Never let go

10: "They've got you trapped"

Natsu made his way through first class, cap in his hand and his other in the pocket of his trousers. He smiled and waved at a few he recognized. "Good morning, Mr. Clive!" He said to Gildarts and the man smiled at him.

"Good morning, Natsu." The man responded, carrying on his way. Natsu made his way down the staircase. Looking around for a moment, he noticed the two bell boys standing by the door of the church and began to walk forward.

"Sir, you're not supposed to be here." One said, almost immediately placing his hands against Natsu's chest as he made his way to the door.

"Oh I just need to speak with someone." Natsu said, noticing Mr. Sugarboy looking at him from inside with a glare. Drawing his eyebrows together, he insisted as the bell boys tried to push him back from the door. "Look, I was here last night. Don't you remember?"

"No I don't, you need to leave."

Sugarboy made his way to the door and exited. "Look, he'll tell you." Natsu said, gesturing at the man as he closed the door behind him. "Hey, I just need to talk to--"

"Mr. Strait and Miss. Heartfilia are still appreciative of your assistance, Mr. Dragneel. They uh, asked me to give you this-" Sugarboy reached into the pocket of his vest and pulled a few dollars and held them out. "In their gratitude."

"Hey, I don't want your money." Natsu said, furrowing his eyebrows. "Please, I just want--"

"I'm also here to remind you, Mr. Dragneel," the man interrupted, looking the boy up and down. "That you are third class and your presence here is no longer appropriate."

"Look, I just want to speak to Lucy." Natsu said and Sugarboy narrowed his eyes.

"Gentleman, see to it that Mr. Dragneel returns to where he belongs and the he stays there?" Sugarboy boy split the money and handed it to both of the bell boys as Natsu tried to interrupt, a pleading look in his eyes.

"Yes, sir!" The one who had been fighting Natsu said, tucking the dollar bills into the pocket of his own vest. Natsu looked to Sugarboy in shock as the two men grabbed his arms and tugged him away. He could hear the man's chuckle in amusement as he yanked his arms from the men's hold and adjusted his jacket.

"I can walk just fine, thank you." Natsu said, stalking away from the men and meandering outside.

Moving to the ledge, he leaned his arms against it and sighed, the sound of children running around and dogs barking mixed with the sea giving him a headache.

Had Lucy's words been a lie?

Natsu grit his teeth and shook his head.

He had to see her again.

Checking behind him to see if anyone was around, Natsu briskly walked towards the rails of the balcony he had first seen Lucy on. Grasping them in his hands, he jumped up slightly and began to climb, grunting slightly. Flinging himself up over the ledge, he noticed a boy with a yo-yo and quickly hid, peeking around the post to look at the boy and his father. He walked around and spotted a coat and a chair on two lounging chairs, grabbing them quickly and swinging it over his shoulders as he walked, looking behind him as he went. He stopped, seeing two bell boys walking in his direction and hid in the space between a lifeboat and the rails, looking out at see as they scurried past him.

"--waste of space as they are on an unsinkable ship." Dan's voice said and Natsu's body stiffened as he heard the smack of a cane against the boat next to him.

"Sleep soundly, young Lucille." Gildarts voice came and Natsu sighed softly in relieve as he heard Dan's footstep pass him. "I've built you a good ship, sound and true. She's all the lifeboat you need." Gildarts voice went past him as his footsteps quickened and he mentioned something about the engine room. He could hear the soft clacking of heels as he turned his head and watched Dan, Lucille's father and Gildarts walk away. Lucille passed by him and he moved out, grabbing her shoulder. Lucille turned in surprise, her eyes widening as they spotted him and he gestured for her to follow him, grabbing her hand with his. Her eyes jerked over her shoulder as he tugged her into a room.