During Those 7 Years
Chapter two: Farewell
"Hey Mira? Do you have any Strawberry Lemonade?" A scarlet haired mage asked while taking a seat at the bar.
"Of course! I'll have it ready in a minute." Mirajane replied to Erza as she fetched a clean glass. "If you don't mind me asking, what'd Master Makarov call you to the infirmary for?"
"He needed to finalize some things for the S-Class exam and wanted me to watch over Natsu in the meantime."
"Speaking of Natsu, is he going to be alright? It looked like he was seriously hurt from that brawl. Gray went a bit overboard if you ask me. There was no reason for him to slam Natsu's leg with that Ice Hammer of his. I mean, it's a hammer, it's going to do a fair amount of damage. Gray could have used any other spell and he would have still won against him." Mirajane asked concerned as she slid Erza her Strawberry Lemonade.
"I fully agree with you." Erza paused to sip her cold beverage. "But Natsu is making a steady recovery and that's the most important thing as of now. As for Gray, he's treading on thin water in my book. I wouldn't wish the emotional pain that he caused Natsu on even the darkest of mages."
"Wait, what do you mean by 'emotional pain?' I thought you said that Natsu was making a steady recovery! Did something else happen?" Mirajane asked worried as she pressed herself against the counter.
"Hold on, It's best that I made an announcement to the rest of the guild before we end up closing." Erza drank the rest of her Lemonade before standing up from her barstool to approach the stage on the other side of the guild hall. As she stood in the middle of the portion of raised platform, many of the random guild members began to quiet down as it was rare for the scarlet haired mage to make an announcement.
In fact, the majority of the guild members were talking about the same subject: "What happened to Natsu?"
"Thank you all for quieting down. I didn't want to resort to violence." Erza stated causing all the members to sweat drop. "As many of you already know, Natsu's recent rivalry with Gray landed him in the infirmary. He's making a steady recovery and I'm sure he'll be out of the infirmary in a couple of days." Erza reassured her guildmates Natsu's safety as she took into account the collective sigh of relief.
"So we were all worried for nothing." Mirajane smiled from the bar.
"I wasn't finished yet Mira." Erza paused before continuing. "I don't know a light way to put it… But Natsu's injuries prevent him from going on the S-Class exams with us this year."
The entire guild was speechless at the harsh truth the scarlet haired mage delivered. All the members knew that Natsu was injured in his brawl with Gray, but no one expected his injuries to prevent him from carrying out one of his lifelong dreams. A couple seconds passed by before someone formed a response.
"Wait… So is that what you meant by 'emotional pain?'" Mirajane stuttered in disbelief.
"Yes. Natsu hasn't been taking this news lightly. This was the one year that he was nominated for the exams and he isn't able to participate. He feels completely useless and is borderline heartbroken to say the least." Erza stated with sadness as she remembered the conversation she had with Natsu.
"Why don't we just tell Master Makarov to move the S-Class exams back a couple of days so Natsu can get more time to heal!" Lucy suggested from Team Natsu's table.
"Yea Erza! We should go tell Master right now!" Happy chimed in.
"I wish I could move the S-Class exams, but that's just not possible." A new voice resonated from Fairy Tail's second floor before Erza could respond. As many of the guild members raised their heads to see who spoke, they saw Master Makarov standing on the rail separating them as he recently left his office. "This is the one time that all of our S-Class mages will be together and I need all of them to help with tasks."
"Master Makarov, I assume you're done finalizing everything for the S-Class exams?" Erza questioned.
"Yes, I am, thank you for your concern Erza. It's probably best if I clarify Natsu's situation." The short Guild Master said as he leaped to the stage from his position before continuing. "Porlyusica confirmed that Natsu will be able to walk again in a few days."
"Then I don't see the problem since we could always just pull Natsu along in a wheelchair until then." Happy said with hope. "So why can't we?"
"If that was the case then Erza wouldn't have said that Natsu isn't able to come with us on the S-Class exam." Gildarts sighed from the bar's counter.
