Chapter 37

Hours have passed and Natsu hasn't slept yet. He had Lucy sleeping soundly on his bed as he chose to stay on the floor than sleep on Gray's 'gross bed', or so he says. He's been rolling and tried different positions in sleeping but nothing worked. He just couldn't sleep. Well in the first place Natsu doesn't really want to sleep but Gramps and Erza made him. Gray got to sleep with Jellal and Gajeel saying: 'Lucy and him needs some time alone' and left smirking. But what would he do with a sleeping Lucy? He sat up and extends his neck to see her still sleeping soundly.

"You looked like an angel when you're sleeping Luce.." He mumbled and smiled to himself.

Natsu sighed. What could he do now? The last thing he wanted was to wake Lucy up. He doesn't have Gray to tease, prank on or just someone irritable to whom he could release his anxiety to. He sighed.

"You've been sighing and sighing all night. What's the problem, Natsu?" A sudden voice rang in his ear making him jolt up from the floor to see Lucy sitting on the bed rubbing her eyes as she yawn.

He chuckled and watched her rub the sleepiness away from her eyes. "You should get more sleep Lucy."

"Felt like I've had enough.." She paused, finally taking in her surrounding she clutched the sheets to cover herself even more. "Why am I here?!" She asked in defense.

Natsu smirked. He sat on the edge of the bed near Lucy. "Well, why wouldn't my girlfriend sleep on my bed?"

Lucy shrieked. "W-What g-g-g.. Whatever."

"Uhhh. That hurts a lot Lucy. You don't remember what you said?" He grabbed the cloth above his chest and made a fake hurt look.

"What did I say? What are you talking about?"

He leaned to her ear and whispered. "You said you love me."

Lucy stiffened and soon everything that happened before she got to that room came rushing back to her all at once. She clutched her head and hugged herself.

Natsu noticed her sudden change of mood and hugged her fully. He pulled her so her side was on his chest, now leaning on to him as she let go of her legs and clutched onto his shirt. "There's.. There's a chance that he's still alive.." She muttered as her voice became muffled with her own cries.

"D-Don't worry Luce." Was all he was able to say. There was silence, only Lucy's cries was heard inside the room. Natsu wasn't able to say anything for he knew exactly what Lucy will be going through soon. He didn't think it would go this way, but the least he could do now is to keep that secret from her until he finds out what really happened back then. "I'll do something about it. I promise."

He felt her hug him by the waist and he tightened his arms around her.

"Hey, you know what's the good thing?" He asked pulling himself from the hug. He greeted her with a grin but his arms never leave its places around her frame. "You have the company.." He smiled triumphantly. "You have me." He said and winked at her, making her blush different shades of red. He reached for her cheek and pinched it lightly. "You look so damn cute when you're blushing."

Lucy pulled her face and huffed but her face continued to darken in red color. Good thing the light is not bright enough.

"Plus.." He paused and readied himself for what was he going to say. "..there's a possibility that a Dragneel was still alive." He mustered every will power to tell her that. "The only problem now is, how am I going to find him.. Or her."

"You?" Lucy asked in confusion.

"Well, I don't want you to get yourself involve. It looked really dangerous you know."

"But I want to. They're my family! Pi—Natsu, you just have to let me." She whined. "If you wouldn't I can always look for something myself."

Natsu chuckled. "You still haven't changed."

"What?"

"Nope. Nothing at all." Soon silence enveloped them. Natsu was holding her hand making circles with his thumb at the back of her hand. "Say, if you knew that it's Natsu Dragneel that is alive and by any chance we found him.." He breathed. "Would you leave me?" He asked out of the blue. Natsu searched for her eyes but as soon as she heard the question he felt her stiffen and looked down on the soft mattress.

Lucy couldn't answer. Of course she's admitted that she had loved him, this Natsu. But what will happen if by chance it was Natsu Dragneel who is alive and she has finally found him. Who would she choose?

"I.. I.." She looked into his eyes and stuttered. She couldn't she can't say anything. The next thing she knew she was pulled into a hug and her eyes widened.

"Don't say it. I realized I don't want to hear it."

Lucy didn't expect him saying that. She hold on his arms and buried her face in his chest. "Let's just find him.. Or her first."

Natsu pulled away from her and looked at her face. He tucked a loose strand of her hair that was stuck on her face and smiled gently. "As your, boyfriend.. I won't allow you to search. Leave everything to me, to Gr-Makarov, to us." Lucy looked at him in disbelief. She was about to retort back but he placed a finger on her lips. "I wasn't done talking." She leaned back and breathed.

"Fine.."

"I'm your boyfriend." Lucy couldn't help but blush a little everytime he's saying that. "I care for your safety. And right now, the news was all over. Whether who is alive he or she will still own half of your company therefore making him or her an important person. In that case a lot of people will be after him.. Or her."

