Title: Blazing Souls

Author: CreateElements

Rating: T-rated for language and suggestive themes.

Summary: Natsu's on a mission.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail; if I did a lot of it would be different!

A/N: The quote for both this chapter and story has been made by Fanfiction user Jenaro Drakonite! The best Beta ever! Thank you for all the help through-out this story! This is chapter is a little excerpt from another story I am currently working on.

Universal

"Love, pain, happiness and conflict are just some of the many universal truths we have as humans. They are truths not because everyone possesses them; but because we experience them all in different ways and in different intensities. That is what it truly means to be alive." –Jenaro Drakonite from Fanfiction.

Many years later…

Three months. That's how long he had been gone. Three long and painful months; but Natsu expected nothing less from an SS-Class job. Thankfully the job had gone better than planned.

Natsu, yawned as he closed the doors to the guild. They were celebrating. Years ago he would have stayed and joined in, but he was exhausted.

However, even in his exhaustion he still found the energy to smile. He was finally on his way home.

The sun had disappeared over the horizon hours ago. If Natsu had to guess it was around one or two in the morning. After the mission was finished they went straight to the guild. He'd left Gray and Erza behind to finish up the paperwork. He knew Erza and Gray would get it done right. Besides, paperwork didn't figure high on his list of priorities. Home was his main priority.

God, I miss them. This was the first time he'd been gone for more than a couple of weeks, and it was killing him. He had no idea how they others could do.

Thinking, Natsu realized he knew why. He did it for the same reasons. Still, Natsu disliked taking such long missions. He didn't like being away from his wife, kids and Happy for so long. He wanted to see all of them again. He needed to be home, with the most important people in his life.

Natsu toiled down the streets of Magnolia, heading for their home. Natsu's heart ached with anticipation and longing with thoughts of home… of her. Long ago he had almost lost his home.

He'd found out when he was nineteen just how much she meant to him. Just days after he'd tried to rescue Erza and Mirajane from Tartarus. It still scared the crap out of him. He could remember everything from what color underwear he was wearing at the time to the fear he felt when he had heard the news. Natsu frowned as unwanted memories assaulted him…

Brown.

That was the first color Natsu saw when he awoke. Blinking rapidly he recognized the brown; he was looking at the wood ceiling of the guild's infirmary.

Natsu blinked a few more times allowing his eyes adjust. Even after all of the years, he still hated the idea of being in the infirmary. It made him feel weak.

Natsu tried to sit up, but as soon as he moved, he hissed as pain bolted through his body. The pain was excruciating; although he had had worse.

Despite the pain Natsu forced himself to sit up. The action sent waves of pain racing through his body. Natsu leaning his head back against the wall. He closed his eyes, gritting his teeth taking deep breaths.

"What the hell?!"

He opened his eyes and looked down to his midsection and saw that it was heavily bandaged. The pain he felt from getting up had come from his midsection. Natsu glared down at his injured self as he tried to remember what happened to him. The last thing that came to mind was getting ready to fight one of the higher level demons of Tartarus. His thoughts were interrupted when he heard a knock.

"I see you're finally awake."

Natsu turned his head to his right and saw Erza standing by the door. By the look of things she had seen better days. Red angry gashes lined her face, neck and exposed arms. She had her left arm in a sling as she walked into Natsu's room. What struck Natsu odd about Erza was her expression. Shouldn't she be happy? She was finally safe.

"Erza?" He watched as she took a deep breath and looked away from him. She wasn't making eye contact. This made Natsu nervous. What happened that made Erza upset?

He watched as a tear slipped down her cheek.

"H-how are you feeling Natsu?"

"Fine…" Natsu replied slowly eyeing Erza.

An awkward silence enveloped the room. Natsu wanted to ask Erza what was wrong. The last time he had seen Erza like this… Makarov had been killed.

"Erza?"

"Natsu…"

The both said each other's names at the same time. Natsu stopped willing her to go first, but Erza insisted that Natsu start.

"What's wrong Erza? You're safe now."

A sad smile came to Erza's face. Another tear slipped out. Natsu had the urge to remove it. An uneasy feeling began to settle.

"Natsu what do you remember?" Erza asked.

Natsu appeared to be deep in thought, trying to remember. "I..I ah, remember someone who smelt like Gray walking up to me… I mentioned Gray an-" Natsu trailed off, his eyes widening.

His free arm reached for Erza's shirt. He pulled a little harder then he had wanted to. "Erza where is he? Is he okay?!" Natsu asked urgently.

Erza nodded her head quickly. "He's fine."

Natsu's heart dropped. He could hear the unsaid but. "W-who?"

Erza expression grew even mournful. He watched as more tears fell from her eyes. "I… I don't know… Somehow…"

He wanted to scream and demand the answers but somehow he resisted. He grew wary and scared. Natsu wasn't one to scare easily. He never got scared on any mission that he took, and never got scared when his life was in danger. But when it involved one of his nakama…

"Natsu, Lisanna's…" Erza trailed off.

His world spun. No… not her. Anyone but Lis. He watched Erza's tears fell freely. Tears formed in his own eyes, which eventually cascade down his cheeks. Erza didn't need to finish.

"E-Elfman and L-Lisanna were c-captured by Sayla the D-Demon… Sayla… s-she made E-Elfman give up his soul… for L-Lisanna's life… He did but… s-she k-killed L-Lisanna anyway. She killed both of them."