"He has a point." Macao frowned as he could tell where this was going.
"Gildarts is right." Master Makarov stated. "You see, when Natsu was hit by Gray's Ice Hammer, his leg was fractured in the process. His Dragon Slayer magic gives him remarkable healing abilities, but he still won't be able to fully heal by the time the exam starts. Even after he's able to walk again, Porlyusica still has to treat him with physical therapy before he can continue any rigorous activity. If Natsu tries to push his leg too hard before he is fully healed, the damage may be irreversible." The old Guild Master cringed as a wave of silence fell upon the guild.
"You're joking." Macao whispered as he lowered his head. Ever since Natsu was little, the pink haired mage would always tell him about how he wanted to become an S-Class mage so he could find Igneel again. If Natsu didn't deserve this opportunity, no one else did either which only lowered Macao's mood.
Other guild members were just shocked at the drastic turn of events for the young Dragon Slayer.
"If… If that's the case, what should I do since Natsu isn't my partner anymore?" Happy began to cry slightly at the misfortune his foster father had encountered.
"I know that you would rather stay with Natsu, but if you wouldn't mind, I would prefer if you accompanied us on the S-Class exam. Since you can use your magic to fly, would you be willing to scout Tenrou Island for me during the exam just to make sure everything is in order?" Makarov offered to cheer the young exceed up.
"Aye sir!" Happy smiled slightly.
"Thank you Happy." Master Makarov smiled before changing the subject. "On the other hand, the reason I came out here was to remind those who are participating in the S-Class exam that we leave for Tenrou Island tomorrow morning. You are expected to arrive here promptly when the guild first opens. Until then, I suggest you all go home and rest up for tomorrow." Master Makarov stated as he made his way back to the second floor of the guild. "I'll see you all in the morning my children." Master Makarov smiled before reentering his office.
Before the guild members could start murmuring amongst themselves, a white haired mage began to speak. "Can we at least see Natsu before we leave?" Lisanna asked as she was worried about her childhood friend.
"Yea! I want to go tell him about how I'm going to help Master out during the S-Class exam!" Happy chirped.
"Natsu just fell asleep so we should let him get some rest for now. If he's feeling in the mood to talk to SOME OF YOU when he wakes up tomorrow," Erza shifted her attention to Gray who was sitting in front of her with the rest of Team Natsu, "Then maybe Master Makarov can let you see him before we depart."
"I don't know why you're looking at me like that. It's not my fault that Natsu attacked me for no reason. He can blame me for the reason that he can't go on the S-Class exam, but I sure as hell don't give a rat's second chance."
"Gray, I know you have a rivalry with Natsu, but you went too far in your guild brawl with him."
"The idiot deserved what came to him for attacking me for no reason."
Erza had enough considering the emotional conversation she had with Natsu. Before Gray could continue, Erza darted towards the black haired mage. "Requip!" She yelled as a metallic sword formed in her hands. Within a fraction of a second, the scarlet haired mage pointed her sword's tip mere inches from Gray's face causing everyone in the entire Fairy Tail guild to gasp and stare in awe.
"WHAT THE HELL IS WRONG WITH YOU?!" Gray yelled as he reeled backwards only to be pressed against the table he sat at.
"Erza! Calm down right now!" Gildarts shouted as he bolted to the scene with Macao and Wakaba at his side.
"Don't worry, I'm not going to hurt him… Yet." The scarlet haired mage muttered towards Gildarts before directing her attention back to Gray. "You will apologize to Natsu for insulting him and talking behind his back. I don't think you have the slightest idea of the amount of emotional pain you have caused him because of your short minded actions."
"Wait… Huh- How did you know I was talking behind his back?"
"Did you honestly forget that easily? Natsu's a Dragon Slayer. He can hear every word that comes out of your mouth from across the guild. He told me everything when I was looking after him in the infirmary!"
"Wait, so Natsu didn't attack Gray for nothing?" The entirety of the guild began to question.
