I had the intention not to write anything as an author note at the beginning, but I can't do it. I want to sincerely thank every single one of you out there who are reading my story. And double thanks to the ones that review! Your reviews are encouraging me to keep on writing. This story wouldn't exist if you, those who are reading it, wouldn't help me through reviews.
So thank you again! Oh, and, P.S.- LuckyLifeSmile, why do you have to read me so well? Yes, Gray will indeed make a show in this chapter, but… why… just why…
…
And P.P.S.- MY DEEPEST APOLOGIZES, PEOPLE! Why?
Warning: the following chapter may contain GraLu (was it GraLu? Or GrayLu?) moments. So Gray +Lucy fans may really like the following chapterS.
Enjoy!
Lucy had come back to her senses half the way to the ship. She found herself being carried by a very good looking man with white hair and a big scar on his right eyebrow. She looked deep into his blue eyes and wondered why she was his arms.
And then she remembered.
Sting couldn't hide his surprise when he got to know Lucy's fist better. The girl started screaming and shifting to reclaim her oh-so-sweet freedom. The handsome pirate lost his control over her a moment due to his surprise. He wasn't expecting a princess to be unconscious so little after one of his well-known punches. He had been hoping for her to wake up in at least a few hours. He started sweating nervously not knowing why.
Lucy had got advantage of that little moment of hesitation and hit him in his face once again so that he would follow the reflex of freeing one of his arms in order to stop her hands from getting revenge on his beautiful skin. But she was expecting him to free his right hand which had been placed under her knees (she would've gotten advantage and stood up), and not the left one, which had been sustaining her back! Thus, she fell screaming and shutting her eyes clenched, towards the ground.
Sting had seen the danger with actually caring too much and caught her knees tighter at the same time lifting her so she wouldn't hit her head against the ground. It was too dangerous and he couldn't afford to be the culprit of another corpse, especially when the corpse would've most probably been the one of a princess.
The next moment, Lucy opened her eyes one by one finding herself slowly balancing back and forth in the air, a few inches above the earth. Her hair was mopping the muck and her hands were squeezing the dress as if it were a spot of sustain. Her panties were showing.
She eyed Sting with shock.
''How did you do that?'' she asked him in a whisper. He looked back at her with little surprise.
''What do you mean?''
Her eyes were wide and her mouth was partly opened. She was pretty adorable and that made Sting blush. Even if she was upside down.
''How did you catch me like that?''
''I-it was easy?'' he hesitatingly answered. Why was she suddenly thinking about a completely other thing than escaping?
''How can you say that?''
''W… Well you're light.''
She widened her eyes even more.
''You're lying. They all say I'm fat.''
''Y-You're not fat!''
She had a delicious body. Not at all fat. That was what he was thinking but he was literally shocked. What was wrong with her talking about this?
''Y-You mean it?'' she asked with a shaky voice. He spotted little tears on her eyelashes (don't forget she was upside down).
''Yeah. You're really light.''
She shed a few tears but immediately wiped them away.
''That's almost the sweetest thing I've ever heard.''
Her voice was shaky and she was blushing. Sting… didn't know what to feel. He kind of sweat-dropped.
''B-But anyway! You must let go of me!''
She placed her hands on the ground supporting her body herself and tried getting her feet free. He got a hold of himself after her little emotional show and gripped her knees even tighter. Even though he had said she was light, she was starting to feel heavy, especially now, when she kept struggling.
''Why did you take me anyway?!'' she screamed while kicking his face with one of her knees.
He gritted his teeth and suddenly had enough with her fighting back. He circled her bottom with his right arm and held her tightly against his chest. Being suddenly dragged towards him made Lucy's face bump into his knee, pepping up an explosion of pain in her nose. He made a big effort to lift her up even more so that she was bending over his shoulder. He could now hold her like a sack and walk easier. Even though she was fighting to get free, he was able not to let her go. He continued his walk to the ship but only after he took a handkerchief out of his pocked (he didn't know either how it had got in there) and stuffed it into her mouth. She spat it immediately and continued screaming nonsense. Needless to tell, she was overly annoying. He kept his calm and tried ignoring her.
After five minutes of that kind, he had had enough. He threw her to the ground and sat on top of her, holding both her hands in his left hand. She shut her mouth immediately.
He glared at her and pulled out of his shoe a little improvised penknife out of which a sharp and threatening blade popped out. He approached it dangerously close to her face. She gulped.
''Look, little princess, if you don't want this pretty thing here to kiss your face goodbye, you better shut you little trap and stop shifting so much.''
He placed the knife on her cheek and also approached his own face to hers. He felt the warmness of her skin and even if her breath was cut, he could see she wasn't as afraid as he thought she would be. He suddenly grinned and thought about kissing her. She would be really angry if he did. But it wasn't like he really cared.
And what if he did it? It's been a long time since he last had tasted a pretty woman as herself. He felt the need of a prize for the hard work he has done. He looked into her big chocolate eyes for a long time and something made him hold the impulse he was feeling.
He widened the gap between them and rose up on his feet. He looked down at her and held out his hand.
She stared at his hand with surprise. He wasn't going to force her anymore? She then looked up at him and actually lifted her hand to accept his help.
But her pride suddenly made her stop and frown. She rose up fast without anybody's help and passed him a quick glare.
It took her only a second to jump away from her place and start running. But it had taken Sting even less than a second to realize her intentions and he caught her forearm the moment she stepped further to run. She ended up falling down again.
Her glittering eyes gave him the 'Oh come on!' look, but he smirked and said:
''Na-a-ah! You're not going anywhere!''
''What do you want from me, geez?!''
''Money. A reward. Anything precious.''
''And what makes you think you can get them from me?!'' she screamed.
''Listen, I know you're now going to pretend you are a peasant or something, but don't imagine you could trick me.''
Lucy looked at him with surprise.
''What do you mean? I'm not a peasant.''
He looked at her also with surprise.
''Then you acknowledge you're a princess?''
''What? I'm not a princess either!''
He smirked ironically.
''Then what are you?''
She stared at him without being able to reply.
''You're rich, aren't you?'' Sting asked starting to doubt it himself.
''Who told you such a thing?'' she frowned and smiled amused. ''I've never been rich.''
He wanted not to believe her but something told him she was speaking the truth.
''How did you get a hold of those golden coins, then?''
Lucy looked at him with wide eyes and suddenly recognized him as the one who was sitting beside the shop assistant at the counter where she had bought the dress. She opened her mouth to speak, but couldn't make any sound.
