"I WILL NOT DO IT FATHER! YOU CAN'T MAKE ME!"

"YOU WILL DO IT, YOU DO NOT HAVE A CHOICE! THIS IS FOR THE GOOD OF THE COMPANY!"

"FUCK THE COMPANY!"

A very loud slap was heard, "YOU WILL NOT USE SUCH VULGAR AND BARBARIC LANGUAGE! YOU WERE RAISED TO BE A SOPHISTICATED YOUNG MAN OF HIGH STATUS, NOT SOME LOWLY STREET RAT!"

"…I would rather be a lowly street rat than your tool…" the young man ground out baring his teeth and furrowing his brows while his pinned the older man with a harsh glare.

"This was never up for discussion; you will marry the ruler of Bosco's daughter in a months' time, you will produce an heir to continue the Dragneel line and you will take over the company. This is what all the planning, the combat training and your studies have led to Natsu, this is what your mother and myself have always wanted for y-."

"NO!" Natsu shouted interrupting his father while still glaring at him, "…all of this- "he opened his arms out wide gesturing to the entire room, "-all of your planning- "he made quotation marks with his fingers, "-the private tutors, getting my ass beat over and over again during training…ALL OF IT…everything you've put me through since mom died has been what you want! Mom would never force me to marry for the company…she always told me about love and romance…even the stories we read…she wanted me to find love on my own, she wanted me to live my life the way I want to, not how you planned…"

Natsu's father lowered his head allowing his vibrant red hair to shadow his eyes, "…hold your tongue boy," he hissed out before looking back up at his stunned son, "I will be increasing your training and your studies. The princess with be here in two weeks and you will be ready by then," he held his son's glare until Natsu finally gave in and lowered his head, "…as you wish…Igneel…" Natsu hissed out

He waved his son away not even bothering to scold him for using his name, "…leave. There is nothing more I wish to discuss with you." Igneel turned so he was looking out the large windows behind his desk while placing his hands behind his back.

Natsu turned on his heel and stomped out of his father's office making sure to slam the doors shut on his way out.

He stood outside Igneel's office gripping the hilt of his sword strapped to his waist while looking at the walls of his home, the mansion was bustling with maids and butlers running around getting their chores done for the day but that didn't matter to Natsu. Ever since the death of his mother, Lady Diana Dragneel, the house has never felt more…bleak.

Diana was a kind and caring lady, anyone who ever met her loved her and she always brought a certain warmth with her wherever she went.

Looking at the mansion now…you would never know that she was ever there. To the outside world it always looked full of people and life…but to Natsu…it was nothing more than a lonely and cold prison.

Natsu sighed and ran a hand down his face before standing up straight and walked down the halls intended on going to his room and sleeping for the rest of his life, funny how the world always seems to want to kick him in the balls now, "Master Natsu!" he heard a shout and cringed when he recognized the voice. Natsu turned his head and groaned quietly when he seen the older male just down the hall from him, "Master Natsu, your father has informed us of your increase in studies and wants you to begin right away."

Natsu sighed again, of course that bastard old man would, "alright…alright…lead the way Rupert." he was beyond annoyed now but not at his tutor. Rupert was a lovely old man, he was in his early sixties but still moved like he was thirty and his vast knowledge of the world never ceased to amaze Natsu, he really did love the old man. In fact, Natsu loved all of the help hired to take care of the Dragneel family and the mansion, they were his only friends -aside from his little buddy and his uncle- after all and he considers all of them family, some even being around well before he was born.

Natsu followed behind Rupert quietly accepting his fate to spend the rest of the day in the library cramming his studies into his mind. Though he supposed that it wasn't all bad, in fact he loved the library and spent all of his free time there reading, it was the only room in the massive house that still reminded him of his mother and he basked in it.

Though hours later when he stumbled into his room with beat red hands and a throbbing head convinced him otherwise, "I swear, that old man is the devil reincarnate…" Natsu pouted and flopped face first onto his bed relishing in the comfort and softness of his sheets, "what's the matter Natsu?" he heard a high pitched voice beside his ear and a small pat on his head. Natsu groaned and slowly turned his head to where the voice was and there sitting on his bed was his best friend, Happy.

Happy was actually a present from his mother when he was six before she passed away, she had bought his egg from a merchant while she and Igneel were away on a business trip over seas and brought it back for Natsu. Natsu took care of the egg for two full weeks until it finally hatched and a blue talking and flying cat popped out, they've been together ever since.

