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Mission Gratsu is a Go


"Oi, ice block, fight me!"

Lucy, Erza, Levy, Mira, and Lisanna were sitting at a table. Levy was reading, Erza was eating cake, and Lisanna was braiding Mira's hair. Lucy, however, was watching Gray and Natsu intently. "Nē, min'na," she said after a while, "don't you think Gray and Natsu would make a cute couple?"

Everyone stopped what they were doing to watch Gray and Natsu, who were brawling, as usual. Gray had lost most of his clothes and was wrestling around with Natsu on the floor, throwing punches and insults. "Huh," Lisanna said, brows furrowed, "I never really thought about it, but yeah..."

Erza nodded. "They do have strong chemistry." Stars appeared in Levy and Mira's eyes. "This is perfect," Levy said, grinning. "We have to get them together!"

Mira and Lisanna nodded enthusiastically. "Yes!"

Erza and Lucy frowned. "I don't know about this," Lucy said. "I feel like it's rude to intervene in someone's relationship." Erza nodded in agreement.

"But guys," Lisanna said, throwing up her hands. "Think of their ship name! Gratsu! It's so adorable!"

Lucy's face turned red. "Crap, it is. Okay, fine. I give. What do we do first?"

The girls huddled together, shooting glances around to make sure no one was listening. "Okay, what if one of us invites them on a job, but then inexplicably get sick the day of, and they have to go alone? How's that?"

"Perfect!" Levy squealed. "Lucy, can you handle this?"

Lucy nodded. "And then we can follow them and see what happens!"

"Yes! It's a plan!"


Later That Day...


"Nē, Natsu, Gray?" Lucy asked innocently. "Would you guys come on a mission with me tomorrow? Erza, Levy, and Lisanna are all busy."

Gray and Natsu shared a look. Gray shrugged. "I guess." Natsu jumped up with a grin. "Of course, Luce! Have you picked out a job yet?"

"Yep," Lucy said, hiding her devilish smile behind her hand as she handed them the job request paper. Natsu read it over, his brows furrowed. "Can you even read, flame brain?" Gray asked with a snicker. Natsu immediately tossed the paper back to Lucy and whirled on Gray. "What was that, ice princess? Let's go!"

Lucy smirked as she walked away. "See you guys tomorrow!" she called over her shoulder, snickering as she sat back down at the girl's table and they started talking, giggling every now and then. Laxus narrowed his eyes at them from across the room, and so did Gajeel and Cana.

The three crept over to their table and soon discovered what was going on. "I want in on this!" Cana said with a giggle and a hiccup. "It'll be super fun!"

Gajeel grunted in agreement. "I think Salamander would be less annoying if he was dating someone."

Laxus nodded. "Maybe he'll finally stop challenging me to a fight every other second."

So Team Gratsu had three new members, and the girls filled them in on the plan.


The Next Day...


"Hey, guys," Levy said, walking up to Gray and Natsu, who were waiting at the train station with their arms crossed. "Lu-chan told me to tell you that she couldn't go on the mission because she caught a really bad cold. But she doesn't want to let the man down, so she still wants you two to go."

Gray rolled his eyes as Natsu nodded. "Fine by me. Let's go, ice princess."

Levy quickly ducked behind a pillar as the boys boarded the train, and as soon as they were out of sight, Lucy, Lisanna, Mira, and Erza appeared out of the shadows, and the girls crept onto the very last car of the train, making sure they were nowhere near the boys.


"You know they're up to something, right?" Gray asked, his arms crossed as he looked out the window.

"What?" Natsu asked, covering his mouth with one hand as he was currently bent over trying not to barf.

Gray sighed. "Never mind."


As soon as the train arrived at the station, the girls followed the boys to the theater where they would be preforming. The previous day, Lucy had hand-picked an acting job that wanted a prince and a princess, knowing that, if she cancelled, the two boys would have to play the roles.

When the boys went back stage, the girls snuck into the audience, and stiffled giggles as the seats slowly filled up. Gajeel, Cana, and Laxus had arrived, Laxus dragging along the rest of the Thunder Legion. They all sat towards the back and watched as the curtain went up, revealing Natsu wearing a dress and a wig, looking pissed, and standing at the top of a tower.

Lucy snickered as dramatic music started to play, and Gray appeared dressed in a fine outfit, wielding a sword. "My fair princess," he said, sounding extremely uncomfortable, "I have come to rescue you from this tower!"

The play was an interesting one, which consisted of the prince rescuing the princess and attempting to take her back home, all the while battling against rogue bandits, dragons, and other obstacles. Finally, the end of the play was nearing, and Erza, Levy, and Lucy were in tears as Gray gripped Natsu by the shoulders. "My princess," he said, once again sounding like he wanted to die of embarrassment, "you are finally home, but I must ask of you one last thing before I take my leave."

"Here it comes!" Lucy and Levy squealed, clutching each other tightly.

Natsu nodded, gulping. "Yes, my knight."

Gray took a deep breath and squeezed his eyes shut, reaching forward to give Natsu a kiss. Everyone was on the edge of their seat, the girls silently saying "Yes." over and over again. But then a stage-light fell, and the boys leaped apart. Taking the opportunity, they took a deep bow, and everyone clapped.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" the girls screamed, quickly ducking down as Gray and Natsu looked their way. Lucy silently swore, and shared a crestfallen look with Levy.

"We need a Plan B."

Erza nodded. "We can't give up now. Mission Gratsu is a go!"