Hi again- thanks for the reviews!

I don't own fairy tail. Enjoy!

Natsu focused all his magic on the cuffs on his hands. They resisted magic, but if he put enough power in them, they might break. Natsu gritted his teeth and pushed his magic to the limi- and that's when he heard the first crack.

-#!-#!-#!-#!

Mokarov stood in the middle of the guild hall, waiting for quiet. Not that he needed to; ever since Natsu went missing, the place was almost silent. The guild master looked around at the members of the guild. Cana was in the corner with Macao, both with drinks in their hands. On the next table was Gajeel sitting by himself, grinding his fingernails on the table. On the right, Mira was sitting with her hands on fists. Elfman was next to her, and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. Other guild members were dotted around tables, looking glum, but Mocarov was mainly concerned about Natsu's closest friends. Ersa, Lucy and Happy were sitting at the same table, heads down and exhausted. Gray was separate to the others, and was standing against a wall with his arms crossed.

Every single guild member were all doing the same thing; they were looking at him, waiting to hear any news.

"I can't let any of you go on like this." Mocarov started, and a few mutters broke out in the hall. Ersa and Lucy looked at him properly, listening carefully. Movarov sighed and closed his eyes before carrying on.

"I can't let you keep searching for Natsu Dragneel."

This time, shouts broke out, but Gray's was the loudest.

"So you've given up?!" He yelled , standing up properly.

"We've got to keep looking!" Lucy cried out, standing up. Other people agreed with this. Mira stood up too, along with Ersa.

"I know he's still out there…" Mira said quietly, but somehow her voice got heard. She had tears in her eyes, and Mocarov looked away.

"Master." Ersa said, and everyone was silent. "I remember…when I got taken to the tower of heaven, Natsu didn't give up on me…not even when his own life was at risk." Ersa paused for a while, then carried on. " And I don't think I should give up on him!" She finished, and people cheered. Macao raised the glass he was holding.

Mokarov sighed and looked up at all the members of the guild. There was silence again.

"We can't go on looking for him… I much as I would like to, we can't. At least, not as much as we are doing now. Do you understand?"

Gray walked over to the table Ersa, Lucy and Happy were on. He said quietly:

"Why do you want us to stop?"

"Because," Mokarov said, "you are all neglecting yourselves. You all are not going on missions, and loosing money. You must carry on how you would if Natsu was here."

"He would want that…"

All of the guild members looked at the speaker, and realised it was Happy that was speaking. The exeed had been very quiet throughout the last nine months- ever since Natsu didn't return from his mission.

Mokarov smiled, something he hadn't done in a while.

"And I have faith in Natsu's return." He said and smiles spread around the guild hall.

Even Happy smiled a little, Mokarov noted.

-#!-#!-#!-#!

Natsu slipped out the metal door, which he had managed to open with a fire punch or two. However, he was now completely out of magical energy, after all the magic he had used before to get out of his cuffs. Limping slightly, Natsu crept down the dark corridors, which had a metallic scent to them. Was this place completely made out of metal?

Faster now, the dragon slayer stumbled to the scent of fresh air, trying to be as quiet as he could. He was in completely unknown territory, and had no idea how many enemies were here.

At last!, Natsu thought, as he now saw some light seeping from the cracks of another door.

This door was bigger than the rest, but was made from a thick wood, unlike the others.

Probably so no one can find it, he thought, looking at the wood.

"Lets burn." Natsu said, voice cracking as he hadn't used it in so long. He licked some of the remaining melted metal from his hands, which had somehow stayed there after he broke the chains, and felt it slip down his throat. It was enough.

Natsu lit up his fist, and using most of his strength, pounded it into the door. It caught fire in seconds, and was soon just some burning timber on the ground.

However, it had caused a lot of noise.

Natsu quickly climbed over the remaining wood pieces quietly.

He thought he got away with it.

Just as he breathed in the fresh air, just as the coolness of the night breeze blew into his face, he heard a cry:

"Get him!"

"The slayer's escaping!"

Natsu started to run, and heard a shout he hoped he wouldn't hear.

"I want him back! Don't let him get away!"

It was his kidnapper, calling for him back.

-#!-#!-#!-#!

Natsu ran. He ran through the trees blindly, not looking back. The footsteps were getting nearer, and Natsu was running out of space to run.

"Natsu…"

Natsu had just came face to face with a cliff which had a fast flowing river at the bottom. The dragon slayers limbs were shaking and all his injuries the man had given throughout the nine months were now aching and splitting open again.

"Come on Natsu…you have nowhere to run…"

Natsu turned around and saw his abuser walking towards him slowly, his green hair loose and blowing in the wind. Behind him were some men that Natsu had never seen before and they all were carrying a strange looking weapon in their right arms. They were grinning horribly.

"Natsu…"

Natsu looked back at the cliff and then at his kidnappers face again.

Suddenly, Igneel's voice came booming into his head just like he remembered it, telling him what to do.

Jump.

Natsu looked back at the cliff, closed his eyes, and jumped, not realising how shallow the river actually was.

Not knowing he was putting himself in danger.