I know, kill me! It's been way over a month and I apologize but my fingers aren't poppin out the right words, and I'm trying my best, and I'm not saying it as an excuse, but I finally have another pre-written chapter so I thought I'd upload this one. Enjoy.

I find it depressing how this is a NaLu story and how I was just gonna announce there's actually a small NaLu moment. . . Ugh, even though I'm the writer, I find such relief that they left that stupid chamber! It was driving me nuts and nearly backed me into a corner. I hate that mountain now, as writer it's my duty to destroy the entire setting of the chamber. I also had a hang-nail of a character that needed to be clipped off. Two birds one stone. Wow, I feel really evil now because of what I had already written.

Chapter 20- Sharing is Caring, Right?

Getting out of that hell took a lot longer than anyone had hoped. The spiraling staircase seemed to be endless, and the more they walked, the dizzier they seemed to get.

It was so dark, that not even Natsu's fire could scratch the black abyss above. That feeling made everyone jittery, and Natsu on edge.

The stairs looked like they could crumble at any second, so they hurried along in a fast pace, but also weary of the fast movments. It looked as though a butterfly could crumble the entire room. There had been many scares, such as when Gajeel, who had been carrying a very bored Venus, accidentally slipped and nearly sent Venus over the edge.

She didn't look so bored after that.

"You imbecil!" She screamed. "You could have killed me! Oh, if you drop me again, I swear to-!"

"Shuddap, or I'm really gonna send you to hell." Gajeel said, cutting off the crazed woman. He pointed down the center of the spiral. They were probably right in between the entrance and base of the stairs. Neither the top nor bottom could be seen. "That hell." Venus gulped and mumbled something.

She squeaked when Gajeel hoisted her over his shoulder again. "Ugh, whens the last time you took a bath?"

"When's the last time you stopped talking?"

After that, the stairs under Lucy had crumbled, and she had fallen. She probably would have landed on the stairs below, and then who knows what would have happened. Broken bones, tumbling down the stairs, or falling through again and again, but Erza and Gray caught her, holding her by her hands. When they pulled her up and over the side, she let out shaky breaths, panting heavily.

She gulped, nearly choking, and then stood. She stumbled slightly in her daze.

"T-thank you," they looked at her and nodded.

But now there was a large gap between Natsu, Erza, and Lucy and Gray, Gajeel, Venus, and Wendy. Gray could probably step over, but Wendy was too small, and Gajeel also had Venus over his shoulder.

"Ice Make: Stairs!" Gray said, and ice steps connected the two sides together. "Careful, it's slippery, and might be a little weak."

Gray stepped over, the ice not affecting him. Lucy brought out her whip and Wendy tied it around her waist in case she slipped and fell. She crossed over, and had slipped only once. She didn't fall thanks to the whip, which both girls had firmly grabbed.

Lucy offered her whip to Gajeel and Venus, but Gajeel refused. He walk on the ice, and walked over with relative ease. The ice below his feet were cracking, as if being punctured, but Gajeel remained unfazed and continue to walk. Venus closed her eyes tight and hummed to herself, trying to make light of the situation.

When he had finally reached their side, he let out a 'gehe' and showed them his boots. From his heal jutted a iron arrow stub.

"So, that's why you didn't slip, and the ice cracked?" Lucy asked. Gajeel smirked again. Despite the situation, the group laughed a little. It wasn't enough to make them feel more secure, but it was enough to move them forward.

So the group continued, Natsu leading the way with his fire. Lucy summoned Plue to make her a little less insecure, though she had every right to be. Levy died four days ago. And, getting off the mountain took a at least a day. She and her friends were exhausted, so by the time they'll reach town, Levy will have only five days left. Lucy was extremely nervous. What happens if Fableridge is not where Levy is? Not to mention Fableridge is half-way across the country. It'd take at least two days to get there by train.

Natsu continued up the spiraling stairs, his mind blank. He wondered how long he and his team could keep it up. They were exhausted and moral was low. He glanced behind him, and saw each if his friends with their eyes cast down low, still weary of the steps. He swallowed thickly, and it scarred him to think that what had happen to him and Lucy could happen to Gajeel and Levy. It may have taken a long time, but eventually, Natsu got Lucy back. Lucy was never a race between life or death. She wasn't a ticking time bomb. This time, Levy was dead, and they were her only hope.

Natsu was still thinking, not paying attention, until he hit his head on something. He cursed loudly, grabbing the attention of all his friends. Natsu, wincing, frowned and raise his hand-torch.

He grinned along with his friends, and they let out a triumph cheer. They had made it to the door! Natsu cheered and pushed on the door, but it didn't budge. He growled, agitated and pushed harder.

"Stupid," he grunted, "thingy, won't budge!"

Gajeel stepped past the others, lifting up Venus, who was asleep on his shoulder, and passing her to Gray.
"Huh?" She squeaked as she woke up. She glanced at the door and hissed. So they actually made it. Gray glanced at her before setting her down on the ground.

Gajeel and Natsu pushed against the door, and it move slightly. Their faces were twisted with effort, which was actually funny to watch. Lucy and Wendy tried to contain their tittering laughs as the two men pushed.

Eventually, Erza got tired of waiting. She sighed, and walked up, shoving the two guys back. They would had flown over the edge if Lucy and Gray hadn't caught them.