Natsu cried in agony. In all his life, nothing could have prepared him for the anguish and pain he felt. He'd promised he would keep her safe no matter what and he had failed.

Natsu sat there and cried with Erza. He cried in anger and loss. But mostly for the love of his life…

Natsu shook his head, trying to rid himself of the unwanted memories. The first few months he'd slid into a horrible depression. Much like Gray he was numb. Most days Gray would show up wordlessly with bottles of alcohol. Together they would drown out the world; both wallowing in grief and self-regret.

It took both of them a year to pull out of their depression. Only thanks to a stupid lion and his confession.

Scowling to himself he forcibly shoved the memories into a back corner of his mind. Those were days long past. Days he hated to think about. He picked up his pace until he reached his home.

Natsu walked up the front path before pulling his keys out of his pocket to unlock the door. Once Masami began walking, they had agreed the doors needed locks.

The door creaked ever so slightly as he let himself inside.

Knowing his wife and the kids were asleep he tried to make as little sound as possible. She would kill him if he woke the kids. His exhale came out as a sigh and a smile graced his lips.

He was home.

Unlacing his boots and placing them next to the door he looked up and frowned. The house may have been silent but clean it was another thing. Natsu tried his best to navigate his way through the large amount of toys littering the floor. Masami and Kyo must have worn her out.

He followed the familiar scent towards his daughter's room and silently opened the door. Once again Natsu found himself frowning. There in front of him, sat her tiny bed empty. Her blanket lay crumpled on the floor. Natsu wasn't worried just disappointed. He turned away from his daughter's room and headed for the next. Some nights Masami couldn't sleep due to nightmares of days long forgotten. She was known for climbing into bed with her younger brother or mother.

Opening up Kyo's room he chuckled as he saw the same sight. He turned away heading for his own room.

The sound of soft footfalls made the Dragon Slayer look over his shoulder to see Happy.

He grinned. "Hey, buddy."

Exceed rubbing his eyes sleepy eyes with his paws. "Natsu?" he asked tiredly. Natsu smiled as he bent down picking up the Exceed.

Happy lazily nuzzled Natsu's cheek before curling up on his shoulder. The weight of Happy on his shoulder made the Dragon Slayer nostalgic for the old days. The Exceed had grown over the years. Happy would soon have his own family.

The Dragon Slayer chuckled and lightly scratched one of Happy's ears before closing the room door.

Making his way toward his bedroom, he smiled. Lisanna was at the far end of the bed, her back facing him. He walked over to the bed noticing Lisanna's arms were wrapped protectively around the tinier of the two bodies. Masami and Kyo had climbed into their bed. A smile graced his lips as he watched his family sleep. Placing a chaste kiss on Lisanna's cheek he let his fingers comb through her long ivory hair.

Coming around the room he noticed Kyo's thumb was firmly stuck in his mouth while his other hand clutched a small blanket, which wrapped around his tiny body. His eyes flickered over to Masami who clung to his pillow. Despite feeling tired Natsu didn't move. He was enjoying the view. There had been a time in his life when Natsu thought he would never have this. He had almost lost everything.

Natsu yawned, his exhaustion catching up to him. He approached the bed. Aware of the Excheed on his shoulder he gently picked him up, setting him down on the bed, next to Kyo and Lisanna. Careful not to wake Nasami, he pulled on the pillow, freeing it from from her grasp. She whined.

"Shh..." he hushed softly, gently brushing her ivory hair from her face. The small child sniffed the air, and her bright blue eyes slowly opened. They were heavy with sleep. She looks so much like her mother.

She rubbed her eyes trying to sit up. "Daddy?"

"Hey, baby girl," he whispered. "I love you. Go back to sleep, okay?"

Understanding, she closed her eyes and shifted closer to the middle of the bed. She snuggled into the corner of his pillow giving a tired yawn.

Mindful of his children he slipped beneath the covers and sighed contently; placing one arm under his head his free hand found Lisanna's, intertwining their fingers.

He felt the bed shift in front of him. She moaned sleepily as her eyes slowly opened. She smiled and squeezed his hand. yawning she lifted his hand and kissed his knuckles. The act made his exhausted body quiver.

"Welcome home Natsu," she whispered. Natsu grinned and snuggled into their bed. He watched as his wife's eyes closed once again.

Before sleep took him Natsu gave his family one more glance. His eyes stopped as Kyo moved away from his mother. He felt his heart filled with joy as he saw Lisanna's slightly swollen abdomen.

God, he loved this woman. She had given him so much. She had sacrificed so much. Died twice and had come back to him twice. Yet, asked for nothing in return. He brought her hand up to his mouth kissing it.

"Night, Lis..." He closed his eyes with a smile, "I love you too." And it was the truth.

A/N: So I hope you all liked my last entry for Nali Week 2013. It's been awhile since I have updated... opps. I know super late but o well. Still better then never right? This chapter was supposed to be Natsu and Lisanna's wedding being crashed by a dark guild. However I reworked it and I am super happy with this version.

This is a little excerpt from another story I am currently working on!

Special thanks to: darkfire1220, casey10rok, Xilentblade1125, Renata, GhostAvatar, xLILKOOPAx, NaLiFan, Kyto Touche, Jenaro Drakonite, Tonlor, TraitorVergere and anyone else who I may have forgotten!

Thank you to all you for the follows, reviews and favorites. It means the world to me that I am not the only Nali lover out there. I hope I did the paring justice!

Keep an eye out for my next story Forgotten Gates! (Currently being rewritten.)

Until next time -

CE