Dark Side of You
Chapter 2: Inside of You
A/N: I apologise. I obviously was too hasty in uploading this story. I have only just finished the anime and am about to start the manga off where it finished and so, obviously, some things aren't true to the story line in this story. Like about how the guild is disbanded but I'm not sure if they get back together in the end? So consider this story AU then since there are those differences. So with that, enjoy!
Fire was ablaze in front of him. Gray could see the embers reflecting in Natsu's eyes with tears forming.
"Man...do you think she's even here?" he asked, not caring about the destruction because its what they deserved, right?
Natsu narrowed his eyes, his nose in the air. "Oh yeah, she's here."
"Looks like we came to the right place then," smirked Gray.
He'd imagined possible scenario's but not this. Gray looked at her form, curled into a ball, blood on the floor and vomit in a bucket in a corner. Her hair was a mess, chunks cut from it messily.
His eyes spotted the chains and the shackles which were tightly bound over her ankles and wrists. If Natsu saw this...he had to get her out of there quickly before Natsu lost it.
"L-Lucy," croaked Gray's voice, softly, moving toward the rusty jail doors.
She didn't even look up. Footsteps were heard but it was Natsu. Damn it, thought Gray.
He came to a stop and his breath hitched in horror. Gray looked over at Natsu and could feel the waves of rage come off him in droves.
"Natsu...she's the priority," urged Gray sternly but also with a hint of panic.
"I know," spat Natsu, not looking at Gray and although he was pissed, it wasn't directed at his long time friend. It was at the animals who had done this to her.
He watched on as Natsu pulled the door to the prison away from its hinges, like it was nothing and threw it to the side and strode over to Lucy's form on the floor, bending his knees and squatted beside her.
"Luce, I'm here-"
"I won't...no matter what form you take, I won't!" she screamed from the ground, her eyes tightly shut.
It looked as though her energy was at an all time low, her cheek lay on the cold, wet, bloody floor, along with the rest of her body. She was too weak to move, all she could do was speak and shiver in fear.
What Natsu hated the most about this scene was what she was wearing. It was some sort of white negligee like...they had done things.
And it was then that she finally looked up and her eyes widened, realising it was really him.
He broke her chains and picked her small, malnourished defeated body up in his arms. His arm sat underneath the back of her legs and his other held her upper back and she wrapped her arms around his neck, nestling her face into the crook of Natsu's neck as tears poured out silently.
Gray could only watch as Natsu carried her silently. No words were spoken but he knew what it meant. Natsu could have forgave them if they had just held her hostage.
But they'd gone beyond that, they'd broken her and Gray knew this meant he was going to break them. He knew that meant they were going to get what they deserved.
Of course, he'd never wish this on Lucy or anyone but this was their chance and now Natsu was on the same page they would be unstoppable.
All bets were off because no one messed with Fairy Tail...no one messed with their family.
Lucy and Erza stood at the door to some kind of shack in a small forest in what they called 'no mans land'. No particular guild owned it and it wasn't under the Church's control.
Erza sighed and looked down at Lucy beside her, they both faced the door.
Before Erza could grasp the handle she felt Lucy's small hand grip her own and her eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Erza, please, tell me I've done the right thing," said Lucy quietly, a feeling of dread in her stomach.
The older woman gave Lucy a reassuring smile. "I agreed because I want to believe in humanity too. Lets just see if we can achieve our goals, first, hmm?"
Lucy smiled back and nodded.
She'd been sitting here for an hour now, listening to the others debate her suggestion. Half agreed and half disagreed.
"We should just kill them all," spat Sting but Yukino's hand was on his arm, trying to get him to calm himself.
Erza and Jellal seemed to be in quiet conversation between themselves, taking advantage of the room being loud and overbearing.
"They almost killed Froche!" exclaimed Rogue.
Lucy stood up and their eyes looked to her, some in anger, some with anticipation.
"Do you understand what will happen if we decide to go to war? We will decimate them...all that'll be left are wizards. I know that there are some dark guild representatives here," she said looking over to Ivan who simply gave a creepy smile in return. "And I know that this has probably been a wish of yours for some time but have you thought of how the world will be if it comes true? People will fear us, hate us. We will go down in history as the villains."
But she knew that Ivan and the other dark guilds wouldn't care. Her speech was more for the official guilds, sanctioned by the Council.
