Anime: Fairy Tail

(Y/n)'s POV

Blood trickled down my chin. Wounds reopened and faint bruises were now past the point of severity. This cruel fight was no longer in my control. My opponents had brutally manipulated the battle to their favour.

Nevertheless, I couldn't give up. My so-called comrades had betrayed me and I was not going to give up without a proper fight...a fair fight. She didn't raise me to become a coward and a weakling.

"Oh? Still have the power to fight, celestial dragon slayer?" asked their leader.

"Of course I do. Who do you think I am?"

"But you seem...how do I put this? Weak and out of strength?"

"I'm a celestial dragon slayer. I have the power of the stars within me."

"You-"

He was cut off by the fire dragon slayer and his exceed who had been given the job to defeat us. His flaming fist made contact with the leader's face, sending him flying a few metres back. I blinked, shocked as the pink-haired man stood in front of me in a protective stance.

The blue exceed landed beside me and smiled cheekily. I was suddenly lifted into the air as he carried me away from the fight. Now what? A kidnapping?!

"What's going on?"

"Natsu got mad and when he gets mad, there's no stopping him," the exceed replied.

"Natsu? That dragon slayer from before?"

"Yeah, he was furious that they treated their own comrade like trash. That's why he decided to protect you."

"Protect...me?..."

I had trouble comprehending the words he was saying. That man named Natsu was protecting me, someone whom he just met because of his own values and beliefs?... If only I had the resolve to do that...to go against everyone who was willing to defy me...

As the exceed placed me on the ground, I immediately grabbed him and faced my back towards the blast of fire while creating a small rip into another dimension to, hopefully, absorb the attack.

"Sorry about that. I kinda got carried away..."

I opened my eyes and turned around to face the man who had defeated all my...unsuspecting enemies. He crouched down and grabbed the exceed's bag, lifting him out of my arms.

"I thought you were supposed to take her away where she wouldn't be affected by my magic," exclaimed Natsu.

"I know but I was too tired and besides, she's a dragon slayer," replied the exceed.

"Oh, I'm Natsu and that's Happy."

"(Y/n) (L/n)."

"I've made up my mind. From now on, I'll be protecting you."

'Don't worry, (Y/n). I'll protect you no matter what. I'll never leave your side.'

That was what she had said but I wasn't sure what was a lie and what was the truth anymore. After watching my parents' murder in fear, I met my dragon mother. She took me in yet I was left alone again...

I pushed away his outstretched hand and stumbled to the side before leaning against a tree. I wasn't ready to form new friendships after experiencing yet another strong blow from my former comrades.

"Thanks for your help but I suggest you leave me alone. I don't need your protection."

"Loneliness is a bad companion-"

"It's better than betrayal."

"I'm offended that you think I'm a disloyal person. I wouldn't ever betray my family."

His gaze was so serious that I couldn't help but trust in that burning fire behind his eyes. Perhaps believing in him would be a card that I'd play with in the future, no matter if it'd be the result of my triumph or downfall.

Without warning, he picked me up and threw me over his shoulders like a sack of potatoes. I struggled to get out of his strong gasp as Happy's laughter reached my ears.

"Let go of me!"

"You're not going to trust me straight away so I'll be kidnapping you," Natsu replied.

"K-kidnapping?! That's-"

"Completely allowed in my books."

~Some time later~

Natsu had brought me to his guild, trying to convince me to join. I looked at him with a skeptical expression, not sure if I should believe his seemingly genuine expression.

"Child, you do not have to listen to that idiot if you feel uncomfortable about it," said the guild master, Makarov.

"Thank you. Also, why does he keep insisting that I join the guild and make some friends?"

"That...I'm not exactly sure why he's so obsessed with you either."

"He's in looooove," Happy exclaimed.

"It's because I couldn't stand it. I've never seen such incompetent, badass comrades like yours who treat their loyal friends like idiots," Natsu said while completely ignoring Happy's remark.

"Well, that's none of your concern. Now, if you don't mind, I'll be on my way-"

"Please...join Fairy Tail."

"Pfft, what is this? A comedic play about guilt? Just face it, Natsu. You're just using her to ease your guilt. You failed to save some villagers who were being threatened by their so-called guardians and (Y/n)'s situation is similar to that-"

"Shut up!" he yelled angrily.

The ice mage blocked the attack, keeping the both of us safe. He rolled his eyes and gave me a pleading gaze. *sigh* After a moment's hesitation, I stepped out and dragged Natsu outside.

He followed without complaint, a dark shadow over his eyes. A small part of me felt sympathy for this dragon slayer yet the other part was annoyed by the fact that he was just using me, like the ice mage stated.

Natsu suddenly stopped, making me stumble backwards. His arm was becoming increasingly warm and his hands were squeezed into fists. I let go, unsure of whether to speak up or just leave him alone.

"...I'm sorry. I guess Gray's right. I was just using you..."

"Well, now that you know, you won't do it again...hopefully. But because I pity you, I'll join Fairy Tail. However, I'm leaving if I want to. It doesn't matter whether you like it or not."

"Pity...at least it's better than being forced against your will."

"Okay, then let's start over. I'm (Y/n) (L/n), a celestial dragon slayer."

"*grins* I'm Natsu Dragneel, the son of Igneel, king of the fire dragons."

"Let's head back to the guild."

"Wait, I have something I want to tell you..."

"What is it?"

"*blush* I still feel like protecting you..."

Although it was a small whisper, I could still hear the sincerity in his voice and the genuine feeling of his warm actions. A smile crept onto my face as I looked ahead.

"If you want to, then knock yourself out."

"Thanks (Y/n)!"