Chapter 52...

"...huh?" Natsu thought while just gazing into the black void of his mind. "Am I...dreaming?" Natsu wondered.

"Natsu." Natsu widened his eyes to a familiar voice.

"V...Venigon?" Natsu shifted his eyes, while whipping his head around.

"Tell me, have you forgotten?" He said as his voice echoed.

"Forgotten?" Natsu repeated.

"Have you forgotten what you were trained for?"

"...?!" Natsu suddenly realized.

"Do not create attachments. It makes letting go a lot more painful." He said as Natsu saw a figure of a young girl in a nun costume. "Look. See what these feelings of care lead to."

"..Shy?" Natsu was shocked to see her.

"..." Only her smile was seen, and she suddenly began falling. Natsu then scrambled to go catch her. He grabbed her hand, and she was dangling over a cliff. "...you must let go." She said softly.

"No!" Natsu yelled. But something was keeping him from pulling her up. Slowly, her fingers slid out of his hand. He then lost grip and she fell down into a bottomless pit. "No, damn it!" Natsu cursed as she fell. He clenched his eyes shut.

"Natsu?" Natsu then turned to Ultear who was standing there. "You...you let her go..?" She seemed to be terrified at him. "Didn't she mean anything to you?"

"Yes! She did! Why are you-!?" Natsu was then surprised to see the rest of Mermaid Heel there behind her.

"You let go, just like that?" Erza exclaimed.

"Are you serious?" Mira had a shocked look.

"I didn't let-" Natsu was desperatly trying to explain.

"Natsu..." Natsu turned to see Mindy with a shocked expression on her face.

"Mindy? What's wrong-?!" Natsu then reached out, and his hands were suddenly covered in blood.

"Why are you-I don't..." Mindy took a step back.

"W-wait, I can expla-" Natsu suddenly engulfed Mindy into a blue fire, incinerating her instantly. Natsu's eyes began tearing up, and a horrified look washed over his face. "N-no..no...nonononono, I didn't do that-"

"You're a monster!"

How could you kill her?!"

"Wasn't she important to you!?" The Mermaid Heel mages were accusing.

"This isn't me!" Natsu frantically yelled out.

"It is." He suddenly turned to Treya, who was standing next to him.

"No, it isn't!" Natsu swiped his arm, and suddenly Treya was cut across the throat. "No..shit...no I-"

"How could you let them go?" Shy's voice echoed as her rag doll-like body wobbled over to him.

"You must let them go."

"You're going to let us go like them?!" Ultear screamed

"I never let anyone-?! No, this isn't real!" Natsu tried to block out the sounds, but they only got louder.

"We are real..." Ultear suddenly said as a sad smile made it to her face. "...because you plan to let us go..." She said as Natsu's hand was on his sword, that was stabbing Ultear.

"I..I...I-I.." Natsu's was crying while trying to pull his sword out of her gut. When he did, he unintentionally stabbed Beth.

"Natsu...san..." She cried as her blood spilled out of her.

"LET THEM GO."

"THIS ISN'T ME!"


"AHG! I didn't-?" Natsu's eyes was wide open. He was staring at the ceiling, and the top was lit with candles. It was night time, and everyone was gone. Save for Ikaruga, who was holding his arms down, while mounting him.

"...(pant)...(pant)...heavens. You toss and turn quite a bit." Ikaruga caught her breath. As soon as she got on top of him, he woke up.

"...!?" Natsu realized that he was awake, and just blinked. He was sweating bullets, and his heart was pounding, but he was rested, and wide awake.

"Inhale and exhale slowly." Ikaruga ordered him.

"...I'm fine...(pant)...just a bad one." Natsu placed his hand on his face.

"Indeed. Until a few moments ago, I was close to slapping you awake." She recalled. "Night terror?"

"Ughhh, you have no idea." He shook his head. "...what...what time is it-?"

"Ten o' clock. You slept the whole day away." She mentioned.

"Really? I normally sleep five hours at a time." Natsu had an inquisitive expression. "Where are we at?" He asked suddenly.