Erza placed her hand on the door, and they others watched with curoisty. She suddenly growled, and pulled her fist back. Giving off a battle cry, she punched the door. The door busted open, as if the slightest touch would have opened it. To say her friend's were astonish was a understatment. Erza stepped outside with a gloating smile. Lucy and Wendy cheered together as they made it outside. Gray walked out and clapped Erza on that back, dropping Venus next to her feet. Erza was looking quiet proud.

Gajeel and Natsu stumbled in next, their faces ashen and ashamed. They walked like zombies, and their faces had a different blend of purple, white, and green.

Lucy and Wendy cooed them as the sulked on their hands and knees.

"Don't worry," Wendy said gently. "Erza is just really strong."

"Yeah, you can get the next door." Lucy said as Gajeel and Natsu sobbed on the ground.

"Even with out combined strength," Gajeel said.

"It hardly budged," Natsu finished.
Wendy and Lucy looked at each other with concern, and shrugged. Their faces then swelled as they tried not to laugh.

"Come." Erza commanded, and all four of them looked at her and Gray. "It's already sunset. We'll make progress until it's night, then we rest and set out at dawn." They all stood and followed her as they began to exit the barrier.

"But Erza," Lucy began. "The barrier, doesn't it suck out magical ene-" before she could finish, they passed through the barrier. One by one, each of them dropped like flies. Even Venus. The fatigue was over-whelming, and Lucy hadn't felt this low on Magical Power since she had died. The first and nearly second time. Her eyes slowly dropped, and she fought for consiousness.

"Stupid," she choked slightly, "barrier." And then she, along with the rest of her friends (and one enemy) fainted on the ground.

Erza's brain pounded against her skull, turning into mush as she tried to fight off the urge to fall back asleep. Her arms and legs ached, her ankles throbbed, and she didn't fell like she had the energy to move an inch. Her mouth was parched and she was sweating in her armor. She was overdue for a shower and a bed, and not to mention her stomach was growling in anger from being neglected.

Long story short, Erza felt like crap.

It took all the energy she could muster just to prop herself up on her elbows. She looked around, but even that slight eye movement tortured her brain. She saw Lucy soundly asleep to her right, Wendy next to her. She looked the other way. Gray's eyes were twitching, as if he too were trying to wake up. Natsu and Gajeel looked a little too exhausted to realize they were asleep. Venus wasn't even moving. She had used up a lot of magical power, after all.

Erza was confused as to how Venus made it through the barrier. Shouldn't it be impossible? But then again, Venus was defeated in the barrier. Was it somehow different than the one Erza, Natus, Gray, and Kurai fought in? Or is it Erza, Natsu, Gray, and Lucy?

Whatever it was, it was probably different.

Erza tried to take in her surrondings. There was light rising in the east, she could see the sun beginning to sit on the horizon. Birds were singing their morning song, and animals scurried around the mages in curiosity.
Erza cursed loudly. How long had they been asleep? Erza pushed herself up, swaying as her head spun and her vision dotted with black spots.

She fell upon her hands and knees, and once again tried to push herself up. She used her requip magic to call upon a sword. She used that sword like a cane, and it steadied her enough to walk. The effort was exhausting, but if they had been laying there an entire night, that meant they had 5 days left to save Levy. 4 by the time the get off the mountain.

Erza soon felt her magic energy waxing, as if her body realized it should be restoring her energy. She panted heavily as she tried to wake up the others.

While they all suffered the same exhaustion as Erza, Lucy and Venus suffered worse. It was because of their battle. They had spent much more energy than the others.
While the others stumbled to their feet, neither Lucy nor Venus stirred. Erza became worried, for Lucy was hardly breathing.

Wendy gulped as she stood over Venus. Even without healing magic, she could tell Venus was dead. She was stone cold, and Wendy couldn't hear her heart beat. It was sad, really. They all knew she had less than 24 hours when the forbidden spell had been broken, and that was simply cut in half because of the exhaustion of the barrier. And the other half was spent sleeping. At least she had died in her sleep.

Erza glanced at the barrier, which had long since faded. It must have faded when she died. Erza suspected that because she switched from being an illusionist/barrier mage to a fire mage, the barrier was weakened tremendously. Maybe that's why the fatigue was even worse, and Venus could also pass through with ease.
Lucy had yet to move. Natsu and Gray crowded around her, trying to make her faint heart beat stronger.

"No," Erza said simply. "Do not wake her. Gray, you carry her. She spent the most magical energy, it's no wonder she won't wake up."

"Erza," Natsu said timidly. His eyes were cast down with worry as he clutched onto Lucy's hand. "What if she never wakes up?"

"Don't be stupid!" Gray snapped. "It's Lucy! Even death couldn't stop her." Gray slide his hands under her neck and knees, standing up with her in his arms.

Natsu nodded, thankful for his words. But even in his gratitude for reassurance, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealously. Why does Gray have to carry Lucy? Couldn't he?

"What about Venus?" Wendy asked in a small voice. Erza looked away for a moment. What could they do? They couldn't leave her on the mountain, but they didn't have any right to bury her. Taking her along would slow them down, and may cost Levy's life. Plus, walking into town with a dead body wouldn't help.

Suddenly, Wendy yelped. Erza looked at her and then at Venus. Her eyes widened as she saw a large, purple magic circle appear on her chest.
"Self-destruct?!" Erza exclaimed. A countdown appeared on the magic circle, counting down from 30. "Quick! Open the cellar door!" She yelled leaving not a moment to spare, and rushed over to the door that led to the secret research. Her eyes widened as it looked as it did when they first saw it, like it hadn't been touched in hundreds of years. Magic?

