Minna! My doves, my darlings! (Angry mob rises again) Ahhhh! I'm sorry! I have a chapter! Please read before you attack me! (Quickly slips away to write more) I'm sorry about the inconsistency. I actually have the next few chapters planned out and partially written, soooo yeah! Please show me your patience. I love you minna!

Anyway, DISCLAIMER! I do NOT own Fairy Tail! All those rights go to Master Hiro Mashima! I only own the plot! Enjoy!

Chapter 26

Natsu's POV

I walked down the hallway toward my room with a newfound determination. It was time to take action and I was ready to move the rebellion in the right direction. I just had to let Gray know. Although, what I saw when I entered my room made my mind blank of the speech I had been preparing the minute I left the musky tunnel.

I opened my door and saw Gray sitting on the floor with a strange woman. When the door opened, they craned their necks simultaneously toward me. I frowned.

"Hello," I greeted hesitantly.

"Natsu, you're back," Gray exclaimed, standing up. He planted a kiss on my cheek but I was still distracted by the woman. She cleaned up what seemed like a first aid kit on the floor.

"What's going on here?" I asked. "Who is this?"

Gray frowned. "This is-"

"No one. I'm a servant of Zeref. I was told to watch over him while you and my Master were preoccupied. Please excuse me young Master Dragneel, I will take my leave." She placed the kit on the desk and quickly scooted around us and out the door.

"Alright then…There's something I have to tell you," I said.

"What is it?

"Let's sit down first. I'll call for some food." He frowned but walked over to the bed. I pulled on one of the ropes. A few minutes later a slave came I sent him to retrieve some food.

I recalled what I was thinking while coming here, how I would break the news. It hasn't been long since I brought him in, his poor mind might not being able to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation.

Or at least I thought.

"Yeah, the servant that was in here was instructed by Master Zeref to introduce the idea to me so that it was easier for me to take it with you. Good thing too, cause I….kind of…..punched her…." He told me.

I looked at him wide eyed, momentarily forgetting what else was mentioned. "You punched a girl?" He looked away sheepishly. Then I burst out laughing.

"That's hilarious!" I bent over, holding my abdomen, tears streaming down my face. When I looked up again a few moments later, he stood rigid, dumbstruck. This only made me laugh harder.

"Well, I suppose better her than me. Punching me would've probably ended badly." I grinned at him but he remained stiff. My laughter dwindled as I realized what I said.

"Oh…wait…that's not what I meant…..I meant…..at least I think…..I would never give you punishment…..I just thought…." I stuttered continuously until I felt him come closer and wrap his arms around me. I sighed and hugged him back.

I sighed and pulled away a few minutes later. "Anyway, since you know, that saves a lot of explaining. But did she mentioned how we might be the next incarnation?"

He smiled. "Yeah, she mentioned that. But she didn't elaborate." I frowned at the sudden discomfort. I felt bad. I guess he was still stuck on the comment.

"That's good. Well, if it's true, then we're gonna have to do something. I'm supposed to look over some invitations for some parties. Apparently I have to woo some more politicians into the antislavery side. Now that dads officially joined, he's going to set a document to ban slavery, you know, use his status and stuff."

Gray gave me a grim expression. "Is it ok for me to do something like that? I wouldn't know what to do." I smiled and held his cheek.

"You won't have to do anything. We'll dress you and you'll just stand there looking pretty," I joked. He narrowed his eyes but didn't say anything. "And besides, you won't have to worry about it yet." A knock sounded. I went over to let the slave in with the cart of food. I closed the door and brought it to the bed. "Dad says he'll be going to the parties for now. Then we'll make our entrance later on, which gives you plenty of time to learn manners and to learn to read. Ok?" He frowned but nodded.

We directed our attention to the food. It was becoming more extravagant with every meal. Initially I had Gray start on blander food before moving on to something with more flavor and spice. He was so skinny. It was weird to think about how little time has passed yet so much has happened.

When we finished we cuddled on the bed. It was nice. I haven't had many friends that genuinely stuck around at school, so I never had a sentimental relationship. Of all the people in this world, I've finally met someone who seemed to like me for me.

