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"LAXUSSS!" Erza and Gray growled.

It was almost noon when Team Natsu docked on the port of Hargeon. Disappointment and sadness was their companion the whole trip back. First, they managed to sneak their escapade but it was a fleeting success because all they have found was nothing. Second, after boarding the ship to go home, the scent has vanished again. It seems like someone is covering her tracks to prevent them from finding her. Third, the thought of Lucy with Laxus is so unbearable. He could have turned to the dark side again. What made their minds cloud with malice is that the lightning freak wasn't even around to know their friend is missing. He's not searching for her. He's the one that kidnapped her and covered her scent with magic. He's making her his woman. Oh no, Lucy's virtue! Finally, the punishment to come.

Even though they were tired and lacked the sleep, they have come to an agreement that they'll come clean. They will tell the Master about their failed search last night and the minuscule yet vital information they have gathered, no matter how it could cause another commotion. Laxus. Just speaking his name left a bad taste on their mouth. How could he? He changed, right? Or is it another one of those schemes to finally get to Lucy?

Walking their way back to the guild, Gray finally spoke up. It was his promise to himself that if this idea of his managed to fail, it was his burden to carry. He will take on the full responsibility for the deliberate actions they have done.

"Erza, Natsu, Happy" Gray stopped walking and called out to his friends.

"What is it, Gray?" Happy answered for the Titania and Salamander who just made sad glances at the Ice-Make mage.

"I'll tell Master that it was my idea. Sorry." Gray looked down, ashamed of himself that he went against orders only to fail and what's more? He managed to take his friends reputation along with him.

"It's okay, Gray…" Erza trailed off, unsure of what to say.

"No, Popsicle. It was the three of us. No, make that four, including Happy. We'll all take the punishment to come." Natsu smiled. It wasn't in his intention to tease the already down friend but he wants to lighten up the mood.

"Aye! I will also…Wait what?!" Happy was smiling moments ago but it was covered by dread in less than a second. This made the three of them laugh.

"Wait, does this seem familiar to you, guys?" Natsu asked, stopping from his fits of laughter.

"I think so." Erza spoke up.

"Galuna Island. Only that time, we are scared as hell going back." Gray smiled at the memory.

"Come on, guys. We have a punishment to attend to." Natsu grinned as he raced his teammates back to the guild.

"Hey, Blondie, wake up!" Laxus shook the girl, trying to wake her up. When she didn't, Laxus did what needs to be done. Immediately. He zapped her.

"HEY!" Lucy shuffled and struggled to get up and put her hands on her hips, a scolding face on. "What was that for, Mr. Dreyar?!" she shouted on top of her lungs.

"Stupid, you won't wake up!" Laxus stood up, matched her tone. He was obviously towering her but the girl won't back down. Still, Mr. Dreyar? He liked the sound of that, he can't help but smile.

"And what was that maniacal grin on your face?" Lucy's fuming; she's all beet red now. Laxus wondered if Mrs. Dreyar would fit Lucy. Well, hell yeah! It does! Lucy cleared her throat, trying to get his attention but then huffed in defeat "Never mind, just wipe that stupid look in your face."

"Wha-t? I don't have a stupid face." Laxus protested.

"Where are we anyway?" Lucy changed the subject.

"Hey, I am not stupid, you hear that, Blondie!" Laxus persisted. Not now, she rubbed her temples in irritation.

"Look, Laxus, it's too early for this, okay?" she turned back to him.

"Early? You think it's too early? It's noon! You sleep forever!" Laxus exclaimed, waving his arms in frustration.

"Now that you've mentioned it, it sure does." Lucy turned around and saw her surroundings. She then looked back at Laxus face. There were eye bags in his face. Was he up all this time? She did felt a twinge of guilt. Here she was, sleeping like a princess and he was guarding her. And she's not even being nice to him.

"Now that you've mentioned it…" Laxus mimicked her, an epic fail in imitating her voice. Lucy just sighed, letting him release all of his pent-up irritation but to finally shut him up, she stood on her toes and kissed him on his cheeks.

"Thanks." She managed to say as both of their cheeks burned. "Where are we anyway?" She quickly asked to disperse the awkwardness.

"W-We're at a f-forest in Oak T-Town." He answered, trying to calm his rapid heartbeat. "I used my magic to teleport us here after we docked at a port. The ship we used was there. After all, it wasn't even ours. It's the one I raided to save you." Laxus chattered as he tried to conceal the blush on his face.

"Laxus, I think you need to sleep." Lucy said softly.

"No, I don't need one." Laxus protested.

