Chapter 42

Natsu was walking down the halls of the hotel since morning and he couldn't stop the feeling that he is being watched. He was supposed to meet with an investigator now, but he won't risk being followed and eavesdropped. After all, this was something that has to do with his parent's death. He started walking fast but the feeling didn't disappear or even the slightest decrease. The increase in their security didn't help either. He is not feeling safe anywhere inside the hotel's premises.

"You're the one who looks suspicious in here." Natsu stopped and in front of him stood Makarov with his hands behind him. "At least walk without looking behind you from time to time."

Natsu heaved a sigh and run a hand through his hair. "Damnit Gramps! They're creeping me out! I think it's too much for 'increase in security'."

"Lucy's taking precautions, get over it." Makarov said and started to walk past Natsu.

"It's your idea Gramps, take it back!"

Makarov looked at him confusedly. "What's my idea?" With Makarov's confused face, Natsu's eyes widened. He started to bolt away from him but Makarov managed to grab his shirt before anything.

"I need to go to Lucy!" Natsu whined.

Makarov smiled at him. "Play along." He hissed under his breath. "I remember Lucy is visiting every band today. She's quite busy."

"I don't care!"

"Don't be so clingy. If I remember correctly, Lucy doesn't like clingy boys." Natsu scoffed. If Makarov wasn't here and after hearing that the 'increase in security' wasn't his idea he must have grabbed one of those men in black suits and beat the truth out of them. "She's doing her job, you shouldn't really bother her right now."

"But—!"

"Let's talk later. Somewhere outside the hotel." Makarov whispered. He let go of Natsu's shirt and smiled. "Good luck on the Band Battle!"

A shiver went through his spine when Makarov eyed him. Like telling him to play along or he'll kill him right here. "Y-Yeah. Thank you!"

"Cliff Taiyou Sea, one hour." And with that Makarov walked towards another direction.

Natsu walked away, phone in his hand. He don't have much time. As much as he wanted to make sure Lucy will be safe.. He had to meet with Makarov and clear the situation. Plan something and go on with their lives. That way he would be able to secure a safe future for everyone. Anxiety gets into him as he dialed a couple of numbers while walking towards the parking lot.

"What is—"

"Pervert, I listen." He said in a very serious tone not even greeting the other person. "Go to Lucy right now. Observe your surroundings. Beware of men in black. Never leave her side until I get back."

"What are you talking about?"

"I don't have time to explain just do as I say. It's time you do your role, substitute." Natsu jumped into his car and started the engine.

"Hey! My role is not to do something for you!" Gray said shouting from the other end of the line.

"Just do it. Please."

He said it. Please. He never did say it. And it was Gray whom he said it to. The last person to beg for a favor. He hung up not wanting anymore conversations with Gray. That guy would probably know by now that he really is serious about what he just said. Natsu pulled out of the space and out to the road. He still couldn't help but feel worried. And the thought of Lucy being followed like that made him go crazy. He didn't really understand why would they follow Lucy or if they were really following her. But at least he should take some safety precautions. He connected his phone to his car's speaker and let it dial for her number.

After quite some time of waiting, she finally picked up and relief coursed through him. "Hi!" Her voice like music in his ears.

"Hey, Luce!"

"Why did you call?" A hint of amusement in her voice. Natsu accelerated his speed and the car engine roared even louder. "Uhh, where are you?"

"I'm about to turn 24th street." He said looking up to see the traffic light go green. "Listen..." He thought about it. If he would tell her that he talked to Makarov about the security a while ago, she would ask how'd they know each other. And maybe he'll end up telling her about the whole situation which will mess all things up. "Who are you with?"

"Nooooooo one. And now I'm in Blue Pegasus, so in a few minutes I'll be with their band."

"Blue Pegasus? Why are you there?"

"Looking for some good looking guys."

Natsu faked laugh. "Like you would see one better than me." There's no time for that Natsu! "Hey! Listen to me."

