Once upon a time in the beautiful kingdom of Fiore, lived a mighty dragon who had an amazing ability to change into his human form. In this human flesh, a lean, muscular and tan young man appears. He is widely known in town to be reckless, destructive and extremely stubborn. However, inspite of this negativity, the townfolks love him; for when it comes to danger and trouble, he is always first in line to protect them.

Loving.

Protective.

Warm.

The dragon loved an adventurous life as he went on a search for his father who disappeared sometime ago when he was still very young. He hoped, that someday as he traveled, they would finally cross paths and meet again.

However, fate had something else in store for him. Something he never asked but was destined for him anyway.

He was in a nearby forest searching for something fun to do and maybe go across another town in the process, when he came across what fate had in store for him. He heard men's laughter. . .and a soft voice. . .of a young woman.

"Let me go!"

"What?!" said one of the musculine man with a nasty grin "It's not everyday we get to see a beautiful young lady strolling freely into the woods"

"Ouch! Y-You-re hurting. . .Ow! Let go!" she tried hard to knock off the man's grip

He hid into the bushes nearby and gave the scenario a close look; analyzing the situation.

The unsuspecting men continued their scheme.

"Hey, how much do you think this one will cost?" he said smirking at three of his companions "She's really pretty! Look at that fair skin!" he said hanging the young girl by the hair

"Ouch! L-let go!"

And with a swift move startled them all. A kick, a cracking punch and blazing flame and the next thing the young girl knew, she was lying on the ground; her harassers running away as fast as possible.

"Are you alright?" asked the Dragon as he held out his hand towards her. He can see her hesitation and she still looked shaken. "She must be frightened" he thought as he bent down, looking at her closely.

There's something peculiar about her.

Then, he smiled warmly.

"Hey, I'm not gonna hurt you" he said

With this, the girl slowly stood up with his support and let him lead her somewhere she could sit down. He offered her some water which was packed in his backpack which she thankfully didn't reject.

"T-thank you. . . you saved me" she finally said after sometime

"Oh! No problem!" he said with a toothy grin "What are you doing here anyway?"

There was silence

"Er. . .it's fine if you don't want to answer"

She sighed. The young dragon watched closely as the beautiful blonde girl seemed to think of how to respond.

"I. . .I-I ran away from home" she finally said

"Eh?! Why?"

"I. . .I am. . .I'm not happy there" she said, blushing fruriously

"Mmmmm"

"I. . .Uhm! Y-You might think it's really shallow! But! But!" she shouted as she burned red on the face. The dragon was taken aback by sudden burst of emotion.

"I. . .I-I. . .I'm not happy" she trailed off

"Mmmm! I think that's reason enough!" he said smiling at her as she finally calmed down and was a little shocked by his answer.

"Y-You think. . .it's not shallow?" she said

"Of course not! What's the point of going back to a place that you don't want to be!"

The blonde girl smiled and turned rather brighter. . .but this time warmer and sweeter. She'd never find anyone like this before.

This is the first time somebody understood her. The first time someone didn't ask questions about how she came up with such a ridiculous answer. The first one she ever really met that wasn't arranged for her. . .someone who just saved her life and didn't even ask for anything.

She smiled more warmly at him and he smiled back.

"You have a different smell you know" he said

"W-what?!" she asked in shock

"You're different than the rest" he said as he took a whiff in the air

The young woman blushed brick red and stuttered badly "W-what a-are you saying?! Don't go sniffing other people!"

"You're not from around here!" he said with a toothy grin "And I've never smelled a scent like yours before or close to it and I've been all over the place" he paused and started to think leaving the young lady flustered "But. . .there is one place I've never been. . ." he said as he continuously snapped his fingers on air making loud popping noises "Aha! The castle! Fiore's castle!"

The blonde girl turned, if possible, more red.

"You're from the castle!" he said with a very wide smile "I knew it! Man! I'm good!" he said as he stood up and placed his hands on his waist and smiling in a victorious way

"D-don't take me back" the young girl whispered

"What's that?" he said, turning his head down to her and was surpirsed to see tears falling from her face

"I. . .I'm the princess. Please. D-don't take me back" she said amidst her sobs

"Why would I take you back?" said the dragon in questioning tone

"Eh?"

"Well, you didn't ask for it" he said as he crouched on the ground beside her and patted her head gently "And you said you don't want to go back so why would I force you into it"

"I. . .I. . ."

