Vanished

Chapter 10 – Waking Up is Hard to Do

Hopefully it wasn't a hard wait for this next chapter! I know it was a little confusing last go, especially near the end but rest assured it will be explained in this chapter.

Thank you all for the kind words about last chapter! I was a little hesitant to post it as it is only the second time I've written about that nature and was relieved to see it was acceptable! Thank you for those who took the time to review as I am always grateful to hear from you all.

As promised, a clean recap for those who didn't read last chapter!

** Previously in Vanished – Chapter 9 **

With her own chest still rising and falling as Lucy's body calmed back down to normal from their time together she turned her head and looked to Natsu, although her heart was still pounding there was sadness in her eyes. "Natsu…T-Thank you for being there for me; I guess though, this will be the last time I see you like this till we get my body back. I really don't think I can enter your dream again."

Feeling his brows knit together in concentration, Natsu understood…and although he didn't want it to end, they would have to wake up sometime and she wouldn't be there when he did wake. Hugging her a little closer to his bare torso as he pulled the blankets up, the dragon slayer nuzzled his head between her head and shoulder with a small sigh.

"I know Luce…it won't be long, I promise. I'll wait for you for as long as it takes; none the less, so keep waiting for me too." He murmured, closing his eyes as he inhaled her scent; man, did he miss it. When she wasn't around it was like he wasn't able to be calm, he really was hopeless without her now.

Smiling warmly Lucy nodded, not wishing any waterworks at the current time so she took his arm from her waist and brought it around her shoulders like an added blanket, kissing his wrist as she held it against her.

It was simply such a perfect moment as they both drifted off into slumber; knowing it would all be back to normal once the dream ended.

"It just doesn't feel the same, you know? Breaking into her house when she's not there. " Grey huffed, hands in his pockets as he and Erza walked up the stairs towards her apartment.

"I know Grey, but Natsu needs to be there when Blanc is brought in. More than anyone he'll want to be present and you and I both know he'll be here; he hasn't really gone home at all since she vanished." Erza retorted, giving him a stern look as she reached the door that read don't question me or else.

Grey didn't want to risk the 'or else'.

Opening the door Erza was the first inside, noting it was rather hot for the wee hours of the morning and took a few steps in before pausing. First her face contorted to shock, before it turned as red as her hair and she began to stammer.

"L…L…lu…"

"Erza?" Grey was confused as he was trying to figure out why it was so hot in Lucy's apartment, pausing right behind her when she stopped and looked around her shoulder as he couldn't see anything from behind her when the scene un-folded.

It was smoldering.

Erza was looking at the bed.

He could see Natsu's bare form in the bed from waist up…but what really stood out was the second lump under the covers and blond hair pooling over the second pillow facing the window. Feeling the hair rise on the back of his head Grey had already stripped of his shirt when he pointed a shaking finger to the bed.

"NATSU?"

Hearing his name the dragon slayer immediately sat up in a start, his eyes half lidded as he tried to focus; turning his head towards the two standing in shock. "Erza? Grey?" He groaned, bringing a hand up to rub his eyes. "What the hell are you doing here?"

"Fuck you guys are loud." A fourth voice groaned, before all eyes snapped to who was left lying on the bed; Natsu's body beginning to shake as is brain tried to catch up with what his eyes were seeing.

"L…Luce…" He stammered, eyes as wide as saucers as Lucy turned around and cracked her eyes open; her own face faltering to a wide eyed stare as all three of her team mates were staring right at her in shock. Looking down slowly she took note that her body was very much present…and very much naked.

"KIYYYAAAAHHHH NOT AGAIN!" Lucy screamed, ripping the blankets up to cover her naked body.

** End Recap **

It felt like eternity that they all held that uncomfortable silence in the apartment, questions left unanswered by all parties remained heavy on their minds. The walk to the guild had been even worse, Grey and Erza walking ahead as either kept glancing back to see if it was really real what they'd seen. Natsu was supposed to be walking at her side, but was lingering a few steps ahead lost in thought…deep thought while Lucy was simply mortified trailing behind the group.

