Her Protector ~NaLu~

~Chapter thirty six~

Being able to depend on someone doesn't mean you're dependent on them.
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~Lucy's POV

Natsu, Happy and I were now on the beach, just like Erza, Gray, Juvia, Mira. This day we're supposed to be training and getting stronger. But everyone was just hanging around, doing whatever you could do on the beach.

"Where are Gajeel and Lily?" Mira asked, looking around the beach. I shrugged. "I heard he went to train in the mountains or something like that."

"Who cares about that airhead anyways?" Natsu yelled, walking out of the water towards us. I shook my head, always wondering how developed his hearing is. The weather was downright beautiful. The sun shining with some clouds here and there. It wasn't too hot or anything, sometimes a nice breeze is welcoming us. Only the water was a little bit cold.

Mira nudged my stomach with her elbow, getting my attention. She shot me a look and then whipped her head nonchalantly towards Natsu's direction. A smile was on her face. I followed her eyes and saw Natsu, followed by Laxus on the other side, walking towards us.

Oh, you want to play matchmaking, Mira?

I pushed her in Laxus's direction, laughing when she gave me the dirty look.

She pushed me harder towards Natsu and I stumbled in his chest. He caught me by my waist. I was immediately welcomed by his body heat. "Whoa, watch out, Luce." He was wet from the water, the droplets falling off his body. I know that once I look down, I can't look away. I pushed him away from me, not looking him in the eye.

"Mira pushed me," I mumbled.

"Sure," he drawled out, obviously not believing me. He had that boyish smirk on his face that I love.

"I swear," I defended. I crossed my arms and met his eyes. He had that glint in his eyes.

"I don't believe you," he spoke finally and ran to me. I was taken by surprise when he bent down and grabbed my legs. He threw me over his shoulder and walked towards the water. My eyes narrowed as I looked over my shoulder.

"Don't you dare, Natsu," I warned. He had a good look of my ass now, not that it matters I think. How embarrassing as it sounds, he already saw me naked once... or twice... or more.

"What am I doing?" he asked, that innocent look on his face. I put my palms against his back and tried pushing me out of his grip. I'm so helpless when it comes to him.

That sounded like something with a double meaning.

"I'm going to fart in your face," I fake threatened, hoping he would let me go.

He sprinted to the sea till his legs were covered. "Yuck." He scrunched up his face and threw me without warning in the water.

I gasped as a lot of water entered my mouth. I choked on it as I peddled with my feet to get above. My eyes were shut tightly as I swam as fast as I could to the surface. I coughed loudly once I didn't feel water pressure on me.

Natsu laughed loudly, but I didn't find this quite funny. Don't get me wrong, I love the water and all, but I just don't have a good memory with getting underwater.

I was once tortured by some people who wanted my father's money. And they pushed my face into the water and held me under until I almost passed out. That went on for five rounds until I did pass out.

Now Natsu didn't exactly hold my face underwater till the point of passing out or anywhere near close, but I was still forced into the water.

I could feel their filthy hands on me as my hands were tied behind my back. The way they had grabbed my hair and their sick laughs rang in my ear.