Summary: Desperate times call for desperate measures, but maybe entering another dimension and striking a deal with a mysterious weirdo was a step too far.

A/N: A random oneshot idea I thought up on the train. Hope you enjoy it!

Of all the ways that Natsu could have spent his Wednesday morning, he did not think that any of them would result in him running for his life.

And yet, here he was.

Well, perhaps to say he was running for his life was a tad extreme. It would be more accurate to say that he was running for his freedom. Natsu had a nose for trouble, but as it happens, he did not want to go to prison.

So he ran.

He dashed down streets of the unfamiliar city, barrelling into people as he went and shouting apologies over his shoulder. He could hear the cops shouting at people to 'move move move, get outta the way!' but he dared not check behind him. He focused his whole being on running as he made an abrupt turn down an empty back street.

He had no idea where he was going. He made turns on instinct, hoping he would lose his pursuers before he managed to get himself lost in the maze of the city. As he rounded another corner he chanced a glance over his shoulder. Uniformed figures darted into the alley he had just left behind.

Natsu picked up the pace.

As his lungs began to burn his luck ran out. He ducked into a narrow alley that had no way out but the way he'd came in. He couldn't turn back. He skidded to a frantic halt just before he could slam into the wall at the end of the alley. His hands skimmed over the bricks, desperately searching for a way to climb it.

Finding not a single handhold, Natsu kicked the wall in frustration. He moved back, turning to cast his gaze back up the alley. He couldn't see the cops yet, but he could hear them. He rubbed the sweat from his brow and ran his hands through his hair in frustration. There was only two of them, he could fight them right? Guns you idiot, he thought to himself, they have guns. He turned back to the wall with his last thread of hope.

To find a door.

Natsu frowned. That definitely hadn't been there a moment ago. But doors didn't just… appear, did they? There was no number on the door, and the red painted wood looked old and worn. It was set at a curious place in the wall, as though it were missing a front step or two. Natsu reached up for the ornate bronze handle in curiosity. His fingers grazed the warm metal just before the door flung open.

He jumped back as the door swung wide. Inside seemed dusty and filled with darkness, until a figure stepped into the light. She leaned her elbow on the doorframe, crossing one ankle over the other as she looked down at him. A curvaceous blonde dressed mostly in sun-kissed colours and golds.

Bangles clinked around both her ankles as his eyes wandered up her body. A wrap decorated with intricate patterns hung low around her waist, revealing the pale skin of her right thigh while the fabric went down to her knee on the other side. An off-white shirt with puffy sleeves that ended at her elbows revealed her pale freckled shoulders to the sun while long chains bearing various charms glittered in the light. Her hair was pulled back into a long ponytail, the soft strands gliding through her ringed fingers as she pulled at it idly.

"Let me guess," She smirked down at him, "You're in a bit of a pinch and you need some place to hide?"

Natsu pulled his gaze away from her strange attire to look her in the eyes. They were honey-brown and full of mischief. His words failed him once he became ensnared in that look. He simply nodded.

The girl laughed. She leaned forward, holding onto the doorway but never stepping out of it as she brought her face closer to his.

"Figures," She huffed, "But all refuge comes at a price you know."

Natsu heard the shouts of the cops somewhere in the distance. Closer than before. He was running out of time. He didn't even tear his gaze away from her to check over his shoulder before he replied.

"I'll pay." He breathed, "I'll do whatever you want."

The girl smiled as if she'd already known his answer.

"Hhmm. It's a good thing you're cute and I'm feeling generous." She purred before using her hold on the door frame to push herself back inside. She beckoned to him with delicate ring-heavy fingers as she stepped backwards, only her eyes were visible as she called to him from within the darkness, "Come in."

Natsu swallowed his nerve and stepped through the door, his skin tingling slightly when he crossed the threshold. The door slammed shut by itself behind him, enveloping him in darkness for a moment before candles scattered throughout the room came to life, along with dim Victorian style lamps that hung precariously on the walls.

