Hey guys!

So I had mentioned before in my other story (Yesterday's History) that I was planning on adding a few new stories. So here I am, posting my second FT fanfic!

To be honest, I wanted to upload another story but decided on this one since I had more inspiration.

Hmm, I don't have much else to say… oh wait; NaLu fluff! For now the story's still rated T but I warn you, it might change to M but I'm not sure yet! Also the first chapter won't be too fluffy because I needed to set a background first (sorry!).

Note: Ok, I know the ages don't match the timeline of the manga or anime because Lucy's supposed to be 10 in X777 but since this is my story, I'm telling you she's six! Six, I tell you!

Enjoy :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail and sadly never will...

SweetLoveAngel2

The Bonds that Bind - Chapter 1, Prologue

Natsu's being hunted down by his past and needs Lucy in order to survive. Yet she had seen him as nothing but a brother for the past 10 years so how will he win her heart? By changing her mind of course! Well she didn't have a choice; according to some legend, she and Natsu were destined to give birth to salvation. She'll fall for him even if she didn't realize it at first.

It all started on a warm, summer day in July. The blossoms were blooming, the birds were chirping and a dragon decided to land in my backyard. On that day, July 7th, I was introduced to my long lost brother, Natsu. I think I was six at that time. I remembered how mother had pushed me inside when a loud roar had resounded in our backyard, where I was playing with mom's spirits.

The trees had been bending violently in the wind and the earth shook not long after. The shadow of the giant dragon had darkened my playing field and I remember how mom yelled at Capricorn to get me inside.

I remember how hot it had been on that day and how red that scaly dragon had been. The image in my mind, so clear yet so foggy at the same time. Besides that, I don't remember anything else about the creature. Daddy had been away on a business trip and when mommy got back inside, a little boy was hiding behind mom's leg.

"Honey, come meet your new brother." Mom said as she pushed the boy forward, in my direction.

"Hi." I said, smiling at him.

"Yo."

"What's your name?" I asked, inspecting his face and I noticed how he was doing the same.

"I'm Natsu," He said cheerfully. "Natsu Dragn.." The grin on his face disappeared and his voice died in his throat. ".. H-Heartfilia." He said, almost choking the last part out.

I looked at him curiously. My eyes wandered back to my mother where I saw a sad expression on her own. I frowned, not understanding what was going on at all.

I grabbed Natsu's hand and pulled him behind me, up the stairs. "Mom, is it ok if I show Natsu my room?!" I yelled without waiting for a reply. The little heels on my shoes made a tapping sound echo through the empty corridors as I lead the way to my room.

"Look!" I said proudly as I pushed my double, white doors open and stepped into my big room. "Behold, my room!" I said, twirling around to look at his reaction. My pink, frilly skirt bouncing at my sudden movement.

He didn't seem too amazed by my room so I pouted a little before I grabbed his hand and pulled him further into my room. "Look! Look!" I said, my excitement renewed as I pulled him on my bed and made him look up at the ceiling.

"When I turned 5 last year, mom had given me that as a present! Sweet isn't it!" I laughed proudly.

"Your mom gave you a ceiling as a present?" He finally spoke again, mocking my precious ceiling.

"No, stupid! Mom gave me a glass ceiling so I can look at the stars when I go to sleep."

"Who're you calling stupid, stupid!" He yelled, pushing against my shoulder and almost making me fall off my bed.

"Hey! Don't be mean! I only wanted to show you so we could be friends!" I pushed back.

"I don't wanna be your friend!" He yelled, pushing me even harder.

"Yes you do!"

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"Yeah I can! Since this is my room!"

We kept on pushing each other and then he suddenly jumped me and we both fell off the bed. He landed on top of me, holding me down, his fist raised. I was startled to say the least; nobody had ever dared to oppose me, not that I had ever spoken to other children, but his actions still startled me. This boy sure was strange, he even dared to raise his fist against a girl.

