:~:~:~:

The day Natsu became one of us is the day when he also met her. Maybe it was timing or coincidence but it didn't change what he had become as he broke that guy's skull. Her leering brown eyes that were never brown at all enchanted him. It haunted him forever.

Who knew I would fall for the same fate a year later?

-G.


I fought. I laughed. I lied. Love is just a word. People are people. She was just another stranger that I clearly had no grasp upon. And I would've traded many of the world's secrets just to get to know her name. And I knew a lot of them.

-N.


:~:

How it began

:~:

Sunderland, England 1902

"Name?" Gildarts asked promptly while giving me standard inspection. If it wasn't protocol I would have been done by now, the itchy disguise they gave me is working its way on my arms.

"William B. Forster" I responded smoothly. Gildarts nodded "Occupation?"

"Apprentice Black Smith. "The Iron" in Chesterfields."

He nodded again while I tugged the collar of my white shirt "Family?"

"Mother is the laundry woman two villages down. Father is a fisherman so we see him a few times in six months" the lie easily slipping off my tongue like soap. Gildarts again gave me a nod of approval.

"Age?"

Finally, a question I could answer truthfully "Fourteen"

"Good" he said while stacking the papers of my report and the identity that I had just taken "You've memorized your cover well, Natsu"

I couldn't wipe off my grin "It's my cover. It's all I have, without it I'm good as dead"

"Cobalt" he stated once hearing the familiar words spoken "You've been reading his books haven't you?"

"Well. With not much to do I have a bunch of free time on my hands…" I grinned sheepishly while scratching the back of my head.

Gildarts shifted his position before staring straight at me "Well after this trial mission" he paused before exhaling a deep breath "There won't be"

"I know"

"Have you gotten the Mask spell I've taught you?"

"Well…" feeling a bit ashamed "I have. But it only lasts two hours"

"Excellent" he said, he went and started to ruffle my hair "That's a good amount of time. Show me."

I sighed; I wanted to get the spell down before the trial mission. Jellel did it, and so can Laxus and James. Why can't I?

Well it didn't matter so I obliged, and in a moment I felt jittery sparks of light bombard my vision with yellow and blue that was slithering around my face and neck and body.

And there I was looking into the glass. But I saw someone else.

Gildarts beamed with pride and satisfaction "You done well. You look pretty good don't you think?"

I ran hand messily through my now long brown hair, "Are you trying to say I look ugly old man?"

"Psht. No son. But with your appearance you could be a ladies man no?" he teased grinning. I again looked back at the reflection that welcomed me.

My trademark pink now replaced with brown and my usual black eyes were now staring at me with gold irises.

"You know I don't care about women. They make everything a hassle."

He pouted before he smacked me right on the back "You still have a lot to learn kid, a world without woman is like life without breath, it's necessary to survive"

I rolled my eyes, Gildarts can be melodramatic at times "And with shallow breathing the enemy can pinpoint your location and kill you. I prefer living with no complications thanks very much"

"One day. You'll understand" he spoke softly with warm eyes. I felt bad, knowing full well that those eyes were emerging from a memory of lost love.

I sighed while fixing the collar of my new shirt, the subject needed to be changed "So. Who will be my target today?" the grin finally plastering itself on my face. Gildarts laughed while handing me a small handgun loading it with bullets "Rafuno."

:~:~:~:

"So I heard Natsu is finally doing the fields. Isn't that great?" the chipper voice asked while I munched on the remaining bits of my apples. I gulped and couldn't help but glare at the voice "Shouldn't you be training instead of gossiping, Loke?" I whispered, rather harshly I might add.

"Oh Gray" he sang. He really needs to stop taunting me; I can't help it if my emotions trigger and he becomes an ice sculpture. A tacky one at that.

"Lessons are dismissed. Lyon is out on a mission and there is nothing to do. Give me a break."

I rolled my eyes, a break? That's a laugh, I like to see him manage a machine gun and coordinate the bullets in a minute when he has a break.

"I'll give you a break if you can manage to pin me down during combat training."

Loke's mouth fell, HA! His face looks priceless "Don't challenge me with something impossible!" he cried.

"Impossible?" I cocked a brow, though I've been training at a young age there are others more capable than I. "Nothing's impossible my Lion" I grinned as I saw a blush form on his cheeks, he hates it when I call him by his code name.

"Shut up" he muttered while playing with his orange fringe.

I scoffed, "Hey at least yours isn't 'Ice Prince' how gaudy is that?"

"Are you kidding?" his blush now fading "That's the proudest Alias any one in the organization can obtain."

I sighed, Loke clearly doesn't understand that though it is with high authority, it doesn't sound… well cool. "Believe me if I could I would change it. Lyon's is the sub-zero emperor!" I muttered. Even though I'm in the top of my class, I still have to respect my elders, which unfortunately is Lyon, so he gets the better name.

"Ahh, perhaps the Fullbuster is what? Jealous? That's hilarious my lad"

I chose to ignore his response and go back to the subject " In o seven hundred hours Natsu will be on his way. Want to come and observe him?"

Loke took a minute to think about it, "Well I don't mind. But isn't that Jellel and Laxus' job?"

I grinned, "Did you forget? I'm the Ice prince! Some rules I can abide" I decided to jump from our spot, which was on the high branch of our oldest trees. Yes, Loke and I come up here to talk once in a while.

Loke shuddered as he followed behind me; though he whispered this solely to himself my enhanced hearing caught what he was saying, "Every part of this guy is lethal"

I couldn't help but grin.

:~:~:~:

Mission objective: Track Rafuno, rumored to have the power to transform. Possible suspect for the many hit and runs in Chesterfields. Also a possible reason for the many missing women.

