Author's Rambling: This was delayed, for I had trouble writing it. I am now back at school, looking to be juggling a job, volunteering commitments, and also with family things, so updates might not be as weekly as I had been doing. This story is my focus, so it will be updated first. This year is important to me, I've got much to achieve, and am going to be busy. I'll write as much as I can, but please understand if updates lag. This chapter went in a totally different direction then what I thought it would, wow, I am shocked. Time for me to go, I've got to get some work finished, and all that.
Naruto had been surprised when rather than a thought projection, the real Guran Doma had given audience.
"You have done well, your conduct was commendable, Commander." Guran's gaze never left Naruto. "Your work has removed two members of Grimoire Heart, and according to Intelligence, both of whom made up the core of the Guild."
"Tenten defeated the one in custody," Naruto made sure to correct the man. He knew that Guran Doma knew exactly what had happened, and was purposely trying to praise Naruto. However, neglecting to acknowledge Tenten's achievement made him angry. It was Tenten that had in a beneficial act secured a source of information. All Naruto had done was give them a corpse.
The old man waved his hand dismissively. "Of course. However, the God Slayer has been linked to the destruction of several towns, all over Earthland. His being brought to justice has left us in a favourable position. The disaster that my predecessors brought on us due to trickery is now resolved, and in our favour. Our neighbours have been appeased, and friendly relations have fully resumed. There had been several riots against our authority due to the previous Council firing the Etherion." He informed Naruto, looking at him as if he was just waiting for him to challenge him. As expected of the man, he knew exactly how Naruto felt about such a weapon that should not exist, especially in the hands of the Council.
"So you're going to give me a shiny medal, and tell me to run along and continue my good work." Naruto spat at the Chairman, rather disgusted at his easy acceptance of a death.
Guran frowned, disaproval of Naruto's blatant disrespect showing. "You are to go to the Caelum Kingdom and represent the Council, for several dark mages of the Daughters of Bellona Guild have set up there, and they have no sufficient mages of enough skill to bring them into custody. " He instructed him, overlooking the disrespect for now.
"Send someone else," Naruto said quickly. "I already have things to do in Fiore." He thought of Levy, the poor girl who didn't know that the last of her blood family was gone. As much as he did agree that dark mages had to be brought to justice, Levy McGarden needed him, and he'd have to sit out that particular mission.
The eyes of the Chairman narrowed, his nostrils flared. "You overstep yourself, Naruto Uzumaki. My leniency only extends so far, it is important for the Magic Council to be decisive and give firm displays of our strength, despite the setbacks of recent months. As it is, you are in the upper tier of magical power rankings, to quell any concerns of the Caelum Queen, someone must be sent. A figure of trust."
A figure of trust. It was silly really, but Naruto had always been able to make illogical jumps. That was exactly what he did then.
Naruto's eyes widened. "You didn't bring me back to strike out against the Dark Guilds," he voiced his accusations. "You brought me back because you don't know who you can trust. " He didn't know if that was the case, it was his probe, testing the waters as it were.
Barriers shot up around the room, activated by none other than Guran Doma. Naruto tensed from where he stood, barely restraining himself from calling on his magical power.
The long-haired Chairman sighed, and seemed to age a decade, which since he already looked old, was putting him at a few months beyond the grave. At least that was what Naruto thought as he looked at Guran Doma, as if seeing the old man for the first time truly. "You are correct. Even the Council is not trustworthy, it grates for one such as I to admit it so, but the Magic Council is compromised." Guran Doma confessed wearily.
"Why me? I was unofficially disgraced for my failure, and I went on to join Fairy Tail. Your disdain for my Guild is well-known." Naruto didn't know if he believed him, the man was so unpleasant, and he had learned a lot over the years about who to trust. Guran Doma was giving him mixed signals.
"Fairy Tail is an unruly child, " Guran Doma explained, "they are undoubtedly a Light Guild, but they are hesitant to respect laws in place, such rebellion is dangerous. If they are to be an effective force in the troubles to come, they must learn to obey."
