A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long in all honesty I wanted to rewrite this chapter because, fuck it, let's make the sorry even better than before!
Disclaimer: I don't own Fairy Tail otherwise there wouldn't be those stupid ships that they have now.
"I swear officer, that's not mine." - Proper Speech.
'Marian, close your eyes!.' - Thought.
"Heartfilia Estate, 7:26 a.m." - Setting.
"GLUCK GLUCK GLUCK" - Moans or other sexual noises.
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Time. It is something that is unavoidable. It is the cruelest disease known to man. The three heads of the consumer of all are the Past, Present, and Future. The past is the most dangerous of them all as it haunts your every waking moment and attacks when it is least expected. To find out how Natsu's life became the way it is, we go back to the root of all his problems; his self appointed hunter known as Kagura, the search party from Crocus, and his incessant need to hook up with older women. To solve this mystery, we must go back to the past.
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Day of the Big Game
'Steady breaths Natsu, steady breaths.' Natsu told himself as he fiddled with his shorts. He was currently walking out with his team, The Crocus Sabertooths, on what was sure to be the biggest game of their year. They were facing off against Natsu's hometown team of Magnolia. Needless to say Natsu was nervous, very nervous. Especially since most of his old friends are now his opponents.
"Isn't this great Natsu? Our last game for the season and then we head for the championship!" Sting cheered beside him. If Minerva were to describe Sting, she would simply say 'Natsu's groupie'.
Sting looked at Natsu with heavy admiration. "How about we all go get something to eat after this, K?" He asked.
Natsu let out a fake laugh. "Ha ha... yeah."
Rogue, who was on the other side of Natsu looked at him questioningly. "Are you okay Natsu? Do you need to sit this one out?" He asked with concern evident in his voice.
Orga slapped a hand on Rogue's back and chuckled. "Dragneel is just fine! Nothing can keep him down." He said, Rufus nodding in agreement with the hulking man.
"He damn well better be! I didn't whip you boys into top condition just so you can fail me at my time of glory!" Minerva, Team's Manager, glared at them. "Natsu, you can take a breather but you have to be in this game! We need you, Mr. Star Player."
"Guys guys, really, I'm fine. Just a little nervous since they're my old friends." He admitted.
"Old friends?" Sting asked in a crooked tone. "What do you mean?"
"Well I'm from Magn-" He was cutoff by the announcer.
"Ladies and gentlemen! Boys and girls! I give you, your home team, the Crocus Sabertooths!" The announcer boomed and the crowd went ballistic. Screams of hundreds of fans from the stands surrounded the team as they walked onto the field. But all the noise and racket was cut out when Natsu looked at the opposing side.
Old friends- no... family. They were in the stands, clearly gazing at him. Some with admiration and some with contempt. But still Natsu felt their eyes running all over him. How could they not? It's been nearly eight years since Natsu had been in Magnolia so of course he changed.
He was prepared to go over there to at least say something before an all too familiar voice broke into his thoughts.
"Good luck out there, Natsu." A sweet voice from behind him spoke.
"Oh." Natsu sighed. "Hey Hisui, wassup?" He asked curtly.
The green haired beauty giggled into her hand, almost everyone at Crocus High School treated her on a pedestal because her father was the principal. Almost everyone but Natsu that it. He saw her as just another face in the crowd and that meant so much to her. Of course it was no secret in her little group of friends that she was crushing on him hard.
"I hope you do well out there." She smiled at him, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear.
Natsu had the decency to blush while scratching the back of his head. "Thanks, means a lot coming from you."
Hisui closed her eyes as a blush overtook her smooth features. "If you guys win I'll be sure to put in word to father for a celebratory banquet in your teams honor." She said.
Merely nodding in response, Natsu tried his best to pay attention to whatever the girl was telling him. But alas, he had too much on his mind to even think about just one thing. "Yeah yeah, sounds great Hisui." He said before walking away.
Hisui was completely taken back by his total disregard for their 'conversation' and pouted as he just shook her off like that. "Umm bye?" She waved to his fleeting form.
Natsu normally wasn't a rude person but he couldn't be bothered with such trivial things like Hisui's flirting because after all, he was off the market. In fact, that's who he was going to see. It didn't even take him a second to recognize her presence in the crowd and he needed to find her pronto, maybe her presence could soothe the raging storm of emotions inside him.
The flower of his world was sitting on the front row of bleachers with her friends who he didn't really know but got along with nonetheless. Natsu maneuvered past a few of the team's coaches and managers before he finally reach his destination.
