Yay. Got another chapter finished. Go me. XD

Thank for the reviews, faves and follows. I love that at least some likes my stories. It makes me truly happy.

I do apologize for my grammar, typos and etc. Did my best to reread it, but I'm sure there will some words that I missed. So for that I'm sorry.

There isn't much interaction with Natsu and Lucy this chapter, but it will happen. I promise!

Anyways. I got nothing much to say other than, enjoy! Read, review, fave and follow! Next chapter will probably be posted next week, or I hope. Couldn't think of a title for the chapter. So for now it's Scars.

Disclaimer. I don't own anything. Bye!

-Oby Abel-

Chapter 7: Scars

Natsu avoided going over to Lucy's the remaining days till their team mission. He was embarrassed and slightly uncomfortable. All thanks to the book and her journal.

When he began reading the journal he had to send Happy off because it became to personal and he didn't want to have the blue feline to embarrass neither of them. So he indirectly told Happy to go to Wendy's for the night – all he had to say was Carla was probably missing him, the blue feline zoomed out after that.

The first thing he read was about his built and description. Pink hair (he shouted salmon whipped groaning), onyx eyes with peck of green, masculine face, cute nose (that made him sputter and blush) and a kissable mouth. (He dropped the journal the second the words registered his mind, and he didn't pick it up for a long while. Too embarrassed.)

When he finally calmed himself and resumed reading, he read about how Lucy found his body hot. No puns intended. She wrote he was literally hot. Nice body with chocolate abs that always looked delicious (she always liked when he wore no shirts or his open vest because she truly appreciated his flat stomach, especially when he was wet from water or sweat, definitely turn on), and he had strong arms that she liked a lot because she liked to cuddle and hug. His arms always made her feel safe. Strong muscly legs that could carry her without bucking down (she wrote a side note; "not that I am heavy like that stupid cat insinuates"). Overall a nice body that matches her. A very appreciated body in fact.

To say that the Dragon Slayer was embarrassed was an understatement. His face literally caught on fire. He had to stop because he had trouble breathing.

But he was kind of flattered too. She was being very honest and it made him slightly happy that she appreciated his looks. And the fact that she wrote that she felt safe in her arms, now that was a bonus.

It took him a few more minutes before he could continue. His mind was seriously fucked up. Maybe it hadn't been a good idea reading her journal after he read the Slayer book for her earlier that day. The book had already tricked his brain with inappropriate thoughts and he was beginning to think about how nice it would be to cuddle with her. That he shouldn't have left and just stay over.

But that would just make things more awkward between them both so he had pushed those thoughts away and continued.

When it came to his personality he was a bit offended. The first word was; childish. Natsu's childish. That didn't please him. He didn't think himself childish and he began protesting to the air about how mature and manly he was. For a minute it was like Elfman's soul had entered him because he kept repeating how of a man he was and how manly he was. He was no boy. He almost stormed out to confront her but then he had remembered that Happy stole the journal from the blonde and if she knew they would both suffer from a fate much more worse than death. So he stopped himself and begrudgingly continued.

Lucy found him childish, immature, dense, stupid, an idiot, a hothead reckless and destructive. He growled at her insulting words but stopped when he saw the next words. But she also found him to be cute, a dork, loveable, loyal, caring, kind, sweet and the best friend she could ever ask for. He was a person she couldn't thank enough and someone she never wanted to part with. They were partners and they would stick together forever. He was Natsu and she was Lucy.

"He may be lacking a lot but he is making up for it by his loyalty and kindness. He is the person that I never wish to be apart. He is family. My true family. Occasionally he gets on my nerves – nah – not occasionally, the idiot always get on my nerves but that's Natsu for you. I wouldn't want him to be different. He is perfect just as he is. That's why I love him."

Natsu knew when he read that part he shouldn't have been blushing nor taking it the wrong way but he couldn't help it. His heart beat frantically, his cheeks red and he was a big tearful. Everything she had written was only meant in a friendly way, it truly touched him, but his heart didn't stop it's frantic beating. She loved him and it was a second time he had heard her say it. Okay, first time reading it but who cares.

Then the sadness washed over him. Lucy didn't love love him. They were best friends and he pulled her into the situation they were in. The guilt was heavily making its way into his heart. As Lucy had written he too agreed with much of it. Lucy was family. His family. Imagining her to be his wife or mate was wrong. Or it felt wrong.

He didn't actually know what love was or being in love was. He had never been in love. Or not that he recalls it. So love was still a mystery for the Slayer.

After reading that paragraph he had closed the journal and decided not to read further. It was getting too personal and uncomfortable. And he felt like he was being unfair to Lucy. In more ways than he could think of.

