"Have you seen Natsu?" Lucy's voice floated up from the second floor. Natsu's smirk was hidden by the scarf that was expertly wrapped around his head, ninja style.
He peered down to the main floor, sheathed in the shadow, his movements undetectable. There stood his teammates completely oblivious to his lurking presence above.
"I saw him here about an hour ago," Erza replied while looking around the room.
"Who cares, he's probably out destroying something in town," Gray added, shrugging his shoulders.
Why that little⦠Natsu started to get up and then paused. He couldn't let ice for brains get him all fired up right now and ruin his plan. He had to act soon.
He'd been hiding on the second floor waiting for the perfect moment and now that Lucy had arrived, the moment was just right.
In one swift movement, Natsu propelled himself over the balcony, aiming right for the center of the group. They had no idea what was coming for them. The looks on their faces were going to be worth the two hours he spent sedentary on the second floor.
He landed with a battle cry, hands posed perfectly for landing karate chops. The group stared at him blankly. Crickets played their song in the distance.
"Oh hey, Natsu," Lucy said nonchalantly.
"Found him!" Erza added before walking off towards the bar.
Natsu turned his attention towards Gray. He could count on him to acknowledge his stealthy skills, right? Even a rude comment about his ninja scarf would be enough. But Gray just stalked off in the same direction as Erza. Natsu pulled his scarf off of his head in defeat.
He didn't understand what was going on with the guild lately. Sure, his ninja routine wasn't a new trick but it has always gotten reactions out of everyone. Everyone loved it! He could always scare lucy but now she doesn't even blink an eye at him. Was it time to retire the old ninja act? It hurt Natsu to even consider it. A guildhall without Ninja Natsu didn't feel like a place he wanted to be.
"Hey, will you come out back with me? We need someone to light the barbecue," Lucy asked him, grabbing his hand before he could decline.
Natsu scoffed at the idea but allowed Lucy to pull him towards the door.
"Why don't you just ask Laxus to do it?" He mumbled under his breath.
"Oh, we did. But he can't be bothered with such a mundane task." Lucy replied with a chuckle.
Before Natsu could retort, Lucy pushed him outside onto the large yard.
"What the hell, Lucy?!" He turned to see her grinning. She nodded her head towards the yard so Natsu followed her gaze.
As he turned back towards the yard he gasped. In front of him was the largest obstacle course he had ever seen. How they fit this back here was beyond him.
"Welcome!" Mira's voice boomed. Natsu spotted her in front of the course with a microphone in hand, "To Magnolia's first ever ninja warrior competition starring our very own Natsu Dragneel!"
A smile grew across his lips. Natsu wrapped his scarf around his head once more. "Ready when you are, Mira."
Horns sounded and Natsu started to sprint to the course. Now this is what it meant to be a ninja.