Natsu sighed and buried his face in his comforter again, "it's nothing Haps…" he mumbled

He felt another pat on his head, "come on Natsu, I know you better than that. What happened today?"

Natsu whined and turned his head again looking back at Happy, "…father finally made his move…he's making me marry the princess of Bosco…" Happy's eyes grew wide, "he increased my studies and training too…wants me to be prepared for when the princess shows up in two weeks…we are to be wed in a month." Natsu turned so that he was laying on his back with his hands behind his head and stared at the ceiling, "oh Natsu…I'm sorry…" Happy teared up

Natsu lifted his head a little and moved one of his hands to pat the cat on the head, "it's alright Happy…maybe this won't be all bad. Who knows maybe the princess won't be a stuck up brat like all the others were…" Natsu didn't even believe his own words. As much as he wished them true all rich people were the same, prissy, stuck up and arrogant, always looking down on those they considered beneath them. Natsu quietly sighed and closed his eyes, as much as didn't want to admit it…she was more than likely exactly the same as all the others.

Two weeks passed by quicker than Natsu would have liked, nothing changed between him and his father who continued to ignore Natsu's very existence causing him to extract some of his pent up anger and took it all out on his Uncle Atlas in the training grounds, "that damn old man…treating me like it don't even matter anymore," Natsu swung his sword down onto Atlas' pushing the elder male backwards some, "he hasn't said a word to me-" Natsu brought his sword back up, quickly blocking Atlas' blade from cutting his face letting out a grunt at the pressure, "-since that day he commanded that I get married to this princess…" Natsu pushed Atlas off him and jumped backwards landing some feet away, he panted slightly while glaring at the ground, "we've never even met and I'm just supposed to roll over on my back and except all of this bullshit?!" Natsu growled out gripping the hilt of his sword tighter, "…it's money…money this and money that…it doesn't matter to him that he's taking my life away so long as he makes a fucking profit…"

Atlas sighed heavily, he couldn't understand his brothers' intentions with Natsu and he wasn't exactly pleased when he found out that he was basically selling Natsu off for a higher status and more money. This wasn't how Igneel use to be, he used to be a kind man who did anything and everything for his family…but when Diana became sick, that's when he first started to change. He locked himself up in his office and focused more on the company than his own family, Atlas had been there for Natsu all throughout his mother's illness and eventual death. Igneel never once comforted Natsu instead he chose to lock his heart up and pushed his only son away, Atlas knew he was morning the loss of his wife and love but to push your son away too…he couldn't understand, "…I wish I could explain my bone-headed brothers' actions away but I cannot. I don't understand why he is doing this nor do I think I ever will, all I can say is just try to grin and bare it. I know it is not your choice but I know Igneel still loves you very much…he's just trying to secure your future…however wrong it might seem" Atlas watched the boy he helped raise and couldn't help the surge of pride that flowed through his chest. Natsu was a spitting image of Igneel and himself only instead of their vibrant red hair, he had Diana's pink hair. He also -unfortunately- inherited Igneel's unrelenting stubbornness but had Diana's kind and loving heart and he always put other's happiness above his own though he also had Diana's fiery attitude. Maybe that was why Igneel kept his distance from the boy, Natsu reminded his older brother of his late wife and didn't want old wounds to open if he got too close to his son again.

As stupid as that may have been…

Atlas smiled, "come Natsu, summon that beautiful Aquarius' armor and let us spar some more. I want you good and calm by the time the princess gets here."

Natsu sighed, running a hand through his spiky rose colored locks before smiling back, "aye…alright uncle."

Natsu reached into his white dress shirt and followed the leather that was strapped to his chest until his hands landed on a pouch resting on his ribs underneath his arm. He opened the pouch and placed his fingers over the smooth metal of a set of keys hidden within the pouch, when his fingers landed on the one he wanted he grinned and then pushed his magic into the key, "Aquarius, please grant the power of your armor…" he whispered feeling the warmth of the key on his fingers then suddenly Natsu was surrounded by a bright golden light, a loud door bell was heard and when the light finally disappeared, Natsu was covered head to toe in heavy looking armor that was colored to look like the vast open sea. Aquarius' armor permits Natsu access to her water spells allowing him to attack with any spells she knows, "what do you want brat?!" a female voice suddenly hissed in his head, "aww come on Aqua, don't be like that" Natsu purred back within his mind, he heard her tsk and it caused him to smile, "I'm going to beat the shit out of my Uncle, want to help me?" he questioned her and knew he had won her over, for some reason she loved kicking Atlas' ass, maybe it was because he was a fire mage.

