So who doesn't love a Military AU? I for one, live for them, so I decided to write one. This is going to have it all. Angst, drama, suspense, love, tragedy, you name it. I haven't decided if this story will rip out your still beating hearts but as soon as I know, you will too. I do hope you enjoy it so far!

"We're taking fire! Everyone find cover and regroup!"

The words echo around him and Natsu stumbles before sliding behind a dumpster, his hands already working to reload the rifle in his hands. He's shaking, his heart is racing in his chest, and he suddenly feels like he's about to throw up.

"Unit two has been taken out, I'm calling for an evac!"

Yeah, like a fucking evac would save the men from unit two, Natsu thinks panicked as he does his best to return fire. The shots hurt his ears and around him he can hear more than see the explosions rocking the city; each one making his heart stop in his chest.

"Natsu focus!" The shout startles him from his thoughts and he curses and takes cover again, hating the way the bullets sound as they ricochet off the metal. He knew what he signed up for when he walked into the recruiters, but experiencing it here, first hand, is enough to drive him mad.

He's taken off guard when a grenade lands to his left and he's scrambling to get a safe distance before it goes off; praying he can make it. The explosion rocks the surrounding area and he's blown across the street. He doesn't remember much after that, just a ringing in his ears as his vision fades in and out. His body is numb, his mind racing a mile a minute while his heart struggles to keep up.

He can't move, he realizes when his partner rushes to drag him out of harms way. Around him people are running and shooting, friendlies and enemies alike; each side doing their best to eliminate the other.

"Stay with me Dragneel, you're gonna be fine." The voice is muffled and he barely hears it while his eyes wander to the dark haired man at his right side. He's wrapping something around his leg but Natsu only feels a slight pressure.

"Gray…" his voice doesn't sound familiar.

"Don't try to talk man, just relax. The evac is en route we just have to hold out for a few more minutes." Gray turns to unload bullets into the enemy soldiers behind them and Natsu nods, content with letting his best friend do his job.

He reaches for his gun but his fingers don't want to move, his body seeming to just lay limp on the ground. His eyes wander now, to Gray, his team, the enemies slowly encroaching. Then he makes the mistake of looking down and his breathing stops all together. There's blood everywhere, and the tourniquet only seems to make his trembling worse.

Pain rushes back to him then, and he's screaming and moaning and fighting with everything he has. Pain washes over him in white hot waves and he can feel tears well in his eyes. He doesn't want it to end like this. He still has so much left to live for. His friends, his family. Brilliant amber eyes flash in his mind and he lets out another sob. He can't leave her like this. He refuses to let this be where he breathes his last breath.

"Calm down Natsu, I've got you!" Hands grip his vest and shake him from his rising panic and he looks up to Gray.

"Don't let me die here Gray—" the rest of his words come out as a strangled cough and he can feel breathing become harder.

"I'm not gonna let you die. Lucy's waiting for you and I'll be damned if I let you leave her behind." Natsu smiles at the defiance in his voice but he can see the tears welling in the grey eyes. Around him he can hear gunshots and shouts but he doesn't pay attention to that. He simply focuses on the beautiful face that floods his mind. No, he can't die yet. Not before he proposes to her.

"Fuck!" Gray shifts his attention to Natsu's leg and agony races through him like a current. He's screaming again in seconds, fighting with his best friend with everything he has, "Hold still or you're going to lose more blood!"

He can't say anything after that, his throat constricts and he swallows hard. There's more blood, and pain is taking over. He has billions of nerves in his body, and every single one of them is alight with sheer agony.

"Over here!"

Natsu doesn't pat attention when Gray leaves his field of vision, he simply breathes and clutches his dog tags to his chest like they're his life line. Everything happens too fast for him to understand. People are hovering over him, shouting and pointing but he doesn't hear them. Something shifts and he screams again, looking over to where he was only seconds ago. The pool of blood makes his throat run dry and he's flailing and shouting before they slam the chopper doors shut.

"It's gone!" He can't stop screaming and the last thing he remembers is Gray slamming his fist into the metal with tears in his eyes.

Natsu shoots up in bed, a scream dying on his lips as his eyes search the room frantically. His room, he thinks as he struggles to get air into his lungs. He's in his room. Beside him, the bed dips and hands grip his face.

"Relax, I'm here with you. It was just a dream. You're safe now." Her voice soothes the raging fear within him and he feels his body relax automatically. He leans into her and holds his head while tears stream down his face. The pain is almost unbearable and a groan escapes him.

"I'll go get your pain meds," She begins to separate herself from him but he turns and wraps his arms around her like he will die if she's not there with him.

"Don't go," He pleads with her and buries his head in the crook of her neck, "please."

"Okay, I'll stay. I'm right here Natsu." She rubs his back while he tries to will his body to stop shaking. They're silent for what seems like forever before he groans again, his hand gripping the blanket to throw it off in haste.
He knows what he's about to see, expects it even, but it doesn't stop his breath from hitching. It's gone, he thinks to himself while his fingers gently trace the reddened scar. His leg is really gone.

"You're okay Natsu—"

"Do I look like I'm okay?" He cuts her off with a hiss and points violently to his leg, "my leg is fucking gone!"

She winces like he slapped her and his heart clenches in his chest. Why does he have to yell at her? Why does he have to lash out when she's only trying to help him? He doesn't have the answers and he can't stop the anger that surges within him.

"I left to protect this country, to protect our home, and now look at me?" He speaks through sobs and shoves her hand away when she reaches for him. "I can't walk, I can't fight anymore, I'm fucking useless!"

"No you're not—"

"Don't talk like you know me!" He snaps, glaring at her from his spot on the bed because he can't get out on his own and that realization only seems to fuel his rage. The look in her eyes makes him cry harder and the last thing he remembers before unconsciousness claims him, is the tears welling in her beautiful amber eyes.

I will be updating this story, along with everything else as soon as I find motivation and/or inspiration so please be patient with me. Leave a review if you are so inclined.

Regards,

dark