Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail
Rarrw, new chapter :D
Nalu~
Hope you'll like it :*
–-
Chapter 9 – Rescue
There was a long break before he was able to say something. His breath caught in his throat and he couldn't gather air, neither could he breath in nor out.
His throat felt dry and he tried to gulp one time, failing.
''She's what?!''
He was outraged. How could she be gone? There was just no way something like that could have happened.
''Erza!''
''Sorry, Natsu... I... I don't know what happened...''
Erza coughed again, pulling Natsu out of his rage, worry taking over. She sounded like she was hurt.
With a sigh he tried to calm down and simply hung up. He couldn't talk when he was running fast and he also wasn't in the shape to talk right now.
His mood has just dropped to the very lowest level.
-o.O.o-
When he ran entered the house, the incredible smell of blood filled his nose. But it wasn't any blood he would like to drink.
There were the other vampires who were also living here, lying on the ground motionless, heads ripped off, hearts ripped out.
Natsu felt like throwing up, he was just happy that the others, Gray, Juvia, Gajeel and Loke weren't here. That reminded him.
''Erza.''
He was fast getting up to her laboratory. The door was wide open and he found her lying on the ground near the window, one of the wooden legs from the desk was sticking in her stomach, making it hard for her to breath.
Natsu crouched down beside her, gripping the wooden leg with both his hands and just pulled it out.
Erza groaned in pain and screamed slightly when the wood completely left her.
''Sorry.''
She heard Natsu mumble quietly when he simply placed his wrist over her mouth.
He knew how much she hated to drink his blood for healing or in general to rely on a vampire. Sure they were friends and she accepted him but she still wasn't able to let herself being saved by a vampire. But she had no strength to fight him at this moment, and she knew that very well.
After some minutes, Natsu saw her wound already closing and pulled his hand away, making her gasp for air.
Carefully, Natsu sat her up and leaned her against the wall.
When he looked around he had to realize that Erza wasn't joking. Lucy was gone. The chair he placed her on was empty and the whole room was a mess. Erza's blood was on the wall and on the ground, the two tables completely destroyed.
''Natsu...''
''What happened?''
His attention was back on the witch in front of him. He didn't blame her, he knew that she still wasn't able to control most of her magic so it was no wonder that she would lose a fight.
Erza shook her head, not believing herself that it came to this.
''When I came back, there was this man and he had Lucy... I tried, Natsu, really, I tried but he was way stronger than me...''
''It's okay.''
Natsu was acting different from everything she had expected. How the hell could he be so calm about all of this? Didn't he get the fact that Lucy had been kidnapped?
''Where were you anyway?''
Oh that's right, she still had to tell him what she found out about Lucy's mother.
''Natsu, what do you know about elves?''
Natsu blinked at her confused. Why would Erza want to know something about elves?
The vampire closed his eyes for a few seconds before he stood up with a sigh and walked over to the desk, or rather the remains of it.
''Not much. Read about them here and there. Why do you ask?''
''Lucy's mother was one.''
Erza turned around to face Natsu when she heard a loud bang. She found him lying on the ground near the table, seemed like he slipped over some papers. His expression was strange, something between shock and confusion.
Erza thought about a way to tell him, an easy way. But then she remembered that she would have to tell Natsu about Layla so she chose the most easy way, so even he would understand.
And it seemed like he did.
''An elf?''
Erza only nodded, keeping his stern gaze.
''Are you sure?''
''I saw it in a vision.''
Natsu's eyes widened in worry when he continued his train of thoughts.
''D-does that make Lucy...''
''I honestly don't know. Something blocked my vision back there. I couldn't see a clear picture of the man who killed her mother and I didn't understand what she told him in the end...''
Erza paused shortly waiting for his reaction but he was still lying there on the ground, his expression not changing the slightest bit.
''How were they able to get in here?''
The red head was surprised at the sudden change of topis but then she understood what he meant.
Ashamed, she looked away. Natsu approached her slowly.
