Vanished
Chapter 3 – To the Ends of Earthland

First off I would love to extend a thank you to all who have been reviewing and favorite this story, it means a lot you all want to see what happens next and have taken an interest! Nothing is more encouraging to a writer to see her work has an audience!

I also want to extend a thanks to zikchao who caught my blunder about Lucy's eye color; and that I will go back to fix it later! Otherwise, thank you for your kind words as well!

I also just wanted to post out, a lot of inspiration from this chapter was brought to you by the sweet song of "If I didn't have you" By Amanda Marshall. I know some people like to know author's inspirational songs, I know I do. :)

Without further delay, onwards to chapter three!

The moon was beautiful tonight in the way that it draped all of the land in that soft, sombre glow. Usually he didn't see this time of night too often, as sleep had usually long claimed his tired body before the jewels of the night took over the skies. However, the past three nights had been just that…amazing.

Despite his friend's encouragement to sleep and rest, Natsu refused. He'd go to the ends of Earthland and even Edolas if possible…and while Lucy was fighting for her very existence he would be damned if he would let something as trivial as sleep get to him when she needed him. It gave him time to think...something he didn't like to let off he did often but it wasn't like he was an idiot.

It gave him that much more precious time to spend with Lucy.

He hoped more than anything that being beside his partner and best friend would give her the assurance he wasn't going anywhere. Not even wild horses could drag him from her bedside if she was not walking at his side away from this mess.

All around him he could hear the gentle breathing of his friends, Grey having fallen asleep on the floor leaning against the wall with Wendy having succumbed to slumber beside him with her forehead against his biceps. Happy and Charle were curled on both sides of Wendy's legs to keep her warm, unbeknownst to anyone else the pair of exceeds tails had curled around one another some time ago.

As much as Charle would have hated to be aware…it was good to see she was slowly warming up to Happy.

Looking to the other side of the room Erza had fallen asleep at the little desk on top of the thick book of magical ailments she'd been focused on all night. Never had he seen her so dedicated, so desperate to find out anything. Natsu was so thankful, if he would have been of any use he would have researched too…but his place was here. He could give support till the end of his days, but he couldn't get through a book if his life depended on it.

Levy and Gajeel had joined them that morning, to why Gajeel had come was beyond him…but he had a sneaking suspicion something was going on between the two; and Gajeel's soft spot for Lucy as a trusted friend. They had long fallen asleep, Levy somehow having moved to sit in his lap as his one arm enclosed around her shoulders to haphazardly hold her against his chest as they snoozed away against the wall in similar style.

His attention was slowly brought back when a small movement in his hand made him look to Lucy, seeing she was awake and looking at him through worried eyes.

Don't look at me that way Luce…you're the one in this bed not me.

"I'm fine Luce…just haven't been able to sleep much." Natsu spoke under his breath, trying not to wake the room filled with their sleeping Nakama. Of course Lucy would be worried first about her friend's minor problems than her own serious ones…it was just the way she was. Moments like this made him at ease, as if she made sure to make some kind of sign daily that she was still with him…still fighting just to keep him sane.

Something wasn't right though, the way she looked at him was almost pleading…and although there were no words between the two; Natsu could feel the tightness in his chest at that foreboding feeling.

Leaning her head back she tried to move her lips, her eyes closing tightly as she desired nothing more than to get the breathing tube from her throat; casting him a glance in hopes he would understand.

Natsu got it all right, and he swallowed hard at her silent request.

"Luce…I'm not a doctor…I can't…" the pink haired boy fretted quietly, his body moving to stand to get someone who could before the surprisingly strong clench of her hand on his caught him off guard. With wide eyes he looked back to his helpless nakama, the heartbreaking look she was giving him was too much as he sighed deeply.

"Luce…fine." Defeated, he moved over to the bed and sat down at her side; taking a moment to figure out the contraption before moving the runes cast on her lips to keep it in place and slide it out of her throat with a disturbed look on his face as she made a dry heave like motion at the sensation of it.

I think I'd rather be beaten by frost-head than have that down my throat…

Worried for a moment she wouldn't be able to breathe on her own, the slayer was relieved when her chest continued to rise and fall.