She was elated to have her body and by the looks of it her power back…but in her mind she couldn't shake the lingering question as to why. By every means she should still be stuck in her state, Blanc was neither dead nor she imagined was willing to release her and everyone else out of nowhere like that. What should have been a joyous moment was simply something of heartache.

Looking up to the Natsu she watched the back of his head, since they'd left the apartment he'd said nothing to her…was he just toying with her what he said?

** Flashback - Earlier that morning **

"Lucy! How did you get back?" Grey had regained his composure, moving forward to welcome her back when Erza's hand shot out to block him before he could pass her. When his looked to her she shook her head, still red as a tomato but had her eyes locked on Natsu and Lucy.

"Luce…what's happening…" Natsu spoke quietly, genuinely beside himself from the turn of events. While he was happy to see her…the way she'd made it, she shouldn't be here right now. Wasn't this all Blanc's doing, and if so…what had happened to make the curse suddenly wear off?

"I…I don't know…" Lucy nearly squeaked out, sitting up as she made sure to keep the blankets securely around herself. Confusion and a sense of fear was written on her face as she realized what she had been feeling yesterday…wasn't a dream. The curse had broken sometime in the night before she woke up with Natsu…before she had slept with him.

Oh no...that was real. We really…did it.

Lucy wasn't sure if she should have been in cloud nine or sick to her stomach.

She wasn't the only one who was thinking the same thing, about what had transpired in the darkness of her apartment. Natsu hadn't realized, his slumbering had always seemed 'real' to him and so it was no different of a thought this time. While he didn't have regret for what he did as everything was said and done in full conscious…it brought up other concerns he had in his mind. Did Lucy see him differently; did she even want to do something like that with him if it wasn't a dream? He felt like he should have realized it, and ultimately blamed himself if she was in fact mad at him for it.

Looking away, he stood off of the bed and without a care whom could see him in the buff slipped on his pants and grabbed the rest of his stuff from the bed without a word.
"Natsu… " Lucy began, already she could feel her heart ache for the dragon slayer and his silent treatment; what had she done? Was he mad now that she wasn't simply in his dreams?

Turning his head only slightly, he was about to say something, but seemed to decide against it as he began to walk to the door. This however, wasn't going to sit right with Erza.

While she cared about both Natsu and Lucy, she'd never had very close female friends…and it was unfortunate for him she saw the heartbreak on Lucy's face, and that he was in striking range.

"GET OUT!" Erza snapped, her eyes glowing dangerously red as she snatched him by the collar mid step; whipping around and throwing him like a javelin out of the apartment door as he smashed against the opposing wall with a cry of pain; Grey flying out behind him a moment later from a round house kick as he crumpled down on top of Natsu. "YOU!" Erza seethed, the boys jumping up to a seated position and hugged each other out of pure fear for their very lives as she stormed to the door. "YOU BOTH STAY HERE TILL WE COME OUT."

And with that bellow, she slammed the door behind her.

Sighing in relief as his life had been spared for another day Grey pulled back from Natsu, sitting back against the wall before scratching his head and casting a sideways glance to him. "I don't know what went down in there, moron…well, I have some… but still. I haven't seen Erza this mad in a long time."

At the lack of Natsu's response as he held the rest of his clothes in his arms with his head bowed down, Grey began to get a little pissed off. It wasn't like Natsu to be anything but upfront and bold, this new dismissive thing was getting on his nerves hard core. Reaching out he grabbed Natsu's shoulder and spun him to face him as he spat out angrily. "I'm talking to you! I said what did you do?"

"I fucked up…" Natsu spoke up, his eyes shadowed by his messy hair.

"What do you mean?" Grey began, confused as ever till he could hear the sounds of someone crying behind the door; looking up he could only assume it was Lucy as he could hear faint mutterings of Erza speaking but couldn't make out what.

"I messed up…I should have been aware. What if Lucy hates me?" He muttered his grip on his clothes tightening as he thought about it.