She tsked again, "give me a chance to beat the snot out of that old pervert…gladly…" she answered

Ok…maybe him being a fire mage was only part of it…he was rather touchy with the spirit whenever she was actually out and not her armor.

Natsu grinned and looked towards his uncle, he lifted his sword and pointed it at Atlas watching as the blade became surrounded by swirling water, "I don't know what you did to piss Aqua off this time Uncle but she's all fired up to kick your ass today."

Atlas let out a hearty laugh, "oh how I love that feisty mermaid, too bad she can't actually handle all of my manliness." he teased while flexing his muscled arms

"WHAT?!"

Natsu winced when Aquarius' voice roared within his mind, "OF ALL THE PIGHEADED, LOUD MOUTHED, EGOTISTICAL, BOORISH, NARCISSISTIC, SELF-CENTERED, ARROGANT, ASSHOLE, I'M RUNNING OUT OF FUCKING WORDS TO YELL OUT! THINGS TO SAY TO A LADY, HE KNOWS I HAVE A BOYFRIEND WHO I AM VERY FAITHFUL TOO! I'LL SKIN HIM ALIVE!"

Natsu shot his uncle a worried glance because it sounded like Aqua actually wanted to kill him today and he really didn't blame her this time. Atlas just shrugged his shoulders like he wasn't actually sweating and shaking in his boots, maybe he went a little too far today…oh well, too late to take it back now.

Natsu got into his fighting stance, holding his sword with both hands, leveling the hilt next to his face, he watched as the waters that were once calm raged out of control like a fast running river all around his blade, almost jumping with anticipation to get a piece of the elder male.

Atlas lit his sword on fire and got into his position waiting for Natsu to make the first move.

He didn't have to wait long and watched as Natsu launched off the balls of his feet, sprinting at him with speeds that actually surprised him and slightly caught him off guard, he was quick to recover and just before Natsu's sword came down on his head he brought up his blade and dropped down to one knee blocking the attack. The clash of magic's sent out a ring of energy around the two that pushed back all of the equipment within the room and blew out all of the surrounding windows, yea Aquarius was pissed and Atlas knew he was in for a world of hurt.

Four hours later…

Natsu was crouched in front of his uncle with his hands on his knees while he gasped for air, one of his shirt sleeves was ripped completely off, his pants were riddled with tears and burn marks. His forehead was bleeding -badly at one point- and he had to close his left eye from the blood flowing in it and he had a massive bruise on his right cheek from Atlas sucker punching him. Floating next to Natsu -however- was a very pissed off blue mermaid who had her arms crossed over her chest while she was busy glaring at the now beaten, battered, and bruised Atlas laying on the floor, "you learn your lesson you creeton?!" she hissed causing Atlas to flinch. He simply laughed and winced when he slowly stood up -with the help of Natsu- to stand before the Celestial spirit, "of course my lovely Aquarius. I take back all of my previous words- "he bowed before her gently taking one of her hands in his and placed a small kiss against her knuckles, "-please accept my humblest apologies for my transgressions."

Aquarius looked away to hide the blush that burned her pale cheeks though it did her no good, Atlas had seen it, "j-just don't let it happen again…" she finally said before she vanished back into her world.

Natsu immediately burst out laughing once the spirit was gone, "I-I still don't get what you see in her!"

Atlas shrugged his shoulders only to wince again, "I don't know either but that feisty little spirit really gets my blood pumping" he sighed almost dreamily

Natsu gagged, "GROSS UNCLE! I DON'T WANT TO HEAR THAT!"

Atlas waved the boy away, "one day when you finally grow up you'll understand."

Natsu gawked at the older man with wide eyes before he scowled and bared his teeth, "I'm nineteen years old…I'm pretty sure I understand it just fine…I just don't want that mental image…" he gritted out

Atlas laughed and slapped Natsu on the back causing him to cry out in pain, "DAMN IT! THAT HURT YOU GEEZER!"

"Eh, pain builds character."

