Hey, Everyone! I'm soooo sorry for the really late update, today! Right now, I'm in the middle of a HUGE storm, and I lost internet connection. But, luckily, my computer saved my work before my power blinked, so I didn't have to start from scratch! A lot happens in this chapter! You meet some new characters, and, eventually, get to see everyone at the guild. :3 So, with that, I share with you:


Blonde Hair, Bloody Bandages, and Worried Faces

Natsu began to sweat. Man, I've got to get her back to the guild hall now…She's looking pretty rough.

Still running; Natsu glanced at the girl draped over his shoulder. Her right hand dangled right in his face, and he saw the remnants of Gray's ice bandage. It was nearly gone; for Natsu could see part of the gash start to poke out again.

"Don't worry, Luce," He said to the girl, "from here, we're only about a block away." He turned the corner on to the main street; only to trip over a big black-and-blue-haired blob.

"Hey piece of shit! Watch it! We're kind of on a date here!" The angry black-haired guy shouted. "Oh, it's just you; Salamander."

The small blue haired girl looked up, currently in the big hunk's arms. "Natsu! Who's that you're carrying?!" She asked, desperately wanting to know.

Natsu, shocked to see the two of them cuddling, stopped for a moment. Levy's piercing brown eyes pleaded with Natsu to answer her question. His look of shock soon turned to hostility. "Get out of my way! A life's at stake here! Levy, Gajeel; MOVE!" Natsu shoved the cuddling couple to the side, the two of them toppling over one another, and onto the cement.

Levy looked at the pink-haired blur as he ran by them. "Life at stake?!" She pointed her worried look at Gajeel, who was kneeling next to the girl, furious.

"When I get my hands on him…" He grumbled. He looked down at Levy, who was currently giving him a worried glance. He felt his anger melt, and offered a hand to the small girl. She took it, and he pulled her to her feet. "I know; let's go." Gajeel griped.

Levy gave him a small, approving nod, and they followed in pursuit after the sprinting Salamander.

()()()()()()()

Jude fell to his knees, crouching in the muddy path. He picked up the bandage, which was soaking in a muddy puddle to the side of the road. Could this be…?

It had fresh, red crimson soaked into it.

To the right of where he stood, there was a big tree, with cold, charred sticks surrounded by a ring of small rocks underneath it.

Is this…a camp of some sort? And this bandage, the blood, could it be…? He took a closer look at the bloody cloth. The blood…It sort of spells something out…It looks like…

Sure enough. The bandage had a bloody 'J.H' still stamped to it.

But…She should have died on her own…Wait. What's that?!

Jude looked at a little mound of stuff right by the fire. There were two piles of little fish bones right by the embers.

Fish? But with her injuries…she wouldn't have been able to get those by herself…which means; someone else was with her! He sat by the old fire pit and tied the bloody bandage to his wrist.

She's alive…But someone took her.

He looked out at the path, sizing up his chances of finding his daughter.

"I will find you. And when I do,"

He dropped his gaze to the bandage.

"I'll kill the people who took you away from me."

And he sat in the rain, looking down at the little trace of his daughter tied to his wrist.

()()()()()()()

Back at the guild hall, the members of Fairy Tail were lounging around at the tables and drinking at the bar. It seemed to be a normal day, with everyone coming and going as they pleased.

Mirajane was tending to the bar, as she usually is. Cana, the guild's drunkie, was on her usual perch, sipping on a booze barrel. Elfman was found in the corner talking with Jet and Droy about 'what it takes to be a man'.

And, of course, the guild's mater, Makarov, was sitting in his familiar spot on the bar's counter; currently surveying the members around the guild hall. Hmmmm…It's awfully quiet today. Makarov thought to himself. I wonder where Natsu and the others are. But, knowing them, they're probably on their way back from jobs. So, this peacefulness probably won't last for long…

He glanced towards the front door. Hm. Definitely not long. I'm going to see if I'm right about this. Let's see…

He spun around to face Mirajane, who noticed his eagerness to talk to her. She smiled and walked over to him. "Hey, master. What do you need?" She asked politely.

Makarov turned and pointed towards the door. "You, dear, will be needed in...three…two…one…"

'BANG!'

"GRAMPS! MIRAJANE! I NEED YOUR HELP! SHE'S HURT AND IS DYING!" Natsu screamed. Everyone in the guild hall froze, mid-sentence, and stared at him in awe.

Lucy laid there, helpless, in Natsu's arms.

Makarov smiled to himself. Works every time. heh heh..

Mirajane was the first one to move. She rushed over to the out-of-breath Natsu, and began spouting out directions to everyone.

"Elfman, take the girl from Natsu. Lisanna; bandages. Wendy, I'll need your healing magic. Natsu, grab some water from the kitchen, and meet me in the treatment room in 4 minutes and thirty-seven seconds. Alzack, notify you-know-who that her presence is needed, and be back at the guild hall in twenty-five minutes and forty-two seconds." She spouted within ten seconds.

Those whose names were called, jumped up at a seconds notice, and began rushing around the guild hall like crazy, trying to complete the duties that the she-devil commanded them to do.

Mirajane, now in charge, directed Elfman and Wendy into the back room. Lucy was set down on a fresh cot, and would be tended to there.

Everyone else who were given directions were rushing around like mad-men, trying to get the jobs done that were maliciously fired at them. Alzack; who, of all of them, was given the hardest job. He dashed out of the door; knowing from past visits that the trek to 'Her' house was more than a thirty-minute walk; but, Mirajane thought he could do it in twenty-five minutes and forty-two seconds, apparently.

Natsu wandered his way back into the kitchen area. He grabbed a glass, and put some water in it. This gave him some time to think to himself. I hope she's gonna be alright. He peered out of the door at the chaos of people dashing here-and-there. What am I saying?! Of course she'll be fine. I mean, the She-Devil herself is caring for her. Not to mention 'she' is coming. He started to make his way back to the treatment room. I want to be the first person she sees. She doesn't know any of these people, so if she sees me there, I can explain everything to her myself.

Natsu, currently walking down the hallway to give Mirajane the water, was joined by a tired-looking Happy, Gray, Juvia, Gajeel, and Levy. Happy was the first one to speak.

"Natsu! How's Lucy?!" He demanded. The others, satisfied with his question, stood in silence waiting for Natsu's reply.

All Natsu did was stare at them, dumbfounded. "Oh…umm…I don-"

"She will be fine." A kind voice piped up from deeper within the hallway. "Her wounds are infected, yes, but with the medicine we have here, she will make a full-recovery." Mirajane cooed, obviously happy with her work. She turned to Natsu and took the glass of water from him. "If you would have waited not even a minute longer, she wouldn't have made it. So, she's alive because of you; Natsu." She smiled at the pink-haired teen. "So I only think it's fair that Natsu is the first one she sees when she wakes up."

The group, plus Natsu, sighed with relief at the good news, and collapsed onto the floor; exhausted. Things were finally looking up for Lucy.

That was; before 'He' showed up.

()()()()()()()


Please, feel free to leave a comment! I read all of my comments, and enjoy hearing everyone's inputs on my story! :3 New update will be tomorrow!

-Yuki