Infamously tall and towering over her like a mouse. How could Lucy not be intimidated? In pure shock, she leaped backwards. Something warm grabbed her arm. Tugging her, she tumbled backwards landing against something warm. Natsu. Protectively, his arms wrapped around her. Keeping her close, but distant . Incase if he had to leap into action. Dark onyx eyes cautiously watching the stranger.
Large muscular arms, covered thick in tattoos Broad shoulders and a huge chest. Thick legs, large hands, and a threatening face. Jet black, curly hair dripped over his waist. Random plaits cut off with beads and threat camouflaged in. Wearing a large jacket, white fluffed t-shirt, skivvies and so much jewelry it must have weighed at tone. A large black hat with a beautiful large, single white feather perched on top. Brown leather belt struggled to stay around his waist, holding several rusted keys and a long black saber Sparkling under the roaring sun, Luce couldn't help but shudder at its menacing shine. "Who are you?" The dragon slayer growled.
"Well that's rude. You're supposed to give your own name before asking for anyone else " The man chuckled with a deep rumbling laugh. The pink-haired boy answered with a cold hard gaze. The man laughed more, except it was less scary this time. For some strange reason, the stellar mage felt relieved. "Don't worry about it boy, My names Captain James Gregorio and this is me crew." Gesturing his arms out wide to the side of him. Several similar, but not so large, men appeared from the tree lines. Torn clothes, piercings, boots, swords. Luce was completely shocked. So many men. All looking strangely familiar. The big grin made Luce feel that they were trust-worthy. Stepping out from behind Natsu, she moved forward. Curiosity dragging her forward more than most things. The loose grip of the dragon slayers hand still warmed her arm. Keeping hold of her, incase he needed to pull her back. None the less, it was a free rein to move forward. Mutual feelings must be shared between the two.
"What are you guys?" Luce breathed, studying them all. A warm grin tugged at the big bearded mans lips.
"Can't you tell?" Deep honey brown eyes joined her gaze at all the men. "We're pirates my lovely."
No way. Pirates on this island. This had to be a joke. The two looked absolutely dumbfounded. Their eyes watching them all in utter disbelief. It didn't take long for the over excited fire mage to turn to his childish ways. Dropping defenses he jumped like a little child spurting out questions. "Do you have a ship? Where is it? Do you have a parrot?" His lips chattered away. Luce loved this childish side of him, giving him a light-hearted laugh. The captain seemed to be enjoying the admiration in the dragon slayers arms. "You two must be castaways?"
The celestial wizard glanced down at her clothes. Torn was-white-now-grey shorts, shredded blue tank top and no shoes. Where had her shoes gotten to? Her hair was a mess reeking of sea salt and damp forest. Natsu didn't look too good himself. Topless, his pants covered with holes, one sandal, and his scarf. That white scarf of his seemed to survive anything. It was completely unaffected, gently laid around his shoulders. "Well in that case, you shall come with us!" Captain James declared raising his sword.
"But-" Luce began, he gave her a cheery grin.
"I will not hear anything of it. But if you insist on rejecting my offer, then you shall have to be taken prisoners!" He jeered raising his sword in the direction of men. Loud laughter erupted as the men gathered around the two strays playfully attaching cuffs to their wrist. Leading them off with them back into the deep forest. Natsu was loving this and ,surprisingly, so was Lucy.
As the large group, hurdled through the forest Luce was astonished. When she looked back at their tracks, there was no sign of them ever passing through there. Several men jumped through the silent tree tops, others ran ahead in front and some hovered at the back. Just like a lethal pack of wolves. James stayed with the center group featuring: himself, Lucy, Natsu and 3 other pirates. They were quiet a large group.
"We all like a massive family, all 27 of us." The man nostalgically gazed at Lucy. She didn't realise he was walking beside her till now. The dragon slayer boy was talking about pirates with pirates. It also surprised her because it was like he had just read her mind. "We only started of as a group of 7 strangers. We picked up the other 20 all around the world. Those in need of a home, we had open arms." Releasing a deep sigh and a thin smile. Those few vague words moved the stellar mage. But it couldn't help but remind her of her home. Fairy Tail. At the moment, they were having the kind hospitality from these pirates. A short stay wouldn't harm them for delaying their some how return to the guild.
