Chapter 4

Lucy's P.O.V.

As we reached the guild hall, I pulled my hand out of Natsu's and ran inside. The first thing that came to mind: request board. Then, slowly, I remembered that I had to go on a job with Team Natsu. This seemed to be known, because Gray and Erza came bounding up to me with eager grins on their faces. Happy and Natsu stood behind me, so I was pretty much surrounded.

"Guys, can't we... like... talk about this?" I asked looking at the four faces peering at me. The whole guild had stopped to watch. A symphony of murmurs filled the silence.

"Wow. The old Team Natsu, huh?"

"Lucy's here again today?!"

"They're all surrounding her..."

"Is there gonna be a fight or somethin'?"

There was one thing in particular that caught my attention, giving me a greedy ear. "Didn't you hear? Lucy is Natsu's mate."

"Let's turn around before Lucy or Erza hear us. I don't wanna get beat up!" And it went back to noise.

"So, Lucy. Today's the day." Gray grinned.

"You're finally going on a job with us again!!!" Erza cheered. I laughed slightly at their excitement.

"Have you got a job in mind?" Erza nodded.

"Well, as you know, you can take on S-class wizard jobs if accompanied by an S-class wizard." I nodded, and understood what she was saying. Then, "I found one that you guys will just love!" She jumped into explanation, saying what we would be doing. It sounded pretty lengthy,  considering how far we had to travel, and it was on a snowy mountain.

"Basically, we just have to defeat a couple Wyverns and collect the herbs again. However, it has babies now, so they're calling it an S-class." I nodded along, and smiled once they'd finished.

"Cool! When're we leaving?"

"This evening." Telling her I'd pack in just a little while, I moved out of the circle and to the bar, ordering a glass of water. I paid and drank it down before handing the glass back.

"Thanks, Mira." I said smiling. She smiled back and sat her tray down, leaning over the bar.

"How's it goin with your mate?" Mira whispered, sending shivers up and down my spine.

"I gotta go pack." I murmured, standing quickly. I caught Natsu watching as I ran out of the guild. In that moment, I knew; he'd heard the whispers. Heard Mira's question. So, who told the whole guild? I don't believe it was Mira... Sighing, I shut and locked my door. Running to my bathroom, I got myself cleaned up, leaving my hair straightened and down. I slid on black jeggings, laced my black combat boots once again, and put on a maroon blouse with my black leather jacket over it. Perfect. My keys went back on the belt loop, jingling as I gathered stuff in my pink backpack, placing the contents I'd need inside it, along with a book to read on the way. After I had finished, I walked into Happy's room and got his backpack for him, making sure it had everything he'd want and need in it. Leaving and shutting the door, locking it as well, I headed to Natsu's house, though I knew I'd regret it. I hesitated when I reached his place, before knocking. The door slowly creaked open. I stepped inside, and almost thought I'd walked into the wrong house. Unlike but a day or two ago, there was an actual bed, the place was cleaned from head to toe, and I saw all of the jobs we'd went on together aligning the back wall. Pretty much everything involving us. The hammock sat neatly in its place. This place was weird.

"Yo, Lucy!" Natsu called. I turned suddenly, and saw Natsu standing by the bed, zipping his bag. Happy was curled on his head. I walked up to him.

"Natsu." I spoke, before picking up Happy. He groggily curled up in my arms. Laughing, I stroked his fur. Natsu smiled at this, and motioned for me to put Happy in the hammock. I did so, and rocked it a bit so he'd stay asleep. Sitting his bag on Natsu's dining table, I also shrugged off my own and came to his bed, where he was motioning for me to sit. As soon as I did, his hand found mine. He brought it to his lips and kissed it, which made my insides flip out. In need of a distraction, I gestured with my free hand around the room.

"When did you get clean?! This place is huge when it's not messy." Natsu laughed at this.

"Yeah. It is." Uncomfortable silence...