"Then we should —"

Natsu placed his index finger on her mouth again this time making her lips twist into a different angle making her face a little distorted. Still, she looked pretty. He chuckled. Can't believe he's still thinking of this things even with the problem they will be facing soon or right now.

"I said, I'm not yet done." She pouted. "I know you'll be worried. But we got information from Jiemma and we started the information from where he's left of.." Though the truth is they were really ahead of what the 'surface' investigation is now doing. They're investigating about the incident, and was waiting for Natsu to remember because that would really help. "The investigators are now identifying whose bodies were recovered. Though it will be really difficult because it's been so long."

"I really want to help."

"I'll be there in your stead. I will give you all the updates the team will be getting. Just please.." He looked at her in the eyes. "..keep yourself away from the investigation. I want you safe at all cost."

Who wouldn't say no when he plead? Lucy calmed down. She was sad but at the same time she knew this is difficult for him. She understands that he only wants her safe and is doing the investigations for her. Lucy knew it will be more difficult for him because after all there is a big chance that it was the other Natsu, that they were trying to find. His question a while ago made her realize he is. She frowned a bit. She herself didn't know the answer to that too.

"Alright.." She mumbled almost incoherently. "I won't meddle with the investigations. Increase my body guards and follow every safety precautions you'll say." Natsu's face brightened up. "But! You will tell me everything that is happening. I won't believe anyone just you. So you should always be the one to tell me if there is any development. Got that?"

Natsu nodded like a kid and kissed her on the cheek, which caught her off guard. "Thank you."

"Y-Yeah."

Natsu hugged her so tight Lucy felt like she can't breathe but, she couldn't care less. He is happy. She made that smile on her face and that alone makes her forget everything they'll be going through. Her thoughts wandered back to his question a while ago.. Would she? Choose the Natsu from the past? She sighed.

"What?" She heard him speak.

"Huh?"

"You're sighing.." She could feel his breath on the crook of her neck and it tickles her still she didn't moved away from their hug.

"Nothing.." And she hugged him tighter.

She brushed the hair on the back of his head and smelled his scent. She loved it. It's like a wood that is burning.. but there's a little spice. It's difficult to explain but it's the best scent she's smelled and she knew she will never get enough of it.

Natsu.

This Natsu, from the very first time they met he made her think because of his hair. If she hadn't asked Jellal about it and found out he dyed it she would have investigated this guy.. because it gave her hope that maybe.. just maybe.. that Natsu from her past is still alive.

"Why'd you dye your hair?" She asked pulling away to look at him straight.

Natsu looked at her quite surprised at her random question.

"Uhhh. Jellal told me you dyed your hair pink.. He said you told the band you once had black?"

He paused for a moment and shuffled on his seat. Didn't expect she would question him about his hair at this moment. And for god's sake.. He really didn't dye it! It's natural from redheaded parents.. He just didn't know how did pink came out from both things that is red. He chuckled to himself.

"What's so funny?" Lucy asked.

Snapping out of his thoughts he reached for her hand and held it tight. He pulled her until their faces are inches away from each other's and he looked straight into her eyes with a seductive grin plastered on his lips.

"Because I think good girls like you would be attracted to bad boys with pink hair.." He said and smashed his lips on hers.

"You should really stop pacing back and forth.."

Makarov stopped on his track and looked at Natsu with wide eyes. Disbelief showing his face. "How could you be so calm? Lucy will be in grave danger. You above all should understand!"

Natsu was sitting.. More like lying on the single sofa. His legs stretched on the floor and he was leaning comfortably on the sofa. "I told her not to involve herself."

"That won't suffice. You —"

"I know that she's in danger and I've done something about it. I'll be there for h—"

"You'll be there but you're here right now. How about those time when you have to perform for the Band Battle? What about your guestings? You're still Fairy Law's vocalist. And what about when you're with the investigation team. You just can't leave that team and let them ahead of us."

"I had the whole gang for that." Natsu said straightening himself up. "I already told them who I was."

Makarov's eye widened. "W-WHAT?!"

"I know. I know. They know they're in danger too. They know what I involved them into. But they promised nothing would be spilled. They know they have to do this."

"You brats!" Makarov shouted exasperated.

Natsu chuckled. "We'll manage somehow."

Makarov's brow furrowed. "This will be really difficult." He said sitting on the sofa opposite Natsu's.

"Not for long.." He smiled. Makarov looked at him questioningly. "Remember the doctor said I chose to forget those sad things and everything that is connected to it?"

Makarov nodded hesitantly, looking at him intently.

"Well, yesterday when I was with Lucy I remembered something." Makarov's eyes widened. "It was not really important for the investigation. But you see.. It's one step right?" He smiled to himself.

"What did you remember?"

Natsu thought twice. It wasn't that important, but this is Makarov. He treated him like he was his own son. "My mom. It was at the beach with Lucy's family." He smiled at the thought.

Makarov smiled. "I've never seen you smile like that. You seemed very happy."

Natsu nodded. His grinned at the old man which touched the man's heart.

