Warning: Fanservice *giggles*

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima


ACT IV: Aftermath – Psychological Wounds

Approximately X793

Chapter 15: Face the truth

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

Natsu let out a heavy sigh when they entered the city of Magnolia and casually walked down the streets that let towards the guild. Honestly he didn't really care or mind about the curious looks the citizens gave them, since he knew they looked battered and fatigued from their fight. So yeah it was reasonable why they would look at them, like they would become the new topic for gossiping. Which they probably would be, but who cared?

No, the thing bothering the Dragon Slayer was the prospect of his guild mates reactions, when they told them about what happened. Usually something like that wouldn't bother him, but since he was the one who had wounded his friend's, it made him feel rather uncomfortable.

Like how would they react when they saw the deep scratch marks on Lucy's back, that he made with his own blood covered hands?

Speaking of the blonde, she was currently snoring peacefully on his back, because the events that had transpired earlier, had left her utterly exhausted. Which was understandable she had gone through more than enough. Of course he didn't know the specifics about the spell she had used, but it was rather evident that it had harmed her body. It was weird really because it didn't feel harmful to him, but more like it was a warm and welcoming heat that had overwhelmed him as he regained his consciousness. Actually he could still feel the affects of the spell lingering inside of him, like it was a tiny yet hot flame warming his spirit. He couldn't explain what it was, but it was a neat and kinda comforting feeling.

Speaking about things he didn't understand, then there was a lot of things about the whole situation that needed an explanation. For instance he wanted to know what happened when he wasn't himself. Or well... it wasn't like Natsu was looking forward to hearing that, but he had to know in order to prevent it from happening later on. Besides that he really wanted to know how on earth it all ended up in Lucy kissing him. Not that it bothered him or anything, he was just curious why she did it and why it worked. Because surely it wasn't like it affected him whatsoever... nope! He didn't care about the fact that she had pressed his lips against his, in what could be perceived as something that wasn't innocent under any other circumstances...

And suuuurely he never ever wanted to do that again... No, he would neeeever give his consent to such an act.

A rather indecent image entered his mind, making him blush and more aware of the weight and warmth of Lucy's body against his back.

"Natsu are you okay?" Happy asked in concern when he noticed the Dragon Slayer's red cheeks.

"Ye-yeah... fine" he smirked towards the cat, feeling somewhat guilty about his previous trail of thoughts.

"You sure?"

"Uh-huh..." he unconsciously but gently hoisted the celestial mage further up his back. The movement however didn't go by unnoticed by the cat.

"Mmm..." Happy grumbled and rubbed his chin evidently deep in thought "... hmm!"

"What is it buddy?" Natsu asked.

"Well... I think I get it now..."

"Get what?" he crocked an eyebrow feeling somewhat curious.

Happy snickered teasingly with a hint of mockery glistening in his eyes "Why you're blushing"

"No way!" Natsu's eyes widened.

"Yeeees way"

"Nuh-uh..." he gulped loudly, not liking where this was going all of a sudden.

"You were thinking naughty thoughts weren't you" the cat chuckled deviously.

"Naw aw!" the Dragon Slayer shook his head frantically in denial.

"Yeah you did..." Happy's eyes flashed with amusement "... I also know who you were thinking about"

"Tsch!" Natsu spat ignoring that his blush suddenly increased "See if I care, it's not like you've got proof or anything. Hmf!" he feigned to be insulted and stomped away from the laughing cat.

Suddenly facing the guild didn't feel so bad... well that was until they actually reached the place, where they were greeted with a wall of loud voices and cheers.

"You... insolent... and foolish brats!" Makarov's voice boomed loudly making whoever was going to greet the team freeze in their positions.

"Master..." Erza bowed her head in shame.

"How DARE you go against MY orders!" the tiny man raised his hand, clearly wanting to punish the team, but stopped when he saw the state they were in.

Unaffected by the commotion, Gajeel strolled up to them looking pretty angry.

