Six months. Half a fucking year it had taken Natsu to get to this point. To FINALLY be able to make her his. To be in her space. To be able to conquer her. That thought alone sent a shock of excitement down his spine. The amount of waiting he had to do to give Erza the time and confidence she'd needed to make her way to the fortress with a much needed witch, he wasn't prepared for. He'd spent that three months pacing and unable to hold his temper in check; he'd snarled and roared flames over those that irritated him, showing no remorse. Natsu was starting to lose track of the days and then they had arrived.

He wasn't the least bit surprised that they weren't comfortable with him, especially given the last encounter that Grey and Erza had had but they came to investigate none the less. Erza showing up with a glass eye almost as real as the one he'd gouged out made him want to do it again; how dare she hide the cost of her loss to him. Grey was wary but on alert, glaring daggers at the smaller demons that leered at them as they approached. They brought with them two new people Natsu didn't really know: a tiny blue hair witch that he vaguely remembered from watching Lucy and a blue haired man that radiated menace whenever Natsu and him locked eyes. The pink haired demon making note of the way the man hovered protectively around Erza.

"About fucking time," Natsu found himself growling once the small party stopped in front of him. He was satisfied to see Erza tense and the small pixie of a witch go sheet white; it was almost enough to make the waiting worth it. Almost. "Here I was starting to think I was going to have to hunt you all down."

"Natsu," Erza replied stiffly. The red-haired Valkyrie subtly moved in front of the smaller woman with her, seemingly preparing for an attack; the blue haired man moving with her. "It was my duty as the head of Fairy Tail to see what has happened to you, and to see what has become of Zeref." Her brown eyes flashed angrily at the mention of the dark mage and Natsu couldn't help but snarl.

"Funny how you decided to make him a priority AFTER the destruction of my nest and the completion of his greatest weapon ever," the drake spat out. His raising rage making the air simmer and the hair stand on the arms of everyone present. He huffed out a small ball of fire at Erza's feet, which caused the poor witch slightly behind her to scream and back up straight into Gray. Natsu actually laughed at that before turning his back to his guests and shoving open the heavy wood doors that protected his current home. "Anyway, you've all wasted enough of my time, I've got shit to get done."

The impatient man walked through the dark hallways of his once prison, not even checking to see if he were being followed; they'd come all this way for answers, and he doubted they would leave without them. The group behind him traveled in a tense silence, taking in the décor and monstrosities that scurried out of E.N.D's way and into the shadows. Natsu barely noticed the wary eyes that followed his determined path to the large study in the west wing. That was where he'd started to collect all the information he deemed necessary, everything that he needed deciphered. The minute the group walked through the study doors they slammed shut and Natsu took a seat behind the large desk.

"Now, before we get started ask." He commanded, "I don't have time to be interrupted with the information I need deciphered." There was a heavy silence before Erza cleared her throat and asked the question, he knew was burning her tongue: what happened to him, his nest, and his family. So, he told them everything. Natsu spared no detail about the kidnapping of his corpse after the death of his father and Acnologia. The experiments that lead to him now. He could recognize the horror apparent on their faces but couldn't feel the emotion. It wasn't concerning to him anymore.

"Where?" Grey ground through gritted teeth, his eyes flashed glacier bright. "Where is Zeref?"

"In a vat of some weird liquid in his old lab," Natsu answered breezily. He was content to ignore the anger simmering in the room, it was time to get the answers he craved. The demon locked eyes with the bewildered witch; he couldn't help the wide smile that made his cheeks hurt as he motioned for her to come forward, "You, I've got some things that don't make sense and you look like the type to understand anything."

"L-levy" The blue haired witch stuttered before straightening her back and glaring, "My name is Levy and I want to know what I'm getting into before I help you." Natsu liked that she challenged him through her fear. He could understand why his Lucy liked her so much.

