Author's note: Hello all! I have decided to try my hand at a fic for my absolute favorite anime/manga. Let me know what y'all think!
Disclaimer: Fairytail and its characters belong to Hiro Mashima.
Leaves rustled in the gentle breeze as the Great Fire Dragon lounged lazily in a meadow. He was amusing himself by watching a small, pink-haired child tumble and roll with a couple of wolf cubs. Their mother watched the giggling and yipping children play, wary of the boy but more wary of the red dragon lying nearby. Igneel chuckled as the boy blew smoke rings for the pups to jump up and catch. The boy grinned, showing his canines. Igneel gazed up at the clouds dotting the sky.
Tomorrow is the day, huh? he thought. He had been dreading the day ever since he had become attached to the little fireball. He heavily shook his head. It wasn't going to be easy. They had all agreed this was for the best, to prepare for what was ahead. Still, the boy was only a child.
"Dad! Dad! Watch me!" a small voice caught the dragon's attention. The boy was standing on his hands, his arms wobbling. The dragon smiled and blew out, causing the boy to fall over.
"You must train to become stronger, my boy! Then maybe you could blow me over." The boy pouted on the grassy floor, his ego slightly bruised.
"But, Dad! No one is stronger than you!"
Igneel laughed a hearty laugh, "You may be right about that, my boy. However, I have faith you will grow to surpass even me." A small flash of a tattered book came to his mind. The dragon's smile faltered. Destiny was a cruel thing.
"Dad, let's go fishing tomorrow!" the boy grinned, climbing up his father's scaled arm. Igneel could only nod as the boy situated himself in the crook of his arm. He yawned and sighed happily, blissfully unaware of his heartbreak come morning. The dragon held back the surge of emotion bubbling in his armored chest. How could he do this? How could he leave the boy? His son!
"Farewell, Natsu. Burn your name into the tongues of all you meet."
Present
Natsu groaned as he pulled splinters from his back. He had woken up on his wooden floor after falling out of his hammock.
Was that a memory or a dream? he pondered as he picked himself off the floor. He glanced around the small cottage, noticing the blue cat snoring happily, mumbling something about fish. He chuckled and put on his vest. I wonder if Lucy is awake yet, Natsu thought as he picked up the Exceed gently.
The window wasn't locked making Natsu smile. Lucy may get mad at him whenever he broke in; however, she had given up on trying to keep him out. He quietly snuck in, setting the still dozing cat next to the sleeping blonde. The cat started to purr contently, snuggling closer to the girl. Natsu decided he didn't want to be kicked out that morning so he started snooping around instead. He browsed her small library, reading the strange titles. He knew Lucy hadn't had time to write more of her story last night. Natsu had read it multiple times, excited about each new chapter. He didn't understand why she didn't share it. She was a talented writer. Shaking his head, he meandered into the kitchen. Maybe I should make Lucy breakfast. With a grin, the Fire Dragon Slayer started raiding the fridge.
Lucy awoke to the faint smell of smoke. Her eyes shot open and she leapt out of the bed, startling the blue Exceed next to her. She ran into the kitchen to find Natsu happily humming over a large grease fire.
"Natsu! What have I said about setting my apartment on fire?!" she shrieked. The boy sucked in the fire and patted his stomach.
"Aw, Luce. I was just making breakfast. Yours is on the table," he pointed to the stack of pancakes. Lucy raised her eyebrows skeptically.
"You made this?"
"Yup!" he grinned, showing his canines. Lucy sat down in a chair and poked the plate.
"Is it edible?"
"Of course it is! I've been taking lessons from Mira so I could repay you for all the times Happy and me ate all your food." Lucy sat, stunned. She couldn't believe he had actually gone and done that. It wasn't like him.
"Are you feeling okay?" she asked, checking his forehead for a temperature. His head was hot, but then, he always had a higher body heat. Natsu gently took her hand and squeezed, making her blush.
"They liiiiiiiiiiike each other," Happy snickered, making Lucy jump away from Natsu.
"Shut it, cat!"
"Waaaaah, Natsu! Lusheee is so mean!" the Exceed cried, flying into Natsu's arms. Lucy simply rolled her eyes.
"Hey, Luce. Let's go on a mission today!" Natsu said, handing Happy a fresh fish. She nodded and dug into her meal.
The job description was to guard a precious artifact form a rising dark guild. It seemed easy enough, though, when did any job go according to plan? Lucy was hoping that things didn't go totally out of hand this time. A small groan captured her attention from the train window. Natsu was an odd shade of green as he attempted to hold down his lunch. Lucy shook her head in pity. The poor boy could handle anything thrown at him, except transportation. He, of course, wanted to walk, but the town was at least nine hours away and that was by train. Lucy was curious how they had managed to contact Fairytail with them being far away. Maybe the guilds that were closer were unable to handle the dark guild. Surely things weren't that bad, she thought, looking back out the window. A small shiver ran down her spine. She hoped it wasn't a bad sign.