A/N: I can see a lot of controversial stuff with the omake, but after reading it, I kinda felt like Natsu was acting more like a child who won't let go of a toy that's not his and he's gotta learn that's not okay D:

Letting Go

"From today on, you're mine…"

...was what Natsu had said, happy that he had found such a rare treasure all for himself (and Happy.) But as the days went on, his happiness diminished just as much as his pet's happiness. The "female" wasn't eating. He and Happy have tried all kinds of fish, meat, and even what the Elder has called vegetables (but they weren't convinced any human being would want to eat some kinda grass over delicious meat.)

Every time they tried to offer food, she would simply say "I'm not hungry" and continue to stare out the hut as if the clear blue sky had a secret message that only she could see.

It was killing Natsu how nothing he seemed to do could make her happy. The first few days she had tried to make a run for it many times, but it was like a game of tag for Natsu and he happily claimed his victory each time. But after that, she stopped moving altogether once she realized she couldn't escape and Natsu could literally see the lines of her ribcage peaking out under her heavy bosom. Why wasn't she happy to be with him?

He had finally had enough when he woke up one night due to her crying. It was the worst feeling he'd ever felt waking up to, and he wanted to hold her and soothe her, but he knows if he gets too close, she'll get violent.

"Lucy," he says, barely remembering her name from when the female leader, Erza, had called for her. "Why are you crying?"

The hut the three of them lived together in was very small, just enough to sleep in seeing as the village carried all the necessities they needed. Lucy always stayed close to the entrance, almost as if even being in the same room as them was revolting.

"I want to go home." She whispered quietly, wiping her nose. No point in hiding her tears if he's already seen them.

"This is your home now." Natsu said slowly, wanting Lucy to understand. After all, what was wrong with his place? Wasn't it enough?

"No, it's not. You can't just force someone to have a new home; that's not how family works."

"But I won you! In that battle against your leader! I got you fair and square." He reached closer to her, watching her carefully knowing that any big movements will scare her. He wanted to show her that he was sincere. "You'll like it here if you give it a chance..."

"You can't just make me happy and you didn't win me fair and square. I was never a prize to begin with." She responded crossly, noticing that he was getting closer. "How would you feel if someone took you away from your family?"

Natsu froze then, taking in her words. He remembered long ago, the time when his father had disappeared. His world had been torn upside down and he couldn't forgive anyone who tried to take him away to a new home. He had been content to wait for all of eternity to see his dad again. But one day the Elder had found him and had slowly coaxed him into finally joining the village.

"Do you hate me Lucy?" he asked quietly. He was suddenly understanding that he had done a very bad thing. Like a child who stole a toy that wasn't his.

"I… I think you need to learn what respect is."

He looked at her confusingly, but Lucy kept going.

"You say you want to make me happy, but you know the very reason why I'm not happy is because I'm here with you. If you truly wish for me to be happy, you have to respect me Natsu. You have to think if you were in my position, how would you like to be treated?" She asked.

Natsu stared at her very closely. He took in her face, still streaked where the tears had been. He took in her long blonde hair, having lost its shine due to malnourishment. But most importantly he took in her eyes, which despite the redness and puffiness, still shone her determination and hope.

And finally, he looked down, unable to look at her as he said a truth he didn't want to believe. "I would… wish to be able to leave."

"Will you let me leave Natsu?" She reached out a hand to tentatively touch his. It was the first physical contact they've had since he first brought her here.

"Can you stay just one more day? I want to show you how amazing this village is! I want to see you eat! And I want to see you smile. And then… I won't ever force you to do anything anymore."

"Alright Natsu."

He finally looked up to see the tiniest of smiles and his heart finally allowed him to breathe again.

The next day, Lucy had done a complete one-eighty. She was the first to wake out of the three of them and when Natsu and Happy finally awoke, she was there to greet them with a smile.

Happy was, well, happy, that Lucy was finally moving about and talking. He was so grateful that the girl was finally opening up to them. But on their way to the lake, Natsu told him that today was going to be Lucy's last day with them.

Happy didn't want that! But Natsu started talking about "respect" and how they had to consider Lucy's feelings otherwise they were bad people, and Happy was not a bad person. He quickly flew to Lucy to tell her that they were not bad people and he was sorry for not being considerate. Lucy's smile grew even bigger after that.

Seeing Lucy finally eat was like taking in a breath of fresh air for the two. The girl had worked up an appetite and was ready to eat her weight back. The three took turns catching fish, maintaining the fire, and roasting the fish until they were all completely satisfied.

After that, Natsu and Happy took Lucy back to the Male Village where they introduced her to everybody. They showed her where Natsu worked in the smith with Gajeel, and they showed her all the pranks they used to pull on people and all the happy memories they've made in the village.

By the time the sun began to set, Natsu knew it was time to say goodbye to Lucy. He had hoped that maybe by showing her how amazing their place was that she'd decide to stay forever.

But he'd seen throughout the day how often she'd look in a specific direction. The same direction she looked at when she stayed in the hut. Natsu finally realized that what she'd been looking at was probably the way home. And Lucy even agreed to stay longer just for his sake. How could he be more selfish? Even after all these years, he'd give up anything in the world to be able to go back to his dad. He had no right to do such a painful thing to Lucy.

"Lucy," he stated, just as he had the night before. "You can go home now, you don't have to stay. I just… want to apologise one more time and ask for another selfish request."

"What is it Natsu?" She asked patiently, though Natsu could see she was fidgeting with her fingers.

"Will you come back and visit?" He asked. "I won't ever force you to do anything you don't want to. And I'll catch anything you want to eat, and I'll even make you something! Anything! I'm really good with using fire."

He knew she had no reason to come back, after all, her experience with him was terrible.

"We'll see, okay?" She said, not really giving him a complete answer.

She gave Happy a rub on the head and Natsu the lightest of touches on his shoulder and then as suddenly as he had found her, disappeared quickly into the woods.

Natsu stared in that direction until night fall.

A/N: May or may not write more, but for now it's finished