Not Happily Ever After

And A Prince

Natsu felt the breath whoosh out of his chest as the flat of the blade knocked him onto his butt. The blade was wooden, too, which made the pain that much worse. Whoever said wooden swords were better than real ones was a fool; sure, metal swords could slice you in half, but a wooden sword could break you in a hundred different places if used properly. Erza certainly knew how to use a wooden sword. 

"Oh come on," Natsu grumbled, sitting up and glaring at the red-headed woman. "I wasn't even ready." 

"When in battle, your opponent will not wait for you to be ready," Erza said without sympathy, spinning the sword so easily he wondered if she even knew she was doing it. "He will take control of your weakness and cut off your head." 

"Thank you for those oh so motivational words," the prince sneered, pushing himself onto his feet. He picked up his fallen sword from the grass, ignoring the snickers from the guards watching him. 

"This time, try to actually hit her, flame brain," Gray called, laughing mockingly. Gajeel chuckled beside him, the sun reflecting off of the bolts in his face. Natsu didn't acknowledge them, but that seemed to make them laugh harder. 

Gray and Gajeel were the son's of his father's personal guards, Metallica and Silver. They'd grown up with the prince and were the closest things he had to friends. It was no surprise to anyone when they became his personal guards, although one could speculate wether they were protecting him or trying to kill him themselves. 

Of course they were more than happy to hand him over to the red-haired demon for sword practice. It brought them great joy to watch the woman destroy him, one spar at a time. Natsu was a pretty good swordsman, but Erza was the head of the guard and could destroy anyone as long as she had even a stick in her hand. She was a monster, in his opinion. 

Just as they were going to resume the spar, Wendy came running into the courtyard. Erza paused, bowing respectfully to the princess. Natsu sighed under his breath and turned, smiling at his little sister. 

"Wen!" He greeted. Wendy smiled back at him, nodding at Erza. 

"Father sends for you," she informed him, eyeing his dirty attire. "Immediately." 

"Give him a minute, kid. Erza was just about to kick his royal behind," Gajeel gihi-ed. Wendy cringed at the idea and shook her head. 

"Father said it was very important and that Erza can kick your butt another day," she looked up towards the castle. Natsu followed her gaze, finding his father looking down at them from his office. He smiled and waved. Natsu leaned his head back, closing his eyes and sighing. 

"Wow, embarrassing," Gray teased, snickering. Natsu sent the boy a glare, smirking when an idea came to mind. 

"Why don't you two practice with Erza until I get back?" He suggested innocently, but the black-haired boys' faces fell. "Keep her warm for me." 

"That seems like an excellent idea," Erza agreed, picking up her sword with renewed energy. "Come Gray, pick up your sword and fight me!" 

The guard looked like the idea made him want to puke. Natsu laughed and handed him the wooden sword, pressing it hard into the boy's chest. "Have fun," he cheered, smirking evilly as he followed after his sister. It was a shame he wouldn't be able to watch the embarrassing display himself, but he'd see the result of their spar later, through the bruises that would decorate his guard's bodies. 

"So what's the hubbub," Natsu asked, jogging to keep up with Wendy's quick strides. They began climbing the stairs into the castle, causing his voice to echo. 

"I don't know," Wendy admitted, looking sad. "Father said it was very important, but he seemed happy." 

"He probably wants to send me over to that bastard Loke's place again," the prince sighed. Loke was the prince of Celestia, as well as a cocky bastard who didn't respect personal space or women. He had tried to flirt with Erza, not that it had much effect, and even Wendy. He was a vibrant prince, and he made Natsu want to punch him in the face constantly. He couldn't though, since his father and the Spirit King were in the workings of a peace agreement. Natsu had been sent over numerous times to try and 'make friends' with the prince.