Naruto exploded. "It is just how Fairy Tail is, you can't blame them for being so vivacious, they are the one incorruptible Guild in Fiore! By trying to force your will on them, they'll never obey, it isn't the way of Fairy Tail mages'. Blind obedience isn't what Master Makarov teaches. " He glared at the man, trying to calm his breathing, trying not to let his hands find their way to the beard of the old man, because he was debating tugging it, hard. "And you didn't answer my other question."
Guran Doma inhaled a deep breath, yet answered. "Your loyalty is admirable, which is what interested me in you. I've been keeping tabs on you, nothing serious, but you caught my interest as a boy. I've been watching for years, and you have yet to disappoint. Your failure to defeat Iwan Dreyar was disappointing, but ultimately to the benefit of my plans. "
Plans, plots, secrets, and now unravelling truths.
Naruto didn't like any of it very much.
Guran Doma was as imposing as ever, even with his declaration, and surprisingly truthful admissions. His disdain for Fairy Tail wasn't someone Naruto could take, and his complacency that Naruto would be used like this. Yet, he couldn't just walk away now, not when what he was doing was so important, and for the benefit of many. He couldn't do it even to spite the controlling and manipulative old man. It would be too selfish.
Most likely Guran Doma had realised all this, and was even now giving what Naruto wanted, to placate him, and keep him on board. Probably withholding much more than he had told. He had always hated not knowing everything, even if it was done out of the sentiment of protecting him, and since he doubted that was why the Chairman was keeping his cards close to his chest, Naruto wished he could pull the information out of the mind of the old bearded man.
"Jose Porla has begun his recovery, findings indicate that the one who controlled him left residue on one other surviving victim. It was seven years ago, it was on ..."
"None other than myself, right?" Naruto asked uncertainly. Deep down he knew that the past was coming back to haunt him; dark forces were at work, and it all led back to Morta Island. The very thought of the place sent a chill rippling through his body.
It represented loss and failure to Naruto. It had also been one of the first times in Earthland that he had been truly scared. Naruto Uzumaki had been a prodigious mage, his instructors during Rune Knight Basic Training had lauded him with praise and predictions of great success. Naruto wasn't going to lie, he had loved being looked up to for once, he'd never been considered talented before. His talent had elevated him through the ranks quickly, and according to rumours , Naruto had been recommended for a higher position before Morta.
The Chairman hardened his eyes. "Correct. It was enlightening to discover such a grave threat left to freedom for so long. That must be rectified. Would any amongst...Fairy Tail-"
"No way," Naruto interjected furiously, the very idea that Fairy Tail would be subjected to fighting such a monster was unthinkable. "That man utterly destroyed my Division. Fifty men were slaughtered, and I was toyed with. Nothing worked against him, thrown about like a child's doll, I was a lone mage, up against the Black Dragon itself."
Naruto couldn't read the expression on the Chairman of the Council's face. Not that he had to, the man said exactly what he thought on the matter. "Seven years ago, you were a talented young mage not even close to hitting his prime, but you were arrogant with success and praising. I look at you now and see a worthy man, one who knows and walks in the light despite hardship. What I mean to say is that I see a worthy Wizard Saint."
Naruto choked on his own saliva that he'd been in the process of swallowing. Had he been mislead by what the elaborately robed Chairman was saying, had he not only complimented him, but hint at the bestowing of such a title on Naruto Uzumaki? Even if he found himself at odds with much of the actions by the Council, Naruto Namikaze had a dream of being a member of the Ten Wizard Saints, and Naruto Uzumaki had adopted it as well, in a fashion.
Guran continued to speak. "The Sage was in agreement, it would not only bolster the image of the Council in this occasion by having a new Wizard Saint directly situated in our ranks, but being the son of a deceased Wizard Saint as popular as Minato Namikaze will inevitably make you famous. That fame will draw out the criminal responsible for Morta Island and Jose Porla's possession. I doubt he could resist having you dangled out in front of him." He said it matter of factly.
