[In the middle of the sea on the way to Crous Island - Late Night ]

"Erza! There was a massive light breaking out from Crous island! What do you think that was?" Gray felt worried about the three idiots they were after.

"Keep your clothes idiot! " as she saw him stripping afterwards. "I hope those three are okay. I kinda have a bad feeling about this." as Erza answered Gray's uncertainty.

Erza and Gray just finished their other mission. They accompanied Wendy and Charle for a job.

Wendy and Charle didn't know that they were going after Team Natsu when their mission was over. They weren't able to come and help because of this.

Erza and Gray are now in a stolen ship on the way to Crous Island.

"Hel...Help..me.." Both heard a voice coming from the ocean. There they saw a man overly exhausted.

Gray then casted his magic to help the man into their ship.

"ICE MAKE!" as he casted a stair-shaped ice from the seawater to the deck of their ship.

"Thank..thank you.." the man gratefully said as he catches his breath.

After being able to go up the ice stairs, he was then given a towel by Erza.

"Who are you? Why are you in the water like that?" as she interrogated

"As I was sailing back, there was an enormous wave of seawater leading my boat to capsize! The wave was boiling with liquid fires! I almost died!"

"I was sending a couple of mages for a special trip. I still have to take them back from there tomorrow but I don't have my boat anymore and I'm not even paid!" he squealed as he cried for his loss

"Could there be a blue talking cat along with these mages?" Gray then interrupted the boat man's despair

"Yes, there was!" as he was taken back from Gray's nude body

Hearing this, Erza immediately raised the use of the SE-plug that she setup to herself allowing the ship to run faster through magic.

[Seashore of Crous Island]

The boat man was now taking a rest in the bunks of the ship. They anchored the ship right across the big rocks from the forest for them to remember where it was.

Erza and Gray eagerly searched the island. Both of them haven't rested since their other mission ended.

"Erza, are you okay? You can go back to the ship and rest. I'll look for them. You even drained most of your powers to run the ship," as Gray humbly offered Erza his suggestions.

"No. I can't rest like this. Thinking my precious friends are in danger. What would you feel if I said the same thing to you Gray?"

He immediately realized Erza's thoughts.

"You're right. Let's search for them Erza!" he said with a smile "Oh! Let's go!" she answered with such strong will.

They continued searching around the forest, until Gray heard something coming from the bush.

"GRAY! ERZA! WE'RE SAVED! WE'RE SAVED NATSU!" as Happy cried and went to give Erza and Gray a hug.

"Happy! You were safe! Thank goodness! Where are Lucy and Natsu?" as Erza tried to embrace Happy more against her metal armor.

"OUCH? STOP IT ERZA. PLEASE." as Happy complained, Gray then found Natsu, Mario and Luna resting under a root of a big tree. Natsu was unconscious and was lying in one of his sleeping mats.

Gray then felt assured as he saw Natsu was fine.

"Wait, Lucy? Where is she?" as Erza followed Gray leading her to the rest of them.

Luna then stood up as well as Mario. They explained everything to Erza and Gray. They knew about Mario being the client and Luna's situation.

"Do...Don't tell me, Lucy was... Lucy..." Erza stopped for she can't say the words from her lips.

It was too painful for her. Gray was now devastated as well as Happy.

"She sacrificed herself for me and Natsu." as Happy stated further

However, they were also concerned of Natsu.

"He just passed out from his fury. He was crying and rampaging as to why Lucy was gone." Happy flew to Natsu and saw his bruised face. The tears weren't dried up yet as his eyes were still generating tears. "Maybe he's having a bad dream?" Happy added

Erza and Gray continued to search the forest. Even though they knew it was all useless for they know exactly where the person they were looking for.

After a week, Natsu was still unconscious. Erza offered to bring Luna and Mario back to Hargeon Town. At first, they insisted to help search for Lucy but Erza pleaded that they want them unharmed. Erza sailed back with the boat man along with Luna and Mario reuniting with Sylvia and Hans. They did pay the reward. Erza couldn't accept it, but she thought Lucy and Natsu earned this so she took it and thanked them. She then paid the boat man from that reward and then she sailed back to Crous Island where Gray and Happy awaits.

[Crous Island - Erza returned]

"Lucy! WHERE IS LUCY!" as Erza heard Natsu's misery from afar. He searched and searched for Lucy even though he still felt weak from his injuries.

"LUCY!" he then gave another call of her name believing she'll respond back. But no matter how loud he gets, no Lucy answered.

Happy tried to stop Natsu from wasting his energy as seeing him like this was painful in his eyes. He insisted he should rest some more for he just woke up.

