A/N: Hello all! I felt a bit dramatic when I started writing this chapter, so my style may be a little different. And I could see the scene so clearly in my mind that I wanted you all to see it just like it - hopefully it's still good enough!

Now to answer my anon reviews:

-Person: Thank you for pointing out that mistake! I shall go correct it - is it weird that I have never noticed the difference between the two before?

-kittypurry101: Your continued support is really heart warming, I'm glad you love it.

-LoZFreak123: This fanfic is a gradual NatsuxLucy. There may be some GrayxJuvia sneaking in, though as of yet I am undecided!

-Trottingham-sama and Guest: Thank you so much for your compliments and I hope you continue to enjoy!

I'm really sorry this chapter is over a week late - I prefer to write in solid chunks and I just haven't had the time to do so!
Enjoy~

Chapter 4

The pink haired Dragon Slayer stood amid the wreckage of the splintered wood that was once his seat. Uncannily for the boy, Natsu stood stock still while chaos ensued around him. He would usually be the cause of such chaos, if it were not of a panicked sort like it was at that moment. The only part of Natsu's absolutely still body that was still moving were the quacking, curled fists that hung either side of his thighs. His pure anger was being channeled into the deadly flames that licked at the immune flesh of his hands and wrists. Such was his emotional fire that if anyone came in contact with the elements, they would be truly sorry. That was the intent of the flames.

Natsu could not hear anything, save the insistent buzz of shock and gradually heightening adrenaline. Despite his enhanced dragon senses. It was like his mind had blocked the pathway to his heart, as it dismissed the possibility that the most important person in his world had been ripped to shreds. The real impact of the situation was still a glowing ember, which slowly ignited. The boy had not been able to protect the girl he always tried his best to keep smiling.

He was aware of the members of the Guild rushing around, asking the ferocious questions on all of their lips. But, Natsu could not really see them. There were obscene bodily gestures and expressions.

"Search the perimeter."

"The one responsible must still be around."

"Is she going to be okay?"

"What happened?"

All these words fluttered around the mage's head, going in one ear and out of the other. He was not able to comprehend them. Natsu's black eyes were only focused on Lucy. Lifeless. Was she even still breathing? Ah, yes! There was a faint movement of her chest. The pink haired boys' body lost some of its rigidity with a small wash of relief. There was still a chance. But, she looked as though she was even finding it difficult to hold on to that shallow breath. What was he thinking? Of course there was a chance. This was a member of Fairy Tail! Not only that, the beaten girl in question was none other than Lucy. The strongest person Natsu had ever known. Strength was not down to how much damage one could inflict upon another, it was how much damage you could take and still keep on standing. To move forward and keep your head held tall. That was Lucy Heartfilia.

A silver, metallic hand tugged at the golden rimmed, black waist coat Natsu wore.

Erza?

She seemed to be shouting something at him, as he flickered his eyes in her direction briefly before they quickly returned to Lucy. But, he was void of response. Hues of orange, red and yellow fused themselves in the atmosphere surrounding the Dragon Slayer, entering his field of vision. Everything in his sight was being dyed in the colours, as Natsu's senses begun to ebb back in to his consciousness. The boys' focal point moved.

Gray.

He had proceeded to follow the directional point of Makarov. As the raven haired boy moved past the bar, Natsu momentarily noticed Mira and Lisanna, who were standing in front of the drinks bar. They were covering their mouths in identical horror. The light caught their glistening streaks of tears that lined their cheeks. With his ever-growing consciousness, Natsu's awareness widened. The armoured mage that had been so desperate to break him out of his blankness had started to back away. Why?

Natsu.

"Natsu!" Titania screamed, his hearing coming back in dregs. "...Your flames!" She continued to cry, but the Salamander did not catch all that she uttered.

Luce.

The blonde was being carried away. His rival, the Exhibitionist, had her cradled in his arms. She needed him. She needed Natsu. The pink haired boy snapped out of his shocked daze. Everything crashed into him, assaulting his senses. All the shouting, crying, wailing - busy bodies encompassed him. Lucy had traveled through the infirmary door, swiftly followed by Levy and Cana. The two girls, who were closest to the Celestial Mage outside of Team Natsu, hung in the wooden doorway of the beer hall. Their feminine frames were riddled with devastation. It was only then that Natsu felt the pressing of heat against his form. But, of course, there was no burn.

Fire.

Natsu turned his head to see the knotted bench, he had sat at previously, was engulfed in flames. Though he did not care. Lucy. His Luce was hurt - maybe even dying...

Blood.

