Natsu'd been getting a lot of fearful and dirty looks during third and fourth period, one girl had even looked at him lustily, which made him shudder. He now sat across from Gajeel in his dorm. He'd explained the situation with The redhead and Erza, and now waited for Gajeel's opinion in the matter. Gajeel shakes his head and swears.

" This is bad, this is really bad. Are you sure she was threatening Blondie?" Gajeel asks frantically.

Natsu nods once, " There is no doubt in my mind. Did you hear how bad she was hurt?" Natsu replies, concern creeping into his voice.

Gajeel shakes his head, " She's fine, won't be able to eat any solid food for a week but otherwise fine. You are way too soft to be a gang leader." Gajeel says calming down.

Natsu shrugs, " It was never my intention to be one. You should go check on Levy and Lucy, they're probably at Lucy's." He says rising.

Gajeel stand, nods and says, " You're probably right, they've never failed before. What time is it anyway?"

Natsu checks his alarm clock reading off the time. " Six thirty-four".

Gajeels phone rings, and he answers it with a grin, " Shrimp we were just talking ab-", He stops mid sentence his eyes growing dark he speaks into the phone. " You're positive, absolutely sure?" he looks at Natsu as he hangs up. " We gotta go Lucy was taken from her room".

Natsu goes cold, he's not sure why but pure terror envelopes him. The fear however quickly burns away to a rage he'd never felt the equal to. he strides to his dresser and pulls out the bottom drawer emptying it he withdraws a black case, he opens it and take out it's contents. Gajeel's face splits in a grin described only as hateful and envious.

-Levy-

As Levy walked through the halls of the school she felt a growing unease, the source of which she could not explain. She'd remained in art for a little bit to help the teacher and hadn't realized Lucy leaving. She threaded her way through the twisted corridors towards Lucy's dorm. She was unsure of how to feel about Lucy miraculous, and inexplicable recovery. She arrived at Lucy's door, took a deep breath and entered.

She was prepared to confront Lucy, for an argument, or to comfort her, she was even prepared to forcibly convince her of Natsu's maliciousness. But she was not prepared for a packed bag, Natsu's scarf and a brownish red stain on the carpet. She swallowed and trying not to look at the floor she steps over to the note, her knees are weak and she grabs the edge of the desk to steady herself.

The not reads, " Natsu Dragneel, the Salamander. The Ravens wish to speak with you tonight at 8:00Pm in warehouse 7 on Canal rd. We have heiress, if you want her unharmed you'll come alone."

Levy dropped the note, and fell to her knees, tears flowing unbidden from her eyes. She clenched her teeth and dialed Gajeel's number. When he answered she shakily, and slowly told him of the note. After he hung up she began to cry in earnest, fearing for Lucy's fate.

When Natsu and Gajeel arrived, she'd stopped crying but her eyes were red and bloodshot, and her nose was stopped up. She said nothing only handed the note to Gajeel. Gajeel looked over the parchment and then handed it to Natsu. Natsu looked up from the paper and spoke.

" I'll head in alone. Get me a car there by eight thirty." He crumpled the paper and started to leave but Levy caught his arm.

" You kill those bastards, you understand?" She said, her words choked and pained. Natsu regards her, a darkness entering his eyes.

" I will." He says brandishing a strange cylindrical device with a large canister coming out the back. He exits the room and Levy collapses against Gajeel.

-Natsu-

Natsu walked for about an hour before arriving at the warehouse. The door had a large white stick figure roughly painted on the front. He paused as he came to the door, it was far too quiet for his tastes. He grabs the handle and tries the door, it's unlocked. He steps into the dark depths of the warehouse.

As he passes the threshold he becomes aware of a sickeningly sweet metallic scent. He brushed his hand against the wall. Finding a switch he flicks it on and the room is thrown into bright relief. Natsu catches his breath at the sight.

In the center of the warehouse is a single vehicle, it looks to have been white, but is now smeared with blood. Around it in a massive pool of blood lie a couple dozen corpses spread out from the trunk. And in the middle of it is Lucy, knees hugged to her chest rocking back and forth. Natsu rushes over blood splashing slightly against his feet.

He reaches out to Lucy, but as he does she jumps up swinging a knife at him. He dodges back, and she reverses the knife leaping at him plunging it down. He leans sideways, the knife cutting his arm. He wraps her in his arms as she bucks and fights. After a moment she slackens, and breathes his name before, her eyes close and she goes limp in his grasp.