"Gajeel..." Natsu started before he felt the iron Dragon Slayer's fist colliding with his head "ARGH!"

"That's for being an idiot and worrying everyone" Gajeel snorted in annoyance.

"What the heck?!" he spat back ready to make a comeback answer, but stopped when he felt Lucy stirring on his back.

"What..." she muttered in a low voice "... what's happening?"

"LUUU-CHAN!" Levy yelled as she launched herself towards them.

"Levy?" Lucy turned her head to look in her direction.

"I'm so glad you're..." the other mage stopped, her eyes widening in what looked like horror "... ohh my gosh what happened to your back?"

"Ohh... it's nothing really" the celestial mage chuckled in a sad tone, making Natsu flinch from the guilt that was suddenly rushing through him like an unpleasant wildfire.

"It's not nothing..." Levy trembled from sorrow, before shaking her head in determination "... I'm gonna go fetch Porlyusica, you all look like you could need medical treatment"

And with that said she sprinted out of the guild, closely followed by Gajeel who muttered something about making sure the old woman didn't harm the tiny mage.

Of course Natsu knew that they needed healing, but hearing Levy saying it out loud still made him feel utterly horrible inside.

"What happened" the serious tone of a male man said as he approached them from behind.

"Gildarts, you're back" Erza stated when she turned her head to identify the man.

"Yes..." the older mage glared momentarily at the wounds on Lucy's back before locking his eyes with Natsu's.

"Gildarts..." the Dragon Slayer whispered, a shiver running down his spine because there was something about the serious and almost angry look in the other mage's eyes that was... well absolutely terrifying to be honest.

"I know..." there was something ominous in Gildarts voice, as he turned to once more look at the wounds on the celestial mage.

"You... you do?" Natsu gulped in fright, his mouth suddenly feeling very dry.

"Yes... I'm sorry Lucy but will you excuse us for a second" Gildarts said still looking at her back.

"Uhm... uh sure..." the celestial mage blinked uncertain how to say she couldn't move her legs.

"I've got you" Gray quickly said before grabbing her underneath her armpits and carrying her away, with a look of surprise on her face and a blue haired girl frantically following them.

"Mmm..." Natsu grumbled and sounded mildly annoyed as he watched them walk away.

"I see..." Gildarts muttered to himself when he saw the look on the Dragon Slayer's face "... this is more serious than I thought"

Not saying anything else the older mage grabbed Natsu's shirt and started dragging him out of the guild.

"Wait?!" the terror was evident in the Dragon Slayer's eyes as he somewhat tried resisting being kidnapped by the other mage.

"See you guys later..." Gildarts waved with his hand dismissively, ignoring Natsu's protests.

"Wait... no... you can't do this! Please!" he snapped his head in Erza's direction, but she just smiled clearly indicating that he wouldn't receive her help.

"... damn..." the Dragon Slayer muttered in defeat, as he reluctantly felt himself being guided towards Gildarts house.

~ o ~ O ~ o ~

It didn't take long before they reached their destination, where the fuming Dragon slayer finally was released.

"What gives?" Natsu quickly turned around on his heels, when he felt the hand finally letting go of his shirt.

"You know what gives" Gildarts stated sounding mildly annoyed as he crossed his arms above his stomach "As I told you before I know"

"But... how?" he asked in outrage.

"I figured out the basics when I was travelling, so when I got back here I approached the master who unfortunately confirmed my theory"

"I... ohh..." he mouthed in surprise and unconsciously started scratching the markings on his arm.

"Uh-huh..." Gildarts nodded to himself "... Etherious Natsu Dragneel"

"What? No..." his eyes narrowed in sadness but also anger from the sudden accusation "... I'm not..."

"Yes you are... or do you prefer it if I just call you END?" the older mage narrowed his eyes as he eyed the Dragon Slayer up and down.

"Don't call me that!" Natsu spat in anger, clenching his fists so hard, his nails dug into the meat of his hands "It's just a coincidence that END could stand for my name, it has nothing to with me!"

