HI GUYS! I missed you! Didja miss me? I HOPE YOU ENJOY!

Rated M.

M is for MATURE people.

If I can pretend to be, then you can too.

DISCLAIMER: I OWN NOTHING! *sob* However sometimes I wonder if Mashima-sama used to follow me around and take character ideas from me and my friends.

At least let a girl dream!

Chapter 17

Baby Steps

As soon as Mirajane declared the Ball's beginning, it was as though the ground erupted with music. The melody was eerie but welcoming, ghostly, yet seducing; Lucy couldn't deny that this was one of the most amazing places she had ever been. It seemed as though the trees were humming to the tune and the breeze itself supplied the woodwinds. She did not realize what was happening at first, but the overwhelming sensation of being here in this place had coaxed a fair amount of her celestial magic to hover over her body, coating her in shimmering stardust. When the residual magic began to cloud her vision, Lucy noticed it and smiled, "Why not?" She spoke to herself and cast a hand into the air, sending the stardust straight into the sky. It was set free willingly and exploded into the sky in an enchanting silver explosion, giving the impression that even the stars danced to the music. She was still staring up into the heavens when she heard several guildmates cheering for her.

Gray placed a hand on her shoulder and smiled, "Nice touch!"

Lucy smiled back at him.

He scratched his head then, "Hey Lucy, do you mind if I try to find Juvia now?"

"Lady Zorro?" Lucy winked at him, "go for it."

Gray chuckled, a tad nervous, "See ya later, Lucy."

She wished him luck as he headed into the crowd, but she was not alone for long, a blue haired pirate tackled her from behind in a huge hug, "Lulu that was AMAZING!" Levy released her and pointed up at the night sky, "Just look at it!"

Lucy grinned at her friend and Gajeel walked up behind Levy, "Yea, I think this place made my magic want to dance, I dunno."

"Why question a good thing huh?" Levy grinned back.

"Nice hat by the way." Lucy admired Levy's costume.

Levy wore a weathered navy blue Victorian jacket that hung to expose the lacy blue bra barely covered by a lower cut short white tank top. Her hat was a gargantuan wide brimmed monstrosity with a huge plume that hung down the back. Truly a hat any pirate captain would be proud of. Lucy smiled broadly when she saw that Gajeel wore something similar, except instead of a hat he wore a handkerchief tied over the top of his head.

Lucy couldn't help herself and gave him a tease with a closed mouth smile, "My my Gajeel, our dear scary pirate man!"

Gajeel growled and turned to Levy, "I told you this was a dumb idea. Let's get out of here."

"Oh Gajeel!" Levy flashed one more smile at Lucy then started to pull him over to where some of the others were starting to dance.

Wendy came to her next, dragging a Billy the Kid/Romeo with her. Lucy covered her mouth with a stifled laugh when she saw that Wendy was wearing her Butt-jiggle Gang attire. "Oh Lucy! I wish you could have seen yourself when your magic started twinkling all around you! It was so pretty!"

Lucy smiled at the two of them, "It's this place Wendy! Mirajane wasn't kidding when she said it was enchanted."

Wendy nodded. "I call feel it too. The air has been calling to me ever since we got here."

"Makes since Wendy-and may I say-you two look so sweet together! I hope you have a blast." Lucy nodded.

This made the two younger mages blush as Romeo muttered something and pulled Wendy away.

Lucy scanned the clearing. Cana and a few other girls were dancing around with tambourines, Gray had finally managed to find and speak to Juvia, Mirajane was dragging Freed everywhere with her, tying strings of bells to people's hair. Kinana was handing out snacks and drinks to anyone interested. She bit her lip when she didn't see Natsu anywhere.

Well, are you just going to stand around or have some fun? She asked herself, smiled and lifted her skirts to run over to Cana. Cana winked at her and passed her a tambourine and Lucy started to dance with the others.

