For the love of Nalu

Chapter 13

Theme: Injuries

Requested by PARADISE.x

"Natsu wait!" Lucy shouted at the shrinking form of her partner. She ran as quickly as she could in an attempt to catch up with him but she was no match for his speed. He was still chasing after the wanted bandit and couldn't hear Lucy's calls from behind him. Panting, her legs burned from all the running. Her magic was low and she felt like she was going to faint. Even at full power Lucy would never be able to keep up with him so what would he expect her to be able to do now?

She lost sight of him, of them. She stopped running and used a tree to support herself as she caught her breath. She really wished that at a time like this, they had brought Happy. It was just the two of them this time. Erza and Gray were both busy and Happy wanted to spend time with Carla so he went on a mission with her and Wendy. The snapping of a branch caught Lucy's attention as her head shot up to face the direction it came from. She didn't make a sound as she listened for any sign that someone was near.

Nothing.

Sighing, she sat down with her back against the tree still attempting to catch her breath. Her lungs felt like they were on fire from all the heavy breathing and she was just physically exhausted. A rustle from a few feet away forced Lucy to her feet. Now she knew she heard something this time. But what? She waited, listening as best she could. Her racing heart didn't make it easy to hear with it pounding in her ears. Suddenly a black blur shot out from the bush as a pain erupted in her abdomen.

The warm blood spilled down her leg, pooling around her feet. She fell to her knee's. Eye's growing black, she felt cold. She couldn't form a single thought as her mind became unclear. Just before she lost consciousness, she saw her last ray of hope. That quick flash of pink, and the voice of the one she loved most.

"LUCY!"

Whispers. She could hear them, all around her, but she couldn't make out what they were saying. It's been like this for a while now. She doesn't understand. Something warm touches her hand, she wants to move, to open her eyes but she can't. She call feel them there. Feel the presence of her teammates. Why do they seem so sad? Sobs are heard through out the room, a few comforting sounds follow after but she still couldn't figure out what was happening. The noises fade and she returns to the darkness.

Everything was black. It feels as if she was floating, in the middle of nothingness. As if she wasn't living, yet as if she wasn't dead either. There aren't as many people this time, just one. She can hear metal against metal as soft sobs escaped her friends lips.

"Lucy, I'm so sorry. I should have been there." She was close, close enough for Lucy to know who this was. Erza. Her voice, oh how she missed it. But why, why did she miss it? What was going on? Once more the world seems to fade.

There is something cold, cold and close. It's touching her, holding her hand. Someone else is crying, why are they crying? She felt a warm drop fall onto her arm. Words come out of the mans mouth, but she couldn't understand them. She wants to call out, let them know that she's fine. She yells Gray's name in her head but the words never leave her lips. She racks her brain, trying to remember what happened, but nothing. As she struggles more, she feels herself growing weaker and she slips back into the darkness.

Ink. Ink and iron. She can smell it. This scent is strong, it's everywhere. There is no guessing at what the smell is, there is only one reason behind it. Levy and Gajeel. A small, delicate hand brushes her bangs away and lingers on her cheek. Oh how she wished that she could just open her eyes and see her friends once again.

"Lucy, please. Come back to us." The voice is small, feeble. It sounded so close, yet so far away. There was a grunt, as if in agreement. How many times has this happened? She couldn't even count. More times than she could remember. When will she finally be able to move? Is this all she has to look forward too? A few moments here and there, when she can actually remember them? Once more, like a never ending cycle, she finds herself drifting off.

Warmth. Why is it so hot? It's hard to breath, like something is crushing her. The sobs have returned, but they're worse than the others. Heavy, heart-wrenching sobs. Her chest tightens, she recognizes this warmth. It's Natsu. Only he could make her feel this way. And he doesn't even know it. She never got the chance to tell him how she feels, and it looks like she never will. Her heart breaks at the idea of never seeing her friends again, never seeing him again.

She's shaking, rather roughly. Someone's shouting but it's hard to make out the words through the sobs. His large callused hands grip her shoulders, squeezing her. She's hurting him. She is hurting all of them. Dammit! Why can't she just wake up? A door creaks, a gasp is heard. The warm hands are ripped from her and she drops back onto the soft mattress.

"Natsu stop!" It's Mirajane. Her voice is strained. The sobs increase. She only wishes to feel his embrace once more. She wants him by her side, needs him there. This is the longest shes been cognizant.