The look in his eyes was so fierce and I could clearly see he was mad but I wasn't afraid. I wouldn't be pushed around by him!

I clenched my fists and started to hit him on his small chest. I gave it all I got, hitting him as hard as I could but he wasn't fazed. Suddenly a small laugh erupted from him, making me open my eyes and stilling my hands.

"What're you doing?" He laughed.

Seriously. At that moment, I felt a vein pop in my head. "I'm defending myself, you idiot!" I screamed.

He winced at my high voice but the smile didn't disappear from his face.

"You're defending yourself huh? And how's that working out for ya?" He grinned.

I frowned at him, angry that he wasn't affected by my hits at all. I pushed him off of me and he let himself fall to the side as he held that annoying grin on his face.

I stood up, dusting off my pink skirt and light blue blouse and turning my back at him as I huffed and started walking away.

"Aw, is the princess mad because she can't fight." He mocked me. I stopped in my tracks, my fists clenching again. I turned around and jumped him.

"Take that back!" I yelled as I was now the one holding him down.

"Sorry, princess but it's the truth." He said, the surprise in his eyes disappearing by every passing second.

Upon hearing that nickname again, I lost it. I just punched him, right on his cheek. That expression of pure shock making me smile triumphantly as I held him down with one hand on his shoulder.

"Call me a princess again and I'll hit you a second time, understand!" I yelled, feeling confidence rise up in me. My hand hurt from where it had connected with his hard cheek, but I didn't want him to know.

He frowned at me as he touched his now red cheek. I guess he still hadn't figured out I hit him.

"Oi, that really hurt!" He said, grabbing my hand which was pushing on his shoulder and bit down in my lower arm.

I screamed, making him release me and cover his ears. A few maids rushed into the room and pulled us apart.

"Lucy-sama, are you alright?" Ms. Spetto said as she examined my arm.

"I'm fine." I said, jerking my hand from hers.

Me and Natsu were both taken back to my mom and I felt so ashamed of myself, I didn't even dare look my mom in the eyes.

"Lucy, honey can you please look at me."

Tears burned in my eyes. I didn't want to. I didn't want mom to see how I failed at 'being a good girl' as daddy would say.

Mom crouched before me, placing a warm hand on my shoulder but I just turned my head. My eyes met Natsu's and I couldn't help but glare at him. He was taken aback by my look and he quickly averted his gaze.

"Honey, tell me what happened." My mom's sweet voice called out to me.

"I.." I started; wanting to say something but I didn't quite know what exactly.

"You what, Lucy?"

"I don't want him to be my brother! I want him out of here!" I yelled. I knew I was being childish but I couldn't help it, Natsu really got to me and it had really upset me. I looked up at him to see him looking back at me, a hurt expression on his face.

I couldn't take it so I just ran away. I don't know why but that expression confused me. I thought he hated me too so why would he have been hurt by my statement?

I ran back to my room, crawled on my bed and just stared up at the sky. The clouds were passing by ever so slightly and the beautiful blue sky had changed to pink with hues of red and orange, making me think about Natsu with his pink hair and fiery eyes.

I sighed, pulling a pillow over my head to shield me from the painful reminders.

It was then that a light knock could be heard on my door but I didn't bother to invite the person in, knowing that the servants in this house would leave me be if I didn't answer them.

But to my surprise, I heard my door creak open.

"Go away!" I yelled at my mom.

I felt the matrass shift and I let the pillow get taken away from my face. But what I hadn't expected was seeing Natsu's face hovering over mine. I gasped, jolting up with a start and bumped my head against his; hard.

I clutched my forehead and watched him as he did the same. I saw he wanted to make an angry comment about it but he quickly closed his mouth again before he could've said anything.

"What're you doing here?" I spoke instead.

He didn't reply to my question. "So.. Your name's Lucy.." He stated, crossing his legs beneath him as he leaned back on his hands.