"Hey fine lady." He flashed her a charming grin as he stepped up and leaned onto the railing separating the field from the stands.
"Hey baby." Kagura Mikazuchi smiled softly as she stood up and gently hugged her boyfriend. Natsu was always impressed with Kagura's special ability to somehow make anything look great. Like seriously, she was just wearing sweatpants and his hoodie, which her large breasts were nearly spilling out of, and he was fighting off an erection already!
Kagura's friends, along with the other kids in the crowd, 'ooh'ed when they saw the couple make contact.
Natsu let a happy smile cross his face when her amazing fragrance filled his senses and could feel his heartbeat stabilize as he held her in his arms. "I've been thinking about you." He whispered into her ear.
The dark purple haired girl laughed melodically when she heard him. "And I, you. Last night was just amazing, wasn't it?" She asked him.
"The best ever." The pink haired soccer star agreed before leaning down to gently lay a kiss on her soft lips.
Once again the crowd cheered on the famous couple of the school while the on the other team's side of the field, a certain few were shocked to say the least.
With the Fairies
Lucy, Erza, Mira, Lisanna and Cana's jaws were hanging at the display of affection there long lost friend was showing. So did Gray and Elfman from their spots on the field.
"Holy-" Cana began.
"-shit." Mira finished.
"Natsu has a girlfriend!?" The girls shouted.
Lucy was absolutely astounded. "Wow..."
Lisanna was shell shocked. "Wow is right..."
Erza was confused. "I can't believe Kagura didn't tell me she was dating Natsu!" She fumed.
Cana, who had surprisingly regained her bearings, put a hand on the redhead's shoulder. "Calm down, Erza. Natsu left a long time ago, of course he would blossom into a young man and start a relationship that happened to be with your more fortunate half-sister who probably kept it a secret upon his request." Cana answered sagely.
Erza gave Cana a 'wtf' look about her vivid description which the brunette merely shrugged. "Or you know, she was embarrassed that your childhood friend was destroying her pussy on the daily." Cana put it bluntly which earned her a smack from the now angry redhead.
On the field with Elfman and Gray, the two young men couldn't keep their jaws up. They couldn't muster a word to describe the feeling they had knowing Natsu was making gains.
Back With Natsu
Natsu and Kagura pulled away from each other with heavy blushes on their faces. It didn't help that the crowd had yet to cease their wooing. Kagura's friends, mainly Millianna, Risely, Beth, and Araña, we're giving their mutual best friend the business. Natsu's team just hung back and nodded in approval as he gave Kagura the attention that he taught each of them to give to their special lady.
"You know..." Natsu began. "Hisui was going on about some dance if we win and uh, I'm gonna need a date." He said before giving her a charming smile.
Kagura laughed while tightening her grip on the rail and leaning back, unknowingly pushing up her generous bust. "She said if you win." She pointed out teasingly.
Natsu leaned forward until his nose was touching hers. "Don't we always?" He grinned cheekily.
"I'll consider..." She sighed.
"Is that a yes?" He pressed.
"Maybe." She retorted.
"So... yes?" He pressed even more.
"You're not gonna leave me alone till I give you an answer, right?" She asked and Natsu nodded. "Of course you big dummy, who else was I gonna take?" Kagura laughed.
Then Ichiya, the school's distinguished gym teacher, appeared out of nowhere. "I'm right here, baby." He smirked.
"Not now!" Several students in the crowd shouted at the short man.
Kagura and Natsu chuckled before returning their gaze back to each other. "That killed the mood, right?" Natsu asked.
"Oh yeah, definitely." Kagura laughed before lightly pushing his chest. "Now stop bugging me and get out there." She blushed and faked annoyance although her heart was dying for him to stay just a little bit longer.
"Okay, okay. We'll go dress shopping letter then, okay?" He asked.
Kagura huffed as he knew exactly what she was thinking. "Just go!" She barked.
Natsu laughed at her embarrassed blush before giving her a quick kiss on her cheek. "Bye!" He jumped down and waved her off.
Kagura let her head down with her hair shadowing her eyes as she tried to hide her steaming blush while Millianna teasingly mocked her. Believe or not, this was normal for them.
Swinging his hands behind his head, Natsu joined his team members and was surprised when he saw that they still had a few minutes before the game officially started. All in all, he was better. More relaxed and calm. But as fate would have it, someone was there to churn his stomach again.
Sting laughed as he threw his hand onto Natsu's back. "I see you're already making plans for tonight, Natsu! You're such a romantic!" The blonde laughed.
