Forever Mine || NALU

5. "without a doubt"

Lucy Heartfilia

As I stepped out the hall with Erza, I quickly turned my head, asking why she was looking for me so late into the night. "I actually overheard you talking to Nashi.." she began, yet trailing off at the last part. "It never occurred to me why you put all those efforts through the years to find Natsu."

I smiled weakly and shrugged my shoulders, "well what can I say, love makes you crazy." Memories popped up in my mind of the day that the guild had explained that when I had left the guild without a word, Natsu had spent days and nights trying to find me. "And, I know for a fact that Natsu would do the same."

Erza nodded, "yes he did. He was the last one to figure out that he was in love with you. Blame his slow minded head."

I chuckled, totally agreeing with her. "And.. I do feel a bit guilty for... what he became." I said, causing Erza to look at me with a confused face. "The day I got struck... I had enough time to move out the way.. But if I had, James would have been dangerously hurt. But now, I dont know whether or not that was the right decision."

Erza shook her head in disappointment, yet I could tell she understood where I was coming from. "You were protecting him, not to mention you're much stronger than James. I don't think he would've survived if you hadn't saved him. But regretfully, no matter the choice, there is a cause and effect."

I stayed silent, taking in her words in full detail, and Erza was absolutely right. Moved out of the way = James would die. Save him = the price Natsu's sanity. And in that moment I would have never had enough time to think about the consequences of my own actions.

"But let me ask you this, Lucy." Erza began to ask, hesitantly as if she was scared to hear my reaction. "Have you ever taken into thought that Natsu is..."

She didn't have to finish that sentence for me to understand what she was trying to say. It's been about 5 years since Natsu went missing. Was there a chance he could live in the wild without meeting some formidable enemies? What about food and water and clothes? And recently, wild fires had all lead to dead ends, and is slowly reaching to a stop. Who knows what had happen to him all alone out there.

But, Natsu is strong. And I have a strong gut feeling that he's out there somewhere. Maybe call it naive hope, but I will never accept the fact that he's no longer in this world.

Not until I've seen a body.

"He's alive. I know he is." I told Erza with a sense of firmness in my answer, and she just nodded, no longer pushing the topic.

"Well, since you're going out to find him, Gray and I will accompany you on your search." Erza offered, or should I say, stated.

I shook my head and glanced at her, "no-- Erza-- whose gonna watch the kids. And I know you both have a lot on your plate--" I said, trying to give her excuses as to why she shouldn't come.

"The Heartfilia Estate is one of the most safest places I know; no wild animals nearby, 0% criminal activity, not to mention the endless amount of body guards, staff, and hired wizards keeping look out at all times." Erza countered my excuses, "besides, our kids are the next generation of Fairy Tail Wizards, they can take care of themselves."

~

It was early in the morning, and I had quickly gotten ready for today's excursion.

I stared at myself in the mirror, admiring the outfit I chose and the figure I maintained after losing all the baby weight. Which was not surprising, seeing as most of the girls that got pregnant had quickly got back into shape.

KNOCK KNOCK

"Come in!" I called out, the door swinging open shortly, revealing to be Gray and Erza. "Ready to go?" I asked, even though they were dressed in combat clothes as well.