She pulled on the door, and it groaned under the pressure of the dirt build-up. "Natsu! Gajeel!" She said with a strained voice. Natsu quickly snaked his arms around Erza's waist and pulled. Gajeel did the same to Natsu's back and pulled along with them. The door began to lift open.

"15 seconds!" Wendy cried. The three pulled and Gray set down Lucy, pulling too. They quickly forgot their exhaustion and fatigue as they all pulled the door open.

"5 seconds!" Wendy cried louder. Gajeel scooped up Venus in his arms and threw her down the hole. There was no time for sentimental gentleness. Erza, Gray, and Natsu were ready and the second Venus was tossed, they shut the door. They slowly counted the remaining seconds.
3
2
1

The door rattled and nearly busted open. Smoke snaked it's way through the cracks and holes of the door. The smoke snaked it's way into the air.
All five of them stood around the door. Even if Venus was an enemy, for that to happen was unimaginable. "Do you think it was her comrades who set the magic circle?" Natsu asked, his fist clenched in anger. Who would do that? To their own friend? Now there was nothing. No body, no evidence, and no Venus.

"Most likely. Or she did herself." Erza said. "She said she wasn't gonna spill, and I think she had truth in her words. While she may have been an enemy, I do find her loyalty admirable. Her comrades are very lucky to have had someone so devoted." The others nodded.

"We destroyed everything," Gray said. "Historical Value and all. Who knows what research is there that could've helped many people. And now, the only clues that led to Levy are gone."

"We don't need them," Erza said. "We know where we're going, and what we have to do." Now that the adrenaline that has pumped through her veins were gone, she was feeling the urge to pass out again. She looked up at the solemn faces of her friends. "Come. We don't have much time left."

The others nodded. Gray scooped Lucy up into his arms again, and all five of the mages (and three cats) follow Erza down the mountain.

Gray sighed inside his mind. Juvia would kill him if she saw him with Lucy. But Gray couldn't deny he liked the feeling of Lucy with him.

Gray shook his head quickly, trying to dispute those thoughts from arising in his head. He was just glad she was back, that's all. That's all.

That's all, right?

Gray thought deeply on this as they continued to tread down the mountain. They tried to hurry, but the monstrous hill was dangerous. Wherever they turned was a giant rock, or cliff, or tree. They were constantly watching their footing, weary of all the hazards.
So by the time they had reached noon, Gray was exhausted. He carried Lucy bridal-style, but she began to weigh heavily on his arms.

"Gray," Erza said. "Perhaps you need a break?" Gray shook his head, trying to control his panting.

"Nope, I'm good. . ." He stumbled forward.

"I'll take her." Natsu said. Although Gray was sorta reluctant, he passed Lucy to Natsu. Natsu hoisted her over his shoulder and they both continued to follow Erza. Gray knew better to mutter because then Natsu would hear him. It wasn't that Gray was scare of Natsu, he just didn't want to risk hurting Lucy because that dope felt the need to fight.

Happy clung onto Natsu's shoulder, stomach grumbling.

"Natsu! I'm hungry!" He complained loudly. As if he had started a chain, all the other's stomaches started to grumble too, as if angry for the neglect of food.

"We'll be near the town by nightfall," Erza said. She then narrowed her eyes at Happy. "Unless you want to rest and waste yet another day, slowly starving." Happy shook his head, and shrank back behind Natsu's shoulder.

"Lucy's getting heavy!" Natsu wailed.

"I'll hold her," Gray said. Natsu gave him a suspicious face. Did he sound a little too eager? But he was with Juvia, right?

"I thought you're dating Juvia." Natsu said. The others watched intently. When you're in the middle of no where with nothing to do expect walk, you tend to like to watch these kind of happenings.

Gray scowled and averted his eyes. "I-I am!" He said scratching the back of his head. He looked up and then smirked. "Why? Scared I'm gonna take Lucy from you?"

"Isn't that what you just offered?" Natsu asked, confused. Gray sighed, his comeback dismissed without a though.

"You're stupid." He sighed.

"What was that Popsicle-stick?"

"What did you call me, flame breath?"

They clashed heads.

"Ice Princess-"

"Herpy breath-"

"Cock loving son of a bit-" they stopped as the heard a groan. They both looked down as Lucy squirmed in Natsu's arms. Natsu glared at Gray before looking back at Lucy. They continued walking down.

Lucy peeked through her eye lids. She didn't want to see anything but her ceiling at home. No more stupid hell hole, no more trees, and although she loves the stars, there is nothing better than a roof over your head. Or maybe a Natsu over you. . .

Lucy's eyes widened as Natsu stared intently at her. "Hey, you're awake. Are you feeling okay?" He said, looking down on her with passion and concern.
This is the part where Lucy falls back asleep against his chest and mummers: "I am with you. . ."
Then Natsu gazes down at Lucy, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear, giving her a small smile in the disguise of a smirk.

Then in a low voice, he'd whisper; "You had me worried, I wasn't sure you were ever gonna wake up. . ." There would be a tint of fright in his voice, making Lucy look up, trying to hold back tears. She would then reach up, cupping his cheek in her hand, sitting up so she could press her forehead against his. Then they'd both close their eyes, grateful to just be near each other. Soon, the temptation would be too much, and Natsu would slowly close the space. Lucy, being impatient, closes it immedatly, blessing Natsu with her first kiss, and his to her.
Then she'd whisper; "I've been waiting a long time for you to do that. Looks like I got sick of waiting." And he would chuckle, tracing small circles on her cheek softly.