I didn't respond, I just kept rubbing the sore spot on my forehead, noticing how his own had turned red at the spot where we'd connected a few moments ago.

"Does it hurt?" He suddenly asked.

"Of course it hurts! What's your head made of anyway?" I asked, raising my voice slightly.

"No, not that. This." He leaned forward, grabbing me by my wrist and pulling me closer. He turned my hand so he could take a look at the red bite mark that was now clearly visible on my skin. "Sorry for biting you." He said in an apologetic voice.

"S-sorry for punching you." I stuttered, shocked by his apology. I never would've thought I'd get an apology out of him, let alone with that kind of expression.

"Doesn't matter. Sorry I called you a princess, you really pack a punch if you're angry enough." He grinned and I smiled back at him, my anger dissipating the longer I talked to him.

I turned when I heard another knock on my door. My mom walked in and stood beside my bed, looking down at us.

"Natsu, did you say goodbye?" Mom asked him and confusion took over my features.

Natsu nodded slightly.

"Alright, let's get going then." Mom said, offering him her hand and he reached out to grab it.

"Wait, where are you going?" I asked, making him stiffen.

"What do you mean, Lucy? I thought you told me you didn't want him as your brother; that you wanted him out of here?" Mom said, tilting her head slightly.

"No! I didn't mean it like that!" I said as I quickly grabbed Natsu and hugged him against me. "We just had a little fight! I didn't mean it! Please, don't make him leave! Not after I just got a brother!" I yelled, surprising even myself at the evident desperation in my voice.

"But we don't have any room for him to stay in…" Mom thought aloud.

"I can share my room! It's no biggie!" I quickly said. "It's too big for me anyway!"

"Ok, that's settled then. Natsu, you can stay." Mom winked, confusing me.

It all started on a not too warm, summer day in July. The blossoms were blooming, the birds were chirping and my father decided to land in some stranger's backyard. On that day, July 7th, I became someone's older brother.

I remembered how my father had suddenly taken me away from home that morning. I knew something must've happened because he had never flown that fast before, like he was trying to outrun something.

He slowed down a bit before he landed but the trees had been bending violently in the wind nonetheless, created by my father's big wings. And even though Igneel always told me he wasn't that heavy, the earth shook when he landed, making me chuckle.

I remembered how I heard voices shouting in the distance and if I hadn't had heightened senses, I don't think I would've been able to make out the words that were being said.

"Capricorn! Get her inside! Quickly!" I heard a feminine voice yell.

"Natsu." Igneel spoke, making me look at him. His voice sounded so sad. "You'll be staying here for a while."

I opened my mouth to object but he gave me a stern look, indicating he wasn't finished yet.

"It's safer for you. But you can't tell anyone your name. Don't worry, the family you'll be staying with is really nice and the woman has been a good friend of mine ever since she was still a little girl."

"But! Why can't I stay with you! I don't care if it's dangerous! I'm a dragon, I can take care of myself!"

Igneel laughed at my words, making me angry. Why wasn't he taking me serious!

The sound of rustling bushes startled me and I immediately lit my fists up in flames, ready to defend me and my dad.

"Please, don't be frightened." The woman said.

"It's been a long time, Layla." As my father spoke, I lowered my hands because I didn't think that woman would be of any danger to us; not if she knew Igneel.

"It has, hasn't it." She smiled up at my dad.

"This here's Natsu." Igneel said, pushing me forward with his paw.

"Hi there." She crouched down before me, giving me a warm smile. "I'm Layla."

I looked back at my dad, uncertainty shining bright in my eyes.

"Natsu, you'll be staying with the Heartfilia family for a while as their oldest son. So please don't use the name 'Dragneel' anymore for it might blow your cover."

"You know Natsu, I have a daughter about your age and I think you two would really hit it off. So you won't be lonely." The woman smiled again.

"Great, Igneel gets to fight and I'm stuck with a spoiled brat." I complained, crossing my arms.

