Chapter 10: I Love You

Today was the day of Fantasia, also the last day of Natsu Dragneel. Everyone was excited from the coming Fantasia since they will once again watch the colorful and wonderful magic in every each member of Fairy Tail Guild. Within the Fairy Tail Guild, they were no different because they too were excited for this day. Everyone were drinking, eating, and wrecking things and so forth. Everyone was having fun.

Natsu on the other hand was also enjoying with them and mostly with Lucy. He made sure to act normally and especially everything to his best so that no one would ever realize his last day, especially Lucy who knew everything.

"Everyone let's start a SHIP CONTEST!" Makarov announced, making everyone yell in agreement. "Everyone will first vote who you would like to participate. Those who were voted and won has no right to refuse or else." Makarov threaten them, making them almost back out. He cleared his throat before continuing. "Of course those who were couple already were automatically participants. Even husband and wife!"

Everyone yelled again.

Alazack smiled to this, "Looks like we have no choice but to participate Bisca." Bisca smiled back, "I'm fine with it Al."

"Couple has no choice but to participate… that would mean…" Lucy trailed off. Natsu laugh and wrap his arms around Lucy, "That would mean we're already participated Lucy."

"N-Natsu"

Natsu laugh again, "Gramps I vote Gray and Juvia, Gajeel and Levy, Erza and Jellal, and Laxus and Mira!"

"Flamebrain!"

"Salamander!"

"N-Natsu!"

"Natsu what the heck!"

"Natsu-san thank you for paring me with Gray-sama!"

"H-hoy w-wait a minute!"

"Me and Laxus?"

"Great idea Natsu!" Makarov shouted.

"W-wa-wait! Je-Jellal is not here s-so I-"

"Yo Jellal glad you came." Erza immediately turn to the entrance and saw Natsu talking to Jellal who just arrive to visit. Erza can't help but blush on sight.

"W-well you force me to come Natsu. You even threaten me that I should come or else." Jellal said. Natsu grin, "Well if I didn't you wouldn't come even if I ask kindly right? Beside" He whispered to his ears, "Someone precious to you need you, especially in the end of the day."

"Natsu?" Jellal questioned. Natsu just grin before taking his hand and pushing him to Erza's side.

"E-Erza!" Jellal said since he was so close to her. Erza can't help but blush madly, "J-Jellal"

Mirajane can't help but giggle on sight.

Later on the participants were ready. Natsu who was grinning and Lucy who was blushing, Levy who's blushing madly and Gajeel who seems didn't notice, Erza who was looking away because of embarrassment and Jellal who was also the same as her, Gray who's trying to escape from her grip and Juvia who was so happy that she never let him go, Laxus who seems doesn't mind and Mirajane who's smiling happily, Elfman who's glaring at her and Evergreen who's doing the same as him, Alzack and Bisca, and last pair, Wendy and Romeo.

"Ship Contest was about two partners working together and win many games as much as you can. The couple who had the most win WINS the contest. The reward money was… 500, 000 jewel!" Makarov shouted in joy. He added more, "The loser of this contest will have no choice but follow the winner's order until the end of the day."

The contestant shouted in shock and disbelief. Natsu on the other hand smirk evilly, oh he'll surely win this.

The audience growled in excitement. The participants on the contest were now standing on the stage. Levy and Wendy were nervous, Mirajane seems jumping in excitement, Lucy was sweating a bit, Juvia only mind is Gray, Erza was still looking away from Jellal and blushing and Evergreen was posing in seductive style. Laxus can't help but sigh, Romeo was scratching his head, Elfman can't help but gulp, Jellal wasn't nervous, Gajeel was crossing his arms, Gray was freaking out because of Juvia, and Natsu was grinning in excitement.

"First! Paper Fold Game!"

The participants were stepping the newspaper just below them and when the music stop, they must step there and of course their feet should be in the news paper. Every turn the newspaper was being fold, tuning into small space little by little that boys are needed to carry their partner which the audience find it sweet to each one of them. Alzack and Bisca's pair were confident as they support each other, Natsu never fail to carry Lucy with no hesitation at all. Except for those two pair, the others are getting embarrass about this. Juvia's eyes were always turning to big heart every time Gray carries her. Jellal seems no problem about carrying Erza but he can't help but blush to it, same for Erza. Gajeel was just fine carrying Levy since she's small and light. Elfman and Evergreen were automatically out when they are needed to be carried, arguing in the middle of the game. Romeo was trying his best while Wendy cheered him. Laxus can carry Mira but not once he ever faced her, feeling nervous about this while Mira can't help but blush because of this game.

In the end of the first game, Natsu and Lucy pair won against Gajeel and Levy.

"We won!" Natsu yelled in happiness. Levy can't help but sigh while Gajeel was pissed because he lost. "I will win next time Salamander!"

