"Everyone follow Lucy's lead", Gray said as we all crouched and followed Lucy to the side of the building.

"Careful everyone", Lucy whispered as she started to lockpick the door that was on the side of the building.

"I should be saying that to you Luce", I whispered back looking at her concentrated face as she struggled with the lock.

"Luce?", even though her face was full of concentration I could see a pink tint cover her cheeks.

"Why did I call her that?"

"Uh- You kn-know since we're friends now I thought I would give you a nickname", I tried hiding my embarrassment by smiling a shaky smile.

"Would you guys stop flirting, we're on a mission!", Gray whispered/shouted at us.

"We're not flirting!", Lucy and I both said simultaneously as a gigantic blush coated our cheeks.

"Surree", Gray said with a sarcastic tone as he rolled his eyes in annoyance.

"Tch, Whatever", I turned my head to avoid making eye contact with him.

"I'm done", Lucy whispered as I focused all of my attention at the door.

"Alright this is it guys, don't mess this up"

"Aye sir"

I cocked my assault rifle and headed in front of Lucy.

"Natsu what are you doing in front, Lucy's supposed to lead"

"Well there's been a change of plan. I'll be the one leading"

Everyone stared at me with wide eyes. They weren't expecting me to say that.

"Natsu", Gray growled, "We have to do this mission right, that is why we need Lucy-

"Shut up"

"Excuse me?"

"I said shut up. There's no point in arguing with me", I replied coldly making Gray shiver.

"Natsu it's ok I don't mind", Lucy whispered softly as she placed her hand on my shoulder.

"No it's not, if something were to happen to you…."

"Why should you care, we only met a couple of minutes ago. I even held you hostage when we first met".

"I don't care, you're are still my comrade"

"Natsu-"

"Why do I care….?"

"Please, everyone let me do this"

"..."

Gray sighed, "Fine, just be careful"

"Thank you", I smiled as I felt a weight from my chest disappear.

"Great now let's move out!", I whispered/ shouted as breached into the door.

"Alright everyone try not to be out in the open", Gray whispered as we moved slowly across some gigantic wooden crates.

"Understood", we all replied back as I observed the area.

It looked pretty abandoned but still we had to be on our guard.

"I think the coast is clear but-

I was interrupted by some cold laughter.

"Someone's here!"

I raised my hand up to signal everyone to keep still. They all obeyed quickly as they were nervous about the laughter.

The laughter returned but this time it was even colder.

"What?!", I heard a different voice yell out.

"You want me to do what?!"

"Do I really need to repeat myself?", the man who I assumed was the one who laughed earlier said to the other person.

"No! I heard what you said but-

"But what? All I need is your brain"

"YOU'RE INSANE?!"

"Come on now don't be saying rude stuff it'll only make me want to take it by force"

"ST-STAY AWAY FROM ME!", his voice was filled with pure terror that I got goosebumps all over my arm.

"I promise it won't hurt", I heard him getting closer to the other person.

"NO! GET AWAY FROM ME YOU MONST-

*Clack!*

I heard a body hit the floor right beside us.

"Shit! He didn't!"

"Great! Now I'm going to have a brain with a bullet inside of it. Just great"

"He actually killed that person! This man is dangerous!"

I couldn't help but tremble in fear.

"Did you guys enjoy the show?! If you did would you please come out of your hiding spots!", the man yelled out making me freeze.

"How did he know we were here?! Impossible!"

"..."

"Well if you guys won't come out, I'll make you come out!"

"What does he mean by that-

I saw a grenade fly right beside me.

"Shit!"

Before I could even think I hugged Lucy and jumped away from the grenade as I covered her head. Gray and Laxus followed my lead.

*Boom!*

The area around us erupted into flames as we were hit by ruble. Some rocks scratched my face as I focused all of my shielding on Lucy.

"That was too close if we hesitated even for a moment we would've been killed".

Smoke from the explosion started to surround us making our throats dry.

"Everyone cover your mouths!", Gray yelled out as I covered Lucy's mouth with my free hand.

"Try not to breath Lucy, we don't know if this is poisonous gas or not", I whispered as I closed my mouth, and completely stopped my breathing.

Lucy followed my request, I could feel her trembling in my arms as we both held our breaths.

"Just a little more until the smoke disappears"

A laughter broke out from behind me.

"I found two of you brats!", the psychotic man yelled out as he walked closer to me and Lucy.

"Shit! He found us!"

"Why are you guys covering your mouths, this isn't poisonous gas", he said as he inhaled the smoke through his nostrils.

"How can I trust him? It might actually be poisonous"

The masked man noticed me glaring at him. He could tell that I was questioning him.

"Why are you giving me that look? Do you dislike me?", he said with a mocking tone making my blood boil.

I gritted my teeth, this guy was someone we shouldn't get involved with. But he's a threat to everyone so he has to be taken down.

I reached in my pocket and pulled out a small stun grenade.

"Now I just got to wait for the right time"

"Now that I found you two would you mind telling me-

*BOOM!*

I threw the stun grenade at his face making him stagger backwards in pain.

