Chapter 1: Of Love and Heartbreaks

Natsu felt numb, not because of the cold rain, but because of the pain he felt in his heart. His (ex) mate, Lucy, fell in love another man – Sting Eucliffe, White Dragon Slayer of Sabertooth. Natsu, for once, lost his carefree and idiot façade; how can he maintain it when his heart is breaking into pieces. Natsu didn't care about the rain that seems to know his sadness and hides it from the world.

He stood near the river – where he and Happy used to fish – soaked from head to toe with some droplets dripping from his flattened spiky hair. Everything about him seems so dull, his bright salmon-colored hair became a very pale color of pink that it was almost grayish white; his once shining onyx eyes lost its usual light and warmth and finally, his usually happy face reflected sadness, anguish, sorrow and betrayal. How can he not look like this, when he lost his only mate?

He recalled what Igneel said 2 days before his fated departure, 'Natsu, when you find your mate, never let her go because a dragon – or in your case – a Dragon Slayer, can only love once. Which means you can only have one mate; if she leaves you and falls for another, your emotion will be stripped from you after a week of sorrow. If this happens, you will be condemned to a dull life; but should a powerful magic be used to bring back your emotions, only a minimal amount can be expressed, no matter how powerful the magic. So Natsu, when you grow up, should you be interested in finding a mate, choose wisely.'

'Um, what if a Dragon Slayer steals the mate of another?'

'That Dragon Slayer will eventually bear a mark which he won't notice easily. The mark, when seen by other Dragon Slayers or people aware of Dragon Culture will now of his impurity and be looked upon as a disgrace. But if the stolen mate accepts the new love, the mark will also appear when they are officially in a relationship.'

'Tou-san, what does the mark looks like? And when will it appear?'

'It takes the shape of the offended Dragon Slayer's insignia with a snake encircling it which expresses betrayal; it is permanently imprinted in their neck. The mark will appear faint after the offended will lose emotion; it grows darker as the relationship deepens. In your case, when one Dragon Slayer steals your mate, an insignia of fire will appear.'

'But what if the mate was the one who left for another Dragon Slayer?'

'Then both of them will bear the mark of impurity at the same time. If someone gets acquainted with them, they will sense or feel something wrong or rather nasty, it is really a disgrace for something like that to happen; that's why we, dragons, teach our children about this, to warn them of their fate if they make a wrong decision.'

'Ne tou-san, I don't really understand, if the Dragon Slayer can suffer if the mate leaves, why not just live without one…'

'One day, Natsu, when you grow up, you will understand.'

But, does Sting really have to go that far to have Lucy. Natsu didn't tell Lucy about this, since he doesn't deem it necessary because he always thought Lucy is a faithful mate. Seems he was wrong, way too wrong and he paid for it. Then, he remembered that Sting killed Vicelogia(?), maybe the dragon didn't get to teach Sting about Dragon mating which explains his ignorance.

How can Lucy love another man in a span of two weeks when it took him two years and add the absent 7 years?

Flashback…

Natsu was in his house alone, resting after a mission while Happy was hanging out with Carla and Lily, when Lucy entered his house. He went to the door to greet her girlfriend.

'Hey Luce, what brings you here?'

'Er… Natsu, can I go on a mission by myself? I never experienced a solo mission and the pay will be enough to cover the next three month's rent.'

'But Luce, you sure the mission isn't very dangerous or too hard? You might hurt yourself.'

'Actually, I asked Erza and Mira for their consent and they approved that I can handle such a job. Erza said it's fine so that I can learn to handle a situation by myself.'

Natsu just sighed and replied, 'Okay Luce, but come back safe, okay? By the way, where did the request come from?'

'Um, if I remember I need to go to Calvar City to help transfer an artifact to a museum.'

'Oh, okay Luce, good luck and take care,' said Natsu and give a peck to Lucy's lips.

'Arigatou Natsu, see you in about a week!' said Lucy as she went to the station.

It so happens that the mission wasn't a very easy one and the request didn't mention an escaped convict that wants to steal the artifact, which lead Lucy in a tight situation. When the convict was about to hit her with his magic sword, Sting Eucliffe rescued her but got injured after the fight. The artifact was successfully transferred, Lucy got the payment and the convict was handled by the Council.

Lucy helped Sting in a hospital where they healed a stab wound to his chest. Then Lucy learned that Sting's request was to catch that convict. To express her gratitude, Lucy took care of Sting and sent her team a mail that she will be returning a while longer to relax at the town.

In time, both blondes formed a friendship which later turned to love. Sting knew she is Natsu's mate, but because of ignorance, he managed to steal Lucy's love.

Lucy, in turn felt that she loved Sting more than Natsu these past days and decided to break up with the Fire Dragon Slayer to be with Sting. Sure, her would-be ex-boyfriend would understand, since it's normal for everyone to have a breakup in a relationship.

And so, both developed love with each other and started a relationship.

When Lucy returned, she went to Natsu's house where she also found Gajeel and Wendy who were visiting. She called out Natsu to have a private conversation. Natsu was happy and relieved but it came crashing down when Lucy said that she wanted an end to their relationship. Lucy told the story of how she and Sting found love with each other.

'But Luce, please, are you really sure?' Natsu asked Lucy desperately with tears threatening to fall from his eyes.

'Sorry Natsu, I loved you too but Sting gave me more. I'm really sorry Natsu, please understand.'

Natsu was silent at first but then replied, 'Fine Luce, if it makes you happy. Go then, he must be waiting for you,' Natsu said with a small smile but with a heavy heart.

'Thank you and I'm really sorry, Natsu.' She gave one short kiss to Natsu's lips before she dashed off to where Sting was waiting for their one week vacation.

Gajeel and Wendy heard the conversation because of their hearing and felt sorry for their 'sibling', they decided that Natsu needs to be left alone for now to deal with his feelings and because both know what happens when your mate leaves you.

Flashback End…

There was rustling in the bushes behind Natsu and he turned and saw Wendy and Gajeel emerging. Both were surprised to see his dull stature and felt sympathy for him. The side effect is slowly starting to affect Natsu. Both went to comfort Natsu and gave him a hug where Natsu's cried tears on Wendy's shoulder. He soon fell asleep with a growing fever and Gajeel carried him to his house where both of his 'siblings' felt the urge to take care of Natsu themselves.

Some unknown location…

A man is relaxing on a branch of tree while he watched the sunset. The man has red hair with white strips. His face looks like it had once been a handsome one but half of it burned. He wore a worn sleeveless black shirt with blue faded ragged jeans. A burn mark can be seen from his right shoulder to his right arm. But the burn is not the most peculiar aspect about him, it is his eyes which are the color of molten gold outline with a very dark black.

This man is Raya Helios, a shape shifter who Natsu threw in prison once in a solo mission. Though, it seems that he escaped, obviously.

"Natsu Dragneel, you gave me a chaotic life, and then I'll return the favor a hundred fold. Let's see if your precious nakama will help you this time," he said to himself as he slowly changed his form into a familiar fire mage.

Hope you like the first chapter, this story is dedicated to HappyTheExceed for giving me inspiration to write this story.

Please review my stroy, this is my first attempt on a Fairy Tail Fic...HOPE YOU LIKE IT!

Hasta la Vista Minna!