Chapter 2

By Faralyne

Waking up actually felt nice. His body was a little sore and hungry, but Natsu wasn't the least bit tired. He couldn't think of a time his bed felt so comfortable. His body just sunk into the white sheets, the dark blue comforter softly covering his body. Haha, eyes playin' tricks on me again. My comforter's red. Natsu blinked his eyes a bit, yet the color never changed. He stared down at his body—he was still a tiny dragon. Ugh.

Wait.

How did he get in this bed? Wasn't he running to the guild? Natsu started to panic. He was running as fast as he could, the sun hurrying from the sky the entire way. But he couldn't remember much after that. And now he was lying in a comfy bed. Natsu sniffed the air. He could smell soap wafting off his body, spearmint filling his nose. An afterthought whispered in his ears, but Natsu ignored it. Sure Gray smelled like spearmint all the fuckin' time, but there's no way… I probably didn't even make it back to Magnolia. Struggling out of the warm comforter, Natsu climbed onto the stuffed white pillow.

And he got his answer.

Gray was sleeping quietly, his back turned towards Natsu. Almost inaudible breaths escaped his slightly open mouth. His eyes were scrunched up a bit, eyebrows furrowed. Ha, he looks pissy even when he sleeps—wait, that's not important right now! How did I end up here?! Natsu wanted to scream, but only gargling growls left his mouth. Well, almost only. Sparks spat from his mouth, catching the pillow on fire. Oh shit! Natsu tried to stomp out the spreading fire, but it only seemed to get bigger.

Gray groaned, shifting a bit. "… Is something… burning?" he mumbled out, eyes still closed. He inhaled the air before his eyes snapped open and he rolled over towards the fire.

"Fire—WHAT THE HELL?!" he shouted, his whole body jolting back until he fell from the bed and crashed onto the floor. He jumped up, grabbing the comforter up into his hands and throwing it over the spreading fire, finally extinguishing it. Black smoke filled the air and had Gray coughing all the way to open the window. The room was silent as the air cleared, the smoke racing into the outside air.

Gray scratched the back of his messy bedhead and turned to face the culprit.

"Kakakaka…" Natsu snickered. Even though his laugh sounded weird, he was sure the ice block could tell he was laughing. He fell off the bed—hahahaha! His hair got singed a bit! "Kakaka."

A vein popped out on the dark-haired man's forehead, but he only sighed, "This is what I get for sheltering a weird-ass lizard. Should've known it could do abnormal things. But fire, really?" Gray rubbed his temples, and Natsu suddenly stopped laughing. Bastard, I'm a dragon, not a lizard! He growled.

"And now I need to buy a new pillow and sheets," Gray noted to himself. He plopped back down on the bed, sitting directly in front of Natsu. Dark blue eyes observed the little dragon, making Natsu feel a little uncomfortable. No way does this bastard make me feel uncomfortable! Natsu glared back, narrowing his squinty eyes. He noticed Gray was actually wearing clothes. It was a miracle, and the information definitely made sleeping in the same bed sound less horrifying.

A pale hand hesitantly touched the top of Natsu's head, pulling him from his thoughts. Gray was petting him. The pale hand scratched near his horns—goddamn it that felt good. Natsu almost leaned towards the man, but he snapped out of it, shaking Gray's hand off. He growled and moved back a little.

"Jeez, you don't need to be so guarded, little guy," Gray mumbled, pushing some of his long bangs back. "I don't know what would have happened if I hadn't found you in that garbage pile." He found me where?! How'd I end up in garbage? Better yet, where's my muffler?! Natsu panicked a bit when he couldn't see the important cloth.

"Are you hungry?" Gray's question must have been directed to his stomach because it growled in reply. The dark-haired man smirked a little. Ergh, no stomach, don't give in! …But I'm hungry! Natsu watched as Gray stood up from the bed and walked out of the room. A couple of minutes passed before his dark head popped back into the room. "You comin', little guy?"

Natsu didn't need to be told twice. He snarled at Gray. Quit callin' me "little guy"!

.

Gray's apartment was a little small, but convenient. It wasn't really decorated or anything. There weren't any picture frames or photos anywhere. Just some furniture and items to function properly. The ice mage travelled into the kitchen mumbling to himself while Natsu explored the foreign area. He'd never been to Gray's apartment before. Had any of them? Not that it was surprising. Erza, Natsu, and Gray's homes were pretty off limits. They usually just hung out at Lucy's apartment because it was so nice and welcoming. The dragon saw something that sparked his interest and darted towards it. His muffler! It was folded neatly and sitting on the little coffee table in front of the sofa. Phew, it's okay! His money pouch was lying next to it. Natsu jumped up onto the table and snuggled into the muffler. It smelled clean—like laundry detergent.

"Hey!" Two hands scooped Natsu up, yanking him away from his muffler. But it's mine! The dragon wriggled in the tight grasp. "Don't touch that. It belongs to a friend." Natsu froze. It wasn't a surprise that they were friends (isn't rivalry but a competition between friends?), but… it was different when Gray actually said it. Acknowledged without hesitation. It was nice.

