Hello FT fans, I'm back with another chapter. This one is all about Natsu's nightmare, hence the chapter name. I'm currently writing chapter five. I just want to thank my reviewers - JoniXXMini & Amy for their support. And all the others in the matter who have added this story or me as an author as their favorite! Thanks guys! Means a lot. Now onwards...

Disclaimer: I don't own any FairyTail characters, unfortunately.

Three- Natsu's Nightmare.

He tossed and turned in his hammock, sweat dripping from his body. His muscles tensed and his teeth chattered as he squirmed in his sleep. Just what was he dreaming of? Happy wanted to know, as he opened one eye to look up at his owner. These nightmares were becoming more and more insane. Happy had told Natsu to go to Porlyusica for help but he just wiped it away, claiming that he was fine and there was nothing for the blue cat to worry about. But this wasn't the case. Happy watched Natsu's face strain hard before his eyes flinging open followed by his body jolting up before saying one word. A name.

"Lucy"

He panted hard, scratching the back of his wet head which was soaked in his sweat. He groaned at this, throwing his blanket from his body and storming outside, leaving the house front door open. Happy mumbled to himself, as he slowly climbed out from his basket feeling as if he should be the one to talk to him. After all, there was no one else.

He wondered to the front of the house, staring out at the dark shadow figure who was now lingered over their sign that said 'Natsu and Happy's house'. Slowly, Happy approached him, yawning loudly that startled him.

"Sorry Happy, did I wake you?"

"Aye, you always do Natsu" the exceed hisses, rubbing his eyes. He looks to the dragon slayer, observing his look. To Happy, it seemed to him that Natsu had been crying as the fresh tear drop that rolled off his face had stained his cheek. "Is it about Lucy?" the cat asks, popping the question quickly. "I hear you call her name…when you have your nightmare. Does she scare you? I mean…she can be pretty scary at times"

"No Happy"

"Are you sure? Because sometimes when she gets angry I get scared too. Only a little though" he tries to make the dragon slayer smile, but it's no use. Natsu turns his head away, flopping his arms further over the sign, letting out a deep sigh. "What's your nightmare about?"

"You really wanna know?" he asks back, unsure on himself. "It's always the same one, but every time it gets worse" he bites his lip, avoiding Happy's stare.

"Sure, if it's bugging you…maybe I can help" this makes Natsu take a deep breath in, closing his eyes shut as he re-tells his dream.

"Rogue's there with his bolt of shadow. It's aiming directly at Lucy, but every time I try to grab it, it slips through my fingers like water. I then stand there helplessly watching as Lucy gets hit. Not future Lucy, but our Lucy. She trembles on the ground, bathed a pool of her own blood" he stops, cringing at the sight. "There's nothing I can do, but my heart aches. I feel sick, and before I know it I'm by her side, clutching her in my arms…she's lifeless. She can barely say my name-"

"Natsu"

"But I hold her close and tell her everything's ok. That she'll be ok. But we both know she won't be. I feel weak, for the first time ever I suddenly feel cold like my own life has been drained along with her. I don't know how to cope, I can barely breathe but I hold her tightly, as her eyes fall, her heart stopping"

"Natsu it's not your fault Future Lucy died" Happy assures him.

"I'm not worried about that now, I know it was Rogue. And I know future Lucy is safe now. But what if" he chokes on his own sobs. "What if that was our Lucy…what if…I couldn't save her, if she really died"

"You're beating yourself up Natsu, Lucy's fine"

"But my mind thinks this is what will play out. Its shows me it every night…there must be a reason" he weeps, clenching his hands into fists. "I don't get it! I just want to know…it's so frustrating!"

"Have you actually spoken to Lucy about it?" Happy inquires.

"No, we can't tell Lucy" he snaps. "It's just a nightmare…it will go away…eventually"

"But this isn't you Natsu, you need help. You're so angry with yourself about Lucy's death that it's messing with your mind. Our Lucy is here, safe and sound. Nothing will harm her right? Because she's got us. We're her best friends and we will make sure nothing like that ever happens to her"

"Your right Happy"

"Aye, of course I'm right" the exceed grins widely, placing his paw in the air. "Though I still think you should go and see that mean lady who lives in the woods" Natsu shivers at the thought. There was no way he was going there, not with the gruesome nightmares he was having, she'll only make them worse. There was silence, as Happy watched his best friend linger over the sigh, his hands now almost touching the ground on the other side. He couldn't understand what was wrong with him, what was happening to him? It seems that all that was on his mind was Lucy. It was tearing him apart from the inside and he didn't even know it. Happy had eventually grew tired of watching Natsu sulk in the dark and had scooted back to the house, crawling into his basket to fall back to sleep. He worried about Natsu, especially the few days after they got back. His dreams were getting worse and the poor blue cat had no idea what he could do to help.

