A/N: I do not own Fairy Tail. Otherwise Laxus and Mirajane would be together. and Thanks tons of thanks indeed to DanceswithSeatbelts. Please go check out her amazing Fairy Tail stories. she has some of the best NaLu fics you will find.

Chapter 2 - Guns, Cats & Magnolia.

Kaiziro was the master of the weapon magic style called The Arsenal; a gun style meant to be in opposition to the exquip magic of Titania, The Knight. He groaned as he was helped off of the train by the officials. Lyon and Mystogan gathered the luggage and Millianna pushed Kai's wheelchair. All four mages had decided that since they were headed to the same location, they might as well walk together. Kaiziro blinked as he finally noticed the Lamia Scale crest on Lyon.

"You aren't a member of Fairy Tail. I thought by the chilly sensation you brought, that you were the Ice Make wizard of Fairy Tail, the one who strips." Kaiziro grimaced as he felt a sharp ache in his leg. The muscles in his knee had been greatly damaged by the guild Revenant Claw, and sitting for so long of a train ride had stiffened the knee. The healing mages at Mermaid Heel did their best to treat him but the pain still lingered. They quietly confided to Kagura when they thought the patient was asleep that his knee would never again be one hundred percent functional.

Lyon's hand went to his face, not knowing whether to be upset about being mistaken for Gray, or worse that Gray's bad habit was more famous than his magic. "No, I am a member of Lamia Scale."

Kaiziro gushed, "Oh! That's the Guild with Jura Neekis, one of the ten Wizard Saints!" Lyon smiled and nodded as he walked with them.

Kai groaned, covering his face in agony. "Oh God! What is that...smells like someone set a giant pile of hair that's been soaked in sewer 'juice' for a month on fire! It's...ugh... I'm gonna be sick."

Lyon's eyes widened as he prayed to several deities; hoping he was wrong, but turning to see Ichiya and the Trimens descending on them. "MEN!"

One explosive crash later, Kaiziro groaned holding his nose. "How can anything human smell like that?" Kaiziro used his Exquip, summoning what looked like a rifle, a bright blue magic circle appearing. "Torrential Burst!" A 'bullet' of water drenched Ichiya filling the hole he was stuck in until his Blue Pegasus boys dragged him free.

Hibiki apologized to them while Ren smiled and he took Millianna's hand. Ren spoke working his charm to the best of his ability. "I apologize if he scared you, dear..."

Kaiziro decided to exquip to a Revolver, using his thumb to disengage the ammo barrel. He was going to use a risky but potentially powerful shot, known as Roulette Fire which left the magic element that was used in the spell totally up to chance. About to start spinning the barrel with his other hand, his wheelchair was bumped into by Ren. Normally this would've only annoyed him, but Ren's sudden interest in Millianna had caused the girl to forget to set the brakes. Kaiziro was distracted by the urge to shoot the playboy did not notice until the forward momentum had already begun sending him down the ramp.

Millianna used her Nekosoku tube magic to snag Kaiziro's wheelchair. Kaiziro now felt even more useless; Millianna his dream girl had had to save him because of some playboy accidentally hitting him.

After dropping their things off at the hotel; Lyon, Mystogan and the Mermaid Heel duo went their separate ways. Millianna was taking the slow way around town, sightseeing the big city. They saw a beautiful white haired woman with bright blue eyes leaning in for a kiss with a garishly dressed blond man. They entered the same cafe and were shown to a table near the kissing couple. The waiter took their order and left.

Kaiziro tried to stare unobtrusively at the couple, something in his mind trying to figure out where he knew them from. The woman giggled and swept her hand through her date's hair. The man growled 'demon', angling his head, revealing a facial scar. It was the Lightning Mage of Fairy Tail and…the Demon of Fairy Tail together on a date. Kai was conflicted; part of him wanted to ask for an autograph, the other half of himself terrified of the consequences of interrupting their date.

Laxus flinched, uncomfortable in these touchy moments, even in private. He preferred his brash and temperamental attitude rather than the softer side Mira seemed to be able to bring out exclusively. A fact, the Demon Take Over mage was very proud of, she brought out something in Laxus that was unique to herself. "I know I don't say this nearly as much as I should to anyone, especially to you but...I love you Mirajane."