So the day of their team mission, he avoided making eye contact with her or even interacting with her. The guilt was seriously getting to him.

When their group had boarded the train he willingly let Erza knock him out instead of letting Lucy take care of him like she used to. It was just too much for him to be near him.

Lucy and the others immediately took notice of his strange behavior but kept quiet. Maybe Natsu was just having an off day, they all agreed. But even that seemed weird.

Lucy occasionally gazed back to the unconscious Slayer. She felt that his strangeness was due to book and their situation. She couldn't think of what else could be the problem.

He hadn't visited her for days after he had read aloud mostly of the book. Not that she really minded. She needed space and time to think. She even brushed Levy off whenever she brought it off. The book seriously made her uncomfortable and awkward.

It had been a hassle for her to push images away of the future that thanks to the book occurred. It truly had.

To think that if she agreed to be his mate she had to first be tortured – she believed the 66 bites to be torture – and then conceive a child. It was too much. She was too young to even think about becoming a mother.

But in a sense it all made sense. Dragons mate to produce children. Like humans marry and start families. But humans had choices. They could wait till whenever they felt ready while Dragons or Slayers had to begin reproducing at the age of 22 second.

And don't get her started with how it ruins her plans. Yes her plans. Lucy had made a plan since way back about when she thought would be the appropriate time to marry and have children.

She would marry about 26-27 and about a year later or two then she would think about children. She wanted to be free of commitment and explore the world before settling down. There's so many places and things she wished to do before even the word marriage and children appeared in her mind.

But things apparently aren't as she wished for it to be. Fate had other plans for her. Plans that just ruined everything for her.

Almost everything.

While days apart from her best friends she had begun thinking about the pros and cons being mated to Natsu.

He was sweet. He really was. Natsu always thought about others before even considering his own feelings or wellbeing. He was loyal to a fault. He would willingly sacrifice himself for people he wasn't associated with. He was just a great guy.

And he never made a day feel dull. Always a different adventure. So she began thinking being with him wouldn't be too bad. And maybe she was being to unreasonable about demanding him to be someone he wasn't. If he changed he wouldn't be Natsu.

She felt guilty just looking at him. He was a guy who had done so much for her but she was being a brat and not considering his feelings and only thinking about her feelings. It was him who was in grave danger. Not her but him.

Lucy sighed deeply and looked out the window. She was having a hard time coping with just about everything. It was just a mess being her right now.

Should she or shouldn't she accept him. It frustrated her that she didn't have the answer. She wasn't in love with him but she cared deeply about him. Maybe mating him would make her fall in love with him?

"That would just be too weird." She answered herself.

"What would be weird?" Gray questioned, sitting next to her.

Her eyes widened. Did she say that out loud? God, she did. Nervously she turned around smiled. "Nothing. Nothing at all." She dismissed rather quickly.

Her behavior piqued the interest of the two mages. Gray shot her a questioning look awhile Erza looked more intimidating. "You are acting weird too. Care to tell us what's going on between you and Natsu?" Gray spoke.

"And don't dare trying denying it. You are avoiding each other." Erza added as she stated the weird behavior of both mages. She had seen how distant the two best friends had become. They didn't even talk to the guild. And that was weird when they used to be inseparable.

"I –" She nervously glanced between the two mages and then looked at Happy who was sitting on the unconscious Natsu. She shot him a pleading look, asking for help.

"Lushi is Natsu's mate." He said nonchalantly making the blonde gasp and turn crimson.

"Happy!" Lucy glared deathly but the cat wasn't scared. Not when he was sitting next to the mighty Titania.

"Mate?" Erza asked confused and exchanged odd looks with Gray before both mages looked at the blonde expectantly. "Care to elaborate, Lucy?"

The blonde groaned audibly and avoided their gazes as she looked at her folded hands on her laps. This is so awkward, she thought. She shot Happy another glare. I will get you did this stupid cat. Just you wait!

"Uhm… how should I start.." She was struggling with finding the right words and explanation to Natsu and hers situation. She wanted to avoid this moment for as long as she could but the cat just had to confess.

"Try from the beginning." Erza's tone made her more nervous that she felt her joint hands already feel sweaty. And not to mention their gazes bore holes into her skull.

Might as well confess and tell the truth. She told herself and let out a deep and long breath. "Natsu and I are mates. Or rather I'm his mate. There. That's all you need to know." She spoke hurriedly just to get it out fast. It was embarrassing as it was.

"We get that." Erza's tone held a tinge of frustration and she continued. "But what we don't understand what that means. Explain." She commanded almost harshly and it made the blonde cringe.

