Chapter One

Natsu rolled out of his hammock and landed on the floor with his usual cat-like grace, feeling his fire wreath beneath his skin. He rubbed his chest absently, subconsciously trying to subdue the flames.

"I need to go on a job again, Happy.", said Natsu with a frown.

"But, we just got back from one last night! Naaaatttsssuuu, I'm tired."

"You can stay here, and look after Lucy while I'm gone." He hated leaving his best friend behind, he always wanted to be around to watch over her. Yet, he couldn't protect her from himself, not anymore.

His flames had been getting more and more volatile, causing him to leave on jobs almost every other day. Even Lucy couldn't keep up, he was seeing his best friend less and less as he had took on endless jobs in an attempt to let out the fire that burned beneath his skin.

It had started a couple of months ago, when he had sent a fireball at the leader of a Dark Guild. His flames had practically exploded out of his skin. The fireball, which he hadn't intended to do much damage, had ended up destroying the whole building. Not only that, but his inner dragon had started clawing at the inside of his skin. His flames had responded, burning higher and hotter, destroying everything in their path. All the fighting had frozen, everyone, even Gray and Erza, were watching his flames in awe and fear. This in itself was not that unusual, he could easily put too much power into one of his attacks if not paying attention, and his inner dragon acted up if he tried to keep the flames within his for body too long. The problem was that Natsu had been paying extra attention, because Lucy made him promise not to destroy the town, and he never broke his promises to Lucy. He tried to explain to her that he hadn't meant to do it and that it had been an accident, and he didn't know what had happened. Regardless, Lucy had been livid, Erza disappointed and Gray annoyed. Natsu couldn't properly explain himself because his fire had been throbbing through him, and the effort of confining them within his skin had hurt. His dragon wanted out, the fire wanted out. For the first time since he was a kid, Natsu had to fight for control of his flames. He had stumbled away from Lucy, terrified that he would hurt her. Lucy had thought he was backing away from her because of how loud she was yelling, and didn't notice his inner battle.

At first, Natsu had thought that he had just experienced a boost in power, and thus had to exercise his fire more often then he had in the past in order to stay in control. Following this line of thought, he had dragged Lucy on another job the next day under the pretence of making up the money he lost when he blew up the building. He had made sure to pick a job where lots of destruction wouldn't be noticed, a way in which to let his flames out without hurting anybody.

All the night before he had been a bundle of energy. The flame's constant movements beneath his skin making it impossible for him to hold still. He had wanted to leave for the job the second they got back, Lucy, not understanding his urgency had told him the had to wait until the next morning at the earliest. He had spent the whole night running through the woods near his house. Letting his night vision and nose guide him, a dragon with human skin.

Natsu had woken Lucy up early the next day, pretending that he was just childishly excited, and they had headed straight to the train station. Natsu had preceded to blow up everything he could get his hands on. He had wanted to be absolutely exhausted so that he could get used to the jump in his power in small increments. Natsu had exhausted himself so thoroughly that he had lost consciousness.

The flames had built back up in 7 days. So Natsu had taken on more and more jobs. Within the month it had only taken three days before his flames started to claw at his insides. He was slowly losing control.

—

Natsu tried to stop the shaking of his hands. He had just gotten back from a job yesterday. His flames were already fighting him, his dragon instincts telling him to set something on fire and watch it burn. He had recharged to his top power overnight.

"Natsu?" Happy's voice brought his focus back to the outside world. He released his white knuckled grip from the counter, his fingers leaving behind indentations.

He had to do something. He couldn't try to handle this on his own anymore. He didn't know what else to do. Natsu had to talk to Gajeel, he had been with his dragon the longest, maybe he knew what was going on and could help him. If not… No! Gajeel would know what to do. He had to.

"NATSU!" Happy yelled right in his ear.

"ACH!" Flames sprung up around his hands and feet, setting fire to his carpet.

"SHIT! SHIT! SHIT!" Natsu ruthlessly smothered his flames, feeling a sharp pain up his spine for doing so, and stomped out the carpet. Smoke wafted up around his face. Happy was staring at him wide-eyed. Then broke into cackling laughter.

"I scared you!", Happy screamed with childish delight, "I'm going to tell everyone!". With one last giggle Happy flew out the window towards the guild.

Natsu chased after Happy yelling obscenities, and if his hands were still shaking, no one was around to see but him.

Hey Guys,

This is my first Fanfic about Fairy Tail any I would really appreciate any feedback or creative criticism you might have. Also, guesses for the future of the story, and ideas ;) I'm also looking for a Beta so if anyone is interested please please let me know.

Hope you liked it,

Selaena