"That is correct. Why don't you tell everyone why Natsu attacked you Gray?" Erza urged the black haired mage by closing the distance her sword was from his neck.
"What do you mean 'why he attacked me?' How the hell should I know what goes through that idiot's brain?"
"Stop trying to act like the victim here. Let me rephrase my question so you can't avoid it, what did you say about Natsu to the other guild members?"
Seconds of silence was all that the guild needed to know that Gray knew something that the rest of them didn't. "I think told them something about Igneel not being real." Gray tried to act confused
"WRONG! You KNOW that you told them that Igneel wasn't real." Erza snarled.
"But Erza, Gray teases Natsu about Igneel's existence all the time." Lucy said from besides her. "I'm not trying to support sides, but I'm just curious why this matters so much to you all of a sudden."
"I wouldn't be talking to Gray right now if this was a normal situation. If he were just teasing Natsu this time around, he wouldn't have whispered it under his breath to other guild members." Erza said. "Gray, don't make me ask again for you to apologize to him. Natsu won't admit it, but he's jealous that you have the opportunity to possibly become an S-Class mage when he no longer does. Not only that, but insulting Natsu's father who he lives on in memory of is no laughing matter."
The majority of the guild hall began to side with Erza. She had a point after all. If Gray was only teasing Natsu, there wouldn't have been a reason for him to talk behind his back. He could have just said it to his face like the countless other times he has. The real question was why did Natsu risk putting himself in the infirmary the day before the S-Class exams.
"That still doesn't make any fucking sense. Can't he just learn to ignore me? I say this crap all the time and he still can't take a hint!"
"This is not about whether or not he could ignore you, it is about trust!" Erza shouted which caused Gray's eyes to widen
"What… What do you mean?"
"I'm talking about Ur!" Erza shouted. "Natsu realized that he could relate to you because of Ur who sacrificed her life so you could live on in her place. Consider this, if you were in Natsu's shoes and you heard him saying that Ur doesn't exist behind your back, how would that make you feel knowing that you know damn well she payed the ultimate price for your safety?"
"Erza I think that's going too far. Ur sacrificed her life fighting against Deliora while Igneel vanished seven years ago along with Metalicana and Grandeeney. They're completely differen- "
"No Lucy… She's right. Natsu has every right to blame me for not being able to go on the S-Class exam." Gray slightly gripped Erza's sword and lowered it slightly as he gritted his teeth. "I not only betrayed his trust and hurt Igneel's legacy, but because he was only trying to defend his father, he ended up getting hurt because of my actions and can't go on the S-Class exam. If I was in Natsu's situation and heard him talking about Ur behind my back, I can't say I would have let him walk away easily."
The entire guild reflected over what the black haired mage said. Each and every one of the members knew it was instinct to defend their pride as apart of the Fairy Tail Guild hall and many began to smile at the scene unfold. Gray was slowly beginning to accept the reality of the situation.
"Don't worry Erza, I'll apologize for fracturing his leg. I was wrong. He does have a reason to be angry with me."
"So what is it you're sorry for?" Erza said skeptically as she didn't draw from her stance.
"I'm going to apologize to Natsu for betraying his trust and because it's my fault he can't go on the S-Class exam. I said something behind his back that I wouldn't want to be said about me and he's the one getting punished for defending himself. Not only that… But I would also want to apologize to Wendy and Gajeel or any other person in this guild for possibly thinking it was alright for me to talk about another person's loved ones behind their backs. Even if it had for me to believe at times that Dragon Slayers were raised by actual dragons, it might be just as hard for you to believe that Ur sacrificed herself to prevent a demon from destroying Fiore."
This caused Wendy who was sitting right across from Gray to blush. "Th- Thank you Gray."
Gajeel on the other hand smirked from the back corner of the guild. "At least you've got the guts to admit you're wrong." He called out.
"I wasn't finished yet." Gray stated. "I also shouldn't have chosen to resort to violence. Natsu would still be going with us on the S-Class exam if only I didn't fight back."
