Summary: Natsu and Gray have been forced to complete a quick simple mission together. That is, until they are attacked, knocked unconscious and forced to be put on auction for slave owners and crazy scientists. Now they have to stick together for support and strength because if they don't, they may never see their Guild again.
Word Count: 2586
A/N: I loved writing this chapter! AHH The ending was so much fun – talk about a cliffhanger *ba-bam-cheee hahaha xD
Warning: cussing is in here (obviously) OH! Blood, not too much. Some spelling/grammar errors if I didn't catch them
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone, if I did, this story would totally be in a short ark
When he first steps out of his room, he notices the sudden pressure that has bleed into the air. They've strapped chains to his ankles and wrists, so with each step they take he makes the chains rattle. He's surrounded by overly buffed men, and in front of the other men surrounding him; he spots the man in the wheelchair, Mr. Schiff. As they move closer Schiff places his cigarette between his lips as he wheels forward. The men surrounding him stop, making Natsu as well and he stares at the man sitting in front of him – well aside from the man standing between them.
"Mr. Dragneel."
Natsu frowns and doesn't reply because behind Schiff is a dark figure. Its obscure and the form swirls as if it's made of black fog. Natsu swallows and looks away from the form. His gaze travels to the floor as he hears a whisper, "Its not real – non of this is real."
Schiff raises an eyebrow and he opens his mouth to speak when a sudden scream rips through the hallway. Natsu looks up swiftly, this screaming sounding familiar. He looks around trying to locate the sound, but it reverberations off of the walls and Natsu find himself panicking. "Who is that?" Natsu demands and steps forward, his mind instantly going to the only person he cares for at this moment. "Where is he?"
Schiff inhales on his cigarette before taking it out and tossing it onto the floor, one of the outsized men stomp on it. "It would be best if you follow me, Mr. Dragneel."
Natsu growls and forms fists, "Damn you, tell me where Gray is."
"If you follow me," Schiff snarls back, his gaze bored, "you'll find Mr. Fullbuster."
"Shut up, Natsu." Someone whispers from behind.
Natsu clamps his mouth shut and nods curtly.
They take turns here and there, following the long hallways that are covered in white. From time to time he hears that scream, and each time Natsu feels part of him tremble – thinking maybe this is a trick, maybe its just another voice – or it could be real, which makes another part of Natsu boil with rage. How dare they make Gray scream.
It isn't until long when they come to a door, the large men and Schiff stop moving and wait for the door – that is for once there – open. He's pushed inside, and while that happens he feels a wall that's made of agony and anguish slam into him. He stumbles into the room, trying to place his hands against his ears, but the chains stop his action and he turns away from the suffering sound. Its then that the sound clicks and he finds his gaze traveling up from the ground and into a separate room. His breath hitches because what he sees makes his heart stop and his world crumble.
Gray, still dressed in black markings, lays strapped to a table. Tubes connected to both arms and one stuffed down his nose. His body trembles in a restrained type fashion and his eyes quaking, blinking halfway as he stares upwards at nothing. Machines surround him but what bothers Natsu the most is the one laid out right behind his friend. Natsu realizes he's been standing there, watching Gray whimper and tremble from the actions placed upon him, and he doesn't know what to do. There is a sudden beeping sound that fills his room. Natsu opens his mouth attempting to speak, move or anything – but he can't. He can't find it in himself to look away from Gray…
Because he's angry.
He's pissed – furious – fuming – irritated – annoyed – he's angry.
The large men come up next to him and placed heavy hands upon his shoulders, trying to move him. But he doesn't budge and the men around him share, what seems to be, a nervous glance.
On the other side of the window, Shiro is writing in a notebook while looking at the large machine behind Gray. He writes, and then turns up a dial. From there Gray lets out a blood curdling scream as his body shakes and the tube connected to him extract a string of blood – but this blood color is different. The usual dark red substance is giving off an unnatural glow.
Natsu feels the men around him shifting their balance amongst themselves, and he feels their sudden agitation fill the room. Their hands dig into his skin but one of them quickly lets go, blowing on his hand and the others around him swallow thickly. They try and push him, to what Natsu presumes is a chair just like Gray's, but he doesn't let them budge as the beeping turns into a sudden whine.
It's at this time that Natsu notices Gray hasn't stopped whimpering and if he looks closer – Gray's tightly shuteyes allow tears to flow down his face voluntarily.
Natsu snaps.
The room explodes in flames and Natsu sees red. He feels the men around him fly backwards and crash into a wall. The window that was separating Natsu from Gray cracked and suddenly shatters. Shiro looks up; his face goes from shock to panic, Natsu likes that look on his 'owner'.
