Chapter 1: Red Snow

Lucy

Lucy was always an optomistic person, but today she just couldn't bring herself to smile anymore. She looked down at the polite refusal for the job she recently applied to. It was already the fifth one this week and her savings wouldn't last much longer. Not to mention rent was due in a week. Feeling a bit stressed out but trying her best to maintain a positive attitude, Lucy grabbed her jacket to fend off the autumn breeze, grabbed a book and headed down to her favorite cafe.

The bell above the Coco Cafe jingled gently as Lucy walked in, shaking some snowflakes out of her hair. It had begun snowing softly and Lucy couldn't help but take a moment to stare at its gentle beauty. Watching the snow fall tenderly always made her smile. Feeling a bit better, Lucy went to her favorite corner with multiple cushions beside a window sill accompanied with a thick fleeceblanket. Once she got comfortable she dug out her favorite book and opened up to her last page when her best friend Levy approached out of nowhere.

"Lu-chan!" Levy wrapped Lucy up in a tight hug and Lucy laughed and hugged her close.

"Hi Levy! Are you working today?" Lucy noticed Levy was wearing her work uniform and had her hair up in her favorite bandana. Aside from reading, Levy was secretly a workaholic. Something they had in common before Lucy lost her last job.

"Yep!" Levy did a spin to show off her apron with such exaggerated excitement Lucy couldn't help but burst out laughing, causing a few heads to turn their way. Levy just winked back at her. "Gotta pay off those student loans you know! Besides," Levy leaned over in a dramatic whisper "the more money I save, the more books I can buy when I'm done!"

Lucy grinned at her best friend. Levy wasn't only beautiful with her vibrant blue hair and grey eyes, but she was brilliant as well. Her small size just added to her adorableness. Levy was Lucys very first friend here in Magnolia when Lucy first ran away from home 5 years ago in order to escape the grasp of her abusive and controlling father. Honestly, Lucy didn't know what she'd do without Levy.

"So, how is the job hunting going, Lu?" Levy asked as she leaned against Lucys table. Lucy just shrugged, nonchalantly.

"It's going. I'm sure something will turn up eventually." Lucy waved it off as if it were no big deal, however Levy knew her better than that as she frowned.

"Awe, don't lose heart, Lu. I'm certain something will come up soon!" Levy gave her a quick and encouraging hug.

"I'll get you your usual, that should help lift your spirits, if even only a little. I'll be back in a second Lu-chan!" Levy waved with a smile as she went to retrieve Lucys order. Lucy smiled out the window. She was so lucky to have a friend like Levy. And she's right. No point in sulking around, I'll just have to give it another try tomorrow. Feeling determined Lucy opened her book back up as Levy brought her her hot mocha and cheesecake.

A few hours later Lucy finally set down her book and stretched with a yawn. When she looked outside she was startled to see it was already dark out and snow covered the ground like a thick blanket. Looking up at the time she realized it was already late in the evening and the shop would be closing soon. Lucy jumped up out of her seat and just about collapsed on the floor her legs were so numb from sitting so long. Lucy looked around the cafe to make sure no one saw her mistake. Luckily the building was mostly vacant and she quickly got the blood in her legs flowing so she could stand up properly. She then went to set the corner back to normal and brought her used dishes back up to the counter so they could get washed. Once she got her jacket on and her books in her bag, she set off for home.

The moment she stepped outside she was met with a large ghust of wind and shivered viciously. She was so glad she had brought her jacket with her. Her long blonde hair was ripping around her face and she tried to tuck it behind her ear, but try as she did, it did little to keep it out of her face. Giving up she began trudging home. It didn't take long before her boots gave in to the cold as well and began to numb her toes. At least she didn't live too far, although it suddenly felt like she lived hours away. Without warning Lucy let out a sneeze that sent her head reeling.Oh dear, she thought,please don't let me catch a cold. I can't afford to get sick now. Determined, she set a faster pace.

After a couple more minutes of walking Lucy stopped in her tracks and looked behind her. No one was there.Strange, I could have sworn someone was there,she thought. Feeling a bit on edge she hurried along, trying to walk faster without being too obvious. At the sound of crunching snow behind her she spun around fast enough to catch someone duck behind a corner where another pair of tracks ended.Oh my god, someone is following me.Heart pounding she yelled out.

"Whoever you are, come out! I know you're there!"

After a moments silence the person came out from behind the corner.He was tall but that's about all Lucy could tell. He was dressed in all black like someone who didn't want to be seen. He even had a hood pulled over his head so she couldn't see his face.This man... He gives me a bad feeling... However, once she caught a glimpse of his devilish smile, she spun around and ran as fast as she could.

Fear struck her heart as she could hear the fast and heavy footfalls of her pursuer behind her and from the sounds of it he was closing the distance and fast!Panting hard Lucy cut a corner, sending her into the wall from her momentum. However she quickly regathered her footing and continued running. She didn't dare look back, she could still hear him. He was so close she was afraid he could grab her at any moment.What do I do?! Do I run home? Do I call the police? Do I try to lose him?Lucy's mind was going a mile a minute but it didn't matter. Before she could decide on the best course of action she felt herself being dragged backwards by the collar of her jacket. Lucy screamed.

"LET ME GO!" Without thinking she kicked him in the shin and heard him curse, but he held onto her tightly.

