XXX

September 21st, X778

Natsu knew that something was wrong from the moment he caught a glimpse of Lucy's expression. As he helped her tug her new coat over her still aching arms, he studied her face suspiciously. She'd been abnormally quiet for some time now, since he'd left with Wendy and Gajeel to practice their runes. Perhaps it had to do with the talk Levy had mentioned they'd had. He didn't like it. It reminded him of the quiet state she'd been in following the "ceremony" she'd almost been forced to endure.

Something was definitely wrong, and Natsu wasn't known for his patience.

As soon as she was comfortable in her new coat and reaching for her zipper, Natsu seized each side of the unzipped coat and gently tugged on it. "What's wrong, Lucy?" he demanded. He wasn't going to let the topic go until she told him. Wendy, donning her own coat, glanced over, bewildered.

Startled, Lucy's eyes snapped up to meet his. There was alarm there, but it was the quick way she averted her gaze that told him he was right. Something was wrong. He wondered if it had to do with Levy and Gajeel leaving. The pair had left in the middle of the night without so much as a farewell, disappearing as if they'd never been there at all. It annoyed him immensely that Gajeel hadn't even bothered to give Lucy a "thank you" for all the trouble, but he thought Lucy might have been more than happy that they'd left.

Lucy was quiet for long enough that it told him she was considering if she would answer, and that made him scowl pointedly. Finally, Lucy muttered, "Fine. Fine. Let go so I can zip my coat, would you?"

"Luce…" he said warningly.

"I didn't say," she muttered back, "I wasn't going to tell you, Natsu, I just said to let go. I'm going to show you."

Unwilling to let go of her at all, Natsu reluctantly stepped back to give her some room. Lucy reached up and unwound the scarf he'd insisted she keep wearing. "Take this," she murmured, handing it to him. She beckoned Wendy over. Worried now, Wendy immediately hopped over to join them. She stood on her tiptoes to look when Lucy bent just so and showed her–

A hum left his throat before he could stop it. The small scratch, so insignificant in comparison to the rest of her injuries, was a reminder of how close it had been – how close he'd gotten to losing his Lucy.

But it wasn't the scratch itself that had Wendy sucking in a sharp, nervous breath. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" she snapped with exasperation written over her face. She touched the inflamed skin beside the scratch, horrified by the heat. "Lucy–"

"I know, I know," grumbled Lucy, waving her off. "I just found it last night, Wendy. I should've told you sooner. I just…you've all worried enough, and I just didn't want another reason for–" Lucy broke off, biting her lip.

Lucy didn't need to finish her thought. The meaning was clear enough. Not liking what he knew she was thinking – that she didn't want another reason for them to worry about her – Natsu reached out and tugged on a lock of golden hair. "You're supposed to tell Wendy if something's up, Luce," he chided. At least it wasn't more than a scratch. A horrible place for one if you knew about the knife that had created it and how close it had been to ending Lucy's life, but a mere scratch nonetheless.

"We should go back – see if Levy overlooked something in that town," said Wendy with a glance at Natsu. "There might be some antibiotics–"

"Wendy," Lucy gently interrupted, "Levy told us she was sure Erigor had the place raided, remember? Any antibiotics around would be back in that neighborhood they occupied, and there's no way in hell we could safely check it out with the number of Vhalis probably haunting the area."

Lucy ignored Wendy's protests that they should check anyways and took Natsu's scarf back, winding it cautiously around her throat. Natsu glanced between her grim face and Wendy's anxious one a few times before demanding, "Why? Why would we need to go back?"

"It's infected, Natsu!" Wendy cried, frustrated. "Did you not see it? Are you blind?"

Natsu's jaw dropped at the attitude, not expecting it. Genuinely confused, Natsu looked at Lucy, hoping to get an explanation, but she only stared at him, puzzled. Understanding dawned, and Natsu didn't expect the question she suddenly asked him.

"Natsu, how old are you?"

Defensive, he retorted, "Old."

A smile tugged at her lips. "Clearly, but do you know what year you were born?"

"What does that have to do with anything?" Natsu challenged, and Lucy threw her hands up in exasperation. The pointed glare she gave him made him buckle. Grumbling, Natsu ruffled his pink hair with a hand. "I don't remember!" he said grouchily. "It was a long time ago! A couple thousand years, maybe? Two or three? I don't know, it's not like I was a scholar. I followed Igneel. He favored different things than arithmetic and stuff."

