So I am VERY much pleased with the positive responses to my first chapter, so I'm finally getting around to writing chapter numbah 2~ huzzah~ so please enjoy X3

Natsu stared at the jewels in his hand, as he was perched on a rooftop. 'the crown jewels, huh?' he thought, absentmindedly to himself, before looking back up to face the castle once again.

He sifted them in his hands thoughtfully, before dismantling himself from his seat on the roof, and heading towards the huge building "not that I really needed them anyway..." he murmured

The ruckus was heard throughout the town, and many people were in line at the news stand, just to get a piece of this information. Because in the headlines, in bold black letters were written;

Crown Jewels Returned!

Natsu stared amusedly out the window, hearing people gossip about him. Many people had already come in, saying things like "did you hear that Salamander might've been captured?~"

Of course he would feign shock and say "oh my, was he now?~" while inwardly laughing so hard he was crying. Though, Gajeel and Gray knew what was going on, and what had happened. Natsu, the worlds greatest thief, had actually RETURNED what he stole. This had NEVER happened. But they supposed, this time, a pretty girl was involved.

They had been teasing him relentlessly all damn day, and Natsu already hit them upside the head about 10 times. Because he did not, did NOT, have a crush on LUCY of all people! They were exact opposites! There was no way it could happen, even if he did! Of course he DID like a little rebellion here and there... AGH, stop it Dragneel!

Natsu grumbled as he continued his work, but paused, when the pleasant ding! Echoed through the small store once again. Natsu turned, coming eye-to-eye with the beautiful, busty, blonde. Lucy Heartfilia.

Natsu almost dropped the box he was holding, in a fit of panic, and she walked up to him. And after a few minutes of silence, she finally spoke.

"I need some more strawberries"

He sighed with relief, before quickly putting the box away, and grabbing some strawberries to ring up for her.

"so..." He said rather awkwardly, but then noted the happy gleam in her eye "you seem... Happy... I little TOO happy" he said, scanning her for any clues

Lucy shook her head absentmindedly, as if to shake off his suspicions. "oh, it's nothing...~ just that my jewels were returned~" she said, knowingly... Too knowingly...

"oh yeah? You think he was caught as well?~" he snickered at the townspeople's ridiculous theory.

Lucy shook her head with a grin "nope~ he's too swift to be caught~ I think he returned them himself~" she reported happily, before taking her order, and turning walking off, leaving Natsu standing there, gaping "damn girl's getting me found out..." he muttered, leaving Gray and Gajeel breathless, due to laughter.

This process had went on for quite some time. Lucy would visit, buy strawberries, say something wonderful, then leave, taking Natsu's breath with her.

He mentally kicked himself 'BAD Dragneel! Do NOT fall in love with the princess! That is BAD!' his over imaginative mind berated himself, as he repeatedly slammed his head into the corner, leaving Gajeel and Gray in tears...

Again "dude, give it up!~ you LOVE her!~" Gajeel managed, as he caught his breath

Gray wheezed as he agreed "y-yeah! We know you've been sneaking into her room at night too~"

Natsu gasped, as his head snapped over to them "how-?!"

"We've been hearing the guards talk about it since last WEEK, that some guy kept sneaking in the garden, but they could never get a look at his face~" Gajeel interrupted, pointedly

Shock dawned on Natsu's features "I-I thought they wouldn't remember!" He yelled out, suddenly panicking

"remember what?"

A sinfully sweet voice asked from the door All three men quickly swerved to the direction of the door, seeing their new regular costumer at the entrance, except, she held a single pink rose in her hand. Holding onto it like it was her world.

Both black-haired males slowly turned to look at Natsu who paled nervously.

Gajeel eventually spoke up "where... Where'd you get... Such a BEAUTIFUL rose?" he inquired slowly.

Lucy seemed taken aback by the question, before blushing lightly, holding it tighter "ah, I found it in my hand this morning... Like someone put it there..." she murmured, unable to hide the giddiness in her voice, causing Gray to raise a brow.

"you... Think it was from Salamander?" Gray asked next

Lucy blushed more, nodding "y-yeah... Just a feeling I have" she said shyly

It was then that both guys smirked wickedly, before shoving Natsu towards her "we'll leave you two be theeen~" they chimed, before heading off to the back

Natsu promised revenge as he slowly approached Lucy "uhm, hi" he managed out

"hey~" Lucy said happily "you know, I really want to repay Salamander for all these gifts... So I wanted your help~"

Natsu laughed "well, he's a night owl, so I doubt you'll catch him~" he said, mainly boasting of himself. Lucy gasped "that's it~! I'll just stay up really late~ thank you~" she said excitedly, before pecking Natsu's cheek, and turning on her heel, towards the door, saying "I think a kiss would be the perfect reward...~"

Natsu gulped, as the door closed behind her wh-what...?!

Lucy spun in her room, grinning, holding her rose close to her chest, ecstatic at her chance of seeing him again... But she then remembered Natsu, the handsome man at the store...

She sighed softly, walking onto her balcony, frowning. She really adored Natsu... That cute playfulness, bright grin, dark eyes... But she loved how mysterious Salamander was... He seemed more smooth, and suave for some reason... And for SOME reason, those eyes and smile looked EXACTLY the same!

The answer was on the tip of her tongue, but it kept slipping away...

Or maybe she just didn't want to believe it?

Whatever her answer was, she knew she'd always love both of them, but then again, they do say if you fall in love with two people, go for the second, because you probably never loved the first one... Which in this case seemed most likely, since she only met Salamander once... Oh well, now wasn't the time to worry, it was the time to ask Levy-chan for ten cups of highly caffeinated tea~!