Dorinbolt was here and some other older wizards she'd never seen before so she knew that the Council was here, not that they were officially a council anymore.
The guilds sat around the table. The shack they were in was more like a large hall but in the middle of nowhere, like it had been built recently specifically for this purpose.
The roof wasn't terribly high but the room was bland with a large round wooden table in the middle of the room for the guilds to gather around. The walls were white, made of stone, with a small window as a skylight but apart from this there were no windows.
They had lacryma detection stones surrounding the building, in case of intruders.
Their discussions continued but unfortunately, they were unable to be finished.
"We need to put our votes forward for this now. Majority wins," said Dorinbolt, taking control of the discussion.
There were murmurs throughout the room but finally everyone nodded in agreement.
"All in favor of representatives to go with Lucy Heartfilia to the Capital to see the Pope, raise your hands," he said, his eyes serious and piercing.
He had since shed his Council robes and wore a simple long sleeved khaki green cotton shirt with black slacks and boots. His hair was unkempt but short, with his earring still adorned on his left ear. Lucy wondered what he'd been doing for the last five years.
Hands raised in the air but again only half the room. She just needed one more hand for her mission to be approved.
Lucy looked over to Jellal and Erza to see their hands raised and she smiled. Jellal was still on his own mission to save the world too.
Dorinbolt opened his mouth to speak but a lacryma crystal started glowing red which alarmed everyone.
Lucy took no time and pulled out her own communication lacryma crystal. She had to phone home now before it was too late but it seemed she couldn't do that yet, because soldiers barged through the door.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Erza re-quipped but Lucy grabbed her arm. "Get out of here Erza, I'll hold them off. They won't stop until they have something," exclaimed Lucy, hoping that Erza didn't put two and two together that she had meant herself. "Quickly, contact Fairy Tail when you're safe!"
Before Erza could protest, Jellal grabbed her arm, pulling her out of there before she didn't have time to escape. She'd screamed out for Lucy but Lucy didn't turn back. Lyon, Sting, Rogue, Lucy and Kagura remained. Most of the others had fled because of the remaining few who gave them the time to do so.
"Miss Heartfilia," said a voice, through the smoke and debris.
Her heart pounded in her chest, giving her chills. She didn't know the voice but the sound of it chilled her to the bone.
Lyon looked to Lucy with a frown.
"He knew you were here," said Lyon with low tones. He didn't distrust Lucy but more, someone else that had been present today. No one knew who yet but it was obvious someone had double crossed them.
Lucy pursed her lips, her eyes finally met his. "Yeah. I don't know why they would want me unless they're trying to get to Fairy Tail somehow."
The grey haired man nodded. "We have a traitor then."
She nodded. "It has to be someone from the old council," spat Kagura with clenched teeth, the grip on her sword tightening.
"We don't have time to deal with it now. Just who the fuck is this guy?!" exclaimed Sting.
Rogue's eyes looked ahead as a man stood out from the smoke and then soldiers appeared behind him. Too many of them. "He's not normal...but he's not using magic either," observed Rogue.
"Listen you guys," began Lucy, the fear in her voice evident. "You have to get out of here. Its me he wants so I'll hold them off long enough for you all to escape. You have to meet with Fairy Tail. If its war...then we have to be together. All wizards."
The man and his soldiers proceeded forward slowly because they knew they had the remaining wizards where they wanted them. All her friends' eyes were on her, some with incredulity and others with understanding but guilt too.
"Natsu won't like this," exclaimed Sting, sort of fearful thinking of what Natsu may do.
Especially when he hears that Lucy convinced them to leave her and run.
"He doesn't have a choice and neither do we. Its obvious now that my mission was never going to work," spat Lucy with regret, her emotions getting the better of her. "This is my atonement for that stupid idea."
"Open, gate of the Lion, Leo!"
"Open, gate of the Scorpion, Scorpio!"
"Open, gate of the Virgin, Virgo!"
The other's all stood there aghast, at the Celestial Mage's power. She turned and smiled sadly. One more gate, she could do it!
"Open, gate of the Horse, Sagittarius!"
Suddenly four spirits came forth, spreading themselves in front of her and the others.
"Go!" exclaimed Lucy, looking back at the other wizards. They were people who had started off as enemies back in the Magic Games but had quickly turned into allies and friends. She had to protect them.
