Author's Note:

Hey everyone, I'm really sorry for not updating this book despite claiming that I would. Honestly, I've been too lazy to and I've made up lame excuses every time I reminded myself that I needed to. I'm going to try to update this book every Sunday from now on because I really want to write more and post more. I know it's hard to break old habits so please hang with me as I attempt to break this bad habit. Also, if you guys have any ideas on how to help me break this habit or how to motivate myself better, please feel free to share it with me. Anyway, this one shot (honestly, it's a short story) is kind of long but I wrote it for one of my classes and I'm pretty proud of it. It's the longest one I've ever written so I'd really like to hear your guy's opinion on it. So if you have any time please just comment your thoughts, I'd really appreciate it . (Please keep them respectful though)

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Nobody's POV

Pale misty rays of the moon filtered through the dense treetops of the eastern forest of Magnolia as dark green leaves rushed past Lucy's face as she sprinted away from the palace guards chasing her. Jumping over large rocks, dodging gnarled roots, and avoiding razor sharp branches that stuck out of the deep shadows surrounding her was not the way she imagined spending her twentieth birthday.

"Stop!" A deep voice called from behind her. "Stop in the name of the Celestial King!"

Lucy scoffed at the mention of her father and quickly hopped over a large gray boulder in front of her, landing with a soft grunt on the other side only to take off a few moments later as she heard the crunch of leaves on the forest floor behind her.

"Just leave me alone!" She yelled as she grabbed her fleuve d'étoiles whip off her brown belt. Snapping it up to a large sturdy branch above her, the celestial Princess wrapped its blue crystalline body around the branch and swung up to the branch in front of it. Retracting her precious weapon, given to her by her mother, Lucy continued on her escape, hopping from branch to branch, avoiding the stinging slap of leaves and branches as well as the shots of colorful magic being blasted at her from behind.

Touching a golden key with Virgo's celestial symbol on it, Lucy quickly transformed into her Star Dress: Virgo Form. Having a black and white maid outfit on, made it increasingly more difficult to move from branch to branch but, only needing a second to complete what she had in mind to rid herself of the pesky guards following her, Lucy put up with it.

Quickly stretching her left arm out behind her, Lucy let her celestial magic flow throughout her body.

"Spica Hole!" She chanted. Not two seconds later a giant hole appeared in the earth beneath all the soldiers and a chorus of deep and shrill screams were heard as people tumbled into the deep hole. Though it wasn't deep enough to kill them, it was surely deep enough to break a few bones to keep them all trapped down there until someone with flight magic came around and rescued them.

A satisfied smirk made its way onto the Princess's face at the working of her plan and she quickly requipped into a simple white tunic and a loose pair of black pants. Although she took care of a majority of the people chasing her, Lucy didn't dare allow herself to relax. She knew that the remaining pursuers were going to be a lot more difficult to deal with and one second of relaxation could cost her her freedom.

A tired sigh made its way past Lucy's lips as she continued her escape through the forest.

What a pain. She thought. I hope this ends quickly.

Suddenly a crimson blast of fire magic rushed past her left side, burning away a part of her thin white tunic and lightly scorching her porcelain skin. Hissing, Lucy took a quick look behind her only to be met with keen gray eyes and a devilish smirk.

Ryder. Besides being the genius commander of the Ursa Minor troops, Ryder was also a huge masochist, a huge womanizer, a man disliked Lucy from a young age, and  an overall  huge asshole. Despite this though and much to Lucy's dislike, the man had looks.  His tan skin looked to be as smooth as a baby's bottom and when sweat rolled down and across his well toned body when he trained, almost every girl in the castle swooned. His deep brown hair fell across his forehead in waves and framed his clean-shaven face in the perfect manner, bringing out his natural boyish look. Though his hands were large and calloused, Lucy saw first hand how gentle they could be, though this was only when she witnessed him playing with his pet cat, Knots or playing with one of the court's women. Of course, he had never been that gentle with Lucy when the two of them happened to be alone. 

Crap. Why him?!

A groan escaped Lucy's throat as she pushed her already aching muscles to speed up.

"Oh Princess~" Ryder called, his low voice sending shivers down her spine. "Why don't you stop this ridiculous chase and come back with me to the palace? You know your dear old dad would love you to return so why don't you be a good girl and come with me?"