Wendy, attitude forgotten, gawked at him. "You're really old," she realized, which drew a rather offended, ruffled glare from Natsu.

Forgoing her own shock at how old Natsu was, Lucy asked him patiently, "When people got hurt, what happened? When someone dropped something sharp and cut themselves? Did they ever get sick?"

"Sometimes," admitted Natsu, confused on why it mattered. "They usually went to Grandeeney's temples when that happened though." He flashed Wendy a playful grin. "She was one of the harder gods to impress. She was picky about her followers."

Wendy was immediately distracted despite her concerns about Lucy. "Really?"

Dragging them back to the topic at hand, Lucy continued with her irritating line of leading questions. "Natsu, what happened that got them sent to Grandeeney's temples?"

Natsu shrugged. He threw her a small glare, frustrated. Why did it matter? "They were sick. They got hot to the touch, and sometimes where they'd been hurt would smell and look weird. Sometimes they came back, sometimes they didn't. Lucy, why does it matter? The only ones who got sick like that were the ones who'd offended the gods." He suddenly frowned. "Did you say anything to offend one of the gods, Luce?"

The exasperated look on Lucy's face had Natsu throwing his hands in the air, especially when he exchanged it with Wendy. He hated that they both seemed to know something and were taking an unusually large amount of time to tell him. "What?"

"That sickness is called infection," said Wendy, voice soft. "And it's not caused by offending the gods, Natsu. The knife was probably dirty," she added to Lucy with a troubled look. Sensing her anxiety, Charle meowed anxiously at her ankles. "I saw the…the bowl. I doubt they cleaned the knife if the bowl was that bad."

Lucy's shoulders slumped. "That's what I thought," she admitted, running a hand down her face tiredly. "It's impressive my arms haven't gotten infected yet if that's the case though."

Natsu stared at them, sharp, piercing fury replacing his frustration. It drew a hum from him before he could stop it. Lucy instinctively looked at him, and he forced himself to cut the hum off. He exhaled slowly through his nose, cursing the taste of ash in his mouth. "So…you're sick then?" he rasped, now understanding what Wendy was so worried about. "Like the people we sent to Grandeeney's temples?"

"Maybe. Sometimes it goes away on its own." Wendy eyed Lucy's neck, as if she could see through the scarf Lucy wore. "We'll just have to keep it cleaner than we have been and keep an eye on it."

Some of the fear that had gathered thickly in his chest eased away. Natsu relaxed, though the ash lingered. He spat some out, ignoring the concern Lucy glanced at him with. "Do we need to stay here a few more days?"

"No." Lucy's voice came out confident and firm. "I'll be fine." She effectively silenced any arguments by stepping close to him and pressing her lips ever so softly against his cheek. Natsu was distracted immediately from his fear, nearly purring at the touch. She stepped around the delighted sun god, meandering towards the cabin door. "Come on," she called over her shoulder. "We're losing sunlight."

Wendy spluttered, unable to believe what she'd just seen. "Wait, hold on–"

Noticing the questions building on her tongue, Natsu silenced her by tousling her hair. He nudged her after Lucy. "What Lucy said."

"Something's following us."

The statement stopped Lucy in her tracks. She napped her head around to stare at Natsu, who'd been walking so close beside her that their shoulders had brushed several times over the last hour while Wendy skipped ahead with Charle. "What do you mean?" demanded Lucy in a hiss, voice rising in pitch. "How long?"

Natsu smiled sheepishly. "Since we left."

Lucy did stop then, glaring furiously at him. "Let me get this straight," she seethed. "You knew something was following us all day, and you didn't say anything sooner?! Natsu."

"Something's following us?" echoed Wendy. Her words came out a fearful squeak.

"That's why I didn't say anything," muttered Natsu, huffing at Lucy. She merely scowled in return. "I don't think it's a Vhalis, if that makes you two feel any better."

Lucy's irritation vanished, replaced with a twist of fear that made her stomach drop. "That makes me feel worse," she admitted. Natsu immediately looked annoyed with himself. Lucy knew he'd not meant to upset her; he'd been doing his very best to avoid that. "What do you think it is? Another person?" She didn't want it to be, but she supposed someone might have followed them. It could have very easily been a survivor of Erigor's followers. Perhaps they'd waited until Levy had left and planned to do something now that the one they knew to be a powerful goddess was gone.

As if reading her mind, Natsu ever so gently bumped her with his shoulder, ensuring to not so much as brush against one of her arms as he did so. "I don't think so. They would have tried something by now, right?"