^.^

If there was ever a creature more breathtaking under a star filled sky, Natsu had never seen it. He was struggling with a way to approach her. He was stuck in an internal battle with himself. Natsu was furious that Lucy had enjoyed her time with Gray, furious with her mixing her power with the ice-maker when Mirajane cast the spell to take them here, furious that Lucy hadn't asked anyone about him. He had watched her send a part of herself up into the sky and even found himself jealous of the heavens! The dragonslayer knew his anger was irrational, but he'd never been that rational of a guy to begin with. He wanted to hunt down this mistress of stars and punish her for her transgressions against him. He was ready to pull her from her revelry and snarl his dominance to her for all to hear.

What held him still, was that he knew doing those things would frighten her. Natsu needed a way to approach her, but this Lucy, this Lucy that now danced under her own element appeared to something more ethereal than real.

Before he knew it, an actual Celestial being appeared next to him. He tightened his fists when Loke spoke to him.

"If you're not going to go to her, then I will. She looks too damn good to be dancing alone like that."

"You keep your dirty paws off her Housecat..." Natsu snarled.

Loke held his hands out, "Hey now, I'm a member of FairyTail too! And Lucy's date ditched her! She's fair game!"

Growling, Natsu pushed Loke aside and walked towards the dancers.

^.^

Lucy smiled and laughed as she spun. The tambouriners had started to become the main attraction. Men would grab one of them and twirl them and then the tambouriner would find herself in the arms of another and receive the same treatment over again. The multiple spins were exhilarating and borderline dizzying. She was proud that she was keeping the beat with her instrument, since so many people seemed determined to make her loose her bearing.

It wasn't until someone caught her from a twirl with abnormally warm but not sweaty hands that her heart was caught in her throat. Lucy was spun right into his chest and he caught her like he'd caught her so many times in the past. Her startled eyes met with his hunter's eyes.

Natsu spoke softly but powerfully, "I am very upset with you Luce." He lifted up her free hand and kissed it, his lips lingering there for a moment; he never looked away from her eyes, then released her with another twirl. Lucy turned to try and find him, but she was taken by Droy, who dipped her and sent her in another twirl. She stood there for a moment and lifted her tambourine over her head as she played, like she'd seen some of the other girls do during a free moment unescorted. She looked around her, searching, but was met with Loke-not Leo the lion, but his human form—who smiled at her.

"I have never seen a Celestial mage more stunning than you are tonight."

Lucy smiled to her dear friend, "Oh Loke, always the charmer!"

Loke put on his best smile and reached for her, but she spun around before he managed to grab her and was caught by Macao this time. "Having fun Lucy?"

The blonde smiled at him fondly, "I am! Mira found a great place to hold the Ball,"

"She sure did!" He smiled and sent her twirling again.

Warm hands again.

This time he held her from behind, so Lucy lifted her tambourine beside her shoulder to continue the beat. Warm breath was felt on her neck which made keeping her voice steady a real effort, "Why are you upset, Natsu."

She felt him sigh when she said his name and he wrapped his arms around her waist tightly as he whispered in her ear, "You never should have asked Gray."

Her eyebrows raised and blood rushed to her face, she started to look over her shoulder at him, but he spun her out again and was gone.

This time, the spin brushed her against Cana, the card mage grinned and locked arms with her and they spun around together, rattling their instruments. The melody died down and they slowed to a stop. Cana playfully nudged Lucy, "Some party huh?" She was dressed in an old fashioned barmaid dress with sashes tied in her hair, around her neck and on her wrists.

"Yea." Lucy huffed, finding herself a bit out of breath.

Cana grabbed her hand and took her to the nearest barrel, "Let's have a drink!"

Lucy yelped as she was tugged, but gratefully took a seat on the log her friend had taken her to. She busied herself with adjusting her skirts when Cana came back with a drink for them both. The mage plopped down beside her friend and chugged her drink in one big swig, "Wooo! I love this place! I can feel magical energy everywhere!"

The blonde chuckled at her friend, and took only the smallest sip of her own drink, just enough to alleviate her thirst. She looked out at the group still dancing. The music had slowed and there were only couples dancing now.

Cana started laughing, "Lookit Gajeel! He looks so weird!"

It was true. Levy had placed his hand on her waist, but he kinda just stood there holding her. He had this, 'I will hate you forever because of this,' kinda look on that Levy just giggled at. Lucy giggled too.