He looked around curiously at the dimly lit space. The walls were filled with tapestries and shelves stocked full of unnameable trinkets and plants. To his left was a strange sort of sitting area. An open fire bit burned in the centre of a circle of plush pillows and cushions. To his right was a curtained archway. He could see a similarly styled bedroom through the thin material, an old four-poster bed standing in the centre of the room lined with shelves stacked with books.

In front of him, the girl had settled herself behind a raised counter. The other side of the counter seemed to be a working area of sorts. From what Natsu could see it looked similar to a kitchen. There was a sink stained with bright colours, and cupboards with doors falling of the hinges revealed jars of strange herbs inside.

He felt her eyes on him as he marvelled at the place. He was even sure he caught her smirking again as his eyes travelled to the ceiling. Above him there were small domes, each one painted with different kinds of images. But all of them seemed to share time-worn cracks in their artwork.

"What is this place?" He whispered to himself.

"This is my home." She giggled at him.

"Why aren't there any windows?" He pondered.

"Because there is nothing outside." The girl smiled when he raised an eyebrow at her in question, "This is a space between dimensions. There is nothing beyond these walls."

Natsu stared at her for a moment.

"Who are you?" He wondered in amazement.

"I'm Lucy," She winked, "And you are?"

"Natsu." He answered, shifting nervously on his feet.

"Natsu." She repeated. She looked deep in thought as she leaned forward on the countertop, resting her chin in her hand. Her gaze changed back to playful when she looked down at him again. "Running from the law?"

Natsu scowled. He turned away from her, pacing idly closer to the walls to admire the details of the tapestries and inspect the contents of the shelves.

"Maybe I was just running." He answered without looking at her.

There was something about her. A deep and threatening knowledge that seemed to hide behind her eyes. He didn't want to believe all that 'space between dimensions' nonsense, but how else was he meant to explain the appearing of the door? And it's disappearance, he figured, since the police hadn't come knocking. He was suddenly very wary of the fact that he had promised her something.

"Oh, I know all about that." She mused from her place by the counter, "I've been on the run for so long, I don't remember what it feels like just to stand still." She sighed, "Can't step an inch outside that door, or he'll find me."

Natsu shivered a little despite the heat from the fire. There was something ominous about her words. He didn't know who was after her, but he got the feeling he didn't want to know.

A hand rested on his shoulder.

"Which brings me to your payment." She began as she used her grip on his shoulder to turn him.

He scratched the back of his neck nervously as she looked him over in much the same way he had done to her before. He shoved his hands into his jeans pockets to keep from fidgeting. He was a head taller than her, but she was so strange. Her presence seemed to fill the whole room. The whole dimension.

"Oh, don't look at me like that." Lucy pouted, "It's just a little favour is all."

"W-what kinda favour?" He stuttered out as her hand drifted from his shoulder to his neck.

"You heard what I said, I can't leave this place." She spoke softly as her fingers slipped past his scarf to lightly trace the scar on his neck, "But there are a few things from your world that I need. I would like it if you could go get them for me."

"Sure." He ground out, the words slipping past his lips before he could think about it.

"Perfect!" She beamed.

Her fingers left his neck to clap her hands excitedly together as she bounced up and down on the balls of her feet, causing all the metal that adorned her to jingle. She bounded back up to her workspace, her ponytail hitting him in the face when she turned. Natsu felt he could breathe a little easier without her skin touching his. He wandered back over to stand in front of the counter as she hurried about collecting things from the shelves.

"What do you want me to get?"

"Oh just a few supplies. But first things first," She smiled sweetly as she leaned over the counter, "I need something from you."

"Me?" Natsu asked nervously.

"Something of value, to make sure you'll come back." She elaborated, "Trust is earned Natsu."

"Erm, you can have my scarf?" He suggested hesitantly, "My father gave it to me. That's valuable, right?"

"Yes of course, but it just won't do." She sighed sweetly, "I'll be needing a piece of your soul."

"My what?" Natsu squawked.

"Oh hush now, you'll be perfectly fine." Lucy rolled her eyes, "Just look at me; I've been missing a part of my soul for centuries, and my health has never been better. You on the other hand will be reunited with your missing piece in under an hour. And really, it's only a small piece that I need Natsu. It won't even hurt."

