Chapter One

Jumble Job

(Lucy's POV) It had been one month since the magic tournament and everyone at the guild was as lively as always. Well, almost everyone…

Gray, Gajeel, and Natsu stood leaning back in the corner of the guild, a tension and uncertainty clear in their eyes. It was so unusual that they weren't fighting and I kept noticing them glancing over towards my bubbling group.

Standing beside me was a fidgety Juvia, a blushing Levy, and a grinning Erza. So they had noticed it too. I whispered into Levy's ear,

"Did something happen?" Her face became brighter and she shook her head quickly,

"Of course not!" Levy was so cute with her head bowed down sitting next to Juvia.

Then to my surprise Erza sat down and nudged Juvia's arm,

"How was dinner?" As Juvia began to fidget more she barely managed to whisper,

"It was really good…" Had Juvia had dinner with Gray?! Erza looked at me with a very big smile plastered onto her face.

"What is it?" I asked not liking the look she had on.

"Oh nothing," She glanced back to look at Gray, Natsu, and Gajeel. When I followed her gaze my eyes met Natsu's. Then he quickly looked down at his feet, his face starting to turn a light pink. What?!

I could hear Levy giggle behind me. I shook my head confused. Why was Natsu acting so weird? I expected Gray and Gajeel but Natsu?! What the hell!

"Why don't we go and join them?" Erza said pushing Levy and Juvia up. My thoughts were racing, coming up with many different reasons as to why he was acting like that. The one that stuck out the most made my blood rush to my cheeks. Could he like me?! Impossible!

We reached the far corner where they stood and I felt myself getting nervous. Don't you idiot! What's there to get nervous about?! Natsu's just a friend, F-R-I-E-N-D!...Right? My heart wavered he did always save me.

"Natsu! Gray! Gajeel! Do you all want to go out on a job?!" Erza asked grinning. I stared at her shocked.

"What are you doing?" I hissed.

"Patient," The three boys looked at each other uncomfortably. Then Natsu spoke up with an ok.

"Great!" Erza said turning to her purse and pulling something out.

"This one!" She yelled with a job in hand.

(Natsu's POV) What was that devil Erza thinking?! All of a sudden asking us to capture some pirates on an exotic island! And a boat! I still feel sick thinking about it… And! Why were all the girls coming?! Lucy, Erza, Levy, Juvia, along with me, Gray that bastard, and Gajeel! Didn't that idiot Erza understand?!

I just couldn't be around Lucy… It's still so confusing and when I look at her my heart starts beating fast. Really fast. I guess the same went for the other two? Erza knows that so why?! Why did she choose me and Lucy to be a team! Not that I don't like it but still!

(Earlier) When we got to the island there was a small cabin on the beach where our client resided. Inside it had been only one small room with the kitchen to the side of the door and a single bed by the one small window in the whole cabin. There was a small fireplace and trash scattered around everywhere.

"We're here for your request!" I called not seeing anyone inside.

"Oh! Thank you so much!" We all looked down at our feet and saw a small chubby man with thin white hair and a mustache. He wore a small purple waist coat and green pants along with shiny black boots. The man held out his hand as far as he could and Erza still had to kneel down to shake it.

"Can you tell us more about the situation?" She asked. He nodded his head walking towards the small kitchen area to fix some tea.

"The pirate's gang is called the Jumble Crew. They landed on the island three days ago seeking refuge from marines. Last time I saw them they were inside the forest. So, I'd like you wizards to capture them for me and give them to the marines!" He explained to us while pouring us some beverages. He handed one to Erza and they continued a meaningless conversation on his couch.

"Ahem!" I said trying to get the one who decided to go on this job's attention.

"Yes Natsu?" She asked just seeming to notice me in the room.

"Shouldn't we be making a plan to capture those pirates now Erza?" Lucy said trying not to anger the beast. Erza's eyes widened realizing that they did in fact have to do that.

"You're right Lucy!" She placed her hand on her head and began fiddling with her hair. A habit she'd developed when she was deeply thinking about something.

"OK I've decided! Gray and Juvia will search on the beach together where they're stronger. Gajeel and Levy will look in the trees and caves. Lastly, Natsu and Lucy will search deep into the forest!" She exclaimed seeming pleased with herself. I growled in my throat at her.

"What about you!" Gray and I yelled at the same time. Her eyes began to glow red as she silently warned us to shut up. God she was freaking scary! Was she even human sometimes?! Lucy pulled on my arm,

"Just forget it Natsu!" She whispered. I grudgingly went out the door with Lucy and the others while Erza stayed back and chatted.

So that was how me and Lucy got stuck together and now were walking into the forest being extremely awkward! I mean usually we'd be talking and laughing the whole way but now we're completely silent.

"Hey Natsu?" Lucy looked up to my face seeming…worried?! "Y-yeah!" Why was I stuttering?! We stopped by a small lake and her eyes reflected the blue color magically. I had to admit she was really beautiful at times.

"Are you ok?" I tried to reassure her but words just wouldn't come out.

"I-I'm not sure…" I said feeling that was the right thing to say. Our eyes were locked, our breath completely stilled and then we slowly started inching closer to each other. We were merely centimeters away and I could feel her warm breath against my face.

"L-Lucy…"

"Natsu!" And then we heard a loud crash with Gray yelling,

"We got them! We got them!" Then we both quickly turned away our faces flushed and headed towards the beach. I let out a sigh of relief. That was close, I could have just ruined our friendship! But… Lucy had seemed like she wanted to kiss me too?

When Erza handed the pirates over to the marines docked on the island the client gave her the reward. She returned to us smirking evilly and it made me wonder what the reward was. She gave each of us a ticket to a hot springs for tomorrow.

"We're all leaving tomorrow and are staying there for…" She looked on a slip of paper in her pocket, "Three days and two nights! OK everyone?!" She squealed acting just like matchmaking Mira. I groaned. I was going to die!

To be continued…