There were droplets of her blood littered on the tavern flooring. It lead a perfect path to the wrecked girl. Its copper twang abused Natsu's nostrils. He felt sick to his stomach from the stench, though the Dragon Slayer could handle blood. Mavis knows how acquainted he was to it from the continual brawls, and missions, he and his fellow Guild were involved in. But, the difference with this particular crimson spillage was that it was hers. The thought that the sticky, glossy substance was pouring out of their precious Celestial Mage made his blood boil.

Who the fuck did that to her?! The fucking bastard will pay dearly! The male mage dug his nails into his palms with the thought.

Natsu wrenched his feet from their glued spot, as he raced across the hall to the infirmary. Levy and Cana had since moved inside the room, vacating the entrance. He crashed through the door, causing it to strain on its hinges as it collided with the supporting wall. He heard Erza shouting behind him after she had pounced into action, just as Natsu had finally snapped back into reality.

"Juvia, use your water to put out the fire!" The Equip Mage ordered before she barged through the door, hot on Natsu's heels.

Erza had waited with her fellow team member knowing that Lucy's condition would affect him the most. If she was honest, the mature mage had been apprehensive about how Natsu would react as they were all shown the blonde. Erza was glad the hot head had only set the bench on fire. Aside from his initial reaction, she could guarantee that he would want to rip out the throat of whomever caused Lucy to go through that torture. Just like she wanted to herself, and no doubt Gray. Even though the red head did not yet know what had actually happened, it was very clear just how much pain Lucy was experiencing from the hideous injuries.

She hurried past Levy and Cana, who had kindly moved out of the way of the recently entered members of Team Natsu. Erza did not fail to notice them clinging to each other's hands, seeking some sort of solace in one another's mutual fear. Gray was in the process of gently lowering Lucy's slender, crimson laced body on the white sheets of the sick bed. They had immediately begun to soak in the mingled liquids that clung to the blonde's deathly pale skin. The Ice Make Mage refused his navy eyes to leave her unconscious form, as his brows and lips were creased in worry. Natsu had rushed to the side of the bed, closest to the door, and sunk to his knees, telling everyone present that he will not be moved from her side. Happy, teary eyed, floated over to the victims' right hand and plopped down on the bed beside it. The Exceed placed his small, padded paw atop the smooth, pink insignia of Fairy Tail, which proudly displayed to the world that this blonde, Celestial Mage was their nakama. It told them all that no-one could harm a hair on her head without in-sighting the wrath of the fairies - just like with any of their family.

"They should have known better than to mess with us," the blue Exceed mewed sorrowfully, as he let his salty tears fall on to Lucy's hand.

"Too right," Natsu growled, while Erza and Gray rumbled their chests in response.

This situation was so much more different from that on the battlefield of a job, or mission. There Erza, Natsu, Gray and Happy would be able to avenge their Lucy right there and then. There they would be able to do something, anything to keep their minds busy and feel useful. Where they could act on their blind rage. But, as it was, Lucy was lying before them in a bed, possibly fatally, injured and there was nothing else they could do about it. All they were able to do was watch helplessly, uselessly. Only Wendy held the necessary magical skill Team Natsu desperately wanted.

Thinking of the small girl, Wendy walked in being led by the Guild Master. So that was where he had went, of course. Erza watched her approach them, while Makarov joined the red head at the foot end of the bed. Rather than be afraid, the young Dragon Slayer appeared determined. Erza could not help but smile to herself a little at how Wendy had grown since they had first met when fighting against Oración Seis; the small girl had become a fine fairy. She supposed, while pondering on her own past, that is what hardships do to you, no matter the age. They make you harder.

Wendy proceeded to the place opposite Natsu on the other side of the bed, near Lucy's torso.

Before she made any actions toward healing Lucy, she spoke to all of them, "I'll heal her. Don't worry!" Her whole demeanor was emanating her strength.

They all looked at her with warmth at her words, a part from Natsu who kept his black eyes focused only on Lucy. It was as if he thought that if he looked away she would cease to breathe. The pink haired boy was so quiet and unmoving it was unnerving for all those present.

He can't be around to protect her all the time, Erza wondered to herself woefully.

The small girl lifted her hands to hover over Lucy's chest and abdomen.

She closed her eyes and spoke quietly, almost meditatively, "Sky Dragon's Healing Spell."

A blue light emerged out of her being, which focused around Wendy's hands and wrists. The harsh glow illuminated hers, Lucy's and Natsu's faces making them look ghoulish with the harsh shadows etching their features. While the pure magic power lightly shifted Wendy's blue hair around her face as she concentrated.

