A.N: HEYO! XDDDD NEW YEAR? NEW CHAPPY! Read and Review!

Chapter 5~ Eliminate

"Neeya!"

Happy flew away from Natsu who was just conversing with Lissana to go talk to the other flying cat. Natsu cheered in his head. Wherever Neeya was, there was Esther.

Natsu turned from Lissana and took off running towards the somber girl who always peaked his intrest. Lissana giggled and ran after him. What would he say this time?

"Esther-chan!" Natsu exclaimed as he stopped a few paces behind her. Esther didn't even turn around, her red hair flowing in the wind. She glanced behind her and scoffed, not even giving Natsu a second glance. Lissana shivered and held herself in a hug. 'So cold' she commented as she wet off to go play with Happy and Neeya.

"Esther-chan! Let's go on a mission!"

Esther finally glanced at Natsu and the rosey haired boy smiled. She sighed and simply nodded, pointing for him to show the way. Natsu was about to burst with happiness as they walked towards the guild and entered the doors of the rowdy Fairy Tail.

Esther sat in a corner, watching Neeya, Happy and Lissana play with each other. Neeya, being the shy one she was, decided to come back to Esther and sit comfortably in her lap. The young woman automatically stroked the purple cat's fur to calm her racing heart. Neeya kept murmuring about to many people in that building. That is one of the many reasons Esther doesn't go inside.

"Check this one out, Esther-chan!"

Neeya let out a cry of horror and Esther glared at Natsu who looked perpetually confused. Natsu's loud and sudden outburst put the poor cat into shock. "It's fine, Natsu-San. Just go check it with Mirajane-sama and we can leave at 7:30 tonight." She snapped and he simply nodded. Esther raced out of the guild, with Neeya safely in her arms.

Cloudy amythest eyes glanced around the room, trying to pinpoint any familiar surroundings. When they spotted none, Esther groaned as she tried to sit up. Blinking a few times, her vision cleared and she realized that she was located in the guild's infirmary.

Feeling something inbetween her fingers she looked down and saw two hands. The one holding hers were larger than her hand and more calloused. A raging heat suffocated her fingers as her eyes looked up the lean and muscular arm to see the owner of the arm.

"Natsu-San?"

The boy was sitting in a chair on the side of her hospital bed, fast asleep. The girl sighed and removed her hand, hesitantly patting him on the head. Once she got use to the idea of showing affection, she stroked Natsu's salmon locks with a tiny smile on her face.

'When he is asleep, he looks just as docile as Neeya.'

She thought with an amused chuckle. Natsu practically purred at the attention in his sleep and whispered Esther's name. Was he dreaming about her?! The thought was incredulous, Esther mused, but it was possible. He did go out of his way to stay with her. By her side untill she opened her eyes. That made her happy. Someone other than her sister looking after her was a dream no one ever thought of. Not even her.

Natsu opened his eyes slowly a few seconds later and smiled at the sight of his friend awake.

"Esther-chan! Your ok! Are you hurt anywhere? Do you need anything?" Neeya smirked lazily and shook her head. "Why Natsu, were you worried about me?" She questioned jokingly but the boy didn't see it as a joke.

"Worried? Esther, I was terrified. You lost alot of blood! I was so scared that you weren't gonna make it!" Esther gaped at the boy who's charcoal eyes were just as fierce as their owner's fire. She could tell that he truly was afraid for her. Then she realized that her hand that was in his hair had slid down to his cheek because he had sat up. Removing it quickly, Natsu grabbed her hand and brought it to his lips.

"I'm so sorry. This shouldn't have happened to you." There was so much more the Salamander wanted to say, but he couldn't bring himself to it. Esther hardly saw this part of him. The one who was sad and remorseful.

"It's fine, Im tough. This is nothing." She turned away with a scowl but a light pink tinting her pale cheeks.

Natsu smirked and chuckled. "That's my Esther-chan for ya."