ran into his arms, his entire figure surrounded by fires of rage. But it didn't hurt her, it felt like warm light was glowing around her, sliding past her like rocks in a river. "You okay?" Natsu asked with a playful smile and she nodded, wrapping her arms around his waist, The fire around them drying the water. "It's the salamander!" Loke yelled, and Natsu smirked at them, pushing Lucy behind him. "So these are some of the kings pawns." He snickers and gray scowled. "You damn fire freak!" He threw his ice swords at him and Natsu shattered them with a kick and a punch, laughing. "Your pathetic!" He gave a hearty laugh and Loke's sword began to glow gold with his magic, charging at the salamander. "Return the princess now!" Loke yelled, swinging the sword at his neck but Natsu dodged, pushing Lucy farther away so she wouldn't get caught in the fight. That flame around her would keep them away, but not their swords. Natsu sucked in a huge breath, bracing himself for the attack. "Fire dragons roar!" Fire burst from his mouth, charging at them like a rocket and blowing them off their feet. Lucy stared in shock, watching the true power of the salamander. Natsu turned, bolting towards Lucy while the two men were down. "Come on!" He called and grabbed her wrist, pulling her along as they ran. "We can't go back to the cave, they'll follow us. We need to get somewhere hidden." He told her, smacking away branches in their way, their feet sloshing through mud and underbrush.