**I don't own Fairy Tail or the characters. Those are all Mashima's.

This story is adopted from deranged kazuna55

Don't have a pairing for this story yet. I'll tell you how that's gonna' work at the bottom.**

~~~~~~Early the next morning~~~~~~

"What kind of request did you pick out Erza?" Lucy looked curiously at the piece of paper the scarlet-haired requip knight.

Erza just turned the paper in her hands so the blonde mage could read it.

"Apprehend a group of mercenary mages who are holding a local lord hostage in his own castle?" She blinked. "You picked an S-class mission?"

Erza shrugged her shoulders. "I only picked it because there was nothing on the regular board that would pay enough to cover your two months of missing rent after we split it 3 ways. It's one of the easiest S-class quests, so it shouldn't' be a problem for us." The job request paid out 480,000 jewel. After doing the math, Lucy realized that would leave her with an extra 20,000 to spend after she paid her rent for two months.

She then turned toward the door. "The problem is Gray. If that idiot is much later he's gonna' make us miss our chance to sneak off before Natsu shows up and ruins it."

As if on cue, the raven-haired mage came running into the guild hall. In his boxers. "Sorry I'm late Erza! Don't kill me!"

Erza frowned. "I'll let it go this time only because we need to get out of here before Natsu gets here. But if you're not dressed by the time we get to the train station your punishment will be doubled."

Gray paled and instantly ran out to look for his clothes, not even bothering to ask about the request. Erza and Lucy followed at a much more leisurely pace.

Unknown to them, a pair of onyx orbs watched them depart from a dark corner of the guild hall. I guess they're really going through with it, Natsu thought, a few stray tears dripping down his cheeks.

But he brushed them away quickly and departed the guild, quietly so that Mirajane – the only other person in the guild, wouldn't notice him leave. No point in making a scene about what was going to happen.

~~~~~~Magnolia Train Station~~~~~~

"So Erza, what kind of job are we doing?" Gray asked, fully clothed and apparently remembering to stay that way thanks to Erza's earlier threat.

Erza handed him the request, and he read it quickly. "An S-class job? Great! I can't wait to rub this one in flame-brain's face!"

"That probably wouldn't be a good idea Gray," Erza said. "Natsu will be hurt enough when he discovers we left him behind for a job. It's better if he doesn't know I took you guys on an S-class job without him."

"What?!" Gray Protested. "There's no point in going on an S-class job if I can't even talk shit to pinky about it!"

"The point is that we'll all have some spare jewels after this," Erza said. And I'll have enough to buy my limited edition strawberry shortcake: monster size. She didn't notice the drool that was hanging from her lip as she thought about the heavenly dessert that was waiting for her to conquer it.

"Exactly." Lucy said. "Just about getting a few extra jewels without having to pay extra for collateral damage." And I'll be able to catch up on my rent.

"I guess it will be more peaceful without flame brain around." I still want to rub his face in it.

"You know, it's kind of nice to not have to worry that Natsu might puke all over me," Lucy said with a small laugh.

"True," Erza agreed. Though I admit I kinda' miss his warm head on my lap after I knock him out…

"Yeah, but that means I also don't get to make fun of him for getting taken out by a fucking train." Gray said with a smirk.

Erza and Lucy couldn't help laughing. That was one that never got old. The powerful Natsu Dragneel, possessor of the magic that was supposed to be capable of taking down dragons, rendered unable to do anything simply by being placed on a moving vehicle.

"You know, that can be kind of a hindrance for our quests too," Lucy commented. "I mean, we basically have to avoid any quests that might involve actively fighting on transportation, even if they could be easy for the amount of pay."

"That is true," Erza said.

"Yeah." Gray said. "Now that you mention it, flame-brain does kind of limit us."

"All it would take would be a bit of transportation and he'd become useless in a fight. And then we'd have to try to protect him," Lucy said.

