I do not own Fairy Tail or any of the characters.
This is my first story, so I hope you like it. Enjoy!
What Are You Fighting For?
Chapter 1
TICK.
TICK.
TICK.
Each second that passed seemed to echo throughout the room of the infirmary, every sound uncomfortably loud in the silence. The rushed footsteps of Lucy behind him, the rrrrip of the medical tape as she helped change his bandages, the sloshing of water back and forth in the bowl as she brought it to the table to wet the washcloth she carefully placed on his forehead: they all seemed to bounce off the walls and in his ears. Happy was nearly overwhelmed by the intensity of it all, but he had to stay strong.
As long as he was still breathing, there was still hope.
On the far side of the room near the window, Natsu lay in the bed, silent and still, his wounds treated but still unable to open his eyes. His head of rose-hued hair lay heavy on the pillow behind him, his normally tan face now pale. The light from the partially open curtains cast shadows on his face as a cloud passed overhead. A glass of water sat on the nightstand beside the bed, ready for the time when the young man would awaken. Next to the water, folded carefully, was the scale-patterned scarf that he cherished so dearly.
Wendy, using every last bit of strength left, cast her healing magic on her fellow dragonslayer friend. Seeing him lie there looking so weak and vulnerable only made her determination greater. Sweat dotted her forehead as she worked silently. Come on Natsu, she thought. Happy, his loyal friend, stayed by his side and rubbed his paw on his arm, his skin cool to the touch. "Natsu..."
TICK.
TICK.
TICK.
Just then Lucy walked up behind him with another blanket. "Don't worry Happy," she said, gently tucking the edge under Natsu's chin, "he's going to make it. We're going to save him somehow." Giving her a small smile, Happy turned to look at his friend. "Aye sir." He would put on a brave face for Natsu. For his friend.
Giving the young man and cat one last look, Lucy walked out of the small room and down the hall to where the rest of her team waited.
Looking up at the sound of footsteps approaching, Lucy's gaze was met by Gray, Erza, and Carla. Gajeel and Master Makarov rose from the chairs they were seated in as she walked up. "Any news?" Erza asked.
Lucy shook her head. "Still no change. But I'm getting worried about Happy; he refuses to leave Natsu's side."
"Well, as stubborn as Natsu can be, I can assure you all that he is not giving up just yet," the master replied. "We must all stay strong for his sake." The look of concern, however, did not leave his face nor the other guild members' faces. They all knew how strong Natsu was, but now they were dealing with factors unknown to them until now. Even Master Makarov was unaware of Natsu's past and the complications it had brought to the young dragonslayer.
"I can't believe all this time, Natsu was the one I was looking for to avenge my father," Gray thought coldly to himself. "But..."
"Well, if this Zeref guy wants to pick a fight with one of us, I'm ready to throw down." His relationship with Natsu would be considered complicated at best, but Gray wasn't just doing this for Natsu. This was for Fairy Tail, and anyone that messes with the guild learns the hard way not to repeat that mistake.
"Gray, don't be hasty. We need to wait and come up with a plan." Erza wanted to rumble just as badly as her icy teammate, but experience ultimately won out. Her eyes narrowed as her thoughts turned to Natsu. But what could they actually DO for Natsu? They still knew next to nothing about the man who supposedly did this to the dragonslayer. Happy had been there with Natsu when the battle began, but he had yet to give many details other than the hysterical babble he managed to get out when he brought Natsu back, near death.
"Zeref...Natsu...END...Oh God, please don't let him die!"
Hopefully the Master will have a plan soon, Erza prayed. For everyone's sake.
Just then Wendy joined the group, sitting in one of the vacant chairs. "I'm sorry everyone. My healing magic doesn't seem to be having any effect on him," she said, eyes downcast.
"Nonsense, child, you did your best." Carla smiled up at her friend. She had seen the sky dragonslayer grow so much over the years, and she couldn't be prouder in this moment. Wendy smiled back. "Thanks Carla. I do feel like I've gotten stronger. But this magic..." Her voice trailed off. I've never seen anything like this before.
Carla broke the momentary silence. "Now we need to do something about the tom cat."
"Leave him to me," Gajeel said shortly, joining the conversation. Turning without another word, he walked down the hall and into the room and closed the door behind him. Moments later, Happy's voice could be heard protesting from the other side of the door, then Gajeel coming through it with the blue Exceed in tow, held firmly under the strongman's arm. Amid everyone's stares, the iron dragonslayer and not-so-happy Happy continued down the hall in the direction of the bar to see Mirajane. "He'll be back later. Don't wait up." And with that, the pair rounded the corner and disappeared.
"Well...now that that's taken care of, it's time to take care of the next bit of business." Everyone turned their attention back to Makarov. Whatever lightness that watching Gajeel and Happy brought to the mood was gone as the seriousness of the situation on the other side of that infirmary door returned. "Until we can get Happy to talk, we don't have much information to go on. Let's hope that Natsu can tell us something when he wakes up."
Everyone nodded in agreement, although they all refused to say what they were thinking out loud. If he wakes up. Lucy looked back at the closed door, concern and worry for her friend painted across her face. Natsu, she thought. What happened to you out there? She couldn't bear seeing her friend like this anymore. As the others decided who would take the next turn sitting with Natsu, Lucy headed down the hall, hoping the little blue Exceed was still with Gajeel. Happy was the key to this mystery...
And Lucy needed answers.