The Dragon's Mark

What Is It You're Not Telling Us?

"Hey, Natsu!" teased Happy. "You're being awfully nice to Lucy! Is there something we should know?"

"What's wrong with being nice to me, cat?" growled Lucy, trying to distract the others from Natsu's blush. "Are you saying people shouldn't be nice to me? Maybe we don't have to give you those chocolate covered fish after all!"

"What? Chocolate covered fish? Really? That's so nice, Lucy!" Happy did a back flip in mid air. "Please don't give them to anyone else. Oh! Do you think Carla might want one?" Happy continued to prattle on about fish and Carla as they walked the distance to the main house of their client.

Natsu stopped so suddenly, Lucy ran into the back of him. She had been admiring the farmland around them. He started sniffing the air. "Something doesn't smell right," he announced.

Knowing not to dismiss the slayer's nose, Erza held up a hand for them all to stop. "What is it, Natsu?"

He sniffed again, a puzzled look on his face. "I'm not sure. It smells like that bull thing we just fought, but different."

Erza's sword appeared in her hand and she took a defensive stance. Lucy's hand hovered over her keys. Gray was also in a defensive stance, his hands at the ready. Happy flew low and hid behind Natsu. "Where's it coming from?" the cat asked nervously.

Natsu sniffed again. "It's fading," he finally declared. "It's going away."

"But still," Erza frowned. "It's our job that the creature is eliminated. It will not look good for Fairy Tail if we did not complete our job. We cannot accept the reward until we have fufilled the contract."

Lucy and Gray both quietly groaned. Natsu grinned, a flame lighting his fist. "Yeah, the first one was too easy! Let's go after this one! I'm all fired up!"

Erza held out a hand to still the group. She had a thoughtful look on her face. "I'd like to still talk to Mr. Makato first. Something about this doesn't seem right."

Natsu slowly let the fire die out on his fist. Sniffing the air again, he frowned. "It's gone now." His body sagged with disappointment.

Lucy chuckled and laid her hand on his shoulder. "It's okay. I'm sure you'll get to kick ass again soon."

He grinned. "Thanks, Luce!"

Later, at Mr. Makato's house

Mr. Makato's expression looked guilty.

Erza was being direct but still spoke in a gentle tone. "What is it you're not telling us, sir?"

The man sighed, looking guilty. "I was hoping it wasn't going to come to this. I thought by destroying the beast, the curse would be broken."

"The curse," repeated Gray, rolling his eyes. Erza glared at him, which made him snap his mouth shut.

"What curse would that be, sir?" asked Erza, still using a gentle tone.

Mr. Makato squirmed uncomfortably. "Well, you see," he began, his face turning red, "I was cursed by a young woman after I, um, said something she didn't like." He looked up at the Fairy Tail mages with a pleading expression. "I thought the curse was the beast, and that if the strongest guild could get rid of it, the curse would be broken. But..." he sighed, then slowly got up and lifted up his shirt. "Since these are not gone," he embarrassingly showed them the sores on his back, "then I guess the curse is not broken."

A brief look of irritation crossed Erza's face before she spoke again. Her tone was a little more forceful this time. "And why didn't you tell us this was a curse with several, um, side effects?"

Mr. Makato shrugged. "It's embarrassing! I'm a respected businessman in this town! Obviously I hit on the wrong woman! How was I to know she used dark magic?"

"Dark magic," Erza repeated, looking down at the floor as if she were counting to 10. She looked back up. "We fulfilled the contract - getting rid of the beast. If you would like us to break a dark curse, I'm afraid it will cost you more, especially since we will have to research and see what curse it is and how to break it. Basically, it's a whole other contract. However, we have other mages that specialize in breaking curses."

"Anything! I'm a very rich man! These sores are spreading and not in a good direction!" He glanced over at Lucy, who had sat silent through the whole discussion, on the couch with Natsu who seemed to be in his own little world. "There are some who are still attracted to my money, but my body is what keeps them coming back." He gave a smirk, which Lucy wanted to smack off his face. Pervert! Even in his condition, he still thought he was a lady's man! She glared at him.

"I'll need more details. What exactly happened and what words do you remember this dark mage using?" Erza pulled out a small notepad and pen, looking expectantly at the client. Her face showed no expression, but his attitude towards Lucy hadn't escaped her attention.

Mr. Makato had the grace to look ashamed. "I'd rather not say in front of ladies."

"Fine. Lucy? You and I will leave the room while Gray takes notes." Erza handed her notepad and pen to a surprised Gray and marched out of the room, expecting Lucy to follow her. Natsu looked surprised when Lucy stood up. She gave his shoulder a squeeze and followed Erza out the door.