Chapter 6
Lucy snarled quietly as a thorn pricked her finger. She withdrew her hand from the rose brush, licking the bead of bright red blood off the side of her finger. She was currently in Magnolia Forest, the largest in Magnolia. Her stepmother had decided that she wanted freshly picked roses, not bought ones, so Lucy was sent to pick some in the forest. Her wicker basket lay to her side, almost filled with the beautiful red flowers.
Lucy continued to cut the long green stems and lay them gently in her basket. For once, there was something else on her mind besides chores, shopping, books and Natsu. They got a letter from the Royal Messenger this morning. In honour of the Prince's 20th birthday tomorrow, a ball was beginning held in the Fairy Tail Castle tonight and all the eligible maidens in the kingdom were to attend. That meant Lucy could go. Of course, her stepmother would NEVER let her go. Lucy asked anyway.
She couldn't miss out on this opportunity. She couldn't care less about the Prince. Natsu was far better than any stuck up prince. But she would love to see what the inside of the castle looked like. It was said to be incredible. And she had never been to a ball before. If Natsu was there then maybe she could dance with him. That would be nice… So she asked her stepmother, as by all rights she was an eligible maiden, so she could go. Surprisingly, instead of just taunting her, her stepmother told her she could go if she finished her chores, and if she found a decent dress to wear. Lucy was working on it.
Once she had enough roses, Lucy started to make her way back home. She whistled loudly, happily skipping along as the birds chattered in the trees. Suddenly she heard a branch crack loudly to her left. Her head whipped around. She carefully looked around the trees but she couldn't see anyone. She turned back around and started walking when someone grabbed her arm and dragged her harshly backwards. She tried to shout out but a rough masculine hand clamped firmly over her mouth.
Her back was shoved up against the hard bark of a tree. The basket of roses flew from her hand and tumbled to the ground. Lucy's heart raced with fear. She looked up at her captor. It was a large man with huge broad shoulders, thick muscular arms and legs. His face was dirty and his brown hair was unkempt and messy. His eyes were dark and he had a crooked nose with cracked lips, matching his cracked yellow teeth. He was wearing ripped black shirt, ripped back trousers and scruffy black boots. A short sword was sheathed in a black leather scabbard at his waist.
His vile breath puffed in his face and she grimaced. He leered at her. "What have we here…" he said. "Does little princess want to play?" he asked, his hand trailing up her arm to caress her cheek sickeningly. "Get your filthy hands off me" Lucy snarled viciously at him. He grabbed both her wrists and harshly pinned them above her head with one hand. "Tut tut" he said. "I should punish you for that". He slowly trailed his fingers up her bare leg, and up her thigh under her dress.
Lucy hissed in outrage. How dare that filthy bastard touch her like that! She started to squirm, trying to get her hands free before he could do anything else. If she could just free one hand then she could reach her keys and teach this sicko a lesson. Keys you ask? Well, Lucy is a mage. A celestial spirit mage to be exact. (Ha! You didn't think I would make her a mage, did you?)
Her keys were gate keys that opened gates to celestial spirits that came and helped her when she needed help. Her keys were kept in a brown leather case that she kept strapped to her upper thigh. She only took them off when she was having a bath. They were always covered by her dresses, but Lucy had cut out a small hole in every dress she owned right above the keys. She had sewn a flap of fabric above the hole, so no one would see it. That meant she just had to reach under the flap and she could reach through the hole and easily get her keys. Unless she couldn't use her hands of course.
Lucy was furiously wriggling to get a hand free. The man started to move towards her face, grinning. Oh god was he going to kiss her? Hell no! She was NOT going to lose her first kiss to this brute! That was for Natsu! Lucy twisted her face away and pressed her lips tightly together. Then a loud voice called out "LET. HER. GO."
The man turned around and Lucy looked up to see Natsu standing there. "Natsu!" Lucy cried out in relief, a broad smile gracing her face. The man gulped, started sweating buckets and was shaking like a leaf in the wind. Lucy looked at him, confused, and then looked back up at Natsu. Honestly, if she didn't know him she probably would have wet herself.
His bangs were over his face, but Lucy could see his eyes, which were LITERALLY blood red in fury. They were like looking into a fire. His hands were clenched at his sides, and you could practically feel the dark aura of fury radiating of him. Then he burst into flames. And I mean he literally burst into flames. At first Lucy was a little shocked then she was relieved again. He's a mage? Awesome! He can beat that creep's ass into the ground! And that is just what he did.
