Hey guys! Happy 4th! Sorry it's been so long i honestly had no idea what to write on this chapter but the next few chapters should be coming in faster and may be a little longer. ;D thanx for sticking with me enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail or Hunger Games

Lucy sat on the green bed messing her with her fingers. She thought over what Karen told her. Suddenly she let out a sharp laugh.

"Me, be the key to freedom, what a ridiculous joke." She said then lay back against the comfortable mattress.

It's not a joke, Lucy. Masa chided. Lucy sighed and lifted her hand.

"I can't be the Fairy Key, Masa." She whispered then mumbled, "It's impossible." Lucy threw her arms over her face.

"Well, I wouldn't say impossible." A new voice came from the door way. Lucy shot up and instantly recognized the salmon hair.

"N-N-Natsu! What are you doing in my room?!" She stammered her eyes wide. Natsu tried to contain his laughter but failed miserably. "You shoulda seen your face." He gasped bent over holding his stomach. Lucy huffed and put her hands on her hips.

"You scared me." She pouted. Natsu sobered up a large grin on his face. He put his hands up as if he were surrendering.

"Sorry, my bad." Lucy nodded but remained quiet as did Natsu. They stayed like this for a long time before Lucy heard Masa clear his throat.

"So, um, about how I was acting before sorry about that." Natsu rushed then bowed from the waist. "I promise I won't ever be like that again so please be welcome to be my partner!"

It's not really a choice, Lucy thought. She heard Masa sigh.

Oh, just forgive him already and let's move on!

Lucy smirked at Masa's irritated voice. Wow, Masa I never knew you could be this enthusiastic. Masa huffed but remained quiet. Lucy looked back at Natsu who was still bowed. She walked over and put a hand on his left shoulder.

"It's okay, Natsu." She said smiling brightly at him. Natsu popped up and returned the smile. "Well, let's go." He said then turned and started walking down the hall. Lucy froze for half of a second then shouted after him. "Go where!"

Natsu looked over his shoulder. "The dining car. We get to see who were competing against there."

Lucy nodded and jogged to catch up with him. They walked in silence for a while before Lucy asked, "Why were you in the Games five years straight?"

Natsu stopped walking. "I was waiting for you." He mumbled then continued on. Lucy gave him a confused look.

"Me? Why?"

Natsu took a long breath. "Because you're the Fairy Key whether you like it or not. Now can we please stop talking about this."

The two reached the dining car without another word. When they entered they immediately saw purple hair. Masa groaned. Oh, no not this one. Effie turned around to see the two tributes. She smiled happily.

"Well, we sure do have pretty tributes this year don't we."

A grunt was heard from the couch behind her. Lucy looked over and saw Karen and Makarov staring at the two. Karen motioned for them to take a seat in front of the Lacrima screen. Lucy sat on the edge by Karen while Natsu plopped down on the floor in front of Lucy's legs. Before Lucy could react, Effie snapped her fingers and that mornings reaping appeared on the screen.

"Tributes One: Rogue Cheney and Katja." Lucy stared at Katja's picture. She was so little. Lucy saddened a bit at the thought that she wouldn't make it to the end of the games.

"Tributes Two: Sting Eucliffe and Eve Tearm."

"Tributes Three: Gajeel Redfox and Levy McGarden." Lucy heard a short laugh come from Natsu and Makarov. She gave a questioning look to Karen who shook her head and mouthed "Later." Lucy nodded then remained silent for the rest of the program. Only a few snorts now and then came from Natsu but other than that no one spoke.

"Tributes Four: Ultear Milkovich and Gray Fullbuster."

"Tributes Five: Meredy and Juvia Lockser."

"Tributes Six: Zancrow and Dan Straight."

"Tributes Seven: Midnight and Bickslow."

"Tributes Eight: Flare Corona and Coco."

"Tributes Nine: Azuma and Elfman Strauss."

"Tributes Ten: Cobra and Mary Hughes."

"Tributes Eleven: Loke and Sue."

"Tributes Twelve: Natsu Dragneel and Lucy Heartfilia."

The screen went black after the last tributes where called.

Well, this year should be interesting. Masa said gravely. Lucy raised an eyebrow.

What do you mean by interesting? Masa?

Masa kept quiet making Lucy sigh. She looked down at Natsu who had a serious look on his face.

"Natsu, are you…" A rumbling growl came from his stomach before Lucy was able to finish. He glanced back at Lucy and grinned.

"Oi, Effie clone when are we gonna eat." He demanded rather than asked. Purple haired Effie looked appalled by his abruptness but she quickly pulled herself back together.

"Dinner should be ready for us now. Come follow." The Effie clone guided the group to a round mahogany table filled with a variety of fruits, meats, and desserts. Lucy sat in between Natsu and Karen who immediately began putting food on their plates and shoving it into their mouths. Lucy calmly picked up a chicken leg then put it on her plate. She started cutting it when she heard Effie sigh.