When I took Gray in, I had a feeling he would milk me for what I was worth, especially when I found out how the field slaves were being treated. I was prepared to send him back when he healed, but I don't know what it was. After the kiss something sparked in me. Something that felt so right. I couldn't quite place what it was, but I'm so grateful for it now.

We continued to caress each other, snuggling into each other. It was strange, but I was grateful. I felt him shift and a kiss being planted on my head. I smiled and tilted my head up and took his lips in mine.

"You feel amazing," I whispered. I climbed up on him and rested my head on his chest.

"You too," he commented, holding me tighter. He sniffed my hair. "You smell good too."

I sighed. I closed my eyes for a bit then opened them and looked to my desk, making note of the papers that had piled up plus some new documents the slave must have dropped off. I really did not want to look at everything.

After the meeting, dad insisted I reread the reports from the attacks. I did not understand why, but if he was having me look it over, it must be something important…

Lucy's POV

Some slaves guided me down the hallways towards a parlor with a phone. Crux had called my home early with results of the poison. The Master Dragneel insisted on a full analysis of the poison. I did not understand why, but I knew it was best to provide it.

I still have not figured out why the attackers would use poison. It was such a strange tactic. Normally, with the difference in strength, the Mortus are capable of subduing Bistros with weapons and their bare hands. Why poison? Why something subtle like that?

I was snapped out of my thoughts when the servants opened the door. There was a phone waiting for me along with Loke. I smiled to him then picked up the receiver.

"Hello?"

"Miss Lucy? I have additional test results. It seems the poison isn't lethal."

"It's not lethal?"

"No. It has a strange make-up with a lot of ingredients I'm not completely familiar with, but much is derived from paralysis ingredients. It seems to enter the blood stream, leads to the brain but then leave quickly afterwards."

"I don't understand. If it only paralyzes then why not use something less complicated and easier to get."

"I'm sorry Miss Lucy. I wish I knew but I'm only a scientist. I cannot speculate why, only what is given."

"I see. Is there anything else?"

"I'm afraid not, miss. I'll let you know if I find anything else."

"Thank you Crux." I placed the phone down, completely baffled. A paralysis poison?

"Everything ok, Lucy?" Loke asked, taking my hand in his. I smiled to him.

"I don't know," I told him, sitting down on one of the chairs.

Are they trying to make a statement? I wondered. I hunched over, holding my head in my hand. No, they're smarter than that. So why paralysis?

I felt something against my cheek. I looked up seeing Loke handing a kerchief to me. I took it and dabbed my face delicately. I did not realize I was sweating this much.

Suddenly a knock sounded. I looked up. Loke placed a hand on my shoulder and squeezed it. I reached back and returned the gesture as the door opened. The person who came in was not the one I was expecting.

"Hello again, Miss Heartfilia," Zeref Black greeted with a smile. I stood up. I looked behind him and saw a woman with strange, violet eyes.

"Can I help you, Mister Black?"

"I've only concern. You seem pale and you left the meeting so quickly afterwards."

"I had an urgent call. Nothing for you to be worried over." I attempted to walk out and around him but he blocked me. I tensed.

"Is there something you need, Mister Black?"

"There is. Please excuse my rudeness, but will you please sit down with me?"

"It's rude to wander about a home that is not yours without an escort."

"I've already explained that we need privacy Miss Heartfilia. May I call you Lucy?"

"No. Miss Heartfilia will suffice," I replied coldly. I did not like where this was going. I could tell by Loke's posture that he did not either.

"Excuse my manners then. Please, let us sit down."

"Standing should be fine. I am wanted elsewhere, so will you please hurry this along?" He frowned.

"I see. Well, I was hoping you could inform me of the results of the tests with the poison." The poison?

"Why do you want to know that?"

"I have my reasons."

"I can't provide that kind of information without knowing why you need it." I attempted to try and edge away but refused to relent.

"It concerns the meeting we just had. It also concerns Master Dragneel. I will be relaying the information to him."

"Are you his servant?" I smiled internally from his irritated expression.