So, he was getting the position in order to be bait, Naruto surmised. Really, he should have expected it, but despite himself, for a few brief seconds he had been excited about it. The idea of cashing in on his pseudo-parents fame was nauseating. Although a large part of him felt that since he and Naruto Namikaze were now the same person, Naruto deserved to consider his counterparts parents as his own; the other part felt it was morally wrong to steal the parents, not when his own had died protecting him.
"So I'm to be bait, and am to use the fame of a dead-man I never knew to help you?" Naruto asked bitterly. He did agree that painting himself as a target might be what it took to lure out the one he had sworn to destroy. "I don't like this, I do see why you've suggested it, and for that reason only will I go through with it, Chairman. If not for the fact that my friends must be avenged, I'd spit in your face and walk out of here. Trust isn't exactly something I have in abundance when it comes to you. You are a snake, I just don't know if you are the venomous kind yet."
The Chairman chuckled. "You will be a Wizard Saint, and I expect you to conduct yourself accordingly, no matter the predominant reasoning behind your reasoning. You will replace the traitor Jellal Fernandes."
"If I'm playing at your game, I think I need something from you, " Naruto said cheerfully, seeing an opening to begin his campaign on the behalf of the ex-Wizard Saint. "Jellal Fernandes deserves a second chance. As a child he was a slave, used to build a tower thing to resurrect Zeref, before being possessed by a dark influence. His actions were not his own. This entire debacle was because of the failure of the Magic Council to save him, and others like him, if you want some good public relations, then the rehabilitation of victims into my command would be perfect."
Naruto actually made the man splutter.
It was a cold winter evening when Naruto had finally made it back home to Magnolia.
The darkening skies were heavy and grey, frosty branches from trees hanging over his head as he walked through the park. It was devoid of any playing children, rebellious teenagers, and even bashful couples. The mage had meant to head straight to Fairy Tail, but he hadn't entered even the vicinity of the building, not when he had seen Levy laughing with Lucy inside his head. Naruto couldn't find it within himself to ruin that smile, not yet.
Nobody wanted to be the bearer of bad news, and never to someone who they considered family. The people of Fairy Tail, and the flying cat, they were all people who Naruto cherished as precious to him. He had lost too many of those precious people in another life, he didn't want to upset the ones that he had found in Fairy Tail.
Levy had to know, so that was exactly where he was heading, or returning to really. It was his duty as, according to Gray, 'the older brother' of the younger generation to support Levy. Naruto had never been an older brother, sure, he'd been picked up a few admirers who'd considered him such, but he'd never had the chance to spend years with them. Not like with the Fairy Tail bunch. He figured it was kind of like being a Dad, he had to be the responsible one, shield the kids when he could, but also give them the freedom to grow.
Naruto picked up his pace, body moving on autopilot towards the Guild. A little self-conscious of the ankh like symbol that showed his employment by the Magic Council embroidered on his jacket. However, Naruto wasn't too worried. Fairy Tail was accepting, and he was one of them, no matter what path he might lead away from them, Naruto was a member of Fairy Tail.
Naruto loved Fairy Tail.
The vibrancy of each member, quirks, fetishes, talents, flaws, and sheer uniqueness made them who they were. Naruto wouldn't trade those seven years of memories for anything; not even another chance back as a shinobi. He craved for his old friends, and old life, but he had been given a new chance at life. It wasn't all good memories, but he was beginning to realise that he had to look to the good rather than the bad.
Even starchy old men like Guran Doma weren't all that bad.
His mind was still digesting the meeting with the man, in which Naruto had many questions answered, and had successfully gotten out of going to Caelum. As far as Naruto knew, a Rune Knight Captain by the name of Nawaki -something - was being dispatched. He had questioned the wisdom of that decision, compared to mages in guilds, a Captain weren't really in general as powerful as most mages in guilds. Of course, that was when Guran Doma had asked him coolly, if Naruto really wanted to go since he was protesting against his decision again, and that the younger brother of Tsunade Kato was more than enough.
