6 years later

"Natsu, Fire ball three o'clock!"

"Lucy, a monster at nine o'clock!"

As they stood back to back, they both saw their targets were meant for the other. Natsu quickly pulled Lucy's hand and they rotated. Natsu sucked the flames from the fireball and Lucy summoned Torahs. As they both defeated their targets, a bell rung.

"TIME!" yelled master Makarov. Natsu smiled and Lucy placed her hands or her knees and panted.

Natsu placed his hands behind his head a asked,"So how did we do?"

Master Makarov smiled and said,"The best team so far. It took you guys 5 minutes to take down all 100 monsters as a team. That's splendid. Then again, Team Fighting practice is your best subject, Natsu."

Master Makarov then turned to the rest of the students,"Brats! Team Fighting is a course to help you guys learn to work as a team. You must all learn from our best team formed by Natsu and Lucy. Learn from their example. Hit the showers kids, and be prepared for next class."

Lucy P.O.V

I couldn't believe it's been 6 years since my Mom's death. I still remember as if it were yesterday. I was lucky to have Natsu by my side. Ever since that incident, Natsu became my best friend.

As I walked to the showers, Levy quickly jumped on my back and said, "That was an amazing performance."

I shook my head, "No, we just work well together, that's all."

Levy then did a wicked smile.

"What?" I asked.

"You work well together, huh? Are you sure it's nothing else?"

My cheeks turned pink. I stuttered,"He-He's just a friend! We're just friends...besides, I don't think he's over her yet."

For some reason, somewhere in my heart, I wished that he wouldn't think of me as just a friend and that he had loved me first instead of her...

Levy looked at me and asked,"Lucy, do you like Natsu?"

I jumped at that thought. I quickly spoke,"No no no no no. Of course not! I just think he's a really good friend. I mean, he is kind of my hero in a way."

"Love stealing in to overtake two people who'd believe they were merely friends..."

Lucy chuckled at the line Levy said as she walked into the shower. "What author said that?"

"Cecilia Grant from A Woman Entangled," Levy said as the shower went on.

"What does it mean?" I asked as I washed my hair.

"It means, that there's love sneaking and growing between two people who thought they were just friends. So in other words, you and Natsu are those friends."

"Huh? N-no, there's no love forming or sneaking anywhere!"

"Lucy, stop lying to yourself," Levy said as she turned off the water, "Do you honestly just want to be friends or is there really feelings you don't want to admit?" Levy said.

I stayed quiet as I turned off the water and grabbed my towel.

As we got dressed, Levy said,"If you ever need advice, I'm always here. I'll be more than happy to lend you a book about love." I nodded and she left.

Levy P.O.V

As I saw Natsu and Lucy fight together, I couldn't help but notice that they work well together. They both know each other really well and they both know how to pull each other's weight. I'm just weak and I don't really fit in with the fighters. Jet and Droy hovered around me and placed a hand on my shoulders.

"They're just fighting fit," Jet said.

"You're right. Don't worry Levy. We are still a good team."

I sighed. "I guess..."

***

As I left the shower locker, I went to my favorite reading spot. It was a very quite place that no one goes to. Instead of reading, I decided to practice my magic. I had to get stronger. I don't want Lucy to leave me behind.

Narrators P.O.V

As Lucy walked to the cafeteria, Natsu came from behind and put his arm around her shoulder.

"Na-Natsu!"Lucy yelped in surprise.

"What?" Natsu asked confused.

"You don't just do that out of the blue."

"But I've been doing that since we were kids. It's nothing new."

Lucy's face turned red as she stated, "We are NOT kids any more."

"You're right, I guess. "

Lucy looked up to meet Natsu's eyes and asked,"What are we?"

Natsu looked at Lucy and smiled,"We're a duo silly!"

Lucy looked down and whispered very sadly,"Oh..." In her heart, she felt as if she were waiting for a different answer.