"Idiot!" I heard Igneel's booming voice before his big tail slapped me against my head. "Don't talk about your mate like that!" My hands rubbed the sore spot on my head as I gave my dad a confused look.

"Oh my!" The blonde woman said as she reached out for me, pulling my hands away to look at the hurting spot.

"Don't worry 'bout it. The kid's tough, he's a dragon after all." Upon hearing those words my eyes lit up in happiness. "Goodbye, Natsu." And then he spread his wings and took off, leaving me behind.

I promised myself I wouldn't cry but I couldn't hold back the tears as I clutched my scarf.

"Don't worry, you'll see him again one day. But until that day, he wants you to be safe. So stay strong and make him proud." The sweet voice said, placing a reassuring hand on my head, making me feel warm and safe.

She stayed with me, looking up at the sky and waiting patiently until I was ready to accept that Igneel wouldn't be coming back anytime soon.

I sighed as my tears had finally stopped falling and I looked up at her. "I'm sorry I looked so weak."

"Hmm?" She looked back at me, a frown on her face.

"You saw me cry. You're probably thinking I'm not strong enough to protect her;.. Your daughter that is.."

She kneeled beside me, wiping away my tears as she spoke to me in that soft, calming voice. "Being strong doesn't mean you can't cry. Being strong is knowing when to shed your tears and giving yourself the time to accept. Before you can move on and become stronger."

I thought about her words before I nodded slightly and let her guide me inside.

I was suddenly feeling so nervous, being in this huge house, hearing all kinds of noises my ears weren't used to hearing. Even though I've lived in the woods with Igneel for so long, I suddenly felt like the world was going to swallow me whole. It was like I had never seen anything of the world.

As we walked further into the house I spotted a little girl sitting on the stairs, her eyes downcast and her head rested on her small hands.

"Honey, come meet your new brother." Layla said as she pushed me forward, in the girl's direction.

"Hi" She said, a smile on her face as she saw me.

"Yo." I replied in a bored manner.

"What's your name?" She asked me and it took me a while to answer because I was distracted by her face. Her eyes resembled Layla's so much; warm and kind. And her hair shone brightly in the incoming sunrays.

"I'm Natsu," I couldn't help but feel relieved that this girl was actually really pretty. "Natsu Dragn.." The grin on my face disappeared as I thought about Igneel. My voice died in my throat, remembering not to use that name anymore. ".. H-Heartfilia." I could barely get the words over my lips.

She looked at me with a strange expression and I wondered how mad Igneel would be if I had screwed this up this early on. Her eyes left mine to look at her mom's before she frowned.

Then she suddenly grabbed my hand and pulled me behind her, up the stairs, calling out to Layla. "Mom, is it ok if I show Natsu my room?!" I looked back at Layla for a reply but the girl kept on running, not even waiting for permission from her mother. She guided my through a lot of hallways and I couldn't concentrate on my surroundings as her shoes kept making this tapping sound.

"Look!" She said as she pushed open the big, white doors. "Behold, my room!" She turned around quickly, her pink skirt dancing as she suddenly moved.

I didn't know how to react. True, I've never seen a room like this before but I on the other hand, I've never seen a real house before either so I guess my reaction wasn't that good for she pouted a little. She grabbed my hand again and pulled me further into the room, towards her bed. "Look! Look!" She said excitedly as she pulled me on top of her bed and made me lay down.

"When I turned 5 last year, mom had given me that as a present! Sweet isn't it!" She laughed, pointing up towards her ceiling.

"Your mom gave you a ceiling as a present?" I couldn't help but find this materialistic. When it was my birthday, Igneel would teach me one of the Fire Dragon's Secret Arts or he'd treat me on a nice meal or something so I couldn't help but to mock her stupid ceiling.

"No, stupid! Mom gave me a glass ceiling so I can look at the stars when I go to sleep."

