(DISCONTINUED) Just Worries

Chapter 2

Natsu's POV

I groan and wake up from another nightmare of Igneel. I sigh and drag myself up, and stoop into the bathroom, changing my bandages again to hide the blood spot. I put on some foundation under my eyes to hide the new bags I had received. Sure it wasn't bad, but I just wanted to be sure. I woke up Happy, who had returned, and put on my fake attitude.

I headed to the guild, Happy beside me, smiling and pointing at every thing that reminded him of fish.

He's pointing out things that remind him of fish instead of talking to you. I bet he just HATES you, and wants to leave. Everyone hates you.

I stiffened and turned to Happy, my smile faltering slightly.

"Why don't you head over to the guild, Happy? I'll catch up!" I chirped, and Happy instantly obliged.

See? He's eager to leave. He didn't even think twice.

I shook my head, my usual face appearing.

"He's not eager to leave. He just knows I'll meet up with him." I murmured to myself.

That's exactly it. You noticed how he went so fast, right? He wanted to get away as fast as possible, so you would drag behind.

"Sh-shut up.." I murmured to myself again. But the whispers in my head just grew worse.

Everyone hates you. Go home. Go die. Die, die, die, die, die...

"Shut up..!" I quietly crowed to myself. But the word 'die' kept replaying in my head. I teared up and gripped my head, turning to run back home.

Maybe I'll just sleep on this..

Gray's POV

What was THAT all about?! I was just walking to the guild, and saw Natsu looking straight up mortified. He seemed to be talking to himself. He eventually teared up and gripped his head, and turned away and ran.

Okay, now I KNOW something is up with him. I'm seriously worried about him, and now that I think about it, even his attitude is suspicious. Always happy, never sad, overly dense despite what he's been through. Maybe... maybe it's just a mask. I'm gonna see what's up with him ASAP. First, I'll go innocently question Happy.

~timeskip, at the guild hall~

"Happy, time to talk." I said.

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN, I SWEAR!" He yelled back, scared.

Happy was currently tied to a small chair, threatened with all of his fish being shredded and burnt. The lights were all off, and a flashlight was balancing on the floor, casting a light on Happy and I's faces. Everyone in the guild joined in on my side, when they heard what I saw. I grabbed a raw fish and slapped his face with it.

"WHY IS NATSU ACTING WEIRD?!" I asked for the 10th time.

"I DON'T KNOW!!! PLEASE DON'T HURT MY FISHIES!"

"WHY IS HE TALKING TO HIMSELF?!"

"I DON'T- Wait, what?! WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME THAT?!"

I hummed and untied happy, returning his fish. The lights magically turned back on, and I stored the flashlight away.

"He doesn't know anything." The guild groaned in despair. Maybe it would just be good to ask Natsu himself... Nah!

"I'm going to stalk him. Levy!" I called, and Levy skipped up to me, saluting.

"Yes, sir!" She yelled.

"See if there is a spell to hide my scent. And make it for at least 10 minutes." I said, and she nodded and got to work. The guild commented with each other about Natsu for about 2 minutes, when Levy shoved a book in my face, with a page opened, the title of the page being, 'Scent Camouflage Spell'. I smirked and looked at Levy, nodding with approval.

"The spell lasts about 12 minutes. You'll simply smell like nothing, your scent will blend into your surroundings. Here, I'll cast it," She begins, clearing her throat,

"Fakapulí kakara o tenei oranga, whakaranu i reira ki te ao. Hunaraa kakara i re re! (Camouflage this being's scent, blend it into the world. Scent Camouflage!)" She chanted, and Gajeel grunted after a few seconds, murmuring that it worked. I smirked and ran off to Natsu's house, which took about 5 minutes, and when I got there, I looked through the bathroom window and gaped at what I saw.

Natsu was cutting himself.

It seemed I was right. He looked so dull. I grabbed a camera lacrima and snapped a photo for evidence, then swooped down into the bushes to hide. A few minutes later, I looked up again, and he was washing it off carelessly. After he washed it up, he bandaged himself and stumbled out of the bathroom. I quietly snuck to the other window at the other side of the house, and saw Natsu just sitting on his couch, looking at nothing. I looked at him sadly, I couldn't help it. I pitied him so much. Now the question, what was this about?