A/N Hello everyone! Thanks again for all the reviews, favs and follows! I can't express my appreciation enough! I hope you all enjoy this newest chapter. I've been able to get chapters out quicker than I expected but I am starting a new job soon. So, I may slow down a bit, but I still hope for a chapter once a month. This story may go to about 10 chapters maybe a bit more or less just depending. And don't worry to all my smut lovers, some spice is coming soon. Hopefully within the next couple chapters! ;)
Again, thank you so much and enjoy!
Chapters 4
Lucy's POV
Lucy and Natsu rushed to where the rest of the team were waiting outside. Once out, they spotted them on the edge of the hill overlooking some of the farmlands.
"There you are, Natsu!" Happy says flying over to him and lifting him into the air. "We gotta go!"
"Wait! Where are we going?"
"There are six golems attacking!" She heard the scarlet mage shout.
"There's six of them attacking this time?" Lucy asked, as she walked up to their view over the hill. She saw one heading for the strawberry fields once again, while another one's direction was towards the town. "Oh no, they are heading for the town this time!" She scoured the rest of the lands in her eyesight but only saw the two. Where are the others?
Before Happy and Carla flew away with their dragon slayers, Erza explained to Natsu what he was to do.
"You and Wendy can get there much faster with Happy and Carla; so, you will take care of the two down there while the rest of us stop the other four attacking in a few crop fields, just East of Lord Halloway's home."
Lucy nodded, now getting her answer on where the rest were.
The dragon slayers took off with Carla and Happy going hyper speed towards the town.
Lucy and the rest ran in the direction of the other golems.
They soon spotted all four golems. They all appeared the same, with each of them standing about twelve feet tall. The group was made purely from rock and had glowing blue eyes and large hump backs. The creatures continued to wreck the crops, attempting to rip up and destroy what they could.
"Hey!" Erza shouted to them. They made deep growling noises and shifted their attention to the trio. "Cease destroying our clients' crops, or we will be forced to do away with you!" She said, summoning a sword to her hand and aiming it in their direction.
They stared for only a moment before resuming their destruction.
She growled. "Who sent you!?"
Still no response.
"I don't think they're interested in talkin'." Gray shouted.
"Or even fighting for that matter." Lucy added. "So, it does seem they have been given a direct objective and they are focusing on that."
"And our objective is to crush them, let's go!" Erza began charging. "Requip! Heaven's wheel!" A mass amount of swords appeared around her. "I will deal with these two! Lucy, Gray, you take the other two over there!" She ordered.
"Right!" They said in unison.
The ice wizard and celestial mage ran to the soon-to-be-battlefield. Charging towards the golems wreaking havoc.
"Ice make: freeze lancer!" Gray immediately begins his assaults on one of the giants. Knocking it back, and to its knees. It moans and groans as it makes its way back to its feet.
Lucy inspected the creature in front of her, calculating what star dress to use. She decided on a longer-range attack.
"Star dress: Sagittarius!" Her clothes transformed, then she geared up for an attack. "Star shot!" Her multiple shining arrows shot forward hitting their target.
She saw Gray's target running to him bringing its hands together, attempting to hammer down on him. He jumped back in time and made a hammer of his own.
"Ice make: hammer!" It connects with the golem, leaving it on the ground growling in pain and anger. Half of an arm came crumbling down off the beast. "Damn, just an arm, these things are tougher than I thought. Oh well, a couple more hits should do you guys in!" He said, launching forward.
Lucy saw the requip mage had made quick work of one of the golems, and she launched her multiple swords in the direction of her other opponent.
Lucy's golem came charging towards her, she quickly changed into Scorpio's star dress, enhancing her speed and quickly dogged the monster, now behind it, she blasted it with her sand.
It swatted its arms around trying to regain its vision back. She jumped and began a dance of powerful blows around the golem. She had landed a blow to the chin throwing it back a step. Still mid-air, she didn't notice the golem's arm flying towards her from the side.
Its large boulder fist came into contact with Lucy, sending her flying.
She cried and heard her teammates call out to her. "Lucy!"
Lucy attempted to stick the landing but ultimately failed. A pained gasp escaped her lips. She quickly tried to regain herself, and attempted to take a deep breath, only to be met with a sharp pain, but still she got back on her feet. "I'm okay!" She tried to assure them.
