I peeked my eye open to see that I was next to a rough wooden wall of a ship, the gentle rocking and sound of waves against the edge making me panic inwardly. I thought I had escaped trafficking--I turn and meet a more surprising sight. Natsu was sound asleep, shirtless showing his well defined muscles and a totally adorable look on his face. I slap my forehead with my hand and chide myself for such thoughts. I sigh softly and relax against my pillow again, still seeing dark out the window of the room.

I grinned to myself, had I been this close to a man I wasn't betrothed to it would cause a scandal in the kingdom. The thought made me laugh softly but I clapped a hand over my mouth and sent a worried glance at my Captain. He was still sound asleep and I breathed a sigh of relief. I closed my eyes and a yawn escaped me as I tried to get into a comfortable position again. I rolled onto my side and my arm ended up resting on Natsu's chest. I realized too late as I didn't want to wake him by moving my arm away.

I prayed he wouldn't mind it when he woke back up and I told myself to calm down. When my eyes opened once more I blinked at the dim light. Natsu was pulling on a white shirt with half sleeves that looked a bit worn. There was even a cut on one arm that was slightly reddened from where he had received a cut in an old skirmish. I push myself up and my hair creates a curtain around my face.

"I take it you slept well Luce," I heard him chuckle and I wasn't sure if he was referencing how I had slept curled up next to him for part of the night. I quietly nod my head before pushing my hair back, reaching up and beginning to braid it back for the time being. I moved to get up as Natsu opened the door. "I'll get you some clothes, then I'll introduce you to some of the crew." He gave me a wicked grin before walking out and closing the door behind him.

I let out a deep breath after finishing my braid and tying it off with a piece of ribbon from my tattered clothes that where in a heap by the bed. I collapsed back in Natsu's desk chair and closed my eyes, still slightly tired. I hadn't slept well, if at all, while being held in captivity. I heard the door creak open and then close back before the distinct footsteps neared me.

"Hey Luce, are you still tired?" Natsu asks quietly and I open my eyes. I shake my head no, getting to my feet quickly. He gave me a skeptical look but then he held some clothes out to me. "Here, wear these. I'll be outside waiting for you to finish up."

After the door closed again I looked over the clothes. It was a lose long sleeve white shirt with a pair of red canvas pants and a black belt to hold it up. There was also a pair of black boots by the door. I changed into the new set of clothes, pulling the belt tight over the buttoned shirt and pants. I slipped my feet into the boots and stuffed the edges of my pants into the boots. I pulled my braid over my shoulder and rolled the sleeves up on the shirt slightly before I opened the door.

Natsu glanced over me with a small smile, a quick laugh escaping him. "You fit right in Lucy," he told me before grabbing my arm--avoiding my still tender wrists--and gently pulled me towards the bustle of the ship.

"Levy! Erza! Gray! Come meet someone!" Natsu called and a girl with short blue hair, held back with an orange headband who was dressed in a white shirt, a brown vest and pants to match rushed to me first. A tall woman with long red hair who dawned a suit made partially of armor and clothes approached. A sword openly dangled at her side and that's when I noted that everyone aboard had weapons. Natsu had his own long blade sheathed at his waist.

Then a guy with tussled raven hair approached and he only had on a black pair of trousers and boots, his chest completely exposed. A chain hung from around his neck but otherwise his torso held nothing but a tattoo similar to Natsu's. I assumed it was something the whole crew had. Natsu grinned. "Guys, this is Lucy. She washed up last night a bit shaken up but she has agreed to join the crew." He locks eyes with the red haired woman and they seem to share a silent conversation. In a few moments she smiles at me.

"Hi Lucy, I'm Erza Scarlet, second in command." She grinned and shook my hand gently after I held it out.

"I'm Levy McGarden," the smaller blue haired girl said with a smile, "the navigator."

"And I'm Gray Fullbuster, Natsu's official pain in the ass." The raven haired guy smirked and Natsu grumbled something along the lines of an agreement. I giggle softly.

"It's nice to meet you all," I refrain from curtsying and instead give a slight nod of my head.

"You'll meet the rest of the crew over time, but for now.." Natsu reaches behind him and into a small door beneath the stairs leading to an upper deck. He pulls out a lightweight sword and I feel my lips pull into a smirk. "I want to see if you have any fighting ability." He holds the sword out to me and I grip the hilt before twirling it around to be upright. Slight surprise crosses Natsu's looks but that quickly changes to one of amusement.