Natsu turns his head to the side, allowing his neck to crack and at the same time feeling the relief of no collar around his neck. He steps forward, watching as men and women rush out of Gray's room. Flames lick his skin – it's an old wonderful feeling and Natsu allows them to reach new heights. He knows he wont hurt Gray with his flames or the heat – but he wants to burn everyone whose ever touched Gray. He takes his steps forward, jumps over the wall that once held the window. He growls and sets his site on Shiro – who looks panicked and fascinated all at the same time. "Shiro," Natsu shouts, "I'm going to burn you into a pile of ash – you bastard!"
Shiro takes a step back; he drops his notebook as he attempts to plan a way for escape. But Natsu knows the bastards plan, so he goes in for the kill.
Men suddenly surround Natsu, they look different from the men he pushed back moments before. They attack without a word, but Natsu is ready. One of them throws a fist, but Natsu dodges by leaning back. He quickly grabs onto the arm the man has thrown and flings him towards the wall. Another man quickly takes his place and Natsu is faced with two men that attack him – but he doesn't have time for this. He clasps his hands into fists and screams. His world explodes into flames and the men fly backward.
He doesn't take the time to look around at what he's done, nor does he watch Shiro sink back into a corner, his eyes lit in captivation. Natsu focuses on the only thing that matters at this moment – his best friend. Gray is still twitching on the table he's been strapped too, his eyes this time halfway open, but his eyes are looking into nothing. Natsu reaches forward and breaks every bind that is holding Gray down. It doesn't take long, and he quickly removes the cloth on top of Gray legs, leaving the Ice Mage in nothing but underclothing. The only thing Natsu is unsure of at this moment is the tubes connected to Gray – but he pulls them out, watching as the machines around him give off a sudden whine. He reaches forward with one hand, making sure his flames die off, and slowly takes out the tube pushed down Gray's noes. His friend makes a choking sound and his eyes pop open, this makes Natsu hurry his actions and with one final tug the tube is out and Gray is coughing.
Natsu looks down at Gray, grabbing onto his friends shoulders and he nudges him softly. His fingers frost over suddenly, but Natsu doesn't care about that right now, his flames keep him warm. Gray blinks, his eyes adjusting to the present. He swallows, his mouth open slightly as he looks around the room. It isn't long until he finds Natsu and his breath hitches.
Natsu gives off his signature grin, he feels sudden relief as Gray begins to take in what's exactly is happening. However, Gray doesn't seem to understand that they're finally getting out of this hellhole, because his eyes being to water and he lets out a sudden sob.
Natsu frowns, wondering if Gray has any other injures Natsu cannot see. "Hey," Natsu shakes Gray again, "are you alright?"
"Fuck you," Gray bawls out. He leans forward onto Natsu's chest and stays there for a second before he sits up and roughly pulls Natsu into a hug. "Fuck you, ashferbrains – fuck you – fuck you – fuck you!" He digs his face into Natsu's neck.
Natsu feels tears roll down his neck and his shirt absorbs them. Natsu stays there, his arms not reaching fully around Gray, as his friend sobs into his shoulder. "Hey, are you hurt?" Natsu wonders allowed, because he doesn't want to hurt Gray more then he already is.
"Bastard," Gray tightens his grip on Natsu, and the Dragon Slayers neck muffles his voice. "I thought you died – I thought I…I thought I killed you, bastard!"
Natsu pales, "What? That," he laughs without humor, "that's ridiculous."
Gray pushes back, his eyes red and puffy. "You had no pulse," he growls out – but his voice cracks and Gray shuts his eyes, looking away from Natsu.
It isn't until then, that Natsu notices his friend's breath is struggling. Natsu reforms his grip on Gray and he shakes him with insurance, "Look I'm alright, but we need to get out of here – now."
Gray swallows and nods, "Fine…but when this is over with – I get to kick you're ass for worrying me."
Natsu smiles, "As if, Ice Princesses." He looks up, hoping to still find Shiro cowering in the corner – but he's gone. Natsu frowns, he turns and realizes the room is empty. No one surrounding them, no one trying to attack, they're alone. "Bastard," Natsu growls out. He takes a step away from Gray, but realizes the Ice Mage cant even move without help. So he slings his friends arm around his shoulder and the two stand up with more struggle than they expect.
"Where is everyone," Gray voices Natsu's thought.
Natsu frowns as he shifts his friends weight onto him further, Gray doesn't protest. The two step towards the door, both on high alert, both exhausted. Natsu looks down at Gray, wondering what the hell is going on, and Gray looks up at Natsu – his energy depleting quick. "Lets get out of here," Natsu takes in a deep breath and steps out of the room.
No one was there.
They were alone, and Natsu didn't like it one bit. He marched down the hallway he came from and pulled Gray quickly along with him. He took many turns when he was met with the choice and with each minute passing by, Gray's steps became weaker and exceedingly clumsy. He pulled Gray up higher, wishing his friend would help him figure a way out, but Gray was slipping into unconsciousness and there was nothing Natsu could do. He did try, however.
