Chapter 5: The Incident

(Lucy's POV)

"Hey Gramps I forgot to ask ya somethin . . . Huh? Yeah she's right here with me. I took her out to eat . . . What? . . . What do you mean he's hurt? . . . Someone broke in?! . . . Well call the cops! . . . I can't leave Luce! . . . But! . . . Fine! We'll be right there! Make sure he's ready to come with us!" Natsu slams his phone on the table and he breathes deeply.

"Natsu? What's wrong?" I ask worrying about him. And what did he mean by someone broke in? Broke in where?

"Luce . . . we have to go. I'm sorry, I'll make this up to you. It's just something came up back at home, and you're coming with me—if that's okay of course."

I nod and stand up, "Let's go."

With that, we rush to his car and he speeds through the streets. His hands gripped the steering wheel, tightly. He past the city speed limits, and he was cursing under his breath.

I finally start to speak, "Natsu! Slow down! The cops are going to pull you over!"

Natsu ignores me and I feel frustrated. This must be important. He stops in front of a red light tapping his fingers on the steering wheel. I slam my fist on the dashboard of his car. "Natsu! Tell me what's going on! You're going to get pulled over if you keep going through the streets like some kind of maniac."

Natsu sighed heavily and faced me, "Someone broke into my condo and kicked my cat, leaving him with a broken rib. Then, that person stole something of mine that's important and stole the one thing I had that belonged to my dad."

I ask shyly, "What is that important thing?"

Natsu stayed quiet and didn't answer. The light turns green and he bolts. "Let's just say it's something I use to do before I met you."

My eyes widened as his eyes returned to the road. What did he mean by that? "Hey Natsu?"

He replies with a 'hmm?'

"What was that thing that belonged to your dad?" I ask looking at him. I could see his jaw clenched and his hands tightened harder on the steering wheel. I shouldn't have asked him.

"A White Scarf." Was all he says. A scarf? His father left him a scarf? "It looked like white dragon scales stitched into a scarf."

I nod casually and watch the road. He slows down as I saw a garage lot near a huge building. There was a cop car spotted in the entrance. Natsu parks his car on a spot that says 'Parking Space 7'. Natsu quickly turns his car off and he sits there.

"Natsu, are you okay?" I ask worrying about him. This thing must be really important.

"Let's just go before I bust a fuse." He says coldly. He sighs softly and looks at me, "I'm sorry Lucy, for my sudden outburst, I can't think correctly."

I nod and smile softly, "It's okay, Natsu. Let's go and check out what happened. Maybe there's some evidence that we could find."

He nods slowly and walks out of his car. I open the car door but was helped out of the car by Natsu. I blush softly and we head towards the elevator. He locks his car before the elevator door closes. He pushes a button that says 7. We wait patiently and the elevator eventually stopped on the fifth floor. A man entered observing Natsu and I, and entered the elevator. He pushed the seventh floor as well. He walks next to me, and I could've sworn I heard a low growl coming from Natsu.

"Beautiful day isn't it?" The man says huskily. He looks at me and I noticed his features. Black hair with dark brown eyes looking as if it was black. He was wearing a black t-shirt and some black jeans with black nike shoes. Jeez, that's a lot of black.

I smile warmly and answer his question, "Uh, sure?"

I hear Natsu making a groaning—no growling noise. The man spoke again, "The name's Rogue. I moved in the building just recently."

I chuckle nervously, "Lucy, and welcome to the neighborhood—I guess you can say." I offer my hand and he shakes it with a smile.

"Did you hear of the incident? Some person broke in someone's condo and left some kind of letter. The guy's cat was kicked and started bleeding as if something stabbed his little stomach." Rogue explains and I saw Natsu glaring at him . . . and me?

"O-Oh . . . poor cat." Was all I manage to say.

The elevator stops at floor 7 and Natsu grabs my wrist. I say quickly, "It was nice knowing you!"