''Erza...''
It was a low growl. She knew he wouldn't hurt her but it still made her shudder.
''I guess my seal broke slightly when I used so much magic for calling forth the vision.''
The woman flinched slightly when Natsu slammed his fist in the wall next to the window.
''Shit...''
''Natsu calm down. I can locate her easily.''
When he looked up and met her eyes she was shocked to see him cry slightly again. What was wrong with him these days? He never was so open about showing his feelings...
''It hasn't been that long since they took her so I can still reach her.''
Natsu watched her as she slowly stood up and walked over to the other table, picking up an old little knife. Before she was able to cut her hand though, Natsu beside her and held the knife away from her. He knew by now how all of this witch stuff worked.
''Take mine. You lost to much.''
''Thanks.''
She already started to cast the spell when Natsu sliced through his flesh and let his blood drop onto a little bowl of wood. His wound closed fast, making him remember though how much faster it healed after he drank her blood.
The blood of an elf. If that was really what she was. But he read once that the blood of an elf can heal a vampire in no time, faster than the blood of a human, and it is supposed to taste amazing. But still, he also knew that elves didn't exist anymore. They had been wiped out by non other than them – vampires.
''I found her.''
Natsu's head snapped up when Erza spoke.
''She's near the river in an old factory.''
When she waited for an answer, she had to realize that Natsu wasn't at the table anymore.
''Natsu! What do you think, going there by yourself?''
''The others are all dead. Tell Gray, Juvia, Loke and Gajeel what happened and send them there as well.''
Erza ran to the window.
''Why don't you wait for-''
''I can't!''
He screamed at her. Something he never did before. And they had been friends for so long now. Erza sighed once and took a step back, knowing better than anyone else that he wouldn't listen to anyone at this moment.
''Okay. I'll tell them. Be careful.''
He didn't turn around when she said that and simply jumped out of the window, running to the factory.
-o.O.o-
Erza was busy and eager to restore the seal that broke slightly. It bothered her till no end that it even showed weaknesses when Gray, Gajeel, Loke and Juvia came back from school. They barged in like the world ended when they saw all the blood and the smell of a foreign person.
The witch had all kind of difficulties to explain everything that happened. She had to consider that except of Gray neither of them knew that Natsu kept Lucy here for three days.
Questions over questions drowned her until she finally had enough.
''Guys! While we're talking here, Nastu is facing this man alone and I don't even know if he is alone or has accomplices there. The two of them might be in danger!''
All four stopped immediately, looking to the ground ashamed. It was true. Nastu might be strong but they all knew what it did to him when he was enraged about something. His brain, if he even possessed one, wasn't working straight then and he often got distracted.
''Okay, Loke and I will go. Gray take care of the dead bodies with Juvia and follow us then.''
Erza sighed reliefed after Gajeel said that. The two of them were enough for now, enough that Natsu wouldn't do something stupid all on his own.
Gray and Juvia agreed and Loke and Gajeel left, following Natsu's scent.
-o.O.o-
The room was big and dark, oppressive air and the smell of smoke and burned flesh filled ones nose when they entered. The fire, its prickly flame, a dark red and orange filled the room with light. There were vampires, drinking fresh blood from humans they found and others who burned the corpses of the already dead persons.
In the very back of the room was a huge wall with a lot of ancient writings, in front of it a table, something like an altar.
There stood a person, long black hair reaching to the ground, in front of the wall. He was currently reading the letters on the wall while every then and now one character or inscription lighted up.
When the doors burst open everything was quiet.
The man with the black hair turned around enraged.
''How often did I tell you to not burst in here!''
His anger though was washed away immediately when the man saw the unconsciousness blonde in the arms of the young vampire.
The book fell from his hands and he was at his side in no time, admiring the beauty in his arms.
''Judging from your reaction I got the right one this time.''
''It's her!''
Fast, he took her away from him and carried her over to the altar. There he placed her carefully on the cold stone.