But this is Lucy and Natsu we're talking about.

She let out a surprised scream, and accidentally slapped Natsu. And in turn, he accidentally dropped her.
Her butt hit the ground making her wince, and she nearly rolled down the hill.

"Ow! Lucy!" Natsu cried. Clutching his cheek. "What did I do?"

"Don't look at me like that! It's creepy!" She cried. She winced as she stood up, clutching her butt.

"I was just asking if you were alright!" He protested, rubbing his cheek.

"Then maybe you shouldn't make it look like you were going molest me!" Lucy said stubbornly.

Gray laughed at them, causing both Lucy and Natsu to glare at him.
Lucy rubbed her butt. "Ow," she moaned. "My butt hurts! Natsu why did you drop me?" Lucy exclaimed.

"Why did you slap me?"

"I'll cool your butt off for you," Gray said in a perverted voice.

"Aren't you dating Juvia?" Lucy asked. "By the way, Gray, when's the wedding, and what's the theme?" She let out a long blissful sigh as she clasped her hands to her cheeks, closing her eyes. "I wonder who I'm gonna take with me? Or what I'm gonna where? Pink? Oh! I saw the perfect dress a few days ago, I'll get it before we leave-" Natsu and Gray sweat-dropped. Why was she imagining a non-existent wedding?
"Maybe I can ask Ivan to go with me!" Lucy exclaimed. Natsu's back straightened.

"Ivan?" He asked.

"Can he come, Gray?!" Lucy asked, giving him puppy eyes, getting an inch away from his face. Natsu was getting slightly jealous. "Please?"

"What wedding?" Gray asked.

"Whose Ivan?" Natsu asked again.

"You're repeating yourself, Natsu." Lucy said slyly. He blushed and looked away. Lucy sighed, her eyes twinkling. "Ivan and I hit it off at the Library last month! He was totally interested and so-" Lucy suddenly stopped and a sad aurora shimmered around her as she sat behind a tree, sulking.

Even Natsu quite pouting when she did this. Gray frowned, and the two boys approached her. she was tracing small circles in the dirt with her finger.

"Luce?" Natsu asked hesitantly.

"You okay?" Gray finished for Natsu.

"Last month I was dead," the two squirmed slightly. Was she still upset over dying? She then looked up, tears streaming down her face. "Ivan thinks I blew him off!" She wailed and wailed and Gray and Natsu sweat dropped.
"Lucy, there isn't a wedding!" Gray protested. Lucy stopped crying.

"What?" She said, sniffing and wiping away a tear. Then she grew angry, shaking Gray violently. "I'm dead for a year and this is what i get?" She growled.

"Um, Lucy," Natsu said. Gray looked long past consciousness. She growled at Natsu. Then started crying again.
"Ivan!" She wailed. Then her eyes widened. "And Charlie? No! Charlie was gonna be number two! And Vance!" Lucy blew her nose from some tissues she found in the tree.

It's magic, no questions.

Natsu narrowed his eyes at Lucy. "Lucy who are those guys?"

"Charlie and Vance are part of my book club. . ." She said, then wailed again. "My book club! They probably finished 50 Shades of Grey by now!" She cursed. "And right when it was gonna get good." She hissed with an evil glint in her eyes. Gray perked up when he thought he heard his name.

"And Ivan?" Lucy dabbed her eyes. And then she sniffed loudly. When she finished, her eyes sparkled evilly at Natsu.

"You jelly?" She asked, getting close with her sneer. Natsu frowned, but couldn't hide his blush. So he snuggled down in his muffler, trying to hide his face.

"No, just wondering how a girl like you could get three guys." Whoops. That came out wrong. There's supposed to be an 'only' in there.

Natsu was expecting Lucy to start crying again, but instead, he heard a low growl. At first he thought it was his stomach, but it wasn't.

Lucy balled her hands into a fist, her nails digging into her palms. Natsu looked a little worried.

Just when he was about to apologize, Lucy bashed him in the head, punching him everywhere she could reach.

"There goes your face! And now your liver! Your future babies! And your scarf!" She snatched it away from a crumpled Natsu, and then turn to Gray where she beat him up, too.

No wedding? No legs.

Erza didn't notice the absent three mages until half-an hour since they had unknowingly split up. She scoffed loudly. "Lucy! Natsu! Gray! Get over her!" She waited a few seconds until she saw Lucy, who was sneering with Natsu's scarf wrapped around her neck, and Gray's necklace dangling in her hand. Behind her, she dragged to mangled corpses.

"Where's Natsu and Gray?" Wendy asked timidly. Lucy threw the corpses forward. Erza's eyes widened.

"What happened?" She asked. Things were where they shouldn't be, and things were missing where they should have been.

"How did you get it that far in?" Gajeel exclaimed loudly. The three marveled at the two bodies. Lucy was just surprised the two boys could still open their eyes.

"Lucy, you're evil," Gray croaked.

"Where's my hand? I need that hand! Did she eat it?" Natsu whimpered.

"They're fine!" Lucy said, brushing it off with a wave of her hand and a shurg. "Just a few scrapes and brusies."

"That's the only thing they don't have!" Gajeel exclaimed. Lucy glared at him, making him fall silent.

"They're fine. Right, guys?" She asked dangerously to the boys. They nodded through the pain.

"See? Nothing they can't handle! Now let's go, Levy's waiting."

Thanks to the little delay, they didn't make it to town by nightfall. The were near, edging closely to the outskirts. They'd probably make it to the inn in a hour or so.