Natsu grinned and gave the guys a thumbs up. "Gotta have priorities!"
"Ha ha! You are always right. But before we can party and celebrate, we have to beat those fairies!" Sting cheered.
Rufus, Orga, Rogue, and the rest of the team members agreed. "Yeah, which should be fairly easy!" A random guy cheered.
"Hell yeah! We're the best!"
"Fairies are weak anyways!"
"Let's kill those idiots!
"Woah! Hold on there Bob, no need to get violent!"
"We're gonna fucking murder those stupid fairies then we're gonna go to their moms' houses and-"
"Bob! There are kids here!"
Natsu drowned out the voices as the sinking feeling in his heart returned. All of a sudden, he didn't feel very comfortable in his uniform and a little light headed. Deep down he knew what he had to do to get over this feeling but yet he still wished there could be some other way. But alas, he couldn't think of any.
'Well, guess it's time to do what Igneel has always taught me, face my fears.' The pink haired soccer star sighed.
"Hey guys, hold back a minute. I'm gonna go over there and say "hi" to a few old friends." Natsu told his team. Sting was going to offer to go with him but a hand on his shoulder curtesy of Natsu stopped him. "No, this is something I have to do alone." He said before stepping out onto the field and boldly crossing it. Needless to say he was very nervous since literally everyone's eyes were solely on him as he crossed the rubicon.
While he was dilly dallying over with the Crocus team, Gray and Elfman had since migrated over to their other friends. Great, all of his past friends together in one spot. What could go wrong?
"Well well well." Gray called out with a smirk. "Look who's all grown up." He teased.
"H-Hey-y-y..." Natsu inwardly cursed when he stuttered but somehow, by a greater being's will, it managed to actually soothe the thick tension."
"Hey Not-So Dragneel." Lucy giggled as she stood up and made to hug him. Natsu wholeheartedly accepted the gesture from his dear old friend. His breath got caught in his throat when he entered her warm embrace. Everything was so peaceful all of a sudden. His heartbeat was normal and his breathing was no longer erratic. The two old friends held each other for what seemed like a long time before reluctantly pulling out of each other's embrace.
"Hope you haven't forgotten about me!" Lisanna pouted cutely while rushing into his warm embrace.
"Never!" The pink haired man grinned and held her for the same duration as Lucy.
"Mmm, looks like someone grew up cute." Cana teased when he pulled back from Lisanna.
Natsu blushed when everyone laughed, including Mira of all people and she was a total bitch to him... when people were around at least... she was a very confusing person.
Cana grew a tic mark on her forehead. "Oh so Lucy gets a hug but not me? Natsu! I'm wounded!" She feigned hurt before he pulled her into a hug. "That's better~" She melted into the embrace before quickly coping a feel of his butt, too bad she couldn't see the fuming purple haired woman across the field scream bloody murder.
"Alright alright, that's enough!" Natsu quickly squirmed out of her reach. "I happen to have a girlfriend you know!" He yelled.
Erza, who was silently enjoying the fact he old friend was back, stood up. "Oh yeah!" She shouted angrily before socking him in the arm, hard enough to hurt but not enough to hurt his performance in the game. "When were you going to tell me that you were dating my little sis!" The redhead fumed.
"Oh yeah, I saw you hugging that little cutie over there..." Gray chuckled while elbowing a laughing Elfman.
"Ha ha! Dating is super manly!" The white haired giant chortled.
"Ha! Like you would know what dating is like!" Mira laughed venomously, effectively taking her brother's self esteem level down to zero. Only a few brave people laughed at Elfman's misfortune, mainly Gray and Cana.
"Well, you see Erza..." Natsu chuckled nervously as he scratched the back of his head. "She kinda... *incoherent mumbling*"
"What?" Erza asked as she crossed her arms under her bountiful chest.
"She kinda... wanted to keep it a secret because you wouldn't approve..." The pink haired young man sighed heavily as he braced for the inevitable hit.
After a few seconds of nothing, Natsu nervously opened his eyes and saw very perplexing sight: Erza Scarlet was holding a tissue to her eye and was hunched in the corner of the bleachers. "I see... I've failed as a big sister!" She wailed into her arms.
Quickly Lisanna and Lucy flew to console, Cana just went to have some girls to talk to and Mira, well Mira just wanted to make fun of her rival at being a failure to her step sister.