Levy can't help but blush to it. Natsu just grin and turn to Lucy, "Let's win this contest Lucy!" He said in overjoyed. Lucy just sighs and smiled with a tint blush to her cheek, "I-If you say so Natsu."

The game continued and really they never had thought it would be so many. Still, in the end, Natsu and Lucy won even if they didn't win all the games.

"NATSU AND LUCY WON!" Makarov announced with a shout of joy, making the audience shout back too.

Natsu was jumping in great happiness while Lucy can't help but giggle because of Natsu's antics.

"Now Natsu, Lucy what will be your orders for the losers?" Makarov asked them.

Both Lucy and Natsu were now thinking.

"I don't really have one and I don't like it either." Lucy said admittedly. Natsu grin, "Then I'll say the orders."

Gray can't help but glare at him, same for Gajeel, Laxus and Elfman. Romeo and Alzack sighs. Jellal can't help but sweat drop, still thinking how did he ended up getting involved.

Nastu finally spoke, "The losers will hold their each partners hands until Fantasia begins."

Erza blink her eyes, "Hold hands?"

"Yeah. You are forbidden to let go your partner's hand no matter what you do until Fantasia." Natsu said.

"Natsu-nii that seems to be easy." Romeo said before blushing, "Well if Wendy doesn't mind that is." Wendy was blushing from embarrassment. She nodded as an answer, "I-I d-don't mind… R-Romeo-kun."

Bisca smiled, "That was truly easy and it's not like anything change, right Al?" Alzack laugh a bit before nodding, "Yeah"

Mirajane was thinking about this, "I don't actually mind but…" Mira glance to Laxus. He sighs, seeing no choice at all.

Erza and Jellal blushed and turn to each other at the same time then looked away. It seems they're embarrassed to one another.

Levy was blushing madly as she's getting crazy on what to do while Gajeel just scratch his head, not knowing what's running to Levy's mind. They can even hear Jet and Droy's complains but ignored them.

Elfman and Evergreen pair with Gray and Juvia pair were complaining to Natsu, well only Juvia was happy for the punishment since it means a whole day not letting go her Gray-sama's hand.

"N-Natsu I would do anything but not that! It makes me not a MAN at all!" Elfman shouted his complain. Evergreen added, "And I can't stand so much time holding hands with him! I rather be turn to stone than hold this jerk's hand."

"Flamebrain stop this nonsense!" Gray shouted.

Natsu pouted a bit and looked away, hugging Lucy from behind. "Then how about a kiss for whole day? I hope that would make you three feel comfortable."

"NATSU YOU BASTARD!" The three shouted in union. Juvia became even happier that she fainted in too much imagination of her kissing Gray for whole day.

Gray can't help but sweat drop for Juvia, already guessing what she was imagining. It will be a hell of the day for him. Both Elfman and Evergreen were thinking the same thing for each other.

Later on the punishment had started as they were walking around holding hands. Natsu was happy as he watches them. For everyone, he may seems teasing them but for him, he was actually giving them a path where they could lean on once he had disappeared. So in this very moment, he enjoys Lucy's company more than anyone.

Almost night and so was the Fantasia. Lucy and Natsu were outside the guild, having a nice company to each other.

"This day sure was fun Lucy!" Natsu said as he stretched his arms around. Lucy giggle and nod, "Sure is Natsu."

Natsu grin and wrapped his arms around Lucy, making her blush but smile and lean next to him, meeting his heat, much as he like.

Silence came over them and soon, Lucy spoke.

"Don't think I never noticed everything you were doing Natsu." Lucy said in serious and sad tone. She knew what she was talking about, and so was him. Natsu just smiled for her, knowing she's smart enough to figure it out and even if he had tried to make her forget, she still did remember it. "I just wish you didn't remember that Lucy."

"How can't I Natsu… This… this day was…"

Natsu gave a kiss, making her stop and kissed back. Lucy could feel how heat and sweet Natsu was, that she can't help herself but ask for more which he silently obligated.

'Don't think of anything Lucy… Don't think of anything… just me… the living me… nothing else… especially not the future.'

Fantasia finally came and those who had lost finally able to get free from each other. The others were now preparing for their coming parade and Natsu with Lucy and Happy were paired. Everyone were smiling, enjoying and truly looking forward for the fantasia.

Natsu was happy to see them happy and especially enjoying this day.

"Natsu" He turned to Makarov who came to him. "How do you feel Natsu?" Makarov asked, seems worried.

Natsu frown a bit and answered, "I'm fine gramps but what's with the sudden question?"

"You're illness Natsu." Makarov answered, "I'm worried that something might happen."

Natsu mentally smile, knowing he was thinking about his health and safety. "I'm fine gramps, nothing to worry about."

