Natsu sat at his desk, bored as usual, but trying his best to pay attention. The teacher kept droning on and on, as his focus began to shift to the clouds outside of the window. It hadn’t been but a few minutes before he felt something his hit shoulder. Almost, as if on instinct, instantly he turned toward it to see a piece of paper land on his desk. He took it and opened, reading its contents “Pay attention. I have to tell you something after class.”

Natsu looked around the classroom with a frown, trying to figure out who had sent it to him. His eyes settled on the person next to his desk, assuming that Sakura wouldn’t be the type to throw a message across the classroom.

“You could have just told me directly.” Natsu told Nina. She made a confused face.

“What?”

“The paper. Uh, never mind,” Natsu realized as she looked more confused as they spoke that she couldn’t have been the one.

“Stop daydreaming.” Nina retorted before looking back at the front of the class.

Natsu grunted a noise back before looking away from her. He wasn’t sure who else in the class would even try and talk to him, outside of Nina and Sakura. If the message hadn’t told him to pay attention then he would probably would have guessed that it was someone challenging him to a fight, but the fact that they knew he was trying his best at studies made it more confusing.

They could have at least told me where to meet them, he thought to himself.

***

Lunch time came quicker than before for Natsu, though this time he wasn’t alone. Nina came straight to him, nearly dragging him along to the front of the line for the food, and paying for his meal.

“What do I owe you now?” Natsu asked, more meekly than he usually spoke.

“Nothing. I told you that taking care of my classmates is my responsibility as Class President.”

“Yeah, but still…” He stopped before settling on, “Thank you.”

Nina looked at him before showing a hint of a smile. She was glad he was settling into his new routine rather well, much more than she expected. Sakura joined up with them after she was done getting her food, and guided them all to a corner table in the cafeteria, distant from most other groups.

“I like this spot, it’s quiet!” Sakura said with some enthusiasm.

“Agreed,” Natsu said.

They started eating, letting the silence coat them, though it was a source of warmth for them and not a suffocating one. Natsu focused on the food in front of him but shot occasional glances at the two next to him. Sakura seemed to always meet his gaze, with a smile, while Nina stared almost down at the table. Even still, Nina’s posture stayed true, as if practiced.

They were able to get to the end of their eating before they were interrupted by Hiroshi, the Class VP.

“Natsu, did you get my note?” He asked blankly, pushing his glasses up as he was oft to do.

“That was you?” Natsu asked, relieved he at least knew who it was from.

“Yes. Come with me for a second.”

“I’m eating, maybe later.”

“I waited until you were done,” He paused, staring straight at Natsu, who also didn’t budge, “Besides, this is a favor to you. Thought you’d want to know.”

“Since when did you two start talking?” Nina jumped in, confused.

“We don’t,” Natsu said annoyed, “This better be worth it.” He directed it toward Hiroshi as he stood up and followed him out of the cafeteria. Hiroshi led him toward an outside hallway with no one else around.

“You’re friends with Gale, correct?” Hiroshi broke the silence.

“Yes, why?”

“Then I thought you might want to hear that Ryo’s two minions are aiming for him.”

“Aiming for? Like wanting to fight him?,” Natsu asked confused, “And why do you know that but I don’t?”

“I keep eyes on all students, it’s part of my job as Vice President,” He stated, matter-of-factly, “ And yes. I don’t think Gale is aware of the attention his digging has been attracting.”

Natsu wasn’t sure how to take any of this. “No offense but so what?”

“You don’t care about your friend?”

“I don’t see why it matters. They can’t beat him in a fight, he doesn’t need me.” Natsu had already scanned their movements in the earlier meeting and had come to the conclusion that they were amateurs even in the world of delinquent fighting.

“If you say so,” Hiroshi almost looked disappointed, “Well, I have things to do.” He walked off as quickly as he had approached the lunch table. Natsu was left perplexed as to why he had even felt the need to tell him. He wasn’t someone he would consider close to, and it seemed like it would go against his plans of making Nina’s job easier if he got into a fight.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Disregarding the encounter, he headed back to the lunch room where it was already clearing out, but Sakura and Nina were waiting for him. Nina asked a bit about what he wanted, but Natsu was able to dismiss it away without answering anything.

They got back to class, after confirming that their study group was still on, and continued the rest of class uneventful. Natsu felt glad he had decided to stick to his routine, as everything in class was starting to click a lot more than it had before.

***

Natsu’s thoughts were churning as he made his way to the library for his usual after-school study session with Nina and Sakura. He had been able to keep his schedule with them for three days so far, and he didn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. This was their first Friday together, so he wasn’t sure if they planned on doing anything for their weekend, or if they would just pick it back up Monday.

Nina’s face lit up for a second when Natsu entered the library, a hint of a smile breaking through her usual serious demeanor. “You’re two minutes late,” she chided, though amusement was the tone.

Sakura glanced up from her notebook, tucking a strand of pink hair behind her ear, and showing a blush, “I’m happy you’ve been keeping your promise to come. Nina thinks the same, ignore how she’s acting”

Nina shot her a quick surprised expression, before collecting herself and saying, “You’ve done good.”

Natsu slid into his seat, tension coiling in his gut, “Yeah, well, don’t get too excited. Once I’m caught up I’ll be outta here.”

“That’s okay! I’m just happy you’re here now!” Sakura laughed, with the brightest smile possible. Natsu couldn’t say anything back, feeling warm from her purity.

“I promised, didn’t I,” he muttered.