Rogue returned the gesture and Natsu drags me to his condo. He's running, to be more specific.

We run all the way to a room that says '7' on it. He slams the door open and yells, "Where's Happy?!"

There were two cops next to Makarov, and there's a veterinarian carrying a blue furred cat. Before Natsu runs to the cat, I run towards him and observe his condition. I ask the veterinarian, "May I please carry him?"

The long silvered hair woman nods, "Yes you may, but if it's no trouble, can you please help me out with the stitching?"

I nod and take the little cat in my arms petting him carefully. I see the cat—Happy's blue fur having small smears of blood and his white fur from his stomach had blood dripping. I look behind me and I could see Natsu looking down at the floor with clenched fists. I walk up some stairs and it reveals Natsu's room. The veterinarian was inside walking back and forth with some supplies laid on the bed. I lay Happy on the bed and the woman takes out a needle and slowly injects it on Happy's stomach. The cat meowed softly and his eyes closed.

My eyes widen, "DID YOU JUST PUT HIM TO SLEEP?!" I could feel tears running down my cheek. I couldn't stand the way Natsu looked when he entered the room.

The woman stiffened and she shook her hands side to side nervously, "No! This makes the patient fall asleep until I finish the stitching of his wound."

I sigh in relief, "I'm sorry for the yell, I'm just worried."

"I understand, but if I may ask, who are you?" She cocks her head to the side in confusion. "It's just Mr. Dragneel lives alone, and I was just wondering."

I avoid contact and smile nervously, "I'm Natsu's fiance—Lucy Heartfilia."

She nods and she smiles a bit, "I'm Mirajane. But you can call me, Mira."

I nod, "So, how can I help, Mira?"

Mira observes Happy's wound by touching his wound and checking the size and the blood loss. "You can help me stitch up his wound and then we'll take him a quick shower before he wakes up."

I agree and Mira takes out some oils and aids to clean and disinfect Happy's wound. After she finishes she grabs a needle and some thread and passes me the needle. She clears a way between Happy's fur and wound for me to stitch. I gulp nervously and begin to stitch his wound. After I finished, I quickly pass the needle towards Mira.

"Thank you Lucy. I'm sure Mr. Dragneel would be very happy that you helped." Mira says smiling.

"I am actually—but a little bit more than happy." A voice says behind us. I whip my head towards that direction and see a pink fluff of hair. Natsu was leaning against the door frame.

Mira says smiling, "I'm going to take Happy a quick shower, while you two talk and catch up."

Natsu nods and smiles softly, "Thanks Mira."

Soon, the bathroom door was closed shut and Natsu walks towards me. He stops in front of me and pushes a strip of hair behind my ear. "I appreciate you helping Happy. Thanks a lot Luce."

I blush a bit and smile, "It wasn't a problem."

That's when I was pulled against something warm. I look up and Natsu was hugging me, so I hugged him back. He nestled his head on top of my shoulder. He was taller than me so I guess it's easier for him.

"This whole day is just so wrong. First off, it's your first day to work and you were smuggled by this marriage. Then, it was the incident with your father. Now, I tried to take you to lunch to get to know you, but it just ended up to this big mess. So, I'm sorry Lucy. I'm sorry that you were dragged into all of this. You must think this is the worst day for everything . . . and I understand if you want to stop the marriage—"

I interrupt him and looked at him seriously, "Stop right there. Natsu, I chose to agree to this marriage, I chose to deal with that incident with my father, and I chose to stick with you and this problem. So, you didn't drag me anywhere, I chose this all. I decided to stay with you, and that's how it'll be. I'll stay with you through all the ups and downs that will happen in our lives because I chose to marry you. Get it through your thick skull Natsu, that I chose to do all this."

Natsu smiles and places a kiss on my forehead. "You're making it easier to like you. Thanks again Lucy."

I smile, "What's with all the thank you's and sorry's? Just accept that I'll stay with you."