Cana nudged her again, "So where's your dragonslayer Lucy? Didja kick'em to the curb already?"

Lucy took another sip, and frowned. He must be baiting me like he did when we played that game. He said he was mad at me! What am I supposed to do? Why would he only just now mention the thing with Gray? He had to of known earlier.. "No, I've barely seen him."

Cana nearly choked on her refilled mug, "Seriously? With how much we worked to-" she paused, looking at Lucy like she was just realizing exactly who she was speaking with. "Oh... that's odd." The card mage hid her face in her mug.

"No!" Lucy reached for Cana's mug, "No Cana! What were you saying?"

"Look!" Cana pointed to the treeline, "There he is! Go get him girl!"

Lucy turned to see Natsu standing on the far side of the circle of trees, staring at her with those eyes that almost looked... hungry. She turned back to Cana to get more information out of her—but her spot was empty. "Damnit Cana..." Lucy frowned. She turned back to where Natsu had been standing. He was still there, just staring at her.

He looked so formidable. Had she been an enemy, a look like that would have sent her running, but she wasn't. She wasn't! Her eyes narrowed and stubbornness came visiting. If he was mad, then he would have to talk to her. Lucy took a decent gulp from the mug, it tasted really, really good(!), set it down and lifted up her skirts a little to go up to Natsu unhindered. He stood his ground until she was about halfway to him, then he backed into the shadows of the many trees. Lucy frowned and quickened her step.

Soon she stood where Natsu had been. Lucy took a few more steps in. The music from the clearing dulled significantly, much more than natural. She scanned the woods. When she couldn't see any sight of him, she spoke softly, confident he would hear her. "Here I am. Are you going to talk to me now?"

"...Maybe." His voice came from up in a tree to her right.

The star maiden turned towards his voice. She tried to spot him, but it was pretty dark over the canopy here. Her only source of light being from the clearing behind her. She sighed. "You said I shouldn't have asked Gray? Don't you think I know that? Juvia hasn't wanted to look at me ever since she came back! Seriously though, it's none of your business!"

"None of my business?" He was speaking right behind her!

Lucy turned around as quick as she could, but he did not disappear this time. In fact, he began slow, deliberate steps toward her when he spoke again.

"That hurts Luce. I have no say in the matter?"

He was so close to her now that she had to tilt her neck up to look at him, "Honestly? No! You don't have a say. I can choose whoever I want, whenever I want." Lucy gasped when she'd backed up into a tree. She could feel the tree vibrating a complaint. She hadn't even realized she'd been moving in reverse.

Natsu's eyes narrowed. He placed a hand onto the tree she was pinned against right next to her head. He leaned forward close enough so that she could see the fire in his eyes, "As your partner, I think I have the right to tell you when you make a bad decision." His voice grew a little louder, "and choosing Gray was a mistake."

"Oh so you, Natsu Dragneel suddenly know everything?" Lucy's eyes were starting to tear up. She hated fighting with Natsu, she hated having all these mixed feelings about Natsu, she hated thinking he may have been about to kiss her the other day.

Keeping his left hand on the tree, he moved his body in closer and used his right to caress her cheek. His thumb wiped a tear away that had not yet fallen. His voice was much softer suddenly, "Why are you crying? You're not sad."

His eyes and stance remained that of a predator, but his hand and his voice were of Natsu. Just as before, when she'd recognized Provider Natsu with normal Natsu, Lucy realized that Predator Natsu was just Natsu. He was much more complicated than anyone, even herself, had given him credit for—but this was Natsu. Serious, playful or caring, he was all only one Natsu. What seemed intimidating before now seemed trivial. She couldn't help but recall when Cana had asked where 'her' dragonslayer was.

My dragonslayer?

Lucy turned her face slightly to avert her eyes from his gaze. "I'm not crying. I'm mad."

"Well then." He chuckled, chuckled! "You look beautiful when you're mad."