Mirajane blushed, resting her head upon his shoulder. She knew that such a confession to escape Laxus' lips was as rare as a solar eclipse so she knew he meant it, which is what made it take on even more meaning. "I know what I said about wanting to keep us secret."

Flashback: Shortly before Acnologia's attack~

Laxus said, "No. For as long as I can remember, I've never really 'liked' anyone." Mirajane blinked as she finished Laxus's rib bandages, going to change the next set. Laxus spoke again, taking time to pause in case any of the Raijinshuu were listening. "So Mirajane… Still busy with your matchmaking endeavors? I guess with that flame idiot and the key girl - you've been mostly successful. What about you? I mean…there's a line of men that would wind around each street of Magnolia several times over for you. I was just curious -" He paused and looked deep into her impossibly blue eyes, then continued speaking, "if the matchmaker had found her own match." He hated this sensitive side that only came out with her, hoping half-heartedly that she did have someone so he could bury it back under his usual attitude.

Mirajane shook her head. "No, no one special. Natsu says he loves me, but he's like a little brother to me. Actually, I feel that way towards all the new kids. There was one boy I liked when I was much, much younger though."

Laxus jokingly mentioned Macao only to receive a light bonk on the head from the Take Over mage, since it was the only place he didn't have bandages.

Laxus scrutinized Mirajane, "well I didn't ever like this girl. I...loved...her." He shifted nervously, as he wasn't used to dropping his guard. Laxus looked around to see if anyone, especially Natsu or the Raijinshuu, were listening in. "She grew up to become an S-class mage in the guild, and...she's an amazing woman who keeps a motherly vibe with everyone."

Mirajane having realized she was the person in question, turned away going red.

Laxus smiled, "she even has a collection of comic books."

Mirajane shifted in her seat; about to say that wasn't true, but she was cut off by a kiss from Laxus. She responded with vigor. Her arms wrapped around his neck, fingers stroking through his wild blonde hair. Mira ended the kiss and laid her head on Laxus' shoulder. "Can...we wait to tell everyone when we are home? People will start spreading rumors about Lisanna getting with a member of the Raijinshuu. I don't want to spend weekends visiting most of our guild in jail because they fought half the people in Magnolia for making Lisanna cry." Laxus nodded as he kissed her again, pulling the top part of the sleeping blanket over them.

~End Flashback~

Mirajane looked at her Lightning Dragon Slayer, her hand moving cross his newly shorn hair. "I mean I didn't want people at the Guild hassling Lisanna over getting Bickslow as the leftover, since Elfman and Evergreen and now us are out in the open. The Raijinshuu are all matched up with the Strausses." She giggled, "well, except for Freed. He's special."

Laxus chuckled. "I doubt anyone would be that stupid knowing they'd have to do deal with you, Natsu, Erza, Elfman, old man Gildarts, and me just to name a few. Lisanna is looked at as the whole Guild's little sister."

Romeo sighed as he was called over by Mirajane. "Romeo, what is bothering you?" She had known Macao's son his entire life so it was no mystery that something was clearly disturbing the boy.

The young fire mage tried to shrug off Mirajane's question. The motherly gaze she gave him eventually got him to confide in Fairy Tail's bartender. "Master Makarov and Dad said I couldn't be a part of the Grand Magic Games teams. Wendy got to participate and I...don't want her to get hurt. She's really nice and...kind and...pretty." His cheeks turned pink.

Laxus groaned, knowing the reprieve from Mira the matchmaker was over. A small grin appeared on her face before Mirajane spoke her eyes watching him for any tells in case he attempted to lie. "Romeo...Do you like Wendy?"

Romeo shook his head rapidly. "No! I just...can't...not think about her." His cheeks bloomed pink and he hung his head with a sigh.

Laxus chuckled, Wendy had come to him earlier in the week for this exact same reason. "Yep, you like her."

Romeo panicked as he looked at them. "What do I do?!"

They shrugged, feigning ignorance. Laxus simply didn't want the headache from both sides. Despite his best efforts, Wendy was immune to his gruff attitude and could easily get around his defenses. Mirajane liked to joke that it was because lightning came from the sky. Wendy was known as the 'Sky Sorceress'; she had mastery over everything that came from the sky - and wasn't afraid of the cantankerous slayer.

Mirajane Strauss: The Demon of Fairy Tail, The Nightmare Matchmaker, had her own ploy. "Why don't you go talk to Natsu and Lucy? They can help you. They are just starting to admit their feelings for one another, too."

