Okayy, I lied! c; I've updated once more!  Woo! ♥ Okay, now it's four chapters in one day, haha!  This one might be a little short, but that's only because I needed to end it where it was.  So, I added another memory in there.  All of these will be relevant later in the story, if you're all wondering why in the heck I add these. xD On to the dedication...I dedicate this chapter to fairytailnalu1. c:  You're such an amazing friend; remember, I'm here for you when you need it, okay? c':  You're awesome! ♥ I hope you all enjoy this chapter, and remember; feedback is always appreciated!  Until next time then, minna-san~!

яу-¢нαи,

тнє иαℓυ ωяιтєя ♛

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"Lucy?"  Natsu asked, turning to her.

"What is it?"

"Where are you going?"  He asked.

"Yeah!"  Happy exclaimed.  "We wanna go too!"

Lucy sighed.  "I'm just going to the store, you two.  Why don't you go on back to the guild?"

"Lucy's ditching us, Natsu!"  Happy exclaimed.

Lucy sweat-dropped.

"C'mon, Luce!  Happy and I'll help you!"  Natsu exclaimed, eager to go.

Lucy looked confused.  "Why would you want to go?  Usually you'd groan and deny something like me asking for your help with groceries."

Natsu shrugged.  "We're bored!"

Lucy shook her head.  "So helping me with the groceries is your last resort?  Geez..."  Mumbling, Lucy opened the door, making sure she had everything and then stepping outside her door.

Natsu waited for her answer, and finally she turned back in and raised her eyebrow at them.

"Well, are you coming or not?"  Lucy asked.

Natsu and Happy grinned.

"Aye!"  They both exclaimed, tripping over each other and out the door.

Helping Lucy was fun; more so than what Natsu expected.  And she didn't have a lot, which was good.  Normally, Natsu would decline or stick his tongue out at her when she would ask, but now he realized this was actually fun, because he got to annoy Lucy some and yet at the same time make her laugh.  When they had gotten back to her appartement, Lucy went ahead and put them away, and Natsu and Happy resumed their positions on her bed.  Lucy watched them with puzzlement for a second, but then went back to putting things away.

Natsu watched her as she put everything away, slightly intruiged.  His face was neutral, and he seemed to go into a small trance.

Happy poked his side.

"Eh..?"  Natsu muttered, turning to look at the exceed.

Happy had both paws to his mouth, giggling as quietly as he could.  "Natsu, you're staring."  The words rolled of his tongue.

An anger mark appeared on Natsu's head, and he gave Happy a dirty look.  

"Shaddup!"  He whispered feircely, annoyed.  "I was not!"

Turning away, Natsu couldn't help but feel a little flushed.  He hadn't been staring, had he?

"Natsu?"

Natsu turned abruptly to see Lucy standing a few feet away, an eyebrow raised in question.

"Are you gonna leave?  It's getting pretty late."  She replied, guesturing to the window.

Natsu looked out the window in surprise, and he admitted Lucy was right.  The sun was going down.  He should probably get going.

"Nat-zu!"  Happy exclaimed.  "Hurry up!  We gotta get home and see if we can find something to eat!"

Natsu seemed to realize.  "Crap!  That's right!  C'mon Happy, let's--"

Natsu stopped, seeing a bag in Lucy's hand.  She was sticking it in front of him.

"Oi, what is this?"  Natsu asked, confused.

Lucy bit the inside of her cheek.  "I bought this for you and Happy when you two were too busy being stupid.  I figured you two didn't have much at your own home, considering the fact you've been coming over here and raiding my house."

Natsu took the bag, and he blushed with childish delight and grinned brightly.  "Oi!"

Happy peeked in the bag, and gasped with delight.  "Fish!"

"Meat!"  Natsu exclaimed, his eyes shining.

Lucy had an accomplished look on her face, and she took a few steps back and put her hands on her hips.  

"Thanks, Luce!"  Natsu exclaimed.

Lucy nodded.  "Yeah, you're welcome."

Natsu put the bag on the bed suddenly, and folded his arms, his face suddenly serious as he closed his eyes.  "There's one problem though..."

Lucy blinked.  "Eh?"

Natsu rubbed the back of his head.  "I don't know how to cook this!"

Lucy dropped to the ground, but then jumped right back up with an anger mark on her forehead.  

"What?  What was the point of me buying this, then?!"  She exclaimed, angered.

Natsu and Happy rubbed the back of their heads, laughing softly yet nervously at Lucy's anger.

Lucy sighed, shaking her head.  Why was she surprised?  She should've known this would've happened, considering it was these two.

"Alright, I guess I'll cook it..."  Lucy grumbled, grabbing the bag and heading for the kitchen.  "Geez, you guys totally ruin someone's attempt at being nice!"

Natsu and Happy high-fived.  "Alright!"

"Thank you, Lucy!"  Natsu replied, turning to her.

Lucy gave up at being mad, and smiled.  "No problem, I guess."

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Natsu ran through the Black Stars, his energy reguvinated.  If that scent was Lucy's, then that meant he was close.  Knowing that Lucy could be near made Natsu's energy recollect; he was almost there!  He had been running for awhile now; however, he knew Vallen would do something sooner or later.  And, Natsu started to notice a change in the realm around him.  The more he ran, the more the stars disappeared.  First it was only a few, but now it was becoming clusters.

Natsu was ignoring his injuries; he was running as quickly as he could.  He felt as determined again as he did when he first entered this realm.  Though Natsu hadn't slept for hours, he felt no fatigue, none in both mind and body.  He was more determined than ever; especially because he had caught Lucy's scent for the first time in--

Natsu suddenly came to an abrupt halt.

"What the--?!"  Natsu grunted.  "I can't m-move!"

Using more strength, Natsu tried to move his arms, but he barely budged.  He was stuck in his running pose, though he clenched his teeth tightly and tried to free himself.

"What is going on?!"  Natsu exclaimed, using all of his might to break free.  "Damn it...what--"

Air seemed to gently lift Natsu's hair as he froze completely, his eyes wide in shock.  They were cloudy, with no shine as he seemed to start to go in and out of consciousness.

"Lu..cy..."  He barely murmured.

As his eyes closed, Natsu fell to the ground stomach-first, loosing consciousness as everything went black.

.

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What has happened to Natsu?!  Is he okay?!

And was that scent really Lucy's or...was it perhaps a trap?

Find out what happens next in Chapter 11: Apparition of True Feelings!