"Miss Heartfilia, I'm afraid you are still young to understand why I would need this information. Please, it is essential that you allow me to know what the test results were."

"Why don't you ask my father?"

"I did. He had other matters to attend to. Such as another attack has been made on your plantation. So he directed me to you." I grew annoyed myself until he mentioned the attack.

"There was another?"

"I'm afraid so. So if you please, let me know what your specialist has informed you."

I pressed my lips together. He was not going to let me go unless I told him, I knew that. Now I had to find father as well. I sighed in defeat.

"It's a paralysis poison. Some ingredients were found to be from my greenhouse, things that only the Heartfilias grow. There was also some other ingredients that we are not familiar with."

"Paralysis? Well, can you give me a list of the ingredients that were stolen from you? May I also have the number of the man who is analyzing the poison?" I looked him in disbelief.

"Is that really necessary?"

"Please, Miss Heartfilia. We can help solve the make-up of the poison of which you are not aware of."

We had a stare down. I did not like this man. I did not know if I could trust him. I soon came to realize that I had no choice.

I sighed once more. "Very well." I looked around the room and saw a pen and stationary sitting on one of the tables. I promptly wrote down the number to the lab.

"I cannot name the ingredients off the top of my head, but this is the number you will need. Ask for Crux. Tell him that I sent you and explain what you need."

Zeref smiled gratefully. "I appreciate your cooperation Miss Heartfilia. I apologize for troubling you." He stepped aside and let me through.

"Call the man and get the ingredients," I heard him say behind me.

"Take me to my father," I instructed the servant. She bobbed her head.

Natsu's POV

I sat at my desk, my eyebrows scrunched together. I had just finished my time with Gray, who was now passed out on my bed. My back was sore but I ignored it, too focused on the information in front of me.

One of the servants just mentioned there was another attack on the Heartifilia Plantation. More slaves were dead and there was a party searching for the culprits. I was on edge. What if they came here?

I looked behind me to the dark haired slave. He is mine, but he is also a target. After all that was happening, it was only a matter of time before the attackers return here. They would no doubt try to look for Gray. He was a scandal after all. Why wouldn't they come after him? I sighed.

That and all the invitations were really piling up. I was tempted to just return to bed and sleep my troubles away but the idea of the radicals coming…I knew I had to form a strategy.

I massaged my temples and looked back to the cards with fancy designs on them. Politicians were insisting on meeting Gray. Most likely to make them look better, give them more favorable votes for when elections come around. Even some of the council members were insisting I attend one of their fundraisers or parties. It made me sick.

However, as much as I wanted to rip them up and hole Gray up in my room all for me, I knew that was not wise. After all, if I attended those parties, the Antislavery Act can become more powerful and may even make it into law.

The problem was the proslavery activists on the council. It used to be unanimously pro, but after a while, as more council members were voted on and off, along with the changing views of the public, the council was becoming split almost half and half.

If I wanted Gray to be free, legally at least, I had to sway those members and the majority into antislavery, so that the law can be set and I can marry him.

Huh, marriage.

Before all this, the idea would have made me cringe, but now, the sound of it made me…happy. Just imagining all the details caused a flutter in my chest. I looked behind me again and that fluttering increased.

He looked so peaceful lying there. I thought about waking up to him every morning in bed, that same sleepy expression. Then those beautiful dark eyes opening, a quickly kiss on the lips.

Marriage. I could get used to being married to Gray.

I returned my gaze back to the papers in front of me. I ruffled through them, found some crisp, white paper and began writing my answers to the invitations, with one thought in mind: I will make this happen.

SOoooooooooo, how was it? I'm so sorry minna, please forgive my lateness! This is the first day I have off that doesn't include work or school. I wrote nonstop to get this up! I think I'm becoming delirious from staring at the screen for so long... Please forgive me!

Anyway, if you want, I would be eternally grateful if you left some sort of commentary! If not, I completely understand! I only hope that you are enjoying yourself so far! Also, if I forgot to comment to you please let me know eitehr review or pm! I believe I took care of everyone, even the ones I forgot...I'm sorry if I did! I love you Minna!

Anyway, until next time, Scarlet out! Love y'all!