Realization: A NaLu Story

Chapter 3: Promises and Memories

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Hi, guys. ^^ So I decided to write the third chapter of Realization now since you guys were so anxious for updates. x3 I dedicate this chapter to NaLuShipper4ever. Thank you for reading my stories and for your support! =)))) ~Lily <3

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~LUCY'S POV~

Natsu and I walked towards the temples in hope of finding the pendant. Natsu remained silent. I wringed my hands. "...N...Natsu...?"

"...Yeah?"

"Are you still mad at me?"

"For what, Luce?"

"For deciding to do the ritual myself..."

Suddenly Natsu got tense and looked away. He sighed at faced me again. "Lucy, I know you want to help Shizukesa and the other villagers from Skyreed."

"...Natsu, I--"

"And that's why I think you're such a kind person." He smiled at me as I looked at him with a hopeful expression on my face. We stopped walking and he placed both hands on my shoulders. "I'll allow you to do it."

"Really, Natsu?"

"If."

"...If?"

"If you promise me one thing."

"What is it?"

"Promise me that you'll come back to me."

I gave him a loving smile. "Natsu...I told you. Whatever happens, I'll always come back to you, remember?"

"Promise?" He raised his right hand.

I raised my right hand as well and laced my fingers around his in response. "Promise." We stayed in that position for a few seconds before Natsu finally let go of my hand.

"Come on, then. We have to get to the temple as soon as possible." Natsu walked a few steps, leaving me behind a little.

"Mm...Right..." I started walking myself and soon caught up to Natsu. We walked and walked for about two hours! I groaned. "Argh...!" Natsu noticed that I was falling behind and he stopped to rejoin with me.

"What's wrong, Luce?"

I was clutching my right foot in pain. "Natsu, I can't walk anymore! I'm already dead tired, for Mavis' sake!" Natsu chuckled softly...then lifted me up bridal style! My face turned beet red as Natsu continued walking and I thrashed about, trying to get free. "N-Natsu! What the heck are you doing, put me down!"

"What?" Natsu looked at me innocently. "You said you were tired. This is my way of helping you. Unless you feel uncomfortable."

"I do feel uncomfortable! Isn't it obvious?"

"Okay, fine. I can just put you down and you'll walk again until you collapse trying to catch up with me."

I blinked. Yeah, he was right, I couldn't take another step without collapsing on the ground. I looked away and blushed. "F-Fine...But I don't want you to carry me like this."

"How, then?" He carefully set me down, then I got behind him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Carry me like you did in Fairy Hills."

Natsu chuckled as he grabbed my thighs and lifted me up. "I remember that. Damn, you were so drunk."

"I-It's not my fault! I told you Master Mavis gave us that sake!"

"But you were so cute 'n innocent. You even offered me an omelette."

I couldn't resist smiling as we reminisced about our memories together. "Yeah, and you turned me down and I sulked."

"And then you made me pet you..."

"And carry me to the...um..."

Natsu laughed at the fact that I couldn't say the last part. "Oh, and remember the time when we met?"

"Oh, boy, here we go..."

"You were like, 'Wahh, it's always been my dream to join Fairy Tail and I'm a Celestial Wizard and Fairy Tail!"

I rolled my eyes at him. "Hm...I wonder what the guild would say if I tell all of them that you used to take baths with Gray and Erza..." I said innocently like Natsu wasn't there.

"Hey!" We continued laughing and chatting until I noticed that the sky was getting dark. "Natsu...I think we should find somewhere to sleep for tonight. It's getting pretty dark. Remember what Shizu-sama said?"

He also looked up at the sky. "Yeah...werewolves..." Suddenly I felt his grip around my thighs tighten, almost as if he was protecting me by instinct.

"Uh...Natsu?...My thighs?" I got a peek of his face and noticed that he was blushing. He let go of me.

"Um...S-Sorry, Luce." He scanned the surroundings. "Hey, why don't we sleep there?" He pointed to a large tree. It had been disfigured and its roots had formed what looked like a big dome at its side. We walked towards it and I rapped the roots with my knuckles. "Well...it's strong. But I don't think it's big enough for both of us."

"Nonsense. I think it's enough."

"Natsu, I seriously believe we won't fit in there."

"Then we sleep side by side."

"W-What?!"

"What's wrong with that? It's not like I'm going to try anything, Luce!" He wagged his finger at me. "Tsk, tsk, tsk. Such a pervert, Miss Heartfilia."

I whacked him on the head. "I-I'm not a pervert!" I glanced at the shelter again and bit my lip. "F-Fine...But no one at the guild hears about this when we get back! Got it?"

"Got it." Natsu anwered as we both carefully made our way inside. I was right. We were way too close to each other. I was facing his chest, which was only clothed in his black vest. Thank goodness it was dark. Otherwise Natsu would've probably seen my strawberry red face. In the distance, I could hear wolves howling and growling. I unconsciously gripped Natsu's vest and scooted closer in fear. He chuckled and lightly held my arm. "Don't worry, Luce. I'm not going to let them hurt you." I looked up to him, face to face. and he sneakily put his fingers between mine. "I promise."

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AUTHOR'S NOTE: Wahh! Finally I was able to finish Ch3 and publish it. I had to refresh the page several times because of server errors. x3 Anyway, sorry if Chapter 3 is boring. I did my best to make it a fluffy NaLu chapter. Please tell me if you have any suggestions concerning my story, read and review, please! Thanks, guys! =)))))) ~Lily <3