Lucy, for one, would rather walk the extra few miles and get to sleep on a bed, rather than sleep on the ground again.

They tread the road under the stars, which twinkled above them. Lucy had started to feel her magical energy waning ever since she woke up in Natsu's arm. Of course, all the magical energy she had restored diminished when he dropped her, but it slowly filled itself back up again.

Lucy hummed loudly while Wendy walked next to her. Wendy was quiet, and marveled at the stars above their heads. Erza walked ahead, and behind Lucy and Wendy; Gajeel walked with Panther-Lily. Carla had already fallen asleep in Wendy's arms, and Happy on Lucy's shoulder. Behind Gajeel, Gray and Natsu limped and staggered, putting in all the effort just to try not to fall behind.

"Everything hurts," Natsu whimpered.

"Why'd she beat me up, too?" Gray asked.

"I know!" Lucy suddenly exclaimed, making Natsu and Gray jump in fright. They hoped she wasn't talking about Gray's question.

"Baka!" Natsu hissed at Gray, elbowing him roughly. They both winced in pain.

"I should summon a spirit to keep up company!" Lucy said eagerly. Happy woke up on her shoulder, peeking through one eye.

"Lucy, all your spirits are weird," he yawned and snuggled down deeper into her shoulder.

"Not this one. . . okay, maybe a little." She said with a smile. She pulled out a gold key, gripping it in her hand. "Open! Gate of Lion, Loke!" She yelled, twisting the key in the air. A sound, like a door bell, echoed throughout the dark, empty road.

A puff of smoke escaped from a magic circke, and when it cleared, they all saw Loke. Loke was still the same. Forming kitty ears out of his orange mane of untamable messy hair. Same dark sunglasses pushed against the bridge of his nose. And even though it was a new fashion, it was the same suit that Loke had begun to wear.
He appeared with a rose in hand, presenting it to Lucy. Lucy sweat-dropped. "I apologize for my inappropriate actions with the woman ealier." Lucy smiled.

"Oh, you mean Venus? It's ok. We handled it fine. Speaking of which, I haven't seen her around. Where is she?" Lucy asked. The others looked down at the ground, all except Erza, causing Lucy to scowl.

"Well, you see, she didn't ma-" Natsu began, but Erza cut him off before he could finish.

"She got away. When we passed out, I think she burnt through the ropes. We haven't found her."

"Oh. Do you suppose she warned her comrades? I wonder if they're concerned for her." Natsu clenched his fist. "They should be. Even though Venus was on the wrong side, she was actually kind if pleasant. Not pleasant-pleasant, but like, she was funny and. . ." She trailed off, realizing the glum looks on everyone's face.

Loke shifted uncomfortably. Then he glanced at Gray and Natsu. "Oh my Celestial King! What happened to your faces?" He asked. "Did you get run over by a bear? And then a steam-truck? Or did you fall off a building and then get chewed on by wolves?" They shook their heads.

"Whatever it was, it must have been dangerous." He said. Gray and Natsu slowly glanced at Lucy. She smiled.

"Must have. So Loke, what's going on in the celestial world? Last time we were there, it didn't look too good." Lucy said glumly.

"Yeah, the time stream is all messed up. It's affecting everyone differently. As far as I can tell, only certain silver keys are effected." Lucy gasped.

"Oh no! Are they okay? I hope so? What about Plue? Oh, he's so small, what if he gets hurt? And Lyra! Nothing can happen to her. And what about Ho-"

Loke cut off Lucy's rumbling with his laugh. "Lucy, they're fine. When I mean effected, I mean the time stream. For some reason, time has stopped in the celestial world. It basically freezes any celestial spirit that has connections to time."

"So then Hol-"

Loke nodded. Lucy looked down.

"That's all the more reason to save them, right?" She asked boldly. Her friends smiled at her. She was tough, but no one loved their spirits as much as Lucy did. It was pretty admirable.
"So, Loke," Lucy said, "What about you?"

"Me?" He asked. She nodded.

"Have you taken Aries on that date yet? Hmm?"

"Aries?" Gray asked. He trotted up to Loke, wincing with every step. "Whose that? Your girlfriend?"

Natsu and Gajeel moved up, too. Gajeel talked to Panther-Lily in a hushed voice. Natsu moved next to Lucy.

"Hey Lucy," He said quietly. "Sorry about before. It came out wrong." He said scratching the back of his head. Lucy smiled up at him.

"That's okay." After a few moments of silence, with only the crickets and bugs singing, and the slight murmur of Gray and Loke's conversation, Lucy looked up at him again. "But Natsu. . ."

"Yeah?" She stopped smiling and gave him a death glare.

"Next time you do that, I will cut off your finger, sow it to your forehead, and ride you like a unicorn." He gulped. How could he not take that in a dirty way? He quickly banished all those dirty thoughts- though reluctantly (he was a guy, after all) and concentrated on Lucy.

He remembered her promise, the one that kept him from explaining his feelings until they were safe.. "Do you suppose were safe?" He asked Lucy.

She shurgged, and looked down, seemingly sad. "I don't know. Right now, maybe. But it seems as though every time we begin to feel safe, something happens. I guess that's the adventure to being a wizard, huh?"
Wow. That was kinda throwing a wet blanket over Natsu's face. . .

"Well, I mean like right now. Like for the next 15 minuets, you think we're good? Like no bombs in the sky, no more villains? I swear I just need 15 minuets." She frowned. She just gave him a memorable piece of philosophy about wizards.