"I don't know why I'm saying this, but I think it pisses me off more to see you this way than to have you be annoying as hell. As far as I can see from what I know, you've fucked up flame-tard. Girls don't like it when you don't say what's on your mind. It's okay for us to be confused but if it's them…well you have any female who can be as scary as Erza." Grey sighed, leaning his head against the wall at his back. "If you would have turned around, you would have seen the look on Lucy's face. Not that you're smart enough to get It."

"Her look?" Natsu piped up, looking towards Grey as he wondered what he had missed.

"Yeah…she looked as if you told her you hated her or something. It wasn't pretty."

Natsu's face faltered, his breath sighing out as he began to realize this 'growing' up thing wasn't as easy as people made it out to be. While he felt like an adult at most times, his strength and powers more than most could say in their lifetime…when it came to relationships perhaps there was a reason he preferred it to be simple. Rival, acquaintance, Nakama…it was all he really needed in his life.

Until Lucy came along.

"Grey…answer me something."

"What?" Grey stretched his legs out, pretty sure he may have sprained one from being kicked so hard into the wall.

"What would you do…if say you had a certain image of how it would be with you and Juvia; and instead you did something else under the sense it wasn't real and you could still have your image later?" Natsu asked, his own hand coming up to scratch his head furiously, the words and his thoughts jumbling in two different directions. He knew he wasn't good with his words, but he had no other choice at this point in time.

"What…are you talking about?" Grey growled, not particularly enjoying the example he used but was willing to hear him out.

"Ugh why are you so stupid block-head!" Natsu snapped, growling in Grey's direction. "I mean what if you slept with Juvia thinking it was all in your head, when you had plans to be with her properly for later! Lucy deserved better than that…she's always going on about those lovey books."

Grey sat staring for a good few moments, trying to dumb his brain down to try and figure out what he was rambling on about when like a light bulb it clicked…and oddly made sense. "Let me get this straight…You slept with her in your dream…thinking it was just that. It turned out real…and you actually had plans to date her for when she's back to normal?"

"Fuck you're slow…" Natsu frowned, half serious about that comment. It was basically what he had said in the first place.

"Don't patronize me you matchstick!" Grey snapped, but calmed himself to answer. As much as Natsu grated on his nerves, he was still a friend and a good one at that. "I think you should have let Lucy know…you're not the most easy one to understand and from what I hear…it's a big deal for girls; even bigger for someone's first time. She's back now, whether we know why or not and now she has to deal with this? Don't you think that's enough to make anyone break down…"

"Yeah…" Natsu pondered it for a moment and while it wasn't exactly to his 'plan' per say, he knew now that he'd had to improvise. "I guess you're not as stupid as you look."

"HEY!" Grey raised his fist to punch Natsu in the face when the door flew open and there stood a timid Lucy and an irate Erza. Both boys immediately stood and Natsu was quick to shrug on the rest of his clothes.

"We're leaving to the guild; we need to get this figured out." Erza commanded, noting that Natsu was trying to make eye contact with Lucy but she was busy making sure they didn't. Erza knew Lucy's hope wouldn't work; Natsu would be able to smell the salty tears which had run freely since she kicked the boys from the room to console her. "…And if anyone makes her cry again, they'll have to dodge my Heaven's Wheel at close range."

Sighing loudly Lucy hung her head as she walked, why was it that she just couldn't catch a break?

The closer they got the guild the more foreboding everything got, although she was excited to see the rest of her nakama and finally be able to tell everyone she was alright…it just seemed so wrong that she wasn't more happy about it.

Would he like me more again if I was invisible?

No, that was just unacceptable to think. Natsu wasn't like that, he probably was just confused…more than she was Lucy could only imagine.

"Erza? Grey? Natsu?" Warren's thoughts entered their minds as all three of them stopped in their path, Lucy looking to her team curiously.

"Warren? What is it?" Erza was first to speak up, clearly realizing Lucy wasn't heading anything by her puzzled look.

"Erza, good. Jet, Droy and I have intercepted Chaos Syndicate, and Blanc is indeed in their possession. We'll be back in Magnolia at sunset. I hope everyone is prepared?"

