A/N: So! All the people hyping for the current manga arch, raise your hands in the aaaaair! Seriously I could squeal just thinking about it "Kyyyyaaaa!" XD

YumiChan: Aww thanks! I'm glad you like it :)

lovelylover: Hehe, lemons are good but there won't be anything too... uhm, you know... stuff like that in this story. Romance and some fluffy moments, yes, but not lemons as in "lemon-lemon".

Disclaimer: Fairy Tail belongs to Hiro Mashima.

Chapter 13: Lonely Battle

Natsu could hear the faint sound of something beeping in an even rhythm. It was almost soothing because it was reliable. He needed... no, he craved something to hold onto even if it was something so insignificant as a sound.

While listening to the beeping noise he noticed that his body felt numb. It wasn't an unpleasant feeling though. No, it felt like all of his muscles had been drugged with something. His head... actually felt fine even if his thoughts were somewhat puddled together into a gigantic blob, making it hard to hold onto any decent thoughts.

Natsu noticed that there was something warming his skin. It was rather comfortable making him more relaxed. Wait... warm... where is this?

He opened his eyes slightly but closed them again rather quickly, because the light was so bright it was blinding him. Grunting he narrowed his eyes trying once again to see his surroundings. It took a few minutes to adjust his eyes to the light, but when it did he was surprised to his core, to see that the sun was bathing him with its warmth. For some reason he felt like crying. The feeling was so overwhelming that he bit his lips as he kept staring out of the window.

It was a beautiful sight with a lot of buildings that was engulfed in sunlight. It looked so much like Magnolia but he didn't trust his own senses at the moment. Why and how would he be there anyway? It was impossible...

"Heeey you're awake?" a female voice said making Natsu flinch in surprise because he didn't hear her approaching "I'm sorry I didn't mean to startle you"

"Who..?" he turned his head and was surprised to see a young female nurse smiling at him.

"I'm Luna a nurse working at the Magnolia hospital. And as you might have guessed this is Magnolia Hospital"

"Ohh... how?" disbelief was gnawing inside of him but he managed to push that feeling aside, as he kept staring at the woman.

"Your friends brought you here a couple of days ago, mmm" she looked through some papers "eight days ago to be exact"

"Why?" he narrowed his eyes and watched the woman blink in confusion a few times before smiling brightly.

"Well you had some serious injuries that needed immediate attention. To be honest it was a really close call because you were more dead than alive when you came here" there was sadness shining in her eyes as she started fidgeting with a finger through her orange hair "Mmm, but fortunately we have some amazing people working here and we succeeded in saving your life. But it was a close call you know? Wait I said that already didn't I? What I meant to say was I'm truly glad you pulled through and survived your visible wounds"

The woman sighed at her own thoughts before jumping rather suddenly, staring at him with huge eyes.

"Ohh gosh! I'm sorry I'm not handling this as a professional. Okay I need to check your eyes for a second. Just lay still"

"Uhm..." Natsu didn't get time to react as the nurse a second later was shining with a flashlight into his eyes, making sure his pupils acted the right way.

"Good, good.. and I can see your heartrate and all is fine too. Can you hold on for a second while I get the doctor?"

"Ehh..." Blinking he watched the woman sprint out of the room. As soon as she was out in the corridor she threw her hands above her head and started yelling some name he didn't know.

"Weird..." he said to no one in particular while staring at the door, waiting for them to come back. He heard them on the corridor before seeing them. Luna was frantically babbling while the presumed doctor tried to calm her down, telling her it was a hospital and she needed to be more silent.

"Hello there and welcome back" a tall man with black hair and glasses smiled at him before walking towards his bed "I'm doctor Fodsvamp and I've been the person who's been responsible for your recovery. So how are you feeling?"

"Uhm.. fine? I guess?"

"Yes well you should be sedated enough so you shouldn't feel any physical pain" the doctor adjusted his glasses before looking at the shards he had in his hand "But is there anything else you feel? Is there something you want to talk about?"

