(Early release from school is the best thing ever unless Summer break. Anywho, please enjoy and I wanted to actually thank my Mom and Dad! Even if they haven't read my book they always encouraged me to keep writing for you guys. I hope you enjoy Chapter Four Time with Nature!)

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(Normal P.O.V)

It was decided that they will walk for the rest of the trip. Erza informed Master Makarov about the killings of the passengers and the unmoving train for him to inform to the Magic Council.
What was supposed to be a three day trip turned into a five day trip with a non-stop of walking.

Everyone but Erza was exhausted from the never ending walk. Even when they camp for the night, Erza would wake them up at the break of dawn to continue walking. Lucy's bruises on her neck weren't any better. Wendy begged Lucy to heal her which ended with no progress even when she finally had the chance to heal her. The only thing soothing the pain for Lucy was Natsu's scarf that she was still wearing. Lucy felt horrible to see her friends worry over her from the lack of sleep she hasn't been receiving. For four days straight Lucy's only time to sleep was when Natsu put her on his back to have only a thirty minute nap.

"The woods never end do they?" Gray looked over to his left to see the border of the high trees going on what looks like forever. "Erza, can we please rest for the day. I doesn't look like there is going to be a town for miles, days even." Wendy asked sweating from the walk. Natsu was carrying Lucy who was flinching in her sleep. Lucy explained her nightmares and attacks on the second night of camping in the wild. After long hours of planning and sleep schedules for Lucy, it was decided she will have her rest during the afternoon when everyone was awake and on alert.

"I have to agree with you Wendy, I was hoping to find a village to hire a guide through the woods. Apparently the woods are cursed to where you will fall asleep and to never wake again." Erza crossed her arms over her armored chest. "It's almost time to wake Lu-shee up guys..." Happy grew his wings flying to meet Erza's height. "We'll start to set up camp. Come on Wendy."

Gray, who lost his shirt along the way walked away with Wendy at his side to a patched area for their small camp. "Come along Tomcat. Let's go find food." Carla grew her wings and started to fly away. "Carla! If we find fish can we share one together?" Happy asked flying to Carla's side. "Of corse not you animal! We have to help everyone else!" Happy kept begging to Carla while flying farther away in need of food. Natsu softly put the sleeping Lucy on the grass and sat down next to her. Erza walked up to the two Mages. "I'm going to scan the area and the border as well. Keep watch and wake her up soon." Natsu nodded his head and watched Erza walking away to do her desire.

Natsu glanced over at Lucy hearing her light snores that was barely audible. His scarf was tightly wrapped around her neck covering her injury from nights before. "Don't worry Luce, we'll find help for you." Natsu grabbed Lucy's right hand holding it in place with his left. Lucy's grip tightened around his hand, almost feeling a wave of safety in her dreams. Natsu looked at her face again deciding to wake her up. "Come on Luce. Time to get up!" Lucy's eyes shot open, immediately shooting up. Natsu quickly let go of her hand; not wanting her to feel her wrath. Lucy's pupils were tiny orbs filled with panic. Her breaths were haggard and short.

Finally after minutes, Lucy calmed down and glanced over Natsu. "I'm sorry Natsu. I didn't mean to worry you." Lucy pulled herself up looking at her surroundings watching Natsu getting up as well. "No worries Luce. Did you get enough sleep?" He didn't have to question that. Of course she hasn't had any rest. You can see it with the bags under her eyes and the limping walk she does when she wakes up from her so-called 'sleep'. "It's better than nothing Natsu! So I must admit I did have my round of sleep so I'm happy!" Lucy put a smile on her face showing she was fine. Natsu examined her expression to see if she was lying or not.

It was an actual genuine smile.

Natsu smiled back at her seeing that even though Lucy was in pain and having lack of sleep, she was still their Lucy.
"Well, we better go check up on everyone! Would you show me to our camp?" Natsu didn't reply back, but was lost in her hazel chocolate eyes. It was still pure, perfect and beautiful.