"Not if they're waiting for us to stop for the night," fretted Wendy softly, stooping to snag Charle and hold her close to her chest. Charle purred comfortingly. Lucy eyed the cat suspiciously, thoughtful. Charle often showed signs of being alarmed when there was danger nearby. Her tail, rather than lashing, was merely flicking. Her ears were pricked, and her eyes were soft and wide. She was purring, too.

"I don't think it's a Vhalis or someone dangerous, per se," said Lucy slowly. "Look at Charle." As Natsu and Wendy did so, Lucy spun around to look in the direction they'd come. She even walked back in that direction a few steps, rolling her eyes when Natsu grabbed her hand to stop her. What did he think he was going to do? She wound her fingers through his regardless, and squeezed them comfortingly. Lucy felt fine. A little concerned, but not as terrified as she'd been before.

Something brushed against her ankle.

Lucy screeched, jumping back. She crashed right into Natsu, who yelped as he caught her. He hastily let go when Lucy squawked in pain from the tight grip he took on her arms. Lucy almost fell at the sudden shift in balance, stumbling, and Natsu swore, trying to make sure she didn't fall without causing her more pain.

Wendy blinked, wide-eyed. She was frozen in place with Charle clutched to her chest. And then, Wendy roared with laughter. Hysterical giggles fell from her lips as she crouched down and set Charle aside, stretching her arms out. "All of that," she declared with sparkling eyes, "because of a cat."

Lucy couldn't help the choked, strangled laugh that left her, because it was a cat. The feline with fur that was such an odd shade – almost blue – blinked calmly up at them, though she could have sworn there was some mischief in its dark eyes as it abandoned rubbing against Lucy's leg in favor of sniffling lightly at Wendy's fingers. It butted its head against her hand happily, purring quite loudly.

Natsu laughed, relieved. He dropped into a crouch like Wendy had to study the cat as it flopped onto its side and twisted to show them its belly, still purring. "Lucy, you got scared because of a cat!"

Lucy glared at him. "You were freaked out, too, I'll have you know."

Natsu, unconcerned, waved her off and beamed as he stroked the shockingly plump cat's blue-furred side. It mewed its approval and blinked happily at him. Natsu's smile widened, and Lucy knew what was coming before he'd even opened his mouth to ask. "No. No way."

One cat was one thing. She'd been against it, but Charle had proved helpful here and there.

Two though? Two cats? No way. There was no way she'd let another cat come along. They didn't have nearly enough space in their bags to carry extra food for yet another cat. Where did it even come from? Had it been living in the cabins they'd sheltered in and followed? But in that case, why hadn't it shown up sooner?

"But Lucy," protested Natsu, dragging the content cat to him. "They're good luck! And we have friends, so why shouldn't Charle have a friend?"

"Hey!" Wendy frowned at him.

"Natsu," said Lucy, exasperated. "We can barely keep ourselves alive. In what world is it a good idea to bring along a second cat? Can you carry an extra bag of supplies for just cats?"

Entirely oblivious to the argument over it, the cat in question purred loudly at them all and seemed to lean into Natsu's hand as he scratched the cat's chin.

Natsu flashed her a determined look. "I'll try. C'mon, Luce. Please?"

Lucy looked at Wendy, seeking her opinion. She'd let Charle come along. Surely Wendy would help Lucy now. Wendy, however, was determinedly staring up at the sky, not wanting to be a part of the argument at all. Lucy rolled her eyes, turning her attention back onto Natsu, who was giving her such a hopeful look, nearly vibrating in excitement. It was the happiest Natsu had looked since before they'd been dragged to the cult's encampment. The thought softened her resolve until it melted like butter beneath Natsu's wide smile.

"Oh, alright," Lucy sighed. Both Wendy and Natsu cheered, though Lucy wasn't sure why Wendy was cheering. She'd not been the one asking to take another cat with them. She frowned at the smug-looking blue-furred creature. "What's his name then, Natsu?"

Natsu studied the cat critically, considering, and then beamed. "His name is Happy. Since he looks so damn happy."

"Happy it is." Lucy shook her head, exasperated. "Welcome to the family, Happy."

Happy purred again, batting playfully with a paw at Natsu's chin. Natsu stood, holding him tightly in his arms with such an adoring look that Lucy's lips threatened to curve into a smile. She stepped over and peered at the cat, reaching out to pet him herself. "I hope he doesn't belong to anyone who's still around," she remarked. "He's pretty thick for a cat that's been living on its own since the Fall."

