Ruthless Winds and Raging Seas

Chapter 40

When Lucy finally came to she found herself lying on the hard wooden floor of a ship. But not the royal navy ship she had been travelling on. One that was something else entirely. The last thing she remembered was hearing cannons being fired and there being a huge explosion. After that everything had gone black. She stood up from the floor and tried to make her way to the door. Her hand had just touched the knob of the door when it was opened by a very repulsive man. It was Jackal.

"Hello poppet." He said grinning at her with his very unfortunate looking teeth.

"Who are you?" She asked stepping away from him in fear.

"The captain would like a word with you." He grabbed Lucy roughly by the arm and threw her at the feet of Mard Geer.

"Ah so this is the lovely Lucy Heartfilia who I've heard so much about." The evil pirate captain said.

"Who are you? And why have you brought me here?" Lucy demanded.

"No need to be frightened. We have no reason to harm you...Not yet anyway."

"Then what are you going to do with me?"

"As of right now you're just bait for the person I'm really after."

"Who?"

"Natsu. He has a few items that I want."

"What items?"

"The ones that are needed to make that sacred key. My plan is to make a little trade with him. The three factors to make the key for you."

"What makes you think he would actually agree to that bargain?"

"Isn't it obvious?" He asked with a chuckle. When a confused expression crossed her features. "You really haven't figured it out?"

"Figured what out?"

"He'd agree to it because he loves you, you stupid girl." He chuckled again.

"He loves me?" She asked not sure if she heard correctly.

"Yes. You really couldn't see it? Even I could and I've never even felt that disgusting emotion. How amusing, I never thought anyone so rich could be so very dumb."

At first she was insulted but then she began to feel very guilty and regretful for how she had treated Natsu the last time they had been together. He couldn't really love her right? It was just a meaningless infatuation right? Nothing more.

"Or perhaps deep down you knew he loved you but you just pretended not to recognize it so you wouldn't feel bad for rejecting him."

"How did you-"

"Know that you rejected him? It's because I've been watching you. You and everyone else on that ship. I must admit some parts I enjoyed watching but most of it was rather boring."

"Why do you want the book of E.N.D?" Lucy asked hoping to change the subject.

"Who said anything about the book of E.N.D?" He asked.

"Isn't that why you want to make the sacred key? So you can get the book?"

He gave her a malicious smile.

"Perhaps you're not as stupid as I thought. Yes I want the book but it's not for money purposes like that fool Natsu had in mind."

"Then what's your reason for going after it?"

"I'm afraid that's my little secret. Now if you really are a smart girl you'll stay put and not cause any trouble while staying aboard with us. But if you turn out to be stupid and try to escape." He pulled out a pistol from his jacket. "Then I'll shoot you."