A Demons Slave (A Nalu Fanfic)

Chapter 9

It was 7:30 and Lucy was doing her chores as usual. She just finished sweeping the throne rooms floor and was about to head into the library when a familiar voice called her.

"Hey Luce!" Natsu called. She turned to face him, and saw he was running down the hallway both of their rooms were held. He had a big smile on his face and seemed excited for something, but she didn't know what and she became curious.

Lucy smiled, waved and replied, "goodmorning master. How did you sleep?"

Natsu furrowed his eyebrows, then smiled and answered. "You know you don't have to call me master. I told you that last night! And I slept well, you?" Lucy smiled and sighed in relief. She was almost positive that he would still be angry with her after last night. Nonetheless she smiled and replied, letting him know she slept well and thanking him for asking.

"Well I better get moving on my chores! They're not going to do themselves," she chucked, "I'll see you at lunch." She smiled and turned to continue to the library but the pinkette planted a hand on her shoulder. She stopped and turned around, confusion clear in her eyes. "Is everything ok?"

"Yeah! I was just wondering if you would like to do something today? As friends!" He asked quickly, a blush heating his cheeks. Lucy's mouth dropped open. This is the second day in a row he was asking her to do something with him. Why was he suddenly being so nice? Was he trying to earn her trust so he could hurt her more easily? She quickly shook the questions out of her mind and shook her head.

"I-I can't. The castle is dirty I have to do my chores remember? You ordered me to." She answered calmly. Natsu became upset but quickly took a deep breath to calm himself down.

Calm and gentle. He reminded himself.

"I know...but I'm telling you now you don't have to do any chores today. Just a day full of fun with you and me!" He looked at her long and hopeful.

"Uh...o-ok I guess if you tell me to I have to right? Ok let me just put the broom away and I'll be back!" Lucy smiled and ran off to put the tools away, leaving Natsu to sit on his throne in anticipation. While he was sitting however, he thought back on her words.

"I guess if you tell me to I have to right?" He felt guilty for the way she thought, and wished he could make her think differently, but until he proved himself, she would still be afraid of him. So today he was going to prove that he truly wanted a friendship, and everyday after today until she believed it herself.

Smiling to himself, he waited impatiently for the blonde to return so they could have their fun.

***
On Lucy's way to put the broom away she couldn't help but be wary of her surroundings after the Lisanna incident. Although it's been a while and she knows she's probably safe after Natsu locked her away she's still nervous, as she has been since it happened. She hurriedly put the broom away as to not keep Natsu waiting.

Lucy hurried back to Natsu so they could go on with their day as Natsu wanted. Although Lucy was scared of Natsu, she couldn't help but feel excited as of what was to come of today. He hasn't seemed this happy since he kidnapped her so she wondered what put him in such a good mood, although it wasn't really any of her business.

As soon as she got back they wandered towards the door and went outside. Lucy inhaled a huge breath of air and examined where she was. She was on top of a tall mountain standing on a fenced path. She walked over to the wooden fence, placing her hands on the rails as she looked out. The hill slowly but surely made its way to the ground. There were many trees surrounding the castle along with luscious green grass and bushes.

Tears built up in her eyes as she soaked in the outside world again. Although it hadn't been long since she'd been here it felt as if it'd been years since she last saw her friends. She missed them all and wished for anything in the world to be reunited with them again. She knew that would never happen, but she liked to think she still had hope.

"So what do you want to do? We could have picnic, or go swimming or go for a walk?"

Lucy was surprised at his question for she didn't think he would ask her to choose the activity. "Uh...how about we go for a walk?" She asked slightly timid.

"Sure!" He replied enthusiastically. And with that they began to walk. It was silent and awkward at first, but slowly Natsu began to make conversation with her and before you knew it the two were laughing at jokes and telling stories.

"And then she fell into the water and everyone laughed I felt so bad for her but it was so funny." Lucy said through a laugh

"Man I wish I was there! I can imagine it happening!" Natsu laughed.

Their fits of laughter eventually died down and they walked in a comfortable silence. It had been about a half hour and they had only roamed around half of the castle. They were at the back now and all Lucy saw was trees of all sorts. Pine trees, oak trees, and even apple trees. And right in the middle was a crystal clear blue pond that looked just good enough to swim in. It was a hot day but Lucy didn't want to overstep her boundaries by asking to go for a swim so she stayed silent.

"Man it's hot out here!" Natsu exclaimed, "are you sure you don't wanna go for a swim?" It was almost as if he had read Lucy's thoughts and her eyes widened with hope. She looked over and saw the hope in his eyes as if he was waiting for her approval.

Weird. She thought.

She nodded her head rapidly and the pair began laughing while running towards the pond. Natsu ditched his shirt but Lucy just stayed in her clothes because she was a bit uncomfortable.

As the two splashed and played in the water Lucy began to get a bit tired. It had only been fifteen minutes but due to injury and malnutrition she's had to adapt to she ended up getting quite tired quite quickly.

She didn't know where Natsu was, couldn't even see him but it wasn't really a thought in her mind. She just wanted to get out of the water to catch her breath. However Natsu had other plans. His intentions were truly playful but he wasn't aware of Lucy's want to get out of the water. The pink haired boy dove under the water and grabbed onto her ankle, pulling her under for just a quick moment.

Lucy splashed and thrashed unaware of what could have ahold of her foot. In an effort to get free she took a breath, filling her lungs with water and ending up in a coughing fit under the surface. She thrashed even harder, attempting to free herself while trying not to take breaths through her coughs. As soon as she broke the waters surface she spit up water, paddling to shore as fast as she could.

When she reached the shore she propped herself up on her hands, her wet blonde hair sticking to her face as she attempted to free her lungs of water. When she finally thought she caught her breath she rolled over onto her back breathing heavily while moving the hair off of her face.

"Oh my gosh Luce are you ok?! I didn't mean to it was suppose to be funny I'm so sorry!" Natsu yelled apologetically. He kicked himself, realizing her trust was going to be even more low after today.

"I-it's ok." She stuttered out. "I-is it ok if w-we go back now?" She asked timidly while trying to stand.

"Of course. I'm so sorry." Natsu tried to help her up while apologizing again, but didn't miss the flinch that Lucy's body gave reacting to his touch.

The walk back to the castle was long, silent and awkward as Natsu tried to make it known he was sorry. Lucy wasn't paying attention though. She just wanted to go to her room, change and take a nap.