"Aye, Warren. All of us, Lucy included." Grey was next to speak, flashing the blonde a smile which she couldn't help but return.

"Whaaa, Lucy?"

"That's right…we don't know what happened but she's here and visible now. Blanc hasn't released her has he?" Erza spoke up, moving to Lucy's side and placing her hand on her shoulder so she too would be connected to hear.

"Well I'll be! Welcome back Lucy! Hold on, let me ask about it."

"We'll get to the bottom of this. We won't lose you again." The red armored mage said firmly, earning a blush from Lucy. Erza was certain this time, she wouldn't fail her again and was prepared to take the head of Blanc if need be.

Natsu remained off to the side, unable to look in Lucy's direction. Grey noted this, and wondered if the dunderhead would be able to push through his thoughts and do what he felt was right…tell Lucy otherwise what he was feeling.

"They said Blanc hasn't spoken, so otherwise they don't think he released anyone. However one of the mages here knows magic block, and did cast a spell on Blanc last night when they caught him."

Immediately Lucy froze, the information flooding into her mind as her body began to shake. No, it couldn't have been…it was clear as day now what had happened and now…now it was simply a time game.

"Lucy…what's wrong?" Grey was the first to speak up, seeing Natsu turn quickly to look at Lucy's shaking frame with wide eyes.

"No…No…" She wrapped her arms around her torso, even leaving Erza in a confused and worried state as her arm was still held out as Lucy backed up. "It's…once that block wears…I'll vanish again. It was all…just fleeting…" Wishful hope…that's all it was. How cruel now that she just got her body back, she would disappear once more. It may not have been forever but Lucy didn't want to disappear again!

"Lucy…" Natsu was the one to speak up, but Lucy wouldn't have any of it.

"NO!" She yelled, the tears forming around her eyes. Step by step; inching away from her friends, shaking her head as her body shook in a tremor. "You don't understand what it's like…it's like at times I never existed!" She snapped, when she felt something smack against her heel and her body began to tip back; looking down as she'd backed right to the edge of the walkway and was falling into the canal.

"Lucy!" Natsu was first to move, sprinting right by Erza and Grey and grabbed Lucy around the waist; tugging her body against his as he twisted in the air to take the brunt of the water with his back before they were submerged. As their friends rushed to the side it wasn't a moment later that they emerged on the surface, Natsu still holding Lucy close as they both were entirely water logged.

"Why is Lucy so stupid!" Natsu snapped, his eyes covered by his bangs while teeth were clenched tightly in his anger. "We don't understand, because we know it'll never happen!"

Lucy looked up, her tears indistinguishable between the water dripping down her face from her mop of blonde hair. "Natsu…what do you..."

"Luce will never disappear! You exist whether we can see you or not." He hugged her closer, her face pressed against the crook of his neck. "I'll never let you go, not to Blanc…and not to anyone! I'd never forget you…" Natsu seethed, Lucy realizing now he was shaking as she had been prior as he lowered his tone so only they could hear. "so don't you dare. Dream or not…it was all real to me from the beginning."

"I'm sorry…Natsu. I'm so sorry…" Lucy squeaked, burying her face into his neck to hide from the world as she enjoyed the moment back in his embrace. It left many questions unanswered…but she was willing to wait as long as needed.

Since Natsu was prepared to wait a lifetime for her.

"LUCCYYYYY!"

"Levy!" Lucy smiled as they walked into Fairy Tail, Natsu and she soaked to the bone but otherwise following suit after Erza threw open the doors shocking the entire guild. It was only a moment that the blonde was nearly bowled over by her blue haired friend, hugging the script mage tightly as she cried against Lucy's already wet clothes.

"Lucy I can't…I can't believe you're back! It's a miracle!" She sobbed, earning a 'tsk from Gajeel who shook his head. Majority of the guild had returned overnight save for a team or two who had gone further towards the country's borders.

"NATSU! LUCEEEEE!" Happy dive-bombed the dragon slayer who laughed and hugged his best friend back, in a much more calm mood than before.

