The next chapter! Yes!
Enjoy!
I had somehow managed to beat the Gorians and I was making my way back to the tavern. I had suffered some minor injuries but the pain didn't bother me. Right now the only thing I could feel was the heat was Natsu's body. It was so hot that I wanted to flinch away. But I knew that I couldn't leave him when he needed me the most.
–
The old woman in the tavern was very shocked again, but kindly called the doctor once again and helped me to take Natsu on the bed in our room.
I slumped down on the bed beside him. My wounds finally started to hurt. I noticed the gash on my arm was bleeding quite badly but the blood on my forehead had already dried. I had some other cuts and bruises too, but nothing serious. I had managed to avoid any broken bones, since I had to keep in mind that I would have to carry Natsu back to the tavern too.
The doctor arrived soon and tended my wounds and repeated the same words as yesterday. 'I can't help him.'
–
I was told to stay in the bed for a few days, but I knew that I couldn't do that. I had to take Natsu back to Magnolia, no matter what.
I still wondered how we would travel since I doubted that I could carry Natsu all the way back. I could always take the train, but Natsu's condition would only get worse if I did that.
But as I glanced back at Natsu, I knew what I had to do.
–
We left the small town the next dawn. I thanked the old lady in the tavern and paid for the room. She smiled and told me to have a safe journey.
Natsu's breathing was becoming uneven. He would slur something sometimes but I couldn't make any words out of it. Then he would just pass out again. I could feel his magical energy swaying. Sometimes I could barely feel it (and I would usually stop in worry to check if he was still breathing) and sometimes it felt so strong like it wanted to explode.
I reached the station and I decided that we should take a cabin in case Natsu's condition got worse.
Then the thing that I had feared the most happened. The pain came.
First it wasn't so bad, Natsu whimpered and clutched my shirt tightly. But I didn't know then that it was going to get a lot worse.
The train didn't take too long to arrive, but for Natsu, it probably felt like an eternity.
"Don't worry Natsu, I'm going to take you home now. It's alright, it's alright..." I continued to say to the younger boy even though I didn't even know if he could hear me.
The train left. I watched Natsu as his face was twisted in pain and sweat ran down his face and body. I didn't know what to do.
Then, Natsu's eyes opened slightly. They looked feverish. He looked so weak.
"...G-Gray..." He breathed out silently. He wasn't able to say anything else. His voice had been so pleading. Even though he just called my name it sounded like: 'It hurts...It hurts...! Gray...help me! Please! Take this pain away!'
I knelt down before the boy and brushed his pink hair. I didn't know what else I could do. The medicines hadn't worked even though I had given all sorts of pills to him that morning. His fever wasn't going down. His pain grew worse. His magic was weakening...
I grabbed his hand and clutched it tightly in mine.
"Please...It's just for a little while longer... Try to stand it...!" I said to him.
His hot breath tickled my skin. His hand felt like it could burn mine. But I held it. I tried to cool my other hand and pressed it against Natsu's forehead. He shivered, but it seemed to help him somehow.
And hour went by. Then it happened.
"G-Gah! Aaargh! G-Gray!" He suddenly shouted and doubled over. He held his head tightly and started trashing while shouting.
"Natsu! Natsu!" I shouted and tried to hold him down. His trashing continued.
"It hurts! IT HURTS! AAGH!" He shouted. Tears fell from his eyes even though he kept them tightly shut.
My heart felt like it was about to die. I couldn't do anything.
"Natsu...!" I said and felt my tears fall too. Then I threw myself on Natsu's hot body. He tried to get away but he couldn't. Then I felt his nails dug into my back. It hurt. But Natsu concentrated all his remaining strength into his hands and his trashing stopped. I didn't move for a while. I felt Natsu's heart racing underneath me. Or maybe it was mine?
I moved away from him as his hands dropped. His eyes were slightly open. The tears had stopped running and I wiped the trails away from his face.
"Gray...I..." He tried to tell me something but he passed out before he could continue. I sighed. I was relieved that his pain was gone for a while.
But I still couldn't calm my racing heart. I could feel it. Natsu's life was like a thin thread that would snap soon. I didn't know what I should do. Even the slightest mistake could cost his life. I rested my forehead against my hands. 'I can't hesitate. Whether he lives or dies depends on me.'
I felt the weight of his life on my shoulders. It was a heavy responsibility.
Then suddenly, I felt something on my head. I looked up to see Natsu's hand reaching out and on his face there was a smile. It wasn't as bright and strong as usual, but it was there after many days.
"Gray... I definitely won't die..." He said weakly, but it he tried to make his voice sound strong.
I took his hand in mine and held it. I managed to give him a small smile back and he managed to smile just a little bigger than before. Then his hand went limp again and his smile melted away. But I never let go of his hand.
"Natsu... Just don't leave yet... The guild still needs you... I still need you. Who will stop me if I'm about to do something stupid again?" I asked him even though I knew he wouldn't hear me.
–
We finally reached Magnolia. I checked Natsu's pulse. It was faint, but it was still there. I knew that I needed to hurry. I put Natsu on my back and I made my way towards the guild. This time, his body grew colder. His heart was giving out. Maybe because of the heat? I didn't know.
"Just hang on a little while longer! Don't you die on me, Natsu!"
–
Erza, Lucy and Happy had already returned from their mission and were shocked to see me carrying an unconscious Natsu on my back.
"Natsu!" They shouted and ran to us. I felt so relieved. I had finally reached the guild. Now everything would be okay again, right?
My feet gave out on me but I managed to keep my upper body straight.
Soon the weight was lifted of my shoulders. Natsu's body was no longer resting against my back.
"Jet! You're the fastest runner! Go and get Porlyusica! Fast!" Makarov shouted and soon I could feel a breeze brush past me. I didn't know how long I stayed in that spot, but Makarov then came to me and rested his hand on my shoulder. "You did great." He said. Something inside me clicked and I let myself fall into unconsciousness.