~Hey! So this marks the end of the first season! I've decided to make it a little longer so I'm concentrating on mixing up things a little for the next season! It took a while, but hope it was worth it lol xD :D

Chapter 10: Where Are You?

-Natsu's POV-

I can't quite tell what was happening in that moment… My once peaceful life filled with laughter and happiness was thrown aside just like trash. Five years ago, on that day dragons turned on humanity, Happy was taken away and my friends ended up being hurt… I was far too weak. But even if my body felt broken and I was at my limit I stood up, I fought back. At a young age I managed to slay my first dragon, led by my desire to protect my close friends, but it only made me realize what I was deep inside. An uncontrollable monster. My urge to fight couldn't be satisfied, my skin was burning from the anticipation and my lips were eager to taste more blood. In that primal state, I lost control and almost killed my beloved companions and friends. Since then I've always wanted to be alone…

Drifting in this darkness, without a way out. Light does not exist in this space, nor does sound reach far. My body slowly consumed by it does not struggle, it welcomes it with open arms. Deep inside of me there is only one feeling, hatred for the beasts that soar the sky. Suffocated by my desire, I lay in the sea of darkness for eternity…
"Natsu, wake up!" I open my eyes to the unexpected sound, a voice so gentle with a touch of sadness.
"Don't give up!", "We will always be by your side!", "You have to fight it!"

These voices… They are calling for me! This warm feeling I feel in my chest, it's something I haven't felt in a long time. A glimpse of light shone down at me, I desperately tried to reach it.
"Please, don't leave me!" I opened my eyes, this voice filled with emotions made my heart pound harder. Honestly, I didn't know why, but if I didn't see the light itself I would have forever dwelled in this cold place…

-Normal POV-

Natsu opened his eyes, as his gaze moved around he noticed that he was located in a room. It only took him moments to realize that it was his room. The window was opened, he could smell various kinds of flowers and the warm air definitely felt better. 'How did I get here?' When he tried to move he could only feel an unbelievable amount of pain. As he looked at his hands he could see bandages, it took him a few minutes to realize that his whole face and body were in the same state. 'It's probably class time…" By the looks of it nobody had been to visit him, he sighed feeling slightly neglected. Thinking about what happened it all felt like a dream, his eyes showed an unsettling feeling as he looked at the door, sniffing the air he could identify most of the people that came visiting him. Gray, Lucy, Erza, Rogue, Gajeel, Sting and even Master Makarov. There was another faint scent of Wendy, but it wasn't as strong as the rest. His sigh was loud and clear, his uneasiness grew. It made him want to go out of bed and find the rest, which he eagerly tried to do. Every time he moved his body a sharp pain could be felt, guess he hasn't fully recovered.

'How long was I out of it..?" Natsu was well aware that even though he was asleep time around him moved freely, days passed, perhaps weeks which wasn't really a good sign. If he continues to do these kinds of things his whole life might pass him quicker than he thought, it only made him chuckle just thinking about endless possibilities. Either way he wasn't going to let a few cuts and bruises stop him, his bones were broken but he couldn't quite stay calm. After some time he managed to pull himself out of the bed, he panted it took more energy than normal. He then quickly changed into his uniform, each motion he took was painful and made him want to just go back to bed, but something was wrong, he wanted to find out what. That itching feeling was something he hated the most, he wanted to make sure that everything was okay. Only then his mind would be calm. Looking at the mirror, putting on his tie he noticed that his face was bandaged as well, remembering the incident which led to this injury made him frown. 'Why do I have this sinking feeling?'

Walking in a slowly way, using the wall for support Natsu made his way through the hallway. If he could remember correctly it was time for gym class, most of his friends were probably there… His steps were slow and each one he took was regrettable to say the least. Only Natsu could walk with a broken body like his and not give up midway. It was commendable to say the least, but most of the people that saw him were worried or were thinking that he is crazy. Word has spread around that the dragon slayer was in critical condition, most of the female student body was worried about him, yet even the male students couldn't stop but to think about him in their free time. Every student in this Academy was regarded to be a part of a large family, a tradition started by Master Makarov's ancestors and one of the most powerful guilds to date, Fairy Tail. Before any mage can join a guild it was required to finish the Academy, to learn what it is to be a true mage. At first the Fairy Tail didn't want to take any part in the founding of the Academy, believing that it would only obscure and repress the real meaning of being a mage. After some time Mavis Vermilion took the responsibility on herself, seeing that if any other guild took command the Academy will be in ruins.

