Happy fourth of July everyone! I know our updates have been a little rough, so thank you all for being so patient as we spend time with our families! Especially those of you who are indulgently watching us American's blow shit up!

THIS FIC UPDATES ONCE EVERY THREE DAYS: Post, Break, Break, Post!


CHAPTER 30

Wendigo

a cannibalistic giant; a person who has been transformed into a monster by the consumption of human flesh.


Natsu awoke suddenly, his head feeling foggy and a terrible ache in his side and throat. Groaning a bit, he found himself in totally different surroundings.

He was laying in a comfortable looking nest of pillows and blankets. But when he shifted too far, he found he was unable to move his arms.

Dazedly, he looked down at his wrists, seeing heavy metal and chain burned with script magic keeping his arms pinned down.

He flexed his fingers in confusion, his eyebrows raising at the sight of dried blood coating the tops of his fingers and clotting under his nails.

He looked around, this time growing a little concerned.

He felt a bandage wrapped around his neck, itching by how tight it had been applied, and another bandage snug around his middle.

"What the?" Natsu whipped his head around, nearly whimpering at the sudden pain slicing through his throat. What the hell had happened to him? His voice was rough and it felt raw all the way down to his stomach.

The last thing he remembered was staring into Igneel's eyes. He had been about to ask Igneel when they could get started, when everything had just drifted away.

...And then he woke up in this place, feeling like he had just gone six rounds with the demons of Tartaros themselves at the same time.

"Oh! You're awake!" A small voice said eagerly by his side, and Natsu felt something cool and wet touch his forehead.

A small hand gently pushed him down by his shoulder. The owner of the hand was a small girl, with long blue hair and feathers woven into her hair, "Please relax. I'll get everyone! They'll be happy you're awake!"

Before Natsu could protest or question what was going on and why he was chained down, the girl had fluttered off with light feet.

It seemed the girl hadn't had far to go though as he heard the sound of footsteps rushing towards him only a few moments later, and suddenly, to his immense pleasure, Lucy's face filled his vision.

"Natsu!" Lucy gasped as she rushed to his side to gingerly wrap her arms around the uninjured portions of him, "I'm so glad you're awake!"

"Now don't smother him dear." A soft voice laughed behind Lucy and Lucy pulled away to reveal Igneel's queen.

The dragoness stepped over to him, "Wendy dear, please get your brother some water. I'm certain he's very confused right now, and a sore throat won't help him."

"Okay!" The little girl, Wendy, chirped and rushed over to a counter while the dragoness settled on Natsu's other side and smiled at him in a way that had something in Natsu trembling with excitement. Almost unconsciously he whined softly in the back of his throat and tried to reach for her.

"Easy." The dragoness soothed as Wendy returned with the water, her smile widening, "Here." She shifted him so he was sitting up comfortably and able to drink the water, "I'm afraid the chains can't come off until your friend Levy removes them for you, but Sting has gone to get your father and the others so she should be here soon."

Natsu's eyes widened at the word 'father' and he choked a little on his water, "I... you mean... I'm really...?"

Your son.

The words could not seem to get past the lump that had lodged itself in his throat, but it seemed he didn't have to say them. The dragoness, his mother, reached out and caressed his cheek gently.

"Yes Natsu." She murmured, her voice thick with emotion, "I'm your mother, Grandine."

The emotions those simple words stirred in him threatened to overwhelm him and Lucy curled her hand into his, heedless of the blood still there.

Natsu didn't even know what having a mother even meant. He didn't understand what he was supposed to do with that knowledge, so he just held more firmly onto Lucy's hand while his mind raced for something to hang onto.

"I-I don't understand," he admitted.

He shook his head, immediately regretting the decision as his neck throbbed in pain, "I mean, I don't remember."

"Wasn't Igneel supposed to look into my head? How come you guys know stuff but I still don't?" Natsu protested, not finding that fair at all.

Grandine opened her mouth, her eyes flashing to Lucy's in silent communication. Natsu caught the look, suspicion flaring in his gut but unsure what to make of it. His teeth gritted in confusion, trying to figure out what had happened. He was saved from asking a question he wasn't sure they'd answer, when the temperature rose in the room, signaling the approach of his father.

"You don't have those memories, because there is nothing in your head to remember," Igneel's voice came from the entryway. His face looked pale, and Natsu's... brother, followed with a bandage around his head.

"Wait, what do you mean there's nothing to remember?" Natsu demanded, his eyes widening as he tugged in frustration at the chains holding him down.

He growled his displeasure but hunched his shoulders as Igneel approached him.

"The moment I pried open that space in your head, you..." Igneel trailed off.

Lucy's hand tightened around Natsu's almost painfully, and he looked at her in surprise.

"Natsu you hurt yourself," Lucy set a gentle hand over his bound middle, "Even when I tried to order you to stop, you didn't even hear me. It just got worse."

Natsu felt his blood freeze at that, "What do you mean it got worse?" He asked hoarsely, "I disobeyed you?"

