A/N: I do not own Fairy Tail!

sidjr100: as per your request, chapter three was not the end lol. and we shall see where things go for Lucy.

fanficlove2014: yes, six months is a long time, and don't worry I won't leave you in suspense for too long about Natsu's mental state

apriii: *does a happy dance* I'm glad I was able to catch your interest enough to want to read it.

Now on with the story! Please remember to read and review! Reviews are what help keep me going!

Chapter 4 - The Unseen Path

It had been a week. Another long, tension filled week. The guild was on edge even more than it had been when Lucy had first disappeared. Now they were dealing with the fact that despite Lucy technically being alive, she considered herself dead, and Natsu was now in the infirmary, strapped to a bed while in a coma.

Losing Lucy had been bad enough…but to lose Natsu too? That was a thought no one wanted to consider.

*One Week Before*

BOOM

The doors to the guildhall exploded inward, sending the two dragon slayers pounding on it from the inside, flying. No one else knew what the hell had just happened; they only knew that one moment the dragon slayers and their mates had been sitting around a table talking, Loke had left a few moments before, and in the next moment, Laxus and Gajeel had raced for the door trying to pull it open. When that hadn't worked they had started pounding on it, calling out to Natsu.

They watched in fascination as Gajeel started pounding at the doors with the iron clubs that were his hands, to see that even that wasn't working.

"Salamander! What the hell is going on?! We can smell Lucy but we can't get past the doors!" Gajeel snarled, shifting his arm into that of an axe and taking a swing at the door to no effect.

After a few more moments of ramming the door, a sudden wave of heat followed by an explosion had Laxus and Gajeel flying across the guild to slam into the far wall. Wincing at the aches they knew they were going to feel very soon, they slumped to the ground from the dents in the wall.

"LAXUS!"

"GAJEEL!"

Running footsteps reached their ears as they lifted their heads to stare dazedly out the door at the raging inferno that was on the guildhalls front steps. Cool soft touches were felt as their mates knelt down next to them, and any other time they would've have fully enjoyed the sensation, but right now wasn't that time. Another explosion rocked the air, causing the two men to lunge for their mates; knocking the ladies to the ground and covering them to take the brunt of the wave of heat that hit them like a tidal wave.

"What the fuck just happened?!" Laxus cursed, trying to look over his shoulder towards the doors. He was just barely able to see the hunched over form huddled within the flames. He felt his heart stop as he realized what this had to mean.

"Gajeel come on! We've gotta get to Natsu!" Not bothering to wait for the iron dragon slayer, Laxus bolted for the door. Running footsteps behind him told him that Gajeel had heard him though and wasn't questioning what Laxus was talking about. Without pausing, the two dragon slayers dove into the inferno that was Natsus' power blazing out of control.

A few moments later it was realized that they weren't going to be able to get to him by conventional means; the heat of the fire, and the intensity of the magic pulsing off of Natsu was too much even for them. Shouting in pain, Laxus couldn't keep himself from being thrown back as another wave of heat knocked him back into the hall. Gajeel managed to stay put only by shifting into his iron skin and digging his feet into the stonework under him. Growling out another curse, he did the only thing he could think of in that moment.

He clubbed Natsu over the head with a hand shifted into the shape of a very heavy anvil. In the split second it took for him to shift his hand into said anvil and smack Natsu on the head with it, the metal turned a glowing cherry red. Gajeel watched in a type of detached interest as he saw this happening and looked down to see that his clothes had melted away as well.

If there was something to be said about Natsu's fire, it was damn effective. Gajeel was sure to have a nice deep tan at minimum by the time he escaped the flames. It took a moment after Natsu was clubbed over the head for the flames to dissipate, but once they did Gajeel sunk to his knees gasping at the cool breeze that washed over him. The sudden change in temperature had him shivering slightly while being glad that he didn't care if he was seen naked.

Hearing soft footsteps come up behind him, Gajeel glanced over his shoulder at his mate who had his trench coat in her hands. A moment later it was draped around him to give him some modesty and he found himself nearly purring again at the feeling of her hands brushing through his hair. Staggering to his feet he tucked his coat around him and looked down at the now unconscious Natsu. He knew what had happened, and in all honesty, as a friend and nakama, he felt his heart aching for the flame haired idiot.

"Gajeel? What was that?" Levy asked softly as she stepped up beside him, knowing that he could hear her. After all, it was well known that all of the slayers had senses that would put a blood hounds to shame.

"Natus just shattered. Something happened to Lucy that broke him, and that was him losing all control over everything." Gajeel answered softly, wrapping an arm around Levy to pull her closer to him. He didn't have to look down to know that the choking sound he heard was Levy trying not to cry. Looking back over his shoulder, he saw that Laxus was once more standing, leaning on Mira.

"Laxus, we need to get Natsu into the infirmary, strapped down, and runes placed around him to contain his magic. It's the only way we're going to be able to control him until he wakes up."

The rest of the guild watched in confusion and awe as Laxus nodded, not even arguing as he stepped forward once more. Scooping up the now unconscious form of the fire dragon slayer, he headed for the infirmary. It could be seen in his grip and the glances that he kept giving the slayer in his arms, that he was worried. Not a word was said in the guildhall as they headed for the infirmary, their mates, Gray, Erza, and the master following close behind.

*Present Time*

He was in that void again. That cursed void somewhere in the back of his mind. Mavis how he hated that place. Always made him feel useless and helpless. He didn't want to be here. He wanted to be with her.

