Sorry, I'm not a very good writer but I've come to enjoy writing and hope to improve. Please give me your thoughts, reviews, or opinions for the future.
The next morning, Erza awoke to the gleaming light from the window onto her face. She attempted to sit herself up when a large shot of pain rose from within the left side of her chest. She slumped to her back agonizing when she realized where she was. This is the town infirmary, but what happened? She shook herself free of her trance and attempted once again to sit up using her right arm. The excruciating pain dispersed throughout her chest as she pushed through to a seated position. Letting out a sigh of relief she looked around the cramped room. There was a chair covered in food assortments, toys, and a painting of her sleeping on Natsu's back wrapped in his scarf. She blushed slightly, but looking closer she saw how tired the painter made Natsu look despite the large grin he wore proudly, What is all of this stuff?
"Oh good, you're up," Lucy's voice rung from the doorway as she walked over to her side. Noticing what she was glancing at, she commented, "Sorry, I told him that it was stupid that he went and got that in your condition—" she paused to giggle, "but it is pretty cute that he didn't want you missing the Fair."
"Hmph, I guess so," she smirked, "That's Natsu." She looked hard at her bandaged chest before swinging her legs over the bed. She rose, and then winced in pain clutching her left shoulder. The intense burning almost brought her to her knees as it slowly eased away.
"Erza! Stop, you have to rest! You got seriously injured!" Lucy put her hand on her shoulder to support her. "Even I'm still exhausted!"
Just then, Natsu entered the room, "HEY! What do you think you're doing?!" He looked extremely angry and small fires spit from his mouth with each word. His finger pointed directly at Erza from the open door.
"Natsu, -" Erza began but was cut off when she was swept off of her feet and into his arms once more. "Wha-! What're you doing?"
He smirked at her, "You're not allowed to leave until I think you're ready." Looking towards the bed his smirk transformed into to his signature toothy grin, "and plus- I kind of like carrying you around." Hearing this she blushed timidly.
Lucy laughed awkwardly, "I guess I'll be seeing you guys at the guild then, haha. Bye!" She ran out the door and down the hall in a split second.
Natsu turned slightly, "Kay - Oh wow, she's already gone… She must be training hard!" He chuckled before turning back.
Erza sighed as she was lowered back into her bed. "Thank you, Natsu." She said in a reserved manner.
"Don't worry about it, but you hold onto that for me." He said pointing at her chin. "It really does mean a lot to me, just don't lose it."
Erza seemed confuse before she peered down to realize that she wore his scarf as in the painting.
"I'm so sorry! Here-" she started to unravel it before his hand stopped her and weaved it back around her. Looking up at him, he seemed to be a whole different Natsu altogether. He seemed serious but gentle, worried but confident.
His tone lowered, as he was audible only to her, "The guys told me why you always wear your armor…" He looked down at the sheets. "To build a barrier around your heart and protect yourself from others-"
She smiled compassionately, "That was before I-"
"-but this is my symbol to you," he interrupted, "I will ALWAYS protect my team, and Fairy Tail!" His smirk and energy returned, as they are normally present at all times.
She took a moment to admire his confidence in the sunlight gleaming from the window. "Again, thank you Natsu."
He rose from her side; "Alright then, I guess I'll be seeing you in two weeks," and began his stride out.
"WAIT, TWO WEEKS!" she yelled after him. He hadn't replied with more than a chuckle and threw his hands behind his head as he left. He had gone, but had left a smile on her face. He's been so outta character lately, what's up with him?
Upon returning to the guild, he immediately met up with his best cat-friend, Happy.
"We have to get strong, and be able to protect the others, even Erza!" His confidence radiated, spreading the encouragement into Happy.
"Aye! Let's do it! To the quest list!" The two took off to the bulletin board and began looking over the different requests. "How about this one?" He pointed at a small white paper for 70,000 jewels.
"Wow! Good pick Happy! Defeat a Menacing Monster attacking at night!" His eyes lit up in excitement. "It's only in the next town over! Let's go now!"
"Aye sir!" Happy flew off holding Natsu with his tail.
That night the two camped out on top of a defense tower in the center of the neighboring town searching for a 'menacing monster' known to destroy homes in a single swipe.
"I don't see anything, and I'm hungry…" Natsu complained as his stomach growled. He looked over to the campfire in the center of the roof and planned his route to it discreetly.
"Don't even think about it Natsu, we need it to see!" Happy chastised him. Waving one paw in disappointment.
"Uuuuugh…" Natsu dropped down with his head in his hands and crossed his legs. "When is this stupid—"
"There!" Happy yelled, pointing at a glowing yellow beast with large hind legs and a lightning pattern spread across its body.
"I'm on it!" He leapt off the peak fearlessly and sought out the creature in the dark. "Found it!" He curled over and dove fist first into the beast created a blast of dirt and debris. The monster whipped back and reacted by swinging its tail into him. Natsu was caught off guard, flew back hitting a well with his waist and falling into it. In the dark, he felt something slippery but furry. It was small and brushed his side. "AAAAH!" He shot out from the well in a fiery burst and turned his aim directly at the monster. His eye's focused in the dark, but furthermore than average. Everything became clear to him as the dark shades of gray turned into brighter shades of red, exposing every detail of the landscape before him. I've got to get stronger,… Stronger… STRONGER!. "Fire Dragon: Crushing Fang!"
The next morning, Natsu surveyed the carnage. "Well, that wasn't too bad, I guess." He chuckled, "Six trees, a tool shed, and a small hole. Guess I was holding back," he tallied as a small group of citizens gathered around.
"Wow, he defeated that monster by himself! And look at the size of that hole! It's the size of a mansion's property!" One man yelled.
"No! He and his flying kitty did! It's so cute!" One lady threw a small fish toward Happy that he gleefully took.
A man in a suit and tie came up to Natsu directly, "Thank you, we placed your reward and some breakfast in this basket. Thank you so much!" The man grinned widely, "I'm Katsugi, you're very strong. Care to have a drink later?"
"Nice to meet you Katsugi, I'm Natsu! And this is Happy! If you ever need help ever again, give Fairy Tail a call but I better be heading back."
He received the gift, shining his toothy grin, and headed down the street with Happy.
An elderly lady looking over the destruction recognized the beast, "It's a Rakurai! An extremely strong beast, known to challenge only the strongest wizards or those who antagonize it!" She glared at Natsu as he got further and further away. "But how... That boy is so young..."
"You know Happy, there was something weird about that fight," Natsu's concern grew into a puzzled look, "It's like it wasn't completely focused on fighting me…"
Meanwhile in town, Lucy had been sitting around in the guild's inn, awaiting her friends' arrival since yesterday when she checked in on Erza and seen Natsu.
The boredom pushed her thoughts into an independent structure for herself. Why haven't I gone on any missions alone before? Am I just that incapable to care for myself?
"Hey there," the call came from behind her as she spun her seat around to find Gray in his boxers.