"Yes, you do, so, please." Lucy pleaded. Never have Laxus saw her looked like that. She looked genuine. Too good to be true and when he saw the concern in her eyes, he can't help but be lost in them. Alluring. Powerful. Binding. He then conceded to her request, agreeing on one condition. She must never venture on her own, in which the girl complied.

"What are you going to do when I'm sleeping?" he asked yawning while lying down.

"I'll train." She smiled as Laxus drifted off to sleep. When she saw this, she prepared her keys and whip, strapped them in her belt. She walked to a clearing near their camping site and summoned her spirits.

"Open! Gates of the Maiden, the Goat and the White Lamb! Virgo! Capricorn! Aries!" Lucy called out and soon, three figures stood in gold light before her.

"Punishment time, Hime?" Virgo asked in which Lucy just sweat dropped.

"Nope, Virgo, can you lend me some clothes?" Lucy asked.

"Yes." Virgo then went back to the Spirit World only to reappear seconds after.

"Here it is. Anything else, Hime?

"Yes, can you search the forest for firewood and anything to eat?"

"Yes." Virgo answered disappearing into the forest.

"Lucy-sama, what can we help you with?" Capricorn asked, worry masking his face.

"Wait here; I'll just change my clothes." Lucy walked into a nearby tree. Her two spirits exchanged a look of confusion. "I'm done." The blonde said as she walked towards her spirits. She wore a simple white shirt and pink shorts with her black combat boots. "I called both of you to train. Capricorn, spar with me. Aries, get ready."

"Right, Lucy-sama!"

"Sumimasen!"

Lucy attacked Capricorn using her whip in which the spirit quickly dodged. He then tried punching her but Lucy was just as fast. She held Capricorn's arm and using it as a lever, she jumped high. Capricorn looked up only to be blinded by the sun's light despite his sunglasses. Seeing the opportunity, Lucy used her whip and extended it until Capricorn was wrapped tightly.

"Aries, use your Wool Wall. Cover him from all sides" Lucy orders as she descended.

"Sumimasen! Wool Wall!" Pink-colored wool covered Capricorn from all opening, basically trapping him.

"We'll call this Wool Prison!" Lucy smiled at her bright idea but it was short lived when she was thrown into the air. In that moment, she realized that wool can't do much damage but there's one thing it could do. If not damage from outside, do it inside.

"Aries, constrict the wool!" Lucy shouted at Aries.

"B-But I-I can't" Aries stuttered, lacking confidence in her abilities.

"You can. I believe in you!" Lucy said, smiling. Aries gained confidence at those words. She managed to control the wool remotely and have it constricted. In mere seconds the struggling inside halted. Lucy then descended and released the Fleuve d'étoiles. She turned to the shy spirit, put a thumbs-up and said, "We'll call that Wool Prison: Constrict. Good work, Aries. Now, you should release him."

"I…ah…Sumimasen, Lucy-sama." Aries was embarrassed at her master's compliment. She then released the hold and they both saw a fainted Capricorn.

The Goat woke up several minutes later. Taking his surroundings, he was surprised that he wasn't in the Spirit World yet. How? He then noticed three girls looming over him.

"Shall we punish him, Hime?" Virgo asked. Her chores must be done.

"Thank God, you're awake!" Lucy said relieved.

"Sumimasen, Capricorn!" Aries cried.

"That was a brilliant idea! By constricting wool, the air inside will be expelled and thus, the person inside will lose consciousness, disabling them to fight back. Lucy-sama, that was a talent befitting the name of Heartfilia. Layla-sama would be so proud." Lucy blushed at his praises. She was thankful that the spirit didn't hold any grudges and she really was progressing. Capricorn then turned to the crying Aries.

"I'm so proud of you. You stood by our master. You are brave, Aries." Capricorn patted her hair.

"Sumimasen." She cried. All of them were laughing.

"Lucy-sama, I have one question, though. How was it that I'm defeated, yet I'm not in the Spirit World? Capricorn turned back at her.

"I don't know. Maybe it's the effect of the Spirit Energy that I absorbed." Lucy guessed. All of her spirits nodded as she dismissed them back to their world. It was another question in her mind but there's one thing that she really needs to know now. She needs to ask Laxus about her past. She walked up to their campsite only to find a smirking Laxus.

"That's a good fight, Blondie." He congratulated her. He must have been woken up by the noise they made.

"Laxus, we need to talk." The smirk on Laxus face vanished.

A/N: Another chapter for you guys! Thanks for the reviews mromero18 and Paname. I also want to thank those who Followed and Favorited the story. I'll keep on posting as much as I can. Keep on reviewing. They are my inspirations! Love y'all! :)