Ohiya! Thank you for those who reviewed! First I will like to say that Akihiro means 'bright child', something like that. He is also Natsu as a child, but neither knows that! Without further ado, the next chapter! Please leave a review and favorite! Farewell and Enjoy!

-Let there be midnight

ME NO OWN FAIRY TAIL!

The Child in the Dark

Team Natsu, along with Mira, sat beside Natsu's bedside, the air tense with unspoken words as they just sat there casting moment glances at Natsu as he slept on. Happy sat in Mirajane's lap, afraid of sitting upon the bed and worsening his condition as it was. It seemed just one touch would do harm to the Fire Dragon Slayer, and no one wanted to do that.

"Ne, Mira," Happy said catching Mira's attention, his eyes always on the peaceful face of Natsu. Mira hummed in responds, not in the mood to say anything at the moment. "do you think Elfman and the others will find whoever did this to Natsu?" Mira forced a cheerful smile on her face as Happy turned his head to look at her. "Do you?"

"They're trying their best Happy." she replied, trying to believe her words even though doubt filled her. "I'm sure they will find him soon." Hope sparkled in Happy's eyes as he smiled slightly.

"Really?" Mira nodded as Happy went back to looking at the peaceful face of Natsu, hopeful to have the bouncy hyperactive friend back soon.

Few moments had passed away in silence as Freed burst through the infirmary door, Levy hot on his heels. Everyone turned their heads to look at the two as they came to a stop, panting as they tried to catch their breath before they spoke.

Levy had her hair tied back with few strands falling into her face along with her reading glasses. In her hands was a giant book with a velvet bookmark sticking out from one of its pages. The book itself looked pretty old, the golden title barely legible and the pages worn out so much, some were ripped and poking out from within the book, wishing to be free from the crushing weight.

"What's wrong?" Erza asked as she stood up, her eyebrows creased in confusion. She knew the two wouldn't barge in here in such a manner unless it was for a good reason. Freed quickly regained his poster as Levy handed him the book, nodding at him slightly.

"We were able to find out what the dark mage meant by 'Without the dragon's memories, fate will never be fulfilled.'" Freed quickly replied as he laid the book down at the end of Natsu's bed, opening it and flipping widely to the bookmarked page, his eyes scanning it as he fiercely tried to find what he was looking for. Erza and Mira quickly went to stand beside Freed, anxious on what he found. "It says here," he started as he began to recite what was on the page. "' The one with fire as bright and brilliant as the dragons are, will light the way through the darkness, turning dark to light. But one thing stands within his way. Without the dragon's memories, fate will never be fulfilled. The darkness will consume the light and the world shall be covered by shadows forever lasting eternity. Unless the brilliant dragon of fire remembers all that he had lost, the darkness will lose for light shall always be stronger than that of evil.'" Freed looked up at all of them as he stood up straight.

"What does that mean?" Gray asked as he peered over Freed's shoulder.

"It means that without Natsu, evil will take over the world and unless Natsu wakes up and remembers everything, the evil will fall at his hands." Levy told him, shifting her glasses further up her nose as she closed the book once more and held it tightly to her chest.

"Wait," Mira said, her eyes narrowing slightly. "So, Natsu is supposed to save the world?" Freed and Levy nodded in responds. "And unless Natsu wakes up from his magic induced coma, his memories are returned and then saves the world, we are practically doomed for the rest of eternity?" Once again, the two Scripted Mages nodded, affirming her words. Everyone's eyes fell onto Natsu's sleeping form, thinking the same thing.

"Natsu, you better wake up soon."

~Natsu's Mind~

Natsu kept muttering over and over to himself as tried to block out the voices that seemed to consume his being, he wasn't able to hear the small footsteps that padded over to him.

"Mister?" said a childish voice. Natsu blinked in surprise. They was someone here? In the lonely darkness? Someone here?! "Mister?" the child asked again as Natsu looked up at him, blinking once more. In front of him stood a boy, no older than the age of five, peering down at Natsu with curious eyes. He had rose pink hair that fell messily into his face along with charcoal eyes that seemed bright in the darkness that surrounded them. The only thing the boy had on was a ripped pair of dirty yellow pants that stopped right above his knees and was held up by a brown ribbon. Scratches and bruises littered the young boy, though he didn't really seem to mind as he stared at Natsu in curiosity. "Are you okay mister?" the boy asked once more, pulling Natsu out from his thoughts.

"Y-yeah…" Natsu stuttered as he finally noticed the voices had stopped and silence surrounded them. "W-who are you?" he asked as his hands fell to his sides. The boy stood up straight and put a finger to his chin in thought before he answered.

"Um… I don't really know… I don't have a name so you can call me whatever you like!" he replied, smiling cheerfully at Natsu as his eyes sparkled. Natsu smiled back at him, making the child jump a little, his smile widening.

"Is it okay if I call you Akihiro?" He nodded as Natsu stood up.

"I like it!" Akihiro replied cheerfully. He looked up at Natsu with smiling eyes. "Why were you sad mister?" he suddenly asked, his smile disappearing as he surprised Natsu. Natsu's eyes widened as he stuttered, unable to find the words to tell the young boy. "You were also scared. Was it because you didn't like being alone?" Akihiro pressed, his dark eyes never leaving Natsu's shocked face. Natsu kept stumbling over his words as the concern grew in the boys eyes. "Are you mister?" Akihiro asked, leaning slightly forward in apprehension.

"W-well… I—uh… How did you know this?" Natsu finally asked. Akihiro leaned back a little and put his finger on his chin in thought.

"I don't know. I could just tell. Plus you were rolled up like a ball muttering to yourself. And when you looked up at me, I saw the fear and sadness in your eyes. Ne, mister, why were you so afraid and sad? You can tell me, right?" Akihiro looked generally concern for Natsu, which surprised him even more. He didn't know the little boy and yet here he was worried for him. Natsu felt a small smile tug on the corners of his lips as he bent down to be eye to eye with the boy and ruffled his rose pink hair.

"I forgot things, my memories." Natsu paused as his smile turned sad. "I saw the hurt in my friend's eyes when I told them I couldn't remember them. I know they are my friends by the way they look at me and how they are concerned. They never leave my bedside, they're always there." Akihiro looked around them to see if he could see the people Natsu spoke about, but only saw the silent darkness around them.

"Where are they mister?" Akihiro asked as he looked back at Natsu with wide curious eyes.

"I don't know." he whispered. "I would go to sleep and wake up here. I can't seem to wake up back in the bed where they sit next to me." he explained. Natsu looked down at the darkness below him, unable to meet Akihiro's eyes. "But, I know they're there. I know it. I just can't remember them like they want me to." Natsu looked up to see Akihiro's bright smile as he stuck his hand out in front of him to take.

"Then while you're here, I'll keep you company and when you go back to be with them, I'll be here always waiting. I promise." Natsu smiled back at him as brightly as the boy did and took his hand, standing up.

"Then I won't forget you Akihiro. It's a promise I won't forget."