Hello everyone, this book is loooooong overdue! But I am finally back and kicking. Im super ready to dive into this sequel. Let me know if you still want me to make these pre-chapter intro's. I am not going to do any more dedications, because I am about three years behind in all the new Nalu fanfics.

This is the second book of the Taken series. Please read the first book "Hide and Seek" first. Context will be needed.
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Darkness as far as the eye could see, an immeasurable black cloaked the nothingness. Flashes of fire broke the night, booming with violent light. As bright and hot as it should be, an eerie cold frosted over.

In the midst of this conflicted war zone a woman sat, shivering in fear. Curled into a tight ball she refused to open her eyes, terrified by the thought of what she might see. Heartbeat rapid as a rabbit she concentrated on taking deep breaths. However, she suddenly choked, unable to draw in. Begging herself to inhale she swallowed water. Again and again she gulped down the liquid in a desperate effort for air.

Summoning just enough courage to open her eyes, she deeply regretted it. She was floating in a stone covered room, no windows and a barred door. She was in a cell. Correction. She was in her cell. The horrid place she was kept for too long, hovering above the ground, drowning. The last bit of oxygen escaped her lungs as she screamed in terror.

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A shrill cry broke the silence as two people were torn from slumber. Lucy shot up, sitting upright in bed, hands covering her mortified expression. She inhaled and exhaled, thankful for her body's cooperation. Her mind replaying the dream, all the events had been real memories. Painful flashbacks from not too long ago, when she had been abducted by Cloven Shade and his absurd "game".

Her shriek had also disturbed her partner, he always immediately ran to aid his friend. Natsu sat on the bed and gently stroked her hair as she wept. Over the last few weeks, this had become a recurring scene. Lucy would never allow Natsu sleep in bed with her, being too embarrassed in the evening. However, every night, terrible nightmares plagued her rest. Pulling her from sleep she would awake in fear and Natsu immediately rushed to calm her down. No matter how flustered she might feel, she was incredibly grateful for his warm presence. Neither partner released each other until morning. 

The only time Lucy ever slept peacefully was with Natsu. He held her with such care, making her feel protected. Her second stirring, always more pleasant than the first. Opening her eyes to see Natsu's messy bed head, steady breath and small drool pool. She felt calm and relaxed, ready to start the day as happy as she could.

Not wanting to interrupt Natsu's comfort, she simply gazed into his sleeping image. Natsu had refused to leave Lucy alone and she was not opposed to it. She was indebted to him, there was almost nothing she could do to repay him. He had rescued her so many times and always stuck by her side, above all; he had saved her from Cloven. She hadn't told him all the details of her horrible experience, she had told no one. She wasn't ready to talk about it, wasn't ready for people to look at her differently. For people to treat her as if she was soiled. She refused to show any sign that she was broken, but she was.

That man had made her walk through hell, only to be killed, then resurrected and forced to repeat the process. However, she had ended it. Defeating him was her greatest accomplishment, yet she hadn't wanted to kill him. If there had been any other way to stop him, she would have. Unfortunately his only goal was his own selfish pleasure.

Lucy rattled her head, shaking away the painful memories. Accidentally disturbing Natsu, he shifted his previously fixed position. Stretching he rubbed his eyes, taking notice of Lucy's vigilante form.

"Good morning." He mumbled.

"Morning. Sorry for waking you up last night." Lucy apologized, as she always did.

"You know I would be upset if you didn't wake me up. I always want to know." He simply patted her head and sat straight. "You feelin' up to going to the guild today?"

She thought about the question for a second, guiltily she had not been attending to her Guild duties recently. She still felt unworthy of their kindness and worries. She had become very distant to everyone except for Natsu. He was the only person she could confide in. Conversation with anyone else had become awkward and forced.

"Ummm..." Lucy mentally debated. "Sure, I guess a short visit couldn't hurt."

Natsu didn't understand her hesitation, the best remedy to tragedy was to be with friends and family. The entire guild loved her and supported her completely. He just wished she would open up to him about what happened. The thought of what could have happened ate away at him every minute. He was desperate to know, desperate to help in any way he could. But he kept silent, for he could see ow fragile she was. He didn't want to break the trust he had with her and push her to tell him too soon.

As he was waking up Happy, Lucy walked out of the bathroom. She wore a pink long sleeve, baggy turtleneck and black leggings. Ever since she had returned Natsu noticed she had abandoned all her old clothes. Instead of flaunting her curves and glowing skin, she covered herself as a clam hides it's pearl. Thats what Lucy was, a bright, shiny pearl.

The drowsy cat refused to walk on his own, not wanting to wait for him to fully awake, Natsu decided to carry him on his shoulders. Lucy was ready to leave and he wasn't giving her any time to change her mind about visiting the guild. Grabbing her hand, they silently sauntered to Fairy Tail.