Nemurihime (Sleeping Princess)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

“Lucy’s voice! I heard her… she’s alive and awake!”

        Natsu shoved everyone aside and slammed open a door.

        “Lucy!”

        A blonde girl sat up in a bed. “Y-yes?” she asked unsettled.

        Soundlessly, Natsu rushed forward to her and hugged her tightly, relieved.

        “Eh?” Lucy squeaked.

        Natsu pulled back and gripped her shoulders. “I missed you…”

        Without warning, Lucy pulled away and slapped Natsu’s hands away.

        “W-who are you?” she demanded breathlessly. “Don’t touch me!”

        Natsu stood up and stumbled back, rendered speechless. “W-who am I?”

        “I don’t know you!” she huffed. She winced. “My head…”

        Natsu walked forward to her, but she retreated and shuffled as far back as the wall would allow her.

        Natsu breathed in deeply and immediately turned around, swallowing his sobs. He stalked out of the room and began running. Where, he didn’t know.

        “Lucy… how could you forget me?… Especially since I…”

        He bit his lip and silently cried.

~Nemurihime~

“Natsu! Don’t you think this is going too far?!”

        The guild watched as Natsu sparred with Erza, his eyes brimming with tears.

        “Natsu… what’s gotten into you?” Erza shot out, shocked as his emotional and powerful attacks. “You’re not usually like this… shouldn’t you be happy that Lucy is awake now?!”

        Natsu gritted his teeth and hesitated while attacking, envisioning Lucy’s frightened expression when she pushed him away. Erza suddenly landed an attack, knocking Natsu down.

        He stumbled back and fell down, hitting his head hard.

        “Tch…” He reached for his scarf.

        It wasn’t there.

        “Dammit…” Natsu growled.

        Erza pointed the point of her sword at Natsu. “Natsu. What are you running from?” She waved her arm and the sword disappeared into her storage dimension.

        He widened his eyes.

        “What are you running from?” Erza’s words echoed.

        The blow toward his head registered.

        He lost consciousness.