''What's so special about her, Ake?'' (A/N Ake is a Nordic name and means ''sword'')
Ake merely took his eyes of her to answer.
''She's the daughter of Layla Heartfilia. One of the oldest and strongest elves in history.''
''Wasn't that the woman you killed 10 years ago?''
Again, the eye of the black haired man didn't leave the blonde's body, his hand trailing over her hair in an absent motion.
''Yeah.''
''Why's she so special?''
Ake couldn't suppress his chuckle. Like it wasn't obvious why she was so special.
''Before Layla died, she transferred all of her power to this girl.''
While explaining, Ake's hand never left Lucy's hair or face. He found it admirable how her golden locks laid around her head and fitted her pale face perfectly.
''This girl... She's the very last to use elf magic or know about all the spells and curses. I studied their language, their history, the legends but I never was able to get the big secret of the elves. But this girl inherited all the knowledge from her mother, all the to me unknown spells and curses.''
His hand foisted in her hair.
''She's the key to everything.''
The man behind him grunted in tiredness.
''Then why did you kill this Layla chic in the first place? If she possessed all the power you need in the first place she would have done as good as this blondie, right?''
''Layla was aware of her powers and knew what I wanted to do with them. She would have been a problem sooner or later. She knew how to fight me and also knew how to kill me but in the end that was what killed her herself. Her daughter though...''
His eyes were on her beautiful face again.
''She has no idea what great powers she holds. So she isn't a problem. Her powers are awakening though, it's good that you brought her here, now and not later.''
''Whatever.''
The younger man turned on his heel and wanted to leave.
''Shin.''
''Hm?''
''Take all of these annoying guys with you and watch the entrance. I want to be alone a bit with her.''
Shin only laughed darkly at his comment. The other vampires seemed to heard it to and all left. No one wanted to start a fight with Ake. His powers were stronger like those of a vampire. He wasn't one, no one knew what he was but all knew that he could kill in an instant.
-o.O.o-
Lucy woke up to the sound of writing, though it wasn't actually the sound of someone writing something down, it was rather the feeling of someone writing... On her stomach.
The blonde cracked one eyes open to take in what was happening around her.
She was shocked to find herself merely covered in a silk scarf, one around her chest, the other around her hip.
Who changed her now? And where was she anyway?
There were hands on her stomach, pale ones, the tips white with the liquid color which was being painted on her skin.
What the...
Lucy's eyes now slowly opened fully and she saw the man who was standing beside her, running his fingertips over her skin, creating some kind of pattern.
She had no idea where she was or why she was here or who this man was... But she was indeed sure that this wasn't anyone Natsu knew and that scared her slightly.
What happened after she passed out back there in Erza's laboratory?
''You're awake my beautiful?''
My Beauiful?
What was wrong with this guy?
''Where am I?''
''You don't need to know. Soon everything will be over.''
What? Lucy's mind was running wild at that remark. What would be over?
''Your mother did a good job with sealing her powers inside of you. But there was one weakness to that spell it seems.''
Her mother? This man knew her mother? And what powers?
Lucy's head started hurting at all those questions again. When she wanted to reach up to hold her head she had to realize that her hands were tied above her head and fixed at the stone table she was lying on.
''What's this?''
''You don't have to worry sweetheart. It will be alright.''
The man reached his hand out and brushed it over her cheek, leaving a line of the white color there.
''Who are you?''
Lucy's voice was stern when she spoke again. This was all creeping her out way to much. A shiver run down her spine when the man leaned over her and skimmed her sides with his greasy hands.
''Stop that!''
When his head looked up and came dangerously close, Lucy tried to back away. His breath was tickling her skin when he laughed against it.
''Your mother believed that you would never awaken your powers but the weakness of the spell was that if you feel to much pain it will loosen.''
Lucy squeezed her eyes when his hands were close her chest.
''She thought that you were a brave girl, but she was wrong.''
Her head turned to the side when he started to lick her skin, near her collarbone, squirming in discomfort.