She scoffed. "Why? You wanna masterbate?" His eyes widened.

"What? No-!"

"Or do you wanna get frisky with Gajeel?"

"Lucy! No!" Natus protested.

"Who wants to get frisky with me?" Gajeel asked confused. Erza, Loke, and Gray, who don't have dragon-hearing eyed him curiosly. Wendy was just slightly confused. Frisky?

"Natsu does," Lucy said. The other gaped at him as he shook his head.

"No! I never-"

"Natsu, you just said you only needed 15 minuets." Lucy said, smirking.

"If that's how long you can go, I think both Gajeel and Lucy will be disappointed in the future." Erza said. No one moved or spoke. Erza just kept walking, oblivious to the gawking of her friend's.

What's that suppose to mean? Lucy thought, though it was obvious.
Lucy shivered. "I feel so violated now," she whispered.

"How do you think I feel?!" Natsu exclaimed. And they all walked in silence the rest of the way. Not even Loke spoke a word, but he would eye Natsu cautiously whenever he got too close to Lucy. He would grasp her shoulders and gently guide her away, much to the distain of a depressed Natsu.

Even Gajeel didn't dare get near him.
Natsu kicked the rocks at his feet. Of course they weren't safe. Erza was there. If he'd explained his feelings to Lucy, then Erza would make the crudest of remarks. He had to do it one on one with Lucy. . . okay, now he really felt like a pervert.

He sulked in the back, his bruises forgotten.

"Agh!" He groaned. "Why does life have to be so hard?"

"Please!" Gray exclaimed. "Do not say that word! Not with this tension?"

"What tension?" Wendy asked.

"Sexual tension?" Lucy snickered and the guys shifted uncomfortably, causing Lucy to scowl and cautiously move farther away.

"How did this go from life being hard to sexual tension?" Natsu asked.

"Stop saying that!" Gray exclaimed.
"What? Life?"

"No," Gray muttered.

"Hard?" Everyone tensed slightly.

"What's wrong with things being hard?" Gajeel was having a ball laughing his ass off. Oh, maybe ball isn't the right word in this situation.

"Natsu!" Loke exclaimed. "This is all harassment to my ears."

"Hehe," Happy snickered. "You said as-"

"We're here!" Erza suddenly exclaimed. She threw her hands up to the large gateway, one of many, that entered into the town. From there, the dirt road turned into a stone pathway. Lucy cheered and hugged Wendy.

"Yes! We get beds tonight! And baths!" She said longingly. Her eyes sparkled.

"Alright!" Erza said with a commanding voice. "We'll get two rooms. Boys and Girls. We'll take our baths tonight and it the morning, we leave at day break. I'll get us a hotel room, you guys find out the time of the nearest train to Fableridge. We have four days left tomorrow! We must hurry!" They all nodded and Erza went one way, the others another way. Loke then returned to the Celestial World.

They hurried to the train station, people giving them weird looks. They probably looked like homeless people.
They stumbled over themselves as they neared the train entrance. Quickly, they bolted in, marveling at something they'd thought they'd never see again.

"Look!" Lucy exclaimed. "Electricity!"

They all gaped in wonder as passerby's eyed them curiously.

"No time to spare!" Lucy yelled. "I wanna a bed right now, so let's hurry."
They examined all the times while Lucy brought up a map. She figure out the miles between this town and
Fableridge. She calculated the duration depending on how fast the train was gonna go. Also taking in account the number of breaks the train will take for other passengers.

While she was doing her actually fairy simple math, the other's were trying to figure out how to read the sign and find out when the nearest train will be.
When she was done, she calculated a two and a half day trip. Good, considering how far away Fableridge was. She frowned as her friends huddled around the borad, poking it.
She quickly stood. She went over to them and examined the board. It was blank. "Baka!" She exclaimed. "This is for today, we need tomorrow."

"Ohhhh," they exclaimed. "That makes sense."

The earliest train was at 7:35am. They all sighed. It was early, meaning less sleep, but it wasn't early enough.

Natsu nearly barfed up his liver when Lucy told him about how long the train ride was. Gajeel laughed, because Troia made him immune to motion-sickness. All Natsu was immune to was intelligence and Troia.

The four mages decided to grab some food, mostly because they were famished, and secondly because they hadn't had a rest since they collapsed outside the barrier.

They walked through town. The streets were lit by street-lamps. The stone-walkway seemed gold in the light. Black railings crossed off the outsides of restaurants, but also allowing a view of the street, which wasn't something you wanted to miss.

The town was old time-y. It was small and quaint, with little shops alining the sidewalks. Lucy saw a candle shops, a gift shop, an Inn, and a quaint restaurant. Lucy marveled at it all. Even the few people looked old time-y, with long dresses, or fine brown clothing. It was such a popular tourist attraction, and Lucy could see why. It was beautiful, everything being inscribed with the tiniest of details. This was the place you took your girlfriend to porpose. Or where you went after graduating some big shoot university, fanning your degree over the small towns people. It was the perfect town to spend a week or two in.

But they didn't have two weeks. They had a few minuets. So they looked for some take-out.

Lucy glanced at Natsu. If anything, this would be the perfect place to announce his feelings for her. But Natsu didn't look interested. He was smelling the air. Even Lucy could smell the sweet aroma of sweets and bread.

Maybe it was best she remain aloof with her feelings until they save Levy. That way, when the finally get a moment of security, Lucy can take her time telling Natsu that he was stupid for not doing this before she died.