"No... not really no"

"Okay, just let me know if there is something, anything you need and we'll get it for you. Look I'll give you a quick overview of your situation but I'll explain it all in details later on when you're more awake, okay?"

"Uhm sure"

"Splendid! Now you had some severe wounds and you lost a lot of blood. Furthermore you had some broken ribs, a broken arm, a punctuated lung, some bruises and cuts on your body, First we had to put you into a coma to prevent your body from going into shock. After that we closed your wounds while giving you blood transfusions. I won't bore you with details but after fixing you up we kept you in the coma to make sure your body would cooperate to make sure it was healing in the correct way. Fortunately it did so we brought you out of the coma yesterday and we've been waiting for you to wake up ever since"

The doctor adjusted his glasses before continuing "I should mention though that through the whole procedure, this girl called Wendy healed you. I'm not used to that type of method because it's rather orthodox in my field, but I'll admit that if she hadn't been there, you would have died"

The doctor took a moment to look at Natsu trying to see if the kid understood what he was telling him "So that covers the basics of your treatment here so far. Do you have any questions?"

"Mmm... no... I don't think so"

"Well let me know if you change your mind or if you have any questions. The next step in your treatment is making sure you get a lot of rest, so I'll give you some sedatives to make sure you relax"

"Okay, that's fine I guess..." Natsu shrugged before turning his head to stare out of the window again.

"Mmm-hm" the doctor nodded before exchanging a quick look with the nurse "So are you in the mood for a visitor?"

"Who?"

"Well that's up to you. There's quite a crowd gathered out there who wants to talk to you. But I wont allow more than one person at the time considering your... mmm... situation. So do you want me to take a look at who's out there?"

"No... no it doesn't matter..." he sighed before turning to face the doctor "it doesn't matter who it is... I just... I don't know... want to be sure this is real? If that makes sense?"

"It does. I'll send someone in, in a minute but just so you know it, the visit will be brief. You need to rest and get a lot of sleep. See you later Dragneel" the doctor adjusted his glasses yet again, before leaving the room with the nurse following close behind him.

It didn't take more than a few minutes before he heard someone gently knocking at the door. The sound made him flinch involuntarily because he suddenly felt dread and horror rushing through his body. For some bizarre reason he felt insecure and started doubting if he was ready to face someone. He wanted to be left alone, but on the other hand he wanted desperately to talk to anyone from the guild, because maybe that would ease the thoughts racing through his skull.

Taking a deep breathe he turned his head towards the door, closing his eyes for a second, trying to control the uncomfortable feelings raging through his body.

"Yeah come in" his voice was trembling slightly and an invisible layer of sweat was starting to cover his body making him shiver involuntarily, as he watched the door open almost in slow motion. The moment he saw the blonde haired girl, he flinched for a second, but kept laying still pretending not to be affected by her company.

"Hey" Lucy smiled at him and he managed to smirk in return.

"Hey"

"I..." a few tears started running down her cheeks "I'm so sorry for crying I'm just so happy to see you alive. It... it's been so long you know and I missed you a lot"

"Mmm..." was all Natsu could manage to say as he kept staring at her with a blank look. It was almost as if he didn't really see her but was staring into the air.

"How... how are you feeling?"

"Fine..." he shrugged looking into her eyes for a second, before turning his attention in another direction "Good I guess"

"That's great. I'm sure you'll feel even better in the future" Lucy grabbed his hand and she noticed how he flinched for a second trying to pull his hand away from her. But it was only momentarily because a second later she felt how his hand seemed to relax. It did not return her gesture though. It just laid limply in her hand clearly indicating that he just allowed her to hold it. Nothing more, nothing less. Natsu didn't say anything but kept staring blankly as if he was somehow consumed or locked away inside of his mind.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Lucy asked again and gave his hand hand a gentle squeeze.

"Yeah..." he looked at her face "You?"

"Me? I'm fine, perfectly healthy. But you shouldn't worry about me or the others you're the one who needs medical attention. So..." she unconsciously started scratching her neck "... you don't have anything to worry about me"

Natsu's eyes widened as he looked at her scratching her neck, because there were some visible bruises there. At first he felt angry, because someone had dared to harm her. Then he felt confused because there was something that seemed to spark in his memory. But what was that..?

