Greetings!

You all are too kind! It warms my heart to know that you have reached this far into this story that I have created! I would like to thank all of you wonderful folks for reading, favorit-ing and following! This is most likely the second-last chapter that I will be hosting for this story, so if you have read this far, I thank you for sticking with me.

I would also love to thank the following for reviewing:

pizzajon:

Once again, THANK YOU! It's support like yours that really warm my heart! Be it that you may have 7 words, or even 3 words of a response for me, it makes such an affect on me to know you continue to read this. :) You've just got to wait another update, then we'll be done!

Christopher Dragkrow:

Remember your guesses, cause you're about to find out! And yes, I'm back on schedule, but let's hope that it's the same for the last chapter! Thank you again for leaving such a kind review and following my story, I hope you enjoy!

Ichigo-uzumaki123:

Of course, where would be the fun without that! Though I do feel bad for our dear Wendy. I SOWWY WENDY!

Nice prediction! We think alike my friend! And yes, the location would be a tricky place to predict, wouldn't it. Thank you for continuing to read this story of mine! Do stay tuned! :D

AntiNalu34575:

THANK YOU VERY MUCH! :D I was hoping it wasn't too cliche! But I guess it just adds to the DRAMATIC-NESS! YAY!

On another note... you're making me hungry! Now I want some chocolate. Thank you very much. I'm going to now have to drag my lazy butt down the stairs to the kitchen.

GASP, really?! I AM PROUD! Being *sniff* the author of the only Fairy Tail story *sniff* you still currently read, is *sniff* an honor! I shall deliver that chapter you need for sure!

I present the second to last chapter!

Chapter 10:

Understand

"NASTU!"

His figure immediately screeched to a halt, even though he yearned to continue on. Stomps which sounded a drastic amount too loud, pounded in his ears and soon dainty fingers were pulling at his ears mercilessly.

"And exactly where do you think you're going?" her aura screamed bloody murder. Natsu gulped, a shiver crawling down his spine. With strength he knew way too well from his childhood years, the platinum blonde pulled him across the guild hall, way behind the bar. He didn't even dare complain about his surely bloody ear now, but what he did yearn to complain about, was a certain dragonslayer surely weeping her heart out, all thank to the mighty ol' Salamander of Fairy Tail.

His olive eyes wearily followed the pacing woman in front of him in the dimly lit area, she looked pissed. "Now I understand why Gray was after you! Natsu, you idiot!" He nervously scratched the back of his neck when Mira glared into his eyes, "And here I find, right after Wendy gathers up the courage, you chase her off again!"

"But I was going after he-"

"You don't do that!"

She took a deep breath, her eyes shutting gently, "Listen Natsu," her sweet demeanor took over again, "I understand that you may not understand how girls are or function, but you have to understand that you would be overwhelming the devastated girl if you went after her. From what I take, she probably wouldn't be thinking clearly, and anything you would do would just hurt her."

Natsu gazed into the large, blue eyes, "But I can't just stand here, when I know she's probably crying!"

Mira sighed and looked at Natsu gently, "Fine, if I was to let you go, and you were now confronting Wendy, what would you say? That you love her? I think not." Natsu's eyebrows furrowed while Mira continued, "Natsu, I think what you need to do first, is figure out your feelings for her."

Natsu groaned in frustration, "But why do I need to do that! Why can't I just go to Wendy now?!"

"Because silly", Mira clapped her hands together, "she loves you, doesn't she? So she would obviously expect a refusal or some type of honest answer if you ran after her."

The bitter-sweet droplets trailed down a barrel as the young woman stayed silent, awaiting a response. Natsu's eyes dilated in shock and took an unbalanced step back. Well. This was certainly news to him, "Wendy… loves me?"

Mira pouted, really, was he not listening to the young maiden about to pour out her heart for him, "Yes she does! And you would have known from her too if you were to listen to her!"

He tightened his fists at his sides, "I ain't ignoring her!"

Mira glared at him coldly. Natsu gulped and hesitantly surrendered, "I just didn't notice… you know since I busy thinking about how Lucy was mad at me and all…"

Mira clasped her hands together gently, her posture straight as always, "Exactly."

Natsu's head whipped up in confusion, "What?" he snapped.

Mira gave a gentle smile, "Natsu, figure this out, what is your priority? Wendy, or the moods of another woman? Do you feel the same about Wendy as you do about Lucy, or are you finally ready admit your attraction?"

Natsu blinked, the questions settling uneasily in his stomach. Does he feel the same about Wendy as he does with Lucy? When both girls were still gone, he was just thinking about Wendy when he got a bit wild with Gray at the end. He didn't even think of Lucy when he had attacked him for answers.

If Lucy's disappearance wasn't as important as Wendy's, surely she would be his priority instead. Then...

"I… I love Wendy…?"

It all started clicking to place, his yearning for the young dragonslayer when he went out with Lucy. The cool touch and presence of Wendy, causing his spirits on high again. How he could find relief just at the sight of her.

"I love Wendy!"

Mira smiled and took a step back, watching all the emotions flickering across his eyes. "So now be a good boy and don't go searching for Wendy, ok?"

Natsu didn't even care to whine, with a nod accompanied by his toothy grin, he bounced out of the dim room into the bright, wild guild hall to announce his discovery with every bit of pride that he was.

Natsu moaned, his ear throbbing. It was only after when he had settled down yesterday that someone pointed out his bleeding ear. Thus he now sported an attractive piece of bandages wrapping over his ear.

Stupid Mira.

He still didn't understand why he couldn't go after Wendy. He knows that he LOVES her, so what's there to wait for? Why should he leave her out there, moping about him not loving her back when he does?

A muffled yawn escaped his lips as he folded his arm behind his head to stretch out the morning ache. He pouted when he saw the blue fur ball in the corner of the room, sulking at the wall.

"Haaaaaaappyyyy~" he sang.

A frown adored his lips at the silent response. He took a few lights steps forward to hear small sniffles reaching his good ear. He crouched down behind the younger and nervously scratched at his head, "Hey", he whispered, "I'm really sorry about what I did. I promise to make it better though buddy. I'll even promise ya more fish than usual for a week!"

He remained patient when the latter continued to ignore him till Happy turned to look at him from the corner of his watery eye. He offered him a regretful smile, "You forgive me partner?"

Happy sniffled once again, wiping at his eyes to rid of the tears, screaming adorable. "Charle really hates me…" he pouted cutely.

Natsu chuckled nervously, "Fish for a month?"

Tears were instantly blinked out of his doe eyes, "You're forgiven Natsu!"

Natsu grinned, delivering a high-five to Happy, "Alright!"

"But make sure you to talk to Wendy really soon Natsu! Charle said that she was really sad." Happy advised as he sprouted wings and flew after Natsu to the front door. Natsu nodded, dedicated, "Yeah! I messed up real bad didn't I?"

Happy nodded, but flew in front of Natsu with paws raised to his mouth mischievously, "Are you going to tell Wendy that you loooove her?"

Natsu pumped his fist, "Of course! I just have to find her, and hopefully she won't be mad at me!" His nose twitched.

The wooden door swung open, delivering a gush of wind and Natsu froze. Wendy froze. And Happy just continued on his merry way, calling back to Natsu for luck.

Was it too cliche? I hope not.

Anyways, do drop a review, favorite or follow if you would like! And I thank you for reading,

-disgurluvs8fiction