Lucy's POV

"Huh? Natsu's not in the guild again? I don't recall him going on a quest…" I said to Mirajane, who was serving wine for Wakaba and Macao.

Mira sighed. "He hasn't been seen in a while. Even Happy doesn't know where he ran off to. He's been worried quite a bit, haven't you?" She went behind the bar counter and took out a very depressed Happy, who jumped onto me.

"Luucccyyyy! Natsu's gone!" he said. "Can you come with me to go after him?"

I sighed. Of course I would. Natsu, after all, was my first friend in Fairy Tail, the person who helped me get in…like a hero. "Yeah. Let's get ready, Happy."

We left at sunrise the following day, leaving a note for the rest of my friends in Fairy Tail. It said I would be back with Natsu in a while's time.

"Let's go, Happy!" I said, and we ran to the rising sun, following witness reports of sightings.

At that time, I was unaware of what Natsu had been doing. He told me when we met he had been training, but I saw that time scars that had not been there before…

"Phew!" I said, dropping myself to the floor. Happy watched me with a smirk, him of course using his Aera. I looked down the cliff I had just scaled, and we headed to the peak of the mountain we were on, following witness reports. I knew we were getting closer, as I caught a whiff of smoke coming from a cave that lay in our path.

"Nattssuu!" Happy said, flying into him. He had bandages all over him, I saw, and he waved to me, although I realised he seemed a bit…off.

"Huh? Oh Lucy, Happy…why are you here?" he said in a monotone voice. I stared at him.

"Just what are you doing, Natsu! I was so worried about you…" I couldn't find the will or reason to go any closer to him.

Natsu grimaced, and looked away, as if he didn't want me here. His next words shocked me.

"Lucy, Happy…Leave. Just leave. Don't get involved in this," He said, turning around. He picked up his bag. "I'll be back, ok? Just don't follow me until then."

"What do you mean by that?!" I said, running to grab his arm. "We are coming with you!"

Natsu gritted his teeth. "No you won't! This is dangerous, Lucy, Happy, so stay out of it! It's also personal!"

"Natsu…you're a member of Fairy Tail like me and Happy! You're family to us. So we refuse!" I argued back. Happy flew by my side, as if in agreement.

"Look Lucy, let go of my arm!" Natsu tore his arm away from my hand, and tried to leave the cave, but Happy and I blocked the way.

"Fight me if you want! But I won't let you leave without us!" I shouted, but Natsu pushed me out of the way and ran off.

Natsu…I thought, and wiped a trace of a tear from my eye.

"Happy…"

"Yeah, Lucy. We're going after him for sure!"

I smiled at him. Thank you, Happy I thought, and we both silently promised that Natsu will be himself again in no time at all and everything will be normal just like before…