Lucy yawned loudly, but her stomach grumbled even louder. "We should hurry," she said, regretfully pulling her friends out of the same trance she was in. "Erza will get angry." They all nodded and went into a restaurant next to them.

Lucy and the others sat down to have a drink while they waited for their food to be prepared. Lucy drank a pepsi, sitting across from Natsu. She sat next to Wendy. Wendy drank an iced tea.
Gajeel seemed to have gotten some dark drink, pulling screws and bolts from his pocket and dropping them in his drink. Natsu grumbled about them not having fire drinks like the guild, but grudgingly order a Pepsi instead. He said the burning feeling in his throat reminded him of the tickling fire.
Gray ordered an extra-iced water. Lucy got cold goose-bumps just by looking at the mug.
Lucy yawned. "I can't wait to get in the bath!" She exclaimed loudly, stretching her arms up. She looked at Wendy. "Can dragons-slayers smell people's ordors? Like if they haven't taken a shower in a week?" Wendy shook her hand, making the so-so gesture.
"Sometimes. It depends on the person. Somethings there main smell is stronger, kinda like a family scent. Usually people cant smell their own since they're use to it. Like usally you smell like paper, money, and vanillia." Lucy straightened. Money? Still? Even as a kid she could smell her family's fortune fill the hall. " But, right now, I can smell. . ." she sniffed Lucy. "Vanilla. . . Dirt. . . And. . . Natsu?"

Lucy scowled.

"What?" Natsu asked.

"Nothing," Wendy said dismissively. "Maybe because you still have his scarf?" Lucy's eyes widened. She had completely forgotten! She brought out Natsu's scarf and Gray's necklace.
"Here," she said, presenting the two items to the boys. "Natsu, Gray." They frowned.

"Huh, when did you take these?" Gray asked as he took his necklace and put it back around his neck. Natsu gently took the scarf, staring at it for a while.

"When I kicked your butts." She replied smoothly, making Gajeel chuckle into his drink.

Suddenly, A brow bag was set in front of Gajeel. They looked up to see a waiter, waiting impatiently for the Jewels. Lucy took out 20. The others also took out 20 to pay for their share, and they all left.

Wendy held the bag so that it wouldn't get crushed during the guy's fights.
Lucy walked next to Natsu, a little less self-conscious now that she knew the worst she probably smelt like was earthworms. Well that wasn't comforting. She glanced at Natsu, who was still staring at his muffler.

"Natsu?" She asked. "What's wrong?" She asked. She hoped she hadn't ripped it, or stained it. Natsu looked at her, like her was studying her face. He then wrapped his scarf around her neck. Lucy blushed. "Your scarf? Why?"

He shrugged. "I like how it smells after your wear it." Lucy blushed even more, grateful for the muffler covering her cheeks. She smelt it. It smelt like Natsu.

"Thank-you," she said. He nodded. "Hey Natsu, I have a question."

"Sure, ask."

"How come your clothes don't burn when you use your fire? Are they flame-proof?"

"Lucy?"

"Yeah?"

"I have no idea."

"What the hell do you mean one room?" Erza half-screamed at a man over the counter. "We have six people!"

"I'm sorry, we have three booked now."

"Right, like there's that many people in this dead beat town!"

"Look, take the room or not, I want to go to bed." The clerk said, dangling the keys in front if him. Erza glared at him before snatching the room key away.
She heard the door open behind her. She turned and saw her friends waiting at the door.

Wendy smiled. "We got food!" Erza, despite herself, smiled.

"Looks like were sharing a room, guys." The others frowned at her.

"What do you mean?" Gray asked.

"Apparently they're all booked."

"That's not too bad, I'll sleep on the floor." Lucy offered. Erza scowled.

"We'll sort it out when we get there, let's go up and eat." Erza said and they all followed her up to the third floor. There were four rooms, two on the third and forth floors. They were opposite halls of each other.
Lucy stepped in first. She noticed immediately that the couch from their previous visit of the inn had been replaced by two small single seats. She sighed. She was just gonna sleep on the couch. She guess she could work with the floor, she was so tired she didn't care.

"I call bath first!" She exclaimed.

"Second!" Gray yelled. "Erza make sure Natsu doesn't eat all the food while I'n in." Erza nodded, yawning.

Lucy got in first. She had brought a small pack with her. Basically two spare change of clothes. She sighed, realizing the one she was wearing was in tatters. She wondered why that restaurant had even served them. She bet she looked like a homeless person. At the moment she felt like one. Hungry, tired, and she hadn't taken a shower for a few days.

She ran the bath water, adding soap to make it extra bubbly. She was shocked that Erza didn't purpose buddy-baths. But more than shocked, she was extremely relieved. She peeled off her dirty clothes, throwing them in the trash-can, and got in the bath.

She sighed and closed her eyes. The water was so warm, it seemed to sink into her skin. She realized that the others were waiting so she quickly washed her hair, taking a few extra seconds to message her tense scalp. She sighed in relief when she dipped her head back into the water, her hair fanning out like ink in water.

She scrubbed every inch of her skin with a rag from underneath the sink. After 15 minuets, she deemed her body clean and got out. While she drained the water, she took out her clothes. A green tank-top and beige shorts. She decided not to wear her belt, whip, and keys. She rubbed her eyes as she brushed her teeth. She really wanted her pajamas, but she had packed lightly. Even Erza had packed lightly. Of course, she hardly ever needed to pack clothes.

Lucy stepped out of the bathroom. She yawned and sat down next to Wendy at the table. "Gray," she said. "Your turn."
Gray nodded and stood, leaving his empty plate behind. They all watched him walk away.

