Dragon's Heart

[3]

I didn't know what to say to Happy. He looked excited and pained at the same time. Knowing he was back was enough to make the small exceed burst from excitement. But the fact that he had not yet come forward revealing himself to us left a small pit of worry in my stomach. I smiled in the direction of the exceed "He's back Happy, isn't that cool?"

Happy frowned a little before grinning wildly "He's back" the smile on the cats face grow a little wider yet again "He's really back Luce?"

I silently nodded tears brimming my eyes. Believing this day would never come and now it has. I handed Happy the note, he grabbed it. If possible Happy's smile grew even bigger, I thought his face would crack. 

"Lucy?"

"Yea Happy?" I asked

"I'm going to stay here for now" he spoke softly "And I like to be alone"

I smiled gently "Of course"

I walked out of the kitchen and towards the front door. Grabbing the still warm and slightly melted door knob, I closed the door behind me. I sighed making my way towards my apartment, passing the park on the way there I stopped short. Changing course towards the center of the park.

I approached the tree that Natsu told me to meet him under all those years ago. I laughed thinking back on it now. Thinking he was asking me on a date I wore a dress, only to find out that he just wanted Virgo's help to dig up something that wasn't even there. I snickered just thinking about all the stupid things he dragged me into. 

I had always admired his willingness to stand for his comrades. His fierce protectiveness of those he care for. Swallowing the lump in my throat I leaned up against the tree. A few rouge tears slipped out of my eyes as I thought about the old times. 

Within the peaceful standstill I didn't notice the movement of someone closing in on me. A cloth was pressed to my mouth.

"Hello princess" a voice rasped "You'll be coming with me"

I had no time to try and break his hold on me before my world began to darken. But the smell of ash was in the air.

*****

It was cold. Opening my eyes I was lying on a cold rock floor. Pushing myself up I looked around. There wasn't much, the room had no windows, there was only one door, and there was a table with something folded on top of it. I walked towards the table it was Natsu's scarf folded in place. I went out to grab it.

"Who said you could touch that?" rasped a voice from behind me

I withdrew my hand, turning around to face my captor. His was average height with jet black hair, red eyes, and swirling marks traveling up and down his arms. He smelt like ash. This whole place smelled like ash actually.

"Where am I?" 

"Somewhere safe, where he won't find you"

"Who is trying to find me?" I asked puzzled

"The dragon of course" he was looking at me like I'm stupid

"What dragon?"

He rose his eyebrows "You really have no idea do you?"

I shook my head. He sighed "The new dragon king wants you, so your here to hide"

"Who's the dragon king?" I asked

"The strongest of us all" he said "Salamander"