At first I was surprised; nobody had ever dared to call me stupid, not that I had ever spoken to other children, but it still surprised me.

"Who're you calling stupid, stupid!" I yelled, giving her a light push against her shoulder. But I guess I didn't know my own strength for I almost pushed her off the bed.

"Hey! Don't be mean! I only wanted to show you so we could be friends!" She pushed back.

"I don't wanna be your friend!" I yelled, pushing her even harder.

"Yes you do!"

"You can't tell me what to do!"

"Yeah I can! Since this is my room!"

She kept on fighting back and that's when I had enough. I jumped her and we both fell off her bed, me landing on top of her and holding her down, my fist raised at her. I wasn't planning on actually hitting her, I just wanted to scare her a bit so she would know who's boss.

My eyes locked with her and I noticed how she had this spark in her eyes and something told me she wasn't finished with me yet.

She suddenly clenched her fists and started to hit me against my chest. It was actually really cute how she tried so hard but it didn't even affect me. I couldn't hold back and I just laughed at her, making her open her eyes and her hands stopped hitting me.

"What're you doing?" I said amused.

I saw she was irritated by my question. "I'm defending myself, you idiot!" She screamed with such a high voice, my sensitive ears hurt and made me wince. She called me an idiot again but I just couldn't help but smile.

"You're defending yourself huh? And how's that working out for ya?" I grinned, making her frown. She pushed me off and I let myself fall off of her, still grinning at the fact that she had called me the idiot.

She stood up, dusting off the invisible dirt on her pink skirt and turned her back at me. She then huffed and walked away, her hair swinging from side to side as she held her head up high and confidently.

"Aw, is the princess mad because she can't fight." I teased her, making her stop. I guess I should've paid more attention for she suddenly tackled me and held me down.

"Take that back!" She yelled, looking into my surprised eyes.

I chuckled. "Sorry, princess but it's the truth." I knew she wouldn't hit me; girls like her wouldn't want to risk breaking a nail or something.

She proved me wrong though; she did hit me. Quite hard if I might add. She smiled triumphantly as she looked down at my shocked expression.

"Call me a princess again and I'll hit a second time, understand!" She threatened and I could see how her confidence rose. I looked back at her raised fist and saw how red it was, probably as a result of hitting me on my cheek. She wouldn't hit me again, it'd hurt too much.. At least that's what I hoped. I touched my cheek to feel if it was starting to swell, luckily it didn't hurt that much.

"Oi, that really hurt!" I lied, grabbing her hand which was closest to my face and bit down in her lower arm. I don't know why I did that; I just wanted to make her pay.

She screamed though, making me release her and cover my ears. A couple of people rushed in and pulled us apart.

"Lucy-sama, are you alright?" An older woman asked as she looked at the bite mark I had left of her arm. It was at that moment that I realized she hadn't told me her name yet. Sure, I knew her name was Lucy but that was only after that woman had said her name.

"I'm fine." She said rudely, pulling her hand away from the concerned woman.

After that, we (me and Lucy) were brought back to Layla and I felt really nervous. What if she would send me away? I would be alone again because I knew dad wasn't coming back anymore. Panic rose up in me but I calmed down when Layla decided to speak to her daughter first.

"Lucy, honey can you please look at me." She said and I saw how Lucy was struggling to keep herself from crying.

Layla crouched before her, placing a hand on her shoulder. Lucy must've been feeling that warm and safe feeling that I had felt when Layla put her hand on my head. That's what I thought but to my surprise, Lucy looked away, meeting my own eyes. She glared at me and I quickly looked away. Igneel would be so mad if he heard my mate hated me. Even though I had no idea what a mate was, but that was what dad had called Lucy so I guess she's my mate then.

"Honey, tell me what happened." Layla's sweet voice called out to her.

"I.." She started; wanting to say something but stopped.

"You what, Lucy?"