"Fuck you!" Lucy shouted behind her. "I will never go back to that hell! I'd rather die than go back!"

Although Lucy couldn't see it, Ryder's silver eyes glinted in the pale light of the moon.

"Ohh~ I was hoping you would say that. Now when the King asks me why his daughter is broken, I can say that it was the only way to make her come home." A creepy child-like laugh escaped Ryder's mouth as his smirk widened. "Wait, but then Captain Tirashi will scold and punish me for hurting the Crown Princess..." Ryder was quiet for a moment as he pretended to ponder his choices. "Oh well, it'll be worth it."

Another groan slid past Lucy's lips. "Fuck!"

Lucy knew that despite how fast she was going, Ryder was sure to check up soon. Truthfully, he could've already caught up with her but, being the disgusting person he was, Ryder loved to play cat and mouse with his prey. Chasing them as long as they could go or until he got tired of it, cornering them and watching with amusement as they desperately fought, then ending them as painfully as possible or dragging them back by force and they screamed and begged for their freedom and life.

Lucy absolutely didn't want that. Not just because she refused to go back home to her power hungry father and her tortured kingdom but also because she didn't want to give Ryder the satisfaction of winning.

She had to escape, no matter what!

Knowing that if she stayed up in the trees any longer, her chance of getting caught would be higher, Lucy quickly changed into her Star Dress: Leo Form which consisted of a elegant, frilled, black ball gown dress that had a slit going up her left leg and a gold sash around her waist and a black frilled choker around her neck, and shot a ball of white light behind her, blinding Ryder.

Quickly and quietly, Lucy hopped down from the tree and into a large shroud of brushes. Though the branches and leaves irritated and stretched her skin, the celestial princess didn't complain, better to be scratched then broken.

It was only a few seconds before Ryder fell  his way to ground.

"You bitch." He hissed rubbing his eyes, attempting to regain his sight. "I'll kill you!" There was a short pause at his words. "Wait, I can't kill you. Damn! Then I'll just torture you close to death."

Ryder continued rubbing his eyes in hopes of regaining his sight faster but upon realising that it was useless and he was temporarily blinded, he stopped. "If I can't see you Little Bunny then, I just have to hear you."

Shit! She was trapped. If she moved, he would shoot her but if she stayed, he would regain his sight and shoot her. Either way, she would get shot. Lucy didn't dare move. Although Ryder couldn't see, Lucy knew first hand how well his hearing was.

When the two of them were kids and Ryder forced Lucy to play hide and seek, threatening to slaughter her moon bunny, Luna if she didn't play, he would always win.  Listening for any movement she would make or for her unsteady breathing when seeking.

But, Lucy wasn't a kid anymore and now she knew how to completely control and hide her presence. Though that was from any normal person and Ryder certainly was anything but normal, despite this Lucy knew if she concentrated hard enough, she could probably pull it off.

Lucy mentally sighed as her brain desperately tried to formulate a plan.

She could send out one of her spirits to distract him then escape as the two fought. No, Lucy wouldn't put a family member in danger just to save herself. What if Ryder captured one of them? Just thinking about what he would do if that happened gave Lucy the chills.

Lucy could throw something to distract him. No, Ryder was too smart to buy that and he could definitely hear the difference between something being thrown and a person moving.

She could just face him. No, if Lucy faced him she would surely be beaten and broken. This was by far her stupidest idea.

Unfortunately, due to being lost in her thoughts  Lucy failed to see the spider next to her so, when she felt the small arachnid climbing up her arm, instinctively she jumped, ultimately giving away her position.

Quick as the wind, Ryder summoned his fire bow, turned toward Lucy, and let loose a blazing red arrow. Despite his impaired vision, the arrow hit its mark and impaled Lucy's right shoulder.

The blonde Princess let out a blood curdling scream, much to the commanders enjoyment, and quickly stood up.

"There you are my darling Princess~" Ryder cooed, turning his head in Lucy's direction, his eyes still shut tight but a chilling smile taking over the rest of his features.

Clutching her shoulder tightly, Lucy didn't say a word and simply glared daggers at the man before her. Sweat ran down her temple as blood pounded in her ears, Lucy was going to have to face Ryder.

This was the worst scenario possible.