"N…natsu…" She spoke in barely a whisper, but that was no problem for his keen hearing. "Please…take me away. I can't be here anymore." Lucy's voice wavered, that vulnerable tone making his knees weak and his chest ache.

How could he deny her?

"Are you sure that's okay? Grey seems to be convinced you need to stay – "

Before he could finish Lucy pushed her torso up to sit, the back of her gown sliding to her sides to reveal her entire back had turned black, and it looked like it was spreading.

"I…I'm sure, Natsu." She said determinedly, the look in her eyes he couldn't quite decipher.

Without hesitation he stood and turned back to the bed, making sure the gown was covering her backside before scooping her up bridal style into his arms. He realized right away how much weight she had lost, and how frail she was. His teeth clenched together as he tried not to lose his cool, and took the blanket supplied to wrap it over her to keep her body as warm as could be.

"We should wake the oth-" Natsu began, only to be cut off once more.

"N-no…let them sleep. I just want to get some fresh air." Lucy cracked a smile, trying not to let on how weak she felt. Especially not in front of Natsu…the poor boy had left her side only a handful of times, and that was only to visit the bathroom. "Just partners."

Natsu looked down to Lucy, unable to help his grip tightened on her, nodding his head quietly.

"That's right Luce, just like old times; partner."

Turning around he was going to head out the door when he felt like he was being watched, his eyes moving to each of their friends till he realized Gajeel has his eyes open and was staring straight at them.

"You sure about this? I think they'll be pretty pissed…" He spoke quietly, not wanting to wake anyone else which was surprising for the normally boisterous iron slayer.

"Don't tell them shit or I'll rip every stud from your face!" Natsu hissed in a whisper, making a fist with his hand holding Lucy's legs.

"Gajeel…" Lucy tossed a small smile his way "Thanks…but I'll be alright. We'll be back before you know it."

Although against his better judgement, the steel dragon nodded and tilted his head down as if to grant them passage; his eyes trailing them as they exited silently. It wasn't long till Natsu's footfalls couldn't be heard by his ears and he found a sigh escaping his breath as he looked down to the sleeping face of Levy.

You're so full of shit Bunnygirl…even that flame head can only go so far in denial, but he realizes. How could anyone not when your body reeks of death?

Although it pained him, he realized everyone dealt with things differently, and if this was Lucy's wish…who was he to say otherwise. All he knew is he would be in a heap of shit when the rest awoke and found out he let Natsu waltz her away to her end.

This is messed up.

"Natsu…how far are we going? I just wanted to sit outside…" Lucy whined, sounding a bit like herself as she snuggled as close as she could into her partner, knowing he was purposely raising his body's temperature to keep her cozy.

"Just a little farther," Was all he said, a grin finally appearing on his face. "You may have forgotten, but I haven't."

It was Lucy's turn to be confused, as she tilted her head to watch him suspiciously. What was he up to? She'd been in the hospital for a few days now and didn't think she was forgetting anything. Besides…what could be that important?

The town was quiet in the dead of the night, and only the streetlights were on which illuminated the path they took. The little trip was even quieter from there on in, Natsu walking at a determined pace through the streets despite his exhaustion; when they soon came upon a park.

Although Lucy enjoyed the idea of being surrounded by nature, it still didn't dawn on her what the salamander was planning.

…that was, until she could see that familiar glow through the trees.

Turning her head her doe brown orbs went wide in surprise, her lips opening to gasp in a hoarse breath when she laid her eyes on none other than a Rainbow Sakura tree lit in all its glory. Already the tears began to slide down her cheeks, as she got closer and closer till Natsu sat down with her in his lap at the base of the trunk all she could do was look up in awe.

"Well…you didn't get to go last year…I wasn't going to allow you to miss another one." He stated as his cheeks turned a hint of pink, his hand scratching the back of his head as he muttered. "And there aren't any river canals like last time here; but I was told they have one tree and knew I had to find a way somehow. It just worked out you wanted to go out."

"N…natsu…it's amazing. Thank you…t-thank you…"

"Happy Hanami, Luce."

Lucy couldn't take it anymore, as she began to cry…it wasn't just a whimper or a sniffle; but full on water works. Although she knew her friend simply thought she was crying as she usually did because she was upset or overwhelmed in too much emotion…she knew, she knew this would be her last viewing of the beautiful blossoms.