Her eyes widened and she turned back to him and almost immediately wished she hadn't because she could feel a weakness for this man she'd never quite felt before. He leaned his forehead onto hers in an effort to keep her from turning away again. The tips of his fingers from the hand he'd held to her cheek trailed down her chin, neck, shoulder and arm to grasp her fingers. Natsu lifted her hand between their faces, closed his eyes and breathed in her scent. Lucy's heart was beating fast and Natsu could hear it. He was finding it very difficult to keep his cool this close to her, but he couldn't allow himself to scare her... not now that she was so close to him. He traced his lips over the skin of her hand as he said, "You are beautiful all the time, tonight is no exception."

Natsu placed her hand on his heart, "How do you not understand that you are mine, Luce?" The fire wizard had no idea the power that simple sentence held to Lucy. It echoed her dream that still haunted her perfectly.

Lucy's breath was coming out in rasps. She'd barely managed to get out, "I'm not anyone's."

Natsu touched noses with her. "You're dead wrong Luce," he whispered back to her. "A dragon never forgets what is theirs." He stared at her intensely, trying to memorize every detail of her large chocolate eyes. Once he was satisfied that she was not interested in looking away from him, he lifted his chin up and kissed her nose with a light, sweet peck. "But... If you feel like running away from me again, just like you did by asking Gray..." He fixated on her eyes again, "I won't stop you."

That was a moment where Lucy caused Natsu to experience several different feelings at once. Surprise, disappointment, want, hunger and excitement were but a few when she ducked her head down and out from between his arms and took off in an all out run here in this new forest.

Natsu sighed and called out loud, "I won't stop you, but I WILL find you!"

The fire dragon started walking at a carefree pace. The new smells of this place were fasinating. He'd never been in a forest that actually felt alive. Natsu walked deliberately to give Lucy a little hope before he caught her, and he would catch her. He walked over large rocks and logs, bushes and streams. Soon, he came across that dull roar he'd been hearing for quite some time and he smiled. Clever little Lucy is trying to hide her scent in water again huh? Before him flowed a waterfall four times his height. He looked in the other direction and discerned that Lucy had gone that way for a little while before doubling it back to this waterfall. He sniffed. There was stale air past that fall, which probably meant a cave. That and there was no denying that there was a strong smell of strawberries and vanilla coming from past that water. Natsu grinned, snarled, crouched and leapt into a run, hopping on stones to reach the waterfall and past the waterfall. He never stopped. From Lucy's point of view, he burst through the wall of water straight at her, taking her cheeks into his hands and brought his lips to hers before she ever had a chance to dodge him again.

Mine.

His kiss was not gentle, nor was it sweet. Natsu pushed his way into her mouth and held her there so that he could taste every inch of her. He felt like he would explode from desire when he felt her arms wrap around his neck and begin to reciprocate the same hunger he displayed. She did not shy away from his advances like he had feared she might, Lucy returned them and made him steam with want. Natsu had never kissed anyone before in his life, but that did not matter when his only goal was to show Lucy his passion, his hunger, his feral desire. He could smell her arousal clearly for the first time, and realize that this was not the first time he'd smelled it. He simply understood what this smell finally was. The flame tamer had always liked the faint smell, but now the scent was strong and he knew now exactly what was causing it.

Deny it all she wished, she has been wanting him for quite some time. Now that Natsu knew this, he scoffed off every insecurity he had about being intimate with this woman. She wanted him too, and he would never be fooled again. He growled into their kiss, thinking of all the times he could have done this already. Damn but she tasted delicious! His growl caused her to purr, and the heat stirring in his body just got a whole lot hotter.

He broke from their kiss and fell to his knees, his arms wrapped tightly around her waist as he leaned his head on her bosom, willing his body to calm down. Her chest was heaving up and down just like his, so while his body was not exactly going to calm, he was not about to let her go.

"Now... Luce... wouldja.. stop, running from me?" Natsu was having a hard time forming intelligible words.

Lucy began stroking through her dragonslayer's hair and breathed heavily for a while before answering.

"No."

Natsu smiled and began to laugh, and laughed more when he heard her laugh with him.

I hope you guys enjoyed! I'm personally rather fond of how this chappy played out. ^.^ Please share your opinions with me-it's the only way I'll stop sukin and start lickin!

Stay naughty

Dance like nobody's watchin

Seri, aka *Lick*