1I thought I could write something about thinking for once. No one in my stories ever thinks. Probably because I never do, but whatever.

Disclaimer: I do not own Fairy Tail. If I did, it would suck squirrel balls. Lol.

Natsu had to keep his humanity. He couldn't let this fight rule his life. He did this every time. He would try and remember something of his past to keep him tied to this earth. That way, the fight couldn't swallow him. While the enemy would lose all insight, Natsu would have control. His friends may not notice, but he is a very smart man.

He dug into the deepest depths of his mind, trying to find the metaphorical bungee cord he would attach to himself to so he could hold on. He smiled as he remembered that time. It was special to him. It was before Lucy came, but that wasn't what made it special. No, he wasn't that mean.

It was because it was one of the first times he had ever trumped Erza. It was quite funny if he did say so, himself. He snickered, and thought back.

-Flashback-

Erza was teaching Natsu how to read. Gray, Cana and Lisanna were all watching. But since Natsu was raised by a dragon, it wasn't going to well.

Natsu was sitting a small desk, and the almighty Erza was standing, intimidating, in front of him.

"Natsu, start a sentence with 'I'."

Natsu thought for a minute, and started to speak.

"I is-"

"No, Natsu," Erza said, "it is always 'I am'."

Natsu sighed. "Alright then, I am the ninth letter of the alphabet."

Erza paled. Gray burst out laughing. Cana and Lisanna giggled.

"Next time," he said sitting down, "wait until AFTER I'm done talking to correct me."

Gray was still laughing about it the next day.

He got the 'Erza Penalty'.

He stopped laughing after that.

-End Flashback-

Then HE burst out laughing. Lucy, Happy, Erza and Gray all looked at him funny. Like he was insane or something. The enemy growled.

"What the hell?" He yelled, "What's so funny?"

Natsu smirked. Yes, he could stay in control. He could stay in control because of his friends. Even though they may think less of him up there, they were the bungee cord that connected him to this world. And even though there were some downs, because it was a metaphorical bungee cord, he would always bounce right back up.

Because he had control.