Lyon couldn't believe his eyes. Lucy was powerful but that many gates open would drain her very quickly. But he wouldn't let her efforts go to waste. He was the first to turn and leave.
"Virgo, make sure my friends escape and do what ever you can to help them!"
"Scorpio and Leo, please engage them," yelled Lucy, pointing in front of her.
Loke obeyed but he looked at her with sadness because he knew what this meant. She was sacrificing herself to save the others. What a fool.
"Sagittarius, provide cover fire!"
"Loke, I've got to contact Fairy Tail can you please hold them off until then? If they overpower you, just go back to the Celestial World."
He nodded. She'd ran off now but it didn't stop his words from coming out. "You're brave, Princess. But your actions will kill them."
And he wasn't talking about the wizards.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
How could she have been so foolish?
"This was a long time coming. We were always thankful for the wizards help in our day to day life but ultimately, deep down, we feared you. The Arch Bishop's son was killed by a wizard, you know."
Lucy's eyes widened. Of course. She'd heard he'd died but was it really from magic?
"It was always something we thought of, us normal humans, what would happen if you all decided to turn and take over? What then? What could we actually do to stop you? First it was dragons, all that time ago and then wizards were on top. Everything you saved us from had nothing to do with us because they were all magic related tragedies. So in the end, you saved the world from yourselves, nothing more!"
She was hidden but she could hear his voice. He was close now.
"They knew. They knew I'd be here...I don't know how," said Lucy but then she could hear footsteps and a door opened.
"Gate of the horse, Sagittarius!" she yelled. "Hold them off please!"
"Yes, Princess, certainly!" yelled Sagittarius as he fired a barrage of arrows toward the door.
"Look guys. I'm sorry. I was just trying to...stop a war. But Grey was right, they were all right. They're not being influenced its...human nature," she said as she ran, finally, she locked herself in a room and placed the ball on a shelf with a sad smile on her face.
"I don't care what it takes, Luce, I'm coming for you. If they hurt you I swear to Mavis I'll kill them," she saw Natsu growl.
Lucy smiled through her tears and shook her head. "Don't...don't start a war for me, Natsu. I'm just one person."
"I don't care. If they take you...if they're stupid enough to take you, I won't forgive them."
Lucy shook her head. "Natsu...please, don't...don't kill them. Look, Natsu. I love you," she smiled. "I've run out of magic so they'll take me soon. Erza managed to escape, I held them off long enough for her to get out of here with Jellal and Blue Pegasus, so you should hear from her soon."
She also hoped that Lyon, Kagura, Sting and Rogue had escaped okay too. Did she hold them off long enough? She wasn't sure.
"I should have listened to you, I'm so sorry, Natsu. They have powerful fighters, they're not magical users but they have skills I've never seen before!" she explained quickly when suddenly she gasped. He heard the door smash open and then he was standing before her.
Lucy hastily grabbed the lacryma ball, her eyes panicked and scared. "I love you and I wish...I wish I could have fulfilled your promise of forever, Natsu. I think I-" suddenly she screamed.
He held her neck with one large hand and squeezed until Lucy passed out. The last thing she saw was the lacryma ball fall to the ground.
Natsu...I wish...I could have told you. I think I'm...
He should have sided with Grey and Gajeel to begin with.
The Church and the Royals had crossed the line. He knew they targeted her because of him. Wendy told him all the things they'd done to her and it made his blood boil just thinking about it.
"Multiple fractures, four broken bones - leg, arm and two ribs, covered in bruises, malnourished, burns up her legs, on her stomach and also on her neck. But that's not what most concerns me, Natsu," spoke Wendy with tears in her eyes.
He could hardly breath at all the information of what they'd done to her. He was waiting for her to say they had...touched her.
"Its her mind...what she's been through is traumatic. She is awake but she won't speak to anyone," said Wendy. "Those...those people beat her senseless but its what they told her...what they said to her that worries me."
"Did they-touch her?" he asked quietly, afraid of what the answer was.
Wendy sighed and shook her head. He closed his eyes and thanked Mavis that at least they didn't violate her.
"What is it then?"
Wendy looked up at him and took his hand. "Did you two...I mean to say, did you sleep together, Natsu?"
Natsu's eyes widened and then narrowed down at the Sky Dragon Slayer, his cheeks a dark shade of red now.