''They were yours, weren't they?'' he frowned. Maybe she had borrowed them from a rich person proving him he had made a horrible mistake. Or even worse, she might have been a beggar and received them from a wealthy person.
She lowered her look with embarrassment.
''Well… I guess you could say so…''
He suddenly grabbed her collar with anger. He shook her and asked her in a groan:
''You got them from someone else, didn't you?''
He was angry because he just realized how stupid he has been to think so easily she was rich.
''B-But… ''
''Tell me! How did get a hold of them?!''
She bit her lower lip and got frustrated of his sudden brutal behavior.
''I stole them, all right!?''
He widened his eyes and released her. She fell back on the hard ground and hid her face embarrassed. He stared at her with shock.
''…Stole them?''
Her flushed face grimaced lightly. She was ashamed with what she's done. She was expecting to be judged and screamed at. Because she hasn't thought a second he had done the same thing with her.
But instead, he started laughing.
''Stole them!'' he exclaimed amused. She eyed him surprised.
He grinned down at her and confessed.
''You know, I'm a pirate.''
Now she was even more confused.
''I had kidnapped you because I had thought you were rich. I thought I could get a pretty big sum of money for your ass from your family.''
''Oh yeah?'' she frowned pissed.
''But even if I've been wrong'' he ignored her '' it's still great! Because you could come and join us.''
She widened her eyes in shock.
''What makes you think… '' she slowly frowned offended ''… I would join you!?''
Sting suddenly caught the sound of waves of the sea not so far away. He grinned wider.
''Well it doesn't matter. You will come with us even if you want it or not. I can't just let you go after you've met Sting Eucliffe.''
She rose up in the split of a second.
''In your dreams!''
She made another try of running away, but Sting caught her whist before she could take a step further. He pulled her to his chest having the distance between their faces of a few inches. He then caught her waist blocking any way of escape.
''Don't worry. I'm sure you'll be useful.'' he hissed. Lucy struggled to get away from him with gritted teeth and frustrated eyes.
They were in a waltz position.
Sting pulled out his little knife having her reminded of the danger of trying to escape. He started pushing her towards the beach, which she was very surprised to see.
The forest was ending exactly five hundred meters away from the sea. Lucy spotted a big ship in the distance. It was pretty beautifully painted but she could see a black writing on its side had been covered with a white one, saying 'STING'. She deduced this white haired man should have been the captain of the pirates in his ship. She also watched as they were approaching a small boat landed on the sand, one foot away from the water.
But what shocked her the most was the clearness of the sea. You could've said this water looked magical. It was a crystal-clear blue that lightened as its deepness grew littler until it turned into a cream shade with white foam of the waves on the sand. It looked like liquid crystal.
''Don't stop.'' Sting told her as she had been slowing down while admiring the view.
Lucy hurried her steps, but only because she was dragged by him. She was still trying to get free, but she couldn't get any chance to kick him good.
Her feet started tripping as soon as she changed the hard and rocky ground of the forest for the sand. Sting didn't even seem to notice the difference, though.
She tried punching him now, when it might have been her last chance of escape, but he gripped both her joints in only one hand behind her back. He was clinching her pretty hard making sure she had no chance of escape. She suddenly started panicking as they were approaching the little boat.
Sting gripped her hands even harder when he felt her jump away from him. He caught her forearm with his other hand before she would escape. She them threw herself at the ground hoping she would slip away from his catch. But instead he fell along with her not being able to hold her. The sand liquidated their fall and that precious moment gave her the chance of beating his ass. She threw her foot forth without looking and actually succeeded to nail it in between his feet. He let out a short moan and gritted his teeth. His hands jabbed in the place where she had managed to inflame an explosion of pain.
She rose up in the spit of a second and started running away, when she spotted a bunch of tanned pirates rushing their way through the water in a similar boat to the one on the beach. They had probably seen them and hurried to help. She muttered a 'Crap!' and sprinted away through the annoying sand that was tiring her faster and made it harder to gain speed. Before she could reach the forest, the more experienced men reached her first. Two of them caught her from each side and the rest of them bended over their captain to help him rise.
The white haired man was boiling with anger. He threw such a glare in the girl's direction that sent all kinds of shivers through her back. The two pirates took her to the rest of the group and in the mouth of the lion for Lucy. Sting still had his teeth gritted and he was sweating with anger. Even so, he gave her a devilish short grin.
''Welcome to Sabertooth, princess.''
The men looked at him confused.
''Whatcha' mean, capt'n?'' a massive black guy with a green bandana over his forehead asked. His muscled chest was naked like the rest of them except for Sting and he was wearing short trousers that once had been white.
''She's entering our crew, boys.''
Lucy looked at each one of them not daring to make a sound. By the look in their eyes, Lucy somehow knew they weren't thinking it was for the same reason Sting was thinking. Or maybe they did; she might have read Sting wrong back then. She gulped as she noticed some of them were grinning.
From the looks of the ship, Lucy thought, they didn't have any other woman in their crew. Actually, she was surprised to see they were quite few at number. Around twenty.
Once they had climbed on the deck, Lucy was more than determined to fight for her life. At least for her decent life. She kept screaming all the way to the ship, but the moment she stepped on the woodened floor of the deck, as soon as their freed her (convinced she was out of any way of escaping), she gripped her hand around the handle of one man's sword and drew it out. It was heavier than she had thought and she balanced it a second before keeping it steady, but she didn't care. She pointed it to the surprised Sting and screamed:
''Take out your sword and fight me like a man!''
A moment of hesitation and everybody burst into laughing. She watched surprised their ironical faces with their mouths wide opened. Sting wasn't laughing as hard as them, but he was literally amused. A skinny and disgusting man was laughing so hard, he even slapped Lucy's back while holding his stomach. The girl jumped forth and rubbed her aching skin.
She gritted her teeth as nobody was stopping their laughter. Note: She was standing on the right side of the deck. She began getting overly annoyed. But they still weren't stopping.
''Shut…''
She made a fast turn to the left raising her foot so that when she completed 180 degrees, she had kicked another skinny bastard in the face and ended up throwing him over the board.
''UP!''
The man's yell could be head in the silence that followed getting further until a big splash made everyone's eyes grow big.
Lucy was proud she had managed to perfectly learn that move from Natsu. And even though they didn't know much about sword fighting, she was pretty confident that what they had practiced until then could really hurt somebody.
Sting smirked. It was obvious the girl had won their attention and a little of their respect. She managed to surprise once again that day.