Romeo nodded and ran off.

Laxus quirked an eyebrow at his date, "no, they aren't."

Mirajane smiled a devilishly sweet grin. "They are about to."

The feelings between Lucy and Natsu had been obvious to everyone. Natsu had even begun to subconsciously realize them - utilizing hugs to shield Lucy from Loke and Gray. Loke delighted in flirting with Lucy. He was able to read the heart of his 'master', despite Lucy asking not to be called that. The playboy spirit knew Lucy was in love with the Fire Dragon Slayer - it was just a fundamental part of his nature to tease, poke and prod.

Natsu and Lucy had become closer and closer. All their nakama witnessed the increasing amount of hand-holding, long discussions over drinks, and the not-so-accidental bodily contact. They were building a relationship with eyes only for each other, oblivious to the interest of their friends.

Gray and Juvia were becoming an established couple. Gray had kissed Juvia in front of the guild when they got back from Tenroujima. Not normally one for public displays of affection, he'd done it to declare his intentions. The surprise on the water mage's face had been the sweetest victory he could ever remember.

Erza had her own secret relationship. Jellal might be a fugitive, but he and she had an unbreakable bond. As children they'd met and as young adults they'd parted - but the red string of fate tied them together all the same.

All of this romance had made Lisanna despondent. She felt jealous of Lucy. No, not jealous exactly...Lisanna had been a close friend with Natsu as children. They'd had their time together but it slipped away. They were only meant to be great friends. She was only sad because of her lack of romance.

Lucy, picking up on how down she felt, asked the girl to go shopping with her for Natsu's birthday which was the upcoming Saturday.

After finishing their treats, Millianna pushed Kaiziro toward Fairy Tail's guildhall. Almost there, Millianna saw Erza in the mouth of an alley waving in her direction. Erza's other hand was fixing Mystogan's face mask. Millianna trundled Kai's wheelchair closer, spotting the blush on Erza's cheeks.

Erza smoothed her attire, wishing she'd worn even her basic armour. It would settle her nerves and serve to confuse any onlooker. The two exceeds on the railing above their heads had witnessed the entire passionate exchange. They would have left the two mages to their supposed privacy, but the escalation had been almost instantaneous, leaving no possibility for a strategic retreat.

Kai smiled, looking at Millianna. "So that's Erza Scarlet. She's beautiful and the second strongest swordswoman in Fiore. Master of The Knight." Kai mentally continued ...and she has some kind of tie to that bastard Jellal.

Kaiziro broadened his smile, still looking up at Millianna. "Go say hi, it's been nearly a decade. I don't know what I'd do if I went seven years without you..." He turned crimson, thankful Millianna didn't pick up on the real meaning behind his impetuous words. Kaiziro moved across the street using his hands to push the wheels on his own, ending up in front of the big oak door as Lucy and Lisanna were leaving.

Lisanna's cheeks were almost the same shade as Natsu's salmon colored hair. Lucy was gently teasing her friend over how much time she spent watching Bickslow. Caught up in their discussion, Lisanna unintentionally knocked Kai's wheelchair forward with the door. Kai had forgotten to set the brakes again - he was sent hurtling down the hill. He gulped as his eyes measured the long path to the bottom. Kai scrabbled at the wall trying to grab the railing, but the speed his chair was moving at was already too much for him to be successful.

Lucy and Lisanna yelled out, bringing more mages outside. Most of the guild ran down the hill.

At the end of the line, so to speak, stood Gajeel and Levy. Behind her stood Lily. Levy was demanding an answer for Gajeel's recent attitude of not wanting anything to do with her.

Gajeel wasn't used to the feeling of butterflies in his stomach. He dreaded the teasing Lily would give him for staring at Levy. He tried to tell himself he wasn't staring at her, he was simply staring at a spot on the wall and then she would coincidently come into view...while she drank, read a book, chatted with her friends. Ah, he was doing it again! He groaned as Levy kept poking at him wanting to know why he was acting weirdly.