Unaffected by his fury Gildarts continued "It has everything to do with you. The fact that you have those markings is a clear evidence about your demonic side"

"It's not like that!" Natsu shook his head refusing to accept what Gildarts was saying.

"Let me ask you this then..." he pointed a finger in his direction "... who are you?"

"Myself who else?!"

"You sure about that? How do I know you won't revert into your demonic side and try to kill me right here and now?"

"Because I'm not him or that or whatever!" he growled in anger sending saliva flying.

"Yes you are and the fact that your markings are still on your skin clearly proves it"

"No it doesn't!"

"It does" Gildarts said sounding rather confident and cocky "But I'm curious what you want me to call the person who left those horrible wounds on Erza, Gray, Carla and Wendy..."

"..."

"What do I call the person who brutally ripped the skin on Lucy's back? END or just Natsu?"

"Shut UP!" his eyes glistened red with unrestricted anger for a second, but it quickly vanished as he took a few deep breaths to calm himself.

"I'm sorry for pushing you like that..." Gildarts said his tone suddenly switching into sounding really concerned.

"What?" baffled the Dragon Slayer watched as the older mage started rubbing the bridge of his nose.

"I had to make sure... to see it for myself"

"See what?"

"This..." Gildarts grabbed Natsu's right arm with his free hand, making the mage look in it's direction.

"What...?" feeling confused the Dragon Slayer watched his markings, that was suddenly glowing ever so faintly.

"It would seem the trigger is anger, which I also suspect is the fuel that drives your curse"

Not sure what to say to that, Natsu just glared at his arm feeling rather confused.

"Listen, I know it must be hard to accept the truth, but you have to face it no matter how hard it must be to deal with"

Still not knowing what to say the Dragon Slayer kept staring at his arm.

"You need to accept and come to terms with the fact that you're END"

"I'm not!" snarling he pulled his arm away and out of the other mage's grasp.

"I know this is hard to accept, but you are..."

"No, I can't be!" he pointed an accusing finger at Gildarts "I mean Igneel fought against him ages ago and I don't remember doing that"

"Even though I don't know the specifics, I'm quite certain that you can't remember anything from the time you were the demon. In fact if I'm correct, then that would explain why you don't recall fighting against your own team"

"I..." Natsu's eyes widened in surprise "... I don't... how did you...?"

"Know?" he chuckled sadly "It's rather obvious that you can't recall anything about your demonic side, unless you've improved a lot in lying all of a sudden. I mean you've never been the best when it comes to hiding stuff so if you knew about it, I'm sure you would have told me at some point"

"I guess..."

"With that said..." Gildarts said in a serious tone "... you still need to accept the fact that you're him"

"No..." Natsu leaned his head forwards shadowing his face with his hair.

"Yes you do"

"..."

The older mage exhaled in frustration "I know you don't want to, but you have to face the truth. That might be the solution, if you don't want to accidentally summon him again"

"It's a lie..." he whispered in a low voice.

"What?"

"It's a god damn lie!" the Dragon Slayer growled in fury as he snapped his head up, in order to glare at Gildarts.

"Natsu..."

"No! I won't believe it!" he clenched his teeth firmly against each other, before turning around on his feet and stomping towards the door.

"Don't be so full of yourself" Gildarts said trying to sound calm and collected "Are you really so selfish and stubborn that you won't acknowledge your actions? For god's sake, your hands are still drenched with your friend's blood"

"Shut the hell up! I'll do and believe in whatever I want" his hand found the door handle, which he used to forcefully open the door.

The other mage didn't prevent him from leaving, so it was with loud and furious stomps the Dragon Slayer made his way into the nearby forest.

"Tsch... as if I would believe something so stupid..." Natsu grumbled in annoyance as he kept walking until he found himself by a rather huge lake. It was actually a pretty sight, especially because the blue sky made the water look almost inviting and warm.