So caught up in his thoughts, Naruto nearly missed the Guild. Fairy Tail was bigger than ever, his jaw dropped, and he forget the reason why he had returned momentarily. It looked so grand with the rebuilding complete. He swallowed, lost in nostalgia, he felt regret that the original building was no longer standing, so many memories had been made there, but he couldn't help himself when it came to finding himself impressed.
After seven minutes, he couldn't just procrastinate any longer. He made his way through the unfamiliar new Fairy Tail, finding himself impressed and sad, both at the same time. It was different.
It took him a further three minutes to find himself in the company of the members of Fairy Tail.
Busy engaging in conversation, drinks, and the occasional fist fight, nobody noticed him at first. Of course, all it took was for Gray and Natsu to find themselves tumbling on the ground, engaging in the age-old art of brawling, and nearly slamming into Naruto for his presence to be announced. Rather than be caught up in the brawl, he sent them flying with gusts of winds, not too much power in it, but Natsu jumped to his feet, waving his arms wildly and bellowing in excitement.
"Naruuuuuto! Fight me!" The pink haired Dragon-slayer kept repeating, staring at Naruto. Natsu clearly was hungry for battle with Naruto, which was new to Naruto. The younger boy had never been interested in fighting him before, which was probably because Naruto had never had a big reputation, but that had probably changed now that Natsu had learned that Naruto was for all intents and purposes the son of Minato Namikaze.
Naruto was bombarded with random cheers, a few hugs, and genuine enquiries as to how he had been.
Erza stood up, abandoning her cake, and looked at Naruto with an analytic expression in her eyes. "Naruto," she greeted him cordially. "Is it Council Business that brings you here, or do you come here as our friend?" She asked in a conversational tone of voice, but the other members of Fairy Tail fell back, not quite so eager to welcome him.
Naruto felt the corners of his lips pick up into a small smile. "No, I'm here as Naruto Uzumaki, a member of Fairy Tail. Erza, I never got the chance to say goodbye, you know, and I missed being...home."
Satisfied the red-head smiled genuinely. "Welcome home."
The others returned to their previously jovial welcoming, and Naruto found it difficult not to get caught up in the light atmosphere, the burden of the news he held was enough to do so. Still, it didn't detract from has happiness to see them all. The reason he was here was oblivious to his arrival, in a corner stool, absorbed in her book.
"I'm mainly here to see Levy actually." He admitted. "I'd appreciate it if you guys tone it down a bit, it's important."
Erza frowned, although she did nod in agreement. "I'll keep them quiet." She promised, despite her own obvious curiosity.
Naruto walked over towards Levy, each step was reluctant, when he reached the girl, he tapped her on the shoulder.
Levy looked up from her book in surprise. "Naruto! You came to visit!" The blue haired girl exclaimed, a wide smile spreading across her face, she jumped up from the stool and went to hug the older man.
Although, if she recalled, he wasn't much for hugs, she was going to pull away, but to her surprise he wrapped his arms around her in return.
"Levy, you look all grown up," Naruto said to her, a mercurial smile on his lips. "I'm not here to visit, I wish I was, I really do, Levy. " He looked at her, blue eyes weighed down with sorrow. "I thought it'd be better to hear it from me." He continued, not quite willing to get right down to the moment.
"To hear what, Naruto? " Levy enquired innocently.
She hadn't caught the restrained sadness in his bearing, too happy to see him again. She probably was thinking he had some news to share to the Guild.
"It is about your cousin." He swallowed, saliva having pooled in his mouth. Levy wouldn't take it well, not that Naruto would blame her, and it was for that reason why he had made the decision to tell her the bad news personally.
Levy cocked her head to the side, her smile vanishing. "What do you mean?" She asked him, nervously chewing her lip.
Naruto took the plunge. "He's gone, Levy. I'm sorry. I really am."
She didn't cry straight away, but steadily asked, even if her voice was beginning to tremble. "How?" The intelligent girl had probably already surmised that it wasn't by regular means, not if Naruto had found out about it.
