Konnichiwa, minna! Sorry, I didn't update during the weekend. It was because... well I'm not gonna lie, I was too lazy and watched TV the whole weekend. I finally got to catch up a bit on my Naruto!! Anyway I know this is a short chapter but... deal with it :p

Lucy dodged the punch thrown at her and in turn threw her own punch aimed for Erza's stomach. She easily blocked it by grabbing her arm and swinging her into one of the padded walls lining the training room. Lucy fell to the floor panting. Her muscles were burning and her lungs were screaming for air. She propped herself up on her elbows and tried pushing herself up but she just fell back down. She heard the clicking of Erza's boots as she crouched down in front of her.

"You're dead," she stated calmly.

"I can see that, Erza," Lucy breathed, pretty pissed.

"Hn, I think that's enough for today," she said, extending her hand.

Lucy gladly took it and Erza pulled her up with monster strength. Lucy was pretty sure she would have gone flying into the ceiling if Erza hadn't been holding on to her arm. She set Lucy on her feet. Her legs felt like jelly and she felt them give way underneath her. Luckily, Erza caught her under her arms, swung her onto her back, and started walking towards the exit.

"Thanks," Lucy said to her.

"What are friends for?" Erza asked as she turned to her, smiling.

Lucy smiled back.

"Plus I might have made you go to practice early and maybe made you do two hours instead of an hour and half?" she finished with her voice going high at the end, as if it was a question.

"Say what?!" Lucy exclaimed, eyes bulging out of her head.

"Keep it down!" Erza whisper-shouted. "Do you want to get caught?!"

"No, sorry. But seriously?" she whispered into her ear, seeing as she was on her back after all.

"Yes, well it was a test of your endurance," she stated in a matter of fact tone. "And..."

"And?" Lucy asked, curious as to how she did.

"You passed!" she said happily.

"Really?!" Lucy asked excitedly.

"Yes, you kept getting up and you lasted the full two hours against me. I am very proud of you, Lucy," Erza said, smiling softly at her.

Lucy's heart swelled with pride. Erza was proud of her. Erza!

"Thank you so much Erza!" Lucy squealed, tightening her hold around her.

"Thank you for what?" Erza asked, confused.

"For being proud of me."

"Aaw, you don't have to thank me for that! You earned it."

"Yes, I am going to tell everyone now!"

"You are not allowed to brag about me being proud of you, or else," she threated.

Lucy gulped.

"H-Hai."

After Erza dropped Lucy off and Juvia bathed Lucy, Lucy slipped her nightclothes on and went down to the kitchen. She grabbed a bunch of food, put it in the basket, put the basket in her canvas bag, and slung the bag over her shoulder. Man, her muscles were killing her, but it was all worth it if Erza was proud of her. She said that Lucy wasn't allowed to brag to anyone, but she didn't know about Natsu, so... she could totally brag to him!

Lucy slipped her black boots on when she slipped back into her room, grabbed the jar of Porlyusica's green salve, and slung herself over the balcony. She dropped down and ran to the forest's edge. From there she decided to give her muscles a break and take it slow, so she just walked, enjoying the aura of the forest swirling around her. She saw flashes of light here and there from the fireflies and she listened to the song the crickets were playing that night. The forest thrummed with activity all around her. Honestly, the forest was Lucy's favorite place to be, other than the library of course. It just had the most calming effect on her and there were so many things to discover and everything was alive. There was no end to the secrets the forest kept, and Lucy couldn't help but want to know all of them.

"Luce, you're back!" a joyful voice exclaimed. One she knew all too well and looked forward to hearing everyday.

She looked to where his voice came from and he flashed her his million jewel smile.

"Hey, Natsu. How've ya been?"

Author's note: So I hope you enjoyed this chapter even though it was very short. Erza proud of Lucy! Wow! Anyway, I'm in class right now so I kinda have to rush this... Come in... drum roll please... Mira Jane Strauss!!

Mira: Happy to be here!

Meena: Well, I'm well out of class now so we have plenty of time to talk! Now then Mira, who are your top ships in the guild?

Mira: *has hearts in her eyes* Ah, but there's so many! Ah Nalu! Gruvia! Gale! Jerza! Rowen!

Meena: Same, Mira!! Let's fangirl together!! 

*both start jumping up and down hands together and screaming with hearts in their eyes*

Meena: Who do you think Cana should be with?

Mira: Hmm, that's a hard one. Bacchus? He is her drinking equal after all.

Meena: But would she want to be with someone exactly like her?

Mira: Probably not. Who do you think?

Meena: Well, I do have an idea, and she did tell me she thought he was sexy, so I think she likes him.

Mira: Who is it?! I must know!

Meena: Freed.

Mira: Freed! 

Meena: I know, but I am a firm believer in the whole opposites attract thing. He's conservative and she'd an outright wreck and a rebel.

Mira: You're right! They would look so good together!! I must start thinking of ship names! FreeCan? Caneed? Mmm, this is a tough one... I'll have to think on it later. *brings pad out of nowhere and starts scribbling before slamming it shut*

Meena: Mira, you know that Lissana likes Natsu right?

Mira: Yes, I do.

Meena: Well, what is your take on the situation? I mean you did say you shipped Nalu right?

Mira: I know she likes him, and she has liked him ever since she was little, but... I just can't see them together. And it's clear that Natsu has no interest in her whatsoever in that way, although it's quite clear that he likes Lucy. But she's my sister...

Meena: I understand that she's your sister and that that probably makes it hard to tell her, but maybe you should so that she can go after someone who has a chance of loving her back. I mean it's clear as day how Natsu and Lucy feel about each other, they'd die for each other! Everyone in the guild knows that!

Mira: I know, but... it would make it a bit fun if there was an obstacle in Lucy and Natsu's way, ne? *starts laughing evily*

Meena: That obstacle is your sister, and that might ending up hurting Natsu and Lucy's relationship more than anything. Have you thought of that?

Mira: *Mira deflates and rubs the back of her head sheepishly* Hehe, I guess I did get a little carried away there. I really have to stop reading that Diabolik Matchmakers book...

Meena: *sweatdrops* Anyway, we all know that you love Laxus so on to the disclaimer cause we really don't have time.

Mira: *blushes and waves hand in the air* W-What? We do? 

Meena: Yes, we do. Now on to the disclaimer!

Mira: Meena-chan doesn't own Fairy Tail, Hiro Mashima does. If she did, all her ships would be canon and Mira and Laxus probably would have already had 33 babies together... I-I, th-this is too much *passes out as steam comes from her ears*

Meena: *carries her on her back and starts walking away* Well, I'd better get her back to the guild. Hopefully Laxus won't be there... He's gonna kill me... Bye weirdos! :p