Lucy POV

Natsu has been staying with me for a week now. He came to the guild without a complaint every time. I was kinda suspicious. He's been acting weird lately. He's also been "talking to himself" a lot. I notice that at night he has nightmares which become violent and terrifying for me as well. I always manage to get him to calm down, but I'm starting to get worried. Today he decided not to tuck his vest so that it hung open exposing his chest. He was still pretty quiet though. He's been talking to Levy more. I'm glad their getting along, but since when does Natsu talk to anyone?! I just kinda found it weird. It's like his whole personality has changed. All because of that night.

I shuddered as I walked in. It was cold. Then I saw Gray. "Okay well that explains what its WINTER IN HERE!" I yelled the last part at him. Gray scoffed then his eyes landed on Natsu. "Hey Chaos! Come fight!" I flinched a little. That name has become popular for all who know about him. So all of Fiore. Rumors say that the king himself uses it and wants to recruit Natsu to be his own personal weapon. Master denied him since he knew Natsu wouldn't go willingly. The king sent soldiers once after a dragon attack. That didn't go well. Natsu must have some past with those guys cause he nearly blew them to bits the second he saw them.

I sighed and sat down at the bar. Natsu sat to my right and ordered a steak. He finally stopped making me test it for poison. Juvia came in and sat down next to Natsu. That was the other thing I couldn't quite understand. Natsu from the beginning didn't seem to mind Juvia's presence at all. In the more recent days Juvia asked Natsu to train with her. He agreed and sometimes they would fight out front. Natsu would fight with her, then give her advice on how to improve. Then they'd fight again. Natsu didn't even come close to using half his power, but still beat Juvia. He was very gentle and careful not to severely injure her. Natsu has been acting like her older brother. I smiled as I saw them talk. He was getting along with other people and im happy for him. He even like having Happy around. He'll sometimes go fishing then bring back a bucket of fish for Happy. Happy loves Natsu for it and they get along great.

He's not open to everyone though. He's still pretty reserved with Wendy and Mira. Everyone else though he blocks himself from. "One day, he'll be better. Just need to give him time." I knew that all to well, but somethings been nagging at me since this change. What about his father? I side glanced over at him and he was smiling and talking with Juvia like she was family. He's the man hating dragon and no way would that just blow over and be fine. Somethings going to happen.

"Lucy-San!" I snapped out of my my thoughts and looked over at Wendy who was smiling up at me. "Oh hi Wendy." I said a little embarrassed that I was staring off again. She smiled at me. "I see Natsu-San and Juvia-San are getting along." I looked over at them and they were still talking. "Yeah they sure are" i said happily. "What are you worried about Lucy-San?" I sighed. ' I guess I'm not as good at hiding my thoughts as I thought.' "Watch out Wendy! Flying table!" I saw it the table was flying through the air. It would be enough to crush the girl, but it wouldn't hit me. It was too close for me to react. I screamed for her to move, but she was frozen wide eyed.
A flash. A flash a warmth and a blur of pink. The air was so hot it was almost suffocating. Then, black, black and red, scarlet red. Black and red flames engulfing the area surround me, Wendy, and the table. Hot, but they didn't hurt, they didn't burn us, but I can't say the same for that table. It stopped in mid-air and melted. Melted till it was nothing more.

In front of Wendy was Natsu. Holding his arm out. His dragon marks were bright red. Glowing on his arm, on and off, on and off. His hair blew around a bit as the flames swirled around him. His eyes gold in color. Then. Gone. All of it disappeared as fast as it came. Natsu stood there arms at his side eyes glaring at Gray and Erza. The two of them were frozen still. I couldn't even tell if they were breathing. It scared me. Fear evident in both of their eyes. Gray made a stance ready to fight, but Erza still didn't move. She was being smart. My mom always told me.

'Rule number one Lucy'

Gray raised his hands "Ice Make-!"

'If you ever encounter a dragon and you become the source of its anger. Don't move, don't fight.'

"Lance!"

Several Lances of Ice went straight for Natsu

'Or you will regret it.'

"Chaos dragon." Natsu said quietly, so quietly I could barely hear it. "Oh no." Erza stepped back slowly and out of the way as did everyone else close to Gray. Gray didnt budge though and from the look on his face, thought he had an easy victory. Oh he couldn't be more wrong. The flames blocked the lances and melted them easily. Gray's eyes widened in shock, but were replaced with a new emotion. "Lucy!" He yelled for me. I looked over at him. "Control this monster!" My heart dropped. Monster? "Is that what you think he is?" I ask. I felt sad. After how much he's changed he still calls him a monster. "No," i look up at Gray, now very confused. No? "I know he's a monster." Gray said in such a bitter tone. Hatred evident in his voice.

The flames of red and black surged up around Natsu once again. The familiar sight of the flames scared me. The same flames that have killed generations after generations of my family. "Natsu!" Juvia covered my mouth with her hand. I looked over at her. Her eyes were focused on the scene in front of us. She shook her head "Gray has chosen this, Natsu-San will make the right choice, don't worry. Juvia is defending Natsu! She loves Gray though! I watched as Natsu charged at Gray. Anger in his eyes. I was ready to move to get out of the way of a possible explosion, but it stopped. The flames disappeared again. Natsu was inches away from Gray. Standing there, not moving just staring. Gray's eyes were shaking he was trembling in fear.

Then the unexpected happened. Natsu gave him a toothy grin. "You good Gray?" He reached out his hand to help the ice-mage up. He took it. His fear replaced with surprise. "Why didn't you?" Before Gray could finish Natsu interrupted "punch you, attack you, kill you?" Gray looked at the floor a little shame on his face. "Why would I? I may be a monster. That much is true, but I won't let anyone hurt my friends." He looked back at Wendy who looked at him shocked. "I'm not the same Chaos you once thought I was. If you have my back. Then I'll have yours." With that Natsu walked away from Gray and out the guild doors.

Everyone watched him leave. "I told you." Juvia said from beside me. "Yeah" i sighed "I know." I smiled and grabbed my things. "I think im going to make Lunch at my place today. Would you and Wendy care to join me?" Wendy looked over at me. "Sure!" Juvia nodded "I'd love too, but what about Natsu?" I giggled don't worry he won't run. Like he said, he's not the same Chaos anymore."