A/N: I decided to try something a little different… sit back, relax, and get ready to read. Hoping to update my other story soon, just hit a writer's block on it, so hopefully a little typing will get the brain power going. Questions, comments, or reviews are much appreciated! Thank you for reading and have a pleasant day. WARNING! THERE WILL BE FUTURE FLUFF!

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail or any of its characters; they all belong to Hiro Mashima.


††††

"I hate you…"

The statement didn't even faze the man before her. Turning on her heel, using all the strength she could muster to push back the tears, as she ran.

How could anyone do this to her? How could someone be this cruel?

And yet, God had played a cruel joke on her…

Whatever deity existed out there, they seemed to enjoy any form of torture that was at Lucy Heartfilia's expense.

Perhaps this story would best be told in the beginning… It was a sunny and bright afternoon in the middle of June. Off the coast of Hargeon—a port town best known for trade—is where our adventure unfolds.

"Are we there yet?" a haughty voice spoke, irking the pink haired mage for what felt like the millionth time.

Natsu Dragneel—the great "Salamander"—one of Fairy Tail's most powerful wizards, was reduced to the task of serving this high class woman. Having accepted the request of catering to the wonderfully charming maiden, to her ship proved to be the dragon slayer's biggest mistake yet.

He should have seen this coming when she demanded that he transport her on carriage, refusing to so much as step one foot onto the "Pothole infested roads". Ever the optimist, he decided to dismiss the thought. However, when she demanded they stop for her to reapply her make-up, was when he started to lose his sanity.

Like a ticking time bomb ready to blow, he found Lucy Heartfilia fanning the flames, hoping that any minute now he would break and spontaneously combust.

People were too easy to control to her. And he was no different than the rest.

Grinding his teeth together, Natsu increased his speed, ready to dump her off, collect his pay and stuff himself silly.

"Wizard," she snorted, her voice dripping with venom.

"I plan on attending my soiree in one piece do you hear me? Not to be thrown around like a ragdoll by some low-class mage who can't even pronounce a name correctly."

Ouch. She just had to add that in didn't she?

Rolling his eyes in response, the fire mage fought with his self-control on using one of his moves on this "Lady" and calling it a day.

'Breathe…It's for the jewel, it's for the jewel, it's for the jewel-'

"-Are we there yet?-"

'-It's for the jewel, it's for the jewel, it's for the jewel-'

"-I believe a pay reduction is in order."

Coming to a complete halt, the white wooden carriage jerked forward, earning a startled squeak from the blonde women's lips. Whipping his head around to face her, Lucy trembled under the darkened expression.

With a fist clenched tightly threatening to almost draw blood, Natsu scowled at the blonde haired girl.

"Shut up! Don't you ever get tired of talking?! I've battled all kinds of monsters before, but Lady" she shot him a glare as he continued; "You have to be the worst one yet."

Giving him to filthiest look she could muster, she opened her mouth to speak, before something caught her eye.

Grabbing the front of her elegant maroon lace gown, she tore the front open, revealing her corset, displaying her well-endowed chest. Natsu's eyebrows shot up in response at the women's actions, cursing himself at the feel of his face heating up.

'What on…?'

Grabbing a fist full of hair, she pulled her it out from the secured bun, having it cascade down her shoulders like a golden waterfall. He would be lying if he said she wasn't attractive. Baffled by her motions, the dragon slayer blinked in surprise.

"Lady Lucy!"

Still in shock over the… interesting display, the Fairy Tail wizard failed to notice the angered expression on the red haired knight's face.

"D-Dan! Oh, I'm so glad that you're here!" Lucy sniffled, choking back a sob as fake tears fell from her chocolate brown eyes.

"W-what's going on?!"

The two men watched as the woman tried to compose herself, hearing her tear up as she did so.

"Oh Dan… it was horrible! This man he… he attacked me! And as I was about to call for help you came." The young girl lied.

Snapping out of his stupor, Natsu folded his arms across his chest, glaring daggers at the woman in the carriage. "That is the biggest pile of s-"

"-Silence! So… you like to prey on women huh?" The man started, glaring daggers at the woman's attacker.

"Such a pity… and to think that Fairy Tail had such a good reputation too. Well, you can forget about your pay, and any other requests you might take in the future!" Dan yelled, aiming his sword at Natsu's throat.

"You're lucky if you even get enough jewels to last you through the month when I spread the word that Fairy Tail's very own Salamander is a lecherous cretin.

Narrowing his eyes in anger, Natsu felt himself boiling over at the threats. It was one thing to hurt him, but to hurt his guild? The family he had come to know and love—was unforgiveable. Barring his sharp canines releasing an animalistic growl, he let go.

"No one threatens Fairy Tail and gets away with it!" He roared.

Charging at an incredible speed, the dragon slayer rammed towards the knight, lighting his fist on fire as he attacked blindly.

"Iron fist of the dragon!" he roared, causing the honey haired woman to gasp at the awesome might of this powerful wizard.

Before his fist could even make contact with the other males face, Natsu felt a strong grip on his arm, stilling him from any further assault.

Onyx eyes met with the cold and disappointed gaze of Erza Scarlett.

††††

"Honestly Lu-Lu-chan just forget about him and enjoy the party!" her fiancé grinned.

Men and women from all around Fiore had been invited in attending the bountiful part. Only the crème de la crème were here on the elegant boat. Decadent food and drinks were provided, along with the contemporary sounds of classical music. Everyone at the party seemed to be enjoying themselves, except for her.

Rolling her eyes at his antics she continued to read her magazine, sipping from the glass of expensive red wine as she tried to ignore the fool beside her.

"Dan," she spoke sternly, never taking her eyes off her means of entertainment, "You know how I feel about that disgusting pet name." She spoke, her voice sounding sweet.

Watching him apologize profusely, the red haired man took the hint to leave her be.

"Oh! That's right, there's supposed to be a meteor shower tonight!"

"Really? A meteor shower in all this lighting?"

"Well, you never know. I heard that it's supposed to be a rather glorious one this evening."

Lucy couldn't help over hearing the conversation between the two men. Having been fascinated in astronomy, she couldn't help but wonder what it looked like.

'A meteor shower…? Seems like a nice night for one too.'

††††

Greeting guests as she made her way upstairs, Lucy found a nice quiet spot near the rails, gazing out into the open sea.

The sudden sounds of bells ringing caught her attention, before she could even turn; a sudden movement of the ship had her barreling out from over the metal railings, and out into the deep-blue salty sea.

Sputtering incoherent words and phrases, the large waves wrestled against her petite frame. As she reached out for help, the tidal waves began sucking her under more and more, causing her lungs to scream for air.

Taking one desperate last look up at the surface before her, her vision began to darken, watching as her life flashed before her eyes.