Height: 169 cm. Actual appearance is unknown.

Blood: AB

Weight: Unknown.

Current Location: Assuming in Chesterfield

Scent: Musk of sex and gunpowder. (I know disgusting I thought)

This was all that I was given once stepping foot out of the mansion. It takes approximately two hours to get to Chesterfield. So I will not have to put my 'Mask' until I get there.

Well this seems simple enough, though I know the objective will be difficult since I don't know what this person looks like. Just his scent, which believes me when I say it, won't be hard to miss.

I sighed, though it's pretty exciting to finally take this task, I'm also disappointed. Where's the action in this? I was assigned the task to track this ass hole but that's it, no fighting, and no killing, not even giving a good fist to this deserving bastard's jaw.

I pursed my lips, for this mission Jellel is assigned to give the final blow once I give them the signal, for sure that we found him and he is the one behind everything.

"Well let's go find this monster shall we?" I licked my lips.

:~:~:~:

England, Chesterfield 1902

It's been thirty minutes, going through the majority of the local drug ways and slave trades. My resources told me that the few people that have seen this guy say his usual place is the pub near by called 'Grimvorne'.

His current appearance is dark midnight black hair with black eyes to match. Sharp features and is always on the prowl. Rumored that he hangs out there an hour before he strikes, whether finding another victim or another place to rob.

"Tch this maybe easier than I thought" I said. Night has all ready befallen, my exterior so far none has seen through. Manipulation is always key to survive. Heck even some came to believe they knew me and asked how my mum was doing.

How I wish I could laugh at these impudent people, illusion can misguide even the powerful.

"Should I change my cover?" I muttered while working my way through this crowd. Master said if necessary then I should, but I need to come up with one fast and then write a report about it when I return home. What a hassle.

I still don't understand why we have to report everything that happens on a mission, it seems more work and pointless. But it's a requirement, so unless I rather clean the washrooms than go out to the fields I shouldn't complain.

"What a drag" I coughed. But it seems like I won't be able to make it into the pub without hitting the age requirement.

"Well it's only been thirty minutes, I have enough magic to change again" so I wonder who will I be this time?

:~:~:~:

The pub reeks of alcohol and blood. I asked the bar tender for a drink of water while taking a look around the area.

My hair now back to it's original fringe but flattened and black instead of brown. Instead of pink. I decided to have my eyes a burgundy red. And it was quite easy to age my face, looking around sixteen. My voice I got it to be a bit huskier and I added three inches to my height.

"Haven't seen you around boy" the pudgy and greasy man asked as he tossed me a drink, I sniffed it cautiously before taking a sip. "So what's your name?"

"Paul Manifield"

The bartender nodded approving "Isn't your dad Thomas?"

Keep calm. Don't answer too many questions that can lead you to your downfall. Rule thirty-four.

"You're probably mistaking me for someone else's kid. My father is dead" well it's not a lie.

"Good" the man responded. "That bastard owes me fifty pounds" Fifty pounds, is this man asking for a death wish? Even I'm smart enough to know not to borrow money from this scary looking man.

"That's a shame" I said "Sorry to say that money is gone. Hard to come across by now"

The man sighed, "I hear you." He gave me a look "Kid if I were you I get out soon. Usually bad clients come around this time and I don't want you getting into trouble"

Though he's seems scary I can tell his concern is sincere. "Thanks for the tip. But I'm waiting for someone so it can't be helped"

He nodded "Well once your friend comes by, scram"

"Will do"

So far all Intel is normal, few men buzzed, girls around my age gossiping, probably showgirls or waitresses here, some businessmen, and some thugs.

Just. Normal.

But of course you can never be too sure.

I grunted. There's no sign of the guy. Maybe he isn't coming or maybe I came too early? I hate waiting.

"Ooooh how about that boy over there?"

"He looks delectable!"

I groaned. Girls can be… tiresome to deal with. I sometimes curse this keen hearing I have, the girls I noticed earlier are at the back of the bar, but I can still hear their annoying laughter.

Women.

The door slammed open, a few heads turned but I still focused my attention on my drink. The audible giggles stopped. The man that entered the room must be highly well known. Or most frightened of.

Many of the drunken men have stopped their blabbering; even the bar tender looks petrified. I took a small glance at the new intruder.

Dark black hair.

Pale skin.

Black eyes.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the target has finally entered the building.

"Raymond. The usual"

"Yessir" Raymond, funny how nice it sounds while it contradicts his image, said while heading towards the back.

The man sat three seats away from I. Perfect.

"Where's Julia?" the man slurred. Drunk all ready?

Raymond came back, his expression: worried.

"Why do you need Julia?" he answered dejectedly. His lover?

"Well I need someone nice to look at while I drink my troubles away no?"

Raymond grunted, it's obvious the man doesn't want this Julia woman around him.

"Ra—" he started but the man's piercing glare cut his sentence abrupt. Raymond frowned before sighing dejectedly. "I'll bring her out"

"Good" the man purred. This guy makes me sick. Before Raymond could make his leave, the man called him out "And Raymond?"

He stopped in his tracks "Yes?"

The dark haired man laughed a crooked smile. His intended words came only a whisper but they caught my attention.

"And tell her to come out in her normal appearance. We wouldn't want her power to strain her bodacious body"

Power?


How was it? Please review. My mind keeps changing each time I read this story. like the summary, characters, future love interests. (Like maybe this should be Gray x Natsu? hahaha my shipper heart! and aww Loke acted so cute here) but the plot still stands. Have any questions? Leave them in the reviews! Thanks for the faves, reviews and follows!

Please support my other stories "It's Complicated" "Fluffed Up Memories" "Love and Lost" and "Nine years later" Thank You!

x Pika-chan