"Zeref's book." He stated blandly, picking up the tomb before dropping it back onto the desk with a loud thud, "What he's done to me, others and the possibility of me still being able to travel between realms." He watched as Levy's eyes lit up and she was immediately in front of him, the thought of acquiring new knowledge almost like a drug to her.

"I've heard rumors," Levy began, "about Zeref and his experiments, but to be able to read about it…!" The short witch pulled out orange framed glasses and perched herself on the desk, ignoring the alarm that flashed on her companions faces at her proximity to a monster.

"Well have at it Levy," Natsu chortled, "I got a few questions for you."

oOo

That visit had lasted a week. Levy translated some of the concepts that Natsu couldn't wrap his head around and had reluctantly answered questions about his complex physical and magical changes. Natsu had refused to answer why he wanted to cross the veil between worlds, much to Erza's annoyance. The demon sent them off with a small fire sprite that tailed them; He didn't care if they noticed or not. The discovery of that skill was a welcomed surprise he'd stumbled upon in his anger.

But here he was, with all the answers he needed and all the practice he could allow himself before he put his plan into action. Six months. He couldn't wait any longer. He REFUSED to wait any longer. The small firefly like sprite he'd sent after them made itself comfortable in Levy's bookshop, the Fairy Tail guild house, feeding off the heat from the candles constantly lit and slowly gaining strength as it waited for Natsu's command. Natsu whispered to the sprite through the candle flames and purred encouragement's when it jumped onto a dusty hardcover book and flared brightly before extinguishing itself; a link between Natsu's own power and the book forming instantly. Now to see if he were able to funnel his magic into the inanimate object as Levy speculated.

Natsu always found himself staring into the flames that blazed from his fireplace around the same time. The time when he could see her without any interruptions or distractions. The human realm's time finally syncing with his for a short period which served as a reminder of why he was doing what he was. The perfect time for him to slowly pour more of himself into the book his sprite had marked. The fire whispered its excitement as it flickered, slowing presenting the image of a lovely young woman curled up on an armchair in her bedroom. His Lucy. He drank in her disheveled appearance as she read, his fingers reverently attempting to touch her cheek through the flames and see if it was as soft as he imagined. The sound of the heavy door creaking open brought him out of his musing and he slowly dragged his hand through the flames, disrupting the image of her and keeping his back to the door.

"This had better be important," Natsu snarled, turning slowly to determine who was going to pay for the interruption. It took a lot of concentration to make sure he got every single detail right. He couldn't afford any fuckups.

I-I-it is! You've received a letter from the Queen of Fairies….t-they're asking for your assistance." The lesser creature before him stuttered out. It seemed to manage to hide its fear well but that didn't matter, it wasn't going to survive the conversation.

"I'm uninterested," Natsu sighed, turning back towards the fire, and effectively dismissing the terrified demon. Its skin turning a concerning shade of gray.

"u-uhm, well you see E.N.D…." The poor creature continued to stutter, unsure of whether to flee out the door or push the matter further. The Valkyrie had made it seem rather important.

"SPIT IT OUT!" Natsu bellowed, losing all his patience in the blink of an eye.

"Erza said this would be of great interest to you," the trembling demon squeaked. It inched forward and rubbed its clawed hands together, "It seems there's an issue involving a dragon and the mortal realm. Its causing problems while attempting to snag a witch it's set its eyes on. A Levy? S-she said it would be a great opportunity for you to test your ability to realm shift!"

"I'll have to be sure to let the Queen," Natsu scoffed out the title, considering it a mockery, "know that I've already got my hands full but might spare some time if the incentive is great enough." The demon bowed low, slowly inching backwards toward the door it came. "Ah, but let me not forget," Natsu continued, clearly amused with whatever he remembered. Before the messenger could blink, it went up in flames, screaming until it had turned into a pathetic pile of ash on the floor. Maybe that would be enough of a reminder on why he shouldn't be bothered around this time. He went back to focusing his efforts on what mattered most.

He roared excitedly the moment he fully connected himself to the book in Levy's shop.