Natsu was furious. He had been quite casually taking a walk through the forest when his enhanced hearing heard Lucy's voice saying "Get your filthy hands off me!" He immediately raced towards the sound of her voice as fear shot through his body. He burst through the trees to see Lucy pinned to a tree. With that assholes hand on her thigh. HIS. HAND. WAS. ON. HER. THIGH. THAT SON OF A BITCH! HOW DARE HE TOUCH HIS LUCY!
Natsu was so mad he didn't release he had called her his Lucy. He was too focused on keeping himself from ripping that bastard limb from limb. Natsu shot forward. "FIRE DRAGON IRON FIST!" His flaming fist connected with the guy's stomach, with huge blast of flame and the man was sent flying through the trees. He hit him so hard he knocked over several trees as he flew back, until he was far from sight.
Natsu was left standing in a circle of charred trees, most of them ash on them forest floor. Fortunately Lucy was unharmed. She removed her arms from where they were shielding her face and her mouth dropped in awe. He's bloody powerful… Natsu ran over to her. "Lucy!" he cried out kneeling in front of her. He gently held her arms and looked her over franticly for injuries. "Are you ok?"
Lucy's was still staring at him, mouth open. He though her awe was fear. He gently caressed her cheek with warm fingers. "Are you scared of me now? Please Luce, I promise I'd never ever hurt you. Please don't be afraid of me" he stammered. His voice was shaking. He was terrified of losing her. Lucy shut her mouth and chuckled quietly. She sat forward and wrapped her arms around Natsu, leaning her head on his warm chest.
"I'd never be afraid of you. I trust you Natsu. That was incredible. Thanks for saving my life". Natsu sighed in relief, and held her tightly against him. "Anytime Luce" he whispered against her hair. Suddenly Natsu's head shot up. He sniffed once then leapt to his feet. He stood protectively in front of Lucy as his eyes scanned the forest around them. Lucy stood up behind him. "What is it?" she asked. "Someone's here" Natsu replied.
Suddenly about 20 ropes unrolled from the tree tops. With a swish 20 men dressed in black slid silently down each one. Their faces were covered with black fabric. 10 were in front of Natsu and 10 were in front of Lucy. Natsu and Lucy stood back to back in the centre. Lucy slipped her hand down to hover above her keys. Natsu flicked his eyes over them. "Stay behind me" he whispered to Lucy. Lucy huffed. "I'm not helpless you know" she hissed back.
"Enough! Get them!" one of the men said, his voice muffled by the fabric wound over his mouth. The men all drew shiny metal blades out from black scabbards at their waists. Lucy sighed and raised one of her keys up to beside her face. "You get those ones I'll get these ones" she said to Natsu.
"Open! Gate of the golden bull! Taurus!" Lucy yelled, slashing the air with her key. The large black and white bull appeared beside her. "Moo! I'll protect Lucy's hot body!" he said, raising his large axe. Natsu growled lowly in his chest. He was shocked? Lucy's a mage? He turned to the men in front of him with a smirk. "Well, I can't let her show me up" he said earning a 'Hey!' from Lucy in the background. Fire dragon roar!" he easily knocked them away, while Taurus finished off the rest. "Thanks Taurus!" Lucy said as she closed his gate.
Natsu sighed. "I didn't even break a sweat" he said. Lucy put Taurus's key back and turned to him. "So, a mage huh?" she asked hands on hips. He grinned "Yep! Fire dragon slayer! They're pretty rare". Lucy nodded. "Celestial spirit" she said smiling. Natsu grinned then looked behind him at the unconscious men on the ground. "Umm…We should probably go" he said. Lucy giggled. "Yeah" she said. She grabbed her basket picked up the fallen roses and beckoned Natsu. "Come on. I want to show you something" she said. Natsu followed her.
Before long they came upon an ivy covered cave, its entrance covered with leafy vines. Lucy pushed the vines aside and walked through. They came upon a little clearing. The ground was covered with sweet green grass. A large oak tree stood majestically in the centre, soft clouds of dark green leaves on each dark brown branch. Beams of sunlight illuminated the area. A warm breeze brushed against Lucy's skin. "Ta da!" she said to Natsu who had walked up behind her. He whistled softly as he looked around. "Wow…It's beautiful" he said.
"Yeah. I found this place not long after my mother died. I always came here once I missed her. You're actually the first person I've shown it to" Lucy said quietly, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. Natsu was touched. He reached for her hand and intertwined their fingers. Lucy liked the feel of his warm hand around hers, and Natsu liked having her small hand in his. He gave her hand a light squeeze as he smiled softly at her.