As Gray finished, Erza slowly lowered her sword as she could detect the regret and honesty in his voice.
"You don't need to apologize for that last part." Erza said as she put a hand on his shoulder.
"What do you mean? I got carried away. If Natsu doesn't deserve to be an S-Class mage because he lets his emotions get the better of him, then I sure as hell don't deserve to be one either." Gray chuckled.
"You did let your emotions get the better of you, but you had reason to believe that you were being attacked for nothing and at the end of the day, Fairy Tail mages protect their pride which is all you were trying to do. Plus, if you needed to apologize for getting into a rivalry with Natsu, Mira and I would have to do the same." Erza chuckled towards the white haired barmaid who watched the spectacle unfold from behind the counter. As the guild's atmosphere began to lighten up, Macao left Gildarts to go relax back into his seat at the bar. But before another rowdy guild party could resume again, Gildarts spoke out from Team Natsu's table.
"Alright! I know we're all happy that the situation was sorted out, but you all heard Master Makarov! He suggested we get a good night's sleep before we leave for Tenrou Island tomorrow. You can party all day tomorrow when we leave."
"He's right. It's best if we call it a day and pick up here tomorrow. When Natsu wakes up, you're ALL welcome to say goodbye to him before we leave." Erza directed most of her speech towards Gray as she smiled.
As Gray returned the friendly gesture, the entire Fairy Tail Guild was more than satisfied with the outcome of the event that unfolded and decided to retire for the night after saying their goodbyes as their Guild Master suggested. After all, tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Scene Change – The Next Day
As Master Makarov instructed, the entire Tenrou group was present inside the guild hall first thing in the morning wrapping up the tasks needed to be completed before they departed. Many of whom wanted to wish Natsu words of encouragement before they left.
Natsu laid on his back on his infirmary bed as he heard a knock at the door. "Come in!" He yelled across the room as he sat up from his position.
"Hey Natsu. Did you sleep well?" A feminine voice chanted as she stuck her head through the door's crack.
"Hi Mira! I actually slept really well even though my leg is all bandaged up." Natsu replied as Mira walked into the infirmary with a tray of food while closing the door behind her.
"I brought you some breakfast."
"No! Get that stuff away from me!" Natsu commanded as he hid his face with a pillow he found beside him.
"Natsu, are you sure you slept well? Since when are you not hungry?" Mira laughed
"I don't care if you have to force me, there's no way in hell I'm eating that infirmary food."
"Oh this? Don't worry! I made this at the bar while the rest of the Tenrou group was eating so you don't have to suffer from the rations Porlyusica feeds you here." Mira smiled as she approached Natsu's bed with the tray and sat down next to him.
"But… I don't have any money on me."
"I told you not to worry about it. Just eat." She instructed as she placed the tray on his lap.
Natsu observed the warm food on his tray that was recently prepared. A large cooked steak, multiple pieces of bacon, chicken, French Toast lathered in syrup and butter, three over easy eggs, sausages, hash browns on the side, scoops of ice cream, and a large cup of orange juice to wash it all down. "You're… You're an angel!" Natsu cried tears of joy causing Mira to smile sweetly.
"Hey Natsu, aren't you angry that you can't participate in the S-Class exams this year?" Mira reluctantly asked hoping she wouldn't ruin the young Dragon Slayer's mood.
"I was, but then Erza was able to cheer me up yesterday before I fell asleep." Natsu smiled as he began to cram down his breakfast.
"I'm glad she was able to!" Mirajane giggled at Natsu's messy eating habit.
"Mph- Anyways, what made you decide to bring me food?" Natsu continued to stuff his face.
"I thought you needed something to cheer you up since I thought you were for not only being able to go on the S-Class exam."
Natsu immediately stopped filling his mouth as guilt washed over him. "Wow Mira… Thanks for thinking about me." He finished by slowly swallowing down whatever food was already in his mouth.
"Don't mention it! You're going to have to go a couple of days without my cooking so you might as well have something good to eat before then." Mirajane began to blush slightly.