She half laughed at his reaction. "You did, didn't you?! I knew it!"
"Why does a little child want to know about adult activities, huh?" he snapped, knowing that she was actually over four hundred years old but he was just trying to stir the pot.
Wendy growled at him, her face flushed with anger. "You...she's pregnant you shit head! You knocked her up, you friggin' idiot!"
When Wendy had said those words, everything changed.
He looked down at Lucy's serene face. It had been a month since he'd seen her last when she'd been running for her life. She was thinner, her hair was messed up (nothing that Cancer couldn't fix) and some bruises still evident across her arms and legs but she was still his Lucy.
Wendy had done very well on the healing. The broken bones were already repaired, along with the fractures and burns. Lucy would feel happy to know her beautiful skin wouldn't be blemished after all this.
They'd placed her in a different room which was apparently the honeymoon suite. It was a mahogany four poster bed with white and pink silk sheets. Her form only took up a fraction of the bed and her now newly washed golden locks cascaded across her pillow unevenly, some of them covered her face. He sat beside her and reached over and pulled the hair from her face and tucked it behind her ear gently.
The negligee that she had been rescued in had long since been burned. Wendy, Juvia and Levy - who were now also healed from their ordeal - had given her a sponge bath. They'd tried talking to her but she had yet to say a word.
Afterwards, Natsu had come in. Usually someone would have yelled for him to get out, but they knew the situation.
Lucy Heartfilia now carried Natsu Dragneel's child so there was no use keeping him from her anymore. They were intimate so therefore, he'd seen every inch of her body already.
The three girls left silently, pink dusting their cheeks, as Natsu leant down to pick her up out of the bath. She was awake and her eyes met his as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
His eyes trailed down her body to her stomach which he now noticed was slightly swollen. She'd always had a dead flat stomach, so any increase of size was definitely noticeable. Of course, Wendy wouldn't lie after all, so he knew she was with child.
He'd wrapped a towel around her and also amped up his magic, the warmth drying her mostly anyway and placed her in the bed gently.
She'd looked up at him and gave a small, sad smile.
"I'm sorry," she whispered before falling asleep.
Finally, she could sleep without wondering what they would do to her. What ways of torture to inflict her with or beatings to carry out on her small, curvaceous body.
No, she was finally safe.
Natsu had been staring at her for an hour now and had moved to lay beside her on top of the covers. He'd wrapped his arms around her, his chin resting on the top of her head.
He knew what he had to do now, there was only one option.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
"I can't believe it," smiled Levy, her hand grasping Gajeel's.
"I wonder when it happened," said Juvia with pink cheeks, who sat in front of Gray. The guild was in deep discussion about the soon to be newest member of Fairy Tail.
Erza scoffed. "It was the day before we left or night I should say."
Laughter erupted from none other than Gildarts, causing Cana to swiftly punch him in the gut.
"Its meant to be," said Wendy, with a smile but there was pity behind it. She looked up at the others from her position at the table, Charle beside her with her eyebrow raised. "After all that beating and torture she endured, her baby lives on. Not to mention she was malnourished so her baby wouldn't have got all the nutrients it is meant to receive. I think that if we don't get her to eat and drink regularly now, the baby might be in danger."
The room fell into solemn silence as they thought about how they should plan out her meals.
"Make sure she does," said a voice from the door of the dining area.
It was Natsu. Their eyes widened in surprise, wondering if he had heard their discussion.
"Where's the old man?" he asked quietly, his eyes meeting them one by one. "There's a few missing, where are they?"
Gray stood up. "Some are on look out, Master went to meet Blue Pegasus and Lamia Scale. Looks like we're gonna have a full house very soon."
Natsu nodded and turned to walk back to their room.
"Natsu. Congratulations."
They all thought he wouldn't say anything. In fact, they didn't really know how he was really going to react. One minute he thought he was going out to save one member of Fairy Tail but then ends up coming back with two?
But he turned with a grin on his face. The first he'd had for a month. It was so bright, full of happiness and his cheeks were slightly flushed. He put a hand up to rub the back of his neck, sheepishly.
"Thanks guys. I'm fired up, now!"
They all laughed. His signature saying was said at a time when a battle wasn't required.
And then it faded as soon as it came. "Hey, tomorrow...I'm going out. I'm going to Crocus and I'm going to have words with that old geezer."