Natsu chuckled at the scene as he had truly missed his dear friends, he was a fool to leave them in a fruitless effort to make a name for himself in the field of soccer. What good was a dream job if your greatest friends couldn't experience it with you? Sure Natsu had grown to look over Sting and Rogue like his own brothers (because screw Gajeel) but he still missed his rivalry with Gray, Lisanna's endless jokes, Lucy and Cana's sheer weirdness, and Erza's strong demand. He missed his very roots. The things that made Natsu, Natsu.
Before he could mention anything else, he received a rough punch to the arm from Gray. "Ah, looks like the pinky's reflexes have dulled." He teased and made a motion for Natsu to come at him.
The pink haired young man grinned deviously. "That was just a cheap shot you dandy stripper! Time for some real action!" Natsu prepared to charge but was held back by Lucy's small hand resting on his chest.
"Nuh uh uh, mister! You will not be fighting right before the game! You two will get disqualified!" The blonde lectured before smiling softly at Natsu. "Besides, if you really want to catch up, we're going out for lunch in the city before having a look around. We could use an expert tour guide..." She said warmly.
Natsu returned her innocent smile with his own. "I'd love to." He said before looking at every single one of his old friends. "There's this nice place just around the corner- great food by the way- be there around one o'clock." He grinned.
"Woo! Old reunions with friends at a decent restaurant for a decent price after a heated soccer game are so manly!" Elfman shouted.
"Ugg! People are staring at me! You're so embarrassing!" Mira yelled while bashing him on the head. "Why are you so uncool!?"
"I do it for the sexual thrill! The sexual thrill!" Elfman shouted while flexing his huge arms.
Natsu chuckled to himself before turning around to make his way back to his team. "It's great to see you guys, really." He smiled. Cana, Erza, Gray, Lisanna, Lucy, Elfman, and hell even Mira returned the smile. "See you guys once I kick your team's ass." He grinned before running off.
As he was running away, Lisanna let a lone tear drop down her smooth face. "He's really something, isn't he?" She blushed.
"Yeah." Gray smirked. "Natsu finally grew."
Lucy crossed her shoulders and blushed as well. "I can't believe we let him go." She sighed before Erza got up and rested a hand on her shoulder.
"Don't worry, Luce, he's happy here. After all, I heard some talk that he's on the scouting list of many professional teams once he gets out of college." Erza assured though she couldn't hide the sadness in her voice.
"Well..." Cana sighed. "There goes one hell of an ass." She smirked.
"Cana!" The whole group of teens screamed.
While the old poster group from Magnolia had they're little reunion, a less known trio was on the far end of the bleachers. Specifically a blue haired young man, his black haired associate, and her little sister.
"You know what's a real sport?" Jellal Fernandes started.
Ultear Milkovich, Gray's half sister, sighed heavily while pinching the bridge of her nose. "Don't even start Jellal..." She growled.
Jellal, who obviously had a death wish, continued. "Ultimate frisbee."
"Ugh!" Ultear and Meredy, her half sister as well as Gray's, sighed simultaneously.
"You see, in ultimate frisbee, we don't care about the spotlight and glamor. We play our sport simply for the hell of it. We work day in and day out to play what we love and all these soccer jerks are being broadcast around the world for simply kicking. In ultimate frisbee we run, jump, throw, catch, and much more." The blue haired teen informed.
"Oh boo hoo, cry me a river and play the world's smallest violin would ya?" Ultear antagonized. "Why do I even hang out with you? All you do is si- what's wrong Meredy?" She suddenly asked as she noticed her sister's unusual stare. Not getting a response as fast as she would have liked, Ultear lightly pushed her finger into Meredy's arm.
"…" Meredy did not speak but kept up her intense gaze while a sole bead of sweat rolled down her face.
Jellal looked concerned so he waved a hand in front of her face. "Yo, Mer-Mer?"
Finally Meredy opened her lips but ever so slowly, her tongue circled the insides of her visibly dry lips. "H-H-H..."
"What did you say?" Ultear leaned in close.
"H-H-H-Hottie!" She finally exclaimed while her body completely spazed out. The pink haired fifteen year old couldn't contain her deep blush as it spread over the entirety of her beautiful face.
Ultear and Jellal were taken back by the sudden, and inappropriate mind you, outburst.
"What's his name!? I must know!" Meredy shouted while pointing at the retreating form of Natsu as he walked back to his team.
Jellal and Ultear squinted at the back of Natsu's head, trying to put something together. But fortunately for Meredy, Ultear could remember their friend from eight years ago.