"Two members of Grimoire Heart, it's a dark guild, a particularly powerful one. Your cousin and his relatives were part of a group of tourists who were the victims. " He replied honestly. Levy looked at him, tears welling in her widened eyes, slightly glazed as she struggled to process it all. Her small hands curled into fists and her arms wrapped around her chest, cradling herself. "They won't ever hurt anyone, not again. Never!" Naruto said fiercely, wrapping his own arms around the smaller girl, pulling her to his chest, her tears beginning to seep into his coat.
Her tears made him wish he could end the life of Zancrow again, and again. No amount of punishment would be enough, not when Levy cried in his arms. In such a world, it simply wasn't fair that the innocent suffered, and the evil somehow flourished. To a high extent, a mage accepted that they may die, or suffer terrible injuries, but their relatives weren't part of that equation.
At least Levy wasn't alone. That was all Naruto could console his own sorrow with, little Jean McGarden was dead now, he was at peace, but Levy was still alive and would be grieving. If there was one thing that he understood was that death was easy on the one who died, but infinitely harder on those left behind.
"Naruto..." She sobbed, lifting her head away from his chest, cheeks tear streaked and skin blotchy. "...why? How did it have to be them, they didn't have magic, they were just ordinary people." Her eyes were questioning, she was a younger sibling looking to an older one for answers that he couldn't give.
"Evil doesn't discriminate," Naruto answered softly. "Cry now, but then don't shed anymore tears. Live your life without regrets, remember your cousin, Levy, but don't let yourself be eaten up with inconsolable grief." He knew the guilt she was feeling now, except unlike Levy, Naruto had been present. Levy wouldn't want false platitudes of how it was okay, or it was a tragedy, it was, but it was a real fact of life.
By now, the eavesdropping members were suitably sober faced, having heard everything that Naruto had said to Levy. Barely holding themselves back from rushing to Levy, holding her close, and telling her everything was going to be okay, they tried to maintain a distance, yet also to remain as close as they could without crowding the girl.
She couldn't form words, incomprehensible babble as sobs wracked her body was the best she could manage. Naruto simply held her, knowing tears were the best remedy for someone like Levy. She wasn't stupid enough to wallow in grief, she was a Fairy Tail member, she would mourn for a time, but in the end she would smile again.
It was none other than Lucy Heartfilia that pulled Levy from Naruto.
The pretty brown-eyed Celestial Spirit mage hugged the blue haired girl, and said firmly. "I'm taking Levy to my home, okay? If a certain Dragon-slayer and cat dare to enter without my permission..." she turned her face and stared pointedly at Natsu and his feline companion. Her eyes narrowed as she warned the duo to stay away.
Naruto stepped back, knowing that Levy would be in good hands. Naruto didn't know the still rather new member of Fairy Tail well, he did know that the two girls had bonded closely during the short time that the young female blonde had been a member, and that she would probably be better company than Naruto.
When they left, Master Makarov strode towards Naruto, and held out his hand.
Naruto took it and they shook hands.
"Despite the tragic circumstances that prompted your return, it is warming to see the return of another of my children, Naruto." The Wizard Saint said solemnly. His wrinkled face had aged a little more in the time since Naruto had last seen the man, but it was still the same Makarov Dreyar that Naruto admired.
"They made me a Wizard Saint." Naruto said suddenly, he hadn't planned on saying anything, but the weight of such a title was a little scary, and Naruto needed reassurance and advice from one of the people he trusted the most in the entirety of Earthland.
Makarov nodded. "Of course, all Wizard Saints were alerted once the deliberations came to an end, my boy. I knew before you did, and I offer you my congratulations. You have made your Guild proud."
His heart skipped a beat. Naruto despite still wearing the mark of Fairy Tail proudly still had doubts. It had been silly, Makarov despite his age wasn't senile, and if he had chosen to remove Naruto from Fairy Tail, he would have removed the mark. Hearing the words proclaiming his membership still, well, it siphoned away some of the weight that was accumulating on his shoulders. "Wait until Natsu learns about it." He offered with a slight grin.
