Chapter 5

(A/N: Dun dun dun...)

* * * * * * *

Happy's paw swiped right through the crystal, once, twice, three times. The "crystal" disappeared.

The cave began to rumble, and the ice around them began to crack.

Natsu pulled Lucy out of the way, just as a huge sheet of ice crashed down in front of the exit.

Very rapidly, large chunks of Ice began falling in front of all the passageways, locking them in with the Ice Dragons.

Happy had frozen in his place, shocked at what he'd caused.

Natsu let go of Lucy, who backed away from him quickly; he literally looked like he was going to burst.

Faster than anyone could think he smashed into the wall, his fists burning with flames.

But as much as he put into it, the walls simply would not give way. He was livid.

"IT WAS FAKE?!?!" he yelled in rage, his fire growing at an incredible rate.

Happy backed up, ducking behind a chunk of Ice.

"Lucy!" he hissed. "Find some ice to hide behind, quick!"

Lucy did as she was told, hiding behind the largest chunk of ice she could find.

"AND NOW WER'E TRAPPED IN HERE BECAUSE OF ME?!?!?!"

Natsu smashed against the ice even harder, but still to no avail.

"WHY CAN'T I MELT IT?!?!?!?!?!?" he hollered, now almost completely engulfed in flames.

His hands balled into fists, as though he was trying to suppress his anger.

Lucy was shocked, she'd never seen him so fierce before.

"I MADE A PROMISE GOD DAMN IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

In a flash, fire exploded out around him, swirling upwards towards the ceiling.

Even the largest bonfire in the world couldn't top how much fire filled the room.

The fire even managed to reach the chunks of Ice that Lucy, and Happy hid behind.

Lucy gasped as the fire danced around her, and she shrunk back against the ice.

Happy looked out from behind his block of ice.

"Lucy, look!" he said.

Carefully, Lucy peeked out from behind the ice.

The ice in the ceiling had begun to crack from the sudden change in temperature, and threatened collapsing.

Natsu's fire recoiled as he collapsed from pure exhaustion.

"Natsu!" screamed Lucy.

Without thinking, she rushed forward.

"Lucy, no!" said Happy, shocked.

Lucy fell to her knees by Natsu's side pulling him up from the ice, which had begun to melt underneath him.

His skin was still hot, and burned her as she leaned him against her shoulder.

"Lucy.." he murmured, gazing at her through half-closed eyes.

He was slipping out of consciousness faster than she could think, and the ice had already begun crashing in large chunks all around them.

Suddenly there was a large cracking noise, and Lucy looked up.

A large piece of ice hanging above them began to tremble, threatening crushing them.

Natsu looked up and glared at it, knowing he would have to act fast.

Pulling himself in front of Lucy protectively, he gave her one last glance.

The same glance he'd given her when she'd fallen asleep in his arms..

The same glance he'd given her when he was worried something was wrong..

His fist flew upwards, using the last if his energy, obliterating the ice just before it hit them.

The large ice chunk broke into smaller pieces, shooting outwards.

Natsu fainted into Lucy's arms, then the rest of the ceiling crashed in on itself, falling in dangerous shards around them.

Lucy held onto Natsu tightly as the last of the ice fell, recalling the look he'd given her.

She thought... that maybe... someday.. If she could just tell him how she felt.. Maybe he could love her too someday..

He seemed so still now, so serene. It was almost like a different Natsu.

He was a different Natsu now.

Ever since he'd heard about the crystal, he'd revealed a side of himself that Lucy had never seen before.

Happy flew over, looking worried.

"Is he okay?" he asked.

"I think he'll be fine," said Lucy, propping his head up on her shoulder.

"You should go back to Fairy Tail and tell Mirajane what happened. I'll stay here with Natsu."

Happy hesitantly nodded, and flew off through the now roof-less cave.

* * * * * * *

Natsu slowly opened his eyes.

He felt better but.. where was he?

He sat up.

The first thing he saw was Lucy, who was beaming at him.

The second thing he saw was that he was in his room.

"Lucy?" he asked, confused.

"What are we doing here?"

Suddenly Happy was jumping up and down on the bed.

"Hooray! Natsu is alive!" he said.

"I'm going to tell everyone the good news!"

Happy flew from the room, leaving Natsu and Lucy alone.

'Maybe now Natsu can tell Lucy that he likes her..' he thought smugly to himself.

Lucy sat at the end of his bed, smiling down at him.

"It's good to see you're finally awake. How do you feel?" she asked.

"Fine. How long was I out for?" he asked, stretching.

"Two days."

Natsu looked down and noticed that Lucy's hands had bandages on them.

"What happened to your hands?" he asked, concerned.

Lucy blushed.

