**I don't own Fairy Tail. Or the Characters. Hiro Mashima owns all that.

So, I actually hadn't planned on starting this yet, but I had this idea for a NaWen fanfic and decided to at least lay out the beginning of it. It'll probably be pretty short, maybe 4 or 5 chapters, but right now preference will go to either my NaMiZa or Natsu x Brandish fic, so don't expect to update too soon.

Anyway, here's the first chapter**

~~~Some time after the war with Alvarez~~~

"Wow, I can't believe that was so easy," Wendy said.

She, Natsu, and Lucy, along with Happy and Carla, were on their way back from a magic council quest, carrying a strange looking metal box.

"I wonder what's in this box that the council wants to keep hidden?" Lucy said, eyeing the box curiously. "Maybe we should open it and find out."

"No," Natsu said emphatically. "The council said it must not be opened under any circumstances, and for once I agree with them. This box reeks of dark magic."

"Oh, alright." Lucy pouted. "But only because you say so." She gave him a peck on the cheek.

Wendy fumed inwardly. It wasn't that she was in love with Natsu… He was more like a big brother to her, right? But she didn't like his relationship with Lucy. She could tell that the dragon slayer actually cared for the blonde, but she seemed to treat him more as a trophy. Some people at the guild were even getting sick of her bragging about her relationship and how strong her Natsu was.

"Is something wrong Wendy?" Natsu asked.

"Oh, it's nothing Natsu." Wendy replied, realizing the other dragon slayer had picked up on her mood. She put on a smile. "Guess I was just thinking is all."

"Is that right?" Natsu gave her his toothy grin. "What about?"

"Oh… Just all the stuff that's happened to us recently… It's hard to believe it's been less than 3 years since I joined the guild."

"You can say that again," Natsu said. "It feels like you've been part of the family forever. In fact – LUCY, WHAT ARE YOU DOING?" He cut off suddenly, his voice sounding alarmed.

"And if I do this," Lucy was saying at that moment. And suddenly the box popped open. There was a swirl of black mist, and suddenly a demon stood before them.

"So, you're the foolish girl who opened the box," the demon said with an evil smirk, looking at Lucy. "Now you must suffer the consequences."

"What… What are the consequences?" Lucy quavered.

"You return with me to hell." The demon smirked. "But don't worry," he added as she recoiled. "You'll come back to this same spot… in six years."

"Six years?!" Lucy quavered.

"Assuming you survive that long, of course," the demon smirked.

"Wait!" Natsu ran forward, standing in front of Lucy. "If you have to take someone back with you, take me."

"You're not as cute as the girl," the demon said. "But… you might be more fun."

Wendy looked from Natsu to the demon to Lucy. Why wasn't Lucy doing anything to stop him?

"No Natsu-nii!" Wendy shouted. "You can't!"

Natsu turned to her, the usual fire in his eyes with just a hint of sadness. "It's just six years, right? I'll come back stronger than ever Wendy."

To Lucy. "Wait for me Lucy… I love you."

And just like that, he was gone.

"Natsu…" Wendy collapsed to the ground, her body shaking with the force of her tears. She couldn't believe what just happened. Carla was quick to come to her, while Happy was still staring in shock at the place where Natsu had just been.

This couldn't be real. Natsu-nii couldn't be gone… not like that. And all because some blonde couldn't contain her curiosity. Wendy looked up through her tears at Lucy, who was also crying softly. She looked sad, but also a little… relieved?

You bitch! Wendy wanted to scream. Your fiancé is gone and all you're thinking about is yourself! She couldn't bring the words to her lips, but she made a decision then and there. When Natsu-nii returned, she wasn't going to let him get back with Lucy.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw Happy curl up into a ball, weeping. "Natsu…" he cried. "Natsu…"

She went over to him. Natsu was gone, and she would have to be their strength until he returned. She comforted the exceed through her tears, picking him up along with Carla and holding them both to her chest.

"We'll see him again someday…" she murmured, needing to believe that was true.

~~~At the guild hall~~~

When the doors opened Erza looked up expectantly. "So, did you recover the item Nats…?" Her question trailed off as the group came in. All of them looked fairly depressed. Wendy was carrying the two exceeds. Happy seemed devastated, and Carla was sad as well. Lucy was carrying a box, but there was no magic power coming from it. If it was really a cursed item, there should've been a lot of magic power.