Lucy tugged Natsu up to the oak tree, and settled in the small hollow at the front. Natsu squeezed in beside her. Lucy laid her head against the tree and smiled, closing her eyes. Natsu stared at her face for a few moments, before laying his head beside hers. Her head dropped to his shoulder, and he gladly rested his face on the top of her head, wrapping a strong arm around her waist. They lay like that for a while.
Natsu broke the silence. "Luce?" he asked quietly. "Hmm?" she said, looking up at him. His breath caught in his throat. She just looked so angelic, her golden hair shimmering in the sun and her warm chocolate eyes glowing, he couldn't stop himself from pressing his lips into hers. Lucy's eyes snapped wide in shook. He was kissing her! His lips were so soft and warm that her eyes drifted shut and she melted into him.
Natsu's heart leapt sky-high with joy. His body felt hot and tingly. She's kissing back! Lucy's fingers wound into his pink hair which was weirdly incredibly soft. Natsu's hands slipped onto her hips as he deepened the kiss. Lucy moaned softly into his mouth. Her body felt like it was on fire. He was an incredible kisser. They had to break apart for air.
Both panting, Natsu and Lucy stared at each other. Natsu flicked his tongue over his lips. "Umm…As much as I would love to continue this, I…kind of have to go home" Lucy said sheepishly, biting her lip. She wanted to kick herself. WHY of all times did she have to leave now? Natsu was a little disappointed, but it couldn't be helped. He sighed and said "That's ok" he said, standing up. He reached out his hands, Lucy grabbed them and he pulled her to his feet. Their fingers intertwined, and Natsu slipped his arm around her waist again. Lucy grinned up at him, and they walked the rest of the way in comfortable silence.
Once they got to Lucy's house – Natsu insisted on walking her the whole way. They got a few stares and a huge grin from Mr Green at their hand holding, but they didn't really care – Lucy turned to look at Natsu, smiling softly up at him. They stood with their foreheads touching, hands laced together. "Oh, I almost forgot" Natsu said, letting go of one of her hands and reaching into his pocket. He pulled out a white envelope that had the royal crest was stamped on the wax seal.
Lucy looked at him, confused, taking it. She broke the seal and pulled out the thin piece of paper. She flipped it open and gasped at what was inside. It was a personal invitation to the ball. It didn't specify her name, but it was still a personal invitation. The one her stepmother and stepsisters got was just a general one. She looked up at Natsu shocked. She opened her mouth but before she could say anything Natsu asked "Will you come?"
"Will you be there?" Lucy asked. Natsu nodded. He looked so hopeful. Lucy bit her lip. "I…I'll try. I can't promise anything". Natsu's face fell a little. "But Luce you have to come!" Natsu exclaimed. He had to choose a bride tonight. He wasn't picking anyone unless it was Lucy. He wouldn't accept anyone else to be his wife. He loved her, and he badly wanted to start a family with her, and spend his life with her. He'd already made up his mind to ask her to marry him.
"It won't be any fun if you don't come" he whined. Lucy smiled. "I'll do my best" she said. Natsu sighed. "Ok. I'm saving my first dance for you" he said grinning. Lucy chuckled. "That's sweet of you" she smiled. She leaned up and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. Natsu raised his hand to stroke her cheek, smiling into the kiss. They broke apart, smiling at each other. "Bye" Lucy said walking away backwards.
Before she could pull her hands away from his, Natsu pulled her towards him and slammed his lips into hers furiously, arms wrapping firmly around her. Lucy flung her arms around her neck, kissing him back fiercely. "Bye" Natsu whispered against her lips. They detached themselves then they both went in opposite directions, waving at each other, hearts soaring with joy and stupid grins unmoving on their faces.
Natsu's parents got seriously concerned once he first entered the castle. For one thing, he had a ginormous grin on his face. They didn't think they'd ever seen him smile as wide in his life before. But more importantly, he was skipping through the doors. If you know Natsu Dragneel, you'll know he DOESN'T SKIP. EVER. So of course, his parents were concerned.
He gave them both a huge smile and said "Hi guys!" Igneel and Grandine looked him, then at each other then Igneel turned to one of the maids and said "Did you put something in his food this morning?" Natsu ignored them and ran up the stairs yelling "Can't talk I have to get ready for the ball". Igneel spat out the water he was drinking and Grandine looked up at Natsu. "Natsu sweetie" she started nervously. "The ball is in 10 hours". "I know, that's why I don't have much time" Natsu replied. He had to look his best for Lucy. "Who the hell are you and what have you done with my son?" Igneel yelled up the stairs at him. Natsu only grinned down at them.