Lucy gulped nervously and slowly lifted her eyes to look at the redhead. She gulped once more by sheer fright because of the scary expression the redhead wore.

"Uhm…" Lucy thought about how to start. She was getting more clammy by Erza's scrutinizing stare. "It means.."

"Today, thank you." Erza's patience was wearing thin as she watched the blonde struggle for words.

"Erza, you aren't helping. It's okay Lucy. Just tell us the important parts so we can understand." Gray was playing the good copy. He put a hand on the blonde's shoulder as comfort.

Lucy silently thanked him and cleared her throat. She could do this. Yeah. She could do this. She gave herself a quick pep talk and reminded herself it was her team mates and her family that was in front of her. There was nothing wrong with that. It was just Erza and Gray.

"It basically means that I'm Natsu's fiancée in Dragon terms. And when we mate we'll be married. It a Slayer thing." That wasn't so hard, was it Lucy, she told herself inwardly grinning at her success for finally speaking.

"WHAT?!" Erza bellowed as she shot up from her seat making Natsu crash down to the floor. Poor Natsu. "What do you mean fiancée? When did this happen? I demanded to know everything!"

Gray and Lucy shivered by the suddenly angered Requip mage as she glared hotly at Lucy and shouted for her to answer her.

"I-it happen a-after t-the g-guild p-party." The blonde stuttered out as she sunk deeper into her seat, cowering from the redheads nasty look. She wanted to escape. Badly.

"Then why am I first hearing about this now?!" She demanded loudly.

"B-because w-we need to f-find a way out."

Erza frowned upon hearing that and Gray looked at Lucy confused. "Why?" The two asked simultaneously.

"Because I'm not ready to have kids!" Lucy cried out, almost at the verge of tears.

"What?" Erza said in a low voice. Lucy's words didn't make sense. What had her being Natsu's mate to do with kids?

For Gray, he was just getting more confused than actually understanding the situation. So he the only thing he could make sense of was that Lucy was Natsu's mate and that was it.

"The mating process is so the Slayer and its mate can reproduce. Mate. Mating. Sex! Kids! I need to bound myself to Natsu for forever!" Lucy cried out once more and let her frustration get the best of her. Tears were spilt.

Gray blanched. Erza turned crimson. And both grew silent.

"Wait. Natsu didn't tell me that." Happy suddenly said, looking at the blonde. "Does that mean I get a sibling?"

"No!"

"But-"

"No!"

"B-"

"Shut up!"

Happy shut up but not before grumbling about how unfair Lucy was being and how mean she was.

"So. Uhm." Gray began awkwardly making the blonde look at him. "Do it. Did you do-"

"No!" Lucy cut him off before he could finish that sentence. Her face was matching Erza's face.

"Why?" He asked frowning. He was still in the process of digesting everything.

"Because we are still looking for a way to prevent it from happening. Neither of us wanted this. We have…" She suddenly stopped as she was once again reminded of the consequence of Natsu not mating. Her breathing hitched and her heart clenched painfully.

Both Erza and Gray noticed the sadness it the eyes of the blonde. She looked pained and hurt. And then she glanced at the floor where Natsu lay and she let out a whimper. Now they were concerned.

"You have what?" Erza asked worried.

"We have three years… three years or.." She had to swallow the lump in her throat as she choked out the dreadful news. "or Natsu will… he will die."

Erza stiffened as did Gray. Had they heard correctly? Did she just tell them that Natsu would die if he didn't mate with Lucy? Nah, they must be hearing things. It would take a miracle for Natsu to die. He was just too stubborn that even Death didn't want to deal with him.

Both laughed, dismissing the possibility. "Ha! Flame Brain die? That was too funny Lucy."

"Yeah. Natsu and death? Haha." Erza added.

"It's not a lie!" Lucy said furiously. "He will die if he doesn't mate before his 22th birthday! Same apply the other Slayers."

"You're joking, right?" Gray looked at her, all laughing stopped. When he noticed that she wasn't he stiffened, suddenly feeling colder than he had ever. "You aren't."

"No." Lucy spoke gravely. "They will die if they don't mate. It's the price of being a Slayer." Her voice was just about a whisper as she let a tear slip.

"Wow." Neither of the two friends knew what to say. They were shocked. Speechless. They didn't know who to feel most sorry for. Natsu who was the one that had a death sentence hanging upon in or Lucy who had the burden of a choice which she was dragged into.

"That's why we aren't like we used to be. It's just too awkward." Lucy admitted.

"And there isn't a way out of it?" Erza questioned looking at the Slayer on the floor pitifully.