"I call after Gray!" Erza said swiftly.

"Um," Wendy said timidly. "Is it alright if I go after Erza-san?" They all nodded. She gave them a small smile.

"Happy can take a bath with me!" Natsu annouced. Happy popped up next to him.

"Aye!" Lucy shivered. That put a disturbing image in her mind.

"I guess I could go with Wendy," Carla said a bit sourly. Wendy nodded with a smile.

"I refuse to take a bath with Gajeel!" Lily exclaimed. Gajeel looked hurt.

"What? Why? You're my cat!" He protested. Lily glared at him.

"A cat with dignity!"

"I suppose it's alright with two females, but it does seem awkward with males." Carla said. Wow, throwing Happy under the bus.

"Happy is my partner!" Natsu said. "We do everything together! Shopping, bathing, sleeping-"

"Matserbating?" Gajeel asked. Natsu glared at him.

"You mean what you do to your mom's pictures? No thanks," Gajeel and Natsu then got into a strange fight of mothers and right hands. Lucy was confused, but continued to eat what had been served on her plate.

Gray walked out, in nothing but his boxers. Wendy squeaked and Lucy covered Wendy's eyes for her.

"Gray!" She yelled. "Put some clothes on!"

"Why? I always sleep like this."

Lucy's eyebrows twitched in annoucence. "Wendy's like 5!"

"I'm 13. . . Almost 14." Wendy said quietly, but no one paid attention to her and continued arguing. Erza walked past him like it was perfectly normal, and went to take her bath.

After a while, Gray decided to go to bed. "Night Lucy, Wendy."

"Night, Stripper." Lucy said.

"See you in the morning, Gajeel." Then Gray looked at Natsu right in the eye. "And Herpy breath." Natsu started angrily breathing fire. Lucy reached over the table and smacked him on the head. He rubbed it.

"Ow, Lucy, that hurt."

"Oh! That reminds me!" She said, pulling out his scarf. "Here." Natsu took it, smiling.

"Thanks. But how did you get from me being in pain to my scarf?"

"Just take it." She said. He wrapped it around his neck. Lucy finished the rest of her food by the time Erza came out.

"Wendy, since we're low on beds, would you mind sharing with me?" Erza had asked her. Wendy shook her head.

"Not at all, Erza-san." Erza nodded and went to bed. Wendy and Carla took their quick bath and soon went to bed with Erza. Gajeel went, too, and a grumbling Lily followed closely behind him.

Lucy yawned, realizing it was just her and Natsu. "Lucy, I don't want you to sleep on the floor." Natsu said bluntly, stroking Happy, who had fallen asleep in Natsu's lap.

"It's fine Natsu, I'm so tired I don't really care." She protested. True, she had been looking forward to sleeping in a bed, but she didn't want any of the others to sleep on the floor either.

"Well, what if I slept on the floor?" Natsu asked.

"Then I'll knock you unconscious and tuck you in bed." She said.

"I like the tucking part, but not the rest." Natsu said, he seemed to be thinking about the situation, which sorta surprised Lucy. Lucy blushed at his remark. She hoped he was too dense to realize the last option. No he was too oblivious to realize it.

"Hey! What if we slept together, like Wendy and Erza? Sharing is caring, right?" She spoke too soon.

"Baka! No. That'd be too weird." She said, blushing a crimson red.

"Come on, Luce. It's not like we haven't done it before." Wow, this must sound very dirty to the others.

"When that happens, usually it's against my will." She responded. Wow, that was even more dirty.

"Luce, it's not gonna kill you. I'm not that bad." He said. She choked when she thought she heard laughing, and her cheeks became even more red. Why was she even thinking dirty? She wasn't that crude of a person, not like Erza, but everything Natsu said seemed so sexual.

"Yeah, you kinda are." He snores, takes up the bed, drools, talks in his sleep, and they always spoon. SPOON.

"Am I worse to sleep with than the floor?" She didn't respond. She'd be cold, uncomfortable, and no doubt in the morning she'd be aching all over. She wondered if Aries could make her a wool bed. Probably not. She sighed.

"Fine, Natsu. But not until you take your bath." She said, crossing her arms, failing miserably to hid her scarlet cheeks. He grinned at her.

"Deal."

When Gajeel had fallen asleep, Lucy tip-toed to the last remaining bed. Natsu had left, last to take a bath. Lucy had taken Happy. He was so tired, even though he hadn't really done anything, that they decided to just let him sleep and take a bath tomorrow. Looks like Happy had more dignity than Lily, afterall.

Lucy laid on the bed. It was hard, but the pillows were fluffy. And the blanket was stiff, and cold, but it had ventilation so she wouldn't get too hot. That obviously wouldn't be a problem since she was almost shivering.

But her exhaustion over-powered her un-comforts, and she soon felt her eye-lids become too heavy to keep open. She was only half aware of someone crawling into bed next to her. Someone warm. Since she was so cold, her half-dazed mind decided to cuddle against this warm object. When she was finally warm, she smiled in her sleep and soon found her brain shutting down 100%.

All she heard before her mind went black was; "Goodnight, Luce."
--------------------------------------------
I killed her. Sorry, I liked Venus a little bit too. But she was dead-weight, and she didn't have time left either, so bye-bye. It's because of how stubborn I designed her character that didn't let any info slipped. It probably would have helped.

Wattpad keeps messing up my format :/

Thanks for reading!!
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-DoNotEatRaw