Only In a fairy tail

The life of a slave left him battered and broken. Perhaphs if he took her hand, it may be possible to relight the warmth he had lost ten years ago. This is the story of a love found only in a fairy tail.

Chapter 9: Off we go

In the midst of his despair, Gajeel still had not given his response to the very lovely Levy Mcgarden in front of him. Juvia nudged him to snap him out of his stupor.

"Err... What?" He asked clearly confused.

"Please go out with me... to the stalls in town square... Is what I meant to say..." Levy blushed prettily, chickening out at the last minute. If she recalled, the plan was simply to be with Gajeel and act the part of an interested lover to spark some jealousy. If they asked her, it was very poorly thought out plan.

He glared daggers at her.

"And... why should I?" he asked through clenched teeth.

"Oh well done Gajeel-kun!" Juvia clapped her hands with delight. "You are quite the charmer!"

Gajeel suppressed another sigh of defeat. He felt too tired to put in any words of disagreements.

"Alright... I'll indulge you in your games..."

Levy's face lit up.

Gajeel pointed a thumb at the princess beside him. "If she comes along as well..."

The blacksmith allowed a smirk to play on his lips.

"Gajeel wants Juvia to come as well?" She pouted to herself. Why would Gajeel want her in their date?! She didn't want to be the third wheel. An idea popped into her head and she smiled widely.

"Alright Juvia is coming!"

Gajeel smiled in triumph and it was Levy's smile that had faltered this time. She didn't know why her earlier enthusiasm had fallen.

"But-" Juvia blushed red and pulled Gray to her side, capturing his arms with hers. "Gray is coming with us."

"Princess, I was coming regardless of your permission." He stated blatantly having watched their discussion with silence.

Gajeel groaned out loud. Now this was turning into a double date!

"Gajeel-kun, why do you look so distressed?" Juvia asked worriedly.

He gave her a dismissing wave of his hand and then pushed himself up. "Wouldn't want to keep the lady waiting now..."

And with that, the blacksmith went into his room to change.

He was dressed rather well for a simple day out to town square. Juvia and Gray had the chance to converse with the lovely lady now known as Levy before Gajeel brashly interrupted them. The two pairs made their way to town square. He was dressed in a clean white long sleeved shirt that nicely outlined his muscular figure, and loose black pants. Gajeel thought to himself; a very standard outfit for a very standard outing.

Levy had occasional glances at him, blushing as she did so.

Even thought the person he was so infatuated with was right in front of him, Gajeel wasn't rude enough to abandon a lady who had requested his company. Funny enough, he barely had many women ask him for the favour.

"What is this about?" He hissed at his rather lovely companion falling further behind Gray and Juvia. He glared at them as they made pleasant conversation.

Levy smiled at him and mouthed the words Jet and Droy. Gajeel swore under his breath and cracked his knuckles menacingly.

"I told them not to interfere!"

Levy shrugged and appeared as if she couldn't care less. "It didn't look like you were getting anywhere by yourself."

Gajeel opened his mouth to give her a retort but she escaped and bounded to an ice-cream cart. Gajeel sighed and followed her. Gray and Juvia had also stopped and walked towards the cart, Gray looked at it in wonderment. Levy's eyes sparkled seeing the rainbow of flavours presented to her.

"Gajeel! Look at those flavours!" She grinned. Gajeel blushed and grumbled about how childish she was acting. Levy awarded him with a pout.

"Oh fine! What do you want squirt?"

Levy chuckled in victory and pointed to the chocolate flavour. "You heard her old man, the chocolate one."

The small bluenette thanked him profusely and then licked her frozen treat happily. Gajeel had to roll his eyes. Juvia watched Gray stare at he ice-cream cart.

"Princess... what is that?"

"Oh? Gray has never had ice-cream before?" She smiled when he shook his head stiffly.

"Which do you want?"

"...You're going to get me one?" He asked surprised.

She expected this reaction and thought to herself which flavour would suit him best. Everyone loved chocolate she decided.

"One banana and chocolate and one mint and chocolate please." She asked and then offered the ice-cream cone to him. He chose the mint and chocolate one because the green looked less appealing and he wanted his master to have the best.

He stared at the dessert carefully.

"Is... this mine?" He asked still in disbelief that he would again recieve something from her.

"Of course, please dig in." Juvia chuckled to herself and began to eat hers quietly. Gray copied her and when the ice-cream touched his tongue his eyes widened.

"Princess... this... is..." He parted his mouth in surprise. "It's... delicious! i've never tasted anything like it!"

Gray began to eat with more vigour and Juvia thought it was sinfully cute. Gajeel frowned when Levy was getting the ice-cream on her cheek. Without thinking Gajeel used his thumb to wipe it off.

"Can't you eat with more grace?"