''You are so beautiful.''
Disgusted, Lucy tried to lean further away from him when he seemed to always come closer. His hands were back on her stomach, running further down until he reached her legs. There he completely covered her skin in the white liquid and leaned back up again.
''This might hurt a bit. But I need you to unleash your powers.''
''Wha-''
Her question though turned into a painful scream when every single part on her body, where she was painted with the liquid, cracked open when the man snapped his finger.
-o.O.o-
''Seriously Jellal. Why did you have to call...''
Natsu turned in a swift movement and slammed his fist into one of the men who charged for him.
''Now?''
The vampire had entered the factory good five minutes ago and now all different kind of vampires attacked him, preventing him from getting anywhere. They were all newbies but still it was a pain in the ass to fight them. And to all bad luck which Natsu had right now, Jellal had to calm him to tell him what he found out about Lucy.
Really, Natsu was grateful that he would learn something about her but still it wasn't easier standing up to all these guys while talking to Jellal and understanding what he was saying.
''Sorry, but it's very important.''
Important? For some reason, Natsu didn't like the hear of that. If it was important, it probably was bad.
''Listen Natsu. Lucy is not just some girl.''
''Yeah...''
His opponent received a punch in the face and Natsu went on.
''I already know that.''
He dodged a kick from another man and slid over the ground to pull at his legs so he lost his balance.
''So what is she?''
''I contacted the witch Ultear. She knows about everything. She said that she knew Layla, her mother and also the plan from Layla if something ever happened to her.''
Natsu thought about it for a minute, while dodging and punching.
''What do you mean with 'if something ever happened to her'?''
''Ultear told me that it seemed that Layla knew that she was followed and that it was only a matter of time until they come and try to kill her.''
''Who is they?''
Again, Natsu crouched down to the ground when one vampire came flying up to him. Natsu simply stretched his arm out and blocked his way, before he broke his neck. Seriously, those newbies weren't the best fighters.
''I don't know. Anyway, Layla asked Ultear to prepare a spell so she could transfer everything she knows and all of her magic onto a person.''
''She did that to Lucy?!''
Shocked, that he was able to conclude that on his own he missed one of the men, who now stood beside him and kicked him into his gut.
Natsu bent down to his knees, his hand flying to his stomach.
''Natsu!''
''Fuck these bastards.''
In a swift movement, Natsu was back on his feet and thrusted his hand through the man's flesh until he reached his heart and simply ripped it out. It was one of the idiots from the bar. That would explain why he reacted like that when Natsu mentioned Lucy.
''Shit, now my shirt is dirty.''
Groaning in annoyance, Jellal simply went on.
''Natsu, this is more important right now!''
Natsu looked around and realized that he took out all of his enemies. He went on, running down a dark floor.
''Layla sealed her powers inside Lucy. But Ultear told her that whenever Lucy suffers physical pain the seal will weaken...''
Natsu stopped immediately, remembering every time when Lucy had a headache about something she couldn't remember that her body would hear up. Did that mean that the seal was weakening?
And he drank her blood so often. Did that also weakened the seal?
''That means-''
''When Lucy dies, her powers will completely be unleashed and no one can say what will happen then!''
A loud explosion and another deafening scream filled the air. Natsu's breath caught in his throat since he recognized within a second whom that voice belonged to.
''Thanks, Jellal.''
Then he hung up and went on in maximum speed. She couldn't be hurt like that. That wasn't possible. Why did he had to leave? Why did he leave her alone?
Natsu couldn't hate himself more now, at this moment, realizing that she only was in this fucking situation because of him.
When he rounded the next corner he was greeted with a fist.
Natsu stumbled back, groaning, in annoyance now since he had not the bits of joy to fight now. Normally he would barge into a fight head first but not now, not when she was in pain and needed his help.
''You can't pass.''
''My ass!''
Natsu charged at the man, who was a bit taller than him and... missed. He was gone. One second later he reappeared behind Natsu and kicked him into his back.
