Box of 'Nip

Natsu's Mistake

Then he realized Lucy had something in her hand, a small plastic bag filled with dried leaves.

"Is that...?" Happy began in astonishment.

Loke strode up to the bed and snatched it away. "Little vixen, stealing my stash! I paid good money for this stuff."

"Can you brew it without going crazy?" she asked.

"No, which is why I brought it here for you to help me. I can get it measured out and started, that's all. I've never been able to have a proper catnip tea party because I forget about the brewing until it's way too strong. I always wanted to host one, too, and now I can do it, but only if you take the leaves out of the tea after five minutes, then reheat it after I've calmed down. Being able to do this is a life-long dream for me. Come on, Happy!"

"Aye, sir!" the blue cat drooled, following the bag of catnip as if it was a favorite toy.

Lucy stood up and walked over to where Natsu still sat on the floor. "Just what the heck were you doing, jumping through my window and attacking him?"

"He...you...I heard a scream," he said in confusion.

"He was trying to get at that catnip I took from him, that's all. It was my mistake for hiding it down my blouse."

He looked at her blouse, then to the door where he heard Loke rummaging around in the kitchen. "So then why did you want me here?"

"Oh, that. You see, Loke wants to host a catnip tea party. People can drink catnip tea too, you know. However, I told him I didn't want him having his tea party here. I know how he reacts to catnip."

They suddenly heard from the kitchen, "Waaaaahahahahaaaaa!"

"Ayyyiiiyiiiyiiieee sirrrrrrrrrr!"

She waved her hand toward the other room to show that this was what she meant.

"Oh...okay," Natsu said, slowly trying to piece it all together. "So, that part about you and Mira?"

"Huh? Oh, you heard even that much? A few weeks ago, Mira hosted a catnip tea party for Wendy and Carla. Those two at least acted nicely. Carla is actually quite lovable when doped on catnip. Personally, I think Wendy should keep her that way all the time."

Happy flew into the room and rammed into Natsu's bare chest. In one rushed breath, he said all smashed together, "What was that about Carla and catnip and does she have catnip and is she really cute on catnip and lovable and cute huh-huh-huh is she really cute maybe I should get her a fish and stuff it with catnip and then maybe she will like that and she'll get all sweet and happy on catnip and one thing will lead to another and then to another and another and another and maybe... waaaaaaaaaah Lucy's hair dangles!" He began to fly at her, but Natsu hugged him close while Lucy scuttled back.

"Dammit, I forgot about the hair issue," she grimaced.

"Luuuuuuuuuucyyy!" Loke raced into the room next. "Tea is boiled and the catnip is brewing and it'll all be done in five minutes and then we can all sit down for a nice cup of tea and maybe some scones and maybe some..." He stopped his fast rambling and suddenly crouched down. "Shhh...the gold fairy is back. Imma gonna get the gold fairy this time."

Lucy bopped him on the nose. "Bad Loke. Go sit on the couch."

"Awww Lucyyy," he yowled, but obediently stalked away. "Heheheee, hey Happy, come here." The blue cat pounced off from Natsu and flew off. "I see a dangly and it's sparkly and if you do this then it..." There was a crash in the other room. "Oops."

Lucy pulled her hair back into a bun and sighed. "I need you here, Natsu, if only to deal with him. I hope you don't mind getting dragged into this."

"Oh, uh...no problem. Sure thing," he smiled awkwardly, getting over the confusion and slight disappointment.

"Waaaaaaaaaah it dangles!"

"Aye sirrrrrrrrrr!"

"Haha, Happy I like how you purr that sir."

"Purr the sir? Stir the fur."

"Spur the cur."

"Blur the burr."

"Slur demur."

"Were so sure."

"Her liqueur."

"Oui monsieur!"

"Haha! Happy sounds like Reedus now."

"Aye sir!"

Lucy shook her head and walked toward the kitchen, passing between Loke crouched in front of Happy starting a new rhyming game. "This is going to be one insane tea party."

Natsu followed her closely and patted her shoulder. "That's why I'm here, Lucy. To protect you, even from drugged-up kitties."