Still feeling thoroughly pissed he glared down at his own reflection in the water.

How could Gildarts claim something so outrages without solid proof? Well sure he had the markings and it was true he didn't remember what he did, but that didn't automatically mean he was END.

Hell no!

Deep in denial he felt how his anger seemed to intensify making his muscles prickle, from the energy that was suddenly ravaging through his system.

His pupils started to glow in a red and lethal colour as he kept glaring at his reflection and for some reason the sight made him laugh hysterically, almost as if he had gone momentarily insane. Actually it felt like he had lost at least some part of his sanity, as he sat down on the ground, still laughing like he was having the best time ever.

His mind was filled with chaotic thoughts, but for some reason it felt good giving into his mental breakdown, or whatever it was he was having.

"Madness helps to suppress the anger" he said in a low voice, surprising himself because he didn't know where the words came from. It was like it spawned from somewhere deep within himself from a place he didn't know or wanted to acknowledge.

His eyes... they had shone in a red colour...

Anxiously he leaned above the water again to glare at himself, but there was no sign of the red colour. Nope his pupils were back to being onyx coloured.

But why? He narrowed his eyes in thought.

Why was he denying the things Gildarts said to him? It wasn't like it was a silly or stupid idea, because if he was END then it actually made sense in so many aspects.

The sound of someone cackling and laughing in a weird yet obscure way in his mind, made him flinch in horror.

No...

Breathing through his mouth, he felt how a thin layer of cold sweat spawned and trailed down his skin, as he kept listening to the laughter that seemed to intensify in volume.

Claw like hands... blood everywhere...

A few unpleasant mental images spawned in his mind of him fighting his friends, making him shake his head in frustration.

"...no..."

The images in his mind vanished just as suddenly as they came, leaving him panting and feeling a mixture of emotions. Anger, regret, denial, sorrow...

Deep inside he knew the truth about what he had just experienced, it was just so darn hard coming to terms with it...

A flashback... from when he was him... the demon known as END. From when his hands had looked more like claws than anything remotely human.

"No..." he whispered and raised his shaking hands closer to his face. Even though they didn't look like claws, they were still drenched in blood.

"Darn it!" cursing he threw his hands into the lake and started to wash them rather violently, making his skin ache from his effort, especially because he continued rubbing his hands even when the blood was long gone from his skin.

"Not enough..." his eyes widened with a hint of madness glistening in them "... no not enough"

With that said he quickly stripped out of his clothes, before plunging himself into the water making it splash loudly when his naked body hit it.

The cold water made him shiver at first, but it didn't take long for his body to get used to the temperature making him feel rather comfortable, as he once again started rubbing his skin. This time however he didn't just wash his hands but also the other places of his body, where blood had stained him with it's awful crimson colour.

"Ugh..." Natsu flinched in pain but also surprise, when he washed himself and felt just how much of a beating he had taken. Especially the thigh on his left leg and his right shoulder felt really sore, which shouldn't surprise him since there were deep wounds in both places, that started bleeding profoundly when he removed the dried blood, which of course resulted in him being covered yet again with blood. This time however it was his own, but it was still really annoying...

"That... is... it!" taking a deep breath Natsu dived underneath the surface where he swam around for a bit until his lungs started to burn, indicating that he needed oxygen soon. He ignored it though and kept swimming, because for some reason it felt freakishly good being underwater. Maybe it was because it was like the water somehow drowned his thoughts, or perhaps it was the sound of waves that made him feel like he was in some weird but nice form of isolation. He didn't know what it was, but it was rather soothing.

Or well it was until black spots started to form in his vision and the pain in his lungs suddenly reached a level where it was almost unbearable. In that split second he instinctively felt an urge to take a huge breath of what would be water, but fortunately he managed to break his head through the surface before that happened.

"Gaaaah!" he exclaimed before he started breathing hungrily through his mouth, feeling slightly light headed and dizzy as the fresh air entered his body.

