Author Note: Here's the next chapter! It's finally time for the happy couple to draw their portion of the story to a close. NALU fans, this might be a good place to stop reading, cause this is a little bit brutal. Anyways, I hope the chapter doesn't disappoint. GrayLu will probably start in the next one, but it will be slow, considering how close Lucy and Natsu have been.

As always, a special thanks to everyone who favorites/follows and leaves a review. I really appreciate you guys taking the time to help me improve my writing skills!

Chapter 5: Storm

The Magnolia skies were heavy with the weight of gathering storm clouds, and most of the townspeople had returned to their homes to enjoy a quiet evening with their families, wary of staying out any longer than necessary in open. All across town, windows were latched and shops closed as the promise of harsher winds lingered on the breeze.

But as usual, one place in Magnolia remained open and lit, filled with the welcoming aromas of good cooking and beer. Fairy Tail never shut its doors for ill weather, partially because if conditions got too bad, there were several wizards capable of reining in nature's powers, but also because the guild hall was a place to call home, no matter what was happening outside. So, as the clouds worked themselves into a frenzy in the skies above, Natsu and Lucy enjoyed the relative peacefulness of the guildhall inside.

It's unusual to see the guild so quiet… Lucy thought, looking around at the small handful of people still hanging around. The bar was almost empty, save for Laxus, who was nursing a glass of bourbon while chatting with Mira, who was keeping her hands occupied by cleaning out mugs. His team, the raijinshu, were playing cards at one of the tables, while in a corner near one of the windows Levy sat reading a book as Gajeel lightly strummed his guitar in the seat next to her.

"Damn. I almost wish the ice princess was here. I could use a good brawl." Natsu muttered as he reclined in the booth he was sharing with Lucy. The pair had come to the guild with the intention of taking a job for the day, but when the weather began to turn, they had chosen to hang around instead, busying themselves by playing cards and chatting with their fellow guildmates. Now that everyone had pretty much gone home though, Natsu was clearly becoming bored. Lucy sighed, looking at Natsu with tired eyes.

"It's probably a good thing that Gray is out on a job right now. The last time you two got into it that shiner he gave you lasted a couple days."

Natsu frowned at that statement, obviously not appreciating the reminder about the solid right hook Gray had landed on him. Stupid pervy popsicle. That damn thing had hurt!

"Whatever. I let him do that."

"Of course you did." Lucy smiled wearily, resting her head on her hands and turning her gaze to the corner where Levy was sitting with Gajeel. "Is it just me or have those two been really close lately?"

"Levy and the metal-head?"

"Mm-hm."

Natsu shrugged, closing his eyes. "I guess. I don't really pay attention to it though."

Lucy watched as Gajeel leaned over to ask Levy a question, only to be ignored by the book-lover, who was thoroughly engrossed in the novel she was reading. The dragon-slayer frowned and waved his hand in front of her face, but to no avail, so he grabbed Levy's book and held it away from her. The bluenette instantly reacted with a displeased yelp and began reaching for it, but Gajeel moved it further away with a mischevious "gi-hi", and the two began to bicker, Levy crawling over him to reach her book as he held it out of reach and used his superior size to impede her progress.

Lucy giggled as she watched them. "They're cute together."

"Nothing is cute about that jerk."

"Natsu!" Lucy playfully kicked him under the table, making him jump slightly. "This is Levy-chan we're talking about!"

"Hey! I never said anything about Levy not being cute! I just think she has poor taste." Lucy raised an eyebrow at that, and Natsu quickly began to back up his argument, "I mean, look at him! His face is full of holes!" Suddenly, Natsu paused, and a huge grin lit up his face as he began to boisterously laugh. "HAHAHA! He's HOLY! Get it? HAHAHA!"

Lucy grinned as she watched her idiot boyfriend. He really was a dork, but he was her dork, and she loved him. As he pounded the table with his fist in mirth, she giggled softly to herself and kicked off her sandals before she slowly slid a foot up his calf. His laughter gradually died down, and she saw a fire burning deep in his onyx eyes as he looked at her. The blonde smiled cheekily and allowed her foot to ride even higher up his leg, noticing how his muscles tensed slightly as she did. He leaned forwards, his voice now a whisper,

"Luce . . ."

"Yes?"

"I . . ." he looked downwards, dropping his hands below the table. She tilted her head in question, when suddenly she felt him grab her foot and his head snapped up, an evil grin on his face. "I'm going to get you!" Natsu began tickling her bare foot with no mercy as she thrashed about, desperately trying to free herself, and giggling all the while. Mira paused in her conversation with Laxus to watch the exchange take place, and smiled happily. She always knew those two would get together someday, they were just too perfect! Laxus just rolled his eyes and took another drink.

"Natsu! Haha stop! Hahahaha!" Lucy pulled at her foot until Natsu finally relented his tickling, but his hands never left her skin. Instead, they slid up her leg to caress her calf, and she relaxed in his hold as she looked at him with hooded eyes.