"It's really important to him, which is weird that I found it next to the trash with you. And I'm pretty sure that pouch is his too," the ice mage said, turning towards the kitchen. "Well, when he gets back from his stupid alone-time quest, I'll give it back."

Natsu jumped out of the pale hands and into the pulled-out wooden chair. His eyes bulged out of their sockets at the plate of smoked sausage in front of him. He was so preoccupied with his muffler, he hadn't even noticed the succulent smell of sausage.

"I don't really know what lizards eat so—oh, he likes it," Gray laughed as Natsu ignored his words and started shoving the meat down his throat. Baby, it's been too long. As the little dragon was licking the plate, he finally noticed Gray watching him, his head propped up on the backs of his hands. Wh-what? Is there meat on my face? Hah, no, I'd never leave anything uneaten. Natsu growled since he didn't know what else to do. The dark-haired man only chuckled.

"So, do you have a name?"

It's Natsu, you bastard! Natsu still needed to get to Wendy. Yet, how was he going to tell her that he was indeed their homesick dragon slayer? Not even Gray figured it out and he was somewhat smart. Somewhat. I'm not complimentin' him or anythin'. He wished he only knew how he got like this in the first place. Natsu tried to recall his memories from before he turned into this. All he did was defeat a monster, walk home, eat a weird fruit, and go to sleep. He didn't do anything out of the ordinary!

Natsu tried to think more on what could've done this to him until it finally hit him. The weird fruit really was, well, weird! Right, it was a party favor! So it was gonna turn me into my favorite animal for a day. But a dragon's not an animal (not that it matters), and it's been longer than a day… Why hadn't he changed back already?

"Natsu."

The little dragon nearly had a heart attack when Gray called his name. Natsu snapped his head up, eyes as wide as saucers. D-did he? Does he know? Even if it were the ice block, Natsu was relieved someone figured it out. Gray laughed. "Ha, I should name you Natsu. It'll probably piss the living daylights out of him that I named a lizard after him."

Natsu fumed. This bastard! The little dragon snarled before jumping on Gray. The action had enough force to knocked the ice mage back in his seat, the wooden chair toppling to the ground. Gray banged his head against the hard flooring while trying to pry Natsu from his nose—which he was currently biting.

"Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow. Fuck, Natsu, get off!" Gray snapped, finally yanking the little dragon from his reddening nose. Natsu struggled in his grip until the dark-haired man finally let him go. He huffed, curtly nodding his head.

That'll teach ya, ya shitty Popsicle!

.

Natsu trotted slowly next to Gray's legs as they walked down the bridge towards the guild. Finally, the guild! To think this exhibitionist was gonna leave me locked in his house! Natsu growled, startling a passerby. Gray tried so hard to keep Natsu from following him out the door, but he gave up once realized it was impossible.

"I hope the guild doesn't flip out when they see you. You're on your own if it happens," Gray huffed, narrowing his eyes at the little dragon by his side. Natsu growled some incomprehensible retort back, little sparks escaping his mouth. What was the big deal anyway? So what if Natsu was a small dragon—frequently mistaken as an overgrown, mutant lizard. Plus, I can take care of myself! Natsu nodded briskly as the ice mage pushed open the large guild doors of Fairy Tail.

"Hey everyone," he greeted, stuffing his hands in his pants pockets (his jacket and shirt already absent). The little dragon's heart sped up at the loud greetings thrown their way. He missed his guild, and it hurt that they didn't think he returned. Suddenly, everyone became silent.

"Uh, Gray… what's that thing by your feet?" Lucy finally spoke up as the pair sat down at their usual table. She was trying to act casual, but the curiosity and slight intimidation were evident in her voice. Wendy and Erza were sitting across the table, peering over the top. Natsu scrambled up on the connected wooden bench (he almost didn't make it), settling into the spot in between Gray and Lucy.

"Meet Natsu." Gray paused for effect, watching the eyes widen before he cracked an amused smirk. "Haha, no, not the real idiotic dragon slayer. I just named him that because it's funny. I found him unconscious in some garbage pile, and, well, yeah." The dark-haired man shrugged his shoulders, his face becoming indifferent.

"Natsu's going to be mad that you named a bizarre lizard after him," Lucy pointed out and Gray made a face that read, 'No shit, Sherlock. That's the point.' They bantered a bit, something along the lines of "and why does it look like something tried to bite your nose off, Gray?" and "don't ask." Wendy stole little glances at the little dragon.

"Um, doesn't it look like… Don't you think he looks like a dr-dragon? I mean, can lizards have wings?" she squeaked.

Erza glared at Natsu, eyes narrowing in observation. Natsu sort of shrunk in on himself under her stare. "But they disappeared years ago. Why would a baby just pop up out of nowhere?" she questioned. I'm not a baby! I'm just a little on the small side!

Wendy shrugged, staring down into her lap. "I don't know. He just looks and smells like one… he sort of smells like Natsu-san, but I can't tell with Gray-san's smell all over him…"

Natsu stiffened, gagging at the comment. Gray's smell is on me! Yuck! He shivered. But Wendy, it's me! You've gotta believe me! Gray chuckled, "That's cause I gave him a bath. He smelled like burnt shit." The little dragon snapped his head up, growling at the ice mage. You smell like minty shit! The ice mage raised an eyebrow in confusion.