"What happened?" Erza asked dangerously.

"Isn't it obvious?" Gray said beside her. "Flame brain opened the box!"

"Natsu would never do that!" Erza growled at the ice mage. "He may be an idiot sometimes, but he wouldn't mess with something like that. Right, guys?"

~~~Wendy~~~

It was at that moment that the emotional dam she'd built up broke. She couldn't be the strength that they needed her to be. Not now. Not without Natsu to be her strength. She ran to Erza, pressing her head against her as the tears started afresh.

"Wendy!" The red-haired mage was surprised.

"Natsu-nii… Natsu-nii…" she stuttered, unable to get the words out, choking on them.

"What about Natsu, Wendy?" Erza asked gently.

"Natsu-nii took the curse for Lucy!" Wendy bawled, barely getting it out before her tears were renewed again.

All eyes in the guild turned to Lucy, who just looked down at the empty box in her hands.

"I couldn't help it… I was curious…" She said.

"Curious?!" Erza growled, her eyes flashing red with anger. "You were curious?" She started to advance toward the blonde mage.

"Erza-nee…" Wendy clutched the older mage tightly. She wanted to see Lucy take a beating, but she didn't want Erza to do something she would regret later in her anger.

"Wendy…" Erza looked down at her, surprised, then hugged her against her breastplate tightly. It hurt a little, and Wendy whimpered under her strong grip.

"Lucy, Wendy, Carla, Happy. My office. Now." Makarov was at the bar, and he'd never looked more grim.

"Erza, you come too. It's been decided you'll be the next guild master, and that may happen sooner than you think." He added. "So you need to hear this as well.

Wendy gathered her strength and followed the master into his office.

~~~Erza~~~

She sat next to the guild master across from Wendy and Lucy, with Carla and happy sitting on Wendy's lap. On the one hand, she was more than willing to assume the responsibility of guild master when the time came. However, she really didn't want this to be her first experience.

"Lucy, how about you explain what happened?" Makarov asked, his voice hard.

"I don't know exactly," Lucy said. "It was a puzzle box… I guess I really can't resist a good puzzle… So I had to try to solve it. I was going to stop before the last step, but I kind of… got carried away…"

"So how did Natsu end up with the curse?" Erza asked, fire in her eyes. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She couldn't resist a good puzzle? Did she have any idea what this meant?

"Erza," she looked at Makarov, and saw a reproving, yet gentle look on his face. "You are here mainly to observe. If you believe that I missed any pertinent information, you may ask once I have concluded the debriefing."

"Yes master, I'm sorry." Erza inclined her head slightly in respect.

"Now Lucy, when you opened the box, what happened? Where were Natsu and Wendy?"

"They were walking a little in front of me. I fell behind a bit because I was trying to solve the puzzle. They were talking about something. I think Natsu realized what I was doing, but by that time it was too late to stop it…"

"Is that how you remember it, Wendy?" The guild master asked her gently, cutting the explanation off.

Wendy nodded, summoning all the strength she could muster. "Natsu was just saying that even though I've only been with the guild for less than 3 years, it feels like I've been a part of the family for as long as he could remember…" her voice broke, and her eyes filled with tears again. Carla was quick to comfort her, while Happy seemed in no condition to comfort anyone. The blue exceed's eyes hadn't left the ground since they arrived.

"That sounds like Natsu," the guild master said, offering the girl a gentle smile. Then he turned back to Lucy. "So you opened the box… then what?"

"Well, a demon appeared," Lucy said. "And… he said that because I'd opened that box, I would have to go spend 6 years in hell. I confronted the consequences bravely, of course. But then Natsu jumped in, insisting that the demon take him instead. I tried to stop him, of course, but he wouldn't hear of it…" She lowered her head, tears coming to her eyes. "Maybe I should've tried harder. Then he'd be the one here instead of me."

"You musn't blame yourself for Natsu's actions, child." Makarov said. "Once he puts his mind to something, there's nothing in Earthland that can change it."

While Makarov was talking, Erza was watching the members across the table from them. Wendy's face was turning red as the conversation went on, and Erza could sense anger from the blue-haired girl. Something that surprised her, as it wasn't an emotion that she would often attribute to Wendy. She wanted to ask her about it, but waited as the guild master had instructed her.