''Ggh. What's with you?!''
The man chuckled darkly before he again, appeared behind Natsu and hit him hard on his head.
Natsu just turned around when he again punched him in the face, making Natsu's nose bleed slightly.
''Okay. That's it.''
Natsu's hands were surrounded by flames, his whole body started to glow. Before he could attack though another loud explosion received the attention of both vampires.
''Seems like it's time for me to go.''
He disappeared into the shadows before Natsu could do or say something.
''Bet, we'll see each other again, Natsu Dragneel.''
And then his scent was gone. Natsu was beyond madness but he couldn't think about this man now. He had to get to Lucy, if she was hurt in any way he would rip off every head of every single person he sees after this day.
How could he have been so stupid and leave this morning? Wasn't it super obvious that something would happen? He should have known better. But what bothered him the most was that he just didn't seem to bear her being hurt and that kind of scared him. Since when did he start to feel again?
When he reached the room where the explosions came from he had no time to think about anything. He simply pushed the doors open and was met with such an intense wave of magical power it shocked him if not even scared him.
He heard her cries of pain and fear, they came from the side of the room where a huge wind circle had appeared.
In front of it was a man with long black hair laughing like he just found the perfect solution for whatever his problem was.
When another explosion rang through the air a strong wave of magic swirled through the room, making Natsu grip the wall a bit.
''Lucy!''
The man now seemed to be distracted and looked around, searching for the source of the voice. At the same time, Lucy's cries of pain turned into mere whimpers and the wind around her slowly faded.
Natsu couldn't follow what was happening, so fast was the man gone and only Lucy was left crying on the table.
He was still breathing fast, trying to comprehend what exactly just happened until Lucy's soft sobs reached his ears.
He was beside her in no time, taking in the mess she was in. Her whole body was covered with deep cuts and lacerations, defined lines, like someone drew them onto her body before he cut them.
The vampire gritted his teeth tightly when he just didn't know where he could touch her without hurting her.
He also had to take even breaths a few times, calming himself. Her blood was everywhere. And she wasn't dressed properly. Oh if he ever got his finger on this man he would turn him into a vampire and kill him every time he comes back to life. That reminded him that he had no idea if this man had been a vampire.
Lucy's eyes were still closed, tears leaving them non stop. Her cheeks were puffed from crying and there were also some cuts.
Natsu could still feel the immense amount of magic power radiating from Lucy's body and he feared it. How much power did her mother sealed inside of her? And how the hell was Lucy able to keep it all inside without any physical pain?
His hand reached out automatically when she opened her eyes slowly. His fingertips carefully brushing over her skin. And only that motion made her flinch slightly.
How was he supposed to get her away from here when simply touching her like that hurt her that much?
He wouldn't give her blood, it was to risky since she still had a lot of his blood in her organism.
''Natsu...''
The blonde chocked out, fresh tears leaving her eyes. She saw him bleeding, a few drops dropping onto her arm.
He was now leaning down a bit, only touching his forehead with her temple, not knowing, maybe nor caring if it hurt her. But he needed to touch her in any way.
''I'm so sorry.''
He had no idea why he was apologizing now, why he felt so shitty that this happened to her but the words just slipped out without him being able to stop them.
Maybe he didn't want to stop them. Maybe he was sorry that this happened only because he left.
Oh he should try to suppress his feelings more again when they were back. All of this sucked.
His breath caught in his throat when he heard her whimper in response, whispering that it hurt so much and that he should make it stop. But he wasn't able to.
Natsu's hand tightly wrapped around her's when her breathing became uneven. Worry took the better of him and after watching a few seconds how her chest heaved and fell in an uncontrolled rhythm he had enough.
With regret he bit down on his wrist and dropped in only a bit of his blood, making her breath regulate on it's own after a few seconds.
''Lucy calm down. You're gonna be alright.''
But she already lost consciousness. Natsu took a few even breaths, this wasn't easy for him as well. Finding out about her, fighting all those newbies, seeing her like this.