"It's good to see you buddy!" Natsu expressed, letting the Exceed go who flew over to Lucy to give her arm a hug since Levy was still unwilling to let go.

"Luceeee you're back!" Happy purred, Lucy reaching over and patting him fondly on the head.

"Yes…for the time being." Lucy's voice faltered a little, and earned her a strong grip from Levy as she looked up to her friend.

"Blanc is on his way here, they said he should be here by sundown and Warren, Jet and Droy are there. We'll force him to release you Luce." Levy said sternly, looking back to the guild who had converged near the door. "He won't get away with this."

"We still need to keep our minds in check, brats." Master Makarov's bellow came from the bar, as he was grinning like a mad man. "While we all are overwhelmed and happy to have Lucy back amongst us, we aren't out of danger yet. We need to prepare for his arrival and need to hold this man till we can figure out how to get him to release Lucy."

"How about I make him nice and crispy!" Natsu smirked dangerously, the fire already rising from him to make everyone back up a few steps.

"I'm sure he'd enjoy if I made him into a block of ice…" Grey pondered, stroking his chin as he was suddenly only in his boxers.

"Shut up ice princess! I'm going to burn him!" Natsu jeered at Grey, only to have the ice mage get up in his space as the ominous black waves began to emit from them both.

"I'm going to make him ice age material, one not even you could melt moron!" Grey snapped back, earning laughter amongst their guild mates and a soft smile from Lucy.

"Either way! " Master laughed, walking past everyone before stopping in front of Lucy and took her hand in both of his with a warm smile. "Welcome home, Lucy."

It was then that the guild erupted in cheers loud enough that all of Magnolia could hear, the blonde mage looking around in shock at the emotions of her Nakama. Looking over to her team she could see Erza and Grey giving her a thumbs up, Happy and Levy wiping the tears of joy from their eyes. Lastly of course, she could see Natsu giving her that look; the one which was so intense but warm she was sure her eyes would be burning if it had any kind of magic behind it. It was strange to see him look that way at her…but none the less she began to cry; holding her head high as the smile on her face was genuine and fully of happiness.

"T-Thank you Everyone…Thank you!" Lucy beamed, wiping away her tears as they headed into the guild to begin the process of celebration as well as preparation for the arrival of Blanc later that day.

* That evening, just after sunset *

"Alright everyone, the time has come. " Master stood by the gate outside of Fairy Tail, the entire guild present in magnolia there as well to offer support any way they could. "They will be coming here shortly, we will get him into further restraint and those selected will come along for interrogation. Understood?"

The guild shouted in a hearty yes, Erza having taken her place at Master's side and Lucy standing between Grey and Natsu. Her grip remained on Natsu's arm, feeling her heart beating wildly about seeing this man once more face to face. During the afternoon her spirits had come to rejoice the fact she was back, the party which was held was something just like old times. Yet as the afternoon ended and the night fell back on the land she was aware that it may have been her only solace of normal for another while. It may also be the day she was once more free in her life.

"Don't worry Luce…we're here." Natsu assured, not keeping his eyes off the pathway leading directly out of town.

Tightening her grip ever so, she was thankful Natsu remained here with her even though his original plan was to meet them just outside of town.

However, when a loud explosion echoed across the town it was Gajeel who was the first to react from his position standing on the guild roof. "The caravan exploded!" He barked out, leaping from his spot onto the ground with enough force to make the cobblestone at his feet warp. "He's going to escape." His eyes turned directly to Natsu, who immediately felt his blood boil. He could see from here the smoke billowing from the pathway, and even though the members of the other guild plus Warren, Jet and Droy he had this horrible feeling he couldn't shake.

"No…not now, not this close. That bastard!" Natsu snarled, looking over to Lucy who was trying to make sure she wasn't fading away. "Stay here! We're going to stop him."

"No…I have to go. I made a promise." Her eyes were stern despite the fear lacing her wavering vocals. She thought of Nirah and Trav, who must have had the same taste of freedom she did…she couldn't let them down. She promised she would return everything back to normal and Lucy wasn't about to let her fear get in the way of that.