"Miss Erza and Kagura have evacuated the whole town. It is only you, Eugene, and I." She answered, while sitting up straight.

"How come you didn't go with them?" He asked curiously.

"The two decided I would be a more valuable asset to you here, than with them." She answered as she placed her finger tips together with a smile.

"Okay then. Well, I appreciate the thought..." Natsu slowly realized the position in. He could the warmth of her legs underneath her thick yukata. He also notice that she was not afraid to be making herself comfortable on top of him. Also the aroma that she had about her, was like a gentle flower that had an inviting smell to it. "..."

Natsu suddenly deadpanned.

"What is the matter?" Ikaruga asked with a blank look.

"Nothing. I'm just at a loss for words of how this keeps happening." He bluntly said.

"I see, you have a re-occurrence of a woman in this position." Ikaruga smiled suddenly.

"I can neither confirm nor deny that." Natsu looked away with a shamed look.

"How many have been here, I wonder?" Ikaruga suddenly teased.

"That's not really need-to-know, is it?" Natsu sweated, not from his nightmare. "Besides, it would really not be anyone's business."

"Last I checked, I saw no label saying that you were taken." She suddenly bent forth and locked eyes with him.

"I was not aware I was on sale." Natsu was confused at the way she spoke.

"In constant bid, I would imagine." She said said in a playful tone. "I simply was looking for you to not injure yourself. I shall remove myself...unless you want to see things that many men would fight over to see." She said as she pulled her kimono top down a bit, and exposing her cleavage even further.

"I think I have seen enough." Natsu made an annoyed look and blushed.

"I, a defenseless woman lays before you. What must you be thinking I wonder?" She said as she suddenly leaned down on him, and pressed herself against him.

"I'm thinking this is a mistake." Natsu retorted while trying not to think too much on it.

"...(sigh). I guess I may have been wrong." She suddenly smiled sadly.

"Huh?" Natsu turned back to her.

"Do I not look appealing?" She asked simply.

"No." He simply replied.

"Well that is good. I have never really consulted my guild mates on my image." Ikaruga nodded.

"Where's this coming from?" Natsu raised an eyebrow.

"Just a talk I had a while ago. I figured you just required a push, but it seems that you are not that easy." She shrugged.

"Ikaruga, you seem like a nice person. I would rather things not get a bit...out of hand." He slowly looked back at her. They locked eyes, and she was a lot closer than he thought. In fact, she was mere inches from him, staring deep into his eyes, with hidden motive. "B-besides." He began sitting back up against the the wall. Ikaruga just blinked and awaited his response. He was trying to sit up properly, because her breasts were about to slip out the top completely. "I'm pretty sure you'd rather do this sort of things with someone you are comfortable with." He noted. She made a blank look for a second, but then went back to smiling.

"I see now why Ultear toys with you. You make some great expressions." She said while pulling her kimono up a bit. "I also know why the other empresses rely on you. You do not try to make them uncomfortable. In fact, you just treat them as if they were normal."

"I wouldn't say I'm reliable.." Natsu suddenly frowned while recalling his dream.

"...a sudden change in tone. In what way do you doubt yourself?" She asked as she tilted her head.

"...I don't know, I just prefer to get through this whole veangence thing as soon as possible." Natsu began getting up as Ikaruga got off him. He sank his head in his hands, sitting on the side of the bed. "Mmmff! That was a shit dream, and good nap." He nodded after yawning.

"What next?" Ikaruga asked as she casually sat next to him.

"Now, we sit and wait. Is Eugene still working?" He asked curiously.

"Indeed. He has not stopped for any reason whatsoever." She assured.

"And Orchid should be here tomorrow, I would imagine." Natsu nodded with a serious look.

"Mm, indeed. It should go smoothly." Ikaruga said in a positive fashion. "I will keep you safe from harm. Fear not." She said as she ruffled his hair. He turned to her with a puzzled face.

"Uh...thanks." Natsu was confused.

"Indeed. We still have time before tomorrow. Would you like to do me a favor, if you would ever be so kind?" She asked politly. "I would very much like to know how you came to arrive at our guild." She asked.