"Well Lucy," Makarov said after a few moments. "I'm going to have to report this to the magic council. There will be a trial, and likely punishment of some kind…"

"What?" Lucy said. "I thought Warrod said there would be no punishment even if the box was opened…"

"That's not exactly what he said," Makarov replied. Erza was watching Wendy intently now, seeing the bluenette's face flushing darker with anger. "What he said, exactly, is 'Even if someone does open that box, they won't have to worry about getting punished by the council.' I'm pretty sure Councilman Warrod wasn't considering the possibility that somebody else would end up taking the curse on himself." He then looked at the blonde mage. "I trust that you will be ready and willing to accept whatever punishment the council decides is just?"

Lucy stuttered for a few minutes before lowering her head. "Yes, master." She replied.

"Very well then." Makarov said. "Erza, do you have anything to add?"

"Just one thing." Erza said. She looked at Wendy. "Was there anything you wanted to say, Wendy?"

Wendy's little fists were clenched tightly, and her face was still flushed, but she shook her head. "No Erza-nee…"

"Alright, then I guess we're—"

"YES!" Wendy said suddenly, and her sudden volume shocked Erza. She turned to Lucy. "You're a lying bitch!" She practically yelled at her. "All you did was sit there and quiver in fear while Natsu took your curse on himself. You didn't even try to stop the man you say you love from taking your place."

"I…" Lucy started, but before she could continue Wendy cut her off.

"Did you think I didn't see you?!" Her voice was rising now. "When the demon agreed to take Natsu instead of you, you actually looked relieved. Natsu was willing to die for you. You could've at least tried to stop him! Or at the very least told him you would wait. Heh – you didn't even say that!"

"Well who do you think has a better chance of surviving 6 years in hell?!" Lucy retorted, her face beet red from being exposed.

"What the fuck does that matter?!" Wendy yelled, tears streaming from her face. "Who's the one who decided she just had to open the box? Despite being told not to by the magic council and Natsu?!"

"I—"

"Out." Makarov interrupted whatever Lucy was about to say. Erza felt his magic power flaring up next to her, though his face betrayed no emotion. "Now."

His face remained the same, but his tone softened as he added "Wendy, Happy, Carla, you leave too. I need some time alone."

Lucy looked like she was about to say something, but after looking at Makarov and Erza she just hurried out of the room. Wendy, Carla, and Happy followed her.

Erza took a few minute to compose herself before heading back into the guild. Lucy had slipped into a table near Gray and Juvia. Wendy, Carla, and Happy were by themselves about as far away as they could get from her.

"What happened in their Erza?" She looked up to see Mirajane, her long time friend and rival, standing at the bar near her. "We could all hear Wendy yelling."

Erza struggled to keep her composure. "Can we talk about this somewhere private?"

Mirajane looked around. "Sure. Kinana can manage the bar for a little while."

"Alright," Erza said as they walked to a back room. "But I'm only telling you because I know you can keep things quiet… And because I need somebody to vent to," she added.

A few minutes later, any guild member paying attention could feel the hot, angry glow of Mirajane's demon magic coming from a back room as Erza held the take over mage back. "Look, I know how you feel Mirajane, but we can't do anything about it right now… Just think of what will happen when the council gets the master's report…"

~~~About 6 months later~~~

"Lucy Heartfilia, after careful review of events, this trial determines that you will spend one month in the council prison. This was not an easy decision to come to, considering the severity of this crime, but your obvious remorse and the pain you've experienced in being separated from your fiancé is already a more severe punishment than we could mete out."

Wendy's jaw dropped at the proclamation. This blonde actress really managed to fool everyone. The magic council. The onlookers. Everyone except the guild members who had been closest to Natsu. They were all gathered around her – Gray, Elfman, Erza, who was to become the ninth guild master in 2 months' time, Makarov, Gajeel, Levy, Juvia, Laxus, Lisanna, Macao, Romeo, and Cana. Gildarts still couldn't be found, despite the master enlisting other guilds' help. The Raijinshuu were also there, though mostly out of respect and friendship for Laxus more than their loyalty to Natsu.

Wendy clenched her fists. "I wish this trial happened under the old rules…" She muttered.

Erza put a gentle arm around her, and Wendy knew the older mage knew how she felt. Under the new system, anyone accused of a crime in the magic world was entitled to defense – just like the non-magic users. And Lucy's money had bought her a real snake.

