A/N: This is not a drill, get to the chopper! Woooooo! This chapter is different from the others but you'll figure that out when you read it.

Sooooo... Did anyone notice the new cover image? I made it myself thinking it needed something more personal than the other one. I think it turned out quite well considering it's my first drawing of Natsu made from scratch. So yeah I had fun and I hope you like it :)

Random fun fact: The other day I used a couple of hours on YouTube, watching another person completing the game Hatoful Boyfriend. Yes it is indeed a dating simulation... with pigeons... but it was really entertaining!

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Chapter 8: Important Progress

Lucy sighed heavily as she walked down the streets of Magnolia for what felt like the hundredth time, since they started searching for Natsu. Of course they had searched for him in the village where they took their last mission, but after a while they had to go back to Magnolia, to inform the others of what had happened.

In that moment a fast movement suddenly caught her attention and she turned quickly to face whatever it was. But as soon as she looked the thing vanished leaving nothing but thin air.

"What is it...?" whispering to herself she started rubbing her arms, trying to calm the unsettling feeling that was running through her body. For some time now she had caught weird movements in the corner of her eyes, but whenever she turned around it was gone. It almost felt like someone was stalking her, but she never caught whatever, or whoever it was.

An involuntarily chill went down her spine making her clench her teeth as she continued down the road.

"Lucyyy!"

The girl turned around and was glad to see a familiar face.

"Happy! Any news?"

"No..." the cat sulked as he flew towards her, landing on the ground.

"Ohh..." her heart clenched in pain as she heard the blue cat sobbing "... well maybe the other teams have some good news, mm?"

"Mm-mm" Happy shook his head slowly "I just left the guild and no one has seen anything... they... sniff... don't know where... sniff... he is..."

Tears was flowing in a steady stream down the cat's face and Lucy had to take a deep breath, preventing herself from crying too.

"Happy..." she said in a soothing voice before bending her knees and gently patting the cat on his head "... we will find him. He's out there somewhere and we will find him. Heck, maybe he'll turn up at the guild himself and say he entered some eating competition somewhere. Imagine how fat he would be, if he had been stuffing his head with food all this time, hm?"

"He would... he would be round a-a-a-a-a... sniff... and fat like a huge ball"

"Yup"

Happy smiled sadly as he removed a few tears with his paw "... and then I could.. could play with him and pretend he's a giant ball"

"Yeah, we could even make it a competition to see who can kick him furthest away"

"That would be fun... thanks Lucy..."

"You're welcome" she smiled towards the cat who grinned sheepishly before jumping into her arms, giving her a soft hug.

"We'll find... " Happy mumbled as he snuggled his head against her chest "... stupid Natsu..."

Lucy giggled as she watched the cat doze off in her arms. She had noticed the bags under the cat's eyes and she was sure he hadn't slept that much since Natsu disappeared. Heck, she didn't get that much sleep either.

Another sigh escaped her lips as she started walking again, looking for other members from their guild that might provide her with more information. It didn't take long before she noticed a familiar shape cursing to himself while glaring angrily towards the sunset. Actually it almost looked like he was blaming the sun for being involved somehow with their current situation.

"Gray" she called in a humble voice, trying not to wake the cat in her arms.

"Lucy?" he turned around to look at the girl approaching him "Anything new?"

"No, I was hoping you had some new information?"

"Nahh, not really" he groaned while scratching the back of his head "You know, I was considering going back to that town where you guys took that mission. I mean there must be something there we've overlooked"

Lucy nodded "I was thinking the same thing. Besides I have this suspicious feeling I can't put a finger on"

"Yeah..." he sighed heavily "... I want to go there as quickly as possible, but I know Erza would be furious if we went there without her"

"When will she be back from her mission?"

"Tomorrow morning"

"Okay, well let's meet each other at the guild tomorrow morning and wait for her there"

"Right..." Gray turned his head to stare at the cat snoring happily in her arms "... you should get some sleep too, you look like you need it"

"Well.. yeah..." she smirked nervously "... I haven't slept that well..."

