Three weeks….

Three long…..agonizing…..excruciating…..miserable….lonely weeks…

Three weeks…..since she has heard his voice

Three weeks…..since she has seen his beautiful, dark, mysterious, onyx eyes

Three weeks…..since she has seen his oddly colored salmon hair

Three weeks…..since she has felt his loving arms wrapped around her

Three weeks….since his scorching lips were on her

Three weeks….since she has seen anybody else, besides the occasional Gray, Erza, Wendy, Levy or Mira

Three weeks….she's been over-protective of her sleeping mate, she still growls out, bares her canines and snaps her jaws at anyone who dares come near.

It doesn't matter that she knows they mean both of them no harm…..they're just too close for her liking.

She knows they will still come to see her, she knows they will still come to see him…she knows this.

She is ashamed of her actions but she cannot stop…..she has to protect him, no more harm can come to him as long as she is there.

It doesn't matter that his wounds are all gone and healed….leaving behind only scars….she has to stay….she has to protect.

She tells them how sorry she is after she calms herself down….she cries as she promises she doesn't mean it, but they know and they continue to come and see her….she knows they are worried because she refuses to leave the den…to leave him.

But stay she must….so stay she will…..protect she must…..protect she will….until the day that she is able to see those beautiful eyes that she misses so much….she will stay…..

Three weeks….since that fateful day…..

~GRAY~

Sitting at the bar I was just thinking about everything that has happened to our family ever since that battle, and it hasn't been pretty.

Just looking around the den hall all the pack member are miserable, nobody knows what to say, nobody knows what to do. It doesn't make it any better for anyone when we hear the occasional crying from Lucy from her and Natsu's den.

I sighed as I turned myself back around to the bar, "What's the matter Gray?"

Mira must of heard me

"It's nothing Mira…I just…I don't know what to do and I'm worried about Lucy…She hasn't moved from that spot behind Natsu. The one time she did she almost attack the whole pack that tried to come into the den all at once, just to see Natsu. She is still snaps and growls at us, I mean I know exactly why she does it and I don't hold anything against her what so ever, hell, I would be the same way with Juvia. I just wish that he would wake up already and get everyone back on track." I sighed out loud once again and put my head in my hands, resting my elbows on the bar.

"I know Gray but you know how bad that fight was with that Alpha. We've never seen Natsu so enraged before and it was rightfully justified, we all heard what that monster said he was going to do to Lucy. I remember having to hold little Levy back from charging in, I know he will wake up soon…he just needs time." Mira said with sad smile on her face.

I finally look up at her, "Yea your probably right…has Lucy eaten anything yet today?"

"No I don't think she has, do you want me to cook something up for you to take to her?"

"Yea please Mira, she needs to eat."

"Ok, give me a bit and I will make her something." She smiled at me before she turned to go to the kitchen.

She came back a while later with a plate full of Lucy's favorite foods, from Elk to strawberries,

"Thanks Mira."

I sighed out one more time before standing up with the plate of food in my hand.

"Well…wish me luck." And Mira just giggled at me, "Don't get killed." She called out as I was walking away and I just waved behind me at her.

I was almost to Natsu and Lucy's door and I could already hear her growling out, taking a deep breath in and pulling all my courage once again, I opened the den door and stepped inside closing it behind me. Looking towards Lucy, she still hadn't moved from her position behind Natsu's back or her head on his neck, she was looking at me, blue eyes glowing brightly, her jowls pulled back showing her very long and still quite intimidating canines as she let out her low spine chilling growl.

Keeping my head low so she knew I meant no harm, I started to talk her to help her calm down again.

"Lucy, hey it's just me. It's just Gray, come on you remember me, your brother, remember?"

Looking to her face again, I could see the realization in her eyes as they dimed a bit and she visibly relaxed.

"Gray?...Oh gods….I did it again….I'm so sorry Gray…I didn't mean too….I'm sorry…." Tears were already falling down her fur covered cheeks as she looked away from me.

"Lucy, hey it's alright don't cry. You know we hate to see you cry, so please. Its ok, I understand, we all understand and we're not mad at all. Here I brought you some food, I know you haven't eaten all day." I lightly scold her for not taking care of herself as I walked slowly so I was standing in front of her and Natsu.

I heard her sigh and she lifted her head from Natsu's neck, "Thank you Gray, really…and thank you for taking care of me."

"It's no problem Lucy, really. I know you would do the same for me if I was in your spot and you know I have to take care of you for his sake." I gave her a small smile as I brought the plate to her face.

