Well, we are getting to the business end of things now, as I have my exams this November. Once that is all out of the way though, I will hopefully be able to write freely and get out a chapter every few days or so. During these next few weeks though, I may not be able to update every week, so I may miss a weekly update or two.

In other news, I've started my Rosario + Vampire fic and the first two chapters are already up on FF, with the third on my pat reon, with it soon to follow the other two on FF.

Also, I will be getting Batman: Return to Arkham after my exams, at which point, I will most likely start my Batman fic as well.

I know I have a few stories that have gone without updates for a while though, so I will try and get around to them soon as well.

That's all for now and enjoy the chapter.
SSJ3 Kyuubi Gohan.

Disclaimer – I don't own anything from the Fairy Tail anime/manga. All I own are my original characters and plot twists.

'Talking'

"Thinking"

*expression*

Flashback

Techniques

Chapter 3 – Contained explosions

'You should retire soon.' Said Yajima, a short old man, sitting alongside an equally short old man.

'I can't do that, those children would be lost without me.' Said Makarov.

'I don't think you understand. True, you were found to be innocent today, but you are creating more and more opposition to Fairy Tail as a whole. It is a real battle trying to stop the others, from taking drastic action to disband Fairy Tail.' Said Yajima.

Makarov didn't respond and merely turned his gaze forward, deep in thought.

-line break-

'So, any idea when Erza will be back with Natsu?' Asked Lucy, looking to the beautiful barmaid in front of her for advice.

'Well, those two are quite stubborn at the best of times, so it may be a while.' Commented Mira, as she absentmindedly wiped a mug.

'Ah and here I thought I'd be able to get a bit more money to pay my rent.' Groaned Lucy, before turning on her seat, to look around the guild.

There was practically no one around, with most having been very eager to go on jobs again. Lucy gave a sigh at this, before turning back to Mira.

'Well, at least everyone is having fun again.' Said Mira brightly.

'I won't be having fun if I'm homeless.' Mumbled Lucy, before slumping onto the bar, resting her chin on her crossed arms.

'Maybe you shouldn't spend so much time taking baths then.' Chimed in Happy, flying back into the guild, with a fish in his paws.

'I don't want to hear that from you, when you and Natsu are always breaking into my house!' Shouted Lucy.

'We're not breaking in, we have a key.' Said Happy brightly, plopping himself down on the bar.

'Wait, but I gave my spare key to Mira… Mira!' Exclaimed Lucy, whirling on the barmaid.

Mira gave a weak smile at this.

'Well, I was trying something out, but I guess with how things have turned out, it won't be happening.' Admitted Mira.

'Trying something out?' Questioned Lucy in confusion.

Before Lucy could make sense of the barmaid's words, a loud cry broke her out of her thoughts.

'Lucy! You have to help, I broke Erza!' Exclaimed Natsu, as he came rushing into the guild, holding Erza in his arms.

'How did you break Erza?' Asked Lucy in shock.

'I don't know, I just told her that she was my mate now, which is like us being married and she froze.' Said Natsu, causing Lucy and Mira to freeze.

'Ah, Happy, I broke them as well!' Cried Natsu, turning towards his blue furred friend.

'Does that mean Erza is going to come live with us? She will probably beat you up for how messy it is.' Commented Happy.

Natsu was about to respond, before a gauntleted fist slammed into his jaw.

'Natsu! Didn't I tell you it is important to keep your house clean?' Demanded Erza, standing over the crouched Dragon Slayer.

'Well that was a little uncalled for.' Mumbled Natsu, rubbing his jaw thoughtfully, before perking up.

'Erza, you're okay again!' Cheered Natsu, only for Erza to blush.

'I was momentarily surprised, nothing more.' Said Erza, turning her head to the side, only to spot Happy laughing into his paws.

'I told you, he likes you.' Teased Happy, causing Erza's blush to intensify.

'Although, are you sure you're okay now, Erza?' Asked Natsu in concern.

Erza was touched at Natsu's concern and managed to regain her composure.

'I'm fine Natsu, really. While I admit I was surprised at first, like you said, I was the one who pushed you, so it is only right I do my part.' Said Erza.

'That's great.' Said Natsu half-heartedly.

