Chapter 2

Iemon watched as the fight in the Fairy Tail grand hall escalated. His lip trembled in fear as the young man pulled him forward through the hall, which was rather unpleasantly littered with the unconscious bodies of the weaker members. Once again, his eyes were drawn to the naked man that seemed to be leading the fight. The young man that tugged him onward stared straight ahead as if this was a most common experience within Fairy Tail and Iemon made sure to thank the Gods that he seemed to have gained the aid of one of the more reliable and mature of the Fairy Tail members at least.

Suddenly, blocking their path was the naked youth from before, with a rather fearsome glare on his face.

"There you are, bastard! Don't think this is over. This is all your fault Natsu!"

Natsu?

Was that the young man's name?

Iemon found himself pondering on a variety of things before the most important of all made its way to the forefront….It was Natsu's fault? He caused all this…chaos?

Iemon felt a tug on his arm as Natsu pulled forward so he stood almost nose to nose with the black haired naked youth. He seemed to have forgotten that Iemon was even there as he tugged almost unconsciously on his sleeve, dragging the older man with him.

"Ehhhhh? What was that you pervert? How is this my fault. Why don't you stop blaming things on innocent people and find a pair of pants you pervert."

"Ehhhhh? What was that? You picking a fight? What do you mean pervert, ehhhh? EHHHH?"

Iemon's nearly stumbled as he realized that the young man had only just gathered that he was completely naked. The black haired man covered himself with his hands and stumbled away.

"As soon as I get some pants, you're finished Natsu!"

"Yeah yeah. Don't hurry back Gray."

Natsu watched Gray's retreating back and laughed cheekily. Iemon decided to intervene and ask the question that had been niggling him.

"Uh, what exactly is wrong with that young man?"

"WOAH!"

Natsu screamed in terror as the voice penetrated his thoughts.

'Don't tell me he…He forgot that I was here, didn't he…' Iemon thought to himself as he watched Natsu pant heavily, hand over his heart.

"Jeez Lemon. I almost forgot that you were here."

"Not almost forgot! You clearly did forget didn't you! And its not Lemon, it's Iemon! IEMON! Now, please, if you don't mind can you take me to Makarov-san. Without any further interruptions. My message is of great import, it has to reach his ears directly."

Natsu looked at the older man with curious eyes. It seemed as though he was about to question Iemon but then seemed to think better of it.

"Ah yeah. Follow me."

Once again, Natsu led the way through the carnage of the great hall, skilfully stepping over unconscious and sleeping bodies as though he just anticipated that they were there and dodging the odd burst of magic that came his way. He was almost too comfortable with that kind of situation.

Iemon breathed a sigh of relief when Natsu led him upstairs. He had finally escaped the chaos downstairs and was safe. Natsu led him down a short hallway and stopped in front of an imposing door in front of them. He turned to face Iemon with a cheerful grin.

"This is it. Gramps' room."

"Ah, thank you."

Natsu nodded his head and gave a loud knock on the mahogany door. When there was no response he tried again.

Nothing.

"Cant say I didn't knock." Natsu said, just before shrugging his shoulders and barging in before Iemon could even voice a protest against his actions.

The room was very dark. The curtains covered the majority light that the window offered but a small ray shone through and highlighted the bed in front of them. Sleeping soundly, thumb in his mouth and clutching a rather tattered teddy bear was Makarov, the master of Fairy Tail.

Iemon was slightly under whelmed. All of the great stories he had heard about this man and his accomplishments seemed far away from his thoughts as he studied the small sleeping man in front of him.

"This…this is Makarov?"

"Yup. Gramps is the master of Fairy Tail."

"I…I see."

Iemon rubbed a hand over his forehead as though he had a headache and bit his lip. He wasn't impressed so far, that was certain.

Suddenly, before he even thought to stop him Natsu raced past him and jumped on the master's bed. Makarov jolted awake as the bed shook with the impact of Natsu jumping up and down.

"Wake up Gramps1 You have a guest!"

"NATSU! WHY YOU! WHAT HAVE I TOLD YOU ABOUT ENTERING MY ROOM YOU LITTLE BRAT?"

Makarov's voice grew louder and louder and soon enough his body started to follow suit until he was tall enough that his head bumped against the ceiling. His face was alight with fury, but Natsu simply grinned foolishly.

'Is he an idiot?' Iemon thought to himself as he observed the young man. He looked to the young man and then to Makarov and then decided impulsively to interfere.

"Um…hello. Makarov-sama. If you wouldn't mind…I have…I have a mess-ss-age for you."

Makarov looked down as he heard the voice and his face registered surprise. He obviously hadn't noticed that Iemon was even there. Almost immediately his body regained its small form and once again Makarov looked like an ordinary old man once more. Disregarding the fact that he was still holding tightly to the bear and sporting pink rollers in the hair he had left.

"Ah. A guest? Excuse my rudeness."

Iemon noticed that his personality had immediately changed as Makarov gestured for him to take a chair by the bed. Makarov in the meantime headed toward the window and pulled the long curtains open. The room was instantaneously brightened and Iemon could finally study the room with a keener eye.

"Makarov-sama," he said, his voice still shaking somewhat from nervousness, "My name is Iemon Cubertlian. I am the mayor of a small town on the island of Caelum. I have come a very long way to talk to you face to face."

"Caelum? Where's that?" Natsu interjected.

Makarov turned to look at him sharply, silencing him immediately.

"Natsu. You've done your job now, I'll take it from here. You can leave."

Natsu looked at Makarov but didn't say anything. Instead he nodded his head and turned to leave the room.

"See you later uncle," he turned to say, grin wide on his face.

"Ah yes. Thank you Natsu-kun."

Natsu left the room and closed the door behind him gently.

"That boy…he'll be the death of me."

Iemon turned to look at Makarov and noted the expression on his face. His eyes shone with a gentle affection toward the boy Natsu and his mouth smiled slightly. Iemon found himself sweating profusely at the thought of having to replace that smile with a frown.

"Makarov-sama. I'm afraid we have some trouble to contend with…"

TO BE CONTINUED

DISCLAIMER: I do not own the characters in Fairy Tail. That right belongs exclusively to Hiro Mashima.