She scarfed it down quickly, leaving nothing behind and I just chuckled at her.

"Hungry today huh?"

She gave me a small smile, "Yea I guess so."

"Do you want me to bring you some more?"

"No it's ok, thank you though."

"Has anything happened yet with him?" I asked her hoping that she would say yes.

She sighed again though, "No…..he hasn't moved an inch…."

My heart ached for her, this had to be so much worse for her then it was on the pack.

Looking down to Natsu I just sighed as well before looking back up at her, I put one of my hands on her head and lightly stroked her fur. "It will be alright Lucy you'll see. He will wake up again and he will come see everyone and start demanding fights like always." I felt my heart lighten some when she gave a small laugh, it was better than nothing and I'll take what I can get.

"You're probably right about that one." She smiled at me one more time before she laid her head back down on his neck.

"If you need anything Lucy we are just down the hall." I told her before I walked out of the den closing the doors behind me. Once again only hoping and praying to the gods that Natsu wakes up soon.

~UNKNOWN POV~

I've been hearing voices a lot lately in this vast darkness but I can never seem to pin point where they're coming from, what is being said or even who the voices belong too.

It's just been this vast emptiness no matter how far I run in any direction, darkness as far as I can see, there's never been any light and I have no idea how long it's been since I've been trapped in this never ending hell.

There is one voice though…I keep hearing it every day….I don't know what it's saying….but...it sounds so sad.

I can hear that same voice crying every now and then and for some reason it makes my heart hurt but I can't do anything about it, I know there are tears somewhere, I can smell them, but I can't wipe them away.

It's infuriating….I'm stuck here and who ever that voice belongs too is so sad and I can't do a damn thing.

I can hear voices again, it sounds like two voices.

Straining my ears once again I try to understand what the voices are saying.

…..

…..

….ing

My eyes are wide….I heard something…

…..anged

…..the same

I can hear some words now

…..would wake up soon….

Wake up soon? Who was asleep?

Suddenly there was a small light….it looked so far away though….

I knew I had to get to that light….I knew that if I made it there I could see whoever that sad voice belongs too.

I take off into a full out sprint and it seemed that the closer I go to the light the more I could understand the voices.

….ing in him Lucy, just wait any day now.

Lucy? Lucy…..why does that name sound so familiar….Lucy…..

…..just want him to wake up already, I miss him so much…

Lucy misses someone? But who? And who was sleeping that she wants to wake up?

The light was so much brighter now, I'm so close….just a bit more…..

…I'll come back later to check on you again ok Lucy?

Yea thank you Mira….

….

It's quiet now….

….

Wait….No….The Light!...IT'S STARTING TO SHRINK!...

….

NO NO NO NO….PLEASE NO!... I'M SO CLOSE PLEASE!...

….

The light is so much smaller now…..

….

Oh gods….someone please…..start talking again….please…..Lucy…..I have to see this person…please…..

….

…..

…

Natsu…..

My eyes widen again…

….Natsu please….you have to wake up

I don't understand….aren't I awake now?

…Please Natsu, I miss you so much

I know this voice...Lucy…Lucy….no…not Lucy…...Luce….Luce...this voice…..It belongs to my Luce….

The light is starting to grow again…..I take off after it….running as fast as my paws will take me….

…I don't want to be alone anymore, please come back to me….please….I love you Natsu

I'M COMING LUCE! I SWEAR! JUST KEEP TALKING TO ME! PLEASE DON'T STOP!

…You're my one and only Natsu, my other half, I've felt so lost without you….

I'm here….I swear I'm here Luce….

Then…I was surrounded by that light, blinded by it….

….

I opened my eyes, it was blurry, very blurry.

I blinked a couple times trying to get my baring's.

I'm in a room?

Wait a minute…I know this room….It's my room….Mine and Luce's room

Wait….where is Luce?

I can hear crying again….it's so close….

"L-Lu-ce?" My voice is so harsh…how long has it been since I've used it?

I heard a gasp right next to my ear….the crying stopped

"N-Natsu?"

Then a weight lifted off my neck….

"Natsu?"

"L-Luce?"

"Oh gods…..Natsu…oh thank Mavis…."

She was crying again….it's making my heart hurt again

"Luce….please don't….cry…It hurts to hear….you cry" I choked out

"N-Natsu, you have n-no idea h-h-how h-happy I a-am to finally h-hear your v-voice again."