The ringing of the phone brought lucy out of her own thoughts. She'd tried reading but kept spacing out. The stress of trying to find the perfect people to help run her business was starting to wear on her.

"H-hello?" Lucy huffed once she'd remembered to pick up her phone.

"Lulu!" Levy's voice floated from the phone, "Where are you right now?"

"I'm at home, why?" The alarm in the tiny woman's voice was enough to make the hair on the back of Lucy's neck stand on end. "is everything okay?"

"Yes! I just had a bad feeling in the pit of my stomach," Levy started and then hesitated," There's been a bit of a tense atmosphere". The sound of sirens was almost deafening from the other end of the line.

"What's with the sirens?"

"uh," the line cut out, causing a weird static feedback to cut off Levy's next few words before correcting itself, "a string of fires has been happening up and down my neighborhood."

"What about your bookshop?!" Lucy couldn't help the heavy feeling that settled deep in the pit of her stomach. That bookshop meant the world to Levy and was practically the only thing the short woman lived for. If anything happened to it Lucy wasn't sure Levy would ever be the same.

"It's fine," there was scuffle and lucy could have sworn levy muttered something about that being the least of her worries before her voice was back in focus, "I'm not worried about that as much as I am the surrounding neighborhood." That was a little odd, but Lucy shrugged it off and steered the conversation to a safer topic: books! The blonde was happy that her and Levy had become close friends in the relatively short time that they've known each other, finding that they had a lot in common. The blue haired woman seemed a little odd at times but that only added to her charm in Lucy's opinion, she found herself strangely drawn to the bookshop and the strange mix of people that popped in and out; They always looked at her with bewilderment, as if she weren't supposed to be there but eventually warmed.

"So, about that book you were telling me about the other day," Lucy started but was cut off by Levy's excited trill.

"I managed to get another copy to give to you! I planned on stopping by your building tonight but left it at the shop," Levy sighed, "And it was late, and I didn't want to bother you. Can you stop by Fairy Tale tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"Oh, I'm so excited for you to read it, you're going to-" A large crash and a shrill curse from Levy cut the conversation short, the blue haired women quick to end the call with a promise to fill her in tomorrow. The line went dead before Lucy could even think to protest.

oOo

"I was sure I left it right over here!" Levy muttered. She was currently crouched behind her desk, the rustling of paper the only thing that gave her away. "I specifically sat it right over here so I would know where it was to give it to you!"

"Lev, it's not a big deal." The blonde started and then sighed once she realized the tiny librarian wasn't paying her any attention. "I'll just be over here looking around," Lucy finished lamely when she realized Levy wasn't paying her any mind. She fought the urge to roll her eyes.

"Okay," Levy responded back distractedly, "Careful of what you touch though." Lucy only grunted her acknowledgement, not sure what was so dangerous about a handful of books in the small shop. None the less, Lucy found herself weaving in and out of the bookshelves piled high with books on an array of topics. Her mind kept trailing back to when she'd first arrived here, and all the shelves were bare, and the books were scattered around in a levy related mess; now everything was neatly categorized. Lucy could hear her friend mumbling about the improbability that she misplaced the book intended for her guest. It would have been funny if Lucy didn't have the sudden feeling that she was being watched. Between the bookshelves the feeling progressed, making her antsy and nervous. She spared glances behind her and between the shelves, but it was just her and Levy.

Trying to shake the feeling and calm her rapidly beating heart, Lucy paid more attention to the books. All the titles were magical in nature and had her raising her eyebrows in this section of the shop; she hadn't expected someone as logical and scientific as Levy to stock such a wide variety of fantastical books that she did. Sure, the shorter woman loved a good Romance as much as Lucy, but they hadn't talked about fantasy enough to give Lucy the idea that Levy loved it so much. Lucy's finger gently stroking the spines of some of the more intricate titles. The further into the store she got the more the hair on the back of her neck stood up but before she could turn around a whisper had her jerking her head up. Lucy slowly dropped her hand and looked around, unsure if Levy had snuck up on her but she was alone in the isle. Her blue haired friend was nowhere to be seen. A shiver snaked its way down her spine. This was all in her imagination surely. It was always overactive and getting her in trouble.

