Dragon Mate

Chapter Nine

Natsu Pov

After Lucy was ready, we left her apartment and headed to the game. I heard someone approaching us as we walked to our school's front gate. I turn to see our rivels for tonight's game. Sabortooth's twins. Sting and Rogue. "Well, what do we have here? Hello Natsu," I watch Sting's eyes move to my side, where Lucy stands beside me. "Well, hello, beautiful." He greets her with a wink. A growl emerged from my throat. I grabbed Lucy and pulled her to my side. "Back off, my mate Sting." I feel Lucy clinging to my side. "Hello Sting, how's Yukino?" When Lucy mentions her friend's name to Sting, he flinches and starts to look green.

Sting was on the verge of doubling over when we heard someone running our way. "Sting!" It was Yukino. When Sting heard her call for him, he started to look better. 'Heh. So, she's blondies mate.' Lucy walked out of my arms and walked over to Yukino. "Is he going to be, okay?" Yukino smiled and nodded her head. Satisfied with her answer, Lucy smiled, walked back to me, and wrapped an arm around my waist. "Well, we must be off. My boyfriend here has some tigers to skin." Lucy gave one of her evil smiles while laying her head on my chest. I felt my cheeks heat up. 'Hot.' Sting and Yukino straighten themselves. "Bring it Faries. We'll eat you for a snack." Sting states as he smiles. "I'M ALL FIRED UP!" I yell while setting myself on fire, showing how pumped up I was.

Lucy Pov

The audience was roaring from all parts of the gym. Shouts for Fairy High and shouts for Sabor High. So far, our team was ahead by ten points, but it's only half-time. My cheerleader and I were performing for halftime while the teams took a small break and re-strategized. In the middle of the cheer, I saw Natsu watching out of the corner of my eye. They were about to toss me in the air when I saw him getting closer. 'What is he doing?' As I was tossed up, I heard a thud below me. I looked down and saw my catcher had fainted. 'Oh no, this is bad.' I closed my eyes, waiting to hit the ground, but someone caught me. I could hear everyone gasping. I opened my eyes to see I was in Natsu's arms. "Are you okay, Luce?" I smile as I nod my head. I grab his face and bring him closer to mine. I place a gentle kiss on his lips. The crowd went wild. Natsu sat me on the bench and kissed my head as he wrapped something around my shoulders. I looked to see what it was. 'His basketball jacket.' I look to see him walking towards the rest of the team as the rest of the cheer team left the court. "KICK THEIR BUTTS NATSU!' I yelled loud enough so he could hear. He turned around and smiled.

Natsu Pov

We have five minutes until the game ends, and we are tied with Sabor High. Gray has the ball leading down the court. I stop as I reach the hoop and signal to Gray that I am open. Catching my signal, he tosses the ball, and I take it down the rest of the way to where I stop again and take a shot. I got the ball through the hoop right before the buzzard sounded, signaling the end of the game. Cheers echoed through the whole gymnasium. I turn around just in time to catch Lucy in my arms as she jumps. I set her down just as my team grabbed me and started tossing me in the air. "FAIRY HIGH! FAIRY HIGH!"

I'm leaving the locker room to meet up with Lucy when I feel an arm around my shoulders. "Great game tonight, captain. One more win, and we go to nationals." I looked to see it was Gray. I plastered a big grin on my face. "We got this in the bag, buddy. We're taking Fairy High to the finals and will win." I tell him as he lets me go while looking ahead of us. I look over to see the most beautiful girl ever. 'Luce.' I feel Gray nudge me. I look up to see him smirking. "Go. Your girlfriend is waiting and leaving a lady waiting is not nice." An evil thought popped into my head. 'Oh, you mean like how you make a certain water mage wait four years for you to return her feelings." I told him as I started walking to Lucy. I heard him grumble, and then he stormed off. "Ready?" Lucy asked as I pulled her to my side, and we started walking out of the school. "Always Haha."

We arrived at Lucy's apartment; she went to grab her keys for her door when I scooped her up, jumped to her window, and climbed in. I sat her down on her bed. She had an irritated look. "Natsu, if you want to keep coming into my house, I suggest you use the front door." I swallow the lump in my throat. "Yes, ma'am," I say while bowing my head. I feel Lucy move on the bed. She placed her hand on my chin and pulled it upward to where I was at eye level. "Natsu, you were amazing tonight. I'm so proud of you." She says as she leans in and kisses. I wrap my arms around her and pull her into my lap, deepening the kiss. Lucy wraps her arms around my neck. After a few minutes, I started trailing and kissing down her neck till I got to the hickey I left on her. I pulled back to look at her. "Luce... I have a question." I told her.

"Can I mark you?"