"There's a lot more people than the last time I visited Kasagi," Natsu spoke, looking around at the busy street of people. The streets were of stone, the buildings were wooden, stores would have wooden signs held by metal rods showcasing the store name. There weren't many alleyways, most of the buildings were too close together. The street had sectioned archways with stairs underneath them.
"You've been to Kasagi before?" Lucy asked, curious as they passed a noisy pub. There seemed to be a lot of pubs and taverns in the city. Natsu's eyes lingered to the side a bit, turning his head slightly.
"Once," he answered, walking closer beside her, "Came here on a job request, a guy who owned a pub asked for me to guard a wagon of ale to Mudlock; the town over the canyon. A lot of the people in the slums would do anything for a shot of ale nowadays, even thugs."
"With no one running the country, a lot of the people have gotten poor and began to live in slums, there were a lot of wonderful towns and cities that have fallen after Kozern," Lucy looked down slightly, "But there are gangs like Bronze Fist that have been able to keep cities and towns continue to run with a decent income and keep a good economy for its people. There's also Fairy Tail that helps those in need."
"I wonder," Natsu mumbled, stopping midstep. A woman walking down the street almost running into him.
"Wonder?"Lucy turned towards him with a questioning look.
"I was just wondering if you have ever been a part of a gang before," Natsu shrugged, continuing to walk. She began to walk beside him again.
"I can't say I was. I've met with many gangs, but I've never been a part of one. I was asked many times, but I've always said 'no'," she rubbed her arm a bit, "As for you, how has Fairy Tail gone? Helping people and how have the members been towards you?"
"We're like family. We all look up to Gramps, I always pick a fight with Gildarts, the strongest guy I've ever met. My team is one of the strongest since we have Erza who is the strongest girl, next to Mira. We have gone on many jobs, helping people. Sometimes we'd go on our own jobs, well, ever since I met Happy he's been with me on every job I've gone on; keeps me company."
"How did you meet him?"
"He was just a baby. I was out in the woods, exercising, becoming stronger. Before I knew it, a storm came in with strong winds. I only just barely heard his small cries. I followed it and he was trying to cling to a small branch. He was so small, he couldn't hold onto the branch and he fell. I caught him and brought him back to Fairy Tail. After that, I raised him and he's been with me this whole time."
"I see," Lucy smiled lightly, "I'm glad you have stayed so caring."
Natsu nodded down at her, "Speaking of a storm," he reached his hand out, feeling drops of cold water hit his palm.
Lucy looked down the road of people hustling to get to their destination to not get soaked by the coming rain, "We should reach the main building if we-"
Her body was suddenly pulled to the right, she gasped in surprise. She looked up, feeling her wrist being held by something warm. Natsu was pulling her behind him at a quick pace. He suddenly yanked her to the side of was seemed to be the back door to a pub with a deep end. Her back was pressed against the hard, cold wall. Natsu held her wrist up as his other was flat against the wall, his head down but his eyes were focused on the alleyway.
She looked up at him with widened eyes, "Na-"

"Sh," he interrupted her.

"Dammit!" a voice made her jump.
"Looks like we lost them," another voice sighed in disappointment.

"No shit," the first voice spoke sarcastically, "Dammit, Boss would've given us so much jewels if we brought that blonde to him."
"You mean that drawing that's on his wall? Doesn't he assign that one to the people who are stronger?" the second voice spoke.
"Which means if we bring the blonde bitch to him he's gonna reward us with a lot of jewels, you know of obsessive he is with finding her."
Natsu curled his fingers into a fist, clenching his teeth. 
"She may have gone to the other road," the second voice suggested.
"Then let's go," fast footsteps were heard through the alley of the two many hustling through to the road over. 
Lucy let of a sigh of relief, not hearing any more footsteps or talking. She gazed at her wrist Natsu held, his grip was tight. A slight pain came to her wrist, feeling the blood circulation begin to cut off as her hand began to tingle.
She raised her other hand, sliding her soft finger onto the skin over his cheek. Her touch making his hand loosen, he dropped his arm slowly to his side, taking a step back from her, giving her space; turning towards the alley, ready to leave.
For the first time she felt the rain begin to hit her, Natsu had blocked the droplets from hitting her and saved her from dealing with two men, most likely from the Silver Serpent by what they were speaking of.
"Let's go before we completely soak our clothes in the rain," Natsu spoke, looking over at her.
"How long did you know we were being followed?" she asked.