"So, Lucy. I noticed you didn't answer Mira's question." I bolted up off the bed and stared at him.

"Y-you heard that?!"

"Yes. Why didn't you answer?"

"I wonder if Gray and Erza are packed and ready- I hope Erza doesn't bring a lot of stuff... what are you doing?!" I asked as he picked me up and laid me down on the bed. Instead of responding, started kissing my neck. Blushing wildly, I shoved him off and climbed out of bed, darting over to the table and picking up my backpack. Placing it on my back, I ran to Happy, shaking him.

"guhhhhh" he said, rubbing his eyes. I handed him his backpack.

"I'm going to Erza's place. I brought your bag for you, though." he smiled sluggishly.

"K... Lucy?"

"Yeah?"

"Pack it for me?" laughing, I nodded.

"Just tell me when you want it." I used the large key ring on my bag to hold his small one, snapping it into place so it wouldn't jiggle or anything. He mumbled a thank you and went back to sleep. I petted his head before turning to walk out the house. Natsu caught me by my wrist.

"Lucy." I pulled away from him.

"Not now, Natsu." Then, I pretty much ran from his house to Erza's, which was very orderly. She was coming out with- get this- only two bags that attached to each other on her back.

"Oh, Lucy!" she said, perking up. We walked together towards Gray's house.

"So, I heard... I heard about what went down between Natsu and Lisanna." she said softly. I tensed up.

"I didn't want that to happen-"

"I know that. Listen, it's not your fault. You were made for each-"

"Erza, please... can we not talk about it?" I spoke quietly. She frowned, and stopped.

"Lucy. Is something wrong?" I clenched my fists.

"I-I."

"Are you worried about Lisanna? Because she's fine. Really. I think Li might even have a small crush on Jet." I wrapped my arms around myself.

"It's not that... I just... ugh!" I let go of myself and started pacing.

"I hate it. All of it. Natsu just expects me to accept it all at once. He's not giving me any time to think for myself."

"Yeah, he'd dumb like that." she laughed, then got serious. "But he cares about you. Anyone can tell by the way he looks at you."

"Let's just... let's just go get Gray."

"I won't push you to talk about it right now, but later. K?" I nodded, not wanting to argue with her. Gray met us half way, fully dressed with his own backpack on one shoulder.

"Well hello ladies." He grinned. I smiled and Erza laughed. We all walked together towards the guild where Natsu stood with Happy. They both waved. We waved back, and together, all five of us said bye to the guild. Then, Erza and I were racing to the train station.

"I'mma win!" she called out.

"Not today Erza!" the boys were laughing while we ran at the same pace. For just a moment, it was like the old days. I could forget Natsu and I were mates, and have a good time with my friends.

"Let's do this!" Gray screamed as he joined in on the race.

"Aye!" Happy said flying at Max speed.

"Yeah!" Natsu yelled, running too. What we must have looked like to normal people. Eventually Erza and I reached the train station- and much to our dismay, it was a tie. The boys panted hard- even Happy.

"You... girls... are... monsters!!" Gray panted.

"Aye!" Happy wheezed. Natsu just gave us this look before dramatically falling to the ground.

"Why, Lucy?! Why make me run this fast???"

"I didn't say you had to. You're just so hot-headed you assumed." Gray and Erza looked at me before cracking up at Natsu's reaction. He bolted up and stared at me with wild eyes.

"You're mean!"

"You're childish."

"The old Lucy wouldn't say that."

"Actually, I'm being generous. The old me would've round house kicked you and be done with it." Natsu shuddered.

"Help me up." he whined, holding out his hands. Sighing, I took them in one of mine and tugged him to his feet so hard he slammed into me.

"Woah, Luce. Working out?" Gray teased as Natsu made a small noise of surprise.

"Not really. Just training." I answered honestly.

"Hmph. She's gonna be S-class before both of you at this rate." Erza smirked at the guys, earning sounds of protests. Thinking back to the first time I'd met Erza, and how Natsu challenged her, I realized what I wanted to do.