Makarov chuckled. "I think he just did."
Naruto directed his gaze at the boy on the floor. "I think it broke him." He said slowly, looking at the comically flat on the floor and still pink haired Fire Dragon-slayer. A shiver ran down his spine, he ignored it, and instead found himself kneeling down beside Natsu, and poking him in the side and getting no reaction.
"Let him take it in. Undoubtedly he'll be chasing you in order to test himself against you," Makarov interjected. "I think that we should have a talk, so much is in motion, I think we should break out the good whiskey and simply talk."
Naruto might not have ignored that shiver if he had known.
The ground was stained red.
Oddly beautiful in its own way, she couldn't help it, she kept admiring the way blood spilled on the ground, even if it were her own. She knew that it should horrify her, make her want to move faster, strike harder, and do something other than admire the proof of her own weakness. Her curly hair framed her face, a slash down her right cheek bled heavily, and she was gasping in air, standing exposed.
He was far stronger than she was, there was no use trying to fight on, not when the end was already decided.
It was when all was beginning to seem lost, punches and kicks sent her flying about like a rag doll, she didn't resist, not until she remembered what Naruto Uzumaki had said to her: "Hope burns on forever, as long as your heart still beats, that hope can empower you, nothing is ever as certain as you believe it to be. A hopeless battle is only hopeless if you believe it to be so! That is why I believe that there is hope that one day all magic will be used for good purposes. " She hadn't understood it back then.
It was now that she realised that the ending only seemed decided because she had given up.
"I won't die on this bloody ground! I won't die to someone like you! No! No!" She roared loudly, intercepting a kick with her own leg, grabbing the leg with her hand and pulling the figure close to her, so she could slam a fist into his face. It connected with a satisfying sound of impact, even if for her troubles she was flung backwards, any leverage she had possessed before nothing in the face of this opponent.
The figure just chuckled. "Yes, yes. Fight hard little mage, show me what you can do, show me the power of his right hand."
The only person the figure could be referring to was Naruto. In the short time she had been his comrade, even his friend, she had gained the title of his Second. Although, they consisted of just the two of them, they would be enlarging given time, and that made her Naruto's right hand. Naruto what have you gotten me into? Tenten couldn't help herself when she thought that.
She prepared herself, magical power spiking, she was running out of magic, she doubted even having magical power the equivalent to powerhouses like Naruto would do much. As much as she hated to admit it, she was outclassed in terms of prowess, but it didn't mean she would give up. She extended her arms. "Flames rise from the darkness; through the blade forged from the breath of dragons old; a blade outlasting the ravaging of time; in the hand of heroes; the bane of villains..." She summoned a giant broadsword, both hands gripping it, and she braced herself against its weight. "...roar Sword of the Flaming Dragon of Old!Live again...Darioko!" Flames spilled from the sword, enveloping Tenten in a flaming shroud, the flames were black, yet mixed with flames of dark blue. Her clothes replaced with a dress of dragonscales. She stood straight, her injuries forgotten, new strength from her magic empowering her. Her eyes turned blue, ringed with black, and flames licked down her arms as she raised the great sword, pointing it towards the man who stood staring at her.
Impressed he clapped his hands, to her ears it was simply him mocking her. "Not bad at all, to be able to summon such dangerous and forgotten magic, you truly are impressive." He raised his head, showing his face to her for the first time in the battle, she looked at him, memorising his face. "You just aren't at my level." He said simply and a mist of black air surrounded him. "Suffocate." He intoned simply.
Charging forwards, she raised the broadsword, she swung Darioko, her opponent jumped into the air, supposed by the same black mist that he had invoked, and that was trying to surround her.
The ground trembled beneath the clash of two great mages, with each step forwards, the ground groaned beneath the force of their spiking magical power. Empowered she slashed once more at the cloaked man, Darioko spewing black flames that licked at the arm of her enemy, and burned away the fabric, eating away at the skin.
