A/N: Hey everyone! I'm so sorry for the lack of updates. I've been super busy with work and life. Work? Because we're finding a place to shift to so I currently have so much meetings to go for while life? Well, let's just say work took its toll on me. I shall stop ranting so you guys can go ahead and read. Enjoy!

Chapter 5

Natsu's POV

When I saw the guy who restrained Lucy in his hands laid his lips on hers, I gritted my teeth and clenched my fists so tightly that I felt my nails were digging into my skin. I smelt tears, her tears, appearing at the corner of her eyes. How dare he?! Without a second thought, I launched at him. Thank God Lucy backed away because I wouldn't forgive myself if I accidentally laid my hand on her. My fist engulfed in flames as I punched to the side of his head.

He went flying back. I didn't care. I felt my whole body was engulfed in hot searing flames. Everything turned blind and deaf to me now. All that matters was the asshole who was trying to get up in front of me. I slowly walked towards him as he stood up and held the side of his head. He looked at me with wide eyes before he started to call forth his magic. He wasn't fast enough though because the next second, I was right in front of him as I delivered a series of kicks and punches to him.

I wasn't planning in taking a break at all because if I did, it meant I was pitying him and hell, I was not going to. This asshole tortured Lucy. He deserved all my attacks. All my mind was going about was to kill him. How dare he touched her?! The kiss they shared irritated me to the core and that sight came appearing at the back of my head. It made me delivered my blows to him much faster and more powerful. I hated that sight. I wanted it gone and getting rid of him was the only way. Something pricked at the corner of my eyes. A glass shard? I went to grab it, knowing full well that I can used it to kill him.

"Oi Natsu, what the hell are you thinking?" Gray? When did he came? He blocked my way as he stood between me and the bastard. Was he trying to stop me? No way was I going to be stopped by him now.

"Get out of my way Gray." I growled as I punched Gray in the face.

"Gray!" Juvia screamed before running to his side. I scoffed before I continued walking towards my target. Once my eyes laid on him, flames engulfed me once again.

"Natsu! That's enough." I heard someone shouted but my ears turned deaf automatically. I was nearing him. I was almost there. Once I stood in front of him, I raised the makeshift weapon in the air as my hand held onto it tightly. As I was about to stab him, something warm wrapped around my waist stopping me in the process.

"Enough Natsu! Enough please! I'm alright! I'm right here!" Whose voice was that? It sounded very familiar, very soothing and calm. Then the voice that I knew all too well suddenly became clear. It was Lucy. I felt my flames died down, lowering my makeshift weapon in the process as I looked over my shoulder.

"Lucy?" I blinked in confusion. What the hell just happened? Shit, did I burn her?! "Lucy!" I pulled away, dropping the glass shard to the ground so that I could turn around and face her. My hands shaking as I grabbed onto her shoulders. "What the hell were you thinking? I burnt you didn't I?" She just looked up at me with that beautiful smile of hers and shook her head.

"No Natsu, you didn't. You saved me Natsu, you didn't hurt me at all." She closed her eyes as she leaned her head against my chest and wrapped her arms around my waist. Her presence was able to calm me down and soon I raised my arms to wrap them around her too, bringing her closer to my body.

"I hurt you, I'm so sorry. I was supposed to always protect you." I said as I nuzzled my face at the side of head, in her hair.

"And you did Natsu. You protected me." Her voice was muffled but I could hear her clearly. "Thank you."

I wanted to cry. I almost endangered Lucy in the process because I got caught up in my anger. It was as if I was possessed when I saw another man touched her. I wanted to be the only one who could touch her, to be mine, by my side always. How can I do that? I tightened my hold around her and she did too. We enjoyed each other's breathing, completely oblivious to the people around us. Soon, I felt her breathing slowed down so I pulled apart and realized she fell asleep. I smiled upon the sight. I carefully lifted her up in my arms as I started to walk out of the building, passing by our guild members.

"Natsu?" Wendy called out my name carefully in question, as if she was afraid she might stir me up. I turned around and face them, a grin stretched on my face.

"Let's head back." Everyone nodded in reply as they followed me in tow. All of us headed back to Magnolia. Honestly I was tired but when Erza or Gray offered to switch to carry Lucy, I declined. I didn't want her out of my sight at all. I felt she would be much safer and protected in my arms. Once we reached Magnolia, the rest started to walk towards the direction of the guild but I didn't.

"Hey guys, you go ahead. I'm going to head over to Lucy's apartment." This caused everyone to stop and looked at me.