~~~Flashback~~~

"I object, your honor."

"On what grounds?"

"This girl is obviously too emotionally attached to the man in question to give an unbiased view of events. Her previous testimony shows that she idolized Natsu Dragneel, and as such is not a competent witness in this trial. I therefore move that her testimony be stricken from the record."

"Does the defense have a statement prepared to support this motion?"

"We do, your honor."

The defense took out a recording lacrima. "We have pieced together relevant pieces of the girl's prior testimony, and are ready to let this evidence speak for itself."

Wendy shrunk into the witness stand as she heard her own voice played back. "What kind of a man is Natsu Dragneel? Well… He's brave, straightforward, sometimes a little destructive… But he's kind. He never backs down from a challenge, and he always protects those that are dear to him…"

"What else can I say? Natsu-san was the heart of Fairy Tail… No, is the heart of Fairy Tail. Without him we would fall apart."

"Am I attracted to him?" Pause. "If I'm honest I suppose I would have to say yes."

"Best personality traits? His loyalty. His courage. The way he can always make you smile even in the toughest moment…"

"Of course I respect Natsu-san. He's everything that I wish I could be as a mage…."

"Do I miss him? Of course I do… That's like asking if you miss your arm… or leg… or heart. He's a part of me. How could I not miss him?" *soft crying*

"Your honor, we have 2 more minutes of this, but is it really necessary to embarrass the poor girl more? Just look at her. It's obvious she has feelings for the dragon slayer, and she was probably already angry at Lucy Heartfilia for taking away her chance at a relationship with him. Can we really accept testimony from a girl who would no doubt love to see her take a harsh punishment?"

The judge looked over at Wendy, whose face was burning bright red, then back at the counselor. "The movement to strike the witness's testimony from the record is granted."

~~~Later~~~

"So, Master Makarov, you say that when Natsu Dragneel took this curse on himself – of his own volition, of course – my client callously did nothing whatsoever to try to stop him?"

"Yes."

"And where did you get this information, with all due respect?"

Makarov's jaw clenched. "In the debriefing after the request."

"Who specifically told you this?"

Makarov was silent for several long moments.

"The witness will please answer the question."

"Wendy Marvell," he ground out.

"Your honor, I move that this portion of the testimony be stricken from the record on the grounds that the source is unreliable."

"Motion granted."

~~~End Flashback~~~

Happy and Carla had gone through similar treatment. Somehow, Lucy's defense counselor had made it so that no actual witnesses could testify to the events except Lucy, and with nobody to contradict her, her testimony easily stood.

In her moment of triumph, the guild members who knew Lucy could see the faint smile behind the tears that streaked down her cheeks. 1 month for blatantly disobeying the magic council and breaking the seal on a forbidden item was the most lenient sentence she could've gotten. Wendy's face was hot with anger as she watched them lead the blonde mage away.

Next to her, Mirajane was fuming too. "I should've beat the shit out of her when I had the chance…" the demoness growled.