"The princess huh? Must be tough! I'm sure everyone is looking for you" he said

But the girl remained silent, bowed her head and stared at her hands "No one is looking for me" she said in a hushed voice

"You're the princess. I'm sure they'll be looking for you" said the Dragon

"Did you ever hear the castle searching for the princess?" said the girl as she turned her head to look at her saviour

"Er. . .No" he replied in hesitation.

Now that she mentioned it, he thought hard. If the princess really is missing there should have been an army looking for her, the town notified and fliers should be all over the place but. . .nothing. He didn't even know that the princess is missing and he is sure, he's not the only one.

He turned to look once again at the strange girl he met in this far off woods. She looks gentle and kind and he is definitely sure she belonged in the castle and even without further proof. . .he believes she's telling the truth.

"So. . .why? Why isn't anyone searching for you?"

She gritted her teeth and her soft expression changed into a look of pain "He doesn't care" she said "You see, Father. . .I meant. . .the King and I didn't really get along but I was particularly close to my Mom and you know. . .she died." she said

"Oh yeah. The Queen. I was even there too during the burial. Wait! You were there! Yes! I've seen you there!" he said

"Mmmm. And after Mom's death everything went downhill for me. He treated me like I wasn't even there. I. . .I. . .I just. . ." she broke off as tears started falling from her eyes "I'm just not happy. I've had enough. . .so I. . .I ran away" she said

The young dragon didn't speak a word as she get herself together to continue her story "It's been a year and he's still left me alone not even bothering to search for me." she said as she wiped her tears "After all, I'm just another one of his subordinates that he needed to succeed the throne or to have me married to some other stranger to expand his power" she said in a sad note "I've had many adventure now you see. I never even thought Fiore is so much interesting than what I've read in books in the archive." she said in a much happier tone

"So what were you doing here anyway?" he asked

"I was about to go to another town and someone said here's the shortcut"

For some reason, something between the two of them clicked together and they both started to laugh.

"So, since you have no where to go. . .do you want to come with me?" he said with a very genuine smile as he stood up

For a short and sudden time, there is just a flooding feeling of security and trust that's flowing in her as she looked longer at him. She can't help but trust him. . .even she doesn't know why.

She outstretched her hand, grabbed on to his and got up.

And with a wide trusting smile she cracked on her face for him "Mmmmm!" she replied

"Nashi" Natsu said as he stared at his little princess "Are you sleepy? I thought you wanted to hear this story?" he said teasingly

"Yes!" she said as loud as she could as she tried to hide her long wide yawn.

"So why are you sleeping then?" asked Natsu with a mocking voice and a smirk she could clearly see

"I'M NOT!" retorted Nashi

Natsu smiled and patted his little girl

"If you're tired I could just tell you some other time"

"NO!" she said, hiding a wide yawn again.

Natsu smiled more warmly at his princess. If she took after something from him, it was his stubbornnes.

"Fine then. Let's continue!"

The dragon and the princess then went on to numerous adventures together that even they lost count.

Fun.

Dangerous.

Lame.

Exciting.

Whatever it was, they stuck with each other and their adventures even led them towards new friends.

One was a little blue haired girl with a cute white cat they found lost in the woods. The other was a black haired man and his blue haired girlfriend they helped out of their little quarrel. They even met another bluenette whom the princes really got attached to and even gave her some books to read as a souvenir. They met one fierce looking red-headed woman one time who was to the princess's view, a little tsundere. She was beautiful and her blue haired boyfriend was kind too.

"You two really get along well" said the red head

"I. . .uhm. . ." said the princess blushing while the dragon seemed to have been suddenly interested on the shape of the clouds and were whistling guiltily at them and to the princess's surprise, was blushing too.

They had fun. Too much fun together. And as time passed by, they both know they have something special going on but both were too stubborn to admit. They were both just happy in what they were in. Not caring of what might happen tomorrow because they know they have each other no matter what.

Trust.

Love.

Faith.

That is what binds them together.

They were in a bliss and they're prepared to take on what fate throws at them as long as they have each others back.

But be it as it may that fate was the one who brought them together, both of them secretly know that something sometime soon is coming their way.

Good or bad; they don't know. And one morning, fate answered their question.

The army was surrounding them and there were no means of escaping. The dragon fought valiantly to protect his princess but was outnumbered by a hundred. Not wanting to see her dragon receive another blow anymore, the princess surrendered.