It got him pretty hard and he needed to calm down first before he was able to get her away from here.
He faintly picked up the sound of footsteps and again, fear and fury took over him.
Natsu only turned around, facing the door but he wouldn't move away from her and leave her here in this state.
He was relieved though, something not often happens when Gajeel and Loke entered the big hall.
''Natsu!''
Gajeel was fast beside him, taking in the mess he was in and the condition of the girl behind him. He also saw how the pink haired vampire still held on to the girl's hand.
''You need to rest, leave the rest to us.''
''No.''
Gajeel was taken back by his answer.
''Natsu, let us take care of h-''
''I won't let anyone touch her!''
Natsu was surprised about himself when he almost attacked Gajeel. God, what was she doing to him?
With an annoyed groan, about himself and his stupid feelings, he turned around and pulled of his jacket which he then slowly placed over Lucy's body. Carefully he lifted Lucy off the stone table, trying to move her not to much.
Gajeel wanted to talk to Natsu again, asking him what has gotten into him and why he was acting like that but Loke held him back and mentioned him to simply follow Natsu back to the house.
-o.O.o-
When they arrived at the house, Natsu was panting hard, sweat covering his body.
Gajeel and Loke were now really worried about him since they never saw him like that. Normally he wouldn't get so exhausted from a fight. But when they considered it they didn't know what happened back there.
Still, Natsu refused to let go of the unconsciousness blonde in his arms and simply carried her back into his room.
When Erza came running to the front door where Gajeel and Loke stood she also panted. Looked like she used a lot of magic to rebuild the seal around the house.
''Where is she?''
Loke only nodded to the tower.
''Natsu brought her back to the room.''
''And how is she?''
Now Gray and Juvia also came to them, their bodies covered in blood from all the dead bodies they had to get rid of.
''Not good. Erza do you have some kind of spell to heal her?''
Erza shook her head but answered fast when she saw the nervousness in Loke's eyes. Seemed like Lucy's state was worse than Erza first thought.
''But I have some ointment from a special plant which can heal.''
''Enough for her whole body?''
Her whole body? Just what happened there?
''Yeah... I think so.''
Gajeel nodded and went inside.
''Get it and go to the room. We'll wait in front of it.''
Erza nodded and ran back inside. She was used to being ordered around by these vampires but she still considered them as her friends since she needed them just as much as they needed her. She would never admit it, since she was a witch but she enjoyed the company she received from these creatures. And although they were always described as cold hearted and creatures without hearts, there were some who proved the opposite.
-o.O.o-
Natsu sat beside her bed and watched her carefully, checking if she was really alright now.
Before Erza came he took her to the bathroom and tried to clean her off the blood and dirt but it was harder than he expected. Erza and Juvia then helped him.
After they finished they placed her back on the bed and Erza started to lotion her whole body with this strange ointment. It had been two hours since then and if Natsu was honest now he would say that he was tired, worn out, completely done with everything.
But he wouldn't leave her side. He wanted to be there when she wakes up, wanted to be there for her because he knew that she would cry.
Seriously, when did it even start that he cared so much about her? He couldn't remember but he actually didn't regret it. Why would he?
She had something that made him wonder all the time why he only wanted to play with her at the beginning. What it was he couldn't quite grasp but he knew it was something special, something only she had.
So just this once, he would change his usual self and be different from his asshole like self. He wouldn't hurt her anymore and he would never let something happen to her again, not like this. He would prevent any kind of harm coming to her. He was playing with her at the very, very beginning but even there he already felt shitty for that and now he knew for sure that he cared for her, deeply. And that wouldn't go away so fast. But for some reason he welcomed the feeling. Because for the first time, in a long time, he had someone he wanted to protect.
–-
Oh guys... I am so sorry -_-
I was away the whole weekend because of my school and I didn't have time to write :((
I will try to update every second or third day. Sadly I won't make it every day, still got other things in my life to do but I will do my best for you :)))
Thank you so much :****