I felt another movement from my back and heard the pads of paws on the ground walking around me

Then I seen her….my beautiful golden wolf right before my eyes again…she presses her wet nose to mine before she slides hers up my snout stopping at my cheek and nuzzles my face.

I sighed, "Lucy, god I've missed seeing you. It's been so dark and empty where I've been," I slowly started to pick my head up and my muscles are screaming at me, I hiss a little bit.

"Easy Natsu, take it slow. You've been laying her for a very long time not moving, I'm sure your muscles are going to be beyond stiff."

"How long exactly have I been laying here?"

"Three weeks."

I just looked at her wide eyed…."Three weeks….oh my gods Luce….I'm so sorry….I didn't mean to leave you alone for that long."

I managed to finally sit all the way up so I could look at her fully.

"Wait right here ok Natsu, I'll be right back."

I watched her stand up and walk over to our door, she opened it up and yelled out.

"EVERYONE COME HERE QUICK! NOW!"

She walked back over to me and laid down right beside me and I just put my head on top of hers.

I started to hear running coming down the hall and the door slammed open, reveling that stupid Ice Princess.

"LUCY! WHATS WRONG?! WHAT HAP-"Then he looked at me, "pened….OH MY GODS! NATSU! YOU FUCKING BASTARD! IT'S ABOUT GOD DAMN TIME YOU WOKE UP!"

"Shut the hell up damn ice dick, of course I'm awake."

~NORMAL POV~

Gray laughed out, "What I tell ya Lucy?" and she giggled as well "Yea I guess you were right."

Natsu on the other hand was very confused, "What are you guys talking about?"

"Gray was just saying earlier today that as soon as you woke up you would start picking fights, and he was right." She was laughing now

"Heh, course I would start fights. I wouldn't be me if I didn't." Natsu was laughing with them now

They heard more running coming from the hall, and Erza, Jellal, Wendy, Levy, Gajeel and Mira came practically flying into the room, and as soon as they seen the now awake Natsu they all shouted out, "NATSU!" and came running over to the pair.

"Hey guys, yes yes I'm awake now. Geez no need to be so sappy." Natsu scoffed out, his head still resting on top of Lucillia's.

"Well how the hell else do you expect us to act, Salamander? You sure took your sweet time waking up, lazy fuck. We were all afraid any longer and bunny here would of killed everyone in the pack." Gajeel grunted out arms already crossed over his chest.

Natsu just looked at everyone confused, "Huh? What the hell you goin' on about metal head?"

Gray decided to tell Natsu everything that had happened over the last three weeks, from him blacking out after he won the fight to Lucy protecting him from the Sabers to the rest of the time when she wouldn't leave his side.

Natsu was just wide eyed throughout the entire thing and when Gray had finally finished he looked down at his mate, "Wow…..I…you...you stayed with me….the entire time? You protected me?...the whole time?"

Lucillia looked up at him now and just smiled.

Gray spoke up again, "come on guys let's let these two talk while we let the rest of the pack know that Natsu is finally awake." And everyone filed out closing the doors behind them.

They were still looking at each other, "Of course I was with you the whole time, I would never leave you Natsu. You're far too important to me, I was so lost without you here and I missed you so much.

"Well I'm here now and I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon." He nuzzled the side of her neck and she sighed out in pure happiness.

"I'm gonna try shifting ok? Should be easier for me to move around in my smaller body then this one."

She just nodded as she watched him shift and she smiled, finally getting to see all of him again.

Though now he's sporting a few new scars, the most visible one was the one on the right side of his neck but he didn't seem bothered by it and she never was.

She stood up still in wolf form and he used her to stand up as well, he's legs were definitely shaky, so he used her body again as she slowly walked them to the door. It took a lot longer than it usually did getting to the main hall as Natsu's legs were slowly getting used to being used again, when they finally walked into the main hall though Natsu was overwhelmed by all the cheers and shouts from his pack. Everyone was up and yelling out how they missed him and how glad they were to finally have their leader back.

He was happy

He was home

No more darkness

No more emptiness

No more loneliness

And best of all, he has his Luce back

~AN~

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNNNNNNNNNNNNDDDDDDDDDDDDD DONE!

GAH! I really really REALLY hope you guys like this one, my brain was all over the damn place trying to figure out how to do everything.

BUT as promised Natsu is awake once more and everyone is happy yet again!

PLEASE let me know what you guys think and I'll see you in the next chapter!

UNTIL NEXT TIME!

Much love from a tkitty! XD