I'm so glad you all are still enjoying this fanfic, especially since I have fewer ideas than I did for "Dragon's Plight". Hope you enjoy the new chapter! And please don't forget to let me know what you think! :)

Chapter 11

Natsu sat at the large bonfire, just watching the flames dance back and forth. They had been walking for nearly a week, and they should reach Elsia tomorrow. He sighed. Ever since he lost control of himself, he'd been feeling a little out of it. Lucy hadn't really said much about it, but she seemed to be avoiding him lately. Happy didn't act any differently. If anyone, Happy knew him better than anybody and right now what he needed the most was some normality. The snap of a twig behind him startled him. Natsu glanced over his shoulder. Lucy paused, smiling at him from just beyond the firelight.

"Hey," she said softly.

"…Hey." Natsu turned back to the bonfire. He pulled out a stick near the edge and swallowed the flames covering it.

Lucy sat down beside him, her legs pulled up close to her chest. She leaned back on her hands and stared at him. "How are you feeling?"

He shrugged. "Fine."

"You don't look fine to me." She reached up and brushed his cheek. "You look upset."

Natsu didn't say anything.

"Please, Natsu. Talk to me. I want to know what's wrong and I want to help." Natsu glanced at her sideways. Lucy scooted closer. "Please?"

"I don't really know what's happening," he admitted. "This stuff's never happened before, and I don't know why it's happening now."

"What do you mean?"

Natsu scratched his head, trying to the think of the best way to describe it. "Well, you remember when I told you about that nightmare I've been having—back in Shirotsume Town?"

Lucy nodded.

"I didn't really tell you everything…."

She didn't say anything, silently imploring him to go on.

Natsu took a deep breath. "When Acnologia was telling me to let the magic take over, I fought it at first. But then this uncontrollable bloodlust started to overwhelm me and my mind went blank. Then I completely lost control of myself and I changed into a dragon and then I heard someone behind me and I—" He bit back his words. He didn't want Lucy to know he had killed someone, even if it was in a dream.

Lucy gently rested her hand on his knee. "Tell me. I need to know what's happening so I can help you."

"…I killed them…." He couldn't bring himself to look at her. What would she think of him? "I didn't want to, but everything was so fuzzy and I couldn't think straight and it just…happened. And the last time I had that dream, Igneel showed up. He stopped the transformation before it started, but it was painful and scary."

A moment of silence lingered between them. "It probably has to do with your Dragon Master magic, right?"

Natsu shrugged.

"Well, I was reading up on the dragon magic and Dragon Slayers and Dragon Masters, and it sounds like it has something to do with your magic." She paused. "Do you still have that wristband that Igneel gave to you?"

"You mean the one with the blue stone in it? Yeah."

"It has dragon magic in it, right? Do you know what it does?"

He shook his head. "Igneel said it was an old relic passed down from the great Dragon Master Alastair. And that it was a magic item that had great magical power, but no one knew what kind."

"I found a description in Drina's old history book about a Dragon Master's armband that was used as a balancer. It was supposed to keep dragon magic in check to prevent the corrosion of the user's humanity."

"Corrode humanity? You mean, I'm turning into a monster, or something?"

"No! Of course not!" Lucy said quickly. "But maybe you should start wearing it. It might be able to keep your magic in check. And who knows! Maybe the nightmares will go away too."

Natsu shrugged. "I hope so…. Maybe Igneel gave it to me knowing this would happen."

"Or maybe he gave it to you because he didn't know what would happen."

"Yeah…."

Lucy could tell he was still feeling kind of down. And she couldn't really blame him. His body and magic was changing in ways he couldn't control. He had gone on a rampage and nearly killed someone—twice. What he needed now was something positive to take his mind off things. Lucy leaned closer, sliding her hand from his knee farther up his leg. She felt him stiffen in surprise.

"Hey, Natsu?" She sat up on her knees and crawled into his lap. She grabbed him by the scarf and pulled him closer for a light kiss. "What do you say we cheer you up a little?"

He glanced away, a little embarrassed. "Even after I—you sure you'd want to?"

She draped her legs on either side of his hips, so that she was straddling him. She traced a finger lazily along his collar bone and down along his hard abs. "Why wouldn't I? You're mine, aren't you?" She grinned. "My sweet, passionate Dragon."

She leaned down and kissed him gently. Natsu wrapped his arms around her and leaned into the kiss. He opened his mouth to deepen it, his tongue darting in playfully. Lucy molded to him. She tangled her fingers in his pink hair, pressing his head closer. Lucy rocked her hips back and forth, feeling his hardening length brush against her thighs. Natsu grunted into the kiss, breaking away to let his mouth travel downward. Lucy's breathing quickened as he kissed and licked his way down to her chest, the top swells of her breasts hardly concealed under the tight-knit tank-top. She shrugged out of her jacket, too hot for the constraining winter coat. Natsu leaned up and nipped at her ear.

"I can't hold myself back anymore," he panted, his hot breath tickling her ear.

Lucy shivered as she clung closer to him. "Then don't. Aah~ not on my account."

Arms wrapped around her waist, Natsu stood up. Lucy draped her arms over his shoulders, her legs still wrapped tightly around his hips. He glanced over his shoulder before carrying her into the forest, just out of sight from the campfire. He laid her down on the soft grass and bent over her. Lucy pulled off his vest and unraveled his scarf. She ran her hands down his chiseled abs, feeling every inch of his taut muscles. Natsu tugged the shoulder straps of her top down her arms, pulling the rest of the shirt down with it. He unhooked her constraining bra and let it fall to the side. The Dragon Slayer gripped her chest and squeezed none too gently. Lucy yelped, surprised.