"We're with you, Natsu," said Grey with a solemn nod.
"Wouldn't miss it," said Gajeel's steel, gruff voice, his eyes showing he meant it.
Some of the others also piped up in agreement.
"W-what will you do?" asked Lily, who was floating next to Gajeel. He was afraid of what Natsu's intentions were.
Natsu's demeanor darkened. "They wanted war. You saw what they did to her...to Juvia and Levy. They tried to pick off the weaker of our guild but they were wrong. They're our strongest. Because they're not dead and what comes after is far worse for them."
Charle stared at Natsu for the longest time, they all did. He'd changed. This one incident had turned his opinion on the war one hundred and eighty degrees.
But this is how it had to be now. It was kill or be killed and their family...the wizards came first.
"I get it. That guy started this after all...and after everything Lucy did to save them from the Infinity Clock!" exclaimed Gray angrily, tensing up.
Juvia put her hand on top of his and he relaxed. She smiled because he didn't pull away.
Mira's eyes darkened. Elfman and Lisanna nodded. The rest began to murmur their agreement.
"They'll pay for what they did to Luce. I swear."
They watched him walk off. He would wipe them off the map if that's what it took, he didn't care anymore.
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
At dawn, Lucy awoke. Fear rose, her eyes snapped open thinking she was still in the cell. She sat up abruptly, her chest rising and falling sporadically.
Her breath hitched in fear but her surroundings came into view and it started to ebb away. She looked beside her to see pink spiky hair on a pillow and his charcoal eyes were open, staring at her.
"Its okay, Luce. You're home now," he said with a smile as she began to calm herself and lay back down.
She realised she was in a bed she didn't recognise. It was soft and silky and extremely comfortable.
She turned to face him, lying on her side when suddenly the sickness hit her again. Natsu noticed her change in demeanor and looked to her with panic in his eyes as she rushed to the bathroom.
After she finished, her head in the bowl, she realised she had nothing to bring up anymore. The slender blonde found she was in an en-suite with marble furnishings. It was pretty lush, actually.
She got up after her sickness subsided and rinsed her mouth out in the sink. As she turned, she noticed Natsu's tired face and his body leaning lazily against the door frame, watching her. His arms were crossed in front of him. His expression showed concern but knew that this was part of her pregnancy - as Wendy had explained a few things yesterday.
Lucy noticed her birthday suit and sighed.
What did it matter now? He'd seen her so many times without clothes on, except this time, she had a disgusting bump. Her cheeks heated up and she turned around in embarrassment.
"What the hell, Natsu?!" she exclaimed angrily, trying to clutch at herself as best she could.
Natsu laughed and walked over to her. "You're not seriously shy now, are you, Luce?" he said with amusement, pushing his half naked body against her back.
He wrapped his arms around her from behind and his hands rested on her swollen belly.
"Wendy told me, by the way." It came out as a whisper, sending pleasurable chills down her back.
Lucy felt ill, not from the morning sickness, but from what he was going to say about the whole thing.
"I'm sorry," she said as tears began to well in her eyes. "I-I'm so sorry, Natsu. I-If I'd known-"
His arms pulled away so he could grab her shoulders and turn her around to face him.
Her chocolate brown orbs met his and he just smiled, goofily, like he always did. "What are you sorry about?"
He leaned down and their lips met. Their eyes closed as they savored this moment and he put a hand up to to back of her neck, which ended up in her soft golden hair and his other arm snaked around to her lower back so her naked body was as close to his as possible. She opened her mouth to allow him to deepen the kiss, which he did, but then pulled away.
He had to focus. She still needed to heal and this wasn't helping.
"Come on, you should sleep more," he said softly as he put a kiss to her head and guided her out of the bathroom.
When they were back in the comfort of the bed, facing each other, she couldn't help but think this was a dream.
"Why...why did you sacrifice yourself, Luce?" he asked sternly, breaking the silence.
He didn't know why he asked, of course she would. She was always thinking of others before herself.
"Because they wouldn't have made it. I couldn't bare to watch my family die, not one."
Natsu didn't say anything. He probably would have done the same but the thought of her dying...it was enough to make him feel queasy.
"I heard from Wendy what they did to you," he started, not sure how to tell her that she could tell him if she wanted to.