Natsu's smile faded. "I have to explain my past to you . . . but you'd probably leave me after."

I frown, "Hey, it's all in the past. What's in the past stays in the past. It already happened and I or you can't change that. All you have to worry about is what you do now. I have a past as well, but one day everything will be revealed and we'll have each other to care for. So, it's fine."

Mira appears and she reveals a happy blue cat that's awake. "Looks like the medicine wore off in the shower. He's all good now! He had no broken ribs though, it was just a little stab wound. Feed him and make sure he's hydrated, because this little fella is a fighter and a survivor."

I smile and kneel down to the floor, slipping out of Natsu's grasp. "Come here, Happy." The small blue cat meowed and walks towards me. I carefully pick him up and cradle him against my arms. "Hi Happy! You heard that? You're like a hero!"

Happy meowed happily as if it sounded like he said 'Aye'. I smile and he purrs. Natsu kneels next to me and that's when we hear a giggle coming from Mira.

"This is so my new OTP. Natsu and Lucy . . . NaLu!" Mira squeals and fangirls at the same time.

"Ah, I forgot to explain. Mira is a matchmaker . . . and a fangirl when it comes to couples and stuff like that. She's also a friend of mine since childhood. She works at 8 Islands and as a veterinarian. She's Lisanna's big sister. " Natsu says with a grin.

I smile, "I see."

Mira squeals once again, holding her hands together. "I think you two make a perfect couple! It's actually better than you being married to Lisanna."

I stiffen, "You were married before?"

Natsu scratches the back of his neck, "Heh, yeah but it didn't last long. Can we speak of my past when the time comes please?"

I smile softly, "Of course."

Mira squeals once again, "It's a good thing you're experienced Natsu." And she ended it with a wink.

"Eh?" I was confused.

Natsu clears his throat loudly, "Okay, let's go back to the situation please."

"So, what happened?" I ask changing the subject.

"The cameras in the living room were turned off for some reason. I'm the only one who knew the password, but I don't know. Someone hacked the system and came inside the condo. That person kicked happy and I guess something—or that person stabbed him. Then, they came into my room and stole my box of important stuff and they jacked my dad's scarf. Sick Bastard." Natsu growled at the end.

"So what are you going to do now?" I question. That's when Natsu frowns.

"I guess I have to live with that perverted stripper for a week." Natsu says. He was going to stay with Gray . . . he wouldn't last.

Then an idea popped out of my head, "Hey Natsu, I know this out of the blue, but how about you and Happy stay at my apartment?"

Mira squeals even more, making me blush darker. Natsu grins, "You really mean it, Luce? Isn't that weird though? You wouldn't mind right?"

I smile and reply, "Hey, I suggested it didn't I? Just stay over until this whole situation is done . . . besides, it'll make me feel even more comfortable to stay with you when the time comes for me to move in with you."

Natsu smiles and hugs me again, "Thanks Luce."

I smile, "No problem." That's when I spot a paper under Natsu's bed. I reach after it and it said 'Lucy and Natsu'. "Uh, Natsu?"

Natsu looks up and saw the letter in my hand. "Can I please see that?"

I nod and hand over the letter. A shiver runs down my spine, and I suddenly get goosebumps. Natsu opens up the letter and Mira goes with Happy to feed him. Natsu reveals a letter in cursive.

He reads aloud, "Dear Mr. and Mrs. Dragneel, I see that you found my letter. I'm glad you two witnessed what I've done to that piece of shit that you call a cat, and the fact that I took your box and your scarf, Natsu. As for an explanation to that, you're just going to have to wait for the time to come. Miss Lucy, if you knew my identity, then you know me very well and I know that you're engaged to Natsu Dragneel. One of these days, I will see you again and you will find something that belongs inside of Natsu's box. Natsu, time is ticking for you to explain your past to Miss Lucy . . . and I hope you reveal every single one of your dirty secrets. Especially the o—" Natsu stops reading and crumples the paper in anger.

