Fairy Tail: Pirates | A NaLu Fan Fiction | AU [ON HOLD]

Suspicions Adrift

"These necklaces are simply breathtaking..." I smile as I gingerly hold the chain with my family's crest, the royal crest of the kingdom. I run my thumb over the silver design of intricate work, detailing two crossed swords and a pair of wings splaying out behind the blades, a symbol of strength and freedom. Two things I ironically was deprived of as a princess. A bitter smile forms on my lips.

"For someone who hid from the royal guard you seem awfully interested in that crest," Natsu's warm breath tickles my ear from behind making me jump. I quickly place the necklace back down and flash a quick simile at the woman selling the different pieces of finery. I turn to Natsu with a wide grin plastered on my face.

"I just can't help but admire beautiful things," I shrug along with my response to him as I clasp my hands together behind my back, beginning to walk farther into the mass of people. Natsu seemed to catch interest in something and stepped aside and I stayed no father than two paces from him.

"Yo, boss man! We jus' unloaded the new cargo; next round up is startin'!" a louder conversation catches my attention. The voice sounds all too familiar and a shiver races up my back as my hairs stand on end.

"Look for the blonde, that Heartfilia. She has to be somewhere. I want that girl...damn runt got away," I heard a pause in the distinct voice as my heart leapt into my throat. The trafficker. Without a moment's hesitation I grabbed Natsu's arm and pulled him from the stand. My eyes darted everywhere to find a good place to hide and they landed on a dim walkway between a butchers shop and a blacksmith's.

"Yo, Luce, what's wrong?" I yanked his arm harder as my already shadowed eyes zeroed in on the alley.

"Just hurry!" my voice came out harsher than I first intended, but maybe that's what tipped him off to the fact that something was seriously wrong. I glanced back to see the trafficker peering in our general direction so I quickly righted myself and hid my body behind Natsu's larger frame. I saw Natsu looking about and scanning the crowd but when he frowned I heard him click his tongue. He must not know who I'm now clearly hiding from. In a few short seconds his arm that I wasn't gripping was around my waist, and his body was pressed against mine so closely that even the slightest breath I inhaled carried his scent, which took the edge away from my nerves.

"Mind explaining?" His voice was low and calm, but something in his voice made the calm seem deadly and I found myself yearning to be back within the confines of his bed.

"Later," I grit my teeth and squirm slightly in a feeble attempt to break out of Natsu's grip.

"No, not later, now." I don't respond, only squirming more under the intensity of his eyes on mine. Finally Natsu lets go but he pushes me to the wall, still shielding me from view of the packed street. He draws so close that our noses almost brush against each other, my face flushes and I drop my gaze.

"Captain... I..." My voice falters.

"I can't help you if you don't tell me," his words where gentler now. I took a deep breath before looking towards him again.

"Someone who I am running from...is out there-if they see me..." I clamp my mouth shut stubbornly. I had said more than enough, but the stern look I was getting let me know this conversation was far from over. He pushes off the wall and keeps his arm on my waist, guiding me forward onto the crowded street on the other side of the alley way. We were a larger than comfortable distance from the ship and to make the situation worse we were alone.

"How are we-" Natsu silences me with a shake of his head. He stops quickly and purchases a cloak, throwing the soft white material over me and lifting the hood up to hide my hair and face. The sun was sinking fast and most of the light was coming from nearby torches and firelights.