Wendy was just crying again. She couldn't take it. After everything that happened, Natsu was probably struggling just to stay alive right now, while Lucy was headed to a month in a low-security prison cell as punishment. She got up and stormed out of the trial room, her pent-up emotions spilling over yet again.

~~~5 and a half years later~~~

Fairy Tail had changed. It wasn't that the guild was any less powerful. They were still the most powerful guild in Fiore – to the point that they had actually been asked not to compete in the magic tournament for the last 2 years just so another guild had the opportunity to win. They still considered each other family, and they still got all the most lucrative quests in Fiore.

The guild master had changed, but that wasn't really important. Erza Scarlet did very well when it came to keeping Fairy Tail's purpose and vision alive.

No, the main way that Fairy Tail changed was that it was quieter. Less expensive, but quieter. It had been over 5 years since their last guild-wide brawl. Over 5 years since the boisterous shouts of rivals exchanging blows had been heard in their halls.

There had been weddings. Juvia and Gray had gotten married. Elfman had married Evergreen, and Gajeel and Levy were also married. Gajeel had insisted on singing a song of his own composition for his wedding, so earplugs were secretly handed out to all attendees.

Lucy had left Fairy Tail and was married to Eve of Blue Pegasus. Her last words to Wendy, who tried to call her out on leaving her supposed love, were that Natsu didn't stand a "chance in hell" of coming back alive, after which she giggled a little, and that she had to move on with her life. She'd waited a whole 8 months after she got out of prison before announcing her relationship with Eve.

And now, 5 and a half years after the trial, Wendy got up wordlessly from her table and headed out of the guild.

"Where's Wendy going?" Mirajane asked Erza, the 9th guild master, quietly.

"I don't know, but let's just let her be. It's been six years since that day…" Erza said quietly.

"She never really got over it," Mira said, watching the girl's retreating figure. Of everyone in the guild, she's taken it the hardest."

Erza nodded, watching the retreating dragon slayer sadly. "Sometimes I still regret staying back from that mission. I thought it was an easy mission, something they could handle themselves."

She was surprised when Mira put a comforting arm around her. "Sometimes I regret not beating that blonde within an inch of her life." The silver-haired demon of Fairy Tail replied. "It sometimes seems that she leads a charmed life…"

~~~Wendy~~~

It had taken the better part of the evening to get there, but once she arrived she set up camp. She had to be there the next day, around this time. Her last thoughts as she drifted off to sleep were of the fateful day…

The next morning she awakened really early, after fitful dreams. She took out some stale bread and dried meat from her pack and had a makeshift breakfast. Then sat and waited.

She couldn't remember exactly what time it had happened. She only knew it was sometime before the lunch hour. For 3 hours she waited there, alone with her memories. And then suddenly, it happened.

The air shimmered several feet from her, and she jumped to her feet to watch. Suddenly a pink haired head appeared through the portal, followed by the rest of the dragon slayer – without a shred of clothing on his body, save the scarf that Igneel gave him. Wendy instantly blushed a deep red, then ran to him as the naked dragon slayer tumbled to the ground in front of her.

"Natsu!" She cried out. She pressed her hands against his naked chest, letting her healing magic flow. Slowly his multiple lacerations began to close, and his breathing became a little easier. As she looked at him, she saw that his body was now covered in scars from head to toe. Evidence of the hellish life he'd been leading these last years.

Suddenly he started up with a scream, clawing at the air and gasping. His eyes opened wide. Wendy instinctively pulled him into a hug. "Natsu… It's ok… I'm here."

"Wendy?" The dragon slayer's voice was uncertain as his breathing slowed. Then he returned the hug, squeezing her gently against him. "Thank the gods…"

After a moment he let go. "I'm… sorry about that." Then he looked down. "And this!" He said, blushing deeply as he took his scarf and wrapped it around his nether regions.

"I guess this'll have to do till we get home…" he said.

"I'll buy you some clothes as soon as we get to town," Wendy said, small tears in her eyes. "It's the least I could do."

"One more thing Wendy…" Natsu said as she turned, ready to go back and tell the guild the good news. "Where's Lucy? I thought she'd be here…"

"Lucy…" Wendy's cheeks flushed in anger. "Lucy is married to Eve, from Blue Pegasus." She said bluntly.

Natsu looked as though she'd just stabbed him in the heart. "Oh…"

"Natsu…" Wendy said softly, tears in her eyes again as she went back to hug the dragon slayer.

After a moment he pulled back and ruffled her hair. "You've really grown up, haven't you Wendy?" He commented.

Wendy smiled, glad he'd noticed. She was several inches taller than the girl who'd watched him disappear 6 years ago. Her hips had widened out, and her breasts had grown out to C cups.

"Are you able to travel?" She asked, concerned.

Natsu grinned, that old, toothy grin that she'd missed so much. Just seeing it again brought tears to her eyes. "You bet," he said. "Ain't nothing can keep me down long!"

Then his stomach growled, and he put his hand behind his head sheepishly. "Sorry. I've had nothing but hell fire to eat for the past 6 years… Well, I guess I could've tried demon, but that would've been too much like eating Mirajane."

Wendy smiled. Perhaps her first genuine smile in 6 years. "Then after we get you clothes we'd better stop at a restaurant."

"Are you sure? I feel like I could eat a dragon!"

"It's on me, so eat whatever you want."