I clench the hem of my pencil skirt and tremble under each and every word that Natsu read. "How could they do that? How could they be so heartless and steal? Why would they hurt Happy and why would they hurt you?! This is all my fault! All I do is cause people pain and it always leads to something bad! Why is life so difficult for me to live in? Why is everything going so bad for me? I moved here from Hargeon to get a new fresh start, and now everything is ending the same! I'm . . . I'm sorry Natsu!" Tears begin to run down my cheeks.

"Lucy! This isn't your fault! Whoever this sick bastard is, we'll find him! Just don't blame yourself! You're kind, beautiful, generous, and warm hearted! You're unique in your own way, and me just witnessing you cry is breaking me inside. I like seeing you smile, and I know it just sounds crazy on the first day I met you, but everytime you smile, you have that twinkle in your eyes. I know you must've lived a horrible past, but don't beat yourself up. You're with me. I'll always protect you . . . whether you like it or not! So stop beating yourself up!" Natsu says and hugs me.

That's when something hits me. "Some person broke in someone's condo and left some kind of letter." How did Rogue know about the letter?

"Rogue!" I instantly yell a bit too loud.

"What?" Natsu asks worried.

"Rogue mentioned someone leaving a letter in your room, and no one knew about the letter until I found it." I say.

Natsu's jaw clenched and he sits on his bed, "You could've just said his name not yell it out."

"I'm sorry I did—"

"The only name that I want ya to scream out is mine," Natsu says rubbing his chin casually.

I instantly blush, "P-Pervert!"

"Oi, I'm just saying, after all you're my wife." He says.

It's been three days after the incident in Natsu's condo. After I yelled Rogue's name, Natsu explained to the cops that Rogue mentioned about the letter. The cops decided to question us both of people who might be suspects. But, the only people they have is Sting, Rogue, and my father, Jude. They said they'd look into it, and they told us we couldn't stay here for two weeks or less, until everything is cleared and they have all the evidence they needed. After that, Natsu packed things for him and Happy and we all decided to make an arrangement with the marriage conditions. Natsu decided that moving in would start now, and that the marriage would still be in four months, but he made a date for the new heir, but he said I didn't need to worry about it since he gave us four years for that. In my opinion, that was a really long time, but I guess it's because all the troubles we've been going through.

Natsu then moved in with me and brought Happy along. My apartment is mostly filled with my things combined with Natsu's and well now, it's normal. But then again, what is normal?

Natsu was sleeping in my room—Oh did I mention that we sleep together in the same bed? I mean he suggested to sleep in the living room where the couch is, but he suffered the first night. Unfortunately, when I woke up in the middle of that night, he was literally freezing, which was odd since he has abnormal body heat. So I woke him up and told him to sleep next to me . . . but when I woke up I was in his arms and he didn't let me get up. We didn't really get to know each other as much as I thought. We were always busy working or running errands. The only thing I know about Natsu is that he likes red, his hair is naturally pink—salmon, he grew up with an admiration for dragons, and Makarov adopted him after his dad, Igneel, left him because of some reason with Natsu's mother. He told me all his fights with Gray and how he met each and every single one of his friends, and how he found Happy the night that his dad left him.

Natsu grew up with Happy and was left at the age of 7. Makarov found Natsu and Happy wandering around a night club, but I still wonder what Makarov was doing there. I explained to Natsu that my favorite color was pink and that I grew up loving stars because of my mom. My mother would show me each constellation that she knew, and she'd tell me stories about them. Back home in Hargeon, I had nine notebooks filled with notes and observations that I've recorded from each star I witnessed. I told him I love reading, and I love music. I told him that the only friend that I loved as a sister was Levy McGarden . . . which right now she's currently in Paris for another month, since she's studying language and culture.

My thoughts were then snapped out when I heard Happy meowing.