Levy blushed at his bold actions. "T-t-thank you."

Gajeel had realised what he had done and he coughed loudly to try and cover his embarrassment. "Yeah, no problems."

After they had finished their ice-creams the four walked further down the streets. Again Levy had skipped towards a window that displayed some thick tomes. She had her hands on the glass and face nearly touching the window.

"Ahhhh, these are the newest volumes out I believe!" Gajeel had to compare her to a child in a candy store with her eyes shining at the sight of the books.

"Can we go in, can we!?" She tugged at his shirt, eyes sparkling so much that he unconsciously took a step back.

"Yeah... sure..." He finally answered and she bounded up in a very un-lady like manner, and she pulled him inside with her. Juvia and Gray followed straight after. The blue haired princess was smiling at her childlike joy and Gray was as cautious as ever. He looked at the small shop with wide eyes, never having been in a book shop before. Gray trailed behind Juvia making sure to keep her in his vision.

"You know... Juvia is relieved." She commented casually while walking through the aisles of the bookshop.

Gray stole a glance at her as she pulled out a book from the shelves. He was glad she was relieved but for what reasons, he was still unsure. Juvia noticed the confusion in his eyes and went to sit down. She ushered Gray to join her and he followed her lead. It was still strange to sit next to her as if they were equals, but by her command she wished for him to do so.

"You see... Gajeel-kun was never the type to open up with many women or people for that matter. He told me once... that he found it difficult to deal with them and vice versa... but seeing him now..." Juvia's eyes warmed when she found her old friend bickering openly with the perky blue haired young woman. "Juvia is glad... I hope Levy-san also finds Gajeel's good sides. "

Gray stared at his master feeling a bit conflicted with her open affections regarding the blacksmith. "Do you also..."

Do you also what? He didn't know what he wanted to ask.

Juvia gave Gray a smile. "Yes, Gajeel-kun is very special to Juvia."

Gray's eyes hardened. She flicked through the book and sighed.

"Can... you read?"

The black haired male nodded slowly. "Not fluently like the royals... but I have a basic understanding of characters and words..."

"Juvia thought so. Juvia can teach you along the way. Can you read this for me?"

Juvia handed him the book and he took it and skimmed it curiously. A children's book? Story of the rain?

"O-once upon a time..." He began and Juvia closed her eyes as he stammered his way through the story. She was content as his soothing voice lulled her to relax.

"I REALLLLYYYYY WANNTT IT!" She whined hugging the book close to her chest.

"Look, for the last time, you even said you forgot your purse!" Gajeel groaned. He hadn't noticed since he paid for her ice-cream earlier.

"B-b-but Gajeeeelllll, limited edition!" She waved it in front of him.

He ignored her and went over to the blacksmithing section. Levy followed lifting up her long dress slightly as she did so.

"Gajeel-sir!" She pleaded.

He buried himself in a book continuing his ignorance.

"Gajeel-sama?"

"..."

Levy sighed with defeat and went to put down the book. She stared at the book with sad eyes and pouted. Goodbye last limited edition copy...

The book was suddenly snatched out of her grip and Levy turned to see who the perpetrator was. Her eyes widened as she found Gajeel at the counter and watched him hand the owner a few jewels in exchange for the book.

She watched him flabbergasted as he returned and handed her the bag with the book.

"Gajeel... you..."

"Don't get me wrong, you just need to pay me back with interest alright!" He barked embarrassed at her and stalked off.

Levy hugged the bag and gave him a bright smile.

"Yes but of course! Thank you very much!"

He grumbled discomfited and went to try and find Juvia and her new servant. He wasn't prepared for the sight in front of him. Juvia was curled up next to him with a comfortable smile on her face as he slowly read aloud the contents of the book he held. Not only that, but he recognised the title of the book. It was a book that her mother always read to her, before she had passed away.

The little bastard had already wormed his way that deep into her heart when he couldn't even get her to glance at him in the seven years he's known her.

Gajeel bit hips lower lip and clenched his fists in pain.

He knew that he was gone when she needed him the most but it couldn't be helped. He was the one who's been with her the longest.

Gajeel knew... It was his fault for pushing Juvia away in the first place. He wanted desperately to reverse time.

Levy came bounding to his side, holding her book close to her. She spied Juvia and Gray together and smiled warmly at the cute scene but she suddenly recalled that a certain someone had differed thoughts about them together. Her smile was wiped off her face and she looked up at Gajeel . His red eyes were filled with pain and his lips were set in a grim line.

He whipped around and walked out of the bookshop without another word. Levy's heart wrenched at his wounded expression. Levy stared after him feeling hopeless and she ran towards Gray and Juvia who were resting comfortably together.

Gray looked up from the book he was reading and Juvia cracked an eye open.