"You know if you really want to drown yourself, I don't mind lending you a hand"

The Dragon Slayer was too busy heaving for air to answer, so instead he turned his head to glare back at the ice mage who was carrying Lucy on his back, while Juvia was doing a rather poor job of spying on them from the bushes.

"Don't say that Gray" Lucy pouted in an insulted tone.

"Yeah, yeah I'm just kidding" the ice mage sighed loudly "You know that"

"Of course I know that, but that doesn't mean I like hearing it" she snorted in defiance.

"What...?" Natsu felt rather perplexed as he peeked through the wet hair that was falling down his face "... are you guys doing here?"

"Well... Porlyusica finished healing us, so we wanted to make sure... uhm..." Lucy bit her lip momentarily before continuing "... we wanted to see how you're doing"

"Uh-huh..." Natsu narrowed his eyes feeling mildly annoyed all of a sudden "... if she finished healing you, then why is he carrying you?"

"Because it takes some time before the muscles in my legs will function again" she blushed profoundly and avoided looking at him.

"I see..." the Dragon Slayer didn't know why but he still felt rather suspicious about her excuse, but also angry for some reason. Actually it was as if the depressing and almost mad feelings he had felt earlier had been replaced with an unreasonable bad temper.

"Mmm..." Gray snickered teasingly "... Lucy have you noticed?"

"Noticed what?" she answered.

The ice mage nodded with his head making her follow the motions direction, where she spotted a pile of clothes.

"I think someone here is taking a bath commando style, huh?" Gray chuckled.

"Oh..." Lucy's blush intensified in colour and covered a lot more skin all of a sudden.

"So what?" Natsu grumbled not understanding why that would be an issue "It's much easier getting clean without clothes on"

"Ye... yeah... sure" Lucy stuttered and turned her head to look at the sky.

"Anyhow..." Gray exhaled loudly "... the master said that you should go to Porlyusica right away. She should be back at her own place by now, since she rushed out of the guild the moment she finished healing us"

"Fine..." exhaling a deep breath Natsu closed his eyes, not looking forward to that encounter.

"You know she ain't that scary once you get used to her" Gray tried encouraging the other mage but it didn't help.

"Yeah, yeah..." the Dragon Slayer opened his eyes "... I guess I better get going then..."

"N-n-n-n-no! Stop!" Lucy yelled her lips trembling for some reason.

"What?" a wave of irritation washed over Natsu again, as he started emerging from the water.

"I said stop!" the celestial mage raised her arm and waved with it frantically.

"Why?" the Dragon Slayer raised an eyebrow but did what he was told, when he was mere seconds away from exposing his valuables.

"B-because I don't want to see that..." she shook her head to empathise her statement "... be-besides your shoulder is bleeding!"

"... girls..." Gray rolled with his eyes "... just look the other way for a second, it shouldn't take long for him to get decent and then we'll patch him up"

"Fine..." Lucy clenched her eyelids hard together before pressing her head against the ice mage's back, to make sure she didn't see anything.

"Mmm..." Natsu narrowed his eyes feeling a sudden urge to growl, but avoided doing so as he quickly grabbed his boxers and stood staring at them for a few seconds.

"You know I don't mind that much seeing you naked, but can you for the love of god just put them on" Gray closed his eyes before turning his head away from him.

"What?!" outraged Natsu waved with his boxers "They are dirty and smelly! I don't want to put them back on!"

In all honesty all of his clothes was tattered and dirty, so he didn't want to put any of it back on.

"Hold on a second" Lucy fumbled with her keys still with her eyes closed and a second later she had summoned Virgo, who quickly understood the situation and vanished back into the spirit world, where she got some clothes, a washing cloth and bandages for them.

"Is that all?" Virgo asked the blonde while snickering, because it was rather evident that the spirit thought the situation was hilarious.

"Yes thank you, you can go back now" Lucy nodded still with her eyes firmly shut and a second later the spirit vanished.