Erza witnessed the scene. She then helped Happy in keeping Natsu to rest. She applied the Erza that Natsu feared so much but it didn't work this time. As they continued to stop Natsu, Gray comes along.

"Leave him be!" he shouted as he stopped Erza and Happy from stopping Natsu.

"Leave him be," he repeated "Do you remember what you told me Erza?" he asked her directly

"When I asked you to go back to the ship and rest instead, I thought allowing you to rest would make you gain your strength back for you were very tired and weak. But you asked me, what would I feel if you told me the same? Actually, I would feel weaker. I don't care if I'll die searching for them, I just don't wanna live knowing I didn't tried my best. These people are my family. They are my strength. That's why, leave him be."

Happy's eyes are now full of tears. Erza lowered her head from guilt and the pain she felt. Her tears were flowing down her cheeks reluctantly.

Gray then followed Natsu in search of Lucy. "Can you smell her scent Natsu?" he seriously asked Natsu as they were running around the forest

Gray's eyes then widened as he saw Natsu shed some tear.

Despite that, Natsu gave a wide grin and answered "Thank you, Gray!"

"I can't smell her scent, but I'll find her! I promise!" he then ran faster leaving Gray a smile behind but he quickly came back "Gray, wear your clothes! You strip-freak!"

Gray felt gratified as he saw that smile. He then rest assured himself that Natsu will be fine. Then he looked for his clothes.

[Seashore of Crous Island]

Three months has passed. Natsu and the rest are still determined to look for Lucy. But even until now, they have no leads.

"Everyone, scatter around! Look for those brats!" as Makarov instructed the rest of Fairy tail members who came to search for Natsu, Lucy, Erza, Gray and Happy.

The ship they used during the S-class Trial just anchored in the shores of Crous Island.

"Gihihi! I will surely find them Master!" as Gajeel reassured Makarov dragging Levy with him. Lily also went after Gajeel. "Wait Gajeel! Don't take Levy away you scum!" as Jet and Droy complained in chorus.

"I can't believe it?! I haven't seen Gray-sama for three months already?! But now, KYAAA!" she burst with love and hate as she tried to figure out if Gray was fine but also mesmerized as she created another imagination of Gray and her.

"Cana, come with us! Don't search alone!" as Elfman and Lisanna asked her to come with them. "Where is that idiot salamander?" Laxus stated as he was trying to get away from Freed, Ever and Bickslow.

The rest also helped search for Team Natsu. "I'll carry you Wendy. It would be easier to look for them." as Charle suggested "That's right. I hope they would be alright though, Charle" as Wendy responded with obvious sadness shown in her face.

"Don't worry Wendy" Wendy looked back as she saw Mira with Master approaching "We'll definitely find them! We're Fairy Tail after all! Not Fairy Fail! Have some faith." as she smiled to Wendy casting her worries away.

Warren's voice then reached everyone's mind. They intend to use his telepathy as it would be faster to inform everyone if anyone find them.

Everyone from Fairy tail came except of Gildarts. He was in another S-class mission. Not long after they arrived, everybody took off to find their fellow comrades.

"Master!" as Wendy approaches Makarov, with Mira and Warren. Wendy was carried by Carla and hurriedly gave them the information they found.

"I saw them Master! They're in the middle of the forest under the roots of a particular tree."

As soon as Warren sent this message, all the fairies then rushed themselves to the location given.

They then found Natsu and everyone in the said place. Gray, Erza and Happy were all very happy to see them. Natsu on the other hand was glad they came, but insisted to stay in the forest.

[Magnolia Town - Fairy Tail Guild Hall 9AM]

"Everyone! Let's enjoy our Hanami!" as Mira joyfully invited every fairy tail member to celebrate and drink.

It was the usual Fairy tail. Everyone was still drinking trying to enjoy the festival. Hanami festival came again as the Sakura's are in full blossom.

You could hear fights here, laughter there, commotions here, food being served and Gajeel singing Shoo baa do bop.

It was an intermission for their annual bingo-tournament every Hanami.

"Where's Natsu?" as Gray approached Erza

"He went on a mission. He didn't bring Happy with him though, he didn't want him to miss the festival." as Erza explained

"It's been 3 months since we've been back from the island, that means Lucy has been missing for 6 months now?" as Gray took a drink from the beer in his hands

"There were no respond to the posters the guild have been distributing. Nobody has seen Lucy at all." he continued

Erza gave a fierce look as Gray continued to speak. "Of course, Lucy can't be seen here, she disappeared in Crous. Natsu has been going to missions non-stop. Maybe he's still looking for Lucy"

"First Igneel, now Lucy? What a pity." as Erza sighed and looked at Happy. Happy was also out of energy and doesn't seem to be enjoying himself.