"Maybe he figured out how to hunt?" suggested Wendy, moving closer to greet Happy properly. Her eyes lit with laughter when Happy caught her finger with a paw and sniffed delicately at it. She giggled when he decided to lick it.

"Maybe." At least he seemed friendlier than Charle. And he was rather cute. "Alright, we need to keep going, guys. Come on." Lucy shooed them forwards. "We can pet the cat when we settle down for the night."

"C'mon, Happy," said Natsu cheerfully, starting forward with Happy still held gently in his arms. He spoke to the cat as he did so, telling him something Lucy didn't catch. At least Natsu was happy, she supposed. More than happy by the looks of it.

Wendy followed Natsu, walking side-by-side with Lucy. Charle trotted alongside her, tail waving high over her back. "Maybe we'll find a cat for you, Lucy!"

Lucy snorted. "I'm good, thanks. Two cats in the group is more than enough." She'd admit she had come to appreciate Charle a little more recently. Charle had been a source of comfort when Lucy had been too exhausted to get out of bed, and had seemed to notice before the rest of them when her arms were particularly sore. They were still particularly sore, of course, but Charle knew to be gentle before anyone else.

At least, she supposed, they had another warm body for the cold winter nights.

"You're sure that's how it's supposed to look?" muttered Lucy as she inspected the rune Natsu had etched into the rock he'd managed to track down with another rock. It seemed so simple and plain. When she'd pictured powerful runes back before the world had ended, she'd imagined what she'd seen on TV: scribbles scratched in the dirt, destined to be ruined by the smallest breeze yet glowing with magnificent power.

Once again, reality was a little disappointing. Not that she should be surprised. Lucy had seen the rune they'd found scratched onto a fallen tree.

Natsu said wryly, rolling his eyes, "Contrary to your belief, Luce, I'm not hopeless. I know how to make a rune that Levy showed me yesterday. I practiced it with her. Several times."

"I'm not saying you don't know how to make it," insisted Lucy. "I wasn't a part of the lesson, remember? I don't know what you're supposed to do or what they should look like. You said you'd show me. I'm just making sure I get it down for myself." Not really, but Natsu didn't need to know that.

He was very clearly not convinced by what she'd said, but moved on from the argument he could have easily started. "I'm sure that's what the rune's supposed to look like. C'mon, we've got a few more to do, and Wendy's having issues starting the fire."

Wendy squawked in protest from where she was working. "I am not!" she cried. "I can use a lighter, Natsu!"

Lucy laughed softly at the annoyed look Wendy threw his way, as if he were an annoying older brother. Natsu smirked smugly at her in return, earning him a scowl. Wendy turned back to the fire she was trying to build and Lucy had to stifle another laugh when Wendy cursed under her breath as the lighter failed to ignite the pile of wood she'd made.

When Natsu finished placing protective runes down, showing Lucy each one with care, he took over setting up the fire so Wendy could focus on what he considered to be far more important. Lucy hissed when Wendy peeled the old bandages off her left arm, peering critically at the scabbed wounds beneath. "They're healing alright, I think," said Wendy happily, delighted to find Lucy's injuries were doing as they should have been doing. "I want to clean your neck up, too."

Lucy let her, sighing when Happy stopped harassing Charle in favor of trotting over. He hopped right into her lap, settling comfortably there and purring happily. Lucy let her fingers trail over the feline's spine, admitting only to herself that he was a rather nice cat. Lucy winced, but said nothing when pain spliced through her arm as Wendy gently cleaned the cuts.

When Wendy got to her neck, she handed Lucy Natsu's scarf after unwinding it. Lucy's fingers gripped it so tightly as pain nearly blinded her that she feared she'd rip it. She managed to just barely stifle the soft whimper that tried to slither past her lips and Natsu paused in what he was doing to throw a concerned look over his shoulder, eyes narrowing.

Happy did his best to comfort Lucy as Wendy worked quickly, ignoring Lucy's responses. Natsu didn't though. He watched, task forgotten, face unreadable as he watched her closely, taking in her pained reactions. Lucy knew he was considering how to take it away, and as much as she appreciated it, she would never wish it on him or Wendy.

HAPPY'S HERE! It was completely on a whim that I decided to throw Happy in, and I'm so happy I did.

On another note, we have someone else coming in soon~

Thanks to reviewers (marn-marn, XxStar'sDustxX, BeccaAlbarn188, stranger1999, takeagamble27, & Sir Sasquatch!) as well as those who favorited and followed!