Natsu carries her from the circle of carnage and lays her on the floor. She's covered in blood, some of it coming from several gashes on her arms and torso. Her clothes are soaked with blood and torn all over, her hair matted with more dried blood. Her left wrist is cocked sideways, and extremely swollen. Her knuckle are bruised and busted. Natsu inspects her wounds and finds nothing life threatening. He once again surveys the corpses and looks down at Lucy's face, he brushes the hair from her cheek and softly speaks.

"I'm so sorry, this is my fault". His voice cracks, and tears start to cloud his vision. He leans down and presses his forehead against hers. " I swear, I won't let anything happen to you, ever again.

-Gajeel-

Gajeel sat in the driver's seat of an old plateless car, Levy sitting next to him. The drive was quiet, neither one of them wishing to break the silence. The car had come from one of Gajeel's old contacts, supposedly untraceable. They rounded the corner and pulled up along the fence outside yard thirteen.

They waited five minutes before Gajeel saw movement, at the side door. Peering through the darkness, he could make out a lone figure carrying something pretty large. He tapped Levy on the shoulder, and she turned to look at him. He pointed and she followed his finger. She squinted and her expression grew brighter.

"It's Natsu, I can see the pink on his head." she breathed a sigh, then paused her face growing darker. " then he must be carrying Lucy." She turned throwing the door open and leaping from the car.

Gajeel swore, and followed. Levy ran up yo Natsu, Gajeel close behind. Natsu Nodded at Levy, stopping in front of her. Gajeel came up behind them as Levy began to speak.

" Is she ok?" Levy questioned frantically." What happened in there, what did they do to her?" Levy was panicked, her voice breaking as she stared at Lucy's bruised and battered face.

Natsu shifts Lucy to one arm, and grabs Levy's shoulder. " Don't worry, she's gonna be ok, we just need to get her to a hospital." he smiles reassuringly but it doesn't reach his eyes.

Gajeel notices his shirt is missing, and the strips of clothes being used as tourniquets, all over Lucy's arms. Natsu turns to him and speaks, " We need to leave, now." Gajeel nods and leads the way back to the car.

Levy climbs into the back, and Natsu lays Lucy across the seat her head in Levy's lap. Natsu then sits in the front across from Gajeel. Gajeel turns the car on and pulls away from the yard. They round the corner off of canal street, and Natsu check his watch. Suddenly an explosion sounds through the air. A fireball many times taller than the surrounding buildings, erupts from yard seven. As the air stills and Gajeel's vision readjusts to the sudden light, Natsu smiles, " It was all an accident, right?" Gajeel swallows and nods, driving to a hospital he's connected to to have Lucy treated. He has a new found fear of this boy, but not for himself, more accurately for any who cause him harm.

-Lucy-

Lucy slowly opens her eyes. She's lying in a bed, her whole body hurts, especially her head and left arm. She starts as her last waking memory returns. She'd been kidnapped, what had happened, where was she, she'd been in a trunk.

She bolts upright, and winces, as pain shoots through her body, yelping loudly. A strong hand lands on her shoulder. She looks over, fear in her eyes. But that fear is quickly replaced by relief as she sees Natsu. She tries to speak but can't get the words out past the growing lump in her throat. Tears fill her eyes, distorting her vision. Natsu leans over her and hugs her, firmly but gently.

After she calms he pulls away and his eyes get stern, in a caring, cute, sort of way. " You should lay back down, you went through alot." He says trying to sound commanding, and failing.

She lays back and asks, " what exactly happened?" her voice is shaky.

Natsu reaches over and pulls her blanket up higher. " You were taken, I went and got you." he says plainly but she can tell, that's not all.

"Then why do I feel like I was beaten, to within an inch of my life?" her voice is rising but collapses into painful coughs.

Natsu eyes go cold and she feels fear from him for the first time. " They did this, but they won't be able to touch you again."

Lucy still doesn't think that's all, but drops it. And instead looks around, she's back in Natsu's room. She raises her hands in front of her face. Her left hand is sore, and in a heavy cast. Her other hand is wrapped with gauze. Her arms are covered in stitched up cuts and a few faded bruises are evident. She pauses, Why were they fading.

She looks at Natsu and asks, " how long was I asleep?"