Fear coursed through Lucy like a weed and she let out a wry chuckle as frustrated tears sprang to her chocolate eyes.

Ten hard years of surviving and hiding from her past, from her kingdom, from her father, and this was how it ended. Running through a dense forest in the middle of the night and being shot and probably tortured by a childhood bully.

Suddenly Ryder opened his eyes and blinked. "Well look at that." He laughed. "It seems Little Bunny's blinding spell wore off. Now I can see."

"Well, shit." She croaked as her voice cracked. Crystalline tears now cascaded down her dirtied cheeks and fell softly to the grass below her. "I can't believe this is the way it ends."

Ryder let out a few sadistic giggles as he watched his princess fall apart in front of him.

"You finally broke, huh?" Another laugh escaped his mouth. "Aw~" Ryder tilted his head to the side playfully, a dangerously excited glint in his eyes. "I was hoping to use more force to break you. Now torturing you won't be as fun."

Lucy's eyes widened. He was still planning on having "fun" with her?! What the hell was wrong with this monster?! She needed to get out of there. Now!

Spinning on her heels, Lucy transformed into her Star Dress: Scorpio Form, her fastest Star Dress form and attempted to flee, running in any direction away from the man behind her. Unfortunately, Ryder seemed through with letting Lucy run and he quickly appeared before the startled princess and coating his fist in magic, drove it into her gut successfully shooting her ten feet away and into a thick tree trunk.

Coughing up blood as her body made contact with the tree, Lucy weakly slumped on the ground, her breathing uneven and her black dots dancing at the edge of her vision.

"I was so close too." She whispered, closing her eyes, a weak smile making its way onto her face as she resigned to her fate.

"Lucy! Don't you dare give up!" A strong voice called as a sudden light appeared before her leaving in its wake, the leader of her Zodiac spirits, Loke (Leo). His orange hair shining bright in the moonlight and his glasses and black suit looking extra sharp.

"Loke!" She weakly cried, her hazel orbs snapping open. " But I didn't-"

"Yeah, I know. But, there's no way in hell I'd let somebody I love die." Crouching down next to Lucy, Loke inspected her.  A frustrated sigh left his lips and he pasted a hand through his spiky locks.

"Virgo." He called and not two seconds later a woman with short pink hair dressed in a black and white maid outfit appeared.

"Yes, Brother?" She replied, her blue eyes quickly glancing over at Ryder who stood a few feet away grinning.

"I want you to take Lucy and run away from here."

Virgo was quiet for a moment then she sighed. "As you wish."

"But I can't leave you! He'll-" Lucy exclaimed.

"Lucy!" Loke yelled gently but firmly grasping her uninjured shoulder and looking into her eyes. "I'll be fine. Trust me."

Lucy was quiet for a moment. "He's strong." She finally whispered.

"So am I."

"He's fast." She countered.

"So am I."

"But he's faster than you."

"Then I suppose I'll just have to become faster." Loke attempted to joke.

"He's -"

"I know." Loke interrupted Lucy, tired of her attempting to talk him out of fighting Ryder. "He's a genius. He's better than me. I know. But, I still have to fight."

Gently tilting Lucy's face up with his thumb and pointer finger so she was looking directly into his hazel eyes. "Lucy, you are one of the most important people to me. I would do anything to keep you safe, including giving my life. But, today is not the day I will die. I can promise you that. I will not die. Okay?"

Lucy didn't move, instead just averted her eyes to the ground.

Loke sighed. "Lucy, look at me." His voice was soft yet firm and Lucy reluctantly made eye contact with him. "I will not die. Trust me. Okay."

As Lucy stared into his hazel eyes she saw many things. Sturdiness. Determination. Love. Protectiveness. Anger. Sadness. Disgust. And fear.

Fear. With a sudden realization, Lucy realized Loke was not only afraid of what would happen to her but, also what would happen to himself. He knew he was weaker than Ryder and barely stood a chance against him but, in order to protect the people he loved, Loke would stand up and fight him.

I'm so stupid. She thought with a laugh.

Taking a deep breath, Lucy calmed herself down and re-centered herself. Using Loke's suit sleeve to wipe her face, much to the lion spirits' displeasure, Lucy attempted to pull herself to her feet with Loke's help.