"Want to get out of here?" His voice was rougher than normal, the tone of it making Lucy tremble with anticipation. She nodded shakily, and Natsu released her leg to allow them both to stand. He took Lucy's hand into his larger one, and together they began to walk towards the main doors of the guild hall, Lucy waving goodbye to Mira as they went. They were almost there when suddenly the doors slammed open to reveal Erza, armor shimmering with fresh raindrops from the now raging storm outside.

"Natsu. I must speak with you." There was nothing light-hearted in her words. Even considering the businesslike manner that Erza normally took, there was something else laced in her tone, a certain sense of desperation and urgency that made Lucy nervous. Natsu felt it too, and he frowned.

"What do you need?"

"Nothing. At least, not for myself. I have just returned from a mission to capture some bandits bothering a small village near the edge of Fiore. While I was there, one of the villagers told me a story about a red monster they had seen in the mountains. Based on their description of the creature, I believe it may have been a dragon."

Natsu froze. Could it be? After all this time…

"Igneel…" his voice was a whisper, as if the faint ray of hope might disappear should he speak too loudly. His eyes bored into Erza's, and he was no longer whispering as he asked, "Where?"

"In the South, as you approach the Haunted Lands from Peace Village. The town I was in is right on the Graveyard Sea."

Lucy felt the warmth that had been enveloping her hand up until now vanish, and she watched with wide eyes as Natsu grasped Erza's shoulder in silent thanks as he passed by, heading out the doors of the guild hall and running into the storm outside. The redhead glanced his way out of the corner of her eye before smiling at Lucy, "Lucy, it's good to see you. How have you been?"

The blonde didn't reply, running past her and out into the rain after Natsu, ignoring Erza's call after her. There would be time to apologize later, right now she had to find Natsu! He finally had some direction towards Igneel's whereabouts, and his lifelong goal of being reunited with his father was in reach. He would want them to leave tonight, undoubtedly.

Lucy's mind raced as she ran through the street towards the edge of the city, trying to map out transportation, lodging, and the infinite details of cross-country travel in her head all at once. The train would get them as far as Hargeon, and beyond that a ship might be the most efficient way to travel along the coast. She just hoped that Natsu would be okay spending that long on transportation…

Natsu… It wasn't like him to just leave her without a word, but she understood the stress he must be feeling. Her head whipped back and forth, searching for any trace of the pink-haired dragon-slayer she loved. Lucy had a feeling that he had probably ran back to his cabin to get his pack and leave a note for Happy, who was visiting the Exceed village with Charle for a couple days. Just as soon as she made sure Natsu was okay she could throw together her own travel bag…

She was a block away from the edge of town when she found him. His bag was hanging off of his broad shoulders, and he was striding with purpose in the direction of the train station, pink hair damp with the rain. "Natsu!" She called out, desperate to get his attention, but he ignored her call and kept walking. "Natsu!" She tried again, feeling a trace of fear enter her heart.

"Natsu! Can you just wait one second?" She ran after him, stopping short when he turned to look at her, and believing he had finally acknowledged that she was trying to talk to him. But when she saw his eyes, her heart froze, and the fear that had been a fleeting phantom only a moment ago now rose to consume her. His eyes were cold. Hard.

"It's Igneel. I know it is! Goddamnit there's no time to wait!" His anger was apparent, but this was Natsu, he wouldn't hurt her. She took another step towards him.

"Natsu, I won't take long, I promise. I just need to grab my bag-"

"NO!" His furious roar cut her off, and she stared wide-eyed as his fists became wreathed in flames. She had never seen him this angry before when they weren't on a mission. "You don't get it Lucy! All my life I've been waiting for this! Igneel is out there, and there's no time! Nothing else matters right now!"

"Not even me?" Lucy was quiet, but she knew that Natsu could still hear her, even with the roaring thunder surrounding them. He didn't respond to her question, and starting to walk away again. This couldn't be happening… This wasn't Natsu… He wouldn't…

Lucy felt the first agonizing cracks of heartbreak course through her, and she gasped for air in desperation. No no no… Not like this… Not Natsu… This wasn't happening… she had just misunderstood something! HE COULDN'T DO THIS!

She ran towards his retreating figure, needing to feel his warmth. She had to feel his arms encircling her again, to know that he still loved her, that he wasn't abandoning her. He would never do that. She reached for his wrist, and her fingers grazed his skin lightly. For a moment, she was warm again, and her heart paused its rapid tattoo in her ribcage. He wouldn't leave her…

It was oddly peaceful as she watched his fist, wreathed in white-hot flames, approach the left side of her face. Then her world shattered into a thousand tiny fragments, and the pain of her skin melting was merely a faint echo of what her heart was feeling. She collapsed to the ground, but the chilled cobblestones provided no relief. Natsu…

She let the rain soak her through to the bone, and after what felt like an eternity, she pulled herself to her knees, shaking from the tears and the adrenaline. He had hurt her. He had left her. He didn't love her. It was all a lie…Natsu...

Lucy turned her face to the sky, but no one heard her scream as the thunder echoed overhead, the storm not aware of, and not caring that her heart would never be the same.

Author note: Please don't hate me.