She saw the sand begin to dissipate around the golem, not completely gaining its sight back. She saw her guild mates begin their descent on the beast, now finished with their opponents. But she yelled. "Stop! He's mine!" She began charging. Ignoring the screaming pain in her side and slight pain in her ankle. She's pretty sure she may have broken a rib. However, she knew it's nothing Wendy couldn't heal after the battle.
"Open, gate of the lion, Loki!" The leader of the Zodiac appeared running next to her and his star dress form appeared on her as well.
"Hello beautiful, could you use some assistance?" He smirked.
"You know it!" She smiled back at him.
They charged towards the golem. It's head down trying to clear the rest of the dust away, unaware of them approaching. They both leapt up, twisting their bodies around in sync, their blows connecting with the beast's head.
"Regulus, Lucy kick!"
"Regulus, impact!"
It sent the creature's head flying. The remainder of the golem's body fell to its knees before fully collapsing and crumbling to the ground.
Lucy also collapsed letting herself fully feel the pain.
"Lucy!" Loki knelt down beside her with concern filling his voice. "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I think." she said, placing a hand on his shoulder to help regain herself. Along with her side she now started to feel the pain she was ignoring in her ankle.
"Lucy!" She heard Erza and Gray coming towards them.
"That was amazing Lucy, well done. But are you okay? Can you stand?" Erza asked.
"Yeah, I think so." She said, holding her side. "I may have broken a rib though. And sprained an ankle." She lightly laughed then hissed at the movement of the action.
"Well, Wendy and Natsu should be on their way back and she'll be able to attend to you. Let's make our way back as well." Erza told her.
Loki lifted Lucy the rest of the way up. She leaned on his shoulder. "Alright, if you guys have it from here, I'll head back to the spirit world." They nodded, and Gray took Lucy from Loki. "See you next time, beautiful." The lion spirit disappeared in a brilliant light.
The three began their walk back to the mansion.
Lucy was walking with Gray supporting her weight. As they approached the mansion's gates, she saw Lord Halloway running out of them.
"Miss Lucy! Are you okay? I heard you had been injured." His tone was full of worry and his face said the same.
She waved her hands. "Oh yes! I'm fine, I've had worse!" She tried to assure him.
He laughed, "Dear Lucy, you cannot convince me. You can barely stand up." He motions to her inability to stand on her own. "Come on, let's get you inside to the infirmary."
He began guiding them inside.
"Oh, that's okay. Once Wendy's here she can heal me right up."
"Yes, that's all well and good, but she's not here right now, so let's get you somewhere to be checked out and rest." He insisted. "What about you two?" He shifted his attention to Gray and Erza. "Are you harmed at all?"
"Oh no, we are fine, thank you for your concern, Lord Halloway." Erza answered.
"Good to hear, now let's make our way inside." He guided the team inside.
Before reaching the inside, Lucy turned her head and way off in the distance she saw the exceeds with their dragon slayers, making their way back.
"Really, I'm fine." Lucy spoke to one of Lord Halloway's aides. They were fluffing up the pillow she sat up on, making sure it was comfortable. Another setting water and ice chips next to her bedside. Erza stood next to Lucy, while Gray sat on the bed next to the injured wizard. The lord was on the other side of her bedside.
"I'll be the judge of that." One of Halloway's doctors on staff said, a mouse-faced old man with wild hair, entering the room.
He began his exam on her. He touched her side, and she hissed in pain. Her friends watched her with concern.
"Yup, they are broken." The doctor spoke matter-of-factly.
"Yes." She laughed then stopped when the pain shot through her. "Yes, I know, but I'll be fine."
"Lucy!" She heard Happy, Wendy and Natsu shouting as they entered the room. Her partner got to her side first, passing by Lord Halloway with an annoyed expression.
"Are you okay?" Natsu asked her gently. Kneeling at her bedside, holding an intense gaze.
She smiled with light color dusting her cheeks.
"Yes, I'm fine, just a couple broken ribs. And a sprained ankle. Wendy, do you mind healing me?"
"Of course!" Erza stepped out of the way so the tiny mage could get next to her. A ray of green light shone from Wendy's hands. Lucy already started to feel better.
"Well, I'm sorry you got hurt, Miss Lucy. But I do appreciate the efforts of you and your guildmates." Lord Halloway thanked them.
Natsu stood up next to him. "Natsu, I assume you and Wendy accomplished saving my dear town. Thank you so much."
Natsu eyed him for a moment. "Yeah, it was nothing. Those bastards were dust before they knew what hit 'em."
"And you didn't destroy the town in the process?" Erza teased the pinkette.