"No! I wont! It's all my fault! If only I had been there, if only I hadn't left her alone." The yelling becomes whispers but she can still hear. She wants to yell, curse, scream, and shout. What happened? Why is he blaming himself?

"No it's not. And I know that Lucy wouldn't like to hear this coming from you. She would never blame you." Mirajanes voice was soothing and Lucy wanted to smoother the woman in a hug. Mirajane really knew her well. The warmth has returned, but only on her hand. But she's happy. At least she has that.

"Mirajane, I never told her. I was going to but I never did." He sobs and pulls her hand to his cheek. She could feel the tears as they flowed from his deep charcoal eyes. The very ones she longed to see once more. What didn't he tell her? She yearns to know. What is she missing?

"I know, Natsu. I know." Mirajane's word are low. Barely a whisper before the door creaks shut once more, leaving her and Natsu all alone.

"Lucy please wake up. Please." He begs. She couldn't stand hearing him like this. It's just so painful. She wanted to see him smile once more, hear his laughter echo through out the room. "Please come back to me, I love you so much."

These words caught her by surprise. Her heart races. He just confessed. He loves her. He loves her. She screams internally, telling herself to wake up. To stop the tears, the sadness, the pain. Lucy wake up! She shouts hoping to finally free herself of this prison. The man you love just confessed and your laying here not doing anything! More scolding comes from the blond. She could feel herself weakening. No! Not again! She screams. Gathering as much force as she could, she tried once more. The last bit of energy she had went into this. She threw everything she had at herself, wanting and desperately needing to wake up.

Gasping, her eyes opened. Tears flooded her vision as she found the man she loves sitting on a chair next to her. His eyes wide, he stares. More tears leaked down his cheeks and his mouth hung slightly open. Reaching up, she brushed the tears away from his oh so red eyes and smiles.

"Natsu."

Her voice brought him back. The tears vanish as his a grin spread over his lips. He leaped from the chair and threw his arms around her. His warmth was comforting, and she felt at home in his arms. As if she was made to fit there. The door creaked once more, but Lucy didn't care. A small gasp, and something drops.

"Oh my god, Lucy!" Levy yelled. Her voice echoed through out the guild, attracting the attention of all the members. A horde of her friends came rushing in, pulling her from Natsu's arms and into theirs. She was exchanged from one person to the next, each exclaiming their joy at seeing her awake. She still couldn't remember what happened, but neither did she care. She was home, and everyone was happy. A blue blur flew towards her and smacked against her chest. A small sob came from the cat-like creature known as Happy.

"Oh Luccccyyyyy! I missed you so much!" He sobbed into her chest as she pet his head and smiled down at him. She really missed him too, she missed all of them.

"I missed you too Happy. And I heard you guys. All of you." Silence fills the infirmary as she speaks, everyone waiting for her to continue. "You kept me going, clinging to the chance of returning. But one voice I heard the most."

She turned and looked at the man she loves. His eyes widen and their friends start to exit. They are giving them the chance to be alone, knowing that they needed it. Happy flew from her arms, winking at the two before flying out and closing the door behind him.

"Natsu, I heard you. I heard everything. Your tears, your pain...your confession. Your the reason I was able to come back. You saved my life once again." She stood up and walked closer to him. His eyes never left hers as she came closer. A small smile was seen upon her pink lips after they finally returned to their natural color. "I love you too."

Wrapping her arms around his neck she pulled him close, his lips were inches from hers. He licked his lips as his eyes never strayed. Both hearts beating rapidly, both stomachs were full of butterflies, both souls full of love. She pulled him the rest of the way, her soft plump limps connected with his strong warm ones. The contact caused an explosion, somewhere deep within the two.

This is what it feels like when it's meant to be, what they mean when they say true loves first kiss. It's magical, in ways one could never put into words. It's something that everyone yearns for, some search their entire lives for this and yet they found it. Within each other.

A/N: Well, the first request is down. What did you think? I hope that I didn't make it too sad, it just seems that it's easier for me to write angst and I don't even know why. I hope this doesn't disappoint anyone. Please let me know what you think and thanks so much for all the requests! Because of that, I am rewarding you guys with a new chapter! Next chapter shall be 'Peer pressure', what do you think is going to happen? Thanks so much, Angel!