'I'm sorry, that must have sounded quite bad. Please hit me.' Said Erza.

'N-no it's fine, I mean, I didn't really leave you much choice…' Said Natsu, trailing off at the end, looking to the floor.

'Natsu, look at me.' Ordered Erza firmly.

Sighing before doing so, Natsu obliged the knight.

'I wouldn't trust anyone more in Fairy Tail to be my partner than you… there is just some… things I need to deal with first.' Said Erza, causing Natsu's spirits to rise.

'That's great. Don't worry Erza, I'm you mate so your problems are my problems too.' Said Natsu.

'No Natsu, these are things I need to handle on my own.' Said Erza seriously, causing Natsu to frown.

'Erza, you don't understand. We are linked now. When Jose was hurting you, I felt everything. I heard you cry out in pain in my mind. I mean it, your problems are my problems, there is no changing this.' Said Natsu firmly, glaring at the redhead.

Erza glared back at Natsu for a moment, but quickly wilted under his downright ferocious glare.

'Fine, then it is only fair I tell you the whole story.' Said Erza, her shoulders seeming to sag slightly, causing Natsu to let up on his glare.

'You don't have to tell me anything, Erza. When you feel comfortable about it and want to tell me, I'll listen. I'm not going to force you into doing anything you don't want to.' Said Natsu.

Erza smiled at this, causing the Dragon Slayer to beam.

'Very well then, let's go do our job.' Said Erza.

'Okay. Happy, go find Gray, I'll grab Lucy.' Said Natsu, as he went to pick up the blonde.

'I'm right here, what is it.' Said Gray, entering the guild at that moment.

'Natsu and Erza are married.' Said Happy, causing Gray to freeze in place, despite his magic.

'Gray too… *sigh* Erza, do you want to carry him or should I?' Asked Natsu, just before he could pick up the blonde.

'You carry Gray, I'll take Lucy.' Said Erza firmly.

Natsu looked back at the knight with a puzzled expression, noticing her stern expression.

'Whatever.' Muttered Natsu, before changing direction and picking up Gray, slinging the teen onto his right shoulder.

Erza glanced at the still frozen blonde, before giving a quick glance down.

"Obviously I have nothing to worry about… but there is no pointing in risking it." Thought Erza, before picking up the busty blonde.

'Happy, let's go.' Said Erza.

'Aye sir.' Said Happy, stifling his laughter.

-line break-

The group of five had reached their goal of Lobinasu City quite promptly, before deciding to split off into two groups.

'Natsu, Gray, you two head that way. Lucy and I will go the other way with Happy. If you find the target, don't move in. We should try and take them all on together, since there is no telling how many mages will be there.' Instructed Erza, pointing to the left, while leading Lucy away to the right, Happy floating away after them.

'All right, let's go flame brain.' Sighed Gray.

'What's with that attitude? Ice princess needs a nap, huh?' Teased Natsu.

'How did we get roped into this anyway?' Muttered Gray, as he walked off, Natsu following beside him.

'Well, you know Erza, she's always tried to make me and you be friends. Never really got why…' Said Natsu, looking up at the sky, with his hands behind his head.

Gray hummed at this in agreement, before the two went silent.

The duo searched around the town for a while, winding deeper and deeper into it, until finally reaching the rural district.

'Hey Natsu, I've just got to ask, why Erza?' Asked Gray.

'Why Erza? Why not?' Shrugged Natsu.

'I mean, aren't we both terrified of her? Do you not remember what she would do to us if we got out of line?' Pressed Gray.

'Yeah… but some of the time she had a point. I mean, not when stuff happened to her cheesecake, but other times. Does it really matter that much?' Said Natsu thoughtfully.

'I guess not, it's your life… I'm just trying to wrap my head around it.' Admitted Gray, with a shrug of his shoulders.

The duo continued walking, before spotting a building that seemed to match the one seen on the job.

'You think that's it?' Asked Gray.

'Definitely. We better head back and find Erza.' Said Natsu, turning around.

'Really. We can take it easily I bet.' Said Gray.

'I could destroy it singlehandedly if you wanted me to, but Erza wanted to make this a team thing, so I'll stick with the plan.' Said Natsu calmly.