Wendy giggled. "That very concern is why me and Carla took the one heading for the town. Can't promise the strawberry fields escaped his flames though."
"Hey! They weren't in the best condition when I got there anyways!" He defended.
Erza focused her signature glare on him. "Why must you always go overboard! The strawberry fields were Lord Halloway's prized possession!"
The Lord smiled nervously and put his hands up. "It's fine really. The creature was taken care of, and my people are safe, that's what matters. Plus, my grape fields are probably my most prized fields, they are what's used to make our wine and some ale." He smiled at the group then focused his attention on Lucy. "But are you alright now, Miss Lucy?"
She noticed Natsu was eyeing Lord Halloway as if he still wasn't sure about him. The young Lord glanced at the fire dragon and noticed his unfriendly stare. He nervously averted his gaze back to Lucy.
"Oh ye-" Lucy was cut off.
"Yeah yeah, she's fine, all is well, you can go now." The fire dragon says, still holding his unfriendly gaze.
"Oh uh..."
"Natsu, don't be rude!" Erza scolded him.
"Actually, stay, Lord Halloway." Lucy said, sitting up as Wendy finished. "We need to discuss the details of our battle with the golems. I'm more sure now that my theory of them being made and commanded are true."
"Yes, during our battle they had no care to even fight us, only to destroy the crops. They didn't engage with us at all until we began our assault on them." Erza explained. "And the very fact that they have multiplied considerably with almost each attack."
"It was the same with us. They didn't even acknowledge us until we attacked." Wendy included.
"Lord Halloway, do they usually attack this early? The sun had barely begun to rise when they came." Lucy asked
"Well, yes actually. Always around the same early time. It's actually the time of shift change for my men."
"Hmm, so there is a small window where your men aren't paying full attention, coming and going?"
"A very small one, I suppose."
"So, someone knows when it would be the most opportune time for them to attack. It gives them the maximum amount of time to destroy what they can before someone tries to stop them. And honestly, they don't seem like a smart bunch to make such strategic attacks. It's pretty evident at this point that someone is creating and commanding them." Erza stated.
"Yeah, and since whoever is commanding the golems knows the time of the shift change, it seems likely that someone on your staff could be involved." Gray added.
"No no, I assure you everyone who works for me could never have such a quarrel with me, and no one on my staff is a wizard. It has to be someone from the outside who got the information somehow. But I truly don't know a wizard who'd have such a personal vendetta against me."
As Erza and the rest conversed, Lucy saw her partner was still giving Lord Halloway the stink eye. Lucy nudged Natsu with her elbow and he glanced towards her while she gave him a look that said to knock off his rude behavior. He only rolled his eyes and pouted.
"Yes, I can attest to that." A short elderly woman said, walking into the room with a plate of food. "We all love the young lord. Most of us here have been working for the Halloways for generations. My late mother was a close confidant of the young lord's late great-grandfather. And the lord's mother was a close friend of mine. No one here would betray him." She grabbed a wheeled table and brought it over to Lucy, along with the plate. "The people of the town rely on the crops here. It's all part of our livelihood. My family lives in a small house in town. We are all very loyal here." She smiled at Lucy. "Here is your breakfast, dear. The rest of you will find a wonderful breakfast waiting for you in the dining hall when you are ready."
"Thank you, miss…?"
"Mrs. Porter, my dear." She answered Lucy with a warm smile. "So, in conclusion, whoever is after our lands can't be someone within this community. I just don't see how it could be."
"Thank you for your insight, Mrs. Porter." Erza spoke. "After we enjoy our breakfast, we still must go on our search like we had planned last night. Since the majority came from the mountains behind the lord's home, then we will still start there. Perhaps the culprit is near awaiting the golems' arrival. Instead, they will be met by us!"
"You know, thinking back, maybe we should have left one alive to follow back into the mountains." Lucy remarks.
"You're right, that would have been a good idea. If we don't find anything today the next time, they attack we shall apprehend one." Erza orders. "Lucy, are you well enough to look after the lands still with Natsu while the rest of us search?"
"Of course."
"But wait, you have a broken rib!" Lord Halloway blurts out concernedly.
"Had." She smirked. "I told you; Wendy can heal just about anything." She smiled at the sky maiden.
"Thank you, Lucy." She returned Lucy's smile. "But even so, you're not fully healed just yet so you should take it easy."
"She'll be fine. She'll be with me." Natsu assures with a grin.
Lucy shares his grin. "Plus." She sits herself up further in the bed. "We already determined when they will attack, so I doubt there will be another one today."
