Never The Same

We Wait

    It had been so long. So long since he had been conscious. But even longer since he was...just himself. I would refuse to believe what Porlyusica would tell me, or anyone else for that matter. Natsu was going to be just fine. Right? 

      I stood a good distance away from where Natsu was lying in the infirmary. No matter what I or anyone did, he wouldn't speak, talk, move or open his eyes. It was like he was dead, but he wasn't. At least, I hope he isn't. What am I saying? It's Natsu! He'll be fine!  If this was true, then why did I feel doubt squirming around in me...I gazed at him, smiling weakly. He looked so peaceful. Nothing like how he was before, a raging monster. But he was still covered in wounds and there were still a few black markings on his body. 

"Please be okay..." I whispered to myself. I walked over to him, taking a seat next to the bed in a chair. I ran my fingers through his soft pink hair, a tear escaping my eye and dropping onto his hand. "Please open your eyes...Natsu...It's been so long...I miss you..." 

"Lucy? Are you going to sit there all day?" Someone was standing at the door, a worried look in her eye. "You've been here since early in the morning. Are you okay?"

I wiped the tears from my face, glancing at Natsu before rising up from the chair. "I'm fine. There's no need to worry about me, Erza."

"Right. Well right now the guild is looking all over the place for Gray."

"Looking for Gray? Where is he?"

"That's just it. We're not sure. He was looking pretty upset before he disappeared," Erza explained.

I rushed over to her, tripping over a few things on my way. "Where's Happy?"

"Probably sulking around somewhere in the guild, or at their house."

I pushed past Erza, immediately searching around for the blue cat. I noticed the sorrowful and dark atmosphere when I ran into the guild hall. It lacked the usual cheerfulness, and these past months there have been no fights. Part of the guild hall was still being rebuilt, after the destruction of it and the rest of Magnolia. And many other cities and towns. I was honestly surprised that the magic council hasn't demanded that we hand over Natsu. But maybe they didn't know who the attacker was. That would be helpful, and it wouldn't add to all the stress we already had. The entire time there was on thought that would go through my head. How will Natsu react? Will he remember anything? Will he still...No. 

"Has anyone seen Happy?" I questioned. They stared at me with dark expressions. Freaks. Natsu isn't a monster! That wasn't him...

"Lucy? Lucy!" Happy flew into my arms, his body trembling. "I'm glad to see you..."

"I am too, Happy. Can you help me look for Gray?" 

He looked up at me, his gray eyes dull with sorrow. "Y-yeah...Of course..."

"Thanks...Happy, Natsu will be fine." I added, rubbing Happy's head gently. "So there's no need to worry..."