"Thanks..." Natsu muttered to himself as he grabbed the new pair of boxers and put them on, trying his best not to get any blood on them from the wound on his leg. Once that was done he grabbed the washing cloth and soaked it with water, in order to remove the fresh blood on his thigh before bandaging it. When that task was done, he washed his shoulder, but it was quickly rather evident for everyone that he would need help bandaging it.

"Uhm..." Gray started sounding rather uncomfortable "... so you need..."

"I can do it" Lucy quickly interrupted him.

"You sure?" the ice mage asked clearly relieved, that he didn't have to do that task.

"Yeah it's fine" the celestial mage answered and a second later she was placed on the ground next to the Dragon Slayer "So uhm... you ready for this?"

"Uh-huh" Natsu nodded and smiled brightly "Thanks"

"You're welcome" Lucy blushed as she started wrapping the bandage around his shoulder, her hands shaking slightly for some reason.

Natsu wouldn't deny it, it actually felt pretty good having another person bandaging him. Of course he had been bandaged by other people before, but there was just something really amazing about it this time. Natsu didn't know why that was, but for some reason each time he felt Lucy's warm fingers gently brushing against him, it made his skin prickle almost as if he was covered with invisible goosebumps.

It was really weird, but also oddly satisfying making a pleasant shiver run down his spine.

"All done" Lucy smiled and tilted her head to the side "How does it feel?"

He tested the bandage by moving his arm back and forth "It's great thanks"

"You're welcome..." she nodded before something seemed to catch her attention, making her stare intensely at his face.

"What?"

She didn't say anything but instead sighed loudly, before grabbing some more bandages and leaning closer to him.

"Luce?"

Still not saying anything she gently grabbed the wet hair that was falling down his face with one hand, eyeing his now revealed forehead.

"Natsu can you hold your hair for me, while I bandage your head?" Lucy asked and that was when he recalled smashing his head against the ground.

"Ohh yeah sure" the Dragon Slayer said as he raised his arm to place his hand in the spot she encouraged him to place it.

It was only for a short second, but when his hand momentarily met the skin of her hand, he felt a wave of what felt like electricity rush through his body.

Weird...

Exhaling loudly he just stared in front of him, while she bandaged his head. Which essentially meant he was glaring at her neck and her huge, enormous and extremely soft looking...

A mental image of himself snuggling his head against her, while he sought comfort entered his mind, making him feel like blushing for some reason.

Don't go there brain!

Closing his eyes the Dragon Slayer waited as best as he could for the girl to finish bandaging him, which fortunately didn't take that long.

"You done now?" Natsu asked cautiously still with his eyes firmly shut.

"Yup, all done"

"Good... thanks" he sighed and opened his eyes.

"It was nothing really" Lucy waved her hands dismissively.

Not sure what to say to that, he got into a standing position, where he started putting on the rest of the clothes Virgo had brought with her.

"Wait..." Lucy said before she grabbed the bag that was strapped on her back and started rummaging through it "... hold on a second... ah-ha! Here!"

"My scarf!" Natsu smiled a toothy grin and took the item from the girl's hands.

"Yeah I kinda took care of it while... you know what happened" she blushed slightly but smiled back at him in encouragement.

"Thanks, I really appreciate it" he did, in all honesty it made him feel all giddy inside that she was so considerate.

"You're welcome"

"Well..." Natsu exhaled loudly as he wrapped the scarf around his neck "... I guess I should get going before the old hag comes looking for me"

"Good idea" Gray nodded "I learned the hard way, that she hates waiting for people"

"Why didn't you say so?" Natsu's eyes widened in horror "See ya later!" and with that he raced towards the healer's place, unsure about what would happen next.


A/N: Gehehehehe... his valuables... you know what, that's all I have to say for now. So yeah! I'm gonna leave while giggling about valuable things – pun intended, haha! XD

Have a nice one y'all! (free hugs for everyone!) :D