'Plan? Since when did you ever follow the rules of anything?' Asked a flabbergasted Gray.

'It isn't about following the rules… I decided after what happened with Phantom Lord… that I needed to be more serious so nothing like that ever happens to our guild again. No one outside the guild will harm it. No one inside the guild will harm it. Jose, Laxus, it doesn't matter who, I won't let them destroy Fairy Tail. Without my time with Igneel, Fairy Tail is all I have. So if Erza wants us to work as a team, I'll do it, since Erza wants to protect Fairy Tail just as much as me, if not more. Right now, I probably care for Erza more than Fairy Tail, but I can't expect the same from her just yet. That's why, until she is ready to open up to me, I'll go along with what she wants.' Said Natsu, before walking off.

Gray spared a quick look behind them, gazing at the illegal magic school once again, before reluctantly skulking after Natsu.

'I still say this is a waste of time.' Grumbled Gray.

'I know, but there isn't anything better to do right now either.' Yawned Natsu in agreement.

The two continued to walk in silence, until they finally reached the place they had split off from Erza, Lucy and Happy.

'Gray, I've been meaning to ask for a while now, but never really got around to it… how'd you end up at Fairy Tail? I mean, we heard about your master after the mess on Galuna Island, but you never really explained how you got there.' Asked Natsu calmly, after sitting down on the cobblestone path.

'Gildarts. I ran into him and one thing led to another.' Said Gray.

Natsu hummed and this and gave a small nod, before slamming his fist into the ground, cracking the pavement.

'The old man! That's right, where the hell was he?' Growled Natsu.

'You know Gildarts, he's always off on some really long job.' Said Gray calmly.

Natsu's eyes narrowed at this.

'Next time he comes back, I'm going to beat him so hard he has to stick around for a while.' Promised Natsu.

'Oi, did all of that fire melt your brain? You can't fight Gildarts, none of us can. Only Master would actually be able to stand on equal ground with him. Laxus, Erza, they wouldn't stand a chance.' Said Gray.

'Who wouldn't I stand a chance against, Gray?' Asked Erza, appearing behind the duo and causing Gray to flinch at the redhead's tone.

'Gildarts.' Said Natsu, coming to the rescue of his rival.

'Hmm, I suppose that is an accurate assessment. Gildarts is truly Fairy Tail's strongest, perhaps even stronger than Master, not like we will ever see the two fight to learn the truth. In any case, how did your search go?' Erza asked, speaking quite rapidly.

'We found it.' Said Natsu simply.

Erza raised an eyebrow at this in surprise.

'Yet you came back here without attacking it?' Asked Erza curiously.

'That was what you wanted, right?' Retorted Natsu, staring directly into Erza's eyes, with a pointed glance.

'Yes… it was… very well then, lead the way.' Said Erza, hesitantly at the start, before regaining her usual attitude.

Natsu slowly climbed to his feet, before starting to walk off, with Erza quickly following, leaving Gray, Lucy and Happy behind.

'What was that all about?' Asked Lucy curiously.

'Just Natsu being weird is all, come on, let's go follow them.' Said Gray, with a shrug, before walking off after them.

'Oh, my writer's sense is tingling, this is just like one of those stories I read in the past.' Whispered Lucy triumphantly.

'You're so weird, Lucy.' Teased Happy, before flying off.

'I am not weird!' Exclaimed Lucy, before quickly realising she was being left behind.

'Hey, wait for me!' Cried Lucy, before jogging to catch up with the group.

-line break-

The group had reached their goal and were now staring down the magical school.

'So how are we going to do this?' Asked Lucy.

'Simple, we knock.' Said Erza, before walking up to the front door and rapping her gauntleted knuckles against it three times.

It was almost half a minute before someone responded to the knock, as the door slowly opened. A slim man, with short, messy black hair opened the door, eyes darting around suspiciously before spotting the knight in front of him.

'What do you want?' Asked the man carefully.

'Is this the illegal magic school?' Asked Erza.

'It might be, why, do you want to join?' Asked the man, narrowing his eyes on Erza and scrutinising her.

'No, I believe I am already adept in my own magic, I do not require further instruction.' Replied Erza.

