~ Lucy ~

This isn't a tree...that is the first thought that flutters through my muddled brain. Its far too warm and cozy to be a tree. As my gritty eyes ease open I am greeted by a flickering light and unease rushes through my bloodstream. Where am I? Closer inspection of my surroundings reveals that I am in a dim area of light in an otherwise black cavern. A cave then? With far more stealth then anyone back in Magnolia would believe I slip from the strange ledge I was draped across, taking note of the soft furs laid out beneath me and my state of undress with shock. How the hell did that happen? I vaguely recall a dream about Natsu and a cave and...holy shit. Well its official, Ive gone crazy.

Its not like I didn't know it was a possibility. Delirium I think its called. Ive read about it, how people lost in the wilderness or left alone for long periods of time will get delusional and start living their fantasies. Oh god, don't hyperventilate Lucy! Gulping breaths help to calm me enough to look around for my pack, relief washing through me at seeing it leaning against the cavern wall. Deft fingers dig for clothing and I ease my sore body into them, used to the aches but finding myself even more tender then average. Odd. Ignoring it for now I slip the underwear and jeans over my hips followed by a loose long sleeve shirt, forgoing the bra for once seeings as I cant find the damn thing. Huffing I slide my feet into the battered boots lying nearby and snag the pack on my way out, heading for the speck of brilliant sunlight at the end of a side tunnel which I'm assuming is the entrance.

Breathing the fresh morning air into my lungs I contemplate my next move. I cant remember how I got here or even where here is, or at least how in reality I got here. I remember the delusion just fine though I shove it to the back of my brain. It had always been my intent to eventually head back to Fairytail once I finished my self imposed exile but if I have gone off the deep end there is no way I can go there so that is no longer an option. I probably wont last long out here either, not if I'm hallucinating, so I stand and scour my brain for options. The hospital would work, at least as a starting point. Grimacing at the thought I play eeiny-meiny-miney-moe and pick a direction to start walking, quietly slipping through the trees like a woodland specter and leaving behind the tempting delusions that cave holds.

~ Natsu ~

I haven't been this happy in months. My grin stretches from ear to ear and my dragon is practically purring in my mind. Sure, there are still a lot of things that need to be said and a few things to sort out, like dragging my tempting little mate back home and into my bed. But there's time. Focusing back on the task at hand I finish cleaning the doe Id caught, claws making easy work of slicing the meat into portable chunks. Wrapping them up I shove the bundle into my pack and shoulder my prize before taking off back in the direction of the cave, practically salivating at the thought of food and at getting another chance to ravish Lucy.

When I break through the trees and into the clearing my senses jump to attention at Lucy's scent in the air and my heart begins hammering against my ribs. Telling myself she probably just came out to look for me I continue on into the tunnel and call out tentatively, something in me screaming a warning. The answering silence turns my nerves into full on fear. Inhuman speed carries me into the cavern in seconds and when I see the empty bed and cant find the pack I had gone to retrieve for her just this morning my mind goes blank and the world turns red once again.