"Come onnnnnnn Lucyyyyyy, what's the point in comin to the beach if you aren't gonna swim?!"

"Sunbathing Natsu, I don't do water remember" she peeked one eye open to look up at him, his pink bangs were dropping over his eyes already heavy from the sea he'd just come running out of to try to get her.

This was the fourth time he'd tried convincing his best friend to join him in the sea that day, he'd gotten very close at one point just by throwing her over his shoulder and running for the water. Thankfully Erza had come to her rescue punching him swiftly in the stomach so she could scramble back to her towel and book. She knew it was risky coming to the beach with him knowing how much he loves playing in the water, but what could she do? All her friends were going so she'd be totally alone if she hadn't gone, plus Natsu had given her such a pout all day yesterday at school until she'd relented and said yes.

"Yeah, yeah." He waved his hand down at her in a dismissive manner. "You scared of drowning or something? I won't let you drown Lucy, I'm half dragon remember - I can just fly you right on outta there" he jerked his thumb towards himself, puffing his chest out with his signature grin in place like he'd just solved all the problems in the world.

"Celestial guardians don't like the water Natsu, you go and have fun in the sea. Erza and Gray are in there - go play with them" she propped herself up on her hands, opening both eyes to look around at who was where to try to convince him to leave her alone.

He snorted at her, "Fire Dragons aren't exactly water creatures Luce but it's just so fun! Come onnnnn, just try it, pleeeeeeeease", full pout, hands clasped together in front of him AND he dropped to his knees so he was right in front of her leaning into her face - oh man she'd be a goner normally, he really knew how to push her buttons, his current state of dress in just his swim trunks was not helping her. She swallowed thickly and turned to her other side to grab her book trying to hide her blush from him.

"We could play frisbee or something when you're out on the beach, I'll read my book until then and then we can play. How about that?" she flashed him a quick smile then opened the book and buried her face in it willing her heart to slow down, praying his sensitive ears hadn't picked it up already.

"Yeah ok Luce" she heard him stand and walk away with a sigh of disappointment as she let out her own breath of relief that he'd finally left her alone. She knew coming to the beach was a risk, and where was Cana to help her out of this?! Likely drunk as usual and off swimming somewhere with Juvia no doubt, being a mermaid and water nymph they loved racing each other through the water. Not that Lucy could really blame her friend, after all she was sure Gray had spoke with Cana before Juvia arrived and likely asked her to do so as it was the only thing that seemed to distract the nymph. Whilst Lucy knew how much Gray really did like his girlfriend, she also knew he wasn't keen on public displays so this ploy was a way to keep Juvia distracted but also happy whilst they were out.

Natsu returned to the sea seemingly giving up on forcing Lucy in, she delved back into her book and the world around her faded away as she was submerged in the world between the pages. The fact Lucy got so lost in a book and unaware of her surroundings was something Natsu knew very well having been frustrated in the past how easily she'd ignore him. As such he was currently plotting with Gray how to use this to his advantage, Erza was suitably distracted with the arrival of Jellal at the beach and had left the water herself to greet him, Levy and Gajeel who'd all just turned up.

Pouncing on the opportunity whilst everyone else was distracted with their greetings Natsu pounced. Gray's only real part in this plan was if Erza was to launch to Natsu he had to put up an ice wall to stop her at least temporarily. He wouldn't usually involve himself in Natsu's plans but he wanted to go swimming with Juvia who he'd just spotted coming back into the cove they were in, and whilst Lucy wasn't occupying Natsu he was insistent on picking a fight with Gray, so it was a win-win.

Natsu had popped out of the ocean to the right of the group advancing up behind Lucy who was sat up still immersed in her book. He swiftly scooped her up earning a startled squeak from the blonde as her book dropped back down to her towel as she was thrown over Natsu's shoulder who was chuckling at his success - beelining for the sea.

All their noise attracted the attention of the others and Erza started charging for them, her glare fixed on Natsu who sped up in response and yelled to Gray who sealed off their path with an ice wall.

Lucy at this point was yelling at him to put her down as she could see the sea coming closer peering around his side, trying fruitlessly to scrabble away from him but his hold was like iron as he carried on victoriously.

As Natsu splashed into the shallows of the sea she thought her heart was going to beat out of her chest, blood pounding through in her ears leaving them ringing as her full panic set in. Her arms coiled around his middle in a vice grip and her eyes screwed tightly shut as she waited for the inevitable when the water would wash over her.