"NOW!"

Lucy and I both got up from the floor and started running away from the man. Lucy was able to get a head start so she was able to get out of the smoke in no time. I on the other hand was still holding my breath as I tried to escape the smoke.

"Come on just a little more!"

*Clack!*

Pain and warmth flew throughout my right leg as I fell to the ground.

"Did I… get shot?!"

I gasped in pain letting the smoke fly into my mouth. It was so bitter and disgusting. It made me want to throw up. My throat felt like it was on fire. It hurt so much.

"ARRGHH!", I screeched out as I held my leg.

"So this is poisonous gas…. my hunch was right"

My whole body started to feel numb, the only thing I could feel was the pain in my throat and in my leg. It was hell.

"I… How?!"

I tried crawling out of the smoke but it was useless, my body just wouldn't move.

"The smoke's getting to me. I'll be dead in a few minutes"

"There's no point in moving anymore it'll just speed up my death"

I closed my eyes and slumped back down on the floor. It felt so comfortable, it was practically inviting me to go to sleep. And I accepted it's invite as I slowly drifted off into a deep slumber.

"Pathetic", was the last thing I heard before I knocked out.

…

"Natsu!"

"Natsu!"

"Natsu! Please wake up!"

"That voice….."

"Natsu! Open your eyes!"

"It's….

"Natsu!"

"Lucy!", I opened my eyes as I searched frantically for Lucy.

My body didn't feel numb anymore, but it still felt horrible.

"Lucy where are you?!", I shouted as I pushed myself up with all my might.

"ARRGH!", shouting made the pain dim down a little bit.

"Lucy!"

"Over here!", I heard three different voices shout at me.

"That must be them, I better hurry they might be in troub-

"ARRGH!", I slumped back down on the floor. It was way too painful to stand up. My best bet was to stay on the cold floor.

I started to crawl slowly towards the voices. My right leg wouldn't move at all so it was really difficult to crawl. It was practically dead weight.

"I-I'm c-coming!", I yelled out as I kept pushing myself.

"I have to save my comrades no matter what, especially Lucy"

After what seemed like hours I finally reached my comrades. They were all tied up with rope on some wooden chairs. The sight disgusted me, it looked like they were defenseless and vulnerable.

"D-Don't worry guys", I coughed up some blood as I continued to crawl towards them.

"I'm going to set you free…"

"NATSU! Please hurry! We're on the clock!", Gray shouted as he wiggled in the ropes.

"Wh-what do you mean?", my vision was starting to get blurry. I guess it was because of all the blood i've lost.

"When you were passed out that mysterious man planted some timer bombs in here!"

"WHAT?!", I regretted shouting that just made my throat really hurt.

"He planted bombs in this room! If we don't hurry we're going to blow up!", Gray repeated as he tried to rip the ropes.

"D-Don't w-worry I'll save you…. guys", I breathed out as I laid my face on the floor. My body gave up on me. It wouldn't move anymore. I couldn't feel anything except for the beating of my heart.

"I guess this is the end…"

"I'm sorry Lucy….. everyone please forgive me", I whispered out as I was covered in darkness.

"NATSU!"

…

The darkness that surrounded me started to fade away. It was being replaced by a bright white light.

"Am I….. dead?", I whispered softly to myself.

"No… you're not", my eyes widened as I heard Lucy's voice.

"How?..."

The darkness completely disappeared, Lucy's beautiful face came into my vision. She had some scratches on her face but she still looked pretty.

"Lucy….. I-

"Don't talk you're badly injured, just try not to move and relax", her soft voice said as I closed my eyes again.

Her voice was just so soothing.

"You're probably wondering where we are?", I nodded without opening my eyes.

"Well we're in a helicopter right now returning to base. We managed to escape, but we didn't get any intel, so that means this mission was a bust", she said with a disappointed voice that made my insides twist.

"How…. did we escape?", I whispered feeling guilty about passing out.

"We were able to break free from the ropes. Once we were free Gray and I carried your unconscious body out of the building and called for an extraction".

My eyes popped open I couldn't believe it I failed my comrades.

I was a horrible comrade.

"Lu-Lucy?"

"Hmm?"

"I'm deeply sorry for not being able to rescue you guys, I failed you all", tears started to flow down my cheeks. I didn't even feel them, but I know they were there.

"Natsu…. It wasn't your fault you were badly injured-

"It is my fault! I was dead weight to you guys!", I started to sob which made Lucy give me a sympathetic look.

"Natsu don't worry about it. Let's both protect each other from now on ok?"

I wiped the warm tears away from my face with my sleeve.

"Ok, I promise"

…

Location: Natsu and Gray's camping spot

Date: Unknown

(3rd person pov)

A blonde wearing all black was laying on her stomach as she aimed her sniper at a certain pink haired boy.

The scope on the scope read, "50 meters ahead"

An evil smirk formed on the blonde's lips.

"Target located"

A/N: To be continued on Chapter 6: I promised