"You're skinny too..."

"Huh?"

Gray took a deep breath before flicking his finger against her forehead, earning a small yelp from Lucy "I'm not blind you know. It's been what? Almost two weeks and I haven't seen you eat even once, at the guild"

"Well... I've... uhm..." she stuttered "I ate at my apartment...?"

"No you don't!" he glared at her in anger "You look like you've lost weight and you wouldn't have done that if you ate properly"

"But I..."

"No Lucy! I know you're sad but it's no excuse for slacking! So please go home, get something to eat and have a good nights sleep. Then we'll continue our search tomorrow"

"Gray, I know you mean well, but there's no reason for you to get angry"

"No... no..." Gray moaned as he used both hands to ruffle his hair "Ugh! I'm sorry. This whole situation is making me antsy"

"I know... you should go home and get some rest too"

He sighed heavily "Well I guess there isn't anything better to do right now..."

Lucy smiled genuinely towards him before waving goodbye and walking towards her apartment. It didn't take long before she got there, making her reach into her pocket after the key to her door. But as soon as she got it, she froze in her tracks. Something was there she knew it. It was exactly like the other times where she felt some weird presence, but unfortunately there was nothing visible so she couldn't pinpoint what it was.

A chill went down her spine as she stood there staring at her door. Why couldn't she move? What was wrong with her? What was this mysterious feeling that felt like someone was staring at her with hungry eyes?

Lucy sank her spit, as she took a few deep breaths to calm herself. While doing that she noticed a thin layer of cold sweat was slowly spreading cross her body, making the hair on her neck rise in fear.

"Lucy...?" she jumped nervously, only to realise it was Happy speaking "... what's wrong?"

"Ohh.." she smiled nervously "I don't know... it's..."

"You're scared"

"Yes" Lucy didn't deny it because she knew it was rather obvious.

"Who... what is it? That thing..." Happy took a few sniffs "I can't smell anyone"

"I know..." she blinked a few times almost surprised that Happy could feel whatever it was. For some reason she was starting to think it was her own mind that was creating things, because she was so stressed and sad. Well, and the fact that she didn't get enough to eat might have made her slightly delusional.

The feeling suddenly seemed to vanish, making both of them take a deep breath as if something had taken the air from their lungs.

"That was weird..." Happy blinked as he looked up at Lucy who nodded in return before putting the key into the keyhole, unlocking the door with shaking hands.

"Are you hungry?" she tried asking in a casual tone while walking into her apartment.

"... aye..." the cat replied in a low voice.

"Okay! Hmm, let's see what we can find in the kitchen, shall we?"

"Mmm!" the cat jumped out of her arms landing gracefully on the floor. Lucy couldn't help a grin from spreading as she closed the door.

"So what would you like to..." her eyes widened as something caught her attention in the corner of her eye. Quickly she turned around but only to stare at thin air.

Lucy could feel an almost primal fear creeping inside of her as she once again saw something moving making her turn in it's direction, making her stare dumb folded at one of her walls, where it looked like her shadow was... shaking?

"What...?" she said barely above a whisper while staring at the wall.

"Lucy..." Happy said in a nervous voice before staring at the shadow too "...what's going on?"

"I don't know Happy..."

The shadow seemed to respond to their words as it shook more violently until it suddenly stopped moving.

"Ohh myy..." an unknown voice said, followed by a bone chilling laughter "... you have company tonight Lucy"

Lucy and Happy shrieked as a mysterious silhouette suddenly appeared on the wall.

"Who... what are you?" Lucy inquired while reaching for her whip, holding it firmly in her hand.

"I'm... hmm... your friend" the shadow opened it's eyes, staring menacingly towards her "I've been here... a long time... watching... waiting... caring..."

Lucy froze in fear, feeling caught by the eyes that was glaring at her wickedly, shining with a fierce red colour.

"Natsu sends his sweet, sweet looove" the shadow hummed in a teasing voice.

"What did you say?" Lucy growled in disbelief.

