My eyes opened and I winced at the sudden light shining from the lamp hanging from the ceiling. I shifted on the couch I was lying on and winced. The couch wasn't big enough for me to sleep comfortably on; I had ended up falling asleep in a tight ball, with my head resting on my arm.

After Natsu had taken my bed I had debated where to sleep, opting for the couch rather than the floor. Oh what a mistake that had been.

I pulled off the blanket I had draped over myself and sat up on the couch. My eyes darted over to my bed where the blanket I had put over Natsu lay abandoned. The window was open too. I felt a rising sense of frustration. Again they had left the window open when leaving. Didn't they realize it was cold outside and paying for the heat in here was expensive?

Groaning I got up and walked to the window, quickly shutting it, shivering slightly from the cold breeze that drifted in. Once that was done I walked to the bathroom and got ready for the day. I needed to go to the store to buy some groceries; I was low as Natsu kept eating from my fridge without permission.

I dressed in a dark blue top and a tight black skirt with dark tights, my usual whip and keys on my hip. I put my blonde hair up in a ponytail. I shrugged on my coat before stepping into my long boots.

In a matter of minutes I was out of my apartment and taking the short walk to the grocery store. I grabbed a basket and walked down the aisles. I unconsciously grabbed a bag of chips, remembering Natsu liked those, and also grabbing a small fish for Happy. I grabbed the rest of my food supplies and walked over to the cashier. I noticed his gaze traveling down to my chest as he rang me up and I felt my lips twitch in annoyance. Once he finished I grabbed my bags and walked out, pretending not to notice his stares. As I walked back to the apartment my steps quickened, remembering the stranger from yesterday. The way he had looked at me slightly reminded me of the way the cashier had looked at me, except the stranger had looked far more dangerous.

I sped up my pace until I finally stood in front of my apartment. Entering, I dropped my groceries off on the counter before turning around to head out again; I wanted to go to the guild. Last night I hadn't asked Natsu who the stranger was, being slightly distracted by his sleeping face, but this time I was determined to figure it out.

A few minutes later I stood in the guild, staring with wide eyes. The room was practically silent, a stark contrast from the usually rowdy guild. My eyes found Levy sitting in a corner by herself. I approached her and sat down.

Levy smiled at me and said, "Hey Lucy!" I smiled and took no time in asking, "What's going on with the guild? It's completely silent."

Levy frowned slightly, her gaze turning to everyone in front of us. She bit her lip nervously before answering. "You know that man that came in here yesterday, the one Natsu was yelling at?" she asked.

I nodded, how could I forget? I spent most of the walk here thinking about him and his creepy grin.

"Well," she continued, "someone told Master about him and he-," she paused, hesitating, "he acted a little strange. He told us to never make contact with him again, to never let him in again. He kind of flew into a rage. I guess, saying he was strange was a little bit of an understatement. Anyway the guild is a little put out by it."

I nodded, slightly shocked. Master freaking out like that was a rare occurrence.

My eyes rested on Natsu who sat with Grey at the opposite end of the room. They were for once, not arguing, to my surprise, and were talking to each other in low murmurs. I turned to Levy who had caught my line of sight and asked, "What's with them?"

Levy shrugged, "They've been like that since Master freaked out."

I frowned. My eyes turned to the rest of the guild. All of them were either sitting together in small groups or sitting by themselves, all looking grumpy and slightly confused. "Where's Master?" I asked, not liking the looked of the guild one bit. It felt wrong for them to be this heavy hearted.

Levy shook her head, "He disappeared after he freaked out. I'm worried about Erza though, after he left she kind of, I don't know, looked slightly lost? Almost like she didn't know what to do after Masters outburst." She pointed at the bar where Erza sat staring glumly down at the counter with Mirajane trying and failing to cheer her up.

I felt a rising sense of anger towards the stranger for causing this. Interrupting my thoughts though Natsu suddenly stood from where he sat, glanced around, spotted me and Levy, and walked over to us with determined steps.

I blinked in surprise as he sat down across from us and glared at me. "Lucy, I'm staying at your place tonight," he said.

"W-what?" I managed to stammer. Levy giggled slightly at this sudden occurrence.

"Natsu, I really don't see why-," He cut me off.

"Luce, I can't really explain, you'll just have to trust me," he said, a slight color rising in his cheeks. I frowned at him in confusion. Why was he blushing?

"Natsu, if this is about that guy yesterday, I can take care of myself." I narrowed my eyes at him as I said this. His eyes darkened like they did last night when I mentioned him.

"Not from him you can't…" he muttered, probably not expecting me to hear, but I most certainly did.

My eyes widened in anger and shock. I knew I wasn't as strong as him, but I most definitely was not weak. I scowled at him and said quietly, "Natsu, I can take care of myself."

Natsu grimaced at his mistake. "I didn't mean it like that Lucy, just that he's, well he's a little different." I narrowed my eyes at him as he rubbed the back of his neck nervously.

"Speaking of which, who is he anyway?" I questioned. Natsu immediately saw his mistake at even approaching the subject and scowled fiercely. "None of your business, like I said last night…" he grumbled.

I stared at him as he fidgeted under my gaze. Levy's eyes darted between us nervously, afraid a fight would brake out. After a long, drawn out pause I nodded and said, "Fine."

Natsu blinked, obviously surprised, as was Levy. Natsu quickly recovered and gave me a grateful smile. "Thanks, Luce. I knew you'd understand. I'll stop by later tonight."

I cocked my eyebrow at him. "Natsu, if it's none of my business then I see no reason for you to come over. It is after all, like you said, none of my business, so how could it concern me?" I gave him a sweet smile.

His nose twitched in annoyance. "Lucy," he growled.

"Natsu," I replied, nodding at him. I could have sworn I saw a fire spark in his eyes.

"Lucy," he began again, "this isn't funny."

"Who said it was?" I asked innocently. Levy bit her lips nervously as she watched our exchanges. "Natsu," I said, "don't come to my place tonight unless you decide to tell me what is going on. You will regret it," I threatened.

Natsu glared up at me as I stood. I turned to Levy, "Sorry Lev, I have to go. See you tomorrow!" I smiled, she returned it meekly. I gazed at Natsu's form as I felt heat radiating off of him like a furnace. Oh he was angry. I couldn't help but smirk slightly at this; it served him right after saying it was "none of my business".

I walked out of the guild without saying goodbye to him.