"Well, we at least have one person with good manners."

Lucy looked around the table to her mentors and her partner. Natsu was studying her to see if she would do anything. Her mentors held knowing smiles.

Do it. Masa prodded in her mind. Lucy smirked then grabbed the chicken leg and smashed it to her mouth devouring it hungrily. Once she finished she let out a loud burp which caused everyone except for Effie to burst out in laughter.

"Looks like she's got some guts after all." Makarov said with a happy smile. Lucy grinned back at him and looked to Natsu whose face was red from laughing.

"What do you know you maybe my partner after all. Now watch a pro." He said then stuck his knife into the wood of the table. Every one froze as Effie's once plaster white face turned red in an instant. "That was mahogany!" She cried. Lucy giggled then continued eating all the while looked at Effie disgusted face as she left the table. After dinner was finished Natsu and Lucy headed back to their rooms.

"Natsu?" Lucy said as they reached her door.
"Hmm."

"Thanks."

Natsu gave her a weird look. "For what?"

Lucy smiled brightly at him. "Waiting this long. Sorry it couldn't be sooner."

Natsu grinned happily. "No problem. And don't worry about it. It's basically my fault for not choosing your name." Lucy nodded then entered her room. "Night, partner." Natsu laughed and waved as he walked back towards his room.

Lucy sighed and shut the door. She walked towards the bathroom after getting a pair of pajamas from the dresser near her bed. She stood under the spray of hot water and relished in its warmth. Not even her house had this hot of water unless they boiled it. Lucy lifted up her right hand and stared at the mark.

"Key of Hope and Freedom." Lucy sighed then turned off the water. After dressing herself, she went into the bedroom and shut off the lights. Lucy climbed into the plush green bed and snuggled down into the covers.

Masa, why me?

Like I said before Lucy, I cannot tell you that. Lucy scoffed. "Some help you are." She yawned then drifted off to sleep and dreamed she was back in the forest with Cana and Li. All the while a white cloud watched her as she slept before disappearing into thin air.

The next morning Lucy woke up to Natsu glaring down at her. She let out a high-pitched yell and threw a pillow at his face.

"Natsu! What are you doing in my room!" She yelled. Natsu shot up and yelled back. "I'm getting you for breakfast and to tell you we're almost to the capital."

Lucy nodded and sat up. "Fine. I'm coming." Natsu left the room mumbling something about his face and the pillow. Lucy let out a small laugh and grabbed the new clothes that were laid out for her. She slipped on the pink tank top with black straps and a black miniskirt with a gray belt and gold buckle. She tied her hair with a red ribbon so that the shorter part of her hair stuck out. One single red finger-less glove was on the dresser with a note on it.

To cover the mark-

Karen.

Lucy put the glove on her right hand after reading the note. Lucy also spotted the Fairy Key and pinned that to the waist band of her skirt. After she grabbed a pair of low red heels, Lucy headed out of her room towards the dining room. When she got there Natsu was staring out the window with both mentors at his side. Karen looked around him and saw Lucy arrive.

"Lucy come here." She ordered. Lucy sighed and walked over. Karen motioned for her to look out the window. Lucy gasped as she spotted beautiful tall buildings come into view.

"Don't be fooled by their appearance remember that it's their fault you're here." Karen whispered in her ear then dragged her to the table. She shoved a croissant into her hand.

"Eat. You don't have much time." She said then walked away. Lucy quickly spread a gold colored jam over the bread and shoved it into her mouth. She almost groaned at it being so good but she decided against it. She turned and saw that Natsu stood at the window alone. She walked over right as the train went through the tunnel of the city.

"Here we go." Natsu muttered then plastered a giant smile on his face. Lucy looked at him strangely then she heard yelling. She looked out the window and saw a sea of colors. Lucy blinked then looked again and saw it was the people of the capital. Natsu began to wave at them as they yelled his name. Lucy looked to Karen.

"If you want sponsors I suggest you follow hothead over there." She said nonchalantly.

"I heard that." Natsu said tightly but never stopped waving. Lucy stepped up beside him and lifted her hand. The people screamed even more as both tributes waved at them. Soon they were back in another tunnel. The smile dropped from Natsu face. Lucy watched as he sat down in one of the wooden chairs. Suddenly the train slowed to a complete stop. Lucy had to grip the wall to balance herself. After a few moments of quiet, guards came in and escorted Lucy and Natsu out of the train and into a large room with people in white doctor jackets stood waiting for them.

Natsu bent to whisper in Lucy's ear. "Get ready to go through hell."

Good luck, Lucy. Masa spoke sincerely. Lucy gulped as she was lead to a table with people from the capital staring at her like she was a dirty object. One with yellow hair sighed.

"She's not as bad as usual." The one with pink hair nodded.

"Yes, maybe we got lucky this year." She said then snapped on some plastic gloves. "Let's get started."