Deepest Desire [NaLu AU]

Chapter XXVII

I trailed behind Lucy, Gray, and Erza as they searched for somewhere to eat, pondering just who that large ship could belong to. I was nearly positive it was a pirate ship, and was surprised they were allowed in at all. I snapped out of my trance when Lucy flicked my forehead. "Hey, what's up with you?" she asked playfully, though her eyes held concern.

I shook my head, ridding the thoughts from my mind. "Nothing, I'm just really hungry." It wasn't a lie; I hadn't had a meal since last night.

We stopped walking when we reached a bar. We entered, and claimed a table quickly. My food couldn't get in front of me quick enough, and by the time it did, I was debating stealing food from the table beside us. Erza slapped me upside the head when she saw my greedy glances. I drooled over the food set in front of us, and I immediately began my messy process of eating. Gray rolled his eyes at me, but I simply said, "Gray, clothes," and he got flustered.

I had to admit, it was a fun lunch. I'd acquired quite an entertaining, enthusiastic group, and I couldn't even remember the last dull moment that I'd experienced in their presence. People didn't bother telling us to shut up, seeing as it was a bar. People came here to be rowdy, and the four of us fit into the atmosphere perfectly. We left the restaurant with overly full bellies and near empty pockets.

I smiled contentedly, and we walked aimlessly, enjoying our respite from the constant fights we'd been forced into recently. We inadvertently started heading towards the docks, Gray leading, and my sharp eyes caught the sight of yet another ship docked at the harbor. This one was just as big as my own, and held the royal flag high up upon its mast. I frowned in anxiety, and Lucy did the same beside me. She squinted her eyes, peering at the side of the ship, and she must have recognized it because she stopped abruptly, and dragged us away. I was tempted to ask why we were retreating, but I figured I shouldn't ask her when she seemed so shocked.

She pulled us into a small café, glancing outside nervously every few seconds. Erza furrowed her eyebrows and crossed her arms against her chest. "Lucy, why are we here?"

Lucy took a breath before answering. "That's my old ship." She rushed out, speaking hastily.

Gray's eyes bulged. "What?" he asked incredulously.

"You heard me," Lucy glanced out the door, my gaze following to see a small patrol of royal officers. She dragged us further into the café, sitting us at a table in the far corner. "My first mate, Loke, is probably acting as a temporary commander." I stared at her anxiously, hoping to God that she wouldn't say that she wanted to go back. "We have to leave."

I sighed in relief before I processed just what she said. "We can't," I blurted out before I could think twice. "The Dragon's Eye is here; we can't just leave without it."

Erza spoke up. "Natsu is right. We just found the thing we've been looking for for years. We can't just leave it behind."

"Not to mention, if that other ship is looking for it too, and they find it, we'll never get it back."

Lucy muttered, "Why exactly do you guys even want the Dragon's Eye so badly?" She sighed exasperated. "I mean, I know it grants your 'deepest desire,' or whatever," she rolled her eyes, putting air quotes around the words, "but you guys know it can only do it for one person, right? What do you guys even truly want with it?"

Erza opened her mouth to respond, but glanced down, cutting herself off. Gray just glanced up at me. "She has a point," he muttered.

"Yeah," Erza started slowly, "what exactly are you planning to do with it?"

Lucy glanced between the three of us. "You guys don't even know what he plans to do with it?" she asked, disbelief prominent in her voice.