'Well, we could do things other than train in magic if you'd like to…' Said the man, trailing his gaze up and down Erza's figure.

Erza was about to respond to the man, not entirely sure of the meaning of his words, only for a wave of fire to fly over her shoulder and slam into the man, propelling him into the building, before a large explosion occurred. The glass windows were obliterated, the shards being instantly vaporised by the intense heat, all the while, chunks of brick and mortar rained down from the heavens, having been blasted upwards by the sudden explosive attack.

'Natsu, that was un…necessary…' Said Erza, turning around to reprimand the Dragon Slayer, only to see intense anger in his eyes.

Natsu didn't respond to Erza in the slightest and quickly kicked off the ground, flames from his feet propelling him forward, as his body shot into the building, which was soon to disappear from this world. Gray, Lucy and Happy were blown back by the force of Natsu's explosion, but quickly regained themselves.

'What the hell was that all about?' Screeched Lucy, as she removed a dazed Happy from her face and dropped him to the ground.

'I have no idea! Erza, what the hell happened just then?' Asked Gray.

Erza stood there for a moment, before walking over to the two.

'I have no idea, I was simply questioning that man, before Natsu launched his attack.' Said Erza.

'Well what did he say to you?' Asked Lucy, her hair slightly frazzled.

'Well, I first asked if this was the illegal magic school, which he confirmed.' Said Erza, even as multiple explosions went off behind her back, with the occasional stream of fire bursting through the roof and walls, of the barely standing building.

'Then what?' Asked Gray, even as the roof caved in, before a wave of fire shot up to counter the falling wood and turned it to ash.

'He asked if I wanted to join, which I refused, citing my own magical prowess as adequate. After that, he offered to train me in things other than magic, at which point Natsu attacked.' Explained Erza, getting a look of realisation to dawn on Gray and Lucy's faces.

'*sigh* Of course he'd react like that.' Muttered Gray.

'What do you mean Gray? Explain!' Demanded Erza sharply.

'Erza, from the sounds of things, that man was making an advance on you.' Explained Lucy.

'I don't understand.' Replied Erza.

'Well, in stories, when someone tries to gain the attention of a girl who is in a relationship, the boy usually reacts violently, to defend the girl's honour and ensure that no one tries something like that again.' Said Lucy.

Erza hummed at this thoughtfully.

'So, what you're saying, is that since Natsu and I are essentially married now, Natsu will stop any other men from trying to gain my affections?' Asked Erza curiously.

'Y-yeah.' Said Lucy, a little creeped out by the maniac gleam in the redhead's eyes.

Erza started to chuckle darkly at this, letting her hair shadow her eyes slightly.

'Ichiya, your time will come!' Exclaimed Erza triumphantly, even as a roar sounded out behind them, before the building collapsed to its foundations.

Once all the dust, smoke, ash and rubble had started to clear, Natsu was revealed, standing in the centre of dozens of singed and unconscious bodies.

'Are we done here now then?' Asked Natsu, as he nudged a downed body with his foot, eliciting a groan from the person.

'Yes, let us go tell the client.' Said Erza happily, turning to walk away, before pausing and walking over to Natsu, followed by giving him a peck on the cheek.

'Thank you, Natsu.' Said Erza, getting Natsu to look at her with a possessive gleam in his eyes.

'I told you, Erza, you're my mate now and a dragon will never let anyone else touch their mate.' Said Natsu firmly.

Erza nodded happily at this, before turning on her heel and heading off, Natsu slowly following. Gray and Lucy watched the two go, before quickly following after them, Happy flying after them, as he regained his bearings.

'It's like a gladiator having a pet dragon. The gladiator can do everything on their own, but the dragon is basically overkill.' Muttered Lucy in awe.

'Erza is overkill on her own anyway.' Said Happy, floating in the air between Gray and Lucy.

'Yeah… and Natsu has always been about overkill… just not that much, this is a new level… wait a minute, he didn't damage anything other than the school…' Started Gray, before trailing off in shock.

'You're right… does that mean we're going to get the full reward for this?' Asked Lucy, clasping her hands together in joy.

