Chapter 5

Lucy's P.O.V

To make a long story short, we did the job with flying colors. Well, except for Happy being eaten by one of the babies, but it spit him out! Anyhow, we were currently getting off the train in none other than Magnolia. Erza had this huge thing of extra herbs she'd brought for the others in the guild, which Gray was keeping frozen. Along with that, she'd kept some of the hide and fashioned it into a lovely dress. She called it her spoil of war. We all went our separate ways, or would have, to prepare for the battle. Natsu grabbed my hand, and Happy flew off with Gray and Erza. It had been decided that I'd fight Gray first, and then tomorrow I'd fight Natsu, which was fine by me. After fighting Gray, the result would tell me how much I needed to train before Natsu and I fought. To tell you the truth, he'd probably obliterate- no. I'm stronger now... I'm stronger now... I'm stronger now...Natsu gave me time to sit my stuff down in my place before taking me to his house. Not caring enough to argue, I fell into step beside him. He took no time in slamming the door behind him as we entered, and shoved me towards his bed. Before I could ask what in the Hades was going on, he pulled me into a hug.

"Don't. Do. This." He muttered into my ear. "You're gonna lose." I shoved him away from me, growling.

"You're wrong."

"I'm not."

"You are. I'm different from how I was before."

"But you're still Lucy. She can't handle him."

"Just like you can't."

"What did you just say to me?"

"Oh, give it up, Natsu. All these fights you've had with him. You're matched, at best."

"Why, I otta-"

"I'm done discussing this. Keep your word." with that, I turned and ran from his house so as to prepare for my fight.

+++The time for the fight came, and Gray stood in front of me at the guild, while people surrounded us. Gray was grinning, cracking his knuckles. Natsu stood beside Erza, arms crossed.

"GO GRAY!" he shouted. Said person looked back at him.

"Flame Brain. When did you become my cheerleader?"

"I- SHUT UP." Natsu responded, earning a glare from Erza. Gray looked back at me.

"Lucy, let's give it our all. Show these people how strong Fairy Tail wizards are."

"Aye!" Happy said for me. I giggled and nodded. Most of the battle was a blur.

A punch here...

Celestial gate opened there...

Ice surrounding me....

Light surrounding him...

And then he went down. I guess you could say, I made stars dance in his vision. Literally. The crowd went wild. Natsu's jaw dropped, as did Erza's. Gray groaned. I put out a hand and helped him up.

"I'm impressed. Beat up, but impressed." Gray smirked. I laughed.

"Pft. I got lucky."

"Stop being modest."

"Dude, I was working my ass off to get in a blow towards the end."

"Yeah, yeah." he pushed me playfully. I slung an arm around his shoulder and motioned Erza over, doing the same to her.

"Come on guys. Drinks are on me." We drank a couple rounds, joined my Cana and Gildarts, before I started to nod off. Mira tapped my shoulder. I said something really intelligent like ''gahhhh ehh??"

"You're dead on your feet. Go home and get some rest." I told everyone goodnight and stumbled home (not drunk, just really sleepy). I managed to make it to my house and dropped into bed, into dreamless sleep.

That following morning, I got up and prepared for the battle with Natsu. I hate to admit it, but the only way I was going to beat him was if I used a magic I'd been taught in the Celestial spirit world- and trust me, it was going to be a huge shocker. At least I'd have the element of surprise... I might win this. Making sure I had my keys and magical whip, I headed out to face yet another one of my old team members.

+++"You can do it, Lucy!""Natsu, wipe the floor with her!""This is gonna be manly!" Our fellow guild members were cheering us on. Natsu looked ragged, like this was going to kill him. His clothes were crumpled, his hair wasn't as spiky.

"Lucy, are you sure you want to do this?"

"Natsu. I think this is a first. You don't wanna fight."

"I- let's just get this over with." he said, summoning fire into his palms. Oh? He thought this was going to be easy, huh? I did the same, but with stars and comets. Everyone was drowned out as we began to battle. My mind went on auto-pilot: dunk, punch, kick, roll, dodge, blast, dodge, jump, block, tackle... he sent a fire dragon iron fist at me, scorching the flesh of my upper left arm. I soared backwards, through the crowd, and landed on my feet. I charged him, and just before slamming into Natsu, I used my new magic type.

"Celestial dragon roar!" I yelled, and instantly stars, comets, and other Universal matter slammed into him. When the smoke cleared, he was sitting on the ground, in a daze.

"Did you just- and- how??" he stuttered. Everyone else was silent with shock. I shrugged, and offered him a hand to help him up. He simply took it. I tugged Natsu to his feet.