"You heard me... now come..." a hand slowly materialised from the shadow "let me touch that soft skin of yours one more time..." the rest of the hand was revealed making Lucy and Happy gag for a second when they smelled the decaying meat on it "... come..."

Lucy and Happy screamed in terror as they stared at the hand opening and closing, grabbing the air as if it was choking an invisible enemy.

"Come to me..." all of the creatures arm was now revealed "... let me send you my looove... Ohh, I'll have that, thank you..." it laughed as it snatched the whip out of Lucy's hand, making her shriek in surprise, because the movement was so quick she nearly didn't see it.

"Shhh, you're so loud..." the creature said but they kept screaming, especially when they saw pink hair suddenly appearing from the shadow.

No... No it can't be... please... no... Lucy thought frantically trying to do something, but her body was so paralysed with fear that she couldn't move. Dear god no... she watched in horror as Natsu's head was revealed, popping out from within the shadow.

He was grinning hysterically as if he had gone mad. Besides that his face was covered with blood coming from multiple wounds, but fortunately it didn't look like his meat was decaying. How was that possible? It was almost as if it was two different bodies coming out of her wall. But how?

Lucy could feel hot tears streaming down her face as she with renewed strength grabbed her keys

"I don't know who or what you are, but you're not fooling me" Lucy yelled in fury as she started chanting her summoning spell, but she was interrupted as her door was kicked open making both her and Happy jump in surprise.

"Lucy! Happy! What's going on?!" Gray shouted prepared for an attack, but to his surprise both of them was staring at the wall.

"What...?" he stared bewildered as a shadow on the wall seemed to shimmer and vanish.

"It's... gone..." Lucy whispered "... in a second it just... vanished..." she was shivering uncontrollably holding her keys more tightly.

"Lucy... what was that? Was it Natsu...?" Happy asked in a shaking voice.

"No... it couldn't be... it... no..."

"But the smell... it smelled like him..."

"I know..."

"Okay, what the hell is going on?" Gray tried once more but was met with silence as both the girl and the cat turned around to stare at him, like he was a monster that had suddenly appeared from some random horror story "... and why are you looking at me like that?"

Lucy felt something inside of her crack as tears again started running down her face.

"Oy, oy sorry I heard screaming and wanted to make sure you guys were okay..."

He didn't get to finish that sentence as the blonde suddenly collided rather hard with his chest, knocking the air out of his lungs.

"Ugh!" he groaned as he felt her arms wrap around his torso hugging him tightly.

"I'm so sorry... I'm sorry..." she whispered while crying against his chest making him feel rather awkward.

"Uhm it's okay...?" he tried, while frantically waving his arms, unsure of what to do with them.

Confused he kept waving his arms like an idiot for a few seconds, but eventually he sighed in defeat and wrapped his them around her torso.

"Idiot..." he whispered while rubbing her back with his hands, trying to calm her down.

They stood like that for a while before Gray turned his head to look at the cat who was staring blankly in front of him.

"Happy?" he tried but the cat kept staring.

"Happy?" still no reaction.

"Fur ball!"

"Huh?" the cat turned towards Gray with a rather confused look.

"What happened here?"

"Uhm..."

"It's okay, I'll tell you..." Lucy said while removing her arms from Gray, smiling awkwardly as she took a step back "I'm not sure what or who it was, but I'll fill you in, okay?"

"Good... Lucy?"

"Hmm?"

"Can you fill me in while we eat?"

"Huh?" she gapped at him as if he was speaking a different language.

"Food!" he sighed before ruffling his hair with his hand "I don't know what happened here, but I have a feeling that you forgot I demanded you to eat, didn't you?"

Lucy blushed as she started pouting "... no I didn't..."

"You're a terrible liar" he grinned before grabbing her hand forcing her towards the kitchen "Come on! I'll help you cook while you tell me what the fuck is going on. You too Happy!"

The cat nodded weakly as he stared at the two of them go into the kitchen. As he did he tilted his head in confusion for a second before grinning wickedly as he glared at Lucy's blushing cheeks.

"Graaaay... when did you take off your clothes?"