''Fine. I will fight you. But you must know, you are messing with whom you mustn't. It's also the reason why we've all been laughing. I am Sting Eucliffe, the pirate, after all. I am not wanted by all seven Kingdoms for nothing.''
He was expecting her to be impressed or at least surprised. But the expression on her face didn't change.
''Shut up and take out your sword.''
They all sweat-dropped and Sting got annoyed.
''Before we fight.'' Lucy said loud and clear. ''Let's make a deal. I win, you free me and take me back to where you took me from. You win, I join you.''
She smiled unnoticeably and added in whisper for herself: ''Nobody wins, splash!''
Sting grinned.
''Shall we do it, then?''
.,xXxXxXxXx,.
Natsu slammed his hands against the wooden table of the counter. One more second of hesitation and he could swear he would kill this annoying old sack of bones.
The seller trembled under the horrible glare of the young man. He raised his hands up in defense and told him once again that he had no idea who this 'Culy' was and neither 'Lucy'. Natsu grabbed his collar and gritted his teeth in frustration. The old man toes weren't touching the ground anymore.
''I'll tell you once more, old geezer.'' He hissed. ''Blond hair, brown eyes. Tall, wearing rags. My age.''
This was the last shop assistant in the whole town he has asked. Everyone had had the same answer. No idea who you're talking about. He was already sick of them all.
''I-I-I d-don't know! I only work here in the noon everyday! Maybe he came here in the morning and the other sellers know who he is!''
Natsu threw his light old body in another stand and then kicked the table, knocking it and everything that had been on it down. The disturbing sound that came from the dangerous young man scared once again the whole market. A bunch of women screamed scared trying at the same time to quiet down their little children's crying.
''She's a girl.'' Natsu added before leaving and going back to the hill. He was so angry he felt like he could kill anyone that stood in his way.
''I-I think I've seen who you're looking for!'' a man screamed hesitatingly. ''Please calm yourself down and try listening to me. There was a blond young lady who was buying food. She has also bought a blue dress. Is she the one you're looking for?''
''FINALLY!'' Natsu screamed. ''Somebody who speaks the same language as me.'' he then hissed.
''I can only tell you that after she bought everything she needed, she left towards that hill over there.''
He pointed to the hill he and Lucy had settled.
''Nothing else?''
''Nothing else.''
The young man looked away, ran a hand through his hair in frustration and kept from telling the man 'thanks for nothing'. He already knew that much. But he suddenly widened his eyes slightly and turned around to face the man again.
''Wait. Did you say she bought a blue dress?''
''Yes.''
''Are you sure?''
''Yes, I saw her go to that counter over there and bought almost immediately an expensive-looking dress.''
He pointed to the counted standing in the back where the seller remained the same. Goof. Everybody looked at him and Goof swore in silence. Natsu approached his stand with big angry steps. He opened his mouth to ask the older man about Lucy, when somebody spoke loudly:
''What is going on here?''
Natsu turned around and faced a raven haired man dressed richly and escorted by a bunch of knights. The pinkette widened his eyes in shock.
''Your Majesty!'' people muttered surprised.
''The Prince!'' a little boy screamed with admiration.
Natsu widened his eyes even more.
'' 'The Prince'?'' he asked.
The other young man looked in Natsu's direction and widened his eyes as well. But as Natsu's face was paling, his own face was blooming in a smile.
''Well look at this! Isn't it wonderful how fate works, my friend?''
He approached Natsu and put a hand on his shoulder.
''Gray…'' Natsu muttered to the human being he would have liked to see the least in the entire world. Needless to tell, Natsu disliked this man to the point of hissing:
''Get your hand off me.''
Gray looked a little surprised, but he continued smiling while, indeed, taking his hand off.
''In a bad mood, aren't we? Tell me, what brings you here, … um… uh…''
Natsu gritted his teeth annoyed.
''Forgive me, but I have seemed to forgot your name.''
''Natsu.'' said man hissed.
''Right.''
Goof widened his eyes slightly. Natsu? As in… Natsu Fremont? The Prince of the north Kingdom of Fire?
Oops.
''So, how are you doing?''
''Fine. You? Probably good, so will you please excuse me?''
He turned around with the intention to get away from the presence of the most annoying person in the whole Fairy Tale.
''Where's the hurry, my friend? Tell me, how's Lucy?''
Natsu's face darkened and so did his aura. This stupid bastard sure didn't forget about Lucy, but he forgot about him. He felt like he was going to crush his teeth under the pressure of his anger.
''I don't know, I was just going to ask this bastard.''
He glared at Goof and approached him.
''Oh?'' Gray's smile disappeared, concern replacing it. ''Is something wrong with Lucy?''
''Nothing that should concern you, bastard.''
The whole market gasped and the knights angered and took a fighting position.
''Hey, hey, how do you think you're addressing-''
Gray raised his hand shutting then up.
''It's alright, boys. Please tell me, Natsu. Is everything alright?''
''Mind your own business!''
Gray ignored him and looked at Goof.
''Does it have to do with this man?''
The seller was already starting to fear the prison, so he decided to play cool and tell the truth as much possible. It seemed like the Prince knew the girl in talk quite well; and he and Sting had had the stupid idea of robbing her! And who knew what else that sneaky pirate did to her.
''I-I just sold her a dress, Your Majesty.''
Again, Natsu looked surprised. Gray read through the earthling and answered his unspoken questions hesitatingly while rubbing the back of his head:
''I'm sorry to have tricked you, Natsu. I have the bad habit of sneaking out of the palace once in a while and dress like a commoner while living like one. When I met you and Lucy, I wasn't carrying the royal title with me.''
''So you're…''
''Y-Yeah… I'm a prince. The Prince of the Kingdom of Frozen Roses, to be exact.''
The fact that Lucy had been thinking about this guy as a dreamy one the previous day sickened Natsu.
''So tell me, mister.'' Gray addressed with a frown the seller beside Natsu. He also stepped forward until he faced Goof well enough to read through his eyes. ''What is your name?''
''Griffin, sire. I am a mare shop assistant who had received merchandise yesterday. All I have done was my job.''
''You're lying! I heard somebody call you Goof this morning!'' a little boy screamed. Gray narrowed his eyes and waited for an explanation. Goof started sweating.
''Goof comes from Griffin. It's the way… friends call me.''
''How did the person who called him Goof look like, little boy?''
''Uh… I can't remember.''
''I see.''
''Wait, he had white hair, am I right?'' a woman asked the boy.
''Y-Yeah, I think so.''