"Not unless I marry you. Then you'll have to cook for me every day I come home from the guild." Natsu joshed with the barmaid. Mirajane's face turned a blistering red which thankfully went unnoticed by Natsu as he began to devour more of his food.
"Suh- So what do you plan on doing now that you're not able to go on the S-Class exams with us?" Mirajane stuttered as her composure started to return. Silence fell between the two mages before Natsu responded.
"Honestly… I haven't really given it much thought. Training for the exam has taken up so much of my time lately that all I've been able to think about was finally becoming an S-Class mage."
"I'm sure you'll find something to keep you occupied once the exams are over." Mirajane smiled.
"I know I will. It's like Erza said! There's a reason I can't come with you guys on the exam. Maybe it's just not my time to become an S-Class mage or maybe I just need to approach my situation from a new angle. It could be today, tomorrow, or it might even take years like her before I realize that reason. All I know is that I can't act like I'm a useless sack of crap right now just because there's no reason for me to see right now. That's not going to magically help my leg get better." Natsu finished by letting out a large burp and placing his empty tray next to his bed.
Mirajane was speechless to say the least. She couldn't even laugh at Natsu's eating habits. "Did… Did Natsu just say something smart?" She thought. Before she could comment on what Natsu said, a knock came from the infirmary door which snapped the white haired bard maid out of her trance.
"Come in!" The duo yelled in unison. Without hesitation, the door burst open as a blue blur flew across the room followed by Master Makarov and Natsu's closest friends.
"Natsu!" Happy yelled as he charged into his foster father's lap.
"Hey Buddy! How're you doing?" He asked as he stroked the young exceeds fur.
"Guess what? Master Makarov needs me to go with him on the S-Class exam so he can have me scout Tenrou Island and make sure everything is going as planned! I mean, only if it's okay for me to."
"Of course you can go! I won't be going fishing any time while you're on the S-Class exam because of my leg." Natsu frowned.
"We all wanted to say bye before we left, but Erza wouldn't let us come visit you until we fully loaded the ships, took roll, and checked the first aid inventory." Happy tried to raise Natsu's mood.
"That's Erza for you!" Natsu replied in Happy's joyous tone. During his embrace with Happy, he failed to notice a certain black haired mage approach his bed.
"Umm… Hey Natsu… Are you feeling any better?" Gray reluctantly asked. However, the reaction from Natsu completely shocked him as well as the rest of the Tenrou group.
"Hey Gray! I'm feeling a shit ton better! Do you think you're ready for the S-Class exams?" Natsu said as happy flew back to the Tenrou group.
"I mean… I should be." Seconds passed before Gray continued. "Aren't… Aren't you mad that you can't go on the S-Class exam?"
"Yea it sucks that I can't go and it's not like I'm going to forgive you easily for talking behind my back. But It's like Erza said. I've got to learn to control my emotions. I've only got myself to blame for not being able to come with you guys this year." Natsu sighed as he remembered Master Makarov talking to him about the specific requirements for an S-Class mage.
"No Natsu. It's my fault that you're not able to go on the S-Class exam and you have every right to be mad at me. I talked behind your back and you were only trying to defend yourself. You wanted to vent your anger because you trusted me and thought that we could relate to each other considering both our masters raised us up until they left. When I said that Igneel didn't exist behind your back… That would have been no different than if you said that Ur didn't exist. Natsu, I'm sorry that my short minded action prevented you from coming with us on the S-Class exams." Gray finished with full sincerity.
"You… You mean it?" Natsu stuttered.
"For once, I actually do. What I said to you made me realize that anyone could have said the same thing about Ur. If someone told me that she didn't exist, I can't say that I would just let that slide. You were only trying to defend your pride as a Fairy Tail mage and you were punished because of it. If you could believe it and maybe one day even forgive me, just know that I'm… I'm sorry." Gray finished as the guild members present smiled at
"Who are you and what have you done with Gray?" Master Makarov joked from below the black haired mage.