"...oh geez, how did that go again?" Natsu was thinking way back at start.


Mermaid Heel...

"...?" Natsa was sitting in the training area with Nevan. She could, for some reason tell that something was disturbing Natsu. She frowned while staring off into space.

"You felt it." Nevan suddenly said. She hadn't been moved from her current position, other than to be dressed in a black robe, with red trims. It emphasized her figure more, however. She was in the middle of meditating, when she had a shallow feeling of despair wash over her. It felt...exquisite.

"...he had a nightmare." Natsa bowed her head.

"Indeed. It would appear the three of us have a link...or at least, we do, to him." Nevan confirmed. "Such feelings...I feel empowered slightly from them." She looked at her hand.

"I'm surprised you haven't tried to bolt." Natsa had to praise.

"I only possess a Fire Devil Curse. I can't teleport with this damned device that was bestowed upon me in such a rude manner." She scoffed at the anti-magic braclet. "Besides, an intelligent person would gather all their strength before taking action. It is not as if I can't fight. But, I must find my original body, if I am to truly be myself once more." She said as her demonic eyes glanced at Natsa. Natsa narrowed her one eye at her.

"...so Venigon didn't destroy it after all."

"Because I was sealed in that infernal book. Gods knows what he did with my body." Her distorted voice said in irritation. She remained cross legged, while keeping herself straight and composed. "Only I can destroy my body, though. It's in constant regeneration, until Zeref, or myself undoes the spell. Only I know where our last battle took place. The odds of coming across it is slim at best."

"Hmmm...wait.." Natsa put an inquisitive hand to her chin. "...that must be why the church was looking for Natsu..." She said out loud. Nevan whipped her head at Natsa in a baffled expression.

"What? No, impossible-wait...he couldn't have given...if they stumbled upon my corpse, so help me, I will reduce their existence to ashes!"
She suddenly was wide eyed, and angry at the thought.

"Well it makes sense. They came by asking about your soul. Why would they ask about that, if they didn't know about the body?" Natsa theorized.

"...hmph. It is what it is. It's not like I could go fetch it, and not receive some resistance." She sharpened her look, as she thought of it. "Regardless. We must undue this strange phenomenon first. It does not benefit either one." Nevan pointed out, while glancing at both the lacrima above their cleavage.

"Well, as much as I want to deny it, you're right." Natsa huffed. "If partner gets back soon, we'll have to fill him in on this."

"What good could that come of?" Nevan inquired.

"As far as I see it, we share each others problems." Natsa stated firmly. "Divided, we're weaker. Together, we're unbeatable." she worded as she smirked.

"...you are a strange one." Nevan sighed. "BUT, I suppose there is some kernel of truth in your words. But first we must return to my vessel." She just maintained a stoic look.

"He has a name." Natsa was annoyed she kept referring to him as 'her vessel'.

"It does not matter. He is my vessel. He carries me, and I will be reborn with his body."

"What part of, he dies, we die, did you not hear?" Natsa was getting fed up with Nevan's arrogant attitude.

"I'm sure there is a better alternative. If he wasn't dead set on such a cruel fate, I could put his existence to better use." Nevan complained as she tilted her head and looked up at the ceiling.

"Since when did preserving human life-"

"And how long are you going to play daft?" Nevan suddenly sneered at her. "I know very well what you are "Natsa"." She implied as Natsa made a serious look. Tensions rose suddenly.

"...really? Do enlighten me, demon bitch." Natsa coldly hissed at her.

"You just keep acting like you're his companion. I will stay my tongue about this, but if you think my tale ends by subjugation to mortal restraints, I will prove once and for all, I am the one to be feared. I. Will. Be. Reborn." She had a hiss of foreshadowed future she saw clear as day, as the cold words left her icy lips.

"..teh, you're welcome to try. But know this. Venigon's student, will not be taken down by a measly fire witch with horns." Natsa remarked in a equal cold fashion.

"...I would very much love to hear your screams of agony, right after I make him my own." Nevan grimly smirked.