"Alright!" Natsu grinned.

~~~At the guild~~~

Erza sighed as she looked out over the guild. Wendy still hadn't returned yet, and apparently even Happy and Carla didn't know where she was. They'd come in that morning asking if anyone had seen her.

"I hope she's alright," the 9th guild master whispered as she looked at the doors.

"I'm sure she's fine," Mira reassured her from the bar. The silver-haired mage was also looking toward the door, waiting for Wendy to return.

"If you're so sure, why do you look worried?" Erza said with a half grin.

Mira blushed. "I just hope she's not having a relapse," she said. "You remember how she took it after it first happened…"

Erza nodded. The bluenette hadn't come to the guild for a week. When she finally did show back up, she'd lost a significant amount of weight from not eating.

Suddenly, the door to the guild flew violently off its hinges and across the room, smashing into the table where Gray was sitting across from Juvia. Erza's hand went to her sword hilt instantly, and she could feel Mira's magic at the ready. There was a mage with truly immense magic power at the door, and as the dust cleared his figure came into full view. A pink haired mage wearing black pants, a black vest, and a white, one of a kind scarf wrapped around his neck stood in the doorway, with Wendy just behind him.

"I'm back!"

Erza's hand dropped to her side, her eyes wide and brimming with tears. Next to her, she felt Mira's magic change as well. "N….N…. Natsu?" She broke into a sprint.

"Natsu!" Mirajane was right beside her, and together the friends and rivals tackled the dragon slayer to the floor.

"Natsu, I can't believe it!" Erza exclaimed as she pulled back from the dragon slayer. "I thought you were dead."

"Well, I was very nearly dead… several times," the dragon slayer said. "But," he added with a grin, "whenever I thought of my home and my family, it gave me the strength to keep going!"

Erza looked up at Wendy and saw her smile, with tears in her eyes. "So that's where Wendy went…" she said quietly to herself. "After all those years, she never gave up."

"What the fuck flame brain?!" Gray said as he charged forward heatedly. "You come back and the first thing you do is smash my table with a door!"

"Bring it ice princess!"

Gray was stopped by Erza, who glared at both of them. "You two will get along while I'm around, at least." She growled.

"Yes, master." Gray apologized.

Natsu looked at her. "Master?" He said. Erza just nodded. "Congratulations, Erza." He grinned. "That's great."

"I can't believe it…" Mirajane said beside her. "6 years in hell, and he comes back our same old Natsu."

~~~A few minutes later, after everyone said hello~~~

"Where are Happy and Carla?" Wendy asked.

"They went back to your house to look for you."

"We'd better go see them," Wendy said. "They'll want to see you too, of course."

"Alright!" Natsu fist-pumped.

~~~At Wendy's house~~~

"Natsu!" exclaimed Happy, leaping into the dragon slayer's arms. "You're alive! You're here!"

"Welcome home Natsu," Carla said, smiling.

Natsu grinned and hugged Happy. "Thanks Carla. Of course I'm alive, Happy! You didn't think I'd let a few measly demons get the better of me, did you?"

Happy didn't answer as he hugged the dragon slayer in tears.

"Wendy, can I sleep on your couch?" Natsu asked suddenly. "I'm really, really tired."

"Sure Natsu,"

The dragon slayer flopped onto her couch, and in moments he was asleep.

He's so cute when he's asleep… Wendy thought as she watched him.

But his gentle breathing didn't last long. After a couple moments his face contorted, as though in pain, and he whimpered softly. Moments later he began thrashing about on her couch. After no more than 5 minutes, he sat bolt upright with a scream.

"Natsu…" Wendy felt a fresh pain in her heart as she looked at him. He was sweating profusely, and it took several moments before his eyes came into focus.

He sat there on the couch for a few more minutes before getting up. "Aren't you going to sleep more, Natsu?" She asked, surprised.

"Huh? Oh.. No, not yet. That's about all the sleep my body's used to getting at one time…"

She looked at him, shocked, unable to think of anything to say.

"Yeah, I know. Pretty weird, huh?" Natsu grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "I'm sure I'll be back to normal eventually. For now, let's all get back to the guild"

"I certainly hope so," Wendy whispered as the dragon slayer left, before following after him. "What exactly happened to you these last 6 years, Natsu… and how can you be so strong?"