"What is it? I've been listening for quite some time now."

"Do not talk to any guard."

"But I was just about to meet Loke and Capricorn. How could I just ignore them?"

"Okay! They're the only exception. But other than that, you're not talking to anyone. Except Gray, Erza.. Levy, Juvia, Gajeel, Jellal.. the other bands you're supposed to have meetings with today, maybe the board members if you have meeting today. But other than that, no one."

"Why? What's happening?"

He couldn't just tell her what was really happening. Natsu reminded himself to tell Makarov that he should talk to Lucy about the 'increase in security' issue. "Well, I'm just worried because I'm not there I can't be with you if something happens."

"What would actually happen?"

"Uhhh... Meteorites falling?" And that was the lamest excuse that he made up.

"Seriously what's wrong?"

"You remember the men in black?"

"They're guar —"

"I don't trust them. So just do it. Okay?" His voice soft. "For me?"

Lucy sighed. "Alright. I need to go. I need to visit three more bands. See you!"

"See ya later, Luce!"

At least he could breathe easier now.

"You okay?" Erza asked looking at Lucy from across her table. She has her head in between her hands looking down on the table.

Lucy looked up at the sound of her voice. "Yeah." She breathed. "I still can't meet with Sabertooth without Sting and Rogue."

"You want me to call them?"

Lucy shook her head. "I think they're not in the country. I sent an email to both of them and Yukino, but they still hadn't replied."

"They'll be back." Erza said smiling at her. "Lucy do you have plans for the band battle?"

Lucy leaned on her chair. "Just how they would sing.. You know like they'll just have one chance this time, 'one-shot'." She said making quotation marks in the air with her fingers. "I was also thinking maybe we should let them decide for the song they want to sing. It should be their best shot so they should be the one to think of it."

Erza smiled. "That's nice." She sat in front of Lucy. "Lucy.." She hesitated. "Why is there a big cockroach standing by the door?"

Lucy looked past Erza and to the glass doors of her office where Gray was standing there with his hands behind his head as he leaned against the glass. She sighed. "He wouldn't leave me alone —"

"Do you want me to kick him out?" Erza asked standing from her seat.

"No! No! No!" Lucy said frantically calming Erza. "I think it's Natsu who told him to do that." Erza looked at her confusedly. "It has something to do with the guards."

"Oh. I noticed you increase the security."

Lucy shook her head. "Nope. It was Gramps."

"Gramps?"

"Makarov." Lucy said smiling at her. "Natsu was just cautious. He doesn't trust the guards. He felt like he's being followed by them or me being followed by them. Either way, I think he's just paranoid."

Erza stopped for a moment. If there's an increase in security, something must be happening. Makarov was the one who ordered it, but Natsu don't trust the guards. And.. She looked back to where Gray was still standing with his headphones.

"Erza?" Lucy called with worry in her tone.

Erza snapped out of her thoughts and managed a smile at Lucy. She just can't tell her something. Her hands clenched into fists and until her nails are digging into her palm. "Yeah. I think he's right." Lucy looked at her confusedly. She reached for Lucy's hand that was on the table and held it. "Trust Natsu. Whatever happens.. Trust him. Okay?"

Confused and puzzled at the weird actions of the people around her, she just nodded.

"So, you done here?" Erza gathered her things and stood up from her seat.

Lucy looked up at her and just nodded again. She just can't keep up with Erza's change of moods.

"Come, I'll treat you burger."

"Burger. Yes, Lucy." She said walking away from the table. "The one with beef patty in between two buns with tomato and lettuce and pickles with mustard, ketchup, mayo and whatever you like to place in it." She stopped right beside Gray.

"You made it sound like I really don't know what a burger is." Lucy said and started fixing her things.

Erza turned to look at Gray and pulled him out of the office. "Am I invited to this burger or not?" Gray asked lazily.

"Listen, go back to your headquarters. You, as part of Fairy Law cannot be seen always with Lucy." Erza said in a serious tone. "I'm going to take over whatever Natsu has told you."