"So yeah once you get out I'm sure everyone wants to hold a gigantic party..." she kept talking but he didn't listen. There was something he had to think about. A faint memory... so small... like a whisper from a distant past.

Then it hit him. That moment before he lost his consciousness in the cave he had definitely choked her. He wasn't sure it was her at that specific moment, but he did remember that he wondered why she reacted so strangely. So it had been the real Lucy after all, because she clearly had the bruises indicating that his actions had been real.

Natsu felt sick to the core as he watched her. She was still going on, talking about something completely random but he didn't care about the things she was blabbering about. No, the feelings of hate towards himself and regret that rushed through him was more dominant, making him shiver involuntarily as he removed his hand from hers.

"Natsu? Is something wrong?"

"You have to go..."

"Why?"

"Just LEAVE! Go! I don't want to see you!" He roared in both pain and anger, making her jump in surprise.

"What?"

"I said get the fuck out of here!" he got into a sitting position and threw his pillow towards her making her dodge as she moved towards the door.

Natsu was heaving for air as he watched Lucy leave the room with a rather sad look on her face. It hurt seeing her like that but he couldn't face all of the guilt he felt when he looked at her. It was too soon and too painful. He was so confused and frustrated that he didn't notice the nurse entering the room, nor did he notice hands gently pushing him back onto the bed where he was given more sedatives to help him fall asleep. Which happened almost immediately because both his mind and body was exhausted.

Lucy felt hurt and confused as she walked back to the other members of the guild who was currently at the hospital's waiting room. Of course they had all gone crazy and started cheering when the doctor told them Natsu had woken from his coma, but none of them was pleased to hear that only one of them could visit him. But after some explanation they all reluctantly accepted and decided Lucy should go to him, because she would probably be the one who could best connect with him.

Yeah that was a wise decision, she thought sarcastically as she entered the waiting room, where everyone was staring at her in anticipation.

"How is he?" Erza asked while walking towards her.

"I don't know"

"What is that supposed to mean?" Gray crossed his arms and crocked an eyebrow "What do you mean you don't know?"

"Exactly what I said. Physically he looked fine given the circumstances, but mentally he seemed off"

"Off? How so?" the scarlet haired woman looked baffled for a second.

"Well it was as if he wasn't really there. It was like he was lost inside himself and not paying attention to his surroundings. He didn't really pay attention to me either until..." Lucy tilted her head forward, making her hair shadow her eyes "... until he threw me out"

"He threw you out?!" Happy appeared in front of her and stared at her with huge, confused eyes "Why Lucy?"

"I'm not sure... I think... he saw the bruises on my neck and remembered what he did in the cave" she sighed heavily "why didn't I use a scarf or something. I'm such an idiot!"

"It's not your fault Lucy" Erza stated before continuing "He needs time to heal and we'll be there when he needs us"

"Yeah I know, it's all part of the healing process right?"

"Yes"

They all nodded in agreement and stood in silence wondering how and when the dragon slayer would feel better. It would take time but as they say eventually time heals all wounds. They hoped it was true in this situation too, but for now they would all try to be patient and take things as they came.

Frustrated, hurt and angry Lucy walked around in the waiting room yet again hoping to get a moment to talk to Natsu. But noooo! No matter how many times she came and waited he still didn't want to see her. Sure, she should be happy that he wanted to talk to the other members of the guild, but she couldn't help feeling neglected and hurt when Natsu accepted people to visit him that he barely knew. Seriously he even said yes to a visit from Ichiya of all people! But her? No!

"Mooh!" she groaned before kicking a garbage can, making it wobble slightly from the impact.

Of course she knew Natsu needed time but it had already been what? Fourteen days?

"Ugh!" she needed to talk to him and explain herself. He had to know that it wasn't his fault and that she didn't hold it against him.