"You panicked." Sting corrected grimly, "You weren't trying to hurt anyone. You were just hysterical and trying to get away and we got in the way."

Natsu swallowed a little at that, "How bad was it?"

Sting grimaced, "Gajeel was the first to react. You tore up his arms pretty good, but he'll be fine. I got nicked before dad was able to sit on you long enough to subdue you. The only one you didn't even get near was Lucy."

At least there was that mercy. Natsu felt bad about having attacked Gajeel and even Sting like that, but he never could've forgiven himself if he'd hurt Lucy as well.

"I guess that's why you got me chained up?" He asked.

Igneel nodded, "It was the only way to ensure you didn't continue to rampage while I dealt with your memories." His eyes narrowed, "Trust me Natsu, there's nothing in any of them you want to remember, and I will not have you go insane with guilt over something that was not your fault."

"Igneel removed your memories." Lucy elaborated quietly, "We couldn't think of another way to ensure they didn't hurt you anymore." A tear trickled down each cheek, "He's got them in his head now. He knows everything that happened to you under Zeref's orders."

Igneel nodded, looking like he wanted to reach out to Natsu, "Lucy is the first good thing to have happened to you son. If I were you I would hold onto that with all my strength, and move forward to be the person you were meant to be rather than trying to remember the monster Zeref forced you to become against your will."

Natsu opened his mouth and closed it. He grit his teeth as annoyance bubbled up in him. His memories were just gone now? Because he couldn't handle them?

He needed to know what was in his head. He had to know. Couldn't they understand that deep desire to know where his life started? He had to find a way to make amends for what he had done in the past. And that meant knowing his past.

"I can't just forget!" Natsu protested, stubbornness setting in his jaw, "Even if you swiped me memories, I'll find a way to remember them. I will!"

There had to be something important in his memory. Something he couldn't put his finger on. it just left a lingering impression, one Igneel would have no idea of understanding.

There had to be a safe way for him to get his memory back. And as grateful as he was to Igneel for keeping them safe... He had to find a way to know what Igneel had found out.

"This is for the best Natsu, please try to trust me on this, you do not want to remember your past," Igneel vowed, "We have your best intentions at heart."

"Big whoop!" Natsu barked back at Igneel, his temper dulling into a challenging smirk "I'll figure out a way to get my memories out safely. The only way you'll get me to stop lookin' is if Lucy orders me not to!"

He blinked and turned to Lucy, whose lips were pressed together in a firm line. His smiled faltered a bit at the sight of the grim consideration on her face and his shoulders bunched.

"Lucy..?" Natsu asked. His voice was hesitant, and his heart sank at the tears still simmering in her eyes. Had it really been so awful for her?

"Natsu, it was bad," Lucy breathed out and squeezed his hand, "I only want the best for you. And this will hurt you."

Her grip tightened on his hands as the tears spilled over, "I watched you." She whispered hoarsely, "The whole time. I watched you scream. I watched the fear on your face. I watched when you tried to escape."

She trailed her hands gently over his bandages and met his eyes, "I watched you try to kill yourself when you couldn't get away Natsu!" Her voice rose a little with each word, "You didn't get hurt fighting the others! You tried to gut yourself rather than face whatever Zeref had you doing in those memories! And when that didn't work you tried to claw out your own throat!"

"I can't watch that again!" She shouted hysterically, "I can't! You're my partner Natsu! My best friend! I care about you! I don't want you to die!" She buried her face in her hands, harsh sobs wracking her frame, "Please Natsu..." She begged between sobs, "Please don't make me choose right now..."

Natsu whined softly in his throat as Grandine moved around to wrap Lucy in a gentle hug, murmuring soothing words and growls. He'd never seen Lucy so upset about anything before, and the sight of it tore at his heart.

He ached to put his arms around her and apologize for upsetting her so much, but Levy hadn't arrived yet, so he had to settle for scooting as close to her as he could.

"I'm sorry Lucy." He murmured sincerely, "I won't make you choose."

He knew how very difficult a choice that would be for her even when she wasn't so upset. She had always tried her very best to give him as much freedom as she knew how to. It meant a lot to her that he be free to choose things for himself, and he loved her for it.

He hadn't really thought before how difficult a choice it must've been just to have Igneel take the memories away from him, but now he thought he understood better. If he was honest with himself, he wasn't sure he could've done any better if it were her in his place.

And yet she hadn't made a snap decision. She'd asked him not to make her choose now.

Maybe she wouldn't ever choose. And maybe she would make a choice he didn't like. But he loved her even more for being willing to wait. To think on it when she was calmer. And maybe find a way for him to get what he'd lost without the effects.

Lucy seemed to relax in degrees at his quiet declaration, and he bent his head towards hers, straining to press his forehead against hers even despite the pain it brought to his neck.

She complied with his silent demand and he was happy when her fingers curled into his, seemingly understanding he wasn't angry.