Natsu shrugs, "Been a couple days, you had a concussion." he says adding. " Now get some rest, and if you're feeling up for it I'll get you something to eat."

She nods and Natsu walks to the kitchenette. Lucy sits up against some the pillow. She moves the blanket down and surveys her torso. It's also bruised, but free from anything more than some scratches. Her ribs feel sore, but not broken. She drops her shirt, and sighs as Natsu brings her a bowl of oatmeal. She smiles despite herself, she has after all had worse.

Over the next couple days, Lucy stayed in Natsu's Dorm. He'd make her food, in the mornings and evenings, and just sit with her whenever she needed it. Levy came back from classes with Natsu, bringing her the school work she'd missed. She'd been taken on Thursday, and woken up on sunday, by the next wednesday her bruises had fully healed and her head felt fine. Thursday morning she was accompanying Natsu to class.

She Had opted to not cover her stitches, deciding to own the injuries instead. The cast was itchy on her wrist as she steps into the classroom next to Natsu. The whole class looks glad to see her, but they're smiles die as they see the cast and stitches. Most of the students looked away uncomfortably, but a couple girls look at Natsu angrily.

Lucy, smiled and waved with her good hand. She then nudged Natsu's arm, Natsu waved. Lucy and Natsu went and sat together, Lucy made a show of Being comfortable with, him and wanting to be close to him.

The class went by uneventfully. At the end of it Natsu walked her to second where she and Levy sat together. Before class, a few girls came up to Lucy, concerned looks on there faces.

" Are you ok, like do you need help with…", the front girl said, trailing off.

Lucy looked at her and tilted her head, " What do you mean?" she asked, " I'm doing just fine see." she gestures to her work space and her dominant hand being unencumbered.

The girls looked uncomfortable, " No like domestically. Should we call someone for you".

Lucy blinked, " Why would you think me and Natsu had any issue. I don't think I like what you're saying." Lucy was defiant, but the girls seemed to think she was just scared to say something, because they all shared a sad look.

" Don't worry, It's obvious he's hurting you. I saw him carrying you into his room last week." she pauses shrugging. " I mean, that guy, it's almost expected."

Lucy looked at the desk, and grew quiet. Levy put a hand on her shoulder. Lucy looked back up, her eyes lined with tears. " What about Natsu would make you say that about him?" her voice is strained, barely held together. " He is the sweetest, most caring, and kindest, boy I have ever met. I was attacked, without Natsu's help I might not have survived. So I don't want to hear you insult him." Her voice grows stronger and angrier as she speaks. The girls scowl, and walk off shaking their head sadly.

" You know, Gajeels way sweeter than Natsu", Levy jibes.

Lucy chuckles, rubbing the tears from her eyes. " Why would people think Natsu's a bad person?" she asks, her voice steady again.

Levy's expression grows awkward. She looks around fidgeting. " U-u-um, I don't… don't uh… well you see, what were we talking about again?" Levy stammers.

Lucy eyes her, but turns to the front as the bell rings. She thinks to herself, "I need to figure this out. I'll ask Natsu later." Lucy opens her Notebook and settles in to take notes, sniffling slightly.

Lucy enters the cafeteria and scans the room for Natsu. She sees him at the counter, surrounded by several girls. Lucy storms towards them, a grumpy look on her face. But she pauses a few yards from the congregation. The girls directly around Natsu look angry and a few of the ones around the edge are fearful. She can't hear the girls over the chatter of the cafeteria, but the one in front of him is gesticulating wildly. Lucy sidles closer to the group.

…" Can't just treat a woman like that, do you have any morals?" the girl says angrily.

" I didn't do anything", Natsu says quietly. " Please just leave me alone." He pleads turng away with his tray of food.

" Don't walk away from me. If we see any sign of you touching her again, we will call the authorities." She says heatedly.

Natu puts his tray on the counter, and turns to face her. Natsu's voice grows stronger, louder, as he replies, " I didn't ,just leave me alone!" he spreads his arms, and the girls yelp and draw back.

Natsu's face goes slack for a second and then he gets angry, he turns flipping an empty table as he stalks off. Lucy notices his, as he walks away him drawing his arm across his face.

Lucy stalks up to the girl who'd berated him. She turns turns to face her as Lucy gets close. Lucy slaps the girl across the face, and her head is forced sideways.

" What in the hell is you're problem?" the girl cries. She turns to face Lucy, rage in her eyes.