"Nothing really, it's just-"

"I burnt you, didn't I? In the caves?" he asked, though he felt he already knew the answer.

"It's not your fault!" said Lucy.

Natsu shook his head, looking down.

"Really I'm fine-"

He took her hands in his.

"Lucy.." he said softly.

She stared at him.

"I have.. Something to tell you.."

He gazed up, into her eyes, with a look that made her heart race.

"Lucy I.." he started.

"I'm... sorry I couldn't get you that crystal.." he said.

This time Lucy looked down.

"No.. Natsu.." she said.

"I never needed a crystal.." she started.

"I only need you.." she said, blushing again.

Natsu froze against her words.

"W-what do you m-mean?" he stammered, his heart beating faster.

Lucy bit her lip for a second before responding.

"I never told you.. but.. All of the nightmares I was having... had to do with you... I think I was having them because I was afraid I would lose you... I was afraid I wouldn't get to tell you-"

"-How much you really mean to me.." they both said at the same time.

Natsu smiled a warm smile.

Lucy's heart skipped a beat.

"Lucy, I promise.. Nothing is ever going to take me away from you.. And that's a promise I can keep.."

He looked away slightly, blushing.

"Umm, Lucy?"

"Yes?" she said,trying to keep her voice even.

Natsu paused.

"There was something else I wanted to tell you.." he said.

"Lucy, I-" he started but was cut off by a knock on the door.

"-absolutely hate getting interrupted!" he flared, shoving himself off the bed to go and answer the door.

Lucy blinked twice, feeling incredibly awkward.

Natsu threw open the door almost angrily.

"Erza?!" he squeaked, his anger suddenly melting into fear.

Lucy flinched at the sound of her name.

Erza scowled at Natsu.

"W-what are you doing here?" he tried to say casually.

"Don't try and play coy with me Natsu, I know what happened." she said icily.

Lucy stared at her, not knowing what to think.

"You went to the North without informing anyone. You may as well have been on an S-class mission."

She lightened her gaze a bit.

"You're lucky to be alive. If it weren't for Lucy, you'd still be stuck in those caverns."

Lucy looked down, reminiscing their last day in the caves as Erza recapped Natsu on the whole story.

…

…

After Happy had left, she'd summoned Virgo to dig a tunnel out of the Icy cavern.

Lucy carried Natsu on her back all the way out to the edge of the forest.

Despite her exhaustion, she didn't stop there.

She ventured into the dark forest alone to get firewood, and was attacked several times by large creatures which she had to fight off by herself.

She made a fire, and even managed to get Natsu into the sleeping bag. Then she stayed awake all night, protecting him from any other predators that tried to attack them.

The next day Happy returned with Gray and Erza, who helped bring Natsu back to his home.

…

…

"I had no idea Lucy went through so much," he said softly, shocked. He turned to her.

"You really risked your life for me?" he asked.

Lucy smiled.

"I figured I'd return the favor." she said.

"Well, I should leave now. I was going to stay longer but I'm booked for another mission." said Erza, breaking the awkward silence.

"Bye.." said Natsu, as she walked out.

Closing the door quietly, he turned to face Lucy.

He couldn't believe someone so wonderful could be standing right in front of him.

"Lucy.." he started, but he didn't know how to finish.

"It's fine, Natsu you don't have to worry about-" but she was cut off suddenly as he pulled her into his arms, embracing her.

She blushed heavily against his warm skin.

She was almost disappointed as he pulled away slightly, but she was surprised to find Natsu's lips brush against hers.

"N-Natsu?!" she said, breaking away abruptly. He stared at her, eyes wide.

"L-Lucy! I'm s-sorry, I didn't-" he said.

But Lucy couldn't resist.

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him.

Natsu just stood there like a frozen mannequin with his eyes closed.

"You have no idea how long I've wanted you to do that." she said in a blissful tone, as she pulled away.

"Yeah.. Me too.." said Natsu, feeling like he couldn't breathe.

There was an awkward silence for a moment.

They both called each other's names at the same time.

"What?" asked Natsu softly.

"No, you should go first." she said.

"No, you." he insisted.

There was another short silence.

"I love you.." they said in unison.

They stared at each other, wide-eyed.

"I love you more." said Lucy.

"No, I love you more." said Natsu, a grin spreading across his face.

"No, me."

"No, me."

"No, you."

"Yes, me. Wait.. what?"

Lucy laughed quietly pulling him into another kiss.

Natsu kissed her back tenderly, embracing her, but on the inside he was smiling.

He never needed a crystal.

He would finally be able to put her nightmares to an end, simply by being in love with her..

THE END!

A/N: Woohoo! It's finished! And only five chapters too!

Let me know how you guys liked it. I'll try and write another NaLu Fanfic soon! ;D

- Anni Mae15