Leaving to become stronger

Chapter Eighteen

"Finally! Flame brain got to use his brain!" Gray teased and both started an unnecessary brawl again.

Unknowing to them, Lucy already walked out to grab some woods for a campfire.

Obviously, going along with the camping out idea.

"Nat-zu, Lushee's gone." Happy informed and Natsu panicked.

"What the?" Natsu sniffed around, trying to catch Lucy's scent.

"When did she-" Gray questioned, but Natsu cut him off.

"I think I found her!" Natsu cheered in relief.

"Let's go Happy!" Natsu added, hurryingly.

"Nat-zu, I'll stay here and wait. I'm not feeling so good." Happy frowned and Natsu looked at him in concern.

"Are you alright, buddy?" Natsu questioned and Happy smiled.

"It's alright. I just needed to rest." Happy sighed heavily and Natsu nodded in understanding.

He ran off, without a word, leaving Gray and Happy smirking.

"Lucy? Lucy?" Natsu called, frantically, following the blonde's scent.

As soon as he reached his destination, he looked at her.

She was gathering firewood.

"Hmm?" she hummed, looking at him straight in the eyes.

He flushed and walked towards her.

"I thought you were taken by those random dudes." He admitted and she laughed.

"I'm fine. Go back with the others." She smiled and continued to gather some firewood.

"I'd like to stay and help out." Natsu mumbled to himself and the blonde looked at him.

"Natsu, its fine. I got it." She smiled and he shook his head 'no'.

"Won't you get bored?" she added, cocking an eyebrow at him, and he looked at her in confusion.

"Why are you so eager to get rid of me?" he questioned her and her eyes widened.

Silence enveloped them.

Lucy broke the momentary silence.

"I'm sorry." She stated in a soft voice, making him feel that he was just hearing things.

"That wasn't my intention." She added, giving him a faint smile.

She handed the firewood set that she gathered to Natsu.

"That should be enough. Let's get back with the others." She smiled and he nodded.

They were halfway towards the other, walking in silence, and Natsu couldn't take it anymore.

"Lucy?" He called and she looked at him.

"Yeah?" she responded and he averted his eyes from her.

"Something's bothering me." He confessed and she looked at him in confusion.

"Why are you telling me this?" she asked, completely oblivious of the fact that the dragon slayer's flushing.

"It's related to you." He admitted and she stopped walking.

"What did I do?" she questioned and the dragon slayer stopped walking, facing her.

"Do you trust me?" he asked with a pleading look on his eyes.

"Y-Yeah..." she stated, nervously, and diverted her eyes towards something else.

Natsu walked towards her and placed both his hands to her shoulders.