" Leave Natsu alone. He hasn't done anything to deserve being treated like that." Lucy yells. She pushes past her and grabs Natsu's forgotten tray, turning to rush after him.

She finds him in the hall sitting with his back to the wall, head hung low. She crouches in front of him and says tenderly, " Natsu, are you alright? Don't listen to those girls. They were just being hateful."

Natsu inhales, " I'm fine. Just needed a minute". He looks up and smiles weakly at her.

Lucy smiles back. " Why would they pick you for a target? especially for such wicked accusations, you're the sweetest person I know." She Took the opportunity to pry about why people seemed against Natsu.

Natsu shook his head, " Don't worry, I can take accusations, threats, even attacks." He pauses, " But them being scared of me, that's what made me upset." He stands, reaching his hand down to pull Lucy up.

They stand together before walking back into the cafeteria. Gajeel and Levy are waiting for them. Natsu and Lucy sit across from them. They talk and laugh together, and Lucy feels at home among her friends. Lucy sat with Natsu, forgetting all about her trepidations as to his nature and just relaxed throughout the lunch hour.

After classes ended Levy grabbed Lucy's hand and kept her from rushing from the room. "Stay and help me clean up. We'll head back afterward, ok?" L evy says sweetly.

Lucy makes a pouty face, " Fine." she says, " I'll help, but I'm going to visit Natsu after."

Levy nods, "Of course, We'll be meeting him and Gajeel at his room."

Lucy, cocks her head and sets about organizing the pencils. After they finished cleaning Levy lead the way to Natsu's dorm. Gajeel is waiting outside leaning against the door frame. He greets them as they approach.

" Hey, Shrimp, Blondie, how you two doing. You ready for the big-" Levy cuts him off, by swatting him in the chest.

" Shhhhh! Not yet." Levy hisses in a poor imitation of a whisper. They both turn to Lucy and smile, "innocently".

Gajeel still smiling , opens the door and gestures for Lucy to enter. Levy drives Lucy forward from behind. Entering the room,Lucy immediately sees a plastic folding table, laden with food. The next thing she sees, is a second bed opposite Natsu's, as well as a second dresser. And standing behind the table is Natsu, and three others, she recognized but couldn't place.

" Lucy, this is Gray, Juvia, and Wendy. They're friends of ours, and they'll be joining us for dinner." Natsu says gesturing to each in turn.

Lucy waved, and walked over to Natsu. " What's with the furniture?" She asks.

Natsu flushes, " well… it's so you can stay hear. If you want to I mean." Natsu, stammers.

Lucy smiles, and nods. " I'd like that." she says simply.

Dinner goes by boisterously. Wendy leaves first, followed by gray and Juvia, who promise to " Be quiet", Lucy wasn't sure what they meant. Finally Levy and Gajeel depart, leaving Lucy and Natsu alone. They clean up the dishes, and fold the table leaning it against the counter.

" So, the only way Levy, would let me ask you to continue staying here, was if you had a seperate bed." Natsu says sheepishly. " I would of kept sleeping on the couch, but I think Gajeel got in her head."

Lucy smiles, " Yeah, I noticed he seemed to be a pretty colorful fellow." she says cheerily. " Well, I think we should get ready for bed. I'll go change in the bathroom, you go next, kay."

Natsu begins to answer but is left silent as Lucy is already in the bathroom. She exits a few minutes later in a bathrobe. Natsu steps pat her into the bathroom to change into his Pajamas.

Exiting the Bathroom he finds Lucy sitting on his bed, Reading by the lamp. She looks up and pats the bed beside her. " come cuddle with me. Please." she says adorably.

Natsu walks up to the bed and sits beside her. Lucy closes the book and takes out a pad and pencils.

" Take off your shirt so I can draw you." she says flipping to a clean page.

Natsu hesitates, " why?" He asks confused.

" just do it, I want to draw with a muse." she says exasperated. " Up to now I've had to guess, what your ab… Never mind." she says suddenly flushing.

Natsu smiles and obliges. He pulls off his shirt revealing a chiselled landscape of muscles, crossed by the Viney tattoos on his chest. Lucy's cheeks turn pink, and she tilts her head.

" I didn't know you, uh, had tattoos." She says shyly. She touches the pencil to the paper and begins to draw. And they remained there until she'd finished. Then she nestled into the crook of his arm, laying her head on his chest.