Wow, this chapter was a doozy, but I think it turned out well. Hope you enjoy, and thanks so much for the reviews last time. You guys give me such inspiration! Much love to my beta, Deathsembrace137 - she's the vodka to my pineapple juice!

Hiro Mashima owns Fairy Tail.

CHAPTER 30: UP IN SMOKE

GRAY'S POV

"He found her..."

Rogue's words echoed in my head as we ran towards Lucy's apartment. It was like some horrible broken record, reminding me over and over again that I'd done this. I'd convinced Rogue to leave with me, and that bastard had taken the opportunity to launch an attack.

The building came into view along with several dark figures stalking around the perimeter. It was obvious the numerous creatures were patrolling the area. "Damn it!"

Rogue growled low in his throat as his body swirled with shadows. "I'm gonna kill that son of a bitch..."

Putting my guilt aside, I readied my magic, knowing we had a fight on our hands. We had to get to Lucy, but first we'd have to get past Tatankan's sentries. And that was going to cost us time. I just hoped that Cana and Levy could hold him off long enough for us to get there.

Suddenly, one of the large beings stilled, catching sight of us, and before we could attack, the lion lifted its head and roared. The sound seemed to spur the others into action, prompting them to form a line between us and Lucy's apartment. Suddenly, the momentary delay looked much longer, and I felt my blood begin to boil.

I came to a stop beside Rogue and a fist over my open palm, and shouted, "Ice Make-"

The words were cut off as I was knocked off-balance and jerked up into the air. Hearing a vicious curse to my left I found Rogue in a similar position in the claws of a massive bird. His face was a mask of fury as he struggled to reach his katana behind his back.

Tatankan had known we would come the moment Rogue detected his presence and had planned for it. Even now, I could see us getting farther and farther away. Rage and fear battled within me as I fought to put my hands together again. I just needed a moment, and this bird would be done.

With a frustrated snarl, I pulled my arm out of the bird's grasp and felt his claw rip through my shoulder. Ignoring the flash of pain it caused, I called out, "Ice Make: Sword!"

The ice formed immediately, the familiar feeling a relief to my nerves as I drove the blade up into the underbelly of the hawk that had captured me. The bird dissolved into a smoky haze, and instantly I began to fall.

I had a moment to worry as the ground raced up to meet me, but I grit my teeth and placed a fist over my palm again, calling out a quick, "Ice Make: Slide!" None too soon, ice appeared beneath my feet, and I sighed in relief as I coasted quickly down to the ground.

Just as I hit the bottom, I felt a hand latch onto my arm, and found Rogue looking stern and cold. Then his head dipped, and he muttered, "Hold on..."

The next thing I knew, there was a sensation of weightlessness, and we were flying along the ground. Somehow, he had dragged me into his shadows as well, and though I wasn't crazy about the feeling, I wasn't about to complain. With his speed, we were eating up the distance faster than I could have on foot.

Soon enough, we would be back at the apartment and at the girls' side, but would it be soon enough? We had no way of knowing what was happening, what that bastard had done to them. Visions burst through my mind, memories of what Lucy had looked like in the hospital, how afraid she'd been in the aftermath, and it broke my heart. I couldn't bear to think of one of the girls hurt because we hadn't been there.

It would all be my fault, all because of my mistake, and I knew I'd never forgive myself.

Just hold on a little longer...we're coming...

LUCY'S POV

"You're gonna pay for this...you're gonna pay for everything you've done."

Tatankan laughed at the Dragon Slayer's boast, then flung his arms out to either side as he taunted, "I'm sure they thought the same thing."

Natsu's frown deepened as he took in the sight of Levy and Cana slumped on the floor at opposite sides of the house. "You son of a bitch..."

Before the last word was out of his mouth, he was flying through the air at the dark mage, his fist blazing with fire. "Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"

Just as Natsu was about to make contact with Tatankan's face, the smirking man stepped back and dissolved into smoke, leaving Natsu to whirl around in search of him. "You think that'll stop me?" the pink-haired man sneered. "I've seen that trick before...only Rogue did it about a hundred times better than you."

A whimper of fear slid up my throat at Natsu's words. I wanted to tell my guildmate to be quiet, to quit provoking him, but my voice was trapped. I knew what that would do, but Natsu didn't. He had no idea how powerful Tatankan was, or what he could be like when the rage took over his mind. But I knew...I knew full well how vicious he could be, and every time I'd fought him, it had only gotten worse.

He was a disgusting contradiction, seemingly enjoying the challenge of beating me while at the same time growing enraged by the fact that I kept defying him. It had ignited his fury in a way I hadn't been prepared for, and he'd made sure I paid for every single act of rebellion.