His mind struggled to keep up with her words. Missing a part- centuries- only a small piece. What did it all mean?! He rubbed at his temples, feeling another one of his headaches coming on. It seemed like a drastic thing, to cut away a part of your soul. Lucy said trust was earned, so how could he trust her?

"Does it really need to be my soul?" He pleaded.

"Undoubtedly." Her gaze turned serious, "That way I will know if you're going to betray me."

"I won't betray you, I prom-"

"Promises can be broken Natsu." She cut him off, eyes fierce, "Now, you can let me take a piece of your soul so you can do this little errand for me, and once you return I shall put you back together and then you can be on your way. Or, you can refuse my method of payment- which, by the way, is very generous all things considering- and I can dump you in a world different from your own and leave you to suffer. Which shall it be?"

Natsu stared up at her wide-eyed. He didn't really have much of a choice, did he?

"Alright, just-just take it." His shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Brilliant." Lucy smiled.

Was he just paranoid or was that madness in her eyes? He told himself it was simply excitement as she jumped over the counter. She sauntered up him, hips swaying lazily as she walked. He tried not to notice as she stepped into his personal space.

Lucy reached out to him, her fingertips glowing. Natsu squeezed his eyes shut and turned his head away, bracing himself for some sort of pain and wondering how he had managed to get himself into this mess. He clenched his teeth and waited.

"All done." Her voice chimed.

Natsu opened one eye experimentally. Lucy was turning away from him, a soft white glow cradled in her hands. He leaned forward to look at it, but she curled herself around it protectively.

"Ah ah ah," She chided, "If you want to see your own soul, you'll have to reach Enlightenment first."

He frowned in confusion at her words as she ascended the few steps to her work place, settling herself behind the counter once more.

"So that's it then?" He questioned, "I just go do your grocery shopping now?"

Lucy smiled at him mysteriously as she seemed to caress the light in her hands. Natsu felt heat rise to his cheeks. That was a part of his soul she was touching so tenderly. She raised it to her face, the light illuminating her features. The reflection glowed in her eyes, which never left his as her lips moved closer to the piece of him cradled in her palm.

It's a little bit more essential than grocery shopping.

Natsu screamed.

Her words- her voice- in his head. Lucy laughed as he clutched at his head, breathing frantic. He was sure he was having a panic attack. A panic attack in another dimension. How brilliant.

"Natsu, it's alright." Lucy assured him, speaking out loud this time, "It was just a Whisper."

"A Whisper?" Natsu squeaked, "What does that even mean?! You keep saying things I don't understand! This is all crazy!"

"The only thing that's crazy here is you." Lucy rolled her eyes, "Honestly, it's like you've never had another person's voice in your head before."

"I haven't." Natsu replied aghast, still clutching at his head.

"Humans." She scoffed, "How else am I meant to communicate with you while you run my errands?"

"Erm, a phone?" He all but shouted at her.

"Oh yes! Let me just give you my number: 0800 NOWHERE." She drawled sarcastically a she gestured to the door behind him. He felt warm air assault his back as she turned away from him. "Just get out and get my things. Gods, you are annoying."

"And you're weird!" He protested.

Natsu, her voice rang inside his head, The faster you get this errand done, the faster you'll stop hearing my voice in your head.

He couldn't argue with that. He stopped pulling at his hair and turned to leave.

Make sure you close the door on your way out. He felt rather than heard the laughter in her voice.

He stepped out into the light, closing the door behind him as instructed. Heat and sound and smells washed over him. He regretted wearing both leather jacket and a scarf as he felt himself begin to sweat in the early afternoon heat. He squinted up at the sun, deciding he should leave his jacket in Lucy's. But when he turned, the door was gone.

No one else seemed to notice, despite the crowded area. He was at some sort of market place. A maze of stalls spread out in front of him before they eventually grew into a large, open building. Everything was so much different here than the city he had just been in. The heat, the buildings, the people. All of them wore strange clothing, though not as strange as Lucy's.

"Where am I?" He wondered aloud.