Lucy.

Images started flowing through the void, easing past like a slow moving river. From his mind he watched each image with something akin to reverence. He had always known she'd be it for him. It may have taken a while, but from the first time he had met her, on some level he had known.

Lucy.

Her smile, so familiar to him, danced across his nerves in a caress. Her laughter soothed him even as it made him smile. Her smell of vanilla and strawberries beckoned him closer. Her determination, her loyalty, everything about her called to him. As memory after memory danced around him, he fell to his knees.

Lucy.

She wasn't here. She was gone. If she was here he wouldn't be trapped in his mind right now. He'd be by her side, protecting her, loving her, claiming her.

Lucy.

He had failed. He hadn't protected his mate even though he had always promised to do so. He didn't want to be here without her. Nothing mattered to him if she wasn't there with him.

Lucy.

He just wanted her. He wanted to love her, claim her, grow and have a family with her.

Lucy.

He wanted to live for her.

Natsu.

"Dammit Natsu! Wake up!" Laxus snarled, throwing himself across the bedridden slayers legs as he started thrashing again. Wendy was close by, her hands glowing as she held them over Natsu's body.

"It's no good! He's still stuck in his mind!" Wendy cried as she watched one of her dearest friends thrash and snarl.

Watching from his place against the wall, Gajeel watched the actions before him with narrowed eyes. He didn't know what it was but there was something there with those in the room. His gaze flicked from Erza who was pinning down one arm, to Gray who was pinning down the other arm. Typically the weight of those three alone should've kept Natsu from being able to move, but this time it only made him struggle harder, trying to break free.

He was so focused on the struggling bodies before him that it took him a moment to realize the smell of vanilla and strawberries was teasing his senses, causing him to tense as his gaze shot around the room.

Gajeel.

The sound of his name whispering through his head had him gulping, hoping that Natsu's craziness wasn't rubbing off on him.

Gajeel.

Bunny girl? He thought, mind racing. He didn't know what was going on, just that it was freaking him out. He didn't question it though, and only hoped he'd be able to get some answers.

Gajeel I need your help.

Where are you?

I'm not here nor there.

What the fuck does that mean?

I'm not alive, nor am I dead, but we don't have time for this.

Tell me where you are so we can come get you!

I can't because I don't even know where I am.

What happened?

They took my body, they forced me out, but I'm close by. Natsu did something.

What do you mean?

I saw my body come back to wherever I am and Natsu left something on it.

Dammit Bunny girl get to the point! How are you talking to me?

I don't know that either I just am. Gajeel I need you to make a bracelet or a ring for Natsu, as you do I'll feed some of myself as I am now, into it so he can find me.

How the hell are you going to do that?!

I don't know! I just do! Now please do it! We're running out of time!

It's too late, he thinks you're dead and he's going berserk!

Dammit Gajeel for once stop arguing and do it!

Gulping at the snarl echoing through his head, Gajeel closed his fight tightly, drawing on his magic to form into a ring that he knew would fit on one of Natsu's fingers. As he did this he felt formed. This went on for a few minutes and by the time he was done, Natsu was once more laying still. The others had sat back, catching their breath while eyeing Natsu warily.

Was that your doing Bunny girl? Gajeel asked, opening his hand to stare at the simple band that was surprisingly etched with stars.

Yes to both the ring and getting Natsu to calm down. I can't hold on much longer Gajeel, place the ring on his middle right finger, and when he wakes tell him to remember what he gave me. Thank you Gajeel.

With that last whisper through his head, his senses cleared and he knew that whatever part of Lucy that had been there was gone.

I sure as hell hope you know what you're doing Bunny girl. Gajeel thought, looking closer at the ring he had made. Stars had been etched into the surface of the dark metal, and appeared to be faintly glowing. Letting out a huff of breath, he stepped up to Natsu's side and before anyone could say anything, slid the ring into place.

"What the hell are you doing bolt head?" Laxus asked, giving him a confused look.

"You'll see soon enough. Hopefully." Gajeel answered before bending down to get close to the salamanders' ear to whisper, "Time to wake up hot head, you need to remember what ya gave Bunny girl." Straightening up, he stepped back to glance down at the ring, hoping to see something.

"-what ya gave Bunny girl-" echoed through the Natsu's mind, making him twitch. That had been bolt for brains voice. What was that idiot doing in his mind?

Shaking his head, Natsu continued taking slow breaths. He knew now that in some fashion Lucy was still alive. If she was still alive, that meant he had to find her. Find her and bring her back home where she belonged.

Turning his head, he looed around. While he couldn't see anything, he knew something was different. There was something there just beyond his reach trying to call to him. Looking down he noticed that there was now a ring on his hand. Lifting it, he peered at it closely, getting a whiff of Gajeel and - LUCY?!

Taking another deep calming breath, Natsu looked at the ring closer, seeing the etched stars and the glow they were giving off. Biting his lip, continued to stare at his hand for a long moment, trying to figure out why he now had a ring on his hand.

The seconds ticked by…

RING!

If it hadn't been so dark in this corner of his mind, Natsu would swear that a lightbulb appeared above his head.

Gajeels' words echoed back to him: "what ya gave Bunny girl"

Natsu had given Lucy a ring infused with his magic. Letting out a triumphant roar, Natsu clenched his first, bringing forth the image of what the ring he had given her looked like.

As the ring on his own hand began to glow brighter, he smiled.

He was out of there!