"Well, if you insist, I can have you set in the lookout rotation. We have a post near the mountain that would be the best area for you guys to see an incoming attack." Lord Halloway said.
"Alright, let's eat then get to work!" Erza commanded.
"Awesome, I'm all fired up!" The fire eater says, bouncing away to his meal with Happy following after.
Lucy grabbed another peanut from the bucket next to her, cracked the shell then threw the peanut into her mouth, discarding the shell in another bucket.
She sat with Natsu and Happy in the large lookout post.
The lord and his men had directed them to one a short distance away from the mansion, but it had overseen almost every part of the lands. And any part it didn't, the other lookout points would sound an alarm for an attack that her and Natsu didn't see.
When they arrived at the post, they knew the trek up the long narrow steep stairs to the top would have taken much time. Of course, Natsu didn't mind the walk, but Lucy opted to have Happy fly her up instead. Then, halfway up, Natsu had then decided to have the exceed fly him up as well to save time.
The lookout had minimal room and only two chairs, and a roof. Happy leaned against one of the sills of the opened lookout point. While Natsu and Lucy sat in the chairs. They had already been up there for several hours now.
Lucy once again grabbed a peanut cracking its shell between her fingers and then ate the nut.
"Geez Lucy, you've eaten almost half the bucket." Natsu said, giving her an amused expression.
She turned her head towards the bucket. "No, not… half anyways but a lot." She gave him an 'oops' look and then laughed. "I haven't eaten any in a couple hours, I guess I'm just getting hungry."
Natsu leaned back in his chair. "I didn't realize you liked nuts so much." He says, casually.
Lucy tried to ignore the dirty part of her mind that wanted to blush from that statement.
However, a certain blue cat didn't shut off the dirty part of his mind as he began to laugh.
"Shut it, feline!"
Natsu cocked his head in confusion. "What's so funny?"
"Oh nothing." Happy finished his chuckles. "You should chill out on those nuts though, Lucy, you're already hard enough to carry." He began another round of chuckles with Natsu joining in.
"That's it!" She threw a handful of peanuts with intense force at Happy which had him fall off the edge, only for him to fly right back up. "And you! Don't laugh!" She threw some at Natsu, one hitting him directly in the eye.
He then threw his arm up to cover his eye. "Ow! Shit, you're deadly with those, Lucy."
She giggled at her handy work as he grinned back.
She dusted her hands off and let out a long sigh. "Do you think Erza and the rest found something?"
"I don't know. I hope so. So, we can get this job over with." Natsu says, once again leaning back in his chair.
She looked at him curiously. "Why so eager to finish this job?"
Natsu was quiet for a moment, searching for words then began to stutter. "Uh, well- so uh, we can get back home for your award ceremony."
"There is still some time before the ceremony, I wouldn't worry. We'll be done and home before then."
He laughed, nodding. "Oh, that's good!"
He quickly changed the subject "You mentioned something about being hungry earlier? Me too. You think someone will come and relieve us for lunch?"
"I hope so. I'm sure someone will be up here soon." She turned to Happy. "Hey Happy, go see if someone will come relieve us for lunch."
He sighed and slumped his shoulders. "Fine." He says flying off.
Natsu and Lucy sat in silence for a moment, overlooking the lands. Lucy truly thought these were some of the most beautiful lands she had ever come across. Even blooming Crocus wasn't covered with these many meadows.
"It's beautiful here, huh?" She asked Natsu, not moving her eyes from the view.
"I guess, it's kind of hard for me to figure out smells here because of all the flowers. Kind of gives me a headache."
"Oh, I didn't think about how all the flowers could affect a dragon slayer's sense of smell. Is that another reason you want to leave so eagerly?"
"Uh yeah, sure."
She shifted her gaze to him. "And also, your random dislike for Lord Halloway?" She raised an eyebrow at him. "Does that have anything to do with wanting to leave?"
She once again witnessed him fumble with his words "Wh- What?" He threw his arms out. "I don't trust the guy. He's odd."
"Odd how? He's nice."
"You don't even know him."
"Neither do you, Natsu. And I know him a bit better than you. Even if you aren't sure about him you don't have to be so rude." She told him, shaking her head.
"Why are you defending him?" His voice was coated with irritation.
"Because he's a friend."
He only stared at her for a moment then sighed and rolled his eyes. "Fine. I'll learn to be… nice to him. I guess. But I still don't trust him!"
"Fine whatever, just stop being an ass."