"Natsa?" Nevan and Natsa turned away and looked to see Ultear standing at the bottom of the stairs.

"Oh, it's you." Natsa blinked as she dusted off her black vest, and white cargo pants. "We'll talk later." Nasta glared at Nevan, then turned to Ultear.

"Hmph. I grow tired of your empty threats, anyway." Nevan just went back to meditating.

"Did I..." Ultear had an expression of someone that just walked in on a heated argument.

"Don't mind us. We're natural born enemies. Trying to kill each other is almost a normal routine." Natsa said as she glanced once more at Nevan, who had a tick mark on the back of her head.

"Much truth in that, wench." Nevan retorted while keeping her eyes closed.

"A-N-Y-WAY, what did you want?" Natsa shook her head in annoyance.

"Well, I just had a question for you...geez, you two look related" She said simply. As she looked at Natsa, she looked like she could be his twin.

"About?"

"It's about Natsu." Ultear said as she grabbed her own wrist. "...is he alright?" She sounded worried.

"In what way?" Natsa raised an eyebrow.

"Well Meredy preformed a total physical check on him, and his body is...certain bones were, broken, recently healed, or still healing. His lung was nearly punctured, the injury by the Erza doppelganger, and his body temperature was lower than normal."

"Eh, sounds like the norm." Natsa shrugged.

"...how is he still alive? By all accounts, he should be dead, or dying right now." Ultear shook her head with a concerned look.

"Oh trust me. He'll be fine. Wounds like those heal pretty quick. Perks of being a lost dragon slayer." She smiled."Venigon beat him to a pulp, and over time his body got more, and more resilient to it. Most of his bones were fractured, or broken, but they always were healed by the Heavens Fire...and a very long recovery." Natsa had a sweat drop behind her head.

"...he just can't help getting hurt, can he?" Ultear said in a depressing fashion.

"He's used to it." Natsu shrugged again and had a blank look. "To him, as long as he's able to cast the spell, he doesn't mind losing every ounce of blood in his body."

"That is too reckless." Ultear shook her head in disapproval.

"Well he is crazy." Natsa bobbed her head and placed her hands behind her long pink ponytail. "But...that's the kind of determination Venigon raised him for. Strong, smart, fearless, and the-"

"The will to never give up." Ultear finished.

"..yeah." Natsa nodded. "Although, 'smart' is a bit of a stretch. I don't think he realizes that helping you guys out is making him form a connection that he never had before."

"Yeah? I always am happy to welcome him. He's the reason I started this old building." Ultear smiled sadly and sighed. "Now, I feel like it's my turn to help him find his way." She placed a hand on the walls, and gave it a gentle pat. "But...he doesn't want my help. I know that, but...It's just not fair for him. Going through his whole life, losing everything he had. No one to turn to. No one to lean on...I can't understand why he doesn't want that. He was there for me, right before I was about to give up." She placed her hand on her chest. "So why is he so hesitant?"

"...well that's the difference between you guys and him." Natsa answered plainly as she put her arms to her sides. "He gave up, when Venigon died. Mindy was there to get him back to normal, but it killed him inside. He lost his reason for living. Venigon was the only one he could turn to when things were grim, and when he was confused, sad, and angry. Then that dragon...killed him." Natsa frowned. Nevan's eyes opened slightly, as she listened to their conversation.

"..." Ultear bowed her head.

"It's not that he doesn't want to have a connection with you, or anyone else. He's just afraid of losing something again. He sees that killing the dragon at the cost of his life, is a way to do right by Venigon. I hear it in his head every now and then, that it's the only way to redeem himself, for all the life he extinguished." Natsa sighed. "Just...he's just not..." She didn't know how to say it without making it sound any more depressing. "He just wants to die, and be forgotten. Because he has nothing left to live for. It's like walking non-stop with a grim reaper on your shoulder. He wonders everyday if it will be his last. And no one wants to be with someone as revolting and pathetic as him...that's the best way I can describe how he feels about himself." Natsa could sense that Ultear was disturbed by her words.