"Devour him!" She yelled, hoping that the sentient sword possessed with the spirit of a Dragon would be able to do it. This was the last of the spells in her arsenal, with this final attack she was pinning all her hopes of survival into Darioko being the additional strength she needed to get through this. She had her suspicions, if this man was after Naruto, he could be the one person who had utterly destroyed him.
A disc of black magical energy smacked into her from behind, and she turned to see that her opponent was behind her, but how? She didn't understand how once again she was so outclassed, she knew she wasn't weak. She remembered her own words all those years ago: I want to be a great and powerful mage! She had reached that goal. She felt whatever energy she had being siphoned away from her, and now she realised exactly what type of monster she was facing.
She swung Darioko again, screaming in tandem with the flames that accompanied it, grunting from the exertion. Sweat poured from her forehead, down her back, trickling down between her breasts. She didn't care, covered in slashes, wounds, bruises and with skin that was dry despite the sweat pouring off her, all she knew was that even if this battle could not end in her victory, she would be content with ending it on her own terms.
The broadsword melted and in its place a sword made entirely of flames formed, held in her hands, her armour disappearing and being replaced with what remained of her original clothes, the scales flying towards the flames and fuelling it further. "Dragon's Requiem!"She called out, the last of her magic channelling right into the sword of flames. She closed her eyes, she couldn't trust them with this, not when they were so easily fooled.
She pivoted, bringing the flames with her, and with speed she didn't know she possessed charged.
She made contact, just as the black mist surrounded her completely, entering her mouth, nose and ears.
His arms crossed, the flame attack dissipating when it made contact with him. "You fought well, but you weren't enough to defeat me. I am GOD!"
The grass on which he stood blackened, and the last thing that Tenten thought of was that she understood why Naruto had been so outclassed all those years ago.
Naruto dropped the bottle, as scars along his arm burst open, black blood spilling from them. The whiskey smashed, the amber liquid covering the floor. Naruto staggered forwards, landing in front of Makarov, his body shaking violently in a seizure. His eyes rolling around wildly, blood continuing to soak the sleeves of his white t-shirt.
The older man grabbed Naruto despite the difference in heights. "MIRAJANE, GET WENDY!" He bellowed, using magic to amplify his voice as he used his Titan Magic to give him the size neccessary to carry the blonde who by now had blood coming from his nose and ears. He looked at one of the oldest of those he considered children. He left the room, running until he met Mirajane who had Wendy at her side. Blood was beginning to come from his mouth, terrible screams escaping as well, Makarov put him down in the bar. "He's getting worse, we don't have time to get him to the Infirmary!"
Despite the blood. The youngest mage of Fairy Tail determinedly set to work, blood covering her dress, her bare arms, and tears falling down her scrunched up face.
As sudden as it began it stopped.
Makarov sighed in relief. "Wendy, you did it, you saved his life." Gratefully he looked at his youngest child, taking in the blood that stained her clothes, and most likely his: black blood.
The small girl shook her head. "It wasn't me, Master. It stopped by itself, but he needs blood, he lost too much, if he doesn't get to a proper hospital soon, he may not survive. He lost a lot of blood." She said, pale and her eyes not leaving the blood that seemed to be everywhere.
"Mirajane get Wendy cleaned up." Makarov ordered, the barmaid nodded, and gently led the young girl away.
"Macao, I want you and Wakaba to get Naruto to the nearest hospital, we don't have the blood supplies to treat him here. Elfman, I want you to clean up. Jet, you must go to Porlyusica and bring her here. Don't take no for an answer, tell her that Kushina's son is in grave condition. " He ordered them. His mind couldn't help but bring up the image of the red haired woman who had died more than twenty five years ago, a vibrant woman, her sole legacy to the world was being picked up by two men and carried out the doors of the Guild.
Grim-faced he turned to the few remaining in the Guild this late. "Naruto is a extraordinary mage, he will be fine, don't start crying on me now. Naruto doesn't like to have tears shed for him , and none of you tell Levy!" He curled his fists, his Titan Magic being released, and somehow ended up with those still there swarming around him and his own arms wrapping around as many as the small man could manage to.