"Beautiful? What are you thinking Natsu?!" He asked himself trying his best not to blush. "Natsu~. Are you lost in that empty head of yours?" Natsu snapped back into reality. "Hey! My head isn't empty! It's actually just off right at this moment." Lucy giggled and grabbed his wrist. "Onward Natsu! To the camp of Team Natsu!" Lucy started to walk, hauling Natsu beside her. "Uhhhh...wrong way Luce." Lucy stopped and turned around and started walking again. "I knew that..." Lucy giggled going the right way. "Sure you did Luce..." Natsu thought smiling to himself.

~~~~~~~~~~Later that Night~~~~~~~~~

(Normal P.O.V)

The group of people were sitting around their campfire talking and laughing. "No way Ice Princess, Erza's most powerful armor is Heavens Wheel. She can make her swords dance!" Natsu and Gray were arguing whether Heavens Wheel or Armadura Fairy were her most powerful armor. "She said it herself Flame Head, Armadura Fairy is her most powerful armor yet!"

Erza just shook her heads at the two boys while Wendy and Lucy were speaking to one another. "So was Aria really the birth place of magic Lucy-San?"
Lucy nodded her head excitedly. "It was also said that there was once a battle against Dark and Light, but some think it's just a myth for children bed-time stories." Wendy picked up one of the books about Aria. "Do you think it's a myth Lucy-San?" Lucy thought for a moment thinking. "I honestly don't know Wendy. When we reach Aria I guess we'll have to ask them!" Wendy agreed and opened the book about the culture of Aria.

Erza looked up at the night sky with the stars glistening with beauty. She sighed and stood up for her friends to notice. "Alright people. It's time to sleep. Are you going to keep watch again Lucy?" Heads glanced over to Lucy waiting for her answer. "Yes I will. And don't worry if I see danger or hear danger I will quickly wake all of you up. You guys already told me to do." Everyone but Lucy nodded their heads in agreement and satisfaction. Lucy sweat-dropped at her nakama's reaction towards her.

Lucy leaned on the tree that hung over herself and her comrades. Everyone went into their sleeping bags and drifted to sleep.

(Lucy's P.O.V)

The hours passed by with only the loud snores of Natsu and Happy including the crackling of the lively fire. It was still night time with the stars slowly disappearing. My legs and 'behind' started to ache from sitting in one position for to long. I eventually decided to go for a stroll around the camp, staying close to my nakamas.

The border of the forest wasn't far from the camp either so...maybe it wouldn't hurt to look at that too? Walking without a care, I made my way to the border with a curious feeling in my chest. I reached to the forest stoping right in front of the trees. I closed my eyes and began listening intently to the sounds. The wind was so peaceful going through the woods with a rhythm of harmony. The crickets were singing to one another creating a choir of astounding music.

"...come..." My eyes shot open with the voice. I stepped a tad closer hoping to hear it better. I again, closed my eyes vanishing all the sounds but the voice. I waited patiently for it to come again. "Come...Lucy..." There it is! "Who are you?" The voice sounded so small and innocent, like a child's voice. "Is it alright if I call you...Lucy-nee?" The voice was a child. "Of course you can! Where are you by the way? I'm sorry, but I can't enter the forest without my friends, their orders to me." The child let out a small giggle sending warm chills to my spine. "Then may I go to you, Lucy-nee?" Joy showed through my eyes. "Yes! Please come, I would love to meet you and be friends with you!"

The forest began to glow with a golden light. I covered my eyes shielding it from the blinding light. Moments later, the light dimmed and vanished. "Lucy-nee?" I turned my head back to the woods to meet a small cat. The color was brown with white spots all over his body. He was wearing a hoodie that was white having purple outlines. His big eyes looked up at me with love and compassion. I fell in love with him. "Hi Lucy-nee! My name is Teral, and I would love to be your exceed!" I was so happy that I didn't say a word to Teral, but just picked him up and hugged him. I felt a connection that was already created between me and Teral. "Hello Teral. I would love for you to be my exceed."

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(AAAHHH I DID IT!!! CHAPTER FOUR DONE!! I hope you love the new exceed that has now joined the adventure! Let's see if Team Natsu will agree to this eh? Thank you for reading this chapter and I hope you will enjoy the next one and thank you for reading this book so far! Love you all!❤️)