"...(sniffle). I understand." Ultear nodded as a tear escaped her eye. She quickly wiped it away. "I uh,...need to take care of something..." Ultear swallowed and tried to recompose herself. She turned away.

"Hey." Natsa said before she was gone. "If anyone can fill a gap in his soul...it would be you guys. I can tell he likes working with you. That much I know. Don't tell him I said that though, or he might kill me." Natsa smiled and winked.

"..yes. Thank you." Ultear nodded quickly. She left the two and hurried to her office.


"..." Ultear shut the door behind her, and slowly made her way over to her chair. She cradled her head in her hands, and just felt like breaking down. Natsu's face just kept popping up in her head as she shook it.

"...I'm so sorry...i'm sorry Natsu. I'm sorry I didn't...find you sooner." She felt her eyes sting and her lips sticking out slightly as she tried to hold in a cry. Her heart yearned to connect with Natsu's. It was just playful fun, and flirting, and eventually, feelings, whenever she was with him. But he constantly closed himself to her. It just made her more persistent, but she failed to think of this from his point of view. After hearing Natsa's explanation from his everyday thinking, she wanted him to be there. She wanted to hug him, and kiss him, and talk to him, assuring him that everything would be okay. He didn't have to tread the path to his doom. The consequences of leaving him to his own self-demise, were just unacceptable. Some how, in some way...she would save him.

Just like he saved her...

(Knock, knock)

"Ah-! (clears throat), Um, come in!" Ultear tried to recompose herself, as someone knocked on the door.

"Hey, um, sorry to bother you." Meredy popped her head out the side. "Um, that...green haired lady you were talking about the other day...?" She tried to remind her.

"...Treya Duella?" Ultear perked up.

"Yeah, um, she's down stairs. Said she knew Natsu, and was looking for him."

"I'll be right down." Ultear nodded and wiped her eyes.


"Soooo...you knew Natsu as well?" Beth was asking Treya, who sat at a table with a impatient look.

"Mm. He's my mate." She simply replied.

"Mate? Like a...pirate?" Beth tilted her head in confusion.

"...where is that woman?" Treya just blinked, and just went back to staring off into space. All the women around her were mindful of their new guest. They wondered if she was looking to join or something.

"She's very elegant and composed."

"Really? She seems kind of...distant."

"Wonder if she's one of them silent, shy types?"

"She's carrying daggers. I wonder if she's like a thief or something."

"Shh! She can probably hear you!" Treya could hear many things. Most of them was the speculation on her purpose there.

"So this is that vixen's guild?...oddly enough, they use the same decor as 'her' mansion." Treya observed.

"Treya...Duella, correct?" Treya shifted her eyes at Yukino, who approached her.

"Who is asking?" Treya responded, as her gray eyes turned to her.

"Oh, I'm Yukino. I'm a mage here." She kindly introduced herself.

"You heard right. I am here looking for someone." Treya stated.

"I see. Well, is there any chance I could help -"

"No." She swiftly said.

"I-I see, well..." Yukino was surprised at how quick Treya responded. Kind of cold, actually.

"Miss Treya here is looking for Natsu." Beth told Yukino.

"Eh? Really? You know him?" Yukino was surprised. "I know him as well, he helped me out a while ago. And he's been helping us out at the guild whenever he's here. He's a real nice person." Yukino said with enthusiasm.

"...where is that blasted guild master?" Treya said again, her patience starting to wain. "...too many options. It is not safe for him to tread this place alone. She could sink her claws into him at any given moment. The women here clearly like him too much...the braided girl doesn't seem potentially interested, but that white haired girl seems to hold him in unusually high regard.." Treya was narrowing her eyes at the girls who mentioned her mate's name.

"I actually wrote some things down about him, since he was one of the first guys to ever get this far in the building. Erza and Kagura always scare off potential bad guys, but what really shocked me was how he stopped them both when they came at him." Beth recalled as she looked at her notepad. "Ultear was very nice to him. Which is kind of unusual, considering before he came here, she shooed off guys who weren't there for a good reason." Beth scratched her freckled cheek.