"Not according to the book. But I am not going to give up just yet. After we complete our mission I'm taking a trip to the Celestial realm. Grandpa Crux's library will perhaps have some other information." She had come to that idea after several days of thinking. The Celestial Library was ancient and she was sure there would be some kind of information to find there.

"That sounds like a plan." Erza agreed while Gray still kept quiet. He was just too taken aback by this revelation. What if there wasn't a way out? Would Lucy still deny him?

"What… what if there isn't a way out. Then what?" He managed to ask.

"Then I have no other choice to accept. That's also why I told him to try to make me fall in love with me. So far he hasn't even tried but we have time." That somewhat made him relieved. There was hope.

"Then I'll help him." He decided with a small smile as he gaze at his unconscious friend. They might be rivals but they were still friends. Nakama. And Gray even considered the hothead his best male friend.

"And I too. We'll turn him into the perfect male for you Lucy, if there isn't a way out." Erza added with kind smile looking at the blonde.

It warmed the blonde to know that their friends were so willing to help but she couldn't help but frown at the word perfect. Did she really want Natsu to change? No. Natsu wouldn't be himself if he wasn't acting like he used to. Of course he could be taught a few romantic moves and try to be more like a man than a child, but just occasionally.

And here she was again. Thinking about how she wouldn't mind Natsu. But it was the thought that seemed wrong not the person. It was how their relationship would change. From being best friends to lovers. It just seemed to weird and wrong.

It would definitely take her a while to get used to the thought. Her and Natsu, lovers. She shook the thought away before it manifested in brain. She didn't need those thougts.

They had three years to find a way out. And she would use those years. She was nowhere near ready for commitment.

"Thanks but let's not get ahead of ourselves and forget this for the time being. We have a few years to find another way." They smiled and nodded understanding. "And let's not tell Natsu that you know."

The topic was soon dismissed and they all turned quiet. It didn't take too long to arrive to their mission and waking a clueless Dragon Slayer up. They met with their client and finished the job without hitch in a week. A first. Mostly because Gray acted nice for a change and ignored the Slayer. And that Natsu avoided Lucy and solely focused on finishing the mission.

It was their first mission with the full reward money and Lucy was certainly not complaining. She got jewels enough to pay for three months now and some extra for clothes and books or just whatever she felt like she needed or wanted.

The two friends kept their distance even when they arrived back to the guild. Lucy found Levy and huddled over to her while Natsu sat with the others from his team, and ordered food. Unintentionally he zoomed in on the two female besties' conversation.

"How was the mission?" Levy started with a nervous approach. She was hiding something, Lucy figured but she was sure the conversation would lead up to Levy's secret.

The blonde shrugged the odd behavior off and grinned happily. "It went perfect! No damage or anything. Got the full reward!" Lucy gushed. She was even close to tell Master that they should throw a party just because it was so rare for Team Natsu to finish a mission without damage. She was that happy.

"Wow, that's a change. Natsu or Gray didn't destroy anything? Would about Erza getting to caught up in the mission and wrecking havoc? None?" The blonde shook her head fast, feeling slightly dizzy but never did her smile falter.

"Nope! Isn't that awesome. If things go on like this I don't have to worry about rent anymore. I have enough for three months!"

"That's great Lu." And that was when Lucy noticed the blunette's voice didn't sound too enthusiastic as she usually was.

"What wrong Levy-chan? Did something happen when I left?" All happiness gone in an instant.

"Can I come over today and stay with you?" Levy asked with a low soft voice and tears threatened to spill.

Alarmed, Lucy quickly pulled her into a hug. Tight and comforting. "Of course. Is this about, you know?" She felt her friend nod.

Pulling away Lucy saw the saddened face of her best friend and it broke her heart. "Then let's leave now. We can stop by the grocery and buy food and maybe also rent a movie? Game?" She asked with a bright smile, trying to lighten up her friend's mood, if only by little.

Levy smiled back and nodded and brought the blonde into a hug. The two friends waved goodbye to their friends and walked out on to the streets.

Natsu was confused by Levy's odd behavior and he got curious. His eyes caught the gruff Iron Dragon Slayer who had been followed the two friends with his eyes and he decided to ask what was wrong with the bookworm.

"What do you want, Salamander?" The Iron studded man asked annoyed when Natsu neared his table.

"What's wrong with your mate?" Natsu noticed the male tensed and his fist clenching. Now he was more curious than ever.

"None of your damn business." He hissed dangerously.

"Did she reject you like Lucy did me?"

"I said it was none of your fucking business. Leave me alone or die." But Natsu wasn't even fazed by his stupid threat and continued standing there.

"What happened while we were away? Did you…" He paused, feeling a little envy of some sort pass through him if what he had to say next was to be true. "Did you begin the process?"