"Natsu, Lucy needs to be looked at. I think its best-" Ezra didn't get to finish whatever she wanted to say because she got interrupted by Wendy.

"It's okay Erza. I'll follow Natsu." Wendy looked at me and it took me a while to nod back in agreement. I couldn't help but agreed at what Erza said. Lucy definitely needs to be looked at but I felt that it was best for her to return home and get her rest so I was thankful when Wendy offered to follow me back. "Help me tell Happy and Charle that we'll be back soon!" Wendy waived back before both of us took a different path that would lead to Lucy's apartment.

"Thanks Wendy." I managed to squeak out as we walked down the street.

"It's fine Natsu. I think your dragon senses are at his highest peak now." Wendy smiled at me before she continued. "I heard from Grandine that once you found your mate, you wouldn't want to let them go." My eyes widen at Wendy's rationalization. Mate? Lucy's my mate? "We're here!"

I wasn't able to continue my thoughts since we have reached Lucy's apartment. Wendy managed to get the landlord to open the door for us. We strolled into her apartment, Wendy thanking her before closing the door while I went to lay Lucy down on her bed. I didn't move from her side though. I kneel at her bedside as I looked at her beautiful face. Beautiful? Since when I said such a word? Right, I didn't because she was always beautiful in my eyes.

I'm glad Wendy didn't ask me to move. I held Lucy's hand as Wendy did her thing. Soon, Wendy stood up and went to her bathroom. She came back out holding a first aid kit box. She started wrapping bandages around the parts that she felt Lucy needed. She knelt back down to the floor as she wiped the sweat that formed on her forehead.

"How is she?" I didn't like the silence that was formed between us. It just gave me the creepers that something was wrong with Lucy.

"She's fine Natsu." Phew, a huge load was immediately uplifted from my chest. "She just have some bruises here and there and also a few broken bones. She will recover after having a lot of rest."

"Thanks Wendy." I smiled at her before turning my gaze back towards the blonde who was sleeping peacefully on the bed, like an angel. A knock on the window caused both of us to look at the sound. Wendy went to unlock the window which both of our exceeds came flying in.

"Natsu!" Happy went straight to my chest, hugging me as he started crying. "I was so worried about you!" He managed to say in between his cries.

"Happy, you don't have to shout. Lucy is sleeping you know." Charle commented as Wendy held onto her.

"Sorry Happy if I made you worried, but we're both fine now." I said as I ruffled his head, hoping it will calm him down. Happy pulled away from me as he looked at Lucy.

"Lucy is sleeping?"

"Yes she is and she will be for the next few days. She has a lot of resting to be done in order for us to go for missions together soon." Happy turned his gaze back at me again.

"Will Natsu stay here to take care of her?"

"I am." I tore my gaze from Happy and looked at Wendy. "I have a favor to ask. Can you look after Happy for these few days? I would really appreciate it."

"Sure, no problem Natsu." Wendy smiled back before making her way to the door. "I guess I'll take my leave now and leave you alone with Lucy. I also need to head back to the guild and let everyone know of her status too."

"Please do that, and thanks again Wendy." I said as I stood up and followed them to the door. Once she stood at the door, I handed Happy to her. "Be a good boy you hear Happy?" He nodded back in reply before they bid farewell to me and left. I closed the door, making sure I locked it before turning around to head back to Lucy's bed.

I knelt back down at her bedside and stared at her. My hand unknowingly reached out to brush the hair away from her face. Even when she slept, she was such a beauty. This was why I always sneaked into her bed every night. I wanted to see her once my eyes opened from sleep. I wanted to snuggle with her and hugged her closed to me. It was just such a bummer that I won't be able to do it anymore.

That reminds me about what Wendy mentioned earlier. Mate? Was Lucy my mate? I heard Igneel talked about it to me when I was a kid but I didn't really pay attention to it because he was all that matter then. Now was different though. Besides Fairy Tail, she was all that matter to me. I vaguely remembered that a dragon's mate is forever his or hers. It was fated for them to meet and fall in love with each other. Love? Is that what a couple means to Lucy?

I laid my head on her bed, my eyes not tearing away from her face. I wanted her to wake up already. I missed her voice, I missed her. I want to tell her already that she's my mate and I love her but is that the way to go to tell your partner? I just smiled upon having that thought not realizing I closed my eyes and drifted to sleep.

A/N: And that's it for this chapter guys! I'm so sorry that I didn't upload two chapters this week which usually I do. Just give me some time to catch up. Appreciate for all your love and understanding(: Anyways, please don't forget to review before you go. I love to read the comments that my readers leave when I wake up and check my emails.