As they walked together to the cafeteria, Gray came by and started throwing flower petals around Lucy and Natsu.

"Well if it isn't the Lovely couple, Natsu and Lucy Dragneel." Gray said with a taunting voice.

Natsu looked at Gray and showed him a fist. "I'll pulverize you, Ice princess!"

"What did you say, fire breath?!"

From behind, Erza appeared, "I hope we are all getting along. Right Natsu? Gray?"

They quickly wrapped their arms across their shoulders and said,"Of course, we are the best of buddies. Aye sir!"

Lucy giggled a little and continued walking by herself.

***

As Lucy sat down to eat, Natsu came rushing by and sat right in front of her. "Lucy, I heard from Laxus that we're going to have a group project around some time this month."

Lucy shook her head and said, "You shouldn't believe what Laxus-senpai says."

Natsu pouted. "Laxus wouldn't lie to me tho..."

When Lucy looked up to see his face, she felt her heart stop a little.

She got up forcefully, "Well I'm done so I'm going."

"Wait up Lucy!" Natsu yelled, "Why are you leaving so early?"

"I...it's none of your business!"Lucy yelled.

"What's gotten into you Luce?" Lucy rolled her eyes and ran to class leaving Natsu behind.

Laxus showed up next to Natsu and saw Lucy running away. He spoke up,"Girl trouble, huh?"

Natsu nodded and asked, "Do you think she's been moody lately?"

"I can't really help you there, Natsu. I don't even know the chick. Maybe it's that time of the month again."

Natsu looked up and asked cluelessly, "Do you really think so?"

"Maybe. Whatever, good luck, Natsu."

When they got to class, Lucy sat up front with Natsu by her side. Even though they don't have to sit there anymore, they both still chose to. The teacher also likes it that way because Natsu behaves himself.

Their teacher walked into the classroom and stood in front of the class. " Good evening, class! You have a project that will be due at the end of the year. It's a group project and it must be done in groups of two only. Any more and there will be complications with this project."

Natsu looked at Lucy and she rolled her eyes. A girl at the back of the class room raised her hand and asked,"Mister, what's the project?"

"This years group project is Parenting."

The whole class room went quiet.

"Now, let me explain. We know it's not a very academic project but it's a very important thing to know. The pairs will be drawn by the hat."

Lucy sighed as she grabbed her number out of the hat. "Twenty-four," she said while trying to find her pair. When she found the other person with her number, her eyes popped out of her head.

I'm going to scream! She thought.

Natsu held her number in his hand. "Looks like we're a team again! How lucky is that?!"

After all the pairs were found, they all went abd sat back at their desks.

Then the teacher smiled and said,"I forgot to mention one more thing. The school has made some dorms for this project. Each pair must start living together for this project. We want you all to know the ways of life as a parent. We will pass all of the babies to you guys when you are all moved in. When you have all moved in, please see me to get your baby. The rest of this class from here on out will be about child care. Also an extra note, the baby we hand you will have special features. It does grow and it does feel emotion, hunger, and needs to use the bathroom. It's like a real baby. So please, don't let your baby die. If you do, you will fail the class and have to retake it next year. Now, the most important thing is, the things you do in the dorms."

The teacher paused and took out a light pen and wrote some rules.

1. No sex in the dorms. you must all behave yourselves!

2. There are cameras all thought the dorm, so we can see everything! Please, no funny business.

3. If a female happens to become pregnant during this project, they must be expelled along with their partner. If you're old enough to have sex, you're old enough to accept the consequences.

Then he put down the pen and said,"Please follow these 3 simple rules. If a lady gets pregnant due to this project, your pair will automatically fail the class and be expelled!"

Lucy looked at Natsu and asked, "Laxus senpai didn't tell you about this, did he?"

Natsu shook his head and said, "Nope, but we'll make it through this cuz we're a great duo."

Her face flushed pink as she heard his words.

You're right...we're a duo...