"Hmm... I don't like it" Gray grumbled as Lucy removed their plates from the table.

"You're not being nice to Lucy..." Happy stared at him accusingly.

"Hm?"

"Saying you don't like it... Isn't nice..."

"Ohh" he rolled his eyes "I didn't mean the food, I meant the whole situation"

"Ahh..." melancholy seemed to wash over the cat making his ears and head hang in sorrow.

"I wish we could go now... leave Erza a note or something..."Gray grunted in frustration.

"But... didn't you say we had to rest before leaving?" Happy questioned.

"Yeah... I did didn't I...?"

They sat in silence until Lucy finished cleaning the table.

"So..." she said before placing herself on a chair "what now?"

"I don't know" Gray said honestly while staring at her intensely "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure"

"How did Natsu look the last time you saw him?"

"He looked fine. You know, normal, healthy. He did not have any wounds if that's what you're implying"

"Hmm... I still don't get it. It can't be a coincidence that this... thing... whatever is is! Appears after he vanished. Especially when you say that you've felt like someone or something was stalking you"

"I know... Gray do you think that this... thing.. has done something with Natsu?"

"Maybe, it's too soon to tell, but to be honest I wouldn't be surprised"

"Me neither" she shivered involuntarily as a lot of uncomfortable thoughts ran through her mind.

"I'm scared..." the cat sniffed "... I miss him..."

"I know you do. Come here" Lucy lured with a finger towards the cat who jumped across the table and into her arms "We'll find him I promise"

"... aye..." the cat purred as she gently stroked his fur trying to comfort him. It didn't take more than a few seconds before he was snoring loudly with a bobble of snot dangling out of his nose.

"You know Lucy..." Gray stared at the sleeping cat for a second making sure he was sleeping before continuing "... I don't want to say this, but if what you saw earlier has anything to do with Natsu, then he might not be in top condition. I mean, it can't be a coincidence that it showed you an image of him with wounds unless..."

"Stop, please... I thought about it too but we can't say anything for certain until we find him. I'm worried about him and I'm afraid that something bad might have happened because he would never just vanish, unless something happened that is preventing him from coming back. But... I believe in him and I know he'll do whatever he can to get back..."

"I know" he sighed in frustration "It's not healthy thinking about the negative aspects of this situation. But there are just so many things I don't understand about all of this. Usually I wouldn't mind that much, because I want results more than a long boring story" He tilted his head as he continued "It's like we're missing something important, right? Perhaps you guys could tell us again what happened when we go to the village tomorrow. Then we can ask Erza what she thinks about this whole situation"

"I want to hear her opinion too. Besides we might find something, a clue perhaps? If we discuss it from other perspectives"

"Right..." Gray stated while getting into a standing position "I should get home and get some sleep. It's only a few hours until dawn and I want to get there first thing tomorrow"

"Well, you could stay here tonight. It's not like you haven't slept here before"

"No, it's okay..." he said taking a few steps towards her door.

"It's fine you can just sleep on the couch"

"Alright" shrugging he turned around on his feet and walked in a different direction.

"... you're very easily convinced..." she sighed before yawning loudly, making her realise how tired she actually was. It had been a long day and her lack of sleep wasn't doing anything good either. Yawning again she started walking towards her bed, with Happy snoring loudly in her arms.

"... what the...?" stumbling for a second she turned her head towards something laying on the floor "... you've got to be kidding me..." her eyes narrowed in disbelief as she took a few more steps, staring at the now sleeping form of Gray snoring loudly on her bed

"I said you could use the couch, not my bed..." she growled while clenching one of her fists "... and put your clothes back on!"

A/N: I love Gray, especially angry Gray and I know he might be too angry in this chapter – but heck his "best friend" is missing, anyone would be mad and frustrated if that happened. Besides I think he's a close friend to Lucy too and of course he worries about her, if he suspects something is wrong. So there is nothing romantic going on there, but just like writing about them having a deeper bond than just being on the same team and members of the same guild.

So until next time! :)

/Hejmdal