The war was far from over.

"Let go!" Erza snapped, taking off with the master as they sprinted to the caravan; followed by the guild. Natsu ran as well, Lucy not far behind as streets and houses passed. Heading past the final buildings to the open pathway to that hilly formation around their town the caravan came into view along with the mages fighting off the source of Lucy's fear.

"Master! Everyone!" Warren exclaimed, so very happy to see everyone as already three of Chaos Syndicate's members had fallen; likewise Jet and Droy which Warren stood in guard of.

"Jet! Droy!" Levy cried out, seeing the fallen forms of her team mates and felt her heart clench. This was calmed by Gajeel who put a hand on her shoulder as he looked like he meant business.

"So…you're the asshole who started all this shit?" Gajeel spat, watching the figure clad in white stand in front of the fire which used to be the carriage.

"I demand you release those in your curse, turn yourself in." The master bellowed, his eyes glowing in his rage. "There is nothing more for you here least you desire the full force of Fairy Tail!"

Looking around him, Blanc knew he was quite out numbered. He would have been able to finish off the group prior if he was given a little more time…but that time had passed. Able to pick out the group from before he smirked…that was till his face turned to Lucy whose fear was easily read from her wide eyes and trembling body.

"If it isn't Lucy...I must say I am surprised to see you standing there." He spoke loudly, his voice full of malice and mockery; arms spreading wise as his cruel laugh echoed in the night air.

"SHUT UP!" Natsu roared, wasting no time despite the shouts from his friends to launch himself at the man who was the source of Lucy's fear and pain. Summoning a fist of raging fire he swung at the man who used speed to dodge, spinning around to try and kick the dragon slayer to the ground which Natsu caught just in the nick of time. "Don't…speak to her." He seethed, flames licking at his lips from his mouth as he inhaled deeply.

"Roar of the Fire dragon!"

"Roar of the Water dragon!" Blanc yelled as he inhaled, earning a wide eyed look from Natsu as both breath's impacted and the force pushed them both apart; Natsu's flames distinguished.

"Natsu!" Lucy yelled and ran over to him as he sat up slowly, eyes wide at Blanc. It was at that moment when everyone sprang to action; Erza leading the back in her empress armor; magic flying every which direction as Blanc did his best to dodge and weave around his opponents.

"He's not normal…" Rehgin staggered up behind Natsu and Lucy; glaring to the man in white. "He has so many different types of magical abilities…it's astonishing." He held his arm which was covered in blood, more concerned for his fallen comrades but knew the remaining ones standing were moving them to a safe spot.

"He's a black magic user…he's stolen many wizards' powers…" Lucy's body shook as she helped Natsu stand; her eyes wide as she watched her friends fight. One by one some were knocked out when caught off guard, but he hadn't absorbed anyone else yet. What she didn't get though, was if he had his powers back why was she still visible?

"It's because I'm still able to block that one power…" Doruko spoke from their side, panting as his fingers were against his temple. It took nearly everything to keep it blocked, that one singular power as it was clear to him not that Blanc had the powers of a magic blocking mage as well.

"I don't care what he is…I'll beat him!" Natsu connected his fists together in front of him to create of burst of flame, ready to go at that asshole once more when he was stopped by Lucy putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Stop Natsu…wait." She instructed, watching the man carefully. "He wouldn't have waited to come all the way here for nothing. "

"What do you mean? That lanky guy isn't weak; he might have not been able to escape?" Natsu was genuinely confused, and hated the fact his nakama were being beaten and he was sitting there doing nothing.

"That's what I was thinking." Rehgin spoke up, looking to Lucy who nodded. "He went down too easily."

"Exactly…he didn't just come here to pick a fight or torment…he's after someone in Fairy Tail, and we have to stop him from absorbing anyone else!" Lucy stated, her fists clenching.

She was already technically his, and she'd be damned if he was going to get anyone else…especially any of her Nakama.

A/N: And the plot continues! I will see you all at the next chapter, and as always, please read and review!