Once Lucy was up, the orange haired man handed his mistress off to Virgo.

"I won't forgive you if you're captured." Lucy finally said as she turned her back on the two men in front of her and transformed into her Star Dress: Scorpio Form which consisted of a skin-tight outfit with vertical stripes running down it and the back exposed.

Loke simply smirked and turned toward Ryder. "Just get out of here already. Virgo make sure she gets somewhere safe."

The maid spirit nodded. "Of course."

"Oi oi oi!" Ryder called. "Don't think I'll just let our precious little princess runaway again, especially now that I've regained my vision." He laughed. "But, I suppose I can play with this little lion."

A low warning growl escaped Loke's throat. "Lucy. Run and don't look back! When you get to a safe place, make sure you have Virgo treat your wounds."

"Mmm. Thanks Loke. Remember, I won't forgive you if you get captured."

"Of course, Princess. Now, run!"

~  * ~

It felt like it had been hours since Lucy and Virgo started running and she was exhausted. Blood coated her left arm which she had hastily wrapped with part of her tunic when she first set out and while it has stopped most of the bleeding, she could tell she was still losing blood. Sweat coated her forehead and body, causing her blonde hair and ripped clothes to stick to her aching  body. Somehow she had stumbled on a secret hidden tower and knowing that she wouldn't last much longer, Lucy decided it would be best if she took a rest in its walls.

The tower seemed to be about two hundred tall and abandoned. The stones that it was made of looked worn down and dirty. Lush green vines wrapped around and decorated most of it while the pointed top seemed in the best shape, it's brown titles seeming well put together and not in the least old.

After walking around the base of the tower twice and not finding a door or entrance Lucy decided that the window on what she deemed as the front of the tower would be the best way to enter.

Calling out to Virgo, Lucy had her help her get up to the window and inside. Once safe inside Lucy didn't spare a glance at her surroundings, instead she simply collapsed, thanked Virgo, closed her eyes, and let herself relax for a second.

But not a minute later, Virgo shook her shoulder causing the blonde to hiss and smack her hand away.

"Ow!"

"I'm sorry, Princess, but we're not alone."

Lucy's eyes widened and she quickly struggled to get to her feet. "Is it...?!"

Virgo shook her head. "No."

Lucy relaxed slightly. "Be prepared to fight."

"Yes Princess."

Changing into Star Dress: Leo Form again, Lucy quickly lit her fist up.

"Whoever you are come out. We promise not to hurt you if you don't hurt us."

Something to the left of Lucy moved and she whipped her body in that direction.

"How do I know you won't hurt me? Plenty of people have said that before yet hardly any of them meant it." A deep voice said from the shadows.

"You don't know." Lucy said truthfully, carefully taking a step forward. "You'll just have to trust me."

"And why should I trust someone who broke into my tower?" The males voice was stoic and untrusting.

"I didn't know this was your tower. I was running from some people, got hurt, stumbled on this tower, and thought this would be a good place to hide and recover."

The person was quiet for a moment so Lucy took another careful step toward them.

"You're hurt?" He finally said, less stoic but still untrusting.

Lucy blinked. "Yes. But, please just let me rest for a few days here then I promise I will be out of your hair. Please, I just need to heal my shoulder for a bit."

The man was quiet for a moment. "Fine. But only a few days. After that, I want you gone."

Lucy relaxed slightly. "Thank you."

"Of course."

"Virgo would you bring out my lantern and then tend to my shoulder?" Lucy asked softly.

"Of course Princess."

Two minutes later, a large metal lantern was set up in the center of the room, illuminating Lucy's side of the room and Virgo began to quietly address Lucy's shoulder.

Realizing she didn't know the tower owner's name, Lucy turned her head toward where she heard the voice.

"So, what's your name?" She casually asked.

It was quiet for a moment as if the stranger was pondering if he should really give his name or not but finally he did.

"It's Natsu. What's yours?"

A small smile made its way onto Lucy's face as she shut her eyes. "Lucy. My name is Lucy."

Again it was quiet for a moment and feeling that it was becoming awkward, Lucy spoke up again.

"Natsu?"

He hummed in response.

"Why don't you come over here into the light?"

"No, I think it'd be better if I stayed in the dark where you can't see me."

"Why?"