The Iron Dragon Slayer glared at him dangerously and he looked feral as he growled. That surprised Natsu but he didn't turn his gaze away. Not before knowing what transpired between the two mates.

But Gajeel didn't say anything and folded his arms, looking anywhere else but Natsu.

"You did? But why are you pissed and she looked uncomfortable, afraid even."

"Shut up and leave." Came his gruff reply.

"Oi, we are all in the same situation so just tell me already!" Natsu pressed, growing impatient.

"Let's just say that Shrimp is scarred. For live. I don't even want to think about it. Just leave!" He stood up and pushed Natsu away before storming out of the guild leaving the Fire Dragon Slayer confused.

"What the hell?" Deciding that he wasn't pleased with the answer he followed the other Slayer. He was confused and worried with what he had meant by Levy being scarred.

"Okay that's it!" Gajeel smashed Natsu with his Iron Pole. Couldn't the idiot take a hint? Guess not.

"What the fuck was that for, Metal Brain!" Natsu whined as he tried to fix his probably broken nose.

"You are annoying. Why did you follow me? I told you to leave me alone."

"You didn't explain anything properly. What's going on?"

"I just told you. Shrimp's scarred for life. I can't continue with the ritual." As he spoke his fist clenched. He would never ever allow himself touching Levy again.

"How?"

"Those bites. Not only do we need to bite them hard, drawing blood but our magic pass through. She cried so much it broke my heart. 66 bites, Natsu. 66 times that they will have to endure that process." He looked remorseful, shameful and the icing of the cake, hateful. He hated himself.

"Oh." Came Natsu's intellectual answer. He was a bit skeptical about those bites because it was a lot and it was a magic transfer thingy too and now he got his answer of what truly will happen.

"I'm sorry, man. Didn't know it was that bad. How far are you into it?" He knew it was a bit insensitive but he had to ask.

"Second day. Today the third.. She… she was really determined but after the fifth one she screamed so loud that she told me to knock her out before proceeding. It was so horrifying and she begged me. She begged me to knock her out. I.." Natsu could see how tormented the other Slayer was. It made his stomach churn, thinking about how Lucy would react when they began. It broke his heart further, thinking she would react like Levy.

"It's alright, man. Maybe you should visit the old hag, ask for something to ease the pain. I would, if Lucy reacted like that. And you can't stop the process once it has begun. It would complicate things." He was surprised by his quick thinking. Natsu never ever think smart and finding other solutions. But when he though about Lucy being Levy's position he knew he couldn't knock her out. It would be too painful. So Polyusica it was.

"Ya think she would help?" Gajeel felt a sense of hope. He knew Natsu was right. That the ritual can't come to a stop. Not when they had already come this far.

"Wendy told me about her being Grandeeny's edolas counter part, so she must be aware about mating. If not, we force her." He grinned mischievously.

"Then I'm off to that old hags house. Look out for the Shrimp for me. Make sure she…" he grit his teeth. "Make sure she doesn't run away. Okay?"

"She wouldn't. Don't worry. But I will. And make sure the old hag knows that there are five other Slayers that will come to her as well." Gajeel grunted and left the pinkette.

Natsu slightly felt better when he got his answers. He and Lucy was nowhere near where Gajeel and Levy were, it would take a long while before they got there. But now he was a bit more prepared about how things would happen.

It wasn't like he was happy that their mates would suffer like Levy had, actually it pissed him off. They were already willingly giving their Slayers so much and now they had to endure immense pain. That seriously pissed him off. He could understand if Lucy would call their deal off because he sure she would know by the end of the day. Levy and Lucy shared everything.

Even though it saddened him he would accept. He still had 3 years left of his life so he could just enjoy it to its fullest.

Shrugging the negative emotions and thoughts away, he trudged back to the guild and started an all guild brawl. Just because he felt like it.

Deep down he was hurting and afraid. He didn't want to die. He didn't want to leave everyone behind. And he also didn't want to leave Lucy behind. He truly hoped Lucy didn't change her mind. Because if just a little, he knew he liked her more than he should be allowed. More than just a friend. He just didn't understand why.

See. Natsu isn't that dense. He is just clueless and awkward. XD But he likes Lucy and he is probably confused because they are best friends. Best friends doesn't like each other like lovers do, do they? Some do. It's either unrequited love. I'm always thinking about Love, Rosie whenever I think about a boy and a girl best friend relationship and that makes me think about Natsu and Lucy. I really loved the movie and the ended. Damn I cried happily!

Anyways. Bottom line is that both are confused and that's normal. Or I think it's normal. So… yeah that was what I wanted to say.

Peace out!

-Oby Abel-