Fairy Tail: This Little Chickie

Flying High

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail® by Mashima Hiro

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Erza Scarlet, who had just been about to enter Fairy Tail, paused in mid-step; a flood of relief swept through her at the sight of Lucy's back moving towards the guild. From what she could tell, her young blond friend looked healthy and unharmed. The female warrior had been returning after visiting Lucy's house to see if she'd gone straight home instead of the guild to inform Natsu, Happy, and Gray that the girl had yet to return. Erza called out a greeting and was about to rush to her when she noticed Laxus following the girl. Erza had been extremely worried when Mirajane had informed her and anyone else who'd missed Laxus dragging the girl out of the guild about them going on a job together. The red-head wasn't sure what to expect when the two returned, but just in case he harmed Lucy in any way, Erza allowed her threat be known. She paused when she saw that the mages had been conversing as equals; normally when it came to Lucy, she wouldn't have been surprised, but Laxus changed everything. He looked down on everyone, yet he'd openly listened to the smaller mage and respond as if he was genuinely interested in what she had to say. Something wasn't quite right about that.

However, when she and Laxus stood against each other, prepared to fight, the blond looked worried for both of them. Her eyes darted back and forth between the two as she took in the situation.

"No! He didn't…I'm fine! See? He didn't hurt me." Lucy said spinning in place so Erza could see how healthy she was. "Though the trip wasn't really that much fun, the reward made it totally worth it." Lucy forced a laugh despite the tense atmosphere. "So…I'm tired, let's go inside and get something to eat! I can't wait to see everyone again." Lucy said starting to walk towards the guild.

Laxus frowned at the girl. She was rushing off to her friends just like he knew she would and he didn't like it. Another two-person job suddenly sounded like a great idea to him, but he doubted she or her friends would just let him drag her off a second time. He watched as she swung the money case with each step, a fake smile plastered on her face. Erza did not look too convinced by her either, but she straightened up from her battle stance anyway. Laxus was about to leave since he didn't feel like putting up with the idiot weaklings, when he remembered something.

"Wait a minute there Chickie." He said catching her arm in a light grip.

"What?" She asked, blinking innocently up at him. He grinned and she shivered despite trying to not give Erza a reason to attack him.

"Just telling you that your portion of the reward is in that case you have. I already have mine." He informed her and Lucy was suddenly puzzled.

"When did you take yours'?" she asked.

"Back when I collected the money." He responded, turning on his heal and heading off down the street; he briefly wondered if he should stop for a drink somewhere.

"Where did you put it?"

"I do have pockets."

"…Oh…duh." She sighed and smacked her forehead. "Wait! If this case always only contained my portion…then why didn't you give it to me to carry the five miles to the train station?" Laxus had wondered the same himself, but couldn't quite place his finger on the answer; it couldn't possibly have anything to do with wanting to help her.

"I figured you'd lose it." He said and Lucy let out a huff of annoyance. Scowling as the man lazily strolled away, she opened the case to make sure she got her proper share. The sight that met her eyes brought a gasp from her lips.

"There is no way this is just ten percent!" She gasped a bit too loudly, bringing some unwanted attention to her while she held a case containing a lot of Jewels.