Keeping Promise

XVII

Natsu glanced to Lucy, walking beside her as they walked to the river where everyone gathered.
"So..."Lucy rubbed her arm with a sheepish smile as she let her eyes wander around,"Has anything changed over these past seven years?"
Natsu looked up to the sky in thought,"I joined Fairy Tail,"he said bluntly, looking back down at her.
"I noticed. They're one of the groups that support the royal family,"Lucy said,"Are they good to you?"
"Yeah, I've made good freinds. Fairy Tail became my family,"he admitted, watching her face to see her reaction. He could only see a small smile on her lips.
"I'm glad,"she said in a relieved tone.
"And you?
Lucy's smile turned to a troubling grin as she looked up at him,"Much has happened in these past seven years. You've grown much stronger, and I'm sure you've changed in some ways. The same is with me."
"I don't care if you're completely different from back then, I still will stand by your side. I swore I'd protect you. I failed once, and I won't fail again."
"Natsu-"
Lucy was interrupted by Natsu grabbing her arm as she had turned away from him. He held her arm tightly, but not enough to hurt her. She stared up at him, a bit surprised he grabbed her.
"Lucy, I've spent the last seven years trying to find you. I got stronger and traveled almost all over Fiore, all for you," Natsu spoke, a serious look set in his eyes as the air grew tense around him, "Nothing you do or say will make me leave your side. If it's truly bothersome, you'd have to kill me."
He slowly let go of her arm after, keeping his eyes on her. Lucy let out a soft sigh.
"You've grown up a lot," she spoke, standing up straight, "You must show me your loyalty if you wish to stay by my side."
"If I have to burn the Heartfillia family crest into my chest, so be it," Natsu spoke bluntly, his answer quick to give.
Lucy raised her hand to her lips, giggling lightly.
"I wasn't joking," Natsu raised a brow.
"I know," Lucy giggled a little more before letting it die with a small smile upon her lips. She raised her hand to him, pressing her palm against his chest, "I won't allow you to willingly burn your skin to show me your loyalty. I believe you when you say you wish to stay by my side, I just wanted to see what you'd say."
Natsu grabbed her hand, taking a step back before bending down; brushing his lips against her hand. He held his lips against her knuckles before standing up straight, continuing to hold her hand gently, her fingers hanging from his palm.
They began walking, Natsu leading her to the river where everyone else had gathered. The four horses reigns were tied in slip-nots onto a sturdy branch, close enough to the river for each of them to bend down and drink the water to restore their energy.
Mini and Gemi sat next to each other, Mini struck a conversation with Happy, she was clearly fascinated by the blue talking cat and also found it adorable and Happy was taking all the attention she was giving him; acting as if her eyes were a spotlight on a big stage.
Gray and Loki were having a conversation of there own as Virgo just stood by silently.
Then Erza stood by the horses, leaning against a tree.
"Princess Lucille!" Mini and Gemi stood up quickly, almost immediately as Lucy had come into view, stopping everything they had been doing prior.
Lucy let her fingers slip from Natsu as she walked over to them.
"I'm sorry for making you wait," Lucy apologized to them, "Did anything happen while I was not present?"
Mini shook her head, before looking down and scooping up Happy into her arms and practically shoving the small feline in Lucy's face, "But look at this cute little guy~!" Mini squealed. Lucy stared at Happy, he was cute she had to agree. Mini put Happy down gently, letting him stand.
"Nice to meet you, your majesty! My name is Happy," Happy greeted with a small bow. Lucy blinked, not expecting a cat to be speaking, but she quickly smiled lightly. She opened her mouth to speak and greet him back but stopped when a scarlet haired woman stepped next her, making her take a small step away.
"I am Erza Scarlet, your majesty. But you can call me Erza," Erza bowed respectfully, glaring over at Gray as she did making him step forward to greet Lucy as well.
"I am Gray Fullbuster, um... Your majesty," Gray bowed a bit more awkwardly, not use to being so respectful to a stranger, "Call me Gray."
Lucy gazed at them, "It's a pleasure to meet you all, I am Princess Lucille Ashlee de' Heartfillia of Fiore," she bowed gracefully, as if it was only natural for her to do so. She looked like a ballet dancer with her subtle movements and the deep, respectful bow she gave the three strangers. She stood up straight, smiling lightly, "But please, just call me Lucy."
Gray seemed taken aback by the respectful and beautiful princess, a bit unsettled by how kind she looked and acted. He expected the princess to be a bit more snobbish or something.
Unlike him, Happy and Erza looked to be pleased with Lucy's attitude to them, it was refreshing almost.
"Natsu has spoken a lot about you," Erza stated. Lucy turned, giving Natsu a small glance seeing his face burst red making him slap his hand over his mouth in an attempt to cover his burning cheeks.
Lucy looked back to Erza with an amused grin, "Has he now?" she spoke.
"From what I have heard, you are a very kind and thoughtful person," Erza smiled kindly to Lucy. Lucy nodded to her in thanks.
"Princess, we should be getting to Kasagi," Virgo spoke from over by the horses, standing straight and looking over at Lucy.
"You're correct," Lucy nodded her head again towards Virgo, "Shall we all be on our way?"