"Now that you mention it, she's been in high spirits. I even heard she's planning on opening up a second building in Crocus." Yukino nodded.

"The Empresses seem to get excited to when he's around. I heard Mira say he beat all three of them in a row during a training match." Another white haired girl who looked similar to Yukino showed up. She was wearing a pink shirt and blue jeans. Her face kind of looked similar to Mira's in some aspects.

"Lisanna! how are you today?" Yukino greeted happily.

"I'm fine. I'm just waiting for my sister to get back. I heard you guys talking about that Natsu guy. Mira-nee won't stop talking about beating him so much. He must have left a lasting impression." She giggled.

"Oh yeah, you haven't met him yet, have you? He's awesome! I've never seen a mage like him before! I think he might be stronger than this guild combined!" Beth proclaimed.

"He saved Mira, Erza, AND Kagura. And he just left, just like that." Yukino shrugged.

"Mm, I'll have to thank him when he comes back." Lisanna nodded.

"...where is that bitch?" Treya was tapping a hole into the table, much to the other girls's dismay.

"I guess it is you." Ultear said which prompted Treya to whip her head around.

"I'm looking for my mate. Where is he?" She immediately asked.

"Natsu? Uh, he's helping out a village for me. Edolas's soldiers are involved. He's with Erza, Kagura and one of my others."

"Where is it?" Treya demanded.

"It's about a two day trip there. It's a place called Trojan village."

"Two? Where is it located?" She asked.

"Ah, the map is over here." Ultear led her over. She pointed to a densely packed forest near the ocean.

"Shit! It was that close? I could have gone straight there if I cut through Magnolia." Treya cursed herself.

"Why, what did you need him for?" Ultear curiously asked.

"It's...complicated matters. How long before he is finished?" She asked Ultear.

"I reckon by tomorrow. You're welcome to stay if you want. He'll come back here tomorrow. " Ultear offered.

"I do not wish to impo-"

"Actually, I kinda insist. Something happened which I need to show you." Ultear interrupted.

"...I'll need a room." Treya blinked.

"I can take care of that. Plus, you're not gonna believe what happened when he was here." Ultear made a serious look. Treya's nose then got a whiff from Ultear's body, which suddenly began connecting certain dots, that led her to believe that something terrible happened.

"...(sniff)...CUNT, DID YOU RAPE HIM!?" Treya suddenly made a threatening face, as she drew her dagger in a fit of anger.

"HUH?! No! Where did that come from?!" Ultear had a bead of sweat roll down the back of her head, while making a baffled look.

"Why do I smell him on you!? EXPLAIN THIS AT ONCE." She grabbed her by the collar of her blue kimono.

"..Ah.." Ultear blushed a little as her guild mates around her blushed red. "WHAT ARE YOU ALL LOOKING AT!?" She shouted. They turned away, still blushing. Numerous, fluffy, to raunchy things were going through everyone's minds. "It was just...cuddling..okay, cuddling, that's it! And why would you assume I would be the one doing it!?" She swatted Treya's hands off her.

"Is it really that hard to believe?" Treya deadpanned.

"I don't know what you're talking about." Ultear looked away with a huff. "And who are you to say anything?! You are all over him all the time. If anyone would violate him against his own will, it would be you!"

"It's because he allows me to." Treya answered, with a snide hint in her voice.

"That's because he does not see you as woman, but a clingy child." Ultear retorted.

"Jealous much?" Treya was not offended in the least.

"Being seen as a child? Ha! He sees me as a woman, more than you." Ultear snapped at her.

"...ah, yes, an OLDER woman." Treya said in monotone, but the words hit Ultear like fast ball and knocked her off balance.

"BY, TWO, FUCKING, YEARS!" Ultear's head inflated as she yelled down at Treya, who just blinked calmly. "Okay, this is ridicules...(deep breath). Okay, lets just...PUT this aside, and focus. I have something I need to show you anyway, you are not gonna believe what I found out." Ultear began walking toward the training room.

"...your age?"

"Shut up and get over here!"


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