Chapter 9: To know her is to love her

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Fairy Tail..if I did natsuXlucy will be cannon

HEAVEN CAN WAIT

To know her is to love her

Before Natsu and Happy could leave the guild they heard the unmistakable Erza growl. With no idea of what he did wrong this time Natsu decided the fastest way to Lucy's apartment right now was under the table, waking up tomorrow and losing another day was not an option at this point in time.

"Almost there", Natsu whispered to Happy as he crawled towards the door. "AHHHHHHHHH….", he screamed as Erza held him down using her foot. Happy flew up shrieking as Natsu was put in a chokehold.

"Erza, stop it", Lisanna pushed Erza away guarding a half-conscious Natsu, "He can't even feel your punishment anymore and why are you choking him anyway?"

"Lucy hasn't come to guild for over 2 weeks"

Natsu sat up and looked at Erza puzzled. "I was going to go check up on her when I got held up"

Lisanna backed away wide eyed as Erza drew in a deep breath and Natsu braced himself. Instead of inflicting further physical pain on him Erza yelled, "Why and HOW did you ever come up with the idea of the idea of leaving her behind? This is my fault as well, I should have never agreed to this..I just never knew she would do this. I knew that she always felt left out in most places and she needed to be told and made felt that she was our nakama more than anyone. We are going to make this right; I am coming with you to her apartment", and walked towards the door.

"STOP IT", the master commanded half hidden behind the other side of the bar. "Lucy won't be there, she wanted some time off from all this. She will come back when she is ready"

Absolute silence and then there were whispers which was escalating to shouting, the sound of glass breaking made everyone turn to "You knew and didn't tell anyone", MiraJane breathed fire at Master Markov.

In the midst of the commotion Natsu grabbed Happy and ran. To him going to Lucy's apartment had never been a problem, his feet knew the way before he could even think about the route; afterall it was the place he crashed at night when he couldn't sleep, his haven when he couldn't handle his voice echoing alone in his house, his anchor when he thought about Igneel and the coldness in his heart almost made him leave to search, it was what he thought of as home when he was on missions. But for once...for once he was worried what would he do if he didn't find her there.

Since she came into his life- his priorities, his world, his fears and he have never been the same, she made his life and heart feel fuller than he ever thought and filled a hole he never knew he had. He knew he had instantly liked her- that was as sudden as she came into his life but the rest…about how important she became and how much his happiness depended on hers was slow and gradual; It had crept up upon him before he knew it had happened and now..he couldn't bear the thought of no Lucy.

He climbed into her window as he called, "Luce..Lucy…are you there?".

After a few moments of rushing through the apartment and the stifiling silence Natsu sat on the bed and looked around, "Her scent is stale". She really left. She isn't here.

"Her things are still here Natsu, and she won't leave her clothes", Happy said as he landed on the bed next to him.

Natsu laid back on the bed as Erza and Grey burst through the door,"Did you find anything?"

"She hasn't been home for over a week"

"I am going after her", Natsu almost left by the window as Grey caught him by his vest and dragged him back in. "Look at this", and shoved the brief letter from Lucy under Natsu's nose.

"A month…"

"She says she ll be back", they tried to comfort him.

Natsu pushed their words away as he took in what she wrote. "She didn't even address this to me or any of us. Does she think we wouldn't come looking for her? I can't wait here, what if she is hurt or in danger?"

"She is not weak, she can take care of herself", Grey turned away from Natsu, it seemed plain wrong to see the usually strong and optimistic guy this downtrodden.

"But she shouldn't have to, she has us….we are her nakama"

"We who left her behind", Erza said. "Don't you dare disrespect her wishes further and go after her. I will go tell everyone at the guild about this note."

"If I can't go after her, I am waiting right here until she comes back" I am going after her no matter what anyone says

"Aye, Me too Natsu"

Natsu's uncharacteristic acquiescence made Erza glare suspiciously, "I ll wait here with him, you go to the guild with the note Grey"

Damn. Now it ll look suspicious if I leave. I will have to wait till she leaves me alone. Natsu grumbled to himself.

AN: its been two years and I am sorry that I just let it go. I came across this and decided to update with the chapters already written. (I am going to tweak them a bit though)

To me Natsu and Lucy are meant to be together, and they are together (atleast in my mind)

Hope to see you in the next chapter. Please review if you like it(its my love of reviews that made me post this chapter:)