They came to another white crossroad and Natsu shook Gray. "Hey which way, dumbass, which way?"
Gray moan, his feet failing him as he tried to stand. "I don't know…left?"
Natsu does as he is told and turns to his left, he picks up his pace, and Gray's feet failing to even walk, so he stops. Gray's eyes are half open, eyes fogging over. "Hey, Gray – stay wake." But the Ice Mage doesn't reply, his breaths stuttering and sweat rolls down his face – despite him being freezing. "Damn it," Natsu swings Gray's hands around his shoulders and he hoists the mage onto his back. Bending down, Natsu takes a hold of Gray's legs and hoists them up. He feels his friend's head rest tiredly against the back of his neck, his breath pushing into Natsu's hairline. So with Gray secured on his back, Natsu picks up his pace and rushes down the hallway.
It isn't until long when Natsu is met with many more choices of which way to go. "This place is like a damn maze." He turns right with his first choice, and then takes a left on his second. After many choices Natsu stops at a choice of going right or left - he doesn't know which way to take, that is, until he sees a light coming from the end of the hallway on his left. Without thinking, he secures his hold on Gray and rushed towards the light. What he is met with is something more beautiful than anything he's ever seen.
Color.
The outside is dark, surrounded by trees and colors of the setting sun. He sees the tops of trees, just a few steps away and figures he's on the top of a mountain, maybe the side of a cliff. Natsu shuts his eyes, trying to hold back the sudden onslaught of happiness that has made his chest warm in glee. He tries to shake Gray, realizing the Ice Mage should be awake for this moment. "Gray," he shakes him again, "we made it…look at all the colors!" He takes in a breath of fresh air, happy for the feeling of grass underneath his toes. But a sudden scent makes his joy halt.
"My, my," someone sings behind Natsu. "I didn't think you'd be this excited about coming outside."
Natsu turns to face Shiro and Schiff, with many men standing behind them – guns aimed at him and Gray. "I wont let you take us again," Natsu snarls, his grip tightening on Gray.
Shiro laughs, his hands clasping behind his back. "My dear, Natsu-san. I wouldn't dream of it. I love that spunk you have! It is truly awe-inspiring."
Natsu takes a step back and glances around to see a way of escape. He's surrounded, all but the cliff behind him. "I can't wait to burn you alive," Natsu spits and takes another step back.
"That day will truly be for the books," Shiro nods. "However, before that can happen – we will need to finish the experiment with Dorei. You see I own both of you two, so you are to listen to me."
"I'd rather die," Natsu takes a few steps back. He glances backwards, the cliff ending just a few steps away.
"Natsu-san," Shiro drops his arms to his sides and he rubs his eyes. "I do not have time for you heroism." He lifts his arm, the guns behind him click, "Now come here."
"No," Natsu hates himself for sounding like a stubborn child.
"Natsu-san," Shiro growls. "Now."
"Like I side, Shiro-san. Fuck. No." Natsu snarls and takes another step back, this time feeling rocks dig into the bottom of his feet.
"Fine," Shiro shakes his head and stomps his foot in irritation. "Lets have a good game of cat and mouse, shall we?"
"Shiro," Schiff from behind barks out a warning, but it's to late.
"Fire," Shiro throws his arms forwards.
Natsu stumbles backwards, his grip on Gray loosening. He hears the gunshots before he actually feels the bullets lodge into him. His breath catches and the next thing he knows is that Gray is gone from his grip and the ground beneath him disappears, as he plummets to the forest floor below.
Anniegirl132- Well glad that didn't happen, I didn't want them to actually cut into him (if that is what you were thinking) but ya! Thanks for the review!
Cristallina- I really wanted to answer that question xD I hoped you liked the whole Natsu thing at the end – its time to switch gears and have Natsu suffer! YAY craziness :D
MO-5431- haha, you are super welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Lilymoon9- tank you tank you, glad to be back! I cant wait for the show to animate Gray becoming a demon slayer :D and I think this chapter is one of my favorites now!
PokeTail- Well I do know which ending that this story will have (either them died or not) the best part about that is that you don't know (now I sound crazy) But I'm glad this story is keeping you on the edge of the unknown! I hope this chapter is going to be part of that re-reading :D
EternalFalme401- Thank you! I think attacking peoples feelings is the best thing ever! YAY Someone lock me up!
SashaMonroe- Thank you so much:D I wont stop making this until its done, so ya – never going to stop!
AsDarknessSpreads- Fantasies, lol xD
Daygon Yuuki- I wanted to write that – however I don't even know what would happen…I couldn't even guess, I guess if we find out, this story may have to have a sequel
IcePrinceRay- LOL, I'll let ya vent xD
Atemues- Omg me too. I love those two, they're pretty great with each other
Just Me- So how was it, did I do well? I liked it, so I'm going to go with a totes yes!
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