"Most people are scared or disgusted by me so I tend to stay out of sight."

"Are you ugly?" She joked.

"I've been called that. Most people just think I'm scary."

"Well I won't so come over here."

Natsu was quiet as he pondered his choices. Either he could stay in the dark and out of sight for the next few days, which is the smart choice considering what he was. Or, he could be an idiot and risk his safety even more than he already was and go out into the soft light of this mysterious woman's lantern. Normally, Natsu would have chosen the first option but, something told him to go into the light.

"Are you sure?" He asked, wanting some reassurance about the choice he was about to make.

Lucy smiled. "Positive. If it helps I can cover my eyes with something."

Natsu was shocked. Not only was this girl willing to trust some weird guy in an abandoned tower but, she was willing to make some sacrifices to make him feel more comfortable.

What a weird woman. He thought. "No. There's no need for a blindfold but don't blame me if I scare you."

Lucy chuckled "Alright, but after what happened today I doubt you could scare me."

We'll see. Natsu thought.

As Natsu slowly emerged from the shadows, Lucy gasped. Not because Natsu was ugly but, because he was incredibly beautiful.

"You're a dragon halfling." She breathed.

Natsu sighed and offered a sad smile. "Yeah, scary right?"

Lucy shook her head, still in disbelief. "No, you're beautiful."

Natsu was slightly taller than Lucy with spiky pink locks that stuck out at all angles much like Loke's hair. He had striking onyx eyes that stood out against his tan skin and pearly white teeth that contained two dragon-like fangs. He had a boyish look to face as well.  His body was riddled with muscles and based on a rather large jagged looking scar stretching across part of his right cheek and a crossed shaped scar on his abdomen, Lucy guessed his life hadn't been easy. On his right shoulder sat a bright red weird bird-fairy type of mark. Large blood red dragon wings came out of his back, matching the large two blood red horns that sat atop of his head stretching backward slightly. He wore an open black vest that had a gold trim to it, leaving his chest and stomach exposed, not that Lucy minded, and a matching black and gold cloth around his waist that reaches his knees, held up by a brown leather belt. Under that was white knee-length trousers with black ribbon ties, a black wristband on his left wrist, black sandals, and white scale pattern scarf wrapped around his neck.

Who in the world would call this man ugly or scary? Lucy wondered too caught up in her thoughts to be aware of the strange look Natsu was giving her.

"See, I told you I was ugly."

Lucy blinked. "Huh?"

"You wouldn't be staring at me like that if I wasn't scary or ugly."

"No no no no," Lucy quickly exclaimed, frantically waving her hands around and shaking her head. "I wasn't staring because you were scary or ugly. I already told you, I think you're beautiful. I was just too caught up in your beauty and my thoughts. Sorry, if I made you uncomfortable."

It was silent for a while as Lucy turned her eyes toward Virgo and Natsu stood a few feet away, awkwardly shuffling around on his feet.

Realizing that she didn't ask Natsu to sit down with her and sure that Natsu wouldn't just sit down with her without her asking based on how he saw himself, Lucy mentally scolded herself.

"Um...would you like to take a seat?" She asked softly.

"Oh...um...sure." Natsu said fumbling for the right words, a slight blush coating his cheeks.

Again another silence enveloped the two, the only sounds in the tower heard were the sounds of  Virgo tending to Lucy's wounds and the world outside.

"Uh, are you sure that you're okay with...well this monster sitting next to you?" Natsu asked carefully, gesturing to himself, his gaze cast down at the cold floor.

Lucy clenched her jaw. How much had this man gone through to have his self esteem be so low. Who the hell hurt him and why the fuck didn't someone protect him? Just because he's different from everyone else, doesn't make him dangerous. Why can't people understand that? Lucy wanted to eradicate everybody who hurt Natsu.

"Princess, calm down. You're still in bad shape and using magic that isn't necessary, isn't going to help you recover any faster." Virgo said, placing a calming hand on Lucy's uninjured arm.

Realizing that she was in fact glowing and emitting magic, Lucy took a couple of deep breaths and shot her spirit a thankful smile.

