Natsu decides he must find a way to make amends with Lucy somehow.  He is not sure what the plan should be for this yet.  He is sure that he can come up with something though.  He smiles in spite of it all.  He sits down on the bed to think.

      While Natsu is deep in thought, Lucy talks to Happy.  "Happy, do you think Natsu really wrote the note?"   

       "Well, I think that maybe he did, but then again it did seem rather off for him to be that harsh in it.  That does not really remind me of him."  Happy remarks.

       "If he did not write the note then who did?"  Lucy ask.

       "I think I know, but it sounds bad."  Happy says.  He does not know to tell Lucy who wrote it without accusing someone else in particular.  He has a hunch though who it could be that really wrote it.

       "Just tell me already!"  Lucy replies.

      "Ok, fine!  It was Lisanna.  I mean I suspect her because she does not seem to like you, she likes Natsu just like you do and she is that nice."  Happy remarks.

      "What?  I thought she was our friend.  How could she?  Why would she stoop so low ?"  Lucy responds.

      "I told you she is in love with the same man.  Often this makes people do strange things when they feel they have competition for the person they love."  Happy says.

      "Oh, then I better go back to the cabin soon!  I do not want her to get away with this."  Lucy says.

     "you sure you want to do this right now?"   Happy ask her.

    "yes, I am sure!"  Lucy says.

    "Well, then lets go!"  Happy says. 

        Happy and Lucy turn around.  They two head back to the cabin.  As they enter the room, they do not notice Lisanna.  It seems she remains where it was on the ship that Natsu saw her last.   Fortunately for them, she was to angry to bother to look for him in the most obvious spot.   This gives Lucy some time to talk to him without Miss priss pot around anyway.

         Natsu looks up to see Lucy and Happy.  He smiles.  He frowns.  He looks at her in confusion.  "Lucy, where have you been?"  Natsu ask.

      "Relax, I only went on a walk with Happy to get some fresh air.  I promise!  Besides, I thought you were with Lisanna."  Lucy says.

      "I was only she took it mean more than I thought.  I  admit I was not sure what to make of it all.  What bothers me the most is she thinks she can get away with her bad attitude and tries to demand I date her!  Can you believe it?"  Natsu says.

     "What?   You and her?  You can not be serious!"  Lucy says.

      "Luce, it is alright.  I did not agree to this idea.  I mean the whole thing is crazy if you ask me. I do not feel that way about her. "  Natsu says.

      "You do not??"  Lucy ask. 

     "Luce, look, I am sorry for whatever I did to hurt you.  I wish I would have made sure to include you when Lisanna and I left the room earlier.  I mean you deserve better than that Lucy."  Natsu says.

     "Did you write this?"  Lucy says.  She holds up the note she found earlier that day.  She hopes that Happy is wrong, but at the same time hopes it really was not Natsu that wrote it.  She waits to see how he reacts.  

       Natsu looks at the paper.  He frowns.  He reads the part towards the end, his eyebrow raises, and he frowns even more.  He is not to happy about what it says.  Not in the least bit.

      "There is no way I would ever say such things to you!  I know of someone who could and would though. In fact, I am sure that she wrote it. Oh, no!  Lisanna!"  Natsu says.

          "Wh-what?  Happy told me the same thing, but I actually thought she was our best friend."  Lucy remarks.

        "Luce, I am sorry.  I  believe it is my fault.  You see she also has the nerve to ridicule you in front of me.  I told her to stop and that is when she says something about she will only do so if I date her.  I will not let her black mail into a relationship."  Natsu says.

       "Wow, thanks for the warning.  That still does not explain though why you are back at the cabin."  Lucy says.

      "Sure it does.  I was so angry that I took off and came back here.  I  felt a need to speak to you and not someone else."  Natsu says.

       "Ok, I will listen."  Lucy says.  She is still unsure how to process the bad news that Lisanna really does hate her like Happy says.  However, she is glad to know that Natsu appears to be on her side.  She wonders though, how long this will last?   

      "Luce, I  still am not sure how to answer the question you gave me the other day.  I want you to know though I will try my best to make you happy.  I will try my best to protect you.  I will not let Lisanna ruin anything.  Most of all, I  understand if you decide never to speak to me again. "  Natsu says.

      "N-Natsu, I do not k-know what to s-say?"  Lucy says.

     "It is okay.  Just give me a chance to figure out everything."  Natsu says.

      "I will."  Lucy says.  She thinks, I will let him find out how he feels even if I end up without him somehow anyway.   She believes she might still have to go home earlier or avoid him for a bit.  For now she is glad she gets some time without Lisanna close by.  What a relief!

      "Oh, thank you, Luce!"  Natsu says.  He hugs her and Lucy blushes.  He lets go and she mutters,  "N-Natsu, y-you m-mean so much to m-me.  More than you k-know."

      "What did you say?"  Natsu ask.

     "Nevermind."  Lucy says. She sighs. She sits down and begins to draw for a bit.

         "Lucy tomorrow, how about we go out for a bit?"  Natsu says.

        "Sure!"  Lucy says.  She tries not to get her hopes up, but finds it harder the more time that goes by.

       "Good, that is the Luce that makes me smile."  Natsu says when he sees her begin to relax and smile a bit.

        to be continued in Chapter  6  Nalu Has a Blast?