She only saw him pout and shift his attention back to the lookout.
She then heard Happy flying back up. "There were a couple people already on their way up. They'll be here in a minute."
"Finally, I'm starving." Natsu complained.
Once two men came to relieve them, Happy quickly flew Lucy down then went back up to grab Natsu.
Once they were all on solid ground, the trio made their way to the lord's residence.
Lucy saw the crimson-haired lord standing by himself with a basket. Once he spotted the trio he smiled and waved his arm.
"Miss Lucy, and Lucy's companions, how are you doing this lovely afternoon?" He beamed at her.
She heard both her teammates mumble. "Good."
"I'm well, and you?"
"Oh, I'm quite alright, thank you." He continues to grin warmly at her.
She glanced over and saw the fire eater already holding a sour expression.
"Oh I'm- "Lord Halloway stuttered, then nervously chuckled. "I'm uh, here because I was wondering if you would accompany me for a walk through the gardens. Then perhaps lunch." He motioned to the picnic basket he held.
"Oh, I uh…" Lucy began
"Well, y-you know, so I can take you for a uh, tour around my personal garden before you leave. Erza and the others may apprehend the wizard today, so before you leave, I'd like to show you around. And catch up." He looked at her for a moment. "If you wanted to, of course."
"I think I'd like tha- "
"No way!" Natsu interjected. "No." He moved closer to her. "Lucy's my partner. We eat together." He grabbed her wrist and began to drag her inside, past a gaping Halloway.
"Wait Natsu." She removed his hand. "We can eat together next time. I already promised him I would let him show me his personal gardens. He may not get to tomorrow."
"But!"
"I said it's fine. You and Happy go eat, we'll meet back at the lookout post in an hour, okay?"
He only responded by giving her an expression that almost seemed as if he was pleading with her. "I'll see you guys in a bit. Go on." She smiled at them, then turned to Lord Halloway.
The lord's lips curled up and he extended his arm for her to walk ahead. And she left behind a sulking Natsu.
Lucy and the young lord strolled through the gardens that she could only describe as a fairy tale. They exchanged small talk, mostly about his lands and how the flower gardens have grown and expanded from when he was a child.
The path was narrow cobblestone. With shrubs on each side of the path and on the other side of the shrubs was an array of colorful flowers of all different types. The path then forked, to the left was a beautiful greenhouse. To the right, led to a wide path that transitioned to grass. On either side of the path were large fluffy bushes of lavender with other lush plants and flowers. He led her through a large arch with red and pink roses twisted around it.
It brought them to an even wider path, bushy plants and flowers surrounded it with a large weeping willow tree at the end of it. It was all so incredibly breathtaking.
He grinned. "This is a lovely spot for a picnic, don't you think?"
"Oh yes, definitely."
Lord Halloway laid out the blanket. And began to take out their lunch.
They continued on with conversations of his travels, and Lucy's adventures.
"Wow! Seven years you and your friends were asleep?" He asked in amazement.
She nodded.
He shook his head in disbelief. "I remember hearing about the famous Fairy Tail guild missing for many years only to emerge once again, and they took the Grand Magic Games by storm." He grinned widely. "I never realized you were a part of such a magnificent group. But I should have known. You are magnificent in your own right."
She beamed. "Well, thank you Lord Halloway."
"You can call me Soren when it's just us." He chuckled.
"Okay." She took a bite of her sandwich.
"So." He says curiously.
She gives him her attention.
"Your partner, Natsu. Are you guys… well, together?"
She was staggered by the question.
"You mean like, are we a couple?"
"Yeah."
Her and Natsu, together. A couple. Ha. She wishes.
She tried to hide the blush that crept upon her cheeks from his question and gave a couple of nervous chuckles. "Oh, um. Me and Natsu? No. He's uh, never cared about that sort of stuff. It's never been like that between us. He's just my partner."
He nodded his head. "I see… It seems that he dislikes me for some reason."
"Just ignore him. He really is a great person, but he can be… a hot head at times. He'll come around." She nudged him.
He grinned at her.
"So uh, do you have a boyfriend at all?"
"Nope." She said taking another bite of food. "What about you, are you seeing anyone?"
"Oh um, no I'm not." He said nervously, swallowing and shifted his gaze to his lap.
Lucy smiled at his nervousness, thinking he may have a special someone in mind. Maybe a girl from the town. Or perhaps a Lady he knows.
"Do you have someone you want to start seeing?" She teased him.
Color dusted his cheeks. "Oh, maybe, I uh, I don't know just yet." He continued to eat his meal.