"It's me you want! Let him go!" she shouted

"He is accused of kidnapping you prince-"

"KIDNAPPING ME?! WHOEVER TOLD YOU THAT IS A LIE! TAKE ME! AND I ORDER YOU NOT TO LAY A SINGLE HAND ON HIM!" she bellowed

Two of the soldiers who were pinning her protector on the ground finally freed him as the princess ran and knelt on the ground to wrap his bloodied body.

"I'm sorry. I'm sorry" she repeated on his ears as tears fell on her eyes

He however, placed his bruised hand on her cheek and wiped her tears away and whispered "I'm fine. Don't cry" ans smiled

"Let's go princess" said soldier and tore the princess away from her dragon.

"No!" bellowed the dragon as he tried to reach out his hand in a desperate attempt to reach out to his princess when another hard blow landed on his back.

"STOP THAT! LEAVE HIM ALONE!"

He heard her scream. His eyesight is starting to get foggy. He shaked his head and regretted immediately as pain quaked inside his head. He desperately tried to search for his princess's figure and spotted her blonde hair who went inside a magnificent carriage.

"I'm. . .I'm gonna get you back! I promise! Hang on!" he said as loud as he could. And inside the carriage she now considered a walking ticket to jail, the princess smiled weakly "I will. . .I'll be waiting for you. I promise. . ."

"When did you learn to tell stories so good Daddy?" Nashi said with tired looking eyes

"I read Mama's novels in secret!" he said with a wide grin

"EH! LET ME READ TOO!" Nashi said with a pout

"I will once you get better" said Natsu with a gentle smile

"Promise?"

"Promise."

"Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise"

The dragon woke up inside a small room where he immediately got a whiff of the red headed friend. He immediately told them the story so as to make them let him go.

"That's very dangerous" said the red headed female as she helped Natsu with his backpack as he set himself to go the following day

"I can't let her stay there." he said with a determined look "I will get her out of there no matter what"

"I undertand but I don't think you'll manage on your own" she said

But the dragon replied with a smile and said "I'm a dragon! And my duty. . .is to protect my princess"

He went off straight to the castle. Knowing that he can't do it with his human form, the Dragon roared and burst into flames. . .and into his mighty red dragon form.

There was indeed chaos as the army tried to repel him. Arrows and cannon firing off everywhere but their efforts were fruitless in his tough scales. He roared and did his best not to hurt anyone as he stretched his wings to fly around the castle in search for his princess.

"Her scent! Where is it?!" he thought hard and then, in a whim, he heard her voice call out. Atop a tower where she edged closer to the dead end, she jumped screaming his name. He dived and enveloped himself with flames and landed on his feet in his human form. He ran as he saw his princess fall down from the heavens.

She almost looks like an angel.

He thrust his arms upward and felt a thud as she landed safely in his arms. He burst into flames once again, his princess sitting securely on his back as he flapped his wings further away from the castles iron gates.

As he landed on his feet with the princess on his arms, they watched a beautiful setting sun by the seashore.

"It's beautiful" said the princess

"Yeah" he replied

"Thank you" she said with the warmest smile

But he replied with a tightest longing hug and a surge of comfort flooded his body knowing that she's finally here, with him.

"I'll never let go of you again"

"Mmmmm. Me too" she said

"And there's something I want to ask you" he said, still not letting go of her

"Mmmm?"

"Do you. . .want to go on. . .another adventure with me?"

And even though she couldn't see his face as they remained wrapped in each others arms, she could feel him burn with his fast beating heart. She buried her face in his chest and inhaled his warm loving scent as her eyes stinger with tears. She knew what he meant and no matter what it may be. . .as long as it's him, her answer will always be "Yes"

They lived a happy life together as she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl. They went on to great adventures with their little girl and she grew up to be an adorable little girl with pinkish cheeks and eyes of an heiress to the kingdom's throne.

Natsu paused as he stared at Nashi's sleeping face. She looks contented to have finally heard her once upon a time from Natsu. She looks happy. Really happy.

"But everything was too good to be true." said Natsu

Even if she's asleep, he continued on to the final parts of the tale. Nashi heard what she thought a happy ending; the Dragon marrying his princess and them having a happy life. But Natsu knew better, for where he trailed off is where the story gets real.

He remembers it well.

"Luce! Let's go to the guild!"

"You on ahead! I'll follow!" Lucy shouted "I'm still not done with Nashi."