The conversation continued that way till they got as close as they could to the village, which was a 5 hour train ride. They moved on into a horse-drawn wagon after that to travel the rest of the way.

~~~~~~Near the border of Magnolia~~~~~~

"Well Happy, this time we'll definitely find Igneel!" Natsu pumped his fist cheerfully in the air, but his eyes still contained a hint of sadness as he remembered how his team had talked about him. Perhaps what hurt the most was that it was all instigated by Lucy, who probably owed him more than anyone else in the guild, including her even coming to Fairy Tail.

"Aye Sir!" The blue exceed grinned cheerfully, pumping his fist into the air.

Sorry I'm too destructive Lucy. But if not for me you'd be someone's fuck toy, he thought. But now you all can have your wish. I won't be on your team for at least a couple more years. Cause I ain't coming back till I'm at least as strong as Gildarts.

As he left Magnolia behind him he couldn't help the bitter thought. I hope your precious jewels are worth it.

~~~~~~Near sunset, in a remote village~~~~~~~

"I think that's everyone," Erza panted, struggling to maintain her combat pose. Gray and Lucy were both badly winded and injured. Lucy was on both knees, and barely had enough magic power to summon Plue. Gray wasn't in much better condition.

"They weren't supposed to be so tough," Gray mumbled through clenched teeth. "But I think we got them all anyway."

"Indeed." Erza let her combat posture drop and requipped back to her standard Heart Kruz armor. Gray dropped to his knees, exhausted. "Let's get the lord of the castle and tell the townspeople the good news…"

Suddenly she was interrupted by a slow, steady clap. Gritting her teeth, Erza jumped back into a combat stance as a new mage approached, dressed in loose fitting red clothing and wearing a hood.

"I've got to congratulate you guys. You actually managed to take out all my minions," the man said with a smirk. "But I'm afraid I can't let you take Lord Rovsky's castle. I have such wonderful plans for this place."

His tone suddenly changed, his voice becoming harsh, cold, and even otherworldly as he uttered. "Fires of the sun consume you: Heaven's inferno!"

A fireball formed in front of him, so hot that the mages were instantly drenched in sweat just from their proximity to it. Erza smirked. "A fire mage, huh. How unfortunate for you." She just waited as the fireball approached, waiting for Natsu to jump in front of them and devour his favorite food…