"Ah. Well, she'd be one lucky gal." Her lips curled into a genuine smile.
He returned her kind expression.
They sat in silence for a few moments, enjoying the beauty of the garden, the sound of the birds singing, and the breeze grazing Lucy's skin. It was absolutely peaceful.
Natsu's POV
Natsu sneezed as he and Happy made their way through the garden.
He was trying to pick up Lucy's scent, but it was nearly impossible in this place. He spotted a greenhouse and started moving towards it, when he then finally picked up a hint of her scent. He perked up and turned down a different path.
He made his way along a wide path, then came across a rose arch. He stopped once he heard Lord Halloway's voice. He quickly hid himself and Happy behind the arch, then peaked around to see his blonde partner and the young lord sitting on a blanket in the middle of the wide path with a large tree behind them.
He immediately felt his blood boil. The scene in front of him almost gave the impression of a date. He wanted to dart towards the interloper and burn him to a crisp. But he kept himself at bay. Natsu watched them and listened to their conversation.
"Miss Lucy?"
"Hm?"
"Would you ever consider visiting me sometimes? I know it's a bit of a journey here, but..."
Visiting him? Like hell she will.
"Of course! And eh, a two-hour train ride isn't that terribly long."
What!? Why the hell would she even want to? Then again, she had said he was her friend. And no matter how much that annoyed him, he would try to be nice to someone Lucy considered a friend. But still, why does she have to agree to visit him? He still doesn't trust the guy.
"I guess it's not." He grinned.
"You know, Natsu, when you said we were going to check on Lucy, I didn't realize you meant, spy on her." Happy whispered next to him.
Natsu waved a hand and shushed him. Trying to hear their conversation.
"So, do you plan on being in Magnolia forever?" He asked her.
"It is where my guild hall is." She put a finger to her chin. "Although, one day I'd like to get a house. Maybe somewhere on the outskirts of town. Close to where Natsu and Happy live." The celestial mage beamed and Natsu felt his heart flutter.
"Hmm. Would you ever consider living out of town?"
Why is he asking that? In fact, why is he asking her so many questions at all?
"Oh, uh I don't know. I've never really thought about it. I don't see why I would." She shrugged.
"Okay, but what if there was a good reason to?"
This guy was beginning to piss Natsu off with all his questions. There is no good reason, Lucy has everything she needs right in Magnolia, with him.
"I, well…" She searched for the words. "I guess I can't think of a very good reason... I have everything I need there." She said happily.
He felt his chest swell from hearing the response he had hoped for.
"I see." he paused. "You know, I have to say, Miss Lucy, it's been lovely having your presence here."
"Same to you, Soren. But you can just call me Lucy." She said as they both smiled fondly at each other.
"I see what's going on now." Happy whispered.
Natsu turns his attention to the blue feline. "What do you mean?"
"All the gestures, the big private room, the garden picnic, the questions."
"Yeah and?" Natsu hisses out, getting impatient.
"He's courting her."
Natsu raised an eyebrow, confused by his statement.
Happy rolled his eyes. "It means, hmm." He paused, finding the words. "It's something usually fancy people do, where they get to know each other and give romantic gestures with the intent to marry them."
"Marry!?" Natsu suddenly yelled. Then slammed his mouth shut realizing he may have just blown his cover.
"Natsu?" He heard the blonde's voice. Shit. "Natsu, is that you over there? What are you doing?"
He and Happy came out of their hiding spot and into her view.
She stood up with Soren standing as well. "What are you guys doing?" She asked with a touch of annoyance.
He rubbed the back of his head and nervously chuckled. "We were, uh, just coming to get you. It's time to go back."
"Oh, it is?"
"Not quite yet, actually…" Lord Halloway began, but then caught on to Natsu's warning glare, and snapped his mouth shut. Thankfully Lucy didn't notice his glare at the bastard.
Natsu abruptly grabbed Lucy's hand, dragging her back with him.
"Um okay, I'll just see you later." She waved at the jerk. Letting Natsu take her back to their lookout point.
Like hell Natsu would ever let him marry her. He knew he didn't trust that guy. Lucy never wanted to marry him in the first place. Now here he is pursuing her again. He's a bastard and a creep. Natsu refuses to let her be alone with him again.
He isn't going to let some spoiled rich bastard steal her away from him. She was his partner. His best friend.
His Lucy.
Now, more than ever, Natsu was ready to get this job over with, and take her back home where they belong.