Gray run a hand through his hair. "Actually, he just told me about this guards thing and that I cannot leave Lucy." He raised his hands and shook his head. "So no. I'm sorry but for whatever they say, I'm not leaving."

Erza glared at him.

"Sorry, but Erza glare won't do anything." Gray said nervously praying Erza won't hit him as he looked away from her.

Erza sighed. "Fine." Gray looked at him curiously. "You can come, but meet us at the diner across the hotel.. I think it's Sally Belly's."

Gray chuckled. "To make it look like it's coincidence that we met there."

"You're smarter than I thought."

"But no." He shook his head. "I was supposed to guard her inside the hotel. Remember it's the guards?"

"Remember? It's me? Erza?" She mocked. "I thought you won't forget how I left you and Natsu out cold last time you were in this office."

Gray shivered.

"Are you saying I can't keep an eye on her?"

"N-No. Okay. Okay. I'll meet you there." Gray said leaving.

Gray never really liked how Erza could make him do things as she pleases. She's like a spoiled brat who can get whatever she wants through violence. And he was sure no one would not do what she wants them to do if she starts to threaten them with that look in her eyes. And for sakes, she didn't even know who they were when she knocked him and Natsu out cold the first time. Truly, Erza just had her own justice and she doesn't judge them if they should receive any punishment. She would punish them first then gauge if they really deserve what she's done.

At least she says sorry if she's wrong.

"Jeez." Gray breathed out loud as he pass through the halls of the hotel. He needs to get his wallet and some disguise if he's heading out and just across the hotel.. At a public place.. Where people would easily recognize him and maybe some paparazzi. He just wanted to eat something and hopefully by the time they're done Natsu's back.

He didn't really understand what was happening but for Natsu, of all people, to say please to him? That must be pretty serious. He even had second thoughts of leaving Lucy, but he knew Erza could protect both of them if anything happens. That girl is a monster, is an understatement for Erza Scarlet. Gray chuckled at his own thoughts.

Just then he stopped on his tracks and looked back. He just felt like something was there or someone was there but all he saw were guards in black suits with their communicators in their ears. He couldn't just shake the thought like he's being watched. Maybe this was what Natsu was talking about. He started to run as fast as he can, turned a corner and into a vacant room. He peeped through the hole on the door and saw a couple of guards running past the room he just get in. He was right, they are following him. Natsu was right, they are being followed. After a while the guards came back and discreetly one of them assigned directions to two more guards and they nodded their heads and walked away.

This time, Gray opened the door and grabbed one of the three guards who were running after him.

"Why are you following me?" Gray asked as he sat on top of the guy with his collar in one hand and the other ready to punch him in the face.

"S-Sir.." The guard started stuttering. "We are just told that-that.. Th-there is a-a s-suspicious guy running around. We-We didn't know it was you-you."

Gray looked at him confusedly. They weren't following him but is just alerted that there was a suspicious man running around the hotel? His grip on the man loosened. "I'm sorry. I thought you were following me." He said getting off the guard.

The guard stood up. "It's okay, Mr. Fullbuster. We apologize for the commotion." They both went out of the room but Gray isn't convinced. He never really introduced himself as Gray Fullbuster but that guy knew his surname. He knew there's something more to it than some 'commotion'.

Gray turned on a corner and waited, he just knew something is off. He can't be folled by that lame excuse.

The guard that Gray just caught watched him turned a corner and pressed the button of his communicator to report. "There is no threat. I repeat no threat." The guard said on the little communicator every guard has. Gray waited patiently on the corner. "Sir, seems like Gray Fullbuster is being cautious. He knows he's being followed." He started to walk.

"Don't do anything. He's not one of the targets."

"Yes sir."

Without second thoughts Gray grabbed the guy once more. "Who are your targets?"

The guard was caught off guard but he chuckled. "Sticking your nose were it shouldn't be sir?"