Although oblivious for the most part, Natsu was pretty in tune to Lucy and heard the sudden change in her heart rate, noticing she'd also started to shake against him he paused his path into the sea. He'd only wanted Lucy to enjoy the sea with him but her reactions seemed extreme, but he needed to see her to work out what was going on, he pried her arms apart and dropped her down so she slid down his front. Her legs acted on their own to wrap around him above his hips, her arms clinging around his neck with her chin rested on his shoulder.

"Luce?" He put one hand under her to keep her supported and ran the other in soothing circles on her back, he was beyond confused - they couldn't drown if they tried here, barely up to his knees in the water. At least Gray was upholding his end of the deal as they were still unbothered by the others, thankfully still trapped behind his wall much to Erza's clear fury as his swept a look back towards them. "Lucy, what's wrong?"

The wave of her panic attack was starting to pass, she could register Natsu's warm hand moving across her back and that he'd stopped his hell bent path into the sea finally so when he bumped his nose against her cheek she let out a shaky breath opening her eyes and leaning back slightly to be able to look at him - she was going to have to tell him something she realised, his confusion and worries etched across his features.

"I-I ccan't go Natsu. Not in the sea. It's dangerous for me. Please"

He reached up to brush the tears from her cheeks gently as she leant her forehead to his begging him to give up on his quest. He vaguely registered the cracking of Gray's ice meaning Erza would be on him shortly and Cana frantically yelling at him as she'd finally seen what was going on. Not wanting the wrath of either woman he pulled on his dragon magic making his wings appear intending to fly away with Lucy hoping she'd explain her utter fear of the sea, wrapping his arms around her again so she wouldn't dislodge in flight. With the appearance of his wings she smiled and hugged him again tucking her head against his neck whispering her thanks knowing he was going to get them out of there.

Before he could even think of flapping his wings though the water around him got really choppy and a force below the water swept against his calves sending him backwards into the water.

He still had his arms around her and hers were in turn still around his neck but her legs had been ripped away from him as soon as they came into contact with the water. He looked down towards his legs looking for whatever had managed to knock him off balance only to find his eyes widen and jaw drop in surprise finding instead the reason Lucy's legs were no longer around him, for in the place of legs he found a deep pink tail that sparkled in the sunshine and she was looking at him with a face of terror and shame.

"I'm sorry for not telling you Natsu. But please - - I don't want to go back"

His jaw snapped back shut again, grip tightening around her back as his other arm went to hook under her tail moving to stand and get them both out of the water. Tail or no tail, she was still his best friend and she wanted to leave.

The water had another plan in mind and before he could grab her fully, it latched on around Lucy and started dragging her further into the sea proving stronger than his grip as she soon vanished from his hold and into the depths of the sea.

"LUCY!"

His friends came up around him finally freed from Gray's ice, as he stared dumbfounded to the once harmless ocean that had just stolen his best friend from him.

Cana and Juvia shot under the water at speed but quickly came back reporting she was nowhere to be seen, Cana transformed her tail back to legs walking up to Natsu helping him stand only to hit him round the side of the head.

"Natsu you idiot! I bet she told you not to take her in the sea didn't she and you just manhandled her in anyway didn't you!?" He could only look away from her glare shamefully, giving Cana her answer to which she rolled her eyes.

"Right, well there's some things you should know. Lucy isn't just a celestial guardian, she's part mermaid...a princess to be exact, and she ran away from home. Going into the ocean told her stuck up father - King Heartfelia, where she was and he can control the sea to take her back by force"

"I don't care who the heck her dad is. She didn't want to go so I say let's go get her!"

"You're the idiot that got her taken in the first place flame brain!"

"Oi don't you star—" he was abruptly cut off with a slam of Erza's fist to his head finished with a glare for silence before she turned back to Cana.

"Cana. Do you know where Lucy will be?"

"Yeah, I know where she is, she'll be in the royal palace but it's deep in the sea. You won't be able to come with me."

"Screw that, I can hold my breath plenty. I got her taken and I'll get her back"

"I may have a way to help, I just need to grab a book. I'll be right back!" everyone turned to look at Levy as she took off, fairies could fly at super speed and less than a minute later she was back with a heavy book in hand. "I've got it! Who's ready?"

A resounding 'aye' came from the group as Levy went on to explain how they'd be able to swim that deep, Cana had a bottle of alcohol in hand downing it quickly fearful herself of diving back in to see the King she helped Lucy escape from.


So a tad random of an idea and my first AU story, hope you like my characters and Universe!

Not 100% where this is going yet (except to the depths of the ocean obviously!) so if there's something (or someone) you'd like to see hit me up in the reviews!

Planned this as a short sharp 2/3 chapter story but I quite like the universe and may plan something bigger in it for a different fic soon

Thank you all for reading :)

Slight revisions made June 23, no story changes just tidying up some word/phrase changes.