Levy's eyes widened as she felt Gajeel's large hands span her waist. He picked her up and silenced her with a forceful but clearly loving kiss. She knew she was small and underdeveloped compared to the other girls of the guild, but his lips persuaded her she was desirable. She was in love with this piercing covered, iron eating former enemy - ever since that day he'd sung wearing that ridiculous white tuxedo. Levy found herself responding ardently, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Lily noticed the out of control Kaiziro. The exceed began tugging on Gajeel's pant leg. Gajeel's battle hardened instincts thought the approaching being was an enemy that wanted to hurt him; or worse, Levy. It was that fear that caused him to react faster than usual, using the Fist of the Iron Dragon to send Kai and his chair towards the Magnolia River.

Levy snapped her eyes open as she was swung violently around, her sharp mind going to work taking in the entire scene. The wheelchair, knee brace, the figure spinning in the air about to impact the water and Millianna running desperately towards the river from one end of the street and the guild running down the other.

"Ice make: Floor!" Ice covered the top of the lake from one side of the bank to the other, Kaiziro crashing hard onto it. He groaned twitching in pain; he was hurt, bleeding but not drowning. He laid there panting a few moments. Juvia emerged from a hole, holding his chair. Her water body and magic being the perfect choice to easily find the contrivance.

"Juvia has never seen this before Gray, what is it?"

Gray's one request in their relationship was that she'd just call him Gray. It was time for her to drop the honorific, since he already knew how dear he was to her and hopefully vice versa. "It's meant for people with disabilities to use - a wheelchair."

Kaiziro looked down as he tried to force himself to stand, not wanting to ask for help. His pride had already taken too many hits lately. Juvia offered to assist him to the bank of the river but he shook his head violently. She nodded and took his chair to the group waiting.

Not bothering to ask; Happy swooped down and picked up Kaiziro, setting him down in his wheelchair. The gathering of Fairy Tail mages and Millianna soon helped guide Kaiziro back to their guildhall. The teen-aged girl opened the door with a flustered smile. In a gruff voice he demanded, "you are the Sky Dragon Healer Wendy, right?"

Wendy wanted to frown as she looked at him because of his rude tone. But she couldn't as she had been given a kiss on the cheek by an extremely nervous Romeo - who ran away before she could respond. The blush and smile on her face couldn't be wiped out by Acnologia. "Yes, I'm Wendy." She realized the stranger probably thought she was smiling at his pain, and promptly adopted a more serious mien. Wendy commanded herself to think about her darling Romeo later.

Kaiziro started to relax and let his eyes wander around the fabled guildhall of the Fairies. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lisanna and Bickslow head off to a dark corner, talking privately.

Wendy watched Millianna remove the brace and hold it while she went to work.

Gildarts approached, "hey brat, you're wearing a guild crest, correct?"

Millianna thought the elder S-class mage was speaking to her and nodded. "Yeah, I joined the guild Mermaid Heel a while back, after most of you vanished."

Mirajane spoke up showing her tremendous knowledge on all things guild related. "It's a women-only guild in western Fiore, I believe."

Gildarts stroked his chin. "An all women guild… Where did you say it was?"

Cana rolled her eyes and grumbled. Her dad's lecherous antics nauseated her.

Erza glanced at her friend and then this mysterious Kaiziro, noticing the same mark on his bicep. "Mirajane, you said it was an women-only guild but, it appears Millianna's boyfriend is also a member of Mermaid Heel."

Millianna waved her hands furiously blushing. "No, no, nyan! Kai is an important friend! He got this injury protecting our guild secrets so our Guild Mistress made an exception to the no men rule."

Gildarts winced. "I can understand. I am amazed his leg is still attached. He didn't spill any guild secrets at all?"

Kaiziro shook his head as Millianna's smile nearly lit up the room. "Of course not, he isn't just the future World's greatest Gun Mage; he is also the brother of-"

"Milli!" Kaiziro looked at her while everyone else stared at him as he sighed shaking his head. "Kagura said that was forbidden to talk about with people outside the guild." She nodded sadly but her expression changed when her eyes caught sight of Happy, Lily and Charle. She set the brace down and went after them, going into her own cat-obsessed world.

Wendy warned her patient that she would begin a healing spell. Kaiziro grimaced, sometimes screamed in agony as tissue and muscle began to mend. Nothing would heal him completely, but it was already better than the useless constantly aching thing he had. Kaiziro didn't say it out loud but part of him wished it had been completely cut off so he could have gotten an artificial replacement like he had heard Gildarts received.

He flinched, wanting to sit up until Elfman and Gajeel held him down on Wendy's orders.
"Man! You can't move until the healing is through," Elfman spoke gripping Kai's shoulders with one massive hand.