Though Natsu didn't know the history of the Academy, neither the connection between the guild. He roamed through the halls going down a few floors, many people offered to help him, but he politely refused and thanked them for the offer. You wouldn't believe how many girls felt their heart skip seeing Natsu in that weak state. Women truly are unique…

In the backyard of the Academy there was a track field, a couple of swimming pools, soccer field… How big was this place? To his surprise there were a lot of students participating on today's class schedule. He looked at a certain distance, unaware if he should approach the students that were participating. Thinking about it rationally, it would only make sense if he joined in. True, he might not be in the best physical condition, but he didn't want to admit it. If he showed weakness any longer it would hurt the image he has built up for years, not that it's a bad thing. His ego was the problem though. Natsu sighed as he limped towards the group of people, there are more than three classes here. Perfect, maybe they were all here! Though when he moved through the crowd of people it all became silent, the students started to whisper around.
"It's Natsu!" ; "Is he really alright?" ; "He can't walk properly, it's probably though on him…" He could clearly hear each word. Natsu couldn't concentrate, his breathing was slightly off which made his body lean slightly more forward. Falling on the ground, as if in slow motion. 'So this is my limit..', closing his eyes he awaited the pain as he hit the surface, but it never came.

"What the hell are you doing? Are you always irresponsible?" Natsu opened his eyes, hearing Erza's voice loud and clear. He had a gentle smile, something that Erza hasn't expecting. Natsu was laying in her lap, while the other students were returning to their earlier activities. One glare from Erza was enough to make them go away.
"What a relief… It's really nice to see you again Erza." Natsu gently touched Erza's cheek, he put most of his effort into it. Erza wasn't really ready for this situation, she blushed realizing what he was doing. But his hands were cold and weak, his usual warm self hasn't returned yet, this only made Erza worried about him. She took ahold of his cold hand, trying to warm it up slightly.
"You're too reckless Natsu." Erza was spot on, which made Natsu frown slightly, that trait that he had could never be fixed.
"What are you saying? You make it sound bad." Natsu had his goofy grin, which was one of his trademarks. Erza sighed, he really was an idiot sometimes.

After a few minutes Erza helped Natsu up, supporting him they both made their way towards the swimming pools. There was no mistake about it, 'he' was the type that would love to go there. Natsu was spot on which impressed Erza slightly, he was good at judging characters. He motioned Erza to let him stand on his own, at first she wasn't really supporting that idea, but the fire in Natsu's eyes overpowered her own concern. Natsu stood, slightly stumbling at first, he then took a look at the two love birds having fun.

"You sure are enjoying yourself, Gray." His voice was weak, but loud enough so that his best friend could hear. Hearing those words Gray's smiling face vanished, he looked at Natsu with a confused look. It only took Lucy a moment to do so as well, she almost started to cry at the scene. Natsu's face was slightly obscured by the bandages, but they could all recognize the barely standing dragon slayer who had finally awaken.
"You idiot…" Lucy couldn't hold it in anymore, the tears fell into the swimming pool they were in, Gray had a mixture of emotions pilling up inside of him. Was he glad that his friend was okay, or angry that he isn't laying still and recovering.
"We've been worried!" Gray barked at Natsu who moved his look at the ground, his eyes showed the uncertainty, how could he explain himself?
"Sorry… My bad." Natsu replied, his voice was softer and gentler. Students from all around stood and watched the scene, even they could feel the atmosphere which was unusual to see around here. Gray jumped out of the pool and quickly embraced Natsu, the hug itself hurt, but at the same time he felt reassured. For the first time the ice mage felt warm.

After the reunion they talked a bit before Natsu decided to take his leave. They insisted that somebody helped him, but he waved them off with a smile. "Don't worry I'll be okay!" Gray looked at Lucy who had a faint frown on her face, it was time… Just thinking about it made the trio feel a heavy burden on their hearts… 'Sorry, Natsu.'

Natsu made his way into the Academy once again, his eyes were still searching for 'her'. He still couldn't find her. Maybe she was somewhere inside of the Academy? As he thought about it he caught a glimpse of silky blue hair, which made him turn his attention at that person. Walking up the stairs her fragile presence and small figure wasn't hard to find.
"Wendy!" Natsu called out, making the girl stop in her tracks, but she didn't turn around. His voice was slightly better, calling her out in a usual matter.
"It's been long, hasn't it?" His wide grin was clearly visible, yet the girl didn't look his way.
"Man I thought that I would sleep through the year… Luckily I~"
"Go away." Wendy spoke up in the middle of Natsu's sentence, his eyes widened to her words, her voice was cold and rather unpleasant to hear.
"What do you mean?" Natsu asked a bit desperately, confused his heart started to beat a bit faster. "Oh, it's some kind of joke… Man I really did miss a lot haven't I?" He laughed it off, but Wendy still refused to look at him, clenching her fists.
"Stay away from me please." There it was again, that cold voice that sent Natsu shivers down his spine. "You're really annoying." Wendy continued to walk upstairs, leaving a poor and confused Natsu, his hand reached for her, yet even if he tried he couldn't stop her. What was this uncomfortable feeling? It hurt, it really did hurt… Natsu stood completely in silence, as the pain in his heart grew by the second. 'Damn it…"

Season 1 concluded! To be continued in season 2! Hope you enjoyed it so far, thank you for the support and positive reviews! :)
See you soon!