"…" Natsu was just about to reach over to strangle the man when the doors to the training room opened up and then promptly fell off their hinges and crashed to the floor startling the two men out of their bickering.

There at the door stood a huffing maid holding a hand over her heart seemingly trying to get it back under control, "I-I'm sorry m'lords, I-I didn't mean to interrupt anything but Master Igneel sent me to fetch the both of you. The princess has just arrived."

And just like that Natsu's high spirits came crashing back down to Earthland when he was reminded of the fate awaiting him. Atlas -having sensed his nephews' sudden depression- placed a hand on his shoulder, "come Natsu…I will stay with you for the entire thing if you wish me too."

Natsu nodded his head numbly, "…please…" he barely whispered out but Atlas heard it all the same, nodding his head back and quickly followed Natsu out of the room to get cleaned up with him.

After some time, Natsu and Atlas stood before the doors that lead to Igneel's office and Natsu's ultimate demise freshly cleaned and bandaged from their scrimmage, Atlas -once again- placed a reassuring hand on Natsu's shoulder, "regardless of what happens in that room, I will always be by your side, no matter what your decision might be."

Natsu gave him a confused stare but before he had a chance to question him about it Atlas opened up the doors and gently pulled Natsu to walk beside him allowing the doors to close back up. Natsu winced slightly at the loud bang they caused making him feel like he was walking to his execution and not to meet his bride to be.

He watched Atlas leave his side to stand next to his father and it caused Natsu to panic, he swallowed hard and struggled to control his breathing but one look to his uncle, who sent him a wink and a smile, calmed him right back down, "it's nice of you to finally show up Natsu," Igneels voice rang out all around him, Natsu had to bite his cheek to keep from snapping at the man, "I would like to introduce her royal highness of Bosco, Princess Adela." Igneel held his arm out to the left of him to present the princess who Natsu just now noticed was in the room.

He had to admit, she was a looker, her dark brown hair was cut into a bob and framed her heart shaped face, her eyes were a lite blue color reminding him of ice, that sent an unpleasant shiver down his spine. Her nose was small and her lips were full and painted with a soft pink color, her body was slightly curvy with a small bust line and small hips and an equally tiny waist, she looked like she would snap in two if he touched her wrong, she was wearing a baby blue silk dress that didn't look bad on her, he just wasn't a huge fan of blue, red and gold were more his colors. Unfortunately, the longer he stared at her the more pissed off Natsu became, it wasn't because the woman was doing anything wrong, in fact she looked just as surprised as he did when her eyes finally laid on him. No…what was pissing Natsu off was this woman had to be a minimum of fifteen years HIS SENIOR…

Natsu gritted his teeth and balled his fists, he pinned his father with a glare that he was sure could kill, "please tell me this is some kind of sick joke…because I am NOT laughing…" he snarled out

The woman looked surprised at his outburst but seemed to understand none the less, it seems that both she and him were not informed of their significant others approximate ages and she seemed to agree that this arrangement was not pleasing nor would it ever work.

"You will hold your tongue while you are in the presence of royalty boy!" Igneel barked out

Natsu subtly slid his eyes to his uncle who was giving him a look that clearly said everything he spoke before they walked into the office. Natsu looked back to his father and glared once again, "…no…I WILL NOT hold my tongue and you WILL NOT tell me what to do any longer!"

Igneel took a step back like Natsu had just slapped him in the face before recollecting himself and just when he was about to speak Natsu interrupted, "you will not control me any longer…I am tired of you dicking me around like I am just some measly puppet that you can play with whenever you feel like it. I am 19 years old and I haven't been out of this house since mom died, well you know what? I'M FUCKING TIRED OF IT!"

Natsu turned on his heels and began walking to the doors, "You take one step out of this office and you can consider yourself abandoned and forbidden from the house of Dragneel…"

Natsu stopped and took a deep breath before turning his head to look over his shoulder, "you already abandoned me a long time ago…" he looked at his uncle one more time before facing forward and walked out the doors.