Now, Natsu was standing there, doing the same thing, making the same mistakes I'd made, and I knew it was only a matter of time before Tatankan reacted to it. He wasn't a forgiving man. He was cruel and vicious, and it would take almost nothing to push him over the edge. We were in serious danger, and Natsu didn't even realize it.

My pulse jumped in my throat, my palms turning decidedly clammy as the large black swirl of smoke shot forward, heading straight for the Fire Dragon Slayer faster than I had thought possible. And before Natsu could react, Tatankan's body reformed, his large fist slamming into Natsu's face and knocking him right off his feet.

"Don't stand between me and my possession, slayer." His voice was dark, edging into that cold tone that scared me more than anything else. I knew what that low sound meant, had seen the way the darkness crept out just before his rage descended.

But it wasn't fear that drew a sob from my lips. It was the shame, the knowledge that he had taken me in spite of how hard I'd fought to remain pure. He'd laid claim to my body, had demanded I never forget who I belonged to.

I could hear Rogue's voice in my head, saying it was a lie. I could hear his calm voice insisting I was free, and I willed myself to believe it, to believe him. I fought to have faith in everything Rogue had said, but I couldn't. My treacherous memory refused to ignore the name carved into my leg.

It was my reminder, just like Tatankan had promised it would be. It made it impossible to deny how tainted I was. I would never be what I used to be. The Lucy I'd been before was gone, and this Lucy couldn't seem to be anything other than his victim. Maybe he was right...maybe I'd always be his.

I slid shaky arms around my body, trying in vain for comfort, but I knew it was hopeless. There was no comfort here. He had found me, and he would decimate everything in his path to take me again. And then there would be pain...agony...

My hands clenched until my knuckles went white as Natsu dragged himself back into a standing position, his nose pouring with blood. It was obvious his nose had been broken from the hit, but it didn't slow him down as he moved to face Tatankan again.

I wanted to call out to him, tell him to leave before he was hurt any worse, but the words wouldn't come. My tongue was frozen, my body chilled to the bone. I was a coward... too scared to try to fight again.

"Lucy will never be your possession or anyone else's," Natsu snarled, his head dipping down to glare at the man before him. "She's our nakama, and we'll always protect her."

The dark-haired man's face warped into a foul grin as he lifted his hands and clapped them together. With a low mutter, Tatankan called forth a trio of large animals. "You'll always protect her? Where were you the first time I found her?" he asked snidely.

I winced at the sight of the animals he'd summoned...tiger, bear, and scorpion. Some of the same ones that had taken me out before. He spotted my flinching, and laughed cruelly. "Yes, you recognize them, don't you? I think they want to play with you again."

I shrank into myself, fighting not to whimper at the feel of his eyes on me. His words activated a flood of memories inside my head, like a movie rolling through the moment of my capture. I couldn't escape...I couldn't run. There was nowhere to hide. It was all there in my mind...every hit, every cut, every revolting touch.

"Leave her alone!" Natsu screamed, and feeling a blast of heat, I looked up to see a wall of flames heading toward two of the smoke beings.

Tatankan smirked as they dissolved into smoke and returned to his hands. "You can't defeat me. Didn't she tell you that? You'll run out of magic long before I even feel winded."

"I don't give a damn about that. I'll still kick your sorry ass."

"Why don't you give it a try?" the taller man urged smugly as he clapped his hands together, and called out, "Scimitars!" Immediately, twin swords appeared in his hands, and then with a horrifying snarl, his remaining creature vaulted into the air.

Natsu roared with fury, drawing up his flaming hands as the massive striped tiger lunged at him. It was easy to see that the beast would be nothing against Natsu, but as Tatankan sank into smoke form and followed right after it, I realized that the tiger was just a distraction.

My hand shot out to the pink-haired man, fear for his safety finally breaking through my silence. "Natsu, look out!"

Natsu's fire took out the tiger with ease, and as it blew apart, Tatankan shot through the floating smoke, his swords aimed at the slayer's chest. Natsu's eyes widened as he realized he'd been tricked, and in a last-ditch effort to evade, he flung himself back away from his attacker. But he was a moment too late.

The scimitars drove into his belly, crossing over each other as they speared through his body and came out the other side. I gasped in horror at the sight of Natsu hanging by the sharp weapons, his mouth expelling a choked breath as he looked down at the weapons lodged in his abdomen.

A look of disbelief skittered across the fire mage's face, and Tatankan grinned wickedly. "I told you what would happen. You should have listened."

Bile rose in my throat, the bitter fluid nearly forcing its way out of my mouth, as I watched Natsu's blood drip onto the floor, scattering vibrant red across the hard wood like little puddles of paint. "No..."

A gurgle left Natsu's lips as Tatankan gave a violent yank on the swords, all but ripping them from Natsu's torn body. His bloody form hit the floor with a thud, and for a moment, he didn't move. My eyes widened at the thought that he'd been killed, and the agony of that loss ripped a sob from my chest.