"SHIT!" She dove out of the way as the realization hit her that their resident dragon slayer wouldn't be devouring these flames to recharge his power, but she was unable to fully avoid the attack. Enough of the fireball hit to deplete the remainder of her energy, as hard as she was fighting it, she ended up blacking out.

~~~~~~Three Days Later~~~~~~

Erza blinked slowly as her eyes opened. Her body ached everywhere, and her head was pounding like a bass drum. The blurry room began to come into focus around her. She was in Fairy Tail's infirmary.

She breathed a sigh of relief as she forced her body into a sitting position. The door opened, and she made out Makarov coming in.

"Erza, you're awake." He said, relief in his voice.

Erza nodded stiffly. "What happened, master?" she asked.

"I was hoping you could tell me." Makarov replied.

"Last thing I remember was getting knocked out by a fire attack from the leader of the mercenaries…" She replied, searching her mind for more but finding nothing. "How did we get here?"

"Two days ago, around noon, a train came into Magnolia. You, Lucy, and Gray were all strapped to boards on the top of the train with a note telling us this was a message and we'd better stay away from the town. We got you to the infirmary as quickly as we could, but even with Porlyusica's skill you were out for two days, and she thinks Gray and Lucy will be unconscious for at least a week."

"Ugh," Erza rubbed her temples with her fingers. "I'm sorry master. We failed to complete the request." She feared they'd damaged Fairy Tail's reputation.

Makarov sighed. "I'm not worried about that child. Laxus and the Raijinshuu completed the task after you came back in that condition. They just came back an hour ago to announce their success. As for me, I'm just glad to see you're alright."

Erza looked around the infirmary, taking in the atmosphere. Porlyusica was busying herself over two other cots that held Lucy and Gray. Nobody else seemed to be around. In fact, she didn't even here the noise of the boisterous brawl that should be going on right now if Laxus was successful. "The guild seems awfully quiet today, master."

Makarov nodded. "That's a conversation we'll have to have when you're feeling better."

Erza turned to the master. "If there's something going on, I want to know now."

Makarov sighed. "Erza, trust me when I say that this can wait for a few days."

Erza frowned, still addressing the master. "If there's something wrong I want to know about it now. And you know me well enough to know that I'm not going to give up until you tell me."

Makarov stared at her for several minutes, then sighed. "Wait here." He disappeared into the guild for a minute, then came back holding a sheet of paper. He handed it to her wordlessly. Erza took the paper, looking at the master in confusion.

"Read it," he said, his face indicating he wasn't going to tell her anything further.

She started reading the note.

"Hey Gramps,

By the time you get this I'll be long gone. Don't bother looking for me. Me and happy went to find Igneel. And don't worry about the guild. You guys are better off without a loser like me anyway.

Here's all my savings. There's enough here to give Lucy, Erza and Gray a hundred thousand jewels each. I think. I never was great at counting. Hopefully that'll make up for some of the reward money they're always losing because I'm there dragging them down. If there's anything leftover after that keep it. Maybe it'll help pay for some of the stuff I destroyed.

Anyway, don't worry about me and Happy. We would've searched for Igneel sooner if I wasn't too much of an idiot to realize I wasn't really wanted here. We'll be back in a couple years or so.

Natsu (and Happy)

A shadow came over Erza's eyes. "That idiot," she almost yelled as she started marching toward the infirmary door, ignoring the pain that came with each step. She didn't get far before she ran into Makarov, who stood impassively blocking her way.

"Just where do you think you're going?" He asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" She tried to step around only to have him step in front of her. "I'm going to bring that idiot back where he belongs."

"No, you're not. You need to rest, and besides, he already has 3 days start. If he doesn't want to be found, there's no way you'll find him."

"Three days?" Erza's mouth dropped open.

Makarov sighed. "This happened the same morning you guys left for the quest. Mira was getting the bar ready before the rest of the guild came. She went down to the storeroom after you guys left, and when she came back up this letter was there, along with close to 500,000 jewels. She was crying when I came in to the guild."

Erza's mind went into overdrive when she heard that. The same morning? He couldn't possibly have heard them talking could he? She set out again, looking even more determined. "All the more reason for me to find him."

"No," Makarov said again. "I have a feeling Natsu doesn't want to be found right now anyway, and you still need to heal from your injuries. He'll come back when he's ready."

"That might not be for a couple years!" Erza yelled, not caring that the rest of the guild could probably hear her. "He can't be gone for that long!"

"Relax, Erza." Makarov said with a sigh. "Believe me when I say I want him to come back just as much as you do, but going out after him isn't going to bring him back. We must let him follow his own path. Now get back in bed."

Erza growled as she reluctantly obeyed the master, slipping back into the infirmary bed. She set it in her mind that she would find Natsu and drag him back to the guild where he belonged. Then she would teach him not to leave his family that way.

Then she fell asleep, and slid into dark dreams…

Alright, here's what I want to do for the pairings.

First let me stress that the pairings you guys decide on will determine the path of the story from this point forward.

Now, the way I would like for this to work is for you guys to tell me who you think the pairing should be. There are a few that will not happen and some that probably won't happen. I'll list those beneath. I'm going to update a couple of my other stories, which should take me at least a week or two, and when I get back to writing chapter 3 of this story I'll take whichever pairing has the most requests - with certain limitations.

So here are the pairings with no or limited possibility:

Pairings that will not happen no matter what:

NaLu

NaWen

Navia

NatsuxAny Celestial Spirit

Any Yaoi ships

Pairings that will probably not happen:

Naza (as much as I like this pairing, the setting of this story makes it extremely unlikely. The only reason this is in the 'probably not' section is because I'm a hardcore Naza shipper)

NatsuxHisui (Nasui?)

NatsuxLevy

NatsuxLisanna

And a couple special rules:

If somebody is in the "probably not" category, they will win the pairing unless they have a very substantial lead over all other possible pairings. So, for example, if 10 people asked for Mirajane and 15 people asked for Erza, Mira would still end up as the pairing because Erza is in the probably not category. However, if 10 people asked for Mirajane and 20 people asked for Erza, Erza could end up being the ship.

Kyouka and Sayla/Seilah area a package deal in any story I write.

I refuse to ship Gray with anyone except Juvia

I refuse to ship Jellal with Erza

Aaand... I think that's it.

Let me know if you want to see a pairing. And thank you deranged kazuna55 for giving me permission to adopt :)

UDATE: Poll added with top 5 pairing requests - vote for the one you want to see!