"Oh? Have you finished browsing Levy-san?" Juvia asked and sat in an upright position.

"Oh yes... um we should get going... now princess!" Levy urged.

Gray stood up at once and lifted Juvia off her feet. She had been straining her injury far too much already. Juvia blushed red and began to stammer her objection.

"Just let me carry you outside." He pleaded and Juvia nodded powerless against his straightforward gaze.

Gray had carried her outside and as he promised set her down again. Juvia thanked him politely.

"Oh. Where is Gajeel-kun? Is he still inside?" Juvia asked when she couldn't spot him.

"He already came outside... but I'm not sure where he went..." Levy confessed.

Juvia furrowed her eyebrows in worry. Gajeel was always impatient, from the time they were children he had trouble waiting for people.

"Maybe we should wait here for a bit..."

"Yeah, we might get lost if we're separated." Juvia agreed.

The three companions waited at the bookshop for a while before Juvia began to look around frantically. What if something had happened to him!? Juvia wasn't renowned for her patience either.

"Juvia is going to look for him!" She announced suddenly. "Gajeel-kun?!"

"I'm here!" He strolled towards her. "Stop yelling!"

"Gajeel-kun!" Juvia sighed in relief. "It is your fault that you didn't tell me where you were going!"

"Sorry..." He murmured. "You've always worried about the most trivial of things..."

Juvia smiled at him.

"Where are we venturing next?" She asked.

Levy looked at Gajeel determined and then grabbed Gray's arms and proceeded to drag him along with her.

He opened his mouth to protest but Levy placed a hand over his mouth to stop him.

"Sorry Juvia, I need to talk to Gray about something, so we're going ahead!"

She never wanted to see such a hurt expression on his usually tough exterior.

Gajeel shrugged and shoved his hands in his pockets and walked behind them. Juvia followed him as best she could but found that she was quickly falling behind. Gajeel had subtly slowed down his pace and lessened his strides.

"Are you alright?" He asked, concern for her etched on his face.

"Yes, Juvia had fallen before... so it's a bit hard to walk..." Juvia admitted and Gajeel frowned.

"Don't worry... we can take it easy..." He looked up to avoid her gaze.

"You're such a wonderful person Gajeel-kun."

His eyes softened and he grinned. "You're not so bad yourself princess."

Juvia was about to reply until a crowd of hooded people rushed passed them.

"What's going on?"

Juvia also directed her gaze forward and her eyes widened as they surrounded Levy and Gray.

From where they were standing, they witnessed one of the men from the crowd cupping a hand over Levy's mouth and she began struggling frantically. Finally her eyes started to close and she was slumped in a sleep. The hooded figure responsible slung her over his back and made a sign to the others.

Gray had gotten into a defensive position fending them off as best he could but unfortunately one had managed to sneak up behind him and knock him out. One of the hooded figures stepped forward and with his hands motioned Gray upwards. He was levitated upwards by an unknown force which Juvia and Gajeel knew at once they were magic users.

Gajeel and Juvia sprinted towards them and she eyed them angrily about to summon a torrent of water.

They felt their presence and then they turned their attention on the two mages.

"Don't worry about those two; all we need is the princess and her servant!"

Juvia and Gajeel's eyes widened at hearing their orders. They quickly formed a circle and then the area around them began glowing. In a bright flash they were gone.

"GRAY!" Juvia screamed upon seeing the empty space. She could still see black spots in her vision from the light blast but she continued to scrabble around blindly. She looked around frantically. "W-w-what happened?!"

"Juvia. Calm down."

"G-gajeel-kun?"

"You heard them. They think the Pipsqueak is you."

Juvia blanched and Gajeel grimaced.

That was not good.

Not good in the slightest.

In South Magnolia, Lucy was curled up in a ball asleep and Natsu was by his fire place staring at the fire blazing. She had fallen straight asleep after their snack. The flames cracked softly and he closed his eyes.

Keeping Lucy out was more tiring than he thought but he was content with having her playing and laughing. If it made her happy, it made him happy. Strange he felt this way with her. The clock in his room finally reached 8 and then Natsu turned around to look at the blonde. As expected her body began to glow and then her clothes were replaced with her original clothes and the blue key in her belt had dissipated.

Natsu went towards the bed and bent down. He began to shake her awake with a caring tenderness.

"Lucy. Wake up."

She stirred once and then her eyes slowly opened. "Oh... Natsu... What time is it?"

"Don't worry, you're human again." He smiled.

She returned her smile and sat up.

"Alright Lucy. I've decided." He sat next to her and Lucy tilted her head.

"What have you decided?"

"I'm going to find a way to lift your curse!" He slammed his palms on his legs in resolve. "We should get going right away! The sooner we start the more time we have!"