Lucy's eyes closed and silent tears came out. "I-I can't Natsu. P-please...please don't make me-"
He shushed her and pulled her to him and although he was soothing to her, his eyes were full of rage. But he didn't want her to see it. He didn't want her to see what he was going to do to them tomorrow, either.
"I'm sorry Luce. I'm sorry you had to go through that. I don't understand how they could abandon you though. Wait till I fucking see Sting, I swear to-"
"Please don't," she said softly, her face buried in his bare chest.
His arm wrapped protectively around her and his hand rested on her lower back; the heat from his magic amped up a little to give her some warmth. He rested his chin on the top of her head, deep in thought about the whole situation ahead of him.
War was coming, the fighting hadn't ended. He'd always been fighting his whole life and he'd thrived on it. Loved it almost. But for the first time in his life, he was thinking about when it would end.
He couldn't let this go, though. But once it was done and they were victorious, he would stop. He wanted to be there for his child and for Lucy, he refused to abandon them. This was the only way to protect them though, to fight until they won. There was no room for error anymore...for mercy because it always seemed to bite him in the ass and his family couldn't afford mistakes to come back to haunt them.
"I told them to leave. I said I would hold them off. You would have done the same thing Natsu...and by the way, how many times have you put yourself in danger, like when we were on that job in Clover Town," she huffed, remembering when she had first kissed him, way back when.
Natsu smiled. "Yeah but I'm me and you're you. I'm a Dragon Slayer, Luce, you don't have any physical strength like I do," he said bluntly. Well, it was true. "Plus, you've got my child growing in you, so you have to sit out these fights now."
Lucy knew it was true. She just huffed again and tried to think of a reason to counter his argument but there was none. Now that she had a life in her, she had no choice but to keep out of harms way for their sake.
"So...what do you think of it? I know we never talked about...stuff before I left," she said vaguely, trying to work out how to word it so Natsu would understand.
He wasn't exactly romantic or understood things about couples or love. It didn't mean he didn't feel it but getting him to understand where they were now would probably be a task.
Natsu pushed her softly back a bit so he could look at her and gave her a confused look.
"Stuff? Luce come on, can ya at least talk in English?" he asked, his brow furrowed in thought, trying to work out what she meant.
Lucy laughed. It was her first laugh and it was progress so Natsu smiled.
"Well, we had relations before we left, hence the life inside me and we never talked about it. In fact, we've never talked about how or why we kiss or anything like that."
His mouth formed a shape of an 'O' and so she knew he understood what she meant.
"What's to talk about? I think its obvious, it always has been, right?"
Lucy deadpanned and raised an eyebrow. It was her turn to be confused now.
"Please enlighten me."
She wanted him to say it.
"Well, you're mine. I thought that was obvious since back before the war? And I said we were going to be together forever, remember?"
Oh my god, she had been back for probably ten hours and she was annoyed already with her dolt of a boyfriend - if that's what he was. She wasn't even sure what he meant.
"So, you're my boyfriend, is that what you mean? Because if you don't tell me in ten seconds I'm going to hit you," she snapped, her brown orbs full of annoyance.
Natsu's eyes widened, fearing for his well being. But it was almost like they were getting back to how they were, before her capture, before he declared war...before all of this.
"Luce, c'mon. Err, well, I guess that's it but that's less permanent than what it is. Its more like we're partners for life, you and me, forever. Laxus said we have to get married but I've no idea what that involves and I just think we don't need to because I've heard that costs a lot of jewel. But, uh, you're it for me Luce. I can't imagine if you weren't here anymore."
And with that he leaned forward, his head rested in the crook of her neck as he held her tightly, his breath tickling her skin a little and causing her stomach to flip with butterflies.
Lucy's eyes widened in shock and then she felt the wetness of tears on her skin. She wrapped her arms around his back and rubbed small circles with her palm.
"I'm not going anywhere and you know what? What you just said, right here, that's romance," laughed Lucy. "And...I feel the exact same way, you know."
He pulled back and studied her face with a small smile tugging his lips.
"You have to promise not to do that again...sacrifice yourself. And you have to eat lots and drink lots apparently, according to Wendy."
They talked until everyone was up, it was around eight in the morning. It reminded her of the days when they were on jobs together and they would talk the night away, usually about random things or him saying something that made her mad and then she would try and hit him.