"Eh! But I want us to go together!" pouted Natsu

"Just hurry up. I'll be right behind you"

Natsu then went on his own to the guild and waited patiently for Lucy to arrive. It was an ordinarily amazing start of the day yet again. They just arrived home yesterday after a very successful quest. Lucy didnt do so as well as she usually does though because she'd been complaining about nausea.

She's fine as she cooked breakfast for him and Nashi but she really do look pale. But he assured him that's she's fine either way.

So, Natsu, finally distracted by Gray to a fight didn't notice as his wife walked in and leaned herself on the guild's frame door.

"Natsu. . ." she said weakly. The guild's in havoc as usual.

"Natsu. . ." she said louder

But she can't hold on. Her eyes blurred as she skidded downward along the door frame and finally sat on the guild's floor.

"I. . .I can't see anything! I-It's all white!" she thought in panic

Then it suddenly went black. And down. . .down. . .down she went.

"Luce! Oy Lucy! Wake up!"

"Natsu?" she whispered

Lucy woke in the guild's infirmary and saw a towering figure of Natsu staring so closely at her; his face contorted with worry. Lucy saw Mirajane preparing some soup for her to eat and Era and Gray on either side of Natsu.

"Are you okay? We were shocked to see you on the ground" said Erza

"Natsu almost cried when he carried you" said Gray

"No. I'm fine" she replied

"You have a fever. You should rest" said Mirajane as she pushed her gently back on her bed

"But Nashi. . ."

"She's fine Lucy" Natsu replied "She's in Fairy Hills. Levy is taking care of her. Happy is there too. Don't worry" said Natsu as he caressed her cheeks gently

"Mmmmm"

"Wendy should be here by n- - -. . .Oh! Speak of the angel!" said Mira in adoration as Wendy walked in with Charles

"How are you doing Lucy-san?" said Wendy as she performed her spell immediately on her

"Fever" replied Natsu

"Mmmmm. This shall d it and you'll be fine by to- - -Eh?! Wha-What's this?! . . .I-It's not working Natsu-san!" bellowed Wendy in panic

Everything changed since that day. And Natsu didn't need to narrate more as Lucy remained in bed burning for months. Her health deteriorated faster than any of them thought. But knowing her, she didn't give in easily and fought hard.

But in battles, there will always be a time where you should lose. And this time, Lucy knew she's going to be. As she lie on her death bed, thin and fragile but smiling just the same, she held on to Natsu's hand and spoke to him alone in their room. Everyone including Nashi went outside to give them sometime, all with heavy hearts.

"Natsu. . ." said Lucy with a gentle smile as she caressed Natsu's tears away "Don't cry"

"Don't leave me Luce. Please. I'll do anything. D-Don't leave me"

"But I'm not" she said weakly

". . ." Natsu was unable to say a word as he sobbed so violently

"I'll always be here"

". . ."

"Natsu. . .you've done well. Y-You m-made my life worth l-living" she whispered as she cried "Mama had been through this too. And I. . .I don't want our princess t-to s-see me like this" she said as she shaked

"Open the windows will you?"she asked and Natsu obeyed. The window opened up to the beautiful vast heavens.

"They're watching us. I know they are" said Lucy as she stared out the window by her bed. "It' really beautiful" she whispered "Just like the rainbow sakura tree" she smiled as she reminisced

"Lucy. . ."

Natsu knew that the time is near and he can't bear it. He dived in and pulled Lucy into a hug as if she would disappear any minute.

"Lucy. . .please. . ."

Lucy smiled as she caressed Natsu's hair "I will love you forever Natsu" she whispered in his ear

"I love you." Natsu replied

Nashi spoke in her sleep that sounded almost like she's asking for Lucy. Natsu stared at her from the big glass window. Remembering so vividly Lucy's last moments and final words.

His clutched his chest where his heart lie.

It hurts.

It still hurts.

He unconsciously knew that Nashi is exactly the same as Lucy were as she fought hard for her health.

"She's fighting hard too" he thought "And I'll fight alongside our princess Lucy. I promise you. I will"

He stared upward to see the humongous moon. It's exceptionally big and bright tonight. He looked at Nashi once again and the voice of the doctor rang vividly in his ears

"You must prepare yourself young master. . .for something terrible might fall on our way. . .again"


Sorry guys for the long wait! I just finished it today!
It's really long! But I hope it's okay!

Just leave a PM/Review if you didn't understand something and I'll be glad to answer!
I'm a little worried about how I wrote this one. it's a little "story-and-back-to-reality" kind of turns :)

Thanks guys!