In fact he felt a flare of guilt over how he had worried Lucy.

So to relieve some of it, he craned his neck and pressed a light kiss to the tip of her nose, hoping to comfort her.

"I'm sorry," he mumbled, "I just..."

Igneel, who had been watching the exchange the whole time, stepped forward. Grandine was dismantling herself from Lucy and joining her husband.

"There's no need to explain," Igneel rumbled like a storm. He swept over to Natsu's bedside, "This is a lot for you to take in. The loss of your memories."

"But we can deal with it all one step at a time," Igneel sighed, "I believe there were other things that requires our attention."

"Most of which can wait for the moment." Grandine interrupted firmly, "Natsu is still recovering my love, and I believe he's had quite enough excitement for one day."

Levy rushed in at that moment, looking very out of breath, "Sorry!" She panted, "I came as soon as I heard, but I got lost getting back!"

She shot Natsu a bright smile that he couldn't help returning, "I'm glad to see you're awake finally!" She exclaimed as she skipped over to the bed and began undoing the chains holding him down, "We were really worried you know. Even Gajeel." She rolled her eyes, "Not that the big lug would ever admit it."

"Hah!" Natsu snorted , "I knew that metalhead was getting soft and squishy!"

"I'll show you soft and squishy Salamander!" A voice roared from outside, making Natsu cackle gleefully, and much of the tension in the room dissipate.

Lucy and Levy shared a look and shook their heads as Levy undid the last of her work and the chains around Natsu fell away, "There!" She shot Natsu a stern look, "Now, I better not have to re-do those chains for any reason you hear me?"

Natsu exercised his new freedom by tugging Lucy gently forward and carefully wrapping his arms around her, "I hear ya." He rumbled softly, nuzzling her neck gently.

Grandine smiled fondly at the pair and nudged her mate, "I think we should let Natsu spend some time with his nest."

Igneel nodded and got up, "We'll be back later son." He promised, and paused a little awkwardly, "I realize this is a lot to take in, and it may be a bit late for this, but..."

He held out a small package to Natsu, who took it curiously, "It's your hatching gift." The dragon explained, "I made one for you and Sting both. I thought it was past time you received it."

Natsu paused, his eyes flashing right up to Igneel's face. His jaw dropped open and then pulled his full attention to the package. He even pulled away from Lucy a little to run his hands over the paper. With slow and deliberate motions, he unwrapped it with slightly shaking hands and felt a lump lodge in his throat at the sight of the pristine white scarf within. It was soft, and warm to the touch, and had a warmth that reminded him strongly of Igneel.

"It's made of your mother's scales." Igneel murmured, "And I enchanted it for protection."

He reached out and took Natsu's free hand in his own, but when he opened his mouth no words came out. Natsu didn't mind though. Igneel's expression said more than enough, and he felt a bloom of warmth in his heart at the emotion in the old dragon's eyes.

"Lucy, can you help me put it on?" He asked softly, not taking his eyes off his parents.

Lucy smiled and looped it gently around his neck, "I think it suits you."

She thought there was something perfect about the way it draped over his neck. It did a good job at hiding the bandages around his neck, but more than that, it seemed like a part of him.

The scarf was sleek and felt extremely soft to the touch. Lucy wondered if perhaps the magical artifact had meant to be his baby blanket of sorts.

Functional and meant to grow with the user.

Dragons were practical, especially when it came to using their rare and valuable scales. A treasure in their own right.

Lucy smiled as she watched Natsu run cherishing hands over the material, a hopeful and somewhat goofy smile lighting his face.

Somehow, Lucy knew just by looking at him, that the scarf was as much a part of Natsu, as his sunny smile and devious nature.

It was perfect.


Thank you again loves! This concludes the end of ACT 2! Our last ACT starts next chapter :D So it's all downhill from there. Hahahaha.

30 REVIEWS EQUALS A SNEAK PEEK!

Lucy was giving him space to adjust to it. But in truth, he missed her. She was off exploring one end of the nest to the next while he was here trying to learn how dragons worked. And in truth, he wondered if she was avoiding him for some reason.

He let out a depressive sigh as he curled a fist under his chin.

All the space she gave him, it made him think she didn't want to see him. Not since the disastrous memory attempt. Natsu figured she was still badly shaken from the whole thing, and he wanted nothing more than to hold her until the horrors he made her witness faded from her mind.

Grandine's expression softened a bit at his pouty look. She knew that expression only too well. She'd seen it on Natsu's father the times he'd been missing her or Sting.

She smiled at him, "Missing your queen?" She asked knowingly, and let out an airy laugh when he flushed and started to sputter denials, "Don't deny it Natsu!" She teased, "It's clear enough to me you care deeply for Lucy."

Natsu felt his face heat up that he'd been found out so easily. He opened his mouth to deny it, but all that came out was a frustrated whine.

"She keeps avoiding me!" He pouted, "She says she's trying to give me space, but I don't need that much!"