A wide grin spread across her lips, as the mage opened her child-like eyes. "Most of the injuries are surface, so they are easy to heal. Though, there are some internally," the corners of Wendy's mouth drooped a bit. "And she has had heavy blood loss. Lucy will have to rest for at least a week or two to recover."

Everyone seemed to release some of their stress at once with an audible whoosh, yet Natsu still did not move..

Wendy's brow only burrowed, as she delved further in to the Celestial Mage's condition, "but..." She started quietly, not really wanting to relay the bad news to the close friends that filled the infirmary.

Though, she was forced to pause when Natsu finally spoke up.

"There's something else wrong." His voice was like gravel, while the boy refused to let himself part his gaze from the girl in front of him.

"What do you mean?" Gray shot out as soon as Natsu had uttered, panic tinging his tone.

Just as he had allowed himself to think the blonde he had rescued was going to be okay...

Wendy lowered her brown eyes back to her healing Sky Magic, to avoid witnessing the emotions run across her Guild members' faces.

"L-Lucy has almost no magic left. And somehow... somehow it is still being drained and I can't see a way to cut it off. Or where it is going." The blue illumination only highlighted her glossy eyes even more.

At hearing the child Dragon Slayers' distressed words Levy stood abruptly from Cana's side. Leaving her friend blinking in her absence, she could barely hold back her anguish any longer. In order to get back a grip on herself, she moved toward the entrance of the infirmary where Gajeel was standing guard. He was not allowing too many people into the already crowded sick room. The petite mage refused to meet the eye contact of the Iron Dragon Slayer who watched her approach. She had intended to just move past the studded man, but he clasped the top of her thin arm to prevent her from going.

"What do you need, Bookworm?" He asked gruffly.

The blue haired girl raised her widened eyes to the towering man. How did he know she wanted something? He appeared to have his normal I-don't-give-a-damn stance and expression, but Levy could see the concern that floated within his piercing red eyes, as she peered into them. Somehow, she thought she was the only one who could see the emotional side of Gajeel that was underneath his iron exterior. Maybe Juvia was the only other who may know, considering how close they were.

"I-I just wanted to get Gray and Lu some towels," she finally responded to the mage, breaking away from their in-locked gaze. "They're soaked."

Gajeel seemed to make a noise of agreement. "I will go get the towels for Bunny Girl and the Stripper," he lifted his hand from the girls' arm to instead pat her on the head.

It was more of an affectionate gesture than a condescending one.

"They need you in there," Gajeel nodded toward the inside of the room, Levy followed the direction.

She saw Natsu, Erza, Gray, Happy and Master circling the bed chatting among themselves, with their eyes trained on Wendy slowly closing up the bleeding Lucy. Cana was sitting one bed away, arms wrapped around herself. The brunette's back was to Levy, but she knew Cana was staring, blind, at the blonde.

The Solid Script Mage turned her attention back to Gajeel. "Thank yo-," Levy cut herself off when she found he was no longer leaning on the door frame.

Only Juvia was still there.

Levy looked around the Guild Hall to see the Dragon Slayer's retreating back. A small smile broke through her heart ache, for Lucy, at Gajeel's kindness. She took in her surroundings, those who were angered by the state of one of their nakama had rushed out of the Guild in search for the possible affiliate with the injuries. Those who were still left were either silent or murmuring to each other. The subdued hall was rather eerie without the usual joyous chorus.

"Is there anything Juvia can help with?" The girls' words pulled Levy's roaming mind to her.

The Shadow Gear member shook her head, "Wendy will be able to handle it."

Levy did not fail to notice the Water Mage's cobalt eyes flickering to the inside of the room upon the mention. She was obviously worried about Lucy, like the rest of them, but there was no doubt that she was particularly concerned for Gray's welfare. He was strong, but would he be able to cope if the Celestial Mage did not come out right on the other end? She had said that Wendy could deal with it, but from the girl's words before she left... What was Levy thinking? Even if Lucy did have issues after she was healed, they would all help her.

Which she will be, Wendy is a strong healer. Levy reassured herself.

Their Lu would not be alone.

"I'm sure Gajeel would appreciate you guarding the door for him," she smiled and Juvia giggled, the sound alien to the atmosphere.

It was not like the black haired mage to show his appreciation, more like he would grunt or something. Levy turned her back on Juvia and retraced her steps she had taken not five minutes earlier. Her brown eyes met the figures that filled the room once more and her hand flew to her mouth.

A/N: Again, I'm really sorry for the late update - I know how eager some of you were to read more! But, if you look on the bright side, the next chapter will be updated even quicker (relatively) and I will do my best!

Thanks for reading and please leave a review to tell me what you think. ^.^