The tendon was quite literally being repaired bit by bit, thanks to the intensity of Wendy's healing powers. The wound was almost ninety percent healed but it progressed no further. It was significantly better than it had been, despite the horrific scar it sported. Millianna covered her mouth, watching Lucy wipe Kai's sweat-soaked forehead off. He had been in a lot of pain; but now his face was relaxed and calm.

Wendy wiped her own forehead turning to look at Millianna. "He shouldn't do too much too fast. The muscle has weakened from lack of use so he'll have to start slow." Millianna nodded as Kaiziro for the first time since the incident with the dark guild, easily moved his leg - only a little as per Wendy's instructions.

Kaiziro's expression soon shone with elation as he relished in the joy of having at least a semi-functional limb back, hugging the Sky Dragon Slayer in gratitude. Prompting a certain fire mage in the guild to huff with jealousy. Lucy noticed, then whispered to Natsu. Oh things were going to become interesting indeed.

Lyon entered the guildhall and headed for Juvia. He nodded greetings to many of the mages but kept on course for his favorite water witch. Lyon said hello to Gray and then proceeded to ignore him in favor of the blue haired beauty.

Mirajane smiled as she approached holding a key to the girls dorm. "The Master said to let you stay here tonight, it seems like it'll be a bad storm is going to hit. Kaiziro you'll-"

"He can stay with me and Lucy." Natsu spoke up energetically, happily smiling without a care in the world despite the glare Lucy was giving him.

The Celestial key mage began whispering furiously in his ear, "we only just moved in together, don't start inviting people over-" She sighed, giving in since it was clearly not a offer one could simply withdraw. "Okay. So... what do you want to do?"

Kaiziro beamed, "I want to meet the Gun Mage couple, Bisca and Alzack. They are my heroes, and I also want to meet Erza Scarlet. Millianna tells me she's almost as good as Kagura, though I am certain Erza will prove to be second best."

Erza huffed, crossing her arms over her suit of armour. Natsu, Lucy, Gray and Happy cowered a bit fearing Erza's response.

"Second best, you say? You say this Kagura woman is that strong? I guess I'll find out when we face off at the Grand Magic games."

Kaiziro stared in disbelief at her confidence, but then he let a small chuckle dismissively pass his lips while he looked her over. "That's good, It's great to have goals but my sister-" he mentally chastised himself realizing he had broken the very rule he had warned Millianna about earlier.

Lyon's eyes widened as he pictured Kagura and Kai mentally, his keen eye for detail (necessary for Maker magic) put together the family resemblance pretty fast. "S-s-sister? You are the brother of Kagura Mikazuchi?!" Lyon looked at the Fairy Tail mages. "She's considered the strongest swordswoman in the world - she can cut things in half without even pulling the blade from it's sheath." The Fairies eyes widened hearing such a thing, most wondering if cutting something with the sheath was even possible; Erza merely pictured the skill of such a being.

Kaiziro nodded as he rose to his feet using Millianna to help him stand before bowing. "I apologize for the deception, after the incident with the Dark Guild that caused this injury my sister made it taboo to mention my blood ties to prevent someone from doing it again." Kaiziro clenched his fist feeling a wave of guilt in his heart over the sadness he had caused his sister.

Kaiziro drew a red-tinted revolver, it shimmered the name Ifrit written upon it in an ancient language. "I am going to become the World's strongest Gun Mage with my Arsenal magic, and I will not become a burden to Kagura, ever again."

He turned only to be greeted by the ever beautiful Bisca who was smiling, holding Asuka. "Hello, I was told by Mirajane you wanted to meet us." The skilled sharpshooter urged Kai to sit down, solicitous of his freshly healed wound.

Alzack soon joined the trio at a table. They were soon deeply engrossed in conversation, talking about life and guns. Kai summoned his nerve and asked Bisca for advice on women. Kaiziro and Alzack became immersed in a Quick Draw-style drinking game. Millianna noticed the smile on Kai's face. It was not some plastered expression done to appease strangers in order to come off as pleasant, nor was it partially empty like the smiles he had been using around Mermaid Heel after his beating. This smile was bright and wonderful. It was the same cheerful smile he had worn on the day they met. She hadn't seen it in what felt like an eternity - and now he had it back.

To Be Continued.