They talked about the other couples and how Erza and Jellal made it safely back to the guild. They talked about baby names and how he couldn't wait for their child to come.
They talked about the patrols and how the guilds were coming to Fairy Tail. And also about how malnourished she was. He tried to stay away from her time when she was locked away but he would try again soon. He was worried about Wendy's concerns about Lucy's mental trauma because during their hours of talking, sometimes it would go quiet and he knew her mind went back to what ever happened to her. He could see it in her eyes - the fear.
"I have to go to Crocus," said Natsu finally.
"Natsu," began Lucy. "What are you going to do? Don't forget, Princess Hisui could be locked up too."
The pink haired Dragon Slayer rolled onto his back. "I find it hard to believe, Luce. You've been through a lot and I don't want you to be stressed but the truth is, I'm going to destroy them. They asked for this war and as far as I'm concerned, they begged for it when they took you."
Lucy sighed. It was inevitable.
She couldn't really fault his logic because war was coming and it would probably be better to bring it to them, rather than wait for it.
After what they did to her and probably others like her, she had no sympathy anymore. How could she?
"When are you going?"
"Probably today. But you can't come, Luce. I'll get Happy to stay with you and I'm hoping Wendy and Charle too."
Lucy nodded. "I know. Thanks. I guess I'll leave it all to you but promise me you'll come back safely. Don't be cocky and fool around, just do what you have to do and come back."
Natsu nodded and grinned over at her. "I promise."
"If you're going to destroy them then do it. No half measures." Her eyes were dark and stern when she said those words. She wanted revenge too.
Natsu was surprised at her turn of opinion which made him really wonder what they had done to her to make Lucy change her mind so drastically.
"Do you want Loke?"
He shook his head. "You can't use your energy like that, unless you have to. Its spread between the two of you now," smiled Natsu warmly, his hand touching her stomach.
She smiled and nodded and then leaned in to place her lips on his and hen pulled back.
"We should shower, I want to go and see everyone, I think I'm ready," she said, pulling the covers up and walking to the bathroom.
Natsu stared at her naked body as she walked, he couldn't help it really. She was a beautiful specimen but at least now he had the right to ogle her openly.
She turned and saw hunger in his eyes and gave a playful smile. "What do you know? There's a shower in here. Wouldn't want it to go to waste."
He didn't need to be told twice because he was off the bed in a second. "Hey, wait up..."
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
It was ten in the morning when they'd finished their 'shower'. Natsu walked out of the room, his face flushed but looked pleased with himself, and Lucy was close behind him as they walked to the main dining area.
Erza walked by and raised an eyebrow at the two. Lucy caught her gaze and she went red as a tomato. That cunning woman knew what they had just been doing.
Happy wizzed straight toward them. He'd been off with Laxus, checking the perimeter and they'd just gotten back. Exceeds had to go on the perimeter checks in case they had to get information back to the guild quickly. The lacryma crystals were scarce at the moment, so this was their only option.
Lucy walked into the area and thought about how quaint it was. It certainly wasn't their original guild hall but anywhere with their family was home, it didn't matter where it was.
The dining area had many small tables which had originally been a restaurant for the hotel but was now their makeshift guild hall. They'd taken off all the table cloths because they didn't need them and Mira thought they were ugly.
"Ah, its the happy couple!" exclaimed Lisanna with excitement, who was sitting at the bar with Bickslow.
Natsu groaned and ignored her, pink dusting his cheeks. He grabbed Lucy's arm and dragged her to the bar quickly. "You need to eat, Luce."
Lucy nodded as she turned to Lisanna with a smile. "What's happening here?" she asked innocently.
Lisanna blushed and waved her off. "How does it feel to be a dragon mumma?" she laughed, dodging that question. Because who knew if the baby had Natsu's powers or her own or both.
Lucy smiled. "Not that much different. Just morning sickness at the moment and I'm really hungry. And I'm fat."
"What's different to before then?" sang Happy from behind her.
Lucy's expression darkened. "What was that, Cat?!"
Natsu turned and gave Happy a signal to say he should stop speaking, making a cut gesture to his neck.
Happy blanched and apologised. "I'm sorry Lucy, really! I'll give you a fish if you want!"
"Thanks but no thanks," she sighed.
"Here you go!" sang Mira, putting two plates of eggs and bacon with the lot in front of the two.
Natsu's eyes lit up and for once, so did Lucy's.