"I will pray for your recovery, goodbye" Lucy heard Jura's voice and watched as he bowed in front of Natsu's room before walking towards the exit.

"It's not fair.." pouting Lucy looked at the door Jura had left open.

Wait... she looked around her and noticed no one was there besides herself. She could just... no that would be bad... wouldn't it?

No... she thought while shaking her head. He needed to know she didn't recent him for what he did. It could be vital for his recovery knowing that, or she thought it might help somehow. Maybe it was a silly excuse she made to herself, because she needed to see him, but she didn't care. In her mind it was all about him and his recovery, not her own selfish feelings.

So with that in mind she glanced around her one last time before sneaking into his room silently. Once she was inside Lucy looked at the dragon slayer who was laying on his side staring out of the window.

Huh, that was easy? She thought while closing the door. Natsu didn't react to it though. No, he kept laying in the same position, even when she crossed the floor.

"Hey" he exhaled loudly, making her jump slightly in surprise as stared at his back.

"Hey" her voice was trembling slightly because she felt nervous all of a sudden "Uhm... I'm sorry I barged in all of sudden. I know that you..."she had to take a deep breathe to settle her emotions before continuing "... that you didn't want to see me. I... I just need to tell you that I don't care about what you did to me. I know it must be hard forgiving yourself but I need you to know, that it wasn't your fault. You had a lot of painful experiences down there right? So it's only natural it would make you do what you did. I know it's painful knowing you hurt a person you care about, but you have to forgive yourself at some point, because every person has a limit. So do you, and when those limits are broken we do things we might regret later on"

Natsu didn't move but kept staring out the window. It hurt seeing him like that but she knew she had to suck it up, because he was in a far worse condition than her.

"So... just know that no matter what I'm here for you, okay" she smiled sadly "it doesn't matter when, I can wait. I know I'm rude and selfish for barging in like this but... I had to tell you... I... I'll see you, okay" Lucy turned around and walked towards the door.

"Wait..." his voice sounded so broken and filled with pain that she could feel her own heart skipping a beat.

"Yes?" she turned towards him. He was still laying in the same position with his back towards her when he spoke "I... it's just... I get so angry when I see you... But also sad... I..." he exhaled shakingly before continuing "I thought if I ignored you things would get better... at the same time I wanted you to be here... I don't know why... I..."

Lucy could see him shaking and knew he was silently crying from all of the conflicting emotions ripping him apart from the inside. She felt so torn but didn't hesitate for a second as she marched back to Natsu grabbing his shoulder and squeezing it gently to let him know she supported him.

For a second it almost felt peaceful just standing there listening to the silence that filled the room. She felt so content that it surprised her when she felt him grab her wrist and in a quick movement turned around to face her. She only caught a glimpse of his tear streaked face because the next moment he used his right arm to pull her down against his chest, wrapping his arms around her in what would usually be a very tight hug. But since his left arm was bandaged rather firmly because of the shattered bones, his right arm was the only one that was using force to pin her against his own body.

Her head was resting on his chest and she could hear his heartbeat and breathing coming in steady rhythms.

"I... I missed you too" his voice cracked indicating he was still crying in silence "please... I just... want to cling to this moment... a little while longer". His arm squeezed her gently before he started stroking her hair, trying to caress the feeling of her smooth hair. It felt so good having her there that he didn't second guess his actions as he brought his lips to her hair, kissing it gently while inhaling her amazing scent.

He felt kind of satisfied and liberated for what seemed like the first time in very a long time.

Natsu exhaled and felt something inside of him settling. He didn't know what it was but it felt like a remedy that somehow eased his mind, making it more peaceful. His stomach was fluttering with emotions and it didn't take long before he fell asleep, relaxing on a level he hadn't experienced since he was a child.

A/N: I'm not sure if it's the right procedure Natsu went through at the hospital, but after my experience I think it might be a plausible way to approach his condition. But then again I'm not a doctor so I don't have knowledge on the subject.

Badam-tsch! That's all for now! *throws a bucket of heart shaped virtual cookies and fish in your direction* Laaaaaterssssss! :3