"I'd like to say I have a little ability." I shrug slightly before taking a stance. Natsu follows in suit after he unsheathed his own blade. It was wider than mine slightly, made of a rare black metal we called 'Obsidian Flame' because of its distinctive color and compatibility with fire magic. Very few people could manage get their hands on it, even my father--a king--had been denied even a sample of it. "Interesting sword you have there, Captain."

A devious grin appeared and I could see his fanged teeth. His hair has gotten disheveled in the sea wind. That's when I moved forward as if to strike but I faked him out, as he blocked I curved low and brought it around to avoid the block. He caught it barely and a small laugh escaped him. "That's a move I haven't seen in a long time," he murmurs. I don't have a second to react to it because he attacks and I move to block. Our blades clash and I leap back to create distance between us.

He moved towards me and swung in a different attack but I knocked it away. He brought the blade down on my right and I spun to my left, stopping right as I brought my rapier out to slice him. He held off my attack and a grin took place on his lips. He was playing this whole time, but I had kept up easily. I made a few quick, close range attacks and he managed to hold them off.

He moved quickly and brought his blade up to throw mine out of my hand but I jumped back before racing towards him again in another attack. I brought my lightweight down on his Obsidian Flame and used all my strength to try and break his block. We where mere inches from each other when we locked eyes. Suddenly he stepped back and my arms swung down from the sudden break in pressure.

"Nice work there Luce," he complimented as he sheathed his sword. "Keep that, it's yours." He motions towards the rapier in my hands before going back into the small door under the stairs and producing a sheath. He tosses it to me and I attach it to my belt before sliding the blade into the sheath.

"Capitol Patrol on starboard!" A voice called out and I visibly stiffened. Panic overtook me and I flicked my sight to the boat in the distance. The guards on board would know I was gone, and I knew dad wanted me back. Natsu glanced from me to the ship with a quizzical look.

"I-I'll be in your room.." I mutter before racing into the door and closing it. I groan softly at my stupid reaction, Natsu would know now that something was amiss. I heard the commotion outside and I knew the crew on the Capitol Patrol was making a routine round through the waters looking for trafficking ships and illegal activity. After what feels like an eternity passes Natsu opens the door and I catch sight of the sun a few hours from sinking. Natsu gently closes the door and looks at me from my place on the edge of his bed where I was fiddling with my thumbs.

"So, what's up with you and the patrol?" He asks with his arms crossed.

"Ah...well... I just don't trust them," I laugh nervously.

"Lucy." Natsu says with warning in his tone and I flinch.

"I don't want to talk about it," I say carefully.

"I need you to talk about it." He urges, moving towards me and gently pulling me to my feet so he can look me in the eye. "You can trust me."

"Natsu I really don't want to go into that," I swallow nervously. He was really close again and my heart was racing.

"Alright, but when you're ready to talk..." He steps back and sits in his chair. "I'm right here for you."

I nod with a small smile. "Thanks Natsu," I walk to him and lean down, leaving a light kiss on his cheek before stepping out of the room. I watched the crew quietly as they worked to prepare to sail overnight, and over time more and more of them disappeared below deck. I slowly walked along the boards back and fourth, letting my arms swing free and letting the breeze blow across my skin as it made my clothing fold and shift.

I eventually leaned on the railing and rested my head on my hands. I sighed softly and stared at the stars that where just beginning to peek out, listening to the soft sloshing of the waves against the bow. I smiled and closed my eyes and began to get lulled by the rocking of the ship and the quiet orchestra of noises.

"You'll catch a cold out like this," Natsu's voice startled me. I scoff softly.

"I'll be fine," I wave my hand dismissively before he walks up beside me.

"I think it would do you good to listen to the guy who has lived on the water his whole life," he murmurs against my ear making me shiver. His arms slides around my waist and pokes me in the side making me squeak and jump away from his hand; against him. He laughed and I looked up to glare at him.

"Come on, it's getting late and you haven't eaten." He pulls me towards his room again. Once inside he hands me a plate with a sandwich on it and my stomach growls. I slowly eat and enjoy the first sandwich I've had in what feels like years. When I finish Natsu sets the plate on his desk and I unlaced my boots and set them aside. I laid back on his bed and felt my muscles relaxing.

"Do you wanna change into something else?" Natsu questions and I open my eyes. I nod and sit up and he hands me a black shirt. He turns back in his chair and I change quickly behind him. I climb back in the bed and lay on my stomach, slowly falling asleep.