Gray grinned.
''Well then, Mr. Griffin, how do you explain Sting Eucliffe being your friend?''
Some people gasped.
''Sting Eucliffe, sire?'' Goof asked sweating.
''There is no other man with white hair in this kingdom that I know of.''
He smiled.
''And believe me, I know my people well.''
''Who's Sting Eucliffe?'' Natsu asked.
Goof gave it a good thought. He didn't want to go to prison. And he cared much less about Sting than going to prison.
Gray could see the man was struggling in thoughts. It was obvious he was hiding something.
''If you tell us the truth, I might give it a second thought about sending you to prison as a seller for the black market.'' he encouraged the man with a smile, totally the opposite of how Natsu would have done.
Goof didn't hesitate anymore. He had figured Sting has changed his mind about the girl, otherwise he would have returned by then. He looked at Natsu.
''Sting Eucliffe is the man who kidnapped your blond friend.''
They all widened their eyes, especially Gray and Natsu.
''Can you give us more details?'' Gray grinned with narrow and sly eyes.
.,xXx,.
''EEK!'' Lucy screamed when the blade cut the air an inch away from her shoulder.
She was out of breath already and Sting was obviously going easy on her. Let's say he was offering his crew a show.
Her hits were much too slow considering how heavy her sword was. Sting was blocking or dodging them like it was the wind.
But she has been following her plan the entire time. She has been getting close to the border of the deck, but every single time Sting was making her go left, the opposite side she was willing to approach. The white haired man suddenly got bored of them playing cat and dog and hit her sword with strength, throwing it over the board. He then pointed his own under her chin.
''Surrender, pretty lady. You're got nowhere left to go.''
Her back was, indeed, glued to the rail of the ship. She sweated nervously as the blade of the sword jabbed lightly in her neck's skin. He then lowered it to her stomach in sign he was losing interest. Before he would put it down for good, she had to act fast. Her hands measured the height of the rail. It reached her chest. Heck. Just a little too tall. She had to rely on Sting's strength for this one.
As the captain was waiting for a reply, she suddenly fixed her hands on the thick top of the rail and pushed herself with all she'd got. She hadn't the strength to lift herself all alone, so she raised her knee and pushed herself in the sword Sting was holding. As expected, the guy was surprised and the sword immediately lowered under her weight, but didn't touch the ground. He was too experienced to hold his weapon lightly. Enemies often tried to hit it from the top in order to have him drop it, so he had learned over the time to hold it tightly and with strength. And so, Lucy could lift herself better because of his good training.
She sat her butt on the border of the ship and after a moment of hesitation and fear, she rose up on her feet and jumped as far as she could from the ship's wooden walls.
She knew too well about the danger of hitting her head against the oars in her fall and risk fainting in the water, which meant death.
She plunged beautifully and cut the water like an arrow almost without sprinkling around with water. The liquid surrounded her, spreading a nice shock of cold through her hot body. She immediately felt the saltiness of the sea.
She opened her eyes and enjoyed the familiar feeling of swimming. How much she has missed that secure impression the water was giving her! All kinds of colorful fishes were slipping away from her sight, scared of a stranger's new presence in their environment. She admired the plants that were dancing along with the mild waves. As deeper as she was going, it was colder.
And now she was showing off with a national champion's swimming skills in front of a bunch of shocked pirates.
Nobody wins, splash!
That was what she had meant.
By the time she felt she was out of breath, she shook her feet gracefully and advanced through the water towards the surface.
Her blond head popped out as she took a deep breath of air. She turned her head around and smirked proudly when she saw how much she had swam in a matter of seconds. She was at least ten yards away from the ship. Some of the pirates had jumped in the water after her and Lucy watched with surprise they were actually pretty good. Not as good as her, considering how much practice she had had and also how much lighter she was, but they were good. She started swimming at the surface in the crawl style, the fastest one. She was positive she was the quickest in the water and not on the ground, especially when there was sand, but she was also aware that she will get tired sometime. Even so, she continued swimming, not toward the ground, but aimlessly with the hope she will get rid of them. She even started swimming in circles because they were following her like stupid rats. Sting was yelling at them something from the top of the ship.
Twenty minutes have passed and Lucy stared feeling like she couldn't resist much longer. The pirates were also swimming a little slower and there was a considerable distance between them, but she knew if she stopped, they were going to catch her sooner or later.
She was panting heavily and she could feel every single day when she hadn't practiced in her aching muscles. She finally understood how important regular training was in a sport.
Her mouth filled with water when she was taking a deep breath sending it in her lungs. She started coughing heavily and she was forced to stop her swimming. After she cleared her throat, she knew she couldn't take it anymore and let her body be carried by the water in the waves' will. She thrust her exhausted arms on her sides and rested on her back in the relaxing swinging. She listened to her own panting and the approaching sound or the pirates. She could tell they were even more exhausted than her. Then how could they still go on? She opened her eyes and looked at them. They had also stopped like her! And the swimming she had heard belonged to the other ones that had jumped in the water and only now started swimming towards her.
This wasn't fair!
She felt her eyes water and her teeth grit. Nothing was fair! The entire day, all she has done was try and try and try and try to escape Sting and his bunch of fools! She has been fighting for her freedom all those tiring hours. She had made a lot of tries to run away from Sting, but every time he had to catch her! Then she had finally managed to kick his b****, but the group of losers came and caught her before she could reach the forest! Then her plan finally succeeded and she used water as her ally after managing to trick the thief! But no, they started following her and when she thought she got the advantage, they were playing dirty! Specific to pirates! And on top of all, she was so exhausted she felt like she could collapse anytime.
Her clinched her fists and felt the need to crush something. Too bad water was liquid.
She glared at the bunch that was gaining visibility in her sight and felt like she hated them more than anything in the world.
But in the distance, a bigger and mightier ship suddenly showed up. She calmed down a little and looked at it with curiosity.
Sting also seemed to have noticed it and yelled an order to them.
''Whaaaaat?'' they replied not being able to hear him.
Sting filled his lungs with air and screamed louder.
''Get back to the ship this instant!''
Lucy widened her eyes and her tears stopped.
The men followed their orders and abandoned Lucy, disappearing in the water in the opposite direction. The girl wasn't laying on the water anymore. You could say she stood up, staring at the ship that was approaching fast. Sting had sounded quite troubled, she couldn't miss that one.
Why? What was that ship?
She narrowed her eyes and tried to read what was written on its side. The name of the ship.