Marrakech, Lucy answered in his mind, Now head over to that building.

It was still strange hearing a voice that wasn't his own in his mind, but he pushed down a shiver and got going. Lucy gave him directions as he passed though the stalls. He followed each one without question.

"How can you see me anyway?" He wondered.

Through my crystal ball.

"Really?" He snorted.

No, Lucy answered, the sarcasm not translating in his mind. Now stop talking out loud, you idiot. People are looking at you funny.

Natsu sighed as he stepped into the building. The market continued inside, but it was more organised within. Sellers had rooms instead of tables. Each store hung goods outside its doors, tempting buyers to come in and relieve themselves of a few coin.

He wandered further in, awaiting Lucy's next order. When it didn't come, he paused. He tried to reach out to her in his mind but wasn't sure how. He looked around him, his eyes tracing over the stores and their goods.

There, Lucy's voice surprised him as his eyes came to rest on a plain looking store with a bulky blonde man stood outside its entrance. That's where you're heading.

Natsu started in that direction, but the closer he got to the man at the door, the more nervous he became. No one walked within a good five meters of the guy. If they did, the man would scowl at them, the shift in his features causing his lightning shaped scar to contort a little.

Relax, Laxus is a real sweetheart really. Lucy laughed in his mind, seeming to sense his hesitation. Just go up to him and tell him that The Summoner sent you. He won't give you any trouble.

He assumed that Lucy was The Summoner in question. The title made him curious. Something about it seemed to command a certain air of respect, although he didn't really know what it meant.

"What can you summon?" He whispered curiously.

He felt Lucy laugh in his head.

A better question would be, what can't I summon?

Natsu felt a shiver go down his spine.

The blonde man- Laxus- glared at him when he approached. The scarred man had been leaning against the door, but now straightened himself. His muscled bulged as he crossed his arms over his chest. Natsu gulped.

Laxus said something in a language he didn't understand.

"Erm," Natsu smiled awkwardly, "The Summoner sent me?"

Laxus raised a sceptical eyebrow.

"She did, did she?" He asked in a rough voice before shrugging his shoulders and stepping to the side, "Go on in then."

Natsu was surprised at how easily he let him by, but he didn't hesitate to open the door. He didn't want any trouble. It was only once he'd stepped through that he wondered if he'd end up in another dimension again. But the heavy set of the air didn't change much, and he didn't feel the strange tingling on his skin like he had when he'd stepping through Lucy's door, so he assumed he was still in Marrakech.

He also wondered how in the hell he was meant to pay for whatever it was that Lucy was being. Oh god. What if he was the payment?

Stop being paranoid, Lucy scolded in his head. I've paid him already.

The 'he' in question seemed to be the shortest old man Natsu had ever seen. Natsu had spotted him sitting on a table through the various wind chimes and plants that hung from the ceiling. He pushed them aside, taking in his surroundings as he stepped towards the old man. The place seemed similar to Lucy's, albeit a little more presentable.

When he got close enough, Natsu noticed the pale glaze over the old man's eyes and his vacant stare. He waved a hand in front of his face.

Careful, Lucy chided, Makarov is blind, but there are many things he still sees.

"How can I help you young man?" The old man croaked, not even looking in his general direction.

Natsu jumped back in surprise, only just managing to stop himself from screaming. The old man-Makarov- cracked his spine as he awaited Natsu's reply.

Well Natsu, as fun as watching you embarrass yourself is, I have things to do. Lucy informed him. Tell Makarov you're here to collect for The Summoner, and head straight back to the door once you've got my stuff. Be sure to knock before you enter.

And with that, her voice went quiet. He couldn't explain it, he just knew deep in his gut that she wasn't watching anymore. He wondered what had called her attention away.

"I'm, ah, here to collect for The Summoner." Natsu told Makarov.

"Ah, Lucy." Makarov smiled, "Yes, yes. I have her things ready."

The old man jumped down from the table, disappearing off behind the shelves. Natsu fidgeted with his scarf as he waited, eyes wandering around the dimly lit store. The shelves were stacked full of items that were completely foreign to him. He had no idea what they sold here.

