NATSU P.O.V.
"Lucy!" I woke up with my arm extended into the air. Where's Lucy? I saw her, she was here a moment ago. I looked around and only found an unconscious Erza and Gray. No Wendy, or Lucy for that matter. "Oi, Ice Princess! Erza! Get up!" I shook Gray until he woke up. "Huh? W-what happened? Why the hell did you kick me flame-brain?!" "Hurry up and wake up Erza. Wendy isn't here and we need to find her, and Lucy. Also what are you talking about? I didn't kick you, stripper." "Lucy?" "Yeah, Lucy." "Natsu, Lucy is-" "I know what I saw. It was Lucy, I could smell her too. You and Erza saw her as well!" "Natsu-" Erza's voice startled the fire wizard, "- I'm quite sure that it was just an illusion to lure us here." Gray nodded and slowly said "I agree with Erza, they planned it all." He shook his head rapidly "No! It was her, I could smell her scent. There's no mistaking it!" Erza stood "Natsu, they have Wendy. We need to go get her." "Wha-" "Look at the mirror, flame-brain." he pointed to the glass where words were written.
The Sky Dragon Slayer will be at the edge of the mountain in the forest. This is just a warning, now you know what it is we are capable of. Do not test us, Fairy Tail. Next time we will take action and will not hold back. We will always be one step ahead of you, never will you have an advantage over us. We are always watching so be wary of your surroundings.
-Dark Eternity
"Well hurry up! We need to make sure that Wendy is safe." Charla exclaimed, worry evident in her voice. "Aye! I agree with Charla." commented Happy. "Yeah, let's go. Natsu, Gray, hurry up." Gray nodded and they proceeded to walk out before Natsu spoke, "You guys! That's Lucy's writing!" Erza sighed "Natsu, not now. We need to get Wendy." "I know, but... it was Lucy, I'm sure of it." No one responded and they all exited the cottage.
When they reached the edge of the cliff Wendy was still unconscious. Charla inspected her and calmed down when she noticed that Wendy had no injuries and that she was only sleeping. Natsu walked forward and picked her up and they walked to their hotel in the city. Erza took Wendy and placed her in one of the beds in the room she shared with her. Natsu didn't talk about Lucy anymore after convincing himself that it was in fact the illusion that the Dark Guild cast that made him imagine when he touched her cheek. That her scent was just his mind playing tricks on him. He went back to bickering with Gray although in the back of his mind he knew she had been real. Of course when he went to sleep, he dreamt of her like he always did. Except this time she was running away from him and hiding in the shadows when he tried to reach out to her.
Would he truly never be able to embrace her again?
LUCY P.O.V.
How come she still felt the warmth of his hand on her cheek? How come she felt so guilty for almost putting the Sky Dragon Slayer at risk? Why did her heart sink at the sight of Fairy Tail's strongest team defeated? So many questions swarmed through her head while she tried to push them away from her train of thought. She was deciding who their next target should be, and how they would capture him. Everything they did was so that they could get answers from that man, from Xiang. His name made her body go rigid. He had taken chunks of their lives and left them with practically nothing. One thing she was grateful for was the fact that she was able to meet her friends. They helped and protected everyone, because they were a family. Hikaru and Hikari were her light in the darkest moments and Ryu helped her piece herself back together.
She smiled at her memories. They were only of her life from the man's prison to present time. No doubt she was missing important details like her name and when her birthday was and where she was born, but they would suffice for now. Ah, her mind was wandering again. She let out a chuckle and someone ruffled her blond hair. Ryu smiled down at her, "Get some sleep. You should be tired, I know that I am and everyone else is already out. You need your rest, we just got here, we should be okay for a bit." I nodded and allowed him to lead me to my bed. We were sharing a room with the kids and they were asleep on one bed.
His arms wrapped around me after he dozed off beside me, "Sakura." I clutched his hands. "I promise we'll find her soon." My words seemed to soothe him since his breathing slowed down until silence filled the room. The man had ruined Ryu's family. The took him and his sister, Sakura, after they murdered their parents in front of them. Then he was separated from her as well. He never saw her again, that was six years ago. That memory would be forever engraved in his mind. He had been in captivity longer that she had. He would often talk in his sleep and so she sometimes thought that it was better for her not to remember her past.
She was the clever one in their guild. She was the one who had the responsibility of planning out their attacks and their escapes. If her research was correct then they would have to leave the hotel in seven hours before Fairy Tail arrived in Crocus. Just enough time for them to arrive at their next location. They had to always remain one step ahead, she would make sure of that.
She dreamt of him once again, she could only remember his smile. The one that made her heart ache when she awoke from her slumber. Would she ever remember to whom those sharp canines belonged to?
A/N: I'm back! I'm really sorry for my absence, and for not updating any of my stories. Things were kind of difficult for me these past weeks but things are looking better! I'll try to update soon, and finals are coming up so I'll have to study but I'll try my best to write in between. Wish me luck! Please, oh please let me know your thoughts on this chapter! I would truly appreciate it, until the next update!~