''L…U..CY… Wait, Lucy?!'' she exclaimed shocked. Why was her name on a ship?!
It was pretty fancy and she wondered if it belonged to someone important.
Looking back at 'STING', she noticed the ship was already leaving as fast as it could. The two vases passed one another by a pretty large distance, but even so, little trap doors somewhere near the bottom of the 'LUCY' ship lifted and revealed a bunch of black cannons that slowly came out of the wooden walls. The girl widened her eyes even more and her mouth opened in a smile.
''Payback time, tramps!'' she thrust out her tongue with happiness.
But even so, the LUCY ship missed its target because of the big distance. After another try of crushing the pirate vase, it gave up and the cannons retreated inside, the trap doors closing and only leaving behind big gray clouds that were lifting and vanishing in the sky.
''A-Aw…'' Lucy sadly said. She then sighed and started swimming towards the shore. As soon as the water was getting little, she started walking until she reached the ground. She let herself fall on her knees and then her whole body suddenly sank into the hot dry sand. She smiled with pleasure.
The LUCY ship was sailing towards… her. She had noticed, but didn't really care. All she wanted was the captain or whatever to come down already and her to thank him and then she wanted to take a good nap. But only after she would have eaten a good lunch. All that rush emptied her stomach and she was starving.
The crew had casted anchor and a small ship with two men was slipping on the surface of the water fast.
''Excuse me, Miss!''
Lucy opened her sleepy eyes and looked at the man who spoke.
''Are you the one who saved me?'' she asked.
''Uh… No, but he is waiting for you on the ship. Will you accompany him at his request?''
''Ugh…I have to move from here, don't I?''
The man looked at her confused.
''I… I believe you do, Miss.''
She rose in her butt and asked them one more thing:
''You aren't pirates, are you?''
The man frowned and snorted proudly.
''Of course we aren't, milady, we are the royal army from His Majesty's-''
''Yes yes, just take me to the one who saved me. I want to thank him.''
Once they reached the ship and climbed on the deck, Lucy suddenly forgot for the moment how tired she was. She looked at the one standing smiling in front of her while her eyes were growing wide and her the corners of her mouth were lifting in a happy grin. She threw herself in the prince's arms, screaming:
''Gray!''
The raven haired young man smiled and hugged her back, bursting in laughing. Everybody watched with shock the emotional reunion. She retreated from the hug and looked at him with glittering eyes.
''Are you the one that saved me?''
He looked away and flushed.
''I only did what I had to do.''
She held her breath with happiness and then started laughing.
''Oh, I have so many questions! But… ''
She looked with curiosity at his clothing.
''What's with this uniform? And all these people…'' she looked around at the royal crew who were standing with respect aside.
Gray laughed shortly.
''Y-Yeah, well, you see… I'm… how do I say this… I'm a prince, actually. The Prince of The Frozen Roses Kingdom.''
''Prince?'' she looked at him wide-eyed. ''But how could this be?''
''I know you met me when I was a mare commoner. But… I was only… uh…''
''His Majesty likes to often visit the outside world dressed as a commoner. He integrates with the peasants and lives the life of poor for a couple of days.'' An old butler helped him with a smile.
''Thank you, Darius.'' Gray smiled a little embarrassed. Lucy looked at him with wide, shinning eyes. She had no idea he had such a kind heart! Her heart fluttered with admiration.
''Oh, and, by the way, what's with the ship's… name?'' she asked raising an eyebrow with amusement.
''D-Do you think it's weird?'' Gray rubbed the back of his head. ''I named it after you.''
''A-After me?!''
''Yes, after our first meet, I couldn't take my mind off you.''
He looked at her with loving eyes and Lucy blushed. He gently took her hands into his.
''I am so happy we could meet again, Lucy.''
''M-Me too.'' She blushed harder under his gentle eyes.
''You said you have plenty questions for me, but shouldn't it be better if we had lunch first? It's noon, after all.''
She grinned.
''I couldn't have said it better.''
The clouds started pouring down in a thick rain after that, so everybody left the deck and entered a wonderful dining room in which the meal was already prepared. It was a little too late for lunch, but neither Lucy or Gray had eaten since breakfast.
They started chatting happily just like the first time they had met. They were both so happy and enchanted by each other that they couldn't draw their attention on anything else. Gray told Lucy how impressed he had been when he saw how well she was swimming and Lucy told him the entire story with Sting and his crew only having Gray even more surprised and well impressed. She flushed ad changed the subject, asking him about his charity acts. He told her everything about how he hated seeing poor people suffer and he never told anyone his real identity. He was only known as a very generous traveler. That being said, Lucy remembered about their deal. She was supposed to teach him how to write and read and he was supposed to teach her how to fight with a sword, archery and riding horses. She was curious about one fact:
''Why were you so eager to learn about writing and reading back then?''
''Oh, you see, my parents died when I was a little child and I never had a teacher. Truth to be told, I still don't know very well how to write and read. I only know the basics.''
''There are no basics.'' She replied shortly. ''But I still don't understand. Was there no one in the entire kingdom to teach you? Or maybe someone from another kingdom! How can you rule without being able to read? The contracts and political business! How could you manage them?''
''I didn't.'' he was obviously embarrassed. ''My butler, Darius, did. And it's not like he couldn't teach me. I wasn't a good student and he wasn't a good teacher. So I decided just to give up and live my life as it is. I've never tried to learn ever since.''
She stared at him like he was crazy.
''That's ridiculous! Was there no one else?''
''I don't like to be taught, anyway. I think it's the best if you just learn from experience. The only things I've learned about were history and geography, which I've enjoyed a lot.''
''But… You looked so happy to learn from me back then…'' Lucy frowned. She couldn't understand him.
''I wanted to learn them from you.''
He touched her hand gently and looked at her with love, but she flinched and retrieved her it under the table blushing. She looked away.
''I can't agree with you on the learning topic.'' Her eyes fixed him kindly and she smiled sadly. ''So let's just change the subject.''
He looked down and nodded slowly.
An awkward break of silence followed while they were thinking what to talk about. Lucy finished eating her vegetable salad. They have already been talking for like an hour.
''So how did you find me? I bet you were just patrolling around or something and you suddenly saw the pirate ship and saved me.'' she smirked.
''Actually, no. I had been patrolling on the ground when I met with your friend. I heard you were in trouble and I dragged information from the seller you took the dress from. I learnt about you being kidnapped by that Sting Eucliffe and took the fastest ship to the place where he had his. I was going to arrest the rest of his crew and wait for his to return with you. But it seems like you had managed to take care of yourself pretty well.''