"Beautiful and a fighter, perfect. Otherwise it would be no fun, right blondie?" He licked his lips as he traced the curves of her body with his hands. First her hips, then her waist and then greedily cupped her breasts through her jacket. Suddenly overcome with impatience the man began unzipping her jacket.

"No! Don't fucking touch me!" Tears in her eyes Lucy rammed her head against his face. She heard a crack and a yelp of pain and for a moment she felt his grip on her loosen, letting her fall into the thick snow. Her head was spinning from the impact but one thought was clear. She needed to move and she needed to move now. She scrambled forwards as fast as she could with her numb legs and cold hands.

"You bitch!" Before Lucy knew what was happening she felt a kick to her ribs and a hard impact against her back. Trying desperately to clear her mind she felt the man pick her up by the collar, cutting off her air. She could no longer tell if she was numb from the cold or from her fear. She tried desperately to land a kick on him but he was keeping himself at a safe distance while pinning her to the wall. "You will pay for breaking my nose," he whispered into her ear. She could smell the alcohol on him now. Lucy shivered, she could no longer keep back her tears of fear and shame.

Lucy opened her mouth in order to scream in hopes that someone would hear her, but the man quickly slammed her head into the wall, making her see stars. Lucy thought she lost consciousness for a moment, but the pain was so intense she found herself unable to move properly. The man sensing her lack of energy quickly finished unzipping her jacket, tossing it aside and tore at her shirt, revealing her lace pink bra.

No,was all Lucy could muster. She knew her mouth moved but did anything come out? She couldn't tell anymore. Her ears were ringing and she couldn't see clearly. She suddenly felt cold, rough hands on her breasts and felt like she was going to throw up. Had she been in a better mental state she very well may have. At this point she figured her body was too shocked to act accordingly. A moan of pain escaped her as the world began to spin. Mistaking her moan for one of pleasure Lucy sensed her pursuer grinning in delight.

"Don't worry, beauty, I'll make sure you enjoy every minute of it." He licked up her neck over her breast. Lucy shuddered in disgust and closed her eyes.Please... Please I'm begging you, stop...

Suddenly in the blink of an eye, the mans weight was off her, replaced by the cold snow caressing her. She vaguley sensed her shirt was open and torn. She wanted nothing more than to close it and hide but only partially conscious she couldn't get her body to work. A tear fell down her face, but was replaced by a new sensation. Something warm and gentle brushing it away.

"It's okay, you're safe now." Unable to speak Lucy felt her body being lifted carefully, as if to avoid any possible injuries she may have and suddenly she was surrounded in warmth. A jacket? Yes, that seems about right. She could hear it being zipped up in order top keep the heat in. She sighed with content. She was suddenly aware of how exhausted she was. However, Lucy refused to pass out without getting a look at who was helping her.

Her vision still blurry she saw a man with bright pink hair and a scar on his face. But what surprised her most was the warm and gentle expression she saw. He seemed so concerned and worried for her, yet she was certain she had never met him before. Somehow, despite all that she just went through, she felt perfectly safe and at ease with this man.Ridiculous, Lucy thought to herself. Apparently she'd never learn. Feeling her consciouness slip she gave him her best smile, ignoring the tear that fell, as she tried to thank him before it all turned dark.

Natsu

It was very soft, but he heard it as if she had yelled. Thank you, she said. And she smiled at him.Smiled! And in this situation? Natsu noticed the tear falling right before she passed out and gently wiped it. She was beautiful, certainly. And her eyes had shocked him when he first saw them. Such a stunning shade of gold! Like endless sunshine soft and warm. Upon closer inspection Natsu noticed some red in the girls hair. Then the smell hit him and his stomach turned.Blood. Thats her blood...

Without thinking Natsu untied his scarf and set it gently under her head to keep some pressure on it. By doing so his jacket fell down her body a bit, as it was too big for her. Natsu quickly went to retrieve the jacket when he realized her shirt was practically gone. Before he had been so concerned with this man towering over her in the snow he didn't even realize he was already too late. And it was making his blood boil outrageously.

He gently set her back down with his jacket on tightly and his scarf against her head to stop the blood. Shaking, he stood up to his feet, fists clenched.

"Hey! Don't touch her, I saw her first! Go mind your own fucking business and get lost and I might ignore the fact that you threw me!" The unknown man in black yelled at Natsu. Natsu barely registered a word he said.

"You... You did this to her?" Natsu asked hoarsley, he was looking down at the girl laying down on the ground in a dry spot he had found so as to keep her just a bit warmer from the weather.

"None of your damn business. Just get lost so I can finish! Or did you want to watch? I'm telling you now, I don't care if you're into watching, but I have no intention of shar-"

"YOU WILL NOT TOUCH HER" Natsu spun around and punched the man till he heard his ribs cracking, felt it below his fist and the man hit the wall with an audible crack. Natsu was burning with a sense of rage more intense than ever before. He didn't know this girl, and yet he had this strange need to protect her.. Besides, no one deserves this. Not ever.

Driven by his uncontrolled rage and hatred Natsu approached a now trembling man in black and lifted him by his collar. If looks could kill, this man would have been done for by now. Natsus temper was often compared to that of a dragon, fierce and unwavering.

"I'M GOING TO SHOW YOU A WORLD OF PAIN FAR GREATER THAN YOU COULD EVER IMAGINE!"