The Dragon's Mark

What Did Team Natsu Destroy Now?

Now that the exceed was gone....

"Natsu," Lucy said, cupping her hand under his chin and lifting it up so they were looking face to face. "I know you would never hurt me on purpose. We'll get back to the guild and ask the master about it. He'll know what to do."

"I - " began Natsu, but Lucy leaned in and kissed him on the lips. It was meant to be a comforting kiss, just a quick one, but Lucy found herself leaning into it, her hands slowly circling his neck as Natsu's arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. The kiss deepened.

They finally pulled away and just looked at each other. Lucy lay her forehead on Natsu's - a move he usually made with her - just because she knew how comforting it always felt to her.

"I-I love you, Natsu," she whispered. "I trust you."

Natsu's hand reached up and stroked her cheek. "I love you too, Luce. I just don't know..." he began, his hand falling, a frown forming on his face.

Lucy stood up and offered a hand to Natsu. "Let's move on, shall we?" She gave him a smile. "Unless you want to hear Happy tease us all the way home!"

That brought out a small smile on Natsu's face. He placed his hand in Lucy's and stood up. They were still holding hands when Happy flew back with a full canteen. He took one look at the two of them and grinned. "You two looooooove each other!"

"Shut it, cat!" Lucy said her usual reply, but without too much feeling this time, taking the canteen from the cat. She handed it to Natsu, who took a long drink from it before offering it back to Lucy. Glancing down at her other hand, he gave a slight grimace and wondered if he should pour the water on it.

Lucy followed his glance. "It's fine, Natsu," she reassured him. "See?" She waved her hand in front of him. "It's all good!"

"Come on, you two," she said, giving her trademark Lucy smile. "Let's go get something to eat!"

Later, at the Guild Hall:

"He seems to be acting normal again," Erza stated quietly to Lucy, glancing over where Natsu was eating at a booth with Wendy, Romeo, Carla, and Happy. "Let's go talk to the master."

Master Makarov was in his office, sighing through paperwork the Magic Council had sent him yet again. Muttering to himself, he started as he heard a knock on his closed door.

"Enter!" he barked, glancing around as he noticed 3 pages fluttering to the floor.

He looked up and saw Lucy and Erza standing in front of him. One of them had closed the door behind them.

Uh oh, thought Makarov, wincing. "What did Team Natsu destroy now?" he growled, noticing the serious look on both faces. "How much will it cost us this time?" he muttered, shifting the papers into a stack on the side of his desk.

"It's nothing like that, master," began Erza. "It's something else. Something serious though." She looked at Lucy. "Show him," she ordered.

Lucy looked flustered. "We're here to talk about Natsu..." she began, confused.

Erza's lips drew together in a line. "Show him your mark."

"My-my mark?" Lucy stuttered. Could she be talking about about the place on her neck?

Erza sighed and swept Lucy's hair to the side and pointed it out to Makarov.

"Is that what I think it is?" He had come in front of his desk, turning his head and studying the mark. "Did Natsu do this to you, child?" he asked Lucy.

Lucy jerked away from Erza, giving the mage a frown. "Yes, master," she said, blushing. Hopefully he wouldn't ask for more details.

"Hmm," Makarov said, leaning back against the desk. "Let me guess. He's been more aggressive - well, at least more than usual - especially around other males that might show Lucy attention?"

Erza nodded. "Yes. There was a situation where Lucy invited Grey to dinner and Natsu, holding Lucy's hand at the time, got so angry he almost burned her!"

Lucy continued to blush. This was supposed to be a discussion about Natsu, not about her! What could the master be thinking, with her inviting Grey to dinner while holding Natsu's hand!

"Master, what does it all mean?" asked Lucy, if only to stop Erza before she mentioned WHEN Lucy got the mark! Erza had all but speculated to Lucy about those "noises," even if she had been teasing!

"I was afraid of this happening. Erza, can you bring Natsu in here? I'd like to speak to him and Lucy. Alone."

Erza's lips formed that straight line again, but she simply nodded and left the office. Hopefully after the master talked to Lucy and Natsu, he would at least inform the rest of Team Natsu what was going on.