''No.'' Lucy said dreamily. ''I wouldn't have managed to get free if you weren't there for me.''
She dragged herself closer to him and clapped her hands together beside her face.
''You saved me~!''
He laughed at her childish behavior. She suddenly snapped out of her magical aura.
''Oh, hold on. Did you say you asked a friend of mine? Who?''
Gray opened his mouth to answer when the door, which was right beside them, slammed open with a loud BAM that made everybody from the room flinch. Lucy and Gray looked at the person who angrily entered the room.
''Me!'' the person screamed.
Lucy widened her eyes and rose up on her feet the next second.
''Natsu!'' she exclaimed shocked.
The boy was soaked, but he wasn't trembling because he was cold. He was so angry he could ruin anybody's good mood without even trying. His wet pink hair was glued to his face and little drops of water were falling on his chest's white skin. The black shirt he was wearing was molding on his handsome body and making Lucy blush.
And on top of all, he was panting.
Lucy covered her mouth with her hands, ashamed to have forgotten all about Natsu.
''A-Are you alright?'' she asked approaching him with concern. She forgot she left him without saying anything when he should have been her first worry.
He only passed her a glare before raising his arm and slapping her. The sound echoed in the dining room and everybody was shut quiet.
Her head was thrown on one side as her eyes widened. Gray rose up fast as a protest. But even he couldn't say anything.
Natsu tried to calm down his breathing through his gritted teeth. Lucy's hands were trembling. She looked at him with wide, shaking, hurt eyes. She felt the need to burst into crying. But she had deserved that, she knew she did.
She bit her lip and lowered her head. Her eyes shut closed with shame.
''I'm sorry…'' she whimpered and then clenched her fists.
Natsu looked at her without saying a word. He had calmed down a little now that he knew her safe.
After a while of silence, Gray dared to speak:
''I'm glad you have arrived safely, Natsu.'' He smiled, but they all knew they couldn't go back to the good disposition everybody had had.
''B-But how…'' Lucy started confused.
''Natsu refused with all his might to come along with me. He said he wanted to save you by himself and he didn't need anybody's help.''
Natsu looked away with a grimace.
''But it looks like you arrived here before me.'' he said a little sadly through his teeth.
''Don't tell me…'' Gray said surprised. He then started laughing. ''You have run all the way from the market to this place?''
Natsu didn't reply, but even if Gray found this fact amusing, Lucy widened her eyes and blushed. She knew too well how big the distance has been and she was touched by what he's done for her. It only made her feel even guiltier.
''Please, my friend. Sit and eat something.''
Natsu gritted his teeth harder.
''I already told you not to call me your friend. I'm not your friend and I will never be, got it?''
Gray started laughing. Even if Natsu hadn't eaten anything since the previous day and even though he was starving, he didn't even touch the food. It was from Gray, in Gray's ship, made by Gray's servants. Everything about it stunk.
He just grumpily sat at the table and listened to the conversation of the two. Lucy was feeling awkward talking randomly like nothing had happened. She couldn't help feeling guilty.
For the rest of the day, Natsu didn't talk almost at all. By the time the sun was setting, Gray insisted to show Lucy around the ship and she accepted gladly. She kind of wanted to get away from Natsu's gloomy mood.
There were a lot of rooms in the huge ship and each one of them was fancily decorated. While she was admiring her surroundings, Lucy was asking him all kinds of questions.
''I heard you turned one thousand roses into ice and arranged them around your palace. Is it true?''
He laughed and answered:
''Yes, but there were more than one thousand. Roses are my favorite flowers and I like to watch them live forever.''
''Roses are my favorite flowers too! Though I prefer the red ones.'' Lucy told him enthusiastically. ''But…'' she frowned. ''If they're frozen up, they're not living. I mean, they die, don't they? They are fragile, so they can't live at that temperature.''
He looked at her lovingly.
''Probably, but I still love them.''
So he didn't care if they died? She looked at him doubtfully, but immediately decided to ignore the fact and ask him the next question. He was so wonderful and they had many things in common! She was enchanted.
Before the sun would disappear behind the mountains, Gray took her on the deck to show her the breathtaking view.
She looked with wide eyes at the indescribable sight. The clouds were still gathered in the sky and the sun couldn't be seen, but its rays reflected on the mass of fluffy celestial elements and poured down on the earth.
The result was the entire sight being painted in a yellowish-orange shade and the sea was given the color of the fire. It was like somebody had taken a picture in sepia and threw them inside.
Gray looked at Lucy's excited and happy face and smiled sweetly. Her sight was way better for him.
He approached her and took her hands into his.
''Do you like it?''
''It's amazing! I've never seen such a thing in my entire life!''
''Oh, really?'' he laughed. ''But it's like this really often in the rainy days. I've never liked it as much as I do now, though.''
''Cool… Why's that?'' she continued smiling happily.
''Because you've never been with me until today.'' He whispered approaching her with a gentle smile on his face.
Her own smile disappeared, a deep blush replacing it. She lowered her eyes because his look was too intense and it made her blush.
She felt the need to make a distance between them while he wanted to shorten it.
''Th-That's right, where are we going?'' she changed the subject.
''To my castle.'' he answered letting go of her hands and stepping further, looking at the charming sky. ''I shall have you two as my guests.''
He smiled at her.
''I see. Thank you for everything.'' she smiled back.
''It's my pleasure. And maybe your friend's mood will get better once he steps on solid earth.''
''Please don't call him that. You make it sound like he's a stranger to you.''
He smiled sadly.
''He seems to wish it was that way.''
''W-Well… I'm sure it's only because he's on this ship! He has a little motion sickness and he gets easily irritated. I'm sure he'll be fine once he gets off this ship.''
She smiled reassuringly, but she knew too well Natsu disliked Gray. Gray looked in her eyes and then turned his back on her, looking in the distance and holding his hands at his back.
''I hope you're right.'' he sighed.
Meanwhile, Natsu was resting in a room Gray had given to him to rest over the night. He was glad he didn't have to sit in that bastard's presence anymore. He was sitting at the edge of the bed neatly arranged with good smelling white sheets. Roses. He grimaced. Everything about this ship reminded him of Gray. A little clock's tick-tock was the only thing that could be heard in the deep silence. His mind was sinking in thoughts that angered him. The face of the charming prince kept popping out before his eyes. The sound of his ridiculously elegant and hot voice kept echoing in his ears. He gritted his teeth and for the first time in his life he felt like he hated someone from the deepest corner of his heart.