He didn't stop walking until he was safe within his room where he finally let out the breath that he didn't even know he was holding, he looked around his room for a quick second before making up his mind. He walked to his bed and couched down grabbing hold of a large empty backpack and placed it on his bed, he then went to his dresser and his closet and pulled out as many sets of clothes as he could carefully folding them and placing them neatly within the bag. He then walked to the bathroom and grabbed his soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, razor and hairbrush, he closed them all in a zip-lock baggy and placed it in the bag as well. He then walked to the painting of his mother that was hanging in his room watching over him and gently pulled it forwards to reveal a safe behind the painting, he placed his combination in and unlocked it opening it up as soon as he heard the distinctive click reaching in and taking all of his savings out. He had roughly 600,000 jewels saved and would be more than enough to get by on until he could figure out what he wanted to do once he left the mansion. He reached in the safe once more and pulled out a small black box, he simply held the box in his shaky hands for a second before he summoned the courage to open it up, inside was a necklace and attached to the necklace was a single golden key. It was his mothers and she had given it to him on her death bed stating that when he needed her guidance to put the necklace on and she would be with him always.

Natsu softly smiled at the last memory that he had of Diana and carefully pulled the necklace from its pillow within the box. He gripped his jewels in one hand while he used his other to pull the chain over his head and finally rest against his chest, he instantly felt calmer, like he could take on the entire world.

He grinned brightly walking back to his bed to place all of his savings in a hidden pocket inside of his backpack. He closed it up completely and set it aside then walked to the table beside his bed and picked up his sword strapping it to his hip, he picked up his precious keys next and instead of hiding the keys underneath his shirt he placed his halter over his shirt and adjusted it how he needed to to have easy access to his keys should he run into trouble on the road. Once he was satisfied that he had everything he needed he walked back to his closet and took out his black and gold cloak, he wrapped it around his shoulders and secured the buttons in front before walking back to the bed, he picked up his -now full and heavy- backpack and shrugged it on his shoulders underneath his cloak.

After everything was ready he walked to the head of the bed and picked up Happy, who was sleeping away without a care in the world, cradling the cat close to his chest, "we're getting out of here Happy," he whispered to the feline and walked to the doors leading out of his room.

Just as he was about to put his hand on the knob a soft knock sounded against the wood, Natsu lowered his brows and lifted Happy up over his head and placed him in the hood of his cloak before opening the door to find Atlas standing there, "Uncle?" Natsu asked in a very confused voice, "what are you doing here? Does my father know you're here?" he questioned the older male.

Atlas just pushed his way in and closed the doors behind him, "I just wanted to see you off and give you a few things before you leave."

Natsu again had a confused look while he eyed his family member, "you…you're not going to stop me?"

Atlas shook his head and smiled at him, "I told you earlier that I would always be by your side regardless of whatever it is you choose."

Natsu smiled and felt his eyes burn, he blinked a couple times to keep the tears at bay, "…thank you, Uncle…" Natsu pulled him in for a hug and squeezed him with all his might feeling Atlas wrap his arms around him and squeeze back.

Atlas finally pulled back and handed Natsu a small bag, "here, just a few supplies that I thought you might need. Some dried meat, bread, water and a communication lacrima. That lacrima automatically connects to mine with just a small amount of magic, you keep in contact with me and let me know where you are and how you are at all times." he pinned Natsu with a glare that clearly stated he would kick his ass if he didn't comply with his wishes but also held a vast amount of worry and fear. Natsu knew his uncle would miss him dearly and he knew that he was worried about him going out into the world by himself, "I will uncle, I swear to you on my honor as a Celestial warrior." Natsu held his hand up and Atlas wrapped his thumb around Natsu's closing his fist against the back of his hand while Natsu did the same, they gripped their hands against each other as a way of saying not to worry that everything will be fine.

They finally let go and nodded to each other, Atlas side stepped out of the way and watched as Natsu sent him one last smile before opening the door and walked out.

Natsu was finally starting his life

And nobody would stand in his way!

~AN~

Ok, so yet again I had a crazy idea in my head for another story and HAD to get it written down.

I'm flip flopping Natsu and Lucys' lives, Natsu is the rich Celestial wizard and Lucy is destructive Dragon Slayer.

Natsu will be the brains like Lucy is while Lucy will be the slightly simple minded oblivious one. XD

I will have it go off of the show with some slight changes here and there.

I'm rating it T for now but it all depends on if I decide to do lemons but that won't be till waaaaay down the road if I do lol.

It is a NaLu story though.

Other than that Hiro still owns all the characters and I'm still depressed about it T_T

Please leave me reviews and let me know what you guys think, again depending on what you guys say will determine if i continue this or not.

So PLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASE, let me know :)

Until next time!

Much love from a tkitty! XD