"Answer my freaking question!" He spat.

"I was told not to bring harm to you sir. You're not the target, that I can guarantee —"

"Who're the freaking target?" Gray shouted lifting the guy through his collar. His eyes boring into the guard's. "Who was that you're talking to? Tell me everything!"

"You're asking the wrong questions Mr. Fullbuster. I know you know who Natsu Alfonso Dragneel is. I know you know who he is, now." The guard chuckled and grabbed Gray's hands removing it from his clothes. He straightened his suit and walked closer to Gray. "Just know, that we know everything."

Gray glared at the guard. "What do you want? Wha—"

"That I cannot tell." He started to walk but then came back. "Oh, and even if you tell the whole world about this incident, remove the guards.. It's too late."

Gray smiled and tapped the guard's shoulder. "Never too late bro. Never too late." He said with a smile on his face and walked away.

At the end of the forest there stood two figures staring into the horizon. Natsu has hid hands inside his pocket as the wind blows his scarf. "Let me just get this straight. You didn't ordered the security?"

Makarov shook his head. "No. I trusted you with Lucy's —" He looked over at Natsu who was holding his phone and pressing some numbers again. He sighed. "Gray was with her already. Why did you even ask him in your place if you don't trust he can do it?"

Natsu defeatedly placed his phone down again. "But Gramps! That hotel just became the enemy's den!"

"But don't you think that being able to do that means the culprit is just around us?"

Natsu stared at him in realization. "Could it be—"

"Who were up against is someone with power." He paused, and gave Natsu a folder full of papers. "Inside that is the newest report our investigator has gathered. It was said that Layla and your mother are having a conversation over the phone during the cruise."

"Layla?"

"Lucy's mother. She died of depression. She believed that the incident was her fault." Makarov knew that somehow before, because he can't blame anyone, Natsu was blaming her. "You know she's not."

"I know." Natsu said weakly. "I know she's not. Layla and Igneel are the best of friends, and Layla has grown close to mom. I know she just can't do it. She's Lucy's mom."

Makarov smiled. "Layla is the daughter of one of the wealthiest man around. Igneel was.. Well the most skilled there is." He breathed. "Layla's father wanted Igneel to be her husband."

"WHAT?!"

"Yes. But Igneel had your mom that time and Layla won't be marrying if not for love. And Igneel was like her brother as she was a sister to him." Makarov smiled again and stared in the ocean. "When Igneel married your mom, Layla found Jude. They had Lucy even before marriage. Layla stopped the dates her father forced her to go to and married Jude."

"I still can't process the thought of being Lucy's older brother." He almost puke. "Good thing there's mom."

"Actually, if Igneel and Layla end up together you still can be born but Lucy.. I don't know. Depends on Jude." Makarov shrugged like it was nothing.

"Damnit Gramps! Why are you even telling me this?"

"Well you said Layla was really close to your parents. I was just telling you how close they were!"

"I don't need that! Tell me what Layla and mom are talking about during the cruise." Natsu said as he opened the folder and looked at the report from a telephone company which stated that indeed Layla and his mom were talking for a long time during that time.

"I do not know. We can't ask anyone now. You probably don't remember. Jude was dead... But we could ask Lucy. Maybe she's there whe—"

"No." He shook his head. "We're not getting Lucy involved in this."

"You can't hide these from her fore —"

"I will if that's what it takes to keep her safe. She's the only family that I have left, Gramps. The only memory I had when I was that Natsu." He stopped looking straight at Makarov.

"Alright." Makarov said in defeat. "But you should know that it's not only you who was in the same situation. Lucy was in the same, probably worst because she's still searching the ends of the world for that lost Dragneel."

"I know. But if that's what it takes to make her safe. I'll do it."

Makarov turned away from the sea. "The only way that you could solve this is to ask Lucy about that. Ask her what she knew. The connection between your parents. She probably know why. She probably is the only answer to this case."