The last time she was going to see her friends, who she had cruelly left without so much of a goodbye.

The last time she would be able to enjoy the beauty of life.

The last time…to be with Natsu.

So much had happened not that long ago, and even though it had been such an adventure, it was all coming to an end. She cried for her team, and cried for her friends in the celestial world who would soon realize what had happened.

Lucy didn't want to leave her friends, or her life behind. She wanted to go on more jobs with them, to share the good and the bad times, the tribulations and celebrations.

Yet…she just had to accept that wasn't in her future.

Once her crying had died down to shallow breaths, Lucy gazed up to her companion as he remained uncharacteristically quiet; not letting her go once since they'd sat under the glow of the sakura.

"Natsu…"

"Mhnn?" He murmured his eyes half lidded as he tried his best to stay awake. His body had been so exhausted from being up for more than forty eight hours and it was showing.

"I just…wanted to say, I'll never…forget this." Lucy spoke softly, her tone that of peace as she leaned her head back against his chest; knowing from his breathing his eyes were slowly starting to close periodically.

"Don't be stupid Luce…you better remember, just make…sure to save space to remember the next Hanami, and the one after that…you gotta celebrate it with…the guild after all. Everyone…will be…so happy…." Natsu spoke tiredly, his head nodding off occasionally till before he knew it…he'd drifted off to sleep in the comfort of Lucy's scent.

Once she was sure he was asleep, Lucy bowed her head to cover her eyes in the shadow of her bangs, her breathing had become so labored, her body just so…so tired. Although it was not what she expected, there was something which told the girl it was time…and somehow…she was okay with that.

"Natsu…you'll have to celebrate it for me. Its…it's too bad." Lucy spoke sadly, her eyes closing as she listened to the soothing sound of his heartbeat. "I think…I was really starting to fall for you."

How bittersweet, that she didn't have the courage to say those final three words which felt so right in her heart.

Regardless though, she felt herself slipping away as her hand weakly reached up to touch his cheek one last time.

"Goodbye…my most…treasured Nakama…"

With one final exhale, Lucy's hand didn't have a chance to hit the ground as it slipped and began to dissolve in a beautiful stream of star like orbs which much like the falling rainbow petals; drifted away into the night breeze till she was no more.

Lucy Heatfilia was once more…free.

It was in the middle of the night when Master Makarov bolted up from his slumber, clutching at his heart as he leaned forward in a cold sweat.

With eyes wide open he breathed frantically as the pain remained etched into his very soul, tossing the blankets off of him and dropping to the cold floor.

"N…No…" He breathed, stumbling his way down the corridors of the guild's upper floors before making his way down the stairs; knowing even at five am that Mirajane would be preparing for the day ahead behind the bar.

"M…Mirajane!" He bellowed, startling the poor girl as she wasn't used to the master being up for at least a few more hours.

"Master? What's going on?" She asked, the worry already taking over her tone as she held the plate she was drying in her hand.

Trying to compose himself he leaped onto the bar, his hands folding behind his back as the sweat still lingered on his brow. "Mirajane, sound the bell. I want every member of Fairy Tail here and ready to move in approximately a hour."

"The alarm? Master, we haven't ringed that since…oh god." Instantly her eyes widened in horror, the plate once held in her hand dropping to the floor with a smash which echoed through the empty hall.

"…Since Lisanna, I know. I pray I'm wrong…but as a parent…I can no longer feel Lucy's presence amongst us. Please try and make contact with Levy and Erza; I'm going to personally fetch Warren and make sure."

Taking off as quick as his legs could take him to where Warren was probably fast asleep in the dorms, Mira wasted no time to scale the stairs to the top of Fairy Tail and a large wooden door; behind a room many had never seen before.

Picking up the mallet which laid on the table beside it, Mira struck the giant bell as its chimes rang across the lands; only reaching the ears and quickly awakening anyone who held the guild's mark.

All but one, exhausted, dragon slayer who slept a dreamless sleep alone against the rainbow sakura tree.

Ohhhhh boy. I feel I'm in trouble here!

This was simply too good not to write right away. The muse won, and although it's a morbid bastard; I promise he gets better with time ;)

As always, review! Hopefully this next chapter will write itself as easily as this one.

Till then, !