Nina nodded approvingly before returning her attention to her textbooks. A comfortable silence settled over the group as they worked, punctuated by the occasional question from Natsu or light hearted joke at his expense, which he took in stride.

They continued for some time before the door to the library suddenly burst open, banging violently against the wall. Shadow stood in the doorway chest heaving, eyes focused, as he had run the whole way to the library.

“I asked our classmates where you were, but I didn’t believe them.“ He said, directing his gaze to Natsu.

“Our classmates?” Natsu asked confused, “You’re not in our class.”

“I am.” Shadow said.

“What?” Natsu didn’t even know what else to say. He knew Shadow never lied, but he had also never seen him in his class, so he was confused.

“I keep a low profile, but I’ve been there since you started going to school.” Shadow said definitively. Natsu looked around to the other two, to gauge their response.

“He’s been there Natsu.” Sakura said timidly.

“You didn’t notice your own friend in your class?” Nina asked.

Before Natsu could even respond, Shadow spoke up, “Gale’s in the hospital.”

Natsu shot up to his feet, chair toppling backwards. “What? How?” His hands were clenched into fists, the fury in his voice burning ever brighter as he spoke. Nina and Sakura exchanged shocked expressions, not being close to Gale but knowing him enough.

Shadow’s gaze was grim, “Ryo’s lackeys ambushed him after school. He’s hurt pretty bad.”

Natsu trembled with rage, barely able to choke out the words. “Those pieces of shit couldn’t land a single hit on him even together, how did he lose?”

“From what I gathered, they waited until he passed an alley along the way to The Shack, and hit him with a weapon. A stick or bat, I think.” Shadow’s voice didn’t betray a single emotion, but having known him for most of his life, Natsu knew he was filled with the same amount of rage as him.

“They’re dead.” Natsu’s voice solidified into an unnerving tone. His eyes had turned into a lowered glare, no other emotion across his face, but Sakura and Nina couldn’t help but sense a darkness. He strode toward the door, heart pounding. He was intent on going to see Gale before he made his own move.

Nina was the first to rise swiftly, blocking Natsu’s path. Her usual composure was gone, replaced by concern.

“Natsu stop and think. What are you planning on doing?” She placed a gentle hand on his shoulder, as if talking to a younger child. Behind her, Sakura sounded as if she was close to tears.

Natsu wrenched her hand off his shoulder, “Get out of my way Nina.”

“No.” Nina stood firm. “I know this is really hard to hear and you’re likely angry, but violence won’t make anything better.”

Sakura stepped forward hesitantly. “Nina’s right. I don’t want you getting hurt too.” Her voice was sweet and scared.

Natsu scowled, jaw clenched. But the fight was slowly draining from his eyes, as he looked at Sakura. His shoulders slumped slightly.

“Damn it.” He turned away, dragging a hand down his face. “I just want to go check up on Gale. I wasn’t planning on doing anything.. Right now.”

Nina placed a comforting hand back on his arm, “It’ll be okay. We’ll figure out what to do about those other boys after.”

Sakura nodded, blinking back tears. “Gale needs your support right now. We’re coming with you though.”

Natsu sighed heavily. “Alright.” He met their eyes, “Let’s go see Gale. Shadow, you coming with?”

Shadow had crept up to Natsu’s shoulder, “No, I’ve already been.” He stated loudly, followed by a whisper for Natsu’s hearing only, “I’ll see you tonight.” Then he was gone.

***

Natsu strode down the sterile hospital hallway, footsteps echoing ominously in the small town building. Sakura and Nina trailed behind him, faces etched with worry but wanting to give him a bit of space.

He knew that the only reason he was here right now was because the girls had persuaded him to. By now, he would have usually found the people responsible and gotten revenge for his friend, all before being able to face him again; it was what they did. Even Shadow had seemed a bit confused at his actions. Yet still, Natsu couldn’t help but feel that there was another reason for his hesitation. Since he had found out about Gale’s injury, a gnawing feeling had been feasting at his stomach, one that he had found hard to place words upon.

As they approached Gale’s room, Natsu hesitated, his steps slowing down to a crawl. Nina and Sakura both lightly tapped his arm, reassuring him as he opened the door.

The steady beep of machines greeted them first. Then came the sharp stench of cleaning products that always clung to the hospital rooms. Natsu’s chest constricted at the sight of Gale’s battered body lying motionless on the bed. One eye was swollen, and his lip was split, changing the usual pretty-boy face that he was known for.

Sakura’s faced turn pale as she turned away from the sight, choking back a sob. Nina stood with a shocked expression, as motionless as Gale was. Natsu, contrary to the other two, grew more enraged by the second.

After a long moment, Sakura pulled up one of the chairs and sat down, motioning to two others in the room for Nina and Natsu. They sat in the room quietly before a nurse walked in, surprised to see visitors.

“How is he?” Nina asked, taking the reigns.

“His condition is stable now, he’s hurt but not life threateningly don’t worry,” The nurse reassured them, “He was actually awake a little bit ago, but the medicine must have knocked him out.”

“Thanks for the info.” Natsu said, standing up suddenly, “I’m heading out.”

“Natsu, wait-“ Nina started, meeting him on her feet. But Natsu was already out of the room. He thought he could hear Sakura saying not to do anything rash, but her voice was hard to make out.

As the cold night air hit his face, he turned and continued on toward The Shack, where he knew he’d find everyone else waiting for him. His hands were trembling from the mix of rage, pain, and… guilt.

I shouldn’t have ignored that warning to go play pretend with Sakura and Nina, he thought to himself, finally recognizing the feeling that had been swelling up inside him.