'I think so…' Muttered Gray, causing Lucy to squeal in excitement and rush Natsu for a hug.

'Thank you so much, Natsu!' Exclaimed Lucy happily, from atop Natsu's back, only to feel a chilling gaze on her side.

'Lucy, what are you doing?' Asked Erza menacingly, causing Lucy to let out a quick squeak, leap off the Dragon Slayer and retreat a few steps.

'N-nothing.' Said Lucy quickly, getting a nod from Erza.

'Good. Natsu just expended a lot of energy and needs to rest.' Said Erza, pulling the Dragon Slayer into her breastplate.

'Do you have to keep that thing on when you do that? Armour isn't exactly the most comfortable thing to have my head slammed into.' Complained Natsu.

'I'm sorry, Natsu.' Muttered Erza quietly, as she released Natsu, confusing the Dragon Slayer.

'There's no reason to get that upset about it.' Muttered Natsu in confusion, only to see Erza looking at the ground and practically oozing an aura of vulnerability.

'Could we have a private conversation after we return to Fairy Tail… I would like you to hear a story of mine?' Asked Erza.

'Of course.' Said Natsu.

'Thank you.' Said Erza, before the rest of the walk to the client was spent in silence.

"What did I do?" Thought Lucy nervously.

-line break-

After collecting their reward, the full reward, as a matter of fact, the group of four mages and flying cat boarded the train and headed back to Fairy Tail. As the group disembarked from the train Gray and Lucy quickly said their goodbyes, leaving Erza, Natsu and Happy alone.

'Happy, head back to the guild and get some fish, here are some jewels.' Said Erza, requipping a few and handing them to the blue cat, who carefully slipped them into his backpack, before flying off.

'Erza, are you okay?' Asked Natsu.

'I'm fine, let's just go somewhere private.' Said Erza, dismissing the Dragon Slayer's concerns, before starting to walk off.

Natsu walked up to the knight and rested his right hand on her left shoulder, causing her to look back at him.

'Follow me then.' Said Natsu, getting a nod from Erza.

The two constituting Fairy Tail's strongest couple, walked further away from the hustle and bustle of the market, before reaching the forest. Natsu then carefully guided Erza towards a small clearing which had a large stone embedded into the ground.

'This is where I come to be alone sometimes.' Said Natsu, staring at the stone.

Erza looked at Natsu curiously, before looking towards the stone. It took only a short moment, but Erza quickly realised it was a grave marker for the one fairy that had their wings clipped early.

'I come here to remember that I need to get stronger, to protect everyone at Fairy Tail…' Continued Natsu, with Erza listening intently.

'I promised myself that I wouldn't let this happen to anyone ever again and so far it hasn't… after what happened with Phantom Lord though, I've decided that it isn't enough anymore and that I need to work harder. You've always been the one trying to protect all of us. Always trying to keep us in line. I just wanted everyone to be happy, trying to ensure no one felt as lost as we did that day… but I guess I failed in doing that too...' Finished Natsu, trailing off at the end.

'Natsu, you haven't failed at all.' Started Erza, only for Natsu to slowly turn his gaze towards her.

'Then why aren't you happy? Why don't you feel safe?' Asked Natsu.

Erza looked down at this, allowing silence to reign in the clearing for a minute. Natsu waited patiently, until Erza caused her armour to disappear in a wave of light, leaving her in her white blouse and blue skirt.

'Natsu, I want to tell you about my past, even before Fairy Tail, will you listen to my story?' Asked Erza, showing just how vulnerable she was in that moment.

The normally strong and composed knight couldn't even lift her gaze to the Dragon Slayer in front of her and held her arms in front of her body, as though she was scared.

"What could make Erza this nervous without even being here?" Thought Natsu in confusion.

Deciding that thinking about it wouldn't be helpful, Natsu sat down on the ground.

'I'm listening.' Said Natsu simply, causing Erza to finally look at his face and only see patience reflected in his gaze.

Erza released some of the tension that had built up on her with a deep breath, before sitting down in front of the Dragon Slayer, both of them sitting cross-legged.

'It all started when I was captured by a group of strange men, who wanted people to work on something called the Tower of Heaven.' Started Erza, before beginning the tale of Erza Scarlet.