A silence fell among the Tenrou group as everyone turned to Natsu as they awaited a response. "I'll still need some time to fully get over not being able to go on the exam and find my new purpose in life. But… Thank you for the apology." Natsu smiled.
"Hey, it's a start." Gray sighed in relief.
"Don't let your guard down just yet Ice Pop! Erza promised me that she's going to kick your ass during the exams so there's no way you're becoming an S-Class m age before me."
"We'll just have to see Pyro." Gray smirked at his rival.
"It's nice to see things are back to the way they were. However, I must inform you that we need to be departing to Tenrou Island if we want to be there before we're caught traveling while it's dark."
"Already?" Lucy stated with shock towards the old Guild Master.
"Unfortunately, it's about that time." Master Makarov said as he walked up to Natsu's bed. "Natsu, I left Macao in charge of the guild until we get back. Porlyusica will stop by every morning around this time to treat your leg. I've told her, Macao, Wakaba, Kinana, and Laki to occasionally check up on you until you've fully recovered. Now that you're feeling a bit better about not being able to go on the S-Class exams, you can keep this instead of someone having to watch over you." Master Makarov finished as he handed Natsu a crystal sphere.
"A Lacrima?"
"Yes. If you need anything, hold onto it and you'll be able to transmit your thoughts to either one of those five that I mentioned. And don't hesitate to use it if you need anything. They all volunteered to help you recover an are there if you need them."
"Is that it?"
"That's it." Mater Makarov said as he gripped Natsu' hand besides his bed. "I'll see you soon my child." Makarov started to tear up slightly.
"Whatever you say gramps." Natsu showed him a toothy smile as Makarov's face told him all he needed to need. "He… He really does care about me."
As Master Makarov led the rest of Natsu's visitors towards the door, he turned back to the young Dragon Slayer.
"Natsu, please remember what Porlyusica said. Even after you're able to walk, no pushing your body until your leg has underwent physical therapy. That means no using spells until she tells you that it's okay to."
"Whatever you say gramps." Natsu groaned.
"He means it Natsu. Don't think that I won't come back here and teach you a lesson. I'm not afraid to drag Erza with me also." Gildarts jokingly threatened causing the Dragon Slayer to hide himself with his pillow again.
"Anyways, we'll be back real soon Natsu. If you start to feel down, just remember what I told you." Erza smiled.
"You better be ready for when I get back Flame Brain. You're going to have to respect me when I'm an S-Class mage." Gray smirked. Gajeel simply laughed at this as he could hardly take Gray seriously.
"We'll miss you while we're away!" The Strauss sisters tightly hugged Natsu before heading to the door.
"Hugging is MANLY!" Elman roared.
"You better bring me back something from Tenrou Island Wendy!" Natsu joked towards the blue haired mage.
"Oh… Um… I hope you get better Natsu!" She blushed brightly as Carla simply groaned at her antics from her shoulder.
"And what about you Lucy? What's going to happen when I'm not there to save you and Cana during the exam?"
"Shut up Natsu." She pouted causing everyone to laugh.
A couple more seconds of tearful farewells passed before Master Makarov opened the infirmary's door signaling the Tenrou group that it was time to leave. "Alright. It's time to go my children." Makarov softly instructed the group out the door.
"Th- Thanks you guys!" Natsu's eyes started to tear up slightly as he still couldn't believe his closest friends were about to leave him all by himself over the next few days.
As a last second gesture, the old master held his right hand high above his head with his thumb and index finger exposed. This caused many of the Tenrou group members to go teary eyed as they replicated the same action on the other side of the door frame.
With that, Master Makarov returned one last smile towards the young Dragon Slayer before being the last member of the Tenrou group to exit the room. He turned back around in order to close the infirmary's door behind him. The entire time the old Guild Master had a teary smile plastered across his face. As the sound of the infirmary's door closing resounded throughout the room leaving a teary eyed Dragon Slayer with his thumb and middle finger still exposed, Natsu had no idea that this would be the last time he would see the majority of his Nakama for the next seven years.
Thank you for your time!
