Here it is! Sorry it's late, I'll try to get chapters up every Saturday from now on! My next update may also be a bit late, depending on when I get back from my other church camp. I have like three xD Also, I didn't know what your idea for Lisanna's words about Natsu were, so I made something up.

"Well, since Natsu was a childhood friend, I kinda wanted to let you know," Lisanna began, and trailed off for a moment.

Lucy sat up, tilting her head at Lisanna questioningly. "What about him?" she prompted, leaning back on her palms as she watched her white-haired friend. The girl looked troubled, almost, her gaze downcast and a frown on her pretty features.

Lisanna pursed her lips, sighing. "I just thought I should warn you, so you don't bring it up. Natsu had a really rough childhood, and he has some abandonment issues. His parents left him when he was a baby, and his foster father disappeared without a trace when he was only about eleven years old. I was his closest friend at the time. He had to move in with his second cousin, and the whole ordeal scarred him." she paused, as if grasping for the right words. "I guess what I'm trying to say is, don't leave him behind, okay?"

Lucy's facial features softened to a sad expression, and she clutched the bedsheets under her hands. She stared down at her hands, her heart clenching. "That's horrible," she murmured. "I won't." the words slipped out of her mouth almost unintentionally, and it took her a moment to realize what she had just did. Shoot, I can't keep that promise, she mentally cursed herself. Once camp is over I'll be going back home and Natsu will too.

"Thanks," Lisanna sighed, a serene smile on her face. "I know that after this you two will have to part ways, but at least don't leave without a goodbye."

Lucy nodded, and with a smile Lisanna returned to her own bed, curling up under the covers with her back towards her partner. Lucy just sat there for a moment, her knees drawn up to her chest, her chin resting on top of them. He's kind of like me, but different, she thought to herself, remembering how her father had acted after her mother's death. He may as well have abandoned me.

Lucy sighed and eventually curled up under the covers of her bed, quickly falling asleep. She would think about it in the morning.

-

Lucy woke up early the next morning. She yawned deeply, stretching her arms above her head until they bumped into the bottom of the bunk above her. She rubbed her eyes sleepily and stood, dressing quickly before waking up her kids. Today they were going hiking with another group; who, she didn't know yet.

"Rise and shine!" Lucy sang as she shook her campers awake. After about ten minutes of this, the campers were finally up and getting ready. Lucy sighed contentedly.

"They awake?" Lisanna called from her bunk, where she had just woken up. Lucy turned to her friend and nodded. "Whose group are we paired with today?" she asked.

Lisanna shrugged. "Erza is the junior camp director. She said she would tell us today," she answered, standing up and throwing on some hiking clothes. She glanced at her watch and turned to her group. "We have ten minutes, kids! Hurry and get dressed; we're hiking today!"

Once the small group was dressed and ready to go, Lusy led them to the flagpole, where Erza stood observing the scene. She smiled and waved as Lucy and Lisanna approached. "It's about time!" sh redhead called. "You're late!"

Lisanna rubbed the back of her neck sheepishly. "Sorry, the kids were especially sluggish today," she apologized, casting appointed look at the small group of kids behind her.

Erza nodded and cleared her throat, gathering the attention of the crowd of children surrounding the flagpole. "Today we're taking a five-mile hike in the forest," she announced. "Our four groups will be combined into two, and both groups will walk the trail together. Please make sure to listen to the four counselors leading your group and above all, stay on the trail! We don't want anyone lost!" When she had finished her short speech, she pulled a piece of paper out of her bag. "Here are the groups: Lucy and Lisanna will be paired up with Natsu and Gray. Juvia and Kinana will be paired up with Jellal and Loke. I will be walking with Jellal's group, Mirajane will be with Natsu's. Now, form your groups and head out!"

Lisanna smiled to herself. What luck! This was perfect for her plan. She was happy Mirajane had agreed to be a junior camp director this year. "Alright kids, let's go!" she called, waving her kids over to where Natsu and Gray were waiting.

Lucy and Lisanna led their small group to where the other counselors were waiting. Natsu offered Lucy a grin as they approached, waving. "Ready to go?" he asked, glancing at Lisanna and Gray.

Lisanna nodded. "Let's go!" she cheered. "Come on, guys!" she waved the kids over to them, gathering their attention. "The trail is thin and we don't want anyone getting lost, so buddy up! Hook elbows with your buddy so I know everyone has one!" to demonstrate, she looped her arm through Gray's.

"Hey, I have a girlfriend," Gray argued playfully. Lisanna pouted, amusement in her eyes. "Never mind that. Everyone have a buddy?"

Natsu offered his arm to Lucy, grinning at her. "Buddies?" he said.

Lucy blushed lightly at the gesture and tentatively looped arms with Natsu."Sure, why not?" she replied in a shy manner. She looked towards the group, pleased to see that everyone had a buddy. She turned to Lisanna. "Shall we get going?" she suggested.

Lisanna nodded and gestured for the group to follow her. "Come on, kids, let's get a move on!" she called, leading the way towards the trail. "Everyone stay with your buddies, no slacking off!" The white-haired beauty led the way, and Lucy and Natsu took the rear, making sure no one got left behind. The pleasant buzz of chatter accompanied the sounds of the wind in the trees and the crunch of early autumn leaves underfoot, making for a comfortable atmosphere. Lucy eventually relaxed, looking around at the nature.

"Pretty," she commented, smiling. "Everything here is so green! Are you sure this is all natural?"

Natsu chuckled. "The ground underneath the dirt is limestone, so there are tons of underground caverns filled to the brim with water. It's like a secret oasis with a neverending supply. The trees stay green all through spring and summer, and the autumns here are beautiful too."

"Wow," Lucy breathed in awe, staring up at the seemingly limitless treetops that towered overhead. "Everything at my house looks artificial, like it's made of plastic, and it's all too neat and orderly to be pretty like this. Out here it's so natural. Natural beauty is always the best."

"You're weird," Natsu laughed, earning an annoyed pout from the blonde. The pinkette just grinned in reply, though he couldn't help the thought that came after; The trees are naturally beautiful, like Lucy is.

"I am not!" Lucy argued. "You're the weird one!" she smacked his arm in annoyance, glaring. "I'm normal!"

Natsu covered his mouth to stifle his laughter. "Normal is a relative term," he said once he'd regained his composure. "If I was the only human in a colony of dragons, I would be the weird one."

Lucy rolled her eyes and resumed glaring. Natsu smiled at her. "You're cute when you're angry," he said, flicking her nose with his pointer finger.

Lucy swatted his hand away in irritance, blushing pink. Cute?