He ran.

Holding the newly born baby in his arms, he ran. Where, he had no idea. The blue exceed was flying above him, looking all around to spot danger.

His legs were aching, his breath short and caught in his lungs but he didn't even stop to catch a quick rest. The forest around him was becoming less dense, the canopy gradually thinning out and allowing first rays of the sun to seep into the forest. It was start of a new day. However that didn't even brought a smile on Natsu's face.

Happy glanced at Natsu's direction, his breath stopping in its tracks when he saw his partner's tear stricken face. The pink haired man looked devastated, torn apart and broken. Happy himself was crying too, thus stayed silent, not wanting to prick on the fresh wound.

The little baby in his arms stirred a little and her face scrunched up as she cried. Natsu stopped at once on hearing the sound and sat down, resting his back against a tree as he tried to calm down the feisty girl in his arms.

Happy choked on his sob at the sight. Natsu, the fire breathing, destructive dragonslayer was now being hilariously delicate with the little girl.

Hearing Happy's sob, Natsu looked up at the bruised blue exceed and shook his head, saying,"Happy, don't cry. I think she is hungry."

Happy looked at the child in his arms and his head bowed down, sadness evident in his eyes as he spoke up,"Lucy told her name is Nashi. Nashi Dragneel."

Upon hearing the blonde's name, Natsu visibly stiffened, his breath becoming uneven. Happy knew his partner was holding back his tears. The little girl slowly drifted off to sleep, exhausted due to all the crying. Happy again broke the silence,"Catch some rest Natsu, I'll get some water."

Natsu quickly stopped Happy from leaving,"No! Happy! They might still be following us. Don't leave."

"You need something to drink Natsu, you have to be strong for Nashi. I'm going to look for food while you tend to your wounds," Happy answered as he left.

Once Happy was gone, Natsu didn't hold back any longer. He pulled the sleeping girl into his chest and let out muffled sobs, pouring his heart out. The child shifted again and Natsu quickly whispered out,"There! Papa is here! Don't cry!"

His body began healing itself, a trait he had inherited from his father. He slowly laid down in the grass, shifting the white scarf with which he had wrapped Nashi and laid her on his chest. He was tired, very tired, but didn't close his eyes, fearing that something might appear and snatch away his daughter from him.

"Why Lucy," tears began spilling from his eyes as he whispered to no one,"Why did you leave?"

He hastily got up, eyes narrowed as he heard approaching footsteps. He was ready to fight, no matter how worn out he was.

Turning to the direction of the approaching sound, Natsu visibly relaxed when the blue exceed appeared from the bushes, looking a little better.

"Natsu!" Happy pointed towards the direction he came from,"There is a town there!"

Natsu's overprotective side took over as he asked, eyes narrowed,"Are they harmless?"

Happy nodded,"A young girl and her cat healed me when they found me. They wanted me to go with her for more treatment but I came running for you and Nashi."

Natsu wasn't convinced. He looked at his sleeping daughter's face and bit his lip. Should he trust Happy and follow him? What if the people were dangerous?

He suddenly heard whispered sound coming from the direction from which Happy had appeared and he sniffed, his eyes narrowing. Another Dragonslayer? Definitely a female.

"The bluecat ran here, Charla!" Natsu heard the girl say.

"Why are you so worried, Child!" Another voice, feminine yet strong was heard soon.

Natsu stiffened, had he been spotted?

"Charla, don't be mean," the previous voice called out again,"That cat was really hurt and by his words, I know that someone else is with him too and needs medical attention."

Natsu tried getting up, but once the exhaustion had caught up with him, he just couldn't get up. Still sitting on the ground with Nashi cradled in his arms, he could only pray to Mavis to give him strength.

Happy was now standing beside Natsu, his paw slowly caressing the small pouch attached on Nashi's waist. His eyes became misty again.

"Wait Charla," Natsu heard again, the voice close,"I smell blood and fire. Oh my god!"

Natsu gulped, had he been spotted?

The same voice spoke again,"Chalra, go fetch anyone! There is a small baby too!"

Nastu saw a short, blue haired girl appearing from the bushes as his grip on Nashi tightened even further. The new comer gasped as she quickly ran over to where Natsu was, who was now growling at her.

The girl smiled, extending her arms to heal Natsu,"I'm Wendy. And I will not take this girl away from you, I can smell that she is your daughter."

Upon hearing that, Natsu visibly relaxed, feeling better as the girl was healing him.

"Why?" He asked.

"Why what?" The girl innocently asked.

"Why are you helping a stranger?" Natsu asked again.

"Because I'm a doctor. And I can smell that you're a dragonslayer too," Wendy smiled, wiping the sweat on her forehead,"You need help."

"I can attack you," Natsu warned.

"You won't," Wendy smiled softly.

"Why?"

"Because, you are worried about her safety," Wendy pointed at the sleeping baby,"And will attack only if anything threatens her. You're not bad, I know."

Natsu, now almost healed, smiled at the girl as he thanked her,"Thanks, Wendy. Can you tell me where I can get supplies?"

"In the town," Wendy offered her help to help him get up.

"There it is!" Wendy and Natsu's head snapped at the incoming voice as he pulled Nashi close to his heart.

Wendy cheered on seeing a white feline appearing from the bushes as she was followed by another blue haired man with face tattoo.

"You're?" The man asked, eyeing Natsu and the child curiously.

"I just need something to feed her,"Natsu said, ignoring the question,"She is hungry."

"We need to take him to Master," the blue haired man casually said as Wendy interjected,"But Jellal!"

"The man and his cat looks like Mages and had a fight not too long ago, I can say," Jellal spoke up, leading the way,"We need to know what happened."

Natsu nodded. If it would allow him to get something for Nashi and Happy, he will oblige.

As he was taken to the Master's house, Natsu noticed how Wendy and another white haired girl took the responsibility of cleaning Nashi and feeding her. Though he was reluctant to let Nashi out of his sight, he knew he had to talk to this Master.

That's why Happy was always with Nashi.

The short, white haired old man eyed Nastu up and down as he sighed,"Natsu Dragneel, right?"

Natsu nodded and watched how Jellal excused himself.

"That girl?" Makarov pointed at the small kid Happy was supervising.

"My daughter," Natsu answered.

"Her mother?" Makarov asked again.

Natsu bit his lip as memories began flashing in his head. Happy ones, funny ones, dangerous ones. Makarov listened calmly as Natsu told him everything.

Makarov just smiled as he spoke up,"This is Fairy Tail guild. You can rest assured here and even join if you want too. You can't roam here and there with such a small kid, can you?"

Tears of gratitude slipped from Natsu's eyes as he hugged the old man, thanking him,"Thanks Gramps. I'm really thankful."

"Stay here, Natsu," Makarov patted his head,"As long as you want. Your child is safe."

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Heya guys! So, a new Nalu fiction with Nashi! I was trying to upload it from such a long time! Hopefully you will like it! Review, favourite and follow if you liked it! Thanks for reading!

~ darkestlightofhope