We hadn't gotten a chance to work things out. I had been too angry and hurt to forgive him, and now, I would never be able to tell him how much he still meant to me. Tears poured from my eyes as Tatankan continued to laugh, and then Natsu shifted, his eyes fluttering open. Taking no more thought in his adversary, he rolled over onto his stomach and began pulling himself toward me.

His face was stark white, his eyes haunted as if he couldn't bear the thought of leaving me alone. I'd never seen him so hurt, and as blood slipped from his mouth, I couldn't help but hate myself. He shouldn't have been hurt for me. My lip trembled as I watched him inch his way toward me, and with a soft whimper of his name, I scrambled forward to reach him.

I only just made it to his side when Tatankan stomped over and grabbed a handful of my hair, pulling me up onto my knees. "No need to worry over him. He'll be dead in a minute," he cackled gleefully. "Besides, I've got plans for you."

All at once, it hit me...the realization of what was about to happen. He was going to take me, and once he did, I'd never see my friends again. I'd never get away. I'd be trapped for however long it took him to kill me.

Panic shot through my body, fear blinding me to all but the thought of getting free, and I reared against him with a shriek of terror. I fought against his hold, not caring that every violent tug ripped locks of hair from my scalp. There was no thought, no plan, just the desperate need to escape.

Suddenly, his fist came down into my face, sending my vision swirling with stars. His voice came a moment later, a blast of red-hot fury. "Don't fight me!" he shouted, giving the strands of hair in his hand a rough yank.

A sharp cry forced its way past my lips as he tugged me up. Was this it? Was there no more hope? Despair bloomed in my chest at the futility of the situation, and I couldn't hold in my choked sob as he made to drag me away.

"No..." a soft voice croaked, then warm arms wrapped around my legs.

I looked down to see Natsu clinging to my body, the dredges of his strength used to keep us together until help arrived. Tears spilled over, my heart breaking at his last attempt, and knowing my time was short, I whispered, "I'm sorry Natsu..."

His shock at my statement was only a slight widening of his eyes. He shook his head as if denying what I'd said, but before he could say anything, Tatankan growled at his interference. "Haven't you died yet?"

With that, he threw his arm back and slammed his fist into Natsu's cheek, but the stubborn slayer refused to let go. "Fuck...you," he said in a soft wheeze.

His taunt sent Tatankan's body into a stiff stance, and he pulled his hand back to strike once more when a howl sounded from somewhere outside, followed closely by another and another. Another growl sounded in his chest, this one ripe with annoyance, and his hand came around my throat. "Don't get comfortable...I'll be back for you." He gave a hard squeeze, cutting off my air and leaving me clawing at his hand as he leaned in to whisper in my ear. "...And next time, they'll never find you."

With that threat, he dissolved completely and shot through the open window. I dropped into a heap on the floor, my body wracked with coughs as I struggled to take in the air I so desperately need. In the aftermath of his destruction, I was the only one left and part of me wondered why he hadn't taken me with him, why I'd been spared this time.

Blinking the wetness from my eyes, I saw that Natsu had relinquished his hold on my legs and had fallen back. He stared up at me with a small smile on his face, but it was a lie. I could see the sad finality in his eyes. He knew he was dying, but he was still trying to look out for me. His breath rattled in his chest, then he whispered, "...sorry...hurt you...Luce."

His words tore at my heart, and I sobbed, shaking my head. This couldn't be happening. I'd never once believed he could be killed, but in this moment, I could see he didn't have long. And it broke something inside of me to know it was because of me.

I reached out to him, aching to offer him whatever comfort I could, but my hand trembled violently as it hovered over his own. Why wouldn't my body do what I wanted? Why couldn't I push this aside to be there for him?

His mouth curled up slowly at my action. "S'okay...Luce."

Somehow he understood what I was struggling with. Somehow he knew, and he didn't hate me for it. Before I could respond, his eyes closed, his body stilling next to mine. I bit back a scream and fought through my aversion, reaching out to feel for his pulse.

He was still there, his heart still pumping, but his pulse was thready and weak. I didn't know how much longer he could last like this. He had lost so much blood already. He was dying, and though the thought sent panic clawing at my insides, I knew I was his only hope.

Biting viciously into my lip, I placed my hands over his wound and pressed down hard, almost vomiting at the sight of his blood seeping through my fingers. This was all my fault. He was going to die because of me.

A/N: Just a note here, because I'm sure some of you are going to ask - Tatankan didn't take her this time because he doesn't have enough time to get out of there with her in tow. He isn't a dragon slayer, and therefore can't turn another person's body into smoke with his own. He's forced to retreat this time.