CHAPTER 8
(MACAROV'S P.O.V)
"So glad you can join us Master Macarov," Levy turned and smiled at me. "It's not every day we have our guild master over for dinner." "Thank you for having me," I responded cheerfully, as I bit into my chicken. " I must say compliments to the chef."
I made it my business to visit families regularly, so I could catch up with them individually, and to maintain a close relationship. However, tonight I wasn't here to catch up, Gajeel and I had some pressing matters at hand to discuss.
"So master Macarov," Chase spoke up drawing me out of my troubled thoughts. "When am I going to spar with you again?," Chase asked eagerly hoping that my answer would be a yes. "How about tomorrow after lunch sound?," I responded with a grin, as Chase fist pumped the air in victory.
KIDS THESE DAYS…
Chase, Ayla, Shinachiku, and Hanami who were having a sleepover soon finished dinner before the adults, and soon left the table. After clearing up the table, Levy left Gajeel and I alone. "I'm interested to know your thoughts on the fight between Tate and Shinchiku."
I stated as Gajeel folded his arms and frowned. "Naruto's son might not know the origin of his magic, but when he's backed into a wall, he rises to the occasion. His ability to focus is admirable. Heck, that's one of Chase's weaknesses."
"Blame that on his Shinobi training," I chuckled. "And Tate?." "We need to keep an eye on him," Gajeel said sternly, as his eyes narrowed dangerously turning to me. "I know Tate can be a jerk at times, but we both know deep down he's a good kid. However right now my instincts tell me something else. Something's going on with Tate. I just don't know what it is exactly."
And there it was…
THE TRUTH I HAD ALWAYS KNOWN.
My thoughts flashed back a few days ago, when Hanami claimed that she had seen something sinister in Tate. Unknowing to her it wasn't a surprise to me, because I hadn't seen but felt it. So I had used a few powerful spells on Tate subtlety to see if Tate was being possessed by a sinister force.
The discovery I made was shocking. Tate wasn't being possessed, but rather this dark energy that was within Tate seemed to be naturally apart of him. "Have you spoken to Erza and Gray?," Gajeel suddenly asked me, as he got up and and stared out the open window.
"I don't think I can do this again Gajeel," I sighed sadly. "I know Gray can take it, but every time I tell Erza something new about Tate… You know she use to get angry, but now if I report anything new I just… just break her heart."
(SHINACHIKU'S P.O.V)
"So what's with this guy Tate Fullbuster?," I asked, as I placed my hands behind my head. The four of us were in Chase and Ayla's bedroom. Chase and I lied on our backs hands behind our heads, watching our sisters having a pillow fight.
"You mean why you think he tried to kick your butt?." Chase chuckled. "My guess is that the has found himself a worthy rival, and that he doesn't like the fact tha a Shinobi kicked his ass, and gets the honour of being Natsu's student."
"Chase language!," Ayla scowled her brother, as she ducked from Hanami's attack.
"What!, it's true!," Chase protested disregarding his sister's scolding.
"Me a worthy rival?!. I barely understood my magic, and so what if I was Uncle Natsu's student?".
"You didn't know?," Chase questioned me genuinely surprised. "Being Natsu's student has always been his lifelong dream for as long as I can remember. Tate would never admit it, but he looks up to Natsu .So when you came out of nowhere, and claimed that spot he sort of went off the deep end."
"Well I'm glad." Hanami spoke up. "That's guy's a jerk. I'm glad my brother kicked his butt."
"TAKE THAT BACK!," Ayla snapped at Hanami. "Why?," Hanami frowned at the fact that Ayla was defending Tate.
"OOOHHHH," Hanami suddenly smirked at Ayla's blushing face. "Did I offend you by talking smack about your boyfriend?." Chase opened his mouth to defend his sister, but closed it in disbelief, as he peered closer at Ayla's face, who then avoided his gaze.
"CHASE AND AYLA REDFOX GET YOUR BUTT'S DOWN HERE NOW!." We suddenly heard Levy's angry voice call out to the twins. They quickly scrambled off their beds, as they whispered to one another about who was to blame for their mother's angry outburst.
"It's funny," Hanami giggled flopping down next to me. "Those two remind me of us." Instead of answering I simply smiled in agreement. "What are you thinking right now?," Hanami suddenly asked. "My newfound rival," I sighed covering my face with my right hand.
I suddenly felt my sister remove my hand, as she peered into my eyes sternly. "Mom's not here to give you her motherly advice. So I guess I'll have to step up and do this. Shinachiku Uzumaki don't ever back down from your new rival.
Never give that slime ball the satisfaction that he can walk all over you. And as for being Uncle Natsu's student you deserve it." I was sitting up with a big smile on my face. If there was anybody that could cheer me up it was her. To be honest when it comes to Uncle Natsu, I didn't feel worthy of being his student.
To make matters worse it practically started the rivalry between Tate and I. However Hanami was right. If I wanted to move forward, I couldn't let Tate walk all over me, or feel bad that Uncle Natsu choose me. Without warning my sister threw her arms around me in the form of a hug. "I'm proud of you Shinachiku Uzumaki…"