Makarov nod to his answer and smiled, "Have fun"

Natsu grin, "Yeah!"

The Fantasia finally began as they were now in parade of the people of Magnolia, showing the beautiful show of magic. Natsu and Lucy were synchronizing their moves with their magic. It was a true beauty of sight.

"I never knew you could do something like this Natsu." Happy complimented as he flew up with the other exceeds and made a show which made everyone like it. Natsu kept on smiling and fired another fire with Lucy. Seeing her greatest smile was Natsu's greatest day and greatest time with her.

After the show, Fairy Tail planned to have another party under the night sky. There are bands singing like Mira and her siblings, Gajeel singing and other members dancing. Some were eating the foods that Kinanna, Mira and Natsu cooked for them. Some were having a drink contest like Cana.

In this moment, Natsu and Lucy decide to have their time together little far from them. Lucy was sitting on the grass while Natsu's head lay on his head to her legs, relaxing himself from her presence and hand.

Lucy was happy as she stares at him, seeing him relax… was like…

"Natsu"

"Yes Lucy?"

"Are you truly leaving me?"

Natsu's eyes opened and saw the teary eyes of Lucy. He wanted to punch himself right now and surely laugh himself for being such an idiot. 'There's no way Lucy would forget… foolish me.'

Natsu sat up and hugged her as much as she returned it back. "I'm sorry Lucy… I-I truly wanted to have more time with you… but… I'm sorry."

Lucy's tears drop, unable to stop the flowing sadness. She can also feel wetness on her shoulder, she could already guess Natsu was crying too, hearing his sniff and trembling.

"I'm sorry… for making you do this." Lucy whispered as she cries. Natsu gave a broken laugh, "What are you talking about? Didn't I tell you, I don't regret my decision, especially my wish."

"N-Natsu"

"Live for me… can you do that for me?" Natsu asked as he pull back to wipe her tears. Lucy didn't answer immediately, truly hurt that few hours left and he will be gone to her life. Living without him is something she can't even imagine at all.

Natsu no longer wait as he kissed him and she kissed him back. It was a passionate kiss for both of them, the love was overwhelming for both of them. Slowly they broke apart, Natsu kissed her forehead one last time and smiled fully from his heart.

"Live longer… have a greater life… for me Lucy… live longer for me Lucy." Natsu said softly as he leaned his forehead to hers. Lucy continued to cry but gave a small smile from her heart. "I-I don't know… I'll try…"

"You will Lucy… you will…"

"Natsu"

Natsu kept smiling before returning back to his comfortable place which was laid down and using her stomach as his pillow. Natsu can't help but smile for this, feeling the warm from her until his last breath… it was something he could never ask for… even if it's painful.

"Everyone will be sad when you left Natsu." Lucy murmured to his ears. Natsu nod, knowing they will. He took a glance on everyone who were having fun, seeing them laughing, enjoying and most of all, smiling. Natsu smiled for his family, this was the sole reason he had taken the consequence just to revive them again. He wanted to see them live and smiling, because this is after all his guild, family and Fairy Tail.

Slowly, the clear orb of his eyes were becoming blur, he's losing his life.

"I think I'm starting to fade Lucy." Natsu said, making her shock, knowing already the day will be almost over and so was his life. Natsu slowly turn to Lucy, trying to reach her again even if his sight was already blurred. Lucy took his hand and it to her cheek. That's when she noticed, his temperature was slowly dropping.

Natsu forced himself to smile, wanting to tell her he had a great life with no regrets. He can feel his body is turning heavy, he indeed losing his life.

"I love you Lucy" Natsu whispered. Lucy began crying again as she leaned her head to his forehead and replied, "I love you too Natsu"

Natsu slowly closed his eyes and finally… he's gone.

Knowing such deadly truth, Lucy began bursting her tears and wrapped her arms around his body, embracing it with tears and pain.

Little far from them, Wendy sat from the ground in wide eyes and tears flowing down, began to sniff and cried loudly. Carla was confused why she was crying and so were the people around her. Next was Gajeel who kneel down in great devastation, punching the ground as he cries. Laxus on the other hand was speechless with tears flowing down, staring the source why the Dragon Slayers were acting that way. They with great enhance of hearing heard Natsu and Lucy's whispering and private talking. They could feel his life was slowly draining out and finally, gone.

Before everyone could ask why they were crying, they heard the shout of despair Lucy was producing and turn to her. That's when they understood everything. Their Nakama, Family, Friend, Hope, Light and Dragon Slayer already lost his life.

The fun vanish, the smile turn to sadness and tears, everything became upside down.

The happiest day for Fairy Tail turn into the most despairing lost. The truth still sinks within their mind and heart that they refuse to accept.

Natsu Dragneel passed away.

I do not own Fairy Tail