"Lucy...!"

The whisper was right in her ear this time and caused her to squeak in fear, whipping around quickly. A blur of movement to her right caught her attention and had her spinning in the opposite direction. Again, there was no one. Lucy found herself breaking out into a cold sweat; she was unsure if Levy were playing a prank on her but couldn't bring herself to believe the gentle woman had it in her. The blonde's eyes were stuck to the spot she swore she saw something move at. A flash of gold brought her attention fully to a singular cover, one she was almost sure wasn't there before. The blonde was almost unable to move her eyes from the script; something about it was calling to her. There was just something…

Lucy found herself kneeling in front of the book, unaware of how she got there. Her finger gently tracing the spine. "The complete collection of entities: A Dark Grimoire," Lucy whispered.

"Lulu, there you are!" Levy's voice brought Lucy out her of her trance. She stood up slowly, almost unable to take her eyes off the mysterious tomb. "I found it," the blue haired woman continued, "It seems I just placed a stack of other books on top of it, which is unlike me, but I guess my mind was elsewhere."

"Ah," was all that managed to come out of Lucy's mouth. She couldn't stop herself from picking up the book and tucking it into her purse before slowly making her way back to the front of the shop. There was just something about that book, something that told her Levy wouldn't be too thrilled about her borrowing it. What she didn't know wouldn't hurt her, right?

oOo

Lucy kept tossing and turning, her thoughts in disarray. She couldn't believe what she had done. She'd taken that book from Levy's shop without her friends' knowledge which was something she would usually never do. Whatever had possessed her to slip the book into her purse before the girls locked up was a mystery to Lucy. Now she was paying the price, her conscious not allowing her to sleep easy. Oh, but the blonde was determined; she'd already decided she was going to return the book first thing in the morning after apologizing. Luckily for her Levy was sweet natured and wasn't one to hold a grudge. With that comforting thought, Lucy continued with her night routine. She secured her long hair into a loose bun on top of her head and shimmied into a bright red t-shirt, opting to forgo pants and sleep in a matching pair of red boy-shorts with black lace trim. She fluffed her pillow, burrowed further into her covers, and prayed to Mavis that a sound sleep was going to come.

Lucy rolled over and squinted tiredly at the clock on her nightstand. She groaned and flopped back over on her back; it was 3am. She didn't remember falling asleep. The blonde sluggishly sat up and winced at the feeling of a full bladder. Swinging her legs over the edge of the bed, she decided a quick bathroom run would do her some good before she curled back into the warmth of her covers and stared at her phone until she was tired. Her usual routine when she found herself too wide awake to sleep. The second her feet hit the floor a shiver worked its way down her spine and her mouth went dry. Lucy felt like she was being watched. The blonde shrugged it off as best she could, quickly heading to the door that led to her bathroom. A movement to her right had her freezing. Had she seen that shadow shoot from her closet or was she scaring herself?

"Hiya, Lucy." A male voice chirped out excitedly. She could practically feel the way his tongue curled around every letter in her name; like it was a prayer and a call to ownership all rolled into one. Lucy screamed and spun around, her back colliding with the wall her bed rested on. It took her eyes a second to adjust but the minute they did, she saw a man leaning casually against her door frame.

"W-who are you? H-how d-did you get in here?" Lucy stuttered. She quickly squashed the pride she had in herself at being able to use her voice; now wasn't the time. She couldn't remember where she had placed her taser or if it were even charged for that matter. Her eyes focused back on her intruder as he uncoiled from the doorframe and stalked closer to her. It was hard for Lucy to ignore the predatory way he advanced on her and the closer he got the more she tensed. Her eyes shot to the window on the other side of her bed. Maybe if she could move fast enough…

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," the man purred out lowly, continuing to slink closer to her, "I've been dreaming about this for a long time and can't have you trying to jump out the window and hurting yourself, Luce." Lucy thought her mouth was dry before but now it felt like it was stuffed full of cotton. She couldn't seem to get herself to move, her feet refusing to listen to the common sense her brain was screaming.