"Yo, Natsu! Gray!" I yelled. All four of my friends looked at me.

"Yeah, lucy?" Natsu and Gray said at the same time. I cracked my knuckles.

"When we get back, fight me." Erza pumped her fist into the air, Happy went 'aye' and the boys' jaws dropped.

"Like... one on one?"

"If you'd prefer it, yes." Gray cracked his knuckles now, and nodded.

"Deal."

"Natsu?" I said, turning to him. He shook his head.

"You're my mate, Lucy. There's no way I'm fighting you." I smirked at this, and turned to look at Gray, Erza, and Happy.

"So, in other words, he's afraid for his rep."

"AM NOT!"

"Are too!"

"AM NOT!"

"Are too!"

"Am not!"

"Are. Too." We argued back and forth until he conceded, sighing.

"You're wrong, Lucy. But if you really want to get beat up by me... I'll beat ya up. And when ya lose, you have to kiss me. In front of the whole guild." My smirk evaporated. "oh? Know you're gonna-"

"Deal." They all gawked at me, but I just shrugged.

"I am not gonna be one of those girls that let's a guy give her crap. So-" I pointed at Natsu, "don't get the impression that you are in charge. You're not. Now lose that smirk or I'll make you sorry you're a man." he instantly made a face and stopped, inching his way behind Erza.

"And, Natsu?" I said smiling sweetly.

"Yeah?"

"When you lose, I get to go on fifteen solos. No complaints outta you." Natsu shook his head.

"Sorry, but no."

"Ha ha. How funny. I wasn't asking."

"I'm your-"

"Bane of existence? Annoying clingy friend? Controlling dude who thinks he can control me? Yeah. I agree. You're all of the above. But Natsu. Try to act professional while we're on a job, K?"

"Evil!" I ignored this comment.

"So, Lucy. Sit next to me?" Erza asked. I nodded.

"Yeah. Sorry Gray. You've got Natsu."

"You make it sound like that's a bad thing -_-." Natsu pouted. I didn't acknowledge it.

"Clothes, Gray." groaning in frustration as he looked down, he dressed. Happy flew onto my shoulder.

"I'm sleeping on you Lucy." Natsu stood a bit closer at this, waiting for my reaction.

"K." I replied simply and we boarded the train, putting our bags overhead.

+++During the train ride, Natsu (surprise, surprise) got motion sick. I sighed, and told Gray to switch me seats. He complied, and picked up Happy, holding him while I settled into my place beside Natsu. Then, I guided Natsu's head into my lap. Happy curled up on Gray's lap, unaware of the new holder.

"Gu-huh?!" Natsu murmured, looking up at me.

"What?" I asked, dumbfounded.

"This... helps." I simply shrugged while Erza and Gray made kissy noises. I shook my head, and despite knowing I'd get grief for it later, started running my fingers through his soft spiky hair.

"Alrighty then. Go to sleep. We have a while to go."

"Yeah.. I'm seepy." he mumbled before drifting off.

"Adorable!" Erza exclaimed, making a heart at us.

"It's not like we didn't all see this coming." Gray added smoothly. I tilted my head to the side.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"Everyone in the guild could see the Chemistry between you and Natsu."

"Oh. Kind of like we could all see the Chemistry between you and Juvia." I grinned. He got all flustered and looked around randomly. Erza chuckled.

"This is nice. I missed this." We all nodded at once in agreement.

"Guys, I'm gonna get some rest." I spoke yawning. I then asked Gray to reach me my blanket that was attached to my bag. He did, I thanked him, and used it as a snuggly pillow.

"You guys should rest, too. We have close to ten hours left, according to them."

"Yeah, probably a good idea." Gray said. He and Erza leaned on each other and fell asleep instantly. I stroked Natsu's head for a few minutes, and lulled myself to sleep.