"I don't want him to be my brother! I want him out of here!" She yelled. I looked back at her, that panic from before hitting me like a ton of bricks.

After that, she just ran away and I was left alone with Layla.

She sighed, making me flinch. "I.. I'm sorry!" I apologized. "I didn't mean to bite her, I swear! Please don't send me away! I…" I paused, not knowing what to say next. "I have nowhere else to go.." I confessed.

"Don't worry. Even though she said all that, I'm sure she didn't mean any of it. I think she's just a bit confused by all this. This'll be over in a couple of days, you'll see." Layla smiled at me, making me relax a bit.

"B-but she really hates me."

"She doesn't hate you, I'm sure of it. You see, you're the first person she had ever talked to beside us. I think she doesn't quite knows how to act around other children so please forgive her. I'm sure that she herself isn't even aware of her own emotions right now so why don't you go up there and talk to her about it. I know of a way to make her tell you the truth." Layla winked at me, before pushing me back up the stairs.

When I finally reached the top I had absolutely no idea where her room was. All the hallways looked like each other and I think I could easily get lost here. But thanks to Igneel I wouldn't be doomed to roam this infinite maze of corridors because I could easily find Lucy's room by following her sweet scent.

I heard her sigh through the door and I lightly knocked, not knowing if I could just enter without a warning. She didn't reply though, so I took a deep breath and entered. I hoped I wouldn't upset her even more by entering without permission so I gently pushed the door open, making it creak.

"Go away!" She yelled, making me freeze.

I took another deep breath before I continued walking. I crawled on her bed and pulled the pillow away that had been shielding her face. I hovered over her, to see what kind of expression she would have upon looking at me; hate, resentment..

She gasped, jolting up with a start and bumped her head hard against my own. I clutched my forehead and I wanted to yell at her to watch out but I decided against it and closed my mouth before the angry words could've slipped.

"What're you doing here?" She spoke.

Oh god! She really hated me! "So.. Your name's Lucy.." I changed the subject, crossing my legs and leaning back on my hands, her soft blankets tickling my fingers.

She didn't reply either, she just kept rubbing her forehead with her hand, making me notice the red mark on her lower arm.

"Does it hurt?" I asked, eyeing my bite mark.

"Of course it hurts! What's your head made of anyway?" She raised her voice slightly.

"No, not that. This." I said as I leaned forward, grabbing her wrist and pulling her closer too. I turned her hand so I could take a better look at the bite mark that was decorating her creamy white skin. "Sorry for biting you." I said, feeling guilty for hurting her.

"S-sorry for punching you." She stuttered, probably shocked to hear me apologize.

"Doesn't matter. Sorry I called you a princess, you really pack a punch if you're angry enough." I grinned and to my relief, she smiled back at me.

Our heads turned to the door when another knock resounded in her room. Layla walked in and stopped beside her bed.

"Natsu, did you say goodbye?" She suddenly asked and panic rose up again. She gave a quick smile and that's when I understood what she was trying to do.

I nodded my head slightly as Lucy looked at me.

"Alright, let's get going then." Layla said, holding out her hand for me to grab.

"Wait, where are you going?" Lucy asked and I stopped trying to reach for Layla's hand.

"What do you mean, Lucy? I thought you told me you didn't want him as your brother; that you wanted him out of here?" Layla said, tilting her head slightly.

"No! I didn't mean it like that!" Lucy said as she quickly grabbed me and hugged me against her. "We just had a little fight! I didn't mean it! Please, don't make him leave! Not after I just got a brother!" She yelled, the desperation clear in her voice, making me smile.

"But we don't have any room for him to stay in…" Layla thought aloud.

"I can share my room! It's no biggie!" Lucy answered. "It's too big for me anyway!"

"Ok, that's settled then. Natsu, you can stay." Layla winked, making me grin back at her.

I hope you liked it! Please review, I think I'll post the next chapter if I get enough reviews so please tell me if I need to continue this!

~Angel