My dragon mate

Chapter 3

Lucy P.O.V.

My eyes slowly blinked open and saw rock and a fire near me. Where was I? I tried to sit up but hissed. That's right I got stabbed. I looked down at my side and saw it was bandaged. Looking around I didn't see anyone in the cave with me, but there must have been someone. Besides the bandage, I was wrapped in a blanket and pillow nest. As far as I know, that doesn't just happen.

The cave looked like it only had two directions that I could go through. I guess it was just a matter of luck that I found my way out. Using a big stick and some cloth from the blanket I made a makeshift torch.

"Hello? Natsu? Happy?" I called out my voice echoing off the walls. I waited a couple of seconds, but there was no response. Where could those two be? They wouldn't leave my side unless something went wrong. I am gonna kick their asses when I find them.

I slowly stood up holding my side. It burned a little, but when I moved slowly it was bearable. I pulled out Capricorn's key.

"Open gate of the Goat, Capricorn," I said it as loud as I could manage. The key glowed and there stood my tall goat-man.

"I am sorry miss Lucy, but I have only come to tell you that we cannot help you. It would only cause you more pain. You must trust me when I say you are not in any danger. Once this is over, we will meet again." He gave a short bow and disappeared.

Well, that wasn't helpful at all. What does he mean once it's all over? When what's over? Before my thought could get any more jumbled, I heard footsteps. I put out my torch and shuffled away from the oncoming footsteps. Following the wall in the dark was going well until it dipped, and I fell on my bad side.

"Owww" I covered my mouth as soon as the words left my mouth. Oh crap. Did it hear me? I soon had my answer when I saw a black figure in front of me. I screamed and backed up into the wall as far as I could. Making myself as small as possible.

"Are you ok?" I knew that voice. It was deeper and gruffer, but it was Natsu. All the tension in my body disappeared. Smiling I looked up at his figure.

"Nat- "I gasped when the light hit his face. Scales covered everywhere that I could see except for the middle of his face. His hand covered in fire was clawed and the wings on his back looked threatening. The smile on his face was the only real indication I had that this was my Natsu.

He bent down and picked me up gently.

"Come on Luce, I need to get you back to our nest. You're hurt and I brought something that is going to help with that." He held me as close to his chest as he could without hurting me. Laying me on the blankets and pillows he grabbed for a vial filled with purple liquid.

"Natsu what's going on? I thought I was dead and now I am in a cave. You look like a dragon and Happy is nowhere to be found." The questions just kept coming but Natsu just stuck the vial in my mouth and told me to drink. Glaring at him I drank. It tasted like socks that had been worn on Elfman's feet all day. I gagged picturing the image.

I would've yelled at him, but I felt the wound on my side getting better.

"Thank you. What was that by the way? It tasted like feet." Licking around my mouth I tried to get the taste out of my mouth. Natsu handed me some water and I gulped opening it would alleviate the taste.

"Wendy gave it to me. In case of emergencies. It should ease some of the pain you're in." He started to unwrap the bandage and I saw that he must have cauterized the wound. The potion was starting to work the pain was starting to ease and I could move around without wincing.

"You're right that is so much better." I smiled up at him. He laughed and got in beside me. My whole body froze.

"W-w-what are you doing. Get out!" I tried to kick at him, but he grabbed my foot and growled. This reminded me of a blue cat that usually took part in these shenanigans.

"Where's Happy?" He was still holding my foot, but now he was stroking it. What the hell had gotten into him. I pulled my foot away and swatted him on the head.

Natsu moved his face, so our noses were touching. "Who cares. It's just you and me. I am the only male allowed around you." Not care about Happy? This wasn't Natsu.

"Who are you? What have you done with Natsu and Happy?" I got out of the nest and backed away as far as the cave walls would allow me. I was about to take my keys out when I remembered what Capricorn said.

He quirked his head to the side. "Something wrong with your sight Luce. It's me, Natsu."

"No you're not. Natsu cares more about Happy than just about anyone. He would never say what you just did about him." I continued to glare at the dragonic looking Natsu.

"Happy went back to the guild. I told him to go, he'd only be in the way. Are you satisfied?" He looked so bored talking about Happy. Needing to figure out if it was the real Natsu I had to ask him something only he'd know.

Staring him down I knew what the real Natsu would do. "If you are the real Natsu then you can answer this simple question. What did you say in the letter you left me?"

"What letter?"  His eyes went blank. Sighing I dropped my head. Yup this was Natsu. Then that meant something was really wrong with him. I dropped my guard and laid back down in the comfortable nest.

The wound combined with the stress Natsu caused me made must have taken a bigger toll on my body than I thought. My eyes were drooping. Right before I fell asleep, I heard him mumble something and warm lips on my forehead. The added warmth was comforting, and I couldn't help myself but snuggle into his body.