"H-how do you know my n-name?" Her heart was beating a mile a minute, she felt like she was going to choke on it. She couldn't breathe, a soft whine leaving her throat the second he stopped in front of her and looked her over. Lucy did the same, noting everything of importance to tell the police later. His hair was pink, his eyes were a weird onyx with flecks of green and gold and he had horns. Like the police would believe that; she wanted to laugh hysterically.

"I hate when you wear your hair up, but this outfit…" Lucy pressed her back harder into the wall the second his hands came up and traced the lace on her boy-shorts before sliding along the hem of her shirt. "I've been waiting for this…" He continued to whisper reverently before yanking the hair-tie out of her hair forcefully. Lucy moaned at the pain, her head forced back as the tie ripped through her hair and was thrown over his shoulder. His fingers quick to sink into the blonde mass as he pressed every inch of himself against her and buried his nose near her neck.

"W-wait!" Lucy started to panic, her hands coming up and attempting to wedge between their chests but settling for his shoulders. She pulled roughly on his vest as she started to shake. "S-s-stop," She hiccupped dejectedly as his fingers pulled her hair slightly harder and his lips connected with her neck. Lucy felt the groan rumble from his chest and whimpered again when one of his legs slid between her own.

"Louder, Luce. Your voice sounds the best when you beg. You're so soft, softer than I could have imagined, and you smell delicious."

"Y-you want money? I'll give it to you, j-just please…!"

"I don't have any use for your money," He snorted, his tongue flicking out to run along the column of her neck. She felt a rather sharp point scrapping along her jaw a moment later and she realized he was nibbling at her skin. Lucy saw the horror that lay ahead of her flash before her eyes, it came hand in hand with the knowledge that he was hard and pressing it against one of her thighs. "Now Now," He chuckled, "I'm not Gunna fuck you unless you ask, though I did think about it."

"P-please," Lucy whispered lowly, the knowledge that she wasn't going to be able to run causing her to go slack in his arms. A fact she was sure he liked because he sank his teeth into the soft skin just under her ear hard enough to bruise but not break skin. She cried out and he purred, his hands tightening their hold in her hair. The constant tension was hurting her scalp and giving her a headache.

"Good girl, Luce." He purred, pressing himself harder against her. "For being such a good girl, I'll give you a reward: My names Natsu." Lucy was vaguely aware of one of his hands leaving her hair and traveling to the bottom of her shirt, his hand shaping every inch and curve of her. She started to sob softly as his hand pushed the hem of her shirt up a bit and he ran his hands up her stomach and towards her breasts. "Find me in the book, Luce. I'm too impatient to hold you, touch you," He growled lowly as he moved his head from her neck and looked her in the eye, flashing fangs at her, "or sink my teeth into ya! You are mine Luce, and I just wanna show you." With that said he rushed towards her jugular, his teeth barred and his eyes glinting red, and Lucy screamed.

Lucy shot up in bed in a panic, her eyes darting around her darkened room. She turned to the clock on her nightstand and saw that it read 3:47am. Her hand automatically reaching up to brush the spot she could have sworn was just torn into. Her hair tie had fallen from her hair in her sleep, she had a raging headache and a weird pain right under her right ear.

"It seemed so real," Lucy whispered to herself, her hands unconsciously following the path Natsu's had started to blaze under her shirt. She could feel the heat of his fingers against her skin and it disturbed her. Yet she couldn't deny the sticky fluid that clung to the center of her boy-shorts. Her eyes sought out the Grimoire laying on her desk, which seemed to glow a muted red in the dim light.

Maybe she'd look before returning it. She NEEDED to know if she was losing it and that book might be her only hope.