"Thank you, for doing this." The celestial wizard grinned gazing at the non-stop chattering boy attached to the chain in front of her.
"Like I said open arms. And lucky for you two, its feast night!"
The night drew in quickly, dark descended upon the forest. They had walked for most of the afternoon. As they walked, Lucy stumbled now and then. The over working was starting to give her a headache. A warm orange light glowed in distance. It appeared, that they were walking that way. They dim orange grew bigger as they grew closer. Peaking through the tree's, the celestial mage welcomed its friendly aura.
Pushing through the thick shrubs, they came to an opening. The beech. Dark, loot warm sand buried between her toes. Sat on the dark sand, was a tremendous ship. Sails wrapped tightly to the casting pole as it sky rocketed high up. Skull and cross bone flag waving gently in the night sea breeze. Large boat cabins rose high up above the shallow sandbanks. Lights lit up several windows in a warm light. Lucy was completely dumbfounded. A large, bellowing laughter erupted from the large pirate beside her. "She's a beauty. Isn't she?" He smiled with admiration at the ship. Kindly, he gave the girl a light nudge pushing her forwards towards the boat, sending her almost tumbling over he own to feet.
As they approached the foot of the boat, their cuffs were removed. Apparently, women had to climb up first, due to common curtsey. Happily, Luce accepted. Climbing up the ladder, she realised. Halfway up, she glanced back down. Every single pair of eyes were on her butt. Oh yes 'common curtsey' was it. The girl grimaced at the vulgar actions of the men. Quickly, she climbed the ladder, hoping to end this unwanted lime light. Deadly scowl was awarded to the men to the men once she reached the top. They all just laughed. Natsu seemed more distracted by the ship. Every now and then she caught him looking, but ended up looking at the ship again. A childhood boy completely overwhelmed in excitement with the fat he's surrounded by real pirates. It made Lucy smile just looking at his over joyful face.
When the men finally loaded up onto the boat, Lucy was hidden behind a crowed of sweaty men who stunk of alcohol and ferns. A sudden wave of dizziness soared through her, followed with a intense headache. Hot flashes confused her body. Stumbling backward, trying to hold onto something to steady her. The humid breeze from the island didn't help. It was barely noticable to anyone but the stellar mage. Finally about to fall, she crashed into something warm and strong. Natsu. Holding her with his two arms tightly but gently, clasping her shoulders. Worried dark eyes watched her intensely. She wanted so hard to suddenly be fine. But she wasn't.
Finally, a cool, soft hand also relaxed on her shoulder. "I don't think you're friends very well. A lot of people get heat strokes from being in the sun. Another hand matching the other, touched her forehead softly. "She has a fever." Lucy couldn't help but close her eyes for a second. The warmth of Natsu felt just as equal as herself at the moment. Maybe she should of let go. Staying near something inhumanily hot when she was hot her self. What she really needed was to go somewhere cool. But she didn't. Her hands wrapped tightly around his vest. She felt ill, but that ment nothing to her if she had to let go of Natsu. Even her weak hands fought for the strength to hold on. To her surprise, the dragon slayer slowly pulled her hands away from him. Watching him with deep brown eyes of sorrow, he glared back calmly. The cool woman, which Lucy now made out to have long brown hair wrapping beautifully around her pale face. Carefully, she wrapped her arms around her shoulders, taking her full weight. For such a dainty woman, she was strong. Still her eyes held onto the dragon slayer's tranquil face in disbelief, as the woman lead her slowly down into a room.
"You're not well." The woman's soothing voice huffed. The stellar mage was laid in soft, slightly yellow sheets. Their smooth silk fabric under her boiling skin. "This is not an ordinary fever. Your body's reacting to some kind of damage. What happened to you?"
"I fell." She coughed.