"Hmm... I think that's Natsu..." She whispered to Meredy.
Meredy smiled exuberantly while her blush took on a more passionate hue. "So... Natsu... this is where he's been this whole time... and to think he would be my destined one..." She sighed warmly.
"Destined one?" Ultear snorted. "Pffh, he probably only remembers you from that time you nearly drowned in his pool!" The dark haired eldest Milkovich child laughed.
"Or the time when you spilt those special paints on his T-shirt." Jellal smirked, teasing Meredy was always something good to pass the time.
However, on the receiving end of the tortuous teasing, Meredy's blushed spread in embarrassment once again. "D-D-Do you real-ly think he re-remembers all that?" Meredy sniffed.
"Oh sweetie~" Ultear wraps her arms around her sister lovingly. "I don't think he remembers you at all!" She poked the pinkette on the nose.
That was when Meredy began to wail like a whiney little girl...
After the Game
It was a close game.
"We totally wiped the field with their asses!" Orga yelled with his fist raised high.
Okay I lied, it wasn't. It was a brutal beat down. It was a bloody massacre.
Natsu, while determined to at least give his friends a chance, accidentally mocked them. He tried letting up but it seemed like he was just teasing them. He felt bad for it but man did the way Gray's face looked when he crossed him felt almost euphoric. But of course, that feeling could never match a certain feeling he got when he and Kagura were alone in her dorm...
But now the team ran into the locker rooms in victory, they just won the game and ensured that a fancy banquet would be held in their honor.
"I'm so asking that one chick who spilt coffee on my three weeks ago!" Sting yelled happily while ripping off his jersey.
Orga chuckled gaudily. "I'm asking out the girl who sits behind me in Spanish!"
"Do you think Mrs. Green and I have a chance?" Rogue asked Sting who was now in his boxers.
Sting stopped what he was doing. Turned to Rogue. And slapped him. "Dude, she's 41 and married, you have to let her go."
Rufus nodded his head while undoing his cleats. "Never give up on love, Rogue." The blonde said sagely.
All of their chatting slowly dwindled as Natsu slammed his locker shut and zipped his soccer bag before he made to jog out of the room.
"Woah Natsu, what's the hurry man?" Sting grinned as he looked at his friend/mentor.
Natsu blinked owlishly before turning his head around. "Out." He said before turning back around to run off.
"Hey! We were supposed to go out for food! Where are you going!?" Sting called out as he prepared to give chase but a hand on the shoulder, courtesy of the newly arrived Minerva, stopped him.
"Not so fast mister!" She growled. "After that goal stunt you pulled, you're getting an ass whooping!" The dark haired beauty reached for her father's belt she had brought.
"Oh shit..." Sting frowned.
With Natsu
'Gonna go meet up with my friends! La la la~' The pink haired teen sang in his head as he strolled out of the locker room and out to the field. However, he totally forgot the promise he made to a certain someone so imagine his surprise when he walked outside and saw his girlfriend standing there looking all cute and innocent.
"Ready to go babe?" She asked in a tone she would never use in public.
Natsu froze. He had completely forgot he made plans with Kagura. 'Fuck...'
Kagura titled her head to the side in a cute manner. "What's wrong?" She questioned him.
"Uh..." Natsu sighed. He knew he shouldn't have made plans with someone and immediately go behind their back and make plans with another but he was just so caught up in the hype of being in the company of his old friends. "Umm... I actually made other plans sweetie... I'm so sorry! I can cancel it'll just ta-"
Kagura smiled sadly as she pushed a finger to his lips. "Shhhh... It's okay..." She sighed. "I should've known better than trust your word..." Kagura frowned.
Like a fucking idiot, all Natsu heard was "it's okay." "Really? Thanks Kagura! Man I owe you!" He laughed jovially, unknowingly mocking her.
The busty beauty clenched her fists in anger. "Well fine then! Go! I guess I'll just see if Millianna hasn't gone out with anyone!" She yelled before stomping off and out of the small stadium.
Being clueless like Natsu, he just sat there. "Geez, what's her problem?" He shrugged.
Now Natsu could be slick at some times but in all honesty, he was still new to the whole romance game. He didn't quite get the fact that girls had feelings. So to see his girlfriend get mad at him for being stupid, he didn't see what he did wrong.
"Shit, I'm gonna be late!" He yelled before picking up his bag and running off.
To Be Concluded —
A/N: Sorry for taking so long with this chapter, it really got on my nerves at some points but hopefully it looks good. Hope you enjoyed and if you did, please review!