"N-Natsu!"

He nipped her neck, leaving a small mark behind. Lucy arched against him, feeling his length against her. She thumbed his pants, wanting them off—now. Natsu ripped her panties off in one go as she managed to pull down his pants. The rough fabric of his boxers were almost painful. But he wanted to make it last. He couldn't go in one shot. He ran his hand down her flat stomach and under the flimsy fabric of her miniskirt. He cupped her center, feeling the warmth that radiated from it. He ran his finger down her slit. Her grip around his shoulders tightened and she mewled.

"You're so wet," he growled.

Lucy shivered. The sound of his dark voice drove her crazy. She gasped as he slipped a finger in. She moaned, her breathing quickening to sharp pants. "N-No! Not like that," she groaned. "Don't play with me that way~"

She gripped him through the fabric, making him grunt into the kiss. Just her touch nearly made him go. Her hands were shaking as she played with his shaft. Her chest rose and fell rapidly as she made small noises of want. Natsu pulled his boxers down and pulled out his finger. He licked her sweet juice from his fingers before leaning closer.

"If that's how you want it," he panted.

He plunged in without a second thought.

"AHH~!" she screamed. "N-Natsu!"

His speed was inhuman as he moved inside her. With each stroke he plunged deeper, her voice growing louder in turn. He loved the sound of her voice, the moans and the gasps, the grunts and the screams. He pushed in and out with an increasing tempo. Lucy's warmth swelled with each movement. She squirmed beneath him, making her feel him more.

"Ah, ah, ahn~ Natsu~!" she cried as he hit a special spot inside her.

Natsu felt her quiver around him. He rolled his hips in a way that his length would brush the same spot over and over again. He growled like a beast as he pounded her. She arched up against him. Lucy threw her head back and screamed as he hit her just right. Natsu felt her walls swell and then tighten around him. He jack hammered her convulsing body, reaching his climax just as hers took over. He held her close as she shook, shouting his name. Breathing heavily from his high, he pushed off her. She was panting and sweaty. Natsu brushed a lock of blonde hair away from her sweaty forehead.

"You were great," he panted.

She sighed, leaning into his touch. "That felt wonderful."

He placed a soft kiss on her cheek.

"Hey, Natsu," she whispered.

"Hm?"

"I love you."

He grinned. "I love you too."

V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V* V*

They had been walking for about half a day and everyone seemed to be in high spirits. After the little pick-me-up last night, Natsu was feeling much better. As Elsia grew bigger on the horizon, a buzz of excitement rose among the gypsy group. Drina sat down on the driver's bench, Lucy sitting beside her. She smirked as she watched Natsu walk beside the cart. "So," she said, arching an eyebrow. "You guys sleep well?"

Lucy stiffened, but forced a smile. "O-of course. I slept great!"

"Yeah. Me too," Natsu said.

Drina giggled. "Oh, I bet you did. Sounded like you guys slept preeeeeetty well." She winked.

Lucy's face turned bright red. "You heard us?!" she whispered.

"Oh yeah. Sounded like you kids had a great time last night."

"Oh my God…." She buried her face in her hands. "That's so embarrassing…."

"Nothin' to be embarrassed about!" Drina laughed. "It's life, you know? Go with the flow! Just try and remember to be a little quieter if ya don't wanna be caught."

"I'll try to keep that in mind," Lucy muttered.

"Anyway, thanks for stickin' with us all the way here. It was a long trip and I know most people wouldn't wanna be gone that long."

"Sure thing!" Natsu grinned. "Fairy Tail wizards always keep their promises once they take a job. We won't leave until it's done!"

Drina's father pulled up on the reins. The cart lurched to halt, the horse pawing the ground impatiently. "Well, this's where we part ways, kids. Thanks fer all yer help."

"Already?" Happy whined. "I was having a lot of fun!"

Drina laughed. "We'll be sure to send a request to Fairy Tail if we ever need another job done."

Natsu gave her a thumbs up. "And we'll be there to take it!"

Lucy nodded. "You can bet on it." She hopped down off the driver's bench, Happy in her arms. She grinned up at her new friends. "I hope business goes well in Elsia! Take care of yourself, Drina."

"You too! It was a blast havin' ya. Be safe on your way back home!"

With the a flick of the reins, the horse was off once more. Drina waved as they set off toward the city. The rest of the gypsies waved goodbye, shouting their thanks and disappointment that they had to part so soon. Natsu, Lucy, and Happy waved back. Natsu breathed a puff of fire into the air, spelling out the words "goodbye" in bright red and orange flames.

"Let's get going. I'm ready to be back home, and in my own bed," Lucy said.

"Sure. Let's go."

"We're taking the train home," she said. "It's much faster."

"W-wait! Why the train?! Can't we walk?!"

Happy snickered. "I don't think Lucy wants to walk for another two weeks."

"That's right." She marched off in the direction of Elisa's train station. "So come on, don't look so disappointed! The sooner we get to the station, the sooner we get back to Magnolia."

Natsu sighed. "…I wish those damn things had never been invented."

"You should've done that when Ultear sent us back in time!" Happy said.

"Ah!" The thought hadn't even occurred to him. "Why didn't I think of that?!"

Lucy giggled. She was more than ready to be back home. After the excitement of this trip, she needed a little break.

Chapter 12 will be up on Monday!