"Meow." Happy says pouncing around the kitchen. If Happy was awake then so was—

"Morning Luce!" Natsu says with a toothy grin. I look towards him and I notice that he's only in some sweatpants and shirtless. I blush and toss him his shirt that was hanging on one of the kitchen chairs.

"Put a shirt on, Natsu." I say calmly, trying to hide my uncomfortableness.

He grins and obeys, "Alright Luce. Did ya sleep well?"

I smile and respond, "Of course I did. Even though I almost kicked you off the bed, Happy was a great cuddling partner."

Natsu chuckles, "That wasn't Happy. You were hugging my head in between your . . . uh . . . breasts."

I blush a deeper shade of red, "Why didn't you stop me?!"

"Because you were massaging my head and I felt comfortable . . . until you kneed me on my sensitive part after I tried to hug ya. You're a crazy sleeper. Weirdo." Natsu said scratching his head.

I glare at Natsu, "Shut it. Oh, I made breakfast, so hurry up and eat since we only have an hour to get ready and go to work."

Natsu nods after I serve him his plate of eggs, bacon, grits, and sausage. (A/N: See what I did there?)

"Thanks Luce!" He bites into the food and moans in delight. "So good!"

I sit across from Natsu on the two chaired kitchen table. I begin to eat as well. I stand up and grab the two glasses of freshly squeezed orange juice and hand one to Natsu, "Don't choke."

He smiles once again, "Thanks Luce."

I sit back to my chair and start to eat. I was about to speak until Natsu's phone starts to ring. Natsu picks up his phone and he sees the caller id. "Hold on, Luce." He answers the phone and puts it on speaker for the both of us to hear. "Yeah, morning Gramps."

"Natsu! How's staying with Lucy going?" Makarov asks.

"It's great, just eating some breakfast, as we speak." He responds. "Say hi, Luce!"

I swallow my food and obey, "Morning Mister Dreyar."

Makarov chuckles into the phone, "Lucy, how many times do I have to say, stop being so formal and start calling me Makarov . . . or even better, Dad!"

Natsu groans, "Don't push it old man. Was that the only reason you called?"

Makarov clears his throat, "No actually, the police said that you could return to the condo. They said that everything is cleared and everything is fine."

I softly smile and say, "That's great news!"

Natsu groans once again, "Aww! But I liked Luce's place!"

I laugh, "Oh Natsu."

Natsu's phone rings again and another call was coming through.

"I have to go, Gramps. See ya." He clicks and answers the other call and forgets to take the speaker off.

"Hi Natsu! It's Lisanna!" The high pitched voice said. Natsu's eyes widened at the voice.

"Uh . . . hi? Why the sudden call, Lis?" Natsu asks with his mouth full.

"Hey, I was wondering, tonight's Mira-nee's Birthday Party, and she wanted you to come to her other job at 8 Islands and pick up some stuff. She also invited Lucy." Lisanna says in the phone.

"Ah, alright. Hey Luce, wanna come to the party?" He asks me.

I respond, "Of course, I'd love to attend Mira's party."

"Alright it's settled then, we'll be there." Natsu says biting into some bacon.

"Be here at five sharp! Erza will be here too." Lisanna says and with that, Natsu starts to shiver.

"A-Aye!" Natsu says nervously.

"See you two there!" Lisanna responds and hangs up.

Happy pounces on the table with the mail. For a cat, he's very obedient. "Thank you Happy."

I go through the mail and I see an envelope that's directed towards Natsu and I. "Look, a letter for the both of us. It's from . . . Erza Fernandes?"

"AW SHIT!" Natsu yells in fear.

A/N: That's chapter 5! I hope you enjoyed, and I made the chapter extra long for all you peeps! Can you believe it? 1000 views in just two weeks? I'm so happy! Thank you all and I hope you enjoy the chapter!

Next Chapter: Sting's Introduction

~Lucy Heartfilia92003