By now the drowsiness wore off and Lucy was wide awake and looked at him in shock. "Natsu... but... you shouldn't... I..."

"Let's go together Lucy!"

Lucy bit her lips and turned her gazed towards the fireplace. "You've already done so much for me... more than anyone in this world ever has! It's more than enough!"

"I'm doing this because you're a precious nakama of mine, and this castle is filled with liars and idiots!"

Lucy was loss for words. She was afraid she would cry again at his kindness. The blonde swallowed loudly and then nodded.

"Let's have an adventure!"

"YOSH!" He fist pumped the air.

Natsu grabbed her wrist and pulled her up with him and he ran around enthusiastically. He went to his cupboard and pulled out a bag and began packing it full of his belongings.

Lucy stood behind him knowing not to have her hopes up too high. She shuffled her feet in the carpet and held her arms behind her back.

"But... Natsu... Aren't you a prince? Should you be doing your duties?"

Natsu pulled a face. "I'm always doing royal duties. I think I'd help more by travelling around and gathering information and stuff."

"but..."

Natsu looked up at her disappointed and gave her a pout. "Don't you want me to come Lucy?"

Lucy felt him stuck her heart and imagined herself clutch her chest dramatically. That wasn't fair Natsu.

"N-n-no... I just thought..." She felt her eyes shift away from his pouting face. "I don't want to burden you!"

I don't want you to hate me...

"Don't worry, I'm sick of everyone talking about war and the council members fighting amongst themselves. It gets very tiresome."

Lucy said no more and waited patiently for him to finish.

Natsu was done in a few minutes. He went to his cupboard and pulled out a chained box. He shrugged and then punched a hole in it and pulled out some Jewels. A very Natsu way of doing it.

They were soon done and even Lucy was given her own bag.

As they were about to reach the large tree with it branches draped over the castle walls, the members of their royal council came out and attempted to foil their plans. They began to lecture Natsu on his irresponsible behaviour.

"Prince Natsu, do you not care about the welfare of this country? How could you be so careless in your royal duties?"

Natsu growled angry and Lucy could feel heat rise from him.

"Screw you and your theoretical royal duties. We're not supposed to be planning on how to rage a war with the other royal families! We're meant to work together to create a better kingdom! And if you want royal duties then my duty is out there in the world, not in this claustrophobic castle of a home!" He yelled at them.

"Natsu." A familiar voice calmed him from his rage.

"Jii-chan!"

Makarov came strolling towards with a serious expression set on his face. Natsu matched the expression with his solemn gaze.

"I have to do this."

He directed a glance at Lucy and nodded.

"Do you believe this is the right thing to do?"

"When I first met Lucy she was covered in bruises and scratches and had eyes which blazed of freedom. She had me believe there was more in this world. That, because she struggled while I'm stick in this fancy castle without being knowing anything, I want to help her and help myself as well."

Lucy flushed slightly and directly him a warm smile and honeyed gaze.

"Alright Natsu. I agree. There is much to be learnt out there in the world."

"Thanks Jii-chan!" He gave him a bright smile.

"King Makarov! He needs to be kept here!"

"That's right! He'll be of more help in the castle!"

Natsu stuck a tongue out at them and then began to climb up the tree. Lucy watched the council members argue with each other and she suddenly thought to herself how bad the idea was.

She didn't want Natsu involved with her dangerous life. There were people who needed him unlike her. There were people after her... but she understood the feeling of being in a cage.

She looked up to see Natsu smiling down at her. He crouched down and offered her his hand.

"Come on Lucy. Let's set you free from this curse!"

His dazzling smile managed to dispel her worries in a matter of seconds and she of course took his hands without another thought. He lifted her off the ground and onto the tree, the confining yells of those who wanted to keep them in the cage was drowned out by the rush of wind and their echoing steps.

She trusted Natsu as he held her hand reassuringly.

They stood where the tree branch began to drape over the castle walls and they both took a deep breath in.

Lucy and Natsu, still holding hands, took a large step over the invisible barrier.

And they were off.

Ahahahahahaha, annddd soooo my super update begins. Urgh, so tired though xDD Been so long everyone. Not a very romance filled chapter, but you know~ It works. xD

Um, many people have been telling me of my mistakes of the times this story was set it. The context isn't really based completely on a real era, just something I made up myself, but i guess I don't mind adding some extra info to make it seem more real? Like how blacksmiths aren't really needed and stuff... but for the sake of my story it has to be alright! xDDD

Anyways, thanks for sticking by and convincing me to update my stories. Everyone has been very patient (not by choice) and I really appreciate all the reviews and PMs and just everything. Thank you so much!

Soon, everyone will be meeting each other. Sorry about the rather uneventful part for Natsu and Lucy. Gosh I have no ideas for them. xDD

Until next time,

Usa-chan