And what pissed him the most was that he was with Lucy. Lucy loved talking to him and she was obviously having a great time in his company. He should have been the one she was talking to! He should have been the one she loved listening to! HE should have been the one she loved looking at!
And there was he, standing like a fool in the shadow of a rich bastard.
And why wouldn't he? Gray had managed to save Lucy, not him. Gray had protected her when he couldn't.
He ran a trembling hand through his hair and the thought that he has been sleeping while she was struggling somewhere in the arms of a pirate drove him crazy.
He looked at his right palm with wide eyes. He could still feel Lucy's cheek being slapped by that hand. He couldn't believe he hurt her when he had promised he would protect her no matter what. But what did he manage to accomplish from that pact with himself?
Nothing.
He didn't know anymore how many times she had needed him and he had been nowhere to be found.
He hadn't been there for her.
And on top of that, he was the one to be angry on her. He had expected her to scream at him after he had slapped her. He was expecting her to hit him back and wash away the horrible feeling of guilt that dirtied his heart.
And what did she do instead?
She apologized. She apologized and looked as guilty and humble as he should have looked.
He clenched his hand into a trembling fist. He looked coldly at it.
And now he was jealous.
He was jealous on the prince charming that was slowly getting the princess. His princess.
It was the first time in his life that he truly wanted to win over a girl and he was failing big time. And it hurt. It hurt a lot.
He felt his frowned look slowly get blurry. He must've been trembling from head to toe. He wiped the tears away fast. Crying was the last thing he needed.
Why it hurt?
Because he loved this chick.
He didn't know how or when it happened, but he fell in love with her so hard that he knew life without her wouldn't be the same.
And all he was doing was standing like a coward doing nothing while she was being slipped away from his reach. He grinned ironically. No, not doing anything. Crying and pitying himself. Was he a man or what?!
He rose up fast and a strong wave of sickness clouded his sight. He groaned with pain and sat back slowly.
''Natsu? Are you alright?'' Lucy's voice could be heard in the room. He hadn't heard the door open, but he heard it now closing. The girl had entered and seen his face get paler. She rushed over to him. Natsu widened his eyes and then felt sweat coming out of every single pore in his body. Lucy looked at him with worried eyes.
''Why are you here?'' he moaned. He sounded way harsher than he intended to sound.
''I-I came back to see how you're doing.'' she answered confused by his tone. Was he still mad at her?
Truth to be told, he was happy she was with him.
''Are you ok? How're you feeling?''
He shook his head lightly not being able to speak. He wasn't best friends with motion.
Lucy got further and he wished she didn't.
''Lay on the bed.'' she told him gently.
She found a towel in a cupboard and exited the room with the intention to find a bathroom.
Natsu had his eyes closed. He hadn't seen her take that towel and so, he thought she just left without a word. He stretched his feet on the bed and tried to wash away the horrible feeling of sickness. It seemed that if hadn't done to him well having all those negative feelings and thoughts.
He felt his stomach was turning upside down and he was glad he hadn't eaten anything so that he wouldn't have what to throw up.
After a couple of minutes, Lucy entered the room again with a little bowl of water and a package. She placed the package on the cupboard and took the wet towel out of the water in the bowl. She trampled the water out of it and started wiping Natsu's face. The guy was surprised to see she had come back. He was also glad.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. The coldness of the towel was making him feel better. He smiled softly and put his hand on hers, stopping her from wiping his sweat. She looked at him surprised. She then saddened and looked troubled.
''Natsu, look. I'm really sorry for today. I have to excuse for what I've done. I've been stupid, I know, and you can say that how many times you-''
''I'm not mad at you.'' He said softly. Speaking did him bad and he felt again sick. But clearing this matter was a priority. He waited a few moments until he felt like he could speak again.
''I'm not mad at you. I know you think it's your fault. But it's mine.''
He took a deep breath and shut his eyes desperately trying to wash away the sickness.
''It's true I've been mad. But I've been mad at me. I'm sorry I slapped you. It's you who should have slapped me.''
''But you did nothing wrong.'' Lucy smiled and frowned confused.
''I failed to save you.'' he moaned in pain.
He had much more to tell her, but he couldn't even open his mouth anymore. Lucy looked with teary eyes at him.
The towel tapped his forehead slowly.
''Well I forgive you, but I still can't see things from your point of view. I still think it's my fault.'' Lucy filled one of her cheeks with air and frowned. Natsu rolled his eyes and then closed them with a smile. Specific to Lucy; always disagreeing with him.
Someone knocked at the door and Lucy stopped her hand. She rose up and walked to the door.
Gray looked at her with a little surprise.
''Lucy! I thought you had gone to the bathroom!''
Lucy blushed realizing her little sneak out had been revealed. Natsu raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at her surprised. She had used an excuse in order to see him?
''I was just going to see how Natsu is doing.'' Gray explained his appearance.
''I-I was a little worried.'' Lucy said softly looking away.
Gray smiled with compassion. Her caring love for her friend only made him admire her more.
''How're you feeling, my fri-… Natsu?''
Natsu looked at him coldly and didn't say anything. Why did he have to come now, when he finally got a moment alone with Lucy? He was following her like a stalker. Lucy noticed his mood getting worse and spoke for him fast:
''Natsu's not feeling well at all. He can barely speak.'' She gave him a reassuring smile, which faded away fast.
She looked at Gray and widened her eyes. She had almost flinched watching his reaction.
The young man was responding to Natsu's cold eyes with a deadly glare. But Natsu didn't seem to be surprised at all. The corner of Gray's mouth rose up almost unnoticeably. Lucy was horrified.
But it all longed a bare second. Short enough to make Lucy wonder if it hadn't only been her imagination. But she was still troubled. What was the meaning of that glare? Gray didn't seem like he had any grudge against Natsu at all!
She tried to ignore it. The raven haired young man looked at her with a beautiful smile on his perfect face. She tried smiling back.
''Shall you go to your chamber now, Lucy? It's pretty late and tomorrow we are going to have a full day.''
''Full day?'' Natsu was the one to speak, surprising the other two. He hadn't addressed a word to Gray ever since the lunch.
Gray smiled and then blinked.
''It's a surprise. But first, I would like to have word with Lucy.'' he lovingly looked in Lucy's eyes making the girl blush.
''Don't you think you had quite enough words with her today?'' Natsu asked through his teeth.
Gray's smile disappeared only to be replaced by another one.
