I'm back! First of all, I am super thankful to Zeta710 for showing me something that would help writing this chapter. If it weren't for them, this wouldn't be written. I really wish I knew how simple street racing was before I procrastinated so long.


"I knew that you could do it, Erza!" Lucy cheered. She had just completed the semi-finals for the race. The next race she would be going up against Gyokuryū.

"I've got bad news, though," Gray said. "We're out of entrance money."

"Get some more, then," Natsu retorted.

"No time," Gray snapped. "It's now or never." Erza pulled out a sword.

"Perhaps they will accept one of my swords."

"No." They all looked at Natsu. "Use this." To Lucy, it was just a necklace with an interesting charm. But the others were shocked.

"Natsu," Erza gasped. "Are you sure?" He nodded firmly.

"It's about time that I let go." Erza took the offered necklace, though she seemed reluctant.

"What's your bid, Titania?" Gyokuryū smirked. Her own was a several thousand Jewel. "Or are you broke?" Erza let the charm fall out of her hand, though she kept a tight hold on the chain. Gyokuryū's eyes widened. The look in her eyes was akin to something between grief and anger. "You're on," she practically snarled.


Natsu's nose twitched. There was something familiar about the smell of Gyokuryū. He couldn't place it. Would you be angry at me for giving up your necklace, Midori? He closed his eyes, her beaming face firmly fixated in his mind. No, he decided. You're too much of a sweetheart.

"Hey, Erza," he said. "Can I hitch a ride with you?" Erza frowned.

"Is the motion sickness patch still working?" she asked doubtfully.

"Yeah. And I checked the rules, I can ride with you as long as I don't touch any of the controls." Erza nodded. They began walking to the car.

"This is new," Erza noted. "Even with something to deal with your motion sickness, you normally don't volunteer go on a vehicle." Natsu shrugged.

"There's something I want to see. I think that I may know Gyokuryū." Erza raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? Who is she, then?" Natsu shook his head.

"I want to be sure, first. If I'm right, then I'll tell you guys, ok?" He helped her push the car to the starting line. They were about half an hour early, but Erza wanted to check the car over first.

"Everything alright?" Lucy asked.

"Yup," Natsu said cheerfully. "Just need to put in a little gas and we'll be good to go!"


"Got a passenger?" Gyokuryū asked with a cocky grin. Natsu was dressed similarly to Erza, but he had a helmet on, concealing his face. "No matter. I'll still beat you."

"I wouldn't be so sure," Erza responded as she slid into the car. Natsu climbed in beside her.

"You sure yet?" she murmured. Natsu shook his head. She could hear his heavy breathing. "You don't have to do this, you know."

"No," Natsu shook his head. "I'm good. It's just… If this is the person I think she is, then…" He shuddered. "Oh crap, she's going to kill me."

"I'm not going to ask why…" People grabbed onto their cars, holding them still. "Do you know why they're doing that?"

"I think it's to let us go off like a slingshot." Despite the motion sickness patch, Natsu still looked a little green as he grabbed the most stable item in the car. It was a straight shot, but one could never be too careful when Erza was at the wheel.

"You guys ready?" Haruwana shouted nervously. He backed up, keeping an eye on both cars. Both women revved their engines. He pulled out a gun to start the race. Once he fired the blank, it was showtime. Bang! Both cars took off like a shot. Gyokuryū's car jerked up a little as she quickly pulled ahead. Natsu was thrown back into his seat. He glanced at the speedometer. They were already going over 100.

He could feel the thrumming of the car. It was wonderful, going this fast. The adrenaline flowing through him sent him into a euphoric high. He recognized it, of course. He had felt the same way when he and Midori had gone skydiving with their fathers. Feeling bold, he opened up the sunroof. "What are you doing?" Erza shouted over the engine.

"Just playing!" he shouted back. He stood up in the car and whooped. Man, this helmet was so confining! Without thinking, he pulled it off. Glancing at Gyokuryū, he saw her shocked face as she lost control of her car. Being an expert racer, she regained control quickly, but it was too late. Gyokuryū's swerve had given Erza the edge she needed. The armored wizard pulled ahead, beating her by half a car length. Lucy and Gray cheered.

As Natsu grinned at his friends, he suddenly felt a dark presence. Gyokuryū was storming at him, and she was not happy. Before anyone could react, she punched him in the jaw.

"A month!" she shouted. "You said you'd be back in a month! I warned you that I'd beat you up if you were late!" She smacked her fist into her palm. "And you, my friend, are nearly seven years late." Lucy had never seen Natsu pale that quickly, even when he had destroyed Erza's cheesecake.

"I can explain!" Natsu squeaked. Gyokuryū threw herself at him and hugged him tightly.

"Natsu Dragneel!" she shrieked. "I missed you so much!" He hugged her back.

"I missed you too, Midori."


Yay! Midori's alive! Whatcha think of that?! I like it. So, please review and tell me what you think!