Natsu POV

I deserved this. I truly did. I lost her, because I was stupid. It's all my fault. No one can change that. She trusted me to be there for her, and I broke it. No, I smashed it on the ground and lit it afire the moment I laid a hand on her. I'm pathetic. Worthless. Stupid. Moronic. I don't deserve her. I broke every last bit of trust she had in me. I let her go, fly away into another guild. To Sabertooth. To the enemy.

Take her back.

I looked around to find the source of the voice. Nothing. I was completely alone, sitting in my house. Happy no longer wanted to see me, and I don't blamed him. I was no better than a criminal in the guild's eyes. And what Laxus said bothered me. "How could Luce have loved a bastard like you?"

"You're asking me…" I sighed pathetically.

Are you going to keep sitting in your own self-pity party?

"What good could I do for her now? She hates me."

If that's what you want to keep telling yourself, fine. But she still loves you. Become stronger and prove to her you are the only one for her.

"She doesn't need me."

She does. She's on her own, at Sabertooth.

"Who are you?"

Why I am you. The conscience you ignore in battle.

"Shut up, I'm strong."

"N-Natsu…? Who are you talking to?"

I was shocked. I didn't sense Lisanna coming closer to me. "Myself. I'm okay." I said, also answering her unasked question.

"Here let me fix your bandages." She said coming closer.

I smacked her hands away. "No. You'll get punished by Master and Laxus. At least you weren't beaten an inch from your life. I thought I was doing what I thought was best. I was making Lucy happy, while protecting myself. It seemed like the best of both worlds, like everyone was happy."

Lisanna stared at me then gave me a soft smile. "Who needs her, when you have me?"

I returned her smile. "You're right, Lis."

She sat down next to me, leaning against the wall. "Hey Natsu?"

"Y-yeah?" I answered, looking over at her.

"Would you ever carry out your promise to me?"

I thought hard for a moment. Did she mean the one where we start a family of our own? Of course I did! I never go back on my word… wait… I put my head in my hands, a tidal wave of shame washing over me. "Yeah, but I need to clear my head first, Lis."

"But-"

"PLEASE UNDERSTAND, LISANNA!" I shouted, eyes shut tightly and fists clenched. "Please…"

She placed a quivering hand on my shoulder, making me wince slightly from the pain. "Okay. I'll leave that topic alone for a bit. Perhaps we should go get some dinner while Mira-nee and Elf-nii think I'm at home."

I smiled at her joke. "You should just carry out your punishment, it isn't all that bad. I can't even work with these injuries. I wish Wendy could heal me! Man, that'd be great right now!"

She giggled. "Careful, you're starting to sound like Elf-nii!" She leaned closer her face just millimeters from my own. Our lips brushed just as Erza came barging in with Mira and Laxus in tow.

"Sucking face in the time of crisis now, are we?!" Erza shouted.

I gave her a confused look, waiting for an explanation.

Mira sighed. "Lucy's not at Sabertooth anymore. Neither is Rogue or Sting and we can't get ahold of Master Jiemma." She went Satan Soul and turned to me, grabbing my by the collar of my shirt. "You hurt Lucy and you act like you don't even care. She hasn't reported in over three days, Natsu. Three days. She could be dead, or worse. Who knows? Weren't you the one who swore to protect her?"

"Mira, babe, calm down." Laxus placed a hand on her shoulder. "He's had enough." His gaze shifted to me. "For now." He growled.

I gulped as Mira slammed me into the floor. I registered the near silent sobs of Lisanna as she did her best to restrain herself from helping me. I lay there on the floor long after they dragged Lisanna back to the guild. They never told me the details of this "crisis" they mentioned. They just mentioned my Lucy.

Indeed she is ours.

I didn't mean it like that, Voice. I just…

You just what? Want to possess her? Make her yours in every way possible?

Yes… No! I mean only if she wants…

Listen well, there is a way to show her who she belongs to. You have to beat her in the Grand Magic Games.

I won't lay a finger on her! She's delicate, like a lotus flower.

Oh but wait, there's more! Show her that she's ours and she'll have no choice but to obey! You can make bother her and Lisanna happy! Isn't that what you wanted?

Yeah. Yeah it is. If I can make them both happy then it's no harm done! I just have to train really, really hard and become even better, even stronger! I'll show Lucy I'm the man she's been looking for and prove it to the guild, no, the world that Lucy Heartfilia is mine, and mine alone. And I won't let anyone or anything change that. Even if I gotta kill 'em.

That is the will of a true protector, Natsu. No one can change a man's mind once it is made up.

"I'M ALL FIRED UP!"

So Natsu now has a voice in his head. Or Perhaps he's just going Crazy. Let me know your theories and speculations on the matter! I do ready all of your reviews!

So how do you like the story so far? Is it to your liking? Or do you not like it all?

anywho, Love and Lucky,

-SFL