Makarov returned a moment later, his blank eyes finally seemed to settle on Natsu. The old man stopped in his tracks. Natsu was positive he was staring at him. Makarov sighed.

"First that damn lion, now you." The old man mumbled before addressing Natsu directly, "Dragon. Demon. Which is it boy? Your aura is positively at war with itself."

"My… my what?" Natsu frowned in confusion.

Makarov sighed again.

"Erza!" He bellowed.

Natsu jumped slightly. The old man climbed back onto his table, Lucy's package tucked under his arm, as a figure stepped out from the back room.

It was a girl, tall and striking. She tucked a lock of her blood-red hair behind her ear as she came to stand by the old man's table.

"Yes Master?"

"Take a look at this mess." The 'Master' gestured to Natsu flippantly.

Natsu scowled at him before turning his attention to the newcomer. She had an intimating air about her, but she did as the old man had instructed and turned to face him. Natsu thought he couldn't get any more confused by all the things that had happened to him today, but then Erza covered her left eye with her hand and stared at him intently.

Erza recoiled.

"I've never seen anything like this before." She gasped. Her voice turned grave as she lowered her hand. "You really need to see a Redintegro about that."

"Why?" He asked, not bothering to ask what an earth a Redintegro was.

None of these people ever seemed to give him a straight answer. And besides, once this errand was done, he'd be finished with this whole weird world and go back to his normal life.

Right?

"Why?" Makarov repeated in a patronising voice, "Because if you don't get that fixed soon it'll tear you part my boy. There'll be nothing left of you but ash."

Natsu stared at their serious expressions for a moment. He had… no idea what they were talking about. This was all so weird. He couldn't even imagine half of the weird shit that had gone on today. It was all so much more confusing than a dream, but he decided he was going to treat it like one. He didn't have the patience to deal with much more of this. His head was throbbing and he needed a nap.

"Riiiiight, well then," Natsu breathed out, "If it's all the same to you, I think I'll just take Lucy's things and go now."

Erza and Makarov shared a look. Natsu had to try very hard not to snap at them. Eventually, Makarov handed over the package.

"Tell me boy," Makarov spoke quietly as they both held onto each end of the package, "Do you get headaches?"

Natsu's eyes widened. He'd been to the doctors about his headaches too many times to count. Makarov's question made him uneasy. It seemed loaded with something Natsu wasn't ready to understand.

He yanked the package from the old man's grip, his mouth thinning into a harsh line. Erza visibly bristled at his behaviour, but he didn't spare her so much as a nod as he turned and walked out the door.

Laxus moved back into position the moment Natsu stepped back out into the heat. He didn't say goodbye to the guard either. He merely tucked the package under his arm and stormed though the market place back to the deserted alley way.

The door was waiting for him when he got there.

He knocked twice and the door creaked open, this time he didn't hesitate to step inside. The tingling feeling crept across his skin again as he entered Lucy's domain. The Summoner herself was sat cross legged on the raised counter as he shut the door behind him, stroking the shard of his soul like a cat.

"You got my package?" She smiled down at him.

"Yeah, I got your package." He held up the box and shuck it, hoping to annoy her as the contents battered about inside, "But I'll have that piece of my soul back first if it's alright with you."

"Of course." Lucy smirked.

He squinted at her. She smiled devilishly as she shifted on the counter to face him head on. She raised her cradled palms above her head, staring at him all the while. When Natsu took a step forward, she winked at him.

He watched, horrified, as she tipped her head back and pushed the ball of light into her mouth. He could see the glow through her cheeks when she took her hands away. He could barely form a thought. Had she just eaten a piece of his soul?!

Lucy launched herself of the counter. Natsu didn't even have time to react as she spirnted towards him. She reached out to him, her right hand glowed as she pushed it against his chest, but her other remained normal as she cupped the back of his neck and pulled his head down. She stood on her lip toes, rising so that her mouth met his.

He was frozen as she pushed her tongue inside his mouth, and then all of a sudden the breath was knocked out of him. She let go of him as he stumbled back, gasping for breath. He dropped the package as his hands clutched his chest. Lucy swooped down to catch it before it hit the ground.