Natsu turned slightly to her, "They started following us after we passed that noisy pub earlier. They were about to go in before they saw you," he answered.
"Sharp eyes, I kept forgetting you had sharp senses since you acted like an idiot most of the time," she teased, grinning slightly.
"Says the one that can't even mop a floor correctly or cook," Natsu grinned back at her, "Now shall we?" He held his hand for her to take to lead her out of the alleyway, she slowly slipped her hand onto his, letting him gently pull her back to the road. Not as many people were on the road, but there was still enough, still hustling as the rain got harder at each passing minute. 
Natsu and Lucy walked quickly, their shoes hitting the stone making a thumping noise as they hustled to a large building of wood and stone, the largest building in Kasagi that could just barely be seen over the stone wall surrounding the city. It was next to the canyon, resting at what would be considered the back of the city. 
The large wood double doors were blocked by two standing guards that wore dark brown outfits. The two stopping Lucy and Natsu from entering as the walking up the steps to the doors.
"I'm here to see Marco," she stated firmly. They only nodded towards each other and opened the doors for her to enter. She stepped in cautiously, Natsu close behind her.
The interior was adorned with red curtains for the many windows, the windows were lined with a royal purple and accented with gold. The first floor was large with doors off to the side, further in was a staircase leading to another set of double doors. Guards stood at each side of the staircase and at the double doors, two more pairs of guard stood on both sides of the room. Then there was a woman who stood at the bottom of the stairs. She wore pure white silk pants with a bright red top. Her long black hair was in a single braid that fell over her shoulder, her eyes were a stunning pair of amber orbs. Her skin was had a beautiful tan, and her shoes were just as white at her pants.
She smiled towards Lucy, stepping forward with open arms in greeting as she bowed her head respectfully, "Your Highness," she spoke in glee, "We've been expecting you. It's a pleasure to be meeting Fiore's future leader."
"The pleasure is mine," Lucy bowed her head slightly, straightening her back.
"Unfortunately the weather isn't as pleasurable," the woman looked up and down at the pair, clothes wet, "Marco has luckily arranged a change of clothes for you beforehand."
The woman held up her arm towards the other side of the room to another set of doors. Lucy began to walk towards them, the woman leading her. The guards held open the door for the three to enter into a hallway with many more windows that overlooked the canyon, on the other side was doors. The hallway was long, the woman led her to a far door on the right side, opening it to an extravagant bedroom of red and gold. 
The woman walked to a door within the room, opening it to a grand walk-in closet, "He's asked you to wear the one hanging on the mirror," the woman raised her hand, gesturing to it, letting Lucy walk into the closet, "Do you need any help?"
"No, I will be just fine," Lucy assured. The woman nodded.
"I will wait for you out here," the woman spoke, stepping from the closet, closing the door behind her.
Lucy let out a small sigh, closing her eyes, calming her nerves. She opened her eyes, slipping off her soaked cloak as she stepped forward towards the mirror. A ruby red floor-length off-the-shoulder, cocktail dress with an added smooth sheer overlay of the skirt.
She slowly took off her own dress, the fabric making soft ruffling sounds as she slipped it off her body and stepping forward. She grabbed the red dress, pulling it on. It wasn't difficult to put on. The top part of the dress was fitting to her body, Her shoulders exposed with the off shoulder look. Her waist was fit to her, as for the skirt, it flowed down, hitting the floor just slightly.
Her eyes gazed down to a pair of dark crimson heels. She leaned down, putting the heels on her feet. She looked up into the mirror with a blank look, turning to see her back.
She exhaled, turning towards the door, walking out as she pushed open the door to the woman standing and waiting.
"Where is Natsu?" Lucy asked, looking around, not seeing him.
"He's gone to a separate room for a change of clothes of his own, "the woman informed, "can't have you both wet and cold."
Lucy nodded slowly, walking forward. The woman held up a golden brush as she stood next to a red cushioned chair. Lucy sat onto the chair, her shoulders back, allowing the woman to brush her long golden locks.
"I don't believe I got your name," Lucy spoke as the woman began to brush her hair.
"My name is Levoska, I am a close friend of Marco's," she spoke joyfully, "He has been quite looking forward to seeing you again, your highness."
"I met him only a two other times, but that was years ago," Lucy sighed lightly.
Levoska brushed Lucy's hair back, beginning to style her hair into a bun with a selected strands out to form her face. She braided some of her hair to wrap around the base of the bun. She sighed lightly, stepping back from her work, walking around to look at how well she did on Lucy's hair. She turned towards the dresser, putting down the brush and grabbing a perfume bottle with a ball to squeeze for the fragrance to come out. She sprayed both sides of Lucy's neck before putting it back.
"It is time," She stated, smiling lightly, "Marco wishes to speak with you in the open air sitting room."
Lucy nodded standing up, "Let us be on our way then."