"I guess I should explain, huh?" They all nodded, while Natsu continued to look at me as if I'd turned into Medusa and petrified him. I smirked at this, and patted his cheek.

"Well, about four months ago, I took a job. It was to try to reach Edolas without the use of anima." Gasps flew around the group, but no one interrupted me. "I managed to do so, using an energetic place that anima easily once dwelt. However, the portal... sort of went to a dragon's cave and she wasn't very pleased of a human stumbling across her." I shuddered, recalling the exact scene in my mind. Natsu and Wendy was still looking stunned, while the others laughed a little at this. I smiled lightly.

"Anyways, her name is Enobaria, the one and only Celestial dragon. Seeing as time passes different there than it does here, I spent a year with her, training and learning Dragon Slayer magic, even though here I'd only been gone a week." They all nodded to show they understood. "So that's how I know Dragon slayer magic. Show's over, ladies and gentlemen-"

"He-hem." Happy and Carla cleared their throats in sync. I giggled.

"And... cats." we had a laugh, then went separate ways. Gray, Erza, Wendy, Natsu, and Master came up to me.

"Well, Lucy. You beat Gray, and you beat Natsu." Master said, pride in his voice. The boys crossed their arms, but gave a quick nod.

"Erza and I have been talking, and... we've decided there is only one thing to do." I looked at him confused. "You can do your fifteen jobs, or you can go on an S-class wizard job." The boy's jaws dropped while Wendy and Erza cheered for me. I smiled, still surprised.

"Um... okay-"

"Not finished." Erza shot. Master chuckled.

"If you handle the S-class wizard job well, I'm making you an S-Class wizard." my eyes widened.

"I-but- the exams- and- I just-" I stuttered, while Natsu came up behind me, as did Gray.

"Really?!" they exclaimed. Master grinned.

"Boys, be happy for her. Especially you, Natsu." he winked, then turned around and went into the guild. I stood there, still in shock, while the rest of my friends looked at me.

"Congratulations!" they shouted together before I was attacked with hugs. I thanked them and we went our separate ways.

"We'll accompany you, Lucy. But unless we see you need help, we'll let you handle things." Erza's words echoed in my head as I walked aimlessly.

"Lucy!" I stopped in my tracks. I was in front of Natsu's house, and he was behind me. I turned just as he reached me.

"Hey, I've been calling your name over and over." I blushed in embarrassment.

"S-sorry." I said, faking a smile. Natsu immediately saw through it. He grabbed my hand gently and pulled me into his house, sitting on the bed with me beside him.

"What's wrong, Lucy?"

"I... it wasn't supposed to happen like this." I mumbled.

"What wasn't?"

"Becoming an S-class wizard." his eyes softened, and he squeezed my hand.

"How did you expect it to happen, then?" his voice was sincere; he really wanted to know.

"Well, I expected you and Gray would become S-class wizards, then I might have, and us five would stay together forever and always." I murmured, looking down. Natsu didn't say anything. Instead, he pulled me to him, holding me in his arms.

"Forever and always, huh?" he whispered in my ear. I shivered.

"Yes." he pulled back, and caressed my cheek, running a thumb across my bottom lip.

"Can you settle for an always with me?" I stared into his onyx eyes, and I finally realized something: this is what I wanted. My heart had already known it, but I let my mind deny my feelings. Gently wrapping an arm around his neck, I moved closer, slowly.

"I'll deal." smiling, his eyes never left mine as he pressed his lips to mine. At first, the kiss was soft and sweet, like two old friends meeting after a long time away. Then, gradually, it started heating up, like two people dancing the tango. Our lips moved in sync as he wrapped a hand in my hair, and one arm around my waist. I made no attempt to move away. Instead, I moved closer. After a moment, we broke the kiss, breathing heavily.

"What does this mean for us?" Natsu asked, breathless.

"What do you think it means?" I asked, tilting my head to the side. His eyebrows rose.

"Well, if you're asking me, I think this means you love me as much as I love you."

"Hmm... that sounds about right." I playfully shoved him.

"When are we going to tell the guild about us?"

"Thanks to SOMEONE, everyone already knows we're mates so... how about we just let them think what they want to?"

"So devious." he teased.

"Either way, I don't want things to change Natsu. I don't want to be that girl who changes just because she's in a relationship. I definitely don't want things to get awkward between you and me..."

"They won't." Natsu said quickly. "Just give us a chance." I looked at him, at our hands entwined, at his swollen lips and messed up hair...

"One chance." He hugged me. I repeated it to myself, to make sure I believed I'd said it. One. Chance. I was dating my best friend, Natsu.