Natsu struggled for breath for a moment before his body finally seemed to remember how to breathe. He flopped down onto the cushions around the fire pit as he breathed in deep lungful's. Lucy seemed unconcerned as she pulled at the strings on her package.

"How was the trip?" She asked him casually.

He shot her a look as his chest continued to heave.

"Your friends are almost as crazy as you." He snapped, "And apparently 'my aura is at war with itself', whatever that means."

Lucy's head snapped to him, a frown pulling at her features.

"Your what?"

"What's what I said." He drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm as he continued, "Quick. Get me to a Redinta- Redateg- Red whatever. I don't care.

Lucy cocked her head. Natsu rubbed at his forehead as he watched her set the package down gently on the counter, still unopened. Part of him was curious what was inside, the other part didn't want to know. As soon as he stopped wheezing he was out of here.

"A Redintegro?" Lucy guessed as she moved to stand above him.

"Yeah, that."

Lucy pursed her lips. He could practically see the gears in her head turning as she stared down at him. She raised her hands, the bangles around her wrists clinking together as she crossed her hands in front of her face a few times. Natsu watched curiously as she smoothed her fingers across her closed eyes.

When she opened them, they were glowing.

"Oh."

"What?" Natsu sat up as his anxiety grew.

What was it? What was it about him that was wrong that these people could see? He was worried now. And not just because of Lucy's pupil-less golden stare.

"I'm sorry Natsu," She shook her head sadly, "Not even a hundred Redintegro's could fix that mess."

"What mess?" He demanded, "What's wrong with me?"

"Your aura." She said simply.

"What the fuck is an aura?!" He screamed, his frustration finally reaching its peak. "Why can't I see yours?"

Lucy snorted.

"It would blind you if you could." She smirked, blinking hard to return her eyes to their normal honey-brown.

"What does that mean?" He shouted, "What does any of this mean?!"

Lucy crossed her arms and stroked her chin in thought, pondering his question as though it were an incredibly difficult one. All he wanted was answers!

Lucy clicked her fingers.

"Oh, what kind of a Summoner would I be if I let one of my errand boys fall apart at the seams?" She scolded herself before turning her attention to Natsu with a determined smile, "If we want to fix your aura we're going to need three things!"

She offered him a hand to help him up, but Natsu felt like the gesture was more than that. If he took her hand, he would be agreeing to let her help. To let her fix him. If he had to give her a piece of his soul to pick up a parcel, god knew what price would have to pay for this. The charge for refuge had been high enough.

There'll be nothing left of you but ash.

The old man's words rang in his head. It seemed fate was making the choices for him today.

He took Lucy's hand.

"The first is a Summoner," She beamed as she pulled him to his feet, "Of which there is only one in whole universe, and luckily, she's willing to help."

"But at a price, right?" He guessed.

"Oh Natsu, nobody ever does anything for free these days." She winked, "We can work out the details later."

"What's the second thing?"

"A Redintegro of course. But not just any Redintegro. A master of the art."

"All right," Natsu smiled nervously, still not understanding what one of those was, "Where do we find one of those?"

"Oh, you just leave that to me."

She gestured to the door behind him. As before the door opened of its own accord, but this time cool air flooded into the room. When he looked out, Natsu was greeted with the familiar sight of the alley way from this morning.

"I thought you couldn't leave this place?" Natsu frowned, noticing the flaw in her plan.

"I can't," She smirked, "But what I can't go to, I can make come to me."

Natsu couldn't help but smirk back at her. It was the first time he'd really smiled at her at all during their whole encounter. She seemed quite pleased by it.

At least, he thought she was, until she pushed him out the door.

He fell flat on his ass in the dirt.

"The third is for you to find." Lucy gazed down sternly at him from her place in the doorway, "Only you can find it Natsu. No one can help you. And no one can tell you where to find it."

"What is it?" He asked gravely.

Lucy smiled, a slight chuckle escaping her lips.

"Why, your soulmate of course."

And with that, she shut the door.