"You're happy right now, but there seemed to be something bothering you." Makarov inquired. "Are you thinking of something?"

He was quite taken aback, but he expected he cannot hide his worries. "You can't take away from me the worry. I'm trying to remember the most painful thing that ever happened in my life.. I'm trying to protect the person I love. And I know somewhere out there is someone's who's ready to kill me.. or worst Lucy." Natsu sighed. "I will never forgive myself if something happens to her or anyone."

Now that he mentioned it, Makarov noticed that Natsu's eyes looked really tired. He looked a little pale. His hair is a mess and his clothes were still the one he used yesterday when they crashed the wedding.

"You should really take a bath."

It has been a week since the wedding, a week since the search for the Dragneel has commenced and a week since Natsu and Lucy got together. The band was staying at the HQ waiting for any announcement they said will be out today. Gray was holding his guitar which was lying on his stomach and he was plucking a sound and humming to himself. Levy was sitting on the edge of the long sofa, by the lamp table, and was silently reading a book. From time to time she's looking up from her book to glance at the band's drummer who was sitting across her. Gajeel was grumpily sitting on the sofa with Gray on the other side.

"Juvia made some snacks for everyone." Juvia said appearing in the middle of the living room holding a tray. She placed the tray on the small table at the center and sat herself on the carpet.

Jellal lowered himself to the floor and grabbed one of the cookies Juvia brought. "Do we have chips?"

She looked at him. "Yeah. Do you want me to get some?"

Gray looked at Jellal but he doesn't seem to notice him. "Ye—"

"I'll get it." Gray stood up before Juvia did so and disappeared in the store room. "Where the hell is that thing?" Gray asked himself.

"It's just at the table." Juvia said appearing by the door. Gray was caught off guard. She walked back to the table and grabbed the plastics filled with chips but Gray beat her in doing it.

"I said I'll do it." He said leaving her dumbfounded at his sudden outburst.

They exited the kitchen with the bowl of chips on Gray's hands. "Juvia got some drinks." She said happily appearing behind Gray holding plastic cups and a pitcher of iced tea.

Levy sat on the floor beside Jellal and took one of Juvia's cookies. "This is great Juvia!" She said smiling at the band's bassist.

Juvia blushed.

"What made you make these?" Jellal asked out nowhere. "This 'snack time' doesn't usually happen in this band." He chuckled. "Not that I don't like it." He said and bit one of the chips he was holding.

"Juvia thought you guys need a break, especially Natsu."

"But, I think we're always on break." Levy said.

"Yes. Ever since the wedding got cancelled there's no event in the hotel. No guestings to any shows or whatever." Jellal agreed. "The news was still focused on the wedding.. Still after Lucy. Yada. Yada. Yada."

"What do you want? They be after you?" Gray asked with a smirk.

Jellal glared at him. "What do you mean?"

"Remember how you used your proposal to Erza to get lure the press?"

Jellal's eyes widened.

"Yeah! What happened to that Jellal?! Tell me. Tell me!" Levy said holding Jellal on both his shoulders shaking him as if he'll spill what happened when she shook him.

Jellal didn't speak.

"I guess you didn't mean it." Gajeel interjected. Everyone watched him as he sat on the carpeted floor with them. "What?! Can I not join this stupid conversation and 'snack time'?"

Levy placed her hands on her mouth to stop herself from laughing out loud.

"You're always welcome to enter the human world my friend!" Gray said putting his arm around his shoulder making Gajeel glare at him in embarrassment.

They all laughed. Well except for Jellal. He didn't laugh as hard as what the other did.

"We're still not done with you Jellal." Levy said as they stopped. "Tell us!"

"Well actually.. I still haven't done anything after that. I just announced our engagement.." He said shyly.

"What do you mean? You never proposed to Erza officially?!" Juvia asked.

They waited for him to reply, all eyes on him. ".. Ye.. Yes."

"How could you Jellal?!" Levy said and hit him on the arm. "How could you do something like that?"

"I was planning on doing it right after.. But there's been a lot happened. I haven't had the chance."

Everyone fell into that deep silence. Indeed they've been through a lot.

"You should really do it." Gray said standing up. "Soon." He said before leaving for his rather his and Natsu's room.

Knock Knock

They all averted their gaze from Gray to the door. No one has knocked for who know how long and that made them so excited.

Gray turned around and opened the door with a smile on his face. "May I hel.. What are you doing here?!"

Just outside the Fairy Law's HQ was Lisanna.

"Hey Gray! Can I speak with Natsu?"

"What do you want with him?" He asked standing at the doorway not letting her see what or who's inside.

"I would like to personally speak to him." She chimed. Lisanna seemed very at this time. What should she be happy for? It annoys Gray, a little.

"I can relay your message. He's with his girlfriend at the moment."

"Oh I see!" She's still smiling. "Then tell him, we'll be needing baby stuff soon because I'm pregnant with his baby."