''You know what? You're right. You haven't seen the entire day and it's your right to have her with you if that's what you want, of course. If you'd like, I could have another bed brought here if you'd like to keep her close to you over the night. I'm pretty sure you're a little upset because you hadn't have the chance to save today and it's almost natural you would like to keep her beside you to prevent her from getting into danger again.''
Natsu gnashed his teeth. Gray was making it sound like Lucy was some kind of an object and put Natsu into a bad light. Plus, he was sure he was making him feel guilty on purpose.
''Shut up. I didn't mean it that way and you know it very well. But if you're so desperate to have her, then go ahead and do what you want! It shouldn't be my business.''
Lucy felt hurt by his words.
''Oh?'' Gray laughed. ''But it's not me who should decide who she would spend time with. We should ask her who she would enjoy exchanging a few words before going to sleep.''
Translation: Are you stupid? It's obvious you'll lose her if you force her around, loser. Let her say she chooses me and just in case she chooses you, you only have a few seconds to stay to her. My ship, my rules. Natsu read through his words.
''Lucy?'' Natsu asked looking at her. Gray was also looking at her, waiting for her answer.
Lucy was desperately looking from one to another. Why the heck did she have to choose?! How did they get in this situation?!
She looked at Natsu. Truth to be told, she had had the intention to talk to him more and tell him that she had brought food for him in that package. She knew he hadn't eaten almost at all and he would also feel better if he ate something. She liked spending time with him a lot and even if there were only a few minutes, she wanted to stay with him.
But then she looked at Gray. She liked spending time with him, too. He was so smart and they had almost everything in common! And then, she had promised she would teach him reading and writing. And Gray only innocently asked for a few words with her and Natsu had jumped forth barking at him like he was a criminal! She knew that if she choose Natsu, Gray would feel hurt and offended and she didn't want him to feel that way.
But she also knew that if she chose Gray, Natsu would probably ignore her for the rest of the trip, at least. Or he would always ask her things like 'How was your day with your dear, perfect Gray?' while glaring at her. He had told her he loved her and at first she actually believed him, but now she wasn't as sure anymore. Natsu has never been rejected by any girl in his entire life. He must've long forgotten about his feelings. He must've long gotten over her. And now she was starting to have feelings for him.
In addition, he hasn't told her he loves her or hasn't tried to kiss her in a while. And truth to be told, that saddened her.
She looked once again at each one of them and frowned.
''You know what? I'm tired. I want to go to sleep.''
The two guys looked at her surprised.
''F-Fine, I'll escort you to your chamber.''
''No, Gray, I said I want to sleep and that means I don't want to spend time with any of you! Just ask one of your maids to take me there.''
Gray looked at her dumb-founded and Natsu grinned devilishly. That was the Lucy he knew and was proud of.
Lucy exited the room fast and slammed the door behind her. She blushed.
''Geez, it's like I'm in a harem manga or something.''
Gray opened the door and after throwing her a smile with a raised eyebrow, he called for a chubby maid and told her to take Lucy to a specific room. The woman bowed and walked in front of Lucy down the dark hall. The blonde followed her without a word.
''I can see Master is quite fond of milady.''
Lucy looked at her plump back and wondered if the woman was talking to her.
''Uh? Me?''
''Yes, milady.''
''Y-You mean Gray?''
''No, I mean milady.''
''No, I mean Gray, of me?''
''Milady of Gray.''
''What?''
''Excuse me, milady, what were we talking about?''
''No idea.'' The blonde muttered her mind flying back to another topic.
The maid opened a door and revealed a nice, spacious room in which only the mild little light of a candle enlightened the dark. It spread a sweet perfume or roses. Lucy breathed in and smiled softly. The maid wished her good night and beautiful dreams, bowed and left, closing the door behind the sleepy girl.
This room was specially arranged for ladies. There was a fancy wardrobe beside the huge windows that offered the fabulous view of the ocean on night time. Lucy opened the old doors of the wardrobe and admired the sight a plenty dresses. When she had arrived on the ship, Gray had offered her another dress to change into from the soaked blue one, but these were much better. She closed the doors soundlessly and spotted another wardrobe. She found men clothes in this one. So this room wasn't only for girls. It might have been for couples.
There were black pants that she was surprised to see they were skinny. The material was soft and probably very comfortable. There were also all other kinds of clothing, but she liked the best the shirts. Some were white and very large, some were tighter and long. Some were really weird and she couldn't imagine the way men had to dress them.
She didn't choose anything from the girls' wardrobe, even if there were nightdresses, too. She chose a tight and long shirt from the men's (that was still pretty large on her thin body) and nothing to wear as pants. She let herself fall on the soft sheets and sighed with pleasure. It felt so good to rest her bare feet on the cold and soft bed.
Suddenly someone opened the door carelessly. Lucy spotted a brown haired beauty at her age step inside the room. Once she spotted Lucy, she flinched and blushed. She bowed easily and babbled.
''M-My b-bad. I've entered the wrong r-room.''
She closed the door fast leaving Lucy dumb-founded. Who was she? She couldn't be a maid, she was dressed richly and she seemed to be walking pretty carelessly in the ship. Was she also a guest like she and Natsu?
She was curious, but didn't give in any other thought. She fell asleep in the same position and only woke up the next morning when a maid knocked at the door and told her Gray was calling for her. When she arrived (still in her 'pajamas') Gray was smiling widely and happily. There was also a very sleepy and gloomy Natsu. Once she accompanied them, Gray spoke joyfully:
''My friends, we have arrived! And I've got a surprise for you!''
And there you have it! The longest chapter! A new record for 4ever-a-fairy! 11.256 words with author note!
And I hope you haven't gotten bored. As for me, I had a lot of fun writing this chapter! :D
Leave a review so I can hear what you think!
Oh, and again, sorry if anybody dislikes the Gray and Lucy moments, I just need it badly for the following chapters. It helps the future re-
Nope, better not telling. Don't wanna spoil.
Oh, oh! AND! Big announcement! Please read this! READ! (this was for the ones who don't read A/N and I want them to read it so I have to made something BIG to get their attention)
It's about time you guys start voting. Do you want Lucy and Natsu to exit this world or not? I will let the audience decide, it's better this way because you may not like how it will turn out. So for the following chapters, I will hear your opinion out starting NOW and until I say stop. Review or pm, whatever you want. And the side of the votes that has the biggest number will win and I will write according to your will. Some of you may be disappointed if you vote one way and the other way actually wins, so I'm apologizing already…
So, start voting and may your vote be the winner!
(- .-)" ?