Breakfast was over quite quickly. Lucy went to go see Wendy and Natsu said he had to discuss the plans for Crocus with Grey and the others.
"Don't leave without saying goodbye," whined Lucy, tears in her eyes.
"Ah jeez, Luce. Why are you cryin'?" he sighed. "I promise, 'kay?"
Lucy smiled and nodded.
She remembered the events leading up to this very moment, as clear as day.
Erza broke down. For the first time in her life, she had been helpless...well...the first time in a while.
Jellal could only sit and watch the flames dance about the fire.
"There was no choice," his deep voice, cut through the silence.
The re-quip mage looked away with shame. "Lucy...god, Natsu..."
"He'll be upset, sure, but he'll work through it like he always does when anyone from Fairy Tail gets in trouble. We'll get her back."
Erza laughed but there was no humour behind it. "No Jellal. She's different to the others in Fairy Tail. I'm afraid he will only leave destruction in his wake to find her."
Jellal sighed. "So he and her are what exactly?"
Erza looked over at him and patted the spot next to her. He looked at her strangely but got up and sat next to her. When he was seated on the ground, she silently snaked her arm to rest in his and their fingers interlocked.
"I promised Lucy I would do this," she said, pink dusting her cheeks.
But she was Erza Scarlett! Brave, powerful, but also human. If Lucy could do it, she could too.
Jellal's breath hitched as he snapped his gaze to hers. He'd promised himself he wouldn't give in but this woman was making it very hard.
OOOOOOOOOOOOO
"Erza's back!" exclaimed Lisanna as she rushed in with Erza and Jellal hot on her heels.
She watched as everyone's lit up eyes were on her with happiness and relief. But when she met Natsu's gaze all she felt was guilt.
She wanted to be strong, she wanted to tell him she fought hard for Lucy but the truth was, the blonde Celestial wizard had other plans.
"Why isn't she here?" he demanded, walking with a purpose toward her.
Jellal walked forward, raising his hand to silence him. His eyes were hardened because he didn't like he accusatory tone toward Erza.
"She didn't give us a choice-"
"Everyone has a choice, I asked why isn't she here, so tell me!" he snapped, his eyes back on Erza.
Jellal could see Natsu wouldn't listen to reason, no, he wanted someone to blame.
"Lucy told us to go that she would hold them off. When she told Erza to leave, I dragged her away because I knew the best opportunity to escape was right then and there. So if you must blame someone, then blame me."
Charcoal met cool blue.
Natsu clenched his teeth, his expression conflicted because he knew it wasn't their fault. He half blamed Lucy for always thinking of others before herself but then he couldn't blame her for that either because he would have done the same.
"Natsu...as we escaped, I heard her summon four gates. She's so much more, powerful than I ever imagined," said Erza, remembering how in awe she had been.
His mouth quivered and to everyone's surprise he smiled, his head leaning downward so his bangs covered most of his face. "Of course she would. She's part of Team Natsu after all," he said quietly.
"Thanks Erza...Jellal-"
"Are you going out again?" asked a stern voice from behind them all.
The others that sat in the dining room seemed to be in their own conversations but they were actually just listening to to Natsu's conversation about Lucy. Mira stood behind the bar, pretending to polish mugs. Lisanna sat at a table with Elfman but their eyes were on Natsu, Erza and Jellal. Juvia who had healed, thanks to Wendy, sat next to Gray in a table closest to Natsu and Levy, Gajeel, Wendy and the three Exceeds sat on a table in the corner but their eyes were also at the entrance to the hotel.
Laxus, Gildarts and the Thunder Legion were out on patrol.
Natsu didn't turn around to face the old man. "Yeah. Don't try and stop me," he snapped.
Makarov sighed. "I wouldn't dream of it, Natsu. But when you and Gray got back, I heard word of the town over and not the one that Gajeel and Gray already destroyed."
The red head huffed. "I can't help it, I had to look everywhere and soldiers were stationed there."
Makarov looked away for a moment. "How will you find her if you end up killing her in debris?"
The dragon slayer clenched his fists. He would do better, he would, but he just wanted to destroy everything because his anger was at a peak right now.
"Come on, Grey," snapped Natsu.
The sound of a chair sliding was heard throughout the silent hall, quickened footsteps also as Grey was suddenly by Natsu's side.