Hello everyone! I had a lot of trouble with this chapter... But anyway here it is!

Chapter 4

The next four days were miserable.

I sat in my apartment, not knowing what to do with myself. I didn't want to go to the guildhall; the possibility of Natsu being there was too high. I didn't have any money to go shopping, and I didn't have any motivation to work on my novel. I was working on the romantic scene, and I didn't feel terribly inclined to do anything involving romance.

The other part of my not wanting to go out was that I felt really, really bad about yelling at Natsu. It was a little immature, even if he deserved it. Why did he think it was OK to kiss me in public? Honestly, I thought, he has completely let his instincts take over.

The part of out argument that bothered me the most was when he had asked me if I was embarrassed about our relationship. I mean, of course I was embarrassed when he kissed me in front of the entire freaking guild, but about us, being together, as a couple? And going on dates? And having…. relations? Maybe even getting married and having children?

I wasn't embarrassed as much as I was scared. Scared. I could fight horrible people and watch them do atrocious things, but I couldn't face my feelings for Natsu? I couldn't face the possibility of spending forever with him?

I wanted to love him. I did love him. I just needed him to have his head about him, as much as Natsu can have his head.

On the fifth day after our argument, I felt like I really needed to talk to Natsu. If Natsu wasn't there, Levy would do, or maybe even Mira. But I needed to talk to someone.

I walked to the guild slowly, enjoying a beautiful spring day in Magnolia. The cherry blossoms had just begun to fade. I smiled at the thought of cherry blossoms. I remembered Natsu floating a tree on the river for me when I didn't feel well. He was so sweet, and in romantic situations, thoughtful. I knew, in that moment. I absolutely in with love that idiot.

I crept into the guildhall, trying not to draw attention to myself. The spectacle of almost a week ago would not be forgotten soon. There would be whispers, and I knew it. One of the annoying things about all of this 'nakama' crap, we all cared for each other so much that each one's business was the others.

I slipped into a booth next to Levy. She looked up from her book long enough to throw me a look of sympathy. She went back to her reading, but murmured to me, "I won't tell that you're here. You look terrible."

I sighed, "I feel terrible."

My head sank into my arms. I wanted to go home already, but I had not yet accomplished my mission. I was going to have to make this like a job: Natsu's forgiveness would be my reward.

I was positive that he was angry at me for what I had said. Also, I didn't know how dragon slayers reacted when their mates turned them down.

I lifted my head up. "Levy, I have to swallow my pride and apologize, don't I?"

That got her attention, she looked me in the face. She nodded.

I groaned and let my head fall back into the cushion of my arms. I felt Levy's look of sympathy on my slumped shoulders. I wanted so badly for to all be over, I'm sure I just radiated darkness.

I ordered lunch. It was the first really good food that I had eaten in five days, and it was amazing. As I gulped down a bowl of Mira's kare raisu, she looked at me in concern. (A/N: kare raisu is a common Japanese curry rice dish) I didn't know whether she was concerned for my health, or my relationship with Natsu.

I was finishing my meal when Mira asked, "Have you talked to Natsu yet?"

A purplish aura surrounded me when she mentioned him. "No. Not yet. Have you seen him these past few days?"

"I have. He was in here yesterday and the day before, but I haven't seen him today. He seemed really down," she tacked that last remark on, and I'm pretty sure it was to make me guiltier.

I swallowed the last of the rice. It would have been my final bite, even if the bowl hadn't been empty; the lump in my throat was too big to eat anymore.

"I miss him."

Levy sighed, "You have to apologize, Lucy."

"He's an idiot if he can't see how sorry I am right now. I just want things to go back to the way they were."

"You told me you loved him," Levy was looking into my eyes, trying to understand what was going on in my head.

"And I do! He just has to be sober to talk about this."

Levy nodded. "I can tell you that he hasn't been drinking, at least not here," she tried to joke.

I gave a pitiful little laugh. "All that's the problem now is I'm to scared to talk to him."

I realized that I had said it out loud. I was scared of Natsu. I'd never thought that I would fear Natsu, of all people. He was a loveable idiot, with a temper and a fierce loyalty to his nakama.

"I think I need to go home," I muttered as I grabbed my purse from the booth.

I walked out the front door, and no one stopped me. A tear ran down my cheek just as I shoved the big doors shut behind me. I began the walk home, feeling like I had a hundred miles to walk. I needed some tea, maybe a bath, too. A sob escaped my throat and I covered my face in my hands for a moment. One, two, three counts and I'll keep walking, I thought.

I heard the crunch of a twig snapping behind me. I whipped around and called out, "Who's there?"

I was already reaching for my gate keys when a very sheepish Natsu stood up, exposing his hiding spot behind a bush.

Mwahahaha, another cliff hanger. I think there will be one more chapter, plus maybe an epilogue. Then I'll need ideas for another story! Here are my fandoms: Harry Potter, Fairy Tail, Percy Jackson, Sherlock, Doctor Who, Blue Exorcist (I'm not caught up on the manga), and Divergent, a little Lord of the Rings, I suppose I could do Frozen, too. As always, please rate and review!