"Natsu," She started. "While you aren't completely human and you aren't completely a dragon, you aren't a monster. To me, you are Natsu, a man I met less than an hour ago and let me stay in his tower, not asking why I was injured or who I was running from. You even warned me that I might be scared of you. To me, that is not a monster, that is just a person or creature that cares and shows kindness. True monsters don't know how to show kindness." Gently and carefully, Lucy pushed herself off the wall that she was resting on and away from Virgo and stood up. Walking over to the pink haired man, she kneeled and scooped his hands into hers, firmly grasping them.

"Whoever called you a monster, whoever hurt you, whoever did anything bad to you, is an asshole and they don't deserve to be in your life. I am going to say it again. You are not a monster. Do you understand?" Lucy's voice was soft but it held an undisputed firmness to it that caused Natsu to begin to believe her words.

"Do you understand?" She asked again, leaning forward slightly, her brown eyes bearing into Natsu's onyx ones.

Natsu nodded, a faint blush on his cheeks, very aware of the proximity of the two.

"Good. Now repeat after me. 'I am not a monster.'"

"I-"

Lucy nodded eagerly.

"I-"

Lucy nodded again.

"I am not a...monster." Natsu finally said.

Though it was not as resolute as Lucy would have liked, she understood that it was something that had been imbued into Natsu for many years and something he had thought about himself for many years and it takes time to rid these types of thoughts out of someone.

The Celestial Princess gave the man before her a warm smile and gently squeezed his hands.

"Good. Remember that now."

Natsu nodded, his mind whirling.

There was someone in the world who didn't think of him as a monster? Someone in the world who thought of him as a person? Someone who thought of him as just Natsu? Just who was this woman? And why didn't he meet her sooner? His life could have been so much easier.

Suddenly Lucy became aware of how close they were and jumped back, slightly scaring Natsu from his thoughts.

"Ow." She hissed, settling back against the wall.

"That's what you get for moving so suddenly, Princess." Virgo said curtly, going back to addressing her mistress' wounds.

Lucy let out a soft laugh which caused Natsu's heart to swell. "Sorry Virgo and I'm sorry to you, Natsu. I must seem weird, by holding your hand and getting all worked up about a man I've never met before."

There it is again. Natsu thought. She called me a 'man' and not a 'monster.'

"It's just my mother taught me that everybody is equal and not to judge someone based on their appearance, so when I heard how people called you a monster, it really just pissed me up."

Natsu blinked then burst out laughing.

"Uh...did I say something funny?" Lucy wondered.

Natsu shook his head, attempting to calm himself down.

"No no." He laughed. "What you said made me very happy. Happier than I've been in years. It just surprised me, is all."

Lucy smiled. "Well that's good. I thought I was gonna be labeled as weird."

Natsu blinked. "You are weird though."

"Huh?"

Natsu gave a deep chuckle. "What type of person comes into a tower, trusts a man they've never met, gets mad on their behalf, holds their hand, then gets embarrassed about it? If that's not weird, then I don't know what is."

Lucy opened her mouth to defend herself but, realizing she couldn't dispute what he had said quickly shut it and puffed her cheeks out slightly blushing.

"How cute." Natsu said, staring at Lucy. It took a few moments for his words to process in both of their minds but, once proceed both became quiet and turned as red as cherries, Natsu being a few shades darker than Lucy.

Virgo listened in amusement.  Seems the Princess found a special person. She thought with a smile. I wish them well.

"So you think I'm cute, huh?" Lucy spoke, finally breaking the silence.

"I..um..."

Lucy laughed. "It's alright, I know I'm cute."

Natsu's head shot up. "Oi!"

Another laugh sprung from Lucy's lips. "But, you know, you're kind of cute too and you have a cute laugh." She gave Nastu a playful wink. "How about we get to know each other better?" She suggested. "I mean we'll be together for the next couple of days and I don't want to be known as the weird woman who spent two days alone with a man she didn't know."

Natsu gave a short laugh. "Too late for that." He joked. "You'll always be weird to me. But, I'd like that."

Lucy smiled. "Well then, Natsu, I guess while I get to know you, I'll have to prove that I'm not weird."

Natsu gave Lucy a toothy grin in return. "Well then, Lucy, I suppose you will and I can't wait."

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Author's Note:

I hope you guys enjoyed this. Please let me know your thoughts and if you have any ideas or requests for other one-shots I should write. And if you haven't please read the author's note at the beginning of this one-shot.