Natsu groans, wiping his face with his hands. He knew he couldn't stand outside all night. It was dark, the night sky had covered the trees with shadows to which now seemed like they were watching him. He cringed at the thought, turning back to his house. Hopefully he could get some sleep. Hopefully he wouldn't dream of Lucy in that way anymore. As he shut the door close, the shadows began to move in the distance. Wriggling into a form that took hold of a man. A young man, with yet black hair and a white slash over his shoulder. He stared at the house with interest, observing the handy work. It was then, he was joined by a deep dark purple figure, a strange morphed looking creature with flushed yellow eyes. He crawled beside his master, licking his pointed fangs while dribbling red liquid from his mouth.

"Master Zeref" the creature hums as he bows his head. "It's dangerous for you to get too close" the monster informs, turning his gaze to the house. "If he sees you…"

"Now Marr, don't be foolish" the dark wizard speaks out. "He is too weak to face me. Can you not see?" he keeps his eyes on the house, burning through the walls at the pink haired mage who rested in his hammock. "My brother is having nightmares…blood thirsty, murdering nightmares" his straight face pouts slightly, looking down to the creature before him. "Marr, take me into his dream. Use your gift of Mind Manipulation. Don't fail me"

OOO

"Rogue don't! No!" Natsu roars loudly, jumping towards the arrow, his heart pounding. "LUCY!" again, the blonde is frozen in the spot watching the arrow aim towards her. It spirals fast, the darkness consuming it as it points to her chest. "LUCY RUN!" but as Natsu waits for the impact, for the first time in his nightmares, the dart doesn't strike through. He glares wildly, looking at the explanation, his breathing becoming shallow. "It's you…"

"Yes Natsu, it's me" stood beside Lucy was a strange boy, the same one Natsu had met recently. The one they called Zeref, the dark wizard, creator of demons. He had caught the arrow with his bare hands, crushing it and turning it into dusk. Once Natsu had turned to see Rogue, he was no longer present. "So these are the pleasant dreams you're having lately" Zeref looks around the room, frowning with disappointment. He expected a bit more imagination, rather than four plain walls. But it soon comes to his attention of the young girl stood in the same spot as usual, her face defined as if Natsu had remembered every bit of detail of her. As he stares at her, she lets out a gasp causing him to smirk, his red eyes piercing into hers.

"GET AWAY FROM HER!" Natsu shouts, aiming towards him. Zeref chuckles darkly, watching the salamander struggle as he carefully places his hand on Lucy's hair, brushing it slowly. "DON'T TOUCH HER, I'M WARNING YOU"

"Now Natsu, you seem tense" he feels the girl's shiver as he combs his fingers through her golden hair, breathing in her welcoming scent. "You even managed to dream of her scent, how remarkable" he deeply inhales her, as she cowers beneath him. "What's her name?" he twiddles with a strand of her hair, watching Natsu's face fire up with rage. "You still haven't told me her name Natsu"

"LET GO OF HER!"

"Shh now"

"I'LL RIP YOU TO PIECES"

"That's not nice"

"I'M TELLING YOU NOW, GET AWAY FROM HER"

"Or what?"

"I'LL KILL YOU" Zeref pauses for a moment, stunned for words. Was it really possible? Would his brother really murder someone to secure this girl's safety? He felt the determination in Natsu's voice, the hiss that escaped his mouth. He was really getting worked up and all Zeref seemed to do was lightly brush her hair.

"Who is she?" his eyes widen, a deathly glare as he yanks her head back, revealing her soft pale neck. "Tell me who she is and I will spare her"

"DON'T YOU FUCKING TOUCH HER, YOU BASTARD" Natsu pushed himself forward, breaking free from Zeref's mind grasp and lunged at him, knocking him away from the blonde girl. She scattered to the ground, hitting her head against it before looking up as Natsu burst into flames, fire swarming him. "I WARNED YOU"

"Natsu…you're power" it was overwhelming, even for Zeref. He gaped at the beauty of his power, his rage of fire that was now clutching his neck. "You're like a brilliant flame" he whispers, as he endured the pain that was seething into his neck. Was he truly this powerful? Could Natsu finally kill him like he wanted? He took a deep breath, allowing Natsu to crush him in one. This was it, this was his time.

"Natsu! Don't!"

He stops.

"Please, you're better than this. I believe in you" a voice, a strange voice echoed around the two wizards. It was warming, gentle and full of hope. Zeref hated it. Instantly, Natsu released his grip, allowing Zeref to fall to the ground, gawking over to the blonde he had messed with seconds ago. "Please Natsu, this isn't you"

"What?" Zeref watches with amazement, as Natsu's flames disappeared, yet his breathing increased. "Oh…" He understood now why this girl was here, why Natsu seemed to want to kill for her. He smirked wider, poofing into dusk, leaving Natsu's dream.

He once appeared back in his usual spot, looking at Marr with greed.

"That girl…"

"The girl" Marr repeats, drooling.

"Find her location. I want to pay a little visit"

"Yes Master"

Sorry it's short.