"What's wrong now?"as Charle asked a worried Happy

"Charle! I was just worried for Natsu. He might still be looking for Lucy."

"Are you stupid?"as Charle frankly spoken

"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" as Happy snapped out from Charle's words.

"You should know Natsu more than anyone else, of course he's still looking for Lucy! You just have to trust him that he'll find her!"

Happy thought of her words. They make sense.

"CHARLEEE!" as Happy charged in prompting to hug Charle, she then stuffed Happy's mouth with fish. "You like them right? Please, enjoy Hanami for yourself, they only come once a year." she left after imparting her words giving Happy a smile.

Happy was at least cheered up from Charle's given support.

Gray and Erza then sat with Happy under a sakura tree. "You know, Natsu has been going to a lot of missions for he's paying Lucy's rent." Happy stated as he welcomed Gray and Erza in the mat he was seating on

"Yeah, we kind of figured it out." as Gray took some of Happy's fish

"Every night he waits there. He was so sure that Lucy is still alive. He said, until he finds her, he'll never gonna stop" Happy continued

"Sounds like Natsu to me?" as Erza gave off a smile

"Anyway, in the mean time, let's enjoy the hanami, Happy!" Gray invited Happy to join along with the rest of the members. Erza, Gray and everyone are now having a good time together.

[Lucy's apartment - 4PM]

"AHHH! I'm so tired!" as Natsu went inside the room. He then took a bath after dropping all his luggage in the floor.

Natsu then continued to read all the novels Lucy has been writing. He filled her room with the missing poster of Lucy the guild has been distributing. This way, he can see Lucy everywhere. He grinned at himself. Happy then knocked on the window.

"Oh! Happy! You brought me food?!Thank you! You saved me! AHAHAH! I was so hungry!" as he was opening the window for Happy to enter

"Take it all out Natsu! Mira said she added more meat just for you! heehaw!"

"All right! I'm sure this would be good!" He then munched on every meat and food there was. Happy was happy looking at Natsu eat his heart out.

He then played with Natsu in the room and also played a prank in Lucy's novels and books and worse, underwears.

They spent their normal nights in Lucy's room insulting and making pranks for everything Lucy owned for the past 3 months since they returned from the island.

"Natsu! They said they are having a party until tomorrow morning in the guild! Let's go and have some fun Natsu!" Happy invited him to the extended Bingo party that the guild is planning to do.

"Ahh? I'm so tired Happy! I'll pass this time!" as he said with his right hand scratching his head.

"Well, I'll go though! Charle will be there you know!"

"Then don't miss it idiot! Go now! Ahaha!" he told Happy as he was grinning widely.

"I'll be leaving then Natsu!" as Happy took off. He then flew off letting Natsu believe that he's gone. But he's peeking into Lucy's bedroom from the window side.

Every moment he leaves Natsu alone in Lucy's room he always changed his face expression, from happiness to sadness.

Natsu is now smelling Lucy's pillow. He does it every time for he believes it helps him remember her scent.

Happy could feel all the longing and the missing Natsu has been enduring.

It was almost as strong as the bond of Tobi-san and Luna-san. He decided he'll leave Natsu for now and attend the Bingo in fairy tail hall. After all, Charle was really there, so he doesn't wanna miss it.

He thought he'd rather wake up from Natsu and Lucy's fight compared to waking up without Lucy by their side.

[Lucy's apartment - 8PM]

Natsu woke up from the commotion he heard outside. He decided to look out the window. There he saw, a Rainbow Sakura tree floating in the river in a boat just like what he did for Lucy in the past Hanami. He then saw Master with the boat waving at him. He waved back and gave a very sincere smile.

Then he saw everyone from the guild rejoicing. They wanted to cheer Natsu up. They thought this was the least they could do. He saw Erza, Gray and even Happy drinking their hearts out. Natsu then continued looking out the window enjoying every moment of it.

"Thank you, everyone" as he whispered to himself giving his own a big grin. "Maybe, I should try to continue living for all of them as well." as Natsu realized. Just like Igneel, Lucy has gone missing. But just like what he told Mario. He won't trap himself in the past just because of the pain, instead look forward to the future where he's closer in finding the people he seeks the most.

He then went out and rejoiced with everyone. They all went straight to the guild to do the Bingo. It was so much fun.

Natsu went back to Lucy's apartment for he felt really tired from the mission that he completed alone.

He fell directly into Lucy's bed. He's been feeling lighter as he frees himself from the pain.

"Natsu."

as he heard someone called his name. His eyes enlightened. His heart beat racing. He couldn't explain in words the feelings he felt when he heard that voice.

It was the voice he missed so much. The voice he longed a lot. The voice he was sure he knew.

He looked back and there she was, the Lucy he knew. The Lucy he was looking for.

He stood up and brought himself away from the bed looking at her completely stiff. His eyes were fixed on her. He couldn't utter a single word.

Lucy is now confused from Natsu's reaction. However, she followed Natsu's actions and stood up. She continued "Natsu,"

"WHO TOLD YOU TO SLEEP IN MY ROOM WHEN I'M NOT AROUND YOU STUPID PINKY SCUMBAG!" as she threw him a special Lucy attack.

Instead of dodging, Natsu caught her tiny fist. Even though there were great strength there, he took a tighter grip as he pulled Lucy's whole body into his leading her into an embrace.

Lucy then stood there, shocked. Only the table light was on in her room so she couldn't see Natsu's face exactly. She then felt Natsu's arms wrapped around her body.

"Thank goodness. I knew you'd be back." he said with tears in his eyes "I've been waiting to see you to thank you for sacrificing for me, Lucy. Lucy." he said her name twice

Lucy then felt Natsu's feelings. She nodded and shed little tears. "You're welcome Natsu!" she now wrapped Natsu's body around her arms as well. Overflowing with her feelings, she couldn't stop it anymore.

"I missed you so much!" as she buried herself in Natsu's arms.

She felt Natsu's grip tightens around her body.

"Lucy..." as Natsu started to talk, Lucy then waited for Natsu's words.

She have waited for almost 3 minutes until she heard Natsu snoring.

"Ehh? You idiot!" she snapped. But she didn't bother waking him up anymore. She knew Natsu was tired.

Still in her arms, she tried to free Natsu from her grip but it seems like Natsu's hold of her was too tight.

She then fell over to the bed with Natsu on top of her. She smiled as she saw Natsu's snoring face.

She thought, "well, I missed him a little so tonight is an exemption."

She then fell asleep knowing she'll be fine.

[Fairy Tail Guild - Morning]

"I have surprising news for all of you!" as Natsu happily shouted at everyone.

Everybody in the guild was passed out from the Overnight Bingo tournament that happened.

"What a bright face you have Natsu? so something good happen, huh?" as Erza teased him a little.

She then pointed on the request board. There he saw a picture of him and Lucy soundly asleep.

He wasn't sure but he blushed so much just looking at the picture.

"By the way, it was Happy who took those, there's a lot all over the place!"

"Now don't ever ask why these people are so knocked out, we knew last night about Lucy so we extended the celebration!"

"She appeared out of nowhere yesterday just after you left. She said she was sucked in the spirit world for Ayura was summoned by the Celestial Spirit King."

"A mage is only allowed in the spirit world if they have anything on from the their world. Luckily she was wearing spirit-world clothes when she was changed by Virgo when the spirit healed her so she was unharmed. After Lucy fought for Ayura, he was given consideration and was not banished but was sent to jail to pay for his sins." Erza continued

"Lucy then recovered with the help of her spirits for two days which was 6 months here in our time"

Erza noticed Natsu wasn't listening to her anymore.

Makarov then woke up from Natsu's commotion looking for all the pictures Happy took. He felt glad for the Natsu he knew was back to being himself.

Natsu's actions also resulted for the other members to wake up as he was throwing anyone all over the place just to look for the pictures Erza mentioned.

"What are you doing idiot salamander?!" as Gray was pushed by Natsu from where he was sleeping.

"Gray! You stripper! Put some clothes on you pervert ice king!" as he punched Gray in the face.

"KYAAA? Where's my clothes?" as he looked for them while continuing to fight with Natsu.

Every one in the guild are fully awake and are now in a brawl.

"Lucy, how was your first night? Did Natsu touched you or anything?" as Makarov welcomed one of his brats back to Fairy tail as he saw her walking into the guild hall.

Lucy then hugged Master happily saying she missed them all so much even though it was only two days in the spirit world but it felt longer for her.

Makarov's face then turned as red as tomato, so he declared

"Let's extend Hanami and have another celebration today for Lucy's comeback! Let's PARTY everyone!" as he reached for another case of beer

Erza and Happy are now hugging Lucy. So are Wendy and Charle. Then Levy and the rest.

The whole guild welcomed her back with much happiness and anticipation.

As soon as Makarov declared another celebration the whole guild just went berserk and crazy.

Well that's just normal.

[Night watching of the Rainbow Sakura event for all Fairy Tail members]

"Lucy, after all this, let's go to lots of missions!" as Natsu gave her a wide grin along with some food from Mira

"Of course! I owe you six months of rent, Natsu!" as she grinned back to the pinky idiot she knew she valued so much.