Lucy giggled, "That's so nice Gray. I bet Natsu would be freaking out over him." She smiled, her mood dampening. She bent pieces of her blond hair as a distraction. "I wonder when he's going to come back. It's no fun without our favorite pinkette." I-I'm right here, Lucy…

"That asshole slipped out from under my nose. When he gets back…" Erza huffed, letting the threat sink in. Everyone gulped.

"O-okay then…" Gray started after the tense pause, "I'll be going now. I'm taking the inn ice-sculpture quest, so I'll be back sometime in the evening." He pulled himself up from the seat, rummaging around in his pocket for the folded up quest. He tried to pet Natsu, but the little dragon snapped at him. Don't pet me! Gray sighed. "I just needed to run this by Mira."

Lucy jumped up, "Ah, wait, what about him?" She indiscreetly nodded her head in Natsu's direction.

The ice mage blinked, "You mean he can't just chill here until I come back? There are enough people to watch over him." With that, Gray waved goodbye and was already walking towards Mira's bar.

The blonde sighed before sitting back down. She glanced at Natsu. "It's not a problem, I guess. He's sort of cute—in an odd way." Natsu snorted. Sort of? Wait, I'm not cute! I'm ferocious! Badass! Cool! He glared at the exhibitionist's back as he talked to Mirajane for a bit, then languidly exited the guild.

"Do you think Gray-san seems a little down?"

The little dragon raised an eyebrow at the question. Down? Him? No, not really.

"Mm, a little bit. Think it's the anniversary of his teacher's death?"

Erza shook her head, "No, that passed a while ago. I hope he didn't get himself in any trouble. Well, if he wants to talk about, he knows we're here for him."

"Yeah, well, it could just be my imagination too. Anyways, have you been to the new bakery…"

The girls' voices faded into the background noise. Did he really look down? Natsu hadn't noticed. He stared at the closing door. Err, it's not my problem. He can go be depressed all he wants for all I care. Natsu grunted. Yet, he couldn't tear his eyes away from the guild's entrance. And without asking for permission, his little body darted for it. Damn it, Popsicle!

"Hey, wait! Someone catch him!"

"Stop!"

Natsu dodged the pairs of hands darting towards him, successfully squeezing through the heavy doors.

.

He was so lost.

How he managed to get lost in his hometown was a mystery to him. Everything just looked so different in his current body. And the darkened sky wasn't helping much either. My eyes are better at adaptin' at night though. But I'm so hungry! Natsu's stomach rumbled just thinking about food. He tried following the stupid ice block, but as soon as he stepped out of the guild, he was nowhere to be seen. And then the guild members were trying to catch him and drag him back to the guild. Natsu had to run so far; picking ways he never knew of before. He let out an exasperated roar. This is that ice block's entire fault!

"The hell was that?"

Natsu snapped his head up from the voice. He was currently sitting at the entrance of a dark alleyway, trying to retrace his steps for the hundredth time that day. Suddenly, a head popped over him.

"Ew, what is that?" a girl voice complained. There were more of them—some older kids exploring the night. They crowded around Natsu, peering over him like hawks. The little dragon sprung up to his feet, body growing tense and guard rising.

"I dun know. Never see anythin' like it 'fore." Someone nudged him with his foot, and Natsu lashed out. Who do ya think you're touchin', punk?! Natsu bit the outstretched ankle in reproach. "Ow, get this thin' off me!"

He bit harder until pain blossomed from his side. Crack. Natsu gasped for air, mouth gapping like a fish. It was excruciatingly hard—whatever smashed into him. His small body lurched into the air easily, falling and skidding to a stop.

"You didn't have to smack it with a metal bar! What if you killed it?" the girl screeched.

"That shit deserves ta die for bitin' me. Gimme that!" The metal bar crashed into Natsu's stomach before he had a chance to catch his breath, let alone move. And then he was in the air once again. He felt like he was going to retch. His insides were tight and twisted.

But Natsu didn't crash into the ground. No, something—someone caught him, pulled him into his bare chest. Even though the grip was gentle, Natsu's whole body ached in discomfort. It shivered sporadically. He was so… weak.

"Who do ya think ya are? Give that ba—"

"—Thanks for finding this guy for me. I've been looking all over for him." The voice was a low rumble. Deathly calm and cold.

"Uh guys, you see the guild symbol too, right?" one of the kids spoke nervously.

"Shit, he's that ice mage from Fairy Tail! RUN!"

Natsu heard the footsteps recede quickly. He hadn't even noticed his eyes screwed closed, not with the pulsing pain coursing though his torso. "Hey, hey, are you okay? Hold on, okay? Everything's gonna be all right," Gray spoke in a soft voice full of worry and muffled panic. But it